City Council, February 5, 2020

 

A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council is held Wednesday, February 5, 2020, at 7:34 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 137 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. 

 

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

 

Absent – Councilor Kallman.

 

President Moran presides.

 

 

The reading of the records of the January 22, 2019 Ordinance Committee meeting and City Council meeting are dispensed with and the records are APPROVED as prepared by the Clerk.

 

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

 

*THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATIONS ARE READ AND ORDERED FILED:

 

028      A.     Resolution from the Town of Hopkinton in Support of a Fully Funded E-911 Statewide and Municipal Services.

           

028      B.     Resolution from the City of Newport in support of legislation to create a “Transfer on Death” deed.

           

028      C.     Resolution from the City of Newport in support of legislation to require “Civics” classes in High School.

           

590      D.     Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to Mark A. Furcolo, Director, State of Rhode Island Department of Revenue.  (PILOT Funds Regarding Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island)

           

017      E.      Communication from Joanna L’Heureux, Finance Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Audit Report for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2019)

           

017      F.      City of Pawtucket Audit Report for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2019, Prepared by Blum, Shapiro & Company, P.C.

           

**1      G.     Communication from Sgt. David Connors, Traffic Division, to Richard J. Goldstein, City Clerk.  (Update on Compliance for Tow List of Jim’s Auto Sales Auto Body Works Inc. d/b/a Jim’s Towing)

           

613      H.     Communication from Frank J. Milos, Jr., Esq., City Solicitor, to Councilor Meghan E. Kallman.  (Response – Evergreen Lawsuit)

           

            I.       Communication from Hanah Rose Burgos, to Lisette Gomes, Esq., Assistant City Solicitor and Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk.  (ADA Request regarding Small Cell Towers) IS REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE.

           

            J.      Communication from Jonathan Thomson, to Lisette Gomes, Esq., Assistant City Solicitor and Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk.  (ADA Request regarding Small Cell Towers) IS REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE.

           

            K.     Communication from Hanah Rose Burgos and Jonathan Thomason, to Lisette Gomes, Esq., Assistant City Solicitor and Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk.  (Notice of Federal Appellate Decision regarding Small Wireless Telecommunications Facilities) IS REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE.

           

623      L.      Communication from Sara Miranda, HR Coordinator, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Pawtucket Firefighters/International Association of Firefighters (IAFF)  Local 1261 Contracts for 2016-2019, 2019-2020, 2020-2023)

           

            M.    Collective Bargaining Agreements by and between the City of Pawtucket and Pawtucket Firefighters/International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 1261 for the Years 2016-2019, 2019-2020, 2020-2023 – IS REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

           

            N.     AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING THE SCHEDULE OF PAY RATES FOR UNIFORM MEMBERS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN §88-12 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996.  (July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2019) – IS LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

           

            O.     AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING THE SCHEDULE OF PAY RATES FOR UNIFORM MEMBERS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN §88-12 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996.  (July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020) – IS LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

           

            P.      AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING THE SCHEDULE OF PAY RATES FOR UNIFORM MEMBERS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN §88-12 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996.  (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2023) – IS LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

           

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

Brianna Forte, by George L. Santopietro, Esq. - $100,000.00

Amicle Oriol, by Harford Central Recovery Office - $2,035.26

Tiqua Johnson, as Guardian of T.J., by Shannah Kurland, Esq. - $100,000.00

Suzanne Silva – No Amount Specified

 

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

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR MERCER.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Chief Goncalves, requesting that she have officers check for loitering in the parking lot located at the corner of Beverage Hill Avenue and Newport Avenue, between the Newport Express, Flash Printing and the muffler shop next door.  The loitering has been occurring after dark.

 

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR MERCER.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Chief Goncalves, regarding a resident who lives at 453 Beverage Hill Avenue who came to the council meeting to complain about a large increase in the number of tractor trailer trucks coming off the George Bennett Highway onto Beverage Hill Avenue to get to Newport Avenue.   She states that the trucks are travelling at a high rate of speed and hitting a bump/dent in the road in front of her house, which is causing vibrations when the trucks go by that have damaged a window and a ceiling in her house.  She is concerned that the new development on Newport Avenue will bring additional trucks down Beverage Hill Avenue.  She says this problem has been going on for about two months.  She is requesting that the city do something to relieve the situation, such as putting a weight limit on the trucks who use the road, slowing down the trucks or making Beverage Hill Avenue a “No Thru Trucking” road.   The council is requesting that Chief Goncalves work with DPW Director Earls and the traffic engineer to see what can be done to relieve the situation.  They want to know if there is a weight limit on trucks travelling on that road.  If so, they request putting up signs and then enforcing the limit.  If not, they request that the police and DPW work together on a study to determine if weight limits are appropriate for that road or if no trucking should be allowed on the road. While it was conceded that using Beverage Hill Avenue is probably the faster route for the trucks, it was also noted that Beverage Hill Avenue was never meant to be a by-pass for large tractor trailers.

 

 

Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following appointment to the Advisory Commission on Arts and Culture, FOR CONFIRMATION:

 

ADVISORY COMMISSION ON ARTS AND CULTURE

 

589   Damont Combs, 380 Washington Street, Apt. 410, Providence, RI. Term expires the first Monday in October 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, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Damont Combs, 380 Washington Street, Apt. 410, Providence, RI. Term expires the first Monday in October 2022.

 

 

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

 

BOARD OF APPEALS

 

589    Nathan T. Luciano, 289 Orient Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. (ALTERNATE). Term expires the first Monday in January 2025 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, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Nathan T. Luciano, 289 Orient Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. (ALTERNATE). Term expires the first Monday in January 2025.

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR RUDD.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to the property owner of 55 Concord Street, requesting that a representative attend a pre-council session on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, to discuss their property.  At last Wednesday’s meeting, Councilor Rudd expressed concerns about the large trash trucks, loaded with trash, which are parking overnight on this property, along with the large number of dumpsters on the property.

 

 

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

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

588   RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE FAIRLAWN CARDINALS 18U CHEERLEADING TEAM FOR WINNING A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND TAKING SECOND PLACE IN THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS.

 

 

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

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

588   RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING THE MONTH FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2020 TO FEBRUARY 29, 2020 TO BE AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH 2020 IN THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET.

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

588      RESOLUTION REGARDING REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES RELATING TO THE TIDEWATER LANDING PROJECT

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

588      RESOLUTION REGARDING REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES RELATING TO PAWTUCKET’S PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX

 

 

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

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

330      AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING THE SCHEDULE OF PAY RATES FOR UNCLASSIFIED NON-UNION POSITIONS IN §88-12 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996.  (Executive Administrative Secretary and Administrative Secretary)

 

 

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

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

330      AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING THE SCHEDULE OF PAY RATES FOR CLASSIFIED NON-UNION POSITIONS IN §88-12 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996.  (Increase 19X and Add – Human Resources Specialist 14X)

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

330      AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING THE SCHEDULE OF PAY RATES FOR HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS IN §88-12 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996.  (Increase in Range for Director of Finance, Director of Public Works, Chief of Police, Director of Commerce)

 

 

 

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

 

AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, Barry, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, 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.  (Administrative Assistant)

 

 

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

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

330      AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 363 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996, ENTITLED “TAXATION.” (TAX STABILIZATION PROGRAM) AS AMENDED.

 

 

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 Moran, Councilors Araujo, Barry, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Jonathan Ellen - $327.02

 

 

 

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:

 

Norberto Cardoso by William Devane, Esq. – No Amount Specified

Raul Villarreal – No Amount Specified

 

 

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, seconded by Councilor Araujo and Mercer, the meeting is adjourned at 7:59 p.m., in memory of Lourdes Mossor.