Safety and license committee to order tonight Tuesday, February seventeenth.

Clerk, could you please councilwoman Graziano?

President Cosby Ritz.

Cosmetraficante.

Council Vice President Heroyan.

Present.

Here.

Yeah, John's here somewhere.

Um I'd like to call for a motion to approve the minutes from the last meeting on February second, two thousand twenty six.

There are no minutes.

Okay.

Is there anyone here tonight for public comment on docket items only?

There is no public comment online.

I'd like to close public comment now.

Under public hearings, we don't have anything.

Under show cause tonight, we don't have any.

Sorry, my God.

Committee business matters carried.

Um tonight's gonna be the class B V liquor license transfer.

Um is there anyone here from Ginger Asian Bistro at seven thirty-six Park Avenue that would like to come up and speak to us?

So when we get into discussion, I'm gonna try to defend them the most I can.

Second.

So usually when you go to file for your letter of good standing, they give you different boxes.

And the main box is to see if you owe taxes to the division of taxation.

So of course, I've done it in the past before you click tax status because that's what they want to see that you don't know taxes, so you could open.

So I'm asking for a motion to continue.

I've already made that motion.

For the chair, councilman to second time.

Yes, madam chair.

Um, I would just like to ask the clerk if this is what was uploaded or nothing was uploaded.

And then the second part of the question, you know that there's a language barrier here.

So I just want to make that on the record that there is a language barrier and that we have probably nobody that could speak their language to make it clear.

So just want to put that on the record.

I don't know how you would have paperwork and the I would not as chairwoman or the oh so uh she would know it because this is what would have probably been uploaded that day when he said he was gonna upload it.

Through the chair.

So I think the confusion is we do have what's uploaded on the portal is what councilman Andrew Hart has, which is the tax status for the transferee.

What we require is a tax certificate good standing from the transfer, which is Ginza, and we could explain that to the transfer and the transferee.

So this that that tax status letter that you have that is uploaded on the portal is for the transferee.

What we need is a certificate of good standing from the transfer showing that they owe no taxes, which is Genza.

So Matt, through the chair, if I could well, I'll let the president.

Well, just I want to make sure I'm clear as well.

So the trans the the party that is transferring their license to the transferee hasn't the letter of good standard would indicate that they had paid their state taxes.

Is that correct?

And yeah, perhaps the the solicitor Videcki would be best to answer that.

I don't want to put it all on the clerk at this time.

Well, uh assuming that's the issue with the letter of good standing, if it's taxes owed, you're correct.

Um letter of good standing would simply mean that they don't owe any state taxes.

You're talking about the transferore.

Yes, and the transferees.

So we're getting a little confused.

Uh on a transfer of a license, okay.

The mechanism is exactly the same as for issuance of a new license.

So the transferee is the person who's obtaining the license.

I'm not certain where the requirement for the transfer to produce a letter of good standing comes from.

I don't know if that's just something we've been doing.

I'm not positive.

I see that in the law.

So because the transferee basically is the equivalent of a new license applicant.

Okay.

And they're required to show that.

So just so I'm clear, we don't require any anything from the transfer.

However, we do require something from the transferee, which I believe it is a document that these individuals have presented to Councilman Andar.

That be correct.

And I don't know if you've seen it.

Maybe I haven't seen it.

I don't know what it is.

So this is the letter of good standing, I think that's been referred to by the transferee.

Is that correct, madam clerk?

Loving table 88 Corp.

Yeah, so they they are the transferee.

So does that fulfill what we're requiring here?

Well, the way I read state law, I I think it does.

Um I may have to just double check on that.

I mean, I don't want to do anything that undermines what the clerk's office is doing.

I don't not sure where that came from, that requirement that the transfer show a letter of good standing.

Um I'd have to double check it, but I'm not aware of that requirement.

But I listen, I could be wrong.

I've been wrong before, and I'm not going to sit here and say I'm a hundred percent certain.

And I'll be done in one second.

So maybe in an abundance of caution, because it sounds like this has been procedure that had been followed for some time.

We do continue it.

But perhaps we get an answer in the intervening period that we actually have something firm if we're going with state law, if we have anything that conflicts with it in our own ordinances.

Let me let me suggest this.

Um to the uh the chair.

I I know we hate doing this.

Um, we're trying to get away from it, but this is a little bit of an extraordinary circumstance.

I would like to just double check on this.

So rather than hold them up again, perhaps we could take up uh councilman and suggestion and approve this subject to the transfer.

Okay, if you don't want to do it, that's fine.

Um, I just need a little time to check on it.

I I'm just not positive um that the transferore needs to show that, but it could be a regulation.

I don't see it in the state law.

It could be a reg um that DBR has.

So I don't know if you want to hold it maybe, and I'll I'll we already have a motion on the motion and second on the continuum.

Um that's fine.

But I do uh you know, I do want to get it right though.

I mean, that's that's the case.

Going forward, we want it to be right.

Perhaps if we're not really sure that the transfer is in compliance with everything, and this is a perhaps, and I put that in big quotations, that they're in compliance with all known laws, and we're making them come back.

Um I mean, my experience has been, and this has come up before, if there were creditors, if if money is owed to creditors by the transfer, that would be an impediment.

Um that has to be clarified.

So I don't know that the division of taxation is considered to be a creditor in the um within the meaning of the statute.

I think it means to wholesalers and people like that that are owed money for liquor.

Um so again, I apologize, but I I just have to double check on that.

I don't want to undermine what the clerk says, but I have not seen that.

But again, I could be wrong.

So our next safety service meeting would be March second second, which is right around the corner.

Um so I wish I had a better answer.

I just threw the chair have a question for attorney for Decky.

How how long would it take for you to look that up and figure it out?

Not long.

Could we could we take a recess?

Yeah.

Sure.

I can't motion for that, but I just want to suggest we take take a recess and then we can have the answer.

I'll make a motion for us to take a short recess.

Five minute recess.

First and a second to continue this.

Solicitor Vecale, would you like to speak?

I would.

Um, the score after one inning, clerk one solicitor zero.

Um, she was right.

Um, under three seven twenty four.

It does say every licensee under this chapter upon filing an application for a renewal or a transfer.

So transfer is included in there must have a certificate of good standing from the tax administrator.

So she was right.

Good evening and welcome to the February seventeenth, two thousand and twenty six regular city council meeting.

I'd like to call this meeting to order.

At this time I ask everyone to please stand.

First item of business this evening will be the approval of minutes.

This time I'll entertain a motion for the minutes from the January 2020, 2026 regular council meeting.

So move.

Second.

Is there any discussion?

There being none, clerk, please call a roll.

Councilwoman Graziano.

Yes.

Councilman Induhar.

Yes.

Council Ritz?

Yes.

Council Trafficanti.

Yes.

Councilman Vazeri.

Yes.

Council Banano?

Yes.

Council Vice President Harwyan.

Yes.

Council President Wall.

Yes.

Thank you.

Next item of business would be public hearings on docketed items.

If there is anyone here in the chamber this evening who would like to speak on docketed matters only, please step up to the podium.

You'll have four minutes.

State your name and address for the record.

Hello, hello.

Is this on?

Yeah, I think it's on now.

Great.

Thank you.

Hello.

My name is Kevin Essington.

I live at 60 Chiswick Road.

I'm here with my neighbors today to speak in favor of the ordinance before you today, introduced by Councillor Graciano and recommended by the Ordnance Committee to add Chiswick Road as a local traffic only street in Cranston.

Your colleagues on the committee call this ordinance quote common sense, low cost, and a no-brainer.

And I hope you will think the same when we're done tonight.

I'm glad to see again that so many of my neighbors are here to urge you to vote to approve this ordinance.

Chiswick Road is a residential street, home to 20 families.

Residents include eight school-aged children and nine residents over the age of 65.

The road is just 500 feet long and is the shortest point between Edgewood's busiest streets, Broad Street and Narragansett Boulevard.

Navigation apps like Google Maps send drivers traveling from Warwick and Allen's Avenue's connection to I-95 on a two-minute shortcut down Chiswick Road.

The city of Cranston conducted three traffic and speed studies on the road in 2020, 2022, and 2024, showing that the volume was, in my words, extreme.

Up to nearly 1100 cars per day.

If only 2% of the drivers on our street exceeded high mortality speeds of 40 miles per hour, that means roughly 20 drivers per day are endangering residents of Chiswick Road.

Navigation apps also send truck drivers this way.

Large delivery trucks roll down the street each morning.

Out of state drivers love this way too.

They cut through the street regularly on Saturday, October 25th.

I personally was at the intersection of Chiswick and Narragansett Boulevard and counted in a two-hour period, 11 out of 12 out-of-state drivers cutting down Chiswick Road.

The street is narrow, just 28 feet wide.

The east side of the road is a steep hill, creating dangerously short sight lines up at the top of the hill.

Broad Street intersection has a pronounced and dangerous northbound blind spot created by a private retaining wall and plantings.

Counselor Graziano saw herself how this creates hazardous driving conditions for pedestrians and other drivers.

Adding high traffic volume to these dangerous conditions is a tragedy waiting to happen.

I urge you to adopt this low-cost common sense ordinance as Councillor Graziano has proposed to designate Chiswick Road as local traffic only.

My neighbors and I look forward to working with the city council on this solution and working with the city's Department of Public Works on notifying the navigation apps on this change and on installing appropriate signage on Broad Street and Aragansett Boulevard.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Anyone else in Chambers who'd like to speak on docketed matters only.

Good evening, Council President, members of the Council.

Nick Clemer, the Registrar Director of Elections for the Cranston Canvassing Authority.

In committee in the ordinance committee, uh you heard a resolution a couple weeks ago regarding moving the statewide primary from Tuesday to Wednesday.

That's to alleviate some significant uh added costs for the cities and towns, as well as to uh alleviate some concerns about uh when early voting ends uh in the and other problems in terms of logistics and polling place setups with the Labor Day holiday.

Uh I didn't know at the time that the bill was moving in the General Assembly.

It has actually passed the full House of Representatives, and I'm told that the Senate will consider uh uh it in committee and then possibly for passage uh when they resume from their break uh after this week.

So it's it's possible that that may pass uh in the weeks ahead.

However, it is on your on your docket this evening.

Uh, if there are any questions on that, um I'm I'm gonna be here to answer at the appropriate time.

I also want to thank the council president as well as the minority leader, uh the Campo Biano for introducing that bipartisan resolution at the request of our office because it's going to be important to conduct a smooth uh primary for our voters this September.

Thank you.

Is there anyone else in chambers who'd like to speak on docketed matters only?

Seeing none, Tom, is anyone online who'd like to speak on documented matters?

Adam Crawley.

Mr.

Crowley.

Yes, thank you.

Um I spoke at the ordinance committee meeting a few weeks ago in support of the ordinance before uh the council on Chiswick Road.

I'm signing in here tonight.

Um, sorry I can't be there in person, but again, I want to speak on behalf of uh my neighbors and in support of everything that Kevin shared before you.

Um, as the father of the youngest child and the oldest and deafest dog on the street.

Um we've seen how dangerous the road can be.

Uh, upon purchasing our house a couple of years ago, the first thing I did was build a rolling gate for our porch to keep our toddler and our dog off the street, off the sidewalk, because it was clear how dangerous it was with the high traffic volumes.

Within the first two weeks of moving to Chiswick Road, as I took a left onto Chiswick from Broad, additional cars were backed up behind me looking to make a similar turn.

And as I slowed down to take a left into my driveway, uh, two houses down the street.

Other cars, assuming that I was using it as a cut through, were speeding up and tailgating me.

And as I slowed down to take a left into my driveway, one of them sped up and passed me on the left, and I nearly crashed into them.

So that was my introduction to the speeding problem on Chiswick Road.

Thankfully, we've got a really great group of neighbors here who have put time and effort into uh making some change happen.

So it urge the council to address this issue with what seems like some very practical and common sense solutions.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Tom, is there anyone else?

There's no other public comment online.

Okay, so at this time I'm going to close public comment.

We're going to move on to resolutions.

I know there are a lot of people here for Athletic Director Traffic Canti.

Um, if there are no objections, I'm going to take the rest of the agenda out of order.

Seeing none.

