1.       Roll Call

Roll call was conducted by City Clerk, Sonia Grace. Present were Councilors Robert Ferri, Hugo Figueroa, Stephanie Gonzalez, Shelby Maldonado, Ann Racquier, and Tia Ristaino-Siegel. Councilwoman Johnson was absent.

2.      Pledge of Allegiance

Motion to move Item 4, Presentation: Basic Financial Statements and Supplementary Information to (Year Ended June 30, 2013), was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel.

Motion passed 6-0

3.      Public Comment

-Edna Poulin, 68 Notre Dame St.- requested copy of  audit, requested a presentation to the Council. Inquired how the surplus going to be spent? Budget should be balanced.

-Thomas Lazieh, 1072 Lonsdale Ave.-  audit concerned with budget. Budget was not balanced.  taxes should not have been raised. What is the cost of trash privatization.

4.      Moved to item 10B

5.      Consideration of Petition for License

a.      Motion to table the application of Ideal Sports cafe was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel Motion passed 6-0.

b.      Motion to approve the application of Jamie Velazquez was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel Motion passed 6-0.

c.       Motion to approve the application of Jamie Velazquez was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel Motion passed 6-0.

d.      Motion to approve the application of Douglas Sosa was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilman Figueroa Motion passed 6-0.

e.      Motion to approve the application of Jovita Perez was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Gonzalez Motion passed 6-0.

f.        Motion to approve the application of Qing Hui Zeng was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel Motion passed 6-0.

6.      Consideration of petitions for event permit

Holy Spirit Parish

1030 Dexter St.

Motion to approve the application of Holy Spirit Parish was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel Motion passed 6-0.

7.      Consideration of appointments to the Juvenile Hearing Board by Mayor James Diossa Appointments; term to expire 03/31/2017

a.      Simone Barzykowski

145 Shawmut Ave.

b.      Margarita Cardona

106 Perry St.

c.       Joseph Godin

14 Illinois St.

d.      Maria Del Socorro Duque

455 Hunt St.

e.      Juan Pena

417 Pine St.

f.        Adriana Saldarriaga

51 Notre Dame St.

Motion to approve the appointments to the Juvenile Hearing board, collectively was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilman Figueroa

Major Barzykowski and Detective Rogan spoke on the appointments and the format of the Juvenile Hearing Board. Detective Rogan expressed the City’s goal to assist youth in avoiding contact with the Family Court system and the  interest to incorporate Restorative Practice Theory in the Juvenile Hearing Board.

Councilwoman Gonzalez requested that the Council receive more information on the board at a future date.

Major Barzykowski informed that Councilwoman Maldonado will represent the Council and will abreast of all its work.

 Motion passed 6-0.

8.      Correspondence from Mayor James Diossa- Resolution Declaring April 1, 2014 National Service Recognition Day.

Motion to accept correspondence from Mayor James Diossa was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier.

Motion passed 6-0

9.      Consideration of claims to be referred to the Claims Committee

a.      Thomas M. Pastore of 48 Depot St, N. Attleborough, MA, for alleged damage to personal vehicle sustained on February 19^th, 2014 while travelling on Hunt St.

b.      Edwin Fontes of 13 Longmeadow Rd, Lincoln, RI, for alleged damage to property sustained on March 1, 2014.

Motion to refer claims to Claims Committee was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Maldonado. Motion passed 6-0.

10.   Ordinance Creating the Gender Equity in the Workplace Act- Second Reading, Public Hearing (Gonzalez)

Public Hearing:

-Councilwoman Gonzalez- work has been done to ensure that the ordinance conforms to other laws. Councilwoman Gonzalez will work with Mayor’s office to ensure proper communication with business owners. Accommodations requested to pregnant women, i.e. 5 min breaks are not too much to ask. Council should be standing up for women’s rights.

-Nicole Verdi: Researched why federal law is not adequate. Pregnant women do not get the protection under Federal Law..

-Thomas Lazieh: Questions  regarding second page, Item 6: how it relates and how it would effect “ any entity contracted with the City of Central Falls”? If the company is not based in Central Falls, will there be potential litigation for the city.

-Shandi Hanna: Representing the Women’s Fund of RI. Statistics are difficult to find that reflect how many violations exist. Women tend to be scarred and do not have money to pay for lawyer. Central Falls is 52% women, 2/3 of min wage jobs are women’s. Women tend to put their financial stress above their health and that of their children. Ordinance requires low cost accommodations that are reasonable and would not prevent a business from coming to Central Falls.

