City Council, September 7, 2022

 

A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council is held Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at 8:06 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 137 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI.

 

Present – President Pro-Tempore Mercer, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Gregor, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

Absent – Council President Moran.

 

President Pro-Tempore Mercer presides.

 

 

The reading of the records of the August 24, 2022 City Council meeting is dispensed with and the records are APPROVED as prepared by the Clerk.

 

 

**1      B.     Communication from Tina Goncalves, Chief of Police, to Cheryl McWilliams, Superintendent for the Pawtucket School Department, regarding the opening of Henry J. Winters Elementary School.

           

634      C.     Communication from Richard Goldstein, MMC, to the Honorable Members of the City Council (2020 Bond Resolutions)

           

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

Dianne Cardoso - $923.17 (Vehicle Damage)

Alfonso Matamoros - $1,500.00 (Vehicle Damage)

           

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

 

 

 

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

 

613      A.     Communication from Frank Milos, City Solicitor, to the Honorable members of the Pawtucket City Council requesting the Pre-Council Session on September 7, 2022 regarding the sale of Morley Field properties be moved to a future date 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 set a special council meeting relating to Morley Field on September 19, 2022 at 6:00 PM

 

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR GREGOR.

 

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

 

Communication from Bianca Policastro, Planning Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, regarding alternative locations for Morley Field in the 5^th District.

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Gregor, seconded by Councilor Schuette, the following communication is READ AND ORDERED FILED AND REQUESTED TO BE PLACED ON THE SEPTEMBER 19, 2022 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL DOCKET, on a unanimous voice vote.

 

Communication from Bianca Policastro, Planning Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council regarding alternative locations for Morley Field in the 5^th District.

 

 

 

UPON UNANIMOUS CONSENT OF THE COUNCIL, THE AGENDA IS AMENDED TO TAKE UP THE FOLLOWING MATTER AT THIS TIME, ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE:

 

Employment Agreement between the Pawtucket Water Supply Board and Russell L. Houde, Jr., P.E., Assistant Chief Engineer.

 

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT IS RATIFIED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

 

AYES – President Pro-Tempore Mercer, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Gregor, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Drawer8       Employment Agreement between the Pawtucket Water Supply Board and Russell L. Houde, Jr., P.E., Assistant Chief Engineer.

 

 

 

UPON UNANIMOUS CONSENT OF THE COUNCIL, THE AGENDA IS AMENDED TO TAKE UP THE FOLLOWING MATTER AT THIS TIME, ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE:

 

Collective Bargaining Agreement by and Between the Teamsters Local 251 and the Pawtucket Water Supply Board for the period July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2023.

 

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT IS RATIFIED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

 

AYES – President Pro-Tempore Mercer, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Gregor, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Drawer8       Collective Bargaining Agreement by and Between the Teamsters Local 251 and the Pawtucket Water Supply Board for the period July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2023.

 

 

UPON UNANIMOUS CONSENT OF THE COUNCIL, THE AGENDA IS AMENDED TO TAKE UP THE FOLLOWING MATTER AT THIS TIME, ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE:

 

AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING THE SCHEDULE OF PAY RATES FOR LOCAL 251 IN SECTION §88-12 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996 (Teamsters)

 

 

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 Pro-Tempore Mercer, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Gregor, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING THE SCHEDULE OF PAY RATES FOR LOCAL 251 IN SECTION §88-12 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996 (Teamsters)

 

 

 

THE COUNCIL TAKES UP THE FOLLOWING:

 

a.      Collier Park – Beautification and Fencing in and around the park

b.     Moore Park – Beautification and placement of benches

c.      ARPA Funds – Update on money spent and future plan for the remaining funds

d.     Speeding and Traffic Control issues around Payne Park and Moore Park

e.      Parking concerns on Warren Avenue, near the intersection with Main Street

f.      Questions about the city role and input on New School Building Construction

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR DAROSA

 

COUNCILOR DAROSA DISCUSSES THE FOLLOWING:

 

a.      Collier Park – Beautification and Fencing in and around the park

b.     Moore Park – Beautification and placement of benches

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Chief Tina Goncalves; David Clemente, Public Works Director; and Bianca Policastro, Planning Director to ask them to find ways to beautify Collier Park and Moore Park. The council asks that they look into placing fencing around Collier Park for when they close at night, to reduce crime.  At Moore Park, they are requested to look at adding a bench, flowers, shrubs and trashcans. All are instructed to send their responses to the City Council and Parks Commission.

