10/7/25 East Providence City Council Meeting

order the East Providence uh city council. It's a little after 6:30.

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

Council Councilman Fogerty here.

Councilman Lawson here.

Council Vice President Rio here.

Councilwoman Souza here.

Council President Rodri here. The record show all five members are present. Thank you. Please stand for the pledge.

To the flag of the republic nationice.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Would you read uh Roman numeral 2?

Executive session. The city council of East Paris may meet in executive session for sewage for Rhode Island General Laws 42-46-5A2 claim and sewer charge abatements and B litigation Bank of America versus Sarah Fu.

Thank you. We're going to split up the executive session into two parts. We'll go into uh executive session with the assistant solicitor Odolatto uh to at this time uh and then when we come back we'll finish the other part uh claims and sewer charge abatements right here at the at the deis with the solicitor Marcelo. So, is there a motion to move to executive session for the litigation portion?

Uh, yes. According to Rhode Island General Laws 42-46-5A2, I move to executive session.

Second.

Second by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor? I I. Any opposed? We'll move to executive session at this time. Be right back.

Can you um slowly write down what I'm supposed to be reading out?

Motion to uh return to public session and seal the minutes of the executive session.

Is there a motion to that effect?

Motion.

Motion. Council vice president Rigo.

Seconded by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor? I. Any opposed?

The eyes have it. Um, city clerk, if you want to just report the results of the first part of the executive session or can I can do it. Yes, I'm sorry. Um, so there was a settlement discussion regarding a tax uh appeal by Bank of America. Um, the settlement agreement was um approved by the council I believe unanimously. Uh, I did not take part in that settlement discussion or the um

negotiation of that settlement because I have a legal conflict. However, once the agreement is signed, it'll become a public record. So, um, anybody wants it, they can get it at that point.

Thank you. And then I'll report out all the claims that were listed on the agenda um were approved upon the recommendation of the uh public works director. The amounts are listed on the agenda and they were approved unanimously as well.

Thank you.

We're back in open session. Madame Clerk, if you could continue with the agenda motion to share the minutes.

I think we did early, but we can probably because you did them so fast.

Probably didn't notice it.

That's okay. I think it was Councilman Rean and Rigo and Councilman Fogerty, right? And it was unanimous.

Okay. Continue, please, madame clerk.

Consent calendar for discussion and possible vote. A. Council Journals regular council meeting September 16th, 2025. Budget hearing meeting September 24th, 2025.

Letters new property numbers 99 Walnut Street, East Providence, Rhode Island, 02914, map 105, block 08, Postel 039.00 00 51 Dunbar Street, Brumford, Rhode Island 02916, map 404, block 22, parcel 02210.

Um, do you want me to ask for a motion on that or do you want me to add the tax abatements?

If there are no outstanding questions on the tax, I'll make a motion to accept the consent calendar. Complete.

Complete. Okay. Motion by Councilman Lawson, second by Councilwoman Souza.

All in favor? I I any opposed the eyes have continue madam clerk licenses is it turn licenses C non-public hearing special events one day entertainment license for bingo night um date is 12:13 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Do you want me to read all of them or do you wanna uh No, we could have a motion bundle bundle motion by Councilman Lawson to bundle the request seconded by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor of bundling I.

Any oppose? The eyes have.

5.

I'll make a motion to approve um C1 through 8.

Second that.

Motion by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilman Fogerty. C numbers 1 through eight. All in favor?

I I. Any opposed? The eyes hat.

And I just want to say for rec number two is an incredible house display for Halloween on OKAV. They go all out every year. It is amazing. They are awesome.

That's October 24 looks like. Well, they have it Well, they have it up for a few regularly anyway. The Halloween season.

Yeah.

Yeah. That's That'll be nice.

Yeah.

Okay.

Continue, Madam Clerk.

Public comment. Nancy Hail.

Yes. Is Nancy Hail present?

Okay. Well, we we'll have to move on. Is um there anyone else? No.

If she comes back, we'll we'll let her sure. Yeah, she'll be able to ask a question. Um, continue.

Council members, discussion and possible vote on changes or amendments to the mayor's fiscal year 26 proposed budget.

So, we you know, I we've had a few hearings and workshops. I did ask for uh any requests to have other department heads here tonight and we there were none. Um there are obviously still a few questions that that members have and we can open it up at this time to uh questions, comments by the council.

You got a couple.

Yes, Councilman Lawson.

Um mine are page 48 for the miscellaneous Um, yeah, I don't have the numbers here. Uh, purchase services, legal services.

There's 250. Shouldn't that be under the legal department? Why is it in miscellaneous?

do have the director of finance here and also mayor's uh chief of staff administration mayor is present also. So anyone can answer that. So there are there are two line items for legal services. This has always been in this uh we we split it up because there are some legal services that we use that when I have a conflict like uh one a conflict two um when we hire a specialized council like we hired

a council for the solar solar issues that we've had bond councils uh sometimes comes out of this as well um other specialized things like arbitration fees we pay them out of that fee that's why so it's kind of mis all under one legal I think at one time it was councilman to be honest with you and then I think a prior council you know took it out. So, it's that's it's a it's really a bookkeeping

matter, but we had it last year. How much was left over from that?

