City Council, March 8, 2017

 

 

A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council is held Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at 8:17 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 137 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. 

 

Present – President Moran, Councilors Barry, Cano, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain

 

Absent – 0.

 

President Moran presides.

 

 

THE COUNCIL RECESSES AT 8:18 P.M. TO RECONVENE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE:

 

AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 2017 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND REPEALING CHAPTER 2958 OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO IN THEIR ENTIRETY

 

THE COUNCIL RECONVENES AT 8:27 P.M.

 

 

The reading of the records of February 22, 2017 is dispensed with and the records are APPROVED as prepared by the Clerk.

 

 

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

 

*THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATIONS ARE READ AND ORDERED FILED:

 

592	A.    Communication from Michael D. Cassidy, Planning Consultant, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Comprehensive Plan Update Summary and Highlights)
028	B.     Communication from Marilyn Hilliard, Risk Analysis Branch Chief, Mitigation Division, FEMA Region I, to His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien.  (FEMA Risk Mapping Assessment and Planning – Risk MAP Meeting)
7	C.     Various Forms and Statements from RI Infrastructure Bank.
028	D.    Communication from Louise R. Phaneuf, Burrillville Town Clerk, to Rhode Island City and Town Clerks.  (Request for Resolution in support of Amendments – Energy Facility Siting Act)
028	E.     Communication from Cheryl A. Fernstrom, CMC, Town Clerk, Town of Jamestown, to the Charlestown Town Council.  (A Resolution in Opposition to the Preferred Alternative Rail Alignment in Charlestown)
061	F.      Communication from Joanna L’Heureux, Director of Finance, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Statement of Estimated, Realized, and Unrealized Revenues for the fiscal period July 1, 2016 through January 31, 2017)
611	G.    Communication from Jeannine S. Bourski, Deputy Finance Director, to His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien.  (Uniform Overtime FY17)
028	H.    Communication from Jean Philippe Barros, State Representative District 59, to David P. Moran, President, Pawtucket City Council.  (Tails To Teach Program)
651	I.       Communication from Shaun Strobel, Treasurer, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Response - Mitigation Revenue Reporting Request)
614	J.       Communication from William E. Ankner, PhD, Director of Public Works, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Response – Bishop Keough)
** 592	L.     Communication from Susan Mara, Acting Director, Planning & Redevelopment, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Response – Marijuana Grow Centers)
	M.   Communication from Susan Mara, Acting Director, Planning & Redevelopment, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Proposed Pawtucket/Central Falls Station District Joint Planning Commission) IS REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE.
	N.    Communication from Linda Weisinger, Executive Director, Pawtucket Central Falls Development, to City Council President David Moran.  (Request to abandon an approximate 10’ right of way along East Street from Branch Street to the Blackstone River) – IS REFERRED TO THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE.
	O.    Communication from Richard L. Gemma, Esq., representing Tukek Holding Anonim Sirketi, to Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk.  (Request to purchase a portion of AP62 L309) – IS REFERRED TO THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE.
611	P.      Communication from Jeannine S. Bourski, Deputy Finance Director, to David P. Moran, President, Pawtucket City Council.  (Resolutions  for Leasing Company)
	Q.    RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR A TWO YEAR TERM FINANCE LEASE WITH TD EQUIPMENT FINANCE – IS REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
	R.     RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF AN  EQUIPMENT LEASE/PURCHASE AGREEMENT, AND RELATED INSTRUMENTS, FUNDING OF THE FY2017 LEASE PURCHASE EQUIPMENT LIST PLUS RELATED EXPENSES – IS REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
	S.      THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY ARE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS: Eugene Aguiar, Sr., by Rob Levine, Esq. – No Amount Specified Robin Belgarde-Gois – No Amount Specified David Malkasian, Sr. - $1,225.00/$1,250.00 Daniela Garcia - $40.00 Paul Treanor – Pending Estimates
**	TAKEN OFF CONSENT AGENDA FOR COMMENTS ONLY, NO OTHER ACTION TAKEN

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN.

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, seconded by Councilor Vitali, the agenda is amended to include the following communication, on a unanimous voice vote:

 

028      Communication from Frank Gionfrido, Construction Representative, Colliers International, to Melissa Devine, Chief Financial Officer, Pawtucket School Department, requesting a grant of easement with National Grid for the installation and maintenance of underground distribution lines and appurtenances at the Potter Burns Elementary School on Newport Avenue.

