CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

DOCKET-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 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 and requested the City

Clerk, Samantha Burnett to roll call. All Councilors were present at the time for the exception of Councilman Cahoon, who joined just shortly after Executive Session began.

 

II.         INVOCATION

The City Council of East Providence may meet in Executive Session pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws §42-46-5 (a) (2)

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato	x
Rodericks	x
Sousa	x
Britto	x

 

Council Vice President Rodericks made the motion to move into Executive Session. Councilwoman Sousa seconded the motion.

Motion passes unanimously, 4-0 with Councilman Cahoon not present for the vote.

 

a)   Claims – FOR VOTE

1.   Diane Morissette – Claim No. 19-076

Rhode Island General Laws §42-46-S (a) (2)

 

b)   Water and Sewer Abatements – FOR VOTE

1.   Cheryl Dery

2.   James Hopkins, Jr.

 

c)   Litigation

1.   Collective Bargaining Agreement: Dependent health care beneifts under East Providence Fire Fighters Local 850, International Association of Firefighters, AFL-CIO

Rhode Island General Laws §42-46-S (a) (2)

FOR VOTE

 

2.   Collective Bargaining Agreement: Dependent health care benefits under East Providence International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local 569

Rhode Island General Laws §42-46-S (a) (2)

FOR VOTE

 

3.   Status Update: LED Streetlight/PUC Litigation Update

 

III.        OPEN SESSION

Motion to move to Open Session and seal the minutes from Executive Session were made by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion seconded by Councilman Cahoon. Motion passes unanimously, 5-0.

 

IV.        PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Council President Britto.

 

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
2019 (Board of Assessment Review Meeting-Put To Decision)	$539.00

 

YEAR	AMOUNT
2014	$37.36
2015	$27.41
2016	$23.93
2019	$433.77
TOTALS	$522.47

 

b)   Council Journals: Executive Session for January 7, 2020, Regular Session for January 7, 2020.

           

Motion to approve made by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes unanimously, 5-0.

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon	x
Mourato	x
Rodericks	x
Sousa	x
Britto	x

 

IX.        LICENSING AND EVENT APPROVALS

 

1.   La Tavolo – Application for Victualing License

99 Hicks Street

Joseph Kilduff

 

Representative was present for this business. All paperwork has been turned in to the City Clerk and signed off on. Motion to approve by Councilman Mourato. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes unanimously.

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon	x
Mourato	x
Rodericks	x
Sousa	x
Britto	x

 

2.   La Tavolo – Application for Holiday Sales License

99 Hicks Street

Joseph Kilduff

 

Representative was present for this business. All paperwork has been turned in to the City Clerk and signed off on. Motion to approve by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes unanimously.

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon	x
Mourato	x
Rodericks	x
Sousa	x
Britto	x

 

XI.        COMMUNICATIONS

1.   Billy Lewis – Sewer Fees and Usage for Restaurants 

Mr. Lewis spoke on how a good amount of the water he uses for his restaurant does not go back into the sewer. The Council and Mr. Lewis spoke regarding a deduct meter and if that would be a solution to this issue. Council Vice President Rodericks requested the City Clerk, Samantha Burnett to add this as a Continued Business item for the next Council Meeting. The City Clerk obliged.

 

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.

 

There were no participants signed up to exercise Public Comment this meeting.

 

XII.       MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS WITHOUT COUNCIL APPROVAL

 

1.   Ronald Narwoki – Tree Warden, City of East Providence

Reappointment for one year term: 01/01/2020-12/31/2020

No vote needed by the Council.

(Letter of Appointment to Council from Mayor DaSilva)

This was a letter of communication to the Council from the Mayor. No vote was needed. This was placed on the docket to the DEM requirement that the Council be aware of the appointment made.

 

XIII.      COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS

 

1.   Discussion: Synchronization of the Budget Year to the Tax Collection Cycle

Councilman Mourato

Councilman Mourato wanted to discuss the possibility of taking one month at a time each year to bridge the gap on the synchronization issue between the budget year with the tax collection cycle. Paul Luba came to the podium to speak. Mr. Luba stated that he spoke with the Auditor General and there will be a meeting with the Mayor and Director of Finance in the future to learn more about this option. Mr. Luba did state that even if there is the synchronization, there will still be a need for borrowing TANs, (Tax Anticipated Notes)

 

2.   Discussion: 2019-2020 Budget Item Discrepancies of the Certified Budget

Human Resources

Councilman Mourato

Councilman Mourato raised a question of if the budget is correct, as he noticed a few discrepancies and wanted to make sure all the information is correct before it is sent to print. One example was in Canvassing. He noticed that they voted for three part time positions, and not a full time position, but the certified budget is showing two full time positions.

 

3.   Update and Discussion: Watchemoket Square Meeting, January 15, 2020

Council Vice President Rodericks

Council Vice President Rodericks stated the meeting was well attended. The meeting was held at Tockwotton. The meeting consisted of a complete presentation of all the plans. It is in early stages. One common denominator that many are concerned about is the traffic in the area. There is talk about a flashing light. Council Vice President Rodericks concluded that it was a good meeting.

 

4.   Discussion: “Is Your Number Up” Public Safety Program in East Providence

Councilman Mourato

Councilman Mourato shared that this is in reference to your house number being where people, especially EMS, can see it and find your home quickly in case of an emergency. This is also a city ordinance, (Chapter 4) that also indicates the size, color and where your house number should be placed. Councilman Mourato also made mention to make sure that your house number is visible from the road. Council Vice President Rodericks also seconded this effort, and referenced how this was sometimes a challenge when he had to make house visits in a previous job.

