CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

DOCKET-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2024

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 Fogarty - Ward 3

Councilman Rick Lawson - Ward 4

 

City Solicitor, Michael J. Marcello

City Clerk, Jill Seppa

 

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER

            Roll Call

 

Fogarty_____ Lawson_____ Rego_____ Sousa _____ Rodericks_____

 

II.        SALUTE TO THE FLAG

 

III.       EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

The City Council of East Providence may meet in Executive Session,

            pursuant to RIGL §42-46-5 (a)(2)

 

1.      Omsairam LLC d/b/a Rumford Motor Inn vs. City of East Providence

C.A. No. PC-2024-00413

Status Update

 

2.      Richard Kirby vs. City of East Providence

C.A. No. PC-2019-6124

Status Update

 

3.      Pace Organization of Rhode Island vs. Sarah Frew, in her capacity as Tax Assessor for the City of East Providence

C.A. No. PC-2023-01202

Decision & Status

 

4.      Colleen A. Derrick vs. City of East Providence
C.A. No. 20-cv-00491-MSM-PAS

Update and Request for Assignment of Claim

 

Claims & Litigation Docket

1. Ellen Salvatore

2. Michael Adams

3. Carlton Pinderhughes

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

IV.       RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION

 

Fogarty_____ Lawson_____ Rego_____ Sousa _____ Rodericks_____

 

V.        MOTION TO SEAL EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

VI.       CONSENT CALENDAR - For discussion and possible vote

 

A.    COUNCIL JOURNALS:

 

1.      March 5, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes

2.      March 5, 2024 Executive Meeting Minutes

3.      March 19, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes

 

B.     LETTERS:

 

1.      CRMC Public Notice for proposed rulemaking to Section 650-RICR-10-00-1 (Management Procedures). This amendment includes proposed amendments to Section 1.4.6(A)(10) to eliminate the option for a 3-day beach vehicle permit and Section § 1.5.12 to eliminate the fourth extension request.

 

C.    TAX ABATEMENTS

 

Year	Amount
2023	$20.32
Total	$20.32

           

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

VII.     LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote

A. Motion to bundle licenses

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

B. Motion to approve licenses

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

           

            C. NON-PUBLIC HEARING        

1.  One Day Entertainment

Applicant: St. Mary Academy-Bay View Campus

Event: Back to the Bay Weekend

Location: 3070 Pawtucket Avenue (02915)

Date and Time: April 25, 2024 – April 28, 2024 6:00pm-10:00pm

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

2.      One Day Entertainment

Applicant: Crescent Park Preservation Assoc.

Event: Food & Wine Pairing Silent Auction

Location: 700 Bullocks Point Avenue (02915)

Date and Time: September 5, 2024 5:00pm-10:00pm

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

D.    PUBLIC HEARING

1.      Dance and Entertainment License

Applicant: Isaac Da Silva Neto

Business: Minas Café II

Business Address: 315 Waterman Ave. (02914) 

             

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

VIII.    PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

 

1.      Autism Awareness Month – Council Vice President Rego

2.      National Poetry Month – Councilwoman Sousa

3.      National Small Business Week

 

IX.       COMMUNICATIONS

            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.

 

1.      Vintner Avenue Inclusive Playground – Chrissy Rossi

 

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.

 

XI.       APPOINTMENTS

 

1.      Appointment to the Recreation Board; Scott Winter – Sponsor Council President Rodericks

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

2.      Appointment to the Recreation Board; Sara McEntee – Sponsor Council President Rodericks

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

3.      Appointment to the Recreation Board; Leonard Rochette– Sponsor Council Vice President Rego

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

4.      Appointment to the Recreation Board; Tom Costa – Sponsor Council Vice President Rego

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

XII.     COUNCIL MEMBERS

 

1.      Update on Charter Commission Summary to City Council – discuss- Council President Rodericks

2.      Review East Providence City Council Small Business Forum – discuss- Council Vice President Rego

3.      Restaurant Week follow up – discuss- Council Vice President Rego

4.      Report requested Operational Cost of Rescue 1 for 1 year – discuss – Council Vice President Rego

5.      Glenlyon Field lighting follow up from 3/5/24 City Council meeting – discuss – Council Vice President Rego

6.      Discussion on ARPA funded projects- discuss – Councilman Lawson

 

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

 

1.      An Ordinance In Amendment Of Chapter 19 Of The Revised Ordinances Of The City Of East Providence, Rhode Island 1998, As Amended, Entitled “Zoning”

Summary: Chapter 19 - Amend the use table to modify the zoning districts in which hotels and motels are allowed and the creation of new special use permit criteria for hotels and motels

Tabled to May 7, 2024 City Council Meeting

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

XIV.    CONTINUED BUSINESS

1.      Standing Item - Discuss impact of Washington Bridge closure in the City of East Providence – City Council

 

XV.     NEW BUSINESS

 

A.    MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS

            Dir of Proj. Mgt. and Communications Patricia Resende.  

