Good morning. Welcome to the premeating of the Newark Municipal Council on Wednesday, November 5th. Council President, council members, we have appointments. Starting on page 36,
item 8A is an appointment to the Newark Housing Authority Board. Mr. Latif, are you in the audience? >> Please step to the podium. >> Thank you. >> Good morning, uh, Mr. Latif. Morning.
>> Uh the mayor has uh requested your appointment to the Nor Housing Authority Board. Uh do you have any opening statements you'd like to make? >> First of all, uh thank you very much. Uh it's it's always an honor and I'm always
excited whenever I come to the um um to city hall, especially in its chambers. Um, after reviewing the ordinances in the New York Housing Authority, um, I'm excited to work with the team to
ensure every Newark family has access to safe has access to safe, dignified, and affordable housing. And also we'll work with the team to help the families
uh and to support pathways that will lead to stability, education and economic mobility. Um, I have a lot of experience in community work, in leadership, in regulation, and
I'm excited uh to bring it to the housing authority and to work with them to achieve whatever goals um the mayor and the council has. >> Thank you. Um, Councilman Gonzalez, >> yes,
>> your mic is off. >> Your mic is off. probably like 20 years. So, I will sponsor his nomination to the the housing board. I believe that he is a great addition to the board and I wish
him luck in that endeavor. >> Thank you, Councilman. Councilman uh Councilwoman Scott Roundry. >> Yes. I just want to congratulate Ashra. I've done work. We all have. Um and we're just excited. I know that you're going to have the city of York and the residents and the interest of where
you're getting ready to serve um is going to be at the top of the list of your service. So, thank you and once again congratulations and I will second that sponsorship. >> Okay. Anything else from the council? >> Uh just want to see you down the street.
>> Oh, council. >> Councilman Council. >> No, I I just, you know, want to say Miss Lati, congratulations. Uh, and there's a lot of work to be done uh as we continue to try to get uh the housing authority uh back on solid ground and so we look
forward to uh serving uh with you down the street as we continue to do this work. >> Thank you, Councilman Kelly. >> I I just want to echo what what Councilman Council said. You know, there's a lot of work and I just wanted to say congratulations. We need you. And let me just add and and I say this
sometimes and I say it jokingly and seriously. Congratulations and condolences because it's going to be some work. >> Oh yeah. >> All right. With that being said, congratulations. Tomorrow we vote on you, but looks we'll see you there. >> Thank you very much.
>> Have a good evening. >> Have a good morning actually. >> 8B is an appointment to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. Is Dr. Lewis in the audience? >> Yes, she is. Yes. Please approach the podium.
>> Good morning, Dr. Lewis. >> Good morning. >> You have been your name has been submitted for an appointment to the alcohol beverage control board uh by the mayor. Do you have an opening statement you'd like to make? >> I do. First of all, I want to say good morning to the municipal council, everyone present, and I want to say
thank you to the mayor for this amazing appointment, for the assignment of being engrafted into the committee for the alcoholic beverage committee and control. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Scott Rancher.
>> I just want to sponsor Reverend Dr. >> Andrea Lynn Lewis to ABC. Congratulations. and I know you're going to serve in excellence. God bless you on this new journey that you're embarking upon. Thank you so much. >> And I know there was a second by
Councilman Kelly. Anybody Any other council members? >> Congratulations, Doc. >> Thank you for serving. Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Council, same thing. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you so much. Have a great day. >> You too.
8 C is an appointment to the Newark Public Library Board as a trustee. Is Miss Clark in the audience? >> Kimberly Clark. >> Miss Clark is not present. If she comes in, we'll we'll come back to her. >> Certainly.
>> We are on page three of the regular agenda. Item five, reports and recommendations of city officers, boards, and commissions. Any questions from the council hearing? None. Next item.
>> Ordinances, public hearing, second reading and final passage. 6PFA is an ordinance granting a 30-year tax abatement to New Community Homes Development LP for a project to construct a new four-story building
comprising of 120 affordable units, of which 60 affordable housing rental units shall be rented to tenants at 60% of area medium income, AMI, or less. 44 affordable
housing rental units to be rented to tenants at 60% AMI or less and 16 affordable housing rental units to be rented to tenants at 30% AMI or less in the central ward. >> Any questions, concerns from the council?
>> Yeah, Mr. Chair, councilman council. >> When uh has the uh CBA been worked out and has there been community meetings yet around the the CBA? I know that they're looking to um
receive uh an Aspire grant. >> Yeah. So, >> all right. >> The deputy mayor is behind you. >> Yeah. Back up. Good morning, Brandy Daniel, legislative
coordinator for economic and housing development. >> Um, council president to councilman council's question. I will get that answer for you by the end of business day. >> Appreciate it. >> All right. Thank Thank you, Miss Daniel. Anything else from the council? >> Yeah, this councilman Gonzalez. Yeah,
this this project has been uh going around for some time and uh the more that we delay the the approval of this process, the least opportunities they have or the lower the opportunities they have to finance the project. I believe
it's imperative that we move on this as quickly as we can so that our people in the central work and throughout the city of Newark have affordable housing of good quality. >> Thank you, council. >> Mr. Chair, I I'll sponsor. >> Council.
>> Oh, you I'm sorry. Council, you said sponsor. >> Yes. >> Sponsored by Councilman Council. Second by Councilwoman Scott Rodri. >> Anything else from the council? All right. The next item >> B is an ordinance granting a 22-year tax
abatement to Gome's Generation Urban Renewal LLC for a project located in the central ward to construct a new five-story building with 55 residential rental units consisting of 44 market rate residential rental units, 11
affordable housing rental units of which two one-bedroom units and one two-bedroom units shall be restricted attendance at 40% of AMI. Two one-bedroom unit and one two-bedroom units shall be restricted to tenants at
60% AMI and five one-bedroom units shall be restricted to tenants at 80% AMI. >> Any questions, concerns from the council? >> I know we went over this last meeting. All right, seeing none. Next item. C is
an ordinance amending and supplementing vendor license for the sale of food and merchandise at public festivals to establish a seasonal festival endorsement for mobile vendors. >> Questions, concerns from the council
hearing. None. Next item. D is an ordinance to extinguish the right of Rivera and authorizing the execution of a settlement agreement between the city and 613 South 18 LLC sponsored by Councilman Council. Second by Councilman
Kelly. >> Any questions from the council? So, let's just do this because it Let's have the direct uh the deputy mayor just come up and give a brief explanation on this matter again. Good morning, council president, council
members. >> Allison Lad, director of economic and housing development. Uh, the item before you um is solving a problem um because we had a bad actor. So there was um a
person that purchased the property as an adjacent property sale and then they subsequently sold it and then that party subsequently sold it again and now the party is trying to sell it to a homeowner.
Well, in our compliance process, we now require a certificate of completion. A certificate of completion can only be provided if the original buyer followed all the rules. So unfortunately in this
sense, the original buyer did not. Therefore, we worked on this settlement agreement that we're asking for you to approve so that we do not delay the homeowner being able to purchase a house. And what we are asking is that
the uh new purchaser place $6,000 which was the price of the original side lot sale um available back to the city and then finally the city is legally going after the original buyer for the balance of the funds.
>> Good. That's good. Thank you. Any any questions, concerns? Thank you, Deputy Mayor. >> Thank you, Council President. Next item, >> resolutions. 7R1A is my apologies. 7R1A
is a community development block grant appropriation for subgrantees. >> Questions from the council. Next item. >> B through M are all purchasing contracts. B is professional service
contract. First amendment for professional services for psychological examinations for fitness of duty exams. >> Do we have anybody? Uh maybe uh any questions from the council.
Next item. >> C and D are both state contracts for traffic and signals. >> Questions from the council. Next item. >> I'm sorry. Councilman Gonzalez. >> Yes. The director here, the director of
engineering >> because I want to I want to know where we are with the uh noise emitting devices that we are supposed to install in the in the lights uh in the city so that uh the vision
impaired individuals uh can cross the street safely. And we have been we have been doing doing this for probably the last four or five years and uh I don't see any progress.
>> I do not see the director of engineering but Mr. Waldrop is there something that you may be had or at least maybe get back to us. >> Uh yes Melvin Waldrop uh chief of staff
office of business administrator. I will ensure that you get that information uh later today. >> Thank you, Mr. Walder. >> Thank you. >> Anything else from the council? >> Next item. >> E is for reconstruction of the bay floor
engine 5. >> Questions from the council. >> Uh want to be known as a sponsor for that. >> Sponsored by Councilman >> Silva. Second by Councilman Gonzalez. I do have a question but again I don't engineering department is not here. It's
just the question is on this one and I think there's another one where it just seems like we keep continuing doing either amendments or an extension to an emergency contract is what what is the delay or what continues to be the delay that we keep having.
