CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

MINUTES-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

February 17, 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

 

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   A   Rodericks   X

 

    II.            EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

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

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

 

1.      Claims and Litigation

A.    Natalie Brum - RM No. 25-080, Claim No. 25-042                                                   $523.50

B.     Kimberlee Dunn – RM No. 25-081, Claim No. 25-044                                             $227.39

C.     Ryan Russo (RI Custom Builders) – RM No. 25-077, Claim No. 25-045                  $1,052.13

D.    Antonio Bairos – RM No. 25-097, Claim No. 26-001                                               $652.00

E.     Kevin Amaral – Sewer Charge Abatement                                                                $373.59

F.      Armando Amaral – Sewer Charge Abatement                                                           $495.22

G.    Carol Oliver & Lori Pinheiro – Sewer Charge Abatement                                        $775.85

H.    Virginia Terrien Bridal – Sewer Charge Abatement                                                  $427.37

I.        Joanna Munoz – Sewer Charge Abatement                                                                $271.81

 

            MOTION TO MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

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

           

            MOTION RECONVENE INTO REGULAR SESSION

 

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

 

MOTION TO SEAL EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES

 

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

 

 III.            SALUTE TO THE FLAG

 

 IV.            PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

           

    V.            CONSENT CALENDAR - For discussion and possible vote

 

A.    COUNCIL JOURNALS:

1.      Regular meeting minutes February 3, 2026  

 

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

 

 VI.            LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote

 

A.    MOTION TO BUNDLE NON-PUBLIC HEARING  LICENSES B1 - B3

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

 

B.     NON-PUBLIC HEARING

 

1.      Special Event – One Day Road Race

Applicant: Erin Rose

Business Name: AIDS Project RI

Address: Pierce Field Stadium

Date & Time:  5/2/2026; 6am-1pm

 

2.      Type of License: New Business Tattoo Shop

Applicant: Paul Raymond

Business Name: Revia Studio LLC

Owner’s Location: 1445 Wampanoag Trail, East Providence

 

3.      Type of License: renewal seafood market; victualing

Applicant: William Foeri

Business Name: Eastside Shellfish dba Digger’s Catch

Owner’s Location: 204 Willett Avenue,

 

C.    MOTION TO APPROVE NON-PUBLIC HEARING LICENSES

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

           

D.    PUBLIC HEARING

 

VII.            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.

 

 

VIII.            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.

 

 IX.            APPOINTMENTS

 

1.      Appointment of Robert Baptista, III to the City Council Crescent Park Carousel.
Commission (3) year term effective 2/17/2026 – 2/16/2029.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    X.            COUNCIL MEMBERS

           

1.      Statement on former Oldham building. Councilman Lawson

2.      Request for update on Crescent Park building project.  Councilman Lawson

3.      Request for update on adding bathrooms on water side of Crescent Park.  Councilman Lawson

4.      Statement on current Oldham school.  Councilman Lawson

5.      Veterans Advisory Committee update. Councilman Lawson

 

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

 

1.      An ordinance amendment of Chapter 16 of revised ordinance of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998 as amended, entitled, “taxation”  adding Article XI. Exemption for Live/Workspace Deed Restricted Properties.  Introduced by Council Vice President Rego.

 

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

 

SECTION I.  Section 18-307 entitled “Parking prohibited at all times” of 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, entitled “Vehicles and Traffic” is amended by adding thereto the following:
Dover Avenue (west side) from Warren Avenue southerly for 250 feet.

SECTION II.  Section 18-307 entitled “Parking prohibited at all times” of 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, entitled “Vehicles and Traffic” is amended to read as follows:

 

            Dover Avenue (both east sides) from Warren Avenue southerly for 50 100 feet.

                        Introduced by Councilman Fogarty

 

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

 

XII.            CONTINUED BUSINESS

SHOW CAUSE HEARING – Update from meeting of February 3, 2026. All   requirements for issuance of licenses have been completed by the following businesses:

           

A.    Business Licenses

1.      Brazilian Family Market, 1024 South Broadway, East Providence
Needed Information:  Fire Inspection; Sunday & Holidays/Victualing license issued February 5, 2026.

2.      Popeye's, 40 Newport Avenue, East Providence, RI
Needed Information:  Sunday/Holiday and Victualing Business License payment pending. Appeared before the Council with a payment receipt dated 2/4/26; The Council stated upon confirmation from the City Clerk’s office, Popeye’s license will be issued on 2/18/2026.

3.      Jeff's Pizza, 27 Waterman Avenue, East Providence, RI (Victualling)
Needed information:  Building Inspection; Fire Inspection, License Fee; Victualing license issued February 5, 2026 Assistant City Solicitor Joel Votolato read in to the record the updates regarding the business licenses.

 

XIII.            NEW BUSINESS

 

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

1.      Appointment/Reappointment requiring Council Confirmation

a.       Appointment of Shannon Massaroco to the Juvenile Hearing Board for a (3) year term effective 2/17/2026 – 2/16/2029
Motion made to approve by Councilman Fogarty, seconded by Councilman Lawson

b.      Appointment of Sandra Forand to the Juvenile Hearing Board for a (3) year term effective 2/17/2026 – 2/16/2029
Motion made to approve by councilman Fogarty, seconded by Councilman Lawson

c.       Appointment of Kendal Martes to the Juvenile Hearing Board for a (3) year term effective 2/17/2026 – 2/16/2029
Motion made to approve by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Vice President Rego

d.      Appointment of Jason Rafferty to the Juvenile Hearing Board for a (3) year term effective 2/17/2026 – 2/16/2029
Motion made to approve made by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilman Fogarty

e.       Appointment of Sandra Gauthier to the Juvenile Hearing Board for a (3) year term effective 2/17/2026 – 2/16/2029
Motion made to approve made by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilman Fogarty

f.        Appointment of Patricia L. Resende to the Planning Board for a (5) year term effective 1/16/2025 – 1/15/2030
Motion made to approve made by Councilman Fogarty, seconded by Council Vice President Rego  Fogarty with Councilman Lawson voting Nay.
The motion passed 3-1

2.      Appointment/Reappointment not requiring Council Confirmation

·         None

3.      Items for announcement/discussion

a.       Proclamation honoring Chief Economic Planner, Jim Moran upon his retirement after nearly 35 years of dedicated service to the City of East Providence

b.      Invitation to our Annual Black History Month Celebration on Wednesday, February 25, at 11:30 AM in the Council Chambers

 

B.     REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS
Assistant City Solicitor Joel Votolato read into the record the results of the claims & litigations that was heard in executive session.

A.    Natalie Brum - RM No. 25-080, Claim No. 25-042                                                   $523.50

B.     Kimberlee Dunn – RM No. 25-081, Claim No. 25-044                                             $227.39

C.     Ryan Russo (RI Custom Builders) – RM No. 25-077, Claim No. 25-045                 $1,052.13

D.    Antonio Bairos – RM No. 25-097, Claim No. 26-001                                               $652.00

E.     Kevin Amaral – Sewer Charge Abatement                                                                $373.59

F.      Armando Amaral – Sewer Charge Abatement                                                           $495.22

G.    Carol Oliver & Lori Pinheiro – Sewer Charge Abatement                                        $775.85

H.    Virginia Terrien Bridal – Sewer Charge Abatement                                                  $427.37

I.        Joanna Munoz – Sewer Charge Abatement                                                               $271.81

 

All claims and litigation were approved by the City Council 4 – 0

 

C.    REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE LIAISON – Councilman Lawson

 

D.    RESOLUTIONS - For discussion and possible vote

 

1.      Resolution authorizing the Mayor to purchase turnout gear for the upcoming 37th fire training academy.  Introduced by Vice President Rego

 

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

 

2.      Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Pare Corporation for engineering and athletic design services for Pierce Memorial Stadium improvements. Introduced by Council President Roderick, Council Vice President Rego, Councilman Fogarty

 

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

 

 

E.     INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - For discussion and possible vote

None

 

XIV.            ADJOURNMENT

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty	Seconded
Lawson	X
Rego	Motion
Sousa	A
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: 2/12/2026