(The following is not a verbatim transcript of comments or discussion that occurred during the meeting, but rather a summarization intended for general informational purposes. All motions and votes are the official records).
CRANSTON CITY COUNCIL
Notice of Special Meeting
JULY 2, 2020
A Special meeting of the City Council was called held on Thursday, July 2, 2020 via ZOOM.
The meeting was called to order at 6:02 P.M. by the Council President.
Roll call showed the following members present: Council Members Stycos, Hopkins, Vargas, Donegan, Brady, Paplauskas, Vice-President Favicchio and Council President Farina -8.
Also Present: Daniel Parrillo, Director of Administration; John Psilopoulos, Deputy Director of Administration; Robert Strom, Director of Finance; David Igliozzi, Assistant City Solicitor.
6-20-02S ORDINANCE RATIFYING THE IBPO (INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF POLICE OFFICERS) CONTRACT LOCAL UNION 301 (FY JULY 1, 2020 - JULY 30, 2023).
On motion by Councilmember Brady, seconded by Councilmember Hopkins, it was voted to adopt the above Ordinance.
Under Discussion:
Colonel Michael Winquist appeared to speak and thanked the Mayor, Director Parrillo, Director Strom and everyone who worked on this contract, including Michael Caramante, President of the Police Union.
Michael Caramante appeared to speak and stated that this contract will take this department in a great step forward.
Councilmember Hopkins thanked all the men and women in blue for all the work they do.
Councilmember Stycos thanked everyone who worked on this contract on both sides.
Councilmember Paplauskas thanked the Police Department, the Union and the Administration for all their work on this contract.
Director Strom stated that he thinks this is a fair contract. He clarified from the last meeting that this contract has $120,000 in savings from the last contract.
Councilmember Vargas thanked everyone who worked on this contract.
Roll call was taken on motion to adopt the above Ordinance and motion passed on a vote of 8-0. The following being recorded as voting “aye”: Councilmembers Stycos, Hopkins, Vargas, Donegan, Brady, Paplauskas, Council Vice-President Favicchio and Council President Farina -8.
6-20-01 ORDINANCE RATIFYING, CONFIRMING AND APPROVING THE LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF CRANSTON AND THE RENAISSANCE DEVELOPMENT CORP.
Council President Farina stated that one of his relatives is employed by this company and he will abstain from voting on this Ordinance.
On motion by Councilmember Hopkins, seconded by Councilmember Brady, the above Ordinance was adopted on a vote of 6-0. The following being recorded as voting “aye”: Councilmembers Stycos, Hopkins, Donegan, Brady, Paplauskas and Council Vice- President Favicchio -6. Councilmember Vargas was not present for roll call and Council President Farina abstained.
6-20-01S IN AMENDMENT OF TITLE 8 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF CRANSTON, 2005, ENTITLED ‘HEALTH AND SAFETY” (Plastic Bag Reduction)
On motion by Councilmember Hopkins, seconded by Councilmember Brady, it was voted to adopt this Ordinance.
Under Discussion:
Councilmember Stycos stated that he would like to propose an amendment that the Ordinance banning plastic bags be enforced on some businesses.
On motion by Councilmember Stycos, seconded by Councilmember Brady, it was voted to amend this Ordinance as follows: line #43, add new language as follows: “Businesses which have stores or branches outside of Cranston, however, shall be subject to fines for violations January 1, 2021, unless all its stores or branches are in communities which ban plastic bags.”
Under Discussion:
Council Vice-President Favicchio stated that he is concerned that we would be enforcing this Ordinance to be discriminating against some businesses and not others with this amendment. He would like the Solicitor’s opinion regarding this.
Solicitor stated that his concern is the same as Council Vice-President Favicchio, but also he does not think the Cranston City Council could penalize somebody in Cranston for something they are doing outside of Cranston.
Councilmember Stycos stated that we would not be enforcing anything in another City.
Director Parrillo stated that he thinks this would be a little burdensome to the Police Department.
Councilmember Hopkins stated that his concern is selective discrimination on certain businesses and he thinks enforcement is a big issue on something like this.
Solicitor stated that he did not have this language prior to this meeting and he would like the opportunity to see the language and research it before he gives a legal opinion.
Councilmember Donegan stated that he agrees with the amendment.
Council Vice-President Favicchio stated that he understands the spirit of this, but we are going to selectively target certain businesses and enforcement would be a nightmare. He is not in favor of this.
Councilmember Paplauskas stated that he understands the intent of this amendment, but he thinks this is too complicated and does not think it is our place to tell business owners how to operate their business in other towns of whether to use paper or plastic.
