1/6/26 East Providence City Council Meeting

Good evening. Welcome to the meeting of the East Providence City Council, January 6, 2026.

Madame Clerk, could you please call the role of the council?

Councilman Fogerty, here.

Councilman Lawson, here.

Council Vice President Rio, here.

Councilwoman Souza. Council President Rodri here. What the record show four members are present. the quorum. Uh, Councilwoman Souza is uh, under the weather tonight and indicated that uh, she won't be able to make it. Please uh, rise for the pledge to the flag of the United States of America and to the stands nationy and justice for all.

Madame clerk, a couple of changes just in the very very beginning. Then we won't bother you the rest of the night with a lot of changes.

Well, we will do the executive session at the close of our meeting. It'll still be public, but we'll meet in executive session at the close of the meeting. And right now um we do have uh some folks here on a on the agenda at the request of Councilman Rigo and they also have a meeting of their organization later this evening. So as a courtesy I'm going to ask with without um objection if we move

them forward at this time. If you look at page four, number three under council members, madame clerk, if you could uh just read that heading on page four under council members, I believe it's number three.

Kimberly Ann Rockfield, Rumpford Little League Council Vice President Rigo.

Council vice president, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. President. Um, couple weeks ago, the president of Rumford Little League, Mike Fischer, called me and there's really two great ideas that the this organization has proposed for us tonight and they're going to need the city's help. Uh, I can't say enough for the leadership of Mike Fiser and this board since they took over a couple years ago. So they've brought pride back into a league that a

lot of us played, coached, and served on boards in were president. And Mike and this board has brought Rumfilly back to the pride of the city as well as the state. So Mike's got two programs tonight that he wants to share.

And uh it's two things that haven't happened in the city in a while. one before was led by Councilman Connley down in Ward 4 with Riverside. And then there's another program uh a girls program. So, I'm not going to steal the thunder cuz it belongs to Mike and all those great board members that are out there tonight. So, I ask that Mike Fisher come to the podium and uh make the presentation on behalf of Run for

Little League.

Michael, just push the button on that microphone there and just state your name and address for the record.

All right. My name is Michael Fischer, 131 Roger Williams Avenue, Rumford, Rhode Island 02916.

Welcome.

All right. Thank you to all the members of the council for allowing me to speak tonight. My name is Michael Fischer and I am president of Runford Little League, serving my fourth year in this capacity.

Ruffford Little League has formally voted to approve the addition of a new challenger division with approval also granted by Little League International.

The Challenger division is a little league program designed to provide children with intellectual and physical challenges the opportunity to participate in baseball in a safe, supportive, and developmentally appropriate environment with a focus on on inclusion, confidence, and joy. This division is very close to my heart and reflects the type of environment all youth sports should strive to create.

one rooted in inclusion, encouragement, and the opportunity for every child to be celebrated. With the introduction of this division, we will need the city's support to prepare to prepare our facilities to safely and properly host children with intellectual and physical challenges. These improvements include handicap accessible walkways to all fields, upgraded handicap accessible restroom facilities, and batting cage

improvements to allow us the opportunity to utilize those for all children. In addition to supporting our challenger division, Runford Little League is also committed to ensuring equal access and opportunity for the young women in our community through our growing softball program. Now entering only its second year, the program is expected to expand significantly this season.

Unfortunately, because none of our current fields are properly configured for softball, our girls were forced to play all of their games away from our home complex last year. This meant missing out on the same on-site amenities, sense of community, and homefield pride that our baseball players experience. To address this inequity, we are requesting support to adapt Sweeney Field by removing the

infield grass so the field can safely and appropriately accommodate softball play. This improvement would allow our softball athletes to finally play at home surrounded by their families, friends, and community, just as the boys in our league do.

While Little League programs may by rule occasionally include participants from neighboring communities, the focus and primary beneficiaries of these improvements are East Providence families and the investments being requested are in permanent public infrastructure that will serve the city for years to come. Every child in East Providence deserves the chance to play the game we all love. It is extremely

important to me that we do everything possible to make these programs as inclusive and accessible as we can. The joy and sense of belonging we experience every time we step on the field should be extended to all children regardless of race, socioeconomic status, religion, intellectual or physical ability.

Thank you again to the council for allowing me time to speak and thank you to the city for your attention to this matter.

Thank you, Mike. U any questions, comments from council? Council vice president Rigo.

Uh yes. Uh, Mike and Andre, this is your really biggest first task for Ward One.

So, I you have to be the point person here. Uh, so we're going this is going to stay on this council docket until everything is completed. It's going to be one of my ongoing scenarios. Uh, can Mike, do you have a target date as far as like the first practice, first game?

You know, I I know it's it's going to come up fast. So, because this we have to get these things done.

Yeah, absolutely. Um, our practices begin uh April 1st, as they do every year. That's the the first day of the year that the city allows us to uh use the fields. Uh games will begin April 13th, and we'll have our opening day ceremony um May 2nd.

So um Andre, again, I'd like to have a meeting with Mike and he can bring people with him like to have the council president, you know, there. Uh, and if you need to bring Dan involved in this, uh, we will, uh, so we have the dates and everything and get everything done, ready to go.

Sure. So why why don't we exchange information tonight? Get phone numbers and contact information. Obviously DPW would have to be involved. Um little bit of work here involved and um at your convenience and your convenience Mike uh set up a meeting and uh we'll get the ball rolling.

Thank you.

You're welcome. Anybody else from the league that wanted to speak on this while you're here? Um you're all welcome to stay till midnight with us for the rest of the meeting if you'd like.

Yeah.

But other than that, thank you um to the league and thank you vice president for bringing that forward.

