CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
RHODE ISLAND
JOURNAL OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
The City Council meets in the Council Chamber on Tuesday, June 20, 2000 and is called to order at 7:38 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
Patrick A. Rogers
Paul E. Lemont ..............................................City Manager
William J. Conley, Jr......................................City Solicitor
Valerie A. Perry..............................................City Clerk
The Invocation is led by Councilman Miranda. The Salute to the Flag is led by Mr. Rogers.
1. Approval of Council Journals - Regular Meeting - June 6, 2000
2. Cancellations/Abatements - City Assessor requesting cancellation of taxes as follows:
Year Amount
1997 $137.64
1998 $873.48
1999 $1,087.68
2000 $22,174.22
Total $24,273.52
3. Coastal Resources Management Council - ASSENT File No. 00-2-35
Construct and maintain a new boat launching ramp facility consisting of a new ramp 60' wide, two courtesy docks (one ADA compliant), riprap revetment, parking (handicap accessible), and stormwater management system. The project includes dredging approx. 650 cubic yds. of material from ramp area for subgrade preparation to be disposited on upland parking area; located at Plat 514, Block 1, Lot 1; Haines Park Metropolitan Pk
4. Town of North Smithfield - Resolution in support of 'THE NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO FULLY FUND IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
5. Alcoholic Beverage - Class F - June 30, July 1, 2, 2000
Holy Ghost Brotherhood Mariense - 846 Broadway
6. Alcoholic Beverage - Class F - July 7, 8, 9, 2000
Teofilo Braga Club - 26 Teofilo Braga Way
7. Alcoholic Beverage - Transfer of Class B Full Privilege (Permission to Advertise)
From China Star Inc. To Sancliffe Corp., dba Star Diner - 140 Newport Avenue
8. Alcoholic Beverage - Transfer of Class B Limited (Permission to Advertise)
From Ernest L. Callegaro, dba Riverside Depot Deli to Rosalie M. Silva, dba Riverside Depot Deli 250Bullocks Point Avenue
9. Alcoholic Beverage - Class B Limited (Permission to Advertise)
Maria D.N. Goncalves, dba Dolores' Place - 330 Warren Avenue
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Grant, and on a roll call vote, the Consent Calendar is approved.
David DaSilva, President of the Holy Ghost Beneficial Brotherhood of Rhode Island, is presented with a Citation recognizing the Organization's 100th Anniversary.
Jenna Nichols is presented with a Citation for being named Miss Rhode Island Junior National Teen-Ager.
Mayor Larisa and Council members present the coaches and members of the High School Girls Volleyball Team with Certificates of Recognition for winning the State Championship.
1. Private Detective (Deferred from June 6, 2000)
William H. Nichols, 10 Kenton Avenue, East Providence, RI
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously VOTED to defer.
2. Hawker - 190 Newport Avenue
John Paon, 112 West Wrentham Rd. Cumberland, R.I., dba A.J. Hot Dogs, is sworn in.
On motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously VOTED to approve, subject to approvals from the Police Chief and Department of Health.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS RESUME SITTING AS CITY COUNCIL
ORDINANCES - FINAL PASSAGE (Given first passage March 7, 2000
Advertised - Providence Journal - June 15, 2000
1. 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 Article X entitled "Stopping, Standing and Parking." Subsection 18-315 entitled "Reserved parking designated-- Handicapped parking." by adding thereto the following:
RICE AVE., (south side) from a point 38 ft east of Pawtucket Avenue easterly for 52 ft.
(Requested by the Director of Public Works) CHAPTER NO. 130
There are no persons from the public wishing to be heard.
On motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously VOTED to approve for Final Passage.
2. 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. 18-269 entitled "Stop and yield intersections designated; when stops required." by adding thereto the following:
CAROUSEL DR (northbound) at its easterly intersection with Crescent View Ave.
CAROUSEL DR (northbound) at its westerly intersection with Crescent View Ave.
(Requested by the Director of Public Works) CHAPTER NO. 131
There are no persons from the public wishing to be heard.
