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CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
RHODE ISLAND
DOCKET OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
February 5, 2019
6:30 P.M.
Council Chambers, City Hall, 145 Taunton Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914
6:30 P.M. Council May Call Executive Session, Room 101
7:00 P.M. Open Session
City Council:
Council President, Robert Britto – Ward 1
Council Vice-President, Bob Rodericks – At Large
Councilwoman Anna M. Sousa – Ward 2
Councilman Nate Cahoon – Ward 3
Councilman Ricardo D. Mourato – Ward 4
ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS LISTED WERE PRESENT
I. CALL TO ORDER
Call to order made by Council President Britto
II. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion to move into Executive Session made by Councilwoman Sousa. Councilman Rodericks did second the motion and passes unanimously.
The City Council of the City of East Providence may meet in Executive Session pursuant to RI General Laws § 42-46-5 (a)(2).
A. Litigation
1. GEO NOVA DEVELOPMENT CO. VS. CITY
C.A. NO. PB-09-5341
Status Update, Settlement Consideration and Action
2. ZACHARY BILODEAU VS. CHRISTOPHER J. PARELLA
C.A. NO. PC-17-0524
Status Update, Settlement Consideration and Action
B. New Claims
a. Allstate Insurance Company (Denise Ayotte)
b. Brandon Nomann
c. Eugene Savory
C. Pending Claims
a. Ildeberto Rego
D. Sewer Charge Abatements
a. Oliver Andrews
b. Robyn Boudreau
c. Frank Decotis
d. Darlene Freeman
e. Mary C. Mackinney
f. Mary Marcos
g. Christopher Moreira
h. Thomas C. Riley
i. Stacy Santiago
j. Maria Sequeria
k. Nancy R. Stevens
l. Johnny and Charlene Vargas
E. Reconvene to Open Session from Closed Executive Session
Motion to reconvene to Open Session and seal the Executive Session minutes made by Councilman Cahoon. Councilwoman Sousa did second the motion and passes unanimously.
III. OPEN SESSION/CALL TO ORDER
Council President Britto called the meeting to order.
IV. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council President Britto invited David O’Connell to lead the pledge.
V. TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR
All items under “CONSENT CALENDAR” are considered to be of a routine and noncontroversial nature by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion on these items unless a Council member so requests, in which event, the item will be removed from the “CONSENT CALENDAR” and will be considered in its normal sequence on the docket.
A. Cancellation/Abatements
Year Amount
2015 $411.48
2016 $23.86
TOTAL: $435.34
B. Council Journals
January 8, 2019 – City Council Organizational Meeting Minutes
Outstanding Minutes: June 7, 2018, October 25, 2018, November 7, 2018, November 20, 2018
December 4, 2018, December 11, 2018
Motion was made by Councilman Cahoon to approve the Consent Calendar. Councilwoman Sousa seconds the motion. Motion passes unanimously.
VI. COMMUNICATIONS
A. Karen Zyons, Rhode Races and Events, Inc.
1st Annual Coyote 5k Run-Saturday, June 15, 2019.
Start time 9 a.m.
Susan Rancourt, business partner with Karen Zyons and representing Rhode Races and the Carousel Commission. Race will start and finish at the carousel. Council President Britto asked the Clerk Burnett if everything is in order for this race and if everything was clear with the police department to ensure any blocking of traffic or clearance is needed. Clerk Burnett indicated that she believes all has been vetted out and Ms. Rancourt confirmed this. Coucilman Mourato gave more details, citing that this is a fundraiser towards obtaining a train depot. Councilwoman Sousa inquired if there was closing of streets and if there was, should this go for a vote for the council and not under Communications and perhaps it should be reposted. Councilman Mourato responded by sharing more details of the race course, stating that due to it running along Bullocks Point Road, this does not impede on the flow of traffic. Councilman Britto stated that in the past they had always had a vote in this and asked Solictor Marcello if we should vote on this since they have until June 15. Solicitor Marcello responded by asking for additional time to research but in the past a vote may have been needed because they may have needed to close city streets. But, because this race in the public way, they can use it. Council President Britto requested that this be tabled to the next Council meeting to be voted on with Councilman Mourato as the presenter.
PUBLIC COMMENT
All persons wishing to make public comment shall sign a public comment sheet stating their name, address, and the subject of their comments. Said public comment sheet shall be available on a desk at the entrance of the City Hall Chambers no later than forty-five (45) minutes before the call to order of any regularly scheduled council meeting and shall be delivered by the City Clerk to the presiding officer no earlier than five (5) minutes before the call to order of the meeting. Each speaker will be limited to three (3) minutes. The order of speakers will be on a first come, first serve basis and the maximum time for public comment shall be limited to thirty (30) minutes per meeting.
Dr. Dosantos addressed the Council regarding Police Recruitment.
Kathy Santos addressed the Council regarding Police Recruitment.
Onna Moniz-Johns addressed the Council regarding Police Recruitment.
VII. APPOINTMENTS
A. George Furtado – Associate Municipal Court Judge 61 Ravena Ave Riverside, 02915 (Mayor DaSilva)
Mayor DaSilva approaches the podium and addresses the Council on this appointment. Councilman Rodericks makes the motion to approve, Councilwoman Sousa seconds the motion. Motion passes unanimously.
B. Municipal Court Baliff – Joey Connors, 65 Barney Street, Rumford (02916) (Mayor DaSilva)
Mayor DaSilva address the Council regarding this appointment. Councilman Rodericks makes the motion to approve. Councilwoman Sousa seconds the motion. Motion passes unanimously.
C. Municipal Court Baliff – John Medeiros 291 Grosvenor Ave, East Providence (02914) (Mayor DaSilva)
Mayor DaSilva address the Council regarding this appointment. Councilwoman Sousa makes the motion to approve. Councilman Mourato seconds the motion. Motion passes unanimously.
D. Council Liasion for School Committee
Councilwoman Sousa requested this docket item in order to stay updated with the School Committee, especially with the construction of the new high school.
Councilwoman Sousa made the motion to nominate Councilman Cahoon for this position. Councilman Rodericks seconds the motion. Motion passes unanimously.
VIII. COUNCIL MEMBERS
A. Community Safety and Street Lights (Councilwoman Sousa)
Councilwoman Sousa addressed this issue citing incidents in Ward 1 and Ward 4 associated with street lights and safety. In addition, other incidents, such as parcels stolen from homes, and looking to start a Neighborhood Watch Program in Ward 2. Councilwoman Sousa inquired on how Council President Britto’s progress is going with the Ward 1 Watch Program. Council President Britto did state that he is needing to resuscitate the program. Councilwoman Sousa mentioned how we have become very narrow in our path due to being very busy in our lives, to take a moment to check on your neighbors. Councilwoman Sousa mentioned the Ring doorbell option as a safety measure and working with neighbors. Councilwoman Sousa will be reaching out to people who have reached out to her in Ward 2 to start a Watch Program. Councilwoman Sousa then addressed the street lights and how many are still, “red capped”, stating not having adequate lighting is a problem, citing the pedestrian fatality just recently. Council President Britto requested permission to invite Mayor Da Silva to the podium to speak on this topic. Mayor DaSilva stated there are two issues involving street lights. One is paying for the street lights on state roads. The second is purchasing the lights from National Grid. The problem, according to Dylan Conley of the legal department who is heading the charge states that National Grid allowing us to buy the lights from them violates the law in a number of ways. First it requires the City to buy lights for both the City and the State lights. It allows National Grid to force East Providence to take down lights whenever National Grid deems fit. National Grid has delayed the purchase of the lights to East Providence because they want to make money off the delays. National Grid doesn’t have the information to calculate the costs. Some municipalities pays little or no money for the lights, while they plan on charging East Providence thousands of dollars. There has been an action in which East Providence has joined other communities in a legal action, which looks like it will be coming to an agreement in the next few months, which will save the cities thousands. Councilwoman Sousa asked what communities are involved. Mayor DaSilva responded that East Providence joined Pawtucket and Cumberland.
B. City of East Providence Fiscal Budget Format (Councilman Mourato)
Malcom Moore, Director of Finance was present to answer questions for the Council. Councilman Mourato mentioned that it would be nice to have a format that is easier to read and gave an example from the School Department. Councilwoman Sousa asked if the School Department adopt the same type of budget. Mr. Moore stated that he has mentioned it before. Councilman Cahoon mentioned that he looks forward to working with the Mayor’s office and create something that offers greater transparency. Councilman Cahoon mentioned possibly having a sub-committee. Council Vice President mentioned using the resources and knowledge of Paul Luba.
