Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting – June 4, 2025

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 12:32 PM in the Council Chamber at City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Council President C. Lawrence Crump, with six members present initially (Council, Kelly, Quintana, Ramos, Scott-Rountree, and Crump) and Councilman Silva arriving at 1:26 PM. Councilman Gonzalez was absent for the entire meeting. The meeting adjourned at 3:48 PM. The agenda included several ordinances for public hearing, resolutions, and a citizen hearing portion where numerous residents spoke on issues ranging from tax abatements and affordable housing to deplorable living conditions at New Community Corporation properties.

Consent Calendar

• Resolutions 7R1-a and 7R1-b (Temporary Emergency Appropriations for Hope Village II Trees and Shrubs Purchase Grant – $8,000 from The Nature Conservancy, and SUNUP Food Service Program – $2,372,495.04 from NJ Department of Agriculture) were adopted unanimously (6-0, with Silva and Gonzalez absent).
• Resolutions 7R1-c through 7R1-f (Purchasing contracts for computer equipment, vending machines, senior nutrition food program, and 2025 Family Fun Day) were adopted unanimously (6-0).
• Resolutions 7R1-g through 7R1-n (Sub-recipient agreements for the Community Crisis Response Partnership Project, with total grant of $724,087 from SAMHSA) were adopted unanimously (7-0 after Silva arrived).
• Resolution 7R1-o (Competitive contract with Mercury Public Affairs LLC for governmental consulting, not to exceed $252,000) adopted (7-0).
• Resolution 7R1-p (Extraordinary Unspecifiable Services contract with Insurance Design Administrators for health insurance, estimated $56,465,795.75 per year) adopted (7-0).
• Resolutions 7R1-q through 7R1-v (Collective bargaining agreements with AFSCME Locals 2297 Mechanics and Supervisors, Newark Firefighters Union, SEIU Local 617, AFSCME Local 2299 Inspectors, and Newark Council 21) adopted (7-0).
• Resolutions 7R2-a, 7R2-c through 7R2-g (Private sales, redevelopment agreements, professional services contracts, and declaring an area in need of redevelopment) adopted.
• Resolution 7R2-b (Sale to Roma Development LLC) was returned to administration by motion.
• Resolutions 7R3-a through 7R3-c (Engineering contracts for street paving, bikeway program extension, and street paving project) adopted.
• Resolutions 7R4-a through 7R4-c (Finance: foreclosure of 25 properties and bond sales for water/sewer projects) adopted.
• Resolutions 7R5-a through 7R5-r (Contracts with sub-recipients for emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, and HIV/AIDS services) adopted.
• Resolutions 7R5-s through 7R5-u (Amendments and grant acceptance for Health and Community Wellness) adopted.
• Resolutions 7R6-a and 7R6-b (Workers' compensation settlements: Darryl Russell $194,296; George Hines $97,756.80) adopted.
• Resolutions 7R6-c through 7R6-f (Professional services contracts for legal services) adopted, with Council President Crump abstaining on 7R6-c.
• Resolutions 7R8-a and 7R8-b (Waiving special event fee for Juneteenth Market and support for Back Together Again Fashion Show) adopted.
• Resolutions 7R8-c and 7R8-d (Recognizing and commending individuals, and expressing sorrow and regret) adopted.
• Resolution 7R12-a and 7R12-c (Water/Sewer contracts) adopted.
• Resolution 7R12-b (Revised close-out change order #4 for Pequannock Water Treatment Plant, no cost increase but 327-day extension) adopted.
• Communications 8-a, 8-b, 8-c (Appointments to Newark Equitable Growth Advisory Commission: Thyquel M. Halley, Khaatim Sherrer El, Staci Berger) confirmed.
• Added Starters: 7R6-g and 7R6-h (Settlements: $977,726.90 for Office of Homelessness Service Providers; $550,247.80 for Princeton Partners LLC) adopted.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Shakir McDougald called for affordable housing at 30% Area Median Income (AMI), stating that 60% AMI is unaffordable for most Newark residents. He urged the council to insist on 30% AMI in all tax abatement deals.
• Felicia Alston-Singleton criticized the lack of transparency in tax abatement approvals, demanded that developers be held accountable for existing properties, and argued that new construction should not proceed without addressing current residents' needs (mold, safety, etc.).
• Lisa Mitchelson-Parker opposed the 30-year tax abatement for 449 Washington Street, citing a failed 25-year abatement at a nearby building (Halo) and arguing that tax abatements primarily benefit developers, not residents.
• Alif Muhammad supported the 449 Washington Street project, calling it a good deal because it includes 10 affordable units and revitalizes an old building. He also spoke about corruption at the Newark Housing Authority.
• George Tillman, Jr. opposed all tax abatements due to the dormant Affirmative Action Review Council, which he said is supposed to vet developers but has not met. He also led a group of residents from New Community Corporation (NCC) properties (140 & 180 South Orange Avenue) who described deplorable conditions.
• Residents from NCC (Ramona Derrick, Bobby Wynn, Henrietta Myrick, Charon Bell, Larry Haskins, Darlene Davis) testified about mold, broken intercoms, non-working emergency pull cords, drug activity, unsafe elevators, and harassment by building management. They urged the council to deny NCC's upcoming 30-year tax abatement request until conditions improve.
• Darnella Lee (516 Bergen Street) reported mold and lack of extermination, alleging a cover-up by the city clerk and management.
• Moada Tayelka requested residential permit parking on Lake Street between 2nd Ave and Abington Ave due to safety hazards from commuter parking.
• Bobby Wynn and others from NCC noted that emergency pull cords do not work and that a resident died after a fall with delayed help.
• Deborah Mapson thanked Director Eularia for assistance and urged the council to investigate before banning speakers; she also defended Kabir Tucker regarding the Riviera Hotel shelter, stating he never evicted anyone.
• Martha Rodriguez (retired SEIU Local 617) thanked the council for progress on union contracts.
• Deborah Mapson also expressed support for Mayor Baraka's gubernatorial campaign.
• Munirah El-Bomani accused the administration of prioritizing undocumented immigrants over Newark residents and called for a forensic audit of city finances.
• Opal R. Wright spoke about the Consumer Financial Protection Act and requested transparency in city financial reporting.
• Latoya Jackson-Tucker (Pilgrim Village) encouraged community unity and cooperation rather than confrontation.
• Other speakers: Busola Oyefsobi (not appearing), Margaret Johnson (not appearing), Kelvin Scott (not appearing), Fahkeira Bradley (not appearing), Tyrone C. Gadson (not appearing).

