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Bk 39 Pg 19
CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
JOURNAL/MINUTES DOCKET-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 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 Forgarty - Ward 3
Councilman Rick Lawson - Ward 4
City Solicitor, Michael J. Marcello
Deputy City Clerk, Leah Stoddard
I. CALL TO ORDER
Roll Call
Fogarty__absent___ Lawson__X___ Rego___X __ Sousa _ absent ____ Rodericks__ X ___
II. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
- Salute to the flag led by Council Vice President Rego
III. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The City Council of East Providence may meet in Executive Session,
pursuant to RIGL §42-46-5 (a)(2)
A. Rhode Island Hospital, 900 Warren Avenue, Map 507, Block 12, Parcel 001, Tax Exempt Status of Real Estate - Review, discussion and possible vote – litigation
Bk 39 Pg 20
B. 42-46-5(a)(5) any discussions or considerations related to the acquisition of real property for public purposes wherein advance public information would be detrimental to the interest of the public.
- Motion made by Councilman Lawson to enter into executive session. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rego. Motion passes 3-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | - | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | - | |
| Rodericks | X | |
IV. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION 
Fogarty__absent___ Lawson__X___ Rego__X___ Sousa __absent___ Rodericks__X___
V. MOTION TO SEAL EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES
- Motion made by Councilman Lawson to seal executive session minutes. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rego. Motion passes 3-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | - | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | - | |
| Rodericks | X | |
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR - For discussion and possible vote
A. COUNCIL JOURNALS:
1. Regular meeting minutes January 17, 2023
B. TAX ABATEMENTS
| Year | Amount |
| 2022 | $159,253.68 |
| Total | $159,253.68 |
Bk 39 Pg 21
C. Read In
1. Class F Application for Special Event – Beer and Wine
Applicant: St. Francis Xavier Church
Location: 160 Orchard Street
Date & Time of Event: 01/29/2023 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Type of Event: Dinner
- Motion made by Councilman Lawson to approve the consent calendar. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rego. Motion Passes 3-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | - | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | - | |
| Rodericks | X | |
VII. LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote
A. NON-PUBLIC HEARING
1. Class F Application for Special Event – Beer and Wine
Applicant: JDP Theatre Co.
Location: 1336 Pawtucket Avenue 02916, Church of the Epiphany
Date & Time of Event: Feb. 11, 2023, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Type of Event: Murder Mystery Dinner
- Motion to approve made by Councilman Lawson. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rego. Motion passes 3-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | - | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | - | |
| Rodericks | X | |
2. Application for Kennel License
Business name: Strategic K-9 Training LLC
Applicant: Joseph Corsi
Business Address: 2382 Pawtucket Avenue, 02914
- Joseph Corsi approaches podium, states the business will be open 40+ hours and trains all breeds
Bk 39 Pg 22
- Motion to approve made by Councilman Lawson. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rego. Motion passes 3-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | - | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | - | |
| Rodericks | X | |
B. PUBLIC HEARING
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 – for discussion and possible vote
1. East Providence Tree Commission – City Council Member ex-officio Appointment
- Council President Rodericks nominates Councilwoman Anna Sousa
- Motion to approve made by Councilman Lawson. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rego. Motion passes 3-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | - | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | - | |
| Rodericks | X | |
Bk 39 Pg 23
2. Planning Board – City Council Member ex-officio re-appointment Anna Sousa
- Motion to approve made by Councilman Lawson. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rego. Motion passes 3-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | - | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | - | |
| Rodericks | X | |
XII. COUNCIL MEMBERS
1. Council Liaison to the School Committee – Discussion – Council President Rodericks
- Council President Rodericks nominates Councilman Lawson as the School Committee liaison
- Max Brandle, Ward II School Committee, present to represent the School Committee
2. City Clerk job description review, vacancy/appointment procedure– Discussion and Possible vote – Council President Rodericks and Councilman Lawson
- Solicitor Marcello states the city clerk position does not have to be filled as long as someone is filling the roll
- Deferred to next meeting
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | | |
3. Administration’s recommendation on posting, applications and interviews for City Clerk position – Discussion – Councilman Lawson
- Deferred to next meeting
4. Discussion related to status of request for proposal RFP for the Crescent Park concession stand – Discussion – Council President Rodericks
- Tracy Johnson states there were meetings about the status of the RFP and where to go from here.
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- Hire an architect to finish the drawings to move forward with the inside, revise the RFP and go back out to bid.
- Council President Rodericks asks for timeline, Tracy states roughly 2 weeks for the architect to do the drawings and return them
- Tracy Johnson states that food vendors are brought in for events
- Councilman Lawson states what will be inside kitchen equipment, small seating area, bathrooms, office, walk up window, two bay garage for equipment storage. Potential to monetize the property by placing a tent for weddings, etc. Councilman Lawson would like to speak with the administration about installing a concrete pad for a tent.
- Council President Rodericks states that there is roughly 525K available
- Tracy Johnson explains a portion is allocated for the concrete pad that could house a tent sized approximately 40x100 and that the skating rink should be placed on hold
- Councilman Lawson mentions there are 10 openings on the Carousel Commission
- No vote was taken
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | | |
5. Freedom Green Park repair, maintenance/up keep to include grounds, gazebo and benches – Discussion – Council Vice President Rego
- DPW Director Daniel Borges states himself and the Parks superintendent are compiling a list of issues that need to be addressed. Most work will be able to be completed in house
- The upkeep agreement with Agawam Hunt is in perpetuity attached exhibit A,
6. Lyle Bourne Park renovations and discussion for need for handicapped accessible playground equipment – Discussion – Council Vice President Rego
- DPW Director Borges states the intent is to implement handicapped accessible equipment through new grant opportunities
7. East Providence Fire Station 3 Rescue staffing and run status – Discussion – Council Vice President Rego
- Council Vice President Rego expresses his concern that Station 3 only services the community Monday through Friday during the day and about mutual aid.
