September 13, 2021
MEMORANDUM
From: Jim Cunha, Town Manager
To: Barrington Town Council
Subj: TOWN MANAGER MEMO
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING, SEPTEMBER 13, 2021
· Library Announcement: Outdoor story times will continue throughout the fall. In-person tech classes Wednesdays at 10:00am for September. www.barringtonlibrary.org to register.
· BPD/BFD “Here to Serve” Flag flying for September.
· Update on East Bay Bike Path
· Tree Planting & Removal – For the calendar year, to date: 83 trees removed, and 93 trees planted.
· Honoring Assistant Harbor Patrol Officers Michael Green and Steve Robbins
TM Comment: Harbor Patrol Officers Green and Robbins were dispatched to Conimicut Lighthouse on the report of a swimmer in distress. First on the scene, they immediately began a search and located a “Good Samaritan” in distress. While two others lost there lives, if it were not for the rapid actions of Green and Robbins there would have been the tragic loss of a third life.
Motion:
To adopt the resolution honoring Assistant Harbor Patrol Officers Michael Green and Steve Robbins.
Motion:
To accept the Consent Agenda, Items #5 – #13 as presented.
· Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee: (7 vacancies: 5 full members and 2 alternates with an expiration date of July 31, 2024)
o Appointed 7-26-21: Kathleen Brueckner (WITHDRAWN), Steven Felix, Liana Maris, Braxton Howard Medlin and Glenmore Wagner
o Interviewed 7-26-21: A. Larry Berren, William Delaney, Waffa Freij, Cynthia Kaplan (withdrawn), Tony Maselli, David Mehl, Rebecca Taub
o To be Interviewed: Candace Baer (withdrew), Jennifer Castel, Candace Charpentier, Andrew Simon, Jack Van Leer (withdrew)
o Appoint Chair and Vice Chair
· Economic Development Commission: (4 vacancies: 4 full members with expiration date of September 30, 2024)
o Interview: Michael Brito, Bryan Hoffman, Vivian Karian (withdrawn), Esq., David Kuikstra, Kevin Mannering and Brian Rua, Jr.
· Park and Recreation Commission (Student Representative, expiration date of June 30, 2022)
o Interview: Max Dunn
· Senior Services Advisory Board: (1 vacancy: 2nd alternate with expiration date of February 28, 2025)
o Interview: Virginia Mead and Dianna Shaw
· INTRODUCTION: (none)
· PUBLIC HEARING:
v 2021-15 An Ordinance Amendment to Chapter 33 §33-35 Hospital, medical and dental coverage.
TM Comment: As currently written, Chapter 33 §33-35 provides for a 50% buy-back of the healthcare premium if coverage is provided by another plan. The proposed revision would exclude the buy-back payments for coverage being provided by a Town plan (spouse) or for an individual under 26 years of age that can be covered on their parent’s plan.
Motion:
To adopt 2021-15 ordinance amendment to Chapter 33 §33-35 Hospital, medical and dental coverage as presented.
v 2021-16 An Ordinance Amendment to Chapter 63 §63-8 License class, number and fee.
TM Comment: Amendment would provide capacity to authorize a BVL license to Prince Ali’s Kebab (agenda item #16).
Motion:
To adopt 2021-16 an ordinance amendment to Chapter 33 §63-8 License class, number and fee; increasing the number of BVL licenses from four (4) to five (5).
v 2021-17 Renewal of Ordinance DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY
TM Comment: Renewal is requested for two reasons:
1. To allow for future emergency funding reimbursement opportunities due to the continued Emergency Declaration. RIEMA advises that it is unknown if future stimulus packages would require an active emergency declaration to qualify for fiscal support.
2. Requirement to have the ability to instantaneously enact emergency orders for the health and safety of the Town of Barrington residents.
If renewed, the Declaration of Emergency would expire on October 11, 2021. Any further renewal would be determined at the October 4, 2021, Town Council meeting.
