City Council - Regular Meeting

Test Best.

Good evening. I'll call the meeting of the East Providence City Council, February 17th, 2026 to order. Madame Clerk, could you please call the role of the council? Councilman Fogerty, here. Councilman Lawson, here. Council Vice President Rio. Yeah. Councilwoman Souza. Councilwoman will not be here tonight. She is not uh feeling well.

Council President Rodri here. The record show there is a quorum present. Please rise for the pledge. United States of America to the stands one nationy.

Thank you all. Uh first firstly uh we can remain seated but uh if we could uh just have a moment of silence for the tragedy that occurred yesterday at our neighboring uh city of Pucket at the Lynch Arena with the uh incident involving loss of life. Thank you all. Madame clerk, would you please begin the agenda?

Executive session. The city council of East Providence may meet in executive session pursuant to the Rhode Island General Laws 42-46-5A2 claims and litigation. Natalie, do you want me to read them while you are? Um, no. We'll report out afterwards. I I think that this will be brief, but we do need to go into Mr. President, I move. Sure. We can we can hold off a little bit. We can do the licensing. Sure. Okay. So, let's hold off uh couple of minutes on on that. We need to we need to make a motion to move the licenses up at this time, which

motion by council vice president Rigo to move the licenses at this point. Seconded by Councilman Lawson. All in favor? I. Any oppose? The eyes have it. So, madame clerk, if you could go to the licenses at this time.

Licenses for discussion and possible vote. A motion to bundle non-public hearing licenses B1 through B3. Special event one day roadways. May 2nd, 2026, 6:00 am to 1 pm. Type of license, new business, tattoo shop, uh 1445 Word Trail, East Providence, and a renewal for Seafood Market, Victiculing at 204 Willlet Avenue. Make a motion to bundle um B1 through3. Motion by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilman Fogerty. The bundle items under letter B one to three. All in favor? I.

I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. Motion to approve B 1 through three. Motion now to approve the bundled items by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor? I. I. Any opposed? The eyes have that. By the way, that road race um will be at Pierce Stadium. Okay. So, those licenses that are here, you're all set. Thank you. We'll now I will entertain a motion to go into executive session.

Um Mr. President under Rhode Island General Laws 42-46-5 A2 I move into executive session motion by council vice president seconded by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. We'll recess executive session. This should be very brief.

to reconvene. Make a motion. Motion by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilman Fogerties. That includes seal the minutes of the session. All All in favor? I. Any oppose? Madame Clerk, we continue. Consent calendar regular meeting minutes February 3rd 2026. It's your pleasure. I make a motion to accept. Second. Motion by Councilman Lawson to accept consent calendar. Seconded by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. Next item.

Um there's no public comment. The one person who signed up was Caesar and he's gone. So, the next thing is appointments. Appointment of Robert Baptista III to the city council Crescent Park Carousel Commission three-year term effective February 17, 2026 to February 16, 2029. I'm going to make a motion to approve, but I got a question cuz I reached out to the uh carousel manager. Did this come through the website? Cuz neither one of us were aware it came from you. Well, I'm fine. We're approving it. I just didn't know if the process Yeah, he Okay.

He filled out an application online and then President Broadick sent me a text message that he was going to be appointed. Not a problem. Not a problem. Just wanted to fill that in because me and Tracy didn't know, but I'd make a motion to approve. Motion to approve by Councilman Lawson. Is there a second? Second. Second. Council Vice President Regal. All in favor? I I Any oppose? The eyes have it. Next item, council members. Number one, statement on former old old hand building. Councilman Lawson.

So why don't I do one and four as just one statement. Um I I've been non-stop people reaching out to me. There is a lot of things happening down in Riverside. Start with Old Ham. Old Ham was given the property was turned over from the school department and the plan that came out from this administration was use it for incubator space for job training stuff, community use and then for um you know maybe art studios or we could house like uh history museums and stuff. Somehow this got twisted into eight apartment buildings and losing the the property completely against what the people of Riverside have been asking for. And I know there's some proponents that we got to build housing everywhere. We are building housing in the city of East Providence. This is not being nimi. This is fighting to retain the character and charm of the city of East Providence. We are growing and we're doing some things very well, but we don't need to build on every blade of grass. The old end project, we put opera money in and the administration refused to spend the full amount. You know, they used the word game, oh, it only said up to. It didn't say we had to. So, we put the roof on. They kept saying, oh, it's going to cost millions to put the roof. It cost 600,000. So, people are upset there. We just had the planning department approve and I guess I got to get I didn't realize we lost this much power from the state level that planning departments can now override when the city council said we don't think it's appropriate to have a commercial development on Wanog trail after a week ago the administration had

the bike plan and they said Wanog trail should be reclassified to make it safer and then a week later a proven drive-thru fast food restaurants and people don't want to see Wanok Trail turn into Route Six. Okay, it's a pass through from 195 down into the East Bay. It's a greenway. There's nothing wrong with maintaining some greenery in the city of East Proidence. That doesn't seem to be what's happening. Lot of frustration and now we're hearing word. Nothing's official, but I just want to come out in front. February 26, they're having a meeting to discuss the deposition of, if you ask me and Bob, it's Meadow Crest School, but it's currently called Oldham. And there was some discussion on closing, which would leave Riverside with one elementary school. That school, Wington, currently houses 530 kids. Every other school, elementary school is around 220, 230. I don't believe that busing half the Riverside kids to Silver Spring is good practice. I think there's so much value in keeping a kid in their neighborhood school as much as possible. I'm going to keep fighting, you know, and if the building needs some work, let let's do it. That's our job. Let's find the resources to keep it a school, alleviate the crowd. And I know everybody wants to send numbers. Oh, people ain't having kids. But yet, Writtington's bursting at the seams. The high school is over the projected. Okay. So, national trends may say people aren't having kids. But when you spend 300 million on new school buildings, people are going to want to bring their kids there. So, we're not at the heyday where we needed double sessions in the 70s, 80s. No. And we'll probably never get there. But to say we can do without

two elementary schools in Riverside, I just don't think it's right and appropriate. And I hope that Thursday's meeting, it's February 26th at Martin, I believe. I don't have it in front of me. Um, Martin, oh, Riverside, I'm sorry. Riverside Middle School. I'm encouraging everybody to come out and speak up. I I've been hearing everybody. They're They're frustrated. They're upset. And it it's just it they just feel like Riverside's under assault with all the housing development and they they're just asking let's take a breath you know let's you know we still got wa um metacomic is going to be developed. There's what 600 and something housing units. East points being built out. There's going to be another few hundred more units. Uh the census said the city was at 48,000 people. We've probably added a couple thousand housing units since then. So, we're probably more at 50. I had asked the question, how big of a city do we want to grow into? We got to consider traffic, sewers, schools. There's so much to consider that we can't just keep rubber stamping every development that comes through. So, I'm speaking on behalf of the folks at Riverside and East Providence because I'm hearing from a lot of people that yes, we're developing and yes, there's perfectly the we haven't even touched the waterfront yet. We still got Newport, Copionados, they're building up there a lot going on and these people are feeling they're not being heard by the administration that things are just being shoved at them like eight apartment buildings at Oldham. this is where we uh gather for the parades and it's always been part of that community. So that's my statement. It is I'm going to still keep pushing and um but on behalf of the people of Riverside and East Providence I I do

think it's appropriate that we sometimes catch our breath and this isn't being nimi because we're building. I voted for stuff the stuff across the street I voted to allocate East Provenence fund and it's been sitting empty for two years. That's another story. So, that is my statement on behalf of what's going on in Riverside, what people are feeling, what they're telling me, and I I just hope somebody listens to the voters and the residents who pay taxes, and uh that's it. That's I just had to make that statement. So, yep. Thank you. Thank you for the time.

