I.Roll Call

City Clerk, Jahaira Rodriguez, conducted the roll call. Present was Councilperson Tatiana Baena, Councilperson Glendaliz Colon, Councilperson Robert Ferri, Councilperson Meaghan Levasseur, Councilperson Kevin Kazarian, Councilperson Franklin Solano, and Council President Jessica Vega. Quorum was established.

II.Pledge of Allegiance

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

III.New Business

A.  Discussion with Department Directors regarding FY 23 Proposed Budget

i.Police Department

ii.Fire Department

iii.Emergency Management Agency

Police Colonel, Anthony Roberson addressed the Council and answered their questions. He gives his condolences to the victims in Buffalo, NY and their families. He spoke about the accomplishments of the Department as a whole. Things like being the first department to be fully trained by the Non-Violence Institute. The city has seen the lowest crime wave since 2004 and violent crime has been the lowest since 1998.

Council President Vega congratulates the Colonel.

Fire Chief, Scott Mello addressed the Council and answered their questions. Chief Mello indicated that the CFFD is a very professional department who put their lives on the line of fire to protect its residents. He has never seen a team that shows up at every fire.

Chief of Staff, Zuleyma Gomez addressed the Council and answered their questions.

IV.Schedule of Bills-Hearing and/or consideration

A.  Ordinance Regarding the Business Hours of Regulated Cannabis Establishments in Central Falls-Sub A-(Solano, Baena, Vega)-First Reading

Council President opened for Public Hearing:

Dan Issa 1140 Londsdale Avenue, Central Falls, thanked the Council for closing the compassion center on Sundays. He asked the Council to consider the hours of Friday         and Saturday nights. Recreational marijuana will create a nightmare for his family.

Nancy Alonzo, 1154 Lonsdale Avenue, Central Falls, wants to know where the traffic will go. She believes 9pm is too late to have this business open in a residential area of        the City.

Lorraine Savard, 76 Emmett Street, Central Falls, wants to know who is behind the dispensary and made reference that the dispensary will be in near proximity to two         schools.

Meaghan Sheenan, Attorney for Pinnacle spoke about the business. She referenced   medical dispensaries make neighborhoods safer. All other dispensaries are opened        seven days of the week. If you close on Sundays, it becomes a patient access issue.

Council President Vega addressed the public. She spoke about a fair process. Liquor        stores are more dangerous than dispensaries. Councilperson Solano referenced that        Pinnacle won the lottery at the state level and that the Council must work with all         businesses in the city. Councilperson Baena spoke about finding a happy medium by        closing on Sundays. She heard more from residents opposing than not.

Motion to amend the hours and approve this Ordinance to Monday-Thursday          9:30am-7pm, Friday/Saturday 9:30am-8pm and closed on Sundays was made by        Councilperson Baena, seconded by Councilperson Solano: Roll call vote:         Councilperson Baena: Yes, Councilperson Colon: Yes, Councilperson Ferri: Yes,        Councilperson Levasseur: Yes, Councilperson Kevin Kazarian: Yes, Councilperson        Solano: Yes and Council President Vega: Yes. Motion carried 7, 0.

B.  Ordinance Amending the Hiring Procedures of the Fire Division-(Solano,               Colon)-2nd Reading

Council President opened for public hearing: No one signed up for public hearing

Motion to approve this Ordinance was made by Councilperson Colon, seconded by       Councilperson Ferri. Roll call vote: Councilperson Baena: Yes, Councilperson Colon:        Yes, Councilperson Ferri: Yes, Councilperson Levasseur: Yes, Councilperson            Kazarian: Yes, Councilperson Solano: Yes and Council President Vega: Yes. Motion         carried 7,0.

C.  Ordinance Amending the Hiring Procedures of the Police Division-(Vega, Levasseur)-       2nd Reading

Council President opened for Public hearing: No one signed up for public hearing

Motion to approve this Ordinance was made by Councilperson Colon, seconded by       Councilperson Solano. Roll call vote: Councilperson Baena: Yes, Councilperson          Colon: Yes, Councilperson Ferri: Yes, Councilperson Levasseur: Yes, Councilperson        Kazarian: Yes, Councilperson Solano: Yes and Council President Vega: Yes. Motion         carried 7,0.

Councilperson Levasseur is excited to lower the college credit requirement because it        opens new opportunities for people to apply and sustain them in the Department.

Motion to adjourn was made by Councilperson Ferri, seconded by Councilperson   Solano. Meeting stands adjourn at 7:53pm.

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)