9/16/25 EP City Council Meeting

Members of the council, I will uh change the order a little bit as we normally do for courtesy. At at this point, we would go to uh some of our resolutions. We go to page six in the agenda items uh number one and two.

And I would ask uh if the council woman wants to uh introduce the resolution uh number one when you get organized there and you get it.

This is a resolution to honor our sister city VA Franco DMP recognizing Grove Avenue as VA Franco DuMP Avenue. Um, as many may remember or recall last year, um, the council um, approved us being uniting with VA Franco DMP in the island of St. Michael Azors as a sister city.

That's our second sister city um, in the Azors. Um the first being uh ground um with many of our residents with many of our residents um in the city being descendants and immigrants from uh VA Franco Dukmp um building on our relationship with that um town and city is really important not only to our residents but also to our economic growth in our city, state and in our nation. Um we had the opportunity um

myself and the mayor of going out with the president of the Villa Franco DMP um am Franco DMP of um East Providence going to the Azors. I just happened to be there on vacation as I do annually to see my family um and was joined joined the mayor to um have a placer dedicated to the city of East Providence. So in their main rotary there is a beautiful uh placer that

honors the city of East Providence made with homemade tiles um by that village.

So I'm just going to read um the proclamation I mean I'm sorry the um the resolution into the record.

Whereas the Portuguese American community within the city of East Providence has maintained a close relationship with the country of Portugal. And whereas many Portuguese immigrants within the city of East Providence originated from the village of Vil Franco Dampu located in the San Miguel Islands of the Azors off the coast of Portugal. And whereas a significant amount of the East

Providence residents from Vilaf Frana, those immigrants come to the city from every um everything in East Providence and has to offer and have brought with them their traditions, cultures, and many of their worth ethics. And whereas Va Franco offers its thousands of tourists that visit each year great beaches, its inlets deage and famous custard kijades de villa de franc um which are imported from the villa to um

Canada, Bermuda and the United States.

Local p bakeries in the city also have them. So please check them out. They're delicious. Um we therefore um have become sister cities with East Providence on October 2024 to strengthen those relationships uh between the city of East Providence and the village of Vila Franco Dump. Um, so where it is, the city of East Providence and the village of Ila Franco Dump are committed to developing tourism, exchanging

business practices, and creating opportunities for people to learn and experience the culture in a long-term relationship. Um, we do hereby um in conjunction with the office of the mayor proclaim Grove Avenue as VA Franco Dump Avenue in recognition of this partnership with our sister city.

Thank you, Councilwoman. That's a motion by Councilwoman Souza. Second. Second by Councilman Lawson. Any council discussion? All in favor?

I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you Councilwoman.

Thank you. And there will be a later date as to when we will have um that ceremony putting the street sign up.

Thank you.

And for clarification, whenever these uh street designations are made, uh the the legal street name remains, you know, Grove Avenue and then this is a uh con conjunctionary thing with with it and it's an honorary designation. So, no one has to worry about changing mailing addresses or anything. Um, Madame Clerk, could you read uh the heading for number two?

Number two, resolution to honor Avelino Chappie Rose by recognizing Colton Avenue as Eveino Chappie Rose Way introduced by Council President Rodri.

Thank you, Madame Clerk. So, uh, Miss Mr. Rose, uh, known affectionately by, uh, much of the community as as Chappie was, uh, quite an individual, um is is quite an individual reaching um 102 is it no 101 years of age and along with uh Mayor Dilva uh I visited with um Chappie Rose and a lot of his family friends many who are here tonight and he was uh quite quite alert and quite aware

of what was going on and he is a member of the community who is known by many as as sort of the the mayor of that community going way way back uh as as much as chasing the kids around who he thought weren't behaving well and he'd go after them and straighten them out u usually verbally but they wouldn't challenge him. um they still don't challenge him and and he uh he is every bit as vibrant

these these days. Um he's um struggling a bit, you know, you can imagine when you reach 101 years of life um you you slow down a bit and so he's he's still sharp. He's still slowed down. But the neighborhood uh and much of East Providence that knew him rose up and said, "This is a man we want to honor while he can understand it and and know what we're doing." And he was um very

very happy at the presentation uh the mayor made and I was able to join with him. So I will read um much of this um it it really illuminates the life of Eveino Chappie Rose and if you don't know him uh we hope that after this you'll you'll get to know of his impact on East Providence and beyond.

He was born on March 21st, 1924 in East Providence.

Whereas he was the eldest of four children born to Jose De Roza, the island of Fogo and Annie Bridto Rose, the island of Bravo. Both part of Cap Aki Palaga. How do you say that? Anna of that. And and whereas Mr. Rose enlisted and this is a very important part of of his life.

Um, Cape Verdian but American and he um served this nation. He enlisted in the US Army the age of 18 to provide support um to his his family raising three siblings Ida, Joseph Mary.

Sounds like the apostles right there.

Whereas Corporal Rose served the 1883rd Company Aviation Battalion Engineers assigned to the 10th Air Force in the China Burma India unit.

And whereas the battalion cut the roads in the land taken from the Japanese by Merrill's Maraders, a US Army long range penetration special operations jungle warfare unit. Jappie did it all.

Whereas Mr. Rose, a World War II veteran, married the love of his life, the late Alice Fon Rose and raised three sons and two daughters. And whereas the couple first settled in Fox Point, and like most Fox Point people, eventually moved to East Providence where they knew it would be a a blessing.

He always intended to return to his roots in East Providence. My my wife was a Fox Pointer. He also had moved moved here. Gut gutwise.

Chappie eventually intended to return to his roots in EP.

The blessing of his mom, he built the home on Colton Avenue, the very land where he was born and raised, originally owned by his maternal grandmother, Mary Santos.

Chappie and Alice moved into the house he built with his own hands and together they raised five children at that home that is now still at 21 Colton Avenue.

He enjoys spending time with his family consisting of his son William and daughter-in-law Linda and their daughters Gina and Maria, daughter Lois and son-in-law John, son Jeffrey and his wife Patricia and their children Jason and Allison. Son Joseph, daughter Elizabeth, their children Alexander, Jonathan and Derek. I think so many here. If you're here, raise your hand and wave all of the family. So nice that

you could be here for Chappie.

His life was marked by a series of groundbreaking achievements, including becoming the first black Cape Verdian processing sheriff in Rhode Island and the first black Cape Verdian waterfront superintendent for John J. Or son's company. He also served as commander of the China Burma India Veterans Association advocating for the recognition and dignity of his fellow servicemen. A devoted father gave

everything to his children and instilled in them a deep commitment to education, hard work and hard work. So his legacy lies in his devotion to community, a true jack of all trades. He was a pillar of the Cape Verian Progressive Center where he volunteered countless hours as the building chairperson.

He did everything. He had craftsmanship.

His generosity shaped the physical and spiritual heart of the Cape Verdian Club, affectionately known by many of us as the CV Club, renovated the front bar to the construction of the founders hall. It is widely acknowledged that no one has contributed more hands-on work to the CV club than Chappie Rose. He was definitely a man ahead of his time, proud of his heritage, rooted in neighborhood, committed to lifting

others through hard work, humility, and love. And if you get to meet Chappie, if you stop by there and see him, I I had never met him until the other day. I've heard the name for years and he was sharp as attack and told the mayor that, you know, few things I want to straighten you out on, but he said, "Not today." He said, "I don't I want you to leave that street sign right here." and

we we left a couple signs there for for him to to have in his house. So he is truly um first and foremost he's an honor honorable veteran who served this this nation so well but he never forgot his roots from the neighborhood to his Cape Verdian culture which we all know is such a great culture within um not only East Providence but this this nation in many many spots And what more

can a person do for family or community when much of that community still remembers him? Still remembers him being out in the streets telling them to clean up and pick up and do the right thing.

So therefore be it resolved that this city, his city of East Providence and this city council along with the office of mayor Dilva to hereby proclaim Colton Avenue shall be recognized as Abalino Chappie Rose to honor him for his outstanding achievements as a serviceman, builder, long shoreman and volunteer in the city of East Providence. May I have a motion to that effect?

So, the motion is made by all sitting council members, seconded by all sitting council members. All in favor?

I. Anyone dare oppose?

No.

There there's one thing you missed about this gentleman. I met him with my late grandfather who came from Fox Point and every back as you know my grandfather was that same scenario. One thing that you forgot to mention and he was very humbled about it when I met him very young. He was a Purple Heart winner.

Yeah.

I just want to say in these times it's vital that we honor those who gave so much back. So those who come after us know what the the standard is. And a veteran member of the greatest generation. The best part about being on this council is being able to honor people like Chappie. And that's great. It's important. when we were leaving his house the other day and I'll back to you councilman um he held

one of the signs and he he said to the mayor and to me he said so this will be my street we said yeah he said I can speed do anything I want on this street and we said yeah you got us there'll be uh I I think the deputy chief is here the police department or chief is here so you know Chappie Rose he's got a free ticket uh just on that street though.

So the motion carries officially.

Congratulations.

Thank you all for coming. You're welcome to stay here till 1 in the morning with the rest of us. Uh they're going to go to school now.

No.

Well, yes. We're going to go superintendent first.

Yeah. There will be u by the way there will be a formal ceremony um when we will have a a program to um actually raise the sign and we'll let the community know.

Thank you all.

Thank you.

Also switching up on the agenda a little bit. We going to on go to page two. Is it number Roman numeral R numeral 4 under proclamations and presentations? Um Madame Clerk, could you read number one?

Thank you. Uh superintendent is here if you want to proceed.

Good evening. Thank you for having us.

I'm here with my project team. Um, Anda Silva from Peragrin and um, sorry, I know that Tracy Donley, sorry, it's been a long day. Tracy Donley from Studio Jade. Welcome.

Um, thank you. Uh, we're here to go over our stage two proposal um, so that we are able to get reimbursement from RIDE for these projects. Um, and Ann is going to lead us through.

Good evening.

Welcome.

Thank you, President Rodri's. Um, so for context, we have um not the first time that the city council has been through this, but currently we are in for a formal approval of the ride stage 2 submission. Um, we are, this is really a funding exercise that we are currently going through. The current reimbursement rate for EP as shown on the um housing aid bonus on the ride website actually shows it as a 47% housing aid

reimbursement just for some context. Um just some background on this. We submitted the LOI for RIDE at the end of last year. We also submitted the stage one in February which we got approval for back in April of this year. Um, since we received that approval, we've actually had some coordination meetings with the district and the facilities team to really go through and prioritize um, some of the needs at the current

schools in uh, East Providence.

Studio Jade, um, Tracy Donnelly is here uh, to represent them. Actually went through facilities assessments as well uh, after um, school let out this year.

the beginning of July, we walked through again with facilities to just make sure that we are capturing all of the needs, prioritizing um the elementary schools and a couple of um some Riverside Middle School items as well. Um so after going through that studio Jade actually um went through and did their uh assessment um and we actually also have estimates too associated with um those priority

items as well. So, um, we've gone through and presented the draft, um, stage two to building and school committee, and that that's why this is now before you here. And I'll turn it over to our partner here, Tracy Donnelly from Studio Jade.

