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.
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.