City of Central Falls
City Council Meeting
Board of License Commissioners Meeting
Central Falls City Hall
Monday, April 9, 2017
6:00 p.m.
Minutes
Council President Bob Ferri called the meeting to order at the Central Falls City Council Chambers at 6:01 pm.
I. Roll Call
Sonia Grace, City Clerk, conducted the roll call. Present were Councilman Bob Ferri, Councilman Jonathon Acosta, Councilman Hugo Figueroa, Councilman Thomas Lazieh, Councilwoman Maria Rivera, and Councilman Franklin Solano. Councilwoman Fonseca was absent. Quorum was present.
II. Pledge of Allegiance
Councilman Ferri led the reciting of the pledge of allegiance
III. Public Comment
Diana Araujo, 626 Broad St- spoke on behalf of the Central Falls Prevention Coalition in opposition to the ordinance related to the tobacco license
Jessica Cepeda and Joao Andrade, Youth Ambassadors- spoke in opposition to the ordinance related to tobacco licenses.
Gery Guardino, RI Department of Health- presented data on tobacco use by youth in Rhode Island
Lorraine Savard, 76 Emmett St- spoke about the Pawtucket transfer station and asked the Council’s support to keep it from moving forward. Ms. Savard also commented on way the speakers who came before her were treated.
Tia Ristaino-Siegel, 14 Worth St.- asked about the FY19 budget process and asked about the funds earmarked for 115 Illinois listed in the financial report.
Edna Poulin, 68 Notre Dame St.-asked about the budget, the timeline for its consideration. Ms. Poulin also asked about the car tax rebate.
Thomas Lazieh, 1072 Lonsdale Ave.- commented on the budget, the way the council minutes are written and the way the council deliberates.
Peter Friedrichs, Director of Planning and Economic Development- announced 2
awards received by the city.
Jean Morris, 30 Washington St- asked about the requirements for identification for the bus drivers who pick up the elderly. Also commented on the way the city council meetings are run.
IV. Approval of Records
Motion to table consideration of the minutes was made by Councilman Lazieh. Motion was not seconded. Motion died.
A. Meeting minutes- February 12, 2018
B. Meeting minutes- February 26, 2018
C. Meeting minutes- March 12, 2018
Motion to approve the meeting minutes collectively was made by Councilman Solano, seconded by Councilman Acosta. Motion carried 5-1.
V. Executive Communications
A. Department Financial Reports
i. City Clerk Department- February 2018
ii. Department of Code Enforcement-February 2018
iii. Finance Department: January 2018 Revenue, January 2018 Expense, Capital
iv. Fire Department- February 2018
v. Police Department- February 2018
Councilman Lazieh asked questions of each of the departments that submitted reports
VI. Schedule of Bills- Hearing and/or consideration
A. Ordinance Amending Chapter 20, “Fire Prevention and Protection”, Article III, “Fire Alarm Systems”- First Reading (Ferri)
Public Hearing:
Lt. Michael Andrews, of the Central Falls Fire Department, spoke in support of the changes in the ordinance and answered questions from the Council.
Motion to approve the ordinance was made by Councilman Lazieh, seconded by Councilwoman Rivera. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Acosta: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilman Lazieh: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: yes; Councilman Solano: yes. Motion carried 6-0.
B. Ordinance Amending Chapter 40, The Central Falls Redevelopment Agency, Redevelopment Area, And Redevelopment Plan- First Reading (Ferri)
Mr. Peter Friedrichs, Director of Planning and Economic Development answered questions from the Council regarding the properties being considered by the Redevelopment Agency.
Motion to approve the ordinance was made by Councilman Acosta, seconded by Councilman Lazieh and Councilman Solano. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Acosta: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilman Lazieh: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: yes; Councilman Solano: yes. Motion carried 6-0.
C. Ordinance Amending Chapter 12, “Businesses,” Article X “Tobacco Dealers,”(Flavored Tobacco)- Introduction (Lazieh)
Introduced
D. Ordinance Amending Chapter 12, “Businesses,” Article X “Tobacco Dealers,” (Tobacco Fines)-Introduction (Lazieh)
Introduced
E. Resolution Supporting House Bills 7766, 7075, 7591, 7688, various acts relating to Gun Control (Acosta)
Motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilwoman Rivera, seconded by Councilman Figueroa and Councilman Solano. Motion carried 6-0.
