City of Central Falls
City Council Meeting
Central Falls City Hall
580 Broad St. Central Falls, RI 02863
Monday, March 9, 2015
6:00 p.m.
Council President Robert Ferri called the Central Falls City Council meeting to order at the Central Falls Council Chambers.
- Roll Call
Roll call was conducted by City Clerk, Sonia Grace. Present were Councilors Robert Ferri, Carlene Fonseca, Hugo Figueroa, Stephanie Gonzalez, Ann Racquier, Tia Ristaino-Siegel, and Kenneth Vaudreuil.
- Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council President Robert Ferri.
- Public Comment
No one signed up for public comment.
- Citation of acknowledgment and appreciation to the Central Falls School Emergency Response Team (SERT) for its work during the blizzard in January 2015.
Director Joshua Giraldo presented citations to students, members of the Central Falls SERT. Recognized were: Norman DiSautel III, Robert Scappini, Alejandro Londono, Sebastian Zuleta, Eliz Herondo, Laura Hernandez, Alex Dominguez, Matthew Bedoya, Jerry Pertuz, Leslis Mcgreni, Laura Cuevas, Adamaris Bilar.
Motion to move agenda item number 24 to number 7 and agenda item number 10 to number 8 was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Gonzalez. Motion carried 7-0.
5. FY2014 Audit Review by Peter Chatellier, Partner of Marcum, LLC
Mr. Chatellier presented an overview of key sections of the audit as prepared by Marcum, LLC.
6. Presentation by Mayor James Diossa and Dr. Frances Gallo on Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Central Falls and the Central Falls School District
Mayor James Diossa and Dr. Frances Gallo spoke about the partnership and presented an overview of successes accomplished to date.
7. Citation to Mayor James A. Diossa recognizing his efforts as a good and honorable citizen (Ferri)
Council President Ferri presented a citation to Mayor James Diossa and thanked him for this efforts.
8. Consideration of appointments by Mayor James Diossa to the Central Fall Detention Facility
a. Chair Luke H. Gallant
193 Lincoln Street, Blackstone, MA 01504
b. Joseph R. Gonsalves
36 Clifton St., Central Falls RI 02863
c. Lisa Dinerman, Esq.
535 Roosevelt Avenue, Central Falls, RI 02863
d. Agostinho F. Silva
82 Ledge St., Central Falls, RI 02863
e. Albert "Bud" Gardner
25 Anthony Drive, Cumberland RI 02864
Mayor James Diossa introduced the nominees for the Central Falls Detention Facility Board.
Motion to approve the appointments was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier and Councilman Figueroa. Motion carried 7-0.
9. Consideration of Tax Abatements- Submitted by Tax Assessor and the City Solicitor
| Property Owner | Tax Year | Property Information |
| Altman, Trevor J | 2014 | MV: 1998 Inf I30; Reg#560370 |
| Aponte, Cardona & Associates LLC | 2014 | PP @ 597 Broad St |
| Aviles, Carlos M | 2014 | MV: Reg#024738; 1996 Int. |
| Ayala, Daisy J | 2013 | MV: Reg#424901; 1997 Nissan MGS |
| Ayala, Daisy J | 2014 | MV: Reg#424901; 1997 Nissan MGS |
| Lopes, Jose & Maria | 2014 | RE @ 661-663 Pine St; AP 8-154 |
| Moreno, Marisol | 2014 | PP @ 625 Broad St |
| Nardolillo, Joyce L | 2013 | MV: Reg#910245; 2000 Chr CXL |
| Rivera, Stephanie | 2014 | MV: Reg# 435736; 2008 Honda UCL |
| Rivera, Stephanie | 2014 | MV: Reg# 472763; 2007 Toyota |
| City of Central Falls | 2014 | 115 Illinois |
Motion to approve the abatements was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 7-0.
10. Consideration of Petition for License
| Class of License | Owner | Business Information |
| Retail Sales | Chantale Perry Jean Remy Germain | C& J Beauty Supply and Ethic Products 744 Broad St. |
| Personal Service | Ana & Durango Ruiz | Mary’s Beauty Salon 773 Lonsdale Ave. |
Applicants, Chantale Perry and Jean Remy Germain were present, spoke about their business plan and answered questions from the Council. Motion to approve the license application was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel and Councilwoman Fonseca. Motion carried 7-0.
Applicant, Ana Ruiz, was present and spoke with interpretation provided by Ms. Adriana Perez, about her business. Motion to approve the transfer of the license was made by Councilman Vaudreuil, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Motion carried 7-0.
Councilwoman Gonzalez exited the meeting at 6:45pm.
- Consideration of petitions for event permit
f. Rockwell Amusement & Promotions, Inc.
Spring Carnival: April 2- April 12, 2015
Storage America, 558 Roosevelt Ave.
g. Blackstone Valley Half Marathon & 5K
Road Race: April 26, 2015
Mr. Harrold Ferra, applicant, was present and spoke about the Spring Carnival. Motion to approve the permit application was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca. Motion carried 6-0.
Mr. Jeff Smith and Mr. Charles Breagy were present to speak about the event. Motion to approve the event permit was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 6-0.
12. Receipt of Department Reports
a. City Clerk Department- Report for months of January and February 2015: Distribution Report
b. Department of Code Enforcement- Report for months of January and February 2015:Building Division Permits Issued, Complaints Report
c. Department of Planning & Economic Development- Report for month of January 2015
d. Department of Public Works- Report for months of January and February 2015: Department Activity Report
e. Finance Department- February 2015 Expenditure Report and Capital Improvement Fund
f. Human Resources Department- Report for months of January and February 2015
g. Law Department- Report for months of January and February 2015
h. Parks & Recreation Department- Report for months of January and February 2015
i. Police Department- Report for months of January 2015 and February 2015
Ms. Cynthia DeJesus answered questions from the Council regarding her department’s report. Motion to accept reports and place on file was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 6-0.
13. Election of Special Constables pursuant to RIGL § 45-16-8.
a. Leonard Morganis
Administration and Finance Officer, City of Central Falls
3 Adams Ct.
Uxbridge, MA 01569
b. Marlene Montano
Central Falls Schools Truancy Officer
20 Swiss St.
Providence, RI 02909
Motion to elect Leonard Morganis and Marlene Montano as special constables was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 6-0.
14. 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 enter into executive session was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca. Roll call vote: Councilman Robert Ferri: yes; Councilman Hugo Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Carlene Fonseca: yes; Councilwoman Ann Racquier: yes; Councilwoman Tia Ristaino-Siegel: yes; Councilman Ken Vaudreuil: yes. Motion carried 6-0.
Motion to exit executive session was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 6-0.
b. Jonathan Ferriera, of 2 Valley Street, Central Falls, for alleged damages to personal vehicle sustained on December 8, 2014
Mr. Ferriera was present and described the incident. Mr. Ferriera agreed, as clarified by City Solicitor Matthew Jerzyk, that if claim was approved he would not pursue further claims related to this incident.
Motion to approve the claim was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 6-0.
c. Sonia Grace, of 1117 Lonsdale Avenue, Central Falls, for alleged damages to personal vehicle on November 4, 2014
City Clerk Sonia Grace, excused herself from the table during this discussion.
Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca. Motion carried 6-0.
d. Alejandro and Raquel Hernandez, of 106 Sacred Heart Avenue, Central Falls, for alleged damages to personal property on January 15, 2015
Motion to refer to claims committee was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded Councilwoman Racquier and Councilman Vaudreuil. Motion carried 6-0.
e. Joseph M Goes of 173 Hunt St., Central Falls, for alleged damages to personal vehicle on March 2, 2015
Motion to refer to claims committee was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 6-0.
f. Lira Dye of 52 Humphrey St, East Providence, for alleged damages to personal vehicle on March 20, 2015
Motion to refer to the claims committee was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 6-0.
- Consideration of Agreement by and between The Narragansett Bay Commission and the City of Central Falls for acquisition of land in Central Falls with regards to Plat 9, Lots 50 and 209
Mr. Stephen Larrick, Director of the Department of Planning and Economic Development was present. Mr. Tom Brueckner of The Narragansett Bay Commission was also present to speak on this matter.
Motion to approve the agreement was made by Councilman Vaudreuil, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 6-0.
- Memorandum of Understanding for temporary provision of building official services between the City of Pawtucket and the City of Central Falls
Mr. Jerzyk explained the agreement and answered questions from the Council.
Motion to approve the agreement was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 6-0.
17. Consideration of Resolution approving the tax taking and the foreclosure of the rights of redemption of certain properties located at 44-48 Earle Street, Plat 8, Lot 125; 49 Sheridan Street, Plat 1, Lot 313-2; 69 Pacific Street, Plat 5, Lot 406 (Ferri, by request)
Mr. Stephen Larrick, Director of the Department of Planning and Economic Development and Mr. Robert Weber, Executive Director of the Nuisance Property Task Force were present to speak on the matter.
Motion to approve was my by Councilman Figueroa, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 6-0.
18. Consideration of Resolution approving the acquisition of 661-63 Pine Street (Ferri, by request)
Mr. Stephen Larrick, Director of the Department of Planning and Economic Development and Mr. Robert Weber, Executive Director of the Nuisance Property Task Force were present to speak on the matter.
Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilman Vaudreuil. Motion carried 6-0.
19. Ordinance creating the Central Falls Tree Ordinance-First Reading and Consideration (Ferri)
Motion to approve the ordinance was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca. Motion carried 6-0.
20. Ordinance amending Chapter 12, “Businesses”, Article X, “Tobacco Dealers”- First Reading and Consideration (Ristaino-Siegel)
Motion to table consideration of ordinance was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilman Vaudreuil. Motion carried 6-0.
21. Ordinance amending Chapter 14, “Courts,” Article II “Municipal Court”- First Reading and Consideration (Ferri by request)
Motion to approve the ordinance was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by councilwomen Racquier and Fonseca. Motion carried 6-0.
22. Ordinance amending Article II “City Council,” of Chapter 2 “Administration”- Introduction (Ferri, by request)
Ordinance was introduced by Councilman Ferri.
23. Consideration of petition by The National Grid for permission to install P172-2 pole to feed padmount transformer to service new school at 909 Lonsdale Ave., Central Falls
Motion to approve the petition of National Grid was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 6-0.
24. Consideration of meeting minutes
Motion to approve meeting minutes with amendments was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 4-0. Councilwoman Fonseca and Councilman Vaudreuil abstained from voting.
25. Good & Welfare from City Councilors- updates, announcements, reports from councilors in regards to community liaisons and events
Councilwoman Fonseca: thanked Councilwoman Gonzalez for hosting the Women’s Day event at City Hall on March 7 2015.
Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel: invited the public to the Lyons Club Breakfast on March 14, 2015, 9:00am-11:30pm.
26. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier and Councilman Figueroa. Meeting adjourned at 8:04pm.
Respectfully submitted
Sonia Grace
City Clerk
Approved December 14, 2015