CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
RHODE ISLAND
JOURNAL OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY,
Present: Mayor Rolland R. Grant ) Council Members
Joseph S. Larisa, Jr. )
Gerald R. Lynch
Peter F. Midgley )
Norman J. Miranda )
Paul E. Lemont ) City Manager
William J. Conley, Jr. ) City Solicitor
Mary F. Gadouas ) Deputy 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 Peter F. Midgley.
On motion by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and on unanimous roll call vote, it is VOTED to remove the minutes of the November 4, 1997 Closed Session regarding negotiations from the Consent Calendar and to keep them closed, and to approve the Consent Calendar as amended.
1. Approval of Council Journals
Regular Meeting - November 4, 1997
Kept Closed Closed Session re: Negotiations - November 4, 1997
2. Town of Foster - Requesting support for a Resolution - Education Financial Support
3. Coastal Resources Management Council - FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT - File No. 97-10-49 - Requesting to install new roof, Map 313, Block 01, Parcel 009, located at 226 Narragansett Ave. (Linda M. Williams)
4. Assessment Board of Review - Peter P. Calise, Chairman
Requested adjustments for Hardship and Residential, Tax Board of Review.
Year Amount
1997 $ 4,220.52
5. Cancellation/Abatements - Alberto S. Ereio, Tax Assessor
City Assessor requesting cancellation of taxes as follows:
Year Amount
1997 $ 7,957.86
Beautification Committee Awards are presented by members of the Beautification Committee.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT
Mr. Lemont receives Unanimous Consent to announce that the City has been awarded a $1.6 million grant to remove lead paint from housing in the City. He says it is the largest grant that has ever been received in the City of East Providence. Planning Director Jeanne Boyle and Nancy Remington answer questions from the Council.
Mr. Lemont reports on a Heritage Hall of Fame meeting he attended that commemorated Capt. Thomas Willett. Because of Councilman Midgley's interest in the Ancient Little Neck Cemetery, Mr. Lemont gives him a Certificate of Appreciation which he received at the meeting.
SECONDHAND DEALER - The Upscale Resale Shop, 359 Waterman Avenue
Maureen T. Dalesio, 108 Metacomet Avenue, East Providence, Rhode Island is present and sworn.
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Larisa, and on a unanimous roll call vote, the license is approved subject to approvals from the Chief of Police and Building Inspector.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE - Class A - Transfer of Name and Stock
From: John Rao - dba Liquor Depot of East Providence, Inc.
To: Emily Haronian dba Liquor Depot of East Providence, Inc., 1235 Wampanoag Trail
Objection to transfer by the Rhode Island Distributing Co. because of indebtedness is withdrawn.
Attorney James Paolino, representing the Transferee, and Attorney Paul Ryan, representing the Transferor, are present and sworn.
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Larisa, and on a unanimous roll call vote, the license is approved subject to approvals from the Chief of Police, Building Inspector and Health Inspector.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE - Class F1
Mr. Miranda is given Unanimous Consent to request a Class F1 Alcoholic Beverage license for St. Francis Xavier Church for November 22, 23, and 29, 1997. On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Larisa, and on a unanimous roll call vote, the license is approved.
1. Mr. Lemont reports on the City Employees' United Way Campaign.
2. On motion of M. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, and on a unanimous vote, Mr. Lemont receives authorization to sign an extension to the Solid Waste Recycling Contract.
3. James McDonald, Finance Director, reports on the Bonded Indebtedness for the City. Mr. Lemont says the intent of the report is to show the status of the City compared to other cities. Planning Director Jeanne Boyle discusses the $31 million in proposed capital projects.
Mr. Lemont tells the Council that if they want to proceed, they would have to seek enabling legislation for inclusion on the next ballot for approval by the general public.
4. On motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Larisa, and on a unanimous roll call vote, it is VOTED to go into Executive Session at the end of the regular meeting to discuss negotiations.
William J. Conley, Jr., City Solicitor, reports on a proposed amendment to the Regulations for Wrecker and Towing Services, which reads as follows:
The determination of whether or not the vehicle is attached to the tow truck hooking mechanism or safely secured to a car carrier shall be made by the police officer in charge at the scene of the tow.
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Larisa, and on a unanimous roll call vote, the Regulations are amended.
CLAIMS COMMITTEE
Fitchburg Mutual Insurance on behalf of Carolina Domingues was referred to the Law Department.
Manuel Matos denied
Joseph Sullivan, Marie Freitas, Susan Turillo, Edward and Carol Silva deferred for further information to be presented at a future Claims Committee meeting.
On motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Larisa, and on a unanimous roll call vote, the Claims Committee report is accepted as presented.
1) Resolution to General Assembly urging repeal of mandatory arbitration on wages for Police and Fire Department employees.
Mr. Larisa says he was not able to get the correct wording finalized for this meeting. He speaks on the reasons for the necessity of the resolution and says the arbitrator has the power to increase the wages, overruling any vote by the Council.
Mr. Lynch says the Council went through this process before in the late 80's and suggests Mr. Larisa poll the legislators before putting the resolution forth.
2) Corporate Authority on City Contracts
Mr. Larisa says he had a discussion with the City Manager about what the Corporate Authority meant and what the power of the negotiating team would be. He says his concern is what the Council decided in a Closed Session meeting. He says he wants to rename the authority of a negotiating team "Negotiating Authority," which would have the Council ratify all contracts.
After discussion, Mr. Larisa makes the following motion, which is seconded by Mr. Midgley:
Any offer presented to the team having corporate authority to negotiate, must be in writing and initialed by each of the Council members voting for the offer.
Mr. Midgley questions the motion. He asks Mr. Conley if the Council can put a cap when giving Corporate Authority and Mr. Conley answers in the affirmative.
After further discussion, roll call vote is taken on the motion.
Mr. Larisa Aye
Mr. Lynch Abstain
Mr. Midgley Aye
Mr. Miranda Aye
Mayor Grant Aye
Motion passes 4-0 with 1 abstention.
Councilman Miranda requesting update from Robinson, Green, Beretta regarding repair of the high school roof.
Mr. Miranda says he received word that a representative from Robinson, Green, Beretta will not be able to attend the meeting. He says the reason he put the issue on the docket was to put the rumors to rest regarding the status of the repair.
Dr. Taras Herbowy, Superintendent of Schools, addresses the Council. Dr. Herbowy says he will be meeting with Robinson, Green, Beretta tomorrow and will have a report for the School Committee for their next meeting. He says he will make the same report available to the Council.
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Midgley, it is unanimously VOTED to approve Mr. Midgley's appointments of John Bishop and Anita Gates Elliot as Honorary members of the Ancient Little Neck Cemetery Commission.
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Larisa, it is unanimously VOTED to approve Mr. Midgley's appointment of Patricia A. Appleby, 50 Turner Avenue to the Senior Citizens Advisory Board.
On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously VOTED on a roll call vote to go into Executive Session to discuss negotiations.
The meeting recesses at 10:50 p.m. and goes into Executive Session.
The open meeting reconvenes at 12:30 a.m. and adjourns at 12:30 a.m.
Attest:
Valerie A. Perry, CMC Approved:________________
City Clerk