2026-10-19 - City Council

03:54Mhm.

05:49>> Mhm.

07:44>> Mhm.

09:39>> Mhm.

11:34>> Mhm.

13:29>> Mhm.

15:13>> [clears throat]

15:14>> I'd like to call this

15:16regular city council meeting to order

15:17this evening, October 19th, 2026.

15:22I ask the clerk to please call the roll.

15:28>> Councilwoman Graziano.

15:29>> Present.

15:30>> Councilman Andujar.

15:31>> Present.

15:32>> Councilman Brent.

15:33Councilman Trafficante.

15:35>> Present.

15:36>> Councilman Viscari.

15:37>> Present.

15:38>> Councilman Campopiano.

15:39>> Present.

15:39>> Councilman Buonanno.

15:40>> Present.

15:41>> Council Vice President Horan.

15:43>> Present.

15:43>> Council President Warrell.

15:45>> Here. Thank you.

15:47This time I'd like to ask everyone to

15:49rise for Pledge of Allegiance.

16:18I'll call you up one second.

16:20Okay.

16:22Your first item of business under

16:23acknowledgements and commendations and

16:25citations would be a citation in

16:28recognition of the parents of Edgewood

16:30Highland

16:31and its PTO. The Edgewood Highland

16:33parents raised funds

16:36and [clears throat] painted the school

16:37themselves

16:39with the resident artist Amy Sloan

16:41designing a mural which was painted on

16:44the school. I believe Councilwoman

16:45Graziano is going to come up and speak

16:47on this matter.

16:58>> Thank you

17:00and good evening everyone. Good evening

17:01City Council.

17:03I just want everyone to give me a minute

17:05on this cuz this is

17:08something that is near and dear to my

17:10heart and that the Edgewood Highland PTO

17:13families and volunteers and parents have

17:16been working on for years. So, I I have

17:18a really long speech, but since these

17:20are my final days, I would love you to

17:22indulge me for a little bit.

17:25Thank you.

17:27So, today I have the honor of

17:28recognizing and congratulating the

17:30incredible parents, volunteers, and

17:33members of the PTO at Edgewood Highlands

17:35School. As we reflect on the past 4

17:38years, I am filled with an overwhelming

17:40sense of pride, gratitude, and

17:42admiration for what this group has

17:44accomplished.

17:46What these parents have done is so much

17:47more than improve the appearance of a

17:49school

17:50or provide a place

17:52or provide a place for children to play.

17:55They have demonstrated what is possible

17:57when a community comes together with a

17:59shared vision, determination, and an

18:02unwavering commitment to its children.

18:04For some time, the PTO has been

18:07advocating for the school to be painted,

18:09hoping to give the building a simple,

18:11fresh, off-white appearance. Then, Amy

18:14Sloan joined the PTO and everything

18:16changed. Amy, a local artist, brought a

18:20vision that was so much bigger

18:22than a fresh coat of paint. She

18:24immediately embraced the opportunity to

18:26transform the exterior of our school by

18:28designing a beautiful mural that would

18:30span its outside walls. Her vision was

18:34to create a school that would inspire

18:36children, spark their imaginations, and

18:39make them excited to walk through those

18:40doors every single day. And what a

18:43vision it was. What began as a request

18:45to paint a building became an

18:47extraordinary community project. The

18:49parents took a challenge of fundraising,

18:52and just to let you know, we've raised

18:54over $10,000 for the cost of painting,

18:57securing donations to paint, attending

19:00meetings, planning, organizing, and

19:03ultimately taking the project into their

19:05own hands. The school committee

19:07recognized the value of this

19:08undertaking, and through funding and

19:11offered funding for this project

19:13of this magnitude was not fully

19:15available, but they contributed funds

19:17toward the cost of paint to help make it

19:19possible.

19:20Then the real work began. These parents

19:23gave their time, their energy, their

19:25talents, and their hearts. Every person

19:27contributed in the same in some way.

19:30Some helped to raise money, others

19:32secured donations, attended meetings,

19:35coordinated plans, or picked up a

19:37paintbrush themselves. Every

19:39contribution mattered, and every person

19:42played a part in bringing this vision to

19:43life. I am truly in awe by this team.

19:47The amount of planning, coordination,

19:49fundraising, advocacy, and physical work

19:51that went into these projects was

19:54extraordinary. The finished product

19:56is and will be, we're still working on

19:58it, is beautiful. But what is even more

20:01remarkable is the dedication and

20:03teamwork behind it. While this effort

20:05was underway, another urgent challenge

20:07was

20:08brought the community together.

20:10In September of 2023, just 3 days after

20:13the start of the school year, the

20:14playground at Edgewood Highlands was

20:16unexpectedly closed due to necessary

20:18repairs. This was something neither the

20:21school nor the PTO had anticipated. But

20:24rather than accepting the situation and

20:26waiting for someone else to solve the

20:27problem, our parents immediately came

20:29together, advocated for repairs, and

20:32fought to ensure that our children would

20:33once again have a safe and functional

20:36place to play.

20:37Their persistence paid off. Over the

20:39course of the following year, that

20:41effort resulted in a brand new

20:43playground, which officially opened in

20:45October of 2024. Think about that for a

20:47moment. These parents saw a problem,

20:50came together, raised their voices, and

20:52worked towards a solution. They did not

20:54give up. They understood that a

20:55playground is not a simple collection of

20:57swings and slides. It's a place where

20:59children build friendships, develop

21:02social skills, burn off energy, explore

21:04their imaginations, and experience the

21:06joy of being a child.

21:09And what we must remember what And we

21:11must remember why this all matters.

21:14A school is much more than a building

21:15where children come to learn. It's where

21:18they spend a significant part of their

21:19childhood. It's where they form

21:21friendships, discover strengths,

21:23overcome challenges, and begin to shape

21:26how they see themselves and the world

21:27around them.

21:29The environment in which these children

21:31learn matters. A safe, functional play

21:34playground that gives them opportunities

21:36to connect and recharge. A welcoming,

21:39colorful, and inspiring school can build

21:43building can create a sense of pride,

21:45belonging, and excitement. These things

21:48may seem simple to adults, but to a

21:50child, they can make a world of a

21:52difference. When children feel that

21:53their school is a place where they

21:55belong, where someone has invested in

21:57them, and where their environment is

21:59cared for and positively influence their

22:01emotional well-being, their engagement

22:03and their desire to attend school. We

22:06cannot underestimate the importance of

22:08creating spaces where children feel

22:09safe, welcomed, and excited to come each

22:12day.

22:13And that's exactly what these parents

22:14have helped accomplish at Edgewood

22:16Highland School.

22:18They have shown our children through

22:19actions that they are worth the effort,

22:22that their school is worth investing in,

22:24that when something needs to change, a

22:26community can come together to make it

22:28happen. So, to every parent, to every

22:31PTO member, to every volunteer, and

22:33everyone who contributed to these

22:35accomplishments, thank you.

22:37Thank you for your countless hours, your

22:38determination, your generosity, your

22:40creativity, and your belief in what this

22:43school could become. Thank you for

22:45showing us the meaningful change that

22:47does not always begin with a large

22:49budget or a perfect plan. Sometimes it

22:52begins with a few people who care enough

22:54to just say, "We can do better." and

22:56roll up their sleeves and make it

22:58happen.

22:59Amy, thank you for bringing your

23:01artistic vision to life and inspiring

23:03and inspiring us to imagine something

23:05extraordinary. To every person who

23:07helped turn that vision into reality,

23:09please know your contribution has left a

23:12lasting mark on the school and the

23:14children that will walk through its

23:15doors. As we celebrate these

23:17accomplishments, I hope we

23:20we recognize that it's not just a story

23:22about a beautiful mural or a new

23:23playground. It's a story about a

23:25community, perseverance, and the power

23:28of parents who refuse to settle for less

23:30when it comes to their children. The

23:32school looks different today because of

23:34you. The experience of the children who

23:36attended is better because of you.

23:39And the legacy you are creating will

23:41long continue after the paint has dried

23:44and the playground has become is well

23:46and welcomes its new students. I could

23:49not be prouder of what you've

23:50accomplished over these past years. I

23:52hope you are just as proud of

23:54yourselves. Congratulations to the

23:56parents in the PTO of Edgewood Highland

23:58School. You did not simply improve a

24:00school, you helped create a place where

24:02children can feel proud, inspired,

24:05connected, and excited to learn. And

24:07that's an amazing accomplishment worth

24:09celebrating.

24:11>> [clears throat]

24:19>> I ask that each parent I'll read off the

24:21name of the parents that are here. Can

24:24you come forward and accept your

24:25citation and then I'll quickly read the

24:27parents that could not attend this

24:28evening.

24:30Amy Sloan.

24:36All the way up. Come on.

24:38>> [laughter]

24:39>> James Sloan.

24:50K. Arby Quello.

25:08>> No one can

25:10Jill Pacheco

25:19Fanny Pacheco

25:31And then um I think Meg Cressey Johnson

25:34is online.

25:36Do you see her?

25:37>> Yeah.

25:37>> Okay, congratulations Meg. We

25:39acknowledge you online.

25:41Um the other parents that could not

25:43attend this evening, Danielle Gervais

25:46Katie Justice, Felicia Shoop Alana

25:49Cotral Mariana Melendez, Liz Lee and

25:53Katie Kelly.

26:18>> See me too?

26:19>> Yeah.

26:44>> [clears throat]

26:57>> All right. Um the next item of business

26:59will be the approval of minutes. If

27:01there are no objections, I'm going to

27:03take the minutes as a block.

27:05>> So moved.

27:06>> Second.

27:07>> No, you don't need a motion. If there

27:08are no objections, I'm going to take the

27:10motion in I'm going to take the minutes

27:11as a block.

27:13Hearing none.

27:14>> Motion to approve the block, Mr.

27:16President.

27:16>> Second.

27:17>> a second?

27:18Clerk, please call the roll.

27:21>> Councilwoman Graziano?

27:23>> Yes.

27:23>> Councilman Andujar?

27:24>> Yes.

27:25>> Councilman Traficante?

27:26>> Yes.

27:26>> Councilwoman Visary?

27:28>> Yes.

27:28>> Councilman Campapiano?

27:29>> Yes.

27:30>> Councilman Buonanno?

27:30>> Yes.

27:31>> Council Vice President Herbreian?

27:32>> Yes.

27:33>> Council President Wall?

27:34>> Yes.

27:35>> The motion is approved. All right,

27:36moving right on to public hearings and

27:38public comment.

27:40All right, this evening is there anyone

27:41in the auditorium this evening, rather

27:43the

27:45chambers this evening, who would like to

27:46make public comment on docketed items

27:48only? Please step up to the podium,

27:51state your name and address for the

27:53record, and I will give you 4 minutes.

28:04>> Good evening. My name is Jesse Dooley.

28:07I live in Ward 2 at 112 Lexington

28:10Avenue.

28:13I'm up here to express my support for

28:15the council president's proposal that

28:17was unanimously approved by the Finance

28:20Committee concerning City Council

28:22approval of any contract or change order

28:26of over $100,000.

28:30Due to the city's

28:31budgetary budgetary challenges, namely

28:35the over $12 million deficit,

28:38I believe such a measure is appropriate

28:40and wise.

28:42I've spoken to many citizens over the

28:44past few months, and I've yet to speak

28:46to one who trusts the spending habits,

28:49unfortunately, of this administration.

28:51I don't say this to be mean

28:53or insulting.

28:55It's just the truth of what I've

28:57experienced.

28:59Whether intentional or not, the

29:01impression, at its best,

29:04is that the administration

29:06lacks the discernment in how to spend

29:08our tax dollars wisely.

29:11At its worst,

29:13some hold the view that the

29:14administration operates in a partial

29:16manner.

29:18As a taxpayer,

29:20neither seem acceptable to me.

29:25One of the main values in a healthy

29:27democracy is sharing power.

29:31This legislation would do that.

29:35I also don't believe it would be in the

29:37city's best interests

29:40for the administration to counter this

29:42legislation

29:43by putting us through lengthy and

29:45expensive litigation.

29:48Just because you can legally do

29:50something

29:51doesn't mean you have to.

29:54That's called institutional forbearance,

29:57and we desperately need more of it from

29:59our elected public servants.

30:02If the city's financial situation was

30:05different,

30:06maybe this legislation would be

30:08unnecessary.

30:10Until then,

30:12I encourage the council to pass the

30:14legislation.

30:17Thank you for my time.

30:18>> Thank you.

30:22Is anyone else in chambers who'd like to

30:24speak on docketed matters only?

30:30Mr. Lima, is anyone online who'd like to

30:32speak on docketed matters?

30:36>> [clears throat]

30:37>> A reminder to please raise your hand if

30:39you would like to speak.

30:44I see no public comment online.

30:46>> Okay. So, at this time I'm going to

30:48close public comment.

30:50With no objections, I'm going to take

30:52the agenda out of order.

30:56Seeing none,

30:58will the council return to

31:01would be item 14, council member

31:04communications.

31:06Under Councilman Benincasa's

31:07communications,

31:09he has athletic field use. Councilman

31:12Benincasa.

31:13>> Thank you, Mr. President. Um

31:15and thank you for taking it out of

31:16order. Uh on the call is uh

31:20uh Parks and Rec Director Director

31:21Episcopelio, and uh

31:24I am sure that uh he doesn't want to

31:26stay for the whole meeting, so thank you

31:27for uh indulging us so we can um

31:31let him go about his evening. Um I put

31:34this on [clears throat] the agenda um

31:35because I found and this isn't I I want

31:38to preface my comments by saying that

31:40this isn't a knock on anybody here or

31:42anybody anywhere, really. It's just a

31:44situation that I've seen that's come up

31:46um over the last, especially, three or

31:48four months or so.

31:50And what's happening is

31:52um there's a disconnect between

31:55um the school department and the Parks

31:57and Recreation Department as far as the

31:58use of athletic fields,

32:00uh especially because I happen to live

32:02there in in Ward 6. And there was a

32:04specific situation that had to do with

32:06Garden City School that

32:08um through some conversations and

32:10professionalism on both sides, uh we

32:12were able to work through.

32:14But,

32:15there's still a sort of a fundamental

32:17issue of a lack of communication between

32:19both sides of our house here. And I

32:21wanted to have a conversation quickly um

32:24about what we can do to improve that. Um

32:26the the layperson, the person that is

32:30just a regular ordinary taxpayer who

32:32sends their children to school,

32:34they don't realize that the field

32:36adjacent to the school isn't run by the

32:39school. They just kind of assume that

32:41it's all under the city umbrella.

32:42Therefore, you know, um A,

32:45uh you know, the the school can use it

32:47whenever they want, or B,

32:49um you know, they can't use it at all.

32:51And they don't realize that it's sort of

32:52a hybrid of both. So, purpose of the

32:54conversation and to sort of draft the

32:56director to come in is to see how we can

32:58improve that. Um and and create more

33:01communication between us and the school

33:03department to make sure that

33:07our kids are using the fields, um

33:10and they're using the best fields

33:11possible whenever they need to. So, with

33:13that, I'll I'll defer to the to the to

33:15the to the director,

33:17um

33:18and we'll have a quick conversation here

33:19about what we can do to maybe improve

33:21that if anybody has any ideas to it. So,

33:23director,

33:25>> Uh thank you, Councilman. Uh well said,

33:28and um

33:30it it's exactly what you you said. Um I

33:33think one of the things that has to

33:35happen is there has to be a better

33:37understanding of um how we communicate

33:41um within the two departments.

33:44Obviously,

33:45and I I think I said this the other day,

33:47um I will always be pro children and and

33:50pro activity.

33:51And um

33:53unfortunately, there's a there's a

33:55balance that you have to uh

33:57have in regards to the upkeep and the

34:00main maintenance of the fields.

34:02Um we do have a a process. Um

34:06some of the uh schools are very good at

34:09communicating with us in regards to

34:12uh fields that are adjacent to the

34:14schools, and some not so good. But, I

34:17think

34:18one of the uh

34:20uh one of the problems is the

34:22communication between potentially the uh

34:25the the administration of the school and

34:27the PTO,

34:28uh there might be a disconnect. But, um

34:31I think that's something that we have to

34:33work on and

34:34um, yes, this was a prime example of uh

34:37just a

34:38an unfortunate situation where

34:40um, there was a small window of

34:42opportunity for our department to um

34:46do some restoration to that particular

34:48site that really needed it. And, um,

34:52obviously in the fall is a great time to

34:54to plant grass

34:56and we took it upon ourselves to um

34:58aerate, top dress, and and we seed that

35:01complex, which I went by today and um

35:05we are seeing uh great results from the

35:07work that we did.

35:09Um, we also have the uh when you do rent

35:13a field from the city, we do have a

35:15process that's on

35:17our website. Um, you and you can

35:20refer to that

35:22um, not only as a school, but as a a

35:25resident or organization that wants to

35:28use our fields.

35:29And, um

35:31if we just follow the process and keep

35:33the lines of communication open, um, I

35:36think I'm I'm pretty uh easy to work

35:39with and I'm I'm pretty flexible in

35:41regards to either finding the solution

35:44at the particular site or working um to

35:48find a solution that's amenable to all

35:51parties.

