Sustainable Jersey Certification Report

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This is the Sustainable Jersey Certification Report of Newark City, a Sustainable Jersey silver certified applicant.

Newark City was certified on January 26, 2021 with 375 points. Listed below is information regarding Newark City’s Sustainable Jersey efforts and materials associated with the applicant’s certified actions.

Contact Information

The designated Sustainable Jersey contact for Newark City is:

Name:Nathaly Agosto Filion
Title/Position:Chief Sustainability Officer / Department of Administration
Address:920 Broad Street, Room B-12
Newark, NJ 07102
Phone:973-877-9587

Actions Implemented

Each approved action and supporting documentation for which Newark City was approved for in 2021 appears below. Note: Standards for the actions below may have changed and the documentation listed may no longer satisfy requirements for that action.

  • Arts & Creative Culture

    Establish a Creative Team

    10 Points

    Program Summary: Established in 1981, Newark Arts Council was created to advance and expand the artistic and cultural resources of the City of Newark, New Jersey. The agency provides leadership, direction, and technical assistance through partnerships with Newark's many artists, arts administrators, community organizations, community development corporations, planning groups, economic development agencies, and the general public. Newark Arts serves as the anchor and umbrella for the arts community providing programs, services, advocacy, and outreach that support over 60 arts organizations throughout the city. The mission of the Newark Arts Council is to bring the transformative power of the arts into the lives of those who live in, work in, and visit Newark through programs, advocacy, promotion, education, and coordination. Newark Arts receives funding for its programs and publications from The City of Newark, NJ State Council of the Arts, PSE&F, Prudential, Rutgers University Newark, NJIT, Panasonic, PNC Bank, Crawford Street Partners, The MCJ Amelior Foundation, LM Development Partners, and The Victoria Foundation

    Municipal Commitments to Support Arts and Creative Culture

    5 Points

    Program Summary: The Division of Arts and Cultural Affairs is the catalyst for participation, education, collaboration, and development to encourage and support excellence in the arts within the City of Newark. This division is responsible for: overseeing the City's arts initiatives, supporting community engagement in arts and cultural programming and events throughout the City; providing organizational support to existing and evolving art institutions; developing a world-class public art program; encouraging collaborative partnerships and investment in the City's artists and arts and cultural organizations; supporting the creation of a more sustainable, equitable, inclusive, creative economy in Newark that enlivens our neighborhoods and fires the imaginations of our children. With this, the Arts and Cultural Affairs Department has successfully executed economical advancement and presence for the art community with their Creative Catalyst Fund grant program, social justice public art initiatives and housing for artists in partnership with the Creative Team. They have funded over 120 artists and arts organizaions with over $750,000 from grant funding. The Creative Catalyst Fund (CCF) is designed to support long-term sustainability and assist Newark-based artists and small to mid-sized arts and cultural organizations impacted by COVID-19. The Fund is largely informed by the Newark Creates cultural plan. More information: https://newarkarts.org/creative-catalyst-fund/

    Utilizing Your Creative Assets

    10 Points

    Program Summary: Please see attached documentation in support of this action.

  • Brownfields

    Brownfields Inventory & Prioritization

    15 Points

    Program Summary: In order to create the brownfield inventory, we created a database that combined available data from the following sources: • NJDEP Known Contaminated Sites List • State of New Jersey Brownfields SiteMart • EPA National Priorities List (Superfund) • Previous City of Newark corridor assessments • 2012 City of Newark Brownfield inventory These sources were compiled into a single spreadsheet. For data that did not have a corresponding block and lot, a search was conducted to determine the appropriate block and lot. The list was checked for duplicates to make sure that properties appearing on multiple lists did not appear in the database multiple times. For properties that were identified in a data source that did not include a PI or NJDEP Site ID number, the block and lot were cross-checked with NJDEP’s Dataminer tool to determine if a PI or site ID exists. The inventory was then joined to the City’s existing parcel data using block and lot as a shared attribute. Joining the layers enhanced the richness of the data set by allowing us to incorporate information like the owner, owner address, and parcel size. This effort was completed by Chris Colley, Vice President of Real Estate Project Management at Newark Community Economic Development Corporation, and Isaiah Del Rios, an intern at Newark Community Economic Development Corporation. Because of the size of the database (over 700 sites), verification was only performed for the properties owned by the City of Newark. Verification was conducted for City-owned properties greater than three thousand square feet (about 65 sites). The verification process was conducted by Julian Diaz, Assistant Project Manager at Newark CEDC, and vetted by Chris Colley. As a result of the verification process, 23 sites were removed. These sites were a mixture of parks, municipal buildings, and portions of Port Newark. Verification was conducted using Google Maps and consulting tax records. The brownfield inventory will be updated once every two years. The database will be updated by downloading the datasets used to complete the initial inventory and then running comparative analysis to determine which sites need to be added or removed. On a more informal basis, when brownfield sites are identified that are not on the initial brownfield inventory, these sites will be added to the inventory. This work will be completed by the Newark CEDC staff that compiled the initial database. Prioritization was conducted for the 36 sites that were identified as verified city own brownfields. City-owned sites were selected because these are the sites where we have the greatest ability to control redevelopment outcomes and customize projects to our community and economic development needs. In addition to being evaluated for ownership, sites were also prioritized based on size and whether or not they are in a redevelopment plan area. The size was selected as a priority criterion because larger sites provide greater impact if and when they are redeveloped. Given finite resources, it makes sense to focus on larger sites that can have a greater impact. Being located in a redevelopment area is an important criterion because it reflects a previously formalized commitment by the City to see remediation and redeveloped in that area. Sites were scored as follows: • Ownership: Publicly owned sites were awarded three points • Size: Sites greater than 100,000 square feet were awarded three points. Sites between 50,000 and 100,000 square feet were awarded 2 points. Sites less than 50,000 square feet were awarded one point. • Redevelopment Plan Status: Sites were awarded two points if they are in a redevelopment area and one point if they’re not. The prioritization list is used as an internal document within the Newark CEDC and the City’s Department of Economic and Housing Development.

  • Community Partnership & Outreach

    Create Green Team

    10 Points
    Bronze Required Silver Required

    Program Summary: The Newark Green Team resumed monthly meetings in August 2020 and are meeting remotely due to the restrictions imposed by COVID-19. Our work in 2020 has been centered on setting up an internally developed system of governance for the membership of the Newark Green Team, coordinating with the City of Newark Office of Sustainability, facilitating funding opportunities and achieving Sustainable Jersey recertification. Subcommittees include the Governance, Finance and Sustainable Jersey recertification. After much support from the City of Newark Office of Sustainability, the Newark Green Team hired a Green Team Support Specialist with a term of one year beginning in August 2020. The journey to hire a support specialist began with funding obtained by the City of Newark Office of Sustainability through the Victoria Foundation. With these funds, in 2019 the Newark Green Team hired a previous Support Specialist to aid in achieving Sustainable Jersey recertification. Unfortunate circumstances prevented this person from continuing in her role beyond a few weeks. The Newark Green Team continued in our effort to bring backbone support to the organization and we were successful in 2020. The Newark Green continues in our aim to be a communications hub for sustainability actions in the City of Newark and worked with our members to create a flyer with Earth Day Half Birthday events. We hosted a special outreach discussion with a representative of The Nature Conservancy. The Newark Green Team Finance subcommittee applied for a Partners for Places mini-grant for a youth ambassador program with the Environmental Leadership Academy. The Newark Green Team also recently began partnership discussions with the Princeton Youth Coalition to do remote projects. Our membership includes representatives from city government, Newark Public Schools, Newark’s Environmental Commission, the business community, real estate development, water, gardening and social services organizations and more.

  • Diversity & Equity

    Environmental Justice in Planning & Zoning

    10 Points

    Program Summary: Please see the attached documentation in support of this action.

  • Emergency Management & Resiliency

    Extreme Temperature Event Plan

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The Winter Preparedness Taskforce Team has implemented protective measures and shelter protocols of operations. These protocols and directives are in line with The City of Newark, and The Newark Department of Health and Community of wellness, COVID-19 prevention efforts. The Mayor’s Office has equipped all city buildings with temperature scanning devices and, set mandatory directives in place for all Departments. That all city employees and visitors entering city property must wear face coverings and be subject to a temperature check. If that person has a temperature of 100.4 or higher. That person cannot enter City premises and should be advised to seek a medical evaluation. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention considers a person feverish when their temperature has measured 100.4 or greater. Updated - Extreme heat preparedness plan

    Heat Island Assessment & Mitigation Plan

    10 Points

    Program Summary: Please see the attached documentation in support of this action.

