--------- Good morning. >> Welcome to the special meeting of the Newark Municipal Council on Tuesday, October 21st, 2025. In accordance with New Jersey law, adequate notice of this meeting has been provided to the Star Ledger, the Jersey
Journal, and the public at large establishing the date, time, and location of this meeting. In addition, the agenda for this meeting was disseminated on October 17th at the time of preparation and posted on the city's
website. Roll call, please. >> Council. >> Gonzalez, >> present. >> Kelly >> here. >> Montana >> here. >> Ramos >> here. >> Scott Brown >> present. >> Silva >> here. >> President Trump
>> present. Council President, council members, we are on page four of the special meeting agenda. Resolutions 7R4 AS is a cancellation of commitments
payable and 2024 appropriation reserves. Council as a whole to adopt. >> Roll call. >> Council, >> yes. >> Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Kelly, >> yes. >> Kintana, >> yes. Ramos, >> yes. >> Scott Brown,
>> yes. >> Silva, >> yes. >> President Clump, >> yes. >> Seminar 8A S through CS are all regarding the 2025 municipal budget items.
A is authorizing the budget, B is amending the budget, and C is the final approval of the 2025 municipal budget. council as a whole to adopt A through C. >> Before we start, before we vote, is
there anything from the council or administration? >> Yeah, I just have a question. From the original, it's now 990. >> Okay. >> From from the original number, it's now 990. I believe the original number was 967 in that range. Is there a reason
why, >> Mr. Ba? Good morning, Eric Pennington, business administrator. There's uh to council and Silith through you. Um there is a reason for the difference after going through
the budget and making the appropriate changes and doing the calculations. The number that you have as the final number is what the uh ultimate budget will be. And while I'm here, I'll anticipate one question. U I anticipate a question that
I got from Councilman Gonzalez, which I think is a sort of an appropriate question for everyone else. He wanted to know how the rate would be affected by the ultimate change. And indeed, the rate went down from 4.016 to $4 per 100 after the ultimate calculation. >> I'm sorry, Mr. V, could you speak up a
little bit? I'm sorry. >> Sure. Sure. Sure. I want to say that the ultimate rate went down from 4.016 016 per $100 of assessed valuation to a flat $4. So we were able to have a decrease in what the uh rate payers will ultimately see at the end of the budget
once it's adopted. So I think that's important for everybody to know. I think too council council >> and group as explained to me by reduction of expenditures appropriations that were reduced by million dollars. So
every million dollar more or less reduces a a penny >> right >> in the the tax rate. >> That that is right. So appreciate that. I think u also to Councilman Gonzalez's question, he's an extraordinary budget chair and he comes with all these great
questions. Um there was a question of whether or not our budget would be uh the the future budgets would be handled digitally similar to what the uh county has. And I've spoken with our budget director, Darlene Tate, our acting
finance director, Ben Guzman. Um, and the budget, this past budget actually was handled digitally, but going forward, it'll be done more efficiently. Plan to start working on it immediately for the 2026 budget. I expect that Councilman Gonzalez will be checking me
and make sure that we're doing that. And I'm prepared to give monthly updates or or more frequently as necessary to make sure that we don't have a spending plan that we actually have a real budget in 2026. And so I prepared to work with uh Councilman Gonzalez to make sure that the full council is aware of where we
stand as we go forward uh periodically. >> Thank you council. Anything else from the council? >> Uh Councilman Ramos. >> Uh thank you, Mr. President. Um uh to the BA, you know, I I do want to say that I appreciate you following up on a
lot of our inquiries. Um it put put us in a kind of a tough position this year because the budget was introduced so late in the in the year. It limits the council's ability to provide input, feedback, and suggestions
on how we can, you know, maybe reduce expenditures. Um, you know, be that as it may, I know there are few other towns around the state that are in the process of finalizing their budget as well. >> But, you know, I really feel that we have to do better when it comes to the
budget process. I know Councilman Gonzalez, as the chair, has offered a lot of suggestions. He's been very proactive in asking questions. But as we move into next year's budget process, um we we anticipate some of the same challenges you had this year that you
had last year, especially uh pending revaluation. And I strongly encourage the administration as you prepare next year's budget that, you know, we we need to tighten our belt a little bit and look to reduce expenditures, especially if we're going to look to potentially
borrow money again uh to deal with the offset on on county taxes and and potentially increase taxes in in 2026. So, as you go through the process of preparing next year's budget, we gave some suggestions the other day as far as
things that may be may seem frivolous or small. Uh, but I think, you know, every penny counts uh when it comes to um the kinds of things that the city is spending money on, especially as we look toward some tough days ahead. And um you
know it's a tough consideration for me because I'm usually um critical when things come to us late. But you know I understand that the alternative is not a good alternative. You know having the state come in and
potentially adopt a budget for us would put us in a even worse position than the position we're in today. >> Yes sir. Council President to Councilman Ramos, your points are well taken and u you know I don't want to put too fine a
point on it but no reduction is too small given where we are. We do have fiscal challenges and to your point next year we will have similar challenges until the revaluation is done. So we will have an increased number that we're going to have to pay to the county because of our imbalance and our ratio.