Absolutely. Supporting youth sports.

It's I mean all of us have either been players, coaches or parents of players and now we're in a position to take care of these youth sports. So I fully support you Frank.

Well thank you. Obviously, you know, I have a child who's autistic and uh being involved in in that program and everything both the and being involved in the girls program a long time ago. Uh both issues are near and dear to my heart. And uh the the challenger program isn't just for people in Rumford, it's going to as when Tim Connelly ran it down Riverside, it's for everybody.

Yeah.

It isn't just that you have to live in the boundaries of Rumford Little League.

Uh a and then the girls program is something that should never have happened and we're not you can't go back and fix a wrong but you can now we can fix moving forward and everything. And the girls program was once the uh pride and joy of you know winning New England state championships, Eastern Championships. So and that that the championships don't mean anything, but it's just the it's just a community

affair. I saw I saw a couple of games that they happened to play down at a men's softball field last year and there's a lot of enthusiasm and the coaches are you know involved in it and they've got the girls so there's a good base for the girls program as well. So I thank the council for supporting this.

Thank you.

Well and my final thought especially with with softball it's that saying it takes a village because it helps the athletes in school. you know, those athletes at Martin, at Riverside, our high school, if they go on to Bay View, wherever. Um, but it it all comes full circle.

All right.

Sure. Councilman Fogerty.

Before you lose your thought, go ahead.

No, this is very easy. Uh, a lot of people don't follow Facebook, but there was an unfortunate We know you do.

Well, no, people call me. I and I I got a wife that keeps me informed and I look at it.

But anyways, the unfortunate situ I mean the unfortunate thing that happened was somebody deleted the Runford Little League uh page on uh on Facebook. So, if anybody out there who's who was involved in the league in the past who has pitches to bring back, you know, the history of it, uh it was an unfor it was an unfortunate situation that somebody did and uh again, you can't fix the

past, but we can uh move forward with it. Thank you.

Yeah, I wanted to add I wanted to thank you for coming out and Mike I just talked to a little bit, but being over I also am a 40-year umpire, too. and we won the districts. My daughter pitched right through the high school. I'm a Special Olympics volunteer. I do a lot of basketball and softball for free. But the point is that I'm happy that you brought this together. It's going to be

some work. I talked to Mr. Borges. I guess that used to be a softball field turned into a baseball field and a little bit of work uh cut out for us, but obviously you guys care a lot to do this and it's a lot of work from your end and I'm supporting Frank and the in the fields best we can. I hope the city moves fast for you because I know how

fast that schedule comes up. Uh so thank you. Thanks for doing it.

Thank you all. Uh madame clerk, could we revert back to the agenda?

Proclamations and presentations.

Number one, East Providence Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Director of Planning, Keith Bryce.

Keith, I think um you want to come forward. I I believe we're going to just table this and get more of an advertised meeting scheduled.

Well, thank you, council president. Um, yeah, per the council's request, um, you know, we can have the presentation at the next meeting, which I believe is January 20th.

Um, basically the bike, the East Providence bike and pedestrian plan. It was done as a result of a grant from uh statewide planning for $160,000 to pay for the planning and engineering firm to come up with this plan which would be a guidance document for possible future improvements to the bike and pedestrian network in the city.

Thank you. There's also a feeling here you don't have to wait for the council.

you could have a a hearing at any time, any night, advertised. It can be televised. Um so you don't have to hold to that January 20th meeting.

Yeah. And there's been lots of public input where we've had different things.

We're getting uh input from the public.

This presentation to the council was really just to inform the council about where this stands, what some of the concepts might be. There's no vote required on behalf of the council.

Okay.

Um All right. Thank you. Did we get a digital copy? Did you email us?

Uh, yes. Through uh it was emailed in the 16th document.

Okay.

In the um with the agenda. Yeah.

Well, I back in 22, I uh brought this up during a debate that I had with my opponent at the time. So, I want to take the opportunity to thank you for coming forward with this.

Uh this uh is a two-fold plan. Uh we need to make sure that families when moms are out there because this is a community and as we go to the next step when we hopefully start building some single family affordable single family houses and affordable town houses that moms can push their children, their newborns or their young kids in carriages. You see you see families out there. People are walking, young kids

are learning to ride the bike. So, it's a very important thing in my ward and through the city and even in my ward even more besides a bike path is the security. I have a lot of senior uh towers in my ward and I get nervous when I see people in motorized wheelchairs on Pucket Avenue and on Greenwood Avenue.

So it's important for that not just a bite but it's for that segment of population as well. So we need to come up with a very good plan that takes obviously effect because we're a community uh and that has a lot of small businesses and it's happened in other cities where businesses have gotten impacted by too many lanes. But we have to have a happy medium here where it's important for the people in wheelchairs,

bicycles, you know, motorized vehicles as well as uh looking out for the business owners of of the city. And I again my challenge for this city is that we need to start building affordable single family homes. And this is a great concept, another way to bring people into our community. Thank you. I will add to that, Frank. I've mentioned this before, intercity shuttles and to get people so they're not walking on the

streets. You know, we get the shuttle vans from senior center. I'd love to talk about East Province isn't that big.

We could run a loop of a shuttle. So, if people with mobility issues need to get to the store and stuff, I'd be all in for investment and stuff like that. So, definitely have conversations.

That's the purpose of this study. So, we need this bikes. I'm talking overall, but it's pedestrian also, right? Not just bicycles.

Pedestrian also, right?

So, okay, we'll we'll schedule something um and and have a full public discussion.

Thank you.

Thanks, Keith. Next item.

