0:32Welcome to the regular meeting of the Newark Municipal Council on Wednesday, December third.
0:38Please stand for the National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, and Invocation by Pastor Jalil Marrow.
3:13God, we come now to say thank you for who you are and what you're gonna do.
3:17Father, we ask that you bless this meeting today.
3:20That God will have peace that will surpass all understanding, that we'll have an understanding of what you would have us to do.
3:26Bless each and every council person, let's each and every person that we're gonna use their voice, let them use their voice for you.
3:33But in all your ways, God, we thank you, and we ask that we get an understanding.
3:43In accordance with New Jersey law, adequate notice of this meeting has been provided to the Star Ledger, the Jersey Journal, and the public at large, establishing the date, time, and location of this meeting.
4:24Madam Clerk, before we begin, I'm like uh Councilwoman Bay has something to say.
4:30Thank you, Council President.
4:32I just want to acknowledge the students and faculty here from Mario P.
4:37Thomas Charter School.
4:38They are here participating with my council office.
4:42They are all council members for the day.
4:45And we've had a great day, and I appreciate their participation.
4:48And hopefully uh my council colleagues if you have a moment after the meeting to take a picture with the students.
4:56And thank you all so much for you.
4:57Welcome, welcome, welcome.
4:59Thank you, Councilwoman.
5:00All right, madam clerk.
5:02Thank you, and welcome to our future leaders.
5:05Council President, Council members.
5:07We are on page three of the regular agenda.
5:10Item six ordinances on first reading.
5:13Item six FA is an ordinance opting into the Garden State CPACE program and B is an ordinance authorizing the city to accept a donation of land from Newark Housing Authority.
5:27Council as a whole to adopt A and B.
5:31A council member Bay.
5:54The 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.
6:07Public hearing, second reading, and final passage.
6:10Council President and Council members, just for everyone's notification.
6:15The public hearing is going to be on December 17th due to advertising.
6:19It is in the agenda, but I didn't want you to be confused with me just going through because there is no public hearing.
6:27A is an ordinance amending streets and sidewalks to include additional provisions for milling and paving.
6:35B is an ordinance amending traffic on Treadwell Street as well as C is an ordinance amending prohibited at all times on Treadwell Street.
6:46D is an ordinance granting a 30-year tax abatement to Crown Village Urban Renewal Incorporated to construct two residential affordable housing buildings sponsored by Councilman Kelly.
6:58Second by Councilwoman Scott Roundtree.
7:02E is an ordinance granting a 30-year tax abatement to South Orange Avenue 1 Urban Renewal Incorporate 2 for a project to construct 144 non-senior affordable housing residential rental units in the West Ward, sponsored by Councilman Kelly, second by Councilman Gonzalez.
7:24F 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 in the North Ward, sponsored by Councilman Ramos, second by Councilman Gonzalez.
7:46And G 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.
8:15We're going on to resolutions on page nine of the agenda.
8:19Can we take a vote on the deferral of these items, please?
8:22We need to defer the call to defer.
8:41Resolutions beginning on page nine of the agenda.
8:457R1A through C are budget insertions.
8:49A is for the Brick City Peace Collective grant.
8:52B is for the 2026 Anti-Violence for Out of School Youth Project.
8:57And C is enhancing Dr.
8:59Martin Luther King Jr.
9:02Council as a whole to adopt A through C.
9:24D through G are application acceptance of grant funds.
9:28D is for the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Community Energy Planning Grant.
9:34E is for the 2026 Brick City Peace Collective Grant.
9:38F is for the 2026 Anti-Violence Out of School Grant.
9:43And G is for the Arts and Education District 2026 grant.
9:47Council as a whole to adopt D through G, please.
10:107R2 A through E are all private sale redevelopment.
10:16A is a motion to return to the administration sponsored by Councilman Council.
10:21Second by Councilman Kelly.
10:24Roll call to return to administration.
10:59Items B through E are all private sale redevelopment.
11:04That there were no questions at the pre-meeting yesterday, so I will go through them and we will vote as a whole at the end, unless someone has a question.
11:18On D, we want to amend on the floor.
11:22So we'll go through them individually.
11:32Item B is the rehabilitate property to sell to an owner occupant at 80% of area medium income or less in the central ward.
11:40Council is a whole to adopt.
