8/19/25 EP City Council Meeting

Yes, he's ready.

Good evening. Call the meeting to order of Tuesday, August 19th, 2025.

Um, Madame Clerk, would you please call the role of the council? Councilman Fogerty here.

Councilman Lawson, here.

Council Vice President Rio, here.

Councilwoman Souza.

Council President Rodri here. The record show uh four members are present.

Please rise for the pledge.

I mean, I think and to the republic for it stands one nation and justice for all.

Okay,

welcome everyone. Uh, Madame Clerk, if you would bear with me, we're going to uh move around the uh agenda a little bit to make make things go uh smoothly.

soon as uh council VP is picking up some paperwork.

As soon as he comes, we we're going to move to page eight on the docket, the resolutions.

I uh before that I also want to uh thank everyone for their office I've received of sympathy especially uh my colleagues here VP for stepping in and taking care of ceremonial duties.

Thank you all.

You're welcome Bob. So sorry for your loss. With that, uh, Madame Clerk, we'll start with the resolutions letter D on page eight. If you could read the heading of that first one.

Number one, resolution requesting to name the basketball court at Kent Heights Park the Vincent Vinnie Remulli Memorial Basketball Court. Introduced by Councilman Fogerty.

Councilman Fogerty, would you like to introduce your idea?

Yes. Do you have the uh resolution to be read?

If you want to read the resolution while we're getting that ready to to um read, uh just want to say that this is something that this council um I'm sure um never say never. We haven't voted yet, but I'm sure we'll embrace unanimously. Uh, I don't think there is a person here who has not worked with um Vinnie Spirui through through the years.

If if you were a a uh youth involved in athletics, name the sport, basketball, baseball football soccer whatever or just being a mentor.

Uh Vinnie was the guy many of us know.

Being a little older, I go back with Vinnie when we would um meet and discuss world events on Friday evenings. We were slightly out of high school playing cards and um Chief, not for money. We were just um playing for for fun and especially baseball. Such a baseball guy he was in basketball. and he sent many a little kid on to high school and college and uh even beyond. But uh Councilman,

do you want to read the resolution? Then any anyone else can make comments.

Yes, I would love to. Thank you very much.

Whereas Vincent Vinnie Spamolei was a 1964 graduate of East Providence High School and a 1968 graduate of Providence College. And whereas Mr. Spamoly was a special education teacher for 35 years.

Whereas Mr. Spamolei coached middle school and high school basketball and was a longtime coach and director of the East Providence Central Little League and St. M's CYO basketball and was known as Coach Vin, two decades of student athletes.

And whereas for many years, Mr. Spamolei was also the assistant director at Camp Camp Ruggles, a camp for children with emotional and behavioral disabilities.

Although his teams won many championships, his strength was in teaching young people to be competitive and to do their best while building their character at the same time.

And whereas Mr. Spamolei was a legendary youth coach, mentor, volunteer, and extraordinary family member. He and his wife Peggy were the proud parents of two children and three grandchildren.

His son Michael is a detective crop with the East Providence Police Department and his daughter Sandra Farand is the East Providence Superintendent of Schools. I'll therefore be it resolved that the city council of East Providence hereby names the basketball court at Ken Heights Park as the Vincent Vinnie Spamolei Memorial Basketball Court.

Second that motion. We'll take that as a motion by Councilman Fogerty, seconded by Council Vice President Rigo. Before we vote on that, I I would add that even though um there are some relatives in the school department, including a superintendent of schools, uh Vincent, uh those 32 years teaching were done at Paneigans High School. So, there's no favoritism here. We're not honoring an

East Providence teacher. Uh uh Vinnie uh we lost Vinnie too too young. Um other council members want to comment before we vote and then I would I just wanted to announce that you know I want to add that I've known Vinnie for and the family for over 40 years. Well respected and always said it like it is. You know I miss him. So we are having a small gathering on September 6 from 12 to 2 at

K at Vinnie Smoly Vincent Basketball Courts Ken Heights Park. Uh rain date is September 7th. That's Sunday 12 to 2.

Small reception at the courts. Uh I know Vinnie was loved and respected by lots of people which is why uh Mr. Russo, Mr.

Kenny, myself, we met for breakfast to discuss the first annual Vincent Spooly basketball tournament. But the park was a little delayed. The timing wasn't right. So we're going to kick this in gear next year to be determined. It's going to happen next season. So looking forward to that. I'm sure we'll have a lot of sponsors and uh excitement and thank you. Thank you all for sponsoring this with me.

And uh we want to welcome and add that uh Vinnie's wife Peggy is here and as you mentioned his daughter Sandy's son Mike son-in-law are here with us tonight. We appreciate you coming. Uh we have the motion and the second. Madame Clerk, for the record, would you please call the role of the council?

Councilman Fogerty.

I.

Councilman Lawson.

Absolutely.

Council Vice President Rio, I.

Council President Rodri, I. It's official.

Um, Sandy or Mike, did you want to say anything? Um, sure.

I will say being a Riverside kid, I I didn't interact with Vin that much, but I got to know him through the Jim Russos campaign and what an amazing guy and what a legacy of commitment to the youth of this city through sports and uh it's I can't think of a better honor. Uh, we got so many great people like him and it's an honor to honor your dad, Sandy,

Mike, you guys know how I feel about your dad and Yahoo and your families and I'm very happy for you.

So, oh, I can't, you know, echo that even louder.

So, uh, thank you to the public works department. They work very hard to create some signage that's going to go up on the uh fencing at the new park Ken Heights. So, Vinnie's basketball court and uh Dan Borges and the staff went out of their way hurriedly actually made me made us six copies of this a smaller version of what's going to go on the fence. This is for the six people in the three

podium's all yours. You've had enough podium and uh thanks the mayor and everybody involved.

I really didn't have anything prepared.

So, uh I'll kind of keep it short and sweet. I think it's a tremendous tribute and I'd like to thank the council uh from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of my family. Um it means a lot.

It means a lot and he touched a lot of people's lives. Um from kids older than me to younger than me to 20 years after.

Um, and I've had people come down here, friends of mine who live in New York and out of state, and when they would come down to visit, they would always say, "We got to go see Vin. How's Vin doing?"

Um, and it was just uh the memories of it. And it was not just basketball and baseball. It was we used to come and eat lunch at the house because we lived in Kent Farm and our family didn't have any money. Um, so he would it the house was always open to everybody. So it was it was much more than just coaching kids. It was it was mentoring them. And another thing was at uh Panagansit

uh a lot of young coaches got their start with him and people that are still coaching throughout the state were all under that little coaching tree that he started up there. um and some of which are from East Providence. So, on behalf of my family um and everybody that he's touched, I I can't thank you enough for this tribute.

Um and it really means a lot to all of us.

Thank you, Mike.

Dr. uh Fand, this is not a promise of more budget money for the school department. This is strictly personal, not not business though. In a few weeks, you you can come back, but you're welcome. If you want to comment anything or Peggy or we're just very grateful.

Thank you so much, Frank.

You're welcome. Of course.

You know, I talk to Vinnie every You will.

I got the answer. I will.

Yeah.

Mike, take that one. And then there's five more on the table for the family to sign.

We are truly grateful.

Oh, my pleasure. Our pleasure.

Thank you.

Appreciate you coming out.

Madame Clerk, the next resolution after that. Number two, resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract extension with MTG disposal LLC for re refuse recycling collection introduced by council vice president Rigo.

Thank you uh madame clerk, Mr.

president. Um this is obviously an important aspect in the city and uh with the work of Plantman director Dan Borges uh we've been able to put together a good piece of contracts for the city for the next couple years. As you know, all costs rise, but Dan did a good job in negotiating this. This takes effect uh on the 1st of September of this year going through the year 2028. Dan can add

some of the specifics to it at this time.

Good evening. Um, I am just going to hand out a few uh memos that I kind of put together just to give the council a sense of uh the process that we went through to get this renegotiated.

Um so just to give a very short version of what was a long process what but um the city started renegotiating in the end of January.

Excuse me. the if you look at the last page of that memo, it sort of breaks down um the original uh proposed amount that MIGA had originally brought to the city which would have um provided us with a 8% increase in the first year. Um after several months in renegotiating um we were able to get MIGA down to a 4 and a half% increase in the first year. Uh the one benefit to that is that this

will allow us to level fund the um rubbish and recycling contract. So in a few weeks when we have budget meetings um you'll see that there was no increase to this year's budget which um you know is certainly important. Um so over the three separate you know negotiating proposals that they provided um the city was able to save uh roughly $29,412 over three years from the original contract. Um and that puts the city

just into perspective it puts um the household cost per res per resident household at $145.77.

Um I put a breakdown of several other municipalities in the state. Um and we are well in range if not below uh several of the other municipalities. So um I think there's significant benefit to this contract. Um MIGA is also adding some additional onvehicle technology that will allow us to monitor um when contaminated materials are placed in recycling bins and put into the trucks.

Um so then we have the ability to understand whether we want to take that to the landfill rather than receiving a penalty at the um at the the MURF the recycling facility.

Um we've also been able to have MIGA essentially take over all of the calls missed calls handling. So a lot of the calls will be rerouted to MIGA. will handle them directly, be able to dispatch drivers rather than DPW taking the phone call, reporting it to a supervisor out in the field, and then it being reported to a driver to go pick up. So, um we we feel that'll be extremely important to sort of

streamlining the process of um miss calls. Should go to mention though that our office is still there. So, if there are issues, residents still have the ability to call us. Um, but we will we will put a process in place when they call the office to have those calls directly rerouted to MIGA.

Other than that, I mean, I think it's pretty straightforward. You can see years one, two, and three. Um, the breakdown in increases is four and a half% in the first year, six in the second year, and uh roughly 5% in the third year. So again, I commend you knowing the economic situations that we all face in businesses and uh the environment that we're living in these days. Uh these not knowing what the cost

of fuel could be. Uh obviously meager is you know has to pay their employees uh equipment. Um, this was a well put out and well put together contract by you and everybody else involved. And the nice thing about this is that this was done in for three years. So obviously it takes us to the end of our term and who's ever fortunate to be sitting here at the next term doesn't

have to deal with this for like two for two years. So the budget process uh was also worked in and uh I commend again for getting this done. A three uh in this environment to get any private sector company to to negotiate a three-year term is very important. So I move passage at this time.

Second. Thanks Dan.

Motion by VP Rigo. Passage. Second by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor?

I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. 4 to zero. Thank you. Next item.

Resolution number three. Resolution adopting flag protocols at East Providence City Hall introduced by Councilman Lawson.

Councilman, this is a response to something that that bothers me and many other people told me. We got three flag poles out front and we don't put the American flag front and center above everything else. And um so this just kind of adopts a little bit from the United States flag code that um talks about the proper way of displaying flags. So what this resolution would do would say that uh

the three flag poles out front, the center one will be for the American flag. And in this day and age of division in this country, we need that rallying symbol. And I can't think of anything more rallying than the American flag. So that will be front and center above anything else. And then this also will say to the right of the flag will be the state of Rhode Island flag. And

then those poles on the left and the right should be lowered about 18 to 24 in to ensure the American flag is on top. To the right will be the state of Rhode Island flag. And then the third pole we can fly the city of East Providence, but that could be our ceremonial pole as well. Um we have great ceremonies celebrating various cultural and um you know holiday type things. That's going to remain. This in

no way diminishes that. This only puts that American flag front and center above everything else.

Thank you. No, I I think your point is well taken that we we have flags from many different cultures at times that we we honor with ceremonies and and that's a good thing and and that will continue.

Um director, did you want to comment?

Uh good evening, Council President, members of the council. Um Councilman Lawson, I apologize. I haven't I've been away and on vacation, haven't been able to um bring this to your attention. So, the only time that we wouldn't do that is um because we've had to do research on this over the years is if there's a time when the American flag is also flying with a another country flag. So,

as you can see, we have the Ukrainian flag uh per the flag etiquette and we we researched it with law as well. What we always do is if the American flag is also flying and we are not in a time of war with another country flag, they are to be flying equally at that point. So that's the only time you will see is if there are any country flags like when we

do uh the uh you know Ire um Ireland day the Irish flag the Brazilian flag anytime it's another country flag they are to fly equal to the American flag um during a time of peace. So I just wanted to make you aware of that. So if you drive by understand that because people have brought it to our attention and we we go by like the actual right why are we still flying the Ukrainian flag

because when uh when that started to when that happened and we all came here uh we said that we would in support of all the Ukrainian residents who came forth we said we were we would fly it during this entire time until it was a time of peace with that that country but I I fully support that but the American flag should be front and center above all it is to it again going by the

code if we're not in time of if if we're at peace with that country they are to flag uh fly it you know at the same level so that's why we do it I make motion uh to approve this thank you thank you director motion to approve a second second second by Councilman Rigo all in favor I I any opposed the eyes have it thank you next item Number four, resolution authorizing the

award of contracts for the East Providence Community Center by Bentley Companies LLC consistent with the guaranteed maximum price introduced by President Rogers. Council President Rogers.

Make a motion to approve. This is just the next step along the way of uh funding the new rec center. Exciting.

So, I make a motion to approve. Second motion made to approve by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilman Fogerty and discussion.

And the key here too is that guaranteed maximum price. So this is good. That is not going to increase. Um all in favor I I any opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you. Thank you for being here, gentlemen.

Thank you. Yep.

Next item, please. 30 bucks done.

Oh, we no I'm sorry. We will go to page seven number five.

And if you want to read that ordinance heading um madam clerk, at least in my agenda, it's page seven number five.

Ordinance of the council of the east of the city of East Providence appropriations 275,000 for unanticipated costs associated with the building renovations improvements to the police station. Summary. The purpose of this ordinance is to allocate $275,000 for unanticipated costs associated with building renovations improvements to the police station from capital city capital introduced by council president Rodri.

So it is a public hearing and chief if you want to give us the summary on this.

It's a basically a transfer of some funding.

Yes sir. That's correct. It's uh just some overages that we encountered uh throughout the last year, renovations over at the police station and it's going well to date.

That's going very well. And uh publicly, I do want to thank the men and women of the East Province Police Department for sticking through uh a an extremely difficult work situation. We know we're moving offices and moving down hallways.

is people are uncomfortable for the last year. Uh even as of uh today jackhammering uh block and uh hammering and you know all sorts of construction noise are are uh the men and women sworn and unsworn members have really you know uh been uh amazing during the whole process. So where we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. We're probably about 90% done. So was just going to use that term. Is

there light at the end of the tunnel?

The light's dim right now. We we we've been uh you know we were hoping we were going to be done by this time but you know things happen and uh yeah there's the delays in a lot of delivery of products and things like that. So sure other council members comments I I agree a thousand%. Yeah, the women and men of the EPD are great. Um, we're glad that we were able to appropriate

this opera funding to get this done and um, you know, I guess we're in a contract negotiation. So, we look forward to signing making sure you guys are compensated, decent pay raises every year and make sure we're paying enough to keep the best and brightest here in EP. So, we're looking forward to signing that contract, making sure you guys are fully compensated that we need though.

Thank you, Councilman Fogerty. Yeah, I was over there turving it and the work is coming along good. I mean, it looks nice for what they're doing and uh I can see why you need more. So, forward.

Thank you. No, and I I invite everybody uh anybody from the council at any time if they want to come over and and take a look at the building and and the progress that we have made. I mean, it's still uh a little dusty in areas, but we can definitely show you uh some of the big steps that we've taken.

Well, it looked great at the policeman's memorial, which seemed like it was just yesterday, but it was back in May, so how time has flown this year is incredible. So, uh look forward to uh knocking on the door and uh going over there in the next week or so and you know getting a tour and seeing the update. And uh I just want to uh say uh thank you for uh obviously uh

stepping up in your new leadership role as well as the uh deputy. I'm confused as how I got to address everybody as I you know as you know you know as I address uh Andy as well. you gentlemen have really stepped up and I see yeah I see a lot of good enthusiasm and I want to commend you and your uh whole command staff for what you did on August you know two weeks ago on

August 5th that that the night out was an exceptional event. Uh you should be very proud of yourself and your staff.

uh the it grows each year and the community is uh appreciates it and uh as and hopefully uh we can keep on maintaining and gaining the police numbers that you need to keep this being one of the top police forces. But thank you for everything you've done since you've stepped into your into the role of number one. Thank you.

Thank you. This is a public hearing.

Anyone have a question for the chief or the council?

Ask one more time uh by procedure.

Anyone have any questions or comments about this hearing? None. We'll close the public hearing. Is there a motion?

Motion to approve.

Second.

Motion to approve by Councilman Lawson.

Seconded by Council Vice President Rio.

All in favor?

I.

I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. 40.

Thank you. Thank you, Chief. Thank you very much, Chief.

Madame Clerk, we'll revert back to the general order of business. You need a second to get that organized.

Executive session. The city council of East Province may meet in executive session pursuant to RIGL42-46-5A2.

Thank you. for this matter. We will hold the session right here in public and solicitor Marcelo, if you want to.

Thank you. As you know, the city of East Province U prior to me arriving had previously joined the national litigation, the opioid litigation, which is a multi-dist litigation pending in the federal courts. Um, from time to time, there are settlements uh that the city's asked to approve. Um we just got notification of the uh Purdue direct settlement and um simply asking for the authority of the uh of the council to

execute any and all documents necessary for that settlement. I would ask if it's appropriate um sometimes these settlements as you know with the backup that I gave you have have quick deadlines that we have to take action on. So um if it's up to the council sometimes this this happened to be okay because we had a council meeting before the September 30th date. Um but to the extent that I we cannot get a council

meeting to uh formally approve it, I would also ask for general authority to approve any and all settlement amounts that um that come through um that that we we might not be able to make the council docket.

Sure. I think that's a good idea. We're talking about monies and settlements that coming to us. Anything that involves payment out, we would have to have council vote. But in in these cases, we we don't. So in in terms of the item before us and going forward, is there a motion?

I just have one question for the solicitor. Do you have any do you have any idea as to uh what we could be looking for for settlement wise? I mean do you think it's firmed up?

So it depends upon it's it's by a formula.

Um I can't tell you what this settlement will um produce to the city. Um I do have access to a portal from uh that has been set up by the national litigation to date from from all the settlements that we have um have entered into and for which we received money uh the total amount that the city has received or is scheduled to receive is um I'm going to round up but it's $488,000.

There are strict limits on how that money can be used for the settlement agreement. It's only has to be for opioid issues, uh addiction issues, um mental health issues. They're very strict guidelines of where that money can be spent. It can't be put into the general fund for instance. Um but it has to be targeted uh for different opioid educational issues, those kind of issues. But so um the short answer to

your question is I can't tell you how much we get for this settlement, but the um but the total so far has been just under a half a million dollars.

So with that said, it can only be used for that. So it can't be used for any personnel that might assist in the program. it can only be used for the specific programs.

It it could it it it there are there's a different trunch of money um out there that there's a state money that flows through us through the state and then there's money that flows through us directly to the to the town, excuse me, to the city. Um depending upon what the person can do or does not do, it can be used for salaries to support the opioid program, whatever that program may be.

Can it go to the schools for youth prevention, drug awareness, stuff like that?

It may. I don't want to say yes or no.

There are there are guidelines there there. I I don't know that off the top of my head, but I can get you those guidelines for this each each each and I know that the the chief of staff is a member of the statewide coalition that monitors the state fund, so she might have a better answer, but I will get you the guidelines for the this trunch of money.

Thank you.

Uh good evening again. So I um uh solicister Marcel is correct. So I currently sit on OA the OSAC board. So we do meet and our sole purpose um in our assignment is to discuss how the finance how the funding will be used and where it's allocated and um it does run the gamut in terms of how municipalities are using it. Uh there's prevention, there's education, there's outreach, but it's very specific and all very very

public. Every meeting um is on Zoom and the governor's task force also has their meetings. All the documents are on the page. So, I'm happy to get the council any of those documents and give you the breakdown of exactly where those funds are being spent and um and what they're allocated for, including outreach. It come goes to everything, including um uh those who may be expecting and have um

you know, been drug users um at one point um and you know, how that will impact a baby and transition and jobs.

So, it really it it runs the gamut in terms of programs.

Makes sense. But I can I'm happy to send that to all of you.

Thank you. Is there a motion to uh allow Mike? Yes.

Yes. Make a motion that Mike's allowed to um negotiate on it. But yeah, accept the accept the accept. Yep. I apologize.

Motion seconded by council vice president Rigo. All in favor? I I Any opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you.

Next item,

consent calif calendar for discussion and possible votes.

A council journals regular meetings minutes 7:15 2025 tax abatements cancellations and abatements $26,847.71 Letters 2-6 Realms Avenue East Providence Rhode Island 02915 map 512 block 11 possible 0038.0 zero.

Any question on the consent calendar?

Make a motion to approve. Uh, accept.

Accept.

Motion by Councilman Lawson to accept.

Councilman Fogerty. Second. All in favor?

I.

I. Any opposed? Guys have it. Next item.

Licensed for discussion and possible vote. Motion to bundle non-public hearing licenses.

Motion to bundle.

Second.

Motion to bundle. Councilman Lawson.

Seconded. Councilman Fogerty. All in favor?

I I.

Any opposed? Is there a motion to approve the non-public hearing licenses?

We got C 1 through 11.

Make a motion to approve C1 through C11.

Second.

Motion Councilman Lawson, second by Councilman Fogy. All in favor? I I. Any opposed? The ISAP.

Next item under public hearing. Uh there's also a non-public hearing that we separated. It was C number one. It was for a special event one day alcohol license. It wasn't in the um C through 11.

So th this is the this uh Rhode Island Folk Festival. So that's what this is in regards to.

Okay. Is there a motion?

Um I'll second the motion, too.

Motion Councilman Fogerty, seconded by Councilman Lawson. All in favor? I I Any opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you.

Next item.

Oh, I

We have the sheet here.

I went and got it. That's I Oh, he didn't pass it down.

