TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA

 

TOWN OF SOUTH KINGSTOWN

 

RHODE ISLAND

 

 

TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2024

 

CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION – 6:30 PM

WORK SESSION – 7:00 PM

REGULAR SESSION – 7:30 PM

 

TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS

180 HIGH STREET

WAKEFIELD, RI

 

TOWN COUNCIL

Rory H. McEntee, President

Michael K. Marran, Vice President

Patricia A. Alley

Deborah D. Bergner

Charles Gregory Sweet

 

James M. Manni, Town Manager

Michael A. Ursillo, Esquire, Town Solicitor

Susan M. Flynn, CMC, Town Clerk

 

 

 

Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend in person or view the meeting live on ClerkBase at https://clerkshq.com/SouthKingstown-ri or on your local Public Access Television Station.

 

NOTE:  Individuals requesting American Sign Language interpreters or CART service must call the Town Clerk’s Office at 401-789-9331 seventy-two (72) hours in advance of the meeting date.

 

DATE POSTED 5/23/2024

 

1.            CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION – 6:30 PM

 

            A.        A Closed Executive Session pursuant to RIGL §42-46-5(a)(1) to discuss matters pertaining to personnel re: James M. Manni, Town Manager annual review.

 

2.            A.        WORK SESSION – 7:00 PM

Discussion with Economic Development Committee

All items listed on the Town Council agenda are subject to discussion.

 

3.            REGULAR SESSION – 7:30 PM

Please be advised that the Council intends to discuss and/or act upon each and every item appearing on this agenda.

 

            A.        PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

            B.        LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT

 

4.            ROLL CALL

 

5.            APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

 

            A.        Work Session – May 13, 2024

             

B.        Regular Session – May 13, 2024

 

C.        Closed Executive Session – May 13, 2024

 

6.            CONSENT AGENDA

 

(CA)    A.        A resolution granting Holiday Sales and Miscellaneous Peddler Licenses to Stuart Fishman d/b/a Ocean State Novelty, 9 S Joseph Street, Westerly, RI 02891. Application by Stuart Fishman, Owner; Renewal. License No. 83979.

 

(CA)    B.        A resolution granting a Laundry License to Matunuck Laundry, 706 Matunuck Beach Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Barbara Placido, Owner; Renewal. License No. 66592.

 

(CA)    C.        A resolution granting Victualling Licenses to the following; Renewals:

 

A&A Sandwich Shops Inc. d/b/a Subway, 684 Kingstown Road, Wakefield, RI 02879 for the license year ended December 1, 2023. Application by Khalid Amri, President. Renewal. License No.59619.

 

The Stackhouse, LLC d/b/a Stack House, 99 Fortin Road, Unit 108, Kingston, RI 02881. Application by Edmund Addai, Member, Renewal. License No.77285.

 

Rule 13:  All items listed with a (CA) are to be considered routine by the Town Council and will be enacted by one motion.  There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the Council, or a member of the public so requests, in which event the item will be removed from Consent Agenda (CA) consideration and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda.

 

 

7.            LICENSES

 

            A.        A resolution granting Victualling, Holiday Sales and Dance Licenses to Hannah’s Bistro LLC d/b/a Bistro By The Sea, 358A Cards Pond Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Alicia Bryson, Member; New. License No. 83561.

 

8.            PUBLIC HEARING

 

A.        A Public Hearing relative to an application for a license to keep and sell alcoholic beverages in South Kingstown in accordance with the General Laws of 1956, as amended, as follows:

 

CLASS B VICTUALLER LIQUOR LICENSE

 

Application for a Class B Victualler Liquor License by Hannah’s Bistro, LLC d/b/a Bistro by the Sea, 358A Cards Pond Road, Wakefield, RI by Alicia Bryson, Member for the first floor of the restaurant, gazebo for intermissions, tents on tennis courts and 32’ x 50’ patio in accordance with special use permits granted by the Zoning Board of Review on August 15, 2007 and March 17 2010; and as further defined in a site plan on file in the Town Clerk’s office.

