City Council, March 9, 2016

 

A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council is held Wednesday, March 9, 2016, at 7:07 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 February 24, 2016 is dispensed with and the records are APPROVED as prepared by the Clerk.

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Hodge, seconded by Councilor Bray, the *Consent Agenda is APPROVED, on a unanimous voice vote.

 

*THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATIONS ARE READ AND ORDERED FILED:

 

	A.    Various Forms and Statements from RI Infrastructure Bank.
	B.     Communication from Jeannine S. Bourski, Deputy Finance Director, to Joanna L’Heureux, Finance Director (Medical Fund Report)
	C.     Communication from Jeannine S. Bourski, Deputy Finance Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Uniform Overtime FY16)
	D.    Communication from Barney S. Heath, Director, Planning & Redevelopment and Susan Mara, Assistant Planning Director, to the Pawtucket City Council, et al.  (RI Department of Environmental Management 2016 Grants)
	E.     Communication from Barney S. Heath, Director, Planning & Redevelopment, to Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk.  (Tax Stabilization Annual Report)
	F.      Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (RI League of Cities and Towns – Legislative Priorities 2016)
	G.    Communication from Dylan Zelazo, Chief of Staff, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Response – City Positions)
	H.    Communication from Dylan M. Zelazo, Chief of Staff, to Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk.  (Response – Sign Post Mineral Spring Ave)
	I.       Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (GPS and the Use of City-Owned Vehicles)
	J.       AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 63 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996, ENTITLED “PERSONNEL POLICIES” (USE OF CITY-OWNED VEHICLES) – TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE.
	K.    Communication from Barney S. Heath, Director, Planning & Redevelopment, to the Pawtucket City Council.  (Renewal of Parking License Agreement with  RI Textile for Saturdays April 1, 2016 to July 1, 2016)  TO BE REFERRED TO THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE.
	L.     Communication from Donald Zimmerman, Human Resources Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Contract and Pay Plan for Local 3960)
	M.   Contract between RI Council 94, AFSCME, AL-CIO Local 3960 (Professional and Technical Employees) and the City of Pawtucket for July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2015, TO BE REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
	N.    Contract between RI Council 94, AFSCME, AL-CIO Local 3960 (Professional and Technical Employees) and the City of Pawtucket for July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2018, TO BE REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
	O.    AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PAY PLAN FOR THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET FOR LOCAL 3960 AND REPEALING CHAPTER 2998 IN ITS ENTIRETY.  (Effective July 1, 2015) - TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
	P.      RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE INTRODUCTION OF BONDING LEGISLATION FOR THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET FOR FISCAL YEARS 2018 AND 2019. – TO BE REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
	Q.    THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY TO BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS: Robert Bray - $182.72/$246.58 Ernesto Florez - $337.67 Maria Ramos - $110.00

 

 

**        TAKEN OFF CONSENT AGENDA FOR COMMENTS ONLY, NO OTHER ACTION TAKEN.

 

 

THE COUNCIL RECESSES AT 7:09 P.M. TO CONDUCT THE PUBLIC INPUT PERIOD.

 

THE COUNCIL RECONVENES AT 7:11 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 Riverfront Commission, for confirmation:

 

RIVERFRONT COMMISSION

 

589      Andrew Cormier, 40 Wilton Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. Term Expires the 1st Monday in June 2018. To fill the unexpired term of Patricia McAlpine is READ AND ORDERED FILED.

 

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

 

NOES - 0.

 

Andrew Cormier, 40 Wilton Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. Term Expires the 1st Monday in June 2018. To fill the unexpired term of Patricia McAlpine.

 

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 Public Library Board of Trustees, for confirmation:

 

PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

589      Thomas Whitten, 41 Cherry Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term Expires the 1st Monday in January, 2019 is READ AND ORDERED FILED.

 

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

 

NOES - 0.

 

Thomas Whitten, 41 Cherry Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term Expires the 1st Monday in January, 2019.

 

 

THE COUNCIL TAKES UP THE FOLLOWING:

 

REPORT OF THE RECREATION COMMITTEE REGARDING THEIR MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 24, 2016.

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR MERCER, CHAIR OF THE RECREATION COMMITTEE.

 

Councilor Mercer states that at the February 24, 2016 meeting of the City Council Recreation Committee, the committee discussed disc golf.  After that meeting Councilor Mercer spoke with Mayor Donald R. Grebien and the Mayor agreed to hold a public forum on the new plan for disc golf with all the abutters within a yet to be determined radius of Slater Park to be notified.  He states that they are close to an agreement of the placement of 9-holes, including 4 that are that are the most easily ADA accessible, and they would like to get this project done by late spring.

 

 

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.

 

636      RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ABATEMENT OF TAXES ON AUTOMOBILES, REAL ESTATE, AND TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $374,526.64 FOR JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, 2015.

 

 

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 CONGRATULATING JOSHUA MINASIAN ON ACHIEVING THE RANK OF EAGLE SCOUT.

