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 Tuesday, February 4t1, 2025 I. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilman Casim Gomez Councilman Bergson Leneus Councilwoman Amy Lewis Councilwoman Naiima H. Fauntleroy Councilwoman Alicia Holman Councilwoman Tameika Garrett- Ward Councilman Christopher Awe ( arrived 5: 45 p.m.) Chairman Vernon Pullins, Jr. ABSENT: Councilman Sammed R. Monk Councilman Christopher D. James The City Clerk determined there was a quorum and the meeting commenced at 5: 35 PM. CITY OFFICIALS: Ronald Hunt, Esq., Corporation Counsel Solomon Steplight, Business Administrator Daphne Gamboa, Chief Financial Officer Alycia Cohen, Director, Policy Planning & Development Shantika Dorsey, Esq., Corporation Counsel Javonna C. Baker, Esq., Corporation Counsel II. SALUTE TO THE FLAG III. SILENT PRAYER IV. SUNSHINE LAW STATEMENT 1  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(a EASTORANGE-NJ.GOV_ BY 5: 00 P. M. TO BE READ DURING THE OPEN HEARING, OF THE CITIZENS. PORTION OF THE MEETING. REPORT OF COMMITTEES A. PLANNING AND GRANTS Resolution I-43: STATE OF NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION GREEN ACRES PROGRAM ENABLING RESOLUTION FOR SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING REQUEST WHEREAS, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Green Acres Program (" State'), provides loans and/ or grants to municipal and county governments and grants to nonprofit organizations for assistance in the acquisition and development of lands for outdoor recreation and conservation purposes; and. WHEREAS, the City of East Orange ( the " City") desires to further the public interest by obtaining a Green Acres grant of( FOUR MILLION FIVE-HUNDRED FIFTY- SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS) from the state to fund the following project( s): Oval Park Project, Project Number 0705- 21- 096• and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and the City Council of the. City of East Orange as follows: 1. That the Mayor and or his designee is hereby authorized to execute an agreement and any amendment( s) thereto with the State: known as Oval Park Project, Project# 0705- 21- 096. 2. The applicant agrees to provide its matching share when applicable to the Green Acres funding in the amount of$ 0. , 3. The applicant agrees to comply with all applicable federal, state, and:local laws, rules, and regulations in its project performance. 4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately. A roll call was taken: Aye: Councilman Gomez, Councilman Leneus, Councilwoman Lewis, Councilwoman Fauntleroy, Councilwoman Holman, Councilwoman Garrett- Ward, Chairman Pullins Nay: None Abstain: None Absent: Councilman Monk, Councilman Awe, Councilman James 7- Ayes, 0- Nays, 0- Abstentions, 3- Absent) 2 V. HEARING OF CITIZENS 1. Brother Lamar provided 10 copies of comments from previous meetings, which were distributed to Council members. 2. Mushana K Dunham Bey & Family: Good Evening, Happy New Year! Happy Black History Month and greetings. I believe that the 1st written public comment should be the norm, so I urge you to create a policy for this. Given everything happening in the news— changes, endings, and things being " taken away"— there are still residents like me and my family who want answers regarding the abrupt ending of the East Orange Rec Smart Afterschool Programs. Why was there no public notice or communication to families about this? The two locations— FCC/ Civic Center and Rowley Park were used by students and children in our city for homework help, as a safe space, and for trips with the staff It' s disheartening to think of the investment that beloved residents like " Big Mike" and Mrs. Melinda Hill put into these spaces. Families depended on these programs, and now we are left wondering what will become of them. Will Rowley Park house remain empty for most of the year? There was even a food program after school that benefited many families; what about that'? We are aware that the Civic Center requires significant renovations. I hope you will use this time wisely. We miss Coach Constantine, Joseph, Mrs. Rose, and all the students throughout the year who left a positive mark on our youth. My nephew Robert misses everyone so much! As a sidebar, when City Council ward meetings are scheduled, please: provide as much information as possible. The 2nd Ward meeting at the library last week had pictures posted on the City Council webpage, listing Police Sergeants and Commissioner Cooper as special guests. While they are appreciated, they should be properly communicated so that residents can make informed decisions on whether to attend. Also, I must mention my disappointment with the parking situation in our town. Just after Christmas, I noticed tickets being placed on car windows— this town can be harsh. I assume this is how much of the revenue is generated, but it feels punitive. Please, when the weather permits, do a better job of painting the streets, particularly in the turning lanes, and ensure no parking is allowed near stop signs. Lastly, I urge you to investigate the excessive parking of trucks in lots like Walgreens that hinder turning onto and off streets, especially in school zones and along William Street. Thank you for your attention to these matters. VI. CALL OF THE WARDS 1. Councilwoman Holman reminded everyone of the 5th Ward Community Meeting at Norman Towers on Thursday at 6: 30 p.m. 2. Councilwoman Fauntleroy reminded everyone that they may have guests from the administration speaking on health and public works at the Community Meeting for the 5th Ward. She also sent condolences to the Williams family, who lost their matriarch. 3. Councilwoman Lewis gave condolences to Tony Jackson and his family as well. 3  4. Councilman Awe thanked the residents who came out in the cold. to their Community Ward meeting, which was very informative, and stated to stay tuned for the next. one. He commended the administration for the Father' s Conference they had last Saturday. He expressed it was a delight to see all the men, women, and children come out, and congratulated the Boys' Basketball team on their win this past Saturday. I VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairman Puffins moved to. adjo • The motion was seconded by Councilman Gomez and the meeting was adj ourne e. 5: 49 P Cynthia S. Brown Ve o : '. ullins r.: 21/ 2"Cs— City Clerk City o cif:Ch. an I