Newark council approves university tax ordinance, speed-camera rules and contract change; denies Chabad House reimbursement

Newark City Council on July 28 approved a set of ordinances and contractual actions and rejected a reimbursement request from the Chabad House.

The council voted 5-0 to approve a $53,091.05 change order to a contract with BSS Contractors LLC for the Field Operations Complex warehouse expansion, to adopt an ordinance establishing an electronic speed monitoring program for residential streets and to pass an ordinance establishing authority to levy a per‑student tax on colleges and universities (Bill 25‑19), as amended to allow the initial per‑student rate to be set by council resolution this fall and future rates during the city budget process. The council also approved the consent agenda by a 5-0 vote and rejected a motion to reimburse the Chabad House $6,950 for removal of three American holly trees.

The city manager told council the speed‑camera ordinance (Bill 25‑18) is the final legislative step required to implement the residential program, with a tentative go‑live date of Oct. 13 for residential streets. "We have a tentative go live date for the residential street program of October 13, assuming all goes as planned from here forward," the city manager said during the meeting. The ordinance does not authorize a Main Street camera; the manager said a separate agenda item will address Main Street if council wants to pursue it.

Jeff Martindale, who presented the change order, described the item as "a very straightforward change order" and said there was no budget amendment associated with the request. Council members voted to approve the change order 5-0.

On the college and university tax, the ordinance implements authority granted by recent changes to the city charter through House Bill 34. The city solicitor proposed — and the council adopted by unanimous vote — an amendment specifying that the council will set the initial per‑student rate by resolution in fall 2025 and set subsequent rates as part of the annual budget process. The final vote on Bill 25‑19 as amended passed 5-0.

Tom Price, a graduate student who identified himself as a Newark resident, addressed the council during public comment and opposed the university tax's per‑student metric. "This bill is really a red herring. It's a tax on students and not the university," Price said. He urged further negotiation with university officials about the levy.

The council also considered a request from the Chabad House for reimbursement for removal of three American holly trees at 262 South College Avenue. Staff described the matter as a request the Chabad House had submitted after the council earlier granted a landscape screening waiver. Council members pressed staff on why the city would reimburse what some described as a neighbor‑to‑neighbor dispute. Councilwoman Ford moved to reimburse $6,950; the motion failed 5-0.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (receipt of committee minutes, conservation commission recommendation, staff procedure for federal funding losses, first reading of Bill 25‑21 on police minimum standards): Motion to approve consent agenda — PASSED 5-0 (Councilwoman Ford: Aye; Councilman Bancroft: Aye; Councilman Brown: Aye; Councilman Lawhorn: Aye; Mayor Travis McDermott: Aye). - Change order to Invitation to Bid 24‑03 with BSS Contractors LLC, amount $53,091.05: Motion to approve change order — PASSED 5-0 (Councilman Longarm: Aye; Councilwoman Ford: Aye; Councilman Bancroft: Aye; Councilman Brown: Aye; Mayor Travis McDermott: Aye). - Bill 25‑18, ordinance establishing an electronic speed monitoring system for residential streets: Motion to approve Bill 25‑18 (second reading and public hearing held) — PASSED 5-0 (Councilwoman Ford: Aye; Councilman Lawhorn: Aye; Councilman Bancroft: Aye; Councilman Brown: Aye; Mayor Travis McDermott: Aye). - Motion to reimburse the Chabad House $6,950 for removal of three American holly trees at 262 South College Avenue: Motion to reimburse — FAILED 0-5 (Councilwoman Ford: No; Councilman Lawhorn: No; Councilman Bancroft: No; Councilman Brown: No; Mayor Travis McDermott: No). - Bill 25‑19, ordinance authorizing a tax levy on colleges and universities (as required by HB 34), amended so council sets initial per‑student rate by resolution in fall 2025 and subsequent rates in the budget process: Motion to add solicitor's amendment — PASSED 5-0; Motion to approve Bill 25‑19 as amended — PASSED 5-0 (Councilman Lawhorn: Aye; Councilwoman Ford: Aye; Councilman Bancroft: Aye; Councilman Brown: Aye; Mayor Travis McDermott: Aye).

Why it matters: The university tax ordinance creates a new mechanism for the city to collect revenue from colleges and universities within Newark, subject to rates the council will set. The speed‑camera ordinance establishes automated enforcement on residential streets and, if implemented, could change enforcement and revenue patterns. The change order moves forward construction work at the city's operations complex. The Chabad House reimbursement vote resolves a specific property dispute without city payment.

What happens next: The city manager said staff will continue backend work to prepare for the residential speed‑camera launch; the Main Street camera and any contractual details for that business corridor will be scheduled for future council consideration. The university tax rate will be set by council resolution in the fall and then by the annual budget process thereafter.