Good morning. Welcome to the special meeting of the Newark Municipal Council on Wednesday, June 3rd. In accordance with New Jersey Law, adequate notice of this meeting has been provided to the Star Ledger, the Jersey Journal, and the public at large,
establishing the date, time, and location of this meeting. In addition, the agenda for this meeting was disseminated on May 29th at the time of preparation and posted on the city's website. Roll call. Council member Fay
present. Council absent. Gonzalez >> present. >> Kelly >> here. >> Kintana >> here. >> Scott Roundtree >> here. That's right.
>> You're on the line. >> Ramos. Roll call. [laughter] >> Silva. >> President Trump. >> Present. Council President, council members, we are on page four of the
agenda. Resolutions 7R8 is introducing the 2026 annual municipal budget council as a whole to adopt. >> Uh before we adopt, I believe
a few words from the from the business administrator. Good morning, Council President. Council members, Eric Pennington, business administrator for the city of Newark. You have uh on the agenda today is the introduction of the uh New York
municipal budget. And that is uh as you have you in the amount of 900,500,264.94. Um which is a uh actually a relatively conservative budget given uh where we are. Um the the municipal levy uh
actually has gone down about 1% uh in this introduced budget. the overall increases closer to 5% but that is due to the board of education board of education we're down a bit too um and the uh the county we are still faced
with the additional $34 million which is we're I'm sorry you say you can't hear me okay I'm sorry is this better okay sorry about that I'll go back then the um the introdu budget that we are introducing is in the amount of
900,500,26 $64.94. The municipal levy portion of that budget has decreased about 1%. The overall increase is in the range of 5% principally due to again our ratio in
balance which has caused about an $34 million increase that we have to uh pay to the county. the um reval is on track to be completed in the fourth quarter and so at least that ratio imbalance will not be present. uh it's not saying
that we will you know wipe out obviously what we have to pay to the county we'll have to pay our fair share but it will be based on a 100% ratio uh going forward but I think the important takeaway is that the municipal levy is been decreased by 1% due to the uh
incredibly hard work that the mayor has made us perform our budget director and finance department budget director Darlene Tatton acting finance director Ben Guzman and I have worked on this uh uh very diligently to make sure that we
kept that number as low as possible. >> Thank you. Uh any questions from the Councilman Ramos? Oh, I'm sorry. Councilman Gonzalez, turn your mic on. >> Councilman, your mic is off. >> I acknowledge that we are receiving the
the budget much before the say the previous years that I've been here. This is the first time that we received the well we haven't received it that the budget has been introduced before uh October September October. So
it's a I believe that's a a step in the right direction I would like to see the detail of the budget so that before I depart this body so that I can contribute with my two cents. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you Councilwoman. We anticipate [clears throat] that you'll receive additional information today. As a
matter of >> Councilman Ramos. >> Yeah. Uh thank you, Mr. President. And and I'm sure we're going to have an opportunity to um talk more specifically during the hearing process once we get more details about the uh department budgets. Um so, so you mentioned the
additional payment that's that's due to the county because of our delays in the reval process. Is that included in this year's budget? And um uh is the city looking to borrow money again in order to make that payment or are we including
that as part of the anticipated city uh budget this year? >> It is included in the anticipated budget and we are not looking to borrow money uh from the state to >> and what's that payment? What's that payment amount this year? >> It's about $34 million in addition to
what we ordinarily would pay the county. And I see that the um a public hearing on the budget is scheduled for the 15th, right? Of July. >> July 15th. Yes. >> Okay. So the the hearing process will um I I think because of the complexity and
I agree with Councilman Gonzalez, you know, we appreciate that the budget was introduced a little bit earlier than than it has been in previous years, but I think it's important that this council take its time in the hearing process so that we can better understand what's being proposed. I know there's some
oneshot revenues that are included in this year's budget, some of which we know are connected to some of these highv value property sales. So, you know, I don't I don't want to see us have a situation where we're packing in, you know, six or seven department hearings in one day. I think we have
time to to um do this, right? >> Absolutely. We we'll work with the clerk and uh schedule them as you deem necessary. And the other factor is that we do have a new council person that's going to be sworn in July 1. Um so that
person will have an opportunity at least to um you know I know Councilman Gonzalez has been driving conversations on the budget for a long time and you know we appreciate his diligence but you do have a new person that's coming on board and it's important for her to have
an opportunity at least as uh initial responsibility to weigh in a little bit on on the budget process as well. Certainly with respect to that uh through the council president to you I have offered to meet with the new council member to answer any questions in advance of uh her voting on the
budget and I presume that she will be here to participate in the hearings as well. [snorts] >> Thank you. >> You will. >> Hey thank you. Uh quick question in terms of the anticipation of when we would receive the the budget packets. the uh initial
information. You will get some additional information today. The budget packets will be put together over the next week or so or less than or so in about a week. >> All right. Thank you. Any other any other questions from the council?
