Newark Municipal Council Meeting Summary - November 25, 2025
Newark Municipal Council Meeting Summary - November 25, 2025
The Newark Municipal Council convened for its regular meeting on November 25, 2025, presided over by Council President Crump. The session opened with a prayer of unity and gratitude from Reverend Aisha Maryland, which notably honored the recent swearing-in of Councilwoman Amina Bay while mourning the loss of children to violence and accidents. The meeting featured extensive public testimony regarding electoral integrity, environmental justice, affordable housing challenges, and systemic failures in city services. Council members addressed budget insertions, tax abatement applications, and grant acceptances, with several items deferred for further review. The meeting concluded with holiday announcements, expressions of solidarity with the community facing hardship, and the adjournment of the session.
Consent Calendar
- Adoption of Ordinances and Resolutions: The Council adopted multiple resolutions including budget insertions for medical care (sickle cell services), HUD action plans, affordable housing initiatives, Ryan White HIV services, and community policing efforts (7R1A-H).
- Budget and Contract Approvals: Adopted votes were passed for street maintenance vendor contracts, grant fund acceptances for sustainable forestry and homeless housing, and resolutions of support for cannabis cultivation and manufacturing licenses.
- Traffic Ordinances: Adopted ordinances regarding parking prohibitions and street cleaning schedules for Treadwell Street in the North Ward (Ordinances B and C).
- Water Treatment: Approved loan and escrow agreements for additional filters at the Passaic Water Treatment Plant.
- Professional Services: Adopted contracts for visiting judges and the redevelopment plan for the Boylan Street Recreation Center.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Alif Mohammed (Court Towers, Newark School): Expressed opposition to Mayor Ras Baraka's attendance at a party while a 10-year-old was killed, stating the Mayor is "standing here" while the community suffers. Supported Gail Cheneyfield and Oscar James for their election work but accused the new Councilwoman Amina Bay and the administration of "criminal" acts regarding election statutes and federal law violations, demanding "justice" and a full investigation into election records.
- Fakira Bradley (Community Outreach Worker): Stated full support for continued community work but expressed strong opposition to alleged mistreatment, retaliation, and false narratives from community leaders and a trusted contact. Positioned their testimony as a call for accountability, integrity, and protection for outreach workers who serve without pay.
- Kim Gaddy (South Ward Environmental Alliance): Called for an investigation into "C Dente Towing Company" regarding allegedly predatory towing practices targeting Black and Brown residents in the South Ward. Expressed support for the Newark Fossil Free Ordinance, argued that the city must adopt it to address high asthma and cancer rates, and stated that the ordinance aligns with environmental justice goals for disinvested neighborhoods.
- Sarah Crispin (Private Resident): Documented a "fiduciary breach" by the Council regarding their duty to serve residents, opposed the current lack of remedy pathways for crisis, and proposed the formation of a private indigenous-owned community trust to handle jurisdiction and accountability.
- Elijah Morgano (Aboriginal/Indigenous): Expressed strong opposition to "bad business" practices, luxury developers, and labor unions, accusing developers of extraction and City Hall of breach of fiduciary duty. Stated that tax abatements while schools crumble is detrimental and demanded accountability for the displacement of elders.
- Nadira Brown (North, New Jersey): Expressed frustration regarding eviction without access to affordable housing, argued that slum lord laws are not being enforced effectively, and opposed the practice of keeping court filings private which prevents tenants from fighting eviction. Sought understanding from the Council regarding the hardship of families who do not qualify for current affordable programs.
- Donna Jackson (New Jersey Hellraiser): Expressed fierce opposition to the City Council's inaction on illegal evictions, rental assistance distribution, and the hiring of unqualified IT directors. Accused Council members of being complicit with "LLC boys" and demanded the resignation of leadership, stating they are "useless" and "doing nothing" regarding the city's 171 million dollar deficit.
- Dr. Leah Owens (South Ward Environmental Alliance): Explained and supported the Newark Fossil Free Ordinance, detailing its intent to prohibit new fossil fuel facilities and public investment in them to protect resident health from asthma and COPD. Stated the ordinance is critical for the Port area and community safety.
- Deborah Salters: Expressed opposition to lies from elected officials and criticized the lack of action on the "Black Agenda" regarding slum lords, the 30% set-aside for Black businesses, and the distribution of tax abatements to developers instead of residents. Demanded Council members quit if they cannot handle their obligations.
- Opal Wright: Requested assistance regarding the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, specifically seeking exemptions for charitable contributions and payment cards to help SNAP benefit recipients.
- Michael Charity (IT Developer): Proposed a new communication platform ("Cairo") to solve the city's inconsistent information dissemination, positioning it as a practical solution to reach residents directly via phone and email.
- Youssef Shabazz: Sought assistance from the Council to contact the new CEO of University Hospital regarding a wrongful surgery and lack of response from patient advocacy and the Board of Directors.
