Cranston public meetings in 2020
14 substantive meetings from 2020, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Special City Council Meeting
The Cranston City Council held a special meeting via Zoom, primarily to enter executive session for an update on the city's Superior Court case against Yardworks on Warwick Ave., which neighbors complain is disrupting them with noise. The council voted 8-0 to enter and exit executive session, sealed the minutes, and adjourned. No other public business was discussed.
- Executive session under RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2) for potential litigation
- Update on city's Superior Court case against Yardworks on Warwick Ave.
- Vote 8-0 to enter executive session
- Vote 8-0 to exit executive session and seal minutes
Special City Council Meeting
The Cranston City Council and Plan Commission held a joint special meeting at the Mulligan's Island site to hear a Phase I proposal from Coastal Partners, LLC for a Costco Wholesale Club with a fueling station. No formal votes were taken on the proposal; the meeting was informational, with applicant Michael DiGuiseppe answering questions from council and commission members. The council and commission unanimously voted to adjourn at 6:30 p.m.
- No votes taken on the Costco proposal; meeting was informational only
- Council unanimously voted to adjourn at 6:30 p.m.
- Plan Commission unanimously voted to adjourn at 6:30 p.m.
Regular City Council Meeting
The Cranston City Council appointed Aniece Germain as Councilmember for Ward 2, filling the vacancy left by Paul J. McAuley's resignation. The vote was 6-0 with two abstentions from Councilmembers Hopkins and Favicchio. The Council also adopted several ordinances, including a ban on synthetic herbicide use on public property, and referred a zoning ordinance amendment to committee for further study.
- Appointed Aniece Germain to fill the Ward 2 vacancy (6-0, 2 abstentions)
- Adopted resolution supporting critical civil rights legislation at the State House (8-0)
- Adopted ordinance amending mooring fees (8-0)
- Adopted ordinance authorizing use of recreational impact fees for a splash pad in Ward 3 (7-1)
- Adopted ordinance amending the Fire Prevention Code regarding hazardous substance permits (8-0)
- Adopted ordinance banning synthetic herbicide use on public property (8-0)
- Referred zoning ordinance 5-20-04 (Special Use Permit) back to the Ordinance Committee for further study (7-1)
- Suspended Council Rule 36 to hold meetings at 6:30 p.m. for the remainder of the year (8-0)
Special City Council Meeting
The Cranston City Council held a special meeting via Zoom and voted 6-0 to adopt a resolution proposing an amendment to Section 6.21 of the Cranston Home Rule Charter, directing the Secretary of State to place it on the ballot as a referendum question. The amendment concerns the property tax levy cap and clarifies that, per state law, exceeding 3% requires a supermajority vote. No other substantive decisions were made.
- Adopted resolution to amend Home Rule Charter Sec. 6.21 on property tax levy cap (6-0)
- Directed Secretary of State to place amendment on ballot as referendum question
Special City Council Meeting
The Cranston City Council held a special meeting via Zoom and voted 7-0 to refer an ordinance ratifying the International Brotherhood of Police Officers (IBPO) Local Union 301 contract for fiscal years 2021-2023 to the Special Finance Committee. The committee will review it on June 25, 2020, at 5 p.m. No other substantive decisions were made, and the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
- Referred IBPO Local Union 301 contract ordinance (FY 2021-2023) to Special Finance Committee (7-0)
- Scheduled Special Finance Committee review for June 25, 2020 at 5 p.m.
Special City Council Meeting
The Cranston City Council held a special meeting via Zoom on June 11, 2020, and voted 8-0 to refer nine items to a Special Ordinance Committee meeting scheduled for June 18, 2020. The items include an ordinance to reduce plastic bags and eight resolutions proposing amendments to the Home Rule Charter, covering topics such as ward redistricting, campaign contribution reporting, city council meetings, the mayor's line item veto, the rainy day fund, property tax levy cap, city solicitor residency, and a citizens guide to the land development process. No other substantive decisions were made.
- Referred plastic bag reduction ordinance (6-20-01S) to Special Ordinance Committee (8-0)
- Referred ward redistricting charter amendment resolution to Special Ordinance Committee (8-0)
- Referred campaign contribution reporting charter amendment resolution to Special Ordinance Committee (8-0)
- Referred city council meetings charter amendment resolution to Special Ordinance Committee (8-0)
- Referred mayor's line item veto charter amendment resolution to Special Ordinance Committee (8-0)
- Referred rainy day fund charter amendment resolution to Special Ordinance Committee (8-0)
- Referred property tax levy cap charter amendment resolution to Special Ordinance Committee (8-0)
- Referred city solicitor residency and citizens guide to land development charter amendment resolutions to Special Ordinance Committee (8-0)
Special City Council Meeting
The Cranston City Council adopted the FY2020-2021 operating budget, capital budget, and tax levy, with the final budget resolution passing 5-4. The budget includes a $4,131,094 reduction in projected state school aid from both revenue and expenditure sides, and a $45,039 increase in city appropriations to schools. Several individual amendments were approved, including eliminating the Employee Assistance Program line item, creating a Training Center Rentals revenue line, and adding a $150,000 Splash Pad in Ward 3. The council also approved the tax assessment and levy resolution and the ordinance setting tax due dates.
