| | CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE RHODE ISLAND JOURNAL OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 17, 2006 | |
The City Council meets in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 and Mayor Joseph S. Larisa, Jr. calls the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
| Present: | Mayor Joseph S. Larisa, Jr. | ) | |
| | Patrick T. Caine | ) | |
| | Peter F. Midgley | ) | Council Members |
| | Valerie A. Perry | ) | |
| | Norman J. Miranda | ) | |
| | William J. Fazioli | ) | City Manager |
| | William J. Conley, Jr. | ) | City Solicitor |
| | Dana L. Toy | ) | City Clerk |
The invocation is read by Councilman Caine and the Salute to the Flag is led by Councilwoman Perry.
Lori Merolla from Merandi Reporting is present to record the proceedings of the public hearing.
I. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL JOURNALS
January 3, 2006 – Regular Meeting
B. CANCELLATION/ABATEMENTS (Requested by Tax Assessor)
| YEAR | AMOUNT |
| 2005 | $5,603.88 |
| 2004 | $ 208.87 |
| 2003 | $ 239.29 |
| TOTAL | $6,052.04 |
C. RESOLUTION – City of Providence. Resolution in support of the PUC denying National Grid’s pending application to again increase electrical rates to prevent the perpetuation of inflation related to soaring energy costs.
D. DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT – Insignificant Alteration Permit, Application No. 05-0439 in reference to the following location: approximately 20 feet west of Roger Williams Ave., near Utility Pole No. 5, and approximately 1,350 feet northwest of its intersection with North Broadway, Assessor’s Map 304, Block 2, Lot 5, East Providence.
E. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE - CLASS F-1 – January 28, 2006
F. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE – CLASS F-1 – February 4, 2006
St. Mary Academy - Bay View, 3070 Pawtucket Avenue
G. LETTER OF RESIGNATION – Paul Capaldo – Conservation Commission
On motion of Councilman Caine, seconded by Councilman Miranda, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to approve the Consent Calendar.
II. APPOINTMENTS
Tree Warden (By City Council)
Michael Bartlett, Asst. Superintendent - Parks
210 Newman Avenue, Seekonk, MA 02771
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilwoman Perry, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to approve.
III. CITY COUNCIL SITTING AS LICENSING COMMISSIONERS
LICENSES REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARING
B-Full Privilege Subject to approvals from the Chief of Police, Building Inspector, Health Inspector and Fire Marshall.
Maria V. Villa, El Azteca Mexican Restaurant, LLC, d/b/a El Azteca Mexican Restaurant, 335 Newport Avenue
Maria V. Villa and Attorney Alberto Cardona are present and sworn in by the City Solicitor.
There is no one from the public wishing to be heard.
On motion of Councilman Caine, seconded by Councilman Miranda, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to approve.
Vict/Over 50 Subject to approvals from the Chief of Police, Building Inspector, Health Inspector and Fire Marshall.
Maria V. Villa, El Azteca Mexican Restaurant, LLC, d/b/a El Azteca Mexican Restaurant, 335 Newport Avenue
On motion of Councilman Caine, seconded by Councilman Miranda, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to approve.
LICENSES NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARING
Vict/Not Over 25 Subject to approvals from the Chief of Police, Building Inspector, Health Inspector and Fire Marshall.
Deborah Amaral and Charlene Vargas, Sisters on Broadway, LLC, d/b/a Sisters on Broadway, 321 Warren Avenue
Deborah Amaral and Charlene Vargas are present and sworn in by the City Solicitor.
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilwoman Perry, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to approve.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS RESUME SITTING AS CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS
ORDINANCES – FINAL PASSAGE (Given first passage January 3, 2006. Advertised-Providence Journal – January 6, 2006)
The following is an ordinance amendment regarding Dept. of Information Technology
SECTION I. Division 1 entitled “Generally” of Article IV entitled “Officers and Employees” of Chapter 2 of the Revised Ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled “Administration” is amended by adding thereto the following:
Sec. 2-207. There is hereby created a Department of Information Technology, which shall be headed by the Director of Information Technology.
Sec. 2-208. Duties of the Director of Information Technology.
(a) The Director of the Department of Information Technology shall direct and supervise all of its administrative and technical activities. The director shall be appointed by the City Manager and shall be subject to removal by the City Manager.
(b) The Director shall have such additional duties as shall be established by the City Manager or provided for in this chapter.
(c) The further organization of the department shall be determined by the City Manager or may be provided for in this chapter.
On motion of Councilwoman Perry, seconded by Councilman Caine, it is unanimously voted to dispense with the reading of the ordinance.
After discussion by the City Manager, the following are sworn in by the City Solicitor and speak against the ordinance being approved for final passage at the present time:
Jack Fahey, Pawtucket Avenue
Robert Enos, Milburn Road
Wesley Plante, Center Street
Anthony Almeida, North Carpenter Street
On motion of Councilman Caine, seconded by Councilwoman Perry, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to approve for Final Passage.
Mayor Larisa asks to change the order of business to move up Substance Abuse Task Force Grant Award. Motion is made by Councilman Midgley and seconded by Councilman Caine.
Substance Abuse Task Force Grant Award
Elmer Pina and Mark Gee from the Substance Abuse Task Force discuss a grant the Task Force received from the RI Justice Commission to run an after-school program at Riverside Junior High and Martin Middle Schools. This program will focus on peer mediation efforts to avoid conflicts. It is a grant for $23,000 each year for the next three years.
Mayor Larisa asks to return to the regular order of business. Motion is made by Councilman Caine and seconded by Councilman Midgley.
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. WATERFRONT COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT (by Patrick Rogers, Chairman)
Patrick Rogers, Chairman of the Waterfront Commission, gives the Council an overview of the Waterfront Commission, why it was established, and some of the projects the Commission has worked on and what they will be working on in the future.
B. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Waterfront Commission Annual Report – discussed by Patrick Rogers
Senior Center Expansion
Mr. Fazioli states bids were received for the Senior Center expansion. Due to a delay in the HUD funding, we are not able to award contracts at this time. A good portion is funded with CDBG funds and HUD funds cannot be released at this time.
C. REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS
CLAIMS COMMITTEE (By William J. Conley, Jr. City Solicitor)
No claims report to be filed.
D. DRAFT DEMOLITION DELAY ORDINANCE (by Jeanne Boyle, Planning Director)
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilwoman Perry, it is unanimously voted to refer to Planning Department.
E. COUNCIL MEMBERS
“Mayor’s State of the City Address – February 7, 2006” (by Mayor Larisa)
Mayor Larisa announces his Annual State of the City Address will be held at the next Council Meeting on February 7, 2006.
“Explanation of School Department Healthcare Buy Backs” (by Mayor Larisa)
Mayor Larisa states he’s received many calls and letters from people outraged about the School Department buy backs and states part of the reason the School Department won’t have a balanced budget this year is that we are paying $664,060 to 143 people not to take the best health insurance in the State. He discusses a notice of intent to discontinue paying for buy back memo that was sent to the 143 people on November 28th. Then on a 3-2 vote, they reversed their decision. With them not having a balanced budget and to say they’re not going to do this, that is where the outrage should be.
The City Manager proposed to the Superintendent a number of minimal changes to the prescription drug plan that could save hundreds of thousands of dollars to the City, such as instead of a five & twenty dollar co-payment, you go to a seven & twenty-five dollar co-payment, which would save about $167,000. And the response from the teachers union was no. And these changes could have helped to balance the budget.
Mayor Larisa also discussed the new report on special education funding. We have a very high percentage of children on IEP’s. There is a distressed community fund in the State that helps communities get additional funding. There are three criteria you need to meet to be eligible and we meet only two, but are very close on the third. When we have our joint School Committee meeting with our legislative delegation our top priority is to have our legislatures urge that we get included in this distressed community aid for our schools. It’s clear we should be receiving more money in school funding for these children. Other communities like us are getting this funding and this will help with the school funding problems we have now.
“Job Performance – Council Appointees” (by Councilman Caine)
On motion of Councilman Caine, seconded by Councilman Miranda, it is unanimously voted to defer until the end of meeting.
F. RESOLUTIONS
Resolution Authorizing the City of East Providence 2006 Open Space and Recreation Rehabilitation Program Grant Application Submissions
WHEREAS, the City of East Providence desires to provide diverse and high quality recreational opportunities to its citizens of all ages;
WHEREAS, the City of East Providence desires to provide safe, comfortable, and convenient recreational facilities to its citizens;
WHEREAS, the City of East Providence does desire to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of East Providence and to provide educational opportunities focusing on this heritage;
WHEREAS, the City of East Providence does desire to protect and enhance the scenic and natural resources of East Providence and to provide opportunities for persons of all ages, abilities and income levels to enjoy these resources;
Whereas, the City of East Providence supports the implementation of projects that are consistent with the State-approved East Providence Comprehensive Plan;
Now, Therefore Be It Resolved, the City Council of East Providence does hereby formally support and authorize submission of the following grant applications to the State of Rhode Island Open Space and Recreation Rehabilitation Development Program:
1. Sabin Point Park Rehabilitation
2. Hunt’s Mills Enhancements
(Requested by Jeanne M. Boyle, Director of Planning)
On motion of Councilman Midgley, seconded by Councilman Caine, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to approve as amended to also include the Hull Street Playground.
G. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES (If given first passage, can be referred to the next regular Council meeting to be held on February 7, 2006 for a public hearing and consideration of final passage).
The following is an ordinance amendment regarding stop sign at the corner of George Street and Leonard Avenue
SECTION I. Sec. 18-269 entitled “Stop and yield intersections designated; when stops required.” is amended by adding thereto the following:
GEORGE STREET (southbound traffic) at Leonard Avenue.
On motion of Councilwoman Perry, seconded by Councilman Caine, it is unanimously voted to dispense with the reading of the ordinance.
On motion of Councilman Miranda, seconded by Councilman Caine, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously voted to approve for First Passage.
H. COMMUNICATIONS
Mickeda Barnes, 34 Dunbar Avenue. Requesting to address the Council to discuss quarterly payment of taxes and due dates. Not present at meeting.
Finance Director Jim McDonald discusses that most tax bills are due July 1st. We grant the ability to pay your taxes quarterly, but by doing this, you agree to pay on those certain due dates. If you miss a payment, then the interest charged when you finally pay is measured from July 1st, not from the quarterly date. When you become delinquent, most communities charge interest on the entire delinquent amount. The way we handle this now is if you’re delinquent on the 3rd quarter and you pay that before the 4th quarter is due, we allow you to just pay the interest for the 3rd quarter and don’t charge you interest on the 4th quarter. The only exception is on motor vehicle taxes, where you would have to pay the entire amount.
Without objection, Mr. Fazioli makes an announcement that he will be resigning as City Manager within the next several weeks. He states the job did give him the opportunity to apply his experience to the City, but the demands of the job were too much with having such a young family. The job requires you to be on the job at all times and the schedule is very unpredictable. He releases a statement to the public and media on his resignation at the end of the meeting.
Mayor Larisa states the entire Council is sorry to see him leaving, but the bottom line is that family should come first. Bill has meant a lot to the City in the eighteen months he was here. It was difficult to find someone who wasn’t afraid of change or afraid of fighting the bureaucracy or doing things to bring us into the twenty-first century and who was also a Townie himself. He has pointed the City in the right direction and we will continue to go that way. We are going to professionalize the search for the new City Manager and hire a company who specializes in helping cities hire City Managers. Hopefully, we will have some names in the next few weeks and the Council as a whole will pick the new City Manager. Bill in his position before at First Southwest paid close attention to the finances of the City and advised us he will continue to do so. This is not an adversarial departure of the City Manager from the City, the reasons are personal, and I wish him well.
Councilman Caine states that Bill Fazioli exemplifies professional management. It will help having him here to go through this process looking for a new City Manager. His professional experience has helped remove the politics from the everyday decisions the City makes. I understand his family situation. He’s done such a great job and we’re sorry to see him go. I think that it would be unprofessional as Council members to start running ads for new City Manager; this is not my expertise. We need to hire a firm who does this for a living and have them help us manage this process.
Mayor Larisa receives unanimous consent from the Council to add a discussion about a proposal to help us hire a new City Manager through a private company.
Councilman Caine states that the company is called Bennett Yarger Associates of Scituate, MA. They are recruiters of government and non-profit organizations. They handle the process of screening potential candidates, recommend finalists, do the reference checks, and participate in final choices. They also issue a warranty that if the candidate is not successful, they will find another at no additional fee. They’ve been assigned a contract to help Coventry find their next Town Manager, have helped find the Barrington and West Warwick Town Managers. Suggest that we have the City Manager enter into this agreement with them as soon as possible to begin the search.
Councilman Miranda states he went through the applications and all the interviews the last time for City Manager. I chose Bill because I thought you were the best candidate for the City. I felt you were the right choice because your heart was in the City and because of your job performances in other towns. Just want to say you’re a good friend and you’ve never shut me out with any problems I came to you with. I understand you’re family does come first. I do believe in professional management. You will be missed and I want to wish you the best. You’ve brought the City far in the eighteen months you were here.
Councilwoman Perry states she went through this last time as well. It is a tough process to go through and Bill came in just around budget time and I was impressed with what he did. When Bill was first hired, I heard from clerks from other cities and they had the best things to say about him. When I became a Councilperson, I would call him with a problem of a constituent and he would take care of it right away and he would always get back to me. He was very responsive and things got taken care of. I wish you the best and am sorry that you are leaving. I hope you’ll continue to be an active part of the City and provide us with your expertise. You will be missed.
Councilman Midgley it is sad that we are going through this. Bill is a wonderful City Manager. He’s maintained the position with dignity, has been a gentleman, and he’s met with all different groups and people. We will miss him greatly and I wish him good luck.
Mayor Larisa states that Bill will still be running the City until his last day here. He will be choosing the new IT Director and will continue to run the City as he has. He will have the full authority and support of this Council until his last day. It will be a transition for us; we are also losing our Superintendent at the same time. Our charter and form of government will get us through this time. It is a structure that has been in place since 1954 and will continue in the future.
There being no further business, on motion of Councilman Midgley, seconded by Councilman Caine, the meeting adjourns at 10:10 p.m. The meeting does not go into Executive Session.
Attest:
__________________________________
Dana L. Toy
City Clerk
Approved: February 7, 2006