CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

JOURNAL/MINUTES-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 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 6:45 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

In addition, written public comment on any agenda item can be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 2, 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 called the meeting to order and role call was made by the City Clerk, Samantha N. Burnett. All members were present.

II.         VOTE TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, PURSUANT TO R.I.G.L. 42-46-5 (a)(2)

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

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

 

B) New Claims

1.       Rosina Hunt

2.       Steven Leblanc

3.       Daniel Nielson

 

III.        OPEN SESSION – Council President Britto called open session.

IV.        PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Council President Britto led the Pledge.

V.         MOTION TO SEAL MINUTES FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion to seal the minutes from Exectuive Session made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes unanimously.

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

 

VI.          APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR

COUNCIL  JOURNALS:

NOVEMBER 10, 2020, NOVEMBER 24, 2020, DECEMBER 8, 2020, DECEMBER 15, 2020, DECEMBER 22, 2020, JANUARY 6, 2021, JANUARY 19, 2021

Motion to approve the consent calendar made by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Councilman Cahoon. Motion passes 5-0.

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

 

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.

 No public comment was exercised during this meeting.

VII.       LICENSES NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARING

 

APPLICATIONS FOR VICTUALING LICENSE, CLASS 3

A)   MB Mart, Inc. 665 North Broadway, 02914

Motion to approve made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes 5-0.

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

 

B)    C and C Holding, Inc. DBA Riverside Food Mart, 548 Willett Avenue, 02915

Motion to approve made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes 5-0.

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

 

C)      TACONEANDO MEXICAN STYLE RESTAURANT, 181 WILLETT AVENUE, 02915

Motion to approve made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes 5-0.

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

 

APPLICATION FOR HOLIDAY SALES

A)    C and C Holding, Inc. DBA Riverside Food Mart, 548 Willett Avenue, 02915

Motion to approve made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes 5-0.

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

 

B)    MB Mart, Inc. 665 North Broadway, 02914

Motion to approve made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes 5-0.

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

 

C)    TACONEANDO MEXICAN STYLE RESTAURANT, 181 WILLETT AVENUE, 02915

Motion to approve made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes 5-0.

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

 

VIII.      APPOINTMENTS

A.      Comprehensive Plan Advisory Plan Committee: Anthony Thibeault

(Councilwoman Sousa)

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

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

 

IX.        NEW BUSINESS

 

a) COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS

1.       Discussion: East Providence Small Business Survey - Councilman Cahoon

Councilman Cahoon was present and discussed this item. There will be a survey that goes out in a future water bill for the businesses of East Providence to participate in.

2.       Discussion: COVID 19 Vaccination Plan/Preparedness for East Providence – Councilman Mourato and Council Vice President Rodericks

Council Vice President Rodericks and Councilman Mourato were present and addressed this item and provided updates on the current COVID 19 vaccination plan for East Providence.

3.       Discussion: Large truck limit on Veterans Memorial Parkway – Council Vice President Rodericks

Council Vice President Rodericks was present and spoke on this item.

4.       Discussion: Update on Capital Projects for Willett Pond, Wire Drop in Riverside Square, Carousel  and Planting of Trees along Bullocks Point Avenue – Councilman Mourato

Councilman Mourato was present and spoke on this item. Members representing the carousel and planning were present to speak as well, (William Fazioli and Tracy Johnson).

5.       Discussion: Update on the East Providence Comprehensive Plan – Councilman Mourato

Councilman Mourato was present and spoke on this item. A member of the City was present to provide an update as well, (William Fazioli).

6.       Postal Address for The Meadows Apartments: 1560-80 Wampanoag Trail and 15 Argyle A - FOR VOTE

 Council Vice President Rodericks was available to speak on this item. No vote was made.

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

 

b)   COMMUNICATIONS – OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

1.       Executive Order-2021-004: “Municipal Emergency Postponing of Tax Sale” - dated January 20, 2021 (Communication Only)

Mr. Gonsalves, Director of Administration was present to the Council. This was just a communication item. No vote or action was needed.

2.       Update on Capital Budget – Director of Planning, William Fazioli

Mr. Fazioli, Planning Director, was present to the Council and provided an update on the status of several projects.

3.       Update on the East Providence Comprehensive Plan – Director of Planning, William Fazioli

Mr. Fazioli, Planning Director, was present to the Council and provided an update on the status of the East Providence Comprehensive Plan. The City Clerk, Samantha N. Burnett was instructed by Council Vice President Rodericks to follow up and provide contact information to Mr. Fazioli for the Comprehensive Plan Community Advisory Board.

4.       Update on negotiations regarding City Wastewater and Suez Contract – Jennifer Lachmayr

Tom Azevedo and Jennifer Lachmayr were both present for this item.

5.       Appointment of Elaine M. Gonsalves to the East Providence Housing Authority  (Communication Only) Term: 01/21/2021-03/11/2025

Mr. Gonsalves, Director of Administration, was available to the Counicl. This was communication only. No action or vote was needed or taken.

c)   REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS

1.)  City Solicitor's Claims Report 

       Assistant Solicitor Dylan Conley

Assistant Conley provided the claims report from Executive Session.

 

d) INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ZONING CODE TO REFERRED TO PLANNING

1.       EAST PROVIDENCE MODEL ORDINANCE ASSOCIATED WITH THE REGULATORY LAND USE PERMITTING OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA COMPASSION CENTERS IN THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE  - Council President Britto and Councilman Cahoon

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

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

 

X.         RECONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION (if necessary)

The Council determined it was not necessary to reconvene in Executive Session.

 

XI.        ADJOURNMENT

Motion to adjourn made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion passes unanimously, 5-0. 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 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date.