 

5.   Discussion: Additional Street Lights on Newport Avenue

Council President Britto

Council President Britto mentioned that there are missing lights on poles if you go down Newport Avenue. Council President Britto mentioned that there are many areas that have no lights at all and it is completely dark. He did mention that he believes someone was hit by a car and died last year in this area of Rumford. Council President Britto mentioned that this is a similar concern near Agawam as well. He wasn’t sure if we contact National Grid or someone else. Councilwoman Sousa also mentioned she would be interested in finding out about this, so we can know if it is a light that is broken or if there is something else wrong with it.

 

6.   Announcement for Community Meeting on January 23, 2020 regarding Grassy Plains Park

Councilman Mourato

Councilman Mourato made the general announcement of the meeting.

 

7.   Ward 2 Community Meeting: February 25, 2020 at Weaver Library 6:00 p.m.

(Topics include but not limited to: 1. Rodents/Infestation, 2. Traffic/Speeding, 3. Roads and Sidewalks)

Councilwoman Sousa

Councilwoman Sousa made the general announcement of the meeting that will address issues that are going on in the community. There is no end time for this meeting, so Councilwoman Sousa encouraged the public to stop by after work. There also is a children’s section in the library if one needed to bring their children in order to attend. She will keep people aware on social media as well.

 

XIV.     CONTINUED BUSINESS

 

1.   Discussion and Vote Regarding Hunt’s Mills Dog Park

Council Vice President Rodericks

Council Vice President Rodericks mentioned that this a reminder from the last meeting. Assistant Solicitor Dylan Conley mentioned that there is an advertisement that will need to post per the Charter, but will follow up with the Finance Director and other to ensure that we are following regulations set.

No vote was made.

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

 

2.   Discussion and Vote Regarding Jones’ Pond/Townie Freedom Park

Council Vice President Rodericks

Council Vice President Rodericks mentioned that this a reminder from the last meeting. Assistant Solicitor Dylan Conley mentioned that there is an advertisement that will need to post per the Charter, but will follow up with the Finance Director and other to ensure that we are following regulations set.

No vote was made.

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

 

3.   Discussion and Update on Juvenile Hearing Board Appointments

Council Vice President Rodericks

 

XV.      NEW BUSINESS

 

a)   Reports of Other City Officials

 

1.   Dylan Conley, Assistant City Solicitor- Claims Committee Report

Assistant Solicitor Conley shared that the claims were approved unanimously.

 

2.   Request for Approval: 480,722.00 from the FY 19-20 Capital Account for the purchase of Physio Control heart monitor/defibrillators and NFPA 1221 compliant mobile and portable radio for the East Providence Fire Department

Scriver’s error noted and agenda amended to $40,722.00. Motion to amend the agenda made by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Councilman Cahoon. Motion to amend the agenda passes unanimously.

 

Motion to approve the amount of $40,722.00 made by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes unanimously.

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon	x
Mourato	x
Rodericks	x
Sousa	x
Britto	x

 

3.   Resolutions

 

a)   RESOLUTION REGARDING TRAFFIC CONTROL AND SPEED CAMERAS

Council President Britto

Motion to approve made by Councilman Mourato. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes unanimously.

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon	x
Mourato	x
Rodericks	x
Sousa	x
Britto	x

 

b)   RESOLUTION REGARDING SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION FOR EXPANSION OF AUTOMATED TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS/SPEEDING

Councilwoman Sousa

Motion to approved made by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion seconded by

Councilwoman Sousa. Motion passes unanimously.

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon	x
Mourato	x
Rodericks	x
Sousa	x
Britto	x

 

c)   RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO PAY INVOICES FOR PRESCONSTRUCTION EXPENSES FOR THE NEW EAST PROVIDENCE HIGH SCHOOL

Councilman Cahoon

Motion to approve made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes unanimously.

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon	x
Mourato	x
Rodericks	x
Sousa	x
Britto	x

 

4.   Introduction of Ordinances

 

1.   INTRODUCTION AND FIRST PASSAGE

 

A)  AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 2 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED, “ADMINISTRATION”

(Article VII. Budget Ordinance)

Sponsored by: Councilman Mourato, Councilwoman Sousa and Councilman Cahoon

Full ordinance on Clerkbase, under 01/21/2020 agenda:

https://clerkshq.com/EastProvidence-ri

 

Motion tabled February 4, 2020 Council Meeting by Councilman Mourato. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes unanimously.

 

2)   SECOND PASSAGE AND PUBLIC HEARING

 

A)  AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 8 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED “LICENSES AND BUSINESS REGULATIONS” (MOBILE FOOD TRUCKS)

Sponsored by: Council President Britto and Councilman Mourato

Full ordinance on Clerkbase, under 01/21/2020 agenda:

https://clerkshq.com/EastProvidence-ri

 

Public Hearing was offered. No one exercised the right to speak during Public Hearing.

Motion to approve made by Councilman Mourato. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion passes unanimously.

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon	x
Mourato	x
Rodericks	x
Sousa	x
Britto	x

 

XVI.     RECONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION (if necessary)

 

XVII.    ADJOURNMENT

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto