I.          CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 7:07 P.M. by Council President Jessica Marino.

II.        ROLL CALL

The roll was called by the Clerk.  Stated as present:  Councilman Robert J. Ferri, Councilwoman Nicole Renzulli, Councilwoman Aniece Germain, Councilman John P. Donegan, Councilman Richard D. Campopiano, Councilman Christopher G. Paplauskas, and Council President Jessica M. Marino.  Council Vice-President Lammis J. Vargas arrive at 7:41 P.M.

Also present:  Asst. Solicitor John Verdecchia, Asst. Solicitor Christopher Rawson, Budget Analyst/Internal Auditor David DiMaio, Legal Counsel Stephen Angell, Chief of Staff Anthony Moretti, and City Clerk Tracy Nelson.

III.       PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by the body.

IV.       APPROVAL OF MINUTES   (vote may be taken)

V.        PUBLIC ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND COMMENDATIONS

Citations of Congratulations to the 12- 9-10-year-old Cranston West Little League Softball team, State Champions   (cont'd from 7/24/23)

Citations of Congratulations to the 10-year-old Cranston West Little League / CLCF

Baseball team, State Champions 

Council President Marino and Councilman Ferri presented citations to both teams.

MOTION made by Councilman Ferri, SECOND by Councilman Campopiano to take the docket out of order.  (Council President Communication #3 - Status of Budlong Pool - for immediate consideration)               

Ayes - 7 (Ferri, Renzulli, Germain, Donegan, Campopiano, Paplauskas, and Marino)

Council President Marino reminded all that the Council expressed their desire to have the pool open as soon as possible, preferably repaired versus replaced.  The Administration has indicated the pool cannot be repaired; the cost is too exponential.  They are looking to replace instead of repair.  The public has obtained documents.  The Mayor has called a public meeting for September 6.  The Council will convene a special session to participate.

VI.       PUBLIC HEARINGS AND PUBLIC COMMENT   (Votes may be taken)

The Council President reminded speakers to state their name and address, speak into the microphone, to be mindful of others, and limit comment to four minutes per speaker.

Susan Blake, 173 Grand Ave., summarized documents obtained through a Public Records Request.  She provided the Council with copies.  The response is incomplete. 

Nathan Kirshenbaum, 15 Curtis St. and Elizabeth Morlani, 14 Boxwood Ave. read statements containing information obtained from the Public Records Request.  Both are in favor of repairing and maintaining the existing Budlong Pool.

Tony Liberatore, former Parks and Recreation Director explained how the math provided in the August, 2023 report from Weston & Sampson contradicts costs from 2019, his last year as Director, before the pool closed.  DEM inspected annually and we always received an A or B rating.

The following individuals spoke in opposition to the Mayor's proposal (in person):

            Diane Lewis, 183 Park Ave.

            Susan Robinson, 96 Bryant Rd.

            Sam Brusco, 11 Alhambra Circle

            Dan Wall, 27 Sagamore Rd.

            Mike O'Brien, 218 Lawnacre Dr.

            Marie Malchodi, 68 Tallman Ave.

            Tom Wojcik, 11 Hall Place

            Patrick Shelton, 1921 Broad St.

            Kerri Tingley, 18 Bryant Rd.

            Gail Harvey, 455 Meshanticut Valley Pkwy.

            Michael Farina, 10 Katelan Ct.

            An unidentified minor

            Alice Petrone, 24 Bretton Woods Dr.

            Nina Harrison, 136 Garden City Dr.

            Sonya Poydras, 190 Aqueduct Rd.

Barry Fontaine, 36 Boxwoods Dr., also a former Parks and Recreation Director, is the current Recreation Director for the town of Somerset, MA, a prior pool director for the town of North Providence, was the first Certified Pool Operator in the state, and a swim coach at the University of Rhode Island.  He is up to date on current trends.  He believes the pool needs to be downsized.  In response to the pool being designated as historic, there is nothing historic about the pool.  He urged people to let the Mayor move ahead with his plan.  The pool may be smaller, but it can do all the things people have talked about.  It would be the same size as the pool at the Cranston YMCA.  The plan is ideal.  He offered his expertise.

