April 15, 2026

address the council members. The first speaker is Alif Mahmood. Midy got on the radio. What's the name of that radio? Eight Squad Rebel and said that he wanted me to call the FBI for him. And I say that I don't have to call him because he's all around your people visiting now. They're visiting. Maybe they don't want Rachman to know that they're visiting, but they are visiting Midy's friends. And some friends ain't telling that they're being busy. And then, like I said, also, you can call your sister, your older sister. She met with him 10 times. She might know the number better than I do. Alif Mahmood. Court House. Alif Mahmood. And these statues come from the federal government that was sent to Washington, D.C. And I'm going to read some of the statues. The first one is conspiracy against rights. President, be careful with this one with yourself because you be interrupting us That's not a felony. We'll be civil with you. Deparations of rights under the color of law. Death of bribe. You're concerned that a program receiving federal funds. You know, when you went to housing authority and when I give Louise a job that she's not qualified for, that you send her down there. Meld and wire fraud and Koon honor service and fraud. Her sister came down with no qualifications, no certification, and got a Meld and wire fraud. And also, this is another one, guys. Official misconduct by public, but that's a that's a New Jersey. Rico Rico was a criminal in power more than four people. She called it. And we know it's more than four people. Now, what I'm coming here for today is election time. And I want to talk to the people in the housing authorities who I had the relationship when I was the commissioner. I want to talk to the people in the housing authority. Totally, when you put them all together in families, it's probably a third of New Jersey being touched by Section 8 on the housing authority. I want you to listen to commissioner, ex-commissioner Ali for Miami. This is my pick. I'm picking Gail Cheneyfield. Please vote me for Central Ward. There's nowhere in the world Amina Bay can stand up to Gail Cheneyfield. We're not going to let that happen this time. In the South Ward, y'all know I love Pastor. You know, I love him, but don't vote for him. But I'm not going to get in the race because I don't know who I, but I think we're going to be in a run-up, Louie. You know, I like Asia. I remember when she ran with Dawn. And I'm going to stay out of there, but I'm going to be in Bradley Court for the mayor, for my mayor, and for other people out, Councilman Lars. I'm going to be in Bradley Court, Louise, I want Donna to take your space. I think that you are not fulfilling the qualifications. You got a lot of Johnny on the spot, but you ain't got no solutions. I told you a long time ago, you are a councilwoman. You're not the aide to the mayor no more. Every time you go somewhere, you got an approximation for you You're a legislature. You're a councilperson. And I'm still waiting on the answers to, what's that? At large, at large, I'm picking my nephew. Afonso Herron Jr., former police officer, entrepreneur, and for my other at large right now, Donald Jackson. Wouldn't that something to be Donald Jackson up there? So when you become mayor, you make sure you make her aide.

I just want to make sure I'm covered up. But let's not blend it and let's not get it twisted. I'm still qualified to be on May 12th ballot You got to follow up because I found this outside, y'all. I really didn't put no bullet holes in it, but it's the holes in it, and it was on the ground. And it says, Nort deserves real work, not noise. on the people that come up here and speak to you. Not everybody hasn't been in here some couple months. why don't you put this on live right now? this is hearing of citizens, and you don't hear us. great accomplishments from the team, Baraka. The public safety, it's the lowest crime rate in 64 years due to community-based approach to safety. He's not even 64, so how did he even know what was going on back then, but let's just go with it. He established the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma. You established it, but what did you do with it? So then you place social workers in every police precinct to address trauma, mental health, and conflict. Now I know one social worker that works really hard, because every time I bring somebody a name up, But these social workers still need to get but you're not communicating with the people out here. Then you want to talk about affordable housing. You expanded pathways to home ownership. Stop with this vague because all the loyalists that come out here that want to rah-rah for them, I need people to support me that understand me. I don't need your support, but at the same time, You can't run around these last couple of weeks because you ain't did nothing in four years. Well, it's been a lot of years, you know, but at the same time, I'm not here to throw jabs, but at the same time, I'm tired of coming up here But I think giving a one week at a hotel Oh, because you said, if you talk about me, Well, I would like to add something on record. We're getting tickets for the special event parking. the council meeting isn't qualified as a special event, maybe a lot 25 spots in the parking deck because it's after work, after the employees leave, because there's nowhere to park outside. And then if you don't take care of the ticket, then they wanna hold months away appointments. food distribution partner with HelloFresh to distribute over 2 million meals every Wednesday since 2019. because you don't even know how many meals you gave out. that y'all sitting here acting like everything okay. because it's 18 just through the countdown. and I'm gonna keep doing because we all have it.

