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, January 21, 1997, and is called to order at 8:00 P.M. by Acting Mayor Norman J. Miranda.
Present: Norman J. Miranda ) Acting Mayor
Joseph S. Larisa, Jr. ) Council Members
Gerald R. Lynch )
Peter F. Midgley )
Paul E. Lemont ) City Manager
William J. Conley, Jr. ) City Solicitor
Valerie A. Perry ) City Clerk
Absent: Rolland R. Grant ) Mayor
(Carole Malaga, Merandi Reporting, is present to record the proceedings of the public hearings)
Invocation is led by Mr. Miranda.
Salute to the Flag is led by Mr. Midgley.
TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR
On motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Midgley and on a unanimous roll-call vote, it is voted to approve the Consent Calendar.
Town of East Greenwich - Resolution, By Elizabeth F. Choiniere
Resolution - EDUCATIONAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Town of Exeter - Resolution, By Cheryl A. Chorney, CMC
Resolution - EDUCATIONAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT
(Permission to advertise) - Transfer of Stock only - From China Gourmet, Inc., dba Peking Restaurant - To China Gourmet, Inc., dba - Sweet Home, 525 North Broadway
Subject to approval from: Chief of Police, Building Inspector, Health Inspector
Acting Mayor Miranda and Councilman Lynch make presentations to Vernon S. Stromberg in recognition of his 21 years as a member of the Zoning Board of Review. Christopher Morra presents a Proclamation from the Governor.
APPROVAL OF COUNCIL JOURNALS
The Council minutes of December 17, 1996 are amended as follows:
Page 200 - Introduction of Ordinances No. 2 should read:
Chapter 18 - Section 18-13
Motion is made by Mr. Lynch seconded by Mr. Larisa, and unanimously voted on a roll-call vote to approve the January 7, 1997 Council Minutes.
Motion is made by Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Larisa, and unanimously voted on a roll-call vote to approve the January 7, 1997 Closed Session Council minutes regarding Job Performance: Personnel.
Motion is made by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, and unanimously voted on a roll-call vote to keep the January 7, 1997 Closed Session minutes closed.
Secondhand/Auto & Trucks – Transfer
John Hendricks, 275 Narragansett Bay Avenue, Warwick, Rhode Island is present and sworn. Motion is made by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Midgley, and unanimously voted on a roll call vote to approve the Transfer from Viking Chevrolet - GEO, Inc, 1111 Taunton Avenue, to Paul Masse Chevrolet GEO, Inc. (Same location), Subject to approval from the Building Inspector
Acting Mayor Miranda receives Unanimous Consent to discuss a request by a Class C establishment in the City to open the following Sunday. Mr. Conley states that there is no provision under the Sate law for a Class C license holder to be open on Sunday, therefore the request is denied.
Victualling/Over 50
James R. Long, 28 Williamson Street, Tiverton, Rhode Island is present and sworn. On motion by Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Larisa, and unanimously voted on a roll-call vote, it is voted to approve the license for James R. Long and Lim Lang, dba Pizza Hollywood, 3 Crescent View Avenue, subject to approvals from the Building Inspector and Health Inspector.
Victualling/Not over 25
David Hague, 128 Prospect Hill, Newport, Rhode Island is present and sworn. On motion by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Midgley, and unanimously voted on a roll-call vote, it is voted to approve the license for Checkers Licensing Corp., dba Checkers Pizza, 447 Willett Avenue, subject to approvals from the Building Inspector and Health Inspector.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS RESUME SITTING AS CITY COUNCIL
ORDINANCES - FINAL PASSAGE - Given First Passage January 7, 1997
Advertised - Providence Journal - January 10, 1997 - CHAPTER NO. 424
Motion is made by Midgley, seconded by Mr. Larisa, and unanimously voted on a roll-call vote to approve for Final Passage AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 18 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1987, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC.", which amends: Article XI entitled "Loading Zones.", Subsection 18-332 entitled "Curb Loading Zones." By deleting NARRAGANSETT AVENUE from RIVER STREET southerly for a distance of 100 feet, and adding NARRAGANSETT AVENUE (east side), from RIVER STREET southerly for a distance of 54 feet from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM weekdays.
(Continued from January 7, 1996)
City Official Report, By James F. McDonald, Finance Director
Re: Approval of Dental Contract for 1996-1997
Mr. McDonald reports that it is the opinion of the committee that both companies were providing the same structure, and that Blue Cross was the lower of the two bidders. He says that after a talk with the unions and associations, all agreed to switch to Blue Cross, with the exception of the Police union. Mr. McDonald goes on to say that the committee considered splitting the bids between Blue Cross and Delta Dental, but decided against it. He says because of a possible grievance and arbitration, it was decided to award the bid to Delta Dental, even though the City will be paying $9600 more.
