City of Central Falls
City Council Meeting
Board of License Commissioners Meeting
Central Falls City Hall
580 Broad St., Central Falls, RI 02863
Monday, July 23, 2018
6:00 p.m.
Minutes
I. Roll Call
Alberto de Burgo, Assistant City Clerk, conducted the roll call. Present were Councilman Robert Ferri, Councilman Hugo Figueroa, Councilman Thomas Lazieh, Councilwoman Maria Rivera and Councilman Franklin Solano. Councilman Jonathon Acosta Councilwoman Carlen Fonseca were absent.
II. Pledge of Allegiance
Councilman Ferri led the Council and public in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Councilwoman Fonseca arrived at 6:03pm.
III. Public Comment
Edna Poulin 68 Notre Dame Street, Central Falls addressed the council concerning the amount that the clerk office charges per page for copies. She raised concerns that the office may be charging more than the law allows. She spoke on the appointment of Len Morganis as a possible conflict of interest.
IV. Approval of Records-Meeting minutes
Councilman Lazieh objected to minutes. A motion to table the minutes from June 25, 2018 was made by Councilman Lazieh, seconded by Councilwoman Rivera. Motion carried 6-0.
V. Executive Communications
A. Consideration of appointments by Mayor James Diossa
i. Mr. Leonard Morganis to the position of Finance Director
City Solicitor Jerzyk addressed the Council’s questions concerning any conflicts in the hiring of Mr. Leonard Morganis to the position of Finance Director.
A motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Leonard Morganis was made by Councilman Solano, seconded by Councilman Solano. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilman Lazieh: yes; Councilman Solano: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: yes. Motion carried 6-0.
ii. Mr. Thomas Deller to the position of Director of Planning and Economic Development
A motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Thomas Deller as Director of Planning and Economic Development was made by Councilman Lazieh, seconded by Councilman Figueroa and Councilwoman Fonseca. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilman Lazieh: yes; Councilman Solano: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: yes. Motion carried 6-0.
B. Department Financial Reports
i. City Clerk Department- June 2018
ii. Department of Code Enforcement-June 2018
iii. Finance Department: May 2018 Revenue, Expense, Capital
iv. Fire Department- June 2018
v. Police Department- June 2018
A motion to table the directors report was made Councilman Lazieh, seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca. The motion was withdrawn by Councilman Lazieh.
Finance Director Morganis answered questions concerning the budget. Colonel James Mendonca, Central Falls Chief of Police, answered questions from concerning the monthly police report.
Financial reports accepted.
i. 2018-0004: Acting Director of Planning and Economic Development
ii. 2018-0005: Acting Finance Director
Accepted
VI. Schedule of Bills- Hearing and/or consideration
A. Ordinance amending Chapter 12, “Businesses,” Article 1 “In General”, Section 12-4 “Chronic Nuisance Properties”- Introduction (Rivera)
Introduced
B. Ordinance amending Chapter 30, “Solid Waste,” Article I “In General,”- Introduction (Rivera)
Introduced
C. Ordinance Amending the Central Falls Comprehensive Plan (Pawtucket / Central Falls Transit Oriented Development Area)- Introduction (Ferri)
Introduced
D. Ordinance authorizing the City of Central Falls to provide for the design, construction, renovation, repair, rehabilitation, alteration, improvement, furnishing and equipping of public roads, sidewalks, city parks, including, but not limited to, Jenks Park and the Ralph J. Holden community center and authorizing the financing thereof, including the issue of not more than $5,000,000 bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness therefor- Introduction (Ferri)
Introduced
E. Resolution of the City Council Approving the City’s Sale or Lease of 954 Dexter Street, Central Falls, Rhode Island to Rhode Island College (Solano)
Jennifer Giroux a representative from Rhode Island College (RIC) addressed the Council and answered questions regarding the resolution. City Solicitor Jerzyk answered questions from the council and spoke on the agreement between the City and RIC.
A motion to amend the resolution that it would read to execute the lease of 954 Dexter Street and exclude the words and/or sale option was made by Councilman Lazieh, seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilman Lazieh: yes; Councilman Solano: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: yes. Motion carried 6-0.
Motion to approve the Resolution as amended was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilman Solano, and Councilwoman Fonseca. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilman Lazieh: yes; Councilman Solano: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: yes. Motion carried 6-0.
F. Resolution of the Central Falls City Council Supporting the City’s Two (2) Applications to the Rhode Island Housing Acquisition and Revitalization Program (Rivera)
Planning Director Thomas Deller was present to speak on the Resolution supporting the City’s two applications to Rhode Island Housing. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilman Lazieh: yes; Councilman Solano: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: yes. Vote carried 6-0.
G. Resolution of the City Council authorizing amendments to the Home Rule Charter to appear on the November 2018 ballot (Ferri)
A motion to approve the resolution authorizing the amendment to the Home Rule Charter was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilman Solano. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilman Lazieh: yes; Councilman Solano: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: yes. Motion carried 6-0.
