City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening. Call the meeting of the East Providence City Council to order tonight in January 27th, 6:30 6:31. Madame uh clerk, would you please call the role of the council? Councilman Fogerty. here. Councilman Lawson here. Council Vice President Rio here. Councilwoman Souza here. Council President Rodri here. Record show. All five members are present. Thank you. And please rise for the pledge.

Ice to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all.

Thank you. Madame clerk, can you please start the reading of the agenda?

Executive session. The city council of East Providence may meet in executive session pursuant to the Rhode Island general laws 42-46-5A2 a review discussion and possible vote to ratify collective bargaining agreement with the East Providence Parrofessionals Association in the East Providence School Department pursuant to section 104 of the East Providence Home Rude Charter. Dr. Susan Fand B. Review discussion and possible vote to ratify tenative agreements with IBO number 569 for period of November 1st, 2025 through October 31st, 2029, solicitor and chief of police.

Thank you. I'll entertain a motion under Rhode Island General Laws 42-465 A2. Do I move to go into executive session? Second. Motion by council vice president Rigo, seconded by Councilwoman Souza to go into executive session under Rhode Island general laws. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. We'll recess executive session. Be back very quickly.

Is there a motion to uh seal a minutes and reconvene public session? So moved. Moved by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor? I. I. Any opposed? The eyes have. Thank you. We'll read out the information from the executive session when the uh solicitor returns. Um he's getting something printed for the council. Madame clerk, could you uh resume the reading of the agenda

proclamations and presentation? Please providence bicycle and pedestrian master planformational presentation. This is an opportunity to share preliminary ideas from our consultants in state partners with the city council and public. No votes are necessary or will be taken. The presentation will be led by Quinn Malloy from tool design group and Joshua O'Neal, supervising planner with the Rhode Island Division of Statewide Planning with an introduction by director of planning Keith Bry.

Thank you. Director Bryan, you want to come forward with the consultants? Uh just as a reminder, there may or may not be, depends on the planning department uh public hearings down the line, but tonight was intended to uh give the council a brief presentation. As I understand it, the uh contract for the consultant pretty much will run out. Is it this week? So, they they wouldn't be available. That's right. So, please uh continue briefly, please.

Well, thank you. Uh thanks to the members of the council here. Um what we have tonight is just a brief presentation on the um the city's bike and pedestrian master plan that has been put together um over the past year and a half or so. Um as was stated, there's no vote needed. It's just anformational um summary here. Um this was done with $150,000 grant from statewide planning. um under their MTAP, municipal technical assistance program. Um the grant was the program was direct directly managed by statewide planning. Um and tool design was a lead consultant on this and um yeah, they've done a great job um with their partners and reaching out to the public getting input um on what people's wants and needs are here. So, I will uh turn it over to Miss Mallaloy. You can walk us through this here.

Thank you. And just uh for the record, identify yourself and your your firm. Thank you.

If I could uh introduce myself real quick, too, before Quinn gets going. Uh I'm Josh O'Neal. I'm with the Rhode Island Division of Statewide Planning. Uh we are the state agency that uh helped fund this. Uh the municipal technical assistance program that Keith just uh talked about. Uh that's a program that uh we do through our agency that provides uh planning assistance to the municipalities. And what we try to encourage are plans that support active transportation planning that are in alignment with the state's long range transportation plan. Uh our agency is uh in charge of the state's long-range transportation plan. we have to update it every four years uh through uh federal law. Uh and we do that in partnership with the Rhode Island DO's planning office and with RIPA's planning office and our long-range planning goals. Uh we try to have those um inculcated and uh in alignment with uh local municipal planning efforts. So uh we try to do local plans that support our state long range uh transportation plan. Uh we chose the city of East Providence for this planning effort. Um because of all the great infrastructure uh that the city has uh for biking and for walking. Uh you have uh one of the best bike assets in the state with the East Bay bike path. You also have the 10mi uh river greenway and of course the new possible connections uh with the Henderson Bridge. Um, so we'll see some of that uh in the presentation here today and and what we analyzed with our consultant uh tool design group um and as well as the feedback that we garnered uh through uh public workshops and outreach events that we did in East Providence the last year and a half um some great outreach events uh down at Riverside with um the witches parade and festival uh and then some of the music events that went on this summer. So uh we were really happy to support this effort. It was great um um working with the city uh seeing some of the folks who are here tonight who were who came out to some of our workshops and uh public involvement events. Um so I'm happy to

answer any questions after this. Um but I'll give it to Quinn to do the presentation and uh thank you again for giving us some time here tonight. Thank you. Welcome to the city.

Thank you. Two intros. Lucky me. Uh I am Dr. Quinn Malloy. I am a road doctor. probably haven't met one of those before. I'm a transportation geographer. I work for Tool Design. Um, and I'm going to tell you about your bike plan, your bike ped plan. If you want to go to the next slide. So, an overview. We started this at the beginning of the summer in 2024. It's been about a year and a half. Uh, we uh have a couple phases here. Analysis, engagement, prioritization, recommendations. uh we targeted a draft of the plan uh at the end of 2025 which we did meet. Uh but this has been a long process. Uh this is a data driven effort. This is a communitydriven effort. Uh in no way are these unique ideas to me. These are just ideas that came from your community uh and the data uh that represents your community. I am a humble conduit to the needs of the people of East Prominence and their ideas. So uh it has all come together into this plan which you will have by the end of the week. Next slide. [clears throat] So what did people say? One thing we did was we released a survey uh and we asked people in town. We had uh hundreds of responses uh to our survey. Uh what do you want from this bike plan? Uh do you want to walk and bike more? Yes, that was an overwhelming response. Uh 97% of responses were people who are interested in walking or biking or walking and biking more. Um there are very few negative responses to this plan. Uh people are very passionate about being able to walk and bike. I think that the circumstances in East Providence over the past couple years, transportation affordability, congestion have led people to look for more transportation diversity and that did come out in in a lot of the comments that we saw. Next slide. So why what do people see as barriers to walking and biking? On the left there, we have that that blue series. That's walking barriers. It's vehicle traffic.

Vehicle traffic is what makes people feel unsafe when they're walking. Second in all of those categories can be summed up as a lack of uh highly high quality maintained walking facilities, sidewalks, crosswalks, roads. The same for biking. So biking also the largest barrier is vehicle traffic. vehicle traffic, making people feel unsafe, wanting to have a little bit of separation between modes, uh, and then not having enough, uh, bike lanes or bike facilities into neighborhoods. So, that's really what people are looking for, what people said that they're they're interested in. Next slide. Here are some quotes. Uh, I'm not going to read them all out loud to you, but people looking for crosswalk signage, speed management, people who are worried about their children, uh, people who want raised crosswalks, new infrastructure, flashing lights, people who want schools to be accessible, people who are interested in bus stops that are walkable. Um, all things that people brought up again and again. So, uh, the vehicle traffic being kind of the thing that they they want to avoid. They want to be able to comfortably walk to comfortably bike without without feeling unsafe from cars. Next slide. What else? Another big theme was sidewalk quality and connectivity. I did look at many many miles of uh roads in East Providence and there are obviously these little gaps all over the place, these little uh pieces that don't connect. That can be a pretty big problem when it comes to vulnerable populations, older people, people in wheelchairs, children who have to go out into the road or onto someone's yard. Um creating a conflict point. So, that is one of our main recommendations is kind of closing up these gaps. Um there are unclear crossing points. How do I get across this street? Again, when you're thinking about children, middle school age children, people who are walking, uh in general, you want to make sure that there's there's a clear path to get across the road. Parking on sidewalks is a big one that can be mitigated. Um, but that is an issue in this town. A lot of people parking in places that were intended to be sidewalks that are now

used as informal parking. Um, sidewalk condition overall, I think sidewalk blockages was the one that came up the most, particularly for people who have uh mobility limitations. So, people who um use wheelchairs. We did speak to someone who's a disability advocate who said that the the sidewalk blockages being the utility poles in town are a huge issue for them. Um, so a lot a lot to work with there. a lot of um things that can be improved. Next slide. Our short-term recommendations. This is a little bit difficult to see. Uh on the right is uh kind of a a broken down look at what we're we're interested in. Uh and on the left there is a zoom in on what we're calling uh the pedestrian priority areas. So for pedestrian priority uh you'll we're recommending that you start with the areas around school and you schools and you just make sure that the sidewalks are complete in those areas that there are crosswalks where there need to be crosswalks uh that it makes complete sense from every parcel to connect to the school and back that children could do that on their own without supervision uh if that was uh what their family was interested in. The second phase of that would be transit stops. So making sure that you have full sidewalk connectivity between those areas. We have larger capital projects that have been proposed. Those dark blue lines on the left for pedestrians, places where you would want to have a hardened crossing, maybe a pedestrian refuge island is what we call it, but would would need further study. Those roads are most often owned by the state and would require some sort of stip uh interaction. On the right, we have our uh more bike oriented projects. The main thrust here of those is making sure that people have access to the phenomenal bike facilities that you already have. Um, rarely did we hear from people who were not interested in getting to the bike path easier. Uh, a lot of people, a lot of comments, a lot of people that we talked to have problems crossing Veterans Memorial.

