January 14, 2002 - City Council Meeting

City of Central Falls

City Council Meeting

City Hall Council Chambers

On MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2002

at 6:45 p.m.

Agenda

The Regular meeting of the Central Falls City Council was held on the above date in the City Hall Council Chambers at 7:01 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

Chief Alan DeNaro presentation of Departmental Citations to:

Lt. Bruce Ogni

Officer Nelson Carreiro

Officer Christopher Reed

Officer Sandy Graiko

Officer Craig Viens

Officer Robert Garvin

Sgt. Kevin Guindon

4. Redistricting

Gertrude Chartier, Registrar Board of Canvassers Re: Redistricting of City Council Wards.

Mrs. Chartier presented a quick overview of the redistricting of the ward and related that the two wards that were outside of the 5% target were ward 1 and ward 4 she stated that the easier way to achieve target would be to take a small lock from ward 4 in the Beacon Street area and place it in ward I. She related the cost involved if a private company is hired to do the redistricting. She commented on the deadline date of May 24^th to meet the declaration date of June 24^th.

Councilman Noury stated that he would like to have the opportunity to review the district and stated that this should be placed on the February Agenda.

Councilman Patino stated that if time is of essence he proposed that the creation of the committee be made this evening so that they could make their recommendations for the February meeting.

Council President Weber stated that there is time for the Council to review the details and explained that the February meeting was little over 3 weeks away.

Mr. Albert Laroche a member of the Board of Canvassers commented on the time and stated that they should realistically target April as the deadline date. He also stated that the Council should pass an Ordinance pertaining to redistricting until a Charter revision or initiate a Charter revision.

5. Adoption of Council Meeting Schedule

Motion to adopt Robert’s Rules was made by Councilman Leger.

Council President Weber stated that he is looking for a motion to approve the tentative meeting schedule. Councilman Leger withdraws motion.

Motion to approve the Council’s Meeting Schedule to begin at 6:45 p.m. was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Noury.  All Agreed. So Voted.

6. Organization of City Council

Council President Weber announced his Committee Chair appointments.

Councilman Noury-Claims Committee

Councilman Patino-Ordinance Committee

Councilman Issa-Public Safety Committee

Councilman Leger-Finance Committee

All Councilmen accepted their respective appointments.

Council President Weber stated that each member may choose any other committee they wish to serve on with the respective chairs.

Motion to accept Robert’s Rules was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Noury.

Councilman Noury stated that the Charter is clear that the Council can adopt other rules as well.

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

7. Correspondences

Resolution Town of Hopkinton re: opposing the use of the gasoline additive MTBE.

8. City Officers Reports

Police Department Report November & December 2001.

Department of Code Enforcement Report November 2001 & December 2001.

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

Councilman Leger asked that the Department Heads be notified that they should be prompt in submitting their reports and that the reports should be no later that 1 ½ months in the arrears.

Council President Weber notified the Clerk to relate this to the Department Heads.

Councilman Leger stated that he would also like to have Department Heads come to City Council meetings for 5 or 10 minutes on an on going basis as the agenda allows to let the residents know what they are doing in their respective departments.

All Agreed. So Voted.

9. Licenses

Class A. License (new)

Julio C. Sanchez

D/b/a the Divino Restaurant

508 Dexter St.

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

All Agreed. So Voted.

Class C License (new)

A & Z Sales Corp

D/b/a Capital Farm Variety Store

632 Dexter St.

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

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

Retail Sales (new)

Sherwood Brands

280 Rand St.

Mr. William Malo, Sherwood Brands controller explained the operation and where the retail shop would be.

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

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

Car electronics installations

Carlos Angel

Hyper Imports

817 Dexter St.

installation of car stereos etc. within the confines of the garage space at the rear of the building.

Mr. Carlos Angel, General Manager of Hyper Imports explained what type and where the Installations would take place.

Council President Weber stated that he was shown where the installations would be and explained that it was the inside area of Nissen’s Bakery where the garage used to be and minor truck repairs were made to the Nissen vehicles.

Councilman Leger moved to approve the installation of the alarms from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. the retail shop can remain open for sales until 10:00 p.m. Motion seconded by Councilman Issa.

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

Second Hand License/used car (new)

M & J Automotive Inc.

D/b/a M & J Automotive

1220 Broad St.

Councilman Noury asked the Chair if this could be heard as a public hearing since it is not on the agenda as a public hearing.

Council President Weber questioned the Clerk on this issue.

The City Clerk stated that all second hand licenses are by law required to be advertised in the newspaper and call for a public hearing.

