I.          CONSENT CALENDAR

A.    Approval of minutes from December 1, 2008 special meeting of the Council to be considered at January 6^th Council Meeting. 

B.     Approval of Gatherers License John E. Camp, 103 Oak Avenue (02915) to be considered at January 6^th Council Meeting.

C.    CANCELLATION/ABATEMENTS (Requested by Tax Assessor)

D.    REAL ESTATE APPEALS

E.  HOLIDAY SALES (transfer)

1. Fox Point/Taunton Av Bakery Ltd to d.b.a. Taunton Avenue Bakery Taunton Ave Bakery , LLC, 208 Taunton Avenue (02914)

2.      Mather’s Gas RI 1345 d.b.a. Mather’s Gas, 1345 Wampanoag Trail (02915)

F.     Vict/not over 25 (transfer)

1.      From:  Mather’s Gas RI 1345 LLC d.b.a. Mather’s Gas, 1345 Wampanoag Trail (02915)

G.    Vict/not over 50 (transfer)

1.      From: Buckett, Michael H d.b.a. Buckett’s Riverside Grill to Thomas, Bindhu d.b.a. Riverside Grill, 271 Bullocks Point Avenue (02915)

H.    Vict/over 50

1.      Handy Hill Enterprises, Inc. d.b.a. Star Diner, 140 Newport Avenue (02916)

Motion to approve the Consent Calendar by Councilwoman Perry, seconded by Councilman Coogan, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously approved. 

II.        APPOINTMENTS

A.    Waterfront Development Commission (by Councilman Cusack)

Jonathan Killian, 15 Windmill Lane (02916)

On motion by Councilman Cusack , seconded by Councilwoman Perry, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously approved. 

B.     Carousel Commission (by Councilman DiTraglia)

Lisa Larisa, 77 Argyle Avenue (02915)

On a motion by Councilman DiTraglia , seconded by CouncilmanCusack, and on a roll call vote, it is unanimously approved.

C.    Carousel Commission (by Councilman DiTraglia)

Jennifer Cavaco, 4 Daisy Drive (02915)

On a motion by Councilman DiTraglia, seconded by Councilman Coogan, and on a roll call vote it is unanimously approved.  

D.    Carousel Commission – Alternate (by Mayor Larisa)

Mildred Morris, 419 Dover Avenue (02915)

On a motion by Councilwoman Perry, seconded by Councilman Coogan, and on a roll call vote it is unanimously approved.

E.     Housing Authority (by Mayor Larisa)

Lynn Vargas, 21 Lunn Street (02915)

On a motion by Councilwoman Perry, seconded by Councilman Coogan, and on a roll call vote it is unanimously approved.

III.       CITY COUNCIL SITTING AS LICENSING COMMISSIONERS

A.    B-FULL PRIVILEGE (Stock Transfer) (Subject to approval from State Division of Taxation)

The Centre Court Inc., d.b.a. The Loft, 55 Hospital Road (02915)

Charles A. Ruggeirio, representing Rebecca Quatrocci, business belonging to her late husband James, she is asking for a stock transfer.  Mayor Larisa asked if this the only basis for transfer? Charles Ruggeirio replied this was correct.  Mayor Larisa inquired how long the business had been in the family.  Charles Ruggeirio stated since 1971.

The Mayor called for comments related to the public hearing, for or against, there were none.   

On a motion by Councilman DiTraglia, seconded by Councilman Coogan, and on a roll call vote it is unanimously approved. 

IV.       REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS

A.    CLAIMS COMMITTEE   (by James A. Briden – City Solicitor)

Solicitor Briden called for a motion to seal the minutes for Executive Session.  

On a motion by Councilwoman Perry, seconded by Councilman Cusack, and on a roll call vote it is unanimously approved. 

Solicitor Briden addressed the Wigginton property damage claim to a vehicle sustained as a result of an accident with a police vehicle this was referred to inter local trust.  

On a motion by Councilman DiTraglia to accept the Claims Committee report, seconded by Councilwoman Perry, and on a roll call vote it is unanimously approved.  

V.        COUNCIL MEMBERS

A.    Need One-Way Sign for Grosvenor Avenue, Whiteknect School, designation during school hours 8:00am-9:00am and 2:00pm-3:00pm.

(by Councilman Coogan)

Upon speaking with a number of residents around Whiteknect School, Councilman Coogan states he was informed Whiteknect is the only school in the City which has not had a one way sign installed, during the school times of 8:00am-9:00am and 2:00pm-3:00pm. He spoke with the Fire and Police Departments, as well as the Principal and School Committee member representing this area, Shannon Barbosa, and all agree this is a safety issue.