They have problems getting from their neighborhood to the bike path. So, we want to get people off the bike path into town, spending their money at local businesses, and we want people who live in local neighborhoods to be able to get to the bike path with their families, no problem. Um, so that was kind of the main goal there. Um, we have a couple of projects that, um, in the short term that can be done. Uh, one area that you might see up here, uh, there are only two ways to get between Rumford and the rest of town. you can it's north North Broadway or or Pucket. So, one of those has to be safe for bikes. Uh, ideally both. So, in the in the short term, we do have that recommendation. Uh, and then most of our other short-term recommendations are what we're going to call neighborhood greenways. So, we'll get into that in a little bit more detail. Another type of project we have on here is called uh long-term start now projects. So aav uh treacherous for bikes certainly could be something that we think about in the future. We'd like to see some sort of side path or separated path that people can use. Um but that's a really long-term project. That's a stateowned road. It's a big deal. Start it now. Many people asked for it. People want that to move forward. Uh it is an unsafe road currently for people walking and biking. It's going to take 10 years. So long term start now. Um next slide. do a couple uh highlight projects here, highlighted projects. Uh one we have uh that I think you all anticipated being in here is the First Street Connection, the coveted First Street Connection. I cannot tell you how many people came up to me and said, "Well, of course, First Street." Um and then started to tell me about their other issues with walking and biking in town. But, uh, this was at, uh, one of the meetings. 16 different people mentioned First Street

as a connection that they'd like to see. Um, people had a lot to say about that. In in the comments of the survey, there was a lot to say about that. Um, one thing when you're designing bike infrastructure is you want to be efficient with your time and your money. Um it's not cheap to build bikeways and one block, two blocks of separated bikeway unlocks many dozens uh of opportunities for people of miles of opportunities for people. So that connection is our is our priority. Making that connection, making sure that people can take uh the bike path up into Providence, people from Providence can take it down. um most requested, very efficient, and I think that making sure that people have different commuter options to get into the city has been proven to be very important in recent years. Next slide. So, this is a piece of it. We did talk to the mayor about this. One portion of it will close um and become a oneway. We have since this draft uh slide was submitted changed the direction of the traffic. Traffic will come from Warren A and can travel down first street one direction the other lane will close and will be a separate we talked to the mayor about that second section of first street. Uh he said that there's um some communication with the power company about acquiring some rightaway on that parcel. So, you will not need to close the second block to traffic. Um, so it's just this section right here. Um, and this was highly requested currently pretty unsafe for people. Uh, and poses a barrier specifically if you want um people to have autonomy, people who are less comfortable in the street, biking, children, um, people who want to be able to bike school and work. That is that is

the number one thing that we want to want to think about that that Um, next slide. Veterans Memorial. Obviously, this one's a little bit tricky. We've identified three spots that we think would be ideal for crossing points. Um, here are some quotes. I recommend you read through them all uh privately, but uh people are not able to comfortably uh get across the road. Currently, there's no crossing points. Um, but that doesn't mean that people don't cross. People are crossing. They're just not crossing a way that's safe. Um, so we have people running across the road. we have people waiting for, you know, someone says here 10 minutes before they turned around and it keeps people from getting to one of your your biggest assets in the community. Um so three points that we've identified to to make this this crossing a little bit better. Um this is something that we've talked to right out about. Um they're willing to to do some some trial products. They have um a toolkit that can be used for demonstration products or projects which means that you try a little bit temporary materials. So that is something that we recommend. Next slide. Here is what one of them looks like. This is at Mercer Street. Doesn't change too much. Just hardens the intersection. Makes it a little bit clearer where traffic is turning. Uh and then you have a crosswalk that can be accessed there. So tiny little bit of shared use path that connects it around the parking lot, but pretty straightforward. Three of these would be ideal. Next uh next slide. The the last sort of item that we have to talk about here is neighborhood greenways. This is that concept where for a lot of roads it doesn't make sense to have a fully separated bike path. It's really hard to get a bike path or a bike lane on a road where it doesn't make sense to people. People feel frustrated by that space being taken. But what we can do is create something called a neighborhood greenway. There's a bunch of different

names for this type of street, but really the concept of a street that's so safe that it doesn't necessarily need anything like that. So, the traffic is slow. It's a calm street where people can uh share the space crossroads. There's lots of different ways to build something like this. There's no one way to do it. It's however you feel it meets the needs of your community. I'll show you a couple examples. Next slide. Uh what they should have. Usually we see some sort of shared lane marking. This is a much more uh this is a high coverage lane in terms of paint, but you can use a lot less uh daylighting which is uh if you see these these flower baskets at the end, it's to create a space where people can't park right at the edge of the road so that you can more clearly see when people are trying to cross. So making sure that there's uh clear crossing area that's protected from from being blocked by traffic. traffic calming when we slow traffic. I like to see speed humps. A lot of people like to see speed humps. Um, but there's lots of different ways that you can do this. You can you can calm traffic in a number of different ways. We finding that signage that helps people know that this is uh a neighborhood greenway and then removing the the center lines. So, taking out those stripes can help slow traffic and make people understand that this is a shared space. Next slide. Some more examples. Uh the one on the left that's a temporary installment. So they had a temporary mini roundabout to slow traffic. Um and then on the right you can see there's some wayfinding. There's a signage or on street signage and I think in the distance there is a speed hump. Next slide. And a similar thing here, right? So a bunch of different ways to do it. No one way to do it but identifying the street as being a shared space where all different modes uh are are allowed and are present. Um it it can take a number

of different forms. Uh next slide. And again uh more examples. Who doesn't love more examples? Um but that is a couple more um recommendations that we have. Not all of our recommendations are infrastructure based. Uh one is to establish a bike bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee. These have been very successful in other places. Providence had a bike pad advisory committee before it was turned into a different type of committee. Uh the towns of Aquidnik Island have a bike pet advisory committee um that they're standing up. Very popular. And really this just helps keep things moving. Making sure that someone is taking the plan and moving it forward that has passion for it when when Keith is bogged down looking at zoning variance. Uh when you guys have your city councils, we have someone else who's who's keeping the plan in mind. So that that is one of our recommendations. We have many people here who are supporting the bike ped uh plan who would all be phenomenal members of the bike ped advisory committee um that we've met through through our work here. Next uh slide. Uh another recommendation that we have is the Wampenog trail reclassification. Uh we did interviews with people in town who said that they were nervous crossing Wampenog Trail on foot which I agree. I don't think anyone should be crossing walnut off trail on foot but they are people are crossing walnut trail on foot and that's um probably an inappropriate uh road for that sort of activity but something that is being done in order to have safe pedestrian crossings it needs to be reclassified from a freeway to an arterial something more like veterans memorial this is something that lots of people asked for on one side of the road we have ripa stops if ripa stops there people will continue to try to cross the road um so in order to open up some of the uh real estate there and to be in line with some of the new land uses. We have new developments over there. You have uh baseball fields. You have all sorts of

really residential urban land uses that are not compatible with a freeway. Um there's a fatality on Wampog Trail. Someone biking. People walk and bike on Waog Trail. In order to move it towards a road that is safer for people, uh we'd like to reclassify it. We've talked to the DOA about that. Next slide. comments. Yep.

Just for your awareness, uh my agency, the division of statewide planning, we are actually in charge of that process for uh the functional reclassification of roadways. We do that in coordination with RIPA and that usually happens a few years after there's a census update. Um that update was a little slower this time from the 2020 census. So, we've uh begun working on that in 2024. Uh so it' be right around this time where Ryot and my agency starts to look at the re reclassification of roads uh based on population patterns uh development growth uh within the last census to this census. Um so when we were working on this project that was something that really came to mind was that southern end uh coming down Oenog trail uh going towards Bington. uh the fact that it didn't really make sense anymore uh to be like a freeway design and it really is a kind of roadway that begins to transition more into a principal arterial. Um so we don't think it's classified correctly today and we really want to take a look at that. Um so it's in the plan and it's something that my agency uh is kind of in charge of. So just so you're aware that we do that and where that came from.

The chair ask uh Councilman. Yes. Can I ask you something, sir? Were you how long ago? And were you involved with the island outside of Bay View Bradley Hospital design? No. No, I'm not really involved in like design with Ryot like engineering. Uh we're kind of higher level. Um we're involved in the state transportation improvement program process. Uh where we look at the projects that and how they get allocated uh within the 10-year plan. Um, and we work with Ryot's planning office uh, primarily uh, for for that pro uh, that process. Um, but like project specific stuff, I'm not too in the weeds on that. Every now and then we are, but not very often.

So, do you know how long that would have taken to design such a thing? 10 years. It varies widely by by project, but you know, typically from getting into the stip, getting design, getting selected, programmed, you know, design and engineered, I mean, you're you're probably looking at, you know, 7 to 10 year process. You know what I'm talking about on that? I I I was not involved in that specific. Do you know the area I'm talking about, though? Not that project. You know where Bay View High School is? I know where the high school is. Yeah. So when you come that when you come down Sucket Avenue, Bullocks Point towards Rumford area on the right, that's the island I'm talking about. [snorts]

He's talking about right at the top of Veterans Memorial Parkway. Yeah. That is hospital. Yeah. Right across the street from Bradley Hospital. Bradley Hospital.

Okay. So 7 to 10 years is about right. If you have a project idea that that isn't already programmed and you're kind of fleshing it out and then you put it in and you get it selected, it's about that long. Um I was involved in a major uh Main Street corridor project when I was a town planner. Formerly I was a town planner for the town of Cumberland many years ago. Uh and we did a Main Street project in Pucket Central Falls and Cumberland. And from the beginning to getting it programmed to getting it designed and built and constructed, uh, was roughly a 10-year process. Okay. Thank you. Yeah, I see what you're talking about.

It's a tricky spot. Um, certainly something that came up during our conversations. Um, next slide. All right. Well, I think that about brings us home. I do want to say that this is a this is a this is a great community. People are very passionate about this. I talked to a lot of people who were people who moved here because of the bike path. Not not a inconsequential number of people said we moved here because of the bike path. So I think you have an asset uh series of assets and I think you have a lot of passionate people who would love to see some of these ideas moved forward. Um and I thank you for your time and I welcome any questions. Do you want to check your next slide just in case?

I have one question please. Yep.

Um about a year or two two years ago, we had a developer Keith knows that came in in Wampenog Trail is what have had me thinking about this. Do you have the you or the gentleman from the state can answer this? The traffic studies like when they were done, the one on Weno Trail is so was so outdated. I mean, and then this developer came in and they had their own, but obviously when you hire somebody, they're going to be a little different. Do you have a do you know when the last time Pucket Avenue, Newport Avenue, all the main thoroughares in the state and excuse me, in the city that the state has done the traffic studies on?

Traffic studies are difficult to come by. We don't we did not use traffic study data when we made our recommendations. Um we did it based on the federal guidance for bikeways and what type of facility is appropriate from a safety perspective to build on that type of road. But the more yeah the more information we have the better off. Right. So the state do you have any you know like is there a requirement every 5 years 10 years 15 years.

There's no requirement that doesn't come out of my agency. Uh Ry dot handles that they do um like safety audits um and they look at specific corridors. Um I think the funding primarily goes through the the traffic tribunal. There's uh planners involved in that office that actually work with municipalities to do those types of studies. Um I know there was one done on a project I worked on from the state when we were looking at some stuff in the Port of Providence uh where they had done a safety audit of Allen's Avenue. So I don't think there's like a like a regular selection of projects for that. Um, but there's I think there's regular funding that Ry dot has and they work with communities to do safety audits. So, we don't have like a specific bundle of safety audits that we have in in our office that we work with when we do these studies. Primarily, we do work with Ryot uh to collect their crash data. Uh, we look at the GIS data that they have and if there are specific studies that we're aware of, we we bring those into these types of projects.

Thank you, Keith. I have a question for you. Uh what so tonight we we have some a summary of information. So what as a city council what is the next step to us? Is there going to be a formal recommendation? Is there going to be uh will there be another public hearing for some final input? Just just where are we going from this? Well, the the plan should be completed in about a week or so. Uh we can pass that on to the city council. We can have that on our website. Um are these usually adopted by the uh city council. Yeah. One one thing I should have said in my intro was these these projects are for the benefit of the communities. Um so we don't with this money even though we're giving you know we're hiring a consultant, we're giving the money to the community to do these projects. We're not, you know, forcing the community to do anything. It's really up to the timetable that works for for the community. Um, so we'd recommend that you guys adopt this. Uh, you can do that through a resolution. It doesn't necessarily have to, you know, be part of the comprehensive plan or anything like that, but you know, as an advisory document, uh, and specifically as a long range planning document, we we give these to the communities for long range planning. Um, we don't anticipate that things will get going within the first year. Um but we do try to identify projects that can happen quickly uh within partnership with Ryod as Quinn mentioned um they have a new program uh where they can actually go out and do some testing of project ideas like the crossing on Veterans Memorial Parkway. Uh they actually can stand that up pretty quickly as like a like a quick um a quick build um kind of like a pilot project to see if it improves safety or not. And then the city can decide from there if they want to do a bigger project or program something funding through the state process through the STIP.

So there was funding for the the consultant study which we pretty much have and I guess we're going to get the final plan later this week. Okay. Beyond that is if we adopt certain parts of it, is there funding for any of these? Yeah, there projects

there is a funding strategy that's part of the plan. So, if you look through it, they'll list all the federal uh grant programs that are available that are managed by the state primarily through Rhode Island DOT, although sometimes there are federal grants that municipalities can apply for just by themselves. Um, but most of these programs go through the federal government uh and then are administered by Ryot. We identify the types of projects we're recommending in the plan and what funding streams get attached to them. And then we have timelines for each project and and we would advocate for the town to think about where that would go into a request to the state as part of the state transportation improvement program. But again, it's it's your plan. It's a long-range planning document. Um you implement it as you see fit. Uh there aren't any strings, you know, attached to this. Um we are trying to get the municipality to do active transportation planning and to incorporate active transportation planning into other ongoing planning efforts. So basically now it's up to the administration with Keith to decide where we move forward on this plan. And then also obviously the the key as you just mentioned are the federal and state grants to get these projects rolling. So, uh, has there been any discussion with the mayor and the administration? Either Keith or Andre can answer this where we are, what what the mayor likes and maybe what the mayor doesn't like and what's point A and, you know, where where are we going to go with this?

The mayor's very much in support of uh this endeavor. Um, and you know, as it goes forward, you know, a lot of it is like, uh, like Josh said, looking for the grant opportunities or other ways to actually implement it because like any plan, you know, a lot of plans are list of recommendations. If you add them all up, it's, you know, millions of dollars. So then it's uh finding out how you can step by step actually implement these. And, you know, there are different federal programs like the safe street, safe streets for all program um which has implementation grants where hopefully some of this can be uh can be done through that or or just through the state's u normal process. But yeah, that would be the next step. And if the council does adopt the plan too, of course, it doesn't mean that you're locked in and you must do this stuff. It's uh you know, sort of a guide uh a guide forward.

