Monday, March 7, 2011
At a public hearing of the City Council, in the City of Woonsocket, County of Providence, State of Rhode Island in Harris Hall on Monday, March 7, 2011 at 7:00 P.M.
Six members are present. Councilwoman Vadenais was absent.
President Ward announces that anyone wishing to address the council regarding the following resolution may do so at this time:
11 R 28 Approving the city’s 2011/2012 annual action plan and application for submission to the US Department of Housing & Urban Development.
There is no one present wishing to address the council.
The public hearing is closed by Council President.
The regular meeting immediately follows.
Six members are present. Councilwoman Vadenais is absent.
The following persons addressed the council under citizens good and welfare: Stephanie Boucher, Roland Michaud and Albert Brien.
The prayer is read by the Clerk.
The Pledge of Allegiance is given by the assembly.
Upon motion of Councilwoman Brien seconded by Councilman Schneck it is voted that the minutes of the regular meeting held February 21st be approved as submitted, a voice vote on same being unanimous.
Upon motion of Councilwoman Brien seconded by Councilman Schneck it is voted that the consent agenda be approved as submitted, a voice vote on same being unanimous.
The following items are listed on the consent agenda:
11 CO 38 Opinion of City Solicitor regarding claim of Andrew Blasko.
11 CO 39 Opinion of City Solicitor regarding claim of Dan Ferrelli.
11 CO 40 Opinion of City Solicitor regarding claim of Susan Fortier.
11 CO 41 Opinion of City Solicitor regarding claim of Debra Pouliot.
11 CO 42 Opinion of City Solicitor regarding claim of Harold Ride and Allison Marley.
11 CO 43 A communication from City Planner/Deputy Director of Community Planning regarding DEM Clean Diesel Grant Program.
11 CO 44 A communication from City Planner/Grants Coordinator regarding energy audit of schools and city-owned buildings.
11 CO 45 A communication from Planning Director regarding transfer of insurance payments and FEMA grants from School Department to City.
11 CO 46 A communication from Deputy Director of Housing & Community Development regarding 2011/2012 annual action plan and application to HUD.
11 CO 48 Opinion of City Solicitor regarding claim of Jeffrey A. Vermillion.
11 CO 49 Opinion of City Solicitor regarding claim of Gabrielle A. Willette.
11 CO 50 A communication from Planning Director regarding resolution authorizing the city to pay for emergency snow removal and repairs to school roofs using money from the $1.5 million due to school department as authorized by 11 R 18.
11 CO 51 A communication from Captain Kenneth Paulhus regarding by-pass of competitive bidding for conversion of Police Department communication system.
11 CP 25 Claim of Andrew Blasko against the city for property damage.
11 CP 26 Claim of Dan Ferrelli against the city for property damage.
11 CP 27 Claim of Susan Fortier against the city for property damage.
11 CP 28 Claim of Debra Pouliot against the city for property damage.
11 CP 29 Claim of Harold Ride and Allison Marley against the city for property damage.
11 CP 31 A communication from Dr. R.L. Massucco Jr., DVM and Marissa Massucco regarding offer of reduced-cost neutering and heartworm testing of pitbulls.
11 CP 32 Claim of Gabrielle A. Wilette against the city for property damage.
11 CP 33 Claim of Jeffrey A. Vermillion against the city for property damage.
10 LC 42 Application of MSK Inc., to hold a Class BV license at 754 Front Street, which was tabled at previous meetings, is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Schneck seconded by Councilwoman Brien it is voted that the application be granted, a voice vote on same being 0-6 with all councillors voting no and therefore the application is denied.
11 LC 10 Upon motion of Councilman Schneck seconded by Councilwoman Brien it is voted that the following licenses be granted, a voice vote on same being unanimous: 1 application for Class F1 license, 1 application for Class F license, 1 application for private detective license, 2 applications for renewal of quarterly entertainment licenses and 45 applications for renewal of holiday licenses.
Upon motion of Councilwoman Brien seconded by Councilman Gendron it is voted to dispense with the regular order of business and take up the following resolution:
11 R 28 Approving the city’s 2011/2012 annual action plan and application for submission to the US Department of Housing & Urban Development is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilwoman Brien seconded by Councilmen Gendron and Schenck it is voted that the resolution be passed, a voice vote on same being unanimous.
The following remarks are made under good and welfare:
Councilman Gendron spoke to Planning Director regarding comprehensive plan and how discouraging it is to hear that the state will decide what is best for the city. He stated that, at the last meeting, he asked public to make their feelings known regarding budgetary issues and would like to hear all opinions.
Councilman Jalette spoke to Finance Director about host fees received from Veolia. He stated that he did not vote for approval of current budget due to concessions that would be proposed to the unions and asked where the deficit in funds will be made up as concessions were not received. He asked Finance Director about the City’s last revaluation and wants to know what the City will do to make values more realistic. He stated that a city resident called him prior to the meeting and about cutting the City budget to save money and more specifically questioned city employees getting clothing allowance and longevity payments. He stated that the people cannot afford even a one cent tax increase.