Thank you. Welcome.

Thank you, council, for uh, having us here tonight. Um, I just wanted to give an update and a summary of the stage 2 application. Um I know many of you have probably been through this before, maybe some of you have not. It is a requirement for ride in order to ensure that you get reimbursement um on any projects that you do. Um it was mentioned what your current reimbursement rate is. There's also some

opportunities for some bonus incentive points that would get you over 50% reimbursement on some of these projects that you do. Um so if we can just go to the next slide.

Um so primarily these uh projects entail what we call um health and safety projects. Um a lot of them um address either the um exterior envelope or security. So you can see the allotments that are slated for each school. Ride does um approve the application uh by school. It is possible if you need to to do an adjustment and move funds from one school to another should you um decide to do that. That is

usually done towards the end of your application. So, this is a five-year plan um and probably if you um get towards the fourth year or so and you realize that you may want to shift something, you always have that opportunity to do that. Um but these are the maximum amounts that ride would reimburse per school. Um so starting with um Oldm School which is about 30,000 square feet it would be select um

envelope repairs um roof and skylight replacement intercom PA replacement and a secure entrance vestibule at a total of about 2.9 million. May I interrupt just for one second, but clarifications for those in the community who maybe forget the school is the actually the old metalrest building on Bot Drive. It is not referring to the school near the Crescent Park carousel.

This is the school that was formerly called Meadow Crest. And when schools were changed years ago, um the name and the students and the faculty all followed. So that's why it's called Oldm. Thank you. I'm sorry.

No, thank you for the clarification. Um Hennessy Elementary School, 250,000 for intercom and PA replacement. Kent Heights Elementary School uh 250,000 for intercom and PA replacement.

And of course, those are so critical in this day and age of communications. And so many of our schools were in in need of these improvements. And I I I think Dr. Fane, we're pretty much all buildings are about as well as we can expect right now. So, this is going a a long way to to help that. Thank you.

Okay. Um, Francis Elementary School, 400,000 site improvements, which would be paving, play areas, and fencing. Uh, Riverside Middle School, select site improvements would be similar. Uh, paving um, and that type of thing, addressing any trip uh, fall hazards.

And Silver Spring Elementary School roofing replacement 1.7 million.

So we we are about 47% reimbursement.

How do we get to the 50?

There are bonus um reimbursements for things like um safety and security. So your secure vestibule would be eligible.

Your PA system projects would be eligible. Um those are not guaranteed till the end of the project. When we submit the reimbursement forms to ride, we will help you. We'll fill those out for you. um make sure you get your reimbursement in on time and apply for any additional bonuses that you are eligible for.

Thank you.

I have one question in regards to Franc's elementary school right here.

Uh maybe this is a question for the superintendent, but since it's not there, the security and PA system, everything is up to standards that we need to be.

Thank you.

and um Silver Spring Elementary School roofing replacement 1.7 million.

Wattington Elementary School 550,000 for site improvements. Uh similar to the other school that would be paving, play areas, and fencing. Whitnack Elementary School, 600,000 for site improvements, select window and door replacement. and Orllo AB Elementary School two million for site improvements and roofing replacement.

So all a uh all avenues the same scenario as far as security and the PA system being we this summer we completed replacement of four intercom systems using um the safety and security money that we had applied for. So, uh, the ones up there are the remaining schools that need the intercom replaced.

Thank you.

And this is just a chart that, um, shows you which schools would be, um, in which categories for projects, whether it was, um, exterior improvements, roofing, site improvements, um, secure vestibules, and how those uh, projects are allocated across the district.

Can can you or superintendent Faran uh for those who may be seeing some of these numbers for the first time, we're talking $9 million total project submission. Could you in a nutshell explain the source of this money?

I I will let the superintendent speak to that, but I just want to reiterate the $9 million is um just projects that are eligible for reimbursement. you are not tied into committing to that amount. Um, RIDE anticipates about 50% um for their expectations.

Okay. Thank you. Do you want to add to that, Dr. Fran?

Yes. So, most of this money would be coming from the capital account that the committee established, the council established for the committee.

Thank you.

Do you need to continue with anything?

No, I believe this is the last slide. So, thank you.

Thank you. Questions from the council.

Are they slated to be on time?

Approvements once Yeah. I mean, they haven't even uh started yet or been designed. You have five years to complete these projects, right? So, and and to get to to the 50%.

So, all we need is those that you listed to get to that obligation. So any of the ones that are on the list in the stage 2 application are eligible for your base reimbursement, which was the um high 40s. And then um any ones that are eligible right now there's safety and security bonuses. Um so obviously your secure vestibules, your PA systems, those would be eligible for the bonus reimbursement.

Yes, councilwoman.

I'm sorry. Would those be anticipated to get established and going first?

So, we need your permission to move forward with stage two and then we would submit stage three.

And do you have a time schedule as far as each build each building when you uh foresee those getting underway? Is there a priority as far as which schools are going first?

Yeah. So, that's that will still be developed further. Um, so stage two is really the funding exercise. Once we're approved and RIDED will actually say which of these schools and which items they're actually going to approve and move forward for reimbursement, we actually have a stage three process where we need to submit schematic design, design development, construction documents um, at 60%. So there is

another process that we need to go through for approval with ride before we can actually put boots on the ground to start the construction work. So the really the five-year time frame starts as soon as we receive the ride MOA memorandum of agreement where they can say okay these are the items that are actually approved. These are the schools and your clock is ticking now. um but that includes the design um time frame

in within that five years as well.

So question for superintendent and again uh from a priority standpoint if I'm looking at this real quick the secure entrance and intercom systems are probably going to be the first ones that you would want to do. Correct. And I mean then we don't want leaky roofs because that's no fun to be in a leaky roofs and play outside uh outside playgrounds uh paving and would probably be at the end of the

priority if we if we're looking at it to get the money from ride you know we had to go one to 10.

Yeah. So we'll prioritize based on health and safety needs. Um, this is the same process that we had to go through for the high school and then we went through it for the Martin PreK Wington process. So, this is our third time we're submitting to Ride for these improvements um to resulted in new schools, but this is district-wide projects. I also want to note that with um we had applied for emergency safety

and security uh money that you can apply for at RIDE um once a year. So this year um this past year we just completed the four intercom systems using that and then we're doing paving projects. Um Hennessy actually started today. We have four schools that we're working on paving projects right now too and that's safety and security money. So, this will be um separate from those, but we are

continuing to do improvements and prioritizing needs based on um health and safety.

And what what I would urge um fellow counselors to do, and I'm sure everyone is on the same page, um from my experience in dealing with the high school building committee, now the Martin building committee and others, um time is of the essence on our part. we need to give the staff the the uh legal permission to move forward. This is not the case statewide. I I know from speaking to several people involved that

there are other communities that are struggling. Some did not get the money.

Some that are building high schools have slowed down and are now in some kind of difficulty. we've been moving right along and need to continue to to do that. Um they'll prioritize things I'm sure with our you know involvement of course. Um so any other questions for the chair?

Yes councilwoman.

Thank you Dr. Fan. So just to be clear the priority projects they encompass $4.5 million out of the entire project.

Correct. So the entire project we'll submit is for 9 million. Hoping that at some point maybe we do start to find additional funding. We have to complete half of that 9 million by ride standards. But we're better off over um applying. That way we have the option to not go back to ride and as we you know get the money to do these additional projects we could just move forward without doing another um request.

Um the um and then with the with the request being the safety first, right?

Those priority ones, we're also in a position to get that higher reimbursement sooner. Correct. Because that's the upwards of 50% once those are completed. So, and those are already set as our priorities to start with those projects.

Yeah. But reimbursement comes all at once, right? at the completion.

Yeah, it depends on the size of the project um and how RIDE allocates it.

Most of your projects would be eligible probably for one-time reimbursement, which would be you get your um paperwork in by July 15th and then their next payout schedule you would receive full reimbursement on that.

Okay.

And the five-year capital improvement plan does have flexibility. Um, so you may see a schedule where a roof is allocated to be completed um in year five and it starts leaking in year two or whatever. You have that flexibility to move things around.

This is similar to like the Martin Middle School where the construction's going on already and we're going to be paying the debt service already on it and then ride will give us the money at the completion of the project. So it's similar.

Yes, that's correct.

Yeah. Just the one difference is that this isn't bonded.

Y Mr. Solicitor, do you want Councilman has a question?

Oh, I had a statement. So, go ahead if you got So, I just want to make it clear. So, the um based upon the ordinance that this council passed, those reimbursements would be put back into that school capital fund, which would then go to fund future projects. Um the regulations do require that the city and town by approving this at least you have to hit at least the 50% mark. So that's

a commitment that you the council is making that you will be spending that $4.5 million over the next five years.

Um and I just want to make this also very clear because I've represented this a town that did get into a little bit of trouble. It the reimbursement is not necessarily guaranteed to come in the year that the Kapar project is complete in. So sometimes you know there's a lag at either federal money or state money.

So they kind of stretch it out a little bit. So, but the good news is that reimbursement is coming back to us, but we just may not get it all at once.

Councilman Lawson, this is why I've been fighting for some of that camera money to go into that fund. These are safety concerns. These are roofs so kids don't have a leaky ceiling over their head. We have to make sure that the money is there and maintenance is the first thing that gets deferred in the budget. That's why I've been fighting so hard that we have a dedicated source feeding this

interestbearing account and I mean we're at 2.8 and yes the money is in the account. The school committee it was ridiculous watching them go on for 30 minutes the other night. It it was frustrating. The next day I woke up with tons of emails and stuff. The money is ready for you guys. Whenever you want it, it's sitting in the bank. Um, it's we got to take care of these schools. We

got to take care of these school buildings. We can't just keep letting them slide because the resources are not there. There's 2.8 now. There's already the intercoms alone. You know, you're looking at what almost a million and stuff. So hopefully this budget we're going to see tonight has some money going into that account as part of this budget because we can't just sit back and say, "Well, there's only already

2.8. We don't need to keep feeding that fund." That to me is backwards thinking.

So, um, thank you for putting this together. We appreciate it. you know, my full support and I'm going to keep pushing to see if some of that camera money can be a steady source of revenue for that account.

Is there a motion to proceed with I'll make a motion.

Second.

And it's the ride stage two submission.

Motion is made by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilwoman Souza. Yes.

Minutes need to reflect this. So the motion is to approve uh and accept the submission as submitted by the school department with the council approval.

That's the motion.

Okay, you have that wording, madame clerk. Anyone?

I'll make a motion to accept as stated that do you have it? Okay.

Yep. All in favor?

I I Any opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you for the presentation.

Good luck.

Can I just make one comment by um uh the ordinance that you the council passed um requires that when the school department wants to take money from that fund to pass an ordinance that the council pass an ordinance to appropriate money. So I just want to make it clear I don't think you meant to mislead people and I think it's just I don't want people to get the wrong idea. You said the money

is there for the c the school committee to use the the appropriation comes from this from this body.

The process is the school department identifies the needs. Correct. They let us know. We have you write up the ordinance, correct? And then we pass it.

It was specifically set up that this council controls where that money goes after submission based on what the school department wants, not what we want.

Well, that's Well, yes.

Yes.

Well, I think it's what the community wants and what exactly need.

Exactly.

Every building's our building. So, exactly. One city like our president says.

Yep. There'll be I'm sure we'll have a discussion and and do it what based on the school department's request and And I agree with Rick. We've talked about this before about buildings and it's besides the school, it's city buildings.

And you got President Rodri, you got on this uh council in 18. It was the councils before that and it goes back he got Yeah. 19 J. All right. He got elected in 18. All right. I'll be so corrected. So we we can never let what happened with those past councils to happen again and let these buildings no matter if it's school or city go away that they went. I mean council vice president just for your

correction the council prior to this uh pres current president's council got on put $10 million for streets and sidewalks.

He's talking schools.

Okay.

Yeah.

Okay. You said money towards infrastructure in the city.

Right.

Yeah. I and I and I think the the point that we're all making is is well taken that we for a while now we are concerned with our schools. They pretty much are getting they get every budget they've asked for.

And as the council vice president's referring to, that was not the case. the um the schools suffered. So, we are making a statement here that you know we support education in East Providence.

Thank you. Let's go back to the uh to Yes. Uh I think because it coincides with what we just heard, I would ask uh Councilman Lawson to give the school liaison report.

All right. So, um Martin Middle School and Dr. Fran, Bob, let me know if I'm off. Um, it's on target. Um, we're looking at opening the middle school portion this after Thanksgiving break.

Still on track, which is exciting.

That's a big milestone. Um, the building's phenomenal. Robotic labs, all kinds of state-of-the-art. Um, the kids are going to so much benefit from it.

After this part, the second phase, just so everybody's aware, is the preschool build. Currently, the preschool is housed at what is called Old Ham, the former Meadow Crest. Wington is bursting at the seams, but I ask people to be a little patient because once the preschool is done, and they're projecting spring of 27, is that correct? spring of 27 that will free up the current old hand building. So some

of the kids from Wington and the school department will make that decision of K throughout two or whatever. And I believe they're going to work with the community, see what works best. So it it it sucks how tight it is now, but there is an end coming. So, it's on budget and by this the end of this year, all the M middle school kids will be in the new wing. We kept the auditorium. There was

a slight change to the ceiling, but everything's still under budget. Um, so it's exciting. We are moving forward.

We've invested over $300 million as a community in our school buildings so far. We also did Warington. Um there was a lot of things that needed to be adjusted in the interior of the building. That's been taken care of. Um but that just is a reason why we need to ensure that we got the money. 300 million is a lot and we're going to do a budget where our debt service is what's

adding to our budget. So we got to make sure we're taking care of maintaining of what we're investing in. Um the school department also passed their budget. Um it did increase from last year. A lot of it is salary obligations. Um I've been following along and I challenge anyway.

There's no fat in the budget. If anything, they've had to cut positions that in my case are need in my view are needed. Um we need people in the classroom. We need more adult to children ratios to help with learning.

But unfortunately, we can only do so much with what we have. So, I commend the school committee and Dr. Fand and her team. Um, it's not easy. It's tough.

You know, you're talking, do we cut late buses? Well, late buses are important for kids playing sports. And those are the types of decisions that I don't think the public really fully is cognizant of that the school department has to make. And everybody has their what about me? What about me? Well, they got to look at the big picture. We got IEPs that just keep going up every year,

the number of them. You need support staff to make sure an IEP is met. So, I commend them. I do support what they put forward. I don't think it's a bad budget at all. And us funding that school building fund outside of their budget allows them to have more funding for teachers, for teachers aids. Um, one thing that's a little concerning to me and I do want to mention is our substitute budget. We're paying a lot

for substitutes and we're at the, as you know, our fiscal year is not um, that didn't mean you specifically, but our fiscal year is not in sync. So, most schools, they know on July one how much they got. We are basically riding on fumes towards the end. So October, you know, and whatever the reason for the need for substitutes, I'll let the school department deal with that. I mean, we we impress upon kids that

absenteeism is not good. So I hope we're ensuring that, you know, everybody is showing up. Um, so I just want to take that moment commend the school department, uh, Dr. Fan and all her staff. Um, it's not easy. It is not easy and public education is vital in this country. So, uh that's it. If I missed anything, if you guys want to add anything um more than welcome. But again, thank you guys for doing it. And

please tell Tony and Jess. I could have told them the money's in the bank. You guys didn't have to rail for 30 minutes saying the city lost $2.8 million. That was never the case. So that's it for me.

Thank you. And the only thing I would add is that when when the Martin Middle School project is complete, uh East Providence will have three secondary schools that are second to none in in Rhode Island. Uh the East Proidence High School, Riverside has had so many improvements and that was a tremendous building to begin with.

That's how you should build schools, the plan that Riverside Middle School has.

And and now with with Martin, um the there should be no complaints in the community and it's part of the reason why enrollments are going up a little.

Yeah. And I I want to make one more point and not a question to be answered now, but if old ham if we're assessing if there could be an addition put onto that building because despite everybody trying to say, "Oh, people ain't having kids no more." Our enrollment is going up. The high school's at what, 1700? You know, Wington has more students than the middle schools. Not combined, but individually.

We're five change. Riverside and mine are five less than what we are stuffing in that building. So to say that oh well no the people ain't putting kids in school anymore is just not true in East Providence. Maybe outside of our borders but East Providence it's not true. Well, and anecdotally, and no one has to uh comment right now, but with uh things happening at Olm Crescent Park down the

line, I think the Oldm School on Bot Drive needs to revert back to being called Mechrest. It's a Mealrest neighborhood. It's uh known by a lot of people. It's just a minor pet peeve of mine. Uh at some point, uh you know, do we want to keep having two oldm school buildings? Uh, let's we got three votes here, maybe four. Uh, and and I think didn't you have to keep

the name old because of the funding of something?

No, no, we just moved the whole school at that time. And it made sense at that time to who?

To Yeah, it's just it's just better now to not have Anyway, thank you guys. You guys did a great job. And yes, let's move on here. We have a long agenda. Thank you, Councilman, and and everyone. Uh let's just go back and revert back to the be beginning and we'll move through this. Thank you all.

Consent calendar for discussion and possible vote. Council journals regular meeting minutes September 2nd 2025.

Letters new address 300 Bourne Avenue East Province Rhode Island 02916 map 303 block 17 Apostle 001.00 00 16 Raleigh Street, East Proidence, Rhode Island 02 914, map 407, block 13, also 0010 186 through 188, Juniper Street, East Proidence, Rhode Island 02914, map 106, block 34, parcel 010.00 00 um tax abates and cancellation and abatements 39,46 and 20 cents.

Um I have a question on the the consent calendar u as it resorts to the abatements. Mike, would that be something that you'd be able to answer?

Okay.

Michael.

I cled it.

So the the abatement the tax abatement on there is for a Bington address.

Well, what address is that? Because there is a part of Bington. They have Bington addresses, but it's East Providence. I've brought that. Remember I brought that up in the past. There's a section the apartment buildings that are off the trail. Uh because people complain there.

So, it's a waterfront area.

Nad Niad Point, Barington Island.

Well, Niad Point is well into Barington.

Well, it could be that's where the um the line is. Could be the tax's address.

That would be the billing address.

Yeah.

But the property that it's referencing.

What's the name? That's the name of the tax payer.

Okay. So, what's the where's what's the property?

It's R61124-24.

I don't know. I can you'd have to look it up on the um Right. So, can we pull that one just for more information?

I just want some clarification.

Approve all the abments except for that.

So we'll just adjust the total but uh all the abatements except for u the 55C NIAD point address.

Okay. We approve the calendar and then the abatement se separate from the whole calendar is just just taking that one item off.

Okay.

So I'll make a motion to accept with the removal of that one item.

Second.

All in favor?

I. Any opposed? the eyes have. Thank you.

Okay. Thank you.

Continue, madame clerk.

Yeah. Is it licenses? I think we're there's no licenses today. Um communications Bethany White discriminating chicken ordinance.

If Miss White is present, come forward.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Hi. Just name and address for the record.

Is that mic on? There's push the button there. Need the red light on. There you go.

My name is Bethany White.

Thank you.

Just so you know, because the meetings are recorded, you need to speak into the microphone.

Thank you.

Well, it's all right.

Okay, I'll have an egg. Sure, I will.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

You

don't have a lot of time, so you need to make your comments. Thank you. They're

the same. They're just added to continue.

Um gonna I'll just I'll just read off here. Um so I'm here uh I am an EP resident. I've been a resident of Rford for about 18 years. I'm here to talk about ordinance that we have. Um I'd like to add a little perspective on why we have it history of these kinds of ordinances.

I think there are particular instances to our community that will resonate with so wanted to broadcast you can yeah we don't allow the broadcast other than department heads of the city and because you never know what could appear right yeah inappropriate yeah especially this day and age if you follow the news we don't know what could happen.

All right. Well, and you have emailed this to us. So, we've all Are there additional slides in here because Okay.

Bigger with more information. What I sent you was my open know what to expect. Um, so you won't be actually able to see the pictures of the gathered or the data, but I'll just talk you through it.

Can you let a little bit?

Yeah. Okay. And to and to let you know, you're obviously welcome to say whatever you need to say, but there is no vote scheduled on this.

So, I know I've heard from some people that are asking us, you know, there there have already been prior votes, prior council, this council. So, um this is just communication there. There is no legally advertised vote on this agenda.

No, I'm aware of that. Okay. where there's no vote. I've I think I and other people have asked for another vote to happen.

I'm hoping that this information that I'm going to share with you today will inspire you to change that and and schedule the vote.

Um so let's get through let's look I brought for you today. Okay. So um the one person that I wanted to mention who I ran in today earlier at Omega Pond is Roger Williams.

He obviously was um a keeper of chickens. They were their earliest recommen

soil was thick and they governor wins sent him the chickens and said the egg. So 1621 winsow and masoy is really the first time you hear about So why do we care about chickens in EP?

A couple of reasons, but one in particular is that 24% of our population calls Portugal their home their other as a percent of population. Other places have more people. We have the biggest representation. 10% of the state So the reason why I bring that up is that the one of the national heritage images of Portugal is the rooster of our I didn't know this until I went to sign up to speak at city hall. I'm not

Portuguese. I'm not from Rhode Island.

I've lived here for 18 years and I've been absolutely fascinated with the history of city two different history initial immigrants and and our other ways. So, Rooster Barcelos, he is I'm not sure if I'm saying that correctly, but he symbolizes justice, freedom, and love.

Furthermore, our state bird is a chicken.

Literally chicken. And it's not just any chicken, y'all. That's what's really great about this. It's not just any chicken. It's the chicken. So in 1864 a group of breeders and little competent gave us the Rhode Island Red.

