CONSENT CALENDAR

1.         Approval of Council Journals

            September 2, 2003 - Regular Meeting

2.         Coastal Resources Management Council - NOTICE - File 2003-09-010

For repairs/improvements to concrete breasting dolphin consisting of new timer fendering system and steel H-piles to provide additional support; also install two (2) new barge breasting dolphins (steel) per plans - located at Wilkesbarre Pier, Pier Road, Plat No. 7, Lot No. 1.1 (Dunellen, LLC, 100 Dexter Road)

3.         CANCELLATION/ABATEMENTS - Alberto S. Ereio, Tax Assessor

            YEAR                         AMOUNT

            2003                            $58,344.33

            2002                            4,675.97

            2001                            192.92

            2000                            20.78

            Total                           $63,234.00

4.         Alcoholic beverage License -Class F - September 27, 2003 (Raindate September 28, 2003)

            East Providence Recreation Department -Autumnfest - 610 Waterman Avenue

5.         Victualing N/Over 25 - Change of Corporate Name From Dazzling Beginnings by Delilah Ltd. to Dazzling Beginnings by Delilah dba Insomnia Café - 446 No. Bway

CITY COUNCIL SITTING AS LICENSING COMMISSIONERS

LICENSES NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARING

1.         Wrecker/Tower (Deferred from 9/2/03)

            Wayne R. Motta, Jr., dba Advanced Towing Inc., 45 Woodland Ave., Seekonk, MA 02771

            Subject to Police Chief approval

            The City Clerk reports that the applicant called and asked for a deferral to the next meeting.

On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Ramos, is unanimously voted to defer to the next meeting.

On motion of Councilman Rogers, seconded by Councilman Harrington, it is unanimously voted to change the order of business and move the public hearing on the budget to the next item.        

PUBLIC HEARINGS

            2003-2004 Budget

Dr. Taras Herbowy, Superintendent of Schools, addresses the Council and highlights the proposed School Department budget.  He speaks about the unfunded mandates and the havoc they play on the budget.  He says the School Committee and City Council are in this together.

School Committee member Helio Melo states that the “Leave no child behind” Act is a tremendous burden on the schools.  He also states that some department heads took a zero pay increase this year.

Mayor Grant proposes having the state take over the school systems throughout the state.  He says they impose mandates and they should provide the funding.

Following further comments, the meeting is open for public comments. 

The following people are present and sworn and speak on the budget:

Clifton Moore, 310 Roger Williams Avenue, East Providence, Rhode Island says mandates have to be funded.

Harold Gerstein, 12 Rhodes Avenue, Riverside, Rhode Island speaks on the consolidation of services of the City and School Department.

Debbie Rose, President of the Whiteknact School P.T.A. speaks about the importance of children receiving necessary tools for their education and asks the Council to reconsider making cuts to the school budget. 

Donna ?, Co-Chair of the Whiteknact School P.T.A. - states that cuts need to be made in other areas rather than in the education of the children, because the City will only produce McDonald’s employees.

Donna Bauxbaum, 135 Cadorna Street, East Providence, Rhode Island states that as a taxpayer, she wants to make it clear that wanting a double digit tax increase does not mean that people are against the children.

Kathy Santos, 4 Thurston Street, Riverside, Rhode Island says the Council need to look at making cuts without taking away from the children.

Barbara Silvia, 18 Wannisett Avenue, Riverside, Rhode Island speaks about the cuts in transportation and voices her concern about the many elementary school children in her neighborhood who are forced to walk to school.

Maryann Matthews, 57 Outlook Avenue, East Providence, Rhode Island offers suggestions for cuts totaling $1.5 million. 

Steve Furtado, 17 Mason Street, East Providence, Rhode Island says he is in support of the school budget and says the children come first.

Joe Botelho, 32 Plymouth Road, East Providence, Rhode Island speaks about the crumbling infrastructure in the City and says that the City Council needs to take care of these things, or businesses and residents will not want to relocate here.  He says the first question asked by people thinking of moving to the City is about the schools, not about the City’s budget.

Tom West, 149 Terrace Avenue, Riverside, Rhode Island questions the increase in the City Council budget.  Mr. Conley responds and mentions the significant increases, such as in health care and funding of the municipal pension.  He also mentions the increase of the City’s contribution to the Police & Fire pension plan, which at the present time is 3% and the actuaries have suggested raising it to 20%.  The City will be raising it to 7%, which equates to an increase of $450,000.  Also, assuming no wage increase, there will be an increase of $157,000 in step increases.  There will also be an increase of $102,000 in tax anticipation notes.  Total increases in the budget amount to $1.55 million.  Mr. West also questions the police overtime and says there is a lot in the budget that can be cut.

