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CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

JOURNAL/MINUTES - DOCKET-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

TUESDAY, October 5, 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

Deputy City Clerk, Leah Stoddard

I. CALL TO ORDER

Roll Call

Cahoon__X___ Mourato__X___ Rodericks__X___ Sousa _____ Britto__X___

- Councilwoman Sousa is not present.

II. SALUTE TO THE FLAG

- Salute to the flag led by Council President Britto

III. EXECUTIVE SESSION

- Motion made by Councilman Cahoon to enter into executive session. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes 4-0.

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

1. Sewer Abatements – For Vote

Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws §42-46-2 (a) (2)

A. Louise Dyson

B. Manuel Pedroso

C. Catherine Pettit/Pamela Lacerda

2. Open Meetings Act Complaint

Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws 42-46-5(a)(2) Litigation - Keep Metacomet Green vs. City of East Providence. Open Meetings Act complaint dated 9/14/2021

3. Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws 42-46-5(a)(4) - Any investigative proceedings regarding allegations of misconduct related to statements of the City Clerk concerning Americans with Disabilities Act compliance and procedure as stated during Public Comment at the 08/17/21 City Council meeting – Assistant City Solicitor Dylan

IV. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION

Cahoon__X___ Mourato__X___ Rodericks__X___ Sousa _____ Britto__X___

- Council President Britto states for the record that Councilwoman Sousa is not present during roll call.

V. MOTION TO SEAL EXECUTIVE SESSION MINTUES

- Motion made by Councilman Cahoon to seal executive session minutes. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes 4-0.

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

VI. CONSENT CALENDAR

A) COUNCIL JOURNALS:

1. Regular meeting minutes September 21, 2021

- Motion made by Council Vice President Rodericks to approve the consent calendar. Motion seconded by Councilman Cahoon. Motion passes 4-0.

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

VII. LICENSES

A. NON-PUBLIC HEARING

1. Pool Table Annual/Pool Table Sunday– Transfer

Transfer from: The 311 Holding Corp. DBA Town Pub

Transfer to: Lorraines Girl, LLC DBA Town Pub

Location: 311 Taunton Ave., East Providence, RI 02914

- All licenses for this business held pending Councilwoman Sousa’s arrival.

- Councilwoman Sousa addressed the new owner Tanisha Miller

- Motion to approve made by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion Seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes 5-0.

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

2. Application for Victualing License – Class 2 – Transfer

Transfer from: Francis Harnedy, The 311 Holding Corp DBA Town Pub

Transfer to: Tanisha Miller, Lorraines Girl, LLC DBA Town Pub

Location: 311 Taunton Ave., East Providence, RI 02914

- All licenses for this business held pending Councilwoman Sousa’s arrival.

- Motion to approve made by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes 5-0.

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

3. Application for Holiday Sales – Transfer

Transfer from: Qaiser Javed

Transfer to: Basher Siddique

Location: East Bay Food Mart, 244 Taunton Ave., East Providence, RI 02914

- Motion to approve made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes 4-0.

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

4. Application for Victualing License – Class 3 – Transfer

Transfer from: Javed LLC DBA East Bay Food Mart

Transfer to: Stop N Save Inc., DBA East Bay Food Mart

Location: 244 Taunton Ave., East Providence, RI 02914

- Motion to approve by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion seconded by Councilman Cahoon. Motion passes 4-0.

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

5. One Day Entertainment License

Applicant: Francesco Cruz

Location: New Image Auto Wash, 30 Highland Ave. 02914

Date & Time of Function: October 7, 8, 9, 10, 14 -31, 7:00pm – 10:00pm

Type of Entertainment: DJ for Spooky Car Wash Tunnel

- Motion to approve made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes 4-0.

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

6. Class F Application for Special Event – Alcoholic Beverage

Applicant: Rev. David Green

Location: 2595 Pawtucket Ave., St. Martha’s Church

Date of Event: October 16, 2021

Type of Event: Pasta Dinner

- Motion to approve by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes 4-0.

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

7. Mobile Food Establishment License

Applicant: Bram Stebbings

Business: Handsome Sam (Limited Liability Company)

- Tabled due to applicant not being present

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

B. PUBLIC HEARING

1. BV License – Transfer

Transfer from: The 311 Holding Corp DBA Town Pub

Transfer to: Lorraines Girl, LLC DBA Town Pub

Location: 311 Taunton Ave., Eat Providence, RI 02914

- All licenses for this business held pending Councilwoman Sousa’s arrival.

