Good morning. Welcome to the premeating of the NOR Municipal Council on Tuesday, August 4th. Council President, council members, there's a request for an executive session at the top of the meeting. >> Council is a hold for an executive
session. Roll call. >> Bay. Yes. >> Council absent. Crump absent. Jackson. Yes. >> Kelly absent.
>> Ramos. >> Executive. >> Executive. >> Yes. >> Scott Roundtree. >> Yes. >> Silva absent. Present. Kana. [clears throat] >> Yes. >> Upstairs. Executive.
Okay. Okay, >> council president, council members, [clears throat] thank you for your patience. We have a few um new appointments. Beginning on page 54,
is Michelle Batty in the audience? Miss Batty, >> is she up here? She's here. >> Please come to the microphone. Thank you. >> Miss Batty is being appointed to the African Commission.
>> State your name for the record. >> Michelle Batty. >> Okay. Miss Batty, do you have an opening statement for the council? >> You have an opening statement? Yeah. >> No, I do not. >> No. >> I didn't know I was supposed to have
one. >> Okay. No problem. >> You don't have any questions? >> Any questions from >> I'd like to second that. >> Okay. Your movement. Your mover. A mover and a seconder. Okay. Thank you. Uh tomorrow's vote will take place and
congratulations ahead of time. >> Thank you. I have been um a part of it for a few years now. So just waiting for the official um swearing in. But I appreciate your time and um me giving back to the city.
>> All right. Thank you. >> All right. Thanks. Next, >> that's sponsored by Councilwoman Roundtree and second by Councilman Crump. >> 8B is an appointment to the federally qualified health center board of
commissions FQC. Is Miss Porsche R. Bennett in the audience? >> Appearing before the microphone, please. Open statement. Okay, I prepared a u a short statement.
Um, my name is Porsha Bennett. I was born and raised >> Can you speak to our microphone, please? >> Thank you. >> Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> I said, "Hi, my name is Porsche Bennett. I was born and raised here in North, New Jersey. Um, I also graduated high school
and acquired my associates here at Essis County College. Sorry. I just graduated um May 2026 with my bachelor's in psychology um from King University. I am also an
advocate for children with autism and other mental disabilities and have been working in the ABA field since 2013. I was introduced to the department of health due to my two youngest children children's lead levels and was able to
get assistance to move to a lead safe house and was eventually able to relocate to permanent housing. As someone who is a patient of the FQC, I definitely want to be a part of the change that I want to see. >> Yes. >> Okay. Any questions from council?
>> I'd like to sponsor Miss >> I'd like to second. >> I move her in a second there for the record. Thank you for your service. Thank >> another appointment to the FQHC. Is Beatric D Simpkins in the audience >> appearing?
Yes. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. >> Uh I am Beatric Dimpkins and I'd like to thank Director Ellsbrook for the nomination and the mayor as well. I am a New York resident, a homeowner. Uh 2023,
bought a house in South Ward. Understand how important health is to this community. Um and so um worked several years in the health industry around health equity. I used to work with St. Michael's Medical Center. I used to
serve on the New York community, the NCHC, um community uh FQAC board. So I'm familiar with the processes. Um, I am committed to this city. I know how important it is that people be able to be well. And sometimes just living in
a different zip code means that your life is more at risk, that you may not live as long. And I'd like to be able to help the city do something about that and bring real health equity to the city of Newark. And so I'm here to serve.
Thank you. >> Any questions from council? >> I'd like to sponsor Beatric. sponsor a second. >> Second by council woman Jackson. >> Thank you. Thank you for your service. >> Appointment to another appointment to the federal qualified health center
board of commission. Amoya EJ Lens. >> Good morning council. Unfortunately, Miss Lens had to return to work. Um so hopefully she'll be able to come before you at the next council meeting. >> Okay. Thank you. As noted. Thank you,
director. Another appointment to the FQHC. Mr. Michael Miner appearing. >> Good morning. >> Morning. >> Good morning. >> Any open statement? Any >> Yes. >> Yes. Thank you.
>> You're welcome. Good morning, honorable council members at AL. My name is Michael Miner. I live at the Baxter Terrace Senior
Housing Apartments and I'm a loyal and proud user of the Mary Eliza Mahoney Health Center. Some brief background. My daughter
Melissa Miner, one of only nine from the African diaspora speakers of the house for the state of Delaware, visited with maybe some of you, the Black Legislative Conference in Chicago last week. She brought me this
capback from the Obama Presidential Center and told me to wear it. So if you see my daughter, please tell her that I complied. [laughter] You comply with your daughters. That's right. I spent 15 years working in
television advertising. I spent the last 15 years working on Wall Street. That wonderful experience ended for me on 911. You may not know to look at me, but I do know what the words post-traumatic
stress syndrome looks, smells, and feels like. After leaving Wall Street, I spent 12 years dedicated to supporting my young rising Wall Street executive wife and as primary for our kindergarten, second grader, and fourth grade children
in South Mountain. After my divorce, I moved here to your community to stay closer to my children. Moving to this community, I joined the Newark Rotary Club under the under my mentor there, Mr. Don Viper. I launched
the first program, the Rotary Read for Life, where we distributed 47,000 brand new books to schools, businesses, and hospitals. As a member and user of the FQAC, I'm very familiar with the system, the 340B
program, urban community health, care coordination, charity care. I am a credible messenger of coordinated ecosystems, what some of you may hear of as the
coordinated health labyrinth. Last year we created the Rotary Club of Econ of Holistic Wellness and Education and we did a number of events sitting inside the critical five determinants of health.
We did two senior assessment events, 60 members of the Baxter Health Center and 60 members of the East Orange uh senior center. We convene three focused symposiums on domestic violence. The mind your mental chat with 35 18 to 29
year old young men exiting the labrenth for black and brown men at Essex County with Dr. Akquil Kafani. Now you may be wondering to hell with who how you came to be what you're going to do for me as commissioner.
As commissioner, I will work to strengthen the intelligence workforce layer connecting the fragmented systems for seniors particularly recognizing that every human,
every grandparent, every child, every parent, every male, every female has a right, has a voice and receives believes holistic
compassionate holistic service provision. Thank you for taking a moment to listen to a 246 and a half year old grandfather. >> Thank you so much. Any anyone movement?
Is there a move or a second? >> I'll move. I'll second. Okay. And and second by round. >> Okay. Thank you. Duly noted. >> Thank you for your service. >> Final appointment today is an appointment to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning
advisory commission. Is Mr. Paul Aonte Familiar Jr. in the audience? >> She's here. She's here. Okay. Can you come before us, please? Thank you.
>> Oh, okay. Hello. Good morning to residents, staff, and members of the council. Uh so yes, as you may know, I am willing to take part of the committee of the LGBTQA
uh committee and uh basically I just want to say that apart from being an advocate to the committee, I also want to be a voice for my generation and the youth that do struggle and face discrimination on a daily basis. So
that's pretty much why I want to be in part of the committee and hopefully you guys do take the initiative to allow me to do so. That'll be all. >> Any questions? >> Is there a mover move by council Ramos second by round three?
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. And by the way, madam >> with the LGBT community, we need to uh also as as that committee does meet, we also need to engage them with the an National League of Cities and what
National League of Cities is doing with the LGTV community because again there's mayors and council people at the National League of Cities and there's an organization that that is strong and advocates for those rights and issues
that quality and importance. So I would uh [clears throat] to the commission we'll be able to send some materials. I'm going to gather some information uh and send to you so you can help us too because at the National League of Cities
when we go to the when we lobby Congress on behalf of cities and villages we also take some input. So we like to have some input. So, as a member of the advisory council of the National League of Cities, I I'm looking forward to seeing that kind of engagement of getting some
response of what issues are affecting our cities and villages and towns around this country. So, we're going to start here in Newark uh looking at that possibility, giving you some feedback of what's going on around this country. Absolutely. >> Of ours. Okay. Thank you for your service.
>> Thank you. >> Congratulations to everyone. >> Congratulations, >> Council President. Council members, we are on page three of the regular agenda. Ordinances on public hearing, second reading and final passage. 6P SFA is an
ordinance amending and supplementing cannabis by amending cannabis cannabis establishments to add a section dealing with micro consumption, amending the manner of operations, armed security, and license fees. sponsored by
Councilman Council. Second by Councilman Ramos. >> Any questions? See? None. Continue. >> B is an ordinance authorizing the mayor and or his designate to execute the sale and transfer of properties for redevelopment.
>> Any questions? None. Continue. C is an ordinance granting a 25-year tax abatement to 636 MLK Urban Renewal LLC for a project located in the central ward to construct three new buildings
each a fourstory low-rise multifamily dwelling consisting of a total of 42 residential units inclusive of 33 market rate rental units and nine affordable units. Any questions? Seeing none,
continue. >> Resolutions. Seven A through F are temporary emergency appropriations. A is for the Ryan White HIV health and support services. B is community resource center. C is the dental health
care services. D is Fabian Place freight improvements. E is clean communities program. and F is for the operating budget. >> Any questions, council? None. Continue. >> G through Q are purchasing contracts. G
is for the government access television studio. H is for video services. I computer equipment. J auditing services. K is HVAC supplies. L is communications
equipment. M is flood damage repairs. N is for the Open Public Records Act and Computer Essentials. O is for fleet maintenance services. P is for HVAC maintenance and repair. And Q is for
automotive supplies. >> Any questions? Council Jackson and then Council Kelly. I'll go start. >> Okay. Thank you. >> In reference to M.
Um, I'd like to ask for a copy of the hazmat diagnostic report number one. I'd also like to ask for a copy of the Joseph environmental report uh entity number three. Um, I'd also like to ask
for a copy of Deferra Flooring as we are in the third re um configuration of that. I would just like to make sure that the office for myself and all of my council colleagues is clear of all mold and any
hazardous fumes. Um, and I'd like to have those reports as soon as possible. And in regards to the increase for the contract of 7 of 20 of $50,000, is
that attached to the new floors being put down? And if so, um, I'm against that because they incorrectly put them in and we should not be paying a company extra $50,000 because they had to replace the floors because they weren't done correctly the first time.
