CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

MINUTES -CITY COUNCIL MEETING & BUDGET WORKSHOP

TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2023

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, Bob Rodericks – At Large

Council Vice-President: Frank Rego – Ward 1

Councilwoman Anna Sousa - Ward 2

Councilman Frank Fogarty - Ward 3

Councilman Rick Lawson - Ward 4

 

City Solicitor, Dylan Connelly

City Clerk, Jill Seppa

 

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER

            Roll Call

Councilman Fogarty__X___ Councilman Lawson__X___ Council Vice President Rego_X____ Councilwoman Sousa ___X__ Council President Rodericks___X__

           

II.        SALUTE TO THE FLAG

 

III.       EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

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

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

 

IV.       RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION

 

Councilman Fogarty_____ Councilman Lawson_____ Council Vice President Rego_____ Councilwoman Sousa _____ Council President Rodericks_____

 

V.        MOTION TO SEAL EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES

 

VI.       CONSENT CALENDAR - For discussion and possible vote

 

            A. COUNCIL JOURNALS:

           

VII.     LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote

 

            C. NON-PUBLIC HEARING

            D. PUBLIC HEARING

 

VIII.    PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

 

IX.       COMMUNICATIONS

            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.

 

1.      Nancy Hale-City Safety, School Zone Cameras & Budget

Nancy Hale inquired about total revenue for School Zone Cameras.

 

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.

 

1.      Angie Lovegrove of Don Avenue spoke in favor of Affirmative Action efforts in East Providence.

2.      Carole Brown of Goldsmith Avenue spoke in favor of Affirmative Action efforts in East Providence.

3.      Ellijah McLean signed up but was not present when called.

4.      Candy Seel of South Broadway spoke on the topic of ARPA funds for Memorial Parkway.

5.      Heather Andrade of Wampanoag Trail spoke on Metacomet survey.

6.      Jim Vincent spoke on Affirmative Action efforts in East Providence.

7.      Dr. Ramos spoke on Affirmative Action efforts in East Providence.

 

XI.       APPOINTMENTS

 

XII.     COUNCIL MEMBERS

 

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

1.      An ordinance in the 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. 18-228 Right turns at certain red lights.

All vehicular traffic is prohibited from turning right on red at the following locations: Greenwood Avenue (eastbound) at the intersection of Newman Avenue.

Sponsor: Council Vice President Rego

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty	X
Councilman Lawson	X
Council Vice President Rego	Motion, X
Councilwoman Sousa	Second, X
Council President Rodericks	X

 

2.      An ordinance of 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. 18-269 sub-section b. “Stop and yield intersections designated;” Luther Avenue (westbound traffic) at Rockaway Street 

Sponsor: Councilwoman Sousa

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty	X
Councilman Lawson	X
Council Vice President Rego	Second, X
Councilwoman Sousa	Motion, X
Council President Rodericks	X

 

3.      An ordinance in the 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. 18-269 Stop and yield intersections.

All vehicular traffic is to stop

Location: Bishop Avenue (eastbound & westbound) at Barney Street.

Sponsor: Council Vice President Rego

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty	Second, X
Councilman Lawson	X
Council Vice President Rego	Motion, X
Councilwoman Sousa	X
Council President Rodericks	X

 

4.      An ordinance of amendment of Chapter 17 of the revised ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled “Utilities”

Summary: Section 1. Division 4 entitled “Use Regulations” of Article III

entitled “Sanitary Sewer System” of Chapter 17. 

Sponsor: Council Vice President Rego

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty	X
Councilman Lawson	Second, X
Council Vice President Rego	Motion, X
Councilwoman Sousa	X
Council President Rodericks	X

 

5.      An ordinance of amendment of Chapter 17 of the revised ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled “Utilities”

     Summary: Section 17-76 entitled “Definitions” of Article III

     entitled “Sanitary Sewer System” of Chapter 17. 

     Sponsor: Council Vice President Rego

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty	X
Councilman Lawson	X
Council Vice President Rego	Motion, X
Councilwoman Sousa	Second, X
Council President Rodericks	X

 

6.      An ordinance of the council of the City of East Providence appropriating up to $450,000 to update road (ground surface) landscape and public access to the boat ramps, lighting and parking for trailers at Bold Point Park and John Lewis Waterfront Park.

Summary: to be funded from Federal ARPA funds.

Sponsor: Councilwoman Sousa

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty	X
Councilman Lawson	Second, X
Council Vice President Rego	X
Councilwoman Sousa	Motion, X
Council President Rodericks	X

 

7.      An ordinance of the council of the City of East Providence appropriating up to $50,000 for a citywide utility box art project.

Summary: to be funded from Federal ARPA funds.

Sponsor: Councilwoman Sousa

The mayor spoke in objection of this project.

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty	X
Councilman Lawson	Second,X
Council Vice President Rego	X
Councilwoman Sousa	Motion, X
Council President Rodericks	X

 

8.      An ordinance of the council of the City of East Providence appropriating up to $1,000,000 for funding of the Crescent Park Concession Project and Event Tent Project.

Summary: to be funded from Federal ARPA funds.

Sponsor: Councilman Lawson

The mayor spoke in favor of this project.

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty	X
Councilman Lawson	Motion, X
Council Vice President Rego	X
Councilwoman Sousa	Seconded, X
Council President Rodericks	X

 

9.      An ordinance of the council of the City of East Providence appropriating up to $1,000,000 for the former Oldham School building on Bullocks Point Avenue.

Summary: to be funded from Federal ARPA funds.

Sponsor: Councilman Lawson

The mayor spoke in objection to this item.

Melissa Spurr spoke in objection to this item.

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty	Second, X
Councilman Lawson	Motion, X
Council Vice President Rego	X
Councilwoman Sousa	X
Council President Rodericks		X

 

10.  An ordinance of the council of the City of East Providence appropriating up to $550,000 to replace the walking track at Pierce Field football stadium.

 Summary: to be funded from Federal ARPA funds.

Sponsor: Councilwoman Sousa

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty	Second, X
Councilman Lawson	X
Council Vice President Rego	X
Councilwoman Sousa	Motion, X
Council President Rodericks	X

 

11.  An ordinance of the council of the City of East Providence appropriating up to $200,000 for a splashpad in Riverside.

Summary: to be funded from Federal ARPA funds.

Sponsor: Councilman Lawson

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty	X
Councilman Lawson	Motion, X
Council Vice President Rego	X
Councilwoman Sousa	Second, X
Council President Rodericks	X

 

12.  An ordinance of the council of the City of East Providence appropriating up to $450,000 for improvements to Townie Pride Park.

Summary: to be funded from Federal ARPA funds.

Sponsor: Councilwoman Sousa

The mayor spoke in objection.

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty	Second, X
Councilman Lawson	X
Council Vice President Rego	X
Councilwoman Sousa	Motion, X
Council President Rodericks		X

 

13.  An ordinance of the council of the City of East Providence appropriating up to $5,000,000 for needed improvements to the infrastructure of sewers and drains citywide.

 Summary: to be funded from Federal ARPA funds.

Co-Sponsor: Councilman Fogarty & Councilwoman Sousa

The mayor spoke in objection.

Libby Merrill questioned the process by which there are allocations.  

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty	Motion, X
Councilman Lawson	X
Council Vice President Rego	X
Councilwoman Sousa	Second, X
Council President Rodericks	X

 

14.  An ordinance of the City of East Providence appropriating up to $400,000 to the planning department for the storefront improvement program.

 Summary: to be funded from Federal ARPA funds.

Sponsor: Councilman Lawson

The mayor spoke in objection.

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty	X
Councilman Lawson	Motion, X
Council Vice President Rego	X
Councilwoman Sousa	Second, X
Council President Rodericks	X

 

15.  An ordinance of the council of the City of East Providence appropriating up to $550,000 for placemaking throughout the city.

 Summary: to be funded from Federal ARPA funds.

Sponsor: Councilman Lawson

The mayor spoke in objection.

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty	X
Councilman Lawson	Motion, X
Council Vice President Rego		X
Councilwoman Sousa	X
Council President Rodericks	X

 

16.  An ordinance of the council of the City of East Providence appropriating up to $500,000 for adaptive playground equipment for the city’s special needs population.

Summary: to be funded from Federal ARPA funds.

