City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening. We call the meeting of July 28th, 2026 to order. The solicitor, could you just call the role of a council?

Councilman Fogarty? Yeah. Council Vice President Rigo? Yeah. Council President Rodericks? Here. And the record will reflect that Councilman Lawson and Councilwoman Souza are absent tonight.

And there is a quorum, so we'll continue with the meeting.

We should stand for the pledge.

Is he going to charge us the Ann Clark fee?

Double pay. Maybe I'll get a lunch on it. Before I describe the purpose for this meeting, I would be remiss if I just didn't mention. We will probably mention something more formal at our August 11th. but we all know about losing Dr. Ramos, Dr. Izzy Ramos, longtime resident teacher, school administrator, school committee member, city council member, board of elections member, ambassador to Cape Verde, and a visit once to China. I mean, you name it. He's done it, but more than any of that, he's been a friend to thousands in these provinces, former students. If you read the tributes that are coming in on social media from former students, forget, take the politics out of it, but if you listen to the former students that have talked about how if it wasn't for Dr. Ramis, that they may not have stayed in school or they'd be in jail or they'd be in trouble. He really... meant a lot to a lot of people. So we'll do a little more of a formal presentation on August 11th. This was a special meeting. Did any of you want to add anything to that? Great guy.

He's a legend. I remember the first time I met him, it was at your parents' house. I was five years old. Senator Pell was coming in. That's right. It was the open house for Senator Pell. I vividly remember him because he came in all shop dress. He had the white suit on and he was a big supporter of Senator Pell as our families were. Back in the day.

He was a classic and so close that my two kids, who are not kids anymore. They're, what, in their 40s? They're adults. They still call him Uncle Izzy. So, Uncle Izzy, we miss you. For anyone watching this, there will be a wake service. It will be on Monday coming up. So if you are watching this, you'll have time to plan Monday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Perry McStay on Pawtucket Avenue, and with a Tuesday morning mass at 10 a.m. at the St. Francis Church. But there'll be more about that later. So today's, this is just a special meeting, and as the community has been asking us to Fast forward projects, and let's get things done, like present park work, community center. So in speaking with staff and planners, and Dominic Leonardo is here today, if there are any questions. They're ready with some bids, and we want to get going. So rather than wait another couple of weeks, thank you, ma'am. We started a little bit early.

We started on time. You weren't informed.

Well, I'm just trying to be diplomatic, you know, give her a break.

I don't want any open meetings. No, the deputy clerk would never be late. I know that for a fact. My apologies. I was not told it was a six. Yeah.

That's what I thought. Cause originally it was six 30, then it went back to six. So no, all good. So that's the reason for tonight. Nothing crazy. We, we just have bids ready and we don't want to wait. We want these projects to get going. So we're trying not to do a lot in July, but I figured we could come in for a little bit. And Madam clerk, if you want to read the stop by reading the agenda.

I can, did you do a roll call? Yes. Okay, perfect.

We did the salute to the flag.

I love it. Licenses for discussion and possible vote. Non-public hearing. We have a special event, one day license. Janet Barrows for a birthday party. She's gonna have a DJ at 109 Merrill Street in East Providence, August 1st, 2 to 11. Move passage.

Motion by Council Vice President Regal, second by Councilman Fogarty. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Next item.

Next item. Communications are none. Public comment, none. Appointments, none. We will skip to new business. We don't have anything.

I'll speak on behalf of the mayor's office. There you go. Thank you. So as you know, as the agenda, we did get a letter of resignation of Michael Beauprelant from the Zoning Board of Review. After more than 20 years of service, as you know, in the beginning, I covered many of the Zoning Board meetings. I will say that Michael was... A REALLY GOOD MEMBER OF THE ZONING BOARD WHO HAD A REALLY GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF THE ZONING LAW AND THE PROCEDURES THAT THEY FOLLOW. AND I'M SURE HE WILL BE MISSED. BUT 20 YEARS IS A LONG TIME TO SERVE ON A VERY IMPORTANT BOARD WITHIN THE CITY. SO I THINK HE'S RETIRING. SO WE WISH HIM WELL. AND I'M SURE THE COUNCIL DOES AS WELL.

MIKE'S A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE. LIVES CLOSE BY TO ME. WE'VE BEEN FRIENDS FOR OVER 30 YEARS. him and his wife Lois, they'll be able to spend more time together as Mike doesn't have to put in as much time dealing with the zoning laws and zoning meetings that Mike took very serious as we all do in our positions. Thank you.

Thank you.

So as a result of his resignation, the mayor has made an appointment which is subject to Council approval of Craig A. McManus for term ending 6-2-2030.

I move passage of Craig McManus, another good friend of mine. We've been friends since first grade. His family, his father's the late icon fire marshal, Captain Bob McManus, and he comes from an outstanding family. He has an outstanding family with Craig and his wife, Liz. I move passage of appointing Craig McManus to the zoning board. Second.

Motion made and seconded by Councilman Fogarty. No further discussion. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Zero. Next item.

Next resolutions for discussion and possible vote. First resolution is a resolution authorizing the mayor by and through Bentley Companies LLC to accept and award the proposal to reclaim and pave the parking lot at the East Providence Community Center in the amount of $88,999.87 introduced by Council President Rogers.

So again, this is along the lines of moving this project along. They're ready for this step. Money is previously appropriated, something that we've talked about. And in general, people are saying, let's get these projects done. So this is why when the bids are ready and we're ready to go, we're not going to delay and get these projects worked on. Any other comments?

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

Move passage. That's a motion. Is there a second?

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

Councilman Fogarty seconds. Any other discussion here? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it.

Thank you. Number two, resolution authorizing the mayor of the city of East Providence to purchase two unmarked police vehicles as well as two upfitted vehicles for the police department. Total cost of four police vehicles for the police department in an amount not to exceed $307,423.60 introduced by Council President Rodericks.

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

motion i'm i move passage obviously keeping this fleet up and new and will these come with the radar systems in them like the other ones welcome chief evening uh these are uh these two of them will come on come with uh moving radar Thank you.

I move passage.

Second.

Second by Councilman Fogarty. Any other questions anywhere? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Thank you, Chief.

Thank you. Thank you, Councilman.

Okay, item number three, resolution authorizing the Mayor of the City of East Providence to proceed with improvements to Pierce Memorial Stadium and enter into a contract with RADCorp DBA RAD Sports in amount not to exceed $1,588,555 introduced by Council President Rodericks.

And not unlike the other items, this is a continuation of the long plan project that at your stadium, get that track going and other other amenities and money is appropriated. Any questions about this passage on that motion by Councilman Fogarty? Is there a second?

I'll second the motion.

Seconded by Council Vice President Rigo. Other questions? We have some staff here if there are any questions, but I think we're ready to get this thing going in another phase. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Thank you. Thank you.

Is there any time to question the solicitor?

No more questions for the solicitor. So is that it, Madam Clerk?

Motion to adjourn. Our next meeting is August 11th.

Yes, to be clear, because there was a little change. So if you're watching and you're wondering about August, it's August 11th. At 6.30. 2026, right here at 6.30 p.m. Thank you. All in favor of adjournment? Aye. Any opposed? Thank you all. Meeting is adjourned.

Thank you.