The chair. Yes, council woman. So, just to clarify what you're just saying, has your department or have you applied for any grants as of today or do you have any federal grants or state grants as of today that would fund any part of this proposed plan? No, we haven't we haven't received any. Have you applied? We haven't we haven't applied for any implementation yet. um with safe streets for all that I mentioned I there's another funding round maybe a year from now um which you know could go to one of these uh efforts here but we haven't actually applied for the implementation yet [clears throat] the chair

yes councilman fory

I love the idea I hope the financing could be there uh great presentation uh family of bikers so to bring it forward to this level is is definitely good for the community, I believe. So, thank you for your efforts and I hope it happens. But my main concern is safety. I don't feel safe on a lot of these streets. I mentioned you one. I'm on Merrick Road right after that island that I don't agree with anything they did with that 7 8 10 years ago. So, safety's main concern for me as a biker with kids that hang around with me as bikers and you know, we load them up to go to a safe spot. So, I would love to have safe spots to drive the bike in East Providence. Thank you.

I I said this four years ago before I was on this council. That was a question asked. And one of the, you know, one of the things is having young having young young kids are grown up then now older kids, but older kids who still uh participate in marathons and Iron Man races, they're on the road all the time and it gets a little hairy and uh and scary out there that things happen. uh are we going to get to the where do you how long do you think this takes for us to uh get this fully uh in place like one of the issues about connecting Rumford to uh the Parkway? I mean Broadway is probably the easiest I mean both ways but Broadway is the quickest fix because it gets you to the Parkway and then from there you're on the bike path and you can get down into Riverside. So realistically from a planning standpoint, are we talking 2 years, 4 years, 6 years? And I'm not going to obviously hold you to it, but I'm glad we're finally four years later and we're making this type of progress.

Yeah, I think it depends on the nature of the specific project. Um, if things are on local roads where the the city is in control of what we do there, um, it can be easier to actually go ahead and implement it. Um, when you're looking at the big the bigger projects on state roads like Pucket Avenue, um, as as Josh said, that can, you know, take the longest of going through that state process and getting the millions in funding to do some of these larger projects here.

Could you use the mic, please? back. That's okay.

In terms of what Oh, one forward. Yeah. So, the the blue lines there, I know it's a little bit difficult to see. The blue lines are the short term. Those are mostly on local roads. Our goal was to create a really tight network on mostly local roads that could be made safe pretty quickly with cheap solutions. So, you could install some temporary speed humps, see how they work, see if that works for you. You could do some minor stuff to these roads to create neighborhood greenways. There are a couple like North Broadway where you would need to have some sort of fixed facility ideally. Um but could be done relatively easily there. You don't even need to do a parking utilization study on North Broadway. In my opinion, there's not a lot of parking on that street. Um but really making sure that there's a baseline network that can be accomplished in the next five years. That's what the blue network is. Everything else is a little bit longer, five five to 10, 10 plus. Um, but that blue network ideally could be done to some degree relatively cheaply in the short term. That's that was our goal. I'm happy you have the speed bumps because this council has been a fan of speed bumps but we have been pushed back by the DPW director as well as the fire chief and you can understand their points but excuse me places like Providence and everywhere else has them and I think that is definitely a way for us to get going. I'm glad you it brought a smile to my face that uh that they're in there. they were brought up by people. I would say there's not, again, there's not just one way to do it. Um, so if the DPW does have something that you need to negotiate with, there are different ways. Some people have temporary speed homes that are taken out in the winter for maintenance right before storms. Um, no one's speeding in Providence right now, that's for sure. So, um, definitely

something that you can consider and some some negotiation. I've done something I've looked into. It's called a snowplow rodeo and it's a you can experiment with different types of snow plows. Some of them automatically go over speed humps um and some of them speed uh snowplow operators do like kind of a trial but there are lots of different ways to deal with snow. Uh you're it's your DPW though. So what what works for them is what works for them.

Thank you. So to to wrap up just to go back to my my question um in terms of the process from here. So the consultants report will be completed this week. You'll give that to the east province officials to Keith in planning and then Keith you in turn will meet with the administration and then finalize some final recommendations to the council at some point. I'm not putting down a timetable or anything, but is that what we're looking for? That's right. Yeah. Yes.

And I think from a planning perspective and for grant applications, I think you probably have a little bit more bang for the buck if the plan is adopted by a resolution of the city council. They can say that they are supportive of this plan and therefore that, you know, when we apply when the city applies for grants for specific projects, we can always look back to that resolution saying that, you know, this has been supported by the city council. Could Could we to raise funds have a contest? What gets done first? A Washington Bridge or some of this that could fundra possibly sell raffle tickets or something. Uh I like it.

Councilman Lawson, your light was on. Did you want to add anything before we wrap up? You're good. No, the mic light. You're good. Okay. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Put my light Madame Clerk, could you continue, please? Yes. Consent calendar for discussion and possible vote. Council journals, regular meeting minutes, January 6, 2026. Motion to approve. Motion to approve by Councilwoman Souza, seconded by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor? I. Any opposed?

The eyes have it. licenses for discussion and possible vote. A motion to bundle non-public hearing licenses. Is there a motion to bundle? So move. Motion by Councilwoman Souza, seconded by Councilman Lawson to bundle los applications. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Is there a motion? Motion to approve license as bundled. Second. Motion to approve the licenses that were bundled. Seconded by Councilman Lawson. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have look forward to the coffee club that's coming in.

Yes. Coffee bar. Sounds good. Before we go any further, for for maybe those who were here waiting, uh, solicitor, would you uh read out the um votes of the executive session? Sure. the executive session that the city council met uh to discuss and uh vote on the two uh collective bargaining agreements. One was with the teachers pair of professional groups that was approved by the city council on a vote of 5 to zero. Uh the collective bargaining agreement or tenative agreements proposed with the IP IBPO 569 was also approved by a vote of 5 to zero. Thank you. Okay, madame clerk and continue.

Public hearing. Type of license, new liquor license, class B. Victiculing. Mr. President, in compliance Rhode Island General Laws 3614-6, I hereby recuse myself of participation in discussion or taking official action in this matter. Thank you. Thank you, Council Vice President. I'll make a motion to approve pending public hearing.

Let's let him. So, as the councilman uh recuses himself due to his business, uh Councilman Lawson has made a motion to approve and this would be pending. We open it up to a public hearing. Is there a second to that? Second.

Second by Councilwoman Soua. First, are there any questions of the council? just say I I get introduced to hot pot from a coworker at Brown. It's fun. It's good. And it's fun. Sounds good. Sounds interesting. So, I'll open it up to public hearing. Is there anyone present like to speak for or against this this license? Uh yes. just come forward and identify yourself for the record. Name and address. Thank you.

Good evening everybody. Uh my name is Mark Zikoff. I'm an attorney. I actually represent K Hot. Okay. And barbecue and I have my uh friend James here. Welcome. Uh we're available for anybody who uh has any questions. I agree with the councilman uh that it is fun. It's a good time. I think it's uh something that East Providence and the surrounding areas will enjoy. Uh it's in a great plaza and it um you know I think will bring a lot of uh energy to the city. Agreed. Here for anybody who wants to ask any questions of James. Any question of the business owner, the attorney while while they're here?

No. No hearing none. Uh thank you for coming forward. uh close the public hearing at this time. We do have the motion in second already on the floor. Uh all in favor? I I any opposed? Uh the eyes have that good luck and towards you. Good luck. Good luck.

Thank you. As council vice president returns, next item. Madame clerk, public comment, Sam Acha. Hi. Just name and address for the record. Uh Sam Archer, 184 Walnut Street. Um welcome.

Thank you. Um and yeah, uh I I guess I really want to thank you all for such a positive reception to the bike and pedestrian plan. I'm really, you know, learning about the the process involved in local politics and getting to know you guys and um, you know, I I appreciate how receptive you are and how you seem to be able to really appreciate the big picture of what this is. It's about a community being uh, you know, walkable and accessible, right, for people of all ages, people of all abilities. Um, and you know, where we can clearly see that there are some places that it is not that, we can also see the path to get there together. Um so you know from me to you thank you really appreciate it and um you know I hope that you will adopt a resolution you know in support of this um there's also uh something called a safe streets action plan which was mentioned earlier um you know there's I I got to read you know the plan that was prepared for East Providence. Um I think that you know you will also really appreciate um the big picture and the details that are in there. Um, and I think that, you know, at least in those regards in terms of transportation planning and how we get around safely, you know, into the future, in in many respects, what I saw is that we're in good hands. We have good plans for these things. You know, it's going to it's going to make it possible for everybody to get around all the different ways we want to get around. That's really good.

