Monday, June 21, 2010
At a regular meeting of the City Council, in the City of Woonsocket, County of Providence, State of Rhode Island in Harris Hall on Monday, June 21, 2010 at 7 P.M.
Six members are present. Councilwoman Vadenais is absent
The following persons addressed the council under citizens good and welfare: Ainsley Morisseau, Leno Brunetti, Shirley Corriveau, Roger Petit, Michael Mello, Charles Souders, Charles Ryan, Roland Michaud, Jim Cournoyer, Albert Brien, Allen Auclair and David Hoffman
The prayer is read by the Clerk. The Pledge of Allegiance is given by the assembly.
Upon motion of Councilwoman Brien seconded by Councilman Gendron it is voted that approval/correction of minutes of regular meeting held June 7th and special meeting held June 14th be approved as submitted, a voice vote on same being unanimous.
10 LC 20 A tabled application of Olly’s Pizzeria to hold Class BV license at 204 South Main Street is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilwoman Brien seconded by Councilman Schneck it is voted that the application for removed from the table, a voice vote on same being unanimous.
Upon motion of Councilwoman Brien seconded by Councilman Schneck it is voted that the license be granted, a voice vote on same being unanimous.
10 LC 25 Upon motion of Councilman Jalette seconded by Councilwoman Brien it is voted that the following licenses be granted, a voice vote on same being unanimous: 6 applications for renewal of quarterly entertainment licenses and 1 application for Class F liquor and entertainment license. A motion was made to extend Rick’s Bar & Grill entertainment license to outdoor parking lot.
10 LC 26 An application of Back Alley Pub, 1666 Diamond Hill Road to extend liquor license to parking lot on July 25, 2010, which was advertised for hearing on this date, is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Schneck seconded by Councilwoman Brien it is voted that the license be granted, a voice vote on same being unanimous.
10 CP 42 A request of Woonsocket Redskins Youth Football and Cheerleading to hold tag day on September 18, 2010 is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Schneck seconded by Councilwoman Brien it is voted that the license be granted, a voice vote on same being 5-1 with Councilman Jalette voting no.
10 CP 43 A request of Blackstone Valley Independent Business Alliance to address the council is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilwoman Brien seconded by Councilman Schneck it is voted that the request be granted, a voice vote on same being unanimous. Jeann Budnick addressed the council.
A motion is made by Councilman Schneck seconded by Councillors Stella Brien and Christopher Beauchamp to add the following to the agenda:
10 CP 44 A request of Ainsley Morisseau requesting permission to create a neighborhood-inspired mural at Dunn Park is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilwoman Stella Brien seconded by Councilman Daniel Gendron it is voted that the request be granted, a voice vote on same being unanimous.
The following remarks are made under good and welfare:
Councilman Beauchamp thanked the public for their input regarding the budget and stated that it is difficult to cut some programs and fund others, and that the Council does not make those decisions lightly. He stated to the Public Works Director that he had received complaints from citizens about small tasks being handled by a lot of manpower and vehicles. He stated that he had sat in on a discussion to listen with the School Committee and the School Department’s unions.
Councilwoman Brien asked the Planning Director how quickly CDBG funds are given to the City after they are applied for. She asked the Mayor about a previous comment he made about the RSVP program needing to provide justification for funds. She asked the Mayor about the status of negotiations with the City’s unions. She thanked those who have the courage to speak before the Council and stated that it is not easy for the Council to make decisions regarding the budget and acknowledged that everyone is affected by the difficult financial situation that the City is in. She stated that it is frustrating that only a portion of the citizens in the city are bearing the financial burdens of the City. She stated that she is a taxpayer also and feels the same effects as other taxpayers in the city.
Councilman Gendron stated that he agreed with Councilwoman Brien. He stated that he attended the graduation ceremonies for Beacon Charter School and Woonsocket High School and congratulated all graduates. He stated that Shirley Corriveau deserved credit for coming up with specific ideas on way to try to help fix the City’s budget problems. He asked the Planning Director about the status of the demolition of the properties on Gaulin Avenue.
