CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
RHODE ISLAND
JOURNAL OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY,
____________________________________________________________________________
The City Council meets in the Council Chamber on Tuesday, October 1, 1996, and is called to order at 8:00 P.M. by Mayor Rolland R. Grant.
Present: Rolland R. Grant ) Mayor
Joseph S. Larisa, Jr. ) Council Members
Gerald R. Lynch )
Norman J. Miranda )
Robert D. Sullivan )
Paul E. Lemont ) City Manager
William J. Conley, Jr. ) City Solicitor
Valerie A. Perry ) City Clerk
Invocation is given by Councilman Norman J. Miranda.
Salute to the Flag is led by Councilman Robert D. Sullivan.
(Claudia Merandi, Merandi Reporting, is present to record the proceedings of the public hearing)
TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR
Two items are removed from the Consent Calendar - 1) Approval of Council Journals - Closed Session re: Negotiations, September 17, 1996 and 2) Town of North Kingstown - Resolution. Motion to approve the Consent Calendar as amended is made by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and unanimously voted on a roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting.
Councilman Sullivan speaks on the Resolution from North Kingstown, which asks for support of the Quonset Point/Davisville Bond Resolution. Mr. Sullivan makes a motion to defer the resolution with no action. Mr. Miranda seconds the motion. Mayor Grant states that the Council should go on record as opposing the resolution. Mr. Larisa and Mr. Lynch state that the resolution will benefit the entire state. After further discussion, roll-call vote is taken on the motion to take no action on the resolution. Motion passes 4-1, with Mr. Lynch voting against.
APPROVAL OF COUNCIL JOURNALS
Regular Meeting - September 17, 1996
Closed Session - September 17, 1996
Motion is made by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch to keep the minutes of the September 17, 1996 Closed Session re: Negotiations closed. Motion passes unanimously on a roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting.
Alcoholic Beverage - Class F - 19 hours beginning at 6:00 A.M. on October 19, 1996
Applicant - St Martha's Church
Location - 2595 Pawtucket Avenue
Approved: Chief of Police
Coastal Resources Management Council File No - 96-6-36
Requesting to maintain "as built" steel sheetpile retaining wall structure and associated fill on coastal bank. This application requires a "Special Exception" pursuant to RICRMC Section 300.7 (Reference Cease and Desist order no. 1512-94) (Sabatino J. Corrado)
File No. 96-8-24
Requesting to replace roof shingles and install waterproof barrels at 133 Terrace Avenue, Plat 16, Lot 1. (Robert M & Gilda Lepre)
Cancellation/Abatements
City Assessor requesting cancellation of taxes as follows:
YEAR AMOUNT
1996 $ 1,871.53
1995 2,110.25
1994 2,110.25
1987 14.00
Town of North Kingstown – Resolution
Resolution regarding support for the Bond Referendum for the Freight Rail Improvement Program.
All CC items are voted on and approved on one vote.
Secondhand
Applicant - Ruth Kirkwood
dba - Ruthy's Guitar Shop
Location - 2475 Pawtucket Avenue
Subject to approvals from: Chief of Police, Building Inspector
Applicant is not present. Motion to defer to the next meeting to be held on October 15, 1996 is made by Mr. Sullivan, seconded by Mr. Lynch and voted 5-0.
Laundry – Transfer
From - Gary Dobson
dba - Seekonk Coin-Op, Inc.
To - Lucille Alves
dba - Seekonk Coin-Operated Laundry
Location - 1175 Warren Avenue
Subject to approvals from: Chief of Police, Building Inspector
Attorney David McKenna, representing the applicant asks for a deferral to the next meeting to be held on October 15, 1996. Motion to defer is made by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and voted 5-0.
Sunday /Holiday Sales
Applicant - Amjad Butt
dba - Shop 'N' Save
Location - 325 Warren Avenue
Subject to approval from: Chief of Police
Amjad Butt, 40 Berkley Street, Providence, Rhode Island, is present and sworn. Motion to approve is made by Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, and unanimously voted on a roll-call vote.