>> Thank you. >> Madam clerk, as noted by women Jackson. >> Yes, sir. >> Response to those uh, Councilman Kelly, then Councilman Trump. [clears throat] >> Thank you, Council President. Um my
question is is anybody here from um the uh the management of the television station or out of communications in reference to G 71G? >> See no one want to hear
>> no one's here. >> No. >> Um my operation council. >> Sure. Uh good morning, Kenya Stewart, city of Nor corporation council. What I'll do is I know they usually watch it from uh next door. I'll go get someone
right now to address the the the question. >> Yes, please. I guess we we can go to another council. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. [clears throat] Uh uh 7R1J on page 13. Just trying to get a better understanding of what
occurred here. I know it says that it is it amends it and corrects the clerical error, but my question really is a couple questions. One is it's correct to pay them out this year according to the contract. I think it's from 23
initially. Um [clears throat] how did we pay the previous years and then what's the length of the contract? >> Okay, >> Mr. Guzman. Uh good morning, Council President, council members. Benjamin Guzman, acting finance director. Uh the
reason for this resolution, originally when we had awarded this contract, it was an extension of the state contract that PKF Conor Davies has with the state. Uh originally, our intention was is to contract them for the exact same period of time that their state contract is valid uh with the state of New
Jersey. Uh when we uh awarded this contract, the intention was to not to exceed $150,000 per year. >> Yeah. and we would fund it from the budget codes of each budget year provided that's in this particular uh resolution right now. Apparently the
language as it was originally written said that the contract would not exceed for $150,000 period. Um on average it's under $150,000 per year that they have build in prior years they have been paid. Um this was going through the review as
there it's soon coming to uh expiration and and renewal. we wanted to correct it for the period that it has right now. So that was the main reason why the original intention was to have the contract for the same period of time that their contract is valid with the state of New Jersey.
>> And and so this um ratifies I'll use that word previous payments that were made to uh >> correct. Yes, that'd be correct. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. >> Thank you, Mr. Goodman. Thank you,
Council Ramos. >> Yeah. [clears throat] Going back to Councilman Kelly's point about the TV studio, I I think at some point we should, you know, just have a conversation with the administration, um, as far as, you know, modernizing,
um, having a presence on some of these new platforms. It seems like what we're doing with the studio is is outdated, right? Like, and we just approved this contract year after year. I don't even know what kind of viewership we get on channel 78 anymore, you know? like it
it'd be good to hear from them um as far as the kind of reach that we have with channel 78 and and what are some of the opportunities that we have um in in other venues whether social media or YouTube you know to to to to reach more
residents. Thank you, Council Braos. And I'm just add on u I know we're waiting for them to come, but um that was essentially what I was just going to, you know, if we're talking about Lion's Gate is coming here and and uh we have other
studios that will be neighboring in other neighboring cities and and this is essentially turning into, you know, New New Jersey is the largest city in the state of New Jersey and this is turning into the media hub. We need to have our own media, right? you know, and have
different programs for our youth who want to get into television. We shouldn't have to wait till Lionsgate builds the school next to the studio when we have channel 78 right here. And you know, me coming out of media, I know
that there's so many things that we can do and I feel like I I speak to them and assist them in a lot of ways, but I think we need to have more support for them. channel 78 from our communications department here with administration. >> You know, Councilman, in terms of the
history of how the that channel of there was a person on this council by the name Donald Tucker and he was very instrumental in making sure that this studio uh would
translate what this city was going to go forward as. So again we we have to there was a time where the there were if a particular councilman because cable vision there was cable vision was how
this occurred because of the settlement of that agreement. So, as a historian, I know this history of the city and to say that at the time it was supposed to be to give access to our council folks to have a a platform or put something
together of to their constituency. So that needs to be revised again where let's say where weather is one of the let's say weather was a condition there was some services a particular ward is
having a some kind of event that it would utilize the that network and giving opportunity uh to the governing body and to the general public. It was not just only for uh uh uh the council
or the mayor. It was to be the whole entire community. That is the agreement and that was the agreement that was done with cable vision at the time when they settled the settlement was that they would give us a studio. That studio was
or orchestrated by the city council by council the late councilman Donald Tucker. So, I just want to make put that on record because council Tucker was the one who was very instrumental with the federal communications authorities in making sure when that settlement was
that that was the loophole. So again, uh I like to see and to my colleagueu's point is that there needs to be more access to us with that network and we have a great opportunity with all of these media and studio television and
film companies coming here. And it's not just Lionsgate. There's so many uh subsidiary companies that are actually moving to Newark, New Jersey. So, if these companies come to New New York, New Jersey, and we're not taking care of our own media company in the proper
light or the proper way that we need to, um, I think that, you know, that's doing a disservice to the people of North New Jersey. You know, um, I really want to see Channel 78 and and our media here in North New Jersey really take flight,
really really start to uh get better adequate equipment and start involving our youth. there's programs that could be set up with in between, you know, um utilizing channel 78 and teaching them so that we're preparing them for the
workforce. >> The floor is yours. >> Good morning. >> Name for the record. >> Good morning, council president, council members. My name is Crystal Rosa, communications director for the city of DORC. Um my department does oversee NORC TV. I've jotted down everything you
said, agreed that we should have a conversation about North TV. Um, and I can put all this together and and provide that to you. >> Question. Okay. I think madam clerk, I think we should uh invite the uh the
department of communications to meet with us at at a special. >> Yes. So that we can also present to them uh a fore plan of what we believe that should we you know like advising what is it that we like to see for our viewers
and the constituent our constituents. >> Yes sir. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. >> Thank you >> yes. Um, just wanted to just go back real quick um to 7R1M um to uh Councilwoman
Jackson's point. I just want to know exactly what we're getting with this extension because um as she mentioned the the issue with our offices are still not resolved. I have not been able to work in my office since January and the
you know the the the what has been done has not been done and so I need to know what is it that we're supposed to be getting and what's the timeline for all of this to be completed but what are we getting with this extension how how does this benefit what is the work going to look like
>> madam clerk we should the council should get some respond by no later than tomorrow I don't think it's very difficult So, uh, I think before we vote on it, that's what you're saying. You would like to have respond. So, if we look like we like to get some response
for the questions that have been raised. >> And just one more real quick um on resolution P uh 260940. Uh, this is a contract for HVAC maintenance and repair. Um, what I would also like from this resolution is a copy
of from the two companies, FNO Mechanical and and Vibracon. Um, when is the last time they change the filters? When is the last time they maintain the uh HVAC system? When is the last time the HVAC system has been blown so that
everything is done? Because I'm ve, as you guys can see, I'm very, very concerned about the air we're breathing in inside this building. um with so many things going on. So, I just need to make sure that this contractor is living up to their uh obligation with us and what
is the schedule rotation for filters to be uh changed inside this building and any place else they cover. >> Madam clerk, as noted by Councilman Jackson. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. >> R through U are BA OIT and personnel
contracts. R is grant funds for urban growers. S is sustainable grant funds for microforce. T is a state contract for building supplies. And U is a contract for health insurance worker services.
>> Any questions? >> Yes. A question on S. >> Yes. >> Um some of the young folks that were working for the um sustainable grant to do the roof cooling painting, they were having some issues in terms of payment,
their work schedule, etc. Um, I just need to know if that's been rectified. And if it has not been, I need these employees brought in and I need their pay to be given and them to be given some apology from the city as to why we asked them to do work. They did it and we did not compensate them. Thank you.
>> Start it. Council. >> Yeah. Thank you, Council President. Uh, 7R1U on page 23. Just a couple of quick questions. Number one is how many companies submitted the RFP? I I didn't see that information. And
number two, who is the committee? Who is on the committee that makes a determination to select uh the these three um insurance companies? >> Your name for the record, director. >> Yes. >> Hi. Good morning, council. Tiff Tiffany
Stewart, um personnel director, city of New York. Um to answer your question, we have we sent it out um through a fair and open process as an RFQ. Um we got back three responses. Those are the uh
respondents that we see that you see before you. Um as far as the committee that um is evaluating the respondents that is uh comprised of myself, the assistant director um and sometimes we
also do use the accountant as well. >> Thank you, >> Mr. President. >> Yes, Ramos. >> Um as far as the um the the rates, these are the same groups that you've been dealing with for a while, right?
>> Yes. So uh in in in your in your assessment as a director, do you feel that they have done a good job of um navigating you know the health health care costs for the city? We know that those municipalities and and other
levels of government that are tied to the state health benefits plan have been experiencing like double-digit increases every year, which not only increases costs for the government, but it also um increases costs for the individual
employees that are required now to pay into the the a share of the health benefits costs. like how are we faring out compared to those entities that are part of the state plan? >> Yes. Uh so to answer your question um I
have been tracking the state health benefits plan um and what our costs would be had we stayed with the state health benefits plan. I do this as an annual analysis of uh various options that we have um including whether we
should remain self-funded or whether we should re-enter the state health benefits plan. Um based on the the information that I have, the increases that they've seen over the last few years, had we remained in the state health benefits plan, we would have paid
over 200 million more um in health insurance costs uh for for that plan. So, we have made the right decision in coming out and being self-funded. That being said, I I do still um remain committed to ensuring that we try to
mitigate costs as much as possible. So, I meet with the brokers regularly to um determine whether or not the products that we're offering are, you know, still in our best interest. Um I do financial analysis regularly as well. We go out to
market um to get quotes to ensure that we're receiving competitive pricing um and we offer, you know, non-traditional um uh products as well, like our reference based pricing and things like that. And we are working um to try to
incorporate more sort of non-traditional ways of getting access to health care um that is more affordable for the city. >> What What kind of increase did you see from last year to this year? I know we're going through the budget process now, so we'll know in more detail um you
know what what that number is for for for 2026. What was the number compared to 2025 for active employees? >> Uh under under the self-funded plan that we have right now, um I believe the increase was somewhere around 12%.
