City of Central Falls
Special City Council Meeting
Board of License Commissioners
Central Falls City Hall
580 Broad St. Central Falls, RI 02863
Monday, February 27, 2017
6:00 p.m.
Council President Bob Ferri called the meeting to order at the Central Falls City Council Chambers at 6:03pm.
I. Roll Call
Sonia Grace, City Clerk, conducted the roll call. Present were Councilman Jonathon Acosta, Councilman Robert Ferri, Councilwoman Carlene Fonseca, Councilman Thomas Lazieh, Councilwoman Maria Rivera, and Councilman Franklin Solano. Councilman Hugo Figueroa was absent. Quorum was present.
II. Pledge of Allegiance
Council President Ferri led the reciting of the pledge of allegiance
III. Public Comment
Ms Stephanie Gonzalez, 72 School St.- spoke about the Celebration of International Women’s Day in Central Falls.
IV. Approval of Records
None
V. Executive Communications
None
VI. Schedule of Bills
A. Ordinance Creating Chapter 40, The Central Falls Redevelopment Agency, Redevelopment Area, And Redevelopment Plan- Second Reading, Public Hearing, Consideration (Figueroa)
Public Hearing
Ms. Lorraine Savard, 76 Emmett St.- expressed her concern about the powers given to the Redevelopment Agency.
Matthew Jerzyk, City Solicitor, answered Ms. Savard’s questions, clarified the local and state laws governing the Redevelopment Agency.
Mr. Jerzyk also answered questions from the Council.
Motion to approve the ordinance was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Rivera. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Acosta: yes;; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilman Lazieh: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: yes; Councilman Solano: yes. Motion carried 6-0.
B. Ordinance Pertaining to Local Hiring in Central Falls-First Reading, Public Hearing, Consideration (Solano)
Public Hearing
No one present signed up to speak.
Motion to approve the ordinance was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilman Acosta. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Acosta: yes;; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilman Lazieh: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: yes; Councilman Solano: yes. Motion carried 6-0.
C. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 4, Alcoholic Beverages-Introduction (Ferri)
Councilman Ferri withdrew ordinance from consideration.
D. Resolution of the Central Falls City Council recognizing the value and importance of providing a means of organization as a Worker Cooperative. (Fonseca)
Ms. Heiny Maldonado and Mr. Gabriel Martinez spoke in support of the resolution, provided an overview of the worker cooperative and answered questions from the Council.
Motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilman Acosta, seconded by Councilman Solano. Motion carried 6-0.
E. Resolution Central Falls City Council Honoring International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month (Rivera, Fonseca)
Councilwoman Rivera spoke on the resolution and described events regarding Women’s Day.
Motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilman Acosta, seconded by Councilman Solano. Motion carried 6-0.
F. Resolution of Central Falls City Council of Condolences and Congratulations
The City Council of Central Falls offered condolences to the families of the following individuals
Maria Asermely
Karla Hernandez
Lionel J. Frechette
Genevieve “Skorski” Breslin
Rose Louise Bennett Lewis
The City Council of the City of Central Falls offered congratulations to the following individuals
Simone Barzykowski
Betty Lemieux
Motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilman Acosta. Motion carried 6-0.
VII. Continued Business
A. Hearing and/or Consideration of Claims
i. Executive Session pursuant to R.I.G.L § 42-46-5 (a)(2), pertaining to litigation or work sessions pertaining to litigation
a. Maria Par, of 743 Pine St, for alleged damage to personal property sustained July 2016
ii. Possible Consideration of Claim (i) (a)
Detective Philip Garland, of the Central Falls Police Department, was present to provide testimony to the incident at 743 Pine St.
Matthew Jerzyk, City Solicitor, provided legal guidance to the Council addressing the claim.
Mr. Jerzyk and Detective Garland answered questions from the Council.
Motion to deny the claim was made by Councilwoman Rivera, seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca. Motion carried 6-0.
B. Consideration of City Council Rules (continued from February 13, 2017)
Motion to amend Rule 6 was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilman Acosta. Motion carried 5-1.
VIII. Good & Welfare
Councilman Ferri: announced the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 11am.
Councilwoman Fonseca: announced several events: 1) the dinner for the Noelle Academy students on March 1, 2017; 2) screening of the documentary 13 on February 28 at the Central Falls High School; 3) scholarship dinner for the Ralph Holden dinner at 7 pm at Madeira club.
IX. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Solano. Meeting adjourned at 7:31pm
Approved March 13, 2017