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR DAROSA

 

COUNCILOR DAROSA DISCUSSES THE FOLLOWING:

 

c.      ARPA Funds – Update on money spent and future plans for the remaining funds

 

With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor DaRosa, 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, requesting that a member of the administration attend a pre-council session of the city council on October 5, 2022, to give the council an update on the use of the city’s ARPA funds. Some questions that the council is interested in getting answered are:

 

1.     How much ARPA money has been spent so far and on what has it been spent?

2.     What future plans are in place for the remaining funds?

3.     What are the results of the city’s latest ARPA funds survey?

4.     What is the council’s role on determining the use of these funds?

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR DAROSA

 

COUNCILOR DAROSA DISCUSSES THE FOLLOWING:

 

d.     Speeding and Traffic Control issues around Payne Park and Moore Park

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Chief Tina Goncalves, Chief of Police, requesting that the Pawtucket police Department schedule placing the speed trailer on West Avenue, facing north, between Boutwell St. and Dunnell Ave., as soon as possible.

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Michael Burns, Traffic Division, requesting a traffic study in the area of Jefferson Ave., Randall St. and West Ave., between Payne Park and Moore Park, to determine ways to slow traffic in that area.  The Council suggests looking at adding stop signs and crosswalks to make the area safer.

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR GREGOR

 

COUNCILOR GREGOR DISCUSSES THE FOLLOWING:

 

e.      Parking concerns on Warren Avenue, near the intersection with Main Street

 

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

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Michael Burns, Traffic Division, requesting that he look into adding lines and signs on Warren Ave at the intersection with Main St., to stop people from parking on Warren Ave so close to the corner at Main St.  The problem is most severe when there are events going on in the area.

 

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN

 

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

 

Communication from Sara Miranda, Human Resources Coordinator, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council regarding the reclassification for the Library Page and Senior Library Page positions in the Pawtucket Library.

 

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 (DELETE Library Page and Library Senior Page, Add Library Aide).

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Gregor, seconded by Councilor Schuette, the following communication is READ AND ORDERED FILED and the following ordinance is LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE:

 

623   Communication from Sara Miranda, Human Resources Coordinator, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council regarding the reclassification for the Library Page and Senior Library Page positions in the Pawtucket Library, READ AND ORDERED FILED.

 

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 (DELETE Library Page and Library Senior Page, Add Library Aide) – LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN

 

COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN DISCUSSES THE FOLLOWING:

 

f.      Questions about the city role and input on New School Building Construction

 

With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, on behalf of President Pro-Tempore Mercer, seconded by Councilor Araujo, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:

 

The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Cheryl McWilliams, School Superintendent, and Erin Dube, School Committee Chair, to offer the Council’s support through the process of the construction of the new school buildings including:

1.     Providing input

2.     Facilitating communication with the city

3.     Attending meetings

4.     Have a council member sit as a liaison on any committee relating to new school building construction

 

 

 

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION IS READ AND PASSED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

 

AYES – President Pro-Tempore Mercer, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Gregor, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

588      RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET TO ENTER INTO AN EASEMENT AGREEMENT WITH CAPE VERDEAN MUSEUM EXHIBIT TO MAINTAIN A RAMP ON THE CITY’S SIDEWALK AT 617 PROSPECT STREET

 

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

 

AYES – President Pro-Tempore Mercer, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Gregor, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

588      RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING SEPTEMBER 2022 AS “CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH” IN THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET

 

 

 

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

 

AYES – President Pro-Tempore Mercer, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Gregor, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

588      RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET TO PROVIDE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION AND IMPROVEMENT, REPAIR, ALTERATION, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS IN THE CITY AND AUTHORIZING THE FINANCING THEREOF, INCLUDING THE ISSUE OF NOT MORE THAN $4,000,000 BONDS, NOTES AND OTHER EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS THEREFOR, TO FUND THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE TWO FISCAL YEARS 2022 AND 2023

 

 

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

 

AYES – President Pro-Tempore Mercer, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Gregor, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

588      RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET TO PROVIDE FOR THE RENOVATION, CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPPING OF PUBLIC RECREATION FACILITIES IN THE CITY INCLUDING LAND ACQUISITION AND AUTHORIZING THE FINANCING THEREOF, INCLUDING THE ISSUE OF NOT MORE THAN $4,000,000 BONDS, NOTES AND OTHER EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS THEREFOR, TO FUND THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE TWO FISCAL YEARS 2022 AND 2023

 

 

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

 

AYES – President Pro-Tempore Mercer, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Gregor, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

588      RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET TO PROVIDE FOR THE PLANNING, ‎EVALUATION, DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPPING AND RECONSTRUCTION ‎OF THE SANITARY SEWERS AND STORM SEWERS IN THE CITY AND AUTHORIZING ‎THE FINANCING THEREOF, INCLUDING THE ISSUE OF NOT MORE THAN ‎‎$1,000,000 BONDS, NOTES AND OTHER EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS ‎THEREFOR, TO FUND THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE ‎TWO FISCAL YEARS 2022 AND 2023‎

 

 

 

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

 

AYES – President Pro-Tempore Mercer, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Gregor, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

588      RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET TO PROVIDE FOR THE DESIGN, ‎CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR OF SIDEWALKS AND ‎OTHER TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDING, BUT ‎NOT LIMITED TO DRAINAGE AND LANDSCAPING AND AUTHORIZING THE ‎FINANCING THEREOF, INCLUDING THE ISSUE OF NOT MORE THAN $1,000,000 ‎BONDS, NOTES AND OTHER EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS THEREFOR, TO FUND ‎THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE TWO FISCAL YEARS 2022 AND ‎‎2023‎‎

 

 

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

 

AYES – President Pro-Tempore Mercer, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Gregor, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

588      RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET TO PROVIDE FOR THE REPAVING OF ‎STREETS IN THE CITY AND ALL COSTS RELATED THERETO AND AUTHORIZING ‎THE FINANCING THEREOF, INCLUDING THE ISSUE OF NOT MORE THAN $3,000,000 ‎BONDS, NOTES AND OTHER EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS THEREFOR, TO FUND ‎THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE TWO FISCAL YEARS 2022 AND ‎‎2023

 

 

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

 

AYES – President Pro-Tempore Mercer, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Gregor, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

588      RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET TO PROVIDE FOR THE IMPROVEMENT AND REPLACEMENT OF ROAD SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AND TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES IN THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET AND AUTHORIZING THE FINANCING THEREOF, INCLUDING THE ISSUE OF NOT MORE THAN $1,000,000 BONDS, NOTES AND OTHER EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS THEREFOR, TO FUND THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE TWO FISCAL YEARS 2022 AND 2023‎

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR VASQUEZ.

 

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

 

Communication from Chief Tina Goncalves, Police Chief, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council regarding the homeless encampments along Rte. I-95.

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Vasquez, seconded by Councilor DaRosa, the following communication is READ AND ORDERED FILED AND REQUESTED TO BE PLACED ON THE OCTOBER 5, 2022 CITY COUNCIL DOCKET, on a unanimous voice vote.

 

Communication from Chief Tina Goncalves, Police Chief, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council regarding the homeless encampments along Rte. I-95.

 

 

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

 

AYES – President Pro-Tempore Mercer, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Gregor, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Arnold McKenzie, Jr. - $119.95 (Vehicle Damage)

 

 

 

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

 

AYES – President Pro-Tempore Mercer, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Gregor, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Damaris Duarte - $336.87 (Pothole)

 

 

 

 

 

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE FOLLOWING CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY IS DENIED AND REFERRED TO THE PAWTUCKET WATER SUPPLY BOARD, ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

 

AYES – President Pro-Tempore Mercer, Councilors Araujo, DaRosa, Gregor, Schuette, Stachowiak, Vasquez and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Michael Squillante - $1,274.68 (Vehicle Damage)

 

 

 

 

 

Upon motion made by Councilor DaRosa, seconded by the entire City Council, the Council adjourns in memory of Tanya Gibau at 9:16 p.m.