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Record of Proceedings

Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting - February 4, 2026

Municipal Council — Wednesday, February 4, 2026
BodyNewark, New Jersey
SessionMunicipal Council
DateWednesday, February 4, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:31:41

Original source
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0:25

Welcome to the regular meeting of the Newark Municipal Council on Wednesday, February fourth.

0:32

Please stand for the National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, and Invocation by Bishop Rudy V.

0:40

Carlton.

3:05

Let us pray together.

3:09

Our Father which art in heaven, we thank you for the privilege as well as the opportunity to come at this meeting of the council for the city of Newark.

3:20

It is our prayer that you would indeed continue to hold us together and to watch over us as we discuss business and go through the agenda that has been established.

3:33

There's a word that says, Therefore, all things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, that you also would do unto them.

3:45

And so Father, we're asking now that we not only adhere to this word, but it allow it to resonate with us.

4:03

And we believe by faith that this is always going to happen.

4:07

And we look for an exciting meeting.

4:10

Orderly, respectful, and full of information.

4:21

That is in the name of our Christ.

4:24

Amen.

4:25

Amen.

4:28

In accordance with 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.

4:40

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

4:49

Roll call.

5:00

Here.

5:03

Here.

5:04

Scott Roundtree.

5:05

Present.

5:08

President.

5:09

Present.

5:10

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

5:15

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

5:21

Council as a whole to adopt.

5:22

Roll call.

5:23

Council Council.

5:24

Bay.

5:26

Yes.

5:28

Council.

5:31

Gonzalez.

5:32

Yes.

5:33

Kelly?

5:34

Yes.

5:36

Yes.

5:37

Ramos.

5:38

Yes.

5:39

Scott Brown.

5:41

Yes.

5:46

Yes.

5:48

Ordinances on first reading.

5:50

6PFA.

5:52

I'm sorry.

5:53

6FA is an ordinance authorizing the first amendment to original tax abatement granted to Cathedral Park Associates for an affordable housing project located in the North Ward.

6:06

Council as a whole to adopt.

6:08

Roll call.

6:09

Council members.

6:11

Bay.

6:12

Yes.

6:13

Council absent.

6:15

Gonzalez.

6:16

Yes.

6:17

Kelly.

6:18

Yes.

6:18

Incana.

6:19

Yes.

6:20

Ramos.

6:21

Yes.

6:21

Scott Roundtree.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████████████30%
Public Safety███████████████████████████27%
Community Engagement████████████████16%
Homelessness███████7%
Public Health█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure████4%
Arts And Culture███3%
Public Engagement███3%
Environmental Protection██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting - February 4, 2026

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 12:32 PM in the Council Chamber at City Hall. All nine council members were eventually present. The agenda included numerous resolutions, ordinances, public hearings, and citizen comments. Most items were approved unanimously.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes from the Central Planning Board (August–November 2025), North Jersey District Water Supply Commission (November 19, 2025), and Marriage License Bureau financial reports (July–September 2025).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Alif Muhammad spoke about various topics, including corruption, his support for Councilman Council, and criticism of some council members.
  • Anthony D'Angelo reported issues with a tenant changing locks and alleged lack of police response; he requested the council pressure the municipal court to reinstate a complaint.
  • Queen Dannisha Clyburn described a homelessness and mental health crisis, particularly at a McDonald's in the West Ward, and urged the council to partner with her on solutions.
  • Lamont Vaughn called for justice for Wali Bey, criticized slow snow removal, and urged funding for violence prevention organizations.
  • Fahkeria Bradley, a returning citizen, alleged false harassment charges against her stemming from a council chamber incident and asked the council to correct the public record.

Discussion Items

  • Fossil Fuel Ordinance (6PSF-c): Dr. Leah Owens of South Ward Environmental Alliance thanked the council but noted suggested revisions were not reflected in the final language. The ordinance prohibiting city funds for fossil fuels was adopted 8-0 (Silva absent).
  • Parking on Front Lawns Ordinance (6PSF-d): Councilman Ramos requested the ordinance be sent to the police division for enforcement; it was adopted unanimously.
  • Amendment to Resolution 7R2-c: The description of the proposed mixed-use building was changed from "grocery store" to "convenience store" and adopted as amended.
  • Snow Removal: Interim DPW director announced that a list of streets to be cleaned would be posted that evening; residents were urged to move cars on snow-covered roads.

Key Outcomes

  • Ordinances – First Reading:
    • 6F-a (tax abatement extension for Cathedral Park Associates) adopted 8-0.
    • 8-e (cap ordinance) advanced and adopted as 6F-b 9-0.
    • 8-f (lease with Newark Beth Israel Medical Center for food farmacy) advanced and adopted as 6F-c 9-0.
  • Public Hearing & Final Passage:
    • 6PSF-a (refunding bond) deferred 8-0.
    • 6PSF-b (fossil fuel facility prohibition) returned to administration 8-0.
    • 6PSF-c (prohibition on city funds for fossil fuels) adopted 8-0.
    • 6PSF-d (parking on yard frontage) adopted 8-0.
  • Resolutions: All resolutions (7R1 through 7R9, including added starters) were adopted – most by 8-0 or 9-0 votes.
  • Appointments:
    • Andre L. Speight appointment to Central Planning Board deferred.
    • Leon Purdie reappointed to Central Planning Board 9-0.
    • Patrick Council reappointed to Newark Housing Authority Board 9-0.
    • Aisha J. Cooper reappointed to Newark Public Library Board of Trustees 9-0.
  • Motions:
    • Recognized South Ward Youth Landscapers for snow removal assistance.
    • Expressed sorrow at the passing of Barbara Hughes.
    • Congratulated Newark native Shakur Stevenson on winning his fourth world boxing title.
    • Requested a follow-up meeting at Georgia King Village to address tenant complaints.
    • Wished a speedy recovery to sanitation worker Kyron Dixon.
  • Miscellaneous: Raffle licenses approved for three organizations.

The meeting adjourned at 2:04 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Welcome to the regular meeting of the Newark Municipal Council on Wednesday, February fourth. Please stand for the National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, and Invocation by Bishop Rudy V. Carlton. Let us pray together. Our Father which art in heaven, we thank you for the privilege as well as the opportunity to come at this meeting of the council for the city of Newark. It is our prayer that you would indeed continue to hold us together and to watch over us as we discuss business and go through the agenda that has been established. There's a word that says, Therefore, all things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, that you also would do unto them. And so Father, we're asking now that we not only adhere to this word, but it allow it to resonate with us. And we believe by faith that this is always going to happen. And we look for an exciting meeting. Orderly, respectful, and full of information. That is in the name of our Christ. Amen. Amen. In accordance with 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 thirtieth at the time of preparation and posted on the city's website. Roll call. Here. Here. Scott Roundtree. Present. President. Present. Council President, Council members, we are on page three of the agenda. Item five reports and recommendations of city officers, boards, and commissions. Council as a whole to adopt. Roll call. Council Council. Bay. Yes. Council. Gonzalez. Yes. Kelly? Yes. Yes. Ramos. Yes. Scott Brown. Yes. Yes. Ordinances on first reading. 6PFA. I'm sorry. 6FA is an ordinance authorizing the first amendment to original tax abatement granted to Cathedral Park Associates for an affordable housing project located in the North Ward. Council as a whole to adopt. Roll call. Council members. Bay. Yes.

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