Sunday/Holiday Sales
Applicant - June O'Hara
dba - Li'L Bit O' Country
Location - 8 Warren Avenue
Subject to approval from: Chief of Police
June O'Hara, 1354 So. Broadway, is present and sworn. Motion to approve is made by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Miranda.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS RESUME SITTING AS CITY COUNCIL
1996-1997 BUDGET HEARING
The following speak on the Budget: William Merandi, 15 Chedell Street, who presents a petition with 100 signatures calling for no tax increase. Motion to accept the petition as part of the record is made by Mr. Sullivan, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and voted 5-0.
Maria Pinheiro, 76 Grassmere Avenue, Chairperson of the East Providence School Committee asks for support of the School Department Budget as presented.
Jeanette Goulet, 93 Merritt Road, President to the East Providence Teachers' Association speaks on the issue of reimbursement for medical coverage and suggests that there is a need for better communication between the Council and School Committee.
Henry Caparco, 4 Allerton Avenue, speaks against the School Department Budget.
Helen Lewis, 63 Smith Street, questions why the Barrington YMCA is at Watters School everyday from 4-6 P.M. She also speaks on the condition of Watters School and questions why there are cars parked on the sidewalks of the School.
Anthony Feola, 35 Angell Drive, President of the East Providence School Department Custodians, responds to Mrs. Lewis questions and says there is a problem with the sidewalks because of the cars parked there, but the School Department cannot do anything about the situation.
Dr. Patricia Daniel, Superintendent of Schools, answers questions from Mrs. Lewis and asks the Council to support the budget as presented.
Mr. Lemont speaks on the budget and asks Mr. McDonald to give a report. Mr. McDonald states that any further cuts to the budget will result in an analysis of programs. He proceeds to give the Council figures that have been cut from the original proposal, and says it will bring the figure of the proposed tax increase down to $1.54.
Mr. Miranda says he will not accept a $1.54 increase and tells Mr. Lemont he will have to come up with a lower figure.
Mr. Sullivan speaks against the proposed tax increase and presents a petition with 500 signatures for no tax increase. He also speaks on consolidation of City and School Department.
Mr. Larisa speaks on the budget and says he wants people to know that services will have to be cut if the figure is lowered. He says the average annual tax increase for the past four years has been 1.9% per year, well below the 5.5% allowed by the State.
Mayor Grant speaks and says the City should sell the Providence Country Day property, because it is going to cost the City money.
The meeting recesses at 10:00 P.M. and reconvenes at 10:12 P.M.
Mr. Miranda responds to Mayor Grant's comments and says he would never vote to sell the Providence Country Day property.
After further discussion, a motion is made by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Miranda, to instruct the City Manager to come back to the Council with what it would mean to cut the $1.54 and what the result will be for each cut. Motion passes unanimously on a roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting.
1) (Given First Passage October 3, 1995 and referred to November 7, 1995 at 8:00 P.M. for a hearing and consideration of Final Passage; deferred to October 1, 1996 and adopted)
AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 11 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1987, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "PERSONNEL, PENSIONS AND RETIREMENT." Which amends Section I. Article III. entitled "Personnel Plan," adding:
Section 11-75. Ratification of collective bargaining agreements.
CHAPTER NO. 417
(Requested by Mayor Rolland R. Grant)
The above-entitled ordinance referred to this time and place for a public hearing and consideration of final passage is called for hearing.
Discussion is held on the ordinance, which would give the Council the right to accept or reject any contract negotiated by the School Department. Mr. Larisa suggests approving the ordinance.
Henry Caparco, 4 Allerton Avenue, speaks on the issue. He says it is the responsibility of the School Committee to ratify contracts.
Andrew Thomas, 1100 Aquidneck Avenue, Middletown, Rhode Island, says the proposed ordinance will violate the law.
Anthony Feola, President of the School Department Custodians, asks that the ordinance be postponed.
Harold Gerstein, 12 Rhodes Avenue, speaks in favor of the ordinance.
Mr. Lynch speaks against the ordinance and says it can cause teacher strikes, etc. He says the School Committee are elected officials and should be responsible for contracts.
