City of Central Falls
Regular City Council Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers
Monday, March 12, 2001
At 7:00 p.m.
A Meeting of the Central Falls City Council was held on the above date in the City Hall Council Chambers at 7:06 p.m.
Councilman Lazieh
Councilman Robichaud
Councilwoman Canavan
Councilman Leger
Councilman Noury
Quorum present.
Council President Gene R. Noury presided and introduced by Brownie Troop 357 who led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Council President Noury questioned the girls about the scout pledge and the activities of the Brownie's.
Resolution in Recognition of Girl Scout Week March 11th through March 18th(Introduced by Council President Noury.)
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and unanimously seconded and approved.
City Council President Gene R. Noury read the Resolution and presented it to troop leader Kathleen Noury.
Rick Aubin of 127 Chestnut Street updated the Council on the Cub Scouts and their Blue and Gold Banquet and Pinewood derby.
Mayor Matthews addressed the Council on the Resolution with respect to the Sale of Surplus City Property. He invited the members of the Council to join him to view the trucks. He stated that three of the trucks are not inspected and that in November when they were placed for public sale no one bid on them. He also stated that if the City were to resume trash pick-up it would need to purchase two new vehicles for this purpose. He stated that anyone bidding on the trucks, he is confident, would be bidding for parts but for the most part the items are worthless.
Mayor Matthews also addressed the Council on the CDBG Resolution. He stated that he received a phone call that related that the Chair would try to block the passage of the Resolution. He stated that at the last meeting the Council stated they wished to see the application before passing the Resolution. He said the Department provided each member with the application. He asked the Council to pass the Resolution. He spoke of the next steps and he also spoke of the programs that have been implemented as a result of some of the questions the Council President had relative to lower interest rates on loans and the senior program. He stated that some money was reprogrammed for these and considers this to be a pilot program and it will be continued if successful and needed.
He also commented on the storefront program, the Spintex project and the landing. He commented social programs at the YMCA, Senior Program, Housing Authority and other major projects. He asked the Council to approve the Resolution as proposed.
Mayor Matthews stated that he is seeking a Finance Director and told the Council that Donald Houle, Code Enforcement Director would be leaving to take a position in private industry. He stated that he would have to take a serious look at salaries for Department Heads in order to keep and acquire good qualified people.
A) Marcel Robert, Finance Director re: Revenue & Expense Report.
Motion to accept and place on file was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan and Councilman Robichaud. All Agreed. So Voted.
See List
Motion to table was made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan.
Discussion ensued.
Council President Noury commented and stated he would contact the Tax Assessor with his Questions.
Councilman Lazieh stated his concerns.
A. Code Enforcement (Feb. 2001)
Motion to accept and place on file was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan and Councilman Robichaud. All Agreed. So Voted.
B. Revenue & Expense Report (Dec. 31, 2000) unaudited.
Councilman Leger commented on the breakdown that the Council received from Mr. Robert At the last meeting and stated that this report is not acceptable and is not as requested.
Motion to deny acceptance of the report was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Lazieh. Councilman Lazieh also noted for the record that the last page of the report was not included.
Councilman Lazieh commented that the Finance Department is in well-qualified and good hands while in the charge of the Deputy Finance Director, Patricia McGovern. He spoke of her nearly 30 years of service to the City.
| Councilman Lazieh | yes to deny |
| Councilman Robichaud | no |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
Motion carried 4 yes 1 no 0 absent.
C. Report from Anthony Tager of the Recreation Department & Programs
Anthony Tager, Director of Recreation updated the Council on the Department. He commented on the new lights at the Stadium, The Rhode Island State Games, the Hershey tournament and track and field games. He stated that this year the Recreation Summer Program would run from June 25-to August 17th.
Councilman Leger questioned the summer help, who's eligible and at what age they can apply. He also asked the number employees that would be hired.
Motion to accept the report made by Mr. Tager was made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilman Robichaud. All Agreed. So Voted.
Beatriz Hernandez
D/b/a Nail by Betty
473 Hunt Street
to
Beatriz Hernandez
D/b/a The Beauty Gallery
884 Lonsdale Ave.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilman Leger.
All Agreed. So Voted.
Eugenio Gibau
D/b/a CV Fish Market & Variety Store
48 Cross St.
Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Canavan and seconded unanimously. All Agreed.
So Voted.
Lola E. Araujo
D/b/a Bladez
726 Dexter St.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded unanimously. All Agreed.
So Voted.
Colombian American Cultural Society
Use of Higginson Field July 22, 2001 Colombian Independence Celebration.
(also petitioned and granted to Latin American Community Social Club in September 2000.)
Discussion took place with Stella Carrera, President of the Colombian American Cultural Society and City Council members. The Council asked the City Clerk along with Mr. Tager to contact Mr. Alzate to resolve the matter.
Council President Noury recessed the meeting at 8:05 p.m.
Meeting reconvened at 8:28 p.m.
A.) Resolution extending the Condolences of the City Council to the Family of the late Rose A. Michalski. (Introduced by Councilwoman Canavan).
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilman Leger. All Agreed. So Voted.
