October 4, 2022 City Council Agenda

CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

DOCKET-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2022

CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 P.M.

145 TAUNTON AVENUE-CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

EXECUTIVE SESSION: CONFERENCE ROOM A

OPEN SESSION WILL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW EXECUTIVE SESSION

Notice: The meeting will also be viewable live at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0YEW6s1RpjcKR47VMil1LA

City Council:

Council President, Robert Britto - Ward 1

Council Vice-President: Bob Rodericks - At Large

Councilwoman Anna Sousa - Ward 2

Councilman Nate Cahoon - Ward 3

Councilman Ricardo Mourato - Ward 4

 

City Solicitor, Michael J. Marcello

Deputy City Clerk, Leah Stoddard

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER

            Roll Call

Cahoon_____ Mourato_____ Rodericks_____ Sousa _____ Britto_____

II.        SALUTE TO THE FLAG

 

III.       EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

The City Council of East Providence may meet in Executive Session,

            pursuant to RIGL §42-46-5 (a)(2)

A. Discussion and final approval of resolution and settlement agreement on the following tax appeal   matters:

Providence &Worcester Railroad vs. City of East Providence Tax Appeals

C.A. Nos. PC-2013-6547, PC-2014-6167, PC-2014-3248, PC-2015-5239, PC-2016-5368, PC-2017-5825, PC-2020-2502

 

            B. Sewer Abatements

            1. Shane Pollock

            2. St. Martha’s Church

            3. Renee Duarte

 

IV.       RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION

 

Cahoon_____ Mourato_____ Rodericks_____ Sousa _____ Britto_____

 

V.        MOTION TO SEAL EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES

 

VI.       CONSENT CALENDAR - For discussion and possible vote

 

            A. COUNCIL JOURNALS:

            1. Executive session minutes September 20, 2022

            2. Regular meeting minutes September 20, 2022

            3. Budget session minutes September 26, 2022

 

B. TAX ABATEMENTS

Year Amount
2022 $1,225.42
Total $1,225.42

                       

                       

 

 

                       

C. PREVIOUSLY APPROVED PERMITS/LICENSES (READ IN)

 

1. Class F1 Application for Special Event – Alcoholic Beverage

Applicant: Rita Vargas

            Location: 81 N. Carpenter Street, St. Francis Xavier Church

            Date & Time of Function: October 1, 2022, 6pm – 11:30pm

Type of Entertainment: Community Music Festival Fundraiser

 

VII.     LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote

 

A. Motion to bundle licenses C1-C5

 

B. Motion to approve licenses C1-C5

 

C. NON-PUBLIC HEARING

1. Block Party

Applicant: James DeFayette

Applicant Location: 69 Harlem Street, 02916

Date & Time of Function: October 29, 2022, 2:00pm – 11:00pm

Street to be closed: Small section of Harlem Street between Miller Avenue and Hood Avenue

 

2. Application for Victualing – Class 3- New

Applicant: Timothy Rison

Business Name: Fork N Sammich King LLC dba Fork N Sammich

Business Address: 1055 S. Broadway, 02914

 

3. Application for Victualing – Class 2- New

Applicant: Nicholas Unkovic

Business Name: Cumberland Farms Inc dba Cumberland Farms #001302

Business Address: 125 Newport Avenue, 02916

 

4. Application for Holiday Sales - New

Applicant: Nicholas Unkovic

Business Name: Cumberland Farms Inc dba Cumberland Farms #001302

Business Address: 125 Newport Avenue, 02916

 

5. Application for Holiday Sales - New

 

Applicant: Brenden King

Business Name: Luminist Photography         

Business Address: 9 Forbes Street, 02915

 

D. PUBLIC HEARING

 

1. Application for Additional Hours to open 24 hours - New

Applicant: Nicholas Unkovic

Business Name: Cumberland Farms Inc dba Cumberland Farms #001302

Business Address: 125 Newport Avenue, 02916

 

2.  BV License – New

            Applicant: Edgar Barillas

            Business Name: Francescas 2 Inc dba Francescas 2

            Business Address: 525 N Broadway, 02914

VIII.     PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS – None

                       

IX.       COMMUNICATIONS – None

            Any person who submits a communication to the Council and wishes to speak on it must indicate this in writing no later than 4:00 p.m. the Thursday prior to the next regularly scheduled Council meeting.  A person who lists more than one topic on their communication will be allowed to speak on the first one listed.

 

X.        PUBLIC COMMENT

            All persons wishing to make public comment shall sign a public comment sheet stating their name, address and the subject of their comments.  Each speaker will be limited to three (3) minutes.  The order of speakers will be on a first come, first serve basis and the maximum time for public comment shall by limited to thirty (30) minutes per meeting.

 

XI.       APPOINTMENTS – None

 

XII.     COUNCIL MEMBERS

 

1. Crosswalk signage at Bradley Hospital Cumberland Farms intersection – Councilman Cahoon - Discussion 

XIII.    PUBLIC HEARINGS – Ordinance for second passage - For discussion and possible vote

 

A. First and Final Passage

 

1.  An ordinance of the Council of the City of East Providence appropriating $211,868,538 for the support of the City government for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2022

B. Second Passage

 

1. An ordinance in amendment of Chapter 18 of the revised ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled “Vehicles and Traffic”

Summary: Section 18-307, Glenrose Drive (both sides), between Ferncrest Drive and Lantern Lane, one-way street during the hours of 8:00am and 9:30am and 2:00pm and 3:30pm on school days

Sponsor: Council Vice President Rodericks 

2. An ordinance authorizing the Director of Finance to borrow funds in anticipation of taxes

 

3. An ordinance authorizing the Director of Finance to borrow funds in anticipation of revenue

 

