March 13, 1995 - Regular City Council Meeting

CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS

MONDAY, MARCH 13, 1995

A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CENTRAL FALLS CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON THE ABOVE DATE IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT 7:15 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.

PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS

MAUREEN COLLINS DJ PIZZA, J J INVESTMENTS, GATEWAY DELI

STATED SHE IS NOT HAPPY WITH HER NEW ASSESSMENTS, OR APPEAL RESULTS.

ANTHONY HARRAKA THE TAX ASSESSOR WAS PRESENT AND STATED THAT HE WILL HAVE AN ANSWER ON HER BREAKDOWN TOMORROW. HE STATED THAT TWO BILLS WERE REDUCED. EMMETT ST. CLOSE TO ASSESSMENT.

MRS. A. MOITOSO HAD APPEALED AND ALSO WANTED TO KNOW RESULTS. SHE WILL CALL THE ASSESSOR TOMORROW.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN ANNOUNCED THAT THE NEXT MEETING WILL HAVE AN OPEN PERIOD FOR COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC REGARDING ANY SUBJECT THAT THEY FEEL NEEDS THE COUNCIL'S ATTENTION, HE STATED THAT HE WOULD NOT ALLOW THIS TIME TO BE USED FOR POLITICAL GRANDSTANDING. HE RELATED THAT THE PURPOSE IS TO INCREASE PUBLIC INPUT. HE ALSO STATED THAT PUBLIC OPINION WILL BE ACCEPTED AT FIRST PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS FROM NOW ON.

MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING FEB. 6, 1995

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

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

CITY OFFICER'S REPORTS

MUNICIPAL COURT REPORT; MINIMUM HOUSING; PLUMBING PERMITS; ELECTRICAL PERMITS; BUILDING PERMITS

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.

CORRESPONDENCES

DANIEL J. ISSA RE: CHARTER REVISIONS

WILLIAM AUNCHMAN RE: ETHICS COMMISSION

TOWN OF COVENTRY RE: STATE AID TO EDUCATION

TOWN OF RICHMOND RE: STATE AID TO EDUCATION

TOWN OF GLOCESTER RE: STATE AID TO EDUCATION

CITY CLERK ISSA READ THE CORRESPONDENCE TITLES.

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

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

PETITION TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL

PATRICIA MARTINEZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PROGRESSO LATINO WAS PRESENT TO RESPONDED TO A DENIAL OF TAX EXEMPT STATUS BY THE TAX ASSESSOR.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN QUESTIONED THE ASSESSOR REGARDING STATE LAW.

MR. HARRAKA RESPONDED THAT HE DID NOT SEEK THE ADVISE OF THE LAW DEPARTMENT ON THE QUESTION OF THIS ORGANIZATION'S ELIGIBILITY OF TAX EXEMPT STATUS.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN THAT HE WILL DISCUSS WITH THE EXEMPTION STATUS WITH THE CITY SOLICITOR WHEN HE ARRIVES.

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU QUESTIONED THE TAX ASSESSOR.

COUNCILMAN LEE MATTHEWS QUESTIONED PATRICIA MARTINEZ REGARDING USE OF CITY FUNDS.

MRS. MARTINEZ RESPONDED THAT THE ORGANIZATION HAS A LOAN WITH THE CITY WAS FOR RENOVATIONS. THESE FUNDS WENT INTO RENOVATIONS. IF AGENCY DISSOLVES, THEY MUST COME UP WITH $34,000.00. SHE STATED THAT AN ANNUAL PAYMENT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE MADE IN LIEU OF TAXES AS WAS THE AGREEMENT MADE WITH THE PREVIOUS ORGANIZATION THAT USED THIS BUILDING. THE AGENCY IS STILL OPEN TO A PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS QUESTIONED IF AGENCY APPEALED REEVALUATION.

MRS. MARTINEZ NOT GET APPRAISAL, SO DID NOT APPEAL.

QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS CONTINUED.

COUNCILMAN GOES RECOGNIZED PAUL CHAPUT FROM TROOP 2 CENTRAL FALLS WHO WAS PRESENT FOR HIS CITIZENSHIP MERIT BADGE.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN COMMENTED TO PAUL CHAPUT.

ABATEMENTS

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU QUESTIONED LIST.

MR. HARRAKA RESPONDED.

TWO ERRORS WERE RECTIFIED.

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU QUESTIONED ACCURACY OF LIST AND SUGGESTED A DELAY.

