City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening, call the meeting to order of these Providence City Council August 11 2026. Summer is moving along. Madam Clerk, would you please call the roll of the council?

Councilman Fogarty? Yeah. Lawson? Yeah. Council Vice President Riga? Yeah. Councilwoman Sousa? Yeah. Council President Rogers?

Here, the records show all five members present. Please rise for the pledge. I would ask that we could please remain seated, but I would ask for a moment of silence, moment of silent reflection for the loss of our former assistant superintendent of schools, and there are too many titles to list, but a gentleman who has been a mentor to so many families in East Providence who had just passed away recently. So if you could please observe just a brief moment of silence for Dr. Isidore Ramos. Thank you all, appreciate that. Madam Clerk, before the executive session, we have some proclamations, so we'll do that first so that we can have our young guests who are here today with their families, so we can do that right away and they don't have to sit here. You're welcome to sit here with us all night long, but if I were you, I would get out of here as soon as you get your awards. So we all know that in East Providence, youth athletics is a very prominent and a very important thing to our families, and especially with the recent gains made by the young women in our city and it has been obvious at all levels from literally youth sports through resurgence in middle school softball with girls and of course our great high school program so we are very fortunate to have as our banner says the eight to ten-year-old district champions for Rhode Island. Now, there are four districts in Little League in Rhode Island. District two, which we are in, is the biggest. And it's no small feat that you young ladies came away with the championship title. of the entire district and just fell a little short going beyond that. So along with the city council and all five of us have been strong supporters of you, have followed, I was able to get to portions of a couple of games and it was exciting and a lot of fun. And you know, lights are coming, right? Hopefully very, very soon. So what we are going to do, Councilwoman Souza is going to assist me. We are going to go to the podium. And as we call your name, we will give you, this folder has two proclamations. It has one, and I'll just read one, so I don't have to read them all. I will just call your name. And in addition to us, Mayor DaSilva has also included a proclamation. So you'll be getting,

a couple yes as i organize this uh council vice president we go i i as well as council president roderick said i saw you play a couple of times and you you i definitely got a great potential as the years move up as you move up it's great potential having coached softball myself You play very tenaciously, and I'm a little biased, but you have a very great manager, coach in John McGowan. Thank you. The only problem with John is he played baseball at Bishop Hendrickson, but you girls play the way John plays the game, and you play it right. And please stick together, and please stick with John, because you will win that district every year moving up. That's what I wanted to tell you people. Congratulations.

Just let me organize this for a second. So the proclamation from the city council will say, and it will have the nice city seal. City of East Providence, Rhode Island, on behalf of the City Council, congratulations to the East Providence Central Little League 10U Softball All-Stars Team, winning the District 2 Championship. And we have your name here, and all five of us have signed it. And similarly, the Mayor's Proclamation, we're a little concise, he gets a little more wordy, so I'll just read this quickly. Certificate of Recognition, On behalf of the city of East Providence, it is with great pride that we present this certificate of recognition to, and your name will be there, the East Providence Central Little League All-Star Team. Congratulations on an outstanding season. Your team went undefeated through the entire district tournament. This is something I forgot to mention. That was a big thing. Captured the championship with the victory over our rival neighbors, Barrington. They're still crying over the line in Barrington over that one. Your hard work, teamwork, and dedication represent the very best of East Providence youth sports. We are proud of you and your teammates, Mayor De Silva. Okay, so if you bear with us, when we call your name, please come up to the podium and we'll, Councilwoman will hand you your certificate and then walk over here towards the front and face out to your parents and folks. And remember, smile because I think this will be televised also. Okay. The first last name would be a little hard to pronounce, and it's got this fancy script here. Natalie Kovarubias. Is that close? Okay. Isla Adams. Isla. Isla, sorry Isla. Isla, I should have known that because I watched you play. Abilene Smith. Sade Baldwin. Charlotte Newberry. Nalia Lorero. Amaya Ribeiro. Celia McGowan. Hazel DeRosa. Sophia Carnero. Victoria LaFontaine. Lila Kelly. Cora Kelly. Olive Tuthill. You don't want my notes from the meeting. And how about Coach John McGowan? Coach Mike Kelly. Mike make it? Not here. You want to get it for Mike? Come on up. You're a better coach than Mike anyway.

Coach Ali Burks, come on up, stay up here.

And Coach Mitch Baldwin. Rich, why don't you come up and any other league officials wanna join the group and I think we're gonna try to organize a picture. Coach, you want to take these for those who couldn't make it?

Let me go up top, because this is .

Move in tight, guys.

Yeah.

Oh, yeah, get the banner.

we love you guys thanks thank you very much

And once again, is not considered rude. We don't mind if you all want to head out and go home. But thank you for being here tonight. We appreciate it. Thank you. Madam Clerk, if you want to resume, I guess we'll start with the executive session.

Executive session. The City Council of East Province may meet in executive session pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 42-46-582. Number one, City Council to meet to approve or deny a sewer abatement for 77 Allen Avenue based on city ordinance section 17-183.

This will be one quick item so we can go into executive session. We have to go into executive session. Is there a motion to?

Motion to go into executive session?

Motion by Councilman Souza. Seconded by Councilman Fogarty. All in favor? Aye. The ayes have it. We will be right back. This should be quick.

to return into a public session. Second. Seal the minutes.

Motion by Councilwoman Souza to return to public session. Seal the minutes of executive session. Seconded by Councilman Fogarty. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Next item, Madam Clerk.

Consent calendar, council journal's regular meeting minutes, July 7th, 2026 and July 28th, 2026. Cancellation and abatement, $26,172.64. Letters, notice of new property numbers, 240 Becker Avenue, East Providence, Rhode Island, 02915, map 513, block 32, parcel 001.10. 26 spring Street East Providence, Rhode Island 0 to 9, 1, 5, map 5, 1, 3, block 49, parcel 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 23 paddle Ford Avenue East Providence, Rhode Island 0 to 9, 1, 5, map 3, 1, 1, block 12, parcel 0, 1, 3, point 1, 0.

Motion?

Mr. President, if I can, please. Yes. Pursuant to state law in compliance with state Rhode Island general law 3614-61, I hereby recuse myself from participating in any discussion or taking any official action related to said matter regarding section B, cancellations abatement for tax exemption correction at account R034650-00.

and taken any discussion um in the public matter so let's thank you so noted let's move approval then of the consent account calendar a and c and the abatements other than the one that she just read and then we'll remove that abatement and then she can accuse herself and we're going to make her motion to accept a and b no a and c c and c i apologize

Motion Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilman Fogarty to approve A and C and abatements.

Everything other than the abatement that she just read.

Correct. That's your motion and second. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have.

Okay, no. Thank you. I'll make a motion to accept item B under abatements.

Hold on one second. Hang on a second. Let the Councilwoman vacate the dais. I'm going to go by the letter of the law. Motion?

Make a motion to accept item B. Seconded.

Motion by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilman Fogarty. Item B under consent calendar. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have.

Thank you. You don't move that. Hang on a second. She returns. She's doing laps.

Continue, Madam Clerk.

Licenses for discussion and possible vote. A, non-public hearing, special event, one-day entertainment license for Tara Machado. Event address, 79 Narragansett Avenue, September 6, 5.30 PM to 10 PM, Labor Day party, live band. One-day entertainment license, Michelle Cooper, prayer gathering with solo musician. 555 Waterfront Drive, East Providence, September 17th, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., One Day Entertainment License, Keith Anderson, Narragansett Terrace, Jetty Acoustic Guitar, 102 Riverside Drive, East Providence, August 29th, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., One Day Entertainment License, PM Byrd, Trinity Tabernacle, Inc., Community Festival, 251 Central Avenue, East Providence, September 13th, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. One Day Entertainment License, Deborah Sears, Sears Wedding, Community Generated Music, 56 Euclid Avenue, East Providence, September 12th, 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. Special event one day entertainment license Lucy fontaine family fun day for children 60 Berkeley street East providence August 22 12PM to 4PM one day entertainment license Lisa cabral ocean Grove end of summer family gathering 99 how old Avenue East providence August 29 3PM to 8PM. Block Party Food Truck Event, Natalie Karniv, Cow Truck, 151 Northborough Street, East Providence, September 6, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Special Event Alcohol License, Deborah Sears for the Sears Wedding, 56 Euclid Avenue, East Providence, September 12, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. New Mobile Food Establishment, Arthur Evans, South County Barbecue. Owner's Location, 615 Condon Hill Road, Saunders Town, Rhode Island. Read-In Only, New Mobile Food Establishment, Gerardo Arianna, A-N-E-F-S-L-L-C. Owner's Location, 83 Parnell Street, Providence. New Mobile Food Establishment, read-in only, Christine Holden, Duke's Chicken and Waffles, 615 Conduct Hill Road, Saunders Town, Rhode Island. New Mobile Food Establishment, read-in only, Matika Fana, Casa Va, LLC, 282 Webster Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island.

Mr. President, I make a motion to bundle all non-public hearing licenses, A1 to A13.

Can I ask one question? The Sears wedding, 55 Euclid, is that a private residence? Why do they need an alcoholic license? I can understand the entertainment because there's a party, but why do they need a liquor license? I don't know if they're in the street. Is that something they applied thinking they had to? I mean, I'm going to prove, but I just... Was it something Andy Wee told them they had to do, or was it...

It was approved through the licensing clerk. Let me see.

I mean, maybe they applied for it, but if it's a private residence, I'm not understanding why they need permission to have alcohol at their own wedding.

The payment license, yes, the alcohol license. I mean, that's coming to your house and serving beer wine spirits. They don't need to apply for that. So if Debbie applied and she got charged for a one-day liquor permit, we need to reimburse her for that because that's not right being on a private residence.

It doesn't indicate whether or not if she hired an individual bartender or not. But even if you hired a bartender, you're not charging under state law. It says type of organization, sole proprietorship.

So we got a meeting before September 12th.

So we can just approve this, and if there's a rebate, as long as no one's against it, let's just approve it and move it along, and then if there's a rebate allowed, then we'll make sure they get rebated for the permit fee. So the motion is to bundle all of the items. One more question. Yes, sir.

Three food trucks read-in, they were operating before the council?

I believe that was part of the food truck festival that was held at, was it at Bull Point?

Yeah.

Two of them are actually for this week, and there was no other time to put them in, so we actually requested it from Council President the day that they need it. There's no other meeting? Hold on, and I can tell you.

There's a meeting tonight.

This one was actually for August 11th. It was originally supposed to be in the meeting for August 4th, and it was placed, but it was approved to be on July 9th. That was why this was a read-in.

Okay.

So it was approved on 7-9 by Council President.

Okay.

That's fair because we moved the meeting.

Okay, I understand. We moved the meeting. We were supposed to be here August 4th and because National Night we had to move. Okay.

And the other one was also the same thing. It was approved on August 5th because the meeting was removed. Yep. Okay.

And yes. We had moved the meeting because of the police night out. I just want to clarify. Is there a second to the motion? Second that. Second by Councilman Lawson, Councilman Fogarty. This is for the bundle of all of the items. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it.

Motion to approve non-public hearings A1 to A13.

Motion Councilwoman Souza, A1 through A13, seconded by Councilman Lawson and Councilman Fogarty. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Thank you. Next item.

Communications, any person who submits a communication to the council and wishes to speak on it must indicate this in writing, no later than 4 p.m. the Thursday prior to the next regularly scheduled council meeting. A person who lists more than one topic on this communication will be allowed to speak on the first one listed. Nancy Hale, discussion on Nancy's volunteer report, Progress in Riverside.

Nancy, welcome.

Thank you. I'm gonna go really quick because.

Just a name and address for the record.

