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)(5)(6).

A.    Discussion Related to Lease/Disposition of City Owned Property 0 Bold Point Park, Map 6, Block 1, Parcel 3

II.                CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Rose calls the meeting to order at 7:41PM.

III.             SALUTE TO THE FLAG

IV.             TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR

A.    Letters

V.                PRESENTATIONS

A.    Presentation for a season performance/event venue by Waterfront Productions, LLC

Councilwoman Capobianco arrives.

Michelle Maker Palmier, Wakefield RI owner and President of Waterfront Productions and Bob Duteau Booking Vice President for Live Nation presents the project which was originally presented to the Waterfront Commission for  Bold Point Park a 3 year lease to run concerts and festivals at an outdoor waterfront venue.

Following the presentation, Mayor Rose calls Chief Parella to the podium to discuss traffic patterns.  The Chief explains the extensive traffic study done by the EPPD and the Planning Department.  He notes the organization is professional and the EPPD will oversee the whole operation.  The EPPD will make arrests and transport.  If there are concerns they will adapt on the fly.  Looking at the preliminary plan they can provide safety and traffic flow.

Mayor Rose calls Chief Elmasian to the podium.  He notes they have had several meetings with representatives of this organization.  They have assured the EPFD they would work with the department and utilize all their rescue services and EMTs on site.  They have been very cooperative.

Mayor Rose calls Jeanne Boyle Director of Planning to the podium. She notes the representatives from Live Nation are very cooperative and responsive.  She contacted the Director of Recreation for the City of Bangor and confirmed the relationship is very positive.  They started there with a temporary facility.  It was a down trodden section of Bangor and they had entered into a year to year lease and were so pleased with Live Nation they have negotiated a 10 year lease.  There are no issues regarding parking, traffic or noise.  It has spurred other developments in the area such as restaurants and hotels.  It has not negatively affected other similar venues and actually augmented them.  They will obtain all permits from RI DEM and the National Parks Service, the boat ramp will stay open and they are obtaining a location for the parking of boat trailers and cars. 

The Waterfront Commission held a public hearing which was advertised in East Providence Post and a notice was sent by certified mail to all abutters in a 200 foot radius.  Live Nation reached out individually to other property owners to gage their concerns relative to traffic, parking and noise.  The Waterfront Commission was satisfied with these.

Mayor Rose states this is something that is a huge engine for the Waterfront to move forward for years to come.  They have had starting points but things are finally coming to fruition.  This is the start of the next area in the State of RI.  It is a huge asset to our City.  It is amazing how this is starting to come together.

Councilman Britto asks if there are any issues with residents who live in the radius of the area.

Mayor Rose asks if anyone is present they may come up and speak now.  

Thomas Riley, 3620 Pawtucket Avenue speaks he states that he is concerned with the traffic at the bottom of Veterans Parkway going into Bold Point Park and asks if the City will need to make serious infrastructure changes.  He adds he is not saying not to do it he is just bringing this to their attention.

George Nee, 106 Welfare Avenue, Cranston speaks.  He states he is here to respectfully request that the Council not take any votes tonight on behalf of AFL CIO and the fact that this is the first time they have seen this presentation.  They have a number of concerns and without having the opportunity to respond at a later date they cannot address a number of issues which have been raised such as traffic, safety and parking.  He also commented regarding the positive impact on the State budget and would argue it would have a negative impact which would in turn affect East Providence.  There are implications for working people and tax payers.  There are also issues to address such as the boat ramp and secondary access roads and he feels a delay in voting would give the public a chance to explain their views.

Councilwoman Capobianco confirms that the vote is actually not taking place until November 29^th.  

Scott Scienzo, 58 Woodbine Street spoke and stated that he liked the presentation and it sounds like a lot of study and thought went into the plan.  He notes public notice was given.  He feels it is a big economic boost for the City which is trying to turn that area into an arts district and this is a great idea.  He can’t understand how people from outside of the City are deciding to stick their nose in our business and trying to influence our Council.  He closes stating this City has unemployed people who need work.

William Fazioli, 229 Quarry Street (02914) states that he wants to follow up on a couple of points.  The Waterfront Commission did have a public hearing and it lasted over 2 hours.  The minutes are available.  A couple of neighbors were in attendance.  There were two objections.  One resident was satisfied after the hearing.  This project is the missing piece to the developments currently happening.  This will help the City transform itself.  11% of the population is living in poverty and to turn this away would be a disservice.  He notes he lives a mile from the site.  It is a disservice not to take full advantage of this lease, property development and parking plan.

Michael Sabitoni, 22 Peppermint Lane, Providence states that he travels to 39 cities and towns as a pro economic development effort.  He is President of the Building Trades and they have 9,000 members, a large membership in this City.  They are not in business of having winners and losers being picked like the presentation, the men and women who they represent in the industry in these venues have common standards which have been established at these locations.  These set standards are of wage and benefits.  There are levels of standards for those jobs which will be created.  These are pretty consistent across all those venues and usually they are asked to come and support and welcomed to work with the development.  The concern is whether or not those common standards can be adhered to and that they are not replacing good union jobs with non union jobs.  

Dan Landry, 19 Larchwood Drive (02916) states that his first question is where do we sign?  The jobs can be non union labor working at this venue.  Telling us how to run this venue is wrong.  We will do what we want to do and not be told how we will run our City.

Loyd Follome, Lincoln RI states that he is hoping Live Nation is true to their word and that they will work with the unions.  He just wants people to know that they are just trying to protect workers and help people and it’s not right to be referring to them as thugs.  It is just wrong. 

Gina McKenzie from East Providence states that she did go to the Waterfront Commission meeting a few weeks back and did speak about it as a co-owner of a home she is interested in property values and the growth of a community and not having it fall apart.  She is definitely in favor of this project. She grew up in Bristol and experienced the 4th of July each year.  She is a life-long resident of that venue and hasn't missed one yet.  There is tons of traffic and the police do an excellent job making sure people get in and out the whole month.  It is hard getting in and out of there just on a regular day with regular traffic as there are only two roads to get in and out.  The area residents had concerns as Bristol grew their event through music and put up this huge stage for a month and had a concert series.  But people can walk to it from the bike path and a lot of concerns the residents came up with worked out fine.  She notes she would have bought property there if she had been older as now you can’t even purchase them because they are valued so high. A huge condo took over an old mill, there are new services and new restaurants and nice things to do.  It’s a little mini Newport.

Al Milho, Brightridge Avenue (02914) he notes he has lived here 40 plus years and owns a property next to what will be the venue.  He wants to do West House Marina at 45 Water Street.  It’s one of the biggest pieces of property and he is one of the closest neighbors.  He adds he is really in favor of the development of the Waterfront and adds he has invested big money there and would like to see people near him.   

VI.             PUBLIC COMMENT

A.    Diane Wildgoose- 100 Wheaton Avenue (02916) – Rumford Motor Inn License

B.     George Nee – Waterfront Productions

C.     Mike Sabitoni – Waterfront Productions

D.    Scott Scienzo – Bold Point – Waterfront Productions

E.     Dan Landry – Rumford Motor Inn

F.      Isabel Craven – 244 Don Avenue (02916) Rumford Motor Inn

G.    Gina McKenzie – Waterfront

H.    Tom Riley – 3625 Pawtucket Avenue (02915) - Laws of the Universe

I.       Christopher Parella – Chief of Police – police mission and how it intertwines with politics

VII.          APPOINTMENTS

A.    Veterans Advisory Committee (by Councilman Conley)

Rick Lawson, 19 Plum Road (02915)

A motion to approve the Appointment is made by Councilwoman Capobianco, seconded by Councilman Conley and on a roll call vote it is unanimous. 

B.     Veterans Advisory Committee (by Assistant Mayor Cunha)

Luci Stoddard, 5 Carolina 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. 

C.     Veterans Advisory Committee (by Councilwoman Capobianco)

Rosemaria Pereira, 40 Cumberland Road (02915)

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. 

D.    Veterans Advisory Committee (by Mayor Rose)

Jim Miller, 94 Clyde Avenue (02914)

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. 

E.     Traffic Control (by Councilwoman Capobianco)

Robin Botelho, 90 Sprague Avenue (02915)

A motion to approve the Appointment is made by Councilwoman Capobianco, seconded by Councilman Britto and on a roll call vote it is unanimous. 

F.      Traffic Control (by Councilwoman Capobianco)

Keith E. Anderson, 102 Riverside Drive (02915)

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. 

G.    Carousel Park Commission (by Assistant Mayor Cunha)

Bruce Rogers, 500 Warren Avenue (02914)

 This item was deferred.

H.    Carousel Park Commission – Alternate (by Mayor Rose)

Beverly Lefort, 44 Brightridge Avenue (02914)

A motion to approve the Appointment is made by Councilwoman Capobianco, seconded by Councilman Britto and on a roll call vote it is unanimous. 

VIII.       LICENSES NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARING

A.    Motel/Hotel – Renewal

Omsairam LLC DBA Rumford Motor Inn, 400 Newport Avenue (02916), Natvar J. Patel, 400 Newport Avenue, (02916)

Councilman Britto states that he did have a follow up meeting after the 75 plus residents raised concerns.  Most of the street lights have been turned on.  A sex offender list was placed on the EPPD website and now people can go right to the EPPD site and the City website and navigate it.  People can select what city and it tells you exactly where the sex offenders are and where they live.  In addition to that the zoning and building concerns were addressed.  He did pull the license and this was because of the concerns.  There was a meeting.  He was traveling but the Chief of Police, the Acting City Manager and the Assistant Solicitor were in attendance.   He will defer to the Acting City Manager regarding the details but he wanted residents to know that he heard their concerns then and now and has been working on it.

Acting City Manager Chapman reported that Chief Parella and Assistant Solicitor Dias and he met with the Rumford Motel’s attorney and owners.  Councilman Britto has been closely involved on a daily basis and noted that the Councilman spent over an hour on Election Day meeting on this.   They have come up with numerous restrictions.  There were some Fire Department violations and the City did ask them to complete those and they were or are being corrected.  There was a zoning issue regarding signage and this issue is to be corrected on or before the 30^th.  The Motel has enacted a policy to limit stays to no longer than 7 days with no automatic renewals to avoid acting as an apartment building.  The Councilman had requested the motel license be reviewed 3 times for 3 month reviews. January, March and September of 2017.  These can be set for those Council meetings for review. They are to have a written policy as to the written rules signed by the guests.  If these are not upheld the owner can remove the guests.  The issue regarding bed bugs was taken care of.  The Health Department took care of this a year or so ago and spraying is done on a regular basis. 

Assistant Solicitor Dias spoke and stated that he is in contact with their attorney and he is here today.  We discussed giving them time to take care of the violations and they agreed they would resolve them all by the 30^th of November.  The most important issue is the extended stays and they agree that this cannot occur.  The Chief found out with good police work that a sex offender was there and had his father sign in for him.  It is a fluid situation and the owners are trying to cooperate.  They have been keeping Councilman Britto up to date on these things and he has had his input into this situation.  If the Council reinstates the license it would be subject to all the restrictions which have been laid out this evening.   There is also the option to hold this off if you want and to not vote on it until November 29^th.

Attorney Joseph Fingless came to the podium and stated that they had a lengthy meeting with his clients who have been fully compliant with all the terms and conditions requested which are far beyond the scope of what they would have to legally provide but the owner wants to be a good member of the community and a good business owner. He has been totally cooperative with anything he has ever been asked and doesn't have to do so without a judge or subpoena but has always had the books open to the EPPD.  They want to be a good neighbor and want to address the lies and rumors tonight.  The sex offender is the person signed in by his father, who was there for one week, not four years, even though he has no right to ask if they are a registered sex offender and the owner asked him to leave the premises and opened himself up to a civil suit.  There is no drug dealing.  There was one arrest for marijuana and that was the sex offender.  There is no prostitution.  He has his three daughters living there.  It's all speculation and fear.  The allegation regarding Cross Roads is not true.   The owner has no contract with Cross Roads and no one is living there.  It is not an extended stay hotel. He has been asked to come up with a process and they will.  The family owns about 20 motels.  They have called around and no other cities have these policies.  There is no pan handling.  If there is pan handling they are not staying at the motel. There are no rodents and no complaints.  There was a bed bug concern and it has been rectified with the Board of Health. They receive quarterly spraying whether they have them or not.  They do not own the Route 6 Motel.  There are no fire code violations it was just an improper emergency exit signage issue on the back of the door.  It was immediately rectified.

The zoning sign issue was from the old sign from the Rumford Motel when they bought it.  It had been improperly zoned already and they have contracted with Dexter sign company to remove that sign. They have already pulled the permits to do the job.

Councilman Britto stated it's become a magnet for sex offenders.  

The Attorney stated that is incorrect over the last 13 years there have only been two issues.

Councilman Britto stated the two just don't go hand in hand it's the exposure those kids have been around.  As a father of four that concerns him most.  He understands tradesmen staying but that's not the people they are talking about.  Over the last several years it is becoming a magnet for bad people.  There has definitely been more than two sex offenders.  The reason we are here tonight is because he pulled that license.   When there is a history of sex offense or drugs or otherwise it is going to come to an end. Going forward form this point on with three month reviews we can establish a better relationship.  The residents are not assuming it's coming from there they live there they know it is. 

The attorney stated the Police have given us the website to monitor.  They have a sophisticated security system.  However, it is very difficult when someone rents a room for a sex offender.  He doesn’t want them checking out and back in to avoid the extended stay rule. 

Councilman Britto stated that is why they need to partner with the Police and Fire Chiefs.   The Fire Department has not signed off on the violation.  They have submitted the plan and Fire Prevention will go back out and review it. 

The attorney stated he is sympathetic to the neighbors and the boards concerns and they agreed to the three month review and all the other sanctions and betterments.

A motion to approve the item be deferred to the Council Meeting of November 29, 2017 is made by Councilman Britto, seconded by Councilwoman Capobianco and on a roll call vote it is unanimous. 

B.     Peddler

Kung Fu Kabob, 110 Burnside Avenue (02915), Chen Chen, 110 Burnside Avenue (02915)

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

IX.             PUBLIC HEARING – ORDINANCES FINAL PASSAGE

A.    ORDNANCE OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE APPROVING THE FINANCING OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EAST PROVIDENCE WATER SYSTEM, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE REHABILITATION AND PAINTING OF THE ONE MILLION GALLON WATER TOWER LOCATED AT KENT HEIGHTS AND ALL ATTENDANT EXPENSES AND APPROVING THE ISSUANCE OF WATER REVENUE BONDS AND NOTES THEREFOR IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,500,000

A motion to dispense with the reading of the Ordinance is made by Councilwoman Capobianco, seconded by Assistant Mayor Cunha and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.

WHEREAS, in the interest of public health and safety, the City of East Providence (the "City") desires to make certain improvements to the City's water system, including but not limited to the rehabilitation and painting of the one million gallon water tower located at Kent Heights and all attendant expenses in connection therewith, hereinafter referred to as the "Project";

WHEREAS, the City desires to issue an amount not to exceed Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000) water system revenue bonds (the "Bonds") or interest bearing or discounted water system revenue notes (the "Notes") in anticipation of the issue of said Bonds of the City, at one time, or from time to time for the purpose of evidencing the borrowing described above;

WHEREAS, Chapter 46-12.8 of the Rhode Island General Laws, pursuant to which the Bonds or Notes will be issued, provides that notwithstanding any municipal charter to the contrary, all local governmental units shall have the power to issue local governmental obligations payable solely from drinking water system revenues pursuant thereto without limit as to amount, and the amount of principal and premium, if any, and interest on the obligations shall not be included in the computation of any limit on the indebtedness of the local governmental unit or on the total taxes which may be levied or assessed by the local governmental unit in any year or on any assessment, levy, or other charge made by the local governmental unit on any other political subdivision or instrumentality of the State of Rhode Island;

WHEREAS, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of Chapter 46-12.8 of the Rhode Island General Laws, the City desires to comply with the requirements set forth in Section 4.27 of the City Charter with respect to the issuance of bonds to the extent possible;

WHEREAS, the estimated maximum cost of the Project is $2,500,000;

WHEREAS, the period of usefulness of the Project is expected to be twenty (20) years; and

WHEREAS, the net debt of the City is not affected by the issuance of the Bonds or Notes as the Bonds and Notes will not be general obligations of the City but will be payable solely from drinking water system revenues.

SECTION 1.  The sum of Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000) is appropriated for the purpose of financing the Project.

SECTION 2. In accordance with Chapter 46-12.8 of the Rhode Island General Laws, the Mayor and the Director of Finance are hereby authorized to borrow an amount not exceeding

Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000) from the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank ("RIIB"), and to evidence such loan, such officers are hereby authorized to issue and refund on behalf of the City the Bonds, at one time, or from time to time in order to meet the foregoing appropriation.

SECTION 3.  The said officers from time to time may issue and refund the Notes in anticipation of the issue of said Bonds.

SECTION 4.  The Bonds and Notes shall be payable solely from drinking water system revenues. The City may issue bonds, notes, or other obligations on a parity with these Bonds as provided in the Trust Indenture (defined below). The manner of sale, amount, denominations, maturities, conversion or registration privileges, interest rates, medium of payment, and other terms, conditions and details of the Bonds or Notes may be fixed by the officers authorized to sign the Bonds or Notes.

SECTION 5.  Pending the issuance of the Bonds under Section 2 hereof or pending or in lieu of the issue of Notes under Section 3 hereof, the Director of Finance, at the written direction of the City Council, may expend funds from funds of the City including the General Fund for the purposes specified in Section 1 hereof. Any advances made under this section shall be repaid without interest from the proceeds of the Bonds or Notes issued hereunder or from the proceeds of applicable federal or state assistance or from other available funds.

SECTION 6.  The Mayor and the Director of Finance are also authorized, empowered and directed, on behalf of the City, to: (i) execute, acknowledge and deliver a Supplemental Indenture (the "Supplemental Indenture") amending and supplementing the Trust Indenture dated April 1, 2004 by and between the City and U.S. Bank National Association (the "Trust Indenture"), and any and all other loan agreements, documents, certificates or instruments necessary to effectuate such borrowing; (ii) amend, modify or supplement the Trust Indenture, such Supplemental Indentures, the Bonds or Notes and any and all other loan agreements, documents, certificates or instruments at any time and from time to time, in such manner and for such purposes as such officers shall deem necessary, desirable or advisable; (iii) direct the Trustee with regard to investments of trust funds pursuant to the Trust Indenture, and (iv) do and perform all such other acts and things deemed by such officers to be necessary, desirable or advisable with respect to any matters contemplated by this Ordinance in order to effectuate said borrowing and the intent hereof.

            SECTION 7.  The Mayor and the Director of Finance are hereby authorized to deliver the Bonds or Notes to the purchaser and said officers are hereby authorized and instructed to take all actions, on behalf of the City, necessary to ensure that interest on the Bonds or Notes will be excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes and to refrain from all actions which would cause interest on the Bonds or Notes to become subject to federal income taxes.

SECTION 8.  This Ordinance is an affirmative action of the City Council of the City toward the issuance of the Bonds and Notes in accordance with the purposes of the laws of the State. This Ordinance constitutes the City's declaration of official intent, pursuant to Treasury Regulation §1.150-2, to reimburse the City for certain capital expenditures for the Project paid on or after the date which is sixty (60) days prior to the date of this Ordinance, but prior to the issuance of the Bonds or Notes. Such amounts to be reimbursed shall not exceed Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000) and shall be reimbursed not later than eighteen (18) months after the later of (a) the date on which the expenditure is paid or (b) the date on which the Project is placed in service or abandoned but in no event later than three (3) years after the date on which the expenditure is paid.

SECTION 9.  The Mayor and the Director of Finance are authorized to take all actions necessary to comply with federal tax and securities laws including Rule 15c2-12 of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC Rule") and to execute and deliver a Continuing Disclosure Certificate in connection with the Bonds or Notes in the form as shall be deemed advisable by the Mayor and the Director of Finance in order to comply with the SEC Rule. The City hereby covenants and agrees that it will comply with and carry out all of the provisions of the Continuing Disclosure Certificate, as it may be amended from time to time. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Ordinance or the Bonds or Notes, failure of the City to comply with the Continuing Disclosure Certificate shall not be considered an event of default; however, any Bondholder or Noteholder may take such actions as may be necessary and appropriate, including seeking mandate or specific performance by court order, to cause the City to comply with its obligations under this Section and under the Continuing Disclosure Certificate.

SECTION 10.  This ordinance shall take effect upon its second passage and all ordinances and parts of ordinances inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed.

