City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening and welcome to the East Providence City Council meeting of May 5th, 2026. Madam Clerk, would you please call the roll of the council? Councilman Fogarty? Yeah. Councilman Lawson? Yeah. Council Vice President Rego? Yeah. Councilwoman Souza?

Here. Council President Rogers? Here. The record show we have a quorum. Councilman Fogarty is on his way here. Uh please rise for the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you all. Uh Mr. Solicitor, I understand we don't need an executive session this evening.

Yes, so just to update the council, I know I gave you some information that was in your packet, but unfortunately, I haven't been able to um cut uh touch base with their attorney on this uh for the Wolf School. It's a attorney you guys did. We've been playing phone phone tag. I hope to get you some um amendment to the lease agreement um which I don't think you'll find objectionable, but I wanted to get that language uh for you. So, we do not need to go to executive session tonight. We'll put it on the next agenda. And it's just a transformer and dumpster, right? It's a transformer and dumpster car, yeah. And transformer it's like the square box, correct? That we paint. Correct. Okay. Well, I don't know if you paint it, but you paint the city ones, but yes, it's yes. Yeah, those are when people hit chance. Correct. Okay. Thank you.

We We needed to modify the lease so cuz the lease says um for parking only. I just want to put provisions in there that that they have to remove it if they ever uh vacate the premises, that kind of thing. So, we just haven't been able to work out the language, but You get the big box.

Okay, we'll do that next next meeting. Thank you. Madam Clerk, next uh item. Consent calendar for discussion and possible vote. One, council journals, regular meeting minutes, April 21st, 2026. B, letters, new address, 97 Burgess Avenue, East Providence, Rhode Island, 02914. Map 016, block 11, parcel 006.00. Your pleasure? Motion to accept. Second. Motion by Councilman Lawson to accept, seconded by Councilwoman Souza. All in favor? I. I. Any opposed? Uh the eyes have that, four to zero. Uh at this time, going to uh suspend the order of of the docket due to um some some illness. We always like to accommodate um our our staff. So, I'd like to give uh the director an opportunity, thank him for being here, and uh have him give his report uh early on. So, if you would turn, I don't know if it's the same number on the dockets that are in the audience, but for us to page seven under um mayoral announcements, but we will go to um Madam Clerk, if you could read under item three items for announcement discussion, just the first bulleted item. Update on citywide sewer infrastructure improvements. Thank you. Uh Director, you have the floor. Thank you, Council President. Um so, I do have uh two members from Arcadis uh here tonight, Amy Anderson and uh Bill Casey, who will be um assisting in this presentation. I do have some packets I'll hand out. Um just to give the council a little bit of a a rundown of some of the projects we've

been working on over the last few years. Um some that are near completion and um one additional project that is uh going to we will likely see in in the near future. Um so, so uh as I mentioned, um this presentation is uh we're we're just going to be going over um a handful of projects that uh the city and Arcadis have been working on um related to the sewer collection system and the waste uh water pollution control facility. Um going to hand it over to uh Amy Anderson and Bill Casey who are with Arcadis. And they'll discuss the projects that that we'll be discussing. If you can just flip to the next slide. So today we're just going to go over a few of the projects. I'll go a little bit out of order just for the council's sake. You are familiar with the concrete lining project. So we will be discussing that. The status of that project. And where we are with that.

[clears throat]

Before you tonight there's also a resolution for a change order for that project to um essentially complete complete and pay out the contractor for some additional work that was done during construction. But this presentation will cover the sewer system rehabilitation projects sort of citywide. A sewer improvement project on North Broadway. And then we will also discuss final clarifiers narration tank concrete restoration which is a newer project that the council is likely not familiar with at this point. So we'll provide you an update on that at the water pollution control facility. And Arcadis has been assisting the city with updating the water rules and regulations. Which will ultimately trigger at some point a an ordinance change in the near future. And as part of that contract they're also assisting the city in updating all of our standard engineering details. So when we go out to bid we provide contractors or when a contractor comes to us with you know projects we typically have standard set of details that we provide them so that everyone's consistent within construction. So I'm going to turn it over to Amy and Bill and they can go through the projects. Thank you Dan. So you just say next slide. Next slide. All right. Um, thank you guys for having us. I just wanted I'm going to start with the first two projects and then I'll pass it to Bill. Um, the what you have on the screen right now and in your packets um, is a citywide map with a bunch of red triangles and I'm going to [clears throat] get into the next couple of slides what those red triangles mean, but essentially those from a sanitary sewer pipe um, perspective those are your most critical or the worst pipes you have throughout the city. And as you can see

there is many, many of them. So, the first project I'm going to talk about is how we're going to address all of those, but every single one of those red triangles is considered a critical failure. So, that's let's start with this map. Next slide, please. Um, some background on how we got here. So, overall throughout the city you have about 700,000 linear feet of sanitary sewer. Um, the city televised about 380,000 of that many years ago. It was done as part of Veolia's contract. We reviewed a majority of those pipes at a high level and then about 100,000 linear foot of that on a detailed level where we went back, reviewed those CCTV videos, which is essentially just a video of inside the sewer pipe to see its condition. About 90,000 linear feet of that um, had what's called a grade four or grade five defects. So, that could be a broken pipe, collapsed pipe, um, all sorts of things, but basically on a scale of one to five, five being the worst, one being the best, there were 90,000 linear feet of sewer line that had either grade four or grade five defects. That's an important thing to recognize as we go through all this. And then from that 90,000 we said, "What are the absolute worst, must be done immediately?" And we came up with 30,000 linear feet a week of what we call critically defective. Those That means in some instances the pipe is completely collapsed. Um in major need of rehabilitation or repair. Next slide, please. So, these are some of the pictures that we found when we were re- watching those CCTV tapes that had been done. So, if you look at the picture all the way to the left, so that's a fractured pipe. That means the pipe is completely broken all the way through. It has not collapsed yet, although this was about 10 years ago, so it very well could be

at this point. Um So, that is just hanging on, right? And then the pipe in the middle, that's completely broken as well. As you can see pieces are missing. And then the picture all the way to the right, it's very hard to tell cuz it's was dark, but there's a piece of that pipe that's completely collapsed. So, these are This is the state of your system right now. Next slide. And I always show this slide cuz this is the city of East Providence. Um this is what happens when one of those sewer pipes collapses and you don't realize that it's collapsed and then you get a void then you get a sinkhole. And then somebody drives a milk truck or whatever that is, right, into the sinkhole. That's real, that does happen. Um it happens all prominent in New England all the time, but um given the amount of defects you have, that's something that will continue to happen more and more. Next slide, please. So, what we're doing about it and working with Dan and his team is of that 30,000 linear feet that we called out that critically defective, um we put together some rehabilitate rehabilitation recommendations. We focused as much of it as we could on cured-in-place pipe lining. So, that's basically you put a pipe inside of a pipe. You You rehabilitate using an a trenchless method. You don't have to dig it up. Um and you put a felt liner in that pipe that's hardened and has structural properties like a pipe. So, you're essentially putting a brand new pipe inside of your old pipe. Um so, we feel based on what we reviewed for those original CCTV that we can do that for about 25,000 of the 30,000 linear feet, we can do that cured-in-place pipe repair. Um there are several locations where we do have to dig up, meaning the pipe is so collapsed you could never put a pipe inside of a pipe. Um a whole portion that needs to be reinspected, we just couldn't tell the video quality old um buzzy.

And then several other locations where we don't need to necessarily line the entire pipe segment from manhole to manhole, but a portion of it. So, those are called cured-in-place spot repairs. What's great about this project? So, from our standpoint, we are almost through design of this rehabilitation project and ready to go to construction when the city's ready. However, um Dan and his team have been able to secure a $1.5 million congressional delegated fund to help complete this project. So, once all of that gets worked through, um we'll be able to get this to construction. Next slide. Um so, another pro- project that we have that was identified throughout this project is called the North Broadway sewer improvements. And we've been talking about this project for about for many years now, but this is North Broadway. Um you have about a thousand linear feet of 15-in sewer that is mostly collapsed at this point. If you look at the video, um you can see the sanita- sanitary sewer flow just completely disappear. Um you've got your collapsed pipe, so that is in pretty big need of getting replaced as well. So, we've been putting together plans and specifications to get that project to construction as well. And lumped into that project would be a couple of more um sewer replacements, one on Woterd and one on uh Fenner that have similar needs to also get replaced. Next slide. So, this just shows we are um that's the cover sheet of our plans and of our drawing set. So, we're pretty far along with that project as well. Just to give you an update on that. So, once we get that project finalized um and we're ready to go, we'll get this one to construction as well. So. Next slide, please. Thank you for having us. Um going to just talk a little bit about

the water pollution control facility. Um couple of years ago, there were eight structures that were really identified as having severe corrosion of the concrete. That was primarily due to age and hydrogen sulfide gas, which kind of breaks down concrete. And those are are just the the general. If we go to the next slide, um it's an overview there. But, the red boxes are the the eight structures that um exhibited signs and you can look at the photos there a little bit. You can see the the aggregate from the concrete and just the concrete just being deteriorated off the wall. Really not a great state. Um so, over the last couple of years, so this went through design. It was bid Oh gosh, at least two two and a half years ago. We work with uh the contractor out there to just finish up this project. The next couple of slides really kind of showing a little bit of a before and after, if you will. It's kind of a um iterative process. If you could go to the next slide, please. Of you know, identifying what the concrete is, dewatering the structure. It's kind of the first step. Pressure washing all the old concrete and bad concrete, which is on the left-hand side, away. You're replacing any steel aggregate, any steel rebar that is in the concrete, building back it with mortar. And then what you see on the right is the finished coat of a two-part epoxy. Basically a surface, an impenetrable surface that is going to protect the concrete for the next 20, 25 years in the future. So here is just one example of the headworks, which sees the harshest flow, if you will. If you go through it to the next slide, and just go through each individual structure. Here is the splitter structure, which is just coming out of the headworks. You see heavy corrosion on some of the gates in there.

