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.

President.

Who's going to take this?

Good evening.

Good evening.

Alif Mohammed, Court Towers, President Alif Mohammed, Nea School.

As Salam Alaikum.

I came to talk about the election.

But I'm going to talk about the special election first.

But I'm going to talk about.

And I was saying to myself, a 10-year-old just got killed on Leslie Street.

And we down here partying.

I didn't say killed a whole party, but what is the mayor doing in the middle partying?

It's a party term that a 10-year-old got killed.

You're talking about the dog sitting.

I mean, what's going on?

Let me tell you about that street.

I used to live there 50 years ago.

Two blocks, two hours, buildings down was my first business in 71 when I was a senior in Weakware High School.

Then in 72, one block up Wayne Ride, I was married.

That was my match home.

I had 20 friends that were between 17 and 19 years old.

We're the nation's song.

We were all married.

It was a thriving neighborhood.

It was a different neighborhood.

But I can understand you going on with the party, but what are you standing here?

And then he got five or six detail around him.

Everybody knows Leslie Street is a hot spot.

Take that detail and put them somewhere else.

Now, I want to talk about the election.

Um Pat.

I want to say that Gail did a wonderful job.

Rach Mahammed, the deputy manager, Gail was not gonna make it, that her help was not gonna make it.

Buddy, you've been wrong a whole lot lately.

That woman, the makeup was perfect, the hair was dead every day.

The outfit was laid to the bone.

She did it.

She did it.

I mean, sometimes she wore me out.

And then I want to give props to Oscar James.

Not even a storefront with all volunteers.

You did a wonderful job.

But what happened, Pastor, I hear you past the pat.

I hear you talking in my ear because you know we used to talk in the ear.

Alive, don't you want to say something to Armin and them?

No, I want to say nothing I mean enough.

I'm gonna say this to her.

That some of the acts that she had on the day of her vote was criminal.

First, let me tell you who I am.

Five years ago, I made a complaint to the OIG of HUD and the FBI.

Well, I can't say FBI, federal investigators.

So, see anybody, anybody up here?

I never talked about them.

Only time I had to talk about Pat because we was on a housing authority together.

But Pat don't have a criminal mind, he just do stupid things on personal, you know, like he gets tight records of loyalty.

He'll do things that he don't he know better from doing.

But he's not no criminal.

And none of y'all, they never asked me in five years, not about one of y'all.

And then this new young lady comes right in, and she breaks statue on New York statue.

1934 15.

Which y'all don't understand, and what you don't understand is that elections are federal serious situations.

They are very serious.

They are thought of.

And then I put a statement up here.

I said, ignorance is not the law, it's not a defense for criminal activity.

So you can't say you didn't know.

In here, I put a whole affidavit of what I seen personally, where I leaf Muhammad scene.

Not nobody else, what I seen.

I seen, I seen this in here.

Also, there was things that happened, like in uh Lisa Parker spot on Science High, where there was problems, and the chief of staff came up and they had an argument, they called the sheriff, and the sheriff removed them.

But Lisa Park went to the election board and the election board said, you're back and do your thing.

So you're gonna be alright with them because the Barack is a bunch of criminals.

They're corrupt, so you're gonna fall right on in with them.

You're gonna be good with them and stuff like that.

But some statues here, federal statutes.

And see y'all in May.

Because we ain't going nowhere.

And this time we're gonna have some money, and this time we're not gonna live on violent, but I want to congratulate Gail Cheneyfield because she rock mom Muhammad said she was not gonna make it.

And that girl walked strong.

And Oscar James, I was always on the opposite side of Oscar self-a 20 uh oh two.

You did a wonderful job.

I salam alaykum.

Bless if Thanksgiving to everybody.

I mean.

Thank you for your comments.

Next speaker.

Appearing.

Amen.

Good evening.

Good evening, council president and members of the city council, residents and other leaders.

My name is Fakira Bradley, and I stand before you today as a committed community outreach worker, someone who has walked every block, served every neighborhood, and poured out my heart into this city.

I have always believed the community work is not a job, it's a call and a responsibility for me.

It's my identity.

I am community.

I serve the community.

Everything I do is rooted in teachings of the late commander, Kilbashier.

Everything I do is rooted in teachings of the late commander Kilbashia, may he rest in power, who taught me that when you wake up in the morning, your thoughts must be intentional, positive, and disciplined.

Through PC ITI training, I was shaped into the trauma informed community center outreach worker that the trainer elevated me and prepared me to do this work the right way with integrity, respect, professionalism.

Many outreach workers do not have this level of training.

And even among those who do, some may be further along in their journey, but my time is coming.

And when it comes, it will be with integrity and tech because I refuse to compromise it for anyone.

I show up everywhere in the city, Southward, Westport, North, East, because it's in my heart.

I love helping people.

I stand with singers, children, families, recovering citizens, and those who feel forgotten.

I do not get paid for any of the work that I do, but I show up because I care.

Because Mayor Raj D.

Rocke gave a call to action, saying, all hands on deck, small businesses, big business, nonprofits, boots on the ground, and I answer that call.

I have worked closely with Clinton Hill Community Action, and I am deeply grateful for the experience.

It shaped me and it definitely humbled me.

It gave me the space to grow and serve my community more deeply.

For that, I see thank you.

But despite my dedication, I had faith mistreatment, jealousy, retaliation that no outreach worker should ever have to experience.

I was treated unfairly at the community food hub, asked to leave without reason, without explanation, without respect.

I walked out a little peacefully because my kids because character is who you are when no one's watching in integrity.

Integrity is the foundation of this work.

Without integrity, you have nothing to offer.

People.

Someone I trusted, but who sent people after me who tried to sink her things and to me, who misdirected, misled the residents at the Riviera Hotel, who even used her connections to put false charges on me without my knowledge.

And yet I still forgave her.

I forgave her, but I will never allow anyone to misguard my steps.

Forgiveness.

Forgiveness does not mean protection.

Forgiveness does not mean silence, and forgiveness does not mean letting someone continue to mistreat me or harm the community.

I have never disrespected anyone who did not need to be disrespected back.

I do not bother anyone.

It is my light that bothers people, is my work ethic, my dedication, and the respect I receive from the community that irritates their demons.

Despite all of this blackballing, the false narratives, the attempts to destroy my reputation, I continue to serve.

I still show up, I still help families, I still advocate, I still work with families, never bias, never choose a side because of the code of conduct.

Conduct, meaning, serve the community with fairness and humility, remain trauma-informed, respectful and unbiased, protect the community, never harm it, hold myself accountable even when others do not.

Stand in integrity even when it costs me, never abuse power.

Always walk with compassion, courage, and truth.

This is the outreach, this is what outreach looks like to me.

I stand before you today because I believe accountability matters.

Outreach workers are the bridge between the city and its peoples.

We are, when we are misreated, pushed out, or silenced for doing right, things in the community suffer.

Things in the community suffers as well.

North deserves outreach workers who are supported, respected, and protected, not punished for answering the call to serve.

I am grateful for my experience, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

No one will dive my life because I was built for this.

I know community because I am the community.

And despite what I have spaced, I will continue to serve with love, integrity, and strength.

Thank you for your time and your service in allowing me to speak.

Thank you for your comments.

Next speaker.

Kim Gaddy.

Appearing.

Hotet, I should.

Good evening, Council members, and congratulations to Councilwoman Amina Bay.

I'm Kim Gaddy, 1067.

Ergon Street Southwater Environmental Alliance.

So I'm coming to speak to you on two issues.

The first one is C Dente Towing Company.

On 1017, 2025, I parked my car in front of the Popeyes to pick up food for my staff.

I was informed, not even 10 seconds after I walked in that my car was being told.

So I came out.

The driver informed me that I had to pay 250 in cash or they would charge me 475 if they tow my car away.

They told me this is the receipt from C to Dente Towing.

I zelled $250 to C Dente 3100 at gmail.com, only to have the driver tell me that that was a wrong email because somehow $700,000 was taken from this company, and now I had to send an additional $250 to some guy named Steve.

I then zell $250 to Steve.

Today I have not received a penny from C.

Dente Towing, and now I'm going to have a lawsuit and charge them a daily fee, like they charge the residents a daily fee when they store our cars.

But the issue is this is racism for black and brown individuals who live in the Southward of the City of Newark and Irvington.

I took my car and drove down to the North Ward and the East Ward parked the same way, like I'm running in to get some food.

I didn't see a tow truck for an hour.

An hour.

So we have to stop these unfair practices that we are allowing contractors to do at the expense of residents in this great city of Newark.

So I'm calling for this August body to do an investigation on C Dente Towing.

On page 37, there's an ordinance, our Newark Fossil Free Ordinance, uh AF and AG.

I understand that it was deferred this morning, but I do want to speak a little bit about the importance of this ordinance.

And I do want to thank ICC, Earth Justice, and Pacific Environment, our partners who helped us write this ordinance, which is to ensure Norkers have a fossil free future, meaning that we will not be dependent upon dirty energy for our community.

You know the asthma rates are high in this city, cancer rates are high, children and elderly are dying each and every day from the environmental degradation we suffer from just because of the color of our skin or the zip code we reside in.

So I had this conversation with this body.

So what this ordinance would do is it aims to reduce emissions and improve air quality around the industrial areas, and you think about the Dayton Street neighborhood of the mighty South Ward and the port, right?

So this would reduce that.

