ORDINANCE COMMITTEE CALL MEETING TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:35 P.M. by the Chair.

Transcription

1 (The following is not a verbatim transcript of comments or discussion that occurred during the meeting, but rather a summarization intended for general informational purposes. All motions and votes are the official records). ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Regular meeting of the Ordinance Committee was held on Thursday, March 14, 2019, in the Council Chambers, City Hall, Cranston, Rhode Island. CALL MEETING TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:35 P.M. by the Chair. Present: Also Present: Councilmember Kenneth J. Hopkins Councilmember Lammis J. Vargas Councilmember Paul J. McAuley Councilmember Edward J. Brady Councilmember Christopher G. Paplauskas, Vice-Chair Council Vice-President Michael W. Favicchio (Chair) Council President Michael J Farina Councilmember Steven A. Stycos Councilmember John P. Donegan Daniel Parrillo, Director of Administration John Verdecchia, Assistant City Solicitor Maria Medeiros Wall, City Clerk Rosalba Zanni, Assistant City Clerk/Clerk of Committees Heather Finger, Stenographer MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING: dispense with the reading of the last meeting and they stand approved as recorded. Motion passed CORRESPONDENCE/COMMUNICATIONS Councilmember Paplauskas recognized members of Troop 6 Cranston in the audience, who are finishing their Merit Badge Citizenship. 1 U/Rosalba/OrdinanceCommittee/Minutes/2019/ 2019_03_14

2 OLD BUSINESS: Ord. in amendment of Sect of the Code of the City of Cranston, 2005, entitled Zoning Performance Standards Generally (Compassion Centers). Cont. from 12/06/2018, 1/17/2019 & 2/14/2019. Chair indicated that the State is looking to pass legislation regarding this issue within the next few months. It may not be until May. On motion by Councilmember Paplauskas, seconded by Councilmember McAuley, it was voted to continue this Ordinance to the May meeting. Chair asked what the Administration s opinion is on continuing this Ordinance. Director Parrillo stated that the Administration agrees with the continuance. Councilmember Stycos asked the Administration if there is a timeframe of when the Administration would like to see this passed. Director Parrillo stated that the Administration would like to see what the State is going to do before the City passes anything that may be in opposition to what the State is trying to implement. He believes that probably won t be until possibly May. Roll call was taken on motion to continue this Ordinance to the May meeting and motion passed Ord. in amend. of Ch of the Code of the City of Cranston, 2005, entitled Housing Standards (Creating the Cranston Nuisance Task Force). Sponsored by Council Member Vargas. Cont. from 2/14/2019. Councilmember Vargas asked that this Ordinance be continue to the May meeting. On motion by Council President Farina, seconded by Councilmember McAuley, it was voted to continue this Ordinance to the May meeting. Motion passed Ord. in amend. of Title of the Code of the City of Cranston, 2005, entitled Building Code (Scaffolding Permit Required). Sponsored by Council Member McAuley. Referred back by City Council 2/25/2019. On motion by Council President Farina, seconded by Councilmember Hopkins, it was voted to approve this Ordinance. Discussion took place on possible amendments. On motion by Councilmember McAuley, seconded by Council President Farina, it was voted to amend this Ordinance as follows: lines #27 & 36, after scaffolding, add stanchions and or other similar structures. Motion passed U/Rosalba/2019Ordinance/Minutes/2019_03_14 2

