(The following is not a verbatim transcript of comments or discussion that occurred during the meeting, but rather a summarization intended for general informational purposes. All motions and votes are the official records).

CRANSTON CITY COUNCIL

Jessica M. Marino, President, City-Wide	Bridget R. Graziano, Ward 1
Daniel Wall, Vice-President, Ward 6	Kristen E. Haroian, Ward 2
Richard D. Campopiano, City-Wide	Andy M. Andujar, Ward 3
Christopher E. Buonanno, City-Wide	Frank J. Ritz, Jr., Ward 4
	Michael A. Traficante, Ward 5

REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL

-DECEMBER 15, 2025-

Regular meeting of the City Council was held on Monday, December 15, 2025 in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 869 Park Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island.

I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER:

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by the Council President.

II. ROLL CALL:

Roll call showed the following members present: Councilwoman Graziano, Councilmen Andujar, Ritz, Traficante, Councilwoman Vaziri, Councilmen Campopiano, Buonanno, Council Vice-President Haroian and Council President Wall -9.

Also Present: Anthony Moretti, Chief of Staff; John Verdecchia, Assistant City Solicitor; Michael Marcello, City Council Legal Counsel; David DiMaio, City Council Budget Analyst; Rosalba Zanni, Assistant City Clerk/Clerk of Committee; Ron Ronzio, Stenotypist.

III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by the body.

Council President asked for a moment of silence for the students who died and were injured at Brown University this weekend.

IV. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, COMMENDATIONS AND CITATIONS

None.

V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (vote may be taken)

APPROVAL of the minutes of the November 17, 2025 Regular Council Meeting

On motion by Councilman Traficante, seconded by Council Vice-President Haroian, it was voted to approve the minutes of the November 17, 2025 regular meeting and they stand approved as recorded. Motion passed on a vote of 9-0. The following being recorded as voting “aye”: Councilwoman Graziano, Councilmen Andujar, Ritz, Councilwoman Vaziri, Councilmen Traficante, Campopiano, Buonanno, Council Vice-President Haroian and Council President Wall -9.

VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND PUBLIC COMMENT – DOCKETED ITEMS

Joy Fox, 411 Fair St., Warwick, Editor of Cranston Herald, appeared to speak regarding proposed Ordinance 10-25-03 and stated that it has been a long few months. We started this discussion in October. The Ordinance before you this evening is being amended for special advertising in newspaper. She looks forward to working with the City Clerk’s Office to putting this into practice and hope going forward that we only find more ways to become more transparent to the public to have this Chamber full for every meeting.

Robert Murray, Esq., 75 Debbie Dr., appeared to speak regarding Resolution establishing a Housing Court and reiterated comments he made at the Ordinance Committee meeting on December 3rd. There were a few issues that came up at the Ordinance Committee meeting that he would like to comment on, one being that one of the members suggested that there are several cities and towns that have similar Legislation like Cranston is seeking those include the Towns of Johnston, Warren,

Portsmouth, South Kingstown, Lincoln and Foster. He did some research after the meeting and Johnston, Warren and Portsmouth have a Municipal Court. They do not have a separate Housing Court. The Town of South Kingstown does have a Housing Court, but they have one Judge who is also the Municipal Court Judge and he handles both calendars. The Town of Lincoln has a Municipal Court and no separate Housing Court and the Town of Foster was mentioned and they have neither a Municipal Court nor a Housing Court. He also stated that we have a Court system that he thinks works. It is handling housing violations now. He just does not believe we can afford it nor is it a necessary part. You have tools in the tool box now to address housing violations and Code Enforcement. The real focus needs to be on staffing levels in the Minimum Housing Office in the Inspections Department. Creating more Judges is not going to solve this problem if we do not have the personnel to generate violations or alleged violations for property owners. He thinks there are other things this Council could be memorializing the General Assembly for, such as increased State Aid and additional Pilot money. Those things are meaningful for the taxpayers. He is just not convinced a new Housing Court financially makes sense or is needed from an operations point.

