RICHMOND TOWN COUNCIL

Regular Town Council Meeting Agenda

Town Council Chambers

5 Richmond Townhouse Road, Wyoming, RI 02898

May 2, 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.

 

JOIN VIA COMPUTER OR MOBILE APP: https://zoom.us/meeting/86333390798

JOIN VIA PHONE:  DIAL:  1-646-558-8656

MEETING ID: 863 3339 0798

 

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)         Town Council Sitting as the Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Board Notice is hereby given by the Town Council of the Town of Richmond, being the Licensing Board in said Town as provided under Title 3, Chapters 1-12 of the General Laws of Rhode Island 1956, and as amended; that the following Transfer Application has been received for Class B-V – Victualer Liquor License: From CLASS B-V – VICTUALER Boucher’s Wood River Inn, Inc. (Troy Boucher/ Tim Boucher) dba: Boucher’s Wood River Inn 1139 Main Street, Richmond RI;  Transferring To: CLASS B-V- VICTUALER Boucher’s Wood River Inn, Inc. (Troy Boucher/ James Larisa) dba: Boucher’s Wood River Inn 1139 Main Street, Richmond RI

 

2)         Outdoor Entertainment License Application:

Applicant: Clover Hospitality, LLC d/b/a Alaina’s Ale House                                            Entertainment: Live Music

Dates: May to November 2023

Location: Alaina’s Ale House -343 Kingstown Road

                                                                   

3)         Outdoor Entertainment License Application:

Applicant: Rhode Foods, LLC d/b/a Alaina’s Coffee House & Guac& Roll                                            Entertainment: Live Music

Dates: May to November 2023

Location: Alaina’s Coffee House & Guac& Roll -93 Kingstown Road

 

4)         Consideration of proposed amendment to Chapter 3.50.010 of the Code of Ordinances, Tax Exemption for older and disabled property owners.

 

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

a)         Town Council Discussion and Approval of the Municipal Budget to be considered by the Electors at the Financial Referendum

b)         Approval of the Ballot Question for the Financial Referendum

 

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)         April 5, 2023 (Regular Meeting)

b)         April 10, 2023 (Budget Workshop)

c)         April 18, 2023 (Regular Meeting)

 

2)         Approval of Town Department Reports

a)         Approval of Town Planner’s report for the month of April 2023

 

3)         Approval of Appropriations and Payment of Bills – April 13, 2023 to April 26, 2023

 

F.         PUBLIC FORUM

The Public Forum will be conducted according to Town Council Rules & Procedures Article 6. http://www.richmondri.com/DocumentCenter/View/1878/Rules-of-Procedure?bidId=

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.

 

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)         Request of President Trimmer for consideration of Richmond Town Council participation on the WCRPC (Washington County Regional Planning Council)

a)         Presentation by Jeff Broadhead, Volunteer.

b)         Consideration and Election of a Richmond Town Council representative to the WCRPC

 

2)         Request of President Trimmer for discussion and consideration of Economic Development Consultant Firm

a)         Presentation by Jim Damicis, Senior Vice President of Camoin310

 

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

a)         Update on the Proposed State Funding for Roadwork

b)         Discussion and Consideration of a Resolution in Support of FY 2024 Infrastructure Funds

4)         Police Chief’s Report: Elwood M. Johnson, Jr.

a)         Report on an Investigation by Detective Drew Bishop regarding stolen motorcycles

 

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)         Resignation of Chelsea Baittinger from the Zoning Board of Review

 

2)         Request of Louise D. Dinsmore for Appointment to the Zoning Board of Review with term expiration of July 31, 2024

 

I.          LICENSES

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

1)         Indoor Entertainment License Application:

Applicant: Boucher’s Wood River Inn                                                                               Entertainment: Live Music & Trivia Nights

Dates: May to October 2023

Location: Boucher’s Wood River Inn -1139 Main Street

 

J.         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)         Discussion and Consideration of utilization of ARPA Funding for Economic Development

(Continued from April 18, 2023)

a)         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

b)         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

c)         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

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

i.          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.        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)         Discussion and consideration of Request of Charlestown Seafood Festival for the use of Town Property to Erect a Sign at Richmond Town Hall, 5 Richmond Townhouse Road, July 31st to August 7th

 

2)         Discussion and consideration of amendments to Chapter 13.05 of the Code of Ordinances; Water System; and authorization for the Town Clerk to advertise for Public Hearing

 

3)         Request of Councilor Sheehan for a complete discussion and vote on a Moratorium on new hires and any new spending that has not been budgeted for a period of one year

 

4)         Request of Councilor Sheehan for discussion and request of every department to look at creative ways to save money

 

L.        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 24, 2023

b)         Richmond Police Department Press Release – April 19, 2023

c)         RICAN 2023 Spring Appeal

d)         Email to: Richmond Town Council                 From: Alison Croke, Wood River Health

Dated: April 19, 2023

Re: Richmond Assistance

 

2)         Resolutions Received:

a)         Little Compton Resolution in Opposition to Senate Bill- S- 0434 regarding Inspection of Motor Vehicles

 

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 27, 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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