May 30, 1995 - Special City Council Meeting

CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS

SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING & WORKSHOP

CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS

MAY 30, 1995

7:45 P.M.

A SPECIAL 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.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ORDINANCES

INTRODUCTION

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 38 ENTITLED TRAFFIC AND VEHICLES OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES.

CITY CLERK ISSA READ THE ORDINANCE.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING, NO COMMENTS WERE MADE, AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED. SO INTRODUCED

BUDGET ORDINANCES WORKSHOP

A REVISED BUDGET WAS DISTRIBUTED BY THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN COMMENTED ON THE MINIMUM/MAXIMUM ORDINANCE.

THE MAYOR'S SALARY OF $46,253 WAS DISCUSSED AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN ASKED THE CITY SOLICITOR IF THE MAYOR COULD RECEIVE A PAY INCREASE DURING HIS TERM IN OFFICE.

THE CITY SOLICITOR REPLIED THAT HE WILL RESEARCH THE QUESTION.

THE FINANCE DIRECTOR COMMENTED.

THE COUNCIL QUESTIONED THE LONGEVITY PAY IN THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE.

THE CITY CLERK RESPONDED THAT THIS WAS FOR THE TWO CLERKS WHO ARE IN THE UNION AND NOT FOR THE CITY CLERK WHO IS A DEPARTMENT HEAD AND NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THIS BENEFIT.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN QUESTIONED THE RAISE FOR THE TAX ASSESSOR AND LIBRARIAN. HE SUGGESTED THAT THE RAISE WILL BE SPLIT 1/2 JULY 1 AND 1/2 IN JANUARY.

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU COMMENTED THAT SUGGESTION IS 4 PERCENT INSTEAD OF NINE PERCENT.

PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT SHOULD HANDLE JUVENILE HEARING BOARD.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN RECOMMENDS COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST BE ELIMINATED. HE MENTIONED UNION CONCERNS AND REVIEW COMMISSION CONCERNS.

THE CLERK AT FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE PART TIME AT 19 HOURS WITH NO BENEFITS IS RECOMMENDED BY CHAIR.

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU QUESTIONED SALARY FOR FIRE POSITION $25,000.00 VERSUS POLICE CLERK SALARY.

THE FINANCE DIRECTOR STATED THAT HE DROPPED THE SALARY TO PART TIME FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT AND ADDED THE DIFFERENCE TO THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT FOR TWO PERSONS FOR SUMMER HELP.

COMMUNICATIONS POSITION STILL IN BUDGET AND THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT RECOMMENDS IT BE OMITTED.

THE CLERK EXPLAINED LONGEVITY FOR MINIMUM HOUSING INSPECTORS.

LIBRARY TENURE EXPLAINED ONLY ONE GETTING LONGEVITY.

THE CITY SOLICITOR RESPONDED TO THE COUNCIL'S QUESTION RELATIVE TO A RAISE FOR THE MAYOR AND QUOTED SECTION 4-104 OF THE CHARTER WHICH STATES THAT THE SALARY OF THE MAYOR CANNOT BE CHANGED FOR THE TERM FROM WHICH HE IS ELECTED. THEREFORE THE RAISE MUST NOT TAKE EFFECT UNTIL NEXT TERM, IN JANUARY.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN STATED THAT THE CUTS SUGGESTED WOULD AMOUNT TO $48,000.00. HE SUGGESTED THAT $100,000.00 BE REMOVED FROM THE PENSIONS ACCOUNT AND REDUCE TO $500,000.00.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN SUGGESTED THEY TAKE ADVICE OF THE REVIEW COMMISSION AND REMOVE $100,000.00 FROM LEGAL AND $50,000.00 FROM GENERAL CONTINGENCIES AND PUT IT ASIDE FOR SCHOOL REPAIRS.

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU QUESTIONED THE FINANCE DIRECTOR.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS COMMENTED ON LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND ASKED THAT THE FINANCE DIRECTOR DELETE THE CLERK'S POSITION. CITY SOLICITOR MUKSIAN COMMENTED. HE ALSO QUESTIONED THE NUMBER OF CLERKS IN THE LIBRARY.

BRAD SOUTHWORTH RESPONDED TO QUESTIONS.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS ALSO QUESTIONED THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND MAYOR'S OFFICE. HE COMMENTED ON THE REHAB OFFICERS.

COUNCIL COMMENTED ON NEW HIRE FOR REHAB. OFFICER WHICH IS FINANCED THROUGH REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY. JOHN MCALMONT RESPONDED TO QUESTIONS AND RELATED THAT THE BOOKKEEPER/MANAGER IS NOW TO A REHAB MANAGER.

THE FINANCE DIRECTOR WAS QUESTIONED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS DISCUSSED JUVENILE HEARING BOARD.

POLICE DEPARTMENT QUESTIONED BY COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS COMMENTED THAT CAMERA OPERATOR IS NOT LISTED IN MIN/MAX ORDINANCE. HE SUGGESTED THAT IT BE ADDED. HE ALSO WANTS TO REMOVE IT FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND ADD IT TO THE COUNCIL BUDGET.

