March 8, 2004 - City Council Meeting

City of Central Falls

City Council Meeting

City Hall Council Chambers

Web Address: www.centralfallsri.us

MONDAY

March 8, 2004

6:00 p.m.

A meeting of the Central Falls City Council was held on the above date in the City Hall Council Chambers at 6:03 p.m.

1. Roll Call

Councilman Silva

Councilman Leger

Councilman Patino

Councilman Benson

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. Minutes

January 16, 2004; January 26, 2004; Workshop January 26, 2004; February 9, 2004; Municipal Court Judge Committee February 17-19, 2004; February 23, 2004.

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

4. City Officers Reports

1. Fire Department Fiscal Year 7/1/04-6/30/04

2. Recreation Department

3. Revenue & Expense Report-January 31, 2004 unaudited

4. Municipal Court Report-February 2004

5. City Clerk-February 2004

6. Library Report-February 2004

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

5. Claim

Luz Velez for damage to apartment door by Central Falls Firefighters-$587.63.

Motion to refer to Claims Committee was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Patino. All Agreed. So Voted.

6. Reports

1. Anthony Tager Recreation Director

Recreation Director Anthony Tager gave a brief overview of the Recreations programs that took place throughout the winter. He also commented on the summer concert series as well as the summer recreation programs.

2. Wendell Wilkie, Tax Assessor

Mr. Wilkie commented on the Homestead exemption and the progress of the revaluation.

3. Merrick A. Cook, Jr., Planning Director

Gave the City Council an overview of the Planning Department, programs that are completed as well as current programs. He also commented on the Higginson Avenue Sports Complex, the Dytex Building and the Bikepath. He spoke on the application for CDGB funds.

7. Abatements

See List

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

Councilman Silva	yes
Councilman Leger	yes
Councilman Benson	yes
Councilman Patino	abstains
Councilman Weber	yes

Motion carried 4 yes 0 no 1 abstention.

8. Correspondences

1. Senator Paul Fogarty re: An Act relating to Education

2. Keough & Sweeney, Ltd. re: Pawtucket Water Supply Board-Rate Filing

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

9. Mayor's Comments

Mayor Moreau commented briefly on the Pawtucket Water Supply Board and the City's pipes.

He stated that they were in negotiations with the Board. He commented on upcoming public hearings relative to this issue.

Mayor Moreau publicly thanked Department Heads for their detailed reports.

10. Mayor's Appointment

Department of Code Enforcement

Todd Olbyrch

25 Arrowhead Rd.

Seekonk, Ma.

Mayor Moreau introduced his appointee for the position of Code Enforcement. He stated that he searched long and hard to fill this position. He said that Mr. Olbyrch has been an inspector for City of Pawtucket for twenty three years. He related that Mr. Olbyrch is a graduate of Bryant College and state certified.

Councilman Leger commented on Mr. Olbyrch's experience as well as his working knowledge of the City. He stated that he believes that Mr. Olbyrch is ready to roll up his sleeves to begin this job.

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

Councilman Benson	yes
Councilman Silva	yes
Councilman Patino	yes
Councilman Leger	yes
Councilman Weber	yes

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

Board of Canvassers

Alfred N. Gregoire

46 Liberty St.

Term to Expire March 2007

The Council was ready to approve this appointment but stated that they would like to meet the appointee before approving the appointment. Motion to table was made by Councilman Patino and seconded by Councilman Leger. All Agreed. So Voted.

11. Presentation

Helena Friedmann, Community Educator-Childhood Lead Action Program

Ms. Friedmann gave a presentation of the lead program and how many children in Central Falls are affected by lead paint.

12. Public Comments

none

13. Licenses

General Licenses (new)

Raleigh Way Inc.

d/b/a Storage America

558 Roosevelt Ave

Applicant explained that this is a storage facility and that customers would have 24 hour/7day Access to their goods by using a keycard similar to an ATM card. She explained that there are cameras on the loading dock and that they would keep a close eye on the activities.

Councilman Patino stated that he has some concerns and would like a table until the next meeting.

Council President Weber asked if this is in the form of a motion. Councilman Patino said yes.

The Council President relinquished the Chair to second the motion for the purpose of discussion.

Discussion ensued. Roll Call on Motion to table:

Councilman Patino	yes
Councilman Leger	no
Councilman Silva	no
Councilman Benson	no
Councilman Weber	no

Motion dies.