1.      Items for announcement/discussion

·         Kent Heights Recreation Facility Groundbreaking

April 15^th @ 10 AM

·         Tree Planting /Arbor Day Celebration at Riverside Middle School 179 Forbes St, Riverside, RI 02915, April 24^th @ 9AM

·         February finance and capital expenses

 

B.     REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS  

1.      Solicitors Report

A.     Request for public input regarding potential nuisance at 400 Newport Avenue (Rumford Motor Inn) for Attorney General investigation pursuant to RIGL 10-1-1 et seq. and RIGL 11-30-1 et seq. Correspondence may be sent by any private citizen to the City Clerk at jseppa@eastprovidenceri.gov

 

2.      DPW Director, Daniel Borges

                                                              i.      Vote to approve handicapped parking request – 41 Apulia Street

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

3.      Asst. City Solicitor, Dylan Conley

i.                    Review of Zoning and Planning changes as a result of state mandates January 1, 2024.

 

C.    REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE LIAISON

 

D.    RESOLUTIONS - For discussion and possible vote

1. Resolution Urging the General Assembly to Lower the High-Cost Special Education Categorical Fund to 3% and Providing Full Funding in the Future

Sponsor: Councilman Lawson

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

2. Resolution in Support of Healthy School Meals for All/Universal Free School Meals 

Sponsor: Councilman Lawson

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

3. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter Into a Contract with Communication Systems, Inc. (CSI) for the Installation of Security Cameras and Support Equipment in the Resident Hallways of the East Providence Housing Authority Buildings

Sponsor: Council President Rodericks

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

4. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter Into a Contract with Third Millennium Communications, Inc. for the Installation of a Cable System to Support the Wi-Fi and Security Cameras at the East Providence Housing Authority Buildings

Sponsor: Council President Rodericks

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

5. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Purchase a Roll Off Truck for the Department of Public Works Highway Division

Sponsor: Council President Rodericks, Council Vice President Rego

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

6. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter Into a Contract with Pawtucket Hot Mix Asphalt, Inc. for the Reconstruction of Cement Sidewalks and Curbing Along Lyon Avenue and Around Agnes B. Hennessey Elementary School

Sponsor: Council President Rodericks, Councilwoman Sousa

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

7. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter Into a Contract with O'Brien & Sons for the Installation and Replacement of Playground Equipment at Sabin Point Park Playground, Vintner Avenue Playground and Hull Street Playground

Sponsor: Council President Rodericks, Councilman Lawson, Councilwoman Sousa

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

8. Resolution in Support of the Litter-Free Rhode Island Campaign

Sponsor: Council President Rodericks

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

9. Resolution in Support of Passage of H-7543 and S-2565 Related to the Timing of Payments by the State of the Costs of the Basic Program Under R.I.G.L. 16-7-17 

Sponsor: Council Vice President Rego

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

10.  Resolution In Opposition To House Bill 7062 Relating To Accessory Dwelling Units

 

Sponsor: Council Vice President Rego

 

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

11.  Resolution Authorizing The Mayor To Enter Into A Contract With O’Brien & Sons For The Installation Of Accessible Playground Equipment At The Kent Heights Recreational Facility

 

Sponsor: Councilman Fogarty

Member	Aye	Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

 

E.     INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - For discussion and possible vote

 

1.      An Ordinance In Amendment Of Chapter 16 Of The Revised Ordinances Of The City Of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, As Amended, Entitled “Taxation”

 

Summary: Adding Article XI. Tax Stabilization Agreement, Assistant Solicitor Dylan Conley, for the development project of One Neighborhood Builders at 330, 350 & 354 Taunton Avenue (02914)

 

           Sponsor: Council President Rodericks

 

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 accommodation to ensure equal participation, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 401.435.7596 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date.