Warwick City Council Finance, Public Properties, and Full Council Meeting – April 27, 2026

The meeting convened at 5:01 PM with the Finance Committee, recessed at 6:14 PM, followed by the Public Properties Committee (6:19 PM–6:23 PM), and the full City Council at 6:31 PM. The Finance Committee considered multiple bids and contracts; the Public Properties Committee moved three zoning ordinances to the full council; and the full council held a public hearing on a proposed marijuana zoning amendment without taking final action.

Consent Calendar

• Finance Committee Minutes: Minutes from March 9, March 23, and April 6, 2026 were approved unanimously.
• Public Properties Committee Minutes: Minutes from March 9, 2026 were approved (4-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Marijuana Zoning (PCO 18-25): Armand Lucy (Ward 9 resident) expressed support for the current ordinance, stating it allowed special use permits in light/general industrial zones and a by-right corridor on Route 2. He noted that the zoning board already provides a process for community input, citing his own denied application as evidence the system works. He urged the council to leave the ordinance unchanged.

Discussion Items

• Structural Firefighting Coats and Pants (Bid 2027-013): Assistant Chief Almanhauer explained the bid covers both PFAS-containing gear (compliant for 2026) and non-PFAS gear (required after January 1, 2027 by state law). The department selected two vendors based on price and specifications. Budget is split between fiscal years (FY26: $70,000; FY27: $158,400), with unspent FY26 funds due to no new recruit class. The Fire Department previously ordered 40 sets in FY25. Gear testing was provided at no cost by manufacturers via demo sets.
• East Avenue Check Valve Chamber (Item #2): Director Jerry Willet of the Water Department requested $111,500 for engineering design and permitting (Stantec Consulting). The check valve is 15 years overdue for replacement; the valve report dates to 2016. The project is stage one; total replacement cost estimated at approximately $1.3 million. A failing check valve could drain the system. Councilman Nappa asked about proactive maintenance; Willet noted the check valve is top priority and that an altitude valve at Bald Hill also needs repair, contingent on this fix.
• Fire Apparatus Repairs (Bid 2027-001A): DPW’s Christy Moretti requested a $100,000 cap for one year (June 8, 2026 – June 7, 2027). Last year’s spending was $82,828.86. Approved.
• Fire Apparatus Repairs (Bid 2027-001B): Request to add vendors who did not submit bids, sharing the same $100,000 cap. Councilman Foley objected due to lack of hourly rates for the added vendors. Motion to hold until the next meeting (May 11, 2026) failed 2-2; the item will go to the full council without a recommendation.
• HVAC Maintenance (Item #5): Extension of contract with Environmental Systems Inc. for an additional year at $75,000 (total spending authority $150,000). Contract was bid last year; the vendor agreed to hold rates. Equipment dates to 2003; the company has provided responsive service. Approved.
• International Paving (Item #6): Amendment to increase spending authority by $75,165 to a total of $105,165 for paving at Kilvert Street/Jefferson Boulevard and two areas on Airport Road (water main break repairs). Motion to amend passed; then the item was moved as amended. Approved.
• E-Permitting (OpenGov) (Item #7): IT Director Bill Carlucci requested $55,680.77 for annual service and support, a 4% increase. The state reimburses $12,054.79 for the building department. Approved.
• Cruise Sense Software Support (Item #8): Request for $52,609.46 for Vector Solutions workforce management software (fire and police). Under 5% increase. Used for scheduling and overtime. Approved.
• Mobile Self-Contained Food Concessions (Item #9): Parks and Recreation’s Holly Weber reported two bids received for beaches and athletic complexes; total $13,100. 98 vendors were notified. The city’s most utilized areas were bid; less utilized sites (e.g., Asprey Park) were not offered. Councilman Foley requested a list of notified vendors. Motion for favorable action passed.
• Marijuana Zoning Amendment (PCO 18-25): The full council held a public hearing on an ordinance to remove special use permit eligibility for retail marijuana in light industrial (LI) and general industrial (GI) zones, and to limit such uses to the Route 2 corridor. The Planning Board recommended leaving the current provisions (special use permits in LI/GI) unchanged. Council members expressed divided views. Councilman Gebhardt proposed an amendment to restore LI/GI special use permits and add special use permit eligibility in general business (GB) zones outside Route 2. Councilman Nappa and Lattiser voiced concerns about expanding into GB broadly. After public testimony, the public hearing was closed. No vote was taken on the ordinance or amendment; the item remains pending.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Finance Committee minutes; bid for structural firefighting coats/pants; East Avenue check valve engineering ($111,500); fire apparatus repairs (Part A, $100,000 cap); HVAC maintenance extension ($75,000); paving amendment ($75,165 increase, total $105,165); e-permitting contract ($55,680.77); cruise sense software ($52,609.46); mobile food concessions (award to two vendors, $13,100).
• Held: Bid 2027-001B (added vendors for fire apparatus repairs) – sent to full council without recommendation after a tie vote (2-2).
• Moved to Full Council (without recommendation): Public Properties Committee items – PCO 18-25 (marijuana zoning), PCO 9-26 (4332½ Post Road rezoning), PCO 10-26 (historic district voting thresholds).
• Public Hearing Held: PCO 18-25 marijuana zoning amendment – no further action taken; ordinance and proposed amendment remain for future consideration.