CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

DOCKET-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023

CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 P.M.

145 TAUNTON AVENUE-CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

EXECUTIVE SESSION: CONFERENCE ROOM A

 

OPEN SESSION WILL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Notice: The meeting will also be viewable live at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0YEW6s1RpjcKR47VMil1LA

 

City Council:

Council President, Bob Rodericks – At Large

Council Vice-President: Frank Rego – Ward 1

Councilwoman Anna Sousa - Ward 2

Councilman Frank Forgarty - Ward 3

Councilman Rick Lawson - Ward 4

 

City Solicitor, Michael J. Marcello

Deputy City Clerk, Leah Stoddard

 

 

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER

Roll Call

 

Fogarty_____ Lawson_____ Rego_____ Sousa _____ Rodericks_____

 

II.        SALUTE TO THE FLAG

 

III.       CONSENT CALENDAR - For discussion and possible vote

 

            A. COUNCIL JOURNALS:

           

1.      Executive session minutes May 2, 2023

2.      Regular meeting minutes May 2, 2023

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

IV.       LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote

 

A. Motion to bundle licenses C1-C10

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

B. Motion to approve licenses C1-C10

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

C.    NON-PUBLIC HEARING

 

1.      Block Party

Applicant: NTRA NTRA/Laura Winig

Applicant Location: 0 Riverside Drive

Date & Time of Function: September 9, 2023, 2pm-9pm

Street to be closed: Riverside Drive from Ocean Drive to Seaview from Riverside to Bullocks Point Ave

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

2.      One Day Entertainment License – New

Applicant: NTRA NTRA/Laura Winig

Applicant Location: 0 Riverside Drive

Date & Time of Function: September 9, 2023, 2pm-9pm

                  Type of Entertainment: Live and recorded music

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

3.      One Day Entertainment License – New

Applicant: Harrison Ingham

Applicant Location: 59 Brightridge Avenue, Holy Ghost Brotherhood

Date & Time of Function: October 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 6:30pm-10pm

                  Type of Entertainment: Haunted Trail Walk

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

4.      Peddler’s License – New

Business Name: Palagis 2000, Inc

Business Address: 55 Bacon Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860

Applicant Name: Joseph A. Gruslin

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

5.      Mobile Food Establishment License/Permit

                  Applicant: Adam Palagi

                  Business Name: Palagi Brothers Ice Cream LLC

                  Business Address: 28 Delta Drive, Pawtucket, RI 02860

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

6.      Application for license to solicit – New

        Applicant: Marcus Rocha

        Business Name: Trinity Solar Inc.

        Business Address: 2211 Allenwood Road, New Jersey

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

7.      Application for license to solicit – New

        Applicant: Zachary Grassi

        Business Name: Renewal By Anderson

        Business Address: 10 Reservoir Road, Smithfield, RI 02917

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

8.      Application for license to solicit – New

        Applicant: Janella Torres

        Business Name: Renewal By Anderson

        Business Address: 10 Reservoir Road, Smithfield, RI 02917

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

9.      Application for Holiday Sales - New

Applicant: Shifeng Zhang

Business Name: Zhong Lian LLC

Business Address: 275 Bullocks Point Avenue

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

10.  Application for Victualing – Class 3- New

Applicant: Shifeng Zhang

Business Name: Zhong Lian LLC

Business Address: 275 Bullocks Point Avenue

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

B. PUBLIC HEARING - None

 

V.        PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

           

1.      Nurses Recognition – Councilwoman Sousa

 

VI.       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.

 

VII.     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.

 

VII.     APPOINTMENTS

1.      Charter Commission, Council Appointment – David Luiz

Council President Rodericks and Councilman Fogarty

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

2.      East Providence City Clerk, Council Appointment – Jill Seppa

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

XII.     COUNCIL MEMBERS

 

1.      City Council Veterans Advisory Committee – Discussion only – Councilman Lawson

2.      Update on Memorial Day Parade and request to put flags up along the parade route – Discussion only – Councilman Lawson

3.      Clifton Larson Allen audit report – Discussion only – Council President Rodericks

4.      Total number of property assessment appeals to Northeast Revaluation to include number of successful appeals and total dollar amount adjusted appeals – Discussion only – Council Vice President Rego

5.      Water/Sewer bills to rate payers by the 10^th of each month - Discussion only – Council Vice President Rego

6.      Update on East Providence Police Department roof bid and start date - Discussion only – Council Vice President Rego

7.      Mutual aid rescue calls requested by the city for each month of 2023 (Jan-April), total to be broken down by each city and town that is sending rescue’s into the city- Discussion only – Council Vice President Rego

8.      Charter Review Commission – Discussion only – Councilman Lawson

9.      Short term rental ordinance review – Discussion only – Council Vice President Rego

 

XIII.    PUBLIC HEARINGS – Ordinance for first and final passage and second passage - For discussion and possible vote

 

1.      An ordinance of the Council of the City of East Providence Appropriating $305,800.00 for the replacement of the Police Station Roof

Summary: To allocate $305,800.00 of the remaining unencumbered and unallocated Capital Budget to the Police Department for the replacement of the police station roof inclusive of the remaining balance of $188,424.07 residual funds from previously approved Capital projects

Sponsor: Council President Rodericks

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

2.      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: Sec 9-17 through 9-21, Revision to City graffiti ordinance including penalties

Sponsors: Council President Rodericks, Council Vice President Rego, Councilwoman Sousa

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

XIV.    CONTINUED BUSINESS – None

 

XV.     NEW BUSINESS

 

A.    MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS

           

1.      Appointment/Reappointments not requiring Council Confirmation 

 

a.       Richard Brown, appointment to the Economic Development Commission – Term 11/22/2022 - 11/21/2027

 

b.      Meg Robinson, appointment to the Tree Commission – Term 1/1/2023 – 12/31/2026

 

c.       Kara Ashely Evans, appointment to the East Providence Historic Commission – Term 12/16/21 – 12/15/2024

 

2.      Items for announcement/discussion

 

a.       Discussion on resolution amending RIGL 16-7-41.1 related to reimbursement of interest payments on approved projects prior to the project’s substantial completion

b.      East Providence third municipality to sign Learn 365 RI Compact

c.       National Skilled Nursing Week Proclamation May 14-20

d.      Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month – Month of May 10, 2023

e.       Mental Health Awareness Month – Month of May 10, 2023

f.        Jewish American Heritage Month – Month of May 10, 2023

g.      LBGTQI+ Pride month – Month of June

h.      Azorean day – May 29 (Celebration May 15)

i.        Day of Portugal – June 10 (Celebration June 6)

j.        ALS Awareness Month – Month of May

k.      Correspondence from Mayor regarding new property tax rates

 

B.     REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS  - None

 

C.    REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE LIAISON

 

D.    RESOLUTIONS - For discussion and possible vote

 

1.      Resolution establishing the East Providence City Council Advisory Recreation Board

Sponsor: Council President Rodericks

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

2.      Resolution establishing the East Providence City Council Crescent Park Advisory Commission

Sponsor: Councilman Lawson

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

3.      Resolution establishing the East Providence City Council Harbor Management Commission

Sponsor: Council President Rodericks

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

4.      Resolution establishing the East Providence City Council Senior and Disabled Citizen’s Advisory Commission

Sponsor: Council President Rodericks

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

5.      Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with K. Electric Inc. for installation of string lighting along the East Bay Bike Path in Riverside Square

Sponsor: Councilman Lawson

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

6.      Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract for the Police Department Roof Replacement

Sponsor: Council President Rodericks

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

7.      Resolution memorializing the General Assembly to enact legislation amending State law to provide eligibility for reimbursement for interest payments on approved school construction projects prior to project completion

Sponsor: Council Vice President Rego

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

8.      Resolution establishing the City of East Providence Veterans Advisory Committee

Sponsor: Councilman Lawson

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

9.      Resolution recognizing National Nurses Month

Sponsor: Councilwoman Sousa

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

E.     INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - For discussion and possible vote

 

1.      An ordinance in amendment of Chapter 11 of the revised ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled “Military Duty”

Summary: Sec 11-93, authorizing the pay differential for qualified employees who are deployed for 365 days or less in the armed forces

Sponsor: Councilman Lawson

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

XVII.  ADJOURNMENT

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

 

 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.