>> Um whereas the state health benefits plan was nearing like 30%. >> Okay. And I just want to state, you know, for the record that I I have a history of not voting for broker contracts. Um to me, the the brokers depends, and I don't want to paint them
with a broad brush, but um in my experience is that they're not always transparent uh with the municipality. You know, I have to commend you and your team because I think um you know, the city is in a better position compared to our other governmental neighbors. Uh I I
know there's a big effort uh on behalf of your office and the broker uh to contain some of these out of network charges that are that are crippling um some of our uh governments around the the the the state uh many of these uh
procedures uh are are out of network and then those costs are being passed on to the to the municipalities and county governments. So, you know, I I I I do feel that um you know, at some point maybe we can have access to the brokers,
have a more detailed conversation so that the members of this council can understand a little bit more about the work that they do and what their role is to help navigate coverage, but most importantly make sure that the coverage is adequate, but at the same time affordable uh for the taxpayers and the
employees. >> Absolutely. I'll work with your teams to facilitate a meeting. >> So, just >> just two things real quick. >> Um I won't be voting for this this afternoon um or tomorrow. I just think
it is what has happened with the healthcare insurance to the employees of this city, police, fire, sanitation, and others has been horrendous. What we just went through because I speak to them. So, I can only speak to who I'm talking
to that works for us. that little $250 whatever the little bonus card was for the coverage of nothing when people's children not being covered when we had the state debacle people that were working at the board and people that were working at the city
lost coverage I go to single I'm Larry to Larry Larry has to excuse me but just for the example [laughter] Councilman Crump but just for the example he's Larry aka the new husband He has no coverage now. I don't have
coverage for the children because of the fiasco. I just would like for as and to echo Councilman Ramos. These brokers who are in it to make money. Let's be clear. They not in it for anybody's benefit. That's my personal opinion and I'm entitled to it. They're not in it to win
it. They're in it to win it for themselves. I see a lot of families that have a problem that new insurance that we had. There were a whole bunch of people running back to human resource and every place else to revert back to the Etna or
whatever they had. I just think that we need to take time to make sure that we have the best. There's a lot of things in the new company that came in that are not covered and families are being inundated right now with medical bills
because we keep making the quick and alleged economic decision where we're not thinking about folks long term in terms of what we need to do. So, I just would like to see that come in. I'd also the next time this happens, I'd like to see some employees at the table to help
barter to let you know what their experiences is with insurance, what they're denied for that they need because it's a lot of denial going on, not just with us, but across the board because they don't want to pay for these things. So, while we're talking about it, we do need to make sure that we have
brokers that are have our best interest and it's not always cost-saving. And I understand sometime that has to go over to the employee, but I don't like what I've seen um in this system in the last 5 years. I just don't like it. And I just think it's very unfair to the city for them to be disingenuous with us
because I don't think they're honest brokers because we know there's a lot of politics involved in these insurance brokers. And I'm not even in that field. But trust me, I know. And everybody's borrowing. Let me get north. Let me get north. They got the most employees. And a lot of times they're not honest
brokers. and our people and that's who I'm concerned about that work for us our front line don't have the best coverage and when something happens to them when you get that lower standard of care you get sicker and I'm very concerned about that so thank you miss store for your time hopefully we can you know change
how we negotiate and also include some of the employees in the city from the director spots down in this negotiation to see what would be best thank you >> yeah I I'll um facilitate a meeting so that you the council is um able to ask
any questions that they need to ask. The other plan, the plan that we do have, the reference based pricing plan is actually the exact same plan design as our Etna plan. >> Okay. >> Um so I I do want to make that clarification. Um there's no difference
in the coverage um that's provided. Um and if anybody does have bills or anything like that, they should come to HR. That's what we're there for to assist them. So, but I I will certainly provide everyone an opportunity to ask questions of the broker. >> Madam Madam clerk, thank you so much.
But madam clerk, if you can also have a presentation to the to the governing body. >> Of course. >> You know, I think we need it's time to do a presentation. Uh we have newcome persons on the council and things have changed. So I think that's important
that we schedule. >> Thank you, council president. Yes. If I may, I think council uh councilwoman Jackson brought some important questions to the force, some of which I think need to be addressed right now. I'll start with the last part if I could about
having employees involved in the process for the insurance that we get. Um insurance is one of the uh largest drivers of the budget that we have here. We are not the largest employer in the city with respect to insurance. The board of education has a larger budget
than we have and they have similar um health care costs, but employees are represented to to this degree. Every one of the negotiated collective bargaining agreements talks about health care coverage. And when we change providers, we have to make sure that we provide
substantially similar benefits when we go from one uh to another. In order to do that, uh, Director Stewart meets with the presidents of each union. Every time there is a sub substantive change in, uh, insurance and they have to be
notified, they are they are given opportunities to ask questions. Those questions are incorporated into the negotiations that we have to ensure that the coverage is uh, the same uh, or better. And we have not had um I think I
heard you say more issues where employees are not uh covered or not taken care of. That that's not true. Uh and if you have data to support that, I would love to have that so we can address the concerns of those individual employees and make sure that they are taken care of uh appropriately.
Director Stewart mentioned that one of the things that we have implemented is reference based pricing. reference rate pricing gives us the opportunity to negotiate directly with providers and hospitals through our brokers and others to get better rates than you would get otherwise and that is one of the ways
that we've been able to keep the costs uh down. So there has been an increase. There's been an increase across the country everywhere, but our increases are so much less, more than 50% less, 60 70% less than other places. Um, I think we've done a great job. Part of that has
been done by the brokers that we have. You'll notice that we have three brokers. They have expertise in different areas. There are some brokers who claim that they could do all of it. Based on the assess, excuse me, based on the assessment of the abilities of these
brokers, the determination made was made um by our personnel director and uh her team that we get a better benefit from having these three individuals. I will also note that the cost that we're paying those three individuals firms is
less than the cost that we would have otherwise paid to one single firm that likely would not have provided the level of service that we have received. Uh what I'm most concerned about though is your your your claim that we're not providing as good coverage as we have.
And u you know um as I've done, you are always welcome to come to my office to bring me that information. You know, I can't have a council meeting without me inviting you and me to meet in person. Uh, and we can address that. >> Mr. Ba,
>> any other questions? Continue. >> Seminar 2A through K are private sale and redevelopment agreements. A is a private sale redevelopment for new construction of two three family dwellings consisting of one ADA
compliant apartment unit and two standard units. each dwelling to be sold at market rate in the south ward. >> Any questions? None. >> I guess >> B. New construction of a two family home where one unit will be owner occupied
and the other unit will be leased through the section 8 housing choice voucher program in the south ward. >> Yeah, Mr. Chair, I want to sponsor this item. >> Council. >> Okay. SP sponsor second. Second by Councilman Roundry. continue.
>> C is new construction of a two family home with market rate rentals in the south board. >> Ask for this item be deferred. >> Is there a second to defer? >> Second by [clears throat] Jackson. Continue.
>> D is new construction of a two family home to be sold at an affordable rate of 80% of the area medium income in the South Ward. >> Ask for this item be deferred. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by bay. Win bay. Continue.
>> E. Is new construction of a three family home to be sold at market rate in the west. >> Okay. You're moving. Is there a second? Second by council roundtrip. Can you >> a second by roundry? >> Yes. Thank you.
>> Council round. F is new construction of a two family home and a four family home both to be sold at market rate in the central ward. >> I make a motion to be deferred. >> Is there a second?
>> Um just quick this is this is F, right? I'm sorry. >> Oh yeah, we had a question about that. >> Um so we have 559-561 South Tempth Street. Uh when you look on the map when doing my um investigation,
this says that the the odd side number street on South 10th Street, it's on the border of the West and the Central Ward. And that the odd number, which is this side, is actually the West Ward. So, could we clarify if it's the West W or
not? And if it's the West W, I would like it to be uh to meet jointly >> Yes. Yeah. with the council woman since it's right on the border, but I just want to clarify if it's actually the west ward, but it says the odd side number is the west ward.
>> Madam clerk, as noted and we can get an answer. >> Yes, we'll check. >> Okay, continue. >> G is construction of a mixeduse building consisting of 32 residential apartment with 20% of the residential units
designated as affordable housing in the central ward. >> Yes. I also asked for this to be deferred. There's a meeting pending. >> Mr. Second for defer. >> Second. >> Second by Jackson. Continue. [cough]
>> H is construction of a new four family residential home designated for households earning up to 80% of area medium income in the central ward. Um yeah, I have a same question that um Councilman Kelly had about the um the
other one 205 Avon Avenue. We've looked it up and different maps have it same same time frame but have it in different um different wars. So if we could just get um clarification if it's central W or not.
>> Circus noted by Councilwoman Bay. >> Yes. >> Continue. I is new construction of one new two family home to be sold at market rate in the south ward >> and I ask for this item be deferred. Is
there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Kelly. >> Continue. >> Item J will be deferred. K is new construction of a two family dwelling with one unit designated for
owner occupancy and the second unit to be leased to an income qualified household at 80% of area medium income in the west w um yeah I would like to this item to be deferred >> is there a second >> second
>> second by Jackson continue L is amending the 2026 annual budget for NORC Alliance. >> Any questions? >> Yes, >> Councilwoman Bay. >> Thank you, Council President. So, um a couple of things. I know that we have um some upcoming meetings with North
Alliance, but I've previously previously asked for um a more detailed budget um regarding um the parks. Now, that's under NOC Alliance ND. um the scope of work that's um under
that and what's how much of the budget goes towards that, the um the area that is covered um equipment, all of that. And then also to a follow-up meeting and follow-up conversation regarding um
their involvement with FIFA and the advertisement and marketing that was supposed to be done to help our local businesses benefit from that. Um it was some great things that were activated um in the east ward and I congratulate uh Councilman Silva and the city and
everyone who contributed to that but there were a lot of areas that didn't get anything and so I just want to know what happened to that and where did the you know where where did those resources go because they didn't go into a lot of our areas that were promised. So I I
want to get that information >> as noted by the counciloman Bay >> Mr. President. >> Yes. Councilman Ramos. Yeah, I I I agree with my colleague. I think at some point we should have a conversation with the folks at the alliance. I mean, by dissolving the downtown district, the
tourism bureau, you're essentially creating this mega special improvement district. And I think from um efficiency standpoint, it made sense at the time. But we just have to make sure that we clearly understand that the stakeholders
who are contributing to these districts, whether it's the hotels, the property owners along the downtown district, that there's adequate representation because they are contributing um financially toward the uh the organizations that are
tasked with delivering certain services. and they should definitely have a voice to ensure that the mission of those different entities are not um forgotten in the creation of this mega uh organization. And and from my
understanding, the alliance is is in the process now of of hiring an executive director. So, at some point, it'd be a good time for them to come in and talk to us about um how they separate out the different arms of this mega uh
improvement district to ensure that they're doing what they're supposed to be doing, not only in the downtown area, but like the councilwoman said, you know, as far as the tourism bureau is concerned, u you know, promoting Newark as a destination, whether it's, you know, restaurant week. I think um the
World Cup presented a great opportunity and I I know he's not here, but I gotta really thank Councilman Silva and the city partnered with him. Um and and that was kind of like an independently organized uh fan fanfest or whatever you wanted to call it. It wasn't part of what the
state spent millions of dollars putting together around the state. We didn't really see that in Newark, right? they they ended up uh joining with the fanfest that was put together by this um independent coalition of people. But you know there is great opportunity for the
tourism bureau to promote things that are happening in the different wards right like we all have you know festivals and things going on and uh I really feel that that should be part of their mission. >> Yeah that's by council Rayma. I think there needs to be a presentation
uh in the month I mean September we're going to have a we're going to have a special so we should look at these having specials with the items that we have talked today uh and I think this is the North Alliance should make a presentation what goes on at uh with the
tourism at the airport and what are we benefiting out of the uh of that that entity so and we don't we we there's been changes is with the entity. [clears throat] So, I know that we need to we need to engage with them and bring them in and see where they're at. So,
>> yes, sir. >> Yes, Councilwoman B. Sorry. >> No, I'm just saying this is, you know, we we this has come up a couple of times and so um I just I don't feel comfortable moving forward on this until we get the information because it's been it's been a couple of months now.
