CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
RHODE ISLAND
CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION
AGENDA
June 21, 2023
6:30P.M.
City Council Chambers, City Hall, 145 Taunton Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914
6:30P.M. Open Session
I. OPEN SESSION
II. CALL TO ORDER
III. PUBLIC COMMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
IV. OLD BUSINESS
A. Vote for Resolution to City Council on up or down vote for Charter amendments
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Approval of Minutes
1. April 19, 2023
2. April 26, 2023
3. May 10, 2023
B. Question for City Solicitor Regarding Charter Commission Procedure (Bruce Rogers)
C. Vote On Changes from May 10 Meeting
Article I
Article II
D. Discussion Article II City Council
E. Discussion Article III Mayor
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Article I Basic Provisions
1-1 Change the word “town” to “city” (also in Preamble)
First sentence – change “not” to “now” *
Strike “and Providence Plantations”
The people of the town city of East Providence, within the corporate limits as not now established or as hereafter established in the manner provided by law, shall continue to be a municipal corporation, and in order to secure the right of self-government in all local matters pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, do adopt and establish this City Charter under the name of the City of East Providence.
Article II City Council
2-2 - First sentence – add “shall” after Council members*
Eliminate brackets around “a.”
Council Members shall be qualified voters of the City and shall hold no other public office or employment in the service of the City. If a Council member shall cease to possess any of these qualifications or shall be convicted of [a] crime involving moral turpitude, his or her office shall immediately become vacant.
2-4 - Powers of the Council President: To set the City Council agenda with the assistance of city
clerk and law department. *
Put on hold until the city clerk issue resolved.
The Council shall elect an officer of the City who shall have the title of president, and shall preside at meetings of the Council. The president shall also set the agenda for meetings of the Council with the assistance of the city clerk and law department.
2-6 - Change City Clerk to Canvassing Clerk
Any vacancy in the Council shall be filled for the unexpired term by vote of the electors of the City or ward. Such vacancy shall be filled at the next regular or special election to be held in the City, or the Council may call a special election for the purpose of filling the vacancy. If a vacancy in the Council shall occur more than nine (9) months prior to the date for the holding of an election, the City Clerk Canvassing Clerk shall call a special election for the purpose of filling such vacancy within thirty (30) days after the vacancy occurs.
2-7 - Conflicts with 11-14
The first meeting of a newly elected Council shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January following a City general election.
Sec. 11-14. - Terms of office.
All elected and appointive officers elected or appointed for a definite term, shall enter upon their term of office upon the first Tuesday after the first Monday in December next following a City of East Providence general election, or as soon thereafter as may be, and shall serve until their successors are elected and qualified.
2-8 - A quorum of (3) members of the city Council shall be necessary for the transaction of business, but a smaller number may adjourn from time to time. *
A majority of the whole number of members of the Council shall constitute a quorum A quorum of (3) members of the city council shall be necessary for the transaction of business, but a smaller number may adjourn from time to time. At least twenty-four (24) hours' notice of the holding of an adjourned meeting shall be given to all members who were not present at the meeting from which adjournment was taken.
2-9 - Powers
(2) Establish administrative departments and distribute the work of divisions.
Explanation: Conflicts with 3-12 *
(2) Establish administrative departments and distribute the work of divisions;