SEE LISTS

MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS TO TABLE AT REQUEST OF THE TAX ASSESSOR SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

LICENSES

CLASS A RESTAURANT

TRANSFER:

FROM CHARLES MOREAU D/B/A MAGEES

TO:

DAVID CHAUVIN

D/B/A MAGEES

777 DEXTER ST. C.F.

COUNCIL MEMBERS QUESTIONED HOURS.

COUNCILMAN GOES QUESTIONED HOURS.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS COMMENTED THAT APPLICANT CAN OPEN ACCORDING TO STATE LAW FROM TWO AM TO FOUR AM THE OTHER DAYS OF THE WEEK.

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU QUESTIONED APPLICANT REGARDING TELEPHONE. HE WILL HAVE A CELLULAR PHONE.

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

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

GENERAL MERCHANDISE LICENSES AND SUNDAY SALES LICENSE.

INTERNATIONAL FASHION CENTER INC.

D/B/A CENTRAL INTERNACIONAL DE LA MODA

850 BROAD ST. C.F.

ATTORNEY COONEY WAS PRESENT TO REPRESENT THE APPLICANTS. SHE REQUESTED TO AMEND PETITION TO READ MODAQUI FOR ITS DBA NAME. PRESENTLY OPERATED AS A RETAIL CLOTHING STORE.

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

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

MAURICE GARCES

D/B/A ALPHA III

830 BROAD ST. C.F.

COUNCIL MEMBERS QUESTIONED THE APPLICANT.

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

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

MARTHA L. NAVARRO

D/B/A OMAR & OSCAR JEWELRY

394 DEXTER ST. C.F.

MOTION TO TABLE, APPLICANT NOT PRESENT, WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

CLASS BV LICENSE

VULCAO CAFE INC.

D/B/A VULCAO CAFE INC.

200 CROSS ST. C.F.

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

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

AMUSEMENT LICENSE

VULCAO CAFE INC.

D/B/A VULCAO CAFE INC

200 CROSS ST C.F.

MOTION TO TABLE WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN GOES AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

ENTERTAINMENT

KARAOKE

HUCKLEBERRY'S PUB INC.

500-502 ROOSEVELT AVE. C.F.

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

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

CONSTABLE LICENSE (NEW)

ANTHONY C. TOOLINE

107 VALLEY ST. C.F.

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

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

FUNDRAISERS/RAFFLES

N.D. PARISH RESPECT LIFE COMMITTEE

RAFFLE APRIL 23, 1995.

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

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO O ABSENT.

ORDINANCES

INTRODUCTION

CLERK READ TITLES SO INTRODUCED.

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 28 PARK AND RECREATION ARTICLE II SECTION 28-2 "PROHIBITED USES AND ACTIVITIES."

AN ORDINANCE RELATED TO THE GENERAL PROVISION OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES CHAPTER 1 ENTITLED "CITY SEAL"

AN ORDINANCE RELATED TO THE GENERAL PROVISION OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES CHAPTER 1 ENTITLED "CITY FLAG"

RESOLUTIONS

INTRODUCTION

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS QUESTIONED THE CHAIR REGARDING THE PROCEDURE.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO FILE AN APPLICATION FOR THE RHODE ISLAND SMALL CITIES COMMUNITY BLOCK GRANT.

CLERK ISSA READ THE RESOLUTION.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS QUESTIONED MR. MCALMONT.

MR. MCALMONT RESPONDED AND EXPLAINED FUNDING.

COPY OF THE BREAKDOWN ATTACHED TO THE RESOLUTION.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS QUESTIONED AND COMMENTED.

MR. MCALMONT RESPONDED THAT CITY WILL NOT OWN THE BUILDINGS, NOR RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MORTGAGE PAYMENTS.

WOMEN'S DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WILL OWN THESE PROPERTIES.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN COMMENTED ON LOW INCOME HOUSING.

PROVIDENCE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS HOUSES AND NO MONEY TO GET ANYTHING DONE WITH THEM.

MR. MCALMONT SAID ENTERPRISE ZONE MONEY FOR CONSULTANT TED BROWN TO QUALIFY BUSINESSES FOR TAX ADVANTAGES BECAUSE OF ENTERPRISE ZONE.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN FURTHER QUESTIONED ITEMS IN GRANT.

MR. MCALMONT IS AGAINST ACQUIRING HOUSES UNTIL HE HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THEM.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS FURTHER COMMENTED.

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF SENATE BILL # S 95-293 HOMEOWNER EXEMPTION OWNER OCCUPIED DWELLINGS. (SENATOR ISSA'S BILL THAT ALLOWS EXEMPTION FOR UP TO EIGHT OWNER OCCUPIED UNITS.)

