City Council - Regular Meeting

Thank you.

Good evening, I'll call the meeting to order of the East Providence City Council on June 2nd, 2026. Madam Clerk, if you could please call the roll of the council.

Councilman Fogarty? Councilman Lawson? Yeah. Council Vice President Rigo?

Yeah.

Councilwoman Sousa? Council President Roderick?

Present. There is a quorum with three members. I did speak with Councilwoman Sousa, who was working and had some appointments and is in traffic and is on her way here. But we do have a quorum, and we'll start the meeting. Please rise for the pledge.

Thank you all.

Madam Clerk, if you could please begin the reading of the agenda.

The City Council of East Providence may meet in executive session pursuant to Wood Island General Laws 42-46-5A-2, one, claims and litigation docket, and two, discussion and possible vote of the first amendment to land lease between the City of East Providence and the Wolf School, Inc., located at 215 Ferris Avenue.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. So I'll ask the solicitor, we'll stay here for the executive session. The bulk of these are pothole related claims which are governed by a limit in the city charter. So I'll ask the solicitor to just read that list and there are maybe two other claim items that are not related to Potholes but Mr solicitor if you want to just read the list for us and we will have to vote for each one as as they come up, thank you.

Thank you, Council President. The first claim for Timothy Amaral, claim number 26028. This is damage to a vehicle resulting in striking a pothole on South Broadway. It is the recommendation of the Public Works Director that this claim be approved in the amount of $300, which is the

Motion to approve. Motion to approve by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Council Vice President Rigo. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have that. Next one.

Next one is for Mary Bennett claim number 26 0 to 7 again a damage to a vehicle after striking a pothole on Newman Avenue.

The recommendation of the public works directors to approve this claim in the amount of $203.10 motion to approve second motion to approve and second same order is the last all in favor. I any oppose the eyes have next.

Next is a claim for Paulo and Maria D'Souza, claim number 26043. This is a claim for reimbursement of expenses due to property damage caused by the fire department gaining entry into a property for a emergency call. It appears they were given the wrong address and gained access to the property, the wrong property, and there was damage to a front door, entry door, and an apartment door. It is the recommendation of the fire chief that this claim be approved in the amount of $2,347.54. Motion to approve.

Second. Motion by Councilman Rigo, seconded by Councilman Lawson. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Thank you. Next item.

Next is a claim for Sarah Dixon, claim number 26038. Again, vehicle damage to a tire after striking a pothole on Newman Avenue is the recommendation of the Public Works Director that this claim be approved in the amount of $286.49. Motion to approve. Second.

Motion to approve and second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it.

Next is a claim for Susan Lake, claim number 26036. This was a claim for vehicle damage to the tires sustained as a result of utility work in front of St. Margaret's Church. Two tires were damaged in this incident. It is the recommendation of the Public Works Director that this claim be approved in the amount of $415.16. May I have a question?

Yes, Council Vice President.

I'm all for approving this. My question is, is there any way of us getting reimbursed by Rhode Island Energy? Because that was the cause of the work in front of St. Margaret's. And they've done a terrible job. So much for going from curb to curb. Is there any way that we can go after Rhode Island Energy? Because this won't be the first one and it won't be the last one.

I would think that the contract, we might have to ask the DPW director to let us know what the contract says when they do the work in regards to damage. Maybe there's insurance that could cover, but you're right.

La Rye Energy rejected the claim.

they told the individual this ain't us we told the person they yeah so you know may you can look at the contract and i can discuss it with uh solicitor marcelo and if not that we should somehow adopt protocol for you know whatever we gotta do for language for this city with rhode island energy uh I don't know, in the form of an ordinance, if we have to, moving forward, because they just wipe their hands of everything. I mean, they're not obeying the curb and curb.

There's already a law that says they dig a road, they got to go curb it. We're just not enforcing it.

Yeah, I mean, exactly. So, I mean, and this is a perfect example of that.

So the issue in this case...

It's enforcement on our end.

