Clerk, can you please call the role?

Present conspiracy.

Is there anyone in chambers that would like to make public comment on agenda matters only?

Sure.

Is there anyone online?

Um can I also entertain a motion to convene to executive session pursuant to RIGL four two dash four six dash five A two pertaining to a perspective and actual litigation matters is listed on the agenda in the sections that follow.

Yes.

Yes.

Open session.

May I have a motion?

So any discussion?

Clerk, can you please take call the roll?

Yes.

Yes.

I want to state for the record that motions were made in executive session.

I would also like to make a motion to seal the executive session minutes.

So motive.

Any discussion?

Clerk, please take the roll.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

I would like to make a motion to approve the minutes of the February second, twenty twenty-six regular meeting.

Do I have a motion?

Any second?

Second.

Any discussion?

What?

You have to take a vote for that one.

Clerk, can you please call the roll?

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Councilman was very.

Do I have a motion to adjourn this meeting?

Motion to adjourn.

Any discussion?

Clerk, can you please call the roll?

All in favor?

Aye.

Aye.

Any knees?

Ayes have it.

Services and licenses meeting tonight, April 6th.

Clerk, could you please call roll?

Consulman Braziano.

Conspe Ritz.

Cosmo Trafficante.

Consulman Vaziri.

Present.

Consider Vice President Heroyan.

Present.

Consuhar.

Present.

Here.

Okay.

Um I hope everyone had a minute to look at the minutes.

I would like to ask for an approval for the minutes for February 17th, 2026.

Motion to approve.

Second that.

Do all three of points you want.

These are all open sessions you want to.

Yes.

Okay.

If nobody opposes, I'd like to do all three of the minutes together.

So I'm looking for a motion to approve February 17th, 2026, March 2nd, 2026, and March 18, 2026 meeting.

So second.

Any discussion?

Clark, can I please have a roll call?

Cosby Ritz?

Yes.

Casper Trafficante?

Yes.

Consulman Vaziri.

Yes.

Yes.

Conservative president Heroyan?

Yes.

Yes.

Okay.

Next on the docket tonight.

Comment from Matters on the docket only.

Is there anyone from the public that would like to speak tonight?

Tom, is there anyone online?

There is no public comment online.

Under public hearing, the next order is expansion of ours.

Um victory and license for I'm not sure how to pronounce it.

Chikande Cafe L L C located at 334 Budlong Avenue.

Is there anyone here tonight from that establishment?

Could you please come up to the podium, state your name and your address?

Gerardo Reyes.

Is there anything you'd like to tell us tonight?

The expansion.

We want different activities probably on the weekends.

Right now we only have until five.

So you know, will be something probably Friday, Saturdays.

Well, we would like to have the hours and not use them, then have them.

So you're referring to uh like painting and coffee.

Um yeah, something you know that it's usually on the weekends that we plan on doing it.

Um pretty much it.

Nothing big.

Excellent.

Can I please have a motion to approve?

Motion to approve second second.

Any discussion?

Councilman Indehoa.

I understand that the people from Central Falls are sad, but um, you're in Cranston now, so you they could all come down and now that you're open, you might be open for extra hours.

Um, you could tell the mayor to come down.

Yeah, everyone is being asked if we're glad to be here in the trans.

Yes, Consulman Vazeri, yes, pass me into hard, yes, pass the vice president Horyan, yes, Consident Wall.

Yes, thank you.

Have a great night.

Next items on the agenda are show cause Aval Bank license PK Keating Company located at 875 Phoenix Ave.

Is there anyone here tonight from them?

Good evening.

Um Madam Chairwoman, members of the State Services Committee for the record.

Uh my name is Robert Murray.

I'm an attorney with offices at 21 Garden City Drive in Cranston.

I'm here tonight in response to the letter sent to PJ Keating with me this evening.

Seated behind me is Mr.

Derek Hill, the president of PJ Keating.

Mr.

Rob Robinson, the vice president of aggregate operations for PJ Keating and Carl Turgeon, who is the quarry manager for PJ Keating.

I don't know how you want to proceed.

If you want me to your show cause, but I'll be I asked have them come in tonight by Councilman Cap Campo Piano.

He had some questions about their hours of operation.

They're a very successful business.

They're a very good business in our community.

But Councilman Campo Piano had some questions.

So if I can call on him to ask any questions.

And PJ Keating observes that and has traditionally in their business operations.

And our application never said Monday to Friday.

And Councilman Campo rightfully said, I go by there on Saturday and I see activity.

So I inquired the next day of the licensed clerk, and she acknowledged that she had put that on the agenda as Monday to Friday.

Even though our application didn't say that.

The quarry operates 7 a.m.

to 5 p.m.

in accordance with the with the ordinance.

There are two aspects of PJ Keating.

Some are familiar with the quarry operation, but then there's a second part of their operation, which involves the sale of product, which they are open, could be open seven days a week, not usually Sunday, but on a Saturday, they they're open to be selling equipment, uh I'm sorry, uh material during the night uh for Rhode Island DOT jobs.

They they're open if uh uh, for example, Cully and Concrete share space with them.

Uh if Cullen's doing a job in Pa Tucket, they might be going back and forth during the night getting material.

Um and there is no limitation in my opinion on that aspect of the company.

Um they are keenly aware of the 7 a.m.

to 5 p.m.

quarry operation.

So when Cal Swim Camp Opiano uh went by on a Saturday, he probably rightfully saw um the belts moving.

Um but they do that in accordance with the city ordinance.

Do you have any more questions?

Yes, I do.

Thank you.

I want to thank you, Mr.

Murray, for coming out and clarifying that.

I want to take the people from PJ Keating, not only for coming out tonight and clarifying, but also for the help they gave us during the snowstorm.

They were very cooperative.

I want to thank you for that.

It was very good.

What I just wanted to make sure when the license was granted that the hours aligned with what was licensed, because we get calls from constituents, and they don't know the difference between a quarry operating and gravel being sold and in and out.

So if they see on the agenda five o'clock at night and it's on a Saturday, and this they don't understand the differences.

So I'm I'm glad you came out.

You clarified that for us.

So if we see the belt moving, that's not quarry work.

That's well, on a Saturday, it could be.

Well, yes, because they are as long as they do it between 7 a.m.

and 5 p.m., they're okay.

So on the Saturday that you cited, you could have seen that belt operating.

Um because they could be processing, uh, but most of the activity that occurs um after hours uh between the hours of 5 p.m.

and 7 a.m.

relate to the sale of material.

And uh I'm sorry.

Derek, let me uh introduce Derek Hill, uh the president of PJ Keating.

Good evening, so Derek Hill, PJ Keating's president.

Uh one capstan street, uh Jamestown, Rhode Island.

Excuse me, madam chair, if we before we begin, Heather, could you just swear the witness, please?

I do.

My name is Derek Hill, D E R R I C K, H I L L.

So the hours of operation and the license, 7 a.m.

to 5 p.m.

is the rock crushing, the production, the mining operation itself.

And so if somebody went by, and that includes Saturdays uh 7 to noon.

So if somebody went by and saw a belt before 7 a.m.

spinning, it's just a warm-up procedure.

So before we start, but we don't tip rock into the gyro, which would make the noise until 7 a.m.

So we we have metrics that we follow with that.

So we're doing we're doing that loading um or sales uh we do before in the morning and uh and at night.

Um if uh culling concrete is performing a DOT job, so a lot of the bridge work they're pouring at night.

Um so we have a loader in the yard that would fill the bins and stay on site, but but it does have a silencer.

OSHA requires a backup alarm, but there's a squish, so it makes a silent noise.

So we and and we we do monitor it, okay.

Um we do have monitors around uh the quarry itself.

So we can monitor noise and and such.

So production hours, seven to five.

If the belt is moving before it's just a warm-up.

Um thank you, Ms.

Hill.

Um, I'm glad you clarified that.

I mean, now we have answers to give to people when they come to us and say why is it going, why is it not going?

And now we can make an intelligent answer to them.

Chairman Bob for the material operation, uh you go beyond five o'clock then.

At the actual quarrying of the material, the sale of the Saturday to different customers.

It goes beyond five o'clock.

Could go during the night on the weekend.

Councilman.

I do have a follow-up question.

So is there I is there two separate licenses?

Is there a quarry license and a sales license?

No, there's no license required for sale.

But there is unlike just like I can't come up with a better example, but the no, they're not they're in commerce and but they don't they don't need a license for the city for sale of material.

Okay, so it's they only require to be licensed for the quarry work.

Right.

Don't have there's no restrictions on when they could sell.

No.

So somebody could go in at two in the morning and buy.

Well, it's not like a cash register, but there are there are um suppliers to go in and pick up material at 2 a.m.

We use the culling and concrete example, uh, like when they're working on 37 or Pataka, they could uh DOT may require the delivery of the material at 2 a.m.

So they're picking it up before they go.

So is there always staff there working?

Um no, so essential projects, we would, and those are the DOT projects.

We sketch that those are scheduled out in advance, so like the Clean Water Project or some of those projects, but we are we're only staffed at night with a loader to um to supply the aggregates to for culling and concrete to make the concrete to ship to the ready mix early morning.

We're loading trucks to get deliveries out before the commuter traffic, and those and and the majority of those jobs are also going to um DOT type projects.

So we're we're shipping early in the morning, but we typically do not run the sales side of the business, loading trucks after the scales.

We do a summer, summer, winter hours, 330.

So the trucks that would go out after 3:30 would be the Cully and concrete ready mix trucks, and those would be going to an essential project DOT jobs.

Excellent.

Councilman, do you have questions?

So wouldn't you, Mr.

Hall need a special use permit?

Because you already stated you're operating after hours.

You said that you don't basically need us for anything.

So I just find it weird that we restrict a lot of businesses from operating after hours, but yeah, you guys could do whatever you want.

So this is what I'm trying to just put in my head what what's going on here.

So the city of Cranston historically for many many decades has uh required uh Gamino predecessor to PJ Keating to have a gravel bank license.

So they apply every year and it's approved every year, and they operate the gravel, the quarry between 7 a.m.

and 5 p.m.

Councilman Anderhaw, the city does issue a vexular license in their hours with that, liquor license, things like that.

This is uh there are no other licenses they're not required to have a special use, which kind of goes into zoning.

Uh and so they are operating in accordance with the current requirements uh for their operation.

But counselor, you're basically saying that their grandfather didn't there is no law or ordinance or rules.

They just well, they were told back in the 60s, yeah, do whatever you want and have fun.

That's what I'm trying to figure out.

Well, I'll defer to Mr.

Rodek.

Uh we're here on the hours of operation.

If we're gonna get into zoning, I'll I'll I'm I I'm trying to resolve this tonight.

I don't want I but I I think we're I mean the try and reply let me let me let me just interject.

So we're talking, yeah, we're talking two separate things.

We're talking about zoning versus hours of operation.

Um to first of all to conduct this type of enterprise, it has to be zoned initially, it has to be the permissible use in the zoning area.

Council, we're talking about hours of operation.

That's what we're talking about.

I threw in zoning, but it's it's hours of operation.

We're talking about they're operating after hours.

They already said they're operating after hours, and there's no ordinance, no law, no rule, no nothing written.

So that's what I'm trying to get at.

So unless you tell me something that something's written that they can do this, then what do what are we doing here?

Oh, I thought you it's basically the wild wild west right now.

I could have sworn I heard you start talking about um I asked whether they have a special use if they applied for a special use permit at what point because right now they they're basically operating after hours with no license.

No, that is not true.

Well, I it's is there a license up to operate after 7 p.m.

5 p.m.

There is no license required for the sales side of their business, it's the quarry that you lot you regulate and license, and those hours are 7 a.m.

to 5 p.m.

The other activities that go on are done in accord, you know.

I am not aware of any other license they're required to have, and they've never had one.