 

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 CONGRATULATING BRIAN REGO ON ACHIEVING THE RANK OF EAGLE SCOUT.

 

 

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 SUPPORTING 2016-S2330 AND H7555, “AN ACT RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY – RENAMING BRIDGE #550 LOCATED ON ROUTE 95 AND THE PAWTUCKET RIVER IN THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET” IN HONOR OF MAYOR JAMES E. DOYLE

 

 

590      Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council - Regional Emergency Communication District (RECD) is READ AND ORDERED FILED

 

 

The following resolution is read and PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

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

 

NOES – Councilors Rudd and Tetreault.

 

588      RESOLUTION SUPPORTING ENABLING LEGISLATION ESTABLISHING THE NORTHERN RHODE ISLAND REGIONAL EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS DISTRICT (RECD) FOR THE PURPOSE OF REGIONALIZING EMERGENCY TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND REQUESTING PAWTUCKET TO BE NAMED A PARTICIPANT IN THE LEGISLATION

 

 

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 PAWTUCKET, 1996, ENTITLED “ZONING” Text and Official Maps (Historic District – 92 Cambria Court)

 

 

THE COUNCIL RECESSES AT 8:18 P.M.

 

THE COUNCIL RECONVENES AT 8:24 P.M.

 

THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE, RETURNED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WITHOUT A RECOMMENDATION, IS TAKEN UP:

 

AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 3057 OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET ESTABLISHING A PAY PLAN FOR THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET FOR HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND APPOINTED OFFICERS.  (Director of Economic Development)

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR BARRY.

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Barry, seconded by Councilors Rudd and Hodge, the agenda is amended to include the following amendment to the above entitled ordinance on a unanimous voice vote:

 

Amendment:

 

Change “Director of Economic Development” to “Director of Commerce”

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR BARRY.

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Barry, seconded by Councilors Rudd and Hodge, the following amendment to the above entitled ordinance is APPROVED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

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

 

NOES – Councilors Bray and Mercer.

 

Amendment:

 

Change “Director of Economic Development” to “Director of Commerce”

 

 

The following ordinance is read and the FIRST TIME, AS AMENDED, and PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

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

 

NOES – Councilor Wildenhain.

 

AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 3057 OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET ESTABLISHING A PAY PLAN FOR THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET FOR HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND APPOINTED OFFICERS.  (Director of Economic Development Director of Commerce), AS AMENDED

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR BARRY.

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Barry, seconded by Councilor Mercer, the following ordinance is POSTPONED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 3059 OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET ESTABLISHING A PAY PLAN FOR THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET FOR LOCAL 1012.  (Code Inspector and Customer Service Clerk)

 

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

 

NOES – Councilor Hodge.

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR CANO.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Donald Zimmerman, Human Resources Director, requesting that he review the salaries of all clerks on the same or similar level as the proposed Customer Service Clerk for the Planning/Zoning Departments and make recommendations to ensure that positions with similar responsibilities are paid at similar pay grades.

 

 

THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE, RETURNED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WITHOUT A RECOMMENDATION, IS READ FOR THE FIRST 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.

 

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.  (Systems Analyst)

 

 

THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE RETURNED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WITHOUT A RECOMMENDATION, IS READ FOR THE FIRST 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.

 

THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET ESTABLISHING A PAY PLAN FOR THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET CLASSIFIED NON-UNION POSITIONS.  (Emergency Management Department)

 

 

THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE SUBMITTED BY THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE WITHOUT A RECOMMENDATION, IS TAKEN UP:

 

AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AND REQUIRING CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS. (SUBSTITUTE B)

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR CANO.

 

The motion made by Councilor Cano, seconded by Councilor Bray, to POSTPONE the above entitled ordinance until a PUBLIC HEARING can be held is DEFEATED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

AYES – Councilor Cano.

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

NOES – Councilor Cano.

 

AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AND REQUIRING CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS. (SUBSTITUTE B)

 

 

 

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

 

Bertha Bourgault - $300.00

Theresa Thomas Ioffe - $292.43

Jaydon Ward - $300.00

Beverly Ahlijanian by Ohio Mutual Insurance Group - $1,429.91

 

 

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE FOLLOWING CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY IS  REFERRED TO THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT/RHODE ISLAND INTERLOCAL TRUST FOR FURTHER REVIEW, ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE:

 

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

 

NOES – 0

 

Carlos Arias - $1,750.00/$1,909.00

 

 

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE FOLLOWING CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY IS DENIED AND REFERRED TO THE PAWTUCKET WATER SUPPLY BOARD, ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE:

 

Isabel Amaral - $437.54

 

 

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE FOLLOWING CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY IS DENIED AND REFERRED TO LINK ENVIRONMENTAL, ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE:

 

Roy Ogilvie by Robert J. Levine, Esq. – No Amount Specified

 

 

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Hodge, seconded by the Councilor Barry, the meeting is adjourned at 9:03 p.m.