CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
RHODE ISLAND
JOURNAL OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY,
The City Council meets in the Council Chamber on Tuesday, September 15, 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 ) (Present at 8:35 p.m.)
Paul E. Lemont ) City Manager
Gregory S. Dias ) Assistant City Solicitor
Valerie A. Perry ) City Clerk
Invocation is given by Councilman Lynch. The Salute to the Flag is led by Councilman Midgley.
Merandi Reporting is present to record the proceedings of the public hearings.
1. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL JOURNALS
Regular Meeting - September 1, 1998
Closed Session - Negotiations - September 1, 1998
2. (Permission to advertise) - Alcoholic Beverage - Class BVL Applicant: New Buffet, Inc.,
1925 Pawtucket Avenue, Store 7B
3. Alcoholic Beverage - Class F - October 18, 1998 - Applicant: Sacred Heart Church dba:
Ocean State Follies, 118 Taunton Avenue
4. (Permission to Advertise) - Alcoholic Beverage - Class BVL Applicant: East Providence
House of Pizza, Inc., 187 Willett Avenue
On motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Larisa, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously VOTED to remove the minutes of the September 1, 1998 Closed Session and approve the Consent Calendar as amended. Mr. Miranda is recorded absent for the vote.
On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously VOTED to keep the minutes of the September 1, 1998 Closed Session closed. Mr. Miranda is recorded absent for the vote.
Victualing/Not over 25 Applicant: Paula Meo dba: Caffa Euro, 68 Taunton Avenue
The applicant is not present. On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Larisa, it is unanimously voted to defer the license to the next meeting. Mr. Miranda is recorded absent for the vote.
ORDINANCES - FINAL PASSAGE (Given first passage, September 1, 1998)
1. 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.", is amended by adding:
VIOLA AVENUE (southbound traffic) at its intersection with CRESCENT VIEW AVENUE
(Requested by the Director of Public Works) CHAPTER NO. 31
There are no persons wishing to be heard on the ordinance.
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Larisa, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously VOTED to approve the Ordinance for Final Passage. Mr. Miranda is recorded absent for the vote.
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." by adding thereto the following: BROWN ST. (northbound and southbound traffic) at Birchard Ave. (Requested by Director of Public Works) CHAPTER NO. 32
There are no persons wishing to be heard on the ordinance.
On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously VOTED to approve the Ordinance for Final Passage. Mr. Miranda is recorded absent for the vote.
3) AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 18 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES F 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." is amended by adding thereto the following:
KELLEY AVENUE (westbound traffic) at a point 728 feet west of the westerly line of Wilson Avenue; KELLEY AVENUE (eastbound traffic) at Wilson Ave. Requested by Director of Public Works CHAPTER NO. 33
There are no persons wishing to be heard on the ordinance.
On motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Larisa, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously VOTED to approve the Ordinance for Final Passage. Mr. Miranda is recorded absent for the vote.
(Continued from September 1, 1998)
1. Sewer Use Fee - Joe Ridge of Camp, Dresser, McKee, answers questions from the Council regarding rates and says the proposal is for a single city-wide rate. Mr. Ridge states that all communities in the state with a centralized system have a sewer rate.
He goes on to say that approximately $700,000 revenue is generated from residential and non-residential customers, and the total cost of the Wastewater Treatment Plant is $3.7 million.
Mr. Miranda is now present.
After further discussion, Mr. Larisa asks that the following information be made available to the Council by Friday afternoon: 1) taking the present rate structure and eliminating the 22,000 cu. ft. exemption, how much of the $3.7 million would it raise? 2) taking the same run, after we keep the same balance and eliminate the present exemption and replace it with $700,000, how much of the 3.7 million that would raise and how much would have to come from property taxes. The Council agrees that a separate meeting should be held on the Sewer Use Fee proposal. The Council agrees to review the budget before further discussion.
2. Request of Seekonk Water District for Easement (Referred to Planning Board on April 21, 1998).
Mr. Larisa asks about the Planning Board's mention of encroachment suits. Mr. Conley says there is no problem with that issue. On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, it is unanimously VOTED on a roll call vote to approve the request.
The meeting recesses at 9:00 p.m. and reconvenes at 9:07 p.m.
1. Presentation of 1998-1999 Budget to City Council
Mr. Lemont passes out the budget document and says he is recommending something totally different this year - either the adoption of a sewer use fee, which will result in a recommendation of dropping the property tax rate $1.03, and imposing a sewer use fee of approximately $1.60; or a tax increase of 4.9%. Mr. Lemont says that the budget will be
available tomorrow after 10:00 a.m.
On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously VOTED on a roll call vote to schedule the public hearing on the budget for the regular Council meeting of October 6, 1998.
2. On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously voted to move the Request for Executive Session to the last item on the agenda.
3. Girl Scout House
Mr. Lemont asks the Council for direction regarding the Girl Scout House on Willett Avenue. He says the Girl Scouts do not want the responsibility of the maintenance of the building and want the City to provide heat, light, and maintenance. He says he estimates the cost to be approximately $5,000 per year.
The Council discusses the possibility of letting other groups use the building for a fee.
4. Street Abandonment - Request for Council referral to Planning Board
On a motion by Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Midgley, it is unanimously VOTED to refer the requested abandonment for Abbott Street, Burleigh Place, and Troughton Place to the Planning Board.
CLAIMS COMMITTEE
David L. Lewis - referred to the Law Department
On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, it is unanimously VOTED on a roll call vote to accept the report as presented.
