City Council, October 10, 2018

 

 

A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council is held Wednesday, October 10, 2018, at 7:06 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 137 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI.

 

Present – President Pro Tempore Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Tetreault, Rudd, Vitali, and Wildenhain.

 

Absent – Council President Moran.

 

President Pro Tempore Mercer presides.

 

 

The reading of the records of the September 19, 2018 and September 25, 2018, City Council meetings; and the September 19, 2018, Ordinance Committee, Public Works Committee, Finance Committee and City Property Committee is dispensed with and the records are APPROVED as prepared by the Clerk.

 

 

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

 

*THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATIONS ARE READ AND ORDERED FILED:

 

A.         611      Communication from Jeannine S. Bourski, Deputy Finance Director, to Joanna L’Heureux, Finance Director. (FY18 Medical Fund Report)

        

B.         590      Communication from Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Resignation of Retired Colonel James Vartanian as the Public Safety Director)

        

C.         028      Resolution from the City of East Providence in Support of Legislation to Amend Title 44 Chapter 5 of the RI General Laws regarding Municipal Taxation of Real Estate.

        

D.         028      Communication from Steven Brown, Executive Director of the ACLU, to Sue Mara, Zoning Department Director. (Zoning Citation Letter – Yard Signs)

        

F.          028      Communication from Peter M. Grivers, PE, LSP, Senior Project Manager, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., to Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk. (Broad Street Regeneration Project – RI DEM File# SR-08-1911)

        

G.         590      Communication from Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to Honorable Esther Maria Jalilie Garcia, Mayor of Arjona, Bolivar, Colombia. (Pawtucket – Arjona Bilingual Exchange for Teachers and Students)

        

H.         622      Communication from John Hanley, Building Official, to Michelle R. Hardy, Deputy City Clerk. (Response: Emergency Cords at Manton Street Group Home)

        

I.            **2      Communication from William Sisson, Fire Chief, to Michelle R. Hardy, CMC, Deputy City Clerk.  (Response – Pull Cords in Group Home on Manton Street)

        

J.           **614  Communication from Eric J. Earls, PE, Director of Public Works, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Response – Clearing of Overgrowth and Debris on Manton Street)

        

L.          **592  Communication from Susan Mara, Director of Planning and Redevelopment, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Response – Redevelopment of Newport Avenue and Beverage Hill Plaza)

        

M.        028      Communication from Kerin L. Browning, Esq., Moses Ryan LTD, representing Amalgamated Financial Group IV, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Response – Redevelopment of Newport Avenue and Beverage Hill Plaza)

        

N.                     Communication from Ann Hollands, MAI Administrator for Real Estate, to Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk.  (Option to purchase State Land at 495 Armistice Boulevard, AP27 L937) TO BE REFERRED TO THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE.

        

O.                     Communication from Eric J. Earls, PE, Director of Public Works, to the Sandra Redding, Property Management Officer, Rhode Island Department of Transportation.  (Request to Purchase State owned property at 495 Armistice Boulevard,AP27 L937) TO BE REFERRED TO THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE.

        

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

Christina Bento – No Amount Specified

Rhonda Clinton – Pending Estimates

Helen Panichas - $159.00

Lisa A. Procter - $267.53

Pauline Sylvia – Pending Estimates

        

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

 

E.          028    Communication from Steven Brown, Executive Director of the ACLU, to Chief Tina Goncalves, Pawtucket Police Department. (Bike Issues) is READ AND ORDERED FILED.

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR TETREAULT.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Tina Goncalves, Chief of Police, requesting an accounting of all bicycles being stored as evidence at CACD.  If it is the practice of the police department to store bikes at CACD, how and when did this practice start? 

 

The council is also requesting copies of all communications regarding the storage of bikes at CACD over the past three years, up to and including the recent letter from the ACLU.

 

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR KALLMAN.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Elmer Pina, President, CACD, requesting any information he or any members of the CACD Board may have about the practice of storing bicycles at CACD  by the Pawtucket Police Department.  The Council would like to know when it started, how it’s continued, and if CACD is being reimbursed by the city for the storage of those bikes, along with any other information they may have.

 

 

 

K.         614      Communication from Eric J. Earls, PE, Director of Public Works, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Response – Metal Plates on the Railroad Tracks at Central Avenue and Mineral Spring Avenue) 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 Councilors Rudd and Kallman, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to the RI Department of Transportation, requesting that they assist Pawtucket’s Department of Public Works with getting the Providence & Worcester Railroad to make needed repairs to the metal plates on their tracks and to the roadways adjacent to the tracks around the city.

 

The Clerk is requested to send a copy of this communication to the Pawtucket delegation to the General Assembly.

 

 

 

Communication from Richard J. Goldstein, City Clerk, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following appointment as a member of the Riverfront Commission:

 

RIVERFRONT COMMISSION

 

589   Eric Auger, 24 Walnut Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860.  Term expires the first Monday in June 2021 is READ AND ORDERED FILED.

 

The following appoint is APPROVED pending confirmation from Mayor Donald R. Grebien on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

AYES – President Pro-Tempore Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

RIVERFRONT COMMISSION

 

Eric Auger, 24 Walnut Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860.  Term expires the first Monday in June 2021.

 

 

 

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 Dylan Zelazo, Director of Administration, regarding the Fire Department.  The council is requesting a status report on the repairs to fire station 3 and a status report on the union contract for the fire department. In addition, the council asked about a date for the tour of the fire stations which was discussed after the finance committee meeting on September 19.   

 

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR RUDD.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Eric J. Earls, PE, Director of Public Works, and Michael E. Burns, Traffic Engineering Supervisor, requesting an update on the traffic safety study of the Moshassuck Industrial Highway, otherwise known as the “Quarter Mile Road,” between Weeden Street and the Lincoln Town Line.  The Councilor is looking for ways to eliminate racing occurring on that street and the potential for injuries.

 

Councilor Kallman is asking what could be done to eliminate racing on Sayles Ave.  She noted that no request has been made for a traffic study, but she has spoken to city officials about the problem.

 

 

613   Communication from Frank J. Milos, Jr., Esq., City Solicitor, to the Honorable David P. Moran, Council President.  (Rodent Control Liability) is READ AND ORDERED FILED.

 

 

614   Communication from Eric J. Earls, PE, Director of Public Works, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Response: Rat Control Issues near Transfer Station) is READ AND ORDERED FILED.

 

 

THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATION WAS FILED AT THE SEPTEMBER 19, 2018, MEETING AND IS AGAIN TAKEN UP:

 

028   Communication from Angelo Calcagni, Operations Manager, Waste Connections, to Richard Goldstein, MMC. (Weekly Rodent Control at the Pawtucket Transfer Station – Dusting of Burrows)

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR RUDD.

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Rudd, seconded by Councilor Kallman, the above communication is READ AND ORDERED FILED and the City Council DENIES ACCEPTING LIABILITY FOR THE USE OF ROZOL AND DITRAC FOR THE DUSTING OF RODENT BURROWS, ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

 

AYES – President Pro Tempore Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

 

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 Dylan Zelazo, Director of Administration, requesting to know the effects on the tax rate and the total cost per household if the city took the trash, including recyclables, directly to the Johnston landfill.

 

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR VITALI.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Frank J. Milos, Jr., Esq., City Solicitor, on behalf of Council President Pro Tempore Mercer, requesting clarification on the liability faced by the city for the use of Rozol, Ditrac or other rodent control poisons anywhere in the city by employees of the zoning department.

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR BARRY.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Eric J. Earls, PE, Director of Public Works, and Susan Mara, Director of Planning and Redevelopment, expressing the Council’s concerns about the use of poisons to kill rats at the transfer station and around the city.  The Council is requesting that a representative of the zoning office and/or the public works department attend a pre-council session at the council’s next meeting on October 24^th to discuss rodent control measures used by city officials around the city.  One questions they have is if the measures used are safe if they are found by kids or pets.

 

 

 

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 joint pole on York Avenue Pole 20, is READ AND ORDERED FILED and is APPROVED PENDING THE APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, on a unanimous voice vote.

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN.

 

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

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Angelo Calcagni, Operations Manager, Waste Connections, regarding reports to the Council from a resident about the transfer station.  The resident submitted pictures that were taken at the transfer station on September 30 showing trash and rats that were there overnight. The council is requesting that a representative of WCI attend a pre-council session at the council’s next meeting on October 24^th to discuss the pictures and the issue of trash left out overnight. 

 

 

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 joint pole on York Avenue at the intersection of Campbell Street, is READ AND ORDERED FILED and is APPROVED PENDING THE APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS on a unanimous voice vote.

 

 

 

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 joint pole on Sanford Street, is READ AND ORDERED FILED and is APPROVED PENDING THE APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS on a unanimous voice vote.

 

 

 

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION IS READ AND PASSED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

 

AYES – President Pro Tempore Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

340   RESOLUTION CHANGING THE NAME OF WATER STREET TO “PORTUGUESE SOCIAL CLUB WAY”

 

 

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

 

AYES – President Pro Tempore Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

588   RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE $47,300,000 GREEN ECONOMY AND CLEAN WATER BOND AND URGING RESIDENTS TO VOTE YES ON THE STATE’S BALLOT QUESTION #3 IN THE NOVEMBER, 2018 GENERAL ELECTION.

 

 

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION IS READ AND PASSED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

 

AYES – President Pro Tempore Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

588   RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ABATEMENT OF TAXES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, REAL ESTATE AND TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY FOR APRIL, MAY AND JUNE 2018 IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $136,111.19

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR KALLMAN.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Dylan Zelazo, Director of Administration, requesting a status report on the RFP for a solar consultant to look into converting the transfer station into a solar facility.

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR KALLMAN.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Dylan Zelazo, Director of Administration, requesting a status report on the RFP for the public safety complex.  The Council request’s that response includes the results of the October 11, 2018 purchasing board meeting.

 

 

 

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

 

AYES – President Pro Tempore Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

330   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.  (Create: Senior Municipal Elections Clerk)

 

 

 

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 Pro Tempore Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTERS 388 AND 392 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996, ENTITLED “VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC” AND “VEHICLES, REMOVAL OF” (CONSOLIDATION OF ARTICLES)

 

 

 

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

 

AYES – President Pro Tempore Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Michaela Foulkes - $138.29

 

 

 

 

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 Pro Tempore Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Joanne Saldua – No Amount Specified

 

 

 

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE FOLLOWING CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY IS DENIED – CLAIMANT TO CONTACT THE PROVIDENCE & WORCESTER RAILROAD, ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

 

AYES – President Pro Tempore Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Rudd, Tetreault, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Kar Wilson, Jr. - $1,724.39/$2,630.14

 

 

 

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

 

Sarah Longley by Progressive Insurance - $12,879.45

Maria R. Garcia – No Amount Specified

 

 

 

PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE MERCER, ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL, EXPRESSES BEST WISHES TO JANELLE MORAN, DAUGHTER OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT DAVID P. MORAN, ON HER UPCOMING WEDDING AND WISHES THE COUPLE WELL FOR THE FUTURE.

 

 

 

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