CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
RHODE ISLAND
JOURNAL OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY,
8:00 P.M.
The City Council meets at the East Providence Senior High School on Tuesday, October 7, 1997 and is called to order at 8:00 p.m. by Mayor Rolland R. Grant.
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
Valerie A. Perry ) City Clerk
(Lisa Neal, Merandi Reporting, is present to record the proceedings of the public hearings)
Invocation is given by Councilman Joseph S. Larisa, Jr. 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 that the Consent Calendar be approved as presented.
Approval of Council Journals
Regular Meeting - September 16, 1997
Show Cause Hearing - New England Towing, Inc. - September 17, 1997
Assessment Board of Review - Peter Calise, Chairman
Requested Adjustments for Hardship, Tax Board of Review
Year - 1997 - Amount - $ 13,577.44
Cancellation/Abatements
Year Amount
1997 $ 9,600.93
1996 182.68
Proclamation - National Arts and Humanities Month 1997
SECONDHAND/BOOKS - Alice Louise Giraitis - dba Nothing New, 213 Bullocks Point Avenue - Subject to approvals from: Chief of Police, Building Inspector
Alice Giraitis, 30 Linden Street, East Providence, Rhode Island is present and sworn.
There are no persons wishing to be heard on the license. On motion by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Larisa, and on a unanimous roll call vote, it is VOTED to approve the license.
Sunday/Holiday Sales - Applicant - Khawaja Akbar dba City Mart, 327 Warren Ave –
Subject to approvals from: Chief of Police, Building Inspector, Health Inspector
Khawaja Akbar, 2 Newman Avenue, East Providence, Rhode Island is present and sworn. On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Lynch, and on a unanimous roll call vote, it is VOTED to approve the license.
Licensing Commissioners Resume Sitting as City Council
PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 19 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE TO ALLOW CREATION OF A BUSINESS/TECHNOLOGY FLOATING ZONE DISTRICT WITH ASSOCIATED CHANGES TO: SECTION 19-1 DEFINITIONS, SECTION 19-96 DISTRICTS DESIGNATED, SECTION 19-98 USE, SECTIONS 19-99 AND 19-100 FLOATING ZONE DISTRICTS, SECTION 19-171 ACCESSORY USES, 19-284 OFF-STREET PARKING, 19-362 AND 364 LAND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, AND ADDING SECTION 19-370 RESERVE PARKING AREA FOR BUSINESS/TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENTS.
Diane Feather, Planning Department, gives an overview of the ordinance. There are no persons wishing to be heard on the ordinance amendment.
On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, and on a unanimous roll call vote, it is VOTED to approve the ordinance.
BUDGET HEARING FOR FISCAL YEAR 1997-1998 (Con't from September 16)
Mayor Grant asks all speakers to adhere to a three to five minute speech. Mr. Conley swears in all speakers. The following persons speak on the proposed budget:
Kimberly George, 35 Harold Street
Shelley Vittia, 594 Bullocks Point Avenue
Tony Gouveia, 62 Euclid Avenue
Adria Britto, 118 Central Avenue
Lori Robinson, 21 Cumberland Road
Mindy Pinto, 70 Roma Street
Therese Lusignan, 45 Rhodes Avenue
Pedro Alves, 32 Alice Street
Michael E. Dillon, 57 Smith Street
Ron Thomas, 32 Tenth Street
Renee Zabrowski, 14 Waterview Avenue
Jason Silveira, 312 Brown Street
Sandra Loughlin, 15 Leroy Drive
Susana Aguiar, 2573 Pawtucket Avenue
Chester Mott, 28 Grant Avenue
Meagan Wims, 398 Willett Avenue
Gary Johnson, 22 Lester Street
Sarah Procter, 1836 Pawtucket Avenue
Steve Doloff, 38 Dorr Avenue
Rachel Presser, 35 Bishop Avenue
Gert DeQuinzio, 94 Hospital Road
Leslie Logan, 59 Unity Avenue
Mayor Grant calls for a short recess at 9:35 p.m.
The meeting reconvenes at 9:45 p.m. with all Council members present.