Right. And the issue would be proving whose fault it was. I mean, motorists saying on Rhode Island Energy, they might say, well, the city didn't do something.

It doesn't matter. Whoever puts the hole in the street needs to pave curb to curb, whether it's us or our energy. That's the part we're not enforcing.

Well, right. We've got to find out why. I mean, curb to curb is the last step. They may say they weren't done yet.

Right. How many of these places?

I agree. I mean, Rhode Island Energy has not been a friend to us. And these problems have gone on long before the bridge. bell but tucker avenue has been a shambles for 20 years an embarrassment and uh they can't keep saying it's the fault of the bridge and and with replacing gas mains i i mean for 20 years but we'll we'll look definitely look into it we got to enforce that because when there's a get you know when they're going into a neighborhood and there's a gas main break and they

you know, go halfway out. They're supposed to go all the way, you know, side to side, curb to curb, which isn't happening in my ward, and it's not happening in anybody else's ward. Yeah, so.

Yeah, we will definitely pursue it. I'm looking at the denial letter. It looks like Rhode Island Energy is pointing the finger back at the city.

That's what I'm saying. We have to establish the root cause first and then go from there. So is there a motion?

I know why they're doing that, so everybody knows. Then the water main broke, so they're going to say that they did their part, and then the water main, you know, because that was a whole show that took a couple of days. So the gas leak broke the water main. It's one of those what came first, you know. But moving on.

So I think, Madam Clerk, we need the motion.

We need a motion. Frank made a motion to approve.

I'll second it. Okay, all in favor? Aye. Aye, any opposed? The ayes have it, and we'll have further investigation there. Next claim.

Next claim is for Francisca Mottola, claim number 26026. This is claim for property damage to a fence sustained by a snowplow during a snowstorm. Is the recommendation of the Public Works Director this claim be approved in the amount of $500?

So I'm going to make a motion to approve, but just so people watching know, there's a little bit of a back lie. We had a blizzard, and there was some things. So if you're wondering why June 1 we're voting on a snowplow claim, it's a little bit of catch-up. So I make a motion to approve.

Second.

Thank you for the clarification. Motion by Councilman Lawson to approve. Seconded by Council Vice President Rigo. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it.

Next is a claim from Maureen Quinn, claim number 26035. Again, this is vehicle damage to a tire sustained after striking a pothole on Barris Avenue. It's the recommendation of the public works director to approve this claim in the amount of three hundred dollars.

Make a motion to approve.

Second. Motion to approve and has been seconded. All in favor?

Aye. Aye. Any opposed? In case people don't know, 300 is the maximum amount you can get reimbursed for a pothole damage. Right.

All in favor?

Aye. Aye.

And that's a good point. While you brought that up, I was going to bring that up at the end of this discussion. This process isn't that people just send in a letter and they get $300 check.

They have to get the work done for us, right?

Send in the, or at least the estimate from a... Two estimates required. Two estimates are required. And it pretty much has to be proven. The DPW does go out and check the area and the pothole area. So I don't want people to think, you know, you can just pick up the phone and get a check for $300. You might have $600 damage legitimately, but the city charter has a cap of $300 per.

The trust has the cap? I believe so. Yeah.

Into the insurance trust. They're the ones that paid out and they tap it at the 100. Okay, so that's the process. Next item.

And all the claims files do contain photographs that BPW went out and looked at the property.

Yeah, we get all of the background. We have the photographs. We're given the location, the time. So again, it isn't just a frivolous, I'm going to send in a note or an email or make a phone call and get $300. Next item.

Next item is Charlene, I apologize, Rumory, claim number 26030. Again, vehicle damage to a tire as a result of striking a pothole on Fort Street. It's the recommendation of the Public Works Director to approve this claim in the amount of $242. Make a motion to approve.

Second. Motion, Councilman Lawson, seconded by Council Vice President Rico. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have. Thank you.

Finally, Mario Silva, claim number 26031, tire damage sustained as a result of striking a pothole at the intersection of Broadway and Grosvenor Avenue. It's the recommendation of the Public Works Director to approve this claim in the amount of $180.93. Motion to approve. Second.

