Special Meeting of Newark Municipal Council - February 25, 2025

The Newark Municipal Council held a special meeting on February 25, 2025, at 10:00 AM in the Council Chamber at City Hall. The meeting was called to order with six members present (Council, Gonzalez, Kelly, Quintana, Scott-Rountree, Crump); Ramos and Silva arrived later. The council adopted four resolutions, including contracts for videotaping services, a redevelopment subordination, an amendment to an audit contract, and a resolution supporting the publishing of legal notices on official government websites. Two members of the public spoke during the 30-minute public comment period.

Consent Calendar

• 7R1-a(s) (24-1671): Authorized a $300,000 bid contract with Interfaith Television Ministries, Inc. to provide videotaping, training, and technical assistance to the Municipal Council and City Clerk’s Office for up to 24 months. Adopted 6-0 (Ramos and Silva absent).
• 7R2-a(s) (25-0214): Authorized an amendment to the Agreement for Sale and Redevelopment of Land with Wiosna, LLC to subordinate the City’s reverter rights, allowing the redeveloper to obtain financing for the rehabilitation of 274 Chadwick Avenue into a three-family house. Sale amount: $23,625. Adopted 6-0 (Ramos and Silva absent).

Discussion Items

• 7R8-a(s) (25-0085): Amending resolution to increase the contract with Samuel Klein and Company, LLP for 2025 statutory auditor services and single audit. The original contract amount of $529,625 was increased by $200,000 to a new total not to exceed $729,625, incorporating the Department of Public Safety. Councilman Gonzalez asked whether the increase was because the police department was not previously included; City Clerk Daniels confirmed that was correct. Adopted 6-0 (Ramos and Silva absent).
• 7R8-b(s) (25-0270): Resolution to support publishing legal notices on official government websites. City Clerk Daniels explained that due to the Star Ledger’s digitization, the law has not caught up, and this resolution—supported by the League of Municipalities and NJ Municipal Clerks Association—advocates for posting legal notices on the city website to reduce spending on multiple publications. Councilman Quintana commented that his district (South Ward) has kept ethnic newspapers (e.g., Luso) for broader communication, suggesting following the league but also maintaining local ethnic papers. Adopted 6-0 initially (Ramos and Silva absent); later all eight members voted to adjourn.

Public Comments & Testimony

• George Tillman, Jr.: Raised concerns that the Affirmative Action Review Council meeting the previous night had only two members present (Chairperson Rashid and Donald Carter), the second consecutive meeting without a quorum. He stated that Ms. Rashid now requires written requests for information on construction developments and refused to allow Mr. Baptiste to give compliance reports, citing new guidelines. Tillman also reported that his OPRA request submitted prior to October 21, 2024, for quarterly and semi-annual progress reports on contractor compliance (per ordinance 6PSF-C061715) received a response from the Clerk’s office that no records were found for 10 years from that review council or Newark Works. He indicated he would provide more details at the next meeting.
• Debra Salters: Questioned why Councilman Silva was in the hallway during the previous council meeting instead of in his seat. She then asked about rental assistance funds: noting that the city received millions (from the federal government) for first month’s rent and security deposits, but when someone sought help shortly after the money was received, they were told there was no money. She accused officials of not putting money where it belongs and called for accountability from developers regarding tax abatements and affirmative action committee performance.

Key Outcomes

• All four resolutions were adopted unanimously (6-0 for first three, 6-0 for fourth, with Ramos and Silva absent initially; adjournment motion passed 8-0 after all members arrived).
• The council approved a $200,000 increase in the audit contract to include the Department of Public Safety.
• The resolution supporting publication of legal notices on official government websites passed, with Councilman Quintana’s suggestion to also use ethnic newspapers noted.
• No council or administration responses were made to public comments.