Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting – September 9, 2026

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 12:30 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting covered a range of topics including a 25-year tax abatement for a 42-unit residential project, a deed restriction ordinance to prevent land flipping, an increase in the Live Newark loan forgiveness program from $20,000 to $30,000, a $7.4 million bond for the Wayne Pump Station upgrade, and a regulatory framework for short-term event spaces. The council also approved numerous resolutions for private land sales, contracts, grants, and appointments. Public speakers expressed strong opposition to the tax abatement, criticized the lack of affordable housing, questioned oversight of city programs, and raised concerns about the Newark Housing Authority and police response to missing persons. Several items were deferred, and multiple ordinances were advanced to first reading.

Consent Calendar

• Reports and Recommendations (Item 5-a): Financial reports from the Marriage License Division for January–March 2026 were adopted unanimously.
• Resolutions 7R1-a through 7R1-e (Temporary Emergency Appropriations): Five emergency appropriations for recycling grants, urban heat island mitigation, YMCA upgrades, operating expenses, and the UASI grant were approved in a single vote.
• Resolutions 7R1-f through 7R1-p (Purchasing Contracts): Thirteen contracts for heavy-duty vehicle repairs, police vehicle equipment, rubberized safety surfaces, water transmission repairs, artificial turf, blinds, road salt, dental supplies, paint, fire equipment, and water meters were adopted with a single no vote on item I (steel water transmission) by Council Member Jackson.
• Resolutions 7R1-q through 7R1-s (Business Administrator): Grants for residential energy efficiency, impervious area data services, and a donation from Newark Alliance were approved.
• Finance Resolutions 7R4-a through 7R4-e: Bond anticipation notes, UEZ administrative budget, bond sale confirmation, and tax appeal settlements totaling $978,995.61 and $25,657.76 were adopted.
• Health Department Resolutions 7R5-a through 7R5-o: Contracts for homeless outreach, HIV services, mental health crisis response, WIC, immunization, emergency preparedness, childhood lead prevention, oral health, and Code Red services were adopted, with 7R5-h returned to administration.
• Law Settlements 7R6-a through 7R6-d: Four civil litigation settlements totaling $654,000.18 were approved.
• Mayor’s Office 7R7-a: Professional service contract for forensic accounting at the Municipal Court ($75,000) was adopted.
• Council Resolutions 7R8-c through 7R8-r: Ceremonial street designations, fee waivers for block parties, appointments (Dashay M. Carter to Board of Adjustment), resolutions supporting the Polluters Pay Act, the New Jersey Statewide Black Agenda, and a one-year moratorium on data centers were approved. Items 7R8-a and 7R8-b were deferred.
• Public Safety 7R9-a and 7R9-b: Appointment of one special police officer and acceptance of a $1,556,000 UASI grant were adopted.
• Recreation 7R11-a: Right of access agreement for Raymond Brown Park improvements ($946,080) was adopted.
• Water & Sewer 7R12-a through 7R12-e: Change orders for Pequannock Aqueduct rehabilitation, engineering services, deer management at Cedar Grove Reservoir, and design of a dissolved air flotation system were adopted.
• Communications 8-b through 8-e: Re-appointments to the Federally Qualified Health Center Board (Andrea Mason, Tanisha Ginlock, Atiya Jaha-Rashidi, Thaddaeus L. Diggs) were confirmed. Item 8-a was deferred.
• Raffle Licenses 10-a: Two raffle licenses were approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Felicia K. Alston (also Austin Singleton): Opposed the 25-year tax abatement (6PSF-a), arguing that the AMI calculations (40%, 60%, 80%) are wrong and should be 100% set aside at 20-40% AMI to serve Newark residents. Stated that tax abatements reduce city revenue and that the city is not collecting enough. Also criticized the Newark Housing Authority and called for its receivership, warning that HUD is monitoring.
