March 15, 1994 - Regular City Council Meeting

CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS

TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1994

AT 7:30 P.M.

A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CENTRAL FALLS CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON THE ABOVE DATE IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT 7:45 P.M.

ROLL CALL

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS

COUNCILMAN GOES

COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU

COUNCILMAN CANAVAN

QUORUM PRESENT.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT ROBERT CANAVAN PRESIDED.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN LED THE ASSEMBLY IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING FEB. 14, 1994; CONTINUED MEETING FEB. 16, 1994; SPECIAL MEETING FEB. 22, 1994;

SPECIAL MEETING FEB. 28, 1994.

MOTION TO ACCEPT COLLECTIVELY AND PLACE ON FILE WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GOES.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS

NONE

CITY OFFICER'S REPORTS

POLICE REPORT; MUNICIPAL COURT REPORT; MINIMUM HOUSING REPORT; BUILDING PERMIT; PLUMBING PERMITS; ELECTRICAL PERMITS.

MOTION TO ACCEPT COLLECTIVELY AND PLACE ON FILE WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

DEPARTMENT HEAD APPOINTMENT

TAX ASSESSOR ANTHONY HARRAKA

PERSONNEL SPECIALIST, VIRGINIA FARIA WAS PRESENT TO ANSWER QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS APPOINTMENT.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN ASKED IF THIS POSITION WAS ADVERTISED IF AND ANY CENTRAL FALLS RESIDENTS APPLIED.

MRS. FARIA RESPONDED THAT THE POSITION WAS ADVERTISED AND THAT NO CENTRAL FALLS RESIDENTS HAD APPLIED.

MR. HARRAKA WAS PRESENT AND IDENTIFIED.

MOTION TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN GOES AND SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

CORRESPONDENCES

TOWN OF HOPKINTON; RESOLUTIONS: DWI/DUI REFUSAL CASES AND $2.3 MILLION SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION FUNDS.

CITY OF PROVIDENCE; RESOLUTIONS:DWI/DUI CASES AND $2.3 MILLION SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION FUNDS.

TOWN OF EAST GREENWICH; RESOLUTION DWI/DUI CASES.

TOWN OF CHARLESTOWN; RESOLUTION $2.3 MILLION SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION FUNDS AND RESOLUTION OPPOSING BILL 94-S2001 REGARDING CASINO GAMBLING.

TOWN OF NORTH KINGSTOWN; RESOLUTION DWI/DUI CASES.

TOWN OF COVENTRY; RESOLUTION: SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION FUNDS.

TOWN OF SCITUATE; RESOLUTION DWI/DUI CASES AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION FUNDS.

TOWN OF NEW SHOREHAM; RESOLUTION SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION FUNDS.

TOWN OF SOUTH KINGSTOWN; RESOLUTION SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION FUNDS.

TOWN OF EXETER; RESOLUTION SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION FUNDS.

KEN KULIC, R.I. MARINE TRADES ASSOC. RE: MEETING.

MAYOR THOMAS LAZIEH; RE: MAYORAL BOARD APPOINTMENTS.

MOTION TO ACCEPT COLLECTIVELY AND PLACE ON FILE WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GOES.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

COUNCILMATIC APPOINTMENTS

MOTION TO TABLE PLUMBING INSPECTOR IN ORDER TO REVIEW THE APPLICANTS WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GOES.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

MOTION TO TABLE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES AND TREE WARDEN WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

MOTION TO REAPPOINT THE FOLLOWING COLLECTIVELY AND ADD CITY SARGENT TO THE LIST WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU.

RAYMOND PAINE - CITY SERGEANT

ERNEST PRATT, ESQ. - MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE

LOUIS AZAR, ESQ. - PROBATE COURT JUDGE

ROBERT ZUBA - ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR

WALDEMORE JAMRO - MILK INSPECTOR

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

LICENSES

PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR LICENSE RENEWALS

JAMES F. MEUNIER D/B/A J.M. INVESTIGATIONS AT 603 LONSDALE AVE.

WILLIAM H. HASLAM D/B/A ACE DETECTIVE AGENCY AT 773 LONSDALE AVE.

MOTION TO APPROVE COLLECTIVELY WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

RAFFLE

SYRIAN LADIES CATHOLIC SOCIETY

ST. BASIL'S CHURCH HALL

PENNY SOCIAL APRIL 24, 1994

MOTION TO APPROVE WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

PROCESSION

HOLY TRINITY PARISH

PALM SUNDAY AND GOOD FRIDAY PROCESSION

SUNDAY MARCH 27, 1994 FROM HOLY TRINITY TO NOTRE DAME PARISH

FRIDAY APRIL 1, 1994 FROM HOLY TRINITY TO ST. MATTHEWS

MOTION TO APPROVE WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

JENKS PARK

CHANNEL I RESCHEDULE DATE: SAT. MARCH 26, 1994

EASTER IN THE PARK (RESCHEDULED DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE SNOWFALL.