Uh so we do have to look at uh every area we can to make sure that we make prudent decisions. Um one of the things I will say is this past year though we did almost finalize all of the collective bargaining agreements. There's still a
couple out there. The uh the fire officers union we still have to deal with Janesso. The nurses union is still pending. Um and we're going to have to start negotiating going forward um on that. Uh so we have some retros that will be uh in next year's budget as well
that we're going to have to account for. Um you know, but we have to to your point make sure that we look at everything and be careful and prudent with with what we do and uh we will continue to do so and certainly take your input and suggestions and as we move forward.
>> Mr. >> Thank you, Councilman Gonzalez. It's a I just want to reiterate what councilman Ramos indicated is it cannot be business as usual when you have let's say in this case to
this year $50 million next year as a mayor indicated might be $30 million. So we have to we have to do some adjustments because it cannot continue to be uh let's say what we have been doing forever somewhere we have to cut
>> otherwise otherwise the state may want may ask us to cut and it would be even worse. >> Yes. Yes sir. You're absolutely absolutely right. Uh we do have to be prudent. Now we also have to be mindful that what drives much of this is
salaries and health care costs. Those are the things that we have. We have done uh I think we've done a fairly phenomenal job on the health care cost front. So with the reference based pricing that the mayor has helped us implement uh the more uh employees who
opt into the reference based pricing and I've opted into it. just, you know, I don't usually talk about myself with respect to what I do, but I have opted into the reference based pricing. I've had no issues with it whatsoever. We need to look at that and that will help uh with costs um as we as we move
forward. So, we'll continue to look at healthcare. We'll continue to look at uh personnel. At minimum, we'll have to uh continue with a probably a freeze on hiring except for um you know, those areas that are that are critical. >> Mr. one one area I believe the reserve
for collectible taxes we have this this budget $23 million I I believe that we can do better than incre and increase the collection rate if we let's say plan for whatever sale tax sale before the
end of the year so that we can increase that rate is it's I believe it's two >> it's that's like 5% more or less or 10% of on collectible taxes I believe that if we reduce that to two three% er we we
might have let's say a lower tax rate for residents. >> Absolutely. We we look we we have an aggressive tax collector and every now and then quite frankly I have to you know tell it oh slow down a little bit but perhaps you're right um we'll have
to let let the reigns loose. In fact, um some of the u uh pilots that we have, the teachers village for example is likely going to go into the tax sale because they have uh uh not paid what they're supposed to pay. We have to look at all of the pilots and make sure that
they're in compliance. We'll be sending out letters to them and others and we expect that that should increase the collection rate so the the amount for uncollected taxes should be adjusted appropriately. But your point is well taken. We're looking at every avenue with respect to pilots, taxes, and
making sure that the tax sales are out there and are are appropriate. Some of the impact of the tax sales will be that once the the tax sales are u they go through and somebody purchases the default, then they're going to have to come up and pay the backwater bills and
make sure everything's else is done. I think with Teachers Village, if I'm not mistaken, they owe about $400,000 in water. So we anticipate once the tax sale takes place, whoever purchases that is going to pay for the delinquent water bill as well. So your point is well taken. We will aggressively move forward
and get that addressed. >> Thank you. Um so let me any council. Sorry, council president. And and at some point soon, uh, BA, if we can just hear from the administration as to what the plan of action is to
address, you know, the 30 and 20 million loans that we've secured from the state to deal with the um equalization issue because that's that's already been borrowed. I know the state has timelines on when they expect that money to be paid back. So, just strategies on on
what the administration is preparing to do to pay that money back. So, we don't need to talk about it today, but soon if we can. >> Thank you. >> Absolutely. >> All right. So, let me just wrap this up. So, let me just say, you know, we I realize none of us love the position
we're in. We understand and that it is not the administration's fault that we're in this position. Um, so I want to say I appreciate the the the work that the mayor, the BA, the uh
finance team that you have, Darlene and Ben and Joe uh have done to make this budget uh one that is less uh what's the word I'm looking less
painful than it could have been. Um and so I I said I appreciate that and we all understand and reflect what could happen if the budget is not passed and the state coming in um services could be cut uh uh issues could happen furlows etc.
So this is something that we are um well I let me speak for myself that I support at this point um and and hopefully look forward to my colleagues also voting for the budget so that we can move forward and for next year being uh work earlier
and be in a better position for when the budget comes up for next year. >> With that being chair >> uh councilman council >> yep just wanted to jump in. So BA I I know you've heard it all uh around the the dasis from from all of our colleagues about the position and things
that we're in. Uh but I just think it's just uh when we talk about what's happening down the line, right? Our down the line really should be starting now and and I know that uh and and hopefully um even with our budget uh chair and and you what you talked about and indicated
earlier uh that we will get in front of what we need to do uh for 2026. uh barring an update of where we are in re-evaluation. How far is that process moving? Where are they now? So that we can be able to wrap our arms around that
some other revenue generating ideas that can be able to happen. Um also looking at individuals that may um you know uh may be in a rears some other areas all interate uh inter kind of things that would you know be able to to help us
look at where we are revenue-wise. I think would be would be good and prudent uh for us to be do to do that and to continue to have conversation and to have a a presentable uh budget to us earlier that we can be able to work
through um for the the 2026 year um and see where we are comparatively uh to what it is that we need to do uh to help move the the city out of this, you know, kind of situation that we're in. I'm confident uh and hopeful that we can you
know we get there working collectively and collaboratively to be able to do that and that you know requires all of us uh together uh and none of us you know trying to you know work on a separate island uh to get somewhere where we need to get to for the benefit
of the residents uh of the city. I think we we don't want to lose focus and that that everything that we do here is for the benefit of the residents of the city. Um, and so as we continue to do that, uh, and move forward, you know, I know we're u, you know, kind of locked in, uh, but we, we want to make sure
that we're prudent, you know, as we move forward. So, >> absolutely. I know council president, you are anxious to move on, but councilman uh, council actually did raise one other point that I do want to address because I think it's important that certain businesses out there understand the aggressive approach we
intend to take. In the south border, there are several airport parking lots that are operating unlawfully. Uh we are either in the process of shutting them down or making sure that they go through the appropriate zoning process. Um I see
Jennifer Carrillo Perez is here in the audience. Her partner Elonardo Webster represents some of those companies. They have brought in um checks of half a million dollars to bring themselves current. We expect that that's going to continue, but they can't just pay their
way out of the situation. They have to be in compliance. They have to be zoned appropriately. They have to have the uh uh proper processes in place to make sure that we are collecting the revenue that we are entitled to. And we will be aggressive to shut them down. They're on
Mlen Street and Freeling Heisen Avenue. They know who they are. Um I'll be working with the law department to get an order to show cause to shut them down. And so those people who are listening to this now, they need to get into compliance. We need the money. Uh but we don't need the money uh to the
extent that we're going to allow these businesses to operate illegally. So we'll be on top of that and make sure that we collect as well. >> Thank you. All right. With that being said, roll call >> A, B, and C. >> Council, >> yes.
>> Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Kelly, >> yes. Nana, >> no. >> Ramos, >> yes. >> Scott Roundtree, >> yes. >> Silva, >> yes. >> President Crump,
>> yes. >> Motion to adjourn. >> Council, >> yes. >> Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Kelly, >> yes. >> Kintana, >> yes. To return. >> Ramos, >> yes. Scott Roundry. >> Yes.
>> Silva. >> Yes. >> President Crunk. >> Yes. journ. Part: 2
Good morning. Welcome to the premeating of the Newark Municipal Council on Tuesday, October 21st. Council President, council members, we are on page four of the agenda. Item five, reports and recommendations of
city officers, boards, and commissions. >> Any questions from the council? Hearing none. Next item. >> Ordinances on first reading. 6FA is an ordinance amending and supplementing vendor license for the sale of food and
merchandise at public festivals to establish a seasonal festival endorsement for mobile vendors. >> Questions from the council? Next item, >> public hearing, second reading of final passage. 6PFA
is an ordinance amending smoke shops by amending rules and regulations sponsored by Councilman Ramos. Second by Councilman Gonzalez. >> Councilman Ramos, anything you'd like to add? >> No, no, no questions. I think we've
talked about this enough. you know, the collaborated with the police division. It's become a huge quality of life issue for for the city. Um, so we're hoping to get everybody's support tomorrow so that mayor could sign it into law and that the police division has another tool at
their disposal to deal with uh businesses that are doing things illegally within the city. So, >> all right. Thank you, councilman. Next item. B is an ordinance to amend mandatory recycling regulations to
revise the hours of placement on the curb of recyclable materials prior to collection. >> Questions from the council. Next item. C is an ordinance granting a 15-year tax abatement to SAT Urban
Renewal Entity LLC for a project located in the South Ward to construct a new fivestory mixeduse building with 20 residential dwelling units consisting of 16 market rate residential units with two one-bedroom
units and 14 two-bedroom units, four affordable housing residential dwellings rental units with one two-bedroom unit which shall be restricted to tenants up to 40% of area median income AMI two
units consisting of one one-bedroom unit and one two-bedroom unit both of which shall be restricted to tenants up to 60% of AMI and one one-bedroom unit which shall be restricted to tenants up to 80%
of AMI sponsored by Councilman Council second by Councilwoman Scott Roundtree. >> Any questions? >> Seeing hearing none, next item. >> Items D and E will be deferred.
F is an ordinance amending taxi cabs to add a penalty provision for violations of restrictive endorsements at Newark Liberty International Airport. Sponsored by Councilman Kentana. Second by Councilman Counsel.
>> Any question? Any cons statements hearing? None. Next item. >> G is an ordinance amending the tax abatement granted to KSPG 39Madison Urban Renewal LLC for a project to revise certain terms of
the financial agreement for purpose of developer seeking to obtain a certain mortgage loan to refinance their existing debt on the property. >> Questions from the council. Next item. Resolutions 7R1A is a temporary emergency
appropriation to provide Ryan White HIV health and support services. >> Questions? Next item. >> B through D are state contracts. B is for the removal and replacement of
rubberized safety surface at Hayes West playground. C is for mail room equipment. and D is a change order for computer equipment. >> Any questions from the council? >> Yeah, Mr. Chair, I'll sponsor 71 uh B. 71B.
>> Sponsor B. I'll second that. >> Julie noted. >> E and F are extensions of emergency contracts. E is the removal of used tires and F is for repairs to the Oak
Ridge registar reservoir jam. >> Mr. Chair, Councilman Council, >> uh as it relates to the uh extension for the uh tire removal, can can we get an update on the number of tires that have
been removed so far? uh the amount that it costs to remove them, especially the amount of tires that are moved from uh illegal dumping areas or uh trucks that have that have the tires come off first
before they remove the uh vehicles. I think that's an important number. >> We always talk about numbers and the effects of budgeting and what happens in terms of you know waste. we really need to begin to start examining uh some of
these numbers as well. And so we can look at what is happening when there is a large amount of illegal dumping that is happening around the city. Um especially when individuals are uh dumping and leaving large vehicles and trucks behind that have a massive amount
of tires and other debris on them. We need to take into account the amount of dollars that we're spending to remove uh these items as well as to tow those vehicles after. >> All right, madam clerk, please request that. >> Yes.
