City Council - Regular Meeting

the council. Councilman Fogerty here. Councilman Lawson. Council vice president Rian here. Councilwoman Souza here. Council President Rogers here. Let the record show there is a forum present. a quorum present. Uh Councilman Lawson uh was not feeling well today and called and he could not make the meeting. Uh please rise for the

pledge to its nation andice for all. Thank you. Madame clerk, would you start the agenda, please?

Proclamations and presentations. St. Brandon St. Martha's boys basketball team accomplishments. Council President Rodri. So, Councilman Fogerty, who was involved with uh CIO athletics and the Catholic League athletics as well as a lot of athletics, he does think he's an official. I don't know how good he is on the court, but he has been a good good coach. And uh he has been involved in both St. Martha's and St. Brendan's, which have kind of combined programs. And this season that combined cadets basketball team won the Rhode Island State Championship. And then they went on to New England tournament and almost made that, but they were runners up. They did a great job uh all along the the way. So, Councilman, it was a good suggestion of yours. And uh Councilman Fogerty will join with me at the podium and our clerk will read off the names of the players who were able to make it tonight. Uh we have two citations to give you young men. Uh citation from the entire city council. Uh we congratulate you on representing not only your uh basketball team but the city of East Providence and the state of Rhode Island as state champs. And we have a second proclamation that the mayor has joined in to uh give to you also. So when we call your name, the clerk will call your name and if you go up to that podium to your right and receive the proclamation and then just stand in the front here uh before you sit down. So we'll begin. Councilman,

sounds good. Yeah, I'd like to just say congratulations to uh PJ St. PJ Shay stepped up. Uh we lost a great coach Bob Fario along the way last year to a sudden accident and uh PJ Shay from St. Teresa's stepped up and coached these young men and uh it was very well I watched a few of their games and they they played very well with all their heart and they actually won the states. So that was a very good accomplishment. I want to thank PJ myself. Um I coached a little third and fourth graders and soon to be growing with the program. Uh I went to at least two or three of their games uh with the busy schedule but uh thank you for doing that and congratulations guys. Very welld deserved. Paka Andrews, Wyatt Andrews, Benjamin Collos, Alex Enright, Ryan Brooks, Coyote, Tristan Lorton, Zachariah Pru,

Jonathan Rayard,

that is Mr. Rogers grandson that uh was playing. Great job. Definitely played well. Philip Shay IVth Braden Ryan I don't know coach PJ Shay PJ's got to say some words. There you go. Take a picture.

Never been afraid of a microphone. So, thank you. Uh, so thank you, Councilman Rogers, Councilman Fogerty, and the rest of the council and the mayor. Uh, thank you for the support. Uh, Councilman Rogers was a frequent fan of many of our games and a well- behaved one. So, I always appreciate that. Um, this team, uh, went through a lot of challenges this year, right? So, they lost a longtime coach, coached for St. Brennons and Martha's for well over 25 years uh often an opponent of mine uh coaching at St. Terresa's and Pucket for over 25 years myself. Uh but when uh our team at St. Terres's did not have the opportunity to put together a cadet team, a high school team, I reached out to the only coach I'd trust to coach my kid other than me and that was Bob Farrier. So, uh he welcomed Philip onto the team. Uh the rest of the team welcomed him on and then uh unfortunately when Bob got sick and passed just before Thanksgiving uh I was honored to step up and take his place and support the team and support the program and ultimately support the Catholic Athletic League basketball throughout the dascese. So uh it was an honor to step up and try to fill his shoes at the parish and do the best I could and uh the team learned a different way of coaching I think that they weren't used to maybe a little harder than they weren't used to at St. Burns and Martha, but they uh they fought through that and they fought through the competition uh and battled hard all the way up until the end. Uh and I'd be remiss if I didn't also uh recognize the parish coordinator that held the team together and held me together as well. Uh Reagan uh in the back there. She's going to be mad at me that I'm calling her out, but uh she does a fantastic job with the program that she has uh as one of the league administrators in the dascese. She's also one of the best coordinators we have across the dascese as well. So, she does a fantastic job. She supported me in coming into a new program that I wasn't familiar with, coaching a bunch of kids that I wasn't really familiar

with either. So, uh, thank you, Reagan, and for all that you do for the parish and for the the youth of East Providence and the dascese. So, thank you,

Reagan. Why don't you join the team photo, please? And normally when we have teams in, they're a lot shorter than us and we stand in the back, but we need to get on the front cuz councilwoman Souza, myself, we won't be seen. Councilman Rigo, either Fogerty, you can stand.

I want to thank Reagan, too. She did a lot to help me with the third and fourth graders cuz uh uh she stepped up and helped me show me the way to handle the uh parents. So, thank you Reagan. Coach, nice job.

We know it's a vacation week, but you guys probably still have homework that you're studying. So, you are free to leave. It's not rude. We don't mind if you all get up and head out. Parents are welcome to stay here with us until midnight if you'd like. Uh but thank you all for coming and congratulations again.

Madame clerk, could you continue the reading of the agenda, please? Executive session. The city council of East Province may meet in executive session pursuant to RIGL 42-46-5A2 claims and litigation and sewer abatements. I think tonight we can do that right here. The deis uh Mr. Solicitor. Thank you. So the uh first one is the claim for um sorry just lost my a claim for property damage as a result of snow plowing operations with the director of public works recommends uh approval in the amount of $28720. Motion approve. Second.

Motion by Councilman Fogerty to approve. Seconded by Councilwoman Souza. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you. Next one. The next one are all sewer charge abatements for the amounts listed. Um they were all recommended to be approved based upon either water leakage or other they all met the criteria under the ordinance. Um if you want to take them as a group um you can do that as well. It's up to you unless you want me to read them.

I think they have all been approved by the department head and they are standard according to policy. Uh this was water that did not get into the sewer system. So, it's been standed to grant uh approval unless anyone has a question on any specific one. Is there a motion to grant all together? Motion to bundle and approve the three sewer abatements. Motion to uh bundle the three together and approve the abatements. Is there a second? I second that. Second and a comment by Councilwoman. Yes. The total is

the total. Sure. um of the abatement. Madame Clerk, if you want or solicit, if you want to just read the uh individual amounts and then the claim of uh Hatham Chat Chad in the amount of $2,33.91, we charge a baitment of Christine Johnson in the amount of 754, excuse me, $754.54 and the uh claim of RJD real estate in the amount of $459, excuse me, $459 uh are listed as on the agenda. Uh again, these are not payments that are made. These are the we credit against their bill. So the we credit their bills.

Okay. And the recommendation was for approval. We had the motion and the second. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you. Next item. Number three, show cause hearing. The following business is subject to a hearing for their alleged failure to obtain the appropriate license as indicated. A business licenses subway 1086 Willlet Avenue, Riverside, Rhode Island needed information, Rhode Island Department of Health, building and fire and particular

is the business uh present the uh subway business 1086 Willlet Avenue, Riverside. Is there anyone representing them present? Mr. Solicitor, do you want to continue? I think I I would ask for a continuence for the next meeting. We will give them one last chance. We have sent them numerous letters and had contact with them. They have been very unresponsive to date. We're I'm reluctant to shut down a operating business, but I think at this point we're getting a little Are we aware? Have they been operating? They have been operating. Yes.

Okay. My only problem with these delays is we've done a few the last couple of meetings. Um, you know, can it get away from us there? I don't know that it was directly related. There was a recent fire in the city and then there was something about an inspection that hadn't been totally uh completed. Uh we had the issue with the vendor at uh Crescent Park that um we we kind of let that go with a long grace period and then we we are hearing that they don't want to come back and we're scrambling at the last minute. So I I don't know. I'd like to discuss that for a second. I mean, they've had plenty of warnings. Maybe they need um I mean, these are some serious areas. We're talking about

building and fire, the vitualing the more important building and fire in the Rhode Island Department of Health. So, if they don't pass those and something happens, someone gets gets sick or I mean, why wouldn't they respond? They've had numerous warnings. I can't answer that. Right. I'm not I'm asking victorially.

We we um you know, we we have gone on uh this is the last one of the slew that we had over the last couple months. I know the clerk's office has been working very hard to try to um get the people to come in. This is the this is the last hold out. The as you know, the one that we talked about the carousel didn't come in. Expect them to come because they weren't operating and they eventually decided not to renew their license. But this is the last hold out. I I I'm willing to we've given them many opportunities. I know the clerk's office has sent them uh numerous letters. Um I would just ask one last time for the next two weeks and then if we shut them down. But yeah, I mean I'm okay if we if you want to. I just want to make that point and then going forward I I think we need to really hold firm.

I will tell you that it's rare to have uh just one out here. Um the city's been done an excellent job of getting these licenses in order. So of all the businesses in the city that we issue, the licenses that we issue, we're down to one out of how, you know, how many. So this is, but I just don't know. There was a little confusion here because the person previously owned the business, sold it to a new new entity, and apparently that that person kept on renewing the license for the new entity even though that person didn't own the business anymore. So that's that that's an issue in itself. I mean, well, we wouldn't

I know, but running the business. So, you're not registering it first with the Secretary of State now. Where's the division of taxation? I mean, I'm just saying there's a lot of other you just put another red flag out there. I mean, we as small business owners, I mean, if it's an LLC or if it's a COP, you have to register, you know, May or September with the Secretary of State's office and then as as a taxpayer I and and run businesses, you know, out of, you know, are the taxes up to date? Are they paying their, you know, taxes? You know, we we get 1% of that of that money as well. So, uh, it's just a red flag. You know, it's almost like a a a shadow company is running this and this has been going on since December one. And as the council president talked about, my biggest concern, forget about the taxes and everything like that is they're operating a food business. That's the serious nature of things. If they why you should have the Department of Health get a cert if you need the certificate. That's the most important thing because an outbreak of you know of anything that can happen in this day and age. So my that's my biggest concern is that the health certificate I mean as well as you know not obeying what every other business in this in this city has done and they've abide by the rules. Some of them took a little longer. That's that's my concern is more the health department issue. Wouldn't the health department issue some kind of stoppage if they didn't get the

The health department relies on the city, believe it or not. Okay. So, if I may to the chair.

