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CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
RHODE ISLAND
JOURNAL OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
December 10, 2014
Council Chambers, City Hall, 145 Taunton Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914
7:00 P.M. Executive Session, Room 101
7:30 P.M. Open Session
I. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The City Council of the City of East Providence will meet in Executive Session pursuant to RI General Laws § 42-46-5 (a) (2).
A. New Claims
1. Ronald Coleman
2. Jeannette M. Dionne
3. June M. Mullen
B. Litigation
1. Bullocks Point Associates, LP vs Steven Hazard, Tax Assessor – Tax Appeal
C. Sewer Charge Abatements
1. Kathleen Bourassa
2. Maria Batista
3. Karen DePasquale & Nancy Magnelli
4. Maria Faria
5. Joseph Guglielmo
6. Connie & Jose Vieira
D. Department Heads – Contract
II. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Rose calls the meeting to order at 7:38.
III. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
IV. TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Cancellation/Abatements – Board of Assessment and Review
| Year | |
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| 2014 | $3,065.26 |
| 2013 HS Penalty | $4,373.28 |
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| Total | $7,438.54 |
B. Cancellation/Abatements
| Year | |
| 2009 | $92.60 |
| 2010 | $105.40 |
| 2011 | $641.36 |
| 2012 | $1,541.91 |
| 2013 | $1,976.39 |
| 2014 | $15,623.65 |
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| Total | $19,981.31 |
C. Letter
1. Resolution - Hopkinton Town Council urging passage of legislation by the General Assembly repealing the tax on Social Security benefits.
2. Resolution - Richmond Town Council declaring November 2014 Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
A motion to approve the Consent Calendar is made by Councilman Cunha, seconded by Councilwoman Capobianco and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.
V. PUBLIC COMMENT
A. Tom Riley, Pawtucket Avenue (02915) – Water Meters
VI. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
A. Presentation of Award to Robin Hafheinz of Financial Transitions Group by Christine Pereira, Riverside PTA (by Councilwoman Capobianco)
B. Citations in Appreciation for Work with the Youth in East Providence to John Carnevale, Bobby Roderick and the KRob Foundation (by Councilwoman Capobianco and Mayor Rose)
VII. APPOINTMENTS
A. Beautification Commission (by Councilwoman Capobianco)
Kevin Lewis, 196 Centre Street (02916)
A motion to approve the Appointment is made by Councilman Cunha, seconded by Councilwoman Capobianco and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.
B. Traffic Control (by Assistant Mayor Cunha)
Maria DiPina, 227 South Spruce Street (02914)
A motion to approve the Appointment is made by Councilwoman Capobianco, seconded by Councilman Cunha and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.
VIII. LICENSES NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARING
A. Wrecker/Tower – Transfer
Transfer From: A-Towing, Inc., 733 Warren Avenue (02914) to A-1 Towing and Recovery, LLC, John Barbosa, 5A Eastern Avenue (02914)
Mayor Rose recuses himself and Assistant Mayor Cunha takes the Mayor’s Chair.
A motion to approve the License is made by Councilwoman Capobianco, seconded by Councilman Britto and on a roll call vote it is unanimous with Mayor Rose recusing.
B. Tow List – Transfer
Transfer From: A-Towing, Inc., 733 Warren Avenue (02914) to A-1 Towing and Recovery, LLC, John Barbosa, 5A Eastern Avenue (02914)
A motion to approve the License is made by Councilwoman Capobianco, seconded by Councilman Britto and on a roll call vote it is unanimous with Mayor Rose recusing.
IX. PUBLIC HEARING – ORDINANCES FINAL PASSAGE
A. An ordinance regarding a One Way Street on Blanche Avenue (eastbound) from Orlo Avenue to Irving Avenue during the hours of 8am-9am and 2pm-3pm on School Days.
REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED “VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC”
SECTION I. Section 18-247 entitled “Designation of one-way streets” of Article VIII entitled “One-Way Streets” of Chapter 18 entitled “Vehicles and Traffic” is amended by adding thereto the following:
Blanche Avenue (eastbound) from Orlo Avenue to Irving Avenue during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on school days.
SECTION II. This ordinance shall take effect upon second passage and all ordinances and parts of ordinances inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed.
