East Providence City Council 6/2/26

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at three.

Good evening. I'll call the meeting to order of the East Providence City Council on June 2nd, 2026.

Madame Clerk, if you could please call the role of the council.

Councilman Fogerty, Councilman Lawson, here.

Council Vice President Rigo here.

Councilwoman Souza, Council President Rodri, uh, present. There's a quorum with three uh, members. I did speak with uh councilwoman Souza who was working and had some appointments and is in traffic and is uh on on her way here. But we do have a quorum and we'll uh start the meeting. Please rise for the pledge to the republic for which it stands.

nationyice for all.

Thank you all. Madame clerk, if you could please uh begin the reading of the agenda. The city council of East Posit may meet in executive session pursuant to Rhode Island general laws 42-46-5A 2 one claims and litigation docket and two discussion and possible vote of the first amendment to land lease between the city of East Providence and the Wolf School Inc. located at 215 Ferris Avenue.

Thank you uh madame clerk. So, I'll I'll ask the uh solicitor, we'll stay here for the executive session. Uh the bulk of these are uh pothole related claims which are governed by a a limit in the city charter. So, I'll ask the solicitor to just read that that list. And there are maybe two other claim items that are not related to potholes. But, uh Mr.

solicitor if you want to just uh read the list for us and we will have to uh vote for each one as as they come up.

Thank you.

Thank you, Council President. Uh the first claim uh for a Timothy Amarall claim number 2628.

This is damage to a vehicle resulting in striking a pothole on South Broadway.

Uh, it is the recommendation of the public works director that this claim be um approved in the amount of $300, which is the uh motion to approve.

Motion to approve by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Council Vice President Rigo.

All in favor? I. Any oppose? The eyes have that. Next one.

Next one is for Mary Bennett. Claim number 26027.

again a uh damage to a vehicle after striking a pothole on Newman Avenue. The recommendation of the public works director is to approve this claim in the amount of $2310.

Motion to approve.

Second.

Motion to approve and second. Same order as the last. All in favor? I. Any oppose? The eyes have it. Next.

Next is a claim for Paulo and Maria Duza. Claim number 26043.

This is a claim for reimbursement of expenses due to property damage caused by the fire department uh gaining entry into a property for a um emergency call.

Um it appears they were given the wrong address and broke uh gained access to the property um the wrong property and uh there was damage to a front door, entry door and an apartment door. It is the recommendation of the fire chief that this claim be approved in the amount of $234754.

Motion to approve.

Second.

Motion by Councilman Rigo, seconded by Councilman Lawson. All in favor?

I. Any opposed? The eyes have it.

Thank you. Next item.

Next is a claim for Sarah Dixon. Claim number 2638.

Again, uh vehicle damage uh to a tire after striking a pothole on Newman Avenue. Is the recommendation of the public works director that this claim be approved in the amount of $28649?

Motion to approve.

Second.

Motion to approve and second. All in favor?

I.

I. Any opposed? The eyes have.

Next is a claim for Susan Lake, claim number 2636.

Um, this was a claim for vehicle damage to the tires sustained as a result of utility work in front of St. Margaret's Church. Um, two tires were damaged in this uh, incident. It is the recommendation of the public works director that this claim be approved in the amount of $4156.

I have a question. Uh, yes, council vice president.

I'm all for approving this. My question is, is there any way of us getting reimbursed by Rhode Island Energy because uh that was that was the cause of the work in front of St. Margarets and and they've done a it's a they've done a terrible job. So much for going from curb to curb. Is there is there any way that we can go after you know Rhode Island Energy because this won't be the

first one and it won't be the last one.

I I would think that the contract we might have to uh ask the DPW director to um let us know what the contract says uh when they do the work in regards to damage. Maybe there's insurance that could could cover. But you're you're right. It's LA Energy rejected the claim. They told the individual this ain't us.

He told the person that Yeah. So, you know may you can look at the contract and I can discuss it with solicitor Marcelo. And if if not that we should somehow adopt protocol for, you know, whatever we're going to do for language for this city with Rhode Island Energy. uh I don't know in the form of an ordinance if we have to moving forward because they just wipe their hands of everything. I mean

there's already a law curb and curb there's already a law that says they dig a road they got to go curb it we're just not enforcing it.

