Monday, February 6, 2012
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, February 6, 2012 at 7:00 P.M.
The following persons addressed the council under citizens good and welfare: Leo Marcoux, Richard Fagnant, Robert Desrosiers, Mark Gray, Charles Souders and Ed Roy
The prayer is read by the Clerk. The Pledge of Allegiance is given by the assembly.
Upon motion of Councilman Jalette seconded by Councilman Gendron it is voted that the minutes of the regular meeting held January 17th be approved as submitted, a voice vote on same being unanimous.
Upon motion of Councilman Jalette seconded by Councilman Gendron it is voted that the consent agenda be approved as submitted and to remove 12 CO 12, a voice vote on same being unanimous.
The following items were listed on the consent agenda:
12 CO 10 Quarterly animal control division report from Police Chief.
12 CO 11 A communication from Public Works Director regarding purchase of Solid Waste Division vehicle.
12 CO 12 A communication from Public Works Director regarding extension of contract with Waste Management of Rhode Island.
12 CP 7 Monthly odor report from December from Veolia.
12 CO 12 A communication from Public Works Director regarding extension of contract with Waste Management of Rhode Island is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Dubois seconded by Councilman Gendron it is voted that the communication be received and placed on file.
12 LC 5 Upon motion of Councilman seconded by Councilman it is voted that the following licenses be granted, a voice vote on same being unanimous: 2 applications for holiday licenses, 1 application for first class victualing license, 1 application for Class F1 and entertainment license, 1 application for transfer of first class victualing license, 1 application for transfer of second class victualing license and 2 applications for renewal of street vendor licenses.
The following remarks are made under good and welfare:
Councilman Gendron asked Public Works Director for the status of land purchase for water treatment plant and asked how long it will be before the City gets a response from EPA. He spoke to Public Works Director about condition of parks and if we could start a cleanup of parks on a limited basis.
Councilman Jalette spoke about people moving out of the city and stated that City should be figuring out a way to get businesses to move into the City and to enhance the work force. He asked Economic Development Director to present council with ideas to help do this.
Councilman Moreau spoke to Finance Director about legal fees. He stated that he is concerned that the numbers are growing so fast and asked what bills are outstanding and for that information to be provided.
President Ward spoke about “no trucks on Logee Street” being because of water lines beneath the street and asked if that would that be resolved during construction of water treatment plant. He spoke about audit subcommittee meeting with school committee members and that the committee intends to hold meetings every two weeks when the Woonsocket Financial Audit Subcommittee is formed. He stated that all meetings will be public and that the full council will be given reports. He stated that information from the school department was very difficult to obtain and gave some insight into why the department’s deficit was so unexpected.
Councilman Brien spoke about mobile lunch wagon at former service station on Arnold Street and stated that he has received complaints of noise late at night and asked City Solicitor if lunch wagons are regulated by zoning. He spoke about zoning board meeting advertised and heard in December and stated that he did not see any provision in the Zoning Ordinance for a re-hearing. He stated that he was told the city made in error in notifying abutters. He spoke to Economic Development Director regarding middle school agreement and stated that, in his opinion, the agreement has expired. He asked Economic Development Director to meet with City Solicitor to discuss this matter and report to the council. He asked if the City has asked that the enterprise zone include the entire city.
Councilman Dubois spoke about traveling food vehicles and asked if they would have to be approved by zoning. He congratulated Chief Carey and the Police Department’s Vic Squad on drug raid. He asked City Solicitor and Economic Development Director if City regulates hours of barbershops. He asked Police Chief about dogs picked up andasked how many are euthanized. He asked Finance Director if surplus in snow removal budget will revert back to the general fund.
12 O 3 An ordinance transferring funds (within general fund) which was tabled at the meeting of January 17, 2012 is read by title, and
A motion is made by Councilman Jalette seconded by Councilman Gendron that the ordinance be passed however before this is voted on
Upon motion of Councilman Gendron seconded by Councilmen Jalette and Moreau it is voted that the ordinance be amended as follows: In section 1 reason for request delete “creation” and in its place insert “funding”. This amendment is voted on and passed unanimously on a roll call vote. The ordinance, as amended, is then voted and passed on a 6-1 roll call vote with Councilman Brien voting no.
12 O 1 An ordinance creating the Woonsocket Financial Audit Subcommittee, which was passed for the first time on January 17th, is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Gendron seconded by Councilman Jalette it is voted that the ordinance be passed, a roll call vote on same being unanimous.
12 O 4 An ordinance transferring funds (Public Safety Department) is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Jalette seconded by Councilman Gendron it is voted that the ordinance be passed, a roll call vote on same being unanimous.
12 O 5 An ordinance in amendment of Chapter 10, entitled “Garbage and Trash” of the Code of Ordinances is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Gendron seconded by Councilman Beauchamp it is voted that the ordinance be passed for the first time, a roll call vote on same being unanimous.
12 R 6 A resolution in support of House Bill 2012 H – 7049, to facilitate the creation of a waste-to-energy facility in the City of Woonsocket is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Dubois seconded by Councilman Gendron it is voted that the resolution be passed, a voice vote on same being 6-1 with Councilman Jalette voting no.
12 R 7 A resolution granting permission to WNRI to use River Island Park on September 2, 2012 for its annual Polka Fest is read by title, and
A motion is made by Councilman Moreau seconded by Councilman Dubois that the resolution be passed, however, before this is voted on
Upon motion of Councilman Jalette seconded by Councilmen Dubois and Gendron it is voted to amend the resolution as follows: Delete all references to “WNRI” and in its place insert “Paul Belanger”. This motion is voted on and passed on a unanimous voice vote. The resolution, as amended, is then voted on and unanimously on a voice vote.
12 R 8 A resolution granting permission to Michael Moniz to use River Island Park on August 25 and 26, 2012, to hold a fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association is read by title, and
A motion is made by Councilman Jalette seconded by Councilman Dubois that the resolution be passed, however, before this is voted on
Upon motion of Councilman Jalette seconded by Councilman Dubois it is voted that the resolution be tabled, a voice vote on same being 6-1 with Councilman Brien voting no.
12 R 9 A resolution authorizing the temporary use of city funds to purchase a Solid Waste vehicle is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Beauchamp seconded by Councilman Gendron it is voted that the resolution be passed, a voice vote on same being unanimous.
12 R 10 A resolution authorizing the extension of contract for the collection of refuse to Waste Management of Rhode Island is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Jalette seconded by Councilman Gendron it is voted that the resolution be passed, a voice vote on same being unanimous.
12 R 11 A resolution establishing a Community Development Advisory Board is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Gendron seconded by Councilman Moreau it is voted that the resolution be passed, a voice vote on same being unanimous.
12 R 12 A resolution authorizing the cancellation of certain taxes (various) is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Brien seconded by Councilman Jalette it is voted that the resolution be passed, a voice vote on same being unanimous.
12 R 13 A resolution authorizing the cancellation of certain taxes (2010 non-utilization tax for 24 Paradis Avenue) is read by title, and
Upon motion of Councilman Brien seconded by Councilman Jalette it is voted that the resolution be passed, a voice vote on same being unanimous.
Upon motion of Councilman Dubois seconded by Councilman Gendron it is voted that the meeting be and it is hereby adjourned at 9:22 P.M.
Attest: Andrea M. Bicki City Clerk