RICHMOND TOWN COUNCIL

Regular Town Council Meeting Agenda

Town Council Chambers

5 Richmond Townhouse Road, Wyoming, RI 02898

April 18, 2023

6:00 P.M.

 

This meeting will take place in Town Council Chambers, 5 Richmond Townhouse Road, Richmond, RI 02898; however, the public can also observe and participate in the meeting remotely broadcasted on Zoom. The public is invited to observe and participate in the deliberations of this meeting by accessing the meeting link below. For those without access to video observation platforms, you may also call in to listen to the deliberations of this meeting by using the call-in phone number provided herein. To participate during Public Hearing or Public Input you will press *9 to raise your hand.

 

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A.        CALL TO ORDER

 

B.        ROLL CALL

 

C.        THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

 

D.        PUBLIC HEARING

Please Note in Accordance with Section 42-46-6 (b) the Council May Review, Discuss and/or take Action on the following items.

1)         Outdoor Entertainment License Application:

Applicant: Warwick Civic Orchestra d/b/a Warwick Symphony Orchestra                    Entertainment: Concert

Dates: June 10, 2023, with rain date of June 11, 2023

Location: Washington County Fair Grounds- 78 Richmond Townhouse Road

 

2)         Outdoor Entertainment License Application:

Applicant: Richmond Smoke, LLC d/b/a Republican Smoking Bar                    Entertainment: Live Music

Dates: May to October, 2023

Location: Richmond Smoke - 1219 Main Street

 

3)         Consideration on the Proposed Municipal Budget for FY 2023- 2024

 

E.        CONSENT AGENDA

Approval of the Consent Agenda shall be equivalent to approval of each item as if it had been acted upon separately; or items may be removed by the Town Council for review, discussion and/or take Action.

1)         Approval of Town Council Minutes

a)         March 21, 2023 (Executive Session)

b)         April 5, 2023 (Budget Workshop)

 

2)         Approval of Town Department Reports

a)         Approval of Town Clerk’s report for the month of March, 2023

b)         Approval of Tax Collector’s report for the month of March, 2023

c)         Approval of Police Department report for the month of March, 2023

d)         Approval of Finance Department report for the month of March, 2023

 

3)         Approval of Appropriations and Payment of Bills – March 16, 2023 thru April 12, 2023

 

F.         PUBLIC FORUM

Those participating remotely, use the “raise hand” icon at the bottom right side of your screen, or, if you are using a phone, press *9. The moderator will tell you when it is your turn to speak.

During the public forum, town council members may respond to a comment made by a member of the public if that matter is not on the agenda, but town council members may not initiate discussion of a matter not posted, and the town council may not vote on a matter not posted except: To refer the matter to another body or official, or when a vote is necessary to address an unanticipated situation that requires immediate action to protect the public health, safety or welfare.

 

G.        REPORTS

Please Note the following items are Status Reports and Matters of Interest to the Council and are for Informational Purposes unless Indicated Otherwise and will be Acted upon in Accordance with Section 42-46-6 (b)

1)         Town Administrator’s Report: Karen D. Pinch

a)         Update on the DOT Roundabout Construction

b)         Update on the Beaver River Playground Project

c)         Update on Richmond Elementary School ARPA-funded Project

 

2)         Finance Director’s Report: Laura Kenyon

a)         Authorization to accept Hauge, Sahady, & Co., CPA’s to provide Audit Services for the period ending June 30, 2023 in the amount of $27,000 with the continuation of the services for the next two fiscal years at the discretion of the Town.

 

3)         Tax Collector’s Report: Marcy Alves

a)         Request to set a date for Special Council Meeting for Tax Payment Agreements.

