City of Central Falls
City Council Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers
MONDAY, November 18, 2002
5:45 pm
A meeting of the Central Falls City Council was held on the above date in the City Hall Council Chambers at 5:50 p.m.
Councilman Noury
Councilman Patino
Councilman Issa
Councilman Leger
Quorum present.
Council President Pro-Temp. Jason Leger presided and led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Leger noted for the record that City Council President Weber is out of town and could not attend this meeting.
A. Town of North Kingstown-Re: Resolution in opposition of container port at Quonset Point.
Motion to accept and place on file was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted.
a) Public Works
b) Recreation Department
c) City Clerk
d) Revenue & Expense report (addenda item)
Motion to accept collectively including finance report was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted.
Zoning Board (Alternate)
Alido A. Baldera
55 Pacific St.
Term to Expire Jan. 2003
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted.
See List
Motion to table was made by Councilman Patino and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted.
None
A. Class A Restaurant License
Motion to approve collectively excluding La Sopresa at 725 Dexter St. was made by Councilman Issa and seconded by Councilman Noury. All Agreed. So Voted.
Motion to approve La Sorpesa to December 9th 2002 was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted.
B. Automotive Repair License
Motion to approve collectively excluding 91 Washington St. was made by Councilman Issa and seconded by Councilman Patino. All agreed. So Voted.
Motion to approve to December 9th 2002 was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted.
C. Class C License
Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted.
D. Flea Market License
Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted.
E. General Repairs License
Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted.
F. General Service License
Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted.
G. Laundry License
Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Issa and seconded by Councilman Noury. All Agreed. So Voted.
H. Personal Services License
Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted.
I. Retail Sales License
Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted.
Addenda Items:
P.I. License Renewal-NWI Investigations-131 Clay St.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted.
Bingo License-Forand Manor Tenants Association-30 Washington St.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted.
J. Class B Victualling License
K. Amusement Game License
L. Pool Table License
M. Entertainment License
Motion to table Items J-K-L & M, until after the Liquor Board meeting, was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted.
A. Class A Restaurant
Milagro Contrera
D/b/a Dominican Restaurant
830 Broad St.
Motion to table was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted.
B. Class C License (renewal)
Nunez Enterprises Inc.
D/b/a Carlos Market
874 Dexter St.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Issa and seconded by Councilman Patino. All Agreed. So Voted.
C. Personal Service License
Victoria Torres & Maura Khalil
D/b/a Adonais Capilo
884 Lonsdale Ave.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted.
D. General Service License
Waterfalls Carwash Inc.
D/b/a Car Wash & Quick Lube
1325 Broad St.
Motion to continue to December 9th was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted. Motion to approve temporary license to December 9, 2002 was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted.
Carlos M Lopez
D/b/a La Casa de la Cultura Latina-Mericana Inc.
428 Dexter St.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Patino and seconded by Councilman Noury. All Agreed. So Voted.
Petition to extend business hours to 3:00 AM
Fai Yeung
D/b/a China House Restaurant
555 Dexter St.
Chairman Leger stated that he would he from the applicant first and then he would open this to a public hearing.
Mr. Fai Yeung was present was assisted by an interpreter.
Mr. Yeung explained that this is a family owned restaurant and that most of his business is after 1:00 am. He said that most customers call late in the evening and that this would allow him to better serve them.
Councilman Noury asked Mr. Yeung what he means by family business?
Mr. Yeung responded that he and his family own and operate the business.
Councilman Patino commented that the problem with this establishment is that he never closes on time.
Mr. Yeung responded that the problem has been cleared up and that this hasn’t happened since that last time.
Councilman Patino replied that there is a history of being opened past the given time and that this isn’t the first time.
Councilman Noury asked if it is the intention of the establishment to be open until 3am every night.
Mr. Yeung responded only Friday and Saturdays.
Councilman Noury stated that he’s concerned about what kind of customers Mr. Yeung would have. He stated that he’s not sure that he can support this. He stated that this is opening up Pandora’s box.
Chairman Leger opened the meeting to public comments.
Mr. Pytka of 75 Emmett St. stated that allowing this business or any business to open this late is nothing but trouble. He said that he is opposed to this and that this is a beacon for trouble. He said that he has experienced this with the Burger King are that has parties all night and no matter how much you complain the problem is still there.
Raymond Sullivan of 143 Summer St. stated that he has lived here for the past 41 years and was a member of the Central Falls Police Department for 25 years. He spoke both as a neighbor and as an experienced Police Officer. He said that this in the past has been nothing but problems with fights inside and outside the business as well as littering and only makes more of a burden for the Police Department. He stated that this past summer has been nothing but problems with constant trash, no matter how often he picks it up, noise, loud stereos etc. Mr. Sullivan stated that this business has only 2 tables so this business is mainly takeout and this means added traffic and requires a constant police presence. He stated for these reasons he is opposed to extending the hours of business.
Captain Joseph Moran, CFPD for 18 ½ years as well as Officer in Charge stated that he found several individuals hanging around and the Police would have to keep control of these groups gathering in front of this business. He stated that this causes all kinds of problems for the Police Department and for this and other reasons the Police Department is against extending business hours.