Good day criminal cult that's running out government. Newark guys, elect a clown, expect a circus. came here and said, let's talk truth and the facts. the truth and the facts about Kawahida Towers. And the main person that's listed is Alison Ladd. Alison Ladd was complicit in being a dishonest broker. That's in February, 2021 from your own resolution. That's over half a million dollars we spent to one of your friends and put a female on it that was assessed at 1.7 million for $525,000. and it's the reason the city is bankrupt. that are not representing our interests. Where were they elected when you had no heat, Three times on my block, no snow removal, potholes, dirty water, high taxes, no jobs, and public safety is at an all-time low. I take them very seriously, society hell. told them what we didn't want in our community. The same developer been there three times under different LLC names, but it's the same people, we are the people that invested in the community, with the attorney for the KS group at the planning board three of y'all came, I don't wanna call your names out, the unregulated HOA fees that no one can afford, because you came there in January and you did nothing. Let me take my last minutes to say this. Lisa Gray is on the school board, she's A6. The same people that y'all exed off on your flyer here for school board is some of the same people that y'all had running against Gayle in the last election. Tammy Holloway, the spoiler that she was. I'm telling you new workers, Jamar Youngblood, Donna Jackson, Louis Quintana, Nadira Brown. Vote for people that have your interests, Contend, oh Lord, for those who contend with me. Fight against those who fight against me. Psalms 35.1, if y'all don't know what it means, Patrick, you have a lady right here from the South Ward that called your office and needs to speak to you, so can you send a representative over to speak to her? She was told to come to the council meeting, I hope y'all filed y'all taxes today, it's April 15th, You got Rachman Mohamed, and I don't need him, Eric, or council president coming up here to say anything If he wants to, he can sign up and speak like, Then you got the surrogate of Essex County, if he's over here supporting Team Baraka. and then go over somebody's very last plans. I do and I hope I don't get people in trouble. for answering my calls and addressing issues but I can't come up here and say thank you. My councilman, councilman, my councilman. Sue each one of them that brought their tails over to the George King Village and it went unheard. You didn't have no hot water in the snow. She's back on Facebook saying she has no hot water. Take Georgia King tax abatement tonight. But you gave them the property next to the museum. See, if y'all had have caught me when I was 18 or 25, I would have been down for the get down. to go to jail for somebody else's foolishness. And I just wanna say happy birthday to my commissioner. Well, happy birthday to Linda Washington's She wanted to come down here to see what was going on. Y'all so disconnected from Newark Housing Authority. Y'all used to vote on their minutes on here. How come they not on their agenda tonight? and come do the right thing by the residence. I just wanna say the mere fact that right now, and within two seconds it's gonna be off. And you've been doing that to the rest of the speakers. You all are supposed to be above that kind of decorum. You know, you talk about the Republicans And that is the way that you guys feel about the residents. See you one minute and you go on the next. We got less than 26 days before this election. And this is my final appeal to every Newark resident, especially those who live in the central ward. being told they have to vote for specific candidates They have managers who don't listen to them. The elevators don't work half of the time But on May 12th, every voter has a chance You have to participate in your own rescue Because there's no superheroes, there's no martyrs. And we're asking all 170,000 voters in the city of Newark. We know you're tired, we know you're disgusted, that can't afford housing that you all came But if it's affordable, who is it affordable for? It's not affordable for the young people who've gone to school, who graduated with degrees, BAs and masters, and they can't get a job but a chick that was at a go-go bar shaking her behind That's disgusting that there is not a pathway and for other people who are qualified in this city. and they're building substandard quality housing and collecting many of the tax abatements Now let Miss Jones on South 6th Street not pay her taxes. But at the end of the day, the developers get a break. They don't even get a slap on the wrist. that Ronnie Davis mentioned about the potholes. We're all driving through these potholes, these craters. it changed the damn radio station for me in my car. Where's the plan for repairing these streets? when $82 million came into this city during COVID and we could have had nice asphalt streets. My hope is that for the people in the Central Ward you have enough hope and enough fight left in you. Cause this is a fight for the soul of this city. And you guys need to understand something. Plexiglass represents what you all don't want to see But you'll go and knock on somebody's door At the end of the day, it's about dignity. and they can't even get the food upstairs but you come and put a petition underneath their door. You come and put a flyer underneath their door. You gotta care about people at some point in time. It's not about May 12th, it's about May 13th. they're telling you, I don't wanna hear from you. and they're not gonna go away after May 13th. They're gonna be here and we're gonna be here to make sure that the work that needs to be done

I'm here today to speak about the ongoing Conditions that have been ignored for over five years That made me feel unsafe in my own space. I have consistently reported major issues in my unit. electrical problems that could potentially cause a fire and at times other substances to run through the walls. every time I take a bath or even flush the toilet I am at risk of flooding the first floor. You can actually hear water moving through the walls. and I had slipped and fallen multiple times as a result. This is not just inconvenient, it's dangerous. They are serious stress to my health and safety. Despite repeatedly bringing these concerns to management, the only action taken has been temporarily Maintenance workers come in, apply quick fixes and leave, but the root problems are never addressed. especially when it comes to structural plumbing As a result, the same issues continue over and over again. I have lived in this unit for over 20 years and I have experienced conditions like this. What makes it even more difficult is emotional toll. Living in a space where you don't feel safe, where you are consistently worried, falling, flooding or something worse, create ongoing stress and anxiety. And to add to that, I have been reaching, I have tried reaching my case manager, Angelica Vargas, for the past month without any response. Now, I also need to address what happened today, When you came to my residence with two men which I am speaking about the Newark housing authorities, I felt unsafe, my