7/15/25 EP City Council Meeting

Welcome to the East Providence City Council meeting on the 15th of July in the year 2025.

Madame Clerk, please call the role.

Councilman Fogerty here.

Councilman Lawson here.

Council Vice President Rio here.

Councilwoman Souza here.

Council President Rodri, he's absent.

There's a quorum of four people. Um, at this time I'd like to recognize the passage of Council President Bob Rodri's wife Diane, his soulmate, his best friend, a wonderful person, part of our council family.

She lost a great battle last week.

Um, just a great person. always had a great smile on her face wherever we were at whatever event.

She was definitely our council president's guide and light.

This council um hurts not as much obviously as our council president.

So, after we salute the flag of the United States, we will stand for a moment of silence in the honor of Diane Rodri. Thank you.

I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

At this time, we will resume normal council business. Madame clerk, first item on the agenda, consent calendar for discussion and possible vote. Council journals regular meeting minutes 6:24. Executive session meeting minutes 6:24.

Tax abatements cancellation abatements 10,63416 cents letters new address 39 Windsor Street East Providence Rhode Island map 207 block 03 parcel 010 00 and two reading special entertainment.

Make a motion to accept the consent calendar. Second motion by Councilman Lawson, second by Councilwoman Souza. All those in favor?

I.

I. The eyes have it. Motion passes four to zero.

Madame clerk. Next item on the docket.

Public hearing. Type of license class B liquor license transfer. Applicant Timothy Cabau. Business name Good Venture Holding Inc. to TRC Restaurant Court, DBA Medici, Italian Kitchen, location 75 Highland Avenue, East Providence.

Um, madam, Madame Clerk, fellow council members, did we just skip all the all the licenses?

We did, but we can circle back.

No, there's a reason why because I have to Oh okay.

Yeah, I'm there's I have to re Yeah, you skipped the bundles. I skipped the bundle.

Yeah, I know. I know you we talked about that because of this scenario. In compliance with Rhode Island General Laws 36-14-6, I hereby recuse from participating in discussion or take an official action relating to said matter. This now this does not prohibit participation as a member in public and open meeting pursuant to commission regulation 703.

At this time, I turn the gavl over to the senior member of the council, Councilwoman Soua, to handle this action.

Thank you, Council Vice President.

At the pleasure of the council, do we have a motion?

Uh, I'll make a motion to approve to start the, uh, public hearing.

Second.

Public hearing is open. If anybody has anything to say for or against this business for a class B liquor license, please step forward to the podium, sir. Thank you.

If you could state your name and address please.

Uh Timothy Cabraw, 222 Baker Road, Swansea, Massachusetts. Good evening, council members. Thank you for having us this evening. I am president of TRC Restaurant Corporation. And tonight I have with me my daughter, Carissa Canelo, who's going to be the manager of the Medici restaurant. This is just a simple license transfer. We're keeping the business as as it is currently run.

right now. No changes to staff, no changes to restaurant at all. Maybe some paint, but uh other than that, this is just a basic liquor license transfer.

Awesome. Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Anybody else in the public that would like to speak for or against this liquor license? Please feel free to step forward.

Yep. Right here, ma'am. There you go, Nancy.

Nancy Hail, 889 Bulocks Point Avenue.

It's a great restaurant and and it's a it's a great food and wonderful place to go. It's um basically on Route Six um near the Blue Cross store.

Go there.

Thank you.

Thank you, Nancy.

Anybody else would like to step forward to speak for or against the public um license, liquor license, class B?

There being none, public hearing is closed.

Council.

Uh make a motion to approve.

Second.

Can we take a roll call, please?

Councilman Fogy.

Hi.

Councilman Lawson.

Hi.

Council Vice President Regal accused.

Councilwoman Souza.

I.

The motion has passed. Three, two, in one recusal and one absence.

Congrats.

Thank you.

I'll make a motion to bundle the uh nonlic non public hearing license.

Second.

Yeah. Yeah. Uh could you please could you just read them off before they go into you know the non-public hearing?

Just read each each one and then we'll do it. We don't need to read them.

Okay. Mo motion to bundle.

Motion to bundle by Councilman Lawson. Seconded by Counciloman Councilwoman Souzer.

All those in favor?

I.

All those opposed? The eyes have it.

Motion to approve.

Second.

Motion by Councilman Lawson, second by Councilman Fogerty. All those in favor?

I.

Okay.

Through C1 through C11.

Okay. That was a motion by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilman Fogerty.

All those in favor?

I I I The eyes have it. Uh motion passes 40. Next doc, that item.

Madame clerk.

Um did you want to bring up your special guest?

Yes, I do.

Do you have any anyone that was waiting for a license?

You're all set.

Yeah. All the licenses have been approved.

Um on the 3rd of July uh we celebrated Cape Verdian Independence Day here at the city and uh a really great speaker was there and uh obviously the whole city didn't have an opportunity to see it and with these meetings being uh broadcasted um here's an I thought it was a great opportunity myself and Councilman Lawson who are at the event to bring up uh Alina Alba Ryer on the great work that

she's doing for the city of East Providence as well as the uh Cape Verdian country in itself. So I want her to speak on this uh matter uh and uh it's one of these community efforts that uh we need to uh reach out to. Thank you. So, at this time, the podium is yours.

You're welcome.

Good.

Good afternoon everyone. My name is Helena Baraya and I'm currently the president of club kub ami of vista which is friends of vista. Boyish is an island, one of the islands from the Capeford Islands. Um and uh Capford has 10 islands. Nine of them um are inhabited uh inhabited and uh Buish is one of them. And um this organization actually was started in 1992 by my um uh was founded by my parents

and other immigrants of the island. and uh throughout many years they did excellent work in helping the island the development of the island. So um after some of the founders passed away the uh club um got inactive but the next generation decided that um we needed to continue the good work that they started giving the challenges that the the island still faces today. Uh one of the

examples is that uh some houses still don't have bathrooms. So uh the city of um the city hall of that island is working on um installing bathrooms to some of the lowincome um houses and they've uh completed 14 houses and for the next year they want to um build 20 more. Um also for example the um the hospital if you are a patient at the hospital you have to bring bed sheets,

towels and um food and water because the hospitals will not are not able to provide some of those uh basic items. So that's one of the things that our organization is a nonprofit organization and uh we want to help with some of those things. Uh you have schools um they have uh up to high school but uh a lot of the times they don't have supplies, they don't have resources to

teach the children. Uh some of the things are not only school supplies but also the uh classroom projectors.

Uh they're also working. They open three senior centers. So the seniors will have a place to go during the day while the families are out working and they can um interact with one another and do exercise and do um uh different activities throughout the day and not be at home by themselves. And uh one of the challenges that these uh place uh senior daycarees um face is that uh they don't

have transportations for some of the seniors that don't have a lot of mobility. Uh so they are asking for a van so they can they can pick them up at home and transport them to the centers because it's uh not only good phys for their physical health but also their mental health. And um there's also other um other projects that they're working on and one of them is a daycare for the

children. A lot of the mothers work in the hotels because this uh island is a tourist island and it has beautiful beaches. So, we have a lot of people that go there and the mothers, a lot of the uh the um people from the island work work at these uh resorts, but they don't have a place to leave their children. So they want to build a center not only for children uh babies and

toddlers but also for young adults so they don't stay on the streets and they have um different activities sports and other activities for the um for these um uh for the youth. So these are some of the things that our organization wants want to help with and uh I presented this during the the raising of the flag that we had to celebrate Cape Verdian's fifth uh 50th independent on July 3rd

and um I was invited to come here today and talk about the organization and some of the things that we are um focusing on and I want to thank you very much for this opportunity.

