I.            PUBLIC ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND COMMENDATIONS

None.

II.            PUBLIC HEARINGS & PUBLIC COMMENT 

            Arthur Jordan, 35 Lincoln Park Ave., Business Manager for Local 1322, which represents employees of the City of Cranston Public Works and Recreation, appeared to speak and asked that the City Council pass the LIUNA contract.  It is a fair contract to the taxpayers and to the employees.  It gives them a modest raise and lets them know that the hard work that they do is appreciated.

            Jay Bombadier, 41 Oak St., appeared to speak in favor of “Resolution recognizing the month of September as ‘Recovery Month’ in the City of Cranston” and he urged the City Council to pass this Resolution.  Drug and alcohol addiction is a major issue that we are having especially during a pandemic.  He recently lost his wife to addiction, even though he tried many times to get her help.  It is definitely a mental issue that needs to be addressed.

III.            RESOLUTIONS

IV.            REPORT OF COMMITTEES       

SAFETY SERVICES & LICENSES COMMITTEE

(Councilwoman Nicole Renzulli, Chair)

TRANSFER OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE-CLASS (OVER THE CAP)

FROM: CLASS BVL Geos Restaurant Breakfast and Lunch, Inc.

d/b/a Geos Restaurant Breakfast and Lunch                                                 641 Atwood Ave.

TO: CLASS BV Geos Restaurant Breakfast and Lunch, Inc.

d/b/a Geos Restaurant Breakfast and Lunch                                                641 Atwood Ave.

Julio Alcantara

Bonafacio Giron Pacheco

            On motion by Councilman Donegan, seconded by Councilwoman Renzulli, it was voted to approve the above liquor license transfer application and override the cap.  Motion passed on a vote of 9-0.  The following being recorded as voting “aye”:   Councilwoman Marino, Councilman Ferri, Councilwomen Renzulli, Vargas, Germain, Councilmen Donegan, Reilly, Council Vice-President Brady and Council President Paplauskas -9.

V.            PUBLIC COMMENT FOR UN-DOCKETED ITEMS

            David Baldwin, 67 Fordson Ave., appeared to speak regarding the surveillance system that was described in Thursday’s Herald.  He stated that he is not opposed to the deployment of such a system that aids the Police to do their job, however, he thinks that before any system is deployed, the City Council should have the opportunity to intervene into very specific ways in the interest of protecting the privacy of the citizens of Cranston.  He thinks that before any such system is deployed, there should be some attempt to make some comprehensive survey of the residents of Cranston to determine their desire or not to have their vehicle plate surveillanced in this way.  Also, before the system is deployed, a resident should have the option to have their vehicle opted out of the system.

            John Grasso, 205 Meshanticut Valley Parkway, appeared to speak via Zoom and stated that he concurs with Mr. Baldwin’s statements and he questioned how this decision was made without involving any of our representative government.  This decision is not a small one and it certainly infringes on the people’s rights to certain level of privacy.

VI.            ELECTION AND/OR APPOINTMENT OF CITY OFFICIALS

DIVERSITY COMMISSION:

• Appointment of DONALD ROACH, JR., for term ending January 2, 2023 (Council President Paplauskas). 

No action needed.

VII.            REPORT OF CITY OFFICERS

            None.

VIII.            EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS

LEGAL EXPENSE ANALYSIS FOR 7/1/2020 – 8/23/2021

            Councilwoman Marino asked Solicitor for explanation of why the legal fees paid to Attorney Catalano is so high. 

            Solicitor Millea stated that Attorney Catalano has been handling the prosecutions, which has begun two days a week at Kent County Third Division District Court.  During the month of July, there were actually two different trials which were lengthy in nature.  There were also many numerous cases which were somewhat combined involving ATVs and the Police Department during the last month.

REQUEST TO BE CHANGED FROM SERVICE PENSION TO DISABILITY PENSION OF STEPHEN CIAMBRONE, CRANSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT

On motion by Councilman Ferri, seconded by Councilwoman Germain, it was voted to take the docket out of order and go into Executive Session to discuss the request from Stephen Ciambrone.  Motion passed on a vote of 9-0.  The following being recorded as voting “aye”:   Councilwoman Marino, Councilman Ferri, Councilwomen Renzulli, Vargas, Germain, Councilmen Donegan, Reilly, Council Vice-President Brady and Council President Paplauskas -9.

On motion by Council Vice-President Paplauskas, seconded by Councilman Donegan, it was voted to go into Executive Session pursuant to RIGL 42-46-5(a)(1) Personnel.

Under Discussion:

Councilwoman Germain asked for clarification of the difference between service pension and disability pension.

Director Parrillo stated that service pension is by years of service in order to qualify and disability pension is a pension received if inured on the job and you and no longer do that duty.

Roll call was taken on motion to go into Executive Session and motion passed on a vote of 9-0.  The following being recorded as voting “aye”:   Councilwoman Marino, Councilman Ferri, Councilwomen Renzulli, Vargas, Germain, Councilmen Donegan, Reilly, Council Vice-President Brady and Council President Paplauskas -9.