Sponsor: Councilman Lawson

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty	X
Councilman Lawson	Motion, X
Council Vice President Rego	Second, X
Councilwoman Sousa	X
Council President Rodericks	X

 

XIV.    CONTINUED BUSINESS

 

XV.     NEW BUSINESS

 

A.    MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS

Link to the Mayors presented FY24 budget, printed copies are available in the Clerks office:

https://stories.opengov.com/eastprovidenceri/published/veWMfZIm14u

 

a.        Workshop – Discussion Only

 

1. City Government

·         City Council

·         Mayor’s Office

·         City Clerk

·         Law

·         Canvassing* Leslie Shattuck-Moore answered the councils’ questions.

 

2. City Operations

·         Finance Controls & Accounts

·         Tax Collection

·         Tax Assessment

·         Human Resources * Rob Perry answered the councils questions.

·         EEOC/Affirmative Action * Elmer Pina answered the councils questions.

·         Information Technology *

·         Miscellaneous

·         Debt Service

·         Capital

 

3.  Community Development

·         Planning & Economic Development* Keith Byrnes answered the councils questions.

 

4. Community Services

·         Recreation

·         Pierce Stadium

·         Carousel

·         Library

·         Senior Center

 

5. Public Works

·         Public Works Director

·         Building Inspection

·         Engineering

·         Highway/Parks

·         Streetlights

·         Refuse Disposal

·         Public Buildings

·         Central Garage

 

6. Public Safety

·         Police Department*Chief Francisconi answered the councils’ questions.

·         Animal Shelter*Evan Barlow answered the councils’ questions.

·         Harbormaster*Bruce Dufresne answered the councils’ questions.

·         Fire Department *Chief Quick answered the councils’ questions.

·         Public Safety Communications*Deputy Carey answered the councils’ questions.

 

7. Enterprise Fund

·         Wastewater Pollution Control

·         Water Utilities

 

                              *intended to be discussed

           

B.     REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS

 

C.    REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE LIAISON

 

D.    RESOLUTIONS - For discussion and possible vote

 

1.      A resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract for the purchase of an F150 responder in the amount of $66,329.75 for the police department.

Sponsor: President Rodericks

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty	Second, X
Councilman Lawson	Motion, X
Council Vice President Rego	X
Councilwoman Sousa	X
Council President Rodericks	X

 

2.      A resolution reinforcing the relevance of the access to public records act.  

Sponsor: Council Vice President Rego, Councilman Fogarty

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty	X
Councilman Lawson	Second, X
Council Vice President Rego	Motion, X
Councilwoman Sousa	X
Council President Rodericks	X

 

E.     INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - For discussion and possible vote

 

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

Summary:  removal of No Parking, Troughton Place

Sponsor: Council President Rodericks and Councilwoman Sousa

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty	X
Councilman Lawson	Second, X
Council Vice President Rego	X
Councilwoman Sousa	Motion, X
Council President Rodericks	X

 

2.      An ordinance of the Council of the City of East Providence appropriating up to $2,500,000 toward the renovation of the East Providence police station located at 750 Waterman Avenue

Summary: to be funded from Federal ARPA funds.

Sponsor: Council Vice President Rego, Councilman Lawson, Councilwoman Sousa, Councilman Fogarty

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty	Second, X
Councilman Lawson	Motion, X
Council Vice President Rego	X
Councilwoman Sousa	X
Council President Rodericks	X

 

3.      An ordinance in amendment of Chapter 17 of the revised ordinances of the city of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled “Utilities”

Summary: Sec 17-206 (Division 2) Stormwater Utility District

Sponsor: Council Vice President Rego

Vice President Rego made a motion to table this item, Councilwoman Sousa seconded and the motion and the motion passed (5-0).

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty
Councilman Lawson
Council Vice President Rego
Councilwoman Sousa
Council President Rodericks

 

XVII.  ADJOURNMENT

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty	X
Councilman Lawson	Motion, X
Council Vice President Rego	Second, X
Councilwoman Sousa	X
Council President Rodericks	X

 

 

If communication assistance is needed or any other accommodations to ensure equal participation, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 401.435.7590 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date.

 

Approved by Council: September 12, 2023

Attest:___________________________

          City Clerk