Requested by: Councilwoman Capobianco
The Ordinance was deferred to the next meeting for advertisement reasons.
X. NEW BUSINESS
A. City Managers Report (by Acting City Manager, Paul Lemont)
1. Prequalification for Contractors for Improvements to Jones Pond
The City Manager reviewed the memorandum which was provided to Council. Eight firms responded by the October 31st deadline. This was reviewed by the Planning Director, the City Engineer and the architect.
Councilman Conley stated that based on past experience with iron construction within the School Department where there were significant quality issues at the science lab and auditorium he feels as though they are not qualified. The other members of the Council agreed. The City Manager stated that they could approve the remaining seven.
A motion to prequalify 7 listed but not to include Iron Construction is made by Councilman Conley, seconded by Councilwoman Capobianco and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.
2. Prequalification for Contractors for Installation of High Water Relief Pipes-Warren Avenue/Runnins’ River
The City Manager reviewed the memorandum which was provided to the Council. There are six firms responding. The Planning Director, City Engineer and architect as well as the City Purchasing Agent have all reviewed.
A motion to approve the list for prequalification is made by Councilman Cunha, seconded by Councilwoman Capobianco and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.
Unanimous Consent is requested by Councilwoman Capobianco to move item C. 4., listed under Council Members, to this location on the docket. Unanimous Consent is granted.
4. Beautification Commission Discussion (by Councilwoman Capobianco)
Councilwoman Capobianco called the Chair Christine Perreira to the podium and explained that she is the newly elected chair and has a lot of enthusiasm and excitement and she plus the four new appointments and three returning appointments are a dynamic group with great ideas.
Ms. Perreira explained that the Commission has been dormant a few years. They are working to revamp the bylaws and will bring these to the Council for approval. They are working with Rick Lawson from the East Providence Arts Council as well. There are funds from Exxon about $2,000 to be used for another sign. All of this will be discussed and presented to the City Council in the near future. The main reason for her attendance tonight is that the commission ordinance calls for 20 members, 4 from each Council member and she is asking if Council knows of anyone who would like to join to please appoint them. There are spots available in wards 2, 3 and 4.
B. Reports of Other City Officials
1. Claims Committee Report (by City Solicitor Timothy Chapman)
Pursuant to R.I.G.L. § 42-46-5(a)(2), a motion is made by Councilman Cunha and seconded by Councilwoman Capobianco to convene in closed session for the purposes of discussing claims & litigation. Upon a roll call vote: Mayor Rose – Aye, Councilman Britto – Aye, Councilwoman Capobianco – Aye, Councilman Conley – Aye, Councilman Cunha - Aye, the motion is approved 5-0.
EAST PROVIDENCE CLAIMS COMMITTEE
CLAIMS & LITIGATION REPORT
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014; 7:00 P.M.; ROOM 101
====================================================================
NEW CLAIMS
RONALD COLEMAN $434.49
RM No. 14-089, Claim No. 14-061
Claim for reimbursement of expenses incurred as a result of a sewer backup. See recommendation of the Director of Public Works.
Motion by: Councilwoman Capobianco Seconded by: Councilman Britto
Motion: Approve the claim in the amount of $434.49.
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VOTE | MAYOR ROSE | COUNCILMAN BRITTO | COUNCILWOMAN CAPOBIANCO | COUNCILMAN CONLEY | COUNCILMAN CUNHA |
| Aye | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Nay |
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| Abstain |
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| Absent |
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JEANNETTE M. DIONNE $447.54
RM No. 14-093, Claim No. 14-063
Claim for property damage to vehicle sustained as a result of construction on Crescent View Avenue. See recommendation of the Director of Public Works.
Motion by: Councilwoman Capobianco Seconded by: Councilman Britto
Motion: Refer the claim to Cardi Corporation.
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VOTE | MAYOR ROSE | COUNCILMAN BRITTO | COUNCILWOMAN CAPOBIANCO | COUNCILMAN CONLEY | COUNCILMAN CUNHA |
| Aye | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Nay |
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| Abstain |
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| Absent |
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JUNE M. MULLEN $1,469.46
RM No. 14-094, Claim No. 14-064
Claim for property damage to vehicle sustained as a result of construction on Crescent View Avenue. See recommendation of the Director of Public Works.
