City Council, October 22, 2003
A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council is held Wednesday, October 22, 2003, at 6:57 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 137 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI.
Present – President Barry, Councilors Bray, Carr, Clemente, Grebien, Hodge, Hoyas, Moran and Wildenhain.
Absent – 0.
President Barry presides.
2nd Class Tavern License – Leo Choiniere, 85 Montgomery St., LIC# 00228
The reading of the records of October 8, 2003, is dispensed with and the records are APPROVED as prepared by the Clerk.
Upon motion made by Councilor Bray, seconded by Councilor Hoyas, the *Consent Agenda is APPROVED, on a unanimous voice vote.
*THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATIONS ARE READ AND ORDERED FILED:
** TAKEN OFF CONSENT AGENDA FOR COMMENTS ONLY, NO OTHER ACTION TAKEN.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR GREBIEN.
With majority consent of the Council, Councilor Grebien introduces the following communications:
Communication from Melissa Young, to Councilor Donald R. Grebien. (Pit Bull Ordinance)
Communication from Stephanie Soscia, to Councilor Donald R. Grebien. (Pit Bull Ordinance)
Communication from Veronica Maxwell, to Councilor Donald R. Grebien. (Pit Bull Ordinance)
Upon motion made by Councilor Grebien, seconded by Councilor Hodge, the following communications are READ AND ORDERED FILED AND REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE:
Communication from Melissa Young, to Councilor Donald R. Grebien. (Pit Bull Ordinance)
Communication from Stephanie Soscia, to Councilor Donald R. Grebien. (Pit Bull Ordinance)
Communication from Veronica Maxwell, to Councilor Donald R. Grebien. (Pit Bull Ordinance)
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR GREBIEN.
With majority consent of the Council, Councilor Grebien introduces the following communication:
Communication from Joseph A. Keough, Jr., to Janice M. LaPorte, CMC, Clerk, Pawtucket City Council. (List of property held by PWSB, and outstanding land acquisitions)
Upon motion made by Councilor Grebien, seconded by Councilor Hodge, the following communication is READ AND ORDERED FILED AND REFERRED TO THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE:
Communication from Joseph A. Keough, Jr., to Janice M. LaPorte, CMC, Clerk, Pawtucket City Council. (List of property held by PWSB, and outstanding land acquisitions)
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE, A PUBLIC HEARING IS HELD ON THE FOLLOWING REQUEST FOR ABANDONMENT:
Speaking in favor is Michael D. Cassidy, Executive Director, Pawtucket Redevelopment Agency. Also present is Barney Heath, Assistant Director, Planning & Redevelopment.
Mr. Cassidy reviews the plan to make a two-way traffic pattern from Dexter Street to Park Place. Mr. Yip is willing to give the City of Pawtucket a corner of the registry property to make a smooth rounded turn. This would allow traffic to continue straight up Dexter Street to the registry.
Mr. Cassidy further explains that to make a two-way traffic pattern on this street, a portion of Main Street from Commerce Street-Park Place to Park Place West-Bayley Street needs to be abandoned, so that it does not interfere with the traffic flow.
The abandonment of this portion of Main Street will be a permanent utility easement and will also provide private parking for the abutters.
Mr. Cassidy explains that a vacant lot, owned by the Pawtucket Redevelopment Agency, that formerly housed the billboard, will be sold to Mr. Yip for parking for registry employees. This property will be sold at $1,000 per parking space for a total of $72,000.
Mr. Yip will sell the Pawtucket Redevelopment Agency the Old Colony Bank building for approximately $350,000.00.
Between the abandonment of the street and merging the Old Colony parking lot, Mr. Cassidy proposes there will be 45, much needed, parking spaces for the Parkin Yarn redevelopment; 72 parking spaces for Mr. Yip to provide for registry employees; 26 parking spaces to share for the reuse of the Old Colony Bank building; Lynch, Beretta & Bucci; and the Pawtucket Animal Clinic building; and 5 parking spaces for Coyle Appraisal.
