City of Central Falls
City Council Meeting
Central Falls City Hall
580 Broad St. Central Falls, RI 02863
Monday, April 13, 2015
6:00 p.m.
Council President Robert Ferri called the Central Falls City Council meeting to order at the Central Falls Council Chambers at 6:01.
1. Roll Call
Roll call was conducted by Assistant City Clerk, Sean Murphy. Present were Councilors Robert Ferri, Hugo Figueroa, Stephanie Gonzalez, Ann Racquier, Kenneth Vaudreuil, and Tia Ristaino-Siegel. Councilor Fonseca appeared at 6:03
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council President Robert Ferri.
3. Public Comment
Thomas Lazieh of 1072 Lonsdale Ave. Central Falls spoke about delinquent tax rate of certain properties, and asked licensing question pertaining to marijuana.
Colonel Mendonca asked for council support on the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center grant application.
Director Giraldo made everyone aware that the Earth Day Cleanup would take place April 25, 2015.
4. Mayoral citation to Mr. Carlos Ocampo for his support in running an after school sports program
Mayor Diossa and Director Giraldo commented on the outstanding services that Mr. Ocampo provided for the support of the children of Central Falls.
5. Consideration of Forbearance Agreement by and among Central Falls Detention Facility Corporation, the City of Central Falls and U.S. Bank National Association.
City Solicitor Jerzyk spoke of the agreement. He answered questions from councilors Gonzalez, Ristaino-Siegel, and Vaudreuil. He mentioned that this is a start and that it is a four year agreement, and that in year three the interested parties would get back together to discuss the agreement moving forward. Motion to accept the agreement was made by Councilor Gonzalez and seconded by Ristaino Siegel. Motion approved 7-0. So moved.
Items number 6 & 7 were moved to before item number 12. The members of the RI Delegation would not be arriving until after 7:00pm.
6. Resolution of the Central Falls City Council supporting legislation (H-5434 Regunberg) that expands the powers of the Health and Educational Building Corporation in regard to the financing and granting of approval for school facility projects. Representative McLaughlin, Representative Regensburg, and Senator Pearson spoke on behalf of this legislation.
7. Resolution of the Central Falls City Council supporting legislation (S-100 Pearson) that expands the powers of the Health and Educational Building Corporation in regard to the financing and granting of approval for school facility projects and also provides for a seventy million dollar appropriation
- Consideration of petitions for event permit
a. Navigant Credit Union
Navigant Credit Union 100th Anniversary- July 24, 2015, 6-10pm, Jenks Park
Director Giraldo made the council aware that there would be fireworks, the event would last until 10:00pm, and that there would be a toast for a VIP crowd of 50 or less. Ross Silva, representing Navigant Credit Union was thrilled to be able to have this ceremony take place in such a beautiful setting. Motion made to approve by Counselor Racquier, seconded by Counselor Ristaino-Siegel. Motion approved 7-0.
9. Consideration of Petition for License
| Class of License | Owner | Business Information |
| Class C-Variety Transfer, New Owner | Hernandez Enterprise LLC
| Hernandez Market 135 Washington St. |
| Retail Sales | Euphoria LLC | Euphoria 783 Broad St. |
Mr. Hernandez was present to speak about his business plan. Col. Mendonca said he knows of no such incidents at the location. The council told Mr. Hernandez to not put signs on the sidewalk. Motion to approve license was made by Counselor Racquier, seconded by Counselor Gonzalez. Motion carried 7-0.
Applicant Erica Ramirez was present to speak about her business plan. Counselor Gonzalez translated for her. She was told by the council to not put any signs on the sidewalk. Motion to approve license was made by Counselor Gonzalez, seconded by Counselor Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 7-0.
10. Receipt of Department Reports
a. City Clerk Department- Report for month of March 2015: Distribution Report
b. Department of Code Enforcement- Report for month of March 2015:Building Division Permits Issued, Complaints Report
c. Department of Public Works- Report for month of March 2015: Department Activity Report
d. Finance Department- February 2015 Revenue and March 2015 Expense
e. Fire Department- Report for month of March 2013
f. Human Resources Department- Report for month of March 2015
g. Law Department- Report for month of March 2015
h. Parks & Recreation Department- Report for month of March 2015
i. Police Department- Report for month of March 2015
Counselor Ristaino-Siegel had a question regarding the HR report and a possible new position. Director Larrick addressed the council and said he would provide them with further information on this.