The following individuals spoke in opposition to the Mayor's proposal, via Zoom:

            Jennifer Shugrue, 49 Normandy Rd. 

            Tiffany Floody, 85 Royal Ave. 

            Mike Stanton, 108 Betsey Williams Dr. 

            Susan Kelley (no address provided)

At 8:45 P.M. the Council President called for a five-minute recess.  Public comment resumed at 9:07 P.M. after an extended recess due to technical difficulties.  Councilman Paplauskas left the meeting during the recess.

Public comments via Zoom continued, with the following speaking in opposition to the Mayor's proposal:

            Leslie Maxwell, 14 Eden Park Dr.

            Tina Dumas, 145 Preston Ave.

            Melissa Willis, 720 Pontiac Ave.

            Enid Killay, 406 Park Ave.

Monica Maye, 66 Kenyon Rd. spoke in opposition to the Mayor's proposal.

Council President Marino closed public comment at 9:24 P.M.

VII.     RESOLUTIONS

            None

VIII.    REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

A.  Report from the Chair, Councilman Donegan, on the FINANCE COMMITTEE meeting held August 7, 2023

IX.       PUBLIC COMMENT FOR UNDOCKETED ITEMS

            None

X.        ELECTION/APPOINTMENT OF CITY OFFICIALS

XI.       REPORT OF CITY OFFICERS

            None

XII.     EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS

XIII.    COUNCIL PRESIDENT COMMUNICATIONS   (no votes)

The President will take her items out of order:

2.  Status of Municipal Court Clerk position

Council President Marino asked the status.  This is a shared position, partially appointed by the City Council.

A. Moretti reported a recruitment process was conducted.  A number of internal city employees applied.  A recommendation was made by the Chief Judge.  The Mayor agreed.  The employee will transition from their current position in the next couple of weeks.  September 11 is the target date for full-time employment at the court.

Council President Marino will reach out the Personnel Director to get the name and coordinate appointment by City Council.

Councilwoman Germain asked if this is the process always followed.

A. Moretti explained this position is unique.  There is an administrative position in the Teamsters union and the Council appoints a Municipal Clerk.  The primary salary is the union position. 

Councilwoman Renzulli asked if Council will get a resume, so they know who they are appointing ahead of time.

A. Moretti was advised by the Solicitor that the Council may not necessarily appoint the same person.  It could be one of the judges or another staff member.

Council President Marino concurred.  Council may nominate anyone for the appointment.

Council Vice-President Vargas explained the prior Municipal Court Clerk took a new position outside the city.  This is not a new position.  It is a vacancy.  There may be another vacant position advertised as a result of the transition.

 3.  Status of Budlong Pool

Council President Marino acknowledged that several members of the public have been heard.  They are concerned with the status given the change in circumstances.  The residents requested and received records that were not provided to Council, going back to Councilman Paplauskas' presidency.  The City Council has been told the expense of repairs outweighs a new pool.  The truth has been revealed tonight.  It is a reasonable expectation for the Administration to be forthcoming with the Council.  From what was heard tonight, that hasn't necessarily been the case.  She shares in the residents' concerns.  She wants the truth regarding the status of the pool.  It was her mistake (Council's) to believe in the credibility of the inspection.  Tonight, we've heard the cost would be $90,000 to get the pool up and running.  This should be a lesson going forward for the Administration; be prepared and be honest.  She has a simple yes or no question: has the Administration had an engineer, other than Saccoccio, do a hands-on inspection? 

A. Moretti referred to the report provided.

Council President Marino repeated the question.  Other than Saccoccio, has an engineer gone to the pool?

A. Moretti answered yes.

Council President Marino asked when.

