CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

MINUTES-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

April 21, 2026

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

 

 

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   A   Rego   X   Sousa   X   Rodericks   X  

 

II.    EXECUTIVE SESSION - Discussed in open session. 

 

The City Council of East Providence may meet in Executive Session,

            pursuant to RIGL §42-46-5 (a)(2)

 

A.    Claims and Litigation

1.      Sharon J. Allsworth – RM No. 26-053, Claim No. 26-033                $287.20

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

 

B.     Sewer Abatements

1.      Haytham Chahed - $2,033.91

2.      Christine Johnson - $754.54

3.      RJD Real Estate - $459.09

 

Motion to bundle

 

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

 

 

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

           

           

III. SHOW CAUSE HEARING - The following business is subject to a hearing for their alleged failure to obtain the appropriate license as indicated.

 

A.    Business Licenses

1.      Subway – 1086 Willett Avenue, Riverside, RI

                        Needed Information:  RI Dept of Health, Building and Fire, Victualling

 

                  No one from Subway attended the meeting.  A letter will be sent to the business owner giving them until May 5, 2026, to come into compliance or be forced to shut                           down.

 

IV. SALUTE TO THE FLAG

 

V.    PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

           

            1.  Saint Brendan/Saint Martha Boys Basketball team accomplishments. Council President Rodericks

           

VI. CONSENT CALENDAR - For discussion and possible vote

 

A.    COUNCIL JOURNALS:

1.      Regular meeting minutes, April 7, 2026       

 

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

 

VII.          LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote

 

A.    NON-PUBLIC HEARING

 

1.      Special Event – One Day Entertainment License (Annual Feast)

Applicant: Manuel Sousa

Business Name: Holy Ghost Beneficial

Address: 51 N. Phillips Street, East Providence

Date & Time:  5/24/26; 6pm – 12am

 

2.      Special Event – One Day Entertainment License (Holy Ghost Feast)

Applicant: Glen Fagundas

Business Name: Trinity Brotherhood

Address: 146 Sutton Avenue, East Providence

Date & Time:  5/29/26; 6pm – 11pm

 

3.      Special Event – One Day Entertainment License (Holy Ghost Feast)

Applicant: Gelen Fagundas

Business Name: Trinity Brotherhood

Address: 145 Sutton Avenue, East Providence

Date & Time:  5/31/26; 5pm – 9pm

 

4.      Special Event – One Day Entertainment License (Parish Annual Feast)

Applicant: Fr. Peri Anandarayar

Business Name: Sacred Heart Church

Address: 118 Taunton Avenue, East Providence

Date & Time:  6/14/26; 6pm - 11pm

 

5.      Special Event – One Day Entertainment License (Church Annual Feast)

Applicant: Rita Vargas

Business Name: St. Francis Xavier Church

Address: 81 N. Carpenter St, East Providence, RI

Date & Time:  6/19/26 – 6/21/26; 6pm – 12am

 

6.      Special Event – One Day Entertainment License (Cinco de Mayo Celebration)

Applicant: Jose Sanchez Ortiz

Business Name: El Azteca Mexican Restaurant

Address: 335 Newport Avenue, East Providence

Date & Time:  5/5/26; 4pm – 10pm

 

7.      Special Event – One Day Block Party/Food Truck Event

Applicant: Natalie Karneeb

Business Name: Armstrong Properties

Address: 187 N. Brow Street, East Providence, RI

Date & Time:  6/7/26; 2pm – 8pm

 

8.      Special Event – Alcoholic License (Annual Feast)

Applicant: Ana Willis

Business Name: Holy Ghost Beneficial

Address: 51 N. Phillips Street, East Providence

Date & Time:  5/22/26 - 5/24/26; 6pm -10pm

 

9.      Special Event – Alcoholic License (Holy Ghost Feast)

Applicant: Glen Fagundes

Business Name: Trinity Brotherhood

Address: 146 Sutton Avenue, East Providence

Date & Time:  5/29/26; 6pm – 12am

 

10.  Special Event – Alcoholic License (Holy Ghost Feast)

Applicant: Glen Fagundes

Business Name: Trinity Brotherhood

Address: 146 Sutton Avenue, East Providence

Date & Time:  5/30/26; 6pm – 12am

 

11.  Special Event – Alcoholic License (Holy Ghost Feast)

Applicant: Glen Fagundes

Business Name: Trinity Brotherhood

Address: 146 Sutton Ave, East Providence

Date & Time:  5/31/26; 5pm – 9pm

 

12.  Special Event – Alcoholic License (Church Annual Feast)

Applicant: Rita Vargas

Business Name: St. Francis Xavier Church

Address: 81 N. Carpenter Street, East Providence

Date & Time:  6/19/26 – 6/21/26; 6pm – 12am

 

13.  Type of Business: MFV – New  Mobile Food Truck

Applicant: Claudia Cornejo

Business Name: Davies School (Patriot Plates)

Owner’s Location: 50 Jenckes Hill Road, Lincoln

 

14.  Type of License: New Business (Sunday & Holidays)

            Applicant: Daniel Brennan

            Business Name: Starbucks

            Business Location: 50 Narragansett Park Dr., East Providence

 

      15. Type of License: New Business Mobile Truck

            Applicant: Sarah Macmillan

            Business Name: Sugah Rush

            Owner’s Location: 9 Westwood Road, Bristol

16. Type of License: New Business Mobile Food Truck

      Applicant: William Webb

            Business Name: Chariho School District

            Owner’s Location: 455A Switch Rd, Wood River Junction

 

     17.   Type of License: New  Business Mobile Food Truck

            Applicant: Claudia X. Cornejo

            Business Name: Davies Career & Technical School

            Owner’s Location: 50 Jenckes Hill Road, Lincoln

 

B.     MOTION TO BUNDLE NON-PUBLIC HEARING  LICENSES C1 – C17

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

 

C.    MOTION TO APPROVE NON-PUBLIC HEARING LICENSES

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

           

D.    PUBLIC HEARING - NONE

 

VIII.       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.      Nancy Hale - Historic Oldham Property on Bullocks Point

2.      Ana Lucia Garcia Guarniz, MD Brown University Health -a proposed emergency stroke research study that may involve EMS services in the city

 

IX. PUBLIC COMMENT

Anyone wishing to make public comments 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 be limited to thirty (30) minutes per meeting.

 

1.      Clay Graham – Talked about the Fam Jam Loop de Looff bike ride.  May 2, 2026 at 1pm.  Riverside Square, E. Providence

2.      Candy Seal – Showing support of Councilwoman Sousa resolution regarding Metacomet and requesting a public meeting

3.      Joseph Berlinsky, Esq. - representing Metacomet Property LLC in connection with the proposed development to be located at 500 Veterans Memorial Parkway, East Providence.  Agree to set up a meeting with the public within a week to answer any questions.

4.      Hether Andrade – Wanted to know if Indigenous people on the Metacomet land all week during Excavation and why are diggers wearing hazmat’s suits with golfers only 6 feet away.

 

X.    APPOINTMENTS

 

1.      Appointment of Heather Redmann Penden, to the East Providence Public Library Trustees. Commission (3) year term effective 4/22/2026 – 4/23/26. (Appointed by Council President Rodericks and Councilman Lawson

 

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

 

XI. COUNCIL MEMBERS

 

1.      Possible vote to have RIDEM schedule a meeting to discuss the SAGE Environmental findings at Metacomet Property. Councilwoman Sousa.

Councilwoman Sousa has been in communication with RIDEM and they have provided an update.  Council will like to send an official letter to SAGE  requesting a meeting.

 

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

 

 

XII.          PUBLIC HEARINGS – Ordinance for second and/or final passage for discussion and possible vote

 

1.      Ordinance of the council of the City of East Providence appropriating $1,700,000 for the             South Broadway and Martin Street utility improvements and paving. Introduced by: Councilman Fogarty, Council President Rodericks, Council Vice President Rego, Councilman Lawson.  Councilman Fogarty acknowledges and oversight on this ordinance and would like to add Councilwoman Sousa in support of the document. 

 

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

 

XIII.       CONTINUED BUSINESS

 

XIV.        NEW BUSINESS

 

A.    MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS – Director of Policy & Constituent Services, Andre Herrera

1.      Appointment/Reappointment requiring Council Confirmation

·        None

2.     Appointment/Reappointment not requiring Council Confirmation

·        None

3.      Items for announcement/discussion

·         Proclamation recognizing Friday, April 24, 2026, as “Arbor Day” in the City of East Providence.

·         Update on the Loof Carousel Concession Stand.

·         Update on the ongoing cleaning and lining DPW work.

 

B.     REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS

 

C.    REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE LIAISON – Councilman Lawson

 

D.    RESOLUTIONS - For discussion and possible vote

 

1.      Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into a Lease Agreement with Joe's Snack Shack to Operate the Looff Carousel Concession Stand (Council Vice President Rego, Councilman Lawson)

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.      Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into a Contract for the South Broadway and Martin Street Utility Improvements and Paving Project (Councilman Fogarty, Council President Rodericks)

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.      Resolution of the City Council in Support of Fully Funding State Aid to Libraries to the Full Twenty-Five (25) Percent (Council President Rodericks)

 

 

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

 

4.      Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into a Contract with True North Civil for Construction of Grant Funded Right of Way Improvements in a Portion of Taunton Avenue Associated with One Neighborhood Builders' Center City Apartments Development (Council President Rodericks)

 

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

 

5.      Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into a Contract with Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) for Engineering and Project Management Services Associated with the City's USDOT Smart Grant Project (Council President Rodericks) Councilwoman Sousa asked if  the data be shared with the Council.  City Solicitor Michael Marcello stated he will confirm with the company if the data will be shared with the city.

 

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

 

E.     INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - For discussion and possible vote

 

1.      An ordinance in amendment of Chapter 10 of the revised ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled “nuisances “ amending Sec. 10-51(10) changing start time for construction or repair of buildings from 7 am to 6:30 am (Councilman Fogarty)

 

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

 

XV.           ADJOURNMENT

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

 

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