Good morning. Welcome to the premeating of the Newark Municipal Council on Tuesday, August 5th. Council President, council members, we have an appointment on the agenda on page 65.
All right. Actually, two new appointments. The first is Council President. The second is item 8B, appointment to the Caribbean Commission. Is Frederick A. Morton Jr. in the audience? Please step
to the podium. Good morning. Good morning, Mr. Morton. You have been I'm sorry. What page are we on again? 65. 8. Okay, there we go. Mr. Morton, good
morning. You have been the mayor has submitted your name for appointment to the uh Caribbean Commission. Um, do you have any opening statements you have you'd like to make? You don't have to. I'm just asking. Well, good morning to you, council president. Uh, it's a pleasure to be
here. My name is Frederick Morton. I am the founder and CEO of a television network, a media company that is very popular throughout the Caribbean. It's called Tempo Networks. I also am a lawyer. Uh, I've practiced for many years. I'm recovering so I don't
practice anymore. Uh, head of my network, which is turning 20. We're actually celebrating here in the city of Newark on August 16th with a major festival in conjunction with the Newark City Parks at Harriet Tubman Square Park. Beautiful festival with a number
of major entertainment acts from the Caribbean. And so I invite everyone from the council members, my good friend. Yes, Mr. Depri. Uh I invite everyone in the chambers to attend uh on August 16th. I am uh from the US Virgin
Islands, but Newark is is my my home as well. I own property in the in the city. Uh I've gone to Ruckers, Newark. Um and I've lived here for many years. My organization was uh resident here for many years as well. So, it is a pleasure. I believe
that my experiences would lend well to the commission that I have a lot of valuable contributions to make and I am very honored to have been nominated for that position. Thank you very much. Thank you Mr. Mourin. Any questions from the council?
Um, I just want to say, uh, this guy, man, uh, congratulations. You know, um, he really represents, you really represent the, uh, Caribbean community very well. And, um, I asked to ask sponsor sponsor.
Second sponsored by Council Kelly, seconded by Councilwoman Scott Ruck. Anything else from the council? Hearing none. Thank you very much, Mr. Morton. Congratulations to you and thank you,
council president, council members. We are on page three of the agenda. Item five, reports and recommendations of city officers, boards, and commissions. Questions from the council. Hearing none. Next item.
Ordinances on public hearing, second reading, and final passage. Items 6P SFA and B are both going to be deferred as a request by the Department of Finance. 6P SFC is an ordinance granting a
30-year tax abatement under the HMFA law to Sheila Y. Oliver senior housing community for a project to construct a fivestory residential building providing 100% affordable senior housing in the
south board. Any question? I believe Councilman Council who is on the line wants to sponsor that. Is that is that correct councilman council? Absolutely. Second. I was going to second it but Councilwoman Scott Rousey second. She'll absolutely.
Any questions from the council? Anything else? All right. Thank you. Next item. B is an ordinance amending booting or removal of vehicles on private property to update boot and mobilization regulations and adopt fees. Sponsored by
Councilman Ramos, second by Councilman Kentana. Yeah. Um, Council, Mr. President, I I know there was an amendment that Councilman Kelly wanted to include, so I want to make sure that's added. So that that would keep the public hearing open one more
meeting. So you know this this um ordinance I want to thank the administration of public safety and the clerk's office for getting this done relatively quickly. It's one of the biggest complaints that we do get from residents um uh pertaining to the uh
illicit booting practices on some uh private towers related to private property. So, this sets some very clear standards and protections for residents. And through the amendment that Councilman Kelly is offering, it will
also um enable us to um protect uh delivery vehicles that sometimes are victims of predatory booting as well. All right. So, Council Ramos and Madame Clerk, so we we'll defer it this this and then add the amendment or do we have the amendment?
Uh I think the clerk worked on the amendment. So, we'll introduce it as amended tomorrow and I guess it'll be adopted at the September meeting. Okay. Well, actually, it's up to the council, the council president, council members. What actually happened is after last
month's meeting, we worked with public safety, we drafted the legislation and included the amendments and advertised it so that it can be on public hearing. Okay. Beautiful. Yeah. The sooner we can get this passed and signed by the mayor, the
better it is for our residents. So, we're ready for public. So, we'll move forward with it as amended. Thank you. We're on page five. Item on second reading and final passage is 6SFA
is an ordinance authorizing the execution of a lease agreement between the city of Newark and 169 Clinton Development Urban Renewal LLC for a project to provide housing for homeless population. Questions from the council
hearing none. Next item, resolutions 7R1A through M are temporary emergency appropriations. A is for the funding to hire 15 additional police officers sponsored by
Councilman Silva. A second. I'll second it. Duly noted. B is for overtime to address violent crimes. also sponsored by Councilman Silva.
I'll second that, too. Duly noted. C is to address overtime for violent crimes. Also sponsored by Councilman Silva. Second, second by Councilman Tana. And by the
way, if there are any questions, please bring them up to item. Are you on second? Which item on all of ABC so far? Julie not D is for the drunk driving enforcement fund.
Any questions from the council? Hearing none. Next item. E is the five ward paving improvement project. Questions from the council. I'm leaving open for a second. Questions from Okay. Councilman. Uh, I just want
to make sure um through this fivewood pavement improvement that we have a list of the streets that will happen in each one of the wards. I see I see a de not deputy uh director. Good morning, council president, council
members. Dolores Martinez and director of department of engineering. Um for this in particular, Councilman Kelly. Yes. Okay, you got it. Well, we'll provide um what I can share with you is this one has um the MA25, so several locations because we do the OT with locations. So, I can provide the limits and locations
for you. Okay. Thank you, m Mr. President. Council Rambo. Um I want to ask the director too. I know at one of the previous meetings when we talked about the u streets that were being paved this year um she made mention that there was a issue with um
some matching funds that the city needed to provide that was preventing her department from paving some of the streets that were supposed to be paved this year. I just want to know if that issue was resolved. And if it was resolved, can we get an
updated timeline of um when some of these projects are going to be completed? I know you have a few months left before you can actually um complete paving this year. So, sure. Um Council Member Ramos, uh to your question, we we are working with the administration. Um some of these
emergency appropriations do match the funds of uh grants that we already have um and uh with the upcoming ones we're working between the operating budget um and the uh appropriations that we're asking for. So we're working through the problem right now. Yeah. And and I did see the list that I
believe your office shared along with water sewer and I did respond that there were very minimal number of northward streets included on the paving list. um which is disappointing for our residents. So I'm I'm hopeful that through your office um we can increase
the number of streets and make sure there's parity around the city. You know, I think every taxpayer deserves um services including paving from the city. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Council Ramos.
Next item. I'm I'm I'm sorry. All right. Uh Mr. Ba Somebody left the ID up on the thing here. Look like a gentleman right here. Um, with respect to the paving and
councilman Ramos's questions, if we have a we do a historic look back over the last five years, there's probably been more paving in the north ward when we include the public service paving that was done when they replaced the lines than in any other ward. So if we look back if look at this year or last year
it may look like there's a disproportionate uh decrease in the amount of paving has been done in the north but overall that that's not the case and I'll look into that to confirm it but if you have information other than that I'm happy to discuss that with you. Thank you Mr. B. I'd be happy to look at
that information. I I also know that PSCG now with the gas line replacements is going to pave a number of streets. U I just looked at the list that was shared via email. I did a analysis based by ward and you know I did respond that there were a very few streets from the
ward included. So I'm I I do know for a fact that as part of the w lead service line replacement there were a number of streets that were paved in the ward but that recent list didn't include a lot of northward streets. That was my point. Yep. Fair point. Appreciate that.
All right. Thank you. Next item. F is for the freight impact fund project. G is for the PSENG energy efficiency partnership project. H is also for the PSEG energy efficiency partnership
program commercial. I is for the PSEG energy efficiency partnership program residential. J is for the operating expenses. K is for STD testing and patient followup.
L is for law enforcement behavioral health response grant and M is for the oral healthc care. Any questions on those matters? Hearing none. Next item. 71 N through AG are purchasing
contracts. N is a state contract for firearms equipment and supplies. O is a state contract for copers and multi-function devices. P is a state contract for firearms
equipment and supplies. Q is a state contract for industrial supplies. R is a state contract for advertising and public relations services. S is a state contract for LED signal indications and warning devices.
T is a state contract for equipment and space rental. U is a state contract for janitorial services. V is a state contract for software reseller services.
W is an amended resolution to exercise a thirdyear option to renew for the government access television studio. X is an amending resolution to exercise a one-year to renew for the continued
street outreach and housing navigation services. Y is an extension of emergency contract for the reconstruction of the floor of engine 5. This is actually sponsored by Councilman Silva.
Anyone second? Second for that. I'll second Ramos seconds. Council Ramos, sir. Duly noted. Z is an extension of emergency contract for the relocation of property and evidence to a new facility.
A is a purchasing cooperative agreement to purchase two portable bomb X-ray systems. AB is a cooperative purchasing agreement to acquire document management for records retention and disposal.
AC is a cooperative agreement for paving services. A D is a cooperative purchasing agreement for membership to the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey. AE is a cooperative contract to purchase
exhaust systems for 16 locations. AF is a big contract for the rental of portable toilets. and AG is a bid contract to provide athletic apparel. Any questions from the council on those items? Uh, yes. Council
sponsor 7R1W. 7R1W. Is there a second for that? And also 7R1 AG. Hold on a second. Councilman Kelly. Second. 7R1W by Kelly, Councilman Kelly, second by
Councilman Kentana, and Councilman Kelly, what was the second one? Uh, 7R1 AG. Seven AG. All right. Sponsored by Councilman Kelly, second by Councilwoman Scott Roundry. Yeah, Mr. President. Councilman Ramos.
Yeah. I just want to um through your chair and the administration uh commend the work of Bridges Outreach. I know there have been a number of occasions where our office has reached out uh to director and his team and you know these these folks are on point. They're out in
the community. They respond quickly uh when we need their help and you know a lot of times we don't shout out some of these organizations that are doing uh impressive work in the city. So just want to say thank you. All right. Thank you Councilman R. I want to add a thank you to that as
well too to Bridget. All right. Next item. Ah and AI are both application acceptance of grant funds. AH is for clean energy coordinator and AI is the keep America beautiful Martin Luther
King Jr. Corridor Community Grant. Questions from the council hearing. None. Next item. Seminar 2A is a professional service contract for engineering design services as well as construction management services.
B is a private sale redevelopment for new construction of a two family home and rehabilitation of a three family home to sell at market rate in the south ward. Questions from the council. Councilman Council. Yeah, Mr. Chair. Yeah, I I want to uh
move on that. I'm fine with it. Okay. Would you like to sponsor it too or? Yes. Yeah, I'll sponsor. Sponsored by Councilman Council. We have a second. Second. Second by Councilwoman Scott Roundry. Duly noted.
C is new construction of five two family homes to sell at market rate in the South Ward. Council council. Mr. Chap. Yeah. Like to defer that item. All right. Motion to defer by Councilman Council is
a second. Second by Councilman Kelly. Duly noted. D is new construction of one two family home and one three family home to sell at market rate in the west and south ward. Questions from the council.
