[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6616412,"mediaKeyId","2853026-e75fa0f4f1d6665163a1424163041b55","parentId",2853026,"title","Votes at a glance: Newark council advances multiple development ordinances and adopts several contracts and appropriations","audioSeconds",2224,"startMs",4382000,"endMs",6606000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853026-e75fa0f4f1d6665163a1424163041b55&start=4382&end=6606","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853026-e75fa0f4f1d6665163a1424163041b55/thumbnail_4382000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6616412/Newark/Essex-County/New-Jersey/Votes-at-a-glance-Newark-council-advances-multiple-development-ordinances-and-adopts-several-contracts-and-appropriations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616412-1757713f47eb8d554f2acd8ccc8a615f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154469&Signature=BgpIjQ9HsVHS9MFcN71CeW1suDFokNPdUL0Q3tZl46pA-Y4rYIkoPWkGZHkkcaBtBPRj9R8Vx-PiqQvbvNemTSymMziGc1p1c0cBp4dMr1Vq4liZ57wtDkS06ACs-YRQUXT8cAMRglLi9U1AYYo17cgYE6j3-y-DIUlxhA150tp95jjwg5JF2YSIeuW9g4c15xb2kZGaKC0VJn4yBAous23LmeRXBiJAuLax-2KGQneu6TvdPgIfej748ONrd6T8MUVbzq2OxN~KGdbG-OefLrn0mIp19qqr1HjM4JUXCfzrb1YQ9tHE1Y-GfygCx8ChE9fPsraiqKEAm23fPcDzzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Newark","date","2025-04-02T20:08:48.913Z","article","The Newark Municipal Council conducted an extensive package of votes on April 2, advancing multiple ordinances to first reading, adopting contract awards and passing several resolutions. Below is a concise list of key items the council considered and the outcomes recorded in the meeting transcript.

Major items advanced or adopted (selected):

- Bond ordinance (6FA) on the council’s allocable share of capital improvements (advertised after first reading). Roll call recorded as adopted on first reading; public hearing scheduled for April 16 or soon thereafter.

- Ordinances on tax abatements advanced on first reading: an ordinance (renamed in the meeting record to 6FB/6FC in places) granting long‑term abatements tied to multi‑project developments (including Fulton Street North LLC and Newark Portfolio Urban Renewal LLC). The council advanced and adopted these on first reading as indicated on the transcript.

- Ordinance amendments creating new business/occupation chapters (8C and 8D): dockless commercial delivery vehicles and driving school registration were advanced to first reading; Councilman Ramos asked that engineering comments be incorporated before later readings.

- Purchasing contracts adopted: angular blocks of contracts were approved by roll call including monthly security and surveillance system services, communications equipment and the Healthy Homes general contractor awards.

- Emergency appropriations and grant actions: Resolutions 7R1(a) and (b) (temporary emergency appropriations for environmental justice and Lincoln Park restoration) were adopted by roll call. Related HUD grant acceptance and a rescission resolution were adopted under the office of the business administrator.

- Redevelopment/private sale agreements: A series of private sale and redevelopment agreements across West and Central wards (7R2 a‑g) were considered with several votes to adopt; one motion to defer a particular item (7R2 b) was made and passed.

- HIV/AIDS service contracts (7R5 a‑e): Contracts with subrecipients for health and support services (Rutgers entities, Irise House, Newark Community Health Centers, etc.) were adopted by roll call.

- Professional services for law department and litigation settlements (7R6 a‑e and 7R6 h‑l): Multiple professional services contracts and litigation settlements were adopted, including amendments to legal services amounts and special counsel agreements; one amendment to increase a law contract amount was carried by roll call as noted in the transcript.

- Ceremonial and recognition resolutions (7R8, 7R9, etc.): Ceremonial street designations, commendations and expressions of sorrow/recognition were adopted as recorded.

Outcome summary: Several development‑related ordinances were advanced to first reading and will return for public hearings on April 16 or later; multiple purchasing and contract awards, emergency appropriations, and resolutions were adopted by recorded roll calls. One high‑profile lease (Riviera Hotel) failed after a tie vote and will not proceed without additional documentation and council reconsideration.

Notes and follow‑ups: For ordinances advanced to first reading (including tax abatements and business licensing chapters), Councilman Ramos requested that engineering comments be incorporated before subsequent readings. For contracts and grants, the recorded roll calls indicate approval; council members and public comment requested broader documentation in several cases (for example, accounting for previous Invest Newark funds tied to Riviera work).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular Meeting - Newark Municipal Council - 04/02/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Newark Municipal Council advanced a set of development ordinances to first reading, approved multiple contracts and appropriations, and passed a variety of resolutions at its April 2 meeting; one high‑profile lease authorization (Riviera Hotel) failed after a tie vote.","taxTitle","Newark, Essex County, New Jersey","taxId",2741,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6616416,"Council ties on Riviera Hotel lease; proposal to convert site to homeless services fails",1490,2948000,4438000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853026-e75fa0f4f1d6665163a1424163041b55&start=2948&end=4438","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853026-e75fa0f4f1d6665163a1424163041b55/thumbnail_2948000.jpg","/articles/6616416/Newark/Essex-County/New-Jersey/Council-ties-on-Riviera-Hotel-lease-proposal-to-convert-site-to-homeless-services-fails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616416-b292e8a3a75960c75d3ddabfb2918ae6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154469&Signature=JB1GacMjXhj8mhjPcD-LtNGJ5MphHv4brunZoY-0b-F1Qnmh7KKXWviu5ppemXrRlGmQnVBJkmUUxhEBxHWaPawl-oWNWL12ObDywe61H3n4ifujsn6XLEsj7mjeUsfqLi2cN7vJPvr6r7upGi1oGjMpEF1LoICpFlYdW0IL3p434MmxXZFUpr2w01KOejs~aEbiRv9Qk3Dvl40ZzJDGQg6kmPtaOEAhvYP3K79x350nPjYtzP08quQ1g~qQDdvw6f0bxUYcyAiVHjqIvaQtgr4~pUmDOHXsPbgr09twNuGEbh4kXTItbVLcec5TkKMKDHlOyUyOIT1ri-unckzOIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A motion to authorize a long‑term lease of the Riviera Hotel to expand homeless services failed on a tie vote at the Newark Municipal Council on April 2.

The Office of Homeless Services presented the lease as an extension of emergency work begun in mid‑2023. The director said the city had engaged the hotel owners in June 2023 to respond to urgent conditions at another site and that the site had since sheltered residents. “We served over 700, Newark residents since June of 20 23,” the director said. She described a proposed long‑term program that would renovate floors 2 and 3 into roughly 40 rooms for transitional housing, and turn the ground floor into a “community resource hub” with space for service providers, a cafeteria and multipurpose rooms for emergencies and community engagement.

The terms in the lease attracted attention from multiple speakers. The lease description in the meeting record said the annual rent would be approximately $0 for the first two years (rent‑free) and escalate to an “approximate annual rental not to exceed almost $4,000,000 in year 10.” Several residents and community leaders pushed back on the administration’s prior dealings with the Riviera, questioned accounting for earlier federal and local funds spent at the site, and raised concerns about the site’s past conditions and ownership ties. “This Riviera deal was a bad deal,” Aleef Mohammed said, describing prior problems and calling for caution.

After public comment and council discussion, the council proceeded to a roll call. The vote resulted in a tie and the motion “failed to adopt,” the clerk announced.

Council members and public commenters pressed for additional transparency and oversight. Speakers asked how rent escalations would be funded, which city funds or grants would support the program, whether vouchers used during emergency placements had been diverted from other programs, and how oversight of service delivery and capital renovation would be provided.

What’s next: With the tie vote, the lease authorization did not pass. Staff and council members indicated the item could be revisited if the administration provides further documentation addressing funding, oversight, prior contract payments and the projected timeline for renovations and service delivery.

","A proposal to lease the Riviera Hotel to provide transitional housing and a community resource hub failed after a tie vote at the Newark Municipal Council on April 2.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6616421,"Council adopts ordinance creating a municipal cap bank and raising the appropriation cap to 3.5%",843,2054000,2897000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853026-e75fa0f4f1d6665163a1424163041b55&start=2054&end=2897","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853026-e75fa0f4f1d6665163a1424163041b55/thumbnail_2054000.jpg","/articles/6616421/Newark/Essex-County/New-Jersey/Council-adopts-ordinance-creating-a-municipal-cap-bank-and-raising-the-appropriation-cap-to-35","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616421-c7187c9ca2335fe8ef8d0d05887fdbbf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154469&Signature=Py5l8XccccAoUBzkfdutB9wijuVkUqkGrltmcn7FzrkJT14e4~pQMRl2SZud2y2U~ZbuELiMFPT~~va2xT0oFDIyd0dAc5ZBfZMVYhxxmEYHdDHwJUmuz6BsO07MTLd0be34BuOdOoUVmiACmkcg9cLjFxuAfIgs~CthUDJ8jGJVnFzsL--ZeFYZPBk1mFHO5oFVPnLJIRIVTZmAFtoRnQyG-v2~FjglkyHwBI5tC7QpdVSToURrne60eGAXNlTYzH0fkYRs~DJ7AhEeOVf~O6oO4iEKBOS85~Q6xf3AAky4ki6UiPOLLwo3pWeQvcowjvbIxj-NDXfifJ3c5u2VCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Newark Municipal Council adopted an ordinance allowing the city to exceed the normal 2.5% municipal budget appropriation limit and to establish a cap bank that would hold unused appropriation capacity for future use.