Mr. Miranda and Mr. Sullivan speak in support of the schools.
After further discussion, Mr. Lynch moves the question. Roll-call vote is taken:
Mr. Larisa Aye
Mr. Lynch Nay
Mr. Miranda Nay
Mr. Sullivan Nay
Mayor Grant Aye
The motion is defeated by a 3-2 vote.
The meeting recesses at 11:15 P.M. and reconvenes at 11:24 P.M. with all Council members present.
Motion is made by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch to change the order of business by placing the budget ordinances next on the docket. Motion passes 5-0.
Advertised - Providence Journal - September 6, 1996
(Ordinance receives final passage if adopted as presented)
AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $84,124,583 FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING OCTOBER 31, 1997.
CHAPTER NO. 413
The above-entitled ordinance referred to this time and place for a public hearing and consideration of final passage, is called for hearing.
On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, it is unanimously voted on a roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting, to defer the above ordinance to the next regular Council meeting to be held October 15, 1996.
(1996-1997 Budget for the City of East Providence)
1) AN ORDINANCE ORDERING THE ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION OF PROPERTY TAX ON THE RATABLE REAL ESTATE, TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY AND AN EXCISE TAX ON REGISTERED MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAILERS.
The above-entitled ordinance is introduced by unanimous consent and, on motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, and on a unanimous roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting, is given first passage and referred to the next regular Council meeting to be held on October 15, 1996, for a public hearing and consideration of final passage.
2) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO BORROW FUNDS IN ANTICIPATION OF TAXES.
The above-entitled ordinance is introduced by unanimous consent and, on motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, and on a unanimous roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting, is given first passage and referred to the next regular Council meeting to be held on October 15, 1996, for a public hearing and consideration of final passage.
3) AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 11 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE,RHODE ISLAND, 1987, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED, "PERSONNEL,PENSIONS AND RETIREMENT."
Section I. Section 11-111 entitled "Adoption.", Adopted as official pay plans: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, F1 and F2, for USA Local 15509A, USA Local 15509; International Association of Firefighters, Local 850 (AFL-CIO); East Providence Lodge No. 1 Fraternal Order of Police; Professional, Managerial, and Technical Employees Association; and East Providence Department Heads and Exhibits F1 and F2 for Non-classified full-time and/or part-time employees (i.e. seasonal and temporary and unclassified employees respectively.
(All Budget ordinances, deferred from September 17, 1996)
The above-entitled ordinance is introduced by unanimous consent and, on motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, and on a unanimous roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting, is given first passage and referred to the next regular Council meeting to be held on October 15, 1996, for a public hearing and consideration of final passage.
By: Julia A. Forgue, Director of Public Works
Requesting City Council endorsement for the Industrial Pretreatment Program modification.
Motion to approve is made by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, and unanimously voted on a roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting.
CLAIMS COMMITTEE
No report.
(By Councilman Robert D. Sullivan)
1) Wampanoag Trail
Councilman Sullivan reports that a public rally will be held on Wampanoag Trail and Forbes Street on October 19, 1996 at 11:00 A.M. to address the traffic safety on the Wampanoag Trail.
2) Fire Department Rescue
Mr. Sullivan questions why people are brought to a hospital other than the one they ask for when being transported by East Providence rescue. Fire Chief Gerald Bessette responds by saying the Fire Department usus certain hospitals depending on the condition of the patient at the time of the rescue call.
(By Councilman Joseph S. Larisa, Jr.)
High School Roof Progress
School Committee Settlement
Mr. Larisa asks for these matters to be deferred to the next meeting to be held October 15, 1996.
Mr. Lemont receives Council consent to speak on a proposal by AT&T for new antennas. Motion to approve is made by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, and voted 5-0.
Altino Rodrigues, 18 Oxford Street
Requesting to address the Council to discuss the possibility of acquiring City land on Lyon Avenue (Lot #5) for the use of a non-profit band society.
Withdrawn.
Meeting adjourns at 11:45 P.M.
Attest:
Valerie A. Perry, CMC
City Clerk
Approved:__________________________