September 16, 2002 - City Council Meeting
City of Central Falls
City Council Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers
MONDAY, September 16, 2002
5:45 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Central Falls City Council was held on the above date in the City Hall Council Chambers at 5:55 p.m.
1. Roll Call
Councilman Noury
Councilman Leger
Councilman Patino
Councilman Issa
Councilman Weber
2. Pledge of Allegiance
City Council President Robert F. Weber, Jr. presided and led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Municipal Court
Discussions and possible adoption of recommendations made by the Municipal Court Committee.
Judge Raymond P. Cooney was present. City Council members Councilman Patino and Councilman Issa were Municipal Court committee members.
Councilman Noury commented on the Committee’s recommendations and commented on each recommendation as follows:
Recommendation # 1 he stated that the Resource Director should do a job description and not the Mayor. #3 he stated that he doesn’t see the need to eliminate the position that may be necessary in the future. He asked if item #5 conflicted with #1 & 2. He said that with regards to recommendation number 7 that if this doesn’t prohibit the Judge’s ability to use discretion then he has no problem with it but if it does then he would not be in favor of this recommendation.
Councilman Issa and Councilman Patino explained in detail item #5 and what would be expected of any Judge.
Discussion ensued.
Councilman Leger asked about the procedure for notification regarding warrants.
Councilman Noury stated that this must be done in a consistent manner and the law must be applied equally.
Judge Cooney thanked members for a good job and stated that many of the problems have been resolved. He stated that people would receive 3 notices. He commented on the supervision issues and the state issues regarding the court.
Councilman Noury questioned the Judge on the different issues.
It was concluded that the Ordinance would need some revisions and the Council would await the Legal Department for recommended amendments.
4. Correspondences
a) Elizabeth Crowley to John Gancarski re: attend meeting
b) Office of Municipal Affairs – Municipal Salary Survey 2002
c) Request to appear-Central Falls Car Wash
Motion to accept collectively and place on file was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Noury. All Agreed. So Voted.
5. City Officers Reports
a) Police Report/Municipal Court
b) Public Works
c) Recreation Department
d) Code Enforcement
Motion to accept collectively and place on file was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted.
Councilman Leger asked that a sweeper schedule by streets be provided to the Council by the Public Works Department.
6. Public Comments on Agenda Items
Mayor Matthews commented that he would like to bring the City Council up to speed regarding the Attorney fees presented by Mr. R. Kelly Sheridan. He commented on the Charter and the role of the Legal Department.
7. Abatements
John Gancarski-City Assessor (see list)
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Issa.
| Councilman Issa | yes |
| Councilman Patino | yes |
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.
8. Report
Alan DeNaro, Chief - CFPD
Chief DeNaro commented of the Municipal Court and the issue of monthly reports. He stated that there are some software problems and that he hopes to have the problem resolved by October. He commented on the staffing situation with regards to the Court and the supervisory issues that the Council questioned.
He also reported on dispatchers and that the department is down by 1 officer who is serving military duty at the present time and that this could go on for at least a year.
Council President Weber asked the Chief about talking with the Fire Department relative to dispatchers.
Chief DeNaro responded.
The Chief updated the Council on grants the department will receive for a radio system. He explained the system and how it would relate to the Fire Department.
The Chief commented on the many community events that the Police Department involves itself in and the progress of the Department.
9. Licenses
1. Laundry License (new)
Mirian Franco & Ruben Velasquez
D/b/a Broad Super Laundry
791 Broad St.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Leger. All Agreed. So Voted.
2. Personal Service License (new)
Omodo Lapay-Maria Fernandez (Manager)
D/b/a Executive Salon
718 Dexter St.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Leger. All Agreed. So Voted.
10. Use of Jenks Park
Channel One Central Falls
24th -Annual Christmas in the Park
December 5, 2002 6:00pm-8:00pm
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Noury. All Agreed. So Voted.
11. Licenses-update/status report/renewal
1. KB Motors Inc.
257 Hunt St.
Renewal Second Hand License-pending report on status of Code Enforcement Violations
License renewed from 8/26/02 to 9/16/02
George Dumont-Code Enforcement Director reported that the applicant is working towards compliance and that the department is reasonably satisfied with the proposal presented.
Motion to approve to December 31, 2002 subject to the wall repair was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Noury.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Issa | yes |
| Councilman Patino | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.
2. Central Falls Car Wash
1325 Broad St.
Status regarding taxes on business
Motion to table to October was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Issa.
All Agreed. So Voted.
12. Hearing
Sai Yeung
D/b/a China House Restaurant
555 Dexter St.
Open after 1:00 am in violation of City Ordinances
Mr. Yeung was present and was assisted by Mr. Tony Chin of 48 Blackstone Avenue, Providence who acted as translator.
Matthew Oliverio swore in the witness Officer Sandy Greiko.
She stated that on 8/17/02 she was on patrol on Dexter Street. She observed 4 people walked into China House at approximately 1:25 am. She stated that she spoke with the female person at the restaurant and explained the 1:00a.m closing. Officer Greiko asked if this person understood her instructed and she responded that she did. Officer Greiko also stated that there have been other occasions that the owners were told about closing on time.
Councilman Noury asked if all the people in the restaurant customers.
Officer Greiko responded that they were either eating or had packages.
Mr. Yeung stated that he does close the door at 1:00 am and that he was finishing those people who were in before 1:00 a.m. He stated that there were only 2 people inside eating and that there were family members inside cleaning.
Councilman Noury stated that perhaps Mr. Yeung should put a sign up saying the kitchen is closed at 12:45 or 12:30 and put the front lights out.
Councilman Leger stated that this is not the first time.
Councilman Noury stated that it doesn’t take more than 15 minutes to complete an order.
Councilman Patino stated that this business should be closed at Midnight and fined. He also suggested that they suspend the license on a Friday night.
Council President Weber recessed the meeting at 7:55 p.m. Reconvened at 8:07 p.m.
Motion to close the business at midnight on Fridays & Saturday’s was made by Councilman Patino and seconded by Councilman Issa.
| Councilman Noury | no |
| Councilman Leger | no |
| Councilman Issa | yes |
| Councilman Patino | yes |
| Councilman Weber | no |
Motion fails.
Councilman Patino stated that this is no new and business cannot be allowed to close when they feel like it.
Council President Weber commented on the Clubs closing and how this affects this business.
Councilman Leger stated that the business has not established a good record.
Councilman Noury commented that the business must show a good faith effort.
Motion to suspend for 1 day on Friday October 4th and fine $300.00 was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Leger.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Issa | yes |
| Councilman Patino | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.
13. Claims
1. Joseph G. Miller, Esq. for his client Roxanna Morales, a/k/a Alba Morales for injuries sustained 9/10/97 while playing Soccer.
2. Roberts, Carroll, Feldstein & Pierce for services in the amount of $3,701.10 rendered to the Central Falls City Council in connection with a complaint filed by the Mayor against the City Council alleging that the Council was in violation of the Open Meetings Act and access to public records on or about December 2000 and for services in the amount of $3,681.00 rendered to the City Council in connection to a lawsuit against the Council seeking a writ of mandamus compelling the Council to enact a tax levy as requested by the Mayor.
Motion to refer to Claims Committee collectively was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Leger. All Agreed. So Voted.
14. Public Comments
None
15. Ordinances
Introduction
An Ordinance Amending Section 32-32 of the revised Ordinance entitled “Placing for Collection.”
So introduced.
First Passage
1. An Ordinance Amending Article II Division 2 of the revised Ordinances entitled Junked and Abandoned Vehicles.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Patino.
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Patino | yes |
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Issa | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.
2. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 18 “Environment” Article II “ Nuisances”
Motion to table was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Noury
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Patino | no |
| Councilman Issa | yes |
| Councilman Weber | no |
Motion carried 3 yes 2 no 0 absent.
3. An Ordinance repealing section 32-4 of the revised ordinances.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Patino.
| Councilman Patino | yes |
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Issa | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.
4. An Ordinance Amending Section 32-3 “Accumulations on Private Property Prohibited.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Issa.
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Issa | yes |
| Councilman Patino | yes |
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.
Public Hearing/Final Passage
An Ordinance Establishing a “Drain Laying Certificate.”
Public Hearing Opened. No Comments. Public Hearing Closed.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Leger.
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Issa | yes |
| Councilman Patino | yes |
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.
Addendum
Second Hand License (new)
Yolanda Castillo
D/b/a Colombia Muffler
601 Lonsdale Avenue
Motion to table was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Noury. All Agreed. So Voted.
Mayor's Appointment
Board of Pensions & Retirement
Ronald A. Robichaud, Jr.
259 Fuller Ave.
Term to expire Jan. 2003
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Patino.
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Patino | yes |
| Councilman Issa | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.
Use of Jenks Park
Friends of Jamarr Rushum
Candle Light Prayer Vigil
Sept. 19th 2002 8pm-9pm
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Noury and Councilman Issa. All Agreed. So Voted.
16. Unfinished Business
Councilman Noury asked that the Legal Department provide a written opinion regarding the Appointment of the position of City Solicitor.
Councilman Leger asked that a breakdown of outside legal fees ending July 2002 be provided to the City Council.
17. New Business
It was discussed that the Council may set up a committee to study the possibility of combining Dispatchers for both the Police & Fire Departments.
Councilman Issa commented regarding the Public Safety Committee.
Council President Weber commented on his concerns regarding the NEED contract.
Matthew Oliverio explained that the City has a contract with Patriot and that there should not be any interruption in service.
18. Adjourn
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Noury.
All Agreed. So Voted. Time 9:30 p.m.
___________________________________
Elizabeth A. Crowley, CMC
City Clerk