11:43Council members Bay.
12:05C is new construction of a mid-use building, a mixed use building, and a new construction of a four-family home to sell to a first-time home buyer at market rate in the West and Central Wards.
12:17Council is a whole to adopt.
12:36D is new construction of two two-family homes, one being sold at market rate and the other at an affordable rate in the West Ward.
12:44So there uh I believe Councilman Kelly would like to make an amendment.
12:51Just want to make amend that what would Councilman Gonzalez asked about yesterday.
12:57It'll be 60% or lower.
12:59I believe it's 40 to 60 percent.
13:08So the amendment for the AMI to be affordable is 60% and low.
13:16So you want to do a roll call to amend.
13:42E is new construction of a two-phase.
13:44Now we have to we have motion to adopt as a doctor as amended.
13:51We'll get through the meeting.
13:58So Kelly and Gonzalez.
14:00Same, same, uh, same over as Kelly and Gonzalez.
14:29Councilman Gonzalez.
14:31I believe that we should ask the administration to designate the office of rank control to make sure or rent control of the office that controls the affordable housing in the buildings to make sure that this buildings or this houses are rented at those rates as indicated here.
14:56Absolutely concur with that.
15:00I believe that we should uh ask the administration to designate the office of rank control to make sure or uh rent control of the office that controls the affordable housing uh in the buildings to make sure that this uh this uh buildings or this houses are rented at those rates as indicated here absolutely concur with that next item from the point of the vote my apologies item E is new construction of a two-family home to rent at 60 to 80 percent AMI and will rehabilitate property to create a new office headquarters in the West and Central Wards Council is a whole to adopt rocouncil member bay, yes, council, yes, yes, Kelly, yes, quintana, yes, ramos, yes, Scott Roundtree, yes, silva absent, President Crump, yes, F is a resident.
15:45I'm sorry, Councilman Kelly, uh pardon me, Council President.
15:48I just wanted to make sure that uh the agenda now reflects the the new address 522 and a half instead of 522 I think there were two there were two amendments to this that were previously mentioned by the uh economic housing development someone from the department come up.
16:22I know there was a there was an issue with the address, and I believe there was a second concern good afternoon, council president, uh council members, Alice Aladd, Director of Economic and Housing Development.
16:41Uh we were able through speaking with uh the city clerk uh to discuss a way to handle it through uh scrivener's error, so that was how we were planning to move forward.
16:53Okay, so it will be uh it will be changed, but it will be a scrivener's error.
16:57So let's roll roll call.
17:02Oh, we did no we just finished the roll call.
17:05We did all that, yes.
17:06Next item there is a resolution of support for the submission of an application by the developer for funding from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, New Jersey Affordable Housing Trust Funds for a project in the West Ward, Council as a whole to adopt, roll call, Councilmember Bay, yes, council, yes, Gonzalez, yes, Kelly, yes, Quintana, yes, Ramos, yes, Scott Roundtree, yes, Silva absent, President Crump, yes, 7R8A and B are both establishing important dates for 2026.
17:49A is to establish the pre-meeting regular meetings and special meeting conference dates, and B is establishing the municipal holiday schedule for 2026.
17:58Council is a whole to adopt A and B, please.
18:02Council Member Bay, yes, council, yes, Gonzalez, yes, Kelly, yes, yes, Ramos, yes, Scott Roundtree, yes, silva absent, President Crump, yes.
18:16C is a whole harmless for the annual holiday parade of lights, sponsored by Councilman Ramos, second by Councilman Quintana, Roll Call Councilmember Bay, yes, Council, yes, Gonzalez, yes, Kelly, yes, yes, Ramos, yes, Scott Roundtree, yes, silver absent president crump.
18:42Yes, D and E are matters regarding the 2026 election, D is legal services and E is printing and mailing services.
18:52Council is a whole to adopt B and E, please.
18:56Councilmember Bay, yes, Council, yes, Gonzalez, yes, Kelly, yes, quintana, yes, Ramos, yes, Scott Roundtree, yes, Silva absent, President Crump.
19:11F is recognizing and commending resolutions in G is expressing profound sorrow and regret.
19:17Council is a whole to adopt F and G.
19:20Councilmember Bay, yes.
19:22Council, yes, Gonzalez, yes, Kelly, yes, Quintana, yes, Ramos, yes, Scott Roundtree.
