City Council, February 19, 2020

 

 

A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council is held Wednesday, February 19, 2020, at 7:30 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” CHANGE IN OFFICIAL ZONING MAP. (REMOVAL OF 120 PROGRESS STREET AP63 L141 FROM THE HISTORIC DISTRICT)

 

THE COUNCIL RECONVENES AT 7:37 P.M.

 

 

The reading of the records of the February 5, 2019 Committee on Claims and Pending Suits meeting, Finance Committee meeting, 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 Vitali, the *Consent Agenda is APPROVED on a unanimous voice vote.

 

*THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATIONS ARE READ AND ORDERED FILED:

 

            B.     Communication from Susan L. Reed, Library Director, to Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk.  (Lease Extension for Library Parking) – IS REFERRED TO THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE.

           

592      C.     Communication from Sara Miranda, Human Resource Coordinator, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (City Clerk’s Office/Board of Canvassers – Phase II Reorganization)

           

            D.     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. (City Clerk/Board of Canvassers) – IS LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

           

            E.      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. (Reclassification: Registrar from T11 to 12T) – IS LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

           

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

Amanda Berganza, by Progressive Insurance - $9,392.99

Grace Kwon, by J. Richard Ratcliffe, Esq. – No Amount Specified

 

1          A.     Communication from Tina Goncalves, Chief of Police and Acting Public Safety Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Update – Traffic Camera  Safety Program) is READ AND ORDERED FILED.

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR VITALI.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Dylan Zelazo, Director of Administration

and Joanna L’Heureux, Director of Finance regarding the Council’s request that a portion of the revenues from the traffic cameras be set aside for a program to replace all the street and traffic signs in the city. 

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR MERCER.

 

With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Mercer, on behalf of President Moran, 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 regarding traffic camera tickets.  They want to know the number of tickets that have not been paid; how many cases have gone to municipal court; and how many have been dismissed?  The reason for this request is that they want to be sure that there are no out-of-pocket expenses that must be paid to the contractor if the city does not collect fines on a certain percentage of issued tickets.

 

 

 

 

Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, requesting approval of the following appointees to the Pawtucket Charter Review Commission, for CONFIRMATION: 

 

PAWTUCKET CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION

        

 

IS READ AND ORDERED FILED.

 

The following nominations submitted by His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, for confirmation are CONFIRMED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

589                              PAWTUCKET CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION

        

 

 

Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following appointment to the Parks Commission for CONFIRMATION:

PARKS COMMISSION

 

589      Robert H. Coderre, 18 Angle Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire the first Monday in August, 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.

PARKS COMMISSION

 

Robert H. Coderre, 18 Angle Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire the first Monday in August, 2022.

 

 

 

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 Eric J. Earls, PE, Director of Public Works, requesting that the traffic division repaint the crosswalk at the intersection of Pawtucket Avenue and Sterling Street.  While recognizing that painting crosswalks is not usually done in the winter, Councilor Kallman believes that this crosswalk is so faded that repainting it is urgently needed.

 

 

 

Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following appointment to the Public Library Board of Trustees for CONFIRMATION:

 

PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

589      Camille C. Carino, 30 Capwell Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire the first Monday in January, 2023 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.

PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

Camille C. Carino, 30 Capwell Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire the first Monday in January, 2023.

 

 

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 Robert Burns, Tax Assessor, regarding the implementation of tangible taxes.  The council spoke with the owner of 55 Concord Street about the number of trash trucks that have been parking at that property and the large number of dumpsters being stored on the property by WCI, a tenant on the property.  The council wants to know if the city can charge tangible taxes on the property being stored at that location.  Councilor Rudd suggests that a portion of those revenues could be used for rodent control.

 

 

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR RUDD.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Frank J. Milos, Jr., Esq., City Solicitor, regarding a South Kingstown ordinance creating dumpster and container rules.  The council is requesting his opinion on the legality of the ordinance and rules, and if it is determined that they are legal, the council is requesting that he and the city clerk prepare a similar ordinance for Pawtucket.

 

 

 

 

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

 

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

 

589      W. Bruce Tillinghast, 221 High Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire the first Monday in February, 2023 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.

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

 

W. Bruce Tillinghast, 221 High Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire the first Monday in February, 2023

 

 

 

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

 

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

 

589      Carol A. Jackson, 8 Blodgett Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire the first Monday in February, 2023 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.

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

 

Carol A. Jackson, 8 Blodgett Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire the first Monday in February, 2023.

 

 

 

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

 

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

 

589      Paul C. Mowrey, 5 Lowden Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire the first Monday in February, 2023 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.

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

 

Paul C. Mowrey, 5 Lowden Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire the first Monday in February, 2023.

 

 

 

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 Canvassers for CONFIRMATION:

 

BOARD OF CANVASSERS

 

589      Maria M. Pavao, 76 Woodbury Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire the first Monday in March, 2026 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.

BOARD OF CANVASSERS

 

Maria M. Pavao, 76 Woodbury Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire the first Monday in March, 2026.

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR ARAUJO.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Eric J. Earls, PE, Director of Public Works, requesting that the tree wardens check out a tree on Waldo Street, near Pawtucket Avenue, to determine if it needs to be removed.  Councilor Araujo noted that the tree is leaning out over the street and the base looks to be rotted.

 

 

630      Communication from Robert W. Burns, Tax Assessor to David P. Moran, President, Pawtucket City Council, requesting to change the name for the tax stabilization agreement for 111 High Street from Rivard Partners III LLC to Rivard Partners High Street QOZB LLC is READ AND ORDERED FILED.

 

 

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.

 

636      RESOLUTION IN AMENDMENT OF THE RESOLUTION ENTITLED “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A 5-YEAR TAX STABILIZATION AGREEMENT FOR RIVARD PARTNERS III, LLC FOR THE PROPERTY AT 111 HIGH STREET (AP43 L626)” CHANGING THE NAME TO RIVARD PARTNERS HIGH STREET QOZB LLC.

 

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Eric J. Earls, PE, Director of Public Works, requesting that he contact the city’s Congressional delegation, if necessary, to push the railroad company to fix the train tracks on Central Avenue and the George Bennett Highway.  They are very hard on the cars that go over them. 

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

033      RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ABATEMENT OF TAXES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, REAL ESTATE AND TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY FOR OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, 2019, IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $93,988.92     

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

NOES – Councilor Mercer.

 

588      RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH AN OCEAN STATE CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCE FUND (OSCAR)

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

NOES – Mercer.

 

588      RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE UNITED STATES TO LEAD A GLOBAL EFFORT TO PREVENT NUCLEAR WAR.

 

 

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 IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION, WHICH WOULD MOVE THE PRIMARY ELECTION TO WEDNESDAY IF IT IS HELD THE SAME WEEK AS LABOR DAY.

 

 

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 – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, 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.  (Reclassify Chief Accountant from R49 to R53)

 

 

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

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. (REMOVAL OF 120 PROGRESS STREET AP63 L141 FROM THE HISTORIC DISTRICT)

 

 

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Mercer, seconded by Councilor Vitali, the meeting is adjourned at 8:15 p.m.