CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
RHODE ISLAND
JOURNAL OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY,
The City Council meets in the Council Chamber on Tuesday, November 17, 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 Councilman Miranda. The Salute to the Flag is led by Councilman Lynch.
1. Coastal Resources Management Council - FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
File No. 98-10-83 - Requesting to construct and maintain a 6' x 12'4" second floor addition and a 19'8" x 9'1" deck at rear of dwelling, located at 85 Bluff Street. (Eric J. St Pierre)
2. Department Of Environmental Management - INSIGNIFICANT ALTERATION - PERMIT - File No. 98-0356 - In reference to the property and proposed project located: Approximately 50 feet east of Plum Road by utility pole numbers 9 and 10, approximately 350 feet northeast of its intersection with Shady Lane, Assessor's Map 511, Block 2, Lot 51. (Eduardo M. Cordeiro)
On motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously VOTED to approve the Consent Calendar.
Beautification Commission - Presentation of Awards
Awards are presented to:
Anthony Braga - Centro Cultural de Santa Maria
Norman Miranda - Purington Building Systems
Mark Stedman - Norwest Financial
Elsie Chin Yan - Young China
Donald Toth - Wampanoag Plaza
Mr. Lynch asks for a Point of Personal Privilege and speaks of his departure from the Council after serving 16 years.
Mayor Grant presents Mr. Lynch with a plaque in appreciation of his service to the City. The presentation is followed by comments from the Council.
Alcoholic Beverage B Ltd - Transfer of License
Advertised: East Providence Post - 10/29/98 & 11/5/98
From: Kathleen A. Rodrigues, dba New Primo's - 158 Roger Williams Avenue
To: Roberta Q. Wintle, dba The New Primo's - 158 Roger Williams Avenue
The applicant is present and sworn. The Council questions her on the letter of objection which was filed with the City Clerk and Ms. Wintle states that the letter was sent in error. The City Clerk will check into the matter.
There are no persons from the public wishing to be heard on the license transfer.
After further discussion, a motion is made by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, and unanimously VOTED on a roll call vote to approve the license transfer, subject to approvals from the Chief of Police , Building Inspector, Health Inspector, and withdrawal of objection.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS RESUME SITTING AS CITY COUNCIL
REZONING AMENDMENT (Deferred from November 10, 1998)
AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 217 ADOPTED FEBRUARY 1, 1993 ENTITLED "AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 19 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1987, AS AMENDED ENTITLED "ZONING.", SECTION I. The stipulation providing "that the interim parking plan last no more than five years from the effective date of this ordinance.", as set forth in Section 1. of Chapter 217 be amended to provide for an additional five year extension to the interim parking plan. This additional five year extension shall commence on the effective date of this ordinance.
Petitioner: Olin Microelectronics Materials, Inc.
Owner: Arm Associates
Attorney: Joseph P. Ferrucci, Esquire (For the Petitioner)
Property Location: 100 Dexter Road
Map: 205 Block: 1 Lot: 1
Advertised Providence Journal - October 21, 28 & November 3, 1998
The applicant is not present and there are no persons wishing to be heard.
On motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously VOTED to approve the Zoning Amendment.
NETCO Contract - Request for 5 year agreement
Mr. Lemont explains that this contract deals with the transfer of sludge from the Wastewater plant in Riverside, which can no longer be brought to the landfill in great amounts, but rather has to be brought to the NETCO facility in Woonsocket.
James Myers, 299 Rt. 9, Berwick, Maine and the Plant Manager from NETCO are sworn in.
Mr. Larisa questions the length of the contract and states that he would like to put another sentence in the contract that would say any other municipality cannot get a better rate than East Providence during the nine year life of the contract.
Mr. Lynch speaks about the problem of being locked into a nine year contract, and suggests a five year contract.
After further discussion, on motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, it is unanimously VOTED to approve the nine year contract.
Transport Fees
Fire Chief Gerald Bessette speaks about the Rescue Transport billing and recommends Lighthouse Medical Management to do the billing for the City. Mr. Larisa asks that documentation be provided to the Council before the second passage of the ordinance. Mr. Larisa asks Chief Bessette if the procedure will be ready to go at the first of the year, if First Passage is given tonight and Final Passage given at the next Council meeting. Chief Bessette says it will be ready.
Executive Session – Negotiations
On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, it is unanimously VOTED to defer this item to the end of the meeting.
Water Infrastructure Replacement Plan
Julia Forgue, Public Works Director, addresses the Council about the 20 year improvement plan, which will be broken up into 5 year phases of detail, at a cost of $2 million per year, or a total cost of $10 million. She states that the entire cost will come from the water fund.
After answering questions from the Council, motion is made by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and unanimously VOTED to accept the recommendation.
