Municipal Court Moving to East Providence City Hall

The East Providence City Council voted unanimously Tuesday evening to move the location of the city's from its 610 Waterman Ave. address to .

The relocation, which will officially take place on Nov. 1, 2011, was proposed by the East Providence Finance Department as a way to produce cost savings on behalf of the city. Mayor Bruce Rogers had also in early July. The motion voted on by the council cemented the November move and allowed for a review of the three options proposed by the Finance Department.

According to a memo sent from Finance Director Ellen Eggeman to City Manager Mr. Andreoni, Option 1 would produce an "estimated savings of $260,748," as it assumes that three positions be transferred to City Hall. Option 1 also assumes "12 months of utility savings" at $62,508 and a 12-month expected rent revenue of $198,240 at $7 a square foot.

Option 2 allows for two positions to be transferred to City Hall with a layoff of one position. Subsequently, it "assumes unemployment costs of $18,952 for 52 weeks," yet maintains the same projected utility savings as in Option 1, along with the same revenue from rent.

Option 3 would lay off two employees and "assumes unemployment costs" for 52 weeks at $37,904 with the same rent revenue and utility savings as in the previous two options.

During Tuesday's council meeting, Eggemen responded to Rogers' question of the proposed move being one of savings, rather than expenses.

Eggeman affirmed that the relocation would produce savings, sans "some extraneous costs," including "set up, address changes to letterhead, changes to tickets or citations." Eggeman added that the initial expenses of the move would be able to be covered in the department's operating budget of "approximately $6,650" that she said "appears would be sufficient to accommodate those extraneous costs or indirect costs."

After Assistant Mayor Thomas Rose seconded the motion moved by Councilwoman Katie Kleyla, Councilman At-Large William Conley asked Eggeman whether or not any of the three options assumed rental income had been coupled with any "ready, willing and able tenants" interested in occupying the space.

Eggeman responded by saying that she was "not aware of any tenants that are interested at this time; however, the building is in great shape, and it appears to be accommodating for either a doctor's office or a a business that requires individual rooms."

Conley added that the city currently has two other buildings that, at one point, were intended to be rented and have not been occupied.

During the meeting, Rogers spoke to what he sees as the value in freeing up the space for the city, citing its history with seniors and a "built-in ordinance for 200 to 300 seniors."

As for the practicality of the move, Eggemen answered Conley's question of whether or not City Hall would have the space to accommodate the Municipal Court. She said she was told there would be.

Eggemen said on Tuesday that after reviewing personal issues in each of the three options, she will return to the council with a recommendation and additional information to address concerns over rent and other costs.