[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6565657,"mediaKeyId","3215849-3096b694231cc12546d48c1f1a81b3b0","parentId",3215849,"title","Residents press council on housing conditions, Elwood Park flag, parking and policing during Newark hearing of citizens","audioSeconds",891,"startMs",3875000,"endMs",4766000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3215849-3096b694231cc12546d48c1f1a81b3b0&start=3875&end=4766","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3215849-3096b694231cc12546d48c1f1a81b3b0/thumbnail_3875000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6565657/Newark/Essex-County/New-Jersey/Residents-press-council-on-housing-conditions-Elwood-Park-flag-parking-and-policing-during-Newark-hearing-of-citizens","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565657-ed22f82a4f02445b387014ba655832ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193045&Signature=QNEOTlRtbo~tjfuB-R4GNOeHPY8AGrm60m~jx8YVWER35G8F8cLSMIFdTcg5f-Amhao~dCioqFEbWjNjINFmWGhGTiF~4y7Ph2sv~yYad8s28BN6FiofJA5xzQTjm~DGq9e6-yoft~SUgaGVf~Mggq7c0j7M9c~f7Rkrf8zUXnRCZ0X0isP7R~nh-vNWN88R0sI7AVf7huYsQYJ4zJTtGwk0Q8bBuTAX3y9qCXYW3y3RcMP2lknroerWKB3H2fBgO-ReKlE~0AmSoz79W1bgs8HmghKsf-Cjc0CNBmM2YDOA-1TF2cQ3MFY6Cx2YKwNoCvq3q5bxuenb7e8Ln~7OgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Newark","date","2025-05-08T06:40:03Z","article","Several residents used the May 7 hearing of citizens to raise ongoing neighborhood concerns including building conditions, a damaged American flag at Elwood Park, parking and permit enforcement, and police conduct.

Housing conditions and tenant complaints: Multiple speakers described poor housing conditions, mold, and health impacts at buildings including 516 Bergen Street and other properties. Darnella Lee said tenants had documented mold and respiratory illnesses and asked the city to take further action after a pattern of recurring problems. Councilwoman Scott Rountree and other council members said city staff and state agencies have been involved; Rountree noted the city does not own the property but that staff and the state have been contacted and the city will continue to advocate for tenants.

American flag at Elwood Park: Ramon Luis Rodriguez said he had repeatedly reported an improperly illuminated and torn American flag flying at Elwood Park and described the condition as disrespectful and against flag-lighting rules. Rodriguez said he had raised the issue with multiple offices without success. Deputy Mayor Jacqueline Cleales and staff arranged flag replacement within 24 hours after he notified them, and the city secured proper disposal of the removed flag through the VFW, Rodriguez told the council.

Parking and permit enforcement: Gwendolyn Williams and other residents described persistent nonresident and commercial vehicle parking in residential neighborhoods and sought resident-only permit parking or stepped-up enforcement. Council members noted ongoing enforcement actions and requested additional work from police and the parking authority; Councilman Silva and others said engineering needs to post permit-parking signs in some areas before permanent programs can be implemented.

Police conduct and civil-rights concerns: Makira Bradley and others said they experienced incidents with police that they characterized as misconduct and overly aggressive enforcement; Bradley urged the city to safeguard residents’ civil rights and said she plans to take complaints to federal authorities if needed. Council and city officials encouraged use of city complaint channels and said the administration considers all reports seriously.

City responses and next steps: Council members repeatedly said they will continue to press administration departments — including recreation, public buildings, public works and police — to address resident concerns. Several council members requested follow-up briefings from administration staff and department directors on recycling pickup, paving schedules tied to utility work, and permit-parking implementation timelines.