I would ask, if the mayor would like to step up first and uh deliver a few remarks.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

First off, I'd like to recognize the former first lady in Trafficante in the audience.

Welcome back to our council chambers.

Good evening, everyone.

Tonight we gather to honor a man whose impact in Cranston on our Cranston athletics is impossible to measure.

But deeply felt in every field, every gym, and every young athlete who has grown under his leadership.

For 25 years, Michael Trafficante has provided steadfast guidance, a clear vision, and a deep dedication to the students of our city.

His work has shaped, strengthened, and elevated the athletic experience for generations.

As someone who once walked this path myself, I know the demands, the challenges in the heart that it takes to lead an athletic department.

But Mike Trafficante didn't just lead.

He elevated.

He built programs that were both competitive and inclusive, ensuring that every student athlete had the opportunity to grow, to challenge themselves, and to feel part of something bigger than themselves.

His advocacy for young people has been constant, thoughtful, and deeply impactful.

Mike Traffic Cante's reach has extended far beyond our school buildings.

His support for youth sports throughout Cranston has helped create a culture of sportsmanship, teamwork, and community pride that defines who we are.

Through his mentorship and passion, he has inspired generations of young people, many of whom stand taller, dream bigger, and work harder because of his guidance.

Mike, your legacy is woven into the fabric of this community.

You have given Cranston not just stronger athletic programs, but stronger young people.

And for that, we are profoundly grateful.

On behalf of the city of Cranston, thank you for your extraordinary service for your leadership and your heart.

We wish you nothing but joy and fulfillment in your well-earned retirement.

Mike, if I can bring you up here.

And your wife and your family.

Okay, on behalf of the city of Christ, this certificate film of all our president.

During which your leadership, dedication, and vision has strengthened the Princeton School Department's public, and rich youth athletics citywide.

Your commitment to excellence, your support of student athletes, and your lasting contribution to this community have created a legacy of sportsmanship, opportunity, and pride for generations to come.

The city of Cranston accepts my serious congratulations and very best wishes on your retirement.

Signed on the state, Mayor Kenneth J.

Hopkins on seventh day, 17th May of February 2026.

Mike, congratulations and thank you.

Also, um, I'm gonna bring Councilman Trafficani up to say a few words.

Michael, bring your family back up.

The uh poet Robert Browning wrote some rather profound words, which are apropos this evening.

The poet wrote that people are never honored for what they gain or receive in life.

People are honored for what they give of themselves to life and to their fellow men.

If we were to examine the 20-year career, 20-plus-year career of my traffic handy as the athlete to write down, and especially as a youth coach, we find a testimony to the out of giving, the out of caring, and most important, the art of developing our most precious resource.

That's the youth of our city.

He has certainly emulated the words of Robert Browning.

And for those reasons, we are honoring him tonight, not only by the mayor, but the entire city council.

Congratulations, Mike.

And uh Director Uh Mr.

Trafficanti, I sometimes I'm not sure how to say it.

I've got so many Trafficanties in front of me.

Um, the resolution that the City Council is presenting you this evening in honor of your years of service and your dedication to athletics and to the students and the youth of Cranston reads as follows.

It won't be as inspiring, but there's a lot of heart in there.

The resolutions are written in a certain way.

Whereas Michael C.

Trafficanti has served as the Cranston School Department's athletic director from 2001 through 2026 and has been deeply involved in the interscholastic athletics across the state of Rhode Island.

And whereas, as 25-year member of the Rhode Island Interschoolscholastic Athletic Administrative Association, he has served as president-elect, vice president, president, and was also long a long-standing board member of the Rhode Island Principals Committee on Athletics.

And whereas as a 25-year member of the Rhode Island Multiple Sports Committee, which includes football, boys' soccer, boys and girls swimming, girls' basketball, baseball, softball, and his contribution and leadership have been recognized with numerous honors and recognitions, which include 2005, 2018 Athletic Director of the Year, 2010 Rhode Island Award of Merit, 2015 inducted into the Rhode Island Football Coaches Hall of Fame, 2018 National Federation of High Schools Coach of the Year Award, 2023 Sister Charlene Tedeski Community Service Award, 2023 inducted into the Providence Gridiron Club Hall of Fame, 2014 to the present served as the president of the Rhode Island Interscholastic Injury Fund.

In April 2026, Michael C.

Traffic Canti was inducted into the Rhode Island Athletic Directors Hall of Fame.

Whereas, in addition to his professional role, Michael Traffic Canti has made extent extensive contributions to the community and athletic programs, which include football coaches, football coach of the Edgewood Eagles for three years, baseball coach, American Little League, six years, baseball coach Cranston Bayrouth, seven years, basketball coach, CLCF girls' basketball for two years, softball coach CLCF softball 10 years, and gals, softball president for four years.

Whereas, I'm getting to the end of it, whereas through Michael's commitment, dedication, and coaching skills led his 1981 Babe Ruth baseball team to compete in the Babe Ruth Baseball Hall of Fame in Jamestown, New York, and as manager of the under-16 All-Star softball team led them to a national championship in Biloxi, Mississippi, in 2021.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that Mayor Ken Hopkins, Kenneth Hopkins, pardon me, and the members of the Cranston City Council recognize and honor the tremendous contributions of Michael C.

Traffic Canton has made both to Cranston, the Cranston School Department Athletic Program and Citywide Youth Athletic Programs.

And be it further resolved that Mayor Hopkins and the members of the Cranston City Council declare February 17.

That would be this day, wouldn't it?

February 17, 2026, as the Michael C.

Trafficanti in the City of Cranston.

Congratulations.

We do have one more uh brief presentation from Director Renzouli.

The floor is yours.

Mr.

Trafficanti, this recognition carries special meaning for me as someone who's had the privilege of being an athlete under your leadership from a small child straight through high school and then later as a part of your coaching staff at Cranston West and Western Hills.

I've seen firsthand the standards you set, the integrity you bring to every decision, and the way you champion every student athlete no matter their path.

So it's an honor for me to stand before you today to present a citation from Representative Paplowskis and the House of Representatives as we recognize a legacy that has meant so much to so many, and it is in recognition of the distinguished honor and outstanding accomplishment of being inducted into the 2026 Rhode Island Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Hall of Fame.

Yeah, I think it is.

We just have to vote on the resolution.

Um there any members of the council who would like to make any remarks this evening.

I see I'll go around.

I see councilwoman Vazeri.

So first I would like to say, Traff, thank you for everything that you've given to the Cranston Athletics.

Um I was lucky enough to work for you for many seasons, and what always stood out to me was how you always cared for the kids and the coaches.

Um you led with integrity, heart, and your impact will be felt for years to come.

These are some very, very big shoes to fill.

And on behalf of all the coaches and hundreds, if not thousands of athletes who've influenced, um, thank you, and best of luck in your next chapter.

Thank you, Councilwoman.

Any other members of the council would like to make a comment this evening?

I'm looking, I see hand, I see councilman Ritz.

I guess that's why they put you up there.

Mike, I haven't known you as long as everyone else here, but uh, I definitely know your legacy uh of excellence here.

Um I do know Cranston's a better place for for having you here.

It's a privilege to be part of this citation that was given to you, and I wish you the best of luck on the next chapter.

Thank you.

Council Council Vice President Heroy.

I would also like to say thank you.

Um I had the honor of watching you coach for many years.

I'm proud having one of my nieces play for you.

You probably didn't recognize me.

I had my Wolk North Little League hat on.

Sophia De Troya.

So thank you for all the coaching you also did.

Thank you.

Would you like to make some remarks before I take a vote?

Well, if there are, you sure?

Just the floor is your uh look.

I I um I I I have since today I graduated from college.

I've donated my service to the city because I wanted to, and um the amount of time I put in I enjoyed every minute, and we do it all over again if I wasn't seventy-four.

But what I put into the city pales in the comparison to what it is for what is it for what it is for myself, my wife.

My family, because they got a source of very, very difficult times.

So I'm on hall, and I want to say thank you to everybody.

They've got a source of very, very difficult times.

I love the remote.

I'm sorry.

Thank you.

Not my deal.

I guess now I can ask the clerk to please call it all.

So I'll make a motion to approve that first.

I still got a motion and a second.

I think we had all the discussion already.

Thank you.

Councilman McGraziano.

Yes.

Councilman Andrew Har?

Yes.

Conservative?

Yes.

Council Trafficante?

Consulman Vaziri.

Yes.

Consul Banano.

Yes.

Consulvice President Royan.

Yes.

Council President Wall.

Okay.

All right.

Next, we're going to move on to a resolution requesting the administration and the city council celebrate Black History Month in Cranston throughout the month of February.

This was sponsored by Councilman Bano, Councilman Anduhar, Councilman Ritz, Councilwoman Bziri.

I would also, if there's no objections, like to be added as a co-sponsor.

Who would like to speak uh speak speak on this and then I'll get the rest.

Councilman Benano.

Sure.

Um thank you, Mr.

President.

It's my pleasure to, along with my colleagues, uh bring this forth for the uh Cranston City Council to encourage um the celebration of Black History Month.

Um excuse my uh congestion of a little under the weather, so I won't I won't speak for very long.

But um I just want to point out and uh let everyone know how we feel as a council.

Um how important the contributions are uh of African Americans in our community, especially throughout the country, but especially here in Rhode Island and even more especially here in um Cranston.

This provides an opportunity for uh residents of all backgrounds to reflect upon the past, celebrate progress, honor local and national black leaders on a day where we lost um or we found out that we lost Jesse Jackson.

Uh in addition to national black leaders, educators, artists, entrepreneurs, public service, public servants, and advocates, and we should be uh using this time to recommit ourselves um to the shared values of dignity, equality, and mutual respect among all people.

Um so uh it's my uh pleasure to uh to be one of the sponsors of this uh to celebrate Black History Month here in the uh in the month of February, as it's been celebrated throughout the country since uh 1986.

So um I'm hopeful that uh my colleagues will join me in this uh celebration.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman.

I see Councilwoman Roman uh Graziano, pardon me.

Tongue tie thank you.

Um recognize Black History Month celebrate a rich history, enduring strength and profound contributions of black people throughout our nation's history.

We honor the legacy achievements and cultural influence of black Americans whose contributions have shaped and strengthened our country.

As a white person, I understand that this month is not about speaking over black voices, but about listening, learning, honoring the resilience, creativity, leadership, and impact of black communities.

I am grateful for the culture, innovation, pro and the progress shaped by generations of black leaders, artists, educators, and activists and families.

Black History Month is a time to celebrate and reflect on history that has shaped us all.

I stand in support and appreciation and in continued learning.

Thank you, Councilwoman.

I see council vice president Heroyan.

I would just like to be added as a sponsor, also if no one opposes Councilman Trafficano.

I'd like to be added as well, President.

Councilman, that yeah, any other any other discussion.

If I could before we take a vote, um, as an educator with 30 plus years now, um, I've always uh taken time out during this month to especially uh focus on the contributions in American history of black Americans.

I think it's a great practice.

I think it's very important part of our our history and our nation, and I certainly am supportive of this resolution.

Um I ask the clerk, please call a roll.

Yes, councilman rites, yes, council traffic, yes, councilman Viziri, yes, Cons Banano, yes, Consul Vice President Royan, yes, Council President Wall.

Yes, thank you.

Next on the agenda is a resolution commemorating the 182nd anniversary of the Dominican Republic independence on February 27, 2026.

This was sponsored by Councilman Banano and Councilman Anderhar.

I also asked to be added as a co-sponsor.

Um who would like to speak on this?

Would it be Councilman?

The sponsor.

So just for full disclosure, Councilman Ander and I talked about this.

And I said, I'm going to put you first since you're a Dominican American.

And he threw a curveball at me and uh and asked the clerk to put me first and asked as a clerk to have me speak on it.

So thank you, friend.

I will remember that.

Um in the same vein uh of the Black History Month uh resolution and other resolutions that we put forth in the past for Italian American uh history month for breast cancer awareness month and for all the months that I feel um people have earned uh and uh all the months that people deserve.

Um this one is in the in the same vein.

Uh on February 27th, 1844.

Um, the people of the Dominican Republic secured their independence from Spanish rule, and they established a sovereign nation rooted in freedom, resilience, democratic ideals, and cultural pride.