H. Resolution of Central Falls City Council in Condolences and Congratulations
The following resolutions of condolences were introduced by Councilman Thomas Lazieh:
Dennis Anthony Twohey who passed away on July 12, 2018
Michael M. Doyle who passed away onJuly 22, 2018
A motion to approve was made by Councilman Lazieh, seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca and Councilman Solano. Motion carried 6-0.
VII. New Business
A. Consideration of Tax Abatement submitted by Tax Assessor
| Property Owner | Tax Year | Property Information |
| US Bank National | 2018 | PP: Leasing Company |
| Signet Electronic Systems Inc | 2018 | MV: 2009 Dodge GCA 089128 |
| Duarte, Carlos A | 2018 | MV: 2005 NISSA FRO 035344 |
| Neopost USA Inc | 2018 | PP: Leasing Company |
| Richardson, David | 2018 | MV: 2004 NISSA MUR 672705 |
| Altongy, Gilbert J ETUX Altongy Mimi | 2018 | RE: 1002 Broad St. Ste 3 |
| Altongy, Gilbert J ETUX Altongy Mimi | 2018 | RE: 1002 Broad St. |
| Snap-On Credit LLC | 2018 | PP: Equipment Rental |
| ACS Auto Repair | 2018 | PP: ACS Auto Repair |
| Haworth, Shawn J | 2018 | MV: 2012 SUBAR LEG AR782 |
| Lease Services | 2018 | PP: R & D Telecommunications |
| Penske Truck Leasing Co LP/TX Dept | 2018 | MV: 2018 Great TRA 090251 |
B. Consideration of Additions submitted by Tax Assessor
| Property Owner | Tax Year | Property Information |
| Wells Fargo Financial Leasing | 2018 | PP: 800 Walnut Street Desmois, IA 50309 |
City Tax Assessor Robert Battey was present to speak on the consideration of Tax Abatements. A motion to accept the consideration of tax abatement, collectively, was made by Councilman Lazieh, seconded by Councilman Solano. Motion carried 6-0.
C. City Council Sitting as Board of License Commissioners
i. Consideration of petition of license
| Class of License | Business Information |
| Second Hand Renewal | A-1 Tire & Auto Detailing 1289 Broad St. |
| Pigeon New | Justo Cardoso 48 Illinois St. |
| Tobacco New (tabled June 25, 2018) | Edwin Villafana D/B/A NY Dely and Minimarket 528 Dexter St |
| Tobacco New (tabled June 25, 2018) | Walgreen Eastern Co, Inc. D/B/A Rite Aid #10230 1114 Broad St. |
| Private Investigator Renewal | Augusto Mantilla-Serrano 104 Sayles St., Woonsocket, RI 02895 |
| Entertainment- Per Diem F/F1 New | St. Joseph Church Polish American Festival/Picnic 9/7/2018-9/9/2018 |
| Entertainment- Per Diem F/F1 New | Djon Ramos Morabeza Music Festival 9/2/18 |
| Entertainment- Per Diem New | Love in Action Guatemala Independence Festival 9/2/18 |
| Entertainment- Annual New | JFR & Son, LLC D/B/A La Milonga Bar 674 Dexter St. |
| Entertainment- Annual New | Ana Goncalves and Felix Semedo D/B/A Vanderly Coffee & Restaurant 765 Broad St. |
A motion to approve the renewal of the second hand Licenses for A-1 Tire & Auto Detailing was made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca. Motion carried 6-0.
Mr. Justo Cardoso was present to speak on the application for pigeon license. A motion to approve was made by Councilman Lazieh and seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca and Councilman Solano. Motion carried 6-0.
Mr. Edwin Villafana a representative from NY Dely and a representative of Walgreen Eastern Co, Inc. D/B/A Rite Aid #10230 were present to speak about their applications for a tobacco license. Colonel Mendonca and Lt. Chris Reed addressed the council regarding violations pertaining to both businesses.
Col. Mendonca told the Council that Rite Aid did not have any violations and that Ny Dely minimarket had one prior tobacco violation. City Solicitor Jerzyk informed the council of a correspondence received from the fire department pertaining to code and fire violations at 528 Dexter Street.
A motion to table pending a fire and code inspection was made by Councilman Lazieh, seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: no; Councilman Figueroa: no; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilman Lazieh: yes; Councilman Solano: no; Councilwoman Rivera: no. Motion failed 2-4.
A motion to approve the tobacco license for NY Dely was made by Councilman Figueroa, seconded by Councilman Solano. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: no; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: no; Councilman Lazieh: no; Councilman Solano: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: no. Motion failed 2-4.
A motion to approve the tobacco license for Walgreen Eastern Co, Inc. D/B/A Rite Aid #10230 was made by Councilman Lazieh, seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: no; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilman Lazieh: yes; Councilman Solano: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: yes. Motion carried 5-1.
Mr. Augusto Mantilla -Serrano was present to speak about the renewal of his Private Investigator License.
Motion to approve made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Rivera. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilman Lazieh: yes; Councilman Solano: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: yes. Motion carried 6-0.
