CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
RHODE ISLAND
JOURNAL OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
The City Council meets in the Council Chamber on Tuesday, January 4, 2000 and is called to order at 7:43 P.M. by Mayor Joseph S. Larisa, Jr.
Present: Mayor Joseph S. Larisa, Jr. ) Council Members
Rolland R. Grant
Peter F. Midgley
Norman J. Miranda
Paul E. Lemont ) City Manager
William J. Conley, Jr. ) City Solicitor
Valerie A. Perry ) City Clerk
Absent: Patrick A. Rogers ) Council Member
The Invocation is led by Councilman Grant.
The Salute to the Flag is led by Mayor Larisa.
1. Approval of Council Journals
December 21, 1999 - Regular Meeting
Amendment to November 16, 1999 minutes
2. Coastal Resources Management Council File No. 99-12-11 FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT - Construct 26'x31' second floor addition to existing sewered dwelling located at 175 Riverside Drive, Map 414 Lot 67 Block 7 (William H. Dawson)
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Midgley, it is unanimously VOTED to remove the minutes of the November 16, 1999 Closed Session from the Consent Calendar, and to approve the Consent Calendar as amended.
Area Girl Scouts present a box of Girl Scout Cookies to the Council, City Manager, City Solicitor, City Clerk, and Steve Mutter, Recycling Coordinator. The spokesperson for the group is Shannon Silvia, a Brownie Girl Scout, who informs the Council that this year's Girls Scout cookies have environmentally friendly packaging.
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Grant, it is unanimously VOTED to change the order of business to allow Communications to be heard next.
Census 2000 representatives Delia Smidt, Partnership Specialist, and Marilyn Mathews, Recruiting Coordinator Manager, address the Council regarding Census 2000. They inform the Council that they are looking for support from the City, and will be hiring 700 people to work out of the Providence office. Every U.S. resident will receive a form by the middle of March. Some will receive a short form - some will receive a long form. The Census Bureau is encouraging cities to have volunteers to help people fill out the forms. Ms. Matthews says people can call 553-2010 to request an appointment for employment, for 20 to 40 hrs. per week. Mr. Lemont offers the use of City Hall for a recruiting day.
On motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously VOTED to return to the regular order of business.
Victualing - Transfer
From: SBC Providence Theatre Corp. c/o Hoyts Cinemas dba East Providence Cinemas
to The Patriot Cinemas Inc., dba East Providence Cinemas 1-10 - 60 Newport Avenue
David Kiolbasa, Whitman, Massachusetts, Vice President of Patriot Cinemas, is present and sworn.
Mayor Larisa mentions that the Transferor, Hoyt Cinemas, owes the City $10205.33 in back taxes. Mr. Conley says the Council has the right to make the transfer contingent upon the payment of back taxes.
On motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously VOTED to approve, subject to all approvals and payment of City taxes owed to the City.
Theater - Transfer
From: SBC Providence Theatre Corp. c/o Hoyts Cinemas dba East Providence Cinemas
to The Patriot Cinemas Inc., dba East Providence Cinemas 1-10 - 60 Newport Avenue
On motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Midgley, it is unanimously VOTED to approve, subject to all approvals and payment of City taxes owed to the City.
Theater (Sunday) - Transfer
From: SBC Providence Theatre Corp. c/o Hoyts Cinemas dba East Providence Cinemas
to The Patriot Cinemas Inc., dba East Providence Cinemas 1-10 - 60 Newport Avenue
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Grant, it is unanimously VOTED to approve, subject to all approvals and payment of City taxes owed to the City.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS RESUME SITTING AS CITY COUNCIL
ORDINANCES - FINAL PASSAGE (Given first passage December 21, 1999)
Advertised - Providence Journal - December 24, 1999
1. AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 11 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "PERSONNEL, PENSIONS AND RETIREMENT.", which amends Article V entitled "Firemen's and Policemen's Pension Fund" Subsection 11-236 entitled "Service retirement annuity"adding thereto the following:
(f) All retired police officers and fire fighters currently receiving a service connected disability pension who otherwise do not presently qualify for the existing cost of living adjustment as provided for in the current collective bargaining agreement for police officers and fire fighters shall be entitled to an annual 3% cost of living adjustment in their pension effective January 1, 2000.
(Requested by: Police & Fire Pension Board) CHAPTER NO. 108
Mr. Conley explains the ordinance, which will provide a cost of living adjustment for 7 former police officers and firefighters, will have a minimal cost to the City.
