City of Central Falls
City Council Meeting
Board of License Commissioners
Central Falls City Hall
580 Broad St. Central Falls, RI 02863
Monday, May 11, 2015
6:00 p.m.
Meeting Minutes
Council President Robert Ferri called the Central Falls City Council meeting to order 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, Carlene Fonseca, Stephanie Gonzalez, Ann Racquier, Tia Ristaino-Siegel, and Kenneth Vaudreuil.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Public Comment
Al Romanowicz, 303 Central Street – Spoke about minimum wage legislation.
Mike Araujo, Restaurant Opportunities Service United - Spoke on raising the tip minimum wages.
Thomas Lazieh, 1072 Lonsdale Avenue - Commented on items on the agenda.
Emmanuel Persedulo, 650 Dexter Street, Village Pizza – Spoke about minimum wages legislation.
4. Resolution of the Central Falls City Council supporting legislation (H-5364 Regunberg, S-291 Goldin) that incrementally raises the two dollar eighty-nine cents ($2.89) per hour subminimum wage for tipped workers between the years 2016 and 2020. (Fonseca)
Motion to approve resolution by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel.
Council spoke on this resolution. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: no; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Gonzalez: yes; Councilwoman Racquier: no; Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel: no; Councilman Vaudreuil: no. Motion failed. 3-4
5. Receipt of Department Reports
a. City Clerk Department- Report for month of April 2015: Distribution Report
b. Department of Code Enforcement- Report for month of April 2015:Building Division Permits Issued, Complaints Report
c. Department of Planning & Economic Development- Report for month of April 2015
d. Department of Public Works- Report for month of April 2015: Department Activity Report
e. Finance Department- February 2015 Revenue and April 2015 Expense
Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel would like to know about Mr. Weber’s salary. Cynthina Dejesus was present.
f. Fire Department- Report for month of April 2015
g. Human Resources Department- Report for month of April 2015
Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel asked Joshua Giraldo questions in regards to the Human Resources Department monthly report.
h. Law Department- Report for month of April 2015
i. Parks & Recreation Department- Report for month of April 2015
j. Police Department- Report for month of April 2015
6. Consideration of petitions for event permit
Monte Sinai Pawtucket
Religious ceremony at Jenks Park: June 20, 2015: 2pm-9pm
Rosa Morel is present, spoke on the event.
Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel and Councilwoman Fonseca. Motion carried 7-0.
Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel had questions in regards to the composition of the Liquor Board. City Solicitor Matt Jerzyk explained City Council & Liquor Board rules
7. City Council sitting as the Board of License Commissioners
a. Consideration of Petition for License
| Class of License | Owner | Business Information |
| Retail | Family Dollar Stores of RI, Inc.
| Family Dollar Store, #11513 400 Broad St. |
| Entertainment | Ariel Alarcon | Montecristo Restaurant 804 Broad St. |
| Peddler | Oscar Gomez | Jack’s Ice Cream
|
a. Representatives of Family Dollar spoke on the store’s behalf.
Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca, Councilman Figueroa and Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 7-0.
b. Representative from Montecristo requested an Entertainment License for Karaoke. Council President Ferri had questions in regards on dates of use of karaoke. Entertainment license was issued weekends only.
Motion to approve the entertainment license for weekends only was made by Councilman Figueroa and seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 7-0
c. Mr. Oscar Gomes was present to describe his business.
Motion to approve Peddler’s License was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilman Vaudreuil. Motion carried 7-0.
b. Consideration of F Liquor Permit (one-time)
Brotherhood of Carriers and Incensers of the Lord of the Sea
Outdoor Latino Festival; Higginson Avenue Complex: May 31, 2015
Joshua Giraldo, Director of Parks and Recreation and Daniel Barzykowski, Major of the Central Falls Police Department, stated that all approvals have been met. Motion to approve Liquor permit was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, and seconded by Councilman Figueroa
Motion carried 7-0.
c. Consideration of 2015 Liquor License Renewals- Tabled on November 24, 2014
The Blue Heron
1420 Broad Street
Central Falls, RI 02863
Class B License
Owner, Carlos Tobon, updated the Council on the progress made to date to improve the property.
Major Daniel Barzykowski of the Central Falls Police Department stated, in response to a question from the Council, that there have been no issues at The Blue Herron.
City Solicitor, Matthew Jerzyk explained that the Blue Heron would be required to pay for the application, license and utilities at this location.
Motion to approve the application was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier and Councilwoman Fonseca. Motion carried 7-0.
Councilwoman Gonzalez left meeting at 7:52pm.
d. Hearing and Consideration on Petition by Navigant Credit Union, d/b/a Roundhouse Tavern, 137 Central St., Central Falls, RI 02863 for extension of time by which Petitioner may claim Alcoholic Beverages Class BV (Full Liquor - Food) License
Joseph Raheb, attorney for Navigant Credit Union was present on behalf of the petitioner and answered question from the Council. The Council engaged in discussion with Mr. Raheb and City Solicitor Jerzyk regarding the license and previous approvals.
Motion to grant extension was made Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 6-0.
8. Consideration of Private Investigator License Renewal
| Name | Address |
| Augusto Mantilla-Serrano | 104 Sayles St., Apt 215 Woonsocket, RI 02895 |
Augusto Mantilla-Serrano was not present. Motion to table was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 6-0.
9. 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 move into executive session was made by Councilwoman Vaudreuil, Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, and Councilwoman Fonseca. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilwoman Racquier: yes; Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel: yes; Councilman Vaudreuil: yes. Motion carried 6-0.
Motion to exit executive session was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilman Vaudreuil, Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, and Councilwoman Fonseca.
Motion carried 6-0.
b. Genaro Reyes of 30 Watson St., Central Falls, in the amount of $2500.00 for alleged damages to personal vehicle on February 12, 2015
Genaro Reyes was present.
Motion to approve claim at $1800.00 was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilman Vaudreuil. Motion was withdrawn.
Motion to approve claim at $2000.00 was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier, and Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 6-0.
c. Jose M Diaz of 159 Hedley Ave., Central Falls, was not present for alleged damages to personal vehicle on March 25, 2015
Jose M Diaz was not present, Motion to approve claim at $284.00 was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilman Figueroa and Councilwoman Racquier.
Motion carried 6-0.
10. Ordinance amending Chapter 30, “Solid Waste,” Article IV “Recycling”- Second Reading, Public Hearing and Consideration (Racquier)
No one spoke during public hearing.
Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilwoman Gonzalez: yes; Councilwoman Racquier: yes; Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel: yes; Councilman Vaudreuil: yes; Motion carried 7-0
11. Good & Welfare from City Councilors- updates, announcements, reports from councilors in regards to community liaisons and events
Councilman Ferri spoke about the workshop to be held jointly with councils of neighboring communities. The workshop is scheduled for May 18, 2015.
Councilman Ferri also announced that Mayor James Diossa will conduct the FY16 budget address on May 13, 2015.
Councilwoman Fonseca suggested that the City Council be available monthly before the Council meetings for meet and greet with residents.
Councilwoman Fonseca also announced that the New Leaders Council will host an event May 12, 2015 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.
Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel announced that Leadership RI will meet May 19th, at 6pm at Segue School for an ice cream social.
City Solicitor Matt Jerzyk the lease agreement, mentioned earlier by a resident, is on City’s website.
12. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:36pm.
Approved December 14, 2015