Yes, councilwoman. Um, having heard everything that everybody said up here, um, and I know we are definitely a pro business community and want to continue to support pro business. I do think acting as the licensing board, we do have a responsibility to make sure that our businesses are also operating safely and within the rules and regulations not only of the city but of the state. And so with that being said, hearing that this business potent has sold has had a change of ownership, we are not entirely sure that our communication with 100% accuracy is going to the right person. Then I would think that maybe we need to just take the next step at the time and that will gain the attention of whomever is operating this business to take action. So, I would suggest to the council that we someone from the city go in person and do uh a spot check and tell them that this business, you know, is potentially being closed within 24 to 48 hours unless we hear back from the owner or manager of the business to come into compliance with the ordinance and the regulations. Well, on that note, I was I was just thinking here if we're going to if what the solicitor is saying about waiting to the next meeting, which would be our first meeting in May, that you as the solicitor with the clerk's office in the next 48 hours, draft a letter, call the chief of police to have a handdeled letter to that property notifying them of the severity of this situation and if they do not appear at the next meeting the next day there's a lock on the door. I mean I

think that's the fair way to you know a combination cuz it shouldn't be anybody from the city to go and in inspect it because we don't have a food I mean other than the building inspector in the in the fire department to inspect. Right. So it looks like we have multiple things here. We have building and fire which are city and then we have health department. So I think I mean the fire department doesn't go out to every it's just then they don't go out to every business every year and look for the renewal. So I think they're required in this case in because of food. Yeah. Because of that's right. Yeah. Because it well because of the transfer. Correct. Learn about that. So so that so in in any event there has to be a show cause hearing. This is the show.

This is right. So if we put it off though, we would still have to have So I think in my opinion again, I think waiting 2 weeks to have them then come and say X, Y, and Z to then pro prolong iterate even further just isn't efficient. I think we can give them two weeks from the mo 24 to 48 hours from when they receive the handwritten letter to come into compliance by the next council meeting. So by the next council meeting they should be in my opinion in full compliance as is all other businesses throughout the city that are operating. Right. So in essence it's giving them to the next meeting which I think we should

but control it at that time not a show cause make make the statement tonight that I think you should make a vote that they are in in default and then the motion would be that find them in default and the penalty will be that if they're not complied by May 1st we will shut them right so I will entertain a motion that should say that the um the vendor is in default of the licensing And they have um until the May 1st is that the meeting date? May 5th.

May 5th meeting and to produce the uh necessary documents. If if not then they we'll have to cease operation. Is there a motion? We can draft draft this letter so in the police can deliver it on Thursday. Yes. But we need a motion. Oh no. I'm just making sure I we've done this in the past. We've done some letters. I make a motion that we serve them with the letter and uh that they have to be in compliance by the 5th of May, 2026. Is there a second? There's a second.

Councilwoman Souza second. So, all in favor? I Is there anyone opposed? Uh the eyes have it 40. Thank you. Next item. Thank you, solicit. Consent calendar for discussion and possible vote. A. Council jourers number one regular meeting minutes April 7th, 2026. Make a motion to approve the motion councilwoman Soua to approve. Seconded by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. Next item.

Prices for discussion and possible vote. A non-public hearing one-day entertainment license annual feast Holy Ghost beneficial May 24th 2026 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. 1day entertainment license Holy Ghost feast Trinity Brotherhood 146 Son Avenue 52926 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. 1day entertainment license, Holy Ghost Feast, Trinity Brotherhood, 145 Sutton Avenue, May 31st, 26, 5:00 p.m., 9 to p.m. 1-day entertainment license parish annual feast, Sacred Heart Church, 118 Torton Avenue, East Providence, 61426, 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. 1-day entertainment license church annual feast, St. Francis Xavier Church, 81 North Carpenter Street, June 19th to June 26, 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. One day entertainment license Cinco deio celebration la Mexican restaurant 3:35 Newport Avenue, East Providence. May 5th, 400 pm to 10 p.m. 1-day block party, food truck event, 187 North Brawl Street, East Providence, June 7th, 26, 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 1-day special event, annual feast, Holy Ghost beneficial, 51 North Phip Street. Alcohol license May 22 through May 24th 6:00 p.m. to 1000 p.m. 1day special event alcohol license, Holy Ghost feast, Trinity Brotherhood, 146 Sutton Avenue, East Providence, May 29th, 6:00 p.m. to

12:00 a.m. Special event, Alcohol License, Holy Ghost Feast. Trinity Brotherhood, 146 Sutton Avenue, East Providence, May 30th, 6 PM to 12:00 a.m. One day special event, Alcohol License, Holy Ghost Feast, Trinity Brotherhood, 146 Sutton Avenue, May 31st, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Special event, 1-day alcohol license, church annual feast, St. Francis Xavier Church 6:19- 6:26 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. New business, type of business, new mobile food truck, Claudia Cornero, Davy School, Patriots Plates, 50 Jenkins Hill, Road Lincoln. New business, Sunday in Holidays, Daniel Brennan, Starbucks. Business location 50 near Park Drive, East Providence. Type of license, new business, mobile truck, Sugar Rush, 9 Westwood Road, Bristol. New Business Mobile Food Truck, Charo School District, 455A Switch Road, Wood River Junction, New Business Mobile Food Truck, Davies Career and Technical School, 50 Janks Hill Road, Lincoln.

So, of course, those addresses that are not East Providence are the owners. That's not where the event is. Um, if you haven't noticed, it's the feast season in East Providence as summer approaches. Does anyone on the council have a question about any of these specifically? Do not. If not, just all the schools, just to remind people, that's the event down at Crescent Park. Can you I The date esc uh escapes my brain. Tracy, right now,

Saturday, May 16th. It's a great event. That's why you're seeing all the schools. They're uh make an effort to go see the uh future entrepreneur chefs of the state of Rhode Island at that event. Some really great food. Thank you. Is there a motion to bundle first all of the events? Can we bundle and approve? Okay. So, is it motion by Councilwoman Souza to bundle the events as read? Second. Seconded by Councilman Rigo. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. Councilwoman Souza moves to approve all of the licenses. Seconded by I'll second.

Council vice president Rigo. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. So those are all approved. And if anyone is interested in any one of those the dates again information, you know, let us know. I'll let the clerk's office know and we'll get you that information if you didn't get to jot it down. Next item,

communications, Nancy Hill, Historic Oldham property on Bulock's Point. Um, Miss Hail here. Welcome. This name and address. Thank you. Nancy Hail, 889 Bulocks Point Avenue.

I was on the docket last time, so I was more prepared then. We'll see how this goes. Some of you have received, I hope, some of you may have read the emails about the um talking about the historic Oldm property on Bulocks Point Avenue, not necessarily the former former Oldm if we're going to get into that. So this is the Oldm School on Bulock Point Avenue and about and correct me as I go because about a hund,000 was aotted from ARPA funds for the roof. Is that right?

I thought Rick would be here because he was going to discuss old. Right. The the roof has been completed. That's done. I forget the exact dollar amount was about half the 100,000 and the other half of the money went more probably more than that. But it but it is done

approximately half maybe 600,000. I've heard different things but I've never seen anything in writing. But there's could be 4,000 or so 400,000 left to go. But that money went somewhere else. So I'm wondering does anyone know where that money went? That's a question doesn't have to be answered tonight. Then the next thing is does anybody have any feedback on some of the ideas that I've uh communicated through email? Another question I have is

those questions need to be directed. I hate to pass the talk as the saying goes, but that needs to start with the administration on the plans and then would come to us. So I mean they're they're viable questions but viable Dre will be able to tell you where the money is and and there is a PL and they are cultivating a situation down there right now. So what do you mean by cultivating a situation? Cult cultivating a plan. So

well there was about 250,000 of non- taxpayer money spent on a feasibility study for a a um business incubator. Again, those are direct questions that need to be directed to to the you know.

Okay, I have more I have more which may be directed in the same area, but then you'll know what the questions are. I thought we're Rick would be here tonight and he was going to talk about Oldm School as well. when when we some of us I was there, Rick was there went to the um presentation that the feasibility study company did. They were they had planned housing there which was a complete surprise to many of us. I remember on on their um diagrams counting about 96 units of unknown size, unknown value, and 90 parking spots, which was already kind of like where are they going to put visitor cars, delivery cars? There just doesn't seem to be space there altogether for more housing. the land might be able to build, but there's other things that that happen when you when you have more people in an area where it's pretty concentrated already. So, my ideas are to keep the space green and not let old go the way of metacomt and two developers that we don't have control over city property when the developers get get going. ly we don't want to have to fight for our own city property or for a school which Rick has been he's not here I can't speak for him but he has suggested that we should maintain the building and keep it at least minimally functional as a school in case we need a school in that area again

so a a bid process is underway I know right so when that comes in from administration it will be addressed by this council and we we the last say will be here on that plan. Excuse me. Right now, everything's speculation. There's not a plan that's been put in front of this. Well, there's a bid for something which would be a bid for qualifications basically. RFQ. It's closed be closed. The bid process is closed. It's So, you have someone you've contracted with the developer. No. No. What does it mean? Or do you want to wait till you're up here?

