City of Central Falls
City Council Meeting
Central Falls City Hall
580 Broad St.
Central Falls, RI 02863
Monday, January 12, 2015
6:00 p.m.
Council President Robert Ferri called the Central Falls City Council meeting to order at 6:03 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
Mr. Joshua Giraldo, Director of Department of Parks & Recreation- announced the Martin Luther King Day celebration on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 6pm at City Hall.
Ms. Edna Poulin, 68 Notre Dame St.- asked several questions of the council pertaining to the FY2014 audit, the reports of the Human Resources department and the executive order on the meeting’s agenda.
Mr. Thomas Lazieh, 1072 Lonsdale Ave.- informed the Council of his intention to run for City Council, Ward 5. He also asked several questions of the council pertaining reports submitted by department directors, and the status of the Osram-Silvania building.
Lorraine Savard, 76 Emmett St. - informed the Council of her intention to run for City Council, Ward 5.
Angelo Garcia, 40 Hawes St.- informed the Council of his intention to run for City Council, At-Large.
Representative James McLaughlin- invited Council to meet with him to discuss the needs of the city and to visit the State House for meetings with state officials.
Jean Morris, 30 Washington St.- Ms. Morris spoke about the rides given to senior citizens and the short notice they are given.
4. Receipt of department reports
a. City Clerk Department- Report for month of December 2014: Distribution Report
b. Department of Code Enforcement- Report for month of December 2014:Building Division Permits Issued, Complaints Report
c. Department of Planning & Economic Development- Report for the month of December 2014
d. Department of Public Works- Report for month of December 2014: Department Activity Report
e. Finance Department- December r 2014 Expenditure Report and Capital Improvement Fund
f. Fire Department- Memo regarding monthly reports
g. Human Resources Department- Report for the month of December 2014
h. Law Department- Report for month of December 2014: Monthly Council Report
i. Parks & Recreation- Report for the month of December 2014
j. Police Department- Report for month of December 2014: Monthly Council Report
Councilors asked questions of several directors pertaining to reports submitted. Questions were answered by director Steve Larrick, director Elaine Partridge, director Cynthia DeJesus, City Clerk Sonia Grace, City Solicitor Matthew Jerzyk, Colonel James Mendonca and Deputy Chief Keith Sullivan.
Motion to receive reports and place them on file was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Motion carried 5-0.
5. Consideration of Petition for License
|
| Class of License | Owner | Business Information |
| a. | A- Restaurant | Lixin Inc. | Auli’s Panda 863 Broad St. |
| b. | C-Variety Extended Hours | Three Ten International, Inc. | 7-Eleven Store #35008A 603 Hunt St. |
a. Motion to approve the application of Lixin, Inc. was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Gonzalez.
Roll call vote: Councilman Robert Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Gonzalez: yes; Councilwoman Ann Racquier: yes; Councilwoman Tia Ristaino-Siegel: yes. Motion carried 5-0.
b. Discussion pertaining to business hours of 7-Eleven.
Motion to table application of Three Ten International, Inc. was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Gonzalez. Motion carried 5-0
6. Election of Special Constable pursuant to RIGL 45-16-8.- 2015 Renewal of Constable Licenses (see attached list)
Motion approve the constable licenses was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 5-0.
7. Approval of appointments by Mayor James Diossa
a. Tree Warden
Matthew C. Largess
450 Davit Ave.
Jamestown, RI
Re-appointment; Term to expire 1/1/2016
Motion to approve the appointment of Matthew Largess was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 5-0.
8. Receipt and consideration of claims
b. Jonathan Ferriera, of 2 Valley Street, Central Falls, for alleged damages to personal vehicle sustained on December 8, 2014.
Motion to refer claim of Jonathan Ferriera to the claims committee was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Motion carried 5-0.
c. Francisco Garcia for alleged physical injury and emotional distress caused on or about June 14, 2014.
Motion to refer claim of Francisco Garcia to the RI Interlocal Trust was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 5-0.
d. Joseph Sirignano, for alleged injury caused on September 29, 2014.
Motion to refer claim of Josepho Sirignano to the RI Interlocal Trust was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 5-0.
e. Sonia Grace, of 1117 Lonsdale Avenue, Central Falls, for alleged damages to personal vehicle on November 4, 2014.
Motion to refer the claim of Sonia Grace to the claims committee was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 5-0.
9. Receipt of correspondence
a. Correspondence from Mayor James A. Diossa- Executive Order Creating a Central Falls Economic Development Task Force.
b. Correspondence from Leonard Morganis, Administration and Finance Officer, regarding FY2014 Audit.
c. Correspondence from Sonia Grace, City Clerk, regarding City Council vacancies.
Motion to receive correspondence and place it on file was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 5-0.
10. Consideration of meeting minutes
Motion to approve the meeting minutes of December 8, 2014 was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried -4-0. Councilwoman Gonzalez abstained from voting.
Motion to approve the meeting minutes of December 17, 2014 was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 5-0.
11. Good & Welfare from City Councilors- updates, announcements, reports from councilors in regards to community liaisons and events.
Councilman Ferri: thanked Councilwoman Tammi Johnson for her year of service on the City Council. Announced that he will seek to organize a conference with council of neighboring communities to discuss issues that are common among the municipalities. Also announced his intent to host child safety programs and to invite state officials such as the department of transportation to meet with the Council.
Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel: announced the Annual Snowflake Breakfast hosted by the Central Falls Lyons on February 21, 2015. Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel also congratulated Segue Institute for Learning for receiving a grant of $1,500 for artwork.
Councilman Figueroa: announced the beginning of a robotics program at Captain Hunt and Robertson schools modeled after the team from the high school that place second in the state competition. Councilman Figueroa also spoke about the Parent College and PTO meetings.
12. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Meeting adjourned at 7:24pm.
Approved March 9, 2015
Sonia Grace
City Clerk