CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 1994
AT 7:00 P.M.
A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CENTRAL FALLS CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON THE ABOVE DATE IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT 7:00 P.M.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS
COUNCILMAN GOES ABSENT
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU
COUNCILMAN CANAVAN
QUORUM PRESENT.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT ROBERT CANAVAN PRESIDED.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT ROBERT CANAVAN LED THE ASSEMBLY IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
NONE
MEETINGS MAY 27, 31, 1994; JUNE 1, 6,13, 14, 20, 27, 30, 1994.
MOTION TO ACCEPT COLLECTIVELY AND PLACE ON FILE WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS YES
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE YES
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU YES
COUNCILMAN CANAVAN YES
MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 0 NO 1 ABSENT.
MUNICIPAL COURT REPORT; MINIMUM HOUSING; PLUMBING PERMITS; ELECTRICAL PERMITS; POLICE DEPT.; BUILDING PERMITS
MOTION TO ACCEPT COLLECTIVELY AND PLACE ON FILE WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS YES
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE YES
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU YES
COUNCILMAN CANAVAN YES
MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 0 NO 1 ABSENT.
J.P. FERNANDES - RE: CABLE TV -PORTUGUESE CHANNEL
TOWN OF CUMBERLAND - RE: ZONING ORDINANCE
TOWN OF NORTH SMITHFIELD - RESOLUTION REGARDING STATE AID TO EDUCATION.
DANIEL J. ISSA, CITY CLERK; RE: OVERRIDE MAYOR'S VETO.
JOHN RODRIGUES PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR - ATTENDANCE AT SEPT. 12, 1994 MEETING.
TITLES READ BY CITY CLERK ISSA.
MOTION TO ACCEPT COLLECTIVELY AND PLACE ON FILE WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS YES
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE YES
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU YES
COUNCILMAN CANAVAN YES
MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 0 NO 1 ABSENT.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN ASKED THE CITY CLERK TO SEND ONE MORE LETTER TO JOHN RODRIGUES INVITING HIM TO ATTEND THE NEXT MEETING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS RELATIVE TO THE BOBCAT AND OTHER PUBLIC WORKS MATTERS. HE FURTHER INSTRUCTED THAT IF THE ANSWER WAS THE SAME THEN THE CLERK IS INSTRUCTED TO SUBPOENA MR. RODRIGUES TO THE NEXT MEETING AS IS ALLOW FOR BY CHARTER.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN RELATED THAT THE CLERK WAS TO GIVE MR. RODRIGUES ONE WEEK FROM THIS DATE TO MAKE HIS REPLY.
ASSISTANT CITY SOLICITOR
MATTHEW T. OLIVIERO, ESQ.
MAYOR LAZIEH ADDRESSED THE CITY COUNCIL REGARDING THIS APPOINTMENT.
MR. OLIVIERO ANSWERED QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS AND GAVE A BRIEF HISTORY OF HIS FAMILY AND BACKGROUND. HE RELATED THAT HE IS EMPLOYED BY THE LAW FIRM OF EDWARDS AND ANGELL, WHO ARE THE LEGAL COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF WARWICK.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN COMMENTED.
MAYOR LAZIEH STATED THAT THERE WERE NO APPLICANTS FROM THE CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATION AND APPOINTMENT OF THE MAYOR 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.
TREE WARDEN
THOMAS PENDERGRASS
MAYOR LAZIEH COMMENTED.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN COMMENTED.
MAYOR LAZIEH THANKED THE COUNCIL AND REMINDED THEM OF THE UPCOMING CAR SHOW ON SEPT. 19, 1994.
BOARD OF PENSIONS AND RETIREMENT
RECOMMENDATION BY BOARD THAT PRIVATE GERALD TURGEON OF THE CENTRAL FALLS FIRE DEPARTMENT BE PLACED ON NON JOB RELATED DISABILITY PENSION EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 1994.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN QUESTIONED FINANCE DIRECTOR EDNA POULIN REGARDING THE EFFECT OF THE RETIREMENT ON THE CITY BUDGET.