MUNICIPAL COURT PERSONNEL WAS QUESTIONED BY COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS.

COMMENTS BY COUNCIL REGARDING BENEFITS TO MAYOR'S POSITION; CAR, PHONE, EXPENSE ACCOUNT, ETC. FINANCE DIRECTOR ASKED TO LOOK INTO MAYOR REIMBURSING CITY FOR PERSONAL CALLS. FREEZE SUGGESTED AT LAST MEETING

ON MAYOR'S SALARY.

MOTION TO FREEZE MAYOR'S SALARY TO CURRENT AMOUNT WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU.

DISCUSSION ENSUED.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS TO PLACE PUBLIC ACCESS IN COUNCIL BUDGET. SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN CANAVAN.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

DISCUSSION ENSUED ON PERSONNEL IN MAYOR'S BUDGET.

MOTION TO REDUCE COMMUNITY RELATIONS SPECIALIST SALARY TO PART TIME AT A SALARY OF $10,000.00 PER YEAR WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO SALARIES OF UNCLASSIFIED PERSONNEL DISCUSSED.

PUBLIC HEARING OPENED AT REQUEST OF CHAIR FOR MR. BROWN.

MR. DAVE BROWN, WHITETT HIGGINS CO. ON HIGGINSON AVENUE AND COMPANY ON CENTRAL STREET. SPOKE REGARDING TAX RATES IN CENTRAL FALLS. DOESN'T WANT HOUSING EXEMPTIONS, HE WANTS BUSINESSES TO GET A TAX BREAK. HE DISAGREES WITH THE MAYOR'S VIEW ABOUT A BREAK FOR HOMEOWNERS.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN RESPONDED TO QUESTIONS HE ALSO ASKED SENATOR ISSA ABOUT ENTERPRISE ZONE LEGISLATION. SEN. ISSA RESPONDED THAT MR. BROWN'S COMPANY BENEFITS FROM THE ENTERPRISE ZONE.

MR. BROWN TOOK ADVANTAGE OF LOAN PROGRAM FOR CENTRAL STREET, WHICH HE PAID BACK. FEELS MONEY FOR HOMEOWNERS SHOULD GO TOWARDS BUSINESS TAX BREAK.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS SPOKE REGARDING COUNCIL INVOLVEMENT.

THE COUNCIL WANTS TO ADD $5,000.00 TO COUNCIL EXPENSE FROM MAYOR'S OFFICE UNCLASSIFIED PAYS REVIEWED BY LINE.

PERSONNEL AT LAST YEARS SALARY.

DISCUSSION ON WELFARE DIRECTORS PAY.

ASSESSOR'S SALARY $1382.00 NOW, $1382.00 IN JANUARY. THE TAX ASSESSOR OBJECTED AND STATED THAT HE STARTED IN MARCH OF 1994. NO RAISE IN JULY 1994.

COUNCIL WITHDREW RECOMMENDATION.

DIRECTOR OF WELFARE TO FINANCE DEPARTMENT.

COUNCIL COMMENTED THAT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST 36,000.00 IS EXCESSIVE. COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU COMMENTED AT ONE TIME THAT STATE REIMBURSED, THAT IS WHY SALARY IS SO HIGH.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS COMMENTED THAT STATE WAS PAYING FULL SALARY, NOT CITY FUNDS.

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU INDICATED THAT RECYCLING SALARY WAS PARTIAL, COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS SAID RECYCLING WAS FULLY PAID BY STATE. COUNCIL FEELS $36,073, IS CLOSE TO PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR. COUNCIL DOES NOT KNOW WHAT POSITION DOES.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN ASKED THE CLERK TO HAVE RECYCLING COORDINATOR AT MEETING TOMORROW NIGHT.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS QUESTIONED INSPECTORS PAY-INCREASE IS 37% AND THAT'S TOO MUCH. $3,000 WAS ORIGINAL AMOUNT. COUNCIL HAD REDUCED TO $2277.85

LIBRARY DIRECTOR RAISE DISCUSSED. NO CHANGE.

COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST TO BE DISCUSSED BY COUNCIL WITH MAYOR.

MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GOES. TO REDUCE TO $7,000.00 CLERK PART TIME LEGAL.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

BOARD OF CANVASSERS PART TIME HELP DISCUSSED.

CITY SERGEANT SALARY DISCUSSED.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS ALREADY ACTED ON.

MAYOR LAZIEH JOINED MEETING.

COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE MOTIONED THAT NEW DEPARTMENT HEADS BE PAID 4% LESS THAN CURRENT SALARIES SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU.

MOTION CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO 0 ABSENT.

GENERAL EXPENSES OF CITY COUNCIL SHOULD INCLUDE PUBLIC ACCESS.

MATTHEWS SUGGESTED SHIFT OF FUNDS. NO CHANGE IN AMOUNT.

MAYOR LAZIEH STATED HE WILL TAKE THIS UNDER ADVISEMENT.