Discussion Items

• Tax Abatement Ordinances: The council heard public testimony on several tax abatements. Allison Ladd, Director of Economic and Housing Development, explained that 449 Washington (20 units, 50% affordable) would increase property taxes from $2,900 to $26,800. The Unity 12th Street (24 affordable units) and Spruce Park (one-year extension to align with HAP contract) were explained as preserving affordability.
• Spruce Park Extension: Ladd noted the abatement extends to match the HUD contract expiration, keeping rents at 30% of income for residents.
• Emergency Medical Services Contract (7R9-a): The proposed $4.45 million contract with University Hospital for EMS services failed (4 yes, 3 abstain, 1 absent). Council members Ramos, Silva, and Quintana expressed concerns about response times and lack of competition. Business Administrator Eric Pennington noted ongoing discussions to improve the system.
• Towing Ordinance Reform: Councilman Ramos proposed a motion to review the city's towing and booting regulations, citing a complaint about a $300 booting fee. The motion passed, directing the Law Department to draft new rules establishing maximum fees and allowing motorists to avoid charges if they arrive during booting.
• Opposition to Federal Cuts: A motion passed (5-0) to send a letter to New Jersey's Congressional delegation opposing proposed reductions to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.
• New Community Corporation Conditions: Council members Council, Scott-Rountree, and Crump expressed commitment to hold an on-site meeting at 140 and 180 South Orange Avenue to address resident complaints, with the Business Administrator pledging support.

Key Outcomes

• 6PSF-a (Robert Treat Hotel) – Deferred.
• 6PSF-b (449 Washington Street) – Adopted (6-0).
• 6PSF-c (Unity 12th Street) – Adopted (6-0).
• 6PSF-d (One-way street on East Runyon Street) – Adopted (6-0).
• 6PSF-e (Resilient Hope Project bond) and 6PSF-f (General Capital Improvement bonds) – Deferred.
• 6PSF-g (Spruce Park tax abatement extension) – Adopted (6-0).
• 6SF-a (Lease for homeless housing at 169 Clinton Avenue) – Deferred.
• 7R9-a (University Hospital EMS contract) – Failed (4 yes, 3 abstain).
• Added Starter Ordinance 8-f(as) (25-year tax abatement for SUWK Urban Renewal, 225 units at 430-436 Market Street) – Advanced and adopted on first reading as 6F-c.
• Added Starter Ordinance 8-d (20-year tax abatement for 54 Lockwood Street industrial warehouse) – Amended to East Ward and adopted on first reading as 6F-a.
• Added Starter Ordinance 8-e (Amendment to Affordable Housing Trust Fund guidelines) – Adopted on first reading as 6F-b.
• Appointments to Newark Equitable Growth Advisory Commission – Confirmed.
• Motions: Expressions of sorrow for Anita Hicks and Pastor Diana Alridge passed; motion to oppose federal cuts to Medicare/Medicaid/Social Security passed; motion to review towing and booting policy passed.