Warwick City Council Finance Committee & Full Council Meeting - January 5, 2026

The meeting began at 5:01 PM with the Finance Committee and continued through multiple committees (Public Safety, Intergovernmental, Ordinance, Public Properties) before the full council convened at 6:43 PM. The full council session lasted until 11:42 PM, dominated by a debate over the council president's reorganization of committees, particularly the removal of Councilman Lattiser as Finance Chair, and consideration of multiple bid packages, zoning amendments, and rules changes.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from December 15, 2025 approved (3-0 with one abstention).
• PCR 1-26: Bid package (various replacement auto parts, 2026-295, 301A, 301B) – total cap of $836,600 for all three bids (not per bid). Committee moved to floor without recommendation; later approved as part of consent calendar with favorable action. Two items were removed: PCR 7-26 (bid 2026-288, large diameter clamps) and PCR 8-26 (bid 2026-287, pipe fittings and valves) – both approved separately with one recusal each.
• PCR 2-26: Abatements totaling $28,424.58 (mostly tax appeals and personal exemptions) – approved favorably.
• PCR 3-26: Annual traffic studies resolution – approved favorably.
• PCR 4-26: Omnibus resolution of congratulations and condolences – approved favorably.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rob Cody (Ward 7): Criticized the lack of itemized inventory and computerized inventory control for the $836,600 auto parts bid, stating "no business operates like that" and called the system "antiquated, like the 1930s."
• Michael DeSalvia (Resident): Voiced opposition to spending $836,000 on parts without a breakdown of what the parts are for.
• Robert Cushman (Former Councilman): Questioned transparency of bid line items, lack of detailed breakdown for the public, and expressed concern about the city's antiquated bid process.
• Jessica (Resident): Urged council to be responsible with taxpayer money and identify spending more clearly.
• Patrick (Reporter): Commented that the city should not be in the vehicle maintenance business and recommended researching outsourced fleet management or standardizing vehicle types.
• Leslie Derek (Ward 4): Raised concerns about overbuilding on undersized lots in Conimicut Point, sewer pump failures, and environmental impacts; opposed permitting duplexes on small lots.
• Michelle Comar (Ward 1): Asked that the public have time to review amendments to zoning ordinance regarding duplex lot sizes before passage.
• George Schuster (HDC Chair): Recommended changing "historic district staff review" to "historic district commission review" for fences in the historic district to ensure proper procedure and right of appeal.

Discussion Items

• Finance Committee – Bid Packages (2026-295, 301A, 301B):

  • Chairman Lattiser objected to including Lawson as a vendor because they provided only a discount percentage without a list price, making it impossible to verify net cost. He demonstrated that list prices vary between vendors and that discount percentages alone are insufficient.
  • DPW Director Christy Moretti explained that list prices are a snapshot and vendors lock in the discount, not the list price. The city cross-references multiple vendors and prioritizes lowest cost and availability based on urgency.
  • Councilman Muto questioned the 40% increase over last year's spending; Moretti clarified the request is for budgeted line items, not an increase, and actual spending varies.
  • public comments echoed concerns about lack of inventory control and outdated manual processes.

• Full Council – Reorganization of Committees:

  • Council President Sinapi announced a reorganization (removing Councilman Lattiser as Finance Chair, reassigning chairs to himself, Councilman Ricks, and Councilman Gouveia). Councilman Ricks invoked Rule 1 to object, starting a lengthy parliamentary debate.
  • After multiple procedural motions (points of order, appeals, rulings), the council voted 7-2 (with Sinapi, Foley, Gephardt voting no; DeLuise, Kirby, Lattiser, Muto, Nappa, Ricks voting yes) to uphold Councilman Muto's motion to postpone the reorganization indefinitely pending further review. Thus the executive action did not take effect.
  • Council President Sinapi defended his decision, citing unanimous approval of rule changes in January 2025 that allowed the president to appoint and remove committee chairs. He claimed Lattiser's aggressive questioning tactics created friction with the administration and hindered legislative work.

• Zoning Amendment (PCO 27-25 Sub A) – Fences, drive-through clearance, duplex lot sizes:

  • Councilman Ricks proposed an amendment to reduce the minimum lot size increase for duplexes from 50% to 25% (as recommended by the Planning Board). After debate, the amendment failed 3-6 (Lattiser, Muto, Ricks yes; others no).
  • A separate amendment to change "historic district staff review" to "historic district commission review" passed unanimously, reverting the ordinance to first passage.

• Rules Amendment (PCR 93-25) – Amending council rules for the term:

  • Councilman Muto successfully amended the requirement for sponsoring resolutions to state legislatures from four sponsors to two (sponsor plus one co-sponsor), and removed the provision allowing the council president to unilaterally docket items on behalf of the mayor (striking the word "or"). The amendment passed 9-0.
  • The final resolution as twice amended was approved.

• Athletic Facilities Task Force (PCR 5-26):

  • Councilman Muto amended the resolution to change from a commission to a seven-member task force (two council members, two youth sports league reps, three residents with expertise in planning/finance, construction, or hospitality/tourism). The mayor stated he would issue an executive order within two weeks to create an administrative committee. To avoid duplicate efforts, the council voted to hold this item until January 26, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Finance Committee Bids: The overall bid package (PCR 1-26) passed favorably as part of the consent calendar. Two removed items (PCR 7-26 and 8-26) were passed favorably with one recusal each.
• Abatements: Approved favorably.
• Traffic Studies Resolution: Approved favorably.
• Omnibus Congratulations/Condolences: Approved favorably.
• Committee Reorganization: The motion to postpone the reorganization indefinitely passed (7-2). The executive action to remove Lattiser as Finance Chair was effectively nullified.
• Zoning Amendment: The duplex lot size increase (50%) remains as originally proposed by the Planning Board. The ordinance was amended to require Historic District permission review for fences, reverting to first passage for further consideration.
• Council Rules: Approved as amended (two-sponsor requirement for legislative resolutions, removal of council president's unilateral docketing on behalf of mayor, and addition of earlier submission requirements for consent calendar items).
• Athletic Facilities Task Force: Held to January 26, 2026, pending the mayor's executive order.
• Christopher Motors Claim (PCR 6-26): Unfavorable action (claim denied) – council voted to reject the claim because the incident occurred on a state road (Route 117) under RIDOT jurisdiction.
• Financial Oversight Commission: Withdrawn; Councilman Lattiser announced he would reintroduce it as an ordinance.
• Next Meeting: The next full council meeting is scheduled for January 26, 2026.