- Chief Quick states in 2022 there were 9,330 EMS runs City wide, 8,393 EMS runs City wide 2021
- Mutual aid calls in 2021 were 642 City wide, and 2022 was 949 City wide
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- Director of Administration Napoleon Gonsalves states the cost of an additional rescue is at minimum one million dollars
8. Fiscal Review; 1) FY21 and FY22 audit, 2) FY23 expenditure revenue update, 3) update of 12/31/22 tax assessor re-evaluation status conducted by Northeast Revaluation – Discussion – Council Vice President Rego
- Audit for FY21 should be complete by the end of March to beginning of April.
- Director Moore states that the expenditures are given at the second meeting of each month
- Director Moore explains the revaluation will be going out the first part of March. It is a 9 year cycle, year 3 and 6 are statistical, and year 9 is physical where they would measure your deck for example. Potential update at the March 7, 2023 meeting.
- Solicitor Marcello states there is no cap, it is based on market value, one assessment cannot be greater than twenty percent of a class
9. Review of East Providence School Zone speed camera and red light traffic enforcement camera Sensys Gatso contract and policy – Discussion - Councilman Fogarty
- Deferred
- Request from Council President Rodericks to add an item requested by Councilman Fogarty that states discussion on Kent Heights water tower appearance
10. Review of Wampanoag Trail/Pawtucket Avenue intersection safety concerns, former Wampanoag Diner site – Discussion – Councilman Fogarty
- Deferred
11. Full report on outstanding bonds taken out by the City of East Providence to include the amount, the purpose, the yearly repayment cost, and the maturity date of all bonds for the City, School Department and Water Enterprise fund. State’s reimbursement for the high school, how much was received, reimbursement schedule, which accounts are the reimbursed funds being placed – Discussion – Councilman Lawson
- Director Moore states 228 million original bonds are still open, the balance is 193 million.
- Water/Sewer bonds are enterprise fund, does not affect the tax rate when they drop off. Total bonded 30 million, end of FY22 there is 20 million owed.
- Reimbursement from bonds goes into the General Fund
12. Water/Sewer/Road infrastructure funding – Discussion – Councilman Lawson
- DPW Director states 26.1 million will be borrowed from infrastructure bank to complete some well needed improvements on the waterside
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- On the sewer side working with an engineering firm on a three year capital improvement plan in the short term
13. Handling and tracking of constituent requests between Administration and Council – Discussion - Councilman Lawson
- Director Gonsalves suggests sending all correspondence to the Mayor’s Office email address.
XIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS – Ordinance for second passage - For discussion and possible vote – None
XIV. CONTINUED BUSINESS - None
XV. NEW BUSINESS
A. MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS
1. Appointment/Reappointment requiring Council confirmation
a. Jerome Spinola to the Canvassing Authority, term 03/03/2018-03/01/2024
- Motion to approve made by Council Vice President Rego. Seconded by Councilman Lawson. Motion passes 3-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | | |
2. Appointment/Reappointment not requiring Council confirmation
a. Rick Lawson appointment to Carousel Commission – Appointment #9 – term 01/22/2023-01/21/2024
- Deputy City Clerk Leah Stoddard announces appointment
3. Items for announcement/discussion
a. Recognition of Mildred Morris, Valerie Perry and David Kelleher on being featured in Portraits of a City exhibit at East Providence City Hall.
- Director of Administration Napoleon Gonsalves announces the hanging of the portraits by artist Jennifer Cahoon
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b. Request for Remarkable Women Nominations in celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History month – nomination forms available on city website. Deadline for submission is February 28, 2023
- Director of Administration Napoleon Gonsalves makes announcement
c. Black History Month – Proclamation celebrating Black History Month – Detail of celebration to be announced at a later time
- Director of Administration Napoleon Gonsalves announces the ceremony to take place on February 15, 2023 at 3:30 and the speaker will be Richard Martin an African American History teacher
B. REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS
- Solicitor Marcello states that Council met in executive session to discuss the two items on the agenda. The activity will not be disclosed at this time because it will jeopardize future negotiations and no votes were taken
C. RESOLUTIONS - For discussion and possible vote
1. Resolution amending resolution no. 156 recorded in book 27, page 186 regarding the disposition of the City of East Providence’s interest in tax assessor’s map 305, block 6, parcel 5.1
Sponsor: Council President Rodericks
- Council President Rodericks explains the resolution is to place a parcel back on the tax rolls.
- Motion to approve made by Councilman Lawson. Seconded by Council Vice President Rego. Motion passes 3-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | - | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | - | |
| Rodericks | X | |
2. Resolution in support of Housing Development & Land Use
Sponsor: Council President Rodericks
- Motion to approve made by Councilman Lawson. Seconded by Council Vice President Rego. Motion passes 3-0
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| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | - | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | - | |
| Rodericks | X | |
3. Resolution adopting amended Rules of Procedure of the City Council – Discussion and possible vote
- Deferred
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | | |
D. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - For discussion and possible vote - None
XVII. ADJOURNMENT
- Motion to adjourn made by Councilman Lawson. Seconded by Council Vice President Rego. Motion passed 3-0.
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | - | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | - | |
| Rodericks | X | |
If communication assistance is needed or any other accommodations to ensure equal participation, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 401.435.7596 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date.
Approved by Council: February 21, 2023
Attest: __________________________
City Clerk