100 Days of Believing in Newark

October 2014

Because You

BELIEVED...

• A SAFER CITY • A MORE PROSPEROUS CITY • A DESTINATION CITY • A COMMUNITY FOCUSED CITY • A LEADING CITY • A CITY WE CAN ALL BELIEVE IN

CITY OF NEWARK Ras J. Baraka, Mayor MUNICIPAL COUNCIL Mildred C. Crump, Council President/Council Member-at-Large Augusto Amador, Council Member, East Ward Carlos M. Gonzalez, Council Member-at-Large John Sharpe James, Council Member, South Ward Gayle Chaneyfield Jenkins, Council Member, Central Ward Joseph A. McCallum, Jr., Council Member, West Ward Eddie Osbourne, Council Member-at-Large Luis A. Quintana, Council Member-at-Large Annibal Ramos Jr., Council Member, North Ward

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR & AGENCIES 973-733-6400 Amiri Baraka, Jr., Chief of Staff Alicia Munoz, Deputy Chief of Staff Tai Cooper, Chief Policy Advisor Jennifer Kohl, Senior Advisor of Special Projects Gwen Moten, Executive Director of Arts, Cultural Development and Tourism Rev. Louise Rountree, Clergy Affairs Manager Seth Wainer, Chief Information Officer Bessie Walker, Manager of Senior Citizen Affairs Lauren Wells, PhD, Chief Education Officer

DEPUTY MAYORS Luis Lopez, Deputy Mayor of Community Engagement 973-733-4310 Rahaman Muhammad, Deputy Mayor of Job Creation, Workforce Development, Affirmative Action and Reentry 973-733-3703 Ugo Nwaokoro, Deputy Mayor of International Relations and Diaspora Affairs 973-733-3309

DIRECTORS Andrea Hall Adebowale, Director of Water Dorian Herrell, Director of Emergency and Sewer Utilities Management 973-733-6578/6303 973-733-3669 Karen Brown, Corporation Counsel Judge Victoria Pratt, Chief Judge 973-733-3880 973-733-6400 Anthony Campos, Chief of Police Phillip Scott, Acting Director of Engineering 973-733-6007 973-733-8520 Sakina Cole, Director of Communications Danielle A. Smith, Acting Finance Director/CFO 973-733-8004 973-733-3930 Patrick Council, Neighborhood and James Stewart, Fire Director Recreational Services Director 973-733-7424 973-733-5373 Darlene Tate, Budget Director Adam E. Cruz, Purchasing Director 973-733-3840 973-733-5319 Eugene Venable, Police Director Kecia Daniels, Personnel Director 973-733-6007 973-733-8008 Baye Adofo-Wilson, Economic and Housing Michael Green, Assistant Business Administrator Development Director 973-733-6666 973-733-6575 Nydia Guimaraes, CitiStat Senior Analyst 973-733-6400 Hanaa A. Hamdi, PhD, Health and Community Wellness Director 973-733-5310

Produced By The Department of Communications The City of Newark • 920 Broad Street * Newark, NJ 07102

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100 Days of Believing in Newark • October 2014

Table of Contents

100 Days of Believing in Newark

The offi cial report of the First 100 Days of the Mayor Ras J. Baraka administration

Message from the Mayor A Letter from Mayor Ras J. Baraka to residents, businesses, and visitors of Newark............................................................

A Destination City Business Development, Arts, Culture, and Tourism ......................................................................................................................................

A Safer City Public Safety, Anti-Crime Initiatives, and Prisoner Reentry..................................................................................................................

Feature Mayor Ras J. Baraka Closes the $93 Million Budget Defi cit in 100 Days......................................................................................

A More Prosperous City Jobs, Finance, Budget and Economic Development................................................................................................................................

A Leading City Groundbreaking Legislation, Government Alliances, and Staff Development..........................................................................

A Community Focused City Education, Public Health, Recreation, Special Projects.........................................................................................................................

A City We Can All Believe In Diversity, Model Neighborhoods, and New Technology.......................................................................................................................

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10 14 16 18

20 24

80 On Thursday, September 18, 2014 Mayor Ras J. Baraka, the Newark Municipal Council, and the Newark Housing Authority cut the ribbon on the new SONIC restaurant.

A City We Can All Believe In • October 2014

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Message from the Mayor

“

I have been chosen to lead the city of my birth, and I am appreciative that so many of you went to the polls and ­granted us victory despite ­impossible odds, that you believed when ­everything else said the contrary, that you gave this boy from Newark, from ­Clinton Ave, a chance to fulfill not just his dreams but the dreams of so many ­others. And I know that you didn’t do that just for me. We are here because we believe in Newark.

—Mayor Ras J. Baraka on July 1st, 2014 4

100 Days of Believing in Newark • October 2014

100 Days Later

Dear Residents: When I took my oath of offi ce as Newark’s 40th Chief Executive, I promised you that I would be a Mayor who puts Newarkers fi rst, who would work to build a better tomorrow.