boundaries were not responded, I have no choice but to call the police. No tenant should ever have to feel that way I have the right to quiet enjoyment of my home. That includes protection from unauthorized, unlawful entry, except in true emergency. Proper notice is required before entering What happened today was not just inappropriate, it was intimidating and deeply distressing. When you combine that with unsafe living condition, I have already been dealing with for years, it only increases my concern for safety and wellbeing. I am requesting a full inspection of my unit by licensed professionals who are qualified not temporary fixes that were finally resolved the hazard that have existed in my home for years. about what happened, why my home was entered and what policy and place regarding staff And my requesting clear communication moving forward, and how many homes will be brought back to a, how my home will be brought back to a habitable Please understand after 20 years of living here, I am simply asking to live in a home that is safe, a home where my wife and the tenant are respected because of how long these issues have been going on, I am also made sure to copy the executive director of the new housing authorities, department of housing. If you have a seat, I know somebody from my staff

I want to address two things with my time. that I presented to our city council members last year. I received many messages from our DPW workers who are dissatisfied with how they're being treated. I started working for DPW in June of 2021, They put people on the back of garbage trucks illegally. And it is unfair that residents are blaming us, essential workers, for our dirty streets when it is clear that we have bad management. It's like they want us to remain stagnant I was homeless when I was in the city hall and I was homeless when I was in the city hall and I was homeless when I was in the city hall over a year ago, and no one has called me back. and we really want to know where the money is going. We received $80 million from the federal government during the pandemic because we were essential workers, but only a small group of people received payments. We just want to know where the money is going. Now is the time to make your demands clear and this administration stays in the office after May 12, you will face four more years of the same treatment. Now let's talk about the plan we created for our city. Last year, I presented a plan to our council members created by a group of North residents called North 30. The goal of the plan is to build a self-sufficient and fully transparent city by the year 2030. We decided that in order for our lawmakers we must first understand the different needs We organized residents into four groups, emergency, surviving, doing okay, and doing well. Emergency includes residents struggling with basic needs who are barely meeting basic needs without stability. Doing okay includes a residence meeting their needs who are financially stable and have disposable income. to target resources and policies more precisely The remainder of the plan expands affordability and economic stability by creating co-ops for essential services, launching our own local currency and keeping money circulating within our city. while improving our technology infrastructure so residents can own their future in our city. before you head to the polls on May 12th To our council members and administration, I hope we can work together to implement these ideas regardless of what happens on election day. Again, I do not have any real beef with any of you. and I truly believe we can do better, y'all. I'm Marilyn Sowell, North resident my entire life. I'm here today because I have been going back and forth with the police station, prosecutor's office, No one cared or cares about the constant pain that is deeply ruined in my life, as well as my sisters. My cyber harassment is nothing like the typical online drama My home, my lights, my microwave, AC, wash machine, my bread eels, my heat, my deep freezer, and even a battery operated Swiffer, Mop, These monsters on a daily, each year that passed, They're attacking my work, cutting my hours, On my days off, somehow I'm punched in anyway, and the clock will run on for hours and hours. Six days vacation days are not accumulated. I have witness statements for one of my bosses. Here's where my bad becomes 10 times worse. The attacks on my 76 year old sister is sinister. They started with her TV lights being blown out, her transportation from the doctor into the doctor be canceled, her blood pressure machine, false reading. this is nothing like the typical online drama On December 31st, my sister was admitted I automatically knew that that can't be right. She'd take 20 milligrams of potassium every day I told her some of my suspicions, but I said nothing. By January the 2nd, 2026, she was in heart failure. she's still suffering from some of the effects But I had knew that it was my cyber stalkers. I can grant any authority figure permission to speak to any of her doctors to solidify my claims. I'm gonna end my speech with my eight word entry.

1A, Mayor, City of Newark, May 12th, 2026. You know, let me talk about this pre-meeting yesterday. Now I don't know, I guess because you all because you feel like you got it in a bag. Ramos, I've never known you to be this sloppy You know, and then you've got the president up here And I'm watching this with professionals and they're laughing at the City of Newark because this is what you all have become. you're sitting there just, yeah, the air is stale. It's like, yeah, we know what's gonna happen. these people dissect everybody for years. well, I just want a better relationship with my mayor. Then you have your mayor at 777 with Shaq Well, I wonder why because they benefit and we don't. If we do not take this city back now, we are doomed. If you don't think, if you think you can't live now, It's not about new faces and let's try this. You know who has you and your best interests at heart. In fact, we had 14 police officers on one man a couple of days ago, sitting there eating his soup, Then they wanna get mad because he's pushing them off. Wind up arresting him, banging his legs in the door And those of you who are telling our black children to not become officers, shut your mouth. These Latino Hispanic officers take care of their own. They get caught with no licenses, no registrations, I'm telling you, we cannot act like it is not happening. We've got to clean the filth and corruption. North needs someone who is going to do the right thing I'm not trying to get along with anybody. Oh, did that pop up ever happen at the situation? Because there was a living situation where I always reach out to make things happen, And it's dire strait, mold and all of these things. So I'm telling you, I'm tired of talking that is everywhere in this city for everything. When we didn't have a central ward person, Did I not call you at large as out about that? Did I not come and get you and bring you to the places? who I've worked shoulder to shoulder with or are you just like this administration that's here? if you don't want the person to get the job done, except the pleasure of helping the people. Let's stop playing games and call it