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Grant, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously VOTED to approve the ordinance for Final Passage.
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Miranda, the Order of Business is changed to place Communications as the next docketed item.
Ann & Bill Romanoff,210 Narragansett Avenue, East Providence, Rhode Island requesting permission to hold a Block Party - July 4, 2000
The petitioners are present and sworn. They request a portion of Narragansett Avenue be blocked off on the evening of July 4, 2000. Mr. Romanoff states that the neighbors are in agreement.
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Grant, it is unanimously VOTED to approve, subject to approval of the Fire Chief and Police Chief.
Joseph J. Oliveira, 16 Rosemere Drive, East Providence, Rhode Island
Requesting a delay in traffic light at Massasoit Avenue/Broadway and Rosemere Drive
Mr. Oliveira is present and sworn. Mr. Oliveira states his concerns and those of his neighbors regarding a dangerous situation at the intersection of Rosemere Drive, Massasoit Avenue, and North Broadway.
Public Works Director Julia Forgue states that the D.O.T. installed the traffic light several years and says it is the light controller that needs to be upgraded, which will have an approximate cost of $10,000.
Mayor Larisa suggests petitioning D.O.T. to request that they fix it, since they installed the equipment in the first place. It is decided that the Public Works Director will send a letter to D.O.T. to fix the problem. He says that the change adversely affected the residents and the City needs to focus on that change in petitioning D.O.T.
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Midgley, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously VOTED to direct the Director of Public Works to send a letter to D.O.T. immediately get a response back to the Council as soon as possible.
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Grant, it is unanimously VOTED to return to the regular order of business.
1. Request for Executive Session re: Contract Negotiations w/Local 850 International Association of Firefighters
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Grant, it is unanimously VOTED to defer to the end of the meeting.
2. Audit Report 2000
An overview of the City's annual Audit Report is given by a representative of Bacon & Edge, the City's Auditing firm. She gives the City an "A" rating.
3. Recommendation: Police & Fire Retirees & Widows Without COLA
Mr. Lemont speaks on his recommendation for adopting an Ad Hoc adjustment for the remaining Police and FirE retirees and surviving spouses who do not receive COLA. He says it will give the retirees an increase of $900 per year, and the surviving widows/widowers of the members an increase of $600 per year. The total liability to the City's pension fund will be $298,400 or $41,900 per year. He says it was the recommendation of the Police and Fire Board that this recommendation be adopted and be in effect as of July 1, 2000. Mayor Larisa commends Mr. Lemont and the Pension Board for the sound fiscal management that have made this possible.
On motion of Mr Miranda, seconded by Mr. Grant, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously VOTED to approve.
4. Pre-Qualification Approval for Architectural/Engineering Services for the New Fire Station Facility
Mr. Lemont reports that the City received nine responses to the R.Q. that were sent out in May and six are acceptable. The remaining three did not meet the qualifications. Chief Bessette makes his comments and says he recommends the remaining six.
On motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Rogers, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously VOTED to approve the recommendation.
5. Pre-Qualification Approval for Architectural Design Services for the new Riverside Branch Library
Mr. Lemont states that the Riverside area needs a Library and land has been identified as the future site. He says conceptual work is being done to allow public input before the funding source has been secured, but once the funding determination has been made, it will be ready to proceed. He says the recommendation is to put six of the seven as qualifiers.
Motion to approve is made by Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Rogers.
Mayor Larisa states that the funding sources need to be identified. He states that the State, Caplin, and CDBG money should be sought after, and bond money should be the last resort. He says rather than go to the bond market, funding should be sought to pay for the entire project.
A roll call vote is taken on the motion, which passes unanimously.
6. Award of GIS Contract
Public Works Director Julia Forgue informs the Council that three Consultants were pre-qualified for the GIS contract, and it is recommended that the firm of Camp, Dresser, McKee be chosen, the lowest bidder.
On motion of Rogers, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously VOTED to approve.
