Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting – March 19, 2025

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 6:31 PM in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 920 Broad Street. The meeting was called to order, followed by the National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, and an invocation by Pastor Nieva Nieves of the House of True Worshippers. The Council addressed a full agenda including public comments, ordinances, resolutions, and motions, approving the vast majority of items. Eight council members were present for most votes: Patrick O. Council, Carlos M. Gonzalez, Dupré L. Kelly, Luis A. Quintana, Anibal Ramos Jr., Louise Scott-Rountree, Michael J. Silva, and President C. Lawrence Crump. The meeting adjourned at 9:48 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Reports and Recommendations: The Council unanimously accepted the minutes of the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission (January 22, 2025) and the financial statements of Springfield Avenue Urban Renewal LLC (December 31, 2024).

Public Comments & Testimony

Twenty-five citizens were listed to speak; many appeared and addressed the Council on a wide range of issues:

• Alif Muhammad urged better security at Newark Housing Authority properties, noting a recent incident involving a 14-year-old and police, and criticized Councilman Council for opposing a security ordinance.
• Sean Paul reported an illegal conversion of a four-family home to 11 units at 80 Grand Avenue in the West Ward.
• Shakir McDougald called for youth program ownership of music rights, environmental justice around a proposed power plant, and a $1 billion annual tax from the plant, with residuals for residents.
• Nadirah Brown highlighted lack of youth voter registration and called for a town hall meeting; she questioned rent control board composition and affordability.
• Lisa Mitchelson Parker criticized emergency appropriations, water/sewer rate increases (11.1% water, 9.6% sewer), property tax increases, tax abatements for developers, and lack of police/fire union contracts.
• Munirah El-Bomani declared a state of emergency, alleging police and governmental terrorism, drug and gun trafficking in rec centers, and an eviction tsunami; she called for addressing poverty root causes.
• Ché Colter advocated for multi-year capital budgets, better firehouse conditions, support for the 28th legislative district, and a congressional plan connecting Newark to Washington, D.C.
• Czezre Adams criticized the administration for abuse of power, lack of accountability, and mishandling of the Central Ward council seat opening; he claimed the mayor is failing the city.
• Daniel Karny spoke on behalf of Society Hill at University Heights, citing a 56.57% HOA dues increase and urging programs to support middle-class homeowners, such as expanded Path Home Project and facade improvement grants.
• Elijah Morgano (Alakai Mac) made a spiritual and symbolic statement, revoking access for Aboriginal melanated people and calling for land back.
• Opal R. Wright read excerpts from the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
• Deborah Salters argued that tax abatements should not be granted until the city complies with the Newark Resident Employment Policy and the Affirmative Action Review Council is properly constituted.
• Jimmie White called for stronger landlord accountability, increased fines, more frequent inspections, and charging landlords for police supervision.
• Cassandra Dock challenged the mayor's support for 16-year-old voting in school board elections, and criticized affordable housing units being unaffordable; she also raised concerns about the lawfulness of requiring citizens to sign up and limit speaking time.
• Donna Jackson criticized lack of arson investigations after recent fires, inadequate code enforcement certification, and opposed the $6 million NHA bond, calling it political; she also demanded police contracts be settled.
• Jahmar Youngblood proposed a "Ford Transparency Ordinance" to allow residents to search tax dollar spending online, and a resolution for participatory budgeting; he urged millennial and Gen Z engagement.
• Latoya Jackson-Tucker called for community unity, urged the Department of Public Safety not to antagonize communities, and emphasized shared trauma.
• Akeem Miller introduced the Willamina Holder Fellowship to empower young leaders, citing a 2024 study showing only 27% of young adults feel their voice matters locally.

Discussion Items

Ordinances – Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage:

• 6PSF-a (25-0195): An ordinance appropriating $6,000,000 in bonds for rehabilitation of housing units managed by the Newark Housing Authority and related expenses. Public comments were mixed: some supported it as a step to address homelessness, others opposed it as insufficient or politically motivated. The Council closed the public hearing and adopted the ordinance 8-0.
• 6PSF-b (25-0118): An ordinance ratifying and authorizing a lease with Bethany Baptist Church (Central Ward) for a Sunday school room to provide senior services, at an annual rent of $30,000. Public speakers questioned the timing (referencing 2024) and asked for details on services. Councilman Council defended the church’s long role in senior programs. The ordinance was adopted 8-0.

Resolutions:

• Temporary Emergency Appropriations (7R1-a through h): Adopted 8-0 to fund pensions ($94,199,489.47), Ryan White HIV services ($1,076,917), Lead Hazard and Healthy Homes ($7,750,000), Anti-Violence Out-of-School Youth Project ($2,000,000 for 105 youth), Sickle Cell services ($484,433), Police/Fire capital improvements ($750,000 for PEOSH violations), operating expenses ($68,141,244 through April 30, 2025), and public health infrastructure ($168,049).
• Purchasing Contracts (7R1-i through l): Adopted 8-0 for trucks/vehicles ($589,560), maintenance/masonry repair (three vendors, $400,000), horse feed/supplies ($140,000), and cleaning equipment ($2,536,000).
• Accepting Gift (7R1-m): Adopted 8-0 to accept $16,500 gift (license fee and ticketing) from NJPAC for the 2025 State of the City Mayoral Address, with ancillary fees not to exceed $60,000.
• Grant Applications (7R1-n, o): Adopted 8-0 for EPA Environmental Justice grant ($1,000,000) and New Jersey Historic Trust grant ($750,000) for City Hall interior rehabilitation.
• Economic and Housing Development (7R2-a, b, c): 7R2-a (private sale at 596 Bergen Street for $26,250) adopted 7-0 with Ramos abstaining. 7R2-b (Ironbound BID budget, $1,300,000) adopted 8-0. 7R2-c (access agreement with PPG for Riverside Industrial Park Superfund site remediation) adopted 8-0.
• Engineering (7R3-a, b): 7R3-a (settlement with PVSC, $83,680 for curb/sidewalk in lieu of construction) adopted 6-0, with Quintana and Crump abstaining. 7R3-b (time extension for NV5, Inc. contract) adopted 8-0.
• Finance (7R4-a through f): All adopted 8-0 except 7R4-f (loan/escrow agreements for Joint Meeting of Essex and Union Counties, $805,000) adopted 7-0 with Ramos abstaining.
• Health and Community Wellness (7R5-a through y): All adopted 8-0 (Ramos abstained on 7R5-f only). These include numerous sub-recipient contracts for HIV/AIDS housing and support services (HOPWA and Ryan White funds) totaling millions, as well as Lead Hazard grant acceptance ($7,750,000) and a First Amendment for NextGen Healthcare software ($1,250,000).
• Law (7R6): Settlements: items A, B, E, F deferred; items C, D adopted 8-0. Professional services contracts (G through N) adopted 8-0 (Crump abstained on 7R6-i).
• Municipal Council and City Clerk (7R8): Ceremonial street designations (7R8-a, b) adopted 8-0. Recognizing and commending resolution (7R8-c) adopted 8-0. Sorrow and regret resolution (7R8-d) amended to add names and adopted as amended 8-0.

Communications:

• 8-a: Appointment of DaWuan Norwood to the Civilian Complaint Review Board (filling ACLU seat) confirmed 8-0.
• 8-b: Ordinance granting 30-year tax abatement to 1098 Broad Street Urban Renewal LLC for a 5-story building (35 market-rate units, 750 sq ft commercial, 17 parking spaces) advanced to first reading 8-0 (now 6F-a).
• 8-c, d, e: Traffic ordinances for Marion Place and 7th Avenue West/North 6th Street advanced to first reading 8-0 (Crump abstained on 8-d).
• 8-f: Cap ordinance to exceed budget appropriation limits and establish a cap bank advanced 8-0.
• 8-g: Bond ordinance for Joint Meeting of Essex and Union Counties ($1,445,000) advanced 8-0 (Ramos abstained).
• 8-h: Lease agreement with 169 Clinton Development Urban Renewal LLC to house homeless population (15-year lease with renewal options, rent escalating to $3,992,130.48 in year ten) amended to authorize Mayor/BA to execute, then advanced as amended on first reading 8-0 (now 6F-f).

Motions (Adopted):

• 7Ma (25-0450): Request DPW to review flag replacement program for all public buildings; adopted 7-0 (Gonzalez absent).
• 7Mb (25-0451): Express discontent with poor workmanship at North Sixth Street firehouse renovations; adopted 7-0 (Gonzalez absent).
• 7Mc (25-0452): Request Water and Sewer Utilities meet with upper North Ward residents about flooding; adopted 7-0.
• 7Md (25-0480): Request Engineering, Public Safety, and Essex County Sheriff meet with Forest Hills residents about traffic safety; adopted 7-0.
• 7Me (25-0454): Recognize Captain Wyhidi Wilson for FBI National Academy selection; adopted 7-0.
• 7Mf (25-0455): Recognize Hasani Council for NJSBA Board Leader Certification; adopted 7-0.
• 7Mg (25-0456): Recognize Wilbur McNeil Jr. for Weequahic Park walking trail dedication; adopted 7-0.
• 7Mh (25-0457): Thank Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin for officiating Sergeant Azcona’s funeral; adopted 7-0.
• 7Mi (25-0458): Sorrow for Jerry Minter, retired Municipal Courts officer; adopted 7-0.
• 7Mj (25-0459): Sorrow for Valeria Bullock, mother of Commissioner Theresa Wright; adopted 7-0.
• 7Mk (25-0460): Sorrow for Reverend Arthur Brooks; adopted 7-0.
• 7Ml (25-0461): Request status report on abandoned properties at 13/15 Hecker Street and 517-19 Irvine Turner Boulevard; adopted 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• The Council adopted a $6,000,000 bond ordinance for Newark Housing Authority unit rehabilitation (6PSF-a) 8-0.
• A lease with Bethany Baptist Church for senior services was ratified (6PSF-b) 8-0.
• Eight temporary emergency appropriations totaling over $174 million were approved to fund city operations, health programs, and capital improvements.
• Multiple contracts for goods and services were authorized, including $2.5 million for cleaning equipment and $589,560 for trucks.
• Grant applications were accepted for lead hazard reduction ($7.75M HUD grant), EPA environmental justice ($1M), and City Hall restoration ($750K).
• A 30-year tax abatement for 1098 Broad Street (35 market-rate units) was advanced to first reading.
• A lease for homeless housing at 169 Clinton Avenue (15-year term, rent up to $4M in year 10) was advanced with an amendment authorizing the Mayor and Business Administrator to execute documents.
• DaWuan Norwood was confirmed to the Civilian Complaint Review Board.
• Several motions passed requesting reports or meetings on flags, firehouse renovations, flooding, traffic safety, and abandoned properties.
• The next regular meeting was scheduled for April 2, 2025.