Thank you.

Have a good night. Anything anytime that you need our participation as a council in conjunction with the administration obviously uh feel free to reach out any programs, anything that you have going on.

Okay.

I know the mayor's office is already working with you and yes talk. Yes, the mayor's office uh office have um committed committed to uh provide one of the vans for the senior centers and we are very pleased um for that. Thank you.

That will definitely get our unanimous consent here. I'm just I anticipate that and everything when we transfer city property. So, uh I thank you again. But council president, can I just ask thank you so much for for coming up here and in lighting the residents and the rest of the council who weren't present. Um is there a website or an email that you could provide um to out to the public so

that if anybody that's watching or listening wanted to reach out or donate?

Yes, we have Facebook. Uh we're bringing this organization back uh to life. So we still don't have a website but we have Facebook and it's amigouch and um and uh that's that's how you can reach us at this point.

Yes. Uh, so clue will be uh c l u b e space amigush a m i g o s space d a space b o a space v i s t a and this is local. It's local. Yes. So for any youth or young adult or older adult that's interested, please reach out and get involved um to help build up this organization.

Yes, appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you very much.

Thank you so much.

Thank you. Uh madame clerk, next docued item please.

Communications. Any person who submits a communication to the council and wishes to speak on it must indicate this in writing no later than 4 pm the Thursday prior to the next regularly scheduled council meeting.

Um Nicole Grant proposed legalized backyard hens.

Is Nicole Grant present? No.

Well,

um, good evening. Could you state your name and address for the record, please?

Uh, my name is Nicole Grant. Uh, my address is 47 North Hall Street.

Uh, good evening. Uh my name is Nicole Grant. Uh I'm a resident here and um I'm here tonight to respectfully propose an ordinance that would allow residents to responsibly keep a small number of backyard hens not for breeding, not for slaughter or business, but simply for personal egg collection uh and sustainable living. This propos this proposal limits ownership to six hens, no roosters. Um, it includes clear

guidelines for coupe size, cleanliness, pest control, setbacks from property lines, and feed storage. Coups would not be allowed in back or sideyards. Um, and every owner would need a permit with routine inspections. We've modeled this ordinance after successful ones already working in Providence, Cranston, Pucket, and Barington. This isn't a rural idea.

It's a modern regulated approach to urban urban sustainability.

We're not alone in this. Our petition now has over 579 verified East Providence signatures. That's more than 1.4% of the city's adult population, and more residents than typically attend an entire season of council meetings. I know some neighbors may have concerns about noise, but it's important to clarify hens are quiet animals. Hens are quieter than most dogs, leaf blowers, um, or backyard gatherings. With six or

fewer hens, the noise is minimal. Often no louder no louder than wild birds.

Another common concern is rats. Let's be clear, chickens do not attract rats.

Improper food storage does. This city has already acknowledged that East Providence rodent issue stems from unsecured trash, litter, and aging infra infrastructure, not backyard hens. This ordinance didn't doesn't ignore that. It addresses it directly. It requires rodent proof feed storage, secure waste handling, and regular coupe cleaning. All practices all practices that encourage better food

habits citywide. When done right, backyard hens are not part of the problem. They're part of the solution.

And believe it or not, chickens eat small rodents. They're natural foragers that can actually help control pests.

Some critics have said to us, "If you want chickens, move to the country." But this is our home. Many of us were born and raised here. This is where our kids are growing up and where we're trying to build strong, sustainable neighborhoods.

We're not looking to leave. We're looking to grow with East Providence, just like our neighbors already just like our neighbors already have. We want the same smart, successful options other communities enjoy without having to uproot our lives. This small, low impact change brings real benefits. It supports food security, family education, sustainability, and mental health. And

when done responsibly, backyard hens are as clean and quiet as any other family pet. Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration. I truly hope you give this proposal a chance to move forward.

Thank you.

Next uh next person signing up is Shauna Swift. Opposition development plan for Old Ham School.

Is Miss Swift in the building?

Okay, we'll move on. Those are the only two that signed up, correct?

Yes. Okay. Communication.

That's what I mean. There's two things.

I understand under communication. There was two.

Yeah.

Next is public hearing. Public comment.

Correct.

Correct.

Just keep on going along.

Nicole Grant.

Oh, Lorna Steel.

I'm Laura Steel, 19 Maline Drive.

There's not a whole lot I could add um on top of what Nicole articulated.

Um the only thing I would say is that uh I did offer and I I maintain that I would be so happy to do this to um offer and teach a curriculum in East Providence on the proper setup care uh cleaning all the all the things one needs to know for the health of the chickens and the um cleanliness of the property. um you know how to a lot of

the things that have to do with proposed ordinances, how to keep the food contained, how to clean properly. Um so there would be no issue um that would be um that would go against the ordinances um that would create problems with neighbors. Um so that's really all I wanted to add and thank you very much for considering this.

Thank you. Next person on me.

Um, I can't pronounce your first name.

It's R. Miller.

Hello, my name is Roy Miller. I live in Riverside. Uh, I've had backyard chickens for approximately eight years.

In fact, I was inspired by a neighbor who I cared for their na their chickens for a number of years before that. Uh, at no point did it cross my mind when I had those chickens that they were illegal in East Providence as I knew so many people that had them that um it didn't occur to me that there was ever going to be an issue. Uh, in fact, when

I eventually built my own coupe in my yard, I pulled a building permit, told the inspector these were for chickens, and he actually said the construction was fantastic. Uh I stand here tonight in support of the ordinance to allow small flocks of backyard chickens.

Others have spoken about the many social and economic and environmental benefits of chickens. I won't repeat those points. I speak uh instead I want to highlight what I see the biggest problem with the status quo of our current ban on chickens that it is not enforceable in any practical sense. There are countless families across the city who quietly keep a few hens without issue.

they are not causing harm, but the existence of the ban creates a situation where enforcement is selective and and often complaintdriven. That means a neighbor can use this ordinance not because of a legitimate problem, but as a tool of retribution when there is some unrelated disagreement. It puts both residents and the city in an untenable position. By adopting a clear and reasonable standard for backyard

chickens, you give residents the guidance and remove the weaponization of a gray area, and you would free up city resources from chasing harmless situations. Most importantly, you replace an unworkable rule with one that reflects the reality of how many families in East Providence already live and enjoy chickens respectfully and quietly in their backyards. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I

look forward to hearing your opinion on the topic.

Nancy Hail

Nancy Hale 889 Bulocks. Point Avenue.

Um there was a communication about responding to old school. So my topic tonight is Oldm School questions and it leads to affordable housing questions which I tried to ask the night of the presentation at was that Fuller Creative Learning Center. So when I asked about the quote affordable housing, um I was directed that we should have those questions at the end of the meeting, but really never got an answer

exactly except for affordable housing.

Um this is to me just a catch-all basket um term. Uh but there's several different kinds of affordable housing. there's a mathematical formula from the state, some percentage of the average income or whatever, but then um there's also a very severe need for housing for veterans.

Um we've seen that issue come up here before.

And I met a veteran of Vietnam over the weekend who took care of his wife in their home. Um, he works at McDonald's on Saturday nights and he's called the king. I'm not going to say his name. He might come visit here sometime, but he is still working part-time. In order to get into the veteran's home in Bristol, I think I'm not sure if there's many homes or whatever. I'm not an

expert in this area, but Rick probably knows much more about this.

So, um, I was amazed. He's having a little yard sale with a broken down sign on a on a plastic aderondac chair. I bought a few things. I spent my last dollars there for this month. Anyway, um, he served our country.

He took care of his wife at home until it was impossible. He has to sell his home and pay the veterans or somebody. I don't know who. Assuming the veteran's home, I'm assuming, but there might be another like $14,000 and then pay $4,000 a month to be there. So, I think veterans and I think people over the age of 55 want to stay in their own homes for the most

part when they're able to. And he is a brightminded, physically capable man.

And it's nobody's one person's fault. It's no one organization's fault. It's a combination of all of that that requires to sell the home that he worked for and earned and you know after all that he's done for our country and for his family and and then he has to sell his home and go live. But he is well-bodied and well-minded. So, he's also taking up a a place at the veterans

home for someone who might actually need more medical care.

Excuse me. We have uh a large amount of people signing up, Nancy. And to get this is a chronic problem, but but understand I'm trying to give everybody their fair time and I've given you I've given you five minutes.

I understand. But I mean, it's an issue because we had a woman up right now.

Okay. We had a woman here several meetings ago being evicted from a single home for temporary veterans home. And I mean we have many veterans who needs home. Getting one spot for one veteran is way not enough. And I think I there's my question. Why can't some of our underused or unused hospitals be con con you know converted to housing like we don't have hospital memorial hospital

it doesn't have to be in the city it's we're the council of east providence so I mean that's but we're talking about Cape V also that's a great idea so I'm talking about veterans who live in Rhode Island contact your state reps and again to give everybody who signed up the fair amount of time just as council Rogers council President Rogers is the last minute and please I'm going to give you

30 more seconds to wrap it up.

I don't need that much. I just say we should be converting housing that we have and not converting Oldm School for 96 housing units and 90 parking spots.

Thank Thank you.

without even being able to define what affordable housing is.

We the five of us haven't done any of it. But I agree I I agree with you. Next person, Jimmy. Last name begins with a D.

And can you spell your last name for me?

D U F U R E N A.

Thank you.

Good evening, members of the East Providence City Council. My name is Jimmy Duffirina and I reside in Ward 3 at 22 Manning Drive in Riverside. I'm here tonight to express my strong support for the proposed ordinance that would create a legal pathway for backyard chicken ownership. The reality is many of our residents already have backyard chickens and overwhelmingly they are responsible owners who ensure

their flocks don't bother their neighbors. We shouldn't allow the actions of a few bad eggs to dictate policy for everyone. It simply isn't fair to penalize responsible residents.

This proposed ordinance offers a crucial solution. By officially regulating backyard chicken ownership, we establish an enforcement mechanism. This means we can protect the rights of responsible chicken keepers while also holding accountable those who are not. It creates a clear framework for fairness.

The ordinance before you tonight is, in my opinion, a wellbalanced and reasonable approach. It allows residents to enjoy the benefits of raising a small backyard flock all while safeguarding our neighbors and communities from any potential negative impacts. I respectfully ask for your support in passing this important ordinance. Thank you.

Thank you.

Next uh Melody Pimento.

Hi, good evening everyone. My name is Melody Pimental. I live in W 3 at 22 Manning Drive and today I am speaking as a member of East Proton community. We're a grassroots network of residents working to move our city forward and our our grassroots network is in support of this proposed ordinance permitting backyard hens in the city of East Providence. We believe that the ordinance reflects a reg a regulatory

framework that is fair to all and addresses any potential negative externalities associated with keeping backyard chickens. And again, we look forward to your support and the passage of this ordinance. Thank you so much.

Thank you, Emily and Odin McNeil.

Emily and Is Emily here?

I'm not saying that. The uh Okay. The uh Renee last name begins with a Ignashio.

Okay. Good evening. I'm Renee Ignatio. I live at 15 Meline Drive. So, I'm here tonight about the chicken ordinance that you're passing.

So sorry.

I'm going to go back to 2021 when our neighbor got her emotional support chicken. And I don't want to go through the whole thing again, but Councilwoman Soua, Councilman Rogers, and Nate were here at the time. So, um, I don't feel that I what I went through, I don't feel that any of the residents in the neighborhood in any of the neighborhoods should have to go through that. So, I just lost my space. I'm sorry.

Um, I am not going to go through that ordeal again in my neighborhood. And this could this ordinance could put neighbor against neighbor. And there may be those who will just deal with it because they don't want to disagree with anyone or fight about it, but yet don't really want them. So this is the way if this is the way the city decides to go, then that's fine. That's on you guys.

Yes, there are people that will do the right thing. I agree with that 100%. And then there are those that will not do the right thing and not follow the ordinance. and those that will not like the one next door to me. For the councilmen that weren't here or don't know, my neighbor started raising her chickens in the house while she was constructing her coupe. She had a few

chickens and by the end of it, she had 10 chickens. She ran an 18x20 pork carport between our houses. That was her coupe and run. This was also just outside my bedroom window. She had buckets with about a year's worth of feet outside the run. And by the time the warm weather came, it smelt so bad in my room, it was gross. We live with 80 acres of woodland property behind us

with all kinds of animals. I now have a turkey fence because there's at least eight turkeys that sit up there. We had a fox that would come and cry under the window in the middle middle of the night or the early mornings waking us up. We had to get up before the sun to go to work. Not fair to us.

She said she'd never hear it while she was in the house with the AC on. That's fine. Box would set my dog off who would set the next dog off and all the dogs would stop barking. I have text messages from her that suggests to stop the wildlife from coming to get our chickens. She wanted to put up an electric fence around our properties with motion detecting flood lights.

And if that wasn't bad enough, every time I let my dog aboard a collie, he would go insane with the chickens. He would lay at my back door and whine to get them. There was only a chain link fence between the yards and the dog would guess so bad with barking my other neighbors would call me to get him under control. So while we were arguing over the chickens, which you know was all

about. I was worried about having my dog being taken away or us being fined because we couldn't stop his barking.

Her and her husband wanted to take my dog to their house to desanitize him against the chickens or whatever that means. Her and her friends put stuff all over Facebook about things they would do to us to our home. I have 90% of them written printed out right here in the book.

