City Council, January 22, 2020

 

A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council is held Wednesday, January 22, 2020, at 7:08 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 reading of the records of the January 8, 2019 Snow Removal Committee meeting, Committee on Claims and Pending Suits meeting, Joint Animal Control Committee and City Property Committee 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 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 North Kingstown School Committee regarding the Resolution Field Trip Funding Law.  

           

061      B.     Communication from Joanna L’Heureux, Finance Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Statement of Estimated, Realized and Unrealized Revenue for the fiscal period July 1, 2019 through November 30, 2019)

           

624      C.     Communication from Peter Wingate, Purchasing Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Update – RFP for Transfer Station Operations)

           

589      D.     Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Confirmation of the Appointment of Arthur Plitt to the Pension Board)

           

1          E.      Communication from Tina Goncalves, Chief of Police, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Response – Speed Camera Signs)

           

            G.     Communication from Richard R. Karsulavitch, Public Works Business Manager, to the Pawtucket Cemetery Committee.  (Interment Fee Realignment Request for City Owned Cemeteries) IS REFERRED TO THE PUBLIC WORKS/CEMETERY COMMITTEE

           

611      H.     Communication from Joanna L’Heureux, Finance Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Reclassification – Chief Accountant)

           

            I.       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) – IS LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO FINANCE COMMITTEE.

           

630      J.      Communication from Robert W. Burns, Tax Assessor, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Tax Abatements for October, November and December 2019 in the total amount of $93,988.92)

           

            K.     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 – IS REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

           

592      L.      Communication from Jeanne Boyle, Commerce Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.   (Resolutions Regarding Reimbursement of Expenses Related to Tidewater Landing Project and Public Safety Project)

           

            M.    RESOLUTION REGARDING REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES RELATING TO THE TIDEWATER LANDING PROJECT – IS REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

           

            N.     RESOLUTION REGARDING REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES RELATING TO PAWTUCKET’S PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX – IS REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

           

592      O.     Communication from Jay Rosa, Assistant Director of Planning & Redevelopment, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Proposed Ordinance Amendment regarding Corner Lot Fence Height Requirements)

           

            P.      AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 410 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET 1996, ENTITLED “ZONING” (Amendment to Zoning ordinance to regulate maximum fence height for corner lots) – IS LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE.

           

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

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

Jonathan Ellen - $327.02

Raul Villarreal – No Amount Specified

 

            F.      Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a license agreement with the Restoration Urban Farm of New England at Gibson Street Playground abutting Sherman Street for a Community Garden – is REFERRED TO THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE.

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR KALLMAN.

 

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

 

Communication from Tarshire Battle, to the Honorable Pawtucket City Council, regarding the Gibson Street Park (AP57 L497) Community Garden and map.

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Kallman, seconded by Councilor Wildenhain, the following communication is READ AND ORDERED FILED AND REFERRED TO THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE.

 

Communication from Tarshire Battle, to the Honorable Pawtucket City Council, regarding the Gibson Street Park (AP57 L497) Community Garden and map,

 

 

 

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

 

JUVENILE HEARING BOARD

 

589      Gregory P. Ames, 34 Edendale Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire the first Monday in December, 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.

 

JUVENILE HEARING BOARD

 

Gregory P. Ames, 34 Edendale Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire the first Monday in December, 2022.

 

 

 

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

 

CITY PLANNING COMMISSION

 

589      Karen Kolodziej, 154 Benefit Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire 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, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

CITY PLANNING COMMISSION

 

Karen Kolodziej, 154 Benefit Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire the first Monday in January, 2025.

 

 

 

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      Margaret-Mary Belliveau Hovarth, 74 Varnum Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire 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, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

BOARD OF APPEALS

 

Margaret-Mary Belliveau Hovarth, 74 Varnum Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire the first Monday in January, 2025.

 

 

 

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

 

JUVENILE HEARING BOARD

 

589      Carol Osso, 1 Kelton Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire the first Monday in December, 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.

 

JUVENILE HEARING BOARD

 

Carol Osso, 1 Kelton Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire the first Monday in December, 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 Frank J. Milos, Jr., Esq., City Solicitor, requesting an update on the multi-city evergreen (contract continuation) lawsuit.  The council is asking for the amount of money the city has currently expended on this case.

 

 

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 Angelica Laundry regarding complaints Councilor Kallman has received from the neighbors regarding noise coming from the laundry machines.  The council is requesting that they look into ways to reduce the noise level to which the neighbors are currently being subjected.  

 

 

 

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

 

PENSION BOARD

 

589      Cory Morel, 75 Archer Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire the first Monday in January, 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.

 

PENSION BOARD

 

Cory Morel, 75 Archer Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire the first Monday in January, 2022.

 

 

 

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

 

PERSONNEL BOARD

 

589      Gary J. Convertino, 400 Pleasant Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire 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, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

PERSONNEL BOARD

 

Gary J. Convertino, 400 Pleasant Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire the first Monday in January, 2025.

 

 

 

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

 

PURCHASING BOARD

 

589      Lisa Bessette, 15 Harding Street, 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.

 

PURCHASING BOARD

 

Lisa Bessette, 15 Harding Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire the first Monday in January, 2023.

 

 

 

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

 

WATER SUPPLY BOARD

 

589      William Masuck, 25 Second Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire the first Monday in January, 2024 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.

 

WATER SUPPLY BOARD

 

William Masuck, 25 Second Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term to expire the first Monday in January, 2024.

 

 

 

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 REGARDING CLIMATE CHANGE AND FORMING AN AD HOC CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.

 

 

 

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 IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 222 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996, ENTITLED “FORTUNE TELLING”

 

 

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 UNCLASSIFIED NON-UNION POSITIONS IN §88-12 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996.  (Executive Administrative Secretary and Administrative Secretary)

 

 

COUNCILOR RUDD LEAVES THE CHAMBERS AT 7:25

 

 

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, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

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)

 

 

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, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

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)

 

 

 

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, 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.  (Administrative Assistant)

 

 

 

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENT TO THE ORDINANCE ENTITLED “AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 363 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996, ENTITLED “TAXATION.” (TAX STABILIZATION PROGRAM), IS APPROVED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

Change to read as follows:

 

In § 363-76 A. (1)

 

…(the below tax exemption schedules may be modified with the approval of the City Council, after its review of the facts and circumstances of a specific project).

 

 

In § 363-77 (10)

 

The Planning and Redevelopment Department and City Tax Assessor shall submit an annual a quarterly report to the City Mayor and City Council identifying all properties participating in the property tax stabilization program…          

 

 

In § 363-79 A.; § 363-79 B.; § 363-80.2 A.; § 363-80.2 B.; and § 363-80.4.

 

The above schedule may be modified at the sole discretion of the City Council, after its review of the facts and circumstances of a specific project.

 

 

 

The following ordinance is read for the FIRST TIME, AS AMENDED, and PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

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 motion made by Councilor Mercer, seconded by the entire City Council, the meeting is adjourned at 7:34 p.m.