City of Central Falls
Special City Council Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers
Tuesday, April 24, 2001
At 4:45 p.m.
A Special meeting of the Central Falls City Council was held on the above date in the City Hall Council Chambers at 4:45 p.m.
Councilwoman Canavan
Councilman Lazieh
Councilman Noury
Quorum present.
Council President Gene R. Noury presided.
A) An Ordinance Amending Chapter 14 of the Revised Ordinances entitled "Court".
Motion was made by Councilwoman Canavan to amend to read: "In case of the sickness, absence from the City or other disability or ineligibility of the judge of the Municipal Court to serve and in the absence of an associate judge, amended to it is hereby declared that the Probate Judge shall perform the duties of said judge during the sickness, absence or other inability or ineligibility of said judge.
"In the event that the Probate Judge is not available, the Council may appoint any member of the bar of the State of Rhode Island with at least 5 years legal experience for the time that the Probate Judge is not available."
Motion seconded by Councilman Lazieh. All Agreed. So Voted.
Motion to approve as amended was made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan. All Agreed. So Voted.
B) An Ordinance Amending the FY 2000/2001 Annual Operating Budget.
Councilman Lazieh stated that he would like to question the Mayor and Finance Director before passage of any amendment to the Budget. He stated his concerns about the present financial standing of the City and what impact this would have on the City.
Council President Noury stated that he had several questions and that before he would approve any amendments he would want the latest breakdown of all expenditures that make up this amount including what amount is due in salaries, longevity and clothing allowance. He stated that he would also want a copy of the contract and the most recent detail & expense report and he would want to question the Mayor and the acting Finance Director. He stated that the Ordinance in its present form is premature and that for the Council to act on it would also be premature.
Councilwoman Canavan stated that this is an important issue and that the Council is only present at this meeting on an emergency basis to put into place an Acting Judge for the Municipal Court to continue operating. She stated that it would be unfair to act on an amendment to the budget without all the members of the Council being present to state their concerns and to vote on such an important issue.
Council President Noury stated that he requested that no other items be placed on the Agenda, but at the request of the Mayor this Ordinance is now before the Council.
Councilman Lazieh stated that he didn't have a problem in discussing it with the Mayor and that he does have a great deal of questions about what is taking place.
Motion to table was made by Councilwoman Canavan and seconded by Councilman Lazieh.
All Agreed. So Voted.
Director of Code Enforcement-George Dumont
Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Canavan and seconded by Councilman Lazieh.
Councilman Lazieh praised the Mayor for seeking this highly qualified individual. He stated that Mr. Dumont would be a great asset to the City.
Council President Noury and Councilwoman Canavan echoed Councilman Lazieh's statements and both congratulated Mr. Dumont on his appointment and wished him the best in this new position.
All Agreed. So Voted.
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Canavan and seconded by Councilman Lazieh. All Agreed. So Voted. Time 5:00 p.m.
_________________________________________
Elizabeth A. Crowley, CMC
City Clerk
Interpreters for the Hearing-Impaired available upon 72-hour request made at the Office of the City Clerk.
This Notice posted in City Hall and Library on: