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 18, 1997 and is called to order 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
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
Motion is made by Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Lynch and voted unanimously on a roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting to approve the Consent Calendar.
APPROVAL OF COUNCIL JOURNALS
Regular Meeting - March 4, 1997
Special Council Meeting - Joint Meeting of City Council and School Committee w/East
Providence General Assembly Delegation - February 24, 1997
Resolution in support of amending Rhode Island General Law 16-21-8. Town of Foster
Resolution - Educational Financial Support Town of Hopkinton
Cancellation/Abatement
City Assessor requesting cancellation of taxes as follows:
Year Amount
1996 $ 3,462.65
1995 2,374.43
(Permission to advertise)
Alcoholic Beverage License - Class B Full Privilege - (Victualler) Transfer of Class - (From B Limited to B Full Privilege)
Applicant - SAZ, Inc.
dba - Town Pizza & Family Restaurant
Location - 949 Willett Avenue
Tag Days/Poppies - May 23 & 24, 1997
Applicant - American Legion Auxiliary Post #10
- Rose Conroy
Location - East Providence
Tag Days/Tootsie Roll Drive - April 17, 18 & 19, 1997
Applicant - Knights of Columbus Council #1528
Location - East Providence
All CC items are voted and passed on one vote.
Sunday/Holiday Sales/Collectibles
Applicant - Lynn A. Ratti
dba - East Bay Coin & Collectibles
Location - 486 Waterman Avenue
Subject to approvals from: Chief of Police, Building Inspector
Lynn A. Ratti, 147 Atlantic Avenue, Warwick, Rhode Island, is present and sworn.
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Midgley, it is voted unanimously to grant the license subject to all approvals.
Gatherer - (Between 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM only)
Applicant - Kenneth L. Mosher, Sr., 25 Padelford Avenue
Subject to approvals from: Chief of Police, Building Inspector
Kenneth L. Mosher, Sr., 25 Padelford Avenue, is present and sworn.
Unanimously voted to grant the license subject to all approvals on motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Miranda.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS RESUME SITTING AS CITY COUNCIL
Mr. Lemont receives Unanimous Consent to discuss the proposed Algonquin Pipeline route through East Providence. Mr. Lemont says he sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in opposition to the proposed plan because it will go through a scenic highway and historic district (Veterans' Memorial Parkway) and suggested an alternate route. He states that he has asked for congressional intervention.
1) City Council authorization to sell city-owned property acquired through tax title sale or condemnation.
2) City Council authorization to apply to the R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) for a variance from the Coastal building setback for city-owned lots on Harding Avenue.
3) City Council authorization to request approval from R.I. Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to permit the sale of a city-owned parcel, located on Ivy Street, acquired with State Green Acres Funds.
Mr. Lemont states that this report is the result of a request from the Council for a list of land belonging to the City that would be available for sale. He asks Jeanne Boyle and Zack Gordon of the Planning Department to give the specifics to the Council. Mayor Grant asks for a complete list of property belonging to the City. Mr. Lemont says that these are the best. Mayor Grant asks about land near Seekonk, and Mr. Lynch says that the watershed land has been previously ruled out of discussion.
Mr. Miranda agrees that the Council should receive a list of all property, but agrees that this report can be given tonight. Zack Gordon reviews the properties available.
Mr. Midgley asks that the two properties on Harding Avenue be removed from the list.
The Booth Avenue property is discussed. Mr. Miranda asks if there has been any consideration to asking neighbors if they are interested in the property.
Mr. Lemont tells the Council that if they approve these parcels tonight, the issue does not have to go any further and he can proceed to make the sale, then will come back to the Council with the highest bids on the properties before executing the sales.
Mr. Midgley reads a letter from residents of 18 Harding Avenue. Mr. Midgley then makes a motion to remove two parcels on Harding Avenue from the list and not to consider them for sale. Mr. Lynch seconds the motion.
Mr. Larisa says he was just at the property and there is no purpose for the City to keep this land. He says 8-10 cars are using City land for a parking lot, which the City taxpayers are paying for. Mr. Lynch speaks on the issue and agrees with Mr. Midgley.
Roll-call vote is taken:
Mr. Larisa Nay
Mr. Lynch Aye
Mr. Midgley Aye
Mr. Miranda Aye
Mayor Grant Aye
Motion passes 4-1.
Motion is made by Mr. Larisa to approve the bidding of the Booth Avenue parcel subject to the right of first refusal by the abutting property owner. Mr. Lynch seconds the motion. Mayor Grant questions the motion, and says he believes all abutters should have the right of first refusal. Mr. Lynch retracts his second on the motion. Mr. Larisa says that was not his intent, but it should be given to the property owner who has maintained the property for many years. Mr. Midgley seconds the motion. Roll-call vote is taken:
Mr. Larisa Aye
Mr. Lynch Nay
Mr. Midgley Aye
Mr. Miranda Nay
Mayor Grant Nay
Motion is denied on a 3-2 vote.
Mr. Larisa makes a motion to offer Booth Avenue to the highest bidder, subject to and including all abutting property owners, subject to subsequent final approval by the Council. Mr. Lynch seconds the motion. Discussion on the type of bids is held, with Mr. Lemont saying the bid will be sealed, and Mr. Midgley saying he would rather see an open auction. Mr. Lemont says this issue was discussed, and it was felt a sealed bid would be the cleanest way to do it. Roll-call vote is taken on the motion:
Mr. Larisa Aye
Mr. Lynch Aye
Mr. Midgley Nay
Mr. Miranda Aye
Mayor Grant Aye
Motion passes 4-1.
