5/20/25 EP City Council

momentarily. Just uh bear with us. We're just organizing some of the proclamations we have. So, couple more seconds folks.

Welcome to the meeting of the East Providence City Council, May 20th, 2025. Madame Clerk, would you please read the role of the council?

Councilman Fogerty here. Councilman Lawson here. Council Vice President Rio here. Councilwoman Souza and Council President Rodri here. Let the record show for members of the council are present as read. Uh please rise for the pledge of allegiance.

To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under Godisible and justice for all.

Thank you all. We'll deviate from the agenda just um slightly. We have a number of proclamations uh to make uh this evening. I want to thank uh Councilman Rick Lawson for the idea. And Councilman, if you want to just explain uh what uh the reason is for this uh celebratory moment. Sure. The reason being is you guys did awesome. Um, High School has such a rich history of putting on incredible musicals and now

we got this beautiful auditorium of which to perform in and it's just year after year it just keeps getting more and more incredible. Um, this year it was Newsies and uh from the set design to everything. It was just amazing show.

The singing, the choreography was phenomenal. I don't know who did that, but you guys were awesome. And I just wanted to use my pulpit up here to recognize you and let you know that it was awesome. Um, your community enjoyed it greatly. I've heard nothing but amazing amazing words about how amazing it was. And so we and the council just wanted to take a moment and recognize the hard work that you put in. Um not

just the performers but the the people that the set designers, the artists that did the artwork, musicians in the pit.

It was just such a collaborative effort.

And to see the principal of the high school take part in the musical, it just shows how amazing East Providence is. So, and uh so, Councilman, it was Councilman, you if you haven't heard, I I understand that Hollywood sent in an offer for Principal Black. Um the East Providence School Committee though negated that and said, "You're under contract to stay in the high school." So his acting days will

have to stay within the high school. But let's and also want to acknowledge the instructor u very popular instructor who's been doing a great job for years Maryanne Laua and thank you. So without further ado so what we're going to do is there was 77 total.

We did one for the people who built the sets to the artists to the performers.

So, we just took a role of who was here tonight and we'll read off your name, hand you the proclamation. I will say there is a minor typo that we have to address. Our clerk was on her way out to a conference this week. So, we're going to get you an updated one, but we can still do ceremony tonight. So, um and deputy madam clerk mind reading the names and I'll hand them out. And and I

just want to add please because there are so many please hold your applause until everyone has been introduced. And as you're introduced and you come up, Councilman will handle hand your citation to you and come along the front here and face the audience and we'll um until everyone is called. So if you could please hold your applause until the end and we'll we'll start the reading now. Thank you.

Okay. I apologize in advance if I don't say your name correctly. We have Mary Anne Lassoursa Nathan Melo. See when I do things they're so disorganized. I am so bad. Thank you.

At this rate, you could have applauded in between.

Yeah.

Christian Gonzalez Wararez, James Camus Luke Pesh Lyanna Salceto Melanie Colin Sam Dilva Mr.

Black Aspen Washington Jaden Cruz Nazare Phillip Natasha Fontaine Talia Gould Ava Nasimento, Alexis Joanian, and Melanie Bishop.

If if there's anyone we didn't call, come on forward.

How about a round of applause for New Zealand?

Maryanne, would you like to say a couple of words at the podium there?

It's been my honor to work with these students with Mr. Black and for the city of East Providence for the last 38 years. So, thank you.

Hold up for a picture, guys. group photo. You know the politicians here, we need a

Now, I'm sure your civics teacher would prefer you stay, but you guys are more than welcome to leave.

Thank you all for your patience.

as we reorganize the uh agenda. Just uh thank you for your patient. Madame clerk, if you could read the uh executive session blurb.

Yes, sir. Executive session. The city council of East Providence may meet in executive session pursuant to RIL 42465 A2 litigation.

Is there a motion? I move into executive session underground around state law.

Is there a second? Second by Councilman Fogerty. Motion by council vice president Rio. All in favor? I. Any oppose? The eyes have it. We will recess for a quick executive session for litigation and some contracts and we'll be right back. Thank you.

Is there a motion on the to seal the minutes of the executive session? Motion to seal the executive session uh meeting notes.

Seconded by Councilman Lawson. All in favor? I including Councilman Fogerty who's right here. Any against? The eyes have it. Order zero.

Thank you. Yeah.

At this time, uh, with your indulgence, if we could go to page 11 under resolutions number four with, uh, the parties involved that we've been working that I've been working with at the Martin Middle School construction project and others. We've been spending a lot of time, a lot of hours, and I'd like to give the professional courtesy for these folks to um not sit throughout the evening. So,

without objection, madame clerk, if you could read number four on page 11. Yes, sir. Resolution authorizing the award of a contract for site work for the East Providence Community Center. Motion to approve.

Motion to approve. Is there a second?

Second. Second by council vice president. Other discussion by the council hearing none. All in favor? I I.

Any opposed? The eyes have it. You want to just bang out the ordinances while we're here. Thank you uh gentlemen being here. Get this projects. We'll get a shovel in the ground. Right. Good.

Thanks. Thank you. The rec center. Me and you, Dominic, oneonone. So with um council consent, if we stay on page 11 and madame clerk, if you could go through these readings number one first. Yes, sir. Resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract with the Gov Connection, Inc.

for the renewal of the city's Microsoft 365 licenses. The amount of $1,84483 will be paid from funds allocated in the IT software account introduced by Councilman Ful.

Oh, sorry. 108,000.

So, that amount is 1084.83 introduced by Councilman Fogerty. Is that a motion? Second.