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

Councilman Benson	yes
Councilman Leger	yes
Councilman Patino	no
Councilman Silva	yes
Councilman Weber	yes

Motion carried 4 yes 1 no 0 absent.

Office Perfect Service Inc.

d/b/a Office Perfect Service

476 High St

Motion table was made by Councilman Silva and seconded by Councilman Leger. All Agreed.

So Voted.

Trivedi & Co. LLC

501 Roosevelt Ave.

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

Councilman Silva	yes
Councilman Leger	yes
Councilman Benson	yes
Councilman Patino	yes
Councilman Weber	yes

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

Constable

Charles Beaudoin

RI Emergency Security Agency

712 Dexter St.

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

Permit

Holy Spirit Catholic Community

1030 Dexter St.

Good Friday Walk

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

All agreed. So Voted.

14. Request to Appear

Jaime A. Zuluaga

d/b/a Jaime’s Tax Service

a/k/a Zuluaga Insurance

791 Dexter St.

Council President stated that he concerned and stated that the Council is looking out for the best interest of the City as well as the business. Discussion ensued.

Change of Business Hours

Jaime A. Zuluaga

d/b/a Jaime’s Tax Service

a/k/a Zuluaga Insurance

change hours from 900 am-9:00 pm to 8:00 am-11:00 pm

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

All Agreed. So Voted.

15. Hearings

Tat Sum Kong

d/b/a China House Restaurant

555 Dexter Street

Open After Hours

Represented by Attorney Gerard Laliberte, Esq.

Asked that this be delayed a week tabled to March 15, 2004 at 6:00 p.m.

Lola Araujo

d/b/a Bladez Barber Shop

726 Dexter St

Alleged facilitating of drug trafficking and creating a nuisance.

Pleaded not guilty. Hearing scheduled for March 15, 2004 at 6:00 p.m.

16. Petition

Narragansett Electric-Neco-Verizon pole locations

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

All Agreed. So Voted.

17. Executive Session

Pursuant to RIGL 42-46-5(2) Litigation-Central Falls City Council vs. Central Falls City Administration Assistant City Solicitor.

Motion to recess to executive session was made by Councilman Benson and seconded by Councilman Patino and Councilman Silva.

Councilman Silva	yes
Councilman Leger	yes
Councilman Patino	yes
Councilman Benson	yes
Councilman Weber	yes

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent. Time 7:45 p.m.

Meeting reconvened at 8:25 p.m.

Motion to seal the minutes of the executive session was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by

Councilman Patino and Councilman Benson.

Councilman Patino	yes
Councilman Benson	yes
Councilman Silva	yes
Councilman Leger	yes
Councilman Weber	yes

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

18. Appointment

Discussion and possible Appointment Assistant City Solicitor.

Council President Weber explained that the City Council worked closely with the City Administration relative to this appointment.

Councilman Leger commented.

Motion to appoint John T. Gannon, Assistant City Solicitor was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Silva.

Councilman Benson	yes
Councilman Patino	yes
Councilman Silva	yes
Councilman Leger	yes
Councilman Weber	yes

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

19. Resolutions

Resolution extending the condolences of the Central Falls City Council to the family of the late Thomas Mellen long time business owner King’s Mobil. Council President Weber

Resolution extending the condolences of the Central Falls City Council to the family of the late Anita Cote former Central Falls Police Matron and Crossing Guard. Council President Weber

Resolution extending the condolences of the Central Falls City Council to the family of the late Edward P. Manning, Esq. former Rhode Island Speaker of the House. Council President Weber.

Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Benson and Councilman Silva. All Agreed. So Voted.

20. Ordinances

Introductions

A) An Ordinance Amending the Homestead Exemption.

So Introduced.

B) An Ordinance Article II Dogs

So Introduced.

First Passage

A) Fee For Police Protection Services

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

Councilman Patino	yes
Councilman Benson	yes
Councilman Silva	yes
Councilman Leger	yes
Councilman Weber	yes

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

B) Amending the Noise Ordinance

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

Councilman Patino	yes
Councilman Benson	yes
Councilman Silva	yes
Councilman Leger	yes
Councilman Weber	yes

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.

21. Unfinished Business

none

22. New Business

none

23. Adjourn

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

All Agreed. So Voted. Time 9:16 p.m.

_______________________________

Elizabeth A. Crowley, CMC

City Clerk