I don't that that line item.

It says 250 and 58,000's been used so far. So, that's $192,000 is still left over according to this. that you might have used more since it your half year was 58.

How much have we spent on that line item?

So, but at that at at this point it's 192,000.

And and also be very clear when we when I'm involved in labor negotiations I I we I build to that account as well.

Okay. So, uh, year to date, we've used about $125,000 of the 250 budgeted.

So, there's 130 left over and we want to add 250 to that.

125.

No, no, no.

Budgeted to, right? But last year, guys, one at a time, how much is left over from what we budgeted last year?

Oh, left over from what we budgeted last year was 115,000.

There's 115,000 left from last year and then we want to add 250 on top.

So, we still have 115,000 from last year.

Okay.

Okay. So there's 115,000 out there somewhere through the council president if I may.

Um yes, I just I just want to make note just for the viewers at home to understand or the residents that please um it it's important to look at this as a whole picture and look at previous year. So fiscal year 2024 there was 328,39 uh fiscal year 23 329,641.

So I just wanted to make you aware of those. I'm aware, but last year there's 115,000 that was unspent from last year's budget.

Okay.

Yeah.

Um, so fiscal year 24, you're telling me because fiscal year 25 is not over yet.

So I'm I'm trying to get a feel for where this is going and everything like that. So Glenda, you're telling me that the end of fiscal year 24 out of the 328, there was 115 left over. No, no.

Well, this we're still in fiscal 25, correct?

So, so there's we haven't closed it out yet. So, you're there's 115 left in this fiscal year 25. When you when you're telling me last year from an accountant standpoint, I'm thinking 24. 25 hasn't closed yet. So, it's 115 as of today we have in this budget from now until the end of this month.

Yes.

Correct.

So, and do we anticipate using that? There are I mean I can just tell you from the labor negotiations there are outstanding labor bills that will be paid from this because we're still in negotiations.

And how much is left on your budget on the on my other side of the budget?

Yeah.

Um I I can tell you that I know that I have not gone over budget. I know that I think that's the same amount that we budgeted last year. I think um based upon the mayor's recommendations the the total legal budget has been cut by $100,000 from last year. I'm just the legal department.

And that's what I mean when I say your budget.

Yeah, I get it.

Legal department.

Does that answer your question pretty much? Council Council, you're good.

Of the legal.

Yeah. No, I'm just asking if you're you're good.

No, I didn't. How much is left over? I didn't get the answer.

Oh, the total left out. Okay. So in the legal department's uh remaining as of today is 23,000 between both those lines about 150.

Yes.

Okay.

And the other question when I dug down 5343 purchase professional services I didn't see exactly what that was for.

Could you clarify what department? It's under miscellaneous line item 5343.

It's still uh number 900 under miscellaneous.

Yeah. Right under legal services 100,000. But I didn't see when I dug down in open gov what exactly that was allocated for.

Is itemized

Mike? I believe that's also for legal expenses. Some of it is some of them are expert fees that we pay when we need doctors. Um arbitration fees, those kind of things, I believe. Um you know, I think that actually is where the uh arbitrator's fees comes from when we go to arbitration.

So 350 are technically legal.

Yes.

Not all of that money goes to legal. I mean when this when we have to hire an expert or outside of legal if there's a specialized you hire them due to law.

I don't know but there might be other departments that use that line item as well. I'm not aware of that but I believe they are. Maybe the mayor.

So I got questions on the city council's budget.

We got 60 uh line item 5300.

5300 0 68.3K for purchase professional services.

Do we know

I thought the audit was on this uh administration side? I thought we moved that.

Oh, it's on our side.

Meeting you missed. That's we had this question. The audit stays with us because we're technically responsible for the audit.

Yes. The audit was We don't do anything with it and we don't get the audit.

Is that by charter?

Yes.

Okay.

Um 35K legal services again. Why isn't this under one line item under legal?

at at at at one point the city council I think it was the prior city council maybe Bob can answer this question but they moved some legal services to that to to your account so that they had the ability to hire outside legal counsel when they felt there was a conflict of necessary there was there were discussions from council about hiring we did we did that last year right but we we never did hire

all these legal things to me should be in one line item it's just it's all over the place but that was for a council appointment.

We council members, but we could still utilize.

Sure. Yeah. Yep. All right.

Three.

I think when it goes into uh Mike's department, we don't have that access like we do if it's in our budget. You know what I mean? Like we can't go into his his budget and utilize any funds that he has set aside under professional um services. We can only use it in our budget. So, if we hire a lawyer over 35K, we can utilize the legal. No, I think

you can. Not to not to disagree with the council woman. I It was just really uh they didn't want to have to go through my office basically. So, but they they could have, but if they wanted to just they can and so that's why it was moved for training and conferences that 2025 that was for the um IMC the National Institute of Municipal Clerks.