Nancy Hale, 889 Bullocks Point Avenue, Riverside, Rhode Island, 02915. I began coming to city council meetings with concern for public safety. It's been about four years. I would like to report great progress on some of its traffic and speeding issues in between the Carousel and Crescent Park area, with more people stopping at the twin stop signs that were put there. I'm gonna go really quick just to say there's been great progress. Neighbors, individual neighbors have done more to clear away hedges and things that decrease line of sight. The police department has done a lot of things to ensure that there's not what used to be the kamikaze cars driving into homes. Okay, so there also has been progress with, I said more people stopping. There's one area that still is a problem with people coming out northbound on Bullocks Point Avenue, a little bit too fast and maybe some, work with crosswalks, but basically, you know, all good and a lot of progress. And it's kind of good to do it in sections to see what, you know, how much you really do need to do and how much people can do for themselves. I've helped out in that way by even talking to pizza delivery places, letting them know that pizza is extremely important and people are very hungry, but it's not worth any kind of accident. You don't really need to go 30 miles an hour. So that has helped, and every time I order the takeout food, which is a lot lately because I'm not driving, but I tell the delivery people to have all of their drivers go slow and abide by all traffic laws. Another thing that came up while I was out in my yard doing yard work, actually some of the things that were happening maybe three or four years ago, the 18 wheelers are not happening anymore. I don't know how that got handled, but I'm not seeing them try to back up Bullock's Point Avenue headed for the carousel going in reverse and you know I'm glad I'm not driving that thing. So, also the next thing that I have been working on is the awareness of litter, trash, mostly plastic. We have, URI has studied the Narragansett Bay in areas, there's a lining of plastic which is of course not good for quahogs, lobsters, periwinkles, any of those little things that live on the bottom, they can't live in plastic, they can't eat plastic. We have plastic in our bodies. So, you know, I started buying glass straws, and I don't recommend the glass straws. They break. But there's some sort of reusable straws that are, I don't even know what they're made of, but they're really good because they're a little bit flexible. I didn't have time to get one in my bag now. While I've been out using, and so I do think that we as people who live in the city of East Providence need to do much, much more about getting straws. plastic and litter and dog dew and all that kind of stuff, we need to take care of that ourselves. So the Department of Public Works can do big projects that will help us move forward through climate change more easily.

Nancy, I want to thank you when you came in. when you came in front of us four years ago, one of the first items that you talked about was the bus stops down on Bullocks Point Avenue in that area, and you took it upon yourself.

Oh, if I'm, I'm using.

You took it upon yourself to clean it, and I appreciate that, and what you just said about doing community service, and that's what you're doing, I want to commend you for that.

Right, but I'm not the only one who can do it, is what I'm saying.

I agree with you. We need to get more people like you to do that.

We need people out, you know, respecting the bay and cleaning up the litter and taking care of our land. And therefore, the Department of Public Works doesn't need to be like putting trash cans all over the place and trying to deal with litter anymore. I believe the Department of Public Works needs to be out there taking care of parks, land, trees, and really needs to be prepared for more disasters. I think we had at least two weather events last year. We had something like a tornado in front of my house on July 3rd, 2025, and it took a year for these limbs and trees to be completely cleaned up out of the south end of Crescent Park. And I have never ever seen a Department of Public Works employee sit on a bench, smoke a cigarette, have a cup of coffee, hang out and take a break. These people work very hard. So that's for the Department of Public Works and we also have an award-winning snow plowing whatever it is I think the same people I don't know how they do it but they do a great job and they did a great job with the blizzard of 26 yeah that's the right year okay thanks Nancy could you wrap it up a little bit Yeah, but this is the third, and there's more, but I will put it in writing. It doesn't really need to be all that.

Well, you can finish.

What I'm trying to say is it isn't just me. We all need to do these things, every single one of us. And then we won't need to pay more taxes for more people to tell us not to speed, to give us tickets, speed cameras, and Department of Public Works cleaning up after us. It's really, really unnecessary. The latest thing that's going on everywhere, all over the place in Rhode Island, is the lantern flies. I met with Andre Herrera on Friday to discuss three things, but we were able to discuss the lantern flies And of course, everyone, well, people may know the lanternflies by the beautiful pictures of the patent leather spider-looking thing with black and white spots. They jump, they bite, they eat wood, they will live in hydrangeas. they eventually get putty-colored wings, and they fly all over the place, and their biggest economic and agricultural impact will be on orchards, apple orchards, or sakana vineyards, grapes. They go for fruit. They suck the sap out of woody kind of plants, like hydrangeas and... maple trees, which I have in my yard. Now, you can try and catch them, which I have, and I freeze them like I did with fruit flies in college. They go to sleep and then they won't move. They won't bite you. They are hard to catch at that stage. There's two stages. I think they're called nymph, young and old. It's sort of like a 10-year-old and a teenager. The first stage are the tiny, teeny, tiny. They are black with white spots.

I just want to ask you to wrap up.

This is a communication, so it's not a three-minute limit, and I'm going as fast as I can go. I'm going as fast as I can go without sounding like... Yeah, no, I'm giving you a lot more than three minutes. This is not public comment. This is communication, so you have a chance to... I get it.

I just want you to...

I can't go quicker than I can go, all right? I can't speak any faster. So what, I'm gonna get to the end of it right now. Okay, what we really need to be aware of in a public education, and Andre said he's gonna put out a public service announcement, since they're hard to catch, and they'll ruin your yard, and they'll take out trees, The best way to get rid of them is when they are eggs, in an egg mass. So to know what that egg mass looks like and to get rid of it next springtime will help. The egg mass looks like a putty colored, maybe like a shoe size putty thing. I saw one. I didn't know what it was. I thought it was some weird mushroom fungal thing. It was on wood chips. They will put these egg masses on the side of trees or in wood chips because the little babies, when they hatch, they eat wood. So what would you do if you were a mother? you would put your eggs right near the food that the babies need to eat. So if we get rid of the egg masses, that's the easiest way, and that would avoid using whatever chemicals and home remedies people are trying to do to get rid of these things. So ordinarily, I wouldn't recommend killing anything, but we have been told by the Department of Environmental Management that's what we are supposed to do with these things. So I guess that could be the end of it for tonight.

Thank you, Nancy. Thank you, Nancy.

If anyone wants to see the bugs frozen, I have them.

Paul Rodriguez, police detail employment.

I don't know what happened to B. What happened to B?

I'm sorry, I spoke to him and I talked with Chief Carey and I relayed to him information, so he's not gonna be here tonight. I already dealt with the issue.

Good evening, Paul Rodriguez, 166 4th Street.

Welcome.

Thank you. I am not gonna talk about lantern flies. Um, good evening. Thank you for allowing me to speak council persons and fellow townies. Um, I'm going to be as brief as I can. Um, as you know, or if you don't know, I've been trying to work details and I've been, I guess you could say blocked. I sent an email to all council persons and every one of you has responded to me, whether it be by phone or email or text message. So I thank you for that. But if I may, I'd like to read said email that I sent to all of you to my fellow townies.

Please.

Dear council members, I hope you are doing well. I am writing to ask for your assistance because after months of trying to resolve this matter through the appropriate channels, I have been unable to obtain a clear answer or even a response regarding my ability to return to police detail work. I underwent my second total knee replacement in December of 25 and was medically cleared by my orthopedic surgeons to return to work in April of 2026. Since then, I have completed every requirement asked of me. I submitted all newly required applications and was advised by the human resources department that I was, quote unquote, all set. and was also informed by the East Providence Police Department patrol commander that I was all set. Yet nearly four months later, I remain unable to work details and not have been given a single explanation as to why. Over the past several months, I have made every reasonable effort to resolve this matter. I visited the mayor's office on three separate occasions and spoke with a member of his staff who assured me that the mayor would contact me. That never happened. I sent two emails copying the chief of police and received no response. I even sent the mayor a text message because the mayor and I went to the police academy together and we graduated in 1992. That message went unanswered. I requested nothing more than five minutes of the mayor's time to receive an explanation. An appointment was scheduled by me. on a Wednesday at 10 a.m., only to be canceled the afternoon before, less than 24 hours, due to a scheduling conflict. I was then offered another appointment nearly three weeks later, which conflicted with a previously scheduled vacation. To date, no meaningful effort has been made to address this issue. What I find most troubling is not simply the delay, but the complete lack of communication. If there is a legitimate reason why I cannot return to work details, then I deserve to be told what that reason is. If there is an issue that requires my attention, I should be informed so that I can address it. Instead, I have been met with silence. despite repeated attempts to obtain an answer. I proudly served the city of East Providence for many years and retired after a distinguished career. I'm not asking for special treatment, favoritism, or exceptions. I am asking to be treated with the same fairness, professionalism, and respect afforded to every other retired East Providence police officer who is eligible to work. Details. It is difficult to understand why civilians and officers from other communities continue to work details throughout our city while I, medically cleared, a retired East Providence police officer who has completed every required step, remain unable to do so without an explanation. At this point, I respectfully request your assistance in helping bring this matter to a resolution. I believe it is reasonable to expect an explanation, timely communication, and fair treatment. If there is a decision preventing me from returning to work, I would appreciate knowing who made that decision, the basis for it, and what process exists to appeal or resolve it. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response and sincerely hope this matter can finally be resolved. Respectfully, Paul Rodriguez, retired East Providence Police Department. And I should have said that was July 10th at 2.49 p.m. I put myself on the council docket, I believe. I will tell you right now because, well, let's see. That was, I put myself on the council docket July 29th at 1.04 p.m., time stamped from the clerk's office. And on August 5th, I received an email. I don't know if you, do you have the email I got from HR? Do you all have it? No, well, what do you know? I have copies. Let me just, if I may. Please. Please. We can share. That's fine. So if I may read the email, which I subsequently also got in the mail as well. Dated August 5th, 2026, to my address. Dear Mr. Rodriguez, this letter acknowledges your request for employment as a retired officer in the Traffic Detail Division of the Department. As noted in the application that was submitted by you, final approval of employment is made by the mayor in coordination with the chief of police. Upon review of your work history, incidents and interactions with the police department and its officers and input from the chief of police, the city has decided not to continue with your application process or offer you opportunity for an appointment. Thank you for your interest. Diego Jones, director of human resources. So if I may, as I look at this, a couple of things jumped out at me, my history. My work history, okay. I was hired here in 1994. Born, raised, schooled, still live here, obviously. I was a transfer from the North Providence Police Department because I wanted a home because I'm a townie, like many of us are. Okay, so my history, let's see, I don't know. What else is there? Well, let me just put this up, my history, let's see. 2006, presented to School Resource Officer Paul Rodriguez on this the ninth day of May, 2007, in recognition of his dedication to the East Providence Police and School Departments. You and I worked hand in hand, did we not, on several occasions, Mr. Rodericks?

We certainly did.

Yes, we did. Thank you for that. This is the last badge that I had, award board. Most of these, I honestly don't know. I know one's the Chief's Award. The number two is for off-duty life-saving, because on two separate occasions, I administered CPR, and I was... Who wins on that? The number three, I think, is a unit citation. These two accommodations, I don't know. So that's my history. Incidents. The last incident I had was when someone broke into my house while I was home in 2022. And needless to say, the response from the patrol officers was outstanding. Moving forward, the investigation was... Horrific. The detective division did absolutely nothing. Here we are now almost four years later. I'm still waiting on a call back from the juvenile detective because they apprehended the young man who decided it was a good idea to kick my door in and break into my house. So I don't know. And as far as interaction, I retired in 2015. That's a long time ago. If my math is correct, that's 11 years ago. I don't even know many, if any, of these police officers. So I don't even know what interaction that means. But as a proud retired police officer, I am not happy. because I'm not good with the computer, in closing, and I had to do this on my phone, so I apologize, I want to read this. In closing, I just want to thank you, the council members and fellow townies, for allowing me to address all of you this evening. I have always been one of those people who, even into my 60s, spoke to my dad and asked for advice. My dad also worked for the city, worked at the DPW as a central garage superintendent, 30 years. My dad was rather quiet, unlike myself, but always was great when it came to needed advice. When my dad learned of this detail situation, he told me, and I quote, Paul, someone is blackballing you and discriminating against you. You don't tolerate this. Insist on answers, okay? Not thinking this was going to be a big issue, I kind of let it go away. On Thursday, August 6th, my 91-year-old dad fell and broke his hip. Surgery, hospital, et cetera. Concentrating on his health was my main objective. He would occasionally ask about my situation. My answer was always, yeah, dad, I'm working on it, I'm working on it, I'm working on it. I shouldn't even be here tonight, to be totally honest with you, because remembering my dad's words don't tolerate this. Tonight, I remember him and his advice as we prepare to lay him to rest later this week. Dad, I will never forget. There you have it, folks. Somebody explain this to me.

Thank you, Officer. Hang on a sec. Why don't you hold the questions until we've finished? I want to get a rebuttal from, unless...