3 On motion by Council President Farina, seconded by Councilmember Paplauskas, it was voted to approve the above Ordinance as amended. Councilmembers Hopkins, Brady and Vargas asked to be added as co-sponsors. Director Parrillo asked if this will apply to new construction and/or repairs. Councilmember McAuley stated that this is addressed in lines #29 & 30, but additional language could be added if the Administration wishes. City Clerk suggested adding the following language: this does not include new construction. On motion by Councilmember McAuley, seconded by Council President Farina, it was voted to amend the above Ordinance as follows: line #31, add this does not apply to new construction. Motion passed No one appeared to speak from the public. On motion by Council President Farina, seconded by Councilmember Hopkins, it was voted to recommend approval of this Ordinance as amended. Motion passed PUBLIC HEARINGS/NEW BUSINESS: Ordinance in amendment of Title 8 of the Code of the City of Cranston, 2005, entitled Health and Safety (Plastic Bag Reduction). Sponsored by Councilmembers Paplauskas, Donegan, Co-Sponsored by Councilmembers Vargas and McAuley. On motion by Councilmember Paplauskas, seconded by Councilmember McAuley, it was voted to recommend approval of this Ordinance. The following appeared to speak: Suzanne Arena, 88 Lakeland Rd., appeared to speak in favor of this Ordinance and stated that she would like kids to design bags, possibly through the schools. She is happy about the phase-out, but would like to know more about the phase-out. Joe Agresti, 176 Florida Ave., appeared to speak and stated that he was totally against this before, but from an efficiency standpoint, he is in favor of this. Jennifer Miller, 1900 Broad St., appeared to speak and stated that the library sells the reusable bags for a small fee and Ms. Arena had a great idea to have the kids design the bags. Steven Boyle, President of Cranston Chamber of Commerce, appeared to speak and stated that he works with large businesses and small businesses in the City and there is a diverse opinion on this. He is glad there is a phase-out, but he worries about the small businesses that this will effect. Lou Petrucci, 121 East View Ave., appeared to speak in favor of this Ordinance and stated that the towns of Kingstown and Barrington have implemented this. U/Rosalba/2019Ordinance/Minutes/2019_03_14 3

4 Sean Gately appeared to speak in favor of this Ordinance. He stated that by passing this Ordinance is not enough. You, as a City, have the responsibility of educating the public and the small businesses as part of that process. Pauline Bealisle, 74 Gordon St., appeared to speak in favor of this Ordinance. Tom Wojick, 11 Hall Place, appeared to speak in favor of this Ordinance and stated that this is a ban to improve our businesses, this is a ban to improve our community. Pauline Derosa, 97 Cypress Dr., appeared to speak in favor of this Ordinance. James Grammas, 67 Carrie Ann Dr., appeared to speak in favor of this Ordinance. Councilmember Paplauskas indicated that if this Ordinance is passed, it won t take effect until January and would give people time to plan and spread awareness. On motion by Councilmember McAuley, seconded by Councilmember Brady, it was voted to amend line #40 to add (d) any business establishment which prepares food/takeout. Councilmember Paplauskas, suggested amendment should just state prepared foods. This way we would not be targeting the hospitality industry. Council President Farina abstained from discussion of this issue since he works for a company that uses plastic bags. Councilmember Stycos suggested not approving the amendment made by Councilmember McAuley and if every business wants to charge for a paper bag, then so be it. Councilmember Hopkins stated that he is in favor of this Ordinance, but his biggest concern is increase cost to the consumer, but the ecological issue is also a concern of his. Councilmember Brady stated that his biggest reservation is targeting the restaurants because of the large amount of bags they have in their inventory. He would like this Ordinance amended to reflect that concern. If that amendment is passed, he would support this Ordinance. He also stated that he would like the effected date to be one year from today. Councilmember McAuley withdrew his motion to amend this Ordinance. Councilmember Brady withdrew his second. Councilmember McAuley motioned to amend line #120 to add: (d) restaurants. Councilmember Brady seconded the motion. Councilmember Vargas questioned how to define what is takeout or grocery store with prepared foods that they are not a restaurant. Solicitor stated that he thinks you need to be careful if you are going to exempt restaurants or certain establishments. You need to be very clear in the way this is defined. U/Rosalba/2019Ordinance/Minutes/2019_03_14 4

