City of Central Falls

Special City Council Meeting

Monday, May 23, 2022

5:30 p.m.

 

Minutes

 

Council President called the meeting to order at 5:33pm

 

       I.            Roll Call

City Clerk, Jahaira Rodriguez conducted the roll call. Present was Councilperson Glendaliz Colon, Councilperson Robert Ferri, Councilperson Meaghan Levasseur, Councilperson Kevin Kazarian, Councilperson Franklin Solano and Council President Jessica Vega. Councilperson Baena entered the meeting at 5:34pm. Quorum was established.

 

   II.            Pledge of Allegiance

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

 

III.            New Business

 

A.  Discussion with Department Directors regarding FY 23 Proposed Budget

                                                              i.      Mayor’s Office

                                                            ii.      Law Department

                                                          iii.      Department of Finance

                                                           iv.      Office of Constituent Services & Health

                                                             v.      Department of Economic Development & Planning

 

Directors addressed the Council and answered questions of the Council.

 

 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)-2^nd Reading

 

Council President opened public hearing.

Cherie Cruz, 422 Smithfield Avenue, Pawtucket, RI addressed the Council. Ms. Cruz spoke about the late Thomas Slater who was the driving force behind the medicinal marijuana bill. To make it safer and easier to patients who have debilitating illness and terminal illnesses like cancer. She indicated that this was about equity and access to medication. Patients should be the front center of the conversation. She petitioned the Council to consider keeping Sundays open for the benefit of the patients.

 

Stuart Smith, 319 Elmdale Road, Scituate, RI, addressed the Council. Mr. Smith is an advocate for care takers of patients who suffer debilitating or terminal illnesses. Patients can’t go to a traditional drug store to get their medicines. Not open on Sundays is an equivalent of denying access and I ask that you consider the patients.

 

Ellen Smith, 319 Elmdale Road, Scituate, RI, addressed the Council and spoke about her own medical problems. She has been a medicinal patient since 2007 because of she is unable to metabolize any opiate medication. The only thing that she could take to save her life was oil base marijuana. I am an example of the type of people who need the medication. Cannabis has given me a quality of life and people need this medicine to stay alive.

 

Dan Issa, 1140 Lonsdale Avenue, Central Falls, RI, addressed the Council and explained how he will be financially impacted. That his property value would go down. That he has lived in this area which has very little to no crime at all and is concerned that once this becomes recreational it will severely impact his life. He doesn’t believe the site qualifies for recreational and would like to see the business closed on Sundays to give residents some peace of mind.

 

Rafael Peguero, 1150 Lonsdale Avenue, Central Falls, RI, addressed the Council and explained his concerns regarding traffic and parking. Believes six days open will be enough time for patients to get their medicine. Is also concerned that his property will lose value because of the proximity to the business. Wants Council to consider keeping business closed on Sundays.

 

Public hearing closed

 

Motion to amend Ordinance to be opened on Mondays-Thursdays from 9:30-7:00pm, Friday/Saturday from 9:00-8:00pm and Sundays from 11:00am to 5:00pm was made by Councilperson Colon, seconded by Councilperson Levasseur. Roll call vote: Councilperson Baena: No, Councilperson Colon: Yes, Councilperson Ferri: Yes, Councilperson Levasseur: Yes, Councilperson Kazarian: Yes, Councilperson Solano: No and Council President Vega: No. Motion carried 4-3.

 

(Under discussion)

 

Councilperson Baena appreciates people coming to testify. We heard from more residents than not and wanted to consider their concerns. Council President appreciates people who spoke on this Ordinance. She indicated that while she has no problem with medicinal cannabis, she would not want to live next to a dispensary. She wanted to be fair.  Councilperson Kazarian believes is a passionate argument on both sides but that we must look at this with the lens that this is a business and that it could be any type of business including a liquor store. We wouldn’t be telling them not to be there. Wants to give any business the opportunity first and if things do not work out, they could revisit in the future.

 

Motion to continue to May 31, 2022, was made by Councilperson Baena, seconded by Councilperson Solano. Roll call vote: Councilperson Baena: Yes, Councilperson Colon: No, Councilperson Ferri: No, Councilperson Levasseur: No, Councilperson Kazarian: No, Councilperson Solano: Yes and Council President Vega: Yes. Motion not carried 4-3.

 

Motion to amend hours to Mondays-Thursdays from 9:30-7:00pm, Friday/Saturday from 9:00-8:00pm and Sundays from 11:00am to 5:00pm. Roll call vote:  Councilperson Baena: No, Councilperson Colon: Yes, Councilperson Ferri: Yes, Councilperson Levasseur: Yes, Councilperson Kazarian: Yes, Councilperson Solano: No and Council President Vega: No. Motion carried 4-3.  Ordinance pass

 

    V.            Adjournment

Motion to adjourn was made by Councilperson Colon, seconded by Councilperson Solano. Meeting stands adjourn at 7:29pm.

 

 

 

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