So you I'm I'm not sure I'm answering your question, Councilman Anaha, but you're it is not correct to say they are operating without a license.

There is no license for them to have to do that activity.

No, listen, I want them to stay.

I just don't want somebody else to come in later and say they're doing it.

How come I have to do it?

That's all.

I mean, they're they're a great, you know, business community business partner.

They you guys do really good over there.

I just I'm sure they're not avoided for somebody else coming in.

That's all.

I understand this correctly.

You're questioning the retail part of it.

Operation in total.

The gate should be closed at five.

It's not there's no license.

That's true.

You need to get counsel on this because well, that's what I'm trying to understand, council.

That's why you need to explain it to me.

You're not explaining it to me, correct.

You're telling me that they have a license from 7 a.m.

to 5 p.m., but yet there is no regulation, no nothing after 5 after 5 p.m.

And they can sell concrete at 3 a.m.

Yes.

They are not required to close the gates under section 5.36.030.

The hours of operation for a gravel pit or gravel bank is restricted.

And it's between the hours of 5 p.m.

and 7 a.m.

No person shall operate a stone crusher, gravel bank, gravel pit, pneumatic drill, or stone quarry within the city, or suffer allow any dynamiting, sandblasting, or any other blasting to be done between such hours.

They conform to that ordinance in the operation of the quarry, but it's not the only operation that goes on there.

They do sell material, and there is no restriction.

Unlike a uh a liquor establishment that has to close at 1 a.m.

or a vixeline license that has to close at 2 a.m.

There are no restrictions in law that I am aware of that restrict that activity.

And in fact, we would bring state DOT projects to a grinding halt if they could not be you know sharing and delivering material in the off hours when DOT requires it.

Council President Wall.

I'm not gonna tell you, I'm familiar.

In fact, uh council attorney just uh pointed out the ordinance to me, and it it reads pretty much just like uh uh attorney Murray said.

However, I too I am a little perplexed in the fact that we don't have any license on said sale of material at all in the books.

Just about everything we sell in the city of Grandston, there's an ordinance governing what we what we sell.

And this seems to be an area that for many years isn't touched at all.

I would in the the concern, I mean, I'm familiar with the place, uh it's been around a long time.

I I drive by and I don't give it much thought at all.

But people have questioned uh councilman campabiano, and I have if something's going on, is there an I mean there should be some regulations because I don't know what your machinery, how loud it is, maybe that's why the uh do the people wake up in the middle of the night at four o'clock in the morning because they drove by?

We can't really tell.

So it perplexes me.

I don't I'm not saying you're wrong, but it perplexes me.

We don't have an ordinance governing the sale of said material when just about everything else comes before us, and we have to have a license, we have to have all kinds of um, you know, what protocols are in place, what what inspections have been, you know, all that other stuff, buyer laws.

But this seems to be the one instance in my time in the council and the time on the safety service that there is there is nothing governing that point.

You're correct, but there's nothing governed.

That that's that's what bother that doesn't bother me, but it kind of clicks something in my head like why don't we have an audience of some sort?

There are many retail establishment in the city council president that the city does not regulate.

For example, I'm I'm reading this as an example, Lowe's okay on Garfield Avenue.

I think they get a house sales license, but to my knowledge, they don't they're not required to have any other license other than the state retail license permit and things like that.

There are retail establishments that there are no specific licenses for.

The vast majority of the activity this committee sees are restaurants, taverns, you know, where you're issuing liquor license or victualing license and things like that.

But we only have one quarry in the city.

But may I follow up?

But and you you do you do point out a bit point.

I'm not gonna uh certainly not gonna battle law with you, but are there other governing bodies that govern those like liquor stores, things like that, when they can open?

They there's several different bodies to deal with there's a state, state laws on them.

There's there must be state or state laws about that.

There's no law at all that governs um the sale of that I can't that gravel material is is that what you tell me on any book?

And that's that's that's my only question.

And I'm not saying I'm looking for answers.

DEM permits and things like that.

Those those are regulated by DEM.

And uh we have those permits, but they're not city related.

They're they have to do with uh state environmental regulations that we comply with.

And it would would it be for the sale of said materials or the belts and things and the trucks can move in and out.

Is that what they that is that the type of law that would govern that?

Um DEM does not regulate our hours of operation or how many trucks per hour or anything like that.

Okay, and that that was my concern.

That was my not even a concern, just a question.

It seemed a little odd.

Thank you.

Um, this is for the city solicitor or attorney, Marcelo.

Um what we're so what I'm used to is if there's a zoning law that says you can't start before 7 a.m., we don't even allow the start of vehicles.

So I I guess I'm confused why you can power up machinery before 7 a.m.

I thought 7 a.m.

is a hard hard line.

Like normally where I come from, you cannot start up machinery at all before 7 a.m.

when the zoning says you can't start before 7 a.m.

So what's your question though?

Yeah, I think you're right.

Yeah.

Well, so they're starting machinery before 7 a.m.

That's my point.

Yeah, the business, however, you want to define what what goes into operating the business.

Um, does it mean unlocking the door and walking in?

Does it mean starting machinery?

Does it mean starting up a vehicle?

I suppose it does.

So yes, nothing should be done before 7 a.m.

along those lines.

Wanted to be clear about that.

Wanted to mention you on the councilman for the area, and I I've never received a complaint about the moving of the trucks or anything over there on the weekends or anything.

I I haven't heard anything.

And I guess kind of how I'm thinking about it.

It when you say sale, to me, it almost feels like it's more of a delivery, because as he mentioned, these things are prepared, planned out in advance.

So I think it's just the delivery of the materials.

I think that's outside of the sales piece of it, just for my eyes hearing it too.

And I think more of like a landscaping company that maybe has a big delivery on a Saturday and they preload the trucks before they go off the delivery.

I I I just I look at it a little differently as the delivery, but I also just wanted to add to that.

That's on a busy road.

There's not many houses.

I I have not received complaints.

Like Councilman Campbell County, rarely I'll receive a complaint of the blasting that's done within the hours.

So thank you.

Anybody else?

Okay.

I just want to make a general comment.

You know, my dad reconstruction all his life.

Construction doesn't really take place between 7 and 5 p.m.

It takes place almost 24 hours a day, especially road construction.

If you see that if you drive alone 95 during the summer months, especially, you see a number of crews working there between 10 10 p.m.

and two or three o'clock in the morning.

So materials are needed at that time for reconstruction as well.

So I certainly see the need for them to stay open to deliver those materials.

Through the chair, just I just I want one more shot at this place.

I don't want to leave the impression that we are not complying with the ordinance.

The operation of the gravel bank and the the activity described is between uh 7 a.m.

and 5 p.m.

I've sat through many meetings where it's discussion that there's this impression that people cannot start their business before 7 a.m.

I am not aware of any such ordinance.

The only ordinances that I'm aware of is in our noise ordinance in industrials, commercial industrial zones during certain hours, you're you can't exceed certain decibels, but I am not aware of any ordinance on the book that says a business cannot start before 7 a.m.

And I don't want to I don't want to accept that premise because I'm not aware of it.

Thank you.

Just as a point of clarification, if I can, um, I and I understand what the attorney Murray is saying.

Maybe we're it's semantics and we're splitting hairs, but to to uh councilwoman Graziano's earlier uh comments you have to read we're talking about a gravel bank license, and the way the ordinance is written, and we have to strictly construe it, it's it's it's an ordinance, it says you cannot engage in gravel bank extraction type activities between the hours of 7 a.m.

and 5 p.m.

Now does that mean that every single uh action or activity that's taken by uh whether it's this company or any other company prior to 7 a.m.

automatically means that they're engaging in the activity that's regulated, then I would agree with Mr.

Murray.

No, it's not, but it depends, it's it's a fact intensive scrutiny.

If it's just starting a truck, I mean you have to take some steps toward the actual activity of extraction, and and you can see how convoluted this gets.

I mean, what what constitutes extracting operating the gravel bank is merely getting the equipment ready?

Does that satisfy the definition?

I don't know.

It's very fact um intensive, it's that type of an inquiry.

So to his point, yeah, I I would say that's not extracting uh uh gravel from a gravel bank merely by you know getting some equipment ready and stuff like that.

That's the way the ordinance is written.

That's what it prevents.

It doesn't go beyond that.

So again, it really depends on what the activity is, and it's a fact-intensive inquiry, and we just can't do it this way between representations of council.

Uh, we we don't have any firm hard observations, we don't have any firm hard evidence of what's taking place, if anything, prior to 7 a.m.

It's a lot of this is conjecture.

So all I can say is that unless they are engaging, actually engaging in operating that gravel pit by quarrying and or extracting, then they're not they're not in violation.

That's the best way I can I I can think to to word it.

Uh thank you, madam chair.

Um if I'm if I remember correctly, and councilman can't be on all correct me, please if I'm wrong.

The question why we're having the show cause was because people were concerned that there were people operating the gravel bank outside of the hours.

Is that correct?

It wasn't it wasn't noise, right?

All right, I I drew that conclusion.

I'll tell you, I drew that conclusion, but people were concerned that that was they were operating outside.

It sounds to me like attorney Murray did explain what was going on in that part of the operation, the gravel bank part of the operation.

And as we look at the law or our ordinance, it sounds to me that that conforms with what we have in here.

Um the other stuff, I guess, is on it's it's kind of unclear in my mind.

And to hear, I I also would would defer to um Councilman Ritz, who represents the area right now, he hasn't got any concerns or complaints.

So at this point, I certainly am satisfied.

Councilwoman Vazeri, um I was just gonna say it's kind of comparable to a restaurant, right?

They accept deliveries after hours, they're in there prepping after hours, so I don't really see what the problem is if they're not operating the quarry, why they can't prep for the next day or the next delivery.

Councilwoman Graziano.

Thank you.

Um if I was zoning enforcement officer, I would say warming up equipment constitutes operating the quarry.

And I if people want to show up at seven before 7 a.m., this is just my opinion.

I do this for a living.

I my opinion is that you cannot warm up equipment before 7 a.m.

Otherwise we wouldn't have the 7 a.m.

You want to show up at 5:30.

I don't care if you show up at 5:30 and start all other aspects of the business that don't include noise, but I'm just saying from my opinion, um, that I if I was a zoning enforcement officer, you would not start equipment until 7 a.m.

Councilman Campo Piano.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Uh I just want to round this out.

It was never my intention to uh bring up any of these these issues with noise and everything.

It was my intention to align the hours and to clarify what was being operating or what was done on what hours.

I understand fully that a quarry needs to operate 24 hours in some instances in order to supply the roads and and the construction that needs to be done 24 hours a day.

So when I get a call theme, they operate out of hours and it comes up on a licensing as a time frame.

I just was looking for clarification.

What is being done in those hours and what is being done 24 hours?

So I want to thank you all for coming out, clarifying that.

And um, I want to thank you for the work you do for the city and for the whole state.

And uh, I think we I think this was very constructive conversation because I now I think we all understand what is necessary and what you do.

And uh at that, thank you for coming out.

Thank you for your time.

Is everyone satisfied?

And I can ask for a motion to remove them off of the show count show cause calendar.

So moved.

Please have a roll call vote.

Graciano, yes.

Yes, Pastor Treff Cante?

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Coming tonight.

The show cause is leasing of motor vehicle license operating without a license since 331 2025, enterprise rent a car located at 275 Atwood Avenue.

Is anyone here tonight?

Could you please come up, state your name and your address?

My name is Steven Rainier, uh, 275 at what have Reneri.

R-A-N I R I.

Were you aware that you've been operating in the business since 331, 2025 without proper licenses?

I was not, no.

All right, solicitor.

Yeah, if I may, uh, madam chair.

So I I did speak with Mr.

Uh Reneri um maybe a month ago, six weeks ago, something like that.

