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City Council, September 6, 2023
A regular session of the Pawtucket City Council was held Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at 8:46 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 137 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI. 
Present – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.
Absent – 0.
President Mercer presided.
The reading of the records of the August 23, 2023 City Council meeting was dispensed with and the records were APPROVED as prepared by the Clerk.
Upon motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilor Moreno, the *Consent Agenda was APPROVED on a unanimous voice vote:
*THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATIONS WERE READ AND ORDERED FILED
**028 A. Communication from Kathlene McCoy to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Public Support for the Renovation and Revitalization of McCoy Stadium)
028 B. Communication from Daniel J. Kroeber, Fortuitous Partners, to Terrence E. Mercer, City Council President (Quarterly Update – September 6th)
623 D. Communication from the Pawtucket Personnel Board to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Public Input By-Laws)
611 E. Communication from Mark Stankiewicz, Finance Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Pension Board – Public Input By-Laws)
592 F. Communication from the Pawtucket Gallery Committee to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Public Input By-Laws)
592 G. Communication from the Pawtucket Live Performance Committee to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Public Input By-Laws)
592 H. Communication from the Pawtucket Advisory Commission on Arts and Culture to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Public Input By-Laws)
J. AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 410 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET, 1996, ENTITLED “ZONING” (Text and Official Maps) – (Table of Use and Special Use Permit Requirements for Rental Storage Space / Self Storage Facilities) WAS LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE AND A PUBLIC HEARING IS SET FOR SEPTEMBER 20, 2023.
** K. Communication from Bianca Policastro, Planning Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (Lease agreement for the properties on or about 205 Esten Avenue) WAS REFERRED TO THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE
L. Lease Agreement Between the City of Pawtucket and Hope Artiste Residential Proprietor LLC, for a Portion of the Property Located on or about 205 Esten Avenue, otherwise known as PL 62, L229, 311 and 312 TO BE REFERRED TO THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE
**591 M. Communication from Clovis Gregor, 5th District Councilor, to Terrence D. Gray, P.E., RIDEM Director (Morley Field Intended Public Recreational Use)
**622 N. Communication from Carl Johnson, Director, Zoning & Code Enforcement, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council. (Response – 1 Moshassuck Street)
O. THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY TO BE REFERRED TO THE LAW DEPARTMENT AND RI INTERLOCAL TRUST:
Angelina Fortes – $5,640-5,940 pending further estimates (Sewer Overflow)
Kebbeh Jackson by Nicollette Forte-Beaudoin – No amount specified (Firetruck)
** TAKEN OFF CONSENT AGENDA FOR COMMENTS ONLY, NO FURTHER ACTION WAS TAKEN ON THIS MATTER
648 C. Communication from Judge Donna M. Nesselbush, Esq., Pawtucket Municipal Court to Terrence E. Mercer, City Council President (Not seeking another term as Pawtucket Municipal Court Judge) WAS READ AND ORDERED FILED.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR ARAUJO
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Araujo, seconded by Councilors Wildenhain and Gregor, was PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk was instructed to place an ad regarding an opening next February for the position of Municipal Court Judge on the City’s website.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR ARAUJO
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Araujo, seconded by Councilor Moran, was PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk was instructed to send a communication to Judge Donna Nesselbush thanking her for her years of service on behalf of the City of Pawtucket and asking her to remain in her position of municipal court judge until the end of her term in February 2024.
028 I. Communication from Jordan Karlik, Blackstone Distribution Center LLC, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council (1 Moshassuck Q3 2023 Construction Update) WAS READ AND ORDERED FILED.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR GREGOR
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Gregor, seconded by Councilor Stachowiak, was PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk was instructed to send a communication to Jordan. Karlik, Blackstone Distribution Center LLC, asking for information regarding the trenches that were dug around the perimeter of the property at One Moshassuck Street. Specifically, they want to know for what purpose they were dug and the status of the trenches.
Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following appointment as a member of the Public Arts Committee FOR CONFIRMATION:
PUBLIC ARTS COMMITTEE
589 Mimo Gordon Riley, 75 Montgomery St, Pawtucket, RI 02860. To be moved from an Advisory Commission on the Arts & Culture member to Artist member on the committee. Term expires 1st Monday in June 2024, WAS READ AND ORDERED FILED.
City Council, September 6, 2023
The following nomination submitted by His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, for confirmation was CONFIRMED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
PUBLIC ARTS COMMITTEE
Mimo Gordon Riley, 75 Montgomery St, Pawtucket, RI 02860. To be moved from an Advisory Commission on the Arts & Culture member to Artist member on the committee. Term expires 1st Monday in June 2024
PUBLIC ARTS COMMITTEE
589 Joan Hausrath, 10 Exchange St. Unit 504, Pawtucket, RI 02860. To be moved from an Artist member to Architect/Designer member on the committee. Term expires 1st Monday in June 2024, WAS READ AND ORDERED FILED.