Now we are 100 days into my administration, and that tomorrow has become our today. So it is both a duty and a privilege for me to report on what we have accomplished in these fi rst critical days to build a Newark we can all believe in.

I have worked to reach out to our community—at Town Meetings, Neighborhood Walks, movie nights, fl ag raisings and parades—to answer your questions, hear your concerns, and give you answers. But I am acutely aware that I cannot be everywhere at once, nor answer every question.

So our administration has prepared this publication, which is a progress report on what we have accomplished in the fi rst 100 days, a progress report on our activities, with input from all of our municipal departments.

A City We Can All Believe In • October 2014

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Message from the Mayor

“Together we will transform Newark into a City we can all ­believe in.” —Mayor Ras J. Baraka

Collectively we have worked to make Newark: ❱❱ A Safer City

❱❱ A More Prosperous City ❱❱ A Destination City ❱❱ A Community-Focused City ❱❱ A Leading City ❱❱ A City We Can All Believe In Public Safety is the highest priority of my administration. We cannot make Newark economically powerful and attractive to residents and tourists without making it safe for all. To this end, we have undertaken major steps to enhance public safety in a holistic manner, not only for all Newark residents, but for our region and state. We are working to both prevent the causes of crime and to address its results.

To create a more prosperous City, we have taken major steps to address Newark’s budget ­deficit. We announced strategies to reduce it from $93 ­million to $30 million in the first 30 days in ­office. By making efforts to improve ­revenue collection and trim costs, we are working to provide our ­residents with the most professional government at the least cost.

We have revamped our website to make ­Newark more attractive and accessible, and created a customer

6

service kiosk in the lobby of City Hall.

We are also working to build prosperity for our residents, by creating a Deputy Mayor of Job Creation, adding job programs, and promoting economic development in all of our neighborhoods.

To do so, we have to make Newark a Destination city, and we have partnered with our strong existing business community to include celebrating Panasonic North America’s first year anniversary in Newark while simultaneously attracting new business to the city.

We have also appointed a Deputy Mayor for International Affairs to enable our business community to make greater connections with the global economy.

But while we are reaching out to the world, we are also focusing on our community and residents, working to enhance their quality of life and involve them in building Newark’s future.

To this end we have appointed a Chief Policy Advisor, a Clergy ­Affairs Manager, a Senior Advisor of Special Projects, a Chief Education Officer, and a Manager of Senior Citizen Affairs to ensure we fulfill the diverse needs and demographics of the City. They support events like our “Summer Fun in the City” programs such as street hockey, and “Back to School” book bag giveaways, to Town Hall meetings and Neighborhood Walks, which give residents opportunities to voice their opinions, ask questions, offer ideas, and be involved in the growth of their city.

100 Days of Believing in Newark • October 2014

We have moved to reform the Department of Health and Community Wellness, appoint a Deputy Mayor of Community Engagement, and to stake our ground alongside our residents in opposition to the state-controlled ­Newark Public Schools’ One Newark program, ensuring that our students get the best possible education, the one they are entitled to and deserve.

In all of these initiatives, we are demonstrating to the region, state, nation, and world that Newark is a City that leads by effort, energy, and example. We are determined that Newark will lead all of America’s cities to success, and we have begun that process. Our Tri-City Initiative/Shared Services Agreement with Paterson and Jersey City will enable these three major New Jersey cities to unify their purchasing process, making it more efficient, while reducing the tax burden on the residents of all three communities.

We are also proud of how we have begun All-Staff City Quarterly Meetings so that our employees can be part of the process in these initiatives, policies, and programs that affect their jobs, families, and futures.

So in a mere 100 days, we have laid a foundation to reach our goals: a safer city, a more ­prosperous city, a destination city, a community-focused city, and a leading city. These are all achievable goals for our administration, residents, businesses, and non-profit communities. We all want a safer, more ­prosperous,

ommunity-focused Newark, c which is a destination for tourists and business, and leads the region and nation. But we face many challenges in achieving these goals: a weak economy, budget constraints, and public safety issues.

However, we regard these not as challenges but as opportunities to excel because above all, we believe in Newark. Otherwise, we wouldn’t still be here!

This publication will give you more detail of what we are doing to achieve these goals, and what needs to be done. From this we hope that you will gain understanding, inspiration, empowerment, and the infusion of energy to join us in our mighty endeavor.

For we cannot do this alone, even with the most dedicated team of

municipal employees on the face of the Earth. We need the energy, courage, idealism, common sense, knowledge, and faith of every Newark resident to transform our City. We need you to bring your personal power into this struggle.

We need adults to teach and

mentor youth, business leaders to generate jobs and prosperity, community organizations to reach out to those in need, and youth to inspire us with energy and activism.

Together we will transform Newark into a City we can all believe in.

