City Council, June 11, 2014
A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council is held Wednesday, June 11, 2014, at 8:13 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 137 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI.
Present – President Moran, Councilors Barros, Barry, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.
Absent – 0.
President Moran presides.
The reading of the records of May 21, 2014, is dispensed with and the records are APPROVED as prepared by the Clerk.
Upon motion made by Councilor Mercer, seconded by Councilor Barros, the *Consent Agenda is APPROVED, on a unanimous voice vote.
*THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATIONS ARE READ AND ORDERED FILED:
| | A. Communication from Eileen Prochet, Secretary to the Superintendent, Lincoln Public Schools, to RI Cities and Towns. (Resolution in Support of 2014-H 7896 & 2014-S 2397 regarding an Amendment to Article XII – Regarding Education) |
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| | B. Communication from Mary L. LeBlanc, MMC, Westerly Deputy Town Clerk, to RI City and Town Clerks. (Resolution in Support of Eliminating the Master Lever) |
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| | C. Communication from Julie A. Coelho, CMC, Warren Town Clerk, to RI City and Town Clerks. (Resolution in Support of 2014-H 7896 & 2014-S 2397 regarding an Amendment to Article XII – Regarding Education) |
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| | D. Communication from Amy Rose Weinreich, CMC, Charlestown Town Clerk, to RI City and Town Clerks. (Resolution in Support of H 7178 & S 2314 Prohibiting the Free Distribution of Plastic Bags) |
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| | E. Resolution from Kathleen M. Silvia, Newport City Clerk to RI City and Town Clerks. (Support of H 7593 and S 2034 to make RI Legislators Subject to the Jurisdiction of the Ethics Commission) |
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| | F. Communication from Rhode Island Clean Water Finance Agency to the City of Pawtucket (Various Forms and Statements) |
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| | G. Communication from Alina B. and Krzysztof J. Wreczycki, to the Pawtucket City Council. (Submitting a Copy of a Communication to Mayor Donald R. Grebien regarding M & G Transport Inc.) |
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| | H. Communication from Raymond M. Gannon, to Mayor Donald R. Grebien. (Resignation from the Pawtucket Housing Authority) |
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| | I. Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Appointment of Retired Police Chief George L. Kelley, III, to the Pawtucket Housing Authority. Term Expires March, 2017) |
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| | J. Communication from Kenneth R. McGill, Registrar, Board of Canvassers, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Full Report of Fixes to Polling Locations) |
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| | K. Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket Delegation. (Support for the Micro Zone Economic Revitalization Act) |
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| ** | M. Communication from Lance Hill, PE, Director of Public Works, to Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk. (Response – Update regarding Buildings in Oak Grove Cemetery) |
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| | O. Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Submitting the Pawtucket Lodge No. 4 Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Contract for July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013) IS REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. |
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| | P. Communication from Jay Forgue, 1135 Roosevelt Avenue, LLC, to Mayor Donald R. Grebien. (Tax Stabilization Request) IS REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. |
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| | Q. Communication from Joanna L’Heureux, Director of Finance, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Arbitration Award – Reclassify Tax Reconciliation Clerk from an R29 to an R35) |
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| | R. AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 2997 OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET ESTABLISHING A PAY PLAN FOR THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET FOR LOCAL 1012. (Reclassification of Tax Reconciliation Clerk from an R29 to an R35) – IS LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. |
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| | T. THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS ARE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS: Monica Davis – Pending Estimates Maria Filipe - $160.74/$174.65 Francisco and Maria Santos - $190.00 |
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| ** | TAKEN OFF CONSENT AGENDA FOR COMMENTS ONLY, NO OTHER ACTION TAKEN. |
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| | L. Communication from Michael Lewis, Director, RI Department of Transportation, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Response – Repair of Division Street Bridge Lights) is READ AND ORDERED FILED. |
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR VITALI.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Vitali, seconded by Councilor Barry, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Lance Hill, PE, Director of Public Works, requesting a timetable for repairing the lights on the Division Street Bridge.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, seconded by Councilor Barros, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Paul King, Chief of Police and Lieutenant Roberto DaSilva, requesting their opinion of the application for an entertainment license by Casa De Oracion Getsemani regarding the closing of Park Street from Lupine Street to Laurel Street.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, seconded by Councilors Barros and Vitali, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Shaun Logue, Director, Zoning & Code Enforcement, requesting to know how he plans to handle the yard sale signs posted around the city that are not removed within 48 hours of the sale as required by city ordinance.