The joint session ends at 9:45 p.m.

            ORDINANCES - FINAL PASSAGE

            Advertised - Providence Journal - September 4, 2003

AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $115,805,263 FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING OCTOBER 31, 2004

On motion of Councilman Harrington, seconded by Councilman Miranda, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to defer the ordinance to the next regular scheduled Council meeting.

On motion of Councilman Rogers, seconded by Councilman Harrington, it is unanimously voted to return to the regular order of business.

2.         Wrecker/Tower

            Nicole Rossilli, dba Perfection Wrecker Service Inc., 121 Pershing Street

Nicole Ladeira, 177 Pleasant Street, Rehoboth, Massachusetts is present and sworn. 

The City Clerk informs the Council that the Zoning Officer has stated that the applicant is storing more vehicles than is allowed under the Zoning regulations and wants this reviewed by the DPR if it is to be approved.  The applicant is also told that there cannot be two licenses at one location. She states she is taking over Ciro’s business.

On motion of Councilman Harrington, seconded by Councilman Ramos, it is unanimously voted to defer until the applicant makes arrangements to take over the business at Ciro’s.

            LICENSING COMMISSIONERS RESUME SITTING AS CITY COUNCIL

NEW BUSINESS

            CITY MANAGER

            Status of GeoNova Project

Mr. Conley states that the parties are ready for a closing on the property, and asks for a Special Meeting on Thursday, September 18, 2003 at 6:00 p.m. in order to go over the details of the agreement and seek the Council’s approval at that time.  Mr. Rogers states that this is a major milestone for the City and thanks Mr. Conley, Jeanne Boyle, and Nancy Remington.

On motion of Councilman Rogers, seconded by Councilman Ramos, it is unanimously voted to meet on Thursday, September 18, 2003 at 6:00 p.m.

            COUNCIL MEMBERS

Dr. Ramos asks Mr. Conley about the information he had requested at the last Council meeting regarding the payout of sick time for the recently retired Fire Chief.  Mr. Conley says he has the information but because of the efforts to finalize the GeoNova project, he was not able to complete the information, and he will have it on the next Council docket.

            (By Mayor Rolland R. Grant)

            American Drug Source - Canadian Connection

Mayor Grant reads a statement and says he wants to form a Committee to decide how to go forward in purchasing drugs for City employees from Canada, which will save the City thousands of dollars.  He asks people to call him if they would like to serve on the Committee.

            (By Councilman Isadore S. Ramos)

            Enforcement of Ordinances  

Councilman Ramos speaks about yard sale signs on poles in the City and says the ordinances should be enforced to prevent this. 

He also speaks about festivities outside the Casa Brasil restaurant recently which made many of the neighbors surrounding Cadorna Street very angry.  Mr. Conley states that our ordinances do not allow selling alcohol outside of the building and we will not allow it.  Mr. Rogers asks that the Assistant City Solicitor send a letter to the property owner and ask him to attend a future council meeting so that they may be reminded of the obligation of a license holder to the community.

(By Councilman Patrick A. Rogers)

Wilson Avenue - Temporary Stop Sign at Bourne Avenue (as requested by Wilson Avenue neighbors)      

Councilman Rogers asks that the Public Works Department prepare an updated report on the traffic in the area and that a draft ordinance be prepared to put up a 60-day temporary stop sign and after if that works out well, have a longer term commitment there.

INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - (If given first passage, can be referred to the next regular Council meeting to be held on October 7, 2003 for a public hearing and consideration of final passage)

AN ORDINANCE ORDERING THE ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION OF PROPERTY TAX ON THE RATABLE REAL ESTATE, TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY AND AN EXCISE TAX ON REGISTERED MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAILERS.

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO BORROW FUNDS IN ANTICIPATION OF REVENUE.

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO BORROW FUNDS IN ANTICIPATION OF TAXES.

On motion of Councilman Rogers, seconded by Councilman Harrington, the budget ordinances are deferred.

APPOINTMENTS

(By Mayor Rolland R. Grant)

Beautification Commission

Paul A. Fernandes        62 Wannamoisett Road (02914)

            (R)       George Page                22 Grassy Plain Road (02915)

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

There being no further business, the meeting adjourns at 10:15 p.m.

            Attest:

            Valerie A. Perry, CMC

            City Clerk                                            Approved: October 6, 2003