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.
