City of Central Falls Special City Council Meeting Monday, May 24, 2021

6:00 p.m.

 

 

Pursuant to Governor Gina M. Raimondo’s Executive Order 20-25 (April 15, 2020), the meeting of the City Council will be held using the platform Zoom- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83972165351?pwd=V1pyc3VCdUJldHBtSDFobG1oNlkwQT09

Detailed meeting invitation is found on page 2

 

Council President Jessica Vega called the meeting to order at 6:00pm

 

I.      Roll Call

 

Deputy City Clerk Alberto de Burgo conducted roll call.  Present were Council President Jessica Vega, Councilperson Tatiana Baena, Councilperson Glendaliz Colon, Councilperson Hugo Figueroa, Councilperson Meaghan Levasseur, Councilperson Franklin Solano, Councilperson Adamaris Villar. Quorum was established.

 

II.      Pledge of Allegiance

Councilperson Hugo Figueroa led the Council in the pledge of allegiance.

 

III.      Public Comment

none

 

IV.      Approval of Records

a.   Meeting Minutes of Council Meeting of May 17, 2021

A motion to accept the minutes of May 17, 2021 was made by Councilperson Figueroa and Seconded by Councilperson Colon and Councilperson Solano. Motion passed 7,0.

 

V.      New Business

a.   Discussion with Department Directors regarding FY 2022 Proposed Budget i.   Police Department:

Colonel Anthony Roberson addressed the City Council and answered questions concerning the Central Falls Police Departments budget and the Departments mission.

 

ii.   Fire Department:

Chief Scott Mello addressed the Council and answered questions concerning the Fire Departments budget.  The meeting ran over, and the Council requested a continuance on the Fire Departments presentation to take place in the June 1, 2021 Council meeting.

 

iii.   Emergency Management Agency

Due to the time constraint the Council President with support of the Council moved to continue the Emergency Management Agency presentation to the June 1, 2021 Council meeting.

b.   City Council Sitting as Board of License Commissioners

i.   Show Cause Hearing and/or consideration of license including, but not limited to, monetary fine, suspension and/or termination:

 

Class of License                                      Business Information

BV-Liquor                                                Vanderly Coffee Restaurant

765 Broad St

Owners: Ana Gonsalves & Felix Semedo

 

City Council President Jessica Vega swore in Colonel Roberson and Lieutenant Viens prior to their testimony concerning Vanderly Coffee Restaurant.

 

City Solicitor Mathew Jerzyk presented the council with a police report marked exhibit 9. Colonel Roberson and Lieutenant Viens answered questions from Solicitor Jerzyk concerning exhibit 9. A motion to enter exhibit 9 into the record was made by Councilperson Solano, seconded by Councilperson Levasseur. Motion passed 7,0.

 

City Solicitor Mathew Jerzyk presented the council with a police report marked exhibit 7. Colonel Roberson and Lieutenant Viens answered questions from Solicitor Jerzyk concerning exhibit 7. A motion to enter into the record was made by Councilperson Baena, seconded by Councilperson Solano, and Councilperson Levasseur. Motion passed 7,0

 

City Solicitor Mathew Jerzyk presented the council with a police report marked exhibit 6. Colonel Roberson and Lieutenant Viens answered questions from Solicitor Jerzyk concerning exhibit 6 motion to enter into the record was made by Councilperson Colon, seconded by Councilperson Figueroa. Motion passed 7,0

 

City Solicitor Mathew Jerzyk presented the council with a police report marked exhibit 5. Colonel Roberson and Lieutenant Viens answered questions from Solicitor Jerzyk concerning exhibit 5 motion to enter into the record was made by Councilperson Figueroa, seconded by Councilperson Solano. Motion passed 7,0

 

City Solicitor Mathew Jerzyk presented the council with a police report marked exhibit 3. Colonel Roberson and Lieutenant Viens answered questions from Solicitor Jerzyk concerning exhibit 3 motion to enter into the record was made by Councilperson Colon, seconded by Councilperson Levasseur. Motion passed 7,0.

 

City Solicitor Mathew Jerzyk presented the council with a police report marked exhibit 1. Colonel Roberson and Lieutenant Viens answered questions from Solicitor Jerzyk concerning exhibit 1 motion to enter into the record was made by Councilperson Baena and Councilperson Colon, seconded by Councilperson Figueroa. Motion passed 7,0.

 

City Council President Jessica swore in Chief Scott Mello and Lieutenant Laroche of the Central Falls Fire Department prior to their testimony concerning Vanderly Coffee Restaurant.

 

City Solicitor Mathew Jerzyk presented the council with a Fire report marked exhibit 10. Chief Scott Mello and Lieutenant Laroche answered questions from Solicitor Jerzyk concerning exhibit 10 motion to enter into the record was made by Councilperson Solano and Councilperson Villar, seconded by Councilperson Levasseur. Motion passed 7,0.

 

City Solicitor Mathew Jerzyk presented the council with a Fire report marked exhibit 8. Chief Scott Mello and Lieutenant Laroche answered questions from Solicitor Jerzyk concerning exhibit 8 motion to enter into the record was made by Councilperson Colon, seconded by Councilperson Levasseur. Motion passed 7,0.

 

City Solicitor Mathew Jerzyk presented the council with a Fire Department report marked exhibit 4. Chief Scott Mello answered questions from Solicitor Jerzyk concerning exhibit 4. A motion to enter into the record was made by Councilperson Colon and Councilperson Figueroa, seconded by Councilperson Levasseur. Motion passed 7,0

 

City Solicitor Mathew Jerzyk presented the council with a Fire Department report marked exhibit 2. Lieutenant Laroche and Chief Scott Mello answered questions from Solicitor Jerzyk concerning exhibit 2 motion to enter into the record was made by Councilperson Levasseur and Councilperson Solano, seconded by Councilperson Colon. Motion passed 7,0.

 

Chief Mello and Lieutenant Laroche responded to questions from the City Council concerning Vanderly Coffee’s violations.  Vanderly Coffee Restaurant business owners Ana Goncalves and Felix Semedo addressed the Council’s questions regarding the violations. A motion to suspend license for four consecutive weekends (9) days beginning with May 28, May 29, May 30, June 4, June 5, June 11, June 12, June 18 and June 19; impose a Maximum fine of $500.00 and require police detail of two police officers floating back and forth from back to front for 90 days beginning June 25th, was made by Councilperson Colon. Seconded by Councilperson Solano, motion passed 7,0.

 

VI.      Adjournment

 

Motion to adjourn made by Councilperson Figueroa and seconded by Councilperson Colon. Meeting Adjourned at 9:59pm

 

 

Alberto DeBurgo

Deputy Clerk

 

 

 

 

Approved June 1, 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