>> G and H are co-op purchasing agreements. G is for the artificial turf at Nat Turner Park and H is a purchase police vehicles. >> Questions from the council. Mr. >> Chair, I'll sponsor 7 R1G. >> I'll second. sponsored by Councilman Council, second
by Councilwoman Scott Roundtree. Any Any other questions? Next item. >> I through L are bid contracts. I is for the lead home inspections.
J is for medical accessories. K is for swimming pool disinfectant. and L is for telephone answering services for the health department. >> Questions from the council hearing? None. Next item. 7R2 A through
G are all private sale redevelopment agreements. A is to construct a parking lot for the adjacent own church in the South W. >> Mr. Chair, I'll sponsor this item. >> I'll second that as well. >> Sponsored by Councilman Council, second by Councilwoman Scott Rodri.
>> And Mr. President. >> Uh, Councilman, >> uh, going back to the, um, authorization to buy the police vehicles, can can we just get from the department, um, a list of what these vehicles are going to be used for? You know, I did notice that
there's some expeditions here. So, I'm hoping that most of these vehicles are going to be used by, you know, folks in patrol, not for executive protection, things like that. So, >> Julie not.
>> Thank you, Councilman. >> All right, Miss Jackson, please. >> Next item. >> B is new construction of a mixeduse building with a grocery store in the west ward. >> Council President, I believe I asked for
um I can't hear you, Council M. I'm sorry. I I believe I asked for the change an amendment to be done from the grocery store to a convenience store and it still reads grocery store because after um speaking with them it's not a
grocery store that they're putting and I don't want to mislead the community that they're getting a grocery store when it's not that. >> Anybody from EHD can come in and talk about that because I do recall you asking for that. Good morning. Brandy Daniel, legislative coordinator for economic and housing
development, council president to a councilman to your question. Um, I could find out for you and I can get that taken care of for for you by tomorrow. >> Thank you. >> No problem. >> If possible. So, can we get >> I can send it today for your review and then we could do an amendment on the floor tomorrow at the meeting.
>> Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you, >> Mr. President. >> Councilman Ramos. >> Yeah. with with these um private sales. I I know for a little while we were getting a list of all the um LOIs that have been submitted previously for these properties and we we don't get that
anymore. So, I'm hoping through your chair and the clerk and the BA being here that the department can provide that information to us. >> Councilman, I believe we got something this morning. Yeah, but I don't think it includes the number of um letters that
have been submitted on behalf of these properties. So, assuming that this group is not the only group that submitted a letter of intent for this property, there may have been five others. You know, the >> Okay, let's uh uh for EHD, just make sure we'll get that information. Thank
you. C is new construction of a three-f family home to sell at market rate in the south ward and west ward >> questions. Uh amen ask for a deferral. It could be Kelly council council Kelly but ask for it to
be deferred >> defer uh >> council uh Kelly. >> Yes. I was asking for it to be deferred as well. >> Yeah. >> Councilman Gonzalez. >> Yes. This one the if you see this
assessed value on this property is 451,800 and we're selling it for uh 169,000. I believe that we have a selling price per foot of $20.
And so we believe that that's a that's a great price. But this the selling prices in the city of Newark in most cases are like 50 over $50 a square foot if you want to buy property from someone in the private
sector. So I I I understand that we increase the price from $4 to $20, but we should be getting more money than that. And uh in the conditions that we are in the city economically, I believe that is it's it behoo be behooves us to
get as much as we can for these properties. >> Thank you. Councilman >> D is the first amendment to the agreement for the sale and redevelopment of land to MB Development and Management LLP to change the entity name in the
South Ward. >> Yeah, Mr. Chair. without >> sponsor. >> Second >> sponsored by Councilman Council, second by Councilman Kelly. >> E is the first amendment to the agreement for the sale and redevelopment of land to Genesis Capital Investments
LLC to change the entity name and replace one of the properties in the West Ward. Question. >> Uh, Councilman Kelly. >> Yeah. Um, yeah. Yeah, we're going to move. >> Move on that. Okay.
>> Next item. >> Oh, sorry. F is new construction of a two family home to sell at market rate in the south ward. >> Mr. Chair, you like to defer this item? Defer. You defer as a whole.
>> Okay. >> Yes. >> Okay. [Music] Do we defer as a whole? You want to sponsor? >> Yeah. >> Sponsor council. Second for deferment. >> Second. >> Second by Kelly.
>> Thank you. G is new construction of a two family home to sell at market rate in the central ward. Mr. Chair, I I know it seems kind of uh odd, but I think we should defer this item because it's >> In fact, I wrote defer. I hadn't said
anything yet, but let's defer as a whole. >> Thank you. >> H is reading and adopting the 2025 annual budget of the Newark Alliance Incorporated, and a public hearing will be held on this budget tomorrow.
>> Any questions on the budget, the Newark Alliance budget? We have Mr. Weiss here if there questions. Councilman Gonzalez. Well, >> I don't have a question. I said this is the budget for 2025 and we are in October.
So why is it that they are submitting this budget so late? So I I I I believe it was discussed last meeting about the fact that because of the uh merger, you know, we we got rid of I shouldn't say
got rid of dissolved greater North Convention Visitors Bureau and they what's the word I'm looking for? Took over the uh uh uh what's the other one >> that that that happened in like in June.
So that >> crunching those numbers takes time. But if I you know what, let me ask if somebody else want to speak on that matter. I know it was before. Council President, if I may, Evan Weiss,
who is the uh CEO of Norc Alliance and the entity that is assuming this is here to address those questions, but I will say just preliminarily, part of the issue was getting information to do their own due diligence to make sure that merging these entities uh was being
handled appropriately. It took a little while to get that information. There was quite frankly some a little bit of fighting back and forth, but I'll uh uh if with your permission to have Mr. Weiss uh address that and answer any other questions you have.
>> Thank you BA and thank you councel. >> Primary issue is that we have different revenue streams from the Newark downtown district from grants the Newark Alliance gets than the hotel fees that fund the visitors bureau. It's very important that we account for those appropriately
and budget for those appropriately where we have New York downtown district funds. Those have to stay in the downtown district. Some of those funds though support tourism functions downtown. So key for getting this budget and the downtown district budget correct is making sure those funds are spent
where they're meant to. We get grants from the state government, from credential financial, audible. Same story. My hope is that this year is the last year. not hope the intention and the plan that this doesn't happen again won't need to. We are not going through
this process again. So now that this is here, we're actually on track um to get you later this fall, early winter the 2026 budget as ahead of schedule as we can because I think we've set the table the correct way this time around. Um just it's complicated accounting and we
really want to get it right because we don't want a property owner, hotel, corporation to say you're using my money in the wrong way. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I'm sorry. Can't wait. Wait. >> So, Evan, I just have a question. So, um this is the budget for NORC Alliance. ND
will still have its own >> and will the visitors bureau. So, it's three different It's one entity, but three different budgets. >> It's really going to be two different budgets, one entity. We're going to try and we can present this to you as we will everybody. Kind of a unified
program budget. So you see it all told, but for accounting reasons and for city council reasons, you will always need to approve for the foreseeable future tourism improvement district budget, special improvement district budget. But key is like I was saying earlier, we want to leverage those funds together
when it makes sense. But yes, this I think at least through 2037, you'll be approving, you know, both of those budgets um as we go through the process. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, quick question. Evan, as far as like the audit for for the use of these
funds, are there two separate audits, one for the NDD and one connected to the tourism bureau? >> So, it's very likely there'll be two separate audits done for the special improvement district functions or the tourism improvement district functions. And so, again, we will try to we will
operate those collectively, but we have to keep the books separate. So, that's how we'll look for the next again like decade or so. Have you hired folks uh connect? Like I know a lot of people got let go when you guys took over the um especially the
tourism bureau. Have you hired people or you're in the process of hiring people? >> Uh literally on Friday we posted three new positions for the tourism function. So those are all on Indeed and LinkedIn. Uh we've advertised them around the city. So if you know anybody, send them
that way. But that was the idea is that once we got to this point, we could open positions. Anyone is open to apply. >> Yeah, you should send those um openings to the clerk so they can share it with us when >> All right. >> Thank you. >> Anything else from the council?
>> All right, hearing none. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next item. >> Seminar 4A is cancellation of outstanding checks not presented for processing. >> Questions from the council. >> How about just a general question? Let me ask that.
Is there anybody Mr. Guzman? What are these checks from? Uh good morning, council president, council members. Uh Ben Guzman, acting finance director for the city of North. Uh these checks are uh outstanding sector. city has uh processed or cut out to entities and they have not been
processed or presented at a bank of cash. Um timeline I'm sorry >> the timeline there are some checks dating far back as 2017. Okay. >> Now even though on some banks you know on some checks we may state that they are good for 90 or 180 days. That really doesn't stop anyone from attempting to
cash those checks. They can't present it. We will receive confirmation first prior to it being processed if those checks are staledated or outdated. But uh some of these checks have been uh for as I said stale dated or out there for such an extended period of time that uh
we've decided to clear that up and that's also been part of some of our audit findings in the past. So we're going through and cleaning our books to make sure nothing is outstanding over an extended period of time and then we'll be able to use uh these funds as they return back in for the following year's budget.
>> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you director. Next item >> seminar 5A is application acceptance of grant funds to reduce and eliminate the incidence of vaccinereventable diseases affecting children, adolesccents and
adults through immunization. >> Questions from the council. Next item >> 78 through C are all ceremonial street designations. A is for Blonnie R. Watson, sponsored by
Council President Crump. >> I'll second that. >> Second by Councilwoman Scott Roundry. >> B is for Newark Police Captain John Scott Bay, sponsored by Councilwoman Roundry. >> Second. >> Second by Councilman uh Council.
>> C is for Imam Mustafa Elamin, sponsored by Councilwoman Roundry. I >> second by council the council >> D is supporting a special event flag raising for the 46th anniversary celebration of the faith of children
sponsored by Councilman Kandana. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Kelly, I believe. E is recognizing and commending resolutions and F is expressing profound sorrow and regret.
7R1A is a memorandum of understanding with Visual Arts Center of New Jersey to provide bi-weekly art therapy sessions. >> Mr. Chair, >> Councilman Council, >> no, we we've been this is uh probably the secondou we've done this before.
just trying to get some data uh of the number of people that was served, the demographic of the people um that are participating in the program so that we can have an understanding of the work uh that is happening uh in our facilities.