My understanding it is, and correct me if I'm wrong, sir, that um you are associated with the main office for for enterprise, I think out of Massachusetts.

Is that fair statement?

Correct.

I'm based on Hartford in Hartford.

Yeah.

And we have we have offices in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

So my my point being you're a national, actually worldwide company, and the local Cranston office, I think, based on what you told me that there was some type of disconnect between what was going on in terms of the efforts that we were making um to bring the local Cranston enterprise office into compliance with our licensing statutes and and ordinances, correct?

Um that's yeah, it's embarrassing, but it's yeah, I I understand.

And and for the committee's uh edification, I I think you're probably most of you are probably aware of this, but when I went to court um a few months back, there uh I would say 90 percent of the the outstanding uh problems that we had with the businesses, um, those businesses came into compliance through a combination of voluntariness, show cause hearings, ultimately superior court orders.

And uh I I hate to put Mr.

Renier on the spot.

Um he's been a gentleman, but I made it pretty clear that uh not only did uh this local office, this local enterprise receive many, many uh letters from the clerk's office, they also received a temporary restraining order summons from myself, uh, which was uh handled by the Cranston Police Department.

No response still, and it wasn't until that I went back to court and had that temporary restraining orders come essentially converted into a preliminary injunction and had that served that I finally got a response.

And I and this I'm not faulting Mr.

Ranier.

In fact, if it wasn't for him, I doubt if we still would have probably not have received the response.

Be that as it may, um, this committee is is pretty familiar with the efforts that that needed to be made here and the expense, not the least of which was paying me to go down to superior court.

So I I told Mr.

Reneri that uh even though they they came to compliance, reinstated that there would probably, in all likelihood, be some type of penalty or sanction uh imposed by this committee.

And I I'm going to uh request a a thousand dollar uh fine.

And I say that because we had to go to extraordinary lengths here, and we could have imposed this on a per diem basis um if we had wanted to, and the fine would be astronomical.

So I think this strikes a balance between uh you know the noncompliance versus the cooperation that we've received from Mr.

Ranieri.

And if it wasn't for him, I could I could be I could tell you that I would be seeking a much heavier sanction.

So that would be my proposal.

It's up to the committee.

If we were to enforce the fine tonight and ask for that, would come out of uh enterprise, not yourself, correct?

The corporation would pay that.

That is correct.

Okay.

And Celissa, how long do you recommend we give them to submit this payment?

I I I would defer to Mr.

Renier, but again, for I'm sure he has to deal with a lot of red tape and bureaucracy.

I would say by the time of the next meeting, uh, which would be four weeks.

Um, I think it's plenty of time, unless the committee wants uh a shorter time.

It's up to you.

Everything is in compliance now, all their licenses.

To my knowledge, they are in full compliance.

How long did they operate without being in compliance with after you went to court?

Uh after I went to court and had them served the first time, it was a fairly long period of time.

I would say at least a few months.

Um, when I served the preliminary injunction, I almost immediately received the call from Mr.

Ranieri.

So it would be, I don't have the exact date that the uh the TRO was served, but I can tell you that it was at least three months, maybe longer.

And before that, unfortunately, before I even went to court, there was an extended period of time where they were operating without the license.

It states March 31st, 2025.

So we're talking about you are talking in an extended period of time, unfortunately, but you are to your defense.

I'm pretty sure you had all your state licenses active, correct?

Because there's a big confusion, especially when you rent cars and you sell cars, the state says here you go, you could operate, but then you don't look at the fine print for the city.

So to your defense, I understand that you probably look at the fine print.

But um, I I am kind of sad that you left ward three.

You were in my ward on Niantic Avenue, and now you're in Atwood, but you stayed in Cranston.

So I mean, I do understand where the hiccup was.

So I mean, uh I'll do whatever the the chairwoman would request, but I do understand what happened.

Appreciate that.

Councilman Ritz.

Uh I I'll just mention I uh I work for triple A, so I'm responsible for our branch offices.

So I I understand the pain you're going through.

You get managers sometimes new ones that don't understand things, and I think it goes through cooperates.

I I definitely feel that you're going through there, but uh I do agree with uh the solicitor that was a good amount of effort.

So uh unfortunately I think we need some expense here.

But I do sympathize with uh we have to go through.

Councilwoman Graziano.

Um, so how can we ensure moving forward that this office will remain in compliance?

And what have you implemented um with this particular location?

Yeah, that's a good question.

Um, so we have a tax specialist person who is responsible for all of our licenses.

Typically, those licenses are DMV related or state related.

We don't have too many uh local city or town licenses.

Uh we've added that to his list.

So there's one check there.

We've put it in our calendars in terms of outlook on a recurring uh yearly kind of flag.

Um top of that, we sent out an email to the field.

We have 70 branches over those three states, uh reminding them the importance of if you receive mail or anything or a visit from a public official that you have to notify when we put the proper people.

I have a copy of it just in case, but um, to notify the proper people so that this doesn't happen again.

So we're trying to be proactive in the future.

And this it's embarrassing, it happened.

I will totally comply.

Could I confirm the amount that the solicitor said?

I I couldn't.

Oh, okay.

Okay.

Yeah.

But if that answers your question.

Okay.

Um, yeah, I mean, that answers my question.

Thank you.

I mean, I don't want to see you back here next year.

Um, with another, well, in two years with another issue.

Um, so I just wanted to say that out loud that you guys need to make sure you have all your licenses in check.

And like I said, it costs the city a lot of money, and the taxpayers don't want to be paying that bill.

Yeah, no, understood.

And we took disciplinary action on that manager.

Um, and that manager is no longer at that location.

Uh we did not believe it was grounds for termination, but we have we feel we appropriately discipline that person.

Thank you.

That makes us very relieved.

Um for the solicitor or the clerk, when is their current license active until well, the re when the renewal was, I believe.

Um, was it December 1st?

Also rose.

Well, they're on the agenda today, uh, for tonight for the 2026.

So expire next year.

Yeah.

All right.

I'm gonna ask for a motion to take this off the calendar and impose a thousand five, but would a date of 15 days from now be significant, or do you need a month?

Do you think for is you said a thousand dollars?

A thousand dollar fine.

I can have the check out tomorrow.

Okay, yeah.

I let's not do it in reverse.

I think you first need to take the motion vote on the fine after that.

I I still I don't know if you should take it off.

I think you should still keep it on for status.

Sorry, my concern is that you need to find a violation first, okay, and then you will pose the fine after the violation is found.

So the show cars is granted.

Motion to find a show calls that he operate without a license for the period of time.

Motion made granted, and then second motion to pose the fine for that violation.

Councilman?

The the he doesn't need to come back, right?

Okay.

No, we can let you know that so you don't we could just keep it on for status just to make sure that the fine gets paid.

Once we are what I'm getting understanding, once we receive the check, you don't have to come back, it's off.

Okay, and should I stick around for later?

Because I think we're on the docket for something else later.

Stick okay.

Yeah, I'm gonna ask for the motion to so motion to that the finding that he was that rather not he uh enterprise rent a car was operating without a license.

That's the finding should be a second.

Um, since the date it says here of March 31st, 2025.

Okay.

That's the motion.

And a second.

Any discussion?

Clerk, could I have a roll call?

Councilwoman Graziano?

Yes.

Council Ritz?

Yes.

Council Trafficanti.

Yes.

Councilwoman Vaziri, yes.

Councilman Duhar?

Yes.

Council Vice President Heroyan?

Yes.

Yes.

And now can I make another motion?

Yes, please.

Motion to impose a 1,000 dollar fine on enterprise rent a car to be paid in 15 days.

Yes.

Be paid in no no less than 15 days.

So second.

Any discussion on this?

Clerk, could I please have a roll call vote?

Consulma Graziano?

Yes.

Consperts.

Council Trafficanti?

Yes.

Consulwoman Vaziri.

Yes.

Consulman Duhar.

Yes.

Consulvice President Harwyan?

Yes.

Yes.

So uh you could do this one of two ways.

You can either put this on just for status purposes to see that the fine was paid for the next meeting, or you could pass it from the calendar if the clerk's office informs you that it's not or informs us it hasn't been paid, they'd be back here for another show cause hearing.

So it depends on what you uh prefer.

I would say my myself put it on for status, and he doesn't have to appear, Mr.

Reneri, as long as the fine is paid.

I'm gonna ask for a motion to keep this on the calendar just as a status update.

If the check is in and all is good, then we'll remove it from the calendar the next meeting.

So moved second.

Any discussion?

Clerk, could I have a roll call vote?

Cosperitz, Castrefcante?

Yes.

Consul Vizieri.

Yes.

Consuming to Har?

Yes.

Consulvice President Ryan.

Yes.

Council President Wall.

Yes.

Okay.

Thank you.

All right.

Next up is Victoring License operating without a license since 12-1 2023.

La Fronta Market, located at 1522 Broad Street.

Is anybody here?

You could please state your name in your address.

Thomas Dabra, 1522 Broad Street.

Gabra G A B R A.

Um, do you have something to tell us why you've been operating without a license since 12-1 2023?

Madam Chair, if I may, and I should have done this with the last witness.

Heather, could we just swear the witness before we start questioning him?

Yes, I do.

Thomas Galva.

Do you have anything to tell us tonight?

Yes.

So when we first took over the when we first took over the store, we used to sell uh pre-packaged uh desserts and like coffee and stuff like that.

And then so we started focusing more on uh like the smoke shop part, and we only had a little a little bit of snacks and just a few drinks.

So I thought that we didn't need the big chilling license because I thought it was for uh pre-packaged food.

So that was my mistake.

I apologize.

I didn't know it was for uh all convenience stores, so now I do, and I'm here to pay any fees that I missed and bring you the license.

Soicitor.

So yeah, so I'm sorry, sir.

I did I speak with you?

Yes, I did speak with you.

Yes, what I'm John Verdecchia.

Yes, yes, we spoke.

I'm sorry.

What's your last name again?

Gabra.

G-A-B-R-A.

G-R G-A-B.

My father's the owner, and me is Gabra.

I'm not sure if that's the name of the Gob.

Yes, okay.

So I I spoke with uh Mr.

Gabriel and um what he says is exactly what he told me on the phone, and I and I tried to explain to him that you know that's kind of a dangerous um path to go down, basically uh asking your friends for legal advice and legal interpretations and then arriving at those conclusions on your own.

And I also told him that we reached out many, many, many times.

Um their conduct wasn't quite as egregious as enterprise, but it again uh I had to chase and I went to court and they were served twice.

So um I I understand he's a small business uh owner.

He was very contrite.

So I'm I'm asking, but I told him that there would still be some sanction here.

There has to be.

Um, but I'm only I'm only requesting 500 uh for this individual based on the circumstances, but again, that's up to the committee.

You requesting 500 per a year or a total of 500?

Just a total of 500.

I I know he's a small businessman.

I I don't want to uh you know cause unnecessary um financial hardship.

I mean, I think he he meant well, but uh unfortunately he went down, like I said, a very dangerous uh path, and I think he's learned his lesson.

Council President Well, uh, thank you, madam chair.

I tend to be in agreement uh with solicitor Vedeccia.

He's a small business owner.

I appreciate you uh, you know, showing some contriteness as you come in that it's my bad I did it wrong.

I'm impressed to some extent how you were able to elude paying for two and over two and a half years.

Well, I was traveling I was uh traveling.

I uh I went to get married uh a year and a half back.

I went to Egypt.

I was finishing my fiance's paperwork, so it was uh it was a difficult time.

So no, I wasn't trying to avoid getting the license.

I certainly wasn't throwing, but it says a little bit about our own abilities to find the people who are vital in the law.

Um, so I would be in support, given you are a small business owner, and it sounds like uh Solicitor Videcki has spoke to you, and you've you've learned your lesson.

And when you have to seek legal advice according to the uh solicitor, I certainly want to find a lawyer.

