CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1994 AT 7:30 P.M.
A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CENTRAL FALLS CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT 7:41 PM.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU
COUNCILMAN CANAVAN
QUORUM PRESENT.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT ROBERT CANAVAN PRESIDED AND LED THE ASSEMBLY IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
DANIEL J. ISSA, CITY CLERK TO GOVERNOR SUNDLUN RE: DATE FOR INVESTIGATION.
DANIEL J. ISSA, CITY CLERK TO MAYOR LAZIEH RE: DATE FOR INVESTIGATION, ACCESSIBILITY OF NEW PLANNING OFFICE, AND
SUBMITTAL OF DEPARTMENT HEADS FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL.
ELIZABETH CROWLEY, DEPUTY CITY CLERK TO SENATOR ISSA RE: ATTENDANCE AT FEB. 28, 1994 MEETING FOR INVESTIGATION.
JAMES STEPHENS, CODE ENFORCEMENT RE: ATTENDANCE AT FEB. 28, 1994 MEETING FOR INVESTIGATION.
DANIEL J. ISSA TO FEB. 28, 1994 INVITES FOR INVESTIGATION HEARING.
JAMES STEPHENS RE: ATTENDANCE AT FEB. 28TH MEETING.
TITLES READ BY THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
MOTION TO ACCEPT CORRESPONDENCE AND PLACE ON FILE WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS YES
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE YES
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU YES
COUNCILMAN CANAVAN YES
MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 0 NO 1 ABSENT.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN ASKED FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR CHRISTINE AUNCHMAN, WIFE OF ZONING BOARD CHAIRMAN WILLIAM AUNCHMAN WHO PASSED AWAY THIS WEEKEND.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN QUESTIONED THE STATE DELEGATION.
REPRESENTATIVE BROUSSEAU RESPONDED.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN QUESTIONED REP. BROUSSEAU REGARDING HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
CITY CLERK ISSA READ THE VETO MESSAGE. BILL 91-H5186.
REP. BROUSSEAU COMMENTED ON THE VETO OF THE BILL. HE SAID IT HAS NOTHING WITH THE CF DETENTION CENTER.
REPRESENTATIVE FARIA RESPONDED TO QUESTIONS FROM THE CHAIR.
STATE LAW JUST SET UP THE ABILITY OF THE CITY AND TOWN TO SET UP A CORPORATION. IT WAS ENABLING LEGISLATION.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS QUESTIONED REP. BROUSSEAU.
DISCUSSION ON THE STATE STATUTE.
REP. BROUSSEAU INDICATED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED THE PROJECT AND THAT IS WHY HE VOTED FOR IT.
REP. BROUSSEAU SAID HE DID NOT OWN ANY BONDS FOR THE FACILITY.
TESTIMONY OF SENATOR ISSA TAKEN FROM A TAPE RECORDING OF PROCEEDING ON MARCH 15, 1994 BY DEPUTY CITY CLERK AS ORDERED BY THE CITY CLERK.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN ASKED SENATOR ISSA TO EXPLAIN HIS ROLE OR INVOLVEMENT IN THE LEGISLATION.
SENATOR ISSA STATED THAT HE WAS REQUESTED TO SUBMIT A BILL REGARDING THE DETENTION CENTER.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN ASKED WHO REQUESTED THAT THE BILL BE SUBMITTED.
SENATOR ISSA RESPONDED THAT MR. BRODY AND MAYOR LAZIEH REQUESTED IT.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN ASKED SENATOR ISSA WHY THE NEED FOR SPEED.
SENATOR ISSA EXPLAINED THE PROCESS FOR INTRODUCTION OF BILLS RELATIVE TO MUNICIPALITIES VERSUS ENTIRE STATE. HE STATED THAT HE SUBMITTED THE BILL KNOWING THAT IT WOULD LATER BE AMENDED TO FIT THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. HE STATED THAT BILL WAS FASHIONED AFTER A MODEL FROM THE PROVIDENCE PARKING AUTHORITY WHICH IS A SEMI-QUASI PUBLIC BODY.
