CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

RHODE ISLAND

JOURNAL OF SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING

August 9, 2017

6:00 P.M.

Council Chambers, City Hall, 145 Taunton Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914

6:00 P.M. Open Session

 

*** Note Mayor Briden is absent.

 

 

I.                   OPEN SESSION

 

II.                CALL TO ORDER

 

Assistant Mayor Britto calls the meeting to order at 7:14PM

 

III.             SALUTE TO THE FLAG

 

IV.             PUBLIC COMMENT

 

A.    Jason Desrosiers – Charter Amendments

B.     Chrissy Rossi – Sewer/Water Shut-Offs

 

V.                COMMUNICATIONS

 

A.  Debra Gomes, 1275 Pawtucket Avenue (02916), Bethany Church of Nazarene requesting to address the Council regarding closing a portion of Chaffee Street to traffic from 8/14/17 to 8/18/17 between 5:00PM-8:30PM for Vacation Bible School.

 

Ms. Gomes states that they have done this many times and they have a great relationship with the neighbors.  There are seven homes two of which are members of the parish. It is Pawtucket Avenue at Derman Street.  The East Providence Police Department in the past have leant them the horses and cones and staff move these anytime a neighbor needs to come or go.  The purpose is for safety for the kids and to get all the neighborhood kids to come out and get to know each other.

 

A motion to approve is made by Councilwoman Sousa, seconded by Councilman Faria and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent.

 

VI.             NEW BUSINESS

 

A.    Proposed Amendments to the East Providence City Charter

 

1.      A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to Terms – Mayor, City Council

 

Assistant Solicitor Dylan Conley and Chair of the Charter Commission Jim Russo come to the podium to provide background and answer questions.  Chairman Russo thanked everyone for their hard work.

 

Chairman Russo states that item one deals with keeping the date of swearing in for the mayor and city council at the same time.  They took the language allowing the school committee to serve until January. Everyone will be sworn in at the same time, on the same day in January.

 

Assistant Mayor Britto states the resolution is going to be on the docket for next week and they will have public comment as well.  He asks if they need to go through the motions tonight as well as next week.

 

Assistant Solicitor Conley states they can answer questions tonight by going into the detail on each one and this will assist with the draft language of the resolutions.

 

A motion to approve is made by Councilman Botelho, seconded by Councilman Faria and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

2.      A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to Terms – School Committee

 

A motion to approve is made by Councilman Botelho, seconded by Councilman Faria and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

3.      A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to Terms, Veto, Absence and Vacancy – Mayor

 

Chairman Russo states the thought was it was preferable to synchronize with the state officers regarding terms.   They tightened up the absences and also consolidated the vacancy provisions.  

The city clerk would call a special election when necessary.

 

Assistant Solicitor Conley discusses the changes for mayoral terms from 2-4 years, common veto provisions and the council pocket veto as well limiting powers of the acting mayor in the absence of the mayor.

 

A motion to approve is made by Councilman Botelho, seconded by Councilman Faria and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

4.      A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to Vacancies – City Council

 

A motion to approve is made by Councilman Botelho, seconded by Councilman Faria and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

5.      A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to Recall

 

Chairman Russo discusses amendment 5 regarding recalls.   The charter commission looked at others around the state and the state recall statute in the RI constitution and took the state statute and combined it with some of the other cities and towns to create it.

 

Assistant Solicitor Conley goes through the process of a recall.

 

Councilman Botelho states they did a really good job and it is a very thoughtfully done process and if it is enacted it should be a model for other communities to follow.

 

A motion to approve is made by Councilman Botelho, seconded by Councilman Faria and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

6.      A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to Compensation

 

Chairman Russo states that Amendment 6 relates to compensation and it came before them as it refers to the salary of council members or the mayor.  It changes the word salary to compensation.  They cannot raise salary or any portion of your salary i.e. benefits in the years of election they are currently serving. 

 

Assistant Solicitor Conley Dylan notes the common theme to future proof the charter so it wouldn't need to be constantly changed by building this into an ordinance it makes more sense moving forward.

 

Councilman Botelho states that he thinks that is why it was imperative to meet now to get these on the ballot in November because if passed the city council is tasked with a fair amount of work getting these done and this amendment is a classic example of why it does time proof things and the council can address these from time to time as they see fit.  He adds that it is well thought out. 

 

Councilman Faria concurs with Councilman Botelho.  

 

A motion to approve is made by Councilman Botelho, seconded by Councilman Faria and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

7.      A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to Subpoena Powers

 

Chairman Russo discusses subpoena and investigatory powers.

 

Assistant Solicitor Conley notes there are challenges making changes from city manager to mayor as they really have for the first time the establishment of an executive branch of government and the council now moves into a more legislative branch and they have to ensure laws and ordinances are being enforced.  He discusses the mayor and council powers.

 

Councilman Faria notes that he understands the basis for the amendment and he would like to make a motion to amend to require a super majority to approve subpoena powers.

 

Councilman Botelho asks Chairman Russo why and he states it is a caution to prevent abuse.

 

Councilwoman Sousa asks what powers now exist. 

 

Councilman Faria understands it’s discretionary and feels the council would use great discretion in its use in this.

 

Assistant Solicitor Conley notes this is fundamentally an expansion of their current authority.

 

A motion to amend the Resolution to read requiring 3 votes not 4 to allow for subpoena powers is made by Councilman Faria, seconded by Councilman Botelho and on a roll call vote the motion passes 3-1 with Assistant Mayor Britto voting Nay and Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

A motion to approve the amended Resolution requiring 3 votes to allow for subpoena powers and with the Sub A is made by Councilman Botelho, seconded by Councilman Faria and the motion passes 3-1 with Assistant Mayor Britto voting Nay and Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

8.      A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to School Committee Powers

 

Chairman Russo discusses Amendment 8 which relates to the powers of the school committee in one particular area and that is appointment and removal of all school employees and brings these powers in line with the state.

 

A motion to approve is made by Councilman Botelho, seconded by Councilman Faria and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

9.      A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to Courts

 

Chairman Russo discusses Amendment 9 which relates to courts and they are going to be using the Sub A with the passage of the technical amendment and the new article is Article 14 not Article 16.  He speaks to the merits to put a separate section for the courts in the charter since there are now 2 courts instead of 1 court as was the case when originally drafted.  They deleted where it is now and put it at the top of the page where the city clerk keeps the records of the probate court and of the municipal court.  They added provisions for an associate judge and did the same for the municipal court and the hiring preferences.

 

Councilman Botelho asks if this was essentially house cleaning and Chairman Russo states yes. 

 

A motion to approve with the Sub A is made by Councilman Faria, seconded by Councilman Botelho and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

10.  A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to Boards

 

Chairman Russo explains the amendments 10 and 11 and 12 all go together.   The first is an article relating to boards, planning, zoning and personnel hearing and also provisions in ordinances for those.  The planning board is raised in number to 7 and will be appointed by the mayor subject to council approval and one member will be a resident of each ward.  The zoning board size is mandated by state law so it was just put that way in the charter and they added a requirement that a resident of each ward be represented and alternates should not reside in same ward.  The personnel board is raised to 5 with one for each ward and this is a mayor appointment subject to council approval.  The board of assessment review was not in an ordinance just in the charter and this is raised to 5 one from each ward and the terms are staggered. 

 

Item number 11 has to do with the sinking fund board and according to the director of finance this board no longer exists so it has been eliminated.

 

Canvassing is provided for in state law and appointments are done by the mayor.

 

Assistant Solicitor Conley discusses the Sub A for zoning and the building office providing recommendations which are relied upon and this was updated for the adjustments. 

 

Councilman Faria asks for clarification regarding the personnel hearing board and Assistant Solicitor Conley explains that the practice would be for the item to go to the City Manager first and then to the Personnel Hearing Board as the appeal.

 

 

A motion to approve with the Sub A is made by Councilman Botelho, seconded by Councilman Faria and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

11.  A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to the Sinking Fund Board

 

A motion to approve is made by Councilman Botelho, seconded by Councilman Faria and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

12.  A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to the Canvassing Authority

 

A motion to approve is made by Councilman Botelho, seconded by Councilwoman Sousa and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

13.  A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to Department Heads

 

Chairman Russo explains that Amendment 13 directly reflects the change in the form of government and it was the commissions feeling to strengthen the language of the mayor which was passed by the voters and adds the term that department heads should serve at the pleasure of the mayor as unclassified employees.  If this did not happen then there would have been a very different form of government than approved.

 

Assistant Mayor Britto asks for clarification.

 

Assistant Solicitor Conley states that presently a department head can be removed only for cause with due process, they are entitled to have a hearing and findings and it is comparable to a union member or employee.   These are hallmarks for a city manager form of government going forward new hires would be without cause, so for example, if they don't like a person’s tie they can fire them.  Fundamentally, however there is a vested property right for those who are currently here.  They are vested going forward. 

 

Councilman Botelho asks if what they are trying to avoid is what happens if President Trump had to keep President Obama’s cabinet.

 

Assistant Solicitor Conley states that there are federal court rulings for classified employees.  East Providence has to abide by that.

 

Councilman Botelho asks if they can address this by ordinance for department heads.

 

Assistant Solicitor Conley states they are already vested by the ordinance as it exists now so the property right remains.  He lists those circumstances in which the mayor can put weight on the situation but it is not carte blanche.  The city is dealing with this now from a previous case which is specific to this ordinance and a future ordinance could do this however placing this in the charter would create this new provision which did not exist before. 

 

Councilwoman Sousa asks for clarification that if the new mayor hires their own department heads and a new election happens that new mayor could get rid of them all and start new but where is the consistency within all departments.

 

Chairman Russo states this is a different form of government elected with a vision and saddled with those department heads they may or may not share that vision.

 

Assistant Mayor Britto asks if the mayor could shuffle them around.

 

Assistant Solicitor Conley explains he cannot as they have a vested right if they are presently in there.

 

Councilwoman Sousa states if the mayor needs their own advisor and deputy they would have control over that position.

 

Chairman Russo states that is a good point but they decided personal staff should not be in the charter and should be done with the budget and the council would have to approve the money to fund that budget.  Much like the state FTE process the mayor appoints a chief of staff and if they lose the next election that person is out of a job and without this that chief of staff would have a vested right. 

 

Councilman Botelho states that regarding continuity department heads are very much like managers of baseball teams the new mayor brings in that new team because those who elected them want change.  Regarding the chief of staff this is why it was imperative that they take up these amendments now because if these pass it’s our responsibility to craft what that mayor’s office is going to look like, what the salary is going to be and what the staff should look like,  should there be a constituent service office etc…and there is a lot of work to do to make sure it is done right.

 

Assistant Mayor Britto notes that on the flip side it is a political game so whether you are good or not they can still change out people. 

 

Chairman Russo states there is also an additional requirement to being good at your job and that you share the mayor’s vision.  If you do not share those visions you can be extremely qualified but it’s not going to work. 

 

Assistant Mayor Britto states that sometimes it's just because they have someone already in mind or for whatever reason.

 

Councilwoman Sousa states that her concern however as was just mentioned is that current department heads are not subject to this due to a vested property right.   It would be to protect them when a new mayor comes in and when a re-election occurs.

 

Assistant Mayor Britto states it's a revolving door.   People don't expect to stay in that position.

 

Chairman Russo agrees that there is no expectation if you are going to be a department head in a strong mayor then you serve at the pleasure of and know that coming in because you probably took it from someone that was qualified.

 

Councilman Faria it is very political and he understands all the points.

 

Councilman Botelho notes that this gets to the very root of the form of government and he can't imagine anyone casting a vision and making promises which they can’t deliver, if they are worth their salt they will put in good people.   Adding, department heads ought to be on the hot seat for 4 years.

 

 

A motion to defer with the Sub A until the next meeting is made by Councilman Botelho, seconded by Councilman Faria and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

14.  A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to the City Clerk

 

Councilman Faria states the mayor eventually appoints a chief of staff and a secretary and press secretary and the council needs security and needs a clerk.  The mayor is getting a lot of power and for those reasons he doesn't agree.

 

Councilman Botelho asks questions regarding what the thought process was. 

 

Chairman Russo explains there was a 6-3 vote with a good debate.  The city clerk is the only department head not appointed by the mayor.   Kim Casci and Valerie Perry stated that their work involves the department employees, the city clerk supervises probate court, municipal court, land evidence etc…and that it is a department so the commission felt that the mayor should appoint the city clerk as a department head.  In the mayor form of government he or she calls a meeting of department heads and this is the only one they didn’t appoint.  It was not a unanimous vote. 

 

Councilman Botelho asks if a study done.

 

Chairman Russo states that of the 9 communities with a mayor 4 are appointed by the mayor with council approval and 5 are appointed just by the council.

 

Councilman Faria states he also attended that evening when the city clerk came in and he listened to her testimony that evening and he would like to move on striking the item. 

