MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING

OF THE CRANSTON CITY COUNCIL

 

Monday, May 15, 2023 at 7:00 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.

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:03 P.M. by the Council President, Jessica M. 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, Council Vice-President Lammis J. Vargas, and Council President Jessica M. Marino.  Absent:  Councilman Matthew R. Reilly

 

Also present:  Attorney Stephen Angell, Council's Legal Counsel; Attorney Christopher Millea, City Solicitor; David DiMaio Budget Analyst/Council Internal Auditor; Anthony Moretti, Chief of Staff; and Tracy A. Nelson, City Clerk

 

II.        BUDGET ADOPTION

 

To consider possible overrides of any Mayoral vetoes of any increases or additional appropriations approved by the Council in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget. 

 

Councilman Donegan asked Atty. Angell if a motion to consider the vetoes as a block is appropriate.

 

Atty. Angell confirmed.

 

MOTION made by Councilman Donegan, SECOND by Council Vice-President Vargas, to consider the Mayor's vetoes as a block.   

 

VOTE:  Ayes - Ferri, Germain, Donegan, Campopiano, Vargas, and Marino; Nays - Renzulli and Paplauskas.  MOTION CARRIES by a vote of 6-2.

 

MOTION made by Councilman Donegan, SECOND by Councilman Ferri, to override the Mayor's vetoes for the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget.

 

Discussion:

 

Councilman Donegan, Councilman Ferri, Councilwoman Germain, Councilman Campopiano, Council Vice-President Vargas, and Council President Marino indicated they will vote in favor of the motion for the override.  They provided the reasons for their support of funding an additional hire for the Planning Department.  Additional resources are necessary to move the city forward.

 

Councilwoman Renzulli and Councilman Paplauskas indicated they will not vote in favor of the override.  They explained why they are opposed to funding an additional position at this time.  The department is not operating efficiently.  Many city departments are in need of additional resources. 

 

Chief of Staff Moretti explained why the Mayor disagrees with funding a new position.  The order issued last year to freeze hiring of all new and unfilled positions still stands.

 

 

VOTE ON MOTION:  Ayes - Ferri, Germain, Donegan, Campopiano, Vargas, and Marino.  Nays - Renzulli and Paplauskas.  MOTION CARRIES by vote of 6-2.

 

III.       ADJOURNMENT

 

MOTION made Councilwoman Germain, SECOND by Councilman Ferri to adjourn the meeting at 7:24 P.M.          All Ayes

 

 

Minutes approved as written May 22, 2023

 

 

 

Attest:  ____________________________

                     Tracy A. Nelson, CMC

                   City Clerk