The meeting went into Executive Session at 7:52 p.m.

Present in Executive Session:  Councilman Marino, Councilwomen Marino, Renzulli, Vargas, Germain, Councilmen Donegan, Reilly, Council Vice-President Brady and Council President Paplauskas; Anthony Moretti, Director of Administration; Daniel Parrillo, Director of Personnel; Christopher Millea, City Solicitor; John Verdecchia, Assistant City Solicitor; Stephen Angell, City Council Legal Counsel; David Dimaio, City Council Budget Analyst.

On motion by Council Vice-President Brady, seconded by Councilwoman Germain, it was voted to come out of Executive Session.  Motion passed on a vote of 9-0.  The following being recorded as voting “aye”:   Councilwoman Marino, Councilman Ferri, Councilwomen Renzulli, Vargas, Germain, Councilmen Donegan, Reilly, Council Vice-President Brady and Council President Paplauskas -9.

The meeting came out of Executive Session at 7:57 p.m.

            Council President Paplauskas announced that a vote was taken in Executive Session.  Motion was made by Councilman Donegan and seconded by Councilwoman Vargas, which was unanimous, to change Mr. Ciambrone’s service pension to disability pension.

On motion by Councilman Ferri, seconded by Councilman Donegan, it was voted to seal the minutes of Executive Session.  Motion passed on a vote of 9-0.  The following being recorded as voting “aye”:   Councilwoman Marino, Councilman Ferri, Councilwomen Renzulli, Vargas, Germain, Councilmen Donegan, Reilly, Council Vice-President Brady and Council President Paplauskas -9.

Director Moretti addressed the cameras recently installed and just begun to be activated throughout the City and stated that some people have spoken on social media questioning the lack of advance notice of this.  One Council person wrote that the City Council did not vote on this and this is the first time hearing of it.  Another Council person wrote that they were left in the dark on this.  Director Moretti stated that he thinks it is important for the Administration to convey on what is happening.  Approximately one and half to two months ago, Colonel Winquist went to the Mayor’s Office and requested a meeting with himself and the Mayor to review and give a briefing on an initiative that he had and wanted to get the Mayor’s opinion and input as to his thoughts with the plate reading cameras that have been installed on a trial basis in the City.  The Mayor was quite concerned as expressed by the two speakers this evening.  The Mayor at that point expressed to the Colonel the concerns for privacy most important.  It was found out that the cameras are not taking pictures of the individuals, they are taking pictures of the license plates.  The Mayor was very concerned for the application of these cameras and what the purposes of these cameras would be used for.  He was concerned about the destruction or the maintenance or the retaining of the information of the history of the information on the cameras.  He was very concerned about the cyber security.  He was concerned about the use of access of the information and about the legal use of these cameras.  The Colonel did some investigation on this and came back and met the Mayor’s satisfaction.  The Mayor feels this is a terrific initiative and potential game changer.  Last week Colonel Winquist sponsored a press conference along with two Police Chiefs from Pawtucket and Woonsocket to explain about the uses of those plate reading cameras.  As Council President Paplauskas knows, he gave a heads up the morning prior to the event that the Colonel had scheduled this event.  The Colonel did this event with the other Police Chiefs and did not brief the Mayor of the content of those meetings because the Mayor trusts Colonel Winquist and he trusts the command staff of our Police Department of what is best and legally valid in the City.  He stated that Major Patalano is present and it would be a great opportunity, as part of the Administration, to shed some light on some of the concerns and issues that the public and the City Council would be interested in.

Council President Paplauskas stated that this issue is not on the docket this evening and he does not want to violate any laws.  He asked Solicitor Verdecchia’s opinion regarding this.  Solicitor Verdecchia stated that he and Solicitor Millea discussed this and it is ok to have the gentleman that spoke on the undocketed item, but the Attorney General has made it very clear that it is to be confined commentary and not discuss and that is it.  If there is going to be any type of back and forth of any kind, this would have to be properly advertised for future meeting.  Council President Paplauskas agreed with Solicitor Verdecchia and stated that we may have to set a date for a special meeting.  He will speak to the Clerk about holding a special meeting.

Director Moretti stated that the Mayor wished to have a Fall Harvest Festival, but is concerned with COVID and cases increasing.  He will postpone anything to a different event in the Spring and have the City Council involved.

IX.            COUNCIL PRESIDENT COMMUNICATIONS 

            Council President Paplauskas thanked all City workers and Administration for all the hard work yesterday during the tropical storm.

            Council President Paplauskas stated that there was a site visit on Saturday with the Planning Department of the Cranston Printworks and there will be meetings in the Fall regarding that project when it gets presented to the City Council.

            Council President Paplauskas stated that at future Public Works Committee meeting we will be inviting DEM to have discussion regarding Meshanticut Lake Park.

X.            COUNCIL MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS

COUNCILMAN DONEGAN:

• Space at Cranston Stadium complex for a dog park 

Councilman Donegan stated that there is a small enclosed area past the tennis courts and near the batting cages that could possibly be used for people to bring their dogs.  All it would require is additional signage and some dog bags.

            Raymond Tessaglia, Parks and Recreation Director, appeared to speak and stated that this is a great idea and it can be looked into and possibly expand it.  He would be willing to walk the area with Councilman Donegan in seeing what could be done.

COUNCILMAN FERRI:

• Public Access to Cranston West Track 

Councilman Ferri stated that an elderly woman, who has walked this track for 15 years contacted him to indicate that she showed up to walk the track and could not get access to it.  He asked for an explanation to accessing the track.

Director Tessaglia stated that he believes that this is the only turf field in the State that is not secured.  He has witnessed bicycles on the field and people shoveling snow in the winter of a small area to kick a soccer ball around.  The investment of that facility would be damaged.  Teams going there, unannounced practices, that just show up.  Some other high schools have been seen there not to mention the local trainers have gone there to train for soccer, football, track and they are getting paid for this.  The turf field was built for the high school and the track was great for the people to walk there and the walkers are not the problem.  We are trying to devise a system where people can continue to enjoy what they like to do.  We are looking into, once the field is secured, putting in a farb system there, but we still have to find a way to protect the field.

Director Moretti stated that the purpose of it is securing a million dollar plus investment.

• City Policy on locking up Little League Fields 

Director Tessaglia stated that his understanding is that the locking up of little league fields has been done previous to him.  He can address this and look into it.

COUNCILWOMAN MARINO:

• Citywide Communications 

Councilwoman Marino stated that given the discussion tonight, it is more apparent then ever how important this topic is.  What she is asking for is better communications from the Administration to the City Council Members so we can all serve the residents of Cranston as best we can.  When she was first elected, the Fung Administration did a very good job of sending out e-mails at least weekly and sometimes more than that, to keep the Council Members and Council Members-Elect informed and she understands that this is a new Administration and remained hopeful that things would improve and she has not seen any improvement in communications, but we are eight months into the Administration and this Administration is more staffed then prior Administration and there is a Communications Director.  She gave an example of the cameras.  The City Council received an e-mail from the Communications Director after the press conference took place.  The City Council was receiving calls and inquiries prior to that time.  It would have been beneficial for the City Council to at least know that that was coming so it could be communicated to others.

            Director Moretti stated that he thinks this is a cheap shot at the Administration and the Mayor.  He questions if this is violating Open Meetings.  He also stated that “citywide communications’ is very vague and he is not prepared to speak on this this evening.  He stated that everyone is welcomed to call the Mayor’s Office at any time if anything is needed.  The Office is open to communications. 

            Councilwoman Marino stated that this is no type of political shot, it has nothing to do with Colonel Winquist.  This is not a political attack.  Her concern is the prior Administration communicated to the Council Members as to issues of great importance to this City.  It has been eight months and this Administration is well staffed and the Council Members still do not get those communications.  This is not a political attack, this is about efficiency. 

            Councilman Reilly stated that communications is a two-way street.  The Mayor’s door has always been open to him.  He asked that everyone work together.  The Mayor is running a City.  He is Executive, he is not our secretary.  If you have a question, just pick up the phone and call.

            Councilman Donegan stated that the prior Administration went out of their way to ensure that the City Council was getting all the pertinent information, at least relative to the ongoing public health crisis.  The requests for updates from the Administration are genuine requests.  Relative to the camera issue, he did make a social media comment.  He had no idea that was going on until the news stories.  He does not think it is a good thing.  When he has constituents calling him and asking what is going on, he has no idea and that is not a good thing.  Another example is yesterday’s storm.  Trash pickup was delayed one day this week.  He and everyone found out through Facebook post of the City of Cranston Facebook page.  There are members of the City Council that have served in the past that are not as savvy on social media.  A communication from the Mayor’s Office would be appreciated.  They should not be finding out from a press release that goes out about things going on in the City and he hopes we an work on that together. 

            Councilman Ferri stated that he has heard from someone pleading with the Administration to communicate better so that the elected officials can do their job and be better informed when they receive a phone all.  He stated that Councilwoman Marino is asking the Administration to do that.  It has been eight months and she wants it improved.  She has a right to ask for that and he has a right to ask for that instead the Administration has heard it as a political shot, no, we are trying to do a better job at what we were elected to do and when someone calls him, he wants to be able to give the answers.  He thinks Director Moretti should apologize to Councilwoman Marino and should take the advice she gave him and do a better job in helping us do our job.

            Councilwoman Vargas stated that she is one that calls Director Moretti, texts the Mayor and even calls Paula, Director of Constituent Affairs, and Director Strom for information she is looking for.  We are all here to work together for the City.  We will agree and disagree with our own party, but can we do a better job, absolutely.  She would not call it a political shot.  Maybe we all have to work together in communicating.

XI.            COUNCIL BUSINESS MATTERS CARRIED OVER

XII.            INTRODUCTION OF NEW MATTERS BEFORE THE COUNCIL*

* These new matters are referred for public hearing to the appropriate sub-committee of the Council. They are listed here for referral and vote to a committee and for informational purposes.  

XIII.            MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS ON CLERK’S DESK

EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO R.I.G.L. 42-46-5(a)(1) PERSONNEL.