CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

MINUTES-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2024

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

Moment of silence offered for the Fogarty Family with their recent loss.

Councilman Lawson made a motion to go into Executive Session, Councilwoman Sousa Seconded and all were in favor.

Councilwoman Sousas rescinded the motion, Councilman Lawson seconded and all were in favor.

Council President Rodericks moved licenses up on the docket without objection.

 

Councilwoman Sousa made a motion to go into Executive Session, Councilman Lawson seconded and all were in favor.

 

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

 

2.      Water/Sewer Charge Abatement

a.       Scott Lewis

Councilwoman Sousa made a motion to seal the minutes of executive session, Councilman Lawson seconded and all were in favor.

Solicitor Bellamy reported out that she gave an update of the Proceedings with Rumford Motor Inn and the next hearing date is March 8, 2024.

 

III.     PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

1.      Richard Martin

Council Vice President Rego welcomed Richard Martin into the Chambers in Celebration of Black History Month.

 

VII.     CONSENT CALENDAR - For discussion and possible vote

 

A.    COUNCIL JOURNALS:

           

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

VIII.    LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote

 

A.    NON-PUBLIC HEARING

1.      Mobile Food Establishment

Applicant: Tarci Lee Galarza

Address: 39 Rhode Island Ave

Business Name: Yagi Food Truck

            The applicant was present and gave an overview of the food truck.

Councilman Lawson made a motion to approve, Councilwoman Sousa seconded the motion and all were in favor (4-0).

 

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.

None

 

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.

None

 

XI.       APPOINTMENTS –

1.      Recommendation for appointment to the Small Business Advisory Committee – Eileen Harvey – Sponsor Councilman Lawson

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

 

XII.     COUNCIL MEMBERS

1.      Review of snow removal requirements for residents – discuss - Councilman Fogarty

Councilwoman Sousa spoke on various concerns, encouraging residents to register with the City Website notifications to know when parking bans are implemented.

2.      Flat sewer rate discussion with possible request for water department to provide numbers on what a flat rate would be- Discussion- Councilman Lawson

3.      Discussion with Jim Marvel Water Superintendent, on sewer billing, usage and internally deduct meters-City Council

Jim Marvel Water Superintendent spoke on various sewer topics of concern. He stated that deduct meters are only for water that does not get processed through the sewer system and simply goes into the ground and are mandated by ordinance.

Jim Marvel and Council members debated the pros and cons of flat sewer rates.

4.       Status update on ARPA funded projects- Councilman Lawson

a. Crescent Park Project – Patricia Resendes said the location was toured on Monday, for bathrooms and a concession stand.  There is also a grant being submitted for additional potential bathrooms.

b. Business Incubator Project- Director Resendes updated that the RFQ for a feasibility study was issued. They were interview in January and a finalist was chosen. They will bid soon and enter into contract to begin the study. Director Resendes does not know how long the study would take. Councilman Lawson inquired about putting out an RFP for windows, doors and a roof since the city knows those need to be replaced. Councilman Lawson shared that the feasibility study is for the business incubator and the building needs windows, roofs and doors.

c. Splashpad for Riverside kids- The grant to cover part of the cost of the splashpad was submitted to the DEM and would cover about 200,000 of the estimated $250,000 cost. The administration is waiting to hear on this grant.

d. Police Station Renovation- The administration met with architects on February 8, 2024. The state is expected to award those grant awards at the end of the month and the professional cost estimates is expected at the end of the month.  Formal design is expected soon The abatement of lead and asbestos is going to occur during the design and prior to the demolition. The project is planned to start in mid October 2024.   

e. Pierce Stadium Field- Director Resendes reported the administration is awaiting on the grant award and the administration is currently under contract with the fencing company to install the fence around the stadium adjacent to Jones pond. Councilman Lawson and Councilwoman Sousa clarified that the ARPA funds are for repaving the walking track and upgrading the ADA ramp. Vice President Rego clarified that the federal budget is closed so therefore the grant is likely that is will not be issued. as the issuing deadline has passed. He asked for an update for the funding from Senator Reed, Planner Dominic reported that there is no update.  Ms. Resendes said she had a meeting with Senator Reed coming up soon and would update at the next council meeting.

f. Bold Point Park- Progress will continue into the Spring to continue the design.

e. Municipal Parking Lot- Money combined from RI Infrastructure and ARPA will fund this project. The permit from the DOT has been issued. The contract was awarded to JR and Sons. Construction is to begin this season.

f. Citywide Placemaking Patricia reported that Councilman Lawson met with Melissa Spurr.

g. Kent Heights project and adaptive playground equipment- February 28, 2024 there is a community meeting at Fuller Library at 6:30pm. Money is planned on purchase and installation for Adaptive Playground Equipment at Kent Heights. Johnson Landscape was selected and a kick off planning meeting on February 7^th 2024 with project managers and plans are being finalized by the architect happened. It was determined that a DEM permit is needed. Work on this facility is planned to begin mid April. Councilman Lawson inquired if the DEM permit was going to cause a major setback.  Planning director Keith Byrnes said he did not think so. Councilman Lawson asked for an update on the DEM permit at the next council meeting.  