And on the right-hand side, you've got a worker putting that epoxy layer on. And the next couple are very similar to here. Uh if you go to the next slide. It just kind of shows you the the state of affairs, um after gosh, I guess the the plant was probably around 1950, 1951. Um almost over 70 years of of wear and tear on the facility and being able to bring that back to a a functioning, stable condition here. Next slide, please. And plus everything kind of looks a little bit better when it's at the tail end of a construction job. Um and that's really where we are here. This is um the end of the line. There is a resolution for you to appropriate monies for that final change order tonight. Go to the next slide. And this one was particularly bad. This is a splitter structure for the aeration tanks, and that's really a um one fairly deep structure. You can see there's heavy corrosion in it. They spent quite a bit of time in there. Sure. So I just to add, Bill's been doing [clears throat] a great job, but um the resolution you have before you, this is a perfect example of what you what ultimately we couldn't see or what our cameras couldn't see during inspection. Um so, you can see the rod on that I think it's probably a gate um particular a gate rod that was not visible to the eye um we were able to dewater. So, as we were in construction, we started to see a lot of these conditions that unfortunately we couldn't see during inspection prior to design. Um so, a lot of the all of the change order amount that you'd be approving tonight or hopefully approving tonight would be

to cover um things like this, these items that were ultimately we weren't able to see um but are integral to the operations of the treatment plant and ultimately without them would cause, you know, significant stress to the operation. So, this ultimately helps. And and uh Dan, if I could in into Jack, uh I um wanted to make a point of saying this is why these um studies uh uh so valuable because and when when often times we have we're asked to vote on a change order for a project and this is a clear example of how that evolves. By doing things like this, we find out all the problems. You don't always know and I mean we've got decades of problems underground that we until we started to do this now and and luckily you thankfully in the mayor's office we've been able to get grant funding, government funding for a good chunk of of all of this and this this is more than needed and when you get a change order, that's what happens. We We've discovered this before. If I could use the similarity before the bridge falls down, let's get it fixed and do it right. I I appreciate this, but I'm sorry. You want to continue. Yeah, no, this is you know, a great example. These sorts of projects are difficult in those early phases because Yeah. And so, you can see what you can see in these certain aspects where you can divert flow, but essentially Mhm. this was a major structure such as this. Oh. Apologies. Um so, I was just saying that this was kind

of a major operation to get to this particular structure here where you really had to bypass flow for really the four aeration tanks. Throughout this um project, and we we know there are a lot of defects that we're we're working on. Uh have there been any reports of neighborhoods experiencing um backups with sewage and sewer problems? I I know that's what we're going to avoid. Have Have we avoided that pretty much to this point? I I know there's a couple of cases that here and there, but Yeah. Relative to this project, there were no sewer backups right where we're bypassing the plant. Um but there certainly are sewer backups that occur Sure.

other city. You know, it's not on a regular basis, but it certainly does happen. Um mainly due to rag build-up [clears throat] or uh tree roots in in a line. Um we've had in the time I've been here very few collapsed pipe situations that have caused uh significant backups. Um and ultimately, that's what we're trying to avoid, right? We want to be able to do this prior to um having that that occur. Thank you. Well, this kind the construction portion, if you will. Believe if you go to the next slide, please. So, as one one project wraps up, there's another one on the horizon. Um this particular project is also looking at the structures there. The um three circles at the top, those are your secondary clarifiers. They were Two of them were constructed in '73 and the other one in 1994. And the four circle grouping, those are the aeration tanks and those are uh constructed in 1951. Each one of those tankage has a diameter of over 100 ft in diameter. So, it's a good distance across this room for certain here. Um These tanks being of a certain age and seeing, you know, many, many freeze-thaw cycles over time and then of course right along the the ocean there, um has exhibited signs of having cracking and having weeping and having um you know, just the general wear and tear on a structure that can be 70 plus years old. Um Are these the tanks that we've been dealing with the caps or covering for That's separate. Okay.

No, so those uh the primaries and recently, I think in the last year or so, those were covered. Those were covered. Okay. Those are the olders there. Thank you. Um if you go to the next slide. So, this being in the design and really it's a uh a a concrete rehabilitation type of project. Uh where concrete would be repaired and protective coatings would be placed on. Yeah, we had just submitted a 60% design to the city and that's currently under review. If we go to the next slide, I think you can see a little bit bigger picture of this is the outside of one of the aeration tanks and you can see kind of the general condition. You can see some exterior cracking. Um we did a preliminary inspection, internal inspection, external inspection of one of the aeration tanks and one of the secondary clarifiers back at the end of 2020.

Speak a little closer. All right. That's okay. So we did our preliminary inspection back at the end of 2025. Um this particular tank, although it looks to be in pretty rough shape, is actually pretty structurally sound, which is good. Um the exterior does need some um cleaning up and protective coatings on it. And the inside was similar with some spot repairs. And this is one of the four tanks that are out there. And if we go to the next one is the secondary clarifier. And here is really where you would see a lot of some signs of of weeping. And that's really an item that has been troubling for the the plant. Um they've done point repairs over time and really it's to the point where a more comprehensive solution needs to be had. Yeah. So at this um for these tanks, there would be an internal coating uh epoxy base to last like 20 25 years and then a just a protective uh coating on the outside just to help prevent it against the weather. If we go to the next slide. And then as Dan indicated, we are doing a few other smaller projects. One being the revisions to the water regulations just to bring it to make sure everything's up to snuff with the AWWA standards, the American Waterworks Association standards, and then also taking a hard look at the construction details that go out to contractors. And we've got a draft of both of those in the city for review as well. So, I think the next slide is just kind of a next steps. Here and a lot of it is, you know, some

of it is wrapping up the construction project. And the other one is advancing a design at the plant. And the rehabilitation job is basically securing the funding for both North Broadway and the rehabilitation work. Uh So, really kind of the next steps and those would be ready for construction. Do you have any questions?

Thank you. Questions on the from the council? Yes, I do. Council vice president. I represent Ward 1 and do I assume or not assume there's probably over 250 streets or 250 sinkholes in my ward. Do I assume that all those sinkholes are caused by possible sewer issues? Or I mean, obviously, excuse me, there [clears throat] could be other situations. Cuz I'm noticing where a lot of the dots, you know, where a lot of the dots are on, you know, in Ward 1 is consistent with roads and roads being an issue. Um I think that's certainly,

[clears throat]

excuse me, a difficult question to answer, you know, relative to where the sinkholes are and the likelihood of it is probably slim. I mean, if you have a sinkhole that if you have a a sewer collapse, you probably already would have seen a road collapse. So, it may be related to something different, but um if you certainly want to send me a message regarding some of the locations that you're concerned with, we can certainly look into those for you. Yeah, I was I was the question, too, was part of that is is this a is this the start of having an issue? Some of these sinkholes happening, you know, the piping and It's cer- it certainly could be. Um but there are there are a lot of other conditions that also might Yeah, I mean you know, be related to a sinkhole in the street. Could be a a gas main or compaction on another utility that was installed you know, installed in the road. The more that the road is torn torn up by Right. Rhode Island Energy National Grid causes that. How what what is the timeline that all that we're back to having pipes in great shape throughout the neighborhoods? Citywide? Well, Ward 1 first.