Thank you, Councilman. I I think uh just uh briefly with uh regarding Oldm and there is confusion because this the school department calls both buildings old but old at Crescent Park. Correct. You know there let's see what the recommendation is. We're waiting for it and then we can get serious with uh with what we see about it. Um I you know just quickly I wouldn't see eight apartment buildings going there but but you know let's what they proposed that former wrote him on Bulock Point on Bulock Point right that's I'm I'm sorry

that might be a bit much so let's see what the report says regarding the property on bot drive which is the old metalrest school which is by the school department's naming it's called which made sense when the crescent park closed they moved the entire building staff student body to Bedtolerest and they kept the name oldm for identification. I think the time has come to switch the name back now and that meeting is sponsored by the school department as you know superintendent and the school committee. So just so there's no confusion that is not a city council hearing or meeting. I I intend plan on being there, you know, and I'm hoping, as you said, that that that remains as it is now, at least for a while. Um until we see how many seats we need in Riverside and and that that would take up the the um slack, I'm I'm sure. So, you know, we'll as many of us as can go, we'll we'll be at that school department meeting.

We do have uh Veterans Advisory is meeting that night. So, I'm I'm I'm going to try to get there after. our meeting. Sure. And um and we'll hear about it anyway. Absolutely. More for the community to come out. I I just it was important to state that the we got to look out for kids and closing schools and busting them around to save a few bucks in the long run. Does it really benefit anything? It's uh important issue. Yeah. Yep. No. Thank you, Madam Clerk. The next item, um, number two. Yeah. Request for update on Cres Crescent Park building project. Councilman Lawson.

So, Andre, hopefully you have an answer. December 4th or 5th, you guys brought forth a resolution asking us to authorize the mayor to enter a contract to begin building the event tent and the office space. I happened to ask Mike last week a question. And I said, "Oh, by the way, the contract been signed, and I'm surprised to hear it hasn't been." So, can you give the public an explanation of why it's been 2 months, the contract's not signed yet? Thank you.

Good evening, Councilman Lawson, members of the city council. For the record, Andre Herrera, director of policy and constituent services. Spoke to director Borges. Uh, right now, value engineering is underway. uh and the architects are finalizing the plans and getting the final costs. Uh we submitted the resolution so that we have uh the flexibility to make sure that this is permitted as quickly as possible so we reduce any delays and we've spoken to the contractor and uh right now we're still looking at uh spring construction time weather permitting. So where I'm getting confused is what cost are you adjusting? You came to us with a dollar amount. Shouldn't that work have taken place before you came to us?

So what we're hoping for is that and right now we're kind of talking to the contractor and New England Construction has basically we've been speaking with them and hopefully we can get the cost down a little bit so maybe we can add something else like some lighting uh or some other This is another I apologize Andre. I'm really trying to temper. This project's been delayed for years. We finally get the contract approved by the council and now it's delayed again because you want to save a couple bucks in it.

Councilman, it's the middle of winter. It's not delayed. We're still looking for the spring to start construction. They have to put it on their schedule and until they get a signed contract, they're not going to pass up other work. We've we're we've entered an agreement. We're just finalizing the pricing and hopefully that should be done within the next month. And and what are you looking to add? You said you want to get cost down to addense. We may be we might be able to have some wiggle room if the if it comes under the the projected amount. So, but that remains to be seen. Right. But wiggle room for what? What is it you're trying to add? It could be some lighting. Uh direct

What do you mean could be? You don't have a plan? We do have we have plans and the director has told me that if we if the pricing comes in a little lower, maybe we can add something else. Maybe not. I'm not 100% sure. But that's where we are. We're just waiting to us with a fixed dollar amount and then you're still negoti So, if I can interject, why why don't we just stick to the original plan and if there's money left over, then we can look into other things. Exactly. Yeah. So, but let's sign the contract for the original

plan and then if there's money left and we want to add lights, if we want to add some if we don't if we don't have money left, we don't have to worry about adding anything else. So, let's try let's try to expedite the contract so we can be comfortable that when spring comes, who knows how long this snow is going to stay in the ground. There's already a forecast of some more coming. Yeah. The whole point of of passing the resolution before was to make sure that we can move this along as quickly as possible. There's no delays. Okay. Well, let's let's get it going. Next item. Um, this would be me too. Do you mind just go through? Sure. Go over. Might as well.

