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CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

JOURNAL/MINUTES DOCKET-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 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) litigation and collective bargaining

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

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

A. Discussion and final approval of settlement agreement on the following tax appeal matters:

Providence &Worcester Railroad vs. City of East Providence Tax Appeals

C.A. Nos. PC-2013-6547, PC-2014-6167, PC-2014-3248, PC-2015-5239, PC-2016-5368, PC-2017-5825, PC-2020-2502

B. Collective Bargaining 42-46-5(a)(2)

Firefighter Local 850 review and approval of 3 year tentative agreement

C. Claims

1. Irene Almeida

2. Manny Calouro

3. Emma Dunn

4. Cheryl Mead

5. Maria Silveira

D. Sewer Abatements

1. Irene Renaud

2. Maryann Pieri

3. Frederick George

4. Christian & Suzanne Preston

5. Sandra Forand

6. Christine Belden

IV. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION

Cahoon__X___ Mourato__X___ Rodericks__X___ Sousa __X___ Britto__X___

V. MOTION TO SEAL EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES

- Motion made by Councilwoman Sousa to seal executive session minutes. Motion seconded by Councilman Cahoon. 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 minutes September 6, 2022

2. Regular meeting minutes September 6, 2022

3. Budget session minutes September 8, 2022

B. LETTERS

1. Notice of New Property Number, Subsidized Properties IV LP, 50 Evergreen Drive (02914), Map 507, Block 9, Parcel 001.00

2. Notice of New Property Number, K&K Estate Building & Development LLC, 97 Hospital Road Building 1 (02915), 97 Hospital Road Building 2 (02915), 97 Hospital Road Building 3 (02915), Map 711, Block 3, Parcel 020.00

C. TAX ABATEMENTS

Year	Amount
2019	$54.35
Total	$54.35

- 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. Motion to bundle licenses C1-C11

- Motion to bundle 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

B. Motion to approve licenses C1-C11

- Motion to approve bundle as read 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

C. NON-PUBLIC HEARING

1. Road Race

Applicant: Gary Menissian

Location: Pierce Field Stadium

Date & Time of Event: June 4, 2023, 9:00am – 11:00am

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

2. Application for Holiday Sales - New

Applicant: Celeste Bremer

Business Name: May’s Gluten Free Market

Business Address: 5-7 Forbes Street, 02915

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

3. Application for Victualing – Class 2- New

Applicant: Celeste Bremer

Business Name: May’s Gluten Free Market

Business Address: 5-7 Forbes Street, 02915

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

4. Application for Holiday Sales - New

Applicant: Raffi Pena

Business Name: 2830 Market LLC dba Save A Lot

Business Address: 2830 Pawtucket Avenue, 02915

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

5. Application for Victualing – Class 3- New

Applicant: Raffi Pena

Business Name: 2830 Market LLC dba Save A Lot

Business Address: 2830 Pawtucket Avenue, 02915

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

6. Application for Holiday Sales - New

Applicant: Chris Roantree

Business Name: Quarles II Expressions dba Expressions

Business Address: 155 Newport Avenue, 02916

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

7. Application for Holiday Sales - New

Applicant: Maria Torres

Business Name: All Seasons Café

Business Address: 365 Waterman Avenue, 02914

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

8. Application for Victualing – Class 3- New

Applicant: Maria Torres

Business Name: All Seasons Café

Business Address: 365 Waterman Avenue, 02914

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

9. Application for Holiday Sales - New

Applicant: Edgar Barillas

Business Name: Francescas 2 Inc dba Francescas 2

Business Address: 525 N Broadway, 02914

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

10. Application for Victualing – Class 1- New

Applicant: Edgar Barillas

Business Name: Francescas 2 Inc dba Francescas 2

Business Address: 525 N Broadway, 02914

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

11. Road Race

Applicant: Sean Cassidy from MADD RI

Location: Pierce Field Stadium

Date & Time of Event: October 15, 2022, 8:00am – 1:00pm

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

B. PUBLIC HEARING

1. Application for Additional Hours to open at 5:00am - New

Applicant: Saed Mahmoud

Business Name: American Dream of 195 Inc dba Sunoco

Business Address: 481 Warren Avenue, 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

C. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL/CONSIDERATION

1. Request of the Board of Licenses of the City of East Providence to consider granting a Class B Liquor license for Scentique, located at 136 Taunton Avenue

- Motion tabled until October 4, 2022 meeting, where a resolution reflecting this item will be on the docket.

