Friday, March 31, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.

A Special Meeting of the City Council was held in the City of Cranston Council Chambers, Cranston City Hall, 869 Park Ave., Cranston, RI 02910, for the purpose of considering the following items listed on the agenda.

 

This special meeting of the Cranston City Council was called pursuant to the Charter for the City of Cranston §3.07 by Mayor Kenneth J. Hopkins and the members of the City Council listed below have been notified as provided for in §3.07:  Jessica M. Marino (Council President); Lammis J. Vargas (Council Vice-President); Councilwoman Nicole Renzulli; Councilman Christopher G. Paplauskas; Councilman Robert J. Ferri; Councilwoman Aniece Germain; Councilman John P. Donegan; Councilman Richard D. Campopiano and Councilman Matthew R. Reilly.

 

The meeting was called to order at 5:33 P.M. by the Council President Marino.

 

The roll was called by the Clerk.  Stated as present:  Councilman Robert J. Ferri, Councilwoman Nicole Renzulli, Councilwoman Aniece Germain, Councilman John P. Donegan, Councilman Richard D. Campopiano, Councilman Christopher G. Paplauskas, Councilman Matthew R. Reilly, Council Vice-President Lammis J. Vargas, Council President Jessica M. Marino.  Also present:  Mayor Kenneth J. Hopkins; Anthony DiMaio, Council Internal Auditor/Budget Analyst; Christopher Millea, City Solicitor; Anthony Moretti, Chief of Staff; and Tracy Nelson, City Clerk

 

President Marino introduced and welcomed Mayor Kenneth J. Hopkins.

 

Pursuant to Section 6.03 of the Cranston City Charter, the Mayor delivered his budget message to the body, introducing the City’s operating budget for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2023 and ending on June 30, 2024.  (see attached summary, titled 2023-2024 Budget Assumptions)

 

INTRODUCTION OF NEW MATTERS BEFORE THE COUNCIL*

 

* These new matters are referred for public hearing to the appropriate sub-committee of the Council. They are listed here for referral to a committee and for informational purposes. While hearing dates before the appropriate sub-committee have been established, they are subject to change. For current information related to hearing dates, the public is encouraged to consult the “City Calendar” feature on the City’s website at www.cranstonri.gov

 

Upon conclusion of the budget address, Council President Marino stated that the following items will be considered by the Council in the future.  No votes will be taken this evening. 

 

• Resolution Adopting the Operating Budget and Salary Schedule for the General Fund, the

Sewer Fund, the Insurance Fund and the Capital Budget for the Fiscal Year Commencing July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024 and adopting the Capital Improvement Program for the four succeeding years. * Referred to Special Finance Committee Meetings

 

• Ordinance Making Annual Appropriation for the City of Cranston for the Fiscal Year Commencing July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.  *Referred to Special Finance Committee Meetings

 

• Resolution Levying and Ordering the Assessment and Collection of a Tax on Ratable Real Estate and Tangible Personal Property, pursuant to Section 6.11 of the Charter.  *Referred to Special Finance Committee Meetings

 

• Ordinance Fixing the Date When Taxes Are Assessed, Due and Payable and the Date When Unpaid Taxes Will Carry a Penalty.  *Referred to Special Finance Committee Meetings

 

• Fixing the time and place for public hearings on the Operating and Capital Budgets. 

 

President Marino announced the schedule of dates shown on the 2024 Budget Hearing Notice attached to the docket for informational purposes to provide the public with the dates, times and access to the sub-committee meetings at which each department-level budget will be discussed and at which the public will be heard. Hearing dates are subject to change. Please consult the City website (mentioned previously herein) for updated information.  

 

• April 4, 2023 6:00 P.M. - Special City Council Meeting

Public Hearing on the 2023-2024 Budget

• April 4, 2023 6:15 P.M. - Special Finance Committee Budget Hearings
• April 6, 2023 6:00 P.M. - Special Finance Committee Budget Hearings
• April 10, 2023 6:00 P.M. - Special Finance Committee Budget Hearings
• April 11, 2023 6:00 P.M. - Special Finance Committee Budget Hearings
• April 18, 2023 6:00 P.M. - Special Finance Committee Budget Hearings
• April 20, 2023 6:00 P.M. - Special Finance Committee Budget Hearings
• April 27, 2023 6:00 P.M. - Special City Council Meeting

Council Budget Adoption

·       May 9, 2023 6:00 P.M. - Special City Council Meeting

Consideration of possible Mayoral Vetoes; Final Budget Adoption

 

MOTION made by Councilman Donegan, SECONDED by Vice-President Vargas to adjourn at 5:58 P.M.            All Ayes

 

 

 

Minutes approved as written April 24, 2023

 

Attest:

 

Tracy A. Nelson, CMC

City Clerk