EDNA POULIN RESPONDED.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF PENSIONS AND RETIREMENTS 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.
SUSAN PASELA FOR DAMAGES TO VEHICLE PARKED UNATTENDED.
RAYMOND AND LAURETTE ST. AMAND FOR PUBLIC WORKS TRASH COLLECTION. 11,683.52.
MOTION TO REFER TO CLAIMS COMMITTEE 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.
JESUS GARCIA CARE AUTO REPAIR-96 BLACKSTONE ST. C.F.
APPLICANT NOT PRESENT.
MOTION TO TABLE WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS YES
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE YES
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU YES
COUNCILMAN CANAVAN YES
MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 0 NO 1 ABSENT.
JOSE RIVERA D/B/A BONTANICA SAN LAZARO-525 BROAD ST.
MOTION TO APPROVE 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.
DARIUSZ LISEK D/B/A HANDY BOYS-116 COTTAGE ST. C.F.
MOTION TO TABLE APPLICANT NOT PRESENT WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS YES
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE YES
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU YES
COUNCILMAN CANAVAN YES
MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 0 NO 1 ABSENT.
1. RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH IN CENTRAL FALLS.
MOTION TO APPROVE WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS YES
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE YES
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU YES
COUNCILMAN CANAVAN YES
MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 0 NO 1 ABSENT.
2. RESOLUTION TALK ABOUT PRESCRIPTION MONTH IN CENTRAL FALLS.
MOTION TO APPROVE WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS YES
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE YES
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU YES
COUNCILMAN CANAVAN YES
MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 0 NO 1 ABSENT.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FINANCE DIRECTOR TO SELL SHARES OF STOCK IN THE EQUITABLE.
SO INTRODUCED.
EDNA POULIN EXPLAINED THE NEED FOR THIS RESOLUTION. SHE STATED THAT AT NO TIME DID THE CITY PURCHASE ANY OF THESE STOCKS, BUT WHEN THE COMPANY WENT PUBLIC THE STOCKS WERE PLACED IN THE NAME OF THE CITY. THIS WOULD ALLOW FOR THE SALE OF THE STOCK AND DISBURSEMENT TO THE EMPLOYEES WHO PURCHASED THE STOCKS.
MOTION TO APPROVE FOR FIRST PASSAGE WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS YES
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE YES
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU YES
COUNCILMAN CANAVAN YES
MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 0 NO 1 ABSENT.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND FINANCE DIRECTOR TO SEEK MEMBERSHIP IN THE RHODE ISLAND INTERLOCAL RISK MANAGEMENT TRUST HEALTH BENEFIT POOL.
SO INTRODUCED.
EDNA POULIN, FINANCE DIRECTOR, EXPLAINED THAT THIS ONE OF THE FUTURE COST SAVINGS MEASURES RELATIVE TO HEALTH CARE BENEFITS FOR THE CITY TO KEEP THE COST DOWN, AT THIS TIME 2% SAVINGS WOULD BE REALIZED IN THE FIRST YEAR.
MOTION TO APPROVE FIRST PASSAGE WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS YES
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE YES
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU YES
COUNCILMAN CANAVAN YES
MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 0 NO 1 ABSENT.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 34 ARTICLE II ENTITLED EXCAVATIONS.
READ BY THE CITY CLERK DANIEL ISSA.
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU EXPLAINED THAT THE CITY CLERK HAS READ THE ORDINANCE AS AMENDED SINCE ITS BEEN INTRODUCED. SHE EXPLAINED THE AMENDMENTS.
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE ASKED MAYOR LAZIEH IF HE HAS REVIEWED THE ORDINANCE AND WHAT COMMENTS HE HAD IF ANY.
