City of Central Falls
Council Meeting
Central Falls City Hall
580 Broad St.
Central Falls, RI 02863
Monday, January 13, 2014
6:00 p.m.
Meeting Minutes
Council President Robert Ferri called the Central Falls City Council meeting to order at 6:05pm 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
Pledge of Allegiance to the Unites States of America was led by Council President Robert Ferri.
3. Welcome Comments from Council President
Council President Ferri welcomed fellow councilors, staff and the public to the meeting and spoke of a renewed interest and commitment that would be needed to accomplish great things in Central Falls.
4. Public Comment
None
5. Adoption of Roberts Rules of Order
Motion to approve the adoption of Roberts Rules of Order was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Motion passed 7-0.
6. Consent Agenda
The Council may vote on any item
a. Minutes of December 9, 2013- Regular Council Meeting
b. Minutes of January 6, 2014- Special Council Meeting, Sine Die
c. Minutes of January 6, 2014- Special Council Meeting, Organizational Meeting
Motion of approve the minutes of December 9 2013, January 6th 2014 and January 6th 2014, was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Gonzalez. Motion passed 7-0.
d. Department reports-
i. Fire Department- Report for month of December 2013: Training & Education, Incidents by Time & Day
ii. Department of Code Enforcement- Report for month of December 2013:Building Division Permits Issued, Complaints Report
iii. City Clerk Department- Report for month of December 2013:Distribution Report
iv. Department of Public Works- Report for month of December 2013:Department Activity Report
v. Finance Department- Report for month of November 2013: Monthly General Fund Expenditure Summary
vi. Department of Planning & Economic Development: Report for month of December 2013: December 2013 Report
vii. Department of Parks & Recreation- Report for month of December 2013: December 2013
viii. Police Department- Report for month of December 2013: Monthly Council Report
Motion of approve the Department reports for month of December 2013, was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Council requested clarification on the Finance Department report. Question was answered by Mr. Robert McDonald. Motion passed 7-0
e. 2014 City Council Regular Meeting Schedule
Motion of approve the appointment of Ms. Nayrobi Almonte to the Personnel Board was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Councilwomen Johnson and Ristaino-Siegel spoke on behalf of Ms. Almonte. Motion passed 7-0.
7. Licenses
a. Business Licenses
| Class of License | Owner | Business Information |
| C-Variety New | El Mana Mini Market | d/b/a El Mana Mini Market 473 Hunt St. |
| General Service Renewal | Thomas Lamoureux | d/b/a Instant Tax Service 1359 Broad St. |
| A-Restaurant New (amendment) | Milsa Rodriguez Esvin Hernandez | d/b/a Nutrition Fitness Center 777 Broad St |
| C- Variety Renewal | International Food Market | d/b/a International Food Market 850 Broad St. |
| General Service New | Mike Winter | d/b/a Builder Surplus 3-11 Conduit St. |
Motion to approve the license application of El Mana Mini Market was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion passed 7-0.
Motion to approve the license application of Thomas Lamoureux was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion passed 7-0
Motion to approve the license application of Milsa Rodriguez and Esvin Hernandez was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion passed 7-0.
Motion to approve the license application of International Food Market was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Motion passed 7-0.
Motion to approve the license application of Mike Winter was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion passed 7-0.
b. Constable & Private Investigator Licenses
| 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 Gaffrey
| 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 |
|
Motion to table Item 7b, Constable Licenses was made by Counciwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Gonzalez. Colonel Mendonca spoke about the licenses and expressed his department’s concern regarding the process by which licenses are approved. Motion passed 7-0.
| Private Investigator Renewal 2014 | |
| Name | Address |
| Edward J. Stepper d/b/a NWI Investigative Group, Inc. | 10 Walnut Hill Park Cranston, RI |
Motion to approve the Private Investigator license application of Edward Stepper was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Motion passed 7-0.
8. Appointment of Municipal Court Judge
Raymond Cooney
111 Clay Street
Central Falls, RI 02863
Motion to approve the appointment of Judge Raymond Cooney to the Municipal Court was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion passed 7-0.