VII. RESOLUTIONS

RESOLUTION in support of an application to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management for an Outdoor Recreation Grant to support Phase III of the Budlong Pool Recreation Project. Sponsored by Council Vice-President Haroian

Council Vice-President Haroian stated that the Mayor’s Office and Clerk’s Office reached out to the City Council regarding this and our Grant Writer was able to find a Grant that would help us with the Budlong Pool. This is a Grant and she asked for approval so we can put in for it.

Director Moretti stated that he formality involved is that the City Council, who is actually the monetary or budgetary approving body and that is a key reason why this is in front of this body tonight.

Council President Wall stated that he will be support this. It sounds like a very worthy cause.

On motion by Councilwoman Graziano, seconded by Councilman Andujar, it was voted to approve this Resolution. Motion passed on a vote of 9-0. The following being recorded as voting “aye”: Councilwoman Graziano, Councilmen Andujar, Ritz, Traficante, Councilwoman Vaziri, Councilmen Campopiano, Buonanno, Council Vice-President Haroian and Council President Wall -9.

VIII. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

Report from the Chair, Councilwoman Vaziri, on the CLAIMS COMMITTEE meeting of November 3 Claims Paid

No action needed.

Report from the Chair, Council Vice-President Haroian, on the SAFETY SERVICES & LICENSES COMMITTEE meeting held November 3, 2025 (no action, no votes)

No business.

Report from the Chair, Councilman Andujar, on the FINANCE COMMITTEE meeting held November 3, 2025:

1. RESOLUTION Authorizing Real Estate Tax Abatements as requested by the Tax Assessor and recommended for approval by the Finance Committee December 1, 2025.

On motion by Councilman Traficante, seconded by Councilwoman Graziano, it was voted to approve this Resolution. Motion passed on a vote of 9-0. The following being recorded as voting “aye”: Councilwoman Graziano, Councilmen Andujar, Ritz, Traficante, Councilwoman Vaziri, Councilmen Campopiano, Buonanno, Council Vice-President Haroian and Council President Wall -9.

2. RESOLUTION Authorizing Motor Vehicle Tax Abatements as requested by the Tax Assessor and recommended for approval by the Finance Committee October 6, 2025

On motion by Council Vice-President Haroain, seconded by Councilman Traficante, it was voted to approve this Resolution. Motion passed on a vote of 9-0. The following being recorded as voting “aye”: Councilwoman Graziano, Councilmen Andujar, Ritz, Traficante, Councilwoman Vaziri, Councilmen Campopiano, Buonanno, Council Vice-President Haroian and Council President Wall -9.

3. Consideration of Tax Interest Waiver Approvals

On motion by Council Vice-President Haroian, seconded by Councilwoman Graziano, it was voted to approve the above list of tax interest waiver approvals. Motion passed on a vote of 9-0. The following being recorded as voting “aye”: Councilwoman Graziano, Councilmen Andujar, Ritz, Traficante, Councilwoman Vaziri, Councilmen Campopiano, Buonanno, Council Vice-President Haroian and Council President Wall -9.

Report from the Chair, Councilwoman Graziano, on the PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE meeting held November 6, 2025: (no action, no votes)

No business.

Report from the Chair, Councilman Andujar, on the ORDINANCE COMMITTEE meeting held November 6, 2025:

9-25-04 ORDINANCE in amendment of Title 10, Chapter 32, Section 180 of the City of Cranston Code of Ordinances, 2005, entitled “No Parking Weekdays”. Sponsored by Councilman Buonanno and Council President Wall. Recommended for approval as amended by the Ordinance Committee December 3, 2025

On motion by Council Vice-President Haroain, seconded by Councilwoman Graziano, it was voted to approve this Ordinance.

Councilman Buonanno stated that in the Council packets this evening is a copy of how this officially has to be done and then what will be reported to Municode.

Roll call was taken on above motion and motion passed on a vote of 9-0. The following being recorded as voting “aye”: Councilwoman Graziano, Councilmen Andujar, Ritz, Traficante, Councilwoman Vaziri, Councilmen Campopiano, Buonanno, Council Vice-President Haroian and Council President Wall -9.