Ending: Residents at the hearing pressed for faster, more consistent responses from city departments on long-standing housing, public-works and public-safety issues. Council members said they will continue to pursue administrative remedies and requested additional staff reports and enforcement actions where appropriate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular Meeting - Newark Municipal Council - 05/07/2025","oneSentenceSummary","During the hearing of citizens, tenants raised recurring complaints about mold and unsafe conditions at 516 Bergen Street and other properties, a resident pressed the council to fix a torn American flag at Elwood Park, and several speakers urged stricter parking enforcement and better DPW service.","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},6565661,"Newark council creates licensing and enforcement framework for dockless delivery vehicles; police to be primary enforcers",162,1143000,1305000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3215849-3096b694231cc12546d48c1f1a81b3b0&start=1143&end=1305","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3215849-3096b694231cc12546d48c1f1a81b3b0/thumbnail_1143000.jpg","/articles/6565661/Newark/Essex-County/New-Jersey/Newark-council-creates-licensing-and-enforcement-framework-for-dockless-delivery-vehicles-police-to-be-primary-enforcers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565661-64df7d8236e773ef162bc6f81cee88fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193045&Signature=i39i2F7yCFZPlPWY~pTON8fkkkW~R4E6XUi7CDE0AAcrobdmuXPzL7d5hWT1v3fqGCIdko8FRybAbKEF2ltWdxQuo1z3b~lwJRE4qhJguRbRbms9Geqgtxahn3zYFx-z7XFBgcTnPJc~AlezTnp7BXwkmxonpi6fIk5-vG1djQAGu0zqg2hG3~QCw~E7cIl38MYlYHAjEW~hsKDBgD-5ONJhJK28g52VI9xOU2ra0gUWyGj6Ys8s6pNpGAfBdE3hQuGIG-WQH61UIsv9w7oCPnztEv-EV-Ntb0-y6r3l29OFxePJMiJkyak4Z3c4T9SSbE0039EmVvZGQptiJ2ESFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Newark Municipal Council on May 7 adopted an ordinance to license dockless vehicles used for commercial e‑deliveries operating on city sidewalks and public rights-of-way.

During the public hearing, residents described collisions with pedestrians and cited recent crashes and at least one fatality on city streets. Deborah Salters, a resident who testified during the hearing, said the vehicles and drivers can be “very dangerous” and asked “who is going to actually take names and vehicles if they need to.”

Councilman Ramos, sponsor of the ordinance, said the police division worked with council staff while drafting the ordinance and will be the primary enforcement arm for violations. Ramos said the city’s licensing office will collect operator information required for city licensing. “They’re gonna be the primary enforcement arm on behalf of the city,” Ramos said, adding that the licensing office will collect the information necessary for operators to be licensed within Newark.

Council action: The ordinance, sponsored by Councilman Ramos and seconded by Councilman Kelly, passed on roll call. Members recorded voting yes included Gonzales; Kelly; Quintana; Ramos; Scott Rountree; and President Crump. Silva was recorded absent on related roll calls.

What it does: The ordinance establishes a licensing chapter for dockless commercial delivery vehicles, requires operators to register with the city and supply operator contact and vehicle information, and creates penalties for violations of rules governing sidewalk and street use. The licensing office will hold operator records; the police division will handle in-field enforcement, Ramos said.

Community reaction and enforcement questions: Multiple commenters urged robust enforcement rather than only new rules on paper. Ramos and other council members said they hope the ordinance will give police and licensing staff the tools needed to address dangerous driving and sidewalk hazards.

