City of Central Falls
Regular City Council Meeting
February 8, 1999 at 7:00 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers
580 Broad Street
A Regular Meeting of the Central Falls City Council was held on the above date in the City Hall Council Chambers. The Meeting opened at 6:30 p.m. for Executive Session.
Councilman Noury
Councilman Ferri
Councilman Weber
Councilwoman Moreau
Councilman Canavan
Quorum Present
Council President Robert Canavan presided and led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Litigation- Bessette etals vs. City of Central Falls
As provided for in exemption #2 in open meetings law.
Motion to recess to Executive Session was made by Councilman Weber and seconded by Councilman Noury.
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Ferri | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
| Councilwoman Moreau | yes |
| Councilman Canavan | yes |
Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent. Time: 6:40 p.m.
Regular City Council Meeting resumed at 7:30 p.m.
Motion was made by Councilman Weber and seconded by Councilwoman Moreau to seal the minutes of the Executive Session.
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Ferri | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
| Councilwoman Moreau | yes |
| Councilman Canavan | yes |
Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.
Regular Meeting October 5, 1998
Regular Meeting November 9, 1998
Regular Meeting December 14, 1998
Regular Meeting January 11, 1998
Motion to approve collectively and place on file was made by Councilman Weber and seconded by Councilwoman Moreau. All Agreed. So Voted.
None
Police Report (December)
Municipal Court Report (January)
Code Enforcement Report (January)
Financial Reports (added without objection)
Motion to accept collectively and place on file was made by Councilman Ferri and seconded by Councilman Weber.
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Ferri | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
| Councilwoman Moreau | yes |
| Councilman Canavan | yes |
Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.
Wyatt Facility passes American Correctional re-accrediation audit.
Annual Animal Activities Report 1/1/98-12/31/98
John S. McGetrick
100 Cross St.
Central Falls, R.I.
Councilman Weber and Councilman Ferri, the Council Committee that interviewed Candidates for this position, reported their recommendations to the Council.
Motion to approve the recommendations of Councilman Weber and Councilman Ferri and appoint John S. McGetrick as City Sergeant was made by Councilwoman Moreau and seconded by Councilman Noury.
Councilman Weber stated that the other candidate for the position was well Qualified for the position, however, preference was given to City Resident as
Stated in the advertisement and hiring practices.
Pierre Beaucage
133 Blackstone St.
Term to expire Jan. 2002
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilwoman Moreau.
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Ferri | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
| Councilwoman Moreau | yes |
| Councilman Canavan | yes |
Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.
Ronald Robichaud, Jr.
259 Fuller Ave.
Term to expire Jan. 2001
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Weber and seconded by Councilwoman Moreau.
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Ferri | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
| Councilwoman Moreau | yes |
| Councilman Canavan | yes |
Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.
Maurice Brousseau
70 Pacific St.
Term to expire Jan. 2003
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Weber and seconded by Councilwoman Moreau and Councilman Noury.
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Ferri | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
| Councilwoman Moreau | yes |
| Councilman Canavan | yes |
Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.
Kieu Nguyes
D/b/a Nail Design
1306 Broad St.
Mrs. Nguyes explained that her husband was returning the business to her and she was the original owner of this business.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Ferri and seconded by Councilwoman Moreau.
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Ferri | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
| Councilwoman Moreau | yes |
| Councilman Canavan | yes |
Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.
John S. McGetrick
100 Cross St.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Weber.
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Ferri | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
| Councilwoman Moreau | yes |
| Councilman Canavan | yes |
Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.
Channel One Annual Easter in the Park - April 3, 1999
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Ferri and seconded by Councilwoman Moreau. All Agreed. So Voted.
Mr. Ricardo Patino, Vice President of the Colombian American Association commented on the earthquake and disaster relief from many of the residents of the City. He stated how disappointed the Hispanic people living in Central Falls and who have many relatives in Colombia with the Mayor who has refused to return telephone calls from him relative to any City efforts with regard to collecting and finding a place for relief aid. He stated that the Mayor could not take 5 minutes to explain his position on the matter.
Mayor Matthews stated that the Political Season has begun once again in the City. He explained that he did not answer Mr. Patino's calls because he had other City business to attend to but that it did not mean the City was not responding to earthquake disaster when in fact the Community Development Director, Leo Leclerc was working with the Channel One Office to find a place to store the donated items. He stated that Mr. Leclerc was in fact giving other agencies advise on how and where to handle this effort.
Mr. Patino rebutted the Mayor's comments.
Council President Canavan commented on the damage in Colombia and expressed his concerns relative to this issue.
Rick Aubin updated the City Council on the Cub Scout troop.
Richard Lussier questioned Claims and asked why his claim has not been acted upon. He also asked the Council to make a law prohibiting the placement of fliers on private property.
Mr. Robert Woods of Central St. commented.
Meeting recessed at 8:02 p.m.
Meeting reconvened at 8:12 p.m.
1. Congratulations & Best Wishes Kyle Hogan on Attaining His Arrow of Light.
Introduced by Councilman Noury who asked that this be held until the next meeting.
2. Resolution of the City Council of the City of Central Falls Authorizing Mayor Lee M. Matthews to make application for the Rhode Island Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program and the Small City Entitlements Program for Fiscal Year 1999.
Mayor Matthews asked that the Council pass this Resolution and explained the program. He stated that for Social Service Programs the City is requesting $300,000 from Small Cities and $400,000 from CDGB.