So although they're not here is you here I can't see you back there. Oh yo I'm sorry. Go. Sorry, director. I'm sorry. I did not see you back there. >> Good morning, council president, council members. I'm wearing a skirt today and it's not usual, so I look different
today. >> Thank you so much. Um the uh contracts that we're putting ahead is just to um establish a a line of resources with state uh contractors that already approved by the state. So it makes it it
facilitates our ability to get traffic and signal equipment um through the state uh you know to the state vendors to the state approved vendors. So are you ask answering 7R1D which was councilman or not D. Uh
>> this is for power concrete. >> Which one are you? Which one? Because >> 7 R1E. >> Okay. So the so what you're saying is the delay is because of what again now? So I just >> Okay. All right. So, so with 71RE, we're extending the contract with power
concrete um who is doing work on engine 5 uh in 65 Hungar. Uh we uh have encounters some of unforeseen conditions. Uh some of the footing work um that we were doing came in conflict with some of the existing utility work.
>> Okay. >> Um so there was some um technical delays that we had to work out. Uh in light of those delays, we need to extend the contract to time only. Thank you. Now, since you're up there, Councilman Gonzalez, you want to question,
>> director? >> Yes, sir. >> We have been through this before. Is where are we with the noise emitting devices uh for the the for the lights so that the vision impaired individuals can cross safely.
>> Okay. Um so, so this is one of the reasons um um council Gonzalez that we wanted to establish um this contract. So, it's a little more easy to procure um these kind of equipment uh for the city. We are still um working on a plan
for the rest of the city besides the locations that we already provided. Um all we could ask if there's any other locations that may be pertinent to evaluate. Please let us know. As soon as we can secure this contract, we can start uh processing orders for these.
Well, there's a I believe there's a across the street from the University Hospital in that area there. I believe one is needed because that's a very dangerous crossing. And whenever whenever we have schools and and
universities, we should have those uh those uh equipments there because otherwise uh we may have as I mentioned vision impaired individuals that are that may be hit by by cars and we have a lot of hits hit hit and runs in the city
of New York and people being hurt by crossing the street. So I believe that is imperative that we do that as quickly as we can. >> Yes. Um what I can share with you, Councilman Gonzalez, is that we're working um when we uh pursue grants and
are having uh leftover funds in our uh in our operating budget. We are looking to um small implementation projects like that like Rumble Streets and everything. if we um have funding like for example in our striping contract we do use those
funds for that kind of location. So I'll take that location especially from University Hospital. You're tell you're telling me that there's not one line item that whatever let's say excess funds from whatever is that what you're using. So I believe that we have to
prioritize that instead of waiting for extra funds to be to be let's say found because in the meantime people might be hurt. >> That's right. >> And let me can I add this real quick? I I do believe Councilman Gonzalez at one point we voted on
>> yes >> on equipment for to do just that. So the question is what's the timetable of putting it all together and putting those out? Well, I guess the question is the timetable because we we voted on that. >> Well the question Mr. President is
whether we purchase all the equipment that we was approved. >> Yes. >> Okay. So the is this the equipment that we got for speeding? Um the councilman council >> this is specifically for what the councilman is referring to because I
believe in that meeting he did ask a question specifically regarding >> Okay. All right. So I'll take it back I'll take it back council president and and and council member Gonzalez and I'll check with my team. Um I'll have a response to you by tomorrow's meeting to see where those plan the planning and funding and everything is.
>> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I just have a question. Uh councilman uh director just a question. So the work on engine 5 will begin. >> The work in engine 5 has begun. It had to halt because we had to uh work out the unforeseen condition in the field. I
do have a report for a motion that you entered um Councilman Silva that will be sent to you today by the end of the day with the uh update of where the where the project is and uh inclusive of this extension and where does it fit in the project progress. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Anything else from the
council? Thank you, director. Next item. >> F is an extension of an emergency contract to remove used tires. >> Questions? Next item. >> G is a cooperative purchasing agreement
to purchase a police drone van. >> Questions from the council. Next item. >> H is to provide computer equipment. >> Any questions from the council? Next item >> I is donation of a public works
equipment not needed for public use to our sister city in Jamaica sponsored by Councilman Kentana. It >> is there a second for this? >> Second by Councilman Silva. >> I will follow up to make sure the councilman is here tomorrow or if he's
going to be next item. >> Jay is a bid contract for armed security guards. >> Questions from the council. Is this a renewal or is it said a new contract? >> I believe it's a new contract. Uh
Mr. Waldruff, I don't see any from from public safety. Is that something that you can address or someone from the administration can address? >> Southern R1J, >> the the armed security guard contract. [Music]
Nobody else. administrator. >> Uh Melvin Waldrop, chief of staff, officers and business administrator. This is a uh new contract. Uh Mr. President, >> is this a new company or is this a renewal of the >> new?
>> It's a new one. >> It's new. >> There's a new company. >> Okay. >> I believe the old one was Pro Cops, right? Any other questions from the council? Next item.
>> K is a bid contract to provide pest control and exterminating services. >> Questions from the council. >> Next item. >> L is a big contract to provide flashlights and batteries. >> Questions.
>> Next item. M is a bid contract to provide pharmaceutical supplies. >> Questions from the council. >> Next item >> N is application agreement with HUD for a one-year action plan.
>> Any questions from the council? >> Next item. >> Oh, was a collective bargaining agreement for the Fraternal Order of Police. >> I'd like to sponsor that. >> Sponsored by council. I'll I'll second this one. >> Oh, >> I'm sorry. I jumped.
>> Next item. >> 7R2 A through G are private sales and redevelopment agreement. A is a new construction of mixeduse building with the grocery store in the west ward. >> Uh Councilman uh uh Kelly.
Uh >> I I'll ask this be returned to administration, please. as a whole or we do it as a whole. Is that okay or you want? >> As a whole. >> We can do it as a whole. Is that? >> Yes, please. As a whole. >> As a whole.
>> B is new construction of a three family home to sell at market rate in the south ward and west ward. >> Concerns. Good. >> Yeah. >> All right. Next. Next item. C is new construction of a two family home to sell at market rate in the south ward.
>> Ask for the item to be deferred. >> All right, >> Mr. President, can I go back to B? >> All right, let's So, just finish this. That's deferment. Uh, so that's a motion from the councilman to defer. Is there a second with that? >> Second.
>> Second by Councilman Kelly. All right, let's go back to B. >> Yes. I don't know. But uh this this property is is assessed the assessed value is 451,000
$800 $800 and we are selling it for $169.99. I would love to see to hear uh why. >> Deputy Mayor, >> Deputy Mayor or Miss Daniel, Deputy Mayor Miss
Daniel. >> And normally the assessed value is a fraction of the selling price. So I the selling price assuming that the property is in good condition uh would be much higher than that.
Uh good morning, council president, council members. Allison Lad, director of economic and housing development. Um, I will work to refresh my memory on this one. Um, I do know all of the paperwork is submitted through Legar as well as we sent supplemental information this
morning. Um, but I will review it and be sure to answer your question. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> We're going to do D now. D is new construction of a two family home to sell at market rate in the central ward.
>> Questions from the council. >> Next item. >> E is new construction of a sixstory building which will be 100% affordable in the central ward. >> Mr. President, >> Councilman Gonzalez,
>> I I would love to to hear what is the intended purpose of this. who what are the clients of Covenant House that are going to occupy that building and uh because I I don't think that that's the best use for that piece of land uh being
that that piece of land is in the middle of all the development that is happening in the central world of the city of Newark with teacher village uh with the Halo building with the intended building across the street where the soul food restaurant
Jay's was so I don't think that this parcel is we're that we're using it for the best use that that can be can be produced for that for that piece of land. I believe that and uh if it has
assessed for one $1.28 to $88 million. Why are we selling it for $500,000? The city, I believe, is in dire need of of money and we are giving this away.
