City of East Providence

Date of Meeting:  Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Time of Meeting:  8:00 a.m.  

 

Location of Meeting:

Weaver Library

Champlin Program Room

41 Grove Avenue

East Providence, RI 02914

 

 

City of East Providence

Journal of Legislative Breakfast

January 29, 2014

8:00 a.m.

In attendance:

Representative Melo

Senator DaPonte

Representative Kazarian

Senator Conley

Senator Hearn

Senator Bates

School Committee Members: Monteiro, Clumpny

City Council:  Rose, Rossi, Capobianco, Briden

City Manager

Paul Luba

Department Heads

City Clerk

 

Agenda:

 

Meet and Greet with Legislative Delegation, City Manager, City Council, Superintendent, School Committee, City Solicitor and Directors of Planning, Public Works, IT, Chief of Police and Fire Chief. 

 

Discussion of Current and Proposed Legislation as Related to East Providence with Legislative Delegation, Council and School Committee Members.

 

The City Manager provides an introduction stating the intent is it meet and to speak with the legislators.

 

School Committee Chair Monteiro states the high school capital improvements funding ideas are a big burden right now.

 

Discussion ensures regarding RIDE.

 

Senator DaPonte explains there are alternatives to some of the issues which people may not know about and better communication between RIDE and local districts is needed.

 

Senator Conley speaks regarding a bill to create a senate task force to examine the structure of housing aid and a bill in the Senate to cause a moratorium due to RIDE not doing a good job communicating other options to municipalities. It is unfair municipalities should have to live through these coming months not knowing what is required of them.

 

The City Manager asked when the moratorium would take effect and Senator Conley stated immediately if it passes the House.

 

Representative Melo stated the construction projects as of July 1st can continue if nothing else changes.  Woonsocket has 80 percent of these projects being paid by the State.  If Woonsocket sells the property in the future proceeds go to Woonsocket but the State recoups the funds invested.

 

School Committee Member Conley asked about a program for roads which could be extended to the schools. 

 

Representative Melo stated this is the first he is hearing of it. This is complex when looking at borrowing funds in large sums for schools it often requires voter approval.

 

The City Manager stated they borrow for the water system and roads but need to be careful with what they go out to bond for.

 

School Committee Member Conley explains he realizes this but the high school is 60 years old and they have to look under every rock they can to locate funds.

 

The City Manager asked that they determine what it would cost to bring the high school back to what it should be. 

 

Senator DaPonte stated part of reason there is a housing moratorium is due to the amount the State was paying but they need to work with RIDE and local municipalities and look at a renewed formula including proper building assessment.  If the percentage is so high then building a new school may have to be looked at as well.  The infrastructure and student population in the future needs to be looked at.

 

Senator Bates stated he can't imagine there would be any money left for schools. Adding he was skeptical regarding the small amount put in for roads.

 

Chairman Monteiro stated to make it more attractive for people and businesses to locate to East Providence schools play an important part. 

 

Representative Hearn echoed investment in infrastructure of schools is being heard across the State and this investment will help our economic forecast and graduation.

 

Human Resource Director Waterbury stated the Superintendent would like her to ask if the State could once again look at teacher’s life insurance at the time of retirement.

 

Finance Director Malcolm Moore stated it is due to the way statute reads and that the issue just recently came up in Central Falls.

 

Senator Daponte explained it is the same as a private life insurance term and is not intended to function as permanent.  Adding it needs to be looked at.

The City Manager stated the term rate carries on and there is no way to pay for it.

 

The legislators noted that Governor Chafee introduced the budget and hearings start tonight for FY15.  There is full funding for the Education funding formula and they are very happy about that.

 

Fire Chief Elmasian stated he will need assistance dealing with an extension for construction grants going forward.  He is going to ask for an extension until September 1, 2014.

The City Manager explained the project is going to be about a year late.  They will need help with HUD to extend the $6.2 million loan.  The City Manager added that this happened before he arrived but he feels it could have been handled lot better.

Chief Elmasian commented the previous administration was not shovel ready when they stated it, the plans were incomplete.

The City Manager noted the Fire Chief has been taking the brunt of things. 

 

Paul Luba noted Director Moore needed assistance for a revolving fund bridge and road loans and both the House and Senate would need legislation together to address this issue. 

Representative Melo stated they want to be sensitive to the tax payers and don't want to let the City borrow all kinds of money without voter approvals. Specific to bridge and road and via Clean Water Action, they don't want to circumvent the process. 