Requested by:  Mayor Rose & Councilwoman Capobianco

The City Manager calls Director Coutu and Jim Marvel to the podium.

The City Manager stated that Assistant Mayor Cunha had asked if they could go out to bid on the bonds. However, municipalities cannot issue revenue bonds unless they go through the infrastructure bank and the City receives an interest rate of at least 25% off the market rate.  Most cities and towns take advantage of this.  Director Coutu can address the cost. 

Director Coutu states the City engaged engineering firms.  Ben Levesque, 492 Allen Avenue, Attleboro is present to address any concerns.  He is the engineer on the project.  They briefly discussed the process.  The tank is from 1996/97 an inspection report was done in 2014 and the results show it needed rehab and coating.  The replacement containment system needs to be built and sand blasted down to the bare steal.  This deterioration also occurs on the inside but it’s a different coating and this will hopefully add life to the tank.  

Councilman Britto states that his biggest concern is the expense end of it. The price came back at about $500,000.

The City Manager stated that was a statement which may have been based on estimates by DPW but following that we had a number of meetings.  This issue came about during the $19 million bond for the main water repairs and questions came up about the water tower and when and what was the cost.  The City had no true estimates.  Since then we have engaged professionals to give us a true estimate because we cannot go to the infrastructure bank without that.  They look at similar projects in the area to develop the estimate and then it goes out to bid.

Councilman Britto wanted to know why not the opposite.

The City Manager states that a project of this magnitude requires the City get contractors from all over and they will not put in the resources to give an estimate without knowing the City has the funds.

Councilman Britto asked why not receive a low estimate and see if it comes in higher.

Assistant Mayor Cunha asked if they bid it out and buy it out internally. 

The City Manager replied the debt service fund is $200,000 which would be applied at the end of the loan.  There is a one percent origination fee it is set at 1% and the cost of their issuance is estimated at $25,000 which includes the certification from the engineer and the trustee fee.   

Jim Marvel states the coating was starting to go 5-6 years ago and the estimate at that time was lower and it just keeps going up.  We have talked about the financing to get them to bid on the job.  That has to come first.  How long it’s been deteriorating keeps pushing into a higher price tag but we have no way of knowing until the City goes out to bid and no one will bid if it is not funded.  If it’s more than that we will have to take a look at how to manage the funding. The Water Department may be able to add cash to that amount.  What we are doing is setting it not to exceed a cap.  

A motion to approve the Ordinance or final passage is made by Councilwoman Capobianco, seconded by Councilman Conley and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.

X.                NEW BUSINESS

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

1.      Request to purchase four fully marked Police Interceptor SUVs

Chief Parella stated it was a request to purchase at no cost to the City the total cost is approximately $180,000 and it is paid for by Federal Asset Forfeiture Funds and will complete the EPPD for the next 18-24 months.

A motion to approve is made by Assistant Mayor Cunha, seconded by Councilman Britto and on a roll call vote it is unanimous. 

A motion to extend the meeting 15 minutes beyond the curfew is made by Assistant Mayor Cunha, seconded by Councilman Britto and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.

2.      Water Tank Paint Design

Director Coutu came to the podium.  He shows samples of the paint design.  It was decided that the examples would be put on Facebook and they would let residents choose. 

3.      Hunt Mills License Agreement

The City Manager stated it is a renewal of the Watershed Council's request to lease the Hunts Mills area to be able to use it again for another year and a half.  He notes he had sent this to Council previously and it incorporates that area for kayaking and trails.

A motion to approve is made by Councilman Britto, seconded by Assistant Mayor Cunha and on a roll call vote it is unanimous. 

4.      EPHS Feasibility Study

The City Manager states that they originally received the statewide facilities data action item prior to discussing the feasibility study and had looked at this to incorporate the middle schools.  The study may have some flaws in it that the middle schools and elementary schools are not included but he notes he does agree that it be awarded to slam collaborative.  He adds that he did ask the Superintendent to contemplate concurrently having the middle schools evaluated and it was agreed to by Paul Luba and Jeanne Boyle that these could be done concurrently.  They asked the Superintendent if the School Department could add some money to the bid to include all the schools.