Also, if this ordinance is adopted, it will help advance the city's environmental justice vision and contribute to New Jersey climate goals while aligning with the Port of Port of New York and New Jersey master plan and net zero roadmap.

So Port Authority this time is getting it right.

They're on board.

So now as a city, we need to begin to support those initiatives, right?

Also, this will address the equitable infrastructure investment prioritizing historically, historically disinvested neighborhoods like the South Ward and the East Ward of the City of Newark for infrastructure upgrades, grid modernization, and access to clean energy technologies to address the existing disparities again that we are exposed to.

Black and brown individuals in this great city of Newark.

And so I'm hoping, and I understand it was deferred.

It was on communications.

You will hear from Dr.

Leah Owens, who is my ports and policy analyst, so that she can educate and inform you with the additional information regarding the Newark Fossil Free Ordinance.

Thank you, peace and blessing.

Thank you for your comments.

Next speaker.

Nelson Cross.

Nelson Cross.

Not appearing.

Shakana Benjamin.

Shikana Benjamin.

Shakanda Benjamin.

Not appearing.

Sarah Crispin.

I believe she's here, yes.

There she is.

Good evening, Council.

Neighbors, elders, and the leaders who fill this chamber.

My name is Sarah Crispin, a private national reserving not a public citizen, reserving all of my rights, and I appear today as a private living woman, honoring my indigenity to Earth, a steward of my family, and a committed member of Newark's future.

And before anything else, I want to honor what is true.

Newark is grieving because a 21-year-old was taken.

A child was taken, a houseless neighbor went missing, and a baby fell from a 20-story window.

These are not isolated incidents.

They are signals of a system loosened from alignment with the people they are entrusted to serve.

And yet in this room, I see the individuals who have held Norwick together when systems failed.

The organizers, the eldest, the parents, the advocates who show up twice a month, every month, the ones who feed, shelter, protect, bury, rebuild, and speak truth at personal cost.

Right now, the people carry the moral authority in this city.

And to the council, let the record reflect your authority as trustees of the Constitutional Trust exists only through fiduciary duty under oath.

Do care, transparency, and correction of harm.

More Norakers now than ever understand in a stand, jurisdiction, notice, liability, and the difference between public procedure and private right.

That shift is already changing the ground beneath your feet.

Public silence does not erase fiduciary breaches, and ignoring harm does not preserve immunity.

Every failure to act becomes a matter of record, oversight, and accountability.

I'm not here to petition.

I'm here to document, establish my standing, and activate the remedies the law requires of trustees.

The statement is notice, and this record is evidence, so accountability shall follow.

City Council meetings are fiduciary business meetings.

Your duty is not symbolic, it is legal, constitutional, and equitable.

When residents come here in pain, seeking safety, housing, resources, or justice, it is because no remedy pathway has been made available to them.

That is neither sustainable and nor lawful.

That is why we are establishing a community trust, a private indigenous rooted public private remedy structure, a lawful bridge for jurisdiction, community authority, resource pooling, and direct accountability.

This trust will empower the leaders in this room to do what they've already been doing with formal private sector power behind it.

You'll receive the formal notice soon.

Tonight I place this on the record simply so the transition from crisis to remedy can begin.

And this is a side note additionally for the record.

Our private vehicle, a home while we were houseless containing ceremonial tools, was seized without verified cause, with clerical errors on the VIN plate and name.

This is constructive fraud, fiduciary breach, and administrative misconduct.

We're placing it on the record tonight and will follow with private notice in the appropriate jurisdictions.

Our intent is correction, not conflict.

And finally, to the residents of Norc who hold economic stability, the upper middle class, the Asian diaspora, our leastly melanated neighbors who are watching.

This city's survival has long been carried by black and brown families.

Your participation is now required.

If you have means, you have responsibility.

Norwich's future depends on shared stewardship and material contribution.

If you've been waiting for a way to contribute meaningfully, that moment has arrived.

We are building these lawful trust structures through which, hi baby, through which you can invest directly into community safety, community ownership, and community remedy.

And just a brief for those who may not know what a trust is.

A trust is a community-centered structure that protects people's resources and responsibilities.

It is a stable framework for organizing resources, supporting families, protecting communities, creating long-term stability, coordinating neighborhood efforts, and bringing solutions that last in the private sector.

So I will close with this.

Norwork is transforming, and the leadership that will guide this next chapter is not sitting on the dice.

It is sitting in the chairs in this audience.com.

For anybody who's interested in joining this trust, I have paperwork for you to look at.

Thank you.

Thank you for your comments.

Next speaker.

Elijah Morgano.

Appearing.

Mr.

Morgano.

Mr.

Morgano.

Please address the council.

Ashe, we stand on Lenape Land, divine territory of N-O-R-K.

This is not City Hall.

This is the people's palace on top of my ancestors' graves.

And today the people call witness.

Papa Legbah, guardian of the crossroads, open the gates.

Hey, Manu.

Open the gates for truth.

Open the gates to expose bad business.

Open the gates for ancestors who knows extractions.

Open the gates for justice to flow.

Papa Legba, keeper of the keys, the gates are open.

As she light the candle, Juan Khan, Tanaka, Great Spirit, Yosin, the source, we as aboriginals of this land, Turdu Island, we call you to witness.

We take away all the sign waves and inversions, all frequencies that harm.

Mitakuyeo Yasin means all my relations in Lakota, from the unborn to the ancestors, from the Delaware nation to this very moment.

We are all connected.

All bad business must go and all debts must be paid, Ashay.

As we call in Crazy Horse, Lakota Warrior who kept his word when the government broke theirs, Ashay.

As we call in Goyo Latke, aka Geronimo, Apache Warrior, lied to again and again.

They never let him be buried in his homeland.

Research him.

Learn what broken promises become, Ashay.

We call in Myer Lansky, the Ashkenazi, big banker, big business for the mob, right?

Architect of extraction.

Even Israel wouldn't let him be buried there.

His own people said this debt is too great.

He is a mirror for today's developers.

We call in Samuel Carter, who was a youth during the slave times.

This youth had the gift of channeling the spirits, and he called to justice with the with a cup of authentic truth.

We call in Harriet Tubman, conductor of the Underground Railroad, never stopping, uh fighting extraction.

Ashe we call in Nina Simone, the high priestess who sang Mississippi, goddamn, became Nork, goddamn, Ashay.

We call in a Miri Baraka, who blew up America.

Ashay.

So who blew up Nork?

Ashe.

As I call in my grandpa, Josito Morgano, who is a business owner here in Norfolk and a baker, and I call in uh Octavia Butler and also the candy lady, which is my great grandmother, another business owner.

To the baby who fell 20 stories.

Because slum laws choose prophets over safety.

To every child lost to drill music, violence, domestic terror born of systemic neglect.

To every unborn child taken by poverty's cruelest machinery, planned parenthood, to the youth that transitioned since November 8th.

Casualties of ritual extraction.

They've been bleeding off of our, they've been eating off our blood for years.

It's over.

So since the conception of North settlement, there's been bad business.

Let the record show to the developers.

You are the new Lansky.

You buy land for pennies, build towers for millions, displace grandmothers who raised who raised this city.

You erase culture while calling it progress.

To the Ashkenazi development corporations, right?

Your names are in property records.

Luxury high rises, standing where our elders' homes once stood.

Tax abatements while schools crumble.

This is bad business.

We see you.

Your portfolios grow fat on our displacement.

Your returns are calculated in our suffering.

You trade our sovereignty like stock options.

You conduct rituals in darkness.

This is bad business.

We see you to the labor unions, you neglect our wages while living in suburbs.

You claim to represent us, but you serve the machine.

You build the towers that remove us.

This is bad business.

To City Hall, the municipal management, the dishonorable Rosperaka, the son of a marriage who who blew up New York.

You hold fiduciary duty.

Fiduciary means trustee.

You are all trustees of our lives, safeties, and sovereignty.

You are in breach when you allow this bad business to continue.

I should thank you for your comments.

Next speaker.

Lisa Mitchelson Parker.

Not appearing.

Felicia Austin Singleton.

Not appearing.

Anthony D'Angelo.

Not appearing.

Cassandra Doc.

Not appearing.

Nadira Brown.

Appearing.

Good evening.

Good evening.

Thought I had a little more time with the list.

Um my name is Nadera Brown, North, New Jersey.

And congratulations.

Welcome, Amina Bay.

Tonight I have so much to say, and just to let you know, this is the first time you're hearing a lot of my concerns will be to your colleagues.

Because a year ago.

I'm good.

Because a year ago, I was evicted.

And um, some people are happy about it.

Some people don't understand it.

Because I um I still take it day to day.

The helper needs help.

But I'ma still help, even in my own situation.

But the sad part is I did the research for my council members.

I sent emails before you came today.

On the ordinance 20 colon 4-418, I brought it to the meeting and I sent emails on how you can help an individual who's dealing with a slum lord who doesn't want to relocate their tenant.

The state legislation has it where the municipal level can help the tenant.

But unfortunately, some of us don't qualify for the affordable that keeps being built.

We're not trying to attack you.

I'm trying to get you to understand that we all don't qualify.

I got one eviction, so I can't get an apartment.

So I testified two weeks ago at the Senate level to let them know because they're trying to pass a bill to keep certain court filings a private record.

But remember during the pandemic when they wanted to close people's evictions that weren't paying, I paid.

But because of those evictions not being public record, everybody started looking at court filings.

So as soon as somebody takes you to court, you can't stop it.

But I have a lady who's bragging because she didn't want me to be there.

So she went to go sue me for garnishment, different things.

But the problem is we come to you.

I ask, what are your roles?

One of them is legislation and policy where council members create review and vote on ordinances.

But my own councilman ain't even reach out.

But last meeting want to tell me about all the affordable buildings that are here.

No one's obligated to help me, but at the same time, you're put in office to help the residents here.

We just keep doing the same agendas of the tax abatement.

So when I'm out of sight, I'm out of mind, but it's not even about me.

I'm just a voice who's not afraid to share her business to the public.

There are millions of people in the city going through this now.

They don't qualify for programs.

You have one 10 William Street, fake promising help.

They're not helping.

But I just feel like I just want to say thank you.

Because lately, every time I come here, I get a parking ticket.

So thank you for changing it to event meter.

Thank you for not checking the meters.

They're all not the same.

At different hours, different times, but this is causing hardship.

Just like it was talked about earlier with the towing.

Some of us don't even have 250 or 25 to even stop the towing.

So they still take it.

So you gotta understand the population you're dealing with.

The mayor thought I was being funny when I asked him for a ticket to his party.

I don't have the money.

But I need you to understand something.

The only way we're gonna work together if we try to talk to each other.

This can't just be in this room in this five minutes.

We got a bigger problem in DC that we need to come together with.

But we're not talking about that.

We're too busy fighting each other this side, that side, whatever side.

I just wanna thank you for the time tonight because I have so much to say, but five minutes is not gonna do it.

I don't need a pity party.

I just need you to understand that some of you haven't been through it, so you don't understand what we're going through.

And really, are you listening?

I wanna thank you.

Have a good evening.

Thank you for your comments.

Uh next speaker.

Zumar Mohammed.

Zumar Mohammed.

Not appearing.

George Tillman Jr.

Not appearing.

Appearing.

Good morning, good morning, council.

Guys have no clue.

Donna Jackson, New Jersey Hellraiser.

Have no idea.

No clue.

What's going on out here?

People being illegally evicted and you do nothing.

Paying rental assistance for people that don't need it because you won't help them fight the landlord who's overcharging them.

Be it NHA, NCC.

When this rental money came out, your LL boy, LLC boys that y'all all in the bed with.

Put in so much rental money, so much that people didn't even need.

And now they are families sleeping in their car, sleeping on the street because you have no money left, and you're not asking for any.

I haven't seen one of you, not one, advocate at all to increase the rental funding.

You haven't said nothing.

You ain't legislating nothing.

Nothing.

Useless.

So let me get on this IT director, because I'm sick of y'all hiring people.

Because you already know I know I'm sick of the whole thing.

You don't have a director in this city that's qualified for their job.

So for the two of y'all that are, oh well, the rest of you ain't.

Credentials, we don't care nothing about that.

Losing federal funding, losing federal certifications, not getting the things we need.

Y'all don't care.

John James, the director at OEM, what qualifications?

What qualifications?

So now your boy, the IT director, gets indicted, 13 counts.

Coming out of Washington, DC, and now he got some stuff for us.

Y'all down in Atlantic City shaking your butt at the party at the Bogata.

And this boy getting taken away.

Came back in the panic because nobody couldn't get into nothing.

So you had a criminal had access to everything.

Just like the lady who sent out all the emails with all the guys from DPW information, socials, salary, address.

Y'all did nothing.

And see, I don't understand how people keep doing these actions and nobody go to jail.

The lady that just stole all the money out of the court system.

Why she working in the police department now?

Why?

Why y'all keep passing these people around?

Don't stand here looking at me like y'all don't know.

Y'all know because they're your friends.

I know the LLC boys done laced your accounts.

So resign.

Because you can't help us and you're not helping us.

We don't have a voice up here.

Y'all don't know what it is to be regular people.

Y'all haven't been evicted and you won't be.

Because you got seven jobs, seven checks, seven layers of protection.

Not nobody in the city of Newark.

The insurance scam, y'all putting these employees through with this Magna Care.

Why would y'all bring that welfare program to our employees?

That's not going, they're not gonna cover nothing at Magna Care.

Y'all are ridiculous.

And then you're gonna give them a 250 dollar visa card.

So, Raz, how much was your kickback for having all the city employees go to Magna Care?

These police officers are not gonna be able to take care of themselves, and God forbid if they got a family, the sanitation workers, the clerks.

It's the worst program y'all could have got.

That's like welfare, welfare that we get with the welfare with the Medicaid.

They cover nothing.

Pension payments, get them paid up.

Cobanta wants to expand.

Thank you.

Um I'm sorry because the last name won't come that quick.

Thank you, Miss Gaddy, for coming up talking about the environmental, but they just presented at the freeholder board last month.

Yeah, because I go there too.

I was at the hearing with Nadera Monday.

Yeah, they want to expand Cobanta.

And they're gonna charge more money for the garbage.

Y'all ain't factor all this in with the revalue doing and all the taxes going up and still don't got the 2025 budget done.

You roll the stuff into 2026.

And yeah, let me talk about that 171 million dollar deficit that y'all are now rolling over to 2026.

Y'all better start reading and stop voting on stuff.

You got four pages at the end for more rebates, more give bags, more bring your friends in.

If these folks don't want to come here, they don't get no tax abatements and lending.

Black town.

Ooh, wonder why.

We don't need to get tax abatements here.

They're gonna come.

You got two new FBI buildings.

We got the CIA and the Macy Bill.

They're coming.

The airport is getting ready to be laid out.

Ain't no Norkers laying it out.

Ain't no Norkers laying it out because we not ready.

I'm sick of seeing Montana.

I'm sick of roaming.

Disrespectful, no respect for the community.

They cut lines, they cut services off.

Y'all do nothing.

Just keep giving them a contract, giving them a contract.

Every time they out here repairing, I don't see no new pipes on the street.

None.

So they just repairing.

That's what we're paying for, repair.

Millions of dollars.

State law to protect illegal evictions.

Y'all better read up on it.

I shouldn't have to come here and tell y'all, what are y'all legislative age doing?

Absolutely nothing.

Y'all have a good night, but it's a lot of people that's gonna suffer for Thanksgiving.

Everybody's not gonna have a Thanksgiving meal, and everybody doesn't have a place to lay their head, and all of that is on your legs.

Thank you for your comments.

Next speaker.

Dr.

Leah Z.

Owens.

Good evening, Council President Crump and Council members, and I'd like to expand, extend a special good evening to newly elected councilman.

Councilwoman Bay, congratulations.

Sorry, this mic keeps moving.

Um again, my name is Dr.

Leah Owens, and I serve as supports and policy analysts for Southward Environmental Alliance.

Um, earlier this evening, we heard from executive director Kim Gaddy, and I'm gonna provide some more details concerning items 25, 15, 10 and 251511.

Again, recognizing that they were deferred in the pre-meeting this morning.

However, hopefully, these details I'll provide will answer some of the questions, and we're happy to continue to be in conversation.

So, together, these two items comprise what is called Newark Fossil Free Future Ordinance.

So when we say fossil free, we mean free of fossil fuels, which are non-renewable energy sources that release large amounts of carbon dioxide when burned, contributing to climate change and air pollution.

Once adopted, Newark Fossil Free Future will do two critical things.

First, amend zoning and land use code to prohibit new or expanded fossil fuel facilities.

Um, example facilities include petroleum bulk stations, which are large facilities for storing and distributing fossil fuels and other uh facilities are used for fossil fuel power generation, so that just means that we burn fossil fuels in order to create electricity.

It's 2026.

We don't have to do that anymore.

Second, the ordinance will amend finance and taxation codes to prohibit public investments in fossil fuel facilities, ensuring our dollars are aligned with clean energy.

However, this ordinance is not just about zoning or finance roles, uh rules, it's about protecting the health of Newark residents.

Newark already hosts seven fossil fuel facilities, and one more is proposed.

These sites contribute heavily to emissions that produce hazardous air quality, emissions from the burning fossil fuels as well as the thousands of medium and heavy duty trucks driving up to and away from these facilities.

Usually we cannot see poor air quality, but we can feel it in our bodies as asthma, COPD, heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and developmental damage in children.

Fine particles called particulate matter get into our bloodstreams, causing systemic inflammation that affects the heart, lungs, and other organs.

This is how pollution becomes disease and how zoning decisions become life or death issues for our community.

By prohibiting public investments in fossil fuel facilities, this ordinance ensures our resources are directed toward clean energy solutions.

Most of these fossil fuel facilities are like are located on or around the port.

So initiatives like the Clean Ports Program, which Port Newark is a part of recipient, shows us what's possible.

Investments in battery electric trucks and hydrogen powered equipment.

These projects don't just reduce emissions, they create good paying jobs, modernize infrastructure, and strengthen our economy.

SWEA, other community based organizations and Newark residents urges council to act swiftly on these two agenda items.

Newark fossil free future is about choosing clean air, healthy lungs, and a future where our children can thrive.

Thank you.

Thank you for your comments.

Next speaker.

Deborah Salters.

Good evening, Newark.

Good evening.

Let me say this building is the people's hall, right?

As the brother said earlier.

So I'm going to say if I am in this building, I'm in this building because I should be in this building.

If I am speaking to someone that is in this building, that is my right to speak to them.

Especially if they are in the seat of power in this building.

