Click 
to view the entire meeting or click any video icon below to jump to that section of the meeting.
CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
JOURNAL/MINUTES DOCKET-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, MARCH 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__X___ Lawson__Absent___ Rego___X__ Sousa __X___ Rodericks__X___
II. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
- Salute to the Flag led by Council President Rodericks
III. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The City Council of East Providence may meet in Executive Session, pursuant to RIGL §42-46-5 (a)(2)
A. New Claims
1. Catherine Moniz
B. National Prescription Opiate Litigation Case No. 1:17-MD-2804 – Update and possible vote to approve proposed settlements with CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Teva & Allergan
C. Heritage Harbor Foundation vs. City of East Providence, C.A. No. PC-2023-00599 – Status update
D. Collective Bargaining 42-46-5(a)(2) Firefighter Local 850 review and approval of 3 year collective bargaining agreement based upon incorporation of prior ratified tentative agreement dated September 20, 2022
- Motion to enter into executive session made by Council Vice President Rego. Motion seconded by Councilman Fogarty. Motion passes 4-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
IV. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Fogarty__X___ Lawson__Absent___ Rego__X___ Sousa __X___ Rodericks___X__
V. MOTION TO SEAL EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES
- Motion to seal executive session minutes made by Councilman Fogarty. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion passes 4-0.
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
VI. PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS - None
VII. CONSENT CALENDAR - For discussion and possible vote
A. COUNCIL JOURNALS:
1. Regular meeting minutes February 21, 2023
- Motion to approve the consent calendar made by Council Vice President Rego. Motion seconded by Councilman Fogarty. Motion passes 4-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
B. TAX ABATEMENTS
| Year | Amount |
| 2016 | $1,172.21 |
| 2017 | $1,236.61 |
| 2018 | $492.20 |
| 2019 | $134.01 |
| Total | $3,035.03 |
- Move to item XV 2a on page 5 without objection
VIII. LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote
A. NON-PUBLIC HEARING – None
B. PUBLIC HEARING
1. Application for extended hours to open until 2am pursuant to Sec. 8-5b of the Code of Ordinances - New
Applicant: Gustavo DaSilva
Business Name: Mina’s Café
Business Address: 315 Waterman Avenue, 02914
- Applicant withdraws application for extended hours
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | | |
2. Application for Dance/Entertainment License – New
Applicant: Gustavo DaSilva
Business Name: Mina’s Café
Business Address: 315 Waterman Avenue, 02914
- Councilwoman Sousa asks what type of entertainment and how many days a week. Mr. DaSilva stated local musicians/live music, one to two days a week- Friday and Saturday to start. No later than midnight for the live music.
- Motion to deny application made by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rego. Motion passes 4-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | | |
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.
| Milton Riggins | Licensing Mina’s Cafe |
| Susete Simas | Licensing Mina’s Café |
| Rudy Bokon | Licensing Mina’s Café |
| Leroy Andrews | Licensing Mina’s Café |
| Frederick Shanley | Licensing Mina’s Café |
| Owner of 10 Gurney | Licensing Mina’s Café |
| Gabrielle Bokon | Licensing Mina’s Cafe |
XI. APPOINTMENTS – None
XII. COUNCIL MEMBERS
1. Upgrades to Glenlyon Field in budget from previous Council – Discussion only - Council Vice President Rego
- DPW Director Daniel Borges states funds are allocated for lighting, looking into solar powered option. Netting will be worked on, awaiting the asphalt companies to open to make repairs to the walking path
2. Replacement of Rumford Gardens sign at the Pawtucket, Wilson and Hoyt Avenues corner – Council Vice President Rego
- DPW Daniel Borges mentions the City is working on a uniform design for all park signage, will be replaced upon completion of the design being completed
3. Recreation Department updates of rules and regulations related to field use permits – Discussion only - Council Vice President Rego
- Director of Recreation Diane Sullivan states the policy that has been distributed is a draft. Director Sullivan suggests the three strike method should be changed to a monetary fine. The fine will be assessed to the permit holder.
