City Council

NOTE: THE FULL TEXT OF ALL REPORTS, PETITIONS, ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, MOTIONS, AND OTHER PAPERS WHICH APPEAR HEREIN BY SYNOPSIS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC FOR EXAMINATION AT THE CITY CLERK' S OFFICE DURING THE REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS. THESE MINUTES DO NOT PURPORT TO CONTAIN THE FULL CONTENTS OF THE MATTERS DISCUSSED. East Orange City Council Special Meeting Virtual Meeting Zoom Monday October 28th, 2024 I. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilman Casim Gomez Councilman Sammed R. Monk Councilman Bergson Leneus Councilwoman Naiima H. Fauntleroy Councilwoman Alicia Holman Councilwoman Tameika Garrett- Ward Councilman Christopher Awe ( arrived at 6: 07 p.m.) Councilman Christopher D. James Chairman Vernon Pullins, Jr. L ABSENT: Councilwoman Amy Lewis The City Clerk determined there was a quorum and the meeting commenced at 6: 04 PM. CITY OFFICIALS: Ronald Hunt, Esq., Corporation Counsel II. SALUTE TO THE FLAG III. SILENT PRAYER IV. SUNSHINE LAW STATEMENT THIS MEETING, WHICH CONFORMS WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS LAW, CHAPTER 213, P. L. 1975, IS A SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING. NOTICES HAVE BEEN FILED WITH OUR OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER WITH THE CITY CLERK AND POSTED ON THE REGULAR BULLETIN BOARD. THIS MEETING WILL BE CONDUCTED VIRTUALLY, STREAMING ON FACEBOOK LIVE AT FACEBOOK. COM/ EOCITYCOUNCIL. RESIDENTS WERE ALLOWED TO SUBMIT WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS VIA EMAIL TO CITYCOUNCIL(& EASTORANGE- NJ. GOV 1  BY 5: 30 P.M. TO BE READ DURING THE OPEN HEARING OF THE CITIZENS PORTION OF THE MEETING. REPORT OF COMMITTEES A. FINANCE Councilman Leneus motioned for an executive session on personal, legal, and contractual agreements. Councilman Gomez seconded the motion. A roll call was taken: Aye: Councilman Gomez, Councilman Monk, Councilman Leneus, Councilwoman Fauntleroy, Councilwoman Holman, Councilwoman Garrett- Ward, Councilman Awe, Councilman James, Chairman Pullins Nay: None Abstain: None Absent: Councilwoman Lewis 9- Ayes, 0- Nays, 0- Abstentions, 1- Absent) Entered into Executive Session at 6: 07 P. M. Exited Executive Session at 10: 30 P. M. A roll call was taken: Aye: Councilman Gomez, Councilman Monk, Councilman Leneus, Councilwoman Fauntleroy, Councilwoman Holman, Councilwoman Garrett- Ward, Councilman James, Chairman Pullins Nay: None Abstain: None Absent: Councilwoman Lewis, Councilman Awe 8- Ayes, 0- Nays, 0- Abstentions, 2- Absent) X. HEARING OF CITIZENS 1. Alizette Mendez: Dear City Council Members, My name is Alizette Mendez, and I' ve been a tenant in East Orange for over six years, currently residing at 49 Prospect St. I' m reaching out with deep frustration and concern about how the city addresses critical issues such as rent roll accuracy, Certificates of Habitability, and tenants' rights. I respectfully present these questions and hope there will soon be an opportunity to discuss them openly. Why are widespread issues like missing Certificates of Habitability or inaccurate rent rolls handled on a case- by- case basis? These issues often affect entire buildings and are legally required under city 2  law. Shouldn' t this automatically prompt an investigation for all affected tenants once brought to your attention? How is this even allowed in the rent- controlled city? If these laws are clearly written, shouldn' t the city uphold them across the board? Why does the burden of identifying discrepancies fall on tenants, especially when accessing this information to report it is so challenging? Tenants often wait months for OPRA records just to confirm that their landlords comply with city codes. I can attest to this myself, as I have followed up three times on an OPRA request that remains to this day unaddressed. Has the city ensured that tenants even know what OPRA requests are or how to access them? I filed a complaint in April, yet it took five months and a personal visit just to open a discussion. Meanwhile, my landlord submitted a COH application on Monday and was scheduled for an inspection by Friday. Why is the system so quick to respond to and accommodate landlords yet often leaves tenants waiting indefinitely? Just this week, I followed up again on this same complaint and was told I' d have to wait because Ms. Watson, who handles it, is out sick. Why is there no system in place to handle matters in her absence? Tenants' concerns shouldn' t go unaddressed when livelihoods are on the line because one person is out sick. Finally, It is disheartening to know the city has received millions to invest in the Brick Church Station yet can' t ensure adequate tenant protections for the residents that use it every day. Progress is essential, but outdated complaint procedures and antiquated systems shouldn' t hinder residents from securing basic needs, especially when due process has been followed. From having to pay to park on the street in the city, we live in.. to the thousands of tenants who right now are unknowingly paying more than what they ever should have to begin with- I urge the elected council to not only prioritize these concerns but ensure that landlords are held accountable. The people of East Orange deserve a system that works in their favor— and not only when what can be perceived as the convenience of the city. 2. Cheryl M. Gandy: Good Evening Council, I have attached an October 8, 2024 Chicago Tribune editorial on Lessons from Detroit for Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union https:// www. chicagotribune. com/ 2024/ 10/ 08/ editorial- lessons- from- detroit- for- chicago- public- schools- and- the- chicago- teachers- union/. While I am sure that you are actively investigating all avenues concerning restoring our school system, you may find this article as a useful resource. 3. Virginia Jeffries: Good afternoon. What personnel matters need to be discussed? Are they Contract negotiations? Layoffs. Terminations. Something else. Where has the agenda for this meeting today been posted? https:// www. eastorange- nj. gov/ AgendaCenter/ City- Council- 2. . Why are_. there so many meetings scheduled? XII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilman Awe moved to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Holman and the meeting was adjo - cl at 10: 39 PM. 14ri Cynthia S. Brown Ve a o Pullin City Clerk City • , cil Ch.. an 3