10-25-03 ORDINANCE in amendment of Title 2, Chapter 04, Section 060 of the City of Cranston Code of Ordinances, 2005, entitled “Advertising Special Meetings of the City Council”. Sponsored by Council Vice-President Haroian. Co-sponsored by Councilman Andujar. Recommended for approval as amended by the Ordinance Committee December 3, 2025.

On motion by Councilman Campopiano, seconded by Councilwoman Graziano, it was voted to approve this Ordinance.

Councilman Campopiano thanked Council President Wall for sending this back to the Ordinance Committee to be tweaked and urged passage this evening.

Councilman Ritz stated that there has been a lot of strong opinions and some passionate debate, but he appreciates everyone on both sides, the public also, coming together to find some language that he thinks works well for everyone. He thinks it is very transparent and it shows open government.

Councilman Andujar thanked Council Vice-President Haroian for bringing this forward. He stated that we really needed it and got it done.

Council President Wall concurred with all his colleagues. He stated that he thinks that we did come out with the right Ordinance and is pleased to recommend passage.

11-25-02 ORDINANCE in amendment of Title 10, Chapter 32, Section 040 of

the City of Cranston Code of Ordinances, 2005, entitled “No Parking On Certain Streets – Generally”. Sponsored by Councilman Traficante.

On motion by Council Vice-President Haroian, seconded by Councilman Traficante, it was voted to approve this Ordinance. Motion passed on a vote of 9-0. The following being recorded as voting “aye”: Councilwoman Graziano, Councilmen Andujar, Ritz, Traficante, Councilwoman Vaziri, Councilmen Campopiano, Buonanno, Council Vice-President Haroian and Council President Wall -9.

RESOLUTION requesting the Honorable General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island to enact enabling legislation authorizing the City of Cranston to establish a full jurisdiction Housing Court Division within its Municipal Court. Sponsored by Councilmen Andujar, Traficante, Buonanno and Councilwoman Graziano.

On motion by Council Vice-President Haroian, seconded by Councilwoman Graziano, it was voted to approve this Ordinance.

Councilman Ritz stated that today he had the opportunity to visit the Court with Councilman Campopiano and it was interesting to see the process and see how they do everything. He does see some opportunity for changes there. He respects his colleague for his position trying to make some changes, but we have heard from several subject matter experts, Mr. Murray and Mr. Pikul, and if this goes forward, he hopes we consider their recommendations that they have brought forward also.

Council Vice-President Haroian thanked Councilman Andujar and stated that he campaigned with this and he never gave up on it. His intentions are to make this City better. She has received several complaints about houses being run down. She and Councilwoman Graziano have had a complaint in Councilwoman Graziano’s Ward for several months. A lot of the times, it seems like things are not being done or addressed. This is not to hurt the homeowner that just did not get to cut their grass because they were busy with their kids. This is for abandoned properties and houses that are unsafe to the neighborhood.

Councilman Campopiano stated that he thinks everyone knows where he stands on this matter and after visiting the Court today, it only strengthens his opinikon. He stated that Cranston has 34,000 households and we have seven Municipal Court Judges and proposed for six additional Judges, which is a lot of Judges. Providence has 68,000 households and they have three Housing Court Judges and three Municipal Court Judges. Warwick has 39,000 households and has one Municipal Court Judge and no Housing Court Judge. East Providence has 22,000 households and two Municipal Court Judges and -0- Housing Court Judge. Also, there are vehicles for ways that we can get these things done. He has learned today that we can put a house into Receivership if the Mayor says a house goes into Receivership, it can go into Receivership and costs the City nothing. He thinks this is going to cost the City money. He talked to the Clerks, he visited the Court on Friday and it was not in Session. He spoke to another Court Judge there and got their opinion, he got the Clerk’s opinion. He did all his homework when he made this decision on this stance and he feels that it is going to cost the City money unnecessarily. Maybe we can bolster where we have Inspections and get that done, but to say we are going to put in another Court, to him it sounds like throwing money at a problem in order to solve it. He cannot support this.