 

Said license is contingent upon the issuance of a Certificate of Good Standing from the RI Division of Taxation, a Certificate of Insurance evidencing required liability coverage, compliance with all Town ordinances and regulations, the payment of any municipal taxes and user fees in arrears to the Town, and the correction of any fire code violations.

 

9.            NEW BUSINESS

 

A.           A resolution affirming or amending the Town’s Liquor License Rules and Regulations, Section I. The current number of licenses for each class shall be authorized as indicated below, unless changed by a majority vote of the Town Council:

 

Class                                                   Number

 

A – Retail                                            4 maximum

B – Victualler                                       29

B – Tavern                                          1

B – Limited                                          5

B – Hotel                                             1

B – M                                                  0

C                                                         0

D – Club Full Privilege                        1

D – Limited                                          0

F                                                          Five per year per organization

F – 1                                                    Five per year per organization

J – Limited                                          1

T – Legitimate Theater                        2

 

B.           A resolution authorizing the Town Assessor to abate taxes in the total amount of $15,000, as shown on Tax Abatement Request No. 636.

 

C.           A resolution authorizing an award of contract to CivicPlus, LLC, 302 S. 4th Street, Manhattan, KS 66502 through the GSA cooperative purchasing program contract #GS-35F-0124U, for CivicRec software implementation and annual services in an amount not to exceed $32,461, with a fixed annual increase not to exceed 3% per year for the life of the contract; and as further described in a memorandum from the Director of Leisure Services to the Town Manager dated May 10, 2024 and entitled “Recommendation – Award of Contract for Parks and Recreation Data Management System.”

 

D.           A resolution authorizing an award of bid to Tom Irwin, Inc., 11 A Street, Burlington, MA 01803 for the purchase of turf management supplies and consulting services in accordance with all specifications and unit pricing, for a three-year period with an option to extend for two additional years; and as further described in a memorandum from the Director of Leisure Services to the Town Manager dated May 15, 2024 and entitled “Recommendation for Award of Bid, Turf Management Supplies and Consulting Services.”

 

E.            A resolution to authorize an award of bid to East Winds Dry Cleaners, Inc., 4619 Post Road, East Greenwich, RI 02818 for dry cleaning and laundry services at the unit prices bid, for the period July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, with the option to extend one additional year through June 30, 2026, inclusive, if mutually agreeable to both parties; and as further described in a memorandum from the Chief of Police to the Town Manager dated May 17, 2024 and entitled "Bid Recommendation – Dry Cleaning & Laundry Services – FY 2024-2025 – SK0063PD."

 

F.            A resolution authorizing an award to McGovern Municipal HQ, 1200 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01702 for the purchase of one (1) 2023 Ford Police Interceptor Utility AWD vehicle, in accordance with pricing per the Greater Boston Police Council (GBPC) contract, in an amount not to exceed $45,128; as described in a memorandum from the Chief of Police to the Town Manager dated May 17, 2024 and entitled “Award Recommendation – Police Vehicle Replacement (V408).”

 

G.           A resolution authorizing an award of bid to Bobcat of RI, 421 Lincoln Avenue, Warwick, RI 02888 for an SG 60 Stump Grinder in an amount not to exceed $10,967; as further described in a memorandum from the Public Services Director to the Town Manager dated May 21, 2024 and entitled “Bid Recommendation – Stump Grinder.”

 

H.           A resolution authorizing an award of purchase to Cives Corporation d/b/a Viking Cives (USA), 14331 Mill Street, Harrisville, NY 13648 for a Buyers model LS4T electric powered prewet system with 105-gallon tailgate mounted prewet tank and in-cab controller through Sourcewell cooperative purchasing contract #062222-VCM in an amount not to exceed $43,137; as further described in a memorandum from the Public Services Director to the Town Manager dated May 21, 2024 and entitled “Bid Recommendation – Prewet Salting System.”