I just want, were you doing details after you retired?

Well, yes. I retired in 2015. I worked at the DPW for a short time. Then I drove truck for a little bit. And then I came back and I worked details up until 2015. 2020, 2021, and then I took a job with a construction company, and I was in the laborers' union for five years, recently retiring.

So you had been a traffic control officer with retirement?

Oh, yeah, absolutely.

And you have to reapply to do that?

I've never heard of that.

Oh, okay. I didn't either. That's why I'm asking.

Of all the retirees I've talked to, I've never heard of such a thing.

Okay. Okay. So, thank you, Officer, and I do recall those times we worked together at our high school. Sorry to hear about your dad. Thank you. He was certainly a fine gentleman. I was glad to have known. So, as you know, and you and I have talked a little bit, this is, council does not hire officers. traffic officers, police, doesn't mean that we don't want to be involved and get to the bottom of this, because we do. So I asked the mayor, said you need to respond, and I believe he is going to send someone from his administration here to respond. So before any of us comment, I would ask, Matt, are you going to respond? If you could come forward and speak, thank you. and just identify yourself. No, why don't you stay up front here? You can sit in the front if you want to sit.

My name is Matt Paddock. I'm the Director of Communications for the City of East Providence. I want to say good evening, everyone, and thank you to the Council for giving me an opportunity to address Mr. Rodriguez's concerns. As a former journalist, I've always believed that it's important to address any situation solely on factual information and context, keeping opinions and biases out of the equation. Blanketed statements and false narratives do nothing but divide a community and create confusion and disruption. It has always been this administration's belief that we do not share human resource and employment matters in the public spotlight. But following a recent video that was shared in the public eye, we felt that it was important to address this issue. I provided the city council with a retired officer employment application where it clearly states that final approval of employment is made by the mayor in coordination with the chief of police. So Andy's going to pass that around right now. Now, I would like to take a moment to address the concerns that both Mayor Da Silva and Chief Raposa have with the employment of Mr. Rodriguez in the Detail Division. Prior to the City of East Providence moving to a mayoral form of government, the city continued to find themselves embattled in negative light from past city leaders, including several large settlements on the dime of the East Providence taxpayer. Mayor Da Silva's concern with hiring Mr. Rodriguez is because one of those settlements and the hiring practice involved with Mr. Rodriguez to the Department of Public Works just days after his retirement from the police force. That settlement in regard to the Rhode Island Fair Employment Practices Act and the Rhode Island Civil Rights Act cost East Providence taxpayers over $150,000. After it is alleged he was given the employment opportunity over two minority individuals that were next in line for the position. Additionally, Chief Michael Raposa had concerns of his own, dating back to an incident at Mr. Rodriguez's home where a group of underage children were fooling around and playing ding dong ditch. Now that game quickly took a turn for the worse. when the door to his home opened. Now, although Mr. Rodriguez was in a heightened emotional state because his door was, quote, kicked in, the concern of the police department comes from the comments that he made to officers on scene that night and his judgment in the moments that followed. It is important to note that this incident happened before our department had implemented body cameras, and those concerns come from the officers still on the force today who responded that night. Now, lastly, the city of East Providence is home to an incredibly diverse community. East Providence is home to one of the largest Portuguese and Cape Verdean populations in the United States. We have a proud Irish culture and a growing Indian population, along with so many other nationalities represented throughout the city. It is more important now than ever that all those who call East Providence home feel safe where they live. and that they feel as though when they need them the most, our police department will be there to support them. And it is the administration's stance that all forms of racism and bigotry simply will not be tolerated. Following a social media video that made the rounds on July 28th, East Providence police officers who were working a very serious federal investigation, which was not ICE-related, recognized the individual as someone who had interjected themselves into an active police investigation, directing inappropriate comments towards the individuals involved in the traffic stop while officers were actively performing their duties. I would like to now turn to that body camera footage from June 17th of this year. This will play on the monitor for all of you. I'll quote it for you. That video's all set. Now, just to be clear, it was identified by police on scene that Mr. Rodriguez is saying, quote, stay out of East Providence. We don't want you explicative here. The individuals pulled over by police while matching the description of the individuals police were looking for, in fact, were not those who police were looking for and were let go in this particular situation. I would like to show you a screenshot from one of the individuals pulled over and their response to this interaction. The photo is attached as well. That's the one right there. That's from the individual who you screamed the explicative at out the window. I can get you.

Officer, you want a copy of this? Okay.

Now, it reads, quote, wrongfully detained by EP police in handcuffs. Some D-head drove by and yelled, GTFO East Providence, we don't want you here. I was let go and apologized to, but I hand with the B-explicative that drove by and yelled that S-explicative. In a memo from Chief Raposa to Mayor Da Silva, Chief Raposa saying, quote, the consistency of the observations made by both the responding officers and the reviewing supervisor reinforces that Mr. Rodriguez's conduct was perceived as inappropriate by multiple members of the department and was inconsistent with the level of professionalism expected during an active law enforcement investigation. The East Providence Police Department holds all employees, both sworn officers and civilian personnel, to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, judgment, and decorum. While I appreciate Mr. Rodriguez's years of dedicated service to the City of East Providence and recognize his contributions during his career, this most recent incident raises significant concerns regarding his judgment and professionalism. His decision to stop his vehicle, insert himself into an active police encounter, and make inappropriate remarks is inconsistent with the expectations we place upon individuals who represent this department in any capacity. For those reasons, I do not believe Mr. Rodriguez's recent conduct aligns with the values, professionalism, and standards of behavior expected of an employee or a potential employee of the East Providence Police Department, and believe this incident should be given significant consideration in evaluating his suitability for employment as a traffic control officer.

Okay, hold up Matt, I appreciate you. I want to stop this at this point. I think you've made your point, the Mayor's point. Paul has certainly made his point. Paul, I'll allow you if you want to quickly answer but i i really think at this time we've gone pretty far in the public realm and i would like to direct and unless the council tells me i'm wrong um if you matt if you could please ask for a meeting with the mayor mayor has to be there Yeah, police chief, I'm sure, chief who's here today, and you know, your name has been mentioned, chief, if you want to add anything, I recommend that you not at this point. I think this has been out in the public now, we've heard, we've heard a lot i would give officer rodriguez a chance to say some more um but we're not going to solve this tonight especially with the body that has no legal jurisdiction i do want to remind the council yes council has no role whatsoever in the hiring of anybody in the city other than setting ordinances and whatnot so and and the other issue is is that i just want to make it very clear um

We did institute a new policy, I believe in March of 2026, after speaking with the chief, that all officers, retired or otherwise, who want to be traffic control have to apply, and they fill out the paperwork to do so. It does not mean they automatically get a job, and there's a review period. So that's the policy that has been implemented with the HR through the administration with the assistance of the chief.

Now, he did apply, right? He did apply. Okay.

Officer, yes.

My question is this. Yes. How many other retired officers, Mr. Marcello, have gone through the application process that I did?

I can't answer that question. Hold on. Let me finish. I am aware, after speaking with the chief, that there have been applicants that have applied who have not been selected to be on the traffic detail.

That's fine. So this needs to be settled at a table. with all the parties involved. We have no jurisdiction. I will certainly attend if you feel that council needs representation there. Chief, you were mentioned, I don't want to shut you off. If you want to comment, you are welcome to. Otherwise, are you amenable to a meeting subsequent to tonight?

absolutely i i i'm more than amenable to uh to a meeting i you saw my letter should be included with a packet that you received yes we just see that now yep some of it so

Okay, and officer, what was your rank when you retired? Corporal, so I want to call you. Corporal, are you willing to try to sit down with the parties? I know you've already tried. I'm asking, is it too far gone?

Nothing is too far gone. This is absolutely ridiculous. I went to the police academy with Bob DeSilva. I sent him multiple text messages. I had a text message exchanged with the chief who told me it's a new process, no one is blocking you. That was false. I'm being blocked. But it's actually now, it's almost like not about the details. This is a character assassination, as far as I'm concerned. But that's okay. That's okay. And that's all I got to say. Y'all have a good night.

Thank you, sir. And Chief, you want to wrap up anything? Just make a quick comment.

We have had other officers apply since March. Two other officers have gone through the process successfully.

Okay. Well, I think we were able to air this out as much as legally possible. I certainly don't want to turn it into anything more than it has been. It's serious, and Matt, if you would please tell the mayor that the council wishes that he would convene a meeting with the parties involved.

This could have all been avoided if he had the courage to meet with Paul in the first place. This didn't need to go public and make EP look bad. But let me say too, I support Chief Proposer's assessment 1,000% too, so.

I think it's important that we move on.

Yep. Okay, thank you all. Thank you in the audience for your patience. And Madam Clerk, could you please call the next item?

Public comment, Jen Tierney, Tree Commission.

Push the button now. There you go.

Hi, thanks for having me. You've seen me as a member of EP Urban Forest, but I'm also the vice chair of the East Providence Tree Commission. And very quickly, as you know, the city has made a lot of investments over the years for tree planting. We got a really nice federal grant. You know, we've been doing a lot of tree maintenance. There was a public... to do a tree inventory. At one point, the city council allocated, I think, $25,000 for trees. I'm not sure if that was capped, but the tree commission has decided to, we're supporting a resolution being put forth by Anna Souza to please support, we need more trees budget for tree maintenance, because at this point, for instance, in Ken Heights, we planted over 200 trees, I do believe, in this city, and without tree maintenance, given the extreme heat that we're having, the extreme cold, they'll die. I mean, that is a, So it's a lost investment. And it would seem that DBW, particularly in the summer, has a lot of grass to cut and can't give, the same people can't be doing the exact same thing at the same time. So it would be a lost investment. So we're just saying please support this resolution. We're going to keep pushing for it. If there's any way that any of you want to come to a tree commission or if we can be a resource, please let us know. But I think it's becoming more and more clear every year that we need shade and we need the oxygen. And we've made the investment. So it's like any other investment. You wouldn't create a playground and then let it rust. And that's what you're doing with these trees. You know, it's just simple math. So we're hoping that in any way, but if we can be a resource in any way to help with the numbers or the reasons why, I hope you all got your notable tree calendar. And please let us know, all right?

Jen, I think we got what they call the water buffalo, the portable watering tanks.

They do, but it seems like they don't have the staff to go out there and do it.

Which is a common thing we hear about people.

Yeah.

Not just with the trees, but okay.

It'd be such a shame.

But we got the equipment. It's just a matter of... Because I've seen trees we planted dying.

And maintenance is huge, too. I agree. Because we have a really old tree canopy. And I guess, you know, we don't have enough people to, you need to trim the trees so they don't fall on people's houses.

We've invested millions in our public spaces. We've got to maintain them. Because we saw what happened to the bridge not being maintained. Thank you.

Thank you. With unanimous consent, if I could ask the council to move up my discussion items and under D resolutions number one, requesting the DPW to take action necessary steps in park planning. Oh, I'm sorry. Resolution number two concerning further support of the tree pruning and planting project.

Yes, without objection, let's do that at this time. So we will move that. forward. Madam clerk, if you want to read that, that item, is it page six?

Yes. Okay. Page eight, page eight. Okay, discussion and possible vote number two resolution concerning further support for the city's tree planting and pruning program Councilwoman Sousa.

