City of Central Falls
Claims Committee Meeting
Wednesday, February 28, 2001
Following the Liquor Board Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers
A Meeting of the Central Falls Claims Committee was held on the above date in the City Hall
Council Chambers after the City Council meeting at approximately 9:16 p.m.
Councilman Leger
Councilman Lazieh
Councilman Noury
Councilwoman Canavan
Councilman Robichaud
Quorum present. Councilman Robichaud chaired the meeting.
Meeting September 11, 2000
Meeting February 7, 2001
Motion to accept and place on file the minutes collectively was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Noury . All agreed. So Voted.
Luis Taveria
34 Butler Ave.
Central Falls, RI
For damages to vehicle struck by police car on 9/16/00
As requested the claimant submitted 3 estimates.
Motion was made by Councilman Leger to approve the payment of the claim in the amount of $493.02 the lowest estimate. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Noury. All Agreed. So Voted.
Councilman Lazieh stated that he read in the newspaper that the City may be sued to recover funds for the Private Industry Council and he requested that the Solicitor submit a report on the status of this claim/pending suit.
Councilman Leger stated that it has come to the attention of the committee that there is new information regarding the Claim for vacation time for Mr. Harraka and he requested, although he is not on the prevailing side, that a motion be made for reconsideration of the actions taken by the committee for this claim after reviewing the additional information on this matter.
Chairman turned the Chair to the Vice Chair Rose Marie Canavan. Motion to reconsider the claim of Anthony Harraka was made by Councilman Robichaud .
Chairman Canavan asked for a second.
Discussion ensued as to whether Councilman Leger could second the motion if he is not on the prevailing side.
Councilman Noury stated that he had no problems with Councilman Leger seconding the motion.
Motion seconded by Councilman Leger.
Discussion ensued.
Councilman Noury motioned to table.
Chairman Canavan returned the Chair to Councilman Robichaud.
Councilwoman Canavan seconded the motion to table for purpose of discussion.
Councilwoman Canavan stated that she had no objection to reconsidering any vote on any subject as long as there is documentation giving the reasons for reconsideration. She said that the committee has no documentation or information to investigate reconsideration. She said that the only information the committee has is what was in the newspaper. She stated that if she receives something in writing from the Administration and Mr. Harraka then she would reconsider the motion but at this point there are no ground for this reconsideration.
Councilman Leger stated his reasons for bringing this matter to the floor.
Councilman Noury commented.
Councilman Lazieh made a point of order regarding the motions.
Chairman Robichaud stated he would have the Mayor answer some questions on the subject.
Councilman Noury stated that it=s not on the agenda for the Mayor to comment on this issue. He also commented on Councilman Lazieh=s point of order and withdrew his motion on the table.
City Solicitor James Briden stated that he would not recommend a motion to reconsider. He said he would recommend that the committee make a motion to place this matter on the Agenda with a letter to Mr. Harraka to attend to discuss & hear the issues.
Discussion ensued.
Councilman Noury repeated that in order to have a Public Hearing, it must be placed on the agenda.
Mayor Matthews stated that the Chairman could open the meeting to the public at anytime.
Discussion continued on the issue of public hearing.
Councilwoman Canavan stated that she didn=t want to hear testimony at this time and wanted the issue placed on the Agenda with proper documentation.
Mayor Matthews stated that in order to give the information he needed to have the committee hear him and that=s all he=s trying to do.
Councilman Leger stated that he agrees that the issues should be placed on the agenda for proper actions by the committee and that is why he is asking for the reconsideration.
Lazieh commented on Roberts Rules and with Council Rules.
City Solicitor James Briden explained the reconsideration issue according to Roberts Rules.
Councilman Lazieh responded that the Council Rules might have stated that reconsideration could take place at the next regular meeting.
Councilwoman Canavan repeated that she wanted documentation from the personnel department as well as from Mr. Harraka.
Councilman Leger stated that the Committee should have a right to vote on the motion to reconsider.
Councilman Noury asked to move the question.
On the motion to reconsider:
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Noury | no |
| Councilman Lazieh | no |
| Councilman Robichaud | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | no |
Motion dies 3 no 2 yes
Couniclman Lazieh stated that the clerk be directed, if it has not been already done, that the Finance Director make payment for the time that the Claims Committee has awarded to Mr. Harraka. He said that there should be no delay in finalizing the actions of the City Council or Claims Committee and if its not finalized then he suggested that the City Solicitor direct the payment be made immediately.
City Solicitor Briden stated that the motion to reconsider was perhaps not the right motion. He stated that the motion to rescind may be in order.
Discussion continued.
Chairman Robichaud stated that he would place the matter on the agenda of the Claims Committee that is scheduled for March 7th 2001.
None
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Leger. All Agreed. So Voted. Time 10:05 p.m.
_________________________
Councilwoman Rose Marie Canavan
Acting as Clerk