C. Discussion Regarding Budgetary Oversight by the City Council (Councilman Cahoon)
Councilman Cahoon combined this conversation with Item B, listed above. Malcolm Moore, Director of Finance was present to speak to the Council.
D. Council Rules and Regulations (Council President Britto)
Council President Britto reviewed the items from previous council meetings. He did ask if we could move Communications up on the docket. Solicitor Marcello mentioned that we could have two sheets; one for Public Comment and one for General Communications. Councilwoman Sousa mentioned she previously stated that Public Comment is only relative to docketed items and that Communication part could be for someone to come to the Council meeting and then bringing up another item that isn’t relative to the docket. Council President Britto mentioned that maybe we might need to change the time of public comment. Solicitor Marcello responded that it was up to the Council and that it isn’t required by any law to offer Public Comment. Council President Britto stated that he would like to continue to offer Public Comment. Councilman Cahoon had mentioned flexibility in speaking time and Councilwoman Sousa stated that there might be a reference to address this in the Charter regarding talk times. Solicitor Marcello did bring up swearing in speakers and that it is a little awkward, as many times, they are just giving opinions and not necessarily stating facts. Councilwoman Sousa mentioned that previously people were announcing their name and address.
E. First Fiscal Quarter Itemized Finance Report (Councilwoman Sousa)
Councilwoman Sousa did combine this conversation with Item b, listed above. Malcom Moore, Director of Finance was present to speak with the Council.
F. Non-Utilization Tax to Combat Vacant and Abandoned Property (Council President Britto)
Council President Britto mentioned that this was placed on the docket due to calls that were made to him, especially to one particular property, located on Tryon. It became a place where rodents were accumulating and creating an eyesore. He would like to see the City enforcing violations more on vacant and abandoned property.
IX. LICENSES REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARING
1. Laundromax – 2271 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence, 02914
Application for Additional Hours License (1:00 A.M.- 5:00 A.M.)
Council President Britto stated that he has reservations regarding these extended hours. Councilman Mourato mentioned that he has concerns, as this business is close to homes.
Councilwoman Sousa mentioned that perhaps this could be a business model to stay open these hours and asked if there is another location that does close. The representative mentioned that there is one location in New England and that is in Roxbury. They close at 1:00 a.m. opening again at 4:00 a.m.
Motion to approve to 90 day approval by Councilman Cahoon, seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes 4-1.
Record is made to reflect 90 from issuing of license.
X. NEW BUSINESS
A. MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS (Mayor DaSilva)
1. Police Recruitment
The Honorable Mayor, Roberto DaSilva approached and presented issues that are currently affecting the police recruitment process. He stated that numbers declined and supplied various reasons. He did mention and use examples of applicants we may be losing because they were just short college credits. He also mentioned that he would like to see more robust recruitments, including creating a recruitment panel.
2. Qualification for Appointment to the Police Department Ordinance (Article 2 Section 12-18)
This is included in Item A-1.
3. Street Lights/Litigation Update – nothing was shared.
B. REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS
Claims Committee Report (Solicitor Michael J. Marcello)
Motion made to move this to the end of the agenda, since it was not available at the moment by Councilwoman Sousa and seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes unanimously.
C. RESOLUTIONS
Resolution Authorizing The Mayor To Execute The Services Agreement For Rescue Billing Services For The City Of East Providence (presented by Council President Britto)
(SEE ATTACHED FOR FULL RESOLUTION)
Motion to defer to the next item by Council President Britto, seconded by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion passes unanimously.
XI. PUBLIC HEARING – ORDINANCES FINAL PASSAGE
AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 12 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTILTED, “POLICE”
(SEE ATTACHED FOR FULL ORDINANCE)
Councilman Mourato stated that he sponsored this ordinance for first passage in the previous Council meeting. Councilman Mourato concluded with his withdrawal of his sponsorship of the ordinance.
XII. Reconvene in Executive Session (if necessary) to Complete Items Under Section II, Executive Session.
Councilman Cahoon made the motion to reconvene in Executive Session, seconded by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion passes unanimously.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
Councilman Cahoon made the motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion passes unanimously.