Title
Dept/ Agency: Offices of Municipal Council/City Clerk
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Opposition of the Russian Federation’s invasion of the Republic of Ukraine
Purpose: To strongly urge the suspension of all business licenses for all Lukoil gasoline stations and associated on-site businesses in the City of Newark in support and solidarity with the sovereign Republic of Ukraine against the Russian Federation’s invasion.
Sponsor: Council Member, Anibal Ramos, Jr.
Additional Information:
body
WHEREAS, the Republic of Ukraine (“Ukraine”) is a sovereign, democratic nation containing its own distinct history, language and culture; and
WHEREAS, after the collapse of the former Soviet Union, the Ukrainian people elected to become a sovereign, independent democracy with its own democratically-elected government; and
WHEREAS, the recent aggression and invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation is a grave threat to international peace and stability and an affront to the security, safety and self-determination of the people of Ukraine; and
WHEREAS, it is in the interest of all democratic nations to stand for the rights of other free, democratic societies and their right to exist as sovereign nations;
WHEREAS, the declaration of the Russian Federation that Ukraine does not have the right to exist as a sovereign nation is in direct contravention of all internationally-recognized laws, norms and standards; and
WHEREAS, the City of Newark (the “City”) recognizes the right of all people to freely form and elect their own independent governments; and
WHEREAS, the City of Newark recognizes the right of Ukraine and all sovereign societies to determine their own destinies, administer their own policies and manage their own affairs; and
WHEREAS, the City of Newark wishes to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and their right to self-determination; and
WHEREAS, Lukoil North America (“Lukoil”) is a subsidiary of PJSC Lukoil, a Russian oil and gas company; and
WHEREAS, the operation of Lukoil and its franchisees in Newark serves to provide economic support to the Russian Federation in its efforts to overthrow the independent, elected government of Ukraine; and
WHEREAS, Section 8:20-2 of the Newark Municipal Code requires a license to operate a retail gasoline service station and associated on-site businesses in Newark; and
WHEREAS, Section 8:37-2 of the Newark Municipal Code requires a license to operate a convenience store in Newark, which includes locations on the site of a gasoline station; and
WHEREAS, the suspension of all business licenses in the City for Lukoil and affiliated on-site business will send a strong message that the City of Newark stands against the Russian invasion and in solidarity with the people and democratically-elected government of Ukraine.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. The Municipal Council strongly urges that all existing business licenses for all Lukoil gasoline service stations and associated on-site businesses in the City of Newark be suspended until further action by the City.
2. The Business Administrator and/or his designee, the Manager of the Division of Tax Abatement and Special Tax are urged to undertake all steps necessary to effectuate the suspension of all Lukoil business licenses and associated on-site business licenses in the City.
3. All license suspensions shall be valid and in effect until further notice.
4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately.
5. A certified copy of this Resolution shall be sent to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the NJ League of Municipalities, the National League of Cities and the National Association of Counties.
STATEMENT
This Resolution strongly urges the suspension of all business licenses for all Lukoil gasoline stations and associated on-site businesses in the City of Newark in support and solidarity with the sovereign Republic of Ukraine against the Russian Federation’s invasion.