Councilman Ferri spoke on behalf of St Joseph and recused from voting. A motion to approve was made by Councilman Lazieh, seconded by Councilman Solano. Col. Mendonca addressed the Council regarding the festival and answered questions. Motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Djon Ramos, representative for Morabeza Music Festival, was present to speak about the application for a F/F1 license. Chief of Staff Joshua Giraldo answered questions from the Council concerning the use of the Macomber Field for the festival. Motion to approve was made by Councilman Solano, seconded by Councilman Fonseca. Motion carried 6-0.
Mr. Luis Flores representative for Love in Action was present to speak about the application for a F/F1 license. A motion to approve was made by Councilman Lazieh, seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca and Councilman Solano. Motion carried 6-0.
Attorney Roger Ross, representing JFR & Son, LLC, spoke on the application from La Milonga Bar for an entertainment license. A motion to approve subject to the council’s action on the liquor license transfer was made by Councilman Lazieh, seconded by Councilwoman Rivera and Councilman Solano. Motion carried 6-0.
Ana Goncalves a representative for Vanderly Coffee & Restaurant was present to speak on the application from for an annual entertainment license. A motion to approve was made by Councilman Solano, seconded by Councilman Figueroa and Councilwoman Fonseca. Motion Carried 6-0.
D. Advertised hearing and consideration of petition for Alcoholic Beverage Class B (Victualling) license by Ana Goncalves and Felix Semedo D/B/A Vanderly Coffee & Restaurant, 765 Broad St., Central Falls, RI
A motion to approve with changes of the hours of operation from 7am-11pm to 7 am-1am and that the necessary signatures are on the application was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilman Solano and Councilman Figueroa. Motion carried 6-0.
Motion to approve the application as amended was made by Councilman Solano, seconded by Councilman Figueroa and Councilman Lazieh. Motion carried 6-0.
E. Advertised hearing and consideration of petition for transfer of Alcoholic Beverage Class B (Victualling) license from La Milonga Bar, Inc. D/B/A La Milonga Bar to JFR & Son, LLC. D/B/A La Milonga Bar, 674 Dexter St. Central Falls, RI
Attorney Roger Ross , representing JFR & Son’s LLC, was present to speak on the transfer of Class B Liquor from La Milonga Bar to JFR and Sons. Col Mendonca answered questions from the council concerning past incidents at La Milonga Bar.
A motion to approve the transfer of Alcoholic Beverage Class B (Victualling) license from La Milonga Bar, Inc. D/B/A La Milonga Bar to JFR & Son, LLC. D/B/A La Milonga Bar was made by Councilman Solano, seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilman Lazieh: yes; Councilman Solano: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: yes. Motion carried 6-0.
F. Advertised hearing and consideration of petition for Alcoholic Beverage Class B-Limited (Victualling) license by La Villa Bistro, LLC D/B/A La Villa Bistro, 428 Dexter St., Central Falls, RI
Ms. Julia Gonzales, representative of La Villa Bistro, LLC, was present to speak on the application for Alcoholic Beverage Class B-Limited (Victualling) license by La Villa Bistro, LLC D/B/A La Villa Bistro. A motion to approve was made by Councilman Solano, seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca. Motion carried 6-0.
G. Hearing, Consideration and Possible Action regarding the following license and license holders
i. Sanchez Food Corp. D/B/A Mi Tierra Supermarket
693 Dexter Street
Tobacco
Lt. Reed, of the Central Falls Police Department, spoke on on the tobacco license violations incurred by Mi Tierra Supermarket. A representative from Mi Tierra was present to address questions from the Council concerning the violations.
A motion to levy a fine of $350.00 for Tobacco license violations was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Rivera. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilman Lazieh: yes; Councilman Solano: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: yes. Motion carried 6-0.
ii. Saira Asturias D/B/A Dexter Street Market
874 Dexter Street
Tobacco
Lt. Reed, of the Central Falls Police Department spoke on the tobacco license violations by Dexter Street Market. Mr. Asturias answered questions from the Council concerning the violations.
A motion to levy a fine of $350.00 for Tobacco violations was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilman Figueroa, Councilwoman Rivers and Councilman Solano. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilman Lazieh: yes; Councilman Solano: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: yes. Motion carried 6-0.
iii. Thao Vo D/B/A Sunnyhill Market
194 Cross Street
Tobacco
A motion to impose a fine of $500.00 for a 3rd Tobacco license violation was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Rivera. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilman Lazieh: yes; Councilman Solano: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: yes. Motion carried 6-0.
iv. Family Dollar Stores of RI, Inc. D/B/A Family Dollar #27972
839 Broad St.
A motion to impose a fine of $350.00 for a 2nd Tobacco license violations was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilman Lazieh: yes; Councilman Solano: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: yes. Motion carried 6-0.
H. Presentation by Department of Planning and Economic Development and Department of Parks & Recreation and Community Service on efforts to improve the city’s fields (tabled June 25, 2018)
Without objection the presentation was tabled
VIII. Good & Welfare
Councilwoman Rivera announced the Puerto Rican Flag raising ceremony taking place July 25, 2018 at City Hall.
Councilman Lazieh congratulated the Colombian American Association on the success of the festival
Councilman Solano announced Central Falls restaurant week taking place August 27 to September 2, 2018
IX. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Figueroa, Seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm
Alberto de Burgo
Assistant City Clerk
Approved October 10, 2018