Cranston City Council Services, Finance & Public Works Committees Meeting – April 6, 2026

The Cranston City Council held three committee meetings on April 6, 2026, starting at 9:24 PM. The Services and Licenses Committee addressed multiple show-cause hearings and license approvals; the Finance Committee reviewed the FY25-26 projected deficit, approved a union contract for trades employees, and confirmed the appointment of Robert Strom as Finance Director; and the Public Works Committee received an update on the Budlong Pool construction and approved a joint utility pole location. All votes were unanimous unless noted.

Consent Calendar

• Services and Licenses Committee: Approved minutes from the February 17, March 2, and March 18, 2026 open sessions. [Roll call: 7-0]
• Finance Committee: Approved minutes from March 2 and March 30, 2026 as a block. [Roll call: 7-0]
• Public Works Committee: Approved minutes from February 4, 2026. [Roll call: 7-0]

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public appeared or provided online comment for any of the three committees.

Discussion Items

Services and Licenses Committee

• Chikande Cafe LLC (334 Budlong Ave) – Expansion of Hours: The applicant requested extended weekend hours for activities such as painting and coffee. Motion to approve carried. [Roll call: 7-0]
• PJ Keating Company (875 Phoenix Ave) – Show Cause on Hours: Attorney Robert Murray, with company President Derek Hill, explained that the quarry operates 7 AM–5 PM per ordinance, but material sales and deliveries for state DOT projects occur outside those hours. Several council members questioned the lack of regulation for sales activity. After discussion, no violation was found; the item was removed from the show cause calendar. [Roll call: 7-0]
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (275 Atwood Ave) – Show Cause (Operating Without License Since 3/31/2025): Solicitor reported that despite multiple letters and a court order, the company only came into compliance after a preliminary injunction. Council found a violation and imposed a $1,000 fine, payable in 15 days, with the case kept for status. [Roll call on violation: 7-0; on fine: 7-0; on keeping for status: 7-0]
• La Fronta Market (1522 Broad St) – Show Cause (Operating Without Victualing License Since 12/1/2023): Owner Thomas Gabra acknowledged the oversight, stating he mistakenly believed the license was not required. Council found a violation and imposed a $750 fine, payable in 90 days. [Roll call on violation: 7-0; on fine: 7-0]
• Love and Honey Fried Chicken (634 Reservoir Ave) – Show Cause (Operating Without Victualing License for ~2 Weeks): Owner Ali Hassan admitted the omission but had corrected it quickly. After debate over an appropriate fine (ranging from $25 to $200), the council imposed a $25 fine with 15 days to pay. [Roll call on fine: 6-1 (Councilwoman Vaziri voted no)]. The victualing license was approved separately. [Roll call on license: 7-0]
• Zona Lounge – Status of Show Cause (Continued): The matter was continued for one month to allow the proprietors (currently out of the country) to present an updated security plan. No new incidents were reported. [Roll call: 7-0]
• Other License Approvals: Approved new victualing licenses for DM Pizza M Jin Food (41 Willowick Ave) and for 146 Ganted Ave (continuation); private detective licenses for William Dickey and Lawrence Peza; septic license for Rodneyism Excavating; amusement machine license for Cranston Portuguese Club; auto repair license for Rinaldi Motors; employment agency license; leasing of motor vehicle license for Enterprise; massage therapy license for Therapeutic Impressions; parade license for Gaspee Days (June 13, 2026); road race permit for Gaspee Days; second-hand dealer licenses for Providence Diamond and others; and mobile food establishment informational updates. All passed unanimously. [Roll calls: 7-0 each]

Finance Committee

• Ordinance 1-2-26-02 (Veterans Tax Exemption): Tabled indefinitely pending state legislation. [Motion to table: 7-0]
• Three-Year Contract for Trades Employees: Finance Director Balducci presented a contract covering electricians, HVAC, plumbers, carpenters, and bus mechanics. The contract collapses a 10-step pay scale to 5 steps and provides $1.75 hourly raises each year. Council approved the contract. [Roll call: 7-0]
• Advice & Consent – Appointment of Robert Strom as Finance Director: Strom spoke by phone, pledging to provide an accurate budget and address past financial issues. Council confirmed the appointment. [Roll call: 7-0]
• Tax Interest Waivers: Approved as submitted. [Roll call: 7-0]
• Financial Report Review (February 2026): Acting Finance Director Michael Igo presented a projected FY25-26 general fund deficit of $9.9 million, attributing it to overestimated revenues and underestimated expenditures. The deficit would reduce the fund balance from $14.5 million to approximately $4.6 million. Council members expressed concern about budget accuracy and the impact on bond ratings. Severance packages for retiring employees were discussed; costs would be tracked in a finance department line item.
• Budget Schedule: The FY26-27 budget will be presented April 15, with hearings scheduled for April 16 and April 18.

Public Works Committee

• Joint Pole Location (Broad St): Approved request from Narragansett Electric and Verizon for a joint utility pole. [Roll call: 7-0]
• Budlong Pool Construction Update: Director of Public Works Frank Correa reported the pool house is complete. Exterior work is ongoing; plaster and tile installation must wait for sustained 50°F temperatures. Project completion is still scheduled for mid-June. A change order of $602,830 for removal of unsuitable (peat) material was within the original budget; the contractor covered $29,000. Council requested weekly updates moving forward. Splash pad (cost $306,000) is not included in the current project.

Key Outcomes

• Decisions & Votes: All votes were 7-0 except the Love and Honey Fried Chicken fine (6-1).
• Fines Imposed: Enterprise Rent-A-Car ($1,000), La Fronta Market ($750), Love and Honey Fried Chicken ($25).
• Continued Items: Ordinance 1-2-26-02 (indefinitely tabled); Zona Lounge (continued one month); Budlong Pool (added to every Public Works agenda until completion).
• Appointments: Robert Strom confirmed as Finance Director.
• Projected Deficit: $9.9 million for FY25-26, to be covered from fund balance. The administration committed to a more accurate FY26-27 budget.
• Next Steps: Budget presentation April 15; hearings April 16 and 18. Weekly Budlong Pool updates to council.