Cranston Public Works & Ordinance Committee Meeting – December 4, 2025

This combined meeting of the Public Works and Ordinance Committees of the Cranston City Council was held on December 4, 2025 (noted as following a session that began on December 3, 2025). The agenda covered school construction updates, a rodent abatement report, a public hearing and council debate on a proposed housing court resolution, an amendment to special meeting advertising rules, and parking restrictions on two streets. The meeting included staff presentations, public testimony, and votes on key items.

Consent Calendar

• Public Works Committee: Minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously.
• Ordinance Committee: Minutes from the November 6, 2025 meeting were approved unanimously. The committee also voted (5-1) to take the meeting out of order to hear public testimony on the housing court resolution before other business.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mr. Murray (citizen): Opposed the housing court resolution, arguing it would expand government, cost taxpayers, and give judges an incentive to fine defendants to fund the court. He cited existing state law (Title 34, Chapter 44) as already providing tools for dealing with abandoned properties.
• Stephen Morisella (solicitor for zoning/planning board and housing court prosecutor for 18 years): Stated the current housing court docket is manageable (meeting twice a month, 1-1.5 hours per session). He noted the only time the court was overloaded was during the 2009-2010 foreclosure crisis. He described three violator categories: elderly/disabled hoarders (where the goal is assistance), investors (where fines are pursued), and about three chronic violators who are frequently taken to higher courts. He advised attending a court session to understand operations and highlighted that an out-of-state nonprofit recently filed a receivership lawsuit on 60 properties, including three in Cranston, complicating a planned affordable housing project.
• Joey Fox (Cranston Herald): Expressed appreciation for the council’s deliberation on advertising special meetings but reiterated the newspaper’s interest in transparency and accessibility in both print and online.
• Stanley Peichel (acting building and zoning official): Argued the city needs more resources (inspectors) rather than a new court. He distributed an ICC matrix on enforcement types and stated that compliance, not fines, is the goal. He warned that a new housing court could cause confusion with current inspectors and that foreclosing on properties may serve only those with ulterior motives.

Discussion Items

• School Construction Updates (Public Works): Chief Facilities Officer Chris Jetson reported on three major projects: Gladstone (substantially complete April 2026, occupied Sept 2026), Eden Park (substantial completion July 2026, occupied for 2026-27), and AES Charter School (now at 60% construction documents). All are on schedule and on budget. Cranston West’s parking lot is not funded under current bonds. Council members praised the work; Chairman Marcus Stevenson confirmed public meetings are open.
• Rodent Issue at 45 Poplar Drive (Public Works): Council President Wall reported no recent complaints; the issue appears resolved for winter. The item was removed from the committee’s agenda, with plans to revisit in spring. Councilman Bonanno noted resident thanks.
• Budlong Pool and Splash Pad Update (Public Works): Deferred until February 2026 due to winter closure.
• Housing Court Resolution (Ordinance Committee): Council debated a resolution to request enabling legislation from the Rhode Island General Assembly to create a housing court division within the municipal court. Supporters (President Wall, Councilman Bonanno, Councilwoman Graziano) argued it would provide a needed tool for chronic violators without burdening taxpayers and noted other cities have such courts. Opponents (Councilman Cappiano) cited the testimony of the solicitor and zoning director that the current system functions adequately with three chronic violators, and that adding a court could cost taxpayers. Councilwoman Graziano, drawing on her experience as a town official, said the court would give enforcement staff another avenue before seeking injunctive relief. Councilman Anduhar questioned $78 in fines collected in the last year and suggested resources should go to more inspectors. The resolution passed 4-1 (Cappiano voted no).
• Advertising Special Meetings Ordinance Amendment (Ordinance Committee): Council President Wall presented an amendment to Title 2, Chapter 4, Section 60, clarifying that special meetings called with fewer than 8 days’ notice will be advertised online, while regular meetings and special meetings with 8+ days’ notice will be published in print. An amendment proposed by Councilman Bonanno (adding a header alerting readers to check online) was accepted. The amended ordinance passed unanimously. Councilman Anduhar was added as a sponsor.
• No Parking Ordinance Monday-Friday and One-Hour Parking Saturday/Sunday on Hybrid Drive and Hollyhawk Drive (Ordinance Committee): Councilman Bonanno moved two separate amendments to split the original ordinance into two: one for no parking Monday through Friday (Title 10, Chapter 32, Section 90) and one for one-hour parking Saturday and Sunday (new Section 700). Both amendments passed unanimously. The final amended ordinances were approved and moved to the full council with unanimous votes.

Key Outcomes

• School projects: Gladstone, Eden Park, and AES Charter School are on schedule and budget; no new projects funded under current bonds.
• Rodent issue: Removed from committee agenda; work deemed satisfactory for winter.
• Budlong Pool update: Deferred to February 2026.
• Housing court resolution: Passed 4-1, allowing the council to seek enabling legislation from the General Assembly.
• Special meeting advertising ordinance: Amended and passed unanimously; will take effect upon final adoption by the full council.
• No parking ordinances on Hybrid and Hollyhawk: Both amendments approved unanimously and forwarded to the full council.
• Adjournment: The Public Works Committee adjourned at 6:21 PM; the Ordinance Committee adjourned after the last vote.