CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

MINUTES-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 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_____ Lawson__X___ Rego___X__ Sousa _X____ Rodericks__x___

 

II.        SALUTE TO THE FLAG

 

III.       EXECUTIVE SESSION-none

 

IV.       PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS - none

 

V.        CONSENT CALENDAR - For discussion and possible vote

 

A.    TAX ABATEMENTS

Year	Amount
2023	20,930.24
TOTAL	20,930.24

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson	Motion, X
Rego	x
Sousa	Second, X
Rodericks	X

 

VI.       LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote

Councilman Lawson made a motion to bundle, Councilwoman Sousa seconded and all were in favor.

Councilman Lawson made a motion to approve, Councilwoman Sousa seconded and all were in favor.

 

A.    NON-PUBLIC HEARING

1.      Road Race

Applicant: Siobhan Breagy / Ground Control Events

Location: Pierce Stadium, 171 5^th Street

Time and Date: May 19, 2024 7:30am-2:00pm

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

2.      One Day Entertainment License

Applicant: Diane Sullivan on behalf of the City of East Providence

Event: East Providence 13^th Annual Winterfest

Location: Senior Center, 610 Waterman Avenue

Date: December 9, 2023 3:00pm-8:00pm

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

3.      Sundays & Holidays

Applicant: Robert Baptista III

Business: Atmosphere Café

Address: 65 Valley Street

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

4.      Victualling- Class 1 – 51 or more

Applicant: Robert Baptista III

Business: Atmosphere Café

Address: 65 Valley Street

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

            B. PUBLIC HEARING

 

1.      Class B- Full Privilege-New

Applicant: John Garrahy

Business: Chipolte Mexican Grill

Address: 74 Newport Avenue

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	X
Lawson	Second, X
Rego
Sousa	Motion, X
Rodericks	X

 

VII.     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.

 

VIII.    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.      Dan Landry- expressed concerns about Rumford Motor Inn

2.      Don Heeney – spoke about Rumford Motor Inn, School Zone Speed Cameras

3.      Nancy Hale – spoke on gratitude and progress.

 

IX.       APPOINTMENTS –

1.      Appointment of Richard A Ferreira to the City Council Veteran Advisory Committee- Sponsor; Council Vice President Rego

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	X
Lawson	Motion, X
Rego	X
Sousa	Second, X
Rodericks	X

 

X.        COUNCIL MEMBERS

 

1.      Council meeting decorum- discuss- Council Vice President Rego, Councilman Lawson, Councilman Fogarty

President Rodericks went through council meeting decorum. Vice President Rego requested that when an item is tabled that that be respected. Council Fogarty re-iterated.

2.      Review of Rumford Motor Inn 400 Newport Avenue hotel license, discuss possible actions- discuss and vote- Council President Rodericks & Council Vice President Rego

Chief Franscisconi spoke on behalf of the mayor and that the owner was told the illegal activity be stopped. A powerpoint of activity was presented. Councilwoman Sousa requested that moving forward that the Council is notified of repetitive behavior, so the council has the information for license renewals.

Councilman Lawson, seconded by Vice President Rego to ask the City Solcitor to schedule a show cause hearing.  

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	X
Lawson	Motion, X
Rego	Seconded, X
Sousa	X
Rodericks	X

 

3.      Report of totals of what each city department had remaining in their account end of year FY23 and was turned over to the general fund – receive report- Vice President Rego and Councilman Lawson

Finance Director Moore reported that he needed to still reconcile departments and is hopeful to have the finalize the year end by February. Councilman Lawson asked if they have a rough idea. Finance Director Moore reported that revenue still needed to be added.

4.      Council requests updated report from October 3, 2023 “Detailed ARPA allocation, spending, and existing purchase orders from inception to date broken down by program and line item” to include dates of ARPA expenditures– receive report and discussion - Council Vice President Rego

Vice President Rego tabled the item until Finance Director Moore feels he can provide the information.

5.      Council requests copy of Request for Proposals of the school zone camera and bids that resulted in awarding Sensys Gatso the contract – discuss- Council Vice President Rego

Council Vice President tabled this item.

6. Discussion on City Council hiring firm to do a full audit of the city's finances- discuss and vote- Sponsor Councilman Lawson & Councilman Fogarty

Councilman Lawson tabled this item as well.

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

7. Discussion on amending the times and location of speed cameras- discuss-Sponsor Councilman Lawson & Councilman Fogarty

Councilman Lawson tabled this item.

8. Update on Police Department roof-discuss-Councilwoman Sousa

Chief Franscisconi gave an update on the Police Department roof, he reported that it is not complete and there are still rubber membrane tiles that they are waiting on the delivery.

9. Announce Freedom Green Tree Lighting December 9, 2023 from 4:00pm-6:00pm – announce- Vice President Rego

Vice President Rego announced the Freedom Green Tree Lighting.