 

H.        APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Please Note in Accordance with Section 42-46-6 (b) the Council May Review, Discuss and/or take Action on the following items:

1)         Request for Re-Appointment to the Senior Activities Committee, with term expiration of    May 31, 2026

a)         Application of Dennis H. McGinity

b)         Application of B. Joe Reddish III

 

2)         Request for Re-Appointment to the Affordable Housing Committee; with term expiration of May 31, 2026

a)         Application of Pierre M. Duval

 

I.          UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Please Note in Accordance with Section 42-46-6 (b) the Council May Review, Discuss and/or take Action on the following items:

1)         Request of Councilor Colasante regarding Town Council Priorities for economic development (Continued from April 5, 2023)

 

2)         Church Community Housing Corporation - Community Development Block Grant Program (Continued from April 5, 2023)

 

J.         NEW BUSINESS

Please Note in Accordance with Section 42-46-6 (b) the Council May Review, Discuss and/or take Action on the following items:

1)         Request of Councilor Wilcox pulled for further consideration from the Communications Agenda of April 5, 2023

a)         Letter to: Richmond Town Council

From: Gina M. Picard, Superintendent of Schools Dated: March 14, 2023

Re: Agenda Communications

 

2)         Request of Councilor Colasante pulled for further consideration from the Resolution Agenda of April 5, 2023

a)         Burrillville Resolution in Opposition to Rhode Island 2023 Gun Control Legislation

 

3)         Request of President Trimmer for discussion and consideration regarding renaming of the soon to be renovated Beaver River Playgrounds to the Ralph Woodmansee Memorial Park

 

4)         Request of President Trimmer for discussion and consideration of using $50,000 of ARPA Funding to hire a Consulting Company or a Lobbyist to Promote Economic Development in Richmond

 

5)         Request of Councilor Colasante for consideration of EDC proposal for auditing of Zoning and Planning Ordinances and allocating up to $25,000 of ARPA monies for this purpose

 

6)         Request of Councilor Colasante for consideration of allocating $125,000 of APRA monies to hire a 2- year contract employee, with no health benefits, to direct economic development activities in the Town of Richmond

 

7)         Request of Councilor Colasante for consideration of eliminating the Town Council stipends

 

8)         Request of Councilor Sheehan for discussion and take action on reducing the unassigned fund balance policy

 

9)         Request of Councilor Sheehan for discussion and consideration of appointing a liaison from the Town Council to the EDC to monitor progress and report back to the full Council as recommended by the EDC

 

10)       Request of Councilor Sheehan for discussion and consideration of a moratorium on new hires and any new spending that has not already been budgeted for a period of one year, or until income from new business in town is able to cover the cost of new hires

 

11)       Request of Councilor Sheehan for discussion on Governor McKee’s Budget allocation to Richmond for Road Work.

a)         Allocate $676,000 of Town or ARPA Money for consideration of State Funding

b)         Apply for State Funding and reduce the Bond Amount of $338,000

 

12)       Request of Councilor Wilcox for discussion and consideration of grant opportunities for new business in Richmond, funded by ARPA

a)         Consideration of $5,000 to $10,000 per business; for 5 to 10 new businesses; with funding through the end of the calendar year

 

K.        COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS, AND PROCLAMATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS FROM OTHER RHODE ISLAND CITIES AND TOWNS

The Council may acknowledge any of the listed Communications and Proclamations and Resolutions. Should any member wish to have a conversation on any of the matters, the item will be placed on a future agenda for review, discussion and/or potential action and/or vote.

1)         Communications Received:

a)         Notice on the Town of Richmond Board/Commission Vacancies- April 12, 2023

 

b)         Email to: Richmond Town Council From: Kristen Chambers

Dated: April 10, 2023

Re: 2023 Gun Control Legislation

 

2)         Resolutions Received:

a)         Exeter Resolution in Opposition to Rhode Island 2023 Gun Control Legislation

 

b)         Charlestown Resolution in Support of H 5788 related to Tourism and Development

 

c)         Charlestown Resolution in Support of H 6119 and S 0516 related to Human Services and Medical Assistance

 

L.        EXECUTIVE SESSION.

The Town Council may conduct a closed session to discuss the following:

1)         Discussion of filing a petition for a writ of certiorari in the Supreme Court to appeal the Superior Court decision in G. D. Richmond Beaver River I, LLC v. Zoning Board of Review, pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-46-5(a)(2), litigation.

 

M.       ADJOURNMENT

Pursuant to RIGL § 42-46-6(c) Notice of this meeting was posted on the Secretary of State’s website, Richmond Town Hall, Richmond Police Station, and Clerk Base on April 13, 2023.

 

The public is welcome to any open meeting of the Town Council. If communication assistance (readers/interpreters/captions) is needed or any other accommodation to ensure equal participation, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at least three (3) business days prior to the meeting at (401)539-9000 x9.

 

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