Motion is made by Mr. Larisa to sell all the remaining properties, other than the Harding Avenue properties, in the same fashion. Mr. Miranda seconds the motion. Roll-call vote is taken:
Mr. Larisa Aye
Mr. Lynch Aye
Mr. Midgley Nay
Mr. Miranda Aye
Mayor Grant Aye
Motion passes 4-1.
Motion is made by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Miranda, to sell the properties on Liberty Street, in the same fashion. The motion passes 4-1, with Mr. Midgley voting against.
The meeting recessed at 9:20 P.M. and reconvenes at 9:30 P.M. with all Council members present.
4) Request for corporate authority - Firefighters Contract
Motion is made by Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Lynch, to give Corporate Authority to the City Manager, City Solicitor, and Councilman Lynch to negotiate the Firefighters contract.
Discussion is held on the motion.
Mr. Midgley states his concerns about giving Corporate Authority, and Mr. Larisa tells Mr.Midgley that final approval of all contracts rests with the Council. After further discussion, a vote is taken on the motion, which passes 5-0.
Mr. Lemont receives Unanimous Consent to announce the dates and times for the Business Expo.
Planning Department
by Jeanne Boyle, Planning Director
Re: Recommended projects for the 1998-2000 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) prepared by the State of Rhode Island.
Planning Director Jeanne Boyle, gives an overview of the City's priorities for the Transportation Improvement program. She states that the Waterfront Drive would be a vast economic benefit to the City, and says that there are 300 acres of under utilized industrial zoned land along the corridor. She says that the competition between cities and towns is very intense, and the likelihood of all five projects being done is not good.
Motion to approve the list is made by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Midgley, and voted 5-0.
Mayor Grant asks for a motion to change the order of business to place the docketed item Communications next on the docket. Motion is made by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Midgley, and voted 5-0.
Raymond E. Johnson, 59 Greenwich Avenue; Marion R. Kent, 257 Dover Avenue; Barbara R. Murray, 70 Howland Avenue
Requesting to address the Council re: Opposition to the proposal to convert the old water tower into an observation platform. Raymond Johnson, 59 Greenwich Avenue, is present and sworn. Mr. Johnson speaks on a petition signed by 258 people regarding the old water tower. He says the neighbors that signed do not want the tower kept in any form. Mayor Grant assures Mr. Johnson that the Council will not consider anything other than taking it down.
CLAIMS COMMITTEE
The Claims Committee Report is unanimously accepted on a roll-call vote on motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Midgley.
(By Councilman Peter F. Midgley)
Requesting that a Workshop on Boards and Commissions take place at the end of this meeting.
Mr. Midgley makes a motion, seconded by Mr. Miranda, to conduct a workshop on the various boards and commissions at the end of the meeting. Motion passes 5-0.
(If given first passage can be referred to the next regular Council meeting to be held on April 1, 1997 for a public hearing and consideration of final passage)
1) AN ORDINANCE 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 Article X entitled "Stopping, Standing and Parking.", Subsection (a) (2) a. of Section 18-301. entitled "Stopping, Standing or Parking prohibited in specified places." amended to read:
In front of or within three (3) feet of a public or private driveway.
(Requested by Chief of Police)
The above-entitled ordinance is introduced and, on motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Midgley, and on a unanimous roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting, said ordinance is given first passage and referred to the next regular Council meeting to be held on April 1, 1997 for a public hearing and consideration of final passage.
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:
PINE STREET (west side), from OAK AVENUE southerly for a distance of seventy-one (71) feet.
(Requested by Director of Public Works)
The above-entitled ordinance is introduced and, on motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and on a unanimous roll-call vote with all Council members present and voting, said ordinance is given first passage and referred to the next regular Council meeting to be held on Tuesday, April 1, 1997 for a public hearing and consideration of final passage.
(By Mayor Rolland R. Grant)
(R) Library Board of Trustees
Henry Caparco 4 Allerton Avenue 02914
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Lynch, it is unanimously voted to reappoint Henry Caparco to the above Board.
(R) Margaret Marcotte 14 Rice Avenue 02914
On motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously voted to reappoint Margaret Marcotte to the above Board.
Mr. Miranda receives Unanimous Consent and makes a motion to reappoint Lois Gomes, 49 Swan Street, East Providence, RI 02914 to the Affirmative Action Committee. Mr. Larisa seconds the motion which passes 5-0.
Mayor Grant receives Unanimous Consent to read a letter sent to Paula Raposa, an East Providence Senior High School student, who was chosen to participate in the United States Youth Ensemble's European Concert Tour. Mayor Grant urges the Council and the public to help her. Mr. Larisa suggests the Charity Ball help out in some way, and Mr. Miranda says he will discuss it with his committee. Mr. Midgely encourages all the people in his ward to help out.
Mr. Midgley speaks on the Boards and Commissions and lists the vacancies on the various Boards. He suggests that appointments be made to bring the Boards up to date. Mr. Larisa asks that the City Clerk give each Councilman a list of their appointments that have expired.
Meeting adjourns at 10:17 P.M.
Attest:
Valerie A. Perry, CMC
City Clerk
Approved:______________________