Cranston City Council Special Budget & Licensing Meeting – June 1, 2026

The Cranston City Council convened on June 1, 2026, for a lengthy session that included a special budget meeting, a safety service licensing committee meeting, and a finance committee meeting. The council considered numerous amendments to the FY 2026–2027 budget, received a report on a tentative firefighter concession agreement, adjusted revenue projections, and adopted the final budget. Licensing renewals and a show-cause hearing were also handled.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the May 4, 2026 regular meeting and the sealed executive session minutes (unanimous).
• Approved minutes of the May 20, 2026 special safety service meeting (unanimous).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Gary DeSilva (Teamsters business agent, 55 Mays Corn Road, Portsmouth) – Stated that the Teamsters Union has contributed savings through differentials, voluntary buyouts, and a pension switch (legacy to hybrid) projected to save the city over $2.4 million over ten years. He aimed to clear a “misconception” that the union had not helped during the budget crisis.
• Stephen Fryers (107 Garden Hills Drive) – Distinguished between “concessions” (immediate savings) and “deferrals” (kicking costs to later years). Warned that deferring firefighter costs could create problems in 2028. Expressed opposition to deferrals.
• Debbie Flipman – Argued that the mayor should step down, citing ethical and budget accountability issues. Criticized the council for not asking harder questions of the administration.
• Robert Murray (21 Garden City Drive) – At the licensing committee, thanked the chair for a show-cause item and noted that the business is in receivership; recommended delaying action. Also noted that tax certification for license renewals may be incomplete.

Discussion Items

• Budget Amendments (Councilman Ritz): Proposed a series of small revenue increases and expenditure reductions. Key amendments:
  • Certified copies fee (page 5): increase from $6,500 to $7,500 (passed 9-0).
  • Solar permits (page 6): increase from $100,000 to $105,000 (passed 9-0). Administration noted a downward trend in solar permit revenue.
  • Grant writer salary (page 11): reduce from $48,000 to $33,000 (passed 8-1, Councilwoman Graziano opposed). Concerns about losing the grant writer who brings in millions.
  • City council department expenses (page 11): reduce by $1,000 to $23,200 (passed 9-0).
  • Telephone (page 14): reduce from $150,000 to $148,000 (passed 9-0).
  • Computer maintenance (fire alarm, page 15): reduce from $142,000 to $140,000 (passed 9-0). Debate about public safety impact; council kept cut to $2,000.
  • Pool maintenance (page 19): reduce from $10,000 to $7,500 (passed 8-1, Council Vice President Heroyan opposed).
  • Pool supplies (page 19): reduce from $35,000 to $30,000 (passed 6-3; Councilwoman Vizier, Councilman Campapiano, Vice President Heroyan opposed).
  • Clean city coordinator position (page 43): eliminate position and associated benefits, saving $61,583 (passed 8-1, Councilman Campapiano opposed). Debate about waste management contract and rodent control.
• Revenue Allocation from Ritz Amendments: Councilman Ritz then moved to allocate $75,000 to restore playground counselor funding (line 51201) and $5,000 for postage. Remaining $8,083 split between schools ($4,042) and senior center ($4,041). The allocation passed 8-1 (Councilman Trafficante opposed on playground funding, but overall vote was 8-1? Actually roll call: Graziano yes, Anduhar yes, Ritz yes, Trafficante no, Vizier yes, Campapiano yes, Bonano yes, Heroyan yes, Wall yes. So one no on playground part. The split later passed without dissent? The transcript shows the allocation vote after discussion; no separate roll on the split, but the entire allocation was part of the motion that passed 8-1 with Trafficante no.)
• Firefighter Concession Agreement (MOA): Director Murray announced a tentative agreement with the fire union, ratified by membership, providing $664,400 in savings for FY2026-27 (through salary, benefits, clothing allowances, deferred holidays). Savings are contingent on council approval of the full MOA. Council created a contingency fund for this amount.
• Police Detail Revenue Adjustment: Administration reported that budgeted revenue from police detail fees and car rentals ($850,000) is likely overestimated; based on 11-month actuals ($450,000 annualized), a $246,000 shortfall is projected. Council created a $200,000 police revenue contingency fund to offset potential overstatement.
• Senior Center Contingency: Council approved placing $464,400 of the fire savings into a contingency for the senior center (subject to MOA approval). Motion passed 9-0.
• Finance Committee Items:
  • Monthly financial report showed a projected $9.1 million deficit (down from $10 million). Director Strom noted tax collections at 99.33% and efforts to reduce encumbrances.
  • Discussion of bonded indebtedness: Director Strom presented debt service schedule from FY2027 to FY2049, noting new bonding requires council approval. Current debt service ~$12.5 million; prior year ~$13.8 million.
  • PILOT for Howard Complex: Director Strom reported only 5 of 12 parcels remain eligible; awaiting state assessment changes.
• Licensing Committee (Safety Service):
  • Show-cause hearing for Lexis Pizza & Pasta (victualing license) – held over two months due to receivership.
  • Show-cause for intimate entertainment license at Nelson Mack (Seven Haven Avenue) – fire marshal testified about electrical panel leak; business owners agreed to correct violations. License not approved pending repairs and proper application.
  • New liquor licenses: U Dumplin’ (postponed to July 6), KJ Amor Venue (postponed to next meeting), ugly dumpling (postponed).
  • Renewals: Approved block of auto repair, used car dealer, employment agency, and fireworks vendor licenses, many subject to tax clearance. Councilwoman Vizier recused from two renewals.
  • Convenience, cigar lounge, nutrition store licenses approved.

Key Outcomes

• Budget Adoption: The revised FY 2026-2027 operating budget, salary schedules, and capital budget were adopted. Roll call: 8-1 (Councilman Campapiano voted no). The appropriations ordinance and tax levy ordinance also passed 8-1 (same lone no vote).
• Fire Contingency Fund: Approved 9-0 to create a $664,400 reduction contingency for fire department expenditures, contingent on council ratification of the MOA.
• Senior Center Contingency: Approved 9-0 to add $464,400 to senior center budget via contingency, contingent on MOA.
• Police Revenue Contingency: Approved 9-0 to set aside $200,000 in a police revenue contingency fund to offset overestimated detail income.
• Assistant Fire Chief Nomination: Approved 9-0 the appointment of Richard J. Green as assistant fire chief.
• Licensing Matters: Show-cause for Lexis Pizza held over; Nelson Mack entertainment license not issued pending corrections; several new licenses postponed; numerous renewals approved (some subject to tax payment).
• Finance Committee: The monthly financial report and debt service update were received; further discussion on PILOT deferred to August.

The meeting adjourned after the finance committee (approximately 10:30 PM).