Ray Burrows of 576 Pine St. spoke against the opening stating that people end up hanging around, creating litter, broken bottles etc. He stated that he is against extended hours.
Thomas Lazieh of Lonsdale Avenue and owner of the building where China House is located spoke in favor of the extended hours to 2:00 a.m. He stated that historically and pursuant to State Law this applicant should be granted the extended hour. He said that the majority of this business is take out.
He asked the Council to grant a time that is allowed by State Law that is 2:00 a.m. He said that the applicant asked for the 3:00 am hour to protect them when they stay after hours to clean. He said that 1:00 am closing is a hardship for the applicant.
Councilman Noury stated that the Council wants people out of the building by 1:00 am
Mr. Lazieh stated that this is a business in a business district.
Mayor Matthews stated that there is no question that the applicants are hard workers but he said families are not out at 1:00 am. He said that people who are out at 1:00 am are coming out of barrooms and are undesirable. He said the City doesn’t want them. He stated that he is speaking as the public safety director and this is not something that the City needs. He said that this is a take out business and causes litter because people will eat in their cars on the street and then throw the waste on the streets. He also said that this will intensify the danger of violence in the area and he asked the Council not to support this request.
Public Hearing Closed.
Motion to deny was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Patino.
Chairman Leger stated that Rhode Island Law 5-24-1 does allow for 2:00 a.m. closing but also allows Cities and Towns to regulate the closing of this business which is provided for in the City Ordinances 12-43 which states that Class A licenses can be open for business for 20 hours but must be closed from 1am-4am.
Councilman Noury stated that this is no reflection on the business itself but the Council has to decide how this will affect the City and the Council doesn’t want to attract intoxicated persons. He also stated that if the Council allows it for this business then what about Store 24 and Cumberland Farms they have asked for extended hours in the past and have been flatly told no.
Councilman Patino stated that people want to have quiet neighborhoods and he cannot support this request.
Councilman Leger stated that he often asks these business owners if they would want to live right next door to their business and that’s how he votes.
| Councilman Noury | yes to deny |
| Councilman Patino | yes to deny |
| Councilman Issa | yes to deny |
| Councilman Leger | yes to deny |
Motion to deny carried 4 yes 0 no 1 absent.
A. Resolution extending the condolences of the Central Falls City Council to the family of the late Eugene Preneta. (Introduced at the request of Councilman Leger)
B. Resolution extending the condolences of the Central Falls City Council to the family of the Late Jabus Frails, Jr. (Introduced at the request of Councilman Patino & Council President Weber)
Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Issa.
All Agreed. So Voted.
Class A Restaurant (new)
Milagro Contrera
D/b/a Dominican Restaurant
830 Broad St.
Motion to remove from the table was made by Councilman Patino and seconded by Councilman Noury. All Agreed So Voted.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Patino and seconded by Councilman Noury. All Agreed. So Voted.
Chairman Leger recessed the meeting at 7:17 p.m.
Meeting reconvened at 9:10 p.m.
City of Central Falls
City Council Meeting
Monday, November 18, 2002
See above minutes for action on the following items.
City Officer’s Report
Revenue & Expense Report-unaudited June 30, 2002
Private Detective License (renewal)
Edward J. Stepper
NEI Investigative Group Inc.
131 Clay Street
Central Falls, R.I. 02863
Bingo License Renewal
Forand Manor Tenants Association
30 Washington St.
Motion to remove from the table collectively items J.K.L.M. was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted.
J. Class B Victualling License
Motion to approve collectively except Benjamin’s III, Splash Bar, Four D’s and RCM Corp Round House Tavern was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted.
Motion to extend the licenses of Benjamin’s, Splash Bar Four D’s and RCM to December 9, 2002 was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted.
Motion to approve RoundHouse Tavern License was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Patino. Councilman Issa abstained from voting. Motion carried 3 yes 1 abstention 1 absent.
K. Amusement Game License
Motion to approve collectively except Benjamin’s III, Round House and Splash Bar was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted. Motion to Benjamin’s and Splash Bar license December 9, 2002 was made by Councilman Issa and seconded by Councilman Noury. All Agreed. So Voted.
Motion to approve Round-House Tavern License was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Patino. Councilman Issa abstained from voting. Motion carried 3 yes 1 abstention 1 absent.
L. Pool Table License
Motion to approve collectively except Benjamin’s Round House, and Splash Bar was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Patino. All Agreed So Voted.
Motion to extend Benjamin’s License to December 9, 2002 was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Patino. All Agreed. So Voted.
Motion to approve Round-House Tavern License was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Patino. Councilman Issa abstained. 3 yes 0 no 1 abstain 1 absent.
M. Entertainment License
Motion to approve except Benjamin’s and Cultural Exchange LLC was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted.
Motion to extend Benjamin’s to December 9, 2002 was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted.
None
None
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted. Time 9:30 p.m.
______________________________________________
Elizabeth A. Crowley, CMC
City Clerk