City of Central Falls
City Council Meeting
Central Falls City Hall
580 Broad St. Central Falls, RI 02863
Friday, February 13, 2015
5:30 p.m.
Council President Robert Ferri called the Central Falls City Council meeting to order at 5:01 pm 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, Ann Racquier, and Tia Ristaino-Siegel.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council President Robert Ferri.
3. Public Comment
Thomas Lazieh, 1072 Lonsdale Ave.- asked questions pertaining to several items on the meeting’s agenda.
4. Consideration of appointment of Robert J. McConnell as Associate Municipal Court (Housing Court) Judge (Racquier)
Councilwoman Racquier introduced Attorney McConnell. City Solicitor Matthew Jerzyk also spoke on behalf of Mr. McConnell who was present and thanked the City of Central Falls for the opportunity to act as Associate Municipal Court Judge.
Motion to appoint Robert J. McConnell as Associate Municipal Court Judge was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Roll call vote: Councilman Robert Ferri: yes; Councilman Hugo Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Stephanie Gonzalez: yes; Councilwoman Ann Racquier: yes; Councilwoman Tia Ristaino-Siegel: yes. Motion carried 5-0.
Motion to move item #5 to item #6 was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 5-0.
- Consideration of petition of JKM Enterprises, LLC, d/b/a Lighthouse Laundromat, 900 Broad St. for permission to extend work hours after closing
Mr. John M., owner of JKM Enterprises, explained that the laundromat will close at its regular time of 11pm but employees, will remain in the store doing laundry. The store will not be open to the public during those hours.
Colonel James Mendonca, Chief of the Central Falls Police Department, confirmed that there have been no issues at this business address.
Motion to approve the extended hours of JKM Enterprises, LLC, d/b/a Lighthouse Laundromat was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Gonzalez. Roll call vote: Councilman Robert Ferri: yes; Councilman Hugo Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Stephanie Gonzalez: yes; Councilwoman Ann Racquier: yes; Councilwoman Tia Ristaino-Siegel: yes. Motion carried 5-0.
6. Consideration of Petition for License (tabled on January 12, 2015)
| Class of License | Owner | Business Information |
| C-Variety Extended (24) Hours | Three Ten International, Inc. | 7-Eleven Store #35008A 603 Hunt Street
|
Mr. Madhukar Varshney introduced himself and spoke on behalf of 7-Eleven. He was accompanied by Mr. James Krause, a company representative.
City Clerk, Sonia Grace, clarified the issue of hours of operation and explained that the store had been granted such privilege in 2012.
Motion to approve the license transfer was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Motion carried 5-0.
7. Public Hearing- Request for public input and comment on the City of Central Falls “Year 11 RIPDES MS4 Report,” as required by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.
Mrs. Elaine Partridge, Director of Public Works and Code Enforcement explained the report, reviewed the activities conducted in 2014 and took questions from the Council and the public. Questions were asked about the timeframe of the report and its activities, future and past goals of the city. Mrs. Partridge was thanked and congratulated on the work her department achieved.
Motion to accept the report and place on file was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 5-0.
8. Resolution of the Central Falls City Council supporting legislation (S-0068-Crowley and H-5312 Maldonado) that exempts the premises at 721-723 Broad Street, Central Falls (Assessor's 2 plat 1, lot 164) from the restrictions imposed by section 3-7-19 regarding the issuance of a liquor license to the premises located within two hundred feet of a church or school. (Racquier)
Mr. Hernan Florez, owner of La Sorpresa, was present.
Motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Gonzalez. Motion carried 5-0.
9. Consideration of Agreement to stay tax sale in Central Falls with regards to Plat 8, Lots 1, 1-2, 1-3, 323, 326 and 327.
City Solicitor Matthew Jerzyk explained the agreement and answered questions from the Council.
Motion to approve the agreement to stay tax sale was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 5-0.
10. Ordinance creating the Central Falls Tree Ordinance-Introduction (Ferri)
Ordinance introduced by Councilman Ferri.
11. Ordinance amending the Central Falls Zoning Ordinance: Appendix A, “Zoning”- Introduction (Ristaino-Siegel)
Ordinance introduced by Councilman Ferri.
12. Ordinance amending Chapter 12, “Businesses”, Article X, “Tobacco Dealers”- Introduction
(Ristaino-Siegel)
Ordinance introduced by Councilman Ferri.
13. Ordinance amending Chapter 14, “Courts,” Article II “Municipal Court”- Introduction (Ferri by request)
Ordinance introduced by Councilman Ferri.
14. Citation of congratulations to the New England Patriots for its win of Super Bowl XLIX.
Councilman Ferri spoke about the citation.
15. Good & Welfare from City Councilors- updates, announcements, reports from councilors in regards to community liaisons and events
Councilwoman Racquier-Thanked a neighbor who, during the snow storm, plowed the entrance to the library.
Councilwoman Gonzalez- Invitation to event on March 7, 2015 at City Council Chamber to celebrate International Women’s Day.
Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel- Invitation to the Central Falls Lyons Snowflake Breakfast on February 21, 2015 at St. George’s Church, 9-11:30am.
Councilman Ferri- Congratulated the Central Falls Police Department for its recent successful apprehension of drug dealers.
16. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Meeting adjourned at 6:35pm.
Approved March 9, 2015
Sonia Grace
City Clerk