Well, it's blank anyway. So, So no one on this side communication none public comment none council members number one breakdown by banking account the amount balance in each account as of July 31st 2025 council vice president Regal Rigo okay thank thank you uh I just received this from the chief of staff uh about an an hour and a half ago. Uh I will pass this along to all of you. I

think this is good information that we have. As you know, the clock will be starting pretty soon on those favorite words, budget time. So, uh, I thought this was a piece of information that we need, uh, a lot of the pieces of the puzzle as we hear and you hear in the news, we hear from the state, federal about budgets being tightening, tightening up, excuse me, as well as potentially the state of Rhode

Island uh, might not be receiving as much money from the federal government.

And I'm not going to get into the minutiae of everything that's going on in Washington, but obviously everything, you know, goes downhill and we're at the end and we can't print money. Uh we're not supposed to print money and uh I will uh pass this along. I thank the chief of staff for the information. I think it's very important in this fiscal year with no more opera funds uh and grants obviously being going to be

continued to be dried up from the federal government that all the information we have the better decisions that we can make together with the administration. Thank you.

Thank you Councilman. Well said. Next update on inspections of all nursing facilities, assisted living, high-rise living, boarding houses, hotels, and motel by both the fire and building departments. Council vice president Rio.

Again, I received this from the chief of staff, so I want to say thank you. I know she's just coming back from vacation. Uh the one thing and I just uh I'm pulling it up right now and uh maybe uh sometimes uh my laptop and the you know has so many firewalls in it that the only thing that I see and I might be wrong and I'm trying to do it right now

is uh the only thing that was provided to me to to you and you provided it to me from the fire chief was the two hotels or motel in in the city. Uh I don't this came to my mind because of the tragedy that happened in Fall River and brings back bad memories of the station fire that the city is always questioned about inspections both building and fire and God I never want

to see a fire. what happened in Fall River and the station fire happened in the jurisdiction of the city of East Providence. Um so to make sure that we're up to speed, I asked for it and again if he could get us, you know, it's not just, you know, extended stay in Rumpford motor and I'd really like to know about the assisted living and nursing homes. I represent four of the

five highrises in the city of East Providence and I want the people of Rumford Towers, Pox, you know, uh, Pacway Towers, uh, above you.

Well, I said I represent four out of the five. So, uh, I, you know, I want them all, I want those residents to be secure and then nursing home assisted living, as you know, we saw could become an issue. So, if they could get back and get that information to us as the council because we obviously hold the fiduciary responsibilities for the city and I don't want this city to ever be

into a situation where we could be facing a lawsuit for uh neglect, which I don't think will happen because of the fine men and women that work in the fire department as well in the building office. Thank you. Council vice president. Oh, council president, I'm sorry, through the council of president.

Uh we that is just the partial response as we mentioned and thank you for your patience on allowing us to gather all this information. Uh more information will be forthcoming and we'll provide that to you in a timely manner. Thank you.

Thank you, Chief. Thank you, Council Vice President.

Certainly an important uh matter. Next item, traffic patterns and issues on Anthony Street. Council President Rodri's.

So for the uh administration and and Chief, if if you could uh maybe start a process where whereby we can either talk with uh the police department and and others um traffic divisions. Uh through the years, I think we all have had complaints about um some of the the narrow streets across from city hall here. Anthony, Vine, James with people parking on at least one side, sometimes both sides. Um,

people just can't get through. Emergency vehicles have difficulty. We recently heard from a family on Anthony Street.

So, the Anthony Street right now is the focus. And I I think that when those large homes were built, the 40s, 50s, and you know, a little bit beyond, most people had one car. I know I grew up in a family who had one car. Um today, families can have three or four. And so there's a lot of vehicles on Anthony Street. And uh people um have problems sometimes even backing out of their

driveways because you kind of have to drive into the driveways. They're narrow. So maybe not a formal traffic study, but some kind of a an observation um in the near future. I know a couple of us have talked about what some cities do when you have a lot of parallel streets like that. Some are one way, the other way coming back, one way going down. Um, might take some getting used

to and that may not even work, but it might be something to to be considered for those streets across from city hall here, Anthony Vine, James, Walnut. Um, so nothing we can do about it tonight, but if we could um maybe even if there was a neighborhood meeting at some point, see what people think. But I do know trash trucks, fire trucks, and just plain motorists have difficulty

negotiating at least Anthony Street. So, we'll we'll be in touch, I'm sure. Thank you. Next item.

Number four, request for items to be included in the capital budget.

Councilman Lawson.

Well, I'm putting this out there now on behalf of the folks down in Riverside down south. Um, Venerav playground.

There is overwhelming request to add uh playground equipment for pre-teens. Um, the parka refresh, but they put in like toddler um things.

I brought the council president by to see what I I was talking about. All the other playgrounds have the you can climb, slide, go across. Um, so I'd like to put in a request that this capital budget have money to add that piece of equipment for the folks down in Vitner in the gully. And the second is for um some compost toilets on the water side of Crescent Park. It is probably the

number one thing people say, "How do we have this beautiful park with no bathrooms?" So, I'm getting ahead of it now and I'd like to have it put in the budget. Um, these bathrooms I why they stay locked. I I got the answer. People don't really accept that answer, but um I'd like to put in the request for some compost toilets on the water side. Um, specifically down in the lower part and

then up by the parking lot area. Though those are my only two requests that they be and I'm only saying it now. I know we're going to go through the process, but and I'm sure with the capital budget when we go through that, you know, there is room to to add and especially the compost bathrooms are very popular now statewide. We have several in East Providence. We put one at the high

school. Um, again, it's not 1960. It's 2025. you need safe, clean public restrooms when we have thousands of people going to these facilities. Uh the new Kent Park, Kent Heights Park, um where they have have them there. And even today, um I drove by there actually uh my uh four-year-old grandson, he came by to tell me that he was he calls it my park because he knows I grew

up there. And he said, "I went by uh grandpa's playground today and there were a lot of people." And so I rode by and sure enough maybe hundred people or so enjoying that great new park. and the bathrooms. Uh, so they they're doable.

We we we can address that, I'm sure, with the capital capital projects. And if you haven't been to Kent Park yet, you need to go there. As I said at the opening of the park, the ribbon cutting where the kids cut the ribbon, I don't know of a park in Rhode Island that's as nice, as spacious and and does what what Kent Park does for the not only the neighborhood, but the whole city. So,

yeah, I will work on that definitely.

Next item.

We already discussed the flag stuff.

Okay. So I just got my statement on old.

Yes. Number uh six. Um so just um just the statement is I don't know why the city's putting this out has a housing thing unless they got three votes on this council. We already said we're not going to sell any of that property. Um I'm against housing. I said I'd have an open mind and got blindsided. That's in the past. But going forward, I want to be very clear.

I will not be voting to sell a piece of that property to a developer to put housing up. There are plenty of appropriate places in Riverside to add housing. I'm not against the housing. Um I drove around with council president and we I showed them different areas, but when it comes to Old Ham, the plan was community center business incubator.

That's all I'm voting to move forward on. We can do it. We had the opera money to get the building rehabbed. We dragged our feet. So during this budget, I am going to see where we're at with that building as far as we put the roof on.

We still need some roof doors, windows, and the interior uh renovation. So I will be advocating that some money go towards it is a public building that the city of East Providence owns. So it is appropriate that we maintain it. Um, but as far as adding housing, no, no, no.

So, I just wanted to put that out there to the public. And this is based on the numerous people that reached out, people terrified, saying, "Why are they putting apartment buildings right on top of my property?" And it's just not an appropriate place for that. There are plenty of places that we could look to build housing. It's not that we're against housing, but not on that piece of property. And that's it. I just

wanted to get that out there to the public and before developers start coming in and saying that it's again unless there's three votes that I'm not aware of, housing's not going to happen there.

Thanks.

Appreciate it. Thank you. Next item.

Discuss of fiscal year 2025 2026 budget hearing schedule. Council President Rodri, I think that your office and the solicitor are working on a budget schedule. I think when when it comes up, we can No, this is where it should This is where it should be discussed.

Okay.

I have a copy of it.

Sorry.

My list.

So, at the council council president's request, we came up with a preliminary budget calendar and we're asking you for some input and hopefully to adopt at least the general calendar tonight so we can discuss the clerk and SC start scheduling and posting the appropriate meetings.

Um, under the charter, the mayor has until September 16th, 2025 to submit the budget. Um, I'm told this can all be adjusted if he submits it earlier. Um, but the deadline, the absolute deadline is November 16, 2025.

September 16th.

September. What did I say?

You said November.

I'm sorry. I'm dreaming. I'm dreaming.

Wishful thinking.

I'm sorry. September. Um, that happens to be a regular council meeting uh under the charter. At that date, um, the council uh can and in my opinion should send a date for a public hearing on that budget. Now, the public hearing on that budget is to give the public an opportunity to comment on the mayor's proposal. So, assuming that it is well, again, assuming that it's submitted on September 16th,

um we will be able to advertise the public hearing um for September 24th. I think it's seven or 10 days it has to be advertised before the public hearing. So, that's on September 24th would be the date of that public hearing. Now I sub submitted so as of that date you could have a public hearing. That's the first date that's available to comply with the charter to have a public hearing to allow allow the

public to comment.

Nothing prevents the council before that date from beginning its workshops uh to have department heads come in and discuss their their appropriate budgets.

So we sub we tentatively schedule and against to your approval a hearing on September 18th, 2024 which is 2 days after its submission if the council wants to begin bringing in department heads or whatever to review their budget requests. So that would be the first date um on November excuse me September 24th 2025 is the public hearing on the budget. Again, that's an opportunity for

the public to comment on the mayor's budget.

After that date or on that date, once that public hearing is concluded, you could again have additional workshops on the budget to have more department heads come in.

Uh and then any date between uh 9:24 and 9:30, we set another one. um the appropriate the the the date that's important um of the of September 24th is because once that date occurs and that public hearing is over, the council has a right and legally can add to the budget uh or make changes to the budget after that public hearing date. So again, we're setting the we're proposing November

24th as a public hearing, excuse me, November 30th as a public hearing for for a workshop and then um on Tuesday uh again another date on 10725 for another regular meeting workshop, another workshop on 10:14 2025.

And that's the last day that the council can increase any budget items because if they do increase a budget item, we would have to then advertise it. And so those advertisements has to be uh in by 10:16 for a council required public hearing on their changes on 10:21.

So uh and then once that uh public hearing is held on the council changes to the budget and it's only if they uh add to the budget then we would have a final hearing on 102325 uh and then the excuse me 102325 for the final hearing and then the last day that you can actually adopt to approve the budget would be 10:25. So we have built in five workshops. You can

have more if you want, you have less if you want, but we have built in five workshops between 9:16 and 9:25.

So that's the kind of the outline. If you want more, we can certainly add more. Um, you can they can be added within 48 hours notice, but that's the general. So we thought five was enough.

If you think more is required, that's up to you. Obviously, the school department will be a big budget item when we don't have their budget yet, but you'll have to I think obviously that has to be submitted before 9:16. So that'll be part of the mayor's budget and then you can have the school department in anytime that you want. So that's that's the outline to meet all the advertisement requirements um and the

public hearing requirements. That's a general outline that we have set up.

Thank you. I I I think this is a is a a healthy um outline with uh advertising deadlines that you know if we get dangerously close to missing can cause a problem. Um as you know but just as a reminder members would it's nice if we could all be at all of them but it's not mandatory. We need a quorum at these hearings. Uh usually we're all there.

That's been the history. But don't be afraid that if there's one hearing when you're out way out of town or something happens or family matter, um, you know, the rest of us can carry forward your questions and wishes and you can always go back. But anyway, any comments on this schedule?

So my my only thing is, you know, last year we had department heads here like the library and stuff.

Yeah. So maybe instead of having like this day will be these departments, we read the budget and then if we got questions, we say can we request that these department heads come cuz I I don't want to see folks have to come after hours for to sit here and we're not going to even have any questions for them.

Yeah, that's a that's a courtesy. Yeah, we can give the solicitor's office and the mayor's office a list of our requests for which departments, right?

And we can stuff like that. They don't need to be sitting here, you know?

Right.

So, unless we have questions for them, but so ahead of time, we'll say, can you ask them to be here?

And that's that's and it's that's fair.

We would have to to the extent that we know what department head we're going to be calling in, we'd have to post that on the supplemental agendas for that so that we have to list on such and such a date like you know we're going to have the school department in or the library or whatever. So we need to know so we could work through that with Isn't it possible we may have done this

last year to list everybody but and then we just invite certain ones but at least we're covering the ad.

Whatever works whatever you got to do. I just if they don't need to be had we have I'm sorry. Go ahead. They'll notify them. I think we even did that last year. We we cut down on the amount. It was first year.

We'll advertise every department. Yeah.

Cover the advertising laws and procedures. But then we'll let you know within enough time to in invite police, DPW fire whatever.

And is that legal if it's advertised? If we just say we have no questions for that. Move on to the next one. Okay.

It's better to advertise than not.

Correct.

So if there are no questions, I have one question and uh this goes back to the ending process. I know in the past uh yourself and former assistant solicitor Connley there was some questions as far as the timeline for veto. Do we have uh is that built in as well? So that where uh if there's a case of a veto and there's a override uh meeting where we we've built this into the uh consideration as well.

Yes, this this builds in an override.

That's why the date is 1025. This this is consistent with the assistant assistant solicitor Connley's prior um budget timeline. I don't necessarily agree with it, but we're just we had we had enough uh there's enough room in this the way we laid it out that we meet those deadlines. Yes.

Thank you.

So, is there a motion to approve this uh budget calendar schedule?

Make a motion to approve.

Is it a vote?

Yeah. Well, we can um we can Yeah. No, I I second. I second.

Okay. Motion. Council Councilman Rigo.

Second. Councilman Lawson. All in favor of the schedule I. Any opposed?

The eyes have it.

We'll be in touch with you. So the first date for the hearing will be 9:18, right?

9:16 workshop workshop 9:18.

9:16 is when they present it.

Okay. The regular meeting. Okay. You need this back.

Thank you.

Can you send that to everybody or make a email? Oh, it's it's in the packet. Oh, yeah. It's already Oh, I missed it. Sorry. Thank you. Next item. Public hearings ordinance for second and final passes for discussion and possible vote. Number one, 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 C of section 18-268.

The purpose of this ordinance is to place a do not enter local traffic only sign on Amiting Avenue sponsor Councilman Fogerty.

Yes. Move passage.

Second.

All in favor?

I I Oh, public hearing. And I'm sorry the Councilman Fogerty made the motion and Councilman Lawson seconded it. And is there anyone here that wants to comment on this?

Anyone present would like to comment if not we'll close the public hearing and now what is your pleasure all in favor?

I I any opposed?

The eyes have it.

Thank you. And before you read the next item I I want to acknowledge uh the presence in our meeting of the school committee vice chair Mr. Tony Deus.