Mayor Larisa instructed the City Manager to speak with public works and if the situation warrants it, to then send to the City Solicitor to draft an ordinance for first passage at the January 6^th Council Meeting.

A motion to investigate and submit for first passage, if warranted, an ordinance as requested by Councilman Coogan, seconded by Councilman Cusack and it is unanimously approved.

B.     Update on clean up of Jones Pond area and proposal for a Commission for Townie Pond Fire at Jones Pond (behind Pierce Field).  (by Councilman Coogan)

While walking the area around Jones Pond, Councilman Coogan states, he witnessed a lot of debris, very tall weeds and small trees that have sprouted up.  Residents complained to him about the trash and condition of the area as well as the high number of mosquitoes. He would like to create a commission to study the possibility of a small scale version of Waterfire, perhaps calling it, “Flames Over The Water”, as the Waterfire name cannot be used. This area could also be used for ice skating in the winter and concerts could be held there in the summer. The commission would be comprised of fifteen members.  Councilman Coogan has been in touch with several business people in the community such as Ken Foley, who donated the score board at Pierce Field, Councilman Coogan thanked Ken Foley for this. He stated he would like Bruce Rogers to chair the commission.

Mayor Larisa instructed the City Clerk, to work on a resolution forming the commission for the January 6^th Council Meeting. According to Councilman Coogan, many residents have been in touch with him and are interested in participating.  If anyone is interested in participating Mayor Larisa instructed them to contact the City Clerk’s office or Councilman Coogan directly. Mayor Larisa called for any questions on the matter. 

Councilman DiTraglia raised the issue of finance and asked other than funding from businesses and fundraising, would the City be responsible for the clean-up and how would Fire and Police department employees be paid for their part in these events? Councilman Coogan stated about 90% will come from private money and donated items but when it comes to Police and Fire that may be different, but for now the commission can study the issue and come back with suggestions.

Councilman DiTraglia asked, if the residents in the area are in favor of the concept?  Councilman Coogan responded, when traveling door to door, it was the residents who asked for the clean-up and are excited about the prospect.

Councilman Coogan thanked Alba Curti and Joe Medeiros from the Recreation Department, for chipping away at the clean-up, the beautiful stairs they uncovered are in great condition. He also thanked Councilman DiTraglia for passing the ice skating issue previously. One of the first issues the commission will address is to look into a plan to work on preventing street salt from seeping into the area thus affecting the ice for skating.

Mayor Larisa commented that the purpose of a commission like this will be to work on investigating how to finance, clean, and interface with the Waterfire Commission in Providence, to work on issues such as funding for police and fire security. Anyone who wants to volunteer is welcome.

Mayor Larisa called for a motion, by Councilman Coogan, for a resolution to establish a commission for the January 6^th Council Meeting, seconded by Councilman DiTraglia and on a  motion it is unanimously approved. 

C.    City/Legislative Delegation Breakfast – Legislative Priorities (by Mayor Larisa)

Mayor Larisa discussed the tough times the nation, state and City of East Providence are facing.  The City is facing over a 4.2 million dollar deficit, much of this on the school side.  This could mean either a sizable tax increase, breaking the recently passed 3.5% tax cap, or finding other sources to cover the deficit. Mayor Larisa discussed the pressing need for help from the state.  The State education mandates are unaffordable.  CT, MA and the Federal Government don’t require these. The City needs relief from these mandates. Mayors from 5 other communities urged Governor Carcieri to give the Cities and Towns this relief. Furthermore, the Mayor wants to meet with the Legislative Delegation and instructed the City Clerk to arrange this meeting between January 20 – 31, 2009.  The meeting will cover the Charter amendment, Co-pay Now, which requires the Council to approve all collective bargaining agreements. The previous Council sent the charter amendment to the General Assembly for approval although the Mayor believes this was not necessary.  The amendment never made it out of the General Assembly and one of the purposes of this meeting will be for the East Providence legislative delegation to agree, to approve this charter amendment.  The Mayor discussed how the mandates are affecting East Providence in a disproportionate way, due to the fact that the funding formula for special education is skewed. Mayor Larisa called for comments.

Councilman Cusack stated the mandates provide onerous terms for all Cities and Towns.  These mandates didn’t arise just out of the blue but came out of concerted lobbying efforts from special interests.  At the previous legislative breakfast, School Department officials quantified the cost and how important this was to our budget numbers. But the issue was never fully addressed by the legislature, due to push backs from various sources.    

D.    Update on City/School Financial Crisis and Contract Reform (by Mayor Larisa)

Mayor Larisa, “For the first time the City Council and School Committee are both on the same page, the Teacher’s Union and School Committee are currently in arbitration.”  Mayor Larisa read the letter to the editor written by School Committee Chairman Tony Carcieri regarding the current situation and arbitration.  Mayor Larisa said he felt it was important to read the entire letter for all to hear, that Chairman Carcieri is asking for a reasonable solution.  Chairman Carcieri is asking the Teacher’s Union to come to the same level as everyone else, this is fundamental fairness.  The Mayor asked for anyone who has cost savings ideas to send to the Mayor, the City Clerk or the City Manager that these are difficult times and we can’t leave any stone unturned.  

Councilman Cusack thanked the Mayor for reading the letter.  He stated the letter really shows exactly what the problem is.  Half the budget is a tremendous amount of money. We all want a high performing School Department.  Councilman Cusack cited a number of recent publications, Time Magazine which highlighted the Washington DC Superintendent, Wall Street Journal article which a former CEO of IBM wrote as well as others writing articles and op-eds.  All these articles focusing on the quality of education which is failing our kids, not just finances but also the length of day and year, the expectations and the standards. Councilman Cusack, “We want to achieve education excellence.” He went on to discuss how we all value our teachers, particularly the best of our teachers, wouldn’t it be great to compensate the very best at a rate higher, not just their longevity. Within the City we need to change the way we do business to deliver the same services but at lower costs.  What is often called right-sizing and using technology to help achieve these goals. Councilman Cusack, “The productivity of the United States is second to none.”  We need to incorporate this productivity in our cities.

Mayor Larisa thanked Councilman Cusack for his comments and added it’s not just to fix the contract but to move to education excellence.  Our infrastructure is not up to snuff. Some of our schools have not been updated in many, many years. But in the past there hasn’t been any fund to repair them.  If we can create these savings and erase the deficit, then we can create a lock box of savings for capital improvement projects for the schools.   

E.     Council Rules of Procedure (by Mayor Larisa)

Every two years when a new council elected, they go over the Council Rules of Procedure to see if we want to approve or make changes to the current rules.  City Clerk will distribute the current rules to council to be considered at next meeting either for changes or to pass as the operative rules.

F.     Affirmation of Council Appointee Compensation (by Mayor Larisa)

This Council has made several appointee changes, in doing so we kept within the budget of the outgoing appointees.  In the City Solicitors Office, compensation was $150,000 annually.  The three new solicitors will be at $150,000 annually with three cost saving areas, which will save the city north of $30,000.  The City Solicitor will pay 20% co-pay instead of 10%. The two Assistant Solicitors will not receive health care.  The Probate and Municipal Judges will make the same as their predecessors.  The City Clerk will make the same however will pay a 20% co-pay instead of 10%. The City Sergeants will split equally the salary.  The Sealer of Weights and Measures is paid for by the businesses for who he weighs and measures.  A motion is in order to approve the salaries set.  On a motion by Councilwoman Perry, seconded by Councilman Coogan, and on a roll call vote it is unanimously approved. 

VI.       COMMUNICATIONS

A.    Anthony Shepherd, 40 Rosemere Drive (02914) addressed the Council on the following; website, green, politics, vehicles, attendance, tax zone and citizen.

1.      Mr. Shepherd stated the City website still has Fazioli listed and the Waterfront Commission’s economic package expired in 1975, the entire website dealing with the city needs to be further updated.  Mayor Larisa asked the City Manager if Fazioli is still listed. The City Manager said the information is historical on the website.  Anthony had a hardcopy and gave it to the Council.  It was confirmed that the hard copy he had was from a RI.Gov search not from the actual East Providence website.    

2.      Mr. Shepherd was not happy to see the article in the Providence Journal, talking about Democrats and Republicans on the East Providence Council.  He added that he hopes there will be no animosity.  Mayor Larisa stated that is a myth.  The new City Clerk is a Democrat who up until she took this job worked for Congressman Jim Langevin.  The City Solicitor is a Democrat.  The Assistant City Solicitor, Bob Craven, is a Democrat.  The supposedly Republican Council consists of one Republican Bob Cusack.  Brian Coogan is a Democrat.  The Mayor further stated he is a registered Unaffiliated.  The Mayor added he believes if anything it seems certain Democrats are upset at other Democrats. Mayor Larisa reminded everyone that  City Council is Non –partisan.  It doesn’t matter if the person is a Democrat or a Republican in the early 1950’s our City’s founding fathers said there will be no party labels.  Our Charter mandates we put aside any partisan interest and work just for the best interest of the City.

3.      Mr. Shepherd talked about the City of Providence having a terminal for natural gas.  If we could convert some or all of our City vehicles to natural gas it could save money and the environment.  He stated the gas company and some of the city vehicles in Providence run this way.  He further talked about increasing bike riding by placing signs on the sidewalk designating the north and east sides of the block as a bicycle path.  There is no safe place now to ride a bike on the streets in the City other than the bike path.  Mr. Shelpherd stated he rides often and its great exercise as well as good for the environment and anything we can do to encourage bike riding is needed.  There is a city elsewhere in the US that does not use school buses anymore, only bikes.  In Europe it’s a way of life. 

4.      Mr. Shepherd, requests the City Council to ask our State legislators to make regular visits to the Council meetings so they can hear what is going on and constituents can have an opportunity to speak with them.  Mayor Larisa spoke about Representative Henry Rose who used to attend regularly and stated perhaps Representative DaSilva or others may bring this back. 

5.      Mr. Shepherd stated our taxes in RI are higher than MA.  Maybe we could create a separate tax zone for those communities that are on the border so stores like Target and Wal-Mart won’t build only over the line in MA in order to save on taxes. 

6.      Mr. Shepherd would like to see 1 or 2 seats on the Council reserved as non-voting members from the public to get increased participation.  He added, the Waterfront Commission doesn’t seem to be doing much.  He used to work at the Steel Mill and now the area is empty. 

Mayor Larisa stated that unfortunately, anything with any residential component is not moving due to the economy.  The Geo Nova project will generate a huge tax base but right now it is not moving.  However, East Providence has something other communities don’t have and that is a Waterfront and when things turn around we’ll be able to utilize that.  Mayor Larisa further stated the Steel Mill was an environmental polluter.  Mayor Larisa, “When the economy turns around we will be well poised to meet the challenge.”

Mr. Shepherd said the area is still zoned commercial if there would be a business that would not contaminate the area that could help us. 

Councilman Cusack commented on the Waterfront Commission and the pace of development.  He agreed it has fallen short of its potential for the last 100 years. He is concerned about focusing on residential development.   He would like to see more commercial development for those zones already zoned for it.  He mentioned Aspen Aero Gels, as a great victory to have them here in East Providence. The Steel Mill violated the Clean Air Act, competing unfairly with their competitors and it’s good that it is gone.

Councilman Cusack added the 100 million dollar project at Kettle Point was cancelled and he thinks among the reasons was the change in the market and the credit environment.  But we still have that wonderful property.  When you develop it incorrectly it’s there for a long time and we want to do it right. We hope to get some more appointments for the Waterfront Commission.

Mr. Shepherd asked if the legal company paid by the Watefront Commission is paid whether or not there is a meeting. Mayor Larisa and Councilman Cusack said the legal council is not paid with tax payer monies.  Fees etc are used for payment.  Mayor Larisa discussed Exxon Mobile, hoping in the near future we can use the clean parts of the land for development.  He added EFD is an example of a company in EP which just expanded and chose to remain in EP for that expansion on Catamore Blvd.  The Mayor discussed Rumford Center being completed and absolutely beautiful, it is spectacular and it’s renting.

Councilman Coogan asked the City Manager to check with the IT Director re: updating the website.  Councilman Coogan then told a story about a trip he made with Rick Croke and the help they gave two women and their children who had run out of gas.  They filled a gas can and Rick Croke bought a gas certificate.  We didn’t ask if they were Democrats or Republicans, they didn’t even live in an area where they could vote for us.  Councilman Coogan stated he was tired of hearing about Democrat or Republican, Councilman DiTraglia and I are Democrats and Councilwoman Perry is an Independent and we’re all going to move this city in the right direction.  Councilman Coogan discussed Dexter Road having some new businesses, “We need businesses too not just residential.  We do need to be more pro business if not we become a bedroom community and the tax payers have to keep reaching into their pocket”.  He mentioned when you move next to an I3 zone, that is what you are getting an I3 zone,the zone was usually there before the houses.  He thanked Mr. Shepherd for speaking and said it’s not necessary to sit there with the Council because the microphone is here and residents have it anytime they want.  Councilman Coogan asked who is the chair of the Waterfront Commission  and how much do they get paid.  Mayor Larisa said it’s free.  Councilman Coogan stated he is positive we are going to move along faster with this new Council. He then asked the City Manager when is Tockwaton moving in and the City Manager stated that it was probably delayed by the credit crunch but that he’ll get the Council an update.  Councilman Coogan thanked Steve Coutu for leveling out the parking lots at the boat dock at Bold Point, it had previously been filled with pot holes causing a lot of damage to vehicles.  

VII.     ADJOURMENT

On a motion by Councilwoman Perry, seconded by Councilman Cusack, and on a roll call vote it is unanimously approved.  8:06pm

Attest:

_______________

Kim A. Casci

City Clerk                                                                              

                                                            Approved:  January 6, 2009