Second by Councilman Lawson and Vice President Rigo. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have that four to zero. Thank you. Next to resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Colonial Motor Group for the purchase of three vehicles for the fire department using the remaining capital funds of $264,4852 from the purchase of a new tower ladder truck to complete the

purchase introduced by Council President Ro. And also introducing this with me is council vice president Rigo. as we continue to use these uh funds to make sure our fire police safety is at a high level. Is there a motion? Motion during the week. Right.

Motion by council vice president Regal.

Seconded by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have it.

Thank you. Next. And and let me just add that we have discussed these at other meetings and this is not any kind of a lightning round.

uh effort. Uh these are monies that have been appropriated, most of the uh capital funds and and other grant funding. So, we're just finally making it official tonight. Next resolution.

Resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a change order with ADS Construction, Inc. for additional work related to the police station renovations. Cost of the change order is $130,379.70 using federal asset forfeite funds to complete the work. Council vice president Rig. Uh yes and again as it's stated here uh there is no uh additional expense to the taxpayers the city of East Providence. All this money is

coming out of the the federal u asset forfeite fund that we have. Uh, and this is predominantly to buy new uh, furniture and equipment to the remodeled police station that the people of this city will be proud of that it's long overdue and should have been taken care of in the past by uh, previous administrations and thank Mayor Dilva for uh, getting the police station to almost the 21st getting it into 21st

century not almost. Um, I uh move motion on resolution number three. Second.

Motion made by council vice president Rio, seconded by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor? I. I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you. Next uh resolution or did we go through them? One more.

Number five. One more. Okay. resolution authorizing the mayor to execute the solid waste and recycling services agreement between the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation and the city of East Providence. Council President Rodri. So, we had some conversation about this at at the last meeting and uh again, there is no other choice for East Providence Refuge to go anywhere but the Johnson Landfill. It's

a contract that uh we is a kind of a non-negotiable contract. The rate is the rate as set by the uh is it Rhode Island resource legislator set the tipping fee rate and then they provide us a contract. So every city in town has got the same contract but because it's every city in town has to um dispose of its waste at the R resource recovery. Um every city in town is asked to enter

into a specific one or two-year contract. This is a our last contract ex uh expired uh will expire in July. So this is with the new rates. Uh this is reflected in that. I know there was discuss some discussion about recycling whether the city could actually cancel its recycling program at the last meeting and again I'm sorry I wasn't here for that meeting but um recycling is also mandated by state law. So the

city does not have the opportunity to opt out of recycling. We must participate in that program as well. So this is a they call this a contract of adhesion. It's you have to basically do it but they're protecting because they're quasi state agency. That's why we entered into a contract with them.

and they're not the state itself. And and secondarily, I know there was concern about the fines that may be uh being talked about that this administration is is um adhering to. So, we're going to work on that. You know, as an education program, it's a little bit separate. So, I I really recommend that we we have to do this. And so far, so good. I think one of the better

things the city has done in recent years is change to the bins that we now use.

Do you want to add to this? No, not at this point. It's more to do with the effectiveness of the recycling. if we right getting hit $100,000 a year from these folks saying oh we're rejecting maybe maybe a solution something to think about but that's a longer conversation it's just um I know I've had people say they're not even bother recycling anymore to avoid the fines so everything's just

going in the black bin conversation to be continued is there a motion motion motion by council vice president Rio fell to approve. Is there a second?

Second. Second by Councilman Fogerty.

All in favor? I I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. 4 Z. Thank you, Madame Clerk.

If we could go to page three, and if you could read uh letter C.

Yes, sir. Tax abatement, cancellation, abatement, and non-utilization.

This is for the year of 2024. $21,590.

That was for a non-utilization tax. Just so Motion to approve. Second. Motion to approve. Councilman Lawson and seconded by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor just so we're clear. We're approving the entire consent calendar items VA, VB, and VC. Right. Just No, we just said C.

We're just doing C right now. So we we we could do the whole if the abatement consent we should do the whole only add I make a motion to accept the consent calendar. That's right. Yep. Okay. So the private previous motion is uh withdrawn. So a motion by Councilman Lawson is to approve the entire consent calendar seconded by Councilman Fogerty.

All in favor? I I. Any opposed? The eyes have that four to zero. And I thank um those that are here for that. Also, u Mayor Rose, thank you.

You're all set. Approved. Next item, please, if we could revert back to the agenda. Now that I've confused you, Madam Clerk, if you can figure out where we are, we'll make a motion to bundle the license uh 1 through 19. Motion by Councilman Lawson to bundle licenses 1 through 19. Is there a second? Second.

Second by Councilman Fogerty to bundle.

All in favor? I I any opposed? Motion.

Have motion now to approve said licenses by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilman Fogerty and Council Vice President Regal. All in favor? I. I. Any opposed? The eyes have that 4 Z.

Thank you. Next item. You got to step down Frank.

Make the announcement first.

So 20 through 23 uh yes alcohol related.

So madam clerk, why don't you just read the heading and then we'll we might have a recusal.

Non-public hearing continued. These are for alcohol licenses for special events which would be liquor license class F and liquor license class F1. Madame clerk, Mr. president and uh in keeping with Rhode Island state law with my uh interest in a liquor wholesale company, I recuse myself from these matters at this time. Thank you.

Councilman, did have you considered going into the ice cream business? Then you wouldn't have to recuse yourself.

Thank you. I'll make a motion to bundle 20 through 23. Teriffs keep up. Motions made by Councilman Lawson to bundle.

What numbers were were that? 20 through 23. 20 through 23. Seconded by Councilman Fogerty. This is for the to bundle. All in favor? I. Any opposed?

Motion to approve. Eyes have it. Three to zero. Motion by Councilman Lawson to now approve those items. Seconded by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor? I. I.

Any opposed? The eyes have that. Three to zero. Thank you.

