Council - Regular Meeting

council person that's going to be sworn in july one um so that person will have an opportunity at least to um you know i know councilman gonzalez has been driving conversations on the budget for a long time and you know we appreciate his diligence but you do have a new person that's coming on board and it's important for her to have an opportunity at least as uh initial responsibility to weigh in a little bit on the budget process as well

Certainly, with respect to that, through the council president to you, I have offered to meet with the new council member to answer any questions in advance of her voting on the budget, and I presume that she will be here to participate in the hearings as well.

Thank you, Ira. You're welcome. Thank you. Quick question in terms of anticipation of when we would receive the budget packets.

The initial information you will get, some additional information today, the budget packets will be put together over the next week or so, or less than or so, in about a week.

All right, thank you. Any other questions from the council? All right, thank you. Thank you, Mr. B.A. You're welcome. Roll call.

Council Members Bay? Yes. Council? Absent? Gonzalez? Yes. Kelly?

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

7R8B-S is establishing a sister city's relationship with Arcos de Valdevez, Portugal. Sponsored by Councilman Silva. Second.

Second by Councilman Quintana. Madam President. Madam Clerk, we have reviewed and, you know, we talked about it. The Deputy Mayor, Legion of Frida, we spoke about it, and it's all clear. So, you know, through your office, I want to thank you for it. clearing it and making sure that that sister city is in good standards.

Thank you, Councilman. Anything else?

Mr. President, I suppose we Google it.

It can be that simple, right? Roll call.

Councilmember Spay? Yes. Council absent? Gonzalez? Yes. Kelly?

Yes.

Quintana? Yes. Ramos? Yes. Scott Roundtree? Yes. Silva? Yes. President Clump?

Yes. Council President, Council Members, we are on the added starters. First one is seminar 8C SAS, which is a whole harmless for the Newark Fan Village, sponsored by Councilman Silva.

Sir second second second my councilman can Donna Anything you want to say yeah, I just wanted to thank the business administrator the city of Newark the mayor This is something that we're putting on for everybody. It's a family-friendly event We invite everybody from all parts of the city of Newark outside the city of Newark If you're a vendor get in touch with my office. We'll be happy we have 39 days of This going on it'll be going on from July June 11th to July 19th to the finals Anybody who wants to participate from the city of Newark? Priority one is our Newark business owners and vendors to come out and and be part of this. We want to make this a great event. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, having the World Cup here in New Jersey, and we want to make sure that we make Newark shine. So anybody that wants to participate from any other parts of the city, please contact my office, and we'll make you part of that Fan Fest. Thank you, Councilman. Roll call.

Councilmember Bay? Yes. Council. Absent. Gonzalez.

Yes.

Kelly. Yes. Quintana. Yes. Ramos.

Yes.

Scott Roundtree.

Yes.

Silva. Yes. President Crump. Yes. 7R6AAS is a professional service contract to provide legal services concerning litigation defense matters. Council as a whole to adopt.

Mr. President. Councilman Ramos.

Is there any particular reason why this is on today? Was this left off from the bundle of legal contracts that we got to vote on last time?

Corporation counsel. Sure.

Good morning, Kenyatta Store, City of North Corporation Council. So that's essentially what happened. During the last meeting, we didn't have the opportunity to get it on. We wanted to make sure we get it through the process. Unfortunately, you know, we were worried about some of the other issues that the other departments had to deal with. During the last council meeting, we didn't make this one.

Thank you.

All right, thank you. Roll call.

Council Members Bay. Yes. Council. Council. Absent. Gonzalez?

Yes.

Kelly?

Yes.

Quintana? Yes. Ramos?

Yes.

Scott Roundtree? Yes. Silva? Yes. President Crump?

Yes.

Council President, I think the administration has another addendum.

Court of Council.

Sure. Good morning again. Good morning. We do have another added starter. It's 260781. That's the legislated number. It's in reference to an economic development matter, which the Deputy Mayor will address right now.

