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CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
RHODE ISLAND
JOURNAL OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
February 25, 2015
Council Chambers, City Hall, 145 Taunton Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914
6:45 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) (1)(2).
A. New Claims
1. Amica Mutual Insurance Company (Ins: Steven M. Malloy)
2. Marissa Defaria
3. Phyllis Dickens
4. Joe Estrela
5. Rolanda Edmonds
6. Kaitlin Getman
7. Kelly Lamarre
8. Optum/United Healthcare (Cote, Martha)
9. David J. Syner
B. Sewer Charge Abatements
1. Boucher 1275 LLC
2. Jesse Burke
3. Antonio F. Escobar Estate
4. Lynn Mosher
5. Pamela Riel
6. Michael & Zulmira Thimas
7. Linda Vaughan
8. Timothy Williams
C. Litigation
1. E-183 Transmission Line Relocation Project
D. Job Performance Review
1. City Solicitor and Assistant City Solicitor
II. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Rose calls the meeting to order at 8:20PM.
III. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
IV. TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Letters
1. Notice of New Property Number, 2 Leigh Lane (02915), Map 611, Block 01, Parcel 022.2, Zoning R3, Cosmo Properties.
2. Town of Glocester Resolution requesting the General Assembly to stop any attempts to reintroduce legislation which would prevent a municipality from taxing new construction of residential dwellings.
B. Council Journals
1. December 16, 2014 Executive Session
2. January 6, 2015 Executive Session
3. January 20, 2015 Executive Session
4. January 6, 2015 Regular Council Meeting
A motion to approve the Consent Calendar is made by Assistant Mayor Cunha seconded by Councilman Britto and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.
V. PUBLIC COMMENT
A. Tom Riley, 3620 Pawtucket Avenue (02915)– Snow
B. Tom Riley, 3620 Pawtucket Avenue (02915) - Water
The City Manager provided a water update. Letting people know they have been meeting and looking at both wastewater and water due to the spiking of the wastewater payments. People have expressed to them that receiving a 3 month bill is difficult. The City is getting prepared to come to the Council with a proposal for monthly billing. They would anticipate a September 2015 start date.
Director of Public Works, Steve Coutu was called to the podium. They have been reviewing the new billing system and also how the rate itself is structured.
The rate may be adjusted to ring the smaller usage and larger usage closer to the middle. However, they want a rate design that is fair and conserves water. Some will still pay more some will still pay less but they want it to be fair and equitable. More information will be coming before the Council.
Tom Riley asked if something could be done regarding exemptions for multifamily homes. The City Manager stated they could but added someone has got to pay.
VI. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
A. Tony Ottone – Spectacular Snow Display (by Councilwoman Capobianco)
This item was deferred.
VII. APPOINTMENTS
A. Probate Judge appointed to adjudicate one specific matter (by Mayor Rose)
John DiBona, City of Cranston Probate Judge
A motion to approve the Appointment is made by Councilwoman Capobianco, seconded by Assistant Mayor Cunha and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.
B. Planning Board (by Councilman Britto)
Michelle Saucier Rockwell, 80 Catlin Avenue (02916)
A motion to approve the Appointment is made by Councilman Britto, seconded by Councilwoman Capobianco and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.
C. Carousel Park Commission Re-Appointment (by Councilwoman Capobianco)
Donna McMahon, 233 Norton Street (02915)
A motion to approve the Appointment is made by Assistant Mayor Cunha, seconded by Councilwoman Capobianco and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.
D. Traffic Control (by Councilwoman Capobianco)
Natalie Rahed, 137 Earl Avenue (02915)
A motion to approve the Appointment is made by Assistant Mayor Cunha, seconded by Councilwoman Capobianco and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. City Managers Report (by Acting City Manager, Paul Lemont)
1. RFP Redevelopment of Riverside Square Site
David Bachrach and Jeanne Boyle were called to the podium and provided background on the Riverside Square Project. This is often referred to as the Vamco site which was acquired by the City about 6 years ago. There was some contamination clean up and grants assisted in this cleanup. CDBG Funds were used for acquisition and they have been working closely with the Riverside Renaissance movement trying to express the vision and priorities of the residents. The intent of the RFP is to get a developer to build on the site. They are looking for the Council’s blessing to find a developer which can catalyst the redevelopment of the Riverside Square and other properties in that area. David Bachrach will be publishing the RFP via the Providence Journal and other publications to give a wide spectrum as well as reaching out to developers. The RFP used EPA, DEM and HUD funds and there are some regulatory strings attached to the reuse. Director Boyle reviewed some of these such as meeting certain range of income guidelines and job creation. She noted they would like to see smart development and sustainable development which would be an asset to Riverside Square and those living in the surrounding area. Down the road the regulations tied to these parcels are not tied to any other properties and significant capital may be leveraged to be invested in private properties as well.
A motion to approve the RFP is made by Councilwoman Capobianco, seconded by Councilman Conley and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.
2. Awards to Waste Water Treatment Plant from Environmental Protection Agency
The City Manager reported that one of the pleasures of serving in his position is being able to recognize employees and jobs well done. One tonight is to honor the recipients of 2 awards Tom Azevedo and Steve Coutu. The City Manager reads the document. Its good news regarding the plant and United Water, the employees at the plant were at one time City employees. Tom Azevedo is the plant Superintendent and a 19 year employee. The EPA selected the treatment plant for the excellence award. The staff led by Tom for their exceptional work in operating and maintaining one of only 5 plants in New England for 2014 for the pretreatment program and the staff led by Dennis Little for exceptional work in inspection and permitting treatment of industrial waste. The City Manager stated that it should be noted that the award was given by Kirk Spalding formerly of Save The Bay in RI and selected as Regional Director of the EPA and is a great award.
B. Reports of Other City Officials
1. Claims Committee Report (by City Solicitor Timothy Chapman)
2. Social Media Initiative – (by Kelly Ahrens, IT Director and Robin Robinson, On Line Content Developer)
Kelly Ahrens Director of IT gave a presentation regarding leveraging the web to really show what East Providence is all about. In the past we have let others define who East Providence is and they put out the worst over the last few years. This impacts who lives here and who wants to do business here. To grow our City we have to take control of our message and in the past we have to let others do that. It’s about leveraging the web, a good website with all the improvements and positively utilizing social media to modernize the City. She thanked the Council for their support in allowing IT to hire someone to put a social media position in place. The last website was updated in 2007 and it looks like we are not moving forward it reflects on the employees. There is now a redesigned website.
She noted that the new hire Robin Robinson will be meeting with all department heads to update their individual department webpages and to get fresh new information. Next will be a mobile app that will work w iPhones and Androids. This can be used for snow, recycling, trash pick-up and anything else the City wants and it’s free. She introduced Robin Robinson and explained her involvement in multimedia for many years promoting KRob. She works with Twitter and Facebook and is from East Providence.
Robin spoke and thanked the Council for believing in a project that will bring East Providence to the next level. She spoke about the Blizzard Photo contest and congratulated the winner.
C. Council Members
1. Blizzard Juno 2015 (by Mayor Rose)
Mayor Rose stated that Blizzard Juno and the month of February have set records for the most amount of snow we have ever had. He wants to give credit where credit is due. All of our first responders did a tremendous job. The highway department worked tremendously. There were a few complaints here and there but that is always the case. It was noted by many that our City was one of the best plowed in the area. There is no comparison with those communities around us.
2. Sidewalk/Snow Ordinance (by Mayor Rose)
Mayor Rose deferred this item.
3. Sale of Fuller Library in Kent Heights (by Mayor Rose)
The Mayor stated that the Council sat with members of the library to see if the library can be used in another way. If that doesn't work out in the future then the Council will go forward and put the library back on the market. In looking at the whole picture this year the Council wants to do everything we can not to have a tax burden. The sale of unused properties can take away that burden. Currently the City has 23 parks and that is quite a few parks for a City of this size we have to keep up with them every year. This item will be back on the docket in April at a meeting to hear from the library.
4. Business Friendly (by Mayor Rose)
The Mayor noted he had a meeting with the City Manager, Planning and Zoning they are looking at a business friendly program with new use variances and new business structures to make it easier for businesses not only big business but small business as well. This would be a restructure of zoning and parking for businesses along with our new website we want to welcome people to the City and want them to come here. We have a lot to offer.
5. K-Rob Foundation (by Councilwoman Capobianco)
Councilwoman Capobianco deferred this item.
D. Report of School Committee Liaison
The School Committee Liaison deferred this item.
E. Communications
1. Gary Menissian, 91 Greenwood Avenue (02916) requesting to address the Council regarding road race approval for the 2nd Annual East Bay Half Marathon to be held at Peirce Field on August 16, 2015.
Gary passed out packets it the exact same route as last year. He has already been in contact with the Police Chief and the State. Additionally he has been in contact with the Fire Chief.
A motion to approve subject ot a 15 day prepay of City Services is made by Councilwoman Capobianco, seconded by Assistant Mayor Cunha and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.
2. Susan Rancourt, 19 Weaver Avenue, Newport (02840) requesting to address the Council regarding Eident Racing and the Cox Providence Rhode Race and use of city roads and paths for a marathon road race.
Ms. Rancourt testified that this is their 9th year running through East Providence. The route has not changed and she has spoken with Sgt Andrews and he has agreed to the payment terms. They have a cleanup crew if there is ever any issue she personally goes out and cleans they are good stewards of the land. The event is Sunday May 3 people can go to rhoderaces.com to sign up.
A motion to approve subject ot a 15 day prepay of City Services is made by Councilman Conley, seconded by Councilwoman Capobianco and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
A motion to adjourn at 9:14PM is made by Councilwoman Capobianco, seconded by Assistant Mayor Cunha and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.
Approved By Council: April 7, 2015
Attest: _______________
City Clerk