CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

MINUTES

MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 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

 

Councilman Fogarty___X__ Councilman Lawson__X___ Council Vice President Rego__X___ Councilwoman Sousa __X___ Council President Rodericks__X___

 

II.        SALUTE TO THE FLAG

 

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

 

A. First and Final Passage- as proposed by the mayor

 

1.  An ordinance of the Council of the City of East Providence appropriating $219,664,964 for the support of the City government for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2024

Council President  Councilman Lawson made a motion to table, Councilwoman Sousa seconded the motion. Item was tabled. (5-0)  

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty
Councilman Lawson
Council Vice President Rego
Councilwoman Sousa
Council President Rodericks

 

B. Second Passage

 

1.  An ordinance of the Council of the City of East Providence ordering the assessment and collection of property tax on the ratable real estate and tangible personal property

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty	X
Councilman Lawson	Motion, X
Council Vice President Rego	X
Councilwoman Sousa	Second, X
Council President Rodericks	X

 

2. An ordinance authorizing the Director of Finance to borrow funds in anticipation of taxes

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty	Second, X
Councilman Lawson	X
Council Vice President Rego	X
Councilwoman Sousa	Motion, X
Council President Rodericks	X

 

3. An ordinance authorizing the Director of Finance to borrow funds in anticipation of bonds

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty	X
Councilman Lawson	Motion, X
Council Vice President Rego	X
Councilwoman Sousa	Second, X
Council President Rodericks	X

 

IV.       CONTINUED BUSINESS

 

A. BUDGET SESSION – Review of the Administrations FY24 proposed budget- additions, reductions and or transfers

B. Proposed Council amendments to FY24 Administration budget to be set for public hearing – for discussion and possible vote

1.      School Department

2.      Capital

Councilman Lawson proposed the following reductions Public art for $50,000, Dump truck for $75,000, Plow truck for $90,000 and $80,000 trash compactors totaling $295,000.

Council Vice President Rego proposed cutting the $25,000 equipment trailer, $15,000 recycling roll off container resulting in $335,000 in cuts.

Councilman Lawson proposed $130,000 for boiler, Front end loader $60,000, Mail Courier truck $30,000, Orlo fence $50,000 and Riverside Middle School gym for $75,000.

 

3. City Government

·         City Council

·         Vice President Rego proposed adding to the City Council line to bring it to $28,548.00 to add a part time position, seconded by Councilwoman Sousa and all were in favor.  

·         Mayor’s Office

·          Vice President Rego made a motion to transfer the salary line by $111,469.00 to the fire department to fund the fourth rescue, seconded by Councilman Lawson, (4-1 nay- Rodericks)

·         City Clerk

·         Councilman Lawson made a motion to reduce Clerks salary line $95,000 and Councilwoman Sousa seconded and all were in favor.

·         Councilwoman Sousa made a motion to add $23,000 to the salary line item Clerks, Councilman Fogarty seconded and all were in favor.

·         After discussion Councilman Lawson and Councilwoman Sousa decided to hold off on these items for further study.

·         Law

·         Canvassing

No changes proposed.

 

4. City Operations

·         Finance Controls & Accounts

·         Tax Collection

·         Tax Assessment

·         Human Resources

·         Vice President Rego made a motion to reduce training and recruitment by $9000.00 seconded by Councilman Fogarty and all in favor.

·         Vice President Rego made a motion to reduce training and conferences by $5000.00 seconded by Councilman Lawson and all were in favor.

·         Vice President Rego made a motion to reduce postage by $1000, Councilman Lawson, all were in favor.

·         Vice President Rego made a motion to reduce professional development by $5000.00 Councilman Fogarty seconded and all were in favor.

·         EEOC/Affirmative Action

No changes were made.

·         Information Technology

The council reviewed this budget and made no alterations.

·         Miscellaneous

·         Debt Service

·         Capital

 

5.  Community Development

·         Planning & Economic Development

·         Councilman Lawson proposed dropping one of the planner 2 position to move money to the school department. Council Vice President Rego clarified that would be a cut of $114,446.00. Councilman Lawson moved to cut $115,946 seconded by Vice President Rego, all in favor to move this item to determination for October 10, 2023.

 

6. Community Services

·         Recreation

·         Pierce Stadium

·         Carousel

·         Library

·         Senior Center

 

7. Public Works

·         Public Works Director

·         Building Inspection

·         Engineering

·         Highway/Parks

·         Streetlights

·         Refuse Disposal

·         Public Buildings

·         Central Garage

 

8. Public Safety

·         Police Department

·         Councilman Vice President Rego, Councilman Lawson seconded and all were in favor made a motion to decrease detail by 750,000 Councilwoman Sousa made a motion to reduce detail revenue by 750,000. Councilman Lawson seconded and all were in favor.

·         Animal Shelter

·         Harbormaster

·         Fire Department

·         Council Vice President Rego made a motion to move $300,000 from overtime to regular salaries, seconded by Councilman Fogarty to fund the full time rescue at station four. All in favor.  

·         Public Safety Communications

Council Vice President Rego made a motion to add a communication specialist to restore the staff to 12 for $75,164.00 , seconded by Councilman Lawson, all in favor.

Councilwoman Sousa made a motion to transfer overtime to part time salaries to $25,816, Councilman Fogarty seconded the motion, all were in favor.

 

9. Enterprise Fund

·         Wastewater Pollution Control

·         Water Utilities

 

XVII.  ADJOURNMENT

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Councilman Fogarty	Second, X
Councilman Lawson	Motion, X
Council Vice President Rego	X
Councilwoman Sousa	X
Council President Rodericks	X

 

 

Approved by Council: November 14, 2023

Attest: __________________________

City Clerk