Thank you guys. Thank you for coming out. Appreciate it, Sam. Thank you very much for that input. Next question. Council members, a request to add a rodent control specialist to the staffing at Department of Public Works. Councilman Lawson. Councilman Lawson.

So, I got to meet with uh Andre and uh Dan last week and I mentioned to them um we we get enough calls regarding um test rodent issues that I think it's prudent that our DPW staff have a specialist. there is precedent in other communities. Warrick Cranston, Andre mentioned Providence. Um, have somebody that has that special ability that they can bait traps and stuff. Um, I'm getting calls from residents that, as you know, when you disturb the earth or any kind of development, things move around habitats from predator animals to rodents and stuff. and when they end up in somebody's backyard, it's really not fair for a homeowner to have to pay $400 or $500 to bring in an exterminator. So, um I made the request. I'll follow up to see. I know they're busy with the storm and stuff, but um I had mentioned it during the budget process about adding DPW positions that didn't go, but I think it is something that it's worth looking at. Um how that works, whether it's just appointing a current employee and giving them some training or if we have to look at adding a position. I don't know. I'll let the administration look at that. But um I think especially I mean we got a lot of development in the works or about to happen with metaccom and stuff that I think it'd be proactive if this council you know requested that we add a road control to our DPW staff.

I looked into Cranston and Warrick and Warrick has three. Cranston might have three also, but they at least have two. And they're fully trained and certified just like if you were working for, you know, the Big Blue or Briggs and Brown. So, it isn't just like we get somebody who can go and put a trap and put some spray or anything. So we need that especially this all came about when there was another situation you know in front of us and we were get and then we were also getting calls you know this summer about you know the the rodent situation with construction and and uh so those two cities they have their own rodent control department inside DPW. So we, you know, I think if we want to move this city forward, we we do that. And I, you know, past C, the past council and this council, we did add positions to DPW. So this would be a perfect time to do that. As well as uh to lobby for animal control and they they go hand in hand together and an increase there. and we've we've talked about that in the past, but to do it right, I think we we're at the point where we need that in our city.

Thank you, Councilman. Yeah, certainly definitely something to look into budgeting as as we get get into the next process. U good points with the development that we have in the forefront. Next item B. Update of stop sign on Ferris and David Street. Council Vice President Rio. Council Vice President

Andre, I'm going to There's going to be a lot of questions for you since uh you're the only one here representing the administration. And Mike can answer this one. We uh passed this ordinance September, October, maybe it was November, but we've we we've done this a while ago and the driving by the stop sign's still not up and obviously the stop sign's not going to go up for anytime soon since uh we got that nice pile of white stuff in front of us. So, uh I really need an answer for my constituents. Um, Vice President Rio, well, members of the East Providence City Council, I'm Andre Herrera, director of policy and constituent services for Mayor Bob Dilva. Uh, I checked in with our DPW director Dan Borges, and he said he just needs the final placement of where to put it and it's ready to be placed. Uh, so I can connect with you after this meeting and we can get that uh installed right away.

Thank you. I appreciate that. [clears throat]

Thank you. And I I want to add as an aside, um we've we mentioned that um Andre is the only person here from administration. And uh tonight, unfortunately, there is a ceremony going on with the I believe at it's at the high school. It's at East Providence High School with the annual East Province Police Promotions. And there are several high level of promotions being made tonight and the other routine promotions. Normally this council would attend. Uh uh unfortunately it fell on the same evening as a a meeting that that we had. So, uh, I'm sure I speak for all of the council and I say we send our congratulations and best wishes to all of the, uh, promotions occurring tonight at the East Providence Police Department and I think at the highest of levels also, they're being made. U, so we just unfortunately could not be there, but we certainly have 100% support behind our um, police department. And so, Andre, you were um you have to take all of the uh bobs that we might throw towards the administration. And

and thank you, Councilman Rigo, for bringing that up. Next, next item. The update on construction of East Providence Community Center. Council Vice President Rigo. Okay, Andre. Again, I just like to have an update as far as where we are with this project. Are we still on time for the October uh ribbon cutting and I [clears throat] know we have to deal with the opera funding and everything out? Yes. Um I spoke to the project manager and uh the consultants um today and they assured me that the project is currently on time to have the building occupied after October 31st, 2026.

Okay. I spoke with Dominic. He confirmed that everything's good, there's no hiccups, and barring weather, um things should move, and then we'll finally have a rec center. Kitten, uh I got a question for you, Mr. President, offer the solicitor. We only took one We only took one initial vote to authorize this. We've taken votes afterwards because, you know, with the money, right? So there's only been one there was only one vote ever taken on the 10 or 12 million dollars that we were going to use. There was no there were no I mean there's votes since then that we authorized you know the purchase of steel etc like that. Am I correct or am I wrong?

You voted um you did take a couple votes to authorize the spending of the money allocated a certain amount that was that was way back when we got the opera funds.

Yep. uh in between while we were waiting for the guaranteed maximum price to be provided by the contractor. Um there were couple couple things that we needed because we didn't have that guaranteed maximum price yet. Um so that was the um for the steel I believe and maybe maybe for some site work I believe but I I know definitely for the steel there was a vote for that. Uh then you voted for the resolution adopting the guaranteed maximum price as set by the consultant which then allowed them to award the contracts as long as they're within that total maximized uh guaranteed price that that helps them meet these the timeline and they only authorized to you know spend money up to that guaranteed maximum price. So that's the final vote that you took uh which allowed them to you know move forward. That's why you're not seeing votes coming back here. Um because those guarantee maximum price was already approved by that resolution and that was made clear to the council when we did

is a ceiling. So they Exactly. So I forgot what the guarantee maximum prices but it has to be under that amount but the one initial vote was for the uh total price and that won't change. You only took one initial price for that. You took one vote to allocate APPA, right?

Then you took some votes to allocate steel and then whatever was left over, they came back with a guaranteed maximum price. That was a separate resolution that outline what the guaranteed maximum price for each division meaning site work uh building interior and there's all was all laid out in the resolution and that authorized the um the administration and consultation with the uh contractor to um award contracts as long as they met those guaranteed maximum prices. So it's a basically cap. They can't spend more than what you authorize. And that's where that was that was the benefit of the guaranteed maximum price because as you remember we were concerned and the council was concerned that you know this has to be substantially completed by October 31st of this year um to to get you so we don't have to give back the opera funds.

Thank you. I hope that clarifies that. Next item. D. Status of Rumford Little League Challenger Program. Kimberly in Rock Field. Council Vice President Ria. Andrea again uh with Dan not being here. Have uh do you know if there's been a meeting set up between the president Rumford Little League and uh Dan because I I haven't heard of anything. And well I I spoke to I like to be part of that. So

understood. Um, I spoke to uh Director Dan Borges and the parks department. Um, the last I heard was that they are uh waiting for everything to dry. I know this has been particularly challenging with the winter weather, but um I will get the details of a meeting uh to you uh after this meeting. Okay. I just like to have the premeating so we know from point A to point, you know, point Z where we are and so that there's no surprises for everybody and everybody's on the same page with the league and everything. So and I think

I was hoping that we'd get a meeting scheduled uh have to check with the parks department they were going to reach out. So, if we can get that meeting scheduled before fall long, it will be March. And you know,

and I think unfortunately with this snow and and the cold weather means the snow is going to be around for a while and there's more storms predicted. So hopefully uh the league and everyone will understand that um you know that plan was very aggressive and you know it may not all get done but I think the important parts that you brought up will get done and and should get done but um it's going to take take a little little while whenever weather's involved and and that's one of several leagues in the city all wanting to be ready for that opening day but you know we'll we'll get at it

and Andre, we townies don't mind getting our hands dirty. So if DPW needs staffing assistance, just let us know and you'll have the bodies there. All right. Appreciate that, Council. Yep. Thank you. Next item. The Naraganset Community Choice Electricity Aggregation. Council Vice President Rigo.