• Lisa Mitchelson-Parker: Opposed the tax abatement and land sales to developers, alleging that land is sold to friends, family, and donors for pennies. Cited the Cowita Towers example. Called for community benefit agreements and project labor agreements. Expressed frustration with lack of transparency and enforcement.
• Victor Herlinsky (speaking on 6PSF-a): Criticized long-term tax abatements as not benefiting residents and questioned oversight of PILOT programs. Said the city’s leadership has failed.
• Alif Muhammad (on 6PSF-b): Expressed support for the deed restriction ordinance, calling it a good deal that prevents land flipping, but noted the lack of an address in the text.
• Brandy Daniel (Administration): Explained that the deed restriction requires developers to give the city 90% of fair market value if they sell before project completion, discouraging flipping.
• Public comment on 6PSF-c (corrective deeds): Felicia Alston and another speaker criticized the Newark Housing Authority and alleged deed theft. The Business Administrator responded that there is no evidence of theft and that the correction is administrative. Council President apologized to students present for the disruption.
• On 6PSF-d (Live Newark loan increase): Alif Muhammad supported the program, calling it excellent. Shakir McDougal asked about the funding source and called for better promotion of the program. Council Member Pat Council provided data: 13 new homeowners in 2025, 4 in 2026. Council Member Jackson questioned transparency and noted that residents are sometimes asked for additional down payments. Administration clarified that the loan is forgiven after five years of occupancy.
• On 6PSF-e (Wayne Pump Station): Director Kareem Medina explained the project is for drinking water and will receive 50-90% principal forgiveness. Speakers questioned the interest rate, oversight, and past water quality issues. Council Member Jackson raised concerns about construction quality, citing asphalt dumped into sewers.
• On 6PSF-f (Short-term event spaces): Council Member Ramos explained the need to regulate party rental venues and pool subletting. Public speaker Queen Dannisha Clyburn supported regulation but urged consideration of economic activity and noise ordinances. Another speaker criticized the city for not regulating its own events (referencing “24 hours of foolishness”).
• On 6PSF-g (Property Compliance Cost Recovery): Corporation Counsel explained it creates a fund to sue slumlords and assist residents. Felicia Alston cited specific housing authority properties with violations. Another speaker (Keisha Baldwin) noted that many landlords are not registered and are illegally raising rents. Council Member Jackson requested data on code violations and fines collected.
• On 6PSF-h (Minish Park easement): Council Member Silva supported the project for completing the waterfront esplanade. No public opposition.
• On 6PSF-i (Sale to Virginia Street Fidelco, LLC): Brandy Daniel stated it approves a previously authorized sale for $13,810,000 minus remediation/demolition credits. Public speakers questioned why the city provides credits and noted that the developer is linked to 550 Broad Street. Council Member Council defended the project for addressing homelessness in the area.
• General Public Comments (Item 11): Felicia Alston thanked some council members for assistance and again criticized the housing authority. Alif Muhammad spoke about the firing of the housing authority director, warning of HUD intervention and a potential receivership. He also criticized the city’s crime statistics, arguing that each homicide is a tragedy. Queen Dannisha Clyburn promoted her weekly “McFamily Night” and called for youth curfews and better police response. John Goldstein urged the council to get the inclusionary zoning ordinance right, warning that the current draft allows developers to avoid deep affordability. Lisa Mitchelson-Parker announced a protest on September 23, criticized the budget, tax increases, and lack of union jobs. Opal R. Wright read excerpts from the Dodd-Frank Act. Rodney Davis praised council members but criticized police traffic management during recent events. Darnella Lee raised concerns about the housing authority and property managers with criminal records.

