October 20, 2003 - City Council Meeting
City of Central Falls
City Council Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers
MONDAY October 20, 2003
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 6:45 p.m.
1. Roll Call
Councilman Patino
Councilman Noury
Councilman Leger
Councilman Weber
Councilman Issa (Is still serving in the Military in the Iraq Campaign)
Quorum present.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Council President Weber presided and led the Assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Minutes
Regular Meeting September 8, 2003
Special Meeting September 22, 2003
Motion to accept collectively and place on file was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Noury. All Agreed. So Voted.
Without objection Council President Weber recessed the meeting at 6:47 p.m. in order to turn the meeting to the Liquor Board.
Meeting reconvened at 7:35 p.m.
4. Correspondences
1. Thank you note from the Family of the Late Arlene Beaucage
2. James Vincent, RI Housing-re: Housing Fair Nov. 1, 2003
3. Town of Middletown re: Resolution relative to veterans
4. Office of the Auditor General re: Standards & Procedures of Emergency Situation in Increase of Tax Levy.
5. Offer of Sale San Soucy Housing Partners I, LP to sell the real property of San Souci Housing Development.
6. Municipal Salary Survey
7. Board of Pensions & Retirement re: CFFD Lieutenant Michael Moreau
Motion to accept collectively and place on file was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Noury.
Discussion took place relative to correspondence #5. The Solicitor explained this notification as it relates to HUD.
On the motion all agreed. So Voted.
5. City Officers Reports
1. Public Works
2. Municipal Court
3. Police Report
4. Recreation Department
5. Fire Department
6. City Clerk
7. Budget Report-Sept. 2003
Motion to accept collectively and place on file was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Noury. All Agreed. So Voted.
6. Abatements
See List
Mr. Wilkie was present to answer any questions.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Patino.
Council President Weber commented on the Budget report and stated that he would like to see the encumbrances listed as part of the report.
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Patino | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
Motion carried 4 yes 0 no 1 absent.
7. Retirement
Board of Pensions & Retirement- Fire Lieutenant Michael Moreau
Motion to table to November 10th was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Leger. All Agreed. So Voted.
8. Petition
Narragansett Electric Co. & Verizon pole location on Fletcher Street.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Noury. All Agreed. So Voted.
9. Mayor's Comments
None
10. Licenses
Constable License (new)
Alcindo Goncalves
Channel One
Juvenile Hearing Board
Clerk/Case Manager
Mr. Goncalves was present to answer questions. Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Noury.
| Councilman Patino | yes |
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
Motion carried 4 yes 0 no 1 absent.
Class C & Class A Licenses (new)
Brenda E. Aleman
D/b/a Brenda’s Mini Market
268 Hunt St.
Motion to approve collectively (with no sandwich boards to be placed on the street) was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Patino.
| Councilman Patino | yes |
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
Motion carried 4 yes 0 no 1 absent.
Automotive Repair (new)
Hector R. Solis
D/b/a Mufflers Unlimited
763 High St.
Chief Coutu gave a brief report on the status of Mr. Solis’ accomplishments with regards to the fire code violations. He stated that most of the problems have been corrected and that Mr. Solis has applied to the state for a variance on October 21, 2003. He also stated that the building is completely alarmed for fire and that the premise is a lot better.
Councilman Patino asked if the Chief believes that the building is ready to be used.
The Chief responded that business can be safely operated from the rear of the building.
Councilman Noury questioned the Chief.
Councilman Patino asked if there is a copy of the plan.
Mr. Solis stated that he plans to lock that door.
Councilman Noury asked Mr. Solis if he has conducted any business at that location.
Mr. Solis responded no.
Councilman Noury asked the Solicitor if the character of the individual could be considered when deciding this license. He stated that after numerous warnings the Council suspended the license which had many violations. He stated that at one point the Council gave Mr. Solis 2 weeks to clean the mess and when he returned little progress had been made. Councilman Noury stated that running a business is not a right it’s a privilege and that he must be a good neighbor and that Mr. Solis is not a good neighbor and he cannot support the approval of this license.