19:30Yes, Silva absent, President Crump.
19:34702A is a bid contract for the Cedar Grove Reservoir, stallwater improvements.
19:40Council is a whole to adopt.
20:00Pending business on the agenda.
20:04I'm sorry, 9A is an appointment to the Newark Public Library Board as a trustee.
20:13Sponsored by Councilwoman Scott Roundtree.
20:16Second by Council President Crumb.
20:36Items B and C, Council as a whole to defer.
21:00Council President, Council Members.
21:02We are in the hearing of citizens portion of this meeting, where each speaker will have five minutes to speak.
21:08When your name is called, please approach the podium and address the council members.
21:12The first speaker is Alif Mohammed.
21:51I'm sorry, Sly, I got some more here too.
22:13Alif Mohammed, President Founder Alif Mohammed Near School at Salamalekum.
22:20I'm gonna get back to on track on the situation where the corruption, you know, the racist over weird deal with that later election.
22:31But I'm gonna get back on track about the corruption and the corruption as I'm trying to uh people call me all the time.
22:39Matter of fact, the brother just stopped me out there, and about 50, 60 people always call me because I leave the Barackers alone.
22:46And I told Pat two years ago that I wasn't.
22:49I'm not gonna leave him alone.
22:51I'm after let me make it clear, the mayor, Raz Baraka, and the chief of staff, and I'm looking to go after them criminally.
23:01I want them to have their day in court for the crimes that they committed to the low-income, elderly, and disabled people of the housing authority.
23:12Now, what I just gave you guys is a big folder.
23:16You should keep this.
23:17This is everything back then that the housing authority owned.
23:20And it's a lot of good information.
23:22Yeah, President, take your time and look at it.
23:24It's informal, it's not you it don't bite.
23:28It's good information for you to know.
23:31Um, but each time I come up now, I'm gonna pull certain deals out, and that's the second page you got, the color page.
23:40And these deals, what I'm gonna show you in these deals, like for instance, the first deal you see is Roll Street.
23:47That's Lil' Brick, that's where I come from.
23:50My blood, my brother's blood is still in the ground when he got shot in 79, and this man was a kid, walked by three minutes before he well, 30 seconds before you got shot, right?
24:02And see my brother take his last breath because they wanted to rob him for because he had one some money gambling.
24:07So that's dear to me.
24:09Well, the Brits, they was gonna give the deal away for 300,000 the whole block.
24:16The whole block, not one building.
24:19You can't buy a building with a uh without a roof on it and know it for 300, but they was gonna give away the whole so I killed the deal.
24:26So when I killed the dead, I was brought down here by Mitty and said, Why did you kill that deal?
24:33I said it's a very bad deal.
24:35And he said, but this is the mayor's student, and he said it to me five times, and each time I said a bad deal.
24:44The guy, Cherie Mars, the mayor's student.
24:47The second one is Spruce Street, and remember in uh Muhammad Aliam, you have a guy's remember to talk about a hundred units.
25:01They was going to buy for a million dollars.
25:04The guy was fronting for some nice Jewish people, and they didn't do anything.
25:09When you when you make a deal with the housing authority, you have to you have to do things because they got to go to HUD and they got to do this.
25:15They didn't do nothing for two years, so the housing authority took it from them.
25:20And they wanted to pay a million dollars, but I created where you had to re-appraise it, and it was worth three million dollars.
25:29The guy named was Kenneth Gifford, and they told me, oh, him and the mayor is tight because of uh the theater and everything.
25:36He don't know about no construction.
25:37He's the mayor's friend, so the nice Jewish people used them in Lakewood to make a deal.
25:42But I killed that deal too.
25:44Then on Clinton Avenue over here by Quitman Street, that deal was a Dina's.
25:51Spicer killed that deal.
25:54We was going to give her the lot for 75,000 rent per year for 100 years.
26:02In 99 years, it still was going to be 75,000.
26:08Okay, the first second year.
26:09But 90 years, it's still gonna be 75,000.
26:14I didn't kill that deal.
26:15I went and told them that they better tell Adina that she better get things together because it sounds stupid.
26:21But Spicy killed that deal.
26:24And then we have on Burger Street, and this is another Dina deal.
26:30And Spicer killed that deal.