In 1960 we did a tourism campaign based on this called be a rooster booster.

People were wearing pins for the rooster that was related specifically to the red.

So why was the red the best chicken? Why did it make such a big difference? Well, it was the first dual purpose bird. So, it was good for meat and it was good for eggs. It was good for our New England winters. It could survive the heat. It could be it free range. So, when that bird hit the scene in 1864, it became the genetic baseline for the American industry.

That's why you see in 1848 the 100redy year anniversary of the American poultry industry they issued a stand to honor the our so why was it good good for meat it's the melee matched with the leg horn which is good for eggs those two gave us the red so this bird was docel winters and produced probably like twice the eggs that the typical backyard bird did and it came from

so like I said that is our state bird and 24% of our population is so in 1954 it became the state bird because we had an election it was elected state there was a ballot I can't show you the picture but I'm looking at it here the other birds were Bob White, hummingbird, osprey, Rhode Island red, and the towi. So, the working class wanted the red. There's a cute little picture here of a kid in

wagon being pulled by a chicken.

Um, and there's an article that you can't see, but it's about a um housewife in Jamestown, and her comment was, could a hummingbird or an osprey do that? So, the local communities got into state bird competition. A different community got behind the OS and their message was that they wanted people because it was graceful, majestic, and made its living through its own resources. So, this is when you start to

see chicken, you see evidence of a different way, right?

Can can I just interrupt you? You know, you certainly can continue, but you know, we've got a time limit, so which is at our discretion. There's no number limit. We do have several other people.

So, I just I I like the history of it, but could you get us up to date as to what you're looking for us to do? I mean, the state, we all know that. We also have other state.

Did you want to let me talk or do you want to tell?

Well, no. I want to I want to give have the discretion to run the meeting and I'm asking you to please when I made my when I made my request, I asked you for 20 to 30 minutes. I made it clear that this and I said it would be at my discretion.

We don't have 30 minutes for every person. and we would be here all night long.

Well, you knew.

Just asking you to get more to your point and not to speak out from the audience.

Yeah. Well, I'm Bob Rodri's Roger Williams.

I'm sorry. Go ahead. Continue.

Yeah. All right. So, what I want you to see here is that Rhode Island won an it won an election. Secondly, now we'll move on to the other cities.

There's a chart here of the other cities who already allow chickens.

Boston, New York City, Chicago, LA, Houston, Atlanta, Providence. 15 years ago. 15 years ago, Providence passed.

Bington maybe 10 years ago. And this is the part I want you to hear about. I went down to Bington on Friday and met with the man who enforces their code. He lives in EP and he so I asked him, "How many chickeners do you have in Bington?" They don't even know. They don't It's not even important enough to them to keep a list. I asked him on Friday. He said,

"We'll look into it on Monday." They don't even like take it seriously enough to keep seriously.

So I said, "How many complaints do you have?" Thinking I'm opening up myself to something stressful. They've had one in the last year and it was about rats and the person decided not to follow through with it. It's it wasn't actually.

So the man who enforces code in Bington lives in Riverside and wishes we could have chickens and I have his letter to you. So we are behind all these other cities and the reason why those cities have chickens and we can't is because they use the historical precedent that immigrant and workingclass neighborhoods have always had chickens.

As far back as 1901, the NYC housing code allowed chickens.

They restrict pigs and horses and cattle. The chickens have always been treated like pets. They are not treated separately under the code. They're all handled by the noise ordinance, the nuisance ordinance.

I've included some pictures of other places. In 2023, Madison, Wisconsin changed their hen limit from four to eight to help battle egg price fluctuations.

So, the next thing I want to tell you is that the work to have this ordinance overturned has been done. We have gotten the signatures. We've been asking for it for nearly 30 years since the ordinance went into place in 1998. There's been someone actively wanting to be handled legally. 63% of the votes came from Mr.

Lawson's ward. 11% came from board one.

Two and three are already on board. They were 26% of the votes.

Noise is not an issue. I have um made a chart of the decibb.

Um we aren't asking for a rooster. We're asking for chickens. A max of 60. A max of six. That's 60 to 70 dB.

That's less than a vacuum cleaner, sports on TV, things that are inside your house. Six chickens are quieter.

Egg price fluctuation. This is the part I really want you guys to think about. I don't want you to be entirely focused on the fact that I want you to flip this over. I want you to understand what is coming with snack cuts with uh egg prices and the budgets of the people. So we just went through because of aven flu the people paid 14 billion more as a group for egg prices during

that time the last five years. The reason why that happens is that commercial egg farms have tens of chickens when they get it sweeps through the whole and they have to that's how we get these aven flu goes through we have lower lower control over these systems lower regulations fewer regulations more things like this will happen. We will have more of a flu blasting through.

Then they have to kill the birds. That creates a supply gap. That's why the prices went up. Places that have a network of backyard chicken farmers and they share eggs are able are better able to weather these changes. They share eggs. they antic they work with in some places the food banks were able to better react to these conditions if we have access to our communities so and just to be clear

a trillion dollars was cut out of Medicaid 186 billion is coming to SNAP it's 20% % 20% of cuts that will 20% that will affect working requirements that's going to affect age how people in your house all kinds of things we were already working senator lost last year piloted snap well eat well be well to incentivize people buying healthy fruits and vegetables with their snap every 50 bucks they spent they could get 25

that they spent on fruits and vegetables So snap cuts are coming, big ones. Why does that matter to the average working person? 90% of households buy eggs every week. That's six to seven meals worth of protein. Eggs are already the cheapest protein. That's what people use to replace meat and fish. It is considered to be a low elasticity staple. It's like the last lowest rung on the ladder. So

when poor people can't afford eggs, they are in big trouble. And so we have seen a $3 increase on the cheapest eggs 459 is is cheap.

So when we ban chickens, Jake, I just have to ask you to wrap it up. We got a couple more minutes.

So this I am gonna wrap it up. There's this last thing. This is the really important thing. I'll skip the history of why we've got here. It's racism. It's the same thing that got us Box Point. It's the same thing that got us I95, 195, right through the middle of the city. We have these bans in place to keep poor people from having chickens.

White people, wealthy people, that's fine. They get away with it because they make it look okay. It's acceptable. I have lots of propaganda here from the 18 from 1918 until 1945 showing you how we marketed chickens to suburban white people at the same time we were telling the people in the slums they couldn't have them. So that's how we got here. My recommendation this is I'm going to

clean it up. The recommendation is this, that you schedule the vote, that you free us from this arbitrary and discriminatory ordinance. No one else has an issue with chickens. No one anywhere. Most people don't even realize they're legal in New York City. They are. They always have been. It's not an issue. The the complaints that people have come out of that classism and racism. Chickens aren't loud. They are

scary to see. Um, the last thing I want to say, this is the fun part. This is why I brought up the rooster. This is why I'm bringing up Portugu Portugal. We have an opportunity to solve a problem that we all have using resources that our community has in its in its heritage. Right? So, there are currently four Portuguese heritage chicken breeds that are critically endangered. These are not

red jungle fowl that you see everywhere.

These are specific heritage breeds that are also really good for families. We have two sister cities in Portugal who are the masters at chicken. We know that they could help us help us learn these techniques that have been in our history forever and solve our problem and help them solve theirs. So, I'm suggesting that we step forward with chickens, understand that we can do them, the city

can handle it, our people can handle it, and it will help us in two ways. food security and community enhancement, just better connection between our people.

This will be a good choice.

That's it.

Thank you. Thank you for your time. Next uh speaker on the list, please, Madam Clerk.

The next speaker would have been um Nancy Hail, but she's outside. So, we will move on to public comment. Yes.

Allison Turbet.

Hi. You just give your name and address for the record.

Hello, my name is Allison Turvet. I am back representing the chicken ordinance that's being proposed. I am really hoping that you vote for this because I will remind you I am a constituent and a United States citizen and it is an election year eventually. So, I'm hoping you vote for this and make sure it passes. I'd really like to cons continue living in East Providence and have more access to agriculture.

I'm also aware a lot of people tend to keep more than three dogs in their houses and nobody has been complaining about that compared to chickens.

So, If we set these double standards up for small animals and continue to discriminate against chickens, goats, sheep, horses, and cows, I just don't really think this is a great state to live in. And I believe we should be have the right to grow our own food and be self-sufficient.

Thank you, ma'am.

Next person.

Renee.

Renee Ignos.

Just say Renee. We know Renee.

I'm sorry.

You're gonna let him get away with that?

Mike puts his foot in his mouth a lot.

That's okay.

No, you did that a lot tonight, too.

Continue, Renee. All right. So, um, that's just okay. Um, I'm actually here I'm Reneegnishio, 15 Meline Drive.

Thank you.

City of East Providence. I'm actually here for two reasons. Um, and when I have to apologize to the clerk here because saying an ordinance is really difficult, but I'm here because Councilman Lawson, last week or last meeting, you had brought up an ordinance, an amendment of chapter 2 for the revised ordinance of the city of Rhode Island of East Providence uh 1999 for the school bus violation system. Um

so basically instead of taking the speed cameras and the red light camera money that was already in the budget, you wanted to take it for the new this new revenue from the um school budget projects.

So the full 25% of the revenue received for the school bus tickets, the passing on the reds would go into the school building fund. Correct.

Um, as Councilman Rigo stated, in having to do with more research, we have to pay an officer to sit there um and issue the ticket as going is going to cost us more money than it was before and more time with the police officers. I mean, no matter what it is, the law has come.

It's happened. We have to pay for this.

But before, what was the cost before? We don't even know. So because all this time we've been told this wasn't going to cost the city or the taxpayers any money when we were had this whole discussion since November. This well when the mayor got involved this was not going to cost the city anything. Um this was going to be to the free to the school department and the taxpayers but

now if we have to pay the police department which we wouldn't have to be for now it's going to cost us money. So, I'm a little confused because I know I've done all the research.

I've probably done more than a lot. Um, so Councilman Rigo said that uh they would put it towards the police department budget because they're going to be the ones overseeing this. I mean, good, whatever. As long as this gets done sooner or later. Um, the wishy-washy thing back and forth is kind of getting to be unbelievable. I work kind of hard on that to bring it to you guys because

I don't know. It was more for the safety of the kids than anything. Um I do not put any of this on the city council. Um but when I'm just going to call it as I see it.

It was all political BS crap at the time. Cameras were supposed to be on August 25th. Now we're nothing. At the school committee uh meeting the chief had no answers, hard answers on what was going on because we didn't know the cost. I understand that. Now they're going to be installed on the 27th.

So um I don't know what's going on with that.

So, there are a few things I'm confused about. When I brought this up to the city council, when I came to to you guys to discuss it, you all told me that it was a school committee issue, correct?

Right. We're all on board at that time. Yep.

Right. To handle um to handle the contracts and everything because you're separate city and school. I understand that. So, I'm just confused how the mayor can put out an RFQ without the school committee members knowing or seeing it. Um, and it's all on on tape all at their meetings and everything. So, my understanding is that all five members had to agree and vote on the RFP and RFQ and that didn't

happen with this that it was stated at the school committee meeting. I would like to know how the mayor could enter the city into a contract with the police department and gatekeeper camera system without coming before the council and asking for the resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into said contract. The mayor violated chapter 16-2-9 general powers of the school committee.

