Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting - September 17, 2025
Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting - September 17, 2025
The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chamber at City Hall. The meeting included a lengthy public comment period, multiple ordinance readings and adoptions, resolution approvals, and several motions. Key actions included the adoption of bond ordinances for capital improvements and the Resilient Hope Project, approval of tax abatements, and the confirmation of an appointment to the Affirmative Action Review Council. Council Member Michael J. Silva was absent at roll call but arrived at 7:22 PM; all eight members were present for most votes.
Consent Calendar
- Reports and Recommendations of City Officers, Boards, and Commissions (Minutes of Newark Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission, Springfield Urban Renewal LLC Financial Statements, North Jersey District Water Supply Commission Minutes) were accepted unanimously (8-0).
- Several resolutions were adopted as part of the consent agenda: extension of emergency contract for Path Home Renovation Project (7R1-a), use of state contract for mailroom equipment (7R1-b), acceptance of baby gear donation from Baby2Baby (7R5-a), resolutions supporting the Immigrant Trust Act, Day of Prayer, ceremonial street designation for Reverend Raymond Grier, Suicide Awareness Month, and fee waiver for Jazz in the Street Festival (7R8-a through 7R8-e), recognizing and commending resolutions (7R8-f), expressions of profound sorrow and regret (7R8-g), water department contracts with US Geological Survey and Memorandum of Understanding with Newark Board of Education (7R12-a and 7R12-b, with Council Member Council abstaining on 7R12-b), and grant acceptance for Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over (7R9-a(as)). All passed with varying margins but generally 8-0 or with one abstention.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Over 20 residents signed up to speak; many appeared and addressed the council on a wide range of issues.
- Lisa Mitchelson-Parker urged support for Gail Cheneyfield Jenkins for Central Ward and called for a forensic audit of city departments, citing tax increases and mismanagement.
- Felicia Alston-Singleton criticized the council for not following its own rules regarding deferments and alleged that an administration employee (Marquise Lewis) followed her after a meeting, threatening to sue if anything happened to her.
- Deborah Salters expressed frustration with corruption, lack of support for legal residents over undocumented immigrants, police internal affairs issues, and called for change.
- Alif Muhammad discussed the Newark Housing Authority, argued that the Resilient Hope Project funds would be better spent on housing authority units, and questioned the vetting of candidates for housing authority positions.
- Amin Bradbury, a sanitation worker, described payroll discrepancies, unfair overtime compensation, and his own homelessness despite city employment.
- George Tillman, Jr. spoke on non-compliance with the Affirmative Action Review Council, noting that for 23 years Newark residents have not benefited from economic incentives tied to tax abatements, and requested a special council conference.
- Nadirah Brown highlighted housing court issues, landlord retaliation, and the need for better follow-up from city agencies.
- Maryam Bey raised concerns about shelter conditions for returning citizens and seniors, and asked for a homeowners rebate program.
- Opal R. Wright referenced federal financial reform acts but did not express a direct position on city matters.
- Cassandra Dock criticized Mayor Baraka, the Newark Housing Authority, and other officials, alleging mismanagement and calling for HUD investigations.
- Donna Jackson spoke at length about housing authority evictions, city budget shortfalls, water quality, asbestos in police precincts, and the need for oversight. She also suggested dementia-friendly and autism-friendly park designs.
- Cynthia Desousa discussed traffic safety on Springfield Avenue, an outstanding $80,000 grant for Rebuilding Together, and property line issues.
- Raylor Adames (also known as Czezre Adams) spoke in Spanish about traffic safety and violence, and praised Audible's investment in Newark.
- Munirah El-Bomani called for a moratorium on tax abatements and a state monitor over the budget and bond issuance.
- John Reverendo questioned the timing of tax abatements for projects already constructed and the affordability of rents.
- Tony Agosto urged inclusion of security lighting in green park projects.
- Julie Moreno advocated for more accessible vacant lot program for pocket parks to mitigate extreme heat.
- Krystle Allen Whitten (visually impaired) urged council engagement with the disability community and invited them to Eyes Like Mine events.
Discussion Items
- Ordinances on First Reading (6F): Three ordinances were adopted on first reading: (a) 6F-a – replacing Title VIII with Intermodal Container Lot License (deferred to administration); (b) 6F-b – land exchange with Tiger 31V LLC in South Ward; (c) 6F-c – 30-year tax abatement for 1007-1009 Broad Development (48 market-rate and 8 affordable units); (d) 6F-d – amending soil erosion fees. All passed 8-0.
- Public Hearings and Final Passage (6PSF):
- 6PSF-a – Resilient Hope Project ($4.5M bond): After debate, Director Luis Ulerio explained the project will provide 12 dwelling units for unsheltered individuals plus community amenities. Council Member Kelly noted community engagement overcame initial opposition. Passed 8-0.
- 6PSF-b – Various Capital Improvements ($33.4M bond): Included City Hall elevators, Ironbound Rink locker rooms, Central Avenue Bridge, etc. Public comment raised concerns about prior funds and oversight. Passed 8-0.
- 6PSF-c – Additional Filters at Pequannock Water Treatment Plant ($15M bond): Director Kareem Adeem stated new filters needed for capacity and compliance. Public comment questioned water quality and wildfire impact. Passed 8-0.
- 6PSF-d – Green Parks Projects ($4.05M bond): For existing park upgrades. Residents requested dementia- and autism-friendly features and security lighting. Passed 8-0.
- 6PSF-e – Multi-way stop at 2nd Ave West and N. 7th St.: No public comment. Passed 8-0.
- 6PSF-f – 20-year tax abatement for Gomes Green Urban Renewal (28 units, East Ward): Public comment argued against abatement for already-constructed building and high rents. Council Member Silva clarified the developer is not Tony Gomes. Passed 8-0.