So I know some people's lips are surgically attached to other people's behinds because of things they need to get, or they're kissing butts with their tongues out.

I don't do that stuff, right?

So if I'm having a conversation, it could be with the chief of staff, it could be with the council, it could be with anybody.

If it does not have to do with you, keep your mouth shut.

Don't put your mouth in the conversation.

Because like our parents tell us, they had a grown folks' conversations.

Okay.

That's my right as a fully grown woman.

I'm a whole grown woman and I can handle my business.

The people that I'm talking to can handle theirs.

We don't need you getting in the middle of it.

That's number one.

Number two, um, if I am talking to someone and doing business here, do not lie on me.

Don't go to the chief of staff talking about, oh, she's a problem and she's sitting outside my office and all of this.

There's no need to lie.

Because I if I do it and if I say it, I'm telling you and anybody else, ten toes down, I did it and I said it.

But you are elected to do a thing.

You were put in a position to do a thing.

If you say that you're going to do that thing and you don't do it, own up to your lies.

Don't then try to flip it, oh, she's a problem.

No.

You gave your word, you said you were going to do it, then do it.

I'm not that person that's gonna be like, oh, this is so-and-so's, you know, I can't say no, no, no, no, no.

First of all, I have a right.

If I can talk to the true and living God and not lie to him, who do you think you are?

I'm going to call you on your lies.

If you are not doing your job, quit.

We didn't ask you to be here.

You chose this spot.

If if if the heat is too much for you, leave.

Don't go crying and whining, oh, oh, Miss Sortus, is that my office?

Because you told me to come and see you.

If you can't handle the job, quit.

We didn't ask for you.

You chose to be here.

You have an obligation to the residents.

We the people pay your salary.

We pay your salary.

We are the city.

This is the city's hall.

That means it's the people's hall.

Don't lie on me, and don't lie to me because you will be addressed.

Now, the consent decree is over.

I don't know how I feel about that because we still have some rogue police officers out here doing what they want to do, not taking reports.

You have to make them take it.

So even though the consent decree is over, I need you all to be on your jobs, making sure that these folks are doing what they need to be doing.

Number two, the black agenda that everybody, you know, the group went around, you know, making sure Chitarelli didn't get in, oh, the black agenda.

And when you look at the things that are on that, that is not what we're dealing with.

The black agenda is when somebody like Nadira comes down here for two years telling you that she's going to be evicted, and we need you to do something about these landlords, slum lords, and nothing is done.

That's the black agenda.

What happened to the 30% set aside for the black businesses that the developers have to work with?

What happened to that?

That's the black agenda.

The black agenda is making sure that we have truly affordable housing because NORC again can do what it wants and slipping it to the 8020 instead of giving us 20 and giving them 80.

The black agenda is you not giving away 1.8 million dollars due to inflation to developers who have millions upon millions and giving it to the residents who need somewhere to live.

That's the black agenda.

The black agenda is the community that we once had where everyone can eat and thrive.

Go to the doctor, be taken care of, take care of their kids, not live in their cars.

That's the black agenda.

Don't just create something because you don't want a certain person in office.

Black people gotta care about black people for there to be a black agenda, not just words and words salad, and oh, we just want to sound good and look good for photo ops.

I'm giving out meals, and we're doing this.

How are the people living on a daily basis?

Not well.

Thank you for your comments.

Next speaker.

Appearing.

Good evening.

My name is Opal Wright.

I reside at Vanderpool Street in Newark.

And here concerned on the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

Title Ten, the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

I was like to begin with the exclusion for activities relating to charitable contributions.

In general, the director and the bureau may not exercise any rule making supervisory enforcement or other authority, including authority to order penalties over any activities related to the solicitation, or the making of voluntary contributions to the tax exempt organization as recognized by the Internal Revenue Service by any agent, volunteer, or representative of such organizations.

To the extent the organization, agent, volunteer, or representative thereof, is soliciting or providing providing advice, information, education, or instruction.

Any donor or potential donor relating to the contribution to the organization.

Well, this is uh section ten seventy-five, reasonable fees and rules for payment card transactions.

In this section, there is the reason for these fees that it's uh required issue a required issuer to take effective steps to reduce the occurrence, excuse me, of uh costs of fraud in relation to the electronic debt transactions and the development and implementation of cost-effective fraud prevention technology.

I would like to also just uh there is the exemption for government, excuse me.

Administered payment program and the reloadable uh prepay cards, this guarantee loan.

There's um a percentage, say if you have a hundred saved or reloaded, or you uh could be able to go in and just ask, or not really go in, but you could go and to the bank and ask for at least $70 of that $100, and that would be a loan, which the remainder of that hundred would be for your interests on that loan.

Well, if this is something that could help us with our SNAP benefits that cover those who we don't have have not received, or if it's any help whatsoever to families, we would be able to maybe install a loan button on our automated uh tailor machines.

This way we'd be able to accompany or help us all.

Thank you.

I'd also like to say condolence to um Joan Joanne Chesimar.

I believe she passed in September.

Thank you for your comments.

Next speaker.

Darnella Lee.

Not appearing.

Sharon Rollins.

Sharon Rollins, not appearing.

Donald Jackson.

Not appearing.

Chay Coulter.

Not appearing.

Atisha Davis.

Not appearing.

Michael Charity?

Appearing.

Good evening, Council.

Good evening.

Uh my name is Michael Charity, and I'm a Newark resident.

I'm also an IT solutions developer and the owner of the Overton Social Club in the West Ward.

And I'm also the creator of a communications platform called Cairo.

I wanted to share something simple tonight.

Like many residents, I've noticed that the city struggles with getting information out clearly and consistently to the residents.

Important updates are scattered across websites, social media, papers, flyers, and a lot of people never seem to get them in time.

For example, I was notified about this very meeting uh just uh a few hours ago.

Uh that makes it harder for parents, seniors, and others uh that makes it harder for parents, seniors, and and neighbors to stay connected, and it makes it tough for block associations and other residents to reach the people they serve.

I see this firsthand both as a resident and as a business owner in the West Ward.

So as an IT solutions developer, I built Caldero as a practical fix.

It lets local groups, municipalities such as yourself, uh message the residents directly.

No need to rely on Facebook or social media.

You can send a message directly to people's phones, you know, there are emails, you can reach them right in your pocket.

Something like this is very needed.

Um there are timely updates, uh, emergencies that go out, and the city needs a way of easily and effectively reaching the residents.

Uh my name is Michael Charity, and I built such a platform, a messaging platform that'll help both the council and this uh the residents stay stay more informed on a timely basis.

Um, I think this meeting started out with uh, they said the agenda was posted on the city's website, but I know far too many people who don't even know where the website is or the name of it.

Even to go there, it's hard to navigate and find what they need.

Um so my platform kind of solves that solution.

Um it allows you to send updates to residents to say, hey, there's a meeting coming up next Tuesday, and also it sends out sends out a weekly uh program of what's coming up in the week so residents can know what's going on.

There's also a calendar where they can go and see the information.

Lastly, they can sign up with their email or or their phone.

Uh they can also get push notifications to their desktops as well.

Um all of this kind of effectively helps you communicate with the residents.

It would also help me as well, because I I'd love to know more about what's going on in the city.

Um, so I just wanted to present that to you as a possible solution to the communication issues that that I see with the city, and in addition, if you can put me in touch with any other community groups or leaders who may be in need of such a solution, I'd be greatly uh I greatly appreciate it.

All right, thank you.

All right, thank you for your comments.

Next speaker, Youssef Shavaz.

Appearing who did I give this to believe in this sheet on the regime, Bishmi Alayhir up Manda Rahim.

Assum Lakeum, greetings, uh dear council president and members.

I come before you all today to seek your assistance and help.

I'm a excuse me.

I come before you all today to seek your assistance and help.

I'm a citizen born and raised here in this beautiful city, Newark, New Jersey.

I am I am your constituent as well as a supporter.

Some of you may not know that I have participated in your reelection and election committee that was formed to re-elect and elect you as members.

I have walked and knocked on doors because I believe in you and Noor.

My issue is and my issue and support should not go unacknowledged.

My issue again to reform the to reinform the committee.

I was a patient at University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, and our great city and sustained injuries at the hands of a fish a physician and staff member who is employed by Barnard Health West Orange while working at a university hospital.

I've spoken to patient advocacy at the at University Hospital, and my complaint when acknowledged, unacknowledged, it was to no avail.

What has happened to me in the hospital and university hospital and new by the physician and staff and patient advocacy as well as the court, the Exis County Superior Court system is a wrong that needs to be set aright.

Your help is requested individually, but most important collectively, so that we can you can try to get me in contact with um Miss Kyle Johnson, the new CEO of the hospital.

Because I spoke to Jim and I didn't I reached out to Jim and as he didn't answer.

I wrote all the board of directors pertaining to my problem.

I had a wrong surgery that I didn't need, and I still suffer from it, as well as I would like to if the committee can come together and arrange that uh someone from the hospital in a official capacity on the administrative side, CEO or the board of directors that I can speak to about my problem.

I would appreciate the help.

I got a couple minutes.

Can y'all respond to that?

Do I have to wait?

Mr.

Shabazz, we we don't respond until after the hearing is closed.

Okay, I apologize, sir.

That's it for that.

So thank you.

Sorry.

Thank you.

Thank you for your comments.

Council President, Council members, that concludes the hearing of citizens.

Thank you, uh, Madam Clerk.

Anything from the council?

Anything from the administration?

Well, I will say this.

Uh that Mr.

Mr.

Shabazz.

I think my chief of staff is in here.

If he's not in here, just wait till the end of the meeting to get your information.

Is he there?

Yeah, James, can you get his information for me, please?

Thank you.

All right, madam clerk.

Council President, Council members, we are on page four of the agenda.

Item five, reports and recommendations of city officers, wards, and commissions.

Council as a whole to adopt.

Roll call.

Okay.

That's you, councilwoman.

Roll call.

Councilwoman.

No, yes or no, or if staying.

Yes.

All right.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Tana.

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree?

Yes.

Silva.

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

Ordinances on first reading.

6FA is an ordinance amending and supplementing replacement of surfaces to include additional provisions for milling and paving requirements.

Council as a whole to adopt.

Roll call.

Bay.

Yes.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Quintana.

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Silva.

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

B and C of both traffic ordinances regarding Treadwell Street in the North Ward.

B is an ordinance amending parking or standing prohibited in certain areas at certain times for street cleaning.

To remove Treadwell Street on the north side between Ridge Street and Mount Prospect Avenue and include Treadwell Street on the south side between Ridge Street and Mount Prospect Avenue.

And C is parking prohibited at all times to prohibit parking at all times on Treadwell Street, solely on the north side between Ridge Street and Mount Prospect Avenue.

Council as a whole to adopt B and C.

Roll call.

Yes.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Quintana?

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Silva?

Yes.

President Crump.

Abstain on both B and C.

The ordinances adopted today on first reading will be advertised in accordance with law, and a public hearing will be held at a regular meeting on December 17th or as soon thereafter as practical in the council chamber.

Resolutions.

7R1A through H are all budget insertions.

A is to provide medical care on sickle cell.

B is to provide medical care services.

C and D are the HUD one-year action plan and five-year consolidated plan.

E is affordable housing.

F is homelessness housing.

G is for Ryan White HIV Health and Support Services.

And H is for community policing.

Council as a whole to adopt A through H, please.

Roll.

B, yes.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez?

Yes.

Kelly?

Yes.

Quintana?

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Silva.

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

I through L are all external transfers to provide sufficient funding until the year end.

Council as a whole to adopt I through L.

Roll call.

B.

Yes.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Quintana.

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Silva.

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

M is a bid contract for additional vendors trucks to increase capacity on street maintenance.

Council as a whole to adopt.

Roll call.

Bay.

Yes.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Quintana.

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Silva.

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

N and O are both application acceptance of grant funds.

N is for sustainable forestry.

And O is for homeless housing.

Council as a whole to adopt N and O.

Roll call.

Bay.

Yes.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Quintana?

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Sova?

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

P and Q are resolutions of support for cannabis license.

P is for cultivation.

And Q is for manufacturing.

Council as a whole to adopt P and Q.

Roll call.

B.

Yes.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Quintana?

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Silva?

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

7R2A through H are private sale and redevelopment agreements.

A is a motion to defer by Councilman Council.

Second by Councilwoman Scott Roundtree.

Roll call to defer.

Bay.

Yes.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes to defer.

Quintana.

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree?

Yes.

Silva?

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

B is new construction of a two-family home to sell at Market Rate in the South Ward, sponsored by Councilman Council.

Second by Councilwoman Scott Roundtree.

Roll call.

Bay.

Yes.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Abstain.

Kelly.

Yes.

Quintana.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree?

Yes.

Silva?

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

C and D are both items to defer.

C is sponsored by Councilwoman Bay.

Second by Councilman Kelly.

And D is to defer, sponsored by Councilman Kelly.

And second by Councilman Gonzalez.

Roll called to defer.

Bay.

Yes to defer.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes to defer.

Quintana.

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Silva?

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

E is new construction of a multi-unit apartment building with three market rate rentals and one owner occupied in the South Ward.

Sponsored by Councilman Council.

Second by Councilman Kelly.

Roll call.

Bay.

Yes.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Quintana?

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Silva?

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

F through H are all deferrals.

F is sponsored by Councilman Kelly.

Second by Councilman Council.

G.

Madam Clerk, I believe.

Yeah.

There's the councilman from the West would want to move forward with G.

Wants to move forward.

7 R2G.

So let's just do 7R2F.

My apologies.

So F we're going to take a vote on to defer.

No.

Yes.

Yes.

Okay.

So we'll vote on that and then we're going to move G.

Yes.

So just ask the 7R2F to defer.

Okay.

Yes.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Quintana?

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree?

Yes.

Silva?

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

G is new construction of a mixed use 24 unit affordable apartment building in the West Ward.

Council as a whole to adopt.

Or do we want to do with your with a sponsor?

Yes.

You want a sponsor?

Same sponsors.

Councilman Kelly.

Second by Councilman Council.

Is that okay?

Yes.

All right.

Let's move it.

Bay.

Yes.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly?

Yes.

Quintana?

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Rountree.

Yes.

Silva?

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

H is to defer.

Yes.

Still to defer.

Yes.

Sponsored by Councilman Kelly.

Second by Councilwoman Scott Rountree.

Roll call.

Bay.

Yes.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes to defer.

Quintana?

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Rountree.

Yes.

Silva?

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

I is the acceptance of grant funds for the work first New Jersey.

Council as a whole to adopt.

Roll call.

Bay.

Yes.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly?

Yes.

Quintana?

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree?

Yes.

Silva?

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

J and K are both resolutions of support for funding from the Department of Community Affairs.

Affordable housing trust funds.

J is sponsored by Councilman Council.

Second by Councilwoman Scott Rountree.

And K is Council as a whole.

Council to adopt J and K with sponsors.

ROCO.

Bay.

Yes.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

To defer.

No.

We're not deferred.

We're not inferring now.

Oh.

Okay.

Yes.

Quintana?

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Rounttree.

Yes.

Silva?

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

7R3A is a professional service contract.

A plan for the redevelopment of the existing Boylan Street Recreation Center.

Sponsored by Councilman Kelly.

Second by Councilman Council.

I'm sorry, madam Clerk.

Uh Rocco.

Bay.

Yes.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Quintana?

Yes.

Ramos?

Yes.

Scott Roundtree?

Yes.

Silva?

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

B is designating a bus stop.

Relocating a bus stop from Bergen Street to Avine Avenue in the South Ward.

Council as a whole to adopt.

ROCO.

Bay.

Yes.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Quintana?

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Silva?

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

7R4A is approving loan and escrow agreements for additional filters at the Paquanic Water Treatment Plant.

Council as a whole to adopt.

ROCO.

Bay.

Yes.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Quintana.

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Silva.

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

7R5A through E are applications acceptance of grant funds for the Health Department.

A and B are for the HRSA grant.

C is for Education of Diverse Nur Practitioner Population.

D is provide medical care regarding sickle cells, sponsored by Councilman Kelly.

Second by Councilman Gonzalez.

And E is provide medical care supportive services.

Council as a whole to adopt E through A through E with sponsors, please.

Roll.

B yes.

Council.

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Quintana.

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Silva.

Yes.

President Clump.

Yes.

7R7A is a professional service contract for the visiting judges.

Council as a whole to adopt.

Madam Clerk, I will say one thing on here.

It's number five is Lyndall Louise Scott Foster with an R on the end.

I don't think I need to amend.

I think we just go forward with it.

I'll make that correct.

ROCO.

Bay.

Yes.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Quintana?

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree?

Yes.

Silva?

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

7R8A is waiving special event application permit fees for the Weekway High School and Malcolm X Shabazz 2025.

South Board Soul Bowl Parade.

Sponsored by Councilman Council.

Second by Council President Crump.

Rocco.

Bay.

Yes.

Council.

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Quintana?

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Silva.

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

B is a resolution of support to support the creation of a dedicated funding stream for urban agriculture in New Jersey.

Sponsored by Councilman Quintana.

Second by Councilman Gonzalez.

Rocco.

Bay.

Yes.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Quintana?

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Silva?

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

C is recognizing and commending resolutions.

And D is expressing profound sorrow and regret.

Council as a whole to adopt C and D.

Rocco.

Bay.

Yes.

Council.

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Nintana.

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Silva.

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

Communications.

Item 8A is an appointment of Alana Miles, Esquire to the Central Planning Board.

Council is a hold to adopt.

Roll call.

Bay.

Yes.

Council.

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Nintana.

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Silva.

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

B is an ordinance granting a 30-year tax abatement to Crown Village Urban Renewal Inc.

for a project to construct two residential affordable housing buildings in the West Ward.

Sponsored by Councilman Kelly.

Second by Councilwoman Scott Roundtree.

Rocco.

Bay.

Yes.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

In Tana?

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Silva.

Yes.

President Crump.

Uh, yes, but can we note that as advance and adopt?

Do we have to redo the vote again?

We can just advance and adopt that matter.

Yes.

Just to remind everybody, even though we're going to advance and adopt, it has to be deferred next week because of advertising.

It still won't be on next week, yeah.

Still won't be heard.

Next week.

You still want to do anything?

We still would like to advance.

You still would like to advance and adopt, yeah.

Got it.

So let's take another.

Let's take another vote.

Come on, Ren.

We're almost there.

Roll call.

To advance and adopt.

Oh, wouldn't we have to do a motion to reconsider before you have we could have just moved it, but okay.