- Adopted FY2021 operating and capital budgets as amended (5-4)
- Adopted annual appropriation ordinance as amended (8-1)
- Adopted tax levy resolution (9-0)
- Reduced school budget revenue and expenditures by $4,131,094 (9-0)
- Increased city appropriations to schools by $45,039 (8-1)
- Added $150,000 for Ward 3 Splash Pad (8-1)
- Eliminated Employee Assistance Program line item (9-0)
- Created $21,420 Training Center Rentals revenue line (5-4)
Special City Council Meeting
The Cranston City Council voted 7-0 to adopt a resolution ratifying emergency COVID-19 spending authorized by the Mayor for a lease agreement with Renaissance Development Corporation at 35 Sockanosset Crossroad, including interior infrastructure improvements and moving costs. Director of Administration Daniel Parrillo said the city issued an RFP and this location was the lone bidder, and the agreement was revised to a three-year term with two one-year options and a five-year option. Council Vice-President Favicchio asked if the revised terms were more costly; Parrillo said the terms are exactly the same, just extended. No public comment was made.
- Adopted resolution ratifying emergency COVID-19 spending for lease at 35 Sockanosset Crossroad (7-0)
- Approved lease agreement with Renaissance Development Corporation, including interior improvements and moving costs
- Noted agreement revised to three-year term with two one-year options and a five-year option
Regular City Council Meeting
The City Council voted down a resolution ratifying emergency COVID-19 spending for a lease at 35 Sockanosset Crossroad, which would have relocated three city departments from the CCAP building. The motion to refer the resolution to the Finance Committee failed on a tie vote, and the original adoption failed 5-3 with one abstention, short of the required two-thirds. The council also adopted several routine resolutions and ordinances, including tax abatements and zoning changes.
- Adopted resolution promoting Census 2020 Pledge Tool (9-0)
- Rejected resolution ratifying COVID-19 lease at 35 Sockanosset Crossroad (5-3, 1 abstention)
- Adopted real estate tax abatements for March (9-0)
- Adopted motor vehicle tax abatements for March (9-0)
- Approved tax interest waiver approvals for March (9-0)
- Approved tax interest waiver denials for March (9-0)
- Adopted ordinance amending Comprehensive Plan for Catherine St. and Bateman Ave. (9-0)
- Adopted zoning change for Catherine St. and Bateman Ave. (9-0)
Special City Council Meeting
The Cranston City Council voted 5-2 to extend Mayor Allan Fung's declared State of Emergency for the duration of the Governor's State of Emergency, rather than setting a fixed local time limit. The motion, made by Councilmember McAuley and seconded by Brady, passed with Councilmembers Stycos and Donegan voting against. Earlier motions to extend for 45 days were withdrawn after discussion.
- Extended Mayor's State of Emergency to align with Governor's declaration (5-2)
- Withdrew motion to extend emergency powers for 45 days
- Withdrew initial motion to extend until Governor lifts State of Emergency
Special City Council Meeting
The Cranston City Council held a special meeting on February 24, 2020, primarily to enter executive session for discussions on personnel and potential litigation. The council voted to go into executive session, discussed the City Clerk position and Yardworks, then voted to come out and seal the minutes. The meeting was procedural, with no public decisions or votes on substantive items.
- Voted 7-0 to enter executive session under RIGL 42-46-5(a)(1) Personnel and (a)(2) Potential Litigation
- Discussed City Clerk position in executive session
- Discussed Yardworks in executive session
- Voted 8-0 to come out of executive session
- Voted 8-0 to seal executive session minutes
Joint City Council Meeting with City Plan Commission
The City Council and Plan Commission held a joint site visit for a Comprehensive Plan amendment and zone change application at 1500 Oaklawn Avenue. No votes or decisions were made; the meeting was informational, with discussion focused on the proposed demolition, a new branch bank and liquor store, and the future of the adjacent Catherine Street right-of-way. The meeting adjourned with unanimous votes by both bodies.
- No formal decisions made; site visit only
- City Council unanimously voted to adjourn
- Plan Commission unanimously voted to adjourn
Special City Council Meeting
The Cranston City Council held a special meeting on January 27, 2020, primarily to present citations to two CLCF youth football teams and then enter executive session. The executive session was held under state law for personnel and potential litigation matters, and the council voted unanimously to seal the minutes. No other substantive business was conducted.
- Presented citations to CLCF Chiefs 8U and 10U Boys Football Teams for championship wins
- Voted 7-0 to enter executive session under RIGL 42-46-5(a)(1) Personnel and (a)(2) Potential Litigation
- Voted 7-0 to seal executive session minutes
Special City Council Meeting
The Cranston City Council held a special meeting on January 21, 2020, and voted on three ordinances related to solar energy systems. Ordinance 8-19-07 (amending zoning for solar energy systems) was adopted 7-0, and Ordinance 8-19-08 (amending the schedule of uses) was adopted 7-0; Councilmember Vargas was absent for both votes. Ordinance 6-19-9 (amending the 2010 Comprehensive Plan for solar performance standards) was adopted 8-0. Ordinance 6-19-10 (an older schedule of uses amendment) was not voted on, with no action taken.
- Adopted Ordinance 8-19-07, amending Chapter 17.24 Zoning for Solar Energy Systems (7-0)
- Adopted Ordinance 8-19-08, amending Chapter 17.20.030 Zoning Schedule of Uses (7-0)
- Adopted Ordinance 6-19-9, amending the 2010 Comprehensive Plan for Solar Performance Standards 2019 (8-0)
- Took no action on Ordinance 6-19-10, an older Schedule of Uses amendment