Good morning, Council President, Council Members, Alison Ladd, Director of Economic and Housing Development. First, I want to sincerely apologize that you do not have the file in front of you. I know that it is out of protocol. So thanks in advance for just listening. Second, this project is related to 10 Park Place The developer is the Burger Organization. They own, it's the former fireman's insurance building right next to NJPAC. They are seeking HMFA financing to do 100% affordable housing on the site. In addition, they are also going to do a deep discount on the retail front, which will be – they're going to look at $20 a square foot for the retail space, and then it was about 50% less than what the – Going rate is now for retail per square foot space And last they are also doing additional affordable housing for artists and for seniors And that will be above and beyond the focus area for 60% of AMI and below again, the reason why we're asking you to consider it today is because They're trying to get HMFA financing, and that has deadlines associated with it. Unfortunately, it was not approved so that you could see it immediately yesterday. So again, I apologize for that. And I'm happy to arrange a meeting with anyone who'd like to talk with the Berger organization about the project and about the benefits that they're bringing to the city with the project. Oh, I'm sorry, one last thing. The tax abatement committee did review this and did agree to allow it to move forward. So that was through the tax abatement committee about 30 to 45 days ago.

Quick question. First, did you say the number of years for the tax abatement? I don't know if I heard that.

I apologize, Council President. And then the number of units. Yes, I'm sorry. So forgive me. The number of units is 196 residential units. And all but one will be affordable. So 195 will be deed restricted, and one will be for the management office.

Super affordable.

The breakdown of the units is 53 studios ranging between 27% of AMI and 57% of AMI. Then there will also be 16 two bedrooms between 30% of AMI and 57% of AMI. And then there'll be 10 three bedrooms from 30% to 57% of AMI. In addition again as I was sharing there'll be a set aside for seniors of 10% and a set aside for artist housing of 10% the 3,000 square feet or ground floor retail will be deeply discounted at about 50% of the current market So again, the current market is about $40 a square foot and they're starting at $20 a square foot The total project cost is $130 million, and the request is for the long-term tax exemption, a pilot, under the HMFA statute, and that allows for the period to be 35 years. And it does comply with all of the laws and ordinances set forth by the state and the local municipality.

Thank you.

Thank you, Council President. I did have preliminary conversations, but we needed to do a follow-up. So if you can set that up, because I need more information on the further breakdown. How many, what's the breakdown of units for seniors? Is it the studio apartments? Is it one bedroom? What does that look like? And also what that cost is, what the price point is. for those specific units and also we talked about community benefit what that looks like for this for this project and so that was the initial conversation but I never got to follow up so if we could have that follow-up conversation I'd appreciate it sure I will reach out to the developer I wasn't aware that they didn't follow up with you thank you

Yeah, I understand the urgency, but the fact that we don't have any backup documentation to review, we didn't get any paperwork ahead of time, puts us in a pretty significant disadvantage to evaluate. I'm not trying to say that what you're telling us isn't true, but it's important that at least we have some paperwork that we can review on these projects.

Yes, understood.

But when are we going to get documents on this? After the vote?

The file is completely in Legistar, and it's gone through my approval. And the remaining approvers are expected to do that eminently.

Do they still have to come in for an abatement beyond this?

Oh, sir, this is the abatement.

Oh, this is the abatement? Yes. So I thought this was the letter giving them the authority to seek state tax credits.

No, sir, you have already done that.

Okay. So what I will suggest or recommend is at this point, since this is an ordinance and not a resolution, we do have another opportunity to vote on this. And so between now and the next meeting, If the council so chooses to approve today, between now and the next meeting, that questions will be answered, information will be provided, documentation will be provided to the full council for their review. Absolutely, Council President.

Again, I apologize that you do not have it. I'm able to give you what I have, but unfortunately, I wasn't able to have it fully through the process.

Mr. Chair. Thank you. Councilman, council. So as the chair of the tax abatement committee, overseeing whatever the information that was not submitted, I know we had a plethora of information that was submitted to us. from the tax abatement committee and in conversation with folks that were there. But I think more importantly here is that there is a deadline that needs to occur and it is critical to our response. I understand the conversation with our colleagues, but in reviewing this and sitting with the tax abatement committee, This is probably one of the rarest kind of developments and not just developments and looking at it, but just in terms of price points as it relates to the residents of this community, the location that is gonna be in. And I know many people always talk about uh downtown and what is happening downtown and how many people are priced out of downtown and how we continue to struggle in the area of affordability uh what is happening down there but when we talk about uh this particular uh project and the amount of units all uh being between 20 percent ami and 50 percent ami from 53 studios to the 16 two bedrooms and 10 three bedrooms I think it's critical that we don't miss this moment to be able to do something that is going to help our residents in this regard. I know we have information from our tax abatement committee. I don't know if it could be sent over from all of the things that we discussed and talked about that was related to this project as well as the information that our council colleague is looking for from the Century Ward. But just in terms of financing, the way that the state is moving now and all of the things that are happening in the federal government, I don't know if we want to be, you know, at a disadvantage to not approve a project that is going to help, really help the benefit of our folks in this city to be able to come in and ascertain these apartments at these rates.

Thank you, Councilman Reynolds.

Yeah, I don't think anybody here is trying not to support the project. You know, we all want access to the same information that you have access to. So, you know, I like the Council President's suggestion. I know this is on a cycle as far as how we're going to review it. So if we move it forward, I don't think it hurts the legislation's opportunity to get adopted later on. And by that point, we will all have privilege to the same information that Councilman Council and the others have had. Thank you.

Councilwoman Bay.

Yes, and I understand what Councilman Council is saying, and like Councilman Mamos said, I agree that we all want to see affordable housing we all want to see this project move forward but again as a body and specifically for me as the councilwoman for the central ward and as being in my board we have a certain due diligence that we have to do and to make sure that we review the information in its entirety at the time that we are asked for our vote so that's the only thing that's why i'm just asking for the additional meeting because again i did have the opportunity to review documents beforehand and have the conversation but there was some follow-up that needed to be done, and so because we had no idea that this was happening, you know, taking a little aback. So I appreciate Deputy Mayor's presentation, but if we could just make sure that we get that information, because again, we do not want to hold up progress. None of us do.

Yes understood and again, this is not the way I like to do business either and I apologize for the request at such a late moment But this is not my preference either

Councilman Gonzalez.

My objection would be that we are creating precedent if we do that. And then later on in other meetings, some other stuff may come at the last minute. And we will be in a position not to say no, because we already did for this one. So I believe it's important that we that we take the time to review the information and make sure that that's what we want to do, that the information that is provided is something that satisfies our needs and something that we are comfortable with voting.

Understood. And I'm here to encourage you to support it. But at the same time, I understand the council will have to vote their conscience.

Thank you. Anything else from the council? All right, roll call. So again, here's my suggestion. And I will say this, that we vote today to advance and adopt. And I understand what Councilman Gonzalez is saying. And at the end of the day, we have a vote here today. And we vote our conscience. If you want to vote it down today, you can vote it down. If you want to move this forward, we move this forward. Is that acceptable to the two?

You're talking about moving it forward with having the information before?

Before the next vote, yes, there will definitely be.

We don't have the information before the next vote. Is this a resolution or is this a?

It's an ordinance, it's an ordinance. This is on communications. Yeah, communications, yeah, so. Yes, it's on communications. All right, all right, I think we're all on the same page now, all right. That's what the president suggested.

Yeah, so we'll vote on this matter to advance and adopt. I think in order for it to meet the deadline, it needs to be advanced and adopted and voted on second reading at the June 17th meeting. Is that correct?

Yes, Council President. One of the scheduling challenges is that we have one council meeting a month. And so in order for it to take three readings, it would not be approved until July. And so that would be past their deadline. So July 15 would be the third reading. And that was the reason for asking for it to be advanced and adopted.

So we'll vote today, but with the understanding, and I just really want to make it clear, because I think the council feels this way, is that there's a lot of information that needs to be provided, meetings need to be had, information needs to be shared prior to the June 17th vote.

Understood.

All right. Thank you. So we'll vote today to advance and adopt first reading. Thank you. Roll call.

Yes.

Council? Yes. Gonzalez?

Yes.

Kelly?

Yes, to advance and adopt.

Quintana?

Yes.

Ramos? Yes. Scott Roundtree? Yes. Silva?

Yes.

Yes.

Council members, we are in the 30-minute public comment portion.

I'm sorry, before we start.

Yeah, I wanted to record my votes for 7R, 8A, B, and C as yeses.

All right. So noted. Thank you, Councilman.

Mr. President, before we go to the public hearing, I just wanted to ask the Deputy Mayor, where are we with the change that I had requested of having more units at 60% and less units at 80%?

Yes, Council President Allison Ladd, Director of Economic and Housing Development. Yes, we have received the information from the clerk's office regarding the change to IZO as recommended by Council Member Gonzalez. We are now preparing it to go to the Central Planning Board for them to refer it back to Council.

Well, it's taking apparently a winding road because that was at the beginning of the year, I believe, or even last year. that I suggested that. And it has taken six months to go from the clerks to economic development. I understand that government moves slowly, but I believe we have some time to do something, let's say, a little bit more expeditiously. And this time I am going to be missing the opportunity of voting on that item because it took so long.

I will do all that I can to bring it back to you before the July 15th meeting, which I know will be your final meeting. And we will at least be able to have you be able to look at that. June 17th meeting, sorry. July 15th, June 17th. Sorry, in my head, wrong.

I'll pass it on to the council lady elected so that she can vote for that and increase the number of units at 60% and reduce the units at 80%. No problem.

And we can call it the Carlos Gonzalez ordinance.

Yes, you know, not that you're asking me, but I will tell you part of the reason was is that we were looking at other changes to inclusionary zoning, and we were trying to decide if we should do just one change or do multiple changes, and so that was what the delay was. But I am willing to have us go in two steps, and we'll be able to do the first. Thank you. You're welcome.

Thank you. I'm sorry, Councilman Ramos.

Yeah, it's not for you, Deputy. Just a few things I want to see if I can just highlight. One is, I spoke to the BA yesterday about these issues we're having with PSE&G. If we can send like a strongly worded letter on behalf of the council, they're doing a lot of these gas line replacements. in various parts of the city. Originally it was supposed to be done by a private contractor. Apparently PSE&G decided to split the work between the private contractor and PSE&G employees. Those areas that are being handled by PSE&G directly are a huge mess. I mean, there's dust everywhere. They have signage authorizing the streets to be blocked off for at least six weeks. They've been on Lake Street for about two months. You have to guess what day they're actually going to show up. in front of your house to do the work, and it's a huge inconvenience for our residents in the neighborhood. They're not doing a good job cleaning up after they do the gaslight replacement. I'm not sure if there's any kind of leverage that the city has with this utility, but they have to be better actors when they do work in the city of Newark, and they have to clean up after themselves. If it was any other contractor, that we hired to do that kind of work and they left the kind of mess that PSE&G leaves behind, they would be fined. So I would ask through your chair and the clerk and through the VA's interference that we send something out to PSE&G. Maybe have them appear before us like we've had so many times in the past. I know Councilman Quintana's brought them in about lighting. We brought them in in the past when they installed these ridiculously large utility poles in our residential areas. They have to respect the city a little bit more than what they do. Thank you.

Mr. Chair, that's a continuation of a special meeting we were supposed to have with PSE&G, Optimum, and Verizon around the hanging of these wires all on these poles, the looseness, the wires that are falling down, causing problems all over the place. I'm not sure who the contact individuals should be, and maybe we need to begin to reach out to corporate to find a connection. But those individuals need to be in here. Concurrent to what our council colleagues have said, they have to be responsible and accountable for the things that they're doing in the city and not just pass off responsibility. Public service says, oh, we rent the poles out. The other folks, they come in and say, the poles don't belong to us. And there is really no real initial kind of directive of what is happening. But what is happening is a lot of sloppy work around the city, falling wires all over the place, and we need to really begin to come to head with the execution of this stuff.

Thank you. We really need to try to schedule that as soon as possible. Anything else from the council? All right. Open it up.

Council President, council members, before we go to the public comment, I just want to state for the record that the ordinance adopted as 6FA today will be advertised in accordance with law and a public hearing will be held at the next council meeting on June 17th. We are in the 30 minute public comment portion of this meeting where each speaker will have three minutes to speak. Please state your name for the record. Is there anyone wishing to address the council members?

Good morning.

Good morning.

