City of Central Falls
Council Meeting
Central Falls City Hall
580 Broad St.
Central Falls, RI 02863
Monday, February 10, 2014
6:00 p.m.
Agenda
Council President Robert Ferri called the Central Falls City Council meeting to order at 6:03pm 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, Stephanie Gonzalez, Tammi Johnson, Shelby Maldonado, Ann Racquier, and Tia Ristaino-Siegel.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Public Comment
a. Edna Poulin, 68 Notre Dame St.- Inquired on the status of the 2013 Audit and requested copy of financial statements, including documents that are part of the agenda
b. Jairo Echevery, 718 Dexter St.- owner of True Stylez on Dexter St., shared his concern over the potential increase in the number of barber shops in Central Falls. Recommended that the City create a plan related to the number and type of business that get a license.
c. Bruce Ogni 9 Nottingham Dr. Lincoln- President of CF Police Retirees, asking for support from Council for legislation.
d. Thomas Lazieh, 1072 Lonsdale Ave.- Shared his support for petition by retirees. Requested copies of agenda documents and access to agenda.
e. James McLaughlin, RI State Representative- request resolution supporting legislation presented during agenda item 4.
Motion to move Agenda Item 19 was made by Councilwoman Racquier seconded by Councilwoman Gonzalez. Motion passed 7-0.
4. Approval of Resolution of the City Council Celebrating the Central Falls Colombian American Community- Introduced by Councilwoman Stephanie Gonzalez.
Motion to approve Resolution was made by Councilwoman Racquier seconded by Councilwoman Gonzalez. Motion passed 7-0.
Mr. Gabriel Martinez spoke on behalf of the resolution. Spoke of the four men who came to Central Falls in1964 and were the first immigrants from Colombia. Mr. Martinez thanked the council for its support of the Colombian community and expressed his desire for continued collaboration.
Councilwoman explained that this resolution will allow Central Falls to celebrate and honor Colombians who came to the city and requested the installation of a plaque outside of city hall to commemorate the arrival. Councilwoman Gonzalez explained that no city funds will be used.
5. Presentation by Mike Long, Retired Central Falls Police Officer- Presentation on H6217 Retirement of Municipal Employees in Central Falls
Councilwoman Johnson explained that she would remain during the presentation but will recuse if there is a vote to be considered by the Council because Mr. Mike Long is her relative.
Mr. Mike Long explained the reason for the proposed state legislation. He explained the expected decrease in retiree pension and requested the Council’s support, by way of resolution, for the passage of the legislation.
Councilors asked questions pertaining to who is covered by legislation.
6. Public Hearing- Request for public input and comment on the City of Central Falls “Tenth Year RIPDES MS4 Report, as required by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Ms.Elaine Partridge, Director of Department of Public Works explained how City has worked to decrease and prevent pollution of the rivers and waterways.
No questions were asked of Ms.Partridge.
7. Approval of meeting minutes
a. Meeting minutes of January 13, 2014
Motion to approve the meeting minutes of January 13, 2014, was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier.
Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel offered a correction to item 6D, number 8
Motion to approve the meeting minutes of January 13, 2014, as amended, was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion passed 7-0.
b. Meeting minutes of January 27, 2014
Motion to approve the meeting minutes of January 27, 2014, was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier.
Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel offered a correction to item 5.
Councilwoman Gonzalez offered a correction to item 4.
Motion to approve the meeting minutes of January 27, 2014, as amended, was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion passed 7-0.
8. Approval of Department reports
a. Fire Department- Report for month of January 2014: Training & Education, Incidents by Time & Day
b. City Clerk Department- Report for month of January 2014:Distribution Report
c. Department of Public Works- Report for month of January 2014:Department Activity Report
d. Department of Planning & Economic Development: Report for month of December 2013: December 2013 Report
e. Department of Parks & Recreation- Report for month of January 2014: December 2013
f. Police Department- Report for month of January 2014: Monthly Council Report
g. Law Department- Report for month of January 2014: Monthly Council Report
h. Finance Department- Report for month of December 2013: Monthly General Fund Expenditure Summary
i. Department of Code Enforcement- Report for month of January 2014:Building Division Permits Issued, Complaints Report
Motion to approve the department reports was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier.
Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel requested clarification pertaining to report submitted by Finance Department and requested that Mr. Robert Macdonald, Director of the Finance Department, attend the next Council meeting. Motion passed 7-0
9. Approval of Tax Abatements- Submitted by Tax Assessor
| Property Owner | Tax Year | Property Information |
| 501 Roosevelt LLC | 2013 | RE @ 501 Roosevelt Av; AP 1, Lot 30 |
| 501 Roosevelt LLC | 2014 | RE @ 501 Roosevelt Av; AP 1, Lot 30 |
| 501 Roosevelt LLC | 2015 | RE @ 501 Roosevelt Av; AP 1, Lot 30 |
| 501 Roosevelt LLC | 2016 | RE @ 501 Roosevelt Av; AP 1, Lot 30 |
| Baptista, Adilson J. | 2013 | MV: Reg#606431; 1995 Toyota; VIN#4T1SK12E4SU893105 |
| Great Shipping & Postal Service LLC | 2013 | PP @ 817 Dexter St |
| Honda Lease Trust | 2013 | MV: Reg #080790; 2010 Honda |
| RI Rentals LLC | 2013 | RE @ 382-386 Central St; AP 6, Lot 447 |
| RI Rentals LLC | 2013 | RE @ 16 Cleveland St; AP 9, Lot 129 |
| RI Rentals LLC | 2013 | RE @ 126 Illinois St; AP 6, Lot 132 |
| RI Rentals LLC | 2013 | RE @ 868 Lonsdale Av; AP 9, Lot 130 |
| RI Rentals LLC | 2013 | RE @ 114 Summer St; AP 6, Lot 110 |
| RI Rentals LLC | 2013 | RE @ 32 Sylvian St; AP 4, Lot 53 |
| RI Rentals LLC | 2013 | RE @ 91 Sylvian St; AP 4, Lot 43 |
| RI Rentals LLC | 2013 | RE @ 145 Valley St; AP 7, Lot 67 |
| Tai-O Associates LLC | 2013 | RE @ 521 Roosevelt Ave; AP 1, Lot 95 |
| Tai-O Associates LLC | 2014 | RE @ 521 Roosevelt Ave; AP 1, Lot 95 |
| Tai-O Associates LLC | 2015 | RE @ 521 Roosevelt Ave; AP 1, Lot 95 |
| Tai-O Associates LLC | 2016 | RE @ 521 Roosevelt Ave; AP 1, Lot 95 |
| T-O HK LLC | 2013 | RE @ 413 Roosevelt Ave; AP 1, Lot 12 |
| T-O HK LLC | 2014 | RE @ 413 Roosevelt Ave; AP 1, Lot 12 |
| T-O HK LLC | 2015 | RE @ 413 Roosevelt Ave; AP 1, Lot 12 |
| T-O HK LLC | 2016 | RE @ 413 Roosevelt Ave; AP 1, Lot 12 |
| Lazieh, Thomas | 2009 | RE @ 551 Dexter St (rear); AP 6, Lot 489 |
Motion to approve Tax Abatements was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Mr. Bob Battey explained that some abatements are spread over a 4-year period to stay within the bankruptcy plan.
