The East Orange City Council: A Citizen's Guide

Message from The Chair pg.3

The East Orange City Council pg. 4

City Wards and District Map pg. 5

Meeting Calendar 2023 pg. 6

Municipal Boards and Commissions pg. 7

East Orange City Council pg. 8

Community Resources pg. 13

See Something, Say Something pg. 14

Mayor Ted R Green

East Orange City Council 44 City Hall Plaza East Orange, NJ

CHRISTOPHER AWE

Second Ward

Greetings East Orange Family,

I pray thisletterfinds you well! On behalf of all East Orange City Councilmembers and staff, let me take thisopportunity to thank every single one of you for theconfidence, privilege, andhonor you have bestoweduponus to represent, advocate, and work on your behalf

Our goal is to continue to provide ourresidents with access to reliable municipal services and with up-to-date information on community news, upcoming events, and programs. Everyday, we are working in lock-step with our Mayor andhis administration to ensure just that We hope that thisGuide will serve asan easyresource to empower you, ourcommunitypartner, to fullyparticipatein ourcommunity.

With all thisgreat information, you can'tkeep itall to yourself ! Ourhope is that you will share this with your neighborsandfriends, both locally and beyond

Get Engaged! Tap in on social media as well. (Are you following our city social mediapages??? ) Come out to theplethora of events, seminars , information sessions that we host regularly. Together, we can make thisdestinationfeel more like home

From families that have been inE.O. for generations, new residentschoosing East Orange to lay roots for their family to grow, the young professional tapping into their ambition to climb the success ladder of life, or theentrepreneur making theinvestment to contribute to ourcommunityadvancement –The East Orange City Council is committed to doing all we can to make sure that, in East Orange, you will be safe, healthy, fulfilled andsuccessful.

Improving the quality of life and being a model of urban excellence we do that together, with you!

East Orange: One City, OneCommunity,One Goal equals Progress. We invite you to be a part of that Progress Thank you!

Christopher Awe

Councilman Christopher Awe East Orange City Council Chair Second Ward

WARD & DISTRICT MAP

2023

MAP KEY

MUNICIPAL BOUNDARY VOTING DISTRICTS

WARDS

C10 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

L34

LEGISLATIVE DISRTICT

CC3 COUNTY COMMITTEE DISTRICT

CITY COUNCIL 2023

The City Council is the locallegislative body responsible for appropriating fundsandenacting ordinances andresolutions governing the City The City Council reviews and approves the Mayor’s appropriations andannual budget TheCouncil also reviews and approves the Mayor’s appointments toCity Departments and several Citizen Advisory Boards and Commissions. The City Council Chairperson serves as a member of every committee and is the liaison tothe Mayor, Essex County Freeholder Board, the New Jersey State Legislature, the UnitedStates Congress,and the East Orange Parking Authority. The Chair appoints each Council Member to oversee a standing committee Thesestanding committees serve as Council liaisons toCity departments, public agencies, civic groups,and public service organizations

COUNCIL COMMITTEES

Arts, Recreation & Cultural Affairs : LENEUS, James, Brent, Lewis Liaison to theDepartment of Recreation andCultural Affairs; Cultural Affairs Organizations; Community Affairs Organizations; Veteran’s Affairs; ServiceClubs; ChurchandNeighborhood Organizations; Public Library; Joint Meeting

Business Development & Zoning : JAMES, Leneus , Pullins, Brent Liaison to theDepartment of Policy, Planning & Economic Development; EconomicDevelopment; Chamber of Commerce, Central Avenue Business Association, Ampere Business Association, Main Street Merchants Association, Business andProfessionalOrganizations; PlanningBoard; Board of Adjustment; Compliance/Affirmative Action; Golf Course; Parking

Finance : PULLINS, Lewis, Holman, Gomez Liaison to theFinanceDepartment;Budget; Procurement; Property Taxation; Tax Collector; Treasurer; Review of Insurance Policies; Personnel; Labor Negotiations; Employment andTraining

Health & Education : BRENT, Claybrooks , Gomez, James Liaison to Department of HealthandHuman Services/Board of Health; Daycare Centers,Head Start Program; Guidance Clinic; East OrangeGeneral Hospital; Board of Education; Youth Affairs; Division of Senior Citizen Services; Second River

Housing, Licensing & Inspection : CLAYBROOKS, Holman, Leneus , Pullins

Liaison to theDepartment of PropertyMaintenanceand Revitalization; Maintenance and Operations of Public Buildings; Rent Leveling Board; East Orange Tenant Associations; Tenants/Landlord Committee; HousingAuthority; Senior Citizen Housing; Real Estate Commission