I don't know of anything else that's better to celebrate besides uh freedom, resilience, democratic ideals, and cultural pride.

We have a robust um Dominican American uh population in our country in our state, 60 approximately 60, 700.

And in Cranston, uh we have uh approximately uh 5300 Dominican residents, many of which now live in the area which I grew up on Ward 3, which Councilman Indura represents and I represent as a citywide member.

So um, I think again, um, you know, it gives us an opportunity to shine some light on uh what makes America great, being a melting pot of different cultures that come together and uh coexist peacefully.

And um I think that this uh this resolution puts that ideal forth and uh I urge um passage.

Thank you, Councilman.

Councilman Ander.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I want to thank Councilman Banano for taking the baton this year and and putting the resolution up forward.

Um I really want to thank him for his leadership.

I also want to thank Councilwoman Heroyan for giving inspiring us to do this because she always does the Armenian Day.

So just want to thank you for that.

And with that said, Mr.

President, the floor is yours.

Thank you.

I shouldn't have forgotten Armenian as well in my comments.

So I I apologize.

I apologize.

I apologize.

Apology is accepted, I assume.

Um, I'm gonna go to Councilwoman Graziano.

Also like to be added to this, even though I didn't say it for the last one, which I wanted to be.

Um I will say I am proud to celebrate the 182nd anniversary of the independence of the Dominican Republic.

We honor the courage and determination of those who fought for freedom in 19 in 1844 and celebrate the vibrant history, culture, and enduring spirit of the Dominican people.

Our Dominican residents contribute greatly to the strength, diversity, and vitality of our city, enriching our neighborhoods, businesses, schools, and civic life.

As we mark mark this important anniversary, we join in celebrating heritage, unity, and the values of resilience and the community that brings us together.

Thank you, Councilwoman.

Council Vice President Heroin.

I would like to be added to as a sponsor to this one also.

I see Councilman Ritz.

Did I skip you, Councilman?

Yeah, sponsor two, please.

Anyone else?

Councilwoman Vazeri.

I would also like to be added as a sponsor.

Councilman Trafficani.

I like to be added, but I want to add a couple of things.

I love Punta Cana and Porta Plata, number one.

Well, number two, remember, it was one of my Pisons that discovered the Dominican Republic, Christopher Columbus.

Thank you, Councilman.

Um as I before I take a vote, I'll mention I also mentioned how long I've taught, but I teach in Providence on the South Side.

Um, I've seen seen the uh Dominican population in that area grow.

I've uh I've seen their contributions, their food, their music, their culture.

Um, they even taught me a little bit of Spanish.

Um, maybe enough to maybe get order or dinner in a restaurant, or maybe get around a little bit.

Um, so I I certainly respect the the contributions and we even teach a little history about it as well.

All right, so I'm pleased to be a co-sponsor now if that's okay.

And um, clerk, would you please call it all?

Just need a motion, a second.

Did I make a there was no motion?

Oh, is there a motion?

Motion to approve.

Second second.

Now, Clerk, would you please call it all?

Second.

Councilman Graziano.

Yes, Consman Andrew Hara.

Yes.

Councilman Trafficante.

Yes.

Councilwoman Vazieri.

Yes.

Councilman Banano.

Yes.

Council Vice President Heroyan.

Yes.

Council President Walsh.

Yes.

Okay, we're gonna move back to the first page.

Um, a resolution honoring the life and memory of Dolores Melillo.

This was sponsored by uh Councilman Anderha, Councilman Banano, and Councilman Trafficante.

I would also, if it's okay, like to be added as a co-sponsor.

I see anybody else want to be added as a co-sponsor.

I see Councilwoman Bezzeri, Councilman Ritz, Councilwoman Graziano, Council Vice President Heroyan.

All right.

Who would like to speak on this one?

Anyone?

Councilman Andor.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

My condolences to the Melillo family, but my deepest consoles is condolences to uh someone that I come to became to admire in Cranston.

That's our uh citywide school board member, Anthony Melillo.

So my deepest consoles is thank you, um Mayor, Councilman Trafficante for co-sponsoring this, and I would like to pass the microphone over to Councilman Bonano so he could read the resolution into the record.

Thank you.

Um we're starting sort of a little bit of a new tradition where we honor uh folks who have passed away that have made a deep impact in uh in our city and in the lives of people who live here.

So with that being said, I would like to read this resolution into the record.

It is my honor to do so, not only for my colleague or my colleague in government, Anthony Melillo, but for um his esteemed mom.

And uh I know not everybody is Italian, even though sometimes I think so, but the relationship between uh an Italian son and an Italian mother is quite special.

So uh my deepest condolences go out to Mr.

Melillo as well.

It's a resolution of the Cranston City Council honoring the life and memory of Dolores Ravo Melillo, whereas the Cranston City Council marks with deep respect and sympathy the passing of Dolores Ravo Melillo, a longtime resident whose life reflected the values of family, community, and quiet dedication that define the fabric of our city.

And whereas, born in Providence and a proud Rhode Islander throughout her life, Dolores built a home in Cranston where generations of family gathered, stories were shared, and traditions were carried forward.

Her home was known not just as a place but as a feeling, it had a feeling of welcome, warmth, and belonging.

And whereas through many years of work as an assembler at Quill Penn, Dolores demonstrated the pride that comes from a strong work ethic in contributing to something larger than oneself.

Her example reflected the everyday strength of working families who shape our community.

And whereas Dolores found joy in the simple, meaningful moments of life, whether hosting Sunday dinners, spending summer afternoons by the pool with family, enjoying time at the beach or traveling with her late husband Anthony, she had a way of turning ordinary moments into lasting memories.

And whereas Dolores Malillo's greatest legacy lives on through her family.

She's survived by her children, Lorna Belanger and her husband Edward, and Anthony Melillo and his wife Elena.

She was a devoted grandmother and great grandmother and a loving presence whose influence will continue to be felt across generations.

Her son, the honorable Anthony J.

Melillo, serves as the City of Cranston's vice chairman of the Cranston School Committee, reflecting a continued commitment to service within the Melillo family.

And whereas Dolores is also remembered with love by her sister, Joanne Ravo of Johnston, her niece Tony Ann Solzillo, and many extended family members and friends who carry forward the lessons she lived, the lessons she lived by.

Care for one another, show up for family, and make room at the table.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the honorable Cranston City Council hereby honors the life and memory of Dolores Ravo Melillo and extends its heartfelt condolences to the Melillo family during this time of loss.

And be it further resolved that the city clerk is hereby directed to transmit a copy of this resolution to the family of Dolores Ravo Melillo as a small expression of the city's respect and gratitude for a life that quietly strengthened the community, which we share.

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

Motion to approve.

Motion is there a second.

Is there any further discussion?

Let me just add, um I wanted to be added as a co-sponsor because I think it's important.

Over a short time, I I became, I believe, an acquaintance, an opponent.

I Anthony, uh we ran against each other.

But we I think we've come to cultivate a friendship, a good friendship and a working friendship.

So much like my my colleague uh Councilman Benano, um, my condolences and a reason for supporting this.

As you rightfully mentioned, this is not something we had done in the past, and I think it is a good idea to recognize some of the people uh in the city, especially you know, who served us in some of some of the you know tragedies that happened in their lives.

Councilwoman Heroy.

I'd like to be added as co-sponsor also.

I had the honor of serving with Anthony on school committee.

We didn't always see eye to eye, but one thing we have grown, and we have both respected each other and built the friendship.

So I am sorry for his and his family's loss.

Would anyone else like to be a co-sponsor?

I see Councilman Grossi, Councilwoman Graziano, Councilman Ritz, Councilwoman Sari.

Anyone else?

Okay, I think we got all of this.

Any other comments before I take a vote?

Uh Councilman Ritz.

Quick comment.

I know Anthony isn't here, but you know, Anthony and I served together on the school committee, and and also he's a he's a close friend.

So I I know Anthony's work ethic and just an outstanding person he is, and that doesn't happen overnight.

It happens through family and deep roots.

So although I didn't know his mother, I think through Anthony, uh, I I could tell she was a fantastic woman and raised a fantastic son.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman.

Anyone else?

Seeing none, Clerk, please call it roll.

Councilman Graziano.

Yes.

Councilman Andrew Har.

Yes.

Councilman Ritz.

Yes.

Consultraficante.

Yes.

Councilman Vizieri.

Yes.

Councilman?

Yes.

Council Vice President Heroyan.

Yes.

Council President Walt.

Yes.

Okay.

Moving on to a resolution expressing support of the city of Cranston, uh, the Cranston City Council for the 2026 S 2280, an act relating to uh education health and the safety of pupils.

This was sponsored by Councilman Ritz and Council Vice President Royan who would like to speak on this.

I see Councilman Ritz.

Thank you, Council President.

Um tonight, along with Councilwoman Harorian, I'm introducing a resolution in support of Senator Padolano's bill, S2280, an act relating to education, health, and safety of pupils.

This is a piece of legislation focused on one simple but vital goal.

Make sure that in an emergency, first responders can immediately access school buildings and campuses.

When there's an emergency in a school, police officers should not be trying to figure out how to get through lock doors.

They should already have access in travelies like what we saw in Packet yesterday, only makes that more obvious.

Senate Bill 2280 requires schools and educational institutions to make an emergency response plans that specifically include immediate access for first responders.

It allows that access to be provided through secure electronic systems like key fobs, card access, manual keys, and other approved methods.

It also requires that these plans be reviewed each year by local chiefs of police, including our own Cranston Police Department, which ensures that the people who will be responding to an emergency are part of the planning process.

In Cranston, electronic access systems are already in place in our schools, meaning there's no anticipated fiscal impact to our city.

It is simply a matter of programming the key fobs.

Cranston already places a strong emphasis on coordination between schools and public safety, but this legislation establishes a clear statewide framework and accountability.

It reflects the reality that preparation saved lives and that access should never be obstacles in a crisis.

This resolution allows us as a council to formally stand with our police department, our educators, our parents, and our students in support of stronger, smarter school safety policies.

This resolution allows us to clearly say that we support practical proven steps that will help keep our students, educators, and first responders safe.

I ask for your support, Ms.

Thank you.

Council Vice President Heroy.

First of all, I want to thank Councilman Ritz for reaching out to me to work on this.

I want to thank the Cranston Police Department and the school department.

We've had a lot of tragic events in the last two months, which most of us are aware of.

The bill that Sandra Padalano put in is amazing.

It will have a house companion bill also.

So I'm hoping everyone will support this tonight.

And I want to thank Cranston again for being proactive and ahead of this.

Thank you, Council Vice President.

I see Councilman Bonano's hand up.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

First uh thing I want to say is I think uh councilman Ritz and Council Vice President Roy did a fantastic job.

I also want to extend uh the same sentiment to Senator Padlano, although he's not here.

Um, but I'm sure our senator major or major senator, whatever you want to call him.

Uh uh he will wears two hats at once and in in this and um uh it's a it's a great thing as a parent and not only a parent but as a spouse of a teacher.

Um seconds matter in these situations, split seconds matter in these situations, and nobody can ever uh put themselves in this situation until they are in the situation, and the police have been in these situations.

So uh if the police are recommending this and the and the police are sponsoring this and they're behind this, uh I have nothing but good things to say about something like this.

I know that if something is going down at a school where either my wife is teaching or my kids are attending, I want the police and the first responders to have every single tool that they have available to them in that split second, so they can they can prevent the loss of life and prevent tragedies.

Um if anybody had any doubts about this, you know, last week when the agenda was put when the docket was posted.

Um, just look at what happened yesterday and and rethink about that as you go to bed tonight.

Uh this is uh this is you know, we use the term no-brainer a lot.

This is is there something simpler than a no-brainer?

I don't know, but that's what this is.

So this will have my full and unyielding support.

And um, make no mistake, I'll be calling some people up the state house to uh to make sure that this this passes uh at that level as well.

Good job.

Thank you, Councilman.

Any other I see councilman Andyha.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I want to thank Councilman Ritz, Vice President Heroin for sponsoring this here in the council, and I'd like to thank my senator Senator Tapadalano for us.

Um bringing this resolution on the floor of the house, and I would also like to be added as a co-sponsor if uh the sponsors let me.