I just I'm not here at every meeting, M. Miss Hail, so a request for qualifications or request for proposals came in. I believe the city got one proposal back. I I heard something, right? And and that's under review right now uh by the administration. Um I I don't know where that it's under review. It has not been brought before the council. It may not be a plan or that that the city's willing to entertain. We don't know enough yet really. Well, we know what the we there's been a submitt of a a plan, but it's under review. But does that include housing or is that is housing off the off Andre? If you're going to answer, you have to use the uh mic. Thank you,

Nancy. Uh thank you for your question and we can always meet on this offline. I did give this update two council meetings ago. uh if there's not a small business incubator component then we will not proceed but we are looking at and going to meet with the people that submitted uh their RFQS uh as part of our due diligence process. Thank you.

Okay, there was always a the feasibility study was supposed to be for business incubator only. So, I guess I want to hear at some point that housing is not being considered there anymore. Or how much housing?

I think Rick has I I I I understand. It's okay. I have a lot of questions. They don't all need to be answered tonight, but Rick has stated many times. I've been here many times. It's not something that we that the people of Riverside, the people who live in East Providence have been asked about. And I would say from the discussions I've had, the people I've listened to, we haven't heard anything about the housing that we would like. And I am again speaking mostly for myself, but I know that I'm not alone. So I I think Nancy that the the time will come when you can be there as well as anybody else and and make comments on whatever proposal comes to us. We don't have it yet.

The administration hang on let me finish administration now right I understand your situation. Okay. So what's your further question? I will wait for further information about a business incubator. That's my position. That's the only thing I can do. Business incubator and anything else that's recommended. Well, some of my ideas were a a some of the businesses could be sustainable, possibly a little bit of gardening or farming so that we keep some of our green space and sky in Riverside.

Yep, I hear you. Thank you, Nancy. Number two, Brown University Health, a proposed emergency stroke research study that may involve EMS services in the city. Anna Lucia Garcia.

Hi, welcome. Just identify yourself for the record.

Hi, I'm um Anucia Garcia War. I'm a stroke neurologist at ROA Hospital um part of Brown Health University and thank you so much for having us today. Um today I'll be presenting um possible study that we're running with um EMS and the fire department. Chief Harry is here with us. Thank you so much. And the ethics committee is also here. Um the purpose of this presentation is to inform you what will happen in case the study is approved and also to ask for suggestions and think if this is feasible in your community. Um so to summarize the study, it's basically a way to find out if a patient has a large clot in their brain before they get to the hospital through a brain wave method. Next slide, please. Um so we'll talk a little bit about what um usually patients get when they are on route to the hospital, how the study works, and then we'll ask for your input again if you think this is feasible and if it feels right for you. Um just to think a little bit of about strokes, what you see in TV, in the movies, it's a large clot that can happen inside of your brain. And when you have a large clot, 75% of the patients can end up dead or have a severe disability, meaning that they cannot walk, they cannot do their day-to-day activities. So within the past 10 years, there has been a new method which is a surgery to remove the blood clot. This method does not exist everywhere in all of the hospitals. So it's really important that when you think a patient has large clot then a patient goes to a tertiary hospital meaning a large hospital that can give you this opportunity this treatment. Next slide please. Okay. So usually when a patient has a stroke or a symptom that looks like a stroke EMS gets on the scene the fire department and then they

do a quick scale. It's really easy. Um they check if your face becomes droopy, if you can grip with your hands and if your arms are weak and then it gives you a scale and with that scale then they decide if you are possibly having a large clot in your brain and you can be triaged to a higher degree hospital tertiary hospital with the opportunity to having this clot removed. Now in real life it's actually not as as in the study 76% but only 65 uh or 67% of the patients are well diagnosed with this method. So many patients are missed. So our idea is to have another way to diagnose which patients have a blood clot in their brain. Next slide. Okay. So the study that we're proposing is a patient has a stroke at in their home or in the field. They are activating EMS. EMS does the usual things that they always do, which is their stroke scale and then also a patient will get a brain wave study and we're going to show the pictures, but it's a really easy helmet that goes on top of them. It's not going to really interact or affect the way they are triaged to a hospital. Next. So, that's the picture. It's a It's a rubbery helmet, a plastic helmet that just go on top of you. It doesn't really hurt. It's just it captures your brain waves and the idea is that it's placed within 30 seconds of the EMS personnel seeing the patient and again the EMS will continue doing whatever they would do usually for a patient. Next up so then the patient arrives to the hospital they decide if the if the patient does have a large clot and then they get the surgery if they need to and then we collect that data. Next up and then we also will collect the brain wave activity. Now the reason why we are here

it's because this study is particular usually uh clinical trials they ask for permission for the participants before they enroll a patient. The importance of that is because we want to make sure um that someone is choosing freely and that their rights are respected. Now this specific study is particular because patients unfortunately when they have a stroke they don't always have the opportunity to talk. Many of them cannot understand they're altered they cannot voice you know understanding what you're telling them. So what we are proposing in this study is an exemption for the informed consent which means once you get to the hospital then we'll ask either the patient if the patient's awake or their family member or their legal representative. we won't ask them at the time that the brainwave um device is placed. Now if their family or the patient declines to be part of the study, we would not use their data. So this is very important. Now this do you think that sounds reasonable? Do you feel comfortable with that? That's one of our questions and then we'll put up a survey for you. And then for those that do not feel comfortable with that, we'll put a phone number so you can opt out of the study and we'll mail you a bracelet that you can wear that would say that you would not get the EEG recording. Next, um so again just to clarify how this is uploaded, your brain wave activity data does not go with your name. It just has numbers. For example, instead of my name Anna, it will have RI the hospital 001. It would not be collected with any of your information. It will be deidentified. And this is how we'll collect it. Next steps. And now important things. What are the risks of this device? Basically like any brain wave activity. It can cause some irritation because it has a glue. That can happen with any kind of machine you

get. Even in the hospital, if that were to happen, we can always remove it. There can be some, you know, creams that we can put there. And the benefits, it's more to think about benefits for the community and future patients like yourself, but not necessarily for the patient because we won't be sharing the brain wave activities with each one of the patients. Next, um, and as I said, what is important of this study is to try to get a faster diagnosis for those that have a blood clot in their brain to see if that can improve the outcomes, getting a surgery faster, a better recovery time, and then hoping to see if this can triage sorry triage better um from EMS to the hospitals. Next. Um, and then finally, what we want to see it's also if implementing this brain wave activity device, it actually makes sense and it would work outside in the real world for other potential rural places, for example, around America. Um, next um, okay, next one. And so just to clarify everything before I put the survey there and I answer your questions is that a patient gets a stroke on the field. We call out EMS, the fire department. They get to the scene. They do an exam the same way they would do it. They put this helmet that takes 30 seconds to be placed. You go to a hospital. We ask for your permission or your family permission in the hospital. You get exactly the same care as you would do with or without the helmet. We collect your data if you allow us to collect it and then we'll follow up with you to see how well you recover at the end. Um, next slide. Um, so I just wanted to bring it up for you in case you any of you can answer those questions. Is do you have any concerns about the patients or the the

participants not being able to voice saying yes or no to put the helmet on before they get to the hospital? or does this make sense? Hang on one second. I just was ready to defer to um our um medical person on the council. I'll ask Councilwoman Souza what what you're thinking here and then we'll go to you. Uh

thank you. Thank you doctor for being here today and presenting um this amazing technology that is being offered to our community. Um I do I do have uh obviously a ton of different questions. Um I am a nurospine nurse so this is kind of my fieldhouse. Um unfortunately unfortunately. So um a couple of things um there probably going to be more direct questions than maybe my other council members. So one I think that it is a great idea to have this as an option um or tool in our community um in the immediate. Um, one of the questions, and I think this is probably more of a logistical question for our chief in administration, but um, I'm assuming they would have multiple um, devices at all of our fire houses

for East Providence. Correct. Did I just interrupt? Fire chief, could you join the podium and that way if you want to join in, you can. Uh, Councilwoman, I'm sorry. Go ahead. Thank you. Um and but they would only be used on so if we're doing a call for service, you know, as a um in another community, we would not be using that on those residents. It's strictly for residents within our community. I would imagine the it could go either way. If if they decide to go to other surrounding mutual aid communities and decide to do the same presentations, this all comes down to it's a study, so they're looking for quality data. Mhm. But we treat patients all the time for, you know, implied consent because they can't consent.

Correct. And we have to do life-saving measures. This isn't part of our protocol. It's a study, right? So, they're going to reach out to the community and say, uh, do you think this is a bad thing or a good thing? Yeah. To me, it's as innocuous as putting on a seat belt, for lack of a better term. Um, the data is getting captured. It's not interfering with our protocols. They're still going to follow the stroke protocol and do everything we do now. no delay in patient care at all. The whole thing is to capture that data that they're going to use in the future to develop EEG to be able to be field usable to identify LVO for all EMS providers.

Every piece of equip equipment in the field that we have has gone through this process over the years. Um, but this one if if this comes to fruition, I see this as not just local or state. This is this is a national impact because there's no study like this right now. I believe there was one small study in Netherlands. Um but very small picture of patients and they got some good results. So I applaud them for heading in this direction. Uh if you saw the latest episode of the pit, they actually showed that device in the ER, the last episode. So these are new.

Um but then I believe there's two or three maybe four that are now FDA approved. So they're starting to see what the mobility and and applications can be. In LVO, you know LVO, right? Severe impact. Most of our patients don't ever recover or if they do, it's a very small percentage. Uh we've been involved with the stroke protocol and study since 2024. Um I can give you numbers. I like to give you stats.

Yeah, it's great. So since January of 2024, we've done 264 patients that referred by the stroke protocol. And out of those 76, we re received the stroke feedback. Uh feedback is comes back to how well we did compared with the stroke protocol. That's scaled 1 to 10. Uh we've never got anything below a nine. Our agency has been pretty hard on this for the last two and a half years. Um, and we're always amendable to any new changes or new devices that we can use in the field to make patient care better. Community harm reduction is our warehouse, right?