>> Okay. As noted by Councilwoman Bay. Continue. M is to authorize the execution of a memorandum of understanding with Essex Plaza Owner One LLC in connection with the installation of a public mural.
>> Any questions? >> Um just a comment. As we are approaching, although it's warm today, the winter season, there are always issues. And I I know
this is a mural, nothing to do with it, but I think in good faith, we shouldn't make any agreement with this for me until we make sure that that building is bought up to code. I I can't tell you the calls I get from the residents at
1060. They're my adopted grandparents. And I it's it's just always every cycle, including in the summer, that heat or that AC doesn't work. Now, I might be a little out of order with this, but
because I know it's just aou for the mural, but I just don't think we should do anything with them until they bring that housing up the code for those elders in that building. It's always an issue. I bought gloves, coats, freezing in the hallway. They they're they're not
good business partners with our community. And maybe we should put the mural someplace else because I don't like the way they treat my elders in that building. I I'm not supporting it. Just can't. >> Other questions? >> What is the mural of? Is it anything
specific? The artist is does that even matter? Uh is there a central artist that's or East artist or somebody from New York? >> What is it up? >> Is it something that was uh spoke
>> right >> um you know with the elders of the building? Did they have a say so in what the mural is? >> Maybe the department of economic development. Can you >> It doesn't say >> because it doesn't say no background
information. >> Hello, Brandy Daniel, legislative coordinator for economic and housing development. Um, councilman, to your question, I can get all the information from you today for you today and get us to the council before the end of business day. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. That is noted. Continue.
SevenR3 A through E are engineering resolutions. A is for professional design and engineering services. B and C is for professional engineering services. D is a bid contract for improvements to Broadway Park. And E is a support
resolution for Clay Street Bridge Replacement Project. >> Yeah, Mr. President. >> Yeah. with the 7R3D. I I know um Trust Republic Land has been designated as the partner for the construction site there.
So, I'm just trying to understand um what are we paying for here um as far as Broadway Park. I thought the money that was um raised goes to Trust Republic Land. They end up hiring the contractor to do the renovation.
This is another $5 million here. So, if they could just answer that prior to tomorrow's meeting, you could just send me a quick email. You know, I'm just trying to figure out who's getting what because I know we've approved some grants that have come in and um I thought Trust Republic Land was the one
that was handling the construction, but you could just um director and and Harris just send me an email, copy the council. Okay. Okay. As noted by council Ramos by uh his request. Thank you. >> Yes, sir.
7R4A is authorizing a tax sale to enforce municipal leans. >> Any questions? >> Yes. >> Yes, Councilwoman Jackson. >> Uh, just a couple of questions. Um the process of tax leans has been a very
contentious one in the community and there are a lot of elders that are receiving tax notices that say they have leans on their properties that are not clear as to where they come from. And I just think before we do this um
electronic online tax lean sale that many of us won't be able to participate in um I'm I'm concerned about one if the adequate notice is given to the players that will be able to be a part of this
electronic because I know that as we sit here as council members and I'll try to text someone in the audience and Councilman Council will and Councilman Ramos, it all won't go through at the same time. So, we doing an electronic
sale. I'm concerned about the [groaning] not saying illegal. So, let me just make sure I'm saying the the fairness and people having access to the bid if I'm being understood. So, I want to
make sure that if everybody sitting in this room goes into the tax sale portal, because I think this is the first time we're doing this. Oh, not. Okay. So, if the BA could give some more info on this, I'm just, like I said, I'm just a little concerned
with the legality of the leans that are already there and do people understand how they got there? because, you know, as I get I get calls, I'm not going to speak for my colleagues, but I'm sure they do. Um, some elders in
particular don't understand the lean process, but I'm a little hesitant because now it'll be electronic and I can sit right here on my phone and just bid on everybody in the this example, everybody in the audience's house and I
just don't want only my phone to go through and not um, Councilman Kelly or Councilman Council or Councilwoman Bay. I'm I'm just is there can you give just a little on that for me? Thank you.
>> Eric Bennington, business administrator. I think I forgot to give my name the last time I came up here. U the uh tax sale process is governed by state statute and we just oversee the leans
for the municipality. Uh with respect to your concern about I think your concern by state statute and we just oversee the leans for the municipality. Uh with respect to your concern about I think your concern is whether or not everybody
who attempts to go on digitally gets the has the same right of access. You don't want the system to crash because too many people are on at one time. Um there's a couple of things. If you're using an a a telephone or an iPad or a
desktop or a laptop, it's a different platform. But desktop and a lap laptop are essentially the same platforms. But if it's a phone or a tablet, you're on a different platform. And a phone, you may not be able to even do the bid on the phone. >> Okay? >> Things have been upgraded. So perhaps
now you can. This is not the first time that we've done this electronically or digitally. It's been done several times in the fast past. As far as I know, it's never crashed. Um, you know, perhaps there is more interest now than there has been, but it is there's sufficient bandwidth with the services that we use.
It should be able to accommodate everyone that we have. Again, if you're aware of anybody who has ever attempted to use the service and they couldn't get through for some reason, I'd be happy to get that information. We could uh talk to our provider and make sure that there's not a an individual glitch. It
sounds like it's an individual problem and not a system problem. >> Okay. So this is uh if I could just one more while you're there. So this and I'm looking at a second time. This is electronic and in person. >> No, just just electronic. >> Oh, just electronic. It is not. Okay.
>> And so how do we how would Oh, you know, well, how would you Mr. Pennington regular find out about this tax sale? >> Uh it's advertised uh in the paper. You're talking about it now. >> Okay. Um it will be on the city's
website. Um individuals whose properties are going to be in the tax sale, they're notified in addition to the uh uh the general notice of the tax sale. They receive before it goes on a tax sale. You get several notices and you have opportunities
uh to make the payments or make payment arrangements. >> Okay. I just like to request Ben through your office and uh probably Miss Michelle if we could do a session so that particularly the elder community understand you know what that is once
the lean comes because I think sometime they don't understand that they have some time to maybe rectify they have time to get to the family and maybe come down when the sale is and they can you know try to revert the property back to themselves if we can >> certain certainly I will I will make
this representation for the tax collector. Now, Michelle Jones, that if any elder or anyone else has a question about their property going to a tax lean, they can call her office and they will address it directly. So, there's two two different things that we're talking about a little a little bit. One is the individual properties that are
going to be in the tax lean. Those individuals have rights and they can call the tax office and make sure that they exercise those rights to protect their property. The other issue is the actual uh bid itself, that process. That's a separate process. >> Okay.
>> It is possible but unlikely that the people who are affected by the tax lean are going to participate in that tax sale. They would just pay off their lean. So those are, you know, two two different things. But I'm happy to to get you whatever information you need to be satisfied. And the people who are
listening now, if they call the tax collector's office, uh they will explain to them the process. >> Um yeah, >> and that has happened. I just there's just still so many with the questions like people are going to the hospital for some periods of time and coming home
and dealing with that and just not, you know, focused on >> and certainly you don't want it to get to this point, but there's a two-year redemption period as well, right? So, even if somebody purchases a tax lean, they can't foreclose on the property for two years, and they have to keep the properties current with the taxes, and
then the homeowner would have to repay what was paid plus the interest on the property to reclaim their property, but they have a two-year period to do so. >> Okay. So, thank you for that because I think those who are listening um that are not necessarily here, the people on 78, YouTube, etc., there are some
seniors that don't have that info. And I just thank you for giving it because I do get those calls as well. >> Certainly. And for for you, Councilwoman Jackson. >> Yes. >> If you connect me with any of those people directly, I'm happy to talk with them and with you to explain the process
myself. And if I have to get the tax collector involved, we will. >> Okay. Yes. Thank you. >> That's only for you, not all the other council people. Just just you. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Continue.
Seminar 5 A through F are resolutions from the health department. A, B, and C are subreient agreements for mental health emergencies. A is for New Directions Behavioral Health Center. B is new community street team and C is
Raise the Flags LLC. D is an amending resolution to increase the funds for the Newark dropin center program. E is acceptance of grant funds for the dental care for uninsured residents and F is a gift donation for homeless outreach.
>> Any questions? Council P. >> Yes. I'd like to um sponsor A and B >> as noted. Second >> second by Kelly and Juan Kelly and the other one uh
>> Round Tree. Okay. Virginia >> seminar 6A is for executive session which discussed B is referral of proposed ordinance to the central planning board for formal review regarding shipping containers
>> continue >> C I'm sorry C through H was discussed in executive session >> any questions say None. >> We are on page 47. 7R8A
is an appointment to the Second River joint meeting. Council President, council members, there will be an amendment on the floor tomorrow to appoint Councilman Kelly instead of Councilwoman A. >> Okay.
>> B is a ceremonial street designation for Lewis Reyes. Yeah, madam clerk, in terms of before we do this, I'm we turned in a resume. This person is deceased, but the family has a business right at the
corner. >> Yeah. >> And uh we just want to put that on record. Uh the street dedication of this person is deceased, was a good standard, and we have you have the resume. >> I'd like to second, Madam President. me.
>> Thank you. >> I mean, madame clerk, I'm sorry. >> Promoted to the location. >> C is a ceremonial street designation for Miss Darthy L. Harris, sponsored by Councilman Crump. >> Is there a second?