-Utility Artbox project had a kick off meeting in early January. The City funded part of the Watchemoket Mural along with Rhode Island Foundation.The city plans to apply for the Commerce RI Streetscape Grant

Townie Pride Park there is funding left to install a Gazebo. Highways will look too clear and define the path around the pond.

5.      Discussion on Comprehensive Community Plan process – overview – Councilman Lawson – Director Keith Byrnes reviewed that they are finalizing the plan then there will be two public hearings; one before the planning board and one before the council. Then it is adopted by the City and the State holds its own public hearing. 

6.      Discussion of proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendments as it relates to hotels and motels, potential referral to Planning Board for review and recommendations per state law within zoning districts C-1 through C-5 & I-1– Keith Byrnes

Keith Byrnes gave an overview of the proposed changes along with stipulations. He shared that the hotel and motels could be combined in definitions and uses. The consensus is to approve to the next stage. Councilwoman Sousa said the hotels and motels should not be combined by definition. Solicitor Marcello said that these changes go to the Planning Board and then are advertised and come before the Council again.

7.      Discuss impact of Washington Bridge closure in the City of East Providence – City Council

President Rodericks gave an overview of latest updates. He shared that he attended the oversite hearing. He quoted Mr. Aliviti saying that the more they study the bridge the more problems they are finding. They hope to have an update in the end of February. Councilman Lawson expressed concern about burn out for the first responders.

8.      Receive update from Julie Garrett- Public Affairs Specialist; U.S. Small Business Administration – City Council

Julie Garrett gave an update on the SBA. She was joined by Matt Spar. RI District Office and Dorris Evans, Disaster Relief Liasons. She reported that she would email approval numbers. She gave an update on the process, that applicants get a reminder email to update their loan application.

 

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

This item was tabled.

 

1.      An Ordinance in Amendment of the City of East Providence 2010-2015 Comprehensive Plan Update.

 

Map 4 of the City of East Providence 2010-2015 Comprehensive Plan Update entitled “Southern East Providence Generalized Land Use,” is hereby amended to identify the property designated as Assessor’s Map 709, Block 1, Parcel 1 as “Mixed Use.”

 

Summary: Comprehensive Plan Amendment

Petitioner: JAG Properties LLC

Street address: 0 Wampanoag Trail

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

This item was tabled.

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 I-1 to C-2

Petitioner: JAG Properties LLC

Street address: 0 Wampanoag Trail

Location: Map 709, Block 1, Parcel 1

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

XIV.    CONTINUED BUSINESS – None

 

XV.     NEW BUSINESS

 

A.    MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS

1.      January 2024 finances and expenses – Finance Director Malcolm Moore

Reports submitted. Councilwoman Sousa said she needs more time to digest the information.

2.      Update on ARPA Projects

3.      Update on East Providence Police Station Improvements

4.      Update on Community Center- Planning department updated that they are meeting weekly for the community center. Last week the concept design was chosen.

5.      Kent Heights Community Meeting February 28, 2024 6:30-7:30pm Fuller Creative Learning Center

6.      City Property Revaluation assessment outreach Catalys Co. Director Resendes listed ways in which the administration is making the public aware that people will be around properties to assess for the reval.

7.      Gall Bladder Cancer Awareness Proclamation – February 2024

8.      Black History Month Proclamation – February 2024 Director Resendes read the proclamation into the record.

 

B.     REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS 

 

1. Report of the City Solicitor

                       

a.       Receive update on requested licensing information: fees , consideration of adding beauty shops and exercise facilities to business registry of East Providence, daily penalty for non-compliance on renewal of licenses

Solicitor Marcello provided the Council with a list of current licenses and fees. He hopes to have a more in detail list for the next meeting.  Councilman Lawson recommended to move forward with the beauty licenses and exercise businesses being part of the business license. Council Vice President inquired about the need to update the licensing regulations with dispensary and controlled substances.  

 

B.     REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE LIAISON

 

C.    INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - For discussion and possible vote

 

XVI.    ADJOURNMENT

 

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

 

 

Approved by Council: March 5, 2024

 

Attest: ___________________________

             City Clerk