Councilman Andujar stated that this was created and this Legislation is going up to there just to give our Court system some tools. This is not a separate Court. It is just adding more firepower to the Division.

Councilman Traficante stated that it was not too long ago that Council President Wall, Andujar and himself had a chance to basically roam the City of Cranston and discover a number of abandoned houses and houses that were in disrepair. This did not happen overnight. This has happened for the past several years. It is quite obvious that the City has failed in that respect through our Building Inspections Office to recognize this so he is in full support of this Court.

Councilman Buonanno stated that he agrees with Councilman Traficante and Council Vice-President Haroian. There are a lot of problems in the City and one of our colleagues came up with an idea, pitched it to several Council Members to co-sponsor, tweaked it, edited it, went back and forth and yes, it is ok to disagree with the idea, but as Council people, if we disagree with it, we have to come up with a concrete plan to try to improve something. He appreciates that Councilman Campopiano does not agree with this, but if someone does not agree with something, it is incumbent upon us as elected officials and Council people to come up with an alternative. He has yet to see that. He thinks that this is a step in the right direction. Does he think it is perfect, no, but ultimately, he thinks that this is going to make our City a better place to live, it is going to make our City even better than East Providence and Pawtucket and some of the places that Councilman Campopiano mentioned, that do not have a Housing Court and it is going to make us and continue to keep us one of the top cities in our Country.

Council President Wall stated that he can’t say if this is the right or the wrong thing, but it is something. It is asking the General Assembly for enabling Legislation. Councilmen Traficante, Andujar and himself did absolutely see homes that had been not in disrepair or dangerous for a few months, these are years. What we are doing independent and what they do in other Cities is not working and doing nothing just does not sit right with him. For that reason, he will be supporting it.

Councilman Traficante stated that during their research, there were two particular houses and one was abandoned for seven years, which a neighbor told him the other night asking what we are doing about it and he explained about the Court that we are proposing. Seven years abandoned and the house is in total disrepair. Councilman Andujar, Council President and himself walked into that house and it was disgusting the condition it was in. There was another house in Western Cranston abandoned for fifteen years. That is not fair to the taxpayers in that particular area. They are paying good taxes for their property to have a house abandoned for fifteen years with no one living in it. This only strengthens his opinion about this particular Court.

Councilman Campopiano stated that if this ever gets implemented, it was always said that it was going to be a pilot program. He has not seen anything in writing yet that said it would be a pilot program, but once it is in, even if it fails or if it is good, it is in there permanently because the next Council is not going to know that we put this in and see if it works. So, it is adding something to the Budget for in perpetude. Also, these houses Councilman Traficante mentioned, are the taxes being paid? Can they go up for tax sale? As he stated earlier, the Mayor can say ‘this house is going to go into Receivership and take it over’. His point is there are ways that we can do this now without adding any money to the Budget. He would like to have a workshop where we get people that are in the trenches, the people that do this and get their opinion and identify what is wrong before we throw money at it and see if we can solve it.

Council President Wall reiterated that what we are voting on tonight is sending this to the General Assembly to get enabling Legislation so we can maybe begin that discussion to see what it looks like. We are not spending any money today, we have not written the Ordinance, what it looks like, if it is a pilot, if it is sunseted any of that. The concerns are definitely valid, but this is just the beginning in his view.

Councilman Andujar reiterated everything Council President Wall stated. He indicated that the first two versions was creating a new Court, but the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth version was just basically giving it more strength and trying to get support to our Inspectors that is highly needed and he urged passage.

Council Vice-President Haroian stated that just because another City or Town does not do it, we do not need to be followers, we can be leaders, we can do this and be successful.