Let's have a motion to uh for reconsideration first.

Bay, yes.

Council, yes, Gonzalez, yes, Kelly, yes.

Yes, Ramos.

Absent.

Scott Roundtree?

Yes.

Silva.

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

And now to advance and adopt.

Bay.

Yes.

Council.

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Quintana.

Yes.

Ramos absent.

Scott Rountree.

Yes.

Silva.

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

C is an ordinance granting a 30-year tax abatement to South Orange Avenue One Urban Renewal Inc.

For a project to construct 140 for non-senior affordable housing residential rental units in the West Ward.

Sponsored by Councilman Kelly.

Second by Councilman Gonzalez.

And a motion to advance and adopt on this one.

Motion to advance and adopt on first.

This item is 6F.

Rocal.

I'm sorry.

This will be 6FE.

Bay.

Yes.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Quintana.

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Silva?

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

Mr.

President.

Councilman Ramos.

I'd like to be known as a yes on B.

So noted.

Thank you.

D is an ordinance granting a 25-year tax abatement to Casamia Apartments Urban Renewal LLC for a project to rehabilitate a six-story elevator, 100% affordable senior living residential rental building.

Sponsored by Councilman Ramos.

Second by Councilman Gonzalez.

I was going to ask that question before we started voting.

Would you like to advance and adopt Councilman?

Yeah, yeah.

We can't adopt.

Yeah, I never got my explanation that I asked for this morning, by the way.

So you didn't?

No.

It's fine.

We can move it.

I don't want to I don't want to zoom in.

It's your pleasure, Council.

Like I said, the work's been done.

The building looks great, but I think what I asked for this morning wasn't that complicated.

So but it's that's fine.

We'll move it.

Just send me an email with the explanation when you can.

All right, so we'll we'll get a response in writing later on from EHD, but right now we'll advance and adopt it.

Thank you.

Yeah, we're set.

Roll call.

Advance and adopt.

Now known as 6FF.

Bay.

Yes.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Silva?

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

E is an ordinance granting a 25-year tax abatement to 1213-1221 on broad urban renewal LLC for a project to construct a new five-story building with 60 residential rental units in the East Ward.

Council as a whole to advance on first reading.

Yeah.

Councilman.

Good.

Advance and adopt, yeah.

Advance and adopt.

Advance and adopt, yes.

First reading.

Now known as 6 F G.

G, yes.

Roll call.

Bay.

Yes.

Council.

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Silva?

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

Items F and G will be deferred.

Council as a whole to defer.

Roll call to defer.

Bay.

Yes.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Silva.

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

Further.

I have a count.

Councilman.

I'm sorry.

Councilman Gonzalez.

Yeah, I have a quick question.

Uh.

Are we prohibiting the city to invest in cars that use gasoline?

No, that's not included in this, I don't believe.

But what what the plan is is to have a meeting with the BA with with Kim Gaddy and to further discuss this matter and then bring it back to the doesn't include drugs on cars.

The city invests, or it could let's let's ask that question.

Okay.

Can we ask that as a question for uh Miss Gaddy?

Yes.

All right.

Thank you, Councilman.

For the record, the ordinances adopted today on first reading will be advertised in accordance with law, and a public hearing will be held at a regular meeting on December 17th or as soon thereafter as possible.

Pending business on the agenda.

Item 9A is an ordinance opting into the Garden State C PACE program.

Council as a whole to adopt.

Roll call to adopt Bay.

Yes.

Council.

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Sova?

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

B, Council's a whole to defer.

Roll call to defer.

Bay.

Yes.

Council.

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Intana.

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Silva.

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

Miscellaneous items.

10 A is approval of the raffle license.

Council is a whole to adopt.

Roll call.

Bay.

Yes.

Council.

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Silva.

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

Added starters.

7R1 R A S is a resolution of support for cannabis retail business.

Council as a whole to adopt.

Roll call.

Bay.

Yes.

Council?

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Itana?

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Silva?

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

8HAS is an ordinance authorizing the City of Newark to accept donation of land from the Newark Housing Authority.

Council as a whole to advance to first reading.

Roll call.

Bay.

Yes.

Council.

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Helly.

Yes.

Itana.

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Silva.

Yes.

President Trump.

Yes.

Council President, Council members.

That concludes the agenda for I'm sorry, let's go.

I need to listen to Councilman Kelly more often.

He wants to defer 7 R2K, which we voted on.

So we need to reconsider motion to reconsider.

7 R2K.

They council.

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes to defer.

Not yet.

Consideration.

Consideration.

You really want to defer this one.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

Now the motion to defer.

Second.

Uh motion by second.

Council deferred by Councilman Kelly.

Second by Councilman Council.

Say down.

Bay.

Yes.

Council.

Yes.

Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly.

Yes.

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

That's it.

That concludes.

Anything from the council.

Yes.

Councilwoman Bay.

I just wanted to uh thank everyone for the warm welcome and for just uh allowing me to to learn from you.

I look forward to working with all of the council colleagues here.

And um I just really appreciate the opportunity to collaborate and to work on behalf of the city.

Thank you so much.

And what a wonderful inauguration it was yesterday.

All right.

Anything else from the council before we haven't done motions yet, so anything from the council?

No.

Anything from the administration.

You sure all right.

Motions.

I'll start with Councilwoman Scott Rowtree.

Thank you, Council President.

All right.

I'll try not to do too much tonight.

I want to first thank um the residents and those who um attended the 12th annual North Gift Thanks.

Uh Jenner, I want to thank um Applebee's for partnering for the 12th year of supplying meals and a sit-down dinner for those residents without addresses, along with folks who had addresses to sit with them.

So often we stand in line and hand meals to people who are less fortunate or the least of these, but it's a different uh feeling to sit with them when we can go home and they're not going to a home, they're going to a residence uh that they're sharing with multiple people.

So I want to thank those individuals who came and sat with those individuals and broke bread with them at our 12th annual event on Thursday, Thanksgiving.

Uh I will be partnering with Fungello Hospitality Group and the Robert Treat Hope Talberg Organization to feed 500 residents.

Uh there are a few uh tickets left if you call my office tomorrow, 973-733-3794.

Once again, we'll be feeding individuals who might not um have a kitchen to cook a meal in or might not have been invited to our homes.

So the Robert Treat is supplying the space.

Um Jillo caterers are supplying the meals, and they will be able to sit down.

Uh, there are even elders that do have residents that do have homes, but they have nobody to break bread with, so they will be joining us for that event.

Also on December 8th.

We'll be hosting our next women's meeting, First Lady Baraka and myself.

It will be a gathering of women for the holidays.

We'll be having it at Willem William Mobile Ashby, uh community center, 695 Bergen Street.

There will be light refreshments and a meal.

Our topic has been business, our topic has been a development, but for this evening uh is meeting, we will be discussing self-care, we'll be discussing skin care, and we'll be discussing mental health, and we have several speakers that will be coming.

Dr.

Bradley, we'll be dealing with the mental health as we go into the new year.

We want to make sure that we end this year going into the new year, taking better care of ourselves and doing what we need to do for our mental health.

Uh, on December 10th, the mayor will be hosting his annual holiday tree lighting beginning at 4 p.m.

here at City Hall.

There will be Hot Chocolate, the Brotherhood Choir, featuring all men under Professor George Sykes will be performing along with the City of Hope Cast will be performing, and then there is a uh young couple of young people coming from Quitman Street School that will also be featured at the mayor's Christmas tree lighting on December 17th.

We will be hosting uh the manure lighting with Burger Organization and the Mayor.

Um, I will be making sure that information gets out that again is 4 p.m.

because we do have a council meeting that evening.

The cast of City of Hope have been sponsoring space and funding for the young people of Newark to do casting calls and to be a part of many, many stage productions under initials of the North Interfaith Alliance has been a part of this initiative on December 12th, 13th, and 14th.

There will be performances of City of Hope talking about the City of Newark and individuals that will be uh presented, residents uh regarding this original.

I mean, in regards to this original dramatic musical stage, play one of our own City of Newark Producers, playwrights, Michael, Pastor Mike Hart, um has written many plays, but I'm asking for you to save the date, December 12th, 13th, and 14th.

Pick a date, go over to William M.

Ashby Community Care and Training Center, and uh 695 Bergen Street.

Save the date, and you don't have to go to New York, you can go right down on Berkeley and see a wonderful production featuring our Newark residents.

Um, I do want to um extend condolences.

Uh, someone mentioned it in the in the meeting earlier uh to uh Ms.

Ryan, the mother of the two-year-old, these are Southworth uh residence with councilman council, extending condolences to our uh and praying for our leaders, um, Sister Ryan, uh Massi Rogers, um, and Jordan Garcia, and even the two, uh, the mother who have children that survived, um, and Miss Scott, the uh family of Miss Scott, extending condolences to them, um praying for their families as arrangements are currently being made all over.

I think Massey Massey, I think his arrangements have been made, councilman council.

I think they're having a Genaza, but if you can give that information, um if you have it.

I also want to express profound sorrow and regret for uh an outstanding musician who has transitioned.

His name is James Ruffin.

Um, his funeral arrangements will be on next on this Saturday, December 29th.

I want to also extend congratulations to uh Pastor Spate and his wife on their second anniversary.

I want to extend uh congratulations to the New Jersey Living Legends that were all honored on Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m.

Many leaders throughout not just the city of Newark, but they came through Norwich that are now abroad in the state of New Jersey, uh were honored.