>> Deputy mayor, this is next to the property they only already have, right? Okay. >> Yes. Uh good morning, council president. uh Allison Lad, director of economic and housing development for this project in
particular and this sale. Um this is the first uh nonprofit that has gone through the successful process to be in line first for our sales. So, as you probably remember, a couple years ago, the mayor
asked the council to consider legislation that would give nonprofit and community-based organizations uh first opportunity to purchase properties um because we really were looking to enhance community development and we know nonprofits within the
neighborhood um are also uh very focused on that. So when we released the list of properties, uh Covenant House was again the nonprofit that requested this property and they were first in. So that
is why we started the discussion with them. Uh second, the purpose that Covenant House has is not only to council president's point, the property is adjacent to their current operations. um they are also looking to provide affordable housing and housing for our
residents without addresses. We know that in our city we are in need of all kinds of housing. Um as even mentioned by council member Gonzalez, each of those types of housing are actually all different. Um some are highrises, some
are midrises, some are 100% affordable, others are 8020. Um and we need that. We need housing for everyone in our city and we believe that Covenant House is going to be able to deliver that to um our city using this land. The last piece
is is why is the price 500,000? The reason for that is is that it is not unusual. When we sell property for affordable housing purposes, oftent times the land subsidy is what is used to help make things affordable. And in
this case that is what we've done is we have reduced the acquisition price so that this can be affordable not only to 60% 80% of AMI residents but also to residents without addresses who may not have an income and that is where we need
to be more cognizant of prices that when we sell land. >> It's Mr. President, if I may, it's a that reminds me of another lot that we sold on the on Holsey Street in the corner of Holy Street and Central
Avenue. Again, valued at over a million dollars. Sold for $100,000. So, I believe that land is something that we can sell only once unless the the buyer defaults on the on taxes and we get the land again.
So I believe that in this being in the position that the city is economically I believe that the city should get as much money for the land as they can. The other point that I have is if I live on the Halo building and I am paying $4,000
rent. I don't want let's say to go through in the neighborhood with let's say with homelessness is let's say and I understand that we should have residence for everyone but I don't think that the
location of that residence is is the appropriate one >> council I'm sorry >> let me just add I or say you know uh Covenant House already has services right next door and we'll continue to have services right next
door. Um my opinion is is that this is something that's important for for those who are in need. Um we we we have to be cognizant of how we help and support
those for affordable housing and those who are uh without housing. And if this is an opportunity where we could do both in an area that's already has that population anyway,
I I don't see an issue with it. And that's just my opinion. >> Thanks, Council President. If I could um just to to comment on two things. I mean the first is is the site at Holly and Central is still in the city's ownership
because unfortunately the developer that we chose um walked away and so we actually terminated that agreement um and I believe that was already shared but I will say that was terminated some time ago. So what we are doing and what
the council has considered over the last year are actions for the city to hire an architect. Um albeit it was not approved by this council but we did have an architect that we are working to have the building designed and as of
yesterday there is a solicitation on the street looking for a new development partner. So um I understand the point although I would say that it's a different scenario today than it was then as with time markets change and we are looking to have a better transaction
for that project albeit it'll still be 100% affordable. Um, second, you know, I've been doing affordable housing my whole career. And I think part of our job as affordable housing developers, real estate developers, and even policy
people is to make housing non-escript. And so it should be universal to everybody. You shouldn't know who lives in one building or another or one site or another or one unit or the other. It's actually discriminatory. And I know that Mayor Baraka is not um it's not a
policy of his. So for us, what we would say is is that housing types are needed across every community and we would look to make sure that the housing design does not show any differences between affordable housing for people with um
who without addresses or market rate. Um I think that's our goal as a community. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Anything else from the council? Uh uh councilman counsel uh uh Mr. Ch. I think it was some good discussion uh
that that was had here uh which is important and in light of what you know Councilman Gonzalez says who who made some absolutely good points uh but then also to uh take in consideration of the Covenant House their relationship how
they have been good good neighbors the opportunity that the administration has uh provided in terms of wanting to expand resources and opportunities to nonprofit and um the importance of expanding uh the the threshold for the
services that the Covenant House has. I think this is a a vibrant and important project. Uh one uh but we we do need to, you know, begin to to look at all of those things to make sure that we are prudent, you know, moving forward down the line. But I I just believe that this
is a good uh project uh for the Covenant House and is something that needs to happen in terms of expansion and the services that we provide especially with uh youth and young adults uh which they which they service um and making sure that we build that capacity and you know the fact that they are good relational
partners. So >> I'm sorry just council president just for your awareness um they are also present in chambers. So I just wanted you to know and if there were >> I just want to make sure that let's say my objection is not to the covenant house. My my objection is to let's say
the selling of the of the property for the for that price and perhaps the use of the property but it's not directed as as as covenant house because I know the services that they provide in in the community. is not let's say it shouldn't
be construed as being opposed to covenant house having a place to serve the residents of the city >> no to councilman couns Thank you uh council president to councilman council's uh point and your point um and
to councilman Gonzalez's concerns when individuals have a re a reputation of the work that they're doing already in the community. I think we're here to assist them to the best of our ability to extend those services if they have a
running track record. Our youth are one of the populations as Councilman Council stated um that have issues as well. And so we are very aware I know when Councilwoman Lam Monica Mcver was here. We supported all of the programming because we wanted to see uh the programs
that are assisting our youth that have issues and that are residents without addresses be along with all of the other things that they do. So whatever Covenant House is doing and we can assist them um legally and ethically to get it done. I am truly thankful that
they continue to stay in Newark and do the work. Thank you, Council President. Mr. President, let me ask last question before we move on. Uh in in terms of uh when is the project going to be uh started? Let's say when is construction
going to be started? Uh is financing available? >> We're having a representative from Covenant House uh join me at the podium. His name is Antonio Vala. and I know he'll be able to introduce himself and explain.
>> Hi, thank you. Hi, Antonio Vala, Newark resident and also owner rep on the project. Um, we're exploring a a range of public and private dollars that would be needed for a project of this scale. You know, as is typical of projects that have affordable housing and temporary and transitional beds, it will need a
complicated capital stack. So, we're hoping to be uh overlapping the financing strategy with the entitlement and design strategies. We're hoping to be about a year away from that and then a two-year construction period. That's our ideal timeline. But as you know, often with applications and public
investments that can move around, but that's our that's our goal. >> So the you you think that within three years it would be >> that's certainly the timeline we're solving around, but there's certainly variables out of our control, but that's our as fast as we can. >> Okay. So you haven't started the process
of getting financing for the project. >> We've already started socializing it with key state partners. we think we'll need, but we haven't started those applications yet until we have the site control. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you.
Next item. >> F is new construction of a two family home to sell at market rate in the south ward. >> I'm asking for the item be deferred. >> Motion to defer by councilman counselor. >> Second.
>> Council Scott Roundry. Next item >> G is to rehabilitate property and sell to an owner occupant homeowner at 80% area medium income or less in the central ward. >> Any questions, concerns from
>> Yeah, Mr. Yeah, >> I I I I know um you know in light of of some of the things that's happening, some of the central ward projects that were coming up um if there was stuff that was immediate like in in the hopper
uh that we had, but any new items I think should be left uh for that person that is going to be joining the council so they can have opportunity to counsel and discuss uh with with prospective individuals as it relates to the
movement of the award. That's just my my one thing. >> Deputy mayor. >> Is there a concern if we deferred this? >> No, Council President. Um, sorry. Allison Lad, director of economic and housing development. Uh, the administration would be happy to support
that deferral. >> All right. So, let's do a motion as a whole to defer. Is there anyone from CAPS here? No, I don't see. All right. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Next item.
>> H is a professional service contract the first amendment to the professional service agreement to provide services as planning consultants? >> Questions from the council? >> Yes, Mr. Chair. Is it possible we can get an update on how much uh uh work
that they have done so far? I know that there's been some some meetings and some things that have been happening, but how far along are they uh for us to uh look to advance this uh contract? >> And I think a lot of the monies that that they're paid comes from the you can
help me out because I'm drawing a blank on what is >> No problem, council president. Um council president, council members, Allison Lad, director of economic and housing development. Uh this contractor is one of several that helps our planning and zoning office. uh they uh service predominantly the board's zoning
board or central planning board. Um and when uh the payments for this are needed, they're actually paid through escrow agreement um by the redevelopers. And so it is a limited expense to the city because I would say there are times in which the city asks for other
services by the same contractor, but the overwhelming use is for um is being paid for by the redevelopers escrow. Well, >> thank you. And and if you could just follow up with Councilman Council's request in writing, that would be >> Yes. No, no problem. We'd be happy to explain the number of meetings and
projects in which they've been um assisting with since um the contract began. Thank you. >> Thank you. Is that good, Councilman Council? >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Next item. I is a redevelopment agreement to authorize the execution of
an agreement for the redevelopment of land between the city of Newark and Thomas Carter Village Urban Renewal LLC. >> So, let Deputy America, you come up and uh explain this and then we'll discuss what
we're going to do. I know it's a switch from a community center to something. Uh thank you uh council president uh council members Allison Lad director of economic and housing development. Um this item has to do with um like the sites and site
control for one project and there was um some land that was actually associated with the state department of DOT and so we needed to work with them to allow us to continue to do this development. The agreement has been approved by the state
um and also by the redeveloper um and I know their council is in chambers but um but that is the reason for it is that there was a what do you call it I'm sorry my mind went blank um site consolidation >> um that needed to happen and so that's
why we are asking for this approval it's also um house affordable housing project >> council council or any other council members >> and council president I'm happy to send a short summary um of it to be more
clear I know that I gave you a highle one but I'm happy to send you a short summary as well >> and that would be appreciated >> no problem >> thank you anything else from the council all right next item
>> seminar 3a A through C are all amending resolutions for an extension of time for the municipal aid program for street resurfacing in various streets. >> Anything from the council? I'm sure council pass it out.
