City of Central Falls

Special City Council Meeting

Wednesday July 31, 2024

Second Floor Council Chambers

580 Broad Street,

Central Falls, RI 02863

6:00 p.m.

 

Minutes

 

I.          Roll Call

At 6:00 PM, Council President Robert Ferri called the Council Meeting to order. City Clerk Alberto de Burgo conducted the roll call. Present at the meeting were Councilpersons Baena, Kazarian, Levasseur, Peguero, Solano, and Rosado-Martinez. With all members in attendance, the Council met the quorum requirement.

 

II.        Pledge of Allegiance

Council President Ferri led the City Council in the pledge of allegiance.

 

III.       Public Comment

None

 

IV.       New Business-Hearing and Consideration

a)   Resolution Requesting that a Question be Placed on the November 2024 Citywide Ballot Seeking Approval from the Qualified Electors to Authorize the City of Central Falls to Issue General Obligation Bonds and Notes for the Construction, Renovation, Improvement, Alteration, Repair, Furnishing, and Equipping of Schools and School Facilities in the City in an amount not to exceed $26,049,000 - (Ferri by Request)

 

Chief of Staff Robert RJ Kermes, representing Mayor Maria Rivera, presented an overview of the resolution requesting that a question be placed on the November 2024 citywide ballot. The resolution seeks approval from the qualified electors to authorize the City of Central Falls to issue General Obligation Bonds and Notes, not exceeding $26,049,000, for the construction, renovation, improvement, alteration, repair, furnishing, and equipping of schools and school facilities within the city.

 

Following Mr. Kermes' introduction, Finance Director Mary Signer provided the Council with detailed financial information related to the bond. She addressed the potential financial impact on the community and answered several questions posed by Council members.

 

Ms. Signer then introduced Mr. Sam Bradner from the Peregrine Group, who delivered a presentation to the Council. Mr. Bradner elaborated on the necessity of the bond, explaining the rationale behind it and detailing how the proposed funds would be allocated to support the completion of the various school projects throughout the city.

 

Councilperson Solano made a motion to approve the resolution requesting that a question be placed on the November 2024 citywide ballot, seeking approval from the qualified electors to authorize the City of Central Falls to issue General Obligation Bonds and Notes in an amount not to exceed $26,049,000. The funds would be used for the construction, renovation, improvement, alteration, repair, furnishing, and equipping of schools and school facilities within the city. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Baena.

 

Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote on the resolution. The votes were as follows: Councilperson Baena voted yes to approve; Councilperson Kazarian voted yes to approve; Councilperson Levasseur voted yes to approve; Councilperson Peguero voted yes to approve; Councilperson Solano voted yes to approve; Councilperson Rosado-Martinez voted yes to approve. Council President Ferri also voted yes to approve. The motion passed unanimously.

 

V.        Adjournment

 

Meeting adjourned at 6:24pm

 

Approved by City Council September 10, 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)

 

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