(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
Special Meeting
| 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 |
MINUTES
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 at 6:00 P.M.
A Special Meeting of the City Council was held in the Cranston City Council Chambers, Cranston City Hall, 869 Park Ave., Cranston, RI 02910 for the purpose of considering the following items listed on the agenda. Remote participation was offered.
YouTube Livestream
The meeting was live streamed on YouTube. Click the link below to view the meeting. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtE9vwA1B1PQHuftrNPcZjg.
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. by Council President Daniel R. Wall.
II. ROLL CALL
Roll was called by the clerk. Stated as present: Councilwoman Graziano, Councilman Andujar, Councilman Ritz, Councilwoman Vaziri, Councilman Campopiano, Councilman Buonanno, Council Vice-President Haroian, and Council President Wall. Absent: Councilman Traficante
Also present: City Clerk Tracy Nelson
III. EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION made by Council Vice-President Haroian, SECONDED by Councilman Andujar to move to executive session pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-46-5(a)(2) for litigation or prospective litigation as follows:
CONSIDERATION of Letter of Engagement for Litigation Counsel to represent the Cranston City Council in the following litigation:
Drake Patten / R.I. Attorney General v. Cranston City Council
(OMA complaint dated August 21, 2025 relative to
Special Council Meeting of August 20, 2025)
ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes – 8 (Graziano, Andujar, Ritz, Vaziri, Campopiano, Buonanno, Haroian and Wall)
IV. RETURN OPEN SESSION (vote may be taken)
MOTION made by Councilman Andujar, SECONDED by Councilwoman Graziano to return to open session at 6:25 P.M. Ayes – 8 (unanimous)
MOTION made by Council Vice-President Haroian, SECONDED by Councilman Andujar to seal the minutes of the executive session. Ayes – 8 (unanimous)
Council President Wall reported that the following motion was made, seconded, and unanimously approved in executive session:
MOTION made by Council Vice-President Haroian, SECONDED by Councilman Buonanno to hire Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP as litigation counsel to represent the Cranston City Council in the matter of Drake Patten / R.I. Attorney General v. Cranston City Council (OMA complaint dated August 21, 2025 relative to Special Council Meting of August 20, 2025); to approve the letter of engagement dated September 19, 2025 between the two parties; to authorize the City Council President to sign the letter of engagement; and to enter the letter of engagement into the record. Ayes – 8 (unanimous)
V. ADJOURNMENT (vote may be taken)
MOTION made by Councilman Andujar, SECONDED by Council Vice-President Haroian to adjourn at 6:28 P.M. All Ayes
Respectfully submitted,
Tracy A. Nelson, CMC
City Clerk
Minutes approved as written October 27, 2025
Attest: Tracy A. Nelson, City Clerk