CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

DOCKET-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

TUESDAY, January 18, 2022

CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 P.M.

145 TAUNTON AVENUE-CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

 

City Council:

Council President, Robert Britto - Ward 1

Council Vice-President: Bob Rodericks - At Large

Councilwoman Anna Sousa - Ward 2

Councilman Nate Cahoon - Ward 3

Councilman Ricardo Mourato - Ward 4

 

City Solicitor, Michael J. Marcello

Deputy City Clerk, Leah Stoddard

 

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting will be both in person and virtually,

on an application called, "Zoom".

 

IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE VIRTUALLY, USE THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS:

By phone:

Call the toll free number: 1-877-853-5247 (audio only) and enter the following information:

MEETING ID: 885-6717-1685

You do not need a meeting passcode.

 

By computer or smartphone (this is the audio and video option):

To participate visually (with audio) you will need to log into the following from your computer or smartphone, or tablet (with visual capabilities) to: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88567171685

Enter the following information when prompted

MEETING ID: 885-6717-1685

 

If you wish to participate in public comment via zoom, you must use the “raise hand” function via zoom no later than 6:45 p.m. to be recognized by the moderator of the meeting.

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER

Roll Call

 

Cahoon_____ Mourato_____ Rodericks_____ Sousa _____ Britto_____

 

II.        SALUTE TO THE FLAG

 

 

III.       EXECUTIVE SESSION - None

 

 

IV.       RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION - None

 

 

V.        MOTION TO SEAL EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES - None

 

 

VI.       CONSENT CALENDAR

 

            A. COUNCIL JOURNALS:

                        1. Regular meeting minutes and Executive Session minutes December 21, 2021

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

 

2.  Tax Abatements

           

Year	Amount
2017	$55.95
2018	$45.04
2021	$1,209.78
Total	$1,310.77

 

VII.     LICENSES

A. NON-PUBLIC HEARING

 

1. Application for Victualling License – Class 3 - New

Applicant: Jared Houlihan

Business Name: The Hookah Trap

Business Address: 259 Waterman Avenue, 02914

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

 

            2.  Class F1 Application for Special Event – Alcoholic Beverage

            Applicant:  St. Francis Xavier Church

            Location:  81 N. Carpenter Street, 02914

            Date & Time of Event:  January 29, 2022, 6:00pm

            Type of Event:  Parish Anniversary Dinner

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

 

B. PUBLIC HEARING

 

1. BV License – New

            Applicant: Jong Hun Lee

            Business Name: Sun & Moon

            Business Address: 95-99 Warren Ave 02914

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

 

VIII.    PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS - None

 

 

IX.       COMMUNICATIONS - None

            Any person who submits a communication to the Council and wishes to speak on it must indicate this in writing no later than 4:00 p.m. the Thursday prior to the next regularly scheduled Council meeting.  A person who lists more than one topic on their communication will be allowed to speak on the first one listed.

 

X.        PUBLIC COMMENT

            All persons wishing to make public comment shall sign a public comment sheet stating their name, address and the subject of their comments.  Each speaker will be limited to three (3) minutes.  The order of speakers will be on a first come, first serve basis and the maximum time for public comment shall by limited to thirty (30) minutes per meeting.

            If you wish to participate in public comment via zoom, you must use the “raise hand” function via zoom no later than 6:45 p.m. to be recognized by the moderator of the meeting.    

 

XI.       APPOINTMENTS – None

 

 

XII.     COUNCIL MEMBERS

 

1. Community meeting regarding the Flock Group Inc. automatic license plate detection cameras.  Meeting will be held at the American Legion at 830 Willet Avenue on February 2, 2022 at 6pm. – Councilman Mourato – Discussion Only

 

2.  Procedure for review and consideration of city clerk applications/timeline – Council President Britto – Discussion with possible vote

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

 

XIII.    PUBLIC HEARINGS – Ordinance for second passage - None

 

 

XIV.    CONTINUED BUSINESS - None

 

 

XV.     NEW BUSINESS

 

A.  MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS

 

            1.  Appointment requiring Council confirmation

a. Maria Luci Stoddard, reappointment to Board of Assessment Review, Term  12/17/2019-12/16/2025

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

 

2.  Appointment not requiring Council confirmation

      a. John Faria, reappointment to East Providence Housing Authority, Term 12/20/2021-12/19/2024

 

            3.  Items for announcement/discussion

a. State of RI opens new COVID-19 testing site at Fuller Learning Center, 60 Dover Ave.  The site will be open seven days per week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., beginning Wednesday, January 12, 2022

 

b. No more fines.  The City of East Providence, together with the East Providence Public Library Board of Trustees, has announced that the East Providence Public Library will no longer be charging fines on overdue library materials.  The elimination of overdue fines will be effective, January 7, 2022.  The elimination of overdue fines is now being extended to all materials, including adult books, audiobooks, magazines, and DVD’s.  Eliminating fines ensures that everyone in the community has equal access to library books, materials, and services.

 

c. Closures.  The City, through Executive Order 2021-018, closed the Senior and Recreation Centers and cancelled all programs until Jan. 14.  The City, through Executive Order2022-001, cancelled Probate and Municipal Courts and cancelled all in-person boards and commissions meetings for the same period Jan. 1- Jan. 14.  Closures were reevaluated on Jan. 14 and will be discussed before the Council during Mayor Communications. 

 

B.        REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS – None

 

C.        RESOLUTIONS

 

1.  Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with CDM Smith, Inc. for Professional Services for the study and report services phase related to the inspection of the East Providence water Supply Main Project

Sponsor: Council Vice President Rodericks & Councilman Cahoon

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

 

2.  Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with CDM Smith, Inc. for professional services for the study and report services phase related to the Pawtucket Water interconnection Project

Sponsor: Council Vice President Rodericks & Councilman Cahoon

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

 

 

3.  Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an interconnection operation agreement with the Bristol County Water Authority

Sponsor: Council Vice President Rodericks & Councilman Cahoon

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

 

 

4.  Resolution in support of Operation ZAP and encouraging East Providence residents to join the 50^th anniversary of Operation ZAP

Sponsor: Council President Britto

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

 

5.  Resolution requesting the City of East Providence’s General Assembly Delegation to support the installation of a “Luso-Americans Veterans Monument” at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery

Sponsor: Councilman Mourato & Councilwoman Sousa

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

 

 

D.        INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES

 

1.  An ordinance in amendment of Chapter 9 of the revised Ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled “Miscellaneous Offenses”

Summary: Change the age to purchase tobacco products in the form of cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, electronic cigarettes or other forms of electronic nicotine delivery devices to 21 years of age.

Sponsor: Councilwoman Sousa

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

 

2.  An ordinance in amendment of Chapter 13 of the revised ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled “Public Places”

Summary: Addition of other forms of electronic nicotine delivery devices, or the use of combustible cannabis

Sponsor: Councilwoman Sousa

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

 

 

XVII.  ADJOURNMENT

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Cahoon
Mourato
Rodericks
Sousa
Britto

 

 

If communication assistance is needed or any other accommodations to ensure equal participation, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 401.435.7596 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date.