I.     CONSENT CALENDAR

A.   APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR

On motion of Councilwoman Perry, seconded by Councilman Silva, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to approve the Consent Calendar

B.   APPROVAL OF COUNCIL JOURNALS

December 1, 2006 - Organizational Meeting

December 5, 2006 - Regular Meeting

C.  LETTER OF RESIGNATION

Councilwoman Perry asked that thank you letters be sent to David J. Kelleher and JoAnn Harry who have resigned from their commission.

II.    PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, & INTRODUCTIONS

Mayor Ramos speaks about presenting the East Providence Senior High School Boys 2006 Football Division 1 Super Bowl Champions with their citations.  He stated due to their absence, it would be moved to the next City Council Meeting on January 2, 2007.

III.   APPOINTMENTS

            Zoning Board of Review (Ward 2)

            John Braga, 45 Mary Avenue (02914)

On motion of Councilman Silva, seconded by Councilwoman Perry, it is unanimously voted to approve.

East Providence Housing Authority (Mayor Ramos)

            John Faria, 20 Rowley Street (02914), (to replace Anthony Almeida)

IV.   LICENSES NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARING

Holiday Sales (Transfer)

From:  Argentina I. Olivo, d/b/a Reda Mart, 498 North Broadway

Argentina I. Olivo was sworn in by City Solicitor.

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

On motion of Councilwoman Perry, seconded by Councilman Silva, it is unanimously voted to approve, subject to approvals from the Chief of Police, Building Inspector, and Fire Marshall.

Vict/Not Over 25 (Transfer)

From:  Argentina I. Olivo, d/b/a Reda Mart, 498 North Broadway

On motion of Councilman Silva, seconded by Councilwoman Perry, it is unanimously voted to approve, subject to approvals from the Chief of Police, Building Inspector, Fire Marshall, and Health Inspector.

LICENSING COMMISSIONERS RESUME SITTING AS CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING

V.    PUBLIC HEARINGS

VI.   CONTINUED BUSINESS

VII.  NEW BUSINESS

CITY MANAGER'S REPORT

1.      Solid Waste & Recycling Services Agreement

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

2.      Purchase Fire Apparatus

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

VIII. REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS

CLAIMS COMMITTEE (by William J. Conley, Jr. - City Solicitor

Mr. Conley reported that there were none this evening.

IX.  ORDINANCE - FIRST PASSAGE

SECTION I. Sec. 18-269 entitled “Stop and yield intersections designated; when stop required.”  Is amended by adding thereto the following:

On motion of Councilwoman Perry to omit the reading of the ordinance, seconded by Councilman Silva, it is unanimously voted to approve.

LEGION WAY (eastbound and westbound traffic) at Palmer Avenue.

On motion of Councilwoman Perry, seconded by Councilman Cusack, it is unanimously voted to approve.

X.    COMMUNICATION

Aliza Kreisman, Brown University, 75 Waterman Street, Providence was not present to speak on publicly financed elections in Rhode Island.  Mayor Ramos stated she could address the Council at the next meeting on January 2, 2007.

Tim Norton, 180 Borne Avenue, (02916) was sworn in by City Solicitor. 

Mr. Norton was concerned regarding the noise made by motorcycles.  He felt the ordinance was not strong enough.  He mentioned Portland, Maine's ordinance and was asking the Council to amend ours to restrict straight pipes.  He spoke about straight pipes being a problem. A motorcycle should not rock you out of bed at 2 A.M.  He was concerned about the quality of life.  He called the police many times, however when the police arrived the motorcycle was gone.  Mayor Ramos asked Mr. Conley regarding the Rhode Island law and the East Providence law.  Mr. Conley explains the State law.  Mr. Norton felt the State law was not enough and wanted a change in the City ordinance.  He said motorcycles were not being stopped.  The Police Chief stated that all vehicles were stopped if they broke the law. Mayor Ramos states before he asks for any response from the Council, he would like to take this document and turn it over to the City Manager to review it.

Lisa Pinto, 55 Magnolia Street, (02915) was sworn in by City Solicitor.

Ms. Pinto was passing out flyers on Central Avenue about the conduct of police officers when they did a traffic stop.  The police stop her.  She went to the City Clerk's office.  The City Clerk just started that day, so she saw the Deputy Clerk.  She was told she didn't need a permit, but to carry identification on her and anyone passing out flyers.  She showed she had a citation that she made her street a model street. She said she is not a troublemaker.  She sees a lot of traffic stops where there is four, five or six police. They are Cape Verde or African-American take them out of the car, hand cuff them, put them on the sidewalk, go through their car, for what reason.  They said they look suspicious.   Some people are afraid to come forward.  She called Mr. Frazier today and he hung up on her.  When I got to the City Clerk's office the two officers were there trying to find an ordinance to arrest me.  She stated for 26 years have never had a ticket.  One day she was looking for an address and they stopped her and searched her car.  They said she look suspicious.   We need better relations with the police.  She's concerned because they are profiling Cape Verde and African-American.  In some cities you have to live in the city to serve on the police.  She wants to know why we don't, and feels it should be that way so they would care about the city.  She would like a community meeting.  She states other people want to speak.  At that time a man goes to the podium and starts to speak.

Councilman Silva calls a point of order.  Mr. Mayor, you need a unanimous consent on this.

On motion of Councilman Cusack, seconded by Councilman DiTraglia, it is unanimously voted to approve.

Peter Rosenholm, 10 River Street, (02915) was sworn in by City Solicitor.

Mr. Rosenholm started speaking of incidents that happen when he was sixteen years old.  Then when he was going through a divorce and was arrested when Chief Rocha was in office.  Mayor Ramos stated that Chief Rocha was deceased and he got the point.  Mr. Rosenholm stated that in high school he broke the jaw of Chief Rocha's nephew and that is why the police set him up.  The City Manager states that he takes any complaint against the municipal employees of the police, fire, health and sanitation department seriously. If they are legitimate complaints we investigate them immediately.  He objected to the format.  Mayor Ramos asked the City Manager to investage.  Ms. Pinto said they need an independent investigation.  She wanted another meeting in one month.  The City Manager stated when he had a report for Council he will give it to them and they can determine how they want to proceed.  Councilman Cusack stated it was the first he heard of these allegations and caused him great concern.  We need to give the City Manager time to investage and make a report. 

XI.   ADJOUNMENT

Mayor Ramos asked to adjourn the meeting.

On motion of Councilwoman Perry, seconded by Councilman DiTraglia, it is unanimously voted to approve.

The Mayor adjourns the meeting at 8:30 P.M.

Attest:

__________________________

Virginia B. Nunes

City Clerk

Approved: