City Council, December 7, 2016

 

 

A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council is held Wednesday, December 7, 2016, at 7:54 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 137 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. 

 

Present – President Moran, Councilors Barry, Bray, Cano, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault and Wildenhain

 

Absent – 0.

 

President Moran presides.

 

 

The reading of the records of November 22, 2016 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:

 

650			A.    Communication from Andrew Silvia, PE, PMP, Chief of Project Development, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (State Traffic Commission Study of the intersection of George Street and the Exit 27 off-ramp of Interstate 95 Southbound)
028			B.     Communication from Traci Pena, Office Manager, RIDEM, Office of Water Resources RIPDES Program, to Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk.  (Permit Notice – Narragansett Bay Commission – Bucklin Point & Field’s Point)
7			C.     Various Forms and Statements from RI Infrastructure Bank.
590			D.    Communication from Dylan Zelazo, Chief of Staff, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Response - Renewable Energy/Solar Status)
625			F.      Communication from Antonio J. Pires, Director of Administration, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Public Works Director Position)
625			G.    Communication from Antonio J. Pires, Director of Administration, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Public Safety Director Position)
623			H.    Communication from Don Zimmerman, Director of Human Resources, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Amendments to Department Head Play Plan Ch. 3057 – Director of Public Safety and Director of Public Works)
			I.        AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 3057 OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET ENTITLED “AN ORDINANCE FIXING THE SALARIES OF HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND APPOINTED OFFICERS” (Create: Public Safety Director) – IS LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
			J.       AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 3057 OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET ENTITLED “AN ORDINANCE FIXING THE SALARIES OF HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND APPOINTED OFFICERS” (Amend: Public Works Director) – IS LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
623			K.    Communication from Don Zimmerman, Director of Human Resources, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Amendment to Unclassified Non-Union Pay Plan Ch. 3058 – Create: Logistics Officer; Delete: Volunteer Coordinator/Logistics Officer)
	L.     AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 3058 OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET ENTITLED “AN ORDINANCE FIXING THE SALARIES OF UNCLASSIFIED NON-UNION POSITIONS” (Create: Logistics Officer; Delete: Volunteer Coordinator/Logistics Officer) IS LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
	M.   THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY IS REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS: Jane Andrade – Pending Estimates Cremilda Daluz - $99.00 David Denda, by Richard C. Tallo, Esq. – No Amount Specified Isabelle Tremblay, by Richard J. Savage, Esq. - $100,000
1		E.     Communication from Paul King, Chief of Police, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Response – Armistice Boulevard - Weight Limit) is READ AND ORDERED FILED.

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN.

 

With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, seconded by Councilor Barry, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Michael E. Burns, Traffic Engineering Supervisor, regarding weight limits on Armistice Boulevard.  In Chief King’s letter it was noted that the police will enforce the weight limit on trucks travelling east on Armistice Boulevard into Seekonk; however, there is no weight limit travelling west into the city from Seekonk.  The council would like Mr. Burns to find a remedy to this problem so that the city may implement a weight limit travelling west.  

 

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR HODGE.

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Hodge, on behalf of Council President Moran, seconded by Councilor Barry, the agenda is amended to include the following communication:

 

028   Communication from Holly Czapski, to Council President David P. Moran.  (Fire Safety Issues at Hope Artiste Village)

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Hodge, on behalf of Council President Moran, seconded by Councilor Barry, the following communication is READ AND ORDERED FILED and the Clerk is instructed to forward this communication to the zoning department, fire department, and the director of public safety and request that they do what is necessary to ensure compliance with the occupancy limits of the space and all other building and fire codes that apply to the Hope Artiste Village building. 

 

Communication from Holly Czapski, to Council President David P. Moran.  (Fire Safety Issues at Hope Artiste Village)

 

 

 

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 he attend a pre-council meeting on Wednesday, January 11, 2017, to discuss ways to improve communication with the Council regarding crime in the districts.  The Council wants to be notified, but especially the district councilors, when there are shootings, stabbings or capital crimes in their districts.   If approached by a constituent regarding an incident, they want to be sure to know what is happening.