Law & Legislation : HOLMAN, Garrett - Ward, Lewis, Leneus Liaison to the Law Department; Municipal Court; Alcohol Beverage Control Board; Ordinances; Bingo and Raffles; Human Rights; CouncilRules; Legal Organizations; Comcast Cablevision;Water Department; ParkingAuthority

Planning & Grants : GARRETT - WARD, Gomez, Claybrooks , Holman Liaison to the Division of Community Development; Affirmative Action; Employment andTraining Organizations; Review of all Federal, State andCountyGrants; Real Property; AlternateEnergy Resources

Public Safety : LEWIS, Brent, James, Garrett - Ward Liaison to theFireDepartment; Police Department; School Crossing Guards; Juvenile Aid Bureau; EmergencyManagementand City-Wide Crime Watch Organizations;Status of Women

Public Works : GOMEZ, Pullins, Garrett - Ward, Claybrooks Liaison to theDepartment of Public Works;Bridges and Roads, Transportation; Site Review Committee; Small Tools Libraryand Clean and GreenCenter;Status of Men; Second River

The City of East Orange COUNCIL MEETING CALENDAR

East Orange City Council Meetings are typically held on the nd and 4th Monday of every month

Committee Meetings (Workshop or Agenda Sessions) Start at 30 PM

Regular Meetings Start at 00 PM .

When a City Council meeting falls on a legal holiday, the meeting is held at the same time on the following day Special meetings are scheduled as needed.

City Council meetings are live streamed at FACEBOOK COM/EOCITYCOUNCIL

All Council Meetings are open to the public, barring Executive Sessions. Citizens are encouraged to address the City Council withtheir concerns during the open HEARING OF CITIZENS, which occurs at the conclusion of boththe Committee & Regular Meetings

Comments are limited to three minutes per citizen unless permitted by the City CouncilChairperson Residents wishing to speak before City Councilshould:

• Approach the microphone locatedin the front of the Council Chambers.

• Sign the citizen register (name and address) located on the podium

• Speak in a clear and audible tone; begin comments by stating your name and home address

• Avoid personal attacks, foul or abusive languagewill not be tolerated under any circumstances

COMMITTEE MEETINGS establish the agenda for the REGULAR MEETING

At Regular Meetings , the City Council acts on items discussed during Committee Meetings (Workshop/AgendaSession) The Regular Meeting Agenda is established at the Committee Meeting Copies of the agenda are available to the public prior to the start of the meeting in person or online at tinyurl com/eocouncilagenda

BOARDS & COMMISSIONS

We invite residentsinterested inparticipatingin the local government process to volunteer onour municipal boards and commissions.Thereare 12 boards and commissionsin which Mayor and/or City Council have appointing authority. The City Council has appointing authority for the East Orange Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, the East Orange HousingAuthorityand the East Orange Parking Authority If youhave an interest in serving, pleasesubmit a briefletter indicating your board preference andresume to theOffice of the Mayor, 44 City HallPlaza, East Orange, NJ.

HOUSING AUTHORITY

2nd Tuesday of the Month 6:00 PM/ Open to Public @ 7:00 PM

(973) 678-0250

160 Halsted Street

70 South Burnet St (Meeting Location)

RENT CONTROL BOARD

3rd Thursday of the Month

6:00 PM (Virtual)

(973) 266-5401

44 City Hall Plaza

SENIOR CITIZEN HOUSING ASSOCIATION

1st Thursday of the Month

6:00 PM (Virtual, Call for Login Information)

(973) 743-2300

777 AND 780 Springdale Ave (2Buildings)

PARKING AUTHORITY

3rd Wednesday of the Month

6:00 PM

(973) 672- 1116

60 Evergreen Place – Suite 503

PLANNING BOARD

1st Wednesday of the Month

7:00 PM (Virtual, Call for Login Information)

(973) 266-5486

44 City Hall Plaza

ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

2nd Wednesday of the Month

7:30 PM (Virtual, Call for Login Information)

(973) 266-5486

44 City Hall Plaza

BOARD OF EDUCATION

2nd Monday of the Month 6:00 PM

(973) 266 - 5760

199 FourthAvenue

PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

2nd Thursday of the Month

7:00 PM (In Person & Virtual)