Councilman Noury questioned the Mayor about who awards the grants and is the Mayor 's Office solely responsible for the award of these grants without any further Council action.
Councilman Noury asked the Solicitor for his opinion.
James Briden explained the Charter provision Section 1-101 & 1-102 which addresses Legislative and Administrative functions. He stated that this Resolution calls for the signature of the Chief Executive Officer which is the Mayor.
Council members asked what would happen if the Resolution was not passed.
The Mayor responded that the City would not receive any funds whatever.
If the Council passes the Resolution, which is required for the grants this allows for the application process to move forward.
Merrick Cook explained the program and the Public Hearings that are required before the awarding of grants. He commented on past programs.
Councilman Noury commented on the Budget process and the ability of the City Council to approve or not approve the individual budget items.
The Mayor responded that the Grant Money is not a budget item and it is not listed in any place in the budget. He stated that last year the City requested the same amount $300,000 and $400,000 and received $90,000. He said the City received over $400,000 over the next 3 years. The home ownership program $100,000 and the Human Services Program For organizations like Progresso Latino and the Blackstone Shelter had $100,000 to be distributed and $40,000 for Public Facilities. This year the grants being requested are for a Higginson Ave. soccer field study. Also the grant includes $60,000 for administrative costs for Merrick and Elaine. $400, 000 for Small Cities which is $100,000 for the Main Street Program . $80,000 for Dexter & Broad St. and $100,000 new homes like Duplex and triplex and single family. He commented on the moving of the tin building which has been determined that is it not economically feasible. He spoke of the need for some money for a garage for the Police & Fire area. This also would include $60,000 for administrative costs for that program. The Mayor stated that all he could do it hope to receive it so that these programs can continue and that passage of this Resolution is part of that process.
Councilman Noury stated that the City hasn't developed a program for existing owner occupied property. The interest rate being 4 to 6% depending on the income of the property owner, Merrick Cook explained the existing programs and the difference between what the City of Pawtucket can do (they can apply directly to the federal government for their grant because of their population) and how this City applies and distributes its funds.
An Ordinance related to Chapter 35 "Taxation" - Article 10 General Wholesale and retail Inventory Tax phase out.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Weber and seconded by Councilwoman Moreau.
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Ferri | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
| Councilwoman Moreau | yes |
| Councilman Canavan | yes |
Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.
An Ordinance related to Collection of Rubbish as amended.
Public Hearing opened. No Comments. Public Hearing closed.
Motion to amend to 4 p.m. was made by Councilman Weber and seconded by Councilwoman Moreau.
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Ferri | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
| Councilwoman Moreau | yes |
| Councilman Canavan | yes |
Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.
Motion to approve as amended was made by Councilman Weber and seconded by Councilwoman Moreau.
Councilman Noury requested that the City send out a flier relative to trash collection.
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Ferri | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
| Councilwoman Moreau | yes |
| Councilman Canavan | yes |
Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.
Julie Branco -15 Althea St. $217.95 damage to vehicle parked unattended.
Richard Lussier , 65 Rand St. $800.00 for Atty. fees for HDC appeal.
Osvaldo Mercado, 826 Dexter St. for damages to vehicle by Fire Dept.
Jesus Rodas, $ 1,000,000.00 for compensatory & punitive damages re: deprivation of rights.
Douglas Rogers, Wyatt Detention Facility for injury sustained in fall at the facility.
Motion to refer collectively to the next meeting of the Claims Committee was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilwoman Moreau.
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Ferri | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
| Councilwoman Moreau | yes |
| Councilman Canavan | yes |
Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.
Committee Reports
Councilman Weber asked the Mayor why the monthly updates for the School Building Project was not available for this meeting and the Council would like to have them for the Regular City Council Meetings.
Mayor Matthews responded that the Council has everything through December 31, 1998 and that there is no effort on the part of the administration not to provide this information in a timely manner.
Councilman Noury asked the Legal Department to research information regarding the appointment of the position of the City Clerk and until that is brought before the Council the Administration can only name and Acting City Clerk from someone within the Department and not from outside.
Mayor Matthews responded that Pauline Khabbaz is an employee of the City who left on maternity leave who was replaced by another person. The Mayor explained since there was a place in the City Clerk's Department that allowed for her to be placed there and since through the past year's experience of a shortage of personnel in that Office in which at times there was only one person in the Office who had a right to take lunch and breaks but was not allowed to do so because of this shortage it was considered to be better management to place another person in that Office but to say it is illegal is a stretch and was not intentional.
Councilman Noury responded that the Charter stipulates that the Acting position can only come from within the Department and that the Mayor should follow the rules of the City.
The Mayor responded that if the Council wished he would place Ms. Crowley back to the position of Acting City Clerk and Ms. Khabbaz as Consultant he would do so.
Councilman Noury replied that the Mayor should place Ms. Khabbaz before the Council for confirmation as is stipulated by Charter.
Council President Canavan commented on Tri Hab Inc. on Clay Street and stated that there may be a potential problem with this organization whose primary function is to help people free themselves from drugs.
St. Joseph Parish at High Street February 14, 1999.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Weber and unanimously seconded.
All agreed. So Voted.
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Moreau and seconded by Councilman Weber. All Agreed. So voted. Time 10:33 p.m.
________________________
Elizabeth A. Crowley, CMC
Deputy City Clerk