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Record of Proceedings

Newark Municipal Council Meeting Summary: January 7, 2026

Municipal Council — Wednesday, January 7, 2026
BodyNewark, New Jersey
SessionMunicipal Council
DateWednesday, January 7, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:31:29

Original source
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0:19

Good afternoon and happy new year.

0:22

Welcome to the regular meeting of the Newark Municipal Council on Wednesday, January 7th.

0:28

Please stand for the National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, and Invocation by Pastor Mamie Bridgeforth.

2:42

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

2:47

And to the republic for which it stands one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

2:57

Amen.

2:59

First Timothy two, one and two says, I exhort thee, therefore, that first of all supplication, prayers, intercessions, and giving thanks be made unto all men for kings and for all they that are in authority.

3:11

That we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty.

3:16

Let us pray.

3:17

Father God, and we come to do today, and first of all, we want to say thank you.

3:24

Because Father, you have said in your word that absent of me you can do nothing.

3:28

And during twenty twenty-five and years succeeding to that, you have done marvelous things, O Lord.

3:34

Father, we thank you, O God, that we are here asking for wisdom.

3:38

Because you said in your word, Lord God, if any man asks wisdom that he should ask of the Lord, who gives to all liberally and adolescents.

3:45

Father, we acknowledge you in all our ways.

3:48

Because you said if we acknowledge you in all our ways, you will direct our path.

3:52

As we enter twenty twenty-six, we ask you to give this governing body the wisdom, the knowledge, the courage, the integrity to do those things, O God, that you would have done.

4:03

Because Father God, it is you, Lord God, that has kept watch over the city for all of these years.

4:09

Father, through the dark days, Lord God of Ken Gibson, Lord God who planted the seed.

4:14

Father God, through the days, Lord God of Sharp James, Lord God who watered the seed.

4:19

And Lord God, through the days, Lord God of Ras Baraka, Lord God, who is moving us forward.

4:24

It has been your hand that has been upon us.

4:26

So Father God, we ask that you will give this body wisdom, courage, integrity, and faith.

4:41

And Lord God, the ability and discernment to know the difference.

4:45

We submit this to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

4:48

And in the name of all those who call God God.

4:52

Amen.

5:00

In 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.

5:09

In addition, the agenda for this meeting was disseminated on January 2nd at the time of preparation and posted on the city's website.

5:18

Roll call, please.

5:19

Council members Bay.

5:21

Present Council.

5:23

President Gonzalez.

5:25

President Kelly.

5:27

Quintana.

5:28

Here Ramos.

5:29

Here.

5:30

Scott Roundtree.

5:32

Present.

5:35

Silva absent.

5:37

President Crump.

5:38

Present.

5:40

Council President, Council members, for the record.

5:42

I just want to note that Councilman Silva will be absent for today's meeting.

5:47

We are on page three of the agenda.

5:50

Ordinances on first reading.

5:52

Council as a whole to defer item six FA and B.

5:58

Roll call.

6:04

Council members.

6:05

Bay.

6:06

Yes.

6:07

Council?

6:08

Yes.

6:09

Gonzalez.

6:10

Yes.

6:10

Kelly.

6:13

Quintana.

6:14

Yes.

6:14

Ramos.

6:16

Yes.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████22%
Public Engagement████████████████████20%
Homelessness████████████12%
Affordable Housing███████████11%
Community Engagement██████████10%
Public Safety██████████10%
Budget Equity Analysis█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure███3%
Public Health███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Newark Municipal Council Meeting Summary: January 7, 2026

On January 7, 2026, the Newark Municipal Council convened to approve new year resolutions, adopt several ordinances regarding street maintenance and property transfers, and hear public testimony concerning affordable housing, corruption, traffic safety, and resident welfare. The meeting featured significant public debates regarding the accuracy of affordable housing percentages, the integrity of the Housing Authority, and the reliability of city staff reports on development projects.