Mr. Miranda files a No Conflict of Interest statement with the Clerk for the record.
Mr. Lemont speaks on the issue and says that the prudent thing to do is to bid the entire package again in the Fall, but the Police Union will not be part of it.
Mr. Larisa speaks and says he will not vote in favor of this, and says one union in this City is dictating what the health benefits will be for the entire City. He says he would support a motion if Delta Dental agreed to the same figures as Blue Cross.
Mr. Lynch says that while he agrees with the idea about the low bidder, the cost of arbitration has to be considered.
Mr. Midgley says that while he has great reluctance in awarding the bid to the highest bidder, he will vote for it to save money on arbitration costs.
Mr. Miranda speaks on the issue and says though he is disappointed, a contract is a contract and if the case goes to arbitration, it will cost the taxpayers even more money.
Mr. Midgley asks Mr. Larisa if he would be agreeable to Mr. Lemont's comments regarding going out to bid again in June or July to those groups that agree. Mr. Midgley then makes a motion to give the contract to Delta Dental and try to find out if Delta Dental can legally drop their rate.
A discussion is held regarding asking Delta Dental to change their rates to the same that Blue Cross has bid. Paul Sweeney, Vice President of Sales for Delta Dental, says any change in their bid would be inappropriate and illegal.
Attorney Jeffrey Gladstone, representing Blue Cross, addresses the Council and says Blue Cross will not litigate the matter if an award if made at a lower amount. Mr. Larisa asks that Blue Cross provide a letter to the City Solicitor stating that fact.
Mr. Larisa asks Mr. Midgley for a friendly amendment to the motion to award the bid to Delta Dental provided that Blue Cross sends a letter stating they will not litigate, Delta Dental matches the Blue Cross rate dollar for dollar and the remainder of the motion will remain the same.
Mr. Midgley says he will second the motion, but if Delta does not lower their rates, we will have to stay at the higher bid. Mr. Larisa seconds the amended motion.
After further comments by Council members, a roll call vote is taken on the motion:
Mr. Larisa Aye
Mr. Lynch Nay
Mr. Midgley Aye
Mayor Miranda Aye
Motion passes 3-1.
Mr. Lemont reports that the City received a $35,000 contribution from Mobil Corporation for the refurbishing of the Girl Scout House on Willett Avenue. He invites the public to visit the house on Friday, January 24, 1997 to see the results of the project.
Mr. Lemont reports that the land that extends down to the Atlantic Richfield Road, which abuts the Watchemoket Cove, is now being considered as part of Squantum Woods. He says he is awaiting for an answer from the Sate as to whether the City can encompass that land as part of the parcel the State is turning over to the City. If the State agrees, the area will require more maintenance. He says he would like to dispose of some abandoned properties that the City is maintaining, and will get a list of such properties drawn up for the Council's review. He also says that the Squantum land must be used for recreational purposes only.
The meeting recesses at 9:15 p.m. and reconvenes at 9:23 p.m.
Law Department By William J. Conley, Jr., City Solicitor
Re: Agreement with Providence Gas Company - Watchemoket Pumping Station Rectifier
Mr. Conley states that this allows the Providence Gas Company to connect to the electrical service that we have at the pumping station and requires them to pay us $150 to connect.
Motion to approve is made by Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Larisa, and unanimously voted on a roll-call vote.
CLAIMS COMMITTEE
Motion to accept is made by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Larisa, and unanimously voted on a roll-call vote.
Mr. Miranda receives Unanimous Consent to speak on the revaluation hearings. He says he has received calls from constituents regarding the treatment they are receiving from the revaluation personnel. He asks Mr. Lemont to look into allegations.
Resolution Relating to Primary Elections in the City of East Providence
(Requested by Councilman Joseph S. Larisa, Jr.)
Motion to adopt is made by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Midgley, and unanimously voted on a roll-call vote.
Tree Warden - (R) Gregory W. Gammell, Commercial Way 02914
Motion to approve is made by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, and unanimously voted on a roll-call vote.
(By Councilman Norman J. Miranda)
Historic Properties - Amelia Cabral, 65 Fourth Street 02914 (For a term to expire January 21, 2000)
Motion to approve is made by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Larisa, and unanimously voted on a roll-call vote.
Zoning Board of Review - Ward 1 - Christopher Morra, Pleasant St., 02916 For a term expiring June 2000.
Motion to approve is made by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Larisa, and unanimously voted on a roll-call vote.
Letter of resignation received by Vernon S. Stromberg - effective January 15, 1997
There being no further business, the meeting adjourns at 9:40 p.m.
Attest:
Valerie A. Perry, CMC
City Clerk
Approved:_____________________