East Providence City Council Regular Meeting - September 1, 2026
East Providence City Council Regular Meeting - September 1, 2026
The East Providence City Council held its regular meeting on September 1, 2026, at 22:26 UTC. Council President Rodericks presided. Councilman Lawson was absent; a quorum of four members was present. The agenda included consent calendar items, public comment, discussion of building permit processes, a public hearing on a no-parking ordinance, mayor's communications, multiple proclamations, several resolutions, and ordinances.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes: Approved the minutes of August 11, 2026, with an amendment to reflect that item E2 was tabled. Motion by Councilwoman Sousa, seconded by Council Vice President Rego. Passed unanimously.
- Block Party: Approved a block party for Corey Wright at 201 Mercer Street on August 16, 2026, from 8 AM to 9 PM, with street closure. Passed unanimously.
- Licenses: The council bundled and approved the following licenses without a public hearing (motion by Council Vice President Rego, seconded by Councilwoman Sousa):
- Special event alcoholic beverage for Natalie Kaneib (September 6, 3–7 PM)
- Special event beer/wine for Michael McIntyre (September 5, 12–8 PM)
- Special event beer/wine for Jade Thomas at Providence Country Day School (October 16, 6–7 PM)
- Mobile food establishment permits for Kayla Daly (Lemon Lane) and Mark Sorel (Hippie Dog)
- Food establishment license for Michael Arena (Birdway Diner)
- Food establishment license for Lee Cordero (Tag Team Treats)
- One-day entertainment license and special event beer/wine for Tracy Johnson (Crescent Park events on October 3, September 24)
- One-day entertainment license and special event beer/wine for Tracy Johnson (Stubbs Wedding, September 19)
- Block party for Paul Mendisi (September 5, 12–7 PM, no street closure)
Public Comments & Testimony
- Anna Regal (Morrow Street resident): Testified about a sewage backup in her home on March 23, 2026, which left her family (including a nine-month-old grandson) displaced for three months. She stated that her belongings were mishandled by a cleaning crew hired by the city's insurance trust (Rhode Island Interlocal Trust) and that she had not received adequate compensation or resolution. She expressed frustration with the city's response and has since retained an attorney. Council members expressed sympathy and directed the city solicitor to obtain a report from the trust regarding the claim. Council Vice President Rego committed to following up personally.
Discussion Items
- Building Permit Process for Non-Structural Work: Council President Rodericks raised a constituent's concern about requiring a permit for window replacement (same-size, non-structural). The city solicitor indicated that the building official (Rob Walker) could provide a definitive answer on safety reasons. The matter will be followed up.
Public Hearings
- No-Parking Ordinance on Dover Avenue: Ordinance to prohibit parking on both sides of Dover Avenue from Warren Avenue south to Baldwin Street (sponsored by Councilman Fogarty). The council held a public hearing; no one testified. Councilman Fogarty cited safety concerns, especially near Warren Avenue. The ordinance passed unanimously.
Mayor's Communications (Andre Herrera, Director of Policy and Constituent Services)
- Appointment: Hope Moran appointed to the Mayor's Young Innovators Advisory Committee for a one-year term (August 3, 2026 – August 2, 2027).
- ARPA and Capital Projects Presentation: Principal Planner Dominic Leonardo presented an overview of projects. Key points:
- Community Center: $2.7 million remaining in ARPA funds; on budget and on track for completion by end of 2026.
- Crescent Park: Seawall repaired; $459,000 allocated for bathroom/office/facility (fully encumbered). Phase two stabilization out to bid.
- Placemaking: $33,000 for park signage; $13,000 for utility art boxes (14 boxes to be painted).
- Glen Lion Park: $146,000 (ARPA + capital) for repaved basketball/tennis/pickleball courts and new playground equipment selected by community.
- Lyle Bourne Park: Three pickleball courts and one basketball court added.
- John Lewis Park: Parking lot repaving, new guardrail, benches, walking path (ongoing).
- Pierce Field: $2 million congressional grant for track; police substation (grant-funded); batting cages; new bathroom.
- Sabin Point: Stormwater drainage and new playground equipment.
- Bold Point Park: Pervious pavement, walking paths, lighting.
- Kent Park: Pickleball, futsal, first ADA playground in city.
- Riverside Recreation: Basketball court, parking expansion, lighting, concession pad.
- Willet Pond: Pervious asphalt, guardrail, pergola, plantings (grant-funded).
- Providence Avenue: Basketball courts, splash pad (ARPA + DEM grant).
- Vintner Avenue: New playground and walking path.
- Wastewater Treatment Plant: ARPA funds used (status questioned; to be confirmed).
- City Hall: HVAC, carpet, ceiling tiles, window replacement.
