City Council, March 9, 2022

 

A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council is held Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 137 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. 

 

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

 

Absent – Councilor Stachowiak.

 

Councilor DaRosa participates via ZOOM.

 

President Moran presides.

 

The reading of the records of the February 23, 2022 Finance Committee meeting, Ordinance Committee meeting and City Council meeting is dispensed with and the records are APPROVED as prepared by the Clerk.

 

 

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

 

**590  A.     Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (COVID-19 Updates)

           

3          D.     Communications from Melissa Devine, CFO, Pawtucket School Department, and David Clemente, Public Works Director, to Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk.  (Response – Feminine Hygiene Products)

           

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

Joseph Sado - $1,060.00

           

**        TAKEN OFF CONSENT AGENDA FOR COMMENTS ONLY, NO OTHER ACTION TAKEN.

 

 

028      B.     Resolutions from the Town of Burrillville and the City of Woonsocket in Opposition to Rhode Island 2022 H-6638 and S-2340 regarding Zoning Ordinances and the Prohibition of Single-Family Residential Zoning in Municipalities with Populations over Twenty Thousand 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 Araujo, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Mayor Donald R. Grebien, requesting that he reinstate the regular meetings with the administration, council leadership and the Pawtucket delegation to the general assembly during the general assembly session.  The council wants to have an open dialogue with the senators and reps on legislation that affects the city. 

 

 

 

625      C.     Communication from Dylan Zelazo, Director of Administration, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Response – ARPA Fund Survey) is READ AND ORDERED FILED.

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR GREGOR.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Dylan Zelazo, Director of Administration, regarding ARPA outreach into the community. Specifically:

a.      The council would like the results of the community questionnaire from the spring of 2021;

b.     Will they be able to get the results of the February 2022 survey?

c.      What efforts were made to engage the public about these surveys; how were the surveys communicated to the public?

d.     Are there any other plans to engage the public on how to spend the ARPA money?

 

 

            E.      THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY ARE REFERRED TO THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND RI INTERLOCAL TRUST:

Jabriel James, by Joseph J. Voccola, Esq. - $1,000,000.00

Andre D. Fontes, by Zuluaga Insurance Company - $2,838.93

Emily Mendes Rodrigues & Francisco Rodrigues, by Shannah Kurland, Esq. - $100,000

Cristian de Jesus Rosario, by Robert V. Russo, Esq. – No Amount Specified

 

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 contact Frank J. Milos, Jr., Esq., City Solicitor, requesting to know if short explanations may be added to the claims on the docket.

 

 

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, Gregor, Mercer, Schuette, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

588   RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET TO EXEMPT FROM TAXATION THE REAL AND TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY OF CAPE VERDEAN MUSEUM EXHIBIT AT 617 PROSPECT STREET (AP37 L434)

 

 

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, Gregor, Mercer, Schuette, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

588   RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET TO EXEMPT FROM TAXATION THE REAL AND TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY OF FOSTER FORWARD AT 16 NORTH BEND STREET (AP21 L312)>

 

 

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, Gregor, Mercer, Schuette, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

033   RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ABATEMENT OF TAXES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, REAL ESTATE AND TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY FOR JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, 2021 IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $98,952.00

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR SCHUETTE.

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Tina Goncalves, Chief of Police, requesting that they put the speed trailer on Spring Street, near the intersection of Howard Ave.  Councilor Schuette has received complaints about drivers speeding on that street.

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR SCHUETTE.

 

With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Schuette, 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, requesting  to know who administers the city’s website.  Is it one person or does each department administer their own page?  Who should members of the council contact if they find or get calls about outdated information on the website?

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

588   RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF H-7427 RELATED TO HEALTH AND SAFETY – CONTINUED ACCESS TO VITAL RECORDS FOR CITIES AND TOWNS.

 

 

 

The following ordinance is read for the SECOND time and PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

330   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.  (July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2024)

 

 

The following ordinance is read for the SECOND time and PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

330   AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING THE SCHEDULE OF PAY RATES FOR CLASSIFIED NON-UNION POSITIONS IN SECTION §88-12 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996.

 

 

 

The following ordinance is read for the SECOND time and PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

330   AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING THE SCHEDULE OF PAY RATES FOR UNCLASSIFIED NON-UNION POSITIONS IN SECTION §88-12 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996.

 

 

 

The following ordinance is read for the SECOND time and PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

330   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 (ADDITION OF 539 EAST AVENUE, AP64 L806 TO THE PAWTUCKET HISTORIC DISTRICT)

 

 

 

The following ordinance is read for the SECOND time and PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

330   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 (Change 318 Lafayette Street, AP63 L655, from RT Zone to CG Zone)

 

 

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, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Dennis Hall - $111.65

Christopher Concepcion - $780.00

 

 

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE FOLLOWING CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY IS REFERRED TO THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

 

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

 

Tyler Polk - $159.00

 

 

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE FOLLOWING CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY IS POSTPONED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

 

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

 

Jorge Reyes - $370.00

 

 

 

 

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Araujo, seconded by the Entire City Council, the meeting is adjourned at 7:31 p.m., in memory of Donald Magill