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CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
DOCKET-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2024
CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 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 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
The City Council of East Providence may meet in Executive Session,
pursuant to RIGL §42-46-5 (a)(2)
1. Omsairam LLC d/b/a Rumford Motor Inn vs. City of East Providence
C.A. No. PC-2024-00413
Status Update
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | | |
IV. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Fogarty_____ Lawson_____ Rego_____ Sousa _____ Rodericks_____
V. MOTION TO SEAL EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | Second, X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | Motion, X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR - For discussion and possible vote
A. COUNCIL JOURNALS:
1. December 19, 2023 Regular Council Minutes
2. January 9, 2024 Regular Council Minutes
3. January 23, 2024 Regular Council Minutes
B. TAX ABATEMENTS:
| Year | Amount |
| 2023 | $5676.92 |
| Total | $5676.92 |
Motion to approve by Councilwoman Sousa, seconded by Councilman Lawson all were in favor.
C. Read In
Special Event License – One Day Alcoholic Class F
Applicant: St Francis Xavier Church
Event: 109th Anniversary Lunch
Location: 160 Orchard Street, 02914
Date & Time: February 4, 2024 1:00pm-6:00pm
| | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | Motion, X | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | Second, X | |
| Sousa | X | |
| Rodericks | Motion, X | |
| | | |
VII. LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote
A. Motion to bundle licenses
Councilman Lawson made a motion to bundle license 1-4 and 7, Seconded by Councilwoman Sousa and all were in favor 4-0.
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | | |
B. Motion to approve licenses
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | Motion, X | |
| Rego | Second, X | |
| Sousa | X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
D. NON-PUBLIC HEARING
1. Victualing- Class 3 (no more than 25) - Transfer
Transfer from: 2830 Market dba Save A Lot
Transfer to: Riverside Market LLC dba Save A Lot
Location: 2830 Pawtucket Ave, 02915
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | | |
2. Sundays and Holidays - Transfer
Transfer from: 2830 Market dba Save A Lot
Transfer to: Riverside Market LLC dba Save A Lot
Location: 2830 Pawtucket Ave, 02915
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | | |
3. Special Event Alcohol Class F
Applicant: East End Theatre Performing Arts (Doris Moore)
Event: Murder Mystery 2024
Location: 1336 Pawtucket Avenue, 02916
Date and Time: March 8, 2024, March 9, 2024 6:00pm-9:00pm
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | | |
4. One Day Entertainment
Applicant: The Crescent Park Carousel
Event: Movies in the Park – August
Address: 700 Bullocks Pt Avenue
Date and Time: August 23, 2024 6:30pm-10:00pm
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | | |
5. Victualing – Class 3 (not more than 25 ppl)
Business: McShortagee’s Market
Applicant: William Hurley
Business Address: 202 Willett Avenue
Mr. Hurley was present as the applicant to speak about the application. He gave an overview of his business as a seafood and deli market.
| Member | Aye | | Nay |
| Fogarty | | | |
| Lawson | Motion, X | | |
| Rego | X | | |
| Sousa | Second, X | | |
| Rodericks | X | | |
6. Sundays and Holidays-
Business: McShortagee’s Market
Applicant: William Hurley
Business Address: 202 Willett Avenue
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | Motion, X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | Second, X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
7. Special Event License
Applicant: Jill Seppa on behalf of Council
Event: Rumford Easter Egg Hunt
Location: Freedom Green, Centre St, 02916
Date and Time: March 23, 2024 1:00pm-3:00pm
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | | |
| Rego | | |
| Sousa | | |
| Rodericks | | |
D. PUBLIC HEARING - none
VIII. PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
City Clerks Licensing Process & Issuance Procedure presentation – City Clerk Jill Seppa and Municipal Licensing Clerk Stephani Melo The recommendations they made to the council were to include beauty shops and exercise to the business registry. They also recommended adding a council sign off to keep the read in process in place. Councilman Lawson inquired about the fees and requested a more in depth review and explanation of why the fees have such a broad range.
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. William Lewis – water/sewer bills
Mr. Lewis was present to express concerns about sewer bills.
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.
Julie Garrett spoke on updates for the local SBA loans due to the bridge shutdown.
Clay Graham spoke on the need for upkeep and increase for bikes lanes.
