I.                   EXECUTIVE SESSION

None scheduled. 

II.                CALL TO ORDER

III.             SALUTE TO THE FLAG

IV.             TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR

A.    Letters

V.                PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

A.    Proclamation for Blake Costa (by Councilman Faria)

Councilman Faria presents the Citation to Blake and the Costa Family.

Unanimous Consent is granted to discuss the recent tax and late fee issue.  Both Councilman Faria and Councilwoman Sousa speak regarding a request for an ordinance allowing for a grace period and both acknowledge they signed the petition those protesting were circulating. 

Councilman Botelho agrees stating even a person who rents is allowed a 15 day grace period by law and that extending something like this to the home owner makes sense. 

VI.             PUBLIC COMMENT

A.    Sandra Rinebolt, 2586 Pawtucket Avenue – late fee taxes

B.     John Colegeo – taxes

C.     Scott Scienzo, Woodbine Street – appointments

D.    Lorraine Ramos, 45 Swan Street – late fees

E.     Alice Martin, 1 Vineyard Avenue – taxes

F.      Tom Riley, 3620 Pawtucket Avenue – School Committee vs City Council

Unanimous Consent is granted to Councilman Faria who speaks regarding the inauguration and notes that they all ran for the right reasons and he wanted to let everyone know that there was no ill will and they needed to move on and work together. 

VII.          APPOINTMENTS

A.    Council Liaison to the Police and Fire Pension Board

A motion to defer the Appointment is made by Councilman Botelho, seconded by Councilman Faria and on a roll call vote it is unanimous. 

VIII.       LICENSES REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARING

IX.             LICENSES NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARING

A.    Pool Table – Transfer

Transfer from Watchemoket Bar, Inc. DBA Watchemoket Bar to DMC Properties, LLC DBA Watchemoket Tavern, 31 Warren Avenue (02914), Cory Brailsford, 224 2^nd Avenue, Warwick (02888)

A motion to approve the License is made by Assistant Mayor Britto, seconded by Councilwoman Sousa and on a roll call vote it is unanimous. 

B.     Pool Table/Sunday – Transfer

Transfer from Watchemoket Bar, Inc. DBA Watchemoket Bar to DMC Properties, LLC DBA Watchemoket Tavern, 31 Warren Avenue (02914), Cory Brailsford, 224 2^nd Avenue, Warwick (02888)

A motion to approve the License is made by Assistant Mayor Britto, seconded by Councilwoman Sousa and on a roll call vote it is unanimous. 

X.                NEW BUSINESS

A.    City Managers Report  (by Acting City Manager Timothy Chapman)

The City Manager informed the Council regarding a positive letter written to thank the East Providence Fire Department from Friday October 28^th. 

Additionally, he acknowledged and commended the Department of Public Works for the festive holiday decorations at City Hall and around the City and thanked the staff and City Council members who participated in decorating the interior of City Hall. 

B.     Council Members

1.      Sewer Use Fee and Related Issues (by Councilman Botelho)

Councilman Botelho requests the City Manager to look into the following items:

-          The figures of what Barrington is paying East Providence in fees.  He would like a spreadsheet as to what they contributed resident to resident.

-          All bond issues regarding the City sewer system, bond servicing and fees breakdown.

-          The maximum operating capacity of Riverside because in 1989 the DPW Director stated it was at 93% of the capacity.  Are upgrades the reason for the bond issues?  Why does it still smell?

The City Manager stated he has been there on a site visit as he too is concerned about the smell.  Suez stated they knew where the smell was coming from as Barrington is not treating it properly at the source before they send it to Riverside. 

Councilman Faria stated they have shared concerns regarding this issue and asked if the City Manager knew when the last contract was negotiated. 

The City Manager stated he will gather all this information including the revenue from Barrington and a rate study, 2014 was the last rate hike. 

2.      Tax Revaluation Waterfront Properties Status Report (by Councilman Faria)

Councilman Faria stated this issue was a travesty for many residents.  He asked the City Manager where things were right now.

The City Manager stated there were 253 appeals to the assessment.  148 of these appeals were resolved, there are 54 pending with the Board of Review and the City Assessor personally inspected all the property/homes himself and found they were at or below current market value.  The sales of homes have verified this as most are sold at asking price which is above the assessment.  He added he cannot discuss the pending civil litigation however he can say it is in the discovery stage.  He will refer this to the Law Department for an update on December 20^th regarding the 62 who are suing.  

3.      Drainage Study Lotti Street (by Councilman Faria)

Councilman Faria requests a drainage study for 16 Lotti Street.  He notes when it rains 5-6inches puddle and the residents can’t get out of the car and it kills the grass. 

The City Manager directs DPW and Engineering to provide the study. 

C.    Reports of Other City Officials

1.   Claims Committee Report (by Assistant City Solicitor Greg Dias)

None Scheduled

D.    Report of School Committee Liaison

E.     Resolutions

1.      RESOLUTION IN COMMEMORATION OF THE 75th ANNIVERSARY OF CIVIL AIR PATROL

A motion to dispense with the reading of the Resolution is made by Councilwoman Sousa, seconded by Councilman Botelho and on a roll call vote it is unanimous. 

WHEREAS, Civil Air Patrol (“CAP”) was founded on December 1, 1941 to supplement the U.S. military during World War II; and

WHEREAS, in 1948 CAP was designated as the U.S. Air Force’s official auxiliary with three missions — emergency services, cadet programs and aerospace education; and

WHEREAS, since CAP’s beginning, the organization has set itself apart during the country’s most tumultuous times: Locating enemy submarines during World War II, assisting rescuers and state agencies immediately following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, heavily supporting hurricane relief efforts in 2005, 2008 and 2012 and in response to the Gulf Coast oil spill in 2010, as well as aiding communities during other natural disasters, such as floods, wildfires, ice storms and tornadoes; and

WHEREAS, CAP further provides vital homeland security missions that help ensure the protection of the nation’s capital and the nation as a whole by assisting Air Force pilots with target-intercept training as well as the military with acquiring distant targets; and

WHEREAS, CAP provides exceptional educational and growth opportunities for youth through its nearly 24,000 member strong cadet program which annually provides access to top national summer flight academies to learn to fly powered or glider aircraft, as well as to more than 30 national programs emphasizing leadership and careers in aviation; and

WHEREAS, CAP’s Aerospace Education Program annually touches more than 1,800 educators, more than 150,000 youths, cadets and others in classrooms across America teaching multidisciplinary aviation concepts that emphasize aviation’s connection to history, math, science, government, and economics.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of East Providence hereby commends CAP for its “75 years of Missions for America” and its outstanding cadet and aerospace programs which annually touch the lives and ensure the safety of thousands of American citizens.

This resolution shall become effective upon its passage.

Requested by:  Councilwoman Sousa & Councilman Faria

Councilwoman Sousa stated that the 75^th celebration was brought to her attention and they would like to commend the date with a Resolution. 

A motion to approve the Resolution is made by Councilwoman Sousa, seconded by Councilman Faria and Councilman Botelho and on a roll call vote it is unanimous. 

Assistant Mayor Britto states that before they adjourn he would like to speak about what happened prior and during the inauguration which was unfortunate.  Both parties were actively involved and there were no victims.  When he was first approached to become Council President the reason he did not accept was because the offer came with certain strings attached and they had a difference of opinion.  This offer of Council President went to others and then a period of 2 weeks transpired where no decisions were discussed.  Everyone made appointment suggestions based on the guidance of the Attorney Generals letter. 

Councilman Faria stated to Assistant Mayor Britto that he was being very aggressive and that he was trying to move to the positive. 

Assistant Mayor Britto stated if this is true then he is glad. 

Councilman Faria added that their respective wards will be represented. 

Councilman Botelho added due to the recent vote for a strong mayor form of government this type of situation should not take place again.  He noted they are all human and they are trying to do the best they can, they just need to roll up their sleeves and get on with it as they are just victims of the system of government they are currently operating in and they all need to work together. 

XI.             ADJOURNMENT

A motion to Adjourn at 8:39PM is made by Councilman Botelho, seconded by Councilwoman Sousa and on a roll call vote it is unanimous. 

Approved By Council:  December 20, 2016

Attest:  _______________

City Clerk