City of Central Falls

City Council Meeting

Monday February 12, 2024

Second Floor Council Chambers

580 Broad Street, Central Falls, RI 02863

6:00 p.m.

 

Minutes

 

Council President Ferri opened the meeting at 6:00 pm.

 

       I.            Roll Call

City Clerk, Alberto de Burgo conducted the roll call.  Present were; Councilperson Kevin Kazarian, Councilperson Meaghan Levasseur; Council President Pro Temp Franklin Solano; Councilperson Raphael Peguero, Councilperson Tatiana Baena, Councilperson Laurilim Rosado-Martinez, and Council President Robert Ferri. The meeting had a quorum.

 

     II.            Pledge of Allegiance

Council President Ferri led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.

                                                                                    

  III.            Public Comment

Joshua Giraldo, Central Falls House Representative District 56, residing at 74 Summit St., Central Falls, RI 02863, spoke before the City Council about the nation's 250th Anniversary and the dedicated efforts of Rhode Island's 250th Commission to commemorate the state's crucial contribution to the founding of the United States.

 

   IV.            Approval of Records

a.      Meeting minutes from January 8, 2024, Council Meeting

Councilperson Tatiana Baena proposed a motion for approval, and it was seconded by Councilperson Franklin Solano. The motion was unanimously approved with a 7-0 vote.

 

     V.            Executive Communications

1. Department Financial Reports-January 2024: City Clerk’s Office, Finance Director, Fire Department, Department of Public Works.

Received

 

2. Consideration of appointment, by Mayor Maria Rivera, of Sorangel Peguero to the Central Falls Housing Authority Board with a term to expire February 12, 2029.

The Council President acknowledged the consideration for the appointment and inquired if any council member had questions. With no queries raised, he called for a motion to approve. Councilperson Solano made the motion, seconded by Councilperson Rosado Martinez. Councilperson Peguero recused himself. The motion was approved with a vote of 6 to 0, with one recusal.

 

3. Consideration of appointment, by Mayor Maria Rivera, of Barabara J. Silvis to the Central Falls Housing Authority Board with a term to expire February 12, 2029.

Council President Ferri acknowledged the receipt of the appointment consideration for Ms. Barbara J. Silvis to the Central Falls Housing Authority Board. He inquired if any Council members had questions or comments. Councilperson Solano expressed his support for Ms. Silvis, emphasizing her years of dedicated service to the city, both during her career and in her ongoing commitment following retirement. Councilperson Solano motioned for approval, which was seconded by Councilperson Baena. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.

 

4. A proclamation of the Mayor of the City of Central Falls Proclaiming the Month of February 2024 as Black History Month in the City of Central Falls.

Introduced

 

5. A Proclamation of the Mayor of the City of Central Falls Proclaiming the week of January 22, 2024, through January 26, 2024, to Mark National Gun Violence Survivors Week.

Introduced

 

6. A Proclamation of the Mayor of the City of Central Falls Proclaiming the Month of February 2024, As National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.

Introduced

 

   VI.            New Business

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

Constable License Renewal

Thomas Lazieh 1072 Lonsdale Avenue Central Falls, Rhode Ilans 02863

Councilperson Solano made a motion for approval, seconded by Councilperson Levasseur. There was no discussion under consideration. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.

           

b.      City Council sitting as Board of License Commissioners

                                                              i.      Consideration of petition of License

	License Type		Business Name
1	C-Variety Transfer		Raza Convenience, LLC D/B/A Sunshine Market 181 Washington St. Central Falls, RI 02863 Applicant: Raza Liaqat
	Councilperson Solano proposed a motion for approval, seconded by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez. The motion was unanimously approved with a vote of 7 to 0.		During the discussion phase, applicant Raza Liaqat responded to questions and addressed concerns raised by the council regarding his business.
2	Class D Liquor Petition		Casimir Pulaski Mutual Aid Society D/B/A Casimir Pulaski Mutual Aid Society 516-518 Roosevelt Ave. Central Falls, RI 02863 Applicant: Josef Karol
	City Clerk Alberto de Burgo addressed the Council, citing a correction on the agenda. The business license was not a transfer but rather a petition to allow the business to maintain their license while they locate a new location in Central Falls. Councilperson Baena motioned for approval, seconded by Councilperson Solano. Councilpersons Levasseur and Kazarian recused themselves from voting. The motion was passed with a vote of 5 to 0.		During the discussion, Council President Ferris spoke on behalf of the business, highlighting their history in Central Falls and expressing his support for their petition.
2	Mobile Food Establishment New		Taco’N Madre RI, LLC D/B/A Taco’ N Madre 29 Gilcrest Dr. West Warwick, RI 02863 Applicant(s): Danny & Mayra Raposo
	Councilperson Kazarian motioned for approval, seconded by Councilperson Levasseur. The motion was unanimously passed with a vote of 7 to 0.		During the discussion, business owner Danny Raposo responded to the Council's inquiries regarding the business.

 

 

3. Chief of Education Sara Friedman, Ph.D., Public update on status of Office on Education strategy work.

Sara Friedman, Chief of Education Strategy, provided the Council with an update on the work being performed by her department in the city. She spoke about community engagement with parents and addressed questions concerning both data collection and program implementations. Additionally, she provided information on the selection process for the action committee.

 

d.     Marcum Accounting-Audit Results-2023 City of Central Falls

Erica Olobri, CPA, Managing Partner at Marcum Accounting, presented the Council with an overview of the City's budget. She discussed the audit and risk assessment, highlighting the existing controls. Furthermore, she addressed financial statements and program expenditures, and responded to Council inquiries related to her report.

