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City Council, September 23, 2015
A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council is held Wednesday, September 23, 2015, at 7:40 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 137 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI.
Present – President Moran, Councilors Bray, Cano, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault and Wildenhain.
Absent – Councilor Barry.
President Moran presides.
THE CITY COUNCIL RECESSES IMMEDIATELY TO CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE FOLLOWING:
AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 410 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996, ENTITLED “ZONING” (Text and Official Maps – Floodplain Regulations)
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TAX STABILIZATION FOR THE PAWTUCKET HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR THE PROPERTY AT 560 PROSPECT STREET, PAWTUCKET, RHODE ISLAND FOR A PERIOD OF FIFTEEN YEARS.
THE COUNCIL RECONVENES AT 7:52 P.M.
The reading of the records of September 9, 2015 is dispensed with and the records are APPROVED as prepared by the Clerk.
Upon motion made by Councilor Hodge, seconded by Councilor Rudd, the *Consent Agenda is APPROVED, on a unanimous voice vote.
*THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATIONS ARE READ AND ORDERED FILED:
| | A. Resolution from the City of Cranston in Support of the Quonset Air Museum. |
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| | B. Resolution from the Town of Warren in Support of the Quonset Air Museum. |
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| | C. Resolution from the Town of Jamestown in Support of the Quonset Air Museum. |
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| | D. Resolution from the Town of West Greenwich in Support of the Quonset Air Museum. |
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| | E. Resolution from the Town of Charlestown in Support of the Quonset Air Museum. |
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| | F. Communication from Denise Panichas, Executive Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Thank You for Support of The Samaritans) |
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| | G. Communication from Edward Sanderson, State Historic Preservation Office, to the City of Pawtucket. (National Register of Historic Places – Prospect Heights Housing Project, 560 Prospect Street) |
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| | H. Communication from Barney S. Heath, Director, Planning & Redevelopment, to Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk. (Pawtucket Housing Authority Tax Stabilization Request) |
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| | I. Communication from Susan Mara, Assistant Director, Planning & Redevelopment, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Planning Commission’s Approval of Floodplain Ordinance Update) |
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| ** | J. Communication from Ronald L. Wunschel, to His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien. (Resignation from the Pension Board) |
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| | M. Communication from Renee Massie, Pet Tech/Office Manager, Pawtucket Animal Shelter, to Councilor Mark Wildenhain, Chair, Animal Control Committee. (Requesting Funding from the Animal Control Fund for Promotion of Responsible Pet Ownership, Spay/Neuter Education, Animals Waiting for Adoption at the Animal Shelter) is REFERRED TO THE ANIMAL CONTROL COMMITTEE. |
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| ** | N. Communication from Barney S. Heath, Director, Planning & Redevelopment, to Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk. (Outdoor Burning) is REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE. |
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| | O. Communication from Henry S. Kinch, Jr., to the Honorable David P. Moran, President, Pawtucket City Council. (Frisbee Golf) is REFERRED TO THE RECREATION COMMITTEE. |
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| | P. Communication from Barney S. Heath, Director, Planning & Redevelopment, to Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk. (Parking License Agreement with Rhode Island Textile Company) is REFERRED TO THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE. |
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| | Q. THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY ARE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS: Jeanne Cataldo - $1,182.00/$1,305.24 Barbara Cimini - $166.02 Edward Gelsomino - $4,408.76/$4587.08 Terry Nau - $3,514.30 |
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| ** | TAKEN OFF CONSENT AGENDA FOR COMMENTS ONLY, NO OTHER ACTION TAKEN. |
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR RUDD.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Rudd, seconded by Councilor Hodge, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Antonio J. Pires, Director of Administration, asking how many grants the city applied for during the last fiscal year, a description of what each grant was for, how much was requested for each, and broken down by applications for new grants and applications for grant renewals. They also would like to know how much the city received during that time for the various grants.
| | K. Communication from Antonio J. Pires, Director of Administration, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Police Officer Recruitment) 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 Tetreault, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Antonio J. Pires, Director of Administration, asking how many new officers the city is looking to hire, how many officers the city will have after hiring the new recruits, and how many officers the city is supposed to have to be considered fully staffed.
| | L. Communication from John N. Blais, Recreation Director, to Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk. (Response – Signs at Max Reed Field) is READ AND ORDERED FILED. |
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR CANO.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Cano, seconded by Councilor Rudd, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to John Blais, Recreation Director, asking that the Council be notified when the signs for city parks are going to be purchased and put up. The Council requested that, in the meantime, temporary signs be installed at Max Reed Field, stating that no alcohol is allowed and the closing time at the field.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR HODGE.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Hodge, on behalf of Council President Moran, seconded by Councilor Cano, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, requesting the following regarding the Pawtucket Red Sox:
- Specific details on the mayor’s recent meeting with Larry Lucchino;
- That he set up a meeting before the end of the year with members of his administration, the City Council and the Pawtucket Delegation to the General Assembly, to discuss strategies to keep the PawSox in Pawtucket;
- What is his Plan B, should efforts to keep the PawSox in Pawtucket fail; and
- Consider setting up a committee including members of the Council to come up with a Plan B that will continue McCoy Stadium as a sports complex, should the PawSox leave.
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING CONTRACT IS RATIFIED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Bray, Cano, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR TETREAULT.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Tetreault, seconded by Councilors Rudd and Hodge, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Lance Hill, Director of Public Works, requesting the following information regarding FEMA reimbursement of Winter Storm Juno expenses:
- How much did the city seek in reimbursement for expenses caused by the storm?
- Has the City received anything in reimbursement from FEMA yet?
- If so, how much?
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION IS READ AND PASSED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Bray, Cano, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
COUNCILOR MERCER LEAVES THE CHAMBERS AT 8:22 P.M.
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION IS READ AND PASSED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Bray, Cano, Hodge, Rudd, Tetreault and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
COUNCILOR MERCER RETURNS TO THE CHAMBERS AT 8:25 P.M.
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 Bray, Cano, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PAY PLAN FOR THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET FOR UNIFORM MEMBERS OF THE POLICE AND REPEALING CHAPTER 2919 IN ITS ENTIRETY (July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014)
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 Bray, Cano, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 3009 OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET ESTABLISHING A PAY PLAN FOR THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET FOR LOCAL 3960 (Operations Supervisor – Zoning & Code Enforcement)
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE IS READ FOR THE FIRST TIME AND PASSED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Bray, Cano, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault and Wildenhain.
NOES - 0.
AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 410 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996, ENTITLED “ZONING” (Text and Official Maps – Floodplain Regulations)
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR BRAY.
Upon motion made by Councilor Bray, seconded by Councilor Rudd, the following city ordinance is REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE FOR REVIEW, on a unanimous voice vote:
§ 388-61. Overnight and Sunday and holiday parking prohibited.
Upon motion made by Councilor Rudd, seconded by the entire City Council, the meeting is adjourned at 8:31 p.m. in memory of George Stratis.