That was the wrong one. [laughter] >> It's tonight. [snorts] >> Thank God for life and strength. Beautiful day. Good morning, beloved. How are you? >> Good. Good morning. Welcome to the premeating
of the Newark Municipal Council on Tuesday, November 25th. Council President, council members, >> before you begin, count uh uh uh madame clerk, let I just want to w congratulate and welcome our new central ward council
woman. >> Yes, >> these positions are awesome responsibilities. Um and you know, knowing you, I know this is a labor of love. I should I said labor yesterday but not a labor but this is in your
heart for the community and greatly appreciate it. Although I had a a turkey drive yesterday I made sure I was here for your swearing in because it's important that we show support for all of our colleagues especially the new ones because you know we we've been here
for almost four well at least some of us four years and and some more and you know we're here to support you. We're here to help you make sure that you do what you can do what's best for the central board and the city at large. >> Congratulations. >> Congratulations.
>> Want to say something? >> Started something. >> Yeah, you just started something. Council president, I just want to say uh I felt like I was the youngest on the council uh at one point and now I feel like I got some seniority or something, right? But no, I just really want to say anything that I can do as you know as
your colleague that I can assist with, I'm definitely here for you. Um I too had a turkey drive yesterday and I had to bring my little son. So he got the witness just swearing in too. So um I wouldn't have missed it for a while and I think you're um a great addition to
our council. So thank you. >> Thank you. Council Councilman uh Gonzalez. Yes, it I am the senior member of the on the days today because Luis Kintan is a senior member of the capital. But I just want to congratulate
you and welcome you. And as I said before, anything that I can do to make your stay here, your let's say your welcoming here more easier to follow. I I'll be here for
you. I was yesterday at another historic uh event, the wedding of Corey Booker. So, uh that conflicted with the your swearing in ceremony and I had to I had to make a
selection. It wasn't difficult, but I decided to go to the court and witness the the wedding of the senator. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman. All right. with that going forward. Excuse me. I'm sorry. I You didn't raise your hand, so I don't see you. >> Listen, if everybody else spoke, you
know, I want to say something. >> Councilwoman, don't stop. >> Good morning. It's too early. >> Good. No, listen. Listen. Being um having to stand as a sister by myself for all of these months after Congresswoman left. I am so honored. you
know, there's still a little imbalance um with all the brothers up here, but I thank God that he sent a sister um a sister that uh we know stands on the legacy of a wonderful woman who gave her birth and to have two sisters that are
carrying on the work of the women that sold into us. I am so so honored. I don't think God could have designed anyone better to sit in that seat to serve with this sister over here. and I too am here to do whatever it is I need
to do with God's assistance to support you. I love you, Amina Bay, Councilwoman of the Central Ward. >> Thank you. Love you, too. >> Now, thank you. >> All right. All right. Councilwoman, so let's let's begin, >> council president, council members, we
have an appointment on the agenda. Could we start at page 34 under communications? Item 8A is an appointment to the central planning board. Miss Alana Miles, are you in the audience? If so, please step
to the podium. >> I'm sorry. One one quick second. >> Am I missing it? I'm so sorry, Miss You can pull them. Yeah, you can pull it down. Miss Miles, you have been selected uh to be appointed to the central planning board
by uh the administration, Mayor Raz J. Baraka uh and would would be um on the board with the consent and vote on the council. Do you have an opening statement you'd like to make? >> I'd like to thank Mayor Raz Baraka for the recommendation. I'd like to just
give a brief statement about why I'd be interested in joining the central planning board. Um, as a real estate attorney, I deal with a lot of the issues that might concern the central planning board. I'm also in a unique position because I deal with developers,
but I also deal with uh residents. So, I'm able to understand the concerns of the community, but also developmental needs. Um, right. And you know, this allows me to find compromise, fairness, and clarity, which is important in a city like Newark. This role would also
let me use that expertise to support thoughtful equitable growth in Newark. And then as a resident uh of the city of Newark, I I care about the city's future. I want to help ensure development benefits residents, strengthens communities, and also aligns with Newark's long-term vision.
>> Thank you. Any questions from the council? Councilman Gonzalez. >> Yes, Miss Miles. Being that you are an attorney, a real estate attorney, don't you think that you may be conflicted in some of the cases? >> I don't I do not represent any developers in the city of Newark. So
there wouldn't be any conflict, >> but you represent buyers and sellers that may want to come and say change a a property from a one family to a two family to two family to a three family. So you might be, let's say, at some
point hearing a case that might involve your one of your clients. >> I I mean, if it's necessary to conflict myself out of a a matter, I would have no problem doing so, but you know, I I have a vast real estate background,
which will definitely do more for the board than against it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Anything else from the council? Hearing none, let me congratulate you, Miss Miles. >> Thank you. >> And tomorrow we'll be voting. >> Thank you. >> Tonight.
>> Oh, I forget tonight. I'm, you know, I'm so used to it. I still have my coffee. I'm working on it. >> Council President, council members, I just want to bring something to your attention. We have another appointment on the agenda under pending business.
Unfortunately, due to an administrative error, she's unavailable this evening, but instead of returning to the administration, I beg that you defer one last time. She will be available at the next meeting. That's page 37.
Miss Kimberly Clark, she she actually was not made aware of the first. >> All right. We've only deferred it once, so that's fine. Let's defer it. >> Thank you so much. >> Okay. >> Yeah. To the regular agenda. We are on page four, item five, reports and
recommendations of city officers, boards, and commissions. >> Any questions or concerns from the council? >> Hearing none. Next item. >> Ordinances on first reading. 6FA is an ordinance amending and supplementing
replacement of surfaces to include additional provisions for the milling and paving requirements for street surface disturbance and trench restoration. >> Any questions from the council?
How about we do this? Uh is is the director here? Oh, she just walked in, I think. Uh director, why don't you come up and explain this matter? I know it's about fixing pavements, but particularly in light of our new council woman, maybe.
