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 Robert J. Ferri, Councilwoman Nicole Renzulli, Councilwoman Kristen E. Haroian, Councilman John P. Donegan, Councilman Richard D. Campopiano, Councilman Christopher G. Paplauskas, Councilman Daniel Wall, Council Vice-President Lammis J. Vargas, and Council President Jessica M. Marino.  Also present:  David DiMaio, Budget Analyst; Stephen Angell, Legal Counsel; John Verdecchia, Asst. Solicitor; Christopher Millea, Solicitor; Anthony Moretti, Chief of Staff; Tracy Nelson, City Clerk; and Ronald Ronzio, Stenographer.

III.       PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The pledge of allegiance was recited by the body.

IV.       APPROVAL OF MINUTES (votes may be taken)

MOTION made by Councilman Paplauskas, SECOND by Councilwoman Renzulli to consider all minutes as a block.

VOTE:  Ayes – 9  (unanimous)

V.        PUBLIC ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND COMMENDATIONS

CITATIONS honoring CLCF CWLL Girls Softball - State and Regional Champions

   (no votes)   (cont’d from August 26, 2024)

The citations were presented by the Council President and Council Vice-President.

VI.       PUBLIC HEARINGS AND PUBLIC COMMENT

Public hearings under this section are limited to DOCKETED subject matters only

Heidi Lavigne of 22 Westhill Dr., Martha Dimeo of 69 Laconia Rd., and Judy Dauphinee of 95 Curtis St. all spoke in opposition of the gun range noise.  They would like to know the Mayor’s Plan. 

Susan Blake, 173 Grand Ave., spoke in support of the Resolution forming a Subcommittee on Homeless Encampments and in support of the Resolution for an Independent Investigation into the lawsuit against the Mayor and city employees.  She recommended an independent investigation of Budlong Pool as well.  She supports the speakers’ requests for relief from the gun range.

Silvia Louro, 18 Buttonwoods Dr., and Melissa Lauro, 85 Cypress Dr. expressed concern with the ambiguity of the term “unnecessarily” in Ordinance 08-24-06.  There are no criteria.  Who would determine the necessity?

Atty. Ryan Stys cautioned the City Council against discussing the Resolution for an Independent Investigation in open session.  He is representing the defendants.  He believes the pending litigation should only be discussed in executive session.

Karen Rosenberg, 46 Bow St., stands in solidarity with the residents of Meshanticut seeking relief from the noise.  Relative to the civil complaint, a lot of people are focused on the concern of a person in their official capacity flagrantly violating the law by driving an unregistered vehicle around the city.  The Mayor has not been adequately able to explain.  His inability to recall the price is not credible.  It’s concerning that Mr. Broccoli may have been given special treatment or had some sort of agreement.  It appears city employees were used to pressure and intimidate.  She is concerned with the City’s financial exposure.  She feels the City Council has the right and obligation to request an independent investigation into the abuse of power.

Drake Patten, 684 Natick Ave., spoke (via Zoom) in support of the Resolution forming a Subcommittee on Homeless Encampments, in support of the neighbors of the gun range, and in support of the Resolution requesting an Independent Investigation.  While she appreciates and respect’s Atty. Stys’ opinion, there is a question of the Mayor’s ethics regarding use of taxpayer money and vindictive use of resources.

VII.     RESOLUTIONS

            None

VIII.    REPORTS OF COMMITTEES   

XVII.  EXECUTIVE SESSION  (vote may be taken to move to executive session)

MOTION made by Councilman Wall, SECOND by Councilman Donegan to move to Executive Session pursuant to RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2) pertaining to prospective and actual litigation matters as listed below:

    Casale vs. City of Cranston   (vote may be taken*)

VOTE (by Roll Call):  Ayes – 9  (unanimous)

Councilwoman Haroian did not join the executive session.

XVIII.  RETURN OPEN SESSION   (vote may be taken)

MOTION made by Councilman Ferri, SECOND by Councilman Wall to return to open session at 8:42 P.M.

VOTE:  Ayes – 9  (unanimous)

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

VOTE:  Ayes – 9  (unanimous)

** At this time discussion returned to Ordinance 05-24-03 In Amendment of Chapter 5.40 of the City of Cranston, 2005, Entitled ‘Hawkers and Peddlers – Generally’ Section 5.40.140 ‘Soliciting at Houses’.

Asst. Solicitor Verdecchia, after speaking with Solicitor Millea, suggested the following changes to address the issue:  1) after line 56 add the language “provide an up-to-date BCI and NCIC background check at the applicant’s expense”; 2) after “moral turpitude” on line 71 add the language “as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws and case law”.

MOTION made by Council President Marino, SECOND by Councilman Ferri to amend Ordinance 5-24-03 to incorporate the language recommended by Asst. Solicitor Verdecchia.

Councilman Paplauskas asked a procedural question.  Can the ordinance be passed as amended or is this a substantive change which requires referral back to committee and readvertising.

Asst. Solicitor Verdecchia explained the amendment is simply to clear up the methodology for the background check.  It does not need to be re-advertised.

VOTE:  Ayes – 9  (unanimous)

MOTION made by Councilman Paplauskas, SECOND by Councilman Wall to approve Ordinance 05-24-03 as amended.

VOTE:  Ayes - 9  (unanimous)

IX.       PUBLIC COMMENT FOR UNDOCKETED ITEMS (no votes)

Public comment may be permitted under this section, subject to time limitations, for UNDOCKETED items only.  

Jay Taraksian, 17 Asia St., expressed concern about a rat infestation caused by overflowing garbage next door.  Rats are constantly feeding on it.  It took the city two months to put out traps.  Housing has come out.  It is unsanitary.  It smells.   He offered to show photos.  He came here for help.  It is getting worse.  The home is located at the corner of Cranston St. and Asia St., opposite the senior center.

Nick Lima, Director of Elections, announced upcoming deadlines and election preparations.  He supports the alternate appointment to the Canvassing Authority.  The position has been vacant back to August, 2022.

X.        ELECTION/APPOINTMENT OF CITY OFFICIALS   

XI.       REPORT OF CITY OFFICERS   

            None

XII.     EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS  

XIII.    COUNCIL PRESIDENT COMMUNICATIONS (no votes)   

Update from the Administration on the police training and gun range facility location as mentioned by the Mayor in recent interviews/debates

Director Moretti spoke.  Soon after receiving complaints, the Administration met with a group of residents.  Two or three years ago a proposal to enclose the gun range was rejected by the Planning Commission.  It never went to Council.  In the meantime, the Mayor has pursued the opportunity to find a piece of land to move the range.  Nothing is concrete.  The Administration is doing due diligence.  There are different parties involved.  He cannot divulge specifics.  It is in the best interest of the city and citizens.  They make no promises.  It may not come to fruition.  Preliminary costs are in the $4 - $6 million range.  It is not inexpensive.  Council will be kept abreast if more concrete information becomes available.  The Mayor has asked the Colonel and Police Dept. to use suppressors.  That muffles about 50% of the sound.  They are doing what they can to mitigate.  An enclosed facility is not soundproof.  You would still hear gunshots.  They are learning of new technology which may be considered through the capital process.  That would go through Planning and Council.  There’s a long way to go.

Councilwoman Renzulli asked about funding through the federal delegation.

Director Moretti replied that we need a plan first.

Councilman Paplauskas would like to see something brought to the Planning Commission in the next budget proposal.  Not only for the residents, but also so the police department can train regardless of the weather.

Councilwoman Haroian asked if other cities and towns have facilities.  She also asked the amount of revenue generated.

Director Moretti believes Providence and Warwick have facilities, but he is not certain.  The revenue is little.  The facility is rarely used by others.

Members of the audience disagreed.

Councilman Campopiano would also like to see a plan in the next budget season.  He is in favor of an enclosure.

Councilman Ferri noted this was first brought up two or more years ago.  It was asked that something be done within a reasonable amount of time.  Two years have gone by and it’s still just a thought.  We have not responded to the needs of the residents for relief.

Councilman Donegan has served on the Finance Committee his entire time on Council and has acted as chair the last two years.  He estimates the city has received $37,000 in revenue between October, 2020 and December, 2023.  The revenue is not readily identifiable in the budget.  He also would like to see the situation resolved through the capital budget process.

Council Vice-President Vargas asked if the city has looked at grants.

Director Moretti pointed out the City Council has a grant writer.  Colonel Winquist always has an ear out.  He is not aware of anything.  He reiterated that a proposal would need to go before the Planning Commission through the budget process.

Councilwoman Renzulli believes she found an application that appears to be for COVID relief money on google.

Director Moretti would have to check with Colonel Winquist.  It doesn’t ring a bell.

Councilwoman Renzulli stated that in the past the facility has been rented to other parties including the FBI.  The Colonel indicated that has been drastically reduced.  She would like to find out if it is now just the Cranston Police Dept. and the municipal training academy.  If not, which other agencies are using the facility.

Council President Marino agrees with Councilwoman Renzulli’s statement that outside use has been reduced within the last year.  Everyone involved has expressed openness and a desire to enclose the facility to mitigate sound and public safety.  There was a proposal through the capital budget process.  The Planning Commission didn’t see the benefit of using city funds.

XIV.    COUNCIL MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS (no votes)

From Councilwoman Haroian:

•         Budlong Pool Update 

Director Moretti reported a lot is being done behind the scenes.  The Administration continues to review and respond to requests for information for the submittal review process.  Concurrently, they are trying to finalize the HUD grant; going through the processes to obtain funding. 

Councilwoman Haroian asked for a timeframe for when the pool will be drained.

Director Moretti will get an estimated timeframe.  The water is being treated regularly.

XV.     COUNCIL BUSINESS MATTERS CARRIED OVER   

            None

XVI.    INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS 

MOTION made by Councilman Wall, SECOND by Councilwoman Haroian to take all new business items as a block.

VOTE:  Ayes – 6  (Ferri, Haroian, Donegan, Wall, Vargas, Marino)

Nays – 2  (Renzulli & Campopiano)

(Councilman Paplauskas was not present for the vote)

MOTION CARRIES.

XVII.  INFORMATIONAL ITEMS – NO ACTION NEEDED

            None

XVIII.  ADJOURNMENT (vote may be taken)

MOTION made by Councilman Ferri, SECOND by Councilman Wall to adjourn at 9:35 P.M.   All Ayes

Respectfully submitted,

Tracy A. Nelson, CMC

City Clerk

Minutes approved as written October 28, 2024

Attest:      Tracy A. Nelson, City Clerk