City of Central Falls
Special City Council Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers
Monday, June 18, 2001
At 6:30 p.m.
A Special City Council meeting was held on the above date in the City Hall Council Chambers at 6:39 p.m.
Councilman Lazieh
Councilwoman Canavan
Councilman Noury
Quorum present.
Council President Noury presided and led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
None
Regular Meeting May 14, 2001
Motion to accept and place on file was made by Councilwoman Canavan and seconded by Councilman Lazieh. All Agreed. So Voted.
a) Dr. Maureen Chevrette, Superintendent of School reply to Councilman Lazieh's letter.
b) Eric A. Palazzo, Associate Administrator Cable TV; re: Government Access Channel #17.
c) Councilman Lazieh to Mayor Matthews, City Solicitor and Assistant Solicitor; re:
information.
d) Councilman Lazieh to Mayor Matthews, City Solicitor and City Assessor; re: Revaluation.
e) Mayor Matthews re: Advertising for Public Hearing on the proposed budget.
Motion to accept collectively and place on file was made by Councilwoman Canavan and seconded by Councilman Lazieh. All Agreed. So Voted.
A. Class C License (new)
Mohammad I. Raza
D/b/a Capital Shop
632 Dexter St.
Tabled June 11, 2001
Motion to table was made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan. All Agreed. So Voted.
B. Use of Jenks Park
Colombian American Cultural Society Inc.
Use of Jenks Park
July 6, 2001 6:30 p.m.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan.All Agreed. So Voted.
C. Festival
Madeira Club
Madeira Avenue
Annual Feast August 10, 11, 12 2001
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan. All Agreed. So Voted.
A. Resolution Extending Appreciation & Best Wishes to Rev. Robert Perron on his new assignment as Pastor of All Saints Parish in Woonsocket. Introduced by Councilman Leger)
Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Canavan and seconded by Councilman Lazieh.
All Agreed. So Voted.
1. An Ordinance pertaining to the Salaries of Police Officers & Firefighters.
Public Hearing opened. No comments. Public Hearing Closed.
Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Canavan and seconded by Councilman Lazieh.
Councilman Lazieh commented that this Ordinance is pursuant to the proposed budget and this Ordinance reflects the new increases. He said that this ordinance as well as the other ordinances would only be prevalent on the adoption of the budget ordinance. He stated that this should be acted upon at the adoption of the budget but that he supports the ordinance.
Council President Noury responded that certainly they've waited a long time for these raises and it would be good housekeeping to clean them up.
Councilman Lazieh stated that this ordinance as well as the other two would not take effect until the budget is passed.
Council President Noury stated that he assumes that to be true.
All Agreed. So Voted.
2. An Ordinance Amending Wage Schedule Generally.
Public Hearing opened. No comments. Public Hearing closed.
Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Canavan and seconded by Councilman Lazieh.
Councilman Lazieh asked if these wages reflect a 3% increase.
Elizabeth Crowley, City Clerk stated that the Ordinance reflects the same wage as is presently being paid to these employees.
Councilman Lazieh asked if there is any agreement with the Municipal Union.
The Clerk responded that she is not aware of any tentative agreement with the Municipal Union.
Councilman Lazieh stated his concerns with the ordinance.
Discussion ensued.
Councilwoman Canavan withdraws her motion.
Motion to table was made by Councilwoman Canavan and seconded by Councilman Lazieh.
All Agreed. So Voted.
3. An Ordinance Establishing the Maximum Number of Employees in the City Departments FY 2001-2002, as amended.
Public Hearing opened. No comments. Public Hearing Closed.
Councilman Lazieh stated that in an abundance of caution he moves that the Ordinance be tabled until the Council acts on the budget. Seconded by Councilwoman Canavan. All Agreed. So Voted.
Council President Noury stated that the Mayor sent a letter to the Council calling for a Public Hearing to be held next Monday on the proposed budget. He stated that the City Council does want to pass a budget but twelve days ago the Council requested some comparisons from the Tax Assessor so that the Council could make a responsible decision. He stated that the Assessor promised that information and to date the information has not been forthcoming. He stated that the Mayor, at that same meeting, said that he would try to obtain some expense reports for the months of April and May. The Council has not received them. He stated that the Mayor has yet to explain to the City Council where his $663,000 tax increase is coming from and the Council has stated very clearly in the past that if the Mayor
wanted to pay those firefighters that he should implement in the operating budget and the Council would approve the use of the surplus to pay for the expenses of those contracts. He said that has not been placed in the proposed budget. He stated that the Mayor said that he would apply 2-138 to those contracts. He said that he thinks if the Mayor tries to apply section 2-138 to any contractual except 98/99 it will force the Council to seek immediate relief and injunction
regarding that for possible abuse of power. He said the Council is willing to use the surplus funds to pay for those expenses. He said that as far as the City Council is concerned they have been charged with holding a public hearing on the proposed budget. He said the Council will have a public hearing when its ready to pass a budget. He said that at this time that information critical information to make a responsible decision has not been given to the Council and therefore the Council cannot move forward on it. He said the Mayor may have his Public Hearing, the Council will have a Public Hearing in the future after that regarding the proposed
budget.
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Canavan and seconded by Councilman Lazieh.
All Agreed.
So Voted, Time 6:56 p.m.
_________________________________________
Elizabeth A. Crowley, CMC
City Clerk