Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting - May 21, 2025

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 6:31 PM in the Council Chamber at City Hall. The meeting was called to order with 7 members present (Council Member Silva arriving at 6:59 PM), and adjourned at 9:57 PM. The agenda included public comments, multiple ordinances on tax abatements and lead paint inspections, numerous resolutions, and several motions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Alif Muhammad expressed anger at Mayor Baraka’s arrest at Delaney Hall, criticized the mayor’s ego, and expressed sadness for Congresswoman LaMonica R. McIver, whom he had supported since she was a council candidate.
• Felicia Alston-Singleton criticized the mayor for focusing on ICE detainees while ignoring deplorable housing conditions in Newark, and called for accountability from elected officials.
• Lisa Parker mourned the passing of Mayor Sharpe James and Catherine Willis, demanded a statue of Sharpe James (removing George Floyd), and criticized the current administration for poor governance.
• Elijah Morgano spoke against the city’s tax abatement practices, claiming they benefit Ashkenazi interests and harm native residents, and called for land back.
• Debra Salters questioned the lack of community benefits from tax abatements, especially for a warehouse project at Frontage Road, and noted the failure to produce promised jobs.
• Sara Crispin argued that public officials are trustees to the people, not corporate interests, and requested the return of her vehicle unlawfully taken.
• Emily Aikens demanded a budget timeline and safer streets (especially Lake Street), and questioned why Council Member Gonzalez had not advocated for safety on his own block.
• Maryam Bey reported maintenance and safety issues at Underwood Street, criticized tax abatements to slumlords, and called for more job opportunities for qualified Newark residents.
• George Tillman, Jr. described mistreatment of seniors by New Community Corporation regarding park access and building safety, and urged the council to hold developers accountable.
• Shakir Reddick spoke against management at Pilgrim Baptist Village (Arco Management) alleging illegal evictions and neglect.
• Munirah El-Bomani criticized the tax abatement process as lacking transparency and community input, and argued that poverty is the worst form of violence.
• Darnella Lee played a song about violence and loss in Newark, mourned several recent deaths, and called for better senior wellness checks and safer neighborhoods.
• Jhamar Youngblood discussed the concept of “Black Tax” and argued that rising property taxes and water rates are forcing out longtime residents while developers get tax breaks.
• Gee Cureton reported fraud and neglect at Georgia King Village, including inoperable elevators, sewer issues, and lack of code enforcement.
• Mary Rouse described intimidation and violence at Georgia King Village, including a robbery of her son, and requested help with relocation.
• Eli Kwawukume reported repeated sewage backups in his basement at Georgia King Village, and called for healthy living conditions.
• Donna Jackson fiercely criticized the mayor and congresswoman for their actions at Delaney Hall, cited poor housing conditions, and called for accountability.
• Opal R. Wright read from the Dodd-Frank Act and urged attention to consumer protection.
• Latoya Jackson-Tucker proposed a life skills program for young girls and urged unity.
• Ché Colter called for realignment of government priorities, criticized the lack of education committee hearings, and requested a 5-year budget plan.
• Cassandra Dock criticized Mayor Baraka for not addressing housing conditions and questioned his motives at Delaney Hall.

Discussion Items

• 6PSF-a (24-0471): 30-year tax abatement for 317 Mulberry St. – Allison Ladd (Director of Economic and Housing Development) explained that this project is one of five connected projects; combined, they provide over 30% affordable housing. She noted the developer is local. Public speakers questioned the lack of affordability in this single project and the overall community benefit. The ordinance was adopted 8-0.
• 6PSF-b (25-0384): 17-year tax abatement for warehouse at 58-108 Frontage Rd. – Speakers questioned whether this was a new construction or a rebranding of an existing warehouse, and asked about community benefits. Council Member Silva noted the warehouse employs about 279 people (75% Newark residents) and was built on a vacant lot. The ordinance was adopted 8-0.
• 6PSF-c (25-0278): Lead paint inspection ordinance – Director Ketlen Baptist Alsbrook explained the ordinance codifies state law for proactive lead inspections in rental dwellings built before 1978. Donna Jackson argued the city is doing a poor job with lead abatement and relocation. The director countered that the Health Department provides nurse case management and financial assistance. The ordinance was adopted 8-0.
• 6PSF-d (25-0187) and 6PSF-e (24-0488) were deferred (Robert Treat Hotel tax abatement and 449 Washington St. tax abatement).
• 6SF-a (25-0408): Lease agreement for homeless housing – Deferred.
• Communications items advanced to first reading including a 25-year tax abatement for 24 affordable housing units (Unity 12th St.), a one-way street designation, the Resilient Hope bond ordinance ($4.5M), a general capital improvement bond ordinance ($33.4M), and an amendment to a Spruce Park tax abatement.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda – Reports and recommendations of city officers, boards, and commissions were accepted unanimously.
• 7R1-a through 7R1-h – All administration resolutions adopted (8-0), including temporary emergency appropriations ($64,474,255 for operating expenses and $724,087 for SAMHSA grant), contracts for payroll services, demolition extension, governmental consulting, and grant acceptances.
• 7R2-a – Private sale for 86-88 South 10th St. (new 3-family home) failed (4 yes, 4 abstentions).
• 7R2-b – Private sale for 55-59 Pershing Ave. (two 3-family homes) adopted 8-0.
• 7R2-c – Private sale for 152-154 Ridge St. deferred by motion (8-0).
• 7R2-d – 2025 Annual Budget for Partnership West BID adopted (8-0).
• 7R2-e – Area in need of redevelopment designation for 828-832 Summer Ave. adopted (8-0).
• 7R3-a and 7R3-b – Engineering resolutions adopted (8-0).
• 7R4-a and 7R4-b – Finance resolutions (bond applications) adopted (8-0).
• 7R5-a and 7R5-b – Health resolutions (sub-recipient contracts) adopted (8-0).
• 7R6-a through 7R6-e – Law resolutions (settlement and professional services) adopted (8-0).
• 7R8-a – Reappointment of Julius S. Montford to Board of Adjustment confirmed (8-0).
• 7R8-b – Ceremonial street designation for Paulette Jones adopted (8-0).
• 7R8-c and 7R8-d – Recognizing/commending and expressing sorrow/regret adopted (8-0).
• 7R9-a through 7R9-e – Public safety resolutions adopted (8-0), with amendments to two grant resolutions (contract period extension and funding source correction).
• 7R11-a and 7R11-b – Recreation resolutions (summer meals grant and art therapy MOU) adopted (8-0).
• Motions:
  • 7Ma (25-0794) – Expressing profound sorrow and regret at the passing of former Mayor Sharpe James (adopted 5-3, with three absent).
  • 7Mb (25-0795) – Expressing overwhelming support for Congresswoman LaMonica R. McIver and condemning her prosecution by ICE (adopted 5-3, with three absent).
  • 7Mc (25-0796) – Again expressing sorrow for Mayor Sharpe James (adopted 5-3, with three absent).
  • 7Md (25-0797) – Requesting Department of Engineering provide a presentation on the 2025 street paving schedule (adopted 5-3, with three absent).
• Raffle licenses approved (8-0).