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, March 4, 1997, 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 )
Peter F. Midgley )
Norman J. Miranda )
Paul E. Lemont ) City Manager
William J. Conley, Jr. ) City Solicitor
Valerie A. Perry ) City Clerk
(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 Gerald R. Lynch.
TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion made by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Miranda to approve the Consent Calendar on a unanimous roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting.
APPROVAL OF COUNCIL JOURNALS
Regular Meeting - February 18, 1997
Closed Session - February 18, 1997
Approved.
Coastal Resources Management Council – ASSENT File No. A97-1-49
Requesting to install infiltration system to reduce recurring storm water flooding problem: construct 6 inch high asphalt berm along front property line (Water Street), 275 linear feet total. (AGR Properties, Inc)
File No. 96-12-16
Requesting to construct and maintain: riprap revetment, approximately 160 linear feet total, directly seaward of existing concrete seawall. (Frederick and Helen MacDonald)
File No. 94-9-130 – ASSENT
Requesting to maintain the existing residential boating facility, description: 4'x 56' walkway to a 5' x 52' float. (Harvey R. Erwin)
Alcoholic Beverage - Class F-1 - April 25 & 26, 1997 - 19 hours beginning at 6 A.M.
Applicant - St. Mary's Academy - Bayview
Location - 3070 Pawtucket Avenue
(Permission to advertise)
Alcoholic Beverage - Class D - Full Privilege (Club)
Applicant - Holy Ghost Brotherhood Mariense
Location - 846 Broadway
All CC Items are voted and passed on one vote.
Presentation of Holiday Display Awards
Council members present the following awards:
Ward 1
Best Commercial Display Hargreaves Picture Studio 430 Newport Avenue
Most Electrifying Display Mr. & Mrs. Antonio Cunha 8 Castro Street
Most Original Display Mr. John Lynch 104 Wilson Avenue
Most Traditional Display Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Morra 194 Pleasant Street
Ward 2
Best Commercial Display Casa Horta 217 Taunton Avenue
Most Spiritual Display Sacred Heart Church 118 Taunton Avenue
Most Inspirational Display Mr. & Mrs. Antonio DeEscobar 162 Grosvenor Avenue
Mr. & Mrs. David Melo 32 Vine Street
Most Electrifying Display Mr. & Mrs. Adelino Rosa 15 Purchase Street
Most Original Display Mr. & Mrs. Armand Huard 64 Eighth Street
Most Beautiful Display Mr. & Mrs. Joseph DaRosa 40 Abbott Street
Ward 3
Most Traditional Display Gregory and Leonor Krause 8 Merritt Road
Most Electrifying Display Mr. & Mrs. Gabril S. DeEscobar 110 Dover Avenue
Most Creative Display Mr. & Mrs. Antonio Vieira 54 Richfield Avenue
Ward 4
1st Place-Best Commercial Display
Fred's Service Center 3730 Pawtucket Avenue
2nd Place - Best Commercial Display
Riverside Nursing Home 336 Willett Avenue
1st Place - Most Creative Display
Mr. & Mrs. Alan Priestley 153 Beverly Road
2nd Place - Most Creative Display
Ms. Marion LeBlanc 36 Forest Avenue
1st Place - Most Inspirational Display
Mr. & Mrs. Carl Cotoia 121 Terrace Avenue
2nd Place - Most Inspirational Display
Mr. & Mrs. Fernando Coelho 3605 Pawtucket Avenue
1st Place - Most Traditional Display
Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Olson 40 Sprague Avenue
2nd Place - Most Traditional Display
Mr. & Mrs. James Silvia 55 Firglade Avenue
1st Place - Most Electrifying Display
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Bochichio 9 Lunn Street
Mr. & Mrs. Roger Laurendeau 11 Lunn Street
Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Vierra 17 Lunn Street
2nd Place - Most Electrifying Display
Dennis & Gerry Sears 50 Euclid Avenue
Secondhand/Jewelry
Applicant - D & M Gold
Location - 711 North Broadway
Approved: Chief of Police
Subject to approval from: Building Inspector
Dennis Cabral, 18 East Street, Providence, Rhode Island is present and sworn.
On motion by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Larisa, and on a unanimous roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting, the license is granted subject to all approvals.