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

1. An ordinance in amendment of the City’s Comprehensive Plan’s (2010-2015) Land Use Map from Low Density Residential to Commercial Mixed Use for the subject property Christine Apartments 

Present were Atty Stephen Antonucci representing the John Flatley Co., Kevin Walker Vice President, Brandon Carr. A summary; requesting 3 zone ordinance changes.

Frank Forte spoke on the application, highlighting concerns regarding traffic.

John Heeny spoke on the application and concerns regarding self storage.

Gert DiQuenzio expressed concern regarding six homes and the dissipating green space.

Mary Sevigny expressed concern regarding traffic.

Keith Byrnes spoke on the application. Vice President Rego requested a copy of the DOT traffic study for Wampanoag Trail.

Councilman Lawson spoke his concerns about amending an outdated Comp Plan. Councilwoman Sousa also expressed concerns about not having a current Comp Plan.

Councilman Lawson made a motion deny the amendment to the Comp Plan.

Summary: Petition for zone change from C-1 to Commercial Mixed Use

Petitioner: John Flatley Company

Street Address: 1279 Wampanoag Trail

Location: Christine Apartments Map 711, block 3, parcel 15  

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

2. An ordinance in amendment of Chapter 19 of the revised ordinances of the city of East Providence, Rhode Island 1998, as amended, entitled “Zoning”

Summary: Petition for zone change from C-1 to Commercial Mixed Use

Petitioner: John Flatley Company

Street Address: 1279 Wampanoag Trail

Location: Christine Apartments Map 711, block 3, parcel 15

Vice President Rego made a motion to table indefinitely, Councilman Lawson seconded, all in favor.

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	X
Lawson	Second, X
Rego	Motion, X
Sousa	X
Rodericks	X

 

3.      An ordinance in amendment of Chapter 19 of the revised ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island 1998, as amended, entitled “Zoning”

Summary: Division 20; Commercial Mixed Use (CMU) District (Secs. 19-360.1 and 19-360.2)

Requested by: John Flatley Company – Christine Apartments

Vice President Rego made a motion to table indefinitely, Councilman Lawson seconded, all in favor.

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	X
Lawson	Second, X
Rego	Motion,X
Sousa	X
Rodericks	X

 

4. 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: Section 18-307, No Parking, Warren Avenue (north side) from Purchase Street East 60 feet

Sponsor: Councilwoman Sousa

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	X
Lawson	Seconded, X
Rego	X
Sousa	Motion, X
Rodericks	X

 

XII.     CONTINUED BUSINESS -

1.      Discussion and overview of comprehensive changes to the East Providence Zoning code as required by changes in State Law and other relevant updates

a.       Receive report from planning of delineation of changes required by law and other relevant updates

b.      Discuss comprehensive changes

Keith Byrne spoke about changes.

 

XIII.    NEW BUSINESS

 

A.    MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS - Mayor Communications: Dir. of Administration Napoleon Gonsalves

1.      Multipurpose Center Presentation

Drawings were presented.

2.      October Finance and Capital Expenses: Director Malcolm Moore

3.      Glenlyon Fence Quotes- Department of Public Works

Vice President Rego had City Clerk Jill Seppa read an email into the record, with Mayor DaSilva directing Dan Borges to repair the fence. Abutter, Balsfiore spoke in favor of the need or repairs.  

 

B.     REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS-none

 

C.    REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE LIAISON

 

D.    INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - For discussion and possible vote

 

1.      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

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

2.      An ordinance of the council of the City of East Providence repealing ordinance Chapter 900 and reallocating and reappropriating up to $3,000,000 toward a community recreation center.

 

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

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty		X
Lawson	Motion, X
Rego	Second,X
Sousa	X
Rodericks	X

 

E.     RESOLUTIONS - For discussion and possible vote

1.      Resolution Approving the Submission of an Application to the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program in the Amount of $26,100,000 and Repealing Resolution No. 239 Adopted November 1, 2022

Sponsor; Council President Rodericks

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	X
Lawson	Second, X
Rego	X
Sousa	Motion, X
Rodericks	X

 

2.      Resolution authorizing the East Providence Arts Council to carry out the citywide utility box art project

 

Sponsor; Councilwoman Sousa

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	X
Lawson	Second, X
Rego	X
Sousa	Motion, X
Rodericks	X

3.      Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract for architectural and engineering services for the proposed East Providence community center.

 

Sponsor; Council President Rodericks

Councilwoman Sousa said she feels uncomfortable approving a contract with the wrong amount. President Rodericks requested an updated contract with accurate numbers. No action was taken.  

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
Fogarty
Lawson

 

XIV.    ADJOURNMENT

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	X
Lawson	X
Rego	Second, X
Sousa	Motion, X
Rodericks	X

 

 

If communication assistance is needed or any other accommodation 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: December 19, 2023

Attest: ___________________________

           City Clerk