—Ras J. Baraka, Mayor

MAYOR BARAKA ON NEWARK’S FUTURE: FIRST 100 DAYS DEDICATED TO LEADING “A CITY THAT EVERYBODY CAN BE PROUD OF AGAIN”

—Politicker NJ July 1, 2014

01 On Tuesday, July 1, 2014 Mayor Ras J. Baraka took oath to office as Newark’s 40th Mayor at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Later that evening, Grammy award winning songstress Mary J. Blige accompanied Mayor Baraka to the inaugural ball.

A City We Can All Believe In • October 2014

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A Destination City W e have begun branding partnerships with major locations in the city such as the Newark International Airport and the Prudential Center to better promote the rich resources and opportunities that make Newark a prime destination.

Now is the right time.

Newark’s role as a transportation hub is expanding, with the extension of Port Authority Trans-Hudson service to Newark Liberty International Airport.

The Prudential Center is the seventh busiest arena in the nation. “The Rock” is home to Se-

ton Hall basketball and the New Jersey Devils NHL hockey team, and hosted Oprah Winfrey during our fi rst 100 days. The New Jersey Performing Arts Center, the Newark Museum, the Newark Public Library, and the New Jersey Historical Society are all hosting outstanding programs, and they are i ncreasingly surrounded by outstanding and diverse restaurants that are fi lling up with visitors from across the state, region, nation, and world.

NEWARK IS ACTUALLY QUITE FRIENDLY, THANK YOU.

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100 Days of Believing in Newark • October 2014

—Conde Naste September 18, 2014

Harry Prott

Newark’s Springfi eld Avenue corridor including neighborhood shops like Home Depot, Applebee’s and the CityPlex movie theater.

These attractions translate into jobs and career opportunities for our residents, strength for our economy, and luster for our City, as we show the world the real Newark.

From these major attractions to our inner-city corridors with Applebees and CityPlex21 on Springfi eld Avenue there are businesses waiting to prevail and customers waiting to partake.

In September, Mayor Baraka welcomed a new set of business owners to Newark, as they opened a SONIC Drive-In Restaurant on Springfi eld Avenue in the heart of the Central Ward.

The opening of this restaurant is testimony to the greater faith that entrepreneurs from across the state are having in Newark as a destination city—a city where opportunities for success and prosperity are real, and the benefi ts of both can be shared by workers and employers alike.

To promote arts and culture within the City, Mayor Baraka created an Offi ce of Arts, Cultural Development and Tourism. One of the offi ce’s big endeavors during the fi rst 100 days was to establish October as Poetry Month.

On Mayor Ras Baraka’s 80th day in offi ce, Condé Nast Traveler, which declared Newark the “unfriendliest” city in America, reversed its position, on its website, with a slideshow entitled “Newark Is Actually Quite Friend-

ly, Thank You.” The slideshow describes and displays Newark’s many attractions.

“I am very pleased that Condé Nast has reversed its earlier positions on Newark, and has recognized the excitement of our attractions, the excellence of our hospitality, and the energy and success of our efforts to transform Newark into a City that we all—no matter where we come from— can believe in,” said Mayor Ras J. Baraka.

Which Way? We are developing a coordinated Housing and Economic Development strategy, which focuses on bringing development to all fi ve wards. The City will leverage its six colleges and three major hospitals to become increasing sources of employment, economic output, and wealth generation through collaborative efforts. These will include encouraging development on the Halsey Street corridor and we have also identifi ed fi ve commercial corridors to promote business and industry clusters and support community-oriented development.

We will continue to work to attract more visitors and businesses to Newark by stressing the economic benefi ts Newark brings as a transportation, medical, and educational hub with a robust corporate community.

A City We Can All Believe In • October 2014

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Over the last 100 days, the NPD has been restructured so that 72% of all personnel are assigned to patrol duties.

A Safer City 10

100 Days of Believing in Newark • October 2014

F

rom the moment Mayor Baraka took offi ce on July 1, our administration has stressed the vital importance of public safety and creating a safer Newark for all our residents, businesses, and visitors.

We have added 35 new police offi cers to the Department and is planning to add 15 more offi cers with a grant from COPS Hiring Program. We also placed 72 percent of our Police Offi cers out on patrol in our neighborhoods and streets. This was accomplished by reassigning 85 detectives to patrols; increasing minimum staffi ng levels and demoting deputy chiefs to captains on foot patrol.

As a result, we have: ❱ Decreased response time to serious crime

❱ Reduced shooting and robbery incidents by 20 percent

❱ Apprehended more than 130 suspects

NPD reduced shooting and robbery incidents by 20% by creating firearms interdiction teams to target persons carrying guns.

Newark Police Department prepare for Community Roll Call.

Created a Summer Anti-Crime Initiative Includes Community Roll Calls and Neighborhood Walks, which connect law enforcement and other agencies with the neighborhoods and residents they protect and serve. Every Tuesday and Friday evening, the police and municipal agencies go out with clergy members and community residents to address neighborhood problems. A primary focus of these walks is to provide solutions to issues that affect the community, including curfew enforcement, abandoned buildings, homelessness, and alcohol beverage control.

A City We Can All Believe In • October 2014

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A Safer City

Safety in 100 Days: ❱❱ We have increased our Fire Department with 41 new Firefighters

❱❱ By adding uniform officers to investigative units to conduct joint operations, NPD were able to reduce burglary ­incidents by 13% and auto theft incidents by 14%

❱❱ Increased fire safety by ­ dding 41 new Firefighters to a the Newark Fire Department

❱❱ 750 smoke detectors were donated by New York Giants punter Steve Weatherford for distribution to low-income Newark residents

❱❱ Cracking down on high crime areas resulted in 20 arrests in the Stratford Place neighborhood alone Re-Entry in 100 Days Arrests and trials are responses after tragedy—we must take ­action before crime happens and we must work to prevent ­recidivism.

To do so, we are ­continuing to find jobs, housing, and medical ­treatment for ex-offenders reentering society, so that they can start new, productive lives.

The Office of Re-Entry was formed to provide case

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­ anagement, housing, drug treatm ment, transitional jobs and job training that lead to living wage employment. ❱❱ Served over 400 re-entry participants

❱❱ Began NYOSCC—Tutoring pro­gram to offer math tutoring

❱❱ Offering Youth Re-Entry work readiness and job placement for our youth offenders

❱❱ Placed 8 participants at New Community Corp To contact the Office Re-Entry, please call 973-733-3570 Q and A with Mayor Baraka on Public Safety You have said on several occasions that you can not ‘arrest your way’ out of crime. So what else is there?

Baraka: “We must take a holistic approach to the issue of public safety in Newark. We must ­address causes of crime. ‘Arrests are ‘­reactive’ measures accomplished AFTER the crime and tragedy has taken place. They do not restore shattered property, wounded ­bodies, and lost lives. We must cut it off at the roots, so that we do NOT have to make arrests.”

100 Days of Believing in Newark • October 2014

In your first two weeks in office, the Department of Justice released its findings of an investigation that was initiated in 2011.

How did that affect your administration?

Baraka: “As I said then on the 22nd day as mayor, it could have looked as if the roof was caving in but I look at it as an opportunity to build a new roof. We actually saw it as an opportunity to apply their recommendations and transform the Newark Police Department.”

“The Department of Justice largely identified areas where the police and community needed a better relationship. We had already launched Neighborhood Roll Calls and Community Pedestrian Walkthroughs at the Newark Police Department on July 12 in areas experiencing violent crime. The police force teamed with other municipal agencies such as Neighborhood Services, the Health Department and Code Enforcement to address crime and quality-of-life issues for Newark residents.

We also are working toward creating a civilian oversight board with subpoena power to ensure the highest level of professionalism and transparency in our Police ­Department. And the Internal Affairs Division was revamped to ensure adequate training and ­discipline of all department ­personnel. The IAD has also teamed with the E ­ ssex County Prosecutors Office for training and uses the Early Warning System to

2000

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1500 -6%

1000 500

-18%

-20%

-8%

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Murder

Shooting Shooting Robbery Burglary Auto Theft Incidents 2013 Incidents 2014 w Vic 2013

2014

SAYSLICE R O Y K MAFORM PODY R A NEW S TO RE T ALREA N om RT EFFOEPARTMEERWAeYMedia for 2N8J,.c2014 D UN—DNJ Advanc July

conduct periodic assessments of complaints.”

There was a period during your 100 Days when reporters were asking about multiple homicides over a 3-day period. What happened there?

Baraka: “Those shooting incidents that occurred in a 36-hour period were mostly targeted shootings in concentrated areas and the police was familiar with many of those assailants. Police Director Venable, Police Chief

Campos, and the Newark Police Department worked diligently with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office to investigate the incidents and apprehend the assailants.”

What did you do differently to try and curb shootings in general?

Baraka: “We have more officers on the streets and we have taken a more aggressive role to get guns off the streets. We reduced shootings and robbery incidents by 20% by creating firearms interdiction teams.”

Call to Action:

Residents are urged to step up and support safety efforts by reporting any information they have to our dedicated Tip Lines. All tips will be kept confi dential, and in some cases, will earn the caller rewards.

Call NWK TIPS LINE:

1-877-TIPS

July 1, 2014 to Oct 1, 2014

Robberies

12%

Carjackings

49%

Homicides

26%

Auto Thefts

9%

Burglaries

5%

SOURCE: NEWARK POLICE DEPT.

09 On Wednesday, July 9, 2014 Mayor Ras J. Baraka, members of the Newark Municipal Council, and members of the Baraka Transition Team unveiled the results of the report prepared by the Mayor’s transition team.

A City We Can All Believe In • October 2014

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Feature Story

Mayor Ras J. Baraka Balances Budget in First 100 Days

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Creates more jobs, collects delinquent taxes and identifies more land for development

ithout making any layoffs, Mayor Ras J. Baraka balanced the budget in his fi rst 100 days in offi ce. “The process of closing the budget gap in the fi rst 100 days has been a dominant priority for all of us in the administration but it has been manageable and it has given us an opportunity to gain control of our City’s fi nancial situation, and to make Newark more effi cient at collecting revenue,” says Mayor Baraka.

