City of Central Falls

City Council Meeting

Monday December 09, 2024

Second Floor Council Chambers

580 Broad Street,

Central Falls, RI 02863

6:00 p.m.

 

Minutes

Council president Ferri opened the meeting at 6pm

 

       I.            Roll Call

Alberto de Burgo, City Clerk, conducted the roll call. Present were Councilpersons Baena, Kazarian, Levasseur, Peguero, Rosado-Martinez, Solano, and Council President Ferri. .

 

     II.            Pledge of Allegiance

Council President Ferri led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance

                                                                                                

  III.            Public Comment

Council President Pro-Temp Franklin Solano, residing at 544 Hunt Street, Central Falls, RI 02863, addressed the council with heartfelt remarks during the meeting. He took a moment to thank his fellow councilmembers for their unwavering commitment to the city and the residents they serve. Reflecting on his eight years as a councilmember, he expressed deep gratitude for the collaboration, guidance, and encouragement he received from his colleagues throughout his tenure.

 

   IV.            Approval of Records

a.       Meeting minutes from November 13, 2024, Council Meeting

Councilperson Baena moved to approve the minutes, and Councilperson Solano seconded the motion. Councilpersons Levasseur and Peguero recused themselves from the vote. The motion passed with a 5-0 vote.

 

     V.            Executive Communications

a.       Consideration of request by Mayor Maria Rivera to extend the duration of Acting Director of the Department of Public Works Luis Aponte by 90 days pursuant to Sec. 2-48 of the Code of Ordinances

Mayor Maria Rivera’s Chief of Staff, Robert “RJ” Kermes, addressed the Council regarding the need to extend Deputy Public Works Director Luis Aponte’s acting director appointment for an additional 90 days. Mr. Kermes responded to questions from the Council and explained that the city is still in the process of interviewing qualified candidates to fill the Director of Public Works position.

b.      Department Financial Reports- November 2024,

                                                        i.      City Clerk’s Office

                                                      ii.      Finance Department

                                                    iii.      Department of Public Works & Code Enforcement.

                                                     iv.      Fire Department-October and November 2024

Council President Ferri invited the Council to review and discuss the department financials. Councilperson Baena raised questions about the Finance Department reports, focusing on sections related to personnel, Parks and Recreation, the Library, ARPA, grants, and debt services. Chief of Staff Robert “RJ” Kermes responded to the inquiries and assured the Council that for any questions he could not answer at the time, he would provide the requested information to Councilperson Baena at a later date.

 

Councilperson Solano made a motion to approve the department financial reports, which was seconded by Councilperson Baena. Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote. Councilpersons Baena, Kazarian, Levasseur, Peguero, Solano, Rosado Martinez, and Ferri all voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.

 

   VI.            New Business

a.       City Council sitting as Board of License Commissioners

                                                        i.      Hearing and Consideration of Petition of License

Licenses Type		Business Name
Class A-Restaurant New		Mi Pequeno Salvadoreno Inc. D/B/A Mi Pequeño Salvadoreno 791 Lonsdale Ave. Central Falls, RI 02863 Contact: Pedro Acevedo

 

Mr. Acevedo, the owner of the establishment, addressed the Council to discuss his business and answered their questions. Councilperson Baena made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Councilperson Rosado Martinez. Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote, and Councilpersons Baena, Kazarian, Levasseur, Peguero, Solano, Rosado Martinez, and Ferri all voted in favor. The motion was approved unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.

 

                                                      ii.      Advertised Hearing and Consideration of 2024-2025 Liquor License Renewals

License Type		Business Name
Class A Liquor		Jaygoga Beverage Corp. D/B/A ABC Liquors 390 Broad Street Central Falls, RI 02863 Contact: Vinus Patel
Class B Liquor		Log In Entertainment D/b/a Lima’s Place 499 High Street Central Falls, RI 02863 Contact: Jose Lima

City Clerk Alberto de Burgo provided the Council with information regarding the two businesses and their late renewals. Councilperson Solano made a motion to approve, seconded by Councilperson Peguero. Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote, and Councilpersons Baena, Kazarian, Levasseur, Peguero, Solano, Rosado Martinez, and Ferri all voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.

 

 

                                                    iii.      Hearing and Consideration of 2024-2025 Business Renewals

License Type		Business Name
Victualing Entertainment		Log In Entertainment D/B/A Lima’s Place 499 High Street Central Falls. RI 02863 Contact: Jose Lima
Mobile Food Establishment		Taco N Madre LLC D/B/A Taco N Madre 29 Gilcrest Drive West Warwick, RI 02893 Contact: Danny and Myra Raposo
Automotive Repair		My Friends Garage LLC D/B/A My Friends Garage 96 Blackstone St. Suite C. Central Falls, RI 02863 Contact: John Soares
Automotive Repair		Alaska Auto Repair 19 Cross St. Central Falls, RI 02863 Contact: Bernando Bautista
Class C-Variety		Pizza R Us, Inc D/B/A Pizza R US/Convenience R US 791 Lonsdale Ave Central Falls, RI 02863 Contact: Tariq S. Khalil
Class C- Variety		Dolgen Rhode Island, LLC D/B/A Dollar General (Store #19284) 400 Broad St. Central Falls, RI 02863 Contact: Dolgen RI, LLC

Councilperson Solano made a motion to approve, seconded by Councilperson Peguero. Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote, and Councilpersons Baena, Kazarian, Levasseur, Peguero, Solano, Rosado Martinez, and Ferri all voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.