A. Moretti objected to an interrogation.

Council President Marino reminded A. Moretti that the Council has every right to ask questions.  They represent the public.  The information presented this evening differs from what we've been told by the Administration.  She advised Mr. Moretti it is his prerogative to choose not to answer; however, she will not allow him to bully her into not asking relevant, significant questions.  She asked Mr. Moretti to confirm if another engineer, under the direction of this Administration, has conducted an inspection in 2023.

A. Moretti replied at least one, to his knowledge, maybe more.

Council President Marino asked if it was an engineer employed by the city; a salaried employee or director.

A. Moretti indicated one was.

Council President Marino asked what engineers have gone to the pool to inspect it in 2023 other than the Saccoccio group.

A. Moretti answered Weston & Sampson and our internal engineers, to his knowledge.  There could be more.

Councilwoman Renzulli asked if the Federal Hill Group went to the pool.

A. Moretti replied not in 2023, to his knowledge. 

Councilwoman Renzulli asked about their first report, in 2022.

A. Moretti did not participate in that inspection so he cannot answer who was at the pool.

Councilwoman Renzulli asked A. Moretti if he could find out.

A. Moretti confirmed he will.  He commented that information was just prepared by the public, yet some Council members have already drawn conclusions without doing their diligence.  Every attorney knows there are two sides to every story.  They are more than happy to answer every question on September 6, truthfully.  They will have the professionals there.  He does not like the connotation of mistruths coming from the City Council before reviewing all the information.  It is very biased.

Councilwoman Renzulli referenced a statement made by a member of the public that the Public Records Request was not complete.  She does not want to draw conclusions, one way or the other, with information that is not complete.

A. Moretti needs to know what information they believe has been omitted.  He is happy to comply when he knows what's being asked for.

Councilman Donegan asked that any records shared pursuant to the afore-mentioned Public Records request also be shared with the City Council; as well as any future information or supplementary records.  He would like to have that by the September 6 meeting.  A lot of people are passionate about this issue; both in the public and the City Council, and city government.  He asked why the Administration is moving forward with a plan despite overwhelming objections from the public. 

A. Moretti stated the reasons have been articulated.  The primary driver is the engineer's report proving it is fiscally irresponsible to repair that pool, that will have a shorter life, rather than provide a new pool for future generations of more than adequate size, incorporating everything everyone wants except one thing:  to repair a pool that is of historical value.  It is obsolete, over capacity and too costly to operate.  It will cost more in staff and maintenance.  The Mayor is looking out for the taxpayers.  That is the fundamental reason.  There is a lot more to be said, but that is the rationale, in a nutshell.

Councilman Donegan asked if there will be costs presented on September 6 and what they will be.

A. Moretti explained there will be estimates.  Like anything else, you won't know until it is bid.  He has not seen the estimates.  He has asked which would be more and less costly.  The answer was it will be more costly to repair than to replace. 

Councilman Donegan asked the cost of the Mayor's plan.

A. Moretti does not wish to be quoted, but believes the ballpark is $3 - $3.5 million.

Councilman Donegan commented on Mr. Moretti's conduct and behavior toward Council. 

A. Moretti will not be lectured.

Councilman Ferri called for Mr. Moretti to apologize.

A. Moretti instructed Councilman Ferri to mind his own business.

Council Vice President Vargas reminded everyone that Cranston has been in the news all summer for a lot of negative things.  The conversation taking place and the disrespect she is witnessing tonight adds to that news component, as we have NBC10 on Zoom.  The tone is embarrassing.  We can agree to disagree in a respectful way.  That has not been the case.  She advised Mr. Moretti that it would be helpful at the September 6 meeting to have a visual timeline of events, including information from the prior Administration.  It would allow, with transparency, to see what's happened, where we have been, where we are today, and where we are going in the near future.  She wants everyone to be on the same page with documentation.  Additionally, she wants to be sure that the recording of each Council meeting, particularly involving Budlong Pool, does not get cut off and is uploaded in its entirety, from the minute the meeting begins to the minute it ends.  She's been told by members of the public that the videos aren’t completely uploaded.  She is not sure who is responsible for uploading them, but we need to be completely transparent.  The trust of our constituents is broken.  This has been a long conversation about Budlong Pool.  Not just this year, but for a few years.  We are all in agreement that we want to see the pool open for next year.  Whether or not that can happen is what she would like to hear from the Administration as well as a timeline and next steps.  Is this the first meeting for community input, or the last?  She does not want to see this on every docket for the remainder of her term or for incoming Council members.  The pool must be addressed.  We owe it to our constituencies and the city. We need at least groundbreaking construction in the summer of 2024. 

Councilwoman Germain has requested this communication on the docket every month.  When she started, she realized there was confusion and misinformation.  She invited    Mr. Liberatore and a representative of FHG, the first firm that conducted a feasibility study, to answer questions.  The Solicitor prevented Mr. Liberatore from speaking.  She was singled out and harassed by the Administration, but that didn’t stop her from continuing to put it on the docket.  She wanted the truth and transparency.  The people of Cranston want to keep the size of the current pool.  If we need to rebuild, we need to preserve the size of the pool we have right now, nine feet deep.  Because of the work of the community, we are starting to see the light of truth.  She reiterated her position:  she opposes Mayor Hopkin's plan to reduce the size of Budlong Pool.  $4 million has been allocated for new facilities.  If the Mayor wants a new pool, it needs to be the same size, period.  This is the people's project and asset.  She is waiting for the report on the costs to repair the pool versus the cost to build a new pool.  She wants to know how someone can assess the pool without draining it.  She would like it explained how the pool can be leaking and taking on ground water. She believes the reports were designed to tell the Administration what they want to hear.  She thanked the public for putting in the hours of research.  That's how we know the videos have been cut off.  She would like to know who has the power to cut them off.  She promised the residents of Cranston that she would keep pushing.  She thanked Councilman Donegan and co-sponsors for the resolution on the docket to be heard at the September 11 committee meeting.    

Councilwoman Renzulli is interested in the timeline, costs, and operating costs, such as staff and chemicals, to keep the same footprint.  We will not have ARPA money to fund the pool going forward.  She would also like to see attendance records from past administrations.  We heard different opinions tonight from two experts, in their own right.  The reasons for not repairing the pool are the same as Gladstone School.  The Mayor wants a pool.  We need to stop going in circles. 

Councilman Campopiano noted all the emotions.  He will address the issue logically.  Something is keeping the pool water level.  The original cobblestone pool was never intended to have a liner.  He has received photos of the splash pad with more people than the pool.  This is the trend, especially for families with younger children.  This whole movement is based on emotion, not logic.  He has looked at pools in other cities in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.  They are not the size of Budlong Pool.  He spoke with a former lifeguard about staffing.  He would hate to see the pool not open because of staff shortages. 

Council President Marino stated we are still without a pool.  The City Council allocated money to get the pool up and running.  We have done it before.  There is no reason we can't do it again.  Council does not control the day-to-day functions.  They must rely on accurate information.  We've been told the cost to repair exceeds replacement.  Tonight, we received information of a $90,000 estimate for repairs back in June of 2021, which was never presented to Council, despite discussions time and time again.  The City Council should not need a public records request to obtain information.

Councilman Ferri thanked all the people that worked on the packet.  It took lots of time and calls to put together.  The people have been let down.  Every month they hoped to get the truth.  Instead, they were misled.

1.  Well wishes for a happy and safe return to school; a happy Labor Day; and end of summer were expressed by the Council President.

XIV.    COUNCIL MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS   (no votes)

From Councilwoman Renzulli:  Update on Learn365RI Funding

Councilwoman Renzulli's questions have been answered by the Administration.  She is excited to hear more.  She asked to keep this item of communication on the next agenda.

From Councilman Donegan:  Providence Water Lead Service Line Replacement Project

Councilman Donegan had a brief conversation with A. Moretti.  Two weeks ago, he met with two representatives of Providence Water.  This is an exciting project.  Funds have been leveraged to provide free lead line replacements for 300 properties in the Arlington and Gladstone neighborhoods.  Be on the lookout for additional information.

A. Moretti has no further update.  Public meetings will be scheduled with the residents.

Council Vice-President Vargas asked if communications could be provided in Spanish.

Councilman Donegan confirmed.  That is already the plan.

Councilwoman Germain asked if the program was available to other areas.

Councilman Donegan can only answer based on his conversation.  Providence Water worked to identify the geographic area with the highest need.

A. Moretti confirmed.  The city did not provide input.  No other areas are being considered at this time.

Council President Marino reiterated Providence Water made the determination.

From Council Vice-President Vargas:  Schedule of Pawtuxet Village / Stillhouse Cove trash can pickup

The Council Vice-President has received information.  The item can be removed from the next agenda.

From Councilwoman Germain:  Update on the Budlong Pool Project plan; Request for the report on the conditions of Budlong Pool; Timeline for groundbreaking work

Councilwoman Germain will wait for the meeting on September 6 to continue discussion.

From Councilwoman Germain:  Street paving:  Discussion on the neglected southern streets of Park Ave.; Explanation of the streets that have not been paved for 35 years.

Councilwoman Germain has received complaints about streets not paved.  Residents have been emailing the Administration and City Council.  She submitted a list of streets she walked in 2022.  Nothing has been done in the area.  Why have certain places been neglected?  Why are the streets she submitted not on the list?

A. Moretti explained there is a rating system for severity of disrepair.  The list is public.  In the last three years, Ward 2 has been favored. 

Councilwoman Germain referred to last year's redistricting.  Parts of Wards 3 and 1 are now Ward 2.  Residents are telling her about roads not paved in 35 years. 

A. Moretti suggested Councilwoman Germain review the list and ratings.

Council President Marino referred to the Council Rules.  It is now 11:00 P.M.  She will entertain a motion to extend the meeting by 30 minutes.

MOTION made by Council Vice-President Vargas, SECOND by Councilwoman Renzulli to extend the Council meeting to 11:30 P.M.

Ayes - 7 (Ferri, Renzulli, Germain, Donegan, Campopiano, Vargas, and Marino)

A. Moretti continued.  Paving is ongoing, subject to funding.  They coordinate with the utility companies.  They don't bounce the paving company all around the city.  They work in clusters of neighborhoods.

Council Vice-President Vargas submitted streets as well.  She would like the list of what streets are being paved now and before this winter, including the score sheets.

Councilwoman Germain indicated her next two discussion items are connected to flooding.  Many residents have reached out about flooding.  They have taken on the responsibility to fix water issues.  She would like to know the money in the bond. 

From Councilwoman Germain:  Discussion on the Sewer Infrastructure Bond; What is the amount available?

From Councilwoman Germain:  Discussion on street flooding issues:  Richard St, Clarence St, Arthur St, Greenwood St, Garden St, Magnolia St, and Budlong Manor areas.  Do we continue to wait and see or do something?  What should we do?

From Councilman Ferri:  1025 Phenix Ave; Inquiring as to the intended use of the construction that is taking place; and to as to any building permits or zoning applications.

Councilman Ferri requested this item to bring it to the attention of the Administration.

A. Moretti reported a permit has been issued for an addition to a shed.  They are maintaining the use as a barn.  They have not submitted any zoning applications.  They will be watching for other activities.

From Councilman Ferri:  Costco update

A. Moretti reported a plan has been submitted for a zoning modification.  It will go to the City Planner and City Clerk.  There will be public hearings.  DEM hurdles are possible.  They have expressed their plan to relocate to the old medium security building at the Howard Industrial Park.  The plans will be brought forward.

XV.     COUNCIL BUSINESS MATTERS CARRIED OVER   (Votes may be taken)

             None

XVI.    INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS   (Votes may be taken)

MOTION made by Council Vice-President Vargas, SECOND by Councilwoman Renzulli to take all New Business items as a block.

XVII.  ITEMS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY

              None