 

e.      Finance Director Mary Signer- ARPA Updates

Robert J. Kermes, Chief of Staff for the City of Central Falls, spoke to the Council about the ARPA schedule. Following this, Mary Signer, the Director of Finance, provided the Council with an update on ARPA and responded to their questions regarding the spending of ARPA funds.

 

VII.            Hearing and or Consideration of Claims

Name                                                 Address

Nicole Raferty                                   1353 Lonsdale Ave

                                                            Lincoln, RI 02864

Ms. Nicole Raferty spoke before the Council, providing an account of the events leading to the damage to her car. She responded to questions from the Council regarding the incident. Following the discussion, Council President Ferri called for a motion to approve the claim. Councilperson Solano made the motion, seconded by Councilperson Kazarian. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.

 

Wilson Pizaro                                   141 Summer St Apt. 2

                                                            Central Falls, RI 02863

Mr. Pizaro presented his claim to the Council, and upon their review, questions were raised as the request did not align with the provided receipts. Mr. Pizaro mentioned that he had already given a copy of the receipts to the Clerk's Office. City Clerk Alberto de Burgo assured the Council that all documents received by the City Clerk had been presented to them. Mr. Pizaro then admitted that he might have the remaining receipt at home.

 

Councilperson Baena motioned to approve the claim for the maximum amount of $300.00, contingent upon Mr. Pizaro presenting the necessary receipts for the damage to the clerk's office. Councilperson Levasseur seconded the motion, and it received unanimous approval with a vote of 7 to 0.

 

VIII.            Schedule of Bills-Hearing and/or consideration

a.      A Resolution in support of the Central Falls 2024 Legislative Agenda including HB-7109, HB-7186, SB-2047 and important changes regarding education funding. (Councilperson Ferri by request)

A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Levasseur; seconded by Councilperson Kazarian.  The motion passed 7 to 0.

 

b.      A Resolution Designating the week of February 7 through February 14, 2024, as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week in Central Falls. (Councilperson Baena)

Councilmember Baena addressed the Council, suggesting that they refrain from individually voting on the Resolutions and, instead, consider opting for a collective vote. She proposed a discussion on each resolution separately, followed by a collective vote on all of them. Councilmember Baena then spoke to the Council about the resolution designating the week of February 7 through February 14, 2024, as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week in Central Falls. She emphasized the impact of congenital heart defects on specific community members and underscored the importance of addressing this issue.

 

c.      A Resolution in support of the Expansion of the Rhode Island Temporary Caregiver Insurance Program from six weeks to twelve weeks: HB-7171 and SB-2121. (Councilperson Baena)

Councilmember Baena clarified the resolution for the Council, citing the bill introduced to the RI General Assembly by Representative Giraldo.

 

d.     A Resolution Proclaiming the Month of February 2024 as Black History Month in the City of Central Falls. (Councilperson Baena)

Councilperson Baena explained that the resolution acknowledges February 2024 as Black History Month within the City of Central Falls.

 

e.      A Resolution Expressing Condolence on the Passing of Glenn J. Larocque, Jr. (Councilperson Baena)

Councilperson Baena spoke before the Council regarding the resolution offering condolences for Mr. Glenn J. Larocque, a longtime resident of Central Falls.

 

f.       A Resolution Celebrating and Recognizing Pamela Galva on Scoring Her 1000^th Point for Central Falls High School. (Councilperson Baena)

Councilperson Baena brought attention to Ms. Pamela Galval's achievement of scoring 1,000 points for Central Falls Girls Basketball during the Council session. She emphasized the challenges associated with accomplishing such a feat.

 

g.      A Resolution Celebrating and Recognizing Diego Alcantar Jr. and Tuxpan Taqueria on their 2024 James Beard Nomination for Best New Restaurant. (Councilperson Baena)

Councilperson Baena addressed the Council regarding the resolution paying tribute to Tuxpan Taqueria for their 2024 James Beard Nomination for Best New Restaurant.

 

Councilperson Solano proposed a motion to collectively approve all the resolutions, seconded by Councilperson Rosado Martinez. The motion was unanimously passed with a vote of 7 to 0.

 

h.     An Ordinance Amending the Redevelopment Agency Ordinance. (Council President Ferri by Request)- Second Reading

Council President Ferri initiated the public hearing, but no individuals registered to speak. Subsequently, the Council president concluded the public hearing. Following this, Council President Ferri called for a motion to approve the ordinance, which was put forward by Councilperson Kazarian and seconded by Councilperson Peguero. During the discussion phase, none of the Council members provided comments. The roll call vote resulted in approval from Councilpersons Kazarian, Levasseur, Solano, Peguero, Baena, Rosado-Martines, and Council President Ferri. The motion passed with a unanimous vote of 7-0.

 

i.        An Ordinance Amending Appendix A of the of the Code of Ordinance title “Zoning” adopted October 15, 2007, by renumbering uses 48 and adding mini-storage and self-storage to Article III. Use and Dimensional Regulations, and to Appendix A of the Zoning Ordinance. (Council President Ferri by Request)-Introduction

Introduced

 

  IX.            Adjournment

Council President Ferri called for a motion to conclude the meeting. Councilperson Kazarian proposed the motion, which was seconded by Councilperson Baena. The motion received unanimous approval with a vote of 7 to 0. The meeting concluded at 7:42 pm.

 

Approved by City Council: March 11, 2024

Alberto de Burgo

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)

 

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