CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
DOCKET-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2023
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-none
III. PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
1. A Proclamation recognizing the East Providence Student Body, known as the HERD, on the occasion of their overwhelming victory in the recent Providence Journal readers poll.- Council President Rodericks
2. Honoring Joe Barroso (RIDE Career and Tech Teacher of the Year- Councilwoman Sousa
3. EPPC for being awarded the National Blue Ribbon Award – Councilwoman Sousa
4. Discussion and overview of comprehensive changes to the East Providence Zoning code as required by changes in State Law and other relevant updates
VII. CONSENT CALENDAR - For discussion and possible vote
A. COUNCIL JOURNALS:
1. October 2, 2023 regular meeting minutes
2. October 3, 2023 regular meeting minutes
3. October 10, 2023 regular meeting minutes
4. October 17, 2023 regular meeting minutes
5. October 26, 2023 regular meeting minutes
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
B. TAX ABATEMENTS
Year Amount
2011 1141.94
2021 223.47
2022 118.60
2023 16095.56
TOTAL 17579.57
VIII. LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote
A. NON-PUBLIC HEARING
1. Block Party
Applicant: Rick Lawson (Riverside Tree Lighting)
Location: 3730 Pawtucket Ave.
Time and Date: December 8, 2023 4pm-9-pm
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
2. One Day Entertainment
Applicant: Frank Rego (Freedom Green Tree Lighting)
Location: Centre Road Freedom Green
Time and Date: December 8, 2023 5:00pm-7:00pm
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
B. PUBLIC HEARING
1. Annual Alcoholic Beverage Renewals
Please refer to attachment “A” for business listings
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
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. Nancy Hale – plastic and trash reduction
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. Review and consideration for changes to the 2023 road, sidewalk improvement list. – discussion only- Sponsor; Councilwoman Sousa
2. Patrol unit enforcement of no parking and parking that obstruct views for reasons of public safety – discussion only- Sponsor; Councilwoman Sousa
3. Ch. 805 Municipal Court reserve fund for discussion – discussion only- Council Vice President Rego
4. Request for RFP for adaptive playground equipment – discussion only – Council Vice President Rego
5. Receive Correspondence and update on Narragansett Park Plaza project and Carpionato Group on Newport Avenue- discussion only- Council Vice President Rego
6. Discussion on use of social media for the City Council pages – Discussion only - Councilman Lawson
7. Discussion of Community Center – Discussion only – Council President Roderick
XIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS – Ordinance for first and final passage and second passage - For discussion and possible vote
XIV. CONTINUED BUSINESS – None
XV. NEW BUSINESS
A. MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS - Mayor Communications: Dir. of Administration Napoleon Gonsalves
1. Appointment /Reappointment requiring Council Confirmation
Stephany R. Lopes, East Providence Planning Board. This is a 5-year term (1/16/23-1/15/28).
2. Appointment/Reappointment not requiring Council Confirmation
Jacqueline Hicks, East Providence Housing Authority, Appointment number 6. This is 3-year term (10/18/23-10/17/26).
3. Retirement of Chief Glenn Quick as of Nov. 17, 2023. Appointment of Michael Carey as Acting East Providence Fire Chief effective Nov. 18, 2023.
4. Request for support of Resolution supporting RIDEM grant application to support a splash pad in Riverside.
5. Family Court Awareness Month and Diwali (Festival of Lights) Proclamations
B. REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS
1. Report of the City Solicitor
a. 2023 Tax Amnesty Program Report – Tax Assessor
C. REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE LIAISON
D. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - For discussion and possible vote
1. An ordinance of the council of the City of East Providence repealing ordinance Chapter 897 and reallocating and reappropriating up to $447,870 for the Potter Street and Burgess Street parking lots
Sponsor; Councilwoman Sousa
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
2. An ordinance of the council of the City of East Providence repealing ordinance chapter 900 and reallocating and reappropriating up to $5,000,000 toward a community recreation center.
Sponsor; Council President Rodericks
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
E. RESOLUTIONS - For discussion and possible vote
1. Resolution Calling for an Archaeological Survey on the Metacomet Site at 500 Veterans Memorial Parkway.
Sponsor; Councilwoman Sousa
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
2. Resolution Rescinding a 1956 Resolution of the City Council Setting Aside Land for School Purposes.
Sponsor; Councilman Lawson
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
3. Resolution Authorizing the Submission of a Grant Application to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Recreation Development Grant Program.
Sponsor; Councilman Lawson; Council President Rodericks
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
4. Resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept the conveyance of properties in the State Street neighborhood as part of the emergency watershed protection plan.
Sponsor; Councilwoman Sousa
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
5. Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract for the Potter Street and Burgess Street parking lots.
Sponsor; Councilwoman Sousa
Member Aye Nay
Fogarty
Lawson
Rego
Sousa
Rodericks
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.