Motion by: Councilman Cunha Seconded by: Councilwoman Capobianco
Motion: Refer the claim to Cardi Corporation.
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VOTE | MAYOR ROSE | COUNCILMAN BRITTO | COUNCILWOMAN CAPOBIANCO | COUNCILMAN CONLEY | COUNCILMAN CUNHA |
| Aye | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Nay |
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| Abstain |
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| Absent |
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LITIGATION
BULLOCKS POINT ASSOCIATES, L.P. VS. STEVEN HAZARD, TAX ASSESSOR
C.A. NO. PC14-222
Tax Appeal
Settlement Agreement
Motion by: Councilman Cunha Seconded by: Councilman Conley
Motion: Approve the Settlement Agreement.
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VOTE | MAYOR ROSE | COUNCILMAN BRITTO | COUNCILWOMAN CAPOBIANCO | COUNCILMAN CONLEY | COUNCILMAN CUNHA |
| Aye | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Nay |
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| Abstain |
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| Absent |
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SEWER CHARGE ABATEMENTS
KATHLEEN BOURASSA $158.75
Request for a sewer charge abatement for the property located at 10 Pearl Avenue in accordance with City Ordinance Sec. 17-183(g).
Motion by: Councilwoman Capobianco Seconded by: Councilman Cunha
Motion: Approve the abatement in the amount of $158.75.
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VOTE | MAYOR ROSE | COUNCILMAN BRITTO | COUNCILWOMAN CAPOBIANCO | COUNCILMAN CONLEY | COUNCILMAN CUNHA |
| Aye | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Nay |
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| Abstain |
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| Absent |
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MARIA BATISTA $608.71
Request for a sewer charge abatement for the property located at 50 Jackson Avenue in accordance with City Ordinance Sec. 17-183(g).
Motion by: Councilman Britto Seconded by: Councilman Cunha
Motion: Approve the abatement in the amount of $608.71.
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VOTE | MAYOR ROSE | COUNCILMAN BRITTO | COUNCILWOMAN CAPOBIANCO | COUNCILMAN CONLEY | COUNCILMAN CUNHA |
| Aye | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Nay |
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| Abstain |
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| Absent |
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KAREN DEPASQUALE & NANCY MAGNELLI $110.46
Request for a sewer charge abatement for the property located at 97 Glenrose Avenue in accordance with City Ordinance Sec. 17-183(g).
Motion by: Councilman Cunha Seconded by: Councilwoman Capobianco
Motion: Approve the abatement in the amount of $110.46.
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VOTE | MAYOR ROSE | COUNCILMAN BRITTO | COUNCILWOMAN CAPOBIANCO | COUNCILMAN CONLEY | COUNCILMAN CUNHA |
| Aye | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Nay |
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| Abstain |
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| Absent |
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MARIA FARIA $115.85
Request for a sewer charge abatement for the property located at 57 Ivan Avenue in accordance with City Ordinance Sec. 17-183(g).
Motion by: Councilwoman Capobianco Seconded by: Councilman Cunha
Motion: Approve the abatement in the amount of $115.85.
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VOTE | MAYOR ROSE | COUNCILMAN BRITTO | COUNCILWOMAN CAPOBIANCO | COUNCILMAN CONLEY | COUNCILMAN CUNHA |
| Aye | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Nay |
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| Abstain |
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| Absent |
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JOSEPH GUGLIELMO $165.92
Request for a sewer charge abatement for the property located at 61 Plymouth Road in accordance with City Ordinance Sec. 17-183(g).
Motion by: Councilman Cunha Seconded by: Councilwoman Capobianco
Motion: Approve the abatement in the amount of $165.92.
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VOTE | MAYOR ROSE | COUNCILMAN BRITTO | COUNCILWOMAN CAPOBIANCO | COUNCILMAN CONLEY | COUNCILMAN CUNHA |
| Aye | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Nay |
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| Abstain |
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| Absent |
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CONNIE & JOSE VIEIRA $146.09
Request for a sewer charge abatement for the property located at 78 James Street in accordance with City Ordinance Sec. 17-183(g).
Motion by: Councilman Britto Seconded by: Councilman Cunha
Motion: Approve the abatement in the amount of $146.09.
