City of Central Falls
Special Council Meeting
Central Falls City Hall
580 Broad St.
Central Falls, RI 02863
Monday, January 27, 2014
6:00 p.m.
Meeting Minutes
Council President Robert Ferri called the Central Falls City Council meeting to order at 6:08pm at the Central Falls Council Chambers.
1. Roll Call
Roll call was conducted by City Clerk, Sonia Grace. Present were Robert Ferri, Hugo Figueroa, Stephanie Gonzalez, Tammi Johnson, Ann Racquier and Tia Ristaino-Siegel. Councilwoman Shelby Maldonado arrived at 6:37pm.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance to the Unites States of America was led by Council President Robert Ferri.
3. A floor motion was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez that the agenda be modified so as to add Public Comments prior to agenda item Number 8. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion passed 6-0.
4. Resolution of Condolences to Family of Maureen Azar
Motion to approve resolution of condolences to the family of late Maureen Azar was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Gonzalez. Councilors spoke of the sadness caused by this untimely death and of the contributions of Ms. Azar during her many years in the Central Falls School District. Motion passed 6-0.
Council woman Gonzalez also spoke recent death of a student from the Ella Risk Elementary School, the same as Ms. Maureen Azar, due to a terminal illness. A moment of silence was observed on behalf of Ms. Azar and Christian Guzman.
4 Approval of the 2014 City Council Regular Meeting Schedule
Motion to approve the 2014 City Council Regular Meeting Schedule was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion passed 6-0
5. Ordinance Amending Maximum Number of Employees in City Departments FY2014- First Reading
Motion to approve the Ordinance Amending Maximum Number of Employees in City Departments FY2014 was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier.
Stephen Larrick, Director of Planning & Economic Development answered questions from the Council regarding the history of the department. Mr. Larrick explained that historically, the Planning department has had more employees and that Central Falls compares unfavorably to other communities in the structure and composition of its Planning and Economic Development department. Motion passed 6-0.
Councilwoman Maldonado joined the meeting at 6:37pm.
6. Ordinance Amending Salaries of Department Heads & Others in Unclassified Service- First Reading
Motion to approve Ordinance Amending Salaries of Department Heads & Others in Unclassified Service was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilman Figueroa.
Director Larrick, spoke on the purpose and need of this position. Director Larrick requested that the Council approve motion with revised title. Councilors asked for clarification on the title change, job description and the origin of the funds to pay for this position.
City Clerk Sonia Grace, per request of the council, agreed to follow up with the office of Len Morganis, Administration and Finance Office on a guarantee that the funds for this position are available and will be guaranteed in the future.
Motion to amend the ordinance to reflect new title: Business Outreach and Public Relations Coordinator was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion passed 7-0
7. Approval of appointments by Mayor James Diossa
a. Personnel Board
Nayrobi Almonte
191 Hunt St.
Central Falls
Reappointment, for a term of one year ending 12/31/2014
Motion to 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.
b. Personnel Board
Richard Robolledo
217 Cross St.
Central Falls
Reappointment, for a term of one year ending 12/31/2014
Motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Richard Robolledo to the Personnel Board was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Johnson. Motion passed 7-0
c. Board of Appeals
Yuliana Palacio
45 Walnut St.
Central Falls
Appointment, for a term of one year ending 12/31/2014
Motion to approve the appointment of Ms. Yaliana Palacio to the Board of Appeals was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion passed 7-0
d. Board of Canvassers
Maria Rivera
324 Hunt St.
Central Falls
Democrat
Appointment; Term to expire 2/18/19
Motion to table appointment of Ms. Maria Rivera until the meeting of February 10, 2014 was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier.
City Solicitor Matt Jerzyk explained that, due to the vacancy in the City of Central Falls’ democratic party chairmanship, Mayor Diossa is allowed to appointment members of the Board of Canvassers. Mr. Jerzyk also clarified the composition Board and the requirements for service.
Council President Ferri explained that this postponement of this appointment does not reflect the council’s lack of approval of the Ms. Rivera’s qualifications.
8. Public Comment
a. Angelo Garcia, Head of School of Segue, National School Choice Week: Segue celebrating families’ ability to practice choice during school choice week. Mr. Garcia asked the Councilors to wear yellow scarves in support. Mr. Garcia gave on to each member of the council and one for Mayor Diossa.
b. Edna Poulin, 68 Notre Dame St. Spoke on the timing of the city’s audit, asked that she be able to get a copy of the meeting agenda from the City Clerk’s office and requested more detail from finance reports.
c. Thomas Lazieh, 1072 Lonsdale Ave. Apologized for missing last meeting’s public comments and congratulated the council on its election. Mr. Lazier shared his concern that name to be appointed to the Board of Canvassers was not on the list he supplied to the City Clerk’s office in December 2013.
d. Steve Larrick, Director of Planning & Economic Development. Clarified that a personnel ordinance signed by Mayor Thomas Lazieh, in 1991, established the number of employees in the Planning Department at six.
9. Discussion on introduction and approval of Ordinances, Resolutions and Citations.
City Solicitor Matthew Jerzyk explained the difference between ordinance, resolution and citations. He explained how each is introduced to and acted on by the City Council.
10. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn made by Councilwoman Gonzalez and seconded by Council Racquier. Motion passed 7-0.
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 on 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