B.) Resolution Regarding the Sale of Surplus City Property. (Introduced by Councilman Lazieh)
Motion to deny was made by Councilwoman Canavan and seconded by Councilman Robichaud.
Councilman Lazieh stated that he is upset that a motion to deny is on the table before there is any discussion on the merits of the Resolution.
Councilwoman Canavan responded that the Ordinance on the same issue was discussed in great detail at the last meeting.
Councilman Lazieh stated that this is merely a Resolution requesting that certain items not be sold. He commented on the sale of the recycling truck and feels that the sale was not in the best interest of the City. He said if the City decides to reinstate its own trash pickup it would have to purchase 4 or 5 new vehicles and he said this concerns him. He stated that most of these vehicles have a twelve to fifteen year life expectance.
Council President Noury stated that he researched the Charter on the issue and stated that the Purchasing Agent is responsible to place for Sale City Surplus Property but the Charter does not say who determines what is surplus. He stated that he somewhat agrees with Councilman Lazieh for other reasons.
On the motion to deny.
| Councilman Lazieh | no |
| Councilman Robichaud | yes |
| Councilwoman Canavan | yes |
| Councilman Leger | no |
| Councilman Noury | no |
Motion is defeated 3 no 2 yes 0 absent.
Councilman Leger stated that he had no problem with an Amending the Resolution to make a request.
Councilman Robichaud stated that the word "refrain" means not to do something and he cannot support the Resolution using "Refrain"
Discussion continued.
Motion to amend the Resolution "from selling any items or equipment" to "from selling the Rubbish trucks" was made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilman Leger.
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilman Robichaud | no |
| Councilwoman Canavan | no |
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
Motion carried 3 yes 2 no 0 absent.
Motion to approve the resolution as amended was made by Councilman Lazieh and Seconded by Councilman Leger.
| Councilman Lazieh | yes |
| Councilman Robichaud | no |
| Councilwoman Canavan | no |
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
Motion carried 3 yes 2 no 0 absent.
C.) Resolution of the City Council authorizing Mayor Lee M. Matthews to make application for the Rhode Island Small Cities Community Development Block
Grant Program and the Small City Entitlements Program for fiscal year 2001.
(tabled Feb. 12, 2001.)
Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Canavan and seconded by Councilman Leger and Councilman Robichaud. All Agreed. So Voted.
D.) Resolution thanking & recognizing the efforts of Councilman Jason Leger & Mr. Robert Weber in acquiring $207,000 in grants. (Introduced by Council President Gene Noury.)
Motion to approve by Councilwoman Canavan and seconded by Councilman Lazieh.
All Agreed. So Voted.
E.) Resolution extending Best Wishes and Happy 100th Birthday to Francis Keefe, former City Clerk of the City of Central Falls. (Introduced by Council President Gene Noury.)
Motion to approve by Councilman Leger and unanimously seconded and approved.
A.) Arlene Renaud for damages to glasses in fall on Dexter Street. On Feb. 26, 2001.
B.) Menise Kucukkaya for damage to Plate Glass Window by snow plows on Feb. 5-6 2001.
Motion to refer collectively to the Claims Committee was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Robichaud. All Agreed. So Voted.
Councilman Leger explained the processed used in the Sale of the Recycling truck and how it was deducted from the NEED billing.
Councilman Lazieh commented on the method used and stated that he was concerned that the procedure may not be appropriate. He also stated he was concerned that it was sold for only $75,000.
Councilman Leger stated that the Finance Department did ask the City's Auditors if this would be appropriate and they responded as long as it was properly documented there is nothing inappropriate about the method.
Councilman Lazieh requested a review with the Mayor on these and other issues at an Open City Council meeting.
Councilman Lazieh commented on the Financial Statement and commented that the Audit has not been received by the City Council.
Councilman Lazieh stated that he would have a Personnel Committee meeting on Monday, March 19, 2001 at 4:30 p.m.
Councilman Lazieh requested that the Chair schedule time with the School District to update the Council.
Council President Noury commented on the Mayor's comments relative to salary increases for Department Heads and that the last three budgets prepared by the Mayor had no requests for increases and he states this for the record.
Councilman Lazieh stated that the Council must advertise for the next audit. He also stated that he is planning a Ward 5 Community meeting at Burger King on Monday March 26th at 6:30 p.m.
Raffle
Ella Risk School Parent Social Committee for Social Activities
Raffle at the Central Falls High School on Friday, March 23, 2001.
Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Canavan and seconded by Councilman Leger.
All Agreed. So Voted.
Resolutions
Resolution of Condolence to the Family of the late Gertrude Hanna (Introduced by Councilman Lazieh)
Resolution of Extending Best Wishes to the Central Falls Housing Authority, Family self-sufficiency Foundation, Affordable Housing Corporation & the Forand Manor & Wilfrid Manor Tenants Associations. (Introduced by Councilman Lazieh)
Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilman Leger.
All Agreed. So Voted.
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan.
All Agreed. So Voted. Time 9:25 p.m.
_______________________________________
Elizabeth A. Crowley, CMC
City Clerk