Many many many but citywide in general, yeah. Um many many years. Um it This is [clears throat]

This is certainly a long process. Um Arcadis is a small portion of sort of a bigger um a bigger goal of mine uh that I've been working on. Uh we're certainly looking to address some of the worst situations first. That's most important. Um and secondly um as you may know, we did go out to RFQ to um essentially conduct a sewer citywide sewer system evaluation uh survey. So we did uh metering throughout the city to determine where some of the highest uh inflow and infiltration issues are. So where there are likely issues with piping. Um and the goal now is to sort of prioritize the highest the areas with highest um you know, issues after this sort of phase one is complete. Um but th- this is a a very long process in I mean, I was I was reading other words, this could be up to up to 10 years. Yes. All right, that's

[clears throat]

reading other cities and then Some of these, you know, major issues are certainly be addressed far sooner than that. But addressing the collection system as a whole will will take a long time. And now obviously technology has changed drastically since these pipes were originally put in. What would be the shelf life of this new of these new pipes that are going in? Of a of a liner, an epoxy liner. It's essentially a it's essentially a brand new pipe in the ground without having to dig up the road. So good for 40 Less than a 50, 60 years? Yeah, I would say about 50 years. All right. Yeah. So not our problem after that as as we get it down. All right, yeah, that's what I was you know, that's what I was hoping for with you know, with the liners and you know, obviously we started with this council looking for you know, the betterment of this community and this city moving forward and to do something like this, you know, you know, future councils 20 years from now don't really won't have to worry about any of these issues that being addressed that should have been addressed by other councils like 10 and 15 years ago when you know, when that you know, station down in Riverside was getting deplorable. It should never have gotten to that point. Yeah, I think

now we're spending more money on it than what we should have. Right. Yeah, and I think one thing to take from this presentation particularly on the collection system side [clears throat]

or even on the waste on the treatment plant side is that addressing these problems before they become emergencies is far more is far more inexpensive than it is addressing a pipe collapse or an issue that might happen right now in this moment. It's going to cost you you know, tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars to to do a repair on an emergency running 24/7 with an emergency contractor versus, you know, staying ahead of the game um and trying to address these issues before they become problems. Yep. Even worse problems. Absolutely. Thank you, councilman. [snorts] Other questions? Councilman Lawson.

Yeah, Dan, overall, what would you say the condition of When did it go from sewer plant to wastewater treatment to water pollution control Anyway, so it this looks like it's not critical, it's more of proactive preventive of re-lining stuff. No, I think that what we're presenting to you today is certainly critical. Okay. by these

So, my point is the word critical can trigger some people. Right. Nobody should be freaking out that the sewer plant's going to stop backing up into their homes or anything like that. Okay. The overall condition, other than the project re-lining of the sewer plant, is it fairly healthy? Are we going to get decades more? Yeah, I think with with future investment, we certainly will get decades more. Um and I think that addressing a lot of the concerns on the collection system side will also assist in um you know, better energy savings at the treatment plant, less flow entering the treatment facility, you know, clean rainwater and additional inflow and infiltration. Addressing those concerns will also ultimately help us um at the treatment plant as well. So,

Okay. And what would you say our capacity is? We got a lot of development happening, a lot of people getting nervous. They say, "Oh, it's going to overwhelm things." I'd like to give them facts. You are our expert. We last I heard we were like 52-60% capacity. Um I To maintain the city of this size? Yeah, I think right I don't have that percentage. Okay, but we're we're not close to capacity. No, for for all the future development in the parcel, we essentially the city has to conduct what they call facilities plan.

Yep. Um to ultimately forecast you know, flow Mhm. into our system based on certain parcels. So, um the city has done that for a lot of the empty parcels on the waterfront and you know, areas that the city, you know, even 10 years ago when it was conducted intended on developing those parcels at some point. So, there is still enough capacity at the treatment plant to allow for that development.

Okay. And where is the cut off? Like we got the Henderson Bridge was like 20 something acres. We're probably going to look to develop that. Where is the cut off where they go to the Rumford facility as opposed to the Riverside? Yeah, so it it's pretty much everything north of Taunton Avenue is what is uh what what's taken What's north goes to the Narragansett Bay facility and everything else comes down. be a little further south. It's probably closer like the 195 line. Okay. Um it's kind of where the high point is in in Kent Heights. Okay. So, the other facility we don't maintain, correct? We do not, no. And we got no issues with that that we know of from the way it's being maintained and managed?

Yeah, no. I I mean, it's maintained and managed by NBC. We've, you know, we receive odor complaints every so often any treatment plant would um and we've certainly worked to address those immediately with NBC. And this work's not going to affect the odor mitigation work that you've done? No, it's If anything, now that this project's complete, I know there's still been complaints about odor um mainly because there still are doors open to process buildings where they're doing work. Um so, ultimately um you know, the odor should be significantly less. You know, it it is a treatment facility. I get that. So, there there will always be something little bit of odor, but we strive to you know, have very little if not any. Okay. I will make sure that when people hear critical, they don't freak out. Thank you, Dan. Was it just so you got new lining? Fogarty? Same volume. Coming through the new lining, which is inserted in the pipe that's broken. Inspections forward to see any hot spots of some troubled areas with the camera system. How often might that be? So, the city, um as Amy mentioned in the last uh contract with Veolia, the 10-year uh contract, Veolia was required to uh CCTV inspect every single line in the city over the 10-year uh time frame. They did fall slightly short of that goal. Um so, they are working on addressing that at no no additional cost to the city now, um so that we can continue to work on some of these problem areas where we're, you know, conducting additional inspection work. Yeah, preventive maintenance. So, when you get some hot spot, you can replace it with a new lining as opposed to ripping up the whole new lining you're putting in. That's the intent.

Yep. Cool. Thank you. Great work. Any other questions, uh Council? No, hearing none. Uh thank you very much uh for the presentation. And Dan, hope you're feeling better. Thank you, Ms. George, Mr. Casey, for for being here. Appreciate it. Sure we'll hear more about this. Madam Clerk, if we could revert back to the regular order of the agenda, please. Sir, do you want to just um move the resolution up for approval and finish this topic? Uh why don't we just wait and that way um if there's some more discussion with it, this way I know there were We can, if anyone want to move the Yeah, all right. Good idea. I I know at times I'm told I move things around too much. I'm trying to um be adaptive, so Yeah, see? Now we're we're to So, let's um go to page eight in the agenda. If I If I could just mention I

Yes. there is um I did confirm with um the city the city clerk Andy um there is a memo there uh from myself um just Yes. running through each of the the um change order requests um with any with information. I do have a set of slot 10 slides prepared in the event that there were any questions and you needed additional um clarification on anything um but I think that Bill did a good job of sort of explaining Can you email us the slides? I I can hand them to you now if you'd like. Yeah. Plus in the docket we had the uh I you know, I printed out the Thank you for doing that.

information. Thank you, sir. Great work. Thanks for keeping an eye on it. [clears throat]

I mean, if anyone wants further presentation, but I think we were pretty well explained the the importance of this and and the need to do this uh uh Director, this is in the amount of 551,000 is that a 327 26 cents. That's the change order. This was uh prior appropriation. So, this isn't a brand new expenditure, but if you if you want to summarize it Uh sure. So, um you know, the slides you have in front of you are essentially mirror images of some of the photos you've already seen. Um at the end of that presentation the last uh page there is a financial summary there sort of showing um the total you know, the original contract value which was uh 3.85 million um and then subsequently you uh three different change orders um below that encompass, you know, several different items or issues within um you know, the project during construction that we encountered or other items outside of the contract that we looked to um address to ultimately repair it, go into the tank and not have to go back in and spend a lot of money on bypass, you know, at a later date. Um, so we found this to be the right opportunity to while the tank was down, while the bypass was active, um make a lot of the additional repairs that were necessary. Um, there were actually a handful of slide gates that were hadn't been operational for a long time um and Veolia showed interest in trying to get those back up and running. So, when we had the opportunity, uh we took we took that um to do it. So, you you'll see you know, a fair amount of uh a number of different change orders.

[clears throat]

There's actually a credit um credit change order for uh some bypass piping that wasn't we didn't need as much as we uh thought we did. Um, aeration tank splitter box, there were some um issues with uh some plugs that that were deflated during construction that we uh had to address with the contractor. Um, gate gate and shaft operation uh operators um under change order one. Um, additional cleaning of aeration tank piping, here another perfect example of during construction tank was um you know, dewatered and we looked into one of the um the pipes that fed one of the aeration tanks and it was full of sludge. Um, so we took the opportunity to uh clean that out to provide better capacity, better uh process and operation at the plant. Um So, it's im- important to uh let people know when sometimes we're not familiar with the term uh change orders. It isn't just a a frivolous or let's do something else while we can spend some money. It's the point of doing this work. We find other problems and we need to adapt, change, get it fixed now while while we're there. So what would you say? What is the overall cost? So the overall cost of this project um went to 4.4 million, just over 4.4 million. Um and if if you look at the change orders, the you know, the largest change order amount was essentially additional uh concrete repair quantities. So as we mentioned, right? When the engineer comes out to do their inspections, they take they essentially make assumptions on wall loss, wall thick you know, thicknesses. Um and in many cases the wall condition was far worse than what they anticipated. Um and you know, it's unfortunate, but because we had those unit bid prices in the contract we were able to continue this work to to ensure that the contractor

um was able to restore these back to essentially new or back to where they were um when they were first built. Thank you. So before us is we're asking for permission for this uh project to continue and this change order in the amount of $551,327.26. So I'll entertain a motion. approve. Second. Motion to approve by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilman Fogarty. Further comment if Yeah, I just wanted to add Yes, Councilwoman

for the public um these funds are coming from um opera funds. Um so not coming from capital improvement or from our uh waste or water fund infrastructure funds.

