City Council, September 9, 1998
A regular session of the City Council is held Wednesday, September 9, 1998, at eight twenty-five o’clock p.m. All the members are present and President Barry presides.
The Council recesses immediately to conduct a Pre-Council session followed by the meeting of the Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners.
The Council reconvenes at nine thirty-one o’clock p.m.
The reading of the records of August 19, 1998, is dispensed with and the records are APPROVED as prepared by the Clerk.
Upon motion made by Councilor Vieira, seconded by Councilor Grebien, the *Consent Agenda is approved on a unanimous voice vote.
*THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATIONS ARE READ AND ORDERED FILED:
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR VIEIRA.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Vieira, seconded by Councilor Hoyas, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Ronald Travers, Director of Zoning and Code Enforcement, extending the Council’s appreciation to him for all of his hard work and efforts, regarding the problem the City has with advertising signs on utility poles.
The Council is also requesting that Mr. Travers contact Eastern Utilities and Bell Atlantic to ask for a waiver or permission to allow City employees the right to remove signs on the utility poles. If permission is granted, this would allow him to site the violators of City Ordinance section 410-84.C, which prohibits signage on utility poles.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR VIEIRA.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Vieira, seconded by Councilor Hodge, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to James Kareemo, Chair, Pawtucket Housing Authority, requesting that the members of the Housing Authority conduct a complete investigation into the Scattered Site Development Project, as follows:
1. How much money has been spent per house:
A. Purchase Price
B. Additional moneys spent for repairs, closing costs, etc.
C. Mortgage holder at time of closing; i.e. bank, private, etc.
D. Realtor used per sale.
E. Were the property purchasing procedures used?
F. Who was the previous property owner?
G. Copies of invoices for all repairs to these homes.
2. How was the project manager hired and what are his qualifications; i.e. realtor’s license, appraiser, etc.?
3. Is there any relationship between the project manager and any contractors hired for repairs and/or maintenance?
4. Was the bid process followed for all repairs and maintenance contracts? Please explain.
5. To what extent are employees of the Housing Authority used for repair or maintenance projects.
6. Are the people selected to occupy these homes properly certified according to HUD regulations?
THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATIONS ARE READ AND ORDERED FILED:
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR HODGE.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Hodge, seconded by Councilor Moran, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Thomas F. Doucette, P.E., Acting Chief Engineer, Pawtucket Water Supply Board, requesting information, once again, on bond issues from 1983 to present.
The council is asking that Mr. Doucette provide all information on improvement bonds for the period beginning with 1983 to present, for any and all Water Supply Board bonds that were placed on the ballot and approved by the voters of the City, and by the Pawtucket City Council. Many of these bond issues may have been before his association with the Water Supply Board. Specifically, what were these bonds used for and the amount spent for each project.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR VIEIRA.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Vieira, seconded by Councilor Hodge, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote.
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to the Public Buildings Authority and the Pawtucket Water Supply Board, requesting that they meet to rectify the balance discrepancy and provide an accurate figure to the City Council.
PRESIDENT BARRY TURNS THE CHAIR OVER TO PRESIDENT PRO-TEMPORE WILLIAM D. VIEIRA, SR.
PRESIDENT PRO-TEMPORE VIEIRA PRESIDES.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR BARRY.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Barry, seconded by Councilor Grebien , is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote.
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to The Honorable, Mayor James E. Doyle, asking him to contact the members of the Pawtucket Water Supply Board for the purpose of preparing a “Request for Qualifications” (RFQ) to elicit a company or companies whose business it is to operate water systems.
The Council feels that before any additional money is spent on the existing water plant, that it is in the best interest of all, to seek this information to determine if there is an alternative way of operating the City’s water department.
PRESIDENT PRO-TEMPORE VIEIRA RETURNS THE CHAIR TO COUNCIL PRESIDENT BARRY.
THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATION IS RETURNED FROM THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL:
Communication from Mayor James E. Doyle, to the Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting request of Barbara Stetson for a Waiver of the residency law for the position of Family Consumer and Science Teacher in the Pawtucket School Department.
The following communication is READ AND ORDERED FILED and the Residency Waiver for Barbara Stetson is APPROVED on a roll call vote as follows:
AYES – President Barry, Councilors Bray, Carr, Grebien, Hodge, Hoyas, and Wildenhain.
NOES – Councilor Moran and Councilor Vieira.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR MORAN.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilor Hodge, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to The Honorable Judith Robbins, Mayor of Attleboro, regarding concerns with the Pascale Block Company on the Pawtucket/Attleboro line:
The Council is requesting an update on the following issues:
1. What is the current status of the property?
2. When will AMTRAK vacate this property?
3. Are there plans to clean out the area of the overgrowth?
4. Have any proposals from potential buyers been received?
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR MORAN.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilor Vieira, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send communications to The Honorable Mayor Francis A. Gaschen, Mayor of Cumberland, and Mary Tetzner, Chair, Pawtucket Water Supply Board, regarding safety issues on Branch Street.
The Council is concerned with the narrowness of this road, the speeding, and the main water line that runs under this road to the Pawtucket Water Supply board building, and feels that this street is extremely hazardous.
The Council is exploring the idea of closing down this road, making a cul de sac from the Water Supply Board Building to the Cumberland line, and would like the their input and feelings on this matter.
Copies of these communications are to be sent to Michael D. Cassidy, Director, of Planning and Redevelopment, and to John E. Carney, Director, of Public Works.
611 Memorandum from Ronald L. Wunschel, Director of Finance, to Council President John Barry, requesting permission to prepare a proposal for Actuary Services for the Pawtucket Police and Firefighters Retirement System, is READ AND ORDERED FILED, and PERMISSION IS GRANTED, on a unanimous voice vote.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR HOYAS.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Hoyas, seconded by Councilor Grebien, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Patricia Lynch Howard, Judge of the Pawtucket Municipal Court, regarding violations against Ryder Transportation Company located at 645 Narragansett Park Drive, Pawtucket.
Specifically the Council is asking that these violations, dating back to late last year, be heard in a timely fashion and that no further continuances be granted.
614 Communication from John E. Carney, Director of Public Works, to the Pawtucket City Council, requesting permission to eliminate Ridolfi Minor League Field and Ruthowski Little League Field to build a major league field at Slater Park, to replace the Ted Connon Field that was lost with the McCoy Stadium Expansion, is READ AND ORDERED FILED.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR HOYAS.
With majority Consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Hoyas, seconded by Councilor Grebien, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
THE CLERK IS INSTRUCTED TO SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1998, AT 8:00 P.M.
MAYOR JAMES E. DOYLE, COUNCILOR HOYAS, AND THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL, ARE REQUESTING THIS PUBLIC HEARING TO GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THE PUBLIC TO PROVIDE INPUT ON THIS MATTER.
Communication from Martin E. Joyce, Jr., Personnel Director, to the Honorable Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting changes to the Pay Plan of July 1, 1998, is READ AND ORDERED FILED, and is REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR GREBIEN.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Grebien, seconded by the entire City Council, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to John Wolfe, Vice President, Government & Public Affairs, Cox Communications, requesting that he attend a Pre-Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 23, 1998, at 7:30 p.m., to discuss the changes to the basic cable plan, as well as, the changes to cable traps.
Communication from John E. Carney, Director of Public Works, to the Pawtucket City Council regarding the City’s Litter Ordinance, is READ AND ORDERED FILED, and is REFERRED TO THE CITY ORDINANCE COMMITTEE.
COUNCILOR HOYAS LEAVES AT 10:15 P.M.