I have pictures of what she built if she'd like to see them. I also have text messages she sent to me. I had her husband come to my home and demand that I signed a variance to allow them to have their chickens. The mayor came to the home and said he didn't see an issue with what was going on next door. Bet he wouldn't like that. Bet you guys wouldn't like that. Do you think it's

fair to anyone else in the city that goes through something like that? Maybe no one else will fight it like we did.

I'll just or just deal with it. So, who's going to monitor this? Who's going to be putting the charge to make things don't get out of control? to make sure they don't have more than allowed. Do we have the manpower or the money in the budget for that? So, I handed you all a packet. The first three pages after my speech is the residential conveyance for the plat I live in, Kent Gardens. If you

notice, number six reverts to page number 10. It says um actually I have it.

It says no chickens or fowls or livestock are to be kept on the premises.

That's number six. Number 10 says each and every owner shall have the right to enforce the restrictions and agrees that the provisions as a part of the ordinance or the consideration of this agreement. So I will enforce the conveyance on our property. The next page is for the HOA on it.

Um, pages five and six is a letter that was sent to Councilman Marado at the time from the defender of animals speaking about how the Exxon station mobile land behind us is going to be um it's sold now at the time it was being sold. How that's going to be separated and plotted and where those animals going to go.

So, that is in there. Um, seven, pages seven and nine is the petition we did with all our neighbors in the area who do not want them.

And let's see, pages well 10 and 11 are pretty self-explanatory.

Um, that is two out of seven I caught in my house and in my yard. Well, those two were in my house.

In the last two pages, Anna, you had proposed this ordinance back then and my mother and I had talked and we agreed that with permission from the neighbors, something in writing was acceptable.

But I don't want them next to me. I'm not going through that hell again.

Neither is my son. Neither is my dog. I am not living that. If you want to let them in the city, again, I have no problem with it. But I just need I want everybody to just realize what it's going to do to our wildlife at least where we live.

So that's all I have to say.

Thank you.

Thank you Renee.

Dave Louise.

Good evening, city council members.

I am Dave Lewis, 75 Brookdale Road in Riverside. I'm here tonight to speak in favor of allowing residents to responsibly keep backyard chickens here in East Proidence. Across Rhode Island and the country, more and more communities are recognizing the benefits of backyard hens, not just as a sustainable source of fresh eggs, but as a means to promote local food security, environmental responsibility, and even

mental well-being. Communities like Bington, Warren, and Bristol have already embraced this. It's time for East Proidence to do the same. This is a small but meaningful step towards a greener, healthier, and more self-reliant city. I want to thank you for your consideration and I want to thank Councilwoman Souza for once again taking up this cause. I really appreciate it. Thank you, Allison Turbet.

Good evening. My name is Alison Turbet.

I reside at 70 Gardener Avenue, East Providence, Rhode Island. I'm in support of the chicken ordinance.

I believe chickens are good animal to manage and keep clean. It's fairly easy.

Everybody who's owned chickens, rather on a farm or illegally, they say they're really easy to manage. You just have to collect their eggs, make sure their coops cleaned. I've cleaned coups myself and it's really smelly, but you know, it's not as bad as cleaning up after other animals.

Just have to wear proper PPE. And uh with good training in that field, I believe chickens can be a great source for proper land management. It'll keep ants, bugs, and other creepy crawies off your lawn. Their manure is very high in nitrogen, so you keep chickens in your backyard. Your lawn will look nice.

They'll lay eggs. You'll be able to have free breakfast. The only downside is once the daylight savings happens, it'll decrease the egg counts due to low sunlight. It's a lot of science behind all that. But uh yeah, chickens, great.

I support the birds and I really hope that you decide to pass this ordinance.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Kathy Hallowan.

Good evening. My name is Kathy Hulahan.

I live at 9 Florence Street in the city of East Providence. I work for the city clerk's office, but I'm not here tonight for work. I am here as a longtime resident and a taxpayer to express my concerns and opposition to the proposal of the ordinance that would allow backyard chickens in East Providence.

Let me start with a few quick questions.

How many of you own dogs in the city of East Providence? Raise your hands.

How many of you have licensed your dogs for the year 2025?

Not everybody.

That's a simple ordinance that Excuse me. The truth is we already have trouble getting full compliance with the city dog licensing, something that's been in place for decades. So, how are we going to enforce the rules about chickens? Chickens require far more oversight and are at greater risk.

This ordinance assumes a level of regulation and enforcement that we simply don't have here. My concerns are I give you respect. Please give me some.

Excuse me. Yes, please. If you can't control yourself, I'm going to ask the city sergeant to remove you. Respect is very important and that's the end of that's the end of it.

First, zoning. Our zoning laws exist exist for a reason. To protect neighborhoods, property values, and quality of life. Right now, chickens are allowed on a single familyized lot zoned for farming, excuse me, with a 100 foot buffer from other properties. Most of you who illegally have chickens right now don't do that. But this ordinance tries to get around those rules with special permits processes.

That's not the re responsible policym that ends up running, excuse me, that ends running around zoning and it opens the door to more exceptions. What's next? Chickens on multif family lots, other farm animals. I would like to share with this picture with you all that I took yesterday morning on my way to work here yesterday in Riverside. A gentleman walking a pig.

I can time show you the time stamp of the photo.

So, what's going to be next for us?

Goats. They're all talking about they want goats. When's it going to end?

If we stop picking and choosing when is zoning rules going to apply, where will it stop?

Sorry. Second is public health. Right now, the CDC is investigating an active Salmonella outbreak tied to directly to backyard chickens.

187 people sick, 42 hospitalized, and at least one death. These aren't industry industrial farms. These are private backyard coups just like the ones this ordinance would allow. We are kidding ourselves if we think that every resident will manage the poultry properly. Most people will turn to YouTube instead of going to a vet. So that so is this the plan the city excuse me. So what's the city's plan if an

outbreak occurs? Our animal control offices are already stretched thin. We have two animal control officers who work six to seven days a week most weeks. Our shelter is under a re renovation and we are renting a building currently. We have no place to house poultry if something happens. There's no training, no equipment, no backup plan.

And let's not forget the rats. I know you don't want to hear it, but we were told by the mayor that our new trash cans in 2020 were here to fight rodent problems because rodents are a real issue in our city. Chicken feed and droppings will only make that worse.

Third, the ordinance puts the burden on the neighbors. People that that do not want chickens will be forced publicly to come out against their neighbors. Often times they will go against their better judgment to not object and avoid confrontation with their neighbors. That's not a healthy or a fair way to govern. Good policy does not pick neighbors against neighbors.

Who wants to be called a Karen, which I was last time I testified. Who doesn't want chickens in their neighborhood? In closing, this proposal raises more questions than answers. It ignores existing zoning, introduces health risk, and hands enforcement off to the community. I urge you to please reject this ordinance. Let's focus on policy and support the health and safety of the residents of the city of East

Providence. Thank you.

Next, Susie Finity.

I filled that out because I thought it was attendance, but that's fine.

Well, if you want to talk, you don't have No, we're cool. It's cool. It's cool. We can um just state your name and address for the record please.

Yeah. My name is Susie Finery. I live at 115 Riverside Drive. Um I live with my husband. and I have four kids and I have five hens and a cat. Um, I'm here to support the Chenkin owning ordinance. We moved to East Providence from regular Providence last February. We were there for 13 years. We've had our girls for 10. Um, and um, we've been a little confused because um, similar to Rory, when we

came here, so many folks we know have chickens. I read the ordinance and I called um the zoning office um to check in about what was going on because we had we had been told that there was an ordinance and it wasn't voted on. There was kind of a we're not going to enforce it but don't cause problems culture here. So I'm like great, let's do that.

And our neighbors were fine with it.

Zoning was like is we don't get if we don't give it get any complaints, we don't care. And um we received a letter this year um saying, "Get rid of the chickens or you're going to be prosecuted." I'm like, "Okay, that's great." Um we have had some issues with a neighbor uh videotaping one of our children, photographing our cat, and so I made a public records request to see like what

we're dealing with. Is this the same person? What is the actual complaint?

They don't make noise. No one can actually see them. Um, so I was just a little confused and I was um, the city was unable to fulfill that request because they don't keep records of the complaints is what I was told.

Um, I was told by zoning that um, they do this. They receive so many complaints. It's the main thing they do every week is take people's phone calls, send these letters, and if they get a phone call, they send a letter letter.

They don't document otherwise. and I've had to wait for the zoning office on other matters um pertaining to my house and it does seem like a lot of resources are already going into this. Um culturally in Providence I was on Smith Hill um homes were really close together. Nobody had issues. Um there were no rats. Mice are a part of living in New England. Um and cats remediate those like very well. Um, but there it's

just really it's culturally really different. It's the norm in Providence.

It's the norm in Bington. It's the norm in other areas that look and feel similar to Providence. And it seems like kind of regardless of which path we go, chicken like illegal chickens or legal chickens that the city's going to deal with it anyways. Creating a path to legal ownership does give us opportunity to do education. Um, I'm also willing to help with education and getting people

safely set up. It's something that I do anyways. Um, we've helped neighbors and other folks set up their coupe safely and sanitarily, help people understand how to compost the shavings and how that can be done because it is our home. Um, I want a clean home. um you know they again um they definitely I've never experienced leaf blowers like I have um on the terrace and there's just nothing

that compares to that and that's cool like it's a free country but um they're not noisy there's no rats and um they're very important to my children and my family eggs are very expensive right now and I have a lot of kids um and it you know it started for my family as a homeschool hobby Then it became everyone's favorite pandemic hobby. And now we're in a really different part of where society

is going. Food prices have changed. We are living under really different circumstances.

Um, and yeah, I do think that people are much more interested in homesteading, growing food, learning about animals, and to just say we don't do this, I think opens it up for unsafe conditions and sanitary conditions, people fighting their flocks. Um, but when we do have a pathway to legal ownership, then we can educate, we can have community, we can have positive discourse, and or we can

just keep doing this same meeting like every two years, I think, is kind of where the other option because I don't think that I don't plan on getting rid of my birds. I don't think anybody else plans on getting rid of their birds. Um, so I hope that you take that into consideration and that we can all make scrambled eggs together.

Next, that was the last speaker.

Okay, I thank everybody for their uh comments.

Uh we appreciate it. as you could see here that we were very open and let everybody as far as time and 99% of the situation it was courtesy and I think that's very important for this council and uh I think it's our fellow council people here this is the way the process should work in this country even if it comes to the point if it passes it fails but the civilization ation still

exists and it exists here in the city of East Providence. And I'm proud of myself and the council. I should say I'm proud being on this council with these members as well as in the absence of council president Rodri that uh the first amendment still exists here in the city of East Province. So I thank everybody.

Next documented item. Council members request to move $7,716.90 funds from the Live Nation Recreation Fund to the Carousel Account to cover the cost of the food and wine pairing event. Councilman Lawson.

Uh yeah, I'll make a motion to approve.

This is the annual uh fundraising thing.

Um this is what we do every year.

Yeah. Councilman Lawson, are you asking to move your resolution up that's on the docket to approve? This is under the Yeah. Why is it under Yeah.

discussion?

Yeah. If you guys want If you guys want to move it up, we can. If not, we can wait.

Yeah, it it got put under council members. So, why don't we uh just keep going in in this order here? So, okay, let's do that. So, uh, next next item, Madame Clark.

Number two, request for update from the administration on the following outstanding projects.

You you don't have to read them all. I I got the updates. There's nothing moving.

So, status quo.

Number three, update Glen Line Park and Lyall Bournem Park improvements. Council Vice President Rigo.

Uh the first p first uh section of Borne Park has been completed. Waiting for the uh asphalt cement to settle. Uh Glen Line uh drove by there yesterday. The basketball court is out. Uh tennis courts out. So the process they are being graded right now and the additions I guess would become forthcoming. Thank you.

Number four, update um businesses along Newport Avenue. Council Vice President Rigo.

Um thank you.

The Newport Avenue corridor is a bone of contention in my ward. Um and we unfortunately uh have our hands tied with the court ruling.

All I can ask is that if there's anybody here tonight and then obviously people watching this that it's an issue that we are watching that the police are watching the I've spoken to uh business owners on Newport Avenue and uh they are in communication with the police department uh and for the constituents of Ward One in that area and uh that there could be you know police activity takes a while. There

might be investigations going on by multiple state agencies and city agencies and uh that are watching things and the area is not not being uh looked upon. All I can ask is that the constituents of uh the area of Newport Avenue and the surrounding streets both east and west of Newport Avenue, if you see something that isn't right, as they always say, uh please report it, call the police department. But I just didn't

We've got a lot of requests lately about the situation on Newport Avenue. And that's the update. And again, as they say, if you think something's not right, call the East Providence Police Department. Thank you.

Next item, public hearings ordinance for second and final passes for discussion and possible vote.

Um, Mr. President, um, he's acting, he's acting president, right? Mr. acting president. Um, number one, this was not advertised. This is an an expenditure from a capital unallocated capital. Um, we tried to get the advertisement. We were hoping to get it uh done within the time frame required. We didn't do it. So, this needs to be uh this will be again, sorry, this will be put on the agenda for August um

19th after the and and can we know what's unalloc 275?

How is that unallocated?

It's unallocated capital, right? But what did it get pulled from?

because we voted on items to you have there's a bunch of uned unallocated capital in the budget that you pass.

So can you put an update on what's not getting spent in capital for the next meeting?

Unallocated Andy.

Oh, it's unallocated though, right? But when we vote on the capital budgets for specific items, which item didn't get purchased or done?

It's unallocated. In other words, you had $6 million, I believe, was the amount. You didn't allocate all $6 million. You left some unallocated and that's where the money's coming from.

The projects that were allocated, those are allocated projects. The leftovers or the non nonallocated is unallocated.

That's where the money is supposed.

So, how much beyond what we voted on was unallocated.

We can get you that number. I don't know if y Thank you.

And just to clarify, this is for the 2025 budget.

So, if you just um no action to be taken because it was an advertised problem.

Okay. So, we make a motion to table item until the August 19th meeting and request um as Councilman Lawson suggested uh an update um within by end of day Friday with all unallocated funds in our capital budget currently the total of unallocated funds.

There's a motion on the floor or do I hear a second? Second.

There's a second. All those in favor?

I I motion passes 40.

Um I'm looking at my notes here. I guess it's the same. Uh is there a motion to table number two, the ordinance adopting the East Providence Comprehensive Plan for 2025 to 2035?

There is VP.

Motion by Councilwoman Soua. Do I hear a second to table it?

Mhm.

Yeah. Okay. Second.

We got to a date. We need to put the date.

8:19. August 19th. August 19th, 2025.

Thank you.

Motion by Councilwoman Soua, seconded by Councilman Lawson. All those in favor? I I. All those opposed? Motion passes.

Number three, an ordinance and amendment of chapter 18 of the revised ordinances of the city of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998 as amended entitled Vehicles and Traffic Summary subsection B of section 18-269.

The purpose of this ordinance is to place a stop sign at Irving Avenue, northbound and southbound traffic. At Blanch Avenue and Irving Avenue, northbound and southbound traffic at what chair avenue? Sponsor Council Vice President Rigo.

Uh, thank you, Madame Clerk. Uh, this is second passage, correct? Uh, Mr.

Solicitor.

This is first passage. I the second I Yeah, I've had Yeah. So, um, make a motion to approve.

Motion by Councilman Fogy, second by Councilman Lawson. All those in favor.

That's right. It's a public hearing.

Uh, right now it's a public hearing. Uh, anybody wishing to speak on this matter, uh, please come to the podium.

I just I love that name. What chair?

Okay. Um, that's so cool.

Motion to close the public portion of the meeting.

Make a motion to close it.

Motion by Councilman Fogerty, second by Councilwoman Soua to close the public hearing.

Uh, do I have a motion? Do I have a mo uh motion on this?

We got a vote to We got a vote for the Yeah. Okay.

Without objection.

All those in favor? I I Okay. Okay, the eyes have it. Now back to the ordinance.

Make a motion to approve.

Motion by Councilman Lawson. I hear a second.

Yep. Second.

Second by Councilman Fogerty. All those in favor?

I I'm sorry. What are you approving?

Three.

Three.

Oh, I thought you made a motion to approve it already.

You made a motion to close the public hearing.

We had to close the That was the public hearing closure. Okay. Motion passes 40.

Number four, Madame Clerk. An ordinance in amendment of section 18-308 entitled parking time limitations 15 minutes of article X entitled stopping standing and parking on of chapter 18 by adding there to the following point east side from 190 ft north of Fenna Avenue northly northly or 40 ft summary section 18-308.

The purpose of this ordinance is to place a 15minute parking sign on Bulocks Point Avenue east side from 190 ft north of Fenna Avenue Northerly for 40 ft.

Councilman Lawson.

So I'll make a motion to approve. And just so people understand, there's a doggy daycare in the square that they have drop offs in the morning, the afternoon. and they just asked if they could reserve the space right in front for people to just pull up, drop off. So that way it keeps it clear. The only business next door is uh the Union Beastro which doesn't open till like 4:00 anyway. So it's not an adverse

thing and it's actually beneficial so that way keeps things moving. So in case anybody is wondering what we're trying to do there.

So I do make a motion to approve.

Uh second.

This is a public hearing. Although anybody wishing to speak on this matter, state your name for the record, sir.

My name is Rory Miller. I'm the property owner of the building next door. I'm strongly in favor of this. Actually, I would love to see those 15minute parking all up and down both my buildings. It really helps get people through and stops them from taking up parking spots for potentially a day at a time when we need more people to be able to park, do what they need to do, and move on. Thank you.

Yeah, I I'm going to start looking maybe looking at defined spaces to get people in the habit.

Any anyone else would like to speak on this uh ordinance?

Uh motion to close the public hearing.

No objection.

With Yes.

I made a motion to approve.

Motion by Councilman Lawson to close the public hearing.

No.

Without objection.

Without objection.

Public hearing is closed. So now we're voting on hearing. No objection. Public hearing is closed.

Okay. Motion by Councilman Lawson.

Seconded by Councilman Fogy. All those in favor?

I.

The eyes have it. Next item.

New business. Mayor Communication Chief of Staff Patricia Rosendi.

Good evening, council members, council vice president. I'm I'm so used to saying council president, so it's thrown off today. Uh we have just on the communications three uh proclamations.

The first is 2025 never give up day which is August 18th, 2025.

We also have our Indian independence day August 15, 2025 and we have uh gastrioparesis awareness month for the month of August. If you'd like to accept as is or I can read them into record, what is your preference?

We'll uh accept them as is.

Okay. Thank you. That is all for this evening.

Thank you.

Next documented item resolutions for discussion and possible vote. Number one, resolution authorizing the award of a contract for HVAC mechanical work for the East Providence Community Center in the amount of $999,200.

Sponsor Council Vice President Rio. Uh this is not uh any city money. Uh this is part of the opera money that we've already allocated uh in conjunction with the community center. So this is just a process going along excuse me going along with the engineer.

Mike, I got a question. what it said APPA AP as well as the American Rescue Plan and I don't have it in front of me but the packet I got it said the funding comes from APA or was that supposed to be OPA okay I just wanted to verify that okay is uh ARPA congressional directed spending in Rhode Island American Rescue Plan Act carnivorous capital projects So it's it's actually three separate.

Okay.

But it's opera. Yes. Sorry.

And the the other ones the same typo then?

Same same resolution. Yes.

Okay.

Along with the architect here if you had any questions about this.

No. I think this is the next step. I think once we approved it what over a year ago we said that there's going to be a series of votes coming up. So unless anybody's got any questions.

Motion to approve.

Second.

Motion by Councilman Fogy. Second by Councilman Lawson. All those in favor? I may the eyes have it. Uh number two, Madame Clerk.

Resolution authorizing the award of a contract for electrical work for the East Providence Community Center in the amount of 938,130.

Sponsor Council Vice President Rio.

Make a motion to approve. Second.

Motion by Councilman Fogerty, seconded by Councilwoman Souer and Councilman Lawson. All those in favor? I the all those against nay the eyes have it.

Okay.

Number three resolution requesting the expenditure of funds $7,716.90 from the Live Nation Recreation Fund for the food and wine pairing event at Crescent Park. Sponsor Councilman Lawson.

This covers the tent, the the tables, chairs, the linens, all that. So, I make a motion to approve.

Second.

Have we done this yearly?

Yeah, we did. We couldn't get the event tent done in time this year. So that's why funding. No.

So I I have something to chat. I I I'm just confused on fundraising.

You're taking from a recreation account to fund raise. So you're basically taking from one account to fund raise for hopeful for another account.

We were hoping the tent was done by now.

How was the How's the tent been paid for in the past? That's my thing. It isn't the first time with the events.

Same thing last year.

I don't believe until we get to this is the major fundraiser for the carousel. This is how we pay to restore horses stuff. So in previous years um that I've attended the fundraiser for the wine and tasting was held inside the carousel. Um so there was no need for rental of any tents but given the construction that is currently occurring within last two years it's been a tent right yes it's been a

like prior it wasn't so it wasn't an issue that this was the last yeah we have to and hopefully the tent is up I just don't re I mean I just don't remember us having voting on the tent pot. Uh, I thought I mean that that's my only I don't remember this amount of money coming out of that fund.

The only thing I know that we've uh allocated money for in this con uh this council has been the Dave Tannery concert at the end of the summer.

So, I'm just I'm just Okay. um uh council vice president and members of the council. I have here before me a list of all of the funds that have come out of this particular account and um it's a it's a breakdown of all the funding and over the last gosh if this goes back to 2021 there were no funds um taken out of this account for the rental of the tent. In

the past, the nonprofit has handled and the carousel coordinator is not here to speak on this, but in the past, um the nonprofit is the one that puts that or that event together. So, they do raise funds. It does not come out of city funds. Um because the city isn't normally in the business of uh funding nonprofit events. Um but again, this for correct and we're we're all for supporting our carousel as we know. But

the Boldpoint uh park cart venue account um everything that comes out of there is has been used specifically for improvements to our local parks as written as it it it does say that it the funds from the sales of these tickets go to parks but I have the breakdown here park is a park but that you're you're talking about uh the rental of a tent. So this is like a

fund raise to fund the carousel which is part of Crescent Park which is a city park which if we had gotten the project done in time I'm just merely I'm not here to debate.

I'm just merely here to correct the fact that you mentioned that in the past it's been paid through this account and it hasn't. That's we just wanted to council vice president.

The resolution is to help the carousel commission carry on with this fundraiser that they've been doing forever to help the restoration of the carousel.

Do we know what the do do you happen to know, council um Lawson, what the revenue was of that event?

I think they made 11,000 around that.

I don't have the exact number.

I I've done a little research and obviously you know my background in my business and everything and intense and obviously I was born here and enjoy the carousel in Crescent Park and I wish it was still Crescent Park. Uh, but you look at tent rentals and this is way off the off the mark. I would This was the number I gotten from the commission that looks into I mean I I'm not going to promote any tent

companies that I know with, but this is a little this is a little out of out of proportion.

So so if we approve it and if you got a better tent company that comes in cheaper that I mean they can gladly be that should be the that should be their job.

I mean I'm just $7,000 for the tent because it's not it's a great event but there's it's not a floor.

It's it's grass and everything like that. I mean I uh seven grand for a tent. I mean for that size and everything. You look at them and even even the even the assembly of it and delivery of it and the tax that the state you know gets for renting tables chairs linens.

This seven grand is uh substantial. I mean that's that's why we vote, buddy.

Yeah, that's that's money.

Council Lawson, do we have a a receipt or an invoice with the amount? Is that something? Do can we table this um for the next meeting and then provide that information? might be more comfortable looking at it because again if you start looking at uh size size tents and the amount of people there and we've all been there and the bigger the the bigger the tent the rate goes down you know you know

and the amount of tables and everything 7 thou I mean se this is a substantial amount of money this is something uh just keep in mind we're going to meet mid August the event's early September so it is kind of hard for them to plan not knowing but that's fine we'll table it if you got questions I don't want to push it I I mean I I got I got a lot of

questions with the amount and uh so is so just a question is this for an upcoming event or this was paying for a previous No for this upcoming okay for this upcoming okay all right so maybe we need to look at okay something I'll make a motion to table all right there's a motion to table is there a second second for more information yep Okay.

Motion. All anybody in favor of the motion to table? Yeah.

Yep. Okay.

Motion to table.

Next uh item, Madame Clerk, introduction of ordinances for discussion and possible vote. Number one, an ordinance in amendment of chapter 3 of the revised ordinances of the city of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998 as amended entitled animals summary section 3-4 residential chicken hens permit sponsor Councilwoman Souza.

Thank you, Madame Clerk, um and council members for entertaining this um ordinance. Um, I want to thank first and foremost all the residents who came um either in favor or opposed uh for this ordinance um there and for those who didn't um come but have reached out privately. Um, this has been a topic, as we've heard tonight, that has gone back many a couple of councils now. And, um,

it's something that I foresee always being a topic. And I'm of the mindset that when you have a topic or a situation that needs to be addressed, it's better to not sweep it under the rug, but face it and move forward um with something that helps both parties come to an amicable um appreciation for what the city wants or can do to mitigate concerns and keep things civil.

Um this ordinance I think I know um was worked on um very diligently. It went it wasn't something that was just thrown um before the previous council or this council. There was a lot of time conversations site visits and research that went into it. And I think it does touch and deal with a lot of concerns that are safe uh policies for people who are ha have or would like to have um

hens. I think that it is amazing that residents are stepping up and saying, "Hey, I am willing to offer um maybe at the library or at city hall some educational classes on so that people who currently have it and maybe not practicing the way they should or those who may be considering it and do it the right way. Um we know that people are going to do things whether we want them

to or not. Um, but I believe my role in the role of the council is to put policies in place that protect everybody who's involved and gives the city enough um leverage to be able to do enforcable monitoring or removal of things. So to give a little bit of teeth to a situation instead of it being discretionary and picking people against each other or I like this neighborhood or these neighbors or I don't like those

so I'm going to pick and choose who can have this gives everybody a fair ground to have the hens and then if you're not maintaining them properly. Um when it comes to neighbors um certainly I'm not in the habit and I don't think anybody is wanting neighbors to pit against neighbors. I spent plenty of uh time at residential uh properties with neighbors who have conflict trying to resolve

that. Um there are anonymous ways to report things in the city and if you don't feel comfortable reporting something um about your neighbor, I invite all residents to reach out to me with your complaints and I will report it myself. Um I do that now and I am more than happy to continue doing that.

um as the council woman in the city so that no one person has to feel like somebody's going to retaliate against me because I made a formal complaint. I will take that um that responsibility to to make a complaint or inquire about um any property or business in the city.

With that being said, um there it is a two-page two and a half page ordinance um that goes into great detail on um not just giving our animal uh control officer the ability or the lo workload of maintaining but it does delegate some of the responsibilities to other um personnel in the city who are already on the boots um in the community as it is doing other jobs. Um it's certainly not to impose

additional workload on other city employees, but we all are here in a position to improve our city in any capacity that we can. So that's why we've put into place additional um support for the animal control officer to have in his absence or if they're busy, someone else can take up the complaint and review it.

So, um, again, this is for first passage. Um, if anybody on the council has any questions, um, I open up the floor for discussion.

So, I move to for first passage.

I would like Rory to build mine and Julie to help me educate my family on how to have them. I'll second.

There's no further conversation.

Ask the council.

Yeah.

Questions. You have anything to add?

Okay.

Uh, I see a lot of pros and cons and everything. And to be upfront I got 10 I got 15 15 emails, calls.

Three were from out of my ward and the rest were from my ward.

and the ward I represent raise a lot of issues. We have a rat issue and the city isn't addressing it in my ward.

We've had a lot of building up there and when you take wildlife away rats come around. I also have in the first ward and it's a ma a major coyote issue, a fox issue.

And what and then what this issue has brought to my attention from the residents of Ward One is there's a immense population of fisher cats along the reservoir.