MOTION TO APPROVE WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS AND SECONDED BY ENTIRE COUNCIL.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

MILK LICENSE RENEWALS

SEE LIST 1994

MOTION TO APPROVE COLLECTIVELY WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

ORDINANCES PUBLIC HEARING/FINAL PASSAGE

AN ORDINANCE RELATED TO CHAPTER 10 OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES ENTITLED "FIRE PREVENTION" ARTICLE II SECTION 10-21 REQUIRING CERTAIN FACILITIES TO POST FINANCIAL SECURITY FOR THE CITY'S FORESEEABLE DISASTER RESPONSE EXPENSES.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM MAYOR LAZIEH READ BY CITY CLERK ISSA.

MOTION TO APPROVE WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU.

PUBLIC HEARING OPENED. NO COMMENTS. PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

AN ORDINANCE GRANTING PETITION OF THE CENTRAL FALLS FIELD NATURALISTS SOCIETY FOR A PORTION OF OAKLAND STREET.

PUBLIC HEARING OPENED.

ATTORNEY NANCY HOWARTH FOR THE PETITIONERS AND BRIEFLY EXPLAINED THE NEED FOR THIS ORDINANCE.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS QUESTIONED ATTORNEY HOWARTH.

MAURICE HAMEL, AN OFFICER IN THE SOCIETY, RESPONDED TO THE QUESTIONS ASKED BY COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS.

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU STATED THAT SHE HAD NO OBJECTIONS TO THIS ORDINANCE.

MOTION TO APPROVE WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

RESOLUTIONS PASSAGE/PUBLIC HEARING

RESOLUTION SETTING THE HOUR OF ADJOURNMENT RELATIVE TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS.

CITY CLERK DANIEL J. ISSA READ THE RESOLUTION.

MOTION TO APPROVE WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN GOES AND SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU.

MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

RESOLUTION REQUESTING AN AUDIT OF THE CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS.

PUBLIC HEARING OPENED. NO COMMENTS. PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

MAYOR'S BOARD APPOINTMENTS.

COUNCIL MEMBERS QUESTIONED PERSONNEL SPECIALIST VIRGINIA FARIA.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN ASKED WHO MR. OCONNOR WAS REPLACING ON THE DETENTION FACILITY.

MRS. FARIA REPLIED WILLIAM FESIK.

MR. FORAN'S RESIGNATION DATE WAS QUESTIONED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MR. JEREMIAH O'CONNOR WAS PRESENT AT THIS MEETING.

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU QUESTIONED REPRESENTATION FROM HER DISTRICT, AND TWO FROM DISTRICT THREE.

VIRGINIA FARIA RESPONDED THAT IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO GET PEOPLE WHO ARE QUALIFIED TO SERVE ON THESE BOARDS, PARTICULARLY THIS BOARD.

MRS. FARIA INDICATED THAT THERE ARE STILL TWO DETENTION CENTER BOARD APPOINTMENTS TO BE MADE.

DATES OF OTHER APPOINTMENTS WERE QUESTIONED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU.

CONFUSION OVER WHO IS REPLACING WHOM.

IT WAS POINTED OUT THAT MR. O'CONNOR IS A FORMER CENTRAL FALLS POLICEMAN.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS STATED HE THINKS ALL BOARD MEMBERS TERMS ARE EXPIRED AND HE WILL NOT SUPPORT ANY APPOINTMENT AT THIS TIME.

MOTION TO TABLE DETENTION FACILITY BOARD APPOINTMENT BY COUNCILMAN LEE MATTHEWS.

MRS. FARIA SPOKE IN REGARDS TO COUNCIL TABLING APPOINTMENT WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN ASKING THE MAYOR TO SUBMIT NAMES FOR BOARDS. SHE CITED MR. O'CONNOR'S EXPERIENCE AS A POLICEMAN.

COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE SECONDED MOTION TO TABLE.

COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE CITED MR. O'CONNORS EXPERIENCE. HE ALSO WANTS ONE REPRESENTATIVE FROM EACH WARD IN THE CITY.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS STATED IT WAS AN INDEFINITE POSTPONEMENT.

MRS. FARIA SPOKE REGARDING THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. O'CONNOR. SHE SPOKE OF DIFFICULTY OF SECURING BOARD APPOINTEES.

COUNCILMAN GOES INDICATED COUNCIL SHOULD ACT ON THOSE WILLING TO SERVE ON THIS BOARD.

MOTION TO TABLE 4 YES 1 NO 0 ABSENT.

NEW APPOINTMENTS STOOD UP TO BE RECOGNIZED.

MRS. FARIA WAS QUESTIONED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS. SHE PRODUCED LETTER FROM HENRY LAVOIE RESIGNING FROM THE DETENTION CENTER BOARD.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN READ RESIGNATION.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS QUESTIONED PERSONNEL SPECIALIST REGARDING DEPARTMENT HEAD APPOINTMENTS.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS STATED THAT MAYOR LAZIEH REAPPOINTED DEPARTMENT HEADS LAST TERM. HE QUESTIONED THE SOLICITOR ON AUXILIARY APPOINTMENTS OF THE ZONING BOARD.

