Title
Dept/ Agency: Recreation, Cultural Affairs and Senior Services
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Refund of Rental fee
Purpose: To provide a refund of rental fee paid to host a Health Fair at the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center.
Entity Name: Callista Iwuala for the African Christian Fellowship
Entity Address: 46 Crystal Avenue, West Orange, New Jersey 07052
Property Location:
(Address/Block/Lot/Ward/Site Known As)
Amount of Refund: $150.00
Additional Information:
Certification of Funds in the amount of $150.00.
body
WHEREAS, the Department of Recreation, Cultural Affairs and Senior Services issue permits to City of Newark residents and/or organizations to host health fairs, informational sessions, sporting events, etc. at various recreational facilities for a rental fee in the amount of One Hundred Fifty Dollars and Zero Cents ($150.00) for Newark based organizations; and
WHEREAS, Callista Iwuala, 46 Crystal Avenue, West Orange, New Jersey 07052 submitted a permit application, on behalf of African Christian Fellowship, 497 Central Avenue, Newark, New Jersey 07103, on December 4, 2019 to host a Health Fair at John F. Kennedy Recreation Center on Friday, June 26, 2020; and
WHEREAS, due to the Coronavirus pandemic (“COVID-19 Pandemic”) non-essential municipal buildings were ordered closed and stay at home orders were issued by the Governor of the State of New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, African Christian Fellowship, through no fault of their own, was not able to host the Health Fair at John F. Kennedy Recreation Center on Friday, June 26, 2020; and
WHEREAS, Callista Iwuala, on behalf of African Christian Fellowship, has requested a refund in the amount of One Hundred Fifty Dollars and Zero Cents ($150.00); and
WHEREAS, Title II, Chapter 4, Section 4.5 of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Newark states in the event of a permit being denied or withdrawn by the applicant, the applicant shall be refunded the amount of the permit fee, less 10% thereof, but not less than One Dollar and Zero Cents ($1.00) or more than Ten Dollars and Zero Cents ($10.00), unless otherwise provided by statute; and
WHEREAS, there is no statute stating otherwise and therefore the ordinance above-mentioned governs this transaction; and
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Recreation, Cultural Affairs, and Senior Services wishes to waive the 10% or Ten Dollar and Zero Cents ($10.00) deduction requirement due to the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center being closed on Friday, June 26, 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. The Municipal Council authorizes the Director of the Department of Recreation, Cultural Affairs and Senior Services to waive the deduction fee required by Ordinance 2:4-4.5 and the Director of the Department of Finance to reimburse the full permit fee.
2. The Director of the Department of Finance is hereby authorized to issue a refund check for One Hundred Fifty Dollars and Zero Cents ($150.00) to Callista Iwuala, on behalf of the African Christian Fellowship, 46 Crystal Avenue, West Orange, New Jersey 07052.
3. Attached hereto is a copy of the Certification of Funds from the Director of the Department of Finance, which states: (1) that there are sufficient in the amount of One Hundred Fifty Dollars and Zero Cents ($150.00), for the purpose herein above set forth; and (2) that the line appropriations which shall be charged is as follows: Business Unit NW026; Dept.: BS; Account # 46160: Budget Ref: B2020.
4. A copy the money order and permit application shall be filed in the Office of the City Clerk by the Director of the Department of Recreation, Cultural Affairs and Senior Services.
STATEMENT
This resolution authorizes the Director of the Department of Finance to issue a refund check made payable to Callista Iwuala, on behalf of the African Christian Fellowship, 46 Crystal Avenue, West Orange, New Jersey 07052, in the amount of $150.00 waiving the lesser of 10% or $10.00 deduction due to the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center being shut down during the COVID-19 Pandemic, by no fault of the applicant.