 

Councilor Barry noted that he still gets emails every day about what is happening in his district.  President Moran and others stated that they haven’t gotten those calls in a long time. 

 

They are also asking if the Reverse 911 can be used to notify residents of crimes in the area.  This would allow residents to better protect themselves from potential danger and would enable residents to provide information to the police.

 

 

 

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING AGREEMENT IS RATIFIED:

 

AYES – President Moran, Councilors Barry, Bray, Cano, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault and Wildenhain.

 

NOES - 0.

 

Drawer 8         Ratification of the Employment Agreement between the Pawtucket Water Supply Board and James Decelles, P.E., Chief Engineer. 

 

 

 

 

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, Bray, Cano, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault and Wildenhain.

 

NOES - 0.

 

033   RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ABATEMENT OF TAXES ON AUTOMOBILES, REAL ESTATE, AND TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $245,422.97 FOR JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2016

 

 

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, Bray, Cano, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault and Wildenhain.

 

NOES - 0.

 

588   RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF $1,808,208 OF MEDICAL RESERVES (ASSIGNED FUND BALANCE FOR MEDICAL) TO THE INTERNAL SERVICE FUND (FUND 198)

 

 

 

THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION IS READ AND PASSED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

 

AYES – President Moran, Councilors Barry, Bray, Cano, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault and Wildenhain.

 

NOES - 0.

 

588   RESOLUTION CHANGING THE TIME OF THE DECEMBER 21, 2016 COUNCIL AND BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS MEETINGS TO 5:30 P.M.

 

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR HODGE.

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Hodge, seconded by Councilor Rudd, the agenda is amended to include the following communication:

 

1       Communication from Paul King, Chief of Police, to David P. Moran, President, Pawtucket City Council (Parking on Non-Paved Streets)

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Hodge, seconded by Councilor Rudd, the following communication is READ AND ORDERED FILED:

 

Communication from Paul King, Chief of Police, to David P. Moran, President, Pawtucket City Council (Parking on Non-Paved Streets)

 

 

 

The following ordinance is read for the SECOND time and PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

AYES – President Moran, Councilors Barry, Bray, Cano, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault and Wildenhain.

 

NOES - 0.

 

 

330   AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 410 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET 1996, ENTITLED “ZONING”.  (Home Occupation by Right within Mill Redevelopments) SUBSTITUTE A

 

 

 

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR HODGE.

 

With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Hodge, seconded by Councilor Rudd, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Dylan Zelazo, Chief of Staff, regarding the flashing lights on the bike path at Armistice Boulevard, behind Slater Park.  It was noted that they are not working properly.  The Council is requesting that the lights be repaired.  

 

 

The following ordinance is read for the SECOND time and PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

AYES – President Moran, Councilors Barry, Bray, Cano, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault and Wildenhain.

 

NOES - 0.

 

330   AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF SECTION 392-7 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996, ENTITLED “TEMPORARY PARKING AREAS” (PARKING ON NONPAVED STREETS) AS AMENDED

 

 

 

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, Bray, Cano, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault and Wildenhain.

 

NOES - 0.

 

Jessica Viveiros - $200.00

Jose and Irene Pereira - $25,000.00

Jin Kye - $513.96

 

 

 

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:

 

Sandra J. Lanoue by Robert J. Levine, Esq. – No Amount Specified

April Vasquez and Joseph Washington by D’Amico and Burchfield, LLP – No Amount Specified

 

 

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE FOLLOWING CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY IS DENIED, ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

 

AYES – President Moran, Councilors Barry, Bray, Cano, Hodge, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault and Wildenhain.

 

NOES - 0.

 

Verizon - $334.40

 

 

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Hodge, seconded by Councilor Bray, the meeting is adjourned at 8:25 p.m. in memory of Joseph McCabe.