26:32So what I'm showing you is a Dina, the mayor's wife's best friend, his student and a friend.
26:44So what I'm showing you, this is called corruption.
26:47Rach Mah Mohammed disagreed with me.
26:49He said you're supposed to look out for the people.
26:52You can't put your hand on a scale for federal land and everything.
26:56Maybe they do that down here in the state or in this county, but that's that's called all these deals with Mayor Ross tattoo on them.
27:06So I'm gonna go through the rest of them.
27:07Oh, best of luck for the Bulldogs.
27:10They're playing tonight, even though I'm an Indian.
27:12Big up for the Bulldogs.
27:14Thank you very much.
27:15Thank you for your comments.
27:16And you welcome John Goldstein.
27:28President, you made me wait one button.
27:38Good afternoon, members of the council.
27:42Next Monday, the planning board's gonna hear the application for Iberia 2.
27:48The first approval was overturned when residents filed a lawsuit pointing out how the board failed to allow the public to adequately participate in the process.
27:59This is the most significant project in the ironbound in our lifetime.
28:05It sits on a large parcel facing Ferry Street on the front and the Pacific River on the back.
28:12It's just a few blocks from Penn Station.
28:16The land was assembled by the developer at a reported cost of 40 million dollars.
28:23It is crucial that we have a plan that works for the neighborhood, the city, and the developers.
28:30So far, the city has not addressed the contamination on the site, which formerly housed a PSENG coal gasification plan.
28:41The polluted material was capped by the existing asphalt parking lot and is monitored under state orders.
28:49The asphalt cap will certainly be disturbed by any construction, but there has been no mention of any remediation.
28:58Homes for All Newark and our partners have done an extensive public outreach program to better articulate what local residents think is important for the site.
29:09Here's what they said.
29:29The community wants real affordable housing, increase the affordability to 30% of units.
29:37We need more two, three, and even four bedroom units to accommodate families.
29:42And the project should accept housing vouchers and lower area median incomes to fit the needs of local residents.
30:00Require local hiring for maintenance, security, and retail jobs on the site, include job training programs for Newark residents.
30:07Ensure that all the jobs pay a living wage.
30:15Full cleanup of the contamination, which, as I mentioned, has never been mentioned to date.
30:20Conduct a public health assessment.
30:23Ensure green space, trees, and benches are included in the development and accessible to the public, and address the sewage and infrastructure concerns, which are great in a neighborhood with narrow streets and old infrastructure.
30:42There needs to be a plan for traffic and pedestrian safety.
30:46People know that this part of the iron bound is already serious traffic problems, parking issues, so we need to address those specifically.
30:59We need to reduce the excessive loading zones and entry points planned for the project.
31:05And any parking spots allocated for the public should be affordable with priority for neighborhood residents.
31:14There needs to be affordable retail space for local businesses.
31:18Allocate affordable rent controlled retail spaces for small local businesses.
31:25Designate specific storefronts for community-oriented purposes, and the community has specifically talked about the need for a health clinic.
31:36We need equitable public space and accessibility, ensure that green spaces are accessible to all residents, not just tenants, provide community use amenities like gardens and recreational areas.
31:51The proposed Iberia Development is not as it uh exists right now, as the plan exists as not a project for new workers.
31:59It's a project designed to benefit developers while leaving our community to deal with rising rents, displacement, and increased congestion.
32:09Without a legally binding community benefits agreement between the community and the developer that guarantees real affordability, local hiring, and real investments in public infrastructure.
32:22This project will deepen the inequality in our city.
32:26And I urge uh all concerned residents to call into the virtual planning board meeting on Monday, this coming Monday at 6 p.m.
32:38Thank you for your comments.
32:41Lisa Mitchelson Parker.
32:45Alicia Alston Singleton.
33:07Great day, Newark, Deborah Salters, warrior for the people.
33:11I echo what you said.
33:13That was excellently worded.
33:19Without us, these folk don't get paid.
33:24We the people are the city.
33:26So I was actually going to stand up here and not have anything to say just in protest because how we talk to you guys, we just stand there and look at us.
33:33I was going to do that to y'all today.
33:35But I'm not going to do that because I have to address a couple things.
33:39I'm going to start from the back, moving forward.
