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City Council, May 19, 2021
A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council is held Wednesday, May 19, 2021, at 7:32 p.m., via videoconference on ZOOM during the COVID-19 pandemic, per Governor’s Executive Orders up to and including 21-40. 
Present on ZOOM – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Mercer, Rudd, Schuette, Vasquez and Wildenhain.
Absent – 0.
President Moran presides.
THE COUNCIL RECESSES IMMEDIATELY TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET AND TO CONDUCT A JOINT MEETING OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
Mayor Donald R. Grebien gives his Budget Address.
THE COUNCIL RECONVENES AT 7:53 P.M.
The reading of the records of the May 5, 2021 Ad Hoc Committee on Public Safety 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, DaRosa, Mercer, Rudd, Schuette, Vasquez and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
Upon motion made by Councilor Mercer, seconded by Councilor Araujo, the *Consent Agenda is APPROVED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Mercer, Rudd, Schuette, Vasquez and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
*THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE READ AND ORDERED FILED:
7 A. Various forms and statements from Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank.
028 B. Resolutions from the Town of Smithfield in Support of a Moratorium on the Expansion of Charter Schools H-5193; in Support of Gun Free Schools H-5555; and in Support for the State Reimbursement of Transportation Services Cost for Public and Private School Pupils H-6030.
3 C. Communication from Dr. Cheryl McWilliams, Superintendent of Schools, to Michelle R. Hardy, CMC, Deputy City Clerk. (Reappointment, confirmed by the Pawtucket School Committee, of Ricardo Pimentel to the Arts Panel Review Committee. Term to expire the first Monday in June 2024)
616 D. Communication from Michael E. Burns, Traffic Engineering Supervisor, to Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk. (Response – Mineral Spring Avenue and Conant Street)
630 E. Communication from Robert W. Burns, Tax Assessor, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Tax Abatements for October, November and December, 2020)
F. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ABATEMENT OF TAXES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, REAL ESTATE AND TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY FOR OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, 2020 IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $49,719.98 – IS LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
G. THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY IS REFERRED TO THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND RI INTERLOCAL TRUST:
Nicholas Brissette - $5,025.09/$5,399.63
Alexander Lopez – No Amount Specified – Over $2,500.00
H. THE FOLLOWING CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY IS REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CLAMS AND PENDING SUITS:
Diane Beland - $1,592.20
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR VASQUEZ.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Vasquez, seconded by the entire City Council, is PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Mercer, Rudd, Schuette, Vasquez and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Dylan Zelazo, Director of Administration, requesting that the city have some kind of dedication at Ama’s Variety Store for the late Councilor Amponsah. Naming a street after her was suggested. Another possibility would be to dedicate the corner of Main St. And Vale St. as Mama Ama’s Corner, similar to what the city did for Kips many years ago and Armando’s more recently.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR DAROSA.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor DaRosa, seconded by Councilor Rudd, is PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Mercer, Rudd, Schuette, Vasquez and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Tina Goncalves, Chief of Police asking what plans the police department has to combat the gun violence that has been occurring in the city. Are there plans for a gun buyback? Are there plans for any programs for young adults to keep them from going in the wrong direction or to combat drug overdoses? Are there plans to expand the street worker program? Are there plans for any training to combat gun violence? Are there plans to use any COVID money or other Federal funds or any grants to pay for additional programs, training or services? How much is available for these types of programs? Are there any other plans in place to combat gun violence?
The clerk is further instructed to copy this letter to the RI Congressional delegation.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR RUDD.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Rudd, seconded by Councilor DaRosa, is PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Mercer, Rudd, Schuette, Vasquez and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Tina Goncalves, Chief of Police asking if the police department could use some CPU money to set up a task force within the CPU to combat B&E’s in the city?
Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following appointment as the Architect and Design representative for the Public Arts Committee, FOR CONFIRMATION:
PUBLIC ARTS COMMITTEE
589 Liza Abelson, 545 Pawtucket Ave, Suite C108A, Pawtucket, RI. Term expires the 1st Monday in June 2023 is READ AND ORDERED FILED.
The following nomination, submitted by His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, is CONFIRMED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Mercer, Rudd, Schuette, Vasquez and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
PUBLIC ARTS COMMITTEE
Liza Abelson, 545 Pawtucket Ave, Suite C108A, Pawtucket, RI. Term expires the 1st Monday in June 2023.
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION IS READ AND PASSED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Mercer, Rudd, Schuette, Vasquez and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
588 RESOLUTION SELECTING HAGUE & SAHADY, TO PREPARE THE AUDIT FOR THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET FOR FISCAL YEARS 2021, 2022, 2023, IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $220,500.00, TO PREPARE THE AUDIT FOR THE PAWTUCKET WATER SUPPLY BOARD FOR FISCAL YEARS 2021, 2022, AND 2023, IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $37,500.00, AND TO PREPARE THE AUDIT FOR THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT UNIFORM CHART OF ACCOUNTS FOR FISCAL YEARS 2021, 2022, 2023, IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $12,000.00, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE RHODE ISLAND AUDITOR GENERAL.