>> All right, madame clerk get the information. >> Yes, sir. >> Anything else in the item? SevenR12A is a change order to execute contract closeout change order for repair of
water manes service leaks and disconnection of water service. >> Questions from the council. Next item. >> B is a contract for the sale of water sale of water from the city of Newark's Pquanic water supply system to the
township of Puquanic. >> Questions from the council. Next item >> C and D are both bid contract. >> I'm sorry. Can we go back to that question? I go back to 12B. I just have to question for the director. I think it's more of a general question. Um, you
know, like how the city pays water for Bose Valley or sewage, I'm sorry, sewage for Paic Valley or um at one point I think East Orange was a percentage that was um the
city would pay a percentage. Is that the similar situation here or is it a flat rate that they're paying? Did that make sense? [Music] Uh good good morning, council president, council members. That's two different
scenarios. This is a bulk water contract that's um scheduled out uh how much it cost us to treat water, right? How much we pay to treat water and transfer water. Pake Valley and East Orange was sewer things. So that means that contract New is paying Pake Valley up
front. what East Orange used to dump into New York that was unmetered and they gave us a percentage of the bill. This is for how much water is being metered that you're using is being actually metered. At that time, East Orange wasn't metered. >> So, we they paid a percentage of our
bill. Now, since this administration, I think 2018 or 19, the administration metered East Orange >> and this is metered. So, it's exact amount that's going to >> Right. We get exact amounts. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. Uh, Councilman Gonzalez,
>> director, how do we get to that price of $3,421 per a million gallons? How how do we arrive at that? >> So, it's the cost to treat is the is >> that's a cost that's a our cost of treating. >> So, council president, council members,
so is a there's a variety of different factors. One of the factors is the cost that we the amount that it cost us to treat water per million gallons and our capital improvements that we do our depth service which is around the current depth service and the future
capital improvements that we're doing to the Pquanic system and them paying their share for us to deliver water to them. >> How much how many millions of gallons do they normally buy from us? >> Between two to three million >> a year. >> No, a day. It's day,
>> right? So when you see these bulk water contracts, this this this one is like per million gallons. So if you go over that, you may be penalized or you pay an additional fee for when you go over your allocation. >> Thank you. That's so that the amount
that we're going to collect on this is substantial is what what's your estimate of the yearly collection due to this contract? Our yearly collection for this one probably about $2 or3 million.
>> Thank you. >> Seasonal fluctuates right when they get hot. >> Thank you. >> All right. Any other questions? Thank you, director. >> Next item. >> 7R12 C and D are bid contracts in the water department. C is the
reconstruction of Salon Tempmpo Park. indeed is provide maintenance and repair of the integrator services for Newark's water and wastewater system. Mr. >> President, Council Rama, >> yeah, >> I'd like to be noted as a sponsor for uh 12RC and I want to thank the um
Department of Recreation, Neighborhood Services, and um the water department, and also the Bloomfield Avenue Lower Broadway Special Improvement District. Uh we've been working on this um renovation or construction for two years
>> and I think we're finally kind of at the finish line. You know, there were some different suggestions on how to engage a contractor to do the construction and finally agreed that this was the right way to do it. I know the um city's invested in the project. The Special
Improvement District is also financially invested in the project and they're going to take responsibility for the maintenance of this plaza once a construction is um completed. So, just want to thank everybody that's been involved. >> Second. >> All right. Second by Councilman.
>> Mr. Chair, I I definitely want to uh uh lend uh the same voice that Councilman Ramos had to this project and it's been a long time going. was uh something I attached on to at the uh end of the project. Uh but definitely want to thank
the bid uh our administration for for jumping in uh for the collective project in and of itself. I think it is going to add uh to the area of of First Street and around that area uh and provide another
alternative of you know open space uh as well as uh most of the uh enhancements that's going to happen around the area the street exposure uh into uh the lighthouse. So all of the folks who are working together around this, the engineering department, our water
department, uh recreation department, um that ultimately even our council that uh when we collectively put our minds to it that the residents would benefit from, you know, such a great project that's going to happen. So can't wait till we get to the finish line. >> Thank you, Councilman.
>> It's First Avenue, not First Street. >> First, yeah. >> Okay. >> I was thinking about Kandra's Bakery. I got hungry up here for >> be lost if you went on first. >> Uh, thank you. Next next item, >> communications. Item 8A is an ordinance
to extinguish the right of Rivera and authorizing the execution of a settlement agreement. >> Can Can we advance and adopt that on on first? >> Yeah. >> Can we get an explanation on the first one? Uh, >> and I'll sponsor
sponsored by Well, she's coming back. Sponsored by Councilman Council, second by Councilman Kelly. >> Roll it down there. There you go. >> Good morning again, Brandy Daniel, legislative coordinator for economic and housing development. Um, this settlement is between the city and 613 South 18th
LLC. They are asking for the right of Roberta to be removed so that they could provide a markable title. So in exchange we came in agreement for a settlement agreement which is actually was paid to the city already on October 6. >> Say that last part again. I'm sorry.
>> Um the settlement check has been received by the city in regards to this agreement. We received it on October 6. >> Okay. >> We just need to execute the agreement. >> Any other questions, concerns from the council? Hearing none. Thank you. >> You're welcome.
