I.   CONSENT CALENDAR

A.  APPROVAL OF COUNCIL JOURNALS

November 15, 2005 – Regular Meeting     

November 15, 2005 – Closed Meeting Re: Job Performance

December 6, 2005 – Regular Meeting

December 6, 2005 – Closed Meeting Re: Collective Bargaining

B.  CANCELLATION/ABATEMENTS (Requested by Tax Assessor)

C.  RENEWAL: B-Full Priv. Vict., Vict/Over 50, Dance/Entertainment, Pool Table, and Pool Table Sunday licenses to James Dillenbach, d/b/a 305 Club, 305 Lyon Avenue.  Transfer approved at the July 12, 2005 meeting was withdrawn.

D.  RESOLUTION – TOWN OF EXETER – Resolution regarding State Aid and School District Funding.

RESOLUTION – TOWN OF HOPKINTON – Resolution objecting to the rate increase proposed by National Grid pending before the Public Utilities Commission.

E.  DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT – Insignificant Alteration Permit, Application No. 04-0075 in reference to the property and proposed project located: approximately 130 feet south of Ivan Avenue and approximately 150 feet southeast of its intersection with Sumach Avenue, Assessors Map 309, Block 9, Parcel 5, East Providence, RI.

F.  COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT COUNCIL – File No. 2005-11-050, assent to construct and maintain: Red Bridge Residential Development, Waterman Avenue, Plat/Lot 105/1,17.

On motion of Councilwoman Perry, seconded by Councilman Caine, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to remove the minutes of the November 15, 2005 and December 6, 2005 Closed Meetings from the Consent Calendar and keep them closed. 

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

II.  APPOINTMENTS

East Providence Housing Authority  (Mayor’s Appointment)

Maryann Barao

29 Mason Street  (02914)

Mayor’s Appointment – No confirmation required.

Mayor Larisa receives unanimous consent from the Council and asks the City Clerk to send a letter of appreciation to Joseph Silveira, Jr., thanking him for his years of service on the East Providence Housing Authority.

Traffic Control  (by Councilman Miranda)

Jeffrey Paiva

118 Lyon Avenue (02914)

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

III.  CITY COUNCIL SITTING AS LICENSING COMMISSIONERS

LICENSES REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARING

Secondhand/Miscellaneous  Subject to approvals from the Chief of Police, Building Inspector, Health Inspector and Fire Marshall.

Hollywood Entertainment Corp. d/b/a Hollywood Video #039103, 587 Taunton Avenue

Debbie Lineberger, 280 Asylum Road, Warwick, RI, is present and sworn in by the City Solicitor.

There is no one from the public wishing to be heard.

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

LICENSES NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARING

Private Detective  Subject to approvals from the Chief of Police, Building Inspector, Health Inspector and Fire Marshall.

Kenneth M. Vieira, 58 Meadowcrest Drive

On motion of Councilwoman Perry, seconded by Councilman Caine, it is unanimously voted to continue until the January 3, 2006 Council Meeting.

LICENSING COMMISSIONERS RESUME SITTING AS CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING

IV.  PUBLIC HEARINGS

ORDINANCES – FINAL PASSAGE (Given first passage December 6, 2005.  Advertised-Providence Journal – December 9, 2005

 V.  COMMUNICATIONS

George J. Brown, Jr., 41 Wannamoisett Road

Mr. Brown is sworn in by the City Solicitor and addresses the Council regarding attention  needed to the transportation conditions at the corners of Wannamoisett Road & Dover Avenue and Howland Avenue & Dover Avenue on Kent Heights School block.  No curbing is hazardous for the children.  During snowstorms, the plows come by and cover up where the children need to walk.  The school should be responsible for the care of that school block. 

With unanimous consent of the Council, Mayor Larisa asks the City Manager to work with the Public Works Director and to talk to the School Dept. to see if something can be done. 

Motion by Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilwoman Perry, to return to the regular order of business.

 VI.  NEW BUSINESS

A.        CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Request for new rescue apparatus and equipment

On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilwoman Perry, it is unanimously voted to approve the request for computer equipment.

On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilwoman Perry, it is unanimously voted to approve the request to go out for bid for new rescue vehicle.

Request for re-classifying Senior Center positions

Mr. Fazioli states the Senior Center has had tremendous growth since opening in 1998.  A number of positions were classified as temporary.  Asking for the Council’s permission to re-classify the registered nurse position and the community information specialist position under the City’s personnel ordinance.  The salaries are already fully budgeted in the Senior Center’s budget so there wouldn’t be any budgetary impacts.  There would be an increase in the budget regarding potential benefit increases once the positions have become classified positions, but propose to pay for this by a new series of clinics the Senior Center is having and that should bring in the funds to cover this added expense.