10. Election of Special Constables pursuant to RIGL 45-16-8.
| Constable License Renewals 2014 | ||
| Name | Address | Position/Title |
| James A. Diossa | 315 Central St. Central Falls, RI | Mayor |
| Robert Ferri | 192 Cottage St. Central Falls, RI | Councilor Ward 2 |
| Ann D. Racquier | 33 Cross St. Central Falls, RI | Councilor Ward 1
|
| Stephanie Gonzalez | 72 School St. Central Falls, RI | Councilor Ward 4 |
| Shelby Maldonado | 6 Washington St. Central Falls, RI | Councilor Ward AL |
| Hugo A. Figueroa | 18 Evaleen St. Central Falls, RI | Councilor Ward 3 |
| Tia Ristaino-Siegel | 14 Worth St. Central Falls, RI | Councilor Ward AL |
| Tammi D. Johnson | 75 Emmett St. Central Falls, RI | Councilor Ward 5 |
| Joshua Giraldo | 1 Star St. Pawtucket, RI | Director Parks And Recreation |
| Elaine Partridge
| 10 Clark St. Cumberland, RI | Director Of Code Enforcement/ Public Works |
| Shayna Prince
| 48 Anchor St. Providence, RI | Dept. Of Code Enforcement - Inspector |
| Michael A. Lussier | 6 Coes St. North Providence, RI | Dept. Of Code Enforcement - Inspector |
| Lisa Dias | 23 Abbott St. Cumberland, RI | Human Resource Dept.-Clerk |
| Sean Murphy | 40 Woodland Dr. West Warwick, RI | Assistant City Clerk |
| Lawrence A. De Coste | 28 Winslow St. Riverside, RI | Truant Officer |
| Raymond Cooney | 111 Clay St. Central Falls, RI | Municipal Court Judge |
| Charlene Gaffney
| 354 York Ave. Pawtucket, RI | Animal Control Officer |
| Rhoda Benson | 1100 Lonsdale Ave. Central Falls, RI | Police Dispatcher |
| Robert Zuba | 64 Hawes St. Central Falls, RI | Electrical Inspector |
| Anthony Goes | 24 Samoset Ave. Central Falls, RI | State Inspector |
| William Benson Jr.
| 1100 Lonsdale Ave. Central Falls, RI |
|
| Matthew Jerzyk | 88 Woodbury Rd. Cranston, RI 02905 | City Solicitor |
Motion to approve constable licenses, as amended was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilman Figueroa.
Council President Ferri explained that applications are approved, pending the applicants submission of a up-to-date BCI.
Motion passed 7-0
11. Approval of Business Licenses
|
| Class of License | Owner | Business Information | |||
| a. Personal Service New | Michael Carow | d/b/a Palm Tree 753 Broad St. |
| |||
Motion to approve license of Mr. Michael Carow was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Gonzalez.
Attorney Andrew Cagen spoke on behalf of Mr. Carow and answered questions from the Council pertaining to the hours of operation, the number of qualified personnel at the site. Councilors inquired about the connections between Mr. Carow and the former massage parlor at the same site. Councilors requested that Mr. Carow be present at the next City Council meeting.
Motion to table this item until meeting of March 10, 2014 was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion passed 7-0.
| b. General Service New | Appleseed Insurance Agency, LLC | 791 Broad St. |
| c. General Service New | Elidades Service, Inc.
| 791Broad St. |
Motion to approve items B and C collectively was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion passed 7-0
| d. Carnival New | Rockwell Amusements & Promotions, Inc. | Storage America Parking Lot 580 Roosevelt Ave. |
Motion to approve entertainment license was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel.
Councilors inquired on the safety of the equipment at the Carnival. Major Dan Barzykwosky of the Central Falls Police Department and Chief Robert Bradley of the Central Falls Fire Department spoke in support of this application.
Motion passed 7-0
12. Ordinance Amending Maximum Number of Employees in City Departments FY2014- Public Hearing/Final Passage
Public Hearing:
Thomas Lazieh, 1072 Lonsdale Ave: recommend that the Council not approve proposed ordinance
Edna Poulin, 68 Notre Dame St.: no objection to increasing the minimum/maximum number of employees , but increases to staffing should be budgeted.
Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Mr. Steve Larrick, Director of Planning and Economic Development responded to councilors question pertaining to availability of funds.
Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri- yes; Councilman Figueroa- yes; Councilwoman Gonzalez- yes; Councilwoman Johnson- yes; Councilwoman Maldonado- yes; Councilwoman Racquier- yes; Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel- yes. Motion passed 7-0.
13. Ordinance Amending Salaries of Department Heads & Others in Unclassified Service- Public Hearing/Final Passage
Public Hearing:
Thomas Lazieh, 1072 Lonsdale Ave: tax increase was not mandatory, request that council not restrict public comment.
Edna Polin, 68 Notre Dame St.: addition may keep city in compliance but why spend the money.
Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Mr. Steve Larrick, Director of Planning and Economic Development spoke about the sources of funds that cover salaries in the planning department. Mr. Larrick spoke on the benefits of adding another full-time staff to planning department.
