City of Central Falls

Special City Council Meeting

Thursday, October 29, 2020

5:00 p.m.

 

Pursuant to Governor Gina M. Raimondo’s Executive Order 20-25 (April 15, 2020),

extended by Executive Orders 20-53 (July 10, 2020) and 20-63 (August 7, 2020),

the meeting of the City Council will be held using the platform Zoom-

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89181022304?pwd=QThEZ1BrSDVhSmpuR2ljS1VJOTVqdz09

Detailed meeting invitation is found on page 2

 

Minutes

 

Council President Rivera called the meeting to order at 5:01pm

 

I.       Roll Call

City Clerk, Sonia Grace, conducted the roll call. Present were Council President Maria Rivera, Councilman Jonathon Acosta, Councilman Robert Ferri, Councilman Hugo Figueroa, Councilman Franklin Solano, and Councilman Gus Silva. Councilwoman Jessica Vega was absent. Quorum was present.

 

II.     Pledge of Allegiance

Council President Rivera led the reciting of the pledge of allegiance

 

Councilwoman Jessica Vega joined the meeting at 5:03pm

 

III.    Public Comment

No one signed up to speak

 

IV.    Executive Communications

A.     Consideration of re-appointment to the Central Falls Housing Authority Board: Jackie Parra, of 72 Notre Dame St., term to expire October 31, 2021

Motion to approve the appointment of Jackie Parra was made by Councilman Silva, seconded by Councilman Solano, Councilman Figueroa and Councilwoman Vega. Motion carried unanimously.

 

V.     New Business

A.     Consideration of Tax Abatement

Property Owner	Tax Year	Property Information
521 Roosevelt LLC	2020	RE: 521 Roosevelt Ave.

Motion to approve the abatement was made by Councilman Silva and Councilman Solano, seconded by Councilman Ferri.

Mr. Richard Nagle of NE Revaluation explained the reason for the abatement and the provided background information on the recommendation for abatement.

Matthew Jerzyk, City Solicitor, provided a legal opinion on the approval of the abatement.

Motion to table the abatement until the meeting of November 9 was made by Councilman Ferri, seconded by Councilman Acosta. Motion was withdrawn.

Motion to move the consideration of the abatement to the end of the agenda was made by Councilman Solano, seconded by Councilman Silva. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Jerzyk spoke about the abatement and its relation to the tax stabilization agreement as requested by the Council.

Motion to approve the abatement was made by Councilman Solano, seconded by Councilman Ferri. Motion carried unanimously.

              

VI.    Schedule of Bills- Hearing and/or Consideration

B.     Consideration of Motion to Suspend Rule 13 of the City Council Rules

Motion to suspend Rule 13 of the City Council Rules was made by Councilman Solano, seconded by Councilman Silva. Motion carried unanimously.

 

C.      Reconsideration of Ordinance Creating the Racial Justice & Equity in Central Falls Ordinance by amending Chapter 2 “Administration,” and Chapter 22 “Law Enforcement” (Rivera, Acosta, Solano, Vega)

Motion to reconsider the ordinance was made by Councilman Silva, seconded by Councilwoman Vega. Motion carried unanimously.

 

D.     Hearing and/or Consideration of Ordinance Creating the Racial Justice & Equity in Central Falls Ordinance by amending Chapter 2 “Administration,” and Chapter 22 “Law Enforcement” (Rivera, Acosta, Solano, Vega)

Public Hearing

-Lt. John Carroll, Central Falls Police Department- Lt. Carrol spoke as a police office and as union president about the impact that the new ordinance would have on the police department’s ability to use non-lethal restraining methods. Lt Carroll urged the Council to reverse its decision.

-Colonel Daniel Barzykowski, Chief of Police- mirrored the comments of the Lt. Carroll. Colonel Barzykowski also spoke about the training and policies currently in place in the police department to prevent abuse of power and mistreatment of civilians,

Motion to remove words “and chokeholds are prohibited in all situations” was made by Councilman Silva, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Roll call vote: Councilman Acosta: yes; Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilman Silva: yes; Councilman Solano: yes; Councilwoman Vega: no; Council President Rivera: yes. Motion carried, six in the affirmative, one in the negative.

Motion to approve ordinance as amended was made by Councilman Silva, seconded Councilman Solano. Roll call vote: Councilman Acosta: yes; Councilman Ferri: yes; Councilman Figueroa: yes; Councilman Silva: yes; Councilman Solano: yes; Councilwoman Vega: no; Council President Rivera: yes. Motion carried, six in the affirmative, one in the negative.

 

E.     Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Lease of a Portion of City-Owned Property Located at Ledge Street and Foundry Street, Assessor’s Plat 5, Lot 322 (Rivera)

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

 

VII.  Adjournment

 

 

Sonia Grace, City Clerk

 

Approved December 14, 2020

 

 

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

 

 

 

Zoom webinar

 

Central Falls City Council

 

Oct 29, 2020 05:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

 

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86475352624?pwd=eDFvRkREYVR5Y05ibkc3SkZxd3lHZz09

 

Passcode: 969100

 

Or iPhone one-tap :

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Or Telephone:

 

Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

 

US:

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833 548 0276 (Toll Free) or

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or 877 853 5247 (Toll Free)

or 888 788 0099 (Toll Free)

 

Webinar ID: 864 7535 2624

Passcode: 969100

 

International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/k8wddloJX

 

 

 

 

 

 

City of Central Falls is an equal opportunity employer ADA/EOE. TDD/TTY 401-727-7450. This notice is posted in City Hall, Police Department, Department of Public Works, on www.centralfallsri.us and with the Office of the Secretary of State pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws. To review Notice of Citizen’s Rights, visit the Attorney General’s webpage at www.riag.ri.gov