PAWTUCKET CITY COUNCIL

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL

137 ROOSEVELT AVENUE, PAWTUCKET, RI

https://clerkshq.com/Pawtucket-ri

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2024

7:00 PM

 

 

A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council was held Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at 7:34 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 137 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI.

 

Present – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Moran, Moreno, Rubio and Wildenhain.

 

Absent – Councilors Gregor and Stachowiak.

 

President Mercer presided.

 

 

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

 

AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 410 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET 1996, ENTITLED “ZONING”.  (Amendment to Zoning Ordinance to Regulate Accessory Dwelling Units)

 

THE PUBLIC HEARING ADJOURNED AT 7:41 PM.

 

THE COUNCIL RECONVENED AT 7:42 PM

 

 

1.      The reading of the records of the July 22, 2024 Joint Recreation Committee/City Property Committee meeting, the July 24, 2024 City Council meeting, and the July 25, 2024 City Council meeting was dispensed with and the records were APPROVED as prepared by the Clerk.

 

 

2. Upon motion made by Councilor Araujo, seconded by Councilor Wilderhain, the *Consent Agenda was APPROVED on a unanimous voice vote:

 

      *THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATIONS WERE READ AND ORDERED FILED

     

A.    Communication from the Honorable Yesenia Rubio, Councilor-At-Large, to Tina Goncalves, Police Chief (Request for Update on Flock Camera Program) POSTPONED ON 7/24/24

     

B.     591 - Communication from Major David Holden, Pawtucket Police Department, to Tina Goncalves, Police Chief (Response – Update on Flock Camera Program) INTRODUCED AND POSTPONED ON 7/24/24

     

C.     1 - Communication from Bianca M. Policastro, Director of Planning & Redevelopment, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council.  (Update - Comprehensive Plan)

     

D.    592 - Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Terrence E. Mercer, City Council President (AARP/WHO Age Friendly City)

     

E.     590 - Communication from Ryan J. Holt, Chief of Staff, to the Honorable Terrence E. Mercer, City Council President (Update on the Relocation of the Pawtucket Senior Center)

     

F.      590 - RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS – WAS REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

     

G.    Communication from Jason Pettinato, Senior Planner, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Local Historic District Nomination, 70 Lowden Street – AP 66; L860)

     

H.    592 - 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 70 LOWDEN STREET TO THE HISTORIC DISTRICT) - WAS LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE AND A PUBLIC HEARING SET FOR SEPTEMBER 11, 2024.

     

I.        THE FOLLOWING CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY WAS REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS: Patricia Gaffney – $228.70 (Window)  

 

**  TAKEN OFF CONSENT AGENDA FOR COMMENTS ONLY, NO FURTHER ACTION WAS TAKEN ON THIS MATTER

     

J.       Communication from Jordan Karlik, Blackstone Distribution Center, LLC, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Response – 1 Moshassuck Q2 2024 Construction Update) POSTPONED ON 7/24/24 AND WAS POSTPONED AGAIN UNTIL THE AUGUST 21, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MEETING

 

 

3.      589 - Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following appointment as a member of the Board of Canvassers, FOR CONFIRMATION:

 

BOARD OF CANVASSERS

 

Stella Carrera, 163 Garden Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term Expires the First Monday in March, 2027 (To fill the unexpired term of Edward Catone, Jr.) WAS READ AND ORDERED FILED.

 

The following nomination submitted by His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, for confirmation, was CONFIRMED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Stella Carrera, 163 Garden Street, Pawtucket, RI. Term Expires the First Monday in March 2027 (To fill the unexpired term of Edward Catone, Jr.)

 

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN

 

4.      630 - Upon motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, seconded by Councilor Moreno, the agenda was amended to include the following, on a unanimous voice vote:

 

Communication from Robert Burns, Tax Assessor, to the Honorable Members of the Finance Committee (Twenty-Year Tax Stabilization Agreement for 71 Dexter Street)

 

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A 20-YEAR TAX STABILIZATION AGREEMENT FOR PREG-DSC, LLC FOR THE PROPERTY AT 71 DEXTER STREET (AP44 LOT 618)

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, seconded by Councilor Moran, the following communication was READ AND ORDERED FILED and the following resolution was REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, on a unanimous voice vote:

 

Communication from Robert Burns, Tax Assessor, to the Honorable Members of the Finance Committee (Twenty-Year Tax Stabilization Agreement for 71 Dexter Street)

 

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A 20-YEAR TAX STABILIZATION AGREEMENT FOR PREG-DSC, LLC FOR THE PROPERTY AT 71 DEXTER STREET (AP44 LOT 618)

 

 

5.      588 - The following resolution was APPROVED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Moran, Moreno, Rubio and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

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 2024 AND 2025

 

 

 

6. 588 - The following resolution was APPROVED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Moran, Moreno, Rubio and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