And just to answer, thank you so much. Just to answer that question, primarily in East Providence, but potentially can extend to adjacent areas that have a catchment within Rhode Island Hospital. Right. Right. So, just because I know you said we were starting here and I didn't know how quickly you were spreading out um into the neighboring communities. So, we have presented the study outside of East Providence as well, and we are asking for the ethics committee approval for adjacent communities, but the devices will be at the East Providence Fire Station.

Um, and then the the data that's on the device, it is it attached to something else? Is it like a box that comes or is it like a chip that you or plug in that gets plugged in at the hospital? How is that? So we removed the helmet and then we plugged it in and that way we obtain the data right and that's initially when they get to the emergency room it comes off and then start the protocol in the hospital and then it gets uploaded into a cloud and it will get uploaded just with numbers not with a name

and then how do you determine so later on if they want to be part of the study how do you determine which individual is assigned to which number? So within the hospital in a locked database that no one else can access the numbers that are on the cloud will be matched with the names on the medical record but only in the hospital will have access only the study personnel. Okay. All right. Thank you. Yeah. I think it's amazing. I think it's great. Anything that advances early indications of any disease process that we can identify sooner than later because time is tissue, right? Thank you.

Thank you, Council Vice President. My question was um obviously the first four hours of somebody having a stroke if I'm correct at most times. So if the clock's ticking and you happen to come home and find find a loved one who's suffering a stroke and not knowing the t not knowing the time and you piece it all together like where where are you as far as that person and going to the trauma center more than likely in this case would be Ralen Hospital. So uh I obviously I understand about the study but will that emergency room have that that information so that that trauma team is seeing what is going through the uh going through that headset at the

wave. It's a great question and probably maybe in the future if this gets approved and we actually show that it works but at the same time that we're doing the study we won't be providing the information. The importance of that is we don't want to bias the medical team on their treatment at the time but you know after the results come back then later when we actually use it in the community it may be something that we can offer. Thank you, Councilman. Look questions. Uh, fire chief carry. So, this is something you're all aboard with, I take it. Yes, we're 100% on board with it. Yep. Good thing.

Um, so we are supposed to collect over a 100 patients. So, it's probably going to last a little bit over 9 months to a year. Um, optimistically, but it may last longer as as as long as we collect the amount of patients. um hope it lasts a long time. That means there's less people in East Providence having stroke. So I would like to see it last 10 years. I mean, you know, that way, you know, so I I don't want it to be a short study. I want it to be a long study.

Yeah, I know. Um we we very much wish that, you know, stroke goes down. Um, just going back into the feedback form, it would really help us for those who have not been able to voice their suggestions or their concerns in that QR code. And for those who want to opt out of the study, you'll find a phone number there that's going to lead to our research coordinator and then we'll mail you that bracelet to opt out of the study. But again, you can opt out at any time when your family decides when you get to the hospital. So out of curiosity and I'm in full support, but what is your funding source? Um, so it's a it's a seed grant that goes through Brown University. Okay.

That has been provided it logistically, Mr. Solicitor, what what is the role of the council? That was my next question. So the what is the role? I know you're here presenting the study or the the parameters of the study. Are you looking for a formal approval of this council or or are you are you just here to give us information and then obviously it would be up to the fire chief as a department head to yes to this? It's just engagement. We still need the ethics committee. If you want to put the next slides um

so this is all about community engagement. Um they did meet with myself and the mayor and went through the whole process uh with the mayor. The mayor's in favor of and willing to do some public information and outreach at different venues, say the senior center, maybe a town meeting at night um in in a select location yet to be determined. They need to try to get as many me people in the community to see this uh sign up or or say that yep, they're for it, they're not for it. It's it's to make sure that they have enough and ethics will speak to that. I would leave the QR code up for well after this is done till the end of the meeting so anybody at home who's viewing the council meeting live they can actually do the Q QR code in their phone and and go through the process

um through the chair. Yes. Yeah. Mr. solicitor. Would it be um would it be something about putting it online or would that be not ethical to like we had it on like our EMS? Yes. So, it has the slides have been approved by the ethics committee. So, we would love for them to be online. Uh we have them in Spanish and Portuguese. The um the survey is also in Spanish and Portuguese as well. And it would really really help to hear your thoughts about the study. Um we can put the QR code I think at the end. Um this is just what we were talking about and there.

So I think another other than the city um putting using social media our social media or our fa our website um to provide the number and QRS code. I think um maybe if Brown uh utilized our local um newspaper, our reporter or our post um to put that out that's out in every store um business and then we'd get that all residents get the reporter monthly. That might be a good way of reaching everyone um to get more of that feedback that you're looking for. Yeah, we would love that if we can do that. We'll talk to you about how to put that out. Sure. Yeah. Thank you.

So, final question for me. those hats. Could you we get five of those to measure the brain waves of the council at times? Um, you don't have to answer that. You might be allergic to the gel. Thank you very much. You have any closing comments? No, thank you so much for for giving us this platform. I appreciate your patience. I know you were here at a prior meeting or two and uh thank you for dealing with our logistical stuff. Thank you so much. And thank you suggestion. Um,

I have two elderly three towers for senior living in my uh district. I think if you can coordinate I know the chief chief talked about the senior center. I think if you go and there's one down in Riverside as well. I think if you go to the local when they have their coffee hour meeting or their monthly meeting,

I think it would be very appropriate there as well as maybe some of the local churches because obviously strokes can uh hit anybody at any age when you hear athletes and even uh some of the organizations. I uh had a relative who's no longer with us that had a couple of strokes and I see it and uh whatever support I can give you in my ward, I will be right there with you. I think this is a fantastic idea and I'm glad you picked each providence and I'm glad that the chief has pushed this forward.

Thank you so much. Thank you. And for those who can use QR codes, um Skyler has the actual printouts if you can fill out the survey. Thank you. Thank you once again. Thank you, Chief.

Okay, Madame Clerk. Uh, next item. Number nine, public comment. Clay Graham.

Hi, welcome. Just your name and address. My name is Klay Graham. I'm at 59 Gro Groner Avenue. Um, let me just bring up my notes real quick. So, I am here tonight representing East Providence community as well as um other residents of East Providence advocating for safer streets. On behalf of Epic and Providence Streets Coalition, I would like to invite all of you on the council and anyone in the room to join us for the first ever uh East Providence Fam Jam on May 2nd at 1 in Riverside Square. Fam Jam is an all ages bike ride in celebration um of safer streets and just general access of um biking infrastructure by by um families. So, please join us. Um, for more information, please check out East Providence Community on Facebook, Instagram, or Blue Sky. I have two flyers here and there some flyers outside. It's going to be a lot of fun. So, thanks.

Thank you. You've done a great job. I assume you've already done this. Have you talked to the police department about an escort during that ride or there's a lot of traffic in the area? We the route is like design just on the path itself. It's going to be in side streets and mostly on the That's what I thought. So if it's side streets, but we the the group is with um Province Bike Jam that has a lot of experience of like having these large bike rides and Okay. They've had like a a dog jam, a guy fiery jam, other fam jams, so we're pretty well prepared. Yeah, sounds good. Thanks.

Thank you for coming. Candy sale streets. Welcome. Thank you, Council President. I uh I'll take five minutes of your time if you can indulge me tonight.

Continue. I'm here this evening as a resident and as a candy seal uh South Rose Street uh East Providence. I'm here this evening as a resident and a representative of Keep Metacoma Green. I and we support Councilwoman Suz's resolution to request that Ryum conduct a community meeting on the soil remediation plan for the Metaccom site. I and we respectfully ask that you support it as well. For the benefit of council members and members of the public who have not followed the situation closely, allow me a moment to summarize the timeline that led to this plan. In January 2025, Sage Environmental, the developers consultant, was made aware of the release of hazardous materials on the site. This was reported in writing to RIIDM in March of 2025. Discussions were held among the relevant parties and it was determined that temporary mitigation efforts would be put in place while a permanent remediation plan was being finalized. A notice was sent to a Butters by mail in June 2025 and a notice published in the post served to inform the general public. Coincidentally, toward the end of its 2025 session, the Rhode Island General Assembly increased the maximum acceptable standard of arsenic contamination so that the 80 plus spots previously recognized as hazardous were reduced to three. After more discussion and in light of the reduced standard, a soil blending technique was agreed upon in March of 2026. Soil blending at its most basic level is basically mixing good soil with bad until an acceptable result is established. This plan was agreed to by Ryen with a condition that the public have an opportunity to comment. A public notice dated April 2nd was sent to Autis although this time the general public was not informed. The public comment period was limited to 14 days from the date of the letter ending on

April 16. Comments had to be in writing either by email or snail mail. After canvasing a number of abutters, we realized that not only was the comment deadline too soon, but that a community meeting was necessary for the abutters and the general public to hear firsthand about the planned technique and to have an opportunity to engage in a question and answer session. When we we then reached out to Rym and were able to gain an extension of 10 more days with a new deadline of April 28. We were informed though that Rhydm's remediation regulations only allow for a community meeting under certain circumstances. One, a minimum of 25 public comments, which we are working on. Or two, a request from a governmental subdivision or agency. Or three, an organization with at least 25 members who could be expected to use the contaminated site when redeveloped. We took this matter to the Waterfront Commission at its April 16th meeting, recognizing that the commission is the primary governmental sub subdivision with authority over the waterfront district. Unfortunately, in the rush of time, we did not ask for a vote to be placed on the docket. It became apparent to us though that the commission most likely would not have taken a vote to request a community meeting. Chairman Fazioli and Commission Attorney Goins made it quite clear at that meeting that the commission's only responsibility at this point is to check off council and commission conditions of approval as the developer completes them. And so we turn to you. The city of East Providence itself is in a butter of the Metaccomat site mainly through the Pierce athletic complex. There has not been one word from the city administration to the public about this since the hazardous material situation was identified in January 2025. To our knowledge, not one flyer has been posted. Don't the athletes and families who use those fields daily deserve a community meeting. How about the

cyclists and walkers along the bike path and the golfers unmet links? They are all temporary abutters as well. As we have discussed here before, the investigation did not extend to Met Links, nor to the 9.6 acres that will be deed to the city for public use. Don't we as a community deserve to know why? Keep metacomic green requests that the council join our call for a community meeting for the public good. This should happen at a local meeting place such as Weaver Library at an hour convenient to the working public such as 6:30 or 7 p.m. It does us little good for Ryum to schedule a community meeting at its administrative offices on Smith Hill during the workday. Thank you for your time.