MAYOR LAZIEH STATED THAT HE HAS NOT REVIEWED THE ORDINANCE AND WOULD LIKE TO DO SO BEFORE HE CAN COMMENT.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS STATED THAT HE SUPPORTS THE INTENT OF THE ORDINANCE BUT HAD DIFFICULTIES WITH SECTIONS THAT IN HIS OPINION NEEDED FURTHER REFINING BEFORE FINAL PASSAGE. HE STATED THAT THE FIRST PARAGRAPH DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR EMERGENCIES, SECTION B IS A NEW TAX CALLED A FEE, THE SECOND PARAGRAPH ALSO DOES NOT PROVIDE
FOR EMERGENCIES AND SECTION 34-40 IS AMBIGUOUS AND UNFAIR. HE SUGGESTED THAT THIS SECTION SHOULD STATE THE SIZE OF THE PROPOSED WORK AND THAT POLICE OFFICERS BE ASSIGNED ACCORDING TO THE SIZE.
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU RESPONDED TO COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS' CONCERNS AND DETAILED THE RESEARCH SHE DID WITH OTHER COMMUNITIES TO PROVIDE THE BASIS OF THIS ORDINANCE.
DISCUSSION ENSUED.
MOTION TO AMEND AS READ WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS YES
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE YES
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU YES
COUNCILMAN CANAVAN YES
MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.
MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS YES
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE YES
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU YES
COUNCILMAN CANAVAN YES
MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 0 NO 1 ABSENT.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 18 - ENVIRONMENT- OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES
ARTICLE IV "GRAFFITI".
READ BY CITY CLERK.
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU COMMENTED ON AMENDMENTS AND EXPLAINED THE REASON FOR THEM.
MOTION TO AMEND AS READ WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS YES
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE YES
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU YES
COUNCILMAN CANAVAN YES
MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 0 NO 1 ABSENT.
READ BY CITY CLERK AS AMENDED.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN OPENED THE MEETING FOR PUBLIC HEARING. NO COMMENTS. PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS ASKED IF LEGAL COUNSEL HAS BEEN CONTACTED RELATIVE TO THIS ORDINANCE.
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU RESPONDED.
MOTION TO APPROVE 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.
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 32 ARTICLE II "COLLECTION OF RUBBISH" SECTION 32-31.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN OPENED THE MEETING TO A PUBLIC HEARING. NO COMMENTS. PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS ASKED WHO WOULD ENFORCE THE ORDINANCE.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN STATED THAT THE SUPERVISOR OR FOREMAN AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS QUESTIONED MIXED USE PROPERTY.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING "HAWKERS & PEDDLERS."
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS QUESTIONED THE NEED FOR THE ORDINANCE.
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU EXPLAINED.
MOTION TO TABLE WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS YES
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE YES
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU YES
COUNCILMAN CANAVAN YES
MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 0 NO 1 ABSENT.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 22 ARTICLE II "POLICE DIVISION VACANCIES."
READ BY CITY CLERK ISSA.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS COMMENTED ON DEGREES AND THE QUALIFICATION NECESSARY WITH REGARDS TO AGE AND EDUCATION. HE STATED THAT HE WANTED TO DELAY THE ORDINANCE UNTIL OCTOBER FOR FURTHER STUDY AND WANTED TO DO SOLID RESEARCH.
MAYOR LAZIEH COMMENTED ON THE AGE ISSUE AND COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU STATED THAT AGE 18 WAS ADEQUATE.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN COMMENTED AND OPENED THE MEETING TO A PUBLIC HEARING AT 9:11 P.M.
OFFICER JAY GREENLESS, ACTING PRESIDENT OF THE FOP, COMMENTED ON THE NEED FOR A REQUIREMENT GREATER THAN A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA IN ORDER TO BE A POLICE OFFICER.
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU STATED THAT A PERSON SHOULD AT LEAST HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR THE POSITION OF POLICE OFFICER. EXPERIENCE CAN BE THE BEST TEACHER AS FAR AS BEING STREET WISE. SHE COMMENTED THAT SHE IS NOT LOWERING THE STANDARDS BUT RATHER WAS OPENING THE SCOPE OF WHO COULD APPLY FOR THE POSITION.
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE QUESTIONED JAY GREENLESS ON THE POLICE ACADEMY'S FUNCTIONS.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN RELATED THAT HE WANTED TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS.
