CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

DOCKET-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2025

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 J. Marcello

City Clerk, Andreza (Andy) Skipworth

 

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER

            Roll Call

 

Fogarty   X     Lawson   X      Rego   X     Sousa   X    Rodericks   X

Councilman Fogarty arrived at 6:43pm

 

II.        EXECUTIVE SESSION - NONE

 

III.       SALUTE TO THE FLAG

A moment of silence for City of East Providence Marlene Davis, President Jimmy Carter and those affected by the New Orleans attack.

 

IV.       PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

 

A. Steve Brosnihan – Good Night Lights Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Sponsored by Council President Rodericks

Council President Rodericks read a summary explaining the “Good Night Lights” (GNL) event; East Providence Police & Fire Chiefs spoke on their participation with the GNL program and thanked Steve for a job well done and continues to do; Patricia Resende, Chief of Staff presented Mr. Brosnihan a proclamation on behalf of Mayor DaSilva; Councilwoman Anna Sousa presented Mr. Brosnihan a proclamation on behalf of the East Providence City Council. Mr. Brosnihan thanked the Council and Mayor for their continued support.

 

V.        CONSENT CALENDAR - For discussion and possible vote

 

            A. COUNCIL JOURNALS:

               

     1. December 17, 2024, Regular Meeting

           

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	A
Lawson	Motion
Rego	X
Sousa	Seconded
Rodericks	X

 

VI.       LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote

           

A. NON-PUBLIC HEARING

                       

                1. Type of Business: Marketing store/retail

                    Applicant: Robert Baptista III

                    Business Name: Vibes & Stuff, LLC

                    Address: 515 Warren Avenue

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	A
Lawson	Motion
Rego	X
Sousa	Seconded
Rodericks	X

 

D. PUBLIC HEARING

 

VII.     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.

 

XIII.    PUBLIC COMMENT - NONE

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.

 

IX.       APPOINTMENTS

 

A.  Appointment of Nathan Wesley Cahoon to the East Providence Public Library Trustees. This is a 3-year term ending 1/7/2028. Sponsored by Council President Rodericks, Councilman Fogarty

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	A
Lawson	Seconded
Rego	X
Sousa	Motion
Rodericks	X

 

X.        COUNCIL MEMBERS

 

A. Discussion and possible vote to advertise the hiring of a Part Time Administrative Assistant/ Paralegal for City Council. Sponsored by Councilwoman Sousa

 

Tabled – 1/21/25

 

XI.       PUBLIC HEARINGS – Ordinance for second and final passage for  discussion and possible vote

 

A.    Ordinance in Amendment of Chapter 18 of the revised ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled “vehicles and traffic” Summary: Ordinance Sec. 18-307 entitled “parking prohibited at all times” School St. (NS) from Potter St. to Purchase St. Sponsored by: Council President Rodericks

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	Seconded
Lawson	X
Rego	X
Sousa	Motion
Rodericks	X

 

B.     Ordinance of the Council of the city of Eat Providence, Rhode Island appropriating $552,100 from the East Providence School Dept. Capital Improvement Revolving Fund. Summary: to allocate $552,100 from the fund for approved RI Dept. of Education capital for safety improvements at Whiteknact, Orlo Avenue, Silver Spring and Myron J. Francis elementary schools. Introduced by:  Councilman Lawson & Councilwoman Sousa

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	X
Lawson	Motion
Rego	X
Sousa	Seconded
Rodericks	X

 

XII.     CONTINUED BUSINESS

              

A.    Discussion and possible vote of earned accumulated comp time by former City Clerk. Sponsor(s):    Council Vice President Rego, Councilwoman Sousa, Councilman Fogarty

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	Motion
Lawson		X
Rego	X
Sousa	Seconded
Rodericks		X

 

                  Motion passed 3-2 in favor of a 92.52 hours payout of comp time.

 

XIII.    NEW BUSINESS

 

A.    MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS

 

1. Items for announcement/discussion

    A. Steven Brosnihan Proclamation

    B. Washington Bridge Small Business Grants – Update

 

Patricia Resende informed the council on the commerce grants amounts distributed and still pending pickup. In total 92 checks issued totaling $813,317.  Total of recommended passed audit check $32,700 equals a total of $846,017 in round one.  There are 16 checks remaining for pick up totaling $127,246.

 

                    C. Martin Luther King Day Celebration – Wednesday, January 22, 2025

 

Council President suggested to move the celebration into the council chambers if the public turnout gets too large to avoid congestion in the lobby and access to department

 

B.     REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS - NONE

 

C.    REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE LIAISON – NONE

 

D.    RESOLUTIONS - For discussion and possible vote

 

1.      Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a police mutual aid agreement between the City of East Providence and the Town of Barrington, Town of Bristol and Town of Warren. Sponsored by Council Vice President Rego

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	X
Lawson	Seconded
Rego	Motion
Sousa	X
Rodericks	X

 

2.      Resolution authorizing the Mayor to purchase four post vehicle lifts for the Department of Public Works central garage division. Sponsored by Councilman Fogarty

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	Motion
Lawson	Seconded
Rego	X
Sousa	X
Rodericks	X

 

3.      Resolution amending the East Providence City Council Crescent Park Carousel Commission. Summary:  Resolution increases the member of the commission from 9 to 11 members and other updates to its purpose and authority.  Sponsored by Councilman Lawson

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

4.      Resolution requesting the state traffic commission install appropriate traffic control devices at or near 127 waterman avenue to 134 waterman avenue.

Sponsored by Councilwoman Sousa

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	Seconded
Lawson	X
Rego	X
Sousa	Motion
Rodericks	X

 

     

  XIIII.  INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - For discussion and possible vote

 

1.      An ordinance in amendment of chapter 18 of the revised ordinances of the city of east providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled “vehicles and traffic” the Council of the City of East Providence hereby ordains: Section I.  Article X entitled “Stopping, Standing and Parking” of Chapter 18 of the revised ordinances of the city of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, by adding a new section 18-317 which set municipal parking lot regulations and signage. Introduced by:  Council President Rodericks

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	Seconded
Lawson	Motion
Rego	X
Sousa	X
Rodericks	X

 

2.    An ordinance in amendment of Chapter 18 of the revised ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled “Vehicles and Traffic” the Council of the City of East Providence hereby ordains: Section 18-11 entitled “traffic fines” of article I entitled “in general” of chapter 18 of the is amended by adding thereto the following: For violation of municipal parking lot regulations ordinance (plus towing and storage charges, if any) $60.00. Introduced by:  Council President Rodericks

Member	Aye		Nay
Fogarty	Motion
Lawson	Seconded
Rego	X
Sousa	X
Rodericks	X

 

3.   An ordinance in amendment of chapter 18 of the revised ordinances of the City   of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled “Vehicles and Traffic” Section 18-307 entitled “Parking prohibited at all times” of Article X entitled “Stopping, Standing and Parking” is amended by adding thereto the following: Ivy Street (west side) for a distance of 40 feet from the intersection of Waterman Avenue. Introduced by:  Councilwoman Sousa

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	X
Lawson	Motion
Rego	Seconded
Sousa	X
Rodericks	X

 

XVII.  ADJOURNMENT

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	X
Lawson	X
Rego	Motion
Sousa	Seconded
Rodericks	X

 

 

If communication assistance is needed or any other accommodations to ensure equal participation, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 401.435.7596 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date.

 

 

Posted on: 1/3/2025