| | CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE RHODE ISLAND JOURNAL OF REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 20, 2003 | |
The City Council meets in the Council Chamber on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 and is called to order at 7:45 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 | ) | |
| | | | |
| | William J. Conley, Jr. | ) | Acting City Manager |
| | Mary Gadouas | ) | Deputy City Clerk |
| | Gregory S. Dias | ) | Acting City Solicitor |
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approval of Council Journals
April 28, 2003 - Joint Meeting w/School Committee
May 6, 2003 - Regular Meeting
May 6, 2003 - Closed Session re: Job Performance Review
2. Town of Coventry - Resolution Supporting Statewide Public Safety Training Facility
3. Town of Hopkinton - Resolution Supporting Separation of Powers
4. Alcoholic Beverage Cl F - June 27, 28, 29 - Holy Ghost Brotherhood
St. Peter Micaelence- 51 North Phillips Street
5. Alcoholic Beverage Cl F - June 20, 21, 22 - St. Francis Xavier Church
81 No. Carpenter St.
6. Tent - June 20, 21, 22 - St. Francis Xavier Church - 81 No. Carpenter Street
7. Alcoholic Bev. Cl F - June 13, 14, 15 - Trinity Brotherhood - 146 Sutton Avenue
8. Tent - May 24, 2003 - John M. Rodrigues, dba B&B Sports Tavern- 281 Massasoit Ave
9. CANCELLATIONS/ABATEMENTS - Requested by Tax Assessor
| YEAR | AMOUNT |
| 2002 | $2,856.19 |
| 2001 | 1,304.05 |
| 2000 | 272.69 |
| 1999 | 47.12 |
| 1997 | 10.00 |
| Total | $4,490.05 |
On motion of Councilman Harrington, seconded by Councilman Miranda, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to approve.
On motion of Councilman Harrington, seconded by Councilman Miranda, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to keep the minutes of the Closed Session closed.
CITY COUNCIL SITTING AS LICENSING COMMISSIONERS
LICENSES NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARING
1. Sunday/Holiday Sales
Advance Auto Parts, Inc., dba Advance Auto Parts - 238 Taunton Avenue
Mike Conley, 325 Taunton Avenue, East Providence, Rhode Island is present and sworn.
On motion of Councilman Harrington, seconded by Councilman Miranda, it is unanimously voted to approve, subject to approvals of Police Chief and Building Inspector.
2. Hawker
Wesley Clegg, dba Signature Foods Inc., 200 Willard Ave., Seekonk, Massachusetts
The applicant is present and sworn. It is noted that he will be doing business on the property of Crescent View Market on Bullocks Point Avenue.
Motion is made by Councilman Rogers and seconded by Councilman Harrington to approve, subject to approvals of Police Chief and Health Inspector. Roll call vote follows:
| Mr. Harrington | p class=MsoNormal>Aye |
| Mr. Miranda | p class=MsoNormal>Aye |
| Dr. Ramos | Nay |
| Mr. Rogers | Aye |
| Mayor Grant | Nay |
Motion passes 3-2.
3. Drycleaner - Transfer
From Natalia V. Reynolds, dba New Image Cleaners, Alteration & Tailoring
To Donna Dang, dba New Image Cleaners - 537 N. Broadway, East Providence, RI
On motion of Councilman Ramos, seconded by Councilman Miranda, it is unanimously voted to approve, subject to approvals of Police Chief and Building Inspector.
4. Victualing - N/Over 25
Hitesh Mehta, dba Red=s News & Variety - 283 Bullocks Pt. Avenue
The applicant is not present.
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Harrington, it is unanimously voted to defer.
5. Sunday/Holiday Sales - Transfer
From Louis J. Gelfuso, Jr., dba Red=s News & Variety
To Hitesh Mehta, dba Red=s News & Variety - 283 Bullocks Pt. Avenue
The applicant is not present.
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Harrington, it is unanimously voted to defer.
6. Peddler - Ice Cream
Jorge Rodriguez, 25 Spring St., Manville, RI dba Palagi=s Ice Cream
The applicant is present and sworn.
