CONSENT CALENDAR

1.         Approval of Council Journals

May 20, 2003 - Regular Meeting

2.         Coastal Resources Management Council - Cease and Desist Order

Property located at M 16, Bl 2, Lot 2, 28 Water Street (Anthony Faria 474 Dover Ave)

3.         Alcoholic Beverage - Class F - June 6,7,8, 2003

Holy Ghost Beneficial Brotherhood, 51 No. Phillips St.

4.         City of Pawtucket - Resolution in Support of H6387 and S1059 Relating to Real Estate Property and Recording of Instruments; Resolution in Support of 1076 Relating to Alcohol License Administration Fees

5.         Alcoholic Beverage - Class F - July 4,5,6, 2003

Holy Ghost Brotherhood Mariense, 847 No. Broadway

6.         Tent - July 4,5,6, 2003

Holy Ghost Brotherhood Mariense, 847 No. Broadway

7.         Tent - June 13, 14, 15, 2003

Trinity Brotherhood, 146 Sutton Avenue

8*        Town of Little Compton - Resolution in support of Separation of Powers issue

PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, INTRODUCTIONS

Mayor Grant presents a proclamation to Gary Dias, recently retired Chief of Police, who was sworn in yesterday as High Sheriff for the State of Rhode Island.

On motion of Councilman Harrington, seconded by Councilman Rogers, it is unanimously voted to change the order of business to hear three items under ACommunications.@

1.         David Kelleher - Historical Society - presents the Historic Preservation Awards to:

Frank and Evelyn Conlon - 298 Pleasant Street

Anthony and Kathleen Gugliemi - 88 Walnut Street

Scott and Kim Weaver - 111 Smith Street

2.         Rev. Gene Dyszlewski, Riverside Congregational Church, 15 Oak Avenue, Riverside, Rhode Island announces the availability of a Children=s Emergency Clothing Closet and introduces members of the youth group who speak on the program.

3.         Residents of Ellis Street, Derman Street, and Pawtucket Avenue requesting permission to hold a Block Party on Saturday, July 19, 2003 (rain date July 26, 2003) and requesting to close Ellis Street from the Pawtucket Avenue entrance to the intersection of Derman and Ellis Street from 3pm to 8pm.

On motion of Councilman Rogers, seconded by Councilman Miranda, it is unanimously voted to approve.

On motion of Councilman Rogers, seconded by Councilman Miranda, it is unanimously voted to approve.                            

COMMUNICATIONS

CITY COUNCIL SITTING AS LICENSING COMMISSIONERS

LICENSES NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARING

1.         Victualing - N/Over 25 (Deferred from May 20, 2003)

Hitesh Mehta, dba Red=s News & Variety - 283 Bullocks Pt. Avenue

The applicant, residing at 1216 Reynolds Rd., Glocester, Rhode Island, is present and sworn.

On motion of Councilman Ramos, seconded by Councilman Miranda, it is unanimously voted to approve, subject to approvals of Police Chief, Building Inspector, and Health Inspector.

2.         Sunday/Holiday Sales - Transfer (Deferred from May 20, 2003)

From Louis J. Gelfuso, Jr., dba Red=s News & Variety

To Hitesh Mehta, dba Red=s News & Variety - 283 Bullocks Pt. Avenue

On motion of Councilman Rogers, seconded by Councilman Miranda, it is unanimously voted to approve, subject to approvals of Police Chief, Building Inspector, and Health Inspector.

3.         Sunday/Holiday Sales

Robert G. Mennella, Jr., dba Soulmate Designs - 290-292 Bullocks Pt. Avenue

The applicant, residing at 14 Dodge Street, North Providence, Rhode Island is present and sworn.

On motion of Councilman Ramos, seconded by Councilman Miranda, 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

1.         Awarding of Contract for Collection of Municipal and School Department Solid Waste & Recyclables

Mr. Conley recommends awarding the contract to Mega, the lowest bidder for refuse collection, and to Waste Management, the lowest bidder for schools and recyclables.  The Council enters into discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of splitting the bid.  Dr. Ramos states his reasons for wanting to split the bid, siting the cost savings of $50,000, while the remaining Council members speak in favor of awarding the entire bid to Mega, who has been doing the job to everyone=s satisfaction.

Motion to approve recommendation AA@ and award the contract to Mega is made by Councilman Rogers, and seconded by Councilman Harrington.  Roll call vote is taken:

Motion passes 4-1.

2.         Contract Negotiations:

IAFF/AFL-CIO, Local 850

United Steelworkers of America, Local 15509

United Steelworkers of America, Local 15509A

Mr. Conley states that he has received a formal request from the three bargaining groups to enter into negotiations with them, and it has been a past practice of the Council to appoint a Council member to the negotiation team.

Mayor Grant announces that he will sit in on the Firefighters= negotiations; Councilman Ramos will sit in on the Firefighters; Councilman Rogers on the EPPTEA; Councilman Miranda on the Steelworkers.

REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS

1.         (By Timothy Chapman, Acting City Solicitor)

Claims and Litigation Committee Report

On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Harrington, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to accept as presented.

2.         (By Jeanne Boyle - Planning Director)

Recommendation from the East Providence Soccer Task Force Committee

Jeanne Boyle speaks and introduces members of Vanasse, Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB), consultants for the project.  She states that the Committee has determined that the Glenlyon Park is the most practical site for the construction of a soccer facility.  She states that if the Council approves the option, the Planning Department will prepare a grant request for $300,000, which can be combined with the City bond funds, which were allocated for soccer fields.  The projected cost for the project, including demolition, is $748,000.

A brief presentation is given by VHB.  Following the presentation, Dr. Ramos questions Mr. Crook about the plan to eliminate an existing ball field and replace it with a soccer field.  Mr. Crook states that the games will be moved to Pierce Stadium.  Councilman Ramos says he wants them to find some place in Rumford.  Councilman Rogers suggests going back to see whether there can be some expansion to Kimberly Rock Field.

Jeanne Boyle states that it is not expected that the field will be playable until the Spring of 2005.

On motion of Councilman Rogers, seconded by Councilman Harrington, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to approve the recommendation, subject to meetings between the City Professionals and Rumford Little League. 

COUNCIL MEMBERS

1.         (By Councilman Isadore S. Ramos)

Personnel       

Councilman Ramos states he wants to know who is hired in the City, and doesn=t want anyone making innuendos that he is breaking the law. 

Councilman Rogers states the City Charter prohibits Council members from getting involved with personnel decisions.  He says he is sorry if there was misinterpretation of his comments last week, but he is merely seeking to uphold the Charter of the City.

Dr. Ramos states this has to do with fairness and he will work for the fairness of all.

2.         Councilman Harrington receives Unanimous Consent to ask Mr. Conley to explain the budget cuts that he has enacted.  Mr. Conley responds by saying that he has made $422,000 in cuts to eliminate the deficit.  The Council congratulate Mr. Conley on a job well done.

3.         Mayor Grant receives unanimous consent to speak on GTech=s move.  He says that the move to Providence has fallen through, and suggests the City should invited them here. 

4.         Mr. Miranda receives unanimous consent to announce June 16^th will be Day of Portugal at the City Hall at 12:00 p.m.  The public is welcome.

RESOLUTIONS

 APPOINTMENTS

(By Mayor Rolland R. Grant)

Traffic Control

Richard McMahon       233 Norton Street (02915)

On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Rogers, it is unanimously voted to approve.

COMMUNICATIONS

Bob Rodericks, 99 Howland Avenue, East Providence, Rhode Island addresses the Council regarding the opportunity for citizens to speak at City Council meetings; budgetary concerns and fiscal un-funded mandates.

Mr. Rodericks asks the Council to reconsider their procedure regarding public discussion at Council meetings.  He asks that the rules be changed to allow the public to comment on all agenda items.

He also speaks on the problems of unfunded mandates, which the School Department has to deal withy.  He says the City has 42 group home adolescents - 80% come with IEP=s and the City has to educate them.  He says there should be a policy that the dollars for education follow the child.  If the child comes from another City, that City should be responsible for paying for the education of that child.  He says that 120 students moved to this City this year with IEP=s.

John Fahey, 2535 Pawtucket Avenue, addresses the Council regarding the City=s assessment procedures.  He says there should be uniformity and that standards are needed in order for everyone to be treated alike.  He says the procedure is clouded and he does not see how a statistical revaluation can be done with this cloud. 

John F. Conley, Democratic City Committee Chairman, speaks on the revaluation program and asks that it be postponed for a year.  He says there is currently a Bill in the General Assembly to allow a postponement.  He says this is just another tax increase to all homeowners in the City, and says the Council can request the General Assembly to postpone.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourns at 9:42 p.m.

Attest:

________________________

Valerie A. Perry, CMC

City Clerk                                Approved: June 17, 2003