City Council, July 10, 2019

 

 

A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council is held Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at 7:54     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:

 

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ABANDONMENT OF A PORTION OF MANUEL STREET

 

THE COUNCIL RECONVENES AT 7:56 P.M.

 

 

The reading of the records of the June 12, 2019 Workshop Session – Joint Ordinance Committee and Ad Hoc Economic Development and Neighborhood Improvement Committee and the June 16, 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:

 

028      A.        Resolution from the City of Providence in Support of Banning Single-Use Plastic Bags

           

028      B.        Resolution from the City of Providence to Restore Full Funding Of the PILOT Program

           

590      C.        Communication from Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to Scott Giroux, President, IAFF Local 1261. (Fire Union Issues)

           

614      E.         Communication from Eric J. Earls, PE, Director of Public Works, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Division Street Bridge Park)

           

2          G.        Communication from William J. Sisson, Fire Chief, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Response - Safe Station Program)

           

            H.        Communication to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Purchase of Cemetery Lots) - IS REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS/CEMETERY COMMITTEE

           

            I.          Communication from Knowledge is Power 401 to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket Substance Abuse/D.A.R.E. Fund Committee, requesting funding for the Annual Nonviolence Awareness Block Party - IS REFERRED TO THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE/D.A.R.E. FUND COMMITTEE.

           

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

                      Arnold and Susan Bennett - $317.00

                      Noemia DeAlmeida - $3,593.89/$4,165.40/$14,500.00

                      Bienvenida A. Morel Liriano by Robert J. Levine - No Amount Specified

                      Roger Renzi - $10.00

           

 

 

591   D.    Communication from Jeanne Boyle, Commerce Director, Department of Planning and Redevelopment, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council and the Pawtucket Redevelopment Agency. (Downtown Redevelopment Legislation Approval (2019-H 6153Aaa/2019-S 0673aa)) is READ AND ORDERED FILED.

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR BARRY.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Joel Votolto, Esq., regarding the TIF legislation, passed this year by the General Assembly.  At the public input period prior to the meeting, a speaker expressed his opinion that the council was left out of the process in this legislation.  The council is requesting that you review the legislation to ensure that the rights of the council have been protected and if not, to recommend any ordinances or legislative changes to protect them.

 

 

 

614   F.   Communication from Eric J. Earls, PE, Director of Public Works, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Transfer Station Improvement Plan) is READ AND ORDERED FILED.

 

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 Wingate, Purchasing Director, regarding the Grotto Avenue Transfer Station.  Councilor Rudd mentioned a request for an RFP that he believes went to former Purchasing Director David Clemente for transfer station services in the city.  The council is looking for an update on that RFP

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Dylan Zelazo, Director of Administration requesting the latest cost for the city to take over the operation of the Grotto Avenue Transfer Station, without the capping and closing costs. 

 

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to the Pawtucket Delegation, regarding the Grotto Avenue transfer station, to make them be aware of what’s in the proposal in light of the legislation passed last year requiring a waste facility's potential detrimental impact on the community to be a factor considered when approving the construction or operation of a solid waste management facility.

 

 

 

THE FOLLOWING REAPPOINTMENT BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT MORAN TO THE ARTS PANEL REVIEW COMMITTEE IS CONFIRMED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

   

589   Eric Auger, 24 Walnut Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term Expires June 1, 2022.

 

 

 

COUNCIL PRESIDENT MORAN APPOINTS COUNCILOR MEGHAN KALLMAN AS THE COUNCIL MEMBER TO SERVE ON THE ARTS PANEL REVIEW COMMITTEE.  Term Expires June 1, 2022.

 

 

 

Communication from Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following reappointment by Council President Moran as a member of the Riverfront Commission, pending confirmation by Mayor Donald R. Grebien

 

RIVERFRONT COMMISSION

 

589   Miriam Plitt, 44 Cooke Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term expires the first Monday in June, 2022 is READ AND ORDERED FILED.

 

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

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

RIVERFRONT COMMISSION

 

Miriam Plitt, 44 Cooke Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term expires the first Monday in June, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

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 Nunes, MEGA, and Mr. Calcagni, Waste Connections regarding the daily tonnage of trash going into and out of the Grotto Avenue Transfer Station.  To get this information they are seeking information for two random weeks…the week of May 11-16, 2019 and the week of June 17-22, 2019.  Specifically, the council is looking for the daily slips showing how much of the city’s trash is going into the transfer station during those two weeks.

 

The Council is specifically requesting the following:

 

1.     During those two weeks, what did WCI receive from the city (Mega) each day?

2.     What did WCI receive from private companies each day?

3.     How much came in from city residents each day?

4.     How much came in from out of state trucks each day?

5.     How much did WCI send to Johnston each day?

6.     How much did WCI send out of state each day

7.     Finally, what is the daily processed total for those two weeks?

 

 

 

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 Mark Dennen, Waste Management Division, RI DEM requesting if he or another representative from DEM would meet with the Pawtucket City Council regarding the Grotto Avenue transfer station at the council’s meeting on August 7, 2019 or September 11, 2019. Among the questions they have is Pawtucket’s compliance with RI DEM requirements.

