CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

MINUTES/JOURNAL-SPECIAL MEETING

BUDGET SESSION: FINANCIAL YEAR 2020-2021

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2020

CALL TO ORDER: 6:30-8:30 P.M.

145 TAUNTON AVENUE-CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

EA5T PROVIDENCE, RHODE 15LAND

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 conducted 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:

PASSCODE: 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

 

I.    CALL TO ORDER

Council President Britto called the meeting to order.

II.   PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Council President Britto led the Pledge.

III.  BUDGET SESSION

Mayor DaSilva began addressing the Council, stating the proposed budget to the Council is in the amount of $1,069,051 which is a $4.3 million increase over last year’s spending, including $2.6 million increase in City Operations, $285,000 for the School Department and $1.4 million to fund the future debt payments for the new East Providence High School. The increase on City Operations, does attribute to items such as contractual obligations, (example of Police and Fire’s 5% contractual increase, pension contributions, health care costs, which increased by 11%), new trash bins that were distributed, Finance Department is needing replacement software, due to upcoming obsolete software, increase of general liability insurance. The mayor is proposing an increase of the Homestead Exemption by 1%.

 

A) EAST PROVIDENCE POLICE DEPARTMENT – Chief William Nebus was present for the Council. All items that have increased were contractual due to longevity, increases, technology software. Police pension contribution had an $313,000 increase over last year. Tuition reimbursement was an increase as well, due to state law that this benefit is available. The department is replacing computer hardware through Google funds. Council Vice President asked if there are any vacancies. Chief Nebus responded there are ten vacancies, and the recruitment process has begun already, but it takes about one year for a full training and ready to start. Council President Britto inquired about shooting range and training. Chief Nebus stated that they are trained in the academy and they don’t have a range, but they rented a range out of Cranston. The training the officers receive is twice a year, for the exception of the SWAT team. Councilwoman Sousa asked about the heating and air system in the police department, if that has been taken care of yet. Chief Nebus stated that it has not, but Google money will be used to fix it and there is a plan that last he knew, it was approved.

B) ANIMAL CONTROL - Chief Nebus was present for the Council. No questions from the Council.

C) HARBORMASTER – The Harbormaster was not present. Chief Nebus spoke in his place. This budget remains steady from previous years. Council President Britto asked if this department needs anything. Chief Nebus stated that they do not and if anything increased, it would be if the price of gas went up. Council Vice President Rodericks stated that he did notice an increase of activity of boating.

D) EAST PROVIDENCE FIRE DEPARTMENT – Chief Glenn Quick was present for the Council. Councilman Cahoon stated that all of the points that the mayor and police chief stated it also stands for the Fire Department as well. Chief Quick stated the academy is in their 10^th week and will be starting on October 3^rd. There are twenty candidates currently in the academy. Council Vice President Rodericks asked for clarification regarding the IT switch/reallocation of funds and the contractual increases, as the police department had, seems to be the same for the fire department. Councilwoman Sousa asked about the line item speaking to book charges. Chief Quick stated this is due to study guides and replacing those that are out of date. They are anticipating 3-5 retirements in the next fiscal year and are anticipating another academy.

E)  SET DATE FOR PUBLIC HEARING IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHARTER (SEC. 5-11)

City Solicitor advised the Council that anytime after October 2^nd and that there needs to be at least ten days of advertisement before the public hearing is had. The date was set by the Council to have the remainder of the departments on October 1, 2020.

Councilman Cahoon made the motion to set the public hearing on October 6, 2020 as the first half of the regular scheduled Council Meeting. Council Vice President Rodericks seconded the motion. Motion passes 5-0.

 

IV.  ADJOURNMENT

Motion to adjourn by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sousa.

Motion passes 5-0.

Meeting adjourns.