Mr. Larrick also responded to councilors questions regarding the need for full-time staff, the direct implications of adding another person to the department.
Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri- yes; Councilman Figueroa- yes; Councilwoman Gonzalez- yes; Councilwoman Johnson- no; Councilwoman Maldonado- yes; Councilwoman Racquier- yes; Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel- yes. Motion passed 7-1.
14. Ordinance Amending The Central Falls Zoning Ordinance, Article III, Section 304, to more fully comply with the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).- Introduction
Motion to introduce was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Motion passed 7-0.
15. Ordinance Amending The Central Falls Zoning Ordinance, Article III, Section 304, Table 1, footnote 1 to revise requirements for special use permits in a C2 and C-D Zone. – Introduction
Motion to introduce was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Motion passed 7-0.
16. Ordinance Amending the Economic Expansion Incentive Program- Introduction
Motion to introduce was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion passed 7-0.
17. Approval of appointments by Mayor James Diossa
a. Board of Canvassers- appointment was tabled during City Council Special meeting of January 27th 2014
Luz Maria Colon Rivera
324 Hunt St.
Central Falls
Democrat
Appointment; Term to expire 2/18/2019
Motion to approve appointment of Ms. Colon Rivera was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier.
City Solicitor Matt Jerzyk clarified that correspondence received from the RI Democratic Party stated that Central Falls does not have a chairperson and that Mayor Diossa is allowed to appoint a member to this body, as stated in the last meeting.
Motion passed 7-0.
b. Tree Warden
Matthew C. Largess
450 Davit Ave.
Jamestown;
Re-appointment; Term to expire 1/1/2015
Motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Largess was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Johnson. Motion passed 7-0.
c. Zoning Board
Alejandro Restrepo
35 Earle St.
Central Falls
Appointment; Term to expire 12/31/2014
Motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Restrepo was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Maldonado.
Councilwoman Maldonado welcomed Mr. Restrepo back to Central Falls after term of duty serving in the armed forces. She thanked him for his service. Motion passed 7-0.
18. Approval of Resolution in support of Memorandum of Agreement between City Central Falls, Rhode Island and Local 1627, AFSCME Council 94, AFL-CIO, dated February 5th 2014.
Motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Mr. Jerzyk explained, as response to a question from the council, that this is a ongoing agreement that will last the duration of the collective bargaining agreement.
Motion passed 7-0.
19. Approval of Resolution in Support of Naming the Corner of Lewis and Hunt Streets “Coutu Memorial Park”- Introduced By Council President Robert Ferri.
Motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Maldonado.
Council President Ferri explained that inauguration of the park will take place on May 4th, International Firefighters Day and invited the council to participate in the events leading to that day, including a breakfast and a race.
Motion passed 7-0.
20. Approval of Resolution of the City Council in Support of Naming March 8th 2014 as “International Woman’s Day”- Introduced by Councilwoman Stephanie Gonzalez
Motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel seconded by Councilman Figueroa.
Councilwoman Gonzalez spoke about the importance or recognizing the accomplishment of women in Central Falls. For the first time, there is a majority women council in Central Falls and perhaps in the state of RI. Councilwoman Gonzalez invited councilors to bring someone they would like to recognize to the next meeting.
Motion passed 7-0.
21. Approval of Citation of Congratulations to Sebastian Zuleta on Reaching the Rank of Eagle Scout – Introduced by Councilwoman Tia Ristaino-Siegel.
Motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier.
Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel congratulated Sebastian Zuleta for reaching the rank of Eagle Scout at age 16 and for his accomplishments.
Motion passed 7-0.
22. Good & Welfare from City Councilors- updates, announcements, reports from councilors in regards to community liaisons and events.
Councilors spoke of recent communication with department directors and the community.
23. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Gonzalez. Motion passed 7-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:21pm.
Respectfully submitted on February 19, 2014
Sonia Grace
City Clerk
The City of Central Falls is an equal opportunity employer ADA/EOE.
TDD/TTY 401-727-7450.
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To review Notice of Citizen’s Rights visit the Attorney General’s webpage at www.riag.ri.gov