[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6334596,"mediaKeyId","2295350-e02d4372991ca3a0c3b9102bfbec722e","parentId",2295350,"title","Council approves amended media and legal contracts after solicitor flags budget and form concerns","audioSeconds",1170,"startMs",6570000,"endMs",5400000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2295350-e02d4372991ca3a0c3b9102bfbec722e&start=6570&end=5400","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2295350-e02d4372991ca3a0c3b9102bfbec722e/thumbnail_6570000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6334596/Cranston-City/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Council-approves-amended-media-and-legal-contracts-after-solicitor-flags-budget-and-form-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6334596-26c3172d472a9e7a2b3fe656e18e31e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167402&Signature=DXezcuIbIny1KDckzkJ7GIPhGsPpUCTrbuneTJE-HCzejxiSEDbuNqc-CI~vbK5JKDu-YabAE39UWKqiZ0WaVxNk8R85F9uSpLsevRvi5PiW882qpUurBJZO6ayEm45HseQn3Z7lCH16KZ3i5YSakujap6Io82IXN0qWBXmANoFpl5bRb4k8xAvqz1aXlvFeR2a-3MRFRKQ7gy3rTzSbnKJuVbn1tWblC19O7maSRaIjwOdfv82l~bZAq2ZkMKBtIJ6Q-UfHIuYtBDftjSnbrudXCjkPyfqab53i4itql4IqWFZAV3xhesEN8hiwtrlSVA6q-Q2rQ5S9YeWV62j53A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Cranston RI","date","2025-02-03T00:00:00Z","article","Council President Marino and the City Council approved two contracts for services to the council on Feb. 3, 2025, renewing a media-services agreement with Thomas Lima and engaging Angel Law LLC and Stephen J. Angel as council attorney and litigation counsel, after hours of committee and council debate over contract language and budget limits.

The finance committee and full council voted to approve the contracts after an amendment that corrected a scrivener's error in the Lima agreement's start date and added an explicit termination pathway. The City Solicitor told the committee he would \"not approve this contract as to form,\" citing the charter and the council's limited budget authority.

Why it matters: The contracts govern how the council secures legal representation when its interests diverge from the administration and how it communicates meetings and related public information. The solicitor warned the council that, as written, the documents could obligate the city to payments beyond line items in the council's budget; proponents said the contracts preserve continuity and immediate access to counsel and services when urgent litigation or communications needs arise.

What the council approved

- Thomas Lima: The council approved an independent-contractor media-services agreement covering January 2025 through 2027 after amending the contract to correct a date error and to allow termination by supermajority vote of the council. Thomas Lima told the committee he had written the original agreement at the council president's request and described it as \"very typical of independent contractor agreements when they're properly drafted.\" The finance committee and full council recorded affirmative roll-call votes.

- Angel Law LLC / Stephen J. Angel: The council approved an engagement letter naming Stephen J. Angel as council attorney and litigation counsel. Angel said the engagement mirrors a June 2024 agreement and that it is structured to comply with rules governing attorneys and public bodies. He argued the letter of engagement reflects the rules of professional conduct and state precedent: \"The Supreme Court of the State of Rhode Island says different,\" he told the committee when addressing the solicitor's objections about form.

Legal and budget concerns

City Solicitor (listed in the record as Solicitor) repeatedly told members he would not approve either contract in its then-current form. For the Lima contract, the solicitor said the agreement, as written, lacked a cap tied to the council's budget and could bind the city to payments beyond the council's line item: \"...there is no limit on the amount that Mr. Lima or anyone else sitting in his position can earn,\" the Solicitor said. He urged the committee to table the matters and to produce written amendments rather than make oral edits in the meeting.