The public comments continue:
Linda McCarthy, 52 Madeline Drive
Tricia Clark, 132 Grove Avenue
George Zoglio, 232 Dover Avenue
Peter Hainsworth, 114 Central Avenue
Ann Marie Rosner, 106 Grove Avenue
Helio Melo, 1187 So. Broadway
Mary Davidson-Reed, 110 Dorr Avenue
Kathy Santos, 4 Thurston Street
Debbi-Jo Horton, 63 Providence Avenue
Maria Henriques, 22 Arlington Street
Janel Walker, 136 Ferris Avenue
Jeffrey West, 25 Wilson Avenue
Debbie Romano, 25 Rice Avenue
Bobbie Smith, 31 John Street
Anthony Ferreira, 44 Brightridge Avenue
Alicia Mitchell, (no address given)
Stacey Chapman, 9 Fairbanks Avenue
Derek DeSousa, 99 State Street
John Jacques, 100 Merrill Street
Raymond Levesque, 132 Allen Avenue
Madeline Reilly, 92 Hoppin Avenue
Tianna Lopes-Speaks, 21 Sixth Street
Kyle Robertson, 28 Ivy Street
Raymond Daley, 86 Grassy Plain Road
Jean LaFond, 69 East Drive
Harold Gerstein, 12 Rhodes Avenue
Neal Bijlani, 48 Gemini Drive
Isaura Pereira, 108 No. County Street
Maryann Peterson, 66 Belmont Street
Mayor Grant calls for a short recess at 11:25 p.m.
The meeting reconvenes at 11:32 p.m. with all Council members present.
Dr. Taras Herbowy, Superintendent of Schools, addresses the Council. He asks the Council to reconsider cutting the $840,000.
Mr. Larisa asks Dr. Herbowy what his options would be if the Council voted for a zero tax increase. Dr. Herbowy responds by saying he would have to appeal to the Superior Court, consolidate programs, close Watters, Grove Avenue, Meadowcrest, and Thompson Schools, move the 9th grade students to the high school, and the 6th grade students to the Junior High.
If the Council were to approve Mr. Lemont's proposed budget, Dr. Herbowy says he would ask that the $200,000 loan payment for the roof and the $200,000 loan for indebtedness be deferred this year and next year and he would make some administrative transfers.
Mr. Miranda mentions the contract the School Department has with St. Francis Xavier Church, and Dr. Herbowy says he would have to make other arrangements if cuts need to be made.
Mr. Lemont speaks and gives an overview on the budget as proposed and explains the need for a tax increase.
After Council discussion, Mr. Lynch makes a motion to move the budget. The motion fails for lack of a second.
Mr. Larisa states that he has many more questions and wants to continue the hearing to the next regular meeting. On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Midgley, and on a unanimous roll call vote, it is VOTED to continue the discussion of the budget to the next Council meeting, October 21, 1997.
(Advertised September 5, 1997)
AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $85,618,355 FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING OCTOBER 31, 1998.
Budget Ordinance deferred to October 21, 1997.
AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 11 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1987, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "PERSONNEL, PENSIONS AND RETIREMENT.", which amends: Sec I. Division I. of Article III. entitled "Personnel Plan.", Division I. Unclassified Employees, Officers or Members of Boards or Commissions Appointed by City Council. Sec 11-46, Discipline and Discharge of Employees, Officers or Members of Boards or Commissions appointed by City Council, (A) (B) (C) (D) (E).
Mr. Miranda says he has some questions on the ordinance. On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Midgley, and on a unanimous roll call vote, is is VOTED to defer the ordinance to the next Council meeting, scheduled for October 21, 1997.
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 Sec I. Article VIII entitled "One-Way Streets.", Subsec 18-247 entitled "Designation of one-way streets.", adding:
WANNAMOISETT ROAD (eastbound) from PAWTUCKET AVENUE to DOVER AVENUE during the hours of 8:30 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. and 2:30 P.M. to 3:30 P.M., school days.
HOWLAND AVE (westbound) from DOVER AVE to PAWTUCKET AVENUE during the hours of 8:30. A.M. to 9:30 A.M. and 2:30 P.M. to 3:30 P.M., school days.
PROGRESS STREET (southbound) from HEATH ST to SILVER SPRING AVENUE during the hours of 8:30 A.M. to 9:30 A. M. and 2:30 P.M. to 3:30 P.M., school days.