 

 

 

 

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 Vieira, Acting Director of Zoning and Code Enforcement, regarding Beecher Street Lofts. A constituent is concerned about drug activity taking place there which is hidden by the overhanging trees and the shadows they cast which makes the area dark, even during the day.  The council is requesting that the zoning department inspect the property and contact the property owners to correct the situation.

 

 

 

Communication from Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following reappointment by Council President Moran as a member of the Riverfront Commission, pending confirmation by Mayor Donald R. Grebien

 

RIVERFRONT COMMISSION

 

589      John J. Barry, III, 118 Division Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term expires the first Monday in June, 2022 is READ AND ORDERED FILED.

 

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

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

RIVERFRONT COMMISSION

 

John J. Barry, III, 118 Division Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860.

Term expires the first Monday in June, 2022.

 

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR MERCER.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Susan Mara, Director of Planning and Redevelopment, regarding 185 Dexter Street.  Councilor Mercer noted that this location, owned by PCFD, is the location where homeless people used to be able to take showers, until House of Hope’s ACCESS-RI program was evicted from the building.  He also noted that this building was rehabbed by PCFD using the city’s CDBG funds.   The council wants to know if the showers were part of the reason for the grant of the CDBG money and if there are any problems or consequences due to the eviction.    

 

 

Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following reappointment to the Riverfront Commission, FOR CONFIRMATION:

 

 

589   Juan Pablo Barrera, 44 Burgess Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02861.  Term expires the first Monday in June 2022, 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 Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

RIVERFRONT COMMISSION

 

Juan Pablo Barrera, 44 Burgess Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02861. Term expires the first Monday in June 2022.

 

 

 

Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following reappointment to the Riverfront Commission, FOR CONFIRMATION:

 

RIVERFRONT COMMISSION

 

589   James Hoyt, 104 Hyde Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02861. Term expires the first Monday in June 2022, 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 Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

RIVERFRONT COMMISSION

 

James Hoyt, 104 Hyde Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02861. Term expires the first Monday in June 2022.

 

 

 

Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following reappointment to the Riverfront Commission, FOR CONFIRMATION:

 

RIVERFRONT COMMISSION

 

589   Pamela Hughes, 10 Exchange Court, Unit 301, Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term expires the first Monday in June 2022, 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 Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

RIVERFRONT COMMISSION

 

Pamela Hughes, 10 Exchange Court, Unit 301, Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term expires the first Monday in June 2022.

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR ARAUJO.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to William Vieira, Acting Director of Zoning and Code Enforcement, requesting that he contact the owner of New England Motor Freight in regards to keeping the bay doors closed on the property.  The Council is concerned about the doors that are always left open and is concerned about potential unsafe activities there.

 

 

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 PATRICIA DICENSO, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS ON HER RETIREMENT FROM THE PAWTUCKET SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

 

 

 

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE, 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 AUTHORIZING THE ABANDONMENT OF A PORTION OF MANUEL STREET

 

 

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

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

330   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. (Reclassify: Director of Pawtucket Emergency Management Agency)

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR VITALI.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Chief Tina Goncalves, Pawtucket Police Department Pawtucket regarding the following various police issues:

 

1.      The council is requesting that a police detail be placed on Beverage Hill Avenue after 5:00 p.m. to check for speeding.

2.      The Council is requesting that the police be vigilant around the intersection of Columbus and York Avenues regarding parking in “No Parking” zones and for truck repairs being done on city property across from Mike’s Truck & Trailer Repair.

3.      The Council is requesting that a proactive plan be ready by next June on how the police are going to handle illegal fireworks on and around July 4th.  This comes from complaints received by Councilor Mercer about illegal fireworks last week.

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR VITALI.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Eric J. Earls, PE, Director of Public Works regarding dumping and graffiti, specifically:

 

The council is requesting that “No Dumping” signs be put up on Manton Street and the council is requesting that you send a graffiti cleaning team to clean the Division Street Bridge, particularly on the underside of the bridge.  The Council is further requesting that a fence be cleaned that has been tagged on Cedar Street, right off the Rte. 95 ramp.

 

 

 

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE/D.A.R.E., THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE IS READ FOR THE FIRST TIME AND PASSED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTERS 388 AND 347 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996, ENTITLED “VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC” AND “SOLID WASTE” (Allocation of Monies – D.A.R.E. and G.R.E.A.T. Programs)

 

 

 

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.

 

Maggie Montgomery - $300.00

Ronald Maynard II - $3,372.96

Joseph A. Squadrito - $325.00

 

 

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

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

Ronald Jablonski - $261.18

Mary Yeghian - $282.92

 

 

 

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

 

Suzanne L. Costello by Robert J. Levine, Esq. – No Amount Specified

 

 

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Mercer seconded by Councilor Vitali, the meeting is adjourned at 8:39 p.m.