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CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 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
City Solicitor, Michael Marcello
City Clerk, Jill Seppa
I. CALL TO ORDER
Roll Call
Councilman Fogarty_____ Councilman Lawson_____ Council Vice President Rego_____ Councilwoman Sousa _____ Council President Rodericks_____
II. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
III. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The City Council of East Providence may meet in Executive Session,
pursuant to RIGL §42-46-5 (a)(2)
IV. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Councilman Fogarty_____ Councilman Lawson_____ Council Vice President Rego_____ Councilwoman Sousa _____ Council President Rodericks_____
V. MOTION TO SEAL EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Councilman Fogarty | | |
| Councilman Lawson | | |
| Council Vice President Rego | | |
| Councilwoman Sousa | | |
| Council President Rodericks | | |
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR - For discussion and possible vote
A. COUNCIL JOURNALS: none
B. TAX ABATEMENTS:
| Year | Amount |
| 2023 | $9246.00 |
| Total | $9246.00 |
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Councilman Fogarty | X | |
| Councilman Lawson | Motion, X | |
| Council Vice President Rego | X | |
| Councilwoman Sousa | Second, X | |
| Council President Rodericks | X | |
VII. LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote
A. Motion to bundle licenses C1-C5
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Councilman Fogarty | X | |
| Councilman Lawson | Motion, X | |
| Council Vice President Rego | X | |
| Councilwoman Sousa | Second, X | |
| Council President Rodericks | X | |
B. Motion to approve licenses C1-C5
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Councilman Fogarty | X | |
| Councilman Lawson | Motion, X | |
| Council Vice President Rego | X | |
| Councilwoman Sousa | Second, X | |
| Council President Rodericks | X | |
A. NON-PUBLIC HEARING
1. Special Event Alcohol – Class F
Applicant name: Doris Moore on behalf of East End Theatre and Performing Arts
Event name: East End Pumpkin Patch
Location: 1336 Pawtucket Ave
Date and Time: October 14, 2023 11am-7pm
2. Special Event Alcohol – Class F
Applicant name: Doris Moore on behalf of East End Theatre and Performing Arts
Event name: East End Pumpkin Patch
Location: 1336 Pawtucket Ave
Date and Time: October 7, 2023 11am-7pm
3. Special Event Alcohol – Class F
Applicant name: Doris Moore on behalf of East End Theatre and Performing Arts
Event name: East End Pumpkin Patch
Location: 1336 Pawtucket Ave
Date and Time: October 21, 2023 11am-7pm
4. Special Event Alcohol – Class F
Applicant name: St. Brendan church
Event name: 20 Week Club Dinner
Location: 60 Turner Ave
Date and Time: September 22, 2023 11am-6:30pm
5. Special Event One Day Entertainment
Applicant name: Lynn Poissant
Event name: Family Fall Fest
Location: Forbes Field
Date and Time: September 23, 2023 12pm-4pm
D. PUBLIC HEARING
VIII. PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
1. Multipurpose Center: Sam Bradner, managing partner, Peregrine Group; David Andrade, vice president and architect, Starck Architects
Sam Bradner and David Andrade were present to present a multi-purpose center proposal.
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. Lauren Fogarty Program Coordinator (RI 250 Commission) Rob Rock Deputy Secretary of State/Director of Administration
Lauren Fogarty presented a history and mission of RI 250 Commission to celebrate the nations 250 anniversary.
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.
XI. APPOINTMENTS
1. Appointment to the City Council Senior and Disabled Citizens Committee – Tanya Brodd – Council Vice President Rego and Councilman Fogarty
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Councilman Fogarty | Motion, X | |
| Councilman Lawson | X | |
| Council Vice President Rego | X | |
| Councilwoman Sousa | Seconded, X | |
| Council President Rodericks | X | |
XII. COUNCIL MEMBERS
1. Discussion of regulations around fire pits in residential areas-discussion only- Vice President Rego
The council reviewed the ordinance of fire pits.
2. Clarify timeline for Charter Commission proposed revisions- discussion and possible vote- Vice President Rego
The council discussed that the Charter Commission intends to get proposed revisions to the Council in the end of December. No vote was taken.
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Councilman Fogarty | | |
| Councilman Lawson | | |
| Council Vice President Rego | | |
| Councilwoman Sousa | | |
| Council President Rodericks | | |
3. Organization of Utility Art Box Project- discussion only- Councilwoman Sousa
4. Implementation of dedicated City Council social media-discussion only-Councilwoman Sousa
5. Discussion of potential Placemaking locations- discussion only- Council Vice President Rego
XIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS – Ordinance for first and final passage and second passage - For discussion and possible vote
XIV. CONTINUED BUSINESS-none
XV. NEW BUSINESS
1. August Finance and Capital Expenses: Dir. Malcolm Moore
2. Suicide Prevention/Awareness Proclamation, Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation, Brazilian Independence Day Proclamation
Link to the Mayors presented FY24 budget, printed copies are available in the Clerks office:
https://stories.opengov.com/eastprovidenceri/published/veWMfZIm14u
1. School Department* Superintendent Sandra Forand reviewed the school budget
2. Capital *Dominic Leonardo presented the Capital budget
3. City Government
· City Council
· Mayor’s Office
· City Clerk
· Law
· Canvassing* Leslie Shactman Moore presented the canvassing budget.
4. City Operations
· Finance Controls & Accounts
· Tax Collection
· Tax Assessment
· Human Resources
· EEOC/Affirmative Action
· Information Technology * Kelly Ahrens presented the IT budget.
· Miscellaneous
· Debt Service
· Capital
5. Community Development
· Planning & Economic Development
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
· Animal Shelter
· Harbormaster
· Fire Department
· Public Safety Communications
9. Enterprise Fund
· Wastewater Pollution Control
· Water Utilities
*intended to be discussed
B. REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS
C. REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE LIAISON
D. RESOLUTIONS - For discussion and possible vote
1. Resolution establishing the East Providence (RI250) committee-Sponsor: Council Vice President Rego and Councilwoman Sousa
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Councilman Fogarty | X | |
| Councilman Lawson | X | |
| Council Vice President Rego | Seconded, X | |
| Councilwoman Sousa | Motion, X | |
| Council President Rodericks | X | |
2. Resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement between Bigbelly Solar and the City of East Providence for the purchase of Bigbelly trash/recycling kiosks
Sponsor: Council President Rodericks
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Councilman Fogarty | X | |
| Councilman Lawson | Motion, X | |
| Council Vice President Rego | X | |
| Councilwoman Sousa | Second, X | |
| Council President Rodericks | X | |
E. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - For discussion and possible vote
1. An ordinance in amendment of the revised ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended
Summary: Chapter 20 adding redevelopment agency
Sponsor: Council President Rodericks
| 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 of the Council of the City of East Providence ordering the assessment and collection of property tax on the ratable real estate, tangible personal property and an excise tax on registering motor vehicles and trailers
Summary: Section 16-50 entitled “assessment” of Article IV entitled “Property Tax on Ratable Real Estate and Tangible Personal Property and Exise Tax on Registered Motor Vehicles and Trailers”
Sponsor: Council President Rodericks
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Councilman Fogarty | X | |
| Councilman Lawson | Motion, X | |
| Council Vice President Rego | X | |
| Councilwoman Sousa | Second, X | |
| Council President Rodericks | X | |
3. An ordinance authorizing the director of finance to borrow funds in anticipation of bonds
Summary: The Director of Finance is authorized to borrow during the fiscal year ending October 31, 2024
Sponsor: Council President Rodericks
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Councilman Fogarty | X | |
| Councilman Lawson | Motion, X | |
| Council Vice President Rego | X | |
| Councilwoman Sousa | Second, X | |
| Council President Rodericks | X | |
4. An ordinance authorizing the director of finance to borrow funds in anticipation of taxes
Summary: The Director of Finance is authorized to borrow during the fiscal year ending October 31, 2024
Sponsor: Council President Rodericks
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Councilman Fogarty | X | |
| Councilman Lawson | Motion, X | |
| Council Vice President Rego | X | |
| Councilwoman Sousa | Second, X | |
| Council President Rodericks | X | |
XVII. ADJOURNMENT
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Councilman Fogarty | X | |
| Councilman Lawson | Motion, X | |
| Council Vice President Rego | X | |
| Councilwoman Sousa | Second, X | |
| Council President Rodericks | X | |
If communication assistance is needed or any other accommodation to ensure equal participation, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 401.435.7590 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date.
Approved by Council: October 2, 2023
Attest: ___________________________
City Clerk