I.          Roll Call

Council President Ferri opened the meeting at 6:01pm. City Clerk Alberto de Burgo called out roll call and present were Councilperson Baena, Councilperson Kazarian, Councilperson Solano and Councilperson Ferri. Absent were Councilperson Levasseur, Councilperson Peguero and Councilperson Rosado-Martinez

II.        Pledge of Allegiance

Council President Ferri led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance

III.       Public Comment

Mr. Alfonso Acevedo from 69 Division Street spoke to the City Council regarding the proposed noise ordinance. Following him, Ms. Gloria Rubio of 128 School Street also addressed the Council about the same ordinance, and was subsequently joined by Mr. Guillermo Rubio, also of 128 School Street, who further discussed the noise ordinance with the Council.

Mr. Marvin Marshall from 6 Kendall Street raised concerns about parking issues and overgrown grass on his street. Mr. Franklin Solano of 544 Hunt Street also spoke on the topic of the noise ordinance, prompting a response from Council President Ferrin.

Councilperson Kevin Kazarian brought forward concerns from constituents in his ward, specifically addressing issues related to a problematic residence and parking troubles. Councilperson Tatiana Baena also commented on the proposed noise ordinance.

Chief of Staff RJ Kermes addressed the Council on behalf of the administration, detailing the steps taken by the administration and the Central Falls Police Department in researching and addressing the noise ordinance.

IV.       Approval of Records

a.   Meeting minutes from June 5th Special Council Meeting

b.   Meeting minutes from June 10th Council Meeting

City Clerk Alberto de Burgo asked the Council if there were any objections to dispensing with voting on the minutes individually and voting on them collectively instead. Councilperson Baena made a motion to approve the minutes from June 5th and June 10th collectively, seconded by Councilperson Solano. The motion passed 4 to 0.

V.        Executive Communications

a.   Department Financial Reports- June 2024, City Clerk’s Office, Central Falls Police Department, Central Falls Fire Department, Department of Public Works & Code Enforcement.

Councilperson Baena moved to approve the financial records, and Councilperson Solano seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 4 to 0.

VI.       New Business

a.   City Council sitting as Board of License Commissioners

i.    Consideration of petition of License

b.   Consideration of Finance Abatement Submitted by Finance Director

i.    Motor Vehicle and Tangible Tax Greater Than Ten Years

Finance Director Mary Signer addressed the Council regarding the abatements of vehicle or tangible taxes that are over 10 years old. She explained the situation and fielded questions and concerns from the Council. 

A motion to approve was made Councilperson Solano and Seconded by Councilperson Baena. The motion passed unanimously.

ii.   Iglesia Pentecostal Unida Latinoamericana Finance Abatement

Mary Signer addressed the Council regarding the tax abatement for Iglesia Pentecostal Unida Latinoamericana. She explained that the church had the proper paperwork for tax exemption, but due to a clerical error, they were incorrectly charged taxes. She requested that the taxes against the church be abated.     Aa motion to approve the abatement collectively was made by Councilperson Baena and seconded by Councilperson Solano.  The Motion passed 4 to 0.

iii. Abatement of Properties Owned by Development Agency submitted by Finance Director

Finance Director Mary Signer requested that the abatement be tabled pending the results of proposed legislation. Councilperson Baena moved to table the matter, and Councilperson Solano seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

c.   Consideration of settlement in PC2021-07511

i.    City of Central Falls v. Luis Alzate and Gyr Makina Construction et al. - PC2021-07511

Councilperson Ferri inquired if all Council members had had the opportunity to review the provided information. In response, Councilperson Baena informed the Council that she had consulted with City Solicitor Jerzyk and had obtained relevant details regarding the settlement, which she subsequently shared with the Council.

Councilperson Solano then moved to approve the settlement, and Councilperson Baena seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by the Council.

d.   5th Amendment to the contract between MTG Disposal and the City of Central Falls" to the next Council agenda.

Chief of Staff Robert "RJ" Kermes addressed the City Council, providing a comprehensive overview of the recent contract amendment. During his presentation, he offered detailed explanations to clarify the reasons behind the amendment and its implications. Chief of Staff Kermes also responded to a range of questions and concerns raised by Council members regarding the proposed rates. His thorough responses aimed to ensure that all aspects of the contract amendment were clearly understood and that any potential issues were addressed effectively. A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Kazarian and seconded by Councilperson Solano. The motion passed unanimously.

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

i.    Install new JO P6-50 for new transformer to feed service: Sheridan Street

ii.   Replace P13 w/45”C2, replace anchor and guy, replace customer OH service w/1/0+/-60”: Fales Street

City Clerk Alberto de Burgo, and Chief of Staff Kermes answered questions from the council.

A motion to approve collectively was made by Councilperson Kazarian and seconded by Councilperson Solano.  The motion was passed unanimously.

VII.     Schedule of Bills-Hearing and/or Consideration

a.   An Ordinance Regarding Taxation of Properties Owned by the Central Falls Redevelopment Agency-Introduction (Ferri by request)

Introduced

b.   An Ordinance Amending the Noise Ordinance Regarding Weekend Enforcement-Introduction (Solano and Baena)

Introduced

VIII.    Hearing and or Consideration of Claims

Mr. Granados Perez presented his claim to the City Council, alleging that the police had forcibly broken down his door. In response to these allegations, Major John Carrol, of the Central Falls Police Department provided the Council with a detailed explanation of the incident. Major Carrol clarified that the police had responded to an emergency call concerning Mr. Granados Perez's residence. He explained that the officers entered the home because they heard an individual screaming, which justified their intervention to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents. Major Carrol emphasized that the police acted within their rights and responsibilities to address the immediate and urgent situation. A motion to deny the claim was made by Councilperson Kazarian and Seconded by Councilperson Solano. The motion passed unanimously.

IX.       Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 7:20pm

Approved by City Council on September 9, 2024

Alberto M. 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)