Newark Municipal Council Special Meeting - October 7, 2025

The Newark Municipal Council held a special meeting on October 7, 2025, at 10:00 AM in the Council Chamber at City Hall. The meeting included an executive session, consideration of several resolutions and an ordinance, and public comments. Key actions included deferring the 2025 municipal budget reading, adopting a resolution supporting the remediation of the Diamond Alkali Superfund site, advancing an ordinance amending a tax abatement agreement, and waiving fees for a breast cancer awareness motorcycle run.

Executive Session

• The council entered executive session at 10:01 AM to discuss attorney-client privileged matters, with a motion adopted by a vote of 7-0 (Council Member Silva absent). The session ended at 10:48 AM.

Discussion Items

• 7R8-a(s) – 2025 Municipal Budget Reading Authorization: The council deferred the resolution authorizing the reading of the 2025 municipal budget by title only. The vote was 8-0. The public hearing on the budget had been held on October 1, 2025.
• 7R8-b(s) – Resolution Supporting Remediation of the Diamond Alkali Superfund Site: Sponsored by Council Member Luis A. Quintana, the resolution was adopted 8-0. Quintana urged that the resolution be sent to all municipalities in the Passaic Valley region, the New Jersey League of Municipalities, and the congressional delegation, noting that the city has spent over $2.5 million on legal fees related to the Passaic River contamination.
• 8-a(s) – Ordinance Amending Tax Abatement for 41 Madison Street: The council advanced and adopted on first reading an ordinance to amend the financial agreement with KSPG 39 Madison Urban Renewal, LLC. The amendment adds the lender as the mortgagee in the agreement to facilitate a refinancing loan. Brandi Daniel, Legislative Administrator for Economic and Housing Development, explained the change. The vote was 8-0.
• 7R8-c(s) – Waiving Special Event Application Fees for TrikeMasters Breast Cancer Motorcycle Run: Sponsored by Council Member Quintana, the resolution waived $600 in permit fees for the annual run scheduled for October 12, 2025. The route begins at NorthEnd Bar, 873 Broadway, and includes a street closure from Verona Avenue. The vote was 8-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Donna Jackson: Criticized the council for deferring the budget again, questioned the amount spent on executive protection (suggesting up to $30 million), and expressed concerns about the police and fire budgets, broken equipment, and a lack of fiscal prudence. She also mentioned issues with the Newark Housing Authority and a property revaluation that could increase homeowner taxes by $2,000 per quarter.
• Edisson Barros: A property owner on South 18th Street, he reported vandalism costing $5,000 in materials, requested more police presence in his area, and called for more signs to encourage proper trash disposal. He acknowledged improvements under Council Member Kelly but expressed frustration over taxes and crime.
• Ariel Lefkowitz: Public policy specialist for Humane World for Animals, she urged the council to pass an ordinance banning the retail sale of dogs and cats in pet stores, citing 150 New Jersey cities and 500 nationwide that have done so. She noted that Newark's only puppy-selling pet store is violating state consumer protection law and that the city lacks the ability to regulate it.
• Donald Jackson: Criticized the city for not having an approved 2025 budget with less than 90 days left in the year, called it fiscal mismanagement, and questioned the effectiveness of governance. He also complained about high parking ticket costs ($91) and a lack of street cleaning.

Key Outcomes

• Deferred: 7R8-a(s) – 2025 Municipal Budget Reading Authorization (8-0).
• Adopted: 7R8-b(s) – Resolution Supporting Diamond Alkali Superfund Remediation (8-0).
• Adopted on First Reading: 8-a(s) – Ordinance Amending Tax Abatement for 41 Madison Street (8-0). A public hearing will be held on October 22, 2025.
• Adopted: 7R8-c(s) – Waiving Special Event Fees for TrikeMasters Breast Cancer Motorcycle Run (8-0).
• Adjourned: The meeting adjourned at 11:18 AM.