It's just something I wanted to ask.

Sure.

I can I can provide an answer if you want the answer. So the uh first of all the state statute that you refer to requires the school department with the chief of police to enter into the contract. My understanding is that the request for production or request for qualification was sent out by the school committee and the school committee did um award the contract pursuant to that

statute. So that was not sent out by the mayor. That was sent out by the school department. In fact um I know that for a fact because there has been some lawyers that have gotten involved regarding that and the school department lawyers handling that. So the t the city did not have any role in putting together the RF uh Q that the school committee then got sub bid submissions from and they

awarded the contract after consultation with the chief of police.

Okay.

I thank you for the clarification because I was confused on Yeah, that's fine.

Going back and that contract is a public record. If you make a request for it, we'll be happy to provide it to you.

Right. That's all I just wanted to know how you know. So, and that's why the excuse me, the the sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. And that's why the the city council didn't have had no role in having to approve that contract or whatever because it's clearly within the school departments and that and that's why I came up here to ask for the clarification.

Understandable. Y I just wanted to know because I think Council Lawson's right. It should go back into the schools for safety or whatever it needs, you know. And do we know where the the money is for the schools? Is it in that 3.3 or 2.3?

So million.

This is what drives me nuts about this city. Somebody says something that's not true and they spent 30 something minutes at that mean the money is in the bank.

It has been as soon as the bond closed out there was 2.8 million left and it was put into a bank account.

There there's nothing missing. There's nothing. So tell Tony please stop cuz he's not helping. You know, when you're listening to the meeting, you're just kind of I I get it. But what they were saying was just not true.

Well, that's why I came.

And that's the problem. They could have reached out, and I'm not sure why the city didn't let them know it was set up, but the money was there. There was zero need to get that ridiculous for over 30 minutes.

But instead of dragging it on, I came for clarification.

Right. So, we we've cleared it.

They all have my number. They know how to reach me. They know how to reach anybody. They could have asked, but they didn't do that. They sat there grandstanding for over 30 minutes.

So, thank you for, you know, absolutely.

Can we move on? Thanks. Because we have some others. Renee, as always, thank you for your passion.

Thank you.

Thank you. Next speaker, Tony De Jesus, the Jesus.

The Jesus.

Yeah. You're 0 for two so far. No.

No, this uh correct name, whatever it is, and address for the record, please.

It's Tony De Jesus, 7 Fischer Street in East Providence.

Thank you. Proceed.

I'm coming to you uh as a citizen of East Providence for 45 years. I worked for the Big Blue Bug Company in Providence, Rhode Island and um was in charge of the training of our technicians and I also was the person who trained the people from the Rhode Island Department of Health, the food inspectors who inspect our restaurants and things. I trained them on mice, rats, roaches, and flies. And um I'm

coming at you from a different perspective than the people who are saying some of the other things. I'm coming to you from a from a health issue about the potential problems. I'm not saying that because you have chickens you're going to get rest. Not necessarily true, but it is a conducive condition is what we refer to it as.

Because certain conditions are there.

It's the animal itself, the chicken, the eggs, the food, the fecal material. Do you know the average chicken in Rhode Island has 10 pounds of manure per month? So if you have six chickens in your backyard, you're getting 60 pounds of manure in that backyard every month.

Every month, that's believe it or not food for rats. Rats will feed on that.

They feed on things because it's not 100% digested.

The other problem with rodents is their ability to reproduce.

And for the ladies here, this is a horrible thing, but a rat, female rat, can get pregnant while she's still lactating the babies. Their gestation period is 21 to 23 days, and they reproduce about every 5 weeks, 6 to 12 per litter. And it is estimated that if you took a female and a male rat and gave them ideal conditions with food in a year's time, you could have up to a thousand rats.

Now, the reason I'm bringing this up is that in a rat society, and I'm not saying that that's ideal conditions, but if it's not ideal, you get a an average backyard with some chickens or animals there that get a rat population. Once that population starts to grow, the alpha rats in that population start kicking out the other weaker rats and saying, "This area is mine. Find your own area." And what area is that? It's

the neighbors. It's the people next door, people two houses away.

That's where your problems start. And I know you folks get lots of phone calls when snow removal and signs and things like that.

When the rat calls start coming in, let me tell you, it's a whole new ball game.

They've already been coming in.

Yeah. And I've been involved in rat control issues with the city of Providence at the um bus turnaround and also in their neighborhoods when they developed their neighborhood program.

And we were in the company of of choice that got the bid. It was thousands of dollars it cost the city of Providence.

Now Providence has two dedicated roaded people at least doing roing control work in the city, going out inspecting homes and things like that. Pucket has a road and control Z. He's he's actually a guy that I trained. He worked for Big Blue Bug Solutions and left us and opened up his own business and then now he's a road control person for Pucket. City of Cranston has dedicated rotor people.

These are people they're paying money to, paying benefits to, paying salaries, paying insurance because you are now putting poisons on people's property.

You need to be insured to do that. You need to be licensed to do that. So there's lots of expenses involved here.

And also it's not only just rats, but it's flies.

The flies will be drawn to the fecal material and the food and the chickens in that area. And now here you are, you're next door having a cookout.

Fly comes in from the poop of the day next door and lands on your cheeseburger.

You know, I mean the the the possibilities of disease, flies, rats, rodents, they carry diseases. Diseases like E.coli, Salmonella, and other diseases that can make people sick. Rat bite fever is a very real thing. You get a dead rat or a rat and a small child, you know, a small child, three, four year old, I can think of my grandchildren seeing an animal run across the yard, they're curious,

you know, and you get bit or you get even scratched. Even if they go to pick up a dead one or touch a dead one and get scratched, the potential is there for rat bite fever. I mean, this is all stuff you can Google and look up.

But once we start we're we're not a community like Rehobus or we're not a community like you know Foster, Gloucester, Chapat outn areas you know Situate those areas we have small lots you know I mean and literally you can have a population of rats and I've been involved in them on farms but they're within an acre you know or that farm they're you know so you can that's only the only one that's bothering is the farmer

but here when they start to spread out and and they start to go into the neighborhoods, that's where you end up with your problems. And now we're trying to draw business to Rhode Island, too.

How would you feel if you go out to eat and you go into a restaurant, you park your car, and in the parking lot, you see a rat run across the the parking lot. Now, that rat may have come from the house because you think of all the restaurants along Warren Avenue, uh, Waterman Avenue and place like East Providence, right behind them are residential neighborhoods.

And if the rats came there, what does that person That person doesn't I know my wife would be like get back in the car. We're not we're not going to eat here, you know. There's no way possible, you know. And I could say to her, well, the rat's not in the restaurant, but she wouldn't want to hear it, you know. And what what's she going to do, too? When she talks to her friends that, you know,

a couple of days later, hey, we were going to go out to eat, you know, we saw a rat in such and such a restaurant. You know, it's it's not what we need. It's not conducive to business either. So there are so many issues here to think about, not just, you know, and and I understand the people that want to buy eggs and things like that and there is a cost involved, but let me tell you

something. The cost of a pest control service, if they ever have to have it because they have rats in their yards, they could have bought a lot of eggs for what they're going to pay for a professional pest control service to come in and eliminate it.

So, I'm I'm urging you when when you consider this to consider the other issues, you know, and consider the neighborhoods, the people that are there, the people that don't have the chance.

We have any questions you want?

No. Thank you. I I been talking to a constituent today. There's a street in Riverside, multiple families had to call Guardian Pest Control for rats.

They didn't call the big blue bug.

They call Guardians a good company.

Local company.

Guardians local veteran friendly.

Nothing but good to say about I'm just kidding. This is a promo for them.

Yeah. No, seriously, a good company. So, um you know, please consider that. You know, the the otherification those health reasons are why I oppose.

That's it. You know, you got bird flu.

And I get more people reach out opposing than advocating for. And I understand, you know, responsible chicken owners, they take care of it.

Yes.

But it just takes that one. And unfortunately, we got multiple that just ain't doing the right thing.

And then it gets into the neighborhood.

And now, and again, if the city has to pay for that, it's going to cost the city thousand. And then the other thing is it doesn't go away overnight. When it gets like when we did the city of Cleans, the city of Providence, it took almost a year. So now you're telling people, people are saying, "Well, we just paid x amount of dollars and how come the problems ourselves?" It takes a

long time because that reproduction that I talked about, the rats reproducing so often, they're reproducing as quick as you're killing them.

Thank you.

Do do you have a experience or or thought on the cost? I mean, I I just bought some eggs. They're 2.98. You know, prices are down there. They're $4 somewhere maybe, but right here in East Providence in a nice clean populace market on Tucket Avenue, um 298 today.

How much would it cost to for me to build chicken coops and buy the feed for the chicken? And I got to think that's not cheap.

Not to mention the labor. I if you're not keeping up, like I tell you how many droppings, how much manure you've got to clean that on a daily basis. And in a average homeowner's their lifetime, you know, they're busy. They're taking kids to little league to dance to this and that and doing things. And yeah, the chickens may be helping them out, but it could be I mean, I appreciate you coming forward.

Those are the reasons why I wouldn't support this.

Yeah. So, it sounds like the ones that are doing it right is okay.

Yeah. I mean, you you know, if if somebody's doing it right, you know, I mean, it could be a good thing.

Doing it right, it's okay.

Only takes that one person or two people.

If they're not doing it right, it's not okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Appreciate your your input and your patience.

Madame Clerk, continue the Is there anyone else? Uh, no.

Okay. Next item.

Appointments. the appointment of Councilman Lawson to the East Providence Conservation Commission.

Is there a motion?

I wasn't done.

That's all right. We Is there a motion?

I'll appoint them.

Roger Williams is not on the Motion by Councilman Fogerty, seconded by Council Vice President Rego.

Any discussion from the council? All in favor?

So this this came about I but this came about because I had a constit not my constituent. I was at the myrtle and she was asking about the conservation commission. So when I looked it up I noticed the city council had an appointment on it. So that's why and those guys do awesome work. Ernie Wayne, unfortunately Keith left.

Thank you for stepping up.

Absolutely.

So that motion passes unanimously. Next item, council members. Number one, 2025 projected revenue and actual revenue received year to date. Councilman Lawson.

Uh, council, is anybody from city able to talk about these numbers?

So, basically, I just want to see what had come in for fiscal year 25 if it matched the projections to where we are now. And the reason I brought this up is um the finance director, I asked her about the speed camera money as I was researching these and it appeared we only brought in about 2 million but we projected 3.5.

So that kind of raised a red flag. So that that's I just want to know if the projections from FY25 are we hitting them? U Councilman um council members, I did send over the uh the Excel spreadsheet um this evening. Well, actually this afternoon when I once I received it from our instructor. So, if you have a moment to take a look at that, there there are three um sheets to

review and it breaks it all down. It was you wanted the actual uh the budget to actuals.