>> All right. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Ba. >> You're welcome. >> Roll call. >> Council members Bay. >> Yes. Council absent. Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Kelly, >> yes. >> Kana,
>> yes. >> Ramos, >> yes. >> Scott Roundtree, >> yes. >> Silva, >> yes. >> President Trump, >> yes. >> 7R8BS
is establishing a sister cities relationship with Aros de Bel Val Dez, Portugal. sponsored by Councilman Silva. >> Second by Councilman Kentana. >> Madam Kana President, um Madam Clerk, we
have reviewed and you know, we talked about it. The deputy mayor Leia Freda, we spoke about it and it's all clear. So, you know, through your office, I I want to thank you for clearing it and making sure that that that sister city
is in good standards. >> Thank you, Councilman. Anything else? >> Mr. President Councilman, >> I suppose we Google it. >> It can be that simple, right? >> Country. >> Roll call.
>> Council members Bay, >> yes. [clears throat] Council, absent. >> Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Kelly, >> yes. >> Kintana, >> yes. >> Ramos, >> yes. >> Scott Roundtree, >> yes.
>> Silva, >> yes. President Trump. >> Yes. >> Council, President, Council members, we are on the added starters. First one is seminar 8 CSAS, which is a whole harmless list for the NOR fan village sponsored by Councilman
Silva. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Canana. Roll. Uh, anything you want to say? >> Anything you want to say? >> Yeah. I just wanted to thank the business administrator, uh, the city of Newark, the mayor. Uh, this is something
that we're putting on for everybody. It's a familyfriendly event. We invite everybody from all parts of the city of Newark, outside the city of Newark. Uh, if you're a vendor, get in touch with my office. We'll be happy. We have 39 days of this going on. It'll be going on from
July uh, June 11th to July 19th to the finals. uh anybody who wants to participate from the city of NORC, priority one is our NORC uh business owners and vendors to come out uh and be part of this. We uh we want to make this
a great event. This is a once in a-lifetime opportunity having the World Cup here in New Jersey and we want to make sure that we make Newark shine. So, anybody that wants to participate from any other parts of the city, please contact my office and we'll get you
we'll make you part of that fanfest. >> Thank you, Councilman. Roll call. >> Council members Bay. >> Yes. >> Council absent. >> Gonzalez. >> Yes. >> Kelly, >> yes. >> Kintana, >> yes.
>> Ramos, >> yes. Scott Roundtree, >> yes. >> Silva, >> yes. >> President Crump, >> yes. >> 7R6AS is a professional service contract to
provide legal services concerning litigation defense matters. Council hold to adopt. >> Mr. President, >> Councilman Ramos, >> is there any particular reason why this is on today? Was this left off from the bundle of legal contracts that we got to
vote on last time? >> Corporation council. >> Sure. >> Uh good morning uh Kenya store city of North Corporation Council. So that's essentially what happened uh during the last meeting. Uh we didn't have the opportunity to get it on. Uh we wanted to make sure we get it through the process. Um unfortunately you know we
were worried about some of the other um issues that the other departments had to deal with during the last council meeting. We didn't make this one. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. Roll call. >> Council members Bay. >> Yes.
>> Council absent. Gonzalez. >> Yes. >> Kelly, >> yes. >> Kintana, >> yes. >> Ramos, >> yes. >> Scott Roundtree, >> yes.
>> Silva, >> yes. President Trump. >> Yes, >> Council President. I think the administration has another added sor council. >> Sure. Good morning again. Um, >> morning. >> Uh, we do have another added starter.
