May 24, 1994 - Special City Council Meeting/Workshop

CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS

WORKSHOP & SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING

CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 1994

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 8:15 P.M.

ROLL CALL

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS

COUNCILMAN GOES ARRIVED LATER IN MEETING

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.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN OPENED THE MEETING FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS. HE STATED THAT HE WOULD ALLOW FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS DUE TO THE CONCERNED BUSINESSMEN PRESENT AT THIS MEETING. PUBLIC HEARING OPENED AT 8:16 P.M.

RON COSAL, A SHOP OWNER FROM HIGH ST., STATED THAT THE TAX RATE IS UNFAIR TO COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNERS WHO, IN HIS OPINION, BEAR THE FINANCIAL BURDENS OF THIS COMMUNITY.

TOM DESAUTEL STATED THAT THIS RATE WOULD INCREASE HIS TAXES BY 3,000.00. HE BELIEVES THE NEW VALUATIONS ARE UNFAIR TO COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES.

DICK COSTA, OWNER OF COSTA'S GARAGE, STATED THAT THIS RATE WOULD INCREASE HIS TAXES TO $10,000.00. HE STATED THAT THERE IS NO WAY HE CAN KEEP HIS BUSINESS OPERATING.

JOSEPH AZAR, WASHINGTON ST., STATED THAT HIS BUSINESS TAXES WILL DOUBLE. HE RELATED THAT BUSINESS HAS BEEN BAD.

RON LIZOTTE, PERRY ST.,COMMENTED THAT HIS TAXES MORE THAN DOUBLED AND ASKED WHAT DOES HE GET FOR HIS TAX DOLLAR? NOTHING!

JESSE MILLER, BLACKSTONE ST., COMMENTED THAT THIS RAISED THE TAXES ALMOST DOUBLE, HE COMMENTED THAT THE POLITICIANS WILL HAVE TO TURN THE LIGHTS OUT.

RICHARD EMERY STATED HIS PROBLEMS WITH CLASSIFICATION. HE IS OPPOSED TO IT. THERE IS NO CAP ON IT AND COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES ARE BEING HURT BY THIS.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN STATED THAT THERE WILL BE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE TO SPEAK.

PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 8:25 P.M.

COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP

EDNA POULIN AND MAYOR LAZIEH WERE PRESENT TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS TO THE PROPOSED BUDGET.

COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE COMMENTED ON THE PROCESS TAKEN RELATIVE TO THE BUDGET AND THE NUMBER OF TIMES THE BUDGET WAS CHANGED BEFORE THE BUDGET WAS PLACED BEFORE THE ENTIRE COUNCIL.

EDNA POULIN EXPLAINED THE REVENUES AND EXPENSES RELATIVE TO THE BUDGET. SHE RELATED THAT THE STATE WOULD CUT ITS AID BY $297,000.

EDNA POULIN GENERALIZED THE REVENUES EXPECTED FOR THE 94/95 FISCAL YEAR. SHE EXPLAINED THE INCREASES AND DECREASES RELATIVE TO REVENUES. SHE ALSO EXPLAINED THE EXPECTED INCOME RELATIVE TO THE DETENTION CENTER.

SHE COMMENTED ON THE ELIMINATION IN REVENUES REGARDING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AT THE ADVISE OF THE AUDITOR.

THE PROPOSED REVENUES IS EXPECTED AT $12,618,774.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN COMMENTED ON THE ELIMINATION OF PARKING METERS.

MS. POULIN STATED THAT THE EXPENSE OF COLLECTING AND REPAIRING THE METERS DOES NOT JUSTIFY THE REVENUES.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN RELATED HIS CONCERN FOR BUSINESSES IF THE METERS WERE ELIMINATED.

MS. POULIN RELATED THAT SIGNS INDICATING LIMITED PARKING TIME WOULD BE PLACED WHERE METERS WERE AND THEY WOULD BE STRICTLY ENFORCED.

EDNA POULIN EXPLAINED THAT PRESENTLY THE CITY HAS BILLED ABOUT 50-55 THOUSAND. IF THE DETENTION CENTER SHOWS A PROFIT AT THE END OF THE YEAR THEN THE CITY WOULD SHARE IN THE PROFIT.