Okay. The one from 606 tonight.

Yeah, that's correct.

All right. Let's see.

That should have some of your answers, but I haven't been able to review it line by line just here in our finance here. As you know, we're finishing up.

All right. Well, now table that she's here.

I wanted you to be able to as well.

And why are so many of these in the red on the right under parentheses red? That usually means deficit, but the numbers look All right. All right.

From what I can see, why they're in red is that if you look at it, Councilman Lawson, and just following along on line uh it says taxes line 4006.

Yep.

It looks like it was budgeted at 116,385.

And so far the current what has been received is 103,000 103 million 343. I'm not going to read the whole number. So it it's saying that it's a neg right now we're we're a negative variance of 13 million to hit projection. That would be where it is there. If you go all if you go all over over all all the way over to the last number, we're at 88% of the projected income 88.79.

So in an accounting running balance, we're still we still showing a deficit.

If we were at 100, it should be totally in black. So there's sometimes there's there's that people use that as accounting purpose. I would have preferred to see like a negative than because the red right away thinks that way.

It's not consistent either.

I would I would prefer if she would use like minus3 million so we know where to go. But uh so that that's what I'm picking up there because it was if you look at the projections where we are and then what the variances to get it would be the 13 millions. Uh and uh Councilman, as you know, we're preparing to go into our budget season and we'll be able to discuss any line

item as um in terms of budget projections and where we where we are um with our revenue as well.

So that tax number obviously that was as of the 31st of July. Um, so that gap should be almost that that gap should be at that 13 million because the next tax period Q2 in the city's fiscal year was September 1. So, I would hope that we are pretty close to uh absorbing that 13 million based on what was collected from the city cuz that that would be the last

time in the in this fiscal year that we're going to receive a bulk of taxes because the next time the next tax period starts on the first is due the 1 of December, which would be in the next budget that we're doing.

Yeah. And I'm looking quick. I'm not seeing the speed camera revenue on here.

All right. I'll look. Like I said, we just got it 606. So Oh, here we go. I'm lying. Census.

So, we're 1.3 million under what we projected for the camera revenue. And there's what, month and a half left, if that. So, all right, we'll look into it.

Probably the construction in some of the streets that that that's why I care. It's not a consistent source of revenue and we're making revenue projections in our budget based on numbers that you have to they're not consistent though. 3.5 million and we're 1.5 underneath that.

How are we paying our bills?

You know, I understand you have to put a budget number in there. We know how a budget works.

I'm just saying 3.5 and we're 1.5 underneath that projection. So, all right. Thanks.

Yep. Thank you. We'll get into that with the budget. Um Madame Cler, could you hold up please? Could you um go to page six on the agenda and read item number four and we will go to that item and then we'll go back.

Number four, resolution authorizing the mayor to purchase a new K9 and 8 new police vehicles for the police department introduced by council president Rodri.

This uh chief is present and uh I won't read the resolution if you want to um summarize for us chief and what the need is and the source of funding.

Absolutely. Thank you for uh moving me up on the uh on the calendar here. Uh so we are looking to purchase eight fully mocked cruisers and one K9 cruiser. A couple years ago, we were able to purchase a used K9 cruiser. Uh that's getting uh towards the end of its lifespan. Uh that that is being used uh 24 hours a day. the the the that K9, specifically Oki, stays in that uh that

that cruiser for most of the shift uh for lots of travel time to and from the owner's home or the handler's home. Um so it it does have a lot of engine hours um and is due to be replaced shortly.

The that's going to be a Chevrolet Tahoe. Um the reason why is because the amount of um equipment that these officers now have to carry as far as the K9 officers, they carry quite a bit more equipment. uh and testing um sources for their their their K9 um more than than a regular uh Ford Explorer. The Ford Explorers, the the eight there uh when uh when I first came back uh in June, we

met with the mayor um um and his chief of staff about implementing fleet cars.

Uh right now currently we are one of the only police departments that run all of our police cruisers 24 hours a day. So, we have uh a constant uh vehicle running the engine hours are are through the roof uh which obviously turns into uh many issues with maintenance uh the lack of maintenance because you know if they're due to have an oil change for instance and that officer goes on a call

for service, we have a very small window when that officer can get that oil change down at the city highway garage.

Uh and and we work we try to work as closely as we can with with highway to make sure these these vehicles are maintained properly. But unfortunately we just uh you know things do slip through the cracks and what happens is you know you've like the buildings you you failed to maintain your your your your vehicles and you know they're not lasting as long and we're having issues with vehicles that have 30 to 60,000

miles on them which is very uh uh you know it's it's concerning. So, uh, implementing this first, uh, fleet, uh, excuse me, it would be a second fleet of cars, we would give at least an hour, excuse me, a shift off, uh, with cars being able to rest and also, uh, assigning them to to officers. So, officers would be able to, uh, be more prideful of the car, have a little more

boost in morale as well because that's going to be their vehicle uh, uh, to share with another officer. Right now you could have three three officers in one day working using one cruiser. So three different drivers can cause other issues. So um all the funding for for the the to pay for these cruisers are coming from uh DOJ funds. So this this will not cost taxpayers a penny. Um we

are fortunate enough to continue to use the uh Google funds uh through DOJ uh to purchase these eight vehicles.

And just my usual caveat, Google money doesn't exonerate us from having to invest in the police department. So we still have to from time to time. So it's awesome we can do these, but we can't rely on it thousand% that.

So I'll make a motion to approve.

Second.

Motion to approve by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilwoman Soua. The amount is $766,299 89 from the DOJ federal asset forfeite funds. All in favor? I I. Any opposed?

The eyes have it. Thank you very much, Chief.

Thank you so much. I appreciate it.

Thanks for your patience.

Thank you.

Now, we can go back to uh let's see, we're in resolutions, was it? council.

I'm sorry, madame clerk.

I don't want you.

Number two, community choice electricity aggregations.

Council vice president Real.

Council vice president.

Thank you, Mr. President. Madame Clerk, uh, this was an issue that came up when I was running for office originally. A lot of the cities and towns were getting involved with it and it has progressed to the point obviously where we know that National Grid has sold to now Rhode Island Energy. Um, so I'm looking, this is a little information package here for the council to start looking.

Uh, we are always looking to help the benefits of the citizens of the city to help them save money. And I think this is a good step.

We can look at it. This is for your perusion. We can go into everything but I use Naragansid. Uh I took Naragansid for two reasons. It is running very well and I'm a little biased too that the town manager Naragansit is a native of Ward One and a good friend of mine um and a former decorated police officer.

Um, and I think we we've we're moving the needle forward as far as ADUs and everything to help our citizens. And I think this is another way to help the residents of East Providence. As you can see here, the supply program is designed to provide residents competitive rates and options in renewable energy. The program was approved by the Naragans Town Council and six other Rhode Island

communities. Um, it tells you how to enroll if you don't want to enroll. Uh, it it goes through everything here.

I also on the last page lists what the community choice what the state of Rhode Island has set up. So, I don't want to bore anybody here, but I think this is something that in the next year of this council that we really take a look at it cuz I know there's process the solicitor will probably uh can enlight a little bit, but we have to apply to the PUC and this is going to

take uh this is going to take work for the council as well as the administration to do this. And I have a copy of this for you, Patricia, as well.

Um, people I've, you know, who I've spoken to in Arrogance at like it who were on the program. Um, and again, uh, it it's been in, it's been in Massachusetts for a long time. Brookline, if you do some research, Brookline, Mass was one of the leaders in this, and they continue to prosper. uh and more and more people sign up.

What people what you got to understand too is that if a line goes down or anything, Rhode Island Energy will still be the company that will repair uh and do everything that they normally do now.

But I think it's important that we look at this and then, you know, after we get done with the budget. But I just wanted to plant a seed right now to help save the citizens of East Providence some money on their electricity. And coincidentally, the governor was talking about about electric cost and utility costs today. So, uh, this is the information packet so we can start you looking at this after the budget

process.

Thank you, Vice President. Good information, councilwoman. Yes.

Is this something that you're looking for the city to look into after our net meeting net metering aggregate? Like, is that that agreement is in place right now?

Yes. The net metering is for the benefit of the town, the city. This is an agreement for the benefit of the uh individual homeowners.

Yes.

It does has nothing to do one has nothing to do with the other.

Okay. That's what I just wanted to make sure. And so couldn't a resident on their own do this?

No, it has to be done by the it has to be done by the city or town. It is an uh either an opt-in or opt. So generally I think Providence does it. I know we had a presentation in Tibetan. So if it's and it's it is a long process but maybe uh what you need to do the town most cities and towns would say is that everyone is in it unless they opt out

and then there's a um there's not a cost to opt out but there's just you can opt out and there is a little bit of savings or some some in some cases substantial savings but it's it is a process uh for the consumer not for the city right not for the city but the city would be overseeing no not really it's just we just entered into the agreement it's it's we'll get

into I can get into more details But it's but it's a there there are many communities that have adopted it.

Providence is one of them and they're they're an opt out. So everyone if you own a piece of property in Providence as a resident, you're into this program.

You get a notice in the mail if you want to opt out of it. But most people opt in because there is a little bit of savings on their electric.

It originally started like Naragan Naragans and couple the southern uh communities were an optin.

Yeah.

And I Providence went the reverse and everything.

You can do it either way.

Yeah. more and more as you said Tibet and I don't know where they are in the process.

We did not go go forward with it just because we have bit other issues going on but that's there's still something that something is being interested in.

Yeah, we did have a presentation and once we get through the budget I we can certainly start looking at that. I think that would be helpful.

Okay.

Very interesting program. I I don't understand all the ins and outs of it either. So number three, fire and building inspections from the August 12th meeting. Council Vice President Rio, I just received not I mean I received notification from the chief of staff.

The fire department is still working on their uh report to this. I I hope that uh I really hope that by the next meeting that they can get it done. I mean this is a prior this is I'm not trying to be a nitpicker but it's for the protection of the citizens as well as the city cuz you know I'm trying to protect the city from god forbid what happened in fall river never

happens here or station fire scenario never happens here but as uh as one of the keep as one of the five keepers of protecting the city's investments I think it's something that we need to have happen and I would hope he's probably watching it right now, but I would hope Chief Carrie understands the importance of this that we get this project up and running. And I thank you for your updated information on this.

Number four, National Grid Paving Process. Council Vice President Rigo.

Uh, and it should be I'm so used to calling them National Grid Rhode Island Energy, but it's frustrating. I've talked to Councilman Lawson about it and Councilman Fogerty in the past about this. They go in, they tear up the road, they're supposed to go from curb to curb and they're not doing curb to curb.

They're still doing their traditional patchwork and you know I and I I've talked to Dan about it and you know Dan calls them and they say, "Well, we're not finished yet." And you know, we're getting a runaround by them. Complete runaround.

