CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
RHODE ISLAND
JOURNAL OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
The City Council meets in the Council Chamber on Wednesday, November 8, 2000 and is called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Joseph S. Larisa, Jr.
Present:
Mayor Joseph S. Larisa, Jr..................Council Members
Rolland R. Grant
Norman J. Miranda
Peter F. Midgley
Patrick A. Rogers
Paul E. Lemont ...............................................City Manager
William J. Conley, Jr......................................City Solicitor
Valerie A. Perry .............................................City Clerk
The Invocation is led by Mayor Larisa. The Salute to the Flag is led by Mr. Midgley. Lori Merolla, Merandi Reporting, is present to record the public hearings.
1. Approval of Council Journals
Regular Meeting - October 23, 2000
Closed Session re: Negotiations - October 23, 2000
2. Cancellations/Abatements - City Assessor requesting cancellation of taxes as follows:
Year Amount
2000 $867.23
3. Cancellations/Abatements - Tax Board of Review requesting cancellation of taxes as follows:
Year Amount
2000 $1,470.34
4. Coastal Resources Management Council - File No. 00-8-61 - ASSENT
Construct fire protection water supply line, 10 in. diameter, approx. 600 linear ft. total, to replace existing fire protection system; located at Block 1, Map 7, lot 1. 1; Wiles Barre Pier (Capitol Terminal Co., 100 Dexter Rd., East Providence, RI)
5. Employment Agency - Transfer of Name
From Interim Personnel to Spherion - 1017 Waterman Avenue
6. RIDEM - INSIGNIFICANT ALTERATION PERMIT - No. 00-210
Location - 830 Waterman Avenue, approximately 140 ft. north of Waterman Avenue, approximately 400 ft. west of the intersection of Commercial Way and Waterman Avenue, Map 506, Lot 10, Block 1
On motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to remove the Closed Minutes from the Consent Calendar and to keep them closed
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Grant, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to approve the Consent Calendar as Amended.
Dr. Phil Clark, URI Project Director of the Senior Project, gives an update on the URI/City of East Providence Elderly Research Project.
A Citation is presented to Joseph Connors, City Sergeant, in honor of his 32 d Birthday.
Alcoholic Beverage License - Class B Limited (Deferred from October 23. 2000)
Kathleen Rodrigues dba The New Primo's Restaurant - 158 Roger Williams Ave.
The applicant is present and sworn.
Mr. Conley informs the Council that the Assessor's office verified that 10 of the 18 signatures on the Objectors' Petition were property owners within the 200' radius of the business. He says that he was handed a notarized affidavit that the signatures were authentic. Those 10 objectors do constitute more than 50% of the landowners.
On motion of Mr. Rogers, seconded by Mr. Grant, it is unanimously voted to accept the Affidavit and make it part of the record.
The following persons are present and sworn and speak on the license:
Joan and Ronald Malinowski, 164 Roger Williams Avenue, East Providence, Rhode Island
Following public comment, the Council enters into discussion with the City Solicitor. Mr. Conley states that the law clearly states that the Council cannot grant the license if more than 50% of the abutting property owners object, which the number of signatures indicate that they do.
After further discussion, the applicant is told that she can apply in the future if she gets the problems worked out with the abutters, but at this time, they cannot approve the license.
On motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Rogers, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to deny the license.
Laundry - Transfer
From William Gasbarro dba Gasbarro's Bubble Mania To Cheryl Lavoie, dba Super Suds - 316 Warren Avenue
The applicant, residing at 50 Cherry Lane, Tiverton, Rhode Island, is present and sworn.
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Rogers, it is unanimously voted to approve, subject to approvals from the Chief of Police and Building Inspector.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS RESUME SITTING AS CITY COUNCIL
ORDINANCES - FINAL PASSAGE (Given first passage October 23, 2000)
Advertised - Providence Journal - October 26, 2000
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. 18-269 entitled "Stop and yield intersections designated; when stops required." by adding thereto the following: BAKER STREET (eastbound traffic) at North Hull Street.
