(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

JUNE 25, 2020

A Special meeting of the City Council was called held on Thursday, June 25, 2020 via ZOOM.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 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; David Igliozzi, Assistant City Solicitor.

6-20-01S ORDINANCE 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 Brady, seconded by Councilmember Hopkins, it was voted to adopt the above Ordinance.

Under Discussion:

Councilmember Hopkins stated that businesses are just starting to open up and we should not be putting more burden on them.

Councilmember Donegan stated that he will in opposition to this Ordinance because he thinks that COVID or not, this extension could have been avoided with outreach from the Administration to the businesses beforehand. He indicated that it has been fifteen months since this Ordinance was passed.

Councilmember Stycos asked Councilmember Hopkins it he would consider a shorter extension time rather than a year. Councilmember Hopkins stated that we have a lot of people that have not reopened yet. Councilmember Stycos asked Councilmember Hopkins if he would consider six months’ extension and then the situation could be re-evaluated at that time. Councilmember Hopkins stated that he would be open to discussion on this and has no problem with six months’ extension and a review at that time.

On motion by Councilmember Stycos, seconded by Councilmember Brady, it was voted to amend this Ordinance to six months’ extension and a review at that time.

Under Discussion:

Councilmember Paplauskas suggested keeping the date as is with no fines for a year and six months it would go into effect.

Councilmember Hopkins stated that he would support that.

Council President Farina questioned if this would have to be re-advertised again with that amendment. Solicitor stated that he would recommend continuing this Ordinance to the July 2^nd Special Council meeting.

On motion by Councilmember Brady, seconded by Councilmember Hopkins, it was voted to amend the above Ordinance changing the enforcement date to January 1, 2021 and enforcement delayed to July 1, 2021. Motion passed on a vote of 7-1. The following being recorded as voting “aye”: Councilmembers Stycos, Hopkins, Donegan, Brady, Paplauskas, Council Vice-President Favicchio and Council President Farina -7. The following being recorded as voting “nay”: Councilmember Vargas -1.

On motion by Councilmember Brady, seconded by Councilmember Hopkins, it was voted to refer this Ordinance to the July 2nd Special City Council meeting. 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.

RESOLUTION PROPOSING AMENDMENT TO SEC. 2.03 OF THE CRANSTON HOME RULE CHARTER AND DIRECTING THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO PLACE ON THE BALLOT THE FOLLOWING AS A REFERENDUM QUESTION (Ward Redistricting)

On motion by Councilmember Brady, seconded by Councilmember Hopkins, 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.

RESOLUTION PROPOSING AMENDMENT TO SEC. 2.09 OF THE CRANSTON HOME RULE CHARTER AND DIRECTING THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO PLACE ON THE BALLOT THE FOLLOWING AS A REFERENDUM QUESTION (City Campaign Contribution Reporting)

RESOLUTION PROPOSING AMENDMENT TO SEC. 3.07 OF THE CRANSTON HOME RULE CHARTER AND DIRECTING THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO PLACE ON THE BALLOT THE FOLLOWING AS A REFERENDUM QUESTION (City Council Meetings)

On motion by Council Vice-President Favicchio, seconded by Councilmember Brady, 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.

RESOLUTION PROPOSING AMENDMENT TO SEC. 6.10 OF THE CRANSTON HOME RULE CHARTER AND DIRECTING THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO PLACE ON THE BALLOT THE FOLLOWING AS A REFERENDUM QUESTION (Mayor’s Line Item Veto)

RESOLUTION PROPOSING AMENDMENT TO SEC. 6.20 OF THE CRANSTON HOME RULE CHARTER AND DIRECTING THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO PLACE ON THE BALLOT THE FOLLOWING AS A REFERENDUM QUESTION (Rainy Day Fund)

On motion by Council Vice-President Favicchio, seconded by Councilmember Brady, the above Resolution was adopted on a vote of 7-1. The following being recorded as voting “aye”: Councilmembers Stycos, Hopkins, Vargas, Brady, Paplauskas, Council Vice-President Favicchio and Council President Farina -7. The following being recorded as voting “nay”: Councilmember Donegan -1.

RESOLUTION PROPOSING AMENDMENT TO SEC. 6.21 OF THE CRANSTON HOME RULE CHARTER AND DIRECTING THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO PLACE ON THE BALLOT THE FOLLOWING AS A REFERENDUM QUESTION (Property Tax Levy Cap)

On motion by Councilmember Hopkins, seconded by Councilmember Brady, it was voted to adopt the above Resolution.

Councilmember Stycos motioned to amend the above Resolution as follows: lines #26 and 27, delete “at least four fifths of”. Council President Farina seconded the motion for discussion purposes.

Under Discussion:

Councilmember Stycos stated that the language in this Resolution gives huge power to two members of the City Council.

Steve Frias, Chair of Charter Review Commission, appeared to speak and stated that this language mirrors State Law.

Solicitor stated that you would have to add “a majority of the City Council” if you take out “fourth fifths”.

On motion by Councilmember Stycos, seconded by Council President Farina, it was voted to amend the above Resolution as follows: lines #26 and 27, delete “at least four fifths of” and after “the”, add “majority of the”. Motion passed on a vote of 5-3. The following being recorded as voting “aye”: Councilmembers Stycos, Vargas, Donegan, Council Vice-President Favicchio and Council President Farina -5. The following being recorded as voting “nay”: Councilmembers Hopkins, Brady and Paplauskas -3.

Roll call was taken on motion to adopt the above Resolution as amended and motion passed on a vote of 6-2. The following being recorded as voting “aye”: Councilmembers Stycos, Vargas, Brady, Paplauskas, Council Vice-President Favicchio and Council President Farina -6. The following being recorded as voting “nay”: Councilmembers Hopkins and Donegan -2.

RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FROM CRANSTON TO INTRODUCE AND URGE PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION AUTHORIZING $2MILLION IN BONDS OF THE CITY AND TO AUTHORIZE A REFERENDUM TO BE HELD THEREON (Parks and Recreation)

On motion by Councilmember Hopkins, seconded by Council Vice-President Favicchio, 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.

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 Brady, seconded by Councilmember Paplauskas, the above Resolution was referred to the July 2, 2020 Special City Council meeting. 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.

RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FROM CRANSTON TO INTRODUCE AND URGE PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION AUTHORIZING $2,000,000 IN BONDS OF THE CITY AND TO AUTHORIZE A REFERENDUM TO BE HELD THEREON (Fire and Public Safety Equipment)

On motion by Councilmember Brady, seconded by Council Vice-President Favicchio, 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.

RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FROM CRANSTON TO INTRODUCE AND URGE PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION AUTHORIZING $10,000,000 IN BONDS OF THE CITY AND TO AUTHORIZE A REFERENDUM TO BE HELD THEREON (Highway Roads and Equipment)

On motion by Councilmember Hopkins, seconded by Councilmember Vargas, 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.

RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FROM CRANSTON TO INTRODUCE AND URGE PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION AUTHORIZING $1,000,000 IN BONDS OF THE CITY AND TO AUTHORIZE A REFERENDUM TO BE HELD THEREON (Public Buildings)

The meeting adjourned at 7:30 P.M.

/s/ Leanne Zarrella, JD

City Clerk

/s/ Rosalba Zanni

Assistant City Clerk/Clerk of Committee

(See Stenographic Notes of Heather Finger, Stenotypist).