Yeah. I mean exactly. So I mean and and this is a perfect example of that that so the issue in this case it's enforcement on our right and and the issue would be proving whose fault it was. I mean, motorists is saying, "I'm Rhode Island Energy."

They might say, "Well, the city didn't do something, you know, doesn't matter. Whoever puts the hole in the street needs to pave curb to curb."

Whether it's us or Ri Energy. That's the part we're not enforcing.

Well, right. We got to find out why. I mean, curb to curb is the last step.

They may say they weren't done yet, right?

How many of these places?

And I I I agree. I mean, Rhode Island Energy has not been a friend to us, and these problems have gone on long before the bridge fell. Pucket Avenue has been a shambles for 20 years. It's an embarrassment. And uh they can't keep saying it's the fault of the bridge and and we're replacing gas mains. I I mean, for 20 years, but we'll we'll look definitely look into it. We got to enforce that because

when there's a ga you know when they're going into a neighborhood and there's a gas man break and they uh you know go halfway to you know go halfway out they're supposed to go you know all the way you know side to side curb to curb which isn't happening in my ward and it's not happening and then be anybody else's going anywhere.

Yeah. So yeah we will pursue it.

I'm looking at the denial letter. It looks like Rhode Island Energy is pointing the finger back at the city.

That That's what I'm saying. We We have to establish the root cause first and then go from there. So, is there a motion to I know why they're doing that so everybody knows. Then the water man broke. So, they're going to say that they did their part and then the water man, you know, because that was a whole that was a whole show that took a couple of days. So, the gas leak broke the

water man. It's one of those what came first, you know. So, but moving on.

So, I think madam clerk, did we we need the motion? We need a motion. I think Frank made a motion to approve. Second.

Okay. All in favor?

I I Any oppose? The eyes have it and we'll have further investigation there. Next claim.

Next claim is for Francisca Matah, claim number 2626.

This is claimed for property damage to a fence sustained by a snow plow uh during a snowstorm. Is the recommendation of the public works director this claim be approved in the amount of $500?

So ju I'm going to make a motion to approve, but just so people watching know there's a little bit of a backlog.

We had a blizzard and there was some things and so if you're wondering why June 1 we're voting on a snowplow claim, it's a little bit of catchup. So I make a motion to approve.

Second. Thank you for the clarification.

Motion by Councilman Lawson to approve.

Seconded by Council Vice President Rico.

All in favor? I I. Any opposed? The eyes have.

Next is a claim from Moren Quinn. Claim number 26035.

Again, this is vehicle damage to a tire sustained after striking a pothole on Ferris Avenue. It's the recommendation of the public works director to approve this claim in the amount of $300.

Make a motion to approve. Second.

Motion to approve and has been seconded.

All in favor? I I. Any opposed?

And in case people don't know, 300 is the maximum amount you can get reimbured for a pothole damage.

Right.

All in favor?

I I point you brought that up. I was going to bring that up at the end of this. Um, this process isn't that people just send in a letter and they get $300 check.

They have to get the work done first, right? Send in the or at least the estimate from a two estimates two estimates are required and it pretty much has to be proven. The DPW does go out and check the area and the pothole area. So, I don't want people to think um you know, you can just uh pick up the phone and get a check for $300. You might have $600 damage legitimately, but the city

charter has a cap of $30 per That's the trust.

The trust has the cap, I believe. So, yeah, through the insurance trust, they're the ones that paid out and they cap it at 300.

Okay. So, that's the process. Uh next item. And all the claims files do contain photographs that PBW went out looked at the pop.

Yeah. We get all of the background. We have the photographs. We we're given the location, the time. So again, it isn't just a frivolous I'm going to uh send in a note or an email or make a phone call and get $300.

Next item.

Next item is Charlene.

Apologize. Rumory claim number 26030.

Again, uh vehicle damage to a tire as a result of striking a pothole on Fort Street. It's the recommendation of the public works director to approve this claim in the amount of $242.

Make a motion to approve.

Second.

Motion, Councilman Lawson, seconded by Council Vice President Recall. All in favor?

I.