Um so I would support the $500 fine.

Councilwoman Graziano, this is in your ward.

Do you have anything to say?

Thank you.

Um, yeah, so we have been chasing you down for a while.

You your your business is in my ward.

Um, thank you for having your business in Cranston.

Um, we appreciate that, but we definitely just you know cannot have you out of violation for this long of a period of time.

Um doesn't look good why everyone else is getting their licenses, um, especially with the amount of notifications the city has sent over.

Um I don't know, I'm kind of hemming and hawing about the the fine.

I do agree about the small business, but it was three years.

Give me three minutes, go to somebody else.

Councilman to how so you are a tobacco shop basically now.

Uh well, we've always been a smoke shop, we've always had snacks and drinks, but we don't sell anything uh like we package ourselves.

It's all so you focus more on hookahs or who could probably okay.

Yeah, and now are you on the wholesaler list for the state, or are you just selling um retail?

Are you on the wholesale list for the state?

Are you selling a retail license?

So you just have a retail cigarette license.

Okay, and I have my uh food uh license.

I'm in compliance with the food department.

I did my inspection.

I wasn't trying to avoid this license, honestly.

Like I'm here, I want to I want to fix it.

No, I mean I was just asking to see because if you're a wholesaler, then you're rolling in money.

But if you're just a retail sales, then you are a small business.

So I was just trying to see I was just trying to figure it out.

All right, I have some mixed emotions here.

I need some guidance.

It was three years, 750.

750, exactly.

Yeah, so ask for a motion first.

Attorney, that this was a violation, and we all agree on it, correct?

For my first motion, and then we'll go to the find the next one.

Okay, but may I um councilwoman Graziano, since it's your award, um, would you be imposed to giving him at least 90 days to pay it?

Okay, I think that's fair.

Yes, please.

I make a motion of a finding that they are admittedly um under testimony found that they are in violation of operating without a victim license since 121 2023.

Second, so moved.

Any discussion on this clerk?

Can I have a roll call vote?

Consulwoman Graziano, yes, Consperitz, yes, Conservative Canti.

Yes, Consulwoman Vaziri, yes, Cosm Duhar?

Yes, Conservative President Haroyan, yes, President Wall.

Yes.

Now I'd like to ask for the motion for the fine of 750 within 90 days to pay that.

You say 750.

No, because it's three years.

We were going back and forth.

I'm asking for 750 for the fine for three years.

So move.

Uh I make a motion to find this company um 750 with the payment um of 90 days.

Second.

Any discussion?

Could I have a roll call vote?

Councilwoman Graziano?

Yes.

Yes.

Council Trafficanti.

Yes.

Councilwoman Vaziri.

Yes.

Councilman Duhar.

Yes.

Council Vice President Royan?

Yes.

Council President War.

Yes.

And we're gonna you don't need to come keep this on for review.

Um in 30 days to just no, we'll wait 90 days.

We'll wait 90 days.

Oh no, we you have 90 days.

We'll wait and review our 90 days.

You don't need to come back and we'll take it off the calendar.

Okay.

Thank you for coming.

Thank you.

Okay.

Committee matters carried over.

Class B V liquor license new.

Um, this is you dumpling Rhode Island LLC doing business as ugly dumpling at 2000 Chapel View, suite 200.

Um, is there anyone here tonight from that business?

No.

Um, I'm gonna have uh ask for a motion to continue this.

We're still moving.

So move.

Second.

Any discussion?

We're roll call continuing.

Conspawits.

Yes.

Yes, councilwoman Vaziri.

Yes, Conspehar.

Yes.

Yes, Council President Wall.

Yes.

Continue from three two.

And this is for KJ Amar venue LLC, located at 1016 Park Avenue.

Is there anyone here tonight from that business?

They are still missing a lot.

I'm gonna push him to continue for two months.

So move.

Second.

Clark, can I please have a roll call vote?

Consulwoman Graziano?

Yes.

Conservatized.

Yes.

Conscanti.

Yes.

Councilwoman Vaziri.

Yes.

Consuhar?

Yes.

President Heroyan?

Yes.

Yes.

Okay.

Next on it is Victorian license new.

And this is for DM Pizza M Jin food located at 41 Willowick Avenue.

I do see them tonight, but I think we have everything we need now.

So I'm gonna ask for a motion to approve.

So move.

Second.

Any discussion?

I want to say thank you for getting everything in order.

Wishing you lots of good luck again.

Thank you.

Clerk, could I have a roll call vote?

Consul McGraziano?

Yes.

Conservatized?

Yes.

Council Traffic Canti?

Yes.

Consulwoman Ziri?

Yes.

Cosm Duhar?

Yes.

Consul Vice President Heroyan?

Yes.

Yes.

Okay.

Now I wonder the bank to open the account.

Oh, Nicholas Staffakis?

S D A D H A K A S.

Uh to the bank.

I have that thing you send me on the email to open an account to start paying people.

They said they need the license with a stamp on it.

They're not open with the account.

So when I get that license, I believe you can go right.

Rose, can he go on to the portal and download it himself?

The license will be released tomorrow for the portal.

Tomorrow.

They said they said they know on the email.

They need outloading with a stamp on it.

Can he come into the clerk's office tomorrow and pick one up?

No, the license will be issued through the portal or have the seal embossed on it.

If you can go right online and you can print your own, it'll have the seal on it, and you can just print it.

See what happens.

I ask you say no.

So I try tomorrow.

That's a good thank you.

Yes.

Go on tomorrow.

You're welcome.

Have a great night.

Thank you for coming back.

All right.

Located at 146 Ganted Avenue.

And that was a continuation, but it looks like we have everything we need.

So I think I'm just gonna ask for an approval.

Motion to approve.

Any discussion?

Thank you for opening.

We missed you.

Could I have a roll call vote?

Consul Magraziano.

Yes.

Yes.

Consider Canti.

Yes.

Consulwan Vaziri.

Yes.

Consumer Duhar.

Yes.

Consider Vice President Haroyan.

Yes.

Consul President Wall.

Yes.

You are all set, and you also can go on the portal tomorrow and print out what you need.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Have a good night.

Next is you dumpling Cranston doing LLC doing business as ugly dumpling.

And also ask for continuation.

Motion to continue.

Second.

A discussion?

Cook.

I'll vote.

Consulwan Graziano?

Yes.

Consider Ritz.

Consumer Traffic Canti.

Yes.

Consulwoman Vaziri.

Yes.

Casminduhar?

Yes.

Consider Vice President Haroyan.

Council President Wall.

Yes.

And I have on this show class B V license and Victorian license.

Continued.

Um this is zona lounge.

And it's a status.

I'm sorry.

Um Madam Chair, I'm not sure why it's here.

It probably should have been under the show cause um portion.

Yeah, um, it's not labeled properly, but that's okay.

Um I did receive a communication from their attorney, as you may recall, Attorney Petra uh appeared on their behalf at the initial emergency show cause hearing that we had roughly a month ago, and at that time it was continued to uh tonight for a couple of reasons.

One to um basically monitor uh the situation down there, have the police check it so on and so forth, and the other reason was for um for the uh proprietors to submit to submit a security plan, an updated security plan.

So attorney Petra actually did uh provide me with that some time ago.

I only recently forwarded that to uh madam chair as well as major Padalano.

I took a look at it.

I'm not an expert, but it does seem to meet the requirement of an updated security plan.

So he was asking.

situation down there have the police check it so on and so forth and the other reason was for um for the uh proprietors to submit to submit a security plan an updated security plan so attorney petracker actually did uh provide me with that some time ago i only recently forwarded that to uh madam chair as well as major padalano i took a look at it i'm not an expert but it does seem to meet the requirement of an updated security plan so he was asking i i believe the uh his clients are still in the dominican republic so none of them uh and they wanted to be present so he was simply asking uh for a continuance to uh next month's date so that they can be here and participate and to my knowledge there have been no other incidents um down at the zone lounge i i'm a little confused though is are they the class b vehicle license and victory license are they asking for that also i thought we did an emergency on their licenses um so we're not votes may be taken we're not doing anything with the liquor license i'm asking for a continuation tonight after they had the shooting outside their facility on the sidewalk or street yeah to my knowledge this has nothing to do with either renewal or granting of a new license this was strictly a status a continuation for status purposes from the emergency show cause hearing they were already uh licensed so again this seems just to be a uh scrivener's problem I did speak to major quirk tonight he was gonna come to the meeting um the majors have been checking on the business the local police department has there have been no incidents no problems with this business um we will continue it till next month so the police department can have time to review the safety plan so I'm gonna ask for a motion to continue this second discussion correct could I have a roll call vote Consumer McGraziano yes for Ritz Casper Trafficanti yes Consumer Vaziri yes President Heroyan yes House and Wall yes next on the agenda is new matters before the committee and this is a private detective license and it's until 4727 for William Dickey license number 505 gonna ask for a motion to approve oh but he's here we just say your name and your address and is there anything you want to tell us I didn't William Dickie uh 65 only on the road uh some retired prosecution officer was there for 16 years well that was on Bristol PD for year and a half firefire for five and a half years just uh helping out the uh like helping with their uh insurance thank you and thank you for coming here tonight I'm gonna ask for approve this second discussion call can I please have a roll call vote concealment graziano yes for it house traffic yes yes yes president yes yes you are well set thank you for attending tonight we're gonna do septic call a license and that will be Rodneyism excavating located at 70 botzeck road house in mass is anyone here tonight good how are you tonight would you like to say your name and your address uh William Rodenheiser 70 Barcla drive polish to mass okay I'm gonna ask for a motion to approve this tonight so move second any discuss discussion clerk could I as a roll call vote Consciano yes for witch yes canti yes woman vazieri yes yes president yes present wall yes yourset okay thank you for your time appreciate victory and licenses next on the agenda and we're gonna have the front or market that was just here and I'm gonna ask for a motion to approve so moved second any discussion correct can I have a roll call vote Consciano yes for Ritz yes traffic anti Conseri yes pass me into her yes president Haryan yes President Wall yes next on the agenda is L N H Rhode Island in doing business as Love and Honey Fried Chicken located at 634 Reservoir Avenue could you please come up state a name and solicit do they need to be sworn in I would swear them in based on what you told me earlier.

All right and we're gonna ask them to be sworn in tonight I did Ali H U S S A N Ali ALI and that 634 Reservoir.

Okay is there anything you want to tell us tonight I know there was some confusion with your licensing I'm not exactly sure when you opened but um I know the city was aware of it about two weeks ago but then Friday you tried to get everything in order so you wouldn't have to close for the weekend.

Oh, sorry, there was an oversight on my part of not applying for the victory license.

I don't reside in uh Rhode Island full-time, so I didn't get any sort of notification in the mail.

Um, and I I don't remember seeing any emails, and if I did, I I apologize, but I had the CO in order in the health department um certificate in order as well.

Too we opened uh uh I want to say a week after we got the health certificate.

And was that uh one yeah, two weeks ago?

So um, and then uh a gentleman came to the store and uh told us about the victory license.

Um, I should have known better, but uh just an oversight on my part.

Okay, and did you stay open this weekend, knowing you didn't have the victory and but you had everything in order and you were coming before us tonight?

Yes.

Solicitor.

Well, it it raises a uh an issue, obviously.

Um by his own admission, the uh the proprietor admits he's been operating without the victualing license.

But I I will say this, and this is in the interest of due process.

If the committee is thinking of imposing some type of sanction, I would advise that we continue this for a show cause hearing so that we afford him complete due process if he wants to get an attorney, if uh he wants to present evidence on his own behalf.

We're kind of blindsiding him a little bit, unless that's I'm gonna give him the option.

We can do that, or he can deal with this tonight.

Uh you know, it's his choice.