Get the next round. You have the next round, Frank. It's one day. Yeah. One day. Yeah. Yeah. You days I'm fine.

Okay. Oh, that's right.

Madame Clerk, continue. D. Public hearing. Types of business. Application for liquor license transfer class BV.

The applicant is Shazad Ahmad. The business name is Lee Chinese Restaurant and Lounge. And the address is 376 Bulocks Point Avenue in Riverside. Again, I need to uh under Rhode Island state law with my interest in the liquor wholesale company, I need to recuse myself at this time for this matter. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. All matters under this all matters on this one. Yeah. Yeah. Okay.

The applicant is present. If you'd like to come forward, please with your representative and state your name and address for the record.

Sorry. of uh the Le Chinese Restaurant and Lounge. This is Mr. Ahmad to my left. This is pretty much a formality.

He's a proprietary um of the establishment. I don't expect any problems here to answer any questions if you have any.

Any questions? I think we're all familiar with the business. Uh welcome to uh the the business. Um might have helped your application if you brought in some chicken wings tonight and passed them out, but that we won't hold that against you. Uh but seriously, uh good luck and welcome with the establishment.

All the motion public hearing. It's a I'm sorry. So it is a public hearing. If there are no other comments from the council, anyone from the public who'd like to speak on this transfer. Have to ask one more time if there's anyone here who would like to speak on this license uh transfer.

Hearing none. I will close the public hearing. I'll make a motion to approve.

Second that motion by Councilman Lawson to approve. Seconded by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor? I. Any opposed? I have. Good luck. Thank you. Take care.

Best wishes.

Oh, I'm just kidding. Oh, he'll be in for him. Who would have been cheaper than a lawyer?

A good point there. Yeah. Next item.

Next item. Application for a liquor license transfer class BV. Applicant is Marta OA ooa. The business name is Taco Neando and it's address is 181 Willlet Avenue in Riverside. The applicant present. Don't have to be. Any questions from the council?

I'm good to vote to approve once the public hearing is over.

I'll open it up for public comment.

Anyone present that would like to speak on this application. Hearing none, I'll ask one more time. Anyone present that would like to speak um for or against this hearing? None. I'll close the public hearing. Is there a motion? Motion to approve. Second. Motion to approve by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have that. Thank

you. Next item. Next is a license for a nonprofit for liquor. I would elic um East Providence Heritage Inc. 610 Waterman A. Motion made by Councilman Fogy to approve. Seconded by I believe this is what they call it the cafe for their um for tonight. So I I second. Absolutely. Just wanted to give a little background for people. Yes. Um that they've been operating like and and along those lines, I have discussed this

with the mayor as well as I've talked to I believe all of the council. We're going to not do as many of these as as we've we've been doing. For instance, if a city department, if the library wants to put on a puppet show, the way the procedures have been, they have to come in, ask for permission. If it falls on a date, not not convenient to a council meeting, they can't have the puppet

show. You know, it's ridiculous. So unless there is an event with alcohol being brought into city property and we then want to have a proper public hearing, then we'll do that. But we're going to start seeing less of these things. Like Carousel is going to have a concert. Have the concert. You don't have to come here and and have a legal public hearing. Let's just have the show. If there are problems with that

show, we'll deal with it down the line.

But so that's without objection from the rest of you. That's how I've tried to plan it out with the administration. So with I like with that um anybody here as a public hearing wants to speak on this one hearing none. Is there a motion to approve by Councilman Lawson? Seconded by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor? I.

Any opposed? The eyes have it. Next matter for hearing, public hearing. Next is um Edgar Bareilles from Francesca's Restaurant 2 at 525 North Broadway in East Providence, Rhode Island. He got a great breakfast. Oh my god.

Any questions? Um when the hearing's over, I'll make a motion to approve.

Questions from the council. Open up to public uh hearing.

Now, madame clerk and Mr. solicitor.

This isn't a city department. So what what are they? I believe this is a liquor license. I think it's uh fail to but these were all for So this is liquor license. Okay, I believe so. Yeah. Okay.

So are there any comments from the Let me Let's check this.

Sure.

Again, this is for the Francesca's Restaurant 2 on 525 North Broadway.

It is a liquor. So, it is a liquor license. Okay. And sorry, no, I'm wrong.

Sorry. It's a dance and entertainment for Francesca. It's a dance and entertainment license. Dance and entertainment. Okay. I can come on this one. So, council vice president, you can come back. In the meantime, any comments from the public on on this.

Any comments on the public regarding the dance and entertainment license for Francesca's Restaurant North Broadway hearing? None. Close the public hearing.

Motion to approve. Second. Motion to approve by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilman Bogy. All in favor? I I Any oppose? The eyes have that.

President, I'm sorry. Yes. Can we go back to um You can stay. The number three was also a dance and entertainment, not liquor. Yeah. No, I'm sorry. Number three was also dance. We we we indicated it was liquor. I assumed it was liquor because it was under the public hearing, but number three is also dance and entertainment. So, we should have conduct the public hearing uh on that. Okay. So, we'll close out this

one. The uh Francesca's restaurant. I think uh it was 3 to zero uh to approve with the recusal from the vice president. If we revisit item number three for the heritage arts, that was a dance and entertainment, but it's not liquor. So there again, in the future, they're not going to have to come in if they want to have dance at the senior center.

And so do we have to revote that or Yes. Okay. So, we'll vacate the prior vote. Is there a It's illegal the other vote. Yes. Is there a motion to approve the dance and entertainment license?

So, moved by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor? I.

Any opposed? The eyes have it. Four to zero. Thank you for that clarification.

Sure. Thank you for the clarification.

Also, that concludes those public hearings.

revert back to the regular order of business. Madam clerk, next item is communications and there are none. The next step after that will be public comment.

Oh, here's the list. Is Julia Dempsey present?

Yes, welcome. Go ahead. Julia Dempsey, 47 Payet Street. Oh, let me um has nothing to do with the meeting. Of course, it has to do with the same old stuff kind of, but um I feel it's better that I present it here because when I try to do it privately, it turns out to be a battle. That's why I asked for your help originally in the beginning and I didn't think the second meeting was

going to go the way it did. But I have been asking for a rental payment history since uh April 28th. under the public records act. I've been not able to get that. There's $3,000 check that's unaccountable in the rental history that I did receive. This is to assist me in helping me get out of your house so I can show somebody that I have a good rental payment history. And

um Michael, I sent you all a email just now while I was sitting here attaching the copies of the misappropriation of funds of my rent over the past 5 years and the credits that are on my rental history that have not been applied to my rent. I want to get that resolved somehow. I guess I think I'm addressing Michael about this, not you guys. But I did send you all a copy of it so you

could see what I'm talking about. the $3,000 check and the the payment history with the missing misappropriated funds that are still out there unaccounted for would either be my money back or applied to my next rent coming up. And I received a letter from Michael as well stating that he would give me back my security deposit to aid in my moving out, help me get out of the house

quicker. As the mayor says, nobody wants to move January 31st, 2026 in the dead of winter. So, I'm trying. And uh I went to look at an apartment the other day and I lost it because I didn't have that deposit. So I did call and ask Marie if she could pass it along to Michael if we could get that roll in and get my payment history for me so that I can

show a prospective landlord, you know, that I've paid my rent late three times in five years, but and get the rest of the funds appropriated the way they belong and accountability for the $3,000 that's not there. Okay. No, thank you.

I'll read the email when I get home later. I mean not going to read it now, right? Just to show you what I was talking about. I understand there's some progress. You have signed a I have. I have. I did it all. Julia, you you pay monthly rent. I do. What What are you talking about? Misappropriation. Okay.

There was a $3,000 check from rent relief. RARI during the pandemic. That does not show up on my payment history that I was given. The payment history I was given was, you know, the act of a third grader. I mean, okay, it's a spreadsheet that says it was imported bookkeeper for 30 years. You can give me a ledger from an accounting system that shows my payment history, but the dates

have been changed to like 20 33. So, it's not an imported payment history.

I'd like just to stop the shenanigans and let's get it down and get what I'm asking for and get me moving because I I don't like my house anymore. It's a hostile living environment and I don't want to be here anymore. Yeah. All right. I'm not going to repeat everything, but thank you. I'm not not repeating. Yep. Good luck. Yep.

That's no one else on the list. Next item please.

Thank you. Item is appointments. There are none.

Next is council members. One, road repair, Ferris and Bishop. Council vice president Rigo. Yes, sir. Council vice president. Thank you, Mr. President. Um, it has come to my attention and I drive by there on a regular basis. Uh this isn't a major job, but it's becoming uh a real issue that the I know that I know the road isn't scheduled for repair, but there needs to be some work

done by DPW on that. It's getting wider and bigger, and after every rainstorm, it's just getting worse. Uh this past Thursday's rainstorm really uh made it even bigger. Uh it is right on the corner of again where it says it here, Bishop and Ferris over there near St.

Margaret's. It's the little loop in the middle of the island. Uh we're talking just some TLC on that. And hopefully I know Director Borges has been away.

Hopefully him and his department can address this in the uh next couple of weeks. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman.

Next, traffic problems, Center Street South from Pucket Avenue. Council Vice President, thank you again. Uh this was brought to my attention. I was at the Newman Congregation Church. They brought back their made breakfast and that was terrific. sitting there with some of the residents of Center Street and where the issue is coming uh is coming southbound from Pucket Avenue. Uh so if you can vision this, you're coming

down the hill from uh from Pucket Past Parkway and there's the automatic right turn onto uh Center Street. There's four or five houses right there and it really uh takes into effect probably like six houses. People are just flying down there. Uh it's it has obviously gotten worse in the last year and a half due to the bridge closure and people looking to find alternative routes and it's become a nonsense

and the people the six or seven houses along center street uh asked me to bring this to to the attention of the city.

Uh we need to come up with a you know a solution. I mean, and I looked at it and they brought it up and I think it's possible if we created that situation that I don't want to bring up again, but I have to bring up about the Pleasant Street closer with the barriers, you could very well do that to this location and force the people to take the next right right at the island right where

the Christmas trees are. And there's still, you know, right turn to go on the center street. Now people are just blowing by there. They can't get out in the morning and it's a situation there as some young kids again. Um, so I didn't have time to get pictures. Uh, I will definitely bring pictures, but we need to address this issue. I went down there and looked and in the morning and

people are just flying down from Pucket Avenue and just they're not paying attention to the stop sign or anything.

And it's definitely a public safety issue. If we were to close that off and force them to get to the light that's opposite the basketball courts at Agawan Park, uh it would definitely slow people down. And again, I have, you know, since I've been on this council, I've been a supporter of uh taking care of traffic issues throughout the city. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. Well, well said.

Next requests for update from administration on Crescent Park project.

I'd like uh three, four, and five. I'd like the table um due to vacations and um I do just want to make a comment on the Crescent Park project, please.

So, I'm going to put my frustration aside. This project is we've been talking about this for years. So, there's three parts to the project. There is the train part. There is the event tent and there's the updated concession/sto new bathrooms.

Um, we're not in the position to do that. So, I'm going to request that we just strip out the train and the concession part and do the event tent this summer. We have a concession building, so we still got our clam cakes and chow. We're not missing out there.

We not going to be able to buy the train this year yet. So, we'll decide if we can move that capital. Um, but the event tent to me, this is something we need to lay a pad and then get the tent up. If we can get this done by September, the carousel commission will not have to spend 8,000 or more to put on the food and wine pairing. Commerce gave us a

grant last year, did the big photo op.

This year, they told us to kick rocks.

We didn't get the grant. So, if we can get the tent up to make money, you don't want to spend money. This would allow us to save money that can be used to restore the carousel, which is the purpose of the carousel commission. So, I'm going to ask the um administration if we could just focus on just the tent and if it's possible. Again, it I understand there a lot of moving pieces,

but we're not in the position for the put up the new building or the train.

So, let's do what we can and at least take incremental steps towards this. Um, having the event tent will allow us to people want a place to have parties. Um, I know people said, "Oh, she said it's going to be a wedding venue." If they want to have one, fine. We're not going to be marketing it like the West Valley in or anything like that. Um, but if we can have birthday parties outside of the

carousel into the tent and stuff. So, that's going to be my request that we pull out the event tent from the rest of it and at least get that going. Um, I'm willing to come in, grab coffee, discuss ideas. Um, but it's we're kind of like the hamster on the wheel here. So, that's my suggestion and um I will follow up and yep, a good good point.

Um, chief of staff, if you can follow up, maybe we can set up a coffee session and go over all of this soon as soon as possible. I know there's some timing issues with funding so that you know we can get it all on the table and let's get going on it. Thank you, Councilman.

Next. Next, City Council Veterans Advisory Committee update. Council Lawson, Councilman Lawson. All right.

Monday we have the Memorial Day parade down the riverside. Any veteran who'd like to join us to march is welcome to join us. We're going to step off at 10:00 a.m. from the former Oldham School on Bulocks Point A. Any veteran with mobility issues, we will have a flatbed or a float uh so you won't have to walk.

Um everybody's welcome to come join us.

It's a great time. Um, the kids love it for those, you know, I love the Vietnam vets being able to overcome what they had when they first came home. Um, so it's just a wonderful event. Uh, if anybody has questions, they can reach me at ward 4 counsel eastro.gov. And again, 10:00 a.m. we're stepping off. Everybody's welcome. And um the other update is May 31st, the Elks are having their um annual veterans

expo at Pierce Memorial. Um any veteran or family members want to come by, there'll be all kinds of information booth set up um just to help guide you through the various veteran benefits available. So that's it for me. Any weather forecast for Monday?

supposed to be nice. No matter to me, buddy. Yeah, we'll be there. Thank you, Councilman, for taking the lead on that.

You got rid of the convertible, didn't you? Yeah, it's gone.

Could use it. Next. Convertible wasn't any good cuz they were getting some eggs thrown at me inside. So, I just walk this year. There you go. Next item, please. Just kidding. I always walked.

Next. Reserved parking on Bulocks Point Avenue. So, this is mainly for you, Mike. Um, there's a doggy daycare on Bulocks Point Avenue. He reached out to me. He wanted to know if he could have a reserve spot in front for um drop offs because people show up, they drop their dog off, they're gone within 5 minutes.

Um, just to make it nice and easy, that way you don't have dogs crossing streets and stuff. So, reach out to the administration who uh sent me to DOT. I talked to DOT. They said if a state road is authorized for parking, which Bulock point out is, they said it's up to the municipality to determine if they want to designate spots. Yeah. So my question is, what is that a process? Probably be

an ordinance. Um Okay. Who did you talk with at the state? Do you know the name of the person? If you can forward it to me tomorrow, that's fine. I just want to Yeah, it's uh it was the um customer constituent of his um Let me get it. She was really great. Um, but I will definitely forward you that info. And um, and also the address of the business. Yeah, the

address. Yeah, I can get you all that.

They just want one spot in front of the Yeah. And even even just like he'll put those temporary signs, reserve park, and then just pull it at the end of the business day. Okay. He's next door to a business that doesn't open till like 4, I think. Union Ra throw. So, it's not really going to be a um um a bad thing. All right. I'm sorry. I was looking for the email. So, that's

it. I'll follow up with you. I'll forward you that email and if we could help him out. Um yeah, I'll get back to you. All right. Thank you.

Thank you. Next item. Next request to authorize payment of $780 to Rumford Little League for supplies pertaining to the conversion of the Olrich Field from 50 to 70 playing service surface.

Council Vice President Rio. Yes, Council Vice President. Uh thank you, Mr.

President. Um in the long tradition of Rumford Little League, uh people come up to Kimberly Rock and say what a wonderful complex it is. uh not knowing that the concession stand, the bathroom facilities, the dugouts, the inground sprinkler systems residing in the field have all been done by the city. I mean, have all been done by Rumoot Little League and approved by the city. Uh the

recent lights, uh the poles were donated by Mr. Mark Mccurio, a resident of ward one and the lights themselves were u processed by Mr. John Preventure of Ward One with his company uh and they were stalled at that point and thanks to Mr. Bob Dilva uh he took it upon himself to help the league because at the time the past administration in the league was floundering. So the city did take care

of the installation of the lights, the electrician and everything. But coming full circle, the new administration of Rump for Little League by Mike Fiser, uh John Baptista, um and Rick Odette with the field. Uh Little League and AOU have adopted the intermediate field and there was not one in the city. They took it upon themselves. They took a week out of work. They reconfigured it. And so all

we're doing here now is asking for the $780 for the loom to redo it. The good thing about it is again by doing this, Rumford Little League in the city of East Providence has been chosen to host a state tournament. Rumford did it with the major boys in 23 and they are now going to host the 5070 field state tournament come this July again which is a feather in the hat

to the league and it brings people to the city which we all wanted to do and uh so in good uh good faith I uh ask that we uh allocate that reimburse them I should say for the $780 for the uh equipment that they needed. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. I I think we can handle that through.