Thank you comments. I council have one comment Mr. President. Uh Mr. solicitor with the city as Miss Mrs. Seal pointed out is a no butter. Did do we have a cop? I mean, we we saw the notice and everything, but do you have the actual copy of the of the of this report? I have a copy of of Sage Environmental Report that was given to me by the uh attorney for them after I received the letter. I I called him and asked for it. So, I do have a copy.

So, we do have a copy. I I can happy to share that with the council. I I haven't read it to be honest with you, but I I just got it the other day. But the purpose of this if if the council does and I know council council Susan has already reached out to DM, the purpose of this meeting would be to um basically inform the public as to what the remediation measures are, what they found at the site and whatnot. I want to make it clear and I and I think there's uh that that they only test those areas where there's going to be a disturbance. So that's why that you you didn't test the golf course because there's no disturbance on a golf course. It was so that that's part of their environmental review, but they can get they're more and and it may be very interesting and uh informative to you to find out why they tested, where they tested and and what. So that's all DM in DM.

Yeah, those are the those are the type of things that are going through my mind right now. Right. But um you know but I the letter is clear that if the governmental entity requests such a meeting and I think councilman was asked this put on the agenda and I'm assuming that um my understanding is that the meeting has already actually been requested for and they they may actually be already heading in that direction anyway but would help to have a council um request for it. Could we have this at a regular council meeting instead of I mean Yeah. What I don't I'm sorry councilman I didn't mean to interrupt. What I don't know is that this the meeting is is is the community meeting is hosted by DEM Rhode Island DEM. We don't host you know we we ask for the meeting but it's up to them to to to to organize it and find out where it is. It probably should be a separate night. Yeah. So all right

and I don't know and I think m sorry go ahead I was going to I was asking could we summon not using not not the legal summon but I should say request that DM that a representative DM DM comes to one of the meetings in May probably the second meeting in May because we have first the next meetings frontloaded. Yeah, I think um I I I mean you certainly can request that. I but I think the purpose of the regulations that they have is that if a government entity requests that they they they schedule a community meeting for which that you obviously would be invited as a member of the public as a member of the government entity. But it would really be up to them to schedule that meeting and that's where the information would be relayed.

Mr. Seal, you you had an inquisitive look there. Would you like to comment? Oh, I often have an inquisitive. This is true. Mr. permanently. Mr. Council President, thank you. I just want to give you the opportunity to back and forth. No, I'm I'm all set. I thank you for your time and I will submit a copy of this for the uh public record to the city clerk. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Councilwoman, did you want to Well, I was just going to say I do have this on the docket. We can bring it up the conversation or Yeah. I mean, we're Yeah, let's bring that up now. If we could go to that. Yeah, we have other comments for

I do ag I mean I do agree uh if we're going to have a public meeting I think it should be but it wouldn't be ours. It would be Yeah. But I think we should request that it should be here in the in the council chambers so that we can get recorded because if you do it at the library, I think this is an important uh it's up to

important piece. Well, I mean we we can schedule the meeting, you know, we should, you know, suggest that here so that it's videotaped and it's, you know, on a feed so that, you know, not everybody's going to make it. And obviously at a time I I don't want to have them schedule the meeting at 10:00 in the morning. I I think it should be scheduled at 6:00 at night so that the working people of the city of East Providence can be there and fair. Oh, that's what she said.

Yeah. Well, I'm just agreeing with her on this, you know. um you know and it might be not it might nothing might come out of it but I think it it needs in this day and age it needs to be out there so that the the citizens of the city see the process that's going on. So, uh, council members, so this is obviously on the agenda to discuss, but since the council vice president's bringing up some of the questions, um, or comments that I'm already have answers to, um, and have inquired about. Um, so this is on the docket again at the request of, uh, constituents and residents in a butters. Um, and I know we do have more on the public comments to speak and I do want to give people their opportunity to speak. But just

to answer some of the uh, vice president's questions, I have been in communication with ourm. I have had um, correspondents and those requests have already been made that the um, in consideration of the meeting which is underway. They are working internally to um schedule the interested parties that um should be at the meeting um and engage that. They're also looking at times to to host it. Um, that was one of the requests that the meeting be held locally here in East Providence and that it should be after the hours of 4 or 5 so that all residents and neighbors concerned and abutters could be present at that meeting um to get the most engagement um as possible and that everybody's transparently aware of what's going on. So, thank you for agreeing with that uh that sentiment.

Thank you. Are there other people that have signed up? Joseph Baxter.

Hi, welcome. Just uh name and address.

Good evening, uh Mr. President and members of the council. Uh my name is Joseph Baxter. Uh I'm here as an attorney representing Metaccom Property LLC, the developer uh of the proposed um development at the Metaccom Property. Um my office address is uh one Turks Head Place in Providence. Um I believe my colleague um from my firm Josh Pollinsky sent uh some written comments uh to the council this afternoon. Uh but I just want to highlight a few points um that are are relevant to the discussion here. Um the first being uh some archaeological concerns that have been raised um at the uh Metaccomat site. Um so the developer has engaged uh the public archaeological laboratory inc to conduct uh field work that has been going on on and off uh depending on the season since 2024. Uh, as I'm sure you're aware, uh, this just resumed, uh, in March, uh, for this year. Uh, we anticipate the fieldwork to be done, uh, this coming June. Um, to date, uh, as an archaeological concern, uh, there have been no, um, remains discovered, uh, on the site, which I know is a concern that was talked about in the community. Um, and additionally, the Rhode Island Historical Preservation uh, and Heritage Commission uh, has set some requirements for the involvement of the uh, Naraganza tribe. um as I'm sure you're aware uh and just wanted to reiterate um that they have been involved and and will continue to be and that the uh historical preservation uh and heritage commission um has found that the developer has satisfied uh the requirements as to the trib's uh input and involvement in this process um specifically to the uh environmental remediation concerns that have been raised. I just want to bring up a few points. Um,

we just have a one, excuse me for interrupting. Uh, it's great that you involved the narro answered tribes, but did you contact the tribes that are indigous to this area like the lumpen orogs? I mean, there's other tribes that should be contacted besides the naransit because of the heritage and the history of it. And I'm not and I'm not talking about that I'm not talking about if this if this should be built or not built. That's out of our realm already. But if you're going to go through the process of transparency, uh I think the proper group should be also notified of their I mean because they are recognizable, you know, tribes in this area and they should have a sign off on that just besides the Naragansits which you know if you look at the history really weren't in this area at the time that there could be any burials.

Uh yes. So those requirements I mentioned um some of them specifically mentioned the Narroaganza tribe but I just wanted to check the name. Um there have been representatives from other tribes on the site recently including this week um including the MASHP Wampenog members of the Mash Mash Pwanog tribe. Yes. Just a quick question to follow up off of that. Sir, do is there an account of those who are present on site? Is there a sign off? is there anyway? So, if the public wanted to know who specifically was on site monitoring or taking samples or watching that we would be able to access that information versus just um taking somebody's word for it. Not that I don't believe but you know

um yeah I I don't have any um you know log with me or anything like that but not tonight I would yeah I would imagine you do but I'm saying in general at the site is there any way of documenting who has been on site from which entities that are overseeing the process? Um I will I'll have to check on that. Uh certainly I haven't reviewed anything myself but I can certainly check. Sure you

um so just as I was saying to go to the environmental remediation concerns that I know um are top of mind. Um so as has been discussed um there was uh the DEM uh site investigation uh revealed that there were three precise uh locations on the site uh where arsenic levels in particular uh exceeded the regulatory standard uh which now is 19 parts uh per million. Um and it's you know been said that it's likely due to the site's former use as a golf course uh and that some soils in Rhode Island are just typically higher uh in arsenic than others. Um and a proposed uh the proposed remediation by sage as was mentioned uh calls for a blending process uh wherein uh fill is mixed in with uh the existing soil uh and retested until that soil uh reaches uh arsenic levels which satisfy the regulatory requirements. Um and by way of background to this issue uh as was also mentioned um the legislature last year uh changed the law the regulation um from uh what was seven uh parts per million uh to what is now 19 parts per million the allowable level of arsenic. And um just by way of comparison uh at the time that the law was changed, neighboring states um one being Massachusetts um regulatory requirements was 21 parts per million and Connecticut's was 20 parts per million. So much higher than Rhode Island's was at the time. Uh so that that was a legislative uh change. The law changed as a result of that. um an amended um uh study was sent to the Department of Environmental Management to reflect um the new standards that were uh adopted by the legislature uh and went into effect uh over the summer. Um so as to the public hearing uh that's been brought up uh this evening uh the DEM has has been explained has a process

uh that's laid out um for requirements for a public hearing um you know one of this nature uh and we were you know this was brought to our attention uh the developers attention um we had already reached out to the DEM and we're certainly on board uh with that public meeting and uh and we'll help to get the ball rolling on that as well in any way that we uh we could. Um though it is DEM's meeting uh and we expect that DEM based on what they've told us uh will speak to the regulatory changes that took place uh and the remediation pro uh process uh in more detail at that hearing. Um and I'm sure that will answer answer a lot of questions. Um lastly, I just want to touch on one more one more point uh being the zone change conditions. Uh there were several conditions, I believe 12 in total, uh that were attached to the zone change that was uh adopted by this council in 2021. Uh one of those being the conveyance of uh a portion of the parcel uh to the city of East Providence uh for open space. Uh the developer has begun conversations uh with the city, through the solicitor and other officials um to get this process going. Um and you know we'll be uh meeting with the city uh through the solicitor and others um just to determine which uh if any conditions um the city wants to attach to this conveyance um you know as far as timing goes uh different conditions that uh the city may wish to include. Uh and we'll work with the city to effectuate the conveyance uh in accordance with those wishes. Um and any delays that have that have taken place in that process um you know we hope don't cause any uh concern with the council or anything like that. Um you know if if there there have been some delays um it's not any sign of any uh you know renegotiating attempt or anything like that. Um that condition uh will go forward um as was imposed uh when the the zone uh change went into effect. Um those are the the main points I want to highlight. Again there's written testimony submitted. I have

copies if you'd like and I'm happy to answer any questions through the chair. Yes, Councilwoman Susan.

