I.          CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 7:03 P.M. by the Council President Jessica M. Marino

II.        ROLL CALL

The roll was called by the Clerk.  Stated as present:  Councilman Ferri, Councilwoman Renzulli, Councilman Donegan, Council Campopiano, Councilman Paplauskas, Councilman Wall, Council Vice-President Vargas, and Council President Marino.  (Councilwoman Haroian arrived after roll call at 7:05 P.M.).  Also present:  Stephen Angell, Legal Counsel; David DiMaio, Budget Analyst; John Verdecchia, Assistant City Solicitor; Anthony Moretti, Director of Administration; and Tracy Nelson, City Clerk.

III.       PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The pledge of allegiance was recited by the body.

IV.       APPROVAL OF MINUTES (votes may be taken)

V.        PUBLIC ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND COMMENDATIONS

CITATIONS honoring CLCF CWLL Girls Softball - State and Regional Champions

   (no votes)  

Council President Marino announced the Citations will be presented at the September Council meeting due to scheduling logistics.

VI.       PUBLIC HEARINGS AND PUBLIC COMMENT

Debbie Flitman, 400 Scituate Ave., spoke in support of the Council resolution forming a subcommittee on homeless encampments.  She does not support the Mayor’s executive order. 

Jennifer Nobles, 26 Hayward St. and Gianna DiBenedetto, 30 Hayward St. spoke in opposition to the liquor license for Spectacle Live Park Theatre due to concerns with traffic, speeding, trash, and violence.

Councilman Ferri and Council President Marino welcomed the abutters to reach out if there are complaints.  Issues can be addressed.

VII.     RESOLUTIONS

            None

At the request of Council President Marino, a MOTION was made by Councilman Ferri and SECONDED by Councilman Donegan to take the agenda out of order.

VOTE:  Ayes – 9 (unanimous)

VIII.    REPORTS OF COMMITTEES   

A.  Report from the Chair, Councilman Wall, on the CLAIMS COMMITTEE meeting of 

      August 15, 2024:  (no vote) (no claims paid report received)  

Chairman Wall had nothing further to report.

B.  Report from the Chair, Councilman Ferri, on the SAFETY SERVICES & LICENSES COMMITTEE meeting held August 15, 2024:

NEW CLASS BV LIQUOR LICENSES – OVER THE CAP; FULL COUNCIL APPROVAL REQUIRED:

1.      Spectacle Management, Inc. d/b/a Spectacle Live Park Theatre located at 848 Park Ave & 0 Pontiac Ave.; Peter M. Lally; Sun-Sat 9am-Midnight

   (vote may be taken)

MOTION made by Councilman Donegan, SECOND by Councilwoman Renzulli to approve the liquor license.

VOTE:  Ayes – 9 (unanimous)

2.      Vincent Restaurant LLC, d/b/a Vincent Restaurant located at 24 Haven Ave.; Emely Dejesus & Paul Siu Lun Yu; Tues-Thurs 12pm-8:30pm; Fri 12pm-9:30pm; Sat 1pm-9:30pm  

(vote may be taken)

MOTION made by Councilman Wall, SECOND by Councilman Donegan to approve the liquor license.

VOTE:  Ayes – 9 (unanimous)

C.  Report from the Chair, Councilman Donegan, on the FINANCE COMMITTEE

      meeting held August 15, 2024:

X.        ELECTION/APPOINTMENT OF CITY OFFICIALS   

APPOINTMENT of Connor Mathis to vacancy on the Cranston Arts Commission for the term August 27, 2024 through August 27, 2027; as requested by Councilwoman Haroian   (vote may be taken)

MOTION made by Councilwoman Haroian, SECOND by Councilman Ferri to appoint Connor Mathis to the Cranston Arts Commission.

VOTE:  Ayes – 9 (unanimous)

IX.       PUBLIC COMMENT FOR UNDOCKETED ITEMS (no votes)

Kimberly Bogosian, 45 Mount View Drive, inquired about the status of an abandoned house located at 181 Brayton Ave.

Debbie Flitman, 400 Scituate Ave., referred to the July 22 Council meeting when one member of Council asked if the body could vote, without penalty, to not refer an ordinance to committee.  After short discussion, the Solicitor indicated it may be a violation of the charter not to refer the item to committee.  It was clear he was not 100% sure.  He said he would look into it.  She looked herself and could not find anywhere in the charter that said all proposed ordinances must be moved to committee.  She would like this to be addressed.

XI.       REPORT OF CITY OFFICERS   

            None

XII.     EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS  

XIII.    COUNCIL PRESIDENT COMMUNICATIONS (no votes)   

·         Position of the Harbor Master

Council President Marino expressed condolences on the recent passing of the city’s Harbor Master, Ted Wescott.  Currently, the city is without a Harbor Master.  She has been in communication with the Administration and the Colonel to fill the vacancy. Anyone interested should reach out to the City Clerk for the Council’s consideration.