Thank you for your attendance and working with the council. Next item number two, 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 adding section 2-298 allocations 50% of speed and red light camera revenues towards the East Providence School Department Capital Revolving Fund introduced by Councilman

Law. So, uh, I'd like to call an audible here. Um, Mike, how can I'd like to reward this. I know we'll have to start from scratch. Instead of 50% of the speed and red light, I'd like to put 100% of um the stop arm camera money that has not been baked into the budget yet. So, I'd like to reward this ordinance that when that um project goes into effect, the revenue that the city

receives from people running past a stoplight around the bus goes into the school building fund.

So, my suggestion would be because if you change it now, it's going back to first passing anyway. So, let me draft a new ordinance. Absolutely. With that language and I'll y I'd like to pull this then.

You're going to just table this, correct? I'd like to table this until the next meeting.

Nope. Indefinitely.

Withdraw. You're going to withdraw this.

I'm going to end up withdraw because we're going to change it from the red light camera money to the stop bomb on tabledefinitely. Okay.

So, the item will be withdrawn. It's under public hearing. Do we need to ask for comments or just I I mean I think it's self-explanatory. Items withdrawn.

We'll redo it and come back.

Yes, Councilman Fogerty. So I I'll do the short version.

You don't want the seven page long version. I did have one. Maybe it's eight.

I know that. You know, I don't pay much, but I do pay attention.

As a parent, a grandparent, and former school maintenance worker, I care deeply about both our schools and our community. Before speed cameras, our police officers were stationed around schools writing tickets to speeders.

These funds went into the general fund for the public safety, supporting police fire sidewalks lighting and safer roads and more. That's why I believe these revenues should continue to be treated as public safety bill, not just a school safety bill. That doesn't mean schools should be left out. I'd support dedicating new revenues from on bus stop arm cameras or portable units near schools and parks to a school

maintenance fund.

And we can get those portable units as long as they're a mile and a quarter away. And we can have parks and definitely near schools. And I like them because all these people cutting through back doors and St. Margaret and Ken Heights and all these speeders behind these schools, they need to be ticketed too and save us our kids. I have a whole another statement for that, but let's keep to this to a school maintenance

fund where I left off that creates balance. Schools benefit, but we don't weaken the resources that keep the entire city safe. At the end of the day, safety is for everyone. Families walk into schools, seniors crossing our streets, and neighbors using our parks.

That's where these funds belong. That's my comment.

Thank you, Councilman.

the table.

So, a motion to table by Councilman Lawson. Is there a second?

Second, Councilman Fogerty. All in favor? I I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you. Tabled indefinitely.

Next item.

Number three, an ordinance and amendment of chapter 5 of the revised ordinances of the city of East Providence, Rhode Island 1999.

as amended entitled fire prevention summary adding section 5-57 solicitation solicitation at fire scenes prohibited conduct introduced by council vice president Rigo council vice president thank you Mr. president. Uh this is the second passage. Uh this came about because of a fire on Thatcher Street going back May, June of this year. Uh I received calls, one was from Councilman Lawson and one was from a couple other

constituents saying something is going on up on Thatcher Street. Uh major fire.

So, I happened to be fortunate that day to be up in the East Providence area on business and when I was coming uh and unfortunately it was a a good friend of mine who I grew up with, his house was on fire. The family was devastated uh obvious beyond words making sure animals got out. But the thing that really struck me was that the uh uh the fire restoration people were just like blood hounds, you know,

walking up to the to these family members handing out cards cards uh in the way of the fire department as well as the police, you know, department doing their work. And so this is second passage to ensure that god forbid uh any other residences of the city has to live live through that ordeal that they don't have to be dealing with these uh fire restoration people up there. It sets the boundaries. So I move uh

passage of this second matter is a public hearing.

Any other comments from the council hearing? None. Are anyone here tonight like to comment or have any questions?

No one out of the 450 people that are here want to comment? No. Seeing none, I'll close the public hearing. All in favor?

I. Any opposed?

The eyes have it. Thank you. Next item.

Number four, an ordinance adopting the 2025 2035 East Proidence Comprehensive Plan.

Make a motion to approve. And I apologize, Keith. We tried to get you guys upfront and I totally zoned on this. So, I ap I owe you a coffee. Two coffees.

I make a motion to approve. Second.

Well, he might have apologized, but Councilman Regal said, "Let him stay."

That's a bottle of wine.

Is there anyone here? I mean, we've had a lot of discussion on this, and it can always be changed through the year.

Anyone here like to comment on this?

Any more comments or questions? Hearing none, we'll close the public hearing.

Uh, we had the motion and second. Did you get that? Um, okay. All in favor?

I I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you. Thank you, Keith. Seriously, for all your work.

So, just so the council knows, it doesn't become actually final until it's approved by the state planning office.

Correct, Keith? So, we haven't we're waiting for that.

So, what is that? Couple years.

I don't know.

So, until such time as it's approved by the state, we have to use the old comprehensive plan.

Okay.

Good. Good work. Thank you.

It's um it's usable to guide city decisions, but not state ones at this time.

Great. Thank you, sir.

And thank you to the council. Thank you very much.

It's uh, you know, years in the making here.

Long process. People don't understand the detail of it, but we appreciate it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, bud.

Next item.

New business. Mayor Communications, Chief of Staff, Patricia Rosendi.

Thank you, Chief.

Again, good evening, council. Um, Councilman Les, I and I'm going to I'm not going to go throughations just yet.

I just wanted to give you an answer to something you asked earlier about the compost toilets. Council President.

Yes, sure.

So, um, we did receive a Rhode Island grant when we discussed the and had the event for the swimmable beaches once that becomes available and through that grant, compost, um, toilets were already part of that. So, in that area. So, I just wanted to remind you because it's been a little while because we've been working with the state on that grant.

Uh, well, we're in still in process on making it a swimmable beach, but that is all part of that process. I can gather all that information and forward that to you. I just wanted to make you aware that was part of the plan, right? But to make it swimmable, we need the bathroom.

Yes. And we talked about lifeguard make you need a lifeguard too.

Support life that they kind of go together. We can't have a lifeguard or can't have a swimming beach without the lifeguard.

You know the beach disappears, right?

Right. I do.

I'm aware.

Oh, I'm just going to warn the council.

This is not on the agenda.

Yes. I just wanted to I just wanted to bring that up.

I just There has to be a discuss. It's It disappears. Why are we wasting taxpayer dollars on lifeguards?

I I get the sentiment, but it doesn't match the reality. So, that's it.

Thank you, Solic Marcelo. And communications. I only have one item on the agenda for this evening and that is just to remind the council I did send you all these documents. Uh the city currently has an RFOI uh which is um seeking expressions of interest for vendors. So basically with this the CW's providence and Keith director Burns can tell you this as well. We've been working with NVA the

consultant um who has finally completed the feasibility study and I did make that um available to all of you and the purpose was to see whether or not there were out anyone out there willing to invest in what has been discussed during many community meetings which is incubator space satellite rec center um as well as housing. So, we don't have any proposals on the table as of right now, but that RF um the RFOI is

currently out and all of that is in your inbox if you would like to review that.

And that is all from me this evening unless you have any questions.

Thank you very much.

I do have a request on the finance reports. Can I get a readonly copy of it? I understand. I requested it and you said that you can't share it because you don't want us manipulated. Can I just get a readonly copy so I can aggregate data easily?

He's referring to I I don't need the master sheet where I can change numbers. I just what you provide to us. Can I just instead of a PDF?

I'm sorry. Are you referring to the documents with the the RFQ or the RF?

No, no, no. the financial reports that you guys give.

Oh, that the council you guys provide us a PDF copy.

I just request that it be a read only. I don't want access to what your sheet does, right?

Um just so it makes it easier for us to aggregate the data and do what we need.

Yeah, that's fine.

That's our only request.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

Don't go far. Linda, are you all set? It's because she Okay.

Yes, that was the only thing on mayor communications. Thank you.

Thank you.

New business items for announcement and discussion. June finance and capital reports. Director of finance Glenda Degato.

Well, again, we just discussed that we the the request is that going forward if we could get instead of a scan PDF, we can get an actual spreadsheet.

Thank you. I appreciate that. Appreciate that.

Well, we're going to get the CS. Okay, next item.

Thank you. Thank you.

Reports of other city officials request to approve residential handicap parking sign for 34 West Street, East Providence, Rhode Island, 02914.

Was this?

I'd make a motion to approve.

Second.

Motion to approve. Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor? I I. Any opposed?

Eyes have it. Next item.

Resolutions for dis Nope.

Vote. Let it let us see in. Nope. Wait. Y'all actually uh introduction of ordinances for discussion and possible vote.

Yes.

Um Councilman Lawson, did you have anything for the school committee?

I do. So, if you're paying attention to the budget process the schools are going through, um they are going to be requesting an increase, uh the bulk of that increase is just the salary obligations year over year. You get if we want the best and brightest, we got to offer competitive salaries and you got to have a yearly pay increase. You know, we talk about affordable housing, it's the wage stagnation that also

hurts. So, you can't not give people raises. So, a bulk of their increase is that there's other things. Um, there's no fat. Whatever people think, they're doing a great job. They're struggling because people, I hope, understand that our budget year is not in sync with the state. So, every other community on July 1 begins their fiscal year. Our school department starts their budget on

November 1. So school ends in June.

There's still two months of that budget money they have to get through. So if they had to spend on subs and stuff, now it's two months and the money for supplies and stuff like that, you know, hopefully there's enough to get through the first couple months. So there's so many challenges, things are getting better, the craft program that got taken care of and stuff. So, I just want you

guys to be aware. I'm going to fully support their number. Um, I think we owe it to the students and teachers of the city of East Providence. The capital stuff will come through the um um capital building fund. So, it won't be built into that budget. So, basically their budget can go towards the needed um staff. Um, people also got to understand too that if you do a budget in the middle of the year, things can

change. If one special needs kid comes in and their IEP says they need a nurse, we have to fund that. And that could be a major hit to a budget. So, you know, and I'm only saying this so people understand more of process because you hear a lot of criticism and stuff. Well, there's a reason why we have to go through these budgets and why the numbers are the way they are. I

challenge anybody. There's no fat in these budgets. There's no pork. There's no pet projects getting funded. It's primarily salaries and benefits for the people that provide the services the city of East Proidence needs. Public safety, public works, public education, uh, uh, fields and parks. So, I just say this so we're aware that the school will come in saying we need an increase from

what we got last year and it's a valid I've been following along. I they shared the budget with me. I think they're doing a great job. They still unfortunately have to do some cuts and you know um teaching assistance, speech and occupational therapy for our special needs kids. These things they cost money and we are going to take care of these kids. So that's my uh preamble. Um I

commend the school department uh Sandy and the finance director. Um it's not easy. It is not easy. Uh especially with schools enrollments up. So everybody that keeps saying, "Oh no, enrollments down and stuff." That is not true. The high schools now at I think 1698 around there. Um, Warington, as we know, is bursting at the seams pretty much.

Granted, once the preschool is built over at Martin, that will alleviate it.

But I just say this to really get the word out there so people understand. And public education, it's important. It's crucial. Not everybody can afford a private school. So, we need to have a well- educated society.

So, that's my spiel. just to give you guys that heads up that they will be asking for an increase. I from what I've seen, read and heard, I'm going to fully support that number that they bring. So, and and the community needs to uh support all of all of this as well with when you build a brand new high school, which by most indications is the state-of-the-art school in in Rhode Island. And then another bond issue

passes you um overwhelmingly which essentially rebuilds Martin Middle School and monies are also helping at Wington, Riverside Middle School, others.

Uh none of that's free.

So the public has to um back up those votes of of confidence to pass bond issues. uh council, school committee, administrations in both departments. Uh we're all at the same table and that's why I push for the school building fund and funding to go in it.

You ask the counties to borrow 300 million, we better damn well make sure that we have the resources to maintain 11 schools and stuff. Um so that's that's the push. That's why I do that, you know.

Yeah, we have our work cut out for us.

Thank you.

Absolutely. Next item, introduction to order of ordinances for discussion and possible vote. Number one, an ordinance increasing the annual salary of the city council pursuant to section 2-3 of article two of the city charter. Annual salary of each city council member shall increase to $9,000.

And the council president shall also be entitled to an additional payment of $1,000 above the salary as set forth in section one of this ordinance effective January 1st, 2027 introduced by Councilman Fogerty.

You can have uh councilman president, you can have well the next president anyway.

You want the six page version or the No, the uh first the cliff notes.

Second passage, I'll bring nothing but one comment.

Uh, let's see. As a councilman elected in 2022, I receive a little over what, 3,500 a year for the time and work this role demands. That amount is far too low.

Serving on council is not limited to two meetings a month. It means constant calls, emails, meetings with constituents, follow-ups on projects, and representing our city every day.

which I do and I know everybody sitting here does. On top of that, we cover our own costs. Gas, wear and tear on vehicles, rising market prices, internet, phones, traffic. We all face the same traveling throughout the city only to add to those demands. When you factor in the hours, this stipen does not amount to $3 an hour. None of us do this for the money. I know that. But fairness matters. If the pay remains too

low, we risk discouraging good people from stepping up to serve. That's why I propose beginning in 20127, not a raise to me now with this council, everybody that's talking out of step.

That's why I propose this for 2027 that councilors receive 9,000 annually, which I should have put. I actually wanted to put more because you guys deserve it and Anna with the council president at 10,000.

this adjustment better reflects the responsibilities, time, and real cost of serving East Providence. So, that's my short statement. Thank you.

I agree with you, Frank. Um I one thing I learned from one of my exes is you get what you pay for. And one one of them pe people are going to a song.

Um you know public service is tough. You know you get criticized left and right.

You you get people that don't even know you questioning your motives, questioning your character, your integrity and stuff. Who the hell would want to do that? So, we haven't raised the salary or stipen, whatever the term is, of an elected member, god knows how long. 3500's been that way for a long time. So, in this day and age, I think it's important that, you know, we encourage people that want to

get into public service with the needs.

You know, like Councilman said, we put in a lot of We're part-time. We don't have an administrative assistant. You know, we got the city clerk, which is great, but like to aggregate data and stuff, what we're talking about, to keep track of bills going through general assembly, stuff like a lot of that we're doing on our own. You know what I mean?

And so I I'm fully in support of again, it starts next term. We're not voting ourselves a pay raise. Whoever gets selected for these seats for the 2027 term, they will be the ones that will start receiving 9,000. You know, it has to be raised at some point. So, I'm glad you had the courage to bring it forward despite the criticism we're going to get. And I a thousand% support this and

I second it if you already Yeah, I move passage on it.

So, motion and second, but still under discussion. Um, council members, I uh, obviously a lot of the words that was said here, I'm not going to repeat, but um, for historians standpoint, it was hired. The budget commission came in and not, you know, came in here and did what they had to do. And some of the things were obviously very good because it got the city back on its feet again. But

this is one of the scenarios. It it was funny. Um, as a lot of you people know, I am uh Mayor Flareity or Justice Flareity is a good family friend of ours. And he was he asked me one day, he goes, "Uh, what do you get up in East Providence now for being on the council?" I said, "Well, I said 3500." He goes to me, "That's what I was making on the War City

Council in 1976 before I became mayor."

