CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
RHODE ISLAND
JOURNAL OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY,
The City Council meets in the Council Chamber on Tuesday, May 5, 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. )
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 Mr. Miranda. The Salute to the Flag is led by Mayor Grant.
Carole Malaga, Merandi Reporting, is present to record the proceedings of the public hearings.
1. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL JOURNALS
Regular Meeting - April 21, 1998
2. Coastal Resources Management Council - File No. 98-427
Requesting to reshingle roof on dwelling, reside dwelling garage and replace existing deck located; 146 Riverside Dr, Map 414, Block 21 Lot 1. (Nancy Adams)
3. Alcoholic Beverage - Class F - June 18, 19, 20, 21, 1998
East Providence Recreation Dept./Jimmy Fund Softball, Fynn Field
4. Alcoholic Beverage - Class F - July 24, 25, 26, 1998
East Providence Heritage Festival Committee, Pierce Field
5. Alcoholic Beverage - Class F - May 16, 1998 - St Martha's Church, 2595 Pawtucket Ave
6. Assessment Board of Review - Requested adjustments for commercial property
Year Amount
1997 $ 43,891.94
7. Cancellation/Abatements - City Assessor requesting cancellation of taxes as follows:
Year Amount
1997 $ 861.11
1996 324.97
8. Tag Days/Poppies - May 14, 15, 16, 1998 - V.F.W. - Primmer-Cordeiro Post 5385
9. Town of Westerly - Resolution - Requesting support of the passage of Senate Bill 98S-2251, entitled "An Act Relating To Education-Health and Safety Of Students" Amending R.I.G.L. 16-21-7 and 16-21-8.
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Midgley, and on a unanimous roll call vote, it is VOTED to approve the Consent Calendar.
Advertised - East Providence Post - April 9 & 16, 1998
Bertucci's Restaurant Corp., 60 Newport Avenue - Transfer of Stock Only
The City Clerk announces that the applicant has withdrawn. Motion to accept the withdrawal is made by Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Lynch, and unanimously VOTED on a roll call vote.
Peddler/lemonade & Ice Cream - Lamont A. Washington, 280 Douglas Ave., Providence,
Rhode Island dba New England Lemonade
The applicant is not present. On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously VOTED to defer to the next meeting.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS RESUME SITTING AS CITY COUNCIL
1998-99 CDBG Presentation of proposals by applicants.
Nancy Remington, Community Development Coordinator addresses the Council and states that the City will receive an increase of approximately 3% in funds this year. Thirty seven applications were received. The following speakers are sworn in and speak on their requests:
Catherine Donnelly, East Bay Geriatric Center
Anne Rule, Blackstone Valley Chapter Rhode Island Arc
Grace Osediacz, Child Opportunity Zone/Self Help, Inc.
JoAnn Roth, East Bay Mental Health Center
Lianne Pinheiro, R.I. Rape Crises Center
Trina Barnes, East Providence Community Center
Scott Avedesian, East Providence Boys and Girls Club
Valdoro Sinesi, Big Brothers of Rhode Island
Lt. Norman Miranda, East Providence Police Dept. - Kids and Cops Summer Camp
Audrey Field, Self Help, Inc. - RSVP Program
Elizabeth Perry, Self Help, Inc. - Senior Aides Program
Betty Humeston, Self Help, Inc. - Job Training Program
Janet Roccobello, Self Help, Inc. - East Bay Health Center
The meeting recesses at 8:35 p.m. and reconvenes at 8:40 p.m.
ADDENDUM
(Continued from April 21, 1998)
Albert Ereio, Tax Assessor, reporting on the valuation of City owned land adjacent to Greenwood Avenue (4 Newman Avenue, Map 403, block 18, Lot 26).
Mr. Larisa states that at the last Council meeting, the Council voted to sell the property in question to Mrs. Stevens at the amount set by the Tax Assessor, subject to the Council's review of that amount. The Tax Assessor has set the value at approximately $1460. Mr. Ereio explains how he arrived at the valuation, and says the building's value will increase with the addition of this piece of property. He says the assessed value will increase between $10,000-$20,000.
Attorney William Lynch, representing Mrs. Stevens, answers questions from the Council.
Mr. Conley states that the Public Works director will work with the surveyor to determine where the utilities are. Attorney Lynch states that any additional cost of the surveyor will be paid by his client.