JOHN LUBO COMMENTED ON EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS AND STATED THAT THE ORDINANCE PRESENTLY CALL FOR A PERSON WITH AN ASSOCIATES DEGREE, HOWEVER, A PERSON LIKE HIMSELF WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO APPLY OR TAKE THE TEST WHEN IN FACT HE HAS 80 PLUS CREDITS THAT APPLY TO A FOUR YEAR COURSE, THEREFORE NO ASSOCIATES DEGREE IS GIVEN.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN QUESTIONED THE MAYOR.
MAYOR LAZIEH RESPONDED.
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU COMMENTED.
DISCUSSION ENSUED.
VIRGINIA FARIA RESPONDED TO QUESTIONS AND COMMENTED ON THE ASSOCIATES DEGREE REQUIREMENTS. SHE STATED THAT ARMED FORCES AND ONE YEAR IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT FIELD ARE ALTERNATIVES FOR AN ASSOCIATES DEGREE. SHE STATED THAT CRIMINAL LAW IS NOT SPECIFIED IN THE ORDINANCE AND THAT ANY ASSOCIATES DEGREE MUST BE ACCEPTED.
OFFICER MARK BRAYALL COMMENTED ON HIS EDUCATION AND THE NEED FOR COMMON SENSE. HE ALSO COMMENTED ON THE STEPS NEEDED FOR CONSIDERATION TO THE RANK OF POLICE OFFICER.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS COMMENTED AND STATED THAT HE SUPPORTS THE IDEA OF A PERSON BEGIN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR THE TEST.
RICARDO PATINO STATED THAT THE NEED FOR AN ASSOCIATES DEGREE CLOSES THE DOOR FOR THE LATINO COMMUNITY.
SGT JOSEPH MORAN COMMENTED.
DISCUSSION CONTINUED.
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU COMMENTED ON THE MERITS OF PASSING THE ORDINANCE. SHE SPOKE OF HER DISPLEASURE WITH THE WAY THE COUNCIL WAS INFORMED OF POLICE TESTING AND THE HANDLING OF THIS SITUATION.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS SPOKE REGARDING THE ISSUE.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN ASKED COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU IF SHE WOULD OBJECT TO A RECESS OF THIS MEETING UNTIL WEDNESDAY.
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU, AFTER A LENGTHY TALK, INFORMED THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT THAT SHE WOULD INDEED OBJECT TO A RECESS.
DISCUSSION CONTINUED REGARDING AMENDMENTS TO THE ORDINANCE.
MOTION TO AMEND TO GIVE THREE POINTS TO APPLICANTS WHO HAVE AN ASSOCIATES DEGREE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE OR AN EQUIVALENT OF 60 CREDITS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE OR ONE YEAR OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS MADE A POINT OF ORDER.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS YES
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE YES
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU YES
COUNCILMAN CANAVAN YES
MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 0 NO 1 ABSENT.
PUBLIC HEARING ON AMENDMENT WAS OPENED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN.
MARK BRAYALL COMMENTED ON AGE.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED.
MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS YES
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE YES
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU YES
COUNCILMAN CANAVAN YES
MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN COMMENTED ON FLAGS AND STRIPES ARTICLE.
COPIES OF REVIEW COMMISSION GIVEN TO CLERK TO DISTRIBUTE.
IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT THE COUNCIL SHOULD MEET AFTER EACH MEETING TO DISCUSS THE CHARTER REVISION.
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE BRIEFED THE COUNCIL AND ASKED THAT THE JUVENILE HEARING BOARD ORDINANCE BE PLACE ON THE NEXT MEETING FOR CONSIDERATION.
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU ASKED FOR AN UPDATE ON POLICE CARS.
MOTION TO ADJOURN WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU.
TIME 11:35 P.M.
COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS YES
COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE YES
COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU YES
COUNCILMAN CANAVAN YES
___________________________________
DANIEL J. ISSA, CITY CLERK
INTERPRETERS FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED AVAILABLE UPON 72 HOUR NOTICE MADE AT THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK.