[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6532682,"mediaKeyId","3846354-13037b47748476f11082b27f72944c19","parentId",3846354,"title","Council backs War Dog and K‑9 memorial at Warwick City Park; VFW to fundraise and plan","audioSeconds",203,"startMs",3173000,"endMs",3376000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846354-13037b47748476f11082b27f72944c19&start=3173&end=3376","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846354-13037b47748476f11082b27f72944c19/thumbnail_3173000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6532682/Warwick-City/Kent-County/Rhode-Island/Council-backs-War-Dog-and-K9-memorial-at-Warwick-City-Park-VFW-to-fundraise-and-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6532682-284a4b910da483538fd690c85fb04452/orig.mp4?Expires=1776004154&Signature=iFNaxFZwSSJisvGtSFZatlNMnO17pLoDtj7fKRbc08M-AWHeiGyU0~Vz3J4YnOf6ulcS6gma1LQb4thdxtlOZNFC8PC2poD2DC598uy5ySQSsycn0cm2Y9HmokvGW9u43c3ssGZu8aFcrKCJiY76BVh1USbsUxy3j-h6k5POWaxwHWyyFkrzidWeuYbaEJXFvQmAOre~ezWWL9LlZ4Ngp172SkWXx2PFMjRXrBOzlD~rXnwIGXOM-nrTxXH7G3aJZAItDpvj6F4wOHVgcQnz1Tpo9RlWaWkbjJ2fuVRiAyovatqA-IfOtHnvXLImdzk5Sex8tQm1NTnpY7GBWpmz6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Warwick","date","2025-06-16T23:23:12.143Z","article","The city’s Public Properties, Land Use and Community Affairs Committee recommended favorable action on a resolution supporting a Rhode Island War Dog and police K‑9 memorial at Warwick City Park.

Councilman Muto, the primary sponsor, said the Veterans of Foreign Wars approached him about a memorial recognizing war dogs and police canines. The VFW and sponsors proposed to plan, design and fundraise for the memorial at no cost to city taxpayers. \"We're recommending positive action on this... the planning group for the VFW to plan and recommend and design, and also fundraise to build this memorial, at no taxpayer expense,\" Muto said.

A resident reminded the committee of historical donors and the origin of City Park property, which the committee accepted as part of public comment. The committee voted in favor of the resolution; councilors noted the park was a centrally located site for the memorial and that the VFW would coordinate preservation and donor recognition.

Ending: The committee approved the resolution and directed the VFW and the planning group to proceed with design and fundraising; the council will receive any required site or permitting information as the project advances.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Warwick City Council Meeting - 6.16.25Warwick City Council Meeting & Finance Committee","oneSentenceSummary","The council and public properties committee recommended approval for a VFW‑led plan to establish a Rhode Island War Dog and police K‑9 memorial at Warwick City Park, contingent on no taxpayer expense and a planning group to design the memorial.","taxTitle","Warwick City, Kent County, Rhode Island","taxId",4566,"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},6532687,"Council approves adjustment and two‑year extension for employee boot allowance after audit of invoices",312,3560000,3872000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846354-13037b47748476f11082b27f72944c19&start=3560&end=3872","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846354-13037b47748476f11082b27f72944c19/thumbnail_3560000.jpg","/articles/6532687/Warwick-City/Kent-County/Rhode-Island/Council-approves-adjustment-and-twoyear-extension-for-employee-boot-allowance-after-audit-of-invoices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6532687-e9d4a0759a519e9e4302317279166ef9/orig.mp4?Expires=1776004154&Signature=Y4pf623BkfMz5O0bVChk~i0xwFKKxdPNGYRmdxU9PZUY0lJJRNrNJq38wcVYpI-X3mhUpIxSlgs1mbfvcfa9G0ic3OAwxys~XEFM4W8sHoKunaIVegcQpa6dTIw4Sa8WYPGimviyfXDpsiOp0hhIaGtU1FnWzR5CE786KnhNcZ-texyTN9CiuNLnjkjiBhaPg6nsvQTokKd64NHr9J1mTrABRkr2YIOpTwJEVpybk57o~x51ov3Qy9veBCB8WO12ue167M7Nrr4mI6yofxlQerjCgDKvFJhq9R~tIQKZebov24ejbS~rhQvJJe-Kdlbt7y9C-FiC7WG-b0ennMchyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council approved an amendment to increase spending authority for the city’s work‑boots contract and to extend the contract for two additional years following committee review of invoices and union contract changes.

Under the prior collective bargaining agreement the city reimbursed up to $70 per employee for a pair of boots; the new agreement raised the cap to $150. City staff reviewed invoices and found credits on vendor invoices reflect the difference between purchase price and the $150 cap when workers bought boots for less than the cap. Fire department leadership told the council the increase reflects amounts owed through the end of the fiscal year and anticipated purchases through June 30. \"That's what came up with this, the latest amount, which is $3,442,\" the fire chief said in committee.

Bill Vicente, chief of staff to Mayor Picozzi, told the committee the administration seeks a two‑year extension of the contract with annual authority of $22,350 (based on roughly 149 eligible employees at $150 per person), and that the FY25 increase requested is $3,442 to cover purchases and timing during the current fiscal year. The committee amended the PCR to reduce an earlier, incorrect total and approved a revised award that staff said reflects verified invoices; the final total for the multi‑year request was recorded as $48,142 after amendment.

Council members scrutinized the invoice packet to reconcile credits and line items; committee members asked staff to document how the $3,442 figure was calculated and staff provided a reconciliation during the meeting. The council approved the amended spending authority and the two‑year extension by roll call.

Ending: The amendment corrects an earlier misstatement of totals and formalizes the higher per‑boot reimbursement negotiated in the collective bargaining agreement; staff will provide remaining invoice backups as needed.

","After staff and union contract changes raised the allowable boot reimbursement from $70 to $150, the council approved a $3,442 increase in spending authority for FY25 and a two‑year extension; administration said the change reflects contract language and invoices reviewed by staff.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6532692,"Council gives first passage to ordinance subtracting employee OPEB contributions from city obligation",156,2588000,2744000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846354-13037b47748476f11082b27f72944c19&start=2588&end=2744","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846354-13037b47748476f11082b27f72944c19/thumbnail_2588000.jpg","/articles/6532692/Warwick-City/Kent-County/Rhode-Island/Council-gives-first-passage-to-ordinance-subtracting-employee-OPEB-contributions-from-city-obligation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6532692-e409683cff64f4d9b552eb187de4903c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776004154&Signature=kMCJmio3PHw4LBJCX9diyTFR3NL1vfj3yKJtsDVQG-2QbozGxS47zJKJ1Tt~rh0-QqC2L6MLl7ll61O~1DuAshwHr1vMotoTa0CfV9rcoV~6ugTOAtsXCgEhSzz97KNkwPEQZFjdQOcS-jZOVnlL-nx6VqsPElIxmvrGV1cOJVPW2wH8Qh-dB95zkJJQ1JkLLPF372pyqPEJbdo7tq31pG58fEbf2DXBzr3W6zmVP8ixvm1Z4coIIC-wHAjApgSxVIJEVR~1uLMlk824yvVhxSHQhx7w1fV6wX59ISY3o-MrDobnsz5Qgbm5IuipeQbHFmjSe7~BFf3E~345VhtW8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Warwick City Council gave first passage to an ordinance (PCO 15‑25) allowing employee contributions to be treated as a reduction to the city’s required contribution to the city’s OPEB (other post‑employment benefits) trust for fiscal year 2026.

Council President Sanappia presented the ordinance on behalf of Mayor Picozzi, saying the change aligns the city’s budgeted OPEB payment with negotiated employee contributions. An administration representative told the committee the city expects to collect about $600,000 in employee contributions during the current fiscal year, and that contributions are phasing up toward a 2% threshold. \"This just aligns us with what the council appropriated by deducting the over $500,000 employee contributions from what we would have paid,\" the administration said.

Council members asked for clarification about the mechanics, and whether the ordinance would change long‑term planning recommended by the city’s actuary, GRS Retirement Consulting. Councilman Ricks said he supported the item but urged the council to stick with the long‑term plan from the actuary. Administration officials confirmed the move affects fiscal 2026 accounting and that the city previously set aside a multimillion‑dollar contribution that has increased the trust balance to roughly $5.3 million (city transfer plus investment earnings). The administration said the ordinance does not eliminate the council’s appropriation plan; it substitutes employee withholdings for a portion of the employer payment in the current fiscal year.

