Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting – September 4, 2025

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 12:32 PM in the Council Chamber, City Hall. The meeting was called to order by President C. Lawrence Crump, with all eight members present. The agenda included consent items, first‑reading ordinances, public hearings on second‑reading ordinances, resolutions, and a citizens’ hearing. Key topics included a $15 million bond for water treatment plant filters, a $4.05 million bond for green parks, several tax‑abatement ordinances for affordable and mixed‑income housing, and an emergency appropriation for severance liabilities. The meeting adjourned at 4:25 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Reports and Recommendations (5‑a, 5‑b): Minutes of the Newark Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission (May/June 2025) and the Central Planning Board (June/July 2025) were accepted unanimously.
• First Reading Ordinances (6F‑a, 6F‑b, 6F‑c): Three ordinances were adopted on first reading: (1) amending the water treatment plant bond to add $15 million for filters; (2) providing $4.05 million in bonds for Green Parks projects; (3) designating 2nd Avenue West and North 7th Street as a multi‑way stop intersection (North Ward). All passed 8‑0. Ordinance 6F‑d (intermodal container lot license) was deferred.
• Public Hearings and Final Passage (6PSF‑c, 6PSF‑d): Two ordinances raising bid thresholds and Corporation Counsel settlement authority from $44,000 to $53,000 (and informal quotation from $6,600 to $7,950) were adopted 8‑0 after public comment. Kenyatta Stewart, Corporation Counsel, explained the increases align with state law and allow efficient processing of claims and contracts. Six public speakers opposed the increases, citing lack of budget transparency and potential for abuse.
• Communications Advanced to First Reading (8‑a through 8‑e): Five items were advanced, including a 20‑year tax abatement for Gomes Green Urban Renewal (28 units, East Ward), a land‑swap ordinance with Tiger 31V, a 30‑year tax abatement for 1007‑1009 Broad Development (56 units, Central Ward), soil erosion fee amendments, and a $6.5 million bond for GreenStreet projects.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Budget and Administration: Multiple speakers criticized the lack of a finalized budget and the request for a $30 million state loan, alleging a $100 million deficit. Debra Salters and Felicia Alston‑Singleton argued the city is fiscally mismanaged, with Salters questioning why the council was adopting budgets for the Newark Downtown District and Newark Alliance late in the year. Eric Pennington, Business Administrator, noted the overall tax increase since 2014 averaged 2.63% and defended the city’s fiscal prudence.
• Tax Abatements and Housing: Public speakers across several hearings expressed frustration with 25‑year tax abatements, saying they favor developers and outsiders over long‑term residents. Lisa Parker and Felicia Alston‑Singleton called for lower Area Median Income (AMI) percentages, project labor agreements, and affirmative action. Alif Muhammad supported the abatements, arguing they are necessary for middle‑class revival. The Deputy Mayor for Economic and Housing Development, Allison Ladd, provided AMI breakdowns for three projects (Central Pointe: 77 units, 16 affordable at 40‑80% AMI; 824 S20th: 25 affordable units at 30‑60% AMI; 300 Garside: 25 affordable units at 30‑60% AMI). She defended tax abatements as payments in lieu of taxes that generate revenue and fund affordable housing.
• Community Concerns: Residents raised issues with garbage collection, fire evacuation plans for seniors, parking enforcement, and the Riviera Hotel homeless shelter contract. Blair Nelson urged the council not to renew the incinerator deal with Reworld, citing 800 air permit violations since 2005. Several speakers condemned the city’s plan to extend parking meters into residential areas. George Tillman Jr. thanked the council for scheduling a special conference on the Affirmative Action Review Council.
• Campaign Remarks: Alif Muhammad and Debra Mapson made statements regarding the Central Ward special election, with Mapson accusing former councilwoman Gail Chaneyfield‑Jenkins of disruptive behavior and urging equal treatment of all speakers.

Discussion Items

• Budget Hearing Scheduling: Councilman Gonzalez objected that budget books had not been provided by the day of the meeting (September 4) for a scheduled hearing on September 6. Eric Pennington said he would deliver them by Friday. The council agreed to discuss postponing the hearing after the meeting.
• Riviera Hotel Homeless Shelter: Councilman Silva defended his vote to approve the Riviera shelter agreement, stating the homeless situation near Penn Station is the “biggest homeless problem” in the city and that the shelter will provide services beyond mere housing. He noted an “out clause” in the contract. Pennington clarified that exiting without cause could lead to a lawsuit, but the city would fight if there is cause.
• Motion Regarding Gateway Tunnel Closures: Councilman Silva introduced a motion (7Mb) directing the Law Department to send a letter to Gateway building owners to keep the tunnel from Penn Station to Mulberry Street open past 7–8 PM, citing an agreement from the 1980s. The motion passed 5‑0 (with three members absent).
• Suicide Awareness Month: Councilwoman Scott‑Rountree introduced a motion (7Mc) to declare September as Suicide Awareness Month and announced a walk on September 13. It passed 5‑0.

Key Outcomes

• Votes on Tax Abatements: All three tax‑abatement ordinances (6PSF‑e, 6PSF‑f, 6PSF‑g) passed unanimously (8‑0). The corrective deed (6PSF‑h) and assignment of financial agreement (6PSF‑i) also passed 8‑0.
• Threshold Increases: Both ordinances (6PSF‑c, 6PSF‑d) adopted 8‑0.
• Resolutions: All administration, economic development, engineering, finance, health, law, council, public safety, and public works resolutions passed (generally 8‑0, except two settlements where Councilman Gonzalez abstained). Resolution 7R2‑a (Kawaida Towers professional services) was deferred; 7R2‑b (private sale of four South Ward lots) was deferred; 7R2‑c (Community Benefits Agreement) was returned to administration.
• Ceremonial Street Designation: Resolution 7R8‑a (Verdell “Nana” Eure Way) was amended to set the date as October 4, 2025, and then adopted as amended.
• Raffle Licenses: Eight raffle licenses were approved.
• Deferrals: Several items were deferred, including the special emergency appropriation for severance liabilities (6PSF‑j) pending a public hearing on September 9, and the parking meter ordinance (9‑a) was returned to administration.
• Citizens’ Hearing: Twenty‑five citizens were listed; approximately 16 spoke. The council took no formal action on their comments.