And Dan's getting in. I mean, it's it's frustrating. I mean, I had to get the I had to get the Senate President involved in a situation where they left them, you know, where they left a mess somewhere. You know, Dan was trying calling calling and finally President Lawson got it resolved where they came in and fixed the uh the they had a one of those orange and white cones over a property forever and

the property owner was getting frustrated and I mean it's a business owner. Uh, so I mean we had the gentleman who a year ago who says he lives in East Providence come in front of us and they're not living up to their end of the bargain and every month everybody opens up their electric bill or gas bill and the the delivery fee keeps on going up and up. So I am this is more for the

people watching it and the you know citizen I mean who's not that we have a really concerned I don't know at some point Mr. President if we want to draft a letter and you know send it to Rhode Island Energy uh it probably won't go anywhere but I just want everybody to know I think the five of us share the same concern about the frustration that we're living within our wards from Rhode Island Energy.

Well, and a a little bit off the topic, but still with the same company, uh, Rhode Island Energy. Now, there's a lot in the news recently that rates, there was some agreement, I don't understand it totally, but rates are going to come down a bit. But the caveat was, but they're going to get it back. The the agreement was they can get it back in three or four years. So, what's the

point? you know, the public utilities commission has to really take a stand in election. Yeah.

Yeah. You know, if that's the case, then don't lower the rate. Keep it the way it is. Don't take a few cents off a kilowatt and then in four years time get it all back in one lump sum. That's that's doesn't make any sense. Um so, Public Utilities Commission has to come down a little bit on these energy companies. this whole delivery be that you talk about council vice president you know people can't understand it you

know the whole delivery but anyway yeah maybe we can have an audience again with this gentleman or go before the PUC itself and try to get some some answers can you email uh s a copy of the ordinance that states that they have to go curb to curb just so we can refresh and this happened I know Bobby Brid was on the Was it last council or the one before that?

Yeah.

Yeah.

And then that's always their answer that the the patches are temporary. They'll come back and do the like six months later if that and it's not happening.

Yeah. If we can get a copy of that ordinance that states however people are happy now Willlet Avenue coming north. Um they finally Yeah. State Road. That's what their job is, right? But I mean the it's Rhode Island Energy as well is involved. So, they're getting they're getting to it. I don't I don't know. It's it's not fun.

Next item, please.

Number five, code in place recycling street paving project update.

Councilwoman, thank you. Um, thank you. Um, madame chief of staff for sending me an update this evening. Um so um as shown on social media, there was a um a video that uh showed Summit Street being repaved in a cold and place recycling method um which is the first time the city has used that technique with the Ashfalt company um on the street. Um it is not completely done. The it was just

the first process. So basically while they're milling the street in real time, they're adding binder and then reashing the road so that um it can be used um quickly and then come back and finish the work. Um so follow-up questions that I have um madame chief of staff is one, what is the cost difference from what was initially um being done the initial process? So the milling and then coming

back and laying the layers versus using the coal play. So there should be in my mind some type of savings associated with that. Um and are there any other streets in the city that they're thinking about using this technique? Um and who's making that decision? Is it the administration like the engineering department or something that the vendor is saying, "Hey, this is something new

that we want to try. um and we would like to pilot it on one of your streets and see how it works. I'm just want you know and thank you for providing me with a a video. I'm going to look at that after the meeting. Um I'm interested in in researching what the durability of that um method is versus the traditional um layers that are normally done.

Right.

Thank you. Next item. Number six, update on solo project at police station.

Councilwoman Souza, thank you. Um again, thank you for responding this evening with um the update. Um, so just to let the fellow council members um and public know um the um company or partner that we had uh were working with to have the solar canopy done over the um covering/g um at the police station. Unfortunately, they had uh sold their um their uh project. Um and then of course

with um all of the unknowns with tariffs and um the language in the big beautiful bill, it's not something that they're going to be able to um continue doing.

So, I don't know, Mike, if you know what that involves in terms of a breach of contract or if there's something um I'm assuming, and I think I've mentioned this before, that the city when having going into contracts and agreements have to have some language in place that protects the city for projects not being done on time as, you know, indicated in their um RFPs or if they back out in of

a project that we were anticipating because now Even though we do continue to have the three other entities, um this is something that the city was looking for as a cost savings um to the city along with we were planning on having that canopy uh to protect um the um vehicles at the police station from the weather.

Um and now that's been put on hold too.

And my understanding is that we're going back and looking for um someone to do that piece of the project that now has been delayed.

So the company was still in their due diligence phase during this. So there was no official contract because they still had the ability um to not agree to do the contract. But we had on, as I told you before at last meeting, there was a bunch of title issues that we had to do, environmental issues. So there was no official contract. They were just exploring. They had a the the agreement

was to allow them a certain days uh to do their due diligence. We did extend that many many times because of the fact we ran into some issues. But in talking to Christian Capzio who handles all our solar stuff for the city. Um he suggested that we just pretty much it's not dead. We can go out to find another company. This company just wasn't able to do it for the reasons they stated in

that email. So um uh that's that's where we are. So there's really no breach of contract because they just pulled out in the time the due diligence. And it's unfortunate the big beautiful bill turned out to be not so uh big and beautiful for solar or alternate energy as you know. So next item public hearings ordinance for second and final passage for discussion and possible vote.

Number one, an ordinance increasing the annual salary of the city council pursuant to section 2-3 of article 2 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 in for second passage. Um discussion andor is there a motion?

Motion to approve to get it started.

Law first, right?

Yep. Motion to approve.

Second.

Motion to approve by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilman Boardy before we open it up to public discussion.

Council discussion this time?

No. This was advertised. There's not one person here from the public. Um, are you I'm sorry. Yeah. So, um, there are a couple, but this is, like I said before, you get what you pay for.

And you, this week alone, I've had emails calling me a racist And I put in time to aggregate data. And there's a lot that we do that if you want quality people to represent the city of East Providence, you got to give them a little bit of an incentive. Same goes with the mayor, you know, um if you want to attract quality people, you got to make it an attractive job. So, I do

support this. And again, members of the public, there's nobody here.

Well, it's a public hearing. Uh there are couple people out here. Anyone want to comment on this the last couple times?

Is there any anyone here that would like to comment on this specifically? Uh hearing none. I'll close the public hearing. We have a motion in a second. Uh Madame Clerk, would you call the role of the council?

Councilman Fogerty, I.

Councilman Lawson, I.

Council Vice President Rio, I. Councilwoman Souza, I before I take a vote, I just have to to make a comment.

So, while I agree with the council um that the work of the council does deserve more and we are an underpaid um body across the city, across the state, so a lot of other councils make even double of what is being proposed here today. Um, my only concern, not concern, but my comment is that we're talking about budget and how we don't we don't know what the budget's going to be like.

We're going ahead and having some difficulties in the years to come paying bills. And we might look at this as being, well, it's only, you know, 6,000 more or 5,000 more per council member and then the mayor's jumping up, you know, 30,000. Um, what about the positions that the council has funded in budgets for hiring staff in different departments that aren't being filled because it costs too much, right? That's

what I've heard is that, you know, when you add people to the payroll now, you have um Mars, you have insuranceances, you have, you know, all kinds of things that add to year onyear finances, but we need them. So, we need people in dispatch to take the 911 calls and the emergency calls because the number that's there is not enough. Um, we have uh parks department and highway department who have a lot of work in

general to do to take care and maintain the city the way that we all would like it. And now we have more parks, bigger parks. We have parks that are under construction that a lot of work is being done by the men and women in our parks.

So, how and they're not fully staffed to where I think they should be or if you speak to them maybe where they think they should be because of the amount of work that's involved in maintaining all of these city parks and buildings, but we don't want to we're not hiring those positions. We're not putting money into investing in that into the city. But, you know, it's okay. And again, not saying that it's not deserved.

I just want to make a point that if we can add money to to elected bodies, then we should be making sure as an administration and as a city that the people who are actually working to support the residents in the city and the parks in the city that those positions are being hired and not just right before we go into budget. So, it looks like we need those um FTEES for

the next fiscal year, but they haven't been filled the whole previous fiscal year because we're trying to save money.

Um I I just think it's a a backwards way of um spending on salaries.

Okay. What did you add to that?

We don't receive benefits and the mayor's salaries already got the benefits built in. We have a lot met comments about to be developed. So that's going to increase the tax base.

We got the waterfront. So there's a lot that's going to start increasing the tax base.

Well, that's what I hear. But I This is not going to destroy the budget.

We don't get benefits. So you're only bumping up what three six whatever that previous councils had been. Well, this council previous they don't we don't have benefits because we choose not to have benefit.

We shouldn't have. We're elected officials. We should not be receiving, right? And that's an opinion, right, of the body. So the body chooses what they want to do just like they're choosing to act to increase the salary which I'm not saying is not justified. My point is we have men and women in this city in in departments that should be supported more not by increasing their salary

which is obligational through contract.

We're already supporting them but we need more hands on deck in the city.

You're preaching to the choir. So when when we're not doing it just just hold on just for two separate subjects.

Yeah. Future reference because we're kind of out of order. I I see the solicitor looking at me once I close and I mean I'll do this more succinctly in the future. Once I close council discussion and public discussion, we need to just vote. The discussion comes up when I have a you know an open discussion. Um well thank you. I'll keep that in mind for future votes.

Thank you. Nay.

So that's a nay. So that's uh motion carries. 4 to one.

Did you vote?

Yes.

Okay.

Yep. Four to one.

Roger Williams. No. No.

President Roger.

Yes. I said I. So it's four in approval and councilwoman Souza is a nay. So it's four to one. Next item. Number two, 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 auxiliary me benefits of employment enjoyed by department heads effective January 1st, 2027. Introduced by Councilman Fogerty.

Is there a motion?

Make a motion to approve. Motion by councily, seconded by councilman Lawson.

Council discussion on the motion.

Councilwoman, nope.

I'm sorry. I saw you hit the light. My fault.

I'm ready for the vote.

Any other uh discussion from the council hearing? None. I'll close the council discussion. Open it up to public discussion. Any comments from the public on the motion?

Anyone from the public wishing to speak on the motion? Hearing none, I close the public hearing. We have the motion in second. Madame clerk, please call the role of the council.

Councilman Fogerty, I.

Councilman Lawson, I.

Council Vice President Rio, I.

Councilwoman Souza, nay.

Council President Rodri, I. Motion carries 4 to one. Next item number three, ordinance of the council of the city of East Providence appropriating $115,824.50 for improvements at Vit Ventner.

Ventner.

I'm going to make a motion to table this. Um the equipment the administration showed the the folks, they want the slides. They want the stuff that people can climb, slide down.

They had showed me that it's like the ninja warrior whatever. So I I haven't heard back if they honored that request of the neighborhood to put the like we have in the other playgrounds.

So I'd like to table that until we know exactly what piece of motion to table by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilwoman Souza and Councilman Fogerty. All in favor? I I. Any opposed?

The eyes have it. 5 Z and uh chief of staff just ask the um appropriate department if it's um DPW or PAX to just give us a a specific listing so we can vote on this for the next meeting of what the equipment is the playground equipment and we have them in like Providence A has them. It's the kind of kids can climb up. It's almost like a little fort

up top and then they can slide down. I can resend that uh council president, but it was sent um when it was inquired about, but I can resend it.