I. Any oppose? The eyes have.

Thank you. Uh finally, uh Mario Silva claim number 26031, uh tire damage sustained as a result of striking a pothole at the intersection of Broadway and Grazvener Avenue. It's the recommendation of public works director to approve this claim in the amount of $180.93.

Motion to approve.

Second.

The motion has been made and with the second. All in favor?

I. Any opposed? the eyes have it. So that concludes the claims for potholes.

We have one other item in executive session which we are doing in public session tonight. Uh and that is the uh discussion and possible vote of the land lease agreement with the low wolf school behind at Ferris Avenue, the former Thompson school. the city legal department has been working on for a while. We basically been waiting for the attorney for the wolf school to get paperwork together. So, Mr. Solicitor,

have we reached a conclusion there?

Yes. So, the uh conclusion was to amend the lease agreement to include um a slightly larger lease area for a 10t by 13tx 4t concrete pad for the um dumpster and a uh transformer that's needed on the property. So, a very small alteration to the lease agreement.

Right. Yes. Councilman, Vice President, uh, obviously this is in my ward.

Received a couple of phone calls. The neighbors are happy with it after, you know, explained what was going on. Uh, as they said, Wolf School has been a a very good neighbor. I would have to agree with that. And on top of the fabulous work that they do for uh children with special needs, autism, uh I move passage of this agreement.

Second.

Thank you. Passage moved by council vice president and seconded by Councilman Lawson. All in favor?

I.

I. Any opposed? The eyes have that unanimously. That's done. Thank you, Mr.

Solicitor.

You're welcome. Madame clerk, if you want to resume the agenda.

Licenses for discussion and possible vote. Non-public hearing special evented one day entertainment license for a block party. Rhode Island Day of Portugal, August 1st, 2026, 5:00 p. a.m.

to 11:00 p.m. Special event, 1-day entertainment license, a block party, 227 Warren Avenue, East Providence, June 27th, 5:00 p.m. to 1000 p.m. Special evented one-day license, ice cream social nearit Terrace Realy Association at the corner of Riverside Drive and Seaf Avenue, June 13th, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 pm.

Special evented one-day entertainment license. Jetty GM David Murray Riverside Drive and Seview Avenue Riverside August 8th 5:00 pm to 11 pm special event one day entertainment license Rios in Baba Graaso wedding city of East Providence um Crescent Park June 20th 3 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Special evented one-day entertainment license indie fest musical festival 3rd crescent park September 5th what September 5th

the date I got a typo on mine here for the date and time for the indie fest September September 5th September 5th 2026 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Special event, 1-day liquor license, wedding, Tracy Johnson, Preset Park.

June 20th, 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

type of license, Mobile Food Establishment, Lauren Penon Taska, uh, 51 Topiler Hill Drive, Cranston.

Business name is Roie Pop LLC.

Another new business, Mobile Food Truck, Nicholas S.

A mano pizza and gelato 43 Cliff Avenue Newport Rhode Island. Another new business food truck. Connie Long Conniey's Corner DBA Co Profile Creations 31 Riverdale Avenue West Warrick. So I'll make a motion to bundle motion to bundle all of these through 10 as read numbers one through 10 seconded by council vice president Regal. All in favor of the bundle I. Any opposed?

The eyes have it. So, just uh point of order moving forward with the beautiful tent that's going to be down at Crescent Park and laid out. We We should just have a a blanket that they have a license and we tried that, Frank.

Bob's been pushing for that for years.

We We need to do that because I hope there's a one in every weekend. So, we're going to be I hope hope there's two or three. one on a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday every week.

And for those questioning why we're building the tent, you're seeing why Tracy's already getting calls. Can I reserve it? Can I reserve? So, right.

So, uh, but Bob tried and there was push back.

That's like a venue. I mean, all right.

So, if it's a special license anywhere else, that tent is going to be no different than a one of the restaurant establishments. So for Tracy or anybody down at the carousel to have to come here every time they run an event, it's no different than one of the restaurants, you know. So I mean, we we got to do something for that. you know, everything else if we can't change. But for this one,

yeah, I think once once it's built and and we we we'll have a policy in and in place, they get the liquor license just, you know, every year and we move on, you know. So, that that's my recommendation is that we establish that tent as no as another onremise location in the city.