They do the annual conference training.

Shouldn't that be in your budget though?

Not the city councils.

Nope. It's under the city council.

It I went I already went already once this year, right? And you're going again.

You're going this year?

Well, next year. Not until November.

Next year. 206.

Line item 57311.

So this is for is this for every live streaming school department everything?

No, they do their own. Okay.

Yeah.

No, that's fine.

For their own.

And 863 for phones.

$863.

Yes, that's all the cell phones, the um cell phone pairs and laptops.

We have cell phones and laptops in city council. I don't Rob explained that the last time that supposedly again you know I don't pay attention to what goes into my account every two weeks because it's not that big but supposedly every so often there's a a bump where we get an extra six or seven whatever the amount was that was explained in the meeting there that yeah for own use of phone that was

explained I mean again I don't I don't exp I mean I don't pay attention cuz you know it's you know mine doesn't change. It's the same every two weeks.

Well, it's I mean that's what was said to us. So I mean yeah there are no cell phones. Every year this comes up and there's a question about do do the council have have um have cell phones. Well we do not I have never had one. My rate stays about the same also. So, I don't know what changes, but it's a stipenate checks and so far paid out to the city council is $2,13

and we re the paychecks through human resources a stipen for us using our personal, right? So, probably should change the the wording to not say cell phone or something. Yeah, but that's the only other thing I got is the police. We're budgeting for 101 positions.

We're at 82. There's a good chance we're going to lose four or five.

If it's not realistic that we're going to hit 101, can we reallocate a couple these positions to DPW? We need craftsmen. We need laborers. And listen, if we were back to 101, 102 for the cops, I'd be right there.

But we're at 82. Is it realistic we're going to hire 18 cops this year?

Yeah, probably not. I'm going to ask the mayor and the solicitor. I mean, through the year, isn't can't that be an administrative function? If we don't hire Go ahead, Council President. U we are not budgeted for 101 officers. That's for that includes civilian employees. So, you're probably looking at the FTEES, which include civilian employees.

I think we're around 95 or 96. And just because it says FTE at the bottom, 95, we actually budgeted many of those positions understanding that we're not going to be able to fill them for a full year. Some are budgeted 50%, some are budgeted 25%. Uh because we understand that we're not going to be able to fill all those spots. But the possibility does exist that those spots could get filled. I mean, we have an active

recruiting process going on right now.

We have people in the academy and we also take lateral transfers. So, at any moment, we could end up with more police officers coming in. Uh the budget um reflects that on the salaries that we we reduced some of those positions. Instead of full a full position, it's a half position.

So, there is a clear need for more DPW.

I don't know where you're getting that from, council. Did someone come to you and say that press budget workshop? These guys and Dan all said, "Yes, we need more DPW."

Well, well, I think if the money was there, and I've just mentioned to wait for the money to be there.

Let me just say this, councilman, and I respect that you're trying to get us more DPW people. I will tell you this, that if the money was there, I could use 30 or 40 more DPW, 30 or 40 more people in.

Let's cut down a couple of positions here that are not going to get filled and move that budget over to DPW.

I don't think that's a that's uh prudent. You know, if if if the money was there, I'd be looking at putting more rescue service. We're in the process right now of negotiating with the fire department in the hopes that we can get more rescue coverage. The reality is when you budget something, you have to live by the budget.

Do I think we could use more of everything? Yes, in all aspects of government, but the reality is we have to live within a very constrained budget. I appreciate that you're trying to get more people for our community to do work. we can move a couple of these positions over to DPW because it's not realistic that we're going to fill 15 positions.

But what what would happen then is that you would create in the budget a shortfall. So you would create these two new positions now that would have to be fully funded by by health care and everything else that comes along with it. FICO and everything else that has to pay for it. Those two positions would now be budgeted going into next year.

And if we ever reached a position where we could have a fully staffed police department, I would be short funding for two full-time police officers. So you're in in effect you would be defunding the police to help fund DPW. And we don't use that language.

Well, I'm telling you I'm the realism is we we haven't come no one in my staff, my DPW director, uh none of my uh superintendent came to me saying, "Hey, we want more DPW people." very first budget workshop. It was clearly stated and agreed upon by everybody.

Yeah. I I I think probably what the director said was we could always use more.

Yeah. An appetite from this council to move a couple positions to DPW, but let's just save time.

Well, I don't know that we have that authority to make line item moves of personnel.

All right. But well, that's why I started by asking the mayor and the solicitor along the way as can budgets be adjusted. Can the mayor come back to us and say, you know, we're not going to hire these 15 police officers. We might hire eight and we can shift some money over as the councilman is saying and maybe not tonight, but at some point.

And can I can I offer some explanation on that, too? So we budget an overtime line, we budget a salary line. What ends up happening is if you can't fill the positions, you have to back fill with overtime. There may be a situation where the overtime is not enough to cover.