 

 

                                                     iv.      Consideration of Tax Abatements Submitted by the Tax Assessor

Property Owner	Tax Year	Property Information
Central Falls Children's Foundation	2024	649 Broad St. Central Falls, RI 02863
548 Roosevelt, LLC	2024	548 Roosevelt Ave. Central Falls, RI 02863

City Tax Assessor Daniel Ducharme presented to the Council and addressed questions about the proposed abatements. Councilperson Solano made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Councilperson Peguero. President Ferri conducted a roll call vote, with Councilpersons Baena, Kazarian, Levasseur, Peguero, Solano, Rosado Martinez, and Ferri all voting in favor. The motion was approved unanimously, 7-0.

 

 

b.      Petition to the Council

Camilo Rodriguez, 48 Dexter St. Central Falls, RI02863

Cosmopolitan Inc. d/b/a Cosmopolitan, 494 Dexter St.

Reason: Requesting an extension of operating hours for New Year's Eve, allowing closure to be extended from 1:00 AM to 2:00 AM.

Mr. Camilo Rodriguez requested that the Council allow his business to remain open until 2 a.m. on New Year’s Eve. He addressed the Council’s concerns and responded to their questions. Major John Carroll of the Central Falls Police Department spoke to the Council regarding Mr. Rodriguez’s petition. He explained that the Police Department had approved a pilot program allowing two businesses to stay open until 2 a.m. but was not prepared to expand the program at this time. Major Carroll recommended that the Council deny the petition.

 

Councilperson Kazarian made a motion to deny the petition, seconded by Council President Ferri. President Ferri called for a roll call vote. Councilpersons Baena and Levasseur voted to approve the petition, while Councilpersons Kazarian, Peguero, Solano, Rosado Martinez, and Ferri voted to deny it. The motion carried with a 5-2 vote, denying the petition.

 

c.       Petition of Narragansett Electric & Verizon New England Inc. for Joint for Identical Pole Location

                                                        i.      Install P10-50 side of road to service new apartment building: Cross St.

Councilperson Solano made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Councilperson Peguero. President Ferri conducted a roll call vote, and Councilpersons Baena, Kazarian, Levasseur, Peguero, Solano, Rosado Martinez, and Ferri all voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously with a 7-0 vote.

 

VII.            Schedule of Bills-Hearing and/or Consideration

a.       A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and the City to Purchase 85 Hunt Street (Plat 2 Lot 196), 1154 Broad Street (Plat 3 Lot 3), and 1228 High Street (Plat 2 Lot 44) in the City of Central Falls and to transfer the properties to the Central Falls Redevelopment Authority

Jim Vandermillen, Director of Planning and Economic Development, addressed the Council regarding the resolution, emphasizing its significance to the City’s projects. He also answered questions from the Council. Councilperson Solano made a motion to approve the resolution, seconded by Councilperson Rosado Martinez. President Ferri conducted a roll call vote, with Councilpersons Baena, Kazarian, Levasseur, Peguero, Solano, Rosado Martinez, and Ferri all voting in favor. The motion was unanimously approved with a 7-0 vote.

 

VIII.            Hearing and or Consideration of Claims

Name		Address
Pedro Perez   $300.00 Claim Tabled: 09/09/2024 & 10/16/2024 Debris from weedwhacker damaged Car window		198 Cross Street Central Falls, RI 02863
Councilperson Baena made a motion to approve, seconded by Councilperson Rosado Martinez. City Clerk Alberto de Burgo addressed the Council’s questions regarding the claim.		President Ferri conducted a roll call vote, with Councilpersons Baena, Kazarian, Levasseur, Peguero, Solano, Rosado Martinez, and Ferri all voting in favor. The motion was unanimously approved with a 7-0 vote.
Monica Guzman   $811.00 Claim Pothole Damage		200 Edgemere Road Pawtucket RI
Ms. Monica Guzman addressed the Council and responded to questions regarding her claim. Major Carroll confirmed the validity of Ms. Guzman’s claims. Councilperson Solano made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Councilperson Baena.		President Ferri called for a roll call vote, with all seven Councilpersons—Baena, Kazarian, Levasseur, Peguero, Solano, Rosado Martinez, and Ferri—voting in favor. The motion was unanimously approved, 7-0.

 

 

  IX.            Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilperson Baena and Seconded by Councilperson Solano.  The meeting adjourned at 7:12pm

 

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

 

 

Approve by City Council: January 13^th, 2025