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CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
DOCKET-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
September 16, 2025
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, Andreza (Andy) Skipworth
I. CALL TO ORDER
Roll Call
Fogarty X Lawson X Rego X Sousa X Rodericks X
II. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The City Council of East Providence may meet in Executive Session, pursuant to RIGL §42-46-5 (a)(2)
1. Exxon Mobil Oil Corporation - Discussion and possible vote to amend the Settlement Agreement dated 12/31/2020
MOTION TO MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | Motion | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | Seconded | |
| Rodericks | X | |
MOTION RECONVENE INTO REGULAR SESSION
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | Motion | |
| Lawson | Seconded | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
MOTION TO SEAL EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | Motion | |
| Lawson | Seconded | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
III. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
IV. PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
1. Sandra Forand, East Providence Public School Superintendent, Tracy Donnelly, Studio Jade, Ann DaSilva, Peregrine Group – formal approval request for RIde Stage II Submission (see attached). City Solicitor Michael Marcello clarified on the ordinance that this council passed, the money must go back into the school capital fund. Then go to fund other projects. Regulations of cities and towns do require that city and town by approving you must hit the 50% mark and spend the 4.5M within the 5 years reimbursement is not guaranteed to come in the same year. Motion to approve and accept submission as submitted by school department with the council approval for capital improvements.
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | Motion | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | Seconded | |
| Rodericks | X | |
V. CONSENT CALENDAR - For discussion and possible vote
A. COUNCIL JOURNALS:
1. Regular meeting minutes – September 2, 2025
1. 300 Bourne Ave., E. Providence, RI 02916, Map 303, Block 17, Parcel 001.00
2. 16 Rowley St, E. Providence, RI 02914, Map 407, Block 13, Parcel 002.10
3. 186-188 Juniper Street, E. Providence, RI 02914, Map 106, Block 34, Parcel 010.00
C. TAX ABATEMENTS – Cancellations and Abatements
| YEAR | | AMOUNT |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 2025 | | $39,046.20 |
| | | |
| TOTAL | | $39,046.20 |
Councilwoman Sousa requested more information on the Barrington address of tax abatement of -38,380.04. Motion to approve total of $666.16.
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | Seconded | |
| Lawson | Motion | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
VI. LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote - NONE
A. MOTION TO BUNDLE NON-PUBLIC HEARING LICENSES
B. MOTION TO APPROVE NON-PUBLIC HEARING LICENSES
C. NON-PUBLIC HEARING - NONE
D. PUBLIC HEARING - NONE
VII. 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. Bethany White – Discriminating Chicken Ordinance – Hoping information sharing today will inspire the council to consider another vote.
2. Nancy Hale – America 250 (Spring/Summer 2026) – No Show/Sick
XIII. 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 be limited to thirty (30) minutes per meeting.
1. Allison Turbitt – Like to educate council in hopes to change mind and submit a Chicken Ordinance
2. Renee Ignacio – School Bus Violation System, how could the Mayor put out an RFQ without the school committee members. How was the Mayor able to enter a contract with the gate keeper camera system and the police department without coming before the Council. City Solicitor stated the school committee did send out the RFQ, the city did not have any role, and the contract was settled after the school committee had a conversation with the police department.
3. Tony DeJesus – East Providence resident and 45 years with Big Blue Bug training techs and the RI Department of Health regarding mice, rats, roaches and flies.
IX. APPOINTMENTS
1. Appointment of Councilman Lawson to the East Providence Conservation Commission. This is a 3-year term ending 9/17/2028. Sponsored by Council President Rodericks, Council Vice President Rego
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | Motion | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | Seconded | |
| Sousa | X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
X. COUNCIL MEMBERS
1. 2025 projected revenue and actual revenue received YTD. Councilman Lawson
2. Community Choice Electricity Aggregation. Council Vice President Rego
3. Fire and building inspections from the Aug 12 meeting. Council Vice President Rego
4. National Grid paving process. Council Vice President Rego
5. Cold In Place Recycling " Street Paving Project Update. Councilwoman Sousa
6. Update on Solar project at police station. Councilwoman Sousa
XI. PUBLIC HEARINGS – Ordinance for second and final passage
for discussion and possible vote
1. An ordinance increasing the annual salary of the city council pursuant to Section 2-3 of Article II of the City Charter. Annual salary of each City Council member shall increase to $9,000.00 and the Council President shall also be entitled to an additional payment of $1,000 above the salary as set forth in Section 1 of this ordinance. Effective January 1, 2027. Introduced by Councilman Fogarty
Councilwoman Sousa agreed with council that the work the council does deserve more and are a under paid body and other council’s make even double of what we are increasing today. Having difficulties in future paying bills what about hiring staff that aren’t being filled that it cost too much? We need to put money into staffing to continue to keep the city running. Motion passed 4-1. No public comment. Motion passed 4 -1.
