MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2021 AT 7:30 P.M.

VIRTUAL - OPEN SESSION

 

The regular meeting was called to order at 7:36pm with a roll call of members.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

President Kinch, Councilors Bradley, Metivier, Shaw, Magill, Beaulieu and Schmitt.

 

Also present— Mayor Jeffrey Mutter; Community Outreach Coordinator Sarah King; Town Clerk Sandra M. Giovanelli; Town Solicitor Kelley Morris Salvatore; Parks & Recreation Director Mike Crawley; Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Alan Neville and member Dan Stevenson

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

President Kinch asked the Council if there is no objection, the Administration requests moving up the discussion relating to the Executive Orders, easing business restrictions, and temporary outdoor service prior to voting on the consent agenda.

 

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

President Kinch stated that five members of the Council had previously approved resolution 19-04 to approve a cross walk at Davenport’s Restaurant. A light has finally been installed to assist patrons in crossing the road, which operates by pushing a button to cause the light to flash and alert traffic to stop.

 

REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS (moved up)

B.  Discussion of status of Executive Orders, easing business restrictions, and temporary outdoor service; potential votes.

 

Solicitor Kelley Morris Salvatore had sent all Council members a copy of the new Governor’s executive order regarding loosening restrictions on small businesses. Currently businesses can have 100% capacity with their outdoor seating. As of May 28, 2021, restaurants will be able to operate at 100% indoor capacity with three foot spacing. She asked the Council their thoughts on how the town should move forward. The Council discussed the ramifications of extending the temporary outdoor seating permits that some restaurants had applied for to assist in their recovery efforts, which would expire as soon as 100% indoor seating is allowed.

 

President Kinch referred the matter to the Ordinance Sub Committee. They will schedule a meeting to review the situation and make recommendations as to how to proceed.

 

UNANIMOUS CONSENT ITEMS

 

CONSENT AGENDA

A.  Acceptance of Minutes of the Special and Regular Meetings of April 21, 2021.

 

 

B.  MUNICIPAL MOBILE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT

     1.  My Bros’ Gyros

     2.  Barbara’s Quick Lunch

     3.  Atomic Burger

     4.  Incred-A-Bowl

 

C. APPROVED PERMITS FOR TEMPORARY OUTDOOR SEATING

     1.  J Gray’s Tavern, 405 Mendon Rd 

     2.  La Familia, 1666 Diamond Hill Rd  

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE, BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0. 

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

President Kinch paused for public comments. There were none.

 

LICENSES

President Kinch informed the Council that the applicant for the following four licenses had requested a two-week continuance to allow time to finalize some of the required documentation.

A.  HAWKER’S LICENSE

1.  An application for a Hawker’s License from John F. May of Keystone Novelties Distributors, LLC located at 3755 Mendon Road from June 24, 2021 to July 5, 2021

 

2.  An application for a Hawker’s License from John F. May of Keystone Novelties Distributors, LLC located at 30 Industrial Drive from June 24, 2021 to July 5, 2021

 

B.  HOLIDAY SALES LICENSE

1.  An application for a Holiday License from John F. May of Keystone Novelties Distributors, LLC located at 3755 Mendon Road from June 24, 2021 to July 5, 2021

 

2.  An application for a Holiday License from John F. May of Keystone Novelties Distributors, LLC located at 30 Industrial Drive from June 24, 2021 to July 5, 2021

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE ALL FOUR LICENSES TO MAY 19, 2021, BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0. 

 

REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS

A.  Report of Executive Session vote(s), as may be necessary

      There were none to report.

 

B.  Discussion of status of Executive Orders, easing business restrictions, and temporary outdoor service; potential votes.

     (heard earlier)

 

C.  Update from Parks & Recreation Commission

 

Parks & Recreation Chair Alan Neville and member Dan Stevenson gave an extensive report of their research and recommendation concerning the Diamond Hill Park rental fee structure. They also reported on parks and field usage. In trying to advance their work, they have spoken to other parks & recreation directors within Rhode Island as well as out of state and performed online research regarding how park systems are managed and have the money to support them appropriately. In brief, it is the Commission’s opinion that our parks and recreation department is understaffed and underfunded.

 

Dan Stevenson presented recommendations on a new nine-tier rate structure for the recreation fields in detail, based on what types of groups use the fields.  The Council discussed various aspects of the proposed structure.

 

Alan Neville closed by thanking the council, remarked on his report that was sent to the Council, and referenced the styling of a new license agreement by Kelley Morris Salvatore. Ms. Salvatore proposed she draft an ordinance within the next month in the hopes of having final resolution by September.

 

NEW BUSINESS

A.  RESOLUTIONS

 

1.  R-21-29 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey Mutter to increase the contract with Union Studio Architecture and Community Design for construction management services in an amount not to exceed eight-thousand eight-hundred fifty dollars ($8,850.00)

 

Parks & Recreation director Mike Crawley gave an overview of the project and this resolution.

 

Town Planner Glenn Modica added that Union Studio has done a great job on this project thus far and has stepped up to perform additional oversight to complete the project.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE, BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0. 

 

B.  CLAIMS

          1.  Douglas Vaughn Properties

               Referred to the Solicitor’s Office

 

          2.  Richard Coen

               Referred to the Finance Sub-Committee

 

          3.  Artie Veliu

               Referred to the Finance Sub-Committee

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were none.

 

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 8:45P.M.  BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0.

 

 

 

 

________________________________

Sandra M. Giovanelli, 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.