CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

RHODE ISLAND

JOURNAL CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION

APRIL 19, 2023

Council Chamber, City Hall, 145 Taunton Avenue, East Providence, Rhode Island RI  02914

 

 

I.          Call to Order

 

Assistant City Solicitor Dylan Conley opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m.  The following  members were present:            

 

Marc Furtado, Bruce Rogers, Julie Silva, Michael Sullo, Manuel Vinhateiro,

John Faria, Izilda Fernandes, Valerie Perry, Joseph Tavares

 

11.    PUBLIC COMMENT         

            Members introduced themselves and gave a brief bio.

 

III.       Review of charge of the Commission  

 

Council President Robert Rodericks addressed the Commission and provided them with the Charge of Duties for the Commission. 

 

IV.       Nomination and Election of Commission Officers

 

1.   Chair – Mr. Faria moved to nominate Marc Furtado for the position of Chair.

Seconded by Mr. Sullo. The motion passed on a 6-2-1 vote.

 

Ayes:  Furtado, Sullo, Vinhateiro, Faria, Perry, Tavares

Nays:  Fernandes, Silva

Abstention: Rogers

 

2.   Vice Chair – Mr. Faria moved to nominate Manuel Vinhateiro for the position of Vice Chair.  Mr. Rogers seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.

 

3.      Secretary – Mr. Faria moved to nominate Valerie Perry for the position of Secretary.  Mr. Vinhateiro seconded the motion.   The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.

 

V.        Discuss and setting of Review Commission meeting calendar

 

Solicitor Conley states that within nine months after the Charter Commission is appointed, it may deliver proposed amendments to the City Council, but it is not binding. 

Discussion is held regarding prioritizing versus going through the entire charter.  Vice Chair Vinhateiro says we need to identify what the priorities or charter deficiencies are and go forward from there.

 

Mr. Faria moved to meet twice a week.  Valerie Perry seconded the motion. The motion was defeated on a 1-8 vote: (Ayes:  Faria; Nays: Fernandes, Perry, Rogers, Silva, Sullo, Tavares, Vinhateiro, Furtado

 

Discussion continued on the time frame between meetings in which the Law Department can provide quality analysis on the issues.

 

Ms. Silva moved to meet once a week on Wednesdays.  Mr. Rogers seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote. 

 

VI.       Discussion of Law Department support of Commission activities and drafting, including compliance with Rhode Island Open Meetings Act

 

            Chairman Furtado reminded Commissioners that any of them can do research, but everything must filter through the Law Department.

 

            Solicitor Conley spoke on provisions of the Open Meetings Act and warned Commissioners that emails and conversations should be done in the open meeting, because violations may occur, and nothing can be voted on without a 48-hr. meeting notice.

 

            Mr. Vinhateiro asked if recommendations need to be in writing or can be done verbally.  Solicitor Conley said it would preferably be done in writing. 

 

            Mr. Rogers asked Council President Rodericks if he can get the public comments that were made that set up the Charter Commission   Mr. Rodericks agreed.

 

            The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at 6:30 p.m.

 

VII.     Adjourn

           

Mr. Faria moved to adjourn.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Sullo and passed unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

 

Attest:

 

Valerie A. Perry

 Secretary

 

 

Approved:  June 21, 2023