1.       Roll Call

City Clerk, Sonia Grace conducted the roll call. Present were Councilman Ferri, Councilman Figueroa, Councilwoman Fonseca, Councilwoman Gonzalez, Councilwoman Racquier, Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel and Councilman Vaudreuil . Quorum was present.

2.      Pledge of Allegiance

Councilman Ferri led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Representative Jim McLaughlin

3.      Public Hearing on Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Ordinances

a.      Annual Operating Budget Ordinance-General Fund (Ferri)

b.      Ordinance Pertaining to the Salaries of Department Heads and Others in Unclassified Service (Ferri)

c.       Ordinance Amending the Wage Schedule Generally (Ferri)

d.      The Annual Capital Program and Capital Budget Ordinance (Ferri)

-        Andrew Pearson, PCFDC- spoke in support of programs that support bicycle in the city; Broad St. initiative; Nuisance Task Force and Redevelopment.

-        Michael Andrews, Central Falls Fire Training and Local 1485- spoke in support of pension and increase in training line item

-        Victor Capellan, Superintendent of the Central Falls School District- spoke in support of budget that support the after school programs.

-        Maria Rivera, of Hunt St.- spoke in support of increases in opportunities for youth programs and youth fellowships.

-        Sorhenis Lee- share concern regarding property tax levy

-        Patsy Peterson, Chairperson of the Central Falls Redevelopment- explained the purpose of the agency’s budget and informed the Council of revisions to the ordinance. Ms. Peterson read the changes of the ordinance pertaining to eminent domain.

-        Hernan Florez, owner of La Sopresa Restaurant- spoke in support of the work being done in the City.

-        Carlos Ocampo,-  spoke in support of youth programs; described the after school programs proposed for the city’s youth.

-        Al Romanwicz, Central St- spoke about the Central Falls Redevelopment Agency and in support of the budget; described the value of the Redevelopment Agency as the second step to the work begun by the Central Falls Nuisance Task Force.

-        Andrew Meadow, Roosevelt, member of the Central Falls Redevelopment Agency- spoke in support of the budget, proposed a review of the goals of the Agency

-        Betina Ramos, of Taqueria Lupita- spoke in support of the Mayor’s budget and expressed her pleasure for the repairs on Dexter St.

-        Belkis Florentino- spoke in support of programs for the youth.

-        Javier Mijangos- Expressed his desire for the youth to be heard and feel safe. Spoke in support of the youth programs.

4.      Annual Operating Budget Ordinance-General Fund- First Reading and Consideration (Ferri)

Motion to approve the ordinance was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel.

Mr. Len Morganis, Administration and Finance Officer (AFO), answered questions from Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel pertaining to contingency funds.

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.

5.      Ordinance Pertaining to the Salaries of Department Heads and Others in Unclassified Service- First Reading and Consideration (Ferri)

Motion to approve the ordinance was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Gonzalez.

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.

6.      Ordinance Amending the Wage Schedule Generally- First Reading and Consideration (Ferri)

Motion to approve the ordinance was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, Councilman Vaudreuil.

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.

7.      The Annual Capital Program and Capital Budget Ordinance- First Reading and  Consideration (Ferri)

Motion to approve the ordinance was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilman Figueroa.

Mr. Joshua Giraldo, Chief of Staff, answered questions from Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel pertaining to the capital requests for several departments.

Mr. Peter Friedrichs, Director of Planning and Economic Development and Ms. Patsy Peterson, Chairperson of the Central Falls Redevelopment Agency answered questions from Councilwoman Gonzalez and Councilwoman Ristaino-Siegel pertaining to the Redevelopment Agency.

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.

8.      Adjournment

Motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Gonzalez. Meeting adjourned at 7:52pm.

Approved June 13, 2016