Consent calendar for discussion and possible vote. Council journals regular meeting 1225.

It's your pleasure.

Make a motion to accept.

Yeah. Yeah. I apologize. Yep. To accept the consent calendar.

Motion by Councilman Lawson to accept the consent calendar in total. Seconded by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor?

I.

I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. Next item.

Licenses for discussion and possible vote.

I'll make a motion to bundle C1 through C3. A second motion by Councilman Lawson to bundle license numbers C1 to C3. Seconded by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor the bundle.

I. Any opposed?

The eyes have that. Is there make a motion to approve uh licenses C1 through C3.

Motion made by Councilman Lawson to approve.

Is there a second?

Second.

Second by Councilwoman Fogerty. His licenses have all been vetted and excel fogy. Sorry.

Sorry, Frank.

We'll get you accepted, Mr. Rock.

All licenses have all been vetted and and received their approvals. All in favor?

I I Any opposed?

Yeah, I just have it. Thank you. Next item.

Communications. Sam Archer.

Is this public comment or communications?

Oh, yes. Sorry. Yeah.

Oh, that's okay.

Comment.

Welcome. Just name and address for the record.

Yeah. Uh I'm Sam Archer. I live at uh 184 Walnut Street here.

Um Thank you.

Yeah. And and I wanted to comment on um the request to remove the road diets on will it have um and I just because also I thought that that was an interesting justosition um with the item of the bicycle and pedestrian master plan. Um I just wanted to encourage uh the council to think of those road diets as part of that plan.

um you know a safety measure in town that can be used as mobility lanes not only for uh bicycles but also uh you know for uh all different types of people trying to get around. Um right now in their isolation they may not seem so effective uh but when they're part of a network and they connect to other places then they will make sense. Um, so I would encourage you uh to look at the um

some of the maps in the the presentation. They're very interesting.

I think they show uh the outline for a very potentially useful network and we should imagine this alongside of cars, public transportation, walking, uh other options um and see the most positive thing.

Great. No, good points. Thank you.

Thank you.

Appreciate your time coming out.

John Harris.

Welcome, John. Just name and address for the record. Um, uh, my name is John Harris and I live at 25, uh, Park Drive, Riverside, and which is right next to the basically Will A um, bike lanes, which I will admit when they came in, like a lot of us were a little confused, you know, but having talked to, uh, you know, several of my neighbors, of course, you know, I'm known as the bike

guy in my neighborhood, um, uh, they even admit that, you know, they kind of dig it. like one guy can actually back into his driveway who lives on Willow A.

Um my wife and I were walking to Shaws and we were remarking about how much safer the sidewalks felt. So you know there's bonuses to a lot of uh you know uh removing some of the you know carb based um you know uh defaults that we often fall into. So, I find that the area is a lot more walkable and uh also my wife and I, you know, we bought our house intentionally in Riverside um

because of how great the bike infrastructure in East Providence is.

So, I'm a huge fan of pedestrian infrastructure. Um, you know, we were one car at the time and, you know, our proximity to the bike path was exactly why, you know, we could both, you know, get to work and, uh, whoever had the longest commute on the, uh, rainy days got the, uh, got the car. So, uh, you know, I just want to say it's great. I'm a huge fan. I love it. Um and you know

again like you know isolated these things don't always make sense and it's easy for us to kind of fall into a you know a little bit of a you know anger pattern but um together when you look at the whole picture um it can you know kind of come together useful. So thank you.

I have a question for you.

Thank you.

So you are you are a daily rider.

Absolutely.

To work.

Yep. Do you see any safety issues since they've been put in um that lane?

No, none.

None.

No. I mean, it's like, you know, we we, you know, head down the Shaws all the time. There's been no uh no issues in terms of, you know, cars that we've, you know, noticed. Um it seems like traffic is flowing, you know, just fine.

What's your travel from your house to work? What how do you go?

Well, I go I take the East Bay. Okay. Um but uh potentially I would be heading like I might be moving my work so I might be actually going very close to that area.

Okay. Thank you.

Thank you.

Mr. Scribble who begins with a B. It looks like I have no idea who that is.

Scribble.

It's all it is is Scribble. It looks like there's a B. Second person who signed their name.

Is it Bill?

Is there anyone that begins with a B?

Bob, is there anyone who signed up?

The second person who signed up on the list.

587 or 581.

I don't see nobody jumping. So, we can Nobody wants to be Mr. Scribble.

581.

Could be.

That you.

Oh, okay.

Hey, you're the winner.

You flunked pemanship in grade school evidently.

Yeah, sure. Just name and address for the record.

Is this for your license? Feel good?

That's right.

Oh, you're approved. You're all set, buddy. That's Congratulations.

2026.

Good luck. Thank you. Is there anyone else?

Nope.

Okay, next item.

You had to sign up. Did you sign up?

Well, 6:30. It has to Well, go if they Well, if you can keep it brief, come on up. But they were there to for sign in.

That's the the law. But no problem.

I'm Sheena Tomkins of 59 Mountain Avenue.

Okay.

Sorry, new to this. Um, welcome. Thank you.

Thank you. Um, I ride a bike. Uh, I don't drive a car. I think the Willlet Avenue thing is really good. I've been there. It's not my usual route, but it's really feels good. And what primarily I would like to say like cars need to share the road. if there's no place to go and if you feel insecure sometimes I do feel insecure.