(Requested by the Director of Public Works) CHAPTER 147
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. 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:
SHAW STREET (southwestbound traffic) at Hood Avenue.
UPYONDA WAY (northeastbound traffic) at Hood Avenue.
(Requested by Director of Public Works) CHAPTER 148
There are no persons from the public wishing to be heard.
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Grant, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to approve for Final Passage.
City Manager's Report
1. A request to go into Executive Session to discuss Contract Negotiations and the potential sale of City Land is deferred to the end of the meeting.
2. Mr. Lemont addresses the Council about State project which would return fish to the Ten Mile River. He asks the Council if they would be interested in ceding City owned land for the project to DEM.
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Rogers, it is unanimously voted to refer the matter to the Planning Board.
By William J. Conley, Jr., City Solicitor)
Claims Committee Report
Dennis Costa RM No. 00-152 Approved
Loggia Luce Moderna RM No. 00-126 Referred to Law Department
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Midgley, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to accept the Claims Committee as presented.
(By Councilman Rolland R. Grant)
1. Yard Waste
Mr. Grant speaks about the recent problems with the yard waste, which isn't always being picked up. Mr. Lemont speaks about the new trash haulers that the City recently hired and says they are having a problem getting more trucks.
2. Mr. Grant questions the City Solicitor regarding the new ordinance on police & fire pensions with respect to honorable service, and asks if the state law covers any area of our pension laws.
Mr. Conley replies that the felony mentioned in the ordinance has to be related to the public employees' employment.
(By Councilman Patrick A. Rogers)
1. Lot on Corner of Centre Street and No. Broadway
2. Fire Station Update
On motion of Mr. Rogers, seconded by Mr. Midgley, it is unanimously voted to defer these items to the next meeting.
Unanimous Consent - Mr. Miranda
Mr. Miranda mentions that a Free Thanksgiving Dinner will be given at the Santa Maria Cultural Club at 846 Broadway on Thanksgiving Day for those without families or those that will be alone on that day.
(By Mayor Joseph S. Larisa, Jr.)
Affirmative Action Committee
Robert Garedo 117 Cardona Street 02914
Gloria Price 38 Central Avenue 02914
Gail Fredericks 135 John Street 02914
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Grant, it is unanimously voted to approve.
(By Councilman Peter F. Midgley)
Juvenile Hearing Board
(R) Sharlene Damiani 887 Willett Avenue 02915
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Grant, it is unanimously voted to approve.
(By Councilman Norman J. Miranda)
Harbor Management Commission
(R) Anthony Perry 119 Lyon Avenue 02914
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by MR. Grant, it is unanimously voted to approve.
Ian Jamieson, 201 Pleasant Street, Rumford, Rhode Island addresses the Council regarding the problems of speeders and motorists going through stop signs in the Pleasant Street area.
Julia Forgue, Director of Public Works, states that a study was done on the traffic in the area. She said the residents did not want Pleasant Street striped, but studies have indicated that striping would slow the traffic down.
The Council discusses the matter. Mr. Rogers replies that he is not convinced that would slow the traffic. He asks Public Works to come back to the Council with recommendations. He says more homes in the neighborhood are generating more traffic. Mayor Larisa states that he thinks the Police Department should be out there more often and says he also wants Public Works to provide the Council with recommendations.
It is decided that the Police Chief and the City Manager will get a report together on what needs to be done to continue and to increase traffic enforcement, whether it be more personnel, overtime, more radar guns, etc. They will report at the next meeting.
On motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and on a roll call vote, it is voted 5-0 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, and Section 42-46-5-(A)(5) - acquisition or lease of real property.
The meeting recesses at 8:55 p.m.
The Open Meeting reconvenes at 9:30 p. m. with all Council members present, and adjourns at 9:30 p.m.
Attest:
Valerie A. Perry, CMC
City Clerk Approved: November 21, 2000