I'm not sure what direction the committee um wants to head, but um, if the committee is thinking of imposing a sanction, I would at least make that option available to him.

We'll do this as a formal show cause hearing at the next meeting, unless he wants to deal with it now, or if the committee doesn't plan on imposing any sanction, we'll just proceed.

That's up to the committee.

I thank you for choosing Cranston, as I'm sure many of my colleagues do as well.

I'm sorry, let me speak a little louder.

Thank you for choosing Cranston, open your business.

I'm sure everybody on the committee shares that.

However, operating without a license, it's a violation of our city ordinances.

So I do believe we have to impose at least some fine, some sanction.

Um, if not, it was setting a bad precedent.

I'm not sure what would be the prudent amount, and I may defer to you on that solicitor.

It's it's it's really up to the committee.

I I would say I don't think he's he's clearly not in the category of uh the others we've dealt with tonight.

I I think anywhere between 100, 150, maybe 200 uh is is sufficient.

I don't I don't want to punish someone before they I mean, especially when they're just getting off the ground.

But as President Wallace said, a message does need to be sent.

We just can't have people opening up and selling food without the proper licensing.

There's a reason we have licensing requirements.

Um, you know, you're serving food, people can be poisoned.

Um, they could even die.

So that's the reason we have it.

It's very, very serious.

You just can't take it upon yourself to do it.

So that would be my recommendation.

Um, but again, it's it's within the discretion of the committee.

Can can I ask a follow-up just as we look, I know uh the council attorney is looking at how many people do you see, sir?

Your seating capacity in the restaurant.

Uh, believe it's 16.

16, yeah.

So license sells 100.

What if you are ordered that license would be 100 hours to get that license, yeah.

You still think.

I'm gonna call on councilman and hauer next.

I would also, is it possible for me to ask Nicole Vanzoli comebo?

She helped me with this on Friday.

He was not aware he had dealt with our economic development department, and I don't know if he was not giving guidance or what he needed to.

Um, Victorian licenses, I would assume you need them also in Massachusetts, Connecticut, everywhere.

So it's a standard license, and before opening a restaurant, you should know you need that.

Um I know that Friday, once you were notified again, you got everything in order, so you could be on my agenda tonight.

So you tried to correct it, but you also stayed open for a holiday weekend, knowing you didn't have the licenses, but you were coming here tonight.

Um, councilman Anderha.

Sir, are you doing Uber Eats?

Yes.

Okay.

You're doing Doordash.

So I would recommend a $50 fine.

Would you like to come up?

Thank you.

Um, I did speak to him on Friday.

Um, as soon as I explained what he had to do, 10 minutes later, he was on the portal paying.

He had already had his health certificate, so he was not serving food without a health certificate.

I know a lot of times people do come forward and we grant them licenses subject to having their health certificate.

So at the time he did ask, can I stay open this weekend?

I said I did not have the authority to tell him that he could stay open this weekend, but from the clerk's office, they did say he has his health certificate.

He has officially applied, paid for the license, and is on on Monday.

So that you know, we weren't sending the police out there.

I did say it was up to his discretion.

However, I will say, as far as being equitable, you guys did just charge someone $750 for being open three years without a license, a victory license, the same license.

That would be $250 a year.

So if we charge him in the range of $200 for being open two weeks, I I would personally say that's not fair, but I'm thinking like $50, $100 max, because he was very quick to jump in and do what he had to do.

Um, economic development.

I don't know if they dropped the ball there, what that communication was.

I'm not that person, so I don't want to speak to that, but the economic development director did go out there the same day that we had a phone conversation, but we did fix it over the phone very quickly.

He did agree to come tonight, so that would be my opinion.

I do think this is a good business for Cranston.

I have eaten the food.

It's fantastic.

So could I ask a question?

Yes.

Um, I believe someone told me on Friday on a phone call that the economic development was given heads up two weeks, two and a half weeks ago when this gentleman was kind enough to deliver food here to the city hall.

Yes.

And so it was our department that didn't go out or didn't follow through.

I I would again I am not that person.

I know that I did not have any communication until on Friday, uh, where it was taken care of right away.

So obviously there was some kind of breach in communication, but well, in light of this new information, yeah.

Um the fact that the license itself is only a hundred dollars.

And he paid for that and again the chicken is very good.

Yeah, it is.

Yeah, I might actually undercut my colleague and go down to 25.

I would like to say that before a business is open, they all are allowed to serve food without charging people.

Okay, so getting charged, right?

Exactly.

Have a legal chicken.

Yeah, all right.

So I think the card.

Um, an approval for their victory license.

Motion to approve.

Second.

Any discussion?

Next time, remember us for the food.

Clerk, could I please have a roll call vote?

Yes.

Consumer Ritz, Cas Trafficanti.

Yes.

Consulwoman Vaziri.

Yes.

Yes.

Consulvice President Heroin.

Yes.

Yes.

Um, solicitor, I'm thinking of imposing a fine of 25.

Do I need to show cause them?

I here's what I would do uh procedurally.

I would pose the question to the gentleman, give him the option.

Is he willing to uh basically waive his right to a show cause hearing and agree to pay the report the proposed fine of 25 or does he want to come back and we could have a formal hearing?

So he has due process, it's up to him.

Yes, I'll settle for the fine.

Thank you guys so much.

If this was the economic developer's fault, why are we charging him?

The weekend knowing he didn't have it's okay.

All right.

Um we should charge you can up and down budget budget seasons covered.

Do you want to say something?

No, so this is uh so I just wanted to wave on the record that he's waving to wave.

Okay, okay.

Thank you.

Appreciate it.

So that's so the decision whether to impose a fine is up to you.

Uh you can vote no and there'll be no fine.

Like opening a business, you knew you had to get a victory and license, whether it's here, Massachusetts.

You need to follow the rules.

I think we need to do something.

We're trying to get on board.

When I took over a safety service chair, I think we had 12 pages of operating without a licenses.

Um Decchio has gone to court.

We've worked really hard to get uh businesses down to I believe we're under 15.

So I would like to impose some kind of fine.

Maybe I'm asking for imposing a fine of 25, and he can have 15 days to pay it.

Motion to impose a 25 fine with the 15 dollar uh time frame to pay it, 15 days time period.

Do I have a second?

Second any discussion.

Clark, can I please have a roll call vote?

Consul Graziano?

Yes, Consumer Ritz, yes, Consul Trafficanti, yes, Consulwoman Vaziri.

No councilman do harm.

I'm gonna go with the councilwoman of the area, yes, Consulvice President Heroyan, Council President Wall.

Yes, I'm sorry, this is your introduction.

Thank you guys so much.

I apologize about that again.

Thank you, guys.

Thank you.

The next one is for informational purposes, mobile food establishments new for Steel Lobster, LLC and Kim's Dirty Pop Soda Shop.

Then we're gonna have uh amusement machine license at the Cranston Portuguese Club located at 22nd Avenue, number of machines is three.

I'm gonna ask for a motion to approve.

So second any discussion?

Clark, could I please have a roll call vote?

Consulma Graziano, yes, for Ritz, Consul Traficante, Consulwoman Vaziri, yes, Consuhar, yes, Consul Vice President Heroyan, yes, President Wall, yes.

Okay, next on it.

We're gonna have auto repair license, airport auto radiator, uh ink doing business as Rinaldi Motors located at 598 at Wood Avenue, hours of business, uh 9 a.m.

to 4.

Can I please have a motion?

Motion to approve, second council graziano, yes, council traffic anti, yes, councilman Vaziri, yes, Consuhar, yes, Consulvice President Heroyan, Council President War, yes, on the agenda employment license LC located at 535 at Wood Avenues.

I have a motion to approve, so moved second.

Any discussion graziano?

Yes, Consul Trafficanti, yes, Consulman Vaziri, yes, meanwhile, yes, Consulvice President Heroyan, yes, President Wall.

Okay, next on the agenda is leasing of motor vehicle licenses, enterprise rent to car located 275 at what have I'm gonna ask for a motion to approve.

No move, sorry second.

Any discussion?

Clerk could have a roll call vote.

Consumer, yes, concept vice president, yes, president wool next on the agenda massage therapy license.

Um therapeutic impressions located at 105 second asset crossroad, suite 314.

Um, I'm gonna ask for a motion to approve.

So moved.

Second.

Any discussion?

Clerk could have a roll call vote.

Consulwoman Graziano, yes, Consmer Ritz, yes, Cosmo Trafficanti, Consulwoman Vazieri, yes, Casmanduhar, yes, Conservice President Heroyan, yes, Consident Wall.

Next on the agenda is the parade license, Gaspi Days.

Event is June 13, 2026.

Event time is 10 a.m.

to 2 p.m.

asking for a motion to approve.

So moved.

Second.

Any discussion?

Yay.

Okay, we start at award three this year and maybe we go route 10.

Correct.

Could I have a roll call vote?

And I hope to see you all there at the Gaspi days.

Consulma Graziano.

Yes.

Consmer Ritz.

Yes.

Consul Trafficanti.

Consulwoman Vaziri.

Yes.

Consumer.

Yes.

Conservative president.

Yes.

Yeah.

Next is private detective license.

Lawrence Peza, number 450.

I'm going to ask for a motion to approve.

So moved.

Second.

Next on the agenda.

I do have some questions right here.

It says Paul Hughes, number four 95, but it doesn't give me the license period date.

So I don't know how we can vote on it with no beginning and end date.

Oh, it's reverse.

It's above it.

Okay.

So moved.

Second.

Any discussion.

On the motion to approve.

Yeah.

Okay.

Second.

Could I Consul McGraziano?

Yes.

Consumer Ritz.

Consul Traficante.

Yes.

Consulman Vaziri.

Yes.

Consular.

Yes.

Consulvice President Heroyan.

Consul President Wall.

Yes.

Next, we're going to have the road.

Casby Day's event is June 13, 2000.

Could I please have a motion to approve that?

Second.

Any discussion?

Roll call.

Graziano.

Yes.

Consumer Ritz.

Yes.

Council Traficante.

Yes.

Councilman Baziri.

Yes.

Consuhar.

Yes.

Consulvice President Haroyan.

Yeah.

Council President Wall.

Yes.

Is Domain Watch locate 650 Oak Lawn Avenue?

You're in it.

So move.

Second.

I have a roll call vote.

Consul Magraziano.

Yes.

Conservative.

Council Ref Cante.

Yes.

Consulman Vaziri.

Yes.

Considering Andrew Har.

Yes.

Council Vice President Haroyan.

Yes.

Yes.

You got one.

Next on used auto daily licenses.

Airport.

I choose.

Providence done.

The agenda is Providence Diamond located at 105 Hillside Avenue.

Could I please have a motion to approve?

Motion to approve.

Second.

Any discussion?

Clark, could I please have a roll call vote?

Consul McGraziano.

Yes.

Conserver without Trafficanti.

Yes.

Consuhar.

Yes.

Consulvice President Haroyan.

Yes.

Yes.

Tend to use the auto dealer licenses.

Um Airport Auto Radiator Incorporated doing business as we know.

They motives.

Could I please have a motion to approve?

Second.

Any discussion.

Clark, could I please have a roll call vote?

Consul McGraziano?

Yes.

Conservative.

Council Trafficanti.

Yes.

Consulman Vaziri.

Yes.

Conservantohar?

Yes.

President Haroyan?

Yes.

Council President War.

Yes.

Next on the agenda is Moretti auto sales located at 510 Atwood Avenue.

Could I please have approved?

So moved.

Second.

Councilwoman Graziano.

Yes.

Conserva Ritz.

Yes.

Council Traficanti.

Yes.

Consulwoman Vaziri.

Yes.

Consuhar.

Council Vice President Heroyan.

Yes.

Yes.

Okay.

Next on the agenda.

We're going to have Amini L C doing business as Speedy Mot, located at 95 Gorick Avenue.