Pucket Avenue being the primary place that I feel very vulnerable and I bump up on the sidewalk and then when I see pedestrians I get off my bike or I go very slow. I walk it and apologize. I don't belong up there. But there's also new lines in on Pucket Avenue. There's no shoulder. Um I have so many other points but that's the primary one. um you know keep it going

build it more like the woman the man on park a like connect them and make it safe for everybody in Riverside I noticed I am also a bus rider there's blind people taking the bus elderly on walkers people on canes they need more safety and more support thank you nice name and address for the record hi yes I'm Libby Merrill I live at 57 7 Fair View A. And I also wanted to speak

tonight in favor of more bike infrastructure. I'm disappointed that the council asked to push the presentation on the bike and pedestrian plan. Um that's very exciting. And I will say too that um the future of any thriving city is multimmodal transportation. So not just a city that is locked into car transportation. Um, I know the state unfortunately has um not funded RIPA to the level it needs to be

funded. So, we need better bus service.

I like the idea of a shuttle uh an intercity shuttle. That sounds awesome.

Um, and that includes uh active transport like biking and walking. And so anything we can do to encourage and the safety of bikers and walkers and get more people um taking short trips in active transportation modes rather than driving short trips. I would there's no place to to bike at all in Pakadav. I actually am pretty impressed that you're biking at all in Pakadav. Um because

it's actually illegal in East Providence to bike on the sidewalk and there are no bike lanes in a lot of places and so where would you bike? There isn't a place. Uh, so I'm excited about Willlet A having a bike lane. I'm hoping it can be connected in a logical way to um Crescent Park A or whatever because you could go from the Bington line to the carousel or to the bike path um if those

two could be connected. And I was over at Navig Credit Union about three times last week sitting in one of those offices looking out at the Willlet A bike lane and it was there was nobody, no confusion, no traffic, either car traffic or bike traffic. So thank you.

I'm glad you agree with what I said earlier, but to help us if you I think you're a smart person. You understand that Pucket Avenue is a state road. So, you need what you need to do for a bike for for that aspect to happen. For anybody biking and been brought and again brought it up four years ago already, you need to contact the state senators and state reps because this

body right here, we cannot do anything on Pucket Avenue. That's control. We can ask for it and we can, but we can we're just like you. We're no different than you. That's the way they treat us. But the but the more people they hear, they listen. Well, fortunately the um master plan that's been created um is includes Pakad as part of that plan and also veterans which is also a state road. Um

and we have a beautiful bike path and there's no way to get to it from the neighborhood from as a resident of East Providence. It's very dangerous to try to get to the East Bay bike path. Um and the state plan includes that. So hopefully we get to all be in a meeting together where we see the state plan, the master plan. Thank you. And and that's um why we you said something

about council pushed this off. We we did not um push it off. This is a pretty big document that's pretty impressive and we just got it.

Got it.

Um couple days we got it Saturday morning.

Yeah. So, you know, we we like to at least I'll speak for myself. I like to make sure I see it and read it and understand it so I can answer questions of the public. Um, so we're going through that now. That's why we want to have a nice meeting or hearing where everyone can say whatever they want to say, but we want to know what it's about so we can look like we know what we're

talking about. That's all. No one's against anything. But next, hey there y'all. Good evening. I'm San Chapelle. I live at 24 Dartmouth A Riverside. Um my comment is also about the road diet which I think is a step in the right place and where we join these things together in the long term is super important. Um the I was I I participated in the community outreach for the plan. I um sent in some emails.

I sent in some pictures. I went to one of their outreach things where they had people putting bulletins on them. And I'm looking forward to seeing that.

Also, um, what I will add about the Pucket Avenue situation is that most people who ride bikes, I grew up riding a bike. I commuted for a bike. I don't currently commute for my bike choice. I I use my bike for pleasure right now.

But I have a lot of friends who do use their bike for commuting. Um, that most people who want to ride their bikes don't want to ride on roads like Pucket Avenue. They want to ride on secondary roads. And these are the things that we need to look at is like how do we build the infrastructure that connects paths on secondary roads that gets people where they need to get to, including the markets and um green

spaces because green spaces in your community and which that you can access quickly without jumping in your car is what makes a community a livable place, an enjoyable place to be.

Safety is important.

Calming measures are important. Ways to make traffic go slower, a little bit slower with sight lines and safety is super important. I'm not a speed bump hump person, but sometimes we can use other ways to squeeze traffic down with diet, with trees, with sight lines. Um, one thing to add about um, bike riders is that something that's lacking in our community is people who ride bikes need

places to lock their bikes to safely and securely. That's something that's super important. Um, I can save some of my comments for once the presentation comes out, but I think it was really great to see the due diligence that was done by the people collecting the data, and I'd like to see how that um, plays out. Um, on another subject I and I'm thinking like the idea that we spent the energy

and time to collect this data, let's use it, evaluate it, move it forward in a sensible way as a living document in the sense of things are going to change.

Communities change. We need change. Um, speaking of change, um, I wanted to make one comment about something that we've talked about before, which is the auxiliary dwelling units that we've passed through some way of the requirement of state law. And I was curious that there was this 5,000 square feet meter thing, whatever, which seemed absolutely arbitrary and random to me.

And I was wondering if there's any feedback about where that came from, how that came from, how it affects people in the community that would like to have an auxiliary dwelling unit. because if it's based on square feet area that um the idea that a person that has a bigger lot I'm going to put that into a wealthier department than a person that has a smaller lot and what is the ratio of the

average not the average size meaning large and small made into an average but what's the common size of lots that people own in our community that would be well suited with an auxiliary dwelling unit on it.

That's why we passed the 5,000.

The average lots in the city are that way that be the state wanted it at 10,000 and then it it was a proposal. We made it so that basically every lot in the city of East Providence can have an auxiliary union. If we if we kept it at 10 thou if we kept it at where the state was or anywhere else you talk about going into uh uh you you use the word

you know financial or or you know people with more money then we would have been isolating everybody else. We as a as a council we did what was right for the citizens of the city. We brought it down to 5,000.

