| | CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE RHODE ISLAND JOURNAL OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 4, 2003 | |
The City Council meets in the Council Chamber on Tuesday, February 4, 2003 and is called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Mayor Rolland R. Grant.
| Present: | Mayor Rolland R. Grant | ) | |
| | Daniel F. Harrington | ) | |
| | Norman J. Miranda | ) | Council Members |
| | Patrick A. Rogers | ) | |
| | Dr. Isadore S. Ramos | ) | |
| | | | |
| | Paul E. Lemont | ) | City Manager |
| | William J. Conley, Jr. | ) | City Solicitor |
| | Valerie A. Perry | ) | City Clerk |
The Invocation is read by Councilman Miranda and the Salute to the Flag is led by Councilman Ramos. Mayor Grant asks for a moment of silence for the Astronauts.
Lori Merolla, Merandi Reporting, is present to record the proceedings of the public hearing.
CONSENT CALENDAR
CANCELLATIONS /ABATEMENTS - Requested by Tax Assessor.
YEAR AMOUNT
2002 $1,485.60
2001 12,775.19
2000 266.43
Total $14,527.22
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Ramos, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to approve the Consent Calendar.
CITY COUNCIL SITTING AS LICENSING COMMISSIONERS
LICENSES REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARING
(Advertised - East Providence Post - January 23, 2003)
Secondhand/Clothing
Hide ‘N Seek Boutique LLC, 359 Waterman Avenue
Maria Palethorpe, 65 Belmont Avenue, East Providence, Rhode Island is present and sworn.
There is no one from the public wishing to be heard.
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Harrington, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to approve, subject to approvals of Police Chief and Building Inspector.
LICENSES NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARING
Sunday/Holiday Sales - Transfer
From Gasoline Alley, Inc., dba Gasoline Alley To George Karam, dba Mr. Gas
2851 Pawtucket Avenue
George Karam, 71 Ames Street, Dedham, Massachusetts, is present and sworn.
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Harrington, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to approve, subject to approvals of Police Chief and Building Inspector.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS RESUME SITTING AS CITY COUNCIL
NEW BUSINESS
CITY MANAGER
Authorization to proceed with construction of the Riverside Square Enhancement Project
Jeanne Boyle, Planning Director, updates the Council on the project. She says the project is being funded with a combination of Department of Transportation Enhancement funds ($275,000), with the remainde4r funded through the CDBG 2001-2002 appropriation. She states that several public hearings haven been held and if approval is given by the Council, construction will convene in one month, and it is expected that the project will be completed by Labor Day.
On motion of Councilman Harrington, seconded by Councilman Ramos, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to award the contract to Hartford Paving.
City Manager’s Report
Mr. Lemont requests a public meeting on February 13, 2003 with regard to the GeoNova project. He says both sides have signed a Purchase & Sale Agreement, and the public meeting is now being scheduled for public input. It is agreed to schedule the meeting.
REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS
(By William J. Conley, Jr., City Solicitor)
Claims and Litigation Committee Report - There is no report
On motion of Councilman Rogers, seconded by Councilman Miranda, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to change the order of business.
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - (If given first passage, can be referred to the next regular Council meeting to be held on February 18, 2003 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 18-315 entitled "Reserved parking designated--Handicapped parking." by deleting thereto the following:
SMITH STREET, (west side) in front of house number 77, from a point 20 feet south of the Burnside Avenue intersection southerly for a distance of 20 feet..
(Requested by Director of Public Works)
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Ramos, it is unanimously voted to approve for First Passage.
COUNCIL MEMBERS
(By Councilman Patrick A. Rogers)
Requesting 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)1)[Job Performance] to discuss the job performance of the City Manager with vote.
Mr. Conley states for the record that the City Clerk has a copy of a written notice which was provided to the City Manager on January 28, 2003. He says the City Manager may require the discussion to be held in open session.
Attorney Joseph F. Penza, Jr., representing Mr. Lemont, says they would prefer the discussion in closed session.
Mr. Rogers states that once the Council is finished with the Closed Session they will return to the public and speak regarding the topic of the Executive Session.
On motion of Councilman Rogers, seconded by Councilman Ramos, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to go into Executive Session.
Mayor Grant reminds the public that this is not a public hearing, and if Mr Lemont chooses an open hearing, a second meeting between 20-30 days from tonight will be scheduled for the public hearing.
The open meeting recesses at 7:55 p.m.
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Rogers, it is unanimously voted to return to Open Session. The meeting reconvenes at 10:15 p.m. with all Council members present.
Mr. Conley reports that after discussion, the City Manager and the City Council have reached a mutual agreement on the following matters:
C The last day of service as an employee of the City of East Providence of the City Manager Paul E. Lemont, will be July 31, 2003.
C Mr. Lemont will continue as City Manager, and the last day on the job as City Manager will be April 30, 2003.
C Upon the separation of service from the City on July 31, 2003, he will receive the normal separation allowances.
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Harrington, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to accept the agreement.
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Harrington, it is unanimously voted to adjourn.
The meeting adjourns at 10:20 p.m.
Attest:
Valerie A. Perry, CMC
City Clerk
Approved: February 18, 2003