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City Council, June 24, 2020
A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council is held Wednesday, June 24, 2020, at 8:46 p.m., via videoconference on ZOOM during the COVID-19 pandemic, per Governor’s order 20-25 and 20-46. 
Present on ZOOM – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.
Absent – 0.
President Moran presides.
The reading of the records of the June 10, 2020 Committee on Claims and Pending Suits meeting, Public Works/Cemetery Committee meeting, Finance Committee meeting and City Council meeting is dispensed with and the records are APPROVED as prepared by the Clerk on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
Upon motion made by Councilor Mercer, seconded by Councilors Araujo and Barry, the *Consent Agenda is APPROVED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
*THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATIONS ARE READ AND ORDERED FILED:
A. Resolutions from the Towns of Portsmouth and Warren, Condemning Racist Attacks and Urging Efforts to Recognize and Stop Racism
B. Resolution from the Town of Portsmouth Expressing Support for Funding of the Categorical Fund for High Cost Special Education
C. Resolution from the Town of Portsmouth Expressing Support for Funding for the inclusion of Transportation under ESSA in the Categorical Fund for Non-Public Transportation.
D. Resolution from the Town of Portsmouth Urging the Continued Appropriation of State & Local Revenues to Support Public Education.
E. Communication from Eric J. Earls, PE, Director of Public Works, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (COVID-19 Recreation Status Updates)
F. Communication from Wil Arboleda, Office of the Mayor, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Response – Relationship with Social Service Agencies)
G. Communication from Tina Goncalves, Chief of Police and Acting Public Safety Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Response – Comstock and Slater Streets)
H. Communication from Tina Goncalves, Chief of Police and Acting Public Safety Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Response – Waltham Street)
I. Communication from Tina Goncalves, Chief of Police and Acting Public Safety Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Response – Fireworks)
J. Communication from Tina Goncalves, Chief of Police and Acting Public Safety Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Response – Public Summit)
K. Communication from Tina Goncalves, Chief of Police and Acting Public Safety Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, requesting to update Chapters 104 and 210 regarding False Alarms.
L. AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTERS 210 AND 104 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996, ENTITLED “FIRE PREVENTION” AND “ALARM SYSTEMS” (FALSE ALARMS) – TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE.
M. THE FOLLOWING CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY TO BE REFERRED TO THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND RI INTERLOCAL TRUST:
Rebecca C. Seggel, by Amica Mutual Insurance Co. - $6,553.00
Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following reappointment, as a member of the Parks Commission for CONFIRMATION:
PARKS COMMISSION
William L. Goodwin, Jr., 17 Dewey Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. Term Expires the 1st Monday in August, 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.
PARKS COMMISSION
William L. Goodwin, Jr., 17 Dewey Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. Term Expires the 1st Monday in August, 2023.
Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following reappointment, as a member of the Pawtucket Redevelopment Agency for CONFIRMATION:
PAWTUCKET REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
John S. Baxter, Jr., 96 Brewster Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term expires September 12, 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.
PAWTUCKET REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
John S. Baxter, Jr., 96 Brewster Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term expires September 12, 2025.
Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following reappointment, as a member of the Advisory Commission on Arts and Culture, FOR CONFIRMATION:
ADVISORY COMMISSION ON ARTS AND CULTURE
Gina Lisa DiSpirito, 545 Pawtucket Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. Term expires the first Monday in October, 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.
Gina Lisa DiSpirito, 545 Pawtucket Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. Term expires the first Monday in October, 2023
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING CONTRACT IS RATIFIED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, Barry, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.
NOES – Councilor Kallman.
Collective Bargaining Agreement by and between the City of Pawtucket and Pawtucket Lodge No. 4 Fraternal Order of Police for 2020-2023
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN:
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, seconded by Councilor Vitali, is PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
The Clerk is requested to send a communication to Eric Earls, Director of Public Works, regarding two matters in the 2nd councilmanic district.
First, the council is requesting an update on the improvements to the railroad tracks along the George Bennett Highway, at the intersection of Central Avenue. Councilor Wildenhain asked that Mr. Earls contact Congressman Cicilline for assistance, if necessary, to get the work done.
Second, the council is requesting a status on the improvements to the Armistice Boulevard median.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN:
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, seconded by Councilor Vitali, is PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
The Clerk is requested to send a communication to Police Chief Goncalves requesting that she use a detail officer or other method to stop illegal through trucking on Armistice Boulevard.
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, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.
NOES – Councilor Kallman.
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PAY PLAN FOR THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET FOR UNIFORM MEMBERS OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN §88-12 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996 (July 1, 2020- June 30, 2023).
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR MERCER:
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Mercer, on behalf of Council President Moran, seconded by Councilor Wildenhain, is PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
The Clerk is requested to send a communication to John Blais, Recreation Director, requesting an update on the improvements to the tennis courts in Slater Park. President Moran noted that all the courts have cracks and some have weeds growing out of the cracks. The council wants to know what is planned in the near future to fix the problems. Specifically, they want to know if the city is looking to do a total reconstruction of the tennis courts using any available bond money.
Second, the council is requesting a status on the new track at Max Read Field. Councilor Rudd asked when this project will be done.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN:
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, on behalf of Council President Moran, seconded by Councilor Vitali, is PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, Barry, Kallman, Mercer, Rudd, Vasquez, Vitali and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
The Clerk is requested to send a communication to Susan Mara, Director of Planning and Redevelopment, requesting that she contact the developer for the property at the intersection of Newport and Central Avenues, across the street from St. Cecilia’s Church, to get an update on the project that was proposed for this property or any new plans for the property.
Upon motion made by Councilor Mercer, seconded by Councilor Wildenhain, the meeting is adjourned at 9:32 p.m., in memory of Sharon Colby Camara.