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
PUBLIC ARTS COMMITTEE
Joan Hausrath, 10 Exchange St. Unit 504, Pawtucket, RI 02860. To be moved from an Artist member to Architect/Designer member on the committee. Term expires 1st Monday in June 2024
Communication from His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the following appointment as a member of the Riverfront Commission FOR CONFIRMATION:
RIVERFRONT COMMISSION
589 Jacqueline E. Ash, Ed. D., 15 Narragansett Ave, Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term expires 1st Monday in June 2026, WAS READ AND ORDERED FILED.
The following nomination submitted by His Honor, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, for confirmation was CONFIRMED on a roll call vote, as follows:
NOES – 0.
RIVERFRONT COMMISSION
Jacqueline E. Ash, Ed. D., 15 Narragansett Ave, Pawtucket, RI 02860. Term expires 1st Monday in June 2026.
UPON RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS APPROVED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
588 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ABATEMENT OF TAXES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, REAL ESTATE AND TANGIBLES FOR JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2023, IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,735.74
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
588 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ABATEMENT OF TAXES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, REAL ESTATE AND TANGIBLES FOR APRIL, MAY AND JUNE 2023, IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,465.60
THE COUNCIL TOOK UP THE FOLLOWING:CHARTER
RESOLUTION TO PLACE ON THE NOVEMBER 7, 2023, BALLOT A REFERENDUM TO AMEND THE PAWTUCKET HOME RULE CHARTER – SMALL PURCHASE REQUIREMENTS
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR RUBIO
Upon motion made by Councilor Rubio, seconded by Councilor Araujo, the following AMENDMENT to the above resolution was taken up:
On the 3rd WHEREAS, eliminate “2023 special election” and replace it with “2024 presidential election”
On the paragraph beginning “NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,…” eliminate “NOVEMBER 7, 2023 CITY OF PAWTUCKET SPECIAL CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION BALLOT” and replace it with “NOVEMBER 5, 2024 CITY OF PAWTUCKET PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION BALLOT.”
Upon motion made by Councilor Rubio, seconded by Councilor Araujo, the following amendment was PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
Amendment:
On the 3rd WHEREAS, eliminate “2023 special election” and replace it with “2024 presidential election”
On the paragraph beginning “NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,…” eliminate “NOVEMBER 7, 2023 CITY OF PAWTUCKET SPECIAL CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION BALLOT” and replace it with “NOVEMBER 5, 2024 CITY OF PAWTUCKET PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION BALLOT.”
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS APPROVED, AS AMENDED, ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
NOES – 0.
588 RESOLUTION TO PLACE ON THE NOVEMBER 5, 2024, BALLOT A REFERENDUM TO AMEND THE PAWTUCKET HOME RULE CHARTER – SMALL PURCHASE REQUIREMENTS, AS AMENDED
THE COUNCIL TOOK UP THE FOLLOWING:
RESOLUTION TO PLACE ON THE NOVEMBER 7, 2023, BALLOT A REFERENDUM TO AMEND THE PAWTUCKET HOME RULE CHARTER – CITY COUNCIL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED COUNCILOR RUBIO
Upon motion made by Councilor Rubio, seconded by Councilor Araujo, the following AMENDMENT to the above resolution was taken up:
Amendment:
On the 3rd WHEREAS, eliminate “2023 special election” and replace it with “2024 presidential election”
On the paragraph beginning “NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,…” eliminate “NOVEMBER 7, 2023 CITY OF PAWTUCKET SPECIAL CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION BALLOT” and replace it with “NOVEMBER 5, 2024 CITY OF PAWTUCKET PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION BALLOT.”
Upon motion made by Councilor Rubio, seconded by Councilor Araujo, the following amendment was PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
Amendment:
On the 3rd WHEREAS, eliminate “2023 special election” and replace it with “2024 presidential election”
On the paragraph beginning “NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,…” eliminate “NOVEMBER 7, 2023 CITY OF PAWTUCKET SPECIAL CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION BALLOT” and replace it with “NOVEMBER 5, 2024 CITY OF PAWTUCKET PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION BALLOT.”
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS APPROVED, AS AMENDED, ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Mercer, Councilors Araujo, Coderre, Gregor, Moran, Moreno, Rubio, Stachowiak and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
588 RESOLUTION TO PLACE ON THE NOVEMBER 5, 2024, BALLOT A REFERENDUM TO AMEND THE PAWTUCKET HOME RULE CHARTER – CITY COUNCIL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING, AS AMENDED
Dr. Jennifer A. Sarkas – $300.00 (Pothole)
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE FOLLOWING CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY WAS DENIED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
Christine Reiff – $2,259.80 (Sewer Overflow)
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS, THE FOLLOWING CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY WAS DENIED AND REFERRED TO THE CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS, ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
Leila Hurst – $220.00 (Pothole)
Upon motion made by Councilor Araujo, seconded by Councilor Moreno, the meeting was adjourned at 9:21 PM.