Kasim Gilyard

The meeting agenda included communications concerning a fire incident at 85 Washington Street resulting in the property being deemed uninhabitable, and a resolution from the Joint Meeting of Essex & Union Counties regarding probable costs and the first quarter of 2026 assessment. A Classification Exception Area Notification related to the PSE&G Lakeside Avenue Substation was also noted. The Mayor's communications included the reappointment of Shakela Hayes to the East Orange Rent Control Board for a 3-year term. Committee business involved several resolutions: Arts, Recreation and Cultural Affairs committee included memorial resolutions. Business Development and Zoning considered resolutions authorizing property transfer, designating a redeveloper for 183 North Arlington Ave, and authorizing a shared services agreement with the East Orange Parking Authority. The Finance committee focused on resolutions supporting funding applications, confirming reappointments for the Chief Municipal Court Judge and two other Municipal Court Judges, awarding contracts for financial advisory and municipal budget consultant services, authorizing payment of accumulated absence liabilities, and confirming several departmental director appointments (Human Resources, Public Safety, Information Technology, Health & Human Services, First Assistant Corporation Counsel, and DPW Director). Planning and Grants proposed applications for the New Jersey Career Accelerator Internship Grant Program and the AARP Community Challenge Grant. Public Works considered resolutions regarding restricted parking spaces, awarding contracts for engineering/surveying services, amending a resolution to correct funding sources for a capital project, authorizing change orders for Oval Park Improvements and the ALC Building Automation System upgrade, authorizing additional expenditures for traffic materials, approving a proposal for sump pump piping repair at the Golf Course, awarding a janitorial services contract, and rescinding a contract award for leaf hauling.

The City Council meeting included a public hearing and presentations. Communications addressed a fire incident at 85 Washington Street resulting in the property being deemed uninhabitable, a resolution from the Joint Meeting of Essex & Union Counties regarding 2026 assessments, and a Classification Exception Area Notification concerning the PSE&G Lakeside Avenue Substation site. The Mayor's communication involved the reappointment of Shakela Hayes to the East Orange Rent Control Board. Committee reports featured several resolutions: Arts, Recreation and Cultural Affairs included memorials for four individuals; Business Development and Zoning involved authorizing the transfer of city-owned property at 229 North Munn Avenue and designating Aivilo & Partners, LLC as the redeveloper for 183 North Arlington Ave. The Finance Committee addressed resolutions confirming reappointments for the Chief Municipal Court Judge and three Municipal Court Judges, approving a bill payment listing, awarding contracts for Financial Advisory Services and Municipal Budget Consultant Services, and confirming appointments for several director-level positions including Human Resources, Public Safety, IT, Health & Human Services, First Assistant Corporation Counsel, and DPW. Planning and Grants covered resolutions authorizing applications for the New Jersey Career Accelerator Internship Grant Program and the AARP Community Challenge Grant, as well as authorizing a Memorandum of Agreement with the Essex County Division of Community Action. The Law and Legislation committee addressed resolutions to settle two litigation matters involving Debra Johnson and Leticia Roberts. New Business included a final review of committee reports.

The meeting agenda included a call to order with the reading of the Sunshine Law and roll call to determine a quorum. Key business items involved old business, specifically a fourth appearance and adjournment request to February for application ZBA-25-0003 concerning a bulk variance approval for front yard parking at 103 S. Burnett Street. New business included application ZBA-25-0024 for minor site plan, use, and bulk variance approval to construct a three-story, two-family dwelling at 17 Melrose Ave., and application ZBA-25-0006 seeking bulk and use variances to demolish an existing structure and install an enclosed recreational area at 101 North Grove Street. The agenda also covered a review of the proposed 2026 calendar of hearings.

The key discussions during the meeting involved memorializing resolutions and addressing new business items. Resolution PBA-EO-001-25 concerned the Fourth Round Housing and Fair Share Plan submission required by New Jersey's amended Fair Housing Act for the 2025 to 2035 period. Resolution PBA-07-25-0026 involved a return to the Board regarding a prior approval for the construction of a 4-story building at 381 Main Street, intended for a cannabis dispensary, lounge, and future commercial pads. New business included an application (PBA-12-24-0054) seeking minor subdivision and bulk variance approval to demolish existing structures and construct two-family dwellings on two new lots at 390 Prospect St., and an application (PBA-03-25-0034) seeking minor subdivision and construction of two-family dwellings on newly created lots at 429 Springdale Avenue. The Board also adopted the 2026 Calendar of Hearings.

The agenda for the Regular Meeting included the memorialization of previous minutes from December 3, 2025, and several resolutions for consideration. Resolution PBA-EO-001-25 pertained to the Fourth Round Housing and Fair Share Plan submission requirements under New Jersey's amended Fair Housing Act for the 2025 to 2035 period. Resolution PBA-07-25-0026 involved a return to the Board for a project at 381 Main Street concerning the construction of a 4-story building with a cannabis dispensary on the ground floor and a consumption lounge on the second floor. New business items included application PBA-12-24-0054 for minor subdivision and bulk variance approval for property at 390 Prospect Street to construct two two-family dwellings, and application PBA-03-25-0034 requesting minor subdivision and construction of two-family dwellings at 429 Springdale Avenue. The board also planned to adopt the 2026 Calendar of Hearings.