| | N. Communication from Vincent Ceglie, Executive Director, BVCAP, to Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk. (Response – Grass & Debris at Laurel Hill Playground on Lonsdale Avenue) is READ AND ORDERED FILED. |
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR RUDD.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Rudd, seconded by Councilor Vitali, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Vincent Ceglie, Executive Director, BVCAP, regarding the former Laurel Hill Playground on Lonsdale Avenue. Councilor Rudd states that as of Monday, June 9, 2014, this playground has not been cleaned up. The Council requests that this property be cleaned as soon as possible.
S. Communication from Steven Brown, Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union of RI; Jim Ryczek, Executive Director RI Coalition for the Homeless; and Barbara Kalil and Megan Smith, RI Homeless Advocacy Project, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Soliciting for Money along City Streets) is READ AND ORDERED FILED AND REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR RUDD.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Rudd, seconded by Councilor Tetreault, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Paul King, Chief of Police, requesting that he have patrols look out for aggressive panhandlers in front of the convenience store located at the intersection of Mineral Spring Avenue and Smithfield Avenue, between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Councilor Rudd noted a potential problem at that location.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR HODGE.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Hodge, seconded by Councilors Rudd and Barry, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed, expressing the City Council’s support for bills H 8119 and S 2989, regarding the creation of Micro Zones for economic revitalization in distressed communities.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR HODGE.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Hodge, seconded by Councilors Rudd and Mercer, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, asking him or members of his administration to attend a Pre-Council Session on Wednesday, June 25, 2014, to make a presentation to the Council regarding the change of a portion of Broadway from one-way to two-way. The Council questions the benefits of this change, whether the $100,000 cost of the project could be better spent on other projects in downtown, and about potential accidents caused by the change. The Council also asks why there is such a rush for this project.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR BARRY.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Barry, on behalf of Council President Moran, seconded by Councilor Mercer, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Paul King, Chief of Police, requesting that a portable speed indicator device be set-up on Pinecrest Drive, at the intersection of Diana Drive, between June 16 and June 22, 2014. The device should be operating 24 hours per day during that period of time. The Council noted a speeding problem at that location.
COUNCILOR MERCER LEAVES THE CHAMBERS AT 8:36 P.M.
Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following appointment as a member of the Juvenile Hearing Board, for CONFIRMATION:
JUVENILE HEARING BOARD
The following nomination submitted by His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, for confirmation is CONFIRMED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Barros, Barry, Hodge, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
JUVENILE HEARING BOARD
Bryant A. Estrada, 46 Owen Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term expires the first Monday in December, 2016. (To fill the unexpired term of Jorge Tobon)
Communication from Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following reappointment by Council President Moran as a member of the Riverfront Commission, pending confirmation from Mayor Donald R. Grebien
RIVERFRONT COMMISSION
The following Council reappointment is APPROVED, pending confirmation by the Mayor, on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Barros, Barry, Hodge, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
RIVERFRONT COMMISSION
Lewis Soares, 18 Chestnut Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term expires the first Monday in June, 2017.
COUNCILOR MERCER RETURNS TO THE CHAMBERS AT 8:39 P.M.
THE FOLLOWING REAPPOINTMENT BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT MORAN TO THE ARTS PANEL REVIEW COMMITTEE IS CONFIRMED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Barros, Barry, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
THE ELECTION OF A COUNCIL MEMBER TO SERVE ON THE RIVERFRONT COMMISSION. Term expires first Monday in June 2015, is taken up:
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR RUDD
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR RUDD.