Councilor Hoyas questions how much is the Agency buying and selling?
Mr. Cassidy states that the Agency is purchasing the Old Colony Bank building from Mr. Yip for approximately $350,000 and selling the corner lot as parking spaces to Mr. Yip for $1,000 per space for a total of $72,000.
Councilor Hoyas questions the value of the corner lot currently owned by PRA.
Mr. Cassidy states that the assessed value is $25,000. PRA is using assessed values rather than appraisal values.
Councilor Grebien asks why this property is being sold rather than leased.
Mr. Cassidy states that it is the PRA’s goal to sell property to developers and place properties back on the tax rolls. The PRA tries not to lease property due to liability and maintenance issues.
Councilor Hoyas questions who is presenting this plan, and does the Mayor support this plan.
Mr. Cassidy states that the PRA is presenting this plan along with the work of the City of Pawtucket’s Traffic and Public Works Departments. He states that the Mayor is in favor of this plan.
Councilor Clemente asks if there will be any public parking available in this area.
Mr. Cassidy states that these businesses have no designated parking now. There are no more than 30 parking spaces available on Main Street and registry customers and employees also park there. This would give these businesses their own privately controlled parking.
Councilor Hodge questions if an owner would be able to build in the 72 parking space lot, and would any building need to go before Zoning or require a zone change.
Mr. Cassidy states that the only portion of this land that is buildable is the original corner lot, as the abandoned portion of Main Street would remain a permanent utility easement and is not buildable.
Councilor Hodge questions why the egress to this parking lot is on Park Place West rather than Park Place.
Mr. Cassidy states that there is an existing curb cut there and the traffic department’s study did not feel that there would be a traffic back up on Park Place West.
Councilor Grebien questions what zone the current corner billboard lot is in.
Mr. Cassidy states that this is a Commercial Downtown Zone.
President Barry questions who the PRA is planning to sell the Old Colony Bank building to.
Mr. Cassidy states that this building would be best used as office space. There could not be a restaurant, etc. at this location due to limited parking. He is looking for a developer with a low intensity use.
Speaking in opposition is William E. Coyle, III, 393 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI.
Mr. Coyle states that his business was originally in the Old Colony Bank building formally known as the MJ Gallagher Building, built by his grandfather.
Mr. Coyle states that his business is now located at the other end of the street. He looked into purchasing the Old Colony bank building a few years ago; however, he was told that it would need $600,000 to clean up the property and to meet EPA’s standards.
The current building that he is in houses his appraisal business, and other limited uses. He states that Mr. Yip has approximately 75 parking spaces at the Old Colony Bank building for his employees, yet the lot usually has no more than 40 cars. Employees insist on parking on Main Street instead.
Mr. Coyle states that the first time he saw this parking plan was yesterday. He agrees that Parkin Yarn needs to be developed and he understands that parking needs to be provided. However, according to the zoning hearing, the parking was supposed to be agreeable.
Mr. Coyle states that he needs more than 5 parking spaces for his business. He suggests that the parking be made available for all to use.
Councilor Wildenhain questions how many parking spaces would Mr. Coyle require.
Mr. Coyle states that he feels according to the zoning ordinance, his building should be entitled to 10-14 spaces.
Councilor Hoyas asks how many spaces does Mr. Coyle currently have.
Mr. Coyle states that he currently has parking on Main Street but no private parking.
Councilor Hoyas states the Mr. Coyle currently has no private parking and the City would be giving him 5 private parking spaces.
Mr. Coyle states that the problem is that there would be only 5 spaces; currently he has more on Main Street.
He feels that limiting his parking would destroy his business and he is further concerned that the address he has had for the past 50 yrs would change. He asks if his address would still be Main Street.
The next speaker in opposition is John P. Lynch, 1 Park Place West, Pawtucket, RI.
Mr. Lynch states that he is a partner in Lynch Beretta & Bucci. He has no interest in the real estate of this property, as his partner Mr. Bucci is the property owner.
Mr. Lynch states that he would love to see the Parkin Yarn building and the Old Colony building developed and he is aware that the PRA has been working very hard.
Mr. Lynch states that without adequate parking he will lose business. He currently needs parking for his 9 employees and his business customers. He feels that with the Old Colony Bank building and the Pawtucket Animal Clinic building there will not be enough parking to go around in a lot that is shared.
President Barry questions Mr. Cassidy regarding the environmental issues at the Old Colony Bank building addressed by Mr. Coyle.
Mr. Cassidy states that these are environmental issues, but the PRA is hoping the developer would take on these issues, such as what is being done now at the Armory.
Mr. Cassidy further states that this abandonment needs to take place for the traffic improvements to be done.
President Barry states that if Main Street needs to be closed for these traffic improvements, barricades should be put up.
Councilor Hodge asks how many meetings did Mr. Cassidy have with Mr. Coyle and Mr. Bucci.
Mr. Cassidy states that he has had many conversations with Mr. Coyle and Mr. Bucci, and states that there is simply not enough land. The lease for the registry states that Mr. Yip needs to provide parking for employees.
President Barry asks how many more years are left on the lease.
Mr. Cassidy will obtain that information.
Councilor Grebien stresses his concerns that when this request was before the City Property Committee, Mr. Heath and Ms. Godin gave the impression that all property owners were agreeable. He is concerned that these plans were only presented to the property owners yesterday.
President Barry states that the current business owners need to be taken care of justly. They have remained in Pawtucket for many years, and their needs need to be met. President Barry further states his concerns about paying Mr. Yip approximately $350,000 for the Old Colony Bank building when the City sold this building to Mr. Yip for approximately $90,000 and could have taken this property back at a tax sale three years ago.
The Council asks Mr. Cassidy to work out an agreeable plan with the property owners and report back to the Council.
There are no other speakers.
The Public Hearing is closed.
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION IS LAID ON THE TABLE ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE:
COUNCILOR MORAN LEAVES THE CHAMBERS AT 8:11 P.M.
The following resolution is read and PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES - President Barry, Councilors Bray, Carr, Clemente, Grebien, Hodge, Hoyas, and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
The following resolution is read and PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES - President Barry, Councilors Bray, Carr, Clemente, Grebien, Hodge, Hoyas, and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
The following resolution is read and PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES - President Barry, Councilors Bray, Carr, Clemente, Grebien, Hodge, Hoyas, and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
The following resolution is read and PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES - President Barry, Councilors Bray, Carr, Clemente, Grebien, Hodge, Hoyas, and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
The following resolution is read and PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES - President Barry, Councilors Bray, Carr, Clemente, Grebien, Hodge, Hoyas, and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR HOYAS.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Hoyas, seconded by Councilor Hodge, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to John E. Carney, Director of Public Works, regarding Slater Park.
Councilor Hoyas has noticed the beatification projects at Slater Park, specifically at the Armistice Boulevard entrance. He is asking if there are any plans to refurbish the drinking fountain in this area.
Councilor Hoyas is further requesting the following information regarding restroom facilities in Slater Park:
A response is requested in time for the November 5, 2003, City Council Meeting.
COUNCILOR HOYAS LEAVES THE CHAMBER AT 8:15 P.M.
The following ordinance is read for the second time and PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES - President Barry, Councilors Bray, Carr, Clemente, Grebien, Hodge, and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
The following ordinance is read for the first time and PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES - President Barry, Councilors Bray, Carr, Clemente, Grebien, Hodge, and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET 2003 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
COUNCILOR MORAN RETURNS TO THE CHAMBERS AT 8:16 P.M.
THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE IS LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE:
AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 2652 OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET ESTABLISHING A PAY PLAN FOR THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET. (Increase Personnel Director from X15 to X16)
*THE FOLLOWING LICENSES ARE APPROVED ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE:
*THE FOLLOWING BOND IS APPROVED, SURETY NAMED IS ACCEPTED:
PRIVATE DETECTIVE –
Nicky J. Fernandes, Surety – Western Surety Company
*THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY ARE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS: