CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
MINUTES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2023
CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 P.M.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: CONFERENCE ROOM A
OPEN SESSION WILL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW EXECUTIVE SESSION
145 TAUNTON AVENUE-CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
Notice: The meeting will also be viewable live at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0YEW6s1RpjcKR47VMil1LA
City Council:
Council President, Bob Rodericks – At Large
Council Vice-President: Frank Rego – Ward 1
Councilwoman Anna Sousa - Ward 2
Councilman Frank Fogarty - Ward 3
Councilman Rick Lawson - Ward 4
City Solicitor, Michael Marcello
City Clerk, Jill Seppa
I. CALL TO ORDER
Roll Call
Councilman Fogarty__X___ Councilman Lawson_____ Council Vice President Rego___X__ Councilwoman Sousa __X___ Council President Rodericks__X___
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. R.I.G.L. 42-26-5(5) Any discussions or considerations related to the acquisition of real property for public purposes wherein advance public information would be detrimental to the interest of the public
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR - For discussion and possible vote-none
A. COUNCIL JOURNALS:
1. September 12, 2023 – Council meeting minutes
2. September 19, 2023 – Council meeting minutes
3. September 26, 2023 – Council meeting minutes
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B. TAX ABATEMENTS:
Year Amount
2023 $11,893.84
Total $11,893.84
Councilwoman Sousa made a motion to approve consent calendar, Councilman Fogarty seconded and all were in favor.
VII. LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote - none
A. Motion to bundle licenses C1-C3
Member Aye Nay
Councilman Fogarty Second, X
Councilman Lawson Absent
Council Vice President Rego Motion,X
Councilwoman Sousa X
Council President Rodericks X
Motion to approve bundle
Member Aye Nay
Councilman Fogarty Seconded, X
Councilman Lawson Absent
Council Vice President Rego X
Councilwoman Sousa Motion, X
Council President Rodericks X
B. NON-PUBLIC HEARING
1. Special Event License-One Day Entertainment
Applicant name: Vilija Putriute-Bauziene (Ocean State Ballet)
Event Address: 37 North Blossom St
Date and Time: October 7, 2023 4:00pm-7:00pm
Type of Entertainment: Live acoustic music, dance school performance
Member Aye Nay
Councilman Fogarty
Councilman Lawson
Council Vice President Rego
Councilwoman Sousa
Council President Rodericks
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2. Application for Bingo License
Applicant: Steven Medeiros (Sacred Heart)
Location: 118 Taunton Avenue
Member Aye Nay
Councilman Fogarty
Councilman Lawson
Council Vice President Rego
Councilwoman Sousa
Council President Rodericks
3. Business License- Sundays and Holidays- New
Applicant: Mashal Siddiqui
Business: Prime Comms LLC
Location: 775 Newport Ave, Suite 300
Member Aye Nay
Councilman Fogarty
Councilman Lawson
Council Vice President Rego
Councilwoman Sousa
Council President Rodericks
C. PUBLIC HEARING
1. Application for Additional Hours to open 24 hours - New
Applicant: Laura Salvucci
Business Name: Cumberland Farms Inc dba Cumberland Farms #001302
Business Address: 125 Newport Avenue, 02916
Member Aye Nay
Councilman Fogarty
Councilman Lawson
Council Vice President Rego
Councilwoman Sousa
Council President Rodericks
Solicitor for Cumberland Farms was present and reviewed the application.
Council Vice President made a motion to deny the license. Councilman Fogarty Seconded and all were in favor (4-0).
Bk 39 Pg 269
Susan Darylin spoke against the application and raised concerns of noise and trash disruption.
VIII. PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS –
1. Acknowledgment of Coach Kristin Coutoulakis for being named Coach of the Year- Council President Rodericks and Council Vice President Rego
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.
1. Nancy Hale – budget questions
Nancy Hale presented an update of improved traffic behavior. She spoke on fiscal responsibility and wanted to understand what efforts needed to happen in order to align East Providence with the States Fiscal Calendar. Solicitor Marcello explained the processing of synchronization.
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.
• Frank Rego made a point of clarification that the intent of the budget cuts of the planning department were intended for the vacant position and not the occupied position.
• Renee Chicoine spoke on the archelogical survey for Keep Metacomet Green.
• Jason Rafferty spoke in favor of the community center and specifically in favor of the pool.
• Chrissi Rossi spoke against the redevelopment agency.
XI. APPOINTMENTS - none
XII. COUNCIL MEMBERS
1. Detailed ARPA allocation, spending, and existing purchase orders from inception to date broken down by program and line item – receive report and discussion - Council Vice President Rego
Malcolm Moore, Finance Director presented the report of ARPA.
2. Update on Police Department roofing project-Discussion only- Councilwoman Sousa
Chief Fransisconi spoke on the Councils concerns about the police roof work completion.
Bk 39 Pg 270
XIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS – Ordinance for first and final passage and second passage - For discussion and possible vote
1. An ordinance in amendment of the revised ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended.
Summary: Chapter 20 adding redevelopment agency
Sponsor: Council President Rodericks
Member Aye Nay
Councilman Fogarty
Councilman Lawson
Council Vice President Rego
Councilwoman Sousa
Council President Rodericks
Motion by Councilman Fogarty to deny and Councilwoman Sousa seconded. All were in favor. (4-0)
XIV. CONTINUED BUSINESS-
XV. NEW BUSINESS
A. MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS - none
B. REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS
C. REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE LIAISON
D. RESOLUTIONS - none
E. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - none
XVII. ADJOURNMENT
Member Aye Nay
Councilman Fogarty Second, X
Councilman Lawson Absent
Council Vice President Rego X
Councilwoman Sousa Motion, X
Council President Rodericks X
Approved by Council: November 14, 2023
Attest: __________________________
City Clerk