It's, uh, 260781. That's the legisl number. It's in reference to a economic development matter which the deputy mayor will address right now. >> Good morning, council president, council members. >> Allison Lad, director of economic and
housing development. Um, first I want to sincerely apologize that you do not have the file in front of you. Um I know that uh it is out of protocol. So um so thanks in advance for just listening. Um
second uh this project um is uh related to 10 parkplace. Um the developer is the Burger Organization. They own it's the former fireman's insurance building um right next to NJPAC.
uh they are seeking HMFA financing uh to do 100% affordable housing on the site. Um in addition, they are also going to uh do a deep discount on the retail front, which will be um they're going to
look at $20 a square foot for the retail space. Um and then it was about 50% less than what the uh going rate is now for retail. um per square foot space. Um and
last, they are also doing additional affordable housing for artists and for seniors. Um and that will be above and beyond uh the focus area for um 60% of AMI and below. Um again, the reason why we're asking you to consider it today is
because they're trying to get HMFA financing and that has deadlines associated with it. Unfortunately, it was not approved um so that you could see it immediately um yesterday. Uh so again, I apologize for that and I'm
happy to arrange a meeting with anyone who'd like to talk with the Burger organization about the project um and about the benefits that they're bringing to the city with the project. Uh oh, I'm sorry, one last thing. Uh the tax abatement committee did review this
um and did um agree to allow it to move forward. So, um the that was through the tax abatement committee about um 30 to 45 days ago. >> Uh quick question first. Did you say the number of years for the tax abatement? I don't know if I heard that.
>> Uh I apologize, Council President. >> And then the number of units. >> Uh yes, I'm sorry. Uh so, forgive me. Um the number of units is 196 residential units. Um and all but one will be affordable.
So 195 will be deed restricted and one will be for the management um office super. The breakdown of the units is 53 studios uh ranging between 27% of AMI and 57% of
AMI. the then there will also be 16 twobedrooms between 30% of AMI and 57% of AMI and then there'll be 10 threebedrooms from 30% to 57% of AMI. Um in addition again as I was sharing
there'll be a set aside for seniors of 10% and a set aside for artist housing of 10%. the 3,000 square feet of ground floor retail will be uh deeply discounted at about 50% of the current market. Um so
again, the current market is about $40 a square foot and they're starting at $20 a square foot. Uh the total project cost is $130 million and the request is for the long-term uh tax exemption a pilot
under the HMFA statute and that allows for the period to be 35 years and it does comply with all the laws and ordinances set forth by the state and the um local municipality. >> Councilwoman Bay.
>> Thank you, Councilman. Um, I did have uh preliminary conversations um but we needed to do a follow-up. So, if you can set that up because I need um more information on the further breakdown. Um how many you what what's the breakdown of units for seniors? Is it the studio
apartments? Is it one bedroom? What does that look like? Um and also what that cost is um what the the price points are for those specific units. And also we talk about community benefit, what that looks like um for this uh for this
project. And so that was the initial conversation, but I never got the followup. So if we could have that follow-up conversation, I'd appreciate it. >> Uh sure. I will reach out to the developer. I wasn't aware that they didn't follow up with you. >> Thank you, Councilman uh Ramos.
>> Yeah. Um, you know, I understand the urgency, but you know, the fact that we don't have any backup documentation to review. We didn't get any paperwork ahead of time, you know, puts us in a pretty significant disadvantage to evaluate. And not I'm not trying to say
that what you're telling us isn't true, but it's important that at least we have some paperwork that we can review on these projects. >> Yes, understood. When when are we going to get
like documents on this? After the vote. >> The file is completely in legisar and it's gone through my approval and the remaining um approvers are expected to do that eminently. >> Do they still have to come in for an
abatement beyond this? >> Oh sir, this is the abatement. >> Oh, this is the abatement. >> Yes. >> Yes. So I thought this was the letter giving them the authority to seek state tax credits. >> Uh no sir, you have already done that. >> Okay.
