MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL

THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020 AT 6:30 P.M.

VIRTUAL - OPEN SESSION

 

 

The regular meeting was called to order at 6:36pm.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

President Dwyer, Councilors Gemski, Kinch, Shaw, Beaulieu and Schmitt

Absent: Councilor Bradley

 

Also present—Community Outreach Coordinator Sarah King; Deputy Town Clerk Jane H. Christopher; Parks & Recreation Director Mike Crawley

 

President Dwyer read the following:

 

“To protect the health and well-being of our citizens, and in accordance with Governor’s Raimondo’s Executive Order
20-25 (relaxing the Open Meetings Act requirements) this meeting will be available to the public by video or telephone conference.  All members of the Town Council will be participating remotely. Members of the public can listen and/or participate by clicking on the link posted on the agenda.

 

Comments can be emailed to publiccomments@cumberlandri.org including your name, address, and statement. Only comments including all required information will be read into the record.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

CONSENT AGENDA

A.  APPROVED PERMITS FOR TEMPORARY OUTDOOR SEATING

      1.  Ollie’s Diner, 802 High Street

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE BY A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE 6/0.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

President Dwyer paused at 6:39pm and resumed at 6:40pm to allow for any callers or emails. There were none.

 

LICENSES

A.  VICTUALLING LICENSE:

1.   An application from Andrew Larivee for a Fourth-Class Victualling House License for Valley Falls Market Place located at 130 Broad Street, Unit B

 

President Dwyer noted that the address for this location had been listed on the agenda as Mendon Road, but was in fact on Broad Street.

 

Applicant Andrew Larivee was present via Zoom to give an overview of the event and answer any questions. 

 

President Dwyer asked if anyone wished to speak in favor or against.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR GEMSKI, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED BY A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE 6/0.

 

B.  HOLIDAY LICENSE:

1. An application from Andrew Larivee for a Holiday License for Valley Falls Market Place located at 130 Broad Street, Unit B

 

President Dwyer asked if anyone wished to speak in favor or against.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE BY A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE 6/0.

 

OLD BUSINESS

A.  ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING:

1.  20-16 – An ordinance relating to Municipal Mobile Food Establishment Permits (Presented by Council President on behalf of the Administration)

 

Public hearing opened at 6:44pm.

 

Ordinance Sub-Committee chair Scott Schmitt stated that when this was approved some months ago, it was decided the town would lease out properties to different establishments. COVID-19 has changed the circumstances, and now the Sub-Committee would like to amend the ordinance to revise the effective date for that portion of the ordinance pertaining to leasing to May 1, 2021.

 

Parks & Recreation Director Mike Crawley confirmed those details and spoke to the current limited number of trucks.

 

President Dwyer asked if anyone wished to speak in favor or against.

 

Public hearing closed at 6:47pm.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE BY A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE 6/0.

 

NEW BUSINESS

A.  RESOLUTIONS:

1.  R-20-90 – A resolution in support of urging the State of Rhode Island to allocate at least 10 percent of its $1.25 billion in Federal Cares Act funds to establish a grant program for small businesses impacted by COVID-19

 

Council President Dwyer explained this ordinance being co-sponsored by the Lieutenant Governor and the newly formed RI Small Business Coalition. Approximately 15 other states are doing this, and Governor Raimondo will offer details next week.

 

A brief discussion ensued with the Council. 

 

President Dwyer asked if anyone wished to speak in favor or against.

 

Councilor Gemski asked to add the name of the RI Small Business Coalition to the resolution, to appear after the Lieutenant Governor, to read “to sign the Lt. Governor’s and RI Small Business Coalition’s petition”.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR GEMSKI, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE R-20-90 AS AMENDED BY A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE 6/0.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

President Dwyer paused at 7:01pm and resumed at 7:02pm to allow for any callers or emails. There were none.

 

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 7:02P.M.  VOTE 6/0

 

 

 

 

____________________________________

Jane H. Christopher, Deputy Town Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

FOR A FULL ACCOUNT OF THIS MEETING PLEASE REFER TO THE VIDEO RECORDING ACCESSIBLE ON THE TOWN’S WEBSITE, www.cumberlandri.org.

ADDITIONALLY, THE DVD OF THE ENTIRE MEETING IS AVAILABLE AT THE EDWARD J. HAYDEN LIBRARY.