August 31, 2004 - City Council Meeting

City of Central Falls

City Council Meeting

City Hall Council Chambers

1.  Roll Call

Councilman Silva

Councilman Leger

Councilman Patino

Councilman Benson

Councilman Weber

Quorum present.

2.  Pledge of Allegiance

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

3.  Presentations

1.  Mr. Robert Canavan-Chairman of the Board of Trustees introducing the new Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patricia Watkins.

Mr. Canavan spoke briefly of the qualifications of Dr. Watkins relating to her 24 years experience and her role as Superintendent of Schools. He stated that Dr. Watkins will be the first Spanish speaking Superintendent and her bi-lingual abilities will be an asset to the City. He spoke of the Federal mandates of "Leave no Child Behind" and her abilities to bring the School District to this level.

Dr. Watkins thanked Mr. Canavan for the kind introductions. She expressed her joy at being invited to attend this meeting and to meeting with the City Council and City Administration.

She gave a brief overview of the School District. She gave a brief overview of her career and she stated her goals for the District.

2.  Central Falls Police Department-2004 Local Law Enforcement Grant Award.

Captain John Desmarais explained in detail the Law Enforcement Grant Award of $13, 610 to buy equipment for the Police Department. He stated that the Department wishes to purchase a server, a smart board, a copy machine etc. He stated that the City is one of eight to receive this grant.

Public Comments/Questions.

Councilman Leger asked the Captain how many recruits the City has and what equipment was needed.

Captain Desmarais stated that there are 5 new recruits all from Central Falls.

3.  Raymond J. Lavoie, Executive Director-Blackstone Valley Community Health Care Inc.-Presentation for the purchase of the Central Falls Health Center Site.

Mr. Lavoie explained the proposed purchase and how the center has served the Community for several decades.

Public Comments/Questions.

Councilman Patino asked Mr. Lavoie if the facility was in any way partnered with Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Lavoie responded that this is a primary care facility for the uninsured or underinsured residents of the Blackstone Valley Community.

Councilman Leger asked if there is a vision to expand the facility and where this would be.

Mr. Lavoie explained the building structure and that there are actually two buildings on the site.

Councilman Benson asked the condition of the building.

Mr. Lavoie stated that the interior is very modern.

4.  J.I.F. Investment Co. presentation for the purchase of the of Central Falls Riverfront Commons

1420 Broad St., Central Falls, R.I.

Mr. Yabroudy part owner and partner with Mr. Fernandes presented the proposal for the Riverfront Commons project.

Mayor Moreau explained the project in detail.

Councilman Leger stated that he has been involved in both proposals and questioned the developers extensively about the scope of the project and the parking.

Public Comments/Questions.

Council President Weber opened the meeting for Public Hearing.

Mr. Louis Caterina, Treasurer of the Madeira Club commented and gave the endorsement of the Club for the proposed development.

No Other comments. Public Hearing Closed.

Mayor Moreau stated that he supports the project 100% and will do as much as possible to be sure that the Scoop and JIF come together.

4.  Minutes

City Council Meeting & Workshop June 1, 2004; City Council Meeting & Workshop June 3, 2004; Special City Council Meeting August 2, 2004.

Motion to accept and place on file collectively was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Benson.  All Agreed. So Voted.

5.  Correspondences

6.  City Officers Reports

7.  Abatements

8.  Claim

9.  Mayor’s Comments

Mayor Moreau again commented on the Riverfront Commons project and well as the Higginson Avenue Sports Complex. He stated that the City is waiting for DEM clearance for the Project at Higginson Avenue. He related that the project would take place in two phases.

He commented on the DPW relocation project and the Wyatt Detention Center's expansion.

Mayor Moreau gave a brief overview of the relocation of the DPW, the new candidates in the Police Academy, the Trash Ordinance and the proposed take over of the Community Center. He stated that the Community Center will be in the control of the City by October 1^st and the plans are to rename the Center the Ralph Holden Community Center.

Councilman Leger commented on the Trash and recycling programs and the timing of the pickups.

Councilman Patino asked how much of a savings has been realized by resuming the trash pickups.

Mayor Moreau responded that he would refer that question to the Finance Director and have an answer by the September 13^th meeting.

Councilman Patino questioned how the City hired the new laborers. He stated that there was an application that has had his name in for two years who was qualified and had a CDL.

Mayor Moreau responded that this person did not apply under this recruitment process and that the City's can't act on outdated information. He stated that the positions were advertised in the Newspaper and that per the Union Contract the applicant must have a CDL.

Councilman Patino commented that there needs to be supervision of the crews.

Council President Weber cautioned the Councilman and stated that this is an issue that should be taken up with the Department Head.

Discussion continued on getting information from Department Heads and open records.

Councilman Patino commented.

Councilman Leger commented that the Council is a body and that the information is discerned to the Council as a body and not as an individual.

10.  Mayor’s Appointment

Personnel Board

Sharon Kelley

150 Jenks Ave.

Term to expire: Jan. 2007

Replacing the unexpired term of James V. Gillan

Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Patino, Councilman Benson and Councilman Silva. Appointment Unanimously approved.

11.  Licenses

Second Hand License (new)/Public Hearing

Class A Restaurant (new)

General Service License (new)

Peddler License (new)

12.  Permits

Annual Parade

Bingo License ( Renewals)

Aime J. Forand Manor Tenants Association

30 Washington St.

Rand Place Tenants Association

250 Rand St.

Holy Spirit Catholic Community

Dexter St. (St. Matthew Church Hall)

Fierlit Korzen Post 79

Central St.

Blackstone Falls Tenants Association

High St.

Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Benson and seconded by Councilman Patino.

Councilman Silva

Councilman Leger

Councilman Patino

Councilman Benson

Councilman Weber

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

Annual Picnic

Annual Bazaar

Use of Jenks Park

13.  Public Comments

Mr. Joe Travers of Clay Street spoke on the issue of building on undersized lots and commented as a concerned resident. He asked the Council to place a moratorium on building on undersized lots until a court decision could be made.

Assistant Solicitor replied to the concerns related to Zoning.

Mayor Moreau commented on the issue of the Courts and Litigation.

14.  Resolutions

1.  Resolution extending the Condolences of the Central Falls City Council to the family of the late Rev. Leon Maynard, Pastor Emeritus Notre Dame Church. (Introduced by Council President Weber)

15.  Ordinances

Ordinances to be sent to the Ordinance Committee

Ordinances (First Passage)

Ordinances (Public Hearing/Final Passage)

Unfinished Business

Councilman Patino asked when the Council would receive a report on the investigation that took place at the Library.

He also asked when the appointment of a new Police Chief would take place.

16.  Executive Session

Motion to recess to Executive Session was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Benson.  Councilman Patino recused himself from the Executive Session as well as the rest of the meeting and left the building. It is noted that he did not participate in this Executive Session since he is employed by RIHMFC.

Motion carried 4 yes 0 no 1 recusal.

Pursuant to RIGL 42-46-5 (2) Litigation-Women's Development Corp. vs. City of Central Falls.

Motion to seal the minutes of the Executive Session was made by Councilman Silva and seconded by Councilman Benson.

Motion carried 4 yes 0 no 1 absent.

17.  Adjourn

Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Silva and seconded by Councilman Benson.

All Agreed. So Voted.  Time 10:56 p.m.

___________________________________

Elizabeth A. Crowley, CMC

City Clerk