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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting Summary - August 5, 2026

Municipal Council — Wednesday, August 5, 2026

BodyNewark, New Jersey

SessionMunicipal Council

DateWednesday, August 5, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 3:41:00

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:12

Good afternoon.

0:13

Welcome to the regular meeting of the North Municipal Council on Wednesday, August 5th.

0:19

Please stand for the National Anthem, a Pledge of Allegiance, an invocation by Pastor Robert L.

0:25

Cole, Jr.

0:26

of Holy Temple Free Will Baptist Church.

1:06

And pride's done us for the land.

2:43

One nation.

3:13

And I greet you all in that wonderful strong name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

3:17

Might we pray Spirit of the Living God.

3:20

Fall fresh here on today.

3:23

Lord, before we ask you for anything, we certainly want to thank you for everything.

3:28

Lord, you are good.

3:30

You have been better than good.

3:32

We can't thank you enough.

3:33

We owe you our lives.

3:35

Lord, you have been so good to each and every one of us.

3:39

You allowed us to come together once again one more time.

3:42

And for that we say thank you.

3:44

We ask you now, God that you will forgive us for each of our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

3:50

We pray now, God that you will remember our council president, our council members.

3:55

And God, I pray God that you will keep them now, guide them, govern them now, give them discernment, God, give them wisdom, God, to guide and learn and grow in this government.

4:05

We pray now, God, that you will bless these great men and women here, this great city of North, God bless every business owner, bless every family, bless every constituent, everyone that's connected here in these five wards of North.

4:20

Lord, we thank you now, God, for the fellowship.

4:23

We pray now, God that you will build a stronger bond, bridge it, Lord, between people and government.

4:30

We pray now, God that you will allow them to come to the microphone, and you will do what you have asked us to do in the word.

4:37

Ask, and it shall be given.

4:39

Seek, and we shall find.

4:41

Knock, and the door shall be open.

4:44

We come against you, enemy.

4:45

We come against you, Satan, who comes in to cause chaos, mayhem, and destruction.

4:50

We pray now, God that you will fill the room.

4:53

Give us peace, give us order, and give us comfort.

4:57

We love you today, and we thank you in advance for all that you're about to do and all that you will do.

5:02

These are all the blessings we ask in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

5:06

And together we say, I mean, a man, and thank God.

5:11

Yes.

5:14

Oops, 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.

5:28

In addition, the agenda for this meeting was disseminated on July 31st at the time of preparation and posted on the city's website.

5:36

Roll call.

5:39

Council.

5:40

President.

5:43

Jackson, absent.

5:45

Kelly.

5:46

President.

5:48

Ramos.

5:49

Absent.

5:50

Scott Roundtree.

5:52

Present.

5:54

Absent.

5:56

President.

5:57

Here.

5:58

Council President, Council members.

6:01

We are on page three of the agenda.

6:05

Item six.

6:06

Ordinances on public hearing, second reading, and final passage.

6:11

6P SFA is an ordinance amending and supplementing cannabis regulations to add microconsumption, amending the manner of operation.

6:23

Oh no, hold on.

6:25

We have can't listen because people to the general public, you know, we're gonna have conversations, you know, as it's being proceeds today.

6:35

I'll be we'd ask you to please uh go into the hallway or somewhere.

6:40

If you have phones, please do not utilize those cell phones in this chambers because we want to run this meeting and rapidly and in a good and in a fashion that is the people's business.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Safety█████████████████17%

Public Engagement███████████11%

Procedural██████████10%

Budget██████████10%

Economic Development███████7%

Cannabis Regulation██████6%

Public Housing█████5%

Public Works█████5%

Federal Regulation████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting Summary - August 5, 2026

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on August 5, 2026, at 12:36 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting covered ordinances, resolutions, appointments, and public comments. Council members present: Scott-Rountree, Quintana, Kelly, Council, Bey; later joined by Jackson, Ramos, Crump. Silva was absent.

Ordinances Adopted on Final Reading

26-0842 (6PSF-a): Amended cannabis regulations to add micro-consumption, adjust armed security requirements, and modify license fees. Adopted 7-0-2 (Council, Kelly, Ramos, Scott-Rountree, Quintana, Bey, Jackson yes; Crump and Silva absent). Public comment included opposition from Debra Salters and Lisa Parker who argued the change would reduce security and that there are too many cannabis shops. Vania Walker from the Cannabis Program explained the amendment helps small businesses by not requiring 24-hour armed security when closed.
26-1035 (6PSF-b): Authorized the sale and transfer of city properties for redevelopment. Adopted 8-0 (Council, Crump, Jackson, Kelly, Ramos, Scott-Rountree, Bey, Quintana yes; Silva absent). Brandi Daniel from EHD listed six properties and explained the solicitation process. Public comment criticized lack of transparency.
26-0292 (6PSF-c): 25-year tax abatement for 636 MLK Urban Renewal LLC (42 residential units, 9 affordable). Deferred on motion by Bey, seconded by Scott-Rountree, 8-0.