We'll do that internally. There's there's a recreation account that we can that's plenty of money the invoices, but right you got them. Thank you. Get the invoices. So, we'll get we'll take care of that internally. Just make sure we get the invoices and there might be an account already set up that we could do that, but we'll we'll we Thank you.

and thank the uh league for the work they've done. Next item. Next item, public hearings ordinance for second and final passage. An ordinance of the of the council of the city of East Proidence reallocating $264,4852 for the purchase of three vehicles for the fire department.

Introduced by Council President Rogers.

Also, um co-introduced by Council Vice President Riggo. Again, something we've talked about at length. The funding is there. Uh is there a was discussion before we this was capital for the fire truck that you appropriated money for and there was leftover monies from that and under our policy that if there's leftover monies it basically falls into the unallocated capital. So if you want

to expend it again we advertise for the to use the capital. So that's what this was done. So this was money you appropriated money for I believe a ladder truck. Yes. Yes. came under budget by uh that of like $300,000. And so this is that $300,000 goes back to un uned excuse me unallocated capital. So we voted to spend money on a ladder truck and it turned out that was bought. We bought

it. I understand. But it was $300,000 less than what we were asked to authorize. Yeah. I mean well I mean we came in under so I mean I I can't Shouldn't it have come in before the resolution came to us to purchase it?

Well, it was it was up to you. You allocate up to a certain amount and then that's a pretty big gap between what they asked for and what it actually costs. Well, I we can we can ask the fire chief why it came in under I would because then you can just start sliding capital money around like that. Well, no. Anyway, I'm going to vote to approve this, but Well, I I just want to make it

clear. you you can't slip it around. If it's if it's if you allocate $100,000 for a project and it comes and it comes in at $80,000 and we pay for it, you have $20,000 that's left over. That $20,000 then gets put in un unallocated capital. We can't touch it. The council then like the fire chief in this case said, "We have $300,000 that we didn't spend from the fire truck." He asked

that. I get that. I'm trying to understand how it was $300,000. We get and I'll get you that answer. I don't know that off the top. Your question is why was the bid off, right? But by 300,000. Yeah, that might be a question for the biders. Well, it's also a question for the fire chief because due to the fact that it's his department, he's supposed to be the the leader. He

should know what the cost of equipment is. I sitting here running a business.

Mike knows what law firms, you know, averely charge. I know how much equipment costs. I have I have a concern that Councilman Lawson's bringing up. You know, it's great that it came under bid, but I have a concern about does this fire chief know how much equipment cost and it's going to bring and it's bringing me back and every time it does, it brings me back to that fourth rescue. And I am starting to get

some questions about the leadership of the fire department. Thank you.

I I wasn't going there, but um I I'm g I'll make a motion to approve and I just want to point out in the resolution it says with savings achieved through negotiations with the three vendors.

That's where the savings came from. So there might have been a negotiations after the contract was awarded to value engineer maybe, you know, take, you know, painted green instead of red. I I I'm just telling you that's what the resolution says. We'll get you more information. Yeah, please do. That's a 300,000. I could see 20 30 thou 300,000 is a too big of a gap to not question.

So this is a public hearing. Um at this at this point um we can come back to council questions. Is there anyone here at the meeting that would like to uh make a comment for or against this? Any anyone here that would like to speak for or against this uh reallocation of capital for the fire department? Hearing none, I'll close the public hearing if we're finished here.

Is there a motion? Make a motion to approve. Second. Motion by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Council Vice President Rego. All in favor? I. I. Any opposed? The eyes have that four to zero. Thank you. Next. There's no continued business. We'll move to new business. Mayor Communications, Chief of Staff, Patricia Rosendi.

Yes, Chief. Good evening, council president and members of the council. Actually, uh my first item on mayor communications will be for uh our tax assessor and finance director to speak about the residential and commercial tax rate.

Thank you. Please come forward and go.

Thank you.

Thank you for being so patient.

And just for uh anyone viewing the meeting who may not have met you folks, if you could just identify yourself and your position with the city. Um Sarah Fu, tax assessor, Glenda Delgado, finance director. Thank you both. Uh proceed.

Um so we're here to um talk about the tax rates. Um the amount that was budgeted was approved back in October 2024. Um the residential rates as calculated came out to $12.95, which would be a 15.53% reduction from last year. Uh commercial came in at $2048.

I'm sorry. Could you just go back and repeat that so I can write it accurately? Oh, sure. It's a I know it's in your Yeah, never mind. It's right here. I'm I'm just taking notes as you're reading. Sorry about that. No worries. Um the commercial rates came in at $2048, which is also um a 14.38% reduction from the previous year.

Um tangible rates we are not allowed to change per state law. So, we're kind of locked into our 2024 rate.

Um, yes. So, we just wanted to present those today. I know Sarah has a a little bit more analysis as far as average rates for residential and commercial and provided some more details. So, I'll leave it up to her now. So, as you know, because we just had the reevaluation and values were up, that's why we were able to bring the rates down. doesn't necessarily mean taxes are going down, but then we

brought the rate down to try to get it as close to where we were at before. Um, so if you take a look at the summary sheet that we provided, the average single family taxpayer in the city, um, the new assessment for the average single family uh, taxpayer, it is coming in around 420,000.

last reevaluation cycle which was done two years ago the average uh price was 345,000.

