Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting - February 5, 2025

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at City Hall in the Council Chamber. The meeting was called to order at 12:32 PM and adjourned at 2:44 PM. All eight council members were present at the start. The council adopted ordinances and resolutions, heard extensive public testimony, introduced several ordinances on first reading, and took action on appointments and motions.

Consent Calendar

• The council unanimously accepted the Joint Meeting of Essex & Union Counties Annual Financial Report (December 31, 2023), the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission Minutes (December 18, 2024), and the Central Planning Board Minutes (September through November 2024).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lisa Parker (also listed as Lisa Mitchelson-Parker) opposed tax abatements for market-rate projects, calling for a moratorium and questioning campaign donor influence. She also criticized a vote for 16-year-old voting and alleged city clerk misconduct.
• Alif Muhammad questioned the lack of affordable units in the 40 Austin Street project and made remarks about council members, the mayor, and the governor.
• Joseph Elmo Cauda, representing the developer, stated the 40 Austin project is one of five projects that will produce 54 affordable units total, including a 100% affordable project on Sherman Avenue and a 50% affordable project on Washington Street.
• Debra Salters criticized the 30-year tax abatement for market-rate units, stating tax abatements were originally to help development and the city is undervaluing itself. She also alleged a false police report by the city clerk and described poor living conditions at 440 Washington Street.
• George Tillman Jr. discussed the separation of affordable and market-rate units across the five projects and the inactive affirmative action review council, requesting the administration appear at a special meeting.
• Opal R. Wright recited provisions from the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act regarding consumer financial protection.
• Darnella Lee testified about mold in her building, alleged deleted paperwork, and said she faced retaliation.
• Harold Lewis described a sewage overflow in his apartment at 516 Bergen Street and management's failure to remediate.
• Dominique Bradley raised parking enforcement issues in the East Ward, proposing residential parking permits, fewer street cleaning days, and an end to towing already-ticketed vehicles.
• Latoya Jackson-Tucker expressed concerns about treatment of incarcerated individuals by the New Jersey Department of Corrections, including her son.
• Munirah El-Bomani called for defunding politicians, claimed corruption, and made statements about undocumented immigrants. Business Administrator Eric Pennington later responded that undocumented residents are more likely to be crime victims than perpetrators and reaffirmed Newark's welcoming stance.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 6PSF-a (40 Austin Street tax abatement): The council held a public hearing on a 30-year tax abatement for 40 Austin Street Urban Renewal Co., LLC to construct a five-story building with 43 market-rate residential rental units and 38 ground-floor parking spaces in the East Ward. Allison Ladd, Director of Economic and Housing Development, stated the project is one of five in the neighborhood, with 166 total units, approximately $53 million investment, and tax revenue increasing from $39,700 to $333,900 annually. She also stated 32.5% of units across the five buildings will be affordable and affordable units will be built first. The ordinance was adopted unanimously (8-0).
• Ordinances 6PSF-b to e (multi-way stop intersections): Four ordinances designating multi-way stop intersections in the Central Ward (15th Avenue and South 13th Street; 16th Avenue and South 11th Street; 15th Avenue and Littleton Avenue; 15th Avenue and South 11th Street) were each adopted unanimously (8-0) after a brief comment from Lisa Parker.
• Ordinance 6SF-a (convenience store regulation): This ordinance, previously failed, sought to prohibit new convenience stores within a certain distance of existing ones and increase fines. Councilman Ramos offered a friendly amendment to limit the distance restriction to discount stores, which Councilman Council accepted. Councilman Gonzalez noted the need to define 'convenience goods.' The amendment and the amended ordinance were both adopted unanimously (8-0).
• Resolution 7R1-a (competitive contracting for third-party inspections): The resolution originally authorized competitive contracting for 'Code Enforcement' third-party inspection services but was amended to specify Uniform Construction Code (UCC) inspectors. Business Administrator Eric Pennington explained it is a short-term solution to supplement in-house inspectors, with costs paid by developers through fees. The amendment was adopted (8-0), and the amended resolution was adopted 7-0-1 (Councilwoman Scott-Rountree abstained).
• Communications - Ordinances introduced on first reading:
  • 8-a: 30-year tax abatement and redevelopment area bonds for 20 Branford Place (81 units: 65 market, 16 affordable with AMI restrictions, 3,974 sq ft retail) - advanced and adopted as 6F-a (7-0-1, Councilman Gonzalez abstained).
  • 8-b: 20-year tax abatement for PGH & Associates Urban Renewal LLC at 768-772 Bergen Street (20 units: 16 market, 4 affordable, daycare, activity rooms, 7 parking stalls) - advanced to first reading (8-0).
  • 8-c: Third amendment of sale/redevelopment agreement for Block 318, Lots 1, 4, and 8 - advanced (8-0).
  • 8-d: Amended and restated financial agreement and assignment for a portion of the 41 19th Avenue project - adopted as 6F-b (8-0).
  • 8-e: Assignment of 42 market-rate units from 41 19th Avenue Urban Renewal LLC to Rise REO Urban Renewal LLC - adopted as 6F-c (8-0).
  • 8-f: Special emergency appropriation of $6,000,000 for real property revaluation - adopted as 6F-d (8-0).
• Appointment (9-a): Stefanie Matthews was confirmed to the Newark Parking Authority to serve the remainder of the term ending October 20, 2026 (7-0-1, Council President Crump abstained).

Key Outcomes

• Adopted the 30-year tax abatement for 40 Austin Street (8-0).
• Adopted four multi-way stop intersection ordinances (8-0 each).
• Amended and adopted the convenience store ordinance to include discount stores (8-0).
• Amended and adopted the resolution authorizing competitive contracting for UCC third-party inspection services (7-0-1).
• Adopted numerous resolutions for grants, contracts, labor agreements, and land sales (8-0 each, except as noted).
• Deferred the private sale of 596 Bergen Street (8-0).
• Confirmed Stefanie Matthews to the Newark Parking Authority (7-0-1).
• Introduced six ordinances on first reading, with public hearings scheduled for February 19, 2025, or soon thereafter.
• Adopted five motions by a 5-0-3 vote (with Councilmembers Gonzalez, Kelly, and Scott-Rountree absent): expressions of profound sorrow for Yasin Morrison and Celestine Caldwell; a request that the Department of Engineering consider returning East Peddie Street to a one-way street; a request that the Department of Public Works increase recycling notifications and emphasize cardboard disposal; and a request that the Office of Homeless Services monitor and provide shelter to individuals camped at Crane Street and Lower Broadway. (The minutes also list a second, identically-worded recycling notification motion.)
• Adjourned at 2:44 PM.

Note on Discrepancies

• The agenda for Resolution 7R1-a stated the purpose as 'Code Enforcement third party inspection services,' but the council amended it on the floor to 'Uniform Construction Code (UCC) third-party inspection services' before adoption.
• The agenda indicated that the convenience store ordinance had previously failed (references to 'Failed 6PSF-j 010825' and 'Failed 6SF-b 012225'), and it was adopted on this date after amendment.