F. Resolution Supporting House bill 7982, an act relating to motor and other vehicles - operators' and chauffeurs' licenses (Solano)
Motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilman Acosta, seconded by Councilman Solano. Motion carried 6-0.
G. Resolution Supporting School Construction Referendum in Articles 5 and 9 of the Proposed Rhode Island State Budget, FY 2019 (Solano)
Motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilwoman Rivera, seconded Councilman Solano. Motion carried 6-0.
H. Resolution of Central Falls City Council in Condolences and Congratulations
Motion to approve the resolution of congratulations, submitted by Councilwoman Rivera, for the following individuals who travelled to the Puerto Rico to aid with hurricane relief efforts, was made by Councilwoman Rivera, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Motion carried 6-0.
Estrellita Yuderca Moronta
Cindy Rojas
Antonia Lusa Montanaro
Ashley Beth Amaral
Kelly A Palumbo Autieri
Silvia Maria Perdomo
John Anthony Goncalves
Jeremy Scott Thayer
Pamela Gail Watson
Sydney Lyn Loiselle
Natalia Navarro
Anthony John Palombo Jr.
Nayanne Shasha Lenus
Angelina Serrano
Victoria Claire Beron
Motion to approve the resolution of condolences to the families of the following individuals was made by Councilman Solano, seconded by Councilman Lazieh. Motion carried 6-0.
Robert E. Bradley, Sr, March 29, 2018 (Ferri)
Youssef S. Madour 3/19/18 (Lazieh)
William L. Keefe 3/25/18 (Lazieh)
Richard L. Lefreniere March 23, 2018 (Lazieh)
Florence Eid 3/25/18 (Lazieh)
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
ii. Courtney J. Jacobs, of 14 Marbury Ave. Pawtucket, for alleged damages to personal property sustained on February 9, 2018
Ms. Jacobs was present to present her claim against the city.
City Solicitor Matthew Jerzyk, explained the decision before the council and provided guidance on the case.
Members of the council asked questions of Ms. Jacobs.
Motion to approve the claim was made by Councilwoman Rivera, seconded by Councilman Solano. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Acosta: present; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilman Lazieh: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: yes; Councilman Solano: yes. Motion carried 5-1-0.
B. Presentation by Jillian Finkle, of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, regarding the Broad Street Regeneration Initiative
Ms. Finkle conducted the presentation on the history of the various phases of the project and answered questions from the Council.
C. Presentation by Trey Scott, Principal Planner of the Central Falls Department of Planning and Economic Development, regarding Central Falls monuments.
Mr. Scott presented a GIS map tour of the monuments in Central Falls. Members of the Council provided feedback and suggestions of monuments to add.
VIII. New Business
A. City Council Sitting as Board of License Commissioners
i. Consideration of petition of license
| Class of License | Business Information |
| Entertainment- Per Diem | Foster Forward Foster Family Recruitment June 16, 2018 |
| Class C- Variety Class A- Restaurant Tobacco New | Tariq S. Khalil D/B/A Pizza R Us 791 Lonsdale Ave. |
Ms. Jessica Vega was present to describe the event and answer questions from the Council. Motion to approve the entertainment license application was made by Councilman Figueroa, seconded by Councilman Solano and Councilman Acosta. Motion carried 5-0. Councilman Ferri recused from voting.
Mr. Khalil was present to speak on behalf of his application and describe his business. Motion to approve the licenses was made by Councilman Lazieh, seconded by Councilman Solano. Motion carried 6-0.
B. Election of Special Constable License pursuant to RIGL 45-16-8: Dakota Jacobowitz of 176 Bay Spring Ave, Barrington, RI 02806
Mr. Jacobowitz was present and answered questions from the Council.
Motion to approve the petition was made by Councilman Figueroa, seconded by Councilman Acosta. Motion carried 5-1.
Councilwoman Rivera and Councilman Figueroa left the meeting at 8:10pm.
IX. Good & Welfare
Councilman Ferri: announced that the Council will meet on April 23, 2018 to review the FY17 Audit
Councilman Lazieh: announced a program by the Red Cross to provide smoke detectors; asked for resolutions of condolences to be added to the next meeting’s agenda.
X. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Acosta, seconded by Councilman Solano. Meeting adjourned at 8:29pm.
Sonia Grace
City Clerk
Approved June 11, 2018