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CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

JOURNAL/MINUTES-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 2021

CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 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 7:30 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

Assistant City Solicitor, Dylan Conley

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 do not need a meeting passcode.

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

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

REGARDING PUBLIC COMMENT

In addition, written public comment on any agenda item can be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 6, 2020 in the following delivery methods:

Email the City Clerk at: sburnett@eastprovidenceri.gov

Deliver your written comment in person to the City Clerk

Location: City Hall 145 Taunton Avenue East Providence, Rhode Island 02914

IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC COMMENT VIA ZOOM, YOU MUST USE THE “RAISE HAND” FUNCTION VIA ZOOM NO LATER THAN 6:45 P.M. TO BE RECOGNIZED BY THE MODERATOR OF THE MEETING.

I. CALL TO ORDER

Council President Britto called the meeting to order and requested a roll call to be produced by City Clerk, Samantha Burnett. All members were present for the exception of Councilman Cahoon, who arrived later during Executive Session.

II. VOTE TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, PURSUANT TO R.I.G.L. 42-46-5 (a)(2) Litigation as listed below in Item A & B and R.I.G.L. 42-46-5 (a)(5) discussions or considerations related to the acquisition of real property for public purposes under C.

Motion to go into Executive Session made my Councilman Mourato. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion passes 4-0, with Councilman Cahoon absent for the vote.

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

A. Claims

New Claims

1. Anna and Albano Larquinho

B. Sewer Charge Abatements

1. Maria Lima

2. Betty Koczan

3. Heather Collins

4. Gordon School (Joseph Almeida)

5. KZH Realty, Inc. (Heather Sonvanha)

C. Update on Eminent Domain analysis and consideration for property formerly known as Metacomet Golf Club, located at 500 Veterans Memorial Parkway, 02914 (MAP 107/BLOCK 15/PARCEL 1)

III. OPEN SESSION

Council President requested the City Clerk, Samantha Burnett for a roll call. All members were present.

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 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

VI. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR

A. COUNCIL JOURNALS:

MARCH 16, 2021 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

B. TAX CANCELLATION/ABATEMENTS:

2018: $30.57

2019: $916.99

2020: $370.51

TOTAL: $1,318.07

Motion to approve the minutes 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

VII. COMMUNICATIONS

No communications.

Please note that the item under, “XII. New Business, a) Council Communications 2. Traffic on Mountain Avenue was moved up on the docket by unanimous consent of the Council.

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.

1. Ted Furtado spoke about “Traffic on Mountain Avenue”

2. Holly Furtado spoke about “Traffic on Mountain Avenue”

3. Raquel O’Mara spoke on “Traffic on Mountain Avenue”

4. Jordan Verner on spoke “Traffic on Mountain Avenue”

5. Gregg Medeiros spoke on “Traffic, Excessive Speed”

6. Richard Robitalle spoke on “Traffic, Excessive Speed”

7. Sheena Thompkins spoke on, “Traffic Danger”

8. James Cunningham spoke on, “Metacomet”

9. David Banigan signed up but wasn’t present to speak on, “Destruction of a Gem”

10. Heather Andrade spoke on, ”Metacomet Appraisal”

11. Delmar Condinho spoke on “Metacomet”

12. “Ben” was on via Zoom – incomplete due to poor connection

VIII. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS

1. Heather Penden: Comprehensive Plan Community Advisory Board (Council President Britto and Council Vice President Rodericks)

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

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

IX. MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS WITH COUNCIL APPROVAL

Angie Lovegrove: Personnel Hearing Board (City Charter, section 9-1(2).)

Term: 09/29/2020-09/28/2026

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

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

Dereck Mendoza: Board of Assessment Review, (Ward 2 Vacant Seat)

(City Charter, section 4-12)

Term: 04/06/2021-04/06/2027

Motion to approve made by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Councilman Cahoon. Motion passes uanimously, 5-0.

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

X. MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS WITHOUT COUNCIL CONFIRMATION

(Correspondence Only)

Kelsey Queenan: Conservation Commission Term: 01/01/2021-01/01/2024

Cheryl Vieira: Conservation Commission (reappointment) Term: 01/01/2019-01/01/2022

Correspondence accepted into record.

