CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
DOCKET-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023
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 Forgarty - Ward 3
Councilman Rick Lawson - Ward 4
City Solicitor, Michael J. Marcello
Deputy City Clerk, Leah Stoddard
I. CALL TO ORDER
Roll Call
Fogarty_____ Lawson_____ Rego_____ Sousa _____ Rodericks_____
II. SALUTE TO THE FLAG
III. CONSENT CALENDAR - For discussion and possible vote
A. COUNCIL JOURNALS:
1. Executive session minutes May 2, 2023
2. Regular meeting minutes May 2, 2023
IV. LICENSES - For discussion and possible vote
B. Motion to approve licenses C1-C10
C. NON-PUBLIC HEARING
1. Block Party
Applicant: NTRA NTRA/Laura Winig
Applicant Location: 0 Riverside Drive
Date & Time of Function: September 9, 2023, 2pm-9pm
Street to be closed: Riverside Drive from Ocean Drive to Seaview from Riverside to Bullocks Point Ave
2. One Day Entertainment License – New
Applicant: NTRA NTRA/Laura Winig
Applicant Location: 0 Riverside Drive
Date & Time of Function: September 9, 2023, 2pm-9pm
Type of Entertainment: Live and recorded music
3. One Day Entertainment License – New
Applicant: Harrison Ingham
Applicant Location: 59 Brightridge Avenue, Holy Ghost Brotherhood
Date & Time of Function: October 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 6:30pm-10pm
Type of Entertainment: Haunted Trail Walk
4. Peddler’s License – New
Business Name: Palagis 2000, Inc
Business Address: 55 Bacon Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860
Applicant Name: Joseph A. Gruslin
5. Mobile Food Establishment License/Permit
Applicant: Adam Palagi
Business Name: Palagi Brothers Ice Cream LLC
Business Address: 28 Delta Drive, Pawtucket, RI 02860
6. Application for license to solicit – New
Applicant: Marcus Rocha
Business Name: Trinity Solar Inc.
Business Address: 2211 Allenwood Road, New Jersey
7. Application for license to solicit – New
Applicant: Zachary Grassi
Business Name: Renewal By Anderson
Business Address: 10 Reservoir Road, Smithfield, RI 02917
8. Application for license to solicit – New
Applicant: Janella Torres
Business Name: Renewal By Anderson
Business Address: 10 Reservoir Road, Smithfield, RI 02917
9. Application for Holiday Sales - New
Applicant: Shifeng Zhang
Business Name: Zhong Lian LLC
Business Address: 275 Bullocks Point Avenue
10. Application for Victualing – Class 3- New
Applicant: Shifeng Zhang
Business Name: Zhong Lian LLC
Business Address: 275 Bullocks Point Avenue
B. PUBLIC HEARING - None
V. PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
1. Nurses Recognition – Councilwoman Sousa
VI. 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.
VII. 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.
VII. APPOINTMENTS
1. Charter Commission, Council Appointment – David Luiz
Council President Rodericks and Councilman Fogarty
2. East Providence City Clerk, Council Appointment – Jill Seppa
XII. COUNCIL MEMBERS
1. City Council Veterans Advisory Committee – Discussion only – Councilman Lawson
2. Update on Memorial Day Parade and request to put flags up along the parade route – Discussion only – Councilman Lawson
3. Clifton Larson Allen audit report – Discussion only – Council President Rodericks
4. Total number of property assessment appeals to Northeast Revaluation to include number of successful appeals and total dollar amount adjusted appeals – Discussion only – Council Vice President Rego
5. Water/Sewer bills to rate payers by the 10th of each month - Discussion only – Council Vice President Rego
6. Update on East Providence Police Department roof bid and start date - Discussion only – Council Vice President Rego
7. Mutual aid rescue calls requested by the city for each month of 2023 (Jan-April), total to be broken down by each city and town that is sending rescue’s into the city- Discussion only – Council Vice President Rego
8. Charter Review Commission – Discussion only – Councilman Lawson
9. Short term rental ordinance review – Discussion only – Council Vice President Rego
XIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS – Ordinance for first and final passage and second passage - For discussion and possible vote
1. An ordinance of the Council of the City of East Providence Appropriating $305,800.00 for the replacement of the Police Station Roof
Summary: To allocate $305,800.00 of the remaining unencumbered and unallocated Capital Budget to the Police Department for the replacement of the police station roof inclusive of the remaining balance of $188,424.07 residual funds from previously approved Capital projects
Sponsor: Council President Rodericks
2. An ordinance in amendment of Chapter 9 of the revised ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended entitled “Miscellaneous Offenses”
Summary: Sec 9-17 through 9-21, Revision to City graffiti ordinance including penalties
Sponsors: Council President Rodericks, Council Vice President Rego, Councilwoman Sousa
XIV. CONTINUED BUSINESS – None
XV. NEW BUSINESS
A. MAYOR COMMUNICATIONS
1. Appointment/Reappointments not requiring Council Confirmation
a. Richard Brown, appointment to the Economic Development Commission – Term 11/22/2022 - 11/21/2027
b. Meg Robinson, appointment to the Tree Commission – Term 1/1/2023 – 12/31/2026
c. Kara Ashely Evans, appointment to the East Providence Historic Commission – Term 12/16/21 – 12/15/2024
2. Items for announcement/discussion
a. Discussion on resolution amending RIGL 16-7-41.1 related to reimbursement of interest payments on approved projects prior to the project’s substantial completion
b. East Providence third municipality to sign Learn 365 RI Compact
c. National Skilled Nursing Week Proclamation May 14-20
d. Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month – Month of May 10, 2023
e. Mental Health Awareness Month – Month of May 10, 2023
f. Jewish American Heritage Month – Month of May 10, 2023
g. LBGTQI+ Pride month – Month of June
h. Azorean day – May 29 (Celebration May 15)
i. Day of Portugal – June 10 (Celebration June 6)
j. ALS Awareness Month – Month of May
k. Correspondence from Mayor regarding new property tax rates
B. REPORTS OF OTHER CITY OFFICIALS - None
C. REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE LIAISON
D. RESOLUTIONS - For discussion and possible vote
1. Resolution establishing the East Providence City Council Advisory Recreation Board
Sponsor: Council President Rodericks
2. Resolution establishing the East Providence City Council Crescent Park Advisory Commission
Sponsor: Councilman Lawson
3. Resolution establishing the East Providence City Council Harbor Management Commission
Sponsor: Council President Rodericks
4. Resolution establishing the East Providence City Council Senior and Disabled Citizen’s Advisory Commission
Sponsor: Council President Rodericks
5. Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with K. Electric Inc. for installation of string lighting along the East Bay Bike Path in Riverside Square
Sponsor: Councilman Lawson
6. Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract for the Police Department Roof Replacement
Sponsor: Council President Rodericks
7. Resolution memorializing the General Assembly to enact legislation amending State law to provide eligibility for reimbursement for interest payments on approved school construction projects prior to project completion
Sponsor: Council Vice President Rego
8. Resolution establishing the City of East Providence Veterans Advisory Committee
Sponsor: Councilman Lawson
9. Resolution recognizing National Nurses Month
Sponsor: Councilwoman Sousa
E. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES - For discussion and possible vote
1. An ordinance in amendment of Chapter 11 of the revised ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled “Military Duty”
Summary: Sec 11-93, authorizing the pay differential for qualified employees who are deployed for 365 days or less in the armed forces
Sponsor: Councilman Lawson
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.
