Newark Municipal Council Meeting Summary - October 23, 2025
Newark Municipal Council Meeting Summary - October 23, 2025
The Newark Municipal Council convened for a regular meeting on Wednesday, October 23, 2025, focusing on the recognition of youth organizations, extensive public commentary regarding the late 2025 budget, housing conditions, and city governance, and the passage of several ordinances and resolutions.
Consent Calendar
- Recognition of Youth Organization: The Council officially recognized Jolanda Love's "Jules Elite Um All-Star team" and its young ladies for their community impact. Awards and resolutions were presented to 90-degree-summer program participants: Malaya Green, Kamora Fur, Malaya Crawley, Mariah Gillespie, Melanie Gillespie, Taylor Jackson, Ava Martin, Kaylee Austin, and Lael Washington. Staff awards were given to Jasdel Rhett and Bakira Wahi.
- Ordinances & Resolutions (Adopted):
- 6FA: Amended vendor licenses for public festivals.
- 7R1A through 7R5A: Various appropriations for Ryan White services, purchasing contracts (playground surfaces, equipment, tires, dam repairs, etc.), bid contracts for street maintenance and lead line restoration, utility contracts, and grant acceptances.
- 7R8A through F: Street designations (Blonnie R. Watson, Capt. John Scott Bay, Imam Mustafa El Amin), special event support, and resolutions of sorrow/regret.
Public Comments & Testimony
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Youth & Community Support (Ms. Waters, Ms. Jolanda Love): Expressed full support and admiration for Jolanda Love's organization, highlighting its success in mentoring young ladies without government funding. They position the program as a critical community resource protecting youth and fostering leadership.
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Criticism of Council Conduct & Housing Authority (Alif Mohammed, Gail Cheneyfield Jenkins, Felicia Austin Singleton, Jalal Youngblood):
- Council Conduct: Multiple speakers expressed strong opposition to the Council's handling of the recent Central Ward debate (specifically at a church) and the behavior of "Team Baraka." They expressed disapproval of selective microphone control and lack of decorum.
- Budget Deficit: Speakers voiced that the administration and Council are failing residents by not collecting revenues (pilots, cannabis, Airbnb) while saddling homeowners with a 9% property tax increase. They expressed skepticism regarding the budget's adequacy and accuracy.
- Housing Authority (NHA): Strong opposition was expressed regarding NHA conditions, specifically mold, asbestos, and eviction practices at New Community Housing. Speakers stated that the NHA is corrupt and that code enforcement/fraud was being committed against residents.
- Representation: Speakers argued the Council is not representing residents, citing a lack of independent audits, a deficit of $700 million, and a perceived lack of urgency on homelessness and infrastructure until the threat of state takeover loomed.
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Specific Grievances:
- Nigera Brown: Expressed frustration over the lack of response to inquiries regarding slum lords, relocation fees, and the legality of a single council member holding two positions (Council President and Council Member) simultaneously.
- Deborah Salters: Expressed disappointment that the administration is being commended for doing the "bare minimum" regarding facility abatements while residents suffer. They argued the lack of public hearings and the rushed budget passage indicate a lack of concern for residents.
- Darnella Lee: Alleged a cover-up of mold and asbestos findings, stating that inspection reports were falsified to cover up health hazards in apartments next door, and expressed that the City is engaging in "homicide by corruption."
- Opal R. Wright: Cited the Dodd-Frank Act Title Five to express concern over non-admitted insurance regulations and interchangeable transaction fees.
- George Tillman Jr. & Cynthia D'Souza: Expressed that the tax abatement for New Community Homes Development should be denied until living conditions (rats, broken elevators) are fixed. D'Souza described the city as a place where "Team Baraka" shakedowns tenants and denies aid to black residents.
- Cassandra Doc: Expressed opposition to the hiring of Dashe Carter (CHRO), stating that poor HR management led to evictions and voucher losses. She also expressed concern regarding the appointment of Darlene Gearhart as principal at Science Park High School due to past racism allegations.
- Latoya Jackson Tucker: Stated that the Council is a "failure" and a "graveyard of leadership," accusing them of robbing the city of surplus funds and allowing the budget to spiral into a deficit.
- Louis Shockley: Expressed that the city has worsened since 2020 and criticized the leadership (including the Mayor and Council) for ignoring residents' rights and failing to address safety and homelessness.
- Donna Jackson & Others: Expressed strong opposition to the theft of recyclable materials from dumpsters by unauthorized individuals, calling for aggressive enforcement and increased safety for residents collecting materials.
Discussion Items
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Smoke Shop Regulation (Ordinance 6PSFA):
- Position: Councilman Ramos and the Administration expressed support for regulating smoke shops to limit hours, distance from schools/churches, and to curb illegal sales. They stated new shops must comply with distance requirements.
- Objection: Councilmember Scott Roundtree and speakers (Cassandra Doc, Donnell Jackson) expressed opposition to the lack of enforcement capacity. They argued that without "boots on the ground," ordinances are ineffective. They specifically demanded limits on the total number of shops, increased fines, and enforcement against vaping in schools, arguing that the current lack of enforcement enables the sale of illegal substances to minors.
