City of Central Falls
City Council Meeting
Board of License Commissioners
Central Falls City Hall
580 Broad St. Central Falls, RI 02863
Monday, May 9, 2016
6:00 p.m.
Meeting Minutes
1. Roll Call
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Public Comment
Frank Saccoccio, Esq., solicitor of town of Johnston and representative from the RI chapter of the NRA, spoke in opposition to item number
Councilwoman Fonseca joined the meeting at 6:07pm.
Nan Heroux, of Middletown, representative of the RI Coalition Against Gun Violence, spoke in support of the resolution.
4. Consideration of Meeting Minutes of April 11, 2016
Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 6-0.
5. Consideration of appointment by Mayor James Diossa
a. Planning Board
Ms. Maria Rivera
324 Hunt St.
Central Falls, RI 02863
Term to expire December 31, 2016
b. Board of Canvassers and registration
Mr. Juan Pablo Barrera
527 High St.
Central Falls, RI 02863
Term to expire February 27, 2017
c. Tatiana Restrepo
67 Crossman St.
Central Falls, RI 02863
Term to expire Term to expire February 27, 2017
Motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Juan Pablo Barrera and to table the appointment of Ms. Rivera and Ms. Restrepo was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 6-0
6. Hearing and consideration of lease agreement between City of Central Falls and Fuerza Laboral.
Ms Heiny Maldonado, vice-president of Fuerza Laboral, with support from Mr. Gabriel Martinez who translated for her, described the work of the organization.
Mr. Joshua Giraldo, Chief of Staff, explained how the program would work and provided overview of the Power Network, the program under which the partnership exists.
Ms. Maldonado and Mr. Giraldo answered questions from the Council
Motion to approve the agreement was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Gonzalez.
City Solicitor, Matthew Jerzyk answered questions from the Council.
Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: no; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilwoman Gonzalez: yes; Councilwoman Racquier: yes; Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel: yes; Councilman Vaudreuil: no. Motion carried 4-2.
7. 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
Cynthia DeJesus, director of Finance Department, answered questions from the Council regarding capital expenses.
Councilors also asked questions of City Clerk, Sonia Grace, Peter Friedrichs, Director of Planning & Economic Development, Peter Friedrichs, and Mr. Rob Sayer-McCord, Director of Parks & Recreation.
Motion to approve the reports and place on file was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 6-0.
8. Consideration of Tax Abatements
a. Abatements Submitted by Tax Assessor
| Property Owner | Tax Year | Property Information |
| Baptista, Adilson J | 2015 | MV: 1995 Toyota |
| Calzada, Jeanny | 2015 | MV: 2007 Lexus |
| Lockley, Tarsha A | 2015 | MV: 2008 Chev Imp |
| US Bank National Assoc. | 2015 | PP: Leased Tangible Property-various locations |
b. Additions
| Property Owner | Tax Year | Property Information |
| Conde, Claudia M | 2015 | MV: 2000 Chrysler |
Motion to table the abatements was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 6-0.
Motion to move item 12 to before item 9 was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilman Vaudreuil. Motion to carried 6-0.
9. City Council sitting as the Board of License Commissioners
a. Hearing, consideration and possible action regarding the following license and license holder
James Salazar
d/b/a Tropicana Night Club and Restaurant
134 Cowden St.
Central Falls, RI 02863
BV License
Colonel James Mendonca presented testimony of incidents that took place on April 2, March 27 and March 7 at the Tropical Night Club. Colonel Mendonca recommended that the business be required to hire police detail on Friday and Saturday for 6 months.
James Salazar spoke about his concerns with the security of the business.
Chris, employee of the bar, explained how he performs his security services.
Mr. Salazar answered questions from the council.
Motion to accept Colonel’s recommendation of police detail every Friday and Saturday for 5 months with a follow-up review was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded Councilwoman Racquier.
Motion to amend previous motion to include start May 20, Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded Councilwoman Racquier.
Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilwoman Gonzalez: yes; Councilwoman Racquier: yes; Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel: yes; Councilman Vaudreuil: yes. Motion carried 6-0.
