City of Central Falls
Council Meeting
Central Falls City Hall
580 Broad St.
Central Falls, RI 02863
Monday, May 12, 2014
6:30 p.m.
Meeting Minutes
Meeting was called to order by Council President Bob Ferri at 6:33pm.
1. Roll Call
Roll call was conducted by City Clerk, Sonia Grace. Present were Councilors Robert Ferri, Stephanie Gonzalez, Tammi Johnson, Shelby Maldonado, Ann Racquier, and Tia Ristaino-Siegel.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Conducted during meeting of Claims Committee immediately preceding Council meeting
3. Public Comment
Edna Poulin, 68 Notre Dame St. Hunt St: spoke on the condition of roads, especially Hunt St. Asked about status of FY2015 budget.
Reynaldo Perez, 25 Cowden, St: (Andy Andujar translating) requested that median stripes on Broad St. be painted with the colors of the Colombian flag to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the first Colombian immigrants to Central Falls. Mr. Perez was referred to the Department of Public Works.
Dan Klotz,111 Tremont St: invited Council to attend panel discussion about engaging youth, sponsored by the Central Falls School District and The Pawtucket Times. The event will take place on Tuesday, June 15th at 3pm at the high school auditorium.
Councilman Hugo Figueroa joined the meeting at 6:43pm.
4. Consideration of Petition for License
|
| Class of License | Owner | Business Information |
| a. | New | Samuel Hernandez | Salud Y Vida 795 Broad St. |
| b. | Renewal | Cristian Tabares | La Casona Restaurant 768 Broad St. |
| c. | New | Ilham A. Belguti | CF Mini Market 179 Illinois St. |
a. Motion to approve the application of Samuel Hernandez was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion passed 7-0.
b. Motion to approve the application of Cristian Tabares was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Maldonado. Motion passed 7-0.
c. Motion to approve the application of Ilham A. Belguti was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Johnson. Colonel James Mendonca, Chief of Police, spoke about he previous business at the same location that was raided for illegal activity and subsequently closed. Colonel Mendonca indicated he did not see any reason to deny this application based on past activity. Councilors discussed ordinance that prohibit congregation on sidewalks. Motion passed 7-0.
5. Consideration of petition for event permit:
a. Erika N. Carter
Peace Walk
Jenks Park; Sunday May 25th, 12:30pm-2:30pm
Miss Erika Carter, a senior high school student at Blackstone Academy spoke about the event. Ms. Carter explained that this is a requirement for senior portfolio on community violence and how it impact children’s behavior. Miss Carter expects sixty students.
Ms. Carter requested to change the date of the event to Saturday, May 24th.
Colonel James Mendonca gave his approval and commended Miss Carter for all her work.
Councilors expressed their approval for this event and recommended that Miss Carter communicate with the Central Falls School Districts and other schools. Councilors also offered to participate and volunteer where needed.
Motion to approve the application of Erika Carter was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion passed 7-0.
6. Consideration of appointments by Mayor James Diossa
a. Central Falls Zoning Board
Kevin Kazarian
329 Central Street
Appointment; term to expire 12/31/2015
Motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Kevin Kazarian was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion passed 7-0.
b. Central Falls Detention Facility
i. R. Kelly Sheridan
253 Freeman Parkway
Providence, RI
ii. Carlene Fonseca
184 Shawmut Ave.
Central Falls, RI
Andy Andujar, Chief of Staff, on behalf of Mayor James Diossa thanked Mr. Brendan Doherty and Mr. Ken Cabral for their service on behalf of the Wyatt Detention Facility.
Mr. Sheridan spoke and thanked the Council for the opportunity to serve.
Mr. Andujar explained the Ms. Fonseca could not stay and had to return to work.
Motion to approve the appointments of Mr. R. Kelly Sheridan and Ms. Carlene Fonseca, collectively, was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier and Councilman Figueroa. Motion passed 7-0.
- Presentation of the Central Falls Police Department 2013 Annual Report- Colonel James Mendonca
Colonel James Mendonca, chief of the Police Department, explained the annual requirement that he submit the report to the Mayor. As courtesy, he wanted to present it to the Council as well.
Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel inquired about the total cost for items on page 30. Colonel Mendonca explained that most are grant funded. The estimated cost of the a new air conditioner system is $50,000 and the computer server is $35-50,000.
- Consideration of a request for waiver of Subdivision Application fees for Holy Spirit Corp.
Mr. Stephen Larrick, Director of the Department of Planning and Economic Development, explained that Holy Spirit wished to sell the property where St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Academy is currently housed. The two adjoining properties were connected in 1993. Cost being considered is $3000.
Motion to approve waiver of subdivision application fees was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. 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.
- Resolution of the Central Falls City Council Expressing Deep Concern for the Condition of Dexter Street
Councilman Ferri explained that this resolution will be sent to the RI Department of Transportation and to members of the General Assembly. The City Council will also invite Director Lewis of the RIDOT to appear at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Council.
Motion to approve resolution was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Maldonado. Motion passed 7-0.
10. Ordinance amending Article VI of Chapter 2 by adding section 2-232, creating The Central Falls Pension Protection Ordinance – First Reading and Consideration (Gonzalez)
Motion to approve first reading of ordinance was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion passed 7-0.
11. Ordinance amending Article I, Chapter 12, Section 12- “Registration of Business Name”- First Reading and Consideration (Ferri)
Motion to approve first reading of ordinance was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Maldonado. Motion passed 7-0.
12. Ordinance amending Chapter 10: Buildings and Building Regulations; Article II: Property Maintenance; Division 2: Administration; Subdivision II: Violations. –Introduction (Ristaino-Siegel)
Ordinance was introduced.
13. Consideration of meeting minutes
Motion to approve meeting minutes with amendments, was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier.
Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilman Figueroa.
Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel request amendments to item 3.
Motion to table approval of meeting minutes of April 23, 2014 was made by Councilwoman Johnson, seconded by Councilwomen Ristaino-Siegel and Gonzalez. Motion passed 7-0.
14. Receipt of department reports
a. Fire Department- Report for month of April 2014: Training & Education, Incidents by Time & Day
b. City Clerk Department- Report for month of April 2014:Distribution Report
c. Department of Public Works- Report for month of April 2014:Department Activity Report
d. Police Department- Report for month of March 2014: Monthly Council Report
e. Finance Department- Report for month of March & April 2014: Monthly General Fund Expenditure Summary
f. Department of Code Enforcement- Report for month of April 2014:Building Division Permits Issued, Complaints Report
g. Department of Planning & Economic Development: Report for month of April 2014: April 2014Report
h. Law Department- Report for month of April 2014: Monthly Council Report
i. Human Resources Department- Report for month of April 2014
Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel asked Ms. Cynthia DeJesus, Acting Director of Finance, how to find the balance in each line item. Ms. DeJesus said it can be found on page 2 of the report.
Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel asked Ms. Leslie Jacobo, Director of Human Resources about FY13/14 renewals. Ms. Jacobo explained there during receivership, renewal costs were estimates and that she expects the City to receive a $20,000 credit
Motion to receive and place on file was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion passed 7-0.
15. Correspondence from Mayor James Diossa: Proclamation Affiliating Central Falls, Rhode Island with the Welcoming Cities and Counties Initiative.
Motion to receive and place on file was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier and Councilman Figueroa. Motion passed 7-0.
16. Correspondence
a. Town of Middletown: Resolution of the Town Council regarding Municipal Road and Bridge Revolving Fund: request for support
b. Town of Middletown: Resolution of the Town Council regarding Master Level Law, RIGL 17-19-15: request for support
Motion to receive and place on file was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Johnson. Motion passed 7-0.
17. Good & Welfare from City Councilors- updates, announcements, reports from councilors in regards to community liaisons and events.
Councilman Ferri spoke on exhibit at City Hall about the train accident in Central Falls that propelled nation to make substantial improvements in railway travel.
Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel announced community clean-ups on May 17th and 31st. She also announced an event on June 7 at the Central Falls Library featuring actor Alec Balwin and a fundraiser Pigroast on May 31 to benefit the Holiday Express.
Councilman Figueroa gave update on Central Falls School District’s parent college.
18. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Johnson. Meeting adjourned at 7:39pm.
Submitted June 9, 2014
Approved June 9, 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