CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
RHODE ISLAND
JOURNAL OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY
The City Council meets in the Council Chamber on Tuesday, April 7, 1998, 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. )
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
Invocation is given by Councilman Miranda.
The Salute to the Flag is led by Councilman Midgley.
Claudia Merandi, Merandi Reporting, is present to record the proceedings of the public hearings.
1. Approval of Council Journals
Regular Meeting - March 24, 1998
2. Town of Smithfield - Resolution relating to the Realty Stamp Tax
3. Abatements/Cancellations - City Assessor requesting the cancellation of taxes as follows:
Year Amount
1997 $ 7,875.10
1996 139.43
4. Assessment Board Of Review - Requested adjustments for residential and commercial property
Year - 1997 Amount - $88,443.93
5. Coastal Resources Management Council - File No. 98-3-61 – ASSENT
Requesting to construct maintain a residential boating facility consisting of a timber access stairway, a 4' to 8' wide x 24' long fixed timber pier 3'x 20' ramp, and 7.5'x 20' float. (Sharon L. West)
6. (Permission to Advertise) Alcoholic Beverage Class B Full Privilege - Transfer of Stock
Bertucci's Restaurant Corp. 52 Narragansett Park Drive
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Larisa, and on unanimous roll call vote, it is VOTED to approve the Consent Calendar. Mr. Lynch is noted absent.
Peddler/Ice Cream - Alcipiandes Maya dba - Palagis Ice Cream
The applicant is not present. On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Larisa, it is unanimously voted to defer to the next meeting. Mr. Lynch is noted absent.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS RESUME SITTING AS CITY COUNCIL
ORDINANCES - FINAL PASSAGE - (Given first passage March 24, 1998)
Advertised - Providence Journal - March 27, 1998
1) AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AND ENACTING A NEW CODE FOR THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF CERTAIN ORDINANCES NOT INCLUDED THEREIN; PROVIDING A PENALTY FOR THE VIOLATION THEREOF; PROVIDING FOR THE MANNER OF AMENDING SUCH CODE; AND PROVIDING WHEN SUCH CODE AND THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE. CHAPTER NO. 20
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Larisa, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously VOTED to approve for Final Passage. Mr. Lynch is noted absent.
2) AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 6 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "GARBAGE AND REFUSE.", which is amended by adding the following: SEC 6-54. Leaf and Yard Waste Composting Facility SEC 6-55. Eligible Participants SEC 6-56. Hours of Operation SEC 6-57. Dates of Operation SEC 6-58. Acceptable Materials SEC 6-59. Condition of Materials SEC 6-60. Fees (Requested by Councilman Peter F. Midgley) CHAPTER NO.
(Establishes a leaf and yard waste composting facility at Forbes Street for East Providence residents)
Tony Gouveia, 62 Euclid Avenue, Riverside, Rhode Island is present and sworn. Mr. Gouveia asks about the cost of the program, and Mr. Lemont responds that the total cost will be $3200.
Mr. Midgley explains that the fee will be a one time $5.00 fee per year. He speaks on amendments he would like to add to the ordinance; 1) the facility will operate weather permitting; 2) it will be limited to two-axle four-wheeled vehicles, and nothing that would have sides extending six inches over the truck; 3) the only materials acceptable will be generated within the City. He says this is mainly for people who have pick-ups and are doing things in their yard. Eligible participants will be non-commercial residents. Mr. Conley states that violations will be issued by the Law Department for appearance in Municipal Court.
Discussion is held on how the application process will be handled. It is decided that the applicant will have to show license and registration to the clerk, who will write the vehicle number on the decal.
After further discussion, on motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Miranda, the ordinance is amended and given First Passage as amended.
3) AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 18 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1998, 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 thereto the following: HOPPIN AVENUE (eastbound and westbound traffic), at ARNOLD STREET. (Requested by Director of Public Works) CHAPTER NO. 21
There are no public comments. On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Midgley, and on a unanimous roll call vote, it is VOTED to approve for Final Passage.
4) AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 18 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC", which amends SEC I. ARTICLE IV entitled "Traffic Signals", SEC 18-86 entitled "Right turns on red lights prohibited at certain intersections.", adding thereto the following: TAUNTON AVENUE (eastbound traffic), onto PURCHASE STREET.
CHAPTER NO. 22
(Requested by Director of Public Works)
There are no public comments. Mayor Grant states that there is a problem with school children crossing Taunton Avenue from Purchase Street, and he asks the Public Works Director to check into the possibility of putting a similar sign on Purchase Street turning onto Taunton Avenue.
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Midgley, and on a unanimous roll call vote, the ordinance is VOTED to approve for Final Passage.
