CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
DOCKET-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, March 19, 2024
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, 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
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
IV. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Fogarty_____ Lawson_____ Rego_____ Sousa _____ Rodericks_____
V. MOTION TO SEAL EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR - For discussion and possible vote
A. COUNCIL JOURNALS:
B. LETTERS
1. J. William W. Harsch, ESQ – Membership of the Design Review Committee Article IX, Chapter 19, Section 19-474
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
VII. LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote
A. Motion to bundle licenses
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
B. Motion to approve licenses
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
C. NON-PUBLIC HEARING
1. Sundays and Holidays
Applicant: Gustavo Altube
Business: ARG Locksmith
Business address: 272 Warren Ave (02914)
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
2. Special Event : Class F1
Applicant: Alexandra Kavanaugh
Organization: St. Mary Academy – Bayview
Event: Back to the Bay Weekend
Location: 3070 Pawtucket Avenue (02914)
Date and Time: April 25, 2024 - April 28, 2024 4:00pm-11:00pm
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
3. Mobil Food Establishment
Applicant: Jason Totten
Business: Big Dog Eats
Address: 187 N Brow St (02914)
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
4. Mobil Food Establishment
Applicant: East Providence School Department : Robert Hanson
Business: Townie Tailgate
Address: 1998 Pawtucket Avenue (02914)
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
VIII. PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
1. Acknowledgement and expression of gratitude for Police, Fire and EMT’s responding to 109 Summit St Structure Fire on 3/9/2024– Councilwoman Sousa
2. Proclamation for National and International Women’s History Month 2024 celebrating “Women who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” – Councilwoman Sousa
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.
1. East Providence Small Business Owner Forum – hear from the East Providence local business owners, the effects the bridge failure has had on their business.
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. Appointment to the Small Business Advisory Committee-Jennifer Voll-sponsor: Council Vice President Rego
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
2. Appointment to Waterfront Commission- Robert Andrade- Sponsor- Councilman Lawson
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
XII. COUNCIL MEMBERS
1. Announcement- Rumford Easter Egg Hunt Sunday March 24, 2024 at 1:00pm at Freedom Green Park– Council Vice President Rego
2. Announcement – East Providence Veterans Get Together Thursday March 28, 2024 6:00pm-8:00pm at Skeffs Pub 507 North Broadway, East Providence – Councilman Lawson
XIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS – Ordinance for first and final passage and second passage - For discussion and possible vote
1. Ordinance Of The Council Of The City Of East Providence Appropriating $95,000.00 For A Roll Off Truck For The Highway Department
Sponsor: Councilman Fogarty
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
2. An Ordinance In Amendment Of The City Of East Providence 2010-2015 Comprehensive Plan 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: Comp Plan
Petitioner: JAG Properties LLC
Street address: 0 Wampanoag Trail
To be continued to April 16, 2024
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
3. 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
To be continued to April 16, 2024
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
XIV. CONTINUED BUSINESS
1. Standing Item - Discuss impact of Washington Bridge closure in the City of East Providence – City Council
XV. NEW BUSINESS
A. MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS
B. Appointment/Reappointment requiring Council Confirmation
a. Michael Robinson, reappointment to Planning Board, Ward 3 Seat, Term:1/16/24 – 1/15/29
C. Appointment/Reappointment not requiring Council Confirmation
a. NONE
D. Items for announcement/discussion
a. Update on Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank grant – Crescent Beach shoreline.
b. Pierce Field Award – The Pierce Field Handicap Accessibility and Turf Resurfacing Project will provide handicap accessibility to access the track, field, and entertainment venue at Pierce Memorial Stadium in East Providence. The project also includes resurfacing the existing natural grass field and deteriorating track with a new artificial turf field. This project will make Pierce Field more accessible and sustainable and allow the stadium to continue as a center of civic and recreational use for East Providence.
c. Small Business Resource Fair: City, in collaboration with several organizations, is hosting this on Thursday, March 21, 2024 from 6-8PM @ Riviera.
d. City of East Providence Police have received accreditation from the Rhode Island Police Accreditation Commission
E. REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS
1. Solicitors Report
A. Request for public input regarding potential nuisance at 400 Newport Avenue (Rumford Motor Inn) for Attorney General investigation pursuant to RIGL 10-1-1 et seq. and RIGL 11-30-1 et seq. Correspondence may be sent by any private citizen to the City Clerk at jseppa@eastprovidenceri.gov
F. REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE LIAISON
G. RESOLUTIONS - For discussion and possible vote
1. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter Into a Contract with Arista Information Systems for the Printing and Mailing of Utility Bills
Sponsor: Council President Rodericks
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
2. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter Into a Contract with New Venture Advisors LLC to Conduct a Feasibility Study on the Conversion of the Former Oldham Elementary School Into a Small Business Incubator
Sponsors: Council President Rodericks, Councilman Lawson
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
3. Resolution in Support of Amendments to R.I.G.L. 45-24-38 Entitled "General Provisions—Substandard Lots of Record"
Sponsor: Councilwoman Sousa
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
4. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter Into a Contract Amendment for Additional Services Related to the New Building on Property Adjacent to the Crescent Park Carousel
Sponsor: Councilman Lawson
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
5. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Purchase a Twenty (20) Passenger Commercial Bus for the Recreation Department
Sponsor: Council President Rodericks
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
6. Resolution In Support Of S-2727 Related To “Snap Shot” Reporting Of Repairs/Reconstruction Of The Washington Bridge
Sponsor: Council Vice President Rego
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
7. Resolution Establishing The First Annual East Providence Restaurant Week
Sponsor: Council Vice President Rego, Council President Rodericks, Councilwomen Sousa, Councilman Fogarty, Councilman Lawson
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
8. Resolution In Support Of S-2560 Related To Residence Of Children For School Purposes
Sponsor: Council Vice President Rego
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
H. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - For discussion and possible vote
1. 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: Adding Article XI. Tax Stabilization Agreement
Sponsor: Council President Rodericks and Council Vice President Rego
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
XVII. ADJOURNMENT
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
If communication assistance is needed or any other accommodation to ensure equal participation, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 401.435.7596 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date.