WELFARE DIRECTOR TO FINANCE DEPARTMENT $8,401.00.

THE MAYOR WAS REQUESTED TO ADD TWO PART TIME POSITIONS TO RECREATION DEPARTMENT.

COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE ASKED THE MAYOR IF SUMMER HELP COULD WORK IN PARKS AND RECREATION.

MAYOR LAZIEH RESPONDED THAT HE WILL ADDRESS THE SITUATION WITH THE RECREATION AND PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTORS. HE SAID $15,000 IN NEW POSITIONS.

FURTHER QUESTIONS OF MAYOR BY COUNCIL.

DISCUSSION ENSUED TO REDUCE PENSIONS FROM $600,000.00 TO $500,000.00.

$100,000 FROM LEGAL CONTINGENCY

$50,000. FROM GENERAL CONTINGENCY

MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU TO MAKE THE ABOVE ADJUSTMENTS.

MOTION CARRIED 4 YES 1 NO O ABSENT.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS QUESTIONED THE MAYOR.

THE MAYOR RESPONDED TO QUESTIONS ABOUT LIBRARY STAFFING.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CLERK IS NOT IN THE MIN/MAX. ORDINANCE AND THIS POSITION SHOULD BE PART TIME, ALSO THE CAMERA OPERATOR IS NOT IN THIS ORDINANCE.

THE MAYOR STATED THAT HE WILL RESEARCH THESE QUESTIONS.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN QUESTIONED THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN THE LAW DEPARTMENT.

MAYOR LAZIEH STATED THAT THE FLOATER POSITION OUT OF THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS QUESTIONED THE MAYOR AND BRAD SOUTHWORTH REGARDING THE FLOATER POSITION.

BRAD SOUTHWORTH RESPONDED THAT THE FLOATER POSITION IS A UNION POSITION WITH FULL BENEFITS.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS QUESTIONED NEED FOR THE FLOATER POSITION IN LIGHT OF COMPUTERIZATION.

MAYOR RESPONDED TO QUESTIONS.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS MOVED TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT CLERKS FROM FOUR TO THREE. SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU.

MOTION CARRIES 3 YES 2 NO 0 ABSENT.

MAYOR'S DEPARTMENT DISCUSSED.

THE RECYCLING COORDINATOR'S POSITION DISCUSSED IN DETAIL RELATIVE TO JOB DUTIES.

ELAINE PARTRIDGE HAS BEEN PROMOTED TO REHAB. MANAGER POSITION.

PERSONNEL DIRECTOR POSITION QUESTIONED.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS SPECIALIST DISCUSSED.

COMPLIANCE OFFICER POSITION DISCUSSED WHICH IS NOT PRESENTLY FUNDED.

COUNCIL ASKED THE MAYOR TO CUT THE SALARY OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS SPECIALIST TO $10,000.00 A YEAR.

THE MAYOR WILL TAKE THIS UNDER ADVISEMENT.

CLERK/INTERPRETER/PART TIME IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS NOT FUNDED.

THE MATRONS, COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALISTS, AND PART TIME POSITIONS WERE DISCUSSED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT INSTEAD OF ONE FULL TIME CLERK A PEAK HOURS IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THIS WAS SUGGESTED TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF POLICE OFFICER'S IN THE STATION AND ALLOWING THEM TO BE ON THE STREETS DURING PEAK HOURS. QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS EXPLAINED SUGGESTIONS TO THE MAYOR.

THE MAYOR STATED HE WILL REVIEW.

MAYOR LAZIEH INFORMED THE COUNCIL OF SALARY FREEZE INSTITUTED BY THE COUNCIL ON THIS POSITION.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN REVIEWED RATIONALE.

COUNCILMAN MATTHEWS STATED THAT MOST DEPARTMENT HEADS DESERVE MORE THAN THEY ARE GETTING. HE ASKED WHERE DOES THE MAYOR'S SALARY STOP? MAYOR SHOULD NOT MAKE MORE THAN THE CHIEF. EVERYONE IS UNDERPAID. EVERYONE SHOULD RECEIVE A COST OF LIVING INCREASE.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN COMMENTED.

MAYOR LAZIEH RESPONDED.

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU COMMENTED THAT THE RATIO ESTABLISHED TO CATCH UP.

COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE COMMENTED.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN COMMENTED ON RAISE.

MAYOR LAZIEH RESPONDED TO QUESTIONS ON HIS SUGGESTED RAISE.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN EXPRESSED THAT THE BUDGET ORDINANCES COULD BE READY FOR PUBLIC HEARING FINAL PASSAGE ON MONDAY, HOWEVER, A PUBLIC HEARING FINAL PASSAGE IS STILL SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY.

MAYOR LAZIEH STATED THAT THE COUNCIL WILL RECEIVE HIS RECOMMENDATIONS TOMORROW ON THEIR SUGGESTIONS.

MOTION TO ADJOURN WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN PAQUETTE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GOES. TIME 11:10 P.M.

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DANIEL J. ISSA

CITY CLERK