Pending business on the agenda. Item 9A will be deferred. Item 10, miscellaneous 10A, approval of the raffle license. >> Any questions on the raffles? Nope. All right. Thank you, >> Council President. Council members, I
believe the administration has two added starters regarding the water department. Uh good morning council. Good morning everyone. Uh Kenny, city of North Corporation Council. So the the um water department actually has two and the uh DPW has one. Uh the water department's
number is 25-1378. Uh it's in reference to a paving contract for Rock Barn Trucking. And then >> I'm sorry. You said a paving contract. >> Yes, paving. Paving. >> All right. >> Uh and then also, of course, the director will come down and explain it.
The second one is 25-1374, uh which is in reference to recording a deed on a property. Um, and then the DPW contract, uh, it's in reference to 25-114, uh, which is a snow contract. Of course,
you're trying to prepare for, uh, the snow that's coming up in, of course, the winter months. Uh, of course, we have, uh, director Deem come speak to us about all three. >> All right. Director Dean, I have a question before you even start. For the payment
contract, how much is is >> this is uh this is a two-year contract um for about $6 million. >> Is that >> $6 million? >> Two days for $6 million. >> No, two years. >> Okay, that's what I thought. You said two years. >> This is our by this is first council
president, council members, Kareem, director, department of water and sewer. Yeah, this is at the water department's bianual uh lead service line and pavement restoration contract. This is one that we do every two years. >> Okay, any questions from the council?
>> All right, next next item. Any >> um the next one is a uh environmental cleanup that we had to do at the watershed with Spanelo uh Spanelo company was leasing some land. So, we had to do some de modifications for D so they can finish
doing their uh environmental cleanup. That's with water and sewer. >> Questions from the council. >> All right. Thank you. Next item. >> Next item is uh a couple of weeks ago we for water uh for DPW, Department of Public Works. We came about two weeks
ago. We approved I think two vendors at that time and I said there was some additional vendors coming. These additional vendors has supplied the necessary paperwork. All of it has been cut for and we're looking to move it forward. >> Yeah. So, I know that was council Ramos's question. So, >> are there I guess I'll follow up. Are
there more coming or is it >> There's going to be more coming, but these were the vendors. This all their stuff is ready. Um I said L still reviewing some things. So, we want to move these two vendors forward. >> All right. Thank you. Anything from the council? All right. Thank you, director.
>> Thank you, >> Council President. Council members, 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?
[Music] Good morning, Dolores Black. >> Good morning. >> I just want to address the council and ask if we can um >> I'm sorry. Can you state your name for the record? >> Dolores Black. >> Okay. >> Um I'm just addressing ask if the council can consider including a
ordinance to um have the tow fees waves for car accident hit and runs. I was involved in a hit and run last week. um my daughter and I thankfully we here to talk about it but um I don't feel like I should be responsible to pay $400 and something dollars to Denty and
it was a hit and run and the accident is still under investigation. One I don't have it and if I did I still don't feel like I should be responsible to pay. I do understand the protocol and processes. Auto Squad only does auto um fee waiverss for theft of vehicles and
uh it's only two things. cuz I forgot the other one, but I'm asking if we can now consider to put in hit and run because I couldn't help the accident that somebody decided to run a red light and hit two cars, airbag deployed. I'm supposed to be wearing my neck brace. I can't because I'm so focused on I need
to get my mother car out. I already have the release forms. I have everything I need. I don't have the fee to pay. And I'm asking if that can be included. if somebody could just even make a phone call to Denty or included in the ordinance to have those you're having a victim pay for something that just wasn't it was beyond my control at that
point. So it's been a week I'm asking again I done been through this office I try to follow the proper chain of command before coming to you all. So right now yeah I I would need this if this can be considered and we don't know we facing things until it happens. So if this can
be an ordinance to be included to wave the tow fees for hit and run accidents too. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you for your comments. >> Next speaker. Good morning. Not really a good one.
This a disgrace. How we rolling over retropay contracts into 2026? Y'all just finishing the 2024. That's where that $11 million worth of debt comes from. And that ain't the only debt
because y'all continue to lie lie lie lie lie. You keep borrowing what we don't have. You're not paying the county in an adequate time. I already called. I don't need nobody to tell me. I already called up there. We not making the payments on
time. So, you know what happens when that happens? They're going to sell that 120. So, I'm the county. I'm going to sell the 120 to you. Do I'm going to sell it to you, right? You're going to take it out on the market. You're going to give the county 50 million.
You're going to sell it for 150. You're going to send that debt back to the city. You're going to charge me 24% cuz you can. Because what people need to understand, this is like a foreclosure on your house. cancellation of debt to carry over to 2025.
Everybody out here in this community ain't dumb. And that's how y'all treat us. You think we can't add one and one to make two. I know y'all one and one make four, but our one and one is still two. This is sinful what's going on. What
y'all doing with this money? Money being stolen. Money missing out the tax office. Nobody went to jail over a two-year period. Y'all don't think we know. Money missing out the bail. money over here in the court building. Y'all think we don't know and nobody's being prosecuted
the summer job money. Nobody in jail. Nobody. Y'all think this is acceptable? What y'all a mob? So I get to steal and then Okay, Donna, we going to furlow you over to the south. Then I go over there and steal.
