CITY OF CENTAL FALLS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MONDAY, APRIL 17,2000
7:00 P.M.
A regular meeting of the City Council was held in the Council Chambers on Monday, April 17, 2000, beginning at 7:05 p.m.
Councilman Leger - present
Councilwoman Canavan - present
Councilman Robichaud - present
Councilman Lazieh - present
Councilman Noury - present
Quorum present.
The Pledge of Allegiance is led by Council President Noury.
No public comments.
Councilman Lazieh asks if the public comments can be afterwards.
Division of Public Utilities / re: regulated rates for towing
Central Falls Review Commission/re: Councilman Jason Leger to serve as designee.
Division of Forest Environment re: Tree Warden Appointment Reminder
Mr. Brian Auto Repair/96 Blackstone St.
M & M Auto Repair/96 Blackstone St.
Luis Auto Repair/96 Blackstone St.
Memo from Marie Twohey,Deputy to John Kuzmiski , Finance Director re: Revenue & Expense Report
Ronald Harnois complaint re: San Francisco Auto Repair at 601 Lonsdale Ave.
List of Previous Mayoral Administration Department Head Appointments- as requested from Clerk's Office.
Motion made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilman Leger that the Correspondences be accepted and placed on file. All Agreed.
Councilwoman Canavan suggests that the City Clerk send Ronald Harnois a letter indicating that the Council does not have the authority to deal with the problem of motor vehicles and they should contact the Automobile Dealership Regulation Hearing Board.
Council President Noury wants the Council to have an Executive Session discussion of council appointment at the next meeting.
Councilman Leger questions items D, E, and F of the Correspondences.
More discussion took place regarding auto repairs on Blackstone Street.
Council President Noury suggests placing this under Old Business.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
| Councilman Robichaud | yes |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
Municipal Court Report - March,2000
Code Enforcement Report March,2000
Plumbing Report March,2000
Electrical Report March,2000
Building Report March,2000
Revenue and Expense Report (unaudited) February 29,2000
Motion by Councilman Robichaud and seconded by Councilman Lazieh to accept the City Officer Reports and to place them on file.
Councilman Leger stated that he is disappointed in the Finance Department in the fact that they can not find the time to give the Council a detailed report and still continues to give them the generic numbers.
Councilman Noury explains that he called the City Auditor and that the Finance Department must present the numbers that way.
Councilman Leger stated that he disagreed with Councilman Noury because that during the Finance Committee Meeting that they asked for a specific breakdown. He questioned whether that was public information.
Councilman Lazieh stated the Finance Department does provide a financial breakdown to each department on line item account for each department. That is information that they have available and information that they are requesting. He stated that Mr. Leger especially should be provided with the information, as the Finance Committee Chairman. If the other information is not provided he feels that the next step is to discuss matters with the City Solicitor's Office, regarding the Ordinance that pertains to this information.
Council President Noury asks the City Clerk to send Mr. Kuzmiski a 3rd Notice regarding Revenue and Expense.
Councilman Lazieh states that if the Finance Department continues not to represent the information and figures, then he feels they should require and request the Solicitor to require the submission of the records, if not now, then through the Attorney General's Office.
No further discussion on the City Officer Reports.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
| Councilman Robichaud | yes |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
Fernando's Kemshoju Karate
887 Dexter St
Motion by Councilwoman Canavan and seconded by Councilman Leger and Councilman Robichaud.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
| Councilman Robichaud | yes |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
S & R Ice Cream
635 Roosevelt Ave.
Discussion took place.
This business is moving from one building to another in the same parking lot.
Motion to approve by Councilwoman Canavan and seconded by Councilman Robichaud.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
| Councilman Robichaud | yes |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
Approved by unanimous consent.
Carolina's Market
473 Hunt St.
Discussion took place.
Motion to approve made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilman Robichaud, Councilman Leger, and Councilwoman Canavan.
Councilman Leger - yes
Councilwoman Canavan - yes
Councilman Robichaud - yes
Councilman Lazieh - yes
Councilman Noury - yes
Approved by unanimous consent.
The Family Buffet Restaurant
740-744 Dexter St.