Roll call was taken on above motion and motion passed on a vote of 8-1. The following being recorded as voting “aye”: Councilwoman Graziano, Councilmen Andujar, Ritz, Traficante, Councilwoman Vaziri, Councilman Buonanno, Council Vice-President Haroian and Council President Wall -8. The following being recorded as voting “nay”: Councilman Campopiano -1.

IX. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR UNDOCKETED ITEMS

Sue Kelley, 199 Jordan Ave., appeared to speak and stated that she joins Rhode Islanders in being heartbroken over the Brown University mass shooting. If Rhode Island had stringent gun laws, perhaps this would not have happened. For the same reason she is angry about Cranston right now. Many working people of Cranston are only one or two paychecks away from facing homelessness. This is a problem that will not simply vanish, at least not until we pay all workers living wages and make rent easily affordable. In having transparent and easily accessible information about and for the homeless allows our government to pretend it is no problem in our City. Our ability to understand the extent of the problem is hidden from us being a lack of information and good hearts will help us know what has to be done. We need to adopt a caring attitude toward the homeless. Cranston could create a humane policy that makes sure all of our homeless neighbors have shelters, food, sanitary facilities, mental health counseling, medical assistance and job training programs that will help them get back on their feet. Good government takes care of its people, all of its people and treats them with dignity. Cranston would do well to develop a homelessness policy in which clear services are outlined, funded and made easily available to those that are in trouble. She has not found a dashboard on the City of Cranston website that provides information about the number of homeless, where they go or how they are helped. Intentional ignorance cannot solve a problem. Without knowing the parameters of homelessness in Cranston, it will be difficult to move forward effectively. We need transparency and we need information. We need to do better.

Harrison Tuttle, 131 Belmont Rd., appeared to speak and stated that he is present this evening because for a few years now, he has seen a lot of conversation around affordable housing. He has seen a lot of conversation around how we best treat our homeless population. He has been in contact with his Councilwoman as well as Councilman Campopiano about the issue that we have around our unhoused neighbors. He runs two warming centers. One of them is open tonight. They open with the temperature reaching 22 degrees real feel and below. The work that they are doing is housing seventeen people at Mathewson St., seventeen people at Community Church of Providence, providing them with a hot meal and with transportation to the site as well as to a warm meal at Amos House or wherever they choose to be downtown. When he looks at a municipality of Cranston, which has a population of 82,000 people, and he can’t find on the City website where people can go, we must consider what it is that they are doing in terms of an actionable plan. We must come together as a community to be able to decide what is our plan and who is a part of that plan because as we continue to say on the City property, we are not allowing people to be on City property, we are not allowing folks that are homeless to be on our property, then that City better have a responsibility to tell those residents where to go. He, Sue Kelley and many other residents who he has spoken to are very interested in a solution. What they are looking for is a municipal meeting in which they can coordinate with the community or action from the City Council itself very quickly because with the temperature outside like tonight, people will die and if people die in this City as a result of lack of infrastructure and the lack of planning, he will be back here, but he will be back here with 75 people.

Captain Justin Dutra, Cranston Police, appeared to speak via Zoom regarding the homeless situation in Cranston and stated that as part of his duties at the Cranston Police Department, is to respond to the homeless encampments and various complaints that come from businesses, City Hall, residents, etc. The policy that they have at the Police Department responding to these camps is a gentle approach. It is not a heavy enforcement type of approach. They respond to these camps with clinicians who are embedded in the Police Department from Brown Mental Health and CCAP and when they respond there with these clinicians, they offer a host of services from different contact information for housing, food, medical assistance, insurance assistance and things like that. He has been dealing with these encampments, approximately six of them right now. They fluctuate between six and ten in the City between 15-20 residents in these encampments for approximately three years and not one of them in the three years, have we trespassed or charged any homeless person with trespassing or any other crimes related to their homelessness. Their approach is to respond out and offer services. If they are on private or State property, they leave them be. If they choose to stay, they stay as we do not have jurisdiction over that. The City does have the same policy on City property, but even at that, they do not kick them out. They give them a chance to respond to some services and to relocate in a timely manner. He can’t comment to links on the City website. That is what he does, but they are offering a host of services and doing that through licensed social workers and clinicians. From his experience, the occupants of these camps either refuse the services or they move on and relocate on their own and they become difficult to track down from the clinicians. He knows the Fire Department, who travel out to these sites a lot with the Police Department, are operating under the same policies and means.