Thank you. Thank you, council members, general public. So I had gone to one of the chief commission meetings last month and to just get up to date on what was going on. There's been, as mentioned by Jen, a lot of growth with our tree program. We had a lot of grants that the city worked hard to get and were awarded. so that we could plant roughly over 500 trees over the last few years, which was really amazing because we have a lot of canopies throughout the city that are not sheltered with trees. So we have a lot of hot spots, which makes the temperature rise in certain neighborhoods difficult during these humid days for people to be out walking, animals to be out walking. So... especially around the schools. Now the Tree Commission has also spent a lot of time and money with some of this grant to do this tree inventory where they went out and every single tree was tagged and identified and there was a level of pruning or maintenance that was needed. So we have trees that are 50 plus years old and what condition are they in, similar to what we have done with our city streets. So they were categorized based on their need for maintenance. We ran through all of the money for tree planting and maintenance in the general city areas. So the grant only allowed for certain areas within the city to be planted. So they're primarily in school districts or underserved areas in the community. So certain places in Riverside and Rumford weren't able to have any of those trees planting or tree planting unless the city had provided its own through the general fund or a capital improvement project. So having had this discussion and realizing that we have A lot of old trees, we have the birch tree that is at Weaver Library that is now turned into an art project, which was very sad that that tree had died, but it was a direct reflection of our inability to maintain one of our oldest and most beautiful trees in the city. We had recently on Broadway a tree that fell, a huge part of the tree had collapsed on the sidewalk, which was dealt with with our DPW, and then the remainder of the tree, within the same week, fell almost on the entire home of the resident again because it was a tree that needed attendance and wasn't pruned or cut down so that it would avoid that kind of an incident so we have a lot of trees in the community that need maintenance and then we have our new tree links that you can see throughout the community that have these bags that are at the roots and that's where councilman the water buffalo is going around filling those and that sustains watering for over a week or two. We also have volunteers in the intern program that have been assigned to that water buffalo truck who are going out and providing additional assistance to try to get more of the trees or flower beds watered so that we can have a nice, healthy, vibrant city. So in the resolution, it is seeking that the city come up with and work with the tree commission to establish a continuing line item to maintain prune and mulch these trees so it has been made aware that we're in a backlog so over three years and this is not just the inventory tree but also the request for trees so anybody in the community who has either called, emailed, or through the request portal put in, I'd like my tree cut down in front of my property because it's dead, or branches keep falling, or I want a tree planted in front of my home. These are all adding up, right? And the city just cannot get to all of these requests we have one arborist and one tree warden so in the city this large with this many trees and the continuous trees being planted we need the city needs to come up with a plan to have an outside company come in and kind of get through this list and work with getting a plan in place trees don't need to be pruned especially mature trees every year They're just like any other garden. You prune it a certain way, and then a couple of years later, you go back and do some more pruning. If you prune it correctly, if you're a gardener, then you would know this kind of information. So if I'm talking too much about... things that people don't understand. But if you're familiar with gardening, if you prune things in a certain way, it will grow the way it's meant to grow, and then it reduces the risk of broken branches or the plant itself dying, and it has a better chance of living longer life without causing any issues.

I think it's a great idea. I have issues up in Ward 1, as you talked about, that I have people that want trees, and obviously 02916 in Riverside, 02914, Communication 5, excuse me, doesn't fit into the population dynamics that they talk about, that fixes it. I agree with you. I think this is really, when we come to budget time, we take some of that capital. I think, you know, we can get X amount of trees. When I had a couple of people reach out to me, I was even going to go buy them trees at Home Depot and hire a landscaping company to go put them in. What you're saying has a, you know, we can now get a landscaper for the city, and we have a lot of young people in the business that are looking for work afterwards, and they're not going to be like a major landscaping company or a tree company and charges a lot of money. I know I have like five or six... young people up in my ward that have started landscaping business a lot of five or six years, they would love to go plant the trees and they're all quality. I think it's a great idea and I support you and move passage right away and come budget time in that capital budget, we look for an opportunity in capital to allocate if it's $20,000 worth of trees or whatever the number might be that's justified, we do it. Thank you.

Just to be clear, thank you so much for that support. So just to be clear, this resolution, so budgeting, this resolution is actually for the general fund. Trees in the city are considered infrastructure, just like our school buildings, just like our sidewalks. These are infrastructural, they're living infrastructure. So you cannot allocate capital funds to the infrastructure, but new planting of trees, absolutely. I think that the city, and I've spoken with the DPW director, and I've invited him to the tree commission meeting coming up. that we would have a collaborative discussion to find out what the number is that we're gonna need on a year to year basis and maybe even a biannual. So one year might be a little bit higher, the next year might be a little bit lower, but the Tree Commission has amazing members who are licensed arborist for decades who know what they're talking about and know how to move our tree inventory and tree infrastructure in the right direction. So I would ask that on passage of this, that during the budget workshops within the administration, that there be serious conversation on allocating and looking to have vendors come in and help assist with this in the initial one to two year plan. and then have a plan in place for an annual maintenance, pruning, and watering schedule.

So that's what you're basically asking, mandate a discussion during budget. We're not allocating funds tonight. No. Right. Is that a motion? It is a motion. Seconded by Council Vice President Rigo. Discussion?

I really like your idea of hiring our local landscape. Yeah, that's nice. To fill the gap, because every year we say we need more DPW,

It might be an at-will thing because... That's what I'm saying.

You're not worried about salary and benefits, but we can allocate some funds that we got the specialists that can identify what needs to be done. And then that would help local businesses. That would be a budget discussion.

Absolutely. Like I said, in capital, allocate X amount for trees. You just can't put people on. No, it would be a per diem basis.

Just like we hire contractors to build playgrounds. All right, so we'll have that discussion. Motion and second. Any other discussion? All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Thank you, Councilwoman. Next item. Councilwoman made the motion. Council Vice President Regal seconded. Yeah, we're back to...

Public comment, Candy Seale.

Thank you for your patience, Ms. Seale.

Certainly, certainly, Council President. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Council President. I have two topics tonight, one and a half minutes each.

The clock is running.

The first has to do with the hotel situation. the permitted use or the non-permitted use of a hotel in the Medicomic Sub-District. As you know, it was inadvertently added or not taken out of the Medicomic Sub-District description in the zoning ordinances, although it is not a permitted use in the table of uses. So, by the way, my name is Candy Steele, and I live on South Rose Street, and I'm speaking right now for Keep Medicomic Green. I came to you several months ago with this issue. Then I came back a couple of months ago, and you jumped on it, and I took action immediately. Unanimous consent, you asked the solicitor, the city solicitor, to contact the The planning department, he did that. The planning department wrote up a memo, went immediately to the planning board. The planning board unanimously approved it. They call it a Scrivener's error. We had called it here a housekeeping issue. They unanimously approved it, came back here, and I hope that it's a simple matter and it will be unanimously approved later on tonight. I think this was an excellent example of the public and elected officials coming together to resolve an issue that may be considered minor, but it's actually very important, and I thank you all for that. The second issue is- And just to add to that- You're taking my time.

Well, the clock has stopped for a minute. for anyone that might be saying, okay, everybody knew that this just had to be a language fix. Why did it take so long? You know, there's laws about advertising and public hearing so people would be able to come and speak. So thanks to you. And I think we were, as you said, that's the key. We worked together on it and we just had to do it the right way and get it done.

And just to be clear, the marshals had not come forward saying they... No one's asking for it. This was just no mission. Right. The clock is on. And we can't amend it to take off the fast food as well, right? What's that? I said we can't amend it to take away fast food as well.

This is... I'd be all for that. I'm sorry. Continue.

Thank you. And my point was really that once you got on this issue, it was resolved very, very quickly. And that's what we appreciate. As an individual and an avid reader and a frequent visitor to the Weaver Library, I reached out to you about a month ago, mid-June. Several of you responded with positive comments. Councilwoman Souza actually responded with meeting with me at the library to look at the parking situation. And what it is, for anyone not really familiar with the Weaver Library, there are two entrances on Grove Avenue. kind of a rounded little parking lot with three or four parking spaces in it. And I normally just pull in and see if there's a place to park and if there is, I park or I just head out and go park on the street. The point is that on busy days, people on Grove Avenue just park where they can and sometimes it's no more than two or three feet from the driveway of the library. And with a small car such as mine, found that to get out of there, I would have to inch my way out until I was halfway into the street before I could see if there was any traffic coming by, and pray to God that nobody hit me while I was doing that. So I thought maybe I was the only one who had that problem, and while I was waiting one day for Councilwoman Souza to meet me to discuss the issue, the mailman was there with his big mail van, I said, hey, do you ever have any problem getting out of here without worrying about getting hit? He said, every day. Every day I have that problem. He's got a great big van. I've got a little tiny car. But he still has problems. So I want to thank specifically Councilwoman Souza for taking action on this. And I think there's a second example. And I hope, again, that you pass this as well. And I think this is the second example of public elected officials working together on a somewhat minor, but a very important issue. And I thank you for that.

Thank you. I agree with your assessment 100%. I mean, we have veterans meetings. I utilize the library. And if there's a lot of cars when you're trying to pull out. So this is kind of a no-brainer that we just didn't think about.

Thank you again.

You're welcome, thank you as always.

You got time left over the next time, Candy. Bob took some of your time, so you'll get more time.

So if you need us to consent, I'd like to move up this resolution.

So without objection, we'll move this resolution up at this time. No objection. Right. Do you want to make that a motion? Without objection, yes.

So as some of you had seen on the screen, the, please. The diagram that showed the library and the Weaver House next door also has a public and employee driveway. So as many people who go through that area are very familiar with the parking situation, the safety or potential, the safety issues that we have, not only for vehicles, but also pedestrians. using the sidewalk it really was a no-brainer to make this really obvious to people right so some people it's obvious that you only go in one way and that you should only park in certain spots and not directly to a curb for others maybe not so obvious so with the help of the DPW director and staff We will now be adding signage that will stripe out where cars are not allowed to park so that there is 30 feet to each curb on the exit side so that you have plenty of space to be able to look without having to be halfway into the street to see if a car is coming in either direction. There will be a stop sign with a line where you will be able to safely stop and not just come out. wrong way signs so that nobody is coming in through the exit, which has happened because there was really no signage that said that this is the travel pattern. that you should be taking into the library driveway. And then making delineated parking spots so it is obvious where to park across Grove Avenue in front of, from the Weaver House parking driveway all the way to just past the library's curb. So there will be striped parking spots so that cars are aware of where to be parking. Additionally, in coming before the Council later on in a capital improvement project will be additional project for behind the Weaver library so we've a library has a very nice parking lot that is underutilized in my opinion, because people come through the front primarily they're not. Usually going down orchard street to park their vehicles unless perhaps they might be staying there. at an event and then they may utilize that parking spot after speaking with the director I find that that parking lot is not probably used the best way it only has parking along the edges the outside perimeter of the parking lot and the middle is completely empty which I think is underutilized space now there's some discussion on how it should be done I'm open to all suggestions I do know that during the summertime when we have the festivals at Phillip Street Hall or St. Francis and the community uses that parking lot for parking to visit those events that over like 75 cars park in that parking lot and they do so in a manner that is safe and they're able to get out without causing any damage to another resident's vehicle. So I know the parking can be done in that parking lot. It's just a matter of the logistics and I'm sure some legal to make it, So that's to come in the next month or two. And obviously a campaign to the public to suggest utilizing that parking lot, maybe signage at the front of the entrance of Weaver Library, reminding people that we have a very nice parking lot in the back. If they're going to stay for longer than 15 to 10 minutes to enjoy the library, that they would use the back parking lot instead of the front of the library, which should be used for maybe 15 to a half an hour parking and not all afternoon studying like some of us probably have done when we were in school. So I thank the council, I thank Candy for coming forward and, you know, as a community resident and addressing that. Also, as you said, sometimes there are things that we see in day-to-day and we realize that it could be better, but action isn't taken. And I'm glad that we were able to take this action and improve an area in the city that is so densely used. So thank you. With that, I move passage on this amendment that asks the director to facilitate the parking and signage layout as shown on the teleprompter and attached to the docket. And I believe he said it would be done within the next few months.

Is there a second? Second. Second, Council Vice President Rigo. Any other discussion? All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman. Next item.

Public comment, Linda Vaughan-Dubois.

Excuse me, put the mic on, please. Push the button there. Just name and address.

on Dubois, 86 Ruth Avenue. And that's in Rumford District 1. I just recently got a hold of Frank and Robert, I think, to speak to them about flock cameras and asking the council to end our relationship with flock. And I'm going to ask to tell you why. I am very concerned about ICE using our flock to track people. And I'm very concerned about civil liberties being abused. I'm very concerned that a woman from Texas was hunted down when she went to a blue state to have an abortion, and that Texas troopers followed her, arrested her, and is charging her for murder because she had an abortion. I am very concerned that Roe versus Wade has been removed. I am very concerned for the rights of every woman in the United States. And I am asking the council to support women here in Rhode Island.

by removing block cameras from our city.

As of 6 p.m. tonight, North Kingston, Gloucester, Narragansett, South County, New Bedford have removed the block cameras. Cumberland is being asked by the American civil liberties to stop block cameras. I am asking East Providence to step up and do the same. And if you need people from my church to come and speak, if you need men who are supporting women to come and speak, if you need other East Providence patrons to come and speak to you, I will arrange for that to happen. I think it is very important that we do this.