Colonel Mendonca provided overview of duties of detail officer.
b. Consideration of Petition for License
|
| Class of License | Owner | Business Information |
| i. | Transfer (New Owner) | Rosa Maravilla | El Salvador Bakery 525 Dexter Street |
| ii. | Entertainment Per Diem New | Sandra Cano | Lleras Grille LLC 1252 Broad Street |
| iii. | Personal Service New (tabled 4/11/16) | Luis Daniel | Daniel’s Barbershop 120 Chestnut Street |
| iv. | Sidewalk Café New (tabled 4/11/16) | William Sanchez | Darling Cyber Café 661 Dexter St. |
b) i. Motion to approve the petition of Ms. Maravilla was made by Councilman Vaudreuil, seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca. Motion carried 6-0.
b) ii. Motion to approve the petition of Lleras Grille was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 6-0.
b) iii. Motion to table the petition of Daniel’s Barbershop was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 6-0.
b) iv. Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Gonzalez. Motion carried 6-0.
c. Consideration of special permit for use of Jenks Park
Tabernaculo De Reunion
Iglesia La Senda Antigua; June 18, 2016, July 16, 2016, July 30, 2016
2:00pm-8:00pm
Motion to approve the petition was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez, seconded by Councilman Vaudreuil. Motion carried 6-0.
10. 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. Jeremy Vasquez, for an undisclosed amount, for alleged unlawful search & seizure suffered on March 17, 2016 in the City of Central Falls.
ii. Frank Pertuz, for an undisclosed amount, for alleged damages and loss suffered on April 5, 2016 in the City of Central Falls.
iii. Resolution of the Central Falls City Council Supporting application for DEM Acquisition Grant for New Soccer Field
Motion to move into executive session was made by **** seconded by ****. Roll call: Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilwoman Gonzalez: yes; Councilwoman Racquier: yes; Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel: yes; Councilman Vaudreuil: yes. Motion carried 6-0.
b. Possible Consideration of Claim (a)(i) and (ii).
Motion to refer item (a)(i) to the RI Interlocal Trust was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 6-0.
Motion to refer item (a)(ii) to the RI Interlocal Trust was made by Councilwoman Racquier, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel. Motion carried 6-0.
City Clerk, Sonia Grace, reported that in Executive Session Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel moved to approve the resolution. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gonzalez, and Councilwoman Fonseca. Motion carried 6-0.
11. Resolution of the Central Falls City Council Supporting Local Community Development Block Grant Program (Ferri, by request)
Mr. Peter Friedrichs, Director of Planning and Economic Development provided overview of grant application
Motion Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded Councilman Vaudreuil. Motion carried 6-0.
12. Resolution of the Central Falls City Council in support of Gun Free Schools (Fonseca)
Colonel Mendonca, Chief of Police, spoke in support of the resolution and the legislation being considered. He answered questions from the council and
Motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Gonzalez. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilwoman Gonzalez: yes; Councilwoman Racquier: yes; Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel: yes; Councilman Vaudreuil: yes. Motion carried 6-0.
13. Resolution of the Central Falls City Council Supporting application for DEM Small Park Grant for River Island Park (Ferri, by request)
Mr. Peter Friedrichs, Director of Planning and Economic Development, provided overview of grant application.
Motion to approve the resolution was made Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 6-0.
14. Resolution of the Central Falls City Council in support of DEM Large Park Grant for Needed Improvements to Cogswell Tower and Jenks Park (Ferri, by request)
Mr. Peter Friedrichs, Director of Planning and Economic Development, provided overview of grant application.
Motion to approve resolution was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Racquier. Motion carried 6-0.
15. Ordinance Relating to The Central Falls Redevelopment Agency, Redevelopment Area, and Redevelopment Plan” – First Reading, Consideration (Figueroa, by request)
Mr. Peter Friedrichs, Director of Planning and Economic Development, explained the details of the Redevelopment Agency.
Mr. Friedrichs answered questions from the Council regarding section 40-4 and 40-5.
Motion to approve ordinance was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Gonzalez. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilwoman Gonzalez: yes; Councilwoman Racquier: yes; Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel: yes; Councilman Vaudreuil: yes. Motion carried 6-0.
Councilwoman Gonzalez and Councilwoman Racquier left the meeting at 8:56pm
16. Receipt of correspondence
a. Correspondence from Mayor James A. Diossa- Executive Order Appointing Acting Human Resource Director
b. Correspondence from Mayor James A. Diossa- Executive Order Creating Central Falls Office on Health
Motion to accept the correspondence and place it on file was made by Councilman Vaudreuil, seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca. Motion carried 6-0.
17. Good & Welfare from City Councilors updates, announcements, reports from councilors in regards to community liaisons and events
Councilman Ferri spoke about the sculptures in Jenks Park and their maintenance.
Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel spoke about the executive orders in this month’s agenda and asked for clarification.
Ms. Ristaino-Siegel also announced that a long-time city resident, Ms. Joyce Battersby, passed away recently.
Councilwoman Fonseca announced that the parent of Ms. Lisette Gomes, Assistant City Solicitor, passed away recently.
18. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel, seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca. Meeting adjourned at 9:00pm.
Approved July 11, 2016