SENATOR ISSA STATED THAT THE BILL AS AMENDED SATISFIED 4 OF THE 5 COUNCIL MEMBERS. HE GAVE A CHRONOLOGY OF BILL S-1233 AS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS: RECONSIDERED BY SENATE MAY 30, 1991; SENT TO HOUSE CORPORATIONS COMMITTEE MAY 31, 1991 PASSED BY CORPORATION COMMITTEE ON JUNE 5, 1991 SENT TO HOUSE ON JUNE 6TH PASSED ON JUNE 11,1991 SENT TO GOVERNOR ON JUNE 12 AND SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR ON JULY 11, 1991. HE STATED THAT THIS WAS A 2 1/2 PROCESS FOR FINALIZATION OF THE BILL.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN QUESTIONED SENATOR ISSA ON THE FIRST BILL THAT WAS VETOED BY THE GOVERNOR.
SENATOR ISSA REPLIED THAT THIS WAS THE SMITHFIELD BILL AND THAT HE HAD NO RECOLLECTIONS EITHER FOR OR AGAINST ON THE BILL.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS QUESTIONED SENATOR ISSA ON HIS SUPPORT OF THE BILL.
SENATOR ISSA STATED THAT HE SUPPORTED THE BILL AND WAS IN FAVOR OF IT AT THAT TIME.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS ASKED IF SENATOR ISSA BELIEVED THE USE OF THE FACILITY WAS FOR DETAINEES ONLY.
SENATOR ISSA REPLIED THAT HE BELIEVED THAT THE FACILITY WAS TO BE A 220 BED FACILITY FOR FEDERAL DETAINEES ONLY AND THAT THERE WOULD BE NO ACI INMATES. HE ALSO STATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO STATE PRISONERS AT THE FACILITY.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY CHANGE IN USE IN THE BILL THAT THE SENATOR WAS AWARE OF.
SENATOR ISSA REPLIED THAT HE BELIEVED THAT THE FACILITY WOULD BE FOR DETAINEES ONLY BECAUSE OF THE STYLE AND NATURE OF THE FACILITY.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS ASKED WHAT UNITED STATES MEANT TO THE SENATOR.
SENATOR ISSA RESPONDED THAT IT MEANT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS ASKED SENATOR ISSA IF HE PURCHASED ANY BONDS ON THIS PROJECT.
SENATOR ISSA REPLIED EMPHATICALLY NO, NOR IS ANY MEMBER OF HIS FAMILY.
____________________________
ELIZABETH A. CROWLEY, DEPUTY
AS TAKEN FROM TAPERECORDING OF MEETING
REP. BROUSSEAU TOOK MIKE REGARDING THE QUESTION FROM THE CHAIR
REGARDING THE HOUSE BILL H5186.
REPRESENTATIVE FARIA DISCUSSED 91 H 5186. HE ALSO UNDERSTOOD THAT THE BILL PASSED WAS FOR FEDERAL DETAINEES
ONLY. THE REVENUE WAS NEEDED BY THE CITY. COUNCIL APPROVAL WAS THERE OR IT (BILL) WOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN PASSED. NO PRISONER COULD BE KEPT THERE PAST SIX MONTHS. EXCEPT IF 18 MONTHS SENTENCE WAS THERE. HE NEVER INTENDED THE CENTER TO HOUSE ANYTHING OTHER THAN FEDERAL DETAINEES.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS QUESTIONED THE REPRESENTATIVE FARIA REGARDING ANY BONDS OR STOCKS ON THE DETENTION CENTER. HE RESPONDED THAT NEITHER HE OR ANY MEMBER OF HIS FAMILY HOLD ANY STOCKS OR BONDS REGARDING THE DETENTION CENTER.
REPRESENTATIVE FARIA ALSO SAID IT WAS TOO LATE TO SUBMIT A BILL. HE ONLY SUPPORTED THE CENTER WITH UNDERSTANDING THE INMATES WOULD BE FEDERAL DETAINEES.
REP. BROUSSEAU SAID THE BONDING ISSUES MIGHT PROHIBIT ANY LAW FROM BEING PASSED TO CHANGE THE INMATES. BONDS MIGHT BE AFFECTED. THESE ARE BONDING AUTHORITY QUESTIONS. BOND EXPERT SHOULD REVIEW THE POSSIBILITY OF ANY BILL BEING SUBMITTED.
WILLIAM SIEMERS FORMER DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY STATED THAT AT THE TIME HE FELT THE PROJECT WAS A GOOD IDEA - JOB CREATION. FELT HE WAS GETTING A 220 BED FACILITY. PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETINGS HELD INDICATED THE SAME. HE FORMERLY LIVED NEAR THE NEW BEDFORD FACILITY, AND THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS THERE. HARD TO COMPARE. PROPERTY VALUES MIGHT BE AFFECTED SHORT TERM, BUT NOT LONG TERM UNLESS THERE IS A PROBLEM. SUGGESTED THAT THERE BE AN APPRAISER ANSWER THE QUESTION.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS QUESTIONED MR. SIEMERS.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN QUESTIONED MR. SIEMERS.