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VOTE | MAYOR ROSE | COUNCILMAN BRITTO | COUNCILWOMAN CAPOBIANCO | COUNCILMAN CONLEY | COUNCILMAN CUNHA |
| Aye | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Nay |
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| Abstain |
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| Absent |
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A motion to approve the Claims Committee Report is made by Councilwoman Capobianco, seconded by Assistant Mayor Cunha and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.
C. Council Members
5. 19 Million Dollar Water Bond Questions (by Assistant Mayor Cunha)
Assistant Mayor Cunha stated it’s been about 2 weeks since the last meeting regarding the sewer and water issue and he would like to have an update.
The City Manager called Jim Marvel to the podium as Director Coutu is not present.
The City Manager stated there have been many meetings and the item has been discussed. They have discussed having the company which writes the program for billing create a system where resident can receive a monthly bill. It’s not easy but they are working on it. They have met with many residents with concerns and some have been authorized for abatements. However, it should be noted of all residents he has met with they have not yet found one instance where the meter was not correct or where they could not explain why it was not correct. They pulled over 100 meters and found zero issues. These types of complaints are happening throughout the State with a similar situation at the Narragansett Bay Commission right now. Like the City of East Providence, they are under an edict to clean what they put in the Bay. They have dug a tunnel under the City of Providence instead of pumping into the Bay. When there is a bad storm they put the dirty water there and pull it out later and treat it. They are doing it because the Government has said they must just as they have told the City of East Providence. We looked at what it had cost us when we signed a consent decree to build the new pump station, the line and the treatment plant for $52 million. When you spend that kind of money you have to pay for it later. You can blame Councils prior for many years of doing nothing but it came home to roost and we have to pay for it. The rates spike up to pay for it. The question which keeps coming up all the time is how much can we bill people, where is the ceiling, we are very close to the ceiling. However, we can ask what else can we do. We looked and there are no problems with the meters. Where the bill seems over what it should be we are giving abatements to those. The State tells us we have to clean the water or they will cite us or order us to boil the water. We are under the gun and we have to do what is necessary to get ourselves into a good situation. We will continue to analyze the process such as spreading out the payments and refinancing and we will come back after further analysis.
Jim Marvel spoke and explained they had a meter company in for the meter tests. They have done this for free and have not found one bad meter. If there was one, they would have removed it. There were 200 out of 15000 in the past year due to a lack of a reading not over reading. What residents are running into is the value of water and waste water services and all of them have had a sprinkler system.
Assistant Mayor Cunha stated it’s not a meter issue then it’s a bond issue, an incremental increase which has driven the rates up on the sewer side. United Water has said the City sets the rates.
Jim Marvel stated they give you an operations contract and then on top of that is the debt, the City has taken out wastewater it is a fixed cost business.
Assistant Mayor Cunha asked if the City did an RFP for United Water and how do we know they are being competitive?
The City Manager stated they have the contract and the fee goes up 1.2% per year. If there was any mistake it was made in the initial contract.
Assistant Mayor Cunha asked how many bids the City received and can they find out the rates.
The City Manager stated the rates the City is charging is just about the rate Narragansett Bay Commission is charging.
Assistant Mayor Cunha stated right now the City is looking at a $71 million debt when you include the $19 million bond. He would like to see a detailed report of where the funds were spent from inception to today and a breakdown of the numbers.
Jim Marvel stated the clean water finance debt is all detailed.
Assistant Mayor Cunha asked if the $19 million passed by this Council has gone out to bid yet.
The City Manager stated it had and the bond will be ready to be signed early next week.
Assistant Mayor Cunha asked if there is a way to rescind the bond.
The City Solicitor and the Finance Director stated they spoke to bond counsel and there may be fees associated with that as a consent agreement was required to start the construction in March 2015.
Assistant Mayor Cunha asked if they can do a moratorium on the bond.
The City Manager stated how would that be possible if we have to construct in the spring it would be too late.
Mayor Rose asked if they could look into the rescinding and what the costs would be.
Jim Marvel stated that the $52 million and $19 million are two separate issues.
The City Manager stated that he would hate to think of consequences of what the State would do and declare our water unsafe and call for a boil order.
Mayor Rose stated that he would like to look into what the Assistant Mayor is requesting.
The City Manager stated that they have not found that the bond holder finds stretching to 20-30 years is a good idea. There is a cost to doing this.