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU QUESTIONED DIRECTOR MCALMONT ON CURE PROGRAM.

MR. MCALMONT SAID IF THE CITY DOES NOT TAKE SOME ACTIONS WITH THESE PROPERTIES, IT WILL GET WORSE.

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU WANTS TAX SALES MORE OFTEN.

FINANCE DIRECTOR RECOGNIZED.

REDEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR ALSO RECOGNIZED.

RESOLUTION READ AND SO INTRODUCED ON 95-293.

GEORGE MUKSIAN BROUGHT TO MICROPHONE AND ASKED TO RECOMMEND A POSITION FOR THE DENIAL OF TAX EXEMPT STATUS FOR PROGRESSO LATINO. STATUTE IS NOT AMBIGUOUS. IF ORGANIZATION DOES NOT FALL INTO THAT SECTION OF THE LAW, THE ORGANIZATION MUST SEEK A BILL FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. HE NEEDS TO SEE THE PAPERS AND REVIEW THE STATUS OF THE ORGANIZATION BEFORE HE GIVES AN OPINION. MR. MUKSIAN WILL PROVIDE THE CHAIR WITH A COPY OF THE LAW.

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU QUESTIONED THE SOLICITOR.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN QUESTIONED THE SINGLE BID ASPECT OF THE BOBCAT.

MR. MUKSIAN THOUGHT THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY ASPECT.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN RESPONDED.

MR. MUKSIAN RESPONDED. HE ASKED FOR SPECIFICS OF QUESTION.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN ASKED FOR DEFINITION.

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU ASKED STATUS OF TRAILERS.

MR. MUKSIAN SAID MATTER IS IN COURT. MATTER IS BEING TREATED AS A COLLECTION.

SUB COMMITTEE REPORTS

VULCAO CAFE INC.

COUNCIL MEMBERS COMMENTED.

MOTION TO REMOVE FROM TABLE WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN GOES AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS. SO VOTED.

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

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

OLD BUSINESS

APRIL 3 RD AT 7 PM WILL BE THE NEXT LIQUOR BOARD MEETING.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN SAID HE WAS SUPPOSED TO GET BREAKDOWN ON VIN NUMBERS.

COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE MOVED TO ACCEPT AND PLACE ON FILE THE FINANCE REPORT WHICH WAS SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

NEW BUSINESS

COUNCILMAN GOES STATED THAT HE WILL HAVE A MEETING WITH THE RECREATION BOARD.

COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE STATED THAT THE FINANCE DIRECTOR IS ALMOST READY TO MEET ON BUDGET.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS QUESTIONED SENATOR ISSA ON RESOLUTION.

SENATOR ISSA RESPONDED THAT BILL ONLY ADDRESSES THE FOUR TO EIGHT UNITS, NOT HOW MANY BUILDINGS ON THE PROPERTY.

SENATOR ISSA REFERRED QUESTION TO SOLICITOR ON ONE OR TWO BUILDINGS ON ONE PIECE OF PROPERTY.

SOLICITOR WILL REVIEW.

FURTHER DISCUSSION.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS QUESTIONED COUNCILMAN GOES REGARDING ORDINANCE INTRODUCED TONIGHT.

WORK RELEASE PROGRAMS TO ALLOW INMATES TO WORK ON FIELDS TO UPGRADE THROUGH ACI.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS FEELS THE CITY DOES NOT NEED INMATES WORKING ON FIELDS.

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU COMPLIMENTED CITY EMPLOYEES ON CELEBRATION OF THE CITY'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION. SHE ALSO COMMENDED THE CHILDREN WHO REENACTED THE CITY'S FOUNDING FATHERS AND SHE THANKED

ALL THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DISPLAYING THE ANTIQUES AND MEMENTOS.

COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE RECOGNIZED MRS. CROWLEY FOR PREPARING

CERTIFICATES FOR OF ALL THE STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED.

CITY SOLICITOR MUKSIAN REPORTED ON OUT REQUEST OF COUNCIL RELATIVE TO EMERGENCIES. CONDITIONS WHICH AMOUNT TO EMERGENCY ARE IN NOTES. 45-55B SOLE SOURCE AND EMERGENCY.

MR. MUKSIAN QUOTED THE LAW AND READ THE STATUTE.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN QUESTIONED PURCHASING AGENT.

MR. ISSA REPLIED THAT HE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN PROCESS.

MR. MUKSIAN COMMENTED.

ADJOURN

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

ALL AGREED. SO VOTED. TIME: 9:15 PM

------------------------

DANIEL J. ISSA

CITY CLERK