In his fi rst 30 days, Mayor Baraka introduced a strategy to reduce the City’s budget defi cit from $93.5 million to approximately $31 million. However, this was not satisfactory to Mayor Baraka and the resources in the City were tasked to further reduce Newark’s budget defi cit.

Ultimately, the administration was able to a) reallocate funds owed to the city b) identify additional revenue sources c) reduce departmental spending by cutting everything but the most necessary expenses. Some

cuts include: stationary, non-salary appropriations, such as travel, registrations, books, and software. In sum, appropriations were reduced by approximately $21.4 million thereby leaving $10 million that will be closed with state transitional aid.

“I am pleased that we were able to make tremendous cuts and fi nd innovative ways to increase revenue in order to close the gap with only receiving $10 million in transitional aid. As I have often said, we are not relying on Trenton to make Newark prosperous. We are repairing our own house,” says Mayor Baraka.

There is still an arduous road ahead for the administration in the long term. “We are increasing revenues in payroll, parking, and property taxes and adding innovative measures such as cooperative purchasing agreements with neighboring towns. But we realize that this is a long journey and it will take us a few years to get to a stable fi nancial platform,” says Mayor Baraka while affi rming that there will be no layoffs.

“There will be no cuts happening in the police or fi re departments or municipal government. As a city, we would not be able to function.

Our focus is to make operations more effi cient. We cannot afford to lay off hundreds of employees and still be operational,” says —Bloomberg Mayor Baraka.

NEWARK HAS STRATEGY TO FILL DEFICIT WITHOUT FIRINGS, BARAKA SAYS

October 4, 2014 (Day 96)

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100 Days of Believing in Newark • October 2014

A City We Can All Believe In • October 2014

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A More Prosperous City

Mayor Baraka convened the Department of Finance, the Offi ce of Management and Budget, and a host of fi nancial consultants and other department heads to undertake the major steps necessary to reduce the $93.5

NEWARK MAYOR MEASURE TARGEPUSHES T FORECLOSURESING

—Newsday September 23, 20 14

million budget defi cit. Below are a few core areas where they found signifi cant savings: ❱❱ Spreading out last year’s operational defi cit over a 10-year period—$30.1 million

❱❱ More effi cient utilization of revenue from the motor vehicle rental tax—$13.4 million

❱❱ Adjusting the reserves for uncollected taxes—$10 million

❱❱ Reallocating of funds owed to the city to pay debts—$5.1 million

❱❱ Selling abandoned and seized properties at auction—$5 million

❱❱ Reduction in overall City expenses, through more effi cient operations across all departments - $3 million @CityofNewarkNJ tweeted We are working to get 70% of our police force on the street.

-Mayor Baraka #NwkTownHall

August 27, 2014

@SheIsLadyPoetry replied @CityofNewarkNJ EXCELLENT! That will begin a beautiful revolution! Love my hometown.. hate the violence! #thanks

❱❱ More productivity in collecting

August 29, 2014

delinquent taxes—$6.5 million

M

JOBS IN 100 Days

ayor Baraka recognizes that bringing busi-

nesses and employers to Newark is not enough: those entities must provide Newark residents with jobs and career opportunities. Therefore, Newark’s previous practice of “siloing” economic, real estate, housing, and workforce development will end, and these efforts and organizations will work in a more coordinated manner, aligning strategies.

Mayor Baraka appointed a Deputy Mayor for Job Creation, Workforce Development, Affirmative Action and Re-Entry to combine the efforts of the Newark Workforce Investment Board, NewarkWORKS, Newark Youth OneStop Career Center, and the Office of Prisoner Re-entry. The results:

❱❱ 422 Newark residents are now employed in the private sector

❱❱ 300 prospective employees trained through Shop Rite/New Community Center/ Wakefern Food partnership

❱❱ 1800 residents serviced by NewarkWORKS ❱❱ 250 residents enrolled in vocational & career training programs

The brand new Newark Careers Training Center offers headhunters and job placement resources to assist Newark residents to find jobs that match their education, skills and experience. Residents that possess CDL licenses will now be able to receive onthe-road experience through a pilot program the City has forged with Daybreak Express located in Newark.

