City Council, April 6, 2022

 

A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council is held Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at 8:06 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 137 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. 

 

Present – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Gregor, Mercer, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

Absent – 0.

 

President Moran presides.

 

 

THE COUNCIL RECESSES IMMEDIATELY TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE FOLLOWING:

 

REDISTRICTING OF COUNCILMANIC DISTRICTS

 

THE COUNCIL RECONVENES AT 8:14 P.M.

 

 

THE COUNCIL RECESSES AT 8:14 P.M. TO CONDUCT THE BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS MEETING.

 

THE COUNCIL RECONVENES AT 8:29 P.M.

 

 

The reading of the records of the March 23, 2022 Public Works/Cemetery Committee meeting and City Council meeting and the records of the March 31, 2022 Ad Hoc Redistricting Committee/Committee of the Whole is dispensed with and the records are APPROVED as prepared by the Clerk.

 

 

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

 

028      A.        Resolution from the City of Woonsocket in Opposition to Senate Bill S-2577 and House Bil H-7829 Regarding Mandatory Translation Services.

                    

033      D.     Communication from Robert W. Burns, Tax Assessor, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Tax Abatements for October, November and December 2021 in the total amount of $151,517.96)

           

            E.      RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ABATEMENT OF TAXES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, REAL ESTATE AND TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY FOR OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, 2021 IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $151,517.96 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:

Antonio Degraca, by Bottaro Law Firm, LLC – No Amount Specified (Trip & Fall)

Stephen J. Olson – $7,963.98 +  (Trip & Fall)

           

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

Nevio & Elizabeth Correia - $466.27 (Sewer Backup)

 

3          B.     Communication from Erin Dube, School Committee Chairwoman, to His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, and Council President David P. Moran, and the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (School Committee’s Support for a Unified High School) is READ AND ORDERED FILED.

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR MERCER.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, requesting a timeline for the unified high school.  In order to get funding for the unified high school on the ballot, a resolution would need to be passed by the Council in support of the project.  The council is asking when you anticipate bringing the matter to them for their consideration and by when will they need to act on the resolution. 

 

625      C.     Communication from Dylan Zelazo, Director of Administration, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (E-mail Communication to the Council) is READ AND ORDERED FILED.

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR DAROSA.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to the Mayor’s Office and Public Safety Officials regarding the following matters (the specific questions will be forwarded to the Clerk by Councilor DaRosa):

 

1.         Fire Apparatus and Equipment

2.         Fire at Coat’s Manor

3.         Police Partnerships with the Institute for Non-Violence and Weber/Renew.

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR DAROSA.

 

Upon motion made by Councilor DaRosa, seconded by Councilor Mercer, Councilor DaRosa speaks on a point of personal privilege:

 

Councilor DaRosa states her frustration with the lack of response that she is getting from the police department and others in the administration.

 

F.         Communication from Dylan Zelazo, Director of Administration, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Response – Angelica Textile Property) POSTPONED ON 1/5/2022, 1/19/2022, 2/9/2022, 2/23/2022 3/23/2022 and is again POSTPONED UNTIL 5/11/2022.

 

609      Communication from Christopher Montalto, Distribution Design, National Grid, and Daryl Crossman, Verizon New England, Inc to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, requesting the relocation of a joint pole on Walcott Street, is READ AND ORDERED FILED and is DENIED BASED ON THE PROXIMITY TO THE SEWER LATERAL SERVICE LINE IN THE ENGINEERING REPORT.

 

609      Communication from Christopher Montalto, Distribution Design, National Grid, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, requesting the relocation of joint poles on Pine Street due to road reconfiguration by the City of Pawtucket, is READ AND ORDERED FILED and is APPROVED PENDING THE APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.

 

613      Communication from Frank J. Milos, Jr., Esq., City Solicitor, to Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk, (City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting of April 6, 2022) is READ AND ORDERED FILED.

 

 

THE FOLLOWING MATTER IS TAKEN UP:

 

City of Pawtucket, Rhode Island vs. Amerisourcebergen Drug Corporation, et al. (Case 1:18-cv-00139-WES-LDA)

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN.

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, seconded by Councilor Araujo, the Council agrees to enter into a participation agreement with Teva and Allegran and approves the amended memorandum of understanding on the following matter, on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Gregor, Mercer, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

City of Pawtucket, Rhode Island vs. Amerisourcebergen Drug Corporation, et al. (Case 1:18-cv-00139-WES-LDA)

 

 

The following resolution is READ AND PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Gregor, Mercer, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

588      RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE SHEA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE DIVISION 2 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

 

 

The following resolution is READ AND PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Gregor, Mercer, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

588      RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE TOLMAN-SHEA CO-OP GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM (SHOLMAN) FOR WINNING THE DIVISION 3 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

 

 

The following resolution is READ AND PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Gregor, Mercer, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

588      RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE TOLMAN HIGH SCHOOL BOYS FRESHMAN BASKETBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE DIVISION 2 FRESHMAN STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

 

The following resolution is READ AND PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Gregor, Mercer, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

588      RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE TOLMAN HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE DIVISION 2 REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP.

 

 

The following resolution is READ AND PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Gregor, Mercer, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

588      RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF SENATE BILL 2640 RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES – RETAIL LICENSES (Appeals of Local Liquor Decisions to the RI Department of Business Regulations)

 

 

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE AD HOC REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE IS POSTPONED INDEFINITELY ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

 

AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Gregor, Mercer, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

023      AN ORDINANCE REDISTRICTING THE COUNCILMANIC DISTRICTS IN THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET (Plan A)

 

 

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE AD HOC REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE IS POSTPONED INDEFINITELY ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

 

AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Gregor, Mercer, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

023      AN ORDINANCE REDISTRICTING THE COUNCILMANIC DISTRICTS IN THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET (Plan B)

 

 

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE AD HOC REDISTRICTING 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, Gregor, Mercer, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

AN ORDINANCE REDISTRICTING THE COUNCILMANIC DISTRICTS IN THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET (Plan C)

 

 

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY ARE APPROVED FOR PAYMENT ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

 

AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Gregor, Mercer, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Dana Howland - $188.80

Wells M. Pile - $297.26

Joseph Sado - $530.00

Jorge Reyes - $370.00

 

 

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE FOLLOWING CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY IS DENIED AND THE CLAIMANT IS TO CONTACT NATIONAL GRID, ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

 

AYES – President Moran, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Gregor, Mercer, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Leivi Uceta - $763.96

 

 

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Mercer, seconded by Councilor Gregor, the meeting is adjourned at 9:33 p.m.