For the Angel agreement, the Solicitor echoed the same budget concern, noting the council's legal budget line was $42,000 for the fiscal year and saying the council could not lawfully commit the city to greater payments without a corresponding appropriation. He repeated he would \"not approve it as to form.\"

Responses from Angel and supporters

Stephen J. Angel told the committee the engagement letter is meant to reflect duties and protections consistent with state professional standards and the practical needs of a legislative body that may need immediate litigation representation: \"You have a right to hire your own lawyer,\" Angel said, and described the letter as a scope-of-engagement document that separates flat-fee council duties from hourly litigation work that would only arise after a majority vote.

Several council members defended retaining both contractors and said the contracts had been used in prior council terms. Council Vice President Wall said continuity of services was important and noted that previous invoices had kept costs below the current budget line.

Votes and next steps

- The finance committee voted to send the amended Lima contract to the full council; the full council then approved the amendment and the contract in a roll-call vote (Graziano, Andujar, Ritz, Trafficante, Horayan, Wall, Marino: all recorded as yes). The same roll-call pattern followed for Angel's engagement after a scrivener's correction to hourly-rate figures that the committee noted.

Discussion vs. decision

- Discussion: Committee debate focused on (a) whether contracts should be limited to the council's budgeted line items; (b) whether termination should be possible by vote of the council; and (c) whether an independent-contractor letter should be subject to solicitor approval \"as to form.\" The Solicitor repeatedly raised legal concerns about binding the city beyond budgeted appropriations and about contractual termination clauses.

- Decision: Both contracts were approved by the finance committee and later by the full council, as amended. The Solicitor stated he would not sign the contracts \"as to form\" unless written amendments addressing his concerns were submitted for review; council leaders indicated they would reduce the agreed changes to written form for the solicitor's office to review before finalizing the executed contracts.

Ending

Council members said they expect a written, amended version of each contract to be circulated so the Solicitor's office can review it and so execution can follow standard legal review. Supporters said the contracts preserve continuity of services to the council; opponents said the council must not bind the city beyond budgeted appropriations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 3, 2025, Claims, Safety Services & Licenses, Finance, Special City Council Meetings","oneSentenceSummary","Council President Marino and the City Council approved two contracts for services to the council on Feb. 3, 2025, renewing a media-services agreement with Thomas Lima and engaging Angel Law LLC and Stephen J. Angel as council attorney and litigation counsel, after hours of committee and council debate over contract language and budget limits.","taxTitle","Cranston City, Providence County, Rhode Island","taxId",4549,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6334591,"Cranston safety committee approves scores of business licenses and hours changes; several approvals conditioned on missing state documents",1320,2280000,3600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2295350-e02d4372991ca3a0c3b9102bfbec722e&start=2280&end=3600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2295350-e02d4372991ca3a0c3b9102bfbec722e/thumbnail_2280000.jpg","/articles/6334591/Cranston-City/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Cranston-safety-committee-approves-scores-of-business-licenses-and-hours-changes-several-approvals-conditioned-on-missing-state-documents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6334591-58dbfda0bc6e8fd3f3ebe7b08b2dd2b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167402&Signature=ek2XY~5gaGimXtrd00B0qdenF4UqniMuC4sxwICGiTL7TNkvhED0rBiqqKngkWX3E1QUfHCsCPp72VPF4x0fuYAwzdKZulvWH8N~XS0Tt5D94qWaNj1srVoOeifn5CTRl6USm--oY~e3HpGV7~rNhM3jUDsKHiLK25g4w1M-XwPAo09I4dzqBtUyc~3fND3vs2cwSnMKgAD3gwK9UWwKJlaxZd37btpYfK-mw7fzFU4hgTqNYOTJfWE8jn3CBCl6TNofGvJnY8ji0sLw88mIu7T8Z0qdxyMyWig9w0uEM7P~kCeT7T9whLKLbVKIHymc2TVePOV2xLIuvPWxXe00nQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cranston Safety Services & Licenses committee met Feb. 3 and advanced a large block of license and permit items for full council consideration, approving multiple new and renewed liquor and victualing licenses and changes to business hours. Several approvals were conditioned on applicants providing outstanding state documents before final license issuance.