The ordinance cleared its first passage after committee recommendation. The administration said it would provide more precise accounting on prior contributions and investment earnings when requested by council members.

Ending: Council members expressed general support but asked the administration for documentation of prior OPEB transfers and the trust balance cited in committee.

","The council voted first passage on an ordinance that allows employee contributions to the city's OPEB trust to reduce the city's required contribution for fiscal 2026; administration officials said employee withholdings are expected to reduce the city's outlay this year by about $600,000.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6532697,"Warwick council moves dozens of routine contract awards; vendors, amendments approved in consent calendar",1187,1026000,2213000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846354-13037b47748476f11082b27f72944c19&start=1026&end=2213","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846354-13037b47748476f11082b27f72944c19/thumbnail_1026000.jpg","/articles/6532697/Warwick-City/Kent-County/Rhode-Island/Warwick-council-moves-dozens-of-routine-contract-awards-vendors-amendments-approved-in-consent-calendar","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6532697-5615c338dd97cdc4f177ca7fe4daf257/orig.mp4?Expires=1776004154&Signature=AfzvGIEm8NdROUwP5CY7wZN5YnEW4CXwfVLm7kuyYon8ht9h~WRAFrXjrxWpOssw0d1~eF5uBoOnOy--qGbVjqGlv9Sgcxm4BTtYIa48lGhql2-Ot4YpE242bl9Cgm6mYZZugmXXAxUTbvl9Fy-BpSTXA0kV-JA0NYPUOOP-dk~J3Ul7HBwbdaj6XhBKTVaXf3Gt8X11kgOndlwUc4RRo91zvDfl9RDfDXihsoiJSQ801MmWhOMIgV7xbgJRaPfYzIj-f59UpB1hlFA1dSGoojgHWTdzMA5XvVl25Rk796N~-Rysh72tHgBILmvwdy25mYP14rmHAjTbno8gwyvDkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Warwick City Council and its finance committee approved a broad package of routine contract awards and bid actions covering information technology, public safety, public works and facility services, finishing the city’s high‑value procurement items for the meeting.

Key approvals included a one‑year maintenance contract for the Munis enterprise resource planning software with Tyler Technologies, at $281,174.70 — an approximate 8% increase over the prior year — and a one‑year award not to exceed $140,000 for medical supplies and medications for the fire department (EMS) with two vendors recommended, Boundtree Medical and Life‑Assist Inc., with police to use the same bid pricing for limited items such as naloxone and gloves.

Phil Carlucci, IT director, told the committee the Tyler price was received late and apologized: \"This is one of those that unfortunately fits into the category of coming to the city council late,\" he said. Carlucci also asked to add B&H Photo Video Incorporated to an approved vendor list for a separate computer hardware authorization; council members approved an amendment to include that vendor.

Public Works presented several awards: Stantec Consulting Services was recommended for engineering oversight of the Lincoln Avenue Phase 2 contract; Phalanx Engineering was proposed as a one‑year HVAC services vendor for city buildings with an $80,000 cap; and TriPower Sales and Service was recommended for repair and rebuild of hydraulic cylinders under a two‑year, $50,000 award.

Other actions included an extension of the police and fire disability administrator contract for three years at a fixed $17,000 per year; an increase to a police software purchase authority from $29,650 to $30,000 to add five user licenses; and approval to proceed with material testing services for a municipal building project with an increase in spending authority (staff acknowledged only a single invoice for $2,317.44 was in the packet and agreed to provide written backup for the additional $5,182.56 being requested).

Several council members pressed departments on the recurring problem of contract items coming to the council late. Multiple presenters acknowledged timing issues and said they would work on earlier vendor follow‑up and paperwork to hit the council's desired notice windows.

Votes: The consent calendar and the package of PCR (procurement) items passed after brief discussion and a series of amendments adding vendors and adjusting award amounts. Specific amendments approved included adding B&H Photo Video to the hardware vendor list and increasing a police software award to $30,000.

Ending: Officials said they will return with written backup where numbers were unclear and that departments will attempt to improve processes to avoid late submissions in future procurement cycles.

