Ordinance committee clears multiple code updates; council committees approve bottle-deposit resolution, firefighter contract and several licenses — votes at a‑-

Multiple Cranston council committees met June 12 and approved a series of municipal code updates, a city resolution supporting a state bottle-deposit bill, and committee referrals and votes on labor contracts and business licenses.

Ordinance updates and code cleanups: The ordinance committee approved a series of primarily technical amendments that align municipal language with state law and remove outdated local licensing requirements. Items approved included revisions to Title 5 (licenses generally), repeal or update of local licensing sections for tobacco dealers, bingo licenses and flower vendors to reflect state authority, and an ordinance amendment concerning multi-way stop signs at a high-traffic intersection on Cleveland Street (traffic study reviewed). Committee members debated the Cleveland Street stop sign proposal briefly; the Bureau of Traffic Safety had advised that stop signs should not be used primarily for speed control, but council sponsors argued for safety relief for parents and pedestrians.

Bottle-deposit resolution: The committee considered a resolution supporting Rhode Island House Bill H6207 (extended producer responsibility / bottle deposit). Councilwoman Graziano, citing data from Save the Bay and statewide recycling figures, argued the measure would shift recycling costs away from municipalities and discourage single-use plastic bottles. The committee recorded debate on implementation and cost impacts; one councilor said she opposed the resolution because of added costs for low-income shoppers. The committee approved the resolution by roll call.

Firefighter contract: The Finance committee met in a special session and considered Ordinance 6-25-01, ratifying a three-year collective-bargaining agreement with IAFF Local 1363 (firefighters) covering 07/01/2025–06/30/2028. Director Murray and union representatives described negotiated terms including cost-of-living increases staged across contract anniversaries, adjusted longevity steps for long-serving firefighters, a modest increase to holiday pay (from 32.5% to 35% of weekly pay), and other language updates; the union has ratified the agreement. Finance committee members reviewed fiscal notes and were told the contract is affordable within the budget framework; the committee voted to ratify the contract and move it forward.

Licenses and safety: The Safety & Licenses committee reconsidered and approved a used-auto dealer license for Zinc's Auto Sales and Service after clerical delays in the clerk's office; the committee agreed not to take adverse action on two related licenses that were not properly on that agenda and will hear those on a subsequent docket. The committee also approved a holiday sales license renewal for Atwood Greenhouses after the business provided a current Division of Taxation letter showing taxes in good standing.

Votes at a glance (selected items): - Ordinance (Title 10, Chapter 32) — multi-way stop at Cleveland Street: committee motion to approve; forwarded to council (roll call recorded). - Sabre Street no-parking amendment (even-numbered side, 245 feet): ordinance amended and approved by ordinance committee; forwarded to council. - Multiple Title 5 amendments (licenses, tobacco dealers, bingo, flower vendors): approved by ordinance committee to align with state statutes. - Resolution supporting H6207 (bottle-deposit, extended producer responsibility): approved by ordinance committee (roll-call; not unanimous). - Ordinance 6-25-01 (IAFF Local 1363 contract ratification): approved by special Finance committee; motion passed by roll call and referred per council rules for final council action. - Zinc's Auto Sales & Service (used-auto dealer license): Safety & Licenses committee reconsidered denial and approved the license; related licenses to be heard at the next meeting due to clerical error. - Atwood Greenhouses (holiday sales license): reconsideration passed and license approved after Division of Taxation letter showing taxes paid in full.

Ending: Several items will move to full council for final action or appear on subsequent agendas for the remaining license items. Committees asked staff to ensure ordinance language matches state law and to provide any additional traffic-engineering deletions required before full council consideration.