35:52So, I'll open it up to any questions you

35:55may have or some concerns that you have,

35:57but um, I think we've um

36:00we've been as transparent and we've had

36:02communications with the super intendent

36:05intendent uh not a nasty about this and

36:08I know she's

36:09she's sent out correspondence to all the

36:11schools in regards to this because um

36:15this was not an isolated incident

36:16incident. We've had other um

36:19circumstances that this has happened at

36:21other schools. So,

36:23um, and she's aware of the situation and

36:25um

36:26we've always had a good working

36:28relationship and I know we will continue

36:30to do so. So, with that, I'll I'll

36:32answer any questions that you may have

36:34or suggestions that can make this

36:35process better.

36:37>> Thank you, Director. Um, I I'm going to

36:39start off with Councilman Beninato

36:40because I think he started saying first

36:42and then I'm going to go around.

36:43Councilman Beninato.

36:44>> Thank you. I I was just um,

36:47the director and I had conversation

36:48about a particular issue and and in it,

36:50um, he mentioned and I would like for

36:52him to mention as well some There were

36:54some maintenance done at a different

36:56site and some of the school,

36:59uh, I think it was parents were very,

37:00very nervous about the maintenance that

37:02was being done and I was wondering if

37:03you you could mention that too,

37:05Director. Uh, because maybe the There

37:07should be

37:09communication should be going both ways

37:10so that way

37:12from Parks and Rec through the school,

37:14we can get word out to the kids and the

37:16parents that, "Hey, you know what?

37:18There's a busted piece of a of a

37:21uh, a piece of equipment and that's, you

37:23know, don't be alarmed when that's not

37:24there anymore."

37:25Um,

37:26so do you mind talking about that,

37:28Steve, at all? Yeah, sure. We have to

37:30talk to the school, but

37:31>> No, sure. No prob- no problem at all. We

37:33we were um,

37:35during the summer months, we were made

37:36aware of a a certain apparatus that was

37:39a broken at a particular playground. Um,

37:43we went went and inspect the piece of

37:45apparatus and felt as though,

37:47um, before the school year that it had

37:49to be either uh, fixed on site or taken

37:53off site, um, for safety reasons.

37:56Um, at the before the beginning of the

37:58school and I would say maybe one or two

38:00weeks into the school year, we decided

38:03that after a couple of attempts to

38:05uh, fix it on site, it would be better

38:08if we uh, removed it from the particular

38:10site and bring it to our um, facility

38:14and try to fix it um, at our site. Um,

38:19unfortunately, when we did that, there

38:20was

38:21there was a lot of false information

38:22that was going around that um

38:25it was stolen um

38:27and in the in the light of the day

38:29people came there and and took it and

38:32left it um

38:34not not safe um

38:37all things that weren't true um we just

38:39felt as though that was the best um

38:43standard that we we thought would be

38:45um beneficial to everybody um

38:48we didn't have a part that were readily

38:50available and the part that we did have

38:53>> [snorts]

38:54>> um we needed more parts when we actually

38:57took it down.

38:59So

39:00that being said yes there was a little

39:02bit of um

39:04a confusion um

39:05>> [snorts]

39:06>> but overall

39:08uh we would we were

39:10um told about the problem we addressed

39:12it we

39:13we did what we felt was best and

39:16unfortunately um

39:19once again it it ended up uh

39:21with a little bit of a d-

39:23misunderstanding and and once again um a

39:26conversation with the uh superintendent

39:29ensued and

39:30and we kind of rectified it at that

39:32particular point.

39:36>> You good Are you good, Commissioner?

39:37>> Yeah, the only thing I I just want to

39:38follow up and then I'm done. Um

39:41I don't think anybody's doing anything

39:42wrong. I just think there needs to be a

39:43little bit and I think Director's doing

39:45a great job. He's trying to maintain the

39:47fields. He's trying to uh

39:49fix things that are broken

39:50um and I think it's a little bit unfair

39:53to the Parks and Rec Department

39:55especially the the the uh the folks on

39:57the line that um simply because the

40:00right information is not getting out

40:01there one way or another that they're

40:03being villainized. Um and I think

40:06everybody

40:08involved is just trying to do the best

40:09for the kids. You know, I want I want to

40:11underscore that. Nobody Nobody's calling

40:12anybody in here to take anybody to task.

40:14I want to make sure that that's

40:15apparent. Um

40:17so I don't know if it's as simple as

40:19sharing a calendar, you know what I

40:20mean, for for each individual like area,

40:23or if there's going to be something

40:24deeper, but I did want to have this

40:26conversation. So, I'm good for now.

40:28>> No, thank you for putting on the agenda,

40:30Councilman.

40:31I saw I think I saw Councilman

40:33Trafficante's hand up.

40:35>> Uh Steve, long before you were born, and

40:38in 1985 when I first became mayor,

40:41we took the responsibility of all the

40:42playgrounds and all the ball fields away

40:45from the Cranston School Department cuz

40:47they didn't have the manpower number

40:48one, they surely didn't have the money

40:50to take care of the fields. So, we

40:52placed that burden on the Recreation

40:53Department of the City of Cranston.

40:56You know, what even made things even

40:57better is that we placed the athletic

41:00director of the School Department and

41:02your office next to each other at the

41:05Pastore [clears throat] Center. So, I

41:06would think that communication would be

41:08at its best, you two communicating with

41:11each other and solving the problems

41:12together.

41:14Is that Is that the case?

41:16>> When it comes to the athletic part of

41:18it, absolutely. Um it's been

41:21um we we talk on a daily basis. Um

41:23obviously on the other athletic side,

41:26uh things change on a within an hour in

41:29regards to weather or cancellation

41:32cancellations. So, in that aspect, yes.

41:36And even on the administrative side,

41:38again, I can't stress enough how um

41:41I have great communication with the the

41:43superintendent and um we we talk about

41:46issues like this all the time. And

41:49again, the line of communication is not

41:51not an issue.

41:52Um

41:53and I know she sends out correspondence

41:55um to all the schools. Um I don't know

41:58if there's a disconnect after that or

42:00it's just not followed up on. I can't

42:02answer to that. But I know um when I

42:05speak to her, I know that she's

42:07following up and and I have have

42:10understanding of what direction we're

42:11going.

42:16>> You You'll say trash.

42:18Any other council members have questions

42:20for the director?

42:21Uh Councilwoman Graziano.

42:24>> Thank you.

42:25Um

42:26Director, I just want to say thank you

42:28so much for all the work that you do on

42:30our recreational fields. As a

42:32recreational field volunteer, I feel I

42:35understand how difficult it is to take

42:37care of these fields. And I do I

42:40understand what Councilman Bonanno's

42:42talking about. Um all of our fields, not

42:45only are some owned by the schools, some

42:47owned by the cities, and then others are

42:50also maintained by Cranston East or

42:52Cranston West, depending on um what side

42:55of the city you're on. And a lot of

42:57those are maintained fully by

42:58volunteers. So, it's it's really a

43:00balance here. And until you volunteered

43:04to

43:05to manage one of these fields, you don't

43:06really know or until you're on Parks and

43:08Rec, you don't really know how difficult

43:10it is and how one little event can

43:13impact

43:15your entire week with all of the

43:17activities that take place at the

43:18fields. So, um I sympathize to this. I'm

43:22absolutely willing to be an assistant

43:25because I'm already a volunteer doing

43:26this work. So, I will absolutely help in

43:29any way I can. Um but I'll just mention

43:31one of the things, Director, that I know

43:34you and I have talked about before um is

43:37the schools with the field days and the

43:39trash and then um pick up and um So,

43:43that is something related to athletic

43:44fields that I just wanted you to if you

43:46wouldn't mind putting on your docket for

43:48this upcoming spring and I can

43:50coordinate with you. Um but you know how

43:52crazy it gets with when there's games

43:55for middle school, games for all of our

43:58recreational

44:00um sports and field day with the

44:02schools. So, we do need to coordinate

44:04trash pick up for the athletic fields.

44:06So, I just wanted to have you um put a

44:10number in that for for um this upcoming

44:13spring. And then anytime we're we're in

44:15field season, it's I think it's really

44:16difficult. So,

44:18um

44:19I just want to thank everybody who's

44:20involved in taking care of our fields.

44:22And I appreciate any coordination that

44:24can happen because any damage to the

44:26fields really sets everybody back. So,

44:28thank you.

44:29>> Thank you, Councilwoman.

44:31>> I can't Can I just add I think it's it's

44:33a great

44:34I think it's a great point, but also one

44:37of the things that I've tried to do

44:39since I've I've come on board is

44:41um I really want to uh create

44:43partnerships with all the organizations

44:46that we deal with in the schools because

44:48it shouldn't be just us alone. Um there

44:51should be a buying with all the

44:53organizations.

44:54Um and to take pride in the venues that

44:57we do have, we all use them. We're all

45:00responsible for what what actions that

45:02we take at these fields. So, you know,

45:05just because you might see a cup that

45:07was dropped by somebody else and you see

45:08it, um pick it up. Um we're trying to

45:12we're trying to promote um you know, a

45:15good partnership with all the

45:17organizations. And I think it starts

45:18right at the ground level, and we can

45:20only build on that. And like the

45:23Councilwoman said, um

45:25you know, when you're you're in season,

45:27um

45:28it's a daily it's a daily process

45:31between the garbage um the residential

45:33garbage that's illegally dumped. Um

45:37picking up dugouts, picking up sidelines

45:39on on fields. And in order in order for

45:43each

45:44uh venue to stay as clean and and as

45:47receptive to play, um you have to be

45:49diligent. And you know what? We should

45:52not be in it alone.

45:54And I'm just trying to create that

45:55atmosphere where everybody um can work

45:57together um for the common goal, which

46:00is to give the kids the safest and and

46:02and best possible venues to participate

46:06in athletics with.

46:08>> Thank you, Director.

46:10Any other council members have question?

46:12I see Councilwoman Visuri.

46:14>> Director, I just have one question. Did

46:17you mention that you charged the PTO to

46:20use the fields?

46:22>> We don't We don't charge them. And well,

46:25we we never would charge any of the PTOs

46:28to use the complexes.

46:30I mean, the kids that are um

46:32part of the schools, um that that's an

46:34in-kind service that we provide.

46:37>> Thank you.

46:38>> You're welcome.

46:40>> Anyone? I see Councilman Campobiano, and

46:42then I'll take Councilman Bonanno.

46:44>> Thank you, Council President. Um

46:46Director, I just wanted to say I've been

46:47on this

46:48council for 5 years, and I've never seen

46:50our fields and our playground in such

46:52beautiful condition. So, I want to thank

46:53your team and all the volunteers for

46:56what they do, because you're doing a

46:57fabulous job. Thank you.

46:58>> Thank you, Councilman.

47:00>> Appreciate it. Thank you.

47:02>> Councilman Bonanno?

47:03>> I just wanted to say thank you to the

47:04director for

47:06uh

47:06tuning in here on on at my request. Um

47:09and thank you for his time. And I echo

47:12what Councilman Campobiano said, you

47:13know, we're lucky to have

47:15the director, and we're lucky to have

47:17his staff.

47:18Um

47:19because you've seen a massive turnaround

47:21since he's come on board. And it's

47:24headed in the right direction. Like I

47:26said, this is just

47:27to make a good thing even better. Um you

47:31know, he he has, and you can tell

47:33you know, throughout this particular

47:34conversation, every conversation I've

47:36had with him, you can tell that he has

47:37the kids very close to his heart, and

47:40that's all we need. Uh everything else

47:42can be worked out. So, I just want to

47:43say thank you to him and his dedication

47:45and that of his team.

47:47>> Thank you, Councilman. And as we finish

47:49this up, I will echo both my colleagues'

47:51sentiments.

47:52Uh Director, the efforts that you put

47:54in. Councilman?

47:57Councilman Trafficante, I'll I'll I'll

47:59retract my statement.

48:00>> Steve, hopefully in the immediate

48:01future, once we get our budget uh

48:04straightened out that uh

48:05we can

48:07perhaps give you a few more men working

48:09on the fields because I know you're

48:11short-handed at this point in time. So,

48:13again, congratulations for what you do

48:15with the men that you have do have on

48:17board.

48:19>> Thank you.

48:19>> I appreciate that. Thank you.

48:22>> And just to finish up,

48:24I appreciate you. I appreciate the

48:26efforts that you guys do to make your

48:27fields look beautiful. I know it's not

48:29just It's not just work. It's a point of

48:31pride. Um and the effort that Councilman

48:34Bonanno put in to make sure I I think

48:36the idea to put communication forward so

48:38we have some line of communication. Um

48:41that speaks to both your efforts.

48:43>> Okay. Moving right along. We're going to

48:44go back to the

48:48Let's see. We're going to go back to the

48:49third page, my friends.

48:52And we're going to go to resolutions.

48:55First resolution we're going to consider

48:56would be a resolution recognizing

48:58October 2026 as Italian-American

49:02Heritage Month in the City of Cranston.

49:04This was sponsored by Councilman

49:06Campagnano, Councilman Bonanno,

49:08Councilman Ritz, Councilman Andujar,

49:10Councilman Trafficante.

49:12Um Who would like to speak on this

49:14resolution?

49:17Would you like to, Councilman

49:18Campagnano?

49:20>> Good Council President. Uh we all have

49:22the resolution in our packet. I'm sure

49:24everybody read it. Um

49:26First, I want to say that I'm very proud

49:28as American and very proud of my Italian

49:30heritage.

49:32I'm proud of the traditions my parents

49:33and grandparents passed down to me, the

49:35food, the holidays, and the family

49:37gatherings.

49:38And if you've been to an Italian

49:39gathering, you know there's enough food

49:41for everyone and probably for the entire

49:43neighborhood.

49:44But it wasn't always easy. My family

49:47moved from Silver Lake to Scituate when

49:48I was in third grade.

49:51I experienced insults, prejudice from

49:54teachers and parents

49:55uh simply because I was Italian

49:58and I didn't understand why. I would

50:00come home and say to my father, "What's

50:02a What's a guinea? What's a dago?"

50:05He couldn't tell me. It was hard to

50:06explain.

50:08One incident in particular stayed with

50:10me throughout my life.

50:11A fellow student came up to me and told

50:13me that

50:14uh Lori's father had said if I asked

50:16Lori to the prom

50:18he would bury me in his junkyard.

50:21Well,

50:23I asked him why and he simply answered

50:25"Because you're Italian."

50:27Needless to say, I stayed home.

50:31That experience taught me

50:33uh an important lesson. No one should be

50:35ever be judged, insulted, or threatened

50:37or because of their heritage.

50:39Americans make up the people from many

50:42different backgrounds and many cultures

50:45and something meaningful and they

50:46contribute to this

50:48great nation.

50:50We should be proud of our heritage

50:53uh while respecting other people's

50:54heritage.

50:55And this month takes a special pride in

50:58Italian Heritage Month, honoring our

51:00families, our traditions, our histories,

51:02and the many contributions Italian

51:04Americans have made to this great

51:06nation. Let's be proud of our roots,

51:08respect one another, and remember that

51:10our heritage should be a source of pride

51:13and not a source of prejudice. Thank

51:15you.

51:15>> Uh thank you, Councilman.

51:19Very good.

51:20Um before I take other comments, um is

51:22there a motion to approve this

51:23resolution?

51:24>> Motion to approve.

51:25>> Second.

51:26>> Second.

51:26>> All right. Now I'll take further

51:28comments. Other members of the council,

51:29I know Councilman Bennardo.

51:31So just a sort of a backstory, um

51:35my my comments are not as serious as

51:36Councilman Campagna, but I I I can't say

51:39that I've had that same experience

51:41hopefully due to the age difference. Um

51:46but I can tell you that uh um

51:48my grandparents used to tell stories

51:51um

51:52you know, they could only go my

51:53grandparents have always they always

51:55lived in Knightsville

51:56and they had to stay in Knightsville.

51:58You know, my grandfather would recall

51:59stories that he couldn't go past where

52:01the Rotary is now or he couldn't go past

52:03um basically where St. Mary's and St.

52:06George's which used to be St. Ann's

52:07Church.

52:09After that they they were physically uh

52:12they they have to be scared for their

52:14well-being physically. I never lived

52:16that um so I'm very lucky.

52:19Um but the purpose of this uh sort of

52:21the backstory is Councilman Campagna and

52:23I both put in resolutions for this. Um

52:26you know, so it means a lot to the two

52:27of us. Um

52:29I just want to say that I'm very proud

52:30to be an Italian American.

52:32Um I'm very proud that Cranston uh is a

52:35city that uh that um

52:38embraces the Italian American culture

52:41in it

52:42and uh I'm very proud that we

52:45um

52:46can celebrate this together um and we

52:48can we can all move forward and uh

52:51celebrate every culture that comes

52:53before us together. And October just

52:55happens to be uh for us. So um thank you

52:58very much and uh

53:00um I hope this uh passes.

53:03>> Thank you, Councilman. Any other members

53:04of the Council would like to speak?

53:06I see Councilwoman uh Council Vice

53:08President Rian.

53:09>> I'd like to ask to be added as a

53:11co-sponsor. Um in the city of Cranston

53:14we have a lot of different nationalities

53:16and culture.

53:17Um I think it's important that we all

53:19recognize different nationalities and

53:21culture and learn about them. Being

53:24Swedish

53:25with an Armenian last name I've had the

53:27honor to learn a lot about different

53:29cultures. So I would definitely like to

53:31be a co-sponsor.