what it is. The boy twirling at the State of the City address. So unprofessional to the rest of the world. Okay, big mouth that don't know nothing. I'm glad I gave you a little dance cue, Mr. Baraka. Send your letters, send your stuff, play. For all the city employees that received your retro pay, Because if not for me, and I'm gonna brag on myself, Donna made Mr. P come to the mic in November and say the retro pay will be rolled over into 2026. Did you turn around and only smack them with six, $700? And I love it now that the youth involved. And the problem is that y'all got an attitude. You know you wrong and you got an attitude. I remember coming out of Donald Payne's funeral that man always maintained a relationship of communication even when I told him he wasn't doing nothing. So let me go to this, you know, you got your little crew. Know our crew growing, because they sick of y'all. Not only in North, across the country now. Villa Victoria shall mean the construction improvement and rehabilitation of 194 affordable housing units. Raz, I know you holding your head over there now. Get on your knees, because that's what y'all doing. You let these LLC boys come in here and rape this city. And let me tell all you employees that got in check. Get these child safety bars on these buildings Y'all still ain't checking the building. Hire some people that can read, that know code and go out here and stop letting these buildings Stop letting these people build this upstanding nonsense

We are Mitaku Yayoiasen, live from Lakota land. like the officers that arrested me on February 13th, they don't know that this is Lenape land. So I acknowledge that this is Lenape territory, I recognize many Newark residents carry Aboriginal, which means original peoples of the land I pledge to honor Aboriginal title, support land back, Everybody sitting in these chairs had to take an oath. The people I support because they all support people, Deborah Salters because she helped people, and Mutai Alameen because he changed his life, right? So I'm about to share with y'all my pledge. So imagine with a 15 year old and 16 year old with an eight plus ACES scores is going through. So people's pledge, this is genocide by paperwork. the medium home value went from 242,000 to 465. Homeless population, that so-called went down. I'm part of the houseless community, right? The so-called went down 60% from 2023, it was 1,595. That's an acute and predominantly black neighborhoods. Only 24% of North workers have jobs in North. Y'all ain't building those towers for our people. Y'all building those towers for the commuters. Right in front of that tower, right by the FBI building. I wake up there and I reside in an empty lot I don't have to come in here to do the work. I can't see my family because I can't see my family because I'm a veteran that got anger issues And the fact that I'm here and I speak truth to power. My birth name is Elijah Abdul Samad Morgano. And y'all wonder why I got this unicorn on, right? Black neighborhood, tax credit, 740 million developers, So that mean y'all can all research this, right? So the pledge is ending genocide by paperwork. Recognize that 92% of home value increase while luxury condos go to New York City commuters I pledge to fight for community land trust, tenant protection and housing that serves families I will never accept campaign contributions from slumlords or vote for policies that displaced the original residents. I pledge to dismantle the school or prison pipeline, honor our elders and support family forms. and never allow veterans to become forgotten. I am their steward, not their owner, right? I pledge to speak truth even when uncomfortable, are active systems still operating today through zoning, credit checks and corporate land grabs. And listen, y'all gotta sleep at night with that. and the y'all can pledge, accept the pledge or nah.

Can we get some quiet so that we can hear Ms. Clyburn? Queen Danisha Clyburn, 39A 14th Avenue, Newark, New Jersey. and the main one saying, we on the rise. 17 year olds that don't have no services Our light bills are definitely on the rise. Because I had a person that voted through the mail and she said to me, I'm a grandmother and my son died Because like my boy said, you could Google it but some of this stuff you can't Google. You gotta go outside and be a part of this stuff Because y'all didn't help this little girl. But it is because I'm a part of the community. And because you guys sit in these seats, it is your duty to serve us when we have questions, when we have problems, to answer them and solve them. Or else why are you here for 30 years, 20 years, 16 years, four years, four months or whatever months? But this the only way I can see all y'all at one time So this isn't even a, this isn't even fair right here. You all have to be present to vote, right? I need help for this 17 year old pregnant mom There are no programs I even call DIFIS. DIFIS said y'all and I ain't a fan of them. they can no longer take kids from mothers or fathers if they're homeless because it's poverty. please all y'all should be writing that down because everybody has a case some kind of way. because you're homeless, they don't help. The only thing they could do is give you beds, Oh, maybe they can put it on the stairs of City Hall Along with the grandma of the 17 year old and the two year old son and mommy's still on her loose. pulling us over for apparently nothing sometime Sometimes they disappear and I ain't even driving. And I'm like the lady that was at the mic, I'm starting to think my bed transforming Y'all don't understand, we got a mental crisis in here. because y'all don't be around these people. Big shout out to Mutah and my brother Priceless but we still need some space for them kids They need somebody like good men to mentor them. Big shout out to my boss, Jessica McBoss lady for helping me supply the vegetables and the fruits. They gotta eat every day and I go for all of y'all. so if y'all got some funds, I need that money. Okay, I need gas money, my mileage going up on all my cars because I drive them all. We're looking for a bus to bust these kids out of North because there's nothing pretty for North. We're definitely not on a rise and it's getting high. I reside at Vanderpool Street in Newark, New Jersey On Title 10, the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, it is cited as the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 in Section 1017, Funding, Penalties and Fines. You speak of the Trans A, there is the transfer of funds The Board of Governors shall transfer to the Bureau from the combined earnings of the Federal Reserve System there is the operation of plans and forecasts, the financial statements that the Bureau shall prepare the funds that are attained, they're transferred to shall be immediately available to the Bureau of course I'm hoping that our Council people there's the Federal Reserve System provisions this is Title XI, Federal Reserve System provisions, Section 1101, it says that the Board shall establish procedures to prohibit borrowing from programs it's just that as practicable after the date in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury the policies and procedures governing emergency lending under this