City Council, April 10, 2019

 

A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council is held Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at 8:45 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 137 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. 

 

Present – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

Absent – 0.

 

President Moran presides.

 

 

THE COUNCIL RECESSES IMMEDIATELY TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE FOLLOWING:

 

AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 410 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET 1996, ENTITLED “ZONING” ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CONANT THREAD ZONING DISTRICT (CT)

 

AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 410 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET 1996, ENTITLED “ZONING” CHANGE IN OFFICIAL ZONING MAP (CONANT THREAD DISTRICT)

 

THE COUNCIL RECONVENES AT 9:58 P.M.

 

 

Upon unanimous consent of the Council, the following ordinance is taken up at this time:

 

AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 410 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET 1996, ENTITLED “ZONING” ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CONANT THREAD ZONING DISTRICT (CT)

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR BARRY.

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Barry, seconded by Councilor Kallman, the following ordinance is POSTPONED and REFERRED BACK TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE AND THE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT, on a unanimous voice vote.

 

AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 410 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET 1996, ENTITLED “ZONING” ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CONANT THREAD ZONING DISTRICT (CT)

 

 

Upon unanimous consent of the Council, the following ordinance is taken up at this time:

 

AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 410 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET 1996, ENTITLED “ZONING” CHANGE IN OFFICIAL ZONING MAP (CONANT THREAD DISTRICT)

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR MERCER.

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Mercer, seconded by Councilors Vitali and Barry, the following ordinance is POSTPONED and REFERRED BACK TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE AND THE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT, on a unanimous voice vote.

 

AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 410 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET 1996, ENTITLED “ZONING” CHANGE IN OFFICIAL ZONING MAP (CONANT THREAD DISTRICT)

 

 

 

The reading of the records of the March 20, 2019 City Council meeting and Ordinance Committee meeting is dispensed with and the records are APPROVED as prepared by the Clerk.

 

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

 

 

*THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATIONS ARE READ AND ORDERED FILED:

 

611      A.     Communication from Joanna L’Heureux, Director of Finance, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Annual Report of Vehicle Assignments and Usages)

           

**061  B.     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, 2018 through February 28, 2019)

           

028      C.     Resolution from the Town of Glocester Supporting Stabilization of State Educational Aid

           

028      D.     Resolution from the Town of Charlestown Supporting Additional State Funding for Education

           

028      E.      Resolutions from the Smithfield School Department. (Regarding Financial Literacy, Gun Free Schools, Contract Continuation, Binding Arbitration, Constitutional Amendment on Education)

           

15        F.      Communication from Susan L. Reed, Library Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Library 3rd Quarter Report)

           

590      G.     Communication from Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the City Council. (IAFF Collection Bargaining and Interest Arbitration)

           

614      H.     Communication from Eric J. Earls, PE, Director of Public Works, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Response – Baldwin Street and intersection of Newton Street and Pawtucket Avenue)

           

614      I.       Communication from Eric J. Earls, PE, Director of Public Works, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Response – Update on Traffic Around East Street and Branch Street)

           

623      J.      Communication from Sara Miranda, Human Resources Coordinator, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Repeal and Replace Chapter 3173 of the Classified Non-Union Pay Plan – Delete Assistant Director of Public Works Operations and Create: Senior Systems Administrator)

           

            K.     AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING THE SCHEDULE OF PAY RATES FOR CLASSIFIED NON-UNION EMPLOYEES IN SECTION 88-12 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996. (Delete: Assistant Director of Public Works Operations; Add: Senior Systems Administrator) IS LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

           

623      L.      Communication from Sara Miranda, Human Resources Coordinator, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Repeal and Replace Pay Plan for Local 1012 – Reclassify: Clerk I Police and Municipal Election Clerk II)

           

            M.    AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING THE SCHEDULE OF PAY RATES FOR LOCAL 1012 §88-12 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996, (Reclassify: Police Clerk I and Municipal Election Clerk II) IS LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

           

623      N.     Communication from Sara Miranda, Human Resources Coordinator, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Repeal and Replace Pay Plan for Local 3960 – IT Department Reorganization)

           

            O.     AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING THE SCHEDULE OF PAY RATES FOR LOCAL 3960 IN SECTION §88-12 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996 (IT DEPARTMENT REORGANIZATION) IS LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