Donna Jackson, council elect at large. First, let me say it's going to be difficult for me to be a team player if we're going to keep rushing stuff. I feel slighted today by the rushing of this budget. I have been a critic of the budget for the last three years exclusively. We are in some troubling times. And I'm not gonna sit back quiet. I'm telling you right now, I'm not. These public hearings that are supposed to occur on July 15th or whatever day it was, they're not gonna be rushed either. The public is gonna have an opportunity to have input. Last year when we did this, the year before last, a fiasco. We're not gonna do a whole budget every department in one day. Some of these budget hearings are gonna be in the evening because people and homeowners work. And we cannot continue to do business as usual when we're getting ready to saddle these homeowners with this reval and tax increase at the same time. Now, we can debate the 1%. I'll sit down with Mr. Pennington so he can show me. But to have this introduced today with no paperwork again in front of you, I got a problem with that. And I know it's deliberate. I'm taking it personal. Yes, I am. Now, everybody's going, oh, no, Don, we're not doing that. I don't believe it. I'm glad that they got it done in time, but you're rushing it because you know what's coming up there. and it's going to be accountability, and we're going to do it right. So please, when you're planning a budget hearing, don't do it in one day, because I'm going to object. I'll bring the people down here, and we're going to have a public hearing for real for the first time in 20 years, because we're not going to keep pushing this past and not have people involved. I hope that executive budget for executive protection went from that $20, $30,000 million range down to five, because if it didn't, that's the first thing I'm pushing for. I don't have personal protection. Nobody needs that much. Delaney Hall, a fiasco. How do we allow that and why are we suing Delaney Hall? Where do we get the money from for that? I hope that's not this contract today. I hope it's not. We shouldn't have allowed it to go that far. We should not have allowed for our police department now to go down there and be in harm's way. I'm not having it. We're not doing that. The governor shouldn't have stepped in, and we shouldn't have made this a political football. And we allowed that. You need to tell the mayor when he's wrong, and he's wrong on this one. He's wrong. The council calendar needs to be restored. June ain't no summer month. School's still in. We still working. Go back to the two meetings. Should have never been changed. You could get the one meeting for July, the one meeting for August, but not for June. There should be a day meeting, which should have been today, and a night meeting on the 17th. We need to really stop disrespecting the process. Gas and electric, PSC and G. Lastly, I'll close with this. The city had an opportunity to file for a waiver with the Board of Public Utilities, and we are one of the only municipalities, let me just finish.

Thank you.

That did not do that, okay? Thank you for your comments. You're welcome.

I appreciate it. Next speaker.

Action Jackson. First, let's take a moment of silence for former Financial Director Danielle Smith. Hope Brownstreet, you're listening. Okay, a couple of things, you know. I was all for, I'm all for keeping Delaney Hall open. But then I went and did my research. You know, why close Delaney Hall, for what? You're not talking about closing all the jails in the state of New Jersey are messed up. All the state, all the jails, all the black people, all the jails are messed up. You know, not just Delaney Hall, you know. And then I got a question for you, Council President. When you're dead broke, right, you got the Newark police going down there. Who paid for all that overtime? Is the governor going to write a check out for you? Because now they're putting the Newark Police Department back down there. Who's paying for that? I'd like to ask that to my friend, the BA, Mr. Pennington. Because the city got to pay for it. Come on. Now, they were in the mighty South Ward on Freeland-Heisen Avenue over there by the projects. And the Newark Police did a good job over there. Councilman, I guess you sent them over there, you know, to get it straightened out. And they're over there. But I don't know if they're still over there. They weren't there yesterday. But you got to put the resources back up there to the mighty South Ward with Patrick Council and the projects to stop all that drug activity over there.

Not at Delaney Hall. This ain't about politics. Forget about politics.

You got like a Hakeem Jeffries. He come over here, closed Delaney Hall. Go to Rikers Island. They got plenty of problems over there. All the jails got problems.

That's why I wish a man to come down here, my little brother Vaughn.

Vaughn Goodwin and all that prison stuff, prisoner re-entry. We might have to get the young guy involved. Because wasting time at Delaney Hall. I mean, it's good if you want politics and be on TV all day. That's slick. But it's costing money. And I like how this council stood up today to the administration. Deputy Mayor Ladd, come down here prepared. Why wouldn't you come down here prepared to this bona fide body? Don't come down here half-stepping, being slick. And as far as my man Miles Berger and the Berger's organization and the powerhouse Central Ward, that's a great project. That's what I've been talking about every time with the tax abatement coming down here. I know you're going to have points going back and forth, making your adjustments. But that's a good product. Of course, Donna said the median income is cheaper than $86,000. But you're starting. You've got a starting point. Stay in line with the budget, Council President.