>> I'd like to be a sponsor of that. >> Sponsor. >> Second. >> But I'd also like to get a list of the streets, the 20 streets that are >> Yes. uh supposedly [Music]
>> get paid by October 21st, 2025, >> which was a couple weeks ago. >> Uh, Councilman, >> yeah, I I had to chuckle for for Councilman Silva because we we still haven't had any street paving. That's >> right. >> When we've been approving a lot of paving, and every time we approve
something, it says it's going to happen. Uh, we're it it's going to happen and nothing has happened. We we've asked for streets. We got streets. We got information and we just have no paving. And we're in November and we were promised that. And the people, you know,
the the problem behind that is that people expect us to vote and they want to make sure that our votes are are in alignment and and we don't get no services. >> That's critical. >> Excuse. >> Thank you, Councilman. and and
>> council >> while the director comes or I'm sorry council one Scott >> and to councilman Silva's point and to councilman council's point for the past six months at least award uh we've asked for not just the work to be done but an
update and a timeline for it to be done and what happens is constituents call us because they watch these meetings and when they see that we are voting on things and services that are going to be provided by engineering or any other department and then it's not and then we
vote on something else and then they call us back and say but you didn't take care of what you said you was going to take care of in a timely fashion um or or dated dated times that and even if it's not going to be done the least we can get is an update why because we were
given a timeline we were given information as pertain pertains to the street paving everything that we could possibly get from you regarding the work, but the work is not done. And as Councilman
Council has stated, what's going to happen is we're going to go into winter months where we're going to pray that the weather does not create more issues, individuals with their cars and other issues that might um attribute to those
streets not being paved. So we we cannot any longer just have presentations and requests and no service, no action or the timeline given to us, not even giving us an update to let us be covered
to respond intelligently to the people when they call us about >> process that was not kept. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. And to add just to add on to that uh and I just lost my train of thought, but but with regards to the streets, I see
that is Bergen Street, Ironbound, uh Roundabout, Delansancy Street, Broad Street, and Ferry Street are the streets that are are are supposed to be uh uh it's some kind of pavement or some kind of structure infrastructure work is supposed to be done on. The question or
concern I have is the the extension, the extension, the extension, the extension. And we keep coming into the situation where it's not just something that the council is concerned about, which we are, but it's our residents.
>> It's those that are, you know, the other day I almost stepped in a pothole and almost broke my ankle at a street dedication. It's the the car that gets hit with a pothole and and you know, the tires are flattened or the car is damaged. It's it's our it's it's more than just just fixing the instructure.
It's it's become a safety issue. Um and I think we need to really address it because we we we keep approving extensions approving extensions and nothing's saying nothing but a majority of what we are expecting that we vote on
doesn't get done. And I I think what would help for us is is a regular update on what is being done uh when it's when the timeline um
and some constant communication because as Councilman Council said it it's we're pretty much almost in that season where it's not there's going to be there's not going to be any uh uh paving. it's going to be too cold to pave if not already.
>> So now we're going to wait till the springtime and and it's just >> it's worse. >> Seems like it's delay on top of delay and once another winter comes and and and you know the the the snow thaws, the roads are going to be even worse. So I think it's a major concern on the
council uh as well as the community. And so I hope there's a way that we can get some things done more more completed and a a more uh an update on a consistent basis of what is going on.
>> Thank you, Council President and Council members. Um I I do hear um your your comments. Um I did want to um touch upon some of the things some of your concerns. Um so the extensions that you see in front of you um especially the the the first two items is a requirement
from the DOT if the project remains active whether is in design or implementation phase um every six months they require for us to be able to um certify to them that the project is
active um that the contract is valid and extended. Um hence why you see um the first one bringing it current to October and the second one um extending us to April. Um the challenge that we face with our projects is when we put together a list of locations um when we
do the pre-esign investigation. Some of the streets um are older than others. Some of the streets have not been treated at all. Um so some of the work that we have to uh perform in some of the projects will take longer than the uh typical project. Um in this case uh
we've encounter uh a lot of infrastructure uh coordination uh challenges and that uh you know brings about delays in design um because we have to work around what's going on on the um soft surface of the streets. Um
as you can see I mean we're already on MA23. actually um started MA23 already and those are 33 locations whether permitting uh we continue uh p paving obviously we are continuing um a couple of things that I want to mention uh to
date this year we paved a little bit over um 10.8 8 miles across the city. Um the one thing that I want to know uh for all those listening is that um a lot of our areas that we pave, we have to update the pedestrian section first,
which is most mostly important. Uh what that means is accessibility um doing the concrete work, the curves that make it accessible for wheelchairs um and other devices to be able to go from one street to another. A lot of our areas in the city do not have that. So we are faced
with doing the concrete work first and that takes a little bit uh longer um and it pushes the um the surfacing um of the actual street um and the curves being what retains the pavement um itself. So so a lot of um you know the the delays
that you may see are just challenges of of um the coordination and the order of operations that we need to do. um every time we touch a street, regardless of the condition of the sidewalks, we have to bring them to code. So that also
brings about a little bit more time that we require in certain areas. And as you all know, um it's very weather depending. So, if you know doing the work on the sidewalks takes a little longer, that um pushes the actual paving part, but it does set it up for the
beginning of the next season to be a priority because it's already set up for the paving. Um I do um hear you uh council president with the regular updates. We do a twoeek look ahead internally, but I think that um it'll be um uh beneficial to share that with
everybody in council. Um, and what we do is we'll coordinate with uh uh our our sister agency in the water department, PSUNG and any other uh utility company doing work in the city of Newark. Um uh you know uh we're we're we're trying to
do as much as possible whether the pending at this point but again um you know the challenges are the age infrastructure what we have to work around um and also the DOT requirements to remain uh to to keep and maintain the project as active as we progress in in
in the projects. >> Thank you Councilman Gonzalez. >> Yeah. regarding coordination. Uh in the northward, PSNG apparently is doing all the gas lines and they have uh broken
into all the streets in the in the northward. Uh and those streets some of them were recently recently paved. Uh so you mentioned that there is a lot of
coordination with PSNG and others. However, uh every time that a street is uh is paved month later, either there's a a water project or there's PSNG or there's a the
telephone company or whatever, there's a the streets are broken and uh and and they need to be repaved. So, who who pays for the repavement in this case would be PSNG, I suppose. Yes sir.