Benjamin Guzman, acting director of finance, briefed the council: “Adopting this ordinance will allow the city of Newark to increase that up to a maximum of 3 and a half percent, and then creating the cap bank will allow any unused portion of the prior years or even this current year's appropriations that is not spent can then be put into a bank to be used in preceding year's budgets to allow the city to be able to prepare a balanced budget for that given year.” He told the council the city has adopted a similar ordinance in prior years.

Public comment during the hearing included sharp criticism of city budgeting, accountability, and recent rate increases. Speakers cited past budget delays and raised concerns that a larger cap could be used without sufficient public oversight. “This is nothing more than another slush fund,” a commenter said during the public hearing.

Council members completed a roll call and adopted the ordinance. Staff described the measure as a standard municipal budgeting tool permitted by state statute; the acting finance director said it is intended to give the city additional flexibility while preserving a cap bank for future use.

What’s next: The ordinance will be advertised and the administration said it will provide further documentation if residents or council members request detail on prior years’ cap bank usage and the proposed application of the authority in the forthcoming budget process.

","The council adopted an ordinance to increase the statutory cap on municipal budget appropriations from 2.5% to a maximum 3.5% and to create a ‘cap bank’ allowing unused appropriations to be carried forward. Finance staff said the measure is a recurring tool used to prepare balanced municipal budgets.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6616426,"Council approves parking and stop‑sign changes on Marion Place, engineering says road too narrow for two‑side parking",647,1365000,2012000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853026-e75fa0f4f1d6665163a1424163041b55&start=1365&end=2012","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853026-e75fa0f4f1d6665163a1424163041b55/thumbnail_1365000.jpg","/articles/6616426/Newark/Essex-County/New-Jersey/Council-approves-parking-and-stopsign-changes-on-Marion-Place-engineering-says-road-too-narrow-for-twoside-parking","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616426-57e3b590c2321b5e92e2d07ccc6d0ad8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154469&Signature=oxFjTkBAMXfa3D4iR4tGmmTZPHFtqAZtRs1elPi9sRvSWirulTfrAmstNnISv3iCSnGpo3zD3S09jaGToKDxcw2gJ1rpQw4gjp5wPZI8m8AfVauPKSlvWJGRQT7kADiaRtGfAoRDre~2ANAdN33McXIixXwElnkjyDFp8dy0wcg7pdkP3jNuxS21KbsPtHwsZRu-nkvh~YA06HsMypl-tQhzCHBqTTG-JqNedbfhm4JYLCMEbz~IwoCjkNHeY7JguAyHPI41Ht-mZfoGRKne5uXnQmt4dqZfYkYZ01WeSppSdK10v~qH6SGPw9v1aunErA-yZHNtgticYdGaalK9zQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Newark Municipal Council voted to adopt three ordinances that amend parking rules and a traffic control at Marion Place and a nearby intersection in the Central Ward.

Raymond Concepcion, assistant director of the Department of Engineering, told the council the changes respond to roadway geometry and driveway locations. “Marion Street is a stretch of about approximately a little bit 200 plus linear feet between, Governors and Wes Kendi. The street is now wide enough to accommodate parking on both sides. So what these the first 2 ordinance are doing is eliminating parking on the East side, where predominantly are the driveways and so forth of the properties in that location, and making it restrictive so that there is no parking, but still allowing parking on the West side,” Concepcion said.

The ordinances delete a portion of Marion Place from the parking schedule, prohibit parking on the east side of Marion Place at all times, and designate the intersection of Seventh Avenue West and North Sixth Street as a multi‑way stop. Concepcion added the multi‑way stop was recommended after an evaluation “in accordance to federal guidelines, and it warranted that it has to be a 4 way stop sign.”

Public commenters raised questions about timing and notice. Several speakers asked for a detailed explanation from planning or engineering before public comment so neighbors could understand how street sweeping, parking exemptions, and adjacent projects are connected. “If the contract language don't say it here, it doesn't exist,” Lisa Parker said during public comment, asking for clearer documentation.

Council members moved the ordinances forward and adopted them following staff remarks and a roll call vote. Staff said the changes were limited to parking controls on the east side and a stop‑sign designation intended to improve safety.

What’s next: Engineering will implement the new restrictions and signage; staff did not provide a public timeline at the meeting but described the measures as routine traffic‑control amendments to be enforced by the department of parking and enforcement.

","The Municipal Council adopted three ordinances changing parking and stop‑sign controls in the Central Ward. City engineering said the east side of Marion Place will have parking removed because the street cannot safely accommodate parking on both sides; a nearby intersection will become a multi‑way stop after a federal guideline evaluation.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6616430,"Newark Council OKs 30‑year abatement for 1098 Broad Street; developers to fund off‑site affordable units",1029,311000,1340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853026-e75fa0f4f1d6665163a1424163041b55&start=311&end=1340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853026-e75fa0f4f1d6665163a1424163041b55/thumbnail_311000.jpg","/articles/6616430/Newark/Essex-County/New-Jersey/Newark-Council-OKs-30year-abatement-for-1098-Broad-Street-developers-to-fund-offsite-affordable-units","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616430-80d9b4247127babb2b2fbd9f0e362bca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154469&Signature=eGVHRvWmPrQFdILDK9LjM5cGf5UnWC4sHvY1~D88Mo4yz1QxESA4d~OMR1qwHBluyPGPFd92SK~BeRPpbcGlHGmXmNhw91Fz53vk49dabjaCklr0XJufhx2zESLfgzQQM50ZKL1Q7qkhKOPevLp-jWg-tk07nqU2R0tufMghFQxayUUAyhsQ7Tlu-Aeu-KCswxP7GZY1joYAEoQbHl2qXKjL43~EjX7mSJ4qbJgQ6duzodwzFsYwyUrt9mE-QROjC6PWDQQA4P7cE8SiWXgryBVlT0un4epY9R9j66PRQmazCbuWKuwg9uWwRC7NNt8OHaauBuTRhQwBWmTlvaZmjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Newark Municipal Council on April 2 adopted an ordinance granting a 30‑year tax abatement to 1098 Broad Street Urban Renewal Company LLC for a five‑story building with 35 market‑rate rental units in the East Ward.

City legislative staff said the Broad Street project is one of five related developments. “For this particular project, there will be affordable housing done off‑site at 69 Sherman and they are paying into the affordable trust fund,” Brandon, legislative administrator for economic and housing development, told the council during the public hearing.

The ordinance — sponsored by Councilman Gonzales and seconded by Councilman Quintana — drew several speakers during the public hearing who objected to the length of abatements and to the absence of on‑site affordable units. “You got a 30 year tax abatement yet none of you legislators have come up with relief for the homeowners in my community regarding extension of tax abatement,” Lisa Parker told the council, adding that large abatements without guarantees for local hiring or truly affordable units displace working‑class residents. Deborah Salters echoed those concerns, saying the project has “all market rate” units and “there is not even in your terms of affordable on here.”

Council members and administration staff responded that the Broad Street project is part of a bundle of five projects that together include affordable units or payments in lieu. Councilman Gonzales said the combined package will deliver roughly 32% affordable units across the five projects; staff confirmed that the 1098 Broad Street parcel itself contains market‑rate units while affordable housing obligations will be satisfied at the Sherman Avenue site and through contributions to the affordable housing trust.

The council completed a roll‑call vote following the public hearing and adopted the ordinance on final passage. The ordinance will be advertised as required by law and return for a public hearing at a regular meeting on April 16 or soon thereafter, the council president said.

The council’s action was procedural: it approved the abatement under the municipal process; the public comments and council questions focused on whether the package of projects delivers durable, on‑site benefits for Newark residents and how the affordable trust fund will be used.

What’s next: The ordinance will be advertised and brought back for the scheduled public hearing and final action at a future meeting; staff said additional documentation on the Sherman Avenue affordable component and the trust‑fund payment schedule can be provided to council members on request.

","The Newark Municipal Council adopted a 30‑year tax abatement for 1098 Broad Street Urban Renewal Company LLC after public comment and a staff briefing that said affordable units will be provided off‑site and the developer will pay into the city’s affordable housing trust.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Newark council advances multiple development ordinances and adopts several contracts and appropriations

Council ties on Riviera Hotel lease; proposal to convert site to homeless services fails

Council adopts ordinance creating a municipal cap bank and raising the appropriation cap to 3.5%

Council approves parking and stop‑sign changes on Marion Place, engineering says road too narrow for two‑side parking

Newark Council OKs 30‑year abatement for 1098 Broad Street; developers to fund off‑site affordable units