CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
RHODE ISLAND
JOURNAL OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY,
8:00 P.M.
The City Council meets in the Council Chamber on Tuesday, June 6, 1995, and is called to order at 8:00 P.M. by Mayor Rolland R. Grant.
Present Rolland R. Grant ) Mayor
Joseph S. Larisa, Jr. )
Gerald R. Lynch ) Council Members
Norman J. Miranda )
Robert D. Sullivan )
Paul E. Lemont ) City Manager
William J. Conley, Jr. ) City Solicitor
Valerie A. Perry ) City Clerk
(Darlene LaPlante, Woods Reporting, 20 Fifth Street, Providence, Rhode Island is present to record the proceedings of the public hearings)
Invocation is given by Councilman Norman J. Miranda.
Salute to the Flag is led by Councilman Joseph S. Larisa, Jr.
TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR
On motion of Mr. Sullivan, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and on a unanimous roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting, it is voted to approve the Consent Calendar.
APPROVAL OF COUNCIL JOURNALS
Regular Meeting - May 2, 1995
Special Meeting - May 10, 1995
Regular Meeting - May 16, 1995
Special Meeting - May 22, 1995
Approved.
Coastal Resources Management Council - ASSENT
By Grover J. Fugate, Executive Director
File No. A95-5-12
Requesting to install 18 inch diameter storm drain (including manhole, approx. 113 linear feet of pipe, and riprap slope protection, located at Plat 313, Block 1, Lot 08, Narragansett Avenue. (City of East Providence)
Received as information.
Coastal Resources Management Council
By Gregory Baribault
File No. 95-5-15 - FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
Requesting to install piers to reinforce foundations, as per the approved plans, located at 27-29, 35-37 Bullocks Point Avenue, Map 311, Lot 1, Parcel 26. (Stonegate Condominium Association)
Received as information.
Coastal Resources Management Council
By William J. Mosunie, Permitting Staff
File No. 95-5-45
Requesting to replace porch flooring, columns and stairs, located at 37 Jackson Street, Plat 311, Lot 2. (Mary R. Lewis)
Received as information.
Coastal Resources Management Council
By Gregory Baribault, Permitting Staff
File No. 95-5-41 - FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
Requesting to install a 12'x14' above ground swimming pool and a 20'x24' deck as per the approved plans, located at Plat 157, Lot 59; 15 Seaview Avenue.
(John Kourtesis)
Received as information.
Senior Citizens' Week - June 5-9, 1995
Accepted by Joseph Crook, Recreation Director.
Unanimous Consent is given to Councilman Norman J. Miranda to change the order of business to hear the Resolution on Teofilo Braga Way.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CHANGING OF THE NAME OF ENGINE STREET TO TEOFILO BRAGA WAY
RESOLVE NO. 21
Armando Medeiros, 118 Bluff Street, is present and sworn. Mr. Medeiros states that the two houses on the street will be purchased by the Braga Club and the residents have signed a letter stating that they have no objections to the name change.
Mr. Larisa says he will vote in favor as long as the approval is contingent upon the purchase and sales agreement of the two houses.
The above-entitled resolution is introduced and on motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, it is unanimously voted on a roll-call vote to adopt the Resolution contingent upon the purchase and sales agreement by the Braga Club.
Motion is made by Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, and voted to return to the regular order of business.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE - Class B Full Privilege (Victualer)
Advertised - East Providence Post - May 18 & 25, 1995
Applicant - Riviera Inn Dining and Banquet Company
Location - 580 North Broadway
Approved: Chief of Police
Subject to approvals from: Building Inspector, Health Inspector
The above license is called for hearing.
Joseph Lamagna, 716 Central Avenue, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and Attorney representing the applicant, is present and sworn.
Jose Mendes, 118 Lauren Drive, Seekonk, MA, is present to answer questions from the Council.
Mr. Lynch speaks about past problems in the lot behind the property, and asks if the applicant will be willing to put up a stockade fence. Mr. Mendes says he has no objection.
Patricia Lyons, 24 Vanderland Avenue, is present and sworn. Ms. Lyons states that she is representing the neighborhood and addresses concerns relating to the drainage in the parking lot and past incidents in the parking lot involving restaurant patrons.Mr. Mendes assures the Council that they will monitor the parking lot and will do their best for the neighbors.
On motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Larisa, and on a unanimous roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting, said license was granted subject to all approvals.
Victualling/Over 50
Applicant - Riviera Inn Dining and Banquet Company
Location - 580 North Broadway
Approved: Chief of Police
Subject to approvals from: Building Inspector, Health Inspector
On motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, and on a unanimous roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting, said license was granted subject to all approvals.
Pool Tables/Sunday's Included
Applicant - Riviera Inn Dining and Banquet Company
Location - 580 North Broadway
Approved: Chief of Police
Subject to approvals from: Building Inspector
On motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and on a unanimous roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting, said license was granted subject to all approvals.
Videos/Sunday's Included
Applicant - Riviera Inn Dining and Banquet Company
Location - 580 North Broadway
Approved: Chief of Police
Subject to approvals from: Building Inspector
Unanimously granted subject to all approvals on a roll-call vote on motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Miranda.
Alcoholic Beverage - Class F - 19 hours beginning at 6:00 A.M. on
June 22, 23, 24 & 25, 1995
Applicant - East Providence Recreation Department - Bud Light Tournament
Location - Agawam Field
Approved: Chief of Police
Joseph Crook, Director of Recreation, addresses the Council about the event. He states that it is a Jimmy Fund fundraiser, which has raised more than $25,000 for the Jimmy Fund in the past fifteen years.
Licenses is unanimously granted on a roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting, on motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Miranda.
Alcoholic Beverage - Class F - 19 hours beginning at 6:00 A.M. on July 27, 28, 29 & 30, 1995
Applicant - East Providence Recreation Department - Heritage Days
Location - Pierce Field
Approved: Chief of Police
Licenses is unanimously granted on a roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting on motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Sullivan.
Alcoholic Beverage - Class F-1 - 19 hours beginning at 6:00 A. M. on June 16, 17 & 18, 1995
Applicant - St Francis Xavier Church
Location - 81 North Carpenter Street
Approved: Chief of Police
William Castro, 88 Byron Avenue, is present and sworn.
On motion of Mr. Sullivan, seconded by Mr. Lynch, and on a unanimous roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting, the above license is granted.
Alcoholic Beverage - Class F-1 - 19 hours beginning at 6:00 A.M. on July 28, 29, & 30, 1995
Applicant - Holy Ghost Brotherhood of Mariense
Location - 59 Brightridge Avenue
Approved: Chief of Police
Tom Amaral, 196 Summit Street, is present and sworn.
Unanimously granted on a roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting on motion of Mr. Sullivan, seconded by Mr. Lynch.
Victualling - Transfer
From - China Palace, Inc.
To - Hok Meng Heng & Kim H. Heng
Location - 332 Warren Avenue
Approved - Chief of Police
Subject to approvals from Building Inspector & Health Inspector
Steven Fernandi, 1441 Park Avenue, Cranston, Rhode Island, Attorney for the applicant is present and sworn.
Unanimously approved subject to all approvals on a roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting, on motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Sullivan.
At the request of Mayor Grant, motion is made by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and so voted to change the order of business by moving up the Financial Audit.
Finance
By James F. McDonald, Finance Director
Presentation of Annual Financial Report and Management Letter for Fiscal Year 10-31-94.
Jim Prescott, of Cayer, Prescott, Clune, Chatellier, presents the annual financial report for the City and says the City is very stable and is a "gem" compared to other cities and towns. (Complete report in Council file).
Mr. Larisa asks for a memo from the Finance Director on the purpose of the fund balance, which is called for in the Charter, and asks if a Charter change is necessary.
Mr. Lynch commends Mr. McDonald for a fine professional job.
Motion to receive as information is made by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Larisa.
Motion to return to the regular order of business is made by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and voted 5-0.
The meeting recesses at 8:55 P.M. and reconvenes at 9:04 P.M. with all Council
members present.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS RESUME SITTING AS CITY COUNCIL
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Presented by Planning and Public Works Departments
Jeanne Boyle, Planning Director, addresses the Council and states the criteria for the selected projects. (For complete report, see Council file)
The following people speak on the Waterfront Drive project.
Wilfrid L. Gates, Jr., 1540 Pawtucket Avenue, President of the East Providence Chamber of Commerce, is present and sworn. He urges the Council to make Waterfront Drive the priority project, saying it will bring in much needed tax revenue.
Harry Snyder, representing P&W Railroad is present and speaks in support of the Waterfront Drive project.
E. Howard McVay, Jr., 273 Terrace Avenue, Chairman of the East Providence Harbor Management Commission is present and sworn and speaks in favor.
Edward M. Wood, 112 Howland Avenue, Chairman of the East Providence Coastal Resources Management Commission, speaks in favor.
Senator Paul J. Tavares, 188 Summit Street, lends support to the project.
David Thomas Faria, 104 Bailey Street, speaks in opposition to the Waterfront Drive project. Mr. Faria says he is concerned about the project's effects on the environment as well as the cost. He says his group will be sending a letter to the Advisory Council of the Department of Transportation urging them to reject the project.
After Council discussion, motion is made by Mr. Sullivan, seconded by Mr. Lynch, to give approval to the Transportation Improvement Program as presented by the Planning Department and Public Works Department.
Motion passes unanimously on a roll-call vote.
Motion is made by Mr. Sullivan, seconded by Mr. Lynch, to direct the City Manager, Planning Department, Economic Development Commission and Tax Assessor to look at some way to bring new businesses into the City. Motion passes unanimously on a roll-call vote.
The meeting recesses at 10:25 P.M. and reconvenes at 10:35 P.M. with all Council members present.