Resolutions

7R1-a through 7R1-u: Administration resolutions including temporary emergency appropriations (e.g., $2,042,112 for Ryan White HIV services; $64,217,469 for August operating budget; $1,316,188 for Community Resource Center), purchasing contracts (e.g., $575,000 for government access TV studio; $4,200,000 for Dell computer equipment), and grant acceptances. Most adopted 8-0, except:
- 7R1-m (emergency contract for flood cleanup): Adopted 6-1-1 (Jackson no, Bey abstained).
7R2-a through 7R2-m: Economic and Housing Development resolutions. Several deferred; 7R2-a, b, e, h, k adopted; 7R2-l (Newark Alliance budget amendment) initially failed 3-5-1, then on reconsideration adopted 7-1 (Jackson no).
7R3-a through 7R3-e: Engineering resolutions adopted 7-0-1 (Jackson abstained on all).
7R4-a: Tax sale authorization adopted 7-1 (Jackson no).
7R5-a through 7R5-f: Health Department resolutions adopted 8-0.
7R6-a through 7R6-h: Law settlements adopted 8-0; 7R6-b (shipping container zoning referral) adopted 7-0-1 (Ramos abstained).
7R8-a: Appointment to Second River Joint Meeting amended to appoint Councilman Kelly instead of Bey, adopted 8-0.
7R8-b: Ceremonial street designation "Luis Reis Way" adopted.
7R8-d: Deferred.
7R8-f: Deferred.
Other ceremonial resolutions and recognitions adopted.

Communications (Appointments)

Appointments to African Commission, FQHC Board, Hispanic Commission, Caribbean Commission, Central Planning Board confirmed, except 8-d deferred.

Ordinances on First Reading (Advance to Public Hearing)

8-m (26-0974): Requiring deed restrictions for city property sales. Advanced as 6F-a, 8-0.
8-n (26-1112): Accepting corrective deeds from Newark Housing Authority. Advanced as 6F-b, 8-0.
8-o (26-1137): Amending Live Newark Loan Forgiveness Program. Amount amended from $50,000 to $30,000, then advanced as 6F-c, 8-0.
8-p (26-0982): Wayne Pump Station upgrade ($7.4M bond). Advanced as 6F-d, 8-0.
8-q (26-0805): Regulatory framework for short-term event spaces. Advanced as 6F-e, 8-0.
9-b (26-1055): Property Compliance Cost Recovery Program. Advanced as 6F-f, 8-0.
Added starters: 8-r(as) (temporary easement for Minish Park) and 8-s(as) (sale to Virginia Street Fidelco) advanced as 6F-g and 6F-h, 7-0-2.

Public Comments & Testimony

The hearing of citizens featured 25 speakers. Key themes included:
- Opposition to cannabis ordinance amendments (Debra Salters, Lisa Parker, Hellane Freeman).
- Calls for transparency in property sales (Debra Salters, Lisa Parker, Nadirah Brown, Alif Muhammad).
- Concerns about city budget deficits and calls for forensic audit (Lisa Parker).
- Complaints about housing authority conditions (Alif Muhammad) and senior building issues (Reginald Turner, Darnella Lee).
- Traffic safety, water quality, and code enforcement (Cheryll Bogar, Clara Hazel).
- Support for domestic violence services (Jacqueline Limehouse).
- Requests for street cameras and neighborhood improvements (Quasan Hunter Redmond).
Council members responded to some concerns, e.g., Councilwoman Jackson promised a tenant meeting for 1060 Broad Street.

Key Outcomes

Adopted ordinances on final: 26-0842 (cannabis), 26-1035 (property sale).
Deferred: 26-0292 (tax abatement), and several property sale resolutions.
Reconsidered and passed: Newark Alliance budget amendment (7R2-l).
Advanced six ordinances to public hearing on September 9, 2026.
Confirmed multiple appointments to city boards and commissions.
Noted: The meeting adjourned at 4:17 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon. Welcome to the regular meeting of the North Municipal Council on Wednesday, August 5th. Please stand for the National Anthem, a Pledge of Allegiance, an invocation by Pastor Robert L. Cole, Jr. of Holy Temple Free Will Baptist Church. And pride's done us for the land. One nation. And I greet you all in that wonderful strong name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Might we pray Spirit of the Living God. Fall fresh here on today. Lord, before we ask you for anything, we certainly want to thank you for everything. Lord, you are good. You have been better than good. We can't thank you enough. We owe you our lives. Lord, you have been so good to each and every one of us. You allowed us to come together once again one more time. And for that we say thank you. We ask you now, God that you will forgive us for each of our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. We pray now, God that you will remember our council president, our council members. And God, I pray God that you will keep them now, guide them, govern them now, give them discernment, God, give them wisdom, God, to guide and learn and grow in this government. We pray now, God, that you will bless these great men and women here, this great city of North, God bless every business owner, bless every family, bless every constituent, everyone that's connected here in these five wards of North. Lord, we thank you now, God, for the fellowship. We pray now, God that you will build a stronger bond, bridge it, Lord, between people and government. We pray now, God that you will allow them to come to the microphone, and you will do what you have asked us to do in the word. Ask, and it shall be given. Seek, and we shall find. Knock, and the door shall be open. We come against you, enemy. We come against you, Satan, who comes in to cause chaos, mayhem, and destruction. We pray now, God that you will fill the room. Give us peace, give us order, and give us comfort. We love you today, and we thank you in advance for all that you're about to do and all that you will do. These are all the blessings we ask in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And together we say, I mean, a man, and thank God. Yes. Oops, 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 July 31st at the time of preparation and posted on the city's website. Roll call. Council. President. Jackson, absent. Kelly. President. Ramos. Absent. Scott Roundtree. Present. Absent. President.

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