| | CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE RHODE ISLAND JOURNAL OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 7, 2003 | |
The City Council meets in the Council Chamber on Tuesday, January 7, 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 |
| | Dr. Isadore S. Ramos | ) |
| | | |
| | Paul E. Lemont | ) City Manager |
| | William J. Conley, Jr. | ) City Solicitor |
| | Valerie A. Perry | ) City Clerk |
| | | |
| Absent: | Patrick A. Rogers | ) Council Member |
The Invocation was read by Councilman Harrington and the Salute to the Flag was led by Councilman Ramos.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approval of Council Journals
Special Meeting - October 22, 2002
Special Meeting - November 26, 2002
Organizational Meeting - December 2, 2002
Joint Meeting w/School Committee - December 10, 2002
Regular Meeting - December 17, 2002
Closed Meeting - December 17, 2002
2. Alcoholic Beverage License - Cl F-1 - January 26, 2003
St. Francis Xavier Church - 81 No. Carpenter St., East Providence, RI
3. CANCELLATIONS /ABATEMENTS - Requested by Tax Board of Review.
YEAR AMOUNT
2002 $ 72,734.09
4. Coastal Resources Management Council - Cease and Desist Order
Storing floats on a coastal wetland - property located at Map 415, Block 6, Lot 3, Riverside Drive - (David and Karen Peterson - 233 Riverside Drive)
5. Coastal Resources Management Council - January 2003 Calendar
6. R.I. Department of Environmental Management - Insignificant Alteration Permit
Application No. 02-0287 - property located approx. 400 ft. south-southeast of the terminus of Morris Lane, approx. 700 ft. southeast of the intersection of Morris Lane and Pawtucket Ave., by Utility Pole No. 7, Map 406, Bl 7, P22, (Greenville Enterprises, J. Robert Wahlberg, PO Box 7178, Warwick, RI)
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Ramos, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to remove the minutes of the December 17, 2002 Closed Meeting and to keep them closed. It is noted for the record that Councilman Rogers is absent.
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Ramos, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to approve the Consent Calendar as amended. It is noted for the record that Councilman Rogers is absent.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
ORDINANCES - FINAL PASSAGE (Given first passage December 17, 2002)
Advertised - Providence Journal - December 20, 2002
The following ordinance adds a stop sign to Vanderland Avenue at Dewey Avenue
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:
VANDERLAND AVENUE ACCESS ROAD (so called), (northbound traffic) at DEWEY AVENUE.
(Requested by the Director of Public Works) CHAPTER NO. 242
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Harrington, it is unanimously voted to dispense with the reading of the ordinance.
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 for Final Passage. It is noted for the record that Councilman Rogers is absent.
The following ordinance eliminates the super majority vote requirement for any increases in the water consumption rate.
2. AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 17 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED “UTILITIES.”, which amends Sec. 17-183 entitled “Charges to be based upon water consumption; rate” is amended by deleting therefrom the following:
(d) Any increase in the fixed meter charge, the rate per cubic foot, or any decrease in the exemption provided for herein must be approved by a vote of four members of the city council.
CHAPTER 243
SECTION II. This ordinance shall take effect November 1, 2001 and all ordinances and parts of ordinances inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed.
(Requested by Councilman Patrick A. Rogers and Mayor Rolland R. Grant)
There is no one from the public wishing to be heard.
On motion of Councilman Ramos, seconded by Councilman Harrington, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to approve for Final Passage. It is noted for the record that Councilman Rogers is absent.
NEW BUSINESS
a. CITY MANAGER
1. Water-Wastewater 101
Mr. Lemont gives a presentation on the Water-wastewater situation, and states that the rates will be going up substantially in the near future. He says that he is not proposing an increase to the sewer use fee at this time, but intends to bring it up at the next Council meeting.
Finance Director James McDonald reports that the Wastewater fund is currently running a $1 million deficit and he will be bringing back the Resolution for a Revenue Anticipation Note. He says that even if the sewer rate is increased, it will be years before the City can regain all of the money.
Mr. Lemont suggests that the Council might want to consider in the future of letting the Narragansett Bay Commission take over the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Following the presentation, the Council questions Mr. Lemont. Mayor Grant asks about the meters, which will replace the black boxes. Councilman Ramos asks about the taxes on the City’s golf courses, and says many people in the City are supplementing them. He suggests that this would be a method of creative funding.
2. Creation of new Department
Mr. Lemont states that he mentioned this Department during the budget sessions and believes it is essential now. The department would include a Director of Communications/MIS/and Homeland Security, and he proceeds to read the job description. He states that he would like to have the Council approve the job for six months, which he will then post.
Following Mr. Lemont’s presentation, Councilman Ramos questions Mr. Lemont about the cost. He says he is sure this is needed, but he did not get any backup to allow him to make a legitimate decision.
Mr. Conley informs the Council that the Council must enact an ordinance to create a new department, and it cannot be done by a motion or resolution. He said the ordinance could be drafted for First Passage at the next meeting.
A motion is made by Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Harrington, to create an ordinance that will establish a Homeland security/MIS/and Communications Department, which will be headed by a Director that will be under the Supervision of the City Manager.
Roll call vote follows:
| Mr. Harrington | Aye |
| Mr. Miranda | Aye |
| Dr. Ramos | Abstain |
| Mr. Rogers | Absent |
| Mayor Grant | Aye |
The motion passes 3-0 with 1 abstention. It is noted for the record that Councilman Rogers is absent.
3. City Manager’s Report
Mr. Lemont reports that the GeoNova project is still in the works and GeoNova has sent a Purchase & Sales agreement to the owners of the property of the former Ocean State Steel. He says that if it is signed between now and the next Council meeting, and if there is enough time, a public hearing will be held. In order for the City to apply for the Sec. 108 $3 million loan, we have to have a public hearing. There is also a $2 million grant that is available, conditional on the $3 million loan. He says he anticipates groundbreaking in early summer.
Councilman Miranda states that a special meeting should be held, rather than have the public hearing at a regular council meeting. The other members of the Council agree.
REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS
(By William J. Conley, Jr., City Solicitor)
Claims and Litigation Committee Report
| Frances Taymes, Claim No.02-60 | Refer to RIDOT |
| Deanna Petrucci, Claim No. 02-63 | Received as Information |
| Leeroy Horace Richardson, Claim No 02-66 | Refer to RIDOT |
| Joao DaSilva, Claim No. 02-67 | Approved |
| Doreen Rodrigues, Claim No. 02-72 | Refer to RIDOT |
| Jill M. Wild, Claim No. 02-71 | Refer to RIDOT |
| Joseph Siravo, Claim No. 02-61 | Refer to School Dept. |
| Angell v. City Appeal | Withdraw appeal |
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Ramos, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to accept as presented.
COUNCIL MEMBERS
Mayor Grant announces that the Martin Luther King Celebration will take place on January 15th at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber.
Mayor Grant asks for Council permission to put laptop computers for the Council out to bid. He explains that the use of computers would save reams of paper and would bring the Council into the age of technology.
Councilman Miranda asks the Mayor to come back with the cost of the computers. Dr. Ramos agrees, and says that if the cost is not in the ballpark, that it will have to be put on hold.
Mayor Grant also states that the Meeting Street School has invited he and the City Manager to a Telethon at Cardi’s Furniture.
APPOINTMENTS
(By Mayor Rolland R. Grant)
Housing Authority - Mayor’s Appointment - No confirmation needed
Richard Smith 26 Brookfield Road
(By Councilman Norman J. Miranda)
Harbor Management Commission
(1) Anthony Perry 119 Lyon Avenue (02914)
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Ramos, it is unanimously voted to approve. It is noted for the record that Councilman Rogers is absent.
On a motion by Councilman Ramos, seconded by Councilman Miranda, the meeting adjourns at 9:25 p.m.
Attest:
____________________________
Valerie A. Perry, CMC
City Clerk
Approved: January 27, 2003