There are no persons from the public wishing to be heard.
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Midgley, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously VOTED to approve for Final 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. 18-203 entitled "Decrease of state maximum speed."to read as follows:
It is hereby determined upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that the speed permitted by state law upon the following streets is greater than is reasonable or safe under the conditions found to exist upon such streets and it is hereby declared that the maximum speed limit shall be as hereinafter set forth below on those streets or parts of streets designated at the times specified when signs are erected giving notice thereof:
Massasoit Avenue from Tallman Avenue to a point 500 feet westerly from North Broadway 20 miles per hour.
Lindy Avenue 20 miles per hour.
(Requested by Director of Public Works & City Solicitor) CHAPTER NO. 107
There are no persons from the public wishing to be heard.
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously VOTED to approve for Final Passage.
City Manager Report - None
REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS
(By William J. Conley, Jr., City Solicitor)
Claims Committee Report
Claudio Paiva Claim No. 99-66 Referred to Insurance Carrier
Ali Khorasani Claim No. 99-67 Referred to Insurance Carrier
On motion by Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Miranda, the Claims Committee Report is accepted as read.
(By Valerie A. Perry, City Clerk)
Change of date for second Council Meeting in January.
Discussion is held on changing the meeting date to January 26, 2000 from the previously changed date of January 25th, due to the R.I. League of Cities and Towns Annual Meeting. Mr. Grant says he has a problem with the 26th , and Jeanne Boyle reminds the Council that the Zoning Board will be meeting that night. The Tuesday evening is the R.I. League of Cities and Towns.
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Midgley, it is unanimously VOTED to change the meeting date to Wednesday, January 26, 2000, with the Holiday Display Awards deferred until the first meeting in February.
Legislative Breakfast
The City Clerk is asked to arrange the Legislative Breakfast for the second week in February.
(By Mayor Joseph S. Larisa, Jr.)
Mayor's "State of the City Address"
Mayor Larisa announces that he will be delivering the "State of the City Address" at the next Council meeting on Wednesday, January 26, 2000 at 8:00 P.M. He asks the Council for ideas and asks the City Manager to get from each Department Head in the City of significant events that occurred in each department in 1999.
(By Councilman Patrick A. Rogers)
1. Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce "Leadership RI Program" - Roberta Cairns, Library Director.
2. Prohibiting off road vehicles from operating in conservation areas and along railroad tracks.
3. New Recreation Center
Mr. Rogers' agenda items are deferred to the next meeting.
(By Councilman Rolland R. Grant)
Warren Avenue School Property
Mr. Grant speaks about the property and asks the City Manager to meet with the Superintendent to discuss the issue. He says this valuable piece of property has both an exit from Providence and an exit to Providence on the 195 ramp.
Mayor Larisa says he agrees and he has talked with School Committee Chairwoman Edna Snow. He says the School Department has no use for the building and would be willing to move to the Bentley Street garage. Discussion is held on the cost of repairing the Bentley Street Garage and the City Manager is asked to get a report back to the Council on the costs.
Mr. Miranda says he does not believe it will cost $200,000 to fix the building at Bentley Street. He says there are rumors that the City is going to build a new building, but there is no money for it.
Mr. Lemont says he wants to move the Water Department to Hunts Mills, which would free up space, and Mr. Miranda says the freed up space could store the materials at the Bentley Street Garage, which would free it up for the School Department use.
After further discussion, Mayor Larisa asks that the City Manager do the following four items, with a report to the Council the Friday before the first Council meeting in February:
1. Have the Tax Assessor go to the Warren Avenue property to give an estimate of the fair market value of the property.
2. Provide a sketch of the plans for Hunts Mills with an estimated cost.
3. Get an estimated cost for renovations of the Bentley Street garage.
4. Have some type of plan for where the stuff from Bentley Street will go if the sale of the property and the renovation of Bentley Street is successful.
On motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously VOTED to approve Mayor Larisa's request.
Unanimous Consent - Mr. Midgley
Mr. Midgley receives Unanimous Consent to express the Condolences of the City Council on the death of Aldor Cloutier, a long-time City volunteer. Mayor Larisa says he will be sorely missed.
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Midgley, it is unanimously VOTED to approve Mayor Larisa's appointment of Harold Gerstein, 12 Rhodes Avenue, East Providence, Rhode Island 02915 as Planning Board - Alternate.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourns at 8:40 p.m.
Attest:
Valerie A. Perry, CMC
City Clerk Approved: January 26, 2000
||1999 City Council Meetings