I. Roll Call

Sonia Grace, City Clerk, conducted the roll call. Present were Councilman Robert Ferri, Councilman Hugo Figueroa, Councilwoman Carlene Fonseca, Councilman Thomas Lazieh, Councilwoman Maria Rivera. Councilman Jonathon Acosta was absent.

II. Pledge of Allegiance

Councilman Ferri led the pledge of allegiance.

III. Schedule of Bills-Hearing and/or consideration

Public Hearing:

Al Romanowicz, 303 Central St.- questioned the process that proposed the charter questions. Mr. Romanowicz asked how the changes were created and questioned the bond proposal.

Tia Ristaino-Siegel, 14 Worth St.-asked why there was no charter review committee to propose the charter changes. Ms. Ristaino-Siegel expressed her concern regarding the tax rate and the city’s finances if the bond is approved.

Maria Lozano, 419 Hunt. St- asked where the funds would come from to support the construction of the community center. Ms. Lozano also spoke about the noise ordinance and how it is being enforced. She invited the Council to attend a meeting at the Central Falls high school in which the school uniform policy will be addressed.

Edna Poulin, 68 Notre Dame St- expressed her concern regarding the bond and the funding of the community center.

Thomas Lazieh, 1072 Lonsdale Ave.- objected to the consideration of the bond, the charter revisions and the calling of the city council meeting.

Joshua Giraldo and Len Morganis- Mr. Giraldo presented, through a Powerpoint presentation, details of the proposed expenses described in the ordinance. Mr. Giraldo explained the research and planning for each project, answered questions from the Council and the audience. Mr. Morganis explained the financing mechanism for each project and answered questions from the Council and the audience.

Councilman Solano left the council chambers at 7:42pm and returned at 7:46pm

Council entered into recess at 7:49pm and returned at 7:55pm.

Motion to limit discussion until 8:45pm was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Rivera.

A. 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- First Reading (Ferri)

Motion to add 3 sections: 1) to create a outreach plan; 2) create a bond committee to oversee expenditures and 3) require that expenditures that go over the approved amount be reviewed by the Council was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilman Lazieh: no; Councilwoman Rivera: yes; Councilman Solano: yes. Motion carried 5-1.

Motion to approve ordinance as amended was made by Councilwoman Fonseca and seconded by Councilwoman Rivera and Councilman Figueroa. Motion was withdrawn.

Motion to amend ordinance to authorize City Solicitor to correctly state section 11 to allow for 3 questions and to work with the Secretary of State to revise the language was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilman Lazieh: no; Councilwoman Rivera: yes; Councilman Solano: yes. Motion carried 5-1.

Motion to approve first passage of the ordinance as amended was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilman Figueroa and Councilwoman Rivera. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilman Lazieh: no; Councilwoman Rivera: yes; Councilman Solano: yes. Motion carried 5-1.

B. Resolution of the City Council authorizing amendments to the Home Rule Charter to appear on the November 2018 ballot (Ferri)

Mr. Matthew Jerzyk, City Solicitor, reviewed changes to the resolution that resulted from discussions with city councilors.

Motion to amend the resolution with Substitute A was made by Councilwoman Rivera, seconded by Councilman Solano. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilman Lazieh: no; Councilwoman Rivera: yes; Councilman Solano: yes. Motion carried 5-1.

Motion to approve as amended was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Rivera. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilman Lazieh: no; Councilwoman Rivera: yes; Councilman Solano: yes. Motion carried 5-1.

IV. Adjournment

Motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Meeting adjourned at 9:05pm.

Sonia Grace, City Clerk

Approved October 10, 2018