And I I have talked with uh the solicitor uh solicitor Marcelo and with the mayor who who agrees that you know city events I I always like to done it down you know a library puppet show they don't have to come before us I'm here for a license some of this so we're going to get some of this refined but in the meantime we'll go with what what we but I do agree with the communication

that first responders are aware the clerk's office where stuff like that if there's a lay of liquor involved there should be something but we use the use that ten as no different than you know Aldridge mansion or anything like that so your war if there you know whatever if the fire department if there's 400 people down there and the fire department requires a an officer to be there then that's fine

and they meet the guidelines but they they get the we we grant them a liquor license you know and if you're using the tent for or anything like that. So that doesn't have to come forward all the time. You know that that's what I'm saying is we treat Yeah. Well, we'll have to look into it because are we going to be granting the city a liquor license? You know, the time Tracy and put in putting in

every event.

We have to go by the events, but we'll we'll work out a policy once once it's once it's built there every month for like 30 weddings.

True. It's it is the season and we we want our parks and recreation to be be used. So we've been refining it and the meantime is there we did b motion to approve one through 10.

All in favor?

I I any opposed for approval. Right.

The eyes for approval. Yes. Okay. Thank you all. Thank you for the discussion.

And next item.

Council members request for stop sign at the intersection of Bordon and Shore Road. Councilman Lawson.

So this gentleman, he's at the bottom and as you can see, cars saving points at the bottom of hills and cars are coming down and some of them are flying down. Um, so the recommend the request is for a stop sign, but beyond that, they usually drill the temporary speed bumps down there, but they end up putting them more in the parking lot where I think it'd be more effective if

they were moved up Shaw Road. So, Andre, I'll send you the gentleman's name and stuff. I told him I would make a public uh request. Um, maybe Dan can go out there. You guys could take a look. The gentleman mentioned one of the stop signs with the flashing lights that they have around. Um I'm a big fan of the temporary speed bumps, we usually do them down at Saving Point anyway. Um but

it's just as you know, Saving Point's at the bottom of the hill and if somebody's coming down distracted driving, whatever. So if there's some measures we could put in place to alleviate the gentleman having to buy new fence. So, I will send you his name and um if we could do something that'd be awesome.

Hi, Councilman.

Hey.

Uh our chief of police is aware of the complaints uh and the safety issues there as well as our DPW director uh who are both looking into it and uh we'll prepare a memo.

Thank outlining what are some of the solutions and what we can and cannot do at that intersection.

Understood. I'll let them know that you guys are aware and looking into some possible solutions.

Yes.

Okay. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman.

Next, next item.

Public hearings ordinance for second and or final passes for discussion and possible vote. One, an ordinance in amendment of chapter 18 of the revised ordinances of the city of East Province, Rhode Island, 1998, amending chapter 18, article 14 entitled bicycles to include the regulation of electric bikes and enforcement provisions or same council president Rodri.

Well, I think we're at the final step.

We've we've refined this a number of ways. This has been discussed often. And again, the bottom line here is to just stop u unnecessary uh destruction even if it's accidental of parks of the greenways in our parks and maybe driveways. You have an electric bicycle and I know there are different classifications of them. You can drive them wherever you can legally.

You can drive to a park. You can drive to a playground. but leave it in the parking lot. Um, if you need to walk it across the grass to a bathroom or something, um, but you can't drive them and just like you can't drive a car on the grass and do wheelies and ruin the property or get on the tennis courts and the raetball courts and um, so that's where we are. This has been refined

after public feedback. Uh, this is a public hearing. Uh, do council members want to comment before we open it up?

I will say my opposition originally has been um satisfied. Um, the language clearly states you want to ride it to the park, that's fine. You want to park it in the parking lot, that's fine. Uh, the original didn't have a a a sentence or anything saying that right the parking lot's okay to not do wheelies and act a fool. But and um the other one was the draconian measures of confiscation and stuff. I was starting

off with a $100 fine. So um I was completely satisfied with the rewrite and um pending public hearing. I'm going to vote to approve and I'll make a motion to approve.

Very good. Is um so hold on and we'll we'll get to the second later. I'll open it up to public. Is there anyone here that would like to speak for or against this few people here? Is there anyone?

Uh chief uh chief of police is is here.

