CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
RHODE ISLAND
JOURNAL OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 1, 2004
| | CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE RHODE ISLAND JOURNAL OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 1, 2004 | |
The City Council meets in the Council Chamber on Tuesday June 1, 2004 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 Conley | ) | Acting City Manager |
| | Timothy Chapman | ) | Acting City Solicitor |
| | | | |
| | Valerie A. Perry | ) | City Clerk |
The invocation is read by Councilman Rogers, and the Salute to the Flag is led by Councilman Miranda.
1. Approval of Council Journals
April 20, 2004 - Regular Meeting
2. Alcoholic Beverage - Class F - June 18, 19, 20, 2004
St. Francis Xavier, 81 No. Carpenter Street
3. Alcoholic Beverage - Class F - June 26, 27, 2004
Holy Ghost Brotherhood St. Peter Micaelense - 51 No. Phillips Street
4. Alcoholic Beverage - Class F - July 2, 3, 4, 2004
Holy Ghost Brotherhood Mariense - 846 North Broadway
5. Alcoholic Beverage - Class F - July 9, 10, 11, 2004
Teofilo Braga Club, 26 Teofilo Braga Way
6. Alcoholic Beverage - Class F - July 23, 24, 25, 2004 - Pierce Field
East Providence Heritage Festival
7. Carnival - July 23, 24, 25, 2004 - Pierce Field
East Providence Heritage Festival
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Ramos, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to approve the Consent Calendar.
Show Cause Hearing - Drainlayer License
Claudio Carreiro, 24 Watson Street, Central Falls, RI
Mr. Conley gives the City Clerk a copy of the letter that was sent to Mr. Carreiro by the Solicitor’s office and the letter is marked as Exhibit “A” in the Show Cause Hearing.
Alan F. Corvi, City Engineer for the City of East Providence, is present and sworn. A letter dated May 24, 2004 from Mr. Corvi to Mr. Carreiro is marked as Exhibit “B.” Mr. Conley recommends revoking the license.
On motion of Councilman Ramos, seconded by Councilman Harrington, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to revoke the license.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS RESUME SITTING AS CITY COUNCIL
1. Purchase of Rescue Vehicles
Mr. Conley requests approval to award the contract to the low bidder.
Motion to approve is made by Councilman Ramos, seconded by Councilman Miranda. Roll call vote follows:
Mr. Harrington Aye
Mr. Miranda Aye
Dr. Ramos Aye
Mr. Rogers Absent for the vote
Mayor Grant Aye
Motion passes 4-0.
Mr. Conley also mentions that a memo from the Fire Chief stated that the company has offered a $5,000 reduction on a second truck if purchased at the same time. He states that the money would come from the emergency rescue fund, and the only concern he would have is what it would do to the finances of the account. Mr. McDonald gives the Council an overview of the finances of the account.
Both Councilman Ramos and Councilman Miranda state that they feel public safety should be the first consideration.
On motion of Councilman seconded by Councilman and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to approve the purchase of a second rescue vehicle.
2. Request to award contract for 2002 Bond Issue Roadway Improvements Phase II
On motion of Councilman Harrington, seconded by Councilman Miranda, it is unanimously voted to change the order of business and move up “Communications.”
1. Joe Larisa, 44 Don Avenue - Update on Rose Larisa Memorial Park Grand Opening and Looff Carousel Grand Reopening
Joe Larisa announces that the grand opening will be on Saturday, June 12, 2004.
2. Joseph S. Karas, M.D. - 10 Ellis Street
Requesting permission for a block party to be held Saturday, July 17, 2004 with a rain date of July 24, 2004. Requesting to partly block Pawtucket Avenue and Derman Street.
Councilman Rogers speaks on Dr. Karas’ behalf.
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Ramos, it is unanimously voted to approve.
3. Bernadette Callahan, 36 Maple Avenue, Riverside, Rhode Island requesting to block off Pine Street (which runs between Maple Avenue and Oak Avenue) on July 4, 2004, beginning at 12:00 p.m. for a 25th Wedding Anniversary Party.
On motion of Councilman Harrington, seconded by Councilman Ramos, it is unanimously voted to approve.
4. Residents of Bayview Avenue and Gerald Street requesting permission to block off Gerald Street from Bayview Avenue to Crown Avenue for a block party on July 3, 2004 from 1:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Ramos, it is unanimously voted to approve.
Councilman Rogers mentions that this is the last full-fledged meeting that Mr. Conley will be sitting as Acting City Manager, and he presents a cake to Mr. Conley in appreciation for his services.
On motion of Councilman Miranda seconded by Councilman Harrington, it is unanimously voted to return to the regular order of business.
Request to award contract for Looff Carousel Landscape Services
Mr. Conley explains the reasons for requesting that the bid award be given to the high bidder. Councilman Ramos says he has no problem after hearing Mr. Conley’s explanation.
On motion of Councilman Rogers, seconded by Councilman Harrington, it is unanimously voted to approve.
Police Department Vacancies
Mr. Conley reviews the memo from Police Chief. Following remarks by the Chief and Mr. Conley, the Council decides that they will defer this matter until the next meeting in order to
b. REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS
(By City Solicitor)
Claims and Litigation Committee Report
| C | Dawn Clark, Claim No. 04-27 | | Deny |
| C | Narragansett Electric Co. | | |
| | E-183 Transmission Line Relocation Project | | Approve Settle Agreement |
| | Harbor Management Commission Report | | |
| C | City of East Providence vs. | | |
| | Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. | CA No. PC-04-0109 | Refer to Law Department |
On motion of Councilman Harrington, seconded by Councilman Miranda, it is unanimously voted to accept the report as presented.
Harbor Management Commission Report
Councilman Harrington asks that his agenda item be combined with this report.
c. COUNCIL MEMBERS
By Councilman Daniel F. Harrington)
2004 Bullock Cove Dredging Project
Councilman Harrington reports that the project has been approved for funding from the Federal Government. The City’s cost of the $1.6 million project will be $50,000, with the federal government funding the remaining cost. He says that this will make Bullock Cove safe for another 40 years, and that this is probably the last time the federal government will help us.
David Murray, Chairman of the Harbor Management Commission, presents the report and thanks Capt. E. Howard McVay, Cove Haven Marina owners, and Harbormaster Bruce Dufresne for their efforts in getting the federal funding.
On motion of Councilman Harrington, seconded by Councilman Miranda, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to authorize the spending of $50,000 for the project.
Unanimous Consent - Councilman Miranda
Councilman Miranda mentions that the City Manager’s inauguration will take place at noon on June 9, 2004, and the public is invited.
He also mentions that on June 14, 2004, he will host the Day of Portugal at City Hall, which will include a program and food, and once again, the public is invited.
(By Mayor Rolland R. Grant)
Inappropriate Language by a Board Member
Mayor Grant says a citizen reported to him that a member of the Zoning Board took the Lord’s name in vain at a recent Zoning Board meeting, and he asked the individual to make a public apology.
(By Councilman Patrick A. Rogers)
Referral to Planning Department - Potential Rezoning of Bishop's Bend Section of EP.
Councilman Rogers says there has been questionable zoning over time in this area and he asks that the matter be referred to the Planning Department.
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Ramos, the matter is referred to the Planning Department.
(By Councilman Norman J. Miranda)
Municipal Court Clerk
Councilman Miranda asks to go into Executive Session at the end of the meeting.
d. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - (If given first passage, can be referred to the next regular Council meeting to be held on June 15, 2004 for a public hearing and consideration of final passage)
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 Section 18-269 entitled “Stop and yield intersections designated; when stops required.” by adding thereto the following: VERMONT AVENUE (eastbound and westbound traffic) at Fern Drive. REDLAND AVENUE (north bound and southbound traffic) at Goff Street. (Requested by Councilman Rogers)
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Ramos, it is unanimously voted to approve for First Passage.
The following ordinance requires approval of the Director of Public Works rather than the City Manager for Drainlayer Permits.
2. AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 8 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED “LICENSES AND BUSINESS REGULATIONS”, which amends Sec. 8-35 entitled “Drainlayer-Application; approval” of Article II entitled “Miscellaneous Business and Occupational Licenses and Permits to read as follows:
No person shall engage in business as a drainlayer without first obtaining a license from the City Clerk, upon proof of approval from the State Department of Health, and after approval by the Chief of Police, the Plumbing Inspector and the City Manager Director of Public Works.
(Requested by the Director of Public Works)
On motion of Councilman Ramos, seconded by Councilman Miranda, it is unanimously voted to approve for First Passage.
On motion of Councilman Rogers, , seconded by Councilman Miranda, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to go into Executive Session in accordance with Section 42-46-5 of the “Exceptions” of Chapter 46 of the General Laws, pursuant to Section 42-46-5-(a)(1)[Job Performance], to discuss the Municipal Clerk position. The motion passes unanimously on a roll call vote.
The meeting goes into executive session at 8:50 p.m.
The open meeting is reconvened at 9:02 p.m. with all Council members present.
Motion is made by Councilman Miranda to place the name of Jennifer Cunha, 166 Lyon Avenue, East Providence, Rhode Island as Municipal Court clerk, replacing Odelia Amaral who is leaving to move to Florida, effective June 1, 2004, which will be Jennifer Cunha’s hire date, with the first pay date in two weeks or when she starts full time. Councilman Rogers seconds the motion. The motion passes unanimously on a roll call vote.
Mayor Grant announces that the Council will oppose the plan to have an LNG tank coming into the area and says that they will fight it.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourns at 9:08 p.m.
Attest:
_________________________
Valerie A. Perry, CMC
City Clerk