paragraph, such policies and procedures shall be designed to ensure that any emergency lending programs, any emergency lending programs or facilities. First I would like to start by saying justice for Wally Bay, we still need to get that done and deal with the police officer that dealt with that brutal situation of murder to our brother Secondly I'll start by saying, reading this note which says that leaders don't have all the answers Leadership isn't about showing people how energetic, enthusiastic or even entrepreneurial one is. It's about gaining through knowledge and wisdom enough to move people collectively and or plans from obscurity to excellence or from one point to another. Leaders are always on the learning curve. They know they haven't arrived until they've shown others by their own example how to be the best they can be. Ladies and gentlemen of the City of Newark, I am Lamont Vaughn and I am running as a leader and I am running as to be councilman at large here in the City of Newark because I want to be one of your elected leaders that have impact. I'm not asking you to elect me to have impact. I am asking you to elect me because I've already had impact in this community and in the lives of many in this community I have my receipts and I'm asking you to allow me to expand that mission. That being said, let me read through these notes I heard somebody talking tonight about the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery and I pray that what I'm about to say here today puts this to rest with respect to the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery. Years ago there was a movement in Newark called the Newark Anti-Violence Coalition. We marched through these streets week after week Many of you who are in the audience was actually we talked about, we talked at those rallies, we talked about plans on what we should be doing, how this city should look and at that time we were dealing with over 130 semi-murders per year. It is a disgrace to come to this microphone, tell the people in this city that we are living in our streets, public safety in our streets. There are men and women in this community day and night, overnight, while many of y'all are asleep when your kids wake up to go to school, they safe. Y'all dare somebody to test that one, stop that. Now number two, many of our OVP staff members They are at our schools doing safe passage every day, breaking up fights around our schools every day. my good brother has joined us breaking up fights. Councilmen at large, let's get some truthful stuff All right, let's get some quiet so we can hear Ms. Dock. Mr. Vaughn, you will be escorted if you continue. Because we put that work in way, way before y'all. Raz is only the mayor because we put that work in. and a lot of the rest of you are only sitting there because we put that work in for nothing. And way before there was a new anti-violence coalition, because we put the work in for you to get it. Now, May 12th, look, you got work to do. Even if I want y'all to force Mayor Raz LaRocca Do not let this Negro walk in there just like that. It's because we have to argue like this because of him. You the cause of us arguing like this, Raz. You the cause of us not wanting to support you, you, He did nothing, nothing that we talked about, nothing. In May 12th, Newark, show him, show him. Along with that fraud coalition that y'all put together. You know where I'm gonna tell you the story of that? In addition to the snap money that he got where residents supposed to get that $600. Now I know you got a whistle blowing little program. but there's some out here that would do it. Because I'm gonna tell you how to fraud start And then when they get over to 50 South Clinton they give them the benefits, Medicaid, snap. And I believe, and Dr. Oz, you dead on it. You dead on it when you talk about the application. Nobody verifies that when they get in your office. And then I want you to start with Catholic Charities. And not that they don't have no love for me. They don't make me even start saying American. You ain't never seen a Latino come down there and say their staff benefits was taken off. You don't see no non-citizen come down there May 12th, force this Negro into a runoff. Make him where he lay down that knife and beat. And cry like he have made this residence

for all the negativity that just went on in here. You supposed to, you running for council. So I just wanna just internalize all of that because people feel like I wanna run for school board, about these organizations and ecosystems and had patience for everything and everybody. One of the reasons why I'm voting for Mayor Baraka is because when I text him, when I call him, We have conversations and I know that he sees me so we don't wanna get stuck in them at no time. And it like, I'm trying to hold my tears back and I speak about things, it's lived experience. And it's also tonight, me sitting in here, and seeing my community divided is a lived experience. I see people on this side that's been supportive to somebody that I still support and they hurting. I said that a year ago, hurt people, hurt people. I have had patience over patience over patience at this mic because I understand what my mouth can do that it feel like I was deserving of a position. you don't have to have a college degree. You have to be 18 years old, a registered voter, I qualify and I feel the shade and the hate in the last couple of weeks on social media with different things that people have been trying I can't be assassinated when I know this stuff I done been a business owner, a single mother. I can't move out of subsidized housing right now I have a senior citizen mother that live in the South Ward that I can't even conversate with the South Ward aide I have to call my girlfriend in the office, that share our situations with y'all and get help. Like I can't come to this mic and disrespect any of y'all because I understand and I look from a different lens but we can't continue to go along to get along. and these systems that they don't want us operating We got to get it together in our hearts. So a lot of times people don't understand because I'm trying to touch the hearts of the people I'm not going to stay stuck in the moment. I hope that young man don't stay stuck in the moment. I hope you don't or anybody else in here I do apologize to Mr. Vaughn and the audience those that know me know that's not normally They were not what I would normally say. Before you come up, Councilwoman Scott Rountree. Well, who I wanted to respond to is no longer, well, just for the record, say there was, there's so many things I wanted to respond to. However, I just want to respond to the pop-up I was not there, but I was notified that it was done. have not had a chance to review the documentation And I will share it also with you, Councilwoman Bay, I then called, of course, the health department. And as you know, sometimes we don't get a chance But I did call the director of the health department and they conducted whatever the inspection was. And as I stated, there were pictures and documentations. the individual that requested this inspection, I want them to be aware if they're tuned in, and if they're not, then I will reach out to them, because I just got that