33:42So this 7R8D, which says it's an exception to public bidding, and it's to provide legal services to the Office of City Clerk in connection with election matters.
33:56So number one, why are they?
34:04Because, you know, an exception is like to not conform to general rule.
34:08So how do they get to escape the general rule?
34:10Why are they the chosen ones?
34:14I looked at the date from November 27, 25 through next November.
34:21Because the election that we had was November 4th.
34:24So I'm just wondering why we need to have them on board from November, and the election is not till May, right?
34:31I know it said not to exceed 50,000, but why do we need them now instead of then in May?
34:38And they're here after the November 4th election.
34:49It's an insertion, a budget insertion.
34:52The purpose of the 2026 Anti-violence for out-of-school youth project for the Newark Street Academy.
35:00Um, and it says appropriation amount two million dollars.
35:04So do we have a 2026 budget?
35:07Because it says the 2026 anti-violence.
35:10So we have an insertion for something coming in 26, but we don't have a 26 budget yet.
35:18And this is coming from the budget year 2025.
35:22And then it says funds accepted by resolution apply and accept submitted under separate cover as legislating gives the number.
35:33So why is it under separate cover?
35:35Why is it in the budget year 2025?
35:38Has this 2 million been dispersed already?
35:41Is it being held in a pot for 2026?
35:44Because this is for 2026.
35:47We're still in 2025, and it's two million dollars.
35:52Someone needs to explain that.
35:54Then we can go down to um no, I'll leave that one alone.
36:02It says another budget insertion for the BRIC City Peace Collective.
36:07Um it says $1 million appropriation amount.
36:13Again, it says funds accepted by resolution apply and accept submitted under separate cover.
36:19What is this separate cover?
36:21What is the wording for this?
36:24And it says the operating agency department of administration.
36:28If this is for 2025, has this money already been spent?
36:34Because again, we just I don't even know if we finalize the 2025 budget because that was a whole mess.
36:39I know that you all voted on it.
36:41I still don't know the final outcome.
36:43But we had, and these are not the first budget insertions, but this budget insertion here, again, Brick City Peace Collector.
36:51The other one is for 26.
36:52Remember, this one says 2025 for a million dollars.
36:56We are now in December of 2025.
37:00So why is this now on the budget?
37:03Um, as the budget insertion.
37:06And again, it's not clear whether the budget that was put forward.
37:10I know you guys took a vote, but again, it's all over the place.
37:13And forgive my ignorance because I've been looking and again, we come here and it's like, oh, well, no, let's go back, let's do this.
37:22It's a complete mess, right?
37:24And so these are my questions.
37:27If we don't have a budget for 26, how are we uh appropriating for something that's coming in 26?
37:35We just and these budget insertions, and I'm gonna keep saying it again are being put in in December of 25.
37:42We don't have a 26 budget.
37:44We just brought this to the table when October.
38:10Thank you for your comments.
38:23Council President, Council members, that concludes the agenda for today's meeting.
38:28Anything from the council?
38:31Anything from the administration for today's meeting.
38:36Hearing hearing none, uh, let's go to motions.
38:40I'm gonna start with uh let's go over councilwoman Bay this time.
38:48Anything you have to say?
38:51Anyway, no, the only thing again, just asking the council colleagues if they have a minute to um read and take a picture with the students here from Mary and P.
39:00All right, thank you.
39:05That there was a motion that we asked to be drawn up yesterday uh around support uh to be sent out.
39:11So I want to make sure that uh that that's read and to the record or put in so that we can forward it to the Essex County delegation uh around the support of the ordinance uh that the uh young lady spoke about on yesterday.
39:26Uh and then uh secondly tonight uh at 5 p.m.
39:30Uh the Malcolm X Shabbaz uh Bulldogs will be uh taking on Camden.
39:35Uh Shabazz is ranked 19th in the state, candidates ranked 13th.
39:38They will be playing for the state group two championship uh at Rutgers.
39:43So if anyone is doing anything and want to come out, participate, uh we will be out there cheering on the Malcolm X Shabbaz Bulldogs on tonight.
39:52Uh on December 13th, all Rose Lead De Burgen Street between Custer Avenue and Shepherd Avenue, uh, as we'll be celebrating another South Ward winter wonderland event from 2 p.m.