I should have called earlier or when this when the first draft came up. Narroagans is just one of the platforms of a town that we use. But Andre uh we introduced this at the one of your first meetings here as you know and uh again Dan we Dan started talking about reaching out to some companies. uh this this is an important aspect of uh legislation that we can help with the high high electric rates. Uh so do you know where we stand on this? I mean Narroance it is the probably the best community right now in in the state of Rhode Island uh to utilize this. So, um, do you know where we are with any of these consultants and these companies that would oversee it

for this matter in particular? I spoke to director Borges and he said he would he wishes he was here to give you an update on that, but they will provide you an update shortly. He does have an update um, and he wants to talk to you. Madame Clerk, can you just add this to the next week's meeting so that you know you can give director B just notice that he'll be here next Tuesday to give us the update on that. Thank [snorts] you.

Vice President, I did uh coincidentally speak was at a Ryland League of Cities and Towns function this even this afternoon and I did speak with the director about information regarding such programs. Uh he did indicate to me that the league is actually uh in negotiations with uh potential uh providers. Right now the city actually uh participates in electric aggregation program. There's a municipal aggregation program that's um sponsored by the league or at least was put forward by the league that we can join. Um they're in the process and again I I haven't spoken with them but the league is also in the process of trying to now expand that for residential customers. Um, and I asked him how long he was thought he was out for that. He indicated that, you know, maybe six months out before they get all the final paperwork done or at least the bids. There's, you know, the whole process that they have to go to. Uh, and they indicated that there was the technology is pretty amazing of what you can use and how you can log into these programs. The question is, do you automatically opt into the program like they do in Providence or you opt out or you have to opt out? But there are different things. So, I just wanted to give you that and I asked him for some information once he gets a little closer to it. But he thought they were at least 6 months out before they can offer it to offer it to municipalities to residential customers.

Yeah. I mean there's all different things as far as the opt in the opt out. Correct. I mean and I as I've mentioned before is uh Brookline Massachusetts is one and Brooklyn also has gone to the point of using a lot of green energy along with this. Uh but Brook Line's been probably about 30 years now. they were like one of the first and it gives everybody the opt you know the opt in opt out and uh they're definitely one to follow.

So the league may have some I actually was talking to him because I wanted to know if they had like a sample request for proposal that we could send out because if we do if we do this on our own we would have to send it out for bid and have people come in and make presentations to us and the council would have to award um that bid depending upon what so but I guess the short answer is that the league is working on it and I and I defer to Mr. more as to what he was doing. So, but it looks like it's something that the state is looking for through the league. That's good. Next item. F. I assume it's also council vice president Rigo.

Yes. Request for information planning zoning building departments related to the number of applications for accessory dwelling units be used received by the city after passage of zoning ordinance allowing ADU on parcels of 5,000 square feet or larger. Council vice president Rio. Yes, sir. Do you have an answer for me? Yes. Uh, Vice President Rio, we have had 12 applications since 2024 and uh 10 last year in 2025. So, we're seeing uh increasing demand, but it's still relatively new legislation.

That's correct. Now, we also obviously need to advertise that it's, you know, 5,000 square foot. Uh, and the other question is with with the zoning office, uh, are we also promoting because we all know that we need to continue to build. Have we also let people know that they can take a possible one family home and make it into a duplex duplex apartment and everything? Is there a way of doing this so that people know that this city is user friendly to uh help with this housing crisis? Yeah, I'm going to talk to the planning department, see what kind of notices we can do um and how we can better inform the public uh that this exists on the books here in East Providence.

Thank you. Next item.

G conditions of Newport Avenue. Council Vice President Rio. Uh, Andre, again, this is just to follow up with uh, director Bes isn't here, but the not this snow that just happened, but the one that we had a couple of weeks ago beforehand, the city, I mean, excuse me, the state when they were filling Newport Avenue, they did not use the uh, coal patch to uh, fill the holes into uh, Newport Avenue. What they used was like that the dry asphalt that you you know like the like the liquid they used the liquid asphalt which is great if it was 90° out but doing that and then what happened was the when the plow driver came down it just ripped it up and all of Newport Avenue all the liquid asphalt got moved onto sidewalks and everything and director B is aware of it because I took pictures. So, this was a followup because the business owners on Newport Avenue have been, you know, complaining about the debris all over Newport Avenue. Do you have anything that he might have given you on that?

I'm not 100% up to speed on this particular issue, but I did speak with uh Director Borges and he said he has been in communication with Ry Dot. Um, and we'll provide you a more extensive update uh at the next council meeting. Thank you.

Next item. Oal complaints from the Buckland Point plant. Council Vice President Rio.

Again, I I know you you're representing Dan. He's had some long days, so don't expect him here. But this is becoming an increasing problem up along C Camp Campbell Avenue. But it's gotten to it's gotten to the point now where people living near St. Margaret's and further down on Pucket Avenue, the smell of uh that plant, which is not run by the city, is uh is very noticeable at times. I get the calls and I don't know if Dan was able to give you some information. I guess Dan told me Dan told me at one time that they were doing some construction there. So, uh, do you have any further updates on where they are over there with this project?

Yes. Uh, we spoke to Naragansa Bay uh commission and they gave us a couple of uh sources that residents could reach out to. So, if they had any questions, they can contact I can get this over to you. email to NBCPR@narabay.com and there's also you can reach out to them through their website contact form. They are taking note of all the odor complaints and any odor complaints that we receive we make sure we forward over to uh their manager that they have in charge overseeing these complaints. They're recording them and so they encourage people to reach out to Narrogance at Bay to uh document these complaints. So you can send them to us or you can send them directly to Narroance at Bay.

Could you email the Could you email me that Naragro Bay email address so I can provide it to the residents? We'll do. Thank you. Thank you. Next. Hi. W two roundt talk monthly meetings. Councilwoman Souza,

thank you. Um, so this is um something that I wanted to um start. I had done this previously um during uh my seat here as the War 2 council woman and um with all of the different things going on in the cities um community residents being more active in involved in a lot of the things that the city has been doing over the last few years. Um I think it'd be nice to have a monthly um gathering to discuss things that are happening in W 2 or in the city abroad. So all are welcome including um my fellow council members. Um I do want this put on the agenda again for next week. Um I so I could provide a more tentative date for the February meeting and the location for all who are interested. It will be posted on um the city council Facebook web page um Facebook account um and on the city calendar once that date has been um given at our next council meeting.

Good idea. February 23rd will be our next W 4 town hall meeting with me, Bob, uh Jess from the school committee and our state reps that represent Riverside. And any help you need, Councilwoman? I'm glad to lend a hand. Thank you. Next item. Jay, littering and dog waste ordinance and enforcement. Councilwoman Soua.

Thank you. Um so a messy situation to be talking about, but I think important. Uh it has been brought to my attention and I'm sure others have heard um the waste um that is being left on public ways or in uh public parks has grown more um than it has in the past. And I don't know if that's for a lack of um manners or um respect of the community and those that use those parks um and people's property or if we're just having a huge influx of um dogs in the community that are doing more walking. Nonetheless, um I think it's important to make all residents aware that we do have a city ordinance on file um that does speak to um properly um removing waste um from your animal if you are walking on any public street or in any public park. And those are um finable offenses. So, um, anybody who witnesses that being taking place or has it on camera, we know that everybody has a Ring camera or some type of, um, surveillance, uh, around their properties along with, um, our public buildings also have cameras, schools, um, city hall. So, it's not that we can't see who is perpetrating these, um, uh, is these problems. Um, and we certainly aren't in the business of wanting to go and find people for this, but it's more of a respectful, hey, you're, you know, you're a dog owner, you know, your responsibility is to pick up their waste, um, and not leave it in in the public walkways or at playgrounds. And that was where one of the the things that had happened other than a resident reaching out with multiple documented videos spanning you know a few months of the same person with the same you know

animal defecating at the same location on their property. So it is really a a courtesy um and being a good neighbor and a community um member to you know in addition to uh picking up your dog waste littering right if you see it pick it up. it might not be yours. And I think I've had this discussion um in the springtime when a lot of people use our city parks. Um that you know it is all our responsibility to keep our city clean um and sanitary and it does come down to a huge health problem um when you have all of that um waste um in public areas especially in our schools. So, um just a friendly reminder that it is uh a fine, a monetary fine, first, second, third offense after warnings. Um and that if somebody sees it, it can be reported to our um uh dog control officers and they have been out monitoring these things. So, um please do your part and pick it up. I know there's an occasional I forgot my bag situation or I ran out of bags. We've all been guilty of that, you know, including myself. Um, but you know, it's not the exception. It's the routine behavior that needs to be corrected. So, I appreciate um, you know, us working together to get rid of that.

Do a small business plug. Uh, Dexter Patterson down in Riverside has a a small business called Clean Leash. It's a little thing you clip. It's a bag that has the the waste bags right in. So, yeah. Yep. So, just a little small business plug for Riverside residents. Nice. So, yeah. Thank you, Councilwoman. Next item. Okay. Speed calming measures for multiple area along Moran Avenue and Juniper Street. Councilwoman Souza.

Thank you. So, this is more of a request for our DPW. Um we do have our speed um flashing monitors that we have throughout the city that will flash to let identify what the speed is that people are coming down uh the road. Juniper and Moran are a very busy areas especially with Juniper being a very long street um next to a school and cutting through major thoroughways um in the center of the city. It has been increasingly unsafe for the students walking to school in that area um along with other residents who um are pedestrians or cyclists in that area getting to restaurants or shops um in the the center of the city. So I would request that we put up in multiple areas the speed signs um so that we can have people that are driving be aware. That's one of the calming measures that I think have been useful in the city. Um until such time that um the administration can come up with some other speed calming measures that I know the council has uh provided suggestions. We had a great um presentation today that also uh provided some suggestions. Um, so if we could have that done, um, that would be great. If there are any at the yard available or I'm not sure if they need to order more, um, I'm sure Dan could give an update on that, um, once he's been made aware. Thank

you. L update on consultant report and plans to address ongoing pedestrian crossing signal devices issues. Councilwoman Souza,

Andre, if you wouldn't mind. Um, so this actually comes at a good time. We just had the presentation um regarding the city's desire and um enthusiasm to have a more robust pedestrian and cycling um environment in our city. Um, and I know for years, um, we've been on the council, myself included, been talking about what are we doing, how can we improve the things that we do have control over. Um, so maybe a year ago, um, I had persistently brought this conversation up during a council meeting and a consultant was acquired, um, to look over all of our crosswalks, um, pedestrian signaling devices, um, what was working, what wasn't working. And I recall your predecessor um one of the last things that she said um to this council was that there was a finalized report um and that um there were recommendations that were made um but I myself have not received that report or recommendations. I I can't speak for the rest of the council. Um, but I know that there are still again um areas in the center of the city that are school bus pickups, crosswalks that students take to get to um their school crossing over Warren Aav, which we know is a very busy um thoroughway in the city that do not have functioning pedestrian lights um and are a huge safety risk for our uh young students in the community. Councilwoman Souza, thank you so much for bringing this to uh our attention. I spoke to DPW Director Dan Borges and the superintendent of highway and they are

getting a price on the uh the light lighting improvements and um adding it we're looking into adding it to capital improvements as a project and uh we'll I'll check on that report and see where that is. um and get that over to you uh and as well as get some uh price updates on the lighting and what it would cost and how we can implement it moving forward. Okay. And that's those are for the pedestrian lights, correct? Crosswalks specifically. I I believe so. I have to double check with um with DPW director. He has those specifics.

Okay. And then do we know if we could get an update on any of the state um controlled roads that also have non-functioning because that was part of the whole plan uh was also to address those that are on state controlled roads. Our highway superintendent has an update on that that we can get over to you u in detail for the next council meeting.

Perfect. Thank you so much. Um I know that also and I don't know if we've ever looked into it. It's more of a European thing, but there is paint that you can use on crosswalks that glow at night um or have reflectors. So, it makes it highly visible for vehicles to see because sometimes you don't even know there's a crosswalk, right? The the city is very inconsistent with where we have crosswalks that are marked and where people actually cross, but they're not marked. Um so, I don't know. I'm assuming that this consultant may or may not have identified areas throughout the city that could use a crosswalk that don't know don't currently have a painted crosswalk. Um, but I think in high uh traffic areas espe with vehicles and pedestrians that looking into a simple painting of a neon fluorescent light that at night especially in the winter times when it is darker sooner that it people would feel safer. I think that was a word that was used cons repeatedly during the presentation. People want to feel safer. Um, and doing these little things can make people feel a lot safer. Thank you so much.

So, if we could just add that to the agenda again for next week for an update um from the uh DPW, that would be great. Thank you. Sure thing. Next. M. parking conditions on Dova Avenue at the intersection with Warren Avenue and recommendations for improvements. Council, sorry, Councilman Fogerty. Yes, I believe there's an ordinance coming for this. You want to vote on it now?

Yeah, I would. So, this is a safety issue for coming off Warren Avenue. Uh both sides, uh any emergency, any vehicles coming, it's not wide enough and it's uh parking at the end. it's disturbing uh for anybody, especially anything to do with safety. So, we have it [snorts] in place. We can vote on it if you'd like. Move it right up.

Sure. If you want to at this time, I believe it's on bottom of uh page seven on the agenda, at least on the item that I printed out. It might be a different page, but it is um Madame Clerk, if you want to read the heading of the ordinance number two. far enough back

and an ordinance and amendment of chapter 18 of the revised ordinance of the city of East Proidence, Rhode Island, 1998 as amended entitled vehicles in traffic section 1, section 18-307 entitled parking prohibited at all times of article 10 entitled stopping, standing and parking of chapter 8 of the revised ordinance of the city of East Providence, Rhode Island 1998. 8 as amended entitled vehicles and traffic is amended by adding there to the following. Dova Avenue west side from Warren Avenue southerntherly for 215 ft. Section two, section 18-307 entitled parking prohibited at all times of article 10 entitled stopping, standing and parking of chapter 18 of the revised ordinances of the city of East Providence, Rhode Island 1998 as amended entitled vehicles and traffic is amended to read as follows. Dova Avenue east side from Warren Avenue sutherly for 100 ft. Introduced by Councilman Fogerty.

Make a motion to approve. Second. Motion by Councilman Fogerty to approve. Seconded by Council Vice President Rigo. Also Councilman Lawson. And I would just add that I talked with uh director Borgis and he is highly in favor of this it is a very good improvement to safety at that intersection. All in favor I I any opposed? The eyes have 5. Thank you Councilman of first passage. Yes. Correct. So we'll be on again next next meeting next. Okay. the second

second meeting in February. Thank you. Next item and discussion on city hall security. Council President Rodri's

I just want to open up a discussion. I'll I'll probably name a small subcommittee if anyone on the council wants to join in, let me know. Um and I'll meet with members of the administration. probably um director of um technology Zambrano should be involved. Uh I think we've all been concerned through the years about uh security here at city hall with the entrance. Um really is different than a lot of public buildings. You can kind of come in. We don't really have a check-in process per se and you can then make your way to any of the floors in the building. And you know, with the events that happened recently at Brown University and through throughout the land, we we all know that there's a heightened concern for safety and security for the public and the workers here at city hall. I mean, at almost any time you can just walk in the front door and go right under the elevator, go into any of the floors or walk throughout the the building. So, I I don't have an ironclad plan in in mind, but I think it would at least be prudent to start a conversation about an increased uh security for this building. I I think that all of the schools now are pretty much done what they have to do. Just about every school and maybe one spot, but just about every school has a vestibule, if you will. When you walk in, you have no access to the building. You are in sort of a a sealed area. You have to be identified. You have to be buzzed in. It's still not foolproof. someone could burst through

and break down windows and you know nothing is foolproof but at least um it it stopped most u potential trouble. We don't really have that here at the seat of government at city hall. So um I'll put together a little group and any of you that want to join, let me know. Andre and we'll talk with the mayor's office and I think the solicitor and I chatted briefly about this. He's in agreement. We should uh uh do something and make make this safer for the community. That's all. I'll put something together for everyone. Thank you. Next item.

Oh, conservation commission update. Councilman Lawson.