So, uh, again, as my fellow council people, you know, say, we, uh, uh, we we take it, but that's part of the job.

It's, uh, it's like being the umpire and, uh, try to do the job where we don't go on it, but everybody's not going to agree with every call. And uh uh that's part of the process. It's the integrity part when you call in or call in our families, you you know and get and we get and the gaslighting is the thing that goes up me sideways. But uh the thing when our families are thrown

into the mix of things and uh that that is just absurd. I mean to the point of uh you know when we had the situation with the murder last year, we had some knowit all said uh you know occupy city hall. That was a great words and you know come protest in front of their houses.

Come and protest in front of my house cuz you're going to have a nice surprise when you show up to my house most of the time. And I'll just leave it at that.

But I also want to uh add similar to what Councilman Fogerty is going to add for the for the uh whoever is the person who sits in the mayor's office next time is that I just want to add to the five council people's uh budget. Uh on uh I want to add section three. On an annual basis, the salary of the city council shall be adjusted January 1st by the total percentage increase of the

consumer price index for all urban consumers published in the United States Department of Labor of Labor Statistics for the Northeast region for the previous 12 months.

Really don't.

You don't need that.

No.

Okay.

No, I don't agree with that part.

All right. So, we're going to take uh the mayor part, too. I don't agree with that.

All right. So, whatever. We're going to take it out. All right.

Can amend that, right?

Okay. We can amend I thought were you going to take it out of the M, but don't add it to the council to the council and I'm amending the still, you know, discussion right now is just the council, right?

Okay.

I'm fine with it as is that.

I'm good.

Okay. And um the only thing I'll add is that the key to remember is this is for subsequent city councils 2027 not not this when the new council sworn in.

Mr. President, I just want to that for the record. So I I I don't usually read Facebook, but I uh have heard that some people have indicating that this is unethical conduct by the council because the fact that this will not take effect until a new council and election happens. There's nothing that the ethics laws prevent you from doing this. This is completely ethical and in fact the

law requires you to do this. So that's why it becoming effective on January 1st 2027.

So there's nothing and anyone who has a problem ward 4 council at least provin I will be more than happy to meet and have a civil conversation and explain to folks why we believe this is important.

This is similar to what happens on the federal level with the Congress and Senate as well as at the state level for setting the pays for the general offices.

Not so sure you want to compare yourself to Well, no, I'm just saying but this is the actually I'm talking about the process. Congress can vote itself or raise it for the current Congress, but this is this is this this completely complies with the RAS code.

That's right. Madam clerk, did you get the motion and second on that?

Yes. Okay. All in favor? I I any opposed? The eyes have it 40 Z.

Thank you, Councilman. Next item.

An ordinance. An ordinance establishing the annual salary of the mayor. The annual salary of the mayor shall be $120,000.

The mayor is entitled to all other ancillary benefits of employment enjoyed by department heads with annual cost of living adjustment effective January 1st, 2027.

introduced by Councilman Fogerty.

Yes, Councilman.

Thank you, Chairman Rod.

I'll do the one page instead of the three page.

Promise.

Take your time.

You never hear me speak that much.

Right.

Right. Take your time.

Time for it.

I wrote a few things down about this proposal.

Over the past six and a half years, Mayor Bob Dilva has demonstrated tireless commitment and effective leadership in guarding our city through challenging times.

His efforts have been visible across every neighborhood from Ruffford to Riverside and throughout the central city. He has met daily with residents, businesses, department heads, and community organizations while overseeing investments in parks, infrastructure, schools, and public works.

All while striving to avoid tax increases.

Mayor Dilva has managed the demands of economic challenges, the Washington Bridge crisis, infrastructure disruptions, and rising costs of living. Despite these pressures, he has remained accessible, engaged, and dedicated to improving East Providence.

His work has not gone unnoticed by our residents. Given the scope of responsibility required of the office, the increasing demands of city management and the and the severe rise in cost of living since the position salary was last set, it is fair and necessary to adjust to pay for this role. This adjustment ensures that the city of East Providence continues to attract strong leadership and reflects

the true value of the position.

For these reasons, I believe the mayor's salary should be set at 120,000 beginning in 2027.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman. U so again, this is for subsequent um mayor in 2027 effective. It does not apply uh to anyone in office right now. Um I would add that you know in addition to what you you've stated as personal attributes I think just the position itself for we fifth sixth largest city in in the state. Um I I I think it's it's much more appropriate than the 90,000 that was set

up that you know it was new. It was there were reasons to do that at the time, but uh I think looking at comparable responsibilities statewide, this is certainly an appropriate action for the next person coming in.

Well, that was an original 90,000 six and a half years ago.

Yeah. Six years, right? And I will say I was on the charter commission when we came to the 90 though what we did was we took the average of what we call the urban ring cranston war we providence is the outlier being the capital moon socket Pucket and 90 was the average what skewed it was Allen fun in Cranston was making like 60 or 70 very low very

low so that skewed it so I am totally in favor of in 2027 seven the next mayor um salary be 120,000 a year also remember we also provide the mayor with a car insurance gas so I think 120 is very very favorable I cannot support section two though Frank is there any uh appetite to remove that I'll amend that okay can we remove section two from this we can we can add like an annual evaluation

do that. That's do that anytime. Yeah.

Right. So, we can do that.

Oh, you can't obviously can't increase the salary of the mayor now. During now or during the mayor's term, by the way, we're talking about the office of the mayor.

So, when we talk about maybe possible chartered things, one thing I'm going to suggest is every budget season, the city council evaluate the mayor's salary and award a raise as necessary. Um, the reason I oppose this, to be very clear, we may have tight financial years, and you can't have a a built-in raise for the mayor, but then tell city workers, "Sorry, we can't give you a raise." So,

that's the reason why I believe we should strike section two.

Can you amend your second and the motion to reflect striking that?

So, I think the amendment will now be to strike section two in its entirety. Yes.

And so if that's the second, we'll we'll vote on that amendment.

Yes.

I also have a technical amendment. If you look at there's two section twos. Um I just need that's a typo. There should be section three. Section two should be section three. It's a typo from the law department. So um and if January 2027 make that that should be section three, not section two. So So you're striking the middle section two. Is that the motion?

Yeah. The part we're strike middle section two. Yes. And I second the motion to strike section two. Now, we're going to vote on that amendment, council president, if there's any more discussion.

So, the vote is on that amendment. Uh, and what should be section three? Should it say January 1 or should it say when do we get sworn in like the Well, I thought it would just January would cover my need. I believe that's the date usually sworn in. January 1st, 2020.

Okay. Well, as long as we're good with that. So, yes, I second the motion to strike section two.

All in favor of that amendment?

I I Any opposed? You guys have it. So, Mr. President, we need Now, we need the motion on this uh ordinance as amended.

So, the Is there a motion to approve the ordinance as amended?

I'll make a motion.

Councilman Fogerty moves it. Council Lawson second. All in favor?

I I Any opposed?

The eyes have it 40.

First passage.

For first passage.

Thank you very much.

Thank you. Next item.

that I think that we already did the other part of the Yes, it is. Is there a motion to adjourn?

I make that motion.

Councilman Lawson, seconded by Vice President Rigo. All in favor? I. Any opposed?

Um, Council President, September 6th at East Proidence High School. The Platters.

The Platters. I have my ticket. I will uh Yeah, buddy.

I I was there a couple years ago. Oh, the show is absolutely fantastic.

Nice.

There we go.

Are we off? I'm sorry.