I'd like to move on this west. Like to move it. Move it as a whole. I'm fine. I'm Yeah, I'm fine. So we'll move it as a whole. Yes, move it as a whole. Okay, Julie noted.
And E is the first amendment to the agreement for the sale and redevelopment of land to Beacon Development Partners LLC to amend the project scope in the West Ward. I would like to move on this as well. All right. Would you like to sponsor it, Councilman? Yes, I'd like to sponsor it as well.
Sponsored by Councilman Kelly. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilwoman Scott Roundry. Duly noted. F and G are to execute a deed restrictive affordable housing agreement.
F is affordable housing agreement with new community homes development in the central ward and G is affordable housing agreement with Dumis Corporation also in the central ward. Mr. President Councilman Raymond. Yeah, I'd like to sponsor G, that's the
Veterans Housing Project and you should check the ward because I think that's now in the northwards. And and Mr. President, another question. I I know with the contract for the architect um talking to Deputy Mayor Lad, she did mention that she was going to share with
us that there were other quotes submitted for this service. And then at some point, I we don't have to go into it today. I just want to understand like how the city is going to function as a developer of this site and and whether we've done this in other instances where
the city has developed a a project a residential project. So I know at the last meeting she did mention that this particular project was designated to a private developer. Uh the city took the the property back essentially and ddesated the developer and now the city
is looking to act as a developer. So, I just want to better understand how that process is going to work. What kind of risk is involved if the city acts as a developer? Will it partner with a private developer to actually build a project or is the city actually going to
um contract directly uh with with a contractor and and water sewer and and all that stuff. So, I just want to better understand how that's going to work. Would would the administration like to respond now or the future? Yeah, I I just for today she can just mention the
the the architects the the the quotes that were solicited and why are you selecting this particular architect for the project? Yes. Uh good morning council president, council members. Um thank you for the opportunity to speak about the item.
This item is um actually 7R2A on your agenda and it um we have it being considered uh for OCA architects to provide architectural services for the site on Holly and Central um that
will be known as Kawita Towers. Um I wanted to correct for the record that um the EHD went through a process to get three uh quotes from three different architecture firms and the OCA
architects was actually the lowest bid that we received and so that was why we selected them but because of state contracting law under professional services it wasn't a requirement but we felt like that was best practice to
still get the quotes um and not just pick um a contractor architect. So um again I apologize for the um information at the July meeting um that may have led to some confusion but in this regard the city did have three quotes which I do
have in hand and I will transmit them to the municipal council today. Thank you. Any other questions? Councilman Reynolds. Thank you. Thank you deputy mayor. Thank you for the opportunity to clarify. All right, let's let's go back to 7R2F
and G. Uh, and were there any questions on 7R2F? And I know Okay, so 7R2G sponsored by Councilman Ramos. Was there a second? Second by Councilman Gandana. Yeah, and I'm sorry.
FNG sponsored by Ramos. Sponsor. Yeah, I'm sponsoring G. Yeah, that um and also with with the allocation of home funds, can we get a timeline on when uh they anticipate completing this project? I know some some years ago they
they purchased some private property on Third Avenue. There was one city-owned property that was allocated to Catholic Charities as part of this veterans housing project, but you know, it's it's been pending for a number of years. So, I don't know if this is like the last
piece that they needed in order to get the project done, but I just want to know if EHD can ask uh Catholic Charities and do for a timeline on when they anticipate completing this project. Now, council president, council president,
council members, Allison Lad, director of economic and housing development. Um, yes. Uh, we will provide the timeline. Um, and I can say though that we have a timeline for every project that's receiving federal funds um, and whether
they've been closed, under construction, and when they plan to open. So, we're happy to share that with the council as well. Thank you, Deputy Mayor. Thanks. Next item. Sorry, Council President. Council Ramos, are you sponsoring both F and G or just
G? Just G, right? Just G. No, don't miss G. The third avenue. Got it. H is to execute affordable housing agreement for home funds to construct a new fivetory 63 unit affordable and
supportive housing development in the south war. Question. Mr. Chair, I would like to sponsor that item. Councilman Council sponsoring second by Councilwoman Scott Roundry.
Duly noted. Next item. My apologies. I is investigation for area in need of redevelopment in the north ward. Sponsor sponsor by councilman council uh
I'm try again. Sponsored by councilman RO second by councilman Kintana. Julie noted Jay is a need for housing project in a central ward. Questions from the council
hearing. None. Next item. K and L are both resolutions of support. K is for the submission of an application by developer to New Jersey Department of Community Affairs affordable housing trust fund for North
Ward. And L is a resolution of support for the submission of an application by developer to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs affordable housing trust fund for property in the south ward. Questions from the council.
Mr. President, I'd like to sponsor K. Mr. President, I would like to start the L. I'll second L. So K is Ramos and Tana and L is Council Crump.
Duly noted. M is an exception to public bidding to provide professional engineering support services for Newark pedestrianization safe streets project. Questions from the council
hearing? None. Next item. N is to execute a community benefit agreement towards the construction of a medical office building in the south ward with a public hearing tomorrow at 12:30. See, deputy mayor, you're already anticipating.
Uh yes. Uh council president, council members, Allison Lad, director of economic and housing development. Uh respectfully, we asked for this item to be deferred. We did hear um at a late hour from our partners at New Jersey EDA uh that they had some changes that
needed to be made to the agreement. Therefore, we are unable to bring this to council at this time. So, we would like to ask for a deferral. All right. I wasn't expecting that, but All right. So, we'll defer. 7R3A is a professional services contract
to prepare construction documents for the community health center at Park Elementary School. Mr. President, Ramos, I'd like to sponsor this as well. Sponsored by Councilman Ramos, second by Councilman Katana.
