Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting - August 6, 2025

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on August 6, 2025, at 12:30 PM (called to order at 12:37 PM) in the Council Chamber at City Hall. All eight council members were present (Council Member Silva joined via phone at 12:42 PM). The meeting lasted until 4:14 PM and covered a wide range of legislative items, including tax abatements, a booting ordinance, a homeless shelter lease, and numerous resolutions and ordinances.

Consent Calendar

• Reports and recommendations from city officers, boards, and commissions were accepted unanimously.
• Temporary emergency appropriations for police hiring, overtime, drunk driving enforcement, paving projects, energy efficiency programs, operating expenses, STD testing, law enforcement behavioral health response, and oral health care were adopted (7R1-a through 7R1-m).
• Various purchasing contracts, cooperative purchasing agreements, and bid contracts were adopted (7R1-n through 7R1-ag).
• Grant applications for a Clean Energy Coordinator and the Keep America Beautiful MLK Jr. Corridor Grant were accepted (7R1-ah, 7R1-ai).
• Engineering resolutions extending time for grant awards and accepting funds for safety and paving projects were adopted (7R3-b through 7R3-i).
• Bid contracts for street resurfacing and a drop-in center renovation were awarded (7R3-j, 7R3-k).
• A tax sale resolution was authorized (7R4-a).
• Litigation settlements and professional service contracts for the Law Department were adopted (7R6-a through 7R6-l).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sheila Y. Oliver Senior Housing Tax Abatement (6PSF-c): Jeffrey Field questioned the validity of the HMFA statute and noted the county's failure to monitor tax exemptions. Debra Salters demanded clarity on affordability metrics and asked for documents. Alif Muhammad supported the project, citing the need for senior housing. Lisa Parker criticized the lack of tax abatement extensions for homeowners and the absence of project labor agreements. Munirah El-Bomani called for an independent investigation of the tax abatement program. George Tillman, Jr. emphasized the need for a moratorium and compliance with hiring ordinances.
• Booting/Immobilization Ordinance (6PSF-d): Speakers Lisa Parker, Debra Salters, Gayle Chaneyfield-Jenkins, and others described predatory booting practices, including excessive fees, hidden signage, and lack of accountability. They urged the council to strengthen regulations.
• Other Public Comments: Residents addressed homelessness, mold in public housing, city cleanliness, water bills, and the need for better oversight of tax abatements. Several speakers criticized the administration's handling of the budget and public safety.

Discussion Items

• Sheila Y. Oliver Senior Housing Tax Abatement (6PSF-d): After public hearing, the council adopted the ordinance (8-0) granting a 30-year tax abatement for a 100% affordable senior housing project (48 units) in the South Ward.
• Booting/Immobilization Ordinance (6PSF-d): Council Member Ramos detailed reforms including a maximum fee, business licensing, signage requirements, a 24-hour hotline, and release of the boot if the owner arrives during the process. The ordinance was adopted (8-0).
• Lease for Homeless Shelter (6SF-a): The council adopted an ordinance authorizing a 15-year lease at 169 Clinton Avenue for a homeless shelter, with rent starting at $0 and escalating to $3,992,130.48 in year ten. The vote was 5-3 (three abstentions).
• OCA Architects Contract (7R2-a): A professional services contract for the Kawaida Towers project failed on a 4-4 vote (four yes, four abstentions). The Business Administrator later offered to provide additional information to secure passage.
• Tax Abatement Moratorium: Council Member Gonzalez stated he would not vote on new tax abatements until an advisory committee is formed. Business Administrator Pennington clarified that the administration will continue to submit abatements, and individual council members may choose to abstain.
• City Cleanliness: Council Member Kelly acknowledged DPW gaps and noted that his office volunteers to clean South Orange Avenue. Business Administrator Pennington reported that a senior executive team is working to improve trash and recycling collection.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted a 30-year tax abatement (6PSF-c) for the Sheila Y. Oliver Senior Housing Community, a 5-story, 48-unit 100% affordable senior housing project in the South Ward.
• Adopted an ordinance (6PSF-d) regulating vehicle booting/immobilization, including a maximum fee, business licensing, signage requirements, and a 24-hour hotline.
• Adopted a lease agreement (6SF-a) for a homeless shelter at 169 Clinton Avenue, with a 15-year term and escalating rent.
• Failed to adopt a professional services contract (7R2-a) for OCA Architects for the Kawaida Towers project (4-4 vote).
• Confirmed appointments: Council President C. Lawrence Crump to the Newark Equitable Growth Advisory Commission (7-0-1) and Frederick A. Morton, Jr. to the Caribbean Commission (8-0).
• Advanced several ordinances to first reading, including changes to bidding thresholds, tax abatements for Central Pointe, 824 S20th, and 300 Garside, a corrective deed, and a financial agreement assignment.
• Deferred the parking meter ordinance (8-m) and the Community Benefits Agreement for the Clinton Avenue medical office building (7R2-n).
• Approved the 2025 Annual Budget for the Newark Downtown District Management Corporation ($8,335,000) and a raffle license for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.
• Adopted motions of profound sorrow for the passing of former Council President Donald Bradley, Vivian Williams Lester, Pamela Gaskins, and Fuquan Ferguson.