I.        Roll Call

City Clerk, Jahaira Rodriguez, conducted the roll call. Present were Councilwoman Tatiana Baena, Councilwoman Glendaliz Colon, Councilman Hugo Figueroa, Councilwoman Adamaris Villar and Council President Jessica Vega. Councilperson Meaghan Levasseur entered the meeting at 6:20pm and Councilman Franklin Solano was absent. There was quorum.

II.       Pledge of Allegiance

Council President Vega asked Councilperson Villar to lead the Council in reciting the pledge of allegiance.

III.     Public Comment

No one signed up for Public Comment.

IV.     Executive Communication

a. Departmental Financial Reports for the month of June 2021 from the Clerk’s Office, Fire Department, Police Department and Department of Public Works were submitted to the Council.

V.       New Business

A. City Council Sitting as Board of License Commissioners i. consideration of petition of license

Motion to approve the BV Liquor license was made by Councilperson Figueroa, seconded by Councilperson Colon. Motion carried 6,0.

Carlos Valverde, owner spoke about his business and menu. Carlos stated that he is looking to hire people who are 18 years of age and older.

Motion to approve transfer of ownership was made by Councilperson Figueroa, seconded by Councilperson Colon. Motion carried 6,0

Giovanni Carmona, Owner spoke about his new business and shared that he kept the original name of Mimi & Pop’s Ice Cream Shop because he is proud to be from Central Falls and felt that keeping it original was the best thing to do. Councilperson Colon thanked him for keeping the original trademarked name.

Class C-Variety                                       Geronimo Perez Acabal & Reyna Hernandez

D-Bakery                                                  d/b/a Tikal Bakery and Market

Transfer (New Location)                      1368 Broad Street

Motion to approve the transfer of the new location was made by Councilperson

Colon, seconded by Councilperson Villar. Motion carried 6,0.

F1 & Entertainment                               St. Joseph Church of Central Falls

New                                                           391 High Street

Motion to approve the license was made by Councilperson Figueroa, seconded by Councilperson Colon. Motion carried 6,0.

Motion to approve waiving the application fee was made by Councilperson Figueroa, seconded by Councilperson Colon and Councilperson Villar. Motion carried 6,0.

Entertainment                                        Club Sport Uniao Madeirense

New-Per Diem                                        46 Madeira Avenue

Motion to approve this license was made by Councilperson Colon, seconded by Councilperson Figueroa. Motion carried 6,0.

Auto Repair                                             KB Motors Inc. New                                                           d/b/a KB Motors

257 Hunt Street

Motion to approve this license was made by Councilperson Figueroa, seconded by Councilperson Colon. Motion carried 6,0.

Council President Vega asked the owner, Mr. Al Cardoza how long has the business been open. Councilperson Baena wanted to know the difference between car repair and auto collision.

B. Consideration of Tax Abatement submitted by the Tax Assesor

Motion to approve the tax abatement for these properties was made by Councilperson Villar, seconded by Councilperson Figueroa. Motion carried 6,0.

Council President asked the tax assessor questions regarding the properties on Roosevelt Avenue. Tax Assessor gave explanations on tax stabilization.

C. Public Hearing pertaining to the Central Falls Police Department 2021 application for JAG/Byrne Grant Funds.

Council President opened public hearing. No one signed up to speak during public  hearing.

D.  Presentation regarding Central Falls Crime Stats and Prevention by Colonel Anthony Roberson.

Colonel Roberson gave his presentation and spoke about the crime statistics in the city.

E.  Presentation regarding 2021 Full Revaluation Project by Tax Assessor, Dr. Ducharme. Dr. Dan gave his presentation to the Council on the revaluation project. Council President had questions regarding property values.

VI.      Schedule of Bills-Hearing and/or consideration

A.  Resolution Declaring that June 19th shall annually be Observed as Juneteenth in the City-(Baena).

Motion to approve this resolution was made by Councilperson Colon, seconded by Councilperson Villar and Councilperson Figueroa. Motion carried 6,0.

Councilperson Baena spoke on the resolution and the importance of acknowledging our past and the freedom African American people deserve. Council President thanked Councilperson Baena for this resolution.

B.  Resolution Celebrating the Inclusion of Participatory Budgeting in FY 2022 City Budget-(Figueroa).

Motion to approve this resolution was made by Councilperson Colon, seconded by Councilperson Figueroa. Motion carried 6,0.

Councilperson Figueroa believes it is important to involve the youth in the participatory budget process. Councilperson Figueroa wants the word “ordinary” to be replaced in the Resolution. Councilperson Villar proposed to replace it with the word “Citizens”.

Motion to replace the word “ordinary” with “citizens” on the resolution was made by Councilperson Figueroa, seconded by Councilperson Colon. Motion carried 6,0.