Director Moore spoke stating he contacted the City’s Financial Advisor and the issues are through Clean Water as they would have to refinance the City can’t. He called to the podium bond counsel representative Karen Grande.
Ms. Grande spoke that Clean Water Finance Agency is set up by the State to receive federal grants and use those funds to reduce the interest rates for water and sewer financing. In this process communities get 1/4 and 1/3 off market rates. They put it all into a big fund and issue bonds to communities and they issue their own bonds to public market. This is done in pools and periodically they look at interest rates and they will refund if they can and share the savings or drop the money into the fund to make future loans to those same borrowers. Narragansett Bay Commission had looked at getting Clean Water Finance these are the lowest rates they can find.
Assistant Mayor Cunha asked what if the bond rate was now lower the City was locked in at a top rate. If you were to do the transaction today you would get a better rate. Is it worth it for the City to do their own and pay off clean water.
Ms. Grande explained that there is another problem that cities and towns can’t issue revenue bonds, only general obligation bonds, which require voter approvals and tax payers are more responsible for the debt.
Assistant Mayor Cunha asked about private funding.
Ms. Grande stated that the problem would be the City would end up paying a higher rate. In general this is more expensive than a public offering or issuing through Clean Water Finance.
Assistant Mayor Cunha asked if they can have the debt structure.
Ms. Grande stated they are typically done as level debt and this information is available. The annual debt service is pretty much level.
Councilman Conley asked if we were to say stop what happens?
Ms. Grande stated that given the timing of where we are it would be very bad. Clean Water Finance has already gone out into the public market to price these bonds. The City has signed a commitment to sell them. It could end up in a failed delivery. Clean Water Finance would not only be angry they could charge you for damages and you are the larger borrower. Providence is borrowing $8 million and they would assess you the damages and they would never agree to let you borrow again.
Assistant Mayor Cunha asked what would be worse rescinding or not being able to pay the $19 million. Ms. Grande explained that one of the requirements to get bonds issued is a certificate from your rate consultant stating you can pay for these.
Jim Marvel stated they have a formula that they use which takes a look at your net income without your bond revenue debt.
Assistant Mayor Cunha asked what happens if the population drops.
Jim Marvel stated the rate studies should be done every couple of years to adjust for that.
Mayor Rose stated he is not worried as much about the water fees as the sewer fees.
The City Manager explained the City could charge 150 for the meter and very little for the wastewater. However, they tried to reflect that the average user would be lower and higher use would have a geometric rise. They are discussing changing this but the lower user would have to go up.
Jim Marvel explained the State came up with the idea to combine and it’s had an effect on rate studies. The City’s water rate is still the lowest even though the sewer is higher.
Assistant Mayor Cunha stated that he is trying to work his way back to see how we got to this level with the sewer rates.
Councilman Conley stated that it was a debt which was incurred due to there being no past investment in infrastructure and by kicking the can down the road. In hindsight that burden on 50 thousand residents is a really big number. He would have screamed and yelled to have Narragansett Bay Commission take over. If they don't put this investment in it is only going to get bigger. This is the history of not investing in infrastructure. The City borrowed the money and have no options in getting out. Kicking the can down the road cannot continue and we have to solve these problems not blame but when you borrow $50 million and have $30 million to invest it should have been done over years. There is not a simple answer for that it is the debt service. I’m just being honest with people.
The City Manager explained that if you go back 10-12 years ago it had been proposed that the City sell to Narragansett Bay Commission and the City Manager was told by the hen Council that they did not want to sell the sewer plant.
Councilman Conley stated tht it would have been good to explore regionalization and this was a tremendous miss by the City.
The City Manager stated that the City has 3 more years to run on the contract with United Water and this topic will come before Council at that time.
Assistant Mayor Cunha declared the roads are horrible and until recently nothing has been done but that being said here we are with this contract that we can’t do anything about.
The City Manager informed the Council that he has written a letter to the Congressional delegation regarding the plight and is there any help available. He then ran into Senator Reed on Sunday and he is going to call shortly to explore the problem and whether this goes anywhere or not we'll see.
Mayor Rose requested an update in 4 weeks at that Council meeting.
The City Manager asked Ms. Grande what was the time clock on the matter.