Yes, it's a struggle to find police officers. Now, yes, we are woefully understaffed on the police side. that funding that's there is meant to bring on full-time police forces at some point, but if they're not there, it's going to help supplement the overtime line is what's going to happen. I we've put together a well-crafted budget with input from all our of our department heads. I think the question

was asked by one of the council people to the DPW director, you know, could you use more people? And I recall him saying something along the lines that yes, we can always use more people, which is a true statement. We could always use more people, but we have to live within a a responsible budget. That's all.

So, Councilman, if I can.

Yes, please, Council. So in the past we have um in just an example you know it's one that I don't even bring up this budget because it it doesn't matter just like your point here with the uh dispatch and we had allocated funding for that um that budget and um unfortunately the council has the ability to add right and remove from the budget um but the power lies with the administration as to what they do with

the budget once it's been approved for the council. So with all good intentions and I do agree with you that you know we could probably shift things around um at the end of the day it's not our duty uh or our you know purview to make those decisions once we've approved the the dollar amount um in the budget and the charter also gives the um mayor of the city the ability within 90 days to shift

around funds within the budget um where they see fit. So 6 months after the budget, if you know the mayor decides to create a position somewhere or hire somewhere or give a merit raise somewhere or whatever, it's as long as that money's in that budget, then they can do so without the council.

Long as that money's in the total correct bottom line, it can. So this is a chance we can try to get something done here.

Uh other questions on anyone make a motion to approve the budget hearing none. Uh is there uh could comment? Go ahead, Councilman. I know Miss Hail had a comment which this is this is just a review at this point. This was set down as a council review for all these departments if if necessary. And I think the council was asked some really good questions there and got some stuff. I

don't know if there's any more questions of the council doesn't appear on this budget.

Doesn't appear Miss Hale didn't sign up and you also

no problem if you doesn't look like it.

Sorry, it's just a joke.

But please come forward and ask your questions. Good to see you here tonight.

He didn't mean that, Nancy.

Nancy Hail, 889 Bilix Point Avenue.

Welcome.

I just want to say I've seen tons of DPW work down in Riverside and it's looking great. Driving around is wonderful. The traffic is still, you know, good.

Enough on that for tonight because my question about the budget is um appreciating what Rick Lawson has said that a budget is a reflection of priorities. I just want to know what and I haven't had a chance to review the budget.

Um, what what in the budget reflects East Providence's commitment to sustainability, respecting the bay, environmental challenges, or energy resilience, any of those things.

Well, from my point of view, uh, certainly with, as you mentioned, the work that we're doing in in a lot of the parks and recreational sites, um, has to be done in conjunction with coastal resources, with Rhode Island Department management, the Rhode Island DEM, and a lot of those regulatory agencies. We've been trying for a long time to get some work done at Willlet Pond and we have to

wait for Coastal Resources CRMC for approval. So I I I think you know we're we're doing what we we can as far as all the aesthetics go. Do we have a line item that says X amount of dollars is going towards some of the things you're asking for?

You know, probably not. But within this budget, we're we're certainly covering the the aesthetics of of the city. You mentioned what you liked about Riverside and throughout East Providence, you know, whether it's the Kent Field project.

Correct. Correct. Correct.

Okay.

That's been recognized in prior meetings.

Sure.

What specifically are you looking for in the budget?

I'm not I'm I am asking it as a brief question tonight.

Again, I'm not expecting that it be some random line item. Um, it's Well, unfortunately, that's what budgets are. They have to be specific line items. You can't just have a generalization.

Well, this is Let me continue then.

Okay.

We still have trees down and hanging branches left over from July 3rd storm.

So, that's Department of Public Works. I second. Rick's idea to give the Department of Public Works more resources, whatever they need.

Okay. I cleaned up the street from several gigantic or half tree branches that night and into the morning.

Okay. That was to clear the entrance of Terrace Avenue so that someone from our neighborhood went out with a backhoe and cleared a more gigantic tree that had fallen across the street.

We still have hangers that are left from that storm and I don't know how many trees in the park. I don't go around counting them. Um, the Department of Public Works is great. It is extremely well-managed. Donna was woman of the year or employee of the year, whatever.

Uh I I like Rick's idea in the event that there's any extra money anywhere with environmental challenges. We all know we experience in them. Um climate change is not something you believe in like voodoo or religion. It is a scientific fact and it is the Department of Public Works that needs to go out and straighten everything out.

No doubt about it.

We we recognize that. I recommend that's not the only concept. The other things I are not really necessarily budget items, but as far as a budget goes, if there's any unused or, you know, flexible or whatever you want to call it money that is, you know, I think Dan should have a good crack at it.

Sure. I think you know administration has our intent that if there is a way to do that we will that's has our support.

Thank you.

Anyone else here that has a question on the budget?

Mr. Solicitor the rest of the process for for this I think we I'm prepared to you're moving to the ordinances now and it's part of that ordinance if you have right first step.

