I.                   CALL TO ORDER

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

II.                ROLL CALL

The roll was called by the clerk.  Stated as present:  Councilwoman Vaziri, Councilman Campopiano, Councilman Buonanno, Councilwoman Graziano, Councilwoman Haroian, Councilman Andujar, Councilman Ritz, Councilman Traficante, and Council President Wall.  Also present:  Legal Counsel Stephen Angell, Solicitor Christopher Millea, Asst. Solicitor John Verdecchia, Budget Analyst David DiMaio, Director of Administration Anthony Moretti, and City Clerk Tracy Nelson.

III.             PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by the body.

IV.             APPROVAL OF MINUTES   (vote may be taken to consider as a block)

V.                PUBLIC ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND COMMENDATIONS 

CITATIONS of Congratulations to the Cranston West Little League, 11-12-year-old Girls’ Softball, All Star State Champions   (no votes)  

CITATIONS of Congratulations to the Cranston East Little League, Boys 9 & under, Sally Eddy Champions   (no votes)

CITATIONS of Congratulations to the Cranston East Boys Volleyball Team, D1 State Champions   (no votes)

Council President Wall announced that presentation of the citations for the Cranston West League Girls Softball and the Cranston East Boys Volleyball has been postponed to the October meeting at the teams’ request.

Council President Wall and Councilwoman Graziano presented the citations to the Cranston East Little League Boys 9 & under Sally Eddy Champions.

VI.             PUBLIC HEARINGS AND PUBLIC COMMENT – DOCKETED ITEMS  

Atty. Robert Murray, 21 Garden City Drive is present to answer any questions the Council may have regarding Ordinance 07-25-06, the zone change for 1746 Cranston St.

VII.          RESOLUTIONS

            None

MOTION was made by Councilwoman Graziano, SECONDED by Councilwoman Haroian to take the agenda out of order.   Ayes - 9        

Council President Wall announced the Council will now move to the first item under Introduction of New Business.

NOMINATION(s) and ELECTION of Council Vice-President for the term ending January 4, 2027  (votes may be taken)

Council President Wall called for nominations for Vice-President.

MOTION made by Councilwoman Graziano, SECONDED by Councilman Andujar to nominate Councilwoman Kristen E. Haroian as Vice-President of the City Council.      

With no other nominations made, Council President Wall closed nominations and called for a vote on the nomination of Councilwoman Haroian.

VOTE:  Ayes – 8 (Vaziri, Campopiano, Buonanno, Graziano, Andujar, Ritz, Traficante, Wall) ; Abstain – 1 (Haroian)

Council Vice-President Haroian was congratulated.

Council President Wall will now return to the published agenda order. 

VIII.       REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

IX.             PUBLIC COMMENT FOR UNDOCKETED ITEMS   (no votes)

There was no public comment for undocketed items.

X.                ELECTION/APPOINTMENT OF CITY OFFICIALS   

APPOINTMENT of Sara D. Porreca to the Cranston Arts Commission for the three-year unexpired term ending June 24, 2028; as requested by Councilman Buonanno
(vote may be taken)

MOTION made by Council Vice-President Haroian, SECONDED by Councilman Andujar to appoint Sara D. Porreca to the Cranston Arts Commission.   Ayes - 9

RE-APPOINTMENT of David W. Guiot, by the Council President, to the Historical Cemeteries Commission, for the term October 24, 2025 through October 24, 2028
(no vote – Council President appointment)

XI.             REPORT OF CITY OFFICERS   

            None

XII.          EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS  

XIII.       COUNCIL PRESIDENT COMMUNICATIONS  (no votes)  

·         Announcement of new Majority Party Leader  

Council President Wall turned the floor over to Council Vice-President Haroian to make the announcement.  Council Vice-President Haroian reported the Democratic members of the City Council selected Councilwoman Graziano to serve as majority leader for the remainder of the Council term.

·         Update on City Council Committee leadership/membership  

Council President Wall will be reaching out to City Council members to make changes to the committees.  There are no changes to announce at this time.

