I.      Roll Call

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

II.      Pledge of Allegiance

Council President Vega asked Councilperson Figueroa to lead the Council in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

III.      Public Comment

Vernia Carter, 52 Earle Street, spoke about the tobacco policies. She is concern about the amounts of tobacco sale businesses around the city. She encourages the Council to take time and walk to the stores and look at the tobacco products sold there.

Senator Jonathan Acosta, 100 Illinois Street, presented citations on behalf of the Senate.

IV.      Approval of Records

A.  Meeting Minutes of July 21, 2021

B.  Meeting Minutes of August 10, 2021

C.   Meeting Minutes of September 1, 2021

Motion to approve the meeting minutes of July 21, 2021, August 10, 2021 and September 1,  2021 collectively was made by Councilperson Solano, seconded by Councilperson Colon. Motion carried unanimously.

V.      Executive Communications

A.  Department Financial Reports-July & August 2021: Clerk’s Office, Fire Department, Police Department, Department of Public Works

President Vega entertained a motion without objection to move the “Voces con Poder” presentation up from the agenda. President Vega passed out citations to members of the committee. Patricia Martinez, from the School Department spoke about the six-week process where constituents worked to learn about civic engagement and how city budgets work. Councilperson Solano expressed his joy about people participating on these processes.

B.  FY 2021 Grant Activity Reporting-January 2021-June 30, 2021

C.   Hearing and/or consideration of re-appointment to the Redevelopment Agency Board: Timothy Grace, of 1117 Lonsdale Avenue, with a term to expire on September 13, 2023

D.  Hearing and/or consideration of re-appointment to the Redevelopment Agency Board: Barbara Silvis, of 404 Roosevelt Avenue, with a term to expire on September 13, 2023

E.  Hearing and/or consideration of appointment to the Redevelopment Agency Board: Anthony Goes, of 24 Samoset Avenue, with a term to expire on September 13, 2023

Motion to approve the appointment of the above-mentioned members collectively was made by Councilperson Baena and Villar, seconded by Councilperson Figueroa. Motion carried unanimously.

President Vega entertained a motion without objection to move the Presentation regarding Central Falls FY 2020 Audit by Justin Mackenzie and the FY 2021 Audit process by Marcum up from the agenda.

Justin Mackenzie gave an overview of the audit stating that they found no material weakness and that everything was properly followed. Councilperson Baena request that this be done before budget season.

Erica from Marcum explained that Marcum will be responsible for FY 2021 Audit and that they will report on the 2021 financials, city reconciliation complete uniform with Auditing Risk Assessment.

F.   Hearing and/or consideration of appointment to the Redevelopment Agency Board: Steven Levine, of 396 Roosevelt Avenue, with a term to expire on September 13, 2023

VI.      New Business

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

Class of License                                      Business Information

Class A-Restaurant                                Samayoa’s Restaurant & Bakery LLC

New                                                           d/b/a Samayoa’s Restaurant & Bakery

801 Broad Street

Contact: Rudy M. Samayoa

Motion to approve this Class A Restaurant license was made by Councilperson Baena, seconded by Councilperson Levasseur and Solano. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Samayoa spoke about his restaurant and applications. He wants to expand his business opportunities to earn a better living. Councilperson Solano asked about the hours of operation. He explained that once his business grows he will extend business hours.

Class D-Bakery                                       Samayoa’s Restaurant & Bakery LLC

New                                                           d/b/a Samayoa’s Restaurant & Bakery

801 Broad Street

Contact: Rudy M. Samayoa

Motion to approve this Class D License was made by Councilperson Baena and Colon, seconded by Councilperson Levasseur and Solano. Motion carried unanimously.

Class A-Restaurant                                Kings Fried Chicken, Inc.

New                                                           d/b/a Kings Fried Chicken

830 Broad Street

Contact: Nasir Khan

Motion to approve this Class A Restaurant license retroactive to May 1, 2021, was made by Councilperson Colon, seconded by Councilperson Levasseur. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Nasir Kahn spoke about his business and clarified questions of the Council regarding hours of operation.

Class A-Restaurant                                Stephanie Munoz

New                                                           d/b/a Bubble Waffle Café

870 Dexter Street

Contact: Stephanie Munoz

Motion to approve this Class A Restaurant license was made by Councilperson Figueroa and Villar, seconded by Councilperson Baena and Levasseur. Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Munoz spoke about her business menu. Its her first time opening a business. Council President recommended she look into an LLC.

B.  Consideration of Tax Abatement submitted by the Tax Assessor

Motion to approve the tax abatement of the above-mentioned properties was made by Councilperson Colon, seconded by Councilperson Figueroa. Motion carried unanimously. Councilperson Figueroa had questions regarding 45 Moore st.

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

Name                                                  Address

Jason N. Dymek                               308 Hunt Street, Apt 2

 (new)                                                   Central Falls, RI

Charles Beaudion                             30 Washington Street

(renewal)                                            Central Falls, RI

Motion to continue these constable licenses collectively until next month’s council meeting, was made by Councilperson Baena, seconded by Councilperson Colon. Motion carried unanimously.

Solicitor clarified that Pursuant to RIGL 45-16-8, applicants are     required to be in person to answer questions of the council.

D.  Presentation regarding Central Falls Audit FY 2020 by Justin Mackenzie/Mary Signer

E.  Presentation of FY 2021 Audit Process by Marcum

F.  Presentation of Citations to “VOCES CON PODER” by Jessica Vega

G. Hearing and/or Consideration of Claims

i. Claim by Michael Goddard for alleged damage to personal property on July 5, 2021 (Pothole claim)

Motion to continue this claim until next’s month Council meeting was made by Councilperson Baena, seconded by Councilperson Levasseur. Motion carried unanimously. The Council would like to see the petitioner in person in order to answer questions of the Council.

VII.     Schedule of Bills-Hearing and/or consideration

A.  Resolution supporting the Central Falls Stage I Application for Necessity of School Construction Approval–(Vega)

Motion to approve this resolution was made by Councilperson Levasseur and Figueroa, seconded by Councilperson Solano. Motion carried 5, 0. Councilpersons Baena and Colon recused from voting. Council President spoke about the resolution. City Solicitor explained that this is “historic opportunity” for Central Falls. Continued to explain that out of $144 million, Central Falls would only have to pay $2 millions, $.50 cents per month for owners.

B.  Ordinance Amending the Participatory Budgeting Ordinance-Introduction (Vega) So received

C.  Ordinance Amending the Solid Waste Ordinance-Introduction (Baena, Villar) So received

D.  Ordinance Amending the Cooperative Purchasing Ordinance-Introduction (Vega) So received

E.  Ordinance Adopting the 2021 Central Falls Vacant or Blighted Property Redevelopment Plan-Introduction (Vega) So received

F.  Ordinance Amending the Zoning Ordinance Relative to Dumpsters and Enforcement- Introduction (Colon) So received

G. Ordinance Amending the Quarterly Grant Reporting Requirement-1st Reading (Vega)

Motion to open for Public Hearing was made by Councilperson Villar, seconded by Councilperson Figueroa. No one signed up for public hearing. Roll call vote: Councilperson Tatiana Baena, yes: Councilperson Glendaliz Colon, yes: Councilperson Hugo Figueroa, Yes:  Councilperson Meaghan Levasseur, yes: Councilperson Franklin Solano, yes: Councilperson Adamaris Villar, yes: Council President Jessica Vega, yes: Motion carried unanimously.

VIII.   Adjournment

Jahaira Rodriguez

City Clerk

Approved: October 13, 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: