EXECUTIVE SESSION

The City Council of the City of East Providence may meet in Executive Session pursuant to RI General Laws § 42-46-5 (a)(5,6,7).

A.  Purchase of Net Metering Credits

OPEN SESSION

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Briden calls the meeting to order at 7:00PM.

SALUTE TO THE FLAG

COUNCIL MEMBERS

A.    Organization of Mayor’s Office and Salary (by Councilman Botelho)

Councilman Botelho states as discussed at the last meeting Mayor Briden placed the issue of salary on the docket and he stated they would talk about the entire organization of the office.  However, after looking into things he discovered Mayor Briden might be right.  Essentially, it's important to establish salary for the mayor.  In talking to people who work in administrative positions past mayors and current mayors structure their own office the way they see fit.  Every carpenter has a different set of tools in a tool box so for a council to dictate how to craft it doesn't make sense.  His opinion at this point in order to get things rolling they really should focus on determining what the mayors salary should be and then in the budget process in the next year decide what will be allotted.  They can craft it as they wish to accomplish the goals they campaigned on and the council can have another meeting on this but after doing due diligence that is the most appropriate way.

Councilman Faria notes he did homework on it himself and perhaps a meeting towards the budget season is best. 

Mr. Luba is called to the podium.  

Councilman Botelho refers to discussions noting the city is really a $180 million corporation and they are asking a mayor to run it.   He adds as Mr. Luba stated they really can't cheap out on it and those who may be really qualified may not run.  There are several department heads making over $100,000.  It's baffling to him to ask the person to run a city as a boss and yet their subordinates will make more than they do.  

Mr. Luba responds the short answer is that it happens everywhere and refers to Woonsocket where the mayor makes $87,000 and just about every department makes more than her.  Historically mayors do not achieve the same salary status as city manager's.  There is an assumption or feeling that the mayor should not be in it for the money but to want to further the city.  While that is admirable it’s not really fair he adds he feels they should make a higher salary.  The theory is the chief of staff does a lot of work while the mayor is the face of the city.

Mayor Briden notes what happens is that a finance director for example needs to understand say computers and other items for the position and over time it gets higher where in an elected position this doesn't occur.  When he was a solicitor the conclusion he reached was the city manager is like doing two jobs in one, the chief of staff and the operations manager.

Councilman Faria adds that notwithstanding the fact the mayor may not have those qualifications.

Mayor Briden notes they may find that a mayor's salary range is $90,000-$95,000 and a chief of staff is $85,000.

Councilman Faria states the mayor could later opt to add positions or change salaries.  

Jason Desrosiers, 80 Village Green North, 02915 states that as a member of the charter review commission they did look at salaries to a degree and ended up deciding that the best option is to have it set by ordinance.  At the time, this was $85,000 with the raises this changes the number a bit to $90,000.  There are two schools of thought on this topic.  He tends to think you have to have a competitive wage and be competitive to other cities and towns but be livable as it is more than the average resident is making.  He agrees with Councilman Botelho and is in favor of reviewing before October as part of the budget but not the positions themselves.

Jim Russo, 300 East Shore Circle Apartment 114, 02914 notes there is no salary any place in the charter and the commission felt it should not be in there.  His opinion is to set the salary now but the budget for the office should really be done in conjunction with the budget and let the mayor structure their own office.  There is a story behind every different office and all the salaries and there is a story which East Providence will write.  He does support the process and this is the correct process they are about to take. 

Rick Lawson, 19 Plum Road, 02915 notes when you think about that budget, going to events and speaking engagements etc... they usually have a scheduler and chief of staff and press secretary.  They are looking at 6 positions costing around $500,000 currently they are at $260,000 for the city manager's office right now.   Maybe at the next meeting set the salary with the average being about $90,000 in Cranston, $80,000 is low for the 3rd largest city in the state.

Councilman Faria states he feels $90,000 is correct. 

Councilman Botelho agrees. 

Mayor Briden states he kind of anticipated this and sent an email to Solicitor Dias to put an ordinance down for the next meeting and his inclination is to do so with the $90,000 figure and this can be changed that evening as well. 

Councilwoman Sousa states she would like to see it a bit more frugal.

Mayor Briden states this is based on the average given by Paul Luba.

NEW BUSINESS

A.    Renewable Energy Project and Net Metering Credit Sales, possible agreement to or corporate authority for City Manager to enter into an agreement for the purchase of Net Metering Credits.

Solicitor Dias reports that the city council met in executive session and discussed purchasing net metering credits and referred the matter to the law department for further research and it was unanimous.   They city council also voted to seal the minutes and all it was unanimous. 

ADJOURNMENT

A motion to adjourn at 7:24PM is made by Councilman Faria, seconded by Councilman Botelho and on a roll call vote it is unanimous 4-0 with Assistant Mayor Britto Absent. 

Attest:  _______________

City Clerk

Approved By Council:  December 5, 2017