XIV.        COUNCIL MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS   (no votes)    

Councilman Ritz:

·         Update on speeding on Hope Road and recommendations from the Administration for mitigation 

Councilman Ritz reported speeding continues to be the number one issue in this area.  A traffic study showed that 62% of vehicles were travelling at least 10 mph over the posted 25 mph speed limit.  The average speed was 37 mph.  Through the Administration, he discussed mitigation with the Traffic Engineer.  It was suggested to break Hope Road into three zones for further study to isolate issues and target intervention.  Some ideas were road narrowing, striping, raising the speed limit from 25 mph to 40 mph in hopes more people would adhere to the posted speed limit.  A citywide campaign for enforcement was also recommended.  Colonel Winquist agreed with narrowing the road and increasing the speed limit.  These solutions could be tested and then considered in other areas of the city where speeding is a concern.  The suggestions were submitted to the Director of Administration.

Director Moretti met with Colonel Winquist, the Traffic Engineer, and the Public Works Director.  Some measures could be implemented such as increased enforcement.  Road narrowing is not an option.  It could increase the risk of a head-on collision.  In August, dotted lines were painted in front of the school delineating the entrance and exit.  There used to be two radar speed signs.  One was hit.  It will be made operational.  He finds the concept of increasing the speed limit to mitigate speeding interesting.  He would want to hire an outside consultant to conduct a real study.  That would cost thousands of dollars.  So much is social engineering.  Irresponsible drivers will continue to be irresponsible drivers.

Council Vice-President Haroian can not even think of increasing the speed limit near the middle school.

Councilman Buonanno’s wife teaches at Hope Highlands.  In the warmer months, the kids walk from the school to the fields for gym.  Raising the speed limit to mitigate speed is a joke.  The school area should remain 25 mph or be reduced to 20 mph.  That is the most important section.

Director Moretti offered another measure.  The word “school” could be stenciled onto the road approaching and leaving the school. 

Councilman Andujar advocated for speed bumps on Crawford and Laurel Hill.

Councilman Traficante asked the percentage of student population that walk to school at Hope Highlands.  Director Moretti is not sure.  He defers to the school department.  Councilman Buonanno believes the number is low.  He was referring to students walking to Chafee for physical education class during school hours.

Councilman Campopiano wonders if this is a perceived problem or an actual problem.  He would like to know if there are a lot of traffic accidents because of speeding.  He would advocate for the signs that flash your speed as you approach school zones. 

Council President Wall thanked Councilman Ritz for bringing forward strategies that could be used throughout the city.  Most areas do not include sidewalks.  People drive too fast and many are distracted.   

XV.           COUNCIL BUSINESS MATTERS CARRIED OVER

            None

XVI.        INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS 

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:

Council President Wall announced Ordinance 09-25-06 was withdrawn by the sponsor.

Councilman Traficante elaborated.  He and Councilman Andujar met with the neighbors and spoke with the Mayor.  This has been an ongoing issue for almost three years.  He wants to assist the residents without causing damage to police training.

MOTION made by Council Vice-President Haroian, SECONDED by Councilwoman Graziano to take all new business items as a block with the exception of Ordinance 09-25-06.   Ayes – 9

MOTION made by Council Vice-President Haroian, SECONDED by Councilwoman Graziano to refer the block of new business items to their respective committees.   Ayes – 9  

XVII.     INFORMATIONAL ITEMS – NO ACTION REQUIRED  (no votes)

RESIGNATION of Jesse Dooley from the Board of Contract and Purchase (BOCAP) effective August 21, 2025

RESIGNATION of Emilia Vaziri from the Juvenile Hearing Board effective September 16, 2025  

Council President Wall announced the two resignations.  No action is needed.

XVIII. ADJOURNMENT (vote may be taken) 

MOTION made by Councilman Buonanno, SECONDED by Councilman Traficante to adjourn at 7:41 P.M.   All Ayes

Approved as written October 27, 2025

Tracy A. Nelson, City Clerk