June 14, 1999 - Regular City Council Meeting

CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Monday, June 14, 1999

At 8:00 p.m.

A regular meeting of the Central Falls City Council was held on the above date in the City Hall Council Chambers at 8:00 p.m.

1. ROLL CALL

COUNCILMAN NOURY

COUNCILMAN WEBER

COUNCILWOMAN MOREAU

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN

COUNCILMAN FERRI ARRIVED 8:10 P.M.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Council President Robert Canavan presided and led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS

None

4. CITY OFFICER'S REPORTS

A. Code Enforcement May 1999

B. Revenue & Expense Report (unaudited 4/30/99)

C. Municipal Court Report

Motion to accept and collectively place on file was made by Councilman Weber and seconded by Councilman Noury.

Motion carried - 4 yes, 1 no, 0 absent.

5. CORRESPONDENCES

A. The Colombian American Cultural Society Inc. re: Colombian Festival July 18, 1999.

B. Blackstone Valley Chapter RI Arc.- Re: New RI Arc Store.

C. Fleet Securities Inc. Re: Capital Reserves (Fund Balance)

D. Server training on Premise- Certified Alcohol Servers

E. Town of Jamestown-Re: Motor Oil Disposal Resolution

F. Office of the Secretary of State-Re: Home Occupation

G. Rhode Island Council 94 - Arbitration

Motion to accept and collectively place on file was made by Councilman Weber and seconded by Councilwoman Moreau.

All Agreed. So Voted.

6. APPOINTMENT

A. Purchasing Board

Bruce Gagnon

101 Sacred Heart Ave term to expire 1/2000

Councilman Noury stated that he has known Mr. Gagnon for over twenty years and the reason he is asking for a table on this appointment is to allow the Finance Committee to find was of controlling the spending that is currently in place. He stated that the Finance Committee is looking at everything. The surplus has been hit for over $500,000. The Committee is seriously trying to get a handle on this issue.

Mayor spoke on behalf of this appointment to consider 7/12/99. Never tabled appointment. The Purchasing Board can still operate without this appointment.

Councilman Ferri asked Councilman Noury what this appointment has to do with spending issues and that common sense would prevail in this issue.

Councilman Noury stated that the Finance Committee wishes to delay any awards that aren't necessary.

Councilman Ferri stated that he doesn't see where this appointment would address this issue.

Councilman Weber stated that there are some major issues before the Purchasing Board.

Discussion continued on this subject.

Motion to table was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Weber.

Motion carried - 4 yes, 1 no, 0 absent.

7. LICENSES

A. AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR LICENSE (NEW)

Ramon Lantigua

D/b/a Raymond Auto Repair

1063 Lonsdale Ave. C.F.

Applicant was present and stated he was a mechanic for 25 years.

Councilwoman Moreau questioned the applicant and commented of keeping the area clean. She stated that she would not tolerate any unclean areas.

Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Moreau and seconded by Councilman Weber.

Motion carried - 5 yes, 0 no, 0 absent.

B. SECOND HAND LICENSE

Holiday Auto Inc.

D/b/a Holiday Auto Inc.

1295 High St. C.F.

Motion to approve was made by Councilman Ferri and seconded by Councilwoman Moreau.

Motion carried - 5 yes, 0 no, 0 absent

8. USE OF JENKS PARK

Urban League of Rhode Island

Aug. 29, 1999 12:00p.m. - 5:00 p.m.- Raindate Sept. 5, 1999

Adoption Festival

Motion to approve was made by Councilman Ferri and seconded by Councilwoman Moreau.

Motion carried - 5 yes, 0 no, 0 absent

9. BUDGET WORKSHOP

Council President Canavan questioned the overtime in the Police Department.

Chief DeNaro stated that there are two main reasons for the overtime, one is the size of the Department and the minimum manning requirements in the contract.

