City of Central Falls

Special City Council Meeting

Thursday, April 22, 2021

6:00 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 was held using the platform Zoom-

 

Minutes

 

Council President Vega called the meeting to order at 6:05pm

 

 

I.      Roll Call

City Clerk, Jahaira Rodriguez, conducted the roll call. Present were Council President Jessica Vega, Councilwoman Tatiana Baena, Councilwoman Glendaliz Colon, Councilman Hugo Figueroa, Councilwoman Meaghan Levasseur, Councilman Franklin Solano, and Councilwoman Adamaris Villar. There was quorum.

 

II.    Pledge of Allegiance

Council President Vega asked Councilman Hugo Figueroa to lead the Council in reciting the pledge of allegiance.

 

III.   New Business-Hearing and/or consideration

A.   Resolution Honoring April 19-23, 2021 as After-school Professionals Appreciation Week in Central Falls.

Motion to approve the resolution made by Councilwoman Levasseur seconded by Councilman Solano. Motion carried unanimously.

Councilwoman Baena spoke about the resolution. Council President and Councilman Solano thanked Baena for the resolution.

 

IV.   Continued Business

A.   City Council sitting as Board of License Commissioners-Hearing and/or Consideration of Licenses.

Motion to approve the F1-Application for the Learning Community, 21 Lincoln Avenue, was made by Councilman Figueroa and Councilman Solano, Seconded by Councilwoman Levasseur. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Motion to approve the Entertainment License for the Learning Community, 21 Lincoln Avenue, was made by Councilman Figueroa, Seconded by Councilwoman Levasseur. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Derek Collamati, spoke to the Council about the event. Councilwoman Baena commented that she is glad to see the event again. Councilman Figueroa agreed that this is a great event.

 

Councilwoman Baena and Councilwoman Colon asked to recuse themselves from participating in this discussion of this Ordinance.

 

Motion to open public comment was made by Councilwoman Levasseur, seconded by Councilman Solano.

 

Tia, Ristaino Siegel, 14 Worth St, Central Falls, RI 02863, spoke about the community garden. Thanked the Assistant Solicitor, Robert Weber.

 

Thomas Evans, 54 Ayr Street, Central Falls, RI 02863, spoke about the fees and what it would cost his non-profit organization to use the fields.

 

Daniel Tavares, (CF Panthers), P. O. Box 205, Central Falls, RI 02863, spoke about the fees being too expensive for participants.

 

Rachel Taylor, 903 Dexter Street, Central Falls, RI 02863, spoke about her personal experience with financial hardships to put her children in sports. Commented that if prices are too high they are unaffordable.

 

Dioscaris Garcia, 26 Cedarbrook Road, Pawtucket, RI 02861, agrees that there should be fees, but those fees should be affordable by parents and non-profits.

 

Marco Otero, 58 Fuller Street, Pawtucket, RI 02861, President of the CF Youth Baseball Club, spoke about the struggle of parents to pay fees.

 

Melissa Lourenco, 24 Hospital Road, East Providence, RI 02915, expressed opposition to the proposition. Explained that it is the responsibility of the municipalities to provide green spaces.

 

Juan Maldonado, 74 Perry Street, Central Falls, RI 02863, does not agree with fees

 

Joseph Moran, 225 Shawmit Avenue, Central Falls, RI 02863, thanked the Council for listening. Does not agree that there should be a charge.

 

Motion to Close Public Comment was made by Councilwoman Levasseur, Seconded by Councilman Solano.

 

B.   Ordinance Amending Chapter 28 “Parks and Recreation” (Vega).

President Vega thanked all those who participated with public comment and explained the Ordinance for clarity.

 

Director of Park and Recreation Department, Alberto Rivas spoke about how the department came up with fees/prices.

 

Director of Planning, Thomas Deller explained the exchange between Narragansett Bay and the City of Central Falls. He continued to explain the requirements of maintenance in order to keep the warranty.

 

A motion to amend section 28-23 (a) to require a public hearing prior to publishing of the rules and regulations and section (b) to include a reduction or waiver of fees, was made by Councilperson Villar and Seconded by Councilperson Levasseur. Motion passed 5,0

 

Councilperson Levasseur made a motion to amend 28-19 (b) Changing the park hours from 9:00pm and 5:00am to 11:00pm and 6:00 am; Seconded by Councilperson Solano.  Motion passed 5, 0

 

Roll Call Vote: Councilman Figueroa: yes, Councilwoman Levasseur: yes, Councilman Solano: yes, Councilwoman Villar: yes, Council President Vega: yes. Motion carried 5, 0 Councilwoman Baena and Councilwoman Colon did not vote as they recused from participating in this hearing and/or consideration.

 

Assistant Solicitor Robert Weber exited meeting at 7:32pm and City Solicitor Matthew Jerzyk joined the meeting at 7:33pm.

 

Councilwoman Villar thanked everyone who came out to speak out. She agrees that Parks and Recreation Department should have the freedom to make those cost changes.

 

V.     Adjournment

 

Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Solano, seconded by Councilwoman Levasseur. Meeting adjourned at 7:53pm.

 

 

Jahaira Rodriguez

City Clerk

 

Approved May 10, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws § 42-46-4, the City Council reserves the right to convene in executive session on any of the aforementioned items for one or more of the purposes listed in Rhode Island General Laws § 42-46-5(1)-(10)

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

 

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