May 8, 2000 - Regular City Council Meeting

CITY OF CENTAL FALLS

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS

MONDAY, MAY 8, 2000

AT 6:00 P.M.

A Regular meeting of the City Council was held on the above date, beginning at 6:05 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Councilman Leger - late (6:40 p.m.)

Councilwoman Canavan - present

Councilman Robichaud - late (6:20 p.m.)

Councilman Lazieh - present

Councilman Noury - present

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Council President led the Pledge of Allegiance.

PRESENTATION OF SOCCER CERTIFICATES

Mayor Matthews presented soccer certificates to the Central Falls Youth Soccer Team.

Council President Noury stated the Council will have a recess.

Meeting recessed at 6:45 p.m. and reconvened at 7:05 p.m.

CORRESPONDENCES

Communications to the Mayor at the request of the Council re: Appointment of Tree Warden

CITY OFFICERS REPORTS

Police Report March & April 2000

LICENSES

PI License Renewal

Ace Private Detective Agency

William H. Haslam

773 Lonsdale Ave., C.F.

Motion to approve made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilman Robichaud.

All Agreed. So Voted.

Class A Restaurant

Jose A. Mendez

d/b/a A Little Puerto Rican Restaurant

830 Broad St., C.F.

Discussion took place.

Motion to approve made by Councilman Robichaud and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan.

All Agreed. So Voted.

Mayor's Appointments:

Zoning Bd. of Review /New Appointment

Cascy Andrade

33 Lewis St. Term to expire January 2002- Replacing Ronald Robichaud

Re- Appointment

Gerard Bassett

31 Washington St. Term to expire January 2004

Homer Lafond

185 Hunt St. Term to expire January, 2005

Purchasing Board:

Robert Ferri

192 Cottage St. Term to expire January, 2002 Replacing Pierre Beaucage

Motion made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilman Leger, to hold the Mayor's Appointments until next month's meeting.

Discussion took place.

Motion carries 4-1.

Application for Use of City Property

South Attleboro Assembly of God- Jenks Park- June 5^th & 9^th 5pm-7pm

Motion to approve made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Robichaud and Councilwoman Canavan.

All Agreed. So Voted.

Progresso Latino- Jenks Park May 20, 2000 9am-3pm

Discussion took place.

Motion to approve made by Councilman Robichaud and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan.

All Agreed. So Voted.

c. Urban League of RI (Adoption Festival) July 16, 2000 10:00am - 4:00pm Rain date: July 23,2000

Discussion took place.

Motion to approve made by Councilman Robichaud and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan.

All Agreed. So Voted.

RESOLUTIONS

Resolution extending Condolence to the Family of the late Richard Raymond Thurber.

Motion made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilman Robichaud, to approve.

All Agreed. So Voted.

Resolution extending Condolence to the Family of the late Helen M. Partington.

Motion made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilman Robichaud, to approve.

All Agreed. So Voted.

Resolution in support of the Placement of a Referenda Question on the Local Ballot For the Next General Election on November 7, 2000.

Motion made by Robichaud and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan, to approve under discussion.

Discussion took place.

Motion carries 4-1.

Council President asked for a recess.

Meeting reconvened at 8:35 p.m.

MAYOR'S VETO'S

A. An Ordinance requiring the City Clerk to maintain an official electronic tape recorded copy and a video copy as well as written minutes of all City Council and Liquor Board public meetings for public review.

Discussion took place.

Motion to approve to see to override the Mayor's veto, made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilman Leger.

More discussion took place.

Motion by Councilwoman Canavan to remove the question.

Overridden by a vote of 4-1.

B. 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. The Personnel Specialist is hereby directed to draft this ordinance and submit it to the City Council for review and final adoption.

ORDINANCES

First Passage:

1. AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING THE MAYOR TO SUBMIT TO THE CENTRAL FALLS CITY COUNCIL ON A MONTHLY BASIS A DETAILED LINE ITEM DEPARTMENTAL BALANCE SHEET OF THE CITY'S CURRENT YEAR OPERATING BUDGET AND ALL OTHER INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE CITY COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE. INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMAN THOMAS

LAZIEH.

2. AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING THE MAYOR TO SUBMIT TO THE CENTRAL FALLS CITY COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE A PRELIMINARY/DRAFT PROPOSED ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE ENSUING YEAR BY APRIL 1,OF EACH YEAR. INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMAN THOMAS LAZIEH

3. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET ORDINANCE - GENERAL FUND FOR FISCAL YEAR 1999-2000. INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMAN LAZIEH.

4. AN ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO SALARIES OF DEPARTMENT HEADS AND OTHERS IN UNCLASSIFIED SERVICE. INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMAN NOURY.

