Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting - April 2, 2025

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 12:31 PM in the Council Chamber, City Hall, 920 Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey. Council President C. Lawrence Crump presided. Seven council members were present (Council, Gonzalez, Kelly, Quintana, Ramos, Scott-Rountree, Crump); Council Member Michael J. Silva was absent. The meeting included ordinances, resolutions, public hearings, and a hearing of citizens, concluding at 4:02 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Shakir McDougald expressed concern about road construction impacts, lack of community notification, and resulting anxiety for residents.
• Alif Muhammad supported the 30-year tax abatement for 1098 Broad Street as beneficial for the area but noted the absence of affordable units in the project.
• Lisa Parker strongly opposed the 30-year tax abatement, criticizing the lack of homeowner relief, insufficient affordable housing, absence of union labor requirements, and developer campaign contributions.
• Debra Salters opposed the tax abatement, arguing it provided no affordable units and benefited developers at the expense of residents with low incomes.
• George Tillman, Jr. protested the tax abatement, citing the Affirmative Action Review Council's failure to meet and ensure Newark resident employment on projects.
• Felicia Alston-Singleton criticized the grouping of three traffic ordinances without explanation, demanded clarity from engineering, and questioned the lack of community engagement.
• Lisa Parker (on traffic ordinances) questioned the rationale for removing parking on Marion Place and the connection to other projects.
• Shakir McDougald asked why traffic changes were needed and who would benefit, noting existing parking issues.
• Debra Salters requested detailed explanations from the Engineering Department, arguing that lack of information causes confusion.
• Lisa Parker (on the cap ordinance) accused the city of financial mismanagement, citing a 20.2% water rate increase, unaccounted funds, and tax increases.
• Shakir McDougald questioned the need for exceeding budget caps, urging prioritization of food and medicine over spending.
• Felicia Alston-Singleton challenged the cap ordinance, demanding transparency on revenue from tax abatements and budget allocations.
• Debra Salters argued the cap ordinance removes guardrails, given the city's repeated late budgets, and questioned the need for exceeding limits.
• Lisa Parker (on the lease for homeless housing) accused the city of corruption and money laundering, referencing prior issues with the Riviera Hotel and the same developers.
• Alif Muhammad opposed the lease, warning of federal scrutiny and past corruption involving the same entities.
• Shakir McDougald questioned the retroactive commencement date of the lease (March 1, 2025) and called the arrangement "poverty pimping."
• Debra Salters criticized the escalating rent ($0 to nearly $4 million in year 10) and questioned why the city leases rather than builds on its own properties.
• Munirah El-Bomani alleged pay-to-play, money laundering, and fraud in homeless spending, noting the city has received nearly a billion dollars with little progress.
• Alif Muhammad (on the Community Benefits Agreement) praised the Fulton Street project as the best deal he had seen, citing 80 affordable units, five transitional apartments, and a $1 million contribution to the economic development trust fund, plus $200,000 annually for five years.
• Lisa Parker (on the Community Benefits Agreement) demanded a project labor agreement, argued the $1 million is insufficient, and noted the developer's family donated $40,000 to the mayor's campaign.
• Debra Salters argued the community benefits are minimal and that the first payment comes only after the certificate of occupancy, calling it "crumbs."
• Shakir McDougald questioned the parking ratio (316 market-rate units vs. 107 parking spaces) and the lack of affordable parking.
• Eric Adams supported the agreement, calling it fair and noting the developer's long commitment to Newark.
• Felicia Alston-Singleton (during citizen hearing) criticized the council for failing to address slum conditions at Georgia King Village and called for a receivership.
• Alif Muhammad (citizen hearing) warned of a federal task force investigating corruption in Newark, referencing the arrest of Lamont and alleged pay-to-play schemes.
• Margaret Johnson complained about lack of street cleaning on 13th Avenue since November 2024, requesting trash cans and education programs.
• Reginald Turner described issues with a voucher program for furniture, including bed bugs and missing items, and appealed for help.
• Shakir McDougald (citizen hearing) delivered an open letter to youth, encouraging education, self-care, and saving money.
• Opal R. Wright read sections of the Dodd-Frank Act regarding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
• George Tillman, Jr. (citizen hearing) reiterated the failure of the Affirmative Action Review Council to meet, stating no records of Newark residents employed on construction sites, and called for a special conference.
• Munirah El-Bomani (citizen hearing) denounced the Baraka and Booker administrations, alleging corruption and calling for federal audits.
• Gerrell Elliott (retired firefighter) discussed high costs for firefighter exams and equipment, which he said lead to gentrification by excluding Newark residents.
• Chesha Hodge requested updates on the Food Security Commission, adopted in January 2024 but with little progress, and offered community support.
• Latoya Jackson-Tucker urged the community to unify without partisan divisions, emphasizing authenticity.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 6PSF-a (30-year tax abatement for 1098 Broad Street): Brandi Daniel (Legislative Administrator, Economic and Housing Development) stated that affordable housing would be provided off-site at 69 Sherman Avenue, and the developer would pay into the affordable housing trust fund. Council Member Gonzalez noted that 32% of units across five projects (including this one) are affordable. The ordinance was adopted 7-0.
• Ordinances 6PSF-b, c, d (Traffic amendments on Marion Place and 7th Ave/North 6th St): Raymond Concepcion (Assistant Director, Engineering) explained that Marion Place is too narrow for parking on both sides, so the east side would be restricted; a multi-way stop was warranted per federal guidelines. Adopted 7-0.
• Ordinance 6PSF-e (Cap ordinance to exceed budget limits): Benjamin Guzman (Acting Director of Finance) explained the ordinance allows the city to increase appropriation limits from 2.5% to 3.5% and create a cap bank, as done annually for the past ten years. Adopted 7-0.
• Ordinance 6PSF-f (Lease for homeless housing at 169 Clinton Avenue): Luis Ulerio (Director, Office of Homeless Services) described a 15-year lease with two renewal options, starting with $0 rent for two years, escalating to $3,992,130.48 in year ten. The city would renovate the ground floor into a community resource hub and floors 2-3 into 140 transitional housing rooms. Council Member Gonzalez requested a rent schedule. The ordinance failed on a 4-3-3 vote (Yes: Council, Kelly, Scott-Rountree, Crump; Abstain: Gonzalez, Quintana, Ramos; Silva absent).
• Resolution 7R2-i (Community Benefits Agreement for Fulton Street project): Brandi Daniel stated a community meeting was held on December 2, 2024. The agreement includes five transitional housing units, a $1 million contribution to the economic development trust fund, and $200,000 payments for five years starting after certificate of occupancy. Adopted 7-0.
• Resolution 7R6-m (Amendment to legal services contract): The council amended the resolution to correct the dollar amount from $76,670.95 to $77,311.48, then adopted as amended 7-0.
• Resolution 7R8-a (Ceremonial street designation): Council Member Quintana moved to amend the name from "Benavente Family Way" to "Benavente Memorial Way." Adopted as amended 7-0.
• Motions introduced:
  • Motion 7Ma: Requesting a status report on the disabled elevator at 130 Chancellor Avenue. Adopted 5-0 (3 absent).
  • Motion 7Mb: Recognizing Senator Cory Booker for his 25-hour, 5-minute speech. Adopted 5-0.
  • Motion 7Mc: Expressing sorrow at the passing of Abraham "Abe" George, Jr. Adopted 5-0.
  • Motion 7Md: Requesting a review of vendor application process and a meeting with the Department of Economic and Housing Development. Adopted 5-0.
  • Motion 7Me: Requesting that the Department of Economic and Housing Development notify the council of community meetings for Aspire Program community benefits agreements. Adopted 5-0.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted Ordinances:
  • 6F-a: Bond ordinance for $1,445,000 for capital improvement projects for the Joint Meeting of Essex and Union Counties. (Adopted on first reading, 6-1, with Ramos abstaining.)
  • 6PSF-a: 30-year tax abatement for 1098 Broad Street project (35 market-rate units, 750 sq ft commercial, 17 parking spaces). Adopted 7-0.
  • 6PSF-b, c, d: Traffic amendments deleting parking on Marion Place (east side) and designating multi-way stop at 7th Ave West and North 6th St. Adopted 7-0.
  • 6PSF-e: Cap ordinance to exceed budget appropriation limits and establish a cap bank. Adopted 7-0.
  • 8-a (advanced to first reading as 6F-b): 30-year tax abatement for Fulton Street project (396 units, 80 affordable, 5 transitional, 4,726 sq ft retail, 107 parking spaces). Adopted 7-0.
  • 8-b (advanced to first reading as 6F-c): 25-year tax abatement for Newark Portfolio II project (23 units, 5 affordable, 1,350 sq ft commercial, 5 parking). Adopted 7-0.
  • 8-c (advanced to first reading): Ordinance creating Chapter 8:42 for licensing of dockless vehicles for commercial e-deliveries. Adopted 6-0 (Gonzalez absent).
  • 8-d (advanced to first reading as 6F-d): Ordinance creating Chapter 8:43 for driving school registration. Adopted 6-0 (Gonzalez absent).
• Failed Ordinance: 6PSF-f: Lease for homeless housing at 169 Clinton Avenue. Failed with 4 yes, 3 abstain, 1 absent.
• Adopted Resolutions:
  • 7R1-a through 7R1-g (Administration: emergency appropriations, state contracts, bid contracts, grant acceptance, rescission). All adopted.
  • 7R2-a (First amended sale/redevelopment agreement for Broadbelt CMGC, LLC) adopted 6-1 (Ramos abstaining).
  • 7R2-b (Private sale to Leopoldo Benavides) deferred.
  • 7R2-c through 7R2-h (Private sales/redevelopment and grant acceptance) adopted.
  • 7R2-i (Community Benefits Agreement for Fulton Street) adopted 7-0.
  • 7R4-a (Tax sale certificate assignment) returned to administration.
  • 7R5-a through 7R5-e (HIV/AIDS service contracts) adopted.
  • 7R6-a through 7R6-e (Litigation settlements) adopted with Gonzalez abstaining on 7R6-d.
  • 7R6-f and 7R6-g (Settlements) deferred.
  • 7R6-h through 7R6-l (Professional services contracts for Law Department) adopted.
  • 7R6-m (First amendment to Rainone Coughlin Minchello contract) adopted as amended.
  • 7R6-n (First amendment to Schenck Price Smith and King contract) adopted.
  • 7R8-a (Ceremonial street designation) adopted as amended.
  • 7R8-b (Recognizing and commending resolutions) adopted.
  • 7R8-c (Expressions of sorrow) adopted.
  • 7R9-a (Shared services agreement for fire response) adopted.
  • 7R12-a, b, c (Water and sewer utility contracts) adopted.
• Motions adopted: 7Ma, 7Mb, 7Mc, 7Md, 7Me (all 5-0).
• Raffle licenses approved: St. Michael's RC Church, St. Michael's Seton RC Church, Devils Care Foundation, Inc. Approved 6-0.
• Next Meeting: Ordinances adopted on first reading will be advertised, with a public hearing on April 16, 2025, or as soon thereafter.