>> So what I will suggest or recommend is at this point since this is an ordinance and not a resolution, we do have another opportunity to vote on this. Um, and so between now and the next meeting, if if the council so chooses to approve
today, between now and the next meeting, that uh questions will be answered, uh, information will be provided, documentation will be provided to the full for the full council for their review. >> Absolutely, Council President. Um, again, I apologize that you do not have
it. Um I am able to give you what I have but unfortunately I wasn't able to have it fully through the process. >> Mr. Chair, >> thank you Councilman. Council. >> Yeah. So as the the the chair a tax abatement committee uh o over uh seen
whatever the information that that was uh not submitted. I know we had a plethora of information that was submitted to us uh from the tax abatement uh committee and in conversation with folks that were there. But I think more importantly here is that there is a deadline uh that needs
to occur uh and and it is critical to our response. I understand the conversation with our colleagues uh but in reviewing this and sitting with with the tax abatement committee this is probably one of the rarest uh kind of of
developments and not just developments and looking at it but just in terms of price points uh as it relates to uh the residents of this community. the location that is going to be in. And I know many people always talk about uh downtown and what is happening downtown
and how many people are priced out of downtown and how we continue to struggle in an area of affordability uh of what is happening down there. But when we talk about uh this particular uh project and the amount of units all uh being
between 20% AMI and 50% AMI from 53 studios to the 16 twobedrooms and 10 threebedrooms um I I think it's critical um that we don't we don't you know miss this moment uh to be able to do something that is
going to help our residents uh in this regard. I I know we have uh information uh from our uh tax abatement uh committee. I don't know if it could be sent over from all of the things that we discussed and talked about um that was
related to this project as well as the information that our council colleague is looking for from the century ward. But just in terms of financing, uh the way that the state is moving now and all of the things that are happening in the federal government, I don't know if we
want to be, you know, uh at a disadvantage to uh not approve a project uh that is going to help the the really help the the the benefit of our of folks in this city to be able to come in uh and ascertain these apartments at these
rates. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Ramos. >> Yeah. I don't think anybody here is trying not to support the project. You know, we we all want access to the same information that you have access to. So, you know, I like the uh council president's suggestion. I know this is
on um uh a cycle as far as how we're going to review it. So, if we move it forward, I don't think it hurts the legislation's opportunity to get adopted later on. And by that point, we will all have privilege to the same information that Councilman Council and the others
have had. Thank you, Councilwoman Day. >> Yes. Um, and I understand what what uh, Councilman Council is saying and and like Councilman Mayos, I agree that, you know, we all want to see affordable housing. We all want to see this project
move forward. But again, as a body and specifically for me as the council woman for the centers being in my board, we have a certain due diligence that we have to do and to make sure that we review the information in its entirety at the time that we are asked for our
vote. So that's the only thing that's why I'm just asking for the additional meeting because again, I did have the opportunity to review uh documents beforehand and have the conversation, but there is some followup that needed to be done. And so because we had no idea that this was happening, you know,
taking a little back. So um I I appreciate Deputy Mayor's um presentation, but if we could just make sure that we get that information because again, we do not want to hold up progress. None of us do. >> Yes, understood. Um and again, this is not the way I like to do business
either, and I apologize for the request um at such a late moment, but this is not my preference either. Councilman Gonzalez. >> I my objection would be that we are creating president if we do that and
then later on in this in other meetings some other stuff may come at the last minute and uh we will be in a position not to say no because we already did for this one. So I believe it's important
that that we take the time to review the information and make sure that that's that's what we want to do that they say that information that is provided is something that satisfy our our our needs and uh something that we are comfortable
with voting. >> Understood. and I'm here to encourage you to support it, but at the same time, I understand the council will have to vote their conscience. >> Thank you. Anything else from the council? All right, roll call. Well, um,
what would you like? So, here's here's again here here's my suggestion and I will say this that we uh vote today to advance and adopt and between now and and I understand what the what what Councilman
uh Gonzalez is saying and and at the end of the day we have a vote here today and we vote our conscience. If you want to vote it down today, you you can vote it down. We want to move this forward. We move this forward.
>> Is that acceptable to to >> we talking about moving it forward with having the information before >> before the next vote? Yes, that would definitely be. >> You don't have the information before the next vote. >> Is this a resolution or is this a >> It's an ordinance. An ordinance.
>> This is an introdu a communications. >> Communications. Yeah. So, >> that's right. Okay. All right. All right. I think we're all on the same page now. All right. [laughter] That's what the president suggested, >> right? Yeah. Yeah. So, but we we'll vote
on this matter to advance and adopt. >> You want to advance it or advance and adopt? >> I think in order for it to to to meet the deadline, it needs to be advanced and adopt and voted on second reading at the June 17th meeting. Is that correct?
>> Yes, Council President. Um, one of the, um, scheduling challenges is that we have one council meeting a month. And so in order for it to take three readings, it would not be approved until um, July.
And so that would be past their deadline. So July 15th would be the third reading. And that was the reason for asking for it to be advanced and adopted. So the the we'll vote today, but with the understanding and and I just want
really want to uh uh make it clear because I think the council feels this way is that there's a lot of information that needs to be uh provided. Uh meetings need to be had, information needs to be shared prior to the June 17th vote.
>> Understood. >> All right. Thank you. So we we'll vote today to advance and adopt first reading. Thank you. >> Roll call. >> Council members Bay. >> Yes.
>> Council, >> yes. >> Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Kelly, >> yes. To advance and adopt. >> Kintana. >> Yes. >> Ramos. >> Yes.