Councilman Schneck asked Finance Director about the City’s cash flow. He asked Public Works Director about snow removal budget. He asked Planning Director about demolition of Seville Dye and Vermette’s. He offered his condolences to Noel Wolny family.
President Ward spoke about Seville Dye and scope of remediation and demolition costs and asked Planning Director if tax liability exceeded value of property and whether it was worth putting the property up for tax sale. Stated that he would like work session discuss fire union negotiations and spoke about water advisory board meeting. He asked whether council can review specifications for highway superintendent. He announced a charter review commission meeting at Harris library tomorrow at 7 P.M. and open to the public.
Councilman Beauchamp spoke to Police Chief regarding temporary no parking signs on Ward Street and asked that they be replaced. Commended water superintendent and her personnel for a tour of the water plant. He thanked Jim Cournoyer for scheduling that tour. He spoke to Public Works Director about street sweeping schedule an asked for information about it. He stated that Representative Brien proposed legislation to have voters show identification at voting booths and would like council to have a resolution in support of this measure.
Councilwoman Brien spoke about red capping of street lights on Mason Street, Fairmount St. & River St. and safety issue near Portola which is very dark. She spoke to Planning Director about comprehensive plan and asked when the city will get a copy that was received from the state and requested a copy be forwarded to the council. She spoke to Economic Development Director about Wal-Mart and Lowe’s and also spoke about number of subsidized housing units in City.
11 O 8 An ordinance amending Personnel Ordinance regarding examination procedures for fire fighters, which was tabled at the meeting of February 21st, is read by title, and
A motion is made by Councilman Schneck seconded by Councilman Gendron that the ordinance be passed for the first time, however before this voted on
Upon motion of Councilman Gendron seconded by Councilwoman Brien it is voted that the ordinance be amended as follows: In section 1 delete “fire entry level candidates are required to possess a RI EMT Cardiac license or provide proof of enrollment in a certified EMT Cardiac course” and in its place insert “All new employees are required to either possess a RI EMT Cardiac license or provide proof of enrollment in a certified EMT Cardiac course, provided that in the instance where the employee is not yet certified but is enrolled in a certified EMT Cardiac course, the employee must complete the course and obtain a RI EMT Cardiac license no later than 365 days after date of hire”. This amendment is voted on and passed unanimously on a roll call vote. The ordinance, as amended, is then voted on and passed for the first time on a unanimous roll call vote.
11 O 5 An ordinance amending Chapter 16 entitled “Streets and Sidewalks” of the Code of Ordinances, which was passed for the first time on February 21st, is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilwoman Brien seconded by Councilmen Gendron and Schneck it is voted that the ordinance be passed, a roll call vote on same being unanimous.
11 O 9 An ordinance transferring funds (EMA and Fire Department) 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.
11 O 10 An ordinance transferring funds (Police) 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.
11 O 11 An ordinance amending the fiscal year 2011 appropriation ordinance pertaining to Police Department 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.
11 R 23 A resolution authorizing Mayor, Director of Planning and Fire Chief to enter into an agreement with RI DEM under the Clean Diesel Grant Program is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilwoman Brien seconded by Councilman Schneck it is voted that the resolution be passed, a voice vote on same being unanimous.
11 R 24 A resolution granting permission to YWCA to use River Island Park on April 10, 2011 for a benefit road race is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Beauchamp seconded by Councillors Brien and Gendron it is voted that the resolution be passed, a voice vote on same being unanimous.
11 R 25 A resolution granting permission to Harvest Community Church to use River Island Park on September 24, 2011 for its annual SonSplash festival 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.
11 R 26 A resolution authorizing Mayor to enter into a contract with Narragansett Improvement Co., Inc. for the Carrington Avenue reconstruction project is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilwoman Brien seconded by Councilman Schneck it is voted that the resolution be passed, a voice vote on same being 5-0 with Councilman Beauchamp recusing himself.
11 R 27 A resolution directing that proceeds from insurance claims of FEMA grants for middle school roof repair be returned to the middle school bond account is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Jalette seconded by Councilman Schneck it is voted that the resolution be passed, a roll call vote on same being unanimous.
11 R 29 A resolution authorizing city to pay for emergency snow removal and repairs to school roofs using money from the $1.5 million due to school department as authorized by 11 R 18 is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Gendron seconded by Councilman Schneck it is voted that the resolution be passed, a voice vote on same being unanimous.
11 R 30 A resolution authorizing Finance Director to bypass competitive bidding for conversion of Police Department communication system 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.
Upon motion of Councilwoman Brien seconded by Councilman Schneck it is voted that the meeting be and it is hereby adjourned at 9:05 P.M.
Attest: Andrea M. Bicki City Clerk