I.          CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 7:04 P.M. by Council President Jessica M. Marino.

II.        ROLL CALL

The roll was called by the Clerk.  Stated as present:  Councilman Ferri, Councilwoman Renzulli, Councilwoman Germain, Councilman Donegan, Councilman Campopiano, Councilman Paplauskas, Councilman Wall, Council Vice-President Vargas, and Council President Marino.  Also present:  David DiMaio, Budget Analyst; Stephen Angell, Legal Counsel; John Verdecchia, Assistant Solicitor; and Tracy Nelson, City Clerk.

III.       PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by the body.

IV.       APPROVAL OF MINUTES  

VI.       PUBLIC HEARINGS AND PUBLIC COMMENT   (Votes may be taken)

The following individuals spoke in opposition to Mayor Hopkins’ plan to move ahead with an 8,000 square foot pool:

Susan Blake, 173 Grand Ave.

Tom Wojcik, 11 Hall Place (via Zoom)

Sam Brusco, 11 Alhambra Circle (via Zoom)

Alice Petrone, 24 Bretton Woods Dr. (via Zoom)

Joe Gabriele, 62 Freehold Ave., spoke in favor of Mayor Hopkins’ plan to move ahead with an 8,000 square foot pool.   

The Council President closed public hearing at 7:28 P.M.

VII.     RESOLUTIONS   

VIII.    REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

A.  Report from the Chair, Councilman Donegan, on the FINANCE COMMITTEE meeting held October 2, 2023

IX.       PUBLIC COMMENT FOR UNDOCKETED ITEMS

            None

X.        ELECTION/APPOINTMENT OF CITY OFFICIALS    

APPOINTMENT of Maranda Botelho as Municipal Court Clerk for the term ending January 6, 2025; per Ch. 2.40 of the Cranston Code of Ordinances  

* item considered earlier in the meeting

APPOINTMENT of Robert Santurri, Jr. to the Tax Assessment Board of Review as Alternate 1 for the term ending January 28, 2026; per Ch. 3.08 of the Cranston Code of Ordinances    

MOTION made by Councilman Donegan, SECONDED by Councilman Ferri, and unanimously approved to appoint Robert Santurri, Jr. as 1^st alternate to the Tax Assessment Board of Review through January 28, 2026.

RE-APPOINTMENT of Elisabeth Bettis as Alternate 1 to the Juvenile Hearing Board for the term ending December 1, 2024; per Ch. 2.72. of the Cranston Code of Ordinances  

MOTION made by Councilman Ferri, SECONDED by Councilman Donegan, and unanimously approved to re-appoint Elisabeth Bettis as Alternate 1 to the Juvenile Hearing Board through December 1, 2024.

XI.       REPORT OF CITY OFFICERS    

            None

Chief of Staff Anthony Moretti joined the meeting.

XII.     EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS  

XIII.    COUNCIL PRESIDENT COMMUNICATIONS    

XIV.    COUNCIL MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS   (no votes)

From Council Donegan:

Presentation from RI Department of Education on school construction 

Councilman Donegan requested this item following the last Finance Committee meeting.  He has since had numerous conversations with the administration, the school, and Finance Director Zidelis.  The final numbers are being worked out.  He believes this conversation is best continued at the Finance Committee meeting next month.

From Councilwoman Germain:

Discussion on Budlong Pool’s 8,000 square feet proposal

Councilwoman Germain expressed concerns.  The administration chose not to listen to the people and the Council.  She would like the narrative explained. 

A. Moretti explained the Mayor is doing what he feels is in the best interest of the city.  The Mayor directed Mr. Mariano to determine the maximum size pool that could be constructed for the $4.7 million he was given to work with.  They came back with 8,000 square feet.  That’s how the size was determined.  An 11,000 square foot pool would cost nearly $6.2 million.  The cost to repair the existing pool would be $5 to $5.3 million and would last approximately ten years. That choice was eliminated.  It is more logical to spend less money on a pool that will last longer.  The historic pool house will be refurbished and remain.  Based on national aquatic standards, an 8,000 square foot pool can hold 530 people at any one time.  That size is sufficient to handle the historic capacity.  The pool can be drained if that’s what you want to do.  It will cost money.  The engineer has represented that the water in the pool is groundwater.  Director Tessaglia recently found an old employee checklist indicating the hose must be in the pool, with the spicket turned on, 12-15 hours per day.