40:03Uh so we want folks to come out, participate, toy giveaways, entertainment, tree lighting, uh, and a lot more.
40:10And so we're asking all of those uh that can and will that are in the South Ward and the surrounding areas to come out, participate in our winter wonderland event December 13th, 2 p.m.
40:22Uh on Bergen Street from Custer Avenue to Shepherd Island.
40:28Uh that was not a motion, so Councilman Gonzalez.
40:33No motions, Councilman.
40:37Just um just wanted to make sure that everybody comes to Boiling Street Recreational Center for my annual toy and Christmas holiday giveaway at Boiling Street on December 18th.
40:50Um please come and I know it's been a tough time this year for a lot of different families, but we'll have a lot of toys, there'll be food, there'll be a lot of holiday chair.
40:59So make sure you come through on December 18th.
41:03Councilman Quintana.
41:05Yeah, just the next meeting if the Department of Engineering and the Administration.
41:13Um getting a lot of calls about elevator inspectors.
41:18And some of the folks that are getting uh they're getting summons on inspections, but there's no inspectors.
41:28So we need to know what is going on and what is occurring, because elevators are crucial in the public, for the public buildings and et cetera, and also for new construction.
41:41Apparently, the new construction is being taken care of.
41:46But the old construction uh the old uh elevators are not being inspected, and and it's creating a problem for some of the folks because the fire department will not issue any until there needs to be some coordination, not today, but because this this cannot be a five-minute in the next meeting.
42:09If we as the governing body have the department come before us and explain to us how many inspectors and their workload, because it's continuing.
42:23I'm getting I've gotten like four or five calls about buildings and the inspectors.
42:29We need to have every and I've said it clear.
42:32We need to make sure in the early days, every building in the city of Newark that had an elevator had an inspection sticker, and it continues to be forgotten.
42:46And I really am concerned for the safety of seniors, for the safety of people who live in the city.
42:53Uh, it is important that we coordinate this meeting, not today, but we come to a conclusion of what we're gonna do.
43:02I remember the the elevators here back in the day, they had a certificate that said this elevator is past inspection throughout the city.
43:14This continues to be and now there are people who are waiting to get their uh permits over other things in terms of inspections, and it's not occurring.
43:26Just want to bring that it's not today.
43:28We can discuss this at another given time.
43:32President, that councilman Gonzalez.
43:35Yes, uh I have been recommending that uh that we have sharing agreements with the towns around us, and I would like to to hear what we have done uh in that regard, because uh we have a lot of towns around us that have inspectors for elevators, and perhaps they're not as busy as we are in the city of North.
43:57So maybe we can get them to to come to the city of Newark and the builders, the contractors are willing to pay the fees.
44:07It's not a matter of them not being able to pay.
44:11They want to pay, but they want the inspections to be on time.
44:15Thank you, Councilman.
44:17We have a special conference next week, Tuesday.
44:21Um with the council's approval, why don't we send a letter to the Department of Engineering and Business Administrator to have a presentation on that too?
44:36Councilman uh oh, I'm sorry, do you have something on that too?
44:38Councilwoman Scott Roundry, go ahead.
44:40And she can answer it at a later date, but do we have an elevator inspector?
44:50So we we can have that discussion.
44:52Yeah, maybe I just want to not now, but next week we're gonna we'll we'll have a full discussion.
44:56Well, we have we have some requests.
44:57Is that acceptable, Councilwoman?
45:00We have some people that need inspections and have been waiting like for very long time.
45:07Thank you, Councilwoman.
45:13I just want to issue a reminder that we have our annual holiday lights parade next week on Friday, December 12th along Mount Prospect Avenue.
45:24Every year we we have more schools participating in the event, and we definitely invite a residents from the city to participate.
45:35We have a lot of interest every year in the parade, so you know we're praying for good weather and um a good time that day.
45:43Also, through your chair and the clerk, uh just so we could issue a reminder to the Department of Public Safety to see if they could do a better job of um enforcing the um overnight restriction on commercial vehicles that that are parking in in our neighborhoods.
46:00I don't know if we can engage maybe the parking authority to assist us, uh, but it's a growing problem.
46:06Um, you know, tractor trailers, delivery trucks, construction vehicles.
46:11Uh we get a lot of complaints uh from from residents regarding that.
46:16So we we need some help.
46:19Thank thank you, Councilman.