City Manager's Report
Mr. Lemont reports that he attended part of a Town Council meeting in Portsmouth regarding the dredging of the bay, and says there seems to be a growing sentiment that the site that the dredging will not take place off the shoreline of East Providence.
Mr. Lemont reports that a house on Payette Street near the Senior Center will be rehabilitated with money available from the Lead Grant Program, and it will then be made available as a rental unit on a low income basis, and says he would like to attract someone who can keep an eye on the property. Mr. Lynch asks Mr. Lemont to consider someone with children.
The meeting recesses at 9:15 p.m. and reconvenes at 9:25 p.m.
Claim No. 98-37 Richard Pezullo Approved
Town of Warren v. Whitehouse, et al To join in amicus brief
City v. Streetguard To approve settlement as presented
Mayor Grant asks for Council Consent to discuss the inauguration and to make personal comments. Mr. Larisa says he will agree to give Council Consent for discussion, but will not give it if a vote is taken. It is agreed that no vote will be taken.
Mayor Grant thanks the Council for the opportunity he was given to serve as Mayor for the last six years. The Council members speak and pay tribute to Mayor Grant.
Mayor Grant speaks on the inauguration plans. He suggests that plans be made to allow the City Clerk time to put them in place.
Mr. Larisa says he wants to have an inauguration open to the public. He says everyone in the City will be invited, and suggests holding the ceremony on December 1, 1998, with a reception to follow at the Wannamoisett Country Club, with a cap of no more than $5,000 total.
Mr. Miranda speaks and says he wants to have the ceremony at City Hall.
Mr. Midgley speaks and says he will support Mr. Larisa's plan.
After further comments, Mr. Larisa says that he will have the votes on December 1st and asks that the Wannamoisett Country Club be booked. Mr. Lynch says nothing should be done because there is no vote to be taken.
(By Councilman Joseph S. Larisa, Jr.)
Public Approval of Bond Issues
School Committee Charter Amendment Approval
Mr. Larisa asks that these items be deferred.
(By Councilman Peter F. Midgley)
Animal Shelter (Deferred from October 20, 1998)
Mr. Midgley speaks on the problems at the Animal Shelter and makes a motion that all employees of the Animal Shelter come under the direct supervision and jurisdiction of the Chief of Police Chief or his Deputy. The motion is seconded by Mr. Larisa.
Mr. Conley states that he would like the opportunity to look at the Charter to see what prerogative the Council has in dealing with personnel issues.
After further discussion, Mr. Larisa asks that the motion be amended to say that if the Solicitor determines it is consistent with the City Charter and ordinances, then the motion carries and goes into effect; if he determines that it is not consistent with the Charter and ordinances, it does not go into effect and something else will have to be considered. Mr. Midgley agrees.
A roll call vote is taken on the motion, which passes unanimously.
(If given first passage can be referred to the regular Council Meeting to be held on December 15, 1998)
AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 5 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "FIRE PREVENTION.", Amended by adding: SECTION I. Chapter 5, Sec 5-9. Charges for Emergency Medical Services--Authorization. (a) 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11.
On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously VOTED to approve for First Passage.
(By Councilman Norman J. Miranda)
On motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously VOTED to reappoint Kevin Johnston, 55 Apulia Street, East Providence, Rhode Island to the Affirmative Action Committee.
(By Councilman Gerald R. Lynch)
On motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously VOTED to appoint James Baino, 428 Massassoit Avenue, East Providence, Rhode Island to the Recreation Advisory Board.
Motion is made by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Miranda, to appoint Jimmy M. Martins, 177 Greenwood Avenue, East Providence, Rhode Island.
After discussion on the motion, Mr. Lynch moves the question, and roll call vote is taken:
Mr. Larisa Nay
Mr. Lynch Aye
Mr. Midgley Nay
Mr. Miranda Aye
Mayor Grant Aye
The motion to move the question passes 3-2.
A roll call vote is taken on the main motion:
Mr. Larisa Nay
Mr. Lynch Aye
Mr. Midgley Nay
Mr. Miranda Aye
Mayor Grant Aye
The motion passes 3-2.
Joseph R. Perroni, Account Executive of Delta Dental Of Rhode Island, addresses the Council regarding the dental program for the City and speaks of the advantages of the program over the Blue Cross Dental Program, and requests that the City Council overturn their award to Blue Cross.
On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, it is unanimously VOTED to accept the report as information.
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Midgley, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously VOTED to go into Executive Session to discuss negotiations.
The meeting goes into Executive Session at 10:30 p.m.)
(Executive Session - Separate Folder)
On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Midgley, it is unanimously VOTED to return to Open Session at 10:45 p.m.
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously VOTED to approve the contract accepted by the EPPMTEA.
The meeting adjourns at 10:50 p.m.
Attest:
Valerie A. Perry, CMC
City Clerk