Click 
to view the meeting video.
CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
CITY COUNCIL
JOURNAL/MINUTES-SPECIAL MEETING
BUDGET SESSION WITH POSSIBLE VOTES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2020
CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 P.M.
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
City Solicitor, Michael J. Marcello
City Clerk, Samantha N. Burnett
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting will be conducted both in person at City Hall and virtually, through an application called, “Zoom”.
IN ORDER TO VIEW THE MEETING, 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:
PASSCODE: 653929
Once entered, you will be able to join the meeting.
The meeting will also be available live on our city website, located at:
http://www.clerkbase.com/RI_EastProvidence_Live_CityCouncil.html
(I) CALL TO ORDER – MADE BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT BRITTO
(II) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – LED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT BRITTO
(III) BUDGET SESSION – Councilman Mourato requested some additional questions from Finance Director, Malcolm Moore. Councilman Mourato asked about the savings of Workshare in the amount of around $400,000 will be allocated. Director Moore stated that this would be considered surplus, but we will end with a negative balance for the year. Councilman Mourato asked the revenue that was calculated up until. Director Moore stated that is was reported from the end of September. Councilman Mourato asked Director Moore for clarification regarding the 2.6% and the 3.5% increases. Director Moore did explain how much the rate should go up and the levy needed to support that.
Additional conversation was had regarding revenue, police detail, legal counsel that was hired that involved City Solicitor Michael Marcello and Mayor DaSilva.
1. ORDINANCES FOR FIRST PASSAGE (FOR VOTE) - NO PUBLIC HEARING
1) ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE ORDERING THE
ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION OF PROPERTY TAX ON THE RATABLE REAL ESTATE, TANGIBLE
PERSONAL PROPERTY, AND AN EXCISE TAX ON REGISTERED MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAILERS.
Councilman Cahoon made the motion to approve.
Council Vice President Rodericks seconded the motion.
Council Vice President did asked for clarification that there is no dollar amount to this ordinance? Council President Britto answered no.
Councilman Mourato asked if this was normal procedure to vote and not have a dollar amount. Director of Finance, Malcolm Moore explained the nature of TANs, BANs and RANs and how the works with our flow of expenses and revenue that the City currently has, and how they are on every budget. Council President asked about the bond for the high school. There will be two bonds – one will go out for RI infrastructure bank of about $24 million, with a subsidized interest rate. Then $15 million upfront from the state as the RIDE reimbursement. So the total amount of bonds after the $170-175 (million) for the total amount of bonds, and there will be two bonds.
Council President asked about the reimbursement, since it comes later we will have to go to bond for the total amount. Both Director Moore and Councilman Cahoon stated that was correct.
Additional discussion was had by the Council, Director Moore and City Solicitor Marcello regarding timelines and logistics of the this ordinance.
Roll call made by the City Clerk, Samantha Burnett.
Motion passes 4-0 with Councilwoman Sousa absent.
2) ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDNCE APPROPRIATING
$193,603,128 FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING
OCTOBER 31, 2020.
Item deferred.
3) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO BORROW FUNDS IN ANTICIPATION OF TAXES.
Motion to approve made by Council Vice Rodericks.
Motion seconded by Councilman Cahoon.
Motion passes 4-0 with Councilwoman Sousa absent.
4) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO BORROW FUNDS IN ANTICIPATION OF BONDS.
Motion to approve made by Council Vice President Rodericks
Motion seconded by Councilman Cahoon.
Motion passes 4-0 with Councilwoman Sousa absent.
5) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO BORROW FUNDS IN ANTICIPATION OF REVENUE
Motion to approve made by Councilman Cahoon
Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks
Motion passes 4-0 with Councilwoman Sousa absent.
Councilman Cahoon asked Director Moore that all these ordinances includes all anticipation notes that we would need to borrow. Director Moore stated yes it was.
City Solicitor Michael Marcello advised the Council of the budget process, including advertisement timelines, increases and reallocations.
2. GENERAL DISCUSSION OF BUDGET INCLUDING THESE DEPARTMENTS
A) CITY COUNCIL
B) MAYOR’S OFFICE
C) CITY CLERK - Recommend an increase of $9,800 to the City Clerk’s salary by Councilman Mourato. Councilman Cahoon stated that he supports that increase as well.
D) LAW
E) CANVASSING
F) FINANCE - Councilman Cahoon proposed the line item: 57311-Technology Software line, decrease by $100,000 and increase $100,000 from the Finance Budget to the Capital Budget.
G) TAX COLLECTION
H) TAX ASSESSMENT
I) HUMAN RESOURCES
J) INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
K) MISCELLANEOUS
L) DEBT SERVICE
M) CAPITAL Council President Britto mentioned the Hunt’s Mills small dog park $5,000 was requested for a small dog park at Hunt’s Mills. Also another increase of $12,000 for a fence at Myron J. Francis Elementary School. Councilman Mourato proposed an increase in the amount of $125,000 for Willett Pond, planting of trees along Bullocks Point increasing the budget by $25,000 and a wire drop in Riverside Square increasing the budget of $3,000.
O) PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
P) RECREATION
Q) PIERCE STADIUM – Stadium security was discussed between the Council and Mayor DaSilva regarding labor and the costs. Increase proposed by Council Vice President Rodericks in the amount of $21,000.
R) CAROUSEL
S) LIBRARY - Councilman Cahoon proposed increasing the budget by $100,000.
T) SENIOR CENTER
U) PUBLIC WORKS
V) BUILDING INSPECTOR
W) ENGINEERING
X) HIGHWAY/PARKS
Y) STREETLIGHTS
Z) REFUSE DISPOSAL
AA) PUBLIC BUILDINGS
BB) CENTRAL GARAGE
CC) POLICE DEPARTMENT Council President Britto requested an increase by $10,000 for additional shooting training for the officers.
DD) ANIMAL SHELTER
EE) HARBORMASTER
FF) FIRE DEPARTMENT
GG) WASTEWATER POLLUTION CONTROL
HH) WATER UTILITIES
II) AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
3. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE VOTE FOR FINAL PUBLIC HEARING DATE FOR FINAL BUDGET AS WELL AS COUNCIL ADDITIONS
Solicitor Marcello advised the Council that no other increases or additions can be made after tonight.
Depending on how the advertising is posted, the public hearing will be either on October 19th if it is published if published in The East Providence Post or October 21, 2020.
As of now, there will be a October 19 or October 21, 2020 meeting (depending on where the advertisement is published).
4. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Councilman Cahoon.
Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato.
Motion passes 4-0 with Councilwoman Sousa absent.