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CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
DOCKET-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
February 3, 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/live/O0OLgs5TAw0?si=5YI4HfeWFV7JwxgI
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 A Lawson X Rego X Sousa X Rodericks X
II. SHOW CAUSE HEARING - The following businesses are subject to a hearing for their allege failure to obtain the appropriate license as indicated.
A. Business Licenses
1. Dune Brothers - 684 Bullocks Point, East Providence, RI (Victualling)
Needed Information: RI Dept of Health, Building and Fire, Tangible Taxes, License Fee. The owner requested a continuation of this matter on February 2, 2026. Councilman Lawson motion to approve the request, seconded by Councilwoman Sousa and passed unanimously. This matter was continued to March 3, 2026.
2. Brazilian Family Market, 1024 South Broadway, East Providence
Needed Information: Fire Inspection Fire inspection was scheduled for 2/4/2026
3. Popeye's, 40 Newport Avenue, East Providence, RI
Needed Information: Tangible Taxes 1Q 2024 and 3Q 2025; District Manager is working with the corporate office on the outstanding tangible taxes; rescheduled for February 17, 2026
4. Jeff's Pizza, 27 Waterman Avenue, East Providence, RI (Victualling)
Needed information: Building Inspection; Fire Inspection, License Fee 100.00; Business owner did not appear before the Council; Fire inspection scheduled for February 4, 2026; rescheduled for February 17, 2026
B. Alcohol License
1. Holy Ghost Beneficial Brotherhood of RI, 51 North Phillips Street, East Providence, RI Needed Information: Certificate of Good Standing-RI Department of Taxation; Requested to be excused for a conflicting event. Received letter of good standing; renewed license on 2/3/2026.
2. Contenders Sports Bar, LLC, 535 North Broadway, East Providence, RI
Needed Information: Certificate of Good Standing – RI Department of Taxation; Appeared before the council; Received letter of good standing; license renewed on February 2, 2026
3. Town Liquor LLC, 179 Newport Avenue, East Providence, RI.
Need Information: Certificate of Good Standing – RI Department of Taxation; Appeared before the Council; Received letter of good standing; license renewed on February 2, 2026
III. EXECUTIVE SESSION - NONE
IV. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
V. PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR - For discussion and possible vote
A. COUNCIL JOURNALS:
1. Regular meeting minutes 1-27-2026
B. LETTERS:
1. New Address 8 Linden Avenue, E. Providence, RI, 02916, Map 403, Block 21, Parcel 055.10, Zoning R3
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | A | |
| Lawson | Motion | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | Seconded | |
| Rodericks | X | |
VII. LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote
A. MOTION TO BUNDLE NON-PUBLIC HEARING LICENSES B1 – B5
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | A | |
| Lawson | Motion | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | Seconded | |
| Rodericks | X | |
B. NON-PUBLIC HEARING LICENSES
1. Special Event – One Day Entertainment License (Arts Festival)
Applicant: Michelle Perry
Business Name: East Providence Arts Council
Address: 700 Bullocks Pt Avenue, East Providence, RI
Date & Time: 8/8/2026; 7am - 5pm
2. Special Event – One Day Entertainment License (DJ - Fundraiser Cancer Patient)
Applicant: Lucy Fontaine
Business Name: East Providence Elks Lodge 2337 BPO
Address: 60 Berkeley Street, East Providence
Date & Time: 2/21/2026; 12pm-8pm
3. Special Event – Block Party Application/Food Truck Event
Applicant: Michelle Perry
Business Name: East Providence Arts Council
Location of Event: 700 Bullocks Pt, East Providence
Date & Time: 8/8/2026; 7am – 8pm (rain date – 8/9/2026)
4. Type of License: New Business License (Auto Sales)
Applicant: Penny Quigley (LJE Property Holdings LLC)
Business Name: TAG EAST Providence dba Tasca Nissan East Providence
Address: 845 Taunton Avenue, East Providence, RI
5. Type of License: New Business License/Sun & Hol/Victualing
Applicant: Dennis A Rodriguez
Business Name: In progress Nutrition LLC dba Honey’s Cafe
Address: 1086 Willett Avenue, Unit 6, Riverside, RI
C. MOTION TO APPROVE NON-PUBLIC HEARING LICENSES B1 – B5
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | A | |
| Lawson | Motion | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | Seconded | |
| Rodericks | X | |
D. PUBLIC HEARING
1. Type of License: Liquor License (Class B-Victualling)
Applicant: Keith Viveiros (Ace Investments LLC)
Business Name: Society Coffee Bar, Inc.
Address: 50 North Broadway, East Providence, RI
Council Vice President Rego recused himself prior to the vote
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | A | |
| Lawson | Seconded | |
| Rego | Recused | |
| Sousa | Motion | |
| Rodericks | X | |
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.
IX. 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 be limited to thirty (30) minutes per meeting.
1. Jim Bennett – Complaint regarding LDC Industrial at 122 First Street; noise pollution. Neighbors are inhaling and ingesting chemicals. You can smell chemicals being burned. Machines are burning while the company is closed and it has had a total of 3 fires recently with no accountability. Asking for acknowledgement and also for Council support to get the issue rectified. Council President stated the City Solicitor and the Director of Policy & constituent Services will look into this topic further.