Some 75, some 80, some 85, but they're all in the gospel music industry, and some just in the music industry, and they were all honored on Sunday.

So I want to congratulate all of them and Pastor Dale Cicerone for selecting them.

Last but not least, I would like to make a motion for a religious affairs committee, madam clerk, to be created, and that will be something that you will add to the website once it is voted upon uh that we will now have a religious affairs committee and send it, and I will submit those names to Council President.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh Council Woman's second motion.

Second by Councilman Kelly Rogo.

One more thing before you, I'm sorry.

Please, you know, I do this all the time.

And it's early, so don't, it's okay.

It's all right, council.

It's only a quarter after.

I have to say to my sister colleague, there's no way I can walk up out of this meeting tonight, and not every opportunity I get.

I know I can't do it every meeting meeting, Sister Amina, but I have to say this because the truth of the matter is your mother has called me a daughter for a very long time, and the way she fought for me, for my mother, for her legacy.

I am so grateful to be able to look over at you, knowing that it wasn't an easy climb.

But God got you to the top.

And I just want to commend you for staying the course.

No matter what came your way, you remained integral.

You kept your class.

You maintain all that God put into you to the wonderful Mother Frederica Bay and your parents.

God bless you.

And I truly am thankful to God that He realizes and that the people realize that this sister here is going to sit on the council with me.

Once again, congratulations, and may God continue to bless you on this new journey you're embarking upon.

Public service is not new for you.

This seat is just another seat that God has positioned you to move you a little bit higher.

Once again, I forgot to say, as I always do, Mr.

B.A., thank you, Nork, for allowing me to be of service to you and to those who had so many comments to make.

We thank you, we welcome them, and we look forward to seeing you at the next meeting if you're coming to speak.

God bless you.

Thank you.

We still we have to vote on that, right?

Did we vote roll call?

Bay.

Yes, Council.

Yes.

Gonzalez absent.

Kelly.

Yes.

Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Silva.

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes.

I'm gonna stick to that the left side.

Let's go to Councilman uh Silva.

Uh good evening, everybody.

Um tomorrow at 263 Lafayette Street, my little city hall.

Uh, we're giving out 500 meals uh and whatever leftover turkeys we have.

So uh anybody who wants to come down, first come first serve.

It starts at 11:30 in the morning.

I have Director A Laureo coming to take uh some meals to our people without addresses.

Uh so he'll meet me down there with his team.

But if anybody wants to come down, you're more than welcome.

It's just not open up to the East Ward, it's Thanksgiving.

It's open up to all our Newark residents.

So anybody wants to come down, it's first come first serve 500 meals.

Um I also want to thank all my partners, uh RWJ Barnabas, uh, and other uh come businesses we gave out as of today two 2,511 turkeys.

And so that's like the highest number um that I've ever had, 700 more than last year's number.

And so I'm grateful to all the partners working together to make sure that our residents uh get what they need and uh and have a happy Thanksgiving.

Uh I'd also like to send a letter um to uh Director Miranda, congratulating them, uh the mayor and the police department.

Uh there's still work to be done.

The work is not over, but I want to commend Director Miranda and his team and the men and women, the command staff of the North Police Department.

Uh the consent decree has ended, uh, but the work continues.

Uh and also a great appreciation for Director Ambrose, Director O'Hara, uh, Director Frage who were part of the process of getting to where we are today.

Uh and again, uh just uh big congratulations to all the hard work that went into bringing this to uh to an end, and that's a tribute to the men and women uh and the leadership of Newark Police.

And so I just want to make sure that as a retired uh Newark cop, and I served for 25 years here in this great city, that uh we congratulate them uh on a job well done.

There's still like I said, there's still work to be done, but job well done.

Thank you.

I would also throw in Captain Carrillo too.

Yeah, please do uh Director Carillo, the command staff, all your men and women, sir.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Anything else that's uh I'll second that motion.

And a happy Thanksgiving to everybody.

Roll call.

Yes, council, yes, Gonzalez absent Kelly, yes, absent Ramos.

Yes.

Yes, President Crump.

Yes, uh, Councilman Ramos.

Uh thank you, Mr.

President.

You know, I I too want to uh join my colleague in congratulating and welcoming our newest colleague, uh Councilwoman Bay.

Uh probably known her longer than I've known a lot of people here on this council.

We had the opportunity to work together uh some years ago at the county.

Um remember when she started with the city of Newark, and I follow her work over at NESF.

Um, you know, I don't feel like I have to explain myself.

The last person I explained myself to passed away two years ago, but I did reach out to her yesterday and apologize for not being able to be at her swearing in.

We've been pretty busy over the last few weeks, and this is my 20th year doing my Thanksgiving food distribution.

We don't inherit a lot of food from certain folks around the city, so we have to kind of hustle and uh raise money and buy a lot of turkeys and meals, and Monday is typically our busiest day.

And I know some people, uh some city employees uh find a lot of time sometimes during work hours to um kind of instigate and gossip a little bit on social media to try to create some friction.

Uh, but I just want to be uh clear on the record that you know I do appreciate and welcome you and um you know when they make references like you know the Hispanic council people and you know I find that a little bit offensive because I appreciate and love uh the people that I serve with.

I I appreciate and love my Hispanic uh council members.

We don't always agree uh on everything.

We actually respectfully disagree on a lot of things, uh, but I think we have to be very careful uh when certain terminology is put in the universe because it can be interpreted as offensive and and having some racial uh overtones.

Uh, but but I want to take this opportunity also to thank all the partners that we had.

We were very actively involved in serving uh seniors and uh specifically, you know, we we had the SNAP benefit disruption um earlier on in November, and that definitely created a lot of uncertainty and anxiety amongst uh individuals who are receiving SNAP benefits thanks to an organization uh called Mend.

We were able to distribute uh early on over 1,500 uh food boxes, primarily to seniors and and and other residents.

Uh we just finished uh one of our largest Thanksgiving meal distribution events that we've ever had.

Special thanks again to uh Barnabas uh Healthcare who collaborated, um, you know, all the sponsors who who helped us raise money.

The turkeys weren't cheap this year.

Um, you know, hoping that next year uh we can put we can find some farmland somewhere, Eric, where we could raise turkeys and instead of buying them from ShopRite because they they do get more expensive year after year.

So we want to thank all the sponsors who and and the volunteers is a lot of legwork.

You know, Monday we visited 14 locations, and it's a U-Haul truck, and uh a friend who's able to donate a refrigerated truck, but it does take a lot of um man and woman power in order to be able to unload and visit those locations.

Uh I want to invite everybody to our annual uh holiday lights parade.

You know, it's I think our fourth year.

Uh this year we have 12 schools that are participating uh in the event, and you know, every year becomes bigger and bigger.

It's a spectacular uh event.

It's on a Friday uh this year.

I think Councilman Council's been there in the past, uh, Councilman uh Crump and just want to thank the committee who's been working with the North Public Schools on pulling that together, and I invite everybody to attend.

It's uh it's it's sponsored out of my office in collaboration with our special improvement district.

And I'm I'm gonna send uh through your chair um and the clerk uh a correspondence regarding a few properties in the in the ward.

One is the biggest offender that we have on Grafton Avenue.

Uh I know the director of engineering has been there with me.

You know, they they they've had a mattress in front of that location for for for at least a week.

And you know, recently the fire department went in there to do an inspection regarding an emergency response call and and an anonymous firefighter who um reached out to our office, told us that that property is pretty much illegally converted, you know, into rooms.

And I don't understand how in 15 years we have not been able to get um you know corrective action through the courts.

You know, the rumors that they know somebody at the courts, uh I don't know what it is, but you know, it's crazy.

They have commercial vehicles parked on the property, track to trailer, they have commercial vehicles parked on the street, they have vehicles parked on their front lawn.

Um definitely major violations in a historic neighborhood, and they are the worst offender uh in the North Ward, and and they've been doing it for so long, and and again, I don't understand how they get away with it.

So I'm hopeful.

I'll get you the address.

Engineering director has it because she's been on site with me to do to uh inspect.

So and and uh congratulations also to the police division and the mayor and the administration on the consent decree.

I was part of the investigative committee with Councilman Rice, uh, which preceded um you know the the consent decree.

And I have to tell you that the city's come a long way.

We met with a lot of officers when this investigative committee started.

I had just gotten elected in 06, and you know, they reported you know some concerns to the committee and and that that preceded the uh consent decree and you know consent decree is a very challenging uh process to undertake, and and it's even more challenging to get out of.

So I have to thank uh deputy director Carrillo, Director Miranda, Director Ambrose.

Uh they they really focused, you know, laser focused on on making sure that we we complied uh with a lot of the requirements that the consultant and other people involved laid out for the city.

So and then as councilman Silva said, you know, we're not out of the woods.

You know, this is an ongoing process.

We have to continuously improve uh community relations between law enforcement and the city, but but it we we have come a long way.

That's it, Mr.

President.

Thank you.

Sir Second Second Second by Councilman uh Kelly.

Roko.

Yes, Council Gonzalez absent Kelly.

Yes.

Yes.

Got round tree.

Yes.

Yes.

President Crump.

Yes, Councilman Kelly.

Thank you, Council Prez.

Uh, first of all, I just want to say congratulations to the newest fragrance on the council, Councilwoman Amina Bay.

We really appreciate you being here.

Um got a lot of work to do, though.

