Meeting on September 30 and is 05:41. Can we please call the vote?
Chair Antibua. I'm here. Vice Chair Sanchez? I'm also here. Councilman Espinal is absent.
Councilor Royce? Present. Councilor Davidson? Present. We have four present and one absent.
Have a quorum. Awesome. Can we please leave item number one into the record? An ordinance amending chapter five, building and structural occupantances, amending section five through 121 entitled Administrative Provisions.
Awesome, so it's attached. We have the sponsor here with us, Doctor. Moby Davidson. You can share anything about it. Yeah, I think that the main impetus for this ordinance is to strengthen the regulations that we already have to ensure that as we're dealing with rising water tables and increased flooding risk combined with our current challenging infrastructure that developers do everything that they can, and we get the firemen to do everything they can, to keep the corona safe.
I mean, that's sort of the bottom line. That's why we are asking for this change. And it's not actually an introduction of the idea that this is strengthening of her. Yeah. And that's really it.
I'm happy. I think I'm happy to answer any questions, but we certainly can poke out evidence for her. But that was, this was inspired by the recommendation or constituents that I have whose homes were planted in city. And further amendment that we'd like to propose tonight, and if we are going to pass this task before getting in, as I would imagine. And thank you, Aaron, for considering this piece.
So, you know, when we talk in the ordinance about proposed construction of a bedow in a special flood hazard area requiring a permit, we need to make sure that we are complying with state zoning laws and in particular, state building code, state planning code, you know, enhancing offending regulations as well as the state law. So we're adding that piece in to make sure that we are also acknowledging that state law could prevail and that this needs to be adhered to for the use. So that we have that language in front of us, I'm happy to So the amendment that I'm gonna read the sentence, and then I'll say when the amendment starts. So all proposed construction or other development within a special flood hazard area shall acquire a permit. And now the amendment starts.
As a condition of such permit, the building official in consultation with the Department of Public Works and the Department of Planning and Development shall evaluate proposed work and site conditions to determine whether measures are necessary to prevent or mitigate sewer backup, groundwater intrusion, or other related blood damage. Where such measures are determined necessary, appropriate protective measures which may include backwater valves, sump pumps, sewer injector systems, or other approved measures shelving incorporated into the proposed work in accordance with Rhode Island State Building Code, Rhode Island Funding Code, Narragansett Bay Commission regulations, and other applicable law. Can we please read item number two here?
Sure. An ordinance amending chapter 15 of the code of ordinances of the city of Providence entitled motor vehicles and traffic to add section fifteen-16.1 and amend section fifteen-two.
Awesome, so this, I'm going to ask Erin to do a quick thing, but the basic thing here is full script for using the state law, says you can't block even 25P And so a lot of people are parking really close to intersections, and people would call in and complain, put off their new law, and their cops can't even make that not into the ordinance. So we're just basically, like, putting it into the ordinance and then take what we have here. So that imagine with that in the states, we can start enforcing like a very sensible and common sense law to make it safe on our streets. And welcome to the Peterson of the Rackles. We'll actually see you.
Thank you, members of the committee and everyone in attendance. Counselor, well, chair and watch, she presented the ordinance and its intent very clearly. One thing that I will just add in terms of an amendment that's before you, when we did research and, you know, look at the issue when it comes to having a state statute that we aren't able to enforce locally, in Providence, we're bigger than the other cities, and we do have a police department that operates a little differently. State law says that it needs to be a sworn officer to issue these tickets, and our parking enforcement officers are not sworn officers. So some savvy attorneys pointed that out and a lot of tickets were thrown out.
So that just adds to the background that we gave, but the amendment specifically is because there is a state uniformity clause. We wanted to be maybe a little different here in Providence and have, you know, the distance be 25 feet, as you know, the counselor mentioned. However, state law specifically says 20 feet. So we are amending it to match so that there's no conflicts there and we can move forward in, you know, enforcing this ordinance in state law locally. So that is the change.
And with that, I have a motion to substitute this today. I'll let you know. Third. Awesome. All in favor?
Aye. Any opposed? Do you have any questions or comments? Yeah.
So the only officers can ticket drivers who violate this proposal. Yes. So like the folks who are driving the park, so you had a year of status for the folks who drive during the day to enforce The parking enforcement. The white cars and the The cars. They can't earn it.
Yeah. Because they're not sworn officers of PPDA. State law says that they can't do it. However, all we need is the to give them the legal authority to do so, we just need to add to that state law with this ordinance that speaks to basically in Providence. Yes.
Sworn officers can do so and our parking enforcement officers. That's what it does.
to it says, like, to defy a police officer, parking enforcement officer, or a traffic control device. Oh,
Yeah. People have flagged me. Was like, I don't know. This is the law.