Um, we've been asking about adding bathrooms on the water side. It's been mentioned that there's a design plan. Is that something that's going to happen? Are we looking to do it for this spring or

Well, this is definitely a priority for the mayor. Uh, and the latest updates I have is that CRMC, we submitted the plans to them in October. They've reviewed it and we just got the finalized plans uh approved last month and now it's going through the process where it it needs to be uh if there are any objections from the public that there's a period of time I think it's over 30 to 60 days uh that anyone can submit input. If there's no input submitted uh then we're looking at around March mid-March to then submit send that out to bid. Uh and then once people bid on the project, companies bid on the project, then we'll have an idea of what the final pricing will be. But um it's going through the normal channels, normal processes. [clears throat]

You say you had these plans since October. Have any of us been made privy? So we submitted them for review and board CRMC coastal resources management council they have a process of review that takes several months and uh they finally approved it. So um now can I ask you what what was approved what kind of a facility do you have a drawing you could share with us? So, it it's going through the appeal process right now. Um, and I can request Dan to to send that over. But once the appeal process is done, then then we can move forward by sending that. Is someone appealing? What what's what's the appeal?

No, it's just typical uh process. Once the plans are have been approved, there's an appeal period with CRMC and if any members of the public appeal, that could delay it further. But um if nothing gets appealed then by March we should have uh final permitting.

So next Monday we have a ward 4 town hall meeting. Could I request those plans be transmitted to me so I can let people know cuz it sounds like you're putting the cop before the horse. You didn't talk to the public about what they feel. and now CRMC and you know if people don't understand that CRMC if you don't appeal to them you're not going to hear it. So it would be nice to have the public along for the ride on these I'll check with the director see if we can get those plans. Okay, Mr. President. Yes, Council Vice President.

Question for Andre. We know how much money we have for this project because it's all opera money. We're not spending any of our money. I mean, this goes back to two chiefs of staffs ago who promised us we after we got done marching in the Memorial Day parade in 2024 that we'd be having clam cakes in Chela at that at that event. So, we know we have a fixed amount of money, right? It's all it's all opera money, correct?

I will have to check with with our director of DPW to confirm that, but to my knowledge. Am I wrong that that's an opera project? Most a million city capital. Yeah. But I mean, so we're still we're still in that budget that the opera money and that's right, the capital budget combination of the combination. So, we're still in that. We're still in that. Yeah, we haven't gone beyond that. We're not going beyond that. Correct. I to my knowledge, no. But I can double check that with Director Borges and get answer.

We go 50,000 over it. Now, it's going to delay the process because it has to come back in front of us. I don't want this project delayed anymore. We're following standard process. No, no. I the people of the city want I I just I want this project done. I don't want to lose any of the opera funding. I don't think you want to or anybody. So that's that's my biggest concern is I don't want to lose any opera funding. Thank you.

Okay. Next item. All right. So I had mentioned um all set. There we go. Um last week I mentioned uh city council we got our veterans advisory committee. Our mission is to honor and advocate for veterans. Um as part of that we are going to roll out a hometown heroes banner. Tori Jessup uh brought this to the table and we all thought it was an awesome idea. Um this is you'll see it in Barington. um CECONK, other communities. But basically, we're going to roll out these, the form's ready. We'll start really pushing. Um anybody interested, it will be $100 for the banner. There's a form you fill out. And basically, you're going to have the name of the veteran, when they served, and the branch that they were in. And we I met with Dan Borges, and he was awesome. and he said that we could put them up Riverside along the parade route Rumford he mentioned Roger Williams a but if there's questions we could see if there's others um Totten and Warren a so folks on the form can choose if they want to be Rumford Riverside center of the city and we are looking to hopefully get them up in May. So, we're going to start a big push to um let people be aware. They'll be on social media. I'll reach out to the media. Maybe uh somebody from the reporter can write a nice story. And um we'll get this going. February 28th, it's a Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. at Weaver Library, we're going to have a a

veterans coffee hour. Um, I will have the forms there if people are interested in coming in and filling it out if they, you know, um, need some help or whatever. Not everybody's on the computers and stuff. So, I want to let it be known that I will be out and about in the community at various things and, um, you know, anybody interested, they want to honor a loved one, um, we'd be more than happy to have you join us. Uh, the coffee hour is at 9:00 am. We have a library. Um our state reps will be there. There's some veterans that want to propose some legislative um request. Um as you know with veterans, the big thing with us is our homeless vets that uh they need some of that transitional housing. You know, once we get them off the streets and before they can get into a permanent home, there's that missing piece which is just not a veterans thing, but that's our focus in this group. So, um, we will be advertising the Hometown Heroes banner and hopefully anybody interested signs up. If anybody has questions, reach out to me. Um, Frank Fogert is on the Veterans Committee as well. Um, Ward 4 Council at East Proidence or any of your council members. You can reach out to them and, uh, they'll have access to all the info needed. And, uh, we're going to be working with the administration. And I want to thank Andrea for she put together the form and the design of the banner. She's awesome and uh I want to publicly say thank you to her and uh we look forward to having this nice uh addition to East Proidence.

Thank you. Well done, Councilman and the committee. Please let them know. Next item, public hearings ordinance for second and final passes for discussion and possible vote. Number one, an ordinance amendment of chapter 16 of revised ordinance of the city of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended entitled taxation adding article 11 exemption for live workspace deed restricted properties introduced by council vice president Rigo. This is a public hearing. We'll start with the council. This is second passage. Do you want to add something?

Well, just to review again, this is second passage. shop. This will come in handy as we redevelop existing property that might be in mixed use. And I would I would hope we start hitting and this will help us hit the target audience of like turning these into uh affordable housing for people who might want to downsize. And this will help and with the ownership and it will also bring business in. We talk about building. Well, we h we have to also think about rehabbing a lot of the properties that are in the city right now that we can turn into mixed use. And this will also come into play hopefully when we start really ramping up the development along the waterfront. So, I move passage again.

Second. Okay. At this point, uh, before the council votes, I'll open it up for, um, public comment. As this is second and final passage, is there anyone here that would like to comment for or against or make any comments? Once again, is there anyone present who'd like to comment on this? Hearing none, I'll close the public hearing. We have a motion and a second. Um, what is your favor? All in favor? I I

I. Any oppose? The eyes have it four to zero. Thank you, council vice president. Number two, 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 Section 18-307 entitled Parking Prohibited at all times of article 10 entitled stopping, standing, and parking of chapter 18 Dova Avenue west side from Warren Avenue sutherly for 250 ft. Section 2, section 18307, entitled parking prohibited at all times of article 10 entitled stopping, standing and parking, Dova Avenue, east sides from Warren Avenue sutherly for 100 ft. Introduced by Councilman Fogerty.

Thank you. Move passage. Second. Uh, madame clerk, is this also public hearing? Yes, for second passage. And I just got one question. The section one is the west end southerntherly and then the second part is east east side is 100t all you need. Yes. The first one says 250 ft. Yeah. All right. Just want to make sure you're getting what you got. What you need, buddy?

Other comments from the council at this point. If not, I'll open it up to the public hearing. Anyone here that'd like to speak for or against this or make any comments in general? One more time. Anyone here that would like to comment? Hearing none, I'll close the public hearing. Uh we have the motion in the second. Did you get those, Madam Clerk? All in favor? I. Any oppose? The eyes have it. Thank you for the work, Councilman Fogerty. Next item,

continue business. Show cause hearing update from meeting of February 3rd, 2026. All requirements for issuance of licenses have been completed by the following businesses. Assistant Attorney Joel, assistant solicitor. Solicitor, sorry.

I'll take this. I was here for that meeting. Um, these were all the business licenses that were heard for show cause on February 3rd. Uh, number one, the Brazilian Family Market. Um, the fire inspection was completed and the license was issued on February 5th. Um, Popeye's restaurant, 40 Newport Avenue, they were here earlier tonight. Um, they still have the, uh, license renewal payment is pending. um to confirm there's

Yeah, I understand the payment is in, but we we're just confirming the paperwork. So, we can include them as in um in anticipation that, you know, it'll be Yeah, we expect that to be right. And if it isn't, then it won't won't fly. Number three, Jeff's Pizza, 27 Waterman Avenue. Um both their building and fire inspections were completed. the license fee was paid and their license was issued on February.

Okay. So, as far as we know now, um are all business licenses and um required documents completed this year? We know we had several who were late, but I think as long as as soon as we clear, I think everything will be in good shape. Okay. So, we would need um do we need do we is there there's no motion required, right? Just a report, an update. Thank you. So, there everybody's caught up. Everyone's caught up and next year a little less lenient. We'll be a little more forceful. Okay.

Yeah, we and we did indicate our last meeting that, you know, next year we're not going to wait four or five months beyond. It's not fair to the clerk's office to have to keep resending reminders and stuff. So, next item, continued business. New business, Mayor Communications, Director of Policy and Constituent Services, Andre Herrera.

Thank you, Andre. Proceed. Good evening, city council. Appointment reappoint requiring council confirmation. Uh, we have the appointment of Shannon Maseroko to the Juvenile Hearing Board for a three-year term effective February 17, 2026 to February 16, 2029. And do you want me to go through? I'll make a motion approve. Second. Motion by Councilman Fogerty to approve. Seconded by Councilman Lawson. This is in the case of Shannon Maserco. All in favor? I I. Any opposed? The eyes have it.

Next, we have the appointment of Sandra Farand to the Juvenile Hearing Board for a three-year term effective February 17, 2026 to February 16th, 2029. Motion to approve. Motion to approve. Sandra Fan by Councilman Lawson, Council Vice President Rigo. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. And we have next the appointment of Kendall Martis to the juvenile hearing board for a three-year term effective February 17, 2026 to February 16, 2029. Motion to approve. Second. Motion to approve by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Council Vice President Rio. All in favor?

I. I. Any opposed? The eyes have. Next, we have the appointment of Jason Raferty to the juvenile hearing board for a three-year term effective February 17, 2026 through February 16, 2029. I make a motion to approve. Motion to approve by Councilman Lawson. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor? I. Any oppose? The eyes have. Next, we have the appointment of Sandra Gothier to the Juvenile Hearing Board for a three-year term effective February 17, 2026 to February 16, 2029. Make a motion to approve. Second.

Motion to approve by Councilman Lawson. Seconded by Council VP Regal. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have. And next we have the appointment of Patricia Rendi to the planning board for a five-year term effective January 16, 2025 to January 15, 2030. Make a motion to approve. Motion to approve by Councilman Fogerty. Second. Second by Council Vice President Regal. All in favor? I. I. Any opposed? Nay.

And the motion carries uh 3 to one. Next we have appointment reappointment not requiring council confirmation. There are none. And then next we have items for announcement and discussion. Proclamation honoring chief economic planner Jim Moran upon his retirement after nearly 35 years of dedicated service to the city of East Providence. Good luck, Jim.

