City Council, June 16, 1992.
A special session of the City Council is held Tuesday, June 16, 1992, at six thirty-three o’clock p.m. All the members are present except Councilors Doyle and Rabbitt; President Barry presides.
COUNCILOR DOYLE ARRIVES AT SIX THIRTY-EIGHT O’CLOCK P.M.
Discussion of 92-H 8558 "AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES" and any amended versions of this Bill with the School Committee and other Officials is taken up:
Representative Elaine Coderre gives a brief explanation of the potential for new revenue for schools through Medicaid Funding for Education Services and distributes an information package provided by the Rhode Island Task Force on Medicaid Funding for Special Education Related Services.
The following is PRESENTED AND ORDERED FILED:
Representative Coderre states that the City Council and the School Department must adopt a Resolution urging Pawtucket’s Local Education Authority to become a Medicaid Provider and this must be filed by June 30th in order to take full advantage of the reimbursement plan. This reimbursement would be for at least the last quarter of this school year and possibly the whole school year. This would be a special one-time opportunity.
The next speaker is Dr. Richard Charlton, Superintendent of Schools.
Dr. Charlton states that this new concept is a learning experience and feels that it is a "no risk" situation.
Dr. Charlton does state that if this plan is adopted it may require one or two additional personnel to prepare all the necessary paperwork.
The next speaker is Bob Pryhada, Rhode Island Department of Education.
Mr. Pryhada states that this plan will reimburse some of the costs for Special Education Services to cities and towns and it will not mandate an increase in services.
There are no other speakers.
The Clerk is instructed to prepare the necessary Resolution in time for the June 24, 1992, City Council meeting.
THE COUNCIL RECESSES AT SEVEN O’CLOCK P.M. TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PAWTUCKET COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
THE COUNCIL RECONVENES AT SEVEN THIRTY-FIVE O’CLOCK PM.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR VIEIRA.
With majority consent of the Council, Councilor Vieira introduces the following Communications:
Communication from Hague & Sahady, Certified Public Accountants to City of Pawtucket. (Status of Audit)
Upon Motion made by Councilor Vieira seconded by Councilor Kinder, the following Communications are READ AND ORDERED FILED:
Communication from Jack Rahill, Finance Director to the Honorable City Council. (Information for Auditors)
Communication from Hague & Sahady, Certified Public Accountants to City of Pawtucket. (Status of Audit)
Presentation of the Charter Review Commission.
Speaking for the Charter Review Commission is Monique Renaud, Chairperson. Also speaking are Elmer Cornwell, and Members of the Charter Review Commission.
THE FOLLOWING IS PRESENTED AND ORDERED FILED:
Report of the Charter Review Commission.
Ms. Renaud states that the Commission recommends grouping the changes into seven groups dealing with the following matters:
1 Purchasing
2 Council Financial Advisor
3. Dual Office Holding and Suspension on Indictments
4. Initiative and Recall
5. Administrative Title and Relationships
6. Campaign Contributions; Charter Enforcement; Fiduciary Responsibility; Commission on Ethics; Charter Monitoring Commission
7. Library Trustees and Elections
Ms. Renaud and others discuss the changes. Questions arise from the Council on the following:
Section 8–200
Councilor Barry wants to know what happens if a Councilor is indicted soon after being elected, and the State Court takes two years to finish up with the Case. Does that mean that there will be no representation if it is a District Councilor in that District.
Councilor Calista states that the people in that District would still be represented by the three Councilors-at-Large.
Section 8–215, subsection 6
The Question is: What are elected Boards and Commissions, and does that mean that a School Committee Person, or a Councilor wants to run for a different municipal office that they will have to resign their current office first.
The Commission will review this section.
Section 6–200
The Question is: Should there be restrictions on what can be placed on the ballot under a voter initiative petition?
The Commission believes that there should be as described in their report, to avoid chaos.
Section 6–201
The Question is: Should the Board of Canvassers make the decision on whether the petition conforms with the Charter or should the Board of Canvassers just verify the signatures.
The Commission will review this matter.
Section 10–104
Two Questions are: Should the Mayor make all of the appointments to this new Charter Monitoring and Review Commission; and Should elected officials be allowed to be on the Commission?
Upon Motion made by Councilor Vieira, seconded by Councilor Kinder the meeting is adjourned at nine twenty-seven o’clock p.m.