Discussion Items

• 6PSF-a (25-year tax abatement for 636 MLK Blvd): The ordinance was debated at length. Council members heard public opposition but proceeded to vote; it passed 7-0-2 (Jackson absent, Silva absent).
• 6PSF-b (Deed restriction on city land sales): After public comment, the ordinance was adopted unanimously (8-0-1, Jackson absent).
• 6PSF-c (Corrective deeds from Housing Authority): Passed 7-0-2 (Jackson absent, Silva absent).
• 6PSF-d (Live Newark loan increase): Passed 7-0-2 (Jackson absent, Silva absent). Council members requested ward-by-ward data and better promotion.
• 6PSF-e (Wayne Pump Station bond): Passed 7-0-2 (Jackson absent, Silva absent). Council Member Jackson requested oversight on construction quality.
• 6PSF-f (Short-term event spaces regulation): Passed 7-0-2 (Jackson absent, Silva absent). Council members requested notification of special events.
• 6PSF-g (Property Compliance Cost Recovery Program): Passed 7-0-2 (Jackson absent, Silva absent). Council Member Jackson announced a task force and requested court data.
• 6PSF-h (Minish Park easement): Passed 7-0-2 (Jackson absent, Silva absent).
• 6PSF-i (Sale to Virginia Street Fidelco, LLC): Passed 7-0-2 (Jackson absent, Silva absent).
• Resolutions 7R2 (Private Sales/Redevelopment): Many were adopted individually or deferred. Notable votes: 7R2-a, b, e, g, h, l, m, p, q, r, s, t, u passed with some abstentions. Items c, d, f, i, j, k, n, o were deferred.
• Resolution 7R8-p (Support for data center moratorium): Passed 8-0-1 (Ramos absent).
• Resolution 7R8-o (Support for Black Agenda): Passed 8-0-1 (Ramos absent).
• Resolution 7R8-n (Support for Polluters Pay Act): Passed 8-0-1 (Ramos absent).
• Ordinances advanced to first reading: 8-f, 8-g, 8-h (assignment agreements), 8-i (historic sites streamlining), 8-k (West Ward redevelopment plan amendment), 8-l (negotiated reductions for affordable retail), 8-m (prohibiting broker fees on tenants). Item 8-j (data center moratorium ordinance) was returned to administration.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinances Adopted (Final Passage): 6PSF-a (tax abatement), 6PSF-b (deed restriction), 6PSF-c (corrective deeds), 6PSF-d (Live Newark loan increase), 6PSF-e (Wayne Pump Station bond), 6PSF-f (event space regulation), 6PSF-g (property compliance cost recovery), 6PSF-h (Minish Park easement), 6PSF-i (land sale). All passed with majorities, though Council Members Jackson and Silva were absent for many votes.
• Resolutions: All consent calendar items (7R1, 7R4, 7R5, 7R6, 7R7, 7R8-c through 7R8-r, 7R9, 7R11, 7R12) adopted. Private sales (7R2) were handled individually; some passed, some deferred.
• Ordinances on First Reading: Items 8-f, 8-g, 8-h, 8-i, 8-k, 8-l, and 8-m were advanced to public hearing (scheduled for September 23, 2026). Item 8-j was returned to administration.
• Appointments: Dashay M. Carter confirmed to the Board of Adjustment; Andrea Mason, Tanisha Ginlock, Atiya Jaha-Rashidi, and Thaddaeus L. Diggs reappointed to the FQHC Board.
• Deferrals: Several private sales (7R2-c, d, f, i, j, k, n, o) and communications item 8-a were deferred. Ceremonial street designation for Bishop Frank Garris (7R8-a) and Wellness Fest indemnification (7R8-b) were deferred.
• Motions and Directives: Council Member Jackson requested a moratorium on evictions, a review of police missing persons reporting procedures, and celebration of the Zuku Basketball League. Council Member Council requested the administration to address school facilities issues and snow removal contracts. Council Member Ramos requested a public safety committee meeting on special police officers and crossing guards. Council Member Crump requested correspondence to the school district about facility conditions. Council Member Scott-Rountree announced events for September 11 (9/11 remembrance), September 12 (suicide awareness walk), and a job fair on September 24. Council Member Jackson also criticized the administration’s budget hearings as inadequate.

Note on Attendance: Council Members Jackson and Silva were absent for the latter part of the meeting; Council Member Ramos was absent for some votes. All votes were recorded as indicated.