Why it matters: The committee's actions affect alcohol and food-service operations across Cranston, decide whether applicants may change operating hours, and set conditions for public-safety and public-health compliance.

Key approvals and conditions

- Starbucks (1 Chapel Hill Blvd and 4 Midway Rd): Committee approved changes to operating hours (earlier morning openings) by roll call.

- Blue Room LLC (2197 Bridal St) ' new Class BV liquor license: Approved by the committee \"subject to producing the missing items,\" including a Rhode Island Department of Health license and related clearance; the application moves to the full council because the city has reached its cap for liquor licenses.

- JMMH Co. (Ganza Asian Bistro, 736 Park Ave): Committee voted to approve the application subject to the applicant providing a Rhode Island Department of Revenue \"letter of good standing\" and other outstanding documentation; the applicant told the committee the letter was at home and would be submitted.

- Transfer of Em's Liquor store to Cranston Wine & Spirits (1285 Park Ave): Approved subject to receiving a letter of good standing. An outstanding objection filed in a prior month was reported to have been resolved, and the solicitor said the objection's outstanding obligations had been paid.

- Ming's Asian Street Food (1864 Broad St), Buno's Bakery Cafe (567 Reservoir Ave), Shandeh Holdings (Gokana Pizzeria, 693 Oakland Ave), and multiple other victualing and holiday-sales licenses: Approved subject to Department of Health inspection/approval where required.

Routine renewals and blocks

The committee took several groups of routine renewals and specialty permits as blocks to speed processing, approving multiple holiday sales licenses, victualing licenses, and monthly schedules. In some cases the clerk confirmed applicants were not required to appear in person.

Public-safety and compliance notes

Committee members and the solicitor repeatedly reminded applicants that operations without required licenses or without passing required fire or health inspections are not permitted. In one case (J J GJ Co. doing business as Classic Liquors) the clerk reported no documents had been submitted and the committee voted to continue the matter to the next meeting.

Votes at a glance (selected items)

- Blue Room LLC (Class BV new license, 2197 Bridal St): Approved by committee; condition: provide Rhode Island Department of Health license and any outstanding items before full council issuance. Committee roll-call: unanimous in committee.

- JMMH Co. d/b/a Ganza Asian Bistro (736 Park Ave): Approved subject to submission of letter of good standing from Rhode Island Division of Taxation/Department of Revenue. Committee roll-call: unanimous in committee.

- Em's Liquor store ' transfer to 3 Thirds LLC d/b/a Cranston Wine & Spirits (1285 Park Ave): Approved subject to letter of good standing; prior objection reported resolved. Committee roll-call: unanimous in committee.

- Ming's Asian Street Food (1864 Broad St): Approved subject to Department of Health license; committee noted build-out must be completed before inspection.

- Multiple retail holiday-sales and victualing renewals (Aldi stores, CVS, Luckymont LLC, Swedish Chocolates, and others): Approved in block motions; roll-call votes recorded as yes by committee members.

Discussion vs. decision

- Discussion: Committee members asked applicants about missing state permits (letters of good standing from the Division of Taxation, Rhode Island Department of Health licenses, and other documentation), outstanding fire or police reports, and whether applicants understood post-approval obligations. Applicants and their representatives frequently said missing documents would be provided before full-council issuance.

- Decision: The committee approved or advanced the items listed above; where state or municipal licensing items were missing, the committee either approved \"subject to\" receipt of the missing items or continued the item until documentation was provided.

Ending

Applicants were told licenses would not be issued until required state documents and inspections were submitted and validated. The committee chair closed the meeting after the roll-call votes and moved most routine renewals as blocks to expedite processing.","On Feb. 3 the Safety Services & Licenses committee voted to advance numerous liquor, victualing and other business licenses to full council, often approving items subject to submission of missing state or municipal documents such as letters of good standing and Department of Health approvals.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves amended media and legal contracts after solicitor flags budget and form concerns

Cranston safety committee approves scores of business licenses and hours changes; several approvals conditioned on missing state documents