Cranston public meetings in 2022

Regular City Council Meeting

The City Council voted to continue the approval of the FY 2022 Audit to the January 23rd meeting. The delay is due to an incomplete schedule of federal financial assistance required by the auditors.

• Continued approval of FY 2022 Audit to January 23rd meeting (Unanimous)

Regular City Council Meeting

The City Council approved real estate and motor vehicle tax abatements and granted a liquor license to La Bandera Bistro LLC. The council also adopted three ordinances regarding parking and tobacco dealers. A special meeting was scheduled for December 29 to review the fiscal year 2022 audit report.

• Approved Class BV liquor license for La Bandera Bistro LLC (7-0)
• Adopted resolution authorizing real estate tax abatements (7-0)
• Adopted resolution authorizing motor vehicle tax abatements (7-0)
• Approved alteration permit for Colbea Enterprises, LLC near historic cemeteries (7-0)
• Adopted 2-hour parking ordinance for Tabor St. (7-0)
• Adopted no-parking ordinance (8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) (7-0)
• Adopted ordinance amending tobacco dealer regulations (7-0)
• Appointed Fred C. White, Jr. and re-appointed Henry Palazzo to Probate Judge Advisory Commission (7-0)

Regular City Council Meeting

The City Council held a special meeting to discuss a proposed ordinance for a city-wide parking permit program. No formal votes were taken; the session served as a workshop to gather input from legal counsel and city directors on administration, street eligibility, and safety requirements.

Regular City Council Meeting

The City Council failed to pass a resolution opposing the establishment of pallet housing villages at the Pastore Center in a 4-4 tie vote. The Council approved several tax abatements and a zoning change for 747 Pontiac Ave. that reduced the allowed units from 21 to 18.

• Resolution opposing pallet housing villages at Pastore Center failed (4-4)
• Approved real estate tax abatements (8-0)
• Approved motor vehicle tax abatements (8-0)
• Approved tax interest waiver approvals (7-1)
• Approved tax interest waiver denials (8-0)
• Adopted 4-way stop ordinance for Summer St. and Waldron Ave. (8-0)
• Approved zoning change for 747 Pontiac Ave. amended to 18 units (7-1)
• Adopted ordinance regarding Municipal Court judge appointments (8-0)

Regular City Council Meeting

The City Council voted 8-0 to adopt an ordinance creating Chapter 46 of Title 8, prohibiting consumption of marijuana in public places. The council also approved real estate and motor vehicle tax abatements, tax interest waivers, and a resolution naming the Oaklawn Gazebo in memory of Meri R. Kennedy. A proposed 4-way stop at Summer St. and Waldron Ave. was continued for one month pending a traffic study.

• Adopted ordinance banning public marijuana consumption (8-0)
• Approved real estate tax abatements (8-0)
• Approved motor vehicle tax abatements (8-0)
• Approved list of tax interest waivers (8-0)
• Adopted resolution naming Oaklawn Gazebo in memory of Meri R. Kennedy (8-0)
• Continued 4-way stop ordinance at Summer St. and Waldron Ave. for one month pending traffic study (8-0)
• Approved appointment of R. Drayton Fair to Library Board of Trustees (8-0)
• Approved re-appointment of Leah Thovmasian Hill to Arts Commission (8-0)

Joint City Council Meeting with City Plan Commission

The Cranston City Council and City Plan Commission held a joint public site visit at 747 Pontiac Avenue to review a proposal by Omni Group to convert an existing three-story building into 18 apartments (15 one-bedroom, 3 studio). No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, with public comment and discussion on affordable housing, parking, and process. The Master Plan application will be heard by the City Plan Commission on November 1, then proceed to the Ordinance Committee and full City Council later in November.

• No decisions made; site visit was informational only
• Master Plan phase application scheduled for City Plan Commission on November 1
• Proposal includes 3 affordable units (15%) and 41 off-street parking spaces

Special City Council Meeting

The Cranston City Council voted 9-0 to approve the mayor's appointment of Thomas F. Zidelis as Finance Director. The meeting was a special session lasting only five minutes, with no other substantive business conducted.

• Approved appointment of Thomas F. Zidelis as Finance Director (9-0)

Regular City Council Meeting

The Cranston City Council approved a new Class BV liquor license for Cafe é Fumare at 1464 Park Ave., exceeding the BV cap, and confirmed Richard Mancini as Assistant Fire Chief. The council also adopted resolutions supporting the Climate Resilience Building Program, authorizing real estate, motor vehicle, and tangible tax abatements, and approving tax interest waivers. Several traffic ordinances were passed, including prohibiting through trucking on Crescent Ave. and Harmon Ave. and adding stop intersections at Knollwood and Riverfarm.