Ending: The ordinance advances the city’s effort to regulate the growing number of delivery vehicles and providers operating in Newark’s public right of way, and it assigns primary enforcement responsibility to the Newark Police Division while placing licensing and recordkeeping with the city licensing office.","An ordinance creating a licensing requirement for dockless delivery vehicles used for commercial e‑deliveries passed May 7. Residents urged clearer enforcement plans; Councilman Ramos said police will be the primary enforcement arm and the licensing office will collect operator information.",{"_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},6565665,"Newark council approves 30-year tax abatement for Fulton Street North after public questions on developer selection and local-hire compliance",514,542000,1056000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3215849-3096b694231cc12546d48c1f1a81b3b0&start=542&end=1056","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3215849-3096b694231cc12546d48c1f1a81b3b0/thumbnail_542000.jpg","/articles/6565665/Newark/Essex-County/New-Jersey/Newark-council-approves-30-year-tax-abatement-for-Fulton-Street-North-after-public-questions-on-developer-selection-and-local-hire-compliance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565665-5e06de2f911110e01de8dd7f5882702f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193045&Signature=OfmG3Y5DxcpGCfJ4xFdWrd5IyzMevw4VGNjzvL4zAjYdfUKSHDD8LRs13AaSsQ2DyCurI1bIr6FVDZxL-TUKcQkL7v2jpUwjD~g~F5MPnswBqCgnsEyOgX0lkfD5skm0OI5ESGNtBUc-~92b~Zt~s9dOQWcEJ~jAAsOh-ITMjPI8S4TIUl~AKOYqJCo8wBIbF9dHyJTWUw1zK0cafIw3Bl5h-PMB9ZSKiDAkJqizvR1ylTCj-dFU6CYJ66CugCtKQIetWvi1sfKw8HYP7YMO4ggNFCSGJiePzxaRiOdq16YjxPrDZ0RH8-2ufvU~5DsTa68VP~Q9f4QSvhdM7p2qQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Newark Municipal Council on May 7 adopted a 30-year tax abatement for Fulton Street North LLC to support construction of a new multifamily housing project in the Central Ward.

The vote followed a public hearing at which residents and community advocates pressed the council on how developers are chosen for tax-abatement deals and whether projects will meet local-hiring and community-benefit commitments. Allison Ladd, director of economic and housing development, told the council the Fulton Street North project is one of five related developments and that across the five projects the city expects about 66 units with roughly $53,000,000 in total investment and 32.5% of units to be designated affordable.

Why it matters: Long-term tax abatements are frequently used to make large housing and rehabilitation projects financially feasible. Community members said they want clearer assurances that abated projects deliver local jobs, contracting opportunities and genuinely affordable units.

Public speakers raised concerns about the selection and oversight process. Deborah Salters, who identified herself in remarks as “Warrior for the people,” said residents often receive “the bare minimum” of affordability when projects receive abatements and asked, “How do these particular developers get picked?” Alif Muhammad asked the council to consider the developers’ community commitments and noted concerns about outside compliance firms being used on projects rather than local vendors. George Tillman Jr. said contractors already selected for the project included out-of-state firms and urged the council to “pay serious attention” to compliance from day one of construction.

Allison Ladd, the city’s director of economic and housing development, described the package of five projects together and said the city had accounted for parking and affordable-unit mixes when negotiating the abatements. Specifically, she said the five projects total about 66 units, roughly $53 million in investment and 32.5% affordable housing across the portfolio. For the 69 Sherman Avenue site discussed later on the agenda, she said the ratio would be one parking space per unit.

Council action: After the public hearing closed, the council voted in favor of the ordinance. The roll-call vote recorded members present voting yes: Gonzales; Kelly; Quintana; Ramos; Scott Rountree; and President Crump. Councilman Silva was recorded absent in the roll calls for the item. The ordinance will proceed according to the city’s public-notice and advertising requirements for final passage.

What’s next: Ladd and speakers urged ongoing monitoring of compliance and local hiring commitments during construction. The council did not specify additional enforcement steps during the meeting beyond existing compliance reviews tied to abatement agreements.

Ending: Residents who testified asked the council to maintain public oversight throughout construction and to provide clearer, public documentation of developer selection and compliance performance as projects move toward building permits and occupancy.","The Newark Municipal Council approved a 30-year tax abatement for Fulton Street North LLC’s proposed multifamily project in the Central Ward after a public hearing in which residents questioned how developers are selected and how local hiring and compliance will be enforced.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press council on housing conditions, Elwood Park flag, parking and policing during Newark hearing of citizens

Newark council creates licensing and enforcement framework for dockless delivery vehicles; police to be primary enforcers

Newark council approves 30-year tax abatement for Fulton Street North after public questions on developer selection and local-hire compliance