9. Election of Probate Judge
Councilwoman Shelby Maldonado nominated Bruce Sawyer to the position of Probate Judge. Motion to approve the nomination was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion 7-0
10. Abatements- Submitted by Tax Assessor
Motion to approve the tax abatements as presented by the office of Tax Assessor was made by Councilwoman Johnson, seconded by Councilwoman Gonzalez. Mr. Bob Battey explained what is an abatement; how an abatement is awarded and reminded the Council that Mr. Len Morganis, AFO, reviewed and approve the abatements. Motion passed 7-0.
| Property Owner | Tax Year | Property Information |
| Baines Oar & Bachowski LLC | 2013 | RE @ 15-19 Pacific & 22 Summit Sts; AP 1, Lot 19 |
| Raymond J Dalessio Jr., Trustee & Dawn M Dalessio, Trustee | 2013 | RE @ 158 Blackstone St; AP 2, Lot 19 |
| Zoraida Rodriguez | 2013 | RE @ 82 Hawes St; AP 5, Lot 294 |
| James Scotti Inc. | 2013 | RE @ 37 Hedley Av; AP 4, Lot 164 |
| James Scotti Inc. | 2013 | RE @ 133 Summer St; AP 6, Lot 448 |
| Cesar Zuleta et ux Donatila | 2013 | RE @ 598 Dexter St; AP 8, Lot 69 |
| ZKM Management LLC | 2013 | RE @ 57 Garfield St; AP 6, Lot 159 |
11. Petition of the National Grid for Joint or Identical Pole Location- request of permission by The National Grid and The Verizon for joint pole location at 500 High Street, Central Falls.
Motion to approve petition from National Grid was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion passed 7-0.
12. Claims to be referred to The Trust
a. Robert J. Levine, Esq. for his client Juan Avila, of 72 Hedley St. Central Falls, RI: for alleged personal injuries sustained on November 21, 2013 due to uneven pavement on Cowden Street.
b. Richard A. Sinapi, Esq. for his client, Richard A. Hartley, for alleged damages sustained as result of unlawful discrimination in hiring/employment.
Motion to refer items 13a and 13b to the Trust was made by Councilwoman Johnson, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion passed.
13. Ordinance Amending Maximum Number of Employees in City Departments FY2014- Introduction
Ordinance was introduced by Council President Ferri.
14. Ordinance Amending Salaries of Department Heads & Others in Unclassified Service- Introduction
Ordinance was introduced by Council President Ferri. Council requested clarification on the position to be added. Mr. Andy Andujar, Chief of Staff, spoke on the matter.
15. Appointments by Mayor James Diossa
a. City Clerk
Sonia Grace
1117 Lonsdale Avenue
Central Falls, RI 02863
Motion to approve the appointment of Ms. Sonia Grace to the position of City Clerk was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion passed 7-0.
b. City Solicitor
Matthew Jerzyk, Esq.
88 Woodbury Rd.
Cranston, RI 02905
Motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Matthew Jerzyk to the position of City Solicitor was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Motion passed 7-0.
c. Planning Commission
Albert Romanowicz
303 Central St.
Central Falls, RI 02863
Motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Albert Romanowicz to the Planning Commission was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilman Gonzalez. Motion passed 7-0.
d. Personnel Board
Douglas Pendergrass
97 Clay Street
Central Falls, RI 02863
Motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Douglas Pendergrass to the Personnel Board was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilman Racquier. Motion passed 7-0.
e. Purchasing Board
Jose Ortiz
169 Cottage St.
Central Falls, RI 02863
Motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Jose Ortiz to the Purchasing Board was made by Councilwoman Johnson, seconded by Councilman Racquier. Motion passed 7-0.
16. Comments by Mayor James Diossa
Mayor Diossa was not present
17. Appointment of City Councilors to committees
a. Claims Committee Chair- Councilor Tammi Johnson
b. Liquor Board Chair- Councilor Tia Ristaino-Siegel
c. Finance Committee Chair- Councilor Stephanie Gonzalez
d. Community Liaisons
i. Public Safety- Councilor Shelby Maldonado
ii. Education- Councilor Hugo Figueroa
iii. Nuisance Properties Task Force- Councilor Tia Ristaino-Siegel
iv. Public Works- Councilor Ann Racquier
v. Recreation- Councilor Tammi Johnson
Council President Ferri explained the roles of the committees. He also explained that the goal of community liaisons is to provide feedback to the council and the residents. Mr. Ferri encouraged the councilors to meet staff of the city’s departments.
18. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Meeting adjourned at 6:33pm.
Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws § 42-46-4, the City Council reserves the right to convene in executive session on any of the aforementioned items for one or more of the purposes listed in Rhode Island General Laws § 42-46-5(1)-(10).
Respectfully submitted February 1, 2014.
Sonia Grace
City Clerk
Approved February 10, 2014
The City of Central Falls is an equal opportunity employer ADA/EOE.
TDD/TTY 401-727-7450.
This notice is posted in City Hall, Police Department, Department of Public Works, on www.centralfallsri.us and with the Office of the Secretary of State pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws.
To review Notice of Citizen’s Rights visit the Attorney General’s webpage at www.riag.ri.gov