(973) 266-5600

21 South Arlington Avenue

BOARD OF HEALTH

3 rd Tuesday of the Month 5:30 PM (Virtual) (973) 266 - 5480

143 New Street

WATER COMMISSION

3rd Tuesday of the Month

(973) 266- 8869

5:00 PM (Virtual, Call for Meeting Location)

99 South Grove Street

BOARD OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL

3rd Wednesday of the Month (Virtual)

6:00 PM (Virtual, Call for Login Information)

(973) 266 - 5345

BOARD CANNABIS CONTROL

3rd Monday of the Month 5:30 PM

(973) 266-5152

44 City Hall Plaza

FIRST WARD

The Honorable CHRISTOPHER D. JAMES

A longtime resident of the 1st ward and a career public servant, CouncilmanJames has proudly served the 1st ward since 2014

Chris was born in the City of Orange and raised and educated in Newark, New Jersey. Growing up, he knew he wantedto continue the tradition of civic and community service fostered under the guidance of his mother, the late Maxine James For over two decades, CouncilmanJames has served invariouscapacitiesin municipal, county and state government, grassroots community organizations, and non-profit entities. He haspreviously served as Chairman of the City Council, the Public Works Committee and as a member of theArts, Recreation, and CulturalAffairs, Business Development & Zoning,Housing,andLicensing Committees. Councilman Christopher D. James is President and Founder of James StrategyGroup, a full-service Government Counseling Firm

The Honorable AMY LEWIS

Born inNewark, NJ, Amy was raised, and has raised her children, in the city of East Orange. Councilwoman Lewis has served as the 1st ward councilwoman since 2016

Amy is dedicated to the enhancement of the quality of life for the residents of East Orange. Councilwoman Lewis, a Teamster Union Representative advocating for 2,000+ Health Care Workers within Teamsters Local 97, is responsible for legislation that has left a lastingimpact, including policies addressing self-destructive behavior in our Public Parks, Anti-Bullying Legislation in our schools, and reform for Public Safety She is proud of originating locallegislation that caps rent increases at 2% for Seniors and Disabled Citizens,ensuring our most vulnerable residents can afford shelter in East Orange

RECREATIONAL SPACES

SOVEREL PARK - Located in the 1st Ward of the City, borders Springdale Avenue, Brighton Avenueand North Park Street. Soveral Park is the largest park in East Orange. It has 2 baseballfields, a softball field, a walkingtrack, 3 basketball courts, 7 tenniscourts, 2 playground areas, and a field house Little leaguebaseball and soccer are played at this park. It is the practicefield for East Orange Jr. Jaguars Football Team

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Wahlstrom Academy 340 Prospect Street

Johnnie L. Cochran Academy 190 Midland Avenue

Bowser School of Excellence 180 Lincoln Street

Whitney Houston Acacemy 215 Dodd Street

East Orange Campus High 344 Prospect Street

Fresh Start Academy (6-12) 135 Glenwood Avenue

John L. Costley Middle School 116 Hamilton Street

Patrick Healy Middle School 116 Hamilton Street

EO Campus Stem Academy 129 Renshaw Avenue

Sojourner Truth Middle School 116 Hamilton Street

The City of East Orange

SECOND WARD

The Honorable CHRISTOPHER AWE

Councilman Awe was elected to representthe 2nd ward in 2018 buthas an extensive historyservinghis ward andthe greater East Orange Community for most of his life.

Educated in East Orange School District,Christopher obtained his Bachelor’s in Business Administrationwith a focus on Accountingfrom the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Using thefoundation built upon his education in East Orange, the pride of attending a HBCU, & theteachings of his immigrantNigerian parents,Councilman Awe returned to East Orange to give back to the community As a StudentVolunteer,Educator, Youth Mentor & Coach, Entrepreneur, Advocate,& Community Organizer, Councilman Awe has dedicated his career to the advancement of every resident of East Orange He is also theproud member of several social and professionalorganizationsincludingTheUrban League, NBC-LEO, & his beloved Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity,Inc

As a Legislator,Councilman Awe has a built a record of accomplishments

As Chairman of thePlanningandGrants Committee, hehasreenergizedthe City’sPublic Art initiatives that has led to a number of new community murals,and as Chair of theFinance Committee, worked in tandem with the Green Administration to raise the City’s financial ratingandincreasethe budget surplus for several consecutive years As CouncilChair, he has brought a newenergy to the legislative body, focused on an agenda that puts the needs of the community first

The Honorable BRITTANY D. CLAYBROOKS

Councilwoman BrittanyD. Claybrooks, who was elected to representthe 2nd Ward in 2019, is passionate about creatingopportunities for the residents of East Orange through community development focused on comprehensive policy andthe equitable allocation of public resources She advocates for inclusivecommunitydevelopment as one of the most effective ways to elevate underrepresented communities and has dedicated her career to ensuringthat people from every walk of life has access to the life theydesireand deserve.

Councilwoman Claybrooks earnedher Bachelor's in HealthCare Managementfrom Florida A&M Universityher Master’sin Urban Planning and Development at New York University (NYU).Brittany’s serviceincludes the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice & Department of Health, The Congressional Black Caucus Foundationserving in the Office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, & YoungInvincibles, a nationalnonprofit in Washington,DCthat advocates on behalf of millennials in higher education,health, economicdevelopment andyoungparents’ initiatives Brittany is a proud member of theAlpha Kappa AlphaSorority Incorporated & member of Messiah Baptist Church

Councilwoman Claybrooks has focused on improving localsystems to support abetter quality of life for residents As the Liaison for the East OrangeParkingAuthority,she was vital in the introduction of a pro-rated alternative for monthlyparking permits.Brittany was also instrumental in the development several uplifting communityinitiatives, includingthe Covid Business Grant, Rental Assistance Grant, andintroducingthe electrical box art project As Chair of theHousingLicensing & Inspections Committee, shehas madeimprovements to thehousing code in East Orange to include securitycameras inbuildings She often proclaims, “Public service is not what Ido, public service is who I am”

MEMORIAL PARK L ocated in the 2 Ward of the City, is the backyard of the Main East Orange Public Library branch on So. Arlington Avenue, bordering Freeway Drive East, Lenox Avenueand South Walnut Street The park contains 4 tennis courts, a basketball court, and 2 play areas

ROWLEY PARK- locatedin the 2nd Ward of the City, borders North Arlington Avenueand William Street.

*Currentlyunderconstruction*

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Althea Gibson Academy 490 William Street

Jackson Academy 106 Prospect Street

Cicely L. Tyson High School 35 Winans Street

THIRD WARD

The Honorable BERGSON LENEUS

Councilman Leneus has been proudly serving the 3rdward since the year of 2018 He was born in Newark, NJ & raisedin East Orange.

Councilman Leneus made history as the first HaitianAmerican elected to the East Orange City Council Bergson obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy at Rutgers Newark. His aimis to create the best possible legislation that will benefit the overall community As a legislator, he is focused on research and implementing the most progressive strategies to help move the city of East Orange forward.

Councilman Bergson Leneusserved as a Board Member for the East OrangeYMCA from 2010 through 2012. He also served asan appointed Member of the East Orange Board of Education and as its President for three years

Honorable VERNON PULLINS, JR.

Councilman Vernon PullinsJr. has represented the 3rdward since 2019.Raised in the City of East Orange, Vernon attended Elmwood Elementary School, Washington Street School & Vernon L. Davey Jr. High School before graduating from East Orange High School in 1990. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Rutgers,The State University and in 1998 his Doctorate in Jurisprudence from Rutgers Schoolof Law-Newark Councilman Pullins continued to pursuehis passion for education and in 2015 earned a Masters in Educational Leadership and Administration from New Jersey City University

In 2005 he served as a Commissioner of the East Orange Water Commission He was appointed as a Member of the East Orange Board of Education twice and has served as Vice President of the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission.

RECREATIONAL SPACES

ELMWOOD PARK- locatedin the 3rd Ward of the City, borders Elmwood Avenue, Rhode IslandAvenue, Freeman Avenue,and Oak Street. This park contains 7 tennis courts on Rhode IslandAvenue, a basketball court on the corner of Elmwood Avenueand Oak Street, a swimming pool with a pool house, a walkingtrack, a baseballfield, a softball field and a renovated field house. Little leaguebaseball, soccer andsummer basketballleaguegames are played at this park It is the practicefield for P.P.Y. (Promoting Progress for Youth) Panther’s Football Team.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Benjamin Banneker Academy 500 So. Clinton Street

Langston Hughes Academy 160 Rhode Island Avenue

The

FOURTH WARD

The Honorable CASIM L. GOMEZ

Casim L. Gomez has served as 4th Ward Councilman since 2015 Born and raised in the Bronx, NY, Councilman Gomez is proud longtime resident of the Fourth Ward Councilman Gomez has a degree in Psychology andhas taken post graduate coursesfocused on Leadership at FDU Madison. As Councilman, his goal is “To help bridge the wonderful achievement ofour cityto the phenomenal future we all envision” & “To continue to work with my colleagues and the Green Administration to deliver exceptional government and transformationalcommunity services.”