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100 Days of Believing in Newark • October 2014

Economic Development in 100 Days: ❱❱ The Economic Development Department creat-

ed a timeline to enact a New Zoning Ordinance for the first time since 1954. The new ordinance will include updated provisions for the uses and designs of buildings and tax abatements, certain landscaping, parking lots, fences, and signs

❱❱ Developed a plan to Transform the Office of

the Urban Enterprise Zone to provide one-stop City government support to small businesses throughout the City

Finance in 100 Days ❱❱ The Department of Finance is identifying de-

linquent self-reporting businesses for payroll, parking and hotel taxes in order to begin a rigorous collection process

❱❱ Online payments for tax, water and other

City bills being developed to save the city an estimated $500,000 in credit card processing fees

❱❱ Preparing for a Municipal Tax Sale by the end of December, 2014

❱❱ Created efficiencies in the Finance Department by dedicating resources to conduct field audits which could yield up to $4 million

❱❱ Identified 1700 Vacant & Abandoned Properties to develop a plan for revitalization

❱❱ Sold more than 30 properties at auction which brought in $2.5 million in revenue. More are scheduled for the end of the year

❱❱ Developed a plan to reorganize and rename Brick City Development Corporation (BCDC) to more effectively and equitably support neighborhood and citywide economic development

❱❱ Collected approximately a 15% increase in outstanding loan debt owed to the City of Newark

❱❱ Moving forward to build Triangle Park, a 75,000 square foot park directly east of “The Rock”

28 On Monday, July 28, 2014 Mayor Ras J. Baraka, alongside Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop and Paterson Mayor Jose Torres, announced a tri-city initiative to fight crime and strengthen communities by sharing itelligence, police officers and purchasing agreements.

A City We Can All Believe In • October 2014

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A Leading City

N

ewark’s fi rst AfricanAmerican Mayor, the legendary Kenneth A. Gibson, said that “Wherever America’s cities are going, Newark will get there fi rst.”

We have taken that statement as a prophecy. We believe that Newark will take America’s cities where they need to go and where they will go, by energy, defi nition, effort, and example.

In the fi rst 100 days of our administration, we have already begun that process, in dramatic style and with excellent results.

UNITING MAYORS AROUND THE STATE Our most visible leading initiative is our Urban Mayors Roundtable that Mayor Baraka developed with the goal of bringing together the leaders of municipalities across the state with our state and federal law enforcement partners to address crime in our urban communities.

Mayor Baraka reached out fi rst to Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop and Paterson Mayor Jose Torres, who were the fi rst to agree to join the initiative.

On the 72nd day in offi ce (Sept 10), Mayor Baraka, hosted

at Rutgers University the fi rst Urban Mayors Roundtable where he was joined by mayors from 17 New Jersey municipalities, county prosecutors and representatives of federal, state, and other county law enforcement agencies.

SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT On the 79th day in offi ce (Sept 17), Mayor Baraka introduced legislation to the Newark Municipal Council that will enable the City of Newark to join with Jersey City and Paterson in a Cooperative Purchasing Agreement that will unite the purchasing power of the three cities, to save the three cities money.

This agreement allows for the

N.J. MAYORS HEAR FROM CRIME EXPERTS WAeyRK AT RUTGERS-NE—Jers Journal

September 10, 2014

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100 Days of Believing in Newark • October 2014

NEWARK MAYOR RAS BARAKA SWEARS IN FIRST CLASS OF NEW POLICE RECRUITS SINCE 2010

—CBS New York September 5, 2014

advertising and purchasing process for a variety of goods and services, including, but not limited to: police fi rearms and ammunition, road salt, vehicles, tires, plumbing supplies, trees and shrubs. The agreement is to continue for fi ve years.

CRACKING DOWN ON FORECLOSED PROPERTIES One of our most important leadership initiatives is legislation introduced by Mayor Baraka and passed by the Newark Municipal Council on the 87th day in offi ce (Sept 25), that will hold out-ofstate creditors of foreclosed and abandoned properties responsible for maintenance and upkeep of these properties. Creditors who fail to do so will face fi nes of $2,500 per day. Newark is one of the fi rst City’s to pass such legislation.

The ordinance is designed to hold-out-of-state creditors who fi le to foreclose on mortgaged properties in Newark accountable for maintaining the security and appearance of these properties during the mortgage foreclosure action and after.

FIRST-EVER ALL STAFF QUARTERLY MEETINGS Another critical leadership initiative has been the holding of All-Staff Quarterly Meetings

by Mayor Baraka so that he can regularly inform and interface with all employees in municipal government. On the 31st day of the new administration (July 31), hundreds of city employees gathered in the Rotunda at City Hall at the fi rst meeting and received a riveting call to action by Mayor Baraka to improve customer service and to keep the residents of Newark fi rst. The Mayor also introduced the senior leadership team and addressed issues around budget.

100 Days of Efficiency ❱❱ The Engineering Department is seeking to bring in an Energy Savings Company (ESCO) to upgrade and/or replace the existing public buildings HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems

their operations and fl eet thereby reducing redundancy and ensuring optimization of workforce

100 Days of Enforcing Law ❱❱ The Law Department collected more than $1 million in legal settlement payments owed to the City from various municipalities and businesses

❱❱ Issued an RFP to retain a collection agency to collect unpaid municipal court fi nes totaling between $8 million and $14 million owed to the City

❱❱ Completed foreclosures on more than 300 properties so that the City could regain control of City-owned property that was in default

❱❱ Consolidation of Public Buildings by closing 7 municipal buildings and consolidating

46 On Thursday, August 14, 2014 Mayor Ras J. Baraka was challenged by former Newark mayor, US Senator Cory A. Booker, and accepted the ALS challenge at Georgia King Village, during a “Summer Fun in the City” event.

