City of Central Falls
City Council Workshop
City Hall Council Chambers
Web Address: www.centralfallsri.us
MONDAY
May 24, 2004
4:00p.m.
The meeting was started at 4:00pm with a quorum present, and a couple of members were a few minutes late.
Roll Call
Councilman Silva arrived at 4:06
Councilman Leger- Present
Councilman Patino- arrived at 4:05
Councilman Benson Jr. - Present
Councilman Weber Jr. - Present
Quorum present.
By unanimous consent the Board of Canvassers Clerk Gertrude Chartier was present at the workshop to discuss her budget.
Mrs. Chartier talked about the rising cost of paying and keeping poll workers. She explained that it was a very long day for the workers and the City no longer provided lunches.
Councilman Patino asked about splitting the election workers day in half.
Discussion took place regarding different alternatives.
Todd Olbyrch Director of Code Enforcement was present to discuss his budget.
Councilman Leger asked questions on the salary account regarding the proposed increase and what it was for. Todd stated he was looking to make the part time clerical position into a full time position. Discussion took place to see if he would prefer a full time inspector or a full time clerk.
Todd responded that he would prefer a full time clerk.
Councilman Leger asked if Todd knew how much their department brought through the Municipal Court.
John Kuzmiski, the Finance Director was also present and stated that at this time all Municipal Court fees were combined, but they will try to separate in the future.
Councilman Weber question Mr. Kuzmiski on how the boarding up account in this Department works, and if liens were recorded against properties, and how we recoup our expenses.
Todd spoke on non- capital equipment.
Councilman Leger questioned the overtime account
More discussion took place on the amount of the proposed raises in the salary account.
Angelo Garcia Department Head of Channel One was present to discuss his proposed budget.
Councilman Leger asked how many employees there were.
Mr. Garcia responded he had 42 people on staff paid from grants.
Councilman Leger also asked why there were some salaries in the Budget and some not.
Mr. Kuzmiski stated that the General Fund supported this salary.
Mr. Garcia stated that the $4000.00 in the proposed budget was for a Computer upgrade.
More discussion took place regarding the new proposed salary increase.
Mr. Garcia stated that he works 45-50 hours a week, and that his building was opened until 8:00pm.
Mr. Garcia stated that some grants are not coming in because of the war.
Councilman Silva asked about the grant for the Juvenile Hearing Board. Angelo stated that as far as he knew as of July 1, the grant runs out.
Councilman Patino asked how many cases were handled a year. Mr. Garcia stated about 300.
Councilman Weber asked to get the actual numbers.
Councilman Patino asked about repairs to the building, and what was needed.
More discussion took place on the building.
Councilman Patino stated we should get estimates on the building repairs.
Mr. Garcia stated that another option was that Day Care could be done, but a license would be needed.
He also stated that come July 1, there would be no money to pay Mary Wonders.
Mr. Garcia also stated that he needed a van.
He stated that he spent $21,000.00 on bus services.
Joseph Nield was present and presented a Highway Budget breakdown.
He proposed 18 additional full time workers for the trash.
Questions were asked in regards to the overtime account amount and what it consists of.
Mr. Nield stated that the 3. 5 % pay increase granted by contract.
More discussion took place on the salary.
Councilman Leger asked about road repairs and maintenance.
Mr. Nield gave a presentation of what was going on in this department with roads and other items such as hydrants.
Mr. Nield feels he should have about $4000.00 over in his overall budget of last year.
Councilman Leger asked if he knew the cost of repairing hydrants.
He stated about $352,000.00 was estimated to fix them and about $278,000.00 for cement lines.
At 5:25pm Councilman Leger called for a five-minute break
At 5:35pm Councilman Leger called the meeting back to order.
Merrick Cook was present to discuss the budget for the Planning Department.
Mr. Cook presented an overview of the Planning Department.
Councilman Patino asked if $580,000.00 was enough for repairs at the YMCA.
Mr. Cook stated that he thought it would take two or three million.
Mr. Cook read the report he presented.
Councilman Patino stated that the Department needs to have more people in the Department.
John Kuzmiski the Finance Director stated that the Department of Municipal Affairs will be in this week to get a copy of the Budget.
Councilman Leger asked John Kuzmiski about unfunded pension plans.
Motion made to adjourn at 6:08pm by Councilman Weber, seconded by all.
Respectfully submitted,
Marie Twohey
Deputy City Clerk