CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

MINUTES

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 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-none

 

VI.       CONSENT CALENDAR - For discussion and possible vote-none

 

A.    COUNCIL JOURNALS:

B.     TAX ABATEMENTS:

 

VII.     LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote - none

 

A. Motion to bundle licenses

B.     NON-PUBLIC HEARING

 

C.    PUBLIC HEARING

 

VIII.    PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS – none

 

IX.       COMMUNICATIONS - none

            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. 

 

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.

Lois Gomes spoke in favor of a Recreation Center.

Candy Seal spoke in favor of building a recreation center at Metacomet.

Ana Moniz spoke in favor of building a recreation center.

Joseph Tavares spoke in favor a building a recreation center.

Adrian Delgado spoke in favor of building a recreation center somewhere.

James Michaud spoke in favor of maintaining and improving the buildings we have.  

 

XI.       APPOINTMENTS

 

1.      Appointment to the City Council Crescent Park Committee –Marcia Tellini– Councilman Lawson

 

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

 

XII.     COUNCIL MEMBERS

 

1.      Discussion on City Council boards/commissions- discussion only- Sponsored by Council President Rodericks

Councilman Lawson expressed concern about follow up on the boards.

2. Learn365 program explanation and report of the City of East Providences’ fiscal obligation in relation to Learn265 – discussion only – Councilman Lawson

Some councilors expressed concern about unfunded mandates from the state.

3. Detailed ARPA allocation, spending, and existing purchase orders from inception to date broken down by program and line item – discussion only- Council Vice President Rego

Finance Director Malcolm Moore reviewed information on ARPA, he reported that he needed to collaborate with the Mayor to review for accuracy.  Vice President Rego requested that ARPA allocations is listed on the website.

4. Discussion on ARPA projects proposed by the city council-discussion- Sponsor Councilman Lawson

Councilman Lawson said he wanted to table this item.

5. Council discussion and subsequent vote on supporting a Community/Recreation Center for the City of East Providence. Total cost, location, programs – ie: gymnasium, pool, classrooms, fitness room (s), office space etc. Other options. – discuss and vote- Council President Rodericks

The Council decided to hold off on any action while they gather more information and finish up the budget.

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

 

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

1.      Mayor's message of disapproval and veto of appropriation of ARPA funds for renovation of the East Providence police station, as passed by the City Council on September 12, 2023 entitled "An ordinance of the Council of the City of East Providence appropriating up to $2,500,000 toward the renovation of the East Providence police station located at 750 Waterman Avenue”

 

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

2.      Capital

 

3. City Government

·         City Council* The Council reviewed their budget.

·         Mayor’s Office* The Mayor reviewed his offices budget.

·         City Clerk * Jill Seppa reviewed the City Clerk budget.

·         Law * Solicitor Marcello reviewed his budget.

·         Canvassing

 

4. City Operations

·         Finance Controls & Accounts

·         Tax Collection

·         Tax Assessment

·         Human Resources

·         EEOC/Affirmative Action

·         Information Technology

·         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 authorizing the closing of Sabin Point boat ramp to reconfigure it into a kayak launch -Sponsor: Council President Rodericks and Councilman Lawson

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

 

E.     COUNCIL ITEMS

1.      Council consideration of mayor's message of disapproval and veto of appropriation of ARPA funds for renovation of the East Providence police station, as passed by the City Council on September 12, 2023 entitled " An ordinance of the Council of the City of East Providence appropriating up to $2,500,000 toward the renovation of the East Providence police station located at 750 Waterman Avenue.” – possible vote to override- City Council

 

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

 

Councilman Lawson made the motion that the ordinance appropriating up to $2,500,000 for improvements to the East Providence Police Station, will be approved without standing the disapproval and veto of the mayor. (Passes 5-0)

 

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