Could I please have a motion to approve?

So moved.

Second.

Any discussion.

Clerk could have roll call vote.

Consul McGraziano.

Yes.

Yes.

Consul Traficante?

Yes.

Consulman Vaziri.

Yes.

Consuhar.

Yes.

Council Vice President Haroyan.

Consul President Wall.

Yes.

Okay.

Next on the agenda is Nalvis Cakes located at 39 Phoenix Avenue.

Could I please have a motion to approve?

Motion to approve.

Second.

Any discussion?

Clerk, could I have a roll call vote?

Consul McGraziano.

Yes.

Conserver Ritz.

Consul Traficante.

Yes.

Consulman Vaziri.

Yes.

Consuhar?

Yes.

Consider Vice President Heroyan?

Yes.

Consul President Wall.

Yes.

Next on the agenda is mobile food established renewals.

This is informational only.

No action is needed.

So if you could just review those.

The monthly calendars.

Um roads on the Patuxet Pac Theater Pac Theater did not get their events in during March.

We haven't received April's yet.

So that is March's calendar.

And then the Cranson Stadium.

There's nothing scheduled at this time.

Could I please have a motion to enter these into the record?

Second.

Any discussion?

Clark, could I please have a roll call vote?

Consul McGraziano?

Yes.

Consumer Ritz.

Consul Trafficanti.

Consulwoman Vaziri.

Yes.

Consumer.

Yes.

Consulvice President Heroyan.

Yes.

Yes.

There's nothing.

Under communications.

Anyone like to say anything?

Let's move right on.

Next is licenses approved subject to not yet issued.

Solicitor, would you like to update us on this?

Well, I the the as everyone can see the list is really has really shrunk.

The majority of these that are left are basically um just to pay some fees, most of them, not all of them, but myself and Miss Uh Richards are on top of this.

I'm gonna give them a little more time.

We'll see what we're left with.

And if I have to, I'll go back to court, but that's really a last resort.

Graziano has a question about these.

So I just have a question about one of them.

So mock mock, they don't have a liquor license because they are still waiting for a letter of good standing, but they're serving BYOB.

Checked everything with the city.

They went through all the right procedures.

They also checked in with the state before they agreed to do that.

They were they've been great to deal with.

All right, good evening.

I like to call the finance committee meeting to order.

Today is Monday, April 6th.

It is 736 PM.

Clerk, can you please take a roll?

Present.

Present.

Here.

Thank you.

If there's no objection, I would like to take uh approval of minutes as a block.

Seeing none.

Is it may entertain a motion to take the minutes from March 2nd to 2026 and March 30th, 2026 as a block?

So motion approved those minutes.

Second.

Any discussion?

Clerk, please take a roll.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Moving on to committee businesses uh committee business meeting matters carried over.

Uh ordinance one dash two six dash oh two orders and amendment of title three revenue and finance of the city of Cranston Code of Ordinances twenty twenty five and title chapter three dot twelve dot six, the adjustment of exemption of veterans in compliance with title forty-four, chapter three, title twenty-four of the general laws of the state of Rhode Island.

So um my recommendation at this time would be to table this uh ordinance indefinitely until such time that legislation passes.

Is there a motion to table?

Table indefinitely.

Any discussion.

No.

Yes.

Okay, moving on.

Uh no communications.

Public comment.

Is there anyone in us that would like to comment on agenda matters only?

Seeing none.

There's no public comment online.

This time I would like to close public comment.

Moving on, new matters before the committee.

Is there anyone here that would like to speak on this?

So moved.

Second.

So no one from the administration wants to speak on this matter.

Yeah, finance director Balducci.

So what be what you have before you is a three-year contract that covers our trades folks, which are electrician, HVAC, plumbers, carpenters, and four uh bus mechanics as part of that group as well.

Um hopefully everyone has a copy of the fiscal impact statement that came over with the copy of the um agreement.

So uh basically in a nutshell, uh their current they currently have a uh 10-step scale, so we look to revise that down to five steps.

So we needed a starting point as far as what was going to be the new step one.

So you'll see in the analysis, uh, with respect to the licensed trade folks.

Uh the old step eight became the new step one and so forth, and then we added a new step four and step five.

You will see the differential uh that was created with the new step four above the old step or the new step three and then the new step five.

Um something similar was done for the non-licensed trades folks again.

We started again, it went from a 10-step to a five-step.

Uh we started with the old step six, became the new step one, and then we just uh went from that point forward.

Um, everyone received um a in each year a dollar seventy-five cent raise uh in all three uh all three years.

So I'll answer any questions you may have.

And just as for the record, director, the union agreed with this and everybody's they did, yes.

In agreement, okay.

First, it was ratified by the union, uh, and then it was ratified by the school committee.

Okay, thank you.

You're welcome.

Mr.

President, it's been a while since I sat in the school committee, and I remember negotiating this contract uh in various occasions.

I do remember talking about the work that they do, how it even though we we are uh given an increase.

If we had to go out and get the same work, we had to go outside the district and get someone out to do it.

It actually, as we increase this, we're actually saving money.

And and Mr.

Balducci was so very good while I was on the school committee to explain that point to me.

Perhaps you could explain to the council as well.

Yes, I mean we've had these folks on our payroll probably for 20 20 years.

I think it was one of the best decisions the school uh district made back then, because um, before that, we were outsourcing all of our electrical plumbing HVAC needs and paying top dollar for them.

And God forbid something happened on the weekend where you had to call in an emergency plumber to deal with it.

Trust me, you'll you'll paying top dollar for that service.

So we convinced the um school committee again, approximately 20 years that it made sense to bring on these folks and have those as as employees because now they're vested in the school system, they take pride in their work.

Um, and and again, if something happens on the weekend, all you're doing is paying for overtime and not paying um 200 an hour to call an ABC plumbing company to come in.

Um, actually, because of our aging buildings, we could use one more of each category, because again, that's there's always going to be a need for this group.

Um, but budgetarily, again, I I know that's difficult to add FTEs, but this is one of the areas actually makes sense if we could increase the personnel.

And certainly if you if you please the chair, if I may just add just to reiterate uh what Mr.

Balducci said, we realized then, and I'm sure my fellow members who formerly on the school committee would tell you, we realized then that if we outsourced, if we went out, we would exponentially more money.

So as we do increase this line, which I am going to support this evening, um, we're actually increasing it, but it would be narrow-minded not to realize the value that these workers have for the school commit for the schools and in essence for the city.

So I will be in support of this this evening.

Thank you.

Mr.

Mayor, please.

Joe, I keep it very simple.

Uh with regards to your 26-27 budget.

Is this contract affordable?

It is that there again when we negotiated this contract.

Um, we stayed in line with our budgetary the dollars we set aside for negotiations.

That is correct.

Yes.

So this contract can be afforded in next year's budget.

Anyone else for discussion?

See a none clerk, please take a rule.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Well, I think um, did we do a motion to approve, Rose?

Okay, we did okay.

All right, moving on.

Uh moving on to the bottom.

Advice and consent of Mayor Hawkins appointment of Robert Storm as our finance director.

May I entertain a motion to approve?

So moved.

Second.

And take a motion.

Should we just do it out of order and continue or should we just go back up?

He hasn't taken the motion.

I skipped.

Oh, you guys without objection, taking it out of order.

Is there any objection to take it out of order?

No objection.

Okay.

Seeing none, all right.

Let's go to the advice and consent of Mayor Hawkins' appointment of Robert Storm as finance director.

May entertain a motion to approve.

So move.

Second.

Any discussion.

Director Moretti.

Thank you, Chair.

Um, I believe Director Strom uh is is uh in a moment uh gonna be phoning in.

Uh I'll explain he's he's not present at the time.

Uh so I just time, do you know if he's in the meeting?

So in a minute or two will last for him.

Great.

Okay.

All right, thank you.

Um on behalf of Mayor Hopkins, it is my pleasure to introduce and request your approval for advice and consent uh to appoint Mr.

Robert Strom as the next finance director of the city of Cranston.

For the most part, Mr.

Strom needs no introduction to the city council and to the residence of our city.

A fact that you may not know was that Bob served as Cranston's city auditor from 1999 to 2000 before moving to Winsocket, where he served as that city's finance director from 2000, the year 2000 to 2008.

Um in 2009, Bob realized that his true calling was to come back to the city of Cranston to serve as our finance director.

Bob's tenure uh as our finance director lasted until 2022, when he thought that he would be retiring.

Mr.

Strom is back here tonight, willing to serve again with a tremendous amount uh of uh of capability and integrity.

Mr.

Strom is a long-standing resident of our city, a youthful Bob Strom received his bachelor of science degree in accounting from Bryant College just after the invention of the light bulb.

Bob is an extremely credential professional.

He's an honest and forthright person that calls balls and strikes.

He won't waver for political favor.

Bob isn't taking this job for financial gain.

Bob is taking on this role so that he can help out and make Cranston a better place.

He is truly a public servant.

The role of the city's finance director is to direct, manage, lead, and help guide our city wisely.

The director needs to be sensitive to our taxpayers and residents of all demographics and respect the roles of all those in city government.

Bob Strom has proven to do all of these.

Bob checks all the boxes to serve as our finance director.

In fact, Bob exceeds expectations as our finance director.

We'd be fortunate to have him.

Cranston has a unique opportunity to acquire the talents, experiences, and character from such a fine individual.

Our city deserves Bob Strom.

Bob is the right person for the job at the right time.

Mayor Hawkins respectfully requests your recommendation for advice and consent of Bob.

As I mentioned, Mr.

Strom could not be here in person uh tonight due to a pressing family matter.

Instead, I kindly ask that Bob join us and reintroduce himself at this time.

Floor is yours, Mrs.

Strom.

Hello.

Yes, we can hear you.

Bob Strom.

Can you hear me?

Okay.

I want to thank uh Mr.

Moretti for his uh strong support and Mayor Hopkins as well.

Um I know I've been worked with the city of Cranston for many years.

Uh I left only uh to retire to look at some uh vacation and property in Florida.

I've since decided to come back to Cranston, and right now I'm away because of some family emergency, but I will be returning this coming weekend.

I believe it's April 11th, and I'll be focusing on the finances and the budget for the uh upcoming year and for the current year as well.

So I appreciate uh any uh support from the committee, and I hope to work with all of the individuals going forward to rectify some issues that have occurred in the finances of the city.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is there any discussion?

Mr.

President.

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

Um listen, I looked over.

I I know Mr.

Strom since his last tenure with the city when I was on the school committee.

Um he's well known throughout the city.

And I think everybody who's dealt with him, as you as uh director Murray said, he does call balls and strikes, and he's well thought of in the financial committee uh community.

I certainly was pleased to hear that he was interested to come help us in this time.

Um so I would if it's okay with you, uh Director Strom or soon to be Director Strom.

Um maybe you could give us in your opinion, what is some of what you see, and I know it's early, but the budget is being prepared as the greatest concerns financially facing the city at this time.

You it doesn't have to be uh top, but some of the concerns.

Some of the concerns some of the concerns that I feel uh need to be looked at is some of the uh labor contracts, some of the uh uh overtime, some of the shortfalls that were done in previous uh budget, uh like interest income.

Um there's various line items and large light on uh uh large items that need to be looked at and addressed, and making sure that the budget that we present is true and accurate, it's not something where it uh just fills in the hole, so to speak, because we need to make sure that what's being presented is accurate, and I've looked at some line items.

I'll be looking at it more in depth and when I get back.

Uh but uh I feel that with uh the staff that I have and working in conjunction with the administration, we will present to you a uh an accurate and uh uh budget that's gonna be uh you know uh of importance to both the committee, the council, and the tax payers of the city of Cranson.

Thank you.

Thank you for that answer.

Do appreciate it.

I have no further questions at this time.

Councilman Camabiano.

Thank you, Councilman Haw.

Uh I had the pleasure of working with uh Mr.

Strom uh when I was first became a councilman, and uh I can attest to his uh devotion to the city of Cranson and to his honesty.

I look forward to having a budget where we can trust that the numbers are right and uh and uh I welcome him for to the city and thank you for coming back.

And in the words of Al Pacino, you thought you were out, but we got you back in.

Thank you, Mr.

Strom.

Mayor Trafficanti.

Thank you.

Well, uh half of you people on this council were still in diapers.

I hired Bob Schramm back in 1999.

I thought highly from back then, and I certainly take Kyle from today, and I'm pleased that he's back, he's back in the fold.

But I do have a question uh of Mr.

Schramm.

Proceed.

Bob Bob, you mentioned that you were concerned about the contracts that are in place.

Are you suggesting that we negotiate some of these contracts?

Well, going forward, yes, but uh those that exist, I think it's important that we meet with uh the heads of the labor to see if there's some areas where we can make it more affordable for the city of Cranston, because some of the uh expenses that I've seen, especially in overtime, is uh quite uh astronomical.

Thank you.

Any further discussion?

Seeing none.

Clerk, please take a rule councilman Graziano.

Yes, conspirace.

Yes, traffic yes, Consulman Vazeri, yes.

Consulvice President Heroyan, Constantine Duhar?

Yes, Council President Wall.

Yes.

Okay, moving on to I was pretty sure everybody looked at their packet, tax interest waivers approval, entertain a motion to approve.

Motion to approve.

Second.

Any discussion?

Seeing none of a clerk, please take a rule.

Yes, Consumer Vazeri, yes.

Consident?

Yes, President Wall.

Yes.

Okay, moving on.

Council Communications, uh Councilman, Council President.

Floor is yours.

Thank you.

Um I asked I about two months ago, I mentioned that we'd be putting the monthly reports on on a regular basis as a way to familiarize ourselves with the finances uh before the end of the fiscal year.

Um all of you I know received this about two weeks ago, monthly report.

I do know this is ninety ninety seven pages.

So I the clerk did print uh Rose, how many did you print up?

Printed up a couple if you need some.

I I used the electronic version, it is uh on um prior.

If I was thinking I would have asked people, uh members of the council if they would you prefer to have a paper copy and going forward, I'll do that.

Um who would be who would be speaking on behalf of the would you director?

Oh.

Mr.

Igo, can you hear me?

You're on mute.

If you could just unmute your phone.

Okay, just for information, just a reminder.

Um, it uh prior to Mr.

Strom coming on board and working part time.

Mr.

Igo is the acting finance director.

Yep.

Yep.

Thank you for that.

Mr.

Igo, you can you hear me?

Just give him a call, maybe tell him.

As he gets on mute, I'll I'll be starting off on the first page, so those of you are following along at home.

I'll be starting on the front page.

Okay.

That's why we got you.

Yeah.

We don't have to do a motion for that.

No.

Eight oh four.

Testing from recess back from recess at eight oh two PM.

I believe we have the acting finance director, Michael Igor on the phone.

Um Mr.

President, the floor is yours.

All right, if everybody's gonna put back on.

Uh Mr.

Igo, if you would why don't we start right at the beginning on the first page.

I can hear you.

Okay.

I'm gonna be looking at my first questions are gonna come right from the front page of the uh February report.

Um I'm looking at a couple of things.

Um if I'm not mistaken, uh in the first section where it says uh general fund, projected cumulative surplus or deficit.

I see in one line it says that we have a projected twenty one million plus uh surplus.

But at the end of this That's the actual that's the actual.

That's actual.

But at the end of it.

So to date.

Hold on, let me just finish the question.

I know I know you probably probably know the answer before I ask it, but let me just at least ask it.

Um, but it also says I have a nine point nine million dollar deficit.

Can you explain that to me so I understand it?

Yeah, so we started the year if you look at the adopted budget column.

We had a beginning fund balance of fourteen point five million.

We're saying that we're gonna have a nine point nine million dollar loss.

Okay.

Okay.

And that's what I'm seeing.

So I just wanted to make sure I wasn't jumping to conclusions.

So in currently, as we we're about approximately three quarters of the the way through the fiscal year, we're projecting a nine point nine million dollar deficit for this fiscal year.

Correct.

Correct.

Okay.

Yeah.

Um, thank you.

Thank you.

Could you move on to page two?

Okay.

Um, that's fine.

On federal aid, if I'm looking at that, and I'm looking let me just get my federal aid.

Am I right to assume that we've only collected a little more than twenty-five percent of our federal aid?

Three quarters of the way through the school through the year.

Why is that from the school department?

The school department seeks reimbursement from the government for uh federal programs, and as they collect it, be recorded as revenue.

Um there might be issues with the government being shut down or a slow down or submissions not being done on a timely basis, but that's what we've collected through the end of February.

So and that's certainly not very efficient.

How I mean, if you should have approximately 75% of your your federal aid, which is money that the taxpayers paid, it's not you know the government's money, it's all about money.

It sounds rather inefficient that we've only collected 26%.

Uh so that I did see that, and all the other it seems like all the other remnant revenues seem to be about as I look at them, most of them are a little below the 75%, but that one was glowing.

Yeah, and again, that's a function of the school department.

They submit their reimbursements uh to the government and then wait for the monies to come through their grants.

And they're pretty much at the at the mercy of the federal government, I get you.

Um, if you would I'm gonna go to page 10.

If I can find page 10.

All right.

10.

I'm looking at um adjustments here.

So when I see uh page 10, can you describe what you when you have adjustments?

What type of thing facilitates it the these adjustments, Mr.

Igo?

Uh I'm sorry, on page 10.

I just show a blank total adjustments of zero.

That page are you looking at?

Hold on.

It's small on it.

Uh hold on a second.

Adjustments.

That's not on the wrong.

Oh, hold on.

I'm sorry.

I'm on the wrong page.

Yeah, I see these.

Yeah, I see a blank page, and it says, yeah, I'm looking at the blank page, and I'm just curious.

I see special revenue.

Is that just a blank page in case we do have those those adjustments coming?

To those other funds, yes.

So that there's no thing to do with the general fund.

Okay.

All right.

So that has no, and there's no amounts tallied on it as well.

All right.

Correct.

Okay.

Now I'm gonna move to 13, Mr.

Ego.

Yeah.

Trying to be as expeditious as I can.

Um, these adjustments, I see two of them that were made.

You know, there's four adjustments in the middle of the page there.

Um that I'm looking at here.

Um why does this happen?

These adjustments, budget not accurate to be more accurate in the future.

Is this something we did last year?

Is this something that just happened this this year?

Because this is I see overtime has been adjusted in two lines.

Yeah, well, but what we're showing here is what our budget was, our adopted budget of example, 4.5 for fire overtime.

And to date, we've spent 4 million 40.

Uh so we're we're gonna have a shortfall there of over a million dollars.

We're looking at.

And you know, going forward next year, hopefully we have a budget that's more accurate.

You know, I mean, it was it was you can consider it aggressive budgeting where they thought there was a way to control the spending.

Um, and that didn't materialize, but uh unfortunately it it did materialize, and we ended up with the deficit.

And and you and you know, Mr.

Igo, I couldn't I couldn't agree with you more on that matter that that I think everybody's saying that, especially with Mr.

Strom's uh confirmation hearing that uh we want an accurate budget going forward.

Um so we're making this these adjustments, and it would appear that that's you know, I see one line it's a five million dollar adjustment.

Um another line is another I mean I mean 500,000 adjustment approximately the 400,000.

Where's that money coming from?

What what are we taking it from?

I see ultimately if it ends up being a deficit, it'll come from the fund balance or our surplus whatever term you're more so we'd be accustomed to hearing.

Yeah.

So at this point, that's where it'd be dipping into.

Okay.

Correct.

Okay.

Um you know what?

I'm I'm gonna yield after I have one one more question, and I want to make sure I say this properly.

Um where would I find this in whoever can answer this, and maybe Director Moretti.

balance or our surplus whatever term you're more so we'd be accustomed to hearing yeah so at this point that's where it'd be dipping into okay correct okay um you know what i'm I'm gonna yield after i have one one more question and i want to make sure i say this properly um where would i find this in whoever can answer this and maybe director moretti recently we've we've heard a lot about various incentives given given to to workers uh um if they if they were going to retire or if they they left the city right and there's certain amount on what line in the budget are we gonna we we we haven't offered it to anyone yet and i don't know if mr mr mretti would say that we haven't offered it to anyone yet am i correct please yeah uh it's been offered but where's the money which line is this gonna come out so we can monitor this yeah it would be it's gonna come out of the oh sorry yep what whichever one wants to answer yeah uh where those there will be savings anticipated savings should people leave um prior to the end of the year which means for their particular line item where their respective budgets are charged would be favorable so you'd be running favorable anticipated to run favorable in you know certain benefits or and uh and uh uh salaries those would be uh to be offset by any severances if you will if uh that that would go out so is it going to be exact it's an it's kind of an estimate that they'll be pretty much offset um but the accounting for that we could either charge it directly to the respective departments or we could charge it one lump sum to a line item in finance perhaps um we didn't discuss it I think the easiest thing to do is us for just to uh put all those all those uh uh severances if you will i'll call the word seven call them yeah i understand bonuses you could go in one department or it could be allocated right down to the departments to which those people are affected um uh mike mike might want to I think Mike uh prefers to keep it in one spot is that correct Mr.

Igo yes it is um in the past and you know any time there's a severance payment made it's made out of the finance department the line item on page 25 called severance account 101 1112 51108 called severance and that's where any type of payment made to employees upon the department goes so if that being said you would see favor you should see favorability in each of the respective departments and one larger unfavorable line item in finance severance line if that's where you in the finance department if that's how we will be accounted for so that it wouldn't be a necessity for the council to make any allocations because you there's but you know this is Cranston's a small place.

Maybe the second largest city but certainly the word of these severance packages is around a bit already and one of the questions people are coming up is where's the money coming from and I'm gonna if it's again they would come from our fund balance ultimately yeah which if there's a shortage yeah if there was a shortage I I ask uh and I and maybe this is out of line keep me in line on this one is there a a set amount of money that you can that can be offered to say listen this is our cutoff this is our cap is that or is there no cap which which is the that was a question I also yeah it it's been a set amount I think it's fair to I could publicly say that those folks were offered a uh those folks qualifying at uh per the contract at contractual retirement age could if they choose to elect to leave uh early they could take a 1000 dollar no no no you don't have to say that no i i think i asked the question wrong i mean as you're looking you you you're looking for savings assuming is there a set amount of people you're gonna offer it to is there round figure that said this is the whole package that we can offer no say to say there's a pool see what comes first the chicken of the egg to say is there a pool of money and then we divide it by the number of people that participate yeah something like that it we did not do it that way we did it to say because we don't know how many people it could be one person someone could hit the jackpot or we there could be 50 people but it's exaggerated frighten me a bit yeah I'd want to know the bottom line and then work backwards but that that's I'm not the finance director other director yeah if we had done this if if if uh for precedent if you want to say that we had done this in the same a very similar program four years ago um and uh I I can't say how many people are going to uh accept it being finalized but it's not in the 50 range it's it'll be substantially less than that less than that I believe and I don't want to take all the time because I know we've been here a long time I appreciate both your answers uh Mr.

Igol and Ms.

Moretti I yield my time thank you Mr.

I'm looking at I'm looking at the revenue number at the present time.

We have a shortfall of 1.6 million dollars, correct?

Yes.

And your expenditures right now, you're looking at a shortfall of roughly $8.3 million for a total of 9.

Approximately nine, almost 10 million dollars approximately.

Correct.

Correct.

It's quite obvious in developing the 24-25 budget.

Uh the city, with the approval of the city council, overestimated their revenues and underestimated their expenditures in general terms.

That's correct.

Since your department publishes monthly reports uh during the course of the year, were any warnings given to the administration and to the city council regarding what was happening during the course of that year.

Uh other than issuing the monthly statements, no.

There was no formal documentation sent to either the council or the administration by myself or the previous finance director uh stating that we were having issues other than the statements themselves that showed it on their face.

So no consideration was given to the the fact that this this deficit was being accumulated at such a rate, and that they couldn't bet cut back on non-personnel line items to try to basically curtail some of that deficit.

Well, the the bar the horse has already left the barn.

I mean, where it's it's it's a uh a problem that's already come and gone.

I mean, obviously, more attention is going to be paid to it going forward, but at the time that was going uh that it was going on, there was there was no uh no deliberate or no actions taken to curtail spending at that time.

Uh all right.

My my second question is this.

Yeah, and I'm talking about your um fund balance.

Initially you had a fund balance of approximately 21 million dollars, is that correct?

Initially, yes, the year before, yes.

And you had to use 6.5 million dollars of that to basically balance your budget for 2425.

Correct.

Which brought it down to 14.5 which brings your fund balance down to 14.5 million approximately.

Yes, at the beginning of this year.

All right.

Was there any concern uh regarding doing that particular procedure that it would affect uh your your debt service?

Hello?

Yes, yes, I asked you the question.

Oh, I'm sorry, you cut out there.

What was that answer?

I'm sorry, I couldn't hear.

I didn't catch your question, Mayor.

Uh the question is, but by utilizing the 6.5, it's reducing your your your surplus down to 14.5 million from 21 million.

Was any concern given to the fact that it's going to affect your debt service?

Well, we know that it's going to affect the debt service going forward.

I mean, uh we have we have to try to stop the these losses from occurring by budgeting more accurately.

So you're there's a good it's a good possibility that our bond rating will be reduced.

Uh not necessarily.

I mean it may, but if we get a plan in place and they see that we're addressing the problem, uh both myself and Mr.

Strom have had multiple years of working with the bond rating agencies, and hopefully they'll see that we have a plan in place to cure this blip that we've had for the last two years now.

So I have to assume that in developing this the budget for for 2627, uh, that we're gonna try to avoid you utilizing any more of the fund balance.

That's correct, yes.

I thank you, Michael.

You're welcome.

Is there any further discussion?

I have none.

Seeing none.

Thank you, Mr.

Igo, for your time.

Um we're moving on.

Okay.

Status of the presentation of budget.

Can the administration give us any feedback?

Mr.

Chair, you in reference to timing and where we stand, are we on target for yes?

Are we on target for the 15th or earlier?

Uh let's say we're on target for the 15th, which is I believe next Wednesday.

Okay.

So yeah, I wouldn't anticipate any earlier, maybe a day, but let's I would say let's plan on the 15th.

Probably we should schedule a uh a meeting for the mayor to give us address address at that point at that time.

So it's being formulated.

Uh the final decisions this week and then putting the package together over the weekend early next week.

Thank you.

Well, we're um so if you're gonna go the 15th, we are just informing everybody we are going to start on the 16th and then roll into the 18th.

So um I'll I'll send a formal email so that way you could get all the troops ready.

Thank you.

Thank you, Director.

16th, that Thursday and Saturday.

I'm not here.

I'm not here on the Saturday either.

Okay.

Yep.

Okay.

Well, seeing that, I guess we're done.

May I entertain a motion to adjourn?

Motion to adjourn.

So move.

Second.

Is there any seconds?

Well, those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any nays?

Ayes have it.

We are adjourned at 821.

Call the public works committee meeting to order on Monday, April 6, 2026.

It is 821 p.m.

Um, can I get the roll, please?

Present.

Present.

Present.

Here.

Chairwoman, you are here, correct?

Here um approval of meeting minutes.

Um, can I get a motion to approve meeting minutes of February 4th, 2026?

Motion to approve.

Second any discussion.

Seeing none, can I get the role, please?

Consman induhar.

Yes.

Consulman Vazeri.

Yes.

Conspected Piano.

Yes.

Cons vice president Heroyan.

Graziano.

Yes.

House President Wall.

Yes.

Thank you.

Um, seeing no committee business matters carried over, we're going to move on to public comment.

Um, I would like to take public comment in council chambers.

Um, anyone looking to speak on docketed matters only can approach the podium, state your name and address, and you will have a couple minutes.

Okay, there's none in council chambers.

Um, can I see if there is anyone online who would like to speak for public comment undocated matters?

There is no public comment online.

Thank you.

I'm gonna close public comment at 8 23 p.m.

Um, new matters before the committee.

We have a request from Narraganship Electric and Verizon for a joint poll location at Broad Street.

After viewing um the public works director's recommendation, I would like a motion to approve.

Motion to approve.

Second.

Any discussion?

Seeing none, can I get the roll, please?

Consider?

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

We are looking to get an update from Director Correo on the bud long pool construction.

We had pushed this out from um previous winter meetings.

Um, and now that we're looking for a spring update.

You're all set.

Thank you.

Frank Corral, Director of Public Works.

If I could, madam Chair, I'd like to start out with the good news if I could.

The good news is the pool house is completed.

The pool house has been completed.

All work on the interior, that has been completed on that lower level.

Obviously, right now there are no plans to do anything on the second floor, but that first floor is all done, which is the men's and women's lockers, rooms, showers, bathrooms, etc.

The better news is now that the snow is gone, frost has left this area, and we're getting the warmer temperatures.

We're able to start working again on the exterior of the pool itself.

Work began a couple of weeks ago on the project.

We've been working on getting the underground electrical conduit in place.

The work that's pending now for the actual pool itself, it has to do with the plaster and the tile.

And right now there are temperature limitations that you have to have, and you need to have 50 degrees and rising in order to put the plaster because you have to fill the pool after that.

So our temperatures aren't quite there yet to do any of the plastering.

So we need to wait just a little bit longer for that weather to get better so that we can do that.

And the current completion for the entire project is still still scheduled for mid-June.

I had a question.

Um like site work.

How how looking because my sites are wet and messy.

How are you guys doing over there?

The gravel that we brought in is very drainable.

So really it's been pretty good.

It has not been muddy at all right now.

I was on the site today with the mayor, and I did walk around there, and the ground right now is pretty solid.

They've just got a little bit more to do with getting some of the drains and the filtering piping in place.

And then once that's done, they'll begin to put the concrete flat work, which is all the concrete apron that's required to go around the pool.

Is there anyone else on council?

Um, Vice President Ryan.

I was le reading the BOCAP meetings, and I noticed that the Budlong Pool was on it asking for money the last time.

Something to do with a foundation or have you recently changed the amount of money you were requesting?

I have the figures.

Yes, okay.

I'll acknowledge President Wall.

Thank you.

It was on the last bow cap meeting.

Um it was a change waiver for the removal of unsuitable materials.

$62,000.

No, $602,830.

Okay, that was the time and material that prior to the actual foundation of the pool going in, as they excavated down below a certain point.

We heat that hit that layer of peat, which is an organic material that's very compressible, and that was struck was not structurally sound enough to be able to put that pool floor on it.

So as a result, we had to excavate that soil out of there, which was almost a couple of feet under the deep end of the pool.

We had to take all that material out.

They had to bring back all the new material, bring stone and rebuild it back to grade so that they could continue with setting the forms and set the floor on the pool.

That was the time and material that was required for the contractor to do that work.

One of the things that we needed to keep in mind was it was actually $89,000 worth of actual physical construction and material, but the contractor was responsible for a portion of that because part of that was part of the original contract.

So they took up approximately 29,000 of that, and the remainder of it is what the city was responsible for for encountering that unsuitable material in that part of the pool.

And that's actually interesting because, like, so in my jargon, they call it unsuitable material is like contaminated materials, and that's why it costs so much money to get rid of it.

If these materials aren't contaminated, they could find a happy home somewhere else.

You could, but it's again, it's peat, it's a very compressible soil.

It's not something that's like a good gravel that you could use for fill around foundations or anything.

So right now we currently have the pile of soil adjacent to the excavation for the pool.

We're currently working on locating a site where we could bring that material and not have any additional cost as a result of that.

Yeah, but you're when you say unsuitable, it's not that it's I just want to I I want to put this on the record.

That's why that is correct.

It is not contaminated, it is only unsuitable.

Okay, okay.

President Wall.

Um, so uh Frank, I I appreciate you said that the the contractor picked up approximately what 27,000 worth?

Yes.

Whoop.

What line did the other 628 come out of?

Again, it was part of the budget that's in the pool itself.

So it's what so it's not extra.

This change order was not extra in the budget, it's within the original budget.

Correct.

That's basically why.

Yes.

You know, I know $62,000 doesn't seem like a lot of money, but given our circumstance, it's not a bad idea to keep my eye on it.

So that Mike, that's all I wanted to know.

Thank you.

Was there I wasn't here for Budlong Pool, just letting reminding everyone.

Was there a contingent like a 25% contingency built into the uh proposed pool?

I I'm not aware of that.

I mean, we're currently working with the soon to be finance director and with Mike I go.

Their focus right now has been working on the budget.

So I have not been able to sit with them to come up with the numbers for the pool.

But as soon as that's done, I'll be able to provide those numbers for you.

Yeah, I'd love to know so we can kind of see maybe we could get like the original breakdown of what the costs were and see if there's a contingency built in.

Councilman Andrew Howard.

Director, um, are we on time to open?

Do you see any?

Are you forecasting any hiccups?

I do not have a crystal ball, but right now we are pushing the contractor.

He knows the date he needs to get that pool completed and open.

And like I said, right now, based on the current schedule that was provided by the contractor, it is mid-June.

Thank you.

Um I know it's maybe not your fault, but I think we're gonna have to put public works and bud long pool on every meeting again.

Um, we're not getting updates and to see this on book app when we've asked repeatedly from administration to get updates and we're not receiving them.

Say to my comment, probably.

I was just gonna ask, I think it was maybe prior to when I was part of this administration what it is that you're looking for, so I can ensure it's communicated to you.

So just tell me and then I'll figure it out.

Monies that we're needing to be moved to any kind of bit major updates that is my word.

I've got a week clear.

How about every Friday?

That would be perfect.

I believe you even on council when I was asking for updates because we were not getting them.

Okay, so how about we agree on a weekly update?

And I'll work with Director Correa to get that and I'll communicate it to everybody.

Yes, as we go closer, that would be wonderful, especially just start the neighborhood all the way there.

Very negative, and they're not happy about a lot of things.

So it would be nice to know, so I could fill them in and maybe make them have a positive thought.

Yeah, okay.

So let's work together to do that.

Okay.

Thank you.

What's on this pool?

Because I'm again like over like the saying that's not this, it's not that.

What's what's actually on the whole pool area?

Like what structures are coming in?

Is it called like a budlong park or is it budlong pool and it has six class pads or three basketball courts?

What's what is it?

No, no, right now the current splash pad slash pool, it's really a pool complex.

The mayor's vision for this is to have the pool and to also include putting in a splash pad so that some of the younger children will also have the opportunity to utilize the area adjacent to this pool if they're not able to or did not want to go into the actual pool itself.

What was the number on the splash pad costs?

The current bid price on the splash pad was 306,000.

That money no splash pad.

So for future, sorry, uh madam chair, we should put bud long pool complex.

Yeah, okay.

I had one other question, but I anyone else on council need to ask a question.

Okay, I think we're good, but it sounds like we're going to have this on every agenda.

I know you're excited about that.

Um, so we will put bud long pool complex rose on every uh public works agenda until the end of time.

Thank you.

Um seeing no other business on the agenda.

Um, can I get a motion to adjourn?

Motion to adjourn.

Second, all those in favor?

Yay.

Adjourned at 8 33 p.m.