If you want to add anything, um if you want to just nod your head and you approve your thumbs up from the chief of police, he's worked diligently on this.

You another thumbs up. You're not going to just be pulling kids off the sidewalks by their long hair, are you?

for good evening. Uh you know, just to just to reaffirm that uh this is this is just to protect the the the the investment that the city has made into all of our city parks. I mean, uh in the first few months of some of the parks that were opened up, there was quite a quite a bit of damage. Uh you know, very very expensive to fix. So, this is uh to hopefully thwart that that uh

that occurrence.

Great. Thank you. Thank you for your work on this. And I'll reiterate, I am all for cameras in our public spaces. If people want to act fool, we're going to catch them.

So, if there's a a plan to do it, you got my support and I will sponsor it.

Thank you.

Can't can't watch the evening news at night on any network without seeing cameras being involved in catching in public places. The public cameras have proven their effectiveness. We're not looking to point it in your window, but if you're in a public space that city tax dollars are maintaining, if you're going to act up, we're we need to give the cops the enforcement tools to find you and consequence you.

You're not doing anything wrong. It's no problem.

Yeah. Nothing to worry about then. So, hearing no other comments, we'll close the public hearing. Uh we did have a motion. Is there a second?

Second.

Council vice president seconds the motion for approval. All in favor? I I any opposed and the eyes have it unanimously. Thank you. Next item.

Number two, an in ordinance and amendment of chapter 10 of the revised ordinance of the city of East department, Rhode Island, 1998 as amended entitled nuisances amending sub section C of section 10-29 entitled removal notice to owner council president Rogers and council vice president Rico.

So again this has been uh discussed a few times. Uh this involves um the un unregistered and uh prop cars, vehicles, things that are on streets, you know, just don't belong there. Uh we get a lot of complaints from residents about um vehicles uh abandoned and other things abandoned on on properties. So, this is uh we we always had something on the books and this was worked a little more finely to add some details.

And again, this was just one of those things you just assumed was there, but then when you find, oh, we got to correct that. It's just saying don't abandon your vehicles.

Exactly. You're a good neighbor.

Yep.

Motion to approve. and is public hearing. Do we need um is there anyone here that wants to speak? That's okay.

Uh for or against this again um it's been on uh publicized a few times. If people watch the meetings, it's been written about. It's not a last minute item. Close the public hearing. Hearing none. We do have a motion and a second.

All in favor?

I. Any opposed? the ISAP. Next item, an ordinance and amendment of chapter 10 of the revised ordinances of the city of East Province, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended entitled nuisances amended section 10-5110, changing stop time from construction or repair of buildings from 7 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. Councilman Fogerty, I'm going to make a motion to table this till Councilman Fogerty's present. Well,

he did he he he he he did let me know that he he sponsored this and he is in support of it and we we did clarify it at the last meeting that he but it's his ordinance. He should be here for the Well, he should, but it's it's going to hold back what he wants to do. He he wants some couple businesses reached out to him and wanted to be able to start

work a half hour earlier. So, they won't be able to now and they've been waiting a month. Uh, you know, I I think we're okay with moving moving ahead. And what what we wanted to clarify was uh this did not mean uh the average homeowner couldn't get up a half hour earlier and cut grass or things. This was for construction companies only. Um if you really want to, then that's okay.

But I I kind of would like to, you know, let's get this done with the motion to do it.

sponsor someone.

Yeah, but he's that's if there's a question hanging over it maybe, but he's he sponsored it.

He's in strong support of it. He he couldn't get here. Um so I I recommend we we kind of move this thing. Um you can hold off on a motion if council vice president wants to make the motion and then we can go from there.

I mean I mean it has been debated. We brought it down originally. He wanted it at six o'clock and that's when we said time out. Let's go to 6:30. So we had that discussion. I I see both sides.

I mean, you know, I was fine with keeping it in, you know, keeping it as is, but I can see what a contractor has to go through and time constraints and work and everything and six o'clock doesn't work. So 6:30, uh, I just say we, you know, as the council president said, get this over with because it did have the first passage. So I'll make a motion to Okay, I will follow you two and I will

uh second. Okay, appreciate the discussion.

So motion by council vice president to approve, seconded by Councilman Lawson.

All in favor?

I I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. Next item.

Mayor Communications Director of Policy and Constituent Services, Andre Herrera.

Yes, sir. You have the floor.

Good evening, council president and members of the city council.

Starting off, appointment and reappointment requiring council confirmation. We have none.

Second appointment reappointment not requiring council confirmation. We have none at this time. And three items for announcement and or discussion.

And just want to give an update. Uh we included a letter here from the administration and I'm going to read a few pieces of that.

The city of East Providence experienced significant growth in its tax base in part due to the commercial and residential development and investments in utility infrastructure.

Although the approved budget increase in the tax levy is 4%, the actual tax rate only increased by 2.1% due to the growth in the city's tax base.

City officials work diligently throughout the budget process to minimize the impact on residents while continuing to invest in essential services, infrastructure improvements, public safety, and long-term community priorities.

The overall rate change of about 2% remains below the current US inflation rate of roughly 3.8% according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

East Providence continues to see encouraging economic growth with ongoing residential and commercial development, active construction projects, and significant infrastructure investments from Rhode Island Energy contributing to the city's expanding tax base.

This continued growth helps strengthen the city's financial foundation and lessens the burden on existing taxpayers over time.

Thank you. And I I think and we might all want to comment. We don't have to um just for information, but I I think this is very important and and very positive news and that we we have extensively gone through budget hearings. Uh all five members have asked a lot of questions, came up with suggestions. So with the combination of the council oversight on on the budget, the financial department, the mayor's

office, the the um entire administrative team together with us come up with the levy. So, the tax levy, which gets confusing to people, we've all determined that we would need about 4% in terms of of operating dollars. This is what it will take to run the city.

And as we tried to say during all those budget hearings, that doesn't mean that's the tax rate. Because the rate is after the properties are assessed, how much we would have to tax all of us who who pay the taxes to raise the levy. So in order to get to that 4% total, that X amount of dollars to run this city, we have to set a tax rate. And that came in

at about 2%. which is very good. We all want to see zero. That's not going to happen. Uh I don't want to throw stones at other communities, but there's a couple of communities that are in big trouble. Talking about 8 and 9% tax rates, not levies. Closing down senior citizen centers. Closing uh recreation in the city. Shutting down um parks and pools. We don't have a pool to shut

down, but if we we had one, we'd keep it open. Uh so this this is good news. No one likes the word tax, you know, taxes and death, the things that scare us, right? But 2% and the amount that the taxes have gone up, the the other thing that we that I appreciate anyways, and I'm speaking for myself, others can can add or not say anything, whatever, but speaking for myself,

we really have to manage budgets well and working with the mayor and and us.

And uh I I think we're we're doing that.

People are seeing a lot of growth in the city. They're seeing new ballparks.

They're seeing old ballparks revised.

They're seeing um projects, the community center, a community center which was voted for twice to be built with tax dollars through a bond. It never happened. So, we all worked together and the mayor's impetus are building one at zero tax dollars to the public. grants and governor's grants and DEM grants and yeah, they all come from our pockets, but it doesn't affect this budget, per se. Sure, we're gonna

have to maintain them, keep it clean and all the fields. My point is some $30 million worth of projects, improvements, none of them affecting the budget or the tax rate. Not many other cities and towns have been able to say that. Are we perfect with our finances? I don't think so. And we No one ever is. But we're doing a a pretty good job from top down.

From the mayor down to the finance department who work work on the nuts and bolts of this. We're doing our job in in fighting to keep a a strong financial picture in in our budget and our city workers. Now, are we going to see the complaints every day? in social media about weeds and some uh potholes and poor streets. We know that and the local streets I think we're getting to some of

them. The Pucket Avenues or state streets that that that's been a sin for 20 years. Why? Which is why I'm not a big fan of the governor's office and other places that um this wasn't just because of the bridge. you know, they they've got to pay better attention to the construction of the state roads and bridges, but that's not for us. That's that's we we can do our part to ask. Um,

we've we've brought in emergency water lines, which the city never had before.

Free the Bristol County Water Authority.

I'm not sure the formal name, paid for that. They paid for digging up the streets in Ken Heights that had to be dug up and then we're repaid end to end as Councilman Lawson says you need to do that. That was all done free at no cost to us. We now have an emergency water connection which we never had before. We had that one pipe coming under the Providence River and if that thing ever

broke, we all of us would wake up in the morning and turn the faucets on and have no water. So, that just scratches the surface. And I know I get on a bit of a soap box, but um one of the if not our only major job is budgeting and financing. And I'm I'm happy with this news all around. And I'm sure there's more room for improvement. We'll just keep at it.

I uh anyone else? Yes, I echo a lot of that. last year, obviously, when the mayor came in front of us and said 4% the levy. Well, that's 4% of increasing the operation cost from last fiscal year to this fiscal year.

And uh what we got to what we have to maintain is we got to keep on looking at you know looking at properties that are that are vacant and you know bringing in more businesses here to keep a nice balance uh into the city so we bring more people in here. we have that whole I can't wait till this waterfront really starts moving because that will obviously help the tax base because right now it's

empty land and we start putting buildings there uh restaurants, hotels, mixed use. It's all that's going to do is just help the uh the tax rate of the city where we don't have to pass along to uh everyone. I mean it the assess it will help the assessments and everything. Um and with those you tooted our horn. I think we set the parameters that first budget hearing in August of 23 when this council took over. There

was a lot of uh a you know, a lot of pushing, you know, pushing back and everything, but we uh we're in communication with the mayor's office and it's a good budget. And one thing to remember too, we are paying for a state-of-the-art high school. We're paying for a state-of-the-art new middle school remodels at Wington and all that had to happen. But when people are going to realize that when you pass the bond,

it's like a mortgage. It's got to be paid back.

And that's all included in and that's included in this two, you know, in this raise. So, you know, uh a and one thing that's very important is that we've made payments for our retirement. That that unfunded liability you hear about and that's why a lot of these other cities and towns are in trouble right now is the unfunded liability of the pension fund. And we've made our payment to that

and continue to do that and we've cut things. I mean, I know, you know, we we've cut things out of the budget from, you know, first thing, but if you look at everything that's happened in here is that beautiful building, you know, the beautiful high school, the new middle school, Wington rem, you know, work at the other schools. Um, 2% isn't bad. And again, more than likely, it's going to

get pushed, you know, the levy will get pushed again, probably close to the max.

And uh but again then you bring it back if we keep on bringing more businesses into the city and uh that will only help the you know the tax base. But yep, that's all I needed to add.

Yep. Thank you. All right. Um if you want to continue now that we took some of your time away.

Thank you, council.

We stopped the clock when I started talking. So All right. Next, we have a proclamation recognizing the month of June 2026 as Pride Month in the city of East Providence. And I want to invite the counselors this Saturday, 10:00 a.m. we have the pride flag raising at city hall.

Next, we have the proclamation recognizing the month of June 2026 as immigrant heritage month in the city of East Providence. Next, we have a proclamation recognizing June 19th, 2026 as Junth in the city of East Providence.

Next, a proclamation recognizing June 10th, 2026 as Day of Portugal in the city of East Providence.

Then we have the proclamation recognizing June 5th, 2026 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day in the city of East Providence. And then we have a proclamation recognizing May 25th, 2026 as Azor's Day in the city of East Providence.

Thank you. Thank you for that. And I on a personal note, I just want to add a lot of activities coming up this week through the weekend. And for anyone who may be there and say, "Gee, I don't see uh Bob Rodicks in his big mouth there.

He's talking about great things in the city." Uh, I am following our East Providence High School baseball team, which has just finished an undefeated season at home. 10 wins, no losses. They lost a couple on the road, but they are now playing for the top division one state championship against that Nemesis uh, Hendrickken High School. So, it's East Providence versus Henriken starting

Thursday, best of three series. Uh, so I will be there Thursday and hopefully if they win Saturday, it could go to Sunday. Um, and I' I've got to stick with my my townies, uh, the baseball field, but I will try to get in between to these other activities.

Next item, please.

Introduction of ordinances for discussion and possible vote. An ordinance and amendment of eight of the revised. I have a school liaison report.

Sorry.

Okay. So, we'll back up to that.

Okay.

Yes, sir.

Um, so, as we know, we're at the end of the school year and by all accounts, it was very successful. Martin opened up.

Was it November after Thanksgiving? They moved in. Um, I started making a list and there was so many things that I I I would be devastated to leave something off. Um, so couple highlights. Jessica Deiosi was named teacher of the year.

Congratulations to her. Um, uh, Kids Rock Course had another great thing. Our sports teams, as you mentioned, our high school baseball, lacrosse, um, is volleyball still going?

I was there.

Volleyball got to the finals. softball did well.

Yeah. So, again, there's so many that I I just didn't want to leave anything specific off. Um, this Friday is the high school graduation. Um, we're going to welcome new members of the uh East Province High School alumni family and that's always a fun event. It's going to be at Pier Stadium. And um I do want to say I'm very brokenhearted that we're losing Sandy Fand as our superintendent.

Um I think she did a great job. She's a homegrown towny and you know I'll speak more on it later. I'm a little bit upset with some of the circumstances of her leaving, but um I want to just publicly say she was great. She was there. She was present. Um, she worked hard as you know, you go to one of the games or whatever, she's right there. Um, but overall it was another successful school

year. I know we got people that want to put down our school department, but you look at public schools throughout this country and finances dictate everything and there's just not enough to do every little thing we need. Um, I commend Bob for creating the uh school building fund. You know, the hope being that some of these maintenance issues of the building can be handled outside of the

school budget so the school budget can actually pay for teachers and staff and things the kids actually need. Um, well, they need buildings too. I shouldn't put it that way. Um, so overall I want to congratulate every student, every teacher, every support staff, the SRO, everybody that contributes to educating these kids. It's not an easy job. Bob can tell you firsthand that these classrooms

um you know sometimes you're hurting cats, you know, but every teacher I talk to is so dedicated and they love what they're doing and the passion they have for these kids that I I I'm in awe. I am in awe and I just want to publicly express that. I think the East Park School Department is a gem and I think with our new buildings, I think the city council prioritizing maintenance, the Myron J. Francis I saw

in your video, stuff like that is our role. You know, we can't do minutia within the school departments, but sending that strong message that we're here to support them, I I thank all all four of you. And um congratulations to the East Farm School Department and all the students and teachers for another great year.

Well, well said. And the graduation Friday is outdoors at Pier Stadium. If you have some friends, of course, relatives, uh you're welcome to go there and get there early. You know, parking will be it'll be busy, but the stadium will fit everybody and the weather looks good.

85 degrees.

Thank you, Councilman. Uh, next item, introduction of ordinances for discussion and possible vote and ordinance and amendment of chapter 8 of the revised ordinances of the city of East Province for 1998 as amended entitled licenses and businesses regulation sections one article 3 entitled alcohol beverages is amended by adding there to the following section 8-50 50 temporary extended service hours

for the period of June 11th, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, and 27, July 2nd, and 3rd for the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament may apply to city clerk at least 14 days in advance.

Introduced by Councilman Woman Souza.

Can I make a motion to table? You you can I just want to explain um now that we made you read all that uh we're going to uh hold off on on this. Councilwoman has some more work to do with the solicitor's office and some other logistics. Is there a motion to uh table?

I make a motion we table this second.

I Yeah. I I thought I was just waiting.

I didn't know if there was question from the solicitor.

No. So, it was my understanding with talking with Solicer Marcelo earlier today that um this would go forward not as an ordinance but as a resolution of the council um and basically handle this administratively through the clerk's office. Um I know there were some issues with the dates the 14 days in advance obviously June 11th and 13th we couldn't make that uh work just yet. Um but that

was my understanding. Of course, if the council wants to table that to another date, I I think um if if it if it goes forward in any form um where where there's more work to be done, so we're just going to hold off.

I I got qu I'm not in favor of extending late night for various reasons. Um so I would like to hear Councilwoman Sou's rationale for this.

Okay.

And if there's any local businesses that are advocating for this.

Motion by Councilman Lawson, second by council vice president Rigo to uh I don't know is the terminology Mr. solicit a table or just to hold put in obeyance where yeah I think yes I think tabled would be table okay that motion was for tableabling it all in favor I I any opposed the eyes motion to thank you motion to adjourn by the council vice president seconded by councilman Lawson all in favor I thank

you all for your attendance