Consent Calendar

  • Ordinance 6FA (Second/Third Reading): Amends streets and sidewalks ordinances to mandate that private entities tearing up streets cover milling and paving costs, or reimburse the city if it performs the work.
  • Ordinances 6PB & 6PC (Traffic): B modifies street cleaning on Treadwell Street in the North Ward; C prohibits all-day parking on the north side of Treadwell Street. (Council President Crump noted an abstention on these items post-vote).
  • Ordinance 6PD: Authorizes the transfer of property on Ferry Street from the Eastside Community Center Corporation to Mantena Global Care due to disrepair, with deed restrictions ensuring continued nonprofit operation.
  • Ordinance 6PE: Updates the tax abatement for the 50 Mount Prospect Gardens property (Urban Renewal LLC); sponsored by Councilman Ramos.
  • Ordinance 6PF (Second/Third Reading): Vacates Dewey Street and Dimer Street in the South Ward to facilitate the construction of a new University High School.
  • Resolutions 7R1A-D: Approved as temporary emergency appropriations for the Drive Sober Grant, Firefighters Grant, TANF/SNAP benefits, and the WIC program.
  • Resolutions 7R1E-F: Approved for bid contracts for "First Aid for Kids" and firearms equipment.
  • Resolution 7R2A: Adopted (amended) for a private sale redevelopment agreement for two two-family homes in the South Ward.
  • Resolution 7R3A: Approved for extending the contract term for the Central Avenue Bridge.
  • Resolution 7R5A: Accepted grant funds for the supplemental nutritional program for women, infants, and children.
  • Resolution 7R8A: Amended and adopted to express sorrow and regret for the passing of Reverend Dr. Durr, Firefighter Fermin, and Marilyn Gaynor (Assistant Business Administrator).
  • Resolution 7R8B: Recognizing and commending various individuals and groups.
  • Resolutions 7R11A-B: Adopted for the lease of the Temple of Hip Hop and accepting a gift for the seniors' holiday celebration.
  • Resolutions 7R4A-B: Approved for temporary emergency appropriations of $30.1 million for bond refunding and related costs.
  • Resolution 7R8C: Declared January as Muslim Heritage Month.
  • Resolution 8AS: Approved on first reading for a refunding bond ordinance for transitional aid.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Alif Mohammed (Founder, Alif Mohammed Navy School): Expressed strong opposition to alleged corruption within the Housing Authority. He accused a Planning Board Commissioner of being an illegal immigrant in violation of residency requirements, alleging he has been on the board for over five years and is a "yes vote" for specific politicians. He characterized the Commissioner's status as illegal immigration as a form of corruption and claimed he was threatened by the Commissioner.
  • John Goldstein (Homes for All Newark): Expressed concern and disagreement with city staff reliance on developer-funded studies, particularly regarding traffic impacts and environmental safety at the Iberia site. He stated that city consultants failed to identify critical issues like sidewalk infringements, lack of retail access, and pollution, necessitating residents to hire their own experts. He also expressed opposition to the lack of adequate city-funded relocation assistance for displaced low-income residents at the site.
  • Deborah Salters: Echoed concerns regarding traffic congestion (citing 40-minute commutes on regular days) and strongly opposed the proposed Iberia project, stating it would inundate the neighborhood with 1,400 additional units and insufficient parking. She expressed disagreement with the manner in which community input was handled during prior meetings. She also expressed concern regarding the financial logic of temporary appropriations spanning multiple fiscal years and demanded an explanation for Councilman Silva's repeated absences.
  • Darnella Lee: Expressed urgent concern regarding health and safety violations at her housing building, specifically citing mold, lack of completed remediation, and safety hazards like locked fire exits and fire extinguishers behind locked garbage doors. She stated that she and other residents face a crisis due to neglected conditions.
  • Latoya Jackson Tucker: Expressed deep concern regarding the conditions at the UMDNJ crisis shelter, specifically regarding the handling of Black and Latino populations and the lack of appropriate mental health support. She expressed strong urgency to address the culture of violence and the drill rap epidemic affecting children, asking the council to move beyond "more trauma, more money" rhetoric to address root causes.
  • Benita Rogers: Expressed distress regarding a Section 8 termination. She stated she has been a resident since 2011 without prior issues but was suddenly terminated for "lack of documents" and "voucher" issues after moving, forcing her to face eviction despite having an approved lease.
  • Barbara Gonzalez (Milagros Angels): Expressed plea for assistance for her nonprofit ministry of 20 years. She stated she needs a building and storage for food and medicine, noting she has personally funded storage and repairs but lacks city support compared to money allocated for other events. She expressed that her vehicle has been vandalized and she needs government assistance.
  • Councilman Scott Roundtree: Responded to public comments by expressing commitment to revisit the issues raised by Miss Lee regarding the housing building and stated that investigations are underway with Director Spicer. He also expressed commitment to address concerns regarding UMDNJ and the emergency room treatment of the homeless population.