All right. So, uh the conservation commission, they finished up their 2025 annual report. Um I want to take a moment to thank every member. It's a volunteer group and they're the ones that go out there take care of all our wooded areas and public space. Well, not so much the parks, but they do get involved with parks. Anyway, I just want to breeze through this. Um, East Province Conservation Commission is responsible for promoting and developing the city's natural resources, protecting its watershed resources, and preserving the natural aesthetic areas, open spaces, woodlands, field streams, and recreational areas within the city. Uh, some of the things they do is they conduct routine maintenance of the various trail systems in the city. They inspect um the rough cut new grass uh trail at Grassy Plains. Um they got the walking track, but then there's also a little path that cutting throughout the woods. Um they do uh city sponsored Earth Day, beach day clean uh Earth Day cleanups. Um they kind of focus near the Bdon Heights area. Um mainly because most other areas other groups jump on already. um monthly hugs at uh Hunts Mills every uh every weekend I think every other Ernie leads people through the trails Hunts Mills. Um it's pretty cool cuz Hunts Mills is about8 mile loop but then if you cross the street Turner Reservoir adds another I think 1.8 miles. So you can get like a good three mile hike right here in East Browness. Uh let's see. Uh water sealing the stairway and raised walkway at the beginning of the Hunts Mills Trail. Um providing comments to Rhode Island Scenic Highway. As you noticed, um the roundabout issue, they wrote a letter,

too. So if groups uh concerned about various things that deal with, you know, intruding upon uh conservation areas, they'll do a a letter of [snorts] support after looking at the issue. Um they uh applied for and obtained CRMC permitting for the repair of the wetlands boardwalk at the Bon Heights Conservation Area. Uh working on access trail point Pier in the adjacent park. Um from the bike path to the pier where Miss Skipper is. Um we're going to be doing some nice work in there. Um, we want the uh path to be ADA compliant. As you know, now it's just dirt and rock and but there's also room there for a nice public area too, right off the bike path. And um that wraps it up. I'm going to post this on our social media page. And um again, these folks are great. Um, I [clears throat] did start a preliminary talk with Andre about um the conservation commission and the veterans advisory commission getting our own page on the city website. So, uh, Matt's working on some things. They're kind of revamping the site now. And, um, so I think that'll be an added value. Social media, if you don't see it and a day later, it's gone. Whereas if these places had a static page um like the trails, how many people know where to go to look to see where you can go hike in East Proidence because you can. So um those are some things in the works and uh again I want to thank all those volunteers. Um they they give up their free time not only for a meeting but they're out there blazing trails and doing you know keeping up this work. So I'm very grateful for them and that's the report.

Very good. Thanks. Next public hearings ordinance for second and final passes for discussion and possible vote. one in ordinance and amendment of chapter 8 of the revised ordinances of the city of East Province, Rhode Island 1998 as amendment to section 8-31B regarding repealing holiday sales licenses introduced by council vice president Rigo. Yes, sir. Yeah. And this is second passage. Uh this will make us be in compliance with the state where there's no need for uh any businesses to come here for a special holiday license.

Is that a motion? A motion. That is a motion. Second. Seconded by Councilwoman Souza. All in favor? I. Any oppose? Anyone here that would like to speak? Uh that be known that there's nobody here. Yeah, we got the director of policy, director of finance, and our sergeant of arms, which um well, we have the technician there. She might want to have a comment on how to say she goes without saying. This was a live feed that people could like raise their hand and interact virtually. I'm sure more [laughter] interaction

which uh you bring up a good point. We've mentioned Andre is here but with um most other department heads at the police ceremony. We want to also thank finance director Glenda Delgata who's been here as well um for the night. So I'll close the public hearing hearing no comments. We do have a motion in a second. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have Thank you. Council Vice President Rigo made that motion. Thank you. New business, Mayor Communications, Director of Policy and Constituent Services, Andre Herrera.

Yes, sir. Please continue. Good evening, city council. Couple items. Uh, we have the appointment of Philip Terrell to the planning board for a 5-year term effective January 16th, 2026. You want to vote as you go along? We need or do you want to just read it all and then we'll vote? Totally up to you. I couldn't read them both and moving along. Yeah, preference. and the uh reappoint of Maria Luchi Stoddard to the board of assessment review for a six-year term effective December 17, 2025 through December 16th, 2031. These require council confirmation.

I'll make a motion to approve Phil to the planning board. Um for the viewers at home, Phil's a realtor. He's a Riverside resident. He's been a staple of the community for decades and I think he'll be a strong asset on the planning board. Second. Motion made by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilwoman Souza. All in favor? I. I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. I uh council vice president.

I'd like to make a motion on reappoint of uh Maria Lucy Stodder to the board of assessments. Uh I think it's critical to have somebody with her knowledge of real estate to be on there with the dynamics of the market being changed all the time. So I think it's important that we have and we also have some stability in that uh board. So I move the reappoint of Maria Lucy starter. Motion by council vice president Rico seconded by councilman Fogerty. All in favor? I

I any opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you. Next next item. That's all for mayor. That's all for you. Number number two. Uh there are no uh appointments. Reappoints not requiring. Madame clerk. You want to continue? Looks like number three there is nothing. Um you want to go any resolutions for discussion and possible vote? No, he already did.

Yeah, he Y resolutions for discussion and possible vote. Number one, resolution authorizing the mayor to enter in a proposal with Bill Lazot. Lazot architectural glass and aluminum ink for the replacement of the exterior windows at Weaver Library. Sponsored by council vice president Rigo. Motion to approve. Motion by Councilwoman Souza and second by was it Councilman Lawson? Did I hear? Okay. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you. Next item.

Number two, resolution authorizing the mayor to purchase a L speaker long range acoustic device for the police department sponsored by Council President Rodri. a grant that's involved that will provide the um police and the community at large with a um lodge speaker system loud enough to be used at public gatherings. Uh they feel there's a need for that now and it's um grant funded. I'll make a motion to approve. Second. Motion by Councilman Fogerty and Councilwoman Souza to approve. Seconded by Council Vice President Rigo. All in favor?

I. Any opposed? The eyes have madame clerk. Next next item. E. Introduction of ordinances for discussion and possible vote. An ordinance amendment of chapter 16 of revised ordinance of the city of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended entitled taxation adding article 11 exemption for live workspace deed restricted properties introduced by council vice president Rigo. Yes sir. Do you want to comment on it or

need need to? Yeah, just uh briefly bring every pretty peruncter. Yeah. Where are these located? These deed restricted live workspaces. Well, we have the one across the street. Okay. And then moving forward so that we can there's potential as you Okay. So, this is a proactive. Okay. This is very proactive. I didn't know if there was already existing. No, I mean Okay. Hope keep your fingers crossed as you let me know as everybody you know might know the cross building got sold. Yes.

And so there's a possibility there and everything. So this makes it attractive to developers to come in and also people who want to purchase them so that there's a rate for commercial residential. So, I think we're just being again proactive and I'd rather see more redevelopment of existing property than knocking down trees and everything like that. Reaching to the choir, buddy. Thank you. So, that's the That's a motion. Do you need a second? I'll second. Second by Councilman Lawson. Is this first passage? Yes. For first passage. All in favor?

I I Any opposed? The eyes have it. And does that bring us to adjournment? To adjournment. When do we need items in by for next week? Tomorrow. Um tomorrow. You know, um we we the clerk's office sent out a bunch of uh uh show cause letters for l errant license holders. Uh we intend to have that show cause hearing on February 3rd. I don't know how many people um will not comply by that date, but we could have how many letters we sent sent out? At least 11 letters. So we could potentially have 11 show cause hearings. So when were the letters sent? [laughter] Uh last week. Is that enough time? Two weeks for them to get

I mean this is like the they should have been done November, right? Correct. Okay. We've been sending them emails and whatnot, but now we've It's not the first contact. It's not the first contact with us. No problem. Just wanted to make sure because you know people I'm I'm advising you in a respectful way to perhaps keep the light agenda because um we might have 11 show cause hearings. I mean I don't if there is anything pressing I don't want to mention any names but seven or eight items would not be good next week. I didn't mention any names. I'm not looking at anyone in particular, but um four meetings without anything, so I just lumped them all together. Make a motion to adjurn him. Second

motion to adjourn by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilwoman Souza, who's telling us to just get this thing going and adjourn. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Meetings adjourned. Thank you all. The murder