Thank you. Thank you for your comments. Next speaker.

Mic check. Donald Jackson, Newark resident, and Chief of Staff to Acting Counsel at Large, Donna Jackson, so we can get those rumors out the way. Last time I came before this body, I talked about good governance. And it appears that we are lacking good governance. And I think it shows throughout the voting process, the low turnout. People are tired. People are tired of the rhetoric. People are tired of the talking. And in my conversations with some of you in passing, I've said, you know, you get to the council meeting, you get before these agenda items, you make very good points, and then we hear yes, yes, yes, yes. And for... This lad to come up and say, oh, I'm sorry. I don't have this prepared, or I'm not ready. It's just not showing good governance on the executive side or the legislative side. Now, the building in particular I'm familiar with because I worked there back in the day. What senior is going downtown to Rector Street? What about the parking? What about the access? What about the ADA accommodations? Those were problems when we worked in that building. Now, again, some of you may be privy to information that I'm not because I'm on this side. But has that come back to the full body? Was that discussed amongst you all? Clearly it wasn't because there was a lot of questions. It's not your problem that these folks aren't prepared. If you ain't prepared, that's too bad. It's not our problem. And what it seems to me, correct me if I'm wrong, but it always seems like you all have to be stepped on and take the brunt of folks, for lack of a better word, preparedness or incompetence. And residents are tired. I know I am. I'm tired of hearing the same story. Throughout my whole adult activism life, it's always the same story, the same result. I know y'all got to be tired because I definitely am. So I'll say that to say this. The handwriting's on the wall.

Thank you for your comments. Next speaker.

Good morning, council. My name is Andre Santana. This is for Mr. Pennington. Mr. Pennington, I put an OPRA request for a data dump of your GL for 24 and 25, along with the charted accounts and account codes. And I haven't received that yet. I mean, something relatively simple. You know, if staff doesn't have the skill set, that's a problem. But you passed due. So I just want to know what's the status on that. Thank you.

So that was directly a question to the council? OK, the hearing is for directing conversations to the council. Questions to the council? Next speaker.

Good afternoon, council members.

Good afternoon. Good morning.

Oh, good morning. Good morning, everybody.

I'm sorry. We know you, Ms. Bradley, but can you state your name for the record, please?

Oh, my name is Fakira Bradley, a resident of Newark, a resident of the South Ward. But I don't want to get my address. Good morning. Council members, I stand before you today not only as the founder of Restoring Hope Newark, Inc., but as a resident and advocate who believes in the power of the community. I'm asking you to help us restore hope, restore unity, and restore love, and show me love for my block party. I'm asking you, wait, for nearly 30 years, our block has not had a community block party. We have a generation of children who have never experienced what it feel like to see neighbors come together in peace. laughter, and fellowship on the very street that they call home. Today, as a resident of Schuyler Avenue, ready for families, are ready, seniors are ready, most importantly, our children are waiting. This event will bring together all the people of different ethnicities, backgrounds, and walks of life. It will remind us, despite our differences, we are all one community. At the time, so many neighborhoods are struggling with division. We are choosing unity. At this time, When many people feel disconnected, we are choosing connection. At this time, when people feel like they don't have hope, I'm restoring hope. I respectfully ask this council to support me, and the request is going through now, as you allow me the opportunity to show you what I can do, and I want to cordially invite you all to my block party, my first ever big event in the Southwood. So I know right now, We all in the pivotal time of life. You know, we all got our flaws. We all got our good. We all got our bad. We all do some stuff. Ain't nobody perfect. But I stand in solidarity with my people just to let you know. And thank you for your support. I ain't always been a spring chicken, but I'm honest and I'm youthful and I'm loyal. And thank you for your service. Everybody got flaws. I definitely appreciate you. And I want to give a shout out to Roz. I don't care how nobody feel. Every certification I got, everything I got through the nonprofit programs that he funded, I took it to the top. And I'm definitely grateful and appreciate it. And I don't look boots. I'm not getting paid for it. I'm just speaking my honest opinion. Thank you for your service. Louise Scott Triumph Tree, I love you. Boom.

All right, thank you for your comments. Next speaker. No other, there are no other speakers. Public comments now closed. Get a motion to, anything from the council? Anything from the administration, okay.

Yes, Council President, Eric Pennington, Business Minister. Just a quick one, if I could. With respect to the budget, as was raised by you, Council President, that there needs to be hearings and that they would not be held in one day. That's the administration's position. We intended for that to be the case. But there's one of the reasons why, in response to Councilman Gonzalez's request that we get this budget introduced sooner. It gives us a little... more of an opportunity, we have until July 15th. We are prepared and we'll make ourselves available for those hearings. With respect to council elect Donna Jackson, as I indicated, I will meet with her prior to her being sworn in and after. to accommodate her and anyone else to make sure that they have sufficient information with respect to the budget. Regarding Delaney Hall being called a fiasco, the administration and the mayor has done a yeoman's job to make sure that what has been characterized as a fiasco has been minimized and, quite frankly, is under amazing control. As the mayor indicated yesterday at the press conference, our Newark police are trained to handle these situations, and we deal with protests on a weekly basis and handle them quite well. In the wake of George Floyd, people should be reminded that while cities burned around the United States, the city of Newark not only did not burn, it didn't have one shooting or one stabbing. And quite frankly, even though there were some minor arrests, it was minimal. with respect to how things were handled elsewhere. Those same tactics are now being used with respect to the protests at Delaney Hall. They have minimized over the last two days under the direction of the mayor and Director Miranda. It is our intention to allow First Amendment protests to go forward. That's the law, and that is what the city is all about, is inclusiveness and openness and making sure that people have their constitutional rights protected. There is an administration in Washington right now that does its best to tamp that down, to step on the necks of individuals. to treat them with disdain and disgust and with violence when they exercise their constitutional rights we don't do that here and we have been extraordinarily successful and will continue to do so with our partners working to make sure that people have the right to protest while we still make sure that delaney hall does everything that it's supposed to do in the geo group Doesn't use as billions of dollars in profit at the expense of the detainees and will continue to do that regarding again the budget regarding the the executive protection unit those details will be provided and council members will have an opportunity to vote on it one way or the other and we will answer the questions of Again, to stand up here and not have, just throw out numbers without having the data is a little bit dangerous, People have the opportunity to say what they want to say. And we will provide the facts and make sure that you have sufficient information to vote your conscience as we work forward. With regard to, there's a request regarding who's paying for our police to be down at Delaney Hall. The city is. And we are using taxpayers' money to do so. But be clear, this administration, the business administrator in particular, has requested from the governor's office that we provided with funds to cover the overtime at Delaney Hall and for FIFA. The state police got $66 million for FIFA coverage, none of which has been given to the city of Newark, none. We have officers who are going to be in the Ironbound and in the West Ward and in the Central Ward to deal with, and everywhere in the city, to deal with FIFA-related events. And we're going to have to cover that cost ourselves. The state has said that they will look into it, and I will follow up with them in the next few days to see how much of that $66 million will come to the city of Newark. We believe that at least 10% of that $6.67 million of it should come here. So far, we've got none of it. So with your help, perhaps we'll get a dollar or two.

Thank you.

Thank you. You're welcome. With that being said, roll call to adjourn, or motion to adjourn. Roll call.

I did want to make an announcement, Council President.

I'm sorry, before we, Councilwoman Sky Roundtree.

I was trying to say that I wanted to just announce tomorrow. Thank you, Council President. I was trying to say it before the VA came up about tomorrow's motor vehicle inspection at the Temple of Chip Hop, 55 Lowe Street. Tomorrow, that will be occurring. And for those who want to get their cars inspected, vehicles inspected, please call my office for further information, 973-733- It will be taking place tomorrow from 8.30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Only motor vehicle mobile inspections. Also, there will be a date coming up for individuals to come to the mobile unit that we're currently getting ready to schedule to get their new IDs. Meanwhile, everyone have a great day. Thank you, Council President.

Thank you, Councilwoman. Roll call to adjourn.

Councilmembers Bay. Yes. Council. Yes. Gonzalez. Yes. Kelly, absent. Quintana, absent. Ramos, absent. Scott Roundtree. Yes. Silva. Yes. President Crump.

Yes.