That's that's where that's where what you have to be.

And you can always So we So you can it can be 5,000 and above. 5,000 is the average in this in the city. We help the people of the city.

City solicitor has a I just want to correct the councilman.

It's it's actually 20,000.

20. Yeah. The state was 20. We took it from 20 to five.

I did follow that. But yes. So, so, so we we we we we're being progressive. We're being leaders in the state. We didn't keep it at 20. We brought it to five. So, almost every single and there's very few that is small than 5,000. And you look at Ward two where we are right now. So, we did we did what the people what people have been asking for. We gave everybody the

opportunity. We we could have gone to 20. If we if we went the other way, you have a great question, but we took it from 20 to five. That's like there aren't too many lots in the city that you can't build an auxiliary unit on. So, I'm I'm grateful you're following it. I'm grateful for the action, but this council has been nothing but user friendly for for housing, for secondary housing. And again, I brought up about

tiny houses back in 2022, and we're and I know what we need to do, but 5,000 square feet, we're not being we're not being snobs at all. We we we helped everybody in the city.

All right. You can you can always apply for a zoning variance too and and I have to just you know we're running with the time limit here and this is not an agenda item so I know the solicitor is looking at me so I want you to make some closing comments.

No that's fine. I just was I understood I followed the thing. I was wondering it seemed very arbitrary to me for 5,000.

I'm thankful that it's less but maybe I don't know the facts of the It wasn't arbitrary. It was based on like the average size lots throughout the city, right?

For that and and at the result of a lot of public input and hearings and meetings wasn't just done, you know, we can certainly have the planning department um provide you with those numbers as well. We went to the 5,000.

There was there we do have a a census of what what the average lot size in East Proidence was and that was one of the motivating factors because and if I remember, didn't the city say 7500 and we brought it back down to five? the the city wanted 75. We brought it down to five.

All right, we're good. Next item.

Council members, number one, request to remove road diets on Willlet Avenue.

Councilman Lawson.

So, let let me be very clear here.

I'm looking for the diets. The bike lane's there. We're not asking for the bike lane. I have overwhelmingly been hearing from people of near misses because when you come around the corner and you're coming in, it's such a shop merge that it's causing people to get nervous. So, this is not anti-bike lane.

You know, if you want to know the bike lane on Crescent View, that was from me.

I'm not anti-bike. I'm pro bike, but I'm also the representative of all of Riverside. And overwhelmingly, people have been reaching out to me saying, "Rick, I almost had another near miss the other day." And I get things take time, but there's a bike lane and there are two wide sidewalks as well.

So, I'm not asking to take away from that. I am all in favor of bike lanes. I want to start talking about First Avenue going from the Redmond Bridge to get to the bike path over near the 133 Comedy Connection that we definitely need to address. We need to get from the center of the city, the Ken Heights area and stuff into the bike path into the bike lane fully supported. But these diets

are not needed in Riverside and overwhelmingly I am getting calls and emails about them. So, this is not us being anti-blike lane. And I will meet with all you guys anytime you want to discuss your concerns, anything you want because we're on the same page with just a little couple tweaks here and there.

So, I had requested Andre a couple weeks ago that you look into that. Have you reached out to Ry Dot yet? So, again, this is not about anti-bike because the bike lane, I'm not asking to remove it.

We could even put up those little poles that can create a little bit of a barrier if people are nervous, but we should go back to two lanes there. There was never um a traffic problem. There was never any incidents that necessitated the need for these diets.

So, that's all we're doing here. We are not saying we don't want any bike lanes throughout the city. Just we want those two removed and put back into two lanes on Willlet. So, a couple weeks ago, I emailed Andre and can I get an update of where we are with that?

Could I could I just interject? And Andre, um while you're still um you're you're becoming a veteran, but relatively new, I'm sure, to a lot of people who may be first time viewing a meeting. So, if you could just identify yourself and your title with the city.

Of course. Um good evening everyone. My name is Andre Herrera, director of policy and constituent services for Mayor Dilva. Uh thank you Councilman Lawson for bringing this to the floor and uh as per our email um uh we had requested that Ry dot take a look at Willlet A. Um and the mayor and I have gone out there. We've talked to constituents. We uh gone there during peak hours and at all hours and have not

seen some of the congestion that others are reporting. Uh and the mayor is in favor of this change overall. However, some neighbors have expressed uh concerns on the irregularities of the speed limits and we look we took a closer look and we have Ry Dot uh they have informed us that the office of safety and the development project manager is uh looking into our request to have those speed limits be more

uniform. Uh they go from 30 to 35 to 30 to 25. So it doesn't really make that much sense. And um we also that's not the issue. Andre the road you're saying Bob Dil is refusing to request those road diets be removed.

So we've we've requested changes and a review from Ry Dot on the issue of speed limits and that that's not the issue. It's emerging of the diet.

So and also the yield uh some of the roundabouts. Those need to be switched.

But the mayor is in favor of the road diets.

Okay. As I will let the folks in Riverside have been overwhelmingly asking and I'll tell them Bob D said no.

We are in favor of road diets. Um and we want to we are addressing valid concerns from the public on the topic of speeding in the area and the right of way changes. So we have ride out looking into those changes and but we do not want to dismantle the bike lanes.

Thank you. Thank you, Councilman.

Next item, request for update on ODM project old.

Okay. So, this project's been what, three years? Is there an update where we're at with Oldham? You had mentioned in an email bidding. What are you bidding for? We've already said we're not going to sell the property.

Oh, we're not going to sell the property and we're not going to put apartment buildings on it.

Oh. Um, I appreciate you bringing this agenda item uh for discussion. So, let's wind the clocks back. 2013, the uh Oldm School shut down.

Andre, all due respect, we don't need the history.

So, in 2022, the city acquired it. We've invested ARPA funds, capital improvement funds to get the property uh repaired, and there was a leaky roof and some updates we've made.

Um, and then last year we had a consultant come and do a feasibility study to look at the possibility of getting someone to invest in the property. And that feasibility study has now concluded. And so now what it wasn't to invest in the property.

It was what is needed to get the building up to speed.

Right. And it needs about $24 million.

Well, this is what the feasibility study says. And you can that had all kinds of extras built in.

Councilman, with all due respect, this all this information is public on our website.

Yeah.

And you can check it. Um, and so right now the next step is to go out for bid what it's called an RFQ, request for qualifications. And so we're going to have anyone that's interested in investing in the the school to uh submit a proposal. will evaluate the proposals and our consultant has said that there is interest in investing.

What do you mean by investing? It's a city-owned building.

Yes, we we would lease it to them uh to any developer that meets our qualifications. So, we're going to send out um an RFQ and any developer that meets our qualifications, we'll have a discussion with them uh so that we can move forward with uh So, the plan was community space up front, the recreation with the gym, everything, and you guys are trying to push it into a housing project.

So, the the gym is still going to be for public use. And the feasibility study basically concluded and it's on online is that uh developers when they're making a significant investment in a project like this um it needs to be economically viable. And so that's why there's a for the investor.

Well, the investor has to put in money and it has to be economically but it's a city-owned building that we could use for community space.

We could have had opera money get that building open. Well, it requires millions, tens of millions of dollars.

We know we've been asking this for three years, but the mayor wants to sell it for housing.

No, but you want to give it away for housing instead of what the intended use was. We can create something so magical there.

Combine that with the Providence A playground, everything going on, we could create such an amazing quality of life building for the yards, for everything else. But the mayor wants to shove the housing down there against the will of the majority of the people down there that are freaking out.

You know, he presents a plan for eight apartment buildings right on top of the whole property.

Well, in the Do you understand why the people of Riverside are frustrated?

I I understand. I hear your point.

However, the feasibility study includes that component because that's what makes it economically viable.

That's because Bob Dilva told them to add housing into it. echo study and it will determine Andre I've read mayor said numerous thank you again I apologize this no you're good thank you I I apologize to all city employees this is between the mayor and me we have such strong differences and let's wait and see I apologize for that we'll get we'll get a plan and then when it comes to us for a vote we

yep we'll go like we did last time next Thank you Andre thank you councilman final revenue for fiscal year 2025.

Council vice president Rio.

Uh yes, I was looking for an update to see where the revenue ended at the uh fiscal year that ended on October 31st of 2025. I don't know if Andre has any information on that as far as where where we are with final numbers with the last fiscal year.

Council, I'm sorry, Councilman. I don't mean to interrup Andre, but we did have a staff meeting today about that. So, just so I understand and we met with the miss the finance director. So, you're looking for what the what the fiscal year ended with as far as a surplus or a deficit. Correct.

Correct.

And um the finance director says she can't give us those numbers until uh the the uh we get through January because obviously some bills come in late and whatnot. So that's we should have we should have a a better number by the end of January. We have to get at least one month in.

All right. So be best thing is the first meeting in February then I would think so. Yeah.

We'll put it on. All right. Thank you.

They're available. I mean, they're just there's some bills that lag and you know, they got to do the final account.

Not every bill hasn't come in yet.

My bill hasn't come in yet. Actually, I think they're behind for November.

So, I know that. So, all right. Uh, thank you.

Thanks for February.

Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman.

Target dates on purchasing TS. Council Vice President Rio.

Um, same.

Well, this is Well, this is it's supposed for this fiscal year. Um, as we know with our budget being off that we have to borrow money with the state and with interest rates dropping, I'm just asking if if we have an idea like when the tans are going to be purchased, you know, if we could hold off for maybe another Fed uh drop in interest rates, it benefits the city.

Yes. Um, well, yeah, thank you for bringing this to our attention, Vice President Rigo. Um, I spoke to our finance director, Glenda Delgado, and she says that the issuance of TANS is determined by the city's cash flow requirements. Historically, this has occurred during the first quarter of the calendar year. We do not anticipate any deviation from that pattern. However, it is uh not possible to establish a

specific target date right now as the timing depends on when the city needs to supplement its cash position. So, um that's the update we have right now. So till what? 31st of March then is you know.

Yeah. Okay.

We might I think the Fed is meeting uh I think in February I think again. Yeah.

That's why I was hoping that we would hold off as I heard that you might be a a nominee to the board of governors of the Fed.

I don't think that guy's nominating me for I don't know. I don't you got some you got some pull there.

I worry sometimes that with I got to make sure my you know I have the right person.

Just checking. Venezuela is looking for some help too. So Next item, Mayor Communications Director of Policy and Constituent Services, Andre Herrera.

You might as well stay right there, Andre.

Understood. Uh, good evening, members of the city council.

Just wanted to bring some reappoints to your attention. We're going to reappoint Maria Luchi Stoddard and Elaine Gonzalves to the East Providence Housing Authority for a 5-year term. The effective date is listed there uh when their terms had expired and that's where the five-year term will be reinstated.

