City of Central Falls
City Council Meeting
Board of License Commissioners Meeting
Central Falls City Hall
Monday, May 14, 2018
6:00 p.m.
Minutes
Council President Bob Ferri called the meeting to order at the Central Falls Council chambers at 6:07pm.
I. Roll Call
Sonia Grace, City Clerk, conducted the roll call. Present were Councilman Robert Ferri, Councilman Jonathon Acosta, Councilman Hugo Figueroa, Councilwoman Carlene Fonseca, Councilman Thomas Lazieh, Councilwoman Maria Rivera, and Councilman Franklin Solano. Quorum was present
II. Pledge of Allegiance
Council President lead the reciting of the pledge of allegiance.
III. Public Comment
-Lorraine Savard, 76 Emmett St- expressed her concern about the current pension liability and funds being spent on projects.
-Mayor’s Youth Council- spoke about their project that will provide personal care products to homeless youth who attend the Central Falls schools.
-Edna Poulin, 68 Notre Dame St.- expressed her concerns about the city’s finances, the surplus and the results of the audit.
-Vernia Carter, 52 Earle St.- expressed her concern about previous Council meetings and the way speakers were treated.
IV. Approval of Records
Meeting minutes- April 9, 2018
Meeting minutes- April 23, 2018
Motion to defer the consideration of the minutes was made by Councilman Lazieh, seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca. Motion carried 6-1.
V. Executive Communications
Consideration of appointments by Mayor James A. Diossa
Cornelius “Neil” Flynn, 44 Courtland St, to the Central Falls Housing Authority; term to expire March 31, 2023
Motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Flynn was made by Councilman Solano, seconded by Councilman Lazieh. Motion carried 7-0
Gloria Rubio, 128 School Street, to the Board of Appeals; term to expire May 7, 2021
Motion to approve the appointment of Ms. Rubio was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilman Solano. Motion carried 7-0.
Mayoral Proclamation from Mayor James Diossa:
Declaring May 10, 2018 as World Lupus Day
Declaring June 2018 as Immigrant Heritage Month
Declaring May 30th as Father Anthony Iwuc Day
Motion to accept and place on file collectively was made Councilman Acosta, seconded by Councilman Solano. Motion carried 7-0.
C. Department Financial Reports
City Clerk Department- March, April 2018
Department of Code Enforcement-March, April 2018
Finance Department: March 2018 Revenue and Expense, Capital
Fire Department- March, April 2018
Police Department- March, April 2018
Irina Gorman, Deputy Finance Director, was present to answer questions from the Council regarding the finance department report, including the formatting of the reports. Ms. Gorman also explained the process for the refunds due to residents who overpaid automobile taxes.
VI. Schedule of Bills- Hearing and/or consideration
A. Ordinance Amending Chapter 20, “Fire Prevention and Protection”, Article III, “Fire Alarm Systems”- Second Reading (Ferri)
Public Hearing: No one signed up to speak.
Motion to approve the ordinance was made by Councilman Acosta, seconded by Councilman Solano. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Acosta: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: yes; Councilman Lazieh: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: yes; Councilman Solano: yes. Motion carried 7-0.
B. Ordinance Amending Chapter 40, The Central Falls Redevelopment Agency, Redevelopment Area, And Redevelopment Plan- Second Reading (Ferri)
Motion to approve the ordinance was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilman Figueroa.
Mr. Peter Friedrichs, Director of Planning and Economic Development and Director of the Central Falls Redevelopment Agency was present to speak on the ordinance. Mr. Friedrichs answered questions from the Council about the properties being considered and the funds used by the Redevelopment Agency.
Public Hearing:
Lorraine Savard, 78 Emmett St- requested that there be zoning changes that support renewable energy
Joshua Giraldo, Chief of Staff responded to the Council’s request for clarification and more information about the properties considered by the Redevelopment Agency.
Mr. Friedrichs provided an overview of the work that has taken place on the properties currently under control of the Redevelopment Agency.
Motion to approve the ordinance was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Motion was withdrawn.
Motion to approve the ordinance with a request that documentation be continually provided to the Council was made by Councilman Lazieh, seconded by Councilman Acosta. Roll call vote: Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Acosta: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Fonseca: no; Councilman Lazieh: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: yes; Councilman Solano: yes. Motion carried 6-1.
C. Ordinance Amending Chapter 12, “Businesses,” Article X “Tobacco Dealers,” (Flavored Tobacco)- First Reading (Lazieh)
Public Hearing:
Dennis Lane, Coalition for Responsible Retailing- commended the City for the ordinance, expressed his support for the banning of the sale of flavored tobacco products.