So, um, thank you for that update and I know that the administration, as you've mentioned, has conditions that they're, um, currently working out with the land owners. Um, I know LA last council meeting, um, I expressed additional conditions and concerns that I'd like to be addressed during those conversations. uh and I think that they are relevant um to the turning over of that property um because it is going to be we're not redeveloping the property. We want to keep it natural um space to utilize. Um but with some of the conditions that I know the administration is looking for, there is going to be um turning over of soil or disruption of soil. And so my request is that that area be tested um that border that will be the borderline from the developer property and then the city um gifted property or granted property. Um I I know that the uh the parcel that will be conveyed is uh to be made uh open space and to be kept as open space. Um which to my knowledge um there wouldn't be any development of that property which I don't think would trigger um any requirement to have that tested um based on uh on my knowledge here today. But any you know further u proposed conditions or anything like that I'm I'm sure will be part of the conversation.

Okay. Yeah. So, it is my understanding that the uh administration is seeking to have some type of border, a property line border, a fencing, some type of wall that's going to delineate both properties. Um, and that would then require some manipulation of soil and that it we we are aware that you have requested testing I uh of the property. I can assure you that it's been discussion, but there is no intent to use that property other than open space. That's where it was conveyed. Putting a fence is not considered a soil disturbance, but we can discuss that. Okay. Okay.

We are we they are aware of the council's concerns that were expressed at the last meeting. I did speak with Mr. Bolinsky after the meeting. Thank you. I appreciate that. So to be clear to every everyone either here or who may be watching, there's no intent on either party, the the uh your client or the city to do anything other than open space for that land that was to be deed to the city, right? As a condition of the zone change. I mean, it might be a fence or something. I don't know. But when it's open space, uh an express condition of the zone,

we need a fence to have open space. I don't know. Well, well, it's well, I think we want to delineate it from the the the property owned by the the developer, but okay, as you know, that land is currently zoned open space and it will remain zoned open space. That was part of it. So, again, the type of fence and whatever not we're not we're not quite there yet, but they they have been made aware of at least the open space would mean people could walk on it, right? Walking trail. It's not it's not we're putting we're not putting tennis courts. We're not putting right. It's just agree. But you could go for a walk, but would a fence keep you out? Right. Well, we don't know that yet. Okay. All right.

And I just want to say one thing uh again. Um my my brother, the council indicated that it was a public hearing regarding the community. It's a it's a community meeting, right? It's not it's a it's a meeting to relay information. It's not a not a public hearing or anything like that where they can they can impose conditions. It's a meeting to inform the public as to what is going on. So run by Ry Dem run by Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Okay. Right. Just to be clear, we're not looking to stop anything. We're just making sure that people are aware of everything that's going on and if they have questions to be um to be able to ask them to the people that are appropriate to answer them.

And the letter that the letter that we had, actually Miss Andre, it was a letter sent to Miss Andre clearly said, "The remediation regulations specify that the purpose of the community meeting is to disseminate information about the department site remediation program and specific contaminated sites site of interest. document community comments and concerns about the investigation, cleanup and reuse of the contaminated site and engaged in a dialogue with the public about the contaminated site. That's exactly from their regulation. So that's the purpose of the meeting. Yep.

Miss some of it and but I think the more transparent everybody can be in this the developer DM and the people see it because this is we're we're on year six Janu I mean and I remember the date. It's February. How I remember it was because of a meta PC basketball game and my brother was a member at Meta Comet and all they're all talking and saying just got fax and just sold it and uh so I know I know it's uh it's in it's six years long overdue for this city and I think the more information they can get we weren't we weren't the council then but this council wants likes information and information to the taxpayers I think the faster we get it so that nobody thinks that there's any hidden agendas or anything on anybody's part, I think the better off it is. Transparency is the key. I haven't se I haven't seen a lot of it since I've been on this council since January 23. I think the better more transparency and open meetings and neighborhood meetings and community meetings will help the cause. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. appreciate your time. Thank you for your time. Any other speakers? Yes, Heather Android.

Welcome, Heather.

Oh, there it is. Heather Andre Ward Trail. Um, so I I do have a little remark here. Um, somebody had mentioned the golf course and there wasn't any, you know, met links and there wasn't any arsenic on that. Well, they weren't it really wasn't given a chance because Marshall's um dug on that land for 6 months without a permit. So, that that knocks that one off, doesn't it? Um I was also wondering are the ind are the is there ind indigenous representatives on that all week on the um on the land all week.

Oops.

Um I I'm just looking to see if I have a particular schedule. Um, I know that the um the requirements and the involvement um of of the indigenous uh groups uh was set forth by the um Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission. Um and uh to date they've deemed uh the developer to be in compliance with all um of the requirements uh set forth by them uh as it relates to those groups. Um I I don't have in front of me what what the required schedule is um you know of of those uh folks to be there but they they've been uh today deemed in compliance of those requirements. Well, if you could that that would be great if if you had a list of the visitors on the thing also because um I went by there today and there was hazmat suits on this side and then maybe where Anna is there was golfers. So, this community meeting absolutely needs to get get done. Um and just a little thing on the soil. Um contaminated soil doesn't have any boundaries. I mean, and wasn't that wasn't that L-shaped um going to per per Bob? Wasn't that going to be a dog park? Bob didn't suggest that

again was accepted to be open space. There's no plans to make it a dog dog park. It's a plan to leave it open space for people to walk on. And not this Bob. No, not you. You mean Bob? Not you, Bob. But also that L-shaped, isn't that part of the easement that Rhode Island Energy has for the towers? There isn't on the property. There has been an easement on that property for more than probably 50 years because Yep. I'm I'm aware. So, aren't they changing the towers? Aren't they going to be digging putting foundations on that land? I have no idea.

Well, maybe we Somebody should find out before people say it's open space and nobody's going to be digging on it, right? I I I know for a fact and I also know for a fact and maybe Pal cannot I realize this Pal cannot say anything until the um the uh archaeological survey has has done been done but um yes there are burials. Please stop. Please stop right now. There are burials. You know it. The indigenous people know it. And it should be mocked as uh and and the not for nothing but East does have a responsibility to those indigenous bodies underneath to make sure that everything is on board instead of relying on somebody who says, "Well, I don't know what the what the things are. I don't know what the regulations are, but we've met them." That's all I have to say. That was the last speaker.

Last speaker. Okay. Thank you. I think we at least establish that we're moving forward there. Uh, next item number 10, appointments. Appointment of Heather Redmond pending to the East Providence Public Library Trustees Commission three-year term effective April 22, 2026 to the April 23 29 appointed by Council President Rodri and Councilman Lawson. Anybody have a comment question? I think we heard from some of the library board and this was a recommendation coming forward. Motion by Councilwoman Souza to approve.

I'll second it. Heather's a really good really great person and very valuable asset for that library board. Thank you. That's a second by council vice president Rigo. All in favor? I. I. Any opposed? The ISAP. Thank you. Council members, number one, possible vote to have RIM schedule a meeting to discuss the Sage environmental findings at Metacomtic property. Councilwoman Souza.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Um, as we've discussed, um, during public comment, um, I have unofficially as a council as a whole, um, reached out to the department and been in, um, communication um, and they have given me an update. Um but I think it is prudent for the council um if all agreeable to send an official letter um from the city council um requesting that this public um meeting be had for the community to engage in any questions that they may have regarding the results of the findings and any other um remediation processes that they are looking to be informed about. Um, I would also in that letter, if approved by the council tonight, um, request that it be held here in the city of East Providence, um, and that it be at an hour after, uh, 4 or 5 in the evening so that residents have the ability to attend after their workday.

And it seems like feedback that that you've gotten, Councilwoman, and others that they've they're kind of agreeing to this, right? They'll set it up and they'll run it and they'll pick a site we can offer the library or I mean they could use this building whatever I haven't talked to sorry there's um there's been internal conversation um on uh to get that process going but no affirmed date the gentleman that I have been in communication with um is currently on vacation until uh the 27th. So I have sent my cor correspondence to one of his um delegates and wait to hear back.

So that's a motion um for the support of the council to send an official letter to the department of um environmental management requesting a community meeting be held within the city um boundaries either at city hall, Weaver Library um at some site in East Proidence. somewhere in East Providence um at an hour in which the residents may all attend in the evening. Second that motion. Okay. Motion by Councilwoman Souza, seconded by Councilman Bogati. All in favor? I I Is there anyone opposed? Uh the eyes have it up. Do you want me to work on or will you work with the solicitor on a wording of a letter or I can or

we can work I can work with him on draft a letter and then we'll we'll approve it. Thank you. Okay. Thank you, Councilwoman and members. Next item,

public hearings ordinance for second and or final passage for discussion and possible vote. One, ordinance of the council of the city of East Providence appropriating 1.7 million for the for the South Broadway and Martin Street utility improvements and paving introduced by Councilman Fogerty, Councilman President Rockets Rodri, Council Vice President Regal, and Councilman Lawson. I think uh Councilman Fogerty, you had the lead on this and we we probably should have Councilwoman Souza maybe just isn't listed here, but we've all been talking about this for a long time. Councilman Fogerty, you and I have met with people in Salt Broadway, Martin Street, that main cut through from Bucket Avenue to Salt Broadway. in addition to speeding and other issues, this the street needs work as many do in the city. But, uh, that's an area that needs some

I was with the first year and I'm happy it's come forward. Thank you, Dan. Thank you to the mayor. Thank you to the staff. I apologize to Councilwoman Soua, myself personally because I thought we were all on it, but we talked today and as she knows, my condolences for that happening and it's very much needed. Infrastructure is very much needed. If Dan wants to say anything about it, he can. But um I think we're all on board. Is there Is there a motion to approve this? Motion to approve. Motion by Councilman Fogerty, second by Councilwoman Souza. All in favor? I. Any oppose? The eyes have it. Thank you all. Next item. I'm sorry. That was a public hearing though, right? Yes.

I'll I'll back it up a second. Is anyone here that wants to speak on that? And we can reverse and do it over again. If there's anyone here that wants to speak on that issue of doing the utility work and paving finally on Salt Broadway and Martin Street. So hearing none, we'll officially close that public hearing. The vote still stands. Next item, new business, Mayor Communications, Director of Policy and Constituent Services, Andre Herrera. Welcome again, Andre.

Good evening, council president, members of the city council. Just wanted to give the mayor communications for tonight. Uh, appointments or reappointments requiring council confirmation, there are none. and any appointment reappointments not requiring council confirmation. We have none. Just want to proclaim that Friday, April 24th, 2026 will be Arbor Day in the city. And uh we're looking forward to many more trees planted. And again, the next update I have is on the uh LOF carousel concession stand. And uh the administration is pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement with Joe's snack shack uh to operate in the Lou Carousel concession stand at Crescent Park. And they will be offering traditional clamshack favorites such as clam cakes, clam chowder, and fried fish. And Joe Snack Shack is owned and operated by Joe Dorado, who has proudly served in the East Providence community for the past five years. And he's been at many of our local events, and been a staple at our Independence Day festivals, uh, City Hall Tree Lighting, Winterfest, East Providence Senior Center, and the list goes on. So, uh, his deep commitment to the community runs strong and, uh, selecting Joe Snack Shack helps us keep a true locally rooted business in the heart of one of our most historic parks, uh, and continues uh, our administration and the city's long-standing commitment to small business. Is there any kind of a timetable as we are fast approaching the concert season and the festivals? Um,

yes. So, this is going to be before you guys today to vote on. So, we're uh hopeful that the council approves this and Tracy Johnson is also here, our director of the carousel to uh answer any additional questions you may have. Thank you. All right. Yes, Councilwoman. So, this is actually directed to the solicitor. Um, so previously the city was in a contract with another um business and where do we stand with that contract um since it's still a three-year? Yeah, we've agreed to uh with the both parties have agreed to terminate that lease,

right? Can we can the council be sent a copy of that written agreement that it's being It's out for signature right now. Okay. All right. And that signature will come before so this is dated to commence on May 1st. Is that signature going to be prior to May 1st? Hoping so. We um they once they sign it they have there's some conditions they have to met include meet including removing some of their equipment or or whatever they have within 20 days the execution of that agreement. So yes, we're hoping that so we don't have 20 days within the time frame allotted in this resolution. So, what is the contingency plan so that we are in agreement and we're not violating a new contract?

So, we will either speed ahead on this contract, put, you know, change the date of it or we'll we'll figure that out. But, I haven't really talked to Tracy about that. I know she's been in contact with the prior tenant and we've been trying to get them to move on on on this to get out of out of there. So then would it be prudent for the council to make sure that when we vote we say in that we add that clause that that make sure that the other uh individual is out of the um space prior to this one moving in just to cover ourselves.

I think that would just be we couldn't lease the same place twice. So we wouldn't let them move in until such time. We just need some flexibility because I don't know how long it's going to take for them to move that but we've been we've been trying to get them to move. I know Tracy has. Um, and then is there any work that needs to be done to the current um facility? That's a question for Tracy. I'm not sure Tracy if you don't mind. Thank you.

Thank you and welcome. Thank you. Hope you're feeling better. I know you've been I am doing my weather you um there is no repair work at this time. Um I've been inside the shack. We've had the fire inspection done. Water's been turned back on. Um we have a couple of little tiny leaks that um we're going to be fixing in house. So it'll it's really just a matter of what equipment is leaving, what is staying. We did receive a response to the letter that you sent. Um, there is a question if it's required to be notorized, it's going to delay their process. Perfect. I will relay that and we should have it probably tomorrow.

Is it a significant amount of equipment that's being removed? Everything. Okay. When when you talk to uh Joe's clamshack, um once all of the logistic stuff is done, once the old tenant is moved out, um they're ready to hit the ground running. They're about is going to take them uh or when do you have a best guess on when they is here? Oh, is he here?

There he does have to file um follow all of the licensing protocols. So, he'll be back before you for his business licenses. Um, he's going to have to go through the board of health, have all of his inspections done once he either, um, retains any equipment that's there or of course moves his own equipment in. Um, so we're looking at a process. Would I love to say, you know, middle of May? Realistically, I don't think so. Probably. So you're looking at June probably, which is when the concerts public activity start.

So everything's being removed based on what you said and I don't want want to get it right here. So everything's being moved out except for probably the Anel system which is correct that which is ours. That that's ours. So every everything else if they're they had their own fryers everything correct. So everything but the Anel system and the hot water tank. Yeah. And the Yeah. So if the prospective new tenant is here, I'll wait until we vote and then I'd ask you to come forward and we could uh say hello and welcome to you. So let's continue with this. Um thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Tracy.

Thank you very much, Tracy. And uh at this time I also want to call up uh Dan Borges to give an update on the Crescent Park projects that we have going on.

Welcome director.

Good evening. Um so very brief um that you know as you are aware uh DPW uh with Tracy's assistance has been working with um the second low bidder for the carousel building. Um we have finally been able to value engineer that project um and get it within the authorized amount that the city council approved um some time ago. So we should see uh shovels on the ground hopefully by the second week of May. Um they've gotten their purchase order. We have a signed contract. Um they're working on starting to um purchase and order uh equipment or I should say supplies for uh building construction.

Very good. Thank you. Thank you, director. And uh also appreciate the council uh for passing um voting to approve the South Broadway and Martin Street infrastructure improvements. And we don't need to be redundant, but um we are thankful for your help on that. Appreciate it.

Thank you, Andre. So, u Dan, if you want to give a quick update on the cleaning and lining, uh, DPW work. Uh, thank you. So, as the council's also aware, um, significant amount of the city has been, uh, cleaned and lined, um, west of South Broadway. Um so here is the first, second, third, all that entire neighborhood has been completed. Um sort of as the the first year's phasing um you know the contractors actively working along Warren Avenue. So those residents probably see a lot of bypass piping um on the ground. So the neighborhoods between uh Warren Fort um and Broadway are all getting completed now. Um, so the hope is that we'll start uh seeing a lot of paving being done on the roadways that were completed last year. Um, and then, you know, following obviously this uh this area that I just referred to. Um, and with the council's approval tonight, we're we're hopefully targeting uh the completion of all the cleaning and lining within South Broadway and Martin this year as well. Um, it will be a stretch for the contractor. He's certainly pushing to get it done. Um and and the hope is that we can get that paved as well um as part of part of this year's work.

Thank you for the update. Thank you. It's it's really nice to see um the infrastructure in the city um being taken care of. I know it's been years of conversation and um planning that took um and I know and I appreciate the council's support financially um because it's something that we've been discussing and working towards um at the request obviously of the residents um and just knowing that you know it needs to be done because it's been so antiquated and hasn't been done in a while. So Dan, I appreciate you all your workers and all those that are collaborative and doing all of that work. We really appreciate it in the city and ward 2, especially since that's where it's happening currently.

I agree with that. Thanks a lot, Dan. Thanks for your heart. Thank you, counselors. Next item, please. D, resolutions for discussion and possible vote. Number one, resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a lease agreement with Joe Snack Shack to operate the lof carousel concession stand. Council vice president Rigo. Councilman Lawson. Well, certainly enough has been discussed about this. Uh, Vice President, would you like to make a motion? I was just gonna say that I don't know if you talked about having Well, after the vote we'll have him come up. Yeah. I mean, he's hired.