>> Yes. >> I'd like to second that. >> By round tree. Continue. >> D is a ceremonial street designation for Bishop Frank Harris, sponsored by Councilwoman Scott Roundtree. Mr. Chair. >> Yes. Now,
>> as we move forward, I just respectfully ask that when we're doing uh street dedications and specific people wards as the atlarge people that they at least reach out to the war people at first understanding. >> Yeah. Council >> what's happening and what's going on. I just want I just want us to be
>> this morning. This morning at the our executive we spoke about that moving forward any any street dedications in different wards. They would like to have a conversation with the ward council, >> right? >> Uh like a sign off of of that all of us
are in agreement. So that and that there be a bio of every uh person. Uh that there and also that the ordinance would be as follow uh proceeding forward that the resolution states that a person has
to be a certain age and that resolution has to read that u also if a person is a veteran of come back from war that they be recognized. So, we are going to put those into uh that the ward council people will have some say in what
happens in their wards. Thank you. >> Yes, council. And we do have a council president um when council President Trump there was an application process put in and in this in some cases I don't think there's ever been one time maybe
with this exception that I have not spoken to the ward people about the street dedication in the award um to participate and email to really get their approval because I am coming into the award isn't at large at large doesn't mean I get to go into your award and do anything without the respect of
speaking to those ward counsel started. >> Yeah. I'm I'm I'm not here to start a spat, council president. What what I'm talking about is just the the the level of respect at his colleagues because there are some instances where we're we're naming streets after individuals
where when they did the predominant amount of work in a different ward, that ward should be recognized for the work they did there. And then we're rewarding them in another ward or area when they only been there a specific amount of time. And so we get blowback as ward
council people about some of the things that we're doing uh because we spend the majority of our time in that ward. That that's all I'm saying. >> Not and then we'll get back with some of the revised. Are we talked this morning about the revised rededications?
>> Yes, sir. Okay. Thank you. >> Councilman council, are you second? No, >> I'm not second. >> Oh, we need a second, please. Is there a second? I hear a second. >> Need a second for item D.
It's a ceremonial street, doesn't it? >> Maybe you'll get it by tomorrow. >> Okay. So E is a whole harmless for the senior summer barbecue sponsored by Councilman Ramos. >> Second. >> Thank you. >> You second. >> F is a whole harmless for the wellness
fest sponsored by Councilman Ramos. >> You second that. >> Yeah, Mr. President, with with F. Um, I just I'm trying I'm trying to I'm having a moment. I can't remember what this is about. So, I may pull it if I don't get more information. >> I'm just trying to figure out what this
wellness fest is for. >> Okay. G is waving special event fees for the tilling block party sponsored by council and council. [snorts] >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you.
H is a resolution declaring the month of August as National Breastfeeding Month sponsored by Councilwoman Scott Roundry. >> Second by Kelly. Okay, continue. >> Thank you. I is recognizing and commending resolutions and J is
expressing profound sorrow and regret. >> 7R10A is an acceptance of grant funds for litter abatement. >> Any questions? Yes. Yes. Council council. >> Um, yeah, I'm I'm I'm going uh talk about
this, but also continue to bring this up during our budget hearing because I think it's important uh for all of us. One, the the use uh of the dollars that are coming out of our clean community funds. Um, I I've asked numerous times
for uh signs to be put up on on islands uh throughout the ward about not littering. I asked for posters to put up about not littering with QR signs on there that people can post and get information from DPW about pickup days and all these days. We have to begin to
use this uh clean communities money correctly. And I know a lot of times we're not we're down there. with purchasing vehicles. And there is a multitude of things that we can do with clean community funds. We can hire a litter patrol team and pay them out of
the clean community funds to make sure that the islands remain clean with all of the dollars that we get there. And if we're not going to be responsible of how we utilize these clean community funds, right, I'm not going to keep voting on uh on on these items. And I'm going to
continue to push the administration to look into the usage of these clean community funds as they should be utilized. And in some instances, yes, you can purchase some some some vehicles and put, you know, keep litter clean and pick up litter. you can purchase uh uh
recyclable garbage cans, but also it's for the use of signages. It's for the use of awareness and litter campaigns. And if you wanted to uh employ some folks and pay them out of the clean communities to keep the islands clean,
you can do that based on what the the law says around New Jersey clean community funds. We have to be better stewards at how we utilize clean community funds. started by council council. >> Mr. President, um I'm going to have to excuse myself because I have the senior
event from 12 to 1. So, I want to make sure I stop that. But, um I do have a um ordinance on the agenda. Just wanted to respectfully ask for the council support in advancing it. And it re relates to um these short-term party rental places
that are popping up all over the city. Um, I have one on Verona Avenue in a residential area, which I'm not even sure how this party rental place was um allowed use in in a residential area.
And there's one on u on uh Broadway u street that Louisito lives on over there uh not far from the Taco Bell right on the corner that we get a lot of complaints from from residents about uh garbage being dumped on the corner and
there's no parking 8 street I'm sorry. So, these these short-term party rental places are a popular thing these days, and through this ordinance, we just want to make sure that they're they're being properly approved by the
city, that they have a fire safety um compliance, and also that they have a separate business license that would um enable the city to better control where these kind of businesses are popping up. And my notice to that the the those are
hall license and back then they were hall licenses in the city. I don't know if we still are collecting on them but if entities that had dancing places or such they have to have >> by by the ordinance they would have to have a license for a dance hall or for
events or things of parties. uh because what you have on on Brofville Avenue have a party place that doesn't have I think a license for banquet hall and etc. So we should look into those too through the administration.
>> Yeah. And we we have one on Broadway and Chester um that opened up initially as a restaurant and it's strictly um being utilized as a dance hall and it's an afterhour place like this place doesn't open up until midnight. the neighbors. Um I believe Gwen's mom lives on Lincoln
Avenue and she could attest to the fact that they have people hanging out at that dance hall till six o'clock in the morning and the city has been there numerous times with device squad and for whatever reason, you know, this guy is able to keep opening up his his illegal business. So, a lot of these little
short-term party rental places are creating major quality of life issues for people that live in our city. And and we we got to figure out a way to better deal with them. and and shut them down. I bet you half of them are illegal, you know. So, >> as noted by by councelor Ramos.
>> Thank you, sir. >> Can you seminar 12A is a contract for the sale of water to the township of Beldo? >> Yes, madame clerk. Uh what is what is the amount on this what is the amount
>> uh uh >> from this township of Belleville? I can reach out to the department to get a dollar amount. >> Director, where's the amount? >> Good afternoon, council president, council members Kareem and Dean, director of department of water and
sewer. It's just the increase. They're increasing their total take to 7.5 million gallons per day. >> Are they up to date with their uh payment to the city? >> Yes. >> Okay. I just wanted to >> Right. They they want to buy more water. They want to they're doing development
so they need to get more water >> before they can develop. >> Thank you. >> So just one quick this is the current contract to 2030. >> Yes. Is it this is an amendment to their current contract. They want to increase the amount of water that they buy from us. >> Okay. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. >> Make sure they're not opening a brewery. [laughter] >> Thank you. >> B is a professional service contract for legal services. Okay. >> Communications.
Items 8 A through I were already discussed. J is a reappointment to the Newark Caribbean Commission. K is a reappointment to the Newark Caribbean Commission
and L is a reappointment to the Central Planning Board. >> Okay. Item 8M is an ordinance requiring a deed restriction and ensuring that any purchaser of city property sold for the purposes of redevelopment complies with
any and all applicable best efforts workforce requirements. >> Mr. Chair, >> yes, council. >> Yeah. I would like to uh sponsor this item in advance and adopt them first. >> Moved by council and second by Kelly as noted.
Continue. N is an ordinance authorizing the city to accept corrective deeds from the Newark Housing Authority correcting the city's previous conveyance of property located in the central ward.
>> What's sponsored by Counciloman Bay? Is there a second? Second. >> Okay. Continue. O is an ordinance amending live new loan forgiveness program for advancing
closing costs or providing funding for eligible facade improvements. >> Yeah, Mr. Chair, council, >> I would like to uh sponsor this item as I did on the first in advance and adopt on first. >> Second by council. >> Okay, >> council president.
>> Yes. Yes, deputy mayor. >> Council president. Um, council members, Alison Lad, director of economic and housing development. I wanted to note that there is a error in the um title. Uh, the title at the end says that we were going to go up to 50,000.
>> The number we are going to go up to is 30,000 and I just wanted to make sure that was addressed as an amendment on the floor prior to your consideration tomorrow. >> Madam clerk, [clears throat] just may the correction. Yes, >> as a as a change.
>> Thank you. >> Absolutely. >> P is an ordinance providing for the Wayne Pump Station upgrade project and other related expenses and appropriating $7,400,000 thereof. And there's a request from finance to advance and adopt on first
reading. >> Any questions? Can I continue? Q's an ordinance amending amusement amusements to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for short-term event space and party rental venues sponsored by
Councilman Ramos. >> A second. >> Second by Kelly. >> And this item will be advanced and adopted on first as well. >> Pending business 9A was already
discussed. 9B is an ordinance amending housing code by establishing the property compliance cost recovery program. >> Right. Any late starters? >> How many late starters? >> Public hearing. Public comment. We are
now 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. Uh Mr. President,
>> Michael, by the way, I >> Michael of SS Cummus and Gross. We represent uh a number of operator shipping container operators and carriers and uh I want to address uh
which was uh on the agenda 7R6B uh 26-1052. This is on for resolution tomorrow. Um so this is the fifth time that the council has attempted to uh go forward
with with an ordinance. It has adopted some prior ordinances. Uh the current ordinance was an ordinance in 2024. That ordinance was challenged. Our law firm represents the plaintiffs, the operators in that case. Uh the
litigation has been going on for two years. Uh that ordinance suffered from any number of infirmities. Uh the court in that case sanctioned the city, awarded attorneys fees to the plaintiffs. Um
a year ago, the the city said that it was going to repeal the ordinance. That still hasn't happened. Hasn't happened today. Yesterday in court, the city's council told the judge it still hasn't happened. Now, I understand that the
city is is is is thinking of going ahead with this new ordinance. And let me tell you that this new ordinance is equally infirm. And what do I mean by that? Well, as was with the first ordinance, there are all kinds of issues, violates the commerce clause. It it has no
relative connection or basis to the cost that would be necessary to just enforce a licensing scheme. What's happened is you've hired a consultant. The consultant said, "Oh, there was the fire regrettably a couple years ago. The
roads are being worn down too soon." We represent container operators, dry containers, those containers and for how long they sit do not add to to any of that. And
let me say this, um, I don't think the council appreciates this. And I'll give two examples. This is on the fee structure. If you took a U operator with 1,600 containers, based on this
schedule, which now has increased to $3 a container from $1 last time, that that operator is going to be paying upward of millions of dollars. Millions of dollars. That can't be right. It's more than what
the operators are charging their customers. That is not right. And so I would urge the council to give this very close consideration. Uh and I think it should look at other ways to to raise the revenue and not to
put it on the backs of these folks because you'll chase them away. Thank you. Good afternoon. >> Good afternoon. >> Good afternoon. Summ uh you guys are not used to seeing me
down here on prem. But first, I want to make new aware that one of our children returned to Allah passed away. Cynthia, honorable Cynthia Brown, the clerk
for over 30 years. They just had a janaza over 2,000 people there. Alhamdulillah. She, you know, I'm I love her more because we graduated together at Wera High School in 1972. So, I wanted to say that. Also, I wanted
to say that Gail Cheney Phil Jenin is at home in Florida with her husband and they rumbling. They gonna rumble. Just want to say that to you. And Council Pat, you know, you my dude. Thank you, man.