Well, there's certainly no vote needed there. We appreciate the proclamation. I think we've all been in touch with with him and some of us were able to swing by uh his his farewell ceremony and he as I stated at that time he has done his work quietly and efficiently and um staying in the background but getting things done. So we we wish him well. Thank you. And uh I want to invite everyone to our annual Black History Month celebration on Wednesday, February 25th at 11:30 a.m. in the council chambers. Looking forward to it.

Thank you. Uh I know I will try to come. Sometimes the daytime is is not good good time to to appear, but um try my best. It's the last week of the month. Yeah, those of us working and but that's uh certainly um Black Heritage Month is one of the uh major celebrations that that I certainly support. Uh so much history is involved in East Providence is uh proud to uh be in be there.

Thank you very much. Thank you, Chief. Resolutions for discussion and possible vote. Resolution authorizing the mayor to purchase turnout gear for the upcoming 37 Fire Training Academy introduced by Vice President Rio. Yes, sir. Continue.

Yes, Mr. President. Uh, thank you. Obviously, this is important as we continue to add another firefighter class so that we can get the number up. This will hopefully help us to increase our uh rescue service as we uh maintain the proper numbers and get to that number where we can have uh a fourth full-time rescue as well as maintaining the great service that the city provides and the firefighters men and women provide to the citizens of the city. So I move passage and congratulations to the 37th class.

Motion by council vice president Rigo, second by councilman Fogerty. This continues along with fact that East Providence Fire Department was the first in the nation to get the um I forget the official name of the gear. FAS FAS PF P FAS the cancer fighting uh equipment that um was so important and we were leaders in the in the nation to do that. So we do have a motion and a second for this. All in favor?

I I any opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you for bringing that forward. Number two, resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Pier Corporation for engineering and athletic design services for Pierce Memorial Stadium improvements introduced by Council President Rodri, Council Vice President Regal, and Councilman Fogerty. Mr. President.

Yes, Council Vice President. Um, this has been on the drawing board since we took council uh took I should say take took office in 2023. Uh, it's finally coming into fruition. Uh the things that I'm very happy about is that it's going to repair the walk-in track and a track so that our middle school program as well as the good uh youth track program that has been started in the city has a home. And on top of that for the people who for the middle schools again and for the youth track program that every so often when we ask for something it happens. We we're going to have the jump pit and the throwing pit down at P Stadium. So, uh that will only help the uh the boys and girls of uh middle school age and the and the program that uh it's just a good thing. It's nice added that they'll have a full uh array of track and field that they need.

And this is uh funded by grants and and recreational funding. It's not a budget line item. Uh and I I think uh there's a lot of room to do this now. We we're not going to do the turfing of the field and keep the natural grass which is appropriate for the use. And I uh I know she's not here tonight. Also, Councilwoman Souza joins us in this. She's been advocating for uh the same thing we all have with the track and and other facilities. So, Pier Stadium uh is used very very much even though the high school isn't there per se. Uh it's it's used uh almost daily with the entire complex and uh we we need to keep it up. And I also would like to make another point in regards to this remodel of Pierce that's very important and you see it a lot obviously at graduations that we attend as well as the Fourth of July uh event that the city put on but it's going to be more handicap accessible and that's something that is very important. So, uh, this will these improvements will ma again make it more user friendly for all those involved.

That's that's a good point. I know you and I met with the mayor recently and and went over this plan and uh he did stress that that um lower end near the concession stand which is kind of a a large grassy area which will be made handicapped accessible now for people to get down into the stadium instead of using that ramp where if no one's holding on to you, you're going to just go. Um, so, uh, Pierce is, uh, still the great complex that, uh, it it always has been and it's going to get better. So, that was a motion. And did you get the second and motions? Second.

I made the motion. Motion was made by uh, Council and everyone on the day has seconded it. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. Enjoy. Thank you. Nice job. Motion to adjourn is in order. Councilman, what's that? No. Motion to adjourn. Journ is seconded by Councilman Fogerty. Motion by council vice president Rig.