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU QUESTIONED THE FINANCE DIRECTOR RELATIVE TO PARKING METERS AND PARKING LOTS.

EDNA POULIN RESPONDED ON CERTAIN PROPERTIES WHICH MAY BELONG TO THE CITY AND PLACING THEM BACK ON THE TAX ROLLS.

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU QUESTIONED THE FINANCE DIRECTOR RELATIVE TO THE CONSULTANTS ON THE DETENTION CENTER.

EDNA POULIN RESPONDED AS A MEMBER OF THE DETENTION BOARD AND EXPLAINED THE CONTINUED NEED FOR THE CONSULTANTS.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN QUESTIONED CAR SHOW REVENUES AND EXPENSES.

EDNA POULIN RESPONDED THAT THE CITY LOSES MONEY.

EDNA POULIN EXPLAINED THE EXPENSES BY DEPARTMENT AS FOLLOWS:

MAYOR OFFICE INCREASE $8,266.

CITY COUNCIL REDUCE $1,000.

CITY CLERK REDUCE $5,087.

PERSONNEL INCREASE $7,077.

LEGAL DEPARTMENT INCREASE $27,950.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN ASKED WHY THE INCREASE.

EDNA POULIN EXPLAINED THAT THERE WOULD BE A FULL AND PART TIME SOLICITOR.

AUDIT REDUCE $1500.

TAX ASSESSOR $1580 REDUCE.

FINANCE OFFICE $12,191 INCREASE.

BOARD OF CANVASSERS REDUCE $5012.

CITY PROPERTY INCREASE $14676-INCREASE IN INSURANCE COSTS.

BOARDS NO INCREASES.

POLICE INCREASE $18031 -EXPLAINED THE INCREASE.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS QUESTIONED CONTRACTS.

FIRE INCREASE $255,953.

PROBATE COURT INCREASE $314.

MUNICIPAL COURT INCREASE $2464.

ANIMAL CONTROL NO INCREASE.

INSPECTION INCREASE $428.

HYDRANTS NO INCREASE.

MINIMUM HOUSING $15,256 INCREASE.

HEALTH DEPT INCREASE $143.

SEWER $24,652 INCREASE.

SOLID WASTE DECREASE $32,432.

HIGHWAY INCREASE $68,337.

STREET LIGHTS INCREASE $6,484.

PUBLIC AID $296 INCREASE.

GEN. PUBLIC ASSIST DECREASE $45,000.

LIBRARY INCREASE $13,177.

RECREATION $6,782 INCREASE.

CELEBRATIONS INCREASE $21,000.

MUNICIPAL DEBT DECREASE $282,633.

CONTINGENCY DECREASE $17,000.

PLANNING COMM. DEV. DECREASE $87,862.

FRINGE BENEFITS DECREASE $31,657.

EDNA POULIN EXPLAINED THIS REDUCTION.

POLICE PENSIONS INCREASE $65,308.

FIRE PENSIONS INCREASE $60,360.

MAJOR PURCHASES DECREASE $280,743.

EDNA POULIN EXPLAINED MAJOR PURCHASES AND WHAT THEY WOULD BE.

CHIEF COUTU EXPLAINED THE NEED FOR THE CAR PORT AND A TOWER FOR HOSES AND TRAINING.

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU QUESTIONED THE AMOUNT FOR RECREATION DEPARTMENT.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT QUESTIONED A BILINGUAL COORDINATOR POSITION FOR THE CITY AND COMMENTED ON THE RESPONSIBILITIES. ETC. FOR THE POSITION.

EDNA POULIN EXPLAINED THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL PERSONS WHO ARE BILINGUAL WORKING FOR THE CITY.

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU STATED THAT THERE WAS A DISCUSSION WITH THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY AND REPORTED ON OTHER COMMUNITIES RELATIVE TO THIS MATTER. SHE ALSO COMMENTED ON HISPANIC MATRON/AND DISPATCHER FOR POLICE

DEPARTMENT SIMILAR TO PAWTUCKET.

EDNA POULIN STATED THAT THIS COULD BE LOOKED INTO FOR A FUTURE BUDGET.

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU COMMENTED ON FULL TIME AND PART TIME CITY SOLICITOR.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

DISCUSSION ON SALARIES/PERSONNEL

MOTION TO RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

TIME: 9:30 P.M.

MEETING RECONVENED AT 11:15 P.M.

MOTION TO RECESS ...TO FRIDAY MAY 27 AT 6:00 P.M...WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN GOES AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

ORDINANCES (FIRST PASSAGE)

1. THE ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET ORDINANCE.

2. THE ANNUAL CAPITAL PROGRAM ORDINANCE

3. AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE CLASSES OF POSITIONS, THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AND THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN CERTAIN CLASSES IN CITY DEPARTMENTS.

4. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 2-68 "SALARIES FOR FIREMEN AND POLICEMEN" AS AMENDED.

5. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE VII, SECTION 2-67 "WAGE SCHEDULE GENERALLY" OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES AS AMENDED.

6. AN ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO SALARIES OF DEPARTMENT HEADS AND OTHERS IN UNCLASSIFIED SERVICE.

7. THE CAPITAL PROGRAM ORDINANCE.

8. AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.

9. AN ORDINANCE INCREASING THE ELDERLY EXEMPTION.

10. AN ORDINANCE INCREASING THE VETERANS EXEMPTION.

11. CHAPTER 18 RECREATIONAL FACILITIES-PROHIBITED USES & ACTIVITIES. AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING REVISION AND CODIFICATION OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. ENTITLED " THE REVISED ORDINANCES

OF THE CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS, R.I." PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF CERTAIN ORDINANCES NOT INCLUDED THEREIN, WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES HEREINAFTER SET OUT.

________________________________________

ELIZABETH A. CROWLEY, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS

WORKSHOP & SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING

CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 1994

MEETING RECESSED TO FRIDAY, MAY 27, 1994

AT 6:30 P.M.

THE CITY COUNCIL RECONVENED ITS MEETING ON THE ABOVE DATE IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT 6:30 P.M.

ROLL CALL

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS

COUNCILMAN GOES

COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU

COUNCILMAN CANAVAN

QUORUM PRESENT.

THE FOLLOWING WERE ALSO PRESENT AT THIS MEETING:

EDNA POULIN, FINANCE DIRECTOR

ANTHONY HARRRAKA, TAX ASSESSOR

JOHN MCALMONT, ACTING PLANNING DIRECTOR

JOHN LEFRANCOIS, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

MAYOR LAZIEH

NANCY KREIGER, CHANNEL ONE

GLENN MAURICE, HOUSING REHABILITATION

ED HEROUX, RECREATION DIRECTOR

CORRESPONDENCE

INVITATION TO PORTUGUESE DAY PARADE.

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

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

MOTION TO REFER CLAIM CLAIMS COMMITTEE WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GOES AND COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

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

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN UPDATED THE COUNCIL ON BUDGET PROCEEDINGS WITH THE REVIEW COMMISSION. HE RELATED THAT THERE WERE NO VOTES TAKEN AS THERE WAS NO QUORUM PRESENT.

COUNCIL MEMBERS QUESTIONED THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT.

HE RELATED THAT THE COMMISSION STATED THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THE REVENUE ESTIMATES FOR DETENTION CENTER. THEY ALSO STATED THEIR CONCERNS RELATIVE TO THE REDUCTION OF LEGAL CONTINGENCIES FUNDS IF A CITY SOLICITOR AND ASSISTANT ARE HIRED FULL TIME.

BUDGET WORKSHOP

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN OPENED THE FLOOR TO COUNCIL MEMBERS TO STATE THEIR CONCERNS ON THE BUDGET.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN COMMENTED ON THE CAPITAL BUDGET AND STATED THAT THE MAYOR SHOULD NOT HAVE A NEW CAR, RATHER THE $40,000 COULD BE USED AS A PARTIAL PAYMENT ON A SWEEPER FOR THE CITY'S STREETS.

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU QUESTIONED THE FULL PAYMENT FOR THE LADDER TRUCK.

EDNA POULIN RESPONDED. SHE STATED THE REVIEW COMMISSION SUGGESTED THE PAYMENT. SHE STATED THAT SHE IS STILL LOOKING AT A LEASE AGREEMENT OR PARTIAL PAYMENTS. SHE STATED THAT SOME INTEREST CHARGES PERHAPS $15,000 COULD BE INCURRED IF PURCHASED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. SHE EXPLAINED THAT THE PRESENT LADDER TRUCK DOES NOT REACH THE TOP OF THE ELDERLY HOUSING COMPLEXES. THE NEW TRUCK WILL HAVE THIS CAPABILITY.

THE CITY CLERK AND FINANCE DIRECTOR RESPONDED TO QUESTIONS ON THE CHARTER REVISION.

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU COMMENTED ON THE TAX DOLLAR RATIO RELATIVE TO THE REVALUATION.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT OPENED THE MEETING TO THE PUBLIC.

MR. ALBERT LAROCHE QUESTIONED THE ELDERLY TAX EXEMPTION OF $5,000.00 AND OWNER OCCUPIED EXEMPTION. HE ASKED IF THE COUNCIL IS GOING TO CHANGE THESE IN ANY WAY. HE STATED THAT HE HAD NO OBJECTION TO THE PURCHASE OF A NEW CAR FOR THE MAYOR.

EDNA POULIN COMMENTED ON SHORTAGE ON ESTIMATE OF STATE AID WHICH WOULD PROBABLY RELATE TO A SHORTFALL OF $289,000. SHE SUGGESTED SOME ADJUSTMENTS AS FOLLOWS:

MINIMUM HOUSING DEMOLITION $ 7,000.00 POSSIBLE REIMB. FROM LIENS CONTINGENCY ACCOUNT 25,000.00 SUGGESTED BY REVIEW COMM.

POLICE PENSIONS 16,527.00

FIRE 20,539.00

TOTAL CUTS 69,066.00

REVENUE SIDE

TRAFFIC COURT BACK UP 175,000.00

TAXES INCREASE 131,960.00

COMMUNITY RELATIONS SPECIALIST WAS DISCUSSED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU SHE STATED THAT THIS IS POSSIBLY SOMETHING THEY COULD DO FROM PERSONNEL SERVICES ACCOUNT. SHE SUGGESTED PERSONNEL OFFICE INSTEAD OF CLERKS OFFICE TO PLACE THIS POSITION SIMILAR TO PAWTUCKET. THIS POSITION WOULD NOT BE FULL TIME.

EDNA POULIN STATED THAT A JANITOR WAS CUT FROM THE BUDGET AND SOME FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE. NOT MORE THAN 19 HOURS.

COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE QUESTIONED THE TAX ASSESSOR ON RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL TAX POLICY.

THE ASSESSOR COMMENTED THAT IF THE USE IS RESIDENTIAL THEN THE TAX IS RESIDENTIAL.

ORDINANCES (FIRST PASSAGE)

1. THE ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET ORDINANCE,AS AMENDED.

MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GOES.

MOTION CARRIED 3 YES 2 NO 0 ABSENT.

2. THE ANNUAL CAPITAL PROGRAM ORDINANCE

MOTION TO APPROVE WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GOES.

MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 1 NO 0 ABSENT.

3. AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE CLASSES OF POSITIONS, THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AND THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN CERTAIN CLASSES IN CITY DEPARTMENTS.

MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN GOES AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

4. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 2-68 "SALARIES FOR FIREMEN AND POLICEMEN" AS AMENDED.

EDNA POULIN RELATED THAT THERE ARE NO SALARIES HERE BECAUSE OF NEGOTIATIONS.

MOTION TO APPROVE WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GOES.

DISCUSSION ENSUED ON STATE LAW, ORDINANCE AS WELL AS ARBITRATOR'S RULING.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

5. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE VII, SECTION 2-67 "WAGE SCHEDULE GENERALLY" OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES AS AMENDED.