Assistant City Solicitor Oliverio commented that the spirit of the open meetings law has been adhered to by the advertising of this matter in the local paper.

Council President Weber opened the meeting to a public hearing.

Homer Lafond of Hunt Street questioned the sale of junk parts or second hand parts at this location as was stated in the letter he received.

Council President Weber asked the Clerk to read the notice.

The Clerk clarified that the petition is for the sale of second hand cars.

Council President Weber closed the public hearing.

Councilman Leger related to Mr. Lafond his record regarding businesses who do are not conscious of the neighborhood. He commented on KB Motors and the Blackstone Street repair shops and the actions taken by the Council with reference to them. He told Mr. Lafond that he would keep watch on this business as he does with all businesses in this area.

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

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

Constable Licenses (renewals & new)

See list

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

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

Hearing

Samir & Hanieh Boudjouk

D/b/a Central Falls Market

773 Broad St.

Continued to this date pending payment of unpaid taxes.

Councilman Noury motioned to suspend the license for 3 days.

Council President Weber asked the Solicitor if this suspension could take place without the licensee being present.

Assistant Solicitor Oliverio stated that the Council gave Mr. Boudjouk the time to pay the taxes and he also told the Council at the December meeting that this business would be sold by this time. He stated that the Council was well within their authority to suspend operation pending the payment of the outstanding taxes. He also stated that the licensee must be notified before the license is revoked.  Motion seconded by Councilman Leger. License to be suspended on January 29^th, 30^th & 31^st. The Council also stated that there would be a revocation hearing at the Regular meeting of February 11, 2002 if payment is not received by that time.

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

10. Public Comments

Mr. Diomedes Adames asked if the Council would act on his application for a Class A Restaurant

License.

The Clerk explained that Mr. Adames’ application was not presented to the Clerk to be placed on the Agenda.

Council President Weber asked for unanimous consent to hear this request. Without objection the application was placed on the agenda.

Diomedes Adames

D/b/a Dominican Restaurant

830 Broad St.

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

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

11. New Business

Councilman Leger commented on last year’s budget process and asked that the Clerk give notice to

Department Heads about receiving reports in a timely manner.

Councilman Noury commented on the Audit and that it should be completed by December 31^st. He stated that last year’s audit was not received until August 7^th. He stated that this needed to be tightened up and that the City has to sit down with the Auditor General and to his knowledge this has not happened to date.

Councilman Leger stated his concerns regarding the roof at Captain Hunt School. He said that there is a major leak in the roof at the school and is must be addressed in the very near future.

Councilman Issa asked how this was allowed to get so bad and if this is in the budget.

Councilman Patino stated that since the Mayor is present perhaps he could comment on this situation.

Council President Weber asked the Mayor if he would like to comment on the School.

Mayor Matthews responded that he would if the Council wished him to do so.

Mayor Matthews explained that there were a number of issues that needed to be addressed with regards to the buildings. He stated that there are many on going issues and that for a period of six to eight years not one cent was spent on school repairs. He also commented on the $12 million school bond and the repairs that have been to date. He spoke of the windows at Broad Street School and other areas. He commented on the leak at the Captain Hunt School and he explained that the state is suppose to reimburse the City 95% and that the City spent $295,000 on repairs that should have resulted in a reimbursement of $280,000 but the City has received on $160,000. He said  the City needs to receive this money in order to continue to make theses repairs.

Discussion continued.

Addendum Agenda

12. Mayor’s Appointments

Elizabeth A. Crowley, CMC-City Clerk

James A. Briden, Esq.-City Solicitor

Peter Granieri-Director of Public Works

Councilman Leger stated that he did not receive a copy of the addendum and asked that this is tabled until the February meeting. He stated that he has some questions about the appointments and asked that an Executive Session be scheduled at that time.

Councilman Noury stated that the appointments would take place in public session.

Motion to send a letter to the individuals asking them to attend the meeting and relating that an executive session be placed on the agenda was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Issa.

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

Retail Sales License (new)

Alejandro Serrano

D/b/a Sound Wave Music

718 Dexter St.

Motion to approve with no outdoor music and no installation of alarms of window tints was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Issa.

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

13. Resolution

Resolution extending the Condolences of the Central Falls City Council to the Family of the late Josephine Seminick.

Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Noury.  All Agreed. So Voted.

Adjourn

Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Noury.  All Agreed. So Voted.  Time 8:47 p.m.

____________________________________

Elizabeth A. Crowley, CMC

City Clerk

This Notice Posted on: 6/20/02 3:47 PM