On motion of Councilman Harrington, seconded by Councilman Ramos, it is unanimously voted to approve, subject to approvals of Police Chief and Health Department.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS RESUME SITTING AS CITY COUNCIL
PUBLIC HEARINGS
ORDINANCES - FINAL PASSAGE (Given first passage May 6, 2003)
Advertised - Providence Journal - May 9, 2003
AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 18 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED AVEHICLES AND TRAFFIC@, which amends Sec. 18-269 entitled AStop and yield intersections designated; when stops required.@ by adding:
MAYFLOWER STREET (eastbound and westbound traffic) at Moorland Avenue.
(Requested by the Director of Public Works) CHAPTER NO. 254
There is no one from the public wishing to be heard.
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Ramos, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to approve for Final Passage.
NEW BUSINESS
CITY MANAGER
1. Caleb Williams Cottage Lease
On motion of Councilman Rogers, seconded by Councilman Ramos, it is unanimously voted to refer to the Planning Department.
2. East Providence Community Center Building/YMCA Lease
On motion of Councilman Rogers, seconded by Councilman Ramos, it is unanimously voted to refer to the Planning Department.
3. AOld@ Rumford Fire Station #3
On motion of Councilman Rogers, seconded by Councilman Harrington, it is unanimously voted to refer to the Planning Department regarding the future use of the property.
4. Delta Dental Contract
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Ramos, it is unanimously voted to renew the contract with the 6 per cent increase for the coming year.
5. Request for approval to award contract for statistical reappraisal and revaluation of real property.
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Rogers, it is unanimously voted to award the contract to Vision Appraisals Technology for $375,000.
REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS
1. (By William J. Conley, Jr., City Solicitor)
Claims and Litigation Committee Report
| Edward A. Rowan,. Jr.- Claim No. 03-25 | Refer to R.I.D.O.T. |
| Flynn Pest Control, Inc.- Claim No. 03-23 | Deny |
| Clarinda Neves - Claim No. 03-22 | Approve |
| Pending Litigation - Saccoccia=s Construction and Landscaping v. City | Settlement |
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Harrington, it is unanimously voted to accept the report as presented.
2. Presentation on APay per Bag@ Trash Collection Program was made by Steve Mutter - Recycling Coordinator, and John Trever, Recycling Program Mgr. from R.I. Recycling Recovery.
Terry Bisson, DEM, speaks in support of the program.
Received as information
3. (By Jeanne Boyle, Planning Director and Nancy Remington - CDBG Coordinator)
Recommendations for Funding 2B3-2004 Community Development Block Grant Program
Motion is made by Councilman Harrington, seconded by Councilman Miranda, to reduce the funding for the Weaver House renovations by $25,000 and to allocate that amount for the Williams Avenue Clubhouse expansion. Roll call vote follows:
| Mr. Harrington | Aye |
| Mr. Miranda | Aye |
| Dr. Ramos | Nay |
| Mr. Rogers | Aye |
| Mayor Grant | Aye |
Motion passes 4-1.
Motion is made by Councilman Harrington, seconded by Councilman Miranda, to reduce the funding for the Weaver House renovations by $25,000 and to allocate that amount for the Roger Williams Avenue improvement project. Roll call vote follows:
| Mr. Harrington | Nay |
| Mr. Miranda | Nay |
| Dr. Ramos | Aye |
| Mr. Rogers | Aye |
| Mayor Grant | Nay |
Motion is denied on a 3-2 vote.
Motion is made by Councilman Rogers, seconded by Councilman Harrington, to approve the balance of the CDBG recommendations. Roll call vote follows:
| Mr. Harrington | Aye |
| Mr. Miranda | Aye |
| Dr. Ramos | Nay |
| Mr. Rogers | Aye |
| Mayor Grant | Aye |
Motion passes 4-1.
(By Jeanne Boyle, Planning Director)
Request to lease City-owned land by Metacomet Office Park - Lyon Avenue
On motion of Councilman Rogers, seconded by Councilman Miranda, it is unanimously voted to approve, subject to conditions outlined by City staff.
COUNCIL MEMBERS
1. (By Councilman Patrick A. Rogers)
Safe Summer Traffic Safety Program
A discussion is held regarding this program, with Major Miranda stating that the program usually takes place from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and the focus is mostly on secondary roadways.
On motion of Councilman Rogers, seconded by Councilman Miranda, it is unanimously voted to approve the program.
2. (By Dr. Isadore S. Ramos)
Hiring Practices
Councilman Ramos leads a discussion regarding promotion and hiring practices of the City employees. He says he does not believe that the Council gets enough information on the hires of the City. He goes on to say that he will not allow patronage and the AGood Old Boy@ syndrome to stop him from fighting for fair employment practices that he believes should go on in the City. He states that he is informing the Acting City Manager and the Legal Department that if he is going to be charged with a misdemeanor, they had better get their papers ready. He says he is aware that he can be removed from this Council if he does get involved, but he will battle for the rights of all the people in East Providence.
Councilman Rogers responds by saying that he reminds the Council that they are officers of a higher authority than their political ambitions, and he says they need to be cognizant of laws and rules. He says he wants to strongly disassociate himself from Dr. Ramos=s comments. He says these comments and others made by Dr. Ramos are reckless, irresponsible, and highly regrettable, and they are dangerous for the principle and foundation of our community. He says he would hope that if any Council member endeavors to involve himself in personnel decisions in violation of the Charter, that the City Manager would immediately call law enforcement authority to remove that person and would report the conduct of that person to the other members of the Council and to any appropriate authorities.
Councilman Ramos responds by saying he is going to do the business of the people of the City and he will do it his way.
Mayor Grant says he agrees with Dr. Ramos that the Council should be informed as to who gets hired and promoted in the City. But he says Dr. Ramos should not break the law.
Councilman Harrington states that the Council is undergoing a series of changes and he would like to go on the record by saying he has full confidence in the Interim City Manager and he=s proud of the transition that took place and is confident in the transition that will take place when we go from Mr. Conley to the new City Manager.
RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL DESIGNATING THE SITE OF THE FORMER OCEAN STATE STEEL MANUFACTURING COMPANY AS A BLIGHTED AND SUBSTANDARD AREA
WHEREAS, much of the land along East Providence waterfront lies in a neglected state and is not used to its full potential; and
WHEREAS, the City Council is strongly committed to the redevelopment of its waterfront areas; and
WHEREAS, GeoNova Development Company LLC has proposed to purchase the former Ocean State Steel property with the intention of remediating the site and redeveloping it with a mix of commercial and residential development; and
WHEREAS, such a redevelopment will benefit the City and State significantly in the creation of new jobs and substantial increase in the City=s tax base; and
WHEREAS, the use of the HUD Section 108 Loan Guarantee and Brownfields Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) funds towards the redevelopment of this property requires that the property meet a definition of a slum, blighted, deteriorated or deteriorating area under State or local law; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Title 45 Towns and Cities and Chapter 45-31 of the RI General laws, the former Ocean State Steel property meets the definition of a >Blighted and substandard area=; and
NOW THEREFORE, the City Council does hereby designate the former Ocean State Steel Manufacturing Company property as a blighted and substandard area.
(Requested by the Planning Department) RESOLUTION NO. 18
On motion of Councilman Rogers, seconded by Councilman Miranda, it is unanimously voted to dispense with the reading of the Resolution.
On motion of Councilman Rogers, seconded by Councilman Miranda, it is unanimously voted to adopt the Resolution.
APPOINTMENTS
Mayor=s Appointment - Requested by Councilman Patrick A. Rogers
Conservation Commission
Scott Costello 85 Ferris Avenue (02916)
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Rogers, it is unanimously voted to approve.
(By Councilman Patrick A. Rogers)
Library Board of Trustees
Jason Desrosiers - 67 Dorr Avenue (02915)
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Rogers, it is unanimously voted to approve.
Beautification Commission
Barbara Vincent - 45 Priscilla Avenue (02916)
On motion of Councilman Rogers, seconded by Councilman Harrington, it is unanimously voted to approve.
(By Councilman Norman J. Miranda)
Zoning Board of Review (Ward 2) - Reappointment
On motion of Councilman Rogers, seconded by Councilman Harrington, it is unanimously voted to approve.
(By Councilmen Norman J. Miranda and Daniel F. Harrington)
Assistant Harbormaster
Richard Silva 24 Brown Street (02914)
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Ramos, it is unanimously voted to approve.
COMMUNICATIONS
1. Theodore Loebenberg, 129 Wilson Avenue, addresses the Council regarding a Stop Sign at Bourne & Wilson Avenues.
2. Maria Costa, 39 Anthony Street, East Providence, Rhode Island addresses the Council regarding the increase in taxes and water and sewer bills.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourns at 10:11 p.m.
Attest:
_____________________________
Mary Gadouas, Deputy City Clerk
Adopted: June 3, 2003