The motion has been made and with the second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. That concludes the claims for potholes. We have one other item. in executive session, which we are doing in public session tonight, and that is the discussion and possible vote of the land lease agreement with the Wolf School behind at Ferris Avenue, the former Thompson School, the city, legal department has been working on for a while. We've basically been waiting for the attorney for the Wolf School to get paperwork together. So Mr. Solicitor, have we reached a conclusion there?

Yes, so the conclusion was to amend the lease agreement to include a slightly larger lease area for a 10 foot by 13 foot by four foot concrete pad for the dumpster and a transformer that's needed on the property. A very small alteration to the lease agreement.

Right, yes, Councilman, Vice President.

Obviously, this is in my ward. Received a couple of phone calls. The neighbors are happy with it after, you know, explained what was going on. As they said, Wolf School has been a very good neighbor. I would have to agree with that. And on top of the fabulous work that they do for children with special needs, autism, I move passage of this agreement.

second thank you passage moved by council vice president and seconded by councilman lawson all in favor aye aye any opposed the ayes have that unanimously and that's done thank you mr solicitor you're welcome madam clerk if you want to resume the agenda

Licenses for discussion and possible vote, non-public hearing, special event, one day entertainment license for a block party. Rhode Island Day of Portugal, August 1st, 2026, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Special event, one day entertainment license, a block party. 227 Warren Avenue, East Providence, June 27th, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Special event one-day license, Ice Cream Social, Narragansett Terrace Realty Association at the corner of Riverside Drive and Seafuel Avenue, June 13th, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Special event, one day entertainment license, Jetty Jam, David Murray, Riverside Drive and Seaview Avenue, Riverside, August 8th, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Special event, one day entertainment license, Rios and Fava Grasa Wedding. City of East Providence, Crescent Park, June 20th, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Special event, one-day entertainment license, Rhode Island Indie Fest Musical Festival. Paul Mendes III, Crescent Park.

September 5th.

What's September 5th?

The date. I got a typo on mine here. For the date and time for the Indie Fest.

September?

September 5th.

September 5th, 2026, 12 PM to 8 PM, special event, one day liquor license, wedding, Tracy Johnson, Crescent Park.

June 20th, 3 PM to 8 PM.

Type of license, Mobile Food Establishment, Lauren Panone Tasca, 51 Topela Hill Drive, Cranston. Business name is Roadie Pop LLC. Another new business, Mobile Food Truck, Nicholas S. A Mano Pizza and Gelato, 43 Cliff Avenue, Newport, Rhode Island. Another new business food truck, Connie Long, Connie's Corner, DBA Co-File Creations. 31 Riverdale Avenue, West Warren.

I'll make a motion to bundle.

Motion to bundle all of these as read, numbers 1 through 10, seconded by Council Vice President Rigo. All in favor of the bundle, aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it.

So just a point of order, moving forward, with the beautiful tent that's going to be down at Crescent Park and laid out, we should just have a blanket... that they have a license.

We tried that, Frank. Bob's been pushing for that for years.

We need to do that because I hope there's a one in every weekend. So we're going to be, I hope there's two or three, one on a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday every week.

And for those questioning why we're building the tent, you're seeing why. Tracy's already getting calls. Can I reserve it? Can I reserve? So Bob tried and it was pushed back.

That's like a venue. I mean, all right, so if it's a special license anywhere else, that tent is going to be no different than one of the restaurant establishments. So for Tracy or anybody down at the Carousel that have to come here every time they're running an event, it's no different than one of the restaurants. So, I mean, we got to do something for that. Everything else, if we can't change, but for this one,

Yeah, I think once it's built and we'll have a policy in place.

They get the liquor license just every year and we move on. So that's my recommendation is that we establish that tent as another on-premise location in the city.

and i have talked with uh the solicitor uh solicitor marcello and with the mayor who who agrees that you know city events i always like to done it down you know a library puppet show you don't have to come before us becky you know i'm here for a license some of this so we're gonna get some of this refined but in the meantime we'll go with

But I do agree with the communication that first responders are aware, the clerk's office is aware, stuff like that. If there's a layer of liquor involved, there should be something.

