City of Central Falls
Regular City Council Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers
Monday, November 6, 2000
At 7:00 P.M.
The Regular Meeting of the Central Falls City Council was held on the above date in the City Hall Council Chambers at 7:35 p.m.
Councilman Leger
Councilwoman Canavan
Councilman Robichaud
Councilman Lazieh
Councilman Noury
Quorum present.
Council President Noury presided.
None
Regular Meeting October 23, 2000
Motion to accept and place on file was made by Councilman Leger and Councilman Robichaud.
Councilwoman Canavan pointed out that page 7 of the minutes was missing and asked to table until the next meeting. Motion withdrawn. Motion to table was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan and Councilman Robichaud. All Agreed. So Voted.
Robert L. Carl, Jr. PhD., Director Department of Administration re: Fiscal Affairs Councilman Lazieh to John Kuzmiski, Finance Director re: Request for Information Councilwoman Canavan re: Information regarding properties located at 622 Pine St. & 10 Earle St.
Motion to accept collectively and place on file was made by Councilman Robichaud and seconded by Councilman Leger. All Agreed. So Voted.
Code Enforcement
Motion to accept and place on file was made by Councilwoman Canavan and seconded by Councilman Leger. All Agreed. So Voted.
Board of Pension & Retirement: Disability Pension Firefighter Pvt. David P. Brousseau
Taken later in the meeting.
See List-Tabled 10/23/00
Discussion took place on the concerns of the Council relative to the abatements of City Property.
This item remained tabled.
Retail Sales
John Deshaies/George Gagnon
D/b/a True Scent Candles, Inc.
396 Roosevelt Ave. (tabled 10/23/00)
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilman Robichaud. All Agreed. So Voted.
Change from John Massiwer to:
2. Inter City C& C/Discount Mart Inc.
574 Dexter Street.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilman Robichaud. All agreed. So Voted.
Personal Service
Beatriz Hernandez
D/b/a Nails by Betty
Hair Dresser- & Nails
Changed from just Nails to include Hairdressing.
Elizabeth Mendez, Manager
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Robichaud and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan. All Agreed. So Voted.
Change of Business Hours
Fai Yeung
D/b/a China House
555 Dexter St.
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 am
Council members questioned the applicant it was apparent to the members that Mr. Yeung was having difficulty understanding the English language. The Council President determined that this would be held until the next meeting so that the applicant may bring an interpreter to the meeting. Council President Noury asked the City Clerk to send a letter to the applicant reminding him to bring an interpreter to the next meeting.
D. Peddler License
Jeremias Mantilla
D/b/a Jeremia's Clothing &Accessories
(tabled 10/23/00)
Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Canavan and seconded by Councilman Robichaud. All Agreed. So Voted.
E. Constable License
Luis Pestonit Jr.
Channel One-Central Falls &
Juvenile Hearing Board
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilman Robichaud. All Agreed. So Voted.
A Class A Restaurants- (see list)
Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Robichaud. All Agreed. So Voted.
Class B Victualling- (see list)
Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Robichaud. All Agreed. So Voted.
Class C Variety Stores-(see list)
Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Robichaud. All Agreed. So Voted.
General Services (see list)
Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Robichaud. All Agreed. So Voted.
Retail Sales (see list)
Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Robichaud. All Agreed. So Voted.
Personal Service (see list)
Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Robichaud. All Agreed. So Voted.
Automotive Repair (see list)
Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Robichaud and seconded by Councilman Leger. All Agreed. So Voted.
Laundry License (see list)
Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Robichaud and seconded by Councilman Leger. All Agreed. So Voted.
I. Amusement Device Licenses (see list)
Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Robichaud and seconded by Councilman Leger. All Agreed. So Voted.
J. Pool Table Licenses (see list)
Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilman Robichaud. All Agreed. So Voted.
K. Dance Licenses (see list)
Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilman Robichaud. All Agreed. So Voted.
L. Caterer Licenses (see list)
Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilman Robichaud. All Agreed. So Voted.
M. General Repair Licenses (see list)
Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Robichaud and seconded by Councilman Robichaud. All Agreed. So Voted.
Bingo License (renewal)
1. Forand Manor
30 Washington St.
Mondays & Wednesdays
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Robichaud. All Agreed. So Voted.
Use of Jenks Park
1. Channel One
Christmas in the Park
December 7, 2000
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Robichaud and seconded by Councilman Leger. All Agreed. So Voted.
A. Resolution of Condolence to the Family of the Late George Sharkey. (Introduced by Councilman Lazieh).
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilman Robichaud.
All Agreed. So Voted.
B. Resolution accepting the donation of land from the Michalski Family. (Introduced by Councilman Lazieh) Tabled 9/11/00
Councilman Leger told the members of the City Council of his concerns relative to the property and the plans for the property. He stated that every person that he has spoken with about the property have spoken against any increase in the New Haven Park given the present circumstances in the area. He stated That he would like to question the Public Works Director and the Chief of Police about the Property before any definite plans are made.
Motion to table was made by Councilwoman Canavan and seconded by Councilman Robichaud.
All Agreed. So Voted.
1. An Ordinance related to Chapter 6 of the Revised Ordinances entitled Amusements & Entertainment Article VII-Adult Entertainment.
Public hearing opened. No comments. Public Hearing Closed.
Councilman Lazieh questioned the effective date.
Council President Noury responded. Council President Noury commented and recognized the efforts of Assistant Solicitor Oliverio and former Councilwoman Sandra Moreau on making this Ordinance a reality.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan. All Agreed. So Voted.
2. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 20 Article II Division 2 entitled "Labor Rights" Removal of the Chief of the Fire Department from the Collective Bargaining Unit."
Public Hearing opened. No comments. Public Hearing Closed.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilman Leger.
Councilman Lazieh stated that passage of this Ordinance is to provide equity for the Fire Chief. He commented on the arbitration and the appeals made to the Supreme Court.
City Solicitor Briden stated that the Council might have misunderstood what Matthew Oliverio stated at the last meeting about this Ordinance.
Solicitor Briden stated that this Ordinance is not consistent with the Charter and that this is an Administrative function.
Council President Noury asked the Solicitor how long he has been employed by the City.
Mr. Briden responded that he was the Assistant Solicitor from 1990 to 1993. He stated that the Ordinance 22-34 is not the Charter. He commented on this ordinance which was approved in 1994. He stated that he believed that Mr. Muksian was the Solicitor at the time.
Councilman Leger stated that the Council should move the question.
Councilman Lazieh stated that he respects the Solicitor's opinion but he supports the Ordinance because its fair and it only protects what's been properly approved. He stated that the Chief is a long-standing public servant.
Councilman Robichaud stated that this is different from the Ordinance passed in 1994. He stated that he believed that the Chief of Police was afraid that he would be replaced and that the present Chief of the Fire Department has voluntarily stepped down from the union.
Council President Noury stated that even if the circumstances are different he doesn't think this particular Ordinance is different from the 1994 Ordinance.
Solicitor Briden explained the differences and asked the Council to ask Mr. Oliverio to put his opinion in writing.
Councilwoman Canavan commented on the confusion created by the difference between what Mr. Oliverio stated to them and what Mr. Briden is saying now. She stated that this is why the Council must have available the same solicitor for the same issue.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
| Councilman Robichaud | no |
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
Motion carried 4 yes 1 no 0 absent.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilman Leger. All Agreed. So Voted.
Board of Pension & Retirement: Disability Pension Firefighter Pvt. David P. Brousseau
Councilman Lazieh questioned whether an Executive Session can be held relative to the medical records of Pvt. Brousseau that he requested accompany the retirement request.
Mr. Southworth stated that the Council could review the records in Executive Session but that he could not provide copies of the records because they are confidential.
Councilwoman Canavan asked the Solicitor if the Council is legally entitled to receive these records.
The Solicitor responded that they could review the records in Executive Session and that the potential retiree should be notified.
Motion to table was made by Councilman Robichaud and seconded by Councilman Lazieh. All Agreed. So Voted.
Council President Noury commented on the local referendum that would be before the voters. He stated that this is a balance of power relative to the issue of privatizing public services that last longer than 11 months or cost more that $5,000. He stated that this is an important issue and that the people of the City should give their input into this question. He stated that the local question could be identified in yellow. He stated that this is an issue of checks and balances.
Councilman Leger spoke in favor of its passage.
Councilwoman Canavan spoke in favor of its passage.
Councilman Lazieh stated that he supports this referendum and he personally believes that the City should not enter into long term contracts.
Councilman Robichaud stated that since this is a Charter Revision the people should have the opportunity to express what they truly want.
Council President Noury congratulated the Finance Director John Kuzmiski on his new position as Treasurer for the City of Newport and wished him well in this new position.
City Solicitor Briden stated to the Council that in the future the Law Department will give a written opinion on Ordinances prior to Final Passage.
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Robichaud. All Agreed. So voted. Time: 9:00 p.m.
____________________________________
Elizabeth A. Crowley, CMC
City Clerk