7. City Manager's Report
Mr. Lemont speaks about the waterfront property and says he believes the City has a greater opportunity now to get buyers interested in the land for development.
Mr. Lemont reports that one week from tonight, on June 27, 2000, there will be a meeting in the Council Chamber regarding the water infrastructure in Ward 2.
(By William J. Conley, Jr., City Solicitor)
Claims Committee Report
Clifford Maney, Jr., Claim No. 00-28 Approved
Esther Solondz, Claim No. 00-27 Referred to Law Department
(By Councilman Rolland R. Grant)
1. Sabins Point Park
Mr. Grant asks the Chief of Police to increase patrols in the Sabin Point area because of the recent problems down there. Mayor Larisa states that the residents have to call police in order for them to respond.
2. Seniors and Police
Mr. Grant speaks about a recent unarmed robbery of a 77 year old man and commends the Police Department for their work.
(By Councilman Peter F. Midgley)
Potable Stop Signs
Mr. Midgley asks if the Public Works Department could come up with portable stop signs, to temporarily replace those that are knocked down, to avoid dangerous traffic problems.
Unanimous Consent - Council Norman J. Miranda
Mr. Miranda receives Unanimous Consent to report on the Flag Day/Day of Portugal celebration and thanks all who participated.
Unanimous Consent - Mayor Joseph S. Larisa, Jr.
Mayor Larisa reports that the closing on the Crescent Beach property will take place before the next Council meeting.
(If given first passage, can be referred to the next regular Council meeting to be held on July 18, 2000 for a public hearing and consideration of final passage)
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 Article X entitled "Stopping, Standing and Parking." Subsection 18-307 entitled "Parking prohibited at all times." adding thereto the following:
SUMMIT STREET (west side), from Cross Street northerly fifty (50) feet.
(Requested by the Director of Public Works)
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Grant, it is unanimously VOTED to approve for First Passage.
(By Mayor Joseph S. Larisa, Jr.)
Zoning Board of Review - Chairman
Eugene Saveory 11 Dearborn Drive (02915)
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Grant, it is unanimously VOTED to approve.
Fire Station Citizen Advisory Committee
Robert Cusack 150 Greenwood Avenue (02916)
On motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously VOTED to approve.
(By Councilman Rolland R. Grant)
Fire Station Citizen Advisory Committee
Peter G. Poland 57 Richfield Avenue (02914)
On motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously VOTED to approve.
(By Councilman Norman J. Miranda)
Fire Station Citizen Advisory Committee
George Lamb 55 No. Carpenter Street (02914)
On motion of Mr. Miranda seconded by Mr. Grant,, it is unanimously VOTED to approve.
(By Councilman Peter F. Midgley)
Fire Station Citizen Advisory Committee
Ronald Bagwell 50 Whitcomb Road (02915)
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously VOTED to approve.
Traffic Control
Derrith Anderson 67 Pine Crest Dr. (02915)
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously VOTED to approve.
(By Councilman Patrick A. Rogers)
Fire Station Citizen Advisory Committee
John Lynch 104 Wilson Avenue (02916)
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Grant, it is unanimously VOTED to approve.
Kathleen Sherry 30 Greenwood Avenue (02916)
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Grant, it is unanimously VOTED to approve.
Mayor Larisa says that the Fire Station Citizen Advisory Committee must be part of the process to choose an architect. Mr. Rogers asks that a packet of information be provided for the newly elected members of the Committee.
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Midgley, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously VOTED to go into Executive Session for the purposes of Collective Bargaining negotiations.
The meeting recesses at 9:35 p.m. and goes into Executive Session.
(See next page for Closed Session Minutes)
The meeting reconvenes at 9:50 p.m. with all Council members present.
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously VOTED that Mr. Lemont, Mr. Conley, and Mr. Grant will make up the negotiation team for the Fire Department negotiations and will be given Corporate Authority.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourns at 9:52 p.m.
Attest:
Valerie A. Perry, CMC
City Clerk Approved - July 18, 2000