 

I.              A resolution authorizing an award to KCM Group, 312 Waterman Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914 for Owners Project Management (OPM) services at various sites (Bid #SK006TM), in an amount not to exceed $250,000; as further described in a memorandum from the Deputy Town Manager/ DOAS to the Town Manager dated May 21, 2024 and entitled “Request for Award of Contract for Owners Project Management Services - Various Projects (SK006TM).”

 

J.            A resolution proposed by Council Vice President Marran in support of legislation (House Bill 2024 – H 8072 and Senate Bill 2024 – S 2722) that would amend the Rhode Island Health Care Reform Act of 2004 – Health Insurance Oversight to improve state reimbursement rates for South County Health and other hospitals and health care providers, as follows:

 

Whereas, the South County Health System is among the largest employers in southern Rhode Island and is facing extreme economic hardship due in large part to the inadequate reimbursement caps imposed by the Rhode Island Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner (OHIC); and

 

Whereas, the proposed legislation contained in House Bill H 8072 and Senate Bill S 2722 directs the OHIC to guard the solvency of hospitals and providers, protect consumers through insurance payments that allow for the delivery of high quality, accessible health care, and to be fair to hospitals and providers by setting reimbursement caps that achieve regional parity.

 

Now therefore be it resolved that a letter be sent to our Representatives in the General Assembly and our State Senators requesting their support for companion bills H 8072 and S 2722, sponsored by Representative Teresa Tanzi and Senator Susan Sosnowski, as these bills require parity with reimbursement rate caps in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

 

Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be sent to the Town Councils of Cranston, East Greenwich, Narragansett, Newport, Westerly and Warwick since these Towns have South County Health facilities that are significant employers within their communities, urging them to also contact their Representatives in the General Assembly and their State Senators.

 

K.           A resolution authorizing an award to Gilbane Building Company, 7 Jackson Walkway, Providence, RI 02903 for Construction Manager At Risk Services with a guaranteed maximum price not to exceed $9,598,733; as further described in a memorandum from the Deputy Town Manager/ DOAS to the Town Manager dated May 21, 2024 and entitled “Authorization to Award a Contract for CMAR Services for the South Kingstown School Building Project/ RIDE Stage III and IV (Ref #SK0005TM).”

 

L.            A resolution authorizing an award of contract to Able City East, 6621 SW 63^rd Court, South Miami, FL 33143 for planning/transportation consulting services in an amount not to exceed $52,100; as further described in a memorandum from the Planning Director to the Town Manager dated May 22, 2024 and entitled “Planning/Architectural Consultant Services Old Tower Hill Road, Contract with Dover and Kohl – Reassignment to Able City East (Jason King, Principal and Partner) Recommendation.”

 

10.          TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

 

A.        Update on hydrilla grant

 

B.        Update on School Building Committee and School Facilities Project

 

11.          PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

Rule 10A.  for the conduct of the meetings of the South Kingstown Town Council:  Members of the public shall be entitled to speak at regular meetings during any period designated on the agenda for public comment, once, for a period of five minutes, or longer at the discretion of the President, and at other times when invited to do so by the President.  The public shall address their comments to the question under debate as indicated on the agenda. Pursuant to RI General Laws §42-46-6(b), public comment regarding subject matter not on the agenda but received during the public participation portion of a meeting shall be for information purposes only and may not be voted on except where necessary to address an unexpected occurrence that requires immediate action to protect the public or to refer the matter to an appropriate committee or to another body or official.

 

12.          COMMUNICATIONS

 

A.           An email dated May 12, 2024 from Maureen Dunnigan in opposition to the RI Department of Transportation’s plan to add 100 new parking spaces at the Kingston Train Station is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs _________________________.

 

B.           Resolutions adopted May 13, 2024 by the Charlestown Town Council in support of House Bill H – 7892 and Senate Bill S – 2629 that would authorize City and Town Councils to regulate houseboats in any public waters within their jurisdiction are received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs _____________.

 

C.           An email dated May 13, 2024 from Dorothy Hill, Chairperson, Bicycle – Pedestrian Advisory Committee requesting support for a 2024 State Bond Referendum relating to the Capital Development Program that would provide $25,000,000 for the Bicycle Mobility Plan (House Bill H – 7918) is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs _________________________.

 

D.           An email dated May 15, 2024 from Mark DeMoranville, Chairperson, Sustainability Committee requesting support for passage of the Composting and Waste Diversion Act (House Bill H – 7856 and Senate Bill S – 2753) is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs _________________________.

 

E.            An email dated May 17, 2024 from Christopher Moore tendering his resignation from the Bicycle – Pedestrian Advisory Committee, effective May 20, 2024 is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs ________________.

 

F.            A communication dated May 22, 2024 from Lori Miller Horton concerning pedestrian safety issues near the Paddy Hill Road neighborhood in Peace Dale is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs _______________.

 

Rule 18:  Correspondence to the Town Council shall be placed on the Council agenda only where action by the Council is requested.  Correspondence relating to personnel issues or personal matters shall not be placed on the agenda.  The Town Clerk shall confer with the Town Manager and/or Town Solicitor where the intent of the correspondence may be unclear.  The Town reserves the right to make correspondence public by posting it on the Town Council agenda or otherwise.

 

13.          APPOINTMENTS

 

A.           A resolution appointing _______________________________________ to the ______________________________ Board/Committee/Commission for a term to expire in _______________. (See Attachment A for Boards and Commissions Appointments Report)

 

 

Rule 11:  No item of business other than that of adjournment may be brought before the Town Council at any meeting unless such an item is introduced before 11:00 PM; provided, however, that this rule may be suspended by an affirmative vote of a majority of members present.

 

Pursuant to RIGL §42-46-6(b). Notice – “Nothing contained herein shall prevent a public body, other than a school committee from adding additional items to the agenda by majority vote of the members.  Such additional items shall be for informational purposes only and may not be voted on except where necessary to address an unexpected occurrence that requires immediate action to protect the public or to refer the matter to an appropriate committee or to another body or official.”

 

 

Attachment A

Boards and Commissions Appointments Report

 

 

The following information reflects the status of those Town boards, commissions and committees which have vacancies, members whose terms are expiring and are eligible for reappointment, and/or applications filed for consideration of appointment. The Town Council may make appointments at any meeting.

 

Affordable Housing Collaborative Committee (7 members; 3 year term)

Reappointments for terms to expire August 2024: Amy Crawford, Joshua White Port, and Meghann Sparks wish to be reappointed. It is reported that Ms. Crawford and Mr. White Port have attended 12 of 12 meetings, and Ms. Sparks has attended 18 of 21 meetings held during their current term (attendance as of 4/23/2024).

Vacancy: one term to expire August 2025 (George Helwig resigned)

Applicant: Darryl Geissler (applied 8/29/2023; interviewed 10/23/2023).

 

Assessment Board of Review (3 members, 1 alternate; 3 year term)

Reappointment for a term expired January 2024: David Baud wishes to be reappointed. It is reported that Mr. Baud has attended 10 of 15 meetings held during his current term (attendance as of 12/4/2023).

 

Building Code/Minimum Housing Code Boards of Appeals (5 members; 5 year term)

Reappointment for a term to expire June 2024: Paul Schurman does not wish to be reappointed.

 

Bicycle – Pedestrian Advisory Committee (Minimum 5, maximum 9 members; 2 year term)

Vacancies: 3 terms expired July 2023 (David Hamel and James Vogel did not wish to be reappointed; one open position).

 

Conservation Commission (7 members; 3 year term)

Reappointments for terms to expire September 2024: Margaret Clune wishes to be reappointed. Dennis John Bowman does not wish to be reappointed. It is reported that Ms. Clune has attended 6 of 6 meetings held during her current term (attendance as of 4/23/2024).