Discussion Items

  • Affordability Percentages (Item 5E): Councilman Gonzalez proposed shifting the affordability percentages for the 50 Mount Prospect Gardens project to increase the number of units at 60% AMI and decrease those at 80% AMI. He committed to drafting an ordinance change to reflect this preference for deeper affordability.
  • Bond Cost Language (Item 7R4): Councilman Gonzalez requested that the resolution explicitly include language stating the $30.1 million appropriation covers the cost of issuance for the bond anticipation notes. Acting Finance Officer confirmed the language exists in the body of the ordinance, and the council agreed to proceed.
  • Traffic and Construction Enforcement (Item 6PD/General Motions): Councilman Ramos requested updates from Code Enforcement and the courts regarding illegal construction operations at 255-259 Grafton Avenue and requested traffic calming measures for Lake Street.
  • Greenway Property Cleanup: Councilman Ramos requesting the cleaning of abandoned vehicles and debris at 879 Broadway, adjacent to the new greenway construction.
  • Community Safety: Councilwoman Bay and Councilwoman Scott Roundtree both committed to scheduling meetings to address the issues raised regarding the UMDNJ shelter and the specific housing complaints.

Key Outcomes

  • Ordinance 6FA passed 6-0-1 (President Crump abstained on subsequent street items) to amend paving cost provisions.
  • Ordinances 6PB & 6PC passed unanimously (7-0) regarding Treadwell Street traffic.
  • Ordinance 6PD passed 7-0 to transfer community center property to Mantena Global Care.
  • Ordinance 6PE passed 7-0 to amend tax abatement for 50 Mount Prospect Gardens, confirming the project will comply with inclusionary zoning at 10% at 80% AMI, 5% at 60% AMI, and 5% at 40% AMI (total 20%).
  • Ordinance 6PF passed 7-0 to vacation streets for the University High School.
  • Resolutions 7R1A-F, 7R2A, 7R3A, 7R5A, 7R8A, 7R8B, 7R11A-B, 7R4A-B, 7R8C, and 8AS were all approved by unanimous consent (7-0).
  • Motion for Ordinance Change: A motion to modify the affordability percentages for the 50 Mount Prospect Gardens project was approved (7-0) for drafting by Councilman Gonzalez.
  • Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned with birthday wishes and a commitment to further investigation on public concerns.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon and happy new year. Welcome to the regular meeting of the Newark Municipal Council on Wednesday, January 7th. Please stand for the National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, and Invocation by Pastor Mamie Bridgeforth. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the republic for which it stands one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Amen. First Timothy two, one and two says, I exhort thee, therefore, that first of all supplication, prayers, intercessions, and giving thanks be made unto all men for kings and for all they that are in authority. That we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty. Let us pray. Father God, and we come to do today, and first of all, we want to say thank you. Because Father, you have said in your word that absent of me you can do nothing. And during twenty twenty-five and years succeeding to that, you have done marvelous things, O Lord. Father, we thank you, O God, that we are here asking for wisdom. Because you said in your word, Lord God, if any man asks wisdom that he should ask of the Lord, who gives to all liberally and adolescents. Father, we acknowledge you in all our ways. Because you said if we acknowledge you in all our ways, you will direct our path. As we enter twenty twenty-six, we ask you to give this governing body the wisdom, the knowledge, the courage, the integrity to do those things, O God, that you would have done. Because Father God, it is you, Lord God, that has kept watch over the city for all of these years. Father, through the dark days, Lord God of Ken Gibson, Lord God who planted the seed. Father God, through the days, Lord God of Sharp James, Lord God who watered the seed. And Lord God, through the days, Lord God of Ras Baraka, Lord God, who is moving us forward. It has been your hand that has been upon us. So Father God, we ask that you will give this body wisdom, courage, integrity, and faith. And Lord God, the ability and discernment to know the difference. We submit this to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And in the name of all those who call God God. Amen. In 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. In addition, the agenda for this meeting was disseminated on January 2nd at the time of preparation and posted on the city's website. Roll call, please. Council members Bay. Present Council. President Gonzalez. President Kelly. Quintana. Here Ramos. Here. Scott Roundtree. Present. Silva absent. President Crump. Present. Council President, Council members, for the record. I just want to note that Councilman Silva will be absent for today's meeting. We are on page three of the agenda. Ordinances on first reading. Council as a whole to defer item six FA and B. Roll call. Council members. Bay.

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