Upon motion made by Councilor Rudd, seconded by Councilors Barry, Hodge, Vitali and Tetreault, the following is elected to serve as the Council representative on the Riverfront Commission, term expires the first Monday in June 2015, on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Barros, Barry, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT DAVID P. MORAN
The following resolution is read and PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Barros, Barry, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
The following resolution is read and PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Barros, Barry, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
The following resolution is read and PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Barros, Barry, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION IS READ AND PASSED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Barros, Barry, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
COUNCILOR BARROS LEAVES THE CHAMBERS AT 8:48 P.M.
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION IS READ AND PASSED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Barry, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION IS READ AND PASSED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Barry, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION IS READ AND PASSED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Barry, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION IS READ AND PASSED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Barry, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION RETURNED BY THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE IS TAKEN UP:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A LEASE BETWEEN THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET AND VM SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM FOR THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY DESIGNATED AS 272 MAIN STREET IN THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR TETREAULT.
Upon motion made by Councilor Tetreault, seconded by Councilors Vitali, Hodge, Rudd and Barry, the following resolution is POSTPONED on a unanimous voice vote:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A LEASE BETWEEN THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET AND VM SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM FOR THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY DESIGNATED AS 272 MAIN STREET IN THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET.
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION RETURNED BY THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE IS TAKEN UP:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A LEASE BETWEEN THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET AND FIRE ALARMS CONTROLS AND TESTING FOR THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY DESIGNATED AS 260 MAIN STREET IN THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR TETREAULT.
Upon motion made by Councilor Tetreault, seconded by Councilors Vitali, Hodge, Rudd and Barry, the following resolution is POSTPONED on a unanimous voice vote:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A LEASE BETWEEN THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET AND FIRE ALARMS CONTROLS AND TESTING FOR THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY DESIGNATED AS 260 MAIN STREET IN THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE IS READ FOR THE FIRST TIME AND PASSED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Barry, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 3033 OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET (SETTING COMPENSATION FOR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS IN THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET IN FISCAL YEAR 2015)
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING TAX APPEAL SETTLEMENT IS APPROVED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Barry, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
Ventas Realty LP - $60,000 in tax credits per year for 3-years and the tax appeal for all years is dismissed with prejudice.
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY ARE APPROVED FOR PAYMENT ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Barry, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
Liliveth Castano - $164.20
Lynne DePalma - $300.00
Dorothy Insisiengmay - $115.98
Donna Noonan - $50.00
Douglas Paradis - $300.00
Mary Yeghian - $261.98
Robert Thurber - $3,137.46
Anthony Monte -$2,108.56
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY ARE REFERRED TO THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT/RHODE ISLAND INTERLOCAL TRUST FOR FURTHER REVIEW, ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE:
Mary Franklin by Robert J. Levine, Esq. – No Amount Specified
Kelly Pierce by Richard Tallo, Esq. - $100,000.00
David R. Sirois by Timothy Williamson, Esq. - $100,000.00
Isabell Tremblay by Richard J. Savage, Esq. - $100,000.00
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE FOLLOWING CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY IS POSTPONED, ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE:
Donna Scudieri - $1,386.19/$1,670.54
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR VITALI.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Vitali, seconded by Councilor Rudd, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Patti DiCenso, Interim Superintendent of Schools, requesting that she look into reports of a flea infestation at Cunningham School. Councilor Vitali was told that the infestation was confined at this time to a single office at the school. The council is concerned that it could spread quickly if not treated immediately.
Upon motion made by Councilor Barry, seconded by the entire City Council, the meeting is adjourned at 9:17 p.m., in memory of Martin Mensah, father of City Sergeant Ama Amponsah.