53:33>> Thank you, Councilwoman. Would anyone

53:34else like to be added as a co-sponsor? I

53:36see Councilwoman Bizzarro, uh

53:38Councilwoman Graziano.

53:39I'd like myself to be added as a

53:41councilman co-sponsors. Any other

53:42comments?

53:45Make sure I see everybody's hands. I see

53:47Councilman Traficante.

53:48>> Um

53:49I

53:54I don't know of any nationality that has

53:55not experienced some type of prejudice

53:57when they first came to this country,

53:59whether it be the the Italians, the

54:00Irish, you know, the Jewish people,

54:03etc., etc. And

54:07God willing, we all kind of melted

54:09together and and and worked together and

54:10and survived together. And

54:12unfortunately, prejudice is still going

54:14on today with a number of nationalities.

54:16That's unfortunate. So,

54:18um I'm proud to be an Italian American.

54:20Uh I never had a problem [clears throat]

54:22with um

54:23being

54:24you know,

54:26challenged, I guess because I was bigger

54:28than everybody else, but

54:30but I'm glad to see that

54:32City Cranston's experienced a number of

54:34nationalities that work very well

54:36together.

54:37>> Thank you. Thank you, Councilman

54:39Traficante.

54:40>> Thank you to Councilman Campagnone and

54:42Councilman Bonanno

54:43uh for putting this both these

54:45resolutions and now we have one

54:47um

54:48recognize the Italian contributions to

54:50Cranston, our state, and our country.

54:53Certainly, Cranston has a rich tradition

54:55of Italian

54:56traditions, food, festivities. Um so,

54:59I'm glad to be a co-sponsor. Thank you.

55:02Next resolution we're going to consider

55:03will be

55:04I Can I revote? I didn't vote. Well, I

55:07guess we're going to have to vote.

55:08Clerk, will you please go take the vote?

55:11>> Councilman Graziano.

55:12>> Yes.

55:12>> Councilman Andujar.

55:13>> Yes.

55:13>> Councilman Traficante.

55:15>> Yes.

55:15>> Councilwoman Bizier.

55:16>> Yes.

55:16>> Councilman Campagnone.

55:17>> Yes.

55:18>> Councilman Bonanno.

55:19>> Yes.

55:19>> Council Vice President O'Rourke.

55:20>> Yes.

55:21>> Council President Wirth.

55:22>> Yes. Now it's official.

55:24All right. So, the next resolution we're

55:26going to take up is a resolution

55:27recognizing October 2026 as Breast

55:30Cancer Awareness Month in the City of

55:32Cranston. This was sponsored by

55:34Councilman Bonanno, Councilwoman

55:36Heroyan, Councilman Ritz, and

55:38Councilwoman Beswick.

55:41Who would like to speak on this on

55:42behalf of this resolution this evening?

55:46Well, may I may I have a speaker now and

55:48get a motion. Who's good?

55:52Just raise your hand right up. I'll let

55:53you speak.

55:57>> Okay.

55:58>> Flip a coin.

55:59>> [laughter]

55:59>> I thought he was going to speak. I'm

56:01sorry.

56:01>> the chair will recognize the vice

56:03president of the city council,

56:04Councilwoman Heroyan.

56:06>> All right, with October being the

56:08national breast cancer awareness month,

56:11um we wanted to honor the breast cancer

56:12survivors, anyone going through breast

56:15cancer, and we're asking for your

56:17support tonight.

56:19>> Thank you, Councilwoman.

56:20Is there a motion to approve this

56:21resolution?

56:23>> Motion to approve.

56:24>> Second.

56:24>> Okay, discussion. Councilman

56:26Trafficante.

56:27>> I'd like to be added to the resolution.

56:29>> Would anyone else like to be added to as

56:31a co-sponsor? I myself, I see Councilman

56:33Campobiano, Councilman Andujar,

56:35Councilwoman Graziano.

56:37All right. Thank you, Councilman

56:39Trafficante. Councilman Banano.

56:41>> This one uh I'm doing a lot of talking,

56:43so I'm going to talk fast now.

56:45Um

56:46my mother's a breast cancer survivor,

56:48and being Italian-American, you have to

56:50mention your mother every time you can,

56:51right? So we can dovetail those two

56:53together. Um but my mother's a breast

56:56cancer survivor, and she's a survivor

56:57because of a routine mammogram.

56:59So if you're out there, if you're in the

57:01room, and you're of the age, um go get

57:04or if you have a family history, go get

57:06a routine mammogram.

57:08Okay? Um

57:09my father's mother um was a victim of

57:12breast cancer. She died in 1965.

57:15Obviously, medicine was a lot different

57:17back then, but had she uh

57:19been doing routine mammograms like we do

57:21today, she she would have lived a lot

57:23older than 45 years old when she passed

57:25away. So

57:26uh my only my only uh

57:29thing to say here is, you know, get a

57:31routine mammogram. if you have family

57:33members, pester them until they get

57:34their routine mammogram.

57:36I'm a good pester, I can tell you that.

57:38So, thank you.

57:39>> Well said, Councilman. Any other

57:41comments?

57:43Councilwoman Graziano.

57:45>> Thank you, Council President. Um

57:48thank you [clears throat] for putting

57:48this um on our agenda this evening.

57:51Um this is definitely something that is

57:53near and dear to my family.

57:55My husband, David Graziano, has three

57:58very close family members that are all

58:00survivors. Um Mary Ryan, who is his

58:04grandmother,

58:05um his mother, Maureen Ryan, and his um

58:09aunt, Margaret Ryan, all are long um

58:13long-time residents of Cranston. They're

58:16all survivors. Mary Ryan did pass away,

58:18but not because of breast cancer, but I

58:20just want to say um

58:22yeah, I agree with Councilman Banano,

58:24like getting checks on the regular is

58:26very important, and I just want to honor

58:28all those people who fought really hard,

58:31um and whether they won or lost, um you

58:34know, we're thinking of them.

58:36>> Well, thank you, Councilwoman.

58:38Councilman Campion.

58:39>> Thank you, Council President.

58:41We have these three resolutions on this

58:43agenda tonight that really pull at my

58:44heartstrings.

58:46My mother also was a breast cancer

58:47survivor. And

58:49we lost a very dear family

58:52friend through breast cancer, she had

58:54young children at the time. So, uh

58:56uh anytime we can bring awareness to

58:58this and maybe save somebody, it is very

59:01important. So,

59:03I'm very proud to be a co-sponsor of

59:05this resolution. Thank Thank you, and

59:07keep it up.

59:09>> Thank you, Councilman. Any members of

59:11other members of the council would like

59:12to speak on this resolution?

59:15I see none. Uh echo my colleagues'

59:17statements. So many families have been

59:18touched by this terrible disease and

59:20affliction, and the awareness of how it

59:22can how some of this could be treated

59:25early and caught early um is very

59:27important. Those words of Councilman

59:28Bonanno said very important.

59:30And there's nothing no no other

59:32comments. I'm going to ask the clerk to

59:33please call the roll.

59:37>> Councilwoman Graziano.

59:38>> Yes.

59:38>> Councilman Andujar.

59:39>> Yes.

59:39>> Councilwoman Traficante.

59:40>> Yes.

59:41>> Councilwoman Bizier.

59:42>> Yes.

59:42>> Councilwoman Campopiano.

59:43>> Yes.

59:43>> Councilman Bonanno.

59:44>> Yes.

59:45>> Council Vice President O'Brien.

59:46>> Yes.

59:47>> Council President Wall.

59:48>> Yes.

59:50>> Okay. Next we'll consider resolution

59:52recognizing October 2026 as domestic

59:55violence violence awareness month in the

59:57city of Cranston. This was sponsored by

59:59Councilwoman O'Brien,

1:00:00Councilwoman Bizier,

1:00:02and myself.

1:00:05Who would like to speak on this?

1:00:06Councilwoman Council Vice President.

1:00:08>> Yes.

1:00:08>> Floor is yours.

1:00:09>> Um,

1:00:10domestic violence happens every day of

1:00:12the year.

1:00:14Um, I know we recognize it here in

1:00:16October. We don't recognize it enough.

1:00:18We have Elizabeth Buff Chace and House

1:00:20in Warwick that I always want to say

1:00:23thank you to the Cranston police

1:00:24officers that go out to the houses. It

1:00:26doesn't need to be a man and woman. It

1:00:28could be somebody with their parent. It

1:00:31could be any kind of situation.

1:00:34Um, it's something very serious and we

1:00:36all need to recognize it and be

1:00:38supportive of someone going through

1:00:39this. In August, I received a phone call

1:00:42from an attorney saying, "Chrissy,

1:00:44aren't you on City Council?" I said, "I

1:00:46am." And they said, "I just want you to

1:00:48know,

1:00:49um,

1:00:50how much I want to thank the Cranston

1:00:52Police Department. They responded to my

1:00:54client's house last night with a young

1:00:56child and it was a horrible domestic

1:00:59situation. And the attorney was shocked

1:01:02at how well they did.

1:01:03Um, the little girl felt so much

1:01:06comfortable there. And um,

1:01:08>> [clears throat]

1:01:08>> so I wanted to put in this resolution

1:01:10and thank them also, but let it be

1:01:13recognized.

1:01:15>> Thank you, Councilwoman.

1:01:17Councilwoman Councilman Campopiano.

1:01:19>> Thank you, Council President. I want to

1:01:20thank the Vice President for putting

1:01:21this forward. Uh I personally witnessed

1:01:24uh uh

1:01:25families ruined for generations due to

1:01:27one domestic violent person

1:01:30way back. So, um thank you bringing

1:01:32awareness. I'm going to thank you the

1:01:33police department for all they do, and

1:01:36uh hopefully we can keep this in the

1:01:37forefront and

1:01:39maybe someday, hopefully, this will be a

1:01:41thing of the past.

1:01:43Yes, thank you, Councilman.

1:01:45Um any other members of the council

1:01:46would like to speak on this? Yes, I see

1:01:48Councilman uh Trafficante.

1:01:53Traf-

1:01:55>> I just want to be added to the resol-

1:01:57sponsor, Mr. Mr. President.

1:01:59>> Any other members of the council would

1:02:01like to be added as a co-sponsor? I see

1:02:02Councilman Campobiano as well,

1:02:04Councilman Andujar, Coun- Councilman

1:02:05Bedano, and Councilwoman Graziano. Okay.

1:02:09Uh any other council members would like

1:02:10to speak on this resolution?

1:02:13Councilwoman Graziano.

1:02:15>> Thank you. I just want to commend um the

1:02:18members of the council for bringing this

1:02:20up and bringing it to attention at this

1:02:23um meeting. Thank you.

1:02:25>> Yeah. And I echo that, and I thank uh my

1:02:27colleague, Council- Vice President

1:02:29Horoyan, for really being in in the

1:02:31forefront of this and making sure this

1:02:32was this was on, recognizing, you know,

1:02:35this terrible problem, and you know,

1:02:37kind of a shout-out to the things that

1:02:39the victims go through.

1:02:43With that, I'm going to ask Clerk to

1:02:44please call the roll.

1:02:50>> Councilwoman Graziano. Yes.

1:02:52>> Councilman Andujar.

1:02:52>> Yes.

1:02:53>> Councilman Trafficante.

1:02:55>> Yes.

1:02:55>> Councilwoman Vesey.

1:02:56>> Yes.

1:02:57>> Councilman Campobiano.

1:02:58>> Yes.

1:02:58>> Councilman Bedano.

1:02:59>> Yes.

1:03:00>> Council- Vice President Horoyan.

1:03:01>> Yes.

1:03:02>> Council- President Wall.

1:03:03>> Yes.

1:03:04>> Okay, that passes. Moving right along to

1:03:07committee [clears throat] reports, we're

1:03:08going to start off um with the report

1:03:09from the chairwoman,

1:03:11um Councilwoman Vesey of the Claims

1:03:13Committee.

1:03:15Councilwoman, the floor is yours.

1:03:17>> Thank you, Council President. Um the

1:03:18Claims Committee did meet on October

1:03:205th, 2026 and there is nothing further

1:03:23to report back.

1:03:24>> Thank you, Councilwoman. Uh moving right

1:03:27along um to a report from the chair of

1:03:30the Safety Services License Committee,

1:03:33Council Vice President Heroux. The floor

1:03:35is yours.

1:03:37>> Safety Services did meet on October 5th

1:03:39and October 13th. There was a special

1:03:42meeting on the 13th for a local business

1:03:45that was trying to get um

1:03:48approval so that they could open and we

1:03:50were all in support of that. We have

1:03:52lots of new businesses coming to

1:03:54Cranston. We did issue, I believe, three

1:03:56liquor licenses. Um and that's all I

1:03:59have to report.

1:04:00>> Thank you, Council Vice President. Um

1:04:02moving on to uh the chair of the Finance

1:04:06Committee, Councilman Andujar. The floor

1:04:08is yours.

1:04:08>> Thank you, Mr. President. The Finance

1:04:10Committee did meet on October 5th and uh

1:04:13we passed ordinance 81702, ordinance and

1:04:16amendment of title 3, chapter 8, section

1:04:1860 of the City of Cranston Code of

1:04:20Ordinances 2005 entitled Board of

1:04:23Contract and Purchase. I urge passage.

1:04:25>> Is there a motion to approve?

1:04:27>> So moved.

1:04:27>> Second.

1:04:29>> So, before we go at start, I want to I

1:04:32want to speak on this. I'll refresh

1:04:34everyone's memory. Um when we left in

1:04:37the Finance Committee, um we recommended

1:04:39passage as Councilman Council uh

1:04:43Finance Chairman Andujar said.

1:04:46At that time, I would say the discussion

1:04:49we had a lively discussion on uh

1:04:52the charter, separation of powers,

1:04:55violations, uh things like that.

1:04:59At that time, I I'll tell you I was

1:05:00quite frustrated.

1:05:02I was pleased with my colleagues who who

1:05:04to pass it. I certainly at that time if

1:05:07I I don't think I hid it well that I was

1:05:09frustrated of fact that there was an

1:05:10obstacle in the way.

1:05:12Um that the charter seemed to be an

1:05:14obstacle

1:05:15to providing uh a measure of

1:05:17transparency,

1:05:19um oversight,

1:05:21um transparency for the council, but

1:05:23also for the members of the public,

1:05:25which I thought was even more more

1:05:26important, which was really the goal

1:05:30to have uh the city council have an

1:05:32opportunity to have a say in how

1:05:36capital projects were spent,

1:05:39have uh a bit of oversight, also have

1:05:42transparency, have the financial backup

1:05:44and the details of these expenditures

1:05:46available for the council, and for the

1:05:49public, just like the stuff that we have

1:05:51on the council uh and the council

1:05:52docket. I thought it was necessary, and

1:05:55I couldn't at that time I as I said, I

1:05:57was very frustrated that

1:06:00and uh the solicitor will know

1:06:02the phrase threat came out and it it it

1:06:04got um

1:06:06it got under my skin quite a bit, I'm

1:06:07not going to lie to you.

1:06:09But I if you recall all not to make this

1:06:11deliberation a long time, I I I was not

1:06:13willing to continue this matter.

1:06:16And uh at that time I think it was very

1:06:18adamant in the fact that we got a lot of

1:06:20smart people here. You have a good time.

1:06:22We can fix it, we'll fix it. If not,

1:06:24we're going to pass it as is.

1:06:26Um so I do appreciate the administration

1:06:28of Director Meridy and the solicitor for

1:06:31coming forth, and we did meet um myself

1:06:35and the council attorney, and we we

1:06:37discussed the legalities of it. The

1:06:39truth is, I still think as it was

1:06:40written, it was a good it was a good

1:06:42amended ordinance.

1:06:44But when you start to talk about the

1:06:46legalities, and you start to talk about

1:06:48lawsuits,

1:06:50it was also pointed out last week

1:06:54that

1:06:55we could win or we could lose.

1:06:59The administration, if they filed a

1:07:00lawsuit on us, we could have lost.

1:07:03Or we could have won.

1:07:05But one thing was absolutely sure,

1:07:07we were going to spend a lot of money.

1:07:09And that was the threat that bothered me

1:07:11the most. Cuz the idea behind this

1:07:14ordinance amendment was to save the

1:07:17public money.

1:07:18And have them know what we're spending

1:07:20our money's on and to be transparent.

1:07:24So at that time I said, let's see if we

1:07:25can find

1:07:27some language. How can we tweak it

1:07:29to make it so it doesn't violate the

1:07:31charter. And um

1:07:33through those meetings I believe we did

1:07:35come up with an amendment. Um

1:07:38and

1:07:39and I'm sure and we'll talk after uh

1:07:41whether I it's I believe it satisfied

1:07:43all parties and it still achieves

1:07:45basically the same goals with not

1:07:47violating the charter. Um Tom, you have

1:07:50it up on the screen?

1:07:53Um the amendment and hopefully I'm

1:07:55reading it correctly.

1:07:57All right, that's what you sent me.

1:07:59The amendment should read as follows.

1:08:03>> [clears throat]

1:08:03>> Yeah, it's the same.

1:08:05Um yeah, does any everyone in the

1:08:07council member of council should have

1:08:08this.

1:08:15It's going through a number of

1:08:16incarnations, so we want to make sure we

1:08:17have the right one.

