City of Central Falls
City Council Meeting
Central Falls City Hall
580 Broad St.
Central Falls, RI 02863
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
6:15 p.m.
Council President Robert Ferri called the Central Falls City Council meeting to order at 6:16pm at the Central Falls Council Chambers.
1. Roll Call
Roll call was conducted by City Clerk, Sonia Grace. Present were Councilors Robert Ferri, Hugo Figueroa, Shelby Maldonado, Ann Racquier, and Tia Ristaino-Siegel. Stephanie Gonzalez, Tammi Johnson were absent.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was dispensed due to the fact that it was administered during the meeting of the Board of License Commissioners immediately preceding the Council meeting.
3. Public Comment
Al Romanowicz, 303 Central Street: shared his concerns regarding application for license in agenda item 4d.
With unanimous consent, agenda item 7 was moved to number 4.
4. Consideration of business license of Silva Soulage of 1 Brayton Court, Cumberland, Rhode Island for possible fine, suspension, revocation or other sanction.
a. Show Cause Hearing on business license of Silva Soulage of 1 Brayton Court, Cumberland, Rhode Island.
Colonel James Mendonca spoke on the matter and was accompanied by detectives Garland and
Roberts who testified. All spoke under oath administered by City Solicitor Matt Jerzyk.
Ms. Silva Soulage spoke, under oath, and answered questions from the Council and from the City Solicitor.
Colonel James Mendonca requested that the business license be revoked.
Motion to revoke license was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Roll call vote: Councilman Robert Ferri: yes; Councilman Hugo Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Shelby Maldonado: yes; Councilwoman Ann Racquier: yes; Councilwoman Tia Ristaino-Siegel: yes. Motion carried 5-0.
5. Consideration of Petition for License
|
| Class of License | Owner | Business Information |
| a. | Bakery New | Adriana Moncada | A&M Bakery, Inc. 723 Broad St. |
| b. | Restaurant New | Adriana Moncada | A&M Bakery, Inc. 723 Broad St. |
| c. | Restaurant New | Narciso Romero | Sky Chef Restaurant 791 Lonsdale Ave. |
| d. | Outdoor Sales New | Jose Castro | Mi Tierra Supermarket 693 Dexter St. |
a. Motion to collectively approve the applications of Adriana Moncada was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 5-0.
b. Motion to approve the application of Narciso Romero was made by Councilman Figueroa, seconded by Councilwoman Maldonado. Motion carried 5-0.
c. Motion to deny the application of Jose Castro was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel.
Roll call vote: Councilman Robert Ferri: yes; Councilman Hugo Figueroa: no, Councilwoman Shelby Maldonado: no; Councilwoman Ann Racquier: yes; Councilwoman Tia Ristaino-Siegel: yes. Motion carried 3-2.
6. Consideration of petition for event permit:
a. Fior Vasquez
4 King St, 2nd Fl., Central Falls, RI
Jenks Park, August 16, 2014: Birthday Party
Motion to approve the application of Fior Vasquez was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel seconded by Councilwoman Maldonado. Motion carried 5-0.
- Calcutt Middle School
112 Washington St., Central Falls
112 Washington St, August 15, 2014: Middle School Block Party
Mark Johnson and Kevin Coutier (sp)
Motion to approve the application of Calcutt Middle School was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 5-0.
- Seventh Day Adventist Church
Liberty St., Central Falls
Liberty Street to Jenks Park, August 30, 2014: March Against Domestic Violence
Nestor Amparo spoke
Motion to approve the application of the Seventh Day Adventist Church was made by Councilman Figueroa seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 5-0.
- Central Falls Lions Club
14 Worth St., Central Falls, RI
Macomber Field to River Island Park, October 4, 2014: Obstacle Course Race
Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel recused from participating in discussed and from voting.
Motion to approve the application of the Central Falls Lions Club was made by Councilman Figueroa seconded by Councilwoman Maldonado. Motion carried 5-0.
- Ministerio Internacional Bethel
17 James St., Pawtucket, RI
Broad St. to Lonsdale Ave. August 30, 2014: Parade
Discussion with representatives from the church and Colonel James Mendonca regarding the event and the length of the parade route.
Motion to table pending shorting parade route was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 4-0.
Councilwoman Maldonado left meeting
7. Consideration of appointment by Mayor James Diossa
Planning Board
Jamie Rua
16 Rand St., Central Falls
Appointment; term to expire 8/31/2015
Motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Jamie Rua was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 4-0.
Council recessed at 7:40pm
Council came back to order at 7:46pm
8. Receipt and consideration of claims
a. Lisa A. Decotis of 1683 Old Louisquisset Pike, Lincoln, RI, for alleged damage to personal vehicle sustained on May 25, 2014 while parked at the parking lot on Higginson Avenue.
Lisa and Joseph Decotis
Mrs. Decotis presented her case and amended her claims request.
Motion to refer to the RI Interlocal Trust was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 4-0.
b. Ronald J. Ferreira, Jr. of 151 Maplecrest Drive, Pawtucket, RI for alleged damage to personal vehicle while traveling on Broad St.
Mr. Ferreira was present to speak on the matter.
Motion to approve payment of claim to Mr. Ferreira was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Motion carried 4-0.
c. Louis Piccolo of 1 Mendon Road, Cumberland, RI for alleged damage to personal vehicle while traveling on Blackstone St.
Mr. Piccolo was not present to speak on the matter and did not have a representative to speak on his behalf. Council discussed case as presented on the application.
Motion to approve payment up to the $300 maximum was made by was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel.
Motion to approve was withdrawn by Councilwoman Raquier.