But we use that 10 as no different than Aldridge, Manchur, anything like that, City of Warwick. If the fire department, if there's 400 people down there and the fire department requires an officer to be there, then that's fine and they meet the guidelines. But They get the, we grant them a liquor license, you know, and if you're using the tent for weddings or anything like that, so that doesn't have to come forward all the time. You know, that's what I'm saying is we treat.

Yeah, well, we'll have to look into it because are we going to be granting the city a liquor license?

In the time, Tracy, it's a little different. Putting in every event.

We have to go by the events, but we'll work out a policy once it's built.

But Tracy could be there every month for like 30 weddings.

It is the season, and we want our parks and recreation to be used, so we've been refining it. In the meantime, we did bundle- Motion to approve one through 10. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes for approval, right? The ayes for approval, yes. Okay, thank you all. Thank you for the discussion. And next item.

Council members, request for stop sign at the intersection of Borden and Shore Road. Councilman Lawson?

So this gentleman, he's at the bottom, and as you can see, cars saving points at the bottom of hills, and cars are coming down, and some of them are flying down. So the request is for a stop sign, but beyond that, They usually throw the temporary speed bumps down there, but they end up putting them more in the parking lot where I think it'd be more effective if they were moved up Shaw Road. So, Andre, I'll send you the gentleman's name and stuff. I told him I would make a public request. Maybe Dan can go out there. You guys could take a look. The gentleman mentioned one of the stop signs with the flashing lights. that they have around. I'm a big fan of the temporary speed bumps. We usually do them down at saving point anyway. But it's just, as you know, saving points at the bottom of the hill, and if somebody's coming down, distracted driving, whatever. So if there's some measures we could put in place to alleviate the gentleman having to buy a new fence. So I will send you his name, and... If we could do something, that'd be awesome.

Hi, Councilman. Our chief of police is aware of the complaints and the safety issues there, as well as our DPW director. We're both looking into it, and we'll prepare a memo outlining what are some of the solutions and what we can and cannot do at that intersection.

Understood. I'll let them know that you guys are aware and looking into some possible solutions. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman. Next item.

Public hearings, ordinance for second and or final passes for discussion and possible vote. One, an ordinance in amendment of chapter 18 of the revised ordinances of the city of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, amending chapter 18, article 14, entitled bicycles to include the regulation of electric bikes and enforcement provisions for same. Council President Rodericks.

Well, I think we're at the final step. We've refined this a number of ways. This has been discussed often. And again, the bottom line here is to just stop unnecessary destruction, even if it's accidental. of parks, of the greenways in our parks and maybe driveways. You have an electric bicycle and I know there are different classifications of them. You can drive them wherever you can legally, you can drive to a park, you can drive to a playground, but leave it in the parking lot. Um, if you need to walk it across the grass to a bathroom or something, um, but you can't drive them. And just like you can't drive a car on the grass and do wheelies and ruin the property or get on the tennis courts and the racquetball courts and, um, So that's where we are. This has been refined after public feedback. This is a public hearing. Do council members want to comment before we open it up?

I will say my opposition originally has been satisfied. The language clearly states you want to ride it to the park, that's fine. You want to park it in the parking lot, that's fine. The original didn't have a sentence or anything saying that the parking lot's okay to not do wheelies and act a fool. And the other one was the draconian measures of confiscation and stuff. It was starting off with a $100 fine. So I was completely satisfied with the rewrite. And pending public hearing, I'm going to vote to approve. And I'll make a motion to approve.

Very good. So hold on, and we'll get to the second later. I'll open it up to the public. Is there anyone here that would like to speak for or against this? A few people here. Is there anyone? Chief of Police is here if you want to add anything. If you want to just nod your head and you approve, your thumbs up from the chief of police. He's worked diligently on this. Another thumbs up. You're not going to just be pulling kids off the sidewalks by their long hair, are you, or...

