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 3, 1997, and is called to order by Mayor Rolland R. Grant.
Present: Rolland R. Grant ) Mayor
Joseph S. Larisa, Jr. ) Council Members
Peter F. Midgley
Norman J. Miranda
Paul E. Lemont ) City Manager
William J. Conley, Jr. ) City Solicitor
Valerie A. Perry ) City Clerk
Absent: Gerald R. Lynch ) Council Member
(Claudia Merandi, Merandi Reporting, 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. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and on a roll-call vote 4-0, the Consent Calendar is approved. Mr. Lynch is noted absent.
Town of Exeter - Resolution
In support of amending RIGL 44-25-4
Coastal Resources Management Council - ASSENT File No. A97-5-48
Requesting to demolish/disposal of onsite structures (storage tanks, pipelines, buildings;) located at 1 Pier Rd, (N/F UNOCAL Storage Facility)
File No. A 974-35 – ASSENT
Requesting to perform "subaqueous bottom reprofiling" at (north) barge berth (to-26.0' depth) and (south) ship berth (to -37.0' depth). Total volume of benthic material to be regraded not to exceed 1,000 cubic yards located at (Mobil Terminal, Providence River)
Bingo - June 6, 1997
Applicant - Cape Verdean Progressive Center, 329 Grosvenor Avenue
Subject to approval from: Chief of Police
Alcoholic Beverage - Class F - June 19,10,21,22, 1997
Applicant - East Providence Recreation Dept, Jimmy Fund Tournament
Location - Agawam Field
All CC items are voted and passed on one vote.
Senior Citizen's Week - June 2 - 6, 1997
Accepted.
Presentation by East Providence Fire Department to Meeting Street Center Firefighters Oscar Elmasian and Joseph Crowshaw present two checks to the Meeting Street Center for a total donation of $8,185.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE, - Class B Full Privilege (Victualer) - Transfer
From - Rockin' Robin's Nest & Co.
To D & M Sports Tavern, Inc. dba - Golfer's Sports Pub, 308 Warren Ave
Robert Lyons, 6 Shaw Drive, No. Scituate, Rhode Island, is present and sworn. On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Larisa and on a unanimous roll-call vote, the license is granted, subject to the approvals of the Chief of Police, Building Inspector and Health Inspector. Mr. Lynch is noted absent.
Victualing - Transfer
From - Rockin' Robin's Nest & Co.,
To - D & M Sports Tavern, Inc. dba - Golfer's Sports Pub, 308 Warren Ave.
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Larisa, it is unanimously voted to grant the license, subject to the approvals of the Chief of Police, Building Inspector and Health Inspector. Mr. Lynch is noted absent.
Pool Table/Sundays Included - Transfer
From - Rockin' Robin's Nest & Co.,
To D & M Sports Tavern, Inc., dba - Golfers Sports Pub, 308 Warren Ave.
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Larisa, it is voted on a 4-0 vote to grant the license. Mr. Lynch is noted absent.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE, - Class B Full Privilege (Victualer) - Transfer
From - Friends Food & Spirits, Inc.
To PWRPJ, Inc., dba - Rockin Times 478 Waterman Avenue
Objections (due to indebtedness) received from:
1) D&B Amusements
2) Michele Frenze Liquor Co.
3) R.I. Distributing Co.
4) Wayne Distributing Company
Attorney Robert Brady, 1 Grove Avenue representing the applicant, addresses theCouncil.
Phillip W. Riggi, 61 Whitford Street, Warwick, Rhode Island, transferee, is present and sworn.
Florence Lopes, 175 Central Avenue, is present and sworn. Ms. Lopes states that she is owed money by the transferor and voices her objection to the transfer of the license. She presents two documents to Mr. Conley for his review. Mr. Conley says these documents are a sworn statement that Friends Food & Spirits borrowed $1600 from Ms. Lopes to pay for rent and court costs and the second document is a promissory note for $1300, which was borrowed to pay rent.
The matter is discussed further. After discussion, Michael J. Lopes, Jr. is present and sworn. Mr. Lopes says he has no objection to the transfer as long as Ms. Lopes is paid.
Motion is made by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Miranda to approve the license transfer, subject to the approvals of Chief of Police, Building Inspector, and Health Inspector, and subject to the release of all objections, including that of Ms. Lopes. Motion passes 4-0 with Mr. Lynch noted absent.
Victualing - Transfer From Friends Food & Spirits, Inc.
To PWRPJ, Inc. dba - Rockin Times, 478 Waterman Ave
Motion is made by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Midgley to approve the license transfer, subject to the approvals of the Chief of Police, Building Inspector, and Health Inspector.
Motion passes 4-0 with Mr. Lynch noted absent.
Dance/Entertainment - Transfer From Friends Food & Spirits, Inc.,
To PWRPJ, Inc., dba Rockin Times, 478 Waterman Avenue
Motion is made by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Miranda, to approve the license transfer, subject to the approvals of the Chief of Police and Building Inspector, and with the stipulation that music must cease at 11:30 P.M. Motion passes 4-0 with Mr. Lynch noted absent.
Video (1)/Sundays Included - Transfer From Friends Food & Spirits, Inc.
To PWRPJ, Inc., dba - Rockin Times, 478 Waterman Avenue
Motion is made by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Miranda, to approve the license transfer subject to the approvals of the Chief of Police and Building Inspector. Motion passes 4-0 with Mr. Lynch noted absent.
Pool Table (1)/Sundays Included - Transfer From Friends Food & Spirits, Inc.
To PWRPJ, Inc, dba - Rockin Times, 478 Waterman Ave
Subject to approvals from: Chief of Police, Building Inspector
Motion is made by Mr. Miranda and seconded by Mr. Larisa to approve the license transfer subject to approvals of the Chief of Police and Building Inspector. Motion passes 4-0 with Mr. Lynch noted absent.