X. ELECTION/APPOINTMENT OF CITY OFFICIALS

RE-APPOINTMENT of Christopher Loens, by Mayor Hopkins, as Tree Warden for the year 2026

No action needed.

RE-APPOINTMENT of Joseph Marocco to the Juvenile Hearing Board for the term December 1, 2025 through December 1, 2028; as requested by Council President Wall.

On motion by Council Vice-President Haroian, seconded by Councilwoman Graziano, it was voted to re-appoint Joseph Marocco to the Juvenile Hearing Board for the term December 1, 2025 through December 1, 2028, as requested by Council President Wall. Motion passed on a vote of 9-0. The following being recorded as voting “aye”: Councilwoman Graziano, Councilmen Andujar, Ritz, Traficante, Councilwoman Vaziri, Councilmen Campopiano, Buonanno, Council Vice-President Haroian and Council President Wall -9.

XI. REPORT OF CITY OFFICERS

None.

XII. EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS

Legal Expense Analysis for the period of July 1, 2025 through December 4, 2025

Councilman Andujar asked if the reports are supposed to be detailed or plain and simple the way they are.

Solicitor Verdecchia stated that publicly, plain and simple they way they are because any more detail could potentially reveal litigation strategy and things like that. If the Council would like to see more details, that should be done in Executive Session.

Councilwoman Graziano stated that this is a wild amount of money and she has a pause for concern about how much money we are spending on outside legal counsel. If other Council Members would like to see more details on this, she is absolutely happy to request an Executive Session to have that done.

Council Vice-President Haroian stated that she would be willing to request an Executive Session. The amount of outside legal counsel is $92,000.

Council President Wall stated that an Executive Session could be scheduled for the full Council meeting.

Councilman Buonanno asked Mr. DiMaio how we are doing as far as what we have budgeted and where we are on this particular matter. Solicitor Verdecchia stated that this may be a bit far off Open Meetings in terms of how this was advertised. Councilman Buonanno stated that he will hold that for the Executive Session.

XIII. COUNCIL PRESIDENT COMMUNICATIONS

None.

XIV. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS

Councilman Andujar:

· Marcus Stevenson, Chair of School Buildings Committee, to give the Council a report on school buildings,

· Marcus Stephenson, 87 Garden Hills Dr., Chair of School Buildings Committee, appeared to speak and stated that currently they have three major projects going on:

1) Gladstone is in its final stage of completion. Estimated to be completed April, 2026 and the School will be occupied by the 2026 academic year;

2) Eden Park is in its final stage of completion as well. Estimated completion is July, 2026 and will be occupied in 2026 academic year;

3) AES Charter School has four phases. They are in the first phase. Demo and abatement has been completed and the roof is about to start in two weeks.

Buildings Committee minutes are publicly available with regular scheduled meetings and the meetings are open to the public. Updates and documents that illustrate the diligence and financial focus to ensure active projects are completed within the budgetary constraints and shared during Building Committee meetings, which are open to the public.

Council President Wall thanked Mr. Stephenson for coming to this meeting and for all the information he shared.

Councilman Ritz asked if all these projects are on budget. Mr. Stephenson stated that they are all on budget.

Councilman Traficante stated that as Chair of the AES Academy, the Charter School, in the City of Cranston, there has been some speculation about $3 million being floated around and Councilman Campopiano asked him about that particular issue. He stated that he would like to clarify that this evening. He stated that as everyone knows, the Charter School was granted approximately $12.5 million of the $40 million Bond that was floated by the City of Cranston. They have not asked the City of Cranston for any additional monies above that $12.5 million. They received an additional $1 million from RIDE for that reconstruction project, however, the $3 million that has been floating around, the $3 million is coming from the Laborers Union and not from the City of Cranston.

Councilman Campopiano stated that he has a question regarding the reimbursement rate. He checked the Referendum and the numbers 74%, 75% keeps getting thrown around and on the Referendum it states 50% not lower than 50%. That is a big range when you talk about $147 million and then another $40 million to go from 75% down to 50%, that is a huge number. He asked what drives the reimbursement rate because that could cost the City an enormous amount of money.

Mr. Stephenson stated that he has the answer to that, but would rather refer to Mr. Melillo, Vice-Chair of School Buildings Committee and School Committee Member, who could probably answer that better.

Mr. Melillo stated that the 74% reimbursement rate is an agreement with RIDE of projects that were done. Gladsome, Eden Park and AES and the completion of that, the reimbursement rate will be 74%. based on all criteria that was done by the other schools. That is why we are coupled under Gladstone and Eden Park so AES is coupled un that, so it would all be reimbursed at 74% for a program that the State of Rhode Island is doing that we really should have taken more advantage of like other Districts building millions of dollars’ worth. We are getting 74% reimbursement on the projects that were mentioned. If we go out to Bond for new projects, that is a different subject.

XV. COUNCIL BUSINESS MATTERS CARRIED OVER

RESOLUTION Adopting the City of Cranston Safety Action Plan. Sponsored by Mayor Hopkins. Recommended for approval by the Ordinance Committee November 6, 2025. Continued from 11/17/2025 City Council meeting.

On motion by Councilman Buonanno, seconded by Councilman Andujar, it was voted to approve this Resolution.

Director Moretti stated that if there are any questions, Planning Director Beth Ashman is present this evening.

Councilwoman Graziano stated that since Ms. Ashman is present this evening, she asked for a brief explanation.

Director Ashman stated that they have been working on this plan for over a year and she thinks it is a really tremendous resource. They did a deep dive with their consultants for data on crashes, injuries and fatalities. They also did an analysis of the road designs in Cranston and where they correlate with the kinds of roads where we see accidents, injuries and fatalities elsewhere. They had participation from the DPW and the Police in informing the strategy. It is a huge resource showing us fourteen projects where we can get the biggest bank for our buck in terms of increasing safety on our streets. For each of these fourteen project areas, they have maps where the problem areas are and they have a list of strategies. This is really a game plan for us in order to increase safety on our streets and help us become more strategic in how we use our resources. There are three goals that this proposed plan if adopted: 1) focus our investments on improving safety in the high injury network to maximize reductions of fatalities and serious injuries, 2) reduce fatal injuries on City of Cranston and RIDOT roadways by 50% by 2040, and 3) try to achieve -0- roadway fatalities and serious injuries by 2050.

Councilman Andujar thanked Director Ashman for working on this plan and it is going to help Ward 3 a lot.

Councilwoman Graziano asked if this plan was to be approved, would it make us more favorable if we apply for a Grant if we have this plan in place? Ms. Ashman stated, absolutely. Having a Safety Action Plan is a prerequisite for applying for a lot of federal transportation funds.

XVI. INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS

The following items of new business are listed for reference and for a vote to be referred to the appropriate Council sub-committee for a public hearing. The Council President may call for a motion to consider one or more of the new business items as a block:

12-25-01 Ordinance in amendment of Chapter 17 of the Code of the City of Cranston, as amended, entitled “Zoning”. Sponsored by Councilman Andujar. To be referred to Ordinance Committee January 7. 2026.

12-25-2 Ordinance in amendment of Chapter 17 of the Code of the City of Cranston, 2005, entitled “Zoning” (Change of Zone – 0 Plainfield Pike, Cranston, Rhode Island ) (Dunkin’ Donuts). Petition filed by RLF IV Terminals, SPE, LLC – Owners and Mineral Enterprises, Inc. – Applicants. Referred to Ordinance Committee February 4, 2026

12-25-03 Ordinance authorizing the sale of City-owned property located on Cardinal Rd. (Assessor Plat 24, Lot 2024), pursuant to Charter Section 7.08. Sponsored by Mayor Hopkins. To be referred to Ordinance Committee January 7, 2026.