46:20Uh one, I hope it's going to be warm weather.
46:25One one other thing, Mr.
46:27Also, the if the clerk's office could research.
46:30We we we have residents who are parking their vehicles on their front lawns, not in driveways.
46:36And and there has to be some kind of uh ordinance on the books that the the police division actually requested it because we we we asked them the other day to read to to follow up on a complaint, but there are at least four or five homes in the neighborhood right now that are um for whatever reason people are just pulling up to their front lawn and leaving their vehicles there.
47:00So besides killing the grass, I'm sure it's illegal so absolutely thank you, thank you, Councilman Madame Clerk.
47:09Uh I think that's a motion, so second second by Councilman Kelly.
47:17Councilmember's bay.
47:32Councilwoman Scott Roundry.
47:34Yes, I have a few announcements.
47:36I know that doesn't surprise you, Council President.
47:39Uh, my first one is for uh Monday, the Newark Citywide Women's Holiday Gathering with our first Lady Linda Baraka.
47:47It will be held again at the William Mobile Ashby Community Center.
47:51Uh, there will be two speakers.
47:53Um, everyone knows I'm really big on mental health, but this young lady, as we're going to be talking about a new year, new you, uh, we're going to be speaking about a mental health as well as our physical health.
48:06There will be gifts from a Mary Kay specialist, all of the young ladies uh that show up for this meeting.
48:12This meeting is again on Monday, December 8th, 2025, um, 6 p.m.
48:20And following that, uh, past council.
48:22I'll be running over to Darren Monroe's anniversary.
48:25We'll be celebrating on the birthday, his 60th birthday, right after the women's meeting.
48:31Uh, the mayor's Christmas tree, a holiday tree, annual lighting will be next Wednesday, December 10th at 4 p.m.
48:41And we'll be featuring the Brotherhood and All Mail Course under the leadership of Professor George Sykes.
48:48There will be a song performed by the cast of City of Hope.
48:53And we will have some young people from Quitman Elementary School and from Grover Cleveland Elementary School that will be performing.
49:04Um will be MC and one will be given spoken word, and that is at the mayor's city of Norwich's annual holiday tree lighting once again next Wednesday, December 10th, 2025, 4 p.m., along with the North Municipal Council.
49:19And then in the Central Ward, this is about the third, I think, or our fourth winter wonderland.
49:25Um it was Councilwoman uh Lamonic McIver, but it's now Councilwoman at large and councilwoman Amina Bay will be sponsoring along with Chosen Generation and the Central War Clergy Alliance, the Winter Wonderland Experience.
49:40That is next Saturday, 1045 location, Central High School.
49:50Uh there will be a season of giving in the South Ward and Councilman Council's board the same day as we're going to be so busy in the city of North this month, season of giving.
50:02I'm in the parking lot and in the in the fellowship hall.
50:06We'll be giving away gifts and coats to young people.
50:10You must sign up with my office 973 733794.
50:18Speak to Demetrius Olivar Scott to register if your child needs a coat with the size, along with being able to receive a gift.
50:34The City of Hope will be featured this year at the William M.
50:38Ashby Community Center, 695 Bergen Street, December 12th, 13th, and 15th.
50:46Friday, December 12th, Saturday, December 13th, and Sunday, December 14th, 7 p.m.
50:54on the 13th, and 5 p.m.
50:57For tickets, you can call 973 733-3794.
51:04Myself, First Lady Baraka, Council, Pastor Pam Jones, and Adina Bayo.
51:14She has been given complimentary breakfast for dinner with Santa every year.
51:20This is not an open event.
51:23This is an event that you must call if there is a parent that has been incarcerated and are spending time with their children.
51:34And we will have gifts for those children, and they will be able to sit and have breakfast with their children for dinner, pancakes for dinner at IHOP on Burk IHP on Broad Street, 915 Broad Street.
51:49You must call to register.
51:51Do not show up if you have not registered.
51:55And if you're not one of those mothers or fathers, the numbers 973-733-3794.
52:05Just before our council meeting on December 17th, we will have our annual menorah lighting celebration at 4 p.m.
52:16in front of City Hall.
52:18It is sponsored by Berger Organization Mayor Baraka and the North Municipal Council.
52:25And that is it for my announcements, with the exception of the prayer memorial, which I will announce on the 17th.
