I.                   CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Briden calls the meeting to order at 7:31PM. 

II.                SALUTE TO THE FLAG

III.             NEW BUSINESS

A.    Resolutions

RESOLUTION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-11 OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE TO REMOVE THE CITY MANAGER FROM OFFICE

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS

CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

RESOLUTION NO.

RESOLUTION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-11 OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE TO REMOVE THE CITY MANAGER FROM OFFICE

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

WHEREAS, the City Manager was appointed by the City of East Providence on May 2, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Resolution Number 17 was adopted by the City Council on May 2, 2017 authorizing the City Council’s hiring of the City Manager; and

WHEREAS, the City Manager may be removed by a majority vote of its members; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to City Charter, the City Manager may reply in writing to this preliminary resolution and may request a public hearing which shall be held not earlier than twenty (20) days nor later than thirty (30) days after the filing of such request; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to City Charter, the City Council may suspend the City Manager from duty pending a request for a public hearing; and

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of East Providence at this meeting of said City Council votes to suspend the City Manager, Timothy Chapman, with pay effective immediately and pending a request for a hearing he is hereby removed effective thirty (30) days after the date of adoption of this resolution:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED pursuant to Section 2-11 of the Charter of the City of East Providence, and Resolution No. 17 adopted May 2, 2017, the City Council hereby adopts this preliminary resolution to remove the City Manager from office without cause.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager is hereby removed from office without cause and is immediately suspended with pay as dictated by City Charter from the performance of any further duties as City Manager of the City of East Providence.

This resolution shall become effective upon its passage.

Adopted by the City Council:  

Attest: ____________________________________

City Clerk of East Providence, Rhode Island

Requested by:  Councilwoman Sousa

Assistant Mayor Britto states in 3 years he’s been on the council this is the second time they have been through this and he wishes there was another way to work this out.  He feels things have been headed in right direction from last month's infrastructure with roads and new schools and water front development, Cumberland Farms and a new development right outside city hall.  He sees this as being a distraction and hopes it's not.  He also would like to note that to have Director Moore as Acting City Manager he wonders whether or not a Finance Director will be appointed and if that has been determined and what to do about that position.  He adds that if Mr. Moore decides to take the position his thought is he should relinquish the Finance Director position.  He is also wondering if that opens the seat for a mayor to appoint someone new.

Councilman Botelho has a statement he would like to read and he reads his statement.  In summary, Councilman Botelho states any action this city is about to enter is one of the most important and sensitive times to be making it.  Transitions in the form of government are exceedingly rare.  The Federal Government goes back to our Country’s inception.  The last East Providence change was 60 years ago in 1958.  Recognizing the need for change the people voted to amend the charter by an overwhelming margin to have the right to elect the executive office.  This was in response to the illusion of democracy which he will discuss at a later date but that the people want to take back their government.  Making the transition over the next several months is extremely important.  Those people need to be on board so that the administration can be given every attempt to succeed.  Powerful forces out there don't want that.  The City Manager’s office needs to support the transition and philosophy and be on board.  If Mr. Chapman chooses to have a public hearing they will cover these.  It's not his intention to drag anyone through the mud. He prefers to look forward rather than back but will if engaged.  The best days for this city are indeed ahead and he’s optimistic our democracy on a local level will no longer be an illusion.

Councilman Faria concurs with Councilman Botelho’s statement and he is here tonight with a resolution before the council to do this amicably and they want to continue to bring tangible results to the taxpayers moving forward not backwards.

Mayor Briden states he is not in favor of the change and feels it is not in the best interest of the city.   He feels City Manager Chapman has done an excellent job and it was reflected during the last budget process where he received high praise from this council.  He has done a good job in all the union negotiations so far and he is not in favor of pulling out someone who has been working diligently for this and many other reasons.  He believes Mr. Chapman would facilitate a good and successful transition and this is well established.

A motion to approve the Resolution is made by Councilwoman Sousa, seconded by Councilman Faria and on a roll call vote the motion passes 4-1 with Assistant Mayor Britto and Mayor Briden voting Nay.

B.     Council Members

1.      Appointment of Acting City Manager, Malcolm Moore (by Councilman Faria)

Councilman Botelho states people have asked him why Malcolm Moore.  He feels Malcolm took a very active process during the charter amendments and attended almost all of the charter commission meetings.  He is in full support of the will of the people to change this form of government.  He has confidence that with Malcolm as acting city manager things will transition smoothly.  It is a very rare event and the city needs people who support the change.  It’s been heading this way for 30 years and he is not going to see it slip away.  He attended the meetings and knows what they are about and what the people want.

Assistant Mayor Britto states going back to December or early January when they had discussions of a mayoral salary, part of question was the salary wasn’t sufficient enough, the mayor would need a chief of staff because he could not do both positions.  Here Mr. Moore will be wearing two hats.  As solicitor Mr. Chapman did both jobs as Acting City Manager but Solicitor is more of a part time than full time position.

Councilman Botelho states that Paul Luba is also there and there is a lot of extra help.

Assistant Mayor Britto states that Mr. Luba works for the State and Woonsocket.  He adds he didn't like the direction then and doesn't like it still.  

Councilwoman Sousa states it is never an easy decision to make and as a sponsor of the resolution she has had questions as to where her mind frame is and people will all be able to hear that if Mr. Chapman chooses a public hearing.  This is not the first discussion they have had with this and she asks for patience for Mr. Chapman to make his decision. 

Councilman Faria states he has a good relationship with Mr. Moore and any issue from a tax payer that he sought to resolve that Malcolm was always very helpful.  One time there was a long line and he called every single one of the taxpayers back.  He has a lot of confidence in Mr. Moore and asks the department heads to do the same.  A lot of people here today were opposed to Mr. Chapman then when they hired him and are now opposing this.  He adds that he made every effort to work with Mr. Chapman and was the 3rd vote to keep him and now he is at a standstill and he can't move forward like this.

Mayor Briden states he has a good working relationship with Mr. Moore and will continue to do so.  However, he doesn't agree with making him acting city manager.  He feels he should remain as finance director.  There is a lot to that department and he has a very busy job there.  That being said if he is named acting city manager they will all work with him as professionals and do their best for the city.

Councilman Faria states they were told the contracts were going to be finalized.

Mayor Briden states by the nature of contracts sometimes they require more time and have many parts some of which have been completed.  He has saved the city a considerable amount of money and the resolution is without clause and they need to be mindful.

A motion to approve is made by Councilman Faria, seconded by Councilman Britto and on a roll call vote the motion passes 3-2 with Mayor Briden and Assistant Mayor Britto voting Nay.

IV.             ADJOURNMENT

A motion to Adjourn at 7:52PM is made by Councilman Faria, seconded by Councilwoman Sousa and on a roll call vote it is unanimous. 

Approved By Council:  April 17, 2018

Attest:  _______________

                 City Clerk