Duly noted. B are resolutions requesting an extension of time for various projects. B is the construction of the 2024 back bikeways. C is construction of the safe streets to
Newark's transit hub project. And D is construction of the transit village pedestrian safety improvement project. Questions from the council hearing. None. Next item. E through I or application acceptance of
grant funds. E is the Clinton Avenue Safety Improvement Project. F is the 2026 safe streets to transit program. G is the five ward paving improvement
project. H is the paving improvement project and I is transportation planning program. Questions from the council. Any additional questions? Yeah, Mr. Chair, I would like to sponsor uh E.
E as in Edward. Yes. Okay. Avenue. All right. The improvement project. Is there a second on that? Second. Second by Councilman Kelly. Julie noted. J and K are bid contracts. J is for the
Foundry Street Resurfacing Improvement Project. And K is the renovation of existing space to create a drop-in center. Questions from the council. Hearing none. Next item.
7R4A is for the tax sale. Any questions from the council? Next item. 7R5A is to wave the 20-day period for ordinance to become effective for the lease agreement at 169 Clinton
Development Urban Renewal LLC. Questions from the council hearing none. Next item B is an application acceptance of grant funds for the STD testing and patient followup. I I'm sorry. Going back to 7R5A,
the last sentence or last line says on April 2nd, 2025, we will amend it on the floor. Is that duly noted? Thank you. C and D are acceptance of donations.
C is the sponsorship for National Health Centers Week and D is a donation of a scooter. And so my question was, what kind of scooter is being donated? Uh, director.
Good morning, uh, Director Alsburg for the Department of Health. Morning. Uh the scooter is uh part of our giveaways for the community. Uh this week we're celebrating N National Health Center Week. We have a series of health fairs scheduled across the city and on Friday
we'll have an event at our headquarters at 394 University Avenue. We'll be pro providing food and gifts and educational materials to the community. Part of that giveaway is a scooter that will be raffled off to one of the children that attend the event. Okay. All right. Well, thank you.
Thank you. Seminar 6A through C are all settlements of civil litigation for executive session. D through F are professional service contracts for the law department. D is for the utility management services.
E is for litigation matters. F is for litigation matters. Questions from the council hearing? None. Next item. G through L are also settlements of civil civil litigation for executive
session. Next item. Seminar 7A through F are whole harmless agreements for the use of Newark public schools facilities. A is for the North Ward town hall meeting. B is for the Central Ward
community meeting. C is for the West Ward community meeting. D is for the east ward community meeting. E is for the south ward community meeting and F is for the north ward community meeting. Any questions?
Hearing none. Next item. 78A is attestation of review of the city audit. Questions from the council. Next item. B is a ceremonial street designation for Carolyn Betha Wolfkolk
Thompson Wallace sponsored by Councilman Council. I'd like to second that. Duly noted. C is a ceremonial street designation for Susan M. Clearary sponsored by Councilman Kentana.
I I'd also like to second that one too. Sorry if y'all duly noted. D is waving special event application and permit fees for the Peshan Avenue alumni reunion block party sponsored by Councilman Council.
Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilman Kelly first. Next item. E is waving special event application fees for Hope and Espironza Community Health Fair sponsored by Councilman Gantana.
Second. Second. I'll second Kelly. I heard him first. Duly noted. F is waving special event application permit fees for the South 16th Street Block Party sponsored by Councilman
Council. Second. Councilman Kelly. Duly noted. G is recognizing and commending resolutions and H is expressing profound sorrow and regret.
Seminar 111A is accepting a gift of swimsuits and goggles valued at $8,000. Next item, seminar 12A is professional service contract to continue providing legal services concerning the lead pipe
replacement investigation and litigation. Any questions from the council? Hearing none. Next item. B is a bid contract for the expansion of filtration building and construction of additional filters 12 and 14 at the Pquonic water
treatment plant. Questions from the council? Hearing none. Next item. We dealt with the appointments earlier. We are on item 8 C, an ordinance to amend the powers and duties of the city
purchasing agent to raise the threshold for bidding requirements. Can we get somebody to an explanation on that? Uh good morning uh Kenyat store city corporation council. So essentially uh the state has changed the actual
numbers. Uh so now uh we just have to put together an ordinance. Uh we fall into the category as long as we have a QPA um we can do that. And so this ordinance is based upon state. Yes. All right. Thank you. Any questions from the council? All right. Next item.
D is an ordinance amending the department of law to increase the authority of the corporation council to an amount not to exceed $53,000 without the approval of the municipal council.
You disappeared. I thought you were going to stay up there. All right. Just for the record again, Kinyatta Stewart, City of North Corporation Council. So essentially, it's the same process. Uh when the uh threshold goes up, it also speaks to my ability to be able to settle cases
without coming to council because they're not um huge cases, for lack of better words. Right now, we're in a situation where we're able to settle cases at 44,000. Uh because, you know, we might have a situation where people have, you know, um a fender bender. Sometimes we have folks who have a
pothole situation and they literally send documents to the office to get a reimbursement for the funds they paid. Uh so I would be coming before the council on you know simple things like that and this allows me to do that without coming to the council. So, um,
and again, we we we get a on average say 20 30 of those cases per month, but and I'm just to be clear what I heard correctly. Right now, you I'm sorry. You're able to settle I'm sorry, you're able to settle cases at $44,000.