Thank you, Councilman.

I would too.

Did I say that?

I would too.

No, but say no, it's my own.

Well, you know, let's get that out of the way.

I'd like to be added as a co-sponsor if that's okay.

Councilwoman Vazierry, would you like to be added?

I see Councilman Campiano, Councilman Trafficani, Councilwoman Graziano.

So it looks like we're all in it.

And you had a comment, didn't you?

Councilman Campubiano.

Yes, I do.

Thank you, Council President.

Uh, I want to thank the sponsors for bringing this forward.

I never realized that this was a thing until I saw this and it was explained to me by councilman Ritz.

So um, like Councilman uh Banano said, it's a no-brainer.

Uh, I'm glad to see this going forward.

I hope this uh this gets done rapidly.

And uh thank you again for bringing this forward.

Thank you, councilman.

Any other comments?

Um, I'll finish it up, but I won't be long.

I'll tell you what, all my colleagues have made great points.

Uh the discuss discussion and the the explanation clear.

I won't say no-brainer because councilman Bonano's already used that, but it just seems like something that's common sense to provide safety in our schools, and someone who spends an awful lot of time there.

I welcome the measure, and I certainly will be in wholeheartedly in favor of it.

And with that in mind, Rose, would you please take the roll?

So we motion this is a motion to approve second.

There we go.

Now you can take a roll.

Throw me around.

Councilwoman Graziano, yes, Andrew Harris.

Yes, councilman Ritz, yes, council trafficante, yes, councilman Vazieri, yes, Piano.

Yes, Council Banano?

Yes, Council Vice President Haroyan, yes, council president Wall.

Yes.

All right.

All right.

Now we're gonna move on to committee reports.

Uh the first committee reporting out this evening will be councilwoman baziri.

She is reporting out on the claims committee.

Councilwoman, the floor is yours.

Thank you.

Uh the claims committee met on February 2nd, 2026.

The claims report is in your packet for review, and there is nothing further to report at this time.

Thank you, councilwoman.

The next report will be the will be the chair of the safety service committee.

That would be council vice president heroyan.

Council vice president, the floor is yours.

Thank you.

We had a safety service and licenses committee held on February 2nd, and there was no actions.

Thank you, Council Vice President.

Moving right along to the chair of the finance committee.

Uh Councilman Anderha will be reporting out.

Councilman Anderha, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I'd just like to say that the finance committee uh did meet on February 2nd.

Uh the first one is a resolution authorizing real estate tax abatements.

Uh I urge passage.

Is there a motion to approve?

Motion to approve.

Second.

Any discussion?

There being none.

Clerk, please call the roll.

Consumer McGraziano.

Yes.

Consider.

Yes.

Conservative.

Yes.

Casper Trafficanti.

Yes.

Consulman Vaziri.

Yes.

Conspiano.

Yes.

Council Banano?

Yes.

Council Vice President Royan?

Yes.

Council President Wolf.

Yes.

Thank you.

Next, we had a resolution authorizing tangible tax abatements that are in your packet.

I require I urge passage.

Motion to approve to approve.

Second.

Any discussion.

There being none.

Clerk, please call a roll.

Consult McGraziano.

Yes.

Consmanuhar.

Yes.

Casman Ritz.

Yes.

Council Trafficanti.

Yes.

Consulwoman Vaziri.

Yes.

Cosmic Camp Piano.

Yes.

Consider Banano.

Yes.

Conservice President Haryan.

Yes.

Yes.

Thank you.

Next up we have consideration of tax interest waiver approvals.

I urge passage.

Motion to approve.

Second.

Discussion.

There being none.

Clerk, please call the roll.

Consulma Graziano.

Yes.

Casman Anduhar.

Yes.

Casper Ritz.

Yes.

Consider Traffic Canti.

Yes.

Conswoman Vaziri.

Yes.

Casper Camp Piano.

Yes.

Cassip Banano.

Yes.

Conservative president.

Yes.

Consider President Wolf.

Yes.

Next up we have consideration of tax interest waiver denials.

I urge passage to deny.

Motion to deny.

Second.

Second.

Hold on one second.

Is there any discussion?

The discussion.

Uh, can we clarify?

Are we denying?

Is this a double negative?

Are we denying the denial?

He made a motion to deny.

She made a second.

I just had a question because my I'll tell you why I can tell you my question is because I looked at my my agenda.

I didn't see denials.

So I asked because I don't have I have no, but my agenda at home didn't have yes.

So something something was odd because usually there's an attachment.

I didn't see it.

So I asked.

That was the only thing I had, but the motion was done in properly.

It was a motion denied.

It was a second.

Motion to approve the denial.

Why?

Isn't it supposed to be?

So that we need a motion to approve the denial.

That's the proper motion.

Motion to approve it.

But before you is the denial.

So you need to approve the denial.

Good job.

So do you want to restate your motion?

Yeah.

Who made the motion?

Andy.

Oh made a motion to approve to the denials.

I need to take it back and I need to make a motion to approve the denials.

So yes.

You're going to do that.

All right.

Now okay.

I have a question.

Who's on first?

That's not my question.

So that you that would be probably on the agenda.

Yeah, come on.

So in approving the denial.

This is for two six investments LLC, which is what's in front of us.

Is that right?

Okay.

In approving the denial, that means that the interest is not waived.

Is that correct?

Okay.

I just want that to be on the record so we all know what the heck is going on here.

Because I'm sick and I got a big head, and sometimes I get lost.

So I just want to know what I'm saying.

Thank you.

All right, you're not alone.

Um discussion.

All right.

Clerk, please call the roll.

Councilman Graziano.

Yes.

Councilman Andrew.

Yes.

Conservatized.

Yes.

Caspel Trafficanti.

Yes.

Councilman Vazier.

Yes.

Conspective Piano.

Yes.

Cons Banano.

Yes.

Consider the Vice President Haroyan.

Yes.

Present rule.

Yes.

All right.

Thank you.

Next up would be public works.

Reporting out as the chair of public works would be Councilwoman Graziano.

Floor is yours, Councilwoman.

Thank you, Council President.

On uh February 4th, 2026.

We held a public works committee meeting.

And at this time, I do not have anything to report.

Thank you, Councilwoman.

Moving right along to ordinance committee.

Reporting out is chairman of the ordinance committee.

Would be once again, Councilman Anderhar.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

The ordinance committee did meet on February 4th.

Entitled zoning.

This is for the Duncan Donuts.

I urge passage.

Motion to motion to approve.

Second.

Second.

So second.

All right.

Any discussion?

There being none.

Clerk, please call the roll.

Consult McGraziano.

Yes.

Casman Induhar.

Yes.

Casper Ritz.

Casper Trafficante?

Yes.

Cons woman Vaziri.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

President Haroon.

Council President Wall.

Yes.

Next up, we have uh ordinance one-2601 ordinance and amendment of Title 10, Chapter 12, Section 280 of the city of Cranston Code of Order since 2005 entitled traffic prohibited on certain streets.

This is for my Cheswick people.

So I will uh if I may, Mr.

President, pass the floor over to our great councilman Graziano.

Would you like to speak, Councilwoman?

Sure.

Um thank you, Council President.

Thank you, Councilman Anduhar.

Um, I appreciate everyone who was at the last ordinance uh committee meeting.

Um we had a lengthy discussion on Chiswick Road.

Um we um talked about how we did not receive a letter um from the traffic engineer, which was also spoken about in length.

However, um director Renzuli did go ahead and um reach out to the traffic engineer who then um issued apparently uh some revised letter.

Um he issued it to us on February 9th, 2026.

It was originally dated 12 2023.

That's prior to me.

I've never seen this letter before.

Um, but in the letter, he did um note that he agreed with um the proposal to um do traffic prohibited on certain streets with local access only.

Um he went into greater detail.

I'm not going to get into that.

Um, but he thought it would be the best resolution um at this time, other than physical things like speed bumps, um uh one-way traffic or flashing signs that might annoy people's homes.

Um, so at he did agree with that and then have a couple other recommendations, but I won't proceed farther on that and be speaking out of turn on this matter.

Um I see uh councilwoman Renzuli strike that and I point back in time.

Uh Director Renzuli, would you like to add something to this matter?

I would just say the traffic engineer did show me a file dating back to 2012, um, working on this.

So I guess through a couple of administrations and a few councils, this has been an ongoing problem.

I'm glad that we've um come to some sort of resolution.

Um, and he was happy to have me forward this along.

Um, he did say that the current ordinance 1012 100 would have prohibiting the right turns would need to be repealed, which was going to be done during this meeting as well.

He did specify what kind of signage um he recommended for Broad Street and Narragansett Boulevard at Chiswick.

Um, so pending approval tonight that will go forward to the the people that make the signs and put them out there.

Um I did already reach out to Waze and ask that this be made a private road.

That's how you do it through Waze.

We do also have some kind of account with ways that I could not access.

So we'll have to internally figure out who has that.

The um traffic engineer did say he already reached out to Google and that it was removed from you.

Can't even access the street from Google Google Maps to see the street.

So he believes it's off there.

So I think that's everything.

Um, but if anyone continues to have a problem, just reach out to the city if you find that that Waze is um sending you that way.

Um, and as far as putting a no trucks going through, the traffic engineer said that it's already it's Chiswick Road is already listed under through trucking prohibited on certain streets as far as the signage.

Um said the signs are at the beginning and go for all the roads that come off of, I believe, is it Norwood?

And no one is it's all no through trucking all through there.

So if you want a specific sign, I guess we can we can talk to him again directly, but he said it's all conclusive all the way through that area.

So I don't know if you also want to sign that says no through trucking just for that road specifically, then I can I could ask for that.

It's supposed to be implied.

Um he did caution that other roads that run along that way are going to now maybe see more through traffic and have similar complaints, and we could kind of start a domino effects by doing this, but as long as you're aware of that, that's gonna be on you guys as a council to address going forward.

If I may and I'm not sure, so if it's no no through trucks already, but it sounded to me from the neighbors that people would drive in trucks through.

Perhaps they the signage at whatever location, I'm not as familiar with it as uh the councilman is perhaps we need more signs.

Yeah.

That might just be changed.

I don't personally think it could hurt.

Um, but it was just so that you guys know, like if I don't think they're gonna put an individual sign on every street that runs through that neighborhood when they're already supposed to be no through trucking.

I think it's um it's an enforcement issue because unless you have police there around the clock, sometimes a small box truck might go through.

Um, so that would be you know, on you guys to decide.

I'm kind of just the messenger in this regard.

Okay, I see councilman Bonano.

Well, councilman, you know what?

Maybe I could take just so I don't get confused again.

Maybe I take a motion to approve first before I start going down there.

Motion to approve.

Second.

All right.

Now I can take discussion.

Uh first, I'd like to be added as a co-sponsor before I forget that again.

And secondly, um, through the president to Director Renzulli, I think that if Chiswick uh is no through trucking, there should be a sign that says that there's no true trucking.

Um, because one sign, and I'm not saying this to you, but whoever suggested that one sign four streets away is going to stop the trucking on this street.

Also probably believes that well, let me not in case there's kids watching, but um the you know, Santa Claus comes every Christmas Eve.

Um that that needs to be addressed.

That needs to be addressed.

And if this no through trucking on several of those streets, there should be signs on every single one of them because the testimony, I think you were you're here, but the traffic engineer probably doesn't realize that when these people came up and testified, these residents came up and testified earlier.

There were not not only box trucks, there were apparently 18 wheelers going down the street being directed um that way.

So if I'm driving and I see no through trucking on a street, I assume it's just for that street.

So that sign needs to be addressed.

But hopefully, this is a good first step.

I'm glad I'm very happy that you're able to contact uh uh ways.

And um that's that's a great step for these folks too.

So hopefully um the domino effect isn't felt that much, and we can start to see how it's going to change.

I want to echo what my colleague said at the committee meeting.

It's not councilman camper piano, it's not gonna happen overnight.

But if it doesn't begin to ebb, let us know again so we can take uh measures to to improve it even further.

Thank you.

Thank you, councilman.

Councilman Anderha.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I just want to thank councilwoman Graziano for her leadership for really pushing this through.

Um, I'm pretty sure the residents saw the red tape last meeting, but we cut it today.

And I want to thank the director, Director Renzuli for reaching out and doing her part.

But I just want to remind the residents of Cheswick that citywide councilwoman Baziri said she'll do speed bumps, and I will support that.

So if you want to start that fight, I'm which thank you, councilman.

Is there any other comment?

I see councilman Capabiano.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um, I want to be out of the co-sponsor, but I do have a question for Director Renzuli.

You said that the Google maps it was taking off.

Does that mean if someone's gonna refrigerate delivered and they put their name in that they won't get that street, or how does that work?

I don't quite completely understand it.

I think it's off as and it's not going to be utilized as going that way for ways for general traffic.

The the street still exists, they know that the addresses still exist there, the home still exists.

Amazon is still going to deliver packages to the residents on Chiswick, they can still get mail and everything else.

It's just not highlighted as a road to use for traveling through.

That's how I understand it.

And making it um, I I did do a little bit of research on my own to see what other cities and towns did as they had these problems, even in other states, and requesting it to be listed as a private road was the best the best way to just keep it to local traffic only.

Right, yeah.

But I I do ask that if you do not see that occurring that you let the councilwoman know so she can let the administration know because I don't know how quickly this actually goes on to an app.

I did it, and then I tried to to go there through ways, and it did still take me there.

So it has to go through certain approval processes, I imagine.

Thank you.

Test it out, see how it works.

Thank you, councilman.

Um councilwoman, councilwoman baziri.

I would like to be added as a co-sponsor as well.

Thank you, Bridget.

I see uh council vice president Heroyan.

I would like to be added as a co-sponsor.

Councilman traffic in it.

I like to be added, but I'm gonna make one separate comment.

You know down well it's gonna have a compact upon other streets.

So let's be ready for that.

I would do the study before I end rather than wait till the last minute.

Thank you, Councilman.

Council Councilman Ritz.

Has to be uh put on as a co-sponsor if it works well, maybe test my street and ways and move traffic online.

So I will say that this did come up.

I can tell you because I monitor social media, and as soon as this was a story in the Herald, a lot of other people were commenting.

Well, people cut through my street.

So there's gonna be have to be a certain point where you guys decide that they're not all we can't have all private roads in the city of Cranston, or everyone's just gonna be traveling down Park Cav and Situatav, I guess.

We have to have you have to be able to go down roads.

So you're gonna have to figure that out.

Thank you.

Um, before I let you go, uh somebody's hand.

Did I see a hand?

Uh sure.

Councilwoman Graciana.

Thank you, Council President.

I'll just say I did field some of those calls and they understood it better when I verbally explained the entire situation.

So I did curtail a bunch of those.

Okay.

Thank you, Councilman.

I will if if it's okay, I'll be at it as a co-sponsor as well.

And I do want to give credit to you, uh, Director Renzulli.

Um, when I left the the other night, I was highly frustrated with the with the efforts of the traffic engineer and the red tape that wasn't cut through.

And I'm pleased you were able to cut through it in a timely fashion.

Um, and it seems just in time because if we are gonna have more people calling and you know, availing themselves, I guess the traffic engineer is gonna have to be a little quicker.

Well, I I will thank you, Council President.

I will say that the traffic engineer um was prepared with all this information, and I did sit with him for a long time.

He's very knowledgeable about this type of thing.

So I think having an intermediary, which would be me and my job that didn't exist before, um, will hopefully help going forward.

But he he was very easy to speak to.

He had a lot of information.

He had a whole file.

He knows he knows what he's doing.

So I hope that we'll be able to utilize him and his reports more effectively going forward.

And I appreciate it's it's good he's able to share it with the members of the council now.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um, any further discussion?

There being none, I have a motion.

I have a second.

Clerk, please call roll.

Councilman Graziano, yes, and Ritz, yes, Cosmic Trafficanti.

Yes, councilwoman Vazier, yes, councilman campiano, yes, council banana, yes, council vice president Heroyan, yes, council president Wall.

Yes.

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

I'm Mr.

President.

Um, as I am reporting out of the ordinance committee, I just want to make a note that for ordinance 12-2502, the ordinance that's um entitled zoning.

Um, council vice president Heroyan was absent from the chamber.

So I just wanted to put that on the record.

Um move it.

Oh Mr.

President may she speak.

I would just like it to go on the record that for uh 12-25-2.

I was recused from that vote out of abundance of caution.

Um I am employed for the state of Rhode Island for joint committee on legislative services, but I am physically in the speaker's office, and speaker Shikati was the attorney for that.

I don't think it would have made a difference in my vote, but out of abundant of caution for the public eye, I was recused for that, and a form has been submitted to the clerk.

She will submit it to ethics.

I will also submit one, just so everyone is aware of that.

Fair enough.

Thank you.

Uh moving on to a resolution requesting the General Assembly to consider swift action to change the date of September, change the date of September 2026, Rhode Island statewide primary election due to concerns regarding the Labor Day holiday.

It was passed out of committee.

I urge passage.

Is there a motion to motion to approve?

Second.

All right.

Uh, before I take any discussion, I say I I appreciate the efforts of uh director Lima.

Thank you for coming in and once again being available for any questions.

Um, is there any discussion?

I see none.

Clerk, please call the roll.

Councilwoman Vazieri.

Yes, I'm sorry, councilwoman Braziano.

Yes, Councilman Andrew Har, yes, Consman Ritz.

Yes.

Council Traffic Cante.

Yes.

Councilman Vazieri.

Yes.

Councilman Camp Piano.

Yes.

Council Banano.

Yes.

Council Vice President Heroyan.

Yes.

Council President Wall.

Yes.

All right.

Moving right along to public comment.

This would be public comment on undocketed matters.

All right.

If anyone would like to make public comment this evening on things that are not on the docket, please stuck up to the podium, state your name and address for the record, and you'll have four minutes.

I see none at this time.

Tom is anyone online who'd like to make public comment on undocumed matters.

There's no public comment online.

Okay, once again, I'm gonna close public comment.

We're gonna move on to election and appointment of city officials.

Um this time I'm gonna entertain a motion to approve the reappointment of Daniel Connors to the audit committee for the term of December 31st, 2025 to December 31st, 2027.

This was requested by Councilman Anduhar.

Is there a motion to approve?

Motion to approve, second.

Any discussion?

There being none, clerk, please call roll.

Consulman Graziano, yes, Conspananduhar, yes, Conspect Ritz, yes, Consul Traffic Cante.

Yes, Consulman Vaziri, yes, Conspiano, yes, Consert Banano, yes, Consul Vice President Heroyan, yes, President Wall.

Yes, moving on to the reappointment of Anthony Richie to the audit committee for the term of December 31st, 2025 to December 31st, 2027.

This was also requested by Councilman Anduhar.

Is there a motion to approve?

Motion to approve second any discussion.

There being none, clerk please call a roll.

Yes, many hardwrits, yes, traffic canteen, yes, councilman Vazieri, yes, Consman Camp Piano, yes, Consul Banano, yes, Consul Vice President Heroyan, yes, President Wall.

Yes.

Uh moving on to the appointment.

Make sure I'm in the right place.

Bottom bing.

Moving on to the appointment of Alvin Candelario to the audit committee for the term of February 17, 2026 through December 31st, 2028.

This was requested also by Councilman Anduha.

Is there a motion to approve?

Is there a second second?

Any discussion?

Were we given a resume?

Because that's a new appointment, I believe.

Yes, there's one in the packet.

Any other discussion?

Councilman.

As a president, I'd like to thank the the two reappointments, and I'd also like to thank Mr.

Candelario for stepping up and uh joining this committee.

So um it's great to see um people wanting to be involved.

I would agree.

Any other discussion?

There being none, clerk please call a roll.

Consul McGraziano, yes, and ritz, yes, concept traffic cante.

Yes, councilman Vazieri, yes, Campiano, yes, concept banano, yes, conservative president, yes, consequent present wall, yes.

Moving on to the reappointment of Justin McCarthy as the alternate number four to the zoning board of review for a term of January 28, 2026 through January 28, 2027.

This was requested by myself.

Is there a motion to approve?

Motion to approve, second.

Any discussion?

There being none, clerk, please call a roll.

Consul McGraziano?

Yes, Consuhar, yes, Cons?

Yes, Consul Trafficante, yes, Consulman Vaziri, yes, Conspiano, yes, Consert Banano, yes, Vice President Heroyan, yeah, Consul President Wall.

Yes.

Moving on to the reappointment of Richard Santa Maria as citizen number three to the board of contract and purchases for the term of November 17, 2026 to January 1st, 2027.

This was requested by the majority leader.

Is there a motion to approve?

Motion to approve.

Second.

Any discussion?

There being none, clerk, please call a roll.

Yes.

Consulwoman Vazieri.

Yes.

Conspect Camp Piano.

Yes.

Yes.

Next is the reappointment of Doris Blanchard as citizen number two in the board of contracts and purchases for the term of January 5th, 2026 to January 4th, 2027.

This was requested by the majority leader.

Is there a motion to approve?

Motion to approve.

Second.

Any discussion.

There being none, clerk, please call a roll.

Consulman McGraziano.

Yes.

Conspanning Andrew?

Yes.

Conserver Ritz.

Yes.

Consult Trafficanti.

Yes.

Consulman Vazier.

Yes.

Conservative Piano.

Consident Banano.

Yes.

Consider Vice President Heroyan.

Yes.

Consul President Wall.

Yes.

Next, we're moving on to the reappointment of Anne Marie Mancarone Esquire as citizen number one in the board of contracts and purchases for the term of January 5th, 2026 through January 4th, 2027.

This was requested by myself.

Is there a motion to approve?

Motion to approve.

Second.

Any discussion.

There being none, clerk, please all the roll.

Councilman Graziano.

Yes.

Councilman Duhar.

Yes.

Council Traffic Canti.

Yes.

Councilman Vazier?

Yes.

Councilman Camp Piano.

Concert Banano.

Yes.

Council Vice President Harwyan?

Yes.

Council President Wall.

Yes.

Okay.

Moving on.

There are no reports from city officers.

The executive communication, legal expense uh report was in your packet.

If there's nothing particularly specific, I know if you have any questions, someone from the administration certainly will answer answer to it.

If not, um we'll move on to this my discussion.

Council communications.

Under council communications, the first item I have is the Day Law Community Charter School.

Um and the legal complaint.

Last week or on the date, yeah, actually looking looking at the date it was filed.

I'll give that to you.

Um I don't have the whole thing in there, actually.

But I'm I'm gonna say two weeks ago, um a complaint was filed in Superior Court by the city of Cranston and the City of Pawtucket against the Delaw Community Charter School and Ride for their passage as we believe.

We and Pawtucket um believe that it was passed not uh according to the ordinance that would classify it as a network charter.

That's last time I I specified that a network charter is one which includes both sorry about that, which includes both elementary and secondary schools.

Such such a charter would require the city council of said city said sending city ourselves and Pa Tucket along with Providence to have filed a resolution approving of them using us as a sending city.

We didn't give them a resolution, they didn't ask us a resolution.

It is their contention that they're not a um network charter.

So we filed a complaint.

Did you have the date on that, Mike?

Not yet.

Um I don't have the date, I'd have to find it.

It is in your packet.

I just don't have it on the computerized, it should be, it was sent to all of you.

Um we haven't heard back from Superior Court yet.

Um solicitor Millet worked in, I know you worked on it to some extent as well, solicitor Malay, and um Amanda Cashone from the school committee worked on it beh on behalf of the city of Cranston.

Um, and uh I guess it was a similar situation in Pawtucket.

We are on the same lawsuit, but um if council attorney would like to speak on it, I certainly unless you have questions that I didn't speak to uh Solicitor Millet today.

The case has been filed in a timely manner.

Uh we're waiting for a summons to be generated by the superior court once the summons is filed.

Excuse me, once the summons is filed in the court, then we need to serve the complaint on the department of ed and the city of province as a defendant because they're interested parties in this, obviously.

And then from that, there'll be uh uh a whole schedule of of uh basically we're asking the court to look at the statute that establishes this and whether or not Ride either violated the statute or or they didn't know, meaning did they get the proper resolution to approve this?

So um it's not gonna happen overnight, but it will it is the process that's going to be filed, uh followed.

And I believe that um because Pa Tucket is in the same position that the city is in, I believe that um attorney Millet is indicating that uh he'll be working with that uh city count that city city solicitor as well to to move the case forward.

Uh other than that, there's really not much the council can do but wait for a judge's role.

That's it's pretty much on here for informational purposes as more information comes out.

Um we certainly pass it on on to you.

I do stress the fact that listen, it's often been said it's said in the news, we're a country of laws, and regardless of how you feel about the charter school, it in my view, and and many of the attorneys I've spoken to, and it and as it's been often cited in this room that it's very rare.

You can find a number of attorneys to agree with each other.

Many of the attorneys I've spoken to agree with our position.

Um, and this position, if it holds, will save our city when it comes to fruition annually, two million dollars each year until that charter school decides it wants to expand itself, and then it'll cost us more than two million a year.

And given our current situation, and every set year we look at our budget, that's a pretty heavy number.

So that's why I put it on there.

I certainly will keep you posted on the success.

Are there any uh comments?

I see Councilman Benano.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I uh want to say thank you for taking the lead on this.

Um I can I agree wholeheartedly.

And I just want to say thank you for for doing the right thing for uh the city.

And like you said, in this instance, whether or not we agree or disagree with what the charter school stands for or what they're gonna do.

Um you gotta follow the rules.

You gotta follow the rules.

We're all of us are here for a reason.

And uh, you know, we're the check and balance.

And uh it's to me it's a clear uh shirking of the rules.

Um and uh thanks for pointing it out, and thanks for taking the lead on this because um, you know, not only is it a slap to our face or Protucket's face, you know, it just basically they they say well, we don't need the city council's approval.

Well, yeah, you do either one of those cities.

So and you know, notwithstanding the the financial aspect of it, even if that wasn't a part of it, um, you know, I I would still feel the exact same way.

So I just want to say thank you, and I hope uh uh this goes well for us.

Thank you, councilman.

Any other comments?

See councilman traffic handing?

No.

What bothers me this is not like the Department of Education or should say ride overlooking the rules set in place for charters.

I know when we had a charter in Creston, we established the charter of Crescent back in 2002.

We had to get approval by the school committee, approval by the city council.

Even the mayor had to give his approval.

We have the approval by the Cranston Teachers Alliance, so it is a procedure to follow.

I'm just disappointed that ride will allow that to slip.

Uh uh as as am I, councilman.

I as of uh we've gone through a lot of these situations where there were times when mayors or or uh school committees were in favor.

I'm still I'm still waiting on Providence, and Providence did not give a resolution of approval either, but they did not join our uh on our complaint to Superior Court.

I have reached out to Providence.

I've actually spoke to the president, not of the council, but the president of the school board this this afternoon.

Um, and he was very surprised that that the council hadn't um filed the complaint.

Uh because Providence is also in a precarious financial situation, I might add.

Um, so yeah, I I would agree with you.

I saw councilwoman Bazier's hand up.

Yeah, um, you know, opening up this charter school would result in about like a 4.8 million dollar loss to our district, and then you said an additional two million.

Um, and as a public school graduate, I really think that we need to invest in our public schools.

Thank you, councilwoman.

Any other comments?

Okay.

That's all I have on that matter.

My next item was the uh discussion um on the receipt of a correspondence um dated February 5th from the auditor general concerning the city um city of Cranston uh FYI 2000 2025 audit report um in the municipal and school deficits.

I put it on I put it on because I'll be honest, I think we should have a discussion going forward.

I mean, obviously, this has been in the press.

Um this audit, this letter from the auditor general, which which was included in your your packet, it seemed to have been sent to just about everybody in the state outside of us as well.

I believe attorney Marcel is the only one who didn't receive it.

I sent it to him.

Um there's certainly and I I you know I I see uh director, I I go here, and I don't know if if you're here to answer questions on this, or you have anything you wanted to say before I I just wanted to comment the substance of the letter.

I know it's early in the president, thank you.

Sorry, I was uh informed this morning that Director Zadell's was out sick, so uh director Moretti asked me to attend in its stead.

Um I threw together a packet because I know I spoke to the auditor today, and the printed version of the audit isn't available yet, it's on its way here.

That's what I proved.

So he uh he said that he had spoken to yourself and councilman, and uh there's a meeting scheduled for Monday night to have them give their presentation.

So he uh he said that he had spoken to yourself and Councilman, and uh there's a meeting scheduled for Monday night to have them give their presentation, but uh I do have printed copies of I thought was relevant.

Thank you.

Uh if there's any questions, I'm more than glad to help.

Okay.

Well, well, thank you for printing it.

Um when I spoke to the auditor, it they were gonna have it there in a couple of days.

I guess it's not it's not here yet.

I guess it's not as fast as it used to be, huh?

The actual audit is on the website.

Yeah, we received that, and I've been the paper copy hasn't arrived yet.

Okay, a couple of you listen, just going through the letter, and I won't go through every um everything in here, but you know, certainly certainly we're concerned with the numbers that come through.

Um concerning our general fund the end of fiscal year, you know, resulting in a uh operating deficit of 6.5 million.

Um, if I go through this letter, I won't go through the whole thing.

The school's uh unrestricted fund, you know, a deficit of 3.9 million.

I see that, and I'm sure everybody in the room, this is not a finger pointing moment.

It's almost it's it's a moment where we gotta say, what happened?

How do we get here?

Um, what are we gonna do to fix this?

And what are we gonna do going forward so it doesn't happen again?

And I'm sure that's the the position of the administration as well.

Um, but I think we we may have to look at some of these things as well.

Um I also go on to the second page and and it discusses the uh Rhode Island General Law 4512 22.2.

Um the city in the school department did it says that did not submit uh a completed budget to the actual report during the during the fiscal year 2025.

Is there any that's what it says in the letter on the second page towards the board?

It is true.

Yes, it is.

Um I mean, we did not submit it, but we do post it every month, and I said I send it out electronically every month to the council, the radio agencies, and the administration.

Right.

So does the law say, and and please please help me that we ask but the reports that I get.

So I went through all my monthly reports, right?

Does this is this were we supposed to send it to this office here and as well?

Is this is this something we haven't been doing in the past?

Or yeah, we we used to send it to them all the all the time, and then when COVID came around, they changed the report and it was kind of laxed off.

And then we received that letter, the second letter that's in that attachment on March 3rd of last year, saying they were gonna start back up in fiscal year 26, which started in July of last year.

So the first report due to them was now in January, and I forwarded the report that's on our website to the auditor general and the department of revenue.

So everyone's well aware of where we're at.

So we're back on track with that matter, which is good to hear.

Um, also on that same page, um, they discuss encouraging the city and school officials to consider implementing budgetary and spending controls for the remainder of the fiscal uh 2026 to minimize any potential operating deficits for the fiscal year ending next year, uh June 30th, 2026.

I assume that's what uh you guys must be having meetings regarding this.

Yes, we are.

Yeah, we have for the last month or two.

I'm I'm I'm not expecting you to give me something today, but the council, I believe it'd be important for the council to be updated on this matter.

All right, as we go forth.

Maybe during the finance committee meetings, that might be the best uh forum for that.

Um, we have I don't know if you'll be ready.

We're gonna have one.

The first finance committee, if I'm not mistaken, will be on March the 2nd.

And we are going to uh you know, so that would be something to think about.

Uh, you know, so we have those in mind.

Um so they requested it.

You guys did have a meeting on the 28th of June uh January.

Can you tell us?

I know the school department and in the city had a meeting.

Can you tell us any of the substance of that?

Yeah, basically it's it's surmised in the letter there.

It was a conference call with the auditor general, the department of revenue, the school department, and the city administration.

And um, once the auditor general had received our audit report for last year, the year that you ended June 30th, 25, which was in January, he got the report, and he noticed the big deficit.

That's when he called the meeting together.

All right.

I'm gonna I'm gonna say we probably add this to the finance committee meeting if that's okay with the the chairman of finance.

Um that's probably the proper area, but it's not beyond having the full council hearing as well.

It may from time to time, and I'm sorry you found out about Soli.

I and I I apologize.

I'll open the floor if anybody has any questions uh for Mr.

Igo.

I see uh Councilman Ander.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I mean, I'm very concerned with this letter.

Um even on page two where it says structural deficit in the school system.

So I mean, do we call for a performance audit?

What do we do with this?

Because the last I've worked with receiverships when I was a chief of staff in central pause, and the last thing we want to do is get to that point.

So my question to you, maybe you can't answer it, but do we call on such thing?

I have faith in in the school department, but I think we need to be seated at the table to see what's going on over there.

So, councilman, can I just interrupt that?

So the the agenda item, and I think it's a legitimate question, but the agenda item is really just a discussion about the letter.

Now we're kind of delving into getting to uh uh remedies.

So I just said it for the record.

I appreciate that.

I just don't want to get a follow the open meeting.

I know this is an important topic.

I know that you're holding a meeting with the finance committee where the auditors are going to be presenting uh their report, I think, at the next council meeting.

So those are the kind of questions that you could ask them at that point, but I think it's a little unfair and frankly, maybe a little bit uh off the off the topic to ask what's quite a question.

It wouldn't be the first time I do that.

So but I didn't know.

But I'm here to keep you.

I did pivot in though.

All right, appreciate it.

Thank you.

Councilman, do you have anything else?

That's it.

I already said what I needed to.

Okay.

Do you want me to say it again?

No, it won't be necessary.

It's on the record.

Um I see uh councilman Ritz.

I I um, you know, of course, with the letter I had had questions too, I wait till the appropriate time to ask them.

But I I think just as you mentioned, council president, you know, it's a time we all work together to find the path forward and get our hands around this too.

So I look forward to to working on it with everyone together.

Thank you.

Councilman Traffic.

But you I want to clarify what you said earlier.

You said something about you report you reported to the administration.

How often did you do that?

Monthly.

Monthly.

Correct.

You they have monthly reports on the finances of the city credit during that period of time.

The Department of Revenue or the Auditor General did not.

It was posted on our website, but we did not send them to them.

I'm trying to say as though the administration knew or did not know that our finances were basically in trouble throughout the that particular year.

I'm the administration.

The um I recognize you.

Yes, the monthly reporting, uh, Mr.

Igo controller sends out two members of the administration, every member of the city council, your council auditor and uh uh and others.

So, yes, everyone had all those financial statements in front of them that uh they could have monitored and spoke up.

So, yes, the administration along with everyone else.

What happened?

The administration delegated the finance director to monitor uh the results and apprise us appropriately.

And um, he himself admitted that um during the period of negotiations uh uh of three contracts, uh that he took his eye off the ball and and didn't report it upstairs.

Um, but uh again, is everyone here had the same thing that everybody else had, and as we said, everybody in this room basically the side of the rails.

Could you repeat that last part?

Everyone the reports Mr.

Igo speaking about, yeah, when he says that they were get provides the administration, they were provided to each of the council people, your kind your auditor, um, other other members of in the city, I believe, department heads.

So everyone had the same information available at the administration has uh on a monthly basis.

And continues to have the monthly, just basically your forms are the same monthly reports that I you see what we see, correct?

That's what you say.

That's why I couldn't.

But we haven't I was saying I you know, administration relied on the finance director to report to the administration.

He was delegated to do that.

Okay, yeah, well, yeah, it makes sense.

Um the other part you said about contract, he you say if he would he would say yes, he was I use the word distracted, but during a period of going back actually um two years ago, uh um negotiated fiscal 25.

Just make sure they're saying reporting the end results.

Actually, a year ago, that you know, um was it was focusing on uh contracts um and aiding a lot in that process.

Again, I use the word, I don't want to say the word excuse, but reason, uh, where he self-admitted that he you could have should have done a better job, keep an eye on things just to inform everyone earlier.

Uh and maybe we could have changed the course a bit.

Um but uh but I just want to also mention that whatever reports uh the administration had Mr.

Iigel provides those monthly and historically now it's this isn't new, it's been uh since the beginning of time that the that everyone's uh gets copies of the monthly reports.

I know I was always gonna, yeah.

Thank you, Director.

No, no time.

Councilwoman, yeah.

And and maybe this I don't know.

I'm sorry.

The financial director was involved, contract negotiation, took his eye off our finances.

The we're not looking to pulling eyes, we're looking to come up with a solution and all work together.

The question I believe was when were you made aware or when did he realize we were in a problem?

I realized it in August of last year that I saw a deficit coming.

And since then, you know, we were uh you know began to began to give thought process, and now we're very deep into uh resolution.

Um just want to mention the auditors uh phone call and letter.

Um it's not extraordinary that that happens.

It's extraordinary when community municipalities are uh reporting in this case a uh fairly substantial deficit.

So they'll definitely they're doing their job to follow up with the municipalities.

And again, it's both on this and unfortunately it's on the city side and on the school side that requires uh remedy.

I describe this as a pothole.

Um, it's not a disaster.

We're not talking uh bankruptcy by any any stretch or what we're very solvent.

Um and the mayor wants to get this resolved in short order, basically within the next budget cycle, uh, to be able to you know to to uh to get past this to fill a pothole.

Let's say that.

Yeah, and I think it's it's I think it's a doable, but I have to say it's gonna be prepared.

Um it's gonna come with pretty uh probably harsh measures, and it's gonna be digging deep.

Um and probably affecting uh you know both sides of uh Park Avenue here.

Um so no, it won't be a pleasant process, but it's a process that you know it can be resolved, will be resolved, and we'll do it in short order.

But uh there'll be some pain.

Uh but we've been through this before.

Um, so any other questions, councilwoman.

You still have the floor.

I don't know if this is allowed.

It's about the audit, but um, has there been a freeze on personnel being hired since this letter came out?

Not essential personnel.

Got it in there fast.

I think I these are all legitimate questions.

The letter does mention the letter does mention immediate steps to be taken.

I think it's a fair question based upon the letter, but let's not get too far afield.

We have a scheduled meeting where these are all legitimate questions.

I'm sure you're gonna look at the paperwork that's gonna be submitted, uh submitted to you tonight, the audit that they brought it, but these are all legitimate questions.

I just don't want to get too far afield.

I think the purpose of the council president of putting this letter on is to make it public to make sure that the council was aware of it.

We went through the numbers.

I don't think anyone's disputing the numbers that are there.

Um, and then I think the most next legitimate question is is how is the city going to handle it?

What is the administration going to do to get those numbers back to where they need to get?

But I think we're just getting a little far afield on that.

And you did answer you did ask a question that was based on the letter.

I would have objected because he but he answered a little more question too quickly.

So I was a little sleeping switch.

Okay, during the hearing, I will be asking any new hires since eight 2025 and salaries and job description.

And we'll do it at that time, not now.

I we're not gonna play any more games at the open meeting.

All right, so we don't have to answer.

There's one thing I think I can offer that might be helpful relating to that letter.

The auditor general um uh suggested, and we would anticipate that to come up with remedy uh you know and to make sure they were tracking correctly.

And the a plan is being very much developed tactically as we speak.

It'll be it'll be out soon.

And is it it's a tactful plan?

And I think I can ask this question.

It's also in you know, cooperation with the school department as well.

Is that also the case?

Or yeah, obviously separate.

Yeah, um, Mr.

Bolducci and the and uh and the superintendent certainly aware they've participated in the meetings, and it's gonna dig, it's gonna go deep, but obviously we have to respect their side that they control their uh their side of the budget.

Um, so we can't you know not dictate uh you know we we'd be looking to them to see what they could do on their side too.

tactful plan and i think i can ask this question it's also in you know cooperation with the school department as well is that also the case or yeah obviously separate yeah that the um mr ballducci and the and uh and the superintendent is certainly aware they'll participate in the meetings and it's gonna dig it's gonna go deep but obviously we have to respect their side that they control their uh their side of the the budget um so we can't you know not dictate uh yeah we we'd be looking to them to see what they could do on their side too thank you any other questions i see councilman and then i'm gonna take councilman anduha thank you mr president um director first of all thank you for coming and addressing this um i just have one question uh with respect to what the letter said because it seems like to me reading it there's a conflict in the two letters that we received the one that we all got very recently last week or whatever it was that's dated February 5th and then one that was dated March 3rd of 2025 um in the third paragraph on the second page it alludes to that there were reports that weren't filed on time but the original letter said that we have to file those reports for FY26 which is the year we're in the original letter says that if we we filed some some stuff it would have been easier to tell what was going on so that to me is that doesn't jive that that that that to me is a conflict are we supposed to file these things for FY25 or FY26 based on what the auditor general says and then if we did miss something why through Mr.

Igo I believe if I have this correct correct me if I'm wrong what I would what he had mentioned that I elaborated on was you know but everyone in the you know the council the city was informed however the filing with the state uh the auditor general's office and department of revenue they had not received the reports is that correct Mr.

Igo so that's your that's the clarification or reconciliation all right so my question is based may and I could be wrong but what I'm saying here is first of all I guess was that required because what they're saying is it's required for FY26 unless I'm misreading something.

Okay I'm gonna have Mr.

Igo too yeah that's fine yeah I I was not uh provided the letter if you will that went to the municipalities the of March 3rd 2025 okay which talks about the reporting so maybe Mr.

Igo could elaborate on that answer.

Yeah let it the Mr will answer yeah because I he actually when I asked the question before uh I did ask that is it required I believe that's the same question Councilman Vinal was asking pretty similar was it required in in FY 2025 yeah I heard COVID and and some of the stuff is relaxed and now it's coming back correct but what exactly did they say we missed and I have two follow-ups.

And in March when we received that letter they were saying starting in the following July they were gonna go back to the way that we used to report so that meant that we had to start reporting for the second third and fourth quarter of each fiscal year.

So the second quarter would have ended December 30th December 31st of 25.

So the first report due back to them under the new guidelines that were established in the March letter was due January 31st okay and January yeah due January 2026 we we missed that I assume is that correct yes in the in the meeting we had with them at the end of January they said they hadn't received it yet so after that meeting I had emailed it a copy of the report to them both the auditor general and the department of revenue all right so they they got the information then and then generated this letter so we didn't it sounds like we missed something but we really didn't we missed it then it was due at the end of January and they're sending us a letter February 5th right because we had the meeting the Zoom call with them at the end of January so this was the auditor general's response to you people to let everyone know what was going on at that time yeah because to me missing deadlines regardless of the outlook is is not good but it doesn't it's they say we missed something but it sounds like if we missed it we missed it by 12 seconds which is still not great but it's not the end of the world either it's not like we went months and months without uh without filing stuff which is what the stratosphere of social media is saying that we did so and again on record that that's not accurate you know correct because those reports even though we did not physically email them to them they were available on our website all right thank you thank you uh councilman andrewha I have a question for director moretti um and I'm gonna stick to the letter so director as I read this letter and you go through it it keeps on referring to he or that department or that state agency is going to meet with city school and state officials does this body have a seat at that meeting at the table that's the question I have for you we'd have we would at these meetings are is this body invited to that meeting it's we'd have to ask that it would be their meeting um I believe I believe not um because administrative matter to correct it but uh uh you can seek uh you can speak with the auditor general

So, director, as I read this letter and you go through it, it keeps on referring to he or that department or that state agency is going to meet with city, school, and state officials.

Does this body have a seat at that meeting?

At the table.

That's the question I have for you.

At these meetings, all right.

Is this body invited to that meeting?

It's we'd have to ask that it would be their meeting.

Um, I believe, I believe not, um, because it's administrative matter to correct it, but uh uh you can seek uh you can speak with the auditor general.

I don't want to speak on his behalf.

Um, but by the way, again, that's pretty standard operating procedure for follow-up, and they'll be doing that until they probably see that corrective plan in place uh over the next several months.

And then they'll monitor that probably uh that progress for the next year or so.

So will you give us the report from the meetings if we're not invited?

Uh because as you know, we all get phone calls.

Yeah, uh we're happy to tell you what happened.

I'm not sure if there'll be a report from the meeting.

I could I I anticipate the next meeting is gonna be sometime in uh uh early to mid-March, and I'm not sure what's gonna come of it at that point.

Um, I I can tell you the answer is going to be April 1st in the Mayor's Mayor's budget.

Um, I could tell you that.

Uh prior to that, I'm not sure at what stage we're gonna be gonna be at in terms of um enacting anything uh or not.

Um right now it's a work in process.

Thank you.

But in terms of be happy to download uh whatever you know, knowledge we uh glean from those discussions.

Thank you, Councilman.

Uh Councilman Traffic Hand.

I direct it to the chairman of the finance committee.

Certainly.

Um, I realize uh in our finance committee meeting, I assume the administration is gonna have their finance director here in the audit.

Are we inviting anybody from the auditor general's office also?

Uh I had that conversation with him.

Um he basically wanted us to get through the audit first, and then he will make himself available if if we if he needs to come in.

If I want to I uh just I I just want to ask one question before I lose it.

Um so whoever can answer it, uh Mr.

Igo or Director Murray.

Um what facilitated if they weren't getting the reports for um 2000 the the 2025 fiscal year?

What facilitated the letter?

Was it the audit?

It was the it was the order, it was the financial results.

The results of the order is what triggered it.

Okay, yeah.

That's what I assumed because you know, you can only get all the all the financial statements only tell you, they give you a snapshot up to a certain point.

And people you could explain away almost any deficit until the end of the fiscal year, right?

This is gonna come later, this is coming bottoming.

So you kind of like until this the game's over, you don't know what the score is over.

At the end of the fiscal year, that last report, that's when we knew we had a deficit, really.

We knew we were trending in a certain way, but like you you you had you, yeah, I mean you're a financial manager, you know, you knew that they were based on assumptions.

You were expecting certain assumptions to to come to fruition and some didn't.

But at the end of the fiscal year, that last report to the June in the June, what the June report that it finishes up your year, that's the one that tells you where you stand really, right?

That's correct.

Um, and that that's the one I I didn't know if they had received that or they had a policy that you had to give them an end of the year statement at that point.

No, uh just to mention the reporting, just mention the report year-end reporting is the auditors required by law to receive the audited results, but the what auditors that's the financial statements and the audit audit report.

Um the city was prepared to submit it as for December 31st, but the uh with one of the elements that goes into the consolidated report for the city is the AES school.

And we needed that.

So what happened is that was the only item outstanding.

So what happened is we could not file uh the uh financials uh for December 31st.

So knowing that the AAS school audit is not completed, the finance director received approval to uh be I'll say later to get an ex grant and extension um for submitting the consolidated financials.

And that's when they were submitted sometime about the third to fourth week in January, in accordance with that extension.

It was that extension a few days later, uh, once they received those financials, and that's what uh triggered the auditor general uh uh phone call initially.

Yeah, and and just so you know to put it in perspective, the auditor general is gonna monitor.

You know, he's he's yeah, he's not running the show, if you will.

Um it's a kind of big brothers looking looking out to make you know to ensure that you know we're on a on the right path.

And uh, but it's up to the city in you know, city slash encompassing the city and the schools to put ourselves uh to patch up what needs to be patched up.

So we know if you will, what to do.

We're going to do it, but certainly working with them, welcome them if they have any suggestions.

But uh I don't think they're gonna be coming up with innovative ideas for us unless we're not going, we're not doing uh he doesn't think we're making progress.

I think I think I'm feeling good that we're gonna be making progress.

And I I came from yeah, I worked with Dave Burgantino uh in the auditor general's office before I came with the city.

So I'm kind of I'm pretty familiar with what to expect.

So perhaps that that leads you right into my other question.

When you were discussing before the auditor's letter, I don't know if you used, and I can't go back into the tape, I don't have a photographic memory, but this is not extraordinary.

Like almost like not that it's run of the mill, but any other any minute saying that you had seen numerous municipalities in this situation, and just because now it's us, we now you know I really happen.

Sure.

It's is that what you're saying?

Yes, whenever uh municipalities might hit a pothole, uh they they'll have gone to the auditor general's attention and um and they will respond by but by this yeah, typically this monitoring.

Yeah, if it was immaterial, uh certainly they wouldn't uh you know participate, but because it was a material uh deficiency, uh there they want to they want to track it, and then it's their job to track it.

Okay.

And before I ask the a few more, we are gonna put it on the agenda.

If there's a report available, how however you deliver it, I guess that's up to you.

Yeah, yeah, it's gonna be.

We want to be put listen, we're gonna be on the same page.

I basically it's gonna be a discussion.

Yeah, like right.

I can tell you right now, it's a it there'll be a a meetings scheduled.

Uh I believe the Lori uh Jo Fuso of his office is pulling together in the next meeting, and I think she's scheduling give or take the uh week of the 10th, 15th area.

And it's just see any what progress has been made, what you know, what are you doing?

Have you reacted to this?

It's it's a checkup.

And we're gonna be getting, you know, instead of having your annual physical, you're gonna have quarterly, you know, quarterly or periodic checkups.

Um but we'll have that will be a discussion, not nearly not necessarily a report, but a discussion amongst the auditor general, uh department of revenue, um uh the school side and the city side.

Thank you.

Any further questions?

I see Councilman Ritz.

Way over a point of clarification.

So just as Councilman Anderhart said, we do get questions about this lot.

So with the finance meeting, we'll start to to hear more about the plan moving forward.

Is that what you're expecting?

Yeah, I'm not again, it might be a work in process at the time because they the we're gonna we anticipate having pretty significant initiatives.

Umitiatives have to be planned out uh properly.

Um so whatever we can share at that time, perhaps executive session.

We might be able to even share more, but more than happy to work with you folks to pull this together.

But yeah, we we may prefer executive session if it comes down to personnel issues in particular.

We appreciate that.

We can do that.

Any other any other members of the council have questions?

If if not, I want to thank uh director Moretti and Mr.

Igol for coming in and giving you the information.

And I guess we'll be seeing each other more frequently than we initially intended.

Um, I'm gonna move right on.

I see council member communications.

I see first I'm gonna take councilman andah, the status of the auditor present presenting uh presenting the audit to the council.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

When I first put this on the agenda, I did not have the audit, but over that weekend I did receive the audit, and I just want to let it the public know that there will be a special council meeting on February 23rd at 7 p.m.

where the auditor will come in and share his findings.

So that will be here in the council chambers.

7 p.m.

I believe uh it's up to the clerk and the president, but I believe it's February 23rd at 7 p.m.

special council meeting with the auditor coming in and I think we have 6:30.

6:30, 6:30.

Unless we have a special licensing meeting.

Um thank you.

And at that at that point, um, we hope to have, and I appreciate uh Mr.

Igo bringing in uh the uh copied versions.

I think we should we should have the binder.

I'm sure we paid the auditor enough money.

Um certainly all right.

Next up, Councilman Benano, update to DOT projects.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Um there's a lot if in case you haven't noticed, and this is uh you know, something that we deal with on a on a regular basis.

In case you haven't noticed, there's a lot of construction going on in our city.

And the questions that I get asked most are about state projects.

So I reached out to Director Moretti, who was nice enough to um to reach out to the Department of Transportation because uh it was it was my uh goal to get Department of Transportation to come in and give a little briefing um about the construction, like on 37 on Route 10, what's going on, where they're redoing ramps and things like that.

Um, I get a lot of complaints about power road being closed, being an employee of the Department of Corrections.

And correct me if I'm wrong, Director Moretti.

You spoke to DOT and they said we don't go to council meetings, we don't go to public council meetings.

So at this point, I think um, I don't want to take the words out of mouth.

You gave me an answer, so I'm just why don't you elucidate what they told you and then we can kind of go from there.

They don't go to council meetings.

What they do is they there's a policy.

First of all, thank you to say I was nice enough to do something.

No one ever says that I'm nice, just saying I appreciate that.

I appreciate I appreciate it.

Very quick, and um, we got the right information to move forward and hopefully we get some more information for the public out of what we're trying to do.

Sure.

Just want to mention what uh the administration DOT, and they're wonderful there, they're very cooperative.

Um, they have a policy.

Uh I mentioned your request uh you know to possibly come forward at a council meeting and present plans.

They have a policy uh that they don't they don't do town hall meetings, they don't do council meetings.

Um, but what they do what they do do is they happen to give uh the administration's present uh presentations or updates.

And at that point, so it won't necessarily be a council meeting.

Um, but they could come in and we could schedule a date to come into you know come into city hall and present the administration and members of the council and the public could you know be there, um, but not in the form of a council forum, if you will.

Now they're not looking to record it, but they will be apparently there's probably some slides, and I believe they're able to uh leave us with some of those slides that can be used in the future.

Um so but they want to cooperate where they can, and they are wonderful, and they'll be available to us sooner than later if we want to kind of pick it, pick a date and time.

So yeah, we would we'll be happy to do it, but we just want to just uh my only concern would be uh open meetings uh with with council members if there's participation, but I'm happy to strike a date that many of you could attend, and then if you want to suggest something, councilman, then I'll uh propose it to DOT.

All right.

Okay, but they they're wonderful and they're extremely informative.

Thank you.

So yeah, I I know I know that the public and and some of us on this body do have some questions um that we'd rather uh that we rather have the most accurate information to give to the public.

And um so I'll work with you on that and we'll we'll get that scheduled.

If we could um just keep this on the agenda, uh if that's all right with the the president and uh and we'll have more information at an upcoming meeting.

But so going forward, just I'm just gonna let Rose know we're gonna keep Councilmember Venana's communication update on the DOT projects on for the next agenda until further notice.

Very good.

I'll and I'll provide a list of the the hot topics um to the administration to give to DOT so they're ready.

I mean, just to sort of throw it out, there'd be 37.

Uh, and and I'll put this in writing so you don't have to feverishly take notes over there.

But uh 37, Route 10, um, power road, and um various different places along 37.

So it'd be at the end and uh and where it intersects with Route 2.

But I'll get to that list.

So at least they have some preparations.

A lot of people uh are asking about that.

So thank you to the administration, and and hopefully we get some answers pretty quick.

And thank you, Councilman.

Good heads up to putting this on.

Any uh I see I did see you.

Uh let me get the words out of my mouth.

All right, councilwoman Heroyan.

Um Director Renzuli.

I know that the state reps and senators get emails in their government emails whenever there's projects done in their area.

Could you maybe get those emails and photo to us if we're going to have DOT work in our area?

Um, I can certainly request them.

And that might help you out also.

Um, I know we have a state rep that's very willing to help us, and he might get them for his area only, but legislative leisure might be able to get them for us.

I'd be happy to do that.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any uh further comments.

I see none.

So we'll move on.

Thank you once again, Councilman Bernano, for putting this on the agenda.

Moving on to council business matters carried over.

At this time, we're gonna look at umrdinance 122503 authorizing the sale of city-owned property located at Cardinal Road, assessor plat 24 lot 204, pursuant to the charter section 7.08 as amended by the city council on January 20th, 2026.

I did take um talk to attorney Marcella.

He said this is Marcelo, pardon me.

It's been a longer night than I thought.

Um Marcelo, and he says this passes the legal snuff test.

Is there motion to approve?

Motion to approve.

Second.

Is there any discussion?

Just so the just so the council.

This was as a result of uh councilwoman Graziano's concerns about the other provision, but we we it's the other order that was in the books when the city sells property, so it specifically exempts it from that provision.

So it's in it, it's added there.

Does that make sense?

It does councilwoman.

Would you like the floor?

Thank you.

No, I appreciate you guys looking at this, and I apologize.

I I was away at the last meeting, but I did send it in to the um president and uh attorney Marcello.

Um was important that we get this right, and I guess I'll just say out loud, can we get it right the first time before it comes to us?

So um I I don't know, I'm just uh this is like the third time something's happened, so I just want to put it on the record that we need review of these um before they come to the city council because there's we can't be doing this on the floor.

Agreed.

Any further comments?

There being none, we have a motion.

Is there was there a motion?

Yes, I made the I made the motion.

Okay, all right.

You second it, very good, just making sure.

Okay, go ahead, clerk, please call the roll.

Councilman Graziano, yes, councilman, yes, council ritz, council traficante, yes, councilwoman Vazieri, yes, councilmancampiano, yes, banano, yes, council vice president, yes, council president wall.

Yes, all right.

Moving along, ordinance 1226 02 ordinance authorizing the establishment of a revolving fund for the school building improvements submitted by by the finance committee January 20th, 2026.

This was sponsored by Mayor Kenneth Hopkins, co-sponsored by Councilman Benano, Trafficanti, Councilman Anderhar, Councilwoman, uh Councilman Ritz, Councilwoman Baziri, Council Vice President Heroyan, and myself.

Is there a motion?

Motion to approve.

Second.

All right.

Any discussion?

It would appear we're in good shape here.

I see none.

Clerk, please call a roll.

Councilman Braziano.

Yes.

Councilman Andrew?

Yes.

Councilman Ritz.

Yes.

Council Trafficante?

Yes.

Councilwoman Vazi.

Councilman Camp Piano.

Councilman Banano.

Yes.

Council Vice President Heroyan.

Yes.

Council President Wall.

Yes.

Okay.

Moving on to new business.

If there are no objections, I'd like to entertain a motion to refer all matters of new business to their respective committees.

So move.

Second.

You have an objection?

No objection.

No objection.

All right.

I'm not sure what you're saying.

Objection.

You have an objection.

All right.

All right.

We'll go one by one.

Very good.

Wait, can I can I ask a question about the objection through the chair?

Are we just going to remove one?

Yeah.

So just remove it and then we'll do the others.

There's a block.

Is that okay?

Yeah.

I guess we move from three to two.

All right.

Well, how am I going to you know what?

I'm going to take them all there.

We're going to start with two uh 22601 ordinance in amendment of title 10, chapter 32, section 03 of the city uh code of Cranston Ordinances 2005 entitled multi-way stop intersections enumerated, sponsored by Councilman Trafficanti.

Is there a motion to refer this to the ordinance?

So moved.

Second.

Second, any discussion?

There being none, clerk, please call the roll.

Councilman Graziano, yes, manu har yes, council ritz, yes, council trafficante, yes, councilwoman Vaziri, yes, Camp Piano, Council Banano, yes, Council Vice President Royan, yes, council present wall.

Yes, moving on to 2602 ordinance and amendment of title 10, chapter 12, section.

Wait, let me just finish saying it.

What's the matter?

It'll distract me.

Go ahead, just do it.

Um section 100 of the city city Cranston Code of Ordinances 2005 entitled Right Churns Prohibited, sponsor sponsored by Councilwoman Graziano, referred to the ordinance committee on March 4th.

Is there a motion to refer it to the ordinary?

So moved.

There's a motion, there's a second.

Any discussion?

There being none, clerk, please call the roll.

Yes, Consumer Ritz, yes, Council Trafficante, Councilman Vaziri, yes, Conspecano, Consert Banano, yes, pass the Vice President Royan, yes, Consul President Wall.

Yes.

Um 2 2602 ordinance amending title 10, chapter 12.

We keep bumping.

All right, chapter 12, section two ten of the city of Cranston Code of Ordinances 2005, entitled Through Trucking Prohibited on Certain Streets, sponsored by Councilwoman Graziano and Councilman Bonano.

Do we have a motion to refer it to the ordinance committee on March 4th?

Motion to rescend.

This has already been advertised.

Um so I what I would recommend is referred to committee, and we'll we'll we'll we will we will rescind or withdraw the ordinance at the committee level, but it's already been advertised for public hearing.

Um I take back that motion.

So motion to refer to committee to refer to second, all right.

There's a second, any discussion.

We could have done them as a block then.

Now we could have, yes.

Now you tell me.

Anyway, welcome to Cranston.

Anyway, clerk, please call the roll.

Yes, trafficante, yes, councilman Vaziri, yes, councilman campiano, Consert Banano, yes, Consul Vice President Royan, yes, council present wall.

Yes, motion to refer the claims listed to the March 2nd Claims Committee meeting.

So move motion second.

Any discussion?

There being none, Clerk, please call a roll.

Yes, Cons.

Council Trafficante, Councilman Baziri.

Yes, Councilman Campiano, Consano.

Yes, Council Vice President Royan, Council President Wall.

Yes, there is no further business before this council this evening.

I'm looking for a motion to adjourn.

So motion to adjourn.

Second.

All in favor, signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Opposed, signify by saying nay.

The ayes have it.

The motion carries this meeting.

Is adjourned.

Thank you and good night.