4. An ordinance authorizing the Director of Finance to borrow funds in anticipation of bonds

 

XIV.    CONTINUED BUSINESS

 

A.  BUDGET SESSION – Review of the Administrations FY23 proposed budget

 

            1. ARPA status; itemized expenses, updated plan – Councilman Cahoon

 

            2. Paving project; list of streets remaining to complete project – Councilwoman Sousa

 

            3. Capital project questions – Councilman Mourato

 

B. Proposed Council amendments to FY23 Administration budget to be set for public hearing – for discussion and possible vote

 

1. Department 200 (City Clerk salary) increase from $50,000 to $84,047 which will increase the total salary line item from $499,774 to $483,821

Introduced by: Councilman Mourato

 

2. Department 630 (Public Works) amend position name FTE to include City Forrester which will increase the FTE from 43 to 44.  Increase the regular salary line item ($51,110) total from $2,479,154 to $2,530,264, an increase of $45,264 for the purpose of hiring a City Forrester

Introduced by: Councilwoman Sousa

 

3. Increase City Council salary line item 51110 regular salaries from $15,300 to $19,600by decreasing Purchased Professional Services currently budgeted at $164,750 to $160,450 for no net effect change of the total City Council budget of $187,485

Introduced by: Councilwoman Sousa

4. Department 630 (Parks) increase FTE 2 to 5.  Increase regular salaries (51110) $225,000 from $2,479,154 to $2,704,154 for the purpose of hiring three parks laborers

Introduced by: Councilman Cahoon

 

5. Amend the proposed Capital Budget line item 59550 to add $50,000 for the purpose of repairs and painting of the cupola at the Weaver Library

Introduced by: Councilman Cahoon

 

6. Amend the proposed Capital Budget line item 910 to add $50,000 to support the installation of permanent batting cage pad at Pierce Memorial Park.  Capital line item 59840 from $363,000 to $413,000

 

Introduced by: Councilman Cahoon

 

7. Amend the proposed Capital Budget line item 910 (59630) increase by $150,000 from $110,000 for a total of $260,000 for traffic calming measures

Introduced by: Council President Britto

 

8. Increase (59840) Capital/Parks from $363,000 to $513,000 an increase of $150,000 for the purpose of installing playing field lighting at Glenlyon Field

Introduced by: Council President Britto

 

C. Set date for future public hearing October 10, 2022 or later – for discussion and possible vote

 

XV.     NEW BUSINESS

 

            A.        MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS

           

1.  Items for announcement/discussion

 

a. August General Fund Expense Summary, General Fund Expense Details, Capital Expenses details – Finance Director Malcolm Moore

 

b. Statistical Revaluation – The City of East Providence is preparing to start up the Statistical Revaluation Project that had been delayed from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022.Under the Statistical Revaluation, each taxpayer receives a new assessment and will have an opportunity to have a hearing on their new assessment. The City is preparing to visit and inspect (in person) all properties that have sold and those properties whose owners have pulled a building permit within the last year. The city of East Providence has hired Northeast Revaluation Group, LLC, a municipal revaluation vendor located in Warwick, RI to assist with the project. The process is expected to begin in October – Director of Administration Napoleon Gonsalves 

 

c. Director William Fazioli – notice of resignation effective at the end of October. – Director of Administration Napoleon Gonsalves

 

d. Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration – Oct. 5, 2022 6-8 PM, Council Chambers with performances by Sentimento Chapin & Fraternidad Folklorico Boliviana – Director of Administration Napoleon Gonsalves

 

e. Administration, together with City Council, introduction of ordinance which will update and expand Veteran tax rates and exemptions– Assessor Sarah Frew 

 

B.        REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS  

 

1. Report of the City Solicitor

                       

                                    a. Claims Committee Report and Litigation Report

 

                                    b. P&W approval of final settlement

 

            C.        RESOLUTIONS - For discussion and possible vote

 

1. Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with Automatic Temperature Controls, Inc. for the installation of a ducted interior heating & cooling system for the Department of Public Works complex located at 60 Commercial Way

Sponsor: Council President Britto

 

2. Resolution authorizing the settlement of tax appeals and other litigation filed by P&W Railroad Company

 

3. Resolution requesting the General Assembly introduce legislation to allow the Board of Licenses of the City of East Providence to grant a Class B Liquor license for 136 Taunton Avenue

Sponsor: Councilwoman Sousa

 

4. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to enter into an apparatus purchase agreement with Toyne, Inc. for the purchase of two fire trucks for the Fire Department

Sponsor: Councilman Cahoon

 

5. Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract for the construction of a multi-use athletic field and parking lot at the Riverside Middle School

Sponsor: Council Vice President Rodericks & Councilman Cahoon

 

 

            D.        INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - For discussion and possible vote

 

 

1.  An ordinance of the Council of the City of East Providence ordering the assessment and collection of property tax on the ratable real estate, tangible personal property, and an excise tax on registered motor vehicles and trailers

 

 

2. An ordinance in amendment of Chapter 18 of the revised ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 199, as amended, entitled “Vehicles and Traffic”

Summary: Section 18-307 no parking Roger Williams Avenue (west side), from Wilson Avenue north for 135 feet

Sponsor: Council President Britto

 

3. An ordinance in amendment of Chapter 16 of the revised ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled "Taxation”

 

Summary: Section 16-16 authority of City Assessor to reduce assessed value of real property taxes, exempt property or excise tax for veterans

Sponsor: Council President Britto & Council Vice President Rodericks

 

 

XVII.  ADJOURNMENT

 

 

 If communication assistance is needed or any other accommodations to ensure equal participation, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 401.435.7596 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date.

 

 

 

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