City of Central Falls
City Council Meeting
Board of License Commissioners
Central Falls City Hall
580 Broad St. Central Falls, RI 02863
Monday, April 11, 2016
6:30 p.m.
Council President Robert Ferri called the meeting to order at 6: 36pm
1. Roll Call
City Clerk, Sonia Grace, conducted the roll call. Present were Council President Robert Ferri, Councilman Hugo Figueroa, Councilwoman Carlene Fonseca, Councilwoman Ann Racquier, Councilwoman Tia Ristaino-Siegel. Councilwoman Stephanie Gonzalez and Councilman Ken Vaudreuil were absent.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Public Comment
Rep McLoughlin- budget season and legislation regarding retiree benefits, train station, Osram Sylvania
Mr. Tom Shanahan- spoke about painter Lorenzo De Nevers and other artifacts in
pertaining to history of Central Falls.
4. Consideration of Meeting Minutes of March 14, 2016
Approve Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carries 5-0.
5. Presentation by Adams Memorial Library
Al Romanowicz, chairman of the board of the Adams Memorial Library, spoke about the paintings of Mr. Lorenzo De Nevers and where they are displayed in the library. Mr. Romanowicz introduced Ms. Gail Corrigan, treasurer of the board and Ms. Cynthia Mulbach, executive director of the Adams Public Library.
Gayle Corrigan spoke . Merger January 1, 2016. Presented statement of revenue and expenditures of fiscal year 2016. Described endowment and fundraising.
Councilwoman Stephanie Gonzalez entered at 6:54pm.
Ms. Corrigan requested an increase of funding from the city over the next three years. Ms. Corrigan also answered questions from the Council.
Cynthia Mulhbach, executive director, spoke about services for residents. Ms. Mulhbach explained standards library not meeting. Standard 4- number of hours; Standard 11- FTE; Standard 12: staffing. MOE requirements.
Explained how increased funding from city would be used.
State funding is 25% of city amount in the 2nd preceding year.
Questions from Council regarding programming: story hour, Maggie the Reading Dog, speakers, crafts programs during school vacation, readings by local author
6. Receipt of Department Financial Reports
a. City Clerk Department- Report for month of March 2016: Distribution Report
b. Department of Code Enforcement- Report for month of March 2016: Building Division Permits Issued, Complaints Report
c. Finance Department- February 2016 Revenue, March 2016 Expense, March 2016 Capital Improvement Fund
d. Fire Department- Report for month of March 2016
e. Police Department- Report for month of March 2016
Colonel James Mendonca and Chief Bradley answered questions from the Council.
Chief Bradley provided update on new firefighters who are currently at the regional fire academy.
Motion to approve the reports was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 6-0.
7. City Council sitting as the Board of License Commissioners
a. Consideration of Petition for License
|
| Class of License | Owner | Business Information |
| i. | Personal Service | Luis Daniel | Daniel’s Barbershop 120 Chestnut Street |
| ii. | Second Hand | Carmen Ana Hiciano | Carmen’s Secret Place 1361 Broad Street |
| iii. | C-Variety | Jefferson A. Peña | Joy Mini Market 528 Dexter Street |
| iv. | Sidewalk Café | William Sanchez | Darling Cyber Café 661xter Street |
Motion to table the license of Mr. Luis Daniel was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 6-0.
Ms. Hiciano was present to speak on her application. Motion to approve the application was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Motion carried 6-0.
Mr. Jefferson Pena was present to speak on his application and answered questions from the Council. Motion to approve the application of Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca. Motion carried 6-0.
Motion to table the application of Mr. William Sanchez was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 6-0.
8. Hearing and/or Consideration of Claims
a. Executive Session pursuant to R.I.G.L § 42-46-5 (a)(2), pertaining to litigation or work sessions pertaining to litigation.
i. Caridad Urena, for an undisclosed amount, for alleged injuries and damages suffered on March 6, 2016 on Cowden Street.
ii. Progressive Insurance of 2200 Hartford Ave., Johnston, RI on behalf of Juan Lugo Lopez in the amount of $260.00 for alleged injuries to customer on November 5, 2015.
b. Possible Consideration of Claim (a)(i) and (ii).
Motion to refer items (a)(i) and (ii) to the RI Interlocal Trust was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried.
9. Resolution of the City Council in support of proclaiming Saturday, April 16, 2016 to be Historic Cemetery Restoration/Awareness Day in the State of Rhode Island (Ferri)
Councilman Ferri spoke about the resolution and provided background on the issue.
Motion to approve by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 6-0.
Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 6-0.
10. Resolution of the City Council approving the transfer of certain properties to the Redevelopment Agency (Figueroa, by request)
Councilman Figueroa introduced the resolution and provided background information.
Mr. Peter Friedrichs answered questions from the Councilors.
Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 6-0.
11. Resolution of the City Council in support of funding for English Language Learners proposed in Governor's FY 17 Education Budget (Gonzalez)
Councilwoman Gonzalez provided an overview of the resolution and answered questions from the
Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 6-0.
12. Resolution of the City Council supporting the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center’s Victims of Crime Act grant application (Ferri, by request)
Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Motion carried 6-0.
13. Ordinance Relating to The Central Falls Redevelopment Agency, Redevelopment Area, and Redevelopment Plan” – Introduction (Figueroa, by request)
Introduced
14. Ordinance Amending Sections 20 "Fire Prevention and Protection" and 22 "Law Enforcement"– Introduction (Ferri, by request)
Motion to table the introduction of the ordinance was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 6-0.
15. Good & Welfare from City Councilors updates, announcements, reports from councilors in regards to community liaisons and events
-Rob Sear-McCord, Director of Park & Recreation announced the Earth Day event on Saturday, April 23rd at 10am, beginning at the High School.
-Councilwoman Fonseca announced a Back to school fundraiser from 6-8pm at PCTA and the opening of Hillary Clinton’s campaign office in Central Falls. Councilwoman Fonseca also spoke on the passing of Coach Joe Handy’s wife.
-City Solicitor Jerzyk- Central Falls Law Day on May 3. Forty Central Falls High School students will visit 6th District Court and then tour the State House.
16. Adjournment
Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Gonzalez. Meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm.
Approved May 9, 2016