City Council Meeting February 20, 2024

CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
DOCKET-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2024
CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 P.M.
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 J. Marcello
City Clerk, Jill Seppa

I. CALL TO ORDER
Roll Call

Fogarty_____ Lawson_____ Rego_____ Sousa _____ Rodericks_____

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)

1. Omsairam LLC d/b/a Rumford Motor Inn vs. City of East Providence
C.A. No. PC-2024-00413
Status Update

2. Water/Sewer Charge Abatement
a. Scott Lewis

III. PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
1. Richard Martin

VII. CONSENT CALENDAR - For discussion and possible vote

A. COUNCIL JOURNALS:

Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

VIII. LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote

A. NON-PUBLIC HEARING
1. Mobile Food Establishment
Applicant: Tarci Lee Galarza
Address: 39 Rhode Island Ave
Business Name: Yagi Food Truck

IX. COMMUNICATIONS –
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 –
1. Recommendation for appointment to the Small Business Advisory Committee – Eileen Harvey – Sponsor Councilman Lawson
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

XII. COUNCIL MEMBERS

1. Review of snow removal requirements for residents – discuss - Councilman Fogarty
2. Flat sewer rate discussion with possible request for water department to provide numbers on what a flat rate would be- Discussion- Councilman Lawson
3. Discussion with Jim Marvel Water Superintendent, on sewer billing, usage and internally deduct meters-City Council
4. Status update on ARPA funded projects- Councilman Lawson
a. Crescent Park Project
b. Business Incubator Project
c. Splashpad for Riverside kids
d. Police Station Renovation
e. Pierce Stadium Field
f. Bold Point Park
e. Municipal Parking Lot
f. Citywide Placemaking
g. Kent Heights project and adaptive playground equipment
    
5. Discussion on Comprehensive Community Plan process – overview – Councilman Lawson
6. Discussion of proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendments as it relates to hotels and motels, potential referral to Planning Board for review and recommendations per state law within zoning districts C-1 through C-5 & I-1– Keith Byrnes
7. Discuss impact of Washington Bridge closure in the City of East Providence – City Council
8. Receive update from Julie Garrett- Public Affairs Specialist; U.S. Small Business Administration – City Council

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

1. An Ordinance in Amendment of the City of East Providence 2010-2015 Comprehensive Plan Update.

Map 4 of the City of East Providence 2010-2015 Comprehensive Plan Update entitled “Southern East Providence Generalized Land Use,” is hereby amended to identify the property designated as Assessor’s Map 709, Block 1, Parcel 1 as “Mixed Use.”

Summary: Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Petitioner: JAG Properties LLC
Street address: 0 Wampanoag Trail

Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

2. An Ordinance In Amendment Of Chapter 19 Of The Revised
Ordinances Of The City Of East Providence, Rhode Island 1998, As Amended, Entitled “Zoning”

Summary: Petition for zone change from I-1 to C-2
Petitioner: JAG Properties LLC
Street address: 0 Wampanoag Trail
Location: Map 709, Block 1, Parcel 1

Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

XIV. CONTINUED BUSINESS – None

XV. NEW BUSINESS

A. MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS
1. January 2024 finances and expenses – Finance Director Malcolm Moore
2. Update on ARPA Projects
3. Update on East Providence Police Station Improvements
4. Update on Community Center
5. Kent Heights Community Meeting February 28, 2024 6:30-7:30pm Fuller Creative Learning Center
6. City Property Revaluation assessment outreach Catalys Co.
7. Gall Bladder Cancer Awareness Proclamation – February 2024
8. Black History Month Proclamation – February 2024

B. REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS

1. Report of the City Solicitor

a. Receive update on requested licensing information: fees , consideration of adding beauty shops and exercise facilities to business registry of East Providence, daily penalty for non-compliance on renewal of licenses

B. REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE LIAISON

C. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - For discussion and possible vote

XVI. ADJOURNMENT
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks

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.

File/Document

Location Details

East Providence City Hall - Council Chambers
145 Taunton Ave.
East Providence, RI 02914