Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting - May 6, 2026

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on May 6, 2026, at 12:32 PM in City Hall, chaired by President C. Lawrence Crump. The meeting covered a range of legislative actions, including first reading of a tax abatement ordinance, public hearings on multiple tax abatements and other ordinances, adoption of numerous resolutions, and a public comment period. The meeting lasted approximately six hours, adjourning at 6:41 PM. Council members were present for most votes, with occasional absences and abstentions noted.

Consent Calendar

• Reports and recommendations from the City Clerk (Marriage License Bureau 2025 financial report), and audit financial statements for 869 Broad Urban Renewal LLC, 30 Clinton Urban Renewal LLC, 40 Clinton Urban Renewal LLC, Newark Warehouse Urban Renewal LLC, Three Penn Plaza Property Holdings Urban Renewal LLC, and High Park Gardens were accepted unanimously by the Council of the Whole (8-0, with Council Member Amina Bey absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

• During public hearings on ordinances, many residents expressed strong opposition to the proposed tax abatements, arguing they benefit developers at the expense of Newark residents. Key points included:
  • Felicia Alston-Singleton criticized the area median income (AMI) levels, stating that including Newark in Essex County AMI calculations prices out low-income residents and that the inclusionary zoning ordinance is "backwards." She demanded lower AMI thresholds and more affordable housing set-asides.
  • Debra Salters questioned whether the same developer was receiving multiple tax abatements and called for community benefit requirements.
  • Alif Muhammad supported lower AMI percentages and argued that tax abatements should be suspended for developers.
  • Lisa Parker accused the council of prioritizing developers' campaign contributions over residents' needs, noting that the city has not extended tax abatements to homeowners' associations like Society Hill, which face rising taxes.
  • Queen Dannisha Clyburn and Hellane Freeman decried the lack of direct benefits to residents and demanded tax abatements for homeowners.
  • Rodney Davis urged the council to stop all tax abatements, stating the city is "broke" and cannot afford them.
  • Gayle Chaneyfield Jenkins and Muta El-Amin questioned the lack of job opportunities for Black and brown workers on construction sites receiving tax abatements.
  • Donna Jackson and Rachel Jones reported substandard living conditions in their apartments and criticized the lack of enforcement.
• Several speakers also addressed the condition of downtown, the merger of the Newark Downtown District into the Newark Alliance, and the need for improved street lighting, traffic enforcement, and vendor regulation.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 6F-a (First Reading): A 25-year tax abatement for 1080 Bergen Developer Urban Renewal LLC for a mixed-use project in the South Ward (66 residential units, 13 affordable, 5,570 sq ft commercial) was adopted on first reading (8-0).
• Ordinance 6PSF-a: A 20-year tax abatement for Naimor 763 S Orange Urban Renewal LLC in the West Ward (32 units, 7 affordable) was adopted after public hearing (9-0). Deputy Mayor Allison Ladd explained that these are payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs) and that the projects will generate more revenue than the current vacant sites.
• Ordinance 6PSF-b: An amendment to extend the tax abatement for Spruce Park Associates (affordable housing project) to run concurrently with federal housing assistance payments through 2036 was adopted (9-0).
• Ordinance 6PSF-c: Authorizing sale of city-owned property to Bergen Street Partners LLC for $316,800 passed with a split vote (5-4, with Council Members Gonzalez, Scott-Rountree, Silva, and Ramos Jr. abstaining). Critics noted the lack of assessed value and transparency.
• Ordinance 6PSF-d: A lease agreement for the Office of Violence Prevention & Trauma Recovery at 846-850 South Orange Avenue for $15,600 annually was adopted (9-0).
• Ordinances 6PSF-e, 6PSF-f, 6PSF-g: Additional 20-year tax abatements for projects in the West Ward (Naimor S Orange, Marbim Holdings) and an ordinance broadening the definition of commercial vehicles and regulating construction-related parking were all adopted (9-0 each).
• Resolutions: Several resolutions were adopted, including temporary emergency appropriations ($73,219,738 for May 2026 operating expenses and $829,600 for the Summer Youth Employment Program), a collective bargaining agreement with the Newark Fire Officers Union (average cost $3,529,085 per year), and multiple contracts for HIV/AIDS services, legal services, and improvement district budgets.
• Motions: Two motions were adopted: (1) requesting removal of protective panels from council seating (5-4, with four members absent), and (2) requesting limitation on food vending permits per ward (5-4). A motion expressing profound sorrow for the passing of Sierra Lancaster was also adopted (5-4).

Key Outcomes

• First Reading Approved: Ordinance 6F-a (25-year tax abatement for 1080 Bergen) advanced to public hearing on May 20, 2026.
• Tax Abatements Adopted (Second Reading): All six tax abatement ordinances (6PSF-a through 6PSF-f) were approved, with the exception of 6PSF-c, which passed with a divided vote (5-4, 4 abstentions).
• Emergency Appropriations Adopted: Resolutions 7R1-a and 7R1-b provided stopgap funding for city operations and the summer youth program.
• Labor Agreement Ratified: The collective bargaining agreement with Newark Fire Officers Union (IAFF Local 1860) was approved for 2024-2027.
• Property Sale Approved: The sale of six city-owned lots to Bergen Street Partners LLC was authorized despite concerns over valuation.
• Lease Approved: The Office of Violence Prevention & Trauma Recovery will lease space at 846-850 South Orange Avenue for one year.
• Commercial Vehicle Ordinance Passed: The definition of commercial vehicles was broadened, and parking of construction-related vehicles in residential districts will be regulated.
• Appointments Confirmed: Mr. Reginald Webber Jr. was confirmed to the LGBTQ+ Advisory Commission; Ms. Nakeefa Cilicia Bernard's appointment was returned to the administration.
• Ordinances Advanced to First Reading: Four ordinances (rent control corrections, legal services in eviction, bulk waste removal, and water/sewer property acquisition) were adopted on first reading and will have public hearings on May 20, 2026.