Cranston City Council and Committee Meetings - March 2, 2026

The meeting began at 5:30 PM with the Safety Services and Licenses Committee, followed by the Finance Committee at 7:02 PM, and concluded with the full City Council meeting. The primary focus was the presentation of the City's Fiscal Year 2025 audit by Steven Gross of CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA).

Public Comments

• No public comments were made on agenda items during any of the three meetings.

Discussion Items

• Safety Services and Licenses Committee:
  • New Class B-V liquor license for G and MK Coop at 146 Gansett Avenue was approved, with Councilman Andeha expressing support for the returning business.
  • New liquor license for Ugly Dumplin at 2000 Chapel View Boulevard was continued to April pending certificate of occupancy and other documents.
  • New Class C liquor license for KJ Ama venue at 1016 Park Avenue was continued to April for a letter of good standing and an entertainment license application.
  • Show cause for gravel bank license (PJ Keaton) was continued to April.
  • Status update for 39 West Lounge: Business owner Steve Fonse explained miscommunication regarding a fine for operating without a liquor license. The solicitor noted a disconnect but acknowledged good-faith efforts. Council members debated a motion to credit the $500 fine toward next year's license fee. The motion failed on a 2-3 vote (Councilman Ritz and Councilman Andeha in favor; Councilwoman Graziano, Council Vice President Haroyan, and Council President Wall opposed).
  • Several other liquor license transfers, renewals, and temporary permits were approved, including: Class B-V transfer to Love and Table 88 Corp, new victualing license for DM Pizza (continued), temporary mass gathering for Roadie Food Truck Events, and renewals for Angel's Tacos, Roman Jewelers, and others.
• Finance Committee:
  • Ordinance 1-2602 (revenue and finance amendment) was continued pending financial analysis and enabling legislation.
  • Real estate tax abatements were approved.
• City Council:
  • Steven Gross presented the FY2025 audit. Key points:
    • The city received an unmodified (clean) audit opinion, the highest level.
    • Two findings: a carryover finding and a new finding related to distribution of OPEB trust fund assets for the school department.
    • Government-wide net position declined from a $249 million deficit to $258 million.
    • General fund budget-to-actual deficit: $4.9 million (budgetary basis), reducing the fund balance to approximately 5.3% (from 8.17% the prior year).
    • School unrestricted fund deficit: $2.9 million (budgetary) or $3.9 million on a GAAP basis.
    • Pension and OPEB liabilities remain significant; police and fire pension funding ratio improved from 24.3% to 29%.
  • Council members asked detailed questions about overspent line items (e.g., fire, salaries, legal), property tax collections, bond rating impacts, and the use of ARPA funds.
  • City administration (Finance Director Moretti and Director Zidellas) acknowledged the deficit, outlined initial cost controls (e.g., hiring freeze), and stressed the need to build reserves to 10%.
  • School CFO Joseph Balducci explained the school's deficit, citing factors like teacher substitutes, bus driver costs, unexpected state pension rate increases, charter school tuition, and thin budget margins.

Key Outcomes

• Safety Services and Licenses Committee: Approved multiple liquor licenses and permits, continued others, and denied a motion to credit a fine for 39 West Lounge.
• Finance Committee: Approved real estate tax abatements and continued the ordinance amendment.
• City Council: No formal votes were taken on the audit; it was accepted as informational. The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:00 PM.
• Follow-up: An additional presentation of the audit to the Audit Committee was anticipated.