Yes. At $44,000. So, so essentially sometimes we might have like a contract dispute whereas, you know, uh, we owe a vendor an additional $5,000 because they worked an additional time. We've had situations where unfortunately people's cars have been told for whatever reason their car may have been damaged because
of our our our fault. We may have had a situation where there's like um a fender vendor or things of that nature where one of our employees might have bumped somebody's car is 5,000$10,000 $20,000. We have that on a regular basis. However, the the the the most that we
get is pothole situations and things of that nature where somebody's rims may be bent and it's 400 $500. But for these different ordinances, it gives me the ability to resolve it without coming to the council. And so the increase is just $9,000 over what is already
and it's statewide. It's statewide. Okay. Yes. All right. Any questions? Thank you, Council President. Council members, in light of the explanation from corporation council that both ordinances C and D are related to the state
increase of the bid threshold. I'm assuming that council president council members would like to advance and adopt on first reading. Yeah, I don't see a problem with that. Thank you. Duly noted. E is an ordinance granting a 25-year tax
abatement to Central Point Urban Renewal LLC for a project involving the demolition of the existing one-story commercial structure and construction of a new sixstory multifamily building with 77 residential rental units consisting
of 61 market rate residential rental units and 16 affordable housing rental units in the central ward. And there's a motion to advance and adopt this item on first reading. Any questions from the council
hearing? None. Next item. F is an ordinance granting a 25-year tax abatement to 824 South 20th Management Urban Renewal Entity LLC for a project for a new fourstory residential multif
family dwelling consisting of 25 affordable housing residential units in the south ward. Questions from the council? Yeah. Yes, sir. I would like to advance and adopt that one first.
Okay. Advance and adopt on first. Are you sponsoring that councilman council or would just like Yes, I'm sponsoring I'm sponsoring it as well, Mr. Chair. Seconded and sponsored by Councilman Council, second by Councilman Scott Roundry. Duly noted.
G is an ordinance granting a 25-year tax abatement to 300 Garside Management Urban Renewal LLC for a project to construct a new fivestory residential multifamily dwelling consisting of 25
affordable housing residential units in the north ward. Mr. President, Councilman Ramos, yeah, I'd like to advance and adopt also and I'd like to move it. And I just want to note that this is a 100% affordable project with a 25-y year abatement.
Thank you. Second for that council. Second. Got you. Gotcha. H is or is authorizing a corrective deed for the West Ward. Advance and adopt.
All right. Let's as a whole, let's advance and adopt. Okay. Councilman Kelly. All right. As a whole as a whole. I is an ordinance authorizing the assignment and assumption of the financial agreement
from 306 MLK Boulevard Urban Renewal Company LLC in the central ward. Deputy mayor, can we get an explanation on the assignment? Good morning, Council President, council members. Morning. Allison Lead, director of economic and
housing development. Um, I suspect that you may all be familiar with this building. Um, it is located on Martin Luther, uh, King Boulevard and Central Avenue. um as you're going west. Uh the
building started construction pre- pandemic, so prior to 2019 into 2020, and then um the developer ran into issues with a contractor and that project ended up stalling. Um the stalling of that project lasted until
about a year ago uh when the current developer was able to secure funding and then um request that the city consider this um assignment and assumption. And so what is before you is the ability to
complete the project. Um unfortunately again back in 2019 2020 again the previous developer and owner was fell on to hard times and they were unable to complete construction. That is why when you drove past it as I drove past it
myself um it was um not completed. So um so we're asking for your consideration. This is a sevenstory vacant historic structure. Uh it'll be a mixeduse building for new um housing units. Uh
there will be affordably priced um there and there'll be 42 residential units and there'll also be co-living apartments uh consisting of 144 bedrooms. Um there'll be four one-bedrooms, nine twobedrooms
and 10 three bed bedrooms and five four bedrooms and 12 five bedrooms. So I'll say that again. in here. There'll be one bedrooms through five bedroomedroom units um at this uh development because they will be more dormatory style than
they will be individual units. Um the AMI will be up to 80% um of the area median income and um happy to take any questions if you have any questions from the council. Councilwoman Scott R. I don't have any questions after
council. I'd like to answer I want to go back. Okay. Uh, thank you, Deputy Mayor. I don't think there are any questions on that. Thank you. All right, Councilwoman Scott Ro. I'd like to advance and adopt on the first reading and monitor this on this one. Yes. 8 I second by Councilman Kelly.
And on 8 E, I would like to sponsor that resolution, that ordinance. Is there a second? Second. If not, oh, thank you. So 8 E is round tree and
8 J is also Scott Round Tree Kelly. Thank you. Thank you. Duly noted. J is an amending ordinance providing for additional filters at the Pquanic Water Treatment Plant and other related expenses by appropriating $15 million in
bonds or notes to finance Questions from the council hearing? None. Next item. K is an ordinance providing for the green parks projects and other related expenses by appropriating $4,50,000
in bonds or notes to finance. Same questions from the council. Hearing none. Next item. L is an ordinance amending the multi-way stop intersections by designating 2nd Avenue West and North 7th Street as a multi-way
stop sign intersection in the north ward. Questions from the council. Next item, additional items. 7R1 AJ is a use of a state contract to
provide walk-in building supplies. questions. Next item 7R20 is a subordination agreement in order to permit the redeveloper to obtain the financing necessary for the
redevelopment of the property as rental or for sale owner occupied housing. Questions from the council? Hearing none. Next item. 7R12C is a professional service contract for engineering services for design and
construction administration for the Ironbound Resilience Hub project. Questions from the council. Next item 8M request to defer this item. Next item,
7R2P is unfinished business introducing the 2025 annual budget for the Newark Downtown District Management Corporation. Questions from the council? Next item, miscellaneous. Item 10 A is the raffle
license. All right. Questions? Next item. Public comment. Uh, do we have Oh, I'm sorry. Corporation council mentioned he may have added starters. Corporation council.
Yeah. Good morning, council president, council members. Al uh thank you uh Allison Lad, director of economic and housing development. Uh thank you uh for the opportunity uh to discuss a potential added starter. Um,
in the July meeting, uh, your the council approved the site access agreement for the Newark, I'm sorry, for the greenway, um, in the north ward. Um, uh, forgive me, I was going to call it the Newark Greenway because we're excited it's in Newark, but um, it's
also in other jurisdictions uh, throughout the state. So, um, again, this is a site access agreement with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. What we are doing is is we're providing them access to city- owned land so they can do the
construction on the greenway. Um and they are starting in um Newark in the north ward. The request that we are making is is that the state um inadvertently forgot an address and so they would like us to add an address to
the access agreement so that they can start construction. It was just human error. And so since this morning, I've been working with the state to find a way to request this added starter and I'd like for you to consider it. In
closing, it is not in the legisar, but I will have it fully approved before the end of today. Mr. President, you know, you're being recorded just to make sure. Yes, council president. Councilman Ramos. Yeah. Um, you know, I would ask for your
consideration of the added starter and if it is considered and approved, I'd like to sponsor it. Thank you. Yeah, we that the deputy mayor and I have talked about it. So, I think it's definitely something we all need to push and make sure it gets done. So, thank you for considering it and we'll
be sure to provide you that information. Thank you. And as soon as possible, please just provide us with the legisar number. Yes, we'll do. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, Mr. President Councilman R. Um, unless there are any other added starters, I I don't know if I'm going to be here for the motions part tomorrow,
but I just want to u put something on the record. Um, you know, there's a a makeshift uh playground uh at 77 MLK Boulevard. It's right by the um Global Studies High School. I think it's in a privately owned lot. So the other day I
was in the neighborhood and you know we got kids that play in that parking in that playground from the area and and it looks like it's you know it's in very poor condition. It's I I believe many years ago uh could have been LaCasa or one of the nonprofits in the area uh
partnered with a private owner to build the playground and from my understanding it may be um in the process of being foreclosed on. So, I would just like to see if we could do some research and maybe the parks department, if the city takes ownership of the property, would
adopt, you know, the playground. And it seems to be in pretty good physical shape, but the area where it's in, it's it's, you know, it's sturdy. It's uh, you know, it definitely needs some some investment. But, it is on a on a privately owned piece of property, but
from my understanding and checking with the uh county register, the city may be in the process of foreclosing on it. Thank you, Council Ramos. And then I see the director is here. Hopefully he took some notes on that matter. We'll follow up.
Thank you. Corp council. Sure. Good morning again. Um there is one more potential added starter. Uh unfortunately the um deputy mayor Rakman Muhammad is not here to speak to it. It is in reference to legisl 2511
uh excuse me 25-108. is in reference to uh his ability to pay vendors. I will have him uh I couldn't hear you say his ability to pay vendors. Okay. But what I will have him do is uh send a email to the clerk and all the council
members in reference to uh why he thinks it's an emergency and more importantly uh the details of what his request is made of. Uh he'll he'll do it before the end of the day. Then you all can consider it. He comes down before we leave executive session. Uh, I'll beg for him to have an opportunity to at
least talk about it in executive session. All right. Thank you. I'm sorry, Council President. Council members, I was going to There's another added start. I thought I saw another Okay,
no, never mind. My apologies. Corporation Council does not need All right. That other added starter. The fewer the better. That's good. Public comment. Uh, yes. We are in a 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? Shir McDougall. Se I'll go first since I'll probably be the nicest. So, um,
uh, I got a block party. You know, when in Rome, do as Romans do, right, Kelly? Okay. Guess who throwing a party. So, uh, see, we'll have we going to have a block party soon. Um, like y'all support, you know, somebody can sponsor. Council, you
there? Cuz you got to sponsor it, council. I was told I ain't want to hurt nobody feelings. Nobody get in the way. You got to sponsor it for me. I missed you yesterday over there at George Washington Carver, too. Um, but yeah, uh, trying to do something nice. I've
been speaking with our public safety, uh, people over there in the fifth ward. Um, I'm going to be trying to work on something because our children's safety is of the utmost importance to me, you know, and in all ways. And you know,
there's things that I feel like if we're not talking about, then it doesn't get dealt with. And that that's a problem for me. You understand what I'm saying? Especially when it come to our kids. So, especially with terms of who's in our community and how do we protect our
families from these people, okay? Because we don't know when they're going to be released and who's going to be notified and things of that nature. So I think it is of the utmost importance that we spearhead that conversation especially with the Jeffrey Epsteins of
the world out there and those people not getting that full accountability um even in death um but um you know it's sad to say but I've been priced out.
This going to be my last time here cuz I'm moving. I got priced out of New York. I couldn't afford to have my own incred but I was able to listen, you know, I was able to keep my credit good, keep a
good job, you know, and stay out the way, stay focused, happy, healthy, active. Okay? And hopefully as while I've been here, I've been able to bring an impact. You know, this going to be my last month
in the city. I'm paying two rents right now. Okay. Got that bag on me. Um but um you know, I'm still going to work here in the city. I'm still going to, you know, make sure that I can do what I can't do. And the mayor challenged me
yesterday. He said we need to be at them county commissioner meetings. So Devanchzo, I'm about to be on your case cuz no need some money. So you know that I can talk a good game here. I can talk a good game there to get up under somebody. But now, uh,
that that that that looked like a bridge to nowhere. Look like a bridge to nowhere, Ramos. I don't know. I don't know. Thank you for your comments. The uh that that trail all the way to Thank you for your comments. Next
speaker. Good morning, council. Wow, that agenda went very well. I miss you guys. Deborah Mapson. Uh, so I'm going to put somebody on the spot first because I walked in and and I saw someone I called brother and friend and I absolutely adore him.