5 Councilmember McAuley withdrew his motion to amend this Ordinance. Councilmember Brady withdrew his second. On motion by Councilmember Paplauskas, seconded by Councilmember Brady, it was voted to amend line #155 to July 1, Council Vice-President Favicchio stated that he is concerned because there is State Legislation pending. He also stated that selective enforcement can be a problem. Director Parrillo stated that the Administration wholeheartedly supports the reduction of plastic bags, however, the Administration agrees with Mr. Boyle and the restaurants and hospitality businesses to allow the State to design what this should be. He also indicated that if and when the State passes legislation, that law would supersede anything this City passes. Councilmember Donegan stated that we could be waiting for the State to do something for a long time. We should take matters in our own hands and pass this now. On motion by Councilmember Paplauskas, seconded by Councilmember McAuley, it was voted to move the question. Motion passed Roll call was taken on motion to amend the effective date of the Ordinance and motion passed issue. Council Vice-President Favicchio stated that the State will vote one way or another on this Councilmember Brady stated that after speaking to businesses and he will vote in favor of this Ordinance with reservations. Roll call was taken on motion to recommend approval of this Ordinance as amended and motion passed Ordinance in amendment of Chapter of the Code of the City of Cranston, 2005, entitled Administration and Personnel (Board of Canvassers). Sponsored by Councilmembers Stycos and Paplauskas. Referred from Finance Committee 3/4/2019. City Clerk stated this was referred to Finance but inadvertently advertised for Ordinance. This should be referred to Finance. On motion by Councilmember Paplauskas, seconded by Council President Farina, it was voted to refer this matter to Finance. for more review. Motion passed U/Rosalba/2019Ordinance/Minutes/2019_03_14 5

6 Ordinance in amendment of Chapter of Title 10 of the Code of the City of Cranston, 2005, entitled Motor Vehicles & Traffic (Union and Terrace 4 Way Stop). Sponsored by Mayor Fung. recommend approval of this Ordinance pending traffic study. Director Parrillo stated that he believes traffic study was already done and the Traffic Engineer is in favor of this. Council President Farina stated that as long as the traffic study is made available at the full Council meeting, he has no problem passing this Ordinance. Roll call was taken on motion to recommend approval of this Ordinance and motion passed Ordinance in amendment of Ch of the Code of the City of Cranston, 2005, entitled Motor Vehicles & Traffic (Norfolk Street Turn Prohibition Removal). Sponsored by Councilmember McAuley. On motion by Council President Farina, seconded by Councilmember Vargas, it was voted to recommend approval of this Ordinance pending traffic study. Council Vice-President Favicchio asked if there is a traffic study available for this Ordinance. Director Parrillo stated that the Traffic Engineer looked at this and agrees with Councilmember McAuley. recommend approval of this Ordinance based on traffic study being made available. Motion passed Ordinance in amendment of Chapter of the Code of the City of Cranston, 2005, entitled Motor Vehicles and Traffic (Norfolk Street One Way Removal). Sponsored by Councilmember McAuley. recommend approval of this Ordinance. Motion passed Resolution Encouraging the Administration and the City Council Grant Writer to Work on Funding for a Park at the Old Highway Garage Property on Phenix Ave. Sponsored by Councilmember Paplauskas. recommend approval of this Resolution. Councilmember Paplauskas stated that after this Resolution is approved, there would be an Ordinance drafted for this. He also stated that to offset costs for this, hopefully, there would be DEM grants or other funding or grants from federal government. U/Rosalba/2019Ordinance/Minutes/2019_03_14 6

7 Councilmember Stycos stated that he supports this, but he would suggest amending this Resolution to add with or without City funding. On motion by Councilmember Brady, seconded by Council President Farina, it was voted to amend line #34 of this Resolution to add with or without City funding. Motion passed Joseph Agresti appeared to speak and thanked the Committee for taking this on. He stated that this property can be utilized in a better way. Right now it is just wasted space. Roll call was taken on motion to recommend approval of this Resolution as amended and motion passed The meeting adjourned at 8:15 P.M. Respectfully submitted. Rosalba Zanni Assistant City Clerk/Clerk of Committees U/Rosalba/2019Ordinance/Minutes/2019_03_14 7