Um, secondly, I I just want to thank all my partners who actually added to helping the West Ward do feedings, giving away turkeys.

We didn't quite reach over 2,500 turkeys like Councilman Silver, which is an amazing job.

But we too have done more turkeys than we did last year.

And and Turkey is not the answer, right?

It's not just the answer, end all be all, but it does fill a gap to people who can't afford to do things.

And we've we've given away about a thousand turkeys this year, maybe a little more.

I want to thank um Charlemagne Nagad from Power 105.

I want to thank Dame Dash.

I want to thank uh Darren Chandler.

I want to thank uh Sugo's restaurant here in the in the Central Ward, Ms.

Bay, Councilwoman Bay.

Um, I want to thank PWI Partnership West Inc.

Uh I know I'm forgetting someone.

I I want to thank just the volunteers, the volunteers who came to um Dr.

Horton Street school last night um just to help us feed that community.

You know, the West Ward has about four or five parts of the West Ward, and um we were able to do giveaways and feedings.

Um I want to thank Chef Kiko, who actually slaved uh in the kitchen for two days cooking all of the meals.

Um yeah, I just want to thank all of them.

I know I have something else.

Uh that's about it.

I just want to make sure that everybody has a safe Thanksgiving.

Um, you know, we really appreciate everybody, like I said, who has been volunteering to make sure that that we fill the gap of the need that is going on in our community.

And I just can't, I just want to reiterate everybody.

Please stay safe.

This holiday, you know, when you go over your loved ones, family and friends, homes, please stay away from conflict.

Please just enjoy yourself and uh have a great, great West Giving.

I mean, Thanksgiving.

I don't think there were any motions in that.

All right.

Thank you, Councilman County Kelly.

Councilman Council.

Thank you again to uh everyone who's watching.

I want to wish them a happy Thanksgiving and pray that they're with their families uh on this year and and those who uh may not have the opportunity who have been going through transition and loss.

Uh we pray their strength uh and and the Lord.

Uh also we want to uh send uh sorrow and regret to the family of uh Kia Mia, Kia May Scott, uh Jordan Garcia, uh and Messiah Rogers, uh as well as the two year old uh for the tragic losses that we've experienced in the South Ward.

Again, to every South Ward resident, would uh want to apologize publicly because our role is to make sure that people are safe, secure, uh, and we have to ensure that we do better uh at that as a community and as a people as a whole, and hope that we can use this time uh over Thanksgiving as well as these holiday seasons to really reflect on what our role and responsibilities should be as people uh to encourage each other uh to lift each other up and to be there in support uh to help people uh get through trial and tribulation.

It's easy to complain uh and uh make excuses, but it's very difficult to love.

Uh that's one of the most hardest things to do.

Uh, but we encourage uh each and every resident in the city as well as the South Ward to find that place of love uh in humanity that unites and lifts each and every one of us up.

Uh also would like to put a motion in uh to memorialize uh that councilwoman Amina Bay is the first uh Muslim woman to serve on the municipal council here in the city of North, uh which I believe is historic and important, uh, and to congratulate her and her work, her hard work and endeavor, uh, and know that she will continue to push along uh to do what's right and service for the people in the central ward uh as she continues to govern with uh a moral compass.

Uh secondly, uh want to uh invite everyone on Thanksgiving to join me in the greatest ward in the city uh at 1030 a.m.

as we all meet at Utterman Phil uh for our 66th soul ball uh over 66 years ago uh between Weekway and Shabbaz High School will be played this uh Thursday morning uh at Utterman Phil.

And so we encourage you to come out.

Uh we also want to uh wish uh good luck to the Malcolm Shabazz football team who will be competing in the state group two finals this year on December 3rd uh at Rutgers University.

They will be taking on Camden, uh, New Jersey.

And so we want the entire city of Newark uh to come out uh and lift up the Bulldogs uh in the city on that day uh as we show unity uh and strength uh as they uh fight for a state championship on December 3rd uh at Rutgers University, which is in uh important uh for us to be a part of.

Uh then on December 13th, uh want to get this out early and we want to continue to let folks know about it.

But all roads lead to Bergen Street to our annual South Ward Winter Wonderland, 2 p.m.

to 6 p.m.

on Bergen Street.

Uh we will have uh Santa holiday crabs and activities, uh hot chocolate treats, games, giveaways, rides, live entertainment, uh, and we are encouraging the entire community to come out, uh, especially in the South Ward as we celebrate our third annual South Ward Winter Wonderland event, and we're asking each and every one of you to remember that, log in and put it on your calendar, 2 p.m.

to 6 p.m.

Uh, as we look to have an amazing, amazing time uh with that.

So again, uh just want to wish each and every person a uh happy Thanksgiving uh and to all of our council colleagues, uh pray that you have a happy Thanksgiving as well.

Thank you.

Thank you.

So second.

Second, Councilwoman Scott, round three seconds.

Roll call.

Yes.

Council, yes.

Gonzalez Advanced Ellie, yes, Hannah, Adams, Ramo, yes, Scott Roundtree.

Yes, yes.

President Yes.

Councilwoman Day, do you have any motions or announcements?

No motions, but I have uh my staff members here, Tolu Kadri and uh Tammy Mack.

I want them to please stand.

You will see them.

We are here and want to make sure that everyone knows that we are dedicated to uh being responsive to the needs of the residents.

Someone from my staff will be here at every council meeting to make sure that we address any issues and making sure that everyone knows that we are open to work with anyone who is willing to work with us.

We are open to collaboration, and I will be knocking on the doors of all of our council colleagues looking for your assistance in that effort.

We are we are here to help.

Thank you, Councilwoman.

Uh I have just a couple of well, thank you.

Thank you.

Uh I want to thank everybody who uh sponsors, et cetera, who were helpful with our turkey distribution yesterday.

You know, it's a beautiful thing to continue to help serve the community, continuing the legacy of what my mom started doing years and years ago.

Um, we were able to distribute a number of turkeys.

I honestly didn't count them, so I don't know the number, but I want to thank uh those who are helpful in sponsoring and supporting from Audibles, North Alliance, the Bronze, the Falcon Pioneers, Daybreak, Heaver Ambrose, uh, RWJ Barnabas, and I think I may be missing someone, but there are others who helped support this event.

Um, it was uh we always do it at willing heart, but this time and you know, they're doing construction, so we were kind of outside under a tent.

So it's where I'm still a little cold to the bone with chills, but you know, it's always a good thing where we can help serve the community and do what we can.

Uh I want to thank my staff.

Uh I think I was a pain in the behind to make sure this went through.

I uh I was just wanted to make sure that we did as much as we could for as many as we could.

Um I also got to thank uh the stalwart stalwart supporters who have been there since long before I became a councilwoman, helping my councilman, helping my mother, uh Rosalind Reed, Mildred Wiggins, and Annie Coleman uh have just been amazing, amazing people who uh have adopted me in some regards.

So I I truly truly appreciate it.

And because of everybody on we were we were able to give out not only just turkeys but also shop right gift cards um and also Hello Fresh uh boxes.

Um I also want to congratulate Well before I get there, December 18th.

Um there'll be more information, but that's when we're going to be doing our toy drive.

Um it will be at Citiplex, and we did a great one last year, but we're gonna do an even better one this year with all the sponsors and supporters who I hope uh will they'll who will be part of it, and once we lock them all down, we will have a flyer with everybody's name and support on there.

It is not only just about uh providing toys, but I believe in health and wellness, so we will have departments from the city, a university hospital will be a partner with us, uh RWJ Barnabas, uh we're gonna provide haircuts and other things uh to help the community um through uh you know the holidays, which can be some of the toughest and um saddest times for some folks.

So the fact that we can provide some joy is very helpful.

Um I also want to congratulate the the city, the the uh uh police department and uh the mayor and administration, and I said captain, but I apologize, Director Gorilla, uh, because I knew you back when for all the work that that uh you that was done to make this happen.

I remember going to a number of meetings and you uh led those meetings, and and um it's very important that we've gotten this far.

But as uh my council colleagues have said, we still have uh ways to go.

Um you don't rest on your laurels, you just keep moving forward.

So we appreciate all that's been done.

And finally, I just want to say, you know, um, and it's been said by some of my colleagues, um, my condolences to to the families of those that we lost last week and and this week uh who passed away, as well as the uh uh in the uh with the unfortunate gun violence.

Um sometimes these things hit even hit home.

About a month and a half ago, my son was trying to go to that store, that store in that area with um his his uh football teammates, and my wife stopped him.

And you know, it's just you you you almost never know where or when you hug on your loved ones, make sure you tell your loved ones you love them every day.

Every time my kids leave the house, I hug them and say, Have a great day, my wife too.

Uh it it is so important because you never know when it's gonna be the last time.

Be thankful for what you have.

I'm grateful and thankful to God every day for all that he has given me.

Uh, and I will continue to do what I can for my community because that's as I said, I think yesterday with that councilwoman Scott Roundtree's uh event.

You know, my parents have always taught me to whom much is given, much is required.

And so, you know, what whether people like us or not, uh I have to say that we do try.

We may not do exactly what you want us to do, but we care about our community.

We love our community, and we want to do what we can.

And so um everybody have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Enjoy yourself.

With that being said, um Thanksgiving motion to adjourn.

Isaiah, yes, council Gonzalez absent, Kelly, yes, absent Ramos, yes Scott Roundtree, Silva, President Crump, yes, Keish.