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 21, 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
Assistant City Solicitor, Dylan Conley
Deputy City Clerk, Leah Stoddard
I. CALL TO ORDER
- Council President Rodericks addresses the audio issues from the March 7, 2023 council meeting (item XII, 1)
Roll Call
Fogarty__X___ Lawson__X___ Rego__X___ Sousa __absent___ Rodericks__X__
II. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
- Salute to the flag lead by Deputy/Acting City Clerk Leah Stoddard
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. Mary & Richard Small
B. Sewer Abatements
1. Jonathan Garris
2. Carlos Martins (MV LLC)
3. Thomas Riley Trustee, Riley Family Revocable Trust
C. 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 Councilman Lawson. Motion seconded by Councilman Fogarty. Motion passes 4-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | X | |
IV. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Fogarty__X___ Lawson__X___ Rego__X___ Sousa __absent___ Rodericks__X___
V. MOTION TO SEAL EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES
- Motion to seal executive session minutes made by Councilman Lawson. Motion seconded by Councilman Fogarty. Motion passes 4-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | X | |
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR - For discussion and possible vote
A. COUNCIL JOURNALS:
1. Regular meeting minutes March 7, 2023
2. Executive session minutes March 7, 2023
B. TAX ABATEMENTS
| Year | Amount |
| 2018 | $337.39 |
| Total | $337.39 |
- Motion to approve made by Councilman Lawson. Motion seconded by Councilman Lawson. Motion passes 4-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | X | |
- Move to item VIII 1 without objection
VII. LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote
A. Motion to bundle licenses C1-C5
- Deputy/Acting City Clerk informs council the applicant for item 1&2 has been rescinded
- Council Vice President Rego requests Joshua Richards from Trashmo LLC approach and inform the Council on what his business entails. Joshua Richards of Mary Avenue East Providence states his target audience is elderly and disabled to assist them with taking their trash out.
- Motion to bundle and approve C3-C5 made by Councilman Lawson. Motion seconded by Council Vice Presdient Rego. Motion passes 4-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | X | |
B. Motion to approve licenses C1-C5
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | | |
C. NON-PUBLIC HEARING
1. Application for coin operated/video game - New
Applicant: National Entertainment Network, LLC
Business Name: National Entertainment Network, LLC
Business Address: 1050 Willett Avenue, 02914
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | | |
2. Application for coin operated/video - New
Applicant: National Entertainment Network, LLC
Business Name: National Entertainment Network, LLC
Business Address: 575 Taunton Avenue, 02914
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | | |
3. Application for Tattoo Shop – New
Applicant: Mary Erin MacIntyre
Business Name: Shrine Tattoo Studios
Business Address: 68 Taunton Avenue, 02914
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | | |
4. Application for license to solicit – New
Applicant: Joshua Richards
Business Name: Trashmo, LLC
Business Address: 166 Valley Street Bldg 6M Suite 103, Providence, RI 02909
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | | |
5. Block Party
Applicant: Brianna Venargro
Applicant Location: 31 Argyle Ave.
Date & Time of Function: July 1, 2023, 12:00pm to 11:00pm
Street to be closed: Argyle Avenue and Daisy Drive to President Avenue and Daisy Drive
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | | |
B. PUBLIC HEARING – None
VIII. PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation of Sewer Rate Study Presentation – David Fox, Vice President, Raftelis
- David Fox presents to the Council
- Rate increase would take effect on May 1, 2023 usage for June billing
- Option 1 maintain existing rate structure as is and do an across the board increase, all rates go up by 23.5% and then 3% annually through FY27
- Option 2 double the minimum charge to $10 per month (25% of customers), this would allow volumetric rates to increase by 15.5% with 3% across the board increases annually through FY27
- If the rate increase is not done it would require a roughly $2.5 million a year in general fund subsidy
- Move to item A, page 8 without objection
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. Keep Metacomet Green request for a fiscal analysis to purchase Metacomet – Candy Seel
- Candy Seel addresses the Council members and requests that a discussion of this matter be placed on the April 4, 2023 council docket with a fiscal analysis by the finance department presented at that time if feasible but no later than the council meeting of April 18, 2023
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.
| Dane Ardente Marshall Properties | Item IX, Keep Metacomet Green |
XI. APPOINTMENTS - None
XII. COUNCIL MEMBERS
- Motion to move to item XV D1 without objection
1. Clarification of City Council meeting audio broadcast – Discussion Only – Council President Rodericks
- Discussed immediately after call to order
2. Finance: A. Update on 2021 audit. B. Utilize Open Gov to include all city positions and the salaries attached to each position and include a section for capital projects progress– Discussion only – Councilman Lawson
- Finance Director updates the Council stating the audit is with the Auditors and should be ready no later than April 10.