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU QUESTIONED MR. SIEMERS.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN QUESTIONED MR. SIEMERS.
MR. BROUSSEAU QUESTIONED.
MR. SIEMERS ANSWERED QUESTIONS.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN QUESTIONED BROUSSEAU AND READ FROM COUNCIL RESOLUTION ALLOWING THE DETENTION CENTER. GREAT WEIGHT PUT ON COUNCIL RESOLUTION REGARDING SETTING UP THE CORPORATION. COUNCIL RESOLUTION DICTATED THE FORMATION.
HELEN BENNETT, ZONING BOARD MEMBER, THEN AND NOW SPOKE. SHE REMEMBERED THE SAME AS SENATOR ISSA, DETAINEES, FEDERAL 220 BED. CITY WOULD BENEFIT FINANCIALLY, IT WAS BETTER THAN INCINERATOR. PROFESSIONAL STENOGRAPHER AT THAT ZONING MEETING.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS, WHO SERVED ON THE ZONING BOARD AT THAT TIME, ALSO REMEMBERED STENOGRAPHER PRESENT AT LEAST FOR ONE MEETING, POSSIBLY SECOND MEETING.
CITY CLERK WAS ASKED IF HE HAD THE TAPES.
BEFORE 1992 INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS KEPT THEIR OWN RECORDS, ACCORDING TO THE DEPUTY CLERK, ELIZABETH CROWLEY.
MARIE TWOHEY, FORMER MEMBER OF THE MINIMUM HOUSING AGREED, THAT THE MEETING WAS RECORDED BY STENOGRAPHER.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS SPOKE.
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE QUESTIONED BENNETT REGARDING ANY STIPULATIONS.
JAN. 9, 1992 ZONING MINUTES WHICH WERE PRESIDED OVER BY MR. MATTHEWS WERE READ BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN QUESTIONED MRS. BENNETT.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS TOOK THE MICROPHONE AND READ FROM 1-24 ORIGINAL INFORMATIONAL MEETING.
ZONING, COUNCIL AND PLANNING AND REDEVELOPMENT BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT AS WELL AS DEPARTMENT HEADS. MINUTES FROM THAT MEETING READ BY MATTHEWS. 1-31-90 DCA BEFORE ZONING BOARD FOR SPECIAL VARIANCE, STENOGRAPHER TOOK MINUTES. DURING THAT MEETING HE WAS ACTING CHAIRMAN. APPROVALS FOR AND SUPPORT OF PROJECT READ. MATTHEWS
INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO ONE AGAINST THE PROJECT, EVEN WHEN HE KNOCKED DOORS, AND THAT PEOPLE WANTED THE PROJECT.(WHEN HE WAS RUNNING FOR COUNCIL). MR. BRODY WROTE ZONING DECISION (DCA) FOR THE BOARD. THIS WAS STANDARD PROCEDURE AT THAT TIME. 220 BED ALL THAT WAS DISCUSSED. ZONING BOARD HEARD ADVANTAGES OF DETENTION CENTER VS. MANUFACTURER. LIGHTER TRAFFIC, NO SMOKE, LESS TRAFFIC, ETC. 10-23-91 MARKET NEEDS ASSESSMENT DONE FOR CORNELL COX.,BUREAU OF PRISONS, ETC.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN QUESTIONED MATTHEWS.
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU SPOKE.
JOSEPH AZAR, PRESENT BOARD MEMBER. CHIDED BOARD FOR HAVING HIM WAIT. EVERYONE IN FAVOR OF PROJECT. ON BOARD WHEN SECOND REQUEST CAME FOR THE ZONING APPLICATION. SEGREGATION SECTION, HOSPITAL BEDS, ETC. REASON WHY NO NUMBER INDICATED IN MOTION OF ZONING. 220 BED WAS INDICATION AT THAT TIME.
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU QUESTIONED MR. AZAR.
CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN THANKED EVERYONE FOR ATTENDING THIS MEETING. HE STATED THAT MEETING WILL START AT 8:00 PM.DUE TO WAKE.
MOTION TO ADJOURN WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS YES
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE YES
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU YES
COUNCILMAN CANAVAN YES
MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 0 NO 1 ABSENT. TIME: 9:45 P.M.
_____________________________________
DANIEL J. ISSA, CITY CLERK