CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCERHODE ISLAND JOURNAL OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2001 |
The City Council meets in the Council Chamber on Monday, December 4, 2001 and is called to order at 7:35 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 Councilman Miranda. The Salute to the Flag is led by Councilman Midgley.
RESOLUTION - Town of Jamestown
Re: Requesting the support to hold public hearing by the Rhode Island Lottery Commission at adequate facilities in Lincoln and Newport, on the proposal to increase the number of video lottery terminals at Lincoln Raceway and at the Newport Jai Alai..
On motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to approve the Consent Calendar.
LICENSES NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARING
WRECKER/TOWER
Coastal Collision & Towing, Inc. - 177 Greenwood Ave, East Providence, RI
James Martin, 149 Columbia Avenue, Pawtucket, Rhode Island is present and sworn.
Mr. Martin states that he has been on the City's Tow List for three years, but he didn't know about the renewals. He states that he has paid all the back fees.
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously voted to approve.
WRECKER/TOWER - (Deferred from November 6 & 19, 2001)
MCM Towing, Inc. 43 Sixth Street, East Providence, RI
The applicant is not present. It is noted that this is the third time the license has been on the docket.
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Midgley, it is unanimously voted to deny.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS RESUME SITTING AS CITY COUNCIL
ORDINANCES - FINAL PASSAGE (Given first passage November 19, 2001)
Advertised - Providence Journal - November 23, 2001
(The following ordinance addresses safety concerns due to parking and school drop-off at Bayview Academy)
1. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 18 ENTITLED "VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC which amends Article X entitled "Stopping, Standing and Parking.", Subsec 18-307 entitled "Parking prohibited at all times.", adding: BROOKFIELD AVE (north side) from a point 60 feet east of PAWTUCKET AVE easterly for a distance of 335 feet during the hours 7:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M., school days.
(Requested by Director of Public Works) CHAPTER NO. 190
There is no one 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 AMENDING CHAPTER 18 ENTITLED "VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC.", which amends Article X entitled "Stopping, Standing and Parking.", Subsec 18-307 entitled "Parking prohibited at all times.", adding:
CUSTER STREET (east side) from JENKS STREET to FARNUM STREET.
(Requested by Director of Public Works) CHAPTER NO. 191
There is no one 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.
CITY MANAGER
Crescent Park Carousel Foundation Study.
Mr. Lemont informs the Council that the foundation of the Carousel needs considerable work. He says the decision will have to be made whether to implement short or long-term repairs. Engineers David Odeah Sr. and Bruce Vallone present a video depicting the structural deterioration has occurred to the 106 year old Carousel. They inform the Council that the estimated cost would be 1) $400,000 to $600,000 for repairs which should last between 20-30 years, and 2) $500,000 to $750,000 for repairs which should last up to 100 years.
Both Mr. Miranda and Mr. Rogers state that they believe the repairs should be done right, and while the second option will cost more and take longer it will preserve the Carousel for many more years.
Mayor Larisa states that he does not want to see the taxpayers foot the entire bill, and a public/private partnership has to be secured. Zac Gordon states that they will try to get as much funding as possible.
CLAIMS COMMITTEE
Tracy Ricker, Claim No. 01-89 Referred to Law Department
Eileen Woodcock, Claim No. 01-91 Referred to Law Department
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Rogers, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to accept as presented.
COUNCILMEN
(Mayor Joseph S. Larisa, Jr.)
Update on Health Care Cost
Mayor Larisa requests information from the City Manager and Finance Director by the end of the year pertaining to the cost of health care for city employees. He says that where the State is confronting a potential shortfall, it may have significant ramifications for cities and towns. He asks for a report which will show the breakdown of health care and dental costs over the last ten years for Fire, Police, and other city workers, and a separate chart showing the cost of health care to School Department employees over the same period of time.
Mr. Rogers suggests getting the same information from other municipalities to use as a comparison.
Unanimous Consent - Mayor Larisa
Mayor Larisa receives unanimous consent to congratulate the Townie Football team for their SuperBowl performance against LaSalle. He says the team did the City proud and asks the City Clerk to send letters to Athletic Director Phil Ricci and Coach Sandy Gorham offering the congratulations of the City Council.
Unanimous Consent - Councilman Rogers
Mr. Rogers asks for Unanimous Consent to speak on the recent near tragedy in New Bedford. He says he is sensitive about some public policy questions which have been raised and he will avoid speaking on them in deference to some of the Council members who do not want him to speak on the specific topic.
Mr. Rogers proceeds to speak about a near tragedy in New Bedford which was averted by the efforts of police officers, parents and students. He says the public policy officials need to do everything possible to make sure we never have a problem like that. He says the situation raises a number of public policy questions that requires a redoubling of efforts and a rethinking of our policies.
1. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 3 ENTITLED "ANIMALS.", Sec 3-41 entitled "Penalties" by adding thereto the following:
(c) Any person found in violation of Sec 3-36,3-37,3-38 and 3-39 is prohibited from owning a dog and/or obtaining a license for a dog in the City of East Providence.
(Requested by Councilman Peter Midgley)
Mr. Midgley speaks on the ordinance. He asks that the language be amended to read "may be prohibited" rather than "is prohibited."
On motion of Midgley, seconded by Mr. Grant, it is unanimously voted to approve for First Passage as amended.
2. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 18 ENTITLED "MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC.", Subsec (1) (a) of Sec 18-301 entitled "Stopping, standing or parking prohibited in specified places.", by adding thereto the following:
j. Within ten (10) feet of the corner of any intersection of any public street or private way.
(Requested by Police Department)
Discussion is held on the ordinance. Mr. Midgley says he thinks 20 feet would be better. Chief Dias states that the State Traffic Code requires 10 ft.
On motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Rogers, it is unanimously voted to approve for First Passage.
Unanimous Consent - Mayor Larisa
Mayor Larisa receives Unanimous Consent to appoint Anthony Bochichio, 96 Pinecrest Drive, Riverside, RI to the Carousel Commission.
On motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously voted to approve.
Unanimous Consent - Councilman Grant
Mr. Grant receives Unanimous Consent to comment on the Holiday Display Committee.
Mr. Grant appoints Patrick Cronin and Jean Oliver to his committee. He will have the members call the City Clerk.
Mayor Larisa appoints Colleen and Brady Conley and Jeffrey Tilley.
The remaining Council members will get the names to the City Clerk.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourns at 8:45 p.m.
Attest:
Valerie A. Perry, CMC
City Clerk Approved: December 18, 2001