2. Renee Ignacio – Asked if the stop on cameras on the student school buses is up and running? If so, have there been any violations. The cameras are not a function of the City Council and don’t receive updates. A request can be made. City Solicitor Marcello indicated that Mrs. Ignacio has submitted a ARPA request and was given all the information. As far as he is aware no citations have been issued. And continued that he spoke to the Chief of Police who stated that the police department and vendor was meeting on the form of the citation.
X. APPOINTMENTS
XI. COUNCIL MEMBERS
a) EP City Council Veteran Advisory Committee Hometown Hero banner initiative announcement. Councilman Lawson. Program brought to the committee by Tori Jessop. Banners can be purchased for Veterans to be displayed along the roadways. Banners will be placed in Riverside along the parade route. Rogers Williams Ave, Warren and Taunton Avenue. Coffee Hour Weaver Library, February 28th at 9am. State Representatives will be in attendance.
b) Request for update on cell service issues around Crescent Park. Councilman Lawson. City Solicitor Michael Marcello will request an update from Assistant City Solicitor Joel Votoloto.
c) Community Choice Electricity Aggregation. Council Vice President Rego. Administration and Public Works regarding a RFQ and trying to get the best rate. Looking to send out vendor request in March. Council Vice President Rego requested to have item added to March 3, 2026 meeting for update from Director of Public Works Dan Borges.
d) Ward 2 Round Table Talk Monthly Meetings. Councilwoman Sousa. Meeting will be at the Weaver Library March 21, 2026, at 12:30pm, discussion on needs, suggestions, ideas and concerns. Welcome to all residents, not just Ward 2.
e) Update on consultant report and plans to address ongoing pedestrian crossing signal devices issues. Councilwoman Sousa: The report is currently in draft form. Waiting on the final details and once they are finalized the administration will give them to you to review and disseminate the report with the public. Waiting on Federal grant scope of review details to be finalized and once that is done, we will let you know. There are a couple of quotes that are in procurement. Two pedestrian crossings at Seventh Street and Warren Ave are in the works now. DPW is working on reestablishing electricity over there. Councilwoman Sousa this draft has been in the works since last year with the previous Chief of Staff.
f) The effect of AI on local tax base. Council Vice President Rego: Read a snip-it on Page 2, first paragraph written by David Brody regarding AI Moratorium. Basically, what they are saying if any major business like Bank of America or any other company in our city if they were to input an AI data service into their center they will become tax exempt. This is something we need to keep an eye on.
XII. PUBLIC HEARINGS – Ordinance for second and final passage for discussion and possible vote - NONE
XIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS
XIV. NEW BUSINESS
A. MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS – Director of Policy & Constituent Services, Andre Herrera
1. Appointment/Reappointment requiring Council Confirmation
· Reappointment of Wayne Barnes to the Conservation Commission for a (3) year term effective 1/2/2026 – 1/1/2029
· Reappointment of John Carney to the Conservation Commission for a (3) year term effective 1/2/2026 – 1/1/2029
One motion was made for both appointments.
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | A | |
| Lawson | Motion | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | Seconded | |
| Rodericks | X | |
2. Appointment/Reappointment not requiring Council Confirmation
· None
3. Items for announcement/discussion
· Proclamation honoring Human Resource Analyst III, Joan Kazarian upon her retirement after nearly 30 years of dedicated service to the City of East Providence
· Proclamation honoring February as “Black History Month” in the City of East Providence
· Proclamation honoring February as “Gallbladder and Bile Duct Cancer Awareness Month” in the City of East Providence
B. REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS
C. REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE LIAISON – Councilman Lawson - NONE
D. RESOLUTIONS - For discussion and possible vote - NONE
E. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - For discussion and possible vote
1. An ordinance in amendment of chapter 16 of the Revised ordinances of the city of east providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled “taxation” SECTION I. Subsection (b)(1) of Section 16-16 entitled “Authority of city assessor” of Article II entitled “Property Exemption for Veterans and Persons 65 Years of Age and Older” is amended to update the following property tax exemptions based on the most recent revaluation as follows:
| Exemption Category | Assessment Amount |
| Veteran/Widow | $ |
| Disabled 100% Service Connected | $ |
| 1% to 30% Veteran's Administration Disability Rating | $ |
| 31% to 60% Veteran's Administration Disability Rating | $ |
| 61% to 99% Veteran's Administration Disability Rating | $ |
| Veteran's Modified Housing | $ |
| Prisoner of War | $ |
This ordinance was tabled until the March 3, 2026, meeting. Motion passes 3-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | A | |
| Lawson | Motion | |
| Rego | Absent | |
| Sousa | Seconded | |
| Rodericks | X | |
XV. ADJOURNMENT
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | A | |
| Lawson | Seconded | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | Motion | |
| Rodericks | X | |
Councilwoman Sousa motioned to adjourn at 8:30pm.
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: 2/20/2026