A City We Can All Believe In • October 2014

19

A Community Focused City I

t has been said that “a community possesses no greater treasure than the dedicated service of its people,” that is why our neighborhoods, communities, and residents are always at the forefront of the Baraka administration.

Hispanic and LGBTQ communities. Mayor Baraka also celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a breakfast celebration in September and honored members of Latino media and outstanding community members at the Newark Museum.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH To refl ect the rich diversity of our city, Mayor Baraka appointed a Deputy Mayor for Community Engagement. That offi ce’s efforts to promote diversity and inclusion have resulted in cultural and fl ag-raising events that highlight the contributions of our Peruvian, Cote D’Ivoirian, Puerto Rican, Brazilian,

TOWN HALL MEETINGS We held 5 Town Hall meetings, one in each ward, where Mayor Baraka discussed the City’s budget, education, and other issues, then opened the fl oor for questions, comments and input. These meetings were praised in the media for their transparency and effectiveness.

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100 Days of Believing in Newark • October 2014

Mayor Baraka marched in the Newark Puerto Rican Day parade. He carried a Puerto Rican taino artwork piece, which was made in I­sabela, Puerto Rico.

Youth dance group Ballet Folklorico Estrellas del Horizonte de Newark performed during the City of Newark’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration.

A Cleaner City The Department of Neighborhood Recreation ­Services launched multiple initiatives to ­ensure that we had a Cleaner Newark in these first 100 Days. ❱❱ Added 5 new clean energy garbage trucks which will improve the collection process and also reduce privitization

❱❱ Added 10 cameras to monitor city for illegal dumping

❱❱ Ward by Ward Cleanup: ­Saturated specific areas in each ward for two solid weeks of clean up.

The ­objective of this initiative is to take a proac-

tive approach to clean our City and address the blight areas as the priority. The team utilized the City’s man power to address resident’s complaints by grooming and cleaning vacant lots and City properties in residential areas.

❱❱ Believe In Newark Cleanup: Every third and fourth Wednesday of each month, the Sanitation division is tasked with thoroughly cleaning an identified “hot spot” somewhere in the city.

The team clears lots, abandoned buildings, and unsafe properties, which are breeding grounds for crime, hazards to public health, and create an atmosphere of neglect and despair.

A City We Can All Believe In • October 2014

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Religious leaders during Mayor Baraka’s Interfaith Alliance Prayer Breakfast.

Hip-Hop Legend and Actor LL Cool J made a surprise visit during the Mayor’s Summer Fun in the City.

❱❱ Improved quality of life for residents by aggressively enforcing Code Enforcement and Inspections polices to issue citations to owners, such as:

◆❱ Summons for sidewalk litter ◆❱ Summons for removal of overgrown vegetation

◆❱ Summons for graffi ti removals

Health Care Center which will offer residents a new facility to get birth certifi cates and other important documents more effi ciently.

100 Days of Health ❱❱ Began construction of the Department of Health and Community Wellness’ state of the art Dental Clinic, anticipated to open in Apri

❱❱ Expanded the WIC offi ce to A Healthier City We have also reorganized our approach to public health by changing the health department’s name to the Department of Health and Community Wellness which allows the department to apply for and receive additional grants and funding from government and philanthropic organizations. The Department of Health and Community Wellness has worked diligently to enhance residents’ access to primary health care services. That has included the establishment of a satellite health care facility at the Bradley Court housing complex, and, in late October, the opening of the Mary Eliza Mahoney

the North Ward

❱❱ Received an expansion grant for Mary Eliza Mahoney Clinic to expand after hours and weekend services

❱❱ Successfully passed the rigorous State FQHC clinic audit, this will allow us to continue to serve uninsured and undocumented Newark residents.

❱❱ Established a Police Surgeon within the Department. This inter-agency collaboration will allow the Department to provide job related medical services to

Police Offi cers and Firefi ghters.

❱❱ Increased new patients by 56% in 100 Days!

Summer Fun in the City We reached 14,000 residents with our “Summer Fun in the City” program this summer, which began with a surprise appearance by rap star LL Cool J, and offered residents movie nights, street hockey, and other family—and youth-oriented activities.

And during the run-up to the new school year, we gave out 5,000 book bags full of school supplies to thousands of Newark youth in all fi ve wards of the city.

100 Days of Recreation ❱❱ The City installed four computers at each of the City’s

CHRIS CHRISTIE SHOULD TAKE A LESSON FROM RAS BARAKA’S PLAYL BOOK: EDITORIA —Star Ledger

August 25, 2014

Residents participate in West and East Ward town hall meetings.

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100 Days of Believing in Newark • October 2014

Seniors actively participated in the Mayor’s Senior Wellness Fitness Fun Day.