1:08:23You all have it?

1:08:26I didn't bring my glasses, so if I

1:08:27stumble I don't know.

1:08:33So the idea would be to strike the

1:08:35entire language which would be in

1:08:38subsection C.

1:08:40All right? And add this language which

1:08:43is on the screen and I'm going to read

1:08:44it just to make sure it's perfectly

1:08:46clear clear that will say

1:08:48no contract or change order for goods or

1:08:51services approved by the Board of

1:08:53Contracts and Purchases of an amount of

1:08:56$100,000

1:08:58or more shall be entered into

1:09:01awarded or executed unless all documents

1:09:05related to such contract change order

1:09:08are uploaded to the Board of Contracts

1:09:11calendar no later than two business days

1:09:14prior to any meeting where the contract

1:09:17or change order is being considered.

1:09:21In the event of sealed bids, such

1:09:23documents shall be uploaded in the same

1:09:26manner as prescribed above and shall be

1:09:30considered

1:09:32by a vote of the Board of Contract at

1:09:34its next by the Board at its next

1:09:36meeting.

1:09:37Prior to the final approval

1:09:40or the awarding of any contract or

1:09:43change order of $100,000 or more, the

1:09:46Board of Contracts and Purchases shall

1:09:49send a written request to the City

1:09:51Council seeking their recommendation of

1:09:54the subject of the contract or change

1:09:56order.

1:09:59Purch- The Purchasing Agent shall

1:10:01provide the City Council with sufficient

1:10:03information and detail on the proposal

1:10:06including but not limited to

1:10:08the bid proposal, the scope of work, the

1:10:11change order, or similar details

1:10:13necessary for the City Council to make a

1:10:16recommendation.

1:10:18The City Council shall consider the

1:10:20request for recommendation at its next

1:10:23regularly scheduled meeting or if

1:10:25necessary, a special meeting

1:10:28after the date of the receipt of the

1:10:30Board's request.

1:10:34>> Um

1:10:35Attorney Marshall, would you like to

1:10:36speak at all on this?

1:10:39You're okay at this time. I

1:10:40>> Figured he's Figured he's the He's the

1:10:42guy who helped us draft a lot of this.

1:10:44Solicitor, would you like to add

1:10:45something?

1:10:49>> I covered it pretty well.

1:10:50>> So, before I take

1:10:53Director, you like to You were a

1:10:55superstar the other day. I'm going to

1:10:56bring

1:11:03>> Mr. Council President, just to let

1:11:04people know this is the way government

1:11:05should operate.

1:11:07The Council President obviously felt so

1:11:09passionate and intellectually passionate

1:11:11about this, but also had the presence of

1:11:13mind to listen to this side and to just

1:11:16make it right, I'll say. Um the

1:11:19administration did not disagree with the

1:11:21spirit of what the the president and uh

1:11:24whoever was sponsors of this work. Um it

1:11:26was merely for legalities to say it

1:11:29wouldn't be challenged later on and we

1:11:31didn't want it to violate the charter.

1:11:32So, all that was well communicated in a

1:11:34wonderful meeting and to come up with

1:11:36language in essence, I believe virtually

1:11:39um accomplishes this the same thing. Um

1:11:42there's just one slight legality and

1:11:44that vocab it was determined that we

1:11:45believe that

1:11:47consensus was that they would have the

1:11:49authority to actually grant awards. Um

1:11:53but this in essence the substance will

1:11:55basically first uh seek city council

1:11:58recommendation. So, they going to have a

1:11:59a large say in that process. So, the

1:12:02administration concurs, has no problem

1:12:05at all with the spirit of it, but it was

1:12:07just it was it was just a technical

1:12:09language per per se. It was a slight

1:12:11different legal implication. Um but one

1:12:14of you this this is the way it should

1:12:16work and I want to make it perfectly

1:12:18clear the administration does not

1:12:19disagree um with the spirit of it and

1:12:22with in the language of this. It was

1:12:23just trying to just make sure it was

1:12:25buttoned up properly. Thank you.

1:12:27>> Uh thank you, Director.

1:12:29Um and just it it it had been pointed

1:12:32out several times before.

1:12:34Um the council, you know, the council

1:12:36does

1:12:37appoint the majority of the board. So,

1:12:41the recommendation of the council

1:12:44I guess we should expect that should

1:12:46carry some weight as as we go forward.

1:12:48Um

1:12:50I'm not saying

1:12:51it was suggested several times that we

1:12:53should have a

1:12:54a charter amendment. I'm not saying that

1:12:56that's off the table right now, but as

1:12:58right now this will this will give us

1:13:00the spirit it provides some oversight by

1:13:03the council.

1:13:05It affords transparency so the council

1:13:08does have

1:13:10transparency is able to see how

1:13:11expenditures are

1:13:13and also probably more importantly the

1:13:15public is able to see exactly what our

1:13:19money is being spent on. All right, so

1:13:21before I ask um

1:13:25for for a motion I'm well I should take

1:13:26a motion

1:13:28before I do that. So I'm going to ask

1:13:30for a motion to approve of the

1:13:32amendment.

1:13:34>> So moved.

1:13:34>> Second.

1:13:36>> [clears throat]

1:13:36>> And then I'm going to take

1:13:38Yes, now I'm going to take discussion on

1:13:40the amendment, okay? Discussion on the

1:13:41amendment Councilman Mendoza.

1:13:43>> Thank you Mr. President. Um first I want

1:13:45to ask about the Cranston Public Library

1:13:47letter.

1:13:48Do we need to enter that into the

1:13:49record?

1:13:50>> Yes, um there's a letter from Yeah, why

1:13:54don't we do that just after we because

1:13:56we've got a motion on the table, but

1:13:58yes, thank you for reminding me of that

1:13:59because there's a letter.

1:14:01>> With all due respect um I feel that

1:14:03$100,000 is too much. I I would like to

1:14:05amend that to $50,000 on lines 25 and

1:14:0831. I feel $50,000 would be

1:14:13the threshold where

1:14:15we can see a lot of movement going on

1:14:18and change orders. I feel $100,000

1:14:20things are going to get lost.

1:14:23>> There's a motion to amend.

1:14:26Motion. Is there a second to that? Yeah,

1:14:27we can take

1:14:28there's a second. [clears throat] All

1:14:29right, so we're now at this point just

1:14:31so we don't get confused. Now we have

1:14:33taken discussion on the on just on the

1:14:36dollar amount amendment.

1:14:38All right, then we'll take a vote on

1:14:40that and then we'll take a vote on the

1:14:42the amendment.

1:14:43Councilman Traficante.

1:14:45>> Uh, Council President, if you recall,

1:14:46when we discussed the original uh,

1:14:49ordinance at the ordinance committee

1:14:50meeting, I I voiced my opinion saying

1:14:53that if I had my druthers, I would

1:14:59I would

1:15:04have supported this.

1:15:06>> I apologize, Mayor Trafficante. I will

1:15:08let you take the lead on that $50,000

1:15:10rule. Um, anyone else would like to

1:15:13speak on the dollar amount amendment?

1:15:17Cou- Councilwoman Campana.

1:15:19>> Yes, sir.

1:15:20>> [clears throat]

1:15:20>> Thank you, Council President. Um, well,

1:15:2250,000

1:15:24it sounds a little You can't remodel

1:15:25your kitchen for 50,000. I'd like to

1:15:27hear from the administration and see

1:15:28what they think about that dollar

1:15:30amount.

1:15:30>> Who'd like to question Who would like to

1:15:32speak? Would you like to speak on it?

1:15:33It's either Director Strom Okay.

1:15:39>> I think with um,

1:15:40with all

1:15:44Okay. I think with all the bids and some

1:15:48of the contract changes, um,

1:15:51I think that uh, 50,000 is on the low

1:15:54side. I think it should remain at

1:15:55100,000.

1:15:57Uh,

1:15:59because if not, I think this is going to

1:16:02be uh,

1:16:04an issue that's going to be going

1:16:05forward that we're constantly going to

1:16:07be needing approval and recommendation

1:16:10and I think in my opinion is uh,

1:16:13you should leave it up to purchasing and

1:16:15in bulk app with your recommendation.

1:16:18And one thing I wanted to mention, too,

1:16:20we provide on a Friday the minutes in

1:16:23the agenda for the meeting that is going

1:16:26to exist on a Tuesday.

1:16:29With that, my recommendation and and

1:16:31it's been agreed upon by purchasing,

1:16:34is to submit anything over 100,000, all

1:16:38the backup that relates to that when

1:16:40those minutes and the agenda goes out on

1:16:42a Friday, so you have that prior to the

1:16:45Tuesday BOCAB meeting. But I think to

1:16:48reduce it to 50,000, now you're getting

1:16:51uh

1:16:52I think it's too

1:16:54uh too cumbersome for the department to

1:16:57uh

1:16:58reduce to 50,000. I think the 100,000 is

1:17:01more realistic.

1:17:02>> Thank you for that feedback.

1:17:04Um

1:17:05Floor is still yours, Councilman.

1:17:06>> Thank you. Um now I just want to point

1:17:07out that BOCAB meets twice a month. We

1:17:09meet once a month. So I don't know how

1:17:11cumbersome it would become. I'm just

1:17:13thinking logistically

1:17:16how that would work. It would probably

1:17:17have to have a special meeting.

1:17:19Well, but they'd have to wait.

1:17:23>> That's the other side, or they will have

1:17:24to wait.

1:17:26Sometimes you you know, so you and I may

1:17:28have a different opinion. I get what

1:17:29you're saying, though.

1:17:30Yeah, I do.

1:17:33No, not saying I don't support it. I'm

1:17:34just pointing out the facts.

1:17:35>> No, no, I get it. There's difference of

1:17:37opinion. Um other members of the council

1:17:39want to speak on the amendment. I want

1:17:41to make sure I get everybody weigh in.

1:17:42Uh Councilman Banano.

1:17:44>> Thank you.

1:17:45Um

1:17:48>> [clears throat]

1:17:49>> I hear both sides of the argument,

1:17:51but we got a $12 million deficit.

1:17:54And we have a $12 million deficit, I

1:17:56don't care if it's 25,000.

1:17:58We we we should look at it.

1:18:00So um

1:18:02there's nothing, by the way, that stops

1:18:04us from changing this back

1:18:07later on. We don't have a $12 million or

1:18:09or whatever the number of the deficit

1:18:11is.

1:18:11>> It's not We we we we we're not going to

1:18:13keep go back and forth.

1:18:14>> See, I think he's he said that we have

1:18:17he was misquoted the number. Let's not

1:18:19get into that.

1:18:20>> Well, whatever Yeah, whatever the

1:18:21deficit is,

1:18:22we have a deficit. We have a deficit.

1:18:27And when we have a deficit is the time

1:18:29to watch. And if you have extra money

1:18:31later on, 20 years from now, 10 years

1:18:33from now, 5 years from now, we can raise

1:18:35this up to

1:18:36you know, or the body will raise this up

1:18:38to 100,000, 120, whatever it is. And

1:18:40then as inflation goes up. But for the

1:18:42for the time being with the situation

1:18:44we're in until we get out of it, I have

1:18:46no problem with $50,000.

1:18:49Uh I think perhaps 6 months, 8 months

1:18:52from now it should be re-looked at by

1:18:53the next council

1:18:54um to make sure we're not getting bogged

1:18:56down.

1:18:57However,

1:18:58um the more oversight

1:19:01the better at this point.

1:19:04>> Director Strong, did you want to correct

1:19:06us on the amount of the deficit?

1:19:09Just so we know on the record we're

1:19:10being accurate. Just

1:19:13And then the where By the way, it's not

1:19:16going to be comment on the amount of

1:19:17deficit. He just wanted to correct the

1:19:18>> Yes.

1:19:19>> Okay, we're still going to be talking

1:19:20about the amendment.

1:19:21>> Okay. Well,

1:19:23>> Just

1:19:23>> Just to clarify,

1:19:24>> Yep, just

1:19:25>> um the between the school and the city,

1:19:27the deficit is

1:19:30uh 9.5 million.

1:19:31>> 9.5? Thank you. Thank you for the

1:19:33accuracy. I appreciate it. And then the

1:19:35members of the council who would like to

1:19:36speak on the amendment. I'm going to go

1:19:37right around from Councilwoman Graziano

1:19:39and I'm going to go right down the line.

1:19:41>> Thank you. Um I think this question is

1:19:43going to be for Director Strong. Um

1:19:47what is the threshold

1:19:49um

1:19:50for full bid packet, sealed bid packets

1:19:54versus an RFP or an RFQ? What's the

1:19:57monetary threshold?

1:20:00>> Director

1:20:03Uh we go out for an RFP if it's over

1:20:06$5,000.

1:20:08>> Where When do you go out for a full bid?

1:20:10Is it 50,000? Full sealed bid posted in

1:20:13combat?

1:20:13>> over 5,000.

1:20:14>> When it's over five?

1:20:15>> Yes.

1:20:17That's the RFP.

1:20:21>> So like

1:20:21>> Request for for proposal is for 5,000.

1:20:23>> Yes, yes, yes. So what I'm saying is,

1:20:25okay, but where

1:20:27where do you do a full sealed bid

1:20:30packet? What what number

1:20:32>> a sealed bid packet.

1:20:33>> Oh, okay. Here it is. Okay. Okay.

1:20:38Thank you for educating me. I'm still in

1:20:40Massachusetts.

1:20:42>> Thank you, Councilwoman.

1:20:47>> I'll be voting tonight in full support

1:20:49of the $50,000.

1:20:51As we all know, Councilman Ender Houat

1:20:53is our finance chair. If he's asking for

1:20:5550,000, there's a reason why. He's done

1:20:58his homework and come to that

1:20:59conclusion.

1:21:01>> Thank you, Council Vice President.

1:21:02Councilwoman Mizzari.

1:21:04>> Um I agree with Council Vice President

1:21:07Heroyan and I want to echo everything

1:21:09that Councilman Benardo said. Um if

1:21:12we're in this deficit, we need to

1:21:14scrutinize every dollar and take a

1:21:17closer look at what we're spending. So,

1:21:19I will be in full support of the $50,000

1:21:21amendment.

1:21:22>> Thank you, Councilwoman Mizzari. And

1:21:28>> Sure. Absolutely director. You should

1:21:30just stand up.

1:21:31>> want the the council to know that

1:21:34the deficit is for fiscal year 26.

1:21:37We currently are running a balanced

1:21:40budget for 27. So, there is no deficit

1:21:43for 27.

1:21:45Which is the current fiscal year we're

1:21:47in now.

1:21:48>> So, during our current fiscal year,

1:21:50there is no deficit at this time and we

1:21:52were talking about the last year's

1:21:54fiscal year, which was what? $9.5

1:21:55million with the city and the school

1:21:57combined. So, the school school budget

1:22:00>> up to date.

1:22:00>> But I have a question, Mr. Mr.

1:22:02President, if I could ask Director

1:22:03Stroma a question cuz he's just opened

1:22:05the door and we have some people online.

1:22:08So, as you're saying that we are

1:22:11financially stable for fiscal year 27,

1:22:14correct?

1:22:14>> That is correct.

1:22:15>> So, that means

1:22:16>> 3 months, Councilwoman.

1:22:17>> Okay, so that means we will not have a

1:22:194% increase in April

1:22:21during our budget season?

1:22:23>> You mean for the next fiscal year?

1:22:25>> next fiscal year?

1:22:25>> That would

1:22:26>> the next fiscal year. I can't state that

1:22:28right now.

1:22:28>> So how are we going to have

1:22:30>> At this time I'm going to ask the

1:22:32director that is not on the agenda right

1:22:34now. On the finance committee we're

1:22:35definitely going to speak of it. I

1:22:36promise you that. It's going to be on.

1:22:38Right now that's not what's on the

1:22:39agenda. So we're talking about the

1:22:41amendment. I think we've gone far enough

1:22:43into that weed right now.

1:22:45>> Well, I just want to explain the 50,000.

1:22:47Thank you Mr. President. I just want to

1:22:48explain the 50,000. So

1:22:50let's just put in perspective

1:22:54stamped concrete and it's going to be

1:22:56glazed.

1:22:57And the first bid came in for

1:23:01$5 million.

1:23:02And then all of a sudden with prices and

1:23:04everything going on, now there's a bid

1:23:07increase and now there's a change of

1:23:08order. And that change of order might be

1:23:1090,000. Well, at 50,000 we'll have they

1:23:13would have to get our approval and then

1:23:15we could decide whether we're going to

1:23:16glaze it or just leave it stamped and

1:23:18dull. So that's why I came up with

1:23:1950,000. I thank Mayor Traficante. I did

1:23:22steal his thunder so I apologize Mayor,

1:23:24but um

1:23:26I hope everybody supports me on that.

1:23:28>> Thank you.

1:23:30>> One other thing.

1:23:32>> Brief, please.

1:23:33>> I am.

1:23:35The what you're

1:23:37discussing is capital projects. Capital

1:23:39projects does not affect the operating

1:23:41budget.

1:23:42>> I gave an example director.

1:23:44>> No, but I'm just saying all these things

1:23:46that you're mentioning most everything

1:23:48is a capital expenditures, not

1:23:50operational.

1:23:57>> I mean I don't want to get into a back

1:23:58and forth Mr. President, but I think I I

1:24:01ask for your support.