And so, uh we have a couple announcements. The uh we well happy birthday America 250th commission. Uh the mayor signed an exe executive order. This was going to be brought to you at the last council meeting, but it was cancelled. Uh, an executive order establishing the city of East Providence semi-quincentennial commission to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of

Independence. I thought we already did that. Didn't we uh create this is a commission though I think that's planning I know some of us have been invited uh planning the activities.

All right. So, we're doing two separate things.

Well, I think they're going to dovetail into one city, working together. And um our the uh people on the committee are as follows.

Meredith Bonds Hammond, the chair, Sandra Turjan from the historical society, vice chair. Patrick Hanner, planning department secretary. Deborah Orund, historic district commission.

Nancy Moore, historical society. Jeff Farriia, co-president of the historical society. Cheryl Farriia, co-president of the historical society. Anamunise John, historian and acting representative from the SOAMS heritage area. Elmer Pena, Cheryl Hack, the executive director of Preserve RARI and, uh, also exofficial members, uh, council president Rodri, Council Vice President, Rigo, Eric Underh Hill, Historic District

Commission, Tom Warzika, Historic District Commission, Laura McNamera from the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, myself and Brian Turjan from the Historical Society. So those are the people on the committee so far. And if you want to join, feel free to reach out to us.

One thing I want to mention, the um the commission that you guys have created for the 250, there's no um no one's appointed on it. I got a couple of names, but there's no there's nothing there. There's nothing other than the resolution.

The former we had a meeting with the former clerk. We gave we put some names up. So, I guess that didn't happen. It wasn't on your watch. Yeah. So I gave you the names that were listed, but that's all I have is a couple of names. I don't have any information.

Yeah. So it's it'll you know the theme is one city one. So we'll work with that together. I think there was one meeting I was working could not make it the meeting and I think I added you know we added leadership on your name.

I didn't get it. So but we'll see that all the council gets invited.

Yes. We'll let you know the next meeting go from there.

And now we have the from this is from the last meeting proclamation recognizing US Army veteran Lewis M.

Feligua for his service in Japan from 1946 to 1948 and lifelong dedication to the city of East Providence on December 3rd. He got a town veterans plaque. And uh if you want me to read that proclamation, let me know. And also we have a proclamation honoring director Diane Sullivan upon her retirement after 40 years of dedicated service.

Could you read it?

Of course. Thank you.

All right. Le M. Feligua. Whereas Luis Feligua was born on May 23rd, 1928 to Anna and Ralph Feligua and has remained an East Providence resident his entire life. Whereas Mr. Felaguara attended East Providence High School starting in September 1943 where he excelled in baseball. And whereas in 1946 at the age of 18, Mr. Felaguera enlisted in the United States Army stationed in Sandi,

Japan. And whereas upon an honorable discharge, Mr. Feligua returned to East Providence High School as he promised his mother to graduate in June 1948. And whereas while in Japan, Mr. Felagua served as an army paratrooper with the occupational forces. And whereas Mr.

Falaguara married Dolores Johnson on October 17th, 1953 and celebrated over 68 years of love and happiness with his wife. And whereas Mr. Feligua is the proud father of Luanne Feligua, Susan Alonello, and Cheryl Silva. And whereas Mr. Feligua is a proud copy of Gary Silva, Lindsay Aleneloo, Briana Aleno, Michael Alinello Jr., and Derek Silva.

And whereas Mr. Falagua is a proud great poppy of Dallas Dosta, Charlotte Dosta, and Sonni Allello. And whereas a proud Italian, Mr. Mr. Falagua has been a member of the Sons of Italy Lodia Lucy Moderna East Providence for 25 years and whereas Mr. Falagua has been a member of the Freemason's St. John's Lodge and St.

Adeloy Lodge of East Province for over 45 years and whereas Mr. Felaguara worked in the field of construction for over 40 years ultimately becoming superintendent and whereas upon retirement Mr. Falgua has enjoyed vacationing in Florida for the winter, enjoying watching the Yankees and spending time with his family.

Therefore, Mayor Roberto Elda on behalf of the city of East Providence do recognize and celebrate Luis M.

Felagua's accomplishments, commitment to the city of East Providence and his unwarying dedication, sacrifice, and service to our great nation.

That is Sir Fuera.

And I believe did you did you mention yet that um we had the change in the recreation department?

Yes.

Before I comment on that, I'll let you announce that.

So, we have a proclamation here honoring Director Diane Sullivan upon her retirement, 40 years of dedicated service to the city of East Providence. If you want me to read that, I can read.

I don't think you have to read that whole thing. I think we're the city is so familiar with uh uh Diane Sullivan and I'll I'll take this opportunity to again for newcomers to council proceedings uh these are not appointments that the city council makes by city charter. These are mayoral appointments and in most cases do not require our confirmation. There are a couple that do but these do do not. So,

we're reading the information getting getting the information from the administration in in the case of Diane Sullivan. Um, I'm sure she's only the second director of recreation that East Providence has had. I mean, our first one was Joseph Crook retired and then well, Albert Kurie. So, okay, I'm sorry. She'd be what, third?

Um, but she'd been there 40 years and um, we we remember the change over in the city when we had a part-time director, Mr. Stringfellow, and he opted to stay within the school department and teach and coach and become a legend there.

And then Joe Crook, Albert Curtie, Diane Sullivan. And following in Dian's footsteps, I speak for myself. Rebecca Chase is a wonderful appointment. I am over the moon that Becky's our rec.