Ness Elardo Webster. So whatever he's here for, just give it to him because he's just brilliant and everything that love him. Whole family. Um, secondly, I came to speak real quick on Riviera. Everyone knows anything
Riviera, you're going to hear from Deborah Mapsson. And I'm not sure how I inherited it, but I did. I am hopeful and I am prayerful that whatever kept it deferred is taken care of and the project moves forward. Um, I've been
doing a lot of snooping. Um, director Yaria didn't even know the snooping I was doing and it's really a great project. If there's any concerns, listen, all of you guys are brilliant. That's why I support you. And although I fuss at BA
and I fuss at corporate council, they are two brilliant people and I will never take that from them. So if there's anything, any minute thing, you guys can collectively um figure that out. But the project
really needs to move forward and we need more like it. And I can make one promise. I'm around. If anything is going on, I'm not going to come to you guys first. You are my last resort. But I know everyone that I can
go to if there's any issues to bring it to their attention. Starting with director Yario, who's become my best friend, by the way. I like that guy. Right. So, I just want to encourage you to move it forward, please. And you guys will be very happy with it. All right.
Look, I'm leaving a minute. Yeah. And four seconds. God bless you guys. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for your comments. Next speak. Deborah Salters, Warrior for the People. So yesterday,
my son was kidnapped out of his bathroom while he was taking a dump and by a racist caucusoid Ocanazi NRC cop. I was on the phone with him when he called me because
someone called and made a bogus report about him. But when the officer showed up, all he heard was the radios while he's taking a dump. And they never said his name. He heard the the woman saying, "Oh, well, he's in there." Well, who is the he? Did he ask
for you by name? No, he didn't ask. I said, "Ask him. I'm on speaker." Anyway, fast forward. Um, call the attorney. We're on the phone. And when I tell him, "Look, just cut it short and just go out there and see what's going on." They
kick the door in while he's on the toilet taking a dump. So, I pull up just in time and I'm outside. Block the car so nobody's going anywhere till I get some answers. Pull up, roll the window down. What's going
on? Who are you? I said, I'm his mother. And why are you arresting him? Didn't let him put a shirt on. Nothing. So, as I'm talking to him, he walks away from me and gets in his car. So the one woman looks at me and it's
the old. She recognized who I was. So fast forward, they take him to 480. Then they try to kill him with carbon monoxide by leaving him in the garage with the cars running. Both cars. So he had to say, "I smell pneumonia." Officer's mad because the other officer tells him tells him who I am with his
attitude. Tells him and he called out for being racist. Then he, you know, tells him, "Oh, you're done." Rolls up the window. Now they have to charge him with something because they know they're in trouble. I want his badge. And I'm telling you, NRC, you're on notice. The only thing
that's going to cool my fire is if his body cam was on and everything was documented. If everything comes back and anything comes back differently than what I personally saw and heard, then my fire will be cooled. Until then, I want his
badge. I want his job. I want him charged. He had the nerve to tell my son after he found out who I was. Oh, well, if you had just come out the bathroom, you wouldn't have been arrested. You'd be home right now. He
was taking a dump and told them, "I have nothing in my hands. I'm used." So, what I did was when I got there, went upstairs, took a picture of the toilet with the poop tissue. Tissue on the floor. His phone was on the floor.
And um so now it's a whole mess. I have the police chief involved. I have the deputy chief involved. I promise you if this thing doesn't come back with anything different than what I know, y'all got problems.
Thank you for your comments. Next speaker. Good morning, council members. I prepared a text. My name is Gustavo. I Sorry, can you say your name again? I couldn't hear you. My name is Gustavo,
representing Ironbound Community Corporation. Um, and I'm here to address a critical issue impacting our community, the unfair deal with the Reworld Incinerator. For nearly 35 years, the Reworld
Incinerator, um, formerly known as Kovanta, has operated under an exploitative agreement that robs the city of Newark of over $6.3 million every year. These are millions and
millions that should have gone to our schools, to our parks, our healthcare, our future, but didn't. Instead of paying property taxes like other businesses, Reworld pays a reduced host municipality fee through an
agreement made decades ago. This is not fair. This is not just and it must end. We are here to raise awareness to city council. Um as the host municipality agreement
has now expired and it's up for renewal. This is a critical moment. The most recent host municipality agreement expired at the end of 2024. As the host municipality agreement gets negotiated, you have the power and the
responsibility to ensure that Reorld pays no less than what it would owe in property taxes. The incinerator operating in our neighborhood today is not an isolated issue. It's part of a long and painful pattern, one where
poor, black, brown, immigrant, and workingclass communities are treated as sacrifice zones. This Newark incinerator is among the top five emitters in all of New Jersey for lead, mercury, arcenic, smoke forming, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen
chloride, and more. The incinerator has had over 800 permit violations in the last 20 years and it is responsible for the majority of stationary source lead mercury, hydrogen, chloride and NOx emissions in Essex County.
Our air quality is among the worst in the state. Our children grow up with asthma and our basic rights to breathe clean air continues to get violated. Today, I urge city council to prioritize negotiating a fair agreement, one that reflects the true value of the land and
the environmental costs. We need a deal that ensures accountability, health, and justice for our community. Thank you. Thank you for your comments. Next speaker. Good morning. Good morning. Can you hear me?
Yes. Amazing. Good morning. My name is Milro Blanco. I'm also with the Ironbound Community Corporation. I'm here today for us to take a closer look at the host municipality agreement with ReWorld and how this next host agreement could
either protect its residents or leave us behind or continue to leave us behind. Uh Reorld has not invested in recurring taxes. Um they have not committed to long-term positive um commitments and no
direct investments into the communities most impacted by pollution. So, I'm here to ask, how do we build a stronger and fairer contract? First, we can take a look and tie the host fee to inflation and population growth. With the cost of
living, city services, and environmental impacts constantly rising, a flat lumpsum loses value fast, especially in a city like ours. Nor could receive predictable ongoing revenue. This would look uh this would
look better. This would look like better support long term. Um and it would support city services like asthma prevention services, green space expansion, or even fixing local infrastructure. Uh we have not heard yet back on this.
We're looking forward to working together and supporting the city as you push for a more equitable agreement. And thank you for your time, city council members. Thank you for your comments. Next speaker. Manira El Bummani.
Since this is my time for uh feedback, I just want to say the first amendment states that the people have the right to petition their grievous grievances to government and
also the people have the right for peaceful assembly. And what took place that day when I was ejected out and this person here committed perjury and
also put his hands on me uh which is assault and battery. Okay. When I went out, when he petitioned the police to go after those individuals who was sitting here
exercising their rights, then you come when I move away from you and you go right into me and then you put your hands on me and you get up here and you lie. And perjury is a crime. Assault and
battery is a crime. But he's going to get up here cuz he's a lying corrupt BA, a former judge and a lying lawyer and he know exactly how to uh you know finagle that that situation. So you're going to get up here and you're going to
allow him in all the years you know me and all the years that I have struggled and and fought against you failed leadership here. You're going to allow this man to come up here and lie. You allow him to come up here and lie and say that he was pushed. Who pushed
you? Who pushed you? I know you're not insinuating that I pushed you or trying to. He called me a and I ain't I I practically ain't do nothing to you,
right? You remember when you tried to put your hands in my van cuz I went took your take your flyers. Deborah Salt was on the phone with me. You call me a BTCH when I should have pushed you, right? Did I push you?
Unacceptable. He should be removed from office for this making up a lie. Where's our budget? If you're mad about that, where's our budget? If you mad about why you was under investigation and then they picked you up here because I spoke
about it, don't put your hands on me and don't lie on me and don't allow them to lie on me cuz I got issues with all of y'all. Now, I can look at you funny, but don't lie
on me and say that I put pushed you. Who pushed you? Ba, go ahead and say on the record. I dare you. Where the cameras at? Thank you for your unacceptable.
Next speaker. Good morning, Council President. Morning. Um, I want to talk about um the visit that the administration did and you attended that uh meeting um last week at New Community up at Newton Street
School. Um during that process um you heard the administration and councilwoman and they talked about how the residents came there to address all their complaints about what was going on in their apartments, things that needed to be fixed of that nature. They talked
about the poor cords that they talked about the intercoms being fixed and things of that nature in that meeting. So, um the the problem with the whole matter is that um that project is a $80 million fully funded state project and
they want a 30-year tax abatement for up there on Mars Avenue. This came before the council because those residents came down to tax abatement committee meeting in opposition of that tax abatement. Now again, it's a fully funded $80 million project by the state, which means it has
an aspire agreement with it, which means it has the community benefit agreement attached to it. There has not been no community benefit meeting to address what the citizens want concerning that that that development. we've been addressing the the the residents and
their concerns, that's a whole separate issue in it in in itself. So, when if they want to talk about uh improvements that need to be done in that building, just like over there at Wesley Towers, there needs to be total renovations, not
changing switches and and washers. They need to uh have some wheelchair accessible bathrooms, some upgrades. They have to I mean bathtubs right now they can't take baths because they got wheelchairs. They can't even give it in in the bathtubs. They need to change that. They need upgrades. So the things
they're talking about right now don't even benefit the residents. You understand? There need to be capital to improvements that that that developer has not neglected to do. So, we're talking about trying to potentially give a tax abatement to a
developer and the state funding it $80 million. So, those complaints that we're sending down to the state about those residents, they're not going to address those complaints. You know why? Because they got a $80 million investment right there on Mars Avenue that they're going
to fully fund. You understand? So, understand that we we're working with some serious dynamics with that that project. So, it's not just about th those senior buildings 140, 180, and 265 Mars Avenue. Those those residents in
those town houses are are are are requires those same abatements. Those residents up in building 72 over there in Irvin Turner, same abatements up there on Hun Street, same abatements. Guess what? Wasn't invited.
this whole process that they're talking about doing up there with those citizens need to be revisited. Thank you. Thank you for your comments. Next speaker. Seeing none other speakers, public speaking is now closed. Is there
anything from the council? Councilman Ramos. Yeah. I just want to wish uh Sammy in my office a happy birthday. I forgot to That's right. Happy birthday, Sammy. Happy birthday, Sammy. All right. Uh, Councilwoman Scott Roundry, and I want to congratulate and celebrate. I did want to try to do
something for her tomorrow. Uh, Betty Jean Walton. Nobody calls her that, but her name is BJ. And of course, she worked for Councilman Bell. I think she's currently working for uh, Senator Truise, but she retired after 30 plus years of working uh, for the government,
whether it was city, whether it was county. Oh, she hasn't retired from county yet, but after 30 some odd years, she definitely was affiliated with us. So, going to try to do something for her tomorrow briefly if possible with the approval of our council president and
the council uh to acknowledge her. I wish we could do this for everyone that is giving that type of service. Uh because walk away with a watch and a thank you after 35 years. um at least let our individuals know uh that we do appreciate them, we love them and uh we
celebrate the service that they've given. Some people you can call and immediately they answer um and we'll help you with a resolution and so I want to congratulate her and um thank you for that time. Thank you, Councilwoman. Anything else
from the council this moment? Anything from the administration at this moment? All right, seeing nobody moving or saying anything, let's move into executive session. Yes.
Yes. Yes.