Good evening. Just to reaffirm that, this is just to protect the investment that the city has made into all of our city parks. I mean, in the first few months of some of the parks that were opened up, there was quite a bit of damage. Very, very expensive to fix. So this is to hopefully thwart that occurrence.

Great, thank you. Thank you for your work on this. And I'll reiterate, I am all for cameras in our public spaces. If people wanna act cool, we're gonna catch ya. So if there's a plan to do it, you got my support. And I will sponsor it.

Can't watch the evening news at night on any network without seeing cameras being involved in catching. In public places.

The cameras have proven their effectiveness. We're not looking to point it in your window, but if you're in a public space that city tax dollars are maintaining, if you're going to act up, we need to give the cops the enforcement tools to find you and consequence you.

Nothing to worry about then. Hearing no other comments, we'll close the public hearing. We did have a motion. Is there a second? Second. Council Vice President seconds the motion for approval. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? And the ayes have it unanimously. Thank you. Next item.

2, an ordinance and amendment of chapter 10 of the revised ordinance of the City of East Providence, Rhode Island, 1998, as amended, entitled Nuisances, amending subsection C of section 10-29, entitled Removal, Notice to Owner, Council President Rodgers and Council Vice President Rico.

Again, this has been discussed a few times. This involves the unregistered cars, vehicles, things that are on streets that just don't belong there. We get a lot of complaints from residents about vehicles abandoned and other things abandoned on properties.

uh we we always had something on the books and this was worked a little more finely to add some details and again this was just one of those things you just assumed was there but then when you find oh we gotta correct that it's just saying don't abandon your vehicles exactly be a good neighbor yep

Motion to approve.

Is public hearing, do we need, is there anyone here that wants to speak? That's okay, for or against this. Again, it's been publicized a few times. People watch the meetings. It's been written about. It's not a last minute item. Close the public hearing. Hearing none, we do have a motion and a second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Next item.

IN ORDINANCE AND AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 10 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVINCE, RHODE ISLAND, 1998, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED NUISANCES AMENDED SECTION 10-5110, CHANGING STOP TIME FROM CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR OF BUILDINGS FROM 7 A.M. TO 6.30 A.M. COUNCILMAN FOGARTY.

I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS UNTIL COUNCILMAN FOGARTY IS PRESENT.

Well, he did let me know that he sponsored this, and he is in support of it, and we did clarify it at the last meeting that he... Right, but it's his ordinance. He should be here for the... Well, he should, but it's going to hold back what he wants to do. He wants some couple businesses reached out to him and wanted to be able to start work a half hour earlier, so they won't be able to now. And they've been waiting a month. You know, I think we're okay with moving ahead. And what we wanted to clarify was this did not mean the average homeowner couldn't get up a half hour earlier and cut grass or things. This was for construction companies only. If you really want to, then that's okay. But I kind of would like to, you know, let's get this done with. Yeah, but he's, if there's a question hanging over it maybe, but he sponsored it, he's in strong support of it, he couldn't get here. So I recommend we kind of move this thing. You can hold off on the motion if Council Vice President wants to make the motion and then we can go from there.

I mean, I mean it has been debated we brought it down originally he wanted it at six o'clock and that's when we said timeout let's go to 630 so we had that discussion, I, I see both sides he may not make the next meeting so now we wait another. But again, I mean, we've already we've already adjusted this to 630 and I think there was agreement, you know, on 630. I mean, you know, I was fine with keeping it, you know, keeping it as is, but. I can see what a contract that has to go through and time constraints and work and everything and six o'clock doesn't work so 630. I just say we, you know, as the council president said get this over with because it did have the first passage so I'll make a motion to.

Okay. I will follow you to and I will. Second.

Okay, appreciate the discussion. So motion by Council Vice President to approve, seconded by Councilman Lawson. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Next item.

Mayor Communications, Director of Policy and Constituent Services, Andre Herrera.

Yes sir, you have the floor.