 

Assistant Mayor Britto states that he is not directing this at the present city clerk and he is hearing that they are appointed by the council when no other department head is.

 

Councilman Faria notes that 5 other communities also have council appointed city clerks.

 

Councilman Botelho states that he understands everyone's position on this however the city clerk position is a little different in terms of communication and as strongly as he felt of the previous changes he is not as strong on this one.

 

 

A motion to strike and move onto Number 15. is made by Councilman Faria, seconded by Councilman Botelho and on a roll call vote the motion passes 3-0 with Assistant Mayor Britto voting Nay and Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

15.  A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to Departmental Organization

 

Chairman Russo explains that this allows the mayor to establish divisions of department and it brings the four departments currently in the charter into conformity.   Under this form of government where there is an executive and a legislative branch the Sub A makes the two match each other.   A sentence was left on one and chopped off the other.

 

Councilwoman Sousa asks if in essence this is just cleaning up.

 

Assistant Solicitor Conley states no that it goes beyond that the mayor was given certain powers over departments and that created an ambiguity in that section with instructions on how that department should be structured.

 

 

A motion to approve with Sub A is made by Councilman Botelho, seconded by Councilman Faria and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

16.  A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to the Finance Department

 

Chairman Russo takes 16 and 17 together noting 16 has a Sub A which brings the Finance Department into compliance with the previous ordinance and takes out all those specific divisions and allows the mayor to set up with the finance director the way they want it to be. 

 

Assistant Solicitor Conley explains this brings everything into current practice.

 

Councilwoman Sousa asks what it is eliminating.

 

Assistant Solicitor Conley states it is just striking the requirement and allowing the department to be structured by the mayor and how it is now structured the finance department is currently violating the charter.

 

A motion to approve with Sub A is made by Councilman Faria, seconded by Councilman Botelho and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

17.  A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to the Finance Director

 

A motion to approve is made by Councilman Botelho, seconded by Councilman Faria and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

18.  A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to Bonds – Par

 

Chairman Russo takes 18 and 19 together and explains that the first one eliminates the requirement and it allows by ordinance the notice which goes out to the general public rather than requiring at least once in a paid paper of general circulation and it reflects modern times.

 

A motion to approve is made by Councilman Faria, seconded by Councilman Botelho and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

 

19.  A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to Bonds – Notice

 

A motion to approve is made by Councilman Botelho, seconded by Councilman Faria and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

20.  A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to Competitive Bidding

 

 

Chairman Russo explains this allows the amount for competitive bidding to be determine by ordinance and it just reflects modern times.  Anything in excess of $50,000 thou rather than $100,000 lowers the threshold which the council will approve.

 

A motion to approve is made by Councilman Botelho, seconded by Councilman Faria and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

21.  A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to the Tax Cap

 

Chairman Russo states that this is regarding the ability to tax at a certain level and brings the city into compliance with the state law.  The charter restriction went above and beyond state law.  It brings the charter into conformance with state law and if that changes it would automatically be adjusted.  Right now it is set at up to 3.5% while the state is 4%.  

 

Councilman Botelho asks how the commission fell on this vote. 

 

Chairman Russo states the commission was divided, there was confusion as they thought they were just voting to comply with state law not that it was an option to be lower.

 

 

A motion to strike is made by Councilman Faria, seconded by Councilman Botelho and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

22.  A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to Revenues

 

Assistant Solicitor Conley notes there is a Sub A which is passed out.  Noting that when going back and looking they found things they didn't originally catch.

 

Councilman Botelho asks if this clears up once and for all what they know is in the budget reserve fund.

 

The response is no but this clarifies how miscellaneous revenues should be identified and adds federal aid to the anticipation of revenue. 

 

Councilwoman Sousa asks about it breaking down that miscellaneous item.

 

Mr. Russo states this is correct the big change is the technical change they didn’t notice was that the state was included in the passage and that in his opinion adding federal aid doesn’t change but they would have to ask the Finance Director. 

 

 

A motion to approve is made by Councilwoman Sousa, seconded by Councilman Faria and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

The Assistant Mayor announces that the City Manager had to go down to the concert to handle an issue.  There is no emergency he is just taking care of some things.

 

Councilman Faria thanks the members of the council who are in attendance.  He notes that the council is in support of the Bold Point project as he is a musician but it's critical they have an election.

 

23.  A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to Capital Projects

 

Assistant Solicitor Conley states that items 23and 24 will be taken together.  

 

Chairman Russo explains that this particular amend went through many drafts.  Commission member Bill Fazioli was very involved in this and would recommend that the council amend the section.  Commission member Fazioli could not be present but Mr. Luba is here and he attended all the meetings and can explain.

 

 Mr. Luba explains the restricted account in detail noting that the amendment is setting a minimum percentage amount for the council.   

 

Councilman Botelho asks questions regarding if the money is there and is it restricted.  

 

Chairman Russo notes the vote was split with dissenting opinions and one reason was the mandatory contribution for capital and the restrictive ability of elected officials to spend the money but all were for some type of budget reserve fund.

 

Assistant Mayor Britto asks what impact did having this have on the bond rating.

 

Mr. Luba states he is not sure, however the 10% did but the fact that probably having $20 million in surplus including the 10% fund had a very big impact in getting the city an A Rating.

 

Councilman Botelho asks about the hard dollar amount of the surplus and the 10%.

 

Mr. Luba states roughly $20 million.

 

Councilman Botelho states that at this point he would like to move the amendment but they are going to discuss it further next week.

 

Assistant Solicitor Conley advises the Council not to take up this resolution. 

 

24.  A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to the Budget Reserve Fund

 

A motion to defer is made by Councilman Botelho, seconded by Councilman Faria and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

25.  A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to the Department of Information Technology

 

Assistant Solicitor Conley notes that this is the Sub A of the IT Department being added to the Charter and many members on the commission felt it was important enough to add it.  

 

 

A motion to strike with Sub A is made by Councilman Faria, seconded by Councilman Botelho and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

26.  A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to the Police Chief

 

Assistant Solicitor Conley explains this relates to the police chief and takes 26 and 27 together.

 

It is noted that Chief Parella came to speak and recommend qualifications to the Charter Review Commission.   It came up that comparable things should be done with the Fire Department and the head of the union was also present and described the manner they operate in. 

 

 

A motion to defer is made by Councilman Faria, seconded by Councilman Botelho and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

27.  A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to the Fire Chief

 

A motion to defer is made by Councilman Faria, seconded by Councilman Botelho and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

28.  A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to Employee Protection

 

 

Assistant Solicitor Conley discusses employee protection noting it doesn't increase the city's liability, the original drafts he had concerns with this one is identical to state and federal law.

 

A motion to defer is made by Councilman Faria, seconded by Councilman Botelho and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

29.  A motion establishing the language of a proposed amendment to the East Providence City Charter as will be voted on at the subsequent charter referendum - Relating to Wards

 

Assistant Solicitor Conley explaines that when the City Council passed the technical amendment there was an updating of wards to reflect what is current there is not really a need for council to do this every time there is a census and there really is no need to have this in the Charter.  What the commission recommends is eliminating the description of the 4 wards and retaining that it be required there be 4 wards.  This would future proof the situation.

 

A motion to defer is made by Councilman Faria, seconded by Councilman Botelho and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

Assistant Solicitor Conley explains this is for council members to place a resolution for the next council agenda for any script errors.  

 

He adds there is a request for another proposal to be considered which was not listed on the agenda and he is going to read it out loud so that it can be discussed today but no action can be taken on it as it was not on the docket.  The motion would allow for discussion of an amendment to mayoral qualifications.

 

A motion for a Resolution for the next Council Docket of August 15^th for Scribner’s Errors is made by Councilman Botelho, seconded by Councilwoman Sousa and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

Councilwoman Sousa states that she has a resolution for a charter amendment which she would like drafted for the next meeting regarding the length of time a person needs to be a resident of East Providence in order to run for the office of Mayor. 

 

Councilman Botelho states that he is not comfortable discussing anything that was not before the Charter Review Commission. 

 

Councilwoman Sousa states she will place the item on the September 15^th Council Docket. 

 

Assistant Mayor Britto thanks everyone and all the Charter Review Commission members for all their hard work. 

 

Councilman Botelho thanked Assistant Mayor Britto for pinch hitting and noted his sincere appreciation to all the members of the Charter Review Commission. 

 

There is a two minute recess called prior to adjournment. 

 

VII.          ADJOURNMENT

 

A motion to Adjourn at 9:26PM is made by Councilman Faria, seconded by Councilman Botelho and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-0 with Mayor Briden Absent. 

 

Approved By Council:  September 5, 2017

Attest:  _______________