CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, JULY 2, 1990
A Regular Meeting of the Central Falls City Council was held in the City Hall Council Chambers at 8:08 P.M.
Councilman Charbonneau
Councilman Laroche
Councilwoman Moreau
Councilman Vaudreuil
Councilman Sienkiewicz absent due to illness.
Quorum Present.
Council President Albert O. Laroche presided.
Mayor Lazieh addressed the City Council and informed them that the Personnel Board met and reviewed 6 individuals for the position of Police Chief. The top three individuals were then interviewed by the Board and unanimously recommended that Captain Robert Sasso, of the Central Falls Police Department promoted to Chief of the Central Falls Police Department. Mayor Lazieh then presented Acting Police Chief Robert Sasso to the City Council and then proceeded to swear him in as Chief and presented him with a citation acknowledging this appointment. Captain Sasso's wife Marie and their sons Derek and Robert were present for this occasion.
Motion was made by Councilman Charbonneau and seconded by Councilman Vaudreuil to accept the minutes to the previous meetings. All Agreed. So Voted.
Minimum Housing, Plumbing Inspector, Building Inspector, Electrical Permits, Police Report, Municipal Court Report.
Motion to accept and place on file was made by Councilman Charbonneau and seconded by Councilman Vaudreuil. All Agreed. So Voted.
An Ordinance Amending Section 19-37 Police Division "Appointment to Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy."
Motion was made by Councilman Vaudreuil and seconded by Councilman Charbonneau to amend the section of the Ordinance pertaining to the written exam to include that all tests shall be scored by an independent agency as recommended by the Personnel Specialist Debra Rice. All Agreed. So Voted.
Council President Laroche asked George Muksian a question pertaining to the eligibility of applicants who may have a crimminal action or pending action against them.
George Muksian responded and recommended that the Council amend that section of the Ordinance pertaining to persons comvicted of a crime.
The Council members questioned the City Solicitor on this topic.
Mayor Lazieh commented.
Motion was made by Councilman Vaudreuil and seconded by Councilman Charbonneu to amend the section of the Ordinance pertaining to persons convicted of a crime as follows: "Any person who has ever been convicted of a crime or has been placed on a term of probation, or has received a deferred sentence of a filing after entering a plea consitiuting an admission to a complaint, information or indictment shall be ineligible for appointment to the Police Division." All Agreed. So Voted.
Motion to approve as amended was made by Councilman Charbonneau and seconded by Councilman Vaudreuil. All Agreed. So Voted.
John Lefrancois the City Council and related to them the efforts of the Minimum Housing Department relative to fines and a total revamp of operations for this Department. He addressed the need to use the services of the Municipal Court to bring Housing Offenders before the Court to help address this problem.
John Lefrancois explained the Oscar Program and introduced John Velasquez the supervisor of this program.
John Lefrancois explained the Tree Program for the City and the grants applied for to institute this program.
John Lefrancois informed the Council on the Jenks Parks Celebration and the Car Show that will be held in conjunction of this program. He related to the Council that the Car Show will be held on Dexter Street and will require that the street be closed for part of the day.
Mildred Munoz, 40 Beacon St. C.F. Sale of Hotdogs, Hamburgers & Soda by Food Cart. 11:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Motion to table was made by Councilman Charbonneau and seconded by Councilman VAudreuil. All Agreed. So Voted.
Joseph L. Mulhearn d/b/a Gun Traders Ltd. Inc. - 111-127 Earle St. C.F.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Charbonneau and seconded by Councilman Vaudreuil. All Agreed. So Voted.
Madeirense Club - 46 Madeira Ave. - Annual Madeira Feast Aug. 10, 11, 12 raindate Aug. 13, 1990.
Joseph Faria, a representative of the Maderia Club, remarked on the Feast and answered questions from the City Council.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Charbonneau and seconded by Councilwoman Moreau and Councilman Vaudreuil. All Agreed. So Voted.
Madeirense Club - 46 Madeira Ave. - Annual Madeira Feast.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Charbonneau and seconded by Councilman Vaudreuil. All Agreed. So Voted.
Colombian American Association for Colombian Independence Day Parade July 22, 1990.
John Velasquez of the Colombian American Association spoke to The City Council and elaborated on the parade. The Mayor will start off the parade and Mr. Velasquez invited the City Council to participate in the parade. Motion to approve was made by Councilman Charbonneau and seconded by Councilman Vaudreuil. All Agreed. So Voted.
City of Newport; re: Resolution supporting R.I. Housing & Conservation Trust Fund Act.
Daniel J. Issa, City Clerk; re: Retirement of Chief Robert Choquette.
Daniel J. Issa, City Clerk; re: Retirement of Fire Captain Raymond Brochu.
Motion to accept collectively and place on file was made by Councilman Charbonneau and seconded by Councilwoman Moreau. All Agreed. So Voted.
Mayor Thomas Lazieh; re: Appointment of Department Head.
Letter appoints John Rodrigues and Director of Minimum Housing.
Mayor Lazieh asked that this request be withdrawn at this time.
Councilwoman Moreau commented and moved to re-appoint Judge Ernest Pratt.
Councilman Charbonneau seconded the motion.
Council President Albert O. Laroche commented and thanked Judge Pratt for his service to the Municipal Court.
Mayor Lazieh commented and commended Judge Pratt and Robin Whitehead for their services to the Municipal Court.
All Agreed. So Voted to approve the re-appointment of Ernest Pratt and Municipal Court Judge.
Hector Garcia d/b/a Sportsman Club at 55 Sheridan St.
Hector Garcia addressed the City Council and explained the reason for extending the hours until 3:00 a.m. Bar to close at 1:00 a.m.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Charbonneau and seconded by Councilman Vaudreuil. All Agreed. So Voted.
Council President Albert O. Laroche commented on State Aid of $1.3 million and questioned the lay offs with the Minimum/Maximum Ordinance still in place.
Mayor Lazieh responded and explained that much of the State aid that is forthcomming has strings attached and some of those strings include allocation towards debt reduction.
Discussion ensued.
Mayor Lazieh commented that he didn't want to lay off, but, was forced to by the budget. He further stated that he would try to bring back laid-off employees as soon as possible.
Council President Laroche discussed the position of Assistant City Solicitor and remarked that the City couldn't afford one but that there was a need for an Assistant. He further remarked that perhaps there was some Attorney interested in volunteering a few hours per month and made a public appeal for a volunteer Assistant City Solicitor if the Council approved such an idea and feels that there is such a need for this person.
Councilman Charbonneau suggested that the Council take this matter under advisement.
Council President Laroche reminded the City Council that the next Regular Meeting will be August 27, 1990.
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Charbonneau and seconded by Councilman Vaudreuil. All Agreed. So Voted. Time 10:15 P.M.
Daniel J. Issa, City Clerk