>> Scott Roundtree. >> Yes. Silva. >> Yes. >> President CL. >> Yes. >> Council members, we are in the 30 minute public comment portion of >> I'm sorry. Before we start,
>> yeah, uh early I wanted to record my votes for 7R8 B uh and C as yeses. >> All right. So, so noted. Thank you, Councilman. >> Mr. President, before we go uh to to the public hearing, I just wanted to uh to
ask the deputy mayor uh where are we with the the change that I had requested of having more units at 60% and less unit at 80%. >> Uh yes, council president. Um Allison
Lad, director of economic and housing development. Um yes, we have received the information uh from the clerk's office regarding the change uh to as recommended by council member Gonzalez. Uh we are now preparing it to go to the
central planning board uh for them to refer it back to council. Well, it's it's taking a apparently a winding road because that was that was a at the beginning of the year I believe or even last year that I suggested that
uh and uh it has taken six months to go from the clerks to to economic development. I I let's say I understand that government moves slowly but I believe we have sometimes to to do something let's say a little bit more
expeditiously and uh this time I am going to be uh missing the opportunity of voting on that item because it took so long. Um, I will do all that I can to bring it
to back to you before the July 15th meeting, which I know will be your final meeting. Um, and we'll at least be able to have you be able to look at the >> June 17th. >> June 17th meeting. Sorry. July 15th, June 17th. [clears throat] Sorry, in my head. Wrong. I I'll pass I I'll pass it
on to the to the council lady elected so that she can vote for that and increase the number of units at 60% and reduce the units at 80%. >> And we can we can call it the Carlos Gonzalez ordinance.
[laughter] >> Uh yes. Um, you know, not that you're asking me, but I will tell you part of the reason was is that we were looking at other changes to inclusionary zoning and we were trying to decide if we should do just one change or do multiple
changes and so that was what the delay was. Um, but I am willing to have us go in two steps and we'll be able to do the first. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you. I'm sorry, Councilman Ramos. >> Yeah, it's not not not for you, Deputy.
Just a few things I want to see if we can if I can just highlight. Um, one is, uh, I spoke to the BA yesterday about these issues we're having with PSEG. If we can send like a strongly worded letter on behalf of the council. They're doing a lot of these gas line
replacements in various parts of the city. Originally, it was supposed to be done by a private contractor. Um, apparently PSCG decided to split the work between the private contractor and PSENG employees. Um, those areas that
are being handled by PSENG directly are a huge mess. I mean, there's dust everywhere. They have signage uh authorizing the streets to be blocked off for uh at least six weeks. They've been on Lake Street for about
two months. you have to guess what day they're actually going to show up in front of your house to do the work. And it's a huge inconvenience for our residents in the neighborhood. Um, they're not doing a good job cleaning up after they do the the gas light
replacement. You know, I'm not I'm not sure um if there's any kind of leverage that the city has with this utility, but but they have to be, you know, better actors when they do work in the city of Newark and they have to clean up after themselves. If it was any other
contractor that we hired to do that kind of work and they left the kind of mess that PSCG leaves behind, they would be fined. Um, so I would ask through your chair and the clerk and through the BA's uh interference that we we we send something out to PSCG, maybe have them
appear before us like we've had so many times in the past. I know Councilman Kintan has bought them in about lighting. Uh we've bought them in in the past when they install these ridiculously large utility poles in our residential areas. You know, they they they have to do they have to respect the
city a little bit more than what they do. >> Thank you. >> So, Mr. chair. >> Absolutely. >> So that that's a continuation of a a special meeting we were supposed to have with PSEG Optimum and Verizon around the
the the hanging of these wires uh all on these poles, the looseness, the wires that are falling down causing problems all over the place. I'm not sure uh who the contact individuals should be and maybe we need to begin to reach out to corporate to find the connection, but those individuals need to be in here.
you know, concurrent to what our council colleagues has said, uh they have to be responsible and accountable for the things that they're doing in the city and not just pass off uh responsibility. You know, public service says, "Oh, we rent uh we rent the polls out." The other folks, they come in and say the
polls don't belong to us. And there is really no real initial uh kind of directive of what is happening. Uh but what is happening is a lot of sloppy work around the city, falling wires all over the place, and we need to really begin to come to head uh with the
execution of this stuff. >> Thank you. >> We really need to try to schedule that as soon as possible, >> please. >> Sure. >> Anything else from the council? >> Right. to open it up.
>> Council President, council members, before we go to the public comment, I just want to state for the record that the ordinance adopted as 6FA today will be advertised in accordance with law and a public hearing will be held at the
next council meeting on June 17th. We are in the 30 minute public comment portion of this meeting where each speaker will have three minutes to speak. Please state your name for the record. Is there anyone wishing to address the council members? >> Good morning.
>> Good morning, >> Donna. Jackson, council elect at large. First, let me say it's going to be difficult for me to be a team player if we gonna keep rushing stuff. I feel slighted today by the
rushing of this budget. I have been a critic of the budget for the last three years exclusively. We are in some troubling times and I'm not going to sit back quiet. I'm telling you right now, I'm not. These public hearings that are
supposed to occur on July 15th or whatever day it was, they're not going to be rushed either. The public is going to have an opportunity to have input. Last year when we did this, the year before last, a fiasco. We're not going to do a whole budget, every department
in one day. Some of these budget hearings are going to be in the evening because people and homeowners work and we cannot continue to do basual when we're getting ready to saddle these homeowners with this reval and tax
increase at the same time. Now, we can we can debate the 1%. I'll sit down with Mr. Penn so he can show me. But to have this introduced today with no paperwork again in front of you, I got a problem with that. And I know it's deliberate. I I'm taking it personal. Yes, I am. Now,
everybody's going, "Oh, no, D. We're not doing that." I don't believe it. I'm glad that they got it done in time, but you're rushing it because you know what's coming up there and it's going to be accountability and we going to do it right. So, please, when you're planning the budget hearing, don't do it in one
day cuz I'm going to eject. I'll bring the people down here and we're gonna have a public hearing for real for the first time in 20 years because we're not gonna keep pushing this past and not have people involved. I hope that executive budget for executive
protection went from that 2030 thou million dollar range down to five. Cuz if it didn't, that's the first thing I'm pushing for. I don't have personal protection. Nobody needs that much. Delaney Hall, a fiasco. How did we allow that? And why are we
suing Delaney Hall? Where do we get the money from for that? I hope that's not this contract today. I hope it's not. We shouldn't have allowed it to go that far. We should not have allowed for our police department now to go bow down there and be in harm's way. I'm not
having it. We're not doing that. The governor shouldn't have stepped in and we shouldn't have made this a political football and we allow that. You need to tell the mayor when he's wrong. And he's wrong on this one. He's wrong. The council calendar needs to be
restored. June ain't no summer month. School's still in. We still working. Go back to the two meetings. Should have never been changed. You could get the one meeting for July, the one meeting for August, but not for June. It should be a day meeting, which should have been today,
and a night meeting on the 17th. We need to really stop disrespecting the process. Gas and electric, PSEG. Lastly, I'll close with this. The city had an opportunity to file for a waiver with the Board of Public Utilities, and we
are one of the only municipalities, let me just finish. >> Thank you, >> that did not do that. >> Okay. >> Thank Thank you for your comments. >> You're welcome. >> I appreciate it. >> Next speaker, >> Action Jackson. First, let's take a moment of silence
for former finance director Danielle Smith. Hope Round Street you're listening. Okay. A couple of things. You know, I was all for I'm all for keeping the Laney Hall open,
but then I went and did my research. You know, why close the Laney Hall for what? You're not talking about closing uh all the jails in the state of New Jersey are messed up. All the state, all the jails, all the black people, all the jails are messed up, you know, not just
Delaney Hall, you know? And then I got a question for you, Council President. When you're dead broke, right, you got the New York police going down there. Who pay who paid for all that overtime? Is the governor going to write a check out for you? Because now they're putting
the New York Police Department back down there. Who paying for that? I like to ask that to the my friend the BA, Mr. Pennit, because the city got to pay for it. Come on now. They were in the mighty South Ward on Freelandis Avenue over
there by the projects and they the new police did a good job over there, Councilman. I guess you sent them over there, you know, to get it straightened out. And uh they're over there, but they I don't know if they're still over there. They weren't there yesterday, but you got to put the resources back up
there to the mighty South Ward, but Patrick Council and the projects to stop all that drug activity over there. Not at Delaney Hall. This ain't about politics. Forget about politics. You got like a Hakeim Jeff, he come over here, close
Delaney Hall. Go to Riker's Island. They got plenty of problems over there. You know, all the jails got problems. You know, that's why I wish your man uh wish your man to come down here and my little brother born good on all that prison stuff, prisoner
re-entry. You know, you might have had to get the the young guy involved because wasting time at Delaney Hall. I mean, it's good. You don't you want politics and be on TV all day. That's slick. But it's costing it. It's costing money. And I like how this council stood
up today to the administration, deputy mayor lad, come down here prepared. Why wouldn't you come down here prepared to this bonafide body? Don't come down here half step and being slick. And as far as my man Miles Burger and the burgers organization in the in in in the uh
powerhouse central, that's a great project. That's what I've been talking about every time with the tax abatement coming down here. I know you're going to have points going back and forth making your adjustments, but uh that's a good product. Of course,
Donna said the medium income is cheaper than 86,000, you know, but you're starting you got a starting part. Stay in line with the budget. Council President, >> thank you. Thank you for your comments. Next speaker, mic check. Donald Jackson, North
resident and uh chief of staff to outing acting council at large, Donald Jackson. So we can get those rumors out the way. Last time I came before this body, I talked about good governance.