MOTION TO APPROVE WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GOES.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

6. AN ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO SALARIES OF DEPARTMENT HEADS AND OTHERS IN UNCLASSIFIED SERVICE AS AMENDED..

EDNA POULIN INDICATED THE CHANGES.

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

MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 1 NO 0 ABSENT.

7. THE CAPITAL PROGRAM ORDINANCE.

MOTION TO APPROVE WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN GOES AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN CANAVAN.

MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 1 NO O ABSENT.

8. AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.

CITY CLERK ISSA READ ORDINANCE.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS QUESTIONED DEFINITIONS.

TAX ASSESSOR RESPONDED.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS QUESTIONED COMMERCIAL.

TAX ASSESSOR RESPONDED.

CITY CLERK RESPONDED TO QUESTION.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN QUESTIONED THE TIME FRAME FOR DECLARING RESIDENCY.

THE CITY CLERK AND TAX ASSESSOR RESPONDED.

MAYOR LAZIEH SUGGESTED METHOD.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN AGREED.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN QUESTIONED THE METHOD FOR PROOF OF RESIDENCE.

TAX ASSESSOR RESPONDED VOTING CERTIFICATE, PHONE BILL, DRIVERS LICENSE AND AT LEAST TWO PROOFS WITH AFFIDAVIT.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN STATED THAT THE CITY WOULD ADVERTISE WHAT DOCUMENTS WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO PROVE RESIDENCY.

MAYOR LAZIEH COMMENTED ON RESIDENCY.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN AGREED THAT MORE THAN ONE DOCUMENT WAS NEEDED FOR RESIDENCY.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS QUESTIONED THE LIMIT ON FOUR UNITS.

TAX ASSESSOR ANTHONY HARRAKA RESPONDED.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN ASKED QUESTIONS.

CITY CLERK ISSA RESPONDED TO QUESTIONS.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN RESPONDED TO QUESTIONS

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU QUESTIONED THE TAX ASSESSOR ON THE NUMBER OF UNITS.

THE TAX ASSESSOR RESPONDED.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS ASKED QUESTIONS.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN COMMENTED..

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU QUESTIONED THE ASSESSOR.

THE TAX ASSESSOR RESPONDED THAT THE CURRENT REVALUATION TO INDUSTRY HAS BEEN REDUCED AND ANY CHANGE WILL CAUSE CHANGE IN BASE.

EDNA POULIN STATED THAT THE GREATEST TAX BURDEN IS ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY WITH 64 TO 53% REDUCTION COMMERCIAL WENT UP. RESIDENTIAL PAYS THE MOST TAXES.

MAYOR WANTS TO ENCOURAGE HOMEOWNERS TO LIVE IN CENTRAL FALLS. WEIGHT OF EXPENSES A FACTOR. WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY OWNERS. HEAVIEST BURDEN WAS ON RESIDENTIAL WE WANT TO GIVE RELIEF TO OWNER

OCCUPIED.

MOREAU SPOKE.

MOTION TO APPROVE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN GOES AS AMENDED AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN CANAVAN.

MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 1 NO O ABSENT.

9. AN ORDINANCE INCREASING THE ELDERLY EXEMPTION.

CITY CLERK DAN ISSA READ THE ORDINANCE.

THE CITY CLERK RESPONDED TO QUESTIONS.

MOTION TO APPROVE WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN GOES AND SECONDED BY  COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

10. AN ORDINANCE INCREASING THE VETERANS EXEMPTION.

CLERK READ MOTION TO APPROVE WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GOES.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

READ BY CLERK

11. CHAPTER 18 RECREATIONAL FACILITIES-PROHIBITED USES & ACTIVITIES.

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

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

ORDINANCE (INTRODUCTION)

AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING REVISION AND CODIFICATION OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. ENTITLED " THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS, R.I." PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF

CERTAIN ORDINANCES NOT INCLUDED THEREIN, WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES HEREINAFTER SET OUT. CLERK ISSA EXPLAINED.

SO INTRODUCED.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN ASKED THE ASSESSOR FOR INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVALUATION.

THE FINANCE DIRECTOR AND ASSESSOR RESPONDED.

RESIDENTIAL RATE $ 25.65

COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL RATE $ 45.00

TANGIBLE AND MOTOR VEHICLE RATE $ 51.00

THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT REQUESTED A COPY FOR THE COUNCIL AT NEXT MEETING ALONG WITH THE TOTAL DOLLARS THAT WILL BE RAISED BY THESE RATES.

MAYOR LAZIEH COMMENTED.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN COMMENTED.

MOTION TO MOVE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN GOES AND SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

MEETING RECONVENED AT 9:45.

MOTION TO RECESS TO TUESDAY AT 8:00 P.M. WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

_______________________________________

DANIEL J. ISSA, CITY CLERK

CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS

WORKS & SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING

CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 1994

MEETING RECESSED TO FRIDAY, MAY 27, 1994

MEETING RECESSED TO TUESDAY MAY 31, 1994

AT 8:00 P.M.

A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CENTRAL FALLS CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MAY 31, 1994 IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT 8:15 P.M.

ROLL CALL

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS

COUNCILMAN GOES

COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU

COUNCILMAN CANAVAN

QUORUM PRESENT.

CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT ROBERT CANAVAN PRESIDED.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

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

COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP

THE COUNCIL QUESTIONED THE TAX ASSESSOR WHO WAS ASKED TO RELATED THE PERCENTAGES OF TAXES GENERATED BY EACH CLASSIFICATION.

DISCUSSION ON THE ABOVE ENSUED.

LAND VALUES, ASSESSMENTS AND EXEMPTIONS WERE DISCUSSED AT LENGTH. IT WAS RELATED THAT THERE ARE 1,575 RESIDENTIAL UNITS IN THE CITY. THE RESIDENTIAL RATE OF $25.65 AND VARIOUS CHANGES IN THE RATES WERE DISCUSSED.

POTENTIAL BUDGET CUTS DISCUSSED.

THE CITY CLERK ASKED QUESTIONS.

SENATOR ISSA COMMENTED ON STATE FUNDING AND THAT THE CITY'S REPRESENTATIVES ARE FIGHTING TO RESTORE THE ORIGINAL AMOUNT. HE SUGGESTED THAT FOR BUDGETING PURPOSES THE COUNCIL SHOULD NOT COUNT ON THIS INCOME.

COUNCIL DISCUSSION ENSUED.

SUGGESTIONS THAT $300,000 BE CUT FROM THE BUDGET. TO LOWER THE TAX RATE FOR RESIDENTIAL.

COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE MENTIONED A GRANT FOR RECREATION FIELDS, HE STATED THAT MONEY COULD BE CUT FROM THE BUDGET. HE ALSO COMMENTED THAT IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO LEASE THE FIRE TRUCK INSTEAD OF AN OUTRIGHT PURCHASE.

EDNA POULIN REMINDED COUNCIL THAT IF THEY CUT $300,000.00 NEXT YEAR BUDGET THERE WOULD ONLY BE $ 300,000.00 TO WORK WITH. SHE SUGGESTED THAT THEY THINK OF NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET BEFORE MAKING CUTTING DECISIONS.

COUNCIL DISCUSSION ENSUED ON THE POLICE CARS.

SPANISH COORDINATOR DISCUSSED.

EDNA POULIN POINTED OUT THAT THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL SAVINGS FOR RESIDENTIAL. TAX RATE SHOULD STAY AT $25.65.

DETENTION CENTER REVENUE DISCUSSED.

COUNCILMAN GOES INDICATED THAT HE WANTS TO KEEP RESIDENTIAL RATES LOW AND STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE A $24.75 RESIDENTIAL RATE IF POSSIBLE.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS SUGGESTED THAT THE TANGIBLE RATE BE LOWERED.

DISCUSSION ON VARIOUS WAYS TO REDUCE BUDGET AND THE TAX RATES ENSUED.

ADJOURN

MOTION TO ADJOURN WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS. TIME 11:31 P.M.

___________________________

DANIEL J. ISSA CITY CLERK