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CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

JOURNAL/MINUTES-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 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, Michael J. Marcello

City Clerk, Samantha N. Burnett

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting will be both in person and 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 (please note this is corrected)

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 called the meeting to order. All members were present at Call to Order for the exception of Councilwoman Sousa, who joined later in the meeting.

II. INVOCATION OF EXECUTIVE SESSION

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

Motion to enter into Executive Session made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes unanimously, 4-0 with Councilwoman Sousa not present for the vote.

a. Litigation

1. ExxonMobil Oil Corp. vs. Sarah Frew in her capacity as Assessor for the City of East Providence, C.A. No. PC-2014-0178; PC-2014-5871; PC-2015-4963; PC-2017-1455; PC-2018-0141; PC-2019-2060; PC-2020-05015.

Update on status of consolidated cases and settlement proposals and potential vote.

2. Tax Appeal Dismissals:
A. Sanford Holdings LLC - PC-2017-1690, PC-2018-0169, PC-2019-3607, PC-2020-0691
B. Matthew Lowell Mobile Home Park - PC-2014-0906, PC-2015-2260, PC-2016-1667
C. Mercury Enterprises, LLC - PC-2014-2444
D. East Providence Elks Lodge 2337 - PC-2013-1089

b. Claims

1. Leonardo Chirinian

c. Sewer Charge Abatements

1. Lewis T. Quarttrucci

III. OPEN SESSION

Council President Britto called for Open Session. All members were present at the time Open Session was called, for the exception of Councilwoman Sousa, who joined the Council later in the meeting.

IV. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Council President led the Pledge.

V. MOTION TO SEAL MINUTES FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion to seal the minutes from Executive Session made by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion seconded by Councilman Cahoon. Motion passes unanimously 4-0 with Councilwoman Sousa absent for the vote.

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.

The following people partcipated in Public Comment either by Written or Oral Communication:

Dr. Allen D’Aiello, Jr. regarding to the Metacomet docket item.

PJ Dopke spoke regarding the Metacomet docket item.

Delmar Condinho regarding the Metacomet docket item.

Candy Seel regarding to the Metacomet docket item.

David O’Connell regarding Metacomet docket item.

Heather DeAndrade regarding the Metacomet docket item.

VI. APPOINTMENTS

a) Kendal Martes – Appointment to the Juvenile Hearing Board

(Mayoral Appointment with Council Approval)

Director Gonsalves was available for the Council. Motion to approve made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes 4-0 with Councilwoman Sousa absent for the vote.

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

b) David O'Connell, 229 Brightridge Avenue – Appointment to City Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (Council Vice President Rodericks)

No action was taken on this appointment due to already serving on an existing commission.

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

c) Karen Costa, 54 Woodland Ave – Appointment to City Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (Council Vice President Rodericks)

Motion to approve this appointment was made by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion seconded by Councilman Cahoon. Motion passes 4-0, with Councilwoman Sousa absent for the vote.

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

VII. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS

1. Armenian/Azerbaijan War Statement - Council President Britto

Council President Britto was present to speak on this communication item and stated his thoughts and prayers were with his Aremenian brothers and sisters.

2. New ADA/Closed Captioning for Council Meetings – Councilmann Mourato

Councilman Mourato was present to speak on this communication item and shared this new feature to be available at City Council Meetings.

3. Eminent Domain Conversation Regarding Metacomet Golf Club (500 Veterans Memorial Parkway, East Providence, 02914) including Request for Legal Services Discussion and Possible Vote

Councilman Mourato was present to speak on this communication item and stated that he was pursuing additional legal counsel for eminent domain. Councilman Mourato also mentioned obtaining an independent appraisal. City Solicitor, Michael Marcello offered and advised the Council answers to this topic.

Council Vice President Rodericks spoke on the appraisal and asked if it was necessary to spend money on a lawyer. City Solicitor Marcello was available to respond to questions from the Council. Councilman Cahoon discussed the financial side of this effort regarding budget. Solicitor Marcello also defined and discussed what highest and best use is to the Council. Council President Britto expressed concern over the finances and budget of having an attorney this early on with the appraisal before even the possibility of litigation.

Motion to move forward with the request for outside legal services regarding eminent domain with applications to be sent through the legal department made by Councilman Mourato. Motion seconded by Councilman Cahoon.

Motion fails with a vote of 2-2. (AYE: Councilman Mourato and Councilman Cahoon. NAY: Council Vice President Rodericks and Council President Britto) Councilwoman Sousa was absent for the vote.

Additional Note regarding this docket item:

Councilwoman Sousa joined the meeting via Zoom at the 1:42 mark of the video and mentioned that she would like to add her vote to Item #3. Solicitor Marcello advised the Council would need to happen to allow reconsideration of the vote to the prevailing side (Rodericks or Britto). Councilwoman Sousa then requested this of the fellow Councilmen. Council President Britto stated that he would not be for the reconsideration. Council Vice President Rodericks stated his reluctance to do this again was because of the lengthy discussion that was already had and he would just like the appraisal.

4. Policy Discussion Regarding Obtaining Independent Appraisals regarding Metacomet Golf Club (500 Veterans Memorial Parkway, East Providence, 02914) -Councilman Mourato

Councilman Mourato stated that this topic was covered with the above items and considered it satisfied.

5. Eminent Doman Conversation Regarding Metacomet, (500 Veterans Memorial Parkway, East Providence, 02914) RFI Status Update (continued from November 10, 2020 meeting)

Councilman Cahoon

Councilman Cahoon was present to speak on this communication item and inquired about an update. Director of Finance, Malcolm Moore provided an update for the Council, including what the financial impact on the City. Multiple hypothetical scenarios were discussed (bonds, taxes, etc). Councilman Mourato, Council Vice President Britto, Council Vice President Rodericks also contributed to the conversation.

Councilwoman Sousa stated that she was unable to attend most of the meeting due to the change of the normal schedule. Council President Britto stated the change was due to the November election.

Councilman Mourato issued the directive to the City Clerk to place this on the next City Council agenda. The City Clerk obliged.

Councilman Cahoon stated that he has met with Marshall Group along with Council Vice President Rodericks and Representative Amore to understand their perspective, their goals and does it align with our Comprehensive Plan. Council Vice President Rodericks stated that he echoed Councilman Cahoon.

Mayor Dasilva stated that he reached out to the Assessor’s office and the cost would be about to get an appraisal done. There $15,000 and $200/hour to testify. He will await what the Council decides.

6. Property Tax Impact on Land Owners in East Providence Should Metacomet Golf Club (500 Veterans Memorial Parkway, East Providence, 02914) be obtained by the City of East Providence Councilman Cahoon

This item was included on the above Communication Items.

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

a) COMMUNICATIONS – OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

1. Rescinding of Executive Order 2020-042: Temporary Waiver of Interest

Communication item only made by Director Napoleon Gonsalves.

2. Metacomet Golf Club (500 Veterans Memorial Parkway, East Providence, 02914) RFI

Mayor DaSilva did contribute and address this item under Council Communications, Item #5.

3. Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation proposed disposal rate increase

DPW Director, Steve Coutu was present and available for the Council. Rhode Island Resource Recovery is looking to increase their rates for all cities and municipalities in Rhode Island.

4. Executive Order 2020-046 - Extension of Municipal State of Emergency to December 8, 2020

December 1^st changed to December 8^th. Motion to approve made by Councilman Cahoon. 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

b) REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS

1.) City Solicitor's Claims Report

Solicitor Michael J. Marcello

City Solicitor Marcello shared the Claims Report with the public.

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

City Clerk, Samantha Burnett

Tabled until next meeting due to the conclusion of the business renewals are complete.

3.) Office of the City Clerk: New Handicap Accessibility Services Announcement

City Clerk, Samantha Burnett

This item was covered and addressed by Councilman Mourato, under Council Communications, Item 2.

c) RESOLUTIONS

Full resolutions on ClerkBase, under 11/24/2020 agenda: https://www.clerkshq.com/eastprovidence-ri

1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE GRANTING OF AN EASEMENT TO INSTALL, MAINTAIN, REINSTALL AND REPAIR A LOOP DETECTOR FOR A TRAFFIC SIGNAL FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2000 PAWTUCKET AVENUE

IX. RECONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION (if necessary)

Council did not see it necessary to reconvene in Executive Session.

X. ADJOURNMENT

Motion to adjourn made by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Councilman Cahoon. Motion passes unanimously, 5-0. Meeting adjourns.

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 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date.