XI. LICENSES NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARING

License to Solicit: SunRun Solar Panels

Applicant: John R. Monteiro

Applicant was present. Applications requirements satisfied. Motion to approve made by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Councilman Cahoon. Motion passes unanimously, 5-0.

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

XII. NEW BUSINESS

a) COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS

1. Pandemic Update, Discussion Only – Council Vice President Rodericks

Council Vice President Rodericks was present for this item and shared updates including the regional vaccination location in East Providence.

2. Traffic on Mountain Avenue – Discussion only - Councilman Cahoon

See above for item discussion prior to Public Comment.

3. Sidewalk Update (Tabled from March 16, 2021) - Councilman Cahoon

Councilman Cahoon was present for this item. Information will be supplied to the Council from the City.

4. Boards and Commissions Update – Councilman Mourato

Councilman Mourato was present for this item and shared updates including the application report provided by City Clerk, Samantha Burnett. This report showed all applications submitted and validated from 2019- present date.

5. Crescent View Community Meeting 4/13 at 6:30 p.m. (via Zoom) - Councilman Mourato

Councilman Mourato was present for this item and announced this community meeting that will be held virtually.

6. Bullocks Point Tree Project Update - Councilman Mourato

Councilman Mourato was present for this item. He mentioned the timeline of events for this project and thanked the parties involved in making this project possibe.

7. Short Term Rental Ordinance Discussion - Councilman Mourato

Assistant Dylan Conley and Councilman Mourato were present for this discussion. Discussion consisted of items such as defining “owner occupancy” and issues arising from the present ordinance.

8. Update on Eminent Domain analysis and consideration for property formerly known as Metacomet Golf Club, located at 500 Veterans Memorial Parkway, 02914 (MAP 107/BLOCK 15/PARCEL 1) -Council Vice President Rodericks

Appraisal has been received. The appraisal number was not shared with the public, due to the legal nature of the present scenario regarding eminent domain. This item was tabled to the next meeting on April 20, 2021.

b) COMMUNICATIONS – OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

1. City’s Acceptance Into the Municipal Resiliency Program Sponsored by RI Infrastructure Bank -Bill Fazioli

Mr. Fazioli was available and provided information to the Council regarding this item. Presentation material included with minutes.

2. Five Year Hazard Mitigation Plan – Bill Fazioli

Mr. Fazioli was available and provided information to the Council regarding this item. Presentation information included with minutes.

3. Pandemic Expenses Update – Malcolm Moore

Council requested additional information from Mr. Moore, including what the reimbursements can and cannot be spent on.

4. Update on Vaccination Clinic, Regional Pod

Update on Regional Pod given by Captain John Potvin of the EPFD. Location will be at the old Shaw’s across the way from the East Providence High School.

5. Proclamations: Greek Independence Day, St. Patrick’s Day and Arbor Day (Correspondence Only)

Correspondence submitted to Council on this item.

c) REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS

1. Handicap Parking Spot, located at 32 Sixth Street, 02914 - recommendation by: DPW Director, Dan Borges (Tabled item from April 6, 2021 Council Meeting for more information)

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

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

2. City Solicitor Claims Report – Solicitor Michael J. Marcello

Solicitor Marcello provided the public with the Claims Report from Executive Session.

3. Office of the City Clerk Update: Boards and Commissions Report, Licensing Updates and Improvements – City Clerk, Samantha N. Burnett

Due to time constraints, Ms. Burnett tabled to the next meeting.

d) RESOLUTIONS

Full resolutions on ClerkBase, under 04/06/2021 agenda: https://www.clerkshq.com/eastprovidence-ri

1. RESOLUTION DENOUNCING ANTI-ASIAN SENTIMENTS AND ACTS OF HATE TOWARDS THE ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITY

Co-Sponsored by: Council President Britto and Councilman Cahoon

Motion made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion passes, 5-0.

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

e) INTRODUCTION TO ORDINANCES FOR FIRST PASSAGE

Full ordinances on ClerkBase, under 04/06/2021 agenda: https://www.clerkshq.com/eastprovidence-ri

1. 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” (Section 8-35)

XIII. RECONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION (if necessary)

XIV. ADJOURNMENT

Motion to adjourn made by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes 5-0. Meeting is 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 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date.