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City of Central Falls

City Council Meeting

Board of License Commissioners Meeting

Central Falls City Hall

580 Broad St., Central Falls, RI 02863

Monday, January 28, 2019

6:00 p.m.

Minutes

Council President Maria Rivera called the meeting to order.

I. Roll Call

Sonia Grace, City Clerk conducted the roll call at 6:01pm. Present were: Councilman Jonathon Acosta, Councilman Robert Ferri, Councilman Hugo Figueroa, Councilwoman Rivera, Councilman Gus Silva, and Councilwoman Jessica Vega. Councilman Franklin Solano was absent.

II. Pledge of Allegiance

Councilwoman Rivera led the reciting of the pledge of allegiance

III. Public Comment

Pierre Larivee, 28 Tiffany St.- spoke on behalf of the Holy Spirit Church in opposition of the resolution listed as item VI(G).

Representative James McLaughlin, District 57- spoke in opposition of the resolution listed as item VI(G)

Stephanie Gonzalez, 81 Emmett St and 35 Deborah St. (Providence)- spoke in support of resolution listed as item VI(G).

Thomas Lazieh, 1072 Lonsdale Ave- objected to minutes, questioned the end of the last council, and opposed the resolution listed as item VI(G)

Edna Poulin, 68 Notre Dame St- spoke in opposition of passage of resolution listed as item VI(G)

Lisa Scorpio, 582 Plainfield St, Providence- spoke in support of passage of resolution in item VI(G)

Ally Chatham, 525 Roosevelt Ave, #417- spoke in support of passage of item VI(G)

Stephanie Ocarte- 262 Smithfield Ave.- spoke in support of passage of item VI(G)

Blanca Rivas, 118 Fuller Ave. (Ms. Jahaira Rodriguez interpreted for Ms. Rivas)- spoke in opposition of the resolution.

Fatima Biga, S. Attleboro- suggested that society should look at options other than abortion, such as adoption.

Catherine Lavalee, Lincoln- spoke in opposition of the resolution listed as items VI(G)

IV. Approval of Records-Meeting minutes

1. December 10, 2018

2. January 7, 2019

Motion to approve the meeting minutes collectively was made by Councilman Silva. Motion was withdrawn.

Motion to approve the meeting minutes of December 10, 2018 was made by Councilman Ferri, seconded by Councilman Acosta. Motion carried 3-0. Councilman Figueroa, Councilwoman Vega and Councilman Silva abstained from voting.

Motion to approve the meeting minutes of January 7, 2019 was made by Councilman Silva, seconded by Councilman Ferri. Motion carried 6-0.

V. Executive Communications

A. Consideration of appointment, by Mayor James Diossa, to the Central Falls Detention Facility Board

1. Gary Berdugo, 146 Central St., Central Falls

2. Herman Yip, 501 Roosevelt Ave., Central Falls

Mr. Robert Weber, Assistant City Solicitor, spoke on behalf Mayor Diossa and in support of the appointment of Mr. Berdugo.

Motion to appoint was made by Councilman Silva, seconded by Councilman Ferri. Motion carried 5-0. Councilman Acosta voted present.

B. Department Financial Reports

1. City Clerk Department- November, December 2018

2. Department of Code Enforcement- November, December 2018

3. Finance Department: November 2018: Revenue, Expense

4. Fire Department- November, December 2018

5. Police Department- December 2018

Received

VI. Schedule of Bills- Hearing and/or consideration

A. Ordinance amending Division 2 “Retail Licenses” of Article II “Dealers” of Chapter 4, “Alcoholic Beverages” (Silva)- Introduction

Introduced

B. Ordinance amending Chapter 1 “General Provisions” (Ferri)- Introduction

Introduced

C. Ordinance amending Chapter 26, “Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions,” Article I. “In General (Acosta, Vega)- Introduction

Introduced

D. Ordinance amending Article 1 “In General” of Chapter 34, “Taxation” (Silva)- Introduction

Introduced

E. Ordinance amending Chapter 12, “Business”, Article X “Tobacco Dealers” (Acosta)- Introduction

Introduced

F. Resolution of the Central Falls City Council calling on the General Assembly to pass enabling legislation for Municipal Tobacco Licensing (Rivera)

Mr. Matthew Jerzyk, City Solicitor, provided background information on the resolution and the reason for its passage.

