CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
RHODE ISLAND
JOURNAL - COUNCIL WORKSHOP
RE: SOCCER FIELDS
TUESDAY,
The City Council meets in Special Session in the Council Chamber on Tuesday, March 30, 1999, and is called to order at 7:05 P.M. by Mayor Joseph S. Larisa, Jr.
Present: Mayor Joseph S. Larisa, Jr. ) Council Members
Peter F. Midgley )
Norman J. Miranda )
Paul E. Lemont ) City Manager
William J. Conley, Jr. ) City Solicitor
Valerie A. Perry ) City Clerk
Absent Rolland R. Grant
Patrick A. Rogers
Mayor Larisa opens the meeting to comments from the public regarding soccer fields. The following persons are present and sworn and speak on the need for soccer fields, for both youth and adult soccer:
Rosemarie Resendes, 23 No. Rose Street, East Providence, Rhode Island
Jim Moore, 314 Bullocks Point Avenue, East Providence, Rhode Island
Alexander Avila, 128 Howland Avenue, East Providence, Rhode Island
Edward Dias, 44 Wellington Street, East Providence, Rhode Island
Joseph Crook, Recreation Director, answers questions about the PCD property. He also states that the Kent Heights field is overplayed, and other facilities are being over utilized.
Mr. Lemont states that there is no available space, and it sounds like a Soccer Complex is wanted. Mr. Crook suggests taking an existing recreation field and use it for soccer, i.e., part of Riverside Recreation ball field, to be used for Adult Soccer only. Grassy Plains Playground is also suggested as a site for soccer fields. Mr. Crook says 2 large and 3 small fields could go in that location.
Planning Director, Jeanne Boyle, states that Grassy Plain is the only existing land for recreation use. She says that there is a possibility of Federal and/or State funding. She states that there is not a great deal of other land available and most of the property that is considered vacant or under-utilized is industrial or commercially zoned land. She says that at some point, she expects Mobil to come to the City with a proposal for its property, but does not know whether soccer fields will be an option. Also, nothing can be done with the property until it is completely cleaned.
Forbes Street Landfill property is also mentioned. Ms. Boyle states that they are in the process of putting together RFP's to get a consultant to look at the property to give an idea of what it would cost to remediate it for recreation use, which might include soccer. Of the 220 acres, a large portion is wetlands and a large portion was used for the landfill. If a soccer field is built on property that was a closed landfill, it becomes more difficult because of settlement over time, which is the problem at Kent Field. Anything done at Forbes Street Landfill will have to have the approval of DEM.
Mr. Miranda asks about the property behind Thompson School, and it is decided that the property will be looked at.
Ms. Boyle states that if the City were to take an existing recreation facility that was approved with either Federal or State funds to reuse it for another activity, a public hearing would have to be held, to give the present users an opportunity to speak, and it would have to be established that the needs have changed from the original use.
After further discussion, it is decided that a public hearing on Grassy Plain Playground will be heard at the first Council meeting in May (May 4, 1999).
Mr. Midgley says 25-30 acres will be needed to accommodate the teams. He suggests putting several fields throughout the City, rather that in one place. He says a long-range plan is needed.
Mayor Larisa asks Ms. Forgue to provide the Council with a global Grassy Plains proposal before the first Council meeting in May. He says a modified plan should also be drafted, i.e., changing two baseball fields to soccer, etc.
Mr. Miranda asks Julia Forgue for a cost factor on the Rose Garden property.
Mayor Larisa asks Ms. Forgue to provide plans that would show 1 field; 2 fields; and up to 6 fields, all with restrooms and parking.
Ms. Boyle says any changes at Riverside Rec would be a change of use and would require a public hearing also, and does not know if one council meeting will satisfy the advertising requirements. Mayor Larisa says to put it on the next docket, and if an additional meeting is needed, it will be put on the following meeting.
After further discussion, the meeting adjourns at 8:20 p.m.
Attest:
Valerie A. Perry, CMC
City Clerk Approved: April 6, 1999