1. Grant Agreement Between Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation and City of East Providence Department of Public Works
Mr. Lemont states that this agreement pertains to the upgrading of the Bentley Street Garage for a furniture recycling program and was delayed until Mr. Miranda had a chance to survey the neighborhood. Mr. Miranda reports that the neighbors are very happy that the garage will be renovated.
On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously VOTED to approve.
2. At the request of the City Manager, on motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and on unanimous roll call vote, it is VOTED to go into Executive Session at the end of the regular meeting to discuss Contract Negotiations with the East Providence Professional, Managerial, and Technical Employees Association.
3. City Manager's Report
Mr. Lemont reports on the following:
The demolition will start tomorrow on the Riverside water tank. Mr. Midgley suggests the possibility of putting a library on the site. Mr. Lemont responds that the land would be an ideal site for a library and says he will look into it.
He has appointed Robert Rock as Director of the Senior Center.
He met with the Police Chief and Deputy Chief to finalize the Community Policing Program and will begin starting the process of selecting the candidates soon.
He has authorized a study of the landfill in Riverside and is putting out an RFP with no commitments to see whether or not there is any interest on the part of a private developer to build a golf course on the land.
The figures for lost time days of people out on injury have gone from 24,203 hours in 1991 to 8,181 in 1997, for a savings of $250,000 per year.
CLAIMS COMMITTEE
Travelers Property Casualty for Robert & Dolores Belcastro Claim No. 98-18 - referred to the Law Department.
Edward Luciano Claim No. 98-17 - denied
Holyoke Mutual Insurance Claim No. 98-11 - referred to the Law Department
Maria Rosa Nogueira Claim No. 98-12 - denied
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Midgley, it is unanimously VOTED on a roll call vote to accept the report as presented.
1) Amendment to Resolution No. 14 - COUNCIL RULES OF PROCEDURE RESOLVE NO. 19 (Requested by Mr. Larisa) (Requires Plain Language Explanation for Ordinances)
Mr. Larisa asks for a change on page 2 - Sec. B - remove the words "for introduction.......". On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and on unanimous roll call vote, it is VOTED to adopt the Resolution as amended.
2) Resolution requesting permission to attach a "Welcome To The Historic City Of East Providence" sign to a Route 195, Exit 4, sign framework. RESOLVE NO. 20 (Requested by Mayor Rolland R. Grant)
Mr. Larisa questions the word "Historic" and asks if the Historic Properties Committee
After further discussion, on motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and on unanimous roll call vote, it is VOTED to adopt the Resolution.
(If given first passage can be referred to the next regular Council Meeting to be held on April 21, 1998)
AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 8 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "LICENSES AND BUSINESS REGULATIONS." which amends SEC I. Sec 8-116 entitled "Defined" of Article VI. entitled "Canvassers and Solicitors" SEC II. Sec 8-123 entitled "Hours Permitted." of Article VI. entitled "Canvassers and Solicitors."
(Requested by Chief of Police)
(Limits the hours of canvassers and solicitors from 8:00 a.m. to one half hour after sunset).
On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Midgley, and on unanimous roll call vote, it is VOTED to approve the ordinance for First Passage. Mr. Lynch is noted absent.
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Midgley, it is unanimously VOTED to approve Mr. Miranda's appointment of Frank Aguiar, 39 Lawrence Drive, as School Crossing Guard.
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously VOTED to appoint Terri Decoste, 57 Terrace Avenue, to the Historic Properties Designation and Study Commission.
Edward Sutton, Chairman of the Tenants Board of Affairs Board addresses the Council and requests that the City Council petition the General Assembly to change R.I.G.L. 45-25-18 - regarding Board of Tenants' Affairs meetings; and requests reducing the number of members. Mr. Conley states his concerns that it may be special legislation, which will require referendum approval. After further discussion, it is decided that the Council will try to set up some compromise on the issue. A motion is made by Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Midgley, and unanimously VOTED to defer.
Volunteer Services For Animals - Meribeth Bowden
Requesting to address the City Council and the citizens regarding the East Providence Animal Shelter.
Eileen Paco, 33 Rice Avenue, East Providence, Rhode Island is present and sworn. Ms. Paco hands out a Financial Report for the Volunteer Services for Animals and reads the entire report for the Council.
At the urging of Mr. Larisa, Ms. Paco states there is desperate need for volunteers at the Shelter.
On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Midgley, it is unanimously VOTED on a roll call vote to go into Executive Session to discuss negotiations with E.P.P.M.T.E.A.
The meeting adjourns to Executive Session at 9:10 p.m.
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously VOTED to return to open session at 9:30 p.m.
There being no further, the meeting is adjourned at 9:30 p.m. on motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Midgley.
Attest:
Valerie A. Perry, CMC
City Clerk Approved:______________________