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CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
March 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/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 A Lawson X Rego X Sousa A Rodericks X
II. SHOW CAUSE HEARING - The following businesses are subject to a hearing for their alleged 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
A motion made by councilman Lawson to table this item until April 7, 2026, seconded by Council Vice President Rego
III. EXECUTIVE SESSION - NONE
IV. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
V. PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS - NONE
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR - For discussion and possible vote
A. COUNCIL JOURNALS:
1. Regular meeting minutes February 17, 2026
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | A | |
| Lawson | Seconded | |
| Rego | Motion | |
| Sousa | A | |
| Rodericks | X | |
VII. LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote
A. MOTION TO BUNDLE NON-PUBLIC HEARING LICENSES
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | A | |
| Lawson | Motion | |
| Rego | Seconded | |
| Sousa | A | |
| Rodericks | X | |
B. NON-PUBLIC HEARING
1. Special Event – One Day Entertainment License (DJ)
Applicant: Katia Reyes
Type of Event: Traveling Farmers Market
Business Name: Farm Fresh Rhode Island
Event Address: 150 Amaral Street, East Providence
Date & Time: 3/19/2026; 6pm – 9pm
2. Type of License: Victualing
Applicant: Hamdan Ahmad
Type of Business: Frozen Yogurt Shop
Business Name: 16 Handles
Location: 350 N. Broadway, East Providence, RI
3. Type of License: Victualing,
Type of Business: Ice Cream Shop
Applicant: Kelly Ireland
Business Name: Tizzy Ks LLC dba Tizzy K’s Cereal Ice Cream
Location: 45 Newport Avenue, East Providence
C. MOTION TO APPROVE NON-PUBLIC HEARING LICENSES
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | A | |
| Lawson | Motion | |
| Rego | Seconded | |
| Sousa | A | |
| Rodericks | X | |
D. PUBLIC HEARING
1. Type of License: Alcohol Class B Victualler
Type of Business: Cafe
Applicant: Kevin Matos
Business Name: Matos Café and Mercado Inc dba Matos Cafe and Mercado
Location: 227-233 Warren Avenue, East Providence
Motion to table until March 17, 20267 or to the next City Council meeting later when there is a quorum available.
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | A | |
| Lawson | Motion | |
| Rego | Recused | |
| Sousa | A | |
| Rodericks | Seconded | |
VIII. 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.
IX. 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 be limited to thirty (30) minutes per meeting.
X. APPOINTMENTS
1. Appointment of Matthew Shumate to the East Providence Waterfront District Commission (4) year term effective 3/3/2026 – 3/2/2030. Council President Rodericks
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | A | |
| Lawson | Motion | |
| Rego | Seconded | |
| Sousa | A | |
| Rodericks | X | |
XI. COUNCIL MEMBERS
1. Blizzard of 2026 Recap. Council President Rodericks
2. Community Choice Electricity Aggregation. Council Vice President Rego.
Administration is will be setting up a meeting with the /city of Providence and the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns.
3. A discussion request for $2500.00 for the Macoia Pow-Wow dated Sunday, July12, 2026 at Cresent Park. Funds to be requested from the City Council Public Celebration account. Council Vice President Rego
4. A discussion to request up to $3000.00 to fund the city’s EP 250 Website. Council Vice President Rego. The $3,000 monies that were requested to support the 250th anniversary committee will help create start up and events to celebrate this event.
5. Update on Crescent Park Projects-bathrooms, building, event tent. Councilman Lawson Andre Herrara stated the project remains on track and is set to commence in early Spring.
6. Hometown Heroes Banners. Councilman Lawson – Forms created by Andrea Vargas will be placed on the state website and available to the public.
XII. PUBLIC HEARINGS – Ordinance for second and final passage for discussion and possible vote
1. Ordinance of the Council of the City of East Providence allocating an additional $94,000 to complete the planned paving and related site improvements at John Lewis Park. Introduced by Council President Rodericks, Council Vice President Rego. Motion passed 3-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | A | |
| Lawson | Motion | |
| Rego | Seconded | |
| Sousa | A | |
| Rodericks | X | |
2. Ordinance of the Council of the City of East Providence allocating an additional $486,710 for the construction of a police substation and recreation storage facility at Pierce Memorial Stadium. Introduced by Council president Rodericks, Council Vice President Rego. Motion passed 3-0
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | A | |
| Lawson | Motion | |
| Rego | Seconded | |
| Sousa | A | |
| Rodericks | X | |
XIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS - NONE
XIV. NEW BUSINESS
A. MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS – Director of Policy & Constituent Services, Andre Herrera
1. Appointment/Reappointment requiring Council Confirmation
· Appointment of Errol Danehy to the Juvenile Hearing Board for a (3) year term effective 3/3/2026 – 3/2/2029
Approved Councilman Lawson, Seconded Council Vice President Rego
2. Appointment/Reappointment not requiring Council Confirmation
· None
3. Items for announcement/discussion
· Update from the City on the Blizzard of 2026
· Proclamation honoring March as “Irish American Heritage Month” in the City of East Providence. March 17th at 11:30am
· Proclamation honoring “International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month” in the City of East Providence
· Proclamation honoring the “205th Anniversary of Greek Independence Day” in the City of East Providence. March 25, 2026
· Proclamation honoring March as “Social Work Month” in the City of East Providence
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 Contract with Dubon Masonry Construction, LLC for the Construction of a Police Substation and Recreation Storage Facility at Pierce Memorial Stadium (Council President Rodericks, Council VP Rego)
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | A | |
| Lawson | Seconded | |
| Rego | Motion | |
| Sousa | A | |
| Rodericks | X | |
2. Resolution Authorizing the Granting of an Easement to Install an Electric Distribution System for the new East Providence Community Center (Council President Rodericks)
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | A | |
| Lawson | Motion | |
| Rego | Seconded | |
| Sousa | A | |
| Rodericks | X | |
3. Resolution requesting the expenditure of funds from the City Council Public Celebrations’ account to support the Macoia pow-wow. Council Vice President Rego
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | A | |
| Lawson | Seconded | |
| Rego | Motion | |
| Sousa | A | |
| Rodericks | X | |
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 | $ |
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | A | |
| Lawson | Motion | |
| Rego | Seconded | |
| Sousa | A | |
| Rodericks | X | |
XV. ADJOURNMENT - Motion to adjourn was made at 7:48pm
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | A | |
| Lawson | Seconded | |
| 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.
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