Discussion took place.
Motion made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan to approve.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
| Councilman Robichaud | yes |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
Approved by unanimous consent.
PGG, LLC
d/b/a PORINO GORMET FOODS
Rand St. Bldg # 8
Discussion took place.
Councilman Lazieh stated that they might also need a Class C license in addition to the Class A.
They must fill out the paper work and the Council will take care of it at the next meeting.
Motion made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilman Leger, to approve the Class A License.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
| Councilman Robichaud | yes |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
Class A License is approved by unanimous consent.
Rudolph Legenza - 7 Tiffany Street (Term 1/1998-1/2001)
Motion by Councilman Robichaud and seconded by Councilman Lazieh to move the appointment.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
| Councilman Robichaud | yes |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
The appointment will be moved. All Agreed, So Voted.
A. Religious Procession April 21 at 3:00 - to Start at St. Matthews Church End at Notre Dame Church (by Holy Spirit Catholic Community)
Discussion took place.
Motion to approve by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilman Robichaud to approve.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
| Councilman Robichaud | yes |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
Approved by unanimous consent.
Springtime Festival Friday, May 5th, 5:00 -10:00 p.m. & Saturday May 6th, 3:00 -11:00 p.m. with raffles.
Discussion took place on amplification.
Motion to approve as amended by Councilman Robichaud and seconded by Councilman Lazieh.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
| Councilman Robichaud | yes |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
Approved as amended by unanimous consent.
Fiesta DePueblo, June 24, 2000, Parade to start at Store 24 and to end up at Jenks Park. Music, Culture, Food and Arts & Crafts.
Discussion took place.
Motion to approve by Councilman Robichaud and seconded by Councilman Lazieh.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
| Councilman Robichaud | yes |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
Approved by unanimous consent.
D. Bingo/Games -- Troop 3- Boy Scouts of Central Falls
Discussion took place.
Motion to approve made by Councilman Robichaud and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
| Councilman Robichaud | yes |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
Approved by unanimous consent.
Resolution Congratulating the C.F. High School Team on winning State Finals in the 2000 "We The People" Competition
All agreed to move on to Item B.
B.Resolution In support of a Legislative Grant for Restoration and Preservation of Historical Records
Discussion took place.
Motion to approve made by Councilman Robichaud and seconded by Councilman Lazieh.
Councilwoman Canavan noted that the City Clerk, Elizabeth Crowley, has been working very hard for the past 8-9 years. She has managed to preserve 33 volumes of documents, but there is still a half of million dollars worth of work to go, that is why she is seeking help from all areas.
Councilwoman Canavan would encourage everyone to approve this Resolution.
Councilman Lazieh stated that he also supports the Resolution.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
| Councilman Robichaud | yes |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
All Agreed, So Voted.
Resolution recognizing April 22, 2000 as "Earth Day"
Discussion took place.
Motion to approve made by Councilman Canavan and seconded by Councilman Robichaud.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
| Councilman Robichaud | yes |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
All Agreed, So Voted.
Councilman Lazieh requested approval for two Resolutions for Condolences.
Motion to approve is made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilman Leger.
Councilman Leger - yes
Councilwoman Canavan - yes
Councilman Robichaud - yes
Councilman Lazieh - yes
Councilman Noury - yes
All Agreed, So Voted.
Recessed for 15 minutes at 7:40 p.m.
Meeting reconvened at 7:55 p.m.
Mr. Brian Auto Repair/96 Blackstone St.
M & M Auto Repair/96 Blackstone St.
Luis Auto Repair/96 Blackstone St.
Councilman Leger requested to go back to the Correspondences for 96 Blackstone St.
Discussion took place.
Councilman Leger stated that there is only supposed to be 10 cars per lot and a picture was taken by the Minimum Housing Inspector showing 40 cars on the lot, of which 2/3 were unregistered.
More discussion took place.
Councilwoman Canavan suggested that they refer this to the Code Enforcement Director, and have him monitor 96 Blackstone St.
James Briden commented on legal information.
Council President Noury stated that they should report back to the Council in 2 weeks.
More discussion took place.