Motion to deny payment of claim was was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 4-0.
d. D’Ercole Construction Company of 2800 Plainfield Pike, Cranston, RI for alleged cost of sewer repairs on January 31, 2014.
Mr. D’Ercole was present to speak on his application for claim.
Motion to approve pending the City filing motion against Rite Aid and approval of the AFO was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Motion carried 4-0.
e. Antonio Bernardo of 1287 High St., Cumberland, RI for alleged cost of sewer system repair at 43 Courtland St. Central Falls.
Mr. Bernardo was present to speak on his application for claim.
Motion to enter into executive session was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 4-0.
Motion to close executive session was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 4-0.
Motion to approve payment of $2000 pending signature of waiver of liability and approval of the AFO. Motion carried 4-0
f. Richard Hartley, Jr., Plaintiff v. City of Central Falls by and through its Treasurer, Cynthia DeJesus, alias, Defendant. United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island,
Case No. 1:14-cv-00328-M-PAS. Referred to The RI Interlocal Risk Management Trust.
City Solicitor Jerzyk spoke on the matter and provided an overview and update of the case.
Motion to refer to the RI Interlocal Trust was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 4-0.
9. Consideration of Tax Abatements- Submitted by Tax Assessor
| Property Owner | Tax Year | Property Information |
| Alves, Herculano | 2014 | MV: 2005 Toyota; Reg # 088575 |
| Ararat, Armando | 2014 | MV: on 2002 FRHT Reg#026043 vehicle totaled in 10/7/12 auto accident; on 2005 FRHT Reg#027874 computer error |
| Araujo, Hermes P & Maria D | 2014 | RE @ 82 Lincoln Ave; Plat 4, Lot 64; |
| Catchpole, Alfred S | 2014 | MV: 2010 HMT UTL-Reg # 065961 Pricing error |
| Climaco, Gilberto | 2014 | MV: on the 2000 KW frhtliner, Reg# 029748 |
| Climaco Trucking Inc. | 2014 | MV:on the 2003 Frht, Reg#029040 |
| Corey Motors | 2014 | PP at 96 Blackstone St CF RI |
| Fonseca, Jose | 2014 | RE: at 679 Lonsdale Ave; Plat 8, Lot 333 |
| Gibson, Paul J. | 2014 | MV: 2001 Ford Reg# 711926 |
| Gomes, Mario | 2014 | RE @ 155 Washington St; AP 4, Lot 23 |
| Hernandez, Nicolas | 2014 | MV: 2003 FRHT Reg # 029040 |
| Larivee, Doris | 2014 | RE @ 185 Washington St; Plat 4, Lot 98 |
| Ouellette, Bertha | 2014 | MV: 2000 Toyota Reg# UF 555 |
| Rodriguez, Martin | 2014 | MV: 1997 Mercury Reg #430011 |
| Vidal, Antonio | 2012 | MV: 1996 ACU ILS Reg #513571 |
| Vidal, Antonio | 2013 | MV: 1996 ACU ILS Reg #513571 |
Motion to approve the abatements was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Motion carried 4-0.
10. Receipt of department reports
a. Fire Department- Report for month of July 2014: Training & Education, Incidents by Time & Day
b. City Clerk Department- Report for month of July 2014:Distribution Report
c. Department of Public Works- Report for month of July 2014:Department Activity Report
d. Finance Department- Revenue and expenditure summary July 2014
e. Department of Code Enforcement- Report for month of July 2014:Building Division Permits Issued, Complaints Report
f. Law Department- Report for month of July 2014: Monthly Council Report
g. Human Resources Department- Report for month of July 2014
h. Planning & Economic Development- Report for month of July 2014
i. Police Department- Report for month of July 2014: Monthly Council Report
11. Ordinance Amending Chapter 4, Article II, Division 2 of the Revised Ordinances (Ristaino-Siegel)- Second Reading, Public Hearing and Consideration
Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel spoke on the matter and explained changes being proposed by ordinance.
Public Hearing: no speakers
Motion to substitute was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 4-0.
Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilman Figueroa.
Motion carried 4-0.
12. Ordinance Amending Section 1: Chapter 8 “Animals” (Maldonado)- First Reading, Consideration
Solicitor Jerzyk spoke on the matter and explained changes being proposed by the ordinance.
Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 4-0.
13. Ordinance Amending Section 1: Article II “Rubbish Collection” of Chapter 30 “Solid Waste” (Ferri)- First Reading, Consideration
Solicitor Jerzyk spoke on the matter and explained changes being proposed by the ordinance.
Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Racquie, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 4-0.
14. Ordinance amending Chapter 10: Buildings and Building Regulations; Article II: Property Maintenance; Division 2: Administration; Subdivision II: Violations. (Ristaino-Siegel)–First Reading and Consideration
Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel and Solicitor Jerzyk spoke on the matter and explained changes being proposed by the ordinance.
Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Motion carried 4-0.
15. Consideration of meeting minutes
a. July 10, 2014
b. July 14, 2014
Motion to table consideration of minutes was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Motion carried 4-0.
16. Correspondence from Mayor James A. Diossa
a. Mayoral Proclamation declaring September 2014 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Correspondence was received and placed on file.
17. Good & Welfare from City Councilors- updates, announcements, reports from councilors in regards to community liaisons and events.
Councilman Ferri: spoke about the brick walkway being constructed on Coutu park.
Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel spoke about a sign on Cowden St. that was placed on the wrong side of street.
Councilman Figueroa: spoke about the new uniform policy for CFSD and back to school festival on August 16
18. Adjournment
Motion adjournment was made Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Meeting adjourned at 8:52pm.
Respectfully submitted on September 8, 2014
Sonia Grace
City Clerk
Approved September 8, 2014