Click to view the entire meeting or click any video icon below to jump to that section of the meeting. CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE JOURNAL-REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2020 CALL TO ORDER: 6:00 P.M. Council May Call Executive Session using the Zoom virtual meeting application 145 TAUNTON AVENUE - CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND City Council: Council President, Robert Britto - Ward 1 Council Vice-President: Bob Rodericks - At Large Councilwoman Anna Sousa - Ward 2 Councilman Nate Cahoon - Ward 3 Councilman Ricardo Mourato - Ward 4 City Solicitor, Michael J. Marcello City Clerk, Samantha N. Burnett * As a result of the COVID‐19 pandemic, and the closure of City Hall, this meeting will be conducted virtually, through an application called, “Zoom”. IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE, USE THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS: 1. Call the toll free number: 1-877-853-5247 (audio only) and enter the following information: MEETING ID: 993-0796-0324 You will then be asked for the meeting passcode. Enter the following passcode number: PASSCODE: 653929 2. To participate visually (with audio) you will need to log into the following from your computer or smart phone, go to: www.zoom.us Enter the following information when prompted: MEETING ID: 993-0796-0324 You will then be asked for the meeting passcode. Enter the following passcode number: PASSCODE: 653929 Once entered you will be able to view and listen to the meeting. At the appropriate time for public comment the moderator of the meeting will allow you to provide comment at the meeting. The meeting will also be viewable live on our city website, located at: http://www.clerkbase.com/RI_EastProvidence_Live_CityCouncil.html In addition, written public comment on any agenda item can be submitted by emailing the office of the City Clerk at [email protected] or mailed to City Clerk, 145 Taunton Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914 Attn: Public Comment. A drop box is also available at City Hall. All written public comment must be received by 5:30 p.m. on May 5, 2020. I. CALL TO ORDER – Council President Britto calls the meeting to order and requests a roll call by the City Clerk, Samantha Burnett. All members are present. II. INVOCATION The City Council of East Providence may meet in Executive Session pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws §42‐46‐5 (a) 2 (Litigation and Claims) Councilman Cahoon made the motion to convene into Executive Session. Seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes unanimously. Member Aye Nay Cahoon x Mourato x Rodericks x Sousa x Britto x a) Claims 1. Paula Butterworth b) Litigation 1. GeoNova Development Co. vs. City of East Providence C.A. No. PB-09-5341 Status Update/Settlement Proposal 2. Heritage Harbor Foundation v. City of East Providence (2020-01538) Update on Litigation/Settlement proposal (tax appeal) III. OPEN SESSION IV. NATIONAL ANTHEM PERFORMED BY LILY BOLARINHO V. MOTION TO SEAL MINUTES FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion to seal the minutes from Executive Session by Councilman Cahoon. Seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes unanimously. Member Aye Nay Cahoon x Mourato x Rodericks x Sousa x Britto x VI. CONSENT CALENDAR All items under, "Consent Calendar" are considered to be of a routine and noncontroversial nature by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion on the items unless a Council members so requests, in which event the item will be removed from said Consent Calendar and will be considered in its normal sequence in the docket. a) COUNCIL JOURNALS March 11, 2020: Special Session March 17, 2020: Executive and Regular Session April 7, 2020: Regular Session (No Executive Session Notes) April 21, 2020: Regular Session (No Executive Session Notes) Motion to approve the Consent Calendar made by Councilman Cahoon. Seconded by Councilman Mourato. Motion passes unanimously. Member Aye Nay Cahoon x Mourato x Rodericks x Sousa x Britto x PUBLIC COMMENT *See Page 1 regarding log in instructions to participate. Each speaker will be limited to three (3) minutes. The order of the speakers will be on a first come, first serve basis and the maximum time for public comment shall be limited to thirty (30) minutes per meeting. Ms. Laroche posted at 7:12 a.m. the desire to speak during Public Comment but Public Comment had already been offered. The Council did allow her to speak, but it was towards the end of the meeting. She spoke on the former Ray’s Market area and its dilapidated state. VII. MAYORAL APPOINTMENT – NO COUNCIL APPROVAL NEEDED Antero Braga: Reappointment to Housing Authority Term: 03/11/2020 – 3/12/2023 Item noted. VIII. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS 1. Request Capital Improvement Budget for June Council President Britto The Council President requested a Capital Improvement budget snapshot to be delivered to them in June, to help the Council during their budget season. 2. Back to Work, Citywide COVID-19 Plan Council President Britto Council President Britto stated that he inquired and wanted to make sure that transitioning City employee transition from working remotely to working back in the office, including the City Senior Center for re-opening. The City does have a plan and is following the CDC guidelines. 3. Current Financial State for the City of East Providence Councilman Mourato This item was listed due to residents wondering what the state of the City is in as we approach budget season. IX. CONTINUED BUSINESS 1. Show Cause Dispositions/Agreements a) Town Wine and Spirits 179 Newport Avenue Rumford, RI 02916 b) Davenport’s Restaurant 1925 Pawtucket Avenue East Providence, RI 02914 c) Riverside Liquors 225 Bullocks Point Avenue Riverside, RI 02915 d) Gregg’s Restaurant 1940 Pawtucket Avenue East Providence, RI 02914 Motion to accept the agreements made with the City Solicitor made by Councilman Cahoon. Seconded by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion passes unanimously. Member Aye Nay Cahoon x Mourato x Rodericks x Sousa x Britto x X. NEW BUSINESS a) Ratification of Executive Order 2020-022 Extension for the State of Municipal Emergency from May 5 to May 19, 2020 Motion to extend the order from May 5, 2020 until May 19, 2020 was made by Council Vice President Rodericks. Seconded by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion passes unanimously. Member Aye Nay Cahoon x Mourato x Rodericks x Sousa x Britto x b) Petition for Zone Change (Refer to Planning Board for Review and Recommendation according to East Providence City Ordinance 19-73) Applicant: Marshall Development LLC Property Address: 500 Veteran Memorial Parkway a/k/a Metacomet Golf Club Plat/Lot: Assessor’s Map107, Block 15, Lot 001 Current Zoning: O-1 Open Space Proposed Zoning: Waterfront District – New Metacomet Sub‐District See Proposed Use Table to Amend Section 19-481 Introduced by: Council Vice President Rodericks Motion to refer to the Planning Board made by Council Vice President Rodericks. Seconded by Councilman Cahoon. Motion passes unanimously. Member Aye Nay Cahoon x Mourato x Rodericks x Sousa x Britto x c) Resolutions to Amend the East Providence Home Rule Charter subject to voter approval at the November 2020 Election 1. RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CITY CHARTER REGARDING THE APPOINTMENT OF THE CITY SOLICITOR AND ASSISTANT CITY SOLICITOR Sponsored by: Councilman Mourato (Explanation of Resolution: Amendment to the City Charter changing the appointment of the City Solicitor and Assistant City Solicitor from the Mayor with council approval to the City Council only. Amendment of Article 3: Mayor, Section 3- 9 and Article 2: City Council, Section 2-17) Motion to table the resolution to the July 7, 2020 meeting made by Councilman Mourato. Seconded by Councilwoman Sousa. Motion passes unanimously. Member Aye Nay Cahoon x Mourato x Rodericks x Sousa x Britto x 2. RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CITY CHARTER REMOVING THE MAYOR’S VETO POWER OVER ORDINANCES Sponsored by: Councilman Mourato (Explanation of Resolution: This resolution would remove the power of the Mayor to veto/disapprove ordinances passed by the City Council. Proposal to amend Article 3: Mayor, Section 3-6) Councilman Mourato withdrew his resolution. No vote was taken. 3. RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CITY CHARTER REGARDING APPOINTMENTS TO THE PLANNING BOARD, ZONING BOARD AND ALL OTHER CITY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS Sponsored by: Councilman Mourato i. (Zoning Board-Explanation of Resolution: This resolution would change the appointment process of the Zoning Board from five (5) members appointed by the Mayor with city council approval, to one (1) member appointed by the Mayor with council approval and the remaining four (4) members appointed directly by the city Council.) ii. (Planning Board-Explanation of Resolution: This resolution would also change the appointment to the planning board from seven (7) members appointed by the Mayor with Council approval to three (3) members appointed by the Mayor with Council approval and the remaining four (4) members appointed directly by the City Council.) iii. (All Other Boards and Commissions-Explanation of Resolution. The resolution requires at least four(4) members of all city boards and commissions, unless otherwise specified in the Home Rule Charter, be appointed directly by the City Council (one resident from each ward) with the remaining membership to be appointed by the mayor with city council approval.) Motion to table this resolution to the July 7, 2020 Council Meeting made by Councilman Mourato. Seconded by Council Vice President Rodericks. Motion passes unanimously. Member Aye Nay Cahoon x Mourato x Rodericks x Sousa x Britto x d) Introduction of Ordinances 1. FIRST AND FINAL PASSAGE – (PUBLIC HEARING) A) AN ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 19 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND 1998, AS AMENDED ENTITLED "ZONING" Sponsored by Councilman Mourato and Council Vice President Rodericks Full ordinance on Clerkbase, under 05/05/2020 agenda: https://clerkshq.com/EastProvidence-ri This is regarding the short term rental ordinance.