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | Seconded | |
| Lawson | Motion | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | | X |
| Rodericks | X | |
2. An ordinance establishing the annual salary of the Mayor. The annual salary of the Mayor shall be $120,000. The Mayor is entitled to all other ancillary benefits of employment enjoyed by department heads. Effective January 1, 2027. Introduced by Councilman Fogarty. Motion passed 4 -1
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | Motion | |
| Lawson | Seconded | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | | X |
| Rodericks | X | |
3. Ordinance of the Council of the City of East Providence appropriating $115,824.50 for improvements at Vintner Avenue Park. Introduce by Council President Roderick, Councilman Lawson
Tabled until further notice; Council President requested a list of equipment from Chief of Staff to move forward with the vote on the next meeting.
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | Seconded | |
| Lawson | Motion | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | Seconded | |
| Rodericks | X | |
XII. CONTINUED BUSINESS
XIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS – Chief of Staff Patricia Resende
1. Appointment/Reappointment requiring Council Confirmation
· NONE
2. Appointment/Reappointment not requiring Council Confirmation
· NONE
3. Items for announcement/discussion
· Police Department - Solar Canopy Update
· August Finance and Capital Reports
· 2025 Breast Cancer Awareness Month
· 2025 Dyslexia Awareness Month
· 2025 National Veterans Small Business Week
· 2025 Red Ribbon Week
4. Submission of the Mayor’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Municipal budget
a. Receipt and acknowledgement of Administration’s proposed FY 26 budget & set date for public hearing in accordance with section 5-11(1), for Wednesday September 24, 2025, at the City Council Chambers in East Providence City Hall.
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | Seconded | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | Motion | |
| Rodericks | X | |
The budget was not presented to the Council during the meeting. Patricia Resende, Chief of Staff, stated they will receive it before 11:59pm
B. REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS – City Solicitor Michael J. Marcello
During executive session the council voted to modify settlement previously with Exxon Mobil Oil Corporation dated 12/31/2020. The amendment which is a readjustment of some of the payment schedule and actual monies being sent. It was approved unanimously by council authorizing the entering into that settlement agreement.
C. REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE LIAISON – Councilman Lawson
D. RESOLUTIONS - For discussion and possible vote
1. Resolution to honor our sister City Vila Franca do Campo recognizing grove avenue as “Vila Franca do Campo Avenue” Introduced by Councilwoman Sousa
Councilwoman Sousa read the resolution into the record. A formal ceremony date will be determined and announced publicly.
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | Seconded | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | X | |
| Rodericks | Motion | |
2. Resolution to honor Avelino “Chappy” Rose by recognizing Carlton Avenue as Avelino “Chappy” Rose Way. Introduced by Council President Rodericks
Council President Rodericks read the resolution into the record. A formal ceremony date will be determined and announced publicly. Vice President Rego
Mentioned that Mr. Rose was also a purple heart recipient.
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | Motion | |
| Lawson | Seconded | |
| Rego | Seconded | |
| Sousa | Seconded | |
| Rodericks | Seconded | |
3. Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with JR & Sons Construction Inc. for basketball court improvements at Providence Avenue Park. Introduced by Council President Rodericks
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | Seconded | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | Motion | |
| Rodericks | X | |
4. Resolution authorizing the Mayor to purchase a new K-9 and eight (8) new police vehicles for the police department. Introduced by Council President Rodericks
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | Motion | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | Seconded | |
| Rodericks | X | |
E. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - For discussion and possible vote
XVII. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn was made at 9:04pm
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | Seconded | |
| Rego | Motion | |
| Sousa | X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
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.