52:31And there is one motion.
52:34And is that we extend condolences to the family of Jeffrey Rivers.
52:40Express profound sorrow and regret.
52:43We are praying for his mother.
52:45Deaconess Rivers and his sister Felicia and Brother Greg Rivers at the laws of brother, son, uncle, and maybe his mother Watts expressing profound sorrow and regret for Mother Watts from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.
53:09I I think I mentioned this briefly yesterday.
53:12Of course, we did mention Bishop Reginald Jackson, the transitioning of expressing profound sorrow and regret.
53:20His his homebrewing celebration is actually going to be in Georgia on December 12th.
53:27But one and only honorable Joe Carter, pastor of the New York Baptist Church, uh Council President Mildred Crump used to always say honorable is a characteristic.
53:39So the honorable pastor Joe A.
53:41Carter, Joe Albert Carter will be his services are set for Wednesday.
53:47The viewing is for Tuesday evening.
53:51I believe it's 4 to 9.
53:53And the funeral, I don't know if it's open, so this is just an announcement, letting you know that the viewing is on Tuesday.
54:02I would call the church or look online to make sure that it is open.
54:08But we definitely want to pray for the family of Pastor Carter, his first lady, Monica, and Pastor Bishop Reggie Jackson and the family of Jeffrey Rivers and Mother Watts, who's a faithful, faithful uh member.
54:24There is also another young lady, uh, Frank Smallwood, and I will give you the name.
54:30She lived at Cretch Mahomes for 40 years.
54:33And I believe her funeral is Friday as well.
54:36I will get you that name.
54:38Thank you, Madam Clerk, and thank you, Council President.
54:41And thank you, City of Newark.
54:43Pray that you all had a great Thanksgiving.
54:46And the truth of the matter is we give thanks every day.
54:49But I pray that you all have a wonderful, wonderful week.
54:54And so we see you on the 17th.
54:56Thank you so much for letting me be of service to you.
55:00Thank you, Councilwoman.
55:01Is there a second motion?
55:03Segred by Councilman Kelly.
55:09Council members Bay.
55:25Just a couple things I wanted to say.
55:26First of all, I hope everybody had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday season.
55:30I think, you know, every day I'm thankful for all that God has given me.
55:36And you know, we need to be thankful for everything.
55:38Um life is precious.
55:42And so every day wake up in the morning.
55:46I want to congratulate our neighbors to the South Hillside, or the new councilwoman elect Andrea Hyatt is now has won her election.
55:59I see some Saurars of Delta Sigma Theater back there clapping for her.
56:13I've been corrected.
56:15I also want to congratulate uh Jersey City's new mayor elect uh James Solomon who won yesterday, as well as the council members who will now have the what the word I want to say the excitement and joy to govern because I think that's really what it comes down to, and you know, the heart to do that, which I think is important.
56:42I I do want to uh respond to a comment, um which I should have done earlier, but do now.
56:48But you know, the as we all know the budget has been passed to 2025, and we do have grants that have been received or in that by law need to be uh um inserted into the budget, and so that's what those uh resolutions do.
57:07We're just following the laws uh so I think that's important to note, and finally, uh the friends of North Symphony Hall on December 6th are having uh a celebration with Gerald Albright is coming in, celebrating a hundred years of Symphony Hall, and so there will be a program and he's he'll be performing.
57:32If anybody's interested, they can reach out to our symphony hall or get more information from my office 973-733-8043.
57:44And finally, uh at my office, we are accepting donations of toys, unwrapped toys, which we will be providing to uh the our youth in our neighborhood.
57:54So if anybody's interested, again, you can call my number 973-733-8043.
57:59In fact, if we can't find a place to park, we'll come down and get them from you.
58:04So uh, or come up to our office at room 304, and we're accepting them until December 15th, and then we're gonna start distribution.
58:14All right, with that being said, roll call to adjourn.
58:25Council members Bay, yes, Council, yes, Gonzalez, yes, Kelly, yes, yes, Ramos, yes, got Round Tree, yes, Silva accent, President Trump.
58:40Yes, and I will say, Mary and P, you have been at the shortest meeting I think we've ever had.
58:46I love it, I love it, I love it.
58:49I've been on the council.
58:50All of my council members for a day.