 

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, seconded by Councilor Vitali, the following communication is READ AND ORDERED FILED AND REFERRED TO THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE:

 

028      Communication from Frank Gionfrido, Construction Representative, Colliers International, to Melissa Devine, Chief Financial Officer, Pawtucket School Department, requesting a grant of easement with National Grid for the installation and maintenance of underground distribution lines and appurtenances at the Potter Burns Elementary School on Newport Avenue.

 

 

 

625	Communication from Antonio J. Pires, Director of Administration, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Response – Take Home Vehicles/GPS) 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 Kallman, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to William E. Ankner, PhD, Director of Public Works, requesting quarterly reports on the GPS program he is planning to implement on city vehicles.

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR KALLMAN.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Frank J. Milos, Jr., City Solicitor, requesting a legal opinion on a request to require closed captioning at all public spaces and venues, including restaurants.

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR KALLMAN.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication from William E. Ankner, PhD, Director of Public Works and Michael E. Burns, Traffic Engineering Supervisor, requesting that signs be put up on Belmont Street letting people know that there is a parking lot in the back of Hope Artiste Village.

 

 

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 Parks Commission, for CONFIRMATION:

 

PARKS COMMISSION

 

589      Christopher McDonald, 84 Greeley Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term to Expire the 1^st Monday in August 2018. (To fill the unexpired term of Tammy Ward) 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, Cano, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES - 0.

PARKS COMMISSION

 

Christopher McDonald, 84 Greeley Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term to Expire the 1^st Monday in August 2018. (To fill the unexpired term of Tammy Ward)

       

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR RUDD.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Peter Alviti, Jr., Director, RI Department of Transportation, requesting a follow-up on the clean-up of the graffiti on the Exit 26 sign on Rte. I95 North.  

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR RUDD.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Susan Mara, Acting Director, Planning & Redevelopment, requesting copies of any complaints regarding bed bugs at Northern Plaza, 301 Main Street, over the past five years and the results of any inspections.

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR RUDD.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to William E. Ankner, PhD, Director of Public Works and Joanna L’Heureux, Director of Finance, requesting why there have been no commercial commission fees or monthly licensing fees collected this fiscal year from Link Environment for the transfer station on Grotto Avenue.  Councilor Rudd believes that we should have received about $116,000 so far this fiscal year.

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR RUDD.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, requesting a status on the plan for the transfer station.  The council noted that the 5-year lease for the transfer station is up this May.  They want to know if the city is planning to renew the lease with the current lessee, go out to bid, or if the plan to relocate the station is still alive.  If the relocation is going to happen, they want a status report on the relocation plan.

 

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

 

AYES – Councilors Barry, Cano, Kallman, Rudd and Vitali.

 

NOES – President Moran, Councilors Mercer, Tetreault and Wildenhain.

 

588   RESOLUTION SUPPORTING GOVERNOR GINA RAIMONDO’S “RHODE ISLAND’S PROMISE PROGRAM”

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

NOES - 0.

 

588   RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING SANDRA CANO FOR BEING NAMED ONE OF NINE INFLUENCERS TO WATCH IN 2017 BY RADIO NEWS OUTLET W.B.O.B.

 

 

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 Barry, Cano, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES - 0.

 

AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 2017 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND REPEALING CHAPTER 2958 OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO IN THEIR ENTIRETY

 

 

 

 

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, Cano, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES - 0.

 

Norman Clark - $182.76

Arc of Blackstone Valley - $1,500.00

Vanessa Kromah (Eabiekromah) – $500.00

Filomena Vaz - $250.00

Bruce Burns by Allstate Insurance - $9,196.26

 

 

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:

 

Kristel Threats by Orabona Law Offices - $1,000,000.00

Susan Vartian by Christine M. Curley, Esq. - $25,000.00

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

NOES - 0.

 

Sidney Rodrigues - $130.00

Deb Carreiro – $150.00/$200.00

 

 

 

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS INSTRUCTED TO MAKE THE SIDEWALK REPAIRS FOR THE FOLLOWING CLAIMANT, ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

 

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

 

NOES - 0.

 

Jeffrey Robbins – Pending Estimates

 

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Mercer, seconded by Councilor Rudd, the meeting is adjourned at 9:14 p.m.