City Council, July 11, 2018

 

 

A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council is held Wednesday, July 11, 2018, at 7:27 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 137 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. 

 

Present – Councilors Barry, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali, and Wildenhain.

 

Absent – President Moran.

 

President Pro-Tempore Mercer presides.

 

 

The reading of the records of the June 20, 2018 City Council meeting, Ordinance Committee, and City Property Committee meeting, is dispensed with and the records are APPROVED as prepared by the Clerk.

 

           

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

 

*THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATIONS ARE READ AND ORDERED FILED:

 

7          A.     Various Forms and Statements from Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank.

           

028      B.     Communication from Larry Monastesse, Assistant Treasurer, Pawtucket Soup Kitchen, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Annual Family Turkey Trot 5k Road Race)

           

028      C.     Resolution from the Scituate School Committee in Support of Senate Bill H-2018 7200 Relating to the Renovation of Existing and the Construction of New Public Schools.

           

028      D.     Communication from Denise Panichas, Executive Director, Samaritans of Rhode Island, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Gratitude for Grant)

           

028      E.      Communication from Sean Lyness, Special Assistant Attorney General, to Jeffrey H. Gladstone, Esq.  (No Open Meetings Violations Found – Gladstone v. City of Pawtucket)

           

589      F.      Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Reappointment of Kevin Rabbitt to the Pawtucket Housing Authority as a Commissioner)

 

590      G.     Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Update on Transfer Station Vendor -Link Environmental Purchased by Waste Connections US, Inc.)

           

614      H.     Communication from Eric Earls, Director of Public Works, to Michelle R. Hardy, CMC, Deputy City Clerk.  (Response – Street Sweeping)

           

614      I.       Communication from William Vieira, Assistant Director of Public Works/Operations Manager, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Response – Clean-Ups)

           

            J.      THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY ARE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS:

Al D Johnson - $478.57

Ediana Mauricio by Joseph J. Voccola, Esq. - $12,000.00

Edwin and Renee Silva by Allstate Insurance - $4,402.04

           

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR RUDD:

 

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

 

589      Communication from Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (The Transfer Station Opposition Resolution)

 

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

 

Communication from Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (The Transfer Station Opposition Resolution)

 

 

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 Michael E. Burns, Traffic Engineering Supervisor, requesting that a traffic safety study be done of the Moshassuck Industrial Highway, otherwise known as the “Quarter Mile Road,” between Weeden Street and the Lincoln Town Line.

 

 

 

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 William Vieira, Sr., Assistant Director of Public Works, requesting a clean-up and beautification of the gateway into the city on Smithfield Avenue and Power Road, near Amanda’s Kitchen.  The Council is also requesting that Public Works check out and clean up the other gateways around the city.

 

 

 

609      Communication from Christopher Montalto, Engineering Supervisor, Distribution Design, National Grid, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, requesting to install a new pole on Francis Avenue, IS READ AND ORDERED FILED AND IS APPROVED PENDING THE APPROVAL OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

 

609      Communication from Christopher Montalto, Engineering Supervisor, Distribution Design, National Grid, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, requesting to install a new pole on Maryland Avenue, IS READ AND ORDERED FILED AND IS APPROVED PENDING THE APPROVAL OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

 

609      Communication from Christopher Montalto, Engineering Supervisor, Distribution Design, National Grid, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, requesting to install a new pole on Memorial Drive intersection with Vineyard Street, IS READ AND ORDERED FILED AND IS APPROVED PENDING THE APPROVAL OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR TETREAULT:

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Tetreault, seconded by Councilors Barry and Vitali, the agenda is amended to include the following communication:

 

028      Communication from Terry Nau, 21 Heroes Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Requesting permission to install plaques for SP4 James Cavanaugh, PFC William Moore and PFC Robert Renaud, Pawtucket residents who lost their lives in the Vietnam War)

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Tetreault, seconded by Councilors Barry and Vitali, the following communication is READ AND ORDERED FILED AND REFERRED TO THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE

 

Communication from Terry Nau, 21 Heroes Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Requesting permission to install plaques for SP4 James Cavanaugh, PFC William Moore and PFC Robert Renaud, Pawtucket residents who lost their lives in the Vietnam War)

 

 

609      Communication from Christopher Montalto, Engineering Supervisor, Distribution Design, National Grid, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, requesting to install a new pole on Memorial Drive, IS READ AND ORDERED FILED AND IS APPROVED PENDING THE APPROVAL OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR BARRY:

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Eric Earls, Director of Public Works, requesting that he get prices for bronze plaques or something similar to replace the signs on both the Northbound and Southbound ends of the Mayor James E. Doyle Memorial Bridge on Route 95 that dedicate the bridge in the mayor’s honor.

 

 

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING CONTRACT IS RATIFIED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

Ratification of the Contract between RI Council 94, AFSCME, AFL-CIO Local 1012, and the City of Pawtucket for the period July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2020.

 

 

 

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 – Councilors Barry, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING THE SCHEDULE OF PAY RATES FOR LOCAL 1012 IN §88-12 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2017.

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR VITALI:

 

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

 

1          Communication from Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Requesting Funds from the Substance Abuse Prevention/D.A.R.E. Fund Committee for the Police Department’s National Night Out at Payne Park)

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Vitali, seconded by Councilor Tetreault, the following communication is READ AND ORDERED FILED AND REFERRED TO THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION/DARE FUND COMMITTEE.

 

Communication from Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Requesting Funds from the Substance Abuse Prevention/D.A.R.E. Fund Committee for the Police Department’s National Night Out at Payne Park)

 

 

 

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 – Councilors Barry, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Michael Aurelio, Coast to Coast Transfer LLC - $2,260.54

Jamie DeGrace - $$4,312.50

 

 

 

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY ARE POSTPONED, ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE:

 

Cesilia Contreras - $28,069.17/$29,069.17

Jazmin Mendoz – Pending Estimates

Astrid Norena - $2,425.00

Nicole Vinagre - $304.21/$350.23

 

 

 

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 – Councilors Barry, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Ana Minaya by Liberty Mutual Insurance - $8,353.71

Dilia Mello - $3,525.00

 

 

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

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

Mark Ryan - $131.32

 

 

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:

 

Ryan and Amber Roach – No Amount Specified

 

 

 

 

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 Eric Earls, Director of Public Works, asking when Ash Street will be swept next.  Councilor Rudd got complaints about the cleanliness of the street and the lack of street sweeping on the street.

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR RUDD:

 

With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Rudd, on behalf of Acting President Mercer, seconded by Councilors Barry and Wildenhain, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to the Administration, Police Chief Tina Goncalves and Eric Earls, Director of Public Works, requested that the Police and DPW work out a system to eliminate the issuance of street sweeping related parking tickets on a street if that street is not swept on that day.

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR VITALI:

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Police Chief Tina Goncalves and Eric Earls, Director of Public Works, regarding loitering at the end of the bike path on Armistice Boulevard.  The Council requests that they monitor the situation at that location.  Increasing patrols, including bicycle patrols, was suggested.  Some residents complained that they feel intimidated by the presence of the people loitering and are reluctant to use the bike path because of them.  It was also noted that most of the people loitering are homeless and should be treated with dignity.  It was suggested that city officials get in touch with Crossroads RI to find out if they still have a liaison who can help get services for the homeless.  It was also noted that St. Paul’s Church has a program that can assist them.

 

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR VITALI:

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Eric Earls, Director of Public Works, requesting that DPW either fix or remove a large broken planter on Alexander Mcgregor Road.

 

 

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, seconded by the entire City Council, the meeting is adjourned at 8:02 p.m.