Good evening, Council President and members of the City Council. Starting off, appointment and reappointment requiring Council confirmation. We have none. Second, appointment, reappointment not requiring Council confirmation. We have none at this time. And three, items for announcement and or discussion. and just wanna give an update. We included a letter here from the administration, and I'm gonna read a few pieces of that. The city of East Providence experienced significant growth in its tax base, in part due to the commercial and residential development and investments in utility infrastructure. Although the approved budget increase in the tax levy is 4%, the actual tax rate only increased by 2.1% due to the growth in the city's tax base. City officials worked diligently throughout the budget process to minimize the impact on residents while continuing to invest in essential services, infrastructure improvements, public safety, and long-term community priorities. The overall rate change of about 2% remains below the current U.S. inflation rate of roughly 3.8%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. East Providence continues to see encouraging economic growth with ongoing residential and commercial development, active construction projects, and significant infrastructure investments from Rhode Island Energy contributing to the city's expanding tax base. This continued growth helps strengthen the city's financial foundation and lessens the burden on existing taxpayers over time.

thank you and i i think and we might all want to comment we don't have to um just for information but i i think this is very important and very positive news in that we we have extensively gone through budget hearings uh all five members have asked a lot of questions, came up with suggestions. So with the combination of the council oversight on the budget, the financial department, the mayor's office, the entire administrative team together with us, we come up with the levy. So the tax levy, which gets confusing to people, we've all determined that we would need about 4% in terms of operating dollars. This is what it will take to run the city. And as we tried to say during all those budget hearings, that doesn't mean that's the tax rate, because the rate is after the properties are assessed, how much we would have to tax all of us who pay the taxes to raise the levy. So in order to get to that 4% total, that X amount of dollars to run this city, we have to set a tax rate. And that came in at about 2%, which is very good. We all want to see zero. That's not going to happen. I don't want to throw stones at other communities, but there's a couple of communities that are in big trouble, talking about eight and nine percent tax rates, not levies, closing down senior citizen centers, closing recreation in the city, shutting down parks and pools. We don't have a pool to shut down, but if we had one, we'd keep it open. This is good news, no one likes the word tax. You know, taxes and death, the things that scare us, right? But 2% and the amount that the taxes have gone up, the other thing that I appreciate anyways, and I'm speaking for myself, others can add or not say anything, whatever, but speaking for myself, We really have to manage budgets well and working with the mayor and us and I think we're doing that. People are seeing a lot of growth in the city. They're seeing new ballparks. They're seeing old ballparks revised. They're seeing projects, the community center. A community center which was voted for twice to be built with tax dollars through a bond It never happened, so we all work together and the Mayor's impetus of building one at zero tax dollars to the public. grants and governor's grants and DEM grants, and yeah, they all come from our pockets, but it doesn't affect this budget per se. Sure, we're going to have to maintain it, keep it clean in all the fields. My point is some $30 million worth of projects, improvements, none of them affecting the budget or the tax rate. Not many other cities and towns have been able to say that. Are we perfect with our finances? I don't think so. No one ever is. But we're doing a pretty good job from top down, from the mayor down to the finance department, work on the nuts and bolts of this. We're doing our job in fighting to keep a strong financial picture in our budget. and our city workers. Now, are we gonna see the complaints every day in social media about weeds and some potholes and poor streets? We know that. And the local streets, I think we're getting to some of them, the Pawtucket Avenues, the state streets, that's been a sin for 20 years, which is why I'm not a big fan of the governor's office and other places that, this wasn't just because of the bridge. You know, they've gotta pay better attention to the construction of the state roads and bridges, but that's not for us. We can do our part to ask. We've brought in emergency water lines, which the city never had before, free. The Bristol County Water Authority, I'm not sure their formal name, paid for that. They paid for digging up the streets in Kent Heights that had to be dug up. And then were repaved end to end, as Councilman Lawson says, you need to do that. That was all done free at no cost to us. We now have an emergency water connection, which we never had before. We had that one pipe coming under the Providence River. And if that thing ever broke, all of us would wake up in the morning and turn the faucets on and have no water. So that just scratches the surface. And I know I get on a bit of a soapbox, but one of the, if not our only major job is budgeting and financing. And I'm happy with this news all around. And I'm sure there's more room for improvement. We'll just keep at it.