information this afternoon. Also, I know the family that Anisha Clyburn with management and ownership over there. So we hopefully will have some answers tomorrow about that, but we started working on that this morning as soon as we got the text about Mary Rouse over at GKV. Yes, so Director Concepcion is in the building, because this isn't just something that just occurred. It's something that's been on and going. but we were, and I think there's a resident and he sends us emails 9, 10, 11 p.m. at night. And I don't know if he wants his name on the record, reporting all of the issues in the West Ward. it was addressed with the Assistant Director of Engineering. and I don't believe Councilman Kelly or myself or any of the other council at large members are actually going to sit back within the next 24 hours with having some results and an explanation and they have children that have to be bathed, that I got that I can't even get my babies bathed because, so we're definitely on top of that, and prayerfully after tonight, tomorrow morning, there will be a report to not just Ms. Rouse, because I believe you have this information. immediately reach out to him to help that family. because like I said, we don't always get everything. I'm not on CCU where I used to get the notifications but thank you so much for bringing it to our attention. who actually work in the emergency room at university, and they informed me a while ago about that, well, not them, but people around the hospital and people that were there with concerns concerning the mother shooting her daughter. Councilwoman Bay, thank you, Councilman. Yes, I just wanted to also respond to Ms. Clyburn. Hopefully, did you get a chance to speak And yes, Director Lirio, he's already on top of it. that you find that is in need of assistance. So I just wanna address a number of things I'll start with, there was some comments When I heard that, I was a little surprised because I know that Ms. Gaylord is here. Of course, her office is involved with training there are literally more people employed in police and fire and DPW and engineering, et cetera. DPW, engineering, et cetera, code, et cetera. I don't wanna go through the whole highlight of what the mayor did when he spoke to the fact that we've given a number of kids an opportunity to go to St. Elizabeth, NJIT and Rutgers. of those young people have now graduated from those places and now are involved in, some serious, serious opportunities throughout the country as a result of being involved in the program. I know there was some comments about affordable housing to push someone down to make their point. It was a comment about kids can't get a job here but women in bars or something like that. You know what, we cannot be in that space. or trying to bring themselves up in a space and say that because they're getting an opportunity and because of their employment path in the past or their criminal history or their work history or what have you, it's wrong for us to do that and I don't think it's right for me to sit here that's gonna say that we should try to pound on people. and I know that's unfortunate that if that is true about the cost of the Boys and Girls Club and the director is here from our recreation. that the young lady had all the documentation and the director from recreation gave her the information a person can be involved in all of the rec activities I mean, we have summer programs, we have camp watershed, we have basketball, boxing, everything else around this city in reference to an opportunity. I do appreciate the fact that on Fridays we get KPIs and where the director talks about the increase in when it comes to the people we service There was a comment about a pothole plan have already started the pothole process. We've already began the collaboration with PSC&G And of course our paving plan has been given to council. So I spoke to the BA, we will work with IT so that people within the community can know There was a number of comments in reference and I saw the people who were involved in that project. There were women of color that were involved in a project who are taking on a responsibility When I hear people talk about it in a negative light, I'm almost surprised because since I've been here, giving people from this community an opportunity. So when I see a bunch of people in the back row and they're proud to be a part of the project, We also heard some information unfortunately about, and I'm sure the BA will address this issue on Ms. Jackson, I don't know if it was named but one of the speakers talking about taking credit The BA and the unions have been in negotiation and have had plans to deal with retro pay You know, the fact that somebody comes to the council So, but again, I'll leave that to the BA I know there was some information in reference to the unfortunate accident on Elizabeth Avenue. I will tell you all that we are in litigation I can't give the council and of course the public an update that all of the windows in that building that have kids under 10 years old have window guards. Now, I will tell you that we are in a fight with them to replace all the windows in the building. the administration update in the next two days. that is like the last thing that's possible. are on the city's website as they're supposed to be And then finally, I know that there has been a number of comments in reference to of course a very aggressive approach dealing with some of these issues when it comes to people's housing conditions. I will tell you all that the city has activated It gives details about the different properties the number of violations and things of that nature. it also gives tenants an opportunity to email for help and it's literally tenanthelp at ci.nork.nj.us. Tenants can have an opportunity to send information via email to that email and it will at least start the process of us paying attention to what's going on. Of course, it may result in us sending cold, fire, and other folks in the health department and things of that nature to those locations. and I'm sure some of you have gotten phone calls That announcement has at least started the process they wanna fix the issues that they have Sure, good evening, Eric Pennington, BA. I'm literally gonna take a couple of seconds. The Corporation Council gave a comprehensive response. One of the speakers, there were several speakers who indicated they're running for office and they deserve to be heard to some extent, so totally outlandish that it doesn't get some rebuttal. that the city is facing a $700 million deficit given that the entire budget is $950 million thereabouts. The $700 million suggests that 70% of the budget The other thing is legally, statutorily, But this notion that there's a $700 million deficit that people understand that that is just not true. Now, I think the most important thing about that is the person who said it probably believes it. And it strikes me that somebody who would say something like that without having factual information to back it up is not qualified to run for office. And just like I offer to another candidate to come to my office, to go over the budget and to learn the process and to learn what it is, I'm happy to entertain that gentleman as well. He can come to my office and