4. Update on Crescent Park RFP for concession building and timeline for pouring concrete slab for the event tent – Discussion only - Councilman Lawson
- DPW Director Daniel Borges states that the architectural pricing for the slab and the building closes Friday.
- Councilwoman Sousa requests this item be placed on the March 21, 2023 council docket
5. City Clerk vacancy, approval of job description, job posting and hiring procedure – Discussion and possible vote – Council President Rodericks
- Motion to approve by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rego. Motion passes 4-0.
- Council President Rodericks gives permission to Solicitor Marcello to make edits to the posting that have been received from council members
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
6. Appointment of City Clerk Search Subcommittee – Discussion and possible appointment – Council President Rodericks
- Council President Rodericks requests Councilwoman Sousa, Councilman Lawson and Valerie Perry to be part of the search committee
7. Traffic safety study on Lyon Avenue and surrounding neighborhoods – Discussion only – Councilwoman Sousa
- DPW Director Daniel Borges mentions the equipment for the traffic study has already been placed by the Police Chief Francesconi. Director Borges will review the data from the traffic study.
XIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS – Ordinance for first and final passage and second passage - For discussion and possible vote
1. An ordinance of the Council of the City of East Providence Appropriating an additional $11,271.12 for the purchase of a John Deere Tractor
Sponsor: Councilman Lawson
- DPW Director states this is being brought to council as the cost of the tractor has increased, also this will be used to tow the beach comber.
- Motion to approve Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Councilman Fogarty. Motion passes 4-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
XIV. CONTINUED BUSINESS – None
XV. NEW BUSINESS
A. MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS
1. Appointment/Reappointments not requiring Council Confirmation
- Director Napoleon Gonsalves reads announces appointments a-c
a. Bryana DelSanto, appointment to the Affirmative Action Committee - Seat No. 3 - term 10/2/22 to 10/01/24
b. Paulo Salgueiro Jr., appointment to the Carousel Park Commission - Ward 2 – term 01/16/21- 01/15/24
c. Joanne Perella, appointment to the Carousel Park Commission – appointment 7, Ward 4 – term 06/07/2020-06/06/2023
2. Items for announcement/discussion
a. Revaluation Presentation by Northeast Revaluation Group LLC. Notice of new property value assessment expected date of March 17th
- Rich Nagle gives the presentation regarding the revaluation
- Council Vice President Rego asked as of right now, if the website has the current value still listed, not the new assessment.
- Value of home is compared to sales of similar homes
- Legislation states all tax rates have to be adjusted by the same percentage. The city is testifying for a legislative change to not have all tax rates increase or decrease across the board.
b. Women’s History Month Proclamation 2023
- Director of Administration reads the proclamation
B. REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS
1. Report of the City Solicitor
a. Claims Committee Report
- Solicitor Marcello reports the claim of Catherine Moniz in the amount of $245 for a sewer back up was denied
2. Review, discussion and final ratification of the collective bargaining agreement between the Firefighter Local 850 and the City of East Providence Effective 11/1/2022-10/31/2025
- Solicitor Marcello states this item has been tabled until a full Council is available
C. REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE LIAISON
- No representative at the time the item was called
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: Sec. 18-269(b), to place a stop sign at Lyon Avenue and Mauran Avenue
Sponsor: Councilwoman Sousa
- Motion to approve made by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rego. Motion passes 4-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
E. RESOLUTIONS - For discussion and possible vote
1. Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with Truax Corporation for storm drain CCTV inspection and cleaning
Sponsor: Council President Rodericks
- Motion to approve made by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Councilman Fogarty. Motion passes 4-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
F. Petition from C&C Investing Group for rezoning of property located at 10 Wampanoag Trail (Map 308, Block 17, Parcel 15) from Residential-3 (R-3) to Commercial-2 (C-2) – referral to planning board for recommendation
- Solicitor Marcello states this is a formality in order to have the planning board approve to be brought before the Council for the final approving vote.
- Motion to approve made by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Councilman Fogarty. Motion passes 4-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
XVI. ADJOURNMENT
- Motion to adjourn made by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rego and Councilman Fogarty. Motion passes 4-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | X | |
| 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: March 21, 2023
Attest: __________________________
City Clerk