Councilman Jalette stated that a tax increase of 4.5 percent and a tax rate of 15.35 percent overall would mean that he would have less disposable income to spend on local businesses. He stated to Mr. Charles Ryan that he would like to play a part in helping to find the funding for the RSVP program at the Senior Center and that he would like to schedule a meeting with him and the Economic Development/Human Services Director.
Councilman Schneck stated he would like the Council to have a work session with Mr. Ryan to discuss the RSVP program. He asked the Police Chief to please inform the public about what the police are doing regarding out-of-state registrations for people that are living in the City. He asked the Police Chief if he knew the number of violation notices that the security director of the Woonsocket Housing Authority had issued now that he can issue violation notices. He asked the Planning Director to have his staff look into mattresses left on the side of the house at 693 Elm Street. He stated that he receives many e-mails from the Woonsocket Taxpayers Coalition and that he wanted to give credit to the administration for coming up with ideas to decrease the commercial tax rate. He stated that, effective July 1, 2010, he would take a 5 percent decrease in pay, which is the same amount the administration is asking the unions to take.
President Ward congratulated the students who graduated from Beacon Charter School, Woonsocket High School and Mount Saint Charles Academy. He addressed comments made by Ms. Jeanne Budnick earlier in the meeting and stated that businesses in Woonsocket have had the highest commercial tax rate in the State, while the residential tax rate has been reduced by the homestead exemption. He stated that residents would be paying a higher motor vehicle and real estate tax rate in the coming year.
10 O 32 An ordinance amending the job creation incentive program for the City of Woonsocket, which was passed for the first time on June 7th, is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Schneck seconded by Councilman Beauchamp it is voted that the ordinance be passed, a roll call vote on same being unanimous.
10 O 33 An ordinance in amendment of Chapter 17 entitled “Traffic”(parking violation notices) which was passed for the first time on June 7th, is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilwoman Brien seconded by Councilman Jalette it is voted that the ordinance be passed, a roll call vote on same being unanimous.
10 O 34 An ordinance in amendment of Personnel Ordinance as amended (Senior Laborer) which was passed for the first time on June 7th, is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Jalette seconded by Councilwoman Brien it is voted that the ordinance be passed, a roll call vote on same being unanimous.
10 O 35 An ordinance in amendment of Chapter 3 entitled “Alcoholic Beverages” (increase BV by one) which was passed for the first time on June 7th, is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Schneck seconded by Councilwoman Brien it is voted that the ordinance be passed, a roll call vote on same being unanimous.
10 O 36 An ordinance in amendment of Personnel Ordinance (reduction in work week for clerk typist) which was passed for the first time on June 7th, is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Schneck seconded by Councilman Beauchamp it is voted that the ordinance be passed, a roll call vote on same being unanimous.
10 O 37 An ordinance in amendment of Chapter 2 entitled “Administration” (Homestead administration) which was passed for the first time on June 7th, is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilwoman Brien seconded by Councilman Gendron it is voted that the ordinance be passed, a roll call vote on same being unanimous.
