February 11, 2002 - City Council Meeting

City of Central Falls

City Council Meeting

City Hall Council Chambers

On MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2002

at 6:45 p.m.

A meeting of the Central Falls City Council was held on the above date in the City Hall Council Chambers at 7:10 p.m.

1. Roll Call

Councilman Issa

Councilman Patino

Councilman Leger

Councilman Noury

Councilman Weber

Quorum present.

2. Pledge of Allegiance

Council President Robert F. Weber, Jr. presided and led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. Presentations:

A) Resolution Commending Fire Chief Rene Coutu & The Central Falls Fire Department

3 a) Discussion Chief Coutu (addendum #1)

Chief Coutu explained the recently enacted Carbon Monoxide Detector law that requires the detector to be installed in all homes prior to the sale of the property. He explained that this is similar to the smoke detector law. He also commented on the styles of the detector.  The Chief stated that this will save lives since carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that cannot be detected and the person inhaling the gas becomes fatally asphyxiated  from the gas. He stated that the law requires that the device be installed about 10’ from any bedroom.

3 b) Festival (addendum #2)

Colombian American Cultural Society

Use of Jenks Park – July 3, 2002

Festival – Higginson Field – July 20 & 21 2002

Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Noury pending the approval of the Police Chief.

All Agree. So Voted.

4. Minutes

A) Special Meeting January 7, 2002

B) Regular Meeting January 14, 2002

Motion to approve collectively and place on file was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Issa and Councilman Noury.  All Agreed. So Voted.

5. Correspondences

A) Transportation Advisory Committee-Schedule of Regular TAC Meeting 2002

B) Chief Coutu-Re: December 28^th Perry Street Fire & December 30^th Darling St. Fire.

6. City Officers Reports

A) Code Enforcement Report (January)

B) Police Report (January)

Motion to accept and place on file was made by Councilman Issa and seconded by Councilman Leger.

Under discussion Councilman Leger asked where are the reports from all the departments. He stated that the Council needs a financial report now. 

Councilman Patino stated that he feels that the Finance Director needs a little time to acquaint himself with the City’s accounts.

Council President Weber asked that the Clerk send a memo to all Departments requesting that the Department Head make a brief report on the activities of their Department.

7. Claim

Casa de Oracion Getsemani claim for return of taxes assessed on rental property located at 14 Chapel St., Central Falls, R.I.  $8,608.82.

8. Redistricting

Mrs. Chartier explained the cost of redistricting, the advertising required and the notices that would have to be sent.  She stated that the process must be finalized by May 24^th. She also stated that she would need some help to complete the process.

Council President Weber asked Councilman Noury and Councilman Patino to form a committee to set up the Ward lines by the March 4^th meeting.  Councilman Leger asked to be kept informed of the Progress.

9. Public Comments on Agenda Items

None

10. Licenses

(i) Class A Restaurant (new)

A) Francisco & Aura Zapped

D/b/a Shalon Restaurant

680 Dexter St.

Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Patino.

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

B) Eladio Ramon

D/b/a Taqueria Lupita

765 Dexter St.

Motion to approve was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Leger.

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

(ii) Change of Business Location

A) Reginald Henderson

D/b/a Adonais Salon

From 881 Broad Street to 1236 Broad St.

(Personal Services License)

Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Noury.

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

(iii) Constable Licenses (new)

A)Charlotte P. Gagne

RI Emergency Security Agency

B) Patricia Burke

RI Emergency Security Agency

Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Issa.

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

(iv) Use of Jenks Park

Channel One-Central Falls

March 30, 2002

Annual Easter in the Park - 12:30 p.m.- 2:00 p.m.

Motion to approve was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Leger.

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

(v) Permit for Carnival

Eugene T. Lefebve Post VFW 1271

416 Hunt St.

Central Falls R.I.

May 1^st-May 5^th

Motion to approve was made by Councilman Issa and seconded by Councilman Leger.

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

(vi) Class C License (new)

Jose A. Fernandez

D/b/a Carlos’ Market

874 Dexter St.

Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Noury.

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

11. Public Comment

None

12. Executive Session

Pursuant to Rhode Island General Law 42-46-5(1) pertaining to discussion of job performance, character, or physical or mental health .” with respect to the re-appointments of the City Solicitor and the City Clerk.

Council President Weber stated that the Clerk has asked that the appointment be held in open session.

13. Mayor’s Appointments

Elizabeth A. Crowley, CMC-City Clerk

Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Patino.

Councilman Leger commented on the report and the resume prepared by the Clerk. He stated that it was not necessary but that the Council appreciated the efforts of the Clerk.

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

James A. Briden, Esq.-City Solicitor

Motion to table to March 4^th was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Issa.

All Agreed. So Voted.

14. Resolutions

A) Resolution supporting the Senate Districts proposed by the Rhode Island Reapportionment Commission of 2001.

(Introduced by City Council President Robert F. Weber, Jr.)

15. Committee Reports

Finance Committee

Councilman Leger asked that a letter be sent to Mr. Bolton asking him to make a Report to the Council on the status of the City’s Finances.

Public Safety Committee - no report

Ordinance Committee - no report

16. Councilmanic Appointments

Municipal Court Judge (Raymond Cooney, Esq.)

Probate Court Judge (Bruce Sawyer, Esq.)

Electrical Inspector (Robert Zuba)

Camera Operator (Len Nadeau)

City Sergeant (John McGetrick)

License Inspector (Arissina Paquette)

Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Leger.

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

Councilman Issa asked if the persons holding these positions could be invited to the next meeting so that they can be introduced to the new Council member.

Juvenile Hearing Board (Member of the City Council-Ex Officio)

Recreation Board (Member of the City Council-Ex Officio)

Mayor Matthews explained that these two appointments are the Mayor’s appointments.

17. Unfinished Business

Council members stated that the Finance Director and the Recreation Director would be the two Department Heads invited to the March 4^th meeting. 

Council President Weber also stated that there should be a report on the redistricting issue at the March 4^th meeting.

18. New Business

Councilman Noury as Chair of the Claims committee stated that there would be a meeting of the Claims Committee on March 4^th.

19. Adjourn

Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Issa and seconded by Councilman Patino.  All Agreed.

So Voted.  Time 8:55 p.m.

_____________________________________________

Elizabeth A. Crowley, CMC

City Clerk