Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting - October 1, 2025

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on October 1, 2025, at 12:32 PM in the Council Chamber, City Hall, 920 Broad Street. Seven members were present (Council President C. Lawrence Crump and Council Members Patrick O. Council, Carlos M. Gonzalez, Dupré L. Kelly, Luis A. Quintana, Anibal Ramos Jr., and Louise Scott-Rountree), with Council Member Michael J. Silva excused. The meeting included public hearings on multiple ordinances, adoption of numerous resolutions, a public hearing on the 2025 Municipal Budget (deferred), and extensive public comment. The meeting adjourned at 3:14 PM.

Reports and Recommendations

• 5-a: Corrective Action Plans for 2023 City of Newark Statutory Audit and Single Audit were accepted by a unanimous vote (7-0).

Ordinances – First Reading

• 6F-a: Ordinance to amend mandatory recycling regulations, revising the hours of placement of recyclables on the curb, was adopted on first reading (7-0). A public hearing set for October 22, 2025.
• Communications (8-a through 8-f): Several ordinances were introduced and advanced to first reading:
  • 8-a: 15-year tax abatement for S.A.T. Urban Renewal Entity LLC (amended to remove "518" from the entity name) advanced as 6F-b.
  • 8-b: 30-year tax abatement under HMFA for New Community Homes Development LP (120 affordable units, $76.6M project) advanced as 6F-c.
  • 8-c: 22-year tax abatement for Gomes Generation Urban Renewal LLC (55 units, mixed income) advanced as 6F-d.
  • 8-d: Ordinance establishing a seasonal festival endorsement for mobile vendors advanced to first reading.
  • 8-e: Ordinance opting into the Garden State C-PACE program was deferred.
  • 8-f: Ordinance adding penalty provisions for taxicab violations at Newark Liberty International Airport advanced as 6F-e.

Public Hearings, Second Reading and Final Passage

• 6PSF-a: Ordinance authorizing a land exchange with Tiger 31V LLC (167 Pennsylvania Avenue for 54-56 Wright Street) was adopted after public comment and explanation from the Department of Economic and Housing Development (7-0).
• 6PSF-b: 30-year tax abatement for 1007-1009 Broad Development Urban Renewal LLC (48 market-rate and 8 affordable units) adopted (7-0).
• 6PSF-c: Ordinance amending soil erosion and sediment control fees and definitions adopted (7-0), with a clarification that the fee schedule aligns with regional authority and applies only to ground disturbance.
• 6PSF-d: Ordinance amending smoke shop regulations was deferred (7-0) to incorporate suggested fine increases from the Engineering Department.

Resolutions

• 7R1 (Administration): All resolutions (a through k) adopted unanimously (7-0). Includes:
  • Temporary emergency appropriation of $3,907,876 for Ryan White HIV/AIDS services.
  • Extension of emergency contract for Path Home Renovation ($600,000).
  • Acquisition of six X-ray inspection systems ($200,000).
  • Amendment to increase vehicle maintenance contract to $600,000.
  • Amendment to radio communication equipment contract ($3,000,000).
  • Authorization for law enforcement firearms equipment ($300,000).
  • Auto washing services contract ($244,000).
  • Plumbing maintenance contract ($400,000).
  • Snow and ice removal contract ($6,750,000).
  • Office furniture and installation ($110,306.51).
  • Police motorcycles ($435,000).
• 7R2 (Economic and Housing Development):
  • 7R2-a (Kawaida Towers professional services) returned to administration (7-0).
  • 7R2-b (Global Houz LLC, five 2-family homes) amended to remove 486 Avon Avenue, then adopted (7-0).
  • 7R2-c (Partnership West Inc., business resource center) adopted (7-0).
  • 7R2-d (Youth Mentor Coalition, 3-family home at 80% AMI) adopted (7-0).
  • 7R2-e (Calvary Touch of God Ministry, parking lot) deferred (7-0).
  • 7R2-f (The Manor Restaurant LLC, mixed-use with grocery) deferred (7-0).
  • 7R2-g (Yolanda Alonzo’s Love Inc., 77-unit transitional housing) adopted (7-0).
  • 7R2-h (BDG Development LLC, market-rate homes) deferred (7-0).
  • 7R2-i (New Jersey LEAD grant for re-entry services, $175,000) adopted (7-0).
• 7R4 (Finance): Stipulation of settlements for tax appeals with total credits of $1,521,570.71 adopted (7-0).
• 7R5 (Health and Community Wellness): Grants for Ryan White HIV services ($121,477), Childhood Lead Exposure Prevention ($1,811,250), and oral health care ($50,000) adopted (7-0).
• 7R6 (Law): Settlements for civil litigation ($80,000 estate of Malcolm Wiley, $400,000 Patricia Brinson, $95,000 Ahneiah Henry back pay) and first amendment to legal services contract (increase to $300,000) adopted (6-0-1, Council President Crump abstained on the contract).
• 7R8 (Municipal Council and City Clerk):
  • Ceremonial street designation for Sally G. Carroll adopted (7-0).
  • Hold harmless agreement for Newark Diwali 2025 amended to correct date and adopted (7-0).
  • Special event application for Annual Halloween Parade and Car Show adopted (7-0).
  • Recognizing and commending resolutions (45 individuals/groups) adopted (7-0).
  • Expressing profound sorrow and regret (10 individuals) adopted (7-0).
  • Authorization to read the 2025 Municipal Budget by title only – see Budget Hearing below.
• 7R9 (Public Safety): Appointment of three special police officers (Newark residents) adopted (7-0).
• 7R11 (Recreation, Cultural Affairs and Senior Services): MOU with Newark Housing Authority for Centers of Hope Programming adopted (7-0).
• 7R12 (Water Sewer Utility): Amendments #4 and #5 for process improvements at Pequannock Water Treatment Plant ($1.72M and $1.81M), temporary construction easement for NJDOT, and crane maintenance contract ($100,000) all adopted (7-0).
• Added Starters (7R1-l and 7R1-m): Authorizing competitive contracting for One Stop Career Service Provider and Youth Service Provider under WIOA adopted (7-0).

Budget Hearing

• The public hearing on the 2025 Municipal Budget was opened. Several residents criticized the lack of transparency, incomplete documentation, and rushed process. After hearing comments, the Council voted to close the public hearing and defer the budget (7-0) pending additional instructions from the state.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Multiple residents spoke on agenda items and general city concerns:
  • Felicia Alston-Singleton and others questioned the transparency of the land swap (6PSF-a) and requested explanations for the public.
  • Felicia Alston-Singleton, Lisa Mitchelson-Parker, Munirah El-Bomani, and George Tillman Jr. opposed the 30-year tax abatement (6PSF-b), arguing that the affordable units are set at too high an AMI (80%) and do not serve low-income residents, and called for a moratorium on long-term tax abatements.
  • Felicia Alston-Singleton, Lisa Parker, Eric Adams, Munirah El-Bomani, and Donna Jackson commented on the soil erosion ordinance, questioning the fee structure, the city’s infrastructure failures, and lack of oversight.
  • On the budget, Lisa Parker, Donna Jackson, Gayle Chaneyfield-Jenkins, Jhamar Youngblood, Felicia Alston-Singleton, and George Tillman Jr. criticized the lack of public notice, incomplete budget details, hidden line items (e.g., $297 million in “other expenses”), and the impact on homeowners and renters. They called for a forensic audit and federal oversight.
  • Atisha Davis, Secretary of Pilgrim Baptist Village Tenant Association, detailed uninhabitable conditions (mold, sewage leaks, rodent infestations) and alleged cover-ups by code enforcement. She demanded independent oversight and full violation records.
  • Latoya Jackson-Tucker raised concerns about police conduct with young officers and the need for better re-entry services for returning citizens.
  • Darnella Lee spoke about mold and safety issues at New Community senior buildings and requested a mold test.
  • Donna Jackson addressed vaccine safety, lead testing for children over 5, broken elevators at 22 Franklin Street, and parking enforcement issues.

Discussion Items

• Councilman Ramos requested timely comments from departments on the smoke shop ordinance and noted that the police division supports stricter rules.
• Councilman Kelly defended his use of hip-hop to promote community change, noting his success in the music industry and that he loses money by serving as councilman. He also requested a meeting with Engineering and Code Enforcement to address absentee landlords in the West Ward.
• Councilwoman Scott-Rountree acknowledged housing complaints at Pilgrim Village and New Community, committed to attending a tenant meeting on October 7, and mentioned ongoing work on senior tax relief legislation.
• Councilman Council requested investigation and possible demolition of the property at 13 Hecker Street, which is in dangerous condition.
• Council President Crump cautioned against labeling developers as “killers” and called for balanced advocacy.

Motions

• 7Ma: Motion expressing profound sorrow at the passing of Prophetess Sheila James Turner – adopted (5-0-3, with Gonzalez, Quintana, and Silva absent).
• 7Mb: Motion expressing profound sorrow at the passing of Crystal Price, longtime Municipal Courts employee – adopted (5-0-3).
• 7Mc: Motion expressing profound sorrow at the passing of Mother Hinson, mother of Pastor Matthew Pierre – adopted (5-0-3).
• 7Md: Motion requesting a meeting with Engineering and Code Enforcement to discuss absentee landlords and illegal conversions – adopted (5-0-3).
• 7Me: Motion requesting investigation and possible demolition of 13 Hecker Street – adopted (5-0-3).

Key Outcomes

• All actions on the agenda were either adopted, amended, deferred, or returned to administration as noted above. All votes were 7-0 except where members were absent or abstained.
• The 2025 Municipal Budget was deferred for further information.
• Multiple directives were issued to city departments for follow-up on specific properties and policies.
• Upcoming events were announced: Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast (Oct 2), Domestic Violence Conference (Oct 3), Walk Against Domestic Violence (Oct 4), and open casting call (Oct 11).
• The next regular meeting is scheduled for October 22, 2025.