           

            P.      Communication from Joseph A. Keough, Jr., Keough & Sweeney, LTD, to Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk. (PWSB – Authority to Request Mendon Road, Attleboro, Paper Street Roadway Abandonment) IS REFERRED TO THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE

           

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

Lori A. Chabot - $500.00/$1,539.36

David R. Olsen – $690.75

Jackelina Sosa - $171.75

           

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

 

Q.                 Communication from Frank J. Milos, Jr., Esq., City Solicitor, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Southern Sky Renewable Energy RI (Net Metering Financing Agreement)) IS READ AND ORDERED FILED AND REFERRED TO THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE

 

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 Frank J. Milos, Jr., Esq., City Solicitor, and Dylan Zelazo, Director of Administration, regarding an upcoming meeting of the council’s City Property Committee to discuss the Southern Sky Renewable Energy RI (Net Metering Financing Agreement).  Chairman Wildenhain wants to be sure there are people at the meeting who can advise the committee on whether there are any costs, liabilities or other things that could come back on the city if they enter into this agreement. 

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR BARRY:

 

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

 

592   Communication from Jeanne M. Boyle, Commerce Director, Department of Planning and Redevelopment, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council regarding an update on Apex.

 

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

 

Communication from Jeanne M. Boyle, Commerce Director, Department of Planning and Redevelopment, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council regarding an update on Apex.

 

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR RUDD.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to the Brianna McComb, Dunkin Donuts Headquarters RI, regarding complaints received from neighbors of the Dunkin Donuts store at the Intersection of 375 Smithfield Ave. and 750 Mineral Spring Ave., in Pawtucket, RI.  Specifically, the complaints concern excessive noise caused by dumpster pick-ups during the overnight and early morning hours at that store.  The council is requesting that the Clerk send Dunkin Donuts the city ordinance which states that all dumpster pick-ups must occur between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

 

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR RUDD.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Chief Tina Goncalves, Pawtucket Police, requesting the number of official reports and calls for service over the past three months to the Slater Middle school during school hours. Also, the council is requesting the number of reports and calls for service during that same three-month period for a five-block area around the school from the time school lets out until 4:00 p.m.

 

 

 

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 Police Chief Tina Goncalves and the head of the Neighborhood Response Unit, requesting that they attend an upcoming meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on Public Safety to discuss their plans to deter crime and increase community policing during the summer months.

 

 

609   Communication from Christopher Montalto, Engineering Supervisor, Distribution Design, National Grid and Verizon, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, requesting to install a New Joint Pole on Mineral Spring Avenue, IS APPROVED PENDING THE APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.

 

 

609   Communication from Christopher Montalto, Engineering Supervisor, Distribution Design, National Grid and Verizon, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, requesting to install a New Joint Pole on Vineyard Street, IS APPROVED PENDING THE APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.

 

 

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

 

AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

588   RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE TOLMAN HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE RHODE ISLAND STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

 

 

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

 

AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

588   RESOLUTION DECLARING NATIONAL ARAB AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

 

 

 

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

 

AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

588   RESOLUTION SUPPORTING UNIVERSAL PREKINDERGARTEN IN ARTICLE 10 OF THE PROPOSED RHODE ISLAND STATE BUDGET (FY20)

 

 

 

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 Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Deborah A. Betts - $122.93

Stephanie Casey - $181.77

Nick Pandolfi - $298.64

Kacey Richards - $300.00

 

 

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 Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Oscar Tassone-$1200.00 + Tax

Adashereen Wilcox - $425.00

Wilfredo Alvarado Fernandez by Frank L. Orabona Jr., Esq. - $1,000,000.00

David R. Mann - $296.09

 

 

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

 

Maggie Montgomery - $324.41

 

 

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

 

Ronald Maynard II - $3,729.98/$3,372,96

 

 

 

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 SCHOOL DEPARTMENT, ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

 

AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Alicia Parker by John S. Coughlin, Esq., - No Amount Specified

 

 

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

 

AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Christian Pierdinock - $471.00

 

 

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, seconded by the entire City Council, the meeting is adjourned at 10:19 p.m., in memory of Ray Moreau, retired Pawtucket Police Officer