Roll call was taken on motion to amend this Ordinance and motion failed on a vote of 3-5. The following being recorded as voting “aye”: Councilmembers Stycos, Vargas and Donegan -3. The following being recorded as voting “nay”: Councilmembers Hopkins, Brady, Paplauskas, Council Vice-President Favicchio and Council President Farina -5.
Roll call was taken on motion to adopt this Ordinance and motion passed on a vote of 5-3. The following being recorded as voting “aye”: Councilmembers Hopkins, Brady, Paplauskas, Council Vice-President Favicchio and Council President Farina -5. The following being recorded as voting “nay”: Councilmembers Stycos, Vargas and Donegan -3.
RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FROM CRANSTON TO INTRODUCE AND URGE PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION AUTHORIZING $5,000,000 IN BONDS OF THE CITY AND TO AUTHORIZE A REFERENDUM TO BE HELD THEREON (Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Conservation Measures)
On motion by Councilmember Donegan, seconded by Councilmember Stycos, the above Resolution was adopted on a vote of 8-0. The following being recorded as voting “aye”: Councilmembers Stycos, Hopkins, Vargas, Donegan, Brady, Paplauskas, Council Vice-President Favicchio and Council President Farina -8.
Council President Farina passed the gavel to Council Vice-President Favicchio.
Council President Farina stated that he received an email from two members of the Charter Review Commission regarding the Resolution amending Sect. 6.21 regarding the Tax Levy Cap, which the Council amended the language to last week. After discussions with the two Charter Review Commission members, he started to think that as we look at this ballot question, if an uninformed voter goes in and reads it and does not understand that the City is limited in raising taxes to the 4 1/2% per State Law and they do not know State Law, they may read this law and think it gives us the ability to raise taxes up to six or seven or 8 percent and this good government measure would limit tax increases and it actually look like the City Council is trying to inflate tax increases. In thinking about this, he thinks we need to adjust the language to let the voter know that there is some language that we can’t go over the 4 1/2 %.
Council President Farina motioned to reconsider the ballot question on the Tax Cap so he can amend the language to make it clearer for the voter. Councilmember Brady seconded the motion.
Under Discussion:
Councilmember Stycos stated that he does not think you can consider a motion after the other meeting is closed.
Council President Farina asked for Solicitor’s opinion. Solicitor state that he does not have the agenda before him and asked if this matter is on the agenda this evening for approval. Council President Farina stated, no, it was already approved and he wants to make a motion to reconsider. Solicitor stated that you can’t take action on it. You can discuss it, but it has to be re-posted for another meeting.
Council Vice-President Favicchio agreed with Solicitor. He stated that we would have to reschedule it for a vote and questioned whether there is time to get this to the Secretary of State.
Solicitor indicated that August 5th is the deadline with the Secretary of State to place items on the ballot.
Council President Farina asked that Charter Review Commission Chair forward revised language to the full City Council and another Special Council meeting will be scheduled.
Councilmember Stycos questioned if the proposal for the Special Council meeting is for reconsideration. Council President Farina stated that it is not a new Resolution. It would just be before the City Council for potential amendment to change the language. Councilmember Stycos asked for legal opinion.
Steve Frias, Charter Review Commission Chair, appeared to speak and stated that he can send revised amendment with new language to all the Council members and another meeting be scheduled. He also stated that the Council can either reconsider or possibly a new Resolution be passed and he can indicate on that Resolution language “in lieu of the Resolution passed”.
Council Vice-President Favicchio stated that because this is a Charter amendment and not an Ordinance, he asked Solicitor to research this to make sure this is done correctly.
Motion and second were withdrawn.
Council President Farina asked that Mr. Frias submit a new Resolution for passage for July 16, 2020 Special Council meeting at 7:30p.m.
Councilmember Stycos asked that at this Special meeting, the City Council also vote on the appointment of replacement for former Councilmember McAuley. Council President Farina asked that Councilmember Stycos follow up with former Councilmember McAuley. He indicated that he spoke to Solicitor Rawson today and the resignation letter submitted by former Councilmember McAuley is conditional. We are going to need a letter from him stating the date he in fact resigned. Until he does that, he is not officially resigned, per the attorneys.
The meeting adjourned at 6:50 P.M.
/s/ Leanne Zarrella, JD
City Clerk
/s/ Rosalba Zanni
Assistant City Clerk/Clerk of Committee)
(See Stenographic Notes of Heather Finger, Stenotypist).