So what this means to the average single family taxpayer with the homestead because the majority of the properties are owner occupied in the city. It's probably about almost 90% receiving the homestead. So, if you look at it, um, with the homestead factored in, the average single family taxpayers would see an increase of about $123 or, uh, 2.70%. And then commercial is pretty similar when you look at it as an

average. Um, commercial properties are a little more all over the place depending on the categories of the properties, but um, average commercial taxpayer um, this reevaluation cycle on average is coming in at around 900,000. Last rebal cycle was around 760,000. So for the average commercial taxpayer, that's a $525 increase. Just about 2.88% tax increase.

So, it's not too bad. Thank you. Uh, comments from the council. I think you did a great job here both departments.

Um, I I I've received one phone call in regards to uh the re revals. I think they're definitely fair. And I think again not answering for Sarah or for the finance director people saying well my rate goes down but obviously the assessment has gone up and also the levy if you look at the most important thing is the levy went up almost it did go up over $3 million the cost of running the city

continues to go go up. People don't realize that contracts, uh, health insurance, uh, cost of goods, and this year it's going to be it. We got to you got to take into that word tariffs that I deal with every day in my business. It's going to impact th this going to impact the city because, you know, equipment for trucks, etc. is going to cost more money now. So, uh, I think we're fortunate to live in the

city. Uh I I can again I'm going to toot the council's horn as well as the as as well as the administration. You hear people say that this is terrible place and I want to get out of here. Can't believe this and everything like that.

Just look at the other cities and look at the rates. It's a pretty damn good place to live. And I want to thank you all. Thank you. That's a good point. We did include that. So you could look at us in comparison to the other cities and towns. So we we rank right now about 14th out of 39 cities and towns. We're right in the middle with our rate. So considering that

we're arguably the fifth or sixth largest city in in the state, uh considering that we have a brand new high school, which by all accounts is um I hate to keep using the term state-of-the-art, but that's what it is.

It is a tremendous high school uh facility. We will very shortly in a year or so have a brand new Martin Middle School servicing the center of the city and Rumford and that too. Many of us here have been visiting and going through the walkthroughs and and that is going to be as good as any in Rhode Island. and the Riverside Middle School with its accomplishments um is on the same level. I've often said

that's really the best building in the city even though it's older. It had the windows and corridors and traditional construction and along with the latest improvements. We have three secondary buildings and scattered neighborhood schools that none of perfect. Somebody tomorrow is going to call me and post that they saw a crack in a pavement somewhere or they saw a a building that

needed some paint or a cracked window.

Yeah, that's that's life. And you know, we'll we'll live with that. When I see the city of Warick struggling with a 8 to10 million dollar deficit in their school department, never mind the rest of the city and they may not even get the new schools that those citizens voted for in a bond issue. What I'm getting at is and I'm just talking about schools right now. Look at the improvements to the police station.

Maybe took some time, but from all uh reports they're they're it's looking pretty good. We keep buying fire equipment as we noticed tonight. Um the forfeit forfeite act has provided us with many law enforcement vehicles. Um the streets we'll talk about another time. We we are trying to do what we can to get the state to move. We've been fixing a lot of local streets when we can. Um,

recreational facilities are really on the move and the tax rate went down from $15.33 to $12.95. It's a decrease of 15%. We may pay a few more dollars on the overall picture. Maybe $123 more is for the average person. This is not an ownorous report.

That's not bad. So, is it perfect?

People don't like death and they don't like taxes. Well, they're both with us all the time. And I really want to commend um the tax division, the mayor's office, and we've done what we can do to help here. And this is not a bad report.

Thank you for your for your work.

Somebody tomorrow will call all of us and say, "Too many taxes. I'm moving out of here. be my guest. We have a list of cities you can go to. Taxes are higher and I will say our job is to show the taxpayer the return on the investment and taxes are not needed. We got to provide police and fire and road repair and sewer and schools and parks, playground. There's a lot we got to

cover. We just need to keep ensuring and we're doing a good job overall the whole city that the taxpayers are seeing what they're paying for. And as we're getting ready to go into next tax season, we got to keep in mind with the tariffs and stuff, cost of doing things is going to go up. Right now is not the time to start adding. Now is the time to kind of

keep an eye on the status quo. Um grant funded positions, we can't take them on full-time positions. Um, you know, I think we need more DPW workers to show that return on investment, but we should start this budget season not thinking we're going to go to the max, you know, and try to create a budget that's no more than 2% say increase and and all is not rosy looking forward. And I I think

the point is we we need to sit back now.

We we have done a lot. The entire city um has has done a lot and the improvements are there. The our parks are beautiful. Yeah. Do we get phone calls? We need to cut the grass this week. Yeah. When it rains and the sun comes out, the grass grows. You know, the guys will get to it. Um so, nothing is perfect.

However, and I think we added up that we benefited by about $30 million in combination of grants and and um from the pandemic and from the governor, from Congress, all kinds of sources. I know it's all our pocket, but basically it did not come out of this budget and these tax dollars. And now that money has stop that money has stopped. We we know that there's a there's a new sheriff in Washington and

those grants and things are slowing down. So we have to now when groups come to us and say we would like this and we would like that built. Well, if we can do it, we can do it. But we we've got two big schools to pay for big bond issues. Next year is going to be a very tight year. So we all have to be cognizant of that. That's my soapbox speech. Any other questions on this

report? I just want to thank you for your hard work. Thank you. You you always stay at the And for the people watching the don't look at these numbers. Look at your last year's tax bill and this year's tax bill and compare the difference. That's when you really see how much you're paying in taxes. You know, a lot of people say, "Oh, tax increase." Well, it could be less than $10 a month increase, you

know. So, you got to really look at the hard numbers. Like you said, people don't like taxes. We're Americans, you know, and but they're necessary. So, look at the bills, compare them. That will tell you how much your taxes went up. And on that note, when will the tax bills be going out so that we can be prepared for them? So, um we're beginning the proofing process. We we

now have a tax rate that we know is going to be our tax rate. So now we have like a little bit of cleanup work to do and then we'll proof the bill. So probably by the end of next week beginning of June. Please send the first bill to Rio's house. Thank you.