And it appears that we are lacking good governance. And I think it shows throughout the voting process, the low turnout. People are tired. Um people are tired of the rhetoric. People are tired of the talking. And in
my conversations with some of you in passing, I've said, you know, you get to the council meeting, you get before um these agenda items, you make very good points, and then we hear Yes. Yes. Yes.
Yes. And for Miss Lad to come up and say, "Oh, I'm sorry. I don't have this prepared or I'm not ready. is just not showing good governance on the executive side or the legislative side. Now, the building in particular
I'm familiar with because I worked there back in the day. What senior is going downtown to recctor street? What about the parking? What about the access? What about the ADA accommodations? Those were problems when we worked in that building. Now,
again, some of you may be privy to information that I'm not because I'm on this side, but has that come back to the full body? Was that discussed amongst you all? Clearly, it wasn't because it was a lot of questions. It's not your problem that these folks aren't prepared. If you ain't prepared, that's
too bad. It's not our problem. And what it seems to me, correct me if I'm wrong, but it always seems like you all have to be stepped on and take the brunt of folks, for lack of a better word, preparedness or incompetence.
And and and residents are tired. I know I am. I'm tired of hearing the same story throughout my whole adult activism life. It's always the same story, the same result. I know y'all got to be tired cuz I
definitely am. So, I'll say that to say this. The handwriting's on the wall. [snorts] Thank you for your comments. Next speaker. >> Good morning, council. My name is Andre
Santana. This is for Mr. Pennington. Mr. Pennington, I put an open request for a data dump of of your GL for 24 and 25 along with the chart of accounts and account codes and I haven't received that yet. I mean, something relatively simple. You know, if you staff doesn't
have the skill set, that's a problem. But you passed due. So, I just want to know what's the status on that. Thank you. >> So that was a you were directing a question to the council. >> Okay, that the hearing is for directing conversations or to the council.
Questions to the council. Next speaker. >> Good afternoon, council members. >> Good afternoon. Good morning. >> Oh, well. Oh, good morning. Good morning, everybody. >> I'm sorry. We we know you, Miss Bradley, but can you state your name for the record, please? >> Oh, my name is Fakira Bradley, a
resident of New York, a resident of the South Ward, but um I don't want to give my address. So, um good morning, [sighs] Council Members. I stand before you today, not only as the founder of
Restoring Hope, Inc., but as a resident and advocate who believes in the power of the community. I'm asking you to help us restore hope, restore unity, and restore love, and show me love [sighs and gasps] for my block party. Um, I'm asking you,
[clears throat] wait, for nearly 30 years, our block has not had a community block party. We have a generation of children who have never experienced what it feel like to see neighbors come together in peace, laughter, and fellowship on the very street that they
call home. Today, as a resident of Skylar Avenue, ready for families are ready, seniors are ready, most importantly, our children are waiting. This event will bring together all the people of different ethnicities, backgrounds, and walks of life. It will remind us despite our differences, we
are all one community. At the time [clears throat] so many neighborhoods are struggling with division, we are choosing unity. At this time when many people feel disconnected, we are choosing connection. At this time when people feel like they don't have hope, I'm restoring hope. Um, I respectfully
ask this council to support me in the request is going through now as you allow me the opportunity to show you what I could do and I want to cordially invite you all to my block party, my first ever big event in the South Ward.
So, um, I know right now we all in a pivotal time in life. You know, we all got our flaws. We all got our good. We all got our bad. We all do some stuff. Ain't nobody perfect. But I stand in solidarity with my people. Just to let you know. And thank you for your
support. I ain't always been a spring chicken, but I'm honest and I'm youthful and I'm loyal. And thank you for your service. Everybody got flaws. I definitely appreciate you. And I want to give a shout out to Roz. I don't care
how nobody feel. every certification I got, everything I got through them nonprofit programs that he funded, I took it to the top and I'm definitely grateful and appreciate. And I don't look boots. I'm not getting paid for it. I'm just speaking my honest opinion.
Thank you for your service. Louise Scott Trial Tree, I love you. Boom. >> All right. Thank you for your comments. Next speaker. No other There are no other speakers. Public comments now closed.