- Councilwoman Amina Bay: Expressed gratitude for the warm welcome, stated a commitment to collaboration, and commended the community's spirit following her inauguration.
Discussion Items
- Ordinance Adoption (First Reading): The Council adopted several ordinances related to surface replacement, traffic management (Treadwell Street), and professional services contracts.
- Tax Abatement Applications: The Council debated and voted on multiple tax abatement bills for affordable housing projects in the West, South, and East Wards. Some items were advanced and adopted, while others (7R2C, 7R2F, 7R2H, 6FE, 6FF) were deferred or reconsidered based on requests for further explanation or sponsor motions.
- Garden State C-PACE: Adopted an ordinance opting into the Garden State C-PACE program.
- Deferment of Specific Resolutions: Deferred several private sale and redevelopment agreements (7R2A, 7R2K) to allow for further review or sponsor clarification.
- Consent Decree: Multiple council members (Silva, Ramos, Bay) congratulated the Mayor, Police Administration, and the Police Department on the conclusion of the consent decree, emphasizing that while the legal process is complete, ongoing work is required to maintain community trust.
Key Outcomes
- Votes Passed: Over 20 resolutions and ordinances were adopted, including budget insertions, grant acceptances, and support for cannabis licenses.
- Deferments: Several housing and redevelopment items were deferred, including 7R2A, 7R2C, 7R2F, 7R2H, and 7R2K.
- Tax Abatement Advancement: The Council advanced and adopted tax abatement resolutions B (Crown Village), C (South Orange Ave), and D (Casamia Apartments) for further processing, pending advertising requirements.
- Committee Motion: Councilwoman Scott Roundtree successfully moved to create a new Religious Affairs Committee, which was approved by the Council.
- Holiday Announcements: Council members announced community Thanksgiving meal distributions, a holiday tree lighting on December 10th, and a "City of Hope" stage play in December. Councilman Kelly announced the 66th Soul Bowl and the upcoming state football finals for the Malcolm X Shabazz team.
- Condolences: The Council formally expressed sorrow for the families of recent victims, including the baby lost in the fall, children killed in street violence, and musician James Ruffin.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Welcome to the regular meeting of the Newark Municipal Council on Tuesday, November twenty fifth. Please stand for our National Anthem Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation by Reverend Aisha Maryland. I think we're having a little technical difficulties for everybody. Most gracious and eternal God, we bless you and we thank you. We gather just days before Thanksgiving, and we pause to acknowledge your presence among us and your guidance over the work that will be done today. We lift up Mayor Ras Baraka, the city council and every public servant who carries the weight of responsibility for Newark's people. Grant them clarity, steadiness of spirit, and compassion in every decision. God cover them and this chamber and the council meeting with wisdom, unity, and the spirit of collaboration that seeks the highest good for every resident in every war. Today we acknowledge the joys and the sorrows that shape this moment. We celebrate with gratitude the swearing in of our councilwoman Amina Bay, representing the city central ward. May your strength and your leadership be surrounded with support, insight, and grace. We mourn and remember the baby tragically lost in the fall recently. We also remember the two families who recently buried their children due to senseless street violence. And we remember every family that lost family members this year to natural causes, violent acts and tragic accidents. Comfort those parents, siblings, and loved ones with peace that surpasses all understanding and surround their neighborhoods with healing. Let this city be moved toward the kind of justice, safety, and love that protects every child. And as Thanksgiving approaches, oh God, we pray for every home preparing to gather, especially those with empty seats at the table. Let their memories be a blessing. Let their grief be met with tenderness, support, and community. We lift up the many families who will sit down with meals prepared through the generosity of neighbors, nonprofits, and the faith communities. Bless every hand that gave, everyone that cooked, served, and delivered food. And we remember the unhoused neighbors. May their meals be provided, offered not just for the nourishment, but dignity, care, and human connection. And finally, we pray for all those people of Newark. We pray, oh God, for every tradition, every background, and every path. Knit us together, knit us closer together, make us more just, more compassionate, and more united. This is our prayer, and we seal it in the most merciful, compassionate name. We seal it in the spirit of Buddha's peace and the path of awakening, and we seal it in the name of Jesus. Let the people of God say Amen and Amin. Let me just say it's always good to see you, Reverend Aisha Maribel. You formed a praise dance at my wedding, so it's always as our sister. In accordance with New Jersey law. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided to the Starledger, 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 November 21st at the time of preparation and posted on the city's website. Roll call. Council. Absent. Kelly. Yeah. Yeah. Raymo. Scott Roundtree. Present. President Krump. President. Council President, Council members. We are now in the hearing of citizens portion of this meeting where each speaker will have five minutes to speak. Once your name is called, please approach the podium and address the council members. The first speaker is Alif Mohammed.
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