CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT 8:00 P.M.
A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CENTRAL FALLS CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON THE ABOVE DATE IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT 8:10 P.M.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS
COUNCILMAN FERRI
COUNCILMAN CANAVAN
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU
QUORUM PRESENT.
CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT ROBERT CANAVAN PRESIDED.
MAYOR LAZIEH AND CITY SOLICITOR GEORGE MUKSIAN WERE ALSO PRESENT AT THIS MEETING.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN LED THE ASSEMBLY IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
CHAIR MOVED FIRST ITEM DELAYED.
(DISCUSSION)
PRESENTATION BY DETENTION CENTER BOARD BY CHAIRPERSON PATRICIA SALISBURY.
DETENTION CENTER CHAIRPERSON PATRICIA SALISBURY READ FROM A PREPARED STATEMENT INDICATING THE BOARD'S VIEWS WITH REGARDS TO INMATES AT THE DETENTION FACILITY. STATE INMATES NOT PLANNED. THEY ARE ALSO CLOSED TO IDEA OF CLOSING THE PLANT. ALSO OPPOSED TO DEFAULTING ON BOND, OR PORT AUTHORITY TAKING IT OVER. CORPORATION HAS INTENTIONS OF MEETING ITS LEGAL OBLIGATIONS.
COX INFORMED BOARD THE PROBLEMS WITH FILLING THE CENTER. BOARD MET ON OCT. 27TH AND CONTACTED CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND THE MARSHALS SERVICE. MEMBERS MET WITH WASHINGTON PEOPLE. INTERIM SOLUTION RECOMMENDED:AUTHORIZED FRANK FLAHERTY TO MEET AND LOOK INTO ALTERNATIVES FOR A SOLUTION. THE ONLY WAY TO AVOID PERMANENT OPTION IS TO ALLOW THE BOARD TO SEEK TEMPORARY INMATES FROM OTHER STATE PRISONS. BOARD HAS BEEN OPEN AND REPORTED THE INFORMATION. ANTHONY VENTUTULO WAS ALSO PRESENT AT THIS MEETING.
DONALD WYATT, RETIRED U.S. MARSHALL, SPOKE REGARDING THE HISTORY OF THE CENTER. 1970'S SUITS, RESULTED IN CAP IN NUMBER OF INMATES. THEN BAIL AMOUNTS CHANGED AND USED 85% FOR SENTENCE SERVED. ALL FEDERAL PRISONERS HAD TO BE OUT OF ACI. PRISONERS IN 11 INSTITUTIONS IN 9 STATES. RFP'S PUT OUT FOR SOLUTION. PLYMOUTH AWARDED, THEN COULD NOT GET THE FUNDING. 8-2-91 HE RETIRED AND HAD OVER 80 PRISONERS. NEXT YEAR, OVER 100 HOLDING. THERE HAS BEEN A TEMPORARY DECLINE IN PRISONERS. DEFICIT REDUCTION EFFECTS ARE NOW BEING FELT. US ATTORNEY HAS BEEN VACANT SINCE APRIL. IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE WAS ALSO LINED UP. MARSHALS SERVICE HAD INPUT ON DESIGN AND FUNCTION OF FACILITY. CRIME ACT OF 1993 WILL GREATLY IMPACT THE PRISON POPULATION. MARSHALS SERVICE WAS LOOKING FOR 440 CELLS. THIS IS THE PROJECTION BASED ON THE MARSHALS SERVICE.
FRANK FLAHERTY, ATTORNEY FOR THE DETENTION CENTER FACILITY CORPORATION. THE BOARD DOES NOT HAVE ANY GOOD OPTIONS. IT WAS INTENDED TO HAVE ONLY FEDERAL DETAINEES. I HAVE SUPPLIED THEM TO YOU. THINGS HAVE CHANGED, MOST OF THE US ATTORNEYS OFFICES ARE VACANT, THEREFORE DETAINEES ARE DOWN. BUDGET HAS BEEN CUT FOR THE IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION. THIS IS INTENDED TO BE A REGIONAL FACILITY. THIS LEAVES US WITH TWO OPTIONS. WE HAVE TO TAKE OUT OF STATE TO PAY EXPENSES, DEBT SERVICE, ETC. IF THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN, THEN MORTGAGE WILL BE FORECLOSED. THEN, IT COULD BE USED FOR RHODE ISLAND STATE INMATES. OR, AN EXTENSION OF THE TRAINING SCHOOL. THERE ARE 80 PEOPLE PRESENTLY WORKING AT THE FACILITY. THE CORPORATION HAS TO DO THE RESPONSIBLE THING, TEMPORARILY, THERE IS
NO ALTERNATIVE, ALTHOUGH THERE IS STILL DISCUSSIONS WITH THE MARSHALS SERVICE, THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION. CORPORATION HAS THE RIGHT TO MAKE THE OUT OF STATE CONTRACTS. INPUT FROM THE COUNCIL IS WELCOME. HE IS WILLING TO WORK WITH THE CITY SOLICITOR.
MAYOR INVITED TO MAKE A COMMENT.
NORMAN COX, PRESIDENT OF CORNELL COX GROUP. HE WANTS TO REAFFIRM THAT THE SITUATION IS TEMPORARY, NO ONE PREDICTED THIS, NOT ANYONE INCLUDING THE MARSHALS SERVICE. THERE WERE ADEQUATE INMATES AT THE TIME THE FACILITY WAS BUILT, TO SUPPORT THE DEBT SERVICE, INMATES WERE GROWING AT MINIMUM OF 12 % TO 15%. IT IS DESIGNED AND BUILT FOR DETAINEES. WE WANT TO RETURN IT TO EXCLUSIVE FEDERAL USE AS SOON AS IS POSSIBLE. OVERSIGHT, DESIGN REVIEW, OFFICE SPACE, BUDGET, STAFF REVIEW AS ALL DONE BY THE MARSHALS SERVICE. THEY CAME UP WITH THE NUMBER OF 220 OCCUPANCY LEVEL. I AM APPALLED THAT WE GOT A STATEMENT LIKE THIS OUT OF WASHINGTON. IN 1979, WHEN I WAS RUNNING A FACILITY, THE PROCESS WAS THE SAME. MARSHALS SERVICE WAS NOT GIVEN AUTHORITY TO RUN THEIR OWN FACILITIES.
FEDERAL MARSHALS ISSUED THE IGA -THIS IS NOT A LEASE. THEY DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY. THIS IS WHY THEY SOUGHT A SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT, BASED ON ARTHUR ANDERSEN AND CO. OPERATOR IS NOT PLEASED WITH HAVING TO HOLD NON FEDERAL PRISONERS, BUT IS WILLING TO TO MAINTAIN JOBS, ON AN INTERIM BASIS. IF THEY DO HOUSE NON SENTENCED INMATES, THEY WILL SCREEN ALL ASSIGNMENTS AND REJECT THOSE WHO DO NOT MEET THE PROFILE. THOSE WHO DON'T WORK OUT, WILL BE REMOVED. THE FACILITY IS STATE OF THE ART. STAFF IS EXPERIENCED. WE WILL PROVIDE PROPER CONTROL, AND MAKE YOU PROUD.
CORRECTIONAL FACILITY OFFICERS REQUESTED TO MAKE A STATEMENT. THEY WERE NOT ON THE AGENDA.
MAYOR LAZIEH: RECENT EVENTS ARE UPSETTING. MARSHALS SERVICE HAS PUT US HERE, THEY HAVE NOT LIVED UP TO THEIR COMMITMENT. THIS IS NOT THE SOLUTION WE INTENDED AT THIS TIME.
CANAVAN: APOLOGIZED, IF HE APPEARS FRUSTRATED, BUT THE PEOPLE. HE IS DISAPPOINTED WITH THE DETENTION BOARD.
SEPT. 15 AT FIRST HINT OF PROBLEM, COUNCIL WAS NOT CONTACTED, OR BRIEFED ON IMPENDING PROBLEM. COUNCIL HAS PROVIDED THE BOARD WITH OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE, BOARD HAS NOT DONE THE SAME. IN THEIR DECISION, BOARD HAS NOT CONSULTED THE COUNCIL. SOMEONE IS GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE THE DECISION OF JOBS, OR OUT OF STATE INMATES. THIS IS
ONLY TEMPORARY IF THE PROBLEM CLEARS OUT. LONG TERM, WHERE IS OUR CLOUT WITH THE MARSHALS SERVICE. PROPERTY VALUES, RENTS, ETC. MAY BE AFFECTED. EXPERTS HAVE STATED THAT THIS IS AN EXCELLENT DETENTION CENTER, FOR SHORT TERM. NEXT WEDNESDAY, 8:00 PM PUBLIC HEARING IN THE JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING.
MATTHEWS SPOKE: USE OF THE AREA FOR A DETENTION FACILITY IS THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS, ZONING, COUNCIL, STATE STATUTE. ZONING FOR THE SPECIFIC USE IS FOR A DETENTION FACILITY. ANY CHANGE IN THE USE HAS TO GO BEFORE ZONING. COUNCIL APPROVED THE DETENTION USE. ANY CHANGE, MUST GO BEFORE THEM. I DON'T SUPPORT FOR ANY CONVICTED INMATES.