Um just hoping that the change in the president which I was praying for from L Monica to Larry it was horrible down here. It was horrible. People getting banned. L Monica banning
Carlen Fields one year for nothing. And what you don't understand was even when I was on the housing authority, Colleen was the speaker. She would whatever her problems, she would tell us. and messed around. And Carlen is homeless now, living in Penn Station, man. I come to
my house one day on a Saturday and she's sitting in the hallway waiting on me. Say she need a coat and she was banned for nothing. So that behavior more so of trying to protect Larry, trying to protect the mayor and them. It got to stop. And that's why I'm
just so happy, Mr. President, that you're here. But I want to say something because it happened to me last time we was here. We was talking on invest and I didn't mention nobody's name. I said the person next door and then all of a sudden somebody get a text and they get
up and they address me personally. So when somebody address me personally Mr. President I'mma fire back but people RM Muhammad Deb Mason said people don't listen to them activists down there. Hey, Donna. [laughter]
They He said, "They don't listen to y'all. Y'all wasting your time." You know what I mean? And guess what? Even in the votes, why people unote, they listen to you. I'm telling you, I was up in Orange and I sat next to somebody and I went to say something. He said, "Oh, my name is such and so. I'm Councilman
Orange." I said, "I'm Alif Muhammad." He said, "I know you. You ain't coming to Orange, are you?" [laughter] And uh you know so what I'm just I just wanted to come down there and also the last thing about putting the camera back on the people
that's speaking cuz y'all showing a boss body in my head from behind and that's not nice. >> Nice speaker. >> Can you hear me? >> Hi good afternoon council president uh members of the council. Chris Murphy uh with the law firm of Murphy Schiller and
Wilks. Um I'm here to discuss 7R6-B26-1052. It's the container storage ordinance. Um we're you're being asked to adopt resolution asking the planning board, the central planning board to review this ordinance
and make a recommendation back to the council. Um, as my uh colleague uh from uh Sils Kumis, another law firm who represents some of the plaintiffs in the previous lawsuit of 2024, my law firm uh
represented a plaintiff in that litigation as well. Um I think Michael laid out some of the legal reasons why the ordinance shouldn't be passed, why the change to the zoning ordinance shouldn't happen. I just wanted to touch on some of the more practical reasons
why I don't think that it should go through. Um, first, I think there's a lot of ambiguity in the ordinance. It defines shipping containers and automobiles in a way that could capture a lot of other uses that I don't think
the city is trying to regulate. um in industrial outdoor storage use, truck parking and trailer storage. There's some ambiguity as to whether those are included or not, and I think that is going to have some real negative implications when that if this goes
through. Um I I think that it's going to ultimately drive investment and jobs out of Newark. And I know that, you know, people stand up here and they say big things. You're going to ruin business if you pass this. I will tell you, um this isn't a hypothetical. I was negotiating a lease
this week with a with a shipping container company that said no. They said, "You know what? We're going to pull back. We're not going to sign this lease." That that is a direct example of a project that's not going to happen. The jobs aren't going to be here. The
investment's not going to be here. I think it's critical that we think about that when we're looking at this ordinance. Um, companies aren't necessarily and operators aren't necessarily going to fight city hall. They'll just say, "I'll go to Carney. I'll go to Harrison. I'll go to Elizabeth if I don't have to add this
extra cost to my operations." And lastly, I just want to say April 2nd of 2025, the Trump tariffs came into effect. When I read this ordinance, I said, "This is Newark's version of the Trump tariffs." I believe most of us were against those
because we understood what they would do. They would drive businesses not to operate. they would cost jobs, cost investment, cost money, and they did exactly that. I don't want New York to be the place with the what I call the Trump tariffs on our local businesses. I
think we should be supporting them, and I think that I would just ask that the council hold off on recommending this to the central planning board. Let us sit down with the stakeholders and go from there. Thank you so much. >> Next speaker. Hello, my name is um oh well good good
afternoon council president and council member speak. >> Good afternoon council president and members of the city council. My name is Annayia Blacker Jenna. I was born and raised here here in the city of Norc. I am the owner of Beyonce and I'm also a managing agent at Clinton Food Bar. um
all of your offices have been emailed with the relevant evidence um documenting the today's the events that I want to discuss today. I'm standing here because today I'm operating in a business that has been in the community for almost seven years. The business has been operating with all its required
licenses and it was still abruptly padlocked. Um we we you know we we pay our state taxes. Uh we employ local residents and we invest in the city of Newark. Um yet today our doors are still closed and remains locked while employees are out
of work and my my business continues to lose money every day. Um the initial reason why the business was shut down was because of licensing and once those proof but once that came back to prove unfounded it wasn't a licensing issue. The UCCC was called based off of a
complaint. Only have two notices, one for licensing, one for a complaint. So once they came um basically I was told that you know we needed uh a permit for the hoods and things. So as I come to city hall to rectify why the business is still shut down. I was given a
handwritten note as a violation instead of an official notice of a violation. [laughter] Um, so right now I am just coming here to ask you guys I'm demanding that you guys intervene into the situation because we don't have any we don't have any answers as to show cause why the establishment can't still
be up and running if we only have minor issues of plumbing. That that is what the UCCC found plumbing. So right now the business is still closed just for plumbing. And so that is why I'm here speaking to you guys today about this because I still don't understand why my business is closed. So, um, again, like
I said, all the relevant information has been emailed to all of you with the pertinent evidence backing our claims, and you know, we just want to continue to be in this city, support the city, and be upholding citizens of this city, but this treatment is kind of unfounded,
and I just really would like answers overall. So, thank you for having me today. And that's it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. next speaker. I want to wait. I didn't know if you was
speaking. Congratulations, Lou, on the presidency. And one of the things I'm happy about by about you being the presidency, what you used to do when you was the president or whatever that we got to get back to is sending letters out to the
different agencies, different counties, the different authorities, the other municipalities border us. You know, you if we had a question, you would know, let's get a letter out to this person. Let's get a letter out to
them. We don't do that no more. Even the private landlords, like for instance, on Broad and Market. You got these buildings vacant there for my whole life. So what is y'all? When are y'all going to bust a move and do some development? We can't have a building
there just sitting vacant. Young boy getting shot over there the other day. No type of development. What happened to Broadway market? Can we can we can you tell us something? Can you let us know what you're doing? Something. Send these letters out. I
would like a letter going out. Lou, I'm not going to take too much of your time today. I'm coming back tomorrow. Lou, I got some sexual assault on a black women. I'm under my watch. I'm not going to let any black women get assaulted on
these job sites. And because you got a little power and you have mental health issues, you got a couple dollars in your pocket. Don't mean you could sexual assault black women in the city of New York. I don't go up to Rockland County
assaulting. I don't even talk to your women when I'm up there. I go to the office handle my business. Go home. You going to develop, build on the construction site, leave our women alone and do your thing. But Lou, we got a lot of work to do. We got to notify who
we're going to notify and I hope you give me that rain day for the golf out so I can come. Have a nice day, council president. >> As noted by Thank you. >> Look, got any time left? That's I'm >> Yeah, go ahead. Go. Thank you. Look,
look. I want you to send a letter out to the EPA in my I understand that the state law says you can't transfer a property in the state of New Jersey if it don't have an environmental cleanup. Could that be a letter you said? What's the
status? You can't transfer the property. So, I don't know how when the city of Newark sells a property to a developer who don't develop the project without total EPA uh approval cuz a group did it down there on Freeland Avenue cross from
Seth Bordon by the Mickey De's. How you going to do it if the state say you can't do it? So, we need to find out what the state law is. May we get a letter going out to them. >> Thank you, Council President. >> Thank you, Mr. Davis. speaker.
>> Good afternoon. Excuse [clears throat] me. Good afternoon. Kiata Hendris, 18 Kier Avenue. I'm here because I'm concerned about the summer youth employment program to which my daughter is currently working. She's been having a lot of trouble getting paid as well as
a lot of other young people. Um, I know the application process when she first did it was a mess because the website was unstable. A lot of the documents she had to upload kept getting kicked out, which is very discouraging for a lot of young people. I pretty much had to help
her with the application. And since then, she's been employed downtown at Source of Knowledge Books, and she's been having a hard time getting paid regularly. She's been turning her time sheets in and she's been told she had to go back to the welcome center, go to
different orientations just to get paid. And I'd like to know what can be done to rectify the issues that I'm sure her and other young people have been facing, just getting paid for working with that program. So that's my main
concern, not just for her, but for the other young people who have been working diligently to raise money either to go to college, take care of their bills, just got out of college and are working and are not getting paid at all. So that's it. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Any other speakers? Direct. Good afternoon. Karen Gaylord, executive director for the Workforce Development Board. Um, I understand that there were some concerns about pay for summer youth
employment uh workers. So, we are um in about the middle of the summer process. We're in the second phase. Uh we've uh just about closed out the early program for college students. they're finishing
up and in the first pay cycle for um the folks who started uh after school ended. Um many reasons why uh more than a thousand somewhere between a,00and and 1500
people might have uh some disparity between what they believe they were to be paid and what they are paid. It's a lot of people. Um, I don't think that we can cite any one reason why we have some folks who uh have issues with pay or
concerns about their pay. Um, one of the things that we've done every year is make sure that we retrain everybody in how to submit their time sheets and um then go through a reconciliation process
after that. This is training. This is what workforce development looks like when you're working with young people who've never been paid before. Um, we have done a I think a great job this year of getting more people into direct deposit. Many of them still don't
understand that they're not getting checks. They're getting direct deposit and they don't understand that you hold back sometimes um a week or so because you have to process pay. It doesn't happen the next day. So, we're working
through retraining. Um, many people did orientation, some did not, and so they are lacking some understanding and so we're going to go back and redo it and make sure that they do understand. Um, but at the end of the day, we're going to also make sure that uh everyone is
paid for their work. That's what this is all about. If there are specific questions, I'm happy to answer them. >> Yes. Has anybody been paid from the summer youth program? I'm sorry. For the summer youth program. >> Yes. The pay are there pay periods for the summer youth program?
