I.                   CALL TO ORDER

II.                SALUTE TO THE FLAG

III.             PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

A.    Recognition to Eaton Corporation for the James R. Oldham Elementary School – (by Kim Mercer, Supt. of Schools and Elaine Allen, Principal)

A Plaque was presented by the Superintendent of Schools and the Principal.

A citation was presented by the City Council.

IV.             ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

A.    New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) East Providence High School Accreditation (by Superintendent of Schools, Kimberly Mercer)

Councilwoman Rossi inquired if the bathrooms were part of Johnson Controls previous work.

The superintendent stated they were and that these are repairs.

Ed Catelli is called to the podium.

Councilman Cunha inquired about the roofing at the high school.

Mr. Catelli stated they removed the atrium and put a new roof on that section which was leaking as well as at the front entrance by the clock tower.

Councilwoman Rossi inquired about Johnson Controls and the $12 million bond and the work and repairs to plumbing, heating and electrical and asked if any of the reasons the bathrooms were not working was due to an issue from that work and if so is there a warranty?

Mr. Catelli stated this was not a duplication of work, with the bond money they did faucets, sinks and toilets but these were not completely done so that is why they have to continue in other areas where there are broken sinks etc...

Councilwoman Rossi asked if there was a maintenance schedule.

Mr. Catelli said there was and they are now adding a full time plumber for preventative maintenance and this is where they were lacking previously.  They were also lacking in painters and the hope this may be added to the budget next year, the request is for 2 painters and an additional plumber.

The Superintendent acknowledged Mr. Feola who has worked very hard all summer as well as Mr. Catelli.

School Committee Member Tony Fereirra thanked both and also stated that Mr. Catelli was the first person who has told the truth about how bad the situation really was in the school and what caused it. 

School Committee member Fereirra added that the teachers are doing a good job, the scores are improving and now we have to start doing our job.

Mr. Catelli thanked the School Committee.

School Committee member Conley spoke stating the high school needs $10-15 million in repairs or eventually we will lose our accreditation. It has been 8-10 years of not investing in facilities and that is the reality.  If we don't find this money we will lose it.  We will be the only city/town in the state to have this happen. We have been on warning for over 5 years. With the EPBC’s 5 year operating plan it is not possible. We need to speak with the delegation members and get assistance to find this money. This is the most important issue facing the City.

B.     Roles and Responsibilities (by School Committee Chair, Joel Monteiro)

Chairman Monteiro spoke regarding coming together to do what is right. The School Department is the backbone of the community. The quality of our education attracts people to our community and businesses to our community. We need to build on this and stress this importance as elected officials who chose to run, that we understand our roles and responsibilities. We need to communicate with each other and hand things off to the appropriate people to run an efficient system. The voters are looking for this. We need to change the culture and how we act with each other in meetings.

School Committee member Tony Fereirra expressed agreement.

Mayor Briden stated to the Superintendent regarding the budget, on the last page, the capital expenses, we recognize problems exist and we have a desire to make these improvements but maybe the starting point is that we examine the 5 year program and look at the budget we have to  plan going forward. We can't solve all this in one meeting and he would suggest that they meet again and that this be our objective, to prioritize the needs and look at the existing 5 year improvement plan and get a better understanding of what we are doing over the next 5 years.

Assistant Mayor Rose asked if this should be scheduled for October.

Mayor Briden stated that by October 24th we need to have a completed budget. There are a number of steps which have to be taken and much is left up to the voters to decide ie: approving of a bond going forward, if there is a proposed or revised plan to be in place which might include a bond, as there isn't the funding otherwise.

The Chairman stated a maintenance schedule and what will be needed operationally should be in place before we commit to increasing.  We need to see this 5 year plan of action but we are so far beyond a 5 year plan. We are underfunded. If you go from community to community you will see this. 

Mayor Briden stated that we are where we are because of the lack of a 5 year plan but they can also look at the immediate funding of certain issues.

Assistant Mayor Rose asked if they could look to November after the budget is completed and look to have meetings in a more progressive manner over time.

Councilwoman Rossi stated she has been trying to get this meeting since May and that the City Council managed to pull Pondview together in one week.  Looking at requests received by the Planning Board which includes requests by the School Department what we have funded under the 5 year plan is the $500 thousand level.  Under the capital improvement plan there is $200 thousand to the school for fire and safety issues.

The Superintendent stated there is a phase two depending on how much there is left.

Councilwoman Rossi asked if $800 thousand will be enough of a band aid until we go out to bond during the election.

Mr. Catelli came to the podium and asked the Fire Chief to provide an explanation of the needs.

Chief Elmasian said this is life and fire safety issues which approximately 4-5 years ago they inspected the schools and generated reports.  They worked with the School Committee to go before the Board of Appeal to seek for a relief of time and a bond which was voted on by the public. As time went on and items were still unable to be completed the RI Department of Health came through and the asbestos abatement was larger than originally thought. The Fire Department prioritized EPHS and the two middle schools adding if they were going to continue to rent these facilities they needed sprinklers installed. The Health Department came in for more asbestos removal. We have buildings in the City without out fire alarms.  Elementary age school children that need to be able to open a door, means of egress, means of escape and the hallways need to be rated.

Mayor Briden stated it is a challenge to try to put together a 5 year plan that works in conjunction with a multi-year budget plan and strikes the right balance and is affordable to the tax payers.

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at 7:00pm.

Mayor Briden stated he is looking for a draft of a 5 year plan from the Superintendent, City Manager, Finance Director and Mr. Luba for that meeting.   

V.                ADJOURNMENT

A motion to adjourn is made at 8:32PM by Assistant Mayor Rose, seconded by Councilwoman Capobianco and on a roll call vote it is unanimous. 

Approved By Council:  October 1, 2013

Attest:  _________________

                      City Clerk