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CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
MINUTES-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2023
CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 P.M.
145 TAUNTON AVENUE-CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
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, Michael J. Marcello
City Clerk, Jill Seppa
I. CALL TO ORDER
Roll Call
Fogarty___X__ Lawson__X___ Rego___X__ Sousa ___X__ Rodericks__X___
II. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
III. EXECUTIVE SESSION-none
III. PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
(no audio)
- A Proclamation recognizing the East Providence Student Body, known as the HERD, on the occasion of their overwhelming victory in the recent Providence Journal readers poll.- Council President Rodericks presented acknowledgement.
2. Honoring Joe Barroso (RIDE Career and Tech Teacher of the Year- Councilwoman Sousa presented acknowledgment.
3. EPPC for being awarded the National Blue Ribbon Award – Councilwoman Sousa presented acknowledgement.
4. Discussion and overview of comprehensive changes to the East Providence Zoning code as required by changes in State Law and other relevant updates
Keith Byrnes gave an overview of changes. The Council requested more information.
VII. CONSENT CALENDAR - For discussion and possible vote
A. COUNCIL JOURNALS:
1. October 2, 2023 regular meeting minutes
2. October 3, 2023 regular meeting minutes
3. October 10, 2023 regular meeting minutes
4. October 17, 2023 regular meeting minutes
5. October 26, 2023 regular meeting minutes
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | Second, X | |
| Lawson | Motion, X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
| Year | Amount |
| 2011 | 1141.94 |
| 2021 | 223.47 |
| 2022 | 118.60 |
| 2023 | 16095.56 |
| TOTAL | 17579.57 |
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | Second, X | |
| Lawson | Motion, X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
VIII. LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote
A. NON-PUBLIC HEARING
1. Block Party
Applicant: Rick Lawson (Riverside Tree Lighting)
Location: 3730 Pawtucket Ave.
Time and Date: December 8, 2023 4pm-9-pm
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | Seconded, X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | Motion, X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
2. One Day Entertainment
Applicant: Frank Rego (Freedom Green Tree Lighting)
Location: Centre Road Freedom Green
Time and Date: December 8, 2023 5:00pm-7:00pm
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | Seconded, X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | Motion, X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
B. PUBLIC HEARING
1. Annual Alcoholic Beverage Renewals
Please refer to attachment “A” for business listings
Council Vice President Rego recused himself.
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | Motion, X | |
| Rego | | |
| Sousa | Seconded, X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
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 spoke about plastic and trash reduction
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.
Michelle Johnson spoke against the artifact dig at Metacomet property.
Carol Brown spoke against the artifact dig at the Metacomet property.
Candy Seel spoke about the archaeological Metacomet survey.
Heather Andrade spoke in favor of the archaeological dig at Metacomet.
XI. APPOINTMENTS – None
XII. COUNCIL MEMBERS
1. Review and consideration for changes to the 2023 road, sidewalk improvement list. – discussion only- Sponsor; Councilwoman Sousa
Councilwoman Sousa reviewed needs for road work.
Dan Borges gave updates on roadwork.
2. Patrol unit enforcement of no parking and parking that obstruct views for reasons of public safety – discussion only- Sponsor; Councilwoman Sousa
Councilwoman Sousa spoke about areas of concern needing no parking signs so they do not block roadways at turns.
3. Ch. 805 Municipal Court reserve fund for discussion – discussion only- Council Vice President Rego
Council Vice President Rego asked that this ordinance that was passed in 2021 but never implemented, be implemented.
4. Request for RFP for adaptive playground equipment – discussion only – Council Vice President Rego followed up on APRA funding item for adaptive playground. He expressed wanting the playground in place for the spring.
5. Receive Correspondence and update on Narragansett Park Plaza project and Carpionato Group on Newport Avenue- discussion only- Council Vice President Rego
Council Vice President Rego had City Clerk Jill Seppa read a letter from Pawtucket Councilman Mercer into the record. Keith Byrnes shared that the shelter is meant to be a temporary shelter.
6. Discussion on use of social media for the City Council pages – Discussion only - Councilman Lawson Councilman Lawson shared that the council created EP Council and Veterans pages. He reviewed rules of communication around content.
7. Discussion of Community Center – Discussion only – Council President Roderick
President Rodericks gave an overview of the various stages of presenting the community center proposals thus far. Council Vice President shared concerns about the fact that no operational costs have been shared. Councilman Fogarty shared concerns about reallocating money needed for sewers and drainage to put toward a recreation center.
XIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS – Ordinance for first and final passage and second passage - For discussion and possible vote
XIV. CONTINUED BUSINESS – None
XV. NEW BUSINESS
A. MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS - Mayor Communications: Dir. of Administration Napoleon Gonsalves
Napoleon Gonsalves shared the Mayors communication. The Mayor shared items of concern.
1. Appointment /Reappointment requiring Council Confirmation
Stephany R. Lopes, East Providence Planning Board. This is a 5-year term (1/16/23-1/15/28).
2. Appointment/Reappointment not requiring Council Confirmation
Jacqueline Hicks, East Providence Housing Authority, Appointment number 6. This is 3-year term (10/18/23-10/17/26).
3. Retirement of Chief Glenn Quick as of Nov. 17, 2023. Appointment of Michael Carey as Acting East Providence Fire Chief effective Nov. 18, 2023.
4. Request for support of Resolution supporting RIDEM grant application to support a splash pad in Riverside.
5. Family Court Awareness Month and Diwali (Festival of Lights) Proclamations
B. REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS
1. Report of the City Solicitor
a. 2023 Tax Amnesty Program Report – Tax Assessor
C. Solicitor Marcello gave report on the Amensty Program.
D. REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE LIAISON
E. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - For discussion and possible vote
1. An ordinance of the council of the City of East Providence repealing ordinance Chapter 897 and reallocating and reappropriating up to $447,870 for the Potter Street and Burgess Street parking lots
Sponsor; Councilwoman Sousa
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | Second, X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | Motion, X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
2. An ordinance of the council of the City of East Providence repealing ordinance chapter 900 and reallocating and reappropriating up to $5,000,000 toward a community recreation center.
Sponsor; Council President Rodericks
Councilman Lawson made a motion to table, Councilwoman Sousa seconded and all were in favor. Councilman Lawson suggested that at the next meeting Councilors bring forth areas of concern.
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | | |
F. RESOLUTIONS - For discussion and possible vote
1. Resolution Calling for an Archaeological Survey on the Metacomet Site at 500 Veterans Memorial Parkway.
Sponsor; Councilwoman Sousa
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | Seconded, X | |
| Lawson | | X |
| Rego | | X |
| Sousa | Motion, X | |
| Rodericks | | X |
2. Resolution Rescinding a 1956 Resolution of the City Council Setting Aside Land for School Purposes.
Sponsor; Councilman Lawson
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | Second, X | |
| Lawson | Motion, X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
3. Resolution Authorizing the Submission of a Grant Application to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Recreation Development Grant Program.
Sponsor; Councilman Lawson; Council President Rodericks
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | Motion, X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | Second, X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
4. Resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept the conveyance of properties in the State Street neighborhood as part of the emergency watershed protection plan.
Sponsor; Councilwoman Sousa
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | Seconded, X | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | Motion, X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
5. Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract for the Potter Street and Burgess Street parking lots.
Sponsor; Councilwoman Sousa
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | Second, X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | Motion, X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
XVI. ADJOURNMENT
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | | |
Approved by Council: December 5, 2023
Attest: __________________________
City Clerk