• Approved new Class BV liquor license for Cafe é Fumare at 1464 Park Ave. (9-0)
• Confirmed Richard Mancini as Assistant Fire Chief (9-0)
• Adopted resolution supporting Climate Resilience Building Program (9-0)
• Adopted resolution authorizing real estate tax abatements (9-0)
• Adopted resolution authorizing motor vehicle tax abatements (9-0)
• Adopted resolution authorizing tangible tax abatements (9-0)
• Adopted ordinance prohibiting through trucking on Crescent Ave. and Harmon Ave. (9-0)
• Adopted ordinance adding stop intersections at Knollwood and Riverfarm (9-0)

Special City Council Meeting

The Cranston City Council held a special meeting and voted unanimously to refer the mayor's appointment of Tom Zidelis as Finance Director to the September 29, 2022 Special Finance Committee meeting. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Referred appointment of Tom Zidelis as Finance Director to Special Finance Committee (5-0)

Regular City Council Meeting

The City Council voted 9-0 to ratify a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1363 (Ordinance 7-22-02) covering July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025. The Council also adopted a resolution allowing the Police Department to participate in a statewide mutual aid agreement with nonadjacent Rhode Island municipalities. Other actions included ratifying a school employees' contract, authorizing real estate and tangible tax abatements, approving tax interest waivers, and reappointing members to the Juvenile Hearing Board and Arts Commission.

• Adopted Ordinance 7-22-02 ratifying the IAFF Local 1363 firefighter contract for 2022-2025 (9-0).
• Adopted resolution allowing Cranston Police to join a statewide mutual aid agreement with nonadjacent municipalities (9-0).
• Adopted Ordinance 7-22-01 ratifying the school employees' collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME Local 2044 for 2021-2024 (9-0).
• Adopted resolution authorizing real estate tax abatements (9-0).
• Adopted resolution authorizing tangible tax abatements (9-0).
• Approved list of tax interest waiver approvals (8-1, Councilwoman Renzulli opposed).
• Re-appointed Judith Abate to the Juvenile Hearing Board through December 1, 2025 (9-0).
• Re-appointed Linda Peterson to the Arts Commission through August 22, 2025 (9-0).

Special City Council Meeting

The City Council and Planning Commission held a joint workshop to introduce a proposed 180-unit residential development by JG Holding Co. and AR Building Co. No formal votes or decisions were made; the meeting was informational only. The developers outlined plans for 2-4 story buildings, 1.5 parking spaces per unit, and a 15% affordable housing commitment. The next steps would be applications for a Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Zone Change.

• No formal decisions made; workshop only

Regular City Council Meeting

The Cranston City Council approved two collective bargaining agreements with the Cranston Teachers' Alliance (Local 1704, AFT) covering paraprofessionals and teachers for 2022-2025, both by 8-0 votes. The Council also adopted several zoning and comprehensive plan amendments, including the 641 Park Project (Legion Bowl) and changes at 870 Oaklawn Ave. and properties on Comstock Parkway and Plainfield Pike. A resolution authorizing the transfer of 628 streetlight facilities to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation was approved 7-1, and a resolution to allow the Police Department to enter a statewide mutual aid agreement was referred to committee.

• Approved teacher union CBA (Ordinance 6-22-01) 8-0
• Approved paraprofessional union CBA (Ordinance 6-22-02) 8-0
• Approved streetlight facilities transfer to RIDOT 7-1
• Adopted zoning change for 641 Park Project (Legion Bowl) 8-0
• Adopted zoning change for 870 Oaklawn Ave. 7-0 (President recused)
• Adopted zoning changes for Comstock Parkway/Plainfield Pike properties 8-0
• Referred police mutual aid resolution to Safety Services and Licenses Committee 8-0
• Approved new Class BV liquor license for Hot Pot Buffet at 734 Park Ave. 8-0

Regular City Council Meeting

The City Council approved four bond ordinances totaling $12.5 million to be placed on the ballot for voter approval: $3M for public buildings, $2M for fire equipment, $3.5M for playgrounds and athletic fields, and $4M for highway infrastructure. The council also adopted a rooster ordinance restricting roosters in residential areas, approved multiple traffic ordinances including new crosswalks, and re-appointed two Library Board of Trustees members. All votes were 8-0 except the bonds, which passed 7-1, 7-1, 5-3, and 7-1 respectively.