  • Energy

    Energy Efficiency for Municipal Facilities

    15 Points
    Bronze Priority Silver Priority

    Program Summary: The City of Newark, working with various partners, worked over the past decade, starting with an energy audit in 2010 of 17 of the city’s most considerable energy burdening properties. The properties presented significant challenges ranging from building systems’ change over these larger properties' long lifetime to complicated systems of energy lines running to and through various complexes. By utilizing various programs and rebates and energy-saving guarantees, the city took on the multimillion-dollar project. The City of Newark received a $2.3 million rebate from the New Jersey Clean Energy Program and a 20-year, $15.4 million energy savings service contract with Honeywell. The initial audit examined energy consumption of 2010, and the work completed by Honeywell through the 17 buildings was completed over several years, primarily 2018-2020. The extensive list of projects include: Modernizing the central boiler plant at the City Hall complex, including burner control improvements Replacement of more than 400 failed steam traps and missing pipe insulation on steam distribution systems to reduce thermal energy loss Installing energy-efficient control solutions, such as room occupancy sensors to automatically turn off lights in unoccupied areas Installing thermostatic valves on radiators to reduce steam consumption Implementing a comprehensive building management system platform which allows monitoring and control of multiple buildings from a central location or a remote location Integrating the city’s HVAC and building systems into the BMS Install a city-wide solution to reduce desktop computer electric power consumption; Improve building envelopes to better maintain conditioned air; Install electric and gas sub-meters to more accurately monitor and manage energy use. Focusing on city hall over the past year the city has seen a reduction of energy intensity of 14.96%. In 2010 city hall consumed 588,800 kWh and in 2020 it consumed 500,690 kWh.

    Purchase Alternative Fuel Vehicles

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The City has purchased five Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) sanitation trucks and intends to purchase more as part of its commitment to reduce the diesel pollution impact of its fleet. These vehicles allow the city to operate using Compressed Natural Gas, which results in lowering the overall operation CO2 emissions and reducing the NOx emissions, compared to “conventional diesel trucks.” These vehicles refuel using local infrastructure that runs through Newark at local power plants and the airport. These trucks are used to pick up solid waste throughout the city. The vehicles operate with lower sound pollution than equivalent diesel or gasoline-fueled vehicles in addition to lower emissions. Silent operation is a significant benefit as the city sanitation operations have begun to run at night to improve solid-waste management efficiency further. Additionally, running these trucks at night allows less waiting time at transfer stations and reduces having the trucks spend time in busy urban high traffic areas, which further extends fuel efficiency.

  • Food

    Community Gardens

    15 Points

    Program Summary: The City of Newark supports two urban farms on City owned or leased land managed by Greater Newark Conservancy, one managed by Ironbound Community Corporation, and between 60 and 80 smaller community gardens on vacant, City-owned land through its Adopt-a-Lot program. For the Hawthorne Hawks Healthy Harvest Farm, a 2.5 acre orchard, community garden, and commercial farm on State land leased to the City of Newark and subleased to Greater Newark Conservancy, the City of Newark expended over $12.5k to install a water pump by tapping the main water line that runs along the edge of the property. The City negotiated and signed a lease with the School Development Authority for both this site and the site managed by Ironbound Community Corporation. The smaller sites are supported by the City's Adopt-a-Lot program through provision of land, connection to technical assistance, and availability of wood chips for mulch provided by the Parks and Grounds division.

    Buy Fresh Buy Local Programs

    10 Points

    Program Summary: Following the model of a Community Supported Agriculture program, each year thousands of pounds of produce is grown at our urban farm on Hawthorne Avenue. Our urban farm produces tons of fresh fruits and vegetables each year in Newark's South Ward. Lucky for Newark residents, all of those delicious goods can be purchased through our Youth Farm Stands. Additionally, a project of the Newark Office of Sustainability, the "Nourishing Newark" is an initiative designed to help Newarkers quickly and easily find where fresh, healthy foods are grown and sold in our community. Newark Science and Sustainability developed a farm to table system in which a farm operation is supported by shareholders within the community, individuals are able to make an advance payment of $395 to receive weekly fresh, locally grown produce packages, feeding 2 to 4 people for 20 weeks (June – October). This also comes with cooking demonstrations, nutrition fact sheets, conversation with the farmers, and so much more. Newark Science & Sustainablility: http://www.sasglocal.com/farm-to-table/