Councilwoman Maldonado: Ordinance is amazing. Sees daily the work of women who work in difficult conditions. These are reasonable accommodations. Ordinance has room to amend as needed; Council can make word changes, to make it better.

Councilman Ferri: Takes courage to step forward and introduce an ordinance like this. Does not believe it is a controversial issue. Ordinance would pass legal muster.

Solicitor Jerzyk: City Council can make ordinance apply only to businesses licensed to do business in Central Falls.

Motion to take from the table entertainment license application of Ideal Sports Café was made by Councilman Figueroa, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier.

Discussion with council regarding day of the week and times. Ideal Sports Café  agreed Council’s restriction to host entertainment Friday and Saturday, ending at 11pm.

Motion passed 6-0

10B. Presentation: Basic Financial Statements and Supplementary Information (Year Ended June 30, 2013)

Presentation of the audit with highlights of specific pages and sections:

Pages 2&3—Opinion of financial statements

Pages 3-10—MDNA- results from finance director

Page 13—Funds of the city—fund balances, cumulative until June 2013. $1.1 mil is committed/ encumbrances; Bankruptcy plan requires that $50K can go to uncommitted; the rest must be allocated to capital reserve fund

Page 14—revenues and expenses

(Councilwoman Maldonado leaves the room 7:02 pm, returns 7:03pm)

Footnotes

Page 18, 19, 20—accounting policies

Page 22—capital reserve fund description

Page 33—detail of long-term debt

Page 36—fund balances (restricted)

Page 37-42—Pension obligations- MERS & City (police & fire)

Page 44—summary of bankruptcy—what city saved based on bankruptcy order

Page 47—budget to actual statements

Conclusion: City is funding pensions in appropriate manner, exceeded tax collections, spent less than budgeted. City is conforming tobankruptcy plan.

Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel asked for clarification on PILOT, sales of assets and contingency accounts. Rob Macdonald, Finance Director, explained that PILOT includes organizations such as Children’s Friend and Service and the Central Falls Housing Authority; sales of assets include three former school buildings. Auditors explained that breakdown of contingency costs.

Councilman Figueroa and Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel asked about costs delineated on page 6. Director Macdonald explained retirement costs and grants.

11.    Ordinance amending Article II, Section 1: Sec. 20-40: Fire Division Vacancies- Introduction (Ferri)

Motion to approve introduction of ordinance was made by Councilwoman Racquier.

Motion passed 6-0

12.   Resolution of the City Council Approving the Purchase of a Property (Figueroa)

Steve Larrick: permission to City to use federal funds, intend to rehabilitate.

Building will be used to support the Central Falls School District/Rhode Island College Innovation Lab, an innovative model used in other cities with great results.

Purchase will fulfill the goals of the federal funds.

Motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilman Figueroa.

Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel inquired about the City’s ability to rehab the property, whether the property was foreclosed; was the property inspected and the estimate to conduct such work; and whether the property would be taken off the tax rolls.

Mr. Jerzyk and Mr. Larrick spoke on the matter. They explained that funds will come from the Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation and other private sources. Mr. Jerzyk explained that this resolution does not obligate the city to purchase and that an inspection will be scheduled, pending Council approval of resolution, with the appropriate city departments.

Mr. Larrick also explained that funds for this purchase will be closely monitored by the state and federal departments of HUD.

Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: recuse; Councilwoman Gonzalez: recuse; Councilwoman Maldonado: yes; Councilwoman Racquier: yes; Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel: no. Motion passed 3-1.

13.   Good & Welfare from City Councilors- updates, announcements, reports from councilors in regards to community liaisons and events.

-Councilwoman Maldonado: Rabbies clinic April 12^th in partnership with the City of Pawtucket. Rabbies vaccines as well as dog registrations will be available.

-Councilwoman Gonzalez: newly established Central Falls Alumni Association will work with schools and city to foster a culture of achievement and be a resource to students. Event is scheduled for April 17 5:30-8pm at the Madeira Club.

Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel:  Nuisance Property Task Force will meeting at on March 26^th at 12pm.

Councilman Ferri: meeting with representative of  Osram-Sylvania was held on March 24^th. Included Mayor Don Grebien, Director of RI Department of Labor & Training Charles Fogarty, union member and Councilors.

Coutu Memorial Park walk/race will take place at Slater park, on Sunday, March 30^th.

14.   Adjournment

Motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Meeting adjourned at 7:40pm.

Respectfully Submitted April 10, 2014

Approved April 14, 2014

The City of Central Falls is an equal opportunity employer ADA/EOE.

TDD/TTY 401-727-7450.

To review Notice of Citizen’s Rights visit the Attorney General’s webpage at www.riag.ri.gov