PAWTUCKET CITY COUNCIL

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL

137 ROOSEVELT AVENUE, PAWTUCKET, RI

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2025

 

A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council was held Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 7:03 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.

 

1.      The reading of the records of the December 18, 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 Moreno, the *Consent Agenda was APPROVED on a unanimous voice vote:

 

            *THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATIONS WERE READ AND ORDERED FILED

           

15 - A. Communication from Susan Reed, Library Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Library Quarterly Report)

           

613 - B. Communication from Frank J. Milos, Esq., City Solicitor, to His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien
     (Apex Tire & Service Center, LLC Sub-Lease Agreement)

           

C. Communication from Ryan Holt, Chief of Staff, to the Honorable Terrence E. Mercer, Pawtucket City Council President
     (Response – American Rescue Plan Act Funds Utilization) WAS POSTPONED UNTIL THE JANUARY 22, 2025 CITY COUNCIL
      MEETING

           

** 1 - D. Communication from Tina Goncalves, Police Chief, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council

        (Response – Pinecrest Drive Petition)

           

** 616 - E. Communication from Emanuel L. Oliveira, Traffic Control Supervisor, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council

        (Response – Safety Enhancements at Pinecrest Drive) )

           

G.    AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 263 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANDES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET 1996,
        ENTITLED “LITTERING” – WAS LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE

           

H.    THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY WERE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND

        PENDING SUITS:

Brian Cote – $450.00, $915.00 (Tree)

John Fortes – $1,949.13, $2,437.54 (Tree)

Monica Guzman – $901.10 (Pothole)

           

I.     THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY WERE REFERRED TO THE LAW DEPARTMENT AND RI

        INTERLOCAL TRUST:

Angelica Abreu – No amount specified (Manhole)

Nadia McKenzie by Pacia & Pacia, LLP – $99,000.00 (Animal Control Vehicle)

Nadia McKenzie by Pacia & Pacia, LLP – $331.04 (Animal Control Vehicle)

Caavian McKenzie by Pacia & Pacia, LLP – $99,000.00 (Animal Control Vehicle)

           

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

 

650 - F.    Communication from Eric Hammerschlag, City Engineer, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council

       (Response – Traffic Issues at Cottage St. & Newport Ave. Intersection) WAS READ AND ORDERED FILED

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR MORAN

 

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

 

The Clerk was instructed to send a communication to Eric Hammerschlag, City Engineer, stating that the city council wants to be sure that the traffic study for the area around the intersection of Cottage Street and Newport Avenue include traffic encompassing Garrity Street, Cedarbrook Road and Deming Street, which are often used as shortcuts or cut throughs to get around the traffic at the Cottage Street / Newport Avenue intersection.

 

G.    Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, et al., to David A. Bergantino, CPA, DFE, Auditor General

       (Extension Request for The Fiscal Year 2024 Audit) WAS POSTPONED UNTIL THE JANUARY 22, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN

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

The Clerk was instructed to send a communication to Ryan Holt, Chief of Staff; and Mark Stankiewicz, Finance Director; noting that the postponement on discussion of the above letter “J,” was to allow a member of the administration to address the matter with the council at the council meeting on January 22^nd. The council asked that the administration be prepared to provide the following information:

 

1.       Were there any new financial reporting standards or regulations this year that caused the delay in completing the audit?

2.      Were there any software issues or technical difficulties that caused the delay?

3.      Ask the auditors for a written timeline from July 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024, showing how they tried to meet the December 31^st deadline and why they were not able to meet it.

4.      Copies of the trial balances from the PWSB and the PRA which were provided to CLA, as noted in the second paragraph of the letter.