(Deferred from February 18, 1997)
Carnival - May 10, 1997
Applicant - Gordon School - Devin Barry
Location - 45 Maxfield Avenue
Approved: Chief of Police
Subject to approvals from: Fire Marshal, Building Inspector
Devin Barry, 115 Congress Street, Providence, Rhode Island is present and sworn.
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Lynch it is unanimously voted to grant the license subject to all approvals.
Gatherer
Applicant - Liberio F. Oliveira, 260 No. Brow Street
Approval: Chief of Police
Liberio F. Oliveira, 260 No. Brow Street is present and sworn.
On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously voted to grant the license.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS RESUME SITTING AS CITY COUNCIL
ZONING MAPS AMENDMENT
1) Rezoning request - from Commercial 1 to Open Space 1 and Residential 3
Petitioner - Kelly & Picerne, Inc.
Attorney - Martin P. Slepkow
Lot - Map 414, Block 13, Parcel 7 & 8
Area - 6 acres
Location - Westerly side of Bullocks Point Avenue
Notices served on abutters - February 10, 1997
Planning Board
The Planning Board recommends Conditional Approval for the requested rezoning.
Attorney Martin Slepkow, representing the applicant, gives an overview of the proposed rezoning request.
Larry Smith, 450 No. Broadway is present and sworn. Mr. Smith, an Engineer and Surveyor, gives an overview of the plans. He says there will be no need for any variances of the lots. He says a variance will be requested for the elimination of a sidewalk area and a request to accept the existing buffer.
Wilfrid L. Gates, Jr., 2253 Pawtucket Avenue, is present and sworn. Mr. Gates presents the architectural drawings of the project. Peter Ruggeiro, 116 Mill Cove Road, Warwick, Rhode Island, is present and sworn. Motion is made by Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Lynch, and unanimously voted to accept Mr. Ruggeiro as an expert witness. Mr. Ruggeiro states that the plans meet all the required criteria.
George C. Page, Jr., 42 Star Avenue, is present and sworn. Mr. Page asks which Flood Plain the project is in, and Mr. Smith responds that it is in A Plain, and states that the CRMC will allow the area to be filled.
Mr. Gates responds to a question by Mr. Midgley stating that the Public Works Director's concerns regarding trees will be taken care of.
After further discussion, motion is made by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, and unanimously voted on a roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting to approve the rezoning.
Jeanne Boyle, Planning Director, asks that the Planning Board recommendations be made part of the record as the Planning Board asked for conditional approval.
Mr. Larisa and Mr. Lynch withdraw their original motion, and make another motion to approve subject to the conditional approval as outlined by the Planning Board. The motion passes unanimously on a roll-call vote.
2) HIGHWAY ABANDONMENT - CAROUSEL DRIVE PROPOSED
From southerly terminus of Carousel Drive west to southerly terminus of Carousel Drive East. No recorded plat shown, Tax Assessor's map no. 414, block 24, Parcel 1, dated December 31, 1995.
Petitioner - Kelly & Picerne, Inc.
Attorney - Martin P. Slepkow
Advertised - East Providence Post - February 13, 20, 27, 1997
Notices sent to Utilities Companies - February 10, 1997
Notices served on abutters - February 10, 1997
Planning Board
The Planning Board voted to recommend Conditional Approval of the requested street abandonment.
Motion to approve subject to the conditional approval as outlined by the Planning Board is made by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, and unanimously voted on a roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting.
3) Rezoning request - from Commercial 1 and Open Space 1 to Open Space 1 and Residential 3
Petitioner - Kelly & Picerne, Inc.
Attorney - Martin P. Slepkow
Lot - Map 414, Block 24, Parcel 1; Map 414, Block 1, Parcel 4;
Portion of Parcel 2, Map 413, Block 15; and
Portion of Parcel 3, Map 414, Block 1
Area - 26 acres +
Location - Extension of Carousel Drive East & West
Notices served on abutters - February 10, 1997
Planning Board
The Board voted 4-0 to Conditionally Approve the requested rezoning.
Motion to approve subject to the conditional approval as outlined by the Planning Board is made by Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Lynch, and unanimously voted on a roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting.
The meeting recess at 9:20 P.M. and reconvenes at 9:30 P.M. with all Council members present.
