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CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
JOURNAL/MINUTES-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2020
CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 P.M.
Council May Call Executive Session in Room 101
145 TAUNTON AVENUE - CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
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
I. CALL TO ORDER
Council President Britto called the meeting to order. All members were present.
II. INVOCATION
The City Council of East Providence may meet in Executive Session pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws §42-46-S
Motion to move into Executive Session made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion passes unanimously, 5-0 and the Council convenes in Executive Session.
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Cahoon | x |
|
| Mourato | x |
|
| Rodericks | x |
|
| Sousa | x |
|
| Britto | x |
|
a) Claims
1. Nicholas Leandro
RM No. 19-137, Claim No. 19-074
Amount: $195.69
2. Vallon Roca
RM No. 19-134, Claim No. 19-072
Amount: $517.41
b) Water and Sewer Abatements
1. Eduardo Capelo
RM No. 19-135, Claim No. 19-073
Amount: $500.00
c) Litigation
1. J Line, Inc. v. Steven Hazard, in his capacity as Tax Assessor for the City of East Providence
(PC-2017-1009) (PC-2019-0081) (PC-2019-1752)
Discussion, Vote and Potential Settlement of Claims
III. OPEN SESSION
Meeting called to order. All members present. Motion to seal the minutes from Executive Session made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes unanimously, 5-0.
IV. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Council President Britto led the Pledge.
VII. 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 the items unless a Council members so requests, in which event the item will be removed from said Consent Calendar and will be considered in its normal sequence in the docket.
a) TAX ABATEMENTS
| YEAR | AMOUNT |
| 2017 | $57.90 |
| 2018 | $1893.00 |
| 2019 | $36,835.80 |
| Totals | $38,786.70 |
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar made by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Councilman Cahoon. Motion passes unanimously, 5-0.
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Cahoon | x |
|
| Mourato | x |
|
| Rodericks | x |
|
| Sousa | x |
|
| Britto | x |
|
PUBLIC COMMENT
All persons wishing to make public comment shall sign a public comment sheet stating their name, address and the subject of their docket related item to speak on. This 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 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.
Diana Toussant, resident, spoke on the Short Term Rental Ordinance.
XII. MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS WITH COUNCIL APPROVAL
Economic Development Commission: Dean Amromare
Term: 01/08/2020-01/08/2025
Motion to approve made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes unanimously.
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Cahoon | x |
|
| Mourato | x |
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| Rodericks | x |
|
| Sousa | x |
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| Britto | x |
|
XIII. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
1. Notification of Grassy Plains Community Meeting, January 23rd 6:00 p.m.
Councilman Mourato and Councilman Cahoon
Councilman Mourato and Councilman Cahoon were present to discuss this item. Event to be held at 165 Rounds Avenue in East Providence.
2. Process of Charter Review and Revision for 2020 Discussion
Councilman Mourato
Councilman Mourato was present to discuss this item, including timeline and dates when to hold the
workshop.
3. Discussion of Short Term Rental Ordinance/Amendment for Zoning
Councilman Mourato
Councilman Mourato was present to discuss this item. Discussion with the Council and solicitor was had on this item.
4. Discussion on Capital Improvement Projects: Hunt’s Mills Dog Park and Jones Pond
Council President Britto
Council President Britto was present to discuss this item.
5. Special Revenue Accounts Discussion – Council Vice President Rodericks
Council Vice President Rodericks was present to discuss this item.
Project Dare
Forfeiture Drug State
Emergency Management Program
Senior Center Donation
Crescent Park Carousel
State Hazmat Grant
Sabin Point VW Settlement
Library Donation Fund
6. Watchemoket Community Meeting, Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Council Vice President Rodericks
Council Vice President Rodericks was present to discuss this item. This meeting will be held from 4-6:30 p.m. at Tockwotton.
7. Discussion on Juvenile Hearing Board Regarding Appointing Authority, Dates and Terms
Council Vice President Rodericks
Council Vice President Rodericks was present to discuss the item and requested the City Clerk to place
this on the docket for the following meeting.
8. Discussion of LED Streetlight/PUC Litigation Update
Councilwoman Sousa
Councilwoman Sousa was present to discuss this item.
XV. NEW BUSINESS
Reports of Other City Officials
Claims Committee Report – City Solicitor, Michael J. Marcello
Solicitor Michael J. Marcello was present to provide the claims report from Executive Session.
City Council Meeting Schedule for 2021 – City Clerk, Samantha Burnett
(Amended from the December 17, 2019 Council Meeting) – FOR VOTE
January 7, 2020
January 21, 2020
February 4, 2020
February 18, 2020
March 3, 2020
March 17, 2020
April 7, 2020
April 21, 2020
May 5, 2020
May 19, 2020
June 2, 2020
June 16, 2020
July 7, 2020
August, 4, 2020
September 1, 2020
September 15, 2020 (Amended from the September 22, 2020)
October 6, 2020
October 20, 2020
November 10, 2020
November 17, 2020
December 1, 2020
December 15, 2020
Council Vice President Rodericks made the motion to approve the 2021 calendar, seconded by Councilman Cahoon. Motion passes unanimously, 5-0.
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Cahoon | x |
|
| Mourato | x |
|
| Rodericks | x |
|
| Sousa | x |
|
| Britto | x |
|
Resolutions
Resolution Requesting That The East Providence City Council Approve a Traffic Pattern Study at Watchemoket Square
Sponsored by: Council Vice President Rodericks and Councilwoman Sousa
Full resolution on Clerkbase, under 01/07/2020 agenda:
https://clerkshq.com/EastProvidence-ri
Motion to approve made by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion seconded by Councilman Cahoon. Motion passes unanimously, 5-0.
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Cahoon | x |
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| Mourato | x |
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| Rodericks | x |
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| Sousa | x |
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| Britto | x |
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Introduction of Ordinances
FIRST PASSAGE – FOR VOTE
Discussion only.
AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 2 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED, “ADMINISTRATION”
Sponsored by: Councilman Cahoon and Councilman Mourato
Full ordinance on Clerkbase, under 01/07/2020 agenda:
https://clerkshq.com/EastProvidence-ri
Motion to pass made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Discussion began by Councilman Cahoon and Councilman Mourato. Councilwoman Sousa also contributed to the conversation. Council Vice President Rodericks contributed to the discussion. Timelines were discussed, with respect to the School Department fiscal budget as well. Amendments were made to the drafted ordinance. Assistant Solicitor Conley contributed to the discussion. Motion then made by Councilman Cahoon to table this ordinance to the next Council meeting, on January 21, 2020 with the changes discussed. Councilwoman Sousa seconded the motion. Motion passes unanimously, 5-0.
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Cahoon | x |
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| Mourato | x |
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| Rodericks | x |
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| Sousa | x |
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| Britto | x |
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XVI. RECONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION (if necessary)
The Council did not find it necessary to reconvene in Executive Session.
XVII. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion seconded by Councilman Cahoon. Motion passes unanimously, 5-0. Meeting adjourns.
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Cahoon | x |
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| Mourato | x |
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| Rodericks | x |
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| Sousa | x |
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| Britto | x |
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If communication assistance is needed or any other accommodations to ensure equal participation, please contact the City Clerk, Samantha Burnett at 401.435.759601072021