For anyone watching online, the city
council will be starting shortly. Um, if
you're looking to speak in the public
input period, please press the raise
hand button online if you're joined
through Zoom.
>> Thank you.
>> Yes, there's one person raising hand.
Quinton.
>> No, it's Quinton. Go ahead.
Hey, good afternoon. Welcome to our
temporary temporary chambers and uh
Freight Street uh for today's city
council meeting and board of wic
commissioners meeting. First thing on
our agenda today is public input. We
have I'm told one individual signed up
in person here and one individual
online. We will take uh Mr. Douglas
Buckley first.
Mr. Buckley. Um
I'll just mention I think we've all
received your email today. So don't feel
like you have to read from that email.
If you'd like to expound upon that, that
purpose is fine. for the floor to us.
>> Thank you. Appreciate it. Uh, Chair
Mercer and other council members. Uh, I
come in here today bearing bad news,
which is if you drove here from your
homes, each of you was recorded and your
whereabouts log in a government
sponsored database. Some of you who live
close by are luckily lucky to only have
been recorded once. Um, but if
Councilwoman Martin Sahoak was here, she
would have been recorded five times on
her five minute drive. Uh, Chair Mercer
and and Councilman Marina were here
would have been uh they would avoid
flock on their short walks to the Clep
Arts Fest next week. Um, but Councilman
Moran uh would be logged four times on
his short drive to Slater Park. I
submitted a letter late last night
expressing my views on why Flock and
other ALPR systems should be removed
from the city. If after reading my
letter, any council members still do not
support terminating the flop contract, I
would refer you to the list of questions
I attached to my letter, you should get
answers to those questions from the
police department.
See if you then still believe that flock
belongs in Kentucky.
Sure.
And uh by the way, I omitted one
important question in my haste last
night, which is what are the
demographics of the registered owners of
the cars who are had inquiries by the
police department with Glock? If the
police department can't answer that
question, then know that your inaction
here likely supports a Jim Crow Arab
pole tax, except instead of
disenfranchisement, the penalty for the
people being targeted here are going to
be criminal fines and possibly jail time
if this system is not actually being
enforced in a way that is fair to the
citizens of Pucket. So that question
should be added to my questions if any
counselors think that this block system
should remain. I won't go through my
whole letter, but I want to rebut a few
responses that folks may have when they
read it. One response might be, well,
we're being tracked anywhere ever
everywhere anyway, right? We kind of
know this. Unfortunately, that's true,
but it's voluntary. If you download
Facebook on your phone or if you sign up
for a stop and shop card, you're
voluntarily going to be tracked in some
way. Walking out on the street or
putting your tires to the pavement is
not a voluntary action that should
require you to be tracked by the police
and by a corporate entity who we really
know nothing about what they do to data.
They can say all they want, but I don't
trust it. And as the representatives of
the city, you shouldn't either. This run
a foul. This runs a foul of civil civil
liberties in our society for freedom of
speech, association, and protection from
unlawful searches under the fourth
amendment and relevant constitutional
law in Rhode Island. Protect us. The
council has failed to uphold these
American core values by allowing flock
to proceed. But it's not too late. You
can terminate the flock contract and
require the devices to be dismantled
starting today.
That's what you should do. And you
should go back to the ACL's letter,
ACLU's letter that you were sent in 2021
for those of you who were on the board
and refresh yourself on that and look at
the recent events and see if those
warnings actually have come true.
The second and the final response I'll
rebut is that block is used for violent
crimes and these are things we all want
to prevent and enforce in our society.
That may be true, but it shouldn't get
in the way of our civil liberties. As
discussed in my letter this summer, a
New Bedford police officer made flock
inquiries of their ex-girlfriend more
than 200 times. 200 inquiries on a
private citizen who they had no basis be
following. That was a personal matter.
And so I'm sure there are many other
matters. Potentially the police
department doesn't like a politician and
wants to track their whereabouts. There could be many others and we won't
know about them because they haven't
come to light. It only came to light
there because the ex-girlfriend filed a
restraining order. Shouldn't have to
come to a domestic abuse restraining
order to realize that this is a power
that should not be wielded.
Um I just want to conclude um by saying
that as as you've probably seen,
Governor McKe is stopping all new FLOP
systems in the state for a period of 60
days in order to develop policies and
procedures that would be implemented
statewide, at least for the state
systems. Um, once those policies come
out, this council will have ample
opportunity with, I hope, appropriate
and long periods of public input to
reinstate the block cameras. If you so
choose, you can look at the state
policies, you can approve upon them, but
you need to get public input, I would
submit, before reinstating these
systems. Um for now what is clear is
that the AOPR and other simpl systems
should not be operating in defective
which means terminating the contract and
importantly removing the equipment
because if you terminated the equipment
stays flock will continue to gather data
on their own. So do both.
The residents of Lincoln, Naragansen,
North Kingtown, South Kingtown, Tton,
and Gloucester based upon the decisions
of their town councils recently or
police departments themselves to revoke
block contracts in their cities. If
those citizens deserve this freedom from
this invasive, continuous and
indiscriminate surveillance, then the
residents of Pucket deserve the same. I
ask you to start taking action today.
Thank you.
» We have one additional sign up for that.
Dr.
>> Yes, that's correct. Second.
» Hello. Can you hear me? Okay.
>> You can now. Yes, sir. You just speak
your name and your address for us,
please.
>> Sure. My name is Quentyn McMullen. My
address is 40 Capwell Avenue.
>> Thank you.
>> Uh I would also uh speak to the same
concerns as the prior gentleman, though
not nearly as eloquently. Uh I'm also
very concerned about the use of flock
cameras in Pucket. I mean, this is
obviously and truly uh mass government
surveillance at a a scale we haven't
seen before these ALPRs. Um, also happy
to see Rhode Island towns uh cancelling
their flock contracts and taking down uh
their flock cameras in response to the
concerns of their citizens. Um, for now
I just actually had I've got four
questions and maybe I should submit
these in writing. I don't know if it's
appropriate to ask or to be answered,
but the four questions I have on my mind
for you all as I'm learning more about
the flock cameras and the process. The
four questions are one,
was there ever a city council vote to
approve Flock cameras?
Two, has the city council reviewed
Pucket's contract with Flock?
Three, do ICE or other federal
authorities have access to data from
Pucket's Fog cameras?
And four, has the city, either the city
council or the police, ever done an
audit of Flock's data security and data
access requests they've received and
data access requests they have granted.
So, I don't know if you could tell me if
it's appropriate to look for an answer
in this meeting or if I should submit
those questions in writing. But then in
my learning about how this works within
Pucket and what the process was, those
are the four main questions on my mind
today.
>> Okay. Thank you.
>> No, you're right. It's it's not an
appropriate forum for them to ask
another question, but it looks to me
like the clerk just wrote down all four
questions. Was that correct?
>> Well, three and a half
>> three and a half question. Uh
>> I don't have because this topic is not
on our agenda. We're not able to address
it or send letters or do anything of
that nature.
uh and we wouldn't be able to answer
your questions either had you been
there. However, the clerk does have
three and a half questions written down.
What's the what's the question we don't
have?
>> The last one.
>> What was the last question, sir?
>> Sure. Thank you. Has a city, meaning the
city council or the police ever done an
audit of Flock's data security and data
access? So times like uh h how do we
know that flock isn't providing access
to of our
surveillance photos to uh federal
authorities?
>> We we will look into that um between now
and the next.
>> Thank you.
>> Is that it, sir?
>> That's it from me. Like I said, not as
eloquent as the previous gentleman, but
I agree with all of his points.
Thank you sir. Um with that we are on to
the board of license commission.
» President Mercer
>> here.