The Superintendent came to the podium.  She noted the School Department doesn't want to consider that at this time. They want to immediately start the EPHS study.  They have formed a committee and think that this is going to be an extremely large project.  The feasibility studies from RIDE are highly flawed.  Some of the repairs to the middle schools will be done as well as some of the repairs to the elementary school and there is a timeline for these repairs.  She noted a lot of what is in the education report can be done at a later time and this can be done in bits and pieces.  The EPHS is the school which would be in danger of closing and is a very big nut to crack.  

Mayor Rose called Mr. Luba to the podium.  Mr. Luba stated it is going to cost a certain amount to fix the middle schools and elementary schools, if it is a large amount they will have to come up with proposed funding. The study's cost could be $300,000-$400,000.

A motion to approve is made by Councilwoman Capobianco, seconded by Assistant Mayor Cunha and on a roll call vote it is unanimous. 

B.     Council Members

1.      Best Wishes (by Mayor Rose)

C.    Reports of Other City Officials

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

There is no Claims Committee Report.

The Assistant Solicitor reports out the Executive Session votes.

2.   City Council & Claims Committee Meeting Dates 2017

A motion to approve is made by Assistant Mayor Cunha, seconded by Councilman Britto and on a roll call vote it is unanimous. 

D.    Report of School Committee Liaison

E.     Resolutions

1.      RESOLUTION NAMING HENRY D. AND MARY F. ROSE MEMORIAL AT BOLD POINT PARK

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

            WHEREAS,  Henry and Mary Rose, were married on May 30,1935 and moved to the City of East Providence and had four children, Florence, Henry, Francis and Thomas.  The Rose Family were communicants of St. Martha’s Church.  Henry and Mary loved gardening, music and shared that enjoyment with their family; and

WHEREAS, utilizing funds Mary had saved, Henry and Mary started Rose Furniture in 1937 which today is the oldest active family owned furniture store in the State of Rhode Island.  Later, they added Rose Realty in the early 1940’s and then added Alliance Finance Corporation in 1947 and;

            WHEREAS, Henry and Mary dedicated their lives to the City of East Providence and it’s residents by running three businesses, and donating, volunteering and serving on various boards in the community; and

            WHEREAS, Henry was a member of St. Pius X Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Assembly, East Providence Kiwanis, East Providence Business Men’s Association, Warren Avenue Business Association, Board of Directors for the Greater Providence Trust, Co., East Providence Budget Committee, the Portuguese R. Atheneum Band of Providence and was also the oldest living member of the Holy Ghost Brotherhood of Rehoboth; and

            WHEREAS, Henry and Mary helped many families immigrating to this country from Portugal, the Azores and Brazil.  They both enjoyed travelling including a trip to the Azores with the Bishop in 1983; and

            WHEREAS, during the Rhode Island banking crisis, Henry, Mary and their children, through their family-owned bank, Alliance Finance Corporation, raised $1.3 million in ten short days to pay back all of its depositors with interest and were the first business of its kind in Rhode Island to reopen.  Henry and Mary felt they had an obligation to their customers as they remembered the problems of the 1933 Depression and wanted to put the money back into East Providence and into the people's hands as soon as possible; and

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of East Providence wishes to recognize, honor, and memorialize Henry D. Rose and Mary F. Rose, for their lifelong dedication to the City of East Providence; and

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council for the City of East Providence hereby names in their honor the

Henry D. and Mary F. Rose Memorial at Bold Point Park

This resolution shall become effective upon its passage.

Requested By:  Mayor Rose

Mayor Rose explains there was an area of the park which was called Compassion Park however that organization can no longer care for that area and instead have a new location in Providence.  They are fine with the name change. 

Councilwoman Capobianco states that it was brought up that the Mayor find a different location out of respect for the Kent Family and that is what was done. 

A motion to approve the Resolution is made by Councilwoman Capobianco, seconded by Councilman Conley and on a roll call vote Councilman Britto votes Nay and notes his father has park named after him in Providence and he doesn’t agree with changing the name of a park once it is named, Assistant Mayor Cunha votes Nay and the motion passes 3-2. 

XI.             ADJOURNMENT

A motion to Adjourn at 10:31PM is made by Councilwoman Capobianco, seconded by Councilman Britto and on a roll call vote it is unanimous. 

Approved By Council:  November 29, 2016

Attest:  _______________

                   City Clerk