CITY OF CENTAL FALLS
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MONDAY, MARCH 27,2000
7:00 P.M.
A special meeting of the City Council was held on the above date at 7:00 p.m.
Councilman Jason Leger
Councilwoman Rose Marie Canavan
Councilman Gene Noury
Councilman Ronald Robichaud, Jr.
Councilman Thomas Lazieh
Quorum present.
Mr. Granieri, Director of Public Works, was present at the request of the council.
Councilwoman Canavan questioned Mr. Granieri. She asked how services could remain the same.
Councilman Leger asked if 4 or 5 men can take the place of 14.
Councilwoman Canavan asked more questions on the snowstorms.
Councilman Leger questioned Mr. Granieri about the fact that both supervisors are on the lay off list.
Mr. Granieri is in full agreement with the decision.
Councilman Lazieh questioned Mr. Granieri. How many men are on staff? There are 18 plus the director. Also, one vacant and one out on long term leave.
The mayor proposes that if 10 positions are eliminated, it will leave 7 positions manning the department.
Councilman Lazieh spoke to Mr. Granieri in regards to any and all documentation to bring with him.
Mr. Granieri spoke of the Holidays.
Councilman Lazieh asked Mr. Granieri if he felt that the Mayor's proposal is accurate.
Mr. Granieri responded, "I do."
Councilman Noury questioned Mr. Granieri on the trucks.
Councilman Noury questioned Mr. Granieri on the life expectancy of the rubbish trucks.
Councilman Lazieh asked Mr. Granieri how much work he put into the Mayor's proposal.
Mr. Granieri replied that he gave him information on maintenance.
Councilman Lazieh questioned Mr. Granieri regarding the N.E.E.D. Bid.
Mr. Granieri said that he looked at the three of them.
Mr. Granieri then said that he didn't know and he told Councilman Lazieh that he must ask the Mayor.
Councilman Lazieh asked him if he gave a recommendation.
Mr. Granieri said that he would be giving them a letter.
Councilman Lazieh questioned Mr. Granieri more on the manpower.
Councilman Lazieh questioned Mr. Granieri on other services, such as plowing, sanding, and maintenance.
Councilman Lazieh questioned Mr. Granieri on policy. Sanding and plowing.
Councilwoman Canavan asked what would have to be spent to plow in the future. What would be the cost?
Councilwoman Canavan questioned Mr. Granieri on the cost of lighting at the department.
Mr. Granieri replied that he didn't know
Councilman Robichaud stated that Mr. Granieri said that it is three to four men will replace the seven.
Councilman Robichaud asked where would the savings be.
Mr. Granieri replied that they pay their own 22 dollars per hour.
Councilman Robichaud also said that they don't have a mechanic. He mentioned that they are sending all of the police cars out. He asked if this is costing a lot of money.
Councilman Lazieh spoke of priority. He asked if trash or snow comes first.
Mr. Granieri replied that snow comes first.
Councilman Lazieh commented on the changes in the department and to the city.
Councilman Lazieh also spoke of the ten eliminated positions, in relation to where the foreman would rank.
Mr. Granieri said that he must ask the Mayor.
Councilman Lazieh asked about heavy pick-up.
Mr. Granieri said that he was not sure.
Councilman Robichaud asked Mr. Granieri if he is going to be overseeing the operation, where is the savings?
Councilwoman Canavan stated that he might end up the same situation as police and fire.
Councilman Robichaud asked about provisions in the contract.
Mr. Granieri said that he wasn't sure.
Councilman Noury asked about the Minimum/Maximum Ordinance.
Mr. Granieri said on heavy pick-up, it is one per year. As people buy things they should get rid of what they are replacing.
Councilman Robichaud said that the DEM would not allow him to drop off items.
Councilman Leger asked about the school department's trash.
Mr. Granieri said that as of right now, the school department's trash goes in the city's trucks but he would have to check on what will happen with it in the future.
Councilman Lazieh asked if the school department re-imburses the city.
Mr. Granieri said that that is what happens now but he would also have to check on what will happen with that in the future.
Councilman Lazieh asked Mr. Granieri if he has met with N.E.E.D.
Mr. Granieri said that he hasn't met with N.E.E.D. yet.
Marie A. Twohey, Deputy City Clerk to Peter Granieri Director of Public Works
Motion by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilman Robichaud to accept the correspondences.
| Councilman Robichaud | yes |
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
An Ordinance requiring all contracts or awards or bids for the privatization of any public or municipal service for the duration of more than eleven months and in an amount in excess of five thousand ($5000.00) 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. Introduced by Councilman Lazieh.
Discussion took place.
Motion is made by Councilman Lazieh to approve as amended, and seconded by Councilman Robichaud and Councilwoman Canavan.
| Councilman Robichaud | yes |
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
Motion carries by a vote of 5-0.
Motion by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan that Council President Noury should be at the Review Commission regarding the issue of privatization.
Approved by unanimous consent.
1. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 8 Entitled "Animals" Section 8-46
Councilwoman Canavan questioned the dog officer, Danny Desmarais.
Mr. Desmarais gave a testimony on vicious dogs.
Discussion took place on insurance on pit bulls and rottweilers.
James Briden spoke on vicious dogs.
Councilwoman Canavan spoke of that the ordinance provides the exact same description as the definition of an aggressive dog.
James Briden said he had done a lot of work on the new ordinance.
Discussion continued.
James Briden suggests that the ordinance should be repealed.
Motion was made by Councilman Robichaud to approve passage on the Ordinance, and seconded by Councilman Leger.
| Councilman Robichaud | yes |
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
Approved by unanimous consent.
Councilman Noury calls for a 5 minute recess at 9:00 p.m.
Meeting reconvened at 9:10 p.m.
Congratulating George J. Lazieh on his retirement from the State of Rhode Island Attorney General's Office (Introduced by Councilman Thomas Lazieh)
Resolution congratulating George Lazieh submitted with unanimous consent.
Councilman Noury speaks about items that are received too late to be placed on the agenda.
Motion is made by Councilman Robichaud and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan to authorize the Central Falls Little League to run the concession from April 9 to July 31, 2000.
| Councilman Robichaud | yes |
| Councilman Leger | abstained |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
4 to approve and 1 to abstain
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, introduced by Councilman Robichaud.
Motion by Councilman Robichaud and seconded by Councilman Lazieh to pass the Ordinance.
Discussion took place on summer help.
Councilman Robichaud asked for a legal opinion.
James Briden spoke of the General Laws.
Amended by unanimous consent.
Motion to approve, made by Councilman Robichaud and seconded by Councilman Lazieh and
Councilwoman Canavan.
| Councilman Robichaud | yes |
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
Approved as amended.
Discussion took place.
Councilman Lazieh suggests that they schedule a meeting with the Mayor regarding privatization.
More discussion took place.
Discussion took place on the powers of the legislative branch.
James Briden answered questions that Councilwoman Canavan had submitted on paper. (See Enclosed)
Councilman Leger said he wanted a more detailed breakdown of the fiscal report.
Councilman Lazieh also complained of the audit.
More discussion took place.
Motion to adjourn made by Councilman Robichuad and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan. Meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m.
_________________________
Marie Twohey, Deputy City Clerk