The American Rescue Plan Opera all good use of of this those funds. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have it 5-0. Thank you very much again presentation. Madam clerk, you can continue. Licenses for discussion and possible vote. Non-public hearing one-day entertainment license Braga Club Feast 26 Teofilo Braga Way, East Providence, July 10th through the 12th, 2026, 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. One-day entertainment license Braga Club Fifth Domingo Sacred Heart Church 116-118 Taunton Avenue, East Providence, May 9th 2026, 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. One-day special license Backyard 5K Saint Brendan's Church 60 Turner Avenue, Riverside, July 25th, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. One-day special block party City of East Providence Crescent Park, May 16th, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. One-day alcohol license Sacred Heart Church 118 Taunton Avenue, May 9th, 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. One-day alcohol license three-day event Teofilo Braga Brotherhood 26 Teofilo Braga Way July 10th through the 12th, 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. One-day alcohol license Holy Ghost Brotherhood of Charity 59 Bright Ridge Avenue May 9th, 1:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. New business mobile truck variety of

foods Robert Cartier PCTA Goods Eats and Treats 41 Frica Street, Providence, Rhode Island New business mobile truck soft pretzels Gina Pereira GG's pretzels. New business mobile truck savory and sweets Breanna Jones Central Falls District DBA a taste of Central Falls. And new business mobile truck lemonade Savannah Gouveia. Pretty in pink. Providence Rhode Island. So once again you can see the summer season is upon us. Is there a motion to bundle items 1 through 11 as written?

It will be Is this all our fest festivals? Did they all get it? Not yet. Okay. I'll make a motion to bundle. Second. Motion by Councilman Lawson seconded by Councilwoman Souza to bundle the items 1 through 11. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Is there a motion to approve?

Make a motion to approve. Second. Same motion, same second Councilwoman Souza. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. I think this time uh Mr. Solicitor we will go to the one item listed as the show cause hearing. Which is Let's get the page uh Six. Page six on our agenda. If you want to um summarize that at this point. So this is the Subway at 1086 Willett Avenue. As you know, we had a show cause hearing um last meeting. Um they were defaulted as of that meeting because they failed to appear. As a result of that we sent them a letter uh delivered by our police department indicating that if they did not um come compliant with their license by this meeting uh that we would be shutting them down. I believe someone in the audience is from Subway. So if you want to come up. Um So my understanding is is uh from the clerk's office that they did come and fulfill the proper applications out and they do have I think they have all the inspections. Even I don't think. Okay, before we proceed if you could just give your name and address or your affiliation for the record. You just speak into that mic. Thanks. Yeah, my name is Kayla Trailwood on behalf of the Subway at Riverside. I am a partner of theirs in Providence Bagel. So I'm here to represent them for their Subway store today. Um So I have all of the paperwork. Uh we had the building inspection done today. So I don't have a printout of that, but everything went fine. Um the fire department everything is passed and I have that um from May 4th. And he just he gave me like the letter for not showing

up. Um They just took over that ownership and he didn't realize that he didn't get any other I think it was getting sent to the other um the previous owner. So um I have the email here also with the health department coming out next week. Okay, so before you continue I want to just add and I appreciate you being here, but I'm I'm going to vote in favor, but I'm not thrilled that the owner still has not come before us. He or she they and I'll ask the solicitor and the city clerk to verify this did receive many notices. Um he knew about it and he actually sends you as a friend here tonight as I understand it. You're not legally affiliated with the business. Is that correct? Not with the Subway. Not with the Subway, right. So we have a friend of the owner coming before us. You know, that Subway has some local workers, some good kids, some good people working there. I don't want to vote to shut them down. It appears that the paperwork, although several weeks or maybe some months months is late, but I don't want to have the the local workers suffer. But, um he should have Well, I'll I'll leave it at that. Do you want to add anything?

So, I I again no offense to What's your name again, is? Kayla. Okay, no offense to Kayla, but um we have documented sending certified letters to that address. We had hand-delivered letters to that address. This is going on for at least 6 months if not more. And he did come into the office uh on Friday of last week to the clerk's office to fill out the application. So, we did we did have some limited contact, though I have never met him um myself. Um it appears that after all this effort, and I have to compliment the clerk's office for following up on this and the city clerk as well as Ms. Melo, um it appears now that we are on the road. I think we have all the information that we need. Um subject to the clerk's approval.

The one piece I heard something about the health department stuff isn't in yet. Do we have that? Did you have an inspection? Is that what you said? Are they coming in for an inspection? For next week, yep. Yeah, so Can we see that email, please? The verification. You can hand it to the solicitor. Cuz that could be critical. Health department with the food business, uh we would be liable if there are any Does that look okay, Mike? problems. You can look at it, but yes, it looks like they're they're they're they're scheduling it. I'm sorry. Okay. And Which is not always easy to get the health department to come out, as you know. Government is so efficient.

That's why we uh That's why we've been after this for a year. Got you. So, the city came and did their work, and the last How are you? You good with where we're at so far? If we move forward on this? You have a license. What what's what's missing? Well, your paperwork. Um well, they still have to fill out the application. They have to pay for it and then once all that is approved then they come in and pay the for the actual license and then they get approved. So technically right now their license is not been renewed. They don't have one. All right. And it has to first All right. So can we do a approval pending say in 2 weeks they come back and verify they got everything? Is that okay? I don't have a problem with you. I mean We're not shutting them down, but we are telling them we got to get this stuff done. And I think the credit I'm sorry, go ahead. So thank you. We appreciate you coming out here um before the council as a friend of the owner. Um again, I feel like we're in the same place we were 2 weeks ago. So giving another 2 weeks to come it sounds like the owner came in this Friday right before the council meeting to have a discussion. So they were on notice 2 weeks prior, 6 months prior, for multiple months. What is the precedence that we are setting for those small and pop business owners who struggle through the bridge debacle and costs rising for businesses to be able to function, shortage of staff. I mean, our local mom and pops struggle to stay in business and they do a really good job at serving our community and they are up to date and on time with all of their responsibilities in the city. I think it's disingenuous for this owner who has been notified multiple times and is a

chain franchise to not be in accordance, especially with the health department. So our city workers are phenomenal. so our building officials went out, our fire department went out to in an effort to make sure that you guys were in compliance so that you could be operational. Um so, I give them a lot of credit for doing that, too, cuz they've been waiting. But, the health department, one of the most important parts of a food industry, still has not booked an appoint- you the owner has still not booked an appointment with the health department. You're contacting them next week to build to have an appointment for them to possibly come out next week. Or it might be a week from now. We don't know what that date is, undetermined when they're coming out. So, we could be in a position 2 weeks from now that the health department still hasn't been there and done their inspection, not being able to still issue a license. Got you. So, where where does the line end? So, my support for 2 weeks is I don't want anybody showing up to work tomorrow and say, "Sorry, you don't have a job right now."

And I understand that, but that's not the city council or any city official's fault. No, but some of those people are residents and And I understand that. I feel bad, too, but

I agree with your sentiment 1,000% but I'm going to go with Bob on this that, you know, there's people this is their livelihood that 2 weeks we let them know either your boss is going to get it together or you should start looking now. What I I One thing I'm confused at, I thought you said the appointment with the health department was made by the health department, but now I'm hearing that it's the owner who is going to make the appointment. Do we have an appointment with the health department? So, the lead Or are we asking for one? No, so he um got a response back from the health department and the person that was over there said, "Thanks for letting me know. They will call you sometime this week to schedule. They are usually booked out a week. So, the inspection will most likely be next week. Thanks, Vanna." Vanna? Vanna White? Vanna who? Vanna? That's probably the work of the Department of Health. Yeah, it's from the Department of Health. I don't know. I mean we've been a year with this and we we now have a small food business without a health inspection. And And the only reason I have I I'm in favor I would say a week maybe because the health and the final paperwork are the last steps, correct? So, since the last time we talked there has been some steps forward. Seems like everything but the health department. Right. So, that's my I have a check. You said you have checks with you? You had told me earlier you have checks. Yeah, they gave me a copy of the check with the Department of Health saying that they received payment on April 27th. And they sent me with the sales permit and they sent me the notice that they got in hand. And then that was on April 22nd and they got all the rest of their stuff done since the 22nd when they were served this paper. Okay.

And you said it's new owner? He just bought this and when did he buy it? His retail sales permit is from 7125 to 63026. Okay. Apparently, based upon what we've learned from the clerk's office, the previous owner actually applied or paid for the license unbeknownst that we had a new owner. So, that's we didn't know that there was a transfer cuz usually you would get a new license. It's not even a transfer. It's actually a new license for regulating cuz you can't transfer those. We weren't aware of that. I think initially she was getting the notices, but then she indicated to us who the new owner was and I think we believe the clerk's office was sending it. So, I will tell you that I am not happy that it's taken us about a year to get this done. I will say that as of the last meeting when I had a visit by the police department, that there have been has been movement in the right direction including getting the inspections that locally that we do do need needed to get done. The bureaucracy with the Rhode Island Department of Health, I can't speak to that, but that is a requirement of the licensing. Am I concerned about it? Not necessarily, but um it seems that we're making progress. But I will tell you that I am also not happy that after the all repeated letters and repeated emails and working with the clerk's office, I have yet to see the owner of this business. So, I think the message is probably getting delivered, and I'm sorry you have to be the deliverer of the message. But But I Go ahead. If is the option to move this for 2 weeks, the show cause? And please tell your buddy he needs to come. We've already had a show cause hearing. He had that opportunity, and he We're he's been defaulted on that. He did not appear, and we defaulted him on that. This is now just a compliance issue. Technically, we could shut them down today if we wanted to, but that is your option, um and I understand the the competing um I I get it.

concerns that you have. You're You're You're You're in a You are a between a rock and a hard place, not because anything that this council has done, it really weighs on the applicant. The The question is Absolutely. of all the businesses in the city that we've had and we've had to chase a few. That's not He's not the only one, but this is the one we've we've had to chase the most. Um and um So, that's where we are. But the the You're at the licensing board. Technically, they're operating without a license. I am a little bit more pleased that they have the inspections that they need. Um So, And I would I frankly, I think we need to look at this ordinance because I think at some point we're going to have to When you get this far, not only that, maybe get the license, but you they should be some fines attached to it, but right now we don't have that ability.

have the ability legally to pull a license. So, if we vote tonight and then in 2 weeks they don't have it, we have the Oh, you you absolutely have that ability all the time. Correct. [clears throat]

So, I'll make a motion that we do approve with a 2-week check-in that everything's completed. And please let them know if in 2 weeks these ain't signed off, we're going to close it down. We have to. And if it wasn't for the workers and the livelihood in this economy, I'd probably be voting to close it down right now. Please convey that sentiment. I will and I will make sure that it is him here. Yes, sir. And not me. I second that motion. Further further discussion, [clears throat] we have a motion by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilman Fogarty. Madam Clerk, why don't you call the roll, please, on this? Councilman Fogarty. I. Councilman Lawson.

I. Council Vice President Rego. Councilwoman Souza. I. Council Rodericks Council President Rodericks. I. So, the motion passes. For the last time, we'll give them two weeks. I don't want to sound like the man in Washington. Two weeks, two weeks, two weeks. Taco Tuesday. it for us. Two weeks. Could you get that message across to them? Yeah, I will make sure that I do. Thank you. I I really want to protect those young workers.

That's That's That's why I'm voting the way I did. And I thank the Councilwoman for her concerns, but we're being flexible as we can. Thank you for being here. Madam Clerk, could you revert back to the agenda if I haven't confused you by now? Public comment, Sam Archer. Just name and address for the record. Just push that button there. Pardon? Sam Archer, 184 Walnut Street. Welcome. Thank you. Um Uh I wanted to thank uh Council President Rodericks and Vice President Rego for uh swiftly introducing this resolution adopting the Safe Streets and Roads for All Safety Action Plan. Uh I think it's really wonderful and I hope we see it pass uh later tonight and um

[clears throat]

Part of the resolution um is a commitment to achieving zero roadway fatalities by uh 2045. I don't think that's uh an impossible uh goal for East Providence and I'm very glad to see it there. Um so I hope that uh you'll pass this later on this evening and thanks again. Thank you and we can discuss it that time later. Anyone else? Thank you. Did any other people sign up yet from the public? No? Okay. So Yeah, we'll wait for that. We have another presentation. We'll wait a little bit for that. No one else has signed up. We'll continue. Thank you. Appointments. Appointment of Julie Harrington to the City Council Crescent Park Carousel Commission. This is a 4-year term. 5/5/2026 to 5/6/2030. Councilman Fogarty. Yes, wonderful person in the community. I make a motion to approve.

Second. Motion by Councilman Fogarty, seconded by Councilwoman Souza, Councilman Lawson. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you. Julie, get your cowboy boots on for Thursday night. You're going to lead the line dancing. Thank you. Congratulations. Thank you for your time. Good luck. Tracy's going to put you to work right away. That's it. Next item. Council members, number one, Sage Environmental Inc. public meeting notice, Medicom property LLC regarding objectives of environmental cleanup scheduled for May 12th, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the City Council Chambers. Councilwoman Susan.

Yes, Councilwoman. Thank you. Um so again, I just wanted to uh put the public on notice um that there will be a public hearing held here at City Hall in the Council Chambers on May 12th at 6:00 um regarding the Sage Environmental findings um and procedures. Um they do ask that anybody in the public who wants to submit any comments in regards to this project um can reach Miss Hannah Mitchell at Rhode Island um Department of Environmental Management. Um I will be posting that contact information on uh online and the um Facebook um website for the uh Council and it is and should be in the post um the next couple of weeks also. So again, if you're interested, you're a budding resident, you have um concerns, please come out um to voice your concerns and to hear what is the plan moving forward for that property. And thank you. And that will be uh live streamed. Is it in the plans, I think?

Yes, so Okay. Yep, so I'm I'm away on a business already prearranged um engagement, so I will be on a live Zoom for the meeting. Thank you. Next item. Number two, update on Gate Keeper school bus stop arm violation enforcement program. Council President Rodericks. So at this point, this issue has basically been solved. It's a kind of a moot point, not much to get into tonight. Um I was concerned, as all of us were, that we'd gone some 8 months before this um program, although installed and ready to go before the enactment uh process was beginning. But um pretty much a couple of days after we put this on the agenda, the police department indicated that it is now working and they are getting the enforcements. And so it's it's working. I'm certainly not going to try to um stop that and and delay this into another school year. So I think it's pretty much an issue of uh case resolved. I did speak often with school committee chair uh David Lewis who agreed with me on this issue and it was equally concerned. He is here tonight. I don't know if you want to add anything. I think at this point we're pretty well set unless there is an extenuating circumstance the council wants to bring up. You're welcome to come forward, but uh this is just for an update for information. At this point. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for your your help with this and others. We did have a question earlier from the audience. Mike, did you get that signature page? Was that the contract page, the signature?

I believe that's the contract. So that So for a person who asked um that that were the signatories on that contract. was why didn't the city have a signature on the contract? It was only the chief of police and the school department Sandy Ferrante. And solicitor said because technically it's within the purview of the school department, that's why there's no city official, the mayor. That was my understanding through the whole process.

it's I haven't seen read the statutes in a while, but I believe the statute says it has to be approved by the school committee or the school committee and the chief of police and that's why there's no signature of the of the city. I mean and the and the chief of police is an agent of the city, so that is actually his city signature. Just want to answer the questions that residents ask. Very good. Next item. Number three, request for update regarding Old Ham School on Bullocks Point. Councilman Lawson. So, Andre, I got three requests for updates. Um Old Ham, Saving Point, and the Crescent Park project. If you would like to update the public. Good evening, members of the City Council. Councilman Lawson, I do have an update for you on Old Ham. Thank you.

So, the administration has met with the developer, uh but a final plan is yet to be determined on that. Uh we have deliberated on this topic extensively, uh but if you want to add it to the next council meeting agenda, we can And what's the conversation with the developer? You still trying to push housing on it? No, we want a small business incubator. Or workforce development. Okay. And we can put an art center in there. We can open it up for the community. There's so many positive things, and I'm willing to work with you guys. It's just public they don't want to see eight apartment buildings. They they don't They love the character of Riverside. We have plenty of places to add housing. Plenty. We had the Christina apartments. We could have added there, but they went with the commercial development. Um Old Ham is very special for Riverside. That's why we're we're going back and forth like this. I'm ready to work with you guys to get that building open. Um we've already got a member of the wreck department that's in Riverside half a year. You know, she manages the carousel and the programming at the park. We can use her to help out programming there. There's so much use. And you do have a community willing to chip in and help out. So, that that's why I'm pushing. So, I will keep up on it. Um we don't want to give up any control of the property because once you do that, it can just go anywhere. So, thank you for the update. I appreciate it. Uh the next one was the saving point. Um the storm water pipe, I know we voted for the change order and stuff. Is there an update on when that's going to start? And the reason I'm bringing this up is the swings Dan said they're unusable and it's we're going on 2 years now those kids haven't had something.

Um so, that's why I'm kind of pushing on this as well for the kids in Riverside. Yeah, so I I appreciate the item. Uh work on this is scheduled to begin in July. That's the latest update I have. And on the kayak launch, we're hopefully seeing that completed this month. Okay, thank you for that. And my last one was just the where we at with the Crescent Park project. So, I did give an update on this at the last council meeting. I apologize for being out.

It's all right. Thanks. Uh the latest information is that we're going to begin construction sometime in late May. So, I'll keep you posted on that. Will that affect programming? We have various events throughout the summer, car show. Is there consideration to minimize the disruption of the programming throughout the I understand it needs to be done. They're going to have to fence off areas and stuff. Um but is there a plan to minimize the impact on the programming at the camera

Actually, Tracy explained all that last time on the last council meeting. We're working closely with her and have exchanged the plans um so that she's informed and that there's limited interruption to the programming. Okay, I appreciate it. I received no info. I apologize for missing the meeting, but I didn't receive any email, no update, nothing except for they just gave one from the Carousel Commission, so. So, May is going to begin and for everybody, it's going It's not the concession stand, it's the um event tent and the um the uh storage office space building. Did they give you a general idea of completion? And the reason I ask is in September we hold a a fundraiser, a food and wine pairing. We've rented tents in the past. This past year we had to go to the Brightridge Club. Is there any talk about when the event tent will be completed? Can we think maybe by September? Cuz it's just the pad. We're hoping for the end of the season that it would be completed. Okay. Yeah. Thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you. Next item. Number five, city permit fees for renovations of homes and businesses, Council Vice President Rego. Thank you. Um this has been brought up because we having a lot of new and remodeled homes being done excuse me, in the first ward and getting calls and uh Mike, could you explain what they need applicate uh licensings for and and what they do not need any permits, I should say, for renovating houses and everything. People are confused as if they need it

for windows, which I told them yes. Uh it's just that a lot of new people have moved in in the past year or two and other cities and towns might not have the same policies that we had, so people are confused. So, thank you thank you for the question. As you know, the need for building permit is controlled both by local ordinance and by the state building code. So, I might not be giving might not hit all the points cuz I'm not as familiar with the state building code, but under our ordinances you're required for building permit for new structures, repairs, or alterations. So, obviously if you're replacing windows, that's an alteration. You need a building permit for that, so that triggers inspections. Something like a paint job usually doesn't That's not That's just really just a paint job. But anything, you know, that you're building or new structural additions for houses, new roofs, any kind of electrical work that might be done if you're updating your electrical system, plumbing system as well. So, um you know, again that's, you know, a very broad. If they have any specific questions, I I really would ask that they call our building official, but that that those permits issued issued through that. You know, one of them Well, two of these phone calls originated from people who are basically flippers coming into the neighborhoods and just going through the house and I told the person the same thing to call zoning or building because the gentleman one gentleman and one woman who called me on these issues said to me, "There's no, you know, sign in in the windows."

So, I Right, yeah. There's nothing there. I said, And then I said, "Well, you got to call." And they're like, "Well, we don't want to call." Well, Right. I mean, nobody wants to be the bad neighbor, but you know, so It is on the obligation of the person who either owns or who's doing the renovations to pull the permit. Obviously, not everybody does that. I think that everyone recognizes that not everyone follows the law. To pull the permit to the extent that we are that anyone knows of of a construction project or something that they believe requires a permit, we do encourage them to call the building officials. They can do so anonymously, and then they'll send out an inspection and and I know in some cases we have, you know, stop work put place stop work orders on the property until such time as they get the permit. Um and the permit helps us in two ways. One, it ensures that we know what's going on at the property, number one. But number two, um also triggers an inspection to make sure what's done at the property is done correctly. Obviously, if you have a larger permit, you want to make sure that's done, plumbing, whatnot. But from a broader city perspective, we also it also triggers if this if it adds value to the house, right? And so that it would trigger maybe a a revaluation of an assessment. If say you're adding out a deck or a new bathroom or something like that, you'd pull a permit and you trigger an inspection and then when the revaluation cycle comes along or for that year, there might have been there might be an adjustment. And I think frankly, that's why people don't pull the permit cuz they're afraid of that adjustment. But that's that's state law, so. It's a voluntary program. We expect everyone to follow the law, but if we if anybody's aware that there's construction going on in their neighborhood that they think there's no permit pulled, um first thing they can just call the office and say, "Hey, address, you know, 255 Main Street, is there a permit being pulled?" Uh and if there isn't, we'll probably ask for more information as to what they think is going on and we will send out an inspector. We have done so in the past. Thank you. Um if I could do the share? Yes, Councilwoman. Just as a note, um

anybody who's concerned about um the issue that the vice president brought up with work being done and not permitting, um you can go on the city website and look up the property and see if there is a permit taken out on that property to verify whether there was or isn't in case it isn't printed out um and stuck on their window. Thank you. Next item. Number seven, RIPTA Bike to Work Month Flyer, Council Vice President Rego. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh, my good friend Jim Vincent, and who's should be familiar with people here in the city of East Providence as he was a one-time employee here, has gone on to work in many positions with the state of Rhode Island, reached out to me and uh it goes along with uh something that's been part of my uh first campaign in 2022 talking about bikes and pollution and making this city uh a very uh user-friendly and also uh trying to cut down on the carbon footprint and uh pollution's always been uh something near and dear to me that we should stop so that we can live here on Mother Earth for years to come and not be in smog and like LA or any other metropolitan area. So, here's the first uh excuse [clears throat] me uh it my allergies kicking in. So, uh it's no pollute commute bike to work from May 1st May 31st, 2026. Uh stop by Ripta celebration stations. There's one coming up here in East Providence uh a week from Wednesday from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the East Bay Bike Path entrance. Uh 29 Warren Avenue,

East Providence. Uh it's a great way to take advantage of this to uh uh get on Ripta and uh don't use your car if you can to get into Providence. If you work along a bus route, which obviously is a story for another day that we need more bus bus routes. Uh And then to go along with this, also, uh we have the photo ID bus pass. RIPTA's customer service regularly travels to rural and urban communities throughout the state to provide reduced bus fares to qualified seniors and individuals with disabilities. Look out for these locations where you will be processing photo IDs. Um so again, take advantage of that. There's a couple in our area. Well, on 528, there's one again right here in East Providence at the East Providence Senior Center, uh Waterman Avenue from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Uh it's very again, here's an opportunity to get your bus ID and we can we can remind people again at the next council meeting, but um again, this is a great, uh especially with the price of gas, we we all know what that's like. Here's another avenue for seniors and and people with disabilities to be able to ride RIPTA. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, sir. Good information. Next item. Number eight, capital improvement budget balance and outstanding projects purchases, Councilwoman Souza. Thank you. Um Andre, do we have any updates on the budget? I just want to say thank you for forwarding um the December to March uh

finance report. I know it'd been some months since the council had been provided with those. Um if we could get those set back on to a a regularly Yeah. basis, monthly basis, that would be greatly appreciated. But if you could bring us up to speed

So yeah, your um one of the items that you have here is the fiscal year 2025 end of budget report. That came out in October. That was before my time. Um so, I going to locate that and get that over to you guys. So, uh apologies for that. I think it just got lost in the transition. Um and in terms of the other monthly reports, I will be sending those all to you every time I get them uh moving forward. So, I I appreciate your patience on that. Um as for the other item that you have, um we have several ongoing projects. Do you have any specific project in mind that you would like some more details on? Sure. Yes, thank you. So, one um well, one I wanted to see what the current balance is for the capital improvement budget. I know this council last um approving the budget for 2026 approved a sum, not necessarily allocating individual uh projects to be completed or purchases. We've been kind of doing them throughout the year. So, what is left in the allocated um funds for the capital improvement, and then what was left from the previous uh year. So, overall, a total amount in our capital improvement budget, I mean, uh fund, what do we have sitting there currently, and how much is currently allocated to a project? And then And then it Sorry. I did notice and just correct me if it's an incorrect total um left unallocated upper funds is 2.7 million. If you can just clarify that number for me. So, that's unencumbered. I I I will get that number for you, but I we were obligated to obligate those funds by the end of the year. So, they're oblig- Sorry, you stream

They're unencumbered, but no. They're obligated, but maybe not spent. I just want to let you know, based upon another city that I represent, there's a concern that if that money's not spent by October, there will be a penalty and the money will be swept back by the federal government. So, we did properly obligate them. Um so, I just want to make Thank you. I I misspoke on that. So, really what isn't what hasn't been spent out of the allocated Opera funds? Is it the 2.7 or less or more?

we're going to need to do like a presentation on that at the next council meeting cuz it's expensive. There's a lot of projects and a lot of figures. Uh so, Yeah, and I don't want to put you on the spot. So, yeah, that would be great if we could put that to the next council meeting. Um that would be and if we could have Glenda there, too. You're you're you're all set. You can I mean, we can check her availability.

Yeah, yeah. Absolutely. Of course. Of course. Yeah, we can give an update at the next council meeting. Thank you. Yes, councilman, question. Andre, I've received about three or four phone calls in the last couple of days. Uh with the economy as it is, people are asking me when the tax bills coming out cuz they want to obviously budget their finances. Uh everything is going up from insurance to that, you know, their escrow accounts will play into this and everything and they just want to budget their finances. So, do we have a date yet from Sarah when these tax bills will be going out? Well, well, the bills have to go out the rate. They want Yeah, she they want to know when they've been late. They want them earlier than better. That's I'm asking for the date. Yeah. So, but Vice President, that wasn't on the items.

No, it wasn't. I'm just saying if you can find out if

look into that. I just got these phone calls in the last couple of days and when Councilwoman Souza had this, this is just an issue. Uh you know, I'll let I'll get that over to you. obviously the rate and, you know, uh, when they would come out, especially, uh, this year, that's all. I I didn't expect you That was If you could help me with that issue. All right. Look into that. Thank you. Thank you, everyone. Next item. Number 10, Charter Commission recommendations Council review schedule, Council President Rodgers, Council Vice President Rego. So, as we approach the the time when we we would have to make, um, some decisions on anything that might go on a on a ballot, um, we we just want to talk about the schedule. I I really think that, um, and I know Council Vice President Rego had some communication with uh Secretary of State's office, um, the the staff there, uh, on what what is the timeline and when we consider we have a council that, um, will have at least two new members and potentially all new members with uh an election, um, it it might be best to just have the next council decide what, if anything, they're going to do. I I'm receiving zero phone calls from the general public about, you know, Charter issues. It's it's so fresh still from recently having been changed. Um, some things we we fix by ordinance anyway, um, so, basically, the that was just a explanation of scheduling. And I think Council Vice President, what what was the date that

if this council were to do something, we'd have to move? We would We would have [clears throat] to move by July because then the process would have to be that the canvassing authority has to okay them. Then the questions have to go to the Secretary of State and to the Board of Elections and I know as a former chair of that Board of Elections, the last thing you want is the these questions and everything coming in late. I concur with you as in regards to the next council. Uh We reviewed them two year a year and a half ago and they didn't there was no excitement. Again, I've I've received zero phone calls here. I I and I also when this process started, I was one saying, "You know what? This form of government it should be like 10 years before we look at things. To do it right when it got out of the box probably wasn't isn't the right thing to do. If [snorts] you look at the state constitution and in having a constitutional convention and it's 10 years. So, I think if it gets moved to the next council, hopefully the three of us who are running, you know, you know, could be part of it or it could be a whole new five new person council. We don't know. So, I think and that would be in that 10-year window. You give this new experience that we call mayor council form of government the right things and to tweak it. But, to have this come right off the gate that we inherited from the past council who didn't have a lot of time cuz let's face it, COVID came and we were being governed by all sorts of state of emergency rules. It hasn't

played out. So, I concur with you, Mr. President, about waiting for the next council that's seated to pick up the torch to um move this forward. I disagree. I will be putting forward some questions asking that we vote on them to put on the ballot. So, you said by July? By July. Okay. I will have it what I think should be a

cuz you know, we're going to you know No, no, I get it. It's not fair It's not fair to Well, we're talking 8 years. There are some things that can be tweaked. We're not talking about a complete rewrite. So, I will be utilizing my power to put forward a vote for some ballot questions to change the charter. Not major changes, but there are some tweaks. The Charter Commission that was voted on, they gave us a list of some things. A lot of it was minor adjustments and wording and stuff like that. So, I think we should respect them and at least discuss what they put forward. And we did it 2 years ago and nothing hap- a year and a half ago nothing happened. You vote on a charter in an election charter changes. Well, and we they presented to us that night. We had a meeting and not and And we haven't had an election since. We did have an election. Yeah, you know We had we Okay, I I I I get where you're coming from. the 24 election. I'm just saying

I'm not going to kick the can down the road. I will be putting some forward. But I understand where you guys are coming from. Thank you. All right. Next item. Number 11, illegal dumping at the intersection of New Road and Pawtucket Avenue. Council Vice President Rego. Um Thank you, Madam Clerk. Um This, you know, as a typical Rhode Islander and as a person who grew up in Rumford my whole life, to get people familiarized where this is, this is the old Fran building on the left-hand side. Um It's become a real nuisance to the people who live on Campbell Avenue. Uh Shame on these people who have no respect for their neighbors. They just dump. And it's become an issue where they call me. We you know, get the mayor's office involved, and DPW comes up and has to clean this property. Uh Mike, is there any way we as a city and our DPW, it's costing us, it's taking time away from the DPW work, it's parks department to be doing jobs at parks and you know, throughout this and other jobs throughout the city. Is there any way of we forcing or finding this property owner that he has to uh maintain his property? It's no different than you know, we as taxpayers and residents have to maintain our property. Uh So, under the code, um both the um minimum housing code and maybe even our local ordinances, property owners do have to keep their property clean and tidy tidy even if it's vacant. So, I I'm I don't know if we this person's been cited, but the what we have to do is cite the property owner for you know, the not cleaning up his property or his or her property, and then we can bring them into court and then um if we if we have um known cost that it took cost us

to clean, we could seek to either reimbursement for those costs or put a lien on the property, but it's I'll I'll I'll find out and I'll talk to Andre tomorrow whether or not they've been they've been cited or not. I don't remember. I know it's been a problem in the past. I mean, I haven't caught I don't think I've copied you on this. I know I've copied So, you have my you have the pictures that have been forwarded to that I forwarded to you, right Andre on this issue? Yeah, just try

Vice President Rego, I've you've been sending over a good amount of emails, so I got to dig in, find it, but um I'll check on that and get back to you. Thank you. Well, yeah, I mean, that's part of, you know, that's one of the, you know, that's one of the issues, and I'll say thank you to you, uh all the all the uh yard debris and the trash was picked up today in Ward One after being some of the area being delayed, so I thank you for taking my 35 phone calls that Thank you for being on top of it. I I try to be on all the time, so as soon as somebody calls me, I call you. So, we'll take care of it. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Next item. Public hearings ordinance for second and or final passage for discussion and possible vote. Number one, an ordinance and amendment of chapter 18 of the revised ordinances of the city of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled vehicles and traffic, adding section 18-318, entitled parking of unregistered vehicles. Council President Rogers, Council Vice President Rego. So, this is a public hearing and for Council discussion. First, this very simply just eliminates parking of abandoned or junk vehicles on streets or any city property. Um it's a quality of life issue in in the city as as I see it and as residents call us. Um if there's an abandoned vehicle or unregistered vehicle that that then it would apply. It doesn't apply to someone working on a vehicle in in their yard, but it's on um city streets. They're kind of simple language. They're comments from the council before we open

it up. Uh Motion to approve. Okay, 1 second. We just have to um Yeah, so this is a public hearing. Is there anyone here tonight that wishes to speak on this one way or another? Mr. President, this is just an update of the law to allow it to be more conformance with uh Rhode Island general law regarding unregistered vehicles. So, under our current ordinances, if you have an unregistered vehicle on the street, we'd have to we'd have to tag it for so many days. This eliminates that. We could we could uh because it's a local violation, which was the second ordinance they all passed. We'll we'll be able to remove it pretty promptly. So, that's quicker. And we and we did find There were a lot of complaints about this, and we were kind of the police department asked for this review, and we came up with the solution. So. Very good. I'll ask one last time for anyone here would like to comment uh for or against this hearing. Seeing none, I'll close the public hearing. And we had a motion by Councilman Fogarty Second.

seconded by Councilman Souzzo. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you. Next item. Number two, an ordinance and amendment of chapter 10 of the revised ordinances of the city of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled Nuisances, amending subsection C of section 10-29, entitled Removal Notice to Owner. Councilman Fogarty. Yes, Councilman Fogarty. I think we've talked about it. Pretty much same thing. It's the second part of that to make it where the vehicle's a violation, local violation, yeah. So, it is same discussion. No nothing else. Um Anyone else here that wants to add to this discussion? Seeing none, we'll close that hearing. Motion was made by Council

Second. Fogerty, seconded by Councilwoman All in favor?

Aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Thank you. New business, mayor communications, director of policy and constituent services, Andre Herrera. Welcome again, and I would just ask you to basically read the headings of all of these without going into all of unless there is something critical that you need to bring forward. Of course. Um we have a couple reappointments requiring Council confirmation. The reappointment of Gary Pascale to the Zoning Board of Review for a 5-year term effective January 4th, 2025 through January 3rd, 2030.