12-25-04 Ordinance in amendment of Title 2 of the City of Cranston Code of Ordinances, 2025, entitled “Administration and Personnel” (Chater 2.24 entitled “Fire Composition”). Sponsored by Mayor Hopkins. To be referred to Special Ordinance Committee December 22, 2025.

PETITION of Narragansett Electric and Verizon New England Inc. for installation of stub pole on Haward St. and Park Ave. Referred to Public Works Committee on January 7, 2026.

PETITION of Narragansett Electric and Verizon New England Inc. for installation of new pole on Park Ave. and Southern St. Referred to Public Works Committee on January 7, 2026.

CLAIMS to be referred to the Claims Committee meeting of January 5, 2026 as follows:

CLAIMANT TYPE OF CLAIM DATE OF INCIDENT

Thomas Fredericks property damage 8/15/2025

Kyla Kennedy property damage 11/10/2025

Tiana Carroll property damage 8/15/2025

Patricia Susi property damage 11/10/2025

Melanie Pryce property damage 11/8/2025

Adriana Arcade property damage 10/9/2025

On motion by Councilman Andujar, seconded by Council Vice-President Haroian, it was voted to take as a block the above New Business and refer to respective Committees except for proposed Ordinance 12-25-03. Motion passed on a vote of 9-0. The following being recorded as voting “aye”: Councilwoman Graziano, Councilmen Andujar, Ritz, Traficante, Councilwoman Vaziri, Councilmen Campopiano, Buonanno, Council Vice-President Haroian and Council President Wall -9.

Council President Wall asked Attorney Marcello to speak on this matter to explain why that particular Ordinance was pulled.

Attorney Marcello stated that the reason this proposed Ordinance was pulled was there was a scrivener’s error in Assessor’s Lot number, which should be Plat 24 Lot 204. Also, the Ordinance that was proposed has the correct title but the body of that Ordinance is different than what it should be. The body establishes a Revolving Loan Fund. He thinks there was an error through the Solicitor’s Office when they sent it to the Clerk. What he is asking is, he believes the Clerk passed out a substitute, the title is correct on the agenda and we are just substituting the Ordinance that is now before the City Council and refer that to Committee so there is no real substantive change other than we are going to substitute the Ordinance that should be with this title to the Committee.

Director Moretti stated that that Ordinance, what we will refer to as a companion Ordinance, he asked if that can be referred to the December 22^nd Special Ordinance Committee meeting rather than January. Attorney Marcello stated that the public hearing has to be seven days after advertising and it has not been advertised for that. Director Moretti stated that the concern would be passage of the other Ordinance, because that would have to be passed as a package because there would not be funding in order to facilitate the other Ordinance. Attorney Marcello stated that what the Ordinance Committee can do on the 22^nd is defer that Ordinance to the January meeting when both Ordinances can be heard together.

Councilwoman Graziano stated that she would like to request some items before voting on this. She stated that she had a problem finding this property on the City’s GIS map and for the next meeting, she would like a copy of this location and reason it was selected. She thinks we owe that to the citizens of Cranston.

On motion by Council Vice-President Haroian, seconded by Councilwoman Graziano, it was voted to refer proposed Ordinance 12-25-03 to the January 7, 2026 Ordinance Committee meting as substituted. Motion passed on a vote of 9-0. The following being recorded as voting “aye”: Councilwoman Graziano, Councilmen Andujar, Ritz, Traficante, Councilwoman Vaziri, Councilmen Campopiano, Buonanno, Council Vice-President Haroian and Council President Wall -9.

XVII. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS – NO ACTION REQUIRED

2026 Meeting City Council/Committees Schedule

No action needed.

2026 Municipal Court Quarterly Calendars

No action needed.

XVIII. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS – NO ACTION REQUIRED

None.

Council President Wall wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

XIX. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

Rosalba Zanni

Assistant City Clerk/Clerk of Committees