1:24:02>> All right, and and

1:24:04just for the record, I'm certainly going

1:24:06to be in support of it. When we talked

1:24:07about it, I certainly be willing to

1:24:11go a little lower than 100. I got that

1:24:13that number. So um as finance director

1:24:15I'm definitely going to respect your

1:24:17opinion.

1:24:18Um

1:24:18if it takes a little extra time

1:24:21we are in a financial situation. We have

1:24:23to work for every penny, so I certainly

1:24:25um be willing to that. So, we're going

1:24:26to take um there's no more comments, a

1:24:28vote on the amendment to change the

1:24:31threshold from $100,000

1:24:34to $50,000.

1:24:38>> Line 25

1:24:41strike 100,000 and add

1:24:44and

1:24:45delete 100,000 and substitute 50,000.

1:24:48That's the motion.

1:24:50>> Yeah. There's several places where it

1:24:51is.

1:24:51>> In line 31.

1:24:53>> Hold on.

1:24:54>> Yep. Yes. And so, line 31

1:24:57>> Yeah.

1:24:58>> for 25 and 31.

1:25:00Thank you. Just want to make sure that's

1:25:01clear.

1:25:03>> So, for the record, every place where it

1:25:05said $100,000, it will now read $50,000.

1:25:10Okay? And we'll clean it up before we

1:25:12go. Clerk, would you please take the

1:25:14roll on the amendment to the amendment?

1:25:19>> Councilwoman Graziano? Yes.

1:25:21Councilman Andujar? Yes. Councilman

1:25:23Traficante?

1:25:23>> Yes.

1:25:24>> Councilwoman Viscari?

1:25:25>> Yes.

1:25:26>> Councilman Campapiano?

1:25:27>> Yes.

1:25:27>> Councilman Banano?

1:25:28>> Yes.

1:25:29>> Council Vice President Hubbell Ryan?

1:25:30>> Yes.

1:25:31>> Council President Wall?

1:25:32>> Yes.

1:25:33>> Okay. So, that passes. The amendment to

1:25:36the amendment has passed. The threshold

1:25:38is now $50,000.

1:25:40Now, I'm we're going to continue

1:25:43comments. We had a motion to approve the

1:25:45amendment.

1:25:47We're going to take continue our

1:25:48comments another time around

1:25:51for the amendment itself.

1:25:54I'm going to go around this way.

1:25:56The amendment that you received Yep.

1:25:59Is there any further comments on the

1:26:01amendment?

1:26:03I'm looking right around. I go all the

1:26:05way around until I see Councilman

1:26:06Campapiano. No. No, you know what? I see

1:26:08Banano. I'm going to come this way. Yep.

1:26:11>> Thank you, Mr. President. I didn't get

1:26:12to opine on this amendment because

1:26:15unfortunately, due to work obligation, I

1:26:17missed the last special meeting and I

1:26:18just wanted my feelings to go on the

1:26:20record. I think first of all,

1:26:23the fact that we've muddled through

1:26:25and when I say we, it wasn't all of us,

1:26:27but the fact that the leadership of the

1:26:29council and the administration have

1:26:30muddled through to come up with a

1:26:31solution that is not going to wind up

1:26:33with

1:26:34some litigation. I give a lot of credit

1:26:36to both sides. I want to say that

1:26:38because

1:26:39that's not what we wanted. I don't think

1:26:41anybody wants that. Um and it's not

1:26:44that's not it's not good for the city

1:26:46when that happens. Um so kudos to both

1:26:50the mayor's office and the council

1:26:51president and our our attorneys, their

1:26:54solicitors. Um

1:26:56frankly I I thought

1:26:58when I came in here tonight I was going

1:26:59to be ready to brawl about this. So I'm

1:27:01I'm glad that that's not the case. And

1:27:03my blood pressure doctor agrees.

1:27:05Um

1:27:06I also want to comment that this is

1:27:10this is a great idea.

1:27:12Again, I mentioned that when you're in a

1:27:13deficit, no matter if it's 9.5 million,

1:27:15that's that's not acceptable, or 12

1:27:17million, or 100 million. If you're in a

1:27:19deficit

1:27:21you got to you got to tighten that belt.

1:27:23And

1:27:25Councilwoman Graziano and me

1:27:26notwithstanding, I know that the rest of

1:27:28the people on this body are going around

1:27:31door-to-door at this time of year and I

1:27:35can guarantee I'm not going around

1:27:36door-to-door and one of the biggest

1:27:37complaints that I heard was why didn't

1:27:39you know what was going on? Why didn't

1:27:41you see what was going on? And and

1:27:44how how did everybody miss it?

1:27:47And there was a big there was a big

1:27:48loophole.

1:27:49You know, there was a big loophole and

1:27:51now this closes that loophole. That

1:27:53closes the door. So now there's a whole

1:27:55bunch of eyes that are going to be on

1:27:57this

1:27:58that are going to be on the finances

1:27:59even closer and all that does

1:28:03it's got nothing to do with who's in

1:28:04office or nothing to do with personal

1:28:07you know,

1:28:08feelings about, you know, politicians

1:28:10that may or may not be in office right

1:28:12now. All this is going to do is protect

1:28:15the people of the city of Cranston from

1:28:17what's happened

1:28:19from happening again.

1:28:20Because and and if it happens again with

1:28:23this kind of thing in

1:28:25place, well, then shame on everybody.

1:28:27And I mean, we should move to Warwick or

1:28:29something. But, um you know,

1:28:33what we're going to what we're going to

1:28:34do here is we're going to close that

1:28:35loophole. We're going to be able to pay

1:28:37closer attention and everybody is going

1:28:40to be laser focused so nothing like this

1:28:42ever happens again. How could anybody be

1:28:45against that? Thank you.

1:28:47>> Thank you, Councilman.

1:28:48Going right down the line, I'd see

1:28:51Councilman Campion. No, you had your

1:28:52hand

1:28:53>> Thank you, Council President. I want

1:28:54[clears throat] to commend you and the

1:28:55administration for working together to

1:28:57get this done, but we've made some

1:28:59pretty substantial changes. Is this

1:29:00going to have to be re-advertised and go

1:29:02back again?

1:29:02>> Yes, it will.

1:29:03>> What will happen?

1:29:04>> Do you want to answer that?

1:29:05>> Yep. It will not go back to the

1:29:06subcommittee. Charter requires that it

1:29:08be re-advertised and voted up by the

1:29:10full council.

1:29:11But, it will not go back to the

1:29:12subcommittee.

1:29:13>> Thank you for clarifying that.

1:29:14>> So, it will come back to the council.

1:29:15>> Yep.

1:29:16>> Thank you. Thank you, Mayor.

1:29:18Terry, uh Councilman Councilman

1:29:20Traficante.

1:29:22>> Council President, just just a

1:29:23clarification so I understand it. I

1:29:25understand that the contract is 60,000

1:29:27or more, it comes back to the council. I

1:29:29understand that. How about a change

1:29:31order

1:29:32over 50,000? That likewise will come

1:29:34back to the council?

1:29:35>> Yep.

1:29:35>> Okay.

1:29:39Um

1:29:40I'm sorry.

1:29:42I'm adding um

1:29:43uh section four, the two private

1:29:46citizens shall be persons skilled in

1:29:48governmental or private business

1:29:50purchasing and properly controlled.

1:29:52>> I can't take credit for that. That was

1:29:54already in there.

1:29:55Oh, that that was already I'll take it,

1:29:57but I didn't put that one.

1:29:58>> [laughter]

1:29:58>> That's That's part of the language.

1:29:59>> That's already in there, Frank.

1:30:04Yep.

1:30:08Any other comments?

1:30:11Oh, let me let me pass um

1:30:14Hold on, let me just check.

1:30:22Yeah, okay.

1:30:24All right, any other discussion?

1:30:27All right, seeing none and then I'll

1:30:28take that I'll ask that, okay? Um

1:30:32>> [clears throat]

1:30:33>> Clerk, could you please call the roll?

1:30:35On the amendment.

1:30:40>> Councilwoman Graziano.

1:30:41>> Yes.

1:30:42>> Councilman Andujar.

1:30:43>> Yes.

1:30:44>> Councilman Traficante.

1:30:45>> Yes.

1:30:46>> Councilwoman Viscari.

1:30:47>> Yes.

1:30:48>> Councilman Campapiano.

1:30:49>> Yes. [clears throat]

1:30:50>> Councilman Buono.

1:30:50>> Yes.

1:30:51>> Council Vice President Heroyan.

1:30:52>> Yes.

1:30:53>> Council President Woll.

1:30:54>> Yes.

1:30:56>> And the only other thing we don't have

1:30:57to do this just has to be re-advertised

1:30:59it'll come back to this council again.

1:31:01>> Can we just take one final vote then?

1:31:10>> Okay. So, we'll just just just to make

1:31:12sure we're we pass all the legal tests

1:31:15here.

1:31:16Um we're going to take a a motion

1:31:19to approve the ordinance amendment

1:31:22as

1:31:24as

1:31:25>> as amended.

1:31:26>> Is a motion to approve?

1:31:28>> So moved.

1:31:28>> Second.

1:31:29>> Second.

1:31:31I think we've had a lot of discussion,

1:31:32but if someone like to discuss something

1:31:33that's fine.

1:31:35I see no hands. Do you have something

1:31:37>> Yeah, I just want to clarify. So, this

1:31:39will now go back it will have to be

1:31:41advertised. It will not go to finance

1:31:43it'll come back to the

1:31:44uh council for public comment.

1:31:47And then after that public comment is

1:31:48over you'll be able to approve or reject

1:31:50it as as as you so wish. But, we do not

1:31:52have to go back to the sub committee.

1:31:58>> We could.

1:32:00>> Yeah, then we'd do to re-have it.

1:32:04No, you're not.

1:32:04>> [laughter]

1:32:07>> Um,

1:32:08yes, we do. So, there's no comment, then

1:32:11I'm going to ask clerk to please call

1:32:12the roll.

1:32:14>> Councilwoman Graziano.

1:32:16>> Yes.

1:32:16>> Councilman Andujar.

1:32:17>> Yes.

1:32:17>> Councilman Traversi-Cantone.

1:32:18>> Yes.

1:32:19>> Councilwoman Viserri.

1:32:20>> Yes.

1:32:20>> Councilman Campopiano.

1:32:21>> Yes.

1:32:22>> Councilman Buonnano.

1:32:22>> Yes.

1:32:23>> Council Vice President Horrigan.

1:32:25>> Yes.

1:32:25>> Council President Wall.

1:32:26>> Yes.

1:32:27>> Okay, that motion carries. I would

1:32:31go back to Councilman Andujar. Would you

1:32:33be a motion to enter

1:32:35the

1:32:36>> Councilwoman Graziano.

1:32:39>> Um, I'm going to make a motion to enter

1:32:40into the record the October 7th, 2026

1:32:45letter from Michael Goldberg, the chair

1:32:48of the library Board of Trustees.

1:32:50>> So moved, second.

1:32:51>> Second.

1:32:52>> Okay. I would add this, that we

1:32:55we were in possession of this letter

1:32:56before.

1:32:57I won't speak for the council attorney,

1:32:59but we had looked at it and this does

1:33:01not affect library purchases as they do

1:33:04not come before the Board of Contracts

1:33:05and Purchases. We've we've had some

1:33:07discussion on it, but

1:33:09Director Goucher did want and the Board

1:33:11of Directors of the Library did want

1:33:13this put on the record.

1:33:15So,

1:33:17any discussion?

1:33:19I see none. Council President, please

1:33:20call the roll.

1:33:22Traversi. No.

1:33:24>> No.

1:33:25>> Do we? Good.

1:33:26>> Councilwoman Graziano.

1:33:27>> Yes.

1:33:28>> Councilman Andujar.

1:33:29>> Yes.

1:33:33>> Councilman Traversi-Cantone.

1:33:34>> Yes.

1:33:34>> Councilwoman Viserri.

1:33:35>> Yes.

1:33:36>> Councilman Campopiano.

1:33:37>> Yes.

1:33:37>> Councilman Buonnano.

1:33:38>> Yes.

1:33:38>> Council Vice President Horrigan.

1:33:40>> Yes.

1:33:40>> Council President Wall.

1:33:41>> Yes.

1:33:42>> Okay, the floor is once again yours,

1:33:44Councilman Andujar.

1:33:44>> Thank you, Mr. President. Also, the

1:33:47Finance Committee met on October 5th,

1:33:50and there was a resolution sponsored by

1:33:51Councilman Campopiano, resolution urging

1:33:54the state of Rhode Island, the

1:33:56uh Island General Assembly, the

1:33:58Department of Education to cease the

1:34:00enactment of unfunded mandates. I urge

1:34:03passage.

1:34:04>> Is there a motion to approve?

1:34:05>> Motion to approve.

1:34:06>> Second.

1:34:07>> Okay, there's a motion and a second.

1:34:09Um I'm going to let Councilman Campbeona

1:34:10speak and then I'll take other

1:34:12discussion.

1:34:13>> Thank you, Council President. I

1:34:15[clears throat] think uh

1:34:16this goes without saying uh it's um it

1:34:19may not have the teeth we want right up

1:34:21front, but if we stay unified and uh

1:34:24keep pushing that maybe we can get

1:34:25something done here because uh I think

1:34:28uh every week there's some other mandate

1:34:29that comes before us that uh costs the

1:34:31city money then it and of course it

1:34:32costs the sense money, so uh I want to

1:34:35thank everybody for voting yes in

1:34:36committee and hopefully it passes today.

1:34:39>> Uh thank you, Councilman Campbeona. Any

1:34:41other discussion? Councilman Bonanno.

1:34:44>> Thank you. I will be voting yes on this.

1:34:46I'm in support of it.

1:34:48Um I just have sort of a logistical

1:34:50question.

1:34:53This goes up to the State House, right?

1:34:56But they're not in session right now, so

1:34:57would you have to do it again if there's

1:34:59a bill

1:35:01um specific to it

1:35:04that's introduced at that level at that

1:35:05point or will this go automatically up

1:35:08there?

1:35:08>> I think I'm going to refer that to the

1:35:10Council Attorney on that if if you don't

1:35:12mind, Councilman Campbeona.

1:35:14>> So this is a general resolution um

1:35:16it would does not have to go back up,

1:35:18but if there's a a specific bill on a

1:35:20mandate that comes to your attention, if

1:35:22you want to pass up separate resolution

1:35:23on that specific bill you could

1:35:25certainly consider that, but this is

1:35:26more of a a broad base cover coverage.

1:35:29I mean resolution

1:35:30>> Okay.

1:35:31I I just I don't know, if they're not

1:35:33there I hope they read it, you know what

1:35:34I mean? Because it's important.

1:35:35>> They do they do get they're in I mean

1:35:37they're they're in recess and they do

1:35:39get um these communications through

1:35:41their emails and whatnot as they go.

1:35:43>> All right, good. Okay, that was my only

1:35:44question. Thank you.

1:35:45>> Thank you.

1:35:46Councilman Campbeona, did you want to

1:35:48weigh in on this matter?

1:35:49>> Yes, um uh I want to thank uh Councilman

1:35:51Bonanno for bringing that up and uh

1:35:53uh because now we've uh uh we opened it

1:35:55up keep our eyes open. So, we'll keep an

1:35:57eye on this and if that is required

1:35:59we'll I think we'll all be in favor

1:36:00doing that. Thank you.

1:36:01>> Yep. Well, thank you, Councilman. Any

1:36:03other members of the council who'd like

1:36:04to speak on this resolution?

1:36:07I'm seeing none. I thank as I did uh

1:36:09during the um

1:36:10the meeting the uh committee meeting, I

1:36:12thank Councilman McConnell for

1:36:13introducing this. I certainly am going

1:36:15to be in support and hopefully it has

1:36:17some impact.

1:36:19Um

1:36:20Clerk, please call the roll.

1:36:22>> Councilwoman Graziano.

1:36:23>> Yes.

1:36:24>> Councilman Andujar.

1:36:25>> Yes.

1:36:25>> Councilman Traficante.

1:36:26>> Yes.

1:36:27>> Councilwoman Viscari.

1:36:28>> Yes.

1:36:29>> Councilman Campapiano.

1:36:30>> Yes.

1:36:30>> Councilman Bonano.

1:36:31>> Yes.

1:36:31>> Council Vice President Horan.

1:36:33>> Yes.

1:36:33>> Council President Wall.

1:36:35>> Yes.

1:36:36>> Moving on to real estate tax abate tax

1:36:38abatements, um there is one in your

1:36:41file, Irish Passage.

1:36:43>> Is there a motion to approve?

1:36:44>> Second.

1:36:45>> Okay.

1:36:45>> [clears throat]

1:36:47>> Who All right, who gave the motion?

1:36:48The Council Vice President Let the

1:36:50record reflect that she did make the

1:36:51motion and

1:36:52>> Second.

1:36:53>> And there's a And Councilman Traficante

1:36:55gets the second.

1:36:56Okay. Any discussion?

1:36:59There'll be a none. Clerk, please call

1:37:00the roll.

1:37:00>> Councilwoman Graziano.

1:37:02>> Yes.

1:37:02>> Councilman Andujar.

1:37:03>> Yes.

1:37:04>> Councilman Traficante.

1:37:05>> Yes.

1:37:05>> Councilwoman Viscari.

1:37:06>> Yes.

1:37:06>> Councilman Campapiano.

1:37:07>> Yes.

1:37:07>> Councilman Bonano.

1:37:08>> Yes.

1:37:09>> Council Vice President Horan.

1:37:10>> Yes.

1:37:10>> Council President Wall.

1:37:11>> Yes. That motion passes. Okay. Moving

1:37:15right along to the chairwoman of public

1:37:18works, Councilwoman Graziano. The floor

1:37:20is yours.

1:37:22Did I miss something?

1:37:24Oh, wait a minute. Are you sure?

1:37:28I got two resolutions.

1:37:31Real estate

1:37:36All right.

1:37:38It's all right. I got you.

1:37:40It's floor is still yours. Just just a

1:37:42brief check on that.

1:37:42>> Thank Council President. Public Works

1:37:44Committee did meet in October 13th, 2026

1:37:48and there's nothing to report forward to

1:37:50city council from that meeting.

1:37:52>> Okay, thank you councilwoman. Now we'll

1:37:54go back to councilman Andujar as the

1:37:56chairman of the ordinance committee.

1:37:58Floor is yours councilman Andujar.

1:37:59>> Thank you Mr. President. The ordinance

1:38:00committee did meet on October 13th and

1:38:03we passed ordinance 9-2202

1:38:06ordinance and amendment of title two

1:38:08administration and personnel

1:38:10in spirit of councilman Ritz I urge

1:38:12passage.

1:38:13>> Now hold.

1:38:14>> Councilman Ritz actually did request

1:38:16that we continue this because he wasn't

1:38:17be here tonight.

1:38:18>> All right.

1:38:19>> So moving on the ordinance committee

1:38:20didn't motion to continue.

1:38:22>> I'll make a motion to continue.

1:38:24>> Second.

1:38:25>> All right. Any discussion?

1:38:27There being none clerk please call the

1:38:28roll.

1:38:30>> Councilwoman Graziano.

1:38:32>> Yes.

1:38:32>> Councilman Andujar.

1:38:33>> Yes.

1:38:33>> Councilman Tropicante.

1:38:34>> Yes.

1:38:35>> Councilwoman

1:38:35>> Yes.

1:38:38>> Councilman Campapiano.

1:38:39>> Yes.

1:38:40>> Councilman Buonanno.

1:38:41>> Yes.

1:38:41>> Council Vice President O'Brien.

1:38:42>> Yes.

1:38:43>> Council President Wall.

1:38:44>> Yes.

1:38:45>> All right. That got moved. Moving on on

1:38:47October 13th committee did meet again

1:38:50ordinance and we passed

1:38:52ordinance 9-2203 ordinance and amendment

1:38:55of title 10 chapter 12 section 280 the

1:38:58city of Cranston code of ordinance

1:38:59entitled traffic prohibited on certain

1:39:01streets Irish passage.

1:39:03>> Motion to approve second.

1:39:04>> Okay. Motion made and seconded.

1:39:06Unfortunately I don't believe we have a

1:39:08report.

1:39:09We do. Ah.

1:39:11I didn't see it. I'm sorry.

1:39:20Hold on. Maybe I missed it.

1:39:26Hold on.

1:39:30Hold on. Let me see. Does it say?

1:39:41No.

1:39:42Yeah, I had one.

1:39:44So, we do not have anything for that.

1:39:48>> I still urge passage.

1:39:56>> Unfortunately,

1:39:58there is a certain amount of time that

1:40:00the traffic engineer has to weigh in.

1:40:03So, we I I certainly would urge passage

1:40:05as well, but

1:40:07I'm going to yeah, we'll continue to

1:40:12Yeah, so we're going to ask for a motion

1:40:14to continue this item to to the

1:40:16>> Motion to continue to the November

1:40:18meeting.

1:40:19>> Second.

1:40:20>> Okay, discussion?

1:40:22>> Can I be added as a co-sponsor?

1:40:24>> Absolutely. Anybody else?

1:40:26>> Nothing to do with continuing it. Don't

1:40:27worry.

1:40:28>> That's right, you can still be a

1:40:29co-sponsor.

1:40:30All right, clerks, please go take the

1:40:32roll on continuing this item.

1:40:37>> Councilman Graziano.

1:40:39>> Yes.

1:40:40>> Councilman Andujar.

1:40:40>> Yes.

1:40:41>> Councilman Trapanese.

1:40:42>> Yes.

1:40:42>> Councilman Vazzana.

1:40:43>> Yes.

1:40:44>> Councilman Campopiano.

1:40:45>> Yes.

1:40:45>> Councilman Banano.

1:40:46>> Yes.

1:40:47>> Council Vice President Horrigan.

1:40:49>> Yes.

1:40:49>> Council President Walsh.

1:40:51>> Yes.

1:40:51>> Thank you. That motion carries. Moving

1:40:54on to public comment for undocketed

1:40:56matters. Is there anyone here in the

1:40:58chamber this evening

1:40:59who would like to speak on undocketed

1:41:02matters? Please step up to the podium,

1:41:04state your name and your address for the

1:41:06record,

1:41:07and I'll give you 4 minutes. I'll let

1:41:09you

1:41:11>> Hi, my name is Charlotte Sulin. I live

1:41:13at 37 Harmon Ave in Cranston, Rhode

1:41:15Island. I'm a Ward 3 resident, and I

1:41:18just came here tonight to express my

1:41:20support as a resident of Ward 3 for the

1:41:22parking pilot program. I can say this is

1:41:25something that our ward desperately

1:41:27needs, and also just to to speak in

1:41:29general. When people buy houses, they're

1:41:31not usually looking at the number of

1:41:33parking spaces. They're looking at the

1:41:35home, they're looking at the school,

1:41:36they're looking at the quality of the

1:41:38neighborhood. And also just unforeseen

1:41:41things happen. You know,

1:41:43an in-law needs a surgery, they need

1:41:45care for a limited number of months. You

1:41:48might have parking spaces for you and

1:41:49your spouse, but now you have someone

1:41:51else living with you temporarily.

1:41:54You know, someone moves in, a kid needs

1:41:56a car for a job, suddenly a one-car

1:41:58household needs two. These are the types

1:42:01of things that our city can really step

1:42:03up and help families flex and take care

1:42:06of each other. And I'm really glad to

1:42:07see that the parking pilot program

1:42:10is hopefully going to continue, and I

1:42:11think Ward 3 is a perfect place for it.

1:42:14As a resident of the ward and seeing the

1:42:16density and also seeing the needs of our

1:42:18families. So, I hope to see this

1:42:20continue, and I just want to express my

1:42:22strong support for this parking pilot

1:42:25program. Thank you for your time.

1:42:27>> Thank you.

1:42:28Anyone else in chambers who'd like to

1:42:30speak on undocketed matters?

1:42:33>> Hi, my name is Shameka Jefferson, and I

1:42:36am a homeowner also in Ward 3.

1:42:40Um

1:42:41I

1:42:45As

1:42:45>> Shameka, part before I start, did you

1:42:47put your state your address for the

1:42:49record?

1:42:50>> 43 Lincoln Avenue.

1:42:51>> Thank you so much.

1:42:52>> As a homeowner, my husband and I have

1:42:55witnessed tenants um

1:42:59getting sporadic tickets. Um it's not

1:43:02consistent what takes place in Cranston.

1:43:05It's very inadequate, it's very

1:43:08outdated, it's very troublesome as uh a

1:43:12homeowner to have our tenants

1:43:16get a ticket today and not get a ticket

1:43:19for the next 3 months, and then they

1:43:21come out of their house and see another

1:43:22ticket on the street because there's not

1:43:24enough space within our home to supply

1:43:28adequate parking or uh in our garage. Um

1:43:32when the ordinance was written, it was

1:43:35written decades ago

1:43:37when there were less cars on the road.

1:43:40The demographics in our city has changed

1:43:42tremendously and I just asked that, um,

1:43:46the city council takes that into

1:43:48consideration when you, um, vote on

1:43:53putting forward a a parking apartment.

1:43:57Not only will it create funding

1:43:59consistently for the city, but it would

1:44:02also help the constituents in the area.

1:44:05Thank you.

1:44:06>> Thank you.

1:44:09Anyone else in chambers who'd like to

1:44:10speak on undocketed matters?

1:44:12>> Hi.

1:44:13>> Hi.

1:44:13>> My name is Avery Mingus. I live at 252

1:44:15Montgomery Ave. I'm in Ward 1, so this

1:44:17parking permit would not affect me right

1:44:19away, but I still think it's important.

1:44:22Um, I think it's a great idea and

1:44:24excited to see how it goes. I'm a little

1:44:25concerned about finances. I think that

1:44:27the cost is quite high.

1:44:29It's like $150, right, for a permit? So,

1:44:32that just seems like it's quite it could

1:44:33be cost prohibitive for some people that

1:44:35are already renting. So, something to

1:44:36think about and I would be interested in

1:44:38knowing like where the cost came from,

1:44:41how much do you think it's going to

1:44:42generate in revenue, things like that.

1:44:43So, hoping that we can

1:44:46show a little evidence for why we're

1:44:47proposing what we're proposing, but I

1:44:48love it. I think it's good.

1:44:51>> Thank you.

1:44:53Anyone else in chambers who'd like to

1:44:54speak on undocketed matters?

1:44:59>> Hi, John Caldemone, 3 Ashley Street.

1:45:02Um, I have some packets I'd like to give

1:45:04to the council if that'd be okay.

1:45:06>> Could you speak up just a little bit?

1:45:08>> I have some packets I'd like to give to

1:45:09the council if that'd be okay.

1:45:12>> Yep.

1:45:13>> There's a couple extra for the attorneys

1:45:15if needed.

1:45:18>> [clears throat]

1:45:19>> Make a motion that, uh, we put those

1:45:21packets into the record.

1:45:22>> So.

1:45:24>> Necessary?

1:45:25>> No, I don't worry. about it. The The

1:45:27attorney said you just pass them out.

1:45:28So, I believe you have to state your

1:45:30name and your address nice and clear for

1:45:31the record.

1:45:32>> John Caldemone, 3 Ashley Street.

1:45:34>> Thank you, John.

1:45:34>> Sure. Good evening, members of the

1:45:36council.

1:45:37Uh thanks for giving me a second to

1:45:38speak up here.

1:45:40I'm here as a concerned resident about a

1:45:41vacant lot directly across from uh the

1:45:44street from my house

1:45:46uh that has become a serious eyesore and

1:45:47a potential safety hazard.

1:45:49Property has been neglected to the point

1:45:51where the weeds and overgrowth are

1:45:52approximately 8 ft tall.

1:45:54In addition, there's an abandoned shed

1:45:56on the property that is not secured and

1:45:58appears to be have left unattended for

1:46:00years now.

1:46:02This is more than just an issue of

1:46:03appearance.

1:46:05The 8-ft tall weeds can attract rodents,

1:46:07insects, other unwanted pests. Most

1:46:10recently, a man sleeping on the lawn

1:46:12this past Saturday afternoon that two

1:46:14Cranston's finest had to come and get

1:46:16out of there.

1:46:17Uh the overgrowth also creates

1:46:21a place where people or animals could go

1:46:22and hide out, obviously.

1:46:25Uh the unsecured abandoned shed where

1:46:27Cranston fire chief 2 years ago visited

1:46:30and witnessed has empty fuel tanks in

1:46:31it.

1:46:33It has old machines and inside inside of

1:46:35it. And additional concerns for

1:46:37trespassing, injury, and possibility of

1:46:39someone entering the structure

1:46:41is also uh means of concern. As a

1:46:44resident living directly across the

1:46:46street from it,

1:46:47all the one who lives directly next

1:46:49door, all the newest two people who just

1:46:51bought a house across the street,

1:46:53um we should not have to look at a

1:46:55property in that condition every day or

1:46:57worry about the potential problems it

1:46:58could bring to the neighborhood.

1:47:01Residents work hard to maintain their

1:47:02homes

1:47:03and keep their property safe and

1:47:04presentable.

1:47:06It's unfair to the surrounding

1:47:07homeowners when a vacant property is

1:47:09allowed to deteriorate without anyone

1:47:11taking responsibility.

1:47:13I understand that because it's a vacant

1:47:15lot, there may be limits to what

1:47:16inspections can do

1:47:18and can accomplish. An inspection alone

1:47:20will not solve the problem. Inspectors

1:47:22cannot maintain the property, remove the

1:47:24growth, or secure the shed.

1:47:27If the city's inspection process does

1:47:29not apply effectively to vacant lots,

1:47:32then the city needs to identify another

1:47:34department,

1:47:36enforcement process, or legal remedy

1:47:38that can address the condition of the

1:47:40property, maybe amend the verbiage of

1:47:42what an actual vacant lot is.

1:47:45Not just 160 by 80-ft lot smack dab in

1:47:49the middle of houses off of Long Road.

1:47:52The fact that the lot is vacant should

1:47:54not mean that nothing can be done.

1:47:55Property ownership still comes with the

1:47:57responsibilities including maintaining

1:47:59the land, controlling overgrowth,

1:48:01and addressing unsafe or abandoned

1:48:03structures.

1:48:04Tonight, I'm asking

1:48:06um

1:48:07to address the unsecure or for the

1:48:09council to address the unsecured shed

1:48:11through any applicable nuisance, safety,

1:48:13or property maintenance procedures.

1:48:15Identify enforcement options beyond

1:48:17routine inspection since the inspection

1:48:20itself will not correct the problem.

1:48:23I've been there.

1:48:24And provide a clear timeline for action,

1:48:27and explain what the city can do if the

1:48:29owner continues to neglect the property.

1:48:31I'm not asking for anything

1:48:33unreasonable. I'm asking for the same

1:48:35basic standards of safety, maintenance,

1:48:36and accountability that would be that

1:48:38would apply to every property owner in

1:48:40the community including vacant lots.

1:48:42Thank you for your time.

1:48:44Thank you.

1:48:51Is there any

1:48:53Okay.

1:48:54Anybody else in chambers who would like

1:48:55to speak on docketed matters?

1:49:01I'm seeing none.

1:49:04All right. Mr. Lima, is anyone online

1:49:06who'd like to speak on undocketed

1:49:08matters?

1:49:09>> Andrew Belcher.

1:49:13Hi, everyone. Are you able to hear me?

1:49:16>> Yes. Can you state your name and address

1:49:17for the record?

1:49:18>> Yes, hi. My name is Andrew Belcher. I

1:49:21live at 108 Shaw Avenue.

1:49:25>> Yes.

1:49:26>> And my comment is

1:49:29I

1:49:31I do not though we face a deficit issue

1:49:35that is a big problem in Cranston.

1:49:38I do not think that spending money is

1:49:40the problem.

1:49:42I think that spending money

1:49:44intentionally

1:49:45and spending money with oversight is

1:49:47very important.

1:49:49And it is my understanding that five of

1:49:51the members of the Board of Contract and

1:49:54Purchase are appointed by this very

1:49:56council.

1:49:57So, it's unclear to me

1:49:59why we need to then have this redundant

1:50:02oversight

1:50:04that I think $50,000 limit to the point

1:50:08that was made earlier, you can't

1:50:10renovate a kitchen or a bathroom for

1:50:12$50,000.

1:50:13You can't put in a toilet in a public

1:50:15park

1:50:17for near that money.

1:50:18And I'm unclear of if it really is about

1:50:21bringing transparency

1:50:23to the public, why can we not just shed

1:50:26more light on what is happening at the

1:50:29Board of Contract and Purchases?

1:50:31I worry that this policy is going to

1:50:34create obstacles

1:50:36redundancies that are actually going to

1:50:39make it more challenging to get out of

1:50:42this financial problem that we have. And

1:50:45I would hope that this council would

1:50:47trust those that they appoint to the

1:50:50Board of Contract and Purchase to do

1:50:52their job so you don't have to do their

1:50:55job for them.

1:50:57Thank you very much for making this

1:50:59available for me online as I'm taking

1:51:01care of my kids. I really appreciate it.

1:51:04>> Thank you.

1:51:05Thomas, is there anyone else?

1:51:08>> Lori Grover.

1:51:11>> How do you do?

1:51:13>> Hello.

1:51:13>> Good evening.

1:51:15My name is Laurie Grover. I live at 3

1:51:17Pavilion Court in Ward 3.

1:51:19Um, I have two important issues that I'd

1:51:23like to

1:51:24>> Can see me.

1:51:25>> bring to

1:51:27the attention of the City Council.

1:51:29Um, there are two uh two-family houses

1:51:32that are being built in on a property at

1:51:350 Pavilion Avenue.

1:51:37And the saga of this started about a

1:51:39year and a half ago.

1:51:41Um, there's a lot of information in the

1:51:42record from previous City Council

1:51:44meetings, but to get right to the point,

1:51:46my concern is about oversight of the

1:51:49construction of this project.

1:51:52Um, over the last week and a half, the

1:51:55construction company

1:51:57>> Brett, so you know that the council

1:51:59appointed five people to that board.

1:52:05>> May I continue?

1:52:08>> Yes, you can you have the floor, ma'am.

1:52:10>> Oh, okay.

1:52:12Um,

1:52:13there is an unknown construction company

1:52:15that has dug up the road at least four

1:52:18times that I'm aware of.

1:52:20Uh, they can't be identified. Um,

1:52:23they've had a police detail only twice

1:52:26because we've called the police.

1:52:28And one of these instances,

1:52:31uh,

1:52:32when they repaved it, it swallowed a

1:52:34Jeep that went over it with a baby in

1:52:36the back.

1:52:37And the

1:52:39third or fourth time, they hit a gas

1:52:40line.

1:52:42Um, when it happened the the second or

1:52:45third time, and I want to be clear, I am

1:52:46in no way criticizing our police

1:52:49department. But there's a lot of hands

1:52:51in this.

1:52:52Um, when it happened, one of my

1:52:54neighbors called, and um, she was told

1:52:57by the major that if they started

1:52:59digging the street up again, we need to

1:53:00call the police. So, I saw them digging

1:53:03up the street again. I called the

1:53:04police.

1:53:05Got put through to the officer in

1:53:06charge, and he asked me why I was

1:53:08calling him.

1:53:10This is a safety hazard.

1:53:13Um

1:53:14there has been very little oversight

1:53:16over the entire construction of this

1:53:18project. And one of the things that was

1:53:21decided by a previous council was that

1:53:23there was going to be a field trip,

1:53:25among other things, to check this

1:53:28property out to make sure that it was

1:53:30even graded properly. I've not seen one

1:53:32inspector there.

1:53:35Uh the other contingency for approving

1:53:38his ordinance variance was that he

1:53:40provide um you know, green screen to to

1:53:44protect the neighborhood. We're not sure

1:53:47that that's going to happen. So, I'm

1:53:49really asking the city council to step

1:53:51step up because we're kind of frustrated

1:53:54that when we do what we're told and ask

1:53:56for help,

1:53:57we don't get the response.

1:54:00And then if we try to call city

1:54:02departments, we either don't get an

1:54:03answer, or they're annoyed with us for

1:54:05calling. But when we have gas lines

1:54:07being struck, I think that's a matter of

1:54:10um

1:54:11urgency, if I may.

1:54:14The other thing that I want to address

1:54:16is that I'm very aware of

1:54:19the financial problems that we're

1:54:21having. However,

1:54:23I have an eyesore of a three-unit

1:54:26property behind mine that abuts my

1:54:28fence,

1:54:29and for almost 3 years I've been trying

1:54:31to get an abandoned bus removed. It is

1:54:34unregistered.

1:54:35It is one of three or four unregistered

1:54:38vehicles at any time. I can't maintain

1:54:41my fence.

1:54:42I'm getting rats because they have a

1:54:44place to live.

1:54:46I also have someone in the neighborhood

1:54:48that now has a rooster that starts

1:54:50crowing at 4:00 a.m., and it crows all

1:54:53day long.

1:54:55We have no one to call for these

1:54:57problems

1:54:58>> [snorts]

1:54:58>> because no one answers the phone.

1:55:01So again, I sympathize with the problem

1:55:04that we have fiscally,

1:55:06but this is how communities deteriorate.

1:55:09And I want to be a part of the solution.

1:55:12I want to help the city thrive,

1:55:15but we have to have uncomfortable

1:55:16conversations without pointing fingers,

1:55:19identify our problems, and find ways to

1:55:22solve them.

1:55:24I appreciate very much the opportunity

1:55:25to speak to you tonight. Thank you very

1:55:27much.

1:55:29>> Thank you, ma'am.

1:55:30Is there anyone else online, Tom, who

1:55:32would like to speak on undocketed

1:55:33matters?

1:55:36>> I see no other public comment.

1:55:37>> So, at this time, I'm going to close

1:55:39public comment.

1:55:41And we're going to move on to the

1:55:42election and appointment of city

1:55:44officials. I see on the agenda that um

1:55:47I'm looking for a motion to approve of

1:55:49the appointment of Gary Lavelle

1:55:52for the appointment to the Arts

1:55:53Commission.

1:55:55>> Motion to approve. Second.

1:55:57>> Would anyone like to speak?

1:56:00I see Councilwoman Graziano.

1:56:01>> Thank you.

1:56:03Uh

1:56:04I had the pleasure of speaking with Gary

1:56:07Lovely um over the phone and we've

1:56:09corresponded back and forth. He is a

1:56:11Ward 1 resident. Um we went over his

1:56:14resume and all of the exciting

1:56:19um events that he has planned and that

1:56:22he's also planning one here in Cranston

1:56:23at the I still call it the Park Cinema

1:56:26or the park um

1:56:28which is related to promoting the arts.

1:56:31Um

1:56:32and after a lengthy conversation,

1:56:35um we we have an opening and he would be

1:56:37excited to take that position. Um and I

1:56:40think he would be a perfect fit for that

1:56:42um

1:56:43for that seat on the Arts Commission.

1:56:45So, I am recommending Gary Lavelle

1:56:48Lovely for the Arts Commission.

1:56:51>> Thank you.

1:56:52Um is there a motion to approve

1:56:54>> Motion to approve.

1:56:55>> Second.

1:56:56>> Gary took it. Any other discussion on

1:56:57Mr. Lavelle?

1:56:59>> Okay, clerk, please call the roll.

1:57:04>> Councilman Graziano.

1:57:05>> Yes.

1:57:06>> Councilman Andujar.

1:57:07>> Yes.

1:57:07>> Councilman Traficante. Councilman

1:57:09Veserri.

1:57:09>> Yes.

1:57:10>> Councilman Campapiano.

1:57:11>> Yes.

1:57:11>> Councilman Buonanno.

1:57:12>> Yes.

1:57:12>> Councilwoman President Horrigan.

1:57:14>> Yes.

1:57:14>> Councilman President Wall.

1:57:15>> Yes.

1:57:17>> Okay, the next item.

1:57:23Next item is

1:57:25So sorry, I think you're up next.

1:57:27No?

1:57:29Oh, there's none. My bad. Oh, I see. I

1:57:31thought you were just skipping out on

1:57:32me. Just as I was going to call you. You

1:57:34can

1:57:35All right, no worries.

1:57:36All right, um under executive

1:57:38communications, and thank you for

1:57:40pointing out there is no no legal

1:57:41expense report this evening. However,

1:57:44there is a discussion of the apprentice

1:57:46exploration school and the renovation

1:57:48product project and the contract with

1:57:51Gilbane the Gilbane company. I believe

1:57:54Director Strum, oh, no.

1:57:57Director Moretti, I mean Chief of Staff

1:57:59Moretti.

1:58:09>> This This is an item um

1:58:11a a contract has come across the mayor's

1:58:14desk and he wanted to

1:58:17make sure the council is aware of

1:58:19what's happening before he signs the

1:58:21$2.5 million contract, especially in the

1:58:23spirit of our discussions over the past

1:58:25couple of weeks.

1:58:27Um

1:58:28some of you are probably aware,

1:58:29possibly, but just to be transparent. Um

1:58:34uh there has been the

1:58:36this uh contract is is to is with

1:58:38Gilbane

1:58:40um to provide approximately just shy of

1:58:43$2.5 million of improvements in the AA

1:58:46and the apprenticeship school.

1:58:48Um

1:58:50with

1:58:51So, that that's that's what this is.

1:58:53With the fundamentals we're told of

1:58:55what's in there is

1:58:57replacing the roof or repairing the roof

1:58:59to the tune of just shy of $900,000

1:59:03and the balance to bring it up to $2.5

1:59:05million to basically make the building

1:59:07safe

1:59:08in terms of fire requirements and other

1:59:11life safety concerns, electrical, and

1:59:14that's what we we've been informed. Um

1:59:19So but before the mayor signed it, he'd

1:59:21like to get the input of the council,

1:59:23opinions, input, suggestions. Um but

1:59:27basically didn't want to have you people

1:59:28to wake up tomorrow morning and find out

1:59:31the mayor signed something that you

1:59:32didn't know about. So that's why that's

1:59:34that's purely the reason why I'm here.

1:59:36But but also to get to seek your input.

1:59:39Um

1:59:40we've been informed that there's been a

1:59:43change with the intention of the of the

1:59:46AAS school. Um originally the the plan

1:59:50was to invest shy of $14 million of bond

1:59:53money

1:59:54into the school and then with the

1:59:56LIUNA or the labor's union to contribute

1:59:59about $3 million or so for the for the

2:00:02apprenticeship program out there.

2:00:05And so there's been a a change to that.

2:00:08Um the intent now is to invest a total

2:00:12of $8 million

2:00:13of of which 5.5 has already been

2:00:16invested. Of the 5.5, $3.1 million was

2:00:20the purchase of the building and then

2:00:22there's been other architectural fees

2:00:24and there's also some improvements that

2:00:25have been made. So that's $5.5 million.

2:00:29This would bring it up to $8 million.

2:00:31And this really get the building in a

2:00:33condition that can still be an

2:00:34educational facility to be able to

2:00:37qualify for the 74% reimbursement from

2:00:40ride.

2:00:41Um

2:00:44The that's really it a in a nutshell. Um

2:00:48but the I think it has been worried

2:00:51that's got out that the

2:00:53there'll be a change to the curriculum

2:00:55and ask why the why the change

2:00:58with the original intent.

2:01:01At that point it was it was a labor's

2:01:04charter school. And then subsequent it's

2:01:07been now incorporated as part of the

2:01:10part of the public schools.

2:01:12And so that change is taking place where

2:01:16for for various reasons. I'll leave that

2:01:18to the school administration to answer.

2:01:20Um but to

2:01:23after this year I believe due

2:01:24consolidation into some of the pathway

2:01:26programs at at East and West and still

2:01:29utilizing that

2:01:30facility for some teaching such as

2:01:33utilizing the I'll call it the warehouse

2:01:35or the workshop out there for the folks.

2:01:38And right now the school administration

2:01:41and

2:01:42and school committee I believe are um in

2:01:45the process of

2:01:47figuring out strategically and

2:01:49transitioning that school into something

2:01:51utilizing it a bit differently. So the

2:01:54purpose of it is this is a basically

2:01:56notification to the council. If there's

2:01:58anything you want me to take back to

2:02:00share with the mayor before he signs

2:02:02this.

2:02:02>> Director, am I misunderstanding

2:02:05I thought we were going to send this to

2:02:06the finance committee.

2:02:08You you prefer we don't send this to the

2:02:10finance committee?

2:02:11>> We'll leave it we'll leave it up to the

2:02:12council.

2:02:14>> Is it

2:02:15>> Legally I believe we go to the finance

2:02:17committee on November

2:02:185th would that be a problem in this

2:02:20contract?

2:02:21>> The only thing in the contract I I I see

2:02:24is that Gobain is saying they'll be

2:02:25substantively complete um

2:02:29if by the end of this year

2:02:31if the construction was to start on or

2:02:34about October 5th.

2:02:36So

2:02:37um

2:02:38>> Legally does it require the council's

2:02:40approval?

2:02:41>> No.

2:02:44>> I'm set the council attorney says no it

2:02:46does not require so this is an

2:02:47administrative decision.

2:02:49>> and all right again just want to again

2:02:52in the interest of transparency at the

2:02:54very least.

2:02:55>> Perhaps um

2:02:57we could refer it to finance just to

2:02:59have that discussion and some of that

2:03:00backup could come at that time.

2:03:03>> Sure we'll make sure that's arranged.

2:03:04>> seeing it we don't have the authority to

2:03:06approve or deny it either way, right?

2:03:08>> Yep this again this is a cooperative

2:03:10effort if you will.

2:03:10>> Thank you and greatly appreciate it. So

2:03:12I'm going to if it's all right with you

2:03:14director I'm going to take a couple of

2:03:15comments and I'm going to ask councilman

2:03:17Trafficante.

2:03:18>> I just want to clarify a few things.

2:03:21The

2:03:22school was initially a charter school

2:03:25and what's happened recently is that

2:03:27it's converted over to a CTE CTE program

2:03:31a career technical educational program

2:03:33for the Cranston School Department. The

2:03:34program still exists and there's still

2:03:37three three grades there located at the

2:03:39school and they'll continue to have four

2:03:41grades eventually when the new ninth

2:03:43grade comes in. The construction of the

2:03:46school it was initially a $12.5 million

2:03:49bond if you recall.

2:03:51Approximately $3.1 million of that

2:03:53correct me if I'm wrong Mr. Reddy was to

2:03:56purchase the building am I correct?

2:03:57>> Three $3.1

2:03:59$3.1 million.

2:04:00>> Yeah.

2:04:00>> And approximately $2 million

2:04:03is being spent on completion of the

2:04:05roof. The roof was half done now it's

2:04:07[clears throat] being completed so it's

2:04:09approximately $2 million for the

2:04:10construction of the roof plus

2:04:13the the fire department has to get in

2:04:15there and and do some to do some new

2:04:17repairs and and extensions as well as

2:04:20some of the mechanicals. That's an

2:04:22additional $2 million so approximately

2:04:26I'm rounding off numbers approximately

2:04:28five to six million dollars has been

2:04:29spent on the building at the present

2:04:31time. At the board of contract and

2:04:33purchase it was discussed and they said

2:04:36they wanted to use the remaining bond

2:04:38money

2:04:39for additional projects of the Cranston

2:04:42School Department.

2:04:44>> [laughter]

2:04:47>> His His mic just went off.

2:04:50>> Yeah, I think Yeah, I think so.

2:04:57Don't hit my head. Okay.

2:05:00>> You're [laughter] going to be stiffer.

2:05:01>> I'm trying to look at him already.

2:05:03All right. Why do you want to do that?

2:05:05It's Council President.

2:05:08>> Thank you. Any other comments? I see

2:05:10Councilman Campbeano.

2:05:12Thank you, Council President.

2:05:14So, this is on the mayor's desk.

2:05:15Procedurally, can he hold this up until

2:05:18November 5th?

2:05:19>> Can he? Yes.

2:05:21>> He can. And this is something that would

2:05:23come before us if our $50,000 look back

2:05:26would um

2:05:28>> Yeah, it would.

2:05:29>> Yes.

2:05:29>> So, this would be something that we

2:05:30could look at further on. I was at that

2:05:32budget meeting and I saw that. Um

2:05:35Also, as far as the um

2:05:38we passed some legislation a little

2:05:40while back about the laborers

2:05:41reimbursing us on

2:05:44some of this these funds being done. Is

2:05:46that still in place?

2:05:49>> Yeah, I'll take that, Mayor.

2:05:50>> No. Yeah, the the laborers were were

2:05:53going to contribute $3 million

2:05:55to complete the construction of the

2:05:57entire school.

2:05:58Uh they have since backed off that

2:06:00promise and they no longer don't donate

2:06:03the $3 million. So, what we're going to

2:06:05do is basically complete the roof and

2:06:07the mechanicals and that's it for the

2:06:09school. We're going to live with the

2:06:10school as it is at the present time.

2:06:13>> Okay. Um thank you uh

2:06:16Councilman Traficante, but uh

2:06:18are we going to be eligible for any

2:06:20other reimbursements? And what what will

2:06:22they be?

2:06:22>> Provided provided the it remains as an

2:06:25educational

2:06:27institution

2:06:28and it we will still qualify for the 74%

2:06:32reimbursement for

2:06:33for ride.

2:06:35>> Thank you.

2:06:36>> Thank you, Councilman. Councilman

2:06:37Bonanno.

2:06:39>> Thank you.

2:06:40>> [clears throat]

2:06:40>> I just I think I heard you say this

2:06:41right. I just want to make sure that I I

2:06:43heard you. Initially, I think uh Mayor

2:06:46Trafficante was going to

2:06:48say something like this, but then his

2:06:50earphones went haywire. Um there was

2:06:53bond money

2:06:54in What was the amount? 4 12 million?

2:06:5712.5 million?

2:06:59And

2:07:00what we're proposing now is actually

2:07:01less than was originally proposed that

2:07:03we spend on the building. Is that Is

2:07:05that right?

2:07:06>> Yeah, I would I think we could say this

2:07:08is to make it the building safe and safe

2:07:10and functional, but not to the ideals of

2:07:13what a to have that curriculum would

2:07:16would have taken place.

2:07:17>> understand that, but I mean

2:07:19it's [clears throat] Our concern is with

2:07:20the bottom line. The bottom line is

2:07:21actually decreasing

2:07:23the amount of funds that we're going to

2:07:25put towards this particular building as

2:07:26opposed to increasing them. Is that

2:07:28right?

2:07:29I think that's an important point if I'm

2:07:31if I'm

2:07:32getting it right. So, that's accurate.

2:07:33>> That's true.

2:07:34>> Okay. All right, thank you.

2:07:35>> Thank you, Councilman. I'm going

2:07:36>> Then I would have no issue with it.

2:07:39>> Thank you, Councilman Graziano.

2:07:41>> Thank you, Council President. Um can you

2:07:44explain so I I'm understanding that

2:07:46you're dropping from the 12 million to

2:07:48the 8 million, but what happens if you

2:07:50don't do these renovations? What are the

2:07:53renovations exactly that you're going to

2:07:55be doing and why are they necessary?

2:07:58>> Okay. I I I can't I don't have all the

2:08:01details to that

2:08:03at my level that's come across the desk

2:08:04here.

