CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

JOURNAL/MINUTES DOCKET-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2022

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

 

Notice: The meeting will also be viewable live at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0YEW6s1RpjcKR47VMil1LA

 

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 __X___ Britto__X___

 

II.        SALUTE TO THE FLAG

 

-          Salute to the flag led by Council President Britto

 

III.       EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

The City Council of East Providence may meet in Executive Session,

            pursuant to RIGL §42-46-5 (a)(2) claims/litigation

 

-          Motion made by Councilman Cahoon to enter into executive session.  Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks.  Motion passes 5-0.

 

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

 

A. New Claims

            1. Matthew McNulty

            2. Jason & Alison Mimoso

            3. Maria Paiva

            4. Donna Popolillo

            5. Cynthia Samson

            6. Scott Travers

 

B.  Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws 42-46-5(a)(2) Litigation - Cheryl Curti vs. City of East Providence, R.I. Commission for Human Rights, RICHR No. 21 ESE 071-05/03

            Discussion, update and possible vote to authorize compromise

 

IV.       RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION

 

-          Motion made by Councilwoman Sousa to reconvene to open session.  Motion seconded by Councilman Cahoon.  Motion passes 5-0.

 

Cahoon___X__ Mourato__X___ Rodericks__X___ Sousa __X___ Britto__X___

 

V.        MOTION TO SEAL EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES

 

-          Motion made by Councilman Cahoon to seal executive session minutes.  Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sousa.  Motion passes 5-0.

 

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

 

VI.       CONSENT CALENDAR – For discussion and possible vote

 

            A. COUNCIL JOURNALS:

                        1. Executive Session meeting minutes February 15, 2022

                        2. Executive Session meeting minutes March 1, 2022

                        3. Regular meeting minutes March 1, 2022

 

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

 

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

 

VII.     LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote

            A. NON-PUBLIC HEARING

1.      Road Race

Applicant: Nick Rebar

Location: 20 Newman Ave., 02916

Date & Time of Event: April 24, 2021

 

-          Motion to approve all non-public hearing licenses as a group, VII A 1-10 made by Council Vice President Rodericks.  Motion seconded by Councilman Cahoon.  Motion passes 5-0.

 

-          Motion to approve all non-public hearing licenses as a group 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

 

2. Application for Victualling License – Class 2 - New

Applicant: David Boutros

Business Name: Bajas Fresh Grill III, LLC

Business Address: 75 Highland Ave., 02914

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

 

3. Application for Holiday Sales - New

Applicant: David Boutros

Business Name: Bajas Fresh Grill III, LLC

Business Address: 75 Highland Ave., 02914

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

 

4. Application for Victualling License – Class 2 - New

Applicant: Robert Peretti

Business Name: Cigar World, LLC

Business Address: 899 Warren Ave., 02914

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

 

5. Application for Holiday Sales - New

Applicant: Robert Peretti

Business Name: Cigar World, LLC

Business Address: 899 Warren Ave., 02914

 

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

 

6. Application for Holiday Sales - New

Applicant: Kungkea Sam

Business Name: K Nails and Spa

Business Address: 575 Taunton Ave., 02914

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

 

7. Application for Holiday Sales - New

Applicant: John McKenna

Business Name: The Paint Shoppe

Business Address: 2719 Pawtucket Ave., 02914

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

 

8. Application for Victualing License – Class 3 – Transfer

Transfer from: EP Donuts, LLC

Transfer to: Pawtucket Ave Donuts, LLC

Location: 2371 Pawtucket Ave., 02914

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

 

9. Application for Victualing License – Class 3 – Transfer

Transfer from: Martins Bakers, LLC

Transfer to: Rumford Donuts, LLC

Location: 399 N Broadway, 02916

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

 

            10. Car parade

Applicant: Joseph Thompson

Location: Commercial Way to Waterman Ave., to highway on ramp

Date & Time of Event: August 10, 2022, 7:00pm

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

 

            B. PUBLIC HEARING

 

1. BV Liquor License – New

            Applicant: David Boutros

            Business Name: Baja Fresh Grill III, LLC

            Business Address: 75 Highland Ave., 02914

 

-          Motion to approve 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

 

            2. BV Liquor License – New

            Applicant: Robert Peretti

            Business Name: Cigar World, LLC

            Business Address: 899 Warren Ave., 02914 

 

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

 

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

 

VIII.    PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

 

            A. Presentations

 

1. Review and discussion of proposed ward redistricting by ARCBridge Consulting & Training Inc. related to City wards as a result of the 2020 census – Priti Mathur

 

-          Priti Mathur presents via zoom.  Council agrees upon redistricting workshop on March 22, 2022 and potential ordinance for first passage on March 29, 2022.

 

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 – None

            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.

 

Name
Claudette Field	Name called, did not respond
Anthony Medeiros	Name called, did not respond
Dan Landry	Name called, stated he would pass

 

XI.       APPOINTMENTS - None

 

XII.     COUNCIL MEMBERS

 

1. Potential City Ordinance regarding the rise in catalytic converter thefts – Council Vice President Rodericks - Discussion only

 

-          Council Vice President Rodericks handed council members a fact sheet on the topic and spoke to the problem, also asked Police Chief Francesconi some questions about this issue.

 

2. Conversation on community notification of council meetings, workshops, etc. – Council Vice President Rodericks – Discussion only

 

-          Council Vice President asked Patricia Resende to demonstrate how the City website is used to find meetings and notices

 

3. Organization of a task force consisting of City engineers, residents and other interested parties regarding the years long problem of ground water drainage in Riverside and other effected areas – Council Vice President Rodericks – Possible vote

 

-          Council Vice President addressed the issue and asked Councilman Mourato if he would like to join him in this as it is Councilman Mourato’s Ward.

 

-          Motion to set forth a task force to be determined made by Council Vice President Rodericks.  Motion seconded by Councilman Mourato.  Motion passes 5-0.

 

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

 

XIII.    PUBLIC HEARINGS – Ordinances – For discussion and possible vote

 

            A.  First and Final Passage

 

            1. An ordinance of the Council of the City of East Providence appropriating $97,250 for

the installation of a new interior sprinkler system for the Department of Public Works complex located at 60 Commercial Way

Summary: The purpose of this Ordinance is to allocate $97,250 of the remaining unencumbered and unallocated balance of funds remaining in the Capital Budget in an amount equal to $2,909,108.

Sponsor: Councilman Cahoon

 

-          Motion to approve 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

 

            B.  Second Passage

 

1.  An ordinance Rescinding Prior Bond Borrowing Authorizations

Summary: To rescind and extinguish the authorization to borrowing for select projects

Sponsor: Council President Britto

 

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

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

 

2.  An ordinance adopting an amended East Providence waterfront special development district tax increment financing plan (the “amended project plan”) and authorizing the issuance of bonds to finance certain public infrastructure and public improvements necessary in connection with the East Point Site project

Summary: A list of findings, determinations and declarations with regard to the East Providence Waterfront Special Development District Tax Increment Finance Plan

Sponsor: Council President Britto

            Presentation: City of East Providence Planning Department

 

-          Solicitor Marcello states for the record that the TIF was advertised in accordance with the redevelopment plan for the project in the Providence Journal at least three times before this meeting.

 

-          Motion to approve made 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

 

3. An ordinance in amendment of chapter 18 of the revised ordinances of the City of east Providence, Rhode Island, as amended, entitled “Vehicles and Traffic”

Summary: Sec. 18-307 no parking Broadway (west side), from Freeborn Avenue to Warren Avenue

Sponsor: Council Vice President Rodericks

 

-          Motion to approve 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

 

4. 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: Sec 18-307 no parking Goldsmith Avenue (east side), from Taunton Avenue north for 80 feet

Sponsor: Council Vice President Rodericks

 

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

 

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

 

5. 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”

Summary: Amending the ordinance to exclude certain crafters, artisans, religious groups and civic & youth groups from the requirement of getting a Hawkers and Peddlers license

Sponsor: Council Vice President Rodericks

 

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

 

-          Councilman Cahoon recuses himself due to his wife being an artist

 

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

 

XIV.    CONTINUED BUSINESS - None

 

XV.     NEW BUSINESS

            A.        MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS

           

            1. Appointment not requiring Council Confirmation

a. Deborah T. Omerod, reappointment to the East Providence Historic District Commission, term 03/15/2022-03/14/2025

 

-          Deputy City Clerk Stoddard reads reappointment into the record

 

b. Nancy Moore, reappointment to the East Providence Historic District Commission, term 03/15/2022-03/14/2025

 

-          Deputy City Clerk Stoddard reads reappointment into the record

 

2. Items for Discussion

 

                        a. 2021 Departmental Accomplishments/2022 Goals – Mayor Roberto DaSilva

 

-          Mayor DaSilva delivers his address of the City’s 2021 accomplishments and the goals for the current year

 

                        b. Women’s Month Proclamation & Remarkable Women

                       

-          Director of Administration Gonsalves reads proclamation

 

                        c. Flag Day – Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and Irish Heritage

 

-          Director of Administration Gonsalves announces the date and time for the event

 

B.        REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS

           

            1. Report of the City Solicitor

                       

                        a. Claims Committee Report

 

-          Solicitor Marcello reads claim report

 

2. Zoning – Ed Pimental

 

a. 1. Jackie Trudel dba Jackie on Broadway – Sign for new business: 36” projection, 24” Tall, 11’ 4” above the sidewalk to bottom of sign, will be over public sidewalk – For discussion/approval and possible vote

 

-          Motion to approve the sign 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

 

C.        RESOLUTIONS – For discussion and possible vote

 

            1. Resolution authorizing the purchase or required Fire Fighter equipment

            Sponsor: Council Vice President Rodericks

 

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

 

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

 

2. Resolution requesting the Rhode Island General Assembly to pass legislation which authorizes the City to delay the implementation of the most recent revaluation without penalty

Sponsor: Councilman Cahoon

 

-          Motion to amend the date from December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2022 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

 

3. Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with Fire Equipment Inc. for the installation of a new interior sprinkler system for the Department of Public Works complex located at 60 Commercial Way

Sponsor: Councilman Cahoon

 

-          Motion to approve 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

 

D.        INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES – For discussion and possible vote

 

1. An ordinance in amendment of Chapter 12 of the revised ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled “Police”

Summary: Requires City Council authorization related to the use, funding and regulation of automated license plate readers

Sponsor: Councilman Mourato and Councilwoman Sousa

 

-          Motion to amend 12-56 (a)iv by adding the language “partial license plates and unique vehicle descriptions reported during major crimes” from EPPD automated license plate reader policy page 2 VI D 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

 

-          Motion to approve to strike section 12-56 (b)(ii) 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

 

-          Motion to approve as amended made by Councilman Mourato.  Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sousa.  Motion denied 3-2.

 

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 Council Vice President Rodericks.  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’s Office at 401.435.7596 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date.

 

Approved by Council: April 5, 2022

Attest: ___________________________

           City Clerk