The following resolution is read and PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Barry, Councilors Bray, Carr, Grebien, Hodge, Moran, Vieira, and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
The following resolution is read and PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Barry, Councilors Bray, Carr, Grebien, Hodge, Moran, Vieira, and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR WILDENHAIN.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Wildenhain, seconded by Councilor Hodge, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Ronald Travers, Director of Zoning and Code Enforcement, regarding the condition of the Peppermill property located at 636 Central Avenue and requesting Code and Environmental Inspections on the property, and that the owners be sited for any violations.
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE IS READ FOR THE FIRST TIME AND PASSED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Barry, Councilors Bray, Grebien, Hodge, Moran, Vieira, and Wildenhain.
NOES – Councilor Carr.
ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 991 OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET ENTITLED “THE TRAFFIC ORDINANCE” (Multi-Way Stop Signs – Oakdale Avenue & Acorn Street)
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR VIEIRA.
With majority consent of the Council, Councilor Vieira introduces the following entitled communication:
Communication from Gordon Duquenoy, Assistant Fire Marshal, to Mayor James E. Doyle, regarding parking on Manchester Street.
Upon motion made by Councilor Vieira, seconded by Councilor Bray, the following communication is READ AND ORDERED FILED, and is REFERRED TO MICHAEL BURNS, TRAFFIC ENGINEERING SUPERVISOR:
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR VIEIRA.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Vieira, seconded by Councilor Hodge, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Michael Cassidy, Director, Planning and Redevelopment, regarding the businesses on Mineral Spring Avenue, which have been affected by the closing of Mineral Spring Avenue Bridge.
The Council is asking Mr. Cassidy to investigate the possibility of Community Development Block Grants to assist these businesses in distress, or if there are other programs available for these businesses so severely hurt during the bridge construction project.
THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE IS LAID ON THE TABLE AND REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE, ON A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE:
ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 410 OF REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET (ZONING MAP) PLAT 6A LOTS 546 AND 564 (72-76 East Street and 304 Middle Street).
SET DATE FOR PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1998, AT 8:00 P.M.
The following license is APPROVED, on a unanimous voice vote:
VICTUALLING HOUSE 1st Class –
The New Archie’s Inc., d/b/a Archie’s (Previously TEP Restaurant, Inc., d/b/a/ Timothy’s Place), 47 Mendon Avenue, LIC# 504
*The following licenses are APPROVED on a unanimous voice vote:
ENTERTAINMENT –
Petition of Del’s Lemonade of Pawtucket for a License to conduct a Wrestling Match Show at Kelley’s Transmission Parking Lot, 454 Central Avenue, on Saturday, September 12, 1998, from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m., LIC# 1282M
PEDDLERS (NEW) –
Homier Distribution Company, Inc., 84 Commercial Road, Huntington, IN; LIC# 16
TO PEDDLE: Direct retail sale of new first quality tools, housewares, home furnishings, seasonal & general merchandise.
PEDDLERS: Paul H. Berube Jr., 10802 Turkey Hollow Rd., Tayloridge, IL
Ron Varney, 5222 Broadway Blvd. #2089, Garland, TX
John Mansfield, 42613 North 42nd Street West, Quartz Hill, CA
DATES: October 1, 1998 – October 4, 1998
Thursday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
LOCATION: Inside Bobby’s Banquet Hall, 1593 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket
SUNDAY SALES (NEW) –
1ST CLASS -
Seafood Marketplace, Inc., 271 Newport Avenue, LIC# 20328
2ND CLASS -
Denise Reynolds d/b/a Savage Tanning & Boutique, 400 Smithfield Avenue, LIC# 20329
VICTUALLING HOUSE 1st Class (NEW) –
Seafood Marketplace, Inc., 271 Newport Avenue, LIC# 00507
*CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY ARE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS:
Doris Irene Courtois - $171.85
Celeste DiSarro – NO AMOUNT SPECIFIED
Eugene Maillet - $55.08/$711.20
Judith Robitaille – NO AMOUNT SPECIFIED
Michelle Wood - $50,000
Upon motion made by Councilor Vieira, seconded by Councilor Bray, the meeting is adjourned at ten twenty-five o’clock p.m.