Ms. Grande responded that they are closing on the bonds next week. There are two enterprise funds and those are secure by water fund is completely separate from the sewer.
Assistant Mayor Cunha asked who is the advisor for this.
Ms. Grande stated First Southwest.
Assistant Mayor Cunha asked if they are also the advisor for Clean Water and Ms. Grande replied they are. Assistant Mayor Cunha questioned whether or not this is a conflict.
6. Life Expectancy of Current and Projected Work Related to Funding from Water Bonds (by Assistant Mayor Cunha)
Jim Marvel explained this is broken down into four subsets. The transmission line which is 100 plus years old, a new storage tank which is 75 plus years old, a chlorination system which is 20 years old, and water main lines which are almost 100 years old. There is a draw down schedule requirement of bond funds.
Assistant Mayor Cunha requests copies of the drawdown schedule and the life expectancy of the work as well as the length of time it will take to install all the repairs.
Jim Marvel replied that it will take 18 months from time they start construction.
Councilman Conley asked that if the lines are over 100 years old what is the testing to ascertain the condition.
Jim Marvel replied that old lines are cast iron and that rusts and when it does you lose the pipe diameter. They mechanically clean and put a cement lining in to avoid the rusting. It is an expensive excavation and road construction has to happen first this will be the first influx of capital for this project since 1964.
7. Deduct Meter (by Assistant Mayor Cunha)
Assistant Mayor Cunha stated that at the last meeting residents were told they can apply for a deduct meter. If many people received a deduct meter would this jeopardize the revenue to pay for the bond.
Jim Marvel said he is not sure about that but he really doesn’t believe that a deduct meter is going to put the sewer fund in jeopardy. It’s a seasonal thing.
Assistant Mayor Cunha asked if a resident purchases a deduct meter do they lose the credit.
Jim Marvel replied they do and they would need to way their usage and decide which one would offer a better savings for them.
Assistant Mayor Cunha stated that it didn’t seem fair if they are using a sprinkler system and if they get a deduct meter they are going to be penalized.
Jim Marvel replied if they have a high consumption then they do save using a deduct meter.
Assistant Mayor Cunha asked how much a deduct meter would cost. Jim Marvel stated that it is about a $200 expense the irrigation line has to be separate and it can only serve the irrigation system.
The City Manager asked how many people in the City had a deduct meter and Jim Marvel replied there are currently 256 deduct meters. It is possible for someone to have more than one such as the golf courses.
Assistant Mayor Cunha asked if rates were adjusted based on the consumption would it affect the payoff.
Jim Marvel stated it could be true but that is why you should do a rate study every couple of years.
Mayor Rose stated what the City needs to do from here is continue to study and to get a better resolution and look into the rates and a rate study. There has to be another avenue to help with the sewer rate.
Assistant Mayor Cunha requested an update at the next meeting.
Both the City Manager and Jim Marvel agreed. The City Manager asked the Council what they were planning on doing regarding closing on the bonds next week.
Councilwoman Capobianco stated she was not interested in holding back the water project that we need to do it others didn't and if we have to. She is not interested in unclean water traveling through rusty old pipes.
8. Beautification Commission Discussion (by Councilwoman Capobianco)
Councilwoman Capobianco called the Chair Christine Perreira to the podium and explained that she is the newly elected chair and has a lot of enthusiasm and excitement and she along with the four new appointments and three returning appointments are a dynamic group with great ideas. The Commission has been dormant a few years. They are working to revamp the bylaws and will bring these to the Council for approval. They are working with Rick Lawson as well. There are funds from Exxon about $2,000 to be used for another sign. All of this will be discussed and presented to the City Council in the near future. The main reason for her attendance tonight is that the commission ordinance calls for 20 members, 4 from each Council member and she is asking if Council knows of anyone who would like to join to please appoint them. There are spots available in wards 2, 3 and 4.
9. Business Holiday Display Awards (by Councilwoman Capobianco)
Councilwoman Capobianco deferred this item to the next Council meeting.
D. Report of School Committee Liaison
There is not School Committee Liaison Report this meeting.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
A motion to Adjourn at 9:07PM is made Assistant Mayor Cunha, seconded by Councilwoman Capobianco and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.
Approved By Council: January 6, 2015
Attest: _______________