Title
Dept/ Agency: Recreation, Cultural Affairs and Senior Services
Action: (X) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Recreation Center Program Pursuant to the Park Statute
Purpose: To provide a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) summer enrichment program that complements and enhances the existing summer enrichment program offered at the recreation center, giving participants additional opportunities to develop creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and hands-on learning skills, Game Boss Academy, Print Craft and Futures Lab program for youth ages 7-13 at Marquis “Bo” Porter Recreation Center, 378 Lyons Avenue, Newark, NJ 07112
Entity Name: STEAM for ME NJ, Inc
Entity Address: 18 Huntington Terrace, Newark, New Jersey 07112
City Contribution: $0.00
Other Funding Source/Amount: $0.00
Contract Period: July 6, 2026 through December 31, 2026
Additional Information:
STEAM for ME NJ will provide the summer enrichment activities at no cost to the City.
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WHEREAS, the City of Newark (“City”), Department of Recreation, Cultural Affairs and Senior Services (Department) supports positive youth development, safe structed activities, family engagement, and community-based recreation opportunities for Newark residents; and
WHEREAS, N.J.S.A 40:12-22 authorizes municipalities to enter into agreements with nonprofit organizations for the maintenance, operation or improvement of any of its parks, or any portion of said parks at no cost to the municipality; and
WHEREAS, the City’s various recreation centers constitute parks within the meaning of N.J.S.A. 40:12-20 et seq; and
WHEREAS, STEAM FOR ME NJ Inc. (“STEAM for ME NJ) is a Newark-based, New Jersey nonprofit organization that provides youth engagement; science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) learning; digital creativity; mentoring; project-based activities; and future pathway exposure for underrepresented youth and families; and
WHEREAS, for the period beginning in or about July 2026 and ending in or about December 2026, STEAM for ME NJ has offered to provide a no-cost youth summer enrichment program (“SEP”) at various recreation centers throughout the City as directed by the Department’s Director (“Director”), beginning with the Marquis “Bo” Porter Recreation Center, 378 Lyons Avenue, Newark, New Jersey 07108; and
WHEREAS, STEAM for ME NJ has agreed to defray the approximately thirty-thousand dollar ($30,000) cost of the SEP, including materials and project supplies costs; and
WHEREAS, the SEP, as set forth in the “Summer Enrichment Program Proposal,” attached hereto as Exhibit A, is intended to complement the City’s existing summer enrichment program; and
WHEREAS, N.J.S.A 40:12-26 requires that as a condition of entering into an agreement pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:12-22, the nonprofit organization and each of its employees, agents, contractors, members, or volunteers sign a waiver releasing the City and its employees and agents from any civil liability for any injury or damages which may be sustained by the nonprofit entity, except those arising from criminal or willful, wanton, or grossly negligent conduct; and
WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40:12-23 allows a municipality to provide, at no cost to a non-profit, such equipment, materials, supplies or services to assist with the municipal park maintenance, operation, or improvements, including but not limited to, solid waste recycling and disposal services; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:12-20 et seq., the City desires to enter into a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) with STEAM for ME; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:12-28(b), said MOU is not subject to the requirements or provisions of N.J.S.A. 40A:11-1 et seq., the Local Public Contracts Law.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. The Mayor of the City of Newark and/or the Director of the Department of Recreation, Cultural Affairs & Senior Services are authorized to and execute the attached Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with STEAM for ME NJ, Inc., 18 Huntington Terrace, Newark, New Jersey 07112 (“STEAM for ME NJ”), to provide a summer enrichment program (“SEP”) at various City of Newark recreation centers as directed by the Director of the Department of Recreation, Cultural Affairs and Senior Services (“Director”).
2. The SEP, as substantially described in the attached Exhibit A, including any continuation or extension thereof, is authorized for the period beginning in or about July 2026 and ending in or about December 2026. The Director may in his discretion establish the specific start and end dates of the program.
3. STEAM for ME NJ and each of its employees, agents, subcontractors, members, or volunteers involved in the SEP’s implementation at any recreation center shall sign a waiver pursuant to N.J.S.A 40:12-26.
4. No substantial or material changes to the MOU may occur without the Municipal Council’s prior approval by resolution.
5. The City shall not be required to expend any funds in connection with the implementation of the SEP.
6. The Director shall cause a copy of the executed MOU to be filed in the Office of the City Clerk.
STATEMENT
This Resolution authorizes the Mayor and/or the Director of the Department of Recreation, Cultural Affairs & Senior Services to enter into a MOU with STEAM for ME NJ, Inc, 18 Huntington Terrace, Newark, New Jersey 07112 to provide a complementary summer enrichment program at various City recreation centers, beginning with the Marquis “Bo” Porter Recreation Center, 378 Lyons Avenue, Newark, New Jersey 07112