Yeah, she's fantastic. And uh Diane has quiet quietly been uh probably the best recreation director in all of Rhode Island. She has been amenable to every activity the city has had and has even listened to an honorary group of council members at times when we've had our five different ideas and she made it all work. and she certainly after 40 years deserves her her retirement and she's a young person

still and um I'm sure that we'll be seeing and hearing hearing from her in the in the future. uh the concerts that we've had from Crescent Park through uh Freedom Green and Rumford. I mean, Diane was involved with all of those and everything in between, the lighting of the Christmas trees at the senior center. Um and all of this without a recreation center physically. She's worked out of the out of here, city

hall. she's worked out of the uh senior center Sweet Brier building. So now hopefully when the new uh when the new center is completed um she can come back and you know we'll have a ceremony for her. As you said, Councilman Lawson, Becky Chase is the obvious choice.

Becky, if people recall, we had an old rec center down the old Riverside Junior High that Becky ran and she was awesome.

she the program she put on and I'm glad we got the new rec center being built and she's going to be in there. It's kind of I'm very happy for her. Very happy and I'm excited for the program she's going to bring to the new rec center and uh congratul and Diane Diane was awesome. She was the quality of life she brought to the city from not only that the summer camp program, right? You

and I remember each individual playground used to have a summer camp that you just walk in your neighborhood to and then you know as budgets got tighter we had to merge everything into piss and she put that together every year. So uh we townies we were very blessed to have Diane leading our recck department and adding to the quality of life in this city.

I uh I want to say a little bit about Diane.

First of all, I just want to thank you, council president, for saying that she's young since Diane and myself are college classmates. So I He looks young anyway that well, but Diane has Diane basically started, you know, as a as a counselor at one of the playgrounds and worked her way up and she ran Riverside. And what people don't realize, too, is she was the she was like the glue at Heritage Days. elbow

with the concert with the dealing with the bands and everything. But Diane for three nights had to watch over all the wreck kids that were critical to the success of that program. And Diane had that schedule down and everything worked like clockwork when this person had to go from point A to point B. And then she just continue to rose, you know, rise up. And it's that tradition that, you

know, Diane's a Tony through and through. And uh she'll be missed, but Becky's a great choice. I'm glad the mayor picked Becky.

Yeah, obviously she did a great job. And Becky will do a good job. I want to thank her for her service and enjoy your retirement. If you're watching, if you happen to look at this meeting, thank you for all your hard work. So, Andre, you can tell the mayor that Councilman Lawson agrees with him on that on that one.

Appreciate all your kind words and uh we wish uh Becky Chase all the best as the new recreation director.

Thank you. We look forward to meeting with with her. Uh thank you, sir. Uh next item, Madame Clerk.

Resolutions for discussion and possible vote. Resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into service contract with Otis Elevator Company upgrades to the elevator at Weaver Library.

Motion to approve.

Motion by Councilman Lawson to approve.

Seconded by Councilman Fogerty. Council Vice President Regal. Any discussion?

All in favor?

I.

I. Any opposed? You eyes have it. Next resolution.

Resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a police mut mutual aid agreement between the city of East Proidence, Rhode Island, and the town of CCMP, Massachusetts. Introduced by Council President Rodri, Council Vice President Ro.

Motion to approve.

Motion to approve by Councilman Lawson.

Seconded by again council vice president Rigo, also Councilman Bogodi. All in favor?

I.

I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you. Next item. resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract with CB Utility Company for the Saving Point Storm Water Quality Improvement Retrofit Project introduced by Council President Rodri's.

I'll make a motion to approve, but Andre, this is the second resolution you bypassed me regarding Riverside. So, I just want to make that known, but I make a motion to approve on this item. Motion to approve by Councilman Lawson. Is there a second?

Second.

Second by council vice president Rigo.

All in favor?

I I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. Before we finish, what what's the ordinance that you're waiting for, Councilman Lawson? A res.

No, I'm saying this is the second resolution due at River that I I was never asked to sponsor.

Oh. Oh. Oh. I'm sorry. I I hear you.

I'm just saying.

Yep.

Understand?

Yep. Number four, resolution authorizing the mayor to purchase two replacement heavyduty trucks for the Department of Public Works.

Make a motion to approve. Thank you.

Motion to approve by Councilman Lawson.

Is there a second?

Second.

Second by Councilman Fogerty. And again, these are funds already appropriated, so this isn't anything extra. Uh thank you for the motion and the second. Uh all in favor? I I any opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you.

Executive session.

Executive session. The city council of East Province may meet in executive session pursuant to Rhode Island general laws 42-46-5A2 one discussion and possible vote on proposed settlement agreement mansion house trust and Pucket House Trust versus Sarah Fu in her capacity as tax assessor for the city of V Providence Rhode Island C number PC 2024-00006490 Z.

Is there a motion to go into executive session under state law as read? Motion by Councilman Fogerty, seconded by council vice president Rigo. All in favor? I will be in recess, go into executive session, then we will come back out in public and report out. We stand in recess.

Come on. Let's go. 8 o'clock. Come on.

Home.

I got to go home. It's icy out there already. Huh?

Is there a motion to reconvene and make a motion to reconvene?

Second.

And uh can you add to that? Seal the minutes of and seal the minutes of executive session.

Second. Motion made by uh Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilman Fogerty, Council Vice President Regal. All in favor?

I motion to adjurnn.

Hold on. Hold on.

Can report out on the executive.

Thank you, Council President. Council vice president. So just in executive session, the council met to discuss a proposed property tax agreement which they did vote 4 to zero to approve.

However, the details of that agreement will not be made public until such time as the opposing party signs and executes the agreement. At that time it'll become a public record for anybody who's interested.

Thanks.

Thank you. Thank you.

Make a motion to adjurnn.

Motion to adjourn by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Council Vice President Rigo.

All in favor? I. Any oppose? Matter passes 4 to zero. Meeting.