The Chief explained in detail the minimum manning issues and the court time spent by Police Officers, which by contract require 4 hours overtime. He explained investigations, traffic detail and training and how each relates to overtime issues.

Councilman Weber questioned the minimum manning issues and asked the Chief what number would control the overtime.

Chief DeNaro stated that it isn't so much the number but the level of service one wishes to provide. He commented on the Community Policing issues, the Juvenile issues and the Criminal Investigation issues and most important the road patrol issues.

Chief DeNaro stated that number of persons on the Police Department including the Chief is 40.

Discussion continued on the number of employees in the Police Department.

Councilman Noury questioned the grants for the Dispatcher.

Mayor Matthews commented on the Dispatcher grants. He stated that the Vacancies didn't occur until March or April and the City did not know if the grants would be renewed for another year.

Councilman Weber questioned other professional services in the personnel department.

The Finance Director explained how this figure is broken down and for what purposes this account is used for such as drug & alcohol testing, random drug testing, Police & Fire Recruitment.

The Council also questioned the Tax Assessor's Education and Training that was explained by the Finance Director to include the Computer Consultant.

Councilwoman Moreau questioned the Salaries account in the Finance Department and why the $7,000 drop. She stated that the minimum/maximum ordinance is showing one clerk less. She asked where the other clerk was.

John Kuzmiski explained that the salaries reflect what are in the Office presently which are 3 clerks.

The Council again questioned the tangible and automobile tax cut made by the General Assembly and when the payments from the State would be made.

John Kuzmiski stated that they have not received anything definitive from the league about the amounts to be paid by the State.

The Council questioned the staffing in the Minimum Housing Department.

Donald Houle, Director of Code Enforcement stated that he concurs with the Mayor that the Department can definitely do with one less person in the Department.

Councilman Noury questioned the City Property Consulting Services 54020 Computer Consultant on Call Services.

Councilman Ferri questioned the Electric account and the League's decision on where they are going relative to this issue.

Mayor Matthews stated he would like to have the Council's input relative to this issue.

10. PUBLIC COMMENT & CONCERNS

Bruce Gagnon, appointee of the Purchasing Board addressed the Council relative to his appointment to the Board. He stated that the Council's reason to table the appointment is unfair because he feels the Council is not letting him prove that he can deal with things in a professional manner.

Mayor Matthews stated that there is nothing strange about this appointment and that this is only to fill a vacancy.

11. EXECUTIVE SESSION

A. Labor Relations as provided in Exemption #2 of the open meeting law.

Motion to recess to executive session was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilwoman Moreau.

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

Time 9:50 p.m. Meeting reconvened at 10:02 p.m.

Motion to seal the minutes was made by Councilman Weber and seconded by Councilwoman Moreau.

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

12. ORDINANCES

A. PUBLIC HEARING/FINAL PASSAGE

An Ordinance repealing the City Ordinance entitled "An Ordinance establishing a Restricted operating cash reserve fund."

B. FIRST PASSAGE/PUBLIC HEARING

1. The Annual Operating Budget Ordinance (General Fund)

C. INTRODUCTION

SO INTRODUCED AN ORDINANCE AS IT RELATES TO PREVIOUS YEARS CARRY OVER OF THE CAPITAL PROGRAMS

13. COMMITTEE REPORTS

None

14. OLD BUSINESS

Motion to table for further review was made by Councilman Noury and was seconded by Councilman Weber.

Motion carried - 5 yes, 0 no, 0 absent

a. Discussion to amend Budget Ordinance FY 1998/99 budget-generally

Public Hearing was opened and reconvened at 11:26 p.m.. Motion made to close minutes of executive session was made by Councilman Weber and seconded by Councilwoman Moreau.

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

15. NEW BUSINESS

None

16. ADJOURN

Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Weber and seconded by Councilwoman Moreau. All Agreed. So Voted. Time 11:35 p.m.

_______________________________

Elizabeth A. Crowley, CMC

City Clerk