I'll give him basic primer on what the budget is all about. And I'm happy to invite him in and do that. everybody DPW worker who worked during COVID There were some negotiation as to whether or not they each received all that they were supposed to. If there's a worker who believes that they're entitled I negotiate with the union all the time. Ms. Chambers is the person that we deal with. I commend them to reach out to her to resolve that. And I'm happy to work with her to get that resolved. with the retro pay that they're entitled to. I think the Corporation Council addressed everything else. One of the speakers mentioned that we had an employee that's been working as a temp essentially since 2021. I think the more important part of that though, is even temporary workers get sick days. It's an ordinance that we sponsored some years ago. Industries, I would imagine it applies to us as well. under what used to be called CSS or now, There is a possibility that someone has been on a temporary workforce four or five years, but it's probably because there was a break in service. But if I have that information in the individual, Would it be possible for us to get a breakdown And are they represented by the union as a temp? And I'm surprised that the union doesn't object of temporary employees in union positions, right? I have to characterize it as a large number of employees. You may have more information than I have as to what the ratio is between temporary workers Temp is a very different classification. You asked me for the data and then you just said The other thing, Eric, is that the comment about addressing the situation with potholes, and I know right now we spoke a few council meetings ago. you guys were looking to bring in a private company to assist, and I really think it's needed because I'm not sure what kind of progress I would imagine they have a limited number of resources, equipment, and it just feels but obviously the residents are concerned. It's almost middle, it is the middle of April. we're out there full force addressing potholes. Are you guys bringing in a private company to help? There are some streets that are worse than others, but what I wanted to do is get a pothole, And if we had to bring a crew along with that, I don't know the status of that at the moment. The potholes are handled by the Department of Public Works. The director is here and he can't address that, but I'll commit to making sure that we ramp up the number of people we have working on the pothole crew to address the issue that is a legitimate concern I know our office sent a concern regarding Second Avenue So it's a street that's in really bad shape. And ironically, it's like half the street because the other half of the street, I think, was paved as a result of the lead service line the other half of the street that has homes that probably benefited from lead service line replacement, And I think that's happened in a bunch of areas that was issued to the companies that did the replacement I would just ask your office to check to make sure, because I know part of that street was paved after the lead service lines were replaced, or for whatever reason, the other half was. All right, this is in the Roseville section? Second Avenue above Roseville Avenue, yeah. That's where the complaints were made on social. And I think our office forwarded them to you this week. of city officers, boards and commissions. 6FA is an ordinance granting a 20-year tax abatement to Namor 763 South Orange Urban Renewal LLC to construct a new five-story mixed-use building, and execute an agreement with Bergen Street Partners LLC for sale and redevelopment of city-owned property, D is an ordinance ratifying and authorizing the mayor with South Orange New Jersey LLC for office space, The ordinance is adopted today on first reading will be advertised in accordance with law and a public hearing will be held at a regular meeting Seven R1A and B are both temporary emergency appropriations. A is for the urban and community fostering program and B is for the Ryan White HIV health and support services. D is a state contract for water sewer equipment E is an extension of an emergency contract And F is a bid contract for traffic sign materials. G and H are both contracts with recipients to provide community-based violence intervention and prevention in youth mentoring and or safe passage. Council is a whole to adopt G and H please. A is new construction of a two-family home to be rented to section eight housing choice without your participants in the South board. B is a motion to defer by councilman council, C is to build a three single family homes to income qualified households earning 100% AMI. D through H are professional service contracts. D and E is for on call environmental consulting Council as a whole to adopt D through H please. Aye as a grant agreement for the central ward, and urban development redevelopment project And I know we came in late to the pre yesterday councilman council had this cannabis committee meeting and at some point the city went, I guess, to HUD leveraged its CDBG money to essentially create an opportunity to borrow up to documentation that have been considered to receive the opportunity And is this in lieu of private financing or is that a subsidy in addition to the private financing? I don't know if somebody from economic development could just briefly answer those questions. Good evening council members, Alison Ladd, director of economic and housing development. So the question asked about the section 108 program The section 108 program was approved many years ago for utilization of these funds to be able to have the dollars today and then repay over time. There were other projects that were already approved for the funding in which the council approved previously. and redevelopment of Kruger Scott mansion. So you may remember that from some years ago. but actually decided not to move forward And so that is a development that actually ended up And so that's where there were some funds available. And next the city has as the administrator is Invest Newark and Invest Newark is the entity that did the selection that it's still complied with HUD rules in which we did. And we had legal council who was able to attest to that so that we did it in the right form and fashion. The last part as far as how widely was it advertised. I can't speak to that partly because it was done And so I did not participate in that process. So what percentage of the overall project is there has to be private financing involved as well? I would say, yes, I do not know the total development cost. And so this was a portion of the funding So the individual lots make up a bigger project because the projects that you referenced Kruger, Scott Mansion being one, these are very large. I thought these were individual like homes They're putting up some kind of community center. Because the backup doesn't really describe So I would agree that it's not spelled out as clearly. Second, I would say that the information is that, yes, they are going to be doing the community center. And then there is also going to be some housing, So the loan program is guaranteed by the city's CDBG funds. That's kind of like how section 108 works, correct? So if you have