 

Chief Tavares stated they try not to ask but to give and support and they have been very fortunate with regards to the Google money. The purpose is not to make money but fight crime.  Defined by what is permissible the booklet spells out what the funds can be used for but we try to be creative with ideas.  One of the things we could use legislative support on is the crime lab commission.  It is a great statewide resource but it is constantly underfunded. The regionalization idea works because not everyone can have a crime lab truck.  There are some loopholes when going to court which the legislators could address.  They are looking at legislation regarding the police community relations act and racial profiling. 

Chairman Monteiro thanked Chief Tavares for the work of the SROs in the schools.

 

Director of Planning Jeanne Boyle thanked Senator Bates regarding the Enterprise Zone legislation.  Although it’s been watered down by 50 percent it’s a great tool for the City for economic development and it’s good to see it in place again.  She noted they are working with others in the State to draft legislation to start to become the tool it once was in the past, in order to attract more businesses. She also thanked the delegation for their support of the Waterfront District.

The City Manager stated he and Director Boyle met with Bond Counsel regarding Kettle Point and with a little luck they will be breaking ground there in late spring.  He added this was the vision 10-15 years ago. 

Director Boyle stated the completion of Waterfront Drive with RIDOT is now facing significant problems with funding.  The monies are not coming in from DC.   They do need to address access to Philipsdale.

 

Representative Melo stated regarding Waterfront Drive there was a concern of some flooding from existing businesses.

Director Coutu replied this is an ongoing issue and RIDOT is still looking at this from rain and run off.  They have currently created a burm.

 

Assistant Mayor Rose spoke regarding tax stabilization.

 

Director of Public Works Steve Coutu stated 2005 was the last true road improvement funds they received.  He thanked the delegation for road and bridge funding at a low interest.  The financing is up to 1.2% and is needed in order to properly repair Broadway, Forbes Street, Commercial Way and Warren Avenue which are also in the preliminary design phase.  They are also dealing with aging water pipes in the Watchemoket section, the interconnection project with the City and the City of Pawtucket with the $75 million environment bond and a $15 million bond to serve all of Bristol County.  East Providence’s sole supply of water pipes is from the Scituate Reservoir and the pipeline starts in Cranston.  This pipeline was built in the 1960s and the condition of the pipeline is unknown.  If it ever went down it would not be a good thing.  A long term connection and supply to the City of Pawtucket would be in the City’s best interest in case of emergency.

The City Manager stated the Watchemoket water pipe is over 100 years old and it would cost $6 million for those improvements.

 

Councilwoman Rossi stated the voters decided on 4 year terms and she asked the delegation if this had been ratified.

Representative Melo stated he doesn’t believe it needs ratification.

Councilwoman Rossi asked about Indian bingo on the City’s waterfront.

Representative Melo stated RI just maintains the two they have now. 

Councilwoman Rossi replied that it would just be bingo.

Senator Bates replied that he is on the lottery commission and it would require the same process as a casino, ballot approval by the voters in East Providence then Statewide voter approval.  The bingo would be considered an expansion of gambling in RI.

 

Senator DaPonte spoke regarding the pension settlement discussions which could save the cities and towns and school departments in excess of $100,000.  Whatever is agreed upon the same process has to be gone thru again and we are sensitive to the impact on local budgets.

 

Solicitor Tim Chapman spoke stating they used to have number of legal cases sitting with outside services but have kick started some of these.  The City Manager and Director Boyle have been very instrumental regarding a large parcel next to Philipsdale Landing there are many acres which can be developed.

 

Mayor Briden noted he submitted a letter to The Reporter which explains the good working relationship with the Council.  At their second meeting in February, they will discuss whether or not to align the tax year and they will be evaluating this and making a decision.

 

Representative Hearn stated it is great to have everyone at the table and to be able to listen to the concerns.

 

The City Manager closed stating he has found a number of items not done, left undone or not properly done but with cooperation we are heading in the right direction.  A good relationship with the Council the City is important.  He added that he knew 10 years ago he had done a good job and left the library and recreation in a good place and the City with a big surplus. We were All American City award finalist several times and he wants to recapture some of this.  The Budget Commission left us short in many areas and it is up to us to build this back up. He would ask the delegation to give the City the support it needs.

 

The breakfast adjourns at 9:42am