He served as a Trustee to the East Orange PublicLibrary Board of Trustees After a career working for variousfinancial institutions, Councilman Gomez decided tofocus on civic engagement and service. He believes progress comes from engagement, communication, and teamwork

The Honorable TAMEIKA GARRETT-WARD

CouncilwomanTameika Garrett-Ward is a lifelong resident of East Orange whose family has a long history in the City dating back over 90 years.

Tameikais a product of the East Orange School District and is a proud “Panther“Alumni of the 100th graduatingclass of East Orange High School. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Montclair State Universityand a Master’s Degree inEducation: Administration and Supervision from St Peter’s University She has chaired the Arts, Recreation & Cultural AffairsCommittee and served as a member of the Health, Education,Planning & Grants and Public Safety

RECREATIONAL SPACES

FRANCIS - HAIRE PARK - Located in the 4th Ward of the City, borders Grove Street and Central Avenue-behindDionne Warwick Elementary School. This park contains a pool, small field house, a baseballfield and 2 play areas

OVAL PARK- Located in the 4th Ward of the City, is the backyard of the FellowshipCivic Center This park contains a baseballfield, 2 playground areas, a walkingtrack, a field house, a volleyball court and 3 basketball courts Little league baseball, soccer and summer basketballleaguegames are played at this park. It is the practicefield for B.O.Y.A.L. (Better Opportunities for Youth & Affective Leadership) East Orange RamsFootball Team The field house also serves as the home base for the EO Rec T.A.V.E. (Teens Against Violence Everywhere) program.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Ecole Toussaint L'ouverture School 330 Central Avenue

Cicely L. Tyson Elementary 45 North Arlington Avenue

Dionne Warwick Institute 120 Central Avenue

Mildred Barry Garvin School 1 Grove Place

City of East Orange

FIFTH WARD

The Honorable ALICIA HOLMAN

CouncilwomanAlicia Holmanhas proudly been serving the 5th ward since 2006. Alicia has served asChairwoman of the City Council, the

Public Safety, Housing, Licensing & Inspection and the Law and Legislation Committees. Councilwoman Holman has also served as a member of the Finance, Public Works, and Planning & Grants Committees , as well a member of the Negotiation and Personnel Committees.

She is a lifelong East Orange resident who proudly attended the East Orange Public School System. CouncilwomanAliciaHolman attended Bloomfield College and Rutgers University. She is Youth Program Specialist with the Essex County Department Citizen Services andpreviously served asan Insurance Manager and Claims Adjuster Corporate Manager for animport and export packagingcompany. CouncilwomanHolman also served as a Project Coordinator withthe Newark Economic Development Corporation and Riverfront Corporation

The Honorable MUSTAFA AL- M BRENT

Mustafa Al-M Brent has served the 5th ward since 2016 Councilman Brent has followed in his father’sfootstepsto pursue a life of service.

Councilman Mustafa Al-M Brent attended Howard Universityand MedinaUniversity in Saudi Arabia, where he received a degree in Arabic Language and Middle Eastern Studies He has served as a Member of the East Orange Board of Education, coordinated youth groups around the State of New Jerseyand participatedinvarious charities, outreachprograms, andcommunity initiatives As a legislator, Mustafa continued his efforts started as Vice President of the EOBOE to see the completionof the SheilaOliver Academy, oversaw theconstruction of the renovated ColumbianPark, encouraged major redevelopment, and brokered an agreement between East Orange, Newark, and BloomfieldPolice Departments to ensure a safe corridor around our shared community Councilman Brent is a Fire Captain withthe City of Newark Fire Department He is a participant of the Orange Police Clergy Alliance and serves as Clergy for the Newark Fire Department.

Avenue. This park contains a pool with a pool house, a baseballfield, 2 basketball courts and a playground Little League baseballgames are played at this park It is the practicefield for the East Orange WildcatsFootball Association. On November 11, 2010, Columbian Park Field House was dedicated as the Home Base of the East Orange Veterans of Foreign Wars (V.F.W.) and the American Legion

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Gordon Parks Academy 98 Greenwood Avenue

Sheila Y. Oliver Academy 404 North Grove Street

SEE SOMETHING? SAY SOMETHING!