>> There are a number of uh different pay periods. We've just had one. In another couple of weeks, there'll be another one and then there'll be a close out one after that. We also have some people who are in pay cycles that don't end until the fall.
So, they're different pay cycles. So, the first payment for all of the young people that were in the summer youth program, do you know what date it was? Did everybody receive pay? Like the first cycle is July 1 to July 20th pay
period, then July 20th to July 30th pay period. So they they would know when the dollars go into their account if they did direct deposit. >> So a part of what happens is that uh not everybody starts at the same time >> and is not everyone is paid at the same
time. their start and and pay are different. We have a cascading program of start uh dates and pay dates. Uh and as I said, it will that will be happening all the way until the fall. So there'll be there uh different startups
and uh shutdowns throughout that period. It's also the case that we have families if there's more than one person who aren't on the same pay periods and that creates confusion for maybe the parents if they are on different cycles if they
have somebody who's coming home from college for example. Um and then somebody who's a high school student, they're not on the same pay. We created a staggered pay period scale so that those students who are on a staggered stay period scale will be able to get
the documents say listen you started on this date these are your these are your pay periods and so that they know actually when they should be looking for payment. >> Yes. And that was communicated during orientation and clear to those people who attended the orientation. >> Were they given a document?
>> Uh I don't know. I have to confirm that. >> Can you confirm a document? Like I'm asking for a document that was given to each summer youth employee to say, "Welcome. This is your work site. These are your pay periods, right? There's any
issues or concerns, reach back out to this specific person." >> Fair question. We'll we'll find out of the uh sets of workers who received those documents and how they were uh transmitted to them. Um there's also
communication that is uh uh in terms of pay, some of it electronic. Um we are uh meeting with people and have been for the last several days to reconcile any pay issues. The office, for those who
don't know it, our office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and we're open on Saturdays. So, we were seeing people from Friday's pay on Saturday to reconcile pay and then we uh
yesterday had people come in again. We reached out to them if it was unclear uh and to make any corrections that may need to be made. Uh we'll continue to do that until everybody's pay is reconciled. >> Council Kelly,
>> how you doing, director? Um thank you. So with the with the program there is a component of the program that is for the adults. Am I correct? For the summer youth program. >> Well we >> that a grant pays for.
>> Yes. So there are >> there are a uh set of workers who assist us with um mentoring and monitoring work sites, mentoring our uh workers and uh overall
assisting us with um program uh oversight. Uh I don't know if that's what you're referring to. There are some adults. >> No. So I've had a few SY workers uh interns come to my office and work for my office, but there was also a
component where I had older gentlemen who were probably of higher risk uh about three of them that are got out of the neighborhood and I was asking the workforce about employment and they steered those three into a program that
was grant-based and it was supposed to be for six months And after one month it was stopped. So what happened is it it created these three gentlemen were already at high risk of in our
neighborhoods you know um and it it really deterred them from believing in the system. It made them not believe in you know what you know I had to force them to get in the program and the program stopped after a month. one that
was in my office. He didn't get paid until the program ended. And then there was two other people who were doing great work for DPW, cleaning up lots, mowing lawns, you know, I mean, some dirty work. And they were just let go.
So now I have all three of them, you know, kind of just waiting saying now, now what do we do? Do we go back to our neighborhoods? do we, you know, and I'm I'm trying to help them look for other jobs. But is there I guess the question I'm asking is there anything that we can
do for these three who thought they were going to work for six months, only work for a month, and one of them didn't get paid until the program ended. you know, I I think that we we at least owe them the opportunity to uh submit apply for
something else or or put them in another uh space or position to get work because after they thought they would be here for six months and one month and it was over. >> Thank you for that question. Um that is actually a different program. It is not
related to summer youth employment. It's a different grant program. Um, we have a uh program for um returning citizens and I think that's the one that it sounds like that's the one that you're um referencing that um was intended to be
it's a it's a short-term grant program intended to be an entrepreneurship program where we um uh what we found when this is our second time doing this program. We found that when we give uh the folks who are trying to start up a
business the opportunity to work within a professional office that they learn more about um what it takes to run a business on your own from the employees perspective and that was the intent of that program and that's the model. Um
most of that program is training. Um uh and even when they're working, they are sent uh they they come in to us for additional training and help with business startup models. Um this was not
uh a six-month work program. It was a intended to be a six-month entrepreneurship program. And some of that period was uh intended to be work. I think that may be where some of the confusion is there.
>> But if if it was a six-month program, the mo the program ended after 30 days. >> Uh that program has been going on in terms of the training and entrepreneurship um the credible messengers who are working with them and the other contract people who are
working with them for far more than 30 days. So I I guess a better question is why are the three that I put in the program were released? >> And they said that they and the the answer that they were giving was that the program ended.
>> Okay. I will have to look into who those three are and whether or not they started the program at the same time as everybody else. I don't know. I I'll >> Yeah, please >> touch base with you and find out. you know, uh, and the reason why I'm asking because, you know, as councilman who has
his his boots on the ground in the west ward, you know, uh, the office of violence and prevention and trauma and recovery does an amazing job, but we too as as council members, we go out there and we build faith back in these young men who have been displaced,
incarcerated, and uh, who can bring um, some disruptions to our neighborhoods. And we tell them that we support them that we're going to guide them. And then when things go ary, they say, "See, this is why I didn't want to do it. This is
why I didn't believe in the system." And these are three young men who have a lot of influence in our neighborhoods. And I think uh Miss Jackson, you know what I'm talking about. And I would love for them to have a sitdown or or looked at or
something. They were doing they were on time every day. they were uh showing up. They were doing things that they felt like was beneath them and I had to talk to them to to get them to show that this is what you have to do. And then all of a sudden they were told they were let go
and one of them wasn't even paid until he was let go. >> Um we will definitely look into whatever the pay disparity was. But to I think the wider question that you asked which is what's next for them. >> Yes. Um, uh, an entrepreneurship program
doesn't immediately, especially one that's short-term like this, isn't going to immediately lead to a startup of a business, right? It is an introduction to, you know, here's what it takes. Um, because you've said you want to to have
your own business someday. That's what it is. Um most of the people in that program have been sent uh referred to other uh employment opportunities um that align with the type of business
and the industry that they want to be in. That was one of the aims of the program. Um some of them have been to several interviews and we continue to stay with them. They don't leave when the program is over. We're still case managing. We're still working with them.
those who have a business model the last time we did this program uh several of the people who set out to be entrepreneurs a year later succeeded in that but I wouldn't say most of them did some of them did a few of them did um
the rest of them we continue to work with until they're ready for that if that's what they continue to want to do but most of the time we're talking about placement in work or work experience elsewhere and we're we're committed to
that. We're not none of them were cut loose. We're still working with them. They were they have counselors assigned to them, job developers assigned to them, and we're continuing to work with them. >> And and um and and I'll let you go after this. Um I definitely understand that.
Um, those three I actually sent them to a nonprofit organization which I used to be the ED of 211 Community Impact to actually help them get their EIN and business numbers and and certificates and they did you know and then they came
to work for you. So these guys are already that's why I continuously get the calls and they're saying that nobody is contacting them that they just been cut loose. So, they are ready. They have their paperwork. I made sure of it
before they even started the work for for you guys because that's what they want to do. They want to do some landscaping and stuff. So, I thought it would be great to have them part of DPW. They already have all of their paperwork, but they feel like nobody is contacting them. Nobody is is reaching
back out to them after they were cut loose. Uh we will definitely look into the three that you're um uh uh telling us about, but we've had uh since the time that that that the program ended, we've hosted uh and invited and included
all of those participants in at least two job fairs at our own site. Not all of them found what they wanted in those experiences. not all of them participated in those experiences, but I will get the names of the three that you're talking about and make sure that
the folks who were assigned to follow up with them are actually doing that and that um you know at the end of the day you can refer them to me. Send them to me. >> I will. Thank you so much Jackson.
>> Miss Glor, you know I'm in love with you. are so hard for me. But at the end of the day, it's got me disgusted. This summer program has been horrible. I don't care who don't agree in terms of paying our children for the last at
least five years. This paid period, this new card system, horrible. I cannot have young people and their parents calling me telling me they don't get paid. I can't have young people in this building walking up to me Friday, Thursday, last
week. I haven't been paid. Um, everybody doesn't have the information. And I'm glad that you were at the mic today to say that. I'm outraged that I didn't know the summer program changed because I need to know when we stop doing six
weeks. I need to know when we stop hiring children right after the 4th of July and letting them work. Now, I remember when the program changed from working every day because I used to be a speedy recipient and I'm clear now that the federal dollars are different.
However, the city could have been more savvy, not personal to you. The city could have been more savvy in resurrecting this program, particularly in 2026 with what we got going on in this community with the economic need in this community. We should have been back
at five days a week, five hours if they found a way to do it. And I'm sure they there's a smaller group of kids. I get that. But if they found a way to do this over on the violence prevention side, the city has the opportunity and the obligation to do it as well because
guess what? This year, to my understanding, we didn't do 14 to 15 year olds. That may be an error. But the posting said 16 to 24. Now, my problem with that is that a 14 and 15 year old can't go to a McDonald's, can't go to a
Checkers because they're not early enough to make those jobs. So, for me, we should have never cut 14 and 15 year olds, right? Be quiet, Rock. I'm not talking to you. So, we we can't afford Right.
>> We can't afford to not have Don't answer me right now, Rockman. I'm telling you it's going to be a problem cuz I'm not going to do back and forth with you and you not going to disrespect me >> because I know the kids in this building that came to me yesterday that have not been paid. >> Let's go. >> Okay, >> let's go. >> No, it's not no let's go. And you going
to stop being disrespectful. >> I'm not being disrespectful. >> Yes, you are. CUZ I'M NOT TALKING I WAS TALKING TO MISS Gay Lord. You're not the director. >> I am the I'm the deputy mayor. I'm in charge of all this order. >> I'm the deputy mayor. >> I'm not the one. Why? Why don't you finish up and then you >> That's what I'm talking about. I don't
even let me just say this to you, Rockman. Since you want to continue to be so disrespectful CUZ YOU SHOULD HAVE LET ME FINISH and then I'm going to LET YOU TALK. SEE, THAT'S WHAT NO, YOU'RE NOT. YOU TOLD MISS GAY LORD TO MOVE. >> SO, you want to continue to keep being disrespectful? You going to get what you
and I'm telling you, you're not gonna keep doing that to me. >> All right. You're done. >> Are you done? >> Okay. Good. >> All right. Well, first of all, it's not true that we didn't hire 14, 15 year old. I don't know where that came from. In addition, we do have a six-week program and we have an eight-week program. The program that Miss Jackson
is referring to because I got a call this morning about it and I called to reach out to her staff to explain to her what's going on is a college program that started June 8th. It was a eight-week program and yes, all those kids got paid. It ended July 31st. This is the same program THAT WE HAD LAST
YEAR that ended August 1st. THE REASON WHY THAT PROGRAM ENDS DURING THAT time is because those kids go back to college in August. So yes, we not only have a six-week program that started July 6 that's still going on, WE ALSO CURRENTLY
RIGHT NOW ALSO HAVE kids that work eight weeks in our program. OH, AND BY THE WAY, WE ALSO HAVE KIDS THAT'S WORKING five days in our program in addition to four days in our program. So if you're over 18, YOU WORK FIVE DAYS, FIVE HOURS. If you're under 18 years old, then you
work four days for with four hours a day. That's the state law. THAT'S WHAT THE FEDS GIVE US. THE MONEY THAT WE GET, WE SPEND. THE PROBLEM THAT I HAVE IS THAT WE have a lot of individuals that like to put out misinformation when what all they have to do is come down and ask us WHAT'S GOING ON. WE
NEVER STOP HIRING 14 AND 15 year olds. Where did this come from? IN ADDITION TO WHAT WHAT you're saying, Council um Ben, the grant we get is from the DO. We did the same thing last year. There's a sunset to these grants. This isn't send any funds. We only have a certain amount
of money. When the money ends and the PARTICIPANTS ARE TOLD WHEN THE MONEY ENDS, JUST LIKE EVERY participant was told when they started June 8th, they were going to end at July 31st, the college kids, RIGHT? THE INDIVIDUALS IN that program were told when they were
going to end. So, I MEAN, WE AT SOME POINT WE have to get the right INFORMATION OR CONTACT. NO ONE HAS contacted myself or Karen and asked us. BUT WHAT WE'VE DONE IS I GOT A BUNCH OF PHONE CALLS TODAY SAYING, "DONNA'S UPSET. DONNA'S UPSET." I'M LIKE, "WHY IS
DONNA UPSET?" OH, WE SOME SHE SAID SOMEBODY TOOK THE MONEY AND STOPPED THE PROGRAM A WEEK EARLY. NO, THAT'S NOT TRUE. The program was an 8week program, Donna. IT STARTED JUNE 8TH. I'M NOT HERE TO LIE TO YOU. I want you to get the right information. Rockman, I'm not going to do this back
and forth with you, but what you're not going to do is disrespect me. It's Councilwoman Jack. First of all, ain't no Donna. Okay, Deputy Mayor Mohamd, let's go there. So, since you doing things on the order, carry yourself down there to the mail room. Those children were terminated yesterday. Be quiet. Let
me finish >> because I'm done. Those children are not COLLEGE STUDENTS. THEY HAVE NOT. THEY ARE NOT. The girl is 16. >> I'm once again 16. Once again, I'm let me let me repeat what I said. >> Go to the mail room cuz they're there
today and ask them why they have not been paid. >> Let me let me repeat what I said earlier. >> I heard what you said. Nobody up there but you. >> The children started June 8th. It was a 8-week program, Councilwoman. It was a
eight-week program. It ended July 31st. Now, there are some kids that may have started a week after. We still give them the eight weeks by the way if they start just so you know >> that that might be the three. I don't know. But what I'M TRYING TO SAY TO YOU IS we had 250 kids who were college age
kids who started on June the 8th. They end July 31st. This is the same PROGRAM WE DID LAST year where we ended it on August 1. It's a 8-week program. So listen, either we want the right information or we want misinformation
out there. me. It ain't a back and forth. It's I'mma correct misinformation and rather you're a councilwoman or whoever you are, I'mma correct information and that's not disrespectful. >> Thank you, Deputy Mayor. We're going to we're going to continue because we have we have other business and I think you
should meet and and discuss this. I invite Councilwoman to the 375 McCart Highway and I've invited her when she first got elected by the way >> and said, "Miss Jackson, why don't you come down to our office and we'll show you what it is that we do down there." >> She did open invitation that she could
come down. >> Mayor, thank you. Thank you. But we got to move forward. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. Um, >> council president, >> we have uh included the speakers right now. We going to do the late starters. We have late starters. the admin.
>> Do we have the late starters? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> You're not going to disrespect me. That's not going to happen. >> Uh, Council President, just is there can I respond just to uh one of the speakers first or Oh, no. You want to go right to the added starters? It was with respect
to the uh Beyond Soul restaurant. >> Yeah. Yeah, council council president. I just want Eric Pennington, business administrator. There were representations made about the uh I think the unfair closure of Beyond Soul Restaurant and I just wanted to address
briefly that the entity Beyond Soul does not have a business license. It still doesn't have a business license. There is another entity that has a business license at that location. uh but there's no paperwork that indicates that the two are affiliated and each entity that operates has to have an appropriate
business license. My understanding further is that uh HVAC work was done on the premises without a permit and code enforcement went into the location made a determination that that was the case while they were in there to check on business licenses. Uh they observed
improper food handling. because of the improper food handling, they have an obligation to bring in the health department. They have an obligation to bring in UCCC and they have an obligation to bring in uh fire inspectors when they see that there's a problem. They went back the next day um
with the health department and it was a determination made that the place was unsafe and had to be shut down. My understanding is that the owner of the building came down to get the appropriate business license, but still has not obtained a business license for
Beyond Soul. Until they get the business license squared away, the health concerns uh addressed appropriately, any fire issues and permits for the HVAC U is going to remain a problem. We have an obligation to make sure that the residents of the city are safe and that
includes this establishment which I understand has been there for a while but they have to maintain uh the high quality standards of any other place and if they don't we will continue to to make sure that they are shut down >> I think
starters >> sure uh >> how many >> seven possible >> okay only because it's summer, right? That's why we need once. Okay, go ahead. >> And and I will I I will say that the reason why there is uh we we do recognize and appreciate the fact that
we normally have five, >> but because of the summer month schedule, right, and the fact that we have one meeting instead of three or four per month, >> uh we are trying to do our best with getting things done to move the city forward. So, the first one is in reference to uh number 261159.
Uh it is um a purchasing engineering uh contract uh that it deals with citywide elevator inspectors uh contractor for inspecting elevators throughout the city. Um the second one is 26-1016
is actually a a settlement to accept money. Uh as you all may remember uh the company called ZTEC was involved with the process of uh dealing with Haze Park uh and their failure to complete the project. Uh we had to deal with the fact
that of course you know there were some losses that we took throughout that process. There's $1.2 million to come back to the city that we would like to uh uh bring in. Uh in addition to that um there's another item 26-1090. Um, it is in reference to uh a company
called Direct Waste. I think it's called Car John as well. They're going to be making a payroll tax payment of little more than $375,000. Uh, we wanted to make sure we got that taken care of. Uh, the IT department has
an item 26-1079. It's in reference to a a new equipment uh contract. From what I understand, the uh current contract ended in June. So, as a result of that, they worked to get the equipment contract through the
process with uh SHI. It's in reference to, you know, computer, software, uh tech support, cyber security, etc. That contract, from what I understand, is a one-year contract for the amount of $8.6
million. Uh finally uh the next items are from EHD. There's a settlement with uh the Fidelco group. Uh the reason why I said seven in the possible because that one has two items. Those numbers are 26-1154
and 26-1155. Uh and I know that the deputy mayor can address that necessary. Uh 26-0895. It's in reference to an item that we you know discussed in executive when we're talking about the amendments to the ICO
uh in reference to you know uh the um AMI and then finally there is a last item I don't have the actual number but I know the deputy mayor can address it in reference to Manish Park and it's the the extension of the easement for
military park. So I I'm going to ask if uh the director of engineer can come down in reference to his uh I'll have um our representative from IT if you have any questions in reference to that and
then the others as I said can come from EG. Thank you. >> Good morning. James Adams, acting director of engineering. Um the added starter that we're requesting is for our thirdparty elevator consultant. We had
declared an emergency last fall due to the retirement of our existing elevator sub code. These are UCC contracts where the elevators are inspected for new construction and also for the annual and
five-year elevator inspections that is required by city ordinance. The reason why we have to have another extension is we went out for bid to get a permanent contractor, but due to some I'm going to say irregularities, it was in the best
interest of the city to throw out all the bids and to rebid the contract. In doing that, our existing second extension expired in June, so we have to expired in July. So, we have to get
another threemonth extension to ensure that our third party can inspect the elevators for all the um 3,000 or so vertical transportation pieces of equipment throughout the city. >> So, was there any questions from the
council? >> Any questions? Yeah, just just real quickly, did did we ever get any uh documentation about from the third party how many elevators were inspected, put back online uh initially because we're still having issues with 130 Chancellor
Avenue. We never got no information about that. I know you want to look to ex expand the contract, but the the work that they were asked to do, can we get an update on what was happening with that? >> So, so Councilman Council, let me try to rephrase that. We can give you an update
on the addresses and the devices that have been in inspected by the third party to date, but I want to remind everybody that our third-party elevators are only going out to inspect elevators that have been repaired and previously
inspected by the owners of these buildings. We are not responsible for repairs. The owners are responsible on an annual and then five-year basis to hire their own elevator contractor to go
out, inspect their elevators, fill out a two-page checklist, and then call the city and say, "We are available for inspection." At that time, the owner's elevator subcontractor or contractor and
our third party inspect the elevators together. So there is a big onus on the owners of the buildings to have their elevators up and running. We're only responsible per the state to witness their elevator inspection.
You're you're absolutely correct. But the issue is that when the owners go out and repair the elevators or whatever issues that need to be abated and we're asking that the third party go out and reinspect it that we haven't got the
information from the third parties on what happened right at as 130 is a perfect example right so was 103 or 25 Vanelsa we know that 25 Vanelsa now is back online but there was some issues
around when the ownership goes back in to correct it or fix it. When we send a third party back out to review if the abatement was actually done that there was no report or no information that came back that >> No, you're you're right, Councilman. We should have had a report and the report should have been from the third party of
exactly what they inspected. >> [laughter] >> Okay. Well, that's good. [laughter] So I see so >> testing one too. >> Why don't you just >> Yeah, he did.
>> Why did you Yeah, they're on. Well, they did they go out the red on >> but it's on now. >> So, how come [laughter] your system is not >> that one should be off the red? Try one.
>> The one with the red. You have to try that one. >> Testing.