XI. APPOINTMENTS
1. Appointment: Michael Silva to RI250 board – Sponsor Council Vice President Rego
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | Second,X | |
| Rego | Motion, X | |
| Sousa | X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
2. Appointment: Bill Keough to RI 250 Board – Sponsor Council Vice President Rego
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | Second,X | |
| Rego | Motion, X | |
| Sousa | X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
3. Appointment: Natalie Vanlandingham to Small Business Advisory – Sponsor Councilwoman Sousa
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | Second,X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | Motion, X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
4. Appointment: Marco Pachico to Small Business Advisory – Sponsor Councilwoman Sousa
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | | |
| Lawson | Second,X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | Motion, X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
XII. COUNCIL MEMBERS
1. Detailed update from administration on all ARPA funded projects for the City of East Providence – Discussion – Councilman Lawson
Councilman Lawson asked if there was a point person for ARPA projects. Director Resendes said she was under the impression that the report expected was a financial one.
Councilman Lawson asked about the Splashpad and Director Resendes said she would check with Director Borges.
Councilman Lawson asked for a point person on the Business Incubator. Director Resendes asked Director Byrnes to speak, he affirmed they put out the RFP for a fesability study.
Director Resendes reported that the title examiner reviewed the property for Cresent Park. The Mayor has a meeting with the Architect on March 7 2024.
On Bold Point Park, Councilman Lawson asked if there is still money.
There was no update on the parking lot on Warren Avenue.
2. Receive updated report requested 11/21/23; 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
Director Moore reported that there is about 5 million in po’s. He also reported that there is no room for more projects. Vice President Rego asked for an updated report to include the dates of allocation.
3. Safety crosswalk signal discussion – discussion – Councilwoman Sousa
Councilwoman Sousa expressed concerns for pedestrian safety and seeing two crosswalk signals that are inoperable.
4. Traffic calming measures and school safety signage at Sacred Heart School 56 Purchase Street East Providence, RI 02914– discussion – Councilwoman Sousa & Councilman Fogarty
5. Discuss impact of Washington Bridge closure in the City of East Providence – City Council
Vice President Rego expressed concern that the business are hurting and in addition the long term effects of the bridge closure could have on real estate and taxes collected.
Councilman Lawson said it will be a long term process and he is waiting to hear from the Federal Government for the plan and in the meantime there is bad traffic and image issues to deal with which needs to be rehabbed. Councilman Lawson explained that the council can not order DOT on what to do but he does feel that the state needs to be offering assistance. Councilwoman Sousa expressed concern about Henderson Bridge.
6. Traffic control officer intersection training – discussion – Councilwoman Sousa
Councilwoman Sousa inquired as to what the expectation of traffic control officers are. She reported that she witnessed many officers in their vehicles and she felt that this is not effective.
7. Traffic flow citywide with regards to increased traffic due to Washington Bridge closure – Councilwoman Sousa
8. Receive update on Crecent Park Concession Stand – Discussion – Councilman Lawson
Discussed earlier in the meeting.
9. City Clerks License process review – discussion – Councilman Lawson
10. Update regarding Police Department Renovation – discussion – Council Vice President and Councilman Lawson
Councilman Lawson reiterated that the Council allocated 2.5 million for an updated renovated police department. He requested the stance of the administration. Director Resendes said she does not have that information. She reported that there is a meeting on Thursday with JCJ Architecture with a project update. Councilwoman requested a report out. Council Vice President Rego reiterated that the architect should know that they have 2.5 million budget.
XIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS – Ordinance for first and final passage and second passage - For discussion and possible vote - none
XIV. CONTINUED BUSINESS
XV. NEW BUSINESS
A. MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS
· 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update- Dir. of Planning & Economic Development Keith Brynes
Director Brynes was present and gave an overview of the Comprehensive Plan. He explained that it’s a tool to guide decisions about development, infrastructure and what the vision for the city is and how does the city get there with an action plan. It will be a few months to review and align the zoning maps.
B. REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS
C. REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE LIAISON
D. RESOLUTIONS - For discussion and possible vote-none
E. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - For discussion and possible vote-none
XVII. ADJOURNMENT
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | Second, X | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | Motion, X | |
| Sousa | X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
Approved by Council: March 5, 2024
Attest: ___________________________
City Clerk