The City Council meets in the Council Chamber on Tuesday, December 18, 2001 and is called to order at 7:45 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 )
Paul E. Lemont ) City Manager
William J. Conley, Jr. ) City Solicitor
Valerie A. Perry ) City Clerk
Absent: Patrick A. Rogers ) City Council
The Invocation is led by Councilman Miranda. The Salute to the Flag is led by Councilman Grant.
1. Approval of Council Journals
Regular Meeting - November 19, 2001
Regular Meeting - December 4, 2001
2. Cancellations/Abatements - City Assessor requesting cancellation of taxes as follows:
Year Amount
2001 $20,039.06
2000 308.31
1999 157.30
1998 467.14
Total $20,971.81
3. Town of No. Kingstown - Resolution objecting to the present proposals of the Reapportionment Commission.
4. Town of No. Kingstown - Resolution opposing the expansion of gambling in Rhode Island
Addendum 5. Alcoholic Beverage Class F-1 - December 31, 2001
St. Francis Xavier Church - 81 No. Carpenter Street
Addendum 6. Alcoholic Beverage Class F - December 31, 2001
St. Martha's Church - 2595 Pawtucket Avenue
On motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously voted to approve the Consent Calendar. It is noted for the record that Mr. Rogers is absent for the vote.
East Providence Boys Volleyball Team
Mayor Larisa presents citations to members of the State Championship Team.
LICENSES REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARING
Alcoholic Beverage Class B Full Privilege - Transfer
(Advertised East Providence Post - Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 2001)
From China Gourmet, Inc., dba Peking Garden, 524 N. Broadway
To Kevin Blankeship dba N. Broadway Pizza & Pub, 525 N. Broadway
Kevin Blankenship, 15 Himlin St., Cranston, Rhode Island, is present and sworn.
The meeting is open for public comments.
Donna Buxbaum, 135 Cadorna Street, East Providence, Rhode Island, is present and sworn. Ms. Buxbaum states that she was concerned that the business would become more of a Pub with less emphasis on food, but after hearing the applicant state that they are looking at running a family establishment, she says she feels less aprehensive. Mr. Miranda states that if there are problems in the future, the Community Police can be called in to help with the situation. Ms. Buxbaum states that she has dealt with the Community Police unit and had very satisfactory results working with them.
On motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Miranda, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously approved to grant the license, subject to approvals from Police Chief, Building Inspector, and Health Inspector. It is noted for the record that Mr. Rogers is absent for the vote.
Victualing - N/Over 50
From China Gourmet, Inc., dba Peking Garden, 524 N. Broadway
To Kevin Blankeship dba N. Broadway Pizza & Pub, 525 N. Broadway
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Grant, it is unanimously approved to grant the license, subject to approvals from Police Chief, Building Inspector, and Health Inspector. It is noted for the record that Mr. Rogers is absent for the vote.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS RESUME SITTING AS CITY COUNCIL
ORDINANCES - FINAL PASSAGE (Given first passage December 4, 2001)
Advertised - Providence Journal - December 7, 2001
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 may be prohibited from owning a dog and/or obtaining a license for a dog in the City of East Providence.
(Requested by Councilman Peter Midgley) CHAPTER NO. 192
There is no one 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. It is noted for the record that Mr. Rogers is absent for the vote.
(The following ordinance prohibits parking within 10 feet of the corner of any intersection of any city public or private way)
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) CHAPTER NO. 193
There is no one from the public wishing to be heard.
On Motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Midgley, and on a roll call vote, it is voted 3-0 to approve for Final Passage. It is noted for the record that Mr. Miranda and Mr. Rogers were absent for the vote.
(Zoning Ordinance - Advertised Prov. Journal Nov. 30, Dec. 5, Dec. 12, 2001)
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 19 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE WITH CHANGES TO: SECTION 19-98 USE, SECTION 19-133, CONTIGUOUS LOTS UNDER COMMON OWNERSHIP; SECTION 19-136, MINIMUM SETBACK MEASUREMENTS; AND SECTION 19-145 SCHEDULE OF AREA REQUIREMENTS.