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

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.

- No public comment

XI. APPOINTMENTS - None

XII. COUNCIL MEMBERS

1. Potential increase to the DPW budget of $225,000, to fund three new laborer positions in Parks and Recreation – Councilman Cahoon - Discussion and preliminary vote

- Motion to approve the potential increase as a preliminary vote 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. Potential increase to the capital budget of $50,000 to fund painting and repairs to the trim and cupola of the Weaver Library – Councilman Cahoon - Discussion and preliminary vote

- Motion to approve the temporary increase in Capital in the amount of $50,000 for repair and painting 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

3. Potential increase to the capital budget of $50,000 to support installation of a permanent batting cage pad at Pierce Memorial Park, similar to the others installed (or being installed) throughout the city’s baseball fields – Councilman Cahoon - Discussion and preliminary vote

- Motion to approve preliminary vote of potential increase of $50,000 for the installation of batting cages 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

4. Crosswalk signage at Bradley Hospital Cumberland Farms intersection – Councilman Cahoon - Discussion

- Councilman Cahoon explains the issue. DPW Director Daniel Borges states he will look into it. Councilman Mourato asks about the project at Williett Pond. Councilman Cahoon requests the topic be placed on the October 4 docket.

5. Enforcement of illegal motorized vehicles/mini dirt bikes – Councilman Mourato and Councilwoman Sousa – Discussion

- Councilwoman Sousa addresses the issue with Chief Francesconi, the Chief states the Police Department has seized 8.

6. Community Meeting to discuss community/neighborhood concerns to be held at Weaver Library on September 28, 2022 at 7:00pm – Councilwoman Sousa - Announcement

- Councilwoman Sousa ammounces her community meeting to the public

XIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS – Ordinance for second passage - For discussion and possible vote

A. First and Final Passage

1. Ordinance of the Council of the City of East Providence appropriating $150,000 for the support of Crescent park Looff Carousel and facilities as well as $225,000 for the completion of the accompanying concession facility

Summary: The purpose of this Ordinance is to allocate Three Hundred and Seventy Five Thousand Dollars ($375,000) of the remaining unencumbered and unallocated Capital Budget to the Carousel following Capital Projects: One hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000) towards Enhancements to Crescent Park and/or the stabilization of the Looff Carousel and/or Facilities related and supportive thereto; and Two-Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($225,000) towards improvements related to concession or food related infrastructure or buildings.

Sponsor: Councilman Mourato and Councilwoman Sousa

- 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

XIV. CONTINUED BUSINESS

A. BUDGET SESSION – Review of the Administrations FY23 proposed budget

1. City Council – discussed

2. FY23 Capital Requests – discussion to take place September 26, 2022 at 6:30pm

3. Scheduling of future budget meetings – discussion pertaining to advertising and meeting dates

XV. NEW BUSINESS

A. MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS

1. Items for announcement/discussion

a. Meredith Bonds-Harmon – Acting library director was appointed new director, East Providence Library. Meredith has been with the East Providence Public Library for 16 years and before that, the library at the Flanagan campus of Community College of Rhode Island and the Seekonk Public Library

– Director Gonsalves makes announcement

B. REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS

1. Report of the City Solicitor

a. Claims Committee Report and Litigation Report

– Solicitor Marcello reports the claims as approved as recommended

b. Report on Collective Bargaining of Firefighter Local 850 approval of 3 year tentative agreement

– Solicitor Marcello reports the tentative agreement was voted on and approved

C. RESOLUTIONS - For discussion and possible vote

1. Resolution proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Sponsor: Councilman Mourato & Councilwoman Sousa

- 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. Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for body cameras and tasers for the Police Department

Sponsor: Council President Britto & 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

D. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - For discussion and possible vote

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: Section 18-307, Glenrose Drive (both sides), between Ferncrest Drive and Lantern Lane, one-way street during the hours of 8:00am and 9:30am and 2:00pm and 3:30pm on school days

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

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

- 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

3. An ordinance authorizing the Director of Finance to borrow funds in anticipation of revenue

- 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

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

- 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

XVII. ADJOURNMENT

- 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

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: September 20, 2022

Attest: ___________________________

City Clerk