An Ordinance Pertaining to Salaries of Department Heads and Others in Unclassified Service by Councilman Noury
The chair requested that the motion be withdrawn.
Discussion took place.
Council President states that it is introduced as is.
Discussion took place.
Council President Noury stated that he wanted to go back to Public Comments.
Mr. Pendergrass spoke on privatization and was not in favor of it.
Mayor Matthews also spoke on privatization.
Discussion took place.
Mayor Matthews also spoke on the Census.
Councilman Lazieh spoke about not receiving information that he had previously requested.
More discussion took place.
a) An Ordinance Amending the Budget Ordinance 1999-2000 Establishing the Classes of Positions, The Maximum Number of Employees and the Number of Employees in Certain Classes in the City Departments, as amended Section 13 entitled "The number of employees in the Department of Public Works shall not exceed 27",as amended.
Discussion took place.
Motion to approve for final passage made by Councilwoman Canavan and seconded by Councilman Lazieh.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
| Councilman Robichaud | no |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
Motion passes 4-1.
b) An Ordinance requiring the Mayor, at the request of a City Council Member, to
Periodically report to the City Council the status of any and all unresolved labor Contract negotiations, arbitration, labor disputes, suits, or any other pending or active Litigation issues involving or impacting the City. At the Introduction of Councilman Lazieh.
Discussion took place.
Mayor Matthews stated that he did not think that there was a need for this type of Ordinance.
Motion made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan to pass the Ordinance under discussion.
More discussion took place.
Motion made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan to amend.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
| Councilman Robichaud | yes |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
All Agreed, So Voted.
James Briden spoke on legal issues such as checks and balances.
Discussion took place.
c) An Ordinance requiring all Department Heads, Division Directors and all other administrative officers of the City to promptly provide within seven (7) working days, any and all documents, data, studies, tapes, discs, reports, memos, correspondence or any other research information or materials in the possession of their office or staff or within their knowledge to any City Council member requesting said information or documents. At the Introduction of Councilman Lazieh.
Council President stated that this would be a Public Hearing.
Discussion took place.
Mayor Matthews stated that he will veto any illegal Ordinances.
Council President stated the Public Hearing was closed.
Motion to approve made by Councilman Lazieh seconded by Councilwoman Canavan.
Discussion took place.
Motion to amend the present Ordinance to include "in accordance to city and state laws", made by Councilwoman Canavan and seconded by Councilman Lazieh.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
| Councilman Robichaud | yes |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
All Agreed, So Voted.
d) An Ordinance requiring the City Clerk to maintain an official electronic tape recorded copy and a video copy of all City Council and Liquor Board public meetings for public review. At the introduction of Councilman Lazieh.
Council President Noury stated that this would be a Public Hearing.
Mayor Matthews questioned the definition of official.
Councilman Lazieh stated that it is a public record. It would be used for public or official purposes.
Discussion took place.
Council President announced that the public hearing was closed.
Motion to approve made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilman Robichaud.
More discussion took place.
Motion to amend made by Councilwoman Canavan and seconded by Councilman Lazieh.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
| Councilman Robichaud | yes |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
All Agreed, So Voted.
Discussion took place.
e) An Ordinance establishing a policy of rules & regulations, benefits and any and all other personnel related issues for those municipal employees who are in the unclassified service of municipal government. At the introduction of Councilman Lazieh.
Council President Noury stated that this would be a Public Hearing.
Discussion took place.
Council President Noury stated that the Public Hearing is closed.
Motion to approve made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan.
More discussion took place.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
| Councilman Robichaud | yes |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
Approved by unanimous consent.
f) An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2 Article III, Section 2-69 (b) entitled "Assistant City Solicitor." At the introduction of Councilman Noury
Council President Noury stated that this would be a Public Hearing.
Discussion took place.
Council President Noury stated that the Public Hearing was closed.
Motion to approve made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Lazieh.
More discussion took place.
Councilman Robichaud questioned cutting the Assistant City Solicitor's pay.
Councilman Leger stated that he didn't feel that the Council does not get fair representation from the Mayor, and that is why he supports the Ordinance.
Councilwoman Canavan stated that she preferred for the Solicitor and the Assistant Solicitor to be hired by the Mayor. She stated that she feels they should leave it the way it is.
More discussion took place.
Councilman Lazieh stated that in 1973 the City Council established an Assistant City Solicitor position, and at the time the position was appointed by the City Council.
Councilman Lazieh spoke about the first appointment of Assistant City Solicitor.
More discussion took place.
Council President Noury spoke of conflict of interest.
James Briden spoke on the research he does. He said that it is objective.
More discussion took place.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | no |
| Councilman Robichaud | no |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
Motion passed 3-2.
B. An Ordinance requiring all contracts or awards of bids for the privatization of any public or municipal service, for the duration of more than eleven months and/or in and amount in excess of five thousand ($5000) dollars, to be presented to the Central Falls Finance Committee for review and then considered by the Central Falls City Council within thirty (30) days for a vote of confirmation and financial authorization of funds.
Motion to override the veto made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan.
Discussion took place.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
| Councilman Robichaud | yes |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
Council President Noury states that the Mayor sustains his veto.
Council President Noury states that the Council will recess until next Monday, April 24th.
Meeting recessed at 11:50 p.m.
This meeting was recessed to April 24, 2000 at 7:00 p.m.
Councilman Leger - present
Councilwoman Canavan - present
Councilman Robichaud - present
Councilman Lazieh - present
Councilman Noury - present
Discussion took place on privatization, which was originally listed as old business for the meeting held on April 17, 2000.
Councilman Noury wanted to speak on the article that was in the newspaper on the privatization.
Councilman Lazieh asked for a reconsider on the veto vote to reconsider the vetoed ordinance.
James Briden commented on Robert's Rules.
Councilman Noury asked for motion to suspend Robert's Rules to re-visit privatization.
Councilman Lazieh spoke of the vote taken.
Councilman Robichaud did not agree to suspend rules.
Councilman Lazieh insisted that the meeting is still pending.
Councilman Robichaud questioned Councilman Noury on Robert's Rules.
Councilman Lazieh withdrew motion on request of Councilman Noury.
Councilwoman Canavan said it should be a referendum.
Councilman Robichaud said that six weeks ago he asked for a referendum vote.
Councilman Leger said that this is the first time they all voted for it.
Councilwoman Canavan said that on all introductions there should be discussion.
Councilman Lazieh said that he stands by his ordinance and he feels that it stands. The Council should be involved in any discussion.
Councilman Noury said they could not over ride the veto.
Councilwoman Canavan wants a letter sent to the Review Commission as an inquiry to the powers of the commission.
Councilman Robichaud asked for information from the Review Commission 1.5 million for a cash reserve account. There is no reserve surplus account.
Councilman Lazieh disagrees with his definition on executive powers.
Councilman Lazieh read from the charter, section 4-102.
Councilwoman Canavan stated that they must do 2 things. 1. They need a person to oversee the spending, to be placed on the review commission. 2. An ordinance or resolution must go on the referendum.
James Briden was questioned on steps taken for a referendum.
Councilman Robichaud does not want one person on the commission to tell us how to spend our money.
Councilwoman Canavan stated that it is everyone in the state's business because they fund the school. Councilwoman Canavan will investigate putting it on the referendum.
Councilman Lazieh read a letter from the Mayor.
Councilman Robichaud stated that they Mayor should be present.
Councilman Noury spoke of when the Mayor would be permitted to speak at City Council meetings.
Councilman Lazieh requested N.E.E.D., the Mayor, the Finance Director, and the Public Works Director to be notified to be present at the next meeting.
Councilman Noury stated that the fight is between the Mayor and the Union.
Councilman Leger spoke of an upcoming meeting on Wednesday, between the City Council and the Mayor.
Councilman Noury spoke on how they would proceed.
Councilman Noury requested of the Finance Director, through the Legal Department to James Briden, to request all outside legal costs as well as all arbitration costs from January of 1996 to current.
Motion to adjourn made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Lazieh.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
| Councilman Robichaud | yes |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
Meeting adjourned.
Marie Twohey, Deputy City Clerk