(Given first passage February 18, 1997 and referred to this time and place for a public hearing and consideration of final passage) Advertised - Providence Journal - February 21, 1997
1) 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 X entitled "Stopping, Standing and Parking.", Subsection 18-307 entitled "Parking prohibited at all times.", deleting:
BURNSIDE AVENUE (north side) from ARNOLD STREET westerly four hundred (400) feet on school days during the hours of 8:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.
CHAPTER NO. 425
(Requested by Superintendent of Schools)
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. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Larisa, and on a unanimous roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting, said ordinance is adopted.
2) 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 X entitled "Stopping, Standing and Parking.", subsection 18-307 entitled
"Parking prohibited at all times.", adding:
NORTH CARPENTER STREET (east side), from ORCHARD STREET north for a distance of seventy six feet.
CHAPTER NO. 426
(Requested by Director of Public Works)
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. Lynch, and on a unanimous roll-vote with all Council members present and voting, said ordinance is adopted.
Gary Dias, Chief of Police
Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Award
Police Chief Gary Dias, addresses the Council regarding the Police Block Grant Award. He says the purpose of the grant program is to reduce crime and to improve public safety. He says the Police Department has been notified that it will receive a $20,000 grant to be used for purchasing law enforcement equipment related to community crime prevention, and the grant has a number of conditions attached. To meet one of the conditions, an Advisory Board was formed to develop non-binding recommendation for use of the money. Appearance at this meeting to discuss the recommendations by the Advisory Board meets another condition. Chief Dias asks the Council's acceptance of the recommendations.
Motion to accept the recommendations is made by Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Lynch, and unanimously voted.
CLAIMS COMMITTEE
The Claims Committee report is unanimously accepted on motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Miranda.
(By Mayor Rolland R. Grant)
City Insurance
Mayor Grant asks that this matter be deferred to the March 18, 1997 meeting.
(By Mayor Rolland R. Grant)
Affirmative Action
Eugene Monteiro 18 North Street 02915
On motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Larisa, it is unanimously voted to reappoint Eugene Monteiro to the above Board.
1) Advisory Recreation Board
(By Councilman Norman J. Miranda)
Joseph B. Sousa 234 Mercer Street 02914
Unanimously voted on motion by Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Lynch to appoint Joseph B. Sousa to the above Board.
2) Coastal Resources Management Commission
George Redman 234 Mauran Avenue 02914
Unanimously voted to appoint George Redman to the above Commission on motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Larisa.
1. Resolution requesting General Assembly action on legislation providing Educational Financial Support and the establishment of a timetable for appropriation to municipalities for support for education.
The following cities and towns have adopted this resolution and have forwarded copies asking for support:
Town of Smithfield
City of Cranston
Town of North Kingstown
City of Providence
Town of Glocester
On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, it is voted unanimously to accept the Resolution as information.
2. Town of Westerly
By Donna L. Giordano, CMC, Town Clerk
Requesting support of Resolution --- NEIGHBORHOOD DAY
On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, it is unanimously voted to accept the Resolution as information.
Received as information.
3. East Providence Police and Fire Retirees Association
By William C. Andrade, President
Norman E. Gladding, Secretary
Requesting to address the City Council re: Cost of living adjustment for retired personnel who were not included in original "COLAS."
Mr. Andrade says this request was first made in 1991 and again in 1994, but it was not granted. Increases to the pension were given and were appreciated, but this request is again being made to increase the "COLA".
Mr. Lynch makes a motion, seconded by Mr. Larisa, to refer the matter to the City Manager for recommendations. Motion passes unanimously.
4. Walter R. Langlois - 277 Mauran Avenue, 02914
Requesting to address the Council regarding the appointment of Harbormaster.
Walter R. Langlois is present and sworn. Mr. Langlois speaks on the appointment of the Harbormaster, and says that of all the applicants, the person who was appointed is the least qualified. He speaks on the U.R.I. course and says it is part of the requirements. Mr. Conley states that the ordinance does not specify the U.R.I. course, but one that is similar to it.
Mr. Larisa states that it was the Harbor Management Commission's recommendation that the applicant be selected. Mr. Langlois says it was never the intent of the Commission that drafted the ordinance to give the Harbor Management Commission the right to select the Harbormaster. He says the Harbor Management Commission should have sent all the names to the Council, for the Council to make the appointment. Mr. Midgley says he feels the Council made the proper decision.
Meeting adjourned at 10:05 P.M.
Attest:
Valerie A. Perry, CMC, City Clerk
Approved:___________________