MOREAU: QUESTIONED FLAHERTY RE: STATE STATUTE FOR DETAINEES ONLY. WHEN DID THEY KNOW THE MARSHALS SERVICE WOULD NOT LIVE UP TO THE AGREEMENT.
FLAHERTY: THIS IS STILL A DETENTION CENTER. WE INTENDED THIS TO BE FEDERAL DETAINEES ONLY. MIDDLE OF OCTOBER, BOARD BEGAN. NOV. 22, THEY MET WITH CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION/ INKLING THE MIDDLE OF OCTOBER, THE 15TH.
WE FEEL THEY (MARSHALS) HAVE A COMMITMENT. ONCE THE NOV. 22 MEETING OCCURRED, BOND PAYMENT DISCUSSED RE; ABILITY TO PAY OFF THEIR FINANCIAL OBLIGATION.
MOREAU: IF STATE CONVICTED INMATES CAME, WOULD THE STAFF BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH, ACI UNION PROBLEMS?
FLAHERTY; I DON'T ANTICIPATE ANY RI STATE INMATES THERE. THAT IS NOT THE PLAN. THIS IS HIGH SECURITY FACILITY.
DETAINEES FROM OTHER JURISDICTIONS SHOULD NOT CAUSE A PROBLEM. STANDARDS OF THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES ASSOCIATION MUST BE MET.
FERRI: WHEN IS THE FIRST PAYMENT ON DEBT DUE FLAHERTY: JANUARY. WE DID NOT ANTICIPATE OPENING UNTIL THEN. OR AT
LEAST BE FULL. SO BOND PAYMENTS WERE PUT ASIDE. WE WOULD BE IN DEFAULT IF PAYMENT IS NOT PAID IN JANUARY. NOT A FULL FACILITY IN NOV., SO FULL OCCUPANCY WAS NOT ANTICIPATE UNTIL JANUARY 1993. WE ARE STILL WORKING WITH THE MARSHALS. SOME MARSHALS DETAINEES ARE BEING HELD IN THE CONN. STATE FACILITY.
FERRI ARE THERE ANY STATE INMATES IN FACILITY?
FLAHERTY: THERE ARE NONE. THERE ARE 400 IN OUR REGION, BUT WE ARE TRYING TO GET SOME HERE. THEY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO US.
PAQUETTE: CAN YOU ESTIMATE WHAT SHORT TERM IS?
FLAHERTY: I CANNOT GIVE AN ACTUAL NUMBER. WE ARE PUTTING TOGETHER A DRAFT, SO WE CAN KNOW.
PAQUETTE: HOW MANY WORKERS FROM CENTRAL FALLS?
NORM COX: ABOUT A THIRD.
PAQUETTE: WOULD ADDITIONAL TRAINING BE NEEDED FOR STATE INMATES?
JOE PONTE: NO.
PAQUETTE: WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS IF NOT ENOUGH STATE INMATES?
FLAHERTY: THERE SHOULD BE.
FURTHER DISCUSSION ON INMATES.
PAQUETTE: QUESTIONED FUTURE PLANS WITH MARSHALS.
FLAHERTY: RESPONDED THAT BUDGETS GO YEAR TO YEAR. HE IS LOOKING FOR A LONG TERM RELATIONSHIP, AND FEEL THAT THE
POPULATION WILL BE UP.
MOREAU: QUESTIONED VARIOUS POINTS.
FLAHERTY RESPONDED, PLYMOUTH COMMITMENT AND CF FACILITY COMMITMENT. PLYMOUTH FACILITY WILL NOT BE COMPLETED UNTIL SUMMER. THIS FACILITY IS OWNED BY STATE AND BE RUN FOR MASS. INMATES. IGA IS ONLY GOOD FOR A YEAR. AN AMENDMENT IS BEING WORKED ON TO ALLOW THE DETENTION OFFICERS TO TRANSPORT THE INMATES TO COURT IN PROVIDENCE. IGA WILL BE IN EFFECT FOR A YEAR AFTER FACILITY IS OPENED.
BRIEF RECESS . 9:11 PM
MEETING RECONVENED AT 9:51 PM
MOTION TO ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION:EXEMPTION 2 LIGATION PAQUETTE
SECOND: MOREAU
MATTHEWS SPOKE. FERRI SPOKE. CITY CLERK RESPONDED.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS
COUNCILMAN FERRI
COUNCILMAN CANAVAN
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU
MOTION CARRIES FIVE TO ZERO
COUNCIL RECONVENED 11:14 PM
MATTHEWS SPOKE. FERRI ALSO.
MOTION TO ADJOURN BY FERRI
SECONDED BY MOREAU
MOTION CARRIES FIVE TO ZERO
11:16 PM
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DANIEL J. ISSA
CITY CLERK