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 2024 AND 2025‎

 

 

 

7. 588 - The following resolution was APPROVED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Moran, Moreno, Rubio and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET TO PROVIDE FOR THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR OF STREETS, 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 $1,200,000 BONDS, NOTES AND OTHER EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS THEREFOR, TO FUND THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE TWO FISCAL YEARS 2024 AND 2025

 

 

 

8. 588 - The following resolution was APPROVED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Moran, Moreno, Rubio and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

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 $4,100,000 BONDS, NOTES AND OTHER EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS THEREFOR, TO FUND THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE TWO FISCAL YEARS 2024 AND 2025

 

 

9. 588 - The following resolution was APPROVED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Moran, Moreno, Rubio and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET TO PROVIDE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR OF BRIDGES AND ALL COSTS INCIDENTAL OR RELATED THERETO 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 2024 AND 2025‎

 

 

 

10. 588 - The following resolution was APPROVED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Moran, Moreno, Rubio and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

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 2024 AND 2025‎

 

 

 

11. THE COUNCIL TOOK UP THE FOLLOWING:

 

AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 410 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996, ENTITLED “ZONING” (Amendment to Zoning Ordinance to Regulate Accessory Dwelling Units)

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR MORAN

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilor Coderre, the following AMENDMENT to the above entitled ordinance was taken up:

 

Amend the following:

 

Under section (2) Definitions, strike out section (c):

 

(c) Owner-Occupied: The owner of the property resides in either the principal dwelling unit or the accessory dwelling unit as their primary residence.

 

Under section (3) Permitted Zones, amend by striking out “in an owner-occupied residence that complies with (“ADU”)

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, one (1) accessory dwelling unit in an owner-occupied residence that complies with ("ADU") that meets the requirements of RIGL§ 45-24-31 and 45-24-73(a) shall be a permitted use in all residential zoning districts. An ADU which meets the requirements of RIGL § 45- 7 24-31 and 45-24-73(a) shall be permitted through an administrative building permit process only.

 

Under section (4) General Requirements, strike out section (a):

 

(a) Owner Occupancy: The property owner must reside in either the principal dwelling unit or the ADU.

 

Reletter b-e to be a-d

 

In the new section (c) strike out “per bedroom”:

 

c)   Parking: A minimum of one (1) off-street parking spaces per bedroom in the per ADU must be provided.

 

Under section (8) Application and Approval Process, strike out section (b)

 

(b) Before a certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion is issued for an accessory dwelling unit a recorded document shall be filed in the land evidence records for the property stating that the property owner acknowledges that the property with the accessory dwelling unit will be owner occupied.

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilor Coderre, the following AMENDMENT was APPROVED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

AYES - President Mercer; Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Moran, Moreno, Rubio and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Amend the following:

 

Under section (2) Definitions, strike out section (c):

 

(c) Owner-Occupied: The owner of the property resides in either the principal dwelling unit or the accessory dwelling unit as their primary residence.

 

Under section (3) Permitted Zones, amend by striking out “in an owner-occupied residence that complies with (“ADU”)

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, one (1) accessory dwelling unit in an owner-occupied residence that complies with ("ADU") that meets the requirements of RIGL§ 45-24-31 and 45-24-73(a) shall be a permitted use in all residential zoning districts. An ADU which meets the requirements of RIGL § 45- 7 24-31 and 45-24-73(a) shall be permitted through an administrative building permit process only.

 

Under section (4) General Requirements, strike out section (a):

 

(a) Owner Occupancy: The property owner must reside in either the principal dwelling unit or the ADU.

 

Reletter b-e to be a-d

 

In the new section (c) strike out “per bedroom”:

 

c)   Parking: A minimum of one (1) off-street parking spaces per bedroom in the per ADU must be provided.

 

Under section (8) Application and Approval Process, strike out section (b)

 

(b) Before a certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion is issued for an accessory dwelling unit a recorded document shall be filed in the land evidence records for the property stating that the property owner acknowledges that the property with the accessory dwelling unit will be owner occupied.

 

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE ORDINANCE 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, Moran, Moreno, Rubio and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 410 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET 1996, ENTITLED “ZONING”.  (Amendment to Zoning Ordinance to Regulate Accessory Dwelling Units) AS AMENDED.

 

 

 

12. UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE MOTION TO DENY AND REFER TO RI ENERGY THE FOLLOWING CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY WAS APPROVED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

 

AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Moran, Moreno, Rubio and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Juan Hernandez – $367.50 (Pothole)

 

 

13. UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE MOTION TO DENY THE FOLLOWING CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY WAS APPROVED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:

 

AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Moran, Moreno, Rubio and Wildenhain.

 

NOES – 0.

 

Amilcar DaRosa – $350.00 – $450.00 (Manhole)

 

 

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Araujo, seconded by the entire City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 PM.