City of Central Falls

Special City Council Meeting

Monday, March 8, 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 6:01pm

 

 

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.   Public Comment

Tia Ristaino-Siegel, 14 Worth Street, Central Falls, RI 02863, asked a question regarding the budget and the audit.

Robin Miguel, 32 Shawmit Avenue, Central Falls, RI 02863, complained about the multiple cars in the street.

Fire Chief Scott Mello introduced himself to the Council.

 

IV.   Approval of records

Meeting minutes of February 8, 2021 & February 17, 2021.

Motion to approve the meeting minutes was made by Councilman Solano; Seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Motion carried unanimously.

 

V.     Executive Communications

Department Financial Reports: City Clerk, Fire Dept., Police Dept. and DPW-received

 

VI.   New Business-Hearing and/or consideration

A.   Resolution Urging the General Assembly to pass SB-54 and HB-5296 (Councilwoman Baena)

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

Councilwoman Baena spoke about the resolution and the importance of undocumented persons having access. Council President Vega is glad to support the resolution.

 

B.   Resolution urging the General Assembly to Pass SB-248 and HB-5776 (Council President Vega and Councilwoman Baena)

Motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilwoman Colon and Councilman Solano, seconded by Councilwoman Levasseur. Motion carried unanimously.

Councilwoman Baena spoke about the resolution. Council President Vega spoke about supporting this Bill.

 

C.   Resolution urging the General Assembly to Pass SB-247 and HB-5745 (Council President Vega and Councilwoman Colon)

Motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilwoman Baena, Seconded by Councilman Solano. Motion carried unanimously.

Councilwoman Colon spoke about her excitement to support this Bill. Councilwoman Baena echoed the words of Councilwoman Colon and spoke about the challenges of voting during a pandemic. Council President Vega and Councilman Solano spoke about providing voters support during the pandemic. 

 

D.  Resolution urging the General Assembly to pass legislation to Lower Prescription Drug Prices (Council President Vega)

Motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilwoman Baena, seconded by Councilman Solano. Under discussion a Motion to continue this resolution to add additional language was made by Councilman Solano, seconded by Councilwoman Colon and Councilman Figueroa. Motion carried unanimously.

Council President spoke about the resolution. Councilman Solano asked for an amendment to the resolution. Council President asked the City Solicitor to amend the resolution.

 

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

i.    Battalion Chief Ken Brousseau and Fire Fighter Ryan Griffin for their acts of courage, bravery, and heroism in the fire on Dexter Street, (Councilwoman Baena)

Motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilwoman Colon and Councilman Solano, seconded by Councilwoman Villar, Levasseur and Councilman Figueroa. Motion carried unanimously.

Councilman Solano congratulated both for saving lives. Councilwoman Colon spoke to congratulate the young civilian woman who helped. Councilwoman Baena congratulated them and called them heroes.

  

F.   City Council sitting as Board of License Commissioners

 

Motion to approve the Class BV Liquor (new) for Petencito Restaurant Bar & Grill, LLC, 531 Dexter St, was made by Councilman Figueroa, seconded by Councilwoman Levasseur and Councilwoman Colon. Motion carried unanimously.

Councilwoman Baena had a question regarding the hours of operation and Councilman Solano spoke about early hours and noise levels. Owner, Yubitza Roxana Zecena answered their questions regarding hours.

 

Motion to approve the transfer of license, Nature’s Health Smoothie Bar, 527 Broad St, was made by Councilman Solano, seconded by Councilwoman Baena. Motion carried unanimously. Councilman Solano had questions regarding the transfer and hours of operation. He recommends amending hours of operations from 6am to 7pm, 7 days a week. Owner, Elsa Vasquez answered the councilmembers questions regarding hours of operation.

 

Motion to renew Private Detective License for Mr. James W. Smith, III, 5 Jefferson Street, was made by Councilman Solano, seconded by Councilman Figueroa and Councilwoman Colon. Motion carried unanimously.

 

G.  Consideration of Tax Abatement Submitted by Tax Assessor

 

Vaz, Katia	2020 2014	Kia Sorrento
Agosto, Julio	2020 2020	Jeep Gladiator
Duran, Jose	2010 2007	Toyota Camry
Duran, Jose	2011 2007	Toyota Camry
Toyota Lease Trust	2018 2018	Toyota Camry
Xiong, Lit	2018 2015	Ford 150
Pope, Deanna	2018 2004	Kia
Morales, Ericka	2020 2014	Dodge Ram
Garcia, Mary d/b/a Mary’s Beauty Salon	2018	773 Lonsdale Avenue
Georgia’s Restaurant LTD	2018	915 Dexter Street
Georgia’s Restaurant LTD	2020	915 Dexter Street
Navigant Credit Union	2018	934 Dexter Street

 

Motion to approve the tax abatement of the above properties was made by Councilman Solano, seconded by Councilwoman Levasseur. Motion carried unanimously.  Council President asked the Tax Assessor questions regarding abatements.

 

H.  Presentation by Robert Weber, Esq and John Dorsey regarding the Nuisance Task Force, and the Central Falls Receivership Program.

 

I.    Election (Renewals) of Special Constable pursuant to RIGL 45-16-8

 

Motion to approve the new Constable license for City Clerk, Jahaira Rodriguez, 57 Hunts Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02861, and approve the renewal for Charlene Gaffney, 354 York Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02860 was made by Councilman Figueroa, seconded by Councilwoman Colon. Motion carried unanimously.

 

VII.  Schedule of Bills

A.   Ordinance amending the Municipal Court Ordinance with reforms Necessary for the Nuisance Task Force and Technical Corrections (Council President Vega)-First Reading

Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Colon, seconded by Councilman Solano. Roll call vote: Councilwoman Baena: yes, Councilwoman Colon: yes, Councilman Figueroa: yes, Councilwoman Levasseur: yes, Councilman Solano: yes, Councilwoman Villar: yes, Council President Vega: yes. Motion carried unanimously.

 

B.   Ordinance Creating the Open and Green Government (Councilwoman Colon)-First Reading

Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Levasseur, seconded by Councilman Solano. Roll call vote: Councilwoman Baena: yes, Councilwoman Colon: yes, Councilman Figueroa: yes, Councilwoman Levasseur: yes, Councilman Solano: yes, Councilwoman Villar: yes, Council President Vega: yes. Motion carried unanimously.

Councilwoman Colon spoke about the Ordinance and the need to eliminate land filled waste. Councilwoman Villar had a question regarding the Ordinance. Councilwoman Levasseur agreed that the Ordinance is a good idea. Councilman Solano stated that he prefers paper copies of the Council Meeting agendas and documents.

 

C.   Ordinance Amending the Hiring Process for Law Enforcement Ordinance (Council President Vega and Councilwoman Levasseur)-First Reading

Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Colon, seconded by Councilman Figueroa. Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Colon, seconded by Councilman Solano. Roll call vote: Councilwoman Baena: yes, Councilwoman Colon: yes, Councilman Figueroa: yes, Councilwoman Levasseur: yes, Councilman Solano: yes, Councilwoman Villar: no, Council President Vega: yes. Motion carried 6, 1.

Council President Vega and Councilwoman Levasseur both spoke about the Ordinance and the importance of a fair opportunity. Councilwoman Colon had questions regarding the amount of college credits one might need. City Solicitor spoke about the Ordinance, reimbursements for education as part of the State Budget. Councilman Solano thinks is a great idea and supports this Ordinance. Councilwoman Villar made a clarification regarding the years of educational requirements. Councilwoman Levasseur spoke about supporting this Ordinance.

 

VIII. Continued Business

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

Motion to approve the Class Secondhand License for Carmen’s Secret Place, 1361 Broad St, upon she provides a retail sales license was made by Councilwoman Colon, seconded by Councilwoman Levasseur. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Motion to renew the Class A Restaurant License for AIM LLC d/a/a Hydro Punc Café, 712 Broad Street, is denied. Motion carried unanimously.

Councilwoman Colon spoke about the disregard of Owner to pay taxes and disregard for the Council Meeting. Councilwoman Baena and Councilman Solano echoed the words of Councilwoman Colon. Council President spoke regarding his absence of two Council Meetings. Councilman Figueroa expressed his concerns for this matter.

 

IX.   Correspondence from Town of North Providence

A.   Resolution of Town Council R21-02 in support of lifting the restrictions on small business due to Covid-19.

Copy of the resolution received.          

 

X.     Adjournment

 

Motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Baena, seconded by Councilman Figueroa and Councilman Solano. Meeting adjourned at 7:58PM.

 

 

Jahaira Rodriguez

City Clerk

 

 

 

Approval of Minutes: April 12, 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/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