I.          Executive Session

1.   Claims Committee

1.Amica Mutual Ins. Co (Insured: Roxanne Winsor)

2.Diana K. Turner

II.         Call to Order

III.        Salute to the Flag

IV.        Consent Calendar

1.   Motion to Approve the Consent Calendar

A motion is made by Councilwoman Kleyla, seconded by Assistant Mayor Rose and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.  

2.   Letters

V.         Public Comment

1. Joe Tavares - Effects of Budget Commission on Election

2. Jeff Tazi - EMS Billing Services Award - this was referred to later on the docket

3. Manuel Correia MC Pizza - this was referred to later on the docket

4. Anthony Fereirra - Curbstone

5. Jack Fahey - Budget

6. Tom Riley - The liar and inevitability

VI.        Appointments

1.   Planning Board Re-Appointment by Councilman DiGioia

Krista D. Moravec, 98 Riverside Drive (02915)

A motion to approve is made by Councilman DiGioia, seconded by Councilman Conley and on a roll call vote it is unanimous. 

VII.       Licenses Requiring Public Hearing

1.   B-Full Privilege

VIII.      Licenses Not Requiring Public Hearing

1.   Vict/Not Over 25

IX.        New Business

A.       City Managers Report by City Manager Peter Graczykowski

1.   Tax Exempt Properties Audit Results

The City Manager reported an audit was requested and completed by the Assesor's Office.  Of the 336 properties receiving tax exemptions by law or by legislation, 280 were immediately confirmed as exempt, 56 were deemed questionable and sent an application to be returned within 30 days.  By December 31, 2011 the City had heard from all.  Of those identified 37 properties can be fully or partially taxable.  The total amount generated from this would be $694,000

The Tax Assessor Steve Hazard is called to the podium to explain the tax exemption status, how some of the exemptions may no longer apply or that the previous exemption does not in its entirety cover the re-evaluated property and what revenues this might generate. 

2.   Police Detail Rates

The City Manager reported that per request of Mayor Rogers he had asked Chief Tavares to investigate that the detail rates charged are comparable to surrounding communities.  The preliminary research indicates there is probably room for improvement in what is charged for the vehicle.  They are going to look further into this including the pay provided to the officer versus what the City is charging the private company for.  When the research is complete this will come back to the Council with the recommendation from the City Manager and the Chief. 

3.   100 Day Action Plan

The City Manager stated this dates back to October 18th when he suggested various programs and projects that he would report back to Council on.  The following items were discussed:

1. Budget freeze, expenses over $500 this helped with surplus from previous year

2. Budget deficit elimination $7.25 million dollars, management audit on the School side

3. Change of the fiscal year, this will have to happen in order for the City to avoid borrowing as it has for many years, this will go on the November 2012 ballot

4. Arrears to collect in past due real estate and water payments and will implement a State income tax offset, it is a new program through the State we will be the first community in RI to do this

5. Tax exempt roll as previously discussed along with an audit of the homestead and elderly exemptions

6. Benefit eligibility for employees, average savings per healthcare plan will be about $9,100 per year if incorrectly receiving a family benefit rather than a single and also looking at alternatives such as annually bidding of benefits and other items, it is contractually driven but there is a huge potential for savings, health insurance and life insurance, workers compensation rates and workers management, property, casualty, building and vehicles 

7. Street light management, preparing RFP to conduct and audit to receive proper credit from National Grid, for example non functioning lights for one year is about $71,000

8. Single stream recycling potential $365,000 savings

9. Operations efficiency items include the new telephone system with a savings of $30,000 per year, the new financial system has gone to RFP, looking at asset forfeiture funds to a larger extent, wireless communications purchasing consortium with western states, electronic forms for vouchers and other areas including HR, met with Department Heads re: constituent complaint system on line, RFP to sell surplus City properties, consolidating deposit accounts, document management system and time labor management, further consolidation of services, HR, Finance and Legal next on the horizon

4.   Departmental Activity Update

This is a new initiative with the Department Heads for informational and planning purposes he has asked them to prepare a summary bi-weekly and he will make them available to the Council and the Budget Commission.  He welcomed any comments and suggestions. 

B.       Reports of Other City Officials

1.   Claims Committee Report by City Solicitor Orlando Andreoni

Pursuant to R.I.G.L. § 42-46-5(a)(2), a motion is made by Councilman Rose and seconded by Councilwoman Kleyla to convene in closed session for the purposes of discussing claims & litigation.  Upon a roll call vote:  Mayor Rogers - Aye, Councilman Conley - Aye, Councilman DiGioia - Aye, Councilwoman Kleyla - Aye, Councilman Rose - Aye, the motion is approved 5-0. 

                                    EAST PROVIDENCE CLAIMS COMMITTEE

                                              CLAIMS & LITIGATION REPORT

                                        JANUARY 17, 2012; ROOM 101; 7:00 P.M.

====================================================================

                                                                 NEW CLAIMS

AMICA MUTUAL INS. CO.                                                                                               $285.65

(INSURED: ROXANNE WINSOR)

RM No. 11-097, Claim No. 11-066

Claim for property damage to insured’s vehicle sustained as a result of striking a rod from a broken sign on a traffic island on Waterman Avenue.  See recommendation of the Director of Public Works.

Motion by:  Councilwoman Kleyla                             Seconded by:  Councilman Rose

Motion:  Refer the claim to the R.I. Department of Transportation.

DIANA K. TURNER                                                                                                           $195.00

RM No. 11-094, Claim No. 11-065

Claim for property damage to an underground dog fence sustained when a City work crew was repairing a drainage pipe.  See recommendation of the Director of Public Works.