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR STACHOWIAK

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Stachowiak, seconded by Councilor Moreno, the agenda was amended to include the following communication, on a unanimous voice vote:

 

Communication from Michael Kearney, MD, President; and Ernestina DaMoura-Moreira, Executive Director, Project Health CV Inc.; to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Sub-Lease Agreement at 100 Main Street)

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Stachowiak, seconded by Councilor Moreno, the following communication was READ AND ORDERED FILED AND REFERRED TO THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE, on a unanimous voice vote:

 

Communication from Michael Kearney, MD, President; and Ernestina DaMoura-Moreira, Executive Director, Project Health CV Inc.; to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Lease Agreement at 100 Main Street)

 

 

3.      609 - Communication from Christopher Montalto, Supervisor, Distribution Design, RI Energy, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting a new joint pole installation at Thomas Ave. WAS APPROVED PENDING APPROVAL FROM THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS

 

 

4.      THE ELECTION OF A COUNCIL MEMBER TO SERVE ON THE PURCHASING BOARD, term expires the first Monday in January 2027, WAS TAKEN UP:

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR MORAN.

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilor Coderre, the name of COUNCILOR MARK J. WILDENHAIN was placed in nomination as the Council member to serve on the Purchasing Board.

 

With no other nominations forthcoming, COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN WAS ELECTED AS THE COUNCIL MEMBER TO SERVE ON THE PURCHASING BOARD - Term expires the first Monday in January 2027, on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

 

 

5.      THE ELECTION OF A COUNCIL MEMBER TO SERVE ON THE PAWTUCKET WATER SUPPLY BOARD, term expires the first Monday in January 2027, WAS TAKEN UP:

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR ARAUJO.

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Araujo, seconded by Councilor Wildenhain, the name of COUNCILOR ROBERTO MORENO was placed in nomination as the Council member to serve on the Water Supply Board.

 

With no other nominations forthcoming, COUNCILOR MORENO WAS ELECTED AS THE COUNCIL MEMBER TO SERVE ON THE WATER SUPPLY BOARD - Term expires the first Monday in January 2027, on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

 

 

 

6.      634 - Communication from Richard J. Goldstein, MMC, City Clerk, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following re-appointment by Council President Mercer as a member of the Riverfront Commission, pending confirmation by Mayor Donald R. Grebien:

 

RIVERFRONT COMMISSION

 

Arthur Marcello, 60 Anawan Road, Pawtucket, RI 02861. Term Expires the 1st Monday in June 2027, WAS READ AND ORDERED FILED.

 

 

The following nomination submitted by Council President Mercer, pending confirmation by Mayor Grebien, was APPROVED on a roll call vote, as follows:

 

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

 

NOES – 0.

RIVERFRONT COMMISSION

 

Arthur Marcello, 60 Anawan Road, Pawtucket, RI 02861. Term Expires the 1st Monday in June 2027.

 

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR GREGOR

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Gregor, seconded by Councilor Moreno, the agenda was amended to include the following matter, on a unanimous voice vote:

 

Issues at the intersection of Main and Magill Streets.

 

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

 

The Clerk was instructed to send a communication to Major David Holden, Pawtucket Police Department, and Carl Johnson, Zoning Director, referring complaints received by Councilor Gregor to them regarding vagrancy, litter and possible substance abuse activities on Main Street and Magill Street.

 

 

 

7.      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 Advisory Commission on Arts and Culture, FOR CONFIRMATION:

 

ADVISORY COMMISSION ON ARTS AND CULTURE

 

Jose DaMoura, 175 Broad Street, Apt. C27, Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term Expires September 30, 2027, 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.

ADVISORY COMMISSION ON ARTS AND CULTURE

 

Jose DaMoura, 175 Broad Street, Apt. C27, Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term Expires September 30, 2027.

 

 

 

 

8.      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 Advisory Commission on Arts and Culture, FOR CONFIRMATION:

 

ADVISORY COMMISSION ON ARTS AND CULTURE

 

Carrie Hyde-Riley, 156 Liberty Street, Pawtucket, RI 02861. Term Expires September 30, 2027, 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.

 

Carrie Hyde-Riley, 156 Liberty Street, Pawtucket, RI 02861. Term Expires September 30, 2027.

 

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR MORAN

 

9.      Upon motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilor Araujo, the agenda was amended to include the following ordinance, on a unanimous voice vote:

 

AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 388-41.2 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996, ENTITLED “No Parking During Street Cleaning”

 

Upon motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilor Gregor, the following ordinance was LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE, on a unanimous voice vote:

 

AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 388-41.2 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996, ENTITLED “No Parking During Street Cleaning”

 

 

10.  589 - Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following reappointment as a member of the Advisory Commission on Arts and Culture, FOR CONFIRMATION:

 

ADVISORY COMMISSION ON ARTS AND CULTURE

 

Toba Weintraub, 10 Exchange Ct., Apt. 304, Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term Expires September 30, 2027, 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.

 

Toba Weintraub, 10 Exchange Ct., Apt. 304, Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term Expires September 30, 2027.

 

 

 

11.  589 - Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following reappointment as a member of the Advisory Commission on Arts and Culture, FOR CONFIRMATION:

 

ADVISORY COMMISSION ON ARTS AND CULTURE

 

Sam Shorr, 22 Montgomery Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term Expires September 30, 2027, 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.

 

Sam Shorr, 22 Montgomery Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term Expires September 30, 2027.

 

 

12.  589 - Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following reappointment as a member of the Pawtucket Water Supply Board, FOR CONFIRMATION:

 

WATER SUPPLY BOARD

 

Thomas Hodge, 300 Front Street, Unit 114, Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term Expires January 5, 2029, 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.

 

Thomas Hodge, 300 Front Street, Unit 114, Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term Expires January 5, 2029.

 

 

13.  588 - 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 AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET TO PROVIDE FOR THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR OF ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PARKS, STREETS, STREETSCAPES, RECREATION, SIDEWALKS, SEWERS, BUILDINGS AND BRIDGES AND AUTHORIZING THE FINANCING, THEREOF, INCLUDING THE ISSUANCE OF NOT MORE THAN $20,000,000 BONDS AND NOTES THEREFORE, TO FUND THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE TWO FISCAL YEARS 2026 AND 2027.

 

 

 

14.  591 - PRESIDENT MERCER SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS:

 

PAWTUCKET CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEES 2025-2026

 

ANIMAL CONTROL                                               ORDINANCE

 

Chair   Mark J. Wildenhain                                        Chair   David P. Moran

Marlena Martins Stachowiak                                      Clovis C. Gregor

Yesenia Rubio                                                            Neicy N. Coderre

 

 

CITY PROPERTY                                                     PUBLIC WORKS/CEMETERY

 

Chair   Marlena Martins Stachowiak                          Chair   Michael A. Araujo

Michael A. Araujo                                                      Mark J. Wildenhain

Roberto H. Moreno                                                     Neicy N. Coderre

 

CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS                            RECREATION

 

Chair   Yesenia Rubio                                                Chair   David P. Moran

Michael A. Araujo                                                      Clovis C. Gregor

Roberto H. Moreno                                                     Roberto H. Moreno

 

FINANCE                                                                   SNOW REMOVAL

 

Chair   Mark J. Wildenhain                                        Chair   Michael A. Araujo

David P. Moran                                                           Roberto H. Moreno

Yesenia Rubio                                                            Neicy N. Coderre

 

 

LICENSE                                                                   SUBSTANCE ABUSE/NON-VIOLENCE

 

Chair   Marlena Martins Stachowiak                          Chair   Clovis C. Gregor

Neicy N. Coderre                                                        Mark J. Wildenhain

Yesenia Rubio                                                            Marlena Martins Stachowiak

 

 

AD HOC COMMITTEE ON

ECONOMIC  DEVELOPMENT                              AD HOC COMMITTEE ON

& NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT                             PUBLIC SAFETY

 

Chair   Michael A. Araujo                                          Chair   David P. Moran

Marlena Martins Stachowiak                                      Mark J. Wildenhain

Clovis C. Gregor                                                         Roberto H. Moreno

 

 

AD HOC CITY HALL BUILDING REVIEW COMMITTEE

Chair   Michael A. Araujo

David P. Moran

Yesenia Rubio

Ryan Holt, Chief of Staff

Jason Pettinato, Senior Planner

Chris Crawley, Public Works Acting Director

Barbara Zdravesky (Preservation Society)

Kevin Miniati (Building/Construction Expert)

Kevin Barry (Economic Development/Federal Grant Expert)

 

 

Council President Mercer adjourned the meeting in memory of former City Councilor James Chadwick at 8:02 PM.