Title
Dept/ Agency: Administration/Office of the Business Administrator
Action: (X) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Application/Acceptance of the 2023 Harriet Tubman Square Grant
Purpose: Application and Agreements with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Housing and Community Resources for the 2023 Harriet Tubman Square Grant.
Entity Name: New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Housing and Community Resources
Entity Address: 101 South Broad Street, 5th Floor, Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0811
Total Grant Amount: $2,000,000.00
Funding Source: New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Housing and Community Resources
Grant Period: October 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024, until funds are fully expended
Contract Basis: ( ) Bid ( ) State Vendor ( ) Prof. Ser. ( ) EUS
( ) Fair & Open ( ) No Reportable Contributions ( ) RFP ( ) RFQ
( ) Private Sale (X) Grant ( ) Sub-recipient ( ) n/a
Monitoring Dept/Agency: Not Applicable
Additional Information:
This Resolution will provide for the installation of the Harriet Tubman Monument and the revitalization of Harriet Tubman Square, formerly known as Washington Park, the second oldest park in the country. The revitalization of this historic public space will increase its usability to the growing number of downtown residents, workers, students, and visitors in Newark. The revitalization of Harriet Tubman Square will specifically address key issues that impact public access, as well as repairs to the walking paths, electrical system, and irrigation system; grading and reseeding of the soil; improved lighting; installation of benches, additional trash receptacles, bathrooms, a dog run, children’s playground; and, general improvement of the primary program area.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Newark desires to apply for and obtain a New Jersey legislative “line item” grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (“Department”) for approximately $2,000,000.00 to carry out a “2023 Harriet Tubman Square” project, to provide funds for the revitalization of Harriet Tubman Square, formerly known as Washington Park, the second oldest park in the country. The revitalization of this historic public space will increase its usability to the growing number of downtown residents, workers, students, and visitors in Newark. The revitalization of Harriet Tubman Square will specifically address key issues that impact public access, as well as repairs to the walking paths, electrical system, and irrigation system; grading and reseeding of the soil; improved lighting; installation of benches, additional trash receptacles, bathrooms, a dog run, children’s playground; and, general improvement of the primary program area; and
WHEREAS, on or about January 30, 2023, the City’s Business Administrator did cause an application for such grant funds to be submitted to the Department (a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part hereof); and
WHEREAS, the Department has informed the City that the City’s application has been approved; and
WHEREAS, the Department requires that the City pass a Resolution authorizing the grant application before a grant agreement can be entered into which would then authorize the release of the grant funds to the City; and
WHEREAS, no municipal funds are required for the receipt or acceptance of the grant award.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. The Municipal Council of the City of Newark does hereby authorize the application for such a grant.
2. The actions taken by the City to apply for the grant are hereby ratified from the date the application was submitted until the date of this authorizing resolution.
3. The Municipal Council of the City of Newark recognizes and accepts that the Department may offer a lesser or greater amount and therefore, upon receipt of the grant agreement from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, does further authorize the execution of any such grant agreement upon review, approval and signature by the City’s Mayor and Acting Corporation Counsel; and also, upon receipt of the fully executed agreement from the Department, does further authorize the acceptance of the grant funds and the expenditure of the funds pursuant to the terms of the agreement between the City of Newark and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
4. Be it further resolved that the persons whose names, titles, and signatures appear below are authorized to sign the application, and that they or their successors in said titles are authorized to sign the agreement, and any other documents necessary in connection therewith:
____________________________ ____________________________
(signature) (signature)
Ras J. Baraka Eric Pennington, Esq.
Mayor Business Administrator
5. The Mayor shall file fully executed copies of the grant application and grant agreement in the Office of the City Clerk.
STATEMENT
This Resolution authorizes and ratifies the application for, and acceptance of $2,000,000.00 in New Jersey legislative “line item” grant funds from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs to carry out a “2023 Harriet Tubman Square” project, to provide funds for the revitalization of Harriet Tubman Square, formerly known as Washington Park, the second oldest park in the country. The revitalization of this historic public space will increase its usability to the growing number of downtown residents, workers, students, and visitors in Newark. The revitalization of Harriet Tubman Square will specifically address key issues that impact public access, as well as repairs to the walking paths, electrical system, and irrigation system; grading and reseeding of the soil; improved lighting; installation of benches, additional trash receptacles, bathrooms, a dog run, children’s playground; and, general improvement of the primary program area. No municipal funds are required for the receipt or acceptance of the grant funds.