>> Dr. Roujo
>> here.
>> Dr. God
>> here.
>> Dr. Greger
>> here.
>> Dr. Moran. Dr. Moreno. here.
>> Dr. Rubio
>> here.
>> Kovette, council
>> here. Seven in attendance.
>> Mr. President, I call for approval of
the previous minutes from August 5th,
2026.
>> Move by council second by councelor
that approve given to the minute
from the August 5th, 2020 meeting. Are
there any relation? Hearing? None. All
in favor? I motion carries. I I call for
approval of item number two, the consent
agenda and item number three, the
petitions for licenses. Starting with
entertainment from petition from
Blackstone Valley Tourism Council for a
license to conduct dragon boat festival
at festival here uh all the way to the
second page uh under waste callers
renewal. The last one is ocean state
disposal incorporated at 23 city view
circle north island. Motion is to
approve.
>> Move by constant by approving given two
and three to conser
favor.
>> I before is a petition for license
entertainment and class F1 full
privilege. A petition of Latinos United
Rhode Island for a license to conduct a
Guatemalan festival in 2026 and to sell
alcohol beverages at 354 Pine Street in
the parking lot on Saturday, September
12th, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00
p.m. with a rain date of September 13th,
2026 from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.
License number is-26-70.
Motion to approve.
» Council Rubio council Rubio
license from entertainment class F1 full
privilege of United
in Rhode Island for license to conduct
island festival 2026 and to sell
alcoholic beverages at 25 P Street in
the parking lot on Saturday, September
12th, 2026 from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m.
with the rain of the following day. from
10 a.m. to 900 p.m. Place of EVP-26-70.
The motion is for approval. Um I will
just say that uh both this item and the
next item I spoke with the council the
district council is on who I believe the
one is here. They're both in favor of
approval of each of these successive
licenses. So with that um any other
discussion on item four.
>> All in favor? Motion carried.
>> Okay. Item number five, petition for
license entertainment and expansion of
premise one day. a petition of zona 7
for license to have a mntaka poorco pig
festival uh indoors and outdoors and for
a one-day expansion of the class BBOa
license and to serve food and alcohol
and beverages at 682 Roseville Avenue
parking lot on Saturday August 29th 2026
from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. That license
number is EDT-26-74
with the previous stipulation still in
place of no glass used outside only
plastic and outside cleaned up by 10:00
a.m. the next day. My motion is to
approve. I moved by councelor Rudo,
second by councelor Moreno that a
petition for license for entertainment
expansion of premise for one day seven
for the license
pig festival indoors and outdoors within
one day
in the parking lot Saturday
until 10 p.m. life-26-74.
It would carry the same stipulations uh
as the previous event as articulated by
councelor Roujo. Any discussion? I have
a motion to approve. All in favor? I
motion carries.
>> More business coming before the
protective board of license
commissioners. I make a motion that we
adjourn and reconvene as the protective
city council.
>> Move by council by council that we
adjourn as protective board of license
commissioners and conven city council
before I stand and join us in the pled
of allegiance. Started by council
to the flag United States of America and
to the republic for which it stands. One
nation under God, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all
the city council come
actually
the rules. Um if there's anybody here
for a licensing issue all been approved.
So, we're done with that. You're free to
go or you're free to stay. Okay.
» President Mercer
>> here.
>> Councilor Roujo
>> here. Kodair
>> here.
>> Council Gregor
>> here.
>> Moran. Councelor Moreno
>> here.
>> Rubio
>> here.
>> Scoiet. Council Wilder
>> here.
>> Seven and a 10. I call for approval of
item number one which is the previous
minutes of August 5th, 2026 of the
committee on claims and pending suits
and of the city council. Moved by
councelor back approv given to the
minutes of the August 5th 2026 meetings
of the committee on claim independent
suits and the city council. Any
discussion, amendments, deletions,
concerns hearing none. All in favor?