- Police Station: ARPA-funded renovation (roof, HVAC, access controls, parking expansion); asset forfeiture funds could not be used due to DOJ rules.
- Animal Control: New roof, kennels, flooring, HVAC.
- Capital budget items: Sidewalks, road improvements, ADA ramp at Kettle Point, fire/police vehicles, public safety cameras, etc. Council praised the presentation and noted that the city's parks have become an envy of other communities. All projects are on or under budget.
Proclamations
- Honoring Minimum Housing Code Enforcement Inspector Eugene Savory upon retirement after 32 years.
- Recognizing September as Alzheimer's Awareness Month.
- Recognizing September 7 as Brazilian Independence Day.
- Recognizing September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
- Recognizing September as Hispanic Heritage Month.
- Recognizing September as Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. Council Vice President Rego urged the public to call 988 if in crisis.
Resolutions
- Contract for Tent Structure at Crescent Park: Authorized the mayor to contract with Sperry Fabric Architecture for a 48' x 98' savanna structure tent. Passed unanimously.
- Support for Natural Forest Protection Act: Resolution urging state passage of House Bill 7914 to protect state-owned forests from commercial logging. Passed unanimously.
- School Safety Grant Releases (three resolutions): Authorized the mayor to release COPS grant funds for school safety improvements at East Providence High School, including security door upgrades, camera upgrades, and district-wide two-way radios (approx. $250,000 total). The resolutions were amended to specify release of funds to vendors. Passed unanimously.
- Easement to Narragansett Electric for Crescent Park: Authorized granting an easement for utility work. Passed unanimously.
- Washington Bridge Project: Authorized execution of documents for temporary construction easement and condemnation of land for the Washington Bridge. Passed unanimously.
- Naming Traffic Island: Named the traffic island at Pawtucket Avenue and Center Street (amended from Center Avenue) the James B. Lappin, Sr. Island. Passed unanimously.
Ordinances
- Bourne Avenue One-Way Restriction: Made Bourne Avenue westbound from Brighton Avenue to Frederick Street a one-way street during school days from 8–9 AM and 2–3:30 PM. Passed unanimously (sponsored by Council Vice President Rego).
- Stop Sign at Rhodes Avenue and Burnside Avenue: Placed a stop sign for northbound and southbound traffic on Rhodes Avenue at Burnside Avenue. Passed unanimously.
- 15-Minute Parking on Warren Avenue: Tabled again at the request of the council sponsor (Councilwoman Sousa) to allow further discussion with a business owner. Will return in two weeks.
Key Outcomes
- All consent calendar items, licenses, and most ordinances and resolutions were approved unanimously.
- The council directed the city solicitor to obtain a report from the Rhode Island Interlocal Trust regarding Anna Regal's sewage backup claim.
- Councilman Fogerty will follow up on the building permit question.
- The ARPA projects presentation highlighted that the city is on track to spend all ARPA funds by the end of 2026, mostly on parks and infrastructure.
- A council-sponsored end-of-summer concert was announced for Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Crescent Park (2–7 PM), featuring a vintage car show and the band Brass Attack, with a shuttle service from the old Oldham school.
- The meeting adjourned after approximately 90 minutes.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Call the meeting to order of the East Providence City Council September first. Madam Clerk, would you please call the role of the council? Councilman Fogerty. Yeah. Councilman Lawson. Council Vice President Riga. Yeah. Councilwoman Sousa. Yeah. Council President Rodericks. Here. What the record show is a quorum for members present. I did hear from Councilman Lawson a little bit earlier, and he is unable to uh make it tonight. Sends his regrets. Thank you. Uh please rise for the salute to the flag. Liberty adjustment. Madam Clerk, you can commence with reading of the docket. Consent calendar, regular meeting minutes, August eleventh, twenty twenty-six. Please note there's an amendment to that meetings where the resolution was tabled, but it says motion to the minutes. The motion would have to be amended. Is there a motion to amend? There is. Councilwoman Sousa makes the motion, seconded by Council Vice President. We go to make the uh yes. Thank you. So um amending the minutes to August eleventh, twenty twenty-six item E two. That was tabled. Um let the minute reflect that uh vote. So that's a motion and a second. All in favor. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Thank you. Next item. Uh, make a motion to approve the consent counter as amended. Motion by Councilwoman Souza to approve as amended. Seconded by Councilman Fogerty. All in favor. Aye, any opposed, the ayes have. Second one, reading only, block party, applicant Corey Wright. Applicant location, two oh one Mercer Street, time of function, August 16th, 2026, eight AM to nine PM Street to be closed, two oh one Mercer Street. Motion to approve the reading. Motion Councilwoman Sousa to approve. Seconded by Councilman Fogade. Other discussion, all in favor. Aye, any opposed. Yeah, I say it.
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