CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

JOURNAL/MINUTES-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2020

CALL TO ORDER: 6:00 P.M.

145 TAUNTON AVENUE-CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

EXECUTIVE SESSION: CONFERENCE ROOM A

 

RE-OPEN SESSION TO BE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION AT APPROXIMATELY 6:15 P.M.

 

City Council:

Council President, Robert Britto - Ward 1

Council Vice-President: Bob Rodericks - At Large

Councilwoman Anna Sousa - Ward 2

Councilman Nate Cahoon - Ward 3

Councilman Ricardo Mourato - Ward 4

 

City Solicitor, Mike Marcello

City Clerk, Samantha Burnett

 

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting will be conducted virtually, through an application called, "Zoom".

 

IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE VIRTUALLY, USE THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS:

 

By phone:

Call the toll free number: 1-877-853-5247 (audio only) and enter the following information:

MEETING ID: 993-0796-0324

You will then be asked for the meeting passcode.

Enter the following passcode:

PASSCODE: 653929

 

By computer or Smartphone (this is the audio and video option):

To participate visually (with audio) you will need to log into the following from your computer or smart phone, go to: www.zoom.us

Enter the following information when prompted:

MEETING ID: 993-0796-0324

You will then be asked for the meeting passcode. Enter the following passcode number: 653929

Once entered, you will be able to join the meeting. At the appropriate time for public comment the

moderator will allow you to provide comment at the meeting.

 

The meeting will also be available live on our city website, located at:

http://www.clerkbase.com/RI_EastProvidence_Live_CityCouncil.html

 

In addition, written public comment on any agenda item can be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, November 24, 2020 in the following delivery methods:

Email the City Clerk: sburnett@eastprovidenceri.gov

Mailed/dropped off at: City Hall, Attention: City Clerk, 145 Taunton Avenue - East Providence, Rhode Island 02914

 

I. CALL TO ORDER

Council President Britto requested the City Clerk, Samantha N. Burnett to produce a roll call. All members were present, for the exception of Council Vice President Rodericks.

II. INVOCATION OF EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion to go into Executive Session made by Councilwoman Sousa, second by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes 4-0 with Council Vice President Rodericks absent from the vote. Council convenes in Executive Session.

 

a) The City Council may go into executive session pursuant to RIGL42-46-S(a)(2) & (S) related to potential litigation and/or discussions or considerations related to the acquisition of real property for public purpose related to the potential exercise of the City's eminent domain authority for property located at 500 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Map 107, block 15, parcel 1 more commonly known as Metacomet Golf Club.

 

b) Ratification of the Exxon Mobile Settlement Agreement Tax Appeals – Exxon Mobil Oil Corporation (formerly Mobil Oil Corporation v. Sarah Frew in her capacity as Tax Assessor for the City of E. Providence, RI), PC-2014-0178, PC-2014-5871, PC-2015-4963, PC-2017-1455, PC-2018-141, PC-20192060 & PC-2020-5015

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

 

c) New Claims

1. Traveler's Home and Marine Insurance Company, (Genie Cook)

 

d) Sewer Charge Abatements

1. William Conley, Jr.

2. Joao Cruz

3. C. Edward Furtado

4. Gordon Horton

S. Lori and Robert Maclea

6. Franklin O'Dell

7. Margaret Plourde

 

III. OPEN SESSION – Council reconvenes. Roll call is made. Council President Britto, Councilman Mourato and Councilwoman Sousa were present. Councilman Cahoon excused himself after Executive Session and was not present for the remainder of the meeting. Council Vice President Rodericks was absent for the entire meeting.

 

IV. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Council President Britto leads the Pledge.

 

V. MOTION TO SEAL MINUTES FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION

Councilwoman Sousa made the motion to seal the minutes from Executive Session. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes 3-0 with Councilman Cahoon and Council Vice President Rodericks absent for the vote.

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato	x
Rodericks
Sousa	x
Britto	x

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Each speaker will be limited to three (3) minutes. The order of the 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. Public comments must pertain to a docket item.

 

No sign ups for public comment. No public comment requests on Zoom when offered.

 

VI. LICENSES NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARING

 

1. APPLICATION FOR VICTUALING LICENSE, CLASS 3· East Providence Nutrition, 85 Taunton Avenue, 02914

 

Motion to approve made by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes 3-0 with Councilman Cahoon and Council Vice President absent from the meeting.

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato	x
Rodericks
Sousa	x
Britto	x

 

1. HOLIDAY SALES - East Providence Nutrition, 85 Taunton Avenue, 02914

 

Motion to approve made by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes 3-0 with Councilman Cahoon and Council Vice President absent from the meeting.

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato	x
Rodericks
Sousa	x
Britto	x

 

2. APPLICATION FOR VICTUALING LICENSE· CLASS 3, TRANSFER

FROM: YANGZU HAO

TO: NENGJUN LIN

Golden House DBA Lucky Gold House, Inc., 569 Warren Avenue, 02914

 

Motion to approve made by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion passes 3-0 with Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes 3-0 with Councilman Cahoon and Council Vice President Rodericks absent from the meeting.

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

 

3. APPLICATION FOR VICTUALING LICENSE, CLASS 2 - Baja's Mexican Taquiera, LLC DBA Baja's Mexican Taquiera, 3348 Pawtucket Avenue, 02915

 

Motion to approve made by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion passes 3-0 with Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes 3-0 with Councilman Cahoon and Council Vice President Rodericks absent from the meeting.

 

4. HOLIDAY SALES - Baja's Mexican Taquiera, LLC DBA Baja's Mexican Taquiera, 3348 Pawtucket Avenue, 02915

 

Motion to approve made by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion passes 3-0 with Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes 3-0 with Councilman Cahoon and Council Vice President Rodericks absent from the meeting.

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

 

VII. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS

 

1. Foster Forward Pajama Drive Update - Councilwoman Sousa

 

Councilwoman Sousa provided follow up that 30 pairs of pajamas were donated during this drive, along with the City Clerk’s office and Townies throughout the community. Council President Britto thanked the Councilwoman for her work.

 

2. Toy Drive/Stuff a Cruiser - Councilwoman Sousa

 

Led by Detective Cheri Almeida and Detective Michael Sprumelli, under the leadership of Chief William Nebus. They were able to stuff three cruisers, exceeding their goal. The EPPD also raised over $1,400 for a raffle.

 

3. Allocation of Council legal Services Payments – Councilman Mourato

Item tabled by Councilman Mourato.

 

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

 

a) COMMUNICATIONS-OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

 

1.      Metacomet RFI Results – Director of Administration, Napoleon Gonslaves was present via Zoom. Director Gonsalves requested Planning Director, William Fazioli to provide an update. RFI was published on the city website and social media notification and on the State of Rhode Island Purchasing website and Bidnet.com. The City received one response from Capstone Properties. Written communication will be sent to the Council by Mr. Fazioli.

 

2. Executive Order 2020-051, Extending Municipal State of Emergency

 

Director Gonsalves addressed the Council. This would be effective from tonight until January 6, 2021. Motion to approve made my Councilwoman Sousa to extended the Municipal State of Emergency. Motion passes 3-0 with Councilman Cahoon and Council Vice President Rodericks absent from the meeting.

 

b) REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS

 

1.) City Solicitor's Claims Report

Solicitor Michael J. Marcello

 

Items to be shared with the public were reported out by City Solicitor Michael J. Marcello.

 

2.) Monthly Business Licensing Status Report (Communication Only)

City Clerk, Samantha Burnett

 

City Clerk, Samantha Burnett stated that all of the liquor licenses have been renewed and up to date. Other items will be circulated to the Council.

 

IX. RECONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION (if necessary)

Council President Britto stated it was not necessary to reconvene.

 

Council President Britto wished everyone a Happy Holidays to the City Council and the community.

 

Councilwoman Sousa wished all employees of the City, her colleagues on the Council, and the community a very healthy and happy holiday season. She also thanked the employees and the City Clerk for their hard work. She thanked the residents and wished them health, peace and happiness.

 

Councilman Mourato wished everyone safe and happy holidays, thanking his colleagues and City Clerk for their hard work.

 

VII. ADJOURNMENT

Motion to adjourn made by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes 3-0 with Councilman Cahoon and Council Vice President Rodericks absent for the meeting.

 

Meeting adjourned.

 

 

If communication assistance is needed or any other accommodations to ensure equal participation, please contact the City Clerk, Samantha Burnett at 401.435.7596 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date.