>> And they are they are committed to doing that for every street that they break. >> Yes. So when it comes to a project like the PSG uh gas line replacement which is happening citywide. Yes. They are um responsible for the restoration of the
street. Um we saw that on Elizabeth Avenue for example. Um they came and resurfaced and they also striped. Um, again, their process is a little more lengthy because it's it's a little more area to cover when they do these type of projects. Um, so there's a little lag
between um the paving and the striping part, but they are responsible to resurfacing. Um, I just want to bring something up and we'll talk about it later. Most likely there is because I know that the council and everybody in the city um, you know, has that issue that they leave our streets open like
that. Um we have introduced um uh a legislation in this agenda today uh to help them accountable. We can talk when you know when we get to that item. Um but streets and moratorum if it's a emergency
uh PSCG is allowed um to break them in. We try to keep them away from from streets that we have already paved. Um this project came about after some of the streets were paved but is a requirement um to have well it is a safety um replacement that they're doing
for gas to make sure yes >> what we should do director is the the streets that need repavement have them do it have the have have them do the construction in those streets and they will be responsible for the paving and we don't have to spend our money
paving it. So let's say you have a street that has a lot of holes, allow PSNG to go there first and do the the the let's say the line replacement or whatever they have to do and then
they have to pay it. >> I take that point. Thank you. >> Yeah, council president. I'm I'm just uh thankful that uh you know the director did inform us that there was no paving done. I I appreciate that. Hopefully um in 2026 we can get some paving done uh
around the city. I just don't you know speak for myself in the south ward uh but but also hopefully some of my other you know ward council colleagues uh can be able to look towards 2026 as we leave out uh the ending of this year to hopefully get some paving done uh around
the city in 2026 for the services that our residents pay. >> Thank you Councilman. Council President, one last thing. If the list is not included um in the legisar backup or even if it is, I'm going to send you um the list of these locations for these
projects. Typically, we put them in in legis, but I'll make sure that um they are in there. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next, anything else on this one? Ne next item. >> D is designating a bus stop along West Market Street, Central Avenue, and
Littleton Avenue. Any questions from the council? >> Next item. >> E is a bid contract to provide improvements to the Harriet Tubman Square Park. >> Mr. Chair, I'll sponsor that. >> Second. >> Sponsored by Councilman Council. Second
by Councilman Councilwoman Scott Roundry. Uh count >> we know the the improvements that are going to be made. Yes. Yes. I'm >> sorry. >> Do we know the improvements that are going to be made? Uh >> yes. So, so we're we're looking at the
landscaping and some of the site amenities on the park to be um uh spruced up if you want to call it. Um so, you know, there's there's several uh stakeholders obviously the city being the number one. Um but it's something that you know it's long uh awaited. Um I
I believe some of the things are um the walking path reconfiguration of the walking paths um some play structures and rest uh restrooms um in the actual park. >> Thank you. Uh >> and in addition to that uh Melvin
Waldrop, our chief of staff, officers, business administrator. In addition to that, there will be playground equipment provided uh you know for the kids who come to the park as well as uh you know benches. >> And well if is this the total cost or do we have partners that are going to
contribute some money to the to the improvements? >> Uh no, there are partners who are contributing money to the improvements. So it's much more than the what we are approving here. >> No. Uh it should be in inclusive of >> this this here is inclusive of the
contributions. >> Yes. Of of the total budget for the project. >> Okay. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Questions? Any other questions concerns? Thank you. Next item. >> 7R4A is preliminary official statement and
disclosure agreement for the issuance of notes. Director Guzman, you're up. >> Good morning, Council President, council members. Benjamin Guzman, acting finance director. >> Good morning. >> Uh, this resolution again, as it stated, is to approve the preliminary official statement and all disclosure documents
related to the sale of bond anticipation notes and these are in relations to the uh recently approved uh capital ordinance that was previously adopted by this council. >> Thank you, Councilman Gonzalez. Ben is is it possible that we get a copy of the
POSOS? >> Yeah, absolutely. As soon as it's finalized and approved, I can make sure that a copy of that is sent over to uh >> and the and the official statement is the offering statement is there's a lot of information that goes
into into those statements and about the city of Newark and projections of what is going to happen in the future in the city of Newark. And sometimes uh we uh are not knowledgeable enough about those
things that are planned and and the the bulge in those statements. I believe it's imperative that we get those since we are approving them. >> AB absolutely I'll make sure copy that's provided to you. >> Thank you. Uh anything else from the
council? >> All right. Thank you director. Next item >> B is application to the Department of Community Affairs for funding for the shuttle bus service project. >> Questions from the council? No questions.
Next item. >> 7R 6A and B are for discussion in executive session. 7R8A is a ceremonial street designation for Miss Little sponsored by Councilwoman Scott Roundtree.
>> I second that. >> Second by Councilman uh Kelly. >> B is recognizing and commending resolutions and C is expressing profound sorrow and regret. Mr. Chair, c can we
add to uh the expression of profound sorrow and regret uh to the Jes family uh for the untimely loss of Leticia Jessie who was a prudent uh worker not just in the city of Newark uh but in the water department and so this entire city
and this council. >> Yes. >> Uh grieves the loss of of just uh Leticia Jess and I know the South W does as well because she was a South W resident. And so we want to pray for the family and the children uh and our entire water department and our director. >> Yes.
>> Uh for losing a very important piece cog uh in this organization. So >> all right. Thank you. >> 7R9A is application acceptance of grant funds to provide funds to assist in hiring 15
police officers. >> You can sponsor that please. >> A second. Silva, second by councilman uh council. >> I'm sorry, who second? >> Uh councel. >> Thank you. Duly noted.
B is disposition of a fire truck not needed for public use. Sponsored by Councilman Canana. >> I'll second. Second. Who? >> I'll second. >> Second by Councilman Council. >> Thank you.
They probably need a lot of other stuff now. >> Yeah. >> 7R10A, ex acceptance of a donation for clean communities slam dunk event. >> Questions.
Next item. >> Seminar 111A is a memorandum of understanding with the Bloomfield Avenue Lower Broadway Alliance for the revitalization, improvement, and maintenance of Salvador Montempo Park. sponsored by Councilman Ramos, second by
Councilman Gonzalez. >> Mr. Chair, >> Councilman, >> just just a a question. The the uh ordinance speaks of aou as it as it relates to uh the
maintenance of Salvatore Bont Temple Park. Can we get an understanding of that? Because I know the recreation department does not control maintenance uh of of that. So, who is actually going to be doing the maintenance? Is it under
DPW? Is it under public buildings? >> Director. >> Good morning. Um, council president, council, council members. Kareem, director, interimm director, DPW, director, department of water and sewer, Shabbo Temple Park, the DPW and along
with the water department normally because we have the Bloomfield water tower there. We normally combine and does m do maintenance there. At the conclusion of this reconstruction of the park, the lower Broadway um organization is going to further do
the maintenance and upkeep at the park. So in in in the document, it's going to specifically say that the department of public works as well as the water department will help to maintain around that area snow removal, landscaping
because of the water tower that's in there, which is historic water tower. Uh but the maintenance and upkeep of that of that area will be done through our DPW and our water department. >> No, it be done by the Bloomfield the uh >> Yeah, Bloomfield. What's the name of it?
>> Improvement district. >> Bloom improvement. Currently, it's done by us, >> right? >> That we're going to transfer that over to the lower Bloomfield um improvement organization. >> Bloomfield Avenue, Lowerway, Broadway.
>> Absolutely. I just wanted to make sure that we put that on record so that we know that it is not the Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs that's going to be providing maintenance and landscaping, but the Bloomfield lower bid will be doing that. Yes. Bloomfield Avenue improvement test. Gotcha.
>> Mr. President, now that the director is is here, I just I sent you the two pictures the other day of uh pieces of my uh recycling bin. >> Yes, we're addressing it. please because
mine is that one was destroyed and the that that one was a culmination of the destruction of the bent. But I believe that uh residents are complaining that all the the re receptacles are thrown and broken and the people are tired of
that. >> Yes. Thank you. Uh council president, council members, council gazales. Yes, we've we we're addressing that not just on your can, but cans all over the city and how we how our workforce knows a culture trains and how they treat the garbage cans.
>> Thank you. One one last thing while while you're there. The lawn signs for the clean community funds to go on the islands with a QR code that would be able to list the days of garbage pickup
recycling and for the lawn signs to say no dumping on the islands. I I know we discussed that and talked about it. I don't know how far along we are in the process, but if you give me an update later, that would be greatly appreciated. >> Yes. Thank you. But we working with traffic and sick. We're pro we're probably 80% there, but right now we're
putting up the signs around illegal dumping. Then we'll get to the hours. >> Thank you, Councilman Kelly. >> Council President. >> Oh, >> I'm sorry. Then I'll get you. >> How you doing, director? U I know we did a clean and lean on on that property on 18th Avenue. The old is already starting
to build back up and my office is getting more calls. So, I know engineering is here, too. But we once we do a clean lane and and we cleaned it up. DPW did an amazing job. You bought out the big vehicles, it's already
starting to get like how do we stop this guy from, you know, is are we finding the the owner? Are we stopping him from building? Like how is the is just going back to the way that it was? >> Council Council Council President
Council members, Councilman Kelly, I had to defer that to engineering. >> Thank you. Um, good morning, Councilman Kelly, Council President. Um, Loris Martinez within Department of Engineering. Um, the the moment we put a lean clean and lean, they go automatically to court.
So, we follow up um in the court system as well. Um, what I can do is figure out what uh what that case is um that you're bringing up, sir, and um checking what the uh status is in court. Can we uh until they clean the property
or keep the property clean, can we stop them from building? Can we stop them from working on the property? I've been sent pictures yesterday and this morning about the property starting to get back to the way it was. We already put a clean and lean on it, like I said, and
DPW did an amazing job, but now it's starting to get it's probably be another week before it's out to the curb again and then push our students and our seniors to walk in the street, which is unsafe. >> Okay. Um, do you, if you can, um, uh,
repeat for me, 18th Avenue, what what location? 18th Avenue of uh, 18th Avenue in Styverson. Um, it's the what's the exact address? the White House on the corner of uh 18th Avenue. It's on 18th Avenue, maybe two doors in from Styver.
>> Okay. Um I'll I'll check in with uh with with Chief. >> I can send you the pictures after this as well. >> I'm sorry. >> I can send you the pictures. >> Okay, that'd be perfect. Um but we'll follow up because you know if that location is egregious, I'm sure is in court already or maybe they already had their court proceedings. I can give you the information.
>> Thank you, >> Council President. Council members Kareem and Deem interm director DPW. We'll also forward this over to our illegal dumping task force because it may not be the owner. It may be people coming by just dumping on the property. So, we'll make sure we tag this and give
it to the MPD and illegal dumping task force so they can monitor the area. >> That that's a great uh call, director, but you can see this stuff is coming out of the windows. >> You just want to also put make them aware of the situation. Appreciate it. Thank you.