anyone else yes i echo a lot of that last year obviously when the mayor came in front of us and said four percent the levy well that's four percent of increasing the operation cost from the last fiscal year to this fiscal year and uh what we got what we have to maintain is we got to keep on looking at you know looking at properties that uh that are vacant and you know bringing in more businesses here to keep a nice balance uh into the city so we bring more people in here we have that whole i can't wait till this waterfront really starts moving because that will obviously help the tax base because right now it's empty land and we stopped putting buildings there, uh, restaurants, hotels, mixed uses. All that's going to do is just help the, uh, the tax rate of the city where we don't have to pass along to, uh, everyone. I mean, the, the, it will help the assessments and everything. Um, And with us, you tooted our horn. I think we set the parameters that first budget hearing in August of 23 when this council took over. There was a lot of pushing back and everything, but we're in communication with the mayor's office, and it's a good budget. And one thing to remember, too, We are paying for a state-of-the-art high school. We're paying for a state-of-the-art new middle school, remodels at Waddington, and all that had to happen. But people got to realize that when you pass a bond, it's like a mortgage. It's got to be paid back.

And that's all included in this picture.

And that's included in this raise. And one thing that's very important is that we've made, payments for our retirement that that unfunded liability you hear about. And that's why a lot of these other cities and towns are in trouble right now is the unfunded liability of the pension fund. And we've made a payment to that and continue to do that. And we've cut things. I mean, I know, you know, we've cut things out of the budget from, you know, first thing, but if you look at everything that's happened in here is, That beautiful building, you know, beautiful high school, the new middle school, Waddington, you know, work at the other schools. 2% isn't bad. And again, more than likely, it's going to get pushed. You know, the levy will get pushed again, probably close to the max. But again, then you bring it back. If we keep on bringing more businesses into the city, and that will only help the tax base. But that's all I needed to add.

Yep, thank you. All right. If you want to continue now that we took some of your time away. Thank you, Councilor. We stopped the clock when I started talking.

All right. Next, we have a proclamation recognizing the month of June 2026 as Pride Month in the City of East Providence. And I want to invite the Councilors this Saturday, 10 a.m., we have the Pride flag raising at City Hall. Next we have the proclamation recognizing the month of June, 2026 as Immigrant Heritage Month in the City of East Providence. Next we have proclamation recognizing June 19th, 2026 as Juneteenth in the City of East Providence. Next a proclamation recognizing June 10th, 2026 as Day of Portugal in the City of East Providence. Then we have the proclamation recognizing June 5th, 2026 as national gun violence awareness day in the city of East Providence. And then we have a proclamation recognizing May 25th, 2026 as Azores day in the city of East Providence.

Thank you. Thank you for that. And on a personal note, I just want to add a lot of activities coming up this week through the weekend. And for anyone who may be there and say, gee, I don't see Bob Rodericks in his big mouth there. He's talking about great things in the city. I am following our East Providence High School baseball team, which is fantastic. just finished an undefeated season at home 10 wins no losses they lost a couple on the road but they are now playing for the top division one state championship against that nemesis uh hendrick in high school so it's east providence versus hendrick and starting thursday best of three series uh so i will be there thursday and hopefully if they win It could go to Saturday, it could go to Sunday, and I've got to stick with my townies, the baseball field, but I will try to get in between to these other activities. Next item, please.

Introduction of ordinances for discussion and possible vote. An ordinance and amendment of chapter eight of the revised ordinance.

I have a school liaison report.

Okay, so we'll back up to that. Yes, sir.