Motion to approve was made by Councilman Silva, seconded by Councilman Ferri. Motion carried 6-0.

G. Resolution of the Central Falls City Council supporting the Rhode Island Reproductive Health Care Act of 2019 (Rivera)

Motion to approve the ordinance was made by Councilman Silva, seconded by Councilman Acosta and Councilwoman Vega.

Roll call vote: Councilman Acosta; yes; Councilman Ferri: no; Councilman Figueroa: no; Councilwoman Rivera: yes; Councilman Silva: yes; Councilwoman Vega: yes. Motion carried 4-2.

H. Resolution of the Central Falls City Council permitting the Tai-O Group to construct a first-floor deck over city property as part of the renovation of 1420 Broad Street (Ferri, by request)

Motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilman Silva, seconded by Councilman Ferri.

Mr. Jim Vandermillen, Assistant Planning Director, spoke about the resolution. Mr. Jerzyk and Mr. Vandermillen answered questions from the Council.

Councilman Silva and Councilman Ferri withdrew their motion and second.

Motion to approve the resolution contingent upon receipt of plans for the project by the next city council meeting, was made by Councilman Acosta, seconded by Councilman Silva. Motion carried unanimously.

I. Resolution of Central Falls City Council in Condolences and Congratulations

There were none

VII. New Business

A. Election of Probate Judge

Councilman Silva nominated Mr. Bruce Sawyer to the position of probate judge. Nomination was seconded by Councilman Ferri. Roll call vote: Councilman Acosta; yes; Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: yes; Councilman Silva: yes; Councilwoman Vega: yes. Motion carried unanimously.

B. Consideration of Appointments to the Municipal Court

1. Elizabeth Ortiz, Municipal Court Judge

2. Raymond P. Cooney, Municipal Court Judge Emeritus

3. Robert J. McConnell, Associate Municipal (Housing) Court Judge

Mr. Robert Weber, Assistant City Solicitor, was present and spoke on behalf of Mayor James Diossa.

Councilman Silva nominated Ms. Elizabeth Ortiz to the position of Municipal Court Judge. Nomination was seconded by Councilwoman Vega. Roll call vote: Councilman Acosta; yes; Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: yes; Councilman Silva: yes; Councilwoman Vega: yes. Motion carried unanimously.

Councilman Silva nominated Mr. Raymond Cooney to the position of Municipal Court Judge, Emeritus. Nomination was seconded by Councilman Ferri. Roll call vote: Councilman Acosta; yes; Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: yes; Councilman Silva: yes; Councilwoman Vega: yes. Motion carried unanimously.

Councilman Silva nominated Mr. Robert McConnell to the position of Associate Municipal Court Judge. Nomination was seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Roll call vote: Councilman Acosta; yes; Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: yes; Councilman Silva: yes; Councilwoman Vega: yes. Motion carried unanimously.

C. Consideration of Tax Abatement submitted by Tax Assessor

Property Owner	Tax Year	Property Information
Mariaca, Andres F	2018	MV: 2014 Honda Accord

Motion to approve the tax abatement was made by Councilman Acosta, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Motion carried unanimously.

D. City Council Sitting as Board of License Commissioners

1. Hearing and consideration of petition by JDs Bar, LLC. d/b/a JDs Bar, 137 Central Street, for extension of time by which petitioner may claim Alcoholic Beverages Class B License

Mr. Julio dos Santos was present to speak on behalf of his business’ petition.

Motion to approve the petition was made by Councilman Silva, seconded by Councilman Ferri.

Mr. Santos explained the reasons for the delay and requested a 4-month extension on this liquor license.

Motion and seconded were withdrawn.

Motion to approve a 4-month extension was made by Councilwoman Vega, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Motion carried unanimously.

2. Consideration of petition of license

Class of License

Business Information

Second Hand

New

John E. Karbowski dba Ted’s Auto Sales

326 Broad St.

Victualing- Class C

Transfer

Tienda Y Panaderia Zacapa

744 Dexter St.

Laundry

Transfer

Extreme Clean Laundry, Inc. dba Extreme Clean Laundry

900 Broad St.

Entertainment

New

Rockwell Amusements & Promotions, Inc.

Carnival at 558 Roosevelt Ave.: 3/29/19-4/7/19

Motion to approve the application of Ted’s Auto Sales was made by Councilman Silva, seconded by Councilman Ferri. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion to approve the application of TiendaY Panaderia Zacapa was made by Councilman Silva, seconded by Councilman Ferri. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion to approve the application of Extreme Clean Laundry was made by Councilman Silva, seconded by Councilman Ferri. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion to approve the application of Rockwell Amusements was made by Councilman Silva, seconded by Councilman Ferri. Motion carried unanimously.

E. PUBLIC HEARING- Request for public input and comment on the City of Central Falls “Year 15 RIPDES MS4 Report,” as required by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Public Hearing: no one spoke

Ms. Elaine Partridge, director of the Department of Public Works & Code Enforcement, was present and provided an overview of the work described in the report.

F. Consideration of Appointment of Tree Warden- Matthew C. Largess

Re-appointment; term to expire 1/1/2020

Councilman Silva nominated Mr. Matthew Largess to be the City’s tree warden. Motion was seconded by Councilman Ferri. Motion carried unanimously.

G. Election of Special Constable pursuant to RIGL 45-16-8

Name	Address
John Agrela	131 Pleasant Ave, #18, Smithfield, RI 02917
Jean P. Barros	1 Williams St., Pawtucket, RI 02860
Charles E. Beaudoin	30 Washington St., Central Falls, RI 02863
Robert Di Martino	351 Princess Ave., Cranston, RI 02920
Jason N. Dymek	308 Hunt St., Central Falls, RI
Charlene Gaffney	354 York Ave., Pawtucket, RI 02860
Donald Godin	14 Illinois St., Central Falls, RI 02863
Dakota Jacobowitz	176 Bay Spring Ave., Barrington, RI 02806
Thomas Lazieh	1172 Lonsdale Ave., Central Falls, RI 02863
Michael A. Lussier	36 Pleasant View Dr., N. Providence, RI 02904
Elaine Partridge	70 Clark St., Cumberland, RI 02864
Venus Zayas	66 Carpenter St., Cumberland, RI 02864

Motion to elect the listed individuals as special constable was made by Councilman Ferri, seconded by Councilwoman Vega. Motion carried unanimously.

H. Consideration of City Council Rules

Motion to approve the city council rules was made by Councilman Silva, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Motion carried unanimously.

I. Consideration of City Council 2019 Meeting schedule

Motion to approve the City Council meeting schedule was made by Councilman Silva, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Motion carried unanimously.

J. Hearing and/or Consideration of Claims

1. Executive Session pursuant to R.I.G.L § 42-46-5 (a)(2), pertaining to litigation or work sessions pertaining to litigation in

a) re: Robert Sayre-McCord

b) re: Central Falls Detention Facility Corporation

Motion to enter into executive session was made by Councilman Silva, seconded by Councilman Ferri. Roll call vote: Councilman Acosta; yes; Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: yes; Councilman Silva: yes; Councilwoman Vega: yes. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion to return in to open session was made by Councilman Silva, seconded by Councilwoman Vega. Roll call vote: Councilman Acosta; yes; Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilwoman Rivera: yes; Councilman Silva: yes; Councilwoman Vega: yes. Motion carried unanimously.

City Clerk Grace reported that the Council voted unanimously, in executive session, to accept the recommendation of the City Solicitor.

VIII. Good & Welfare

Councilwoman Rivera: presented a gift to Councilman Ferri for his years as City Council President and all other members of the City council in appreciation for their efforts.

Councilman Acosta: announced that the Blackstone Valley Prep and Calcutt middle schools wrestling team would compete in the state’s tournaments.

Councilman Ferri: showed recognition to the New England Patriots for their upcoming appearance in the Super Bowl.

IX. Adjournment

Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Acosta, seconded by Councilwoman Vega. Meeting adjourned at 8:35pm.

Respectfully submitted

Sonia Grace

City Clerk

Approved February 11, 2018

To view an electronic version of the agenda with supporting documentation, click on link: http://clerkshq.com/default.ashx?clientsite=centralfalls-ri