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Tax Abatements (Ordinances on SAT Urban Renewal, KSPG 39):
- Position: The Administration (Deputy Mayor Ladd) expressed that tax abatements are lawful long-term exemptions mandated by state statute to generate more tax revenue than the status quo. They stated the amendments were procedural (adding bank references) and compliant with inclusionary zoning laws.
- Opposition: Multiple speakers (Alif Mohammed, Gail Cheneyfield Jenkins, Cassandra Doc, Donald Jackson) expressed strong opposition to the specific terms. They argued that the abatements are effectively "pay-to-play" for slum lords (specifically the River Hotel owner). They criticized the city for giving exemptions without securing equivalent public benefits, negotiating fees, or ensuring that the "affordable" unit income limits (e.g., $36k vs $44k) actually serve low-income residents. They demanded a portion of the saved debt or increased fees go to the public.
- Council Response: Councilman Gonzalez expressed agreement that the city should receive consideration or a percentage of debt savings during negotiations in the future.
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Taxicab Regulation (Ordinance 6F):
- Position: The Administration and Councilman Quintana supported the ordinance to double fines and restrict non-Newark cabs from picking up passengers at the airport who dropped off riders from New York, to protect local drivers.
- Opposition: Speakers (Nere Albumani, John Reverend) argued the ordinance is a low priority compared to housing, jobs, and the budget. They expressed skepticism about enforcement given staffing shortages and argued that Ubers/lyfts are a separate issue that was not covered.
Key Outcomes
- Budget: The 2025 annual budget was adopted. No independent audit was implemented as requested by the public.
- Smoke Shops: Ordinance 6PSFA adopted on first reading; public hearing scheduled for November 6th for second reading.
- Taxicabs: Ordinance 6F adopted on first reading; public hearing scheduled for November 6th.
- Recycling: Ordinance amending mandatory recycling regulations adopted; a campaign was acknowledged as necessary by Councilman Council.
- Tax Abatements Deferments: Several items regarding private sale and redevelopment agreements (Items 7R3B, 7R3C, 7R3F, 7R3G) were deferred by the Council for further review or reconsideration of terms.
- Resolutions Adopted: Street dedications to Blonnie R. Watson and Imam Mustafa El Amin were approved. A resolution of sorrow and regret was passed for the family of Larry Grice Jr. a resolution to recognize the upcoming "Day of Dignity" event for the homeless.
- Directives: Councilwoman Scott Roundtree directed a request for an update on the JFK recreation center roof and bathrooms in the East Ward, and updates on the firehouse on Congress Street.
- Public Health: No new tax abatement for New Community Housing was granted; the Council deferred the item for further review of the resident complaints regarding living conditions.
Meeting Transcript
Yeah, there. Yeah, okay. I'll do that then. Highlight the organization, Carol. Oh Ms. Waters, thank you. Good evening. Good evening. Good evening. Welcome to your City Hall here at the Council Chambers. We're delighted today to recognize a group, a group of young people who Yolanda loves. This summer I was witness of a program that was run for young young ladies, and it was very inspiring to see these young folks from the city of Newark doing things. And it was very interesting. You know, it was about 90 degrees outside. And this organization had these young these young ladies inside in an atmosphere that was so great. They were doing what they wanted to do, which is great. And to me that meant so much. And we got to protect our young. And it's not just young ladies, it can be, it can be, and and not women, it can be men too. But look, it's about it takes the whole village. It takes the whole community. All of us to be together. And what better today than highlight these young ladies who are our future in a great city where sometimes people don't think we could do things in our city. We are doing things. And when I see Jelanda, what you do, and she's going to she have trying to obtain some property. She's trying to build a facility for young ladies, uh, a place of information, a resource place where they can come, uh do computer work and become our leaders. But Jolanda loves this organization incorporated, has a lot to do with not just they do a lot. She's out there with these young ladies and mentoring them. And what better place that we can say in the city of Newark, we have a program. And with nothing, basically, no funding from government, no funding from no one. Basically, her furniture stores next door, and she rented a spot next, so that she could bring these young ladies and counsel them and and be a part of what they are doing. That means a lot to me. You know, as an elected official, it's not just being an elected official. It means to me as a newer that something is being done to protect our young. And I'm so happy. This is for the organization in behalf of the Newark Municipal Council, members of council, and we're delighted on behalf of all of us, Council President Crump, all of us together, uh, to make it and include, you know, we're all a community. Our mayor asked J. Baraka, all of us. You know, uh, all of us have to work together, and we are working together. We may see each other, and when we deal with young people, we respect the titles and office of people. You know, we want to teach that. Some folks forget about teaching titles and what titles mean, but in this building is not about titles, about the pe the young people who come to our city and come through these chambers to talk to them about their dreams and hopes and what they can be. Because so often we say we there's nothing for our children. There is something happening for our children. And this young lady, in the next couple years, she'll be having a building for these young ladies to come and call it their home. After is that correct? Let me the this young lady I am very proud of, and she's a testimony of what can happen in New York. Thank you. Um I I want to say thank you to King Um Councilman Quintana, of course, um, for always supporting us and always um being behind us. And I want to this this day is not about me or the organization, it's about these young ladies here because when I first presented the offer to Jules Elite Um All-Star team, they were the only ones who actually came out, and it's a 45, it's 45 young ladies in that group, and they were the only ones that actually came out.
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