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A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council was held Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 7:15 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 BUDGET AT WHICH THERE WERE NO SPEAKERS
THE PUBLIC HEARING ADJOURNED AT 7:16 PM.
THE COUNCIL RECESSED AT 7:17 PM. TO CONDUCT THE JOINT MEETING OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
THE COUNCIL RECONVENED AT 7:35 PM.
The reading of the records of the May 8, 2024 Finance Committee meeting, City Property Committee meeting, Committee on Claims and Pending Suits meeting, and City Council meeting was dispensed with and the records were APPROVED as prepared by the Clerk.
Upon motion made by Councilor Araujo, seconded by Councilor Moreno, the *Consent Agenda was APPROVED on a unanimous voice vote:
*THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATIONS WERE READ AND ORDERED FILED
028 A. Various Resolutions from the Town of Exeter
028 B. Resolution from the Town of Barrington Urging the RI State Legislature to Support Allocating Funding for Permanent Safety Barriers on Rhode Island’s bridges over Narragansett Bay
028 C. Resolution from the Town of Hopkinton Urging the RI State Legislature to Support Allocating Funding for Permanent Safety Barriers on Rhode Island’s bridges over Narragansett Bay
**617 D. Communication from Lexis Galvao, Department of Transportation, to Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk (Response – Speeding on Newport Ave.)
**614 E. Communication from Chris Crawley, Acting Public Works Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Response – Traffic Issues at Cottage St. and Newport Ave. Intersection)
028 F. Communication from Anthony J. Bucci, Jr., Esq., to Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk. (Petition to abandon a portion of School Street and all of Nassau Street, Bishop Street and Berry Spring Street) RETURNED BY THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING FOR JUNE 5, 2024
590 G. Communication from Ryan J. Holt, Chief of Staff, to the Honorable Terrence E. Mercer, City Council President (Bipartisan Board of Canvassers and Registration Ordinance Amendment)
H. AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 11 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996, ENTITLED “BIPARTISAN BOARD OF CANVASSERS AND REGISTRATION” (Alternate Board Members) WAS LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
613 I. Communication from Frank J. Milos, Jr., Esq., City Solicitor, to the Honorable Terrence E. Mercer, City Council President (Retirement Window Agreement for Fraternal Order of Police Pawtucket Lodge No. 4)
J. Window Agreement by and between the City of Pawtucket (the “City”) and Fraternal Order of Police Pawtucket Lodge No. 4 (the “FOP”) Regarding the Retirement of Police Officers, WAS REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
K. Communication from Frank J. Milos, Jr., Esq., City Solicitor, to the Honorable Terrence E. Mercer, City Council President (Walnut Hill Cemetery) WAS REFERRED TO THE PUBLIC WORKS/CEMETERY COMMITTEE
L. Communication from Carl Johnson, Zoning Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Activity at Walnut Hill Cemetery) WAS REFERRED TO THE PUBLIC WORKS/CEMETERY COMMITTEE
M. Communication from Mark Stankiewicz, Finance Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Proposed Amendments to Chapters 88-4 and 88-5 of the Code of Ordinances) WAS REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
N. Communication from Rachel Araujo, Paint and Vino, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Class C Liquor License) WAS REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
O. Communication from Chris Crawley, Acting Public Works Director, to Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk (BUD Application on the Closure of the Grotto Ave Landfill) WAS REFERRED TO THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE
P. THE FOLLOWING CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY WAS REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS:
Lisa Jones – $300.00 (Pothole)
Q. THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY WAS REFERRED TO THE LAW DEPARTMENT AND RI INTERLOCAL TRUST:
Michael and Lynn Farinelli – No amount specified (Claim of Relief)
Michael and Lynn Farinelli – No amount specified (Claim of Relief)
Michael and Lynn Farinelli – No amount specified (Claim of Relief)
** TAKEN OFF CONSENT AGENDA FOR COMMENTS ONLY, NO FURTHER ACTION WAS TAKEN ON THIS MATTER
THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS RETURNED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND WAS READ AND PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio Stachowiak and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
CAPITAL BUDGET ORDINANCE 2024-2025.
THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE WAS RETURNED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND WAS READ AND PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio Stachowiak and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM ORDINANCE 2025-2029.
THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE, RETURNED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, WAS TAKEN UP:
ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET ORDINANCE 2024-2025
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 2024-2025”:
AMENDMENTS TO EXPENSES
DECREASE IN PERSONNEL SERVICES TOTAL $ 677,952
Zoning Temp Services $ 5,000
Uniform Police Overtime $ 200,000
Uniform Fire Overtime $ 300,000
Public Works Director Salaries $ 74,164
Public Works Director Health Benefits $ 15,883
Public Works Director Dental Benefits $ 488
Equipment Maint Salaries $ 66,731
Equipment Maint Health Benefits $ 15,091
Equipment Maint Dental Benefits $ 595
DECREASE IN OPERATING EXPENSES TOTAL $ 326,171
Probate Court Educational Training $ 150
Board of Canv Equipment Rental $ 1,800
Library IS Hard/Soft Maintenance $ 2,221
Law Legal Fees $ 100,000
Law Educational Training $ 750
Law Dues & Subscriptions $ 1,500
Finance Educational Training $ 4,000
Accounting Educational Training $ 2,000
Tax Assessor Legal Fees $ 3,000
Collections Educational Training $ 2,200
Personnel Educational Training $ 25,000
Personnel Outside Vendors $ 15,000
Personnel Consultant $ 5,000
Payroll Educational Training $ 1,500
Information Tech Educational Training $ 1,700
Information Tech IS Hard/Soft Maint $ 50,000
Information Tech Disaster Recovery $ 10,000
Planning Consultant $ 50,000
Public Works Director Educational Train $ 500
Engineering Educational Training $ 1,500
Engineering Consultant $ 25,000
Building Maint Educational Training $ 2,000
Passive Parks Outside Vendor $ 10,000
Transfer Station Outside Parts $ 4,000
Traffic Educational Training $ 1,000
Parks Educational Training $ 350
Parks Outside Parts $ 5,000
Recreation Educational Training $ 1,000
TOTAL DECREASE IN EXPENDITURES: $1,004,123
TOTAL CHANGE IN EXPENSES (DECREASE) $1,004,123
AMENDMENTS TO REVENUES
DECREASE IN PROPERTY TAXES TOTAL $1,004,123
Current Real Estate 2025 $1,004,123
TOTAL DECREASE IN REVENUES $1,004,123
TOTAL CHANGE IN REVENUES (DECREASE) $1,004,123
The amended rate of $12.34 against the prior year equalized rate of $12.10 represents a $.24 increase on residential taxes. Therefore, the above amendments represent a $.13 decrease on residential taxes to the proposed budget.
The amended rate of $21.60 against the prior year equalized rate of $21.18 represents a $.42 increase on commercial taxes. Therefore, the above amendments represent a $.22 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 2024-2025 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 $ 677,952
Zoning Temp Services $ 5,000
Uniform Police Overtime $ 200,000
Uniform Fire Overtime $ 300,000
Public Works Director Salaries $ 74,164
Public Works Director Health Benefits $ 15,883
Public Works Director Dental Benefits $ 488
Equipment Maint Salaries $ 66,731
Equipment Maint Health Benefits $ 15,091
Equipment Maint Dental Benefits $ 595
DECREASE IN OPERATING EXPENSES TOTAL $ 326,171
Probate Court Educational Training $ 150
Board of Canv Equipment Rental $ 1,800
Library IS Hard/Soft Maintenance $ 2,221
Law Legal Fees $ 100,000
Law Educational Training $ 750
Law Dues & Subscriptions $ 1,500
Finance Educational Training $ 4,000
Accounting Educational Training $ 2,000
Tax Assessor Legal Fees $ 3,000
Collections Educational Training $ 2,200
Personnel Educational Training $ 25,000
Personnel Outside Vendors $ 15,000
Personnel Consultant $ 5,000
Payroll Educational Training $ 1,500
Information Tech Educational Training $ 1,700
Information Tech IS Hard/Soft Maint $ 50,000
Information Tech Disaster Recovery $ 10,000
Planning Consultant $ 50,000
Public Works Director Educational Train $ 500
Engineering Educational Training $ 1,500
Engineering Consultant $ 25,000
Building Maint Educational Training $ 2,000
Passive Parks Outside Vendor $ 10,000
Transfer Station Outside Parts $ 4,000
Traffic Educational Training $ 1,000
Parks Educational Training $ 350
Parks Outside Parts $ 5,000
Recreation Educational Training $ 1,000
TOTAL DECREASE IN EXPENDITURES: $1,004,123
TOTAL CHANGE IN EXPENSES (DECREASE) $1,004,123
AMENDMENTS TO REVENUES
DECREASE IN PROPERTY TAXES TOTAL $1,004,123
Current Real Estate 2025 $1,004,123
TOTAL DECREASE IN REVENUES $1,004,123
TOTAL CHANGE IN REVENUES (DECREASE) $1,004,123
The amended rate of $12.34 against the prior year equalized rate of $12.10 represents a $.24 increase on residential taxes. Therefore, the above amendments represent a $.13 decrease on residential taxes to the proposed budget.
The amended rate of $21.60 against the prior year equalized rate of $21.18 represents a $.42 increase on commercial taxes. Therefore, the above amendments represent a $.22 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 2024-2025, AS AMENDED.
The following consent order was APPROVED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio Stachowiak and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
Consent Order - United States of America vs. City of Pawtucket, Board of Canvassers, et al.
591 Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Terrence E. Mercer, Council President, submitting the following appointment as a member of the Charter Review Commission, FOR CONFIRMATION:
CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION
Judith D. Grant
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, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio Stachowiak and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION
Judith D. Grant
THE COUNCIL TOOK UP THE FOLLOWING:
RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF MAY 2024 AS NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR STACHOWIAK:
Upon motion made by Councilor Stachowiak, seconded by the entire City Council, the following AMENDMENT to the above entitled resolution was taken up:
In second line of the paragraph beginning, “NOW, THEREFORE,…” include the words “REQUEST OF” before the name COUNCILOR MALENA MARTINS STACHOWIAK
Upon motion made by Councilor Stachowiak, seconded by the entire City Council, the following amendment was PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio Stachowiak and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
Amend the following:
In second line of the paragraph beginning, “NOW, THEREFORE,…” include the words “REQUEST OF” before the name COUNCILOR MALENA MARTINS STACHOWIAK
The following resolution was APPROVED, AS AMENDED, on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio Stachowiak and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
588 RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF MAY 2024 AS NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH, AS AMENDED
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, 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.
588 RESOLUTION SELECTING CLIFTON LARSON ALLEN LLP, TO PREPARE THE AUDIT FOR THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET FOR FISCAL YEARS 2024, 2025, 2026, IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $429,750, TO PREPARE THE AUDIT FOR THE PAWTUCKET WATER SUPPLY BOARD FOR FISCAL YEARS 2024, 2025, AND 2026, IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $54,000, AND TO PREPARE THE AUDIT FOR THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT UNIFORM CHART OF ACCOUNTS FOR FISCAL YEARS 2024, 2025, 2026, IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $20,250, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE RHODE ISLAND AUDITOR GENERAL.
UPON RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, 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.
588 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ABATEMENT OF TAXES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, REAL ESTATE AND TANGIBLES FOR JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2024, IN THE AMOUNT OF $85,286.65
Upon motion made by Councilor Araujo, seconded by Councilor Moran, the meeting was adjourned at 8:13 PM.