CITY SOLICITOR MUKSIAN RESPONDED.

MOTION TO APPOINT REMAINDER OF LIST COLLECTIVELY WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

SUB COMMITTEE REPORTS

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN INFORMED THE COUNCIL THAT THE POLICE CONTRACT IS READY, COUNCIL CAN REVIEW AND PRESIDENT WILL SIGN.

MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE THAT COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN BE ALLOWED TO SIGN POLICE CONTRACT. SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE STATED THAT LEGAL SERVICES ARE NEEDED BY COUNCIL FOR THE LIQUOR BOARD HEARING FOR APRIL FOR SAM'S CC.

CITY SOLICITOR MUKSIAN INDICATED THAT IT MIGHT NOT BE NEEDED IF THERE IS A PLEA.

COUNCIL ASKED THAT LETTER BE SENT TO THE MAYOR ASKING FOR LEGAL SERVICES FOR LIQUOR BOARD. MOREAU INDICATED THAT MR. LALIBERTE BE AVAILABLE TO ATTEND THE MEETING.

CITY CLERK ISSA SUGGESTED THAT COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE AND COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU CALL THE MAYOR DIRECTLY AND TELL HIM. THEY DECLINED.

COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE WILL REVIEW AND SIGN LETTER.

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU QUESTIONED CITY SOLICITOR MUKSIAN.

OLD BUSINESS

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS QUESTIONED THE CITY CLERK REGARDING A LETTER TO THE MAYOR ABOUT DEPARTMENT HEAD REAPPOINTMENTS.

CITY CLERK ISSA INDICATED THAT MAYOR HAS BEEN INFORMED, AND THE MAYOR WILL WRITE A LETTER TO COUNCIL.

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU INDICATED THAT THE POSITION OF HOUSING REHAB OFFICER MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY FILLED IN THAT THE POSITION WAS ADVERTISED AS IS REQUIRED FOR FEDERAL POSITIONS UNDER THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACT. SHE STATED THAT SHE HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THE PERSON WHO WAS SELECTED, BUT THERE IS A PROCEDURAL PROBLEM. SHE ASKED FOR ADVICE FOR THE CITY SOLICITOR AND SHE FEELS THE POSITION MIGHT HAVE BEEN FILLED IMPROPERLY.

PERSONNEL SPECIALIST VIRGINIA FARIA WAS ASKED TO COMMENT.

MRS. FARIA INDICATED THAT POSITION IS FEDERALLY FUNDED AND THE POSITION WAS NOT ADVERTISED.

MRS. FARIA STATED THAT SHE DID NOT KNOW IF IT WAS A REQUIREMENT THAT

THE POSITION BE ADVERTISED.

THE COUNCIL ASKED MRS. FARIA IF SHE WAS IN ON INTERVIEW PROCESS.

MRS. FARIA STATED THAT SHE WAS NOT PART OF THE INTERVIEW, AND THAT SHE FOUND OUT DAY OR TWO BEFORE HE STARTED.

CITY SOLICITOR MUKSIAN WAS ASKED TO CALL HUD IN REGARDS TO EQUAL OPPORTUNITY. THE SOLICITOR INDICATED THAT HE WILL SUBMIT LETTERS TO ETHICS REGARDING COUNCIL PRESIDENT QUESTIONS REGARDING THE SOLICITOR.

NEW BUSINESS

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS ASKED CITY CLERK ISSA TO WRITE A LETTER TO MAYOR REGARDING POLICE AUXILIARY,  REVALUATION, TAPING FOR CABLE OF MEETINGS, TO SEE WHAT NIGHT MAYOR MIGHT BE AVAILABLE. HE STATED THAT THE

DETENTION CENTER WILL NOT TO BE DISCUSSED THAT NIGHT.

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU DISCUSSED THE MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT ON BROAD ST. SHE INDICATED THAT MAYOR LAZIEH TOLD THEM THE LOT WILL BE FOR THE SCHOOL SHE ASKED THAT THE MAYOR RESPOND TO THESE QUESTIONS.

THE CITY CLERK INDICATED THAT HIS OFFICE HAS BENT UNDER THE ADDITIONAL MEETINGS OF THE DETENTION CENTER INVESTIGATIONS, LIQUOR BOARD, AND THE ADDITIONAL MEETINGS.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN INDICATED THAT MEETING OF MARCH 16 WAS CHANGED TO MARCH 21 ST. SAME TIME AND SAME PLACE.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN ASKED SENATOR ISSA ABOUT THE BILL FOR OWNER OCCUPIED RESIDENTS.

SENATOR ISSA BRIEFED THE COUNCIL ON THE PROPOSED BILL.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS QUESTIONED THE SENATOR.

AL LAROCHE, FORMER COUNCIL PRESIDENT INDICATED BILL PASSED IN 1991.

ADJOURN

MOTION TO ADJOURN WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE. TIME: 9:25 PM

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DANIEL J. ISSA

CITY CLERK