A couple of things, Melvin Waldrop, uh, chief of staff, Office of Business Administrator, uh, with respect in in response to your question. Number one, even though we have a clean and lean on it, if they're still in violation, uh, it should still be cited and fine. Uh,
secondly, we if if they're still doing constructions there construction and they're in violation of our UCCC codes, we should be able to issue a stop work order with respect to this property. and enforce that. I will investigate that and determine it whether or not that's the case. But, you know, based on
history, we should be able to uh to do that. And and and and normally uh when a clean and lean is placed on a property, again, there's a certification that has to be done and that is sent to the uh tax collector and she does an excellent
job of following up to make sure that either is paid or it goes to uh you know, sale. chief. >> And typically when that happens, we get we get a response. >> One question too. Uh we've already voted on raising the fines of th those those
illegal dumping, I believe. Right. What what is the fine for once they have been cited? What what's that fine? And and can it be raised again if they continue to, you know, uh violate
with the clean and lane? Can it be raised again, you know, right away? I mean, because this the owners don't care. They can pay $500, right? >> They can pay even $1,000, some of them. I think that we need to make the fines for these uh these landlords who do this
purposely >> to the point that they can't they can't just pay a $500 fine or pay a $1,000 fine. You have to make them feel it and understand that the safety of our residents, the safety of our neighbors is more important than them violating
codes just to build their properties. >> No, I agree. I cannot tell you exactly what define is, but uh on uh some other issues, been working with the prosecutor's office and explaining to them how important it is for us to hold people accountable. And so when they
come in for multiple expenses, multiple violations, the expectation is that those fines will be escalated. And I think that we have the, you know, the ability to do that. But that still does not preclude us from looking at the fines to determine whether or not they can made be made uh, you know, stiffer in order to provide a greater incentive
for uh for uh property owners, particularly those irresponsible property owners uh to be more responsive than they are. >> Yeah, I will be looking into that. Thank you very much. What's up? >> Yeah, I just wanted to uh I think Director Redeem was here, but what Pat
uh Councilman Councel said, I think anytime there's a business improvement district and there's a park there, we should uh maybe look into uh that business improvement district taking care of our parks. I have done that down
in the east and has worked. Uh, and I think that we should look into maybe anou with that business improvement district if the park falls in within their improvement district that they would be responsible for maintaining and cleaning that park. So, it may be
something we should look into. >> Definitely. I think it is. Thank you, Councilman Silva. >> Communication. >> Yeah, >> I'm sorry. Communications items 8A and B were discussed previously. 8 C is Miss
Kimberly C. Clark in the audience. >> It's Clark. >> Not appearing. 8 D is a reappoint to the Newark Public Library Board as a trustee. Miguel Rodriguez. >> Mr. President,
the spelling of the last name should be with a Z at the end. >> Z. >> Yeah. So, all right. >> Rodriguez, >> we'll make the correction. >> Sponsor it, too. >> Is there a second? >> Second by Scott Ro.
>> All right. >> 8E is an ordinance amending and supplementing replacement of surfaces to include additional provisions for milling and paving requirements for street resurface for street surface disturbance and trench restoration.
Deputy I mean uh director. >> Good morning again. Council member uh council president, council members. Dolores Martinez Wooden, Department of Engineering Director. Um so this is the long- aaited ordinance in which we um make everybody working uh on our streets
and the city accountable for resurfacing. uh beginning with um putting a deposit in uh based on the size of the project uh for which it will not be um refunded unless the um
resurfacing and uh restoration of the streets is made um after inspection. Oh, I'm sorry. Prior to inspection, we have to certify that they have done um the work in the city. Um this is uh to avoid
having um not only brand fresh new paved streets in the city, but any street that gets worked by utility companies uh and they walk away leaving the street um in in whatever uh condition they they they
see um it's okay to which we all know is improper and and and it's a borderline disrespect to the city of Newark to walk away and leaving that in in this repair. So in this particular ordinance um we do things as the deposit that I mentioned
before um knowing the contractor's information so that we not only getting uh the attention of the company doing the work but the contractor resurfacing. So in uh this case it allows um our department to be a little bit more give
us a little bit oversight um and and avoid the the what we're facing right now as a challenge leaving the streets as they are. >> Good. So can can we before I start go around just give us a scenario of of how this ordinance is going to affect uh
what you're talking So, so t typically um you know we have two two kinds of of of operations uh for utility on the ground. Uh it one is an emergency basis and all the permits and everything else that goes administrative follow after uh
because we do want to tend to the emergency and then the other one is a proactive approach planned approach. They come to the city request a permit in order to operate or um open um the the street up. um this permit depending on how I'm sorry this request depending
on how much on how big the scope is we coordinate with water and sewer and uh we coordinate with uh our uh uh engineering staff uh to see how the work will affect what's what's going on. Um at this point with the ordinance in
place we request um a deposit uh depending on how big and how much we anticipate the resurfacings will be. Um there is uh concessions on how big the area is. If it's a for example uh two or
more travel lanes do we go to the center line and so on and so forth. So we bring clarity as to what we expect uh uh from the city uh to restore this. I hate to cut you off real quick, but so how what is the formula to determine what the deposit is?
>> Okay. So, uh, we're doing it by square foot. >> By square foot. By square foot. Yeah. And how much? >> I don't want to quote, but I because I have to check the number, but I'll say like $30 per square foot. Um, depending on on on the what the work is. So, at the end of the day, um, you know, they are, by the way, just let me clarify,
they are required to do it before the end of paving season. So if they do work let's say today they have to pave it before the end you know before the end of this current pave season they cannot leave it um as is. If uh they do it gives us the ability to use that deposit
to do the surfacing ourselves >> and and how does that determine what is it is it if it's not completed by a certain timeline then the city would be would be responsible. >> Yes. Yes. So, so as I mentioned before, what we try to do with this type of work
is for them to give us a two-eek look ahead to let us know what the anticipated work is. Um, and we um you know, we we send um engineers just to to set eyes on the work that is that's taking place. Um at this point, um what
we anticipate doing, um is around this time if we have open permits that that would qualify for this this larger areas, um we will start taking a look at the progress and seeing if we see they will achieve what they're promising.
A >> question from the council. >> You have a question. A comment like >> Oh, and then I got you. Go ahead, >> director. Um, what about their bond like holding their bond? Uh, because I had
this situation happen in um down in the east and I actually had conversations with uh Director Redeem at one time. Don't we hold uh their bond? we can pull their, you know, do something to really uh instead of,
you know, going after square footage uh the bond, which is, I believe, more relevant than uh going after him in this way. >> Great. Um, thank you for your question, Council Silva. Um, I'm not going to stand here and, you know, make you guys believe that I know it all. I have, you know, very, very well suited professionals that know the details. So,
I'm going to call Sean to to uh touch upon uh uh that particular detail on the bond. >> Morning, council. Sean Savage, principal engineer, New York. >> Um >> Sean, yes. Raise the mic. Excuse me. >> We um provide we require a a deposit for
every permit we get and the permits um the size of the trench and size of the work that's being done is a calculation for how much we require for the deposit. If we don't the work's not done, we're going to hold the deposit and use it for our own paving. >> Mr. President, Council Gonzalez. Uh
yeah, we have had some uh experience where we have let's say we have a deposit but the deposit is not enough to cover the cost of the repair. That's so some people prefer to just leave take
the deposit and the deposit is not enough. I believe that it's important that we raise the amount of the deposit so that if they don't do the work that we have enough money uh to complete it. >> Well, this this rule, this new ordinance
will allow us to do what we need to do as far as the amount. And what we're trying to do is require them to give us a paving contractor before they even do the work. So, all this should be set up prior to the job is started. >> Is that a >> Okay. Okay. >> Is that a matter? And this only applies
to this doesn't apply to emergency >> work. This applies to >> Yes. >> The question is does this apply to emergency work? >> It should provide it should also include emergency work, but there is a provision for our water and sewer um colleagues if they have work to do in the city.
