CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1992
A City Council Workshop was held in the City Hall Council Chambers at 6:15 P.M.
Members present:
Councilman Matthews
Councilman Ferri
Councilman Canavan
Councilman Paquette
Councilwoman Moreau
Council President Canavan presided.
The purpose of the workshop was to interview the Public Works Director John Rodrigues.
John Rodrigues commented to the various duties performed by the Public Works Department. He stipulated that the Department, in addition to trash and road repair and snow removal, was responsible for the maintenance of the City's buildings and grounds. He related to the Council that his Department had 18 persons presently working for the City, of this number there are 2 foremen, 2 mechanics, 1 in traffic, 1 clerk dispatcher and 12 laborers.
Councilman Ferri questioned what procedure was used regarding loading zones. He also asked about signs at the new ballfield indicating slow children. He also questioned the dead end sign at Jenks Ave. and suggested that it should be moved 1 pole up from where it presently stands.
Mayor Lazieh related to the Council that any time traffic signs were needed, they should contact him and he would inform the traffic division.
Councilman Ferri asked about furniture removal and heavy trash pick ups.
John Rodrigues responded that the City is not doing this at the present time and that residents would have to have private trash haulers until the City implemented a new program.
Mayor Lazieh commented on the City's responsibility relative to normal trash pick-up and past procedure relative to heavy trash. He also related that the City was planning to do something during the Earth Day clean up at the end of April.
Council President Canavan asked what the cost was for heavy trash removal.
John Rodrigues responded that it was between $35,000 and $40,000 per year.
Councilman Ferri commented on quarterly pickups, legislation and the problems with tires.
John Rodrigues commented on personnel, cost, equipment relative to heavy trash pick ups.
Councilwoman Moreau asked about the Model Cities Program.
Mayor Lazieh replied that there is no Model Cities Program in Central Falls. He also commented on manpower, wear and tear to vehicles and the useful life of highway vehicles. He related that the last purchase of a trash truck was 1981. He stated that the vehicle was well beyond the useful life given to such vehicles.
John Rodrigues commented on the escalating cost of solid waste and the landfill in Johnston. He also commented on manpower and stated that his Department was never at full compliment due to vacations, job related injuries and the like.
Councilman Matthews commented on sweeping operations and recycling the sand.
Councilman Paquette commented on snow removal.
John Rodrigues commented on the various ways snow removal was done explaining that snow removal in the spring is done differently than in the winter.
Councilman Paquette commented on ticketing during snow storms.
Councilman Ferri thanked Mr. Rodrigues for attending and spoke of the excellent ratings the Highway Department has.
Councilwoman Moreau also commented on the high ratings of the Public Works Department.
Workshop recessed at 7:15 P.M.
Workshop reconvened at 8:00 P.M.
Councilman Paquette requested that Historic District Zoning be done at one meeting.
Councilwoman Moreau commented that she has two problems with the zoning.
William Siemers replied that he also had problems one with the cemetaries and the other with the incinerator.
Section 702.6 Temporary Signs.
Council President Canavan stated that he had a problem with 16 square feet.
William Siemers stated that a number should be stated.
The Council made the following change to D. change second sentence to read prohibited from "public trees". Omit last sentence "In all R zones, such signs shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet in area per side.
Section 703.2 Moveable Signs
William Siemers commented that the purpose of this is to clean up signs in the business districts.
Councilwoman Moreau stated that she agreed with this contention and commented that she found some signs to be very distracting.
Councilman Ferri commented on sandwich signs being prohibited.
William Siemers stated that this is based on the size of a sidewalk.
Councilman Matthews questioned used car dealer's signs William Siemers commented.
Councilman Matthews questioned neon light signs.
Councilman Ferri questioned how section could be reworded.
William Siemers explained that there are two types of signs, speech signs and advertising signs. The second type is the one that can be regulated. He further stated that dense areas need more regulation than rural areas. He further commented that all definitions are taken from the National Sign Code.
Councilman Ferri commented on gas station signs.
The Council agreed that section 703.2 will be reworded.
Section 709.1 Signs in Historic Districts.
The Council added with the exception of political signs to the end of the sentence.
Section 709.3 Signs on Vacant Land
The Council discussed extensively this section related to signs on vacant land. They concluded that the section would be omitted in its present form and the following would be added." Billboards may not be permitted on vacant land.
Councilman Ferri questioned the Zoning Maps.
Further discussion ensued relative to signs on vacant land and the following was proposed. Any one sign of 24sq. feet on undeveloped sites shall not be permitted.
Section 710.4 Billboards may be permitted in C and M Zones "add" by special permit only.
Section 907 Zoning Board of Review
Councilwoman Moreau questioned staffing in Planning and Minimum Housing Departments.
Charles Pytel commented on the checks and balance that this would create for the Department.
Councilman Matthews commented.
Council President Canavan commented on staffing and stated that its not in the Board's authority to determine staffing problems that it was a matter for management and union.
Councilman Ferri commented on HDC, Redevelopment Board and Zoning Board.
Section 907.2 Membership
The council reworded the last sentence to read as follows:
Members may be removed by the Council, upon the recommendation of the Mayor, for due cause one being for not attending 3 consecutive meetings.
Section 601 Historic District
Change first sentence to read:
Historic Districts are overlay zoning districts which cover designated districts or structures, which "are" listed.......
Section 601.1 Historic District Commission
A Qualifications:
Change last sentence to read: In addition, 4 members shall reside in the South Central Falls Historic District and two members shall be a member of the Board of Historic Central Falls.
C Term: Change to read:
The HDC shall consist of seven (7) qualified members, four (4) must live in the District and 3 members of the Board must be Property Owners in the District.
Section 601.3 Powers & Duties
C Adoption of Standards etc.
Add to last sentence to comply with R.I.H.P.C.
Section 601.4 Certificate of Appropriateness
Councilman Matthews asked what was the need for this certificate.
William Siemers responded.
Discussion ensued.
Norman Diguilio commented.
Charles Pytel explained certificate.
Councilman Matthews commented.
Ken Castle commented.
Councilwoman Moreau commented.
Council President Canavan commented on the time and asked the Council if they wished to adjourn.
William Siemers commented and asked the Council if they would be finished by next week with the zoning ordinance.
Council President Canavan responded that he was uncertain as to when the Ordinance would be finished.
William Siemers commented that the Zoning Ordinance has received four months of public hearings.
Further comments ensued.
The next workshop of the Council was set for Wednesday April 1, 1992 at 6:00 P.M. with Charles Pytel and Zoning Ordinance at 7:30 P.M.
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Paquette and seconded by Councilwoman Moreau. All Agreed. So Voted. Time 11:30 P.M.
Elizabeth A. Crowley, Deputy