Carnival - June 13 - 15, 1997 - St. Francis Xavier Church, 51 No Phillips Street
Motion is made by Mr. Miranda and seconded by Mr. Midgley to approve the license subject to approvals of the Chief of Police and Building Inspector. Motion passes 4-0 with Mr. Lynch noted absent.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS RESUME SITTING AS CITY COUNCIL
ORDINANCES - FINAL PASSAGE
1. AN ORDINANCEINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 18 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1987, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC.", which amends Sec 1. Article IX entitled "Stop Intersections", Subsection 18-269 entitled "Stop and yield intersections designated; when stops required.", adding: MARGARET AVENUE northbound and southbound traffic), at its intersection with ANSON DRIVE. (Requested by: Director of Public Works)
CHAPTER NO- 439
The above-entitled ordinance is called for hearing. There are no public comments.
On motion by Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and on a roll-call vote 4-0, said ordinance is adopted. Mr. Lynch is noted absent.
(Given first passage May 6, 1997 as amended)
2) AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 8 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "LICENSES AND BUSINESS REGULATIONS.", which amends Sec 1. Article III entitled "Alcoholic Beverages.", adding: Sec 8-39 Nudity on premises where alcoholic beverages are offered for sale. (Requested by: Councilman Joseph S. Larisa, Jr.)
CHAPTER NO- 436
The above-entitled ordinance is called for hearing. There are no public comments.
On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and on a roll-call vote 4-0, said ordinance is adopted. Mr. Lynch is noted absent.
Assignment of Refuse Contract from Libertv Disposal to American Disposal Services of Missouri, Inc.
Mayor Grant asks if a deal can be made in regards to trash pickup of Curtis Lane. Mr. Lemont says the contract is being assigned and not sold. Mr. Larisa states that when the contract is put out to bid, the Curtis Lane pickup will be made part of the bid.
The meeting recesses at 9:10 P.M. and reconvenes at 9:15 P.M. Mr. Lynch is note absent.
Motion to allow the assignment is made by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and voted on a roll-call vote 4-0. Mr. Lynch is noted absent.
Mr. Lemont asks for an Executive Session at the end of the meeting to discuss negotiations.
Presentation of Annual Financial report and management letter by auditors, Cayer, Prescott Clune & Chatellier for the year ended October 31, 1996.
Discussion takes place on the lack of a tracking system for the City's fixed assets and the Finance Director states that it is in the works. The auditors state that East Providence ranks number one in the larger communities done by the auditing company.
Mr. Lemont request that the matter regarding Community Oriented Policing (COP) Grant be deferred until a workshop is held. Motion to schedule a workshop on Monday, June 9, 1997 at 7:00 P.M. is made by Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Larisa and passes 4-0. Mr. Lynch is noted absent.
On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and on a unanimous roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting, the Claims Committee Report is accepted.
(By Mayor Rolland R. Grant)
1) New Tax Complaints
Mayor Grant speaks on the homeowners of split level homes who were notified that their property valuation was being increased from the original revaluation notice. He says that the Council should have been notified by the City Manager of the matter. Albert Ereio, Tax Assessor, reports that a factor that was given to these types of homes in 1982 was not given this time, and the figures had to be adjusted. He also says that only three people have appealed at this time. He assures that people will receive a refund if they pay their tax and later find out that their valuation has been reduced because of an appeal.
2) Preparing to tighten belts for fiscal year
Mayor Grant says that giving pay raises is unfair in these fiscal times and says the contracts will have to be assessed. Mr. Larisa states that the average increase has been under 2% for salary increases and that East Providence has the lowest tax rate of the major cities in the state. Mr. Lemont responds by saying that the number of employees is less in the City then a few years ago and the City needs to look at the investments of the future.
3) Council Personnel
Mayor Grant asks that the subject of Council Personnel be deferred until the next meeting.
4) Curtis Lane - Trash Pickup
The subject of trash pickup on Curtis Lane is discussed once again. After some discussion, Mr. Lemont reports that a City truck will pick up the trash and bring it onto Pawtucket Avenue for pickup.
5) City Advertising
Mayor Grant says that the City Solicitor and the City Clerk have taken care of the subject of City advertising.
6) Starting time for trash pickup
Mayor Grant says that he has received many phone calls from people complaining about the early (5:00 a.m.) trash pickup.
(By Councilman Norman J. Miranda)
Bold Point Park
Mr. Miranda speaks out on the boat ramp that was supposed to be built at Bold Point Park and asks Public Works Director, Julia Forgue when it will be done. Ms. Forgue reports that it will not be done soon because of DEM regulations. She says there is a possibility it will be started in the Fall.
Approval of a Resolution authorizing the submission of a proposal to Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Corporation Home Program for $100,000 to continue the City's Rental Rehabilitation Program.
RESOLVE NO. 15
The above-entitled Resolution is introduced and on motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and on a roll-call vote 4-0, is adopted. Mr. Lynch is noted absent.
Zoning Board of Review - At Large Appointment (By Councilman Joseph S. Larisa, Jr.)
Michael Alves 41 Thurston Street 02915
Michael Alves, 41 Thurston St, is appointed as the At-Large Appointment on a 4-0 vote.
Motion by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Midgley. Mr. Lynch is noted absent.
Motion is made by Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Larisa, and voted 4-0 on a roll-call to go into Executive Session to discuss negotiations.
The Open Meeting recesses at 10:40 P.M. and goes into Executive Session.
The Open Meeting reconvenes at 10:55 P.M. and adjourns at 10:55 P.M.
Attest:
Valerie A. Perry, CMC
City Clerk
Approved: June 17, 1997