East Providence City Council 7/28/26

want.

Sure.

Good evening and call the meeting of July 28th, 2026 uh to order. Um the solicitor, could you just call the role of the council?

Councilman Fogerty.

Yeah.

Council vice president Rigo.

Yeah. Council President Rodri's here. So, and the record will reflect that Councilman Lawson and Councilwoman Souza are absent tonight.

And there is is a quorum. So, we'll continue with the meeting. Uh we'll we should stand for the pledge.

Yes.

I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands nation

is he going to charge a solicitor fee and clerk's fee double double pay get a lunch I'll um before I describe the purpose for this for this meeting um I would be remiss if I just didn't mention we will probably mention something more formal at our August uh August 11th meeting. Um but we we all know about uh losing uh Dr. Ramos, Dr. Uh Izzy Ramos, longtime uh resident, teacher, school

administrator, school committee member, city council member, board of elections member, ambassador to Cape Verde, and a visit once to China. I mean, you name it, he's done it. But more than any of that, he's been a friend to thousands in East Providence. former students. If you read the tributes that are coming in on social media from former students, forget take the politics out of it. But

if you listen to the former students that have talked about how if it wasn't for uh Dr. Ramos that they may not have stayed in school or they'd be in jail, be in trouble. Uh he he really meant a lot to a lot of people. So, we'll do a little more of a formal presentation in August 11th. This was a special meeting.

Um, did any of you want to add anything to that or wait?

Great guy.

He's a legend. I remember the first time I met him, it was at your parents house.

I was five years old. Senator Pel was coming into That's right.

It was the open house for Senator Pel. I vividly remembered him because he was the shop. He came in all shop dress. He had the white suit on and yeah, he was a big supporter of Senator Pel as our families were back in the day.

He was a classic and and so close that my two kids who are not kids anymore, they're what in their 40s. They're adults, uh they still call them Uncle Izzy. So, Uncle Izzy, uh we miss you.

For anyone watching this, uh there will be uh a wake. It'll be on Monday coming up. Um, so if you are watching this, you'll have time to plan uh Monday from 400 pm to 8:00 pm at the Perry Mix day on Pucket Avenue and with a Tuesday morning mass at 10 a.m. at the St.

Francis Church, but there'll be more about that later. So today's this is just a special meeting. Uh and as the community has been asking us to fast forward projects and let's get things done like um Crescent Parkwork community center um so in speaking with uh staff and planners and Dominic Leonado is here today if there are any questions uh they're ready with some bids and we want to get going. So rather than wait

another couple of weeks or Thank you ma'am. We started a little bit early.

I know. We set it on time. You weren't informed.

Well, I'm just trying to be diplomatic.

You know, give her a break.

I don't want any open meetings by No, the deputy clerk, it would never be late. I know that for a fact.

My apologies. I was not told it was a 6.

Yeah, that's what I thought cuz originally it was 6:30, then it went back to 6. So, no. All good. So, that's the reason for tonight. Nothing uh crazy. We We just have bids ready and we don't want to wait. We want these projects to get going. So, we're trying not to do a lot in July, but I figured we could come in for a little bit. And Madame Clerk, if

you want to read the stop by reading the agenda.

I can. Did you do a roll call?

Yes.

Okay, perfect.

We did the to the flag.

I love it.

Licenses for discussion and possible vote. Non-public hearing. We have a special event, one day license. Janet Barrows for a birthday party. She's going to have a DJ at 109 Merrill Street in East Providence, August 1st, 221.

Move passage.

Motion by Council Vice President Regal, second by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have it.

Next item.

Next item. Communications are none.

Public comment none. Appointments none.

We will skip to new business. We don't have anything.

I'll speak on behalf of the mayor's office at Thank you. So, um, as you know, um, as the agenda, we did get a letter resignation of Michael Bopalant from the zoning board review after more than 20 years of service. I, uh, as you know, I, um, in the beginning, I covered many of the zoning board meetings. I will say that Michael was a really, uh, good member of the zoning board who had

a really good understanding of the zoning, uh, law and uh, and the procedures that we that they follow. And I'm sure he will be missed. Um but 20 years is a long time to serve on a very important board within the city. So um I think he's retiring or um so we wish him well and I'm sure the council does as well.

Mike's a good friend of mine, lives close by to me. We've been friends for over 30 years. Him and his wife Lois.

they'll be able to spend more time together as Mike doesn't have to put in as much time dealing with the zoning laws and zoning meetings that Mike took very serious as we all do in our positions. Thank you.

Thank you.

So, um the other So, as a result of his resignation, the mayor has made an appointment which is subject to council approval of Craig A. Mcmanis for a term ending uh 62 2030. I move mo I move passage of uh Craig Mcmanis, another good friend of mine. We've been uh friends since first grade. Him his his family. Uh his father is the late icon uh fire marshall Captain Bob McManis.

And he he comes from an outstanding family. He has an outstanding family.

with uh Craig and his wife Liz. I move passage of appointing Craig Mcmanis to the zoning board.

Second.

Motion made and seconded by Councilman Fogerty. No further discussion. All in favor?

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

Next item.

Next resolutions for discussion and possible vote. First resolution is a resolution authorizing the mayor by and through Bentley Companies LLC to accept and award the proposal to reclaim and pave the parking lot at the East Providence Community Center in the amount of $88,999 87 introduced by Council President Rogers.

So again, this is along the lines of moving this project along. They're they're ready for this step. money is previously appropriated.

Uh something that we've talked about and in general people are saying let's get these projects done. So this is why we're when the bids are ready and we're ready to go we're we're not going to delay and get these projects worked on.

Any other comments?

No. I move passage. And again, this is part of the initial uh overall overall cost that we passed. The only vote on the on the community center on the 5th day of December 2020 uh 2023, excuse me. So again, the one and only vote on the community center. Move pass.

That's a motion. Is there a second?

I take a second. Yeah. Make sure that we get it done.

Councilman Fogerty seconds. Any other discussion here?

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

Thank you.

Number two, resolution authorizing the mayor of the city of East Providence to purchase two unmarked police vehicles as well as two upfitted vehicles for the police department. Total cost of four police vehicles for the police department in an amount not to exceed $37,423.60.

introduced by Council President Rodri.

So once again, keeping along with uh our vehicle fleet and both police and fire and keeping them top-notch, monies have been appropriated. Uh something the police chief recommends and keeps our force where we want it to be and we want to support them and the funds are there.

Motion. I I move passage obviously keeping this fleet up and new. And will these come with the radar systems in them like the other ones?

Welcome, Chief.

Chief, evening. Uh these are uh these two of them will come with uh moving radar.

Thank you.

I move passage.

Second.

Second by Councilman Fogerty. Any other questions anywhere? All in favor?

I. Any oppose? The eyes have it. Thank you chief.

Thank you. Thank you, council.

Okay. Item number three, resolution authorizing the mayor of the city of East Providence to proceed with improvements to Pierce Memorial Stadium and enter into a contract with RAD Corp DBA RAD Sports in amount not to exceed $1,588,555 introduced by Council President Rogers.

And not unlike the other items, this is continuation of the long planned project at at Pier Stadium. get that track going and other other amenities and money is appropriated. Any questions about this?

Passage on that motion by Councilman Fogerty. Is there a second?

I'll second the motion. [clears throat] Seconded by council vice president Rigo.

Other questions? We we have some staff here if there are any questions, but I think we're we're ready to get this thing going and another phase. All in favor?

I. Any oppose? The eyes have it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Isn't it time to question the solicitor?

No, no more questions for the solicitor.

Motion.

So, is that is that it, Madam Clerk?

Motion to adjourn.

Second.

Could you Our next meeting is August 11th?

Yes. To be clear, because there there was a a little change. So, if you're watching and you're wondering about August, it's August 11th at 6:30, 2026 right here at 6:30 p.m. Thank you. All in favor of adjournment. I any opposed? Thank you all. Meeting is adjourned.