File #: 14-2148    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Ordinance Status: Filed
File created: 12/15/2014 In control: Recreation, Cultural Affairs and Senior Services
On agenda: 2/18/2015 Final action: 3/18/2015
Title: ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 2, ADMINISTRATION, CHAPTER 12, DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES ESTABLISHED, OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, 2000, AS AMENDED AND SUPPLEMENTED, TO ADD A NEW SECTION 2:12-1.8 ESTABLISHING AN OFFICIAL LIST OF PERSISTENT HOUSING, HEALTH AND FIRE CODE OFFENDERS AND REQUIRING PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF THE NAMES OF SUCH VIOLATORS
Sponsors: Council of the Whole
Title
ORDINANCE AMENDING  TITLE 2, ADMINISTRATION, CHAPTER 12, DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES ESTABLISHED, OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, 2000, AS AMENDED AND SUPPLEMENTED, TO ADD A NEW SECTION 2:12-1.8 ESTABLISHING AN OFFICIAL LIST OF PERSISTENT HOUSING, HEALTH AND FIRE CODE OFFENDERS AND REQUIRING PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF THE NAMES OF SUCH VIOLATORS
 
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WHEREAS, the City of Newark Administration and Municipal Council desire to improve and enhance the quality of life for Newark residents and protect their health, safety and welfare; and
 
WHEREAS, the Municipal Council desires to set forth the policy of establishing a list of persistent housing, health and fire code offenders and making public the names of such offenders as a means of deterring others from engaging in such unlawful activities.
 
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
 
Section 1.       Title 2, Administration, Chapter 12, Department of Neighborhood and Recreational Services, of the Revised General Ordinances of the City of Newark New Jersey, 2000, as amended and supplemented, be amended to add a new Section 2:12-1.8 establishing an official list of persistent housing, health and fire code offenders and requiring public disclosure of the names of such violators.
 
2:12-1.8      List.
 
The Director of the Department of Neighborhood and Recreational Services shall be responsible for creating and maintaining a list of persistent housing, health and fire code offenders.
 
2:12-1.1A.      Definitions.
 
A persistent offender shall-be defined as a person, firm, company or corporation which has been convicted in Newark Municipal Court of four or more municipal housing, health or fire code violations.
 
2:12-1.1B.      Publication of Names.  
 
1.      The names of all persistent offenders, who are city residents, shall be published in the Star Ledger as a paid advertisement and placed on the City of Newark's official web site, detailing the nature of their conviction(s) and the penalty imposed.
2.      The names of all persistent offenders, who are non-residents, shall be forwarded to the local newspapers of their respective communities as a press release and on the City of Newark's official web site. Detailing the nature of their conviction(s) and the penalty imposed.
 
Section 2.      All Ordinances or parts of Ordinances inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed.
 
Section 3.      The Provisions of this Ordinance are severable.  To the extent any clause, phrase, sentence, paragraph or provision of this Ordinance shall be declared invalid, illegal or unconstitutional, such clause, phrase,  sentence, paragraph or provision shall be served and shall be inoperative and the remainder of this ordinance shall remain operative and in full force and effect.
 
Section 4.      This Ordinance shall take effect upon final passage and publication  in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey.
 
STATEMENT
 
This Ordinance amends Title 2, Chapter 12 by creating an official list of persistent housing, health and fire code offenders and requires public disclosure of the names of such violators.