CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
RHODE ISLAND
JOURNAL OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
December 16, 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
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. Mario J. Costa
2. Fernando Dorego
3. John Healey
B. Sewer Charge Abatements
1. Margo Albanese
2. Deborah Cole
3. Didia Correia
4. Andrew Decastro
5. Lindsay Ferris
6. Natalie M. Hayward
7. Leonard Iannacone
8. Barbara Marot
9. Scott O’Neill
10. Nicole Turner
C. Department Heads – Contract
Mayor Rose calls the meeting to order at 7:58PM
All items under “CONSENT CALENDAR” are considered to be of a routine and noncontroversial nature by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion on these items unless a Council member so requests, in which event, the item will be removed from the “CONSENT CALENDAR” and will be considered in its normal sequence on the docket.
A. Letters
1. Resolution from Hopkinton Town Council in opposition to RhodeMapRI.
2. Letter of opposition from Town of East Greenwich in opposition to RhodeMapRI.
B. Council Journals
1. Special Council Meeting November 25, 2014
2. Council Meeting – Inauguration December 1, 2014
A motion to approve the Consent Calendar, minus item B. 2. is made by Councilwoman Capobianco, seconded by Councilman Britto and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.
All persons wishing to make public comment shall sign a public comment sheet stating their name, address, and the subject of their comments. Said comments should pertain to topics listed on the public Council docket. Said public comment sheet shall be available on a desk at the entrance of the City Hall Chambers no later than forty-five (45) minutes before the call to order of any regularly scheduled council meeting and shall be delivered to the presiding officer no earlier than five (5) minutes before the call to order of the meeting.
A. City Managers Report (by Acting City Manager, Paul Lemont)
1. Request for Qualifications for Water Distribution System Improvements
A motion to approve those who qualified is made by Councilman Cunha, seconded by Councilwoman Capobianco and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.
2. Request for Qualifications for Water Main Cleaning and Lining Contractors
A motion to approve those who qualified is made by Councilwoman Capobianco, seconded by Councilman Cunha and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.
3. Request for Qualifications for Water Storage Tank Construction
A motion to approve those who qualified is made by Councilman Britto, seconded by Councilwoman Capobianco and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.
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 Councilwoman Capobianco and seconded by Councilman Cunha 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
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014; 7:00 P.M.; ROOM 101
=================================================================== NEW CLAIMS
MARIO J. COSTA $225.00
RM No. 14-092, Claim No. 14-062
Claim for reimbursement of expenses incurred as a result of a sewer backup. See recommendation of the Director of Public Works.
Motion by: Councilman Cunha Seconded by: Councilwoman Capobianco
Motion: Approve the claim in the amount of $225.00.
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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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FERNANDO DOREGO $887.61
RM No. 14-097, Claim No. 14-066
Claim for property damage to personal vehicle sustained while working for the City.
Motion by: Councilman Cunha Seconded by: Councilwoman Capobianco
Motion: Approve the claim in the amount of $887.61.
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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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JOHN HEALEY $1,259.96
RM No. 14-095, Claim No. 14-065
Claim for property damage to vehicle sustained as a result of striking a pothole on Brookhaven Drive. See recommendation of the Director of Public Works.
Motion by: Councilwoman Capobianco Seconded by: Councilman Britto
Motion: Deny the claim.
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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
MARGO ALBANESE $264.83
Request for a sewer charge abatement for the property located at 105 Mayflower Street 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 $264.83.
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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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DEBORAH COLE $86.67
Request for a sewer charge abatement for the property located at 15 Elson Drive 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 $86.67.
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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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IDIA CORREIA $57.78
Request for a sewer charge abatement for the property located at 39 Ferris 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 $57.78.
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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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ANDREW DECASTRO $579.20
Request for a sewer charge abatement for the property located at 3 Woburn Road 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 $579.20.
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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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LINDSAY FERRIS $150.32
Request for a sewer charge abatement for the property located at 214 Becker 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 $150.32.
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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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NATALIE M. HAYWARD $105.93
Request for a sewer charge abatement for the property located at 39 Colony Road 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 $105.93.
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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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LEONARD IANNACONE $512.85
Request for a sewer charge abatement for the property located at 216 Mercer Street 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 $512.85.
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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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BARBARA MAROT $53.40
Request for a sewer charge abatement for the property located at 84 Pine Crest Drive 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 $53.40.
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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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SCOTT O’NEILL $420.83
Request for a sewer charge abatement for the property located at 111 Sherman Street 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 $420.83.
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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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NICOLE TURNER $57.78
Request for a sewer charge abatement for the property located at 430 Roger Williams Avenue in accordance with City Ordinance Sec. 17-183(g).
Motion by: Councilwoman Capobianco Seconded by: Councilman Cunha
Motion: Approve the claim in the amount of $57.78.
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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 Councilman Cunha and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.
Unanimous Consent is requested by Councilwoman Capobianco to move item C. 6. Under Council Members to this location and unanimous consent is granted.
6. East Providence Relay for Life 2015 (by Councilwoman Capobianco)
Heather Foley and Angela Tillinghast from Relay for Life are present and Councilwoman Capobianco requests they to come to the podium.
They let the Council know this event is held every year in East Providence at Pierce Field, June 5th and 6th and it is held all over the world. The donations fund research, advocacy, education and patient services. The kickoff is being held January 20, 2014 at 2 Pauls Restaurant from 6-8PM. There will be refreshments. Invites are on the back table. This is a chance for all to learn more about the fundraiser and also provides participants, teams and businesses a great opportunity to get together for a fun event. They invited all to attend. Last year they raised $63,000.
C. Council Members
1. Merry Christmas (by Mayor Rose)
Mayor Rose wished everyone a Merry Christmas and thanked all the Council members adding that he looks forward to the next year going in the right direction.
2. RhodeMapRI (by Mayor Rose)
Mayor Rose asked this be placed on the next docket as a presentation to learn more about the program.
3. Update on Sewer Rates (by Assistant Mayor Cunha)
Assistant Mayor Cunha asked the City Manager for an update.
The City Manager stated they went to Portsmouth to see the system they are using regarding handling the billing process for the City to go from quarterly to monthly billing. As a safe guard, the City is looking at another company. This change over will take place sometime in the fall. He met with staff regarding what we do with the spike in the rate. As already known the summer had little rain and people used more water and had a high sprinkler usage. For example, they heard the story of an elderly lady from Rumford and what they found was that she has an irrigation system which ran every day and a broken toilet flapper which dumped 3.89 gallons of water per minute. The City had sent her a high consumption letter however there was no response to the letter. The last bill showed the consumption continued and what they are finding is that the meters are not incorrect or faulty but in fact those who have complained have used the water. This summer was exceedingly dry and the rates are set up so that a person gets penalized for the higher usage therefore the spike goes up higher. The City is currently speaking with a rate company so that during the months of high consumption, they could raise the exemption so those that use more water are not affected in an adverse way. Our bills are designed to encourage conservation and to penalize, in a way, those who utilize the most water. The City has to pay Untied Water.
Assistant Mayor Cunha asked if it was possible to do a study for a fixed fee.
The City Manager stated yes but it would not be accomplishing what they are looking for which is mainly conservation.
4. Questions regarding doing our own paving of roads (by Assistant Mayor Cunha)
Assistant Mayor Cunha called Director Coutu to the podium and asked why the City no longer does this work themselves.
Director Coutu stated that about 17 years ago the City used to do this work itself but not since then. The City used to have the apparatus but now does not.
Councilman Cunha asked what it would take to bring this back.
Director Coutu stated equipment and manpower.
Councilman Cunha asked if this would create jobs and save money.
The City Manager stated that it would create jobs but the City would have to lay-off in the wintertime. Adding the City did a study and found it was cheaper to bid out the work. Roads back then didn't have a hard base like they do today.
Director Coutu stated they may have had a paving machine and a roller but that would be when they were doing a thin overlay on the roads. The fixes being done now have grinding and re-grading.
Councilman Cunha asked if the City could sub out some of the work but still handle the prep work.
Director Coutu stated they could but they would need equipment and manpower and materials. Right now the City has $100,000 budgeted for road repairs and that would have to triple if they wanted to buy asphalt.
Councilman Cunha asked if there was a study regarding which way would be more efficient.
Director Coutu said there was not but he could put one together with the numbers.
The City Manager stated the City would also have to pay for the manpower and he doesn’t know of any city or town which does their own road work anymore, they all contract it out as it is much cheaper.
Councilman Britto stated he would expect if the City used its own workers there would be additional costs for liability such as insurance and engineering, pitching and drainage.
The City Manager stated definitely.
5. Business Holiday Display Awards (by Councilwoman Capobianco)
Last year certificates of appreciation were done for businesses which had Holiday displays. Councilwoman Capobianco added the City is on the lookout again for businesses to award. Please contact Councilwoman Capobianco or the City Clerk with someone you feel is deserving of this honor. She added that she was pleased to see how many businesses have Holiday spirit. They will present the awards before the end of the season.
D. Report of School Committee Liaison
School Committeeman Tony Fereirra reported on the emergency door program. They are running about 2 months behind. He also reported on the LED lighting program. He notes they were disappointed at the lack of LED bulbs in the program. They are researching this. However, the path going from Recreation with the handicap access should be completed by the end of December.
There are issues with the Whitenect roof. Though the roof is new there is leaking which is believed to be coming from the gutters/walls/chimney.
Discussion ensued between the liaison and the Council regarding what happened with the door program and the new roof issue.
Councilman Conley spoke regarding this being a perfect example of why the consolidation doesn't work because resources are strained and these things don't get managed properly. The consolidation has cost the City money not saved it. The Budget Commission was wrong. With $50 million dollars of work going on there is only a part time manager. Any other business would laugh at this business model. It is dysfunctional. We are stewards of the taxpayer’s money and need to do something about this. Facility’s tells us what they think the body wants to hear and they don't have the manpower to handle it. Ed Catelli is doing the best he can under the strained manpower he has, but there is one delay after another. Until we change the system it’s not going to be an efficient use of tax payer money.
Councilman Cunha asked Councilman Conley if he felt as though they needed a project manager.
Councilman Conley stated yes, at a minimum they need a manager who would focus only on this. The facilities are in such dire need of repairs, the amount of construction and deferred maintenance is immense.
The City Manager states he agrees, it should be all under one roof but with a project manager, not split like this. He added that he is abhorred that the School Committee didn't know about the leaks. With a project manager they would have.
Councilman Conley stated by stating that these are hard working and dedicated people there just isn’t the manpower to manage all of this.
The City Manager concluded by stating this was absolutely true. This is big construction and they are not prepared for it. If there was somebody managing the facilities team could be freed to do what they need to and the School Committee could be doing what they need to in the education system.
Councilman Conley concluded the facilities were and are in such a condition and the ramifications of the lack of maintenance had reached such a critical point it needed School Committee involvement but ideally they should be involved in education.
A motion to adjourn at 8:46PM is made by Councilman Britto, seconded by Councilwoman Capobianco and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.
Approved By Council: January 6, 2015