Okay, Donna, we going to furlow you down to the east wall. S ain't having that. That's what we doing. Senior freeze program. Y'all jammed up every senior because your tax record shows that the 2022 taxes and the 2023
taxes were less than 2022. That's a lie before God. Y'all had a tax increase every year since you've been sitting up there. So now y'all just skew seniors out of money that they could have had. Cancellation of debt. Y'all think we
don't know what that mean? We got 30 thou $30 coming out the tax increase at the county, a $100 increase for the schools, and y'all getting ready to ram it up our behinds at 1,000. I said 700, but listening to this presentation, a thousand.
How long y'all going to keep passing this debt? Y'all have destroyed this city. We are broke. And y'all know we going to get a state takeover no matter what you do. 2025. Y'all still ain't finished the budget and you supposed to be working on 2026 going into debt again.
>> Thank you for your comments. Next speaker. >> God, Donna, this place should be packed, but we know people got work. Good riddens, slave traders of the city
of Nor. Black and brown faces in high places to uphold white domination. That's all y'all. That's no no no no
other way to describe you because New Yorkers is not first. Americans are not first far as the Democrats the budget you said next year who going to be doing it? I hope not him
cuz he should be called to resign as we kept coming up here saying year after year since we never had a good budget since he been in office. Unacceptable. No other way to describe it.
The Baraka administration robbed Newark and Newark City Council. You drove the getaway car. That's what you did. And I've been saying it for the longest. And now here it is. Boom. The Baraka
administration came in office with a surplus. Now call us a liar. Call us one. And now the city is in almost a $700 million budget deficit. Shame on you.
Shame on you. I don't care if it is lower than that. It's a deficit. Murphy, Baraka, the BA, city council, you all should be charged with governmental waste, fraud, mismanagement, and misuse of our public
dollars. That's what you should be doing. We should be charging you to the highest courts. Why did the failed Murphy administration remove the state monitor when he came in
office? That was a criminal intent. Unacceptable. And then you want to uh uh uh you want to be a slave trader and trade us for our votes to vote for another failure.
Mikey Sharelle, are you kidding me? And then another failure. Amina Bay. Are you kidding me? You slave traders. That's your new name. Slave traders. Cuz you want to trade our vults for your failed uh uh uh network, corrupt
network. You want to trade us. You You are disgusted. And New Yorkers, it is time for you to wake up and run these people out of office. >> Next speaker. Good morning.
>> Morning, George Tilman Jr. So, um, we deferred 6 PSF and D, the 30-year tax abatement going to New Community Homes Development LP. Um
I find that quite strange since it was advanced and do and adopted on the first reading and then here at the second reading is being deferred. I believe it should be returned to the administration because tomorrow night um we have
several residents several residents coming down from new community to discuss that we're going to testify at this public hearing about the deplorable conditions up there because you you spoke about and you praised them last
time and I told you Councilman Council I told you Councilwoman Roundry and Councilman Crump that I was going to organize those residents is for October 22nd and bringing him to to dispute everything that you were saying about new community. I was up there yesterday
with at 55 I'm sorry 22500. I was live with those residents up there and some of the things that were that was that was told and discussed to me with those residents, they were going to come here and discuss them tomorrow.
There's a woman in there, a young lady, her name is Ashley, and she has three children. She showed me some pictures. There's a rat hole about this big in her apartment, and she took a picture with the rat looking out of the hole. They're living in there with her children. She's
been complaining with New Community over and over about them rats in that in that 225 in that complex. All the residents have been complaining about it. So I don't we when we were talking about meeting with new community and we was
meeting with the citizen uh senior citizens I also said that we had to meet with the the residents in the town homes and and 225 and building 72 and administration never did that and they was going to come here tomorrow and let you know that no one never met with
them. So, it's strange that it's deferred, but I I think it should be more than deferred to be sent back. Not only that, there's a gentleman that's living in there in 225 that's handicapped. He's in a wheelchair. The elevator has not been working for a
whole year. Do you know that the residents have been carrying this man up and down those three flights of stairs? He was coming here to testify tomorrow night. So again, uh I think this should be returned to the administration. New
community home development does not deserve a tax abatement in our city. Thank you. Thank you for your comments. Next speaker. Seeing no one else,
public speaking is closed. >> Oh, I'm sorry. No, I'm sorry. >> Good. >> Yep, you're good. >> Yes. I'm here to uh speak about I have a received a letter a termination of next month of back payer rent. I have every
month my rent a receipt of my rent. I've been living my apartment complex August 1st that made a year of living there. Now it's like a threat to be terminated next month of the 6. I don't know where this come from that I owe $2,27.
This is like the fifth letter I got. I don't know what they talking about. So I'm speaking like I'm not the type of guy I'm in the CN citizen building. I'm 63 years old and retired. They're not go I mean to keep sending me a receipts that I owe for this and that. I don't know what these this is like the third
thing that I receive. But I like to know how do I stop this letter. I don't owe nobody no money. So I'd like to know what channels do I take or what do I have to go through? Get attorney. Should I get an attorney to represent me for this? Because they keep sending this letter. That's all I want to say.
>> All right. Thank you. So, >> again, can we get your name? I'm sorry, I didn't get your name. >> Regginald Turner. This ain't my first time here. >> Regginald Turner. Okay. >> Yes, sir. >> We'll have somebody speak with you. >> All right.
>> There we go. Any other speakers? All right. Public speaking is now closed. >> Concludes the premier. That concludes the day. I need more coffee. Everybody, have a great day. See you tomorrow evening.