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

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

VIII. PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS - NONE

IX. COMMUNICATIONS - NONE

Any person who submits a communication to the Council and wishes to speak on it must indicate this in writing no later than 4:00 p.m. the Thursday prior to the next regularly scheduled Council meeting. A person who lists more than one topic on their communication will be allowed to speak on the first one listed.

X. PUBLIC COMMENT

All persons wishing to make public comment shall sign a public comment sheet stating their name, address and the subject of their comments. Each speaker will be limited to three (3) minutes. The order of speakers will be on a first come, first serve basis and the maximum time for public comment shall by limited to thirty (30) minutes per meeting.

XI. APPOINTMENTS - NONE

XII. COUNCIL MEMBERS

1. Inquiry regarding City licensing of Sunset Auto Spa on Taunton Avenue in light of recent alleged animal neglect. – Council Vice President Bob Rodericks – Discussion Only

- Council Vice President spoke about Sunset Auto Spa

XIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS – Ordinance for second passage

1. An ordinance in Amendment of Chapter 18 of the revised ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled “Vehicles and Traffic.”

Summary: Change the 2-way stop at Dover and Howland into a 4-way stop.

Sponsor: Councilman Cahoon

- Motion to approve made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes 4-0.

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

XIV. CONTINUED BUSINESS

XV. NEW BUSINESS

A) MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS

- Director of Administration, Napoleon Gonsalves, spoke in reference to each proclamation.

1. Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Proclamation

2. Domestic Violence Awareness Month – Proclamation

3. Down Syndrome Awareness Month – Proclamation

4. Hispanic Heritage Month – Proclamation

5. Bully Prevention Awareness Month – Proclamation

B) REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS

- City Solicitor Michael Marcello states approved sewer abatements.

C) REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE LIAISON

D) RESOLUTIONS

1. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to enter into a license agreement with Symposium Technologies, Inc. for computer aided dispatch (CAD) software for the fire department.

Sponsor: Council President Britto

- Motion to approve made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes 4-0.

- Councilwoman Sousa requests her vote be amended to aye, as she is now present.

Motion passes 5-0.

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

2. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract for the purchase of a Ford Explorer.

Sponsor: Council President Britto

- Motion to approve by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion seconded by Councilman Cahoon. Motion passes 4-0.

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

3. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with AM Electric, LLC for installation of lighting at the Kimberly Ann Rock Little League Field.

Sponsor: Council President Britto

- Resolution tabled to October 19, 2021 meeting

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

4. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with AM Electric, LLC for installation of lighting at the Pierce Field Little League Field.

Sponsor: Council Vice President Rodericks, Councilman Cahoon

- Motion to approve made by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion seconded by Councilman Cahoon. Motion passes 4-0.

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

E) INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES

1. An ordinance in amendment of Chapter 18 - 307 of the revised ordinances of the City of East Providence, RI, 1998, as amended, entitled “Vehicles and Traffic”

Summary: moving the no parking sign from the south side of the street to the north side on Sunset Avenue. Special markings to be painted in designated areas.

Sponsor: Councilman Mourato

- Motion to approve made by Councilman Mourato. Motion seconded by Councilman Cahoon. Motion passes 4-0

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

2. An 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

- Motion to approve made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes 4-1.

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

- Councilwoman arrives to the meeting at 8:05PM.

3. An ordinance of the Council of the City of East Providence appropriating $202,263,889 for the support of the City government for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2022

- This ordinance is one passage only, this is the public hearing for the budget. Council

President Britto invites the public to speak. Chrissy Rossi approaches to ask questions

about the budget.

- Motion to approve made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Council Vice

President Rodericks. Motion passes 3-2.

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

4. An ordinance authorizing the Director of Finance to borrow funds in anticipation of taxes.

- Motion to approve made by Councilman Cahoon. Motion seconded by Council Vice

President Rodericks. Motion passes 5-0.

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

5. An ordinance of the council of the City of East Providence Appropriating $7,000 for the purchase of temporary, removable speed bumps

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

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

XVII. ADJOURNMENT

- Motion to adjourn 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

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.