- 6PSF-g – Green Street Projects ($6.5M bond): For stormwater mitigation in five wards. Passed 8-0.
- Resolutions 7R2 (Economic and Housing Development):
- 7R2-a – Professional service contract for Kawaida Towers ($297,000): Failed 4-4 (Council Members Gonzalez, Quintana, Ramos, Silva abstained).
- 7R2-b – Private sale to Global Houz LLC (five 2-family homes): Deferred 8-0.
- 7R2-c – Private sale for school parking lot (Central Ward): Adopted 8-0.
- 7R2-d – Private sale for 25 affordable units (West Ward): Adopted 8-0.
- 7R2-e – Referral of zoning amendment to Central Planning Board: Adopted 8-0.
- 7R2-f – Declaring area in need of redevelopment (Academy Street): Adopted 8-0.
- 7R2-g – Investigation for area in need of redevelopment (Ropes Place): Adopted 8-0.
- Communications:
- 8-a – Appointment of Deputy Mayor Rahman Muhammad to Affirmative Action Review Council: Confirmed 8-0.
- 8-b – Appointment of Marques-Aquil Lewis to Newark Housing Authority Board: Returned to administration 8-0 (no confirmation).
- 8-c – Ordinance to amend recycling regulations: Advanced to first reading 8-0.
- Added Starters:
- 7R8-h(as) – Ceremonial street designation for Juan Pablo Duarte: Adopted 8-0.
- 7R8-i(as) – Fee waiver for Better Together Community Block Party: Adopted 8-0.
- 8-d(as) – Ordinance amending smoke shop regulations (hours, distance, fees): Advanced and adopted on first reading as 6F-e (8-0).
- Motions (7M): Several motions adopted, including sorrow and regret for individuals, requests for coordination between 9-11 committee and Puerto Rican Parade, increased Hispanic Heritage participation, monitoring school bus safety, and sending notice about Gateway bridge closure. All passed with varying attendance (6-8 votes).
Key Outcomes
- Bond Ordinances Adopted: $4.5M (Resilient Hope), $33.4M (capital improvements), $15M (water filters), $4.05M (green parks), $6.5M (green streets) – all 8-0.
- Tax Abatements Approved: 30-year for 1007-1009 Broad Development (6F-c) and 20-year for Gomes Green (6PSF-f).
- Kawaida Towers Professional Service Contract Failed (4-4 tie).
- Appointment to Affirmative Action Review Council Confirmed (Deputy Mayor Rahman Muhammad).
- Appointment to Housing Authority Board Returned (Marques-Aquil Lewis not confirmed).
- Smoke Shop Ordinance Adopted on First Reading (limits hours, increases fees, expands revocation authority).
- Directions and Next Steps: Council President Crump instructed council members to submit budget questions to the clerk. Councilwoman Scott-Rountree committed to organizing shelter inspections with the Office of Homeless Services. Councilman Ramos will follow up on traffic safety walkthrough requests. Councilman Kelly announced a West Ward home repair program. Councilman Quintana requested the education committee investigate school bus safety.
Meeting Transcript
In accordance with New Jersey law, adequate notice of this meeting has been provided to the Star Ledger, the Jersey Journal, and the public at large, establishing the date, time, and location of this meeting. In addition, the agenda for this meeting was disseminated on September 12th at the time of preparation and posted on the city's website. Roll call. Madam Clerk. Do we have somebody to uh morning? I mean, for the prayer. Is he here? He was there. He is okay. We do have somebody. My apologies. Might we pray, eternal God, our Father, creator and sustainer of life. We come before you on this Wednesday evening to pause to say thank you. Thank you for life, health, and strength. Thank you for the activity of our limbs, the blood running warm in our vein. Certainly, Lord, we are thankful for your goodness and your mercy. Father, you have kept us, you have blessed us, and you have never left us. And for that we say thank you. Lord, we also want to ask for your forgiveness tonight, Lord, for every transgression that we have done in this body of clay. Lord, the things we've said, thought, and done. We ask for forgiveness now. We thank you for the fresh start. We thank you for a clean slate. Now, God, as you come into this room tonight, as we conduct the business and city affairs. We pray, Lord, that you will rest rule and abide. We thank you now, God, for our honorable mayor. We pray now, God, that you continue to bless him, God. Bestow wisdom upon him, God, as he leaves this great city. Remember his family, God. Remember his staff. We thank you now, God, for even our honorable council president that will conduct our meeting tonight. We thank you, God, for every councilman and our councilwoman at large. Continue to bless them. Bless their families, bless their hands, God, as they govern the five wards. We thank you for every employee, God, every business administrator, every civil servant, God that works tirelessly to work and keep the North City functioning behind the scenes. We thank you, God, for our responders, our first responders. We thank you for our health care professionals. We thank you for all of our business owners, God that bring business and revenue through the city. We thank you now, God, for those that are operating with integrity and with honesty. We thank you, God, for all of our house and our faith-based leadership, God, that's in all of the five wards. We thank you for the bright light that they share in the city. We thank you for the prayers that go lifted up for protection and coverage. Now, God, we thank you for even these city residents that are here, God, that come near and far, that reside here. God, I pray, God that you would continue to bless every resident of North, God. Bless every household, every mother, every father, every child, every son, every daughter. We pray God that you would keep your hands over them as you are keeping this great city of North. Now, God bless every man and woman that's coming to speak tonight. I pray, God that as they come with their compassion, God, with their excitement. I pray now, God, they will come, God looking for a resolve. And we pray, God, that between city government and people, that there will be a resolution for all.
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