I We We've just spent about 20 minutes here talking about this. So, I don't think there's anything more to say except let's move this forward. And I make that as a motion. Second. Motion by Council Vice President Regal, seconded by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor? I. Any opposed? the eyes have it. Um, at this time I would ask is it Mr. Dorado? Is that your last name? Joseph, if you could just come forward quickly and we'll let the public see you. Put your best face on because the TV camera will be on you. But uh, welcome uh to uh, East Providence. And do you have any general comments? Uh,

um, just currently I just have the comments. I just want to thank everybody from the city. Uh, I submitted my RF, uh, RFP or RFQ as I've heard a couple times. Um, been a longtime resident of the city for 27 years. Um, I started my business about 5 years ago and I the first few events I did of I think it was a great pumpkin festival back at the um, Crescent Park carousel. I'm not exactly sure how long ago, but uh I seen the building vacant and it was standing there and I I talked to Tracy about it for years and I'm just happy that I'm uh extended the opportunity to take place and um operate the uh clam shack at Will you be operating it yourself? Do you have staff? Um

so I will be operating it personally myself as much as I possibly can. I do have a a current running business that we operate throughout the state, Connecticut, um Massachusetts. So, I will be there as much as I possibly can myself in the beginning stages to get it up and running. And I do have uh probably about like 15 uh days that I will be there personally on the weekends. Um whether it be Sunday or Saturday, um that's to be decided. I'm not exactly sure of that, but I do have a multitude of staff that are highly qualified, highly trained um to perform the duties of uh the clamshack. Can you give us just a quick summary? I'm sure you don't have everything planned yet, but on a menu, what what are you looking to feature?

Yeah. So, that that's perfect. That's that's perfect. Pretty easy for me. So, I'm just going to keep it for when I'm not there. I'm going to keep it so I'm going to simplify it a little bit just so that simple is good. Yeah. No mistakes or anything like that. So, it's going to be clam cakes, clam chowder. I'm going to use blown clam chowder. Um if it makes a difference to anyone, I'm going to use blown clam chowder. Um I just find it a little bit easier. Um no complaints ever. I like my clam cakes crispy but not burnt. Yes, you can make a note. Yes. Yes. But no, I'm I'm kidding. Uh welcome and thank you for stepping forward. Thank you. Thank you. And uh anything we can do to uh help uh just let us know.

Good luck. Obviously, you'll schedule a grand opening because I know the mayor likes the ribbon cutting. Yes. So, we'll have that. And you're a local person. You have family ties here, which is absolutely great. Uh, I'm happy. I feel bad for the former company, but it's great that we now have a local person, you know, at a local venue, historical venue there. And I wish you nothing but the best success and and I'll even come down and buy the council president his clam cakes. Thank you. I appreciate

I'll I'll I'll have um the East Proidence Post there to uh verify that because that may not happen. But thank you and good luck. Stay in touch. Thank you, council. Good luck. Congratulations. Congratulations. Next item, please. Number two, resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract for the South Broadway and Martin Street utility improvements and praing project. Councilman, is this different from what we did earlier? Oh, the actual work. Okay. This is for Councilman Fogerty and Council President Rogers. Make a motion to approve. Second.

Motion by Councilman Fogerty, seconded by Councilwoman Souza to approve. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you. Next item. Three. Resolution of the city council in support of fully funding state aid to libraries to full 25%. Council President Rodri. I motion to approve. Motion by Councilwoman Soua to approve this. Second by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you.

Number four, resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract with True North Civil for construction of grant-f funed right-of-way improvements in a portion of Torton Avenue associated with one neighborhood builders center city apartments development. Council President Rodri, again, this is the uh contract work uh for the right of way improvements that uh that are needed. Um I think the funding has been previously approved. This is nothing additional. This is grant. It was grant funded. Right. Any comments? Is there a motion? Motion approved. Second.

Motion. Council Vice President Regal. Seconded by Councilwoman Souza. All in favor? I. Any opposed? The eyes have it. Number five. Resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract with Vanasi Hangen Russell Inc. VHB for engineering and project management services associated with the city's US dossmart grant project council president Rod again uh the the grant funded this project it's a mouthful of for the names Vanasi Hangen Russell Inc. um they're ready to move forward.

So Mike, if I could um through the chair, uh this is um just for the traffic signaling lights, correct? This doesn't involve any other like pedestrian lights, pedestrian walkway signals. It's strictly for the traffic signaling. I read through it. Um I just wanted to make sure and this is certain traffic signals in the Warren Avenue Broadway area specific. Yeah. Um traffic signaling. Yes.

As indicated in the uh the backup, it it indicates where those signals are. Yeah. Is so there, this company is going to have that data. Is that data going to be shared with the police department? Is that something that we'll have access to? I'll have to get back to you, but I don't know. Okay. All right. It wasn't clear in the um in the in the language if the city was going to have any rights to any of that data. Um so yeah, I can find it.

All right, that would be that would be great. Thank you. And then I uh I did see that there was going to be training um for uh up to four, you know, city employees to to learn, I guess, about um this device. So I'm assuming that must mean that we're going to have some say. I don't know if must be a way to I think it was for operating the signals to learn how to Right. So just wonder in case there is a problem or they had to adjust it if there were an accident. Right. Right. All right. Yeah. If we could just that would be great to get that back. I'll probably D give you contact directly.

Yeah. Perfect. All right. Thank you. With that, I make a motion to approve because as I've been championing safety um throughout the city um especially in these high traffic areas um in the center of the city um I'm glad to see that we're working towards finding other alternatives to keep the traffic flowing. Um but you know we still have a lot to do especially when it comes to pedestrians and cycling. So I'm looking forward to that next phase. Motion by Councilwoman Souza, seconded by council um Councilman Fogerty and Council Vice President Regal. All in favor? I I Any opposed? The eyes have

introduction of ordinance for discussion and possible vote. Number one, an ordinance and amendment of chapter 10 of the revised ordinances of the city of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998 as amended entitled nuisances amending section 10-5110 changing start time for construction or repair of buildings from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. Council Pity. Yes, councilman.

Thank you. Nothing much to say except that we have people that want to work early and um we negotiated. I tried for 6:00 a.m. those that are watching the builders and the landscapers, but uh we try we went for 6:30 because uh I think that's a good time. And uh there's workers on site as early as 5 prepping for this kind of work. I was a landscaper back in the day. Started at 5:30 in the east side of Providence. And I know Providence is earlier, so I I would hope I have council support on this. So I make a motion. I I would support. I do have a question. Is this any kind of work? If if your neighbor wants to have a leaf blower at 6:30 in the morning, listen, you already know they're working on Merry Road early that

No, no. I in general, I meant construction. I mean, by construction, do we mean I would I would put it in for companies of construction phases. So I wouldn't think that would be a local neighbor landscape. Yeah. Well, I think we'd have to defer I think we could language. Yeah. Um, so motion is by Councilman Fogerty. Is there a second? I second the motion. Second, council vice president Rigo. Just for discuss. Yes.

Yeah, just for discussion because I think it's a tough balance with the time. Um, I think as you mentioned, Councilman, there are plenty of businesses, landscaping and con definitely construction who are out early and they have to get their day started. Uh, especially in when we don't have the sunlight and the days end early. So, um, I agree that allowing them to be able to start um, I do have concerns about them in the residential area only because people are again sleeping. So the and that's more so I just to be perfectly transparent the younger generation right who don't get up at 4 a.m. typically. Um, so there will be some, you know,

yeah, there's going to Right. Right. So, we may we may be eliciting some phone calls if and when this passes, but it is what it is, right? It's a it's a tough balance. Um, it's an early day for a lot of people. I mean, I have birds waking me up at 4:30 in the morning besides my Chuck, which is Chuck this week. He's Charlie, but sometimes he's Chuck. And, you know, there there is a lot of people that are up early planning and working. And I know people that work the 3 to I worked all the shifts. Yeah. I worked every shift there was. So, I thought about it. It was asked by a builder and and I think it was a very legitimate question for those that work early in the morning and 6:30 is not that bad. I mean, the trash is by my house, our house earlier than that. Yeah.

Picking up yard debris and and some of some of the dumpsters are being emptied earlier than that. Yeah. No, I So, I mean, I felt it was a a good request and and the staff that they have are on site ready to work and rather than be paid to just wait for the time, they can get started. I I think I don't disable I think it is. I'm I'm just voicing. I don't think there'll be that many, but if there is, I I would have that answer as respectful as I could give them that it work to be done. No, agreed. Well, and like any other ordinance, um if it becomes a big problem, we'll revisit it later in the day. It's high. If they can Oh, yeah. Midday is is awful to be out there. I feel bad. If they can wind it down early, that would be good, too. Few ways to look at it and answer people with concerns.

Yeah. Yeah. No, I don't agree. I support I support the ordinance. Um, but I do know for some it will be uh an issue, but I don't think there's that many using it either, Councilwoman. I mean that I'm sure there there would be some companies right away, but I don't you know I don't see it being

Yeah, I don't think it's an issue Millie probably with the bigger developmental builders because they're usually in areas. I think getting um maybe clarification from the city solicitor as to if this ordinance because it's not here in its entirety um if this really just is specific to construction or if other things like landscaping and such um is affected by this because I know the taking out dumpster picking up dumpster trashes historically I've had people call because it's been too early and they've had to notify um the companies and tell them you can't come by at certain times because it doesn't fall within the ordinance. So, I just want to make sure that everybody's aware if it does branch out into something else, which I think is just a reasonable question.

I I don't have the answer in front of me, but I'll I'll get that answer before the next public hearing. Okay. Yes, I think and I discussed this with council and Fogerty that 6:30 is uh is a good compromise and um

with the way business and everything and we as a city I've been very fortunate that uh in the northern part of the you know city right now the street cleaners have been out people are very happy with that and the street I got one call the street street cleaners out there twice at at least 6:30 because I was coming back from the gym at about quarter 7 this morning and and he was down on Miller offet so and I know when they hit my street so we as a cities out there I think uh I don't think anybody's going to really uh abuse the situation and I think it just gives those contractors time to get their equipment there because if we wait till Then by the time they start going and dropping off things, it's as Councilman Fogerty and Times money and and the way the margins are so tight in every business that I think we're just helping it be a userfriendly uh situation.

All right. So we have a motion and a second. All in favor? I I Any opposed? Is there a motion to adjurnn? Motion. Councilwoman Souza, Council, everybody else. is all in favor.