Motion to approve. Second. Motion to approve by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilwoman Souza. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Thank you. Next, we have the reappointment of Michael Boparland to the Zoning Board of Review for a 5-year term effective June 3rd, 2025 through June 2nd, 2030. Motion to approve. Second. Motion to approve Council Vice President Rigaux, seconded by Councilwoman Souza. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Thank you. Next. Next, we have the appointment of Brenda Lee Lister to the Zoning Board of Review for a 5-year term effective June 5th, 2024 through June 4th, 2029. Motion to approve. Motion Councilman Council Vice President Rigaux to approve. Sarah second. Second. Second Councilman Fogerty. Uh All in favor? Any discussion? What's up with you? You said all those Yeah, we can say all in favor, I. Any opposed? Nay. Nay, I believe there were There were three to two, but let's adapt it to a roll call vote. Please read the roll call. Councilman Fogarty? I. Councilman Lawson? Nay. Council Vice President Rego? I. Councilwoman Souza? Nay. Council Vice Council President Rodericks? I. The motion passes 3-2. Thank you. Next item. Appointment reappointment not requiring council confirmation, there are none. And for items for announcement and discussion our DPW director gave the update on the citywide sewer infrastructure improvements. Yes. And then I'm going to read these proclamation the the the

titles of them cuz we have 15 of them. Um but these are all in May and we're going to the city's proclaiming small business week in the city of East Providence. EDS and HSD awareness month in the city. World Lupus Day. National Skilled Nursing Care Week. Jewish American Heritage Month. National Public Works Week. ALS Awareness Month. Mental Health Awareness Month. National Police Week. National Peace Officers Memorial Day. Teacher Appreciation Week. National Emergency Medical Services Week. Asian American and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Municipal Clerks Week. National Military Appreciation Month. And Older Adults Month in the city of East Providence. Thank you.

So, May is a busy busy month. I'm I'm part of that older What was it? Older American adults? I'm in that club. the birthday of your solicitor, so I'm hoping for a proclamation about that. That's all. Ah, don't wait too long for that. [laughter] Is your birthday today? No, it's at the end of the month. Oh, oh. Oh, we'll have a

Don't all run out and get a cake and yeah. Thank you for that. I really appreciate it. And those are serious events many of us try to get to as many of those as possible and we appreciate I mean for people involved specifically it means a lot to them and we appreciate the city doing that. Thank you, Council President.

Thank you. Especially for municipal clerks. Especially the municipal clerks. You may continue, Madam Municipal Clerk. Reports of other city officials. Number one, capital Okay. PACE Organization of Rhode Island versus Sabina Puleo in her capacity as state tax assessor for the city of East Providence. I'm sure you have probably read the uh some of the articles that were in the paper about this. I just wanted to give the council an update. In my law school days you would have had to read the case and I would have asked you some questions about it, but I'm not going to do that cuz I don't know if everyone read it. But in short We we did read it. Thank you. Thank you. I appreciate that. In short, um we we've been in a legal litigation with PACE for since they moved to the city about their payment of taxes. Um they claimed an exemption under a statute that dates back to 1876, believe it or not. Um and they were given that exemption in the city of Providence. When they moved here they basically said, "Hey, I was given this in Providence. You you need to recognize it here." And and working with the tax assessor, we looked through it and had them submit a formal application and based upon that application and our reading of the statute, we didn't believe that they applied. As was their right, they filed the case in Superior Court, uh which they lost. Superior Court indicated that they were that statute didn't apply to them, the exemption didn't apply to them. Uh they appealed that, which was their right, uh to the Supreme Court. Took us 4 years to get it Took us 4 years to get there, basically. Uh and uh we argued I think I argued this in January, over the Excuse me, before the holidays of last year. And the Supreme Court in the last uh month came out with a decision indicating that the city's position was correct. Um even though it deals with PACE, had they been um successful in their appeal, uh we believe that it could have been applied to uh for-profit and nonprofit nursing homes as well. It would be technically

across across the not only the city, but across the state. So, um it was a good result, obviously. I don't I don't know who's Mike Andre. Maybe he could have IT this week. Look, we've been having this issue at the last couple of meetings. There's a one mic here somewhere that's But but any event, I just

Yes, sir. So, it's I'm sorry, it's an update. And um I appreciate the council's support in getting this through. Again, it was a a long battle, but we got we did win. And we you know, basically, we protected the ability of this organization and other organizations that like that they would be subject to taxation. Uh and as you know, uh cuz you deal with people come to this council all the time asking for exemptions, every exemption that you give means that the rest of the taxpayers have to make up that difference. And this was a significant amount of revenue. So, that's all I have to say. And I will say that PACE was very professional during the whole process. Their lawyers were excellent. So, I've I've [clears throat] been been on losing sides. It's not always good to uh It's always better to win, but I also know what it is to feel like to lose. So, but anyway, I just wanted to give you an up- update. Thank you for your diligence with that. Next item. Resolutions for discussion and possible vote. Number one, resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract with the Better Group Inc. for planning and engineering services associated with the Safe Streets and Roads for all supplemental action plan for the Six Corners area. Council President Rodriguez and Council Vice President Rego. So, by utilization of a $100,000 grant program the Department of Transportation through the Safe Streets Act, uh this is again more funding that will help uh the the city with planning and engineering services related to uh self Safe Streets and the supplemental action plan for the entire Six Corners area. Uh again, a good utilization of some grant funding. The uh city is seeking to enter into the contract with the Better Group for $117,000.

There is an in-kind expense of $6,000 and 250 $6,250 and about 18 not about, but exactly $18,750 in cash. So, it's a win-win, we think, for the city. Any comments or is there a motion? I make a motion. Motion by Council Vice President Rego to approve the resolution.

I'll second it just to bring it to a vote. Okay, seconded by uh Councilman Lawson. Any further discussion? Uh Madam clerk, sounds like you might want to call the roll on this. Councilman Fogarty. Nay. Councilman Lawson. Nay. Council Vice President Rego. Aye. [clears throat]

Aye. Councilwoman Souza. Nay. Council President Rogers. Aye. So, the Safe Streets motion fails two to three. Thank you. Next item. Number two, resolution adopting the East Providence Safe Streets and Roads for all safety action plan, Council President Rogers and Council Vice President Rego. I'll make a motion to approve. Second. Motion Councilman Lawson to approve, Councilwoman Souza seconds. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Thank you. Next item. E, introduction of ordinances for discussion and possible vote. Number one, an ordinance and amendment of chapter 18 of the revised ordinances of the city of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998 amending chapter 18, article 14, entitled bicycles to include the regulation of electrical electric bikes and enforcement provisions for staying. Council President Rogers. So, this is brought back uh before us and just in my opinion, a quick summary, the only intent here is to um protect the parks and the public property and follow state laws, and you certainly have the right to drive your electric bicycle into a parking lot. Well, let's use one field as an example. Uh say the Kent Field project or could be Pierce Field or So you drive in, you go to the parking lot and you park your bike. We don't want you driving around the tennis courts, which has happened through the years, ruining the asphalt or doing wheelies on the grass, ruining the ball fields. You have every right to do everything else that's legal.

That's that's how I see it. Any other comments? Make a motion to approve. Before we do that, I I just I just looked at the typo. It's actually 18-427, so we don't have to do this again. Can we just It says except in designated parking areas. It says exception. Can we just cross out the TION? So ION. So it's it's should be except in designated parking areas, not exception. With that change, I still make a motion to approve. As amended. As amended. Thank you. Second. Motion to approve as amended by Councilman Fogarty. And Mike, can you just Hang on. Seconded by Councilwoman Souza as amended. Discussion on the vote?

Yes, sir. Can you just give us the crib notes? Cuz last time we were against it because it was so onerous. Yeah. So we went from confiscation and we're going to sell it and all that. If you ride an e-bike outside of the parking lot area in our city park and you get caught, it is a first offense $100 fine. Correct. Second offense is 200 and then it goes on and on for multiple offenses. Third offense would be 500 and a temporary impoundment of the bike at at at third offense. So we took away the draconian measure. Correct.

And we just did a thing. Okay. Yep. Yep. I attended that meeting. It was a great meeting. It was very good and all parties. I had a busy afternoon picking up my wife at the airport. Wonderful hour and a half ride back to Warwick from TF Green. But uh the I meant to bring the article. I printed it out for the Boston Globe yesterday. Governor Maura Maura Healey of Massachusetts said they are taking the first in the nation approach dealing with all these motorbikes safety. I mean, pedestrians are getting hit. Uh people on bikes are getting hit. And what's the difference? I mean, people who are, you know, use who are bicycle who are on a real traditional bike are getting run over. And what's the difference between 25 mph and 30? AAA has a good study as far as the cause of injuries. Uh and if you remember right, mopeds in the state of Rhode Island in most places, you have to be 16 to use. And some of these new bikes can get up to the speed of a of a moped. So, I I hope that Rhode Island will look at what Massachusetts is doing and has a law that protects, you know, people who are out walking, people are out on traditional bikes. You see the bike path, you know, there's avid bike riders as the gentleman who came up and spoke to us before. Uh So, we we got to I'm not against the bikes, but there's got to be enforcements moving forward from the state level, not just from us. So, we had the motion and second. All in favor? I. I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. 5-0.

Good for first passage. Thank you. Next meeting probably or we have to advertise, so it might be two meetings from now. Okay. Anything else? Uh motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn. Second. Motion Councilman Rego to adjourn, second Councilman Fogarty. All in favor? I. Any opposed?