I.          Roll Call

At 6:00 pm, Council President Robert Ferri commenced the meeting and proceeded with the roll call. In attendance were Councilperson Levasseur, Councilperson Kazarian, Councilperson Solano, Councilperson Peguero, Councilperson Baena, who arrived at 6:05 pm, and Councilperson Rosado Martinez, who joined the meeting at 6:18 pm.

II.        Pledge of Allegiance

III.       Public Comment

None

IV.       Approval of Records

a.       Meeting minutes from July 10, 2023, Council Meeting

A motion to approve the minutes from July 10,2023 was made by Councilperson Solano; Seconded by Councilperson Peguero.  Motion passed 5,0.

V.         Executive Communications

a.       Department Financial Reports-July 2023: City Clerk’s Office, Fire Department, Police Department, Department of Public Works

Introduced

b.      Department Financial Reports-August 2023: City Clerk’s Office, Fire Department, Department of Public Works, Finance Department

Introduced

VI.       New Business

A.     City Council sitting as Board of License Commissioners

                                                                    i.            Consideration of petition of License

B.     Consideration of Tax Abatement submitted by Tax Assessor

C.      Consideration of Tax Abatement submitted by City Solicitor

VII.      Hearing and/or consideration of Claims

Name                                                  Address

Leila Hurst                                         279 Harrison Ave

                                                            Warwick, RI 02888

VIII.    Public Hearing pertaining to Central Falls Police Department 2023 application for JAG/Byrne Grant funds.

Major John Carrol from The Central Falls Police Department provided the council with information about the 2023 application for JAG/Byrne Grant funds, highlighting its importance to the police department.

IX.       Schedule of Bills-Hearing and/or consideration

c.       A Resolution Authorizing the Following Amendments to the Home Rule Charter to Appear on the November 2023, Ballot (Ferri)

Council President Ferri initiated the public comment session. Tia Ristano, who resides at 14 Worth St., conveyed her concerns about the resolution to the Council. Angelo Marin, living at 81 Rand St., also addressed the Council, expressing his concerns in connection to the resolution. Additionally, Charter Review Council Members Miguel Garcia of 39 Washington St., Patricia Martinez of 142 Oakland St., and Hugo Figueroa of 18 Evaleen St. expressed their support for the Charter Changes and underscored the significance of these changes. Ana Urena, the Human Resources Director, addressed questions from the Council and highlighted the importance of the Charter changes in her presentation to the Council.

In the course of the discussion, the Council considered the ramifications of the Charter Changes. Some members raised concerns about the timing and approach of the proposals, while others expressed backing for the resolutions and underscored the importance of these changes for the City of Central Falls.

Councilperson Baena initiated a motion to approve the resolution with amendments, specifically removing questions #4 related to Charter amendment concerning the removal of councilors at large and #5 related to Chapter amendment regarding the appointment of police and fire ; seconded by Councilperson Levasseur.

Roll Call:

The motion to approve the resolution with the amendments passed with a vote of 4 in favor and 3 against.

d.      An Ordinance Amending Appendix A of the Code of Ordinance Title “Zoning.” Regulating self-storage facilities -Introduction (Ferri)

Introduced

e.       Ordinance Requiring Human Pet Sales-Introduction (Levasseur)

Introduced

f.        Ordinance Regarding the Business Hours of regulated Cannabis Establishments in Central Falls-Second Reading (Levasseur and Kazarian)

A motion to table the ordinance until the October 11^th meeting was made by Councilperson Kazarian; Seconded by Councilperson Levasseur.  The motion passed 7,0.

X.        Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilperson Solano; Seconded by Councilperson Peguero. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm.

Council Approved; October 11, 2023

Alberto DeBurgo

City Clerk

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)