Children from Newark daycare centers participated in the Mayor’s Lead Awareness Walk

the Boylan Street recreation center and a Gospel Swim program at the JFK center 100 Days of Education Mayor Baraka has been relentless in vocalizing and addressing the negative impact that the ‘One Newark’ plan has had on Newark Public School students.

Read to Achieve Program: Mayor Ras J. Baraka joined former NBA superstar John Starks and During his 100 days he met WNBA star Theresa Weatherspoon at the Newark with the Superintendent Public Library of Schools and the State Commissioner of Education fi ve community recreation to correct several school related centers for after school issues from transportation to the programs inconvenient separating of siblings ❱❱ The Recreation Department in different schools under the One added a boxing program at Newark plan.

On the 96th day in offi ce, he contacted President Obama to intercede.

53 On Friday, August 22nd after witnessing parents and guardians waiting in line for hours, Mayor Baraka held a press conference to address the enrollment difficulties families experienced while registering their children under the One Newark plan.

A City We Can All Believe In • October 2014

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A City We Can All Believe In 24

100 Days of Believing in Newark • October 2014

O

ur City will soon celebrate its 350th anniversary as an organized community, and Mayor Ras J. Baraka and our administration look forward to restoring Newark to its glorious history and it’s even more glorious future—and destiny.

But it is from the energy, power, and determination of our neighborhoods that Newark draws its greatest strength. It is not the deeds of the few that defi ne a city or nation, it is the resilience of the many. It is the overwhelming belief our residents have had for centuries in Newark’s future, a belief

that has been handed down from generation to generation, a belief that has brought businesses and families to live in our City, a belief that propels all of us to success and excellence now and at all times.

This report highlights just some of the efforts we have made to affi rm our belief in Newark to our residents, visitors and commuters in our fi rst 100 days. From all these initiatives, policy changes, and business partnerships we have learned an essential truth: together, we will transform Newark into a city we can all believe in!

A City We Can All Believe In • October 2014

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A City We Can All Believe In

A Model Neighborhood City This is a collaborative initiative by multiple agencies in the administration to address economic development, public safety, and quality of life issues in targeted areas of the City. We identifi ed three areas starting with the Stratford Place neighborhood from the Clinton Avenue area between Elizabeth and Hillside Avenues.

There are two other grid areas in the West Ward and South Ward.

Uniting public and private sector organizations and engaging residents and other stakeholders, the effort targets crime, access to economic opportunities, and beautifi cation. Key outcomes from the Stratford Place area include: ❱❱ 2 Stratford Place inspected and landlords forced to abate safety violations

to maintain a relationship with Newark’s diaspora communities, international partners and global constituencies. The offi ce will expose Newark businesses to international communities, provide immigration assistance and educate international investors on the advantages of Newark.

An Engaged City ❱❱ The Communications Department and the IT Department have revamped our website to make the City of Newark’s services more user-friendly on the web and more attractive to visitors

❱❱ More than 20 known crime offenders have been arrested.

❱❱ Summer Fun in the City activities such as street hockey and face painting for youth

❱❱ Health fairs and on-site health screenings and referrals

❱❱ Street cleanups, lots cleared and mural projects began A Diverse City Mayor Baraka appointed a Deputy Mayor of International Relations and Diaspora Affairs

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100 Days of Believing in Newark • October 2014

❱❱ We have also improved ustomer service in City Hall c by asking for, and responding to your survey of how we are doing

❱❱ The addition of the bill pay drop box by the Water Department has added convenience to residents by cutting down on lines to pay water bills

❱❱ The establishment of the customer service kiosk in the lobby of City Hall has allowed residents to better fi nd where they are going

A Business City The Baraka administration has been fortunate in having strong support from the businesses and universities in the City of Newark from the Transition Team period and throughout its fi rst 100 days in offi ce: ❱❱ Prudential Financial loaned the Baraka administration its International Investments CEO as a consultant to the City to provide advice on fi nancial, budgetary, and operations issues

❱❱ Rutgers University loaned the Department of Health and Community Wellness 3 nurses, saving the City potentially $300,000

❱❱ Branding partnerships formed with NJ Devils, the Prudential Center and the Newark International Airport and Penn Station

❱❱ The Department of Communications redesigned and updated the City of Newark 733 Telephone Directory—a project that hasn’t been undertaken in more than 6 years. The directory provides residents, Newark municipal employees and visitors with important contact information of various government, social service and non-profi t organizations.

ILS SAY Y V E D .

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N UNIT M M O C NEW NERSHIPS PART O NEWANRJ.cKom T for COMINGNJ Advance Mediaber 24, 2014 —

Septem

72 On Wednesday, September 10, 2014 Mayor Ras J. Baraka hosted the Urban Mayor’s Roundtable at Rutgers University. Mayors and law enforcement officials from 17 municipalities discussed deterrence, gun control, juvenile justice, and community relationships to seek solutions and share best practices.

A City We Can All Believe In • October 2014

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