Vernia Carter and youth of the Central Falls Prevention Coalition- spoke in opposition to the proposed amendment
Vanitaben Patel, owner of Sunshine Market- spoke in support of the ordinance amendments.
Jose Payamps, owner of Payamps Liquors- spoke about the impact of the ban on flavored tobacco in Central Falls on his business.
Councilman Lazieh explained the proposed amendments including the negative impact on local families and local businesses.
Motion to approve the ordinance was made by Councilman Lazieh. Motion was not seconded. Motion died.
D. Ordinance Amending Chapter 12, “Businesses,” Article X “Tobacco Dealers,” (Tobacco Fines)-First Reading (Lazieh)
Public Hearing:
Jennifer Wall, American Lung Society- spoke on behalf of the American Lung Association in opposition to the proposed amendments
Erin Boles Welsh, Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDoH)- provided an overview of the report conducted by the RIDoH and expressed the department’s opposition to the proposed amendments.
Councilman Lazieh reviewed the proposed amendments to the ordinance.
Motion to approve the ordinance was made by made by Councilman Lazieh, seconded by Councilman Acosta.
Roll call: Councilman Ferri: no; Councilman Acosta: yes; Councilman Figueroa: no; Councilwoman Fonseca: no; Councilman Lazieh: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: no; Councilman Solano: no. Motion failed 2-5.
E. Ordinance Amending Chapter 14, “Courts,” Article II “Municipal Court,” Division I “Generally”- Introduction (Ferri)
Introduced
F. Ordinance Amending Chapter 8, “Animals,” Article V “Dogs,” Division I “Generally”-Introduction (Rivera)
Introduced
Councilman Figueroa exited the meeting at 8:18pm and returned at 8:22pm
G. Resolution of the Central Falls City Council in support of the Community Block Grant application (Ferri)
Motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilman Solano. Motion carried 5-1.
H. Resolution of the Central Falls City Council Supporting HIV Awareness in Central Falls (Fonseca)
Motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilman Acosta, seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca and Councilman Solano. Motion carried 6-0.
I. Resolution of the Central Falls City Council Proclaiming May 26th as Michelle Norris Day (Fonseca)
Motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilman Acosta, seconded by Councilman Solano. Motion carried 6-0.
J. Resolution Supporting House Bill 8139 and Senate Bill 2818 relating to Receivership Costs Owed (Ferri)
Motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilman Solano, seconded by Fonseca. Motion carried 7-0.
K. Resolution of Central Falls City Council in Condolences and Congratulations
Motion to approve the resolution of congratulations for the following individuals was made by Councilman Lazieh, seconded by Councilman Acosta. Motion carried 7-0.
Dionysius John Kawak, Archbishop and Patriarchal Vicar of the Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church for the Eastern United States on his visit to St. Ephraim Syriac Orthodox Church on June 10, 2018 (Lazieh)
Rev. Fr. Alan Shaltan on his 10th anniversary of his ordination and that of congratulating Rev. Fr. Alan Shaltan and his wife Hassnaa Saliba Shaltan on being naturalized as United States citizens (Lazieh)
Former Central Falls Police officer Derrick Levasseur on his success in video investigative reporting on national broadcast television (Lazieh)
Chief Patrick T. Foley on his retirement as chief of the Douglas, Mass. police department after 22 years at his retirement testimonial on May 31, 2018 and his new appointment as chief of the Williston, Vermont Police Department (Lazieh)
The Central Falls Warriors Athletics 2018 Hall of Fame inductees (Lazieh)
Joseph Osediacz
Louis P. Tager
Gayle Turgeon
Kelly Bianchi
Michael Mitchell
Jason Gagne
Carlos DePina
Coach Nick Pagliaro
Coach Bob Marchand
Lifetime Warrior Award: Paulette Barden
2005 State Championship CFHS Football Team
2005 CFHS Champion Football Coaches:
Head Coach: Maurice Jackson
Assistant Coach: Anthony Ficocelli
Assistant Coach: Jeff Lapierre
Assistant Coach: Wes Pennington
Mellissa Gallego for her work in the City as a young adult, for organizing a peace walk and for graduating from Rhode Island College (Rivera)
Motion to approve the resolution of condolences to the families of the following individuals was made by Councilman Lazieh, seconded by Councilman Acosta. Motion carried 7-0.
Resolutions submitted by Councilman Lazieh
Normand R. Beaudette, 04/21/2018
Samuel J. Demty, 04/24/2018
John J. Solomon, Sr. 04/26/2018
Robert R. Landry, 04/26/2018
John F. Crimmins, 04/28/2018
Gregory M. Hanna, 05/01/2018
Jeanne L. Dow, 05/02/2018
Robert W. Moreau Sr., 05/06/2018
John J. McLaughlin Jr., 05/07/2018
Abraham Hanna, 05/14/2018
Resolutions submitted by Councilman Ferri
Abraham Hanna, 05/14/2018
Ann Josephine (Pytka) Paulhus, 05/05/2018
VII. New Business
i. Consideration of Tax Abatement submitted by Tax Assessor
| Property Owner | Tax Year | Property Information |
| Catalan, Ana M | 2017 | MV:2016 Toyota Tac |
| Mathias, Courtney M | 2016 | MV: 2007 ACU TSX |
| Smith, Tabatha N | 2014 | MV:2006 Dodge SRX |
| Whittet-Higgins Co | 2017 | PP: 33 Higginson Ave |
| Small, Dominique D | 2015 | MV: 2007 NIS ATS |
| Small, Dominique D | 2016 | MV: 2007 NIS ATS |
| Gibbons, Shane D | 2006 | MV: 2002 NIS ABS |
| Gibbons, Shane D | 2007 | MV: 2002 NIS ABS |
| Russo, Christina A | 2017 | MV: 2007 VOLK |
| Climaco Trucking Inc | 2016 | MV: 2003 FRHT |
| Climaco Trucking Inc | 2016 | MV: 2004 FRHT |
| Quiroa, Marvin O | 2016 | MV: 2009 CAD ESC |
| Quiroa, Marvin O | 2016 | MV: 2012 LAND ROV |
Mr. Robert Battey, Tax Assessor, spoke on the abatements.
Motion to approve the abatements collectively was made by Councilman Lazieh, seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca and Councilman Figueroa. Motion carried 7-0.
B. City Council Sitting as Board of License Commissioners
i. Consideration of petition of license
| Class of License | Business Information |
| Peddler New | Walter Boulden, D/B/A Rhode Dogs |
| Class A- Restaurant New | Ana D. Goncalves, D/B/A Vanderly Coffee 765 Broad St. |
Motion to deny the license application of Mr. Boulden was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Rivera. Motion was withdrawn.
Motion to table the application of Mr. Boulden was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilman Acosta. Motion carried 7-0.
Ms. Goncalves was present to speak on behalf of her application for restaurant license. Motion to approve the application was made by Councilman Lazieh, seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca. Motion carried 7-0.
B. 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
Motion to enter into executive session was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilwoman Rivera. Motion carried 7-0.
Motion to come out of executive session was made by Councilwoman Fonseca, seconded by Councilman Solano. Motion carried 7-0.
ii. Frank Rodriguez, of 160 Illinois, Central Falls, for alleged damages to personal property sustained on April 16, 2018
Motion to table the consideration of the claim of Mr. Rodriguez was made by Councilman Councilwoman Rivera, seconded by Councilman Figueroa and Councilwoman Fonseca. Motion carried 7-0.
ii. Daniel Sumner, attorney, on behalf of Rosa Rodriguez, for alleged injuries sustained on March 18, 2018
Motion to refer to The RI Interlocal Trust was made by Councilman Lazieh, seconded by Councilman Acosta. Motion carried 7-0.
C. Election of Special Constable Licenses pursuant to RIGL 45-16-8: Marlene Montano Arancibia, 20 Swiss St., Providence, RI (renewal)
Motion to approve the renewal of Ms. Arancibia’s license was made by Councilman Acosta, seconded by Councilman Solano. Motion carried 7-0.
VIII. Good & Welfare
Councilman Ferri: invited the Council to an event being hosted by Foster Forward to bring awareness to the need for foster parents. The event will take place on June 9, 2018 at Jenks Park.
Councilman Solano: congratulated Councilwoman Rivera for the fashion show she hosted at Forand Mannor for the residents on May 5th
Councilwoman Rivera: announced the resident fashion show at Wilfrid Mannor on June 24, 2018
Councilman Acosta: commended the Central Falls School District and Councilwoman Fonseca for the summer activities fair; announced the budget address at the Central Falls High School on May 15 at 7pm; announced upcoming open hours for resident to be hosted jointly with Councilwoman Rivera; and announced that he would be working with the City Solicitor to introduce an ordinance creating a process of participatory budget creation
Councilwoman Rivera: announced Zumba in the Park, at Almond Park, beginning Tuesday, May 22nd and every Tuesday and Thursday for the remainder of the summer.
Councilwoman Fonseca: Announced Central Falls High School Honors Night on Wednesday, May 30th at Madeira Club.
IX. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Acosta, seconded by Councilwoman Fonseca. Meeting adjourned at 9:03pm.
Sonia Grace
City Clerk
Approved June 11, 2018