>> Yes, it's they say how much you you mentioned I believe $30 a square foot or whatever it is. I don't know if let's say that number is is accurate or is it something that let's say that is the
actual cost of of paving or putting concrete in in on the street. But we have to make sure that let's say that the actual numbers that we are providing or that we're requiring are what we pay
to our providers because otherwise we would be believe me if people can take advantage of the city they will take advantage of the city. So I believe that it's important that we uh put an honorous amount so that they know that
they have to complete the project otherwise uh we are going to keep the money and the money is much more than the cost of the repair. >> Um just just one thing before because we we're working on this together with the water department, right? Because we we
um work on the underground, they work on the underground, we work on the above ground and so on and so forth. So, I'm going to have director Adem um uh speak to some of your comments. Um I do want to say that the intent is um to cover in case they walk away from it to cover our
cost of replacing and uh restoring and any overhead whatever it is that we need to do that we're doing because of their deficiency. So, >> and I I believe that's what we should do. >> Sure. Council President, Council Members, Councilman Gonzalez, just to
answer this question, Green Dean, Director Department of Word, the intent of this amendment is to ensure that um we have enough road inspectors that's out. Somebody normally in uh these engineering companies come in and they put down they're going to make a hole
that's 10 square feet. We say, "Hey, give us $300." Right? By the time we go inspect it, it may be 300 square feet. So, the intent is to make sure we're out in front, that we did the inspection, that your cut is what you put on paper, right? That your deposit is what you put on paper, or we can stop you from
working, right? We're gonna stop you right right on the spot. You can't work no more. New North PD close it down because you put 10 feet, but you're doing 300 feet. The other intent is that the money or the bond, you said the bond, that we hold that. If you don't pave, right, you normally water and
sewer, we have a you passed, I think the last council meeting, a road restoration contract, right? We go back over the water and sewer cuts and restor. This money will allow engineering to have one of those same type of contracts. So, if they didn't go back and pave during the
paving system or they didn't do it to the city's needs, um we'll have money to go ahead and put a contract out in real time to make those improvements. Um, so this amendment was just to ensure we talk about emergencies, not a provision on emergency that the water or sewer
department will have, but we do know that public service probably one of the only companies that does emergencies and just ensure that they still come pull the permit out later through the emergency and make sure that they were following up with our inspectors, order team and engineering team to make sure
this was done. I I believe let's say that even allowing getting a deposit let's say you get a deposit but the contract that contract should say that any expense above and beyond the deposit is responsibility of the of the
contractor >> that's and that language should already be in the ordinance >> but there there should also be a fine assessment to it so outside of that in in the ordinance I'm saying you should go back and look at it there should be a fine assessment attached attached to it.
So, whatever variably that I'm looking for in trying to get financially for to make sure that these things are done that if they're not done outside of the financial agreement you have to pay, there should be a fine assessment attached to it. The council president asked a critical question. I don't think
it was uh really cleared up about in the event of emergencies, right? Is there language in there that in the event of emergency uh what covers that? And if and if that those those dollar signs are attached with there as well as in the
event of emergency if something happens outside of approval what is the fine and uh financial uh payment that will be rendered for that as well. >> Sure. Sure. I'm going have to refer that to law because the state statute around responding to emergencies for utility
work. However, the law may know that. However, uh council councilman council, we do understand that this language that the city doesn't have will put us in a better position to do the things that you're talking about. Right. Um it is an
amount that they can be fined, but most of the time we want to stop people from doing what they said they what we know they shouldn't do or just taking advantage of us and doing more than they asked to do. And this is what this going to do to make sure we got funds coming in to do restoration,
right? I'm gonna give you a prime example because the council president acts we paved Elizabeth Avenue. We spent about from Mika Avenue all the way to uh Bigalow past a little soup soup place
one summer to uh we did that right around the summer maybe around September PSNG and another company came in and just threw the whole street up. However, our coordination and working with PS and the other company we had to get we got
that restored once all the work was done. Right. The other thing is letting people know that this is the city schedule when we gonna pave these streets. So if you got to do some utility work, you need to do it before we pave. Right. And also, you know, we've had a great working relationship
with PSNG over the last six or seven years. We want to continue that. But these are the nonPScg workrelated things that get done that you see in the city, right? even the the even the regular plumber that may have took a permit out with water and sewer and did one with with um
traffic and signal that don't come back and restore that sidewalk or that road improve. But we want to make sure that we can restore it and the money that they left on deposit or their bond depending on how big the project is because sometime a guy may be putting in a 300 feet of water man or 300 feet of
sewer man. So that cut may be longer than the average time when you're giving us $1,500 or 2500. We may ask for a bond at that time to to ensure that this $300,000 worth of paving that your bond is going to cover that and we don't have
a problem with pulling bonds. I mean, water is so we go after a lot of uh bond work. Um people don't do their job. directors they say it's it's important I believe that we have this the the same quality
of work done after the street is broken because sometimes what they come and they do is just put it see a a th a thin >> coat of of whatever no but let's say we have an example of that and I mentioned
it before here on Highland Avenue uh between Berkeley, I believe it is, and and Aington, there is a an indentation that they went, they did the work, and apparently the quality of the of the
replacement is not of the same quality that it was there before. So, you have an indentation and I believe there is another one between Berkeley and uh and Deivan. There's another another one. So
I believe that we have to make sure that the work that is done is of the same or rated quality that there what was there before. Councilman, I think we all agree with that. More and more of that takes us on making sure that we have enough in
uh road inspectors and engineering inspectors looking at the work. We don't want people to compact the job two weeks after they work. No, it's not compact about wait and pay. We want to make sure you do it in a time frame that the director said earlier before the paving season. Make sure you put in a temporary restoration first, let it settle,
compact, and then pave. Right? We will extend stuff because you finish something before the paving season is over and we know it haven't settled because we don't want you to pave over stuff that haven't settled which with that indentation later on and you got to come back. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. That's why it should be a fine assessment that's added in here. I I know we, you know, make amendments going further, but we there needs to be a fine assessment that's added in in the in the amendment. So, I don't know if it's uh the law department, uh but we should be
looking at adding a fine assessment in in the uh the ordinance. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. Anything else? Next item. 8F is an ordinance amending parking or standing prohibited in certain areas at
certain times for street cleaning to remove Treadwell Street on the north side between Ridge Street and Mount Prospect Avenue and include Treadwell Street on the south side between Ridge Street and Mount Prospect Avenue in the north ward.
>> Questions from the council. Next item. G is an ordinance amending parking prohibited at all times to prohibit parking at all times on Treadwell Street solely on the north side between Ridge Street and Mount
Prospect Avenue in the north ward. >> Questions from the council. Seeing none, next item. >> Pending business on the agenda. 9A is an ordinance opting into the Garden State CPACE program to facilitate the financing of CPACE projects.
So, I know there were some concerns from the administration regarding this matter previously. Um, I and I don't know if there's anybody here to really discuss it at this point. If if not, we're going to defer it again. So, all right. So, defer as a whole and if and if it
doesn't move forward next meeting, we're going to return it to administration. >> Duly noted. >> Thank you. Item 10 A is miscellaneous raffle license approval. >> Questions? Next item.
>> Council President, council members, we have a couple added starters. Okay. The first one is file number 25-1453 which is a donation to our sister city in Jamaica sponsored by Councilman Kintana of a backhole from the
department of water and sewer utilities. It's heavy equipment used for digging, lifting and moving materials. >> Question next item. >> Second. We need a second. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Second by Councilman Gonzalez.
>> Thank you. Next file is 25-1457 which is a professional services contract for legal services concerning litigation matters. >> Will we talk about that in executive
session? >> Yes. Next item is 25-1458 which is a memorandum of understanding with the New Jersey Department of Transportation for the resurfacing of portions of South Street and Delansancy Street.
>> Sponsor sponsor sponsor sponsor. >> Are you sure? Council >> second by Councilman Gonzalez. >> Duly noted. Next item is 25-1464 which is regarding the government shutdown for emergency assistance. This
is to supplement the supplemental nutrition assistance program. >> Uh sponsored by Councilman Councel, second by Councilman Kelly. Can we uh uh get a further discussion explanation
on this matter? Deputy Mayor Good morning, Council President, council members, >> uh Alison Lad, director of economic and housing development. Um, this item became an added starter because of what happened at the federal level and the
president did not authorize the expenditure for SNAP. Um and so that authorization um caused many of our families uh about 37,000 people to not receive their benefits on Saturday,
November 1st. Therefore, um in preparation for that, the mayor held an emergency meeting on Friday, uh the day prior to the uh SNAP, um non-dispersement and worked with the community, private
sector, nonprofit organizations, and city um departments to create a task force as well as programs to assist families. The resolution before you is specifically about five hubs that have
been stood up in each ward. Uh each of the hubs has been uh will be led by a community-based organization and their job will be to coordinate and manage that hub, ensure that all
families that need uh the assistance from the hub are able to access it. provide food services, clothing, and other needs during this time. So, what we're asking for is for the first month for us to be able to provide up to
$100,000 to each of the organizations so that they can directly pay for those services um and items for the families and then they will all be given out at the hubs. The five hubs are um being led
by uh in the south ward. It's being led by the south ward improvement district which is actually called the Bergen Lions Clinton Special Improvement District. Uh the hub is located at Belmont Run Belmont Runan Elementary
School in the central ward. It is led by the Greater Newark Conservancy and that is going to be at the um flag school on 153rd Street. The west ward is being run
by the UVSO and that will be at SpeedwayMies at 701 South Orange. And the East Ward, it's run by the Ironbound Community Corporation and it'll be at the South Street School at 44 Herman Street. And
the last is in the north ward and it'll be uh led by Lacassa Don Pedro. Um and it'll be located at the Raphael Hernandez Elementary School on 345 Broadway. Um I will say that each one of the lead organizations has several
partners that are working with them to arrange again food services, clothing services, um all type of you know personal needs that may not other be met because of um the federal government's um non-dispersement
and not being able to have funds through SNAP. Um, I'm happy to answer any other questions, but I did want to at least give you that broad overview. Um, I think in closing, I'd say that um, we are planning ahead. So, this is
authorizing uh, payment for both November and December, but if December we are able to close down because the funds have been released, um, are we're just planning ahead. So, >> uh, Councilman Councel.
>> Yes. Thank you, uh, Mr. Chair. I I do want to point out something that uh the deputy mayor stated and I I just want to make sure that it's clear especially if there's individuals who are viewing uh you know this telecast that if there are any organizations that are in
any of these wards that want to participate help out from parent leaison to other nonprofits or CBOS that are doing work in any of these capacities they should go to one of these locations uh and render their services and asks to
be a part of it. I think that's critical because sometimes individuals believe that because they have not been invited or someone uh told them about it personally or they didn't know but they're building that kind of capacity or doing that kind of work uh that they are not included. But in a matter like
this, I believe that everyone uh is included. Uh and it is uh vital uh that each and every organization that does this kind of work uh providing food and pantry services uh get to one of these locations in your specific ward and
begin to build capacity around it so that this does not become a siloed uh activity but a universal support magnet uh that is assisted by every organization uh that is working for the benefit of helping to serve our
residents in this city. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman. Councilman uh Kelly first, then Councilman Gonzalez. >> Uh yes, thank you, Council Press. We've been meeting every in the West, we've been meeting every night since the mayor has called this call to action. And um
in the West Ward, it is UVSO, but it's also included the Urban League. I know a lot of organizations have called me and asked how they can get in on the action and they're just thinking they can get on the money dispersement part of it and it's it's not that simple. Um we
definitely need all of your the services to be bought in this dire need to come together as a collective. Today we start at Speedway Avenue School and we will need volunteers. Um NPS was um gracious
enough to give us space and speedway where we will be able to operate this the giving of the food today. And you know essentially it's going to be kind of like flying a plane while building it because there's so many logistic matters
and there's so many things that deal with are you a member of SNAP? Do you have SNAP benefits? Um you don't. We're not going to be turning anybody away, but this I just want people to realize that this is because of SNAP, the benefits being
taken away and the mayor wants to make sure that the priority is going to the people who have SNAP benefits, but no one will be turned away. So today in the West Ward, we're still looking for volunteers. We're still looking for people in all aspects of volunteer work
to register the people that are in line to bring food and perishables to uh to UVSO and uh the Urban League. I believe the Urban League will be a location that you can drop off the food and then we'll have drivers bring it over to Speedway
because uh NPS is not going to allow you just to drop off the food there at that school like that. So, we'll be using the Urban Leagues hub on Central Avenue to drop off food and then drivers will be taking that food over to Speedway. So,
we need people to register, volunteers to give out the food and make sure the people who are coming to get blessed with the food, bring your own bags, bring your own things to carry the perishables and the food in. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman. Council Gonzalez.
>> Yes, I mine is a question. and they say we are approving two months of $500,000 each or the total is $500,000. I'm I'm sorry, council um member. I didn't mean to shake my head, but I I
can happy to explain the logic uh flow for it. I apologize. I know you don't have a resolution in front of you. No, this what I what I heard you saying was that we are giving a 100,000 to five in the individual entities
>> each. Yes. >> For for two months. So we are approving $1 million. >> Correct. >> So uh the other question is what happens if the shutdown let's say ends tomorrow
>> and we will end as well um under the mayor's direction. So, our thought is is to um help with streamlining the approval. So, it's an up to amount, not an exact amount per organization because we wanted to make sure we're planning
ahead uh for December. Um and in this case, this allows us to. But if everything uh comes to a positive outcome and SNAP benefits are received in November, then in December, the city may have to make another decision. and the organizations are aware of that as
well. >> Thank you. >> Um I would say though that anyone who's listening um that one way to uh if you are interested to council member Kelly's statement, if you are interested in donating, there are contact information,
phone numbers on our um website and press release. So, we definitely encourage you to go to both locations um so that you can talk to a person who will actually help you coordinate. We know that it's an all hands-on deck experience, but at the same time, we are
trying to coordinate the activities just as much as provide them. So, um and uh we look forward to working with you. >> Anything else from the council? >> Thank you very much, Deputy Mayor. >> Thank you, council president, council
members. That concludes the agenda. Public comment. >> Yes, >> we are in the public comment section of this meeting which is a 30 minute public comment portion where each speaker will have three minutes to speak. Please state your name for the record. Is there
anyone wishing to address the council? >> Anyone? Okay, [Music] >> we'll take it anyway. Man Bummani once again.
Good rhythms, New York slave traders. The black vote saved the Democratic party once again. So what I'm asking you all is what will
be your return on investment for delivering the black votes for this governor? I'm asking uh the individuals who went around Ras uh
Ryan Hager and all the black pastors that went around talking about the black agenda. Y'all remember that? Y'all, some of y'all attended, right? What's the black agenda for this governor that's coming
in for the return on our investment? and Mikey Cheryl, I know if you if you listening, uh, you've been in Congress for some time now. We the people of New Jersey,
we the people of New York have been living under the worst con conditions under this administration since you've been in office and under the Democratic party. We want tangibles and we want results
over rhetoric. Now, let's get to the election. With the election of Central Ward, there needs to be an independent outside investigation
into the counting of the ballots. There also needs to be an independent investigation into the voter suppression, the voter intimidation, the voter harassment,
and the violations that took place at these polling sites. Now, I came on my break and I went to the one in district 15. And here we got Porsha, Tariq Tucker
coming trying to film me for what? I don't vote in that district. I live on the north side. But anyway, it's just harassment. And then to hear some of the uh um
comments and what happened to individuals at Poland sites. Same stuff with y'all tearing down signs. Somebody tore my poster of Gail Cheney off my car at Blueprint Cafe. And I know y'all Baracka
campaign people go there. It's this the same stuff. And you wonder why we want you out of office. >> Thank you for your comments. Next speaker. >> See none. Public hearing is now closed. Post is now closed. Anything from the C
councilman. >> Um I just have a question uh for our tax uh assessor uh when the bills are going to be going out because I'm getting a lot of calls from my constituents. So I was just curious to know when the fourth quarter tax bills would be going out.
Oh, Frank Glesio, tax assessor. Uh, Councilman, you're gonna have to speak with the collector. Go to the collector's office when the bills go out. >> So, >> okay, here comes our collector. >> Okay. Well, maybe Director Guzman can help us. >> Yeah. Uh, good morning, council members.
Uh, Ben Guzman, uh, acting director of finance. Uh, the tax bills for the regular tax bills for the property were printed over the weekend and they were actually out in the mail on Monday. Um, as a matter of fact, I believe uh mine should be arriving in the mail today as I received notification from the post office. So, we did send out the uh
fourth quarter tax bills uh printed out over the weekend. They mailed out when on Monday and we did notify the the the banking financial institutions of those mortgage companies that send it directly to the city on behalf of the property owners. The files have been sent. They've been notified. We're currently working through the process of printing
uh the other tax bills uh that are related for the city which are, you know, the tax bills, the special improvement district bills. So, those will be forthcoming in the next few days. >> Will there be any penalties because >> uh No, we're sending them out and statutoily, you know, they have 25 days from the date that the bill is sent out. Uh since they were printed and mailed
out, I believe on the 1st and being mailed out on Monday, they're being given the statutory timeline, which is 25 days, which I believe puts it into about December 12th or December 15th, when is the due date. So, there will be no penalties as long as they're paid within uh the statutory dead uh timeline of the tax bill.
>> Thank you. And Ben, that's indicated on the bill. >> Yes, it is indicated on a bill showing what the due date and when it's due by. Uh I did see some proofs before they went out and I believe that date we had on there was on or about December 15th. >> Thank you. >> All right. Any other questions? Thank you. And thank you, director. Anything
else from the council? Anything from the administration at this point? >> All right. We got to go to executive session. Get a roll call for executive session. >> Yes. Yes. [Music]
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Moved it out with all of this. >> All right, guys. Let's go upstairs quickly. >> The amnesty is good in December and there