Yeah. You have the option tonight to approve the budget as submitted by that ordinance if you if you so choose.

So under the ordinances uh that's also public hearings.

Uh yes, correct. Yes.

Which we've kind of had already but it's up to you.

So we on page seven of the agenda now and madame clerk if you want to just uh read the ordinance. This is for first and final passage and second passage for discussion and possible vote.

Okay, first let me make a correction. It should say second and final passage.

Um in audit number one in ordinance an amendment of chapter 18 of the revised ordinance of the city of East Providence, Rhode Island 1998 as amended entitled vehicles and traffic section 1 subsection B of section 18-269 entitled stop and yield intersections designated when stops required is amended by adding to the following Providence Avenue northbound traffic at Sunset Avenue, Providence Avenue,

southbound traffic at Sunset Avenue, sponsored by Council President Rodri.

Now, Mr. Solicitor, this is part of the the budget.

No, no, no. I think we're just going down the We're just going down the list to approve.

Second public hearing, by the way.

So, we do have the motion to approve.

Um, Councilwoman Lawson, Councilman Fogy under public hearing. Any comments, discussion? Anyone here that would like to comment on this?

Once again, anyone present like to comment on this hearing? None. I'll close that part of the public hearing.

We have a motion in a second. All in favor?

I. Any opposed? You guys have it. Next uh ordinance.

Number two, an ordinance and amendment of chapter 18 of the revised ordinance of the city of East Proidence.

City of East Proidence, Rhode Island 1998 is amended. Entitled vehicles and traffic is amended by adding there to the following. Section 18-307, no parking, Lincoln Avenue, North Side from Crescent Avenue, Westerly, 175 ft. Sponsored by Council President Rodri.

Motion to approve. Motion by Councilman Lawson to approve. Councilman Fogerty seconds. under uh discussion the council members any further discussion we have talked about this before any members present here tonight that wish to speak on this once again anyone else here wishing to speak on this uh hearing and seeing none we'll close the public hearing all in favor I I any opposed the eyes have it thank you next

number three ordinance of the council of the city of east province appropriate in $115,824.50 for improvements at Vid Motion to approve and thank you Patricia for adjusting it to the wishes.

Introduced by Council President Rodri and Councilman Lawson.

Yes. Thank you, Councilman Lawson. Bring it approve uh point uh seconded by Councilman Fogerty.

Under discussion, uh Director uh Borgis, would you like to add to this, please?

Yeah, ju just a clarification. I believe that the number in the original uh as stated on the um agenda is not Yes, we I left it I left this because this was table from a previous meeting, but you need to I thought you were going to add to this number. We had a number one.

Oh, what number do you want me to put?

The number should be provided in the um I think the resolution, right? Yeah.

Ordinance, excuse me, the memo that was uh included. That wasn't updated on the docket.

That's because it was tabled for All right. All right.

I I wouldn't update it because Let me get the number.

Yeah, I don't have it in front of me.

It's in the packet, I'm sure.

150,32.40.

Make a motion to amend it to 150, $32.40.

$32.40.

And I make a motion to approve that dollar amount for the upgrades at Vin Rev.

Motion to amend the resolution as submitted. So that's the first motion.

I make a motion to amend the resolution as amended.

A second. Motion is amended at that amount as stated, seconded by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor of the amendment?

I opposed. The eyes have it. Motion to approve the amended ordinance.

Same thing. Uh Councilman Lawson moves approval. Council Vice President Rigo seconds. All in favor? I. Any opposed?

The eyes have it. Thank you. Thank you for that. Next number four, ordinance of the council of the city of East Providence appropriating 233,613,991 for the support of the city government for the fiscal year ending October 31st, 2026, introduced by council president Rodri's.

So this is our budget uh so this is the vote to approve. This is the budget resol, excuse me, the budget ordinance which only needs one passage under our charter. So through the chair.

Yes. Councilwoman Souza, please.

Is um is this total amount just cuz I didn't look um include the uh capital improvement?

This does in include the not the specific projects but the uh total amount dollar amount. So it's roughly 234 million well 23361391 is the specific amount and Mr. Solicitor we'll do the capital at another time. Is that correct?

It's up to you but yeah I mean you approve that you approved the total I know made recommendations in in the budget for capital improvements as well did you not? Yeah.

Yeah. So, okay. Other questions and discussion on the budget.

Is there a motion?

I'll make a motion approve.

Motion, Councilman Fogerty, to approve as as listed.

Second.

Second by council, Vice President Rigo.

Uh because it is the annual budget. U Madame Clerk, would you call the role of the Just a public hearing?

Oh, still public comment if you want.

Right. I don't think there's anyone here but yeah, no one present, but we'll ask um any comments.

Nancy approves, she said. Uh any other comments from anyone? Uh any other comments from the council, members, administration anyone?

I'll Yes. You know, I want to thank all the department heads and the mayor's staff for doing this budget because everyone thinks it's easy. A lot of time and dedication went into all of this.