Okay. Next item.

New business. Mayor Communications.

Chief of Staff Patricia Rzendi. Motion to approve.

Uh there's What are we approving? I didn't I didn't communication.

All All of it.

Accept. Motion to accept by Councilwoman Souza. Second. Um just right.

Yep.

There a second.

Okay. Do you want to read? We got breast cancer awareness national veterans.

Yeah. I think they're really important that we un that people That's why I asked what do we we want to read the Well, the city usually reads all of it before we do anything.

We keep it consistent because I know sometimes this council kind of runs and jumps and goes quickly during Well, no, we I I undermine very it's very inconsistent at that. I'm not being incon.

All right, I'll let you finish then I'll speak.

No, we should read we we always do and I've asked the chief of staff to read the headings without going if we Is the proclamation in my packet?

I'll read it.

Let's just move forward with Madame. Go ahead.

Chief, please go forward.

So, number three is all set because I think we've already addressed that.

Um, you have the finance and capital reports in your packet. Uh, breast cancer. Well, read we've been doing consistency.

Of course, read. Um, just read my title.

All right. The chief has the floor, please.

Consistent.

I'm sorry. Go ahead, chief.

Okay. Um, we have the breast cancer 2025 breast cancer awareness month. Um, according to I can read the titles, council president, just the titles, please.

So, we have the breast cancer awareness month.

We have the 2025 National Veterans Small Business Week. Um, as many of you know, we have the 2025 dyslexia awareness month. Then what we normally do is we do red ribbon week with one of our local residents, Tori Jessup.

And then we have one more.

Red ribbon week.

That was Red Ribbon. Well, it was part of Red Ribbon Week, which was dyslexia awareness.

Oh, I'm sorry. No, I was connecting the two. And then we have Red Ribbon Week, which is um for alcohol and drug abuse and how it affects individuals.

Thank you. So the motion was made and I think seconded to just accept. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have it.

5 Z. Next item.

Number four, submission of the mayor's proposed fiscal year 2025 2026 municipal budget. Receipt and acknowledgement of administration's proposed fiscal year 26 budget and set date for public hearing in accordance with section 5-11 for Wednesday, September 2024 at the city council chambers in East Providence City Hall.

So this is just to accept we're not going into budget. We didn't receive anything.

We don't have it.

What do we got?

Well, we're about to, I would assume.

Chief of Staff.

Uh, Council President, members of the council, as you're aware, per um our charter, we um the budget has to be submitted by September 16th, and that um is still uh the process. So, you will uh as we have done in previous years, you will use you will receive a uh an email correspondence from our office as well as the link to the digital budget uh with printed copies to follow in preparation for the budget workshops.

So, today is the 16th. We're going to get it by midnight tonight as you always do, sir.

And we couldn't get it beforehand.

I just walked off a plane about 3 hours ago. You will have it.

Well, it could have been someone else that could have sent it.

That's correct. Um, but as you know, I usually go through it and I want to make sure that everything that comes to you is accurate and up to date and you will have it per charter uh rules.

Thank you.

The most important thing we're doing tonight is setting the public hearing um for uh Well, we need to set the date because it needs to be advertised.

It has to be advertised.

And just to make the council aware, we just recently received the school department budget. There is other information that came to us late in the process. So, we just want to make sure what we have ready for you and it's ready. I just we're going through and doing our due diligence so you have everything. This we start this process in May and we work very hard, Councilman. So, it's it's no other

reason other than reviewing and going through line by line and making sure all the the clickthroughs work properly.

Thank you, Patricia.

You're welcome. And you'll have the printed version, Councilwoman. I know that that's a request of you, so we've we've been printing those as well for Thank you.

You're welcome.

Can I just ask uh for inquiry purposes um on Wednesday, September 24th, what time is it going to be the regular council meeting time?

It's been advertised for 6:30 as we've done in the past. we just follow the other what we've done in the past and what's the deadline for advertising to have it would be today. So if we don't advertise if we don't this is so the and again I'm not involved in the budget process but this is really just a formality you're going to get the budget. It's just acknowledging you're going to get it on

this day. I understand why you would be upset not getting it at the meeting but you'll get it by the end of the by 12 o'clock today as indicated. Um you really then once once that date is set for for purp 11:59 at midnight it would be late.

True. It's true. So and then um and then the the advert the advertisement uh needs to go in because of um deadlines and then I'll I'll No, I I then just so just so you know council members of council from tonight until uh 9:24 you can have as many public hearings on the budget as you want. U we gave you a sample calendar that we're gonna always with 48 hours notice

we can schedule any type of bud budget hearings on 9:24 that's the public hearing on the mayor's budget so public can comment on the mayor's budget after that date then you are officially allowed per the charter to make uh changes to that bud budget particularly additions to the budget or subtractions but additions are specifically called out uh then after that date so that's what that's why the importance of the

924 but between now and 924 and then after 924 you can have as many hearings as you want as long as we give the clerk 48 hours notice uh and they're posted.

So I I'll agree with uh Councilman Lawson that I mean it's awkward to not have it now and when it if it comes before midnight I'm not reading it tonight but I the point also is we don't have to read it today. This is just a prefuncter.

So the 24th will be our next meeting on this.

You could have meetings in between then if you want to. Today is the 15th and we're going to need time to read through this. So, yeah, the 24th.

I'll be here the 24th.

Nine days. So, I'll be here the Right. So, I think legally we just need to the 24th.

Say the 24th and Well, we have again we've we've been over this and I don't want this is your this is how you do it. But we've this budget calendar that we submitted to you with the clerks.

We we approved it.

Well, we have dates. So, the next meeting that we have scheduled actually on a public public workshop is 9:18.

So, you can bring in someone on there.

You must have to have a workshop. We don't even have the budget tonight.

We'll have the budget tonight.

You'll have the budget tonight. I'm You don't have to do it. I'm just letting you know your options.

Okay. And that's why I just said the 24th.

But I want the clerk needs to know if you plan on having a budget workshop on 9:18 because we have to post that meeting. If you're going to wait till the 24th and you just wasted or not wasted, but you didn't have the nine days between now and the 18th, then that that you'll never get that time back.

So, it gives us time to go through the budget. I I understand that. But you could, you know, you could decide on 918, you want the school department to come in and give you a budget or you want the police department. You could look at one area of the budget. You don't have to look at the entire thing.

We got full-time jobs, Mike.

I understand.

You want us to come back in a day and a half basically and start this process.

It's just not realistic. Is that unfair to the taxpayers?

That's fine. So any between again between now and the 24th, you can have as many meetings as you need with 48 hours notice. And then after 20 24, you can have as many meetings you want between then and um 10:14, which is the last date that you can actually uh make changes to the budget because your changes have to be advertised as well. So I'll have the clerk give you guys this, excuse me,

give the council members this again, but those are the dates. So, we just need to know when you want to schedule those hearings. We gave you some sample dates, but you can meet as much as you want or as less as you want. It's up to you.

Um, yes, Mr. President. Um, so next Wednesday.

And this question for the solicitor, can we stop bringing department heads on in on that date? I know where is budget at the 24 I mean on the 24th. We can bring people in next Wednesday.

Yes. After the public hearing is concluded. Yes.

That's what I mean.

Yes. So I I think I think we should line some people up in the 24th. I mean I'm I haven't read No, no, I'm talking.

No idea.

No, I'm saying the P by that time. I'm not I'm saying on the 24th. We So we're not rushing it at the end where we two three two three two three two three two three two three two three two three two three two three two years ago the administration.

Yeah, that's me. Pick we'll pick a couple for next.

Yeah. Uh relying upon the council president to contact the me and the clerk determine what departments you want. But yeah, I think correct because we weren't we had said we wouldn't bring in we don't need canvasing every little the law department doesn't have to come before you. I don't think that's not necessary. No. Oh, I'm only kidding.

And council president, if I may. Um, so in the past, as you know, over the years um you there the council has decided to do different things during the workshops. You've decided to, you know, uh come together with a list of certain departments to have them here. um other years have all the departments ready. We will be ready to have everyone here and we appreciate the consideration of not

you know wasting department heads time.

However, I just want to remind the council that in the past you've uh finished earlier with certain departments and then wanted to go down the list and they weren't here. So, we're happy to have department heads here present for each workshop just in case you finish early or later or whatnot. But we just wanted I just wanted to remind you of that because that's happened in the past.

Sure. But what the only thing that threw us a curveball tonight is we in the past we we usually get the physical budget. We don't look through it the same night, but it's accepted and it's it's ready. I I just wanted I went through it. No, I understand. I wanted to tweak one thing before we handed it over.

So, Mr. Solicitor, what are we voting for now?

The hearing date is the public hearing on 9:24. Correct.

So, that's basically the vote to set the hearing on 9:24. Technically, I mean technically the mayor could have just submitted the the budget to the clerk as your exactly. So motion by councilwoman Soua to set the date by September 24th at 20 September 24th. Is there a second?

Second.

Second. Councilman Lawson. All in favor?

I.

I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. It'll be September 24th and we'll work on those department heads to come in.

Next item.

Number three.

I don't think we did number three.

Resolutions.

Yeah.

Page six.

Number three. Resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract with JR and Suns Construction, Inc. for basketball court improvements at Providence Avenue Pop, introduced by Council President Rodri.

Motion to approve.

Motion by Councilwoman Soua to Not sure why I wasn't asked to sponsor, but I'll second.

Seconded by Councilwoman Lawson. All in favor? I. Any opposed?

The eyes have that.

Now executive session.

Yep. There are no other in private mic or out here.

Okay.

So, at this time, is there a motion?

Understand?

Make a motion. Uh, do I got to read the numbers?

I want go to the beginning of the agenda and pursuit to Rhode Island General Law 42-46-5, I make a motion we move into executive session.

Yes. A and and two the second second second council Lawson. All in favor I I we will recess into uh executive session.

We want to tell the people watching there's nothing left when we get back though they're not.

Yeah. This is the only item. It's an Exxon Mobile Oil Corporation um just discussing the an amendment to the settlement goes back December 31st 2020.

cuz there's if you're watching there's not going to be anything when we come back. Just adjournment.

We're in recess. They want to hear what Mike says.

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

Motion second that motion Fogerty, seconded by Councilman Lawson.

Mr. Solicitor, you have to report out the vote. So uh in uh executive session, the council took a vote to modify uh a settlement agreement that was entered into with Exxon Mobile previously on 1231 2020. Uh the amendment uh was basically a readjustment of some of the payment schedule and the actual uh monies that were being sent and so it was approved unanimously by the council authorizing uh the entering into that

settlement agreement and we'll be put that on file. Thank you.

Thank you. Well, so noted. Is there a motion to adjurnn?

Motion to move.

Second. Motion council vice president Regal seconded by Councilman Lawson and Councilman Floyd. All in favor? I. Any oppose? The eyes have.

Thank you.