• Approved $3M public buildings bond ordinance (7-1)
• Approved $2M fire equipment bond ordinance (7-1)
• Approved $3.5M playground/athletic fields bond ordinance (5-3)
• Approved $4M highway infrastructure bond ordinance (7-1)
• Adopted rooster ordinance restricting roosters in residential areas (8-0)
• Adopted crosswalk ordinance at Intervale and Aqueduct Rd. (8-0)
• Adopted Pride Month resolution (8-0)
• Re-appointed Regina Spirito and Diane Schaefer to Library Board of Trustees (8-0)

Special City Council Meeting

The Cranston City Council held a special meeting on June 6, 2022, and voted unanimously (7-0) to refer four proposed bond ordinances to the Special Finance Committee meeting scheduled for June 16, 2022. The ordinances would authorize borrowing up to $12.5 million total for public buildings, fire equipment, playgrounds/athletic fields, and highway infrastructure. No final approval was given; the items are pending committee review.

• Referred $3M public buildings bond ordinance to Finance Committee (7-0)
• Referred $2M fire equipment bond ordinance to Finance Committee (7-0)
• Referred $3.5M playground/athletic fields bond ordinance to Finance Committee (7-0)
• Referred $4M highway infrastructure bond ordinance to Finance Committee (7-0)

Regular City Council Meeting

The Cranston City Council voted 5-4 to submit correspondence from 5G Free Rhode Island into the public record, despite objections that the topic falls outside the Council's jurisdiction. The Council also adopted resolutions declaring the first Friday in June as National Gun Violence Awareness Day, authorized motor vehicle tax abatements, and approved a tax interest waiver list. Several new ordinances were introduced and referred to committees.

• Adopted resolution declaring first Friday in June as National Gun Violence Awareness Day (9-0)
• Adopted resolution authorizing motor vehicle tax abatements (9-0)
• Approved Tax Interest Waiver Approvals list (9-0)
• Voted to submit 5G Free Rhode Island correspondence into public record (5-4)
• Referred ordinance amending Title 6 (Animals) to Ordinance Committee
• Referred ordinance amending Title 10 (Traffic Regulations for Milton Ave.) to Ordinance Committee
• Referred ordinances for 0 Comstock Parkway, 2184 and 2174 Plainfield Pike (Comprehensive Plan and Zoning) to Ordinance Committee
• Referred three National Grid pole location requests to Public Works Committee

Special City Council Meeting

The Cranston City Council held a special meeting to reconsider two previously failed resolutions: the tax levy and the capital budget for FY 2022-2023. After legal counsel explained the consequences of not passing them, the council voted 8-0 to reconsider and then adopt both resolutions. The tax levy allows the city to collect property taxes, and the capital budget funds capital projects and improvements.

• Adopted the Capital Budget and Capital Improvement Program for FY 2022-2023 (8-0)
• Adopted the Resolution Levying and Ordering the Assessment and Collection of a Tax on Ratable Real Estate and Tangible Personal Property (8-0)

Special City Council Meeting

The Cranston City Council held a special meeting on May 4, 2022, to consider amendments to the Mayor's proposed FY2022-23 budget. After extensive discussion, the Council approved numerous line-item amendments, including funding for a new Bilingual Canvassing Specialist position, a new Inspector/Plan Review position, and increased funding for the City Council's legal counsel. The Council then adopted the operating budget, salary schedule, capital budget, and tax levy resolutions, all by unanimous 9-0 votes.

• Adopted FY2022-23 operating budget, salary schedule, and capital budget (9-0)
• Adopted tax levy and tax due date ordinances (9-0)
• Approved new Bilingual Canvassing Specialist position at Grade 17 Step 1/2 (9-0)
• Approved new Inspector/Plan Review position at Grade 26 Step 1, full-year salary $56,034 (9-0)
• Increased City Council legal counsel line item by $12,000 (6-3)
• Reduced Executive Department Contingency to $0 (5-4)
• Reduced Executive Orders of the Mayor to $2,100 (5-4)
• Failed motion to increase total budget by $212,880 (1-8)

Regular City Council Meeting

The Cranston City Council approved a budget amendment to fund the Public Works Director position (6-3), despite objections from three council members about the salary. The council also unanimously confirmed Richard Bernardo as Director of Public Works, ratified a school bus drivers' union contract, and adopted several resolutions supporting state legislation and tax abatements. New ordinances were referred to committees, and the council entered executive session to discuss personnel and contract negotiations.

• Approved ordinance transferring appropriations for Public Works Director salary (6-3)
• Confirmed Richard Bernardo as Director of Public Works (9-0)
• Ratified collective bargaining agreement with RI Laborers District Council 1322, Bus Drivers Unit (9-0)
• Adopted resolution supporting RI Senate Bill S-2341 and House Bill H-7834 on sidewalk maintenance (9-0)
• Adopted resolution supporting Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month (9-0)
• Adopted resolution on FY2023 state budget allocation for public libraries (9-0)
• Adopted resolutions authorizing real estate and motor vehicle tax abatements (9-0)
• Approved list of tax interest waivers (9-0)

Special City Council Meeting

The Cranston City Council held a special meeting on April 6, 2022, to hear public comment on the budget. No formal decisions or votes were made during the meeting. Public speakers addressed the need for spending cuts, full funding of the school budget, and an increase in the election budget for 2022.

Special City Council Meeting

The City Council held a special meeting where Mayor Kenneth J. Hopkins presented his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023. Council President Paplauskas announced the public hearing schedule before the Finance Committee (April 6, 7, 11, 13, 18, 27) and adoption on May 4, 2022. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational and adjourned at 7:00 P.M.

• Mayor presented FY 2022-2023 budget address (no vote)
• Public hearing schedule for budget announced: April 6, 7, 11, 13, 18, 27, 2022
• Budget adoption scheduled for May 4, 2022

Special City Council Meeting

The Cranston City Council held a special meeting on March 14, 2022, with all nine members present. The only substantive item was the mayor's appointment of Robert Zarnetske as Finance Director, which the council voted 9-0 to refer to the March 31, 2022 Special Finance Committee meeting. No other decisions were made, and the meeting adjourned at 6:05 P.M.

• Referred appointment of Robert Zarnetske as Finance Director to March 31 Special Finance Committee meeting (9-0)

Special City Council Meeting

The Cranston City Council held a special meeting and voted 7-0 to refer two items to the Ordinance Committee for its March 17, 2022 meeting: an ordinance establishing ward boundaries for the 2022 Ward Redistricting Plan, and a resolution asking the General Assembly to enact the plan into law. No final decisions were made on the redistricting plan itself; the items were only introduced and referred for further consideration.

• Referred ordinance establishing 2022 Ward Redistricting Plan to Ordinance Committee (7-0)
• Referred resolution memorializing General Assembly to enact redistricting plan to Ordinance Committee (7-0)

Regular City Council Meeting

The Cranston City Council approved several items unanimously, including real estate and motor vehicle tax abatements, a collective bargaining agreement with the school custodians' union, and multiple traffic ordinance amendments. The council also approved a request to continue Deputy Fire Chief Robert Ryan in service for one year. New business was referred to committees, including a school labor agreement and a building code amendment.

• Adopted resolution authorizing real estate tax abatements (9-0)
• Adopted resolution authorizing motor vehicle tax abatements (9-0)
• Adopted ordinance ratifying school committee's collective bargaining agreement with NAGE Local RI-153, Custodian Unit (9-0)
• Adopted ordinance amending Title 10 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic) regarding Tabor St. (9-0)
• Adopted ordinance amending Title 10 regarding one-way highways and notice requirements (9-0)
• Adopted ordinance amending Title 10 regarding traffic regulations for Shaw Ave. (9-0)
• Approved request to continue Deputy Chief Robert Ryan in service for one year (8-0)
• Referred new ordinances and claims to respective committees (8-0)

Special City Council Meeting

The Cranston City Council held a special workshop meeting to discuss how to allocate ARPA funds. No formal votes or decisions were made; the meeting was dedicated to a presentation by Budget Analyst David Dimaio and public comments on potential uses. Residents and officials suggested funding for housing, broadband, tree planting, lead pipe replacement, and other projects.

• No formal decisions or votes taken at this workshop meeting
• Heard presentation on ARPA funding options and public comments

Special City Council Meeting

The Cranston City Council held a special meeting to discuss the $42.6 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds the city will receive. No formal decisions or votes were taken; the meeting was informational, featuring a presentation by Budget Analyst David Dimaio and public comments on how to spend the funds. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for February 10, 2022.

• No formal decisions or votes taken at this meeting

Regular City Council Meeting

The Cranston City Council voted 8-1 to adopt two ordinances that amend the Comprehensive Plan and change the zoning at 777 Cranston St. from M-2 to C-5, allowing commercial development. The council also approved a resolution to use up to $25,000 in ARPA funds for a resident poll, adopted several tax abatement resolutions, and continued a traffic ordinance for further review.

• Adopted Comprehensive Plan amendment for 777 Cranston St. (8-1)
• Adopted zoning change from M-2 to C-5 at 777 Cranston St. (8-1)
• Adopted one-way traffic ordinance for Eden Park Dr. (9-0)
• Continued Tabor St. traffic ordinance to next month (9-0)
• Adopted ARPA polling resolution, amended 'citizens' to 'residents' (9-0)
• Adopted real estate tax abatement resolution (8-0)
• Adopted motor vehicle tax abatement resolution (8-0)
• Approved tax interest waiver approvals and denials (8-0)