CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

MINUTES/JOURNAL-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2021

CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 P.M.

145 TAUNTON AVENUE-CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

EXECUTIVE SESSION: CONFERENCE ROOM A

 

OPEN SESSION WILL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

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 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, May 18, 2021 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. All members were present for the exception of Councilwoman Sousa and Councilman Cahoon at the time roll call was announced. Councilman Cahoon who joined shortly after roll call was completed.

 

II.        INVOCATION OF EXECUTIVE SESSION

Council may meet in Executive Session, pursuant to RIGL 46-45 (a) 2 relating to collective   bargaining.

Motion to meet in Executive Session made made by Council Vice President Rodericks.                             Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes unanimously, 4-0 with                                    Councilwoman Sousa absent. The Council leaves the Chambers to go into Executive Session in Conference Room A.

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

 

III.       EXECUTIVE SESSION – PURSUANT TO RIGL 46-45 (a) 2

 

1.       City Council Ratification of the East Providence School Department Administrative Assistants' contract. (Article 10, Section 10-4 of the Home Rule Charter)

2.       City Council Ratification of the East Providence Teachers' contract. (Article 10, Section 10-4 of the Home Rule Charter)

 

IV.       OPEN SESSION – The Council reconvenes in Open Session.

V.        PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Council President Britto leads the Pledge.

VI.       MOTION TO SEAL THE 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, 4-0 with Councilwoman Sousa absent.

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

 

VII.     APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR

1.         COUNCIL  JOURNALS:

MAY 4, 2021 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

MAY 4, 2021 EXECUTIVE MEETING MINUTES

MAY 6, 2021 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES

NOVEMBER 24, 2020 – AMENDED MINUTES, PREVIOUSLY FILED

 

2. TAX ABATEMENTS: 2020: $117.39

Motion to approve the Consent Calendar made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes unanimously, 4-0 with Councilwoman Sousa absent.

Member	Aye	Nay
Sousa
Cahoon	x
Mourato	x
Rodericks	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.

 

Heather Andrade of Wampanoag Trail spoke against Metacomet

Sarah Smalley of Pawtucket Avenue spoke against Overlay Ordinance

Terrance Propper of South Broadway spoke against regarding Metacomet Substantial Change

“Kathy” on Zoom but there was no connection due to mute issue. Council President tried twice to reach her through the A/V technician.

David Sisson of 5^th Street spoke in favor of 345 Taunton Avenue

Miles Bonalewicz spoke in favor of the Zoning Change

 

VIII.    MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS WITH COUNCIL APPROVAL

 

1.       Jason Rafferty, Juvenile Hearing Board – Alternate Member

Term: 11/02/2020-10/01/2023

Motion to approve this appointment was made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes unanimously, 4-0 with Councilwoman Sousa absent.

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

 

IX.       LICENSES NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARING

 

1.       One Day Entertainment License

Business Name: HeARTspot Gallery

Applicant: Jennifer Gillooly Cahoon

Date: 05/27/2021 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Event: Gallery Opening

Councilman Cahoon announced his recusal for this item and did not participate in this item in any regard. Applicant was present to answer any questions from the Council. Motion to approve made by Councilman Mourato. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes unanimously.

Member	Aye	Nay
Sousa
Cahoon
Mourato	x
Rodericks	x
Britto	x

 

2.       Mobile Food Establishment License/Permit

Business Name: Moving Dough Pizza Company, LLC

Applicant: Joseph Cantone

Location: 1 Industrial Court, 02915

Applicant available to answer any questions from the Council. Motion to approve made by Councilman Mourato. Motion seconded by Councilman Cahoon. Motion passes unanimously, 4-0 with Councilwoman Sousa absent.

Member	Aye	Nay
Sousa	x
Cahoon	x
Mourato	x
Rodericks
Britto

 

3.       Application for Hawker License

Business Name: Keystone Novelties Distributors, LLC.

Applicant Name: Alex Mutzabaugh

Location: 1235 Wampanoag Trail, 02915

Applicant was present via Zoom to answer any questions from the Council. Motion to approve was made by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes unanimously, 4-0 with Councilwoman Sousa absent.

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

 

X.        NEW BUSINESS

 

A)        Discussion and Vote (Pursuant to Section 19-76 of the East Providence Zoning Ordinance)          Regarding Petition For Zone Change for Property at: 500 Veterans Memorial Parkway (Map 107,     Block 15, Parcel 001) and determination of a “substantial change of circumstances” and potential    referral to the Planning Board

Applicant and Owner: Metacomet Property, LLC.

Applicant was present to answer any questions from the Council. Motion that there was a substantial change of circumstances and refer to the Planning Board made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes 3-1, with Councilwoman Sousa absent. City Clerk, Samantha Burnett, will transmit the necessary and submitted documents to Planning.

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

 

A)        COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS

 

1.       Discussion and Vote: City Council Jurisdiction Over School Department Employee Contracts Council Vice President Rodericks

Council Vice President Rodericks declined to present this item. No action was made.

Member	Aye	Nay
Sousa
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Britto

 

2.       Announcement and Discussion: American Legion Riverside Post 10 Memorial Day Parade and Festivities – Councilman Mourato

Councilman Mourato was present to make the announcement of the parade and plans for this event.

 

3.       Discussion and Vote: Use of Council Funds for Riverside Memorial Day Parade Needs

– Councilman Mourato

Discussion but no vote was taken on this item. Napoleon Gonsalves stated that there are additional options for funds for the post parade barbeque.

Member	Aye	Nay
Sousa
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Britto

 

3.       Discussion and Vote: City Council Ratification of the East Providence Teachers' contract. (Article 10, Section 10-4 of the Home Rule Charter) – Councilman Cahoon

Motion to approve made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes unanimously, 4-0 with Councilwoman Sousa absent.

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

 

4.       Discussion and Vote: City Council Ratification of the East Providence School Department Administrative Assistants' contract. (Article 10, Section 10-4 of the Home Rule Charter) –Councilman Cahoon

Motion to approve made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes unanimously, 4-0 with Councilwoman Sousa absent.

Member	Aye	Nay
Sousa
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Britto

 

B)         COMMUNICATIONS – OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

All announcements were announced as listed below:

Items for Correspondence:

1.       Appointment of Joyce May to Director, East Providence Library

2.       American Legion Riverside Post 10, Memorial Day Press Release

3.       National Police Week: May 9-15, 2021 and National Peace Officers Memorial Day: May 25, 2021- Proclamation

4.       Declaration of Municipal Emergency Executive Order 2021-012

-Request for extension of Municipal Emergency until June 15, 2021 – FOR COUNCIL VOTE

Director Gonsalves present for the Council to answer additional questions they may have. Motion to approve the extension of the Executive Order made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes unanimously, 4-0 with Councilwoman Sousa absent.

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

 

C)   REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS

1.       Boards and Commissions Report – City Clerk, Samantha Burnett

No application update, but City Clerk, Samantha Burnett suggested with expanding the choices for ethnicity/race options for the applicants applying to boards and commissions.

 

D)   ORDINANCES FOR FIRST PASSAGE

Full ordinances on ClerkBase, under 05/18/2021 agenda: https://www.clerkshq.com/eastprovidence-ri

 

1.       AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 4 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE,RHODE ISLAND, 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED “BUILDINGS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS” (Section 4-147) -Council President Britto

Motion to approve the ordinance made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes unanimously, 4-0 with Councilwoman Sousa absent.

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

 

2.       AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 2 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "ADMINISTRATION" (Section 2-283) -Council President Britto

Motion to table this ordinance to a date certain of June 1, 2021 by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion seconded by Councilman Cahoon. Motion passes unanimously 4-0 with Councilwoman Sousa absent. City Clerk, Samantha Burnett will add this to the June 1, 2021 docket.

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

 

E)         ZONING ORDINANCES FOR FINAL PASSAGE (AND PUBLIC HEARING)

Full ordinances on ClerkBase, under 05/18/2021 agenda:

https://www.clerkshq.com/eastprovidence-ri

 

1.       AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 19 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED “ZONING” - MIXED USE OVERLAY DISTRICT (Section 19-322)

-Councilwoman Sousa

Public Hearing was held. Resident, Ruarri Miller, spoke regarding this ordinance. Shortly after Public Hearing was closed, as others spoke earlier on this item during Public Comment.

Motion to approve the amendment the ordinance was made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes unanimously 4-0 with Councilwoman Sousa absent.

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

 

Motion to approve the passage as amended made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes unanimously, 4-0 with Councilwoman Sousa absent.

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

 

XI.       RECONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION (if necessary)

The Council did not find it necessary to reconvene in Executive Session.

XII.     ADJOURNMENT

Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes 4-0 with Councilwoman Sousa absent. Meeting is adjourned.

Member	Aye	Nay
Sousa
Cahoon	x
Mourato	x
Rodericks	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.