Motion by:  Councilman Rose                                    Seconded by:  Councilwoman Kleyla

Motion:  Deny the claim.

Motion to approve the Claims Committee Report is made by Councilwoman Kleyla, seconded by Assistant Mayor Rose and on a roll call vote it is unanimous. 

2.   School Committee Update by Council Liaison School Committee Member Chrissy Rossi

Ms. Rossi reported that the School Committee officially received the B & E Report and unanimously approved the Schedule A audit items with one exception going with a lower amount of State aid than promised in case the State cuts the aid again.  Worst case scenario is a little money left over at the end.  As for the recommendations they already had $1.5 million approved before B & E arrived leaving $1.5 million to approve and those items are being reviewed by the Superintendent and the Finance Director.

C.       Council Members

1.   Bi-Weekly Update by Mayor Rogers

Mayor Rogers read into the record an email from a constituent to both himself and Councilman Conley regarding a request to have the Budget Commission meetings taped and placed on the website.  The Mayor stated he would bring this up at the next Budget Commission meeting.  The Mayor discussed the following:

1. Street lights, replacement and repair and the time it takes to get a repair done by National Grid as well as the inventory of the street lights which the City is paying for which are not working, the City Manager responded to this.

2. Easements including but not limited to National Grid and does the City receive payments for these easements, Director Coutu came forward to discuss this item and he and the City Manager stated they would research this item

The Mayor reported on the recent meetings of the Budget Commission and announced the State would be moving up the State Aid monies to the City by way of State Legislation and he thanked Representative Helio Melo and Senator DePonte this will be $12,124,104. 

The B & E Report if adopted in its entirety would mean an additional $1.2 million this year and about $3 million going forward in years to come. 

Offering an earlier than usual tax credit for those who pay their taxes annually instead of quarterly.  Offering a 4% reduction if payment is made in April or May.  The City Manager spoke on the options to recommend or not recommend.  Director Eggeman came forward to discuss as well and provided the numbers this would mean for and against. 

D.       Introduction of Ordinances

1.   An Ordinance relating to sale of alcoholic beverages to underage persons.

AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 9 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED “MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES”

SECTION I.  Section 9-1.1 entitled “Penalty for violations relating to sale of alcoholic beverages to underage persons” of Chapter 9 of the Revised Ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island 1998, as amended, entitled “Miscellaneous Offenses” is amended to read as follows:

9-1.1. Penalty for violations relating to sale of alcoholic beverages to underage persons.

Any person license holder who sells or allows the sale of or suffers to be sold or delivered any beverage which contains alcohol to a person who has not reached his or her twenty-first (21^st) birthday either for his or her own use or the use of his or her parents or any other person, or allows any person who has not reached his or her twenty-first (21^st) birthday to drink said alcoholic beverages within the City of East Providence or suffers or allows any persons who have not reached their eighteenth (18^th) birthday to sell or serve any alcoholic beverage on the premises shall for the first offense be subject to a minimum fine of $250 up to $500 per count; for the second offense, be subject to a minimum fine of $500 up to $1,000 per count and up to a 3 day closure; and for the third and any subsequent offense, be subject to a fine of $750 up to $1,000 and a minimum of a one day closure or revocation of the license; and for the fourth and any subsequent offense, be subject to a minimum fine of $1,000 per count and a 14 day closure or revocation of the license.  In the event that there are no offenses in three (3) successive years from the date of the last offense, then the next offense shall be treated as a first offense.

SECTION II.  This ordinance shall take effect upon its second passage and all ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed.

Requested by:  East Providence Prevention Coalition

A motion to approve is made by Councilwoman Kleyla, seconded by Assistant Mayor Rose and on a roll call vote it is unanimous. 

E.       Communications

1.   Jon White, Eident Sports Marketing, 10 Dorrance Street, Suite 650, Providence (02903) requesting to address the Council regarding the Cox Providence Rhode Races.

The marathon is May 6th they are starting 1/2 hour earlier this year.  Due to the construction on the bike path they may need to have a slightly different route.  The run benefits 5 difference charities, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Lung Care Alliance, Special Olympics and the Melanoma Foundation.  They anticipate around 1,300 people this year. 

2.   Unanimous Consent is granted for the Brown School to speak regarding their 3rd Annual Run To Momma Road Race.

Kathleen Hughes testified that the event is being held April 28th and it is their 3rd year and it is to raise money for the school and it is open to the public.    The route still needs to be discussed due to the bridge construction.  They have around 100 runners.

3.   Anthony Ferreira, 44 Brightridge Avenue (02914) requesting to address the Council regarding the budget.

Mr. Ferreira asks the City Manager about the owed water payments and why can't the City just collect the money.  The City Manager explained the State's program to offset the State income tax refund to collect the funds.  Mr. Ferreira asked about the automated trash collected.  The City Manager explained the single stream collection process and the capital investment as well as the savings.  

4.   Freddie Rybka, 9 Cozzens Avenue (02915) requesting to address the Council regarding pot holes.

Mr. Rybka passed out pictures of roads which were dug up and recovered due to the work being done in Riverside by National Grid.  Director Coutu came forward and addressed the issue, that National Grid is responsible and if they do not recover the street properly the City can go back to National Grid and have them to repair it again.  Director Coutu stated he would recheck the sites and if needed send National Grid out to do further repairs. A discussion regarding the need and cost of a Hot Box ensued.  

X.         Adjournment

1.   Motion to adjourn

A motion to adjourn is made by Councilwoman Kleyla, seconded by Assistant Mayor Rose and on a roll call vote it is unanimous. 

Approved By Council:  March 20, 2012

ATTEST:  ________________

                   cITY cLERK