So as we know, we're at the end of the school year, and by all accounts, it was very successful. Martin opened up. Was it November after Thanksgiving? They moved in. I started making a list, and there was so many things that I would be devastated to leave something off. So a couple highlights. Jessica Diossi was named Teacher of the Year. Congratulations to her. Kids Rock Course had another great thing. Our sports teams, as you mentioned, our high school baseball, lacrosse. Is volleyball still going? I was there.

Volleyball almost got to the finals.

Softball did well. So, again, there's so many that. I just didn't want to leave anything specific off. This Friday is the high school graduation. We're going to welcome new members of the East Providence High School alumni family. And that's always a fun event. It's going to be at Pierce Stadium. And... I do want to say I'm very broken hearted that we're losing Sandy as our superintendent. I think she did a great job. She's a homegrown townie. And, you know, I'll speak more on it later. I'm a little bit. upset with some of the circumstances of her leaving but um i want to just publicly say she was great she was there she was present um she worked hard as you know you go to one of the games or whatever she's right there But overall, it was another successful school year. I know we got people that wanna put down our school department, but you look at public schools throughout this country and finances dictate everything. And there's just not enough to do every little thing we need. I commend Bob for creating the school building fund. The hope being that some of these maintenance issues of the building can be handled outside of the school budget, so the school budget can actually pay for teachers and staff and things the kids actually need. Well, they need buildings too, I shouldn't put it that way. So overall, I want to congratulate every student, every teacher, every support staff, the SROs, everybody that contributes to educating these kids. It's not an easy job. Bob can tell you firsthand that these classrooms, you know, sometimes you're herding cats, you know, but every teacher I talked to was so dedicated and they love what they're doing and the passion they have for these kids that, you know, I I'm in awe. I am in awe and I just want to publicly express that I think these from school department. Is a gem, and I think with our new buildings, I think the city council prioritizing. Maintenance the myron J. Francis I saw in your video stuff like that is our role. You know, we can't do minutia within the school departments, but. Sending that strong message that we're here to support them. I thank all four of you and congratulations to the East Palm School Department and all the students and teachers for another great year.

Well, well said. And the graduation Friday is outdoors at Pierce Stadium. If you have some friends, of course, relatives, you're welcome to go there and get there early. You know, parking will be it'll be busy, but the stadium will fit everybody and the weather looks good.

85 degrees.

Thank you, Councilman. Next item.

INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE VOTE AND ORDINANCE AND AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 8 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EAST PROVINCE 1998 AS AMENDED ENTITLED LICENSES AND BUSINESSES REGULATION SECTIONS 1 ARTICLE 3 ENTITLED ALCOHOL BEVERAGES IS AMENDED BY ADDING THERETO THE FOLLOWING SECTION 8-50 Temporary extended service hours for the period of June 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, and 27, July 2nd and 3rd for the 2026. FIFA World Cup tournament may apply to city clerk at least 14 days in advance. Introduced by Councilwoman Souza. Can I make a motion to table?

You can. I just want to explain, now that we made you read all that, we're going to pull off on this. Councilwoman has some more work to do with the solicitor's office and some other logistics. Is there a motion to table? I make a motion we table this. Second. Second.

Yeah, I was just waiting. I didn't know if there was a question from the solicitor.

No, so it was my understanding, we're talking with Solicitor Marcello earlier today, that this would go forward not as an ordinance, but as a resolution of the council and basically handle this administratively through the clerk's office. I know there were some issues with the dates, the 14 days in advance, obviously June 11th and 13th, we couldn't make that work just yet. But that was my understanding, of course, if the council wants to table that to another date.

I think if it goes forward in any form, there's more work to be done, so we're just gonna hold off.

I'm not in favor of extending late night for various reasons um so i would like to hear councilwoman suzer's rationale for this okay and if there's any local businesses that are advocating for this

Motion by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Council Vice President Rigo, to, I don't know, terminology, Mr. Solicitor, table, or just to hold put in abeyance?

Yeah, I think tabled would be.

Table, okay. That motion was for tabling. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have.

Motion to adjourn.

Thank you. Motion to adjourn by the Council Vice President, seconded by Councilman Lawson. All in favor? Aye. Thank you all for your attendance.