CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

JOURNAL-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2020

CALL TO ORDER: 6:00 P.M.

Council May Call Executive Session using the Zoom virtual meeting application

145 TAUNTON AVENUE - CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

 

OPEN SESSION TO BE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION

AT APPROXIMATELY 6:10 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, Michael J. Marcello

City Clerk, Samantha N. Burnett

 

* As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the closure of City Hall, this meeting will be conducted virtually, through an application called, “Zoom”.

 

IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE, USE THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS:

 

1. 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 number:

PASSCODE: 653929

 

2. 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:

PASSCODE: 653929

Once entered you will be able to view and listen to the meeting. At the appropriate time for public comment the moderator of the meeting will allow you to provide comment at the meeting.

 

The meeting will also be viewable 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 emailing the office of the City Clerk at sburnett@cityofeastprov.com or mailed to

City Clerk, 145 Taunton Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914

Attn: Public Comment.

 

A drop box is also available at City Hall.

 

All written public comment must be received by 5:30 p.m. on May 19, 2020.

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER – Council President Britto calls the meeting to order and requests a roll by from the City Clerk, Samantha Burnett. All members are present.

II.         INVOCATION

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

(Claims and Litigation)

Motion to move to Executive Session made by Councilwoman Sousa.

Seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks.

 

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

 

a)   Claims

1.   Omaira Arango

2.   Patrick Kelley

 

III.        OPEN SESSION

IV.        PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

V.         MOTION TO SEAL MINUTES FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

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

 

VI.        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 member 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)   COUNCIL JOURNALS - May 5, 2020 Council Meeting (Regular and Executive Session)

Motion to approve by Councilwoman Sousa. Seconded by Councilman Cahoon. Motion passes unanimously.

 

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

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

*See Page 1 regarding log in instructions to participate.

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.

 

Council Vice President Rodericks had brought up the topic of youth athletics during the present scenario of the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns over keeping kids safe who are signed up for sports camps. He encouraged people to call the Council members, Governor and other local officials. Council President Britto did mention about the Rumford Little League President, Eddie Wencis did present a COVID-19 plan to get Little League started.

 

Vincent Enright, Riverside Little League board member called in through Zoom to speak about youth sports fields and re-opening them. He wanted to know if there was a plan to have the kids get back on the field and exercise. Second question was getting kids playing back with youth sports safely. He did mention that there is a plan in place with many sports leagues.

 

City Solicitor, Mike Marcello cited the current Gubernotorial Executive Order and the Mayor’s Executive Order of still keeping parks closed to limit the number of people, which is five at the moment.

 

Gina Zambarano, mother of a Riverside Little League player, spoke regarding Riverside Little League. Should the Riverside Little League put a plan together like Rumford Little League did once parks open back up?

 

Council President stated that it’s always good to have a plan in place but he was not the person to say so.

 

City Solicitor Marcello said that it’s always good to have a plan in place, but as of right now, they are not allowing organized sports this summer.

Councilman Cahoon mentioned that there probably should be other factors considered – like Little League of America, mentioned insurance and what’s covered and not, and the when the state decides to open the parks.

 

 

VII.       COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS

 

1.   ONE WAY DESIGNATION ON RICE AVENUE, EAST PROVIDENCE, 02914

Councilman Cahoon

Councilman Cahoon introduced this to the Council, and the possibly of designating a one way sign and possibly form this into a future ordinance. No concerns were aired from the Council.

 

2.   TEMPORARY HIRING AND SPENDING FREEZE ON ALL NON-EMERGENCY, NON-ESSENTIAL ITEMS-RECOMMENDATION TO MAYOR

Council Vice President Rodericks

Council Vice President Rodericks brought this item to discussion that it is an appropriate time to talk about the state deficit and that will definitely have some issues at a City and School Department level. Council Vice President mentioned that if there are any projects that are in the hopper, to pause them until the new budget season begins. He then posed the question, can the Council request a freeze on non-essentials in order to be fiscally responsible? City Solicitor Marcello answered that they can send a letter of recommendation that this occur. Mr. Marcello also mentioned that they can freeze or reverse money. Council Vice President said he just wanted to slow things down a bit. 

 

VIII.      NEW BUSINESS

 

a)   Bid Award

“City of East Providence and Pawtucket Water Supply Board Emergency Interconnection Project” to Biszko Contracting Corp.

(Please refer to the Letter of Award attached)

Department of Public Works Director, Stephen Coutu, was available to speak with the Council on this item.

Councilwoman Sousa made the motion to approve. Seconded by Councilman Cahoon. Motion passes unanimously.

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

 

b)   Ratification Of Executive Order

Extension for the State of Municipal Emergency from May 20 – July 8, 2020

Executive Order 2020-028

Motion to approve made by Council Vice President Rodericks.

Seconded by Councilman Cahoon.

Motion passes unanimously.

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

 

c)   Resolutions

 

1.   RESOLUTION DECLARING MARCH AS ASIAN-PACIFIC ISLANDER MONTH IN THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

Sponsored by: Councilman Cahoon and Councilman Mourato

Notated on the record that it should say May not March.

Councilman Cahoon introduced this to the Council as a recognition of the Asian-Pacific Islander population of the City.

Motion to approve made by Councilman Cahoon.

Seconded by Councilman Mourato.

Motion passes unanimously.

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

 

d)   Ordinances

 

1.   ORDINANCES FOR FIRST PASSAGE

 

A)  AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 18 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED “VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC”

No Parking Zone – Corner of Orchard St and Purchase St

City Ordinance Section 18-307

Sponsored by: Councilwoman Sousa

 

Full ordinance on Clerkbase, under 05/19/2020 agenda:

https://clerkshq.com/EastProvidence-ri

 

Corner of Purchase, Orchard and Potter Street. This is will create no parking zones to keep residents safe in the community and emergency vehicles can get through when they are responding to rescue calls.

Motion to approve first passage by Councilwoman Sousa.

Seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks.
Motion passes unanimously.

 

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

 

B)   AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 12 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED “POLICE”

Sponsored by: Council Vice President Rodericks

Full ordinance on Clerkbase, under 05/19/2020 agenda:

https://clerkshq.com/EastProvidence-ri

 

Council Vice President Rodericks presented this ordinance regarding traffic control and school crossing guards, professionalizing it, and transitioning it from Council/Mayor appointments.

Discussion was had by the Council, Mayor, and the Policy Director.

Motion to approve as amended made by Council Vice President Rodericks.

Seconded by Councilwoman Sousa.

Motion passes unanimously.

 

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

 

IX.        RECONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION (if necessary)

The Council did convene, but did not reconvene. See Item II. “Invocation”.

 

Prior to adjournment, the City Solicitor, Mike Marcello, delivered his Claims Committee Report.

 

X.         ADJOURNMENT

Motion to adjourn made by Councilwoman Sousa.

Seconded by Councilman Cahoon.

Motion passes unanimously.

Meeting adjourned.

 

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

 

 

If communication assistance is needed or any other accommodations to ensure equal participation, please contact the City Clerk, Samantha Burnett at 401.435.7596