Motion:
To adopt 2021-17 Renewal of Declaration of Emergency, as presented.
Discuss and Act on BV Liquor License: Sowams A.M. d/b/a Prince Ali’s Kebab, 305 Sowams Road, Barrington, RI 02806 Owner: Aseel Al-Sinayyid, 85 Sowams Road, Barrington, RI
TM Comment: Prince Ali’s Kebab has requested a BVL license at their location. Concerns that have been raised include proximity to the Montessori School, location in a Neighborhood Business District, and sale of children’s items (candy, ice cream) at the same location.
Motion: To authorize the issuance of a BV Liquor license to Prince Ali’s Kebab.
TM Comment: Barrington Public Schools have entered into an agreement with Kaestle Boos Associates, Inc. to conduct a facilities study of Barrington Public Schools. It is recommended that the Town partner with the School Department in the study to review options for future school replacement and/or repair.
Motion: To authorize the Town Council President to sign a partnership agreement with the Barrington School Committee to participate in a facility study of the Barrington School Department.
TM Comment: See attached memo.
Motion: To support the Town Manager in the establishment of an Ad Hoc Watson Avenue Development Committee to investigate, study and make recommendations for the development of the Watson Avenue property.
TM Comment: Probate Judge Marvin Harmonoff will be retiring on December 31, 2021, after 33 years of service. It is the responsibility of the Town Council to appoint his replacement. It is recommended that the Town Clerk advertise the position and that the selection be made during Executive Session.
Motion: To authorize the Town Clerk to advertise the position of Probate Judge and provide the Town Council with a vetted list of applicants for selection.
TM Comment: See attached memo.
Motion: To authorize the Town Manager to enter into an agreement with the City of East Providence for American Rescue Plan funding for payment of up to forty percent (40%) of the shared cost for rehabilitation of the Riverside Sewerage Treatment Facility.
· Award Bid for Resiliency Planning Consultant Services (P. Hervey)
TM Comment: Requesting approval of the extension of the contract with Kim Jacobs for service as a Resiliency Planning Consultant. Total compensation is $32,000; $22,000 from Climate Mitigation Projects Capital Reserve and $10,000 from the Planning, Building and Resilience operating budget. Kim’s performance has been outstanding.
Motion:
To approve the contract extension for Kim Jacobs as the Resiliency Planning Consultant in the amount of $32,000.
· Award Bid for 2022 Police Vehicle Purchase from RI Master Price Agreement (M. Correia)
TM Comment: Requesting approval to award a bid in the amount of $65,276.30 for the purchase of two (2) 2022 Ford Explorer XLT Utility SUV vehicles ($32,638.15 each) as listed on the RI Master Price Agreement (MPA 556).
Motion: To award a bid in the amount of $65,276.30 to Tasca Automotive Group for the purchase of two 2022 Ford Explorer XLT Utility SUV vehicles.
· Award bid for Executive Director, Barrington Community Theater / Enrichment Summer Theater
TM Comment: Requesting approval to award a bid in the amount of $20,500.00 per year for a three-year contract to Kelly McCabe to be the Executive Director of the Barrington Community Theater / Barrington Enrichment Summer Theater for the period of August 2021 to August 2024. Kelly has served as the program director since 2013 and has done a remarkable job.
Motion: To award a bid for $20,500.00 for each year of a three-year contract to Kelly McCabe as Executive Director of the Barrington Community Theater / Barrington Enrichment Summer Theater.
· Discuss and Act on Solar Fields (P. Hervey)
· Discussion on Minimum Wage: Questions and Data (J. Brier)
· Discuss and Act on On-Street Parking Update (J. Cunha)
· Award bid for Watson Avenue Real Estate Development Consultant Services (P. Hervey)
Acquisition of Property and Discuss and Approve Sealed Minutes of Executive Session held on June 7, 2021 and September 8, 2021 for placement on October 4, 2021 Town Council agenda.