I.            Roll Call

City Clerk, Alberto de Burgo conducted the roll call.  Present were Councilperson Meaghan Levasseur, Councilperson Kevin Kazarian, Councilperson Tatiana Baena, Councilperson Franklin Solano, Councilperson Rafael Peguero and Council President Robert Ferri. Councilperson Laurilim Rosado-Martinez was not present. 

Councilperson Laurilim Rosado-Martinez arrived at 6:17 pm.

   II.            Pledge of Allegiance

Council President Robert Ferri led the City Council in reciting the pledge of Allegiance.

Council President asked to move Roman numeral seven under Roman numeral four.

III.            Public Comment

None

 IV.            Approval of Records

A.     City Council Meeting Minutes of March 13, 2023

A motion to approve the minutes was made by Councilperson Solano; Seconded by Councilperson Baena.  Motion passed 6,0

Councilperson Baena addressed the Council concerning the minutes and corrections.      A motion to approve the minutes as amended was made by Councilperson Baena; Seconded by Councilperson Solano.  Motion passed 6,0            

    V.            Executive Communications

A.     Consideration of appointment, by Mayor Maria Rivera, Jim Vandermillen, as Director of Planning for the City of Central Falls

A motion to approve the mayor’s appointment of Jim Vandermillen as Director of Planning was made by Councilperson Kazarian; Seconded by Councilperson Solano. 

Roll Call Vote:

Councilperson Levasseur: yes; Councilperson Kazarian: yes; Councilperson Baena: yes; Councilperson Solano: yes; Councilperson Peguero: yes; Council President Ferri: yes.  Motion passed 6,0.

B.     Consideration of appointment, by Mayor Maria Rivera, of Alberto M. DeBurgo, as City Clerk for the City of Central Falls

A motion to approve the mayor’s appointment of Alberto de Burgo as City Clerk was made by Councilperson Solano; Seconded by Councilperson Baena. 

Roll Call Vote:

Councilperson Levasseur: yes; Councilperson Kazarian: yes; Councilperson Baena: yes; Councilperson Solano: yes; Councilperson Peguero: yes; Council President Ferri: yes.  Motion passed 6,0

C.      Department Financial Reports-March 2023: Clerk’s Office, Fire Department, Police Department, Department of Public Works

Received

Councilperson Baena requested that a grants report from finance be given to the Council for the next Council meeting.

 VI.            New Business

A.     Petition to the Central Falls City Council

Mr. Ruano addressed the City Council and answered questions about his request to have the city charter changed to allow for more class A liquor licenses.

Captain John Carrol of the Central Falls Police Department answered some questions from the City Council about Mr Ruano’s business La Colombiana.

B.     City Council Sitting as Board of License Commissioners

i.     Consideration of petition of license

                                Election of Special Constable pursuant to RIGL 45-16-8

A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Baena and Seconded by Councilwoman Rosado-Martinez.  Motion Passed 7,0

Pastor Martin Capeles addressed the council and answered questions pertaining to his event.  Motion to approve was made by Councilperson Baena; Seconded by Councilperson Solano. Motion passed 7,0.

The owners of the business did not attend the meeting. A motion to table was made by Councilperson Kazarian; Seconded by Councilperson Baena.  Motion passed 7,0.

The owners of the business did not attend the meeting. A motion to table was made by Councilperson Baena; Seconded by Councilperson Kazarian; Councilperson Solano and Councilperson Rosado-Martinez.  Motion passed 7,0.

Julian Segura, the owner, addressed the council and answered questions about the business.  Motion to approve was made by Councilperson Solano; Seconded by Councilperson Baena.  Motion passed 7,0. 

Julian Segura, the business owner, addressed the council and answered questions concerning the business. A motion to approve made by Councilperson Baena; Seconded by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez. 

Roll Call Vote;

Councilperson Levasseur: yes; Councilperson Kazarian: yes; Councilperson Peguero:       yes; Councilperson Baena: yes; Councilperson Rosado-Martinez: yes; Council President Ferri: yes.  Motion Passed 7,0.

The owner of the business did show up to answer questions from the Council. A motion to table was made by Councilperson Baena; Seconded by Councilperson Kazarian and Councilperson Solano.  Motion passed 7,0.

C.      Hearing and/or consideration of claims

                  Solicitor Matthew Jerzy addressed the Council concerning this Claim.  The claimant

had not provided the Council with an estimate of the cost.  A motion to retract was made by Councilperson Baena; Seconded by Councilperson Kazarian, Motion passed 7, 0.  A motion to continue was made Councilperson Baena; Seconded by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez.  Motion passed 7,0.                       

VII.            Schedule of Bills-Hearing and/or consideration

A.     Resolution Approving the sale from the City of Central Falls to Tai-O Landing, LLC for 1420 Broad Street, Assessors Plat 3 lot 62-(Ferri)

Motion to remove the Resolution off the tables was made by Councilperson Solano; Seconded by Councilman Kazarian.  Motion to move off the table passed 6,0.

Jean Philippe Barros, Director of Public Works, addressed the Council and answered questions from the council concerning the Resolution.

Councilwoman Rosado-Martinez joined the Council at 6:17 pm

City Solicitor Matthew Jerzyk answered questions from the Council.

               Roll Call Vote:

Councilperson Levasseur: yes; Councilperson Kazarian: yes; Councilperson Peguero:       yes; Councilperson Baena: yes; Councilperson Rosado-Martinez: yes; Council President Ferri: yes.  Motion Passed 7,0.

VIII.            Presentation

A.     Presentation and public hearing regarding One Drop Hydro, LLC's Elizabeth Webbing Falls Dam Project on the Blackstone River in Central Falls (Project No. 15041-001, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)

Justin Bristol of One Drop Hydro, LLC, gave a presentation to the City Council and answered questions from the Council pertaining to the work One Drop is doing at the Elizabeth Webbing Falls Dam on the Blackstone River in Central Falls.

 IX.            Adjournment

Motion to adjourn was made by Councilperson Baena; Seconded by Councilperson Solano.  Motion passed 7,0.

Approved May 15, 2023

Alberto de Burgo

City Clerk