SILVER SPRING AVENUE (westbound) from PROGRESS STREET to DODGE STREET during the hours of 8:30 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. and 2:30 P.M. to 3:30 P.M., school days.
DODGE STREET (northbound) from SILVER SPRING AVENUE to HILLTOP ROAD during the hours of 8:30 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. and 2:30 P.M. to 3:30 P.M., during school days.
There are no persons presents who wish to be heard on the ordinance.
On motion by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and on a unanimous roll call vote, it is VOTED to approve the ordinance for Final Passage.
Director of Finance - Requesting approval for pre-qualification of contractors for Bold Point Park Improvements.
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and on a unanimous roll call vote, it is VOTED to approve the request.
CLAIMS COMMITTEE
On motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Larisa, and on a unanimous roll call vote, its VOTED to accept the Claims Committee Report as presented.
(By Mayor Rolland R. Grant)
Anti-Litter Campaign
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously VOTED to defer to the next meeting of October 21, 1997.
(By Councilman Joseph S. Larisa, Jr.)
1. Capital Budget (deferred from September 16, 1997)
2. City Towers - Public Bid ProcessOn motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Larisa, it is unanimously VOTED to defer both items to the next meeting of October 21, 1997.
AN ORDINANCE ORDERING THE ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION OF PROPERTY TAX ON THE RATABLE REAL ESTATE, TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY AND AN EXCISE TAX ON REGISTERED MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAILERS.
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO BORROW FUNDS IN ANTICIPATION OF TAXES.
AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 11 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1987, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "PERSONNEL, PENSIONS AND RETIREMENT.", which amends: Sec I. Sec 11-111 entitled "Adoption.", Exhibits A,B,C,D,E,G,FI and F2 are hereby adopted as the official pay plans for the United Steel workers of America Local 15509A; United Steel workers of America Local 15509; International Association of Firefighters, Local 850 (AFL-CIO); International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local Number 569; Professional, Managerial, and Technical Employees Association; and East Providence Department Heads and Exhibits F1 and F2 are hereby adopted as official pay plans for non-classified full-time and/or part-time employees (i.e. seasonal and temporary) and unclassified employees respectively; and said exhibits shall be placed on file in the City Clerk's Office.
On motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Larisa, it is VOTED 4-0 on a roll call vote to defer the three budget ordinances to October 21, 1997. Mr. Miranda is noted absent for the vote.
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: Sec I. Article IX entitled "Stop Intersections.", Subsec 18-269 entitled "Stop and yield intersections
designated; when stops required.", adding:
WHITCOMB ROAD (northbound traffic), at CATALPA AVENUE.
(By Director of Public Works)
On a motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Lynch, it is VOTED 4-0 on a roll call vote to approve for First Passage. Mr. Miranda is noted absent for the vote.
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 Sec I. Article X entitled "Stopping, Standing and Parking.", Subsec 18-307 entitled "Parking prohibited
at all times.", adding:
WASHBURN AVENUE (north side) from DALTON STREET to MAGNOLIA STREET.
(By: Director of Public Works)
On a motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Larisa, it is VOTED 4-0 on a roll call vote to approve for First Passage. Mr. Miranda is noted absent for the vote.
AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 13 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1987, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "PUBLIC PLACES." which amends: Section I. Sec 18-37 entitled "Membership; appointment and terms of members.", (a) (b)
(By: Councilman Peter F. Midgley)
On a motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, it is VOTED 4-0 on a roll call vote to approve for First Passage. Mr. Miranda is noted absent for the vote.
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: Section 1. Sec 18-307 entitled "Parking prohibited at all times." by adding thereto the following:
COVE STREET (south side) from its easterly terminus westerly twenty (20) feet.
(By: Director of Public Works)
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Larisa, it is VOTED 4-0 on a roll call vote to approve for First Passage. Mr. Miranda is noted absent for the vote.
Frank Duarte, 33 Arthur Ave., #17 - Requesting the City Council obtain legislative approval in the next general election for a referendum to change the present form of government in East Providence.
Mr. Duarte is not present. On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, it is unanimously VOTED to accept the communication.
The meeting adjourns at 12:55 a.m.
Attest:
Valerie A. Perry, CMC
City Clerk Approved:_____________________-