(By Councilman Joseph S. Larisa, Jr.)
1) Council Ratification of School Committee Collective Bargaining Agreement - Public Vote
On a motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, it is unanimously VOTED on a roll call vote to put the following non-binding referendum question on the November 3, 1998 ballot:
"Shall the City Council have the authority to ratify or reject Collective Bargaining Agreements entered into by the School Committee?"
2) Unclassified Employees - Salary Review
Mr. Larisa asks that the item be put at the end of the docket.
3) Mr. Larisa receives Unanimous Consent to discuss the issue of a voter booklet. He says a voter information packet is needed to be sent to every East Providence voter explaining the proposed bond issues. On a motion by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, it is unanimously VOTED to give the City Solicitor the authority to work with City Officials in drafting the contents of the booklet.
4) Mr. Larisa speaks about the two ballot questions regarding the School Committee terms and election by wards. He says explanations to the questions have been finalized and says they will be in the form of City Charter Amendments. On a motion by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, it is unanimously VOTED to approve the following questions and explanations for the ballot:
"Shall the Charter be amended to provide that the School Committee for the City of East Providence be elected for two year terms?"
"Shall the Charter be amended to provide that the School Committee for the City of East Providence be composed of one At Large member and one member from each of the four wards of the City?"
RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO THE ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS DREDGING DISPOSAL SITE ON THE EAST PROVIDENCE SHORELINE.
Mr. Larisa asks that language be added to the resolution regarding Bold Point and the fact that the Army Corp of Engineers have not me with City officials as promised. On a motion by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, it is unanimously VOTED to approve the resolution with the amendment.
The meeting recesses at 10:15 p.m. and reconvenes at 10:18 p.m.
AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 16 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "TAXATION.", which amends SEC I. entitled "Taxation." By adding: ARTICLE III. EXEMPTION FOR RESIDENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS AND
ALTERATIONS.
SEC 16-40. Authorization to grant; term of exemption.
SEC 16-41. Conditions and standards required of dwellings to be exempt.
SEC 16-42. Restricted to owner-occupied residential dwelling.
SEC 16-43. Alterations and improvements which qualify for exemption, a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i,j,k,l,m,n,o.
SEC 16-44. Alterations andimprovements which do not qualify for exemptions, a,b,c,d,e.
SEC 16-45. Application.
SEC 16-46. Termination upon conveyance of property, etc; exception.
SEC 16-47 Appeals.
SEC 16-48. Property subject to general revaluation.
(By Mayor Rolland R. Grant)
This ordinance authorizes the Tax Assessor to grant a (2) year exemption from real estate taxes in the amount equal to the value of improvements for residential property.
On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, it is unanimously VOTED on a roll call vote to approve for First Passage.
Motion is made by Mr. Larisa and seconded by Mr. Miranda to go into Executive Session in accordance with Section 42-46-5 of the "Exceptions" of Chapter 46 of the General Laws, pursuant to Section 42-46-5-(a)(2)[Collective Bargaining, to discuss negotiations. The motion passes unanimously on a roll call vote.
The meeting goes into Closed Session at 10:24 p.m.
(Closed Session)
The Council returns to Open Session at 10:45 p.m.. It is recorded that Mr. Miranda has left the meeting. On a motion by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, it is VOTED 4-0 on a Roll Call vote to return to Open Session at 10:45 p.m. Mr. Miranda is recorded absent for the vote.
On motion of Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Lynch, it is VOTED 4-0 to approve Mayor Grant's Appointment of Susan DeSilva - 92 Silver Spring Avenue for Traffic Control. Mr. Miranda is recorded absent for the vote.
On motion of Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Larisa, it is VOTED 3-1 to appoint Christopher Morra, 194 Pleasant Street, 01926 as Zoning Board Chairman. Mr. Midgley votes "Nay." Mr. Miranda is recorded absent for the vote.
Sewer Line Installation - Debra Delanos and Ron Delanos, 19 Sprague Avenue; requesting to address the Council on installing a sewer line from Pawtucket Avenue to 25 Wetmore Avenue for residential hook-up.
The petitioners are not present. After discussion, motion is made by Mr. Larisa, seconded by Mr. Midgley, and VOTED 4-0 to defer and get a report from the City Manager and Public Works Director. Mr. Miranda is recorded as absent for the vote. Mr. Lynch leaves the meeting.
Animal Shelter - Brenda Hogan, 101B No. Broadway - Requesting to address the Council regarding concerns about the City's Animal Shelter and the welfare of the animals.
Brenda Hogan is present and sworn. She speaks on concerns the Volunteer Services for Animals have regarding the operation of the Animal Shelter and the opposition of the euthanasia of certain dogs. Following a video, which is shown to the Council, the following persons speak:
Alexandra Walker, 21 Willet Avenue, Rehoboth, Massachusetts
Peter Cornoyer, Veterinarian
Paul Rose, 2207 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence, Rhode Island, Director of Animal Control for the Town of Cumberland
Jan Mitchell - Poundkeeper for the East Providence Animal Shelter
Discussion is held on which Department should be in charge, and Mr. Midgley recommends to the City Manager that the Police Department be in charge. After further discussion, motion is made by Mr. Midgley to recommend that the City Manager check into the feasibility of putting the Shelter under the direction of the Chief of Police.
The meeting adjourns at 12:30 a.m.
Attest:
Valerie A. Perry, CMC
City Clerk Approved: October 6, 1998