CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS
CITY COUNCIL, ZONING BOARD, PLANNING BOARD
INFORMATIONAL WORKSHOP
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1990
A City Council, Zoning Board, Planning Board Informational Workshop was held in the City Hall Council Chambers on the above date at 7:05 P.M.
Councilman Charbonneau
Councilman Laroche
Councilman Sienkiewicz
Councilwoman Moreau
Councilman Vaudreuil
Quorum Present.
City Council President Albert O. Laroche presided.
Thomas Reilly
Thomas Bousquet
Henry Letendre
Lee Matthews
Fred Ramos
Albert Sackal
John Crowley
Thelma Weber
Harry Lefrancois
Robert Wonders
Joseph Faria
William Aunchman
Kenneth Castle
City Administrative Staff Mayor Lazieh
City Officials & other Edna S. Poulin, Finance Director
elected City Officials Debra A. Rice, Personnel Specialist
Roland Bouvier, Tax Assessor
Daniel J. Issa, City Clerk
Rene A. Coutu, Fire Chief
John A. Fram, Deputy Police Chief
Rudolph Legenza, Commander
Robert Sasso, Captain
George Aissis, Fire Batallion Chief
William Siemers, Acting Planning Dir.
Rep. Elaine Coderre
Mayor Lazieh opened the forum with a prepared statement indicating the questions and concerns of this facility while also emphasizing the need for the City to explore every avenue for the financial success of the City.
William G. Brody began the Presentation by introducing the members of Detention Center Associates. He explained that the project is a privately owned and operated detention facility to house federal detainees awaiting trial or sentencing in area federal courts. Mr. Brody explained that the American Spinning Industries factory on 30 Blackstone St. is the location of the proposed detention facility.
The project developers will be Detention Center Associates, Inc. a Rhode Island Corporation whose Board of Directors is as follows: John L. Marshall, President & Chief Executive Officer of Marshall Contrators Inc.
Anthony Ventetuolo, Jr.-15 years of experience in adult & juvenile corrections experience.
William G. Brody, Former Assistant Attorney General, State of Rhode Island.
Michael M. Doyle, Past Director of R.I. Department of Administration and Director of Administration for the City of Cranston.
The Detention Center Associates Inc. proposed project is subject to the review and approval of the Unites States Marshall Service which has prequalified four projects in the northeast. Request for the proposals which are to be submitted by February 9, 1990 will then be reviewed by the Marshall's service by mid-March 1990 and awarded. It should be noted that this is only one of four proposals in the region. Detention Center Associates has secured an option to purchase the ASI facility but to sucessfully compete for the contract, Detention Center Associates must demonstrate its ability to develop the property on the proposed site and has submitted an application for a zoning variance to the Central Falls Zoning Board of Review.
The Detention Facility, in accordance with the U.S. Marshall's proposals, will be designed to house up to 220 federal detainees in 138 secure containment areas. The facility will utilize the MARK cellular system for security and will be fully self contained to include food services, recreational, medical and other support facilities.
The estimated cost of construction for the project would be $10-15 million dollars. It would employ and estimated eighty jobs and it's estimated annual operating budget would be $6-8 million dollars.
The length of stay for detainees is varied but no one person would stay more than 7 months. It should be noted that the is not a prision and as such it will not house convicted criminals.
The benefits to the City of Central Falls would be approximately $300,000 in lieu of taxes and the project developer is also prepared to work with the Administration to seek additional federal support based upon successful selection by the Marshall's Service. The immediate effects to the City could be immediate payment of all deliquent taxes estimated at $105,000, immediate payment of outstanding balance on UDAG grant estimated at $563,000, proceeds from sale of lot 184, increased federal security presence in the Community, training program for municipal police & fire officials, potential drug enforcement/prevention funds, aggressive persuit of federal drug seizure forfitures.
When the presentation was completed by Mr. Brody the following questions were asked by the City Council, Zoning Board, Planning, Police and Fire Department:
Councilman Charbonneau asked where the detainees would come from?
Mr. Brody replied that these were people from the Providence/Boston area who are being tried in Providence/Boston federal courts.
Councilman Charbonneau asked what were the offenses that usually were tried by the Federal Court System. Mr. Brody answered that 70% of the offenses were drug related, other offenses would be credit card fraud, income tax evasion etc. He pointed out that murderers or rapists were not among these detainees because these generally were State crimes and not Federal crimes, unless committed on a federal reservation.
Councilman Charbonneau asked what other securities would be implimented to insure the safety of the people of Central Falls. Mr. Brody replied that there would be outside patrols. Councilman Charbonneau asked the Mayor what impact the $300,000 would have to the City and is this only a stop gap measure. The Mayor replied that this was a beginning. This facility would not solve all the City's problems, but that the City had to start somewhere to begin to help itself.
Councilman Sienkeiwicz asked about the parking in the area. Mr. Brody replied that all parking would be off street.
Councilwoman Moreau questioned the types of detainees and how many would be at the facility.
Councilman Charbonneau stated his concern about the possibilty of inmates being shot from the railroad tracks.
Council President Albert 0. Laroche asked how the $300,000 was arrived at in lieu of taxes. Mr. Brody replied that this would be negotiated with the Federal Marshall Service.
Mayor Lazieh commented that the $300,000 is bottom line.
Zoning Board Member Thomas Bousquet questioned the payment in lieu of taxes.
Zoning Board Member Henry Letendre also questioned the payment in lieu of taxes.
Mayor Lazieh commented.
Henry Letendre commented on codes.
Chief Coutu commented on the fire codes and access of fire and rescue apparatus to the facility.
Anthony Ventetuolo explained that the facility will have a small infirmary on site, but if the need arose, the fire department rescue team would be accompanied by two federal officers as is required by the Marshall Service.
Deputy Chief of Police John Fram questioned the Police Department's role in patroling, equipment and procedures.
Mr. Brody responded that no additional police would be needed by the City, and that it was unlikly that Central Falls Police would be needed in the facility. He did state that there would be training courses available to the City's Police Officers at no cost to the City. He further stated that Security Officers at the facility are given 160 hours of CPR. first aid etc.
Zoning Board Member Thomas Reilly questioned the developers.
Mayor Lazieh commented.
Zoning Board Member Henry Letendre questioned the lighting and traffic around the facility.
Councilwoman Moreau questioned the number of personnel on each shift and the number of correctional officers for each shift.
Commander legenza of the Central Falls Police Department stated that he had no concerns with security or the project. He stated his experience in dealing with the DEA, U.S. Marshalls and the FBI and he stated that each department was run in the most efficient manner. He also elaborated on the facility and on how efficiently it is operated.
Captain Robert Sasso of the Central Falls Police Department commented that all the questions he had about the project had been answered.
Councilman Vaudreuil questioned the types of vehicles used to transport the detainees to the Court.
Planning Board Member Albert Sackal asked if the detainees could leave the facility at any time. Mr. Brody replied that the detainees could leave only if they were given bail through the Federal Court.
Planning Board Member Robert Wonders questioned the request for proposals negotiations.
Mayor Lazieh commented.
Councilwoman Moreau questioned how many of these facilities were done by Detention Center Associates and how was hiring for the facility done. Mr. Brody responded that 160 hour pre-service training was given.
Mayor Lazieh thanked the developers for answering questions pertaining to the project.
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Sienkiewicz and seconded by Councilman Charbonneau. All Agreed. So Voted. Time 9:15 P.M.
Daniel J. Issa, City Clerk