>> Good morning, council president, council members. Dolores Martinez Wooden, director of department of engineering. Um, as we discussed prior this um ordinance is in order to have more accountability to um uh underground
entities or any entity that comes in and breaks our um uh roads. for resurfacing. Um so what we're trying to do is in the permit process before they do the work, we're trying to um
bond or put a deposit um uh which is equivalent to the work that they're going to be performing. And if they walk away and they they do not do it um within the allotted time, the city can step up and do it and build them for the work. That way we guarantee that our
streets are getting repaved and restored after work. >> Thank you so much. Any any questions to follow from Councilman Kelly? >> Uh how you doing director? Good. So just just for clarity uh so it's similar to like a clean and lean type of uh how you
would solve it like a process of the clean and lean. If the company doesn't fix it, we will step up and fix it and then we will charge that bill to the said company. Right. >> Yes sir. So um obviously they will have a grace period um depending on you know
the settlement of the refill the the the fill of the opening but yes we will um have a guarantee that if they do walk away um that we can step in with the city because that has been done at the beginning when the permit is pulled. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other questions from the
council hearing? None. Next item. Thank you director. Items B and C both deal with the traffic on Treadwell Street in the north ward. B is to remove Treadwell Street on the north side between Ridge Street and
Mount Prospect Avenue and include Treadwell Street on the south side between Ridge Street and Mount Prospect Avenue. And C is to prohibit parking at all times on Treadwell Street solely on the north side between Ridge and Mount
Prospect. Any questions from the council? >> Councilman Gonzalez, >> I understand that council Ramos had some questions regarding this. I don't know if the information that we hit with it was provided. >> Yeah, I'm not sure whether it was addressed or
director. >> Good morning, Council President again and council members. Um, so what we're doing in traffic division is we're doing an audit between ordinances and the street and making sure that the signage goes where it's supposed to be. In this case, um there's signage missing from the side that shouldn't be any parking.
So, we'll just amending this um and uh entering in the ordinance. >> So, I think the question is after the last meeting and discussion on this matter, Councilman Ramos had I think questions andor concerns. Was there any followup with him?
>> Um I believe I sent um Councilman uh Ramos an email. I'm going to check my my you know my records from before. >> Okay, >> Mr. President. >> Councilman Gonzalez. So, director, you are putting in writing what is already in practice.
>> Uh, so what we're finding is some of the signage may be missing, some of the signage may be in the wrong side of the street. Um, meaning after checking with traffic which side of the street is more efficient. So, these are amendments to that to make sure that we install the
signage and um put, you know, the ordinance to to work with better traffic. So are are you changing where people park? >> No, we're we're only memorizing where the signage should be. >> Okay. So So you are doing what they what
they are doing in practice. You are writing it up. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Uh thank you director >> council president council members for the record the notation about the
ordinance because of advertising deadlines these ordinances will be heard on December 17th not the 3rd it's not enough time for advertising >> okay >> resolutions
we are on page seven administration 7R1A through H are budget insertions S A is to provide medical care supportive services in education on sickle cell. B is to provide medical care and
supportive services for the city of Newark and surrounding areas. C is funding from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development for the one-year action plan and five-year consolidated plan. So is item D for the
same funding. E is to provide affordable housing for lowincome households citywide. F is the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Division of Housing and Community Resources for the 2026
Newark homeless housing and services. G is to provide Ryan White HIV health and support services. NH is to provide funds for the 22 microrant community policing.
>> Any questions from the council on 7R1 A through G? >> Just one. >> Councilman Kelly, >> just one question for uh believe that was a 7R1A. um
for the cickle cell you know that's very I had a couple of people in my family who who uh deals with cickle cell one passing from cle cell is the health director >> I just wanted to ask the health director
uh who I believe does an amazing job with the department how what what is the equity when it comes to dispersing that between the wards because I know we have a a couple of new health centers as of this year and last year in the west ward
like what how would it be dispersed? Is it upon need amongst the city? Is it is it a thing per ward? >> I'm sorry. Are you speaking specifically to this? >> Just the sickle cell one. Yes. >> So the Newark Department of Health has been >> I hate to say this. Good morning director. >> Good morning.
>> I have to introduce myself director of health. Uh so these funds were awarded to the Newark Department of Health. Um but part of our charge and our mission is to work with the other federally qualified health centers in the city to support um increasing capacity to provide services to STED
patients, making sure that those that are seeing specialists are also receiving primary care services and part of the funds is also to provide training and support to enhance the capacity of providers across the city to meet the pe the needs of people living with cickle cell disease. So we will be working with
other health centers throughout the city as well as the hospitals. So when it comes to specialists, somebody needs cle cell say they're in the west is it somewhere specific that they can they go to the center the medical centers in their ward or do they have to go to some
place uh specific? >> Well ideally we would love them to come to the Marieliza Mahoney Health Center. Um but again part of our mission is to ensure that other health centers have that training and capacity to meet their needs as well. So in reality, they can go to any of the federally qualified
health centers, but our our mission is to support their their their ability to meet their needs. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you, director. Any other qu for any any other questions? C Councilman Ramos. >> Uh thank you, Mr. President. I I apologize for being late, but you know,
I couldn't park in my parking spot as usual. So, um >> had a discussion with somebody this morning about that. >> Yeah. So, uh, I I wanted to ask a question about the, um, HUD one-year action plan. I know under Council U. Woman Crump, former President Trump, we
had a ad hoc CDBG committee that met with the administration some years ago. the administration made a decision to um essentially um you develop mostly in-house initiatives in order to spend down CDBG funding providing very limited
opportunities for nonprofits to be able to apply uh for for support from the CDBG's uh city CDBG program. So, I would like to for for your consideration to see if you would um look at the possibility of reestablishing that committee so we can
have some dialogue with the administration to see if there's a possibility in the future to kind of open up things to allow nonprofits to apply for for service dollars and brick and mortar dollars as well. You know, I know the city does fund a number of initiatives, including, you know, some
paving, demolition amongst other city services, but I think there there are there is a need in Newark to allow nonprofit organizations to compete and apply for CDBG funds as well. >> It's been probably like six years since
nonprofits had that opportunity. So, >> so let's let's do this. Let's discuss this offline. Uh uh madame clerk, if you find some historical data on the committee and we can work on what we need to do to reform or bring back that committee.
>> Certainly. >> And if you can uh through your through your chair, u madame clerk, look at other local areas. I'm sure HUD can provide that information and they can kind of spell out how they invest their CDBG funds in the community and you will see that nonprofit organizations do
apply for service dollars in addition to some funding for brick and mortar projects. >> Thank you. Thank you, Council Councilman uh Gonzalez. >> Yes. on the age the cups grant says here
that we received the money September 5th 2024 but we're inserting it uh in dece almost December of 2025. Is that because they send the money ahead of time or
>> you're referring to 7R1H the uh >> Yes. is a >> the RU COP and and other >> Yes. the the funds were received on September 5th, 2024, but we're inserting it in 2025 in
November. >> Anyone from the administration? Good morning, Council President, council members. Uh, Captain James George from the North Police Department on behalf of public safety. Okay. I believe when we get these kinds of grants uh that >> things need to be fulfilled. We need to to show proof that we did the things
that were uh asked for uh in the grant to satisfy it and then once a once we uh have satisfied the grant then we're able to receive the funds. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Welcome. All right. Next. >> I
>> Oh, no. Okay. I thought I still >> I through L are all external transfers to provide sufficient funding until the year end budget. >> Questions from the council. >> Is I I has a zero amount transfer. Is
that because they net net out to zero or >> I believe uh director Guzman is going to come up and or maybe not he's walking up this way.
>> Yeah. and and our business administrator. >> So I think the other one is the one that >> J. Good morning, council president, council members. Benjamin, acting director of finance. Uh these resolutions in front of you are for the external transfers.
Yes. As as the the end of the year approaches, uh if there's any uh particular budget line items where there may be some uh slight shortfalls, but others have uh excess funds, you know, we are permitted to do these transfers from similar line items to within departments and within divisions in
order to make sure that we have sufficient funds uh to u meet our needs to the end of the year. Uh some of these have specific amounts as you see the ones uh uh L for the sewer uh M for other bid contract amounts and particularly J for the which is our
current operating fund. It does zero out what we're transferring from one fund does equal out to what's being transferred to the other fund. >> What about what about I >> and and I believe I that is our end of year uh blanket cancellation statement. So what we do is that as the year
approaches whatever funds are not needed we use those to cancel out to be able to cover other costs that may have you know >> so we don't know the amount >> we won't know specifically up until the end of the year until at least December 31st. Okay. >> Uh historically what we've done is you know we've authorized it and then as
we're closing out the year we provide that information. >> So we're authorizing you to do whatever changes whatever transfers are necessary at the end of the year. >> Correct. You know between myself and director Tate in the office of management and budget. So that way we can make sure that all needs are met and all and all expenses are covered for.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you. Any additional questions? >> Yeah, Mr. Chair, >> Councilman Council, >> before before Ben leaves, I don't know if it's for Ben or or the BA. When when will notification go out? Uh I know
we're headed into December now, but when will notification go out to the departments about uh spending and about uh budgets being frozen? Uh well my understanding is that notifications have gone out to all the departments at this time. Uh we're doing
our best efforts to uh curtail any unnecessary spending between now and the end of the year as we have already begun to uh formulate and build our 2026 budget. So hopefully sometime early in the new year we'll be presenting that budget to the to the council.
>> Thank you. You're welcome. >> All right. Thank you director. >> That's music to my ears. I picked all of ours. Next item >> M is a bid contract for additional vendors trucks to increase capacity on
the street maintenance, snow and ice removal, salt, sand spreading. >> Questions from the council. >> Yeah, Mr. President. >> Councilman Ramos, >> I know we've been getting these like peace meal. Um, can we get just a comprehensive list of all the vendors that are under contract for for salting
and and snow removal from the department? So, I know we've been getting like bits and pieces at every meeting. >> Yeah. All right. Madam, >> and which which entities are assigned by ward and is there a contact person um that you know the ward council people
can reach out to in case of an issue? I know in the past there was a ward liaison or coordinator working for DPW. All right. Thank you, madam clerk. >> Got it. N and O are application acceptance of
grant funds. N is for sustainable foster initiative and O is for the 2026 Noric homeless housing and services. >> Questions from the council. >> Hearing none. Next item. The next three items are concerning
cannabis businesses. P Q N and the added starter that should be at everyone's desk are resolutions in support of cannabis cultivator manufacturing and retail
businesses. >> Um so PQ and what's the third one? The third one is an added starter that's all the way through the system item 25-14. >> We'll talk about that then. I'm sorry. Okay. So, P and Q. Um
I believe there was a a request to defer the two for further information. Uh and let let's do this. Let's uh I know that the committee has met with them. So, let's just leave it as is for the
moment, but let's have a conversation. Those who who had questions or concerns, have a conversation with the committee uh members who are I think well two of them are here at least right now and then determine whether we defer it or not tomorrow.
>> That's satisfactory to everyone. >> I keep saying tomorrow. I apologize tonight. Thank you. I'll show up tomorrow. >> You had a start of this one here? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Is there a question you're aware of? Chairman, >> say that again. Oh, not
>> no. I I I I'll wait to see what whatever the question is before. >> Yeah, committee chair. We we met with >> So, let's have an offline conversation after this about the question. Certainly. All right. Thank you. Not it's so it's the two on I don't think there's Well,
we'll get to the third one later on. >> Yeah, Mr. President. you know, I I know it's not really the the city's position, but um I I just still don't understand why we can't disclose more information about these
operators as part of the city's resolution. And [clears throat] I know they're asking for a resolution of support. I know the state has all these, you know, privacy issues, but you know, maybe something that the new governor could address because it creates kind of the impression there's some some kind of
secrecy around this process. And these are these are entities that are seeking public uh letters of support in order to receive their their license. So there should be some level of transparency involved. And I'm not saying it's the city's fault. I understand the process. Eric,
>> I I will add to that if you recall early on in the process, things that were redacted in the documentation we received, you could Google online and find. And so it defeated the purpose at the time which is was interesting but you know we know
it's a state issue but Mr. Ba >> good morning Eric Pennington business administrator to uh council Ramos this question through you council president the administration supports more transparency if there is an appetite for the new administration the governor's
administration to change that legislation we would support that. >> Thank you Mr. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you. Maybe we could develop a resolution encouraging through your chair. >> I I I would defer to the uh cannabis
committee to draft that resolution. >> Mr. Chairman of the committee will defer you. [laughter] >> All right. Thank you. Next item. >> 7R2 A through H are all private sale and redevelopment agreements. A is new construction of a two family home to
sell at market rate in the South Ward. questions from the council. >> I I do have a question. >> Councilman Gonzalez, >> I'm going to defer it though. Councilman Gonzalez, I >> want to defer. My question is, >> how is it that we have a a lot assessed
at $12,000? A lot that is $3,000 square feet assessed at $12,000. I believe is a the assessment. Frank, we have been talking about this for for some time. I believe
somebody has to reassess these properties before they are sold. So that we have a realistic number here. Nobody is going to sell someone, let's say, a lot for 3,000 square ft for $12,000.
Believe me, that's not a real price. That's not a real assessment of the property and it should be adjusted. >> Anything from the administration? Well, I'm going to uh Mr. Chair, request a deferment at this point. I mean, we're
going to defer it anyway. Uh, Mr. Ba, >> fine. Eric's in business. Mr. Just with respect to Councilman Gonzalez's continuing concern about the assessed value of these properties. We're in the process in the middle of a revaluation, which he and I'm sure all the council
members are aware of. The company who is doing the revaluation is making good progress. The expectation is that by 2027 all of the properties the 53,000 54,000 lines of properties will be reassessed. This assessed valuation that
you see now will be adjusted uh consistent with what the revaluation process is. We have not undertaken to do a separate revaluation of every property that comes before the uh council. Um
it's uh we believe cost prohibitive. Um, but there are adjustments to the costs based on what the uh actual value of the property is, based on EHD's assessment. If there's a particular property such as this that the council wants to defer and
request a uh an appraisal, we can do that. >> I Yeah, Mr. President, if I may. >> Yes. >> Yeah, that's that's something that uh we have been trying to get for some time. let's say current appraisal of the
properties so that we have a realistic value assigned to that property is said these properties we are let's say if you are in real estate in the city of Newark you know that you cannot buy a lot for less than $150,000
and we are giving this lots and for the sweet 25 by 100 this one is 3,000 square feet and we are selling it for $12,000 so it's a it's an absurd transfer of wealth. And if we
were doing it to people perhaps in the city of Newark or people that that let's say that are going to improve their lot their lot, maybe that would be justifiable, but in most cases it's not.
to to that point the the characterization that it's observed I can't adopt but there are reasons other than just uh uh selling a property for its appraised value or assessed value that still make good sense to sell that
property to get it back on the tax roles to make sure that a particular community um is changed by having development in that particular area uh by making sure that there may be contiguous properties there there are various reasons you hundred different reasons why a
particular property is being sold to get it back on the tax roles to have development to make sure that infill is done or to make sure that there is a cobbling of properties that makes sense for a particular neighborhood. Again, if the council thinks that a particular
property shouldn't be sold, you certainly have the right to to vote down or to ask for a specific appraisal. Mr. BC property here let's say assuming that two families built there or three families built there they are going to apply to the city for a tax abment so we
are going to get maybe in the year six we are going to get let's say a real taxes on that property because uh the the first five years would be reduced due to the tax of payments so I
believe that we should try to transfer the properties is at let's say at a realistic value not market value but a realistic value I believe we are giving them away I certainly understand your position with respect to the five-year tax abatement which is essentially a tax
abatement as a right there is a gradual increase in the taxes on the property from zero to 100% over the five-year period it too is an incentive to make sure that properties that have lain vacant for years are developed uh we
continue to look at those properties on a case-by case basis to uh make a determination as to whether or not it's in the city's interest to move forward. Anything that EHD and the administration brings to the council, we believe is appropriate and is a value added for the city. Uh but again if there is a
specific issue more more than I you know generally we know that Councilman Gonzalez you have a general concern about the uh properties being assessed at a certain amount and being sold at what you consider to be undervalued. We don't quite see it that way uh but we
certainly entertain a specific request to have an appraisal done on a particular property for a particular reason. There's a cost to that uh but we would certainly take that request under advisement and move forward. Thank you, Mr. President. >> Council Ramos. >> Yeah, if I if I can, Mr. President. And
and we we we get a handful of property sales on the agenda and I don't think it's a much to ask or I know previous assessor had made it um you know their practice to individually reassess
properties around the city for a number of different factors. And I think in order to justify the sale of of some of these properties, I don't think there's a lot to ask to get a more updated, you know, assessment on these properties, you know, you're
talking maybe four or five, if if that many that show up on the agenda. So, you know, I agree with Councilman Gonzalez that, you know, it would give the council at least a better more comfortable uh feeling in in in transacting some of these properties if
we knew that the assessment was more up to-date and consistent with the current market conditions. >> It's a reasonable request. Uh I will go back to the council's prior request though, particularly with respect to Councilman Ramos's reference to the prior tax assessor. you
asked you, the council as a whole, asked that we not do those individual assessments and we listened and we haven't done them uh for years. And the ones that were done, the many of the constituents came to the assessor's office at Councilman Ramos's request
with with my input to have the assessor look at those properties to adjust them and we did so. So, I don't know if this is a change in position. Um, >> it's not a change, it's just a disparity. Like, you know, I agree with the councilman like we we get properties that are being proposed for sale that
are similarly sized in a lot and you know, one property could be selling, let's say, throw out a hypothetical number for $10 and then at the next council meeting, the same size property in a neighborhood that's not too far from the neighborhood that was sold in the previous meeting could sell for
three times that amount. You know, I still stand by my original position that if you buy a home in the city of Newark and a year and a half later, the assessor comes to you and says, "By the way, you know, we your taxes are going to double after you purchase the home.
You you you made an agreement with your family. Um, you agreed to finance that property. Uh, that I don't agree with that practice. I'm with you." like we should we should have waited for reval, but for every property owner that we were able to help, there were 10 other people who we weren't able to reach out
to. So, but in this case, they're buying property from the city of Nor. I think the city has the right uh to make sure that it's getting um fair market value for those properties. If they're looking to build affordability as part of their agreement with the city, then, you know, I'm all for selling them property at a
discounted price if they're going to build affordable units for us. But, you know, we we've we've we know what we're facing coming next year and you and I have had conversations and you want to make sure that the city's getting what it deserves as far as uh the sale price
for these properties because we have some tough financial times ahead and we don't want to short change ourselves, especially if they're building market rate housing. >> All right. Thank you. >> Next item. >> Is there a second?
That's it for a Is there a second? It's uh councilman council >> to defer. Councilman defer a second for it. >> Second. >> I second it. >> You pick somebody. Everybody second. [laughter] >> Councilman uh Councilwoman Scott
Rancher. I heard I think I heard first. >> Duly noted. >> B is new construction of a two family home to sell at market rate in the south ward. >> Mr. Chair, I'll sponsor this item. Moved by Councilman Council. Is there a second? >> Second.
>> Second by Councilman Scott Roundry. >> Next item. >> C is to re rehabilitate property and sell to an owner occupant in the central ward. >> Councilman Coun, excuse me, Councilwoman Bay. >> Yes.
>> Uh thank you, Council President. I request a deferment on this. Since this is my first uh meeting, I would like an opportunity to get more information on this project. >> Okay, there's a a motion to defer by council on that base. We second that.
Second by Councilman Kelly. >> Duly noted. D is new construction of a mixeduse building to be a building construction of four family home to sell to a firsttime home
buyer at market rate. This is in the west ward and central ward. >> Any questions, discussions on this matter? >> There's a motion to defer. >> I second it. in and a second
>> and she's defer >> Kelly Bay. Councilwoman Councilwoman Bay, you're okay with the deferment? >> Yes, absolutely. Thank you. >> E is new construction of a multi-unit apartment building with three market rate rentals and one owner occupied in
the south ward. >> Yeah, Mr. Chair, I want to sponsor this item. Sponsored by Councilman Council, second by council. Councilman Kelly. >> F is to provide new construction of two
two family homes. One being sold at market rate and the other at an affordable rate in the west ward. >> I ask to defer this item as well. >> Motion to defer by Councilman Kelly. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Councilman uh Council.
Mr. President >> Councilman Gonzalez >> comment on this. Uh they said that one of the properties is going to be sold to or rented to an as an affordable rate. Who is going to monitor that
uh DHD >> or is that a question? Yeah. >> Yeah. >> No, it is being deferred. So >> I just want to okay >> to hear let's say how we are going to in these properties that they say that they
are going to rent at 80% or affordable who is going to follow up on that? uh Eric Pennington business administrator with respect to any uh deed restrictions. EHD has requirement to put that into the sale and they have
a compliance unit has responsibility to make sure that there is compliance with whatever the sale process and whatever conditions are placed on the sale of the property going forward. >> So we are we are putting that on the deed >> if if it is I don't know. I mean this one is deferred. So I I would love to
see that we are in fact let's say putting that on the on the on the deed so that uh anyone that is going to to buy that property knows that there's a restriction as to how much they can rent the property for. >> Sure. It makes sense. I mean certainly
if that's the representation of the purchaser that that's what they're going to do. We need to have something in place to ensure that they comply. We agree with that. I believe I believe we should make sure that that's that's the case that we have that limitation >> dly noted. Yes. >> All right. Thank you. We can get EHD
we'll follow up with that answer. >> Mr. President, >> Councilman Ramos. >> Yeah. Could I make a suggestion too? I know the city with the um inclusionary zoning has like a private entity or third party that kind of monitors the renting of the affordable units. you
know, I don't see why some of these need restricted units can't be added to that process if it's not already the case in order to ensure there's access to um some of these affordable units. >> That's a suggestion for the for the administration.
Thank you. Next item. >> G is new construction of a mixeduse 24 unit affordable apartment building in the west ward. >> Yeah. Uh, council >> Council uh, Kelly, >> I ask that this item be deferred as well.
>> There's a deferment by Councilman Kelly. Is there a second on that? >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Council. H is new construction of a two family home to rent at 60 to 80% AMI in the
west ward and re rehabilitate property to create a new office headquarters in the central ward. >> Uh I'll ask that this item be deferred. Um, also uh I'm not sure if this is uh
the correct address because this is my old address on my license. >> There's there is going to be some >> Good morning. Brandy Daniel, legislative coordinator for economic and housing development. Um, thank you for We were also going to ask for this item to be
deferred. Uh, the address needs to be corrected to 522 and a half Central Avenue. And also the project description needs to be corrected. They're swapped by accident. So, it will be fixed for the next meeting. >> All right. Thank you.
>> Yeah. M be deferred. >> Yeah. Was there a second on deferment? >> Second. >> Second by council. >> Yeah, >> Mr. Chair Scott. >> There were two items listed on on on the docket. One was for the the West W and Central. Is is the request for the entire uh item to to be deferred?
>> That's what I'm asking. That was I was going to ask I was going to ask council. [laughter] >> Is that that's acceptable, right, Councilwoman? >> Yes, that's >> next item. >> Okay. I is acceptance of grant funds for
the workforce New Jersey grant. >> Questions from the council. Next item. J and K are both resolutions of support for funding from the Department of Community Affairs Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
>> Any questions from the council? >> Yeah, Mr. Chair. Sponsor Jay. >> You want to sponsor Jay? Sponsored by Councilman Council. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Councilwoman Scott Roundree. >> Next item. 7R3A is professional service
contract for the redevelopment of the existing Boland Street Recreation Center site. >> Finally, a sponsor. >> So, you you okay with sponsoring this, Councilman Kelly? >> Oh, my gracious. I'm trying to Yes.
[laughter] Yes. >> Is there a second? >> Second. Second by council council. B is designating a bus stop relocating a bus stop from Bergen Street to Avon Avenue in the south ward.
>> Questions on in the matter? Hearing none. Next item. >> 7R4A is approving loan and escrow agreements for additional filters at the Pquanic Water Treatment Plant. >> Did we do a skip?
>> Director, what are you looking at? Oh, no. I'm sorry. I'm sure. >> Good morning again. Uh, council president, council members Benjamin Guzman, acting director of finance. Uh, the sale of these bond anticipation notes for the puquanic water treatment plant. Previously, they had been
financed with through the construction loan financing program. We are now moving forward with more permanent financing. Again, with being sold through the uh New Jersey Infrastructure Bank, there is low interest and portions of it will be forgiven.