2:08:05Um that's where we'd have to defer

2:08:07specifically to Mr. Jetson from the

2:08:09school committee

2:08:10from the school administration, but

2:08:12fundamentally it's for

2:08:14the functionality of the roof. We'd have

2:08:16We'd have a facility that that doesn't

2:08:18have a functional roof and also for fire

2:08:21fire safety and other life safety

2:08:23considerations such as essential

2:08:25plumbing and essential electrical. The

2:08:28facility wouldn't really be

2:08:30wouldn't be

2:08:31habitable if you were about those

2:08:33improvements.

2:08:34or functional I should say.

2:08:36>> Okay.

2:08:37To the chair if you don't mind me asking

2:08:39one more. Thank you.

2:08:41Um

2:08:42So

2:08:44I was told that I mean I think we've had

2:08:46discussions that said that 74% is going

2:08:48away but this will still this will still

2:08:51qualify for the 74% reimbursement.

2:08:53>> That's what we've been informed.

2:08:55>> Okay.

2:08:56Okay. Thank you.

2:08:58>> Thank you Councilwoman.

2:08:59Anyone else?

2:09:01I don't know.

2:09:02See in Councilman Trafficante and then

2:09:04Councilman Andino.

2:09:05>> Councilwoman

2:09:07Graziano, the roof is completed.

2:09:10I just want you to know that.

2:09:12It was half done and now it's been

2:09:13completed.

2:09:15What what the contractor basically is

2:09:16asking for is his money as the

2:09:18completion of the project. And the fire

2:09:20department is also in there has been in

2:09:22there to complete their work as well. So

2:09:24most of the work is done.

2:09:27And that's what the $2.5 million was

2:09:28basically

2:09:29for that expense.

2:09:31>> Councilwoman Andino.

2:09:33>> I'm all set. You answered.

2:09:34>> So I I don't think we need to refer this

2:09:37to finance. I think if it's still

2:09:39available we can put it on as a

2:09:40discussion item.

2:09:43I did go around you know Councilwoman.

2:09:45Councilwoman Viscariello.

2:09:47>> Um does the completion of this affect

2:09:49the Gladstone reimbursement?

2:09:51>> No. No actually they're independent.

2:09:53>> Okay. Thank you.

2:09:55>> Let me look make sure I didn't miss

2:09:57anyone else. Let's see. No. All right.

2:09:59So I don't think we need to refer it but

2:10:01I would ask that we put it on as a

2:10:03discussion item during the finance

2:10:05committee meeting. Fair enough? And then

2:10:07whatever details are available we can

2:10:08see it.

2:10:09>> Sure. It it just tacitly I know it's not

2:10:11a formal vote.

2:10:12>> We won't have a vote on it. Yeah.

2:10:14Cuz we won't have an ordinance passed by

2:10:16then.

2:10:17>> Right.

2:10:18>> Yeah.

2:10:19>> Okay.

2:10:19>> So any is there anything further?

2:10:22>> No.

2:10:23>> No.

2:10:25Yeah, we should be able to get them

2:10:27right. Whatever materials you have by

2:10:29that time,

2:10:30we'll have a discussion. Fair enough?

2:10:32>> Yes.

2:10:32>> Beautiful. Thank you. Thank you,

2:10:33Director.

2:10:39Okay. Well, I guess we're

2:10:48All right. Council business carried

2:10:49over.

2:10:51The next thing next thing we're going to

2:10:52look at is 8

2:10:551701

2:10:57an ordinance amendment of title 9 of

2:11:00chapter 8 of the city of Cranston code

2:11:02of ordinances to add section 908.64

2:11:08entitled short-term rentals of outdoor

2:11:11pools and spaces.

2:11:13Um the new section is numbered 9.0864

2:11:18previously cited as 08.24.031.

2:11:24This was sponsored by myself and

2:11:26Councilman Ritz. Um it was continued in

2:11:29September the 22nd. Um and it did have

2:11:32public hearing. However,

2:11:35we do have to make an amendment and um

2:11:38would you like to speak to it and I'll

2:11:39read it into the record.

2:11:43>> Thank you, Councilman. Thank you,

2:11:44Council President. As a result of the uh

2:11:45public comment and the um

2:11:48at that meeting um in speaking with the

2:11:50sponsors, the uh my office drafted a an

2:11:53amendment that limited these um

2:11:56short-term rentals to outdoor pools

2:11:57only.

2:11:59And I think the Council President's

2:12:00going to read the actual amendment. If

2:12:02if this amendment passes, it will be

2:12:03then have to be re-advertised and sent

2:12:06back not sent back, but will be before

2:12:08the Council again for a final vote. Just

2:12:09like we did with the uh

2:12:11the boat cap

2:12:13ordinance.

2:12:16>> So, if the title will be section 1 title

2:12:199 public peace morals and welfare

2:12:23chapter 8 offenses pertaining to

2:12:25property of the code of the city city of

2:12:27Cranston is hereby amended to add

2:12:29section 64 and the amendment will be

2:12:339.08.64

2:12:35short-term rentals of outdoor pools.

2:12:39Don't put that right.

2:12:41Right correct.

2:12:43Leave it out. Okay.

2:12:44Pools no owner, lessee,

2:12:47licensee, tenant, occupant, or other

2:12:50person, business entity having any claim

2:12:54and or actual right to or interest in

2:12:57any real property

2:13:00that is owned residential within the

2:13:02jurisdiction of the city of Cranston

2:13:04shall license, rent, lease, hire out,

2:13:08let, or otherwise allow or permit

2:13:11for compensation the use

2:13:13of any swimming pools

2:13:17to any person or persons whom are

2:13:20owners, lessees, tenants, or occupied

2:13:23thereof who are not strike that to any

2:13:27person or persons who are not the owner,

2:13:30lessee, tenant, or occupant thereof.

2:13:34That's all.

2:13:35So, that would be the new amendment and

2:13:38we'll have to add if we pass that, we'll

2:13:39have to re-advertise this much like we

2:13:41did in the previous amendment.

2:13:44Is there a motion to approve?

2:13:46>> Motion to approve.

2:13:46>> Second.

2:13:47>> Any discussion on the amendment?

2:13:50Councilman Campbeona.

2:13:52>> Thank you, Council President. Um just I

2:13:54want to thank uh

2:13:56the the sponsors and the solicitor for

2:13:58we working this um

2:14:00and and getting it right. Um I just have

2:14:02a simple question. How do we know that

2:14:04someone rented the pool? How are we

2:14:06going to enforce this?

2:14:07Has that been worked out?

2:14:12>> Well, I think the first way to look at

2:14:14it again would be the if if they're

2:14:16advertising on that app, obviously that

2:14:18could be that that pool app that we

2:14:20have, right? And then we're going to

2:14:21rely upon, you know, obviously maybe

2:14:23neighbors or abutters who may see people

2:14:26there that are not, you know, renters.

2:14:28That that are using the pool who are not

2:14:30the normal owners. I mean, it's hard.

2:14:32That's not That's not easy, but it's

2:14:34relies upon the enforcement of uh and

2:14:37the village vigil vigilance of the of

2:14:39the neighborhood.

2:14:40>> Yeah, no, again, I want to thank you for

2:14:42putting this through. I think it's

2:14:43important, but um as an engineer, I I

2:14:46look at things analytically and

2:14:49something how [clears throat] do we know

2:14:50that someone's renting it? So, that's

2:14:52all I got, but I will be in full

2:14:54support.

2:14:56>> Thank you, Councilman. Any other

2:14:57comment?

2:15:00Okay. I also want to thank the council

2:15:02attorney for doing the legwork on this.

2:15:03This has been a little bit of weight on

2:15:06it. I think it's a good thing. I

2:15:08appreciate, I know Councilman Ritz is

2:15:10not here this evening.

2:15:12All his feedback and his discussions

2:15:14with his neighbors, I had few, but

2:15:16Councilman had a lot of issues.

2:15:19Um

2:15:20at the end, I think we're going to do

2:15:21something that's going to be good for

2:15:22our our constituency, our neighbors, and

2:15:24[clears throat] provide a public safety,

2:15:26but also public peace.

2:15:28Um

2:15:30Councilman Trafficante, you

2:15:31>> Yeah, I just wanted to add my name to

2:15:33the resol- the ordinance.

2:15:35I'm experiencing the same situation in

2:15:37Ward 5 as you're experiencing in Ward 4.

2:15:40>> Okay, yes, absolutely. Anyone else would

2:15:42like to be a co-sponsor? I see

2:15:44Councilman Viscire, Councilwoman

2:15:45Heroyan,

2:15:47uh Councilman Bonanno.

2:15:49Okay. If there's nothing more, I'd ask

2:15:52the clerk

2:15:53please take a vote on the amendment.

2:15:57>> Councilwoman Graziano? Yes.

2:15:59>> Councilman Andujar?

2:16:00>> Yes.

2:16:00>> Councilman Trafficante?

2:16:01>> Yes.

2:16:02>> Councilman Viscire?

2:16:02>> Yes.

2:16:03>> Councilman Campapiano?

2:16:04>> Yes.

2:16:05>> Councilman Bonanno?

2:16:05>> Yes.

2:16:06>> Council Vice President O'Rourke?

2:16:07>> Yes.

2:16:07>> Council President Walsh?

2:16:08>> Yes. And similar to the last one, we

2:16:12will send this back to the council. It

2:16:13does not go back to committee. It will

2:16:15be re-advertised as amended.

2:16:18So now I need a motion to approve the

2:16:21ordinance as amended.

2:16:22>> Motion to approve.

2:16:23>> Second.

2:16:24>> Discussion.

2:16:26If there be none, clerk, please call the

2:16:27roll.

2:16:29>> Councilwoman Graziano?

2:16:30>> Yes.

2:16:31>> Councilwoman Lanzirotti?

2:16:32>> Yes.

2:16:32>> Councilwoman Traficante?

2:16:33>> Yes.

2:16:33>> Councilwoman Lombardi?

2:16:34>> Yes.

2:16:35>> Councilwoman Campagnone?

2:16:36>> Yes.

2:16:36>> Councilwoman Bonanno?

2:16:37>> Yes.

2:16:37>> Council Vice President O'Rourke?

2:16:40Council President Walsh?

2:16:42>> Yes.

2:16:43All right. Next on the docket would be

2:16:456-1-5-0-2

2:16:49ordinance in amendment of title 10,

2:16:51chapter 32, section 020

2:16:56of the city of Cranston code of

2:16:58ordinances 2005 entitled stop

2:17:02intersections

2:17:03enumerated. This was sponsored by

2:17:05Councilwoman Graziano. It was continued

2:17:08from August 7th to September 22nd city

2:17:12council meeting.

2:17:14It was not taken up on the 22nd.

2:17:17Councilwoman, would you like to speak on

2:17:18this?

2:17:19>> Yes. Yes, thank you, Council President.

2:17:22The

2:17:24Ordinance Committee heard this in July.

2:17:26We spoke and had testimony

2:17:29with residents of Arlington and their

2:17:32concern for children playing over there

2:17:35that is Marcy Street is a

2:17:37walking through street for the children

2:17:40of Edgewood Highland School. And they

2:17:42the residents at the time encouraged

2:17:46City Council and the Ordinance Committee

2:17:48to pass this ordinance forward. We heard

2:17:52from two children and three residents.

2:17:56So I'm recommending that we

2:17:59pass this through.

2:18:01>> And the traffic engineers recommendation

2:18:04is in your packet.

2:18:06>> Yes.

2:18:07>> And how did he find?

2:18:10>> Sure. If you If sorry

2:18:13Clerk Rinzulli, please read into the

2:18:14record.

2:18:16>> At the request of the traffic engineer,

2:18:18I'm just going to read his report into

2:18:19the record dated August 26, 2026.

2:18:23Recommendation and all-way stop control

2:18:25is not recommended for the intersection

2:18:27of Armington Street and Marcy Street.

2:18:29Engineering evaluations indicate that

2:18:31the proposed change does not meet MUTCD

2:18:34warrants and would likely introduce new

2:18:37operational hazards. Key findings,

2:18:39current control is adequate. Marcy

2:18:41Street forms a T intersection at

2:18:43Armington Street. It is currently

2:18:45inappropriately controlled by a stop

2:18:47sign which safely dictates right of way

2:18:50under standard traffic conditions.

2:18:51Proposed ordinance, ordinance proposal

2:18:53061502

2:18:56calls for adding stop controls on

2:18:58Armington Street at its intersection

2:18:59with Marcy Street, ultimately resulting

2:19:01in a de facto all-way stop control.

2:19:04Lack of MUTCD warrants, a review of

2:19:07local traffic volumes, sight lines, and

2:19:09crash data shows no evidence to support

2:19:12an all-way stop control under the

2:19:13federal manual on uniform traffic

2:19:15control devices

2:19:17MUTCD warrants. Installing unwarranted

2:19:20stop signs can lead to driver

2:19:21frustration, intentional non-compliance,

2:19:23and a false sense of security for

2:19:25pedestrians. Improper use for speed

2:19:27regulation per federal guidelines, stop

2:19:29signs shall not be used for speed

2:19:31control. Using them to slow down

2:19:32vehicles often results in drivers

2:19:35accelerating rapidly between

2:19:36intersections to make up for lost time,

2:19:38which decreases overall neighborhood

2:19:40safety. No parking restrictions. There

2:19:42are currently no parking restrictions on

2:19:44either Armington Street or Marcy Street.

2:19:48Operational and safety concerns,

2:19:50implementing an all-way stop at this

2:19:52specific location and other similar T

2:19:54intersections present significant

2:19:56operational downfalls, interrupt

2:19:59interruption of through traffic.

2:20:00Armington Street functions as a major

2:20:02through street and must be allowed to

2:20:03flow freely to maintain operational

2:20:05efficiency. Stopping traffic on

2:20:07Armington Street creates unnecessary

2:20:10cues that gridlock the intersection

2:20:12preventing vehicles turning out of Marcy

2:20:14Street from safely clearing the stop

2:20:17bar. Simultaneous approaches, if two or

2:20:19more vehicles approach the city

2:20:20intersection simultaneously and all way

2:20:22stop creates confusion regarding right

2:20:25of way increasing the risk of low speed

2:20:27side impact collisions. Parked vehicle

2:20:29conflicts, because on street parking is

2:20:32fully permitted parked vehicles restrict

2:20:34the physical road width and block

2:20:36critical sight lines forcing drivers to

2:20:38cycle through stop and go maneuvers

2:20:40where on parked cars will bottleneck

2:20:41traffic and increase the likelihood of

2:20:43sideswipe and rear end conflicts. Steven

2:20:46Mulcahey, Bureau of Traffic Safety, City

2:20:48of Cranston. Thank you.

2:20:50>> Thank you. Um

2:20:52and also thank you Councilman Graziano

2:20:54for looking out for your constituents,

2:20:55trying to provide safety for the area.

2:20:57If it's okay, I'd like to be added as a

2:20:59co-sponsor.

2:21:01Any other comments?

2:21:03Councilman Andujar.

2:21:03>> I'd like to be added as a co-sponsor.

2:21:07>> Any other comments?

2:21:10Is there a motion to approve?

2:21:12>> Motion to approve.

2:21:13>> Second.

2:21:14>> Okay. Any other discussion?

2:21:17Clerk, please call the roll.

2:21:20>> Councilman Graziano. Yes.

2:21:22>> Councilman Andujar.

2:21:23>> Yes.

2:21:23>> Councilman Traficante.

2:21:24>> Yes.

2:21:24>> Councilman Vazeiry.

2:21:25>> Yes.

2:21:26>> Councilman Campopiano. Councilman

2:21:27Buonanno.

2:21:28>> Yes.

2:21:29>> Council Vice President Horrigan.

2:21:30>> Yes.

2:21:30>> Council President Wole.

2:21:31>> Yes.

2:21:33>> The motion passes.

2:21:35Okay. What do I got left here? Okay. So,

2:21:37if there is are no objections, I'm going

2:21:40to take new business as a block and take

2:21:43a motion to

2:21:45send them to their appropriate

2:21:47committees.

2:21:47>> So moved.

2:21:48>> Second.

2:21:49>> Okay.

2:21:50Well,

2:21:51there's no objection, I'm taking it

2:21:53going to I'm going to say there is no

2:21:54objection, so that motion would be to

2:21:56take them as a block.

2:21:58Approve them as a block and send them to

2:21:59their appropriate committees. There's

2:22:01There would be no discussion, so I ask

2:22:02the clerk to please call the roll.

2:22:04>> Councilman Graziano.

2:22:06>> Yes.

2:22:06>> Councilman Andujar.

2:22:07>> Yes.

2:22:08>> Councilman Traficante.

2:22:09>> Yes.

2:22:09>> Councilman Visare.

2:22:10>> Yes.

2:22:11>> Councilman Campobiano. Councilman

2:22:12Bonano.

2:22:13>> Yes.

2:22:13>> Council Vice President Horan.

2:22:15>> Yes.

2:22:15>> Council President Wall.

2:22:17>> Yes.

2:22:18One second.

2:22:25What is it? It's all set. That's going

2:22:26to All right. All right. I believe

2:22:29there's nothing before the City Council

2:22:30anything more, so I'm going to

2:22:33adjourn. Is there a second?

2:22:35All in favor, please signify by saying

2:22:37aye. Aye. Opposed, signify by saying

2:22:39nay. The ayes have it. The motion

2:22:40carries. This meeting

```*