  • Health & Wellness

    Anti-Idling Education & Enforcement Program

    10 Points

    Program Summary: In 2015, the Newark Environmental Commission and the City of Newark kicked off the Idle-Free Newark community awareness and engagement campaign at Hawkins Street Elementary School. That event, the first of several throughout the city, featured Mayor Ras Baraka, students from Hawkins Street Elementary, and Dr. Hanaa Hamdi, then Director of the Newark Department of Health & Community Wellness. At that event were unveiled new “No Idling” signs to be posted all over the city, especially in high-target areas around schools and recreation centers. In partnership with Ironbound Community Corporation and other community groups, the Newark Environmental Commission later worked to inform Newark residents and commercial truck and bus drivers about the benefits of creating an Idle-Free Newark. The Newark Environmental Commission continued the work of advocating with residents and drivers for an Idle-Free Newark by creating an educational flyer and sharing information at community events. The city sought and received an EPA technical assistance grant holding a series of meetings in 2017 and 2018 with City staff (from the Departments of Sustainability, Health, Fleet Maintenance, Traffic & Signals and Engineering) and with Newark Public Schools stakeholders. These meetings were designed to identify and encourage opportunities to curb idling. They resulted in our Idle-Free Newark Action Plan. In 2018 and 2019, the Idle-Free Newark group focused on identifying idling hotspots to better direct enforcement activities. A hotspot spreadsheet was developed and separate sting operations were planned with the Essex County Sheriff’s office and the NJDEP Enforcement & Compliance unit and with the Newark Police Department with the added benefit of reducing car thefts. Link to NJDEP strike media release: https://www.nj.gov/dep/newsrel/2019/19_0050.htm Link to Newark Police Dept. enforcement action: https://local.nixle.com/alert/7648020/ https://npd.newarkpublicsafety.org/media/psa

    Safe Routes to School

    10 Points

    Program Summary: Newark developed a Safe Routes to Schools program with Meadowlink Transportation Management in 2014. In 2020, a Safe Routes to School's (SRTS) program was developed aimed to empower inner-city school communities with tools and strategies to overcome barriers to walking and bicycling to school by addressing the needs that are important and specific to them. An important aspect of the SRTS Program is that it enables the school community to take ownership and achieve the goals specific to getting their kids to school safely on foot or bicycle. Additionally, the City of Newark was awarded Silver level of recognition for NJSRTS for 2019-2021.

    Smoke-Free and Tobacco-Free Public Places

    10 Points

    Program Summary: An ordinance designating smoke-free public spaces was signed in October of 2014. An update to the ordinance was made in August 2018 to include a ban on vaping in public places. For both bans, press events were held with the public and signage was placed around all municipal buildings, parks and public facilities. Additionally, the Department of Health invited the GASP team members to give a presentation as well as host a table at the Mayor's Children's Health fair. In advance of the 2014 ban expansion, meetings were held at city hall for public discussion of the ban including the January 2014 Newark Environmental Commission meeting.

    Removing Lead in Drinking Water

    10 Points

    Program Summary: From October 2018 until presently the City of Newark has implemented several city-wide programs to reduce or eliminate lead concentrations at the customer's tap. Newark is currently: Distributing free water filters and filter replacement cartridges that remove 99% of lead to eligible residents in single and multi-family homes. Operating the new corrosion control treatment (CCT) system at the City's Valley Road Rechlorination Station in Montclair. The system adds zinc orthophosphate to the water system. Lastly, is undertaking an aggressive, $115 million Lead Service Line Replacement Program to prioritize the replacement of approximately 18,000 lead services over two years. The EPA also granted the City of Newark a $7.5 million grant to reduce lead exposure in schools. Newark's Lead Safe Certificate ordinance requires landlords to have their property inspected and to obtain a lead safe certificate before allowing rentals or leases. This ordinance has proven difficult for the city to enforce given a lack of code enforcers and push back from landlords. The ordinance was sponsored under clean air provisions as lead dust in the home is the primary source of contamination, but the language of the ordinance clearly states the restrictions should apply to the presence of lead "in any form". Additionally, the vast majority of residents in Newark are renters and so this ordinance is targeted towards protecting at minimum 75% of the residential population. Water testing kits and40,000 NSF Certified water filters were donated to the city and were distributed to over $38,000 residents at no cost. Please view more information here: https://www.newarkleadserviceline.com/program-overview

  • Innovative Projects

    Innovative Community Project 1

    10 Points

    Program Summary: In an effort to get more Newark Residents to complete the Census, Mayor Baraka and other Dignitaries participated in a new initiative called the CENSUS TRAIN. Participants rode through the City of Newark, to different locations in caravan form to encourage individuals to fill out the Census on the spot. The overall goal of this initiative was to complete the census questionnaire to achieve funding for our schools, roads, and hospitals. As an added incentive the City distributed meals at each location. This was scheduled to happen weekly beginning August 15, 2020. Locations were determined each week.

    Innovative Community Project 2

    10 Points

    Program Summary: United Parks As One offers the Park Rangers Summer Environmental Enrichment Program in partnership with The Trust for Public Land and the City of Newark. The program exposes Newark youth to exciting outdoor experiences and related career opportunities. For six weeks each summer, it places 20 participants from the City’s Summer Youth Employment Program in paid work positions at a local park. The program’s primary objectives are (1) to introduce youth to careers in park development and stewardship, environmental sustainability, and other related fields; (2) to provide youth with paid work experience; (3) to develop positive attitudes and behaviors that can improve prospects for success in postsecondary education, training, and work; and (4) to develop positive attitudes toward community engagement and community service.

    Innovative Community Project 3

    10 Points

    Program Summary: In 2019 May Ras Baraka and Department of Water & Sewer Utilities Director Kareem Adeem acted quickly to address growing concerns over Newark’s lead water crisis. As tests of filtered water returned with disappointingly elevated lead results and consumption of bottled water increased alarmingly, efforts were made to fast-track funding for replacement of all the city’s 21,000 lead service lines (LSL). Initially, this required the city to inform and obtain consent from the city’s many non-occupant landlords. The Mayor and his team mobilized a team of resident, non-profit and corporate volunteers to knock on doors in each ward of the city informing residents and gaining consent. Concurrently, the Mayor initiated legislation that would mandate LSL replacement and allow the city to be able to replace the lead services lines without first having to gain the property owner’s consent though owner and resident participation is still preferentially sought. The City of Newark Department of Water & Sewer Utilities created an interactive website sharing what the City was doing to address the problem and allowing residents to see if their home is listed as needing an LSL replacement: https://www.newarkleadserviceline.com/ in English, Spanish and Portuguese. The main purpose of the site was dedicated to informing residents about the LSL replacement program, getting water in homes tested and scheduling inspections and replacements. Additional information on the site included accessing printed information in different languages, facts about the dangers of lead, how to get adults and children tested for lead exposure, tips on using water filters, information on other sources of lead in the home (including internal pipes and fixtures) and links to national resources. Since the start of the replacement program, more than 16,000 lead service lines have been replaced. Ordinance video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhUDx4w3XrA&ab_channel=NJSpotlightNews Video detailing LSL replacement: https://youtu.be/V8hEYFpYsv4 Blog post about Newark's LSL replacement program: https://www.jerseywaterworks.org/newarks-lead-service-line-replacement-program-is-a-model-for-the-nation/

  • Land Use & Transportation

    Green Infrastructure Planning

    10 Points

    Program Summary: In 2018 Rutgers Water Resources Program developed an Impervious Surfaces Reduction Action Report (RAP) in four volumes. This RAP along with their Newark Green Infrastructure Feasibility Plan has been a launchpad for ongoing stormwater management decisions based around green infrastructure. This work has helped to inform the City’s efforts during the five-year Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Long Term Control Planning (LTCP) process and has resulted in a commitment by the city to manage 214 acres of impervious surface using green stormwater infrastructure controls in the proposed 2020 CSO LTCP. A partnership with the Newark Department of Water & Sewer Utilities, the Rutgers University Water Resources Program and NewarkDIG (Doing Infrastructure Green) is in development to identify, design and implement several green stormwater infrastructure projects throughout each ward of the city and also develop a City of Newark Green Infrastructure Toolkit and Guidance Manual. The main aim of this partnership is to reduce the time between concept and installation of these projects with a “green first” approach to stormwater management. The above-named partners have worked in 2020 to compile a master list of potential green infrastructure locations. The list now stands at more than 300 project sites and will be filtered to identify the most promising sites for intermediate and long-term action. In the immediate term, projects already identified with some design and prework in process include a rain garden memorial for the late Andrea Adebowale on Central Ave., a parking lot redesign at CityPlex12 with possible expansion along Bergen Ave., a traffic triangle Dayton St. & Frelinghuysen Ave., and a tree pit project on Foster St. This would be in addition to four projects currently on hold with the City in the RFP phase beginning with the traffic triangle at Clinton & Badger Ave.

  • Local Economies

    Green Jobs/Economic Development

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The City of Newark launched the Newark Green Works green infrastructure (GI) workforce training program at the beginning of 2020, to bring together various partners to establish a training and jobs placement program for residents to access (GI) construction, inspection, and maintenance opportunities. The Newark Green Works GI training program was specifically designed to achieve local equity goals with respect to boosting economic opportunities for low-income families, and our re-entry population. We have invested considerable effort in ensuring this training opportunity gives our target population a fair chance within the labor market in this newly emerging field. This, in turn will boost citywide economic growth and help alleviate poverty in the population demographics that stand to benefit the most from a greener economy. See action documentation for additional information.

    Buy Local Campaign

    10 Points

    Program Summary: (blank)

  • Natural Resources

    Environmental Commission

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The City of Newark Environmental Commission was established by ordinance on November 10, 2007. It is an active member of the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions. The Newark Environmental Commission meets monthly on the first Wednesday of the month (with the exception of an August recess). The Commission is charged with advising the Mayor and the Municipal Council on issues of the environment and sustainability. One of their primary focuses is supporting the implementation of the Environmental Justice & Cumulative Impacts Ordinance. The Newark Environmental Commission webpage provides a brief summary of their efforts. Meeting materials are available on the “Virtual Hearing Dashboard”. The “Friends of Newark Environmental Commission” Facebook page serves as a hub of information related to environmental projects and programs. Environmental Commissioners: Cynthia Mellon, Co-Chair Wynnie H. Hinds, Co-Chair William Barnes, Member Nicole Miller, Member Michael Molina, Member Anthony Timmons, Member / Planning Board Liaison Attached please find the 2019 annual report of activities.

    Environmental Commission Site Plan Review

    10 Points

    Program Summary: Under Newark’s Environmental Justice-Cumulative Impacts Ordinance, the Environmental Commission reviews and makes recommendations on permit requests for "covered applicants" of industrial and commercial projects that have the potential to increase Newark’s pollution. This review is in an advisory capacity for the Zoning Board of Adjustment. A sub-committee of the EC reviews projects and presents recommendations to the Central Planning Board or the Zoning Board. In the Environmental Justice & Cumulative Impacts Ordinance, covered applicant is defined as: 3a. Covered Applicant – Shall mean an applicant for major site plan approval from the Newark Central Planning Board or a variance from the Newark Zoning Board of Adjustment that (i) is seeking approval for a Commercial, Light Manufacturing or Industrial Use project, as defined hereinafter; and (ii) requires one or more approvals or permits from the U.S. EPA or the NJDEP, or requires inclusion in the Essex County Solid Waste Management Plan, upon advice from the Essex County Solid Waste Advisory Council. Said approvals or permits shall include, but shall not be limited to, any approval or permit required pursuant to the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the NJ Air Pollution Control Act, the NJ Water Pollution Control Act, the Water Quality Planning Act, the Waterfront Development Law, the Flood Hazard Area Control Act, the Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act, and the Solid Waste Management Act. Permit Requests Reviewed by Newark Environmental Commission: Vanderpool Warehouse, 222-236 Vanderpool Morris Doremus Avenue Associates Warehouse 173-269 Doremus Ave. PVSC Substation Area 69kV Reinforcement Project, 611-661 Doremus Ave. Pilot Travel Center, 376-414 Doremus Ave. Delong Grain, 116 Poinier St. Summit Associates Truck Terminal, 507 -543 Delancy St. 7 Terreno Realty Corporation, parking lot, 422-440 Frelinghuysen Ave. 2107-2123 & 2125-2143 McCarter Highway, Warehouse

    Community Forestry Management Plan & NJUCF Accreditation

    20 Points

    Program Summary: The City of Newark has a Community Forestry Management Plan and Newark's NJUCF Annual Accreditation Report is also attached to display that Newark has a CFMP that has been approved by the NJUCF through 2023. Additionally, the accomplishment report attached defines the commitment the City of Newark has towards forestry management. We have continued to provide available information about street tree canopy conditions through the Division of Parks & Grounds, Office of Sustainability, Newark Environmental Commission, and Newark Green Team. While there was no specific tree campaign offered in 2019, we regularly answer resident questions, respond to concerns, and make targeted introductions to nonprofit partners working on tree planting and maintenance, as appropriate.

