City of Central Falls
City Council Meeting
Board of License Commissioners
Central Falls City Hall
580 Broad St. Central Falls, RI 02863
Monday, March 13, 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 Bob Ferri, Councilman Hugo Figueroa, Councilwoman Carlene Fonseca, Councilman Thomas Lazieh, Councilwoman Maria Rivera, and Councilman Franklin Solano. Councilman Acosta was absent. Quorum was present.
Jonathan Acosta entered at 6:09pm
II. Pledge of Allegiance
Councilman Lazieh led the reciting of the pledge of allegiance.
Leonard Morganis, Administration & Finance Officer updated to the Council about the recent upgrade of the City’s bond rating by Standard and Poor’s; reviewed the required attestation schedule and updated the council on the Fy16 audit
III. Public Comment
Rob Sayre-McCord, Director of Parks & Director-announced Founder’s Day Celebration on Friday, March 24, 2017 at 5:00pm.
Peter Friedrichs announced a public meeting about the development The Landing on March 22, 2017 at 6pm.
Michael Brule-expressed his concern about staffing in the Mayor’s office.
IV. Approval of Records
A. Consideration of meeting minutes of February 13, 2017 and February 27, 2017
Motion to table the consideration of meeting minutes was made by Councilman Lazieh. Motion was not seconded. Motion died.
Motion to deny the consideration of meeting minutes was made by Councilman Lazieh. Motion was not seconded. Motion died.
Motion to amend Item 4 of the meeting minutes was made by Councilman Lazieh. Motion was not seconded. Motion died.
Motion to approve the meeting minutes was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Rivera. Motion carried 6-1.
Councilman Lazieh objected the vote.
V. Executive Communications
A. Appointment By Mayor James A. Diossa to the Central Falls Juvenile Hearing Board
i. Simone Barzykowski, 145 Shawmut Ave.
ii. Joseph Godin, 14 Illinois Street
iii. Victor Pereira, 555 Roosevelt, Ave apt 408
iv. Shawn James Gomez, 535 Roosevelt Ave, apt 306
v. Jessica Vega, 5 Parker Street, Apt 4
vi. Jonathon Acosta, 535 Roosevelt Ave.
Councilman Acosta recused from the discussion and vote and left the meeting room.
Motion to approve the appointments to the Juvenile Hearing Board was made by Councilman Solano, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Motion carried 6-0.
B. Department Financial Reports
i. City Clerk Department-Report for month of February 2017: Distribution Report
ii. Department of Code Enforcement-Report for month of February 2017: Building Division Permits Issued, Complaints Report
iii. Fire Department-Report for month of February 2017
iv. Police Department Report for month of February 2017
v. Finance Department- January 2017 Revenue, January 2017 Expense, January 2017 Capital Improvement Fund
Received.
Cynthia DeJesus, Finance Director, Sonia Grace, City Clerk, and Colonel James Mendonca, Chief of Police answered questions from the Council.
VI. Schedule of Bills
A. Ordinance Pertaining to Local Hiring in Central Falls- Second Reading, Public Hearing, Consideration (Solano)
Public Hearing:
Tia Ristaino-Siegel- asked for clarification on the changes in the ordinance
Motion to amend section 2-47(b) by replacing the word “or” with “and” was made by Councilman Acosta, seconded by Councilman Lazieh. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Acosta: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilman Lazieh: no; Councilwoman Rivera: yes; Councilman Solano: yes. Motion carried 6-1.
B. Ordinance Amending the Non-utilization Tax Ordinance- Introduction (Fonseca)
Motion to table the ordinance was made by Councilwoman Fonseca. Motion was withdrawn.
Motion to continue consideration of the ordinance was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilman Acosta. Motion carried 7-0.
C. Ordinance Creating The Pawtucket Central Falls Station District Joint Planning Commission- Introduction (Figueroa)
Introduced
D. Resolution Supporting Governor Raimondo’s Rhode Island Promise’s Program (Acosta)
Motion to approve the resolution made by Councilman Acosta, seconded by Councilman Solano. Motion carried 5-1. Councilman Lazieh voted present.
E. Resolution of Central Falls City Council in Condolences and Congratulations
Motion carried 5-1.
VII. New Business
A. City Council Sitting as Board of License Commissioners
i. Consideration of business license
| Class of License | Applicant | Business Information |
| Class A Restaurant | Daniel J. Barzykowski | Mimi & Pop’s Ice Cream Shop 1306 Broad Street |
| Sidewalk Café | Jairo A. Echeverry | Budare Grille Venezulan Restaurant 716 Dexter Street |
Ms. Laura Barzykowski presented the business plan of Mimi & Pop’s Ice Cream Shop and answered questions from the Council. Motion to approve the license was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilman Figueroa and Councilman Solano. Motion carried 7-0.
Mr. Jairo Echeverry spoke on this license and described the way the sidewalk café would operate. Mr. Peter Friedrichs, Director of Planning & Economic Development presented drawings. Mr. Matthew Jerzyk, City Solicitor answered questions from the Council.
Mr. Echeverry also answered questions from the Council.
Motion to continue the consideration of the sidewalk license of Budare Grille was made by Councilman Lazieh, seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca. Motion carried 7-0.
ii. Hearing, Consideration and Possible Action regarding the following license and license holders (90-day review)
Mr. Jose R. Vicente
D/B/A Hacker’s Pub Inc.
435 Pine St.
Central Falls, RI 02863
Colonel James Mendonca, Chief of the Central Falls Police Department, provided an update of the ninety day sanction. Colonel Mendonca expressed that the Police Department is satisfied with the progress made by Hacker’s Pub and recommended lifting of the sanction.
Motion to accept the Police Chief’s report, recommendation to end 90day review and allow full operation without police detail was made by Councilman Lazieh, seconded by
Councilman Solano, with the recommendation that the establishment keep and maintain the peace.
Mr. Jose Vincent spoke and clarified that all staff are trained and tip certified as required.
Motion carried 7-0
B. Correspondence from the Burrillville Town Council
Received
VIII. Good & Welfare
Councilman Ferri: thanked the Central Falls Fire Department and Central Falls Police Department for attending the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Newport
Councilwoman Rivera: invited the community to attend 1) Mujeres Positiveas on March 19, 2017 at 10:30, honoring five women residents that have survived cancer. 2) Sheldon Whitehouse: on Saturday March 25, 2017 conversation with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse will be at the Learning Community Charter School.
Councilman Solano: extended congratulations to Councilwoman Rivera and former Councilwoman Stephanie Gonzalez on the success of their event Honoring Women Business Owners of Central Falls on March 8, 2017.
Councilman Acosta: Announced two events open to the public. 1) Congressman Cicilline community conversation on March 25, 2017 at 3:30 at Jenks Junior High School and another one on April 1, 2017 at Cumberland High School at 3:30 pm. Councilman Acosta also extended congratulations to PCWC wrestling club’s women’s youth team and women’s’ high school team for winning the New England Championship and acknowledged student and Central Falls resident Lakiesha Sullivan for attaining number one ranking in her in weight class for all of New England.
IX. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Fonseca. Meeting adjourned at 8:05pm
Approved April 10, 2017