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CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
MINUTES-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
September 15, 2026
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 - NONE
III. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
IV. PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS - NONE
V. CONSENT CALENDAR - For discussion and possible vote
A. COUNCIL JOURNALS:
1. Regular meeting minutes September 1, 2026
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | Seconded | |
| Lawson | Motion | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
VI. LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote
A. NON-PUBLIC HEARING
1. Special Event – One Day Entertainment License
Applicant: Molly Borges
Type of Event: House Warming - Piano
Event Address: 122 Rice Ave, E. Providence
Date & Time: 9/19/2026; 4pm – 8pm
2. Special Event – One Day Entertainment License
Applicant: Steve Soltz
Type of Event: Corn Hole Competition
Event Address: 10 Hemingway Drive, E. Providence
Date & Time: 9/16/2026; 2pm – 6pm
3. Special Event – One Day Alcoholic License
Applicant: Bryan Benedict
Name of Business: Dips Dips Catering
Type of Event: Witches Parade
Event Address: 684 -700 Bullocks Point, E. Providence
Date & Time: 10/17/2026; 9am – 4pm
4. Special Event – Block Party (READ ONLY)
Applicant: Drew Shannon
Type of Event: Rock the Vote
Event Address: 684 – 700 Bullocks Point, E. Providence
Date & Time: 9/8/2026; 5pm – 8pm
5. Special Event – One Day Entertainment License (READ ONLY)
Applicant: 684 – 700 Bullocks Point
Type of Event: Rock the Vote
Event Address: 684 – 700 Bullocks Point, E. Providence
Date & Time: 9/8/2026; 5pm – 8pm
6. Type of Business: New Mobile Food Establishment (READ ONLY)
Applicant: Peter Xiarhos
Business Name: Sam’s New York System
Owner’s Location: 60 Balsam Drive, E. Greenwich, RI 02818
Event Date: 9/8/2026
7. Type of Business: New Mobile Food Establishment (READ ONLY)
Applicant: Rich Guckel
Business Name: FYR Food LLC
Owner’s Location: 84 Mulberry Drive, Wakefield, RI
Event Date: 9/8/2026
B. MOTION TO BUNDLE NON-PUBLIC HEARING LICENSES
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | Motion | |
| Rego | Seconded | |
| Sousa | X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
C. MOTION TO APPROVE NON-PUBLIC HEARING LICENSES
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | Motion | |
| Rego | Seconded | |
| Sousa | X | |
| Rodericks | X | |
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. Nancy Hale – More Great News, Progress From Riverside, Transparency (canceled)
VIII. 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.
IX. APPOINTMENTS - NONE
X. COUNCIL MEMBERS
1. Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Dates and Hearings – Council President Rodericks
a. September 17, 2026 Receipt of Mayor’s proposed budget by City Clerk
b. September 22, 2026 Budget Workshop
c. September 29, 2026 Public Hearing on Mayor’s Proposed Budget FY 2027
d. October 6, 2026 Regular Council Meeting/Budget Workshop
e. October 103, 2026 Budget Workshop
f. October 20, 2026 Regular Council Meeting
g. October 26, 2026 Last Day to approve Fiscal Year 2027 Budget
XI. PUBLIC HEARINGS – Ordinance for second and/or final passage for discussion and possible vote
1. An ordinance in amendment of chapter 18 of the revised ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island 1998, as amended, entitled “Vehicles And Traffic” Summary: To make Bourne Avenue (westbound) from Brayton Avenue to Frederick Street a one-way street during the hours of 8:00am to 9:00am and 2:00pm to 3:30pm on school days. Sponsored by: Council Vice President Rego
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | Motion | |
| Sousa | Seconded | |
| Rodericks | X | |
2. An ordinance in amendment of chapter 18 of the revised ordinance of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled “Vehicles And Traffic” Summary: To place a stop sign at Rhodes Avenue (northbound and southbound traffic), at Burnside Avenue. Sponsored by: Council President Rodericks
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | Seconded | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | Motion | |
| Rodericks | X | |
XII. CONTINUED BUSINESS - NONE
XIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS – Director of Policy & Constituent Services, Andre Herrera
1. Appointment/Reappointment requiring Council Confirmation
· None
2. Appointment/Reappointment not requiring Council Confirmation
· None
3. Items for announcement/discussion
a. Presentation on the Sowams National Heritage Area Feasibility Study.
Jim Moran, formerly of East Providence City Planning Department, and Laura McNamara, formerly of the East Providence Chamber of Commerce, presented the feasibility study. They asked the Council to accept the study as they are asking all the cities and towns known to the Sowam heritage. This will strengthen their request. The Council had previously passed the study through a resolution. Mr. Moran said the acknowledgement will help the “living history of Sowams,” but will also lead to economic gains in the form of Federal grants.
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | Motion | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | Seconded | |
| Rodericks | X | |
B. REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS
C. REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE LIAISON – Councilman Lawson
1. School budget was submitted
2. Transportation cost is still an issue
3. School Committee is working with State Representatives for help.
D. RESOLUTIONS - For discussion and possible vote
1. Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with Oshean Inc. to support cybersecurity improvements within the City. $268,450.00 grant funds will be used to build the fiber backbone throughout the City and $70, 670.00 of the grant funds will used for the necessary hardware to support network redundancy. Introduced by Council President Rodericks and Council Vice President Rego
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | Motion | |
| Sousa | Seconded | |
| Rodericks | X | |
2. Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with Starnet Solutions, Inc. in the amount of $197,092.00 to support cybersecurity matters. Introduced by Council President Rodericks and Council Vice President Rego.
Grant funding will be used for this contract.
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | Seconded | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | Motion | |
| Rodericks | X | |
3. Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with M.E. O’Brien & Sons for improvements to Glenlyon Park and Lyle Bourne Park. Sponsored by Vice President Rego.
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | X | |
| Rego | Motion | |
| Sousa | Seconded | |
| Rodericks | X | |
E. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - For discussion and possible vote
1. An Ordinance in amendment of Chapter 18 of the revised ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled “Vehicles and Traffic” Amending Section 18-308 entitled “Parking time limitations – 60 minutes”
Summary: Sec. 18-308. The purpose of this Ordinance to place a 60-minute parking sign at Warren Avenue (south side) from a point 65 feet west of South Hull Street westerly 60 feet from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Sponsored by:Council President Rodericks, Councilwoman Sousa
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | Seconded | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | Motion | |
| Rodericks | X | |
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
| Member | Aye | Nay |
| Fogarty | X | |
| Lawson | Seconded | |
| Rego | X | |
| Sousa | Motion | |
| 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.
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