(Given first passage March 21, 1995)
Advertised - Providence Journal - May 11, 18 & 25, 1995
AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 19 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1987, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "ZONING.", which amends the following:
Subsection (3) of Section 19-135. entitled Use of required yards
Section 19-191. Curb Cuts
Subsection (b) of Section 19-283. Plans, construction and maintenance of off-street parking areas
Subsection (a) (16), (a) (30) and Subsection (b) of Section 19-284. Off-Street parking spaces required
Subsection (a) of Section 19-290. Same--Plans, construction and maintenance of off street loading areas
Section 19-454. Subsection (c) (6) a. Second sentence; Development and landscaping design standards
Section 19-454. Subsection (c) (6) c. Development and landscaping design standards
Section 19-459. Subsection (b) (3) supporting documentation
CHAPTER NO. 351
(Requested by Law Department)
The above-entitled ordinance, referred to this time and place for a public hearing and consideration of final passage, is called for hearing.
There are no persons present who wish to be heard.
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, and on a unanimous roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting, said ordinance is adopted.
Sacred Heart Church - Feast - June 23-25, 1995
By Father Peter Di Tullio, SC, Pastor
Requesting permission to hang a banner across Taunton Ave, in front of the rectory, at least two weeks before the celebration.
Request to hang a banner across Taunton Avenue for the Sacred Heart Church Feast is granted on motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Sullivan.
Motion to change order of business to hear item #1 under Communications at this time is made by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, and so voted.
George Connors, 19 Skycrest Avenue
Re: New England Health & Racquet Club - Alcoholic Beverage License stipulation.
George Connors, 19 Skycrest Avenue, is present and sworn. Mr. Connors states that in 1984, the City Council stipulated that the pool and deck area of the New England Health and Racquet Club would be cleared at 11:00 P.M. He asks that the stipulation be reinforced.
Mr. Conley tells the Council that if they want to renew the stipulation, the applicant should be notified to come before the Council for an opportunity to be heard on the license stipulation. It is decided that a Show Cause Hearing on the license stipulation will be held at the next regular Council meeting, scheduled for June 20, 1995.
Motion is made by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and so voted to return to the regular order of business.
Law Department - INFORMATION ONLY
By Gregory S. Dias, Assistant Solicitor
Re: Expiration of Term - David Reis--Minimum Property Standards Board of Review
For Information only.
Finance/Purchasing
By John M. Andrews, Purchasing Agent
Requesting Pre-Qualification approval of companies to bid on the "Improvements to the City's Wastewater Treatment Facility."
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Lynch, the above request is unanimously approved.
The Claims Committee report is unanimously accepted on motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Miranda. (See Council file for full report)
(By Mayor Rolland R. Grant)
1. War Memorial
Mayor Grant says he was approached by a group of veterans about a war memorial honoring all City residents who are veterans of all wars and conflicts. The memorial will be paid for with private funds. He says two sites are proposed - one at the end of Veteran's Memorial Parkway at Bradley Hospital and the other at Wampanoag Trail.
2. Trash Collectors
Mayor Grant speaks on citizen complaints he has received regarding problems they have encountered when making complaints about their trash collection.
(By Councilman Joseph S. Larisa, Jr.)
School Department Budget)
Mr. Larisa speaks on the School Department's appeal to the Commissioner of Education for additional funding. He commends School Committee member Edna Snow for her letter to the School Committee regarding her concerns with the School committee's vote to appeal.
1. RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SUBMISSION OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE 1995-2000 CONSOLIDATED PLAN
RESOLVE NO. 20
The above-entitled Resolution is introduced and on motion of Mr. Sullivan, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and on a unanimous roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting, is adopted.
Bliss Properties
By Aram G. Garabedian, Vice President
Requesting to address the City Council on the effects of State sales tax subsidies to the proposed Providence Place Mall on the City of East Providence.
Aram G. Garabedian, 173 Belevedere Drive, Cranston, Rhode Island, is present and sworn. Mr. Garabedian addresses the Council on the proposed Providence Place Mall and the impact it will have on the taxpayers. He says he has a resolution, which was passed by Councils in Warwick and Cranston, asking legislators to vote against any public funding for Providence Place Mall.
Mr. Larisa speaks on the matter. He says Mr. Garabedian is only trying to protect Warwick Mall. He says studies have indicated that the sales at Providence Place Mall will result in less than 3% loss to Warwick mall's retail stores. He goes on to speak against the resolution.
Mr. Lynch says he would consider the resolution but would not vote on it until he had more facts.
Mr. Miranda says he is not ready to vote, that he wants more information.
Mr. Sullivan says that he is against the Mall going into Providence. He asks that the Finance Director prepare a report for the next Council meeting outlining what impact that mall will have on the taxpayers.
Mr. Garabedian suggests Mr. Larisa abstain from voting because of his position in the Governor's office. Mr. Larisa says he checked with the Ethics Commission before the meeting tonight to make sure he could take part in this matter.
After discussion, motion is made by Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Lynch, and unanimously voted on a roll-call vote to bring the matter back before the Council at the next meeting, along with a report by the Finance Director.
Meeting adjourned at 11:32 P.M.
Attest:
Valerie A. Perry
City Clerk
Approved:________________________________