Motion carried. I call for approval of
item number two which is the consent
agenda and correspondence.
>> Moved by council second by councelor Kia
approving given the item two the consent
agenda and correspondence. Are there any
items on the correspondence agenda that
the members would like to take up
separately? To my right, I see council
rubio.
>> B.
Anybody else?
Okay. In that case, with the exception
of me, all in favor? Motion carries.
Counc.
Um item B is just a communication from
myself to the administration
um in regards to the Elijah project um
down and the downtown gateway
development. Um as we continue this
development, I thought it was important
to have those conversations if they
haven't already been done. Um, so I sent
the correspondence to the administration
to see if there's any talks of where we
could help support them in their
relocating. Um, because they're so
important to our community. I just want
to make sure that they're supported that
we find a space hopefully here in Pucket
so that they continue their work. And
that's that.
>> Thank you, councelor.
>> Tracy's working on a response.
>> Thank you.
>> That brings us to item three.
Item number three is a communication
from Andrew Mcnot, supervisor resolution
design energy to the honorable members
of the Puga City Council, submitting a
petition for installation of a new pole
at George Street to approve pending
approval from the director of public
works and make a motion to file the
communication. Moved by council second
by council council moreno that a
communication from Andrew McNook with
supervising distribution design for
island energy. The honorable member of
city council submitting a petition for
installation of a new pole at George
Street to be approved pending the
approval of the director of public
works. A motion of communication is any
discussion on fire. All in favor? Motion
>> carried.
Four.
» Which one do you guys mention? These are
the very rare instances where there are
appointments by charter to be made by
the the council president. So, uh, item
four is an appointment by council
president Mer of Amber Ree McGee to the
pension board to return a term that
expired the first Monday in January of
2028.
Not sure if it's required as a roll
call. It's just an appointment or
>> I mean for a roll call vote, but
>> we normally have done a roll call vote
>> and actually
if you need somebody make a motion.
>> It's an appointment by me. So, I think
it's it's okay. So, it's it's it's as
articulated an appointment. Is there any
discussion on that appointment?
And
uh so it'll be it'll be moved with a
question of roll call.
» President Mercer.
>> Yes.
>> Councelor Roujo.
>> Yes.
>> Counc.
>> Yes.
>> Council Gregor.
>> Yes.
>> Council Moreno.
>> Yes.
>> Councor Rubio.
>> Yes.
>> Council Wen.
>> Yes.
>> Seven is zero.
Item five is a reappointment by the
council of president to of Agua Delorgo
to the arts panel review committee for a
term to expire of first uh June 1st of
2049 and Dr. But I will take you up on
the offer to make a motion just so we're
aware where
>> so uh make a motion to uh as as you
articulated to approve second move by
council a second by council move that
approved and given a roll call bullet
there any discussion
clerk clerk roll.
>> President Mercer.
>> Yes.
>> Councelor Rujo.
>> Yes.
>> Council Kodair.
>> Yes.
>> Council Gregorus.
>> Yes.
>> Council Moreno.
>> Yes.
>> Council Rubio.
>> Yes.
>> Council Wenh.
>> Yes. Seven to zero.
>> Number six is a communication from
Michael Troy, president of the Fraternal
Order of Police Lodge number four to his
honor mayor Donald Drevium appointing
the BCI detective Mark Reos to serve as
a retired member of the police
department on the pension board for
confirmation. I call for a roll call
vote and moved by council second by
council recordation
showc
any discussion.
>> President Mers
>> yes
>> Dr. Roujo
>> yes
>> Dr. Kier
>> yes
>> Dr. Gregor,
>> yes.
>> Council Moreno,
>> yes.
>> Dr. Rubio,
>> yes.
>> Council Weren,
>> yes.
>> Seven to zero.
>> No further business. Kentucky City
Council. I'll make a motion to adjurnn.
>> My second
city council. All in favor? My nose.