| CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE RHODE ISLAND JOURNAL OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING |
The City Council meets in the Council Chamber on Tuesday, April 3, 2001 and is called to order at 7:40 p.m. by Mayor Joseph S. Larisa. Jr.
Present: Mayor Joseph S. Larisa, Jr. )
Rolland R. Grant ) Council Members
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 Mr. Miranda. The Salute to the Flag is led by Mr. Rogers.
Regular Meeting - March 20, 2001
2. Resolution - City of Newport re: unauthorized use of cell phones on school buses
3. Resolution - City of Newport re: Public Officers having Notarial powers
4. Tag Days Permit - April 26, 27, 28, 2001 - Stephen Costa on behalf of Knights of Columbus
On motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to approve the Consent Calendar.
ORDINANCES - FINAL PASSAGE (Given first passage March 6, 2001)
Advertised - Providence Journal - March 9, 2001 - Deferred - March 20, 2001
The following ordinance establishes the time to place and remove rubbish, recycling material and yard waste for collection and establishes penalties for violations of these articles.
AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 6 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "GARBAGE AND REFUSE.", which amends Article III entitled "Rubbish" by adding thereto the following:
Sec. 6-37.1 Time to Place Rubbish for Collection; Duty to Remove after Collection.
No placing or causing to be placed household rubbish, or other litter in receptacles or otherwise on the street, sidewalk, alley or public place for the purpose of having the same collected at a regularly scheduled or special collection shall do so before 3:00 PM of the day prior to such scheduled collection, nor shall such person allow such material or receptacles thereof to remain upon such street, sidewalk, alley or public place after the end of the day of such scheduled collection.
Sec. 6-37.2 Violation of article; penalty.
(a) Any person who violates this article, who shall fail, neglect or refuses to comply with the provisions of this article shall be issued a warning notice by Public Works Director or his/her duly authorized agent. Any person who violates this article, who shall fail, neglect or refuse to comply with the provisions of this article after such warning notice shall be punished by a fine of $25.00. Each day such violation of this article shall continue shall constitute a separate offense.
(b) In addition to the penalty hereinabove provided any condition caused or permitted to exist in violation of this article shall be deemed a public nuisance and may be, by the city, abated as provided by law, and each day that such condition continues shall be regarded as a new and separate offense.
SECTION II. Article IV entitled "Recyclables" of Chapter 6 of the Revised Ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled "Garbage and Refuse" is amended by adding thereto the following:
Sec. 6-44 Time to Place Recycling Material for Collection; Duty to Remove after Collection.
No placing or causing to be placed recyclables in receptacles or otherwise on the street, sidewalk, alley or public place for the purpose of having the same collected at a regularly scheduled or special collection shall do so before 3:00 PM of the day prior to such scheduled collection, nor shall such person allow such material or receptacles thereof to remain upon such street, sidewalk, alley or public place after the end of the day of such scheduled collection.
SECTION III. Sec. 6-43 entitled "Violation of article; penalty." of Article IV entitled "Recyclables" of Chapter 6 of the Revised Ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled "Garbage and Refuse" is amended to read as follows:
(a) Any person who violates this article, who shall fail, neglect or refuses to comply with the provisions of this article shall be issued a warning notice by Public Works Director or his/her duly authorized agent. Any person who violates this article, who shall fail, neglect or refuse to comply with the provisions of this article after such warning notice shall be punished by a fine $ 25.00. Each day such violation of this article shall continue shall constitute a separate offense.
(b) In addition to the penalty hereinabove provided any condition caused or permitted to exist in violation of this article shall be deemed a public nuisance and may be, by the city, abated as provided by law, and each day that such condition continues shall be regarded as a new and separate offense.
SECTION IV. Sec. 6-53 entitled "Violation of article; penalty." of Article IV entitled "Recyclables" of Chapter 6 of the Revised Ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled "Garbage and Refuse" is amended to read as follows:
(a) Any person who violates this article, who shall fail, neglect or refuses to comply with the provisions of this article shall be issued a warning notice by Public Works Director or his/her duly authorized agent. Any person who violates this article, who shall fail, neglect or refuse to comply with the provisions of this article after such warning notice shall be punished by a fine $ 25.00. Each day such violation of this article shall continue shall constitute a separate offense.
(b) In addition to the penalty hereinabove provided any condition caused or permitted to exist in violation of this article shall be deemed a public nuisance and may be, by the city, abated as provided by law, and each day that such condition continues shall be regarded as a new and separate offense.
Requested by: Councilman Rogers CHAPTER NO. 156
On motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Rogers, it is unanimously voted to dispense with the reading of the ordinance.
Those wishing to speak on the ordinance are sworn in.
Barbara Connors, 65 Barney Street, Rumford, Rhode Island, speaks in favor of the ordinance.
Lester Farnsworth, 131 Dorr Avenue, Riverside, Rhode Island, speaking on behalf of the Riverside Revitalization Partnership, speaks in favor of the ordinance.
Tom West, 149 Terrace Avenue, Riverside, Rhode Island, speaks in favor of the ordinance.
Harold Gerstein, Riverside, Rhode Island, speaks on the ordinance and voices his opposition. He questions the Council at length as to how many calls were received regarding this ordinance and discusses his reasons for his opposition.
A speaker from Providence, Rhode Island, asks that the recyclables be taken out of the ordinance, so people who see recyclables that have been put out early will be reminded to put their own out.
Steve Mutter, Recycling Coordinator, answers questions from the Council. He says he is in favor of the ordinance.