Overight. Overnight. Yeah. Yeah.

Overnight his bill. It's not going to get hand delivered. This it's not Malcolm used to hand deliver it.

Thank you very much. you want continue please chief I'm going to move to double that rate um excuse me council president with your permission I do have an answer for the council vice president um in regards to the ladder check if I'm allowed to go back to that yes please go ahead um I did have a letter uh written by the fire chief and a memo um prior to the meeting that explained and so what

had happened was uh the city prepaid for the truck I'm sorry I'm just pulling bring it up. Uh prepaid, there was prepayment and because of the the prepayment from the 2.1 million uh we were able to have savings. So this was the result of the savings from that amount.

Feel a little better. Okay. I I was while you were talking I'm like I know I have this so and the chief confirmed uh all the numbers for me. Thank you. Thank you for looking that up. Just like to make sure all the numbers are right. Of course it's your job to do that. Uh and then if I may, I'm just going to move on with our uh mayor communications.

So I have with me I did um I couldn't forward and I did mention to uh you that mention this to you in um my latest email, but our Rumford rifle range remedy in place response report is many many many pages. The file is so large that we can't there's no way to send you other than sending a link which I have from them. But I do have a CD ROM if any

of you are interested in viewing the thousands of pages of the report. I'm happy to share that and I have the binder as well. Uh so we do have that and we can make it available to the clerk's office if someone from the public would like to review it. Uh, we did forward your the 2025 street pavement update and list and I want to just um invite the the um sorry I'm

exhausted. Wanted to invite the public and the council. We have our annual day of Portugal and Azor's Day flag raising and celebration. We're actually going to combine it this year on the same day.

It'll be June 2nd at 1:30. In addition, on June 7th, we have our 10 a.m. Pride flag raising celebration and parade. Uh we also have a public meeting coming up on June 4th at 6 PM at Fuller Creative uh Learning Center. And you'll receive all of this in your email and this is to discuss Oldm um school. It'll it'll be a public meeting. In addition, I do have uh four excuse me, five I stand corrected uh

proclamations. Um, I'm happy to read them or if you'd like to accept them as is, that'll be the council. I'll just read the titles. Sure. Thank you.

No problem. I don't have my glasses either, so that'll be a little difficult. But the it's the 2025 National Military Appreciation Month proclamation, the 2025 immigrant heritage month proclamation, the 2025 Day of Portugal proclamation, the 2025 National Gun Violence Awareness Day proclamation, and of course 2025 Junth Day proclamation. And that is all from our office. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you.

Next item. And I might add that the deputy clerk has been standing in tonight. The um regular clerk is at a conference um and actually has been representing Rhode Island and in leading in that conference. So we appreciate her efforts and we appreciate uh deputy clerk started for taking care of uh business in the interim. So if you want to continue please. Yes sir. Report of other city officials. City solicitor

Michael Marcelo. Settlement agreement discussion. Thank you madam clerk. The uh city council met in executive session uh to discuss a settlement agreement uh on a tax appeal by SB Bank which is Santender Bank. Um, the agreement was approved. It will not be made public until it's formally signed, however. And then in the claims and litigation, we had several pothole claims, six pothole claims, all of which

were approved up to the maximum of $300 per state law. And could you just verify that the um the the first item was based on a court? Yes. It wasn't just a settlement from No, it was it was a court case where they challenged their assessment and went to court and there was a settlement reached after the Okay.

after the uh court filings for two tax years. Thank you. Do we need to um formally approve that now? We approved it already in executive and again it will be made public once we uh Yes. Thank you. Next item. Report of school committee liaison. Councilman graduation June 6:30. Um oh I didn't even look at Pierce. Correct. Yeah. Yes.

I just I did at PCD Fieldhouse when I gradu. Yeah. Used to be when it rained.

Yeah. Was there um uh Goodyear. Uh Newsies was great. The Oh, Kids Rock Chorus May 30th. Um next Fri a week from this Friday. Um I'll be MCing again. It is the elementary school kids. Uh Taylor Temple uh music teacher puts together it's called the kids rock chorus and they just sing music from when you were a teenager to modern times and um they so awesome. They love it. It's it's a

concert and they're up there full of energy and it's a it's a great great event. So May 30th, meet me at the East Parance Auditorium, High School auditorium. We'll have a great night of music. Thank you for that. And I and I would only add before I go to you, Councilman Rigo, um that's part of the quality of life in East Providence. That chorus when you see 1,200 people in an auditorium, not

an empty seat, families, parents, grandparents, neighbors, all there to see that concert. And because we are now positive, there was a time not too long ago, there was an actual recommendation to do away with that program and a couple of others in our school department. Thankfully, those elected people are now gone and we're back to providing quality. What did it cost? the uh cost of an elementary chorus teacher

which brings back how many dividends to this community. So a budget bravo to those budgets a set of priorities and I the school is my biggest thank you for that report. Next item. I also Oh, I'm sorry. In regards to schools, I want to uh recognize uh all the teachers of the years from the individual schools. It was a great ceremony that the superintendent Sandy Fan put on last week, her and her staff, and which led

to the district's uh teacher of the year, which is Amy Dasco. Uh Marin Moran, I'm used to just saying Dasco.

And uh congratulations to all the winners as well as to Amy uh who is the district winner. Thank you. Well said. Next item.

There are no introduction to ordinances and then adjournment.

Motion to adjurnn. Motion to adjourn by council vice president Rigo. Seconded by Councilman Lawson and Fogerty. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have it.

Thank you. The meeting is adjourned.

Thank you.