After further discussion, Mr. Larisa makes the following motion:
Approve the sale in the amount of $1460, the amount set by the Tax Assessor, of the parcel as described on the survey, minus whatever portion that the Public Works Department determines must remain with the City, in order to make sure the utilities are not conveyed.
Mr. Midgley seconds the motion.
Mr. Lynch says he will abstain from the vote.
Roll call vote is taken:
Mr. Larisa Aye
Mr. Lynch Abstain
Mr. Midgley Aye
Mr. Miranda Aye
Mayor Grant Aye
Motion passes 4-0 with 1 abstention.
1. Requesting approval to award a contract fore the twenty-four (24) month lease/purchase for ten (10) 1997 vehicles for the City's Police Department.
On motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously VOTED to approve.
2. Recommendation regarding Specials/Traffic Control Personnel
On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously VOTED to defer to the next meeting.
3. Status Report East Providence Fire Department Equipment
Fire Chief Gerald Bessette addresses the Council regarding the Fire Department equipment in response to an article in the Providence Journal, which he says did a disservice to the Fire Department. He reports on the status of the equipment, and says he would never put any apparatus on the road that would put the safety of his department in jeopardy. He goes on to say that he sees a need to replace at least one vehicle.
Richard Francis, City mechanic, answers questions from the Council regarding the equipment.
4. Discussion regarding transport fee - Rescue Vehicles
Mr. Lemont states that he would like a special workshop to discuss the matter. Chief Bessette says he spoke with one of the providers for medical service and had many questions answered. He says the only runs that will be billable will be when they transport. He says that 3700 transports were done in 1997, and if the average run is $140, there is potential revenue between $400,000 and $500,000 per year. He also says that no one will have to pay out of pocket.
Mr. Larisa states that this issue should be done at a regular council meeting, which will be broadcast over Cable TV.
After further discussion, it is decided to put the matter on the docket for the first meeting in June.
5. Mr. Lemont reports that a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and tour will be held at the Senior Center on May 11.
6. At the request of Mr. Lemont, on motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Larisa, it is unanimously voted on a roll call vote to go into Executive Session at the end of the meeting to discuss negotiations with Department Heads.
CLAIMS COMMITTEE
Sarah M. Maciel, Claim No. 98-18 Approved
Maria Rosa Nogueira, Claim No. 98-12 Denied
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Lynch, it is unanimously VOTED to accept the Claims Committee Report as presented.
Mr. Lynch asks Mr. Stanley Traverse, Principal of the Francis School, to speak on the "Odyssey of the Mind" state competition. Mr. Traverse reports that two classes won the State competition, and have been invited to participate in a national competition, which will take place at Disneyworld. He speaks about fundraising efforts and says approximately $13,000 needs to be raised.
On motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously VOTED to allocate $3500 from the Contingency Fund to help with the funding.
1) AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 4 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "BUILDING AND BUILDING REGULATIONS.", which amends SEC I. Sec 4-333 entitled "Noxious weeds and overgrown yards," (a) (b, 1,2,3,)(Requested by Law Department)
(Defines weeds and adds dead leaves to material that must be removed by owner or occupant within (3) days after receiving notice to do so from the Chief Inspector)
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Lynch, and on unanimous roll call vote, it is unanimously VOTED to approve for First Passage.
2) 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. Sec. 18-269 entitled "Stop and yield intersections designated; when stops required" adding: HICKS STREET (southbound traffic) at LEONARD AVENUE. (Requested by Director of Public Works)
(Adds a stop sign at Hicks St and Leonard Ave)
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Lynch, and on unanimous roll call vote, it unanimously VOTED to approve for First Passage.
3) 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 amends SEC I. Sec 6-31 entitled "Definition of rubbish." SEC II. Sec 6-39 entitled "Recyclable materials established." SEC III. Sec 6-41 entitled "Collection."
(Defines which materials are recyclable)
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Lynch, and on unanimous roll call vote, it is VOTED to approve for First Passage.
On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, and on unanimous roll call vote, it is VOTED to go into Executive Session to discuss negotiations with Department Heads.
The meeting goes into Executive Session at 10:15 P.M.
(Executive Session)
The Open Meeting reconvenes at 10:25 p.m.
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Larisa, and on unanimous roll call vote, it is VOTED to ratify the agreement with the E.P.P.M.T.E.A.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourns at 10:27 p.m.
Attest:
Valerie A. Perry, CMC
City Clerk