Mr. Rogers says he will propose amending the ordinance to reduce the fine to $5.00 after the first warning.
Motion is made by Mr. Rogers and seconded by Mr. Miranda, to amend the ordinance to reduce the fine to $5.00 after the first warning.
Discussion is held on the white goods left at curbside. It is stated that residents must call the Public Works Department or Recycling office to arrange for pickup of white goods.
Mr. Midgley speaks in favor of the ordinance.
Mr. Grant speaks in opposition of the ordinance. He says the white goods are more of a problem and it is a City problem. He says this ordinance pits neighbor against neighbor and he is against it. He says there are enough ordinances on the books.
Mayor Larisa speaks on the ordinance. He proposes an additional section to the ordinance dealing with white goods, which would require residents getting rid of white goods to call the Public Works Department and to put the white goods out on the last Sunday of the month. He also says he sees the problem is with people putting the trash out several days before the trash is due to be picked up, not the day before. He says he is willing to specify the day before for trash to be put out, but not at a specified time, and would support an ordinance written that way.
Mr. Rogers states that he thinks 3:00 P.M. is reasonable. He mentions that people with a Monday trash pick up would be putting their trash out early on Sunday, and would rather the ordinance specify a time later in the day.
Mr. Rogers and Mr. Miranda agree to a friendly amendment which specifies the white goods.
The ordinance establishing a time of 3:00 p.m., with a $5.00 penalty, and adding the white good amendment, is voted on a roll call vote:
Mr. Grant Nay
Mr. Midgley Aye
Mr. Miranda Aye
Mr. Rogers Aye
Mayor Larisa Nay
The motion passes 3-2.
The meeting recesses at 9:00 p.m. and reconvenes at 9:06 p.m.
CITY MANAGER
R.I.E.A.P.
Mr. Lemont speaks of the R.I. Electrical Aggregation Program, an organization formed from the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, of which Mr. Lemont is President. He reports that the City realized a savings of $29,185.33 for a six month period (approximately 27%) on the electrical bill for the City by switching to Select Energy.
. REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS
(By William J. Conley, Jr., City Solicitor)
Claims and Litigation Committee Report
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Grant, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to accept as presented.
COUNCIL MEMBERS
(By Councilman Rolland R. Grant)
1. Streetlights
Mr. Grant states that he has reported several streetlights that have been out for some time on the main thoroughfare to the Public Works Director. He asks the City Manager to write a letter to Narragansett Electric Company to see if something can be done. Mr. Lemont says he will have someone go out to spot which lights are out. Mr. Midgley suggests that when people or the Police see a light out, they should report it to the Public Works Department.
2. Sidewalks in Ward 3
Mr. Grant speaks about the condition of the sidewalks in the City. He says that when the City goes for the next bond issue, sidewalks should be included, especially near the schools.
(By Councilman Patrick A. Rogers)
Merger of Parks and Recreation Department
Discussion of proposal to merge two Departments on a temporary basis
Mr. Rogers speaks about the proposal of Recreation Director Joseph Crook about the merger. Mr. Crook addresses the Council. He says there would be a measurable improvement to the fields by merging these two departments. The Recreation Department is the one Department in the City that the Council controls, according to the City Charter. Mr. Lemont states that he endorses this proposal.
The Council discusses the issue, with the Council members saying they support the proposal.
Unanimous Consent is given to take a vote on the proposal.
Mr. Miranda says he hopes for a report about the new soccer field in the back of Martin Middle School. Mr. Crook says no facility will receive any more care than any other.
After further discussion, on motion of Mr. Rogers, seconded by Mr. Grant and Mr. Miranda, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to approve.
- (If given first passage, can be referred to the next regular Council meeting to be held on April 17, 2001 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 Subsection 18-315 entitled "Reserved parking designated--Handicapped parking." is amended by adding thereto the following:
RUSSELL AVENUE, (north side) in front of house number 58, from a point 210 feet west of the John Street intersection, westerly for a distance of 20 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.)
Library Board of Trustees
(R) Donna Drapeau 28 Riverwoods Court (02916)
On motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously voted to approve.
(By Councilman Norman J. Miranda)
Carousel Park Commission
(R) Lerena DeMelo 192 Mauran Avenue (02914)
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Rogers, it is unanimously voted to approve.
(By Councilman Patrick A. Rogers)
Carousel Park Commission
(R) Louise Healy 74 Vanderland Avenue (02914)
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Grant, it is unanimously voted to approve.
(R)Patricia O'Hara 15 Nassau Street, Pawtucket (02860)
On motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously voted to approve.
Timothy Costa, 108 Anthony Street, East Providence, Rhode Island, representing the East Providence Central League is present and sworn. He states that he was going to speak on the conditions of Kent Heights Field, but the issue was addressed by the Recreation-Parks merger. He asks that Bruce Zaremka be allowed to speak on other issues. The Council gives Unanimous Consent to allow him to do so.
Bruce Zaremka, 158 Beverly Road, East Providence, Rhode Island is present and sworn. Mr. Zaremka states that he feels comfortable that many issues will be addressed, now that the two departments will be merged. He also states that he has information that only $115,000 was spent on field maintenance the previous budget year. Mr. Lemont disagrees with Mr. Zaremka's information. Mr. Rogers assures Mr. Zaremka that he will do more the next budget year.
Allen Winter, 85 Ferncrest Drive, Riverside, Rhode Island is present and sworn.
Mr. Winter speaks about the conditions of the fields.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourns at 10:11 p.m.
Attest:
Valerie A. Perry, CMC
City Clerk