So thank you, I did receive your email as you mentioned, so did Council Vice President, I don't know if others. And I do have on the agenda under Council discussion a general issue of flock cameras. So without objection, I'll just talk about that now and we'll save the time later. But some of the things that you mentioned really beyond you know, the scope of any cameras or other things. I understand and sympathize with some of those issues. And I put this on the agenda tonight to just... bring us up to date. As you mentioned, there's this movement, and through Rhode Island, there's been recent discussion about extra flock cameras showing up everywhere. So in terms of East Providence, the state police only put in two additional cameras, and they are not within East Providence proper. They are out on Route 95 or 195. They are not within... I know you may still be concerned about that, but there were people that thought we had a number of flock cameras added on city streets. That's not the case. Currently have a contract, as I think I mentioned to you in my reply, As of now, I'm not in favor of just ending the contract immediately. I'm not sure we can even do that with contracts the way they are. But I will, and I have pledged that at any time that we are... busting a renewal or additional cameras or any other issue, that it will not happen without a full public hearing. People like yourself, your church, others, anyone can come in and give us their opinion. I am, and I've talked with both our chiefs about this and others, I'm not aware of any abuses in East Providence yet. that I've heard about, I have heard about several success stories where some serious crimes have been solved. You can't turn on the news at night and not see some kind of a camera related story. Ring cameras in houses. A family has a child's bicycle stolen. What do you see on social media? A hundred comments about check the cameras, check your neighbor's camera, check the ring cameras. Everybody's doing it. I don't have one in my house. I'm going to probably get one, but it seems like everybody's got a ring camera. I just let the criminals know I don't have cameras, right? You've got nothing to steal. You've got nothing to steal. Yeah, that's right. I have a dog, though, to protect in the house. But seriously, it will not be increased, I can tell you that, without full public discussion. But I would have to be honest and tell you that I am not in favor of today just ending a contract, which I'm not sure that we could do without a lot of legal work. I don't see the abuses, the incidents that you mentioned, I sympathize with, but I don't think they're quite in the range of block camera abuses. But it's like that book of George Orwell, 1984. It's been here for quite a while. But that's my opinion at this point.

I understand. And I do believe that they were great at slowing down traffic in the high circles. There's a difference.

Two different things, man.

I wanted to let you know that... Yeah, it's not speed cameras. I sent you my email. I hope you read it. And first of all, Women's rights, everybody's rights. I'm 100% for them and everything. But I'm going to take one offense to what you said. And I will tell you this. Having a son who's a Rhode Island state trooper and what they do, they are not Texas state trooper. The men and women are in the service of the state. I can guarantee you there's not one man or woman in that department that's gonna be chasing anybody who didn't break the law. If, God forbid, we were a red state, which we're not, they would not do that. I take offense to the trooper, you're using it as an analogy, but the Rhode Island state troopers would never use that to do something like that. So I want to correct you. I just want to tell you that I support what you're saying. It's wrong what they do down in Texas. They should be their own country as far as I'm concerned. But I want to tell you the flock cameras are not the speed cameras. I said to you right now, The speed cameras aren't even activated right now. They shut off. They don't go back on until the school comes in. So there is the misconception between the speed cameras and the red light cameras and the flock cameras. And I agree with you. And where you live in Rumford, The flock hammer saved about 10 policemen's lives twice at the Rumford Motel because real bad criminals was there. A wanted person from North Carolina, armed robber, murderer, was at the Rumford Motel. The flock camera helped that in that. So I agree with you. There's abuse in everything. There's bad lawyers. There's bad teachers. There's bad liquor salespeople. I just wanted to put that in there so you wouldn't think I was doing that. But I agree with you. But I just want you to know there's a difference between the speed camera and the flock camera.

I understand that. And again, I just personally... Let her finish. Can I please? Yes. What I have to say is I do not trust the federal government at this time to obey laws. They break them, and then they prosecute, and that there are people paying the price. Our East Providence has a very large immigrant population. Community they work in our nursing homes. They work in our restaurants. They work in our schools. They work everywhere People are being having their visas revoked at this time and they are being pulled out People should not be chased by the federal government. I I believe in Rhode Island state law I believe in the blue state, I believe what we do is correct. But I do not trust the federal government at all.

So what I'm asking. Yes, Councilman Lawson, you have the floor.

But I'm asking.

Hang on, let Councilman Lawson, he has the floor now.

I want to say too, the protections of Roe v. Wade was codified into law in Rhode Island right after the Supreme Court shut it down. So that issue settled in Rhode Island. I strongly support the flock cameras. I strongly support the integrity of the men and women of the East Province Police Department. And there are built-in protections. We can go and ask for an audit of who accessed the cameras, for what reason, at what time. So there is accountability. I understand your concerns. Absolutely. What's going on from our president is... Hopefully, God willing, in November, things change course. But I think you're throwing the baby out with the bathwater with the flat camera argument, because it has been proven to help law enforcement capture criminals that we do not want on the street. And I will be more than willing to meet with you and your group and have this conversation face to face, because I think that's how representative government should work. There are valid reasons for these cameras, and the men and women of the East Province Police Department are professionals. But I share your concerns with us.

I, as well as you, I, as well as Councilman Lawson, I get calls, phone calls, I answered your email, if you have a group doing that, and I think... If I remember right, and it was under Chief Francesconi, they don't share that information with any other department. Do you share that information?

Well, if there's a criminal investigation, they do.

If there's a criminal investigation, can you answer exactly? Again, it's been over...

okay hold up hold up now let's not get us straight here did you ma'am did you want to add anything new to what you're saying i will ask the police chief though to comment yeah i want to move the meeting along so i um

City Council to stand with women, to stand with immigrants, to stand for civil liberties.

Well, that's a different issue than flock cameras.

It's the same issue.

Okay, well.

I'm first generation, so I stand with immigrants. Thank you. So again, I'm willing to meet with you as well as Councilman Lawson said. I know what it goes through. I know what it's like growing up in Rumford and being a kid with dark hair and being called Guido and my father working on construction sites and coming with dirty clothes and coming to my events and looked at differently. So I know what it's like to be treated differently from people. And I stand and I've said that many times in my four years here. And I stand with people like you who are defending the rights of people.

Okay, so let's move this on. Thank you. I will ask the police chief to come forward and this is under the heading of I brought up the block cameras on the agenda. Chief, thank you.

I could probably just clear this up really quick. Sure. Just for your own understanding, we do not share any information with ICE.

Okay, so you just... Continue.

So we do share information with other agencies that have to complete an MOU with us and follow our procedure in order to gain information. There's a lot of misinformation out there right now. There seems to be a really big movement right now in the last couple of months. I've been inundated with questions and emails and phone calls, as has the mayor's office, and I'm sure you folks have as well. what flock has brought to the east province police department the city of east providence has brought a safer community um the amount of crimes that have been prevented of crimes that have been solved uh is is not have been done without the help of ALPRs. ALPRs flock have been around for dozens of years, probably 25 to 30 years. It's just so much just recently that flock has kind of taken over that industry. I think a bigger picture we have to look at too is the safety of our community. These flock cameras consistently help us find people who are in need of medical assistance, missing, endangered, suicidal people. We have folks that come into our community from other communities that are in need of assistance, and we've made countless interactions with these folks. And also, because of these cameras, we're able to locate people Connecticut New York Virginia Florida we've been Arizona it's been all over the country where these have actually been successful uses and understanding that there is, there is some misuse and I would be naive to to not say so, but. In East Providence we do a really good job of making sure that that the. the systems used properly with the audits that we do, the random audits. And I just, I mean, I understand that I'm probably not going to convince everybody, but I hope that people have a little bit more understanding of how important that tool is to us. It's not going to replace policing, but it's definitely a big tool in our toolbox.

And Chief, I understand that the sad tragedy of the shootings at Brown University that flock cameras in part were key to apprehending the person involved. That's correct. And so I stay a supporter until we're shown that there are abuses beyond the benefits. I don't see that. But on the council or any other discussion on the block?

I'll add that I'm in favor of them 100%. I thank you officers for doing your job diligently. They've worked in my favor for my family from afar. So I'll let you know that in public. Without detail, but thank you. I supported them when a detective asked me to support them and gave me the whole rundown on what they do. Three and a half, three years ago. He worked for our force. He's retired and 100% agree with it. And in certain things, there is some casualties, but I support it. And thank you for your service.

Thank you, so it's not a public hearing at this time, but if anybody had a burning desire to speak very briefly on it, I would allow it, but I'm sure we'll have more discussion on this going forward. Chief, I'd ask you to stay there. If you can be brief, because legally it's not an agenda item for discussion, but please, you're welcome to come forward briefly. I don't want our city solicitor to get me in trouble. Just name and address for the record.

My name is John Rinquina, 46 Tanglewood Drive, Riverside.

Put a name with a face now, John. Thank you.

Last time I seen you, you were shaking my hand going across the stage at the high school. Yes, sir. Anyway, thank you. I appreciate that. So basically, I listened to one of our residents speak about fly cameras, and I'll keep it brief. But I do believe in 2023, I believe May 2nd of 2023, when the council voted on fly cameras unanimously, put them into the city. I believe that the council was maybe, which a lot of good it does, and we have an awesome police force. I believe at that time, it was like 2,500 cameras across the country. Since then, in three years, they've amassed to almost 130,000. So this is from Flock's website. They run about, and you can correct me if I'm wrong, 20 billion license plates a month, every 30 days. They have a 7% ratio of mistakes. So a lot of these figures weren't known at the time when you were approving this. There is some liability factors. I also have a copy of the FLOC contract with the City of East Providence, which is a little concerning once you start reading through it, and I have a lot of highlights through it, which puts the city at a great liability, and FLOC has no liability. So that's a little concerning how we went through this contract and we signed off on it. And as far as some of the data that is collected through the camera system that pertains still to flock, and even if you cancel the contract, there's a survival line in there that says all the other paragraphs still move forward, which basically the data that's collected can be used for training, can be used for all sorts of purposes, which unless I'm reading it wrong, but... It is a very one-sided contract. I don't know if you guys read into it or basically just went on the police chief's recommendation. And I do believe they do a lot of good. But you also have to protect, like she was saying, some civil liberties. And the Constitution once... Fourth Amendment was never even brought up once during the 2023 hearing. Not one question was raised about the Fourth Amendment. Does it violate it? Does it not violate it? There's been a lot of dialogue across the country. There's a lot of challenges being made right now. And I believe that the courts haven't even caught up to this type of technology. And I also want to say one more thing. Think about this, if we are here now, picture what it will be in 20 years from now. If this is what we're gonna do, mass surveillance throughout our cities and towns, and there's a reason why these cities and towns are canceling these contracts and getting out of this. I mean, it's just a bit too much too quickly. It hasn't even been tested, these waters. And I believe the abuses are coming now with the mass surveillance, now the greater the abuses are coming. Yes, we're lucky it hasn't happened here. But can we guarantee that we still have an ethical police chief 10 years from now? Can we guarantee 10 years from now that we have an ethical counsel that will remain on top of things? Can we guarantee that we have an ethical, honorable mayor that's gonna look out for the residents 10 years from now? Or does this technology get in the wrong hands and we are all victims to it? It just puts the public in a very vulnerable situation. And yeah, I'm sure you did your due diligence at the time when you approved this. But please, I mean, ponies and unicorns and things that some people are saying, this could never happen here. Would they put their qualified immunity on it? Probably not. Probably not. So we need to think seriously about what she said. Do we want to continue this practice? Do we want to keep going with surveillance? Do we do drones? Do we do chips on all these promised residents? What's next? What's the next level? It's a dangerous slope we are heading into. Yes, it solves crime. But here's the other fact, which I haven't heard. It's been solving all these crimes. Our crime rate... I looked it up before 2019 to 2023. I believe you can correct me if I'm wrong, but seven to 7.5 per thousand. If you look from 2023 to 2026 crime rate is still seven, seven and a half per thousand in each province.

They don't prevent crime. They help the cops arrest the people that commit the crime.

Anyway, so when you're helping the cops prevent the crime, aren't you helping prevent the crime? Aren't you preventing more crimes?

If there is a crime committed in the city, you don't want to give law enforcement every tool they need?

Absolutely. I have all the faith of an East Province police force. I have nothing against it.

So give me an example of how these cameras are being misused.

I'll give you an example.

Like if somebody takes a picture of your license plate going through... First of all, it's just not a license plate.

If you look at the plot contract, it takes a picture of your vehicle, the rear of your vehicle, your license plate. If you have a bumper sticker with a... Nothing says, you know, college insignia, ID, whatever. A sticker that says something derogatory on it, which your First Amendment right, you have every right to do. Of course. That goes into a database. That singles you out. You fill out an application for your license, right, at the registry. You know what goes on in the application? If you're a Democrat, if you're a Republican, if you're an independent, where your address is, your Social Security number. So all that information... It goes to a private server. That private server then returns that favor back to the police department. That's what we're paying for.

John, can I interrupt you, though? Because we're just legally... I understand. There will be a public hearing when... Because I don't want people watching this to say, gee, I would have come and talked if I knew. So that's the... But I appreciate... I'll just add this on a lighter note. they do pick up all New York Yankee stickers and put those aside. Those I have no problem with. Those we want to catch.

Yes, we want to get those guys.

But let's end this.

I thought you were a Yankee fan. That's why you were saying that. All right, so.

Thank you, John, and we'll continue this for sure.

I think it's just overall it's a slippery slope, and I think we should do some due diligence looking into these contracts especially. We'll stay on it. Where our data is going to.

Yep. Thank you, John.

Thank you for responding. Yep.

At this time, without objection, I'd ask, I know the Chief and Deputy Chief also have another item, and rather than have you, as a courtesy to them, I would like to move that item up now. It's a contract to increase school safety at St. Mary Academy Bayview, and Councilman Fogarty, you've been pushing for this. So without objection, I would ask the police chief and then deputy chief if needed to address this this time. Councilman Fogarty, do you want to lead it? Yes, Madam Clerk, would you please read the resolution?

Will that be number four?

Number four, yes.

Number four resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract with uplink it to increase school safety at St. Mary's Academy, Bayview, Councilman Fogarty.

Thank you, Chief. You can proceed and the Councilman can then add to it.

Thank you. So last year around this time, my grant writers that are part of my department found these great grant opportunities to increase school safety in the city. We were able to secure approximately $235,000 from the federal government to implement two projects. One of the projects is with the East Providence School Department, which you'll see probably at the next city council meeting for a resolution. This one in particular is for St. Mary's Academy Bayview. We have a very close relationship with all of our private schools, and they reached out about some funding to get some security increases and improvements in their school. This includes a lot of digital and key card access systems, upgrades to their facilities, five doors amongst four buildings, and obviously the school is extremely grateful for our relationship and the federal funds that were awarded after a pretty extensive process of the grant moving forward.

Thank you, chief. Councilman, you want to add to that?

Yeah, I want to add that it's a great feature that we could acclaim, and the chief and I have exchanged emails along the way with my questions and answers on the cost factor and what would be gained. The gain is the security of those students attending and their residents around. In my opinion, it's a no-brainer for that whole area, and I appreciate the efforts of the police department.

it's a win-win and as the chief has said we do have a good relationship we appreciate the partnership we have with bayview also country day gordon other schools in the community st margaret we have a great partnership with all of them serving our families not only in east providence but statewide and this is grant funding we're not tapping into budget issues

so uh excuse me yes i want to thank andre for including me with the emails with the chief on that and the follow-up questions and uh very professional and thanks again chief i i really councilman do you want to make a motion on this like to make a motion approved second seconded by councilman lawson all in favor aye aye any opposed the eyes out thank you chief and deputy chief appreciate it

Council President, we have members of the Carousel Commission waiting patiently, and we have three items. Could I respectfully request we move them up? Without objection, yes. One is the appointment.

All right, let's have the city clerk read those appointments, and let's do that.

Appointment of Christopher Michael Bissette to the City Council Crescent Park Carousel Commission. Seat term ends 1-5-2027. Councilman Lawson.

I make a motion to approve.

Second.

Motion made by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilwoman Sousa. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Next.

Then the other two is, I believe, I'm just trying to find. We got two ordinances. Yeah, I'm just looking for.

Yeah, if we could move up. Were there other appointments, people? You said there were three. No.

Okay.

Yeah, so this would be under ordinance number three and number four. Page seven.

Number three, an ordinance of the City of the Council of the City of East Providence appropriate in 150,000 from unallocated capital funds for the support of the Crescent Park roof carousel and facilities introduced by Council President Rodericks.

Yes, and I think with Councilman Lawson's help, this is part of moving this project along.

Yeah, I mean, if you go by, you already see the construction going on. This is just doing the legalese part of it.

Yes, legal. Without discussion, the motion by Councilman Lawson.

Is there a second? This isn't publicly.

Yeah, I just want to get a motion and a second. Oh yeah, absolutely, motion. And second, Council Vice President Regal. So if there isn't any other council comment at the moment, I'll open it up for public comment. Anyone here that wants to speak? Yes, Nancy, come forward.

I don't really have a...

I don't really have a comment. I have a question. Sure. Why is it in two ordinances? Why is the money divided up?

It's two separate questions. Yeah, because you've got the building and the event tent. I don't have that specifically in front of me, but that's why.

Two different events. It should be two different appropriations for two different reasons, just to be more transparent, and it's just easier to make it clear.

Number three is for the support of Crescent Park Loof carousel and facilities.

Carousel itself.

And facilities. And the other one is really for the new structure, sort of like that.

If you read the, I'm sorry, if you read the ordinance for the $150,000, that's for the repair of the current carousel, and the second ordinance is yes for a capital appropriation for the non-temporary tent facility. Thank you. A temporary tent facility, sorry.

Yep, thank you. Any other comments from anyone here? Hearing none, we'll close the public comment and go back to the council, yes.

Just a quick question, just for financial housekeeping, because I had requested, and I'm sorry, the city, all the council had received the June finance report. Is this pretty much, and I guess this is a question for the director of finances, is this summing up, this isn't coming from one line item, it is a sum of multiple line items within the carousels City Council Chambers, Budget for capital improvement for both projects, which essentially brings this number. City Council Chambers, down significantly, I would imagine it was unallocated capital.

City Council Chambers, that's this was from unallocated capital left left not left over from the budget that was not our budget that was on an unallocated capital that we're taking on allocated capital.

Yeah, it's not a carousel line item.

No, so in the capital budgets, capital improvements, the carousel, so it's 850, the line item for capital improvement for carousel. There's, you know. 10 different line items for different projects, and some of those projects that funds have been allocated for in the capital improvement budget are carousel facilities, the concession stand, like there's a ton of different things. Any of those funds, or are those separate, and this is?

Separate, yeah, this is unallocated capital that's being used to make this project.

separate from the other line items in department 850. okay so those would be those would be added to the 850 from tonight's ordinance yes tonight's order yes that will be added in the next fiscal uh report correct as being uh encumbered okay yeah thank you you're welcome other council questions make a motion to approve second motion councilman lawson to approve second councilwoman

There was already a motion pending.

Who made that?

Lawson and Regal.

Okay, so it's number three. Okay, so that was motion and second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it.

Number four, an ordinance of the Council of the City of East Providence appropriating $500,700 from unallocated capital funds for the support of Crescent Park Loof Carousel Improvement Plan tent structure introduced by Council President Rodericks.

So again, this is moving along this project, council discussion. Make a motion to approve, pending public comment. Second. Motion Councilman Lawson to approve, seconded by Council Vice President Rigo. I'll open it up for public comment. Again, this is something that the community has been saying, when are we gonna get going, so we're trying to, once vendors and people are ready, we wanna get this thing going. Hearing none, I'll ask one more time, or anybody, wants to add to this. Tracy, you're okay with all this? You're ready to move? That's our Crescent Park manager. Okay, we'll close the public hearing. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Thank you for letting us move things around. Madam Clerk, if you can make sense of that now and go back to where we are. Thank you, Steve.

Thank you, Carousel Commission.

I believe we're on 10 council members because we did the appointment already.

Council members, number one, review of APA funds outstanding. Councilwoman Souza?

Yes, Councilwoman.

Thank you. So having received the files, I'm trying to make sense of it. of what the monies that we have left in this opera fund that are unallocated, which are still open and have not encumbered all of the funds that were assigned or awarded to each specific project. And so I haven't been given that answer. So I'd like to know that. And I know where the last fiscal, report that we received was from June. So I understand that now we are finishing or probably wrapping up July. So those numbers are probably changing on a day to day basis as things come in and get put out. But I'm trying going into this new budget to wrap my head around the money that the city has allocated the money the city has spent and the money that the city is still needing or looking to get.

Is there a report available on that? Yes.

Good evening members of the City Council, Councilwoman Souza, I'm gonna address item one and two, both of those. So for the record, it's review of the ARPA funds. There was a misprint that said APRA, so this is point of clarification, ARPA funds. And due to the meeting change from August 4th to August 11th, Our presenter that was going to come and present was not available today, but we would like to do a detailed presentation. If you want to move this item to the September 1st meeting, I'd be happy to be happy to do that.

So I'll defer this to the September 1st.

Thank you, Councilman. I will say I've been asked we allocated 500 K for adaptive equipment. And I haven't seen it going anywhere. So if they can include where that money is and if we're getting these glider swings for the kids. We'll clarify that.

Thank you. And then for item two, review of capital improvements. So the number I have here that as of the advertisement of the ordinances, the unencumbered and unallocated balance remaining in the capital budget equals $2,716,720.

And just for point of correction, including today's, not including today's, okay.

So I think that took us down like two. What's that number again, please?

It's right on the ordinance that you guys passed. Oh, it's on the ordinance, okay.

Same number. $2,716,720. That was before the allocations that you just made.

So just giving an example because we were talking about the carousel. And obviously, I'm a huge supporter of the carousel, always have been. So this has nothing to do with the carousel. It just happens to be on the agenda for allocating unallocated funds. And I have their capital improvement up on my screen to reference. So, and this is why I have these questions and concerns is even though I don't have a problem, again, investing in our infrastructure, because I think as a city, this is very important practice for us to do. But when I look at the capital improvement carousel budget, I see that there are similar wordings for things that we're allocating additional funds, but the funds have not been used that are in that current line item that are similar. So if, for example, Line item 26. The touch screen just messed up my. So one of the line items is regarding carousel facility improvements. All right. Very generic improvements.

That may be the stabilization, the second part of the stabilization.

Nope, that's down a few more lines.

Okay.

So, and again, it's not, please don't anybody take offense to this. I'm trying to be. No, no, no, no, no. That's our role. We need to know what's going on with the money or what's not going on with the money. And if this is a way for the city to say, let's use unallocated funds and keep like a piggy bank or savings that we can dip into if we need it. Say Tracy calls and is like, hey, the plumbing just went, we need some extra money. This is our little savings account line item that we can do that, then I'm fine. I just need that communication or to know that in the background instead of thinking, hey, this council approved an ordinance for facility improvements. And I'm assuming that there are facility improvements taking place because we've allocated this money a year ago. So in that line item, there's an allocation for carousel facility improvements of $150,000. None of that money has been allocated or used or encumbered this fiscal year to date. Well, as of June 2026. So we have a month that something could have trickled in or is on the back burner. And it kind of goes along that line. sanding and painting of the floor has that, or that looks like that has been completed, but there was some extra left over. So those are my questions. Like when I'm looking through all of these different departments and I'm seeing nothing's been allocated, nothing's been encumbered, like we've put in money to do things or purchase things. Now the purchasing of vehicles, I know that procurement process takes a little bit too because they are getting the best bang for their buck. So things take a while to come in especially with detailing of special equipment that they want on their equipment so i know that that can take a little bit longer but for a majority that i'm looking through there has been some that have not been utilized not in every department but in a good majority of them so i'm just trying to understand where we are and are these just placeholders in the event that we need something

Thank you, Councilwoman, for the clarifying questions. Yeah, the latest report is, whenever I get them, I send them over. So I haven't gotten the July report yet, but as soon as I get that, I will send it over. And I don't have the Excel spreadsheet in front of me, but I'm writing down some of your questions, and Dominic, September 1st, will be able to answer those.

So will he be able to do an APRA and a capital improvement?

Most likely, yeah.

Yeah, I mean, it just makes sense if he's going to do an update. Yeah, we'll put it all together. Might as well do a capital so that we get it all taken care of.

Are you all?

Yeah, sure, go ahead.

My question to you, and I'm not letting the finance director get away. He's not in the way. Okay. is the opera funds as we know the winds have changed in washington dc and i've read in a numerous occasion on occasions excuse me where things get rejected when things have been submitted and paperwork done properly just like look at what we're going through in the state of rhode island The snow removal for the blizzard has been kicked off. But to get to my point, like opera, one of the biggest things, I'm not worried about all the senior center, Pierce Stadium, Glenline, police station, everything that we have allocated for. I know... the finance director and before her Malcolm and the staff, we have every receipt and we can back everything up. My concern is the storefront opera money that was allocated. If those individuals, if we don't have the proper information, or the proper backup from the private sector that we gave this money to, we could potentially be paying the government a fine because we don't have, and again, no fault of ours, but if we have, and I've read about it in other states where it didn't match or there's some reason, and Washington now, one word changes something and we're on the hook for that money. That's the one... opera fund bucket that has me very concerned, really concerned. I mean, we know of one situation before you got here where somebody painted the side of a building and we gave them $20,000 and they never moved into the building. As far as I know, if I'm that guy in Washington now, even if the wind didn't change, I'd be saying, we don't owe you that $20,000. So that's my concern. I want to make sure, as the protector of the city's financers, and we all are, that that account, we have every eye open. dotted in every T-crust. So if you people can help us on that one. That one has bugged me since day one. Taking over this, you know, taking over this.

So we do have records of everyone that received a check from us with opera money. I do the quarterly reports to the Federal Government. Everything that we have expensed was allocated according to the Federal Government deadline of December 31, 2024. and um anything that i've reported on quarterly has not you know i haven't gotten any feedback that they're concerned with anything or that they're requesting additional information or anything along those lines and we have done a great job at keeping the records for everyone that has been awarded any arbor money

you make, that makes me more comfortable. Like I said, I had no worry between Malcolm and yourself as far as every receipt, every bid on every other job. It was, you know, when we deal with the public sector, when we deal with the, you know, outside the city.

Yeah.

And Andre, if you could pass, would two million unallocated old ham need some attention? That building, we were told it's gonna be used for indoor recreation, community use. $2 million, we can do, I believe we already did the roof. We need some abatement interior, so it is a city-owned building, and it's highly appropriate we maintain it, so that will be something coming up. Thank you.

That is all.

Thank you, Councilwoman.

Just for the record, Madam Clerk, you were stepped away. Can you?

Yes, September 1st.

We're going to have a presentation from our senior planner for September 1st council meeting on the opera and capital improvement projects.

Thank you.

Thank you. Next item when you get to it.

Review of capital improvements year to date, current fiscal year 2026, budget incumbent fund, total year to date balance of capital funds, Councilwoman Souza.

Yeah, we just included all of that, correct. And then numbers three, four, and five, we've already addressed earlier in the session.

Also six. Six. We've addressed that, the flock cameras.

So that completes council members. Public hearings, ordinance for second and or final passes for discussion and possible vote. Number one, an ordinance, an amendment of Chapter 19 of the revised ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended in Title Zoning, introduced by Council President Rodgers, amending Section 19-480, uses permitted by striking hotel from the Metacarmac District to confirm with use tables.

So this was that language fix that we've talked about fully. This is a public hearing. If anyone here is present to speak, Ms. Seale did speak earlier on this, and we've all talked about it at length. Once again, is there anyone here that wants to speak about this language? Seeing none, we'll close the public hearing. This should be quick motion by Councilwoman Souza to approve. Seconded by Councilman Fogarty. This is the hotel thing at Metacom. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? It's 5-0. Thank you. Next item.

Number two, in ordinance and amendment of chapter 19 of the revised ordinances of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island 1998 as amended entitled zoning by amending section 19 dash 360.12 attached single family dwelling to comply with state law, Rhode Island general law, 45-24-33, 26, 45-24-37J, as petitioned by Attorney Dillon Conley.

Thank you. I'm representing Dillon Conley, who's unable to be here tonight. I know he's in meetings in Providence. Just give your name and address, please, for the record.

D. Bridgham Street in Providence. Thank you for having me.

And go ahead, if you want to continue. This is basically complying with state law, but going along with our local tweaking.

Yes, exactly. There was a state law passed last session in 2025 to encourage homeownership. The idea being that just because you share a wall with your neighbor, you should still be allowed to own your land underneath your property. So that state law allows that in residential zones. And the goal here is to also include that in East Providence's commercial zones. So across the street, down in Riverside, things like that. So that's what the application that was submitted was for. Went through the planning department and city staff and the planning board with the unanimous recommendation with some tweaks. Those are fine to us. So in front of you here this evening.

Mr. President. Yes, sir. Council Vice President.

This is a great resolution ordinance for the city of East Providence. Back in May, you and myself attended the public forum as far as housing in the state. Numerous people were here. The Secretary of Housing was here. And one of the things that can happen, and I've talked about this, and I, again, thank the council's support of what we did with the ADUs, this is another step where we have a lot of Lodge, Colonials, or even Capes, where now you want to subdivide them, make them into condos, I mean, excuse me, townhouses, you know, townhouses and duplexes. And each person can own their individual things. This obviously gives the power for first-time homeowners. And... Again, I and again, it sounds like I'm beating a drum because I mentioned this in the post on, you know, an article about myself, but we came up with those ideas and it doesn't change the look of the area. And we're building on land. that's already been built on, and as, unfortunately, the woman from the three group is gone, but this will help preserve green space in the city, and another opportunity for first-time home buyers or people in their 50s who want, or 50s or 60s, 55, to maybe move into a smaller, living quarters. I move passage, and I'm sorry for interrupting you if you have more to say, but this goes along with the plan where we're not changing the unique character of this city in all the different areas, and we're helping our fellow man or townie preserve their rights to stay in the city.

My only question was, Apartments, we usually only require one parking spot. If it's now considered an owner-occupied home, is the zoning, the parking affected? Does that change the equation? So like if I want to build, because I'm all for this, I think those townhouse style, that's the workforce style. But if you're building those and selling them off individually, I don't know how zoning, off the top of my head, would a single family home require two spaces? because that would factor into the equation. Is that so?

In the overlay zone where, first of all, this applies to residential zones, this would be that residential zones that only allow multifamily houses, so that's the R4 and the R6 zone, which allows multifamily home by special use permit, and the R5 zone, which is also a special use permit, and also in the overlay zones. The overlay zones require, are different, one spot per unit, so that would apply.

for rentals, correct? No, whatever.

Just whatever the unit is, whatever it is. Okay. One unit and you got one spot. So when it overlays, that would apply. It's a fair question, Peter, that I don't know.

It's a good question. I don't know that we have the answer. What often happens is the lot that gets created doesn't really fit zoning. So you get a variance, which is not ideal. Or as a condition of the subdivision approval, you have the group of lots. Yeah. Got you exist as the zoning. So the lots and aggregate would meet the requirements. So it still might be multifamily in the zoning code, but it allows each person to own the land.

And I'm supportive, but I represent people that, you know, they feared the build up. And then if we're reducing parking requirements, now they got people parking on the streets and.

i get calls i can't back out of my driveway so i just wanted to bring that to the table that's something we can certainly look into it's a good it's a fair question i will say that the setback requirements of the underlying zone except for that middle unit will still have to be met so there's dimensional stuff that has to still be met but you're basically allowing um a lot i i was showing councilwoman souza just earlier

And I will say home ownership is how you gain wealth in America. I'm all for this.

If this was a single family lot, or excuse me, if this was a lot where you could put multifamily homes instead of putting, so basically what you do is you divide the lot, you put three units there, and each person owns this lot and that house as their own.

So like Ivy Place is an example of the townhouse row style housing across the street.

That's mixed use, but yes.

Right, but you could, with this ordinance, they could be sold as individual.

I think some of those are condos, though I'm not sure. Right. I think they're all condos, I think.

Do they have townhouses on J?

Ivy Street, yeah.

The Taunton Ave frontage is different, but the Ivy Street is like the row.

Yeah, it's a mixed use, but same concept. Yep.

So in that area, the person would need to have the storefront and the residential above.

This is residential only.

I thought the planning had suggest their recommendation.

In commercial zones. That's a mixed use. So this would allow it in commercial zones, these type of row houses. What you're talking about is mixed use and that's not allowed. This would not be allowed. Mixed use would not be allowed to take advantage of this.

The state laws. Excuse me. So where the old Wampanoag Diner was. Councilman, you know I'm not from East Providence, but go ahead. Tell me where that is. That's on Wampanoag. You know where Pizza Amore is?

Where Los Andes is going in?

Some of the farms. So the Wampanoag Dino is on that corner. Up on the fire station.

I don't know if it's C1 or C2. It's only in the C1 and C2 zones that we allow multifamily. It's not every commercial zone. Only in C1 and C2. C1 and C2. Exactly C1. So just to be clear, in those commercial zones which allow residential housing, which under our code is C1 and C2 by special use permit, this would apply, which is an expansion of the state law. State law mandated only in residential. The applicant and the planning department is recommending that we expand it to C1 and C2.

And we have some commercial that don't allow housing?

Yes, we do.

Is there a specific reason why?

Probably for economic development purposes. You don't want to put a house in an industrial zone kind of thing.

I get industrial, but yeah. But I'm thinking about like these strip malls that we build above them, you know? Yeah. Okay.

Of the two zones that I know for sure, C1 and C2 allow multifamily. And I'm assuming they're probably mixed in with residential neighborhoods.

So that was a motion by Council, seconded by Councilman Lawson. Further discussion? No.

I just want to make sure what we're passing is the ordinance that we did not adopt everything that they were adopting the clean version of this ordinance here that was also posted. We just wanted to show you the strikeouts that the planning department.

This is above what state law requires.

To the extent that we're expanding this into a C1 and C2 zone, yes, but we're allowed to do that if we want.

But the concept and ideas.

It's the same principle, yeah.

Okay, so advertise as a public hearing if anyone else wants to speak on this for or against.

Just again, a great thing, we're adding opportunities, as Rick said, for first-time homeowners or people who want to downsize. You gain wealth through real estate still in this country, and this is a great opportunity helping young.

You build equity.

Young county families stay in the city.

That's the public hearing part right now, but okay. There's no other discussion. We'll close the public hearing. You're public at this point. Yeah, you're public.

And by the way, again, this is mandated by state law, at least in the residential zone.

Right. We're tweaking, but something is already mandated. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Thank you. Thank you for waiting tonight.

Appreciate it.

New business, mayor communication, director of policy and constituent services, Andre Herrera.

Papers got mixed up here.

Where are we?

Good evening. Okay.

Yes, we've, these are kind of perfunctory bicycle pedestrian advisory. We have a need to just bundle these. Motion to bundle.

Or accept them into the record. Yeah, accept them, yeah.

Right, because these are not requiring council confirmation.

The only thing I request is that Dr. Ramis If you'd like to speak on that. Yes, we, I do accept.

You're talking about all the bicycle people. Oh, the appointments.

Is there a motion under number two to accept for information the appointments as bundled?

Accept the appointments. I make a motion to accept the newly advised mayor's bike and pedestrian advisory committee to be bundled.

And it is part of the record for anyone who's interested in getting those names, we'll make that available. Is there a second to that? Absolutely. Councilman Lawson, all in favor? Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it, thank you.

Congratulations to the new members, and we look forward to hearing about what you have.

Yes, good point. It's a very active community.

we we have our support could you uh item three names on the council website too so another avenue for people thank you

Mayor Mrakas, Thank you counselor yes we're going to move to item number item number three Thank you items for announcement and or discussion, the first bullet point we've already addressed yes second bullet point. Mayor Mrakas, executive order establishing all flags on municipal buildings be flown at half staff. In recognition of the passing of Dr. Isidore Izzi Ramos, a lifelong East Providence educator, community leader, and the first American mayor of Cape Verdean descent, whose compassion and decades of service deeply enriched our city, Rest in peace.

Along with that, I'll just interject one comment. We could make, all of us here could make hundreds of comments, but I'll just say this one thing. Dr. Ramos, he was called Doc, Doctor, Pops, Poppy, Mister by students like myself who had him, because he didn't have his doctorate at the time when he was my gym teacher. But he... was the first black teacher hired at East Providence High School, which was quite substantial, and it's safe to say that it was some difficult days. The late 60s, early 70s, American high schools were in some kind of turmoil, and East Providence was no different. We were pretty good, but we had a few skirmishes, and it was Mr. Ramos at the time, who was in the gym, when the school was dismissed because of a Basically, a fight happened. We were big then. We had 2,400 students last year of single sessions. Just at the high school. Just at the high school, yes.

Yes, just at the high school.

2,200 kids went home at 11 in the morning. No Code Reds in those days. The principal got on the speaker and said, everybody go home. And most did.

He's waiting every day if that was the case.

So a couple hundred kids milled around the building looking, you know, as high school kids would do for trouble. and it was uh mr ramos who herded everybody into the auditorium and he black kids were on one side the white kids were on the other side and there was talk back and forth and Long story short, from that day forward, he got East Providence High School to work well together. And the next couple of weeks, the superintendent of schools, Ed Martin at the time, said, I want him out of the gym, and we're making him dean of students. and so he became the first dean of students and worked on student relations and the rest is history so we we all miss him obviously he was a became a personal friend of of mine and i know he knew every single one of us here in the council and big loss for east providence so i appreciate appreciate the mayor reaching out what's that did this already happen yes we're just announcing it but it's just after yeah it happened through his um internment which was just just recent and you know even the governor ordered state flags half mass so that's that was quite quite a tribute so izzy my friend uh you've left the legacy for east providence to uh continue on Thank you, Andre, if you wanna continue.

Thank you, Council President. Next bullet, we have an executive order establishing the Mayor's Young Innovators Advisory Committee, also known as MIAC. Youth and young adults ages 16 to 26 are the future of East Providence. They bring energy, creativity, and direct insight into issues that affect quality of life, housing, employment, and community resources. Providing structured opportunities for civic engagement ensures their voices help guide innovation and problem solving, and the administration is committed to listening to the next generation and incorporating diverse perspectives so that city decisions reflect the full community and build a stronger future. Next, we have a proclamation honoring city controller Kim Brown upon her retirement after 21 years of dedicated service to the city of East Providence. We offer our sincere thanks and best wishes.

Just make sure she leaves the checkbook here. Yes, when she left, did she leave all the checks and stamps, et cetera? She was great. She'll be missed. She had so much knowledge here. We hope she's retiring well.

Next. Next, we have a proclamation recognizing August as Gastroparesis Awareness Month in the City of East Providence. And next, we have a proclamation recognizing August 15 as Indian Independence Day in the city of East Providence. Next, we have a proclamation recognizing August 18 as Never Give Up Day in the city of East Providence. And that is all for Mayor Communications.

And thank you. I think for all of those groups, and some of us, it may not mean that much, and it might, but for those individual groups, I know that they appreciate it. And we thank you for reaching out to them. Okay, next item, Madam Clerk.

Reports of other city officials, City Solicitor Michael Marcello.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. At the executive session, the city council approved a sewer charge abatement in the amount of $147.92, a property located at 77 Allen Avenue. Nothing further to report.

You mentioned earlier you don't live in East Providence. You know, we have vacancies. You're welcome to move here.

I don't have to live in one of those condos. I just, I mean, one of those. You could buy the lands.

Yeah.

There's some available across the street.

I have my law office right across the street, right?

There's a couple of houses up in Ward 1.

He doesn't want to go to Rumford, he said. Thank you. Next item. Thank you.

Number three, resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract with New Skills Sports Lighting LLC.

I'm sorry, can we just back up a second? Did you want to add, Councilman Lawson, any school committee business? Summer vacation. Summer vacation, next.

Okay, continue. Summer reading, right? I will say I did meet with Rob Perry, my old friend, the new superintendent. We had a good conversation. I brought up some concerns I had. The budget, as you know, every year with the schools, it's tight and they're going to go through. um he said he will be emailing uh the council give us a little heads up what's going on um as you know he's new and he's still getting acclimated and it's right in the middle of budget season and i believe the contract's up uh november one i believe the teachers contract So I know that's not me.

I don't know.

Um, I believe, um, yeah, I believe they're going to be talking about the contract. So I told him some concerns I had about staffing and, um, he's going to be in contact with us soon. Um, Rob, I can say from experience, well, you guys all dealt with them. What am I talking about? I think we're in good hands, and I look forward to a good relationship. And I reemphasize that Wall City's whole side, we're shattering it. We are one city, and the school is a department of the city. That's it.

I attended the building committee meeting last night, Martin and the preschool, and they also discussed the Waddington school progress and all are right on schedule, doing well. We're going to have a fantastic preschool. Absolutely. So these are things that other communities are struggling with, and we're providing this education for our families. And so far, there are contingency funds available, so there are,

money they're ahead of the schedule that can change problems can exist and you know they may end up not saving money like the high school did but we're we're on target and i will say well i'm going to be advocating we put some money in this budget into the school building fund just because we did an initial seed money that doesn't mean that's it you know you got to keep that fund so they can continue you know you hear the complaints on facebook oh there's a crack in the sidewalks and the schools are falling apart well We're putting the money there. Yep.

We got everything they asked for. Thank you. Now you can continue, Madam Clerk. Is it letter D?

Number three, resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract with Muscle Sports Lighting LLC for the installation of new LED lights at Pierce Memorial Stadium, Council President Rodericks.

So again, I'm not going to go into in detail. We've discussed it before. This is where they're ready to go. It looks like the price money that has 255,000. Is that correct? Yes. And

I think you approve lighting for Pierce Field. Yes. This is now for the salt.

This is not salt. This is the stadium and pavement lights.

Correct. So it's two different contracts. But the track is.

Exactly.

So is there discussion on this? And we're on track to redo the field itself, correct?

We passed that.

Yes. That fund's been allocated and, okay.

Move to passage. Second.

Motion made by both Councilman Sousa and Council VP Rigo, seconded by Councilman Fogarty. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have. Exciting.

number five resolution council rules of procedure councilwoman souza so this is just um some housekeeping um with our order of um of uh docket items thank you so um previously the salute of the flag came a couple of uh normal Roman numerals later, so this is just moving it to the top. We've always done it at the beginning anyway, so it's a minor technicality just to make it consistent with what's posted.

Yep, makes it reality with what we've been doing. Is that a motion?

Yes, sir.

Second. Second, Councilman Lawson. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? You can maybe work with the city clerk to get, do you need anything more from us?

It should come right after the roll call.

Just adjusting the template.

Yeah, the template is well set.

Yeah, it's right after the roll call because if there isn't a majority, there's no meeting. No meeting.

All right, thank you. Next item.

We need to pledge allegiance.

Number six, resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a third amendment to the water tower lease at Zero Wamna Avenue with T-Mobile, Councilman Fogarty.

Yes, they already leased it. It's just they want to do a pad to support their system, and I move passage. Hopefully, I have your support. Second.

Motion, Councilman Fogarty. Seconded by Councilwoman Sousa.

I can explain this if you want.

Yes, please. So this is a third amendment of the lease. Under the current lease, they are allowed to lease up to 225 square feet. They're only using 160 square feet, I believe. And this amendment is to allow them to put a generator pad, which I guess is under new federal regulations. They have to have a generator on the site that it's workable to keep the power on for the antenna. I do apologize. I know that some council people said they didn't get the map. But it is really, again, it's all within the current lease. They currently pay us $7,745.28 a month for this lease. And it's just, I can pass this along, but it really is just little, it's really 40 square feet. So again, I know Councilman Lawson said he didn't get it.

I'm good, I'm good. I was able to catch up.

It's just a technical thing, but we require them when they expand on the footprint that they come back before us.

No, my thing is, if I'm going to vote on something, I just want to check.

Yep, we're good. Thank you. Good.

Where was the second on that? I'll second if there isn't one.

All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? All right. Thank you all.

E, introduction of ordinances for discussion and possible vote. Number one, in 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, amending section one, section 18-307, parking prohibited at all times, amended as follows. Dover Avenue, both sides, from Warren Avenue south to Baldwin Street.

That's it.

This was Councilman Fogarty, I believe, right? We've talked about this before.

Yeah, here's the deal. We've talked about it. I think the residents on that Dover Street that live there have seen me more than my wife has seen me, okay? Because the ordinance is very important to me and the residents of that area. And it's just stickler. And there's just some people that just don't want to follow the law. And you know, they don't even live there. They work down the street and they have opportunity to park. I'm going to go on with just a minute. I know we want to get out of here. They can park up the street at Walgreens and walk down. They walk almost as far. The credit union, they can set up in a deal with the corner lot with this Remax because nobody parks in those 24 spaces down the corner. their inconvenience in, so now it's both sides is what I want and I hope I get your support because of the residents inconvenience that own a home there. And this is everywhere I guess, it's a common sense approach. I tried one side and that was ignored and or lease ticketed, right? We got that far as Mike knows. And so I just, A little spiel on that, but it will help the residents in the area. And God forbid there's an emergency and both sides are being parked on, you can't get emergency vehicles down the street without a nuisance if someone's coming at you. So that's what I have to say.

And for those who don't know this area we're talking about, this is the bottom of Dover Avenue, which comes into Warren Avenue. The Walgreens would be... down the road a bit cvs down at the intersection so it's where dover meets warren and trying to get in and out of there sometimes is almost impossible so again along the lines of helping with parking and that's what the and it's not going to inconvenience anyone and nana if you ever want to discuss summit anthony yeah i drove down them the other day you got my full support

As we've discussed previously in a council meeting, the rerouting of making potentially one-way traffic patterns so that you're not getting rid of all of the on-street parking because it is densely populated with a lot of

i i get that but i went by yesterday and it was very difficult people getting on the driveway apparatus is getting down and i'm thinking kids playing the ball goes in the streets and running in between cuts it's a big challenge it's a big challenge but that's i'm second in frank's if there hasn't been one yet yeah first passage first passage

Councilman Fogarty made the motion. Seconded Councilman Lawson. First passage. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Thank you. Next slide.

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, amending Section 18-308, entitled Parking Time Limitations, 15 Minutes, Warren Avenue, Southside, from a point 105 feet west of South Hall Street, westerly 20 feet.

This is a similar request in that I think it might be in front of the cleansers there. That's what I was trying to figure out. The cleaners? The cleaners.

I was going to say it's no parking down there.

this allows people to run into the cleaners drop off your your clothes or pick up and you know not have cars parking there for a long time that's my understanding of this request well they have a big parking lot so i don't know if it's for that i don't think it's just for them but it's in that area they do have a parking lot

Right, they have a big, and across the street, well, I think, too, so there are businesses across the street. The other side, yes. Correct, there's a nail salon, there's the florist, and the next door is that little, on the corner, has a restaurant, it has a T-Mobile, like a mobile store, there's multiple stores.

There's a lot in there.

They have, I think, four or six parking spots, and they have no other parking. It gets busy. People do need the parking on the street over there. 15 minutes, I don't know, to get your nails done, it takes longer than 15 minutes. A mani-pedi is an hour and a half. Just fight them like me. No. So, I don't know. 15 minutes, I think, is a little short.

We can always tweak it. I mean, that's...

Businesses in that area.

It's his first passage, right?

Yeah. so it can be we can amend it yes i mean because i don't think going to be a public hearing next time right But then we'd have to change everything. I think we're gonna make a change that should be made now versus having to pay for advertising multiple times. It can't be because of the cleaner, because the cleaner has substantial parking in their parking lot. So it's not for the cleaners.

Well, DPW had mentioned that, but it might not be them. It might be the others.

I think that was a fair amount of time. Yeah, 30 minutes.

Maybe 30 minutes. And I don't think that...

So who put this forward?

Yeah. It came from DPW.

So can we just table this? I'd like to talk to them.

Yeah, why don't we then allow them to come and explain their rationale for it.

I think 15 minutes doesn't make sense in that area.

Yeah, let's put this off until September 1st. Make a motion, we table.

All in favor? Aye. The motion was Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilwoman Sousa. I did try to clarify today, I didn't have time to get more information, I apologize. We'll do that for the first. It can wait a little longer. Okay, does that bring us to the adjournment? Thank God, motion to adjourn. Motion, all in favor? Aye. Meeting is adjourned. Thank you all.