Planning Director Jeanne Boyle and Chief Planner Diane Feather highlight the proposed amendments. It is noted that the Planning Board approved all but one of the Planning Department's recommendations, regarding the minimum setback. A discussion is held regarding this issue, with Mr. Miranda stating that he agrees with the Planning Department's recommendations. CHAPTER NO. 194
There is no one 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 the ordinance as amended, using the Planning Department's recommendations. It is noted for the record that Mr. Rogers is absent for the vote.
CITY MANAGER
1. Results of recent community survey regarding the Police Department
Police Chief Gary Dias introduces Professor Dan Knight who gives an overview of the survey conducted by his students at Salve Regina University. The nine students highlight the survey, which produced positive responses from the community regarding the police department.
2. City Manager's Report
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Grant, it is unanimously voted to accept the City Manager's Report. It is noted for the record that Mr. Rogers is absent for the vote.
REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS
(By William J. Conley, Jr., City Solicitor)
Claims and Litigation Committee Report
On motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously voted to accept the City Manager's Report. It is noted for the record that Mr. Rogers is absent for the vote.
(By Valerie A. Perry, City Clerk)
Requesting that the City Council meet in the Council Chamber at 7:30 p.m. on the following dates in 2002:
| January 2, 2002* (Wed.) | May 7, 2002 | October 1, 2002 |
| January 15, 2002 | May 21, 2002 | October 15, 2002 |
| February 5, 2002 | June 4, 2002 | November 6, 2002 **(Wed.) |
| February 19, 2002 | June 18, 2002 | November 19, 2002 |
| March 5, 2002 | July 16, 2002 | December 2, 2002 ***(Mon.) |
| March 19, 2002 | August 13, 2002 | Dec, 17, 2002 |
| April 2, 2002 | September 3, 2002 | |
| April 16, 2002 | September 17, 2002 | |
*January 2 - (Wednesday) - Holiday on first Tuesday
**November 6 - (Wednesday) because of Election Day on first Tuesday
***December 2 - Inauguration of newly elected City Council - (City Charter Sec. 2-7).
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Grant, it is unanimously voted to approve the calendar for 2002. It is noted for the record that Mr. Rogers is absent for the vote.
On motion of Mr. Midgley, seconded by Mr. Grant, it is unanimously voted to defer the following three docket items to the next meeting because of the absence of Mr. Rogers.
COUNCIL MEMBERS
(By Mayor Joseph S. Larisa, Jr.)
Council Appointees Job Performance Review (Deferred from November 19, 2001)
(By Councilman Patrick A. Rogers)
Discussion of School Resource Officer Program (including comments from Police Department and School Committee Members) and potential vote re: same
(Requested by Councilmen Peter F. Midgley and Patrick A. Rogers)
(If given first passage, can be referred to the next regular Council meeting to be held January 2, 2002 for a public hearing and consideration of final passage)
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: CROSS ST. (eastbound and westbound traffic) at Summit Street.
(Requested by Director of Public Works)
On motion of Mr. Miranda, seconded by Mr. Midgley, it is unanimously voted to approve for First Passage. It is noted for the record that Mr. Rogers is absent for the vote.
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: BAYVIEW AVENUE (westbound traffic) at Progress Avenue.
(Requested by Director of Public Works)
On motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Miranda, it is unanimously voted to approve for First Passage. It is noted for the record that Mr. Rogers is absent for
Mayor Larisa reappoints Anthony Almeida, 57 N. Carpenter Street, to the Housing Authority.
Jonathan Tamir, Executive Director, University Cardiology Foundation, 450 Veterans Memorial Parkway - addresses the Council regarding an ordinance adopted on October 2, 2001 which prohibits parking on Fifth Street. He states that there is not enough parking for his patients and employees, and asks for some relief from the restriction.
Mr. Miranda speaks as the Council representative from that neighborhood. He states that he was called by several neighbors who complained that they could not get out of their driveways and were upset about the parking situation. He goes on to say that if there is not adequate parking in the lot, the property owners should be approached by the tenants to try to get the situation corrected.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourns at 9:05 p.m.
Attest:
Valerie A. Perry, CMC
City Clerk Approved: January 9, 2001