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

Workers’ Comp. Resolution

Mr. Fazioli defers this item to discuss after “Council Members”.

Year in Review

Mr. Fazioli discusses some of what the City has experienced during the last year.  Next year, there will be more proposals such as the expansion of the Senior Center, proposals for a multi-purpose center, more economic development, and other waterfront parcels opening.  One of the biggest challenges will be safeguarding the City’s finances.  Need to get our long-term credit rating back to where it was a couple of years ago.  Want to thank the City Council and the City staff for their support making these things possible. 

Councilman Miranda announces the State of Rhode Island has awarded $900,000 for the second phase of the Warren Avenue streetscape project, $300,000 for the India Point power lines project, and $100,000 for the RLMP traffic-calming project. 

Councilman Caine states we’re projecting a good image out there.  People build here because the approval process is easier and they get support from the City staff.  This leads to a proactive, professional management team in the City and I commend the City Manager for bringing that to us.  The Council also works well together and I’m proud of our accomplishments over the last year. 

Mayor Larisa announces we will be having the Annual State of the City Address to discuss all that has been accomplished in the City sometime in January 2006.

B.        REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS

CLAIMS COMMITTEE (By William J. Conley, Jr. City Solicitor)

On motion of Councilman Caine, seconded by Councilman Midgley, and on a roll-call vote, it is unanimously voted to accept the Claims Report as presented.

1.         COUNCIL MEMBERS

Christmas Greetings (By Councilman Midgley) 

Councilman Midgley wishes everyone in the City a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  It has been a good year for the City and it’s a good place to work and live in.

Councilman Miranda also wants to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Budget Update: Health Care, Collective Bargaining Units, and School Committee

(By Councilman Caine)

Councilman Caine states health care costs are continuing to rise on the school and city sides and we’re continuing to work on reducing these costs.  Mr. Fazioli discusses alternatives to reducing these costs to generate savings.  Regarding the collective bargaining unit, Councilman Caine states he appreciates everyone’s cooperation regarding health care costs, which include some proposals.  The Council wants to thank the Dept. Heads for being the first in the City to agree to a co-payment on their health insurance.  Regarding ending buybacks, was very pleased when the vote was taken by School Committee to end them.  Was disheartened when the School Committee took a second vote to rescind that vote.  Don’t agree with their reason for doing that.  Still believe it is a public policy issue and urge them to reconsider their vote. 

Mayor Larisa states it is an outrage that this has happened.  This is why spending is out of control.  Of the 3 ½% tax increase we have, 1% or less is from the Council, the rest is from the School.  We have the worst contract in the history of East Providence.  The teachers say they gave up a lot, but big labor didn’t.  We can’t change that.  On co-pays and prescription drug benefits, we can’t touch them either.  They’ve always said they would agree to it when Police and Fire do, and they already do.  But they won’t go near it.  They say they have a contractual right to it.  Then there’s the issue of buybacks, which we thought would be something that could help out the taxpayer.  It doesn’t hurt the kids or hurt healthcare for them.  Big labor stepped in and talked to the School Committee and gets the three votes to overturn their vote.  We cannot afford to do this.  What has happened is not right.  They need to reverse the policy and do the right thing.

Snow Removal – It’s the law (By Councilwoman Perry)

Councilwoman Perry wants to remind everyone of the importance of removing snow on the sidewalks, especially on Pawtucket Avenue near the Wampanoag Trail.  There are many businesses there and the sidewalks aren’t done.  I’ve received many complaints that people and children have to walk on Pawtucket Avenue because the sidewalks aren’t shoveled.  We have an ordinance that states within four hours of daylight after snowfall, the snow is suppose to be removed from the sidewalk.  We need to start warning the businesses and individuals that if they don’t get that done, they will be fined.  Mayor Larisa states he forwards complaints to City Manager and Public Works and within 24 hours, a letter goes out to the individual or business and I believe most times, they’ve complied with it.  But believe it’s notifying them of what the law is, they may not be aware of the law.  Councilwoman Perry agrees, but there are still many individuals and businesses that haven’t complied.  Believe we need to have something in place to get these sidewalks taken care of.

Councilman Midgley states we ask people to shovel their sidewalks.  They do them and then the plow truck comes by and puts the snow right back on them.  They’re trying to do the right thing and then this happens.  If you’re out plowing and see people out there, please try to slow down when you go by.  I know you have a job to do too, but it’s frustrating for the honest people who are out doing what they’re suppose to do.

2.         RESOLUTIONS