Warwick City Council Committee and Full Council Meetings - June 15, 2026

The Warwick City Council convened multiple committees and a full council meeting on June 15, 2026, starting at 5:03 PM and adjourning at 7:07 PM. The Finance Committee, Public Safety Committee, Intergovernmental Committee, and Public Properties Committee met sequentially, followed by the full council. Key actions included approval of a $795,004.88 Taser 10 contract for the police department, a $150,229 compressor and pump replacement for city arenas, and several resolutions regarding Greenwich Avenue paving and traffic studies. A claim for $950 related to fire apparatus damage was denied. The full council also approved an appointment to the Land Trust Commission and a Pride Month resolution.

Finance Committee (5:03 PM - 6:06 PM)

• Item 1: Purchase of Taser 10 Platform (5-year agreement, $795,004.88) – Police Major Robert Hart requested approval for a new contract with Axon to replace current Taser 7 devices. The cost increased from approximately $40,000 per year to about $156,000 per year. Major Hart explained the Taser 10 offers a 45-foot standoff distance (vs. 25 feet), 10 deployments (vs. 2), enhanced virtual reality training, and better integration with body cameras. The alternative is returning to traditional batons and hands-on tactics. The committee approved the item.
• Item 2: Rebuild Compressor and Replace Three Pumps at Thayer and Warburton Arenas ($150,229) – DPW Director Eric Earls requested a $566 exemption for Environmental Systems Inc. (ESI) to perform work beyond the existing maintenance bid. The compressor rebuild cost is $96,556.39, and the three pump replacements cost $53,673. The total was requested from the FY27 capital budget. Discussion focused on the age of the equipment (installed 2003) and ESI's five-year familiarity with the system. The committee approved.
• Item 3: Asphalt Concrete and Hot Mix Bid ($90,000 cap) – DPW recommended awarding to all six bidders for a one-year period from September 15, 2026 to September 14, 2027. Councilman Sinapi questioned why cold patch is more expensive and asked about usage of a hot box machine. The item was approved.
• Item 4: Post-Type Fire Hydrants ($65,000) – DPW recommended awarding to four vendors for a one-year period from August 19, 2026 to August 18, 2027. Approved.
• Items Under $50,000 (Consent Calendar) – Several items were approved. Two items were pulled:
  • Item 11: Firewall Maintenance Support (PCR 72-26) – IT Director Phil Carlucci requested adding Ocean Inc. as an additional vendor. The committee approved the amendment and then the item as amended.
  • Item 16: Workers' Compensation Self-Insured Third-Party Administrator (PCR 73-26) – Councilman Ricks recused himself. The committee approved the item.
  • Item 15: Vehicle Body Repair and Painting – Account number was changed to 76-358. No further action needed.

Public Safety Committee (6:07 PM - 6:23 PM)

• PCR 62-26: Claim for Whedon ($950) – The claim was for damage to a lawn and road during a fire rescue. The resident declined the city's offer to repair and instead hired a vendor. The resident did not attend the meeting. Councilman Lattiser expressed that the city should bear responsibility due to the narrow road design, while Councilman DeLuise and others noted the lack of attendance and insufficient documentation. The committee voted to deny the claim (motion by Councilman Muto, seconded).

Intergovernmental Committee (6:23 PM - 6:36 PM)

• Appointment to Land Trust Commission (Ward 2) – Earl Simpson was appointed to fill the vacancy left by the late Mike Zaram. Simpson, a 45-year resident and retired Rhode Island College employee, has been active with the Audubon Society and local land conservation. The committee recommended favorable action, and the full council later confirmed the appointment unanimously (8-0).
• PCR 66-26: Resolution to RIDOT Requesting Paving and Engineering Review of Greenwich Avenue – Council President Sinapi explained the state's runaround on paving a distressed section. The resolution also requests review of a recurring sinkhole near Crown Plaza. Approved.
• PCR 70-26: Resolution to RIDOT State Traffic Commission Requesting Traffic Study of Greenwich Avenue at Lancaster Avenue and Brianna Lane – Requested due to a long distance between crosswalks after a road diet. Approved.

Public Properties Committee (6:37 PM - 6:41 PM)

• PCR 69-26: Resolution in Observance of Pride Month – Approved unanimously (8-0).

Full Council (6:41 PM - 7:07 PM)

• Public Comment –
  • Rob Cody (Ward 7) – Provided an update on his First Amendment lawsuit against the city, criticizing former councilwoman Travis (convicted criminal) and Council President Sinapi, citing negative public comments about Sinapi's behavior.
  • David DeRosa (48 Draper Avenue) – Raised concerns about the Rhode Island Alternative Academy at the old Green Elementary School, citing disruptive student behavior, lack of supervision, and unprofessional interactions with school administration. Urged the council to seek changes before the next school year.
• Consent Calendar (PCR 71-26) – Approved.
• Separated Items –
  • PCR 72-26 (firewall maintenance) as amended approved (8-0).
  • PCR 73-26 (workers' compensation) approved (7-0-1, Ricks recused).
• Unfinished Business – PCR 62-26 (claim for Whedon) denied (7-0-1, Ricks recused).
• New Business –
  • PCR 66-26 (Greenwich Avenue paving resolution) approved.
  • PCR 69-26 (Pride Month resolution) approved.
  • PCR 70-26 (Greenwich Avenue traffic study) approved.
• Moment of Silence – Observed for a 7-year-old boy who drowned in Conimicut Point on the previous Friday.
• Docketing – Councilman DeLuise requested docketing of an ordinance regarding e-bikes and a resolution regarding Conimicut Beach safety. Both were assigned to the appropriate committees.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Contracts:
  • Taser 10 contract with Axon (5 years, $795,004.88).
  • Compressor and pump rebuild for arenas ($150,229) from FY27 capital budget.
  • Asphalt concrete and hot mix bid ($90,000 cap).
  • Fire hydrant bid ($65,000).
  • Firewall maintenance with new vendor Ocean Inc. (PCR 72-26).
  • Workers' compensation third-party administrator (PCR 73-26).
• Denied Claim: PCR 62-26 (Whedon claim for $950) denied by committee and full council.
• Resolutions Passed:
  • Request for RIDOT paving and engineering review of Greenwich Avenue.
  • Request for traffic study at Greenwich Avenue intersections.
  • Pride Month observance resolution.
• Appointment: Earl Simpson confirmed to the Land Trust Commission.
• Next Steps: Councilman DeLuise to docket an e-bike ordinance and a Conimicut Beach safety resolution.