CONSENT CALENDAR

1.  Town of Barrington, R.I. - Resolution seeking support of the 2004 Open Space and Recreation Bond initiative

2.  Abatements/Cancellation, Alberto Ereio, City Assessor

On motion of Councilman Harrington, seconded by Councilman Rogers, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to approve the Consent Calendar.

CITY COUNCIL SITTING AS LICENSING COMMISSIONERS

LICENSES NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARING

Wrecker/Towing (deferred from 4/13/04)

Brian G. Coogan, dba All Mobile Towing and Locksmith, 172 Grove Avenue, East Prov, RI

Brian G. Coogan, 172 Grove Avenue, East Providence, Rhode Island is present and sworn.  Mr. Coogan states that he will be storing the truck at 891 Broadway, East Providence, Rhode Island.

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On motion of Councilman Ramos, seconded by Councilman Miranda, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to approve, subject to approvals of the Police Chief and Zoning Officer.

LICENSING COMMISSIONERS RESUME SITTING AS CITY COUNCIL

NEW BUSINESS

CITY MANAGER

Council action on tax classification

Mr. Conley updates the Council on the status of the Resolution which was passed by the Council requesting legislation to establish a dual tax rate for the City.  He says the Resolution went to the legislature, and it has passed the House, and has gone to the Senate.  He also says that there are approximately 10 other communities requesting the same, and that some minor language changes are being contemplated by the Senate. If it is passed, the rates will be $15.40 for residential, and $19.50 for commercial.

Comments from the Council include Councilman Rogers saying that while no one likes to pay taxes, the Council has a duty to keep them as low as possible.  He says this dual tax rate will benefit the homeowner.

Councilman Harrington, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, speaks in opposition of the separate tax rate.

Motion is made by Councilman Rogers, seconded by Councilman Miranda, to approve the separate tax rate of $15.40 for residential and $19.50 for commercial.

Mr. McDonald states that the numbers may be slightly different and asks that the motion include some leeway. Both Councilman Rogers and Councilman Miranda amend the motion.

Roll call vote as amended:

The motion passes 4-1.

Councilman Rogers asks that someone from the School Committee be allowed to address the Council to update them on the status of the talks with the teacher unions pertaining to wage freezes. 

School Committee member Tony Gouveia addresses the City Council.  He says they spoke with all union heads individually and asked them to take a pay freeze for this 2004-2005 fiscal year.  The unions said they would get back to the School Committee as soon as possible.  He says a pay freeze would result in a $1.2 - $1.3 million (approximate) savings.  He says that coupled with the $600,000 that already has been cut, will total approximately $1.8 million.  He says that it is up to them to decide if they can be a huge part of the solution.  He says additional cuts will be extremely difficult.

Councilman Rogers says he appreciates Mr. Gouveia’s efforts and notes for the record that the union leaders chose not to attend this meeting.

Mr. McDonald says that a dual tax rate would raise an additional $657,000.  He says he has to start crunching numbers tomorrow. 

Councilman Miranda commends Mr. Gouveia for his efforts. 

REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS

(By Jeanne Boyle, Planning Director)

1.  2004-2005 CDBG Applications Received for Funding

Nancy Remington, CDBG Director, reports that there were 43 applicants for a total request of $1.7 million.  She says the grant this year totals $941,000 and cites that there is less money this year because 100 more communities have become entitlement communities and have qualified for the funds.  She also states that the federal budget deficit will hurt this program.  She reports that 7% or more of East Providence residents are low income and says we are becoming a poorer community.  The presentations will be made on May 4^th.

2.  Warren Avenue/Broadway Corridor Revitalization Project - 30% design submission by design team of Pare Engineering and Diane Soule & Associates

Following the presentation, Councilman Miranda mentions that the project began with some serious concerns but those have been worked out.  He says no street names will be changed.  He says that he had hoped we could go the length of Warren Avenue but the project will go from Lyon Avenue to Broadway.  He thanks the business owners and neighbors for supporting the project.

On motion of Councilman Rogers, seconded by Councilman Ramos, and on a roll call vote it is unanimously voted to approve.

3.  Recommendation of Planning Board to the Council re: Park Drive Lien Release of Abandoned Easement

Jeanne Boyle states that the petitioner agrees with the conditions outlined. 

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

c.  COUNCIL MEMBERS

(By Councilmen Patrick Rogers and Daniel Harrington)

City Manager Search update (Rogers and Harrington)

Councilman Rogers reports that the final candidate will meet with the Department Heads, followed by an interview with the Council on Monday, April 26 at 8:15 A.M.  The Council is expected to made an appointment soon after. 

Unanimous Consent - Mayor Grant

Mayor Grant asks the City Manager to look into the possibility of recording phone conversations in City Hall because of the complaints he has received from constituents about the abrasiveness of some employees.  Councilman Miranda says employees should find themselves another job if they’re not satisfied with theirs.

Unanimous Consent - Councilman Miranda

Councilman Miranda gives an update on the James Street building.  He says he is finally getting his wish by having the building knocked down.  He says that the rumors going around about Bentley Street are not true.  They will not be duplex units that are going to be built.

Unanimous Consent - Councilman Ramos

Councilman Ramos speaks about the Rose Larisa Memorial Park and said it is not I n compliance with ADA.  He says he personally got in touch with the ADA people, and met with the Building Inspector and Parks and Recreation Director.  He reports that the grade are levels are off and the areas are not wide enough for wheelchair access.  He says that no ceremonies can take place until this is taken care of.

Councilman Rogers states that based on information provided by the City Manager, there has been representation that everything was done in accordance with legal requirements.  He says he hopes this does not turn into a political circus. 

Anthony Bochichio, Carousel Park Chairman, requests to address the Council, but the Council does not give him unanimous consent.

d.  INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - (If given first passage, can be referred to the next regular Council meeting to be held on May 4, 2004 for a public hearing and consideration of final passage)

1.  AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 2 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED “ADMINISTRATION”, which amends Section 2-278 entitled “Court costs” of Article VI entitled “Municipal Court” to read as follows:

(a) Court costs are hereby fixed at $75.00 and other costs imposed by the Division of Motor Vehicles and/or the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal.  The payment of such costs shall be a part of the sentence.

(b) All payments shall be deposited in the general treasury of the city.

(Requested by: Municipal Court Judge)

Councilman Miranda questions Mr. Conley about the ordinance.  Mr. Conley states that he will find out what the actual court cost is now (he believes it is currently $75).

On motion of Councilman Rogers, seconded by Councilman Harrington, it is unanimously voted to defer the ordinance for First Passage.