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A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council was held Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 7:56 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 137 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI.
Present – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak, and Wildenhain.
Absent – 0.
President Mercer presided.
THE COUNCIL RECESSED IMMEDIATELY TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE MUNICIPAL ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET AND TO CONDUCT A JOINT MEETING OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
Mayor Donald R. Grebien gave his Budget Address.
THE COUNCIL RECONVENED AT 8:55 P.M.
The reading of the records of the May 10, 2023 City Council meeting, Committee on Claims and Pending Suits meeting, Finance Committee meeting, and Committee of the Whole meeting, was dispensed with and the records were APPROVED as prepared by the Clerk.
Upon motion made by Councilor Araujo, seconded by Councilor Rubio, the *Consent Agenda was APPROVED on a unanimous voice vote:
*THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATIONS WERE READ AND ORDERED FILED
A. Resolution from the Town of Portsmouth to Join the Town of Jamestown in Support of the Request to RIDEM for the South Gould Island Public Recreation Plan.
B. Resolution from the Town of Warren Requesting that § 44-5-68 of the RI General Laws be Repealed (Tax Classifications).
C. Resolution from the Town of Richmond in Opposition to the Rhode Island Gun Legislation.
D. Resolution from the Town of Richmond in Support of FY 2024 Proposed Infrastructure Funds
E. Resolution from the Town of Little Compton in Support of Enabling Legislation Authorizing Tax Amnesty Periods for Municipalities (H5602 and S879).
F. Resolution from the Town of Tiverton Regarding the Restoration of General Revenue Sharing to Cities and Towns.
G. Communication from Bianca Policastro, Planning Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, reappointing Robert Runge to the Arts Panel Review Committee as the representative of the Planning Department.
H. Communication from Robert Burns, Tax Assessor, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Revaluation).
** I. Communication from Carl Johnson, Zoning Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Response – 1 Moshassuck Street AP 62 Lots 295, 337, and 340)
J. Communication from Cheng Lin to Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk, requesting a meeting with the City Property Committee to purchase vacant City owned property at AP47 L791 – WAS REFERRED TO THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE
K. Communication from Qiwen Su to Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk, requesting to purchase vacant City owned property at AP47 L791 – WAS REFERRED TO THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE
L. Communication from Gianfranco Marrocco to Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk, and Terrence E. Mercer, Council President, requesting to purchase vacant City owned property at AP51 L212 – WAS REFERRED TO THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE
M. Communication from John Trenteseaux, Fire Chief, to Terrence E. Mercer, Council President (Fire Department Vehicles) – WAS REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
N. AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 63 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996, ENTITLED “PERSONNEL POLICIES” (USE OF CITY OWNED VEHICLES – FIRE DEPARTMENT) – WAS LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
** TAKEN OFF CONSENT AGENDA FOR COMMENTS ONLY, NO OTHER ACTION TAKEN.
The following resolution was APPROVED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF 2023-S1004, ENTITLED “SENATE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING THE PAWTUCKET CORRIDOR”
The following resolution was APPROVED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF 2023-S0999, ENTITLED “JOINT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATION OF FIVE MILLION DOLLARS ($5,000,000) TO COMMERCE RHODE ISLAND FOR EXPRESS PURPOSE OF PROVIDING BASE LEVEL OPERATION FUNDS FOR LOCAL VISITOR CENTERS”
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN
Upon motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, seconded by Councilor Moran, the agenda was amended to include the following ordinance, on a unanimous voice vote:
AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING THE SCHEDULE OF PAY RATES FOR UNCLASSIFIED NON-UNION POSITIONS AND THE SCHEDULE OF PAY RATES FOR HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND APPOINTED POSITIONS, BOTH IN SECTION §88-12 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996 (ADD: ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF)
Upon motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, seconded by Councilor Moran, the following ordinance was LAID ON THE TABLE and referred to the Finance Committee, on a unanimous voice vote:
AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING THE SCHEDULE OF PAY RATES FOR UNCLASSIFIED NON-UNION POSITIONS AND THE SCHEDULE OF PAY RATES FOR HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND APPOINTED POSITIONS, BOTH IN SECTION §88-12 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996 (ADD: ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF)
The following ordinance was read for the SECOND time and PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING THE SCHEDULE OF PAY RATES FOR UNIFORM MEMBERS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN SECTION §88-12 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996. (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2028)
The following ordinance was read for the SECOND time and PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
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. (ADD: PWSB Executive Project Manager)
The following ordinance was read for the SECOND time and PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 302 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996, ENTITLED “PEDDLING AND SOLICITING” (DOOR-TO-DOOR SOLICITATION – HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT)
THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS TAKEN UP:
CAPITAL BUDGET ORDINANCE 2023-2024
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN
Upon motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, seconded by Councilors Moran and Rubio, the above ordinance was INDEFINITELY POSTPONED, on a unanimous voice vote.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN
Upon motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, seconded by Councilors Rubio and Moran, the agenda was amended to include the following ordinance, on a unanimous voice vote:
CAPITAL BUDGET ORDINANCE 2023-2024, SUBSTITUTE A
Upon motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, seconded by Councilors Rubio and Moran, the following ordinance was LAID ON THE TABLE, on a unanimous voice vote:
CAPITAL BUDGET ORDINANCE 2023-2024, SUBSTITUTE A
THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE, RETURNED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, WAS TAKEN UP:
ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET ORDINANCE 2023-2024
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN.
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN SUBMITTED THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS TO THE ORDINANCE ENTITLED “ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET ORDINANCE 2023-2024”:
AMENDMENTS TO EXPENSES
| DECREASE IN PERSONNEL SERVICES | | TOTAL $ 470,000 |
| | | |
| | Uniform Fire Overtime | $ 200,000 |
| | Fixed Charges Lag In Hiring | $ 270,000 |
| | | |
| DECREASE IN OPERATING EXPENSES | | TOTAL $ 370,000 |
| | | |
| | Planning Consultant | $ 70,000 |
| | City Council Marketing | $ 40,000 |
| | Engineering Consultant | $ 100,000 |
| | Beautification Outside Vendors | $ 80,000 |
| | Transfer Station Tipping Fees | $ 80,000 |
| | | |
| DECREASE IN FIXED CHARGES | | TOTAL $ 500,000 |
| | | |
| | School Contribution | $ 500,000 |
| | | |
| TOTAL DECREASE IN EXPENDITURES: | | $1,340,000 |
| | | |
| INCREASE IN OPERATING EXPENSES | | TOTAL $ 40,000 |
| | | |
| | Planning Marketing | $ 40,000 |
| | | |
| TOTAL INCREASE IN EXPENDITURES: | | $ 40,000 |
| | | |
| TOTAL CHANGE IN EXPENSES (DECREASE) | | $1,300,000 |
| | | |
| | | |
| AMENDMENTS TO REVENUES | | |
| | | |
| DECREASE IN PROPERTY TAXES | | TOTAL $1,000,000 |
| | | |
| | Current Real Estate 2024 | $1,000,000 |
| | | |
| | | |
| DECREASE IN OTHER FINANCING SOURCES | | TOTAL $ 500,000 |
| | | |
| | Finance Other Financing Sources | $ 500,000 |
| | | |
| TOTAL DECREASE IN REVENUES | | $1,500,000 |
| | | |
| INCREASE IN CHARGES FOR SERVICES | | TOTAL $ 200,000 |
| | | |
| | Uniform Fire Rescue Services Fees | $ 200,000 |
| | | |
| TOTAL INCREASE IN REVENUES | | $ 200,000 |
| | | |
| TOTAL CHANGE IN REVENUES (DECREASE) | | $1,300,000 |
The amended rate of $16.94 against the prior year rate of $16.58 represents a $.36 increase on residential taxes. Therefore, the above amendments represent a $.17 decrease on residential taxes to the proposed budget.
The amended rate of $29.65 against the prior year rate of $29.02 represents a $.63 increase on commercial taxes. Therefore, the above amendments represent a $.29 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 CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN.
Upon motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, seconded by Councilors Moran and Rubio, the AMENDMENTS to the ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET ORDINANCE 2023-2024
were APPROVED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES - President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak, and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
AMENDMENTS TO EXPENSES
| DECREASE IN PERSONNEL SERVICES | | TOTAL $ 470,000 |
| | | |
| | Uniform Fire Overtime | $ 200,000 |
| | Fixed Charges Lag In Hiring | $ 270,000 |
| | | |
| DECREASE IN OPERATING EXPENSES | | TOTAL $ 370,000 |
| | | |
| | Planning Consultant | $ 70,000 |
| | City Council Marketing | $ 40,000 |
| | Engineering Consultant | $ 100,000 |
| | Beautification Outside Vendors | $ 80,000 |
| | Transfer Station Tipping Fees | $ 80,000 |
| | | |
| DECREASE IN FIXED CHARGES | | TOTAL $ 500,000 |
| | | |
| | School Contribution | $ 500,000 |
| | | |
| TOTAL DECREASE IN EXPENDITURES: | | $1,340,000 |
| | | |
| | | |
| INCREASE IN OPERATING EXPENSES | | TOTAL $ 40,000 |
| | | |
| | Planning Marketing | $ 40,000 |
| | | |
| TOTAL INCREASE IN EXPENDITURES: | | $ 40,000 |
| | | |
| TOTAL CHANGE IN EXPENSES (DECREASE) | | $1,300,000 |
| | | |
| | | |
| AMENDMENTS TO REVENUES | | |
| | | |
| DECREASE IN PROPERTY TAXES | | TOTAL $1,000,000 |
| | | |
| | Current Real Estate 2024 | $1,000,000 |
| | | |
| DECREASE IN OTHER FINANCING SOURCES | | TOTAL $ 500,000 |
| | | |
| | Finance Other Financing Sources | $ 500,000 |
| | | |
| TOTAL DECREASE IN REVENUES | | $1,500,000 |
| | | |
| INCREASE IN CHARGES FOR SERVICES | | TOTAL $ 200,000 |
| | | |
| | Uniform Fire Rescue Services Fees | $ 200,000 |
| | | |
| TOTAL INCREASE IN REVENUES | | $ 200,000 |
| | | |
| TOTAL CHANGE IN REVENUES (DECREASE) | | $1,300,000 |
The amended rate of $16.94 against the prior year rate of $16.58 represents a $.36 increase on residential taxes. Therefore, the above amendments represent a $.17 decrease on residential taxes to the proposed budget.
The amended rate of $29.65 against the prior year rate of $29.02 represents a $.63 increase on commercial taxes. Therefore, the above amendments represent a $.29 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.
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS READ FOR THE FIRST TIME, AS AMENDED, AND PASSED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET ORDINANCE 2023-2024, AS AMENDED.
Upon motion made by Councilor Araujo, seconded by Councilor Moreno, the meeting was adjourned at 9:32 PM.