XVI.    INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS  (out of order)

MOTION made by Councilman Donegan, SECOND by Councilman Paplauskas to take the New Business items as a block.

VOTE:  Ayes – 8 (Councilman Ferri was absent for vote)

The following New Business items are listed for reference and for a vote to be referred

to the appropriate Council sub-committee for a public hearing:

XVII.  EXECUTIVE SESSION (taken out of order)

MOTION made by Councilman Ferri, SECOND by Councilwoman Haroian to move to executive session pursuant to RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2) for litigation matters as listed on the agenda in the sections that follow:

Executive or closed session pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-46-5(a)(2) for litigation matters re complaint filed by Mayor Kenneth J. Hopkins (as styled below) seeking a declaration that the Operating and Capital Budgets of the City of Cranston for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 is unlawful and in direct contravention of the powers and authority granted to the City Council under the Cranston Home Rule Charter to the extent it seeks to utilize the funds received by the City pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act and exceeds the budgetary amount identified in the proposed Budgets without the appropriate action under the Charter. 

Mayor Kenneth J. Hopkins v. Thomas Zidelis, in his official capacity as  finance director for the City of Cranston; City Council of the City of Cranston,  Rhode Island; Jessica Marino, in her capacity as Cranston City Council President, Lammis  J. Vargas, in her capacity as Cranston City  Council vice-president; John P. Donegan, in  his capacity as Cranston City councilmember;  Robert J. Ferri, in his capacity as Cranston City Councilmember; Daniel Wall in his capacity as  Cranston City Councilmember; Kristen E. Haroian,  in her capacity as Cranston City councilmember; Nicole Renzulli, in her capacity as Cranston City Councilmember; Christopher G. Paplauskas, in his capacity as Cranston City Councilmember; Richard D. Campopiano, in his capacity as Cranston City councilmember (PC-2024-03291)

ROLL CALL VOTE:  Ayes – 9 (Ferri, Renzulli, Haroian, Donegan, Campopiano, Paplauskas, Wall, Vargas, and Marino)

The following individuals were present in the executive session:  Council President Marino, Council Vice-President Vargas, Councilman Ferri, Councilwoman Renzulli, Councilwoman Haroian, Councilman Donegan, Councilman Campopiano, Councilman Paplauskas, Councilman Wall, and Legal Counsel Stephen Angell.  

XVIII. RETURN OPEN SESSION (vote may be taken)

MOTION made by Councilman Ferri, SECOND by Councilman Wall to return to open session.

VOTE:  Ayes – 9 (unanimous)

MOTION made by Councilwoman Renzulli, SECOND by Councilman Ferri to seal the minutes of the executive session.

VOTE:  Ayes – 9 (unanimous)

XIV.    COUNCIL MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS (taken out of order)

From Councilwoman Renzulli:

•         Cranston Homeless Encampments

Councilwoman Renzulli asked for the item after spending hours with the police department at the encampments.  She didn’t know about the executive order at that time.  She described the situation.  She feels there may be a disconnect.  Some had vouchers but didn’t know what to do with them.  It was emotional to experience firsthand.  She encouraged everyone to go see it with their own eyes.

Councilman Campopiano accompanied the tour.  He commends Captain Dutra for his efforts.  He is concerned a child could stumble upon the area.

Councilwoman Haroian agrees more needs to be done to help.  There is not enough housing for the vouchers to be used.  This is a public health issue that needs to be addressed at the community, state and federal level.  DCYF is to be notified if there are families with children. She spoke to the Colonel and Captain Dutra.  They have not come across any families with children.

Council President Marino agreed with the sentiments of others.  She stressed the importance of not going to an encampment alone.  It is best to have someone else there (professionals, like the police department).  She has gone on two occasions.  It is a good idea to remind them they have resources.  The wait list for vouchers is over a year long.  This is a state and nationwide issue.  There is no simple fix.  She looks forward to the convening of a subcommittee.

From Councilwoman Haroian:

•         Budlong Pool Update 

Director Moretti previously reported the contract was awarded.  The vendor is in the process of developing a timeline.  Once the Administration has that, it will be shared.  They got a jump on the work with current personnel to remove the asphalt apron.  It will go to a company for recycling into new asphalt.  The target opening date is some time next year.

Councilwoman Haroian has received complaints of dogs running in the area and not being cleaned up after as well as rats and trash.  Two weeks ago, the lot was blocked off.  It is open now.

Director Moretti indicated the lot was blocked temporarily because of construction.  The Administration will look into the complaints.

XV.     COUNCIL BUSINESS MATTERS CARRIED OVER   

            None

XVII.  INFORMATIONAL ITEMS – NO ACTION NEEDED

            None

XVIII.  ADJOURNMENT (vote may be taken)

MOTION made by Councilwoman Renzulli, SECOND by Councilman Ferri to adjourn at 7:57 P.M.   All Ayes

Minutes approved as written September 23, 2024

Attest:  ______________________________

                   Tracy A. Nelson, City Clerk