 

Economic Development Committee (11 members, 3 year term)

Reappointments for terms expired March 2024: Josh Gilman wishes to be reappointed; awaiting a response from Larry Fish. It is reported that Mr. Fish has attended 26 of 29 and Mr. Gilman has attended 3 of 5 meetings held during their respective terms (attendance as of 12/15/2023).

Vacancies: two terms to expire March 2027 (Dan Kimber and John McGinn did not wish to be reappointed).

Applicant: Randy David Apuzzo (applied 4/3/2024); Ian Clark (applied 5/20/2024)

 

Historic District Commission (7 members; 3 year term)

Reappointment for a term expired December 2023: William Murray Gates wishes to be reappointed. It is reported that Mr. Gates has attended 27 of 29 meetings held during the current term (attendance as of 9/15/2023).

Vacancy: term to expire December 2026 (Andrew Martinez resigned)

 

Housing Authority (5 members; 5 year term)

Applicants: Lucienne Andrew (applied 10/23/2023; did not attend interview 2/12/2024); Gregory Jones (applied 10/27/2023; interviewed 2/12/2024); Peter Swain (applied 1/12/2024; interviewed 2/12/2024)

 

Library Board of Trustees (7 members; 3 year term)

Reappointments for terms to expire July 2024: Timothy Murphy wishes to be reappointed; awaiting a response from Hilary Carlson. It is reported that Ms. Carlson has attended 50 of 60 meetings and Mr. Murphy has attended 59 of 60 meetings held during their current term (attendance as of 4/23/2024).

Applicant: Lisa Wholey (applied 2/23/2024)

 

Planning Board (7 members; 3 year term)

Reappointment for a term to expire May 2024: Robyn Pothier wishes to be reappointed. It is reported that Ms. Pothier has attended 62 of 73 meetings held during her current term (attendance as of 2/29/2024).

Applicants: William Green (applied 2/12/2024; interviewed 3/11/2024); Michael Christy (applied 3/14/2024; interviewed 4/8/2024)

 

Recreation Commission (5 members; 3 year term)

Reappointment for a term expired in March 2024: William Litvin wishes to be reappointed. It is reported that Mr. Litvin has attended 33 of 35 meetings held during his current term (attendance as of 2/9/2024).

Applicant: Robert Warren (applied 9/18/2023; interviewed 9/25/2023 and appointed to Library Board of Trustees)

 

Route 1 Stewardship Plan Development Committee (8 members)

Vacancies: Economic Development Committee Ex-Officio Member and public member (Larry Fish does not wish to continue serving; Leslie Chouinard resigned)

 

Route 138 Reconstruction Project Area Committee (11 members; 2 year term)

Reappointments for terms expired in May 2023: Susan Spranger Axelrod, Dorald Beasley, Gail Faris, Thomas Marcello and William Rosen wish to be reappointed. Awaiting a response from Diane Johnson.

Vacancies: terms expired in May 2023 (Peter Maynard did not wish to be reappointed; James Garfield, Ex-Officio member of Historic District Commission resigned; and URI representative)

 

Saugatucket Veterans’ Memorial Park Commission (5 members; 5 year term)

Vacancy: Vietnam Veteran, term expires January 2025 (Mark Spangler deceased)

 

Sustainability Committee (7 members)

Two vacancies (Tony Silbert and Mark Kravatz resigned)

Applicants: Christine Muller (applied 1/25/2024)

 

Trustees of the South Kingstown School Funds (5 members; 5 year term)

Reappointment for a term to expire June 2024: awaiting response from Terrence Simpson.

 

Waterfront Advisory Commission (7 members; 3 year term)

Reappointments for terms to expire June 2024: Barry Gross and Nathaniel Merrill wish to be reappointed. It is reported that Mr. Gross has attended 19 of 21 meetings and Mr. Merrill has attended 17 of 20 meetings held during their current term (attendance as of 2/8/2024).

 

Zoning Board of Review (5 members, 3 alternates; 3 year term)

Applicants: Robert Fetzer (applied 3/11/2024); Michael Christy (applied 3/14/2024; interviewed 4/8/2024)