City Council, May 24, 1990.
A special session of the City Council is held Thursday, May 24, 1990, at five twenty o’clock p.m. All the members are present and President Houle presides.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES MAYOR SARAULT, AND CHRISTINE TAGUE, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE.
Mayor Sarault states that he is now comfortable using a Million Dollars from the Reserve Account, now that the Superior Court has ruled that the Governor was wrong to not pay the $11,000,000 to cities and towns, and the House Leadership has assured the Mayor the money will be coming. This makes the Million Dollars a short term loan as opposed to a depletion of the Reserve Fund.
Mayor Sarault questions how the maximum levy of $49,700,000 was chosen and states that according to the Finance Department this maximum will force the City to close in the red, which is illegal.
Ms. Tague explains that the problems with the Council’s proposal is that it requires a 75% collection effort to close in the black, which is not a reasonable assumption because of the downturn in the economy and the tax increase. She believes that a 73.5% collection rate is more prudent, which requires a levy of $50,404,000.
Mayor Sarault requests that if the Council chooses the lower levy, let him know how he is to close the books in the black.
The following Ordinance is Read for the second time and is defeated on a roll call vote, as follows:
Ayes - Councilmembers Doyle and William Lynch.
Noes - President Houle, Councilmembers Barry, Calista, Kinder, Robert Lynch, Rabbitt and Vieira.
Ordinance in Amendment of Chapter 2081 "The Annual Operating Budget Ordinance" Section 2 - Tax Assessment Bill. (Levy)
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILMAN CALISTA.
With majority consent of the Council, Councilman Calista states that on the side of caution for what might happen to the City’s financial picture, based on the recommendation of the Mayor and the City’s Finance Department, and requests that the proposed ordinance in Amendment of Chapter 2081 "The Annual Operating Budget Ordinance" be reconsidered and amended by changing in Section 2 the maximum amount of taxes collected from Forty-Nine Million Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($49,700,000.00) to Fifty Million Four Hundred Four Thousand Dollars ($50,404,000.00)
Upon Motion made by Councilman Calista, seconded by Councilmen Barry and Robert Lynch, the following amendment to change in Section 2 the maximum amount of taxes collected from Forty-Nine Million Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($49,700,000.00) to Fifty Million Four Hundred Four Thousand Dollars ($50,404,000.00) is passed on a roll call vote, as follows:
Ayes - President Houle, Councilmembers Barry, Calista, Kinder, Robert Lynch, Rabbitt and Vieira.
Noes - Councilmembers Doyle and William Lynch.
The following Ordinance is read for the first time AS AMENDED, and passed on a roll call vote, as follows:
Ayes - President Houle, Councilmembers Barry, Calista, Kinder, Robert Lynch, Rabbitt and Vieira.
Noes - Councilmembers Doyle and William Lynch.
Ordinance in Amendment of Chapter 2081 "The Annual Operating Budget Ordinance" Section 2 - Tax Assessment Bill. (Levy) AS AMENDED
THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE IS LAID ON THE TABLE ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE:
Ordinance Authorizing the Transfer of Funds within the 1989–1990 Annual Operating Budget Chapter 2081.
THE CLERK IS INSTRUCTED TO ADVERTISE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 1990, AT 8:00 pm.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILMAN RABBITT, CHAIRMAN OF THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE.
With majority consent of the Council, upon recommendation of the City Property Committee, a Public Hearing is scheduled for the Petition of Robert Langlois and Douglas Whalen, requesting the abandonment of a Portion of Olive Street, said parcel contains 40+/- square feet.
THE CLERK IS INSTRUCTED TO ADVERTISE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 1990, AT 8:00 PM.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILMAN WILLIAM LYNCH.
With majority consent of the Council, Councilman William Lynch submits the following communication:
Upon Motion made by Councilman William Lynch, seconded by Councilman Barry, the following communication is Read and Ordered Filed:
Communication from Allen, Duquette & Associates, Inc., to Councilman William Lynch. (City of Pawtucket Audited Financial Statements for Fiscal Year June 30, 1989)
Upon Motion made by Councilman Barry, seconded by Councilman Kinder the meeting is adjourned at six thirteen o’clock p.m.