>> Thank you. Any questions? >> Thank you, director. >> Council president 7R2K. Did >> Kelly on that? I mean, uh, >> did we did we talk about that? That I said I wanted to defer that as well. >> Give me that again.
>> 7R2K. >> 7R2K. >> Get that. >> Yes, they're together. They were together. >> Yep. >> Yeah. SevenR5A
through E are regarding applications and acceptance of grant funds. A is for the health resource services administration and B is for health resource and service administration or HERSA grants. >> Questions from the council
>> hearing none. Next item. >> C is to support the education of diverse nurse practitioner population in underserved communities. >> Questions from the council? Uh just uh Councilman Kelly, did >> didn't we vote on this grant earlier? Um
the nurse practitioners with Satan Hall. >> I believe it was a previous one, but uh the uh >> this the new one >> director uh Brook. >> Good morning. Uh Caitlyn Olsbrook, director of health. This is uh an apply
and accept so that we can enter into the fourth year of our grant project. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you, >> Mr. President. >> Councilman Gonzalez. Uh well, now that we hear that nurses are not professionals, I believe this council
should express itself regarding that and send a letter to our representatives uh opposing that change because we have a lot of individuals, nurses and individuals with master's degrees that
are going to be the recognized as professionals because somebody at the White House intends to I believe make those individuals lesser than they are. So I believe that we should at this council express our views on that.
>> So if the if the clerk's office can draft a resolution in opposition >> to the ddesation of what is it called professionals professionals? >> Yes sir. >> Thank you. And then we'll vote on that
tonight. Hopefully we can get that done. >> Thank you. >> [sighs] >> D is to provide medical care, supportive service and education on cickle cell and E is to provide medical care and supportive services citywide.
>> Questions from the council? >> Uh I I want to sponsor D sponsored by Councilman Kelly. It was a second. >> I second it. >> Second by Councilman Gonzalez. Good. >> Next item.
>> 7R7A is a professional service contract for the visiting judges to preside over court sessions. >> Questions from the council. >> Next item. >> Seminar 8A is waving special event application permit fees for the Weekway
High School and Malcolm XBAZ 2025 South Ward Soul Bowl parade sponsored by Councilman Counsel. I'll second that. [clears throat] >> Thank you. B is a resolution of support to support the creation of a dedicated
funding stream for urban agriculture in New Jersey sponsored by Councilman Kintana. >> I second that. >> Thank you. C is recognizing and commending resolutions
and D is expressing profound sorrow and regret. Communications item 8A was discussed previously. 8B is an ordinance granting a 30-year tax abatement to Crown Village Urban
Renewal, Inc. for a project to construct two residential affordable housing buildings consisting of 185 residential rental units, wherein the first building shall consist of 108 senior affordable
housing units, of which 20 units shall be restricted to tenants at 50% area medium income and 88 units shall be restricted to tenants at 60% of AMI. And the second building shall consist of
77 non senior affordable housing units of which four units shall be restricted to tenants at 50% AMI and 73 units shall be restricted to tenants at 60% AMI in the west ward. >> Councilman Kelly.
>> Yeah. I ask that we move and adopt this on the first. We've been waiting for this for like years. >> Does everyone know this is the past? sight. All right. It's a uh moved by Councilman Kelly. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Scott Rancher.
>> Yes. Lord, >> my sponsor. I got you sponsor. >> C is an ordinance granting a 30-year tax abatement to South Orange Avenue, one urban renewal, Inc. for a project to construct
144 non senior affordable housing residential rental units wherein 12 units shall be restricted to tenants at 50% of area medium income and 132 units shall be restricted to tenants at 60% of
AMI in the west ward >> move and adopt on the first >> you want advance and adopt you moving Councilman Kelly moves it. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Gonzalez.
>> Just a reminder, due to advertising will still be held uh heard on the 17th. >> 17th. Yep. D is an ordinance granting a 25-year tax abatement to Kasamia Apartments
Urban Renewal LLC to rehabilitate six-story elevator 100% affordable senior living residential rental building with a total of 91 residential units consisting of 90 there's a typo
where it says nine 90 residential rental units which shall be restricted to tenants up to 60% of AMI in the north ward. >> Council member Ramos. >> Yeah, I'd like to sponsor it, but could I could I just get an explanation from
the committee as to this is definitely after the fact, right? The the every apartment in the complex was renovated. They got brand new elevators. So, I'm just trying to figure out the timing of the abatement. You know, why did it come so far after the improvements were made?
You know, I'm sure there's a good reason, but through your chair and maybe someone from economic development could give me some information prior to tomorrow night's meeting. But it is, you know, they did a great job. It's beautiful building. So, >> all right. So, noted EHD, please provide
some information >> tonight. >> I keep thinking it's tomorrow. So, >> we're saying that's my fault. I keep saying I'll be here tomorrow. >> Mentally, we think it's tomorrow. So, >> all right. >> I'll second. We divide our days into
eight eight hour shifts. So, >> moved by Councilman uh Ramo, second by Councilman Gonzalez. >> Duly noted. E is an ordinance granting a 25-year tax abatement to 1213-1221
on Broad Urban Renewal LLC for a project to construct a new fivestory building with 60 residential rental units consisting of 48 market rate residential rental units and 12 affordable housing
rental units of which three units shall be restricted to tenants at 40% of area median income and three units shall be restricted to tenants at 60% of AMI and six units shall be restricted to tenants at 80%
AMI in the east ward >> questions from the council >> hearing none next item >> F is an ordinance amending zoning and land use regulations to prohibit any new or expanded fossil fuel
facility, including fossil fuel power generation. It's a companion ordinance because G also deals with fossil fuel. It's amending finance and taxation to prohibit the use of city funds for fossil fuel, including fossil fuel power
generation. Council President, council members, there was discussions with the administration. I am not sure. >> We're gonna move both to the defer. >> Defer. >> Yes. Okay. >> And then we'll have a follow-up meeting, a discussion with the administration.
>> Understood. >> Which one? Which one is that? >> 8 F and 8G. >> F and G. >> Pending business on the agenda. 9A is an ordinance opting into the garden space
CPACE program. >> Questions from the council. Hearing none, we're going to move it forward. >> 9B is going to be deferred. Item 10, miscellaneous 10A is approval
of the raffle license. >> Questions, next item. Oh, that's it. Council President, council members, we have one added starter that was briefly mentioned, which is the cannabis retail
business item 25-1460. Any questions on Well, can uh I have to do a little discussion not discussion but review of this matter since we just got it >> and it's the committee already reviewed it. I'm assum >> you're fine with the
>> committee. Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay. The second potential added starter is file number 25-1390, which is an ordinance to accept donated land from the housing authority. >> I couldn't hear from who?
>> I'm sorry. Donated land from the housing authority. >> Okay. >> Can someone just uh give a brief explanation on that? >> AHD. >> Good morning again. Brandy Daniel, legislative coordinator, economic and housing development. Uh the item before
you that we're asking for as an added starter um is a donation of land from the Newark Housing Authority and it's in connection with the Newark Riverfront. It's the last piece of property we need to close on the riverfront. >> So that's Yeah, the Newark Riverfront um
to close out on that project. So that's why we're asking for this. We're trying to get it done as soon as possible. >> And this this pro this project you're referring to is the the the riverfront to to do what? To beautify or to >> Yes. to complete the beautifification
process that we already started. This is going to this would be the last piece of land we need to complete the project. >> Okay. Anything, >> Mr. Chair? It's it's a small piece of property. It's over by the the f uh the FBI building uh which is a small piece of property that is needed to make sure
that the the park and the new outlay is contiguous uh with with each other. So I know the housing authority uh is in support of it and because of all of the beautifification and the things that have happened around uh the extension of the riverfront uh would you know make
sure that this works in concert with what is happening with the development along uh 21 >> and being so close to the FBI building there's not much you can do with it. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Uh any other questions concerns? >> Yeah, Mr. President. >> Councilman Ramos. >> Yeah. I I don't have a question about
this. I just want to when we're done I under motions I I want to see if we can get the director of the housing authority to come before us. So I I I'll say it you know I spent a good part of my day yesterday visiting um sites around the north mostly senior sites.
>> Let me say thank you [laughter] >> as part of our um Thanksgiving distribution efforts. And I have to tell you that the the conditions of some of these senior buildings are just terrible. I mean, just because, you know, we got residents who live in public housing, doesn't mean that they
have to live in filthy conditions, you know, garbage thrown all over the parking lot, uh, wreck rooms being utilized for storage facilities. I used the restroom in one of our recck rooms at 801 North 6th Street, and I don't think that restroom's been cleaned in
months. So, you know, I I don't know what's going on there. I know they're having some financial issues, but basic maintenance should not be um you know, ignored when it comes to setting priorities, especially when it comes to seniors who are living in in these
public housing sites. So, I'm I'm hoping through your chair and the clerk that we can get director Spicer here to to give us some kind of update, you know, so because you know, these buildings, I don't think they've looked that bad, at least in the 20 years I've been here.
>> All right. Thank you. Listen. So, let's work on scheduling a meeting for him to come in to >> certainly >> speak. Thank you, >> Council President. Council members, there's one more potential added starter. Uh the only information I have thus far is it's proposed to be a letter
of support regarding the transfer of property in the East Ward. >> Do we have legisar number or anything? >> It's not a legisar yet. That's right. >> Anything anybody from the administration
want want to tackle this for a moment? I I don't believe it's going to make it. So, let's just move on >> and and be thankful that we didn't have anything from the law department for a change. Right. >> That's right. [laughter]
>> All right. >> That's right. >> You got a stray one right there on that one. All right. No. >> All right. Can we? >> Okay. Public comment. 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? >> Yes. >> Here we go. Good afternoon. Oh, it's not afternoon. It's morning. Uh oh. Um my name is Terry
Seuss. I'm with an organization called Eyes on Ice New Jersey. We're a watchdog and a uh peace prayer vigil that provides visitor comfort and support at Delaney Hall. Uh we are comprised of
individuals and organizations and church communities from across New Jersey. And I'm here today because I've met several of you, but I've been unable to set up an appointment with you, which I find to be very sad. And um
um I wanted to tell you I wanted to come here to inform you that um you have a lot of important city business to do that you've done today and I really appreciate that. But you have an elephant in the room and that elephant in the room is Delaney Hall located at
451 Duramis Avenue. That place is run by Geog Group, a private prison corporation that is making $60 million a year off of this contract. And there is no
oversight. None. None. You know that your own mayor and that our representative, Lam Monica MacGyver, were thwarted when they were trying to do a simple oversight there. uh that is illegal and we as eyes on ICE have been
continuing to find out what's going on in that facility and I would like to report to you what's going on both for the detainees and for visitors. It is a travesty. If you had any other public entity in the city of Newark behaving like this, you would have violations
against them. and I'm hoping that you'll be able to do something about this and at minimum come down and meet with the visitors. We are there supporting them Tuesdays and Thursday evenings tonight from 4 to 9 and Saturdays and Sundays
all day from 7 to 7 p.m. We are, as I said, eyes on ice. We will not look away. We have daily vigils on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday when no visitors are there in the morning. We will not look away. And it's important for you to
not look away and to inform yourselves what's going on a mile from here, right in your backyard. And if you haven't seen a movie called I'm Still Here, it's about Brazil. It's about detention centers. And that's the path we're on.
So conditions for detainees. Um they are using the they are using temperature as a weapon. when it's uh when the AC is on, it's freezing and when the heat is on, it's sweltering. People are getting nosebleleeds in there. Um the food is
abominable, so people need to use their commissary money to supplement their food, food intake. Uh medical conditions are not dealing with chronic conditions, not providing things that people need when they need.
>> I'm sorry, but your your time is up. Uh thank you for your comments. Maybe you could provide them to us in writing to the clerk or to us and then we can do some >> but but I have to tell you I can't because if I let you speak then I have to let other folks we have a rules that
we have to follow. So I appreciate you speaking today but um your time is is up. All the visitors you'll see when you come down there have nowhere to wait except out in the >> I I appreciate what you're saying. I So please
I Excuse me. I'm sorry. I I really don't want you to have to remove you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker. Good day, Newark. Uh, Deborah Salters. >> Good. Good day.
First, let me give my condolences to my alum, my bulldog alum, Tanya Tutti Holt, um, and the loss of her grandson, Massai Rogers, who, uh, there was a great outpouring last night at the park with
the balloons and so many people you couldn't even park. So, I'm I'm grateful for the outflood of support and love and to the rest of the families um of this tragic shooting that we've lost people. Uh my heart goes out to you. My
condolences. Um yeah, we we just have to do better. Our community has failed you. Uh our government has failed you and we as a people have got to do better. Um, now when it comes to this property at
818 South 15th Street, um, the lot that you're talking about, uh, to be sold for 29,000, there's an abandoned house right to the left of it. So, do we own that or does someone else own that house? Because if
the person is buying a lot for 29,000 and actually this is about the size of the one that was sold um last time to a developer who's not from here and we asked how much they were going to sell it for and it was 900,000 to a million
and when asked if they were going to sell it to aer they looked at each other and was like well we can discuss that but that wasn't their plan. So, as to what Ramos was talking about as far as uh the lots being sold because that one on Seymour Avenue is around the same
size and I know that you all were talking about um the amount for that, right? And there are all homes around there. So, it's not a blighted area. It's homes and it might it's one other lot across the street, but everywhere else there are homes,
there are driveways, there's parking on the street. So, it's not a blighted area. So, why are we giving away and we say this all the time, we're giving away these properties for pennies and then when they're sold, they're selling them to us or not us
because we can't get a mortgage for $900,000 to a million dollars in the city of Newark, right? So, what are we doing? It's the same thing we ask all the time. And then I believe uh Gonzalez said they'll come back and ask for a tax abatement later on top of
getting the property for 23,000 29,000 when you cannot get a lot anywhere else under a h 100,000. But NORC is just like yeah hey and I mean everybody's TELLING EVERYBODY GO TO NEWARK MAN. THIS IS WHERE WE I mean they're posting it. They're talking about it BECAUSE Y'ALL ARE GIVING AWAY THE KITCHEN SINK FOR
NOTHING. For nothing. and the people don't benefit. >> Thank you for your comments. Next speaker. >> Good morning, city council. >> Good morning. >> Um, and I want to congratulate Miss Bay.
I was here with the ceremony yesterday. I embrace you just like uh Congressman MacGyver. I I miss her. I truly got a good relationship with Port with her and the rest of city council. I hope. Anyway, I want to bring it to your attention. We have the family-owned
business for over 80 years at 26716th Avenue in the West Ward with Mr. Kelly's Ford. Well, we have a lifetime variance. Four doors down from us. 28716th Avenue, the Chinese restaurant burnt up.
Within two weeks, they were demoing it. It's three months that's gone by. Now, they added an addition to the second floor, added a third floor, and they converted it, from what I understand, converted the restaurant
into another apartment. No permits, no zoning, no building insurance. Okay. And the neighborhood watch Rose and Max from the bodega, all of us are
out there. And my thing is it's 2876 Avenue. I have all the papers from the OPER request. No permits. I got to pick up the from the planning board. From what I understand, nothing went in. No architectural plans or nothing. Now, when I when I bought the building next
to my dad's shop, they the building inspectors went through me like a fine tooth comb. Okay? They did their job. I'm not condemning them. Okay? But now what ends up happening, it ends up that this property
is under an LLC, under harmless. When you say harmless, meaning that somebody could buy the building not knowing what type's in it, what kind of beams are in it, if the roof can handle the snow, if
it's fire rated or whatever. Okay. Now, let me explain something to you folks. I lost a mother and a brother, which you don't know, okay? I grew up, which is when I was three years old, in electrical fire. I was carried out a
block from Boiling Street Pool when I was three years old. I lost my 18-month-old brother. My mother went in and they found her holding my 18-month-old brother. Okay. Now, my thing to you, to the city council, is we
can't hold nobody harmless because there's no building permits, no contractors, no insurance to go after, and life is precious. There's no price on life. So, I think we should find out
who owns this property. It's under LLC and file criminal charges. Thank you so much for your comments. >> Okay. Thank you. I'll see you folks again tonight. I'm going to follow up on this. Thank you so much. Congratulations. I was here with your oath last night. Uh yesterday morning. I
was behind you and your mom. >> All right. Thank you. So, next speaker. >> As Tony for you. >> Next speaker. All right. Seeing none, public speaking is now closed. Uh I'm sorry. There's one more. Come on up. >> Good morning, Councilman.
>> Good morning. Uh, my name is Mike Charity. >> Do me a favor. Speak closer to the mic. I can hear or lift it up. Thank you. >> Is that better? >> Yeah. >> Hi, my name is Mike Charity. I'm a business owner and a member of the a resident of the West Ward. >> Okay. >> Um, one issue that I I've discovered
living here is that it's it's difficult for a lot of residents in all the wards to find out what's going on uh in and around the city. I'm a a software developer and I wrote a solution that I think will greatly benefit the city. It's working now and it allowed
residents to sign up and get messages about what's going on with the city. Uh in addition to allowing councilmen and their staff to also communicate directly with the residents such as messages, forms, documents, things like that. It's
a simple solution, but I think it's greatly needed for the city because, you know, I myself often find out at the last minute about what's going going on in the city and things like that. Um, so I look forward uh for the opportunity to speak with you further. Um, I have some documentation I'd like to provide and uh
and I'm I'm speaking again uh this evening as well. So, I just wanted to introduce myself to you. uh you really see the the the name and the person behind websites and things like that, but but I am that guy and uh I look forward to talking with you further.
>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Do uh do you have copies to pass out for us? >> I do. I do. >> If not to if not now, then later on this evening, if you can have enough copies for all of us to get all the council members and the administration. >> Sure. I have something now. Can I give
it to you now or? Uh we can give it to to the deputy clerk right there. Thank you. Any other speakers? Seeing none, public speaking is closed. I believe that is it and we will see
everyone this evening. >> Oh, you mean tomorrow?