Counselor Figueroa addressed the Finance report and asked about negative line items. Director DeJesus addressed the question and will provide further answers to the council.
Counselor Ristaino-Siegel questioned a billable hour on the Legal report. Attorney Jerzyk replied what it was for.
Motion to approve the director reports was made by Counselor Gonzalez, seconded by Counselor Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 7-0.
11. Consideration of Claims
a. Executive Session pursuant to R.I.G.L § 42-46-5 (a)(2), pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation, or work sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation
Motion to go into executive session was made by Counselor Gonzalez, seconded by Counselor Ristaino-Siegel. Motion Carried 7-0 at 6:43pm.
Motion to exit executive session was made by Counselor Vaudreuil, seconded by Councilor Fonseca. Motion carried 7-0.
b. Lira Dye of 52 Humphrey St, East Providence, for alleged damages to personal vehicle on March 20, 2015
Motion to approve the claim of Lira Dye from the lowest of three appraisals was made Counselor Gonzalez, seconded Counselor Racquier. Motion approve 7-0.
c. Carol Irwin of 74 Rand St., Central Falls, for alleged damages to personal property
Motion to approve the claim of Carol Irwin from the appraisal was made by Counselor Gonzalez, seconded by Councilor Ristaino-Siegel. Motion approved 7-0.
d. Jose M Diaz of 159 Hedley Ave., Central Falls, for alleged damages to personal vehicle on March 25, 2015
Motion to refer Jose Diaz to claims committee was made by Counselor Vaudreuil, seconded by Councilor Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 7-0.
e. Gregory Alexander of 2130 Mendon Rd, Cumberland, for alleged damages to personal vehicle on March 4, 2015
Motion to refer Gregory Alexander to the claim committee was made by Counselor Gonzalez, seconded by Counselor Racquier. Motion carried 7-0.
12. Resolution approving the donation of land located at 95 Washington Street, Central Falls, R.I. Assessor’s Plat 5, Lot 226 (Ferri, by request)
Director Larrick spoke on the resolution. Motion to approve was made by Counselor Racquier, seconded by Counselor Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 7-0.
13. Resolution approving the acquisition of property located at 147-151 Summer St, Assessor’s Plat 6, Lot 118 (Ferri, by request)
Director Larrick spoke on the resolution. Motion to approve was made by Counselor Ristaino Siegel, seconded by Counselor Gonzalez. Motion carried 7-0.
14. Ordinance amending Article II “City Council,” of Chapter 2 “Administration”- Second Reading, Public Hearing and Consideration (Ferri, by request)
Thomas Lazieh of 1072 Lonsdale Ave. spoke in support of ordinance. Motion to approve was made by Counselor Gonzalez, seconded by Counselor Fonseca. Motion carried 7-0.
15. Ordinance amending Chapter 30, “Solid Waste,” Article IV “Recycling”- Introduction (Racquier)
Ordinance was introduced by Councilor Ferri.
16. Consideration of meeting minutes of March 9, 2015
Counselor Vaudreuil ask to have his name reflected as being present at the meeting of March 9, 2015. Counselor Ristaino Siegel ask to have the record reflect that the Counselors were not able to ask questions pertaining to Item #5.
Motion to approve the minutes with changes was made by Counselor Vaudreuil, seconded by Counselor Racquier. Motion carried 7-0.
17. Communication
a. From Mayor James A. Diossa regarding the Executive Order 2015-0002, Central Falls Nuisance Task Force
Assistant Solicitor Robert Weber was available for discussion.
b. From the Office of Planning and Economic Development regarding a new agreement with Zipcar to provide Car-Sharing service in Central Falls
Director Steve Larrick gave a brief suggestion of what Zipcars are and how the process would work. Counselor Fonseca mentioned that they are very useful and that she has had experience with them in Washington D.C.
18. Good & Welfare from City Councilors- updates, announcements, reports from councilors in regards to community liaisons and events
President Ferri thanked the Animal Control Officer Charlene Gaffney and all the volunteers for the successful job with the rabies clinic.
19. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made by Counselor Figueroa, seconded by Counselor Fonseca. Meeting adjourned at 7:54 pm.
Respectfully Summited
Sean Murphy
Assistant City Clerk
Approved December 14, 2015