Summary

Municipal Council adopts housing abatements, approves HUD funding, contracts, grants, and appointments

NewarkNov 6, 20254 min read

At a glance

Quick context to catch up fast.

At the November 6, 2025 Municipal Council meeting, Newark Council adopted multiple ordinances including tax abatements for two housing projects, approved HUD One-Year Action Plan funding, authorized contracts for traffic signals and park improvements, accepted a COPS hiring grant, ratified a police labor agreement, confirmed appointments, and approved several redevelopment sales and donations to a sister city.

Projects mentioned

Browse all related coverage for the main local project pages tied to this summary.

Urban Development BDG Development Community Development Economic Development New Community Homes Development Zone Development Newark Workforce Development Year Community Development Housing Development

Committees mentioned

Open the committee coverage hubs tied to this summary.

Municipal Council

Topics discussed

LaborTransportationBudget & TaxPublic SafetyCommerceHousingUtilities

View official document

Was this summary helpful?

Your feedback helps us prioritize what to improve next.

Key decisions

Follow the major takeaways from this briefing.

Accepted consent reports and minutes from city officers, boards and commissions (including Commission on the Status of Women, Newark Workforce Development Board, Marriage License Bureau financials, 2025 Best Practices Inventory, Newark Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and North Jersey District Water Supply Commission).
Adopted ordinance granting a 30-year tax abatement to New Community Homes Development, LP for a new four‑story building of 120 affordable units at 202 South Orange Avenue (Central Ward).
Adopted ordinance granting a 22-year tax abatement to Gomes Generation Urban Renewal, LLC for a five‑story building with 55 residential units at 34 Hudson Street (Central Ward).
Adopted ordinance establishing a seasonal festival endorsement for mobile vendors (amendment to vendor licenses).
Adopted ordinance extinguishing the right of reverter and authorizing a settlement agreement for property commonly known as 613 South 18th Street (613 South 18th LLC).
Authorized acceptance of the City’s 2025 One-Year Action Plan and HUD funding totaling $15,840,738.98 (CDBG $6,743,865; ESG $606,703; HOME $2,728,622.98; HOPWA $5,761,548).
Approved multiple contract actions and amendments including: first amendment to Keystone Psychological Services (increase to not exceed $200,000); authorization to use state contracts for traffic signals (up to $400,000 annual); traffic signal controllers and related supplies (not to exceed $303,000 annually); Zenith Construction Services contract for Harriet Tubman Square Park improvements (not to exceed $5,225,146); purchase of a Police Drone Van via cooperative contract (not to exceed $173,773.13).
Adopted resolutions to extend or ratify emergency and cooperative contracts (e.g., reconstruction bay floor emergency contract extension, tire removal emergency contract extension, cooperative computer equipment amendment).
Authorized acceptance of a COPS Hiring Program grant of $1,875,000 to assist in hiring 15 police officers, with a required local cash match of $3,192,735.00.
Ratified a collective bargaining agreement with Fraternal Order of Police Newark Lodge No. 12 with a stated fiscal impact of $7,264,303.38 (contract period Jan 1, 2024–Dec 31, 2027).
Authorized multiple private sales/redevelopment agreements (examples: Covenant House New Jersey land sale for $500,000 for a 72-unit 100% affordable project at Halsey/Washington Street properties; various smaller private-sale redevelopment approvals and deferrals listed on the agenda).
Authorized action to issue bond anticipation notes and special emergency notes not to exceed $35,940,000 (preliminary/official statement and disclosure agreement).
Approved application to NJ Urban Enterprise Zone Authority for Shuttle Bus Service Project funding (not to exceed $1,600,000 UEZ funds).
Confirmed mayoral appointments (e.g., Ashraf Latif to Newark Housing Authority Board; Dr. Fondrea L. Lewis to Alcoholic Beverage Control Board) and deferred or amended others as noted.
Approved pre‑litigation settlements (Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C. $146,317.06; Walsh Pizzi O’Reilly Falanga LLP $138,537.18).
Authorized donations of city equipment to sister city Morant Bay, Jamaica (including donation of a sanitation truck, a fire truck, and a backhoe).
Relocated a bus stop (West Market Street) and authorized NJDOT-related resurfacing MOU/extensions for Municipal Aid street resurfacing grants.
Adopted ceremonial recognitions, motions expressing profound sorrow for several residents, and adjourned the meeting at 3:22 P.M.

Timeline & follow-ups

Action items flagged by the community.

No follow-ups have been shared yet. Add one in the community board below.

Meeting information

Details and records from this meeting.

Recent documents

Fresh records from this municipality.

Civic leadership

Know who to contact about the decisions that matter.