And fortunately, unfortunately, we know we know they're predators. all three of those species.

Uh, I did not receive, again, I am the representative of the people. I did not receive one call in favor from anybody in Ward One.

Thank you.

There's been a motion for first passage by Councilwoman Souzer, seconded by Councilman Fogerty. Uh, good. Roll call vote, please. Madame clerk.

Councilman Fogerty.

I.

Councilman Lawson.

Nay.

Council Vice President Rio.

Nay.

Councilwoman Souza.

I.

Motion is 22 with a 22 motion. The motion fails.

Thank you.

Next documented item number two, an ordinance in amendment of chapter 18 of the revised ordinances of the city of East Province, Rhode Island, 1998 as amended entitled vehicles and traffic summary subsection C of section 18-268.

The purpose of this ordinance is to place a do not enter local traffic only signs. Sponsor Councilman Fogerty.

Move passage. Second motion by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilman Fogerty. All those in favor?

I I that's opposite, but I Okay.

Sorry.

I I an ordinance in amendment of chapter an ordinance and amendment of chapter 2 of the revised ordinances of the city of East Providence, Rhode Island 1998 as amended entitled administration summary section 2-298 allocation of speed and red light camera funds towards the school building fund.

Sponsor Councilman Lawson. So the purpose of this is when the mayor proposed that we have speed cameras, he said this money is going to the schools.

So we need to start restoring faith in government and doing what we say we're doing.

As you know, following national news and stuff, our school budget, it's something to be concerned about. We invested a lot in our school buildings.

This is a way to feed the school building fund to ensure that we're not deferring maintenance on these buildings which as we know when a school does a budget and the choice is between a teacher and fixing a building the maintenance gets deferred and then that leads to deterioration of the buildings and such. So this proposal would feed this fund and this is an ordinance. So after a couple years when the fund has

got enough money in it bearing interest, we can just vote to undo it. But we have to be very cognizant of the school budget this year. There's so much uncertainty on the federal level. Um, as you know, we're becoming a more affluent community. You know, we're building million-doll houses and stuff, which is great, but that means our average median income is rising, which means our state

aid is going to go down. that doesn't mean the school's cost are going to go down as well. So this is a way to kind of have some discipline where we ensure that the money's there for these build and it's outside of the school budget so that way the school budget can be used for teachers support staff how many IEPs that we hear people complain are getting filled where the schools need these

resources. So, this is a proposal that I would like to present and it will feed the building fund. You know, the school committee will still do their due diligence, let us know, and then they'll bring it forward what needs to be done.

We got so much invested in these buildings that to just say, "Okay, we're all set." It's just taking a step backwards. You know, we had to build a new high school cuz the other one fell apart. So that is my reasoning and we got to pay a close attention to this year's school budget with all the uncertainty with all we don't know if the federal government what we're getting they're already cutting after

school programs you know I think it got saved for the summer but there's no guarantee this fall that there's going to be money in place for these kids so I am asking that we pass this and the money will go into the thing and like I said after we build up a healthy amount it will start bearing some good interest and it will be good and I understand the administration well we need the money

for the bud well what's the budget it's a priority to me the schools are our number one priority in this city so that is why I put forward this and I humbly request we have a good discussion and a vote and I'll move that we pass this one thing I just want to add at this time. Um I think in respect for our council president, this is a financial if you don't mind tableabling this until

the all five of us here. I think out of respect for our council president that we have because it's a fiscal I mean it's a fiscal uh thing we're voting on.

So this is a first passage and the reason I'm doing it now cuz we're in budget season coming up with schools and it'd be good if they had some understanding.

So this would only be first. I got no problem if you want to defer. Of course.

Yeah. I mean with being first passage you know we'll have a discussion but I just didn't want to make this you know I I understand if this was final passage absolutely but if you guys are more comfortable president I just you know if you if you don't want to table the first passage I understand because obviously the clock will be ticking and before long and that's my reason August you know we'll be you know under

law when we're supposed to be getting the budget and everything in the school committee so I second the motion to pass first passage.

Again, it's just first passage. No.

Okay.

Councilman Fogy, what happened? Did you roll call?

She just No. Councilman Lawson, I made the motion and a seconded it.

Souza.

Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. So, we're going to vote on first passage.

Councilman Fogerty.

Nay.

Councilman Lawson.

I.

Councilman. Vice President Rio.

I am just voting I so that the council president has an opportunity to weigh in.

Councilwoman Soua.

I for the second same reason.

Okay. Passes three to one.

First passage. Y thank you.

Number four, an ordinance and amendment of chapter 5 of the revised ordinances of the city of East Proidence, Rhode Island, 1998 as amended entitled fire prevention summary section 5-57 solicitation at fire scenes prohibited conduct. Sponsor council vice president Rigo. Um, this this comes about because about a month or so ago, I get a text message from my uh councilman from W 4 saying,

"It looks like there's a major fire in your uh in your water. I I happened to be coming back from business and going to my uh home office to work and I you know could see the smoke and the address and everything and uh knowing the community and I knew knew the people that live there and everything and your house is on fire. I mean, Councilman Councilwoman Souzer obviously has lived

through that nightmarish situation and uh you see fires and again my thoughts go out to Fall River. But when you when you see that and it's your property that's happening and you have these piranhas and you think it's just not the tow truck companies and uh and you know people ambulance chases and everything it's seeing this family who I've known for a long time and they're seeing they don't know what's

going on. They don't even know if they have their dog or cat out there and these people there. So, this ordinance I had uh I'd like to, you know, thank the solicitor in his office for uh doing this. This keeps the fire restoration companies at bay during a fire and they can't get close to the fire until the uh whoever is the, you know, fire uh commander on scene as well as the

building inspector. So, this is basically uh a good uh good ordinance to protect the citizens of East Providence and hopefully they don't have to no one has to live through what these people live through.

That's what President Vice President Thank you for that. Um I just I know that you had uh emailed me a comment for a change and I did make that change. I think you got it but it's not reflected here. So, I want to make that amendment now. We do that amendment,000 ft. Yeah, you did. You did see that correct? Yes, I don't know how I saw.

Yeah, there there should be an amendment for that. They got to stay a,000 ft from the So, if I read shall prohibit any and all insurance adjusters, contractors and restoration companies from entering onto the property or uh or be within 100, excuse me, or be within 1,000 ft where the fire occurred. So, it's entering and being 1,000 ft. If we can just make that uh amendment now and then it'll conform

the ordinance so we don't have to do this again when we do second passage.

And I don't know, I apologize. I did. I don't know how that happened, but I move pass. Amended. Right.

As amendment, Councilman Fogerty uh makes the amendment.

And I'll second it and second by Councilman Lawson. All those in favor of the amendment.

I I the eyes have it. No. Uh passage of the amended final for first passage as amen.

I'll make a motion to pass.

Second as amended. Motion by Councilman Lawson, second by Councilman Fogy. All those in favor?

I.

Okay.

First passage.

Okay. The next documented item.

Ajournment. Do I hear a motion?

Motion by Councilman Lawson. Do I hear a second?

Second.

Second by Councilman Fogerty. Thank you and have a good night. Follows in faith.