Get a motion to uh anything from the council. Anything from the administration? Okay. >> Yes. Council President Eric Pennington, business administrator. Just uh quickly if I could >> with Go ahead.
>> With respect to the uh uh to the budget, um you know, as was raised by you, Council [clears throat] President, that there needs to be hearings and that they would not be held in one day. That's the administration's position. We intended for that to be the case. Um, but is one of the reasons why in response to
Councilman Gonzalez's request that we get this budget introduced sooner. It gives us a little more of an opportunity. We have until July 15th. Um, we are prepared and we'll make ourselves available for for those uh for those hearings. Um,
with respect to uh, council elect Donna Jackson, as I indicated, I will meet with her prior to her being sworn in and after uh, to accommodate her and anyone else to make sure that they have sufficient information without with respect to the to the budget. Um,
regarding Delaney Hall being called a fiasco, the uh the administration and the mayor uh have done a yman's job to make sure that what has been characterized as a fiasco has been minimized and quite frankly is under amazing control. As the mayor indicated
yesterday at the press conference, our north police are trained to handle these situations and we deal with protests on a weekly basis and handle them quite well. In the wake of George Floyd, people should be reminded that while cities burned around the United States,
the city of Newark not only did not burn, it didn't have one shooting uh or one stabbing. And quite frankly, even though there were some minor arrests, it was minimal with respect to how things were handled elsewhere. Those same tactics are now being used with respect
to the protests at Delaney Hall. they have uh minimized over the last two days under the direction of the mayor and uh director Miranda. Um it is our intention to allow first amendment protests to go
forward. That's the law and that is what the the city is all about is inclusiveness and uh openness and making sure that people have their constitutional rights protected. There is an administration in Washington right now that does its best to tamp that
down, to step on the necks of individuals to uh treat them with disdain and disgust and uh with violence when they exercise their constitutional rights. We don't do that here and we have been extraordinarily successful and
will continue to do so uh with our partners working to make sure that people have the right to protest while we still make sure that Delaney Hall does everything that is supposed to do and the GEO group doesn't use it billions of dollars in profit uh at the
expense of the detainees and we'll continue to do that. Um, regarding uh again the budget uh regarding the the executive protection unit, uh those details will be provided and council members will have an opportunity to vote on it one way or the other and we will
answer the questions. Uh again to stand up here and not have uh uh just throw out numbers without having the data is a little bit dangerous but people have the opportunity to say what they want to say and we will provide the facts and make sure that you have
sufficient information to to vote your conscience as we work forward. Um with regard to there's a request regarding uh who's paying for our police to be down at Delaney Hall. the city is and we are using taxpayers money to do
so. But be clear, uh this administration, the business administrator in particular has requested from the governor's office that we be provided with uh funds to cover the overtime at Delaney Hall and for FIFA. Um the state police got $66
million for uh FIFA coverage, none of which has been given to the city of Newark. None. We have officers who are going to be in uh the Ironbound and in the west ward and in the central ward to deal with and
everywhere in the city to deal with FIFA related events. Uh and we're going to have to cover that cost ourselves. The state has said that they will look into it and I will follow up with them uh in the next few days to see how much of that $66 million will come to the city
of New York. Uh we believe that at least 10% of that $6.67 six7 million dollars of it should come here. So far we've got none of it. Um so with your help uh perhaps we'll get a dollar or two. Thank you.
>> Thank you. You're welcome. Uh with that being said, uh the roll call to adjurnn or motion to adjurnn. >> Roll call. >> I did want to make an announcement. Council President, >> I'm sorry before we Councilwoman Scott Roundree.
Yeah, I was trying to say that I wanted to just announce uh tomorrow. Thank you, council president. I was trying to say it before the BA came up about tomorrow's motor vehicle inspection at the Temple of Hip 55 Melo Street. Um tomorrow that will be occurring.
For those who want to um get their cars inspected, their vehicles inspected, please call my office for further information. 973733 3794. It will be taking place tomorrow from
8:30 a.m. until 200 p.m. only motor vehicle mobile inspections. Um, also there will be a date coming up for individuals to come to the mobile unit um that we're currently getting ready to schedule to get their new IDs.
Meanwhile, everyone have a great day. Thank you, Council President. Thank you, Councilwoman. Uh, roll call to adjourn. >> Council members Bay, >> yes. >> Council, >> yes. >> Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Kelly,
>> absent. >> Kintana, absent. >> Ramos, absent. Scott Roundtree, >> yes. >> Silva, President Trump, >> yes.