  • Public Information & Engagement

    Municipal Communications Strategy

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The City of Newark uses a wide array of communications channels, ranging from traditional outlets (periodicals, TV, radio, bus stops, billboards, newsletters, etc.) to social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) as well as informal networks of community-based leaders and local activists to disseminate important information. We have considerable confidence in our outreach channels, given the highly effective education campaign to ensure widespread information dissemination related to the City’s Lead Service Line Replacement Program, a national model for urban development. In the Fall of 2018, the City of Newark launched a centralized “network of networks”, the Newark People’s Assembly with the core purpose of “Bridging the gap between the Community and City Hall… [such that] decision-making [is] based on the wants and needs of the community.” The Newark People’s Assembly database is actively building a broad database of contacts from neighborhood associations, block groups, faith communities, student clubs, nonprofit groups, and local businesses throughout the City. The City of Newark has also regularly sought to maximize the use of technology to improve engagement. To that end, there are a variety of smartphone applications that allow users to self-select their areas of interest from neighborhood-based (NextDoor) to complaint-based (Newark Connect) to public safety (NPD mobile).

    Online Municipal Public Service Systems

    15 Points

    Program Summary: The City of Newark has developed various virtual tools to ensure the accessibility of City permitting, reporting, and licensing processes to constituents. These range from a centralized “311” public complaints reporting portal to customized portals for businesses, homeowners, and other ratepayers. The system for business registration includes an online application tracking function for registered users.

    Open Data Inventory & Management

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The City of Newark has a deep commitment to open data, and stakeholder accountability for government activities. There are several data portals/hubs available, with the most broad-based data accounting taking place on Mayor Baraka’s Data Dashboard available to the public at https://www.newarknj.gov/card/mayors-data-dashboard The Office of Information Technology has a policy document which detailed the City’s commitment to open data.

  • Sustainability & Climate Planning

    Municipal Carbon Footprint

    10 Points
    Bronze Priority Silver Priority

    Program Summary: The City of Newark, working with the PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies Green Team Program, in the summer of 2020 completed the city's first inventory using the Local Government Operations Protocol, Clearpath ICLEI tool. Through this process, the city and students worked on collecting internal and external energy consumption data. The city used the same energy consumption data for Clearpath as for the Municipal Carbon Footprint Calculator. Using the Municipal Carbon Footprint Calculator, the city was able to see more directly how each form of energy consumption impacted the cities overall operation emissions. The tool provided a clear understanding of where city emissions issues were, demonstrating a need to further evaluate building energy use, the emissions impact of street lights, and the impact of vehicle emissions within the community borders. Newark has multiple energy generating facilities within its borders. The need to reduce energy consumption is critical, finding new ways to reduce consumption IE: advocating for LED street lighting or energy generation through sustainable means, and setting up a clear path to reducing fossil fuel dependency for transportation needs. With over 750 meters and accounts in the year 2019, the city is faced with a unique challenge when tracking building energy consumption to best adapt the cities internal management reporting tools with Sustainable Jersey data was combined to conform SJ Municipal Carbon Footprint Calculator.

    Community Carbon Footprint

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The City of Newark, working with the PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies Green Team Program, in the summer of 2020 completed the city's first community inventory using the US Community Protocol, Clearpath ICLEI tool. Through this process, the city and students worked on collecting internal and external energy consumption data. The tool provided a clear understanding of where city-wide emissions issues were. The community-wide inventory shows us building energy and transportation are our largest sectors causing emissions. Specifically, commercial building energy use, Newark is fortunate to be a robust economic anchor in the northeast, being home to a growing list of companies as well as a long history of established New Jersey companies. With this economic benefit comes a proportional burden of commercial property emissions. The city is developing plans to take on this issue, working with our commercial property stakeholders. About the cities Transportation emissions, the city opted to include port activities emissions; even though those emissions are typically not included in community inventories, it is essential to the city to report them, as the air and seaports impact Newarkers daily lives. Including a port activity in our inventory drastically inflates our emissions compared to similar cities without these types of assets. After concluding our greenhouse gas inventories, the city is currently developing our first Climate Action Plan. Please view and consider our Newark by Sector CSV https://drive.google.com/file/d/13zjbNTK7_0vmeI2JSjLRcp6JtwpjbKdx/view?usp=sharing

    Community Asset Mapping

    10 Points

    Program Summary: Greater Newark Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) created this report to gauge community assets for local Newark wards. LISC granted the Office of Sustainability Love Your Block Mini-Grant program permissions to use these maps in order to develop community outreach and capacity-building action plans to encourage Newark residents to apply for their mini-grant program. Lastly, the Office of Sustainability actively uses these maps to distribute information to various departments to prioritize clean-ups and raise awareness for work projects set in these communities. The need for economic transformation is high throughout the entire city of Newark, as a result, we also have asset maps and inventories from additional ward areas.

    Vision Statement & Goals *Retires 12/31/23*

    5 Points

    Program Summary: The City of Newark Sustainability Action Plan was published in 2012. It lays out a policy framework, vision statements, goals, and priority action items in six key areas (air quality, energy, recycling and materials management, stormwater management and community greening, greenhouse gas emissions, and healthy food access) that affect the health of Newark’s urban environment. The Plan was developed through a multi-year community-driven process led by the Newark Sustainability Office and the Environmental Commission with support from a consultant team led by KSS Architects. The final Plan was drafted by Newark Sustainability Director Stephanie Greenwood, with extensive support from Environmental Commissioners and Sustainability Office staff, and with editing and graphic design provided by KSS Architects and production by Minute Man Press in Newark. The Sustainability Action Plan was not adopted by the City government. As the plan states on page 3, it was intended to “complement the City’s Master Plan,” which was also completed in 2012, by focusing on “early activities to be launched within the next five years. Implementing these actions will advance Newark’s sustainability agenda while at the same time building momentum and strengthening the relationships critical for reaching the long-term goals laid out in the Master Plan.”

  • Waste Management

    Recycling & Waste Reduction Education & Compliance

    15 Points
    Bronze Priority Silver Priority

    Program Summary: The City of Newark has long held the aspiration of becoming a “Zero-Waste” city--a place that draws value from all its materials and throws away as close to nothing as possible. This is the vision articulated in the City’s 2013 Sustainability Action Plan, and re-affirmed in the 2020 Sustainability Action Plan where we committed “minimize waste, especially litter, and increase diversion of recyclable materials from the waste stream”. As such, we developed and implemented a recycling and waste reduction education strategy (with compliance and enforcement playing a necessary, though secondary role) aimed at increasing the quantity and quality of recycling materials collected from residents, while reducing the amount of solid waste they generate. Generally our education/outreach and enforcement activities are wide-reaching and customized to many audiences, ranging from community meetings, hard copy flyers and postcards to webpages, smartphone apps, as well as printed calendars, bus shelter advertisements and commercials on music streaming services. In 2019, we ran a special pilot project to test some of the new versus traditional communications channels to support our outreach and education efforts going forward (the Better Together: Transforming Recycling for Good project is described in the Recycling and Waste Reduction Education and Compliance Strategy Template). From a waste management perspective, most of Newark’s enforcement initiatives are directed at reducing litter along commercial corridors and catching illegal dumping activities. That said, residential waste collection enforcement is part of our on-going strategy, and serves as another opportunity to help educate our residents about waste collection and recycling rules and regulations.

    Recycling Depot

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The City of Newark Recycling Depot is located at 62 Frelinghuysen Avenue, at the corner of Miller Street. It is open Monday thru Friday between the hours of 8 am to 3 pm (excepting holidays). Map and schedule are available at: http://www.ci.newark.nj.us/home/city-services/garbage-and-recycling/. The following items must be properly recycled: Paper and cardboard: Newspapers, magazines, cardboard, cereal boxes, and junk mail. Recyclable metals: Soda cans, food cans, etc. Recyclable glass: Glass jars, food jars, beverage bottles Recyclable plastics: Milk jugs, soda bottles, water bottles, juice bottles, and laundry detergent containers. It’s also possible to drop off refrigerators, stoves, air conditioners, washing machines, water heaters, and other large appliances, including televisions, and computers. Special item disposals can be scheduled by calling 973-733-6685 for an appointment. The Recycling Depot is advertised on the City’s website at https://www.newarknj.gov/departments/public-works and in various written materials, including the Department of Public Works pamphlet (included with action documentation), Q&A brochure (included with action documentation), calendar, flyers, and email communications