Councilman Patino stated that Mr. Solis is trying to correct the problem and if the State allows the variances this should be consider. He stated that Mr. Solis is the head of the family and that he has clearly invested in this property. He also stated that Mr. Solis has made mistakes in the past but hopefully he is willing to work with the Council and be a good neighbor and good business.
Councilman Noury stated it would be a great pleasure to him if Mr. Solis moved his business to District 3.
Councilman Patino responded that every Councilmember had problems in their respective neighborhoods and that he did not appreciate the remark.
Council President Weber interrupted the comments. He commented that he wanted to believe that some people would change and make the necessary repairs. He stated that he has concerns about the situation as it pertains to Mr. Solis and that the Council’s concerns are to improve the character of the neighborhood.
He spoke of the new state laws governing fire safety and the need to be sure that the public is protected as well as the individual business owner. He also commented that he wants to believe that Mr. Solis is ready to operate a clean respectful business by putting together a plan that will meet that need.
Councilman Noury commented that the Council should not forget the past and the testimony given relative to this business.
Motion to deny this license was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Leger.
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Patino | no |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
Motion to deny carried 3 yes 1 no 1 absent.
General Repair (new)
Suseela Devalla
D/b/a Hunt Tailors & Cleaners
353 Hunt St.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Noury and Councilman Patino.
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Patino | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
Motion carried 4 yes 0 no 1 absent.
Jose Capellan
D/b/a Joseph’s Jewelry & Decorations
530 Broad St.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Patino and seconded by Councilman Leger.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Noury | yes |
| Councilman Patino | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
Motion carried 4 yes 0 no 1 absent.
11. Claims
1. Margaret L. Hogan, Esq. on behalf of her client Thomas Gamache-Disability pension and related funds.
2. Jose Miguel re: damage to tire & rim road work on Broad St. $961.93.
3. Joel Morales re: Bicyclist struck by Police Vehicle.
4. Jeffrey S. Perlow, Esq. on behalf of his client Stacy Craige parent of Kelly Ann Patenaude for injuries sustained by alleged assault by students on school bus. $100,000.
Motion to refer to the Claims Committee was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Leger. Councilman Noury, the Chair of the Claims Committee stated that he will schedule a meeting of the Committee for November 10, 2003 at 5:00 p.m. All Agreed. So Voted.
12. Public Comments
Mr. Solis of 251 Rand Street stated that he has been judged without due process and in the most respectful way he stated that it is wrong to judge as if he were a monster. He stated that he has a family to support and that he has complied with everything that the Council has asked of him. He stated that he is waiting for the Fire Marshall and that he is planning to find a solution. He believes that at this time this decision is wrong. He asked that the Council reconsider. He stated that he has nothing on the second floor and that he has complied with the Fire Chief.
Council President Weber commented.
Captain Gerard Dion. President of Local 1485 commented on Lt. Michael Moreau pension and stated that he appreciated the action of the Council to table this until the November 10, 2003 meeting.
Mayor Matthews commented on the petition of Verizon and the Electric Company to move the pole on Fletcher Street and stated that the property owner needs this action in order to finish the improvement he is making to this multi-family dwelling and he asked that the Council support that petition.
13. Resolutions
Resolution of Condolence to the family of the late City Councilwoman Sandra A. Moreau.
(Introduced at the request of City Council President Robert F. Weber, Jr.)
Resolution extending the condolences of the City Council to the family of the late Frank Horton, Jr.
(Introduced at the request of City Council President Robert F. Weber, Jr.)
Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Leger. All Agreed. So Voted.
14. Ordinances
Introduction
An Ordinance amending the revised Ordinances entitled Fees for Licenses and Permits.
So introduced.
15. Unfinished Business
Memo-Matthew T. Oliverio-Charter Review Amendment
Council President Weber commented.
Councilman Patino-New Permit forms-for Jenks Park and Recreational facilities.
Councilman Patino commented on the forms.
Councilman Leger questioned the fee.
16. New Business
None
17. Adjourn
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Leger. All Agreed.
So Voted. Time 8:55 p.m.
______________________________
Elizabeth A. Crowley, CMC
City Clerk