","The council and finance committee approved a package of vendor contracts, including IT maintenance, medical supplies, engineering and HVAC services; amendments added one vendor to a hardware contract and increased a police software award.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6532702,"Warwick officials review $3 million plan to dredge Warwick Cove; Nature Conservancy proposed as administrator",365,253000,618000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846354-13037b47748476f11082b27f72944c19&start=253&end=618","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846354-13037b47748476f11082b27f72944c19/thumbnail_253000.jpg","/articles/6532702/Warwick-City/Kent-County/Rhode-Island/Warwick-officials-review-3-million-plan-to-dredge-Warwick-Cove-Nature-Conservancy-proposed-as-administrator","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6532702-82f514dbcb1340debc1976066511a959/orig.mp4?Expires=1776004155&Signature=h2mbNm6hLrL0ayMtf7491kkaZueHwYs~2dik9svgz11WgKvjpASx2OUH4G~n0hJZn33NA5vg4KnGJtRDONz1LVL98onr~hlpoZWC3i08F8NO7sb5yGKZY0r49yOZ5wTsK3JR2CRMPoYUMaw26DED4s6s8LjMMu4s~IqGwOOFIEYbpjWOB4ra1xfVoSIONJnHaT9ehsxWovGGthkPg20r3nUa8MvZN2pD2RAGVsKQRu~Hp1Z6PYmM1B40PBFoOu9UF5eyxG~yxCiirP0JgQcobPGtZmyznKywKjwvLVIj2m0ohZH9yvB3f5swH9QiuJWfVfhoWUqHXYvrk-hltTU~7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Warwick City planning staff and state officials briefed the City Council and the finance committee on a $3,000,000 dredging project for Warwick Cove and recommended contracting with The Nature Conservancy to manage the work.

The project, funded in the state budget, would focus on dredging the entrance to Warwick Cove where a sandbar narrows navigation near Oakland Beach. \"The city had received $3,000,000 to execute this project, just the dredging of Warwick Cove,\" said Tom Kravitz, city planning director. Megan Depreet, manager of the Office of Planning and Development at the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, told members she and DEM staff recommend using The Nature Conservancy (TNC) as a pass-through administrator because the conservancy has led similar projects and can move more quickly than state processes.

Why it matters: The cove is a recreational and boating access point for the city. Dredging could improve navigation and safety at the boat ramp but will require decisions about where to place dredged material. Placement affects cost and permitting and may trigger a public hearing, Depreet said.

Council members and residents asked about long-term costs and jurisdictional responsibilities. Councilwoman Donna Travis (Ward 6) urged the city to coordinate near the existing jetty at Oakland Beach to limit repeated sand deposition that covers the boat ramp, noting the Army Corps of Engineers had promised five‑year maintenance in prior meetings but had not delivered. \"The Army Corps of Engineers stood there at a public meeting and said that they would dredge it every 5 years. They'd never been out there,\" Travis said.

Depreet and Kravitz said placement decisions will be central to final cost estimates and that TNC will evaluate options to keep costs within the $3,000,000 budget. \"We know that we cannot go back to them for anything more than $3,000,000 or else we'll be voiding this contract,\" Depreet said. Kravitz told the council the channel entrance moves over time and that maintenance will likely be needed on a regular schedule; officials discussed a five‑year maintenance expectation.

Officials also noted they had reached out informally to the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) and that CRMC and local harbor management coordination, including the harbor master, would be part of the permitting and placement decisions.

No formal council vote on the dredging contract was taken at the meeting. Staff said they would return with a procurement and contract recommendation, anticipated schedule revisions depending on approval timing, and opportunities for public engagement where required.

Ending: Project administration by a conservation organization aims to accelerate work, but council members and residents pressed for clarity on maintenance responsibilities and material placement to avoid repeating sand build‑up at the ramp and to protect public access.

","City planning and state officials discussed a $3 million Warwick Cove dredging project, recommended administration by The Nature Conservancy and flagged future maintenance, replenishment placement and public hearings as outstanding issues.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council backs War Dog and K‑9 memorial at Warwick City Park; VFW to fundraise and plan

Council approves adjustment and two‑year extension for employee boot allowance after audit of invoices

Council gives first passage to ordinance subtracting employee OPEB contributions from city obligation

Warwick council moves dozens of routine contract awards; vendors, amendments approved in consent calendar

Warwick officials review $3 million plan to dredge Warwick Cove; Nature Conservancy proposed as administrator