There were workshops for the past couple of months. So, new finance directors, old ones going out and new ones coming in. Did a great job. So, thank you for that transition.

Um, Mr. President.

Yes, Council Vice President. Having looked through this budget and when things come out, obviously people see the 4% and lights go off in their heads and that's with the levy and people have to understand the whole process and let me get closer.

If you break the if you look through the budget, which I did many t many times, there's no fat between we all know the rising health health care crisis we're in. It could get even worse because thank thank you Washington DC.

Our employees deserve fair pay as everybody knows electric and that's why I'm going to keep on hopping on the uh community choice which will benefit the city.

everybody's expenses goes up and obviously the city's expenses go up and if you look at where where we are now with the levy and we got till the end of the year and hopefully more of these buildings that are being built or houses come up that our bottom line increases you know our total revenue stream with the levy. But right now, based on what was advertised in that newspaper a couple of weeks ago

where we post the uh in the newspaper I should say where we posted what the tax rate is now and what the tax rate would be. If you were to go and figure that out on a house that's valued at 400,000, which is a fair number that a lot of houses in the city are valued at. Now, what that would do off the tax rate, and it's still I know it's still money, but

it will come down to about again I have I left my notes at home on I thought it was here, but it's about $260 a year. Breaking that down into 52 weeks a year, it's roughly like $440 a week that the taxes would be going up if you look at it. So, I think overall we've done a good job in the three, you know, three years here. Uh, you know, I want would I like to see,

you know, I'd like to see more services.

Yeah. And but I don't think this budget is loaded with any fat and everything.

And if you break it down, uh, nobody likes to see an increase, but as I said in the first opening meetings, there's no li we're not shutting the library down for a day or two. We're not shutting fire station. We're not rotating fire stations being shut down.

We you see in the, you know, the news around around us doing that. We obviously we want more police officers, but we're not cutting police. We're not cutting teachers. We didn't cut the school budget.

And we'll never cut the school budget. And what you got to people understand this tax increase, they say it all the time.

B people love to approve bonds in the state of Rhode Island. Well, bonds aren't free. So now we have a great looking high school. We're going to have a great new middle school.

Wington deserves to be upgraded.

Somebody has to pay for it. So, at $4 a week and we're educating our children and we're not cutting the future, this is a pretty damn good budget when you start looking around other cities and towns.

Thank you, Council Vice President. Uh, other members, Councilman Lawson, I'm going to slightly disagree. A budget set of priorities. I'm going to be voting no because Riverside not one dime in capital. We have Crescent Park, the concession building. Not a dime there.

We've been asking for bathrooms at Crescent Park. Nothing in there. And when I asked about the compost, it sounds like they're still trying to build lifeguard buildings. Um, not a dime towards Oldham to move that closer to be habitable. We've been talking about all the school project. Not a dime towards the school building fund. So, I mentioned DPW workers and some ways we could possibly allocate some money to

grab a couple workers. So, for those reasons, I will be voting no. Budget's a set of priorities and it doesn't look like the priorities that I hear from the folks in Riverside are being met. So, thank you, Councilman.

Anyone else? Councilwoman, do you want to add anything specific? Um um before we call for the vote, uh Mr. Mayor, this is your your budget. Um do you want to make a closing comment?

Yes. Uh Council President, first I want to thank uh the members of the council for doing their due diligence on this budget. I also want to thank all of our department heads. Uh this budget process started months ago internally with our personnel looking at every dime within their budget trying to find uh ways to make uh this a palable budget for our residents. The driving force of course

this you know the question was asked what's the priorities? The people of East Providence have told us what their priority is. They want good school buildings for their students for their student population. They want their school departments properly funded and we as a municipality have done that. No other municipality has gone out for two major school bonds like East Province

has 189 million 149 million. That's real investment. Wington uh elementary school has seen some significant improvements.

Uh we are working matter of fact we have a CRMC meeting coming up uh to finalize the permit for the second phase of the protection of the of the the seaw wall or or the the shoreline at Crescent Park. Uh we just received information that the permit for DEM for the Willlet Pond has been approved. You'll start to see our team mobilizing this week. We've invested money across this city from

Rumford all the way down to Riverside to make this a better place for all people to live. And I want to thank all of you because I know it's not an easy it's not easy to sit up there and have to hear criticism, ridicule, but when it comes time to making tough decisions, logical decisions, uh that's where you guys get paid the big money. Not that it's really big money, but but you you get charged

with making some difficult decisions.

And yes, budgets are priorities and we we've worked closely with our school partners. We've worked with our finance director. We've worked with the council uh to find out what exactly uh the priorities should be. So, I want to thank you. I want to thank the members of my team for putting together a responsible budget that continues the level of services that the people of these proms have come to expect. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just want to correct a little something I said. I I open by saying this is your budget. It's our budget, too. I I I'm not trying to sherk anything. Um I support the budget.

I I think we're going in the right direction. No document is perfect. Um but I think it's this is a good one to move move forward. We did have a motion by Councilman Fogerty, seconded by Council Vice President Rigo. Um Madame Clerk, could you call the role of the council?

Councilman Fogerty.

Iman Lawson.

Nay. Council Vice President Rio, I.

Councilwoman Souza, hi.

Council President Rodri, I. Motion uh passes 4 to one. We've adopted the budget and we'll continue to uh move on.

Madame Clerk, move on with the agenda.

I just comment. So, yes, I'm sorry. We have two other we can get to it when we get to it, but we've got to do the TANS and we've got to do uh the setting the assessment and taxation. So that takes two passages. So tonight the budget is now finalized. We still have other um administrative stuff to do and then take two passages.

The Tan is tonight and then it would be two weeks from correct needs two passages tonight and then the next meeting in October meeting it has nothing to do with it obviously it's related to the budget but it's not expenditure funds.

We can leave it on the agenda and get to it when we want. No critical need to do it this second.

Right. I just wanted to let you know that we're not done with the budget process. The budget is now adopted, but we still have clean up to do. Yeah.

Okay. Let's keep the order and continue.

M. No, that's fine.

New business. Mayor communication. Chief of staff Patricia Rosendi.

Thank you, chief staff. Welcome.

under appointments. Looks like there are none requiring council confirmation.

So you could go to number two.

You have to just accept. Is there something?

The Holy Ghost Brotherhood. You want to read that one?

Sorry, I just wanted to have it in front of me. Um, council president, good evening and members of the council. Um, at this time the only thing that we had was the, as you mentioned, Councilman, the proclamation celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Holy Ghost Brotherhood. Um, as well as we, this already went through, but you had the plan in your packet for Vitner, so we don't need to go through that. Um, and

just for the record, there are two appointments. None of the appointments needed council approval. Um but just for the record, um the courtesy appointment that's listed here, we are withdrawing the um appointment for Libby Merrill that was erroneously placed on by myself.

Okay.

Prematurely, I should say.

For the for for the record for anyone watching the meeting, um either you or madam clerk, if you just want to read them the three names remaining of reappointments, they do do not need council appointment, but so people will will know or I'll just read them. Uh we're re you are reappointing Jerome Spin Spinola Affirmative Action Committee, Tom Wazika, Historic District Commission, and Janelle Walker Reappoint

Affirmative Action Committee. So that's those are done and you mentioned the proclamations. Um any questions council?

Thank you. Next item, Madame Clerk.

Thank you.

Thank you, Patricia. Resolutions for discussion and possible vote. Number one, resolution amending resolution number 195 adopted April 1st, 2025 to reflect a change in the total cost of the purchase of two police vehicles in the amount of 138,820 introduced by council vice president Rio.

Do you want to add to that, council?

No. Uh, it's pretty much pretty standard what we're doing here.

Is that a motion?

A motion to move.

Second.

Motion by council vice president Rigo, seconded by Councilman Lawson. The amount is $130,820.

Uh, no further questions. All in favor?

I. Any opposed?

The eyes have it. To back up a second, no school committee leaison report tonight.

No, they were just here last.

They were here last meeting and Okay. So we're now, madame clerk, number two, the resolution, page nine.

Number two, resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a cooperation agreement between the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the city of East Providence to operate an air monitoring station at 64 Bourne Avenue. Introduced by Council President Rodri and Council Vice President Rico. that this is at no cost to the city. I believe it's going to be at Francis School council vice president

and it's well this is going to help this is a continuation. It's 30 years and if you go up to Myron J you can there's that little building that's right be between that and the playground. So this is just a renewal of that contract and uh it comes in grade uh assets to everything coming over the bay and monitoring the air.

This is just a continuation of the contract. Motion by council vice president Rigo. Is there a second?

Second. Councilman Lawson. All in favor?

Eyes have it. Any opposed? You guys have it. Thank you. Item three, resolution authorizing approval for additional cost of utility bodies and plows for pickup trucks for the Department of Public Works introduced by Council President Rodri. there was a need to uh add add to this from what uh our original plan was. Um I need the numbers explained.

Sure. I think that uh the DPW director is going to clarify this uh for us so we can have the the numbers and I'm not opposing I just the numbers not listed right and are these in addition to the ones that are um in capital in capital that that are being asked these in addition.

So the these were two vehicles that were purchased um for the Department of Public Works. What ended up happening is um we had gone um to a few vendors to get pricing. One particular vendor had two trucks available. Um so we were able to purchase one for the uh parks department, one for the highway department. Um unfortunately it was sort of a mixup with the cost. When we received the cost, we were under the

impression that it included the utility body as part of the truck. However, the cost of the truck was just for the body without a um without a bed. So, we're coming to the council just right, but I'm reading it in the amount of 24265.

That's for the plows for both.

Yes. And that's 48530.

The the So, how much is it per truck? Each truck? I just don't see the total amount in this resolution.