Motion made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan, to table Ordinances 1-4.

All Agreed. So Voted.

Public Hearing/Fiinal Passage:

A) An Ordinance requiring all unanticipated or unbudgeted revenues received by the City In its fiscal year must be reported to the City Council and used solely for debt, bond or Note reduction or must be credited to the unencumbered fund account balance. At the Introduction of Councilman Lazieh. So Introduced.

B) An Ordinance requiring all funds not spent by June 30^th, in the fiscal year appropriated from the municipal budget must be returned to the general fund unless reappropriated by the City Council. At the introduction of Councilman Lazieh, So Introduced.

C) An Ordinance requiring that all Municipal employment contracts entered into by the Mayor for any and all unclassified municipal employees be approved by the City Council prior to engagement of Office, and that no employment contract will exceed the Term of Office of the Mayor executing said contract. (Introduced by Councilman Lazieh)

D) An Ordinance requiring the Mayor to submit to the City Council, for confirmation, the appointment of all Department Heads and Division Directors within thirty (30) days of inauguration day. New appointees shall not serve until confirmed by the City Council, and all other appointments of individuals to serve in the same position or office must be confirmed by the City Council within sixty (60) days of inauguration or must vacate the Office. (Introduced by Councilman Lazieh)

F) An Ordinance requiring the Mayor to submit to the City Council a balanced municipal budget proposal every year and for the City Council to adopt a balanced municipal budget before July 1 of each year. (Introduced by Councilman Lazieh).

G) An Ordinance establishing an Investment Commission in the City of Central Falls to manage and establish policies & strategies on the investing of all unencumbered (surplus) funds in all City Accounts. (Introduced by Councilman Lazieh).

I) An Ordinance requiring all funds not spend by June 30^th in the fiscal year appropriated, from the municipal budget must be returned to the general fund unless re-appropriated by the City Council.

Fiinal Passage

J) An Ordinance allowing the Director of Finance to file a request with the Rhode Island Auditor General to extend the time allowed to submit the City's Annual Financial Municipal Audit upon approval of the City Council. (Introduced by Councilman Lazieh)

Motion made by Councilwoman Canavan and seconded by Councilman Leger, to table Final Passages A-J.

All Agreed. So Voted.

Motion made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Lazieh, to recess.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS

Councilwoman Canavan spoke on the Noise Ordinance.

Councilman Leger spoke of the Finance Committee meeting that was held. He stated that the Finance Director was not present at the meeting and the Committee did not receive the audit or reports with breakdowns from Department Heads.

Discussion took place.

COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS

Councilman Lazieh is appointed to serve on the Personnel Committee.

Discussion took place.

OLD BUSINESS

a. Discussion on Legal Fees incurred by the Matthew's Administration.

Discussion took place.

b. Discussion on request of information and documents from the Matthew's Administration.

Discussion took place.

Councilman Lazieh spoke of legal fees and asked Matt Oliverio to obtain any, and all, legal fees.

Councilman Lazieh spoke of the comparison on the legal fees incurred from his administration and the legal fees incurred from the Matthew's administration.

NEW BUSINESS

a. Discussion re: Legality of actions taken by the Matthew's Administration

Discussion took place.

b. Discussion of Public Access Government Channel #17

Councilman Leger questioned how information is placed on the channel. He stated that some of the information is misleading and inaccurate.

Councilman Lazieh agreed with Councilman Leger.

Councilman Noury stated that he wants equal access on the cable channel.

Councilman Lazieh stated that there should be more public information.

Councilman Noury asked Matt Oliverio to look into who has access to that information.

c. Discussion re: City Purchasing

Discussion took place.

d. Discussion re: Inadequate staffing in the Office of the City Clerk.

Councilman Lazieh stated that most of the time Marie Twohey is by herself in the office. He also stated that sometimes there is only a student employee left in the office.

Councilwoman Canavan stated that she checked into the City Clerk's Office and apparently the major problem is that Elizabeth Crowley is out. She stated that Marie Twohey is there, along with a full-time temp clerk, and two part time workers. She questioned whether there is enough help even when Elizabeth Crowley is there.

Other:

Councilman Lazieh questioned when there would be a heavy waste pick-up. He also questioned private rubbish companies picking up prior to 7:00 a.m. which is prescribed in the Ordinance. He also questioned whether the seating at the Macomber Stadium is in and when will it be installed.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Pursuant to 42-46-4 of the opens meetings Law Exemption # 2 Litigation

(Dexter Credit Union vs. City of Central Falls)

Motion made by Councilman Robichaud and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan.

ADJOURN

Motion to adjourn made by Councilman Robichaud and seconded by Councilman Lazieh.

Meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.

Marie Twohey, Deputy City Clerk