City Council Advances Solar Fee Amendments and Green Street Projects Funding

The Newark Municipal Council meeting on September 4, 2025, focused on several key ordinances aimed at updating local regulations and funding important infrastructure projects.

One significant discussion centered on amending solar ocean fees. Council members noted that the current fees had been low for several years and required adjustment. The ordinance proposes to lower some fees while introducing an application fee, which could range from $250 to $300. Councilman raised questions about the potential revenue impact of these changes, prompting a commitment from the director to provide a quantitative breakdown of expected revenue based on the new fee structure.

Another major topic was the Green Streets project, which aims to enhance stormwater management in Newark. The council discussed an ordinance appropriating $6.5 million for this initiative, funded through the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank. Director Guzman emphasized the urgency of advancing this ordinance to secure funding. Council members inquired about the progress of existing stormwater management projects, with Director Adeim reporting that three projects have been completed out of a total of thirteen planned, with work distributed across all five wards.

Additionally, the council considered an ordinance to amend parking time limits and street parking boundaries, which was also advanced for adoption.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the council's commitment to improving local infrastructure and addressing regulatory needs, with further discussions anticipated in future sessions.