Yeah. So, I I don't have the number in front of me. Um the 20 the 24,000 is per is per truck. So, it' be the utility body and the plow package per vehicle.

So each vehicle would be over 50,000 which requires a but I don't see the total cost or where the money's coming from.

That that's the only thing I'm asking.

Yeah. I mean the the cost should be coming from is it the opera?

These are in so is it 46 plus 24 each? So it's like six 61 each. Okay. And where's the money coming from?

The original 46 from the two trucks was purchased out of ARPA funds. So, in order in order to purchase the remainder of these two trucks, we require council approval over 50,000 for each of the vehicles. So, and where's the 48 530 coming from?

The 40 the 48 which I believe is the number for the trucks. I'm not I don't have that in front of me. So, I'm I think that's the both the plow the utility the plows combined.

So, that that would be coming out of a combination. I'm not sure exactly what was put on the ordinance, but it's a combination of uh or resolution. And it's a combination of capital funds as well as um some general fund expense expense uh from okay from the city's uh highway and I think we mentioned this but can these resolutions have the funding source going forward?

Okay, but yeah. No, I'll make a motion to approve.

Second.

Motion by Councilman Lawson to approve.

Seconded by Council Vice President Rio.

All in favor? I I any opposed? The eyes haven't. It's always good to buy the whole truck and not just half a truck.

We We'll get there.

And again, this is coming out of fiscal year 25, not the budget we just approved.

Y Thank you.

Dan, next item.

Introduction of ordinances for discussion and possible vote. an ordinance authorizing the director of finance to borrow funds in anticipation of taxes for FY 2026.

So this is pretty preuncter uh Mr.

solicitor goes in concert with the budget and we pass this every year and right motion to move first passage what's what's the amount of tans now roughly yeah we don't we don't know till we actually so we don't know until and just for people to know because our fiscal year is not in sync we have to borrow money every year to cover a quarter and it cost us three four 500,000

so if we could find a way to sink our year that would be the best thing for the city.

Yeah, that it would Oh, there's two ways of doing it.

There's the hard way, which is to add millions to to add an extra like uh quarter a quarter.

Yep. But then the following year would only be three quarters.

But that that's Well, that's the semie if you can get the taxpayers to agree.

Of course.

And then the other way is what was started before the change to form the government was putting money aside. Yep.

And then it was that's when we had 14 million and the high school fell apart.

Yeah.

And we had to use that money and a prior council put it into street.

Yes. Everyone wants also.

That's what the budget commission that was one of the things that they talked about. So you're doing it there. I mean it's it's either a bridge year.

Yeah.

Which puts it, you know, puts you on five quarters and you might have to do that two years in a row or you probably have to do that twice. See? F. Yeah. And I mean I mean that's the you know that's the way to do it. It it ends up almost coming up the same way because there's 365 days in a year but we're not there yet. So for now you'd have to have the taxpayers.

Is there a motion for first passage for this tens second?

I'll make a motion.

Motion Councilman Lawson and also Councilwoman Souza seconded by council vice president Rigo. All in favor? I.

Any opposed? Yeah, I have.

Next uh item number two, an ordinance in amendment of chapter 11 of the revised ordinance of the city of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998 as amended entitled personnel, pensions, and retirement. The Council of the City of East Province amends section 11252 one death of a retired participant related to eligibility requirements for a surviving spouse of a deceased member introduced by council Councilman Fogy.

Thank you.

Make a motion approved.

Motion by council.

Quick explanation. This closes a loophole. So if I retire, my spouse that I'm with at that time, if I pass, they're eligible. If I retire and then marry somebody down the line, they're not.

So this just closes that loophole.

So I You're still single, I believe.

Right. Council, I'm single. That's why I'm wealthy.

Seconded by Councilman Lawson. The motion was Councilman Fogerty. All in favor? I I. Any opposed?

First passage, by the way.

First passage. Correct. Uh, the eyes have it. Thank you, Councilman.

Thank you, council.

Next item.

Three, ordinance of the city of the council of the city of East Providence appropriating $134,795 from the East Proidence School Department capital improvement revolving fund introduced by Councilman Fogerty.

Yes, Councilman. And so, this is starting to uh use utilize that fund to help school department. A motion by Councilman Fogerty.

Second. Seconded by Councilman Lawson.

All in favor?

I. Any opposed? You guys have it. Next item.

Number four. Or ordinance of the council of the city of East Providence ordering the assessment and collection of property tax on the ret readable readable real estate and tangible personal property introduced by council president Rodri. So, another preuncter um measure that that we have to make in order.

Motion to approve.

Motion by Councilman Lawson to approve.

Second by Councilwoman Souza. All in favor?

I.

Motion to adjurnn.

13 minutes. Buddy.

Motion to by Council Vice President Regal, seconded by the rest of the members. All in favor?

I.

Any oppose? The eyes have it. Thank you all. Appreciate it.

Thank you, Rick. Don't forget.