Upon motion of Councilman Gendron seconded by Councilwoman Brien it is voted to dispense with the regular order of business and take up the following, a voice vote on same being unanimous:
10 O 46 An ordinance relating to deficit funding financing and fiscal requirements is read by title, and
A motion is made by Councilwoman Brien seconded by Councilmen Gendron and Beauchamp that the ordinance be passed, however before this is voted on,
Upon motion of President Ward seconded by Councilwoman Brien it is voted to amend as follows: In section 6 delete “Town’s” and insert “City’s”
10 O 38 Appropriation ordinance for the City of Woonsocket for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2011, which was tabled at the meeting of June 7th, is read by title, and
A motion is made by Councilman Schneck seconded by Councillors Brien and Gendron that the ordinance be passed, however, before this is voted on
Upon motion of Councilwoman Brien seconded by Councilmen Beauchamp and Gendron it is voted to amend, as follows: Total expenses in Budget Book $116,731,514, Controls Page 60 03351-51121 Temporary Clerical (6,948), Treasury Page 62 03451-51121 Temporary Clerical (9,562), Police Page 74 05253-53379 Police Computer Supplies 15,534, Public Works-Office of Director Page 81 06151-51110 Permanent Services eliminate $3,000 Flood Control Stipend (3,000), Public Works-Public Service Division Page 89 06353-53321 Gass and diesel fuel 175,000, page 90 06355-55574 lease/purchase (70,000), revised total expenditures 116,832,538, total revenue in budget book 116,731,514, page 4 property taxes-current 3,827,289.00, page 4 motor vehicle phase out or taxes (3,700,195), page 4 additional motor vehicle phase out (26,070), revised total revenue 116,832,538. These amendments are voted on and passed unanimously on a roll call vote. The ordinance, as amended, is then voted on and passed on a 5-1 roll call vote with Councilman Jalette voting no.
10 O 39 Appropriation ordinance for Woonsocket Water System for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2011, which was tabled at the meeting of June 7th, is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Schneck seconded by Councilwoman Brien it is voted that the ordinance be passed, a roll call vote on same being unanimous.
Councilman Jalette left at 11:08 P.M.
10 O 40 Appropriation ordinance for operation of regional wastewater treatment fund for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2011, which was tabled at the meeting of June 7th, is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilwoman Brien seconded by Councillors Gendron and Schneck it is voted that the ordinance be passed, a roll call vote on same being unanimous.
10 O 41 Appropriation ordinance for operation of sewer use fee fund for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2011, which was tabled at the meeting of June 7th, is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilwoman Brien seconded by Councilman Schneck it is voted that the ordinance be passed, a roll call vote on same being unanimous.
10 O 42 Appropriation ordinance for operation of Thundermist Hydro Fund for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2011, which was tabled at the meeting of June 7th, is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Schneck seconded by Councilwoman Brien it is voted that the ordinance be passed, a roll call vote on same being unanimous.
10 O 43 An ordinance establishing maximum number of employees in each office, department or agency for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2011, which was tabled at the meeting of June 7th, is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Schneck seconded by Councillors Beauchamp and Brien it is voted that the ordinance be passed for the first time, a roll call vote on same being unanimous.
Councilman Jalette returned at 11:12 P.M.
10 O 44 An ordinance directing the assessment and collection of a tax by the City of Woonsocket upon real estate, excise and tangible personal property for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2011, which was tabled at the meeting of June 7th, is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Schneck seconded by Councilman Gendron it is voted that the ordinance be passed, a roll call vote on same being unanimous.
10 R 75 A resolution suspending Rule 21 of the rules of order of the City Council is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Schneck seconded by Councilwoman Brien it is voted that the resolution be passed, a voice vote on same being unanimous.
10 R 76 A resolution appointing James Cournoyer as a member of the Personnel Board of the City of Woonsocket is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Schneck seconded by Councilman Gendron it is voted that the resolution be passed, a voice vote on same being unanimous.
10 R 77 A resolution appointing Donald Luther as a member of the Personnel Board of the City of Woonsocket is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Schneck seconded by Councilman Gendron it is voted that the resolution be passed, a voice vote on same being unanimous.
10 R 78 A resolution granting permission to Krystian Przybylko to use River Island Park on July 18, 2010 to hold a Polish Picnic and Festival is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Schneck seconded by Councilman Jalette it is voted that the resolution be passed, a voice vote on same being unanimous.
Upon motion of Councilwoman Brien seconded by Councilman Gendron it is voted that the meeting be and it is hereby adjourned at 11:28 P.M.
Attest: Andrea M. Bicki City Clerk