- Councilman Lawson requests OpenGov be utilized as much as possible
3. Updates: A. Crescent Park Project B. Sabin Point reconfiguration of boat ramp to kayak launch – Discussion Only – Councilman Lawson
- Councilman Lawson speaks to the Sabin Point boat ramp being transformed into a kayak launch, reconfigure the parking lot and paint new lines
- DPW Director Daniel Borges states the Crescent Park project received 9 bids from the RFP and came in significantly higher than anticipated, will evaluate the bids
4. Plans for the remaining ARPA funds: A. Update on expenditures to date. B. Plans to allocate all funds before the deadline - Discussion Only – Councilman Lawson
- Finance Director Malcolm Moore states there is roughly $14 million left in ARPA funds. Director of Administration reminds the Council that funds will be used towards the Community Center
XIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS – Ordinance for second passage - 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
**To be heard at the April 4, 2023 Council meeting**
- Motion to continue to a date certain made by Councilman Lawson. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rego. Motion passes 4-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | X | |
XIV. CONTINUED BUSINESS - None
XV. NEW BUSINESS
A. MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS
1. Appointment/Reappointments requiring Council Confirmation
a. Paul Moura, appointment to the Canvassing Authority – Appointment 1 - term 03/03/2023 to 03/01/2029
- Motion to approve by Council Vice President Rego. Motion seconded by Councilman Lawson. Motion passes 4-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | | |
2. Appointment/Reappointments not requiring Council Confirmation
a. John Faria, appointment to the Charter Review Commission – Mayoral appointment - term 03/14/2023 to 03/14/2031
- Director of Administration Napoleon Gonsalves announces appointment
b. Valerie Perry, appointment to the Charter Review Commission – Mayoral appointment - term 03/14/2023 to 03/14/2031
- Director of Administration Napoleon Gonsalves announces appointment
3. Items for announcement/discussion
a. Reminder that ceremony to celebrate our 2023 Remarkable Women will be held on April 4, 2023 at 5:30 PM, City Hall 145 Taunton Ave. East Providence, RI
b. Ave. East Providence, RI
- Director of Administration Napoleon Gonsalves reads announcement
c. February capital, finance and expense reports – Finance Director Malcolm Moore
- Finance Director Malcolm Moore
B. REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS
1. Report of the Assistant City Solicitor
a. Claims Committee Report
- Assistant Solicitor Conley reports all votes were unanimous
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
- Assistant Solicitor Conley states the vote was the final approval of the fire contract
C. REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE LIAISON
- Council President Rodericks reports he spoke with School Committee Chair Azanero, she could not attend
D. RESOLUTIONS - For discussion and possible vote
1. Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract for the purchase of six police vehicles for the Police Department
Sponsor: Councilman Lawson
- The balance after the purchase of the cruisers will be over $5 million
- Federal asset forfeiture account includes funds from FDA task force and DEA task force. Restrictions on this fund is it cannot be used on construction. Can be used for equipment, task force salaries, certain community outreach
- Motion to approve made by Councilman Lawson. Motion seconded by Councilman Fogarty. Motion passes 4-0
- Motion to move to item XII 3 without objection
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | X | |
2. Resolution accepting the School Committee’s conveyance of the Oldham Elementary School located on Bullocks Point Avenue to the City of East Providence
Sponsor: Councilman Lawson
- Motion to approve made by Councilman Lawson. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rego. Motion passes 4-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | X | |
3. Resolution in support of S-38 authorizing the Board of Licenses of the City of East Providence to consider the granting of a Class B Liquor License for 136 Taunton Avenue
Sponsor: Council President Rodericks
- Motion to approve made by Councilman Lawson. Motion seconded by Councilman Fogarty. Motion passes 4-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | X | |
4. Resolution in support of H-6026 which would enable the City of East Providence to offer tax amnesty for two (2) separate sixty (60) day periods for fiscal years 2023 and 2024 for waiver of interest and penalties on overdue tangible tax payments and motor vehicle tax payments
Sponsor: Council President Rodericks
- Motion to approve made by Councilman Fogarty. Motion seconded by Council President Rodericks. Motion tied 2-2. Motion dies on the floor
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | | X |
| Rego | | X |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | X | |
5. Resolution in support of H-5605 and S-240 which would allow the City of East Providence to adopt a new tax rate applicable to Class 2 Property that shall not exceed by two hundred percent (200%) the rate applicable to Class 1 property
Sponsor: Council President Rodericks
- Motion to approve made by Councilman Lawson. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Rego. Motion passes 4-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | X | |
F. Petition from Thomas Costa for rezoning of property located at 2876 Pawtucket Avenue (Map 309, Block 13, Parcel 1) from Residential-3 (R-3) to Commercial-2 (C-2) – referral to planning board for recommendation
- Motion to approve made by Council Vice President Rego. Motion seconded by Councilman Lawson. Motion passes 4-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | X | |
A. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - For discussion and possible vote
1. 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: Section 17-183, sewer rates – option 1
Sponsor: Council President Rodericks
- Motion to approve made by Councilman Lawson. Motion seconded by Councilman Fogarty. Motion passes 4-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | X | |
2. 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: Section 17-183, sewer rates – option 2
Sponsor: Council President Rodericks
- Motion to approve made by Councilman Lawson. Motion seconded by Councilman Fogarty. Motion passes 4-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | X | |
XVII. ADJOURNMENT
- Motion to adjourn made by Councilman Lawson. Motion seconded by Councilman Fogarty. Motion passes 4-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| 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.