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, DaRosa, Mercer, Rudd, Schuette, Vasquez and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
588 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A LEASE BETWEEN THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET AND LEN’S HOT DOG HAVEN, INC. FOR THE CONCESSIONS AREA AT SLATER MEMORIAL PARK
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, DaRosa, Mercer, Rudd, Schuette, Vasquez and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
CAPITAL BUDGET ORDINANCE 2021-2022
THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE, RETURNED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, IS TAKEN UP:
ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET ORDINANCE 2021-2022
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN.
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN SUBMITS THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS TO THE ORDINANCE ENTITLED “ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET ORDINANCE 2021-2022”:
EXPENSES-
| DECREASE IN PERSONNEL SERVICES | TOTAL $ 421,884 |
| Uniform Fire Overtime | $ 421,884 |
| DECREASE IN OPERATING EXPENSES | TOTAL $ 734,400 |
| City Council Audit Fees | $ 14,500 |
| Sewer Dept Sewer Bills | $ 20,000 |
| Passive Parks School Chargebacks | $ 200,000 |
| Interdept Contributions School Funding | $ 499,900 |
| DECREASE IN CAPITAL EXPENSES | TOTAL $ 35,000 |
| Uniform Police Communication Equip | $ 35,000 |
| TOTAL DECREASE IN EXPENDITURES: REVENUES- | $1,191,284 |
| DECREASE TO PROPERTY TAXES | TOTAL $1,191,284 |
| Current Real Estate 2022 | $1,191,284 |
TOTAL DECREASE IN REVENUES $1,191,284
The amended rate of $16.58 against the prior year equalized rate of $16.31 represents a $.27 increase on residential taxes. Therefore, the above amendments represent a $.21 decrease on residential taxes to the proposed budget.
The amended rate of $29.02 against the prior year equalized rate of $28.54 represents a
$.47 increase on commercial taxes. Therefore, the above amendments represent a $.36 decrease on commercial taxes to the proposed budget.
The amended rate of $52.09 against the prior year rate of $52.09 represents a $0 increase on the tangible personal property. Therefore, the above amendments represent a $0 increase on tangible personal property taxes on the proposed budget.
The amended rate of $30.00 against the prior year rate of $30.00 represents a $0 increase on the motor vehicles. Therefore, the above amendments represent a $0 increase on motor vehicles taxes on the proposed budget.
Upon motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, seconded by Councilor Araujo, the following amendments are APPROVED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Mercer, Rudd, Schuette, Vasquez and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
EXPENSES-
| DECREASE IN PERSONNEL SERVICES | TOTAL $ 421,884 |
| Uniform Fire Overtime | $ 421,884 |
| DECREASE IN OPERATING EXPENSES | TOTAL $ 734,400 |
| City Council Audit Fees | $ 14,500 |
| Sewer Dept Sewer Bills | $ 20,000 |
| Passive Parks School Chargebacks | $ 200,000 |
| Interdept Contributions School Funding | $ 499,900 |
| DECREASE IN CAPITAL EXPENSES | TOTAL $ 35,000 |
| Uniform Police Communication Equip | $ 35,000 |
| TOTAL DECREASE IN EXPENDITURES: REVENUES- | $1,191,284 |
| DECREASE TO PROPERTY TAXES | TOTAL $1,191,284 |
| Current Real Estate 2022 | $1,191,284 |
TOTAL DECREASE IN REVENUES $1,191,284
The amended rate of $16.58 against the prior year equalized rate of $16.31 represents a $.27 increase on residential taxes. Therefore, the above amendments represent a $.21 decrease on residential taxes to the proposed budget.
The amended rate of $29.02 against the prior year equalized rate of $28.54 represents a
$.47 increase on commercial taxes. Therefore, the above amendments represent a $.36 decrease on commercial taxes to the proposed budget.
The amended rate of $52.09 against the prior year rate of $52.09 represents a $0 increase on the tangible personal property. Therefore, the above amendments represent a $0 increase on tangible personal property taxes on the proposed budget.
The amended rate of $30.00 against the prior year rate of $30.00 represents a $0 increase on the motor vehicles. Therefore, the above amendments represent a $0 increase on motor vehicles taxes on the proposed budget.
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, 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, DaRosa, Mercer, Rudd, Schuette, Vasquez and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET ORDINANCE 2021-2022, AS AMENDED
COUNCILOR RUDD LEAVES THE ZOOM MEETING AT 8:50 P.M.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR DAROSA.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor DaRosa, seconded by Councilor Araujo, is PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Mercer, Rudd, Schuette, Vasquez and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Michael Burns, Traffic Engineer, requesting that he look into putting up a 4-way Stop sign at the intersection of Whitman St. and Randall St., by the Baldwin School.
Upon motion made by Councilor Mercer, seconded by the Entire City Council, the meeting is adjourned at 8:54 p.m., in memory of Charlie Joyce.