In accordance with notice to member of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, a virtual meeting was held on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. utilizing Zoom Meeting, and Council members participating remotely.

Members Present
Raymond Coia, Chair
Donald Gomez
Patricia Reynolds
Michael Hudner
Ronald Gagnon, RIDEM
Jerry Sahagian
Joy Montanaro

Excused:
Jennifer Cervenka, Chair

Staff Present
Jeffrey M. Willis, Executive Director
James R. Boyd, Acting Deputy Director
Anthony DeSisto, Legal Counsel
Laura Dwyer, Public Educ and Infor Coordinator
Brittany Spurlock, Moderator
Lisa Turner, Office Manager, Recording Secretary
Cindy Tangney, Court Reporter

1. CALL TO ORDER

Chair Coia called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. and identified the participants of the meeting, Council Members, Staff members, and applicants. The Chair stated that the meeting would be recorded.

2. Brittany Spurlock, Meeting Moderator, briefed participants on the meeting housekeeping items.

3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

Chair Coia called for a motion regarding the minutes for the December 8, 2020 Semi-monthly Meeting. Council members discussed edits to the minutes as they felt that the minutes did not accurately reflect the discussion for Quonset Development Corp. Mr. Hudner asked to defer approving the minutes until edits were made.

Motion to table approving the minutes of 12-08-2020 for corrective language.

Motion: Mr. Hudner
Second: Mr. Gomez
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Hudner Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Mr. Sahagian Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Montanaro Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Motion to table approval of the 12-08 minutes carried to approve minutes of December 8, 2020 meeting.

4. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS:

Mr. Boyd reported to the Council:

• A preliminary draft amendment was approved to submit to RICR by the Policy and Procedures Subcommittee on the subject of submerged renewable energy cables within RI waters.

5. STAFF REPORTS:

Mr. Willis updated the Council on the following:

• Orsted Southfork Wind Farm is negotiating with the Fishermen’s Advisory Board (FAB)
  • The current Stay agreement is due to end at the end of January. CRMC has asked for another stay agreement through March to continue negotiations.
• Orsted Deepwater Wind Cable exposure off Block Island
  • Orsted and National grid expect the project will be completed on time in Spring of 2021

Legal Counsel, Anthony DeSisto entered the meeting and was briefed on meeting to this point.

6. Request for Executive Session pursuant to RIGL § 42-46-5(a)(2), litigation, discussion on Champlin's Realty Associates v. Lemont Supreme Court appeal.

Motion to enter Executive Session:
Motion: Mr. Sahagian
Second: Mr. Hudner
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Hudner Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Mr. Sahagian Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Montanaro Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Motion to enter Executive Session carried.

Council entered Executive Session at 6:30 p.m.
Council returned from Executive Session at 7:13

Motion to come out of Executive Session:
Motion: Mr. Hudner
Second: Mr. Sahagian and Ms. Reynolds
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Hudner Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Mr. Sahagian Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Montanaro Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Motion to Seal the Minutes of the Executive session
Motion: Mr. Hudner
Second: Mr. Gagnon
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Hudner Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Mr. Sahagian Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Montanaro Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Motion to accept the MOU and authorize Executive Director Willis to sign on council behalf
Motion: Mr. Hudner
Second: Mr. Gomez
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Hudner Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Mr. Sahagian Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Montanaro Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Motion to authorize Executive Director to take any further action necessary to the Rhode Island Supreme Court regarding the Memorandum of Understanding and Assent.
Motion: Mr. Hudner
Second: Mr. Gomez
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Hudner Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Mr. Sahagian Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Montanaro Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Chari Coia thanked Chief Williams on Behalf of council

9. ADJOURN

Motion: Mr. Sahagian
Second: Ms. Reynolds
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Hudner Aye
Mr. Gomez Aye
Mr. Sahagian Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Ms. Montanaro Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa A. Turner
Recording Secretary

 

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