Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting - April 1, 2026

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 12:35 PM in the Council Chamber at City Hall. The meeting was called to order with eight members present (Council Members Bey, Council, Gonzalez, Kelly, Quintana, Ramos, Scott-Rountree, and President Crump) and one absent (Council Member Silva). The agenda included public hearings on four ordinances, approval of numerous resolutions covering administration, economic development, engineering, finance, health, law, public safety, and water/sewer utilities, as well as public comments and new business.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ordinance 6PSF-a (Tourism Improvement District): Shakir McDougald questioned who would be affected by the license fee. Council clarified the fee applies to hotels, not residents.
• Ordinance 6PSF-b (Wreckers/Tow Fees): Shakir McDougald and Alif Muhammad raised concerns about exemptions. Alif Muhammad described a personal case where a niece's car was held due to tow fees after a shooting. Councilman Council explained the ordinance would not be retroactive and aims to release vehicles not involved in crimes.
• Ordinance 6PSF-d (Kawaida Towers sale): Multiple public speakers opposed the sale, including Lisa Mitchelson-Parker, Alif Muhammad, Gayle Chaneyfield Jenkins, and Shakir McDougald. They argued the property was sold below market value, questioned community benefits, and alleged lack of transparency. Allison Ladd (Director of Economic and Housing Development) provided a detailed response, correcting historical facts and outlining plans for 100% affordable housing, homeownership, and a community grocery store.
• General public comments (Hearing of Citizens): Over 20 residents spoke on topics including housing conditions at New Community Corporation, police conduct/accountability, the city budget and temporary appropriations, concerns about ICE enforcement, support for a firehouse conversion to a youth center, and advocacy for the upcoming municipal election.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 6PSF-b (Tow fees for crime-involved vehicles): Council debated whether to amend the ordinance to include feedback from the Police Division. Corporation Counsel Kenyatta Stewart and a police representative noted concerns about current contracts and cost responsibilities. The ordinance was adopted 6-0-2 (Gonzalez and Ramos abstained) with a commitment to revisit amendments.
• Ordinance 6PSF-d (Kawaida Towers property sale): Extensive debate followed public testimony. Deputy Mayor Ladd defended the sale price ($500,000 for a property assessed at $918,800) as a 54% discount to facilitate affordable housing. The project includes 12 condos (affordable homeownership) and rental units, all income-restricted (40-80% AMI). Council members expressed support after hearing details, especially for three-bedroom units and local developers. The ordinance passed 8-0.
• Resolution 7R1-f (IT contract amendment): Council approved a $6 million increase (to $7.5 million) for communication wiring services with Millennium Communications Group. Councilman Ramos abstained.
• Resolution 7R2-b and 7R2-c (Property sales): Both were deferred on Council motions.
• Resolution 7R2-d and 7R2-e (Property sales): Returned to administration.
• Resolution 7R2-h (Affordable Housing Trust Fund grant): Councilman Kelly clarified the grant of $300,000 for a three-family dwelling (one building, three units) with a total project cost of $1,012,828. Passed 7-0-1 (Ramos absent).
• Resolution 7R4-c (Hotel surcharge for fire services): Councilman Ramos noted the $3 per day surcharge on hotel stays, enabled by state law (P.L. 2025, c.158), will fund fire equipment. Passed 8-0.
• Communications items (Ordinances for first reading): Introduced ordinances for a 20-year tax abatement at 763-767 South Orange Avenue (8-a), second amendment to Spruce Park Associates tax abatement (8-b), sale/redevelopment with Bergen Street Partners (8-c), and lease agreement for Office of Violence Prevention (8-d). All advanced to first reading.
• Added starters: Approved estoppel certificate for El Sid Properties (7R2-l), rejection/re-advertisement of bids for Pedestrian Safe Street Project (7R2-m), and resolution declaring Fraud Prevention Month (7R8-c).
• Motions: Councilman Council moved to request a hearing with Optimum, Verizon, and PSEG regarding utility pole maintenance. Seconded and passed 8-0. President Crump moved to recognize Autism Awareness Month, seconded and passed 8-0.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinances adopted: 6PSF-a (8-0), 6PSF-b (6-0-2), 6PSF-c (8-0), 6PSF-d (8-0).
• Resolutions adopted (selected): Temporary emergency appropriations (7R1-a through e), IT contract amendment (7R1-f, 7-0-1), violence intervention grants (7R1-g through q, all 8-0), Sustainable Jersey grant (7R1-r, 8-0), Microsoft support contract (7R1-s, 8-0), property sale to Pichardo Development (7R2-a, 8-0), West Ward Redevelopment Plan amendment referral (7R2-f, 8-0), HOME funds for 43 Jacob Street (7R2-g, 8-0), Affordable Housing Trust Fund grant (7R2-h, 7-0-1), SID budgets (7R2-i/j, 8-0), estoppel certificates (7R2-k, 7R2-l, 8-0), refunds (7R3-a/b, 8-0), NJDOT time extensions (7R3-c/d, 8-0), tax appeal settlements (7R4-a/b, 8-0), hotel surcharge trust (7R4-c, 8-0), emergency shelter contracts (7R5-a through i, all 8-0), grant acceptance from Seton Hall (7R5-j, 8-0), bond counsel contract (7R6-a, 8-0), recognizing/commending and expressing sorrow (7R8-a/b, 8-0), police software support (7R9-a, 8-0), roof replacement contract (7R12-a, 8-0).
• Deferred/Returned to Administration: 7R2-b, 7R2-c, 7R2-d, 7R2-e.
• First reading advanced: Four ordinances (8-a through d).
• Fraud Prevention Month declared for April.
• Autism Awareness Month recognized; resource fair scheduled for April 18, 2026.
• Hearing requested with Optimum, Verizon, and PSEG.
• Meeting adjourned at 3:54 PM after a separate motion of profound sorrow for Mary M. Soaries (passed 5-4).