a situation where a recipient defaults on payment, is that potential penalty to the city What kind of guarantees do we have that the applicant is gonna comply with the terms of the agreement and in turn make sure that we don't lose as part of the agreement with the developer that you're aware of or give back to us on? I'm happy to respond to that more clearly, but I would say that it is similar for us as any other loan product or private sale regarding any type of use of the federal funds, And they had to give the affirmative approval, which I believe was attached in the legislature file to be able to utilize the funds for this purpose. I appreciate your response, Deputy Mayor. I'll answer second by Councilwoman Scott-Roundtree. K is execute an affordable housing agreement for home funds with Risen Plains Urban Renewal LLC to develop and construct a new four story 19 unit affordable L is referral to the central planning board to some documentation about whether or not the landmarks commission was involved in this and I thank the clerk and the department Seven R four A and B are both finance resolutions. And B is a professional service contract Council as a whole to adopt A and B please. Seven R five A through D are amending resolutions for HIV AIDS health and support services. A is for Newark Beth Israel Medical Center B is Apostle House sponsored by Councilman Council. E is a contract with the grant sub recipient F through Q are contracts with sub recipients to provide HIV AIDS related health and support services. G is Smith Center for Infectious Disease. P is Catholic Family and Community Services. Council as a whole to adopt F through Q please. R and S are amending acceptance of grant funds for the Ryan White HIV Health Support and Services. to the Department of Health and Community Services C and D are both professional services contracts And D is for Litigation Defense Matters. A is a street designation for Faith Evans, sponsored by Councilwoman Scott-Roundtree, C is declaring May, 2026, Mental Health Awareness Month, sponsored by Councilwoman Scott-Roundtree, sponsored by Councilwoman Scott-Roundtree, E is a whole harmless for National Youth Step Competition, F is a whole harmless for I Dream a World, H is waiving fees for the South Board Community Walk, I is waiving fees for the Mother's Day Festival, J is establishing a sister city's relationship L is support for the Weak of the Young Child, N is recognizing and commending resolutions, and N is expressing profound sorrow and regret. on the Councilman Council actually sponsored, and I co-sponsored the street dedication for Faith Evans. Councilman- Sponsored by Councilman Council, seconded by Councilwoman Scott-Roundtree. 7R9A through C are public safety resolutions. B is the acceptance of grant funds for police overtime. Council is a whole to adopt A through C. 7R12A through C are water sewer utility resolutions. And C is a professional service contract Council is a whole to adopt the A through C, please. Item 8A is an ordinance granting a 20 year long tax abatement to Namor South Orange Urban Renewal LLC to construct a new five story mixed use building. Council is a whole to advance the first reading. I thought it was advance and adopt on this one. B is an ordinance granting a 25 year tax abatement to 1080 Bergen developer urban renewal LLC to construct a new five story mixed use building. Council is a whole to advance the first reading. tax abatement to Marvin Holdings Urban Renewal LLC to construct a new four story mixed use building. Motion to advance and adopt our first reading to regulate the parking of construction related vehicles Motion to advance and adopt our first reading I want to say it was sponsored by Councilman Kelly. It's a little late Larry, that's what it is. And could I, I agree with Councilman Council on that You can't park a hitch trailer on a city street even though they're allowed to for whatever reason. They have to be connected to another pole vehicle but we see food trucks also that are these little hitch vehicles that are converted into food trucks. to the police division that they should be enforcing 10A is approval of the bingo and raffle license. is a settlement with the law department. we're helping us on workers' matters from last year. This is to take care of the end of last year's bill. Unfortunately, it did not make the agenda in time. They were dealing with more than 30 cases We transitioned from using them in this space. because I promised them that it would make the agenda. I'm gonna excuse myself, but definitely need a snack. All right, real quick, because it's late. Saturday, May 2nd, our council office is sponsoring From 12 to five is open to everyone all ages, Whether you're in a stroller or a walker, And then also, I just wanted to take a point of personal privilege and congratulate my line, offer congratulations on my Delta-versity And Verizon as it relates to the number of wires And we need to have all three of those entities in here as all three of them keep moving responsibility levels. And so that needs to happen as soon as possible. Wanna announce the Westwood Spring Festival. that responsibility with our Central Councilwoman, you can come on over to her second event as she's partnering with the Westwood from 2.30 to 5.30 p.m. Liberty Park 401 West Market Street right across from the business pods that we're putting there and diagonally across from Georgia King Village. There'll be a live DJ and the dance floor, more information you can always reach out to Zakiya Branch of PWI which is 862-240-9555. We're gonna go to Councilman Silva first this time. April 25th, we're having an autism event. It's open to everyone in the entire city to come out. I know Councilman Crump is having his this weekend Anything I ever do, whether it's an Easter egg hunt, back to school, it's open to the entire city of Newark. not just for East Ward, but for everyone. So if you have any electronics, please drop it off. Again, open to anybody in the entire city to come out. We'll help you unload it and put it in the truck. So again, it's partnering with Panasonic. from six to nine at Eastside High School. the other wards, you're more than welcome involving a dear friend of mine, Al Coutinho. And I just wanna thank all my council colleagues The BA, the Corporation Council, the mayor, tremendous support for me and the family. The reason I'm sitting here is from Al Coutinho who believed in me and he's gonna be missed. all built with kids from the city of Newark. I wanna thank all the residents who came out. So Joe's supposed to show you how many people Al touched. who reached out for me to pass their condolences So I'm really appreciative of all of my council and the Corporation Council constantly checking up on me. And Al would want us to keep working hard and watching this eventful meeting tonight. I want to extend a profound sorrow and regret to the passing of Bishop Kenneth Robinson. He is a founding father, member of council of bishops in Northeast Central Regional Bishop. He transitioned and to the full gospel movement. It is a great loss to individuals like Bishop Rudy B. Coulson and others that served with him. We do express a profound sorrow and regret. and regret to the family of sister Gwendolyn Thomas