Title
Dept/ Agency: Administration/Office of the Business Administrator
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Memorandum of Understanding/Public Arts Loan Agreement
Gift: Monumental Statue of Christopher Columbus
Purpose: To provide St. Lucy’s Church with a Public Arts Loan of the Statue of Christopher Columbus, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12-14(c).
Entity Name: St. Lucy’s Church
Entity Address: 118 7th Avenue, Newark, New Jersey 07104
Gift Value: Undetermined
Amount: $1.00
Contract Period: May 1, 2024 through April 30, 2044, with the option to renew
Additional Information:
body
WHEREAS, a statue of Christopher Columbus (hereinafter referred to as "the Monument") was gifted in the City of Newark in 1927, as a symbol of the important contributions Italian-Americans made to the City of Newark and across the country, in spite of the discrimination they faced at the time; and
WHEREAS, it is important to honor and celebrate the heritage of Italian-Americans, while also being conscious of the meaning of symbols that have been defined by history through a legacy of cruelty associated with Christopher Columbus, which has had a negative impact on other residents of our diverse community; and
WHEREAS, due to public discussion and pressure to remove and/or destroy statues and monuments related to Christopher Columbus, the City of Newark desires to relocate the Monument to St. Lucy’s Church, on 118 7th Avenue, Newark, New Jersey 07104; and
WHEREAS, the City of Newark and St. Lucy’s Church (the “Parties”) have agreed on a solution with regard to the statue’s removal and relocation to St. Lucy’s Church at 118 7th Avenue, Newark, New Jersey 07104, as a loan from the City of Newark; and
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to lease the Monument to St. Lucy’s Church, for the period beginning May 1, 2024 through April 30, 2044, for the sum of One Dollar and Zero Cents ($1.00) per year, as a Memorandum of Understanding/Public Arts Loan Agreement (“MOU”).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY THAT:
1. The City of Newark and St. Lucy’s Church (the “Parties”) have agreed on a solution with regard to the removal of the Monument and St. Lucy’s Church has offered its relocation to 118 7th Avenue, Newark, New Jersey 07104.
2. The Mayor of the City of Newark and/or his designee, the Business Administrator (the “Lessor”), on behalf of the City of Newark are authorized to enter into and execute an MOU with St. Lucy’s Church, (the “Lessee”), to lease the Monument of Christopher Columbus, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12-14(c), for a period of twenty (20) years, with an option to renew for an additional twenty (20) years.
3. St. Lucy’s Church shall, as consideration for said Memorandum of Understanding/Public Arts Loan Agreement, pay the City of Newark the total sum of One Dollar and Zero Cents ($1.00) per year, for the term of the lease beginning May 1, 2024 through April 30, 2044.
4. No municipal funds will be expended to enter into this MOU.
5. This MOU shall remain in force and effect from May 1, 2024 through April 30, 2044, unless terminated earlier.
6. A copy of the Memorandum of Understanding/Public Arts Loan Agreement is attached hereto and made part hereof.
7. A copy of the fully executed MOU and all supporting documents shall be permanently filed in the Office of the City Clerk by the Mayor of the City of Newark and/or his designee, the Business Administrator.
STATEMENT
This Resolution authorizes the Mayor of the City of Newark, and/or his designee, the Business Administrator, on behalf of the City of Newark, to enter into and execute a Memorandum of Understanding/Loan Agreement with St. Lucy’s Church, 118 7th Avenue, Newark, New Jersey 07104, to lease the Monument of Christopher Columbus, for the sum of $1.00 per year, for a period of twenty (20) years, commencing May 1, 2024 through April 30, 2044, with an option to renew for an additional twenty (20) years.