Councilwoman Germain noted the Mayor chose the size of 8,000 square feet because of the cost.  She asked why the administration didn’t reach out to Council to ask for additional funds.  This is a one-time opportunity to do something for the people of Cranston.  The Council has the authority to allocate more ARPA funds.  Instead, the Mayor is moving ahead without consideration of Council’s compromise resolution.  She would be more comfortable if the Mayor had shown the cost for 11,000 square feet and asked Council if they wanted to spend it. 

A. Moretti stated the Mayor was acting in accordance with the provisions he was provided.  If Council wanted to allocate a higher amount, they should have.  There has been mention of additional school bonds.  We need to balance education and recreation. 

Councilman Ward feels uneasy with the proposal.  Speaking with people on the campaign trail, it was clear there was a lack of trust in the administration regarding the pool.  They have called for an independent assessment.  He asked Atty. Angell what authority Council has.

Atty. Angell advised the resolution authorized the expenditure of $4.7 million, without parameters; therefore, the administration is free to use their discretion.  If the Council wanted to include particulars, they could have put them in the granting of authority.  For the City Council to hire its own engineer would be a legislative overstep.  There is no proof of malfeasance regarding expenditure of public funds.  The Council only has a few buckets of money to spend from.  If it were an emergency, it would be different, but that’s not where we are at.  In fairness, the horse has left the gate.

Councilman Ward believes an additional conversation relative to cost would have gone a long way toward trust.

A. Moretti stated the Mayor did have conversations; at multiple public forums.  Nothing has been hidden.  He wants to dispel that rumor.  There have been highly partisan, spirited discussions.  Neither side is hiding anything.  If people are locked into their opinion, nothing can be done.  Common sense must prevail.  There could be other uses for the ARPA funds.

Councilwoman Renzulli referred to the meeting when the compromise resolution was discussed.  She recalls asking if we could fund the compromise of 11,000 square feet.  No one had the answer.  At the next meeting she brought the answers and pointed out that it appears we cannot fund the compromise.  At that time, Council could have suggested authorizing additional funds.  We could use all the ARPA money, but she doesn’t think Council is willing to do that. 

Councilman Ferri asked how we know the cost if it never went out to bid.  From a business standpoint, you should never tell someone how much you want to spend before they tell you the price.

Councilman Donegan asked A. Moretti if the proposal has gone out to bid?

A. Moretti answered no.  The architect will draft the bid specs.  They are expected in December.

Councilman Donegan asked if the specs will be for an 8,000 square foot pool or for “as large a pool as possible” for $4.7 million.

A. Moretti believes the specs will be for an 8,000 square foot pool.  We won’t know the actual cost until the bids come in.  It is the same with any project.  Decisions are made based on the estimates of experts using industry standards.  It’s the same with all other municipalities.   

From Council Vice President Vargas:

Pawtuxet Village Annual Trick or Treat announcement

Council Vice-President Vargas announced Friends of the Pawtuxet Village will host an annual trick-or-treat event this Saturday afternoon.  It is a nice family-friendly event.  The small businesses in the village will be handing out candy.

Winter warming centers across the city

Council Vice-President Vargas suggested additional locations for warming centers; and wants to be sure everyone knows the locations in advance.

A. Moretti spoke with the Chief.  Additional locations will be added as needed to meet demands. 

From Councilwoman Renzulli:

Update on Learn365RI Funding (cont'd)

A. Moretti indicated the city will work with the schools on the best way to utilize the $50,000 grant aimed at providing assistance with FAFSA forms.

XV.     COUNCIL BUSINESS MATTERS CARRIED OVER  

             None

XVI.    INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS  

MOTION made by Councilman Donegan, SECONDED by Councilwoman Renzulli, and unanimously approved to consider all new business items as a block.

XVII.  EXECUTIVE SESSION

MOTION made by Councilman Wall, SECONDED by Council Vice-President Vargas to convene in executive session at 9:15 P.M. pursuant to RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2) pertaining to prospective and actual litigation matters, “Update on Yard Works Litigation”.

ROLL CALL:  Ferri – Aye, Renzulli – Aye, Germain – Aye, Donegan – Aye, Campopiano – Aye, Paplauskas – Aye, Wall – Aye, Vargas – Aye, and Marino – Aye (unanimous)

XVIII.  RETURN OPEN SESSION

MOTION made by Councilman Ferri, SECONDED by Council Vice-President Vargas, and unanimously approved to return to open session at 9:33 P.M.

MOTION made by Councilman Donegan, SECONDED by Councilman Ferri, and unanimously approved to seal the minutes of the executive session.