City of Central Falls

City Council Meeting

Wednesday June 5, 2024

Second Floor Council Chambers

580 Broad Street,

Central Falls, RI 02863

6:00 p.m.

 

Minutes

 

Council president Ferri Opened the Council meeting at 6:00 pm

 

                               I.            Roll Call

City Clerk Alberto de Burgo conducted the roll call, which included, Councilperson Tatiana Baena, Councilperson Kevin Kazarian, Councilperson Rafael Peguero, Council President Pro Temp Franklin Solano, and Council President Robert Ferri. Councilperson Laurilim Rosado-Martinez arrived at 6:03 pm. Councilperson Meaghan Levasseur was absent from the meeting. The meeting achieved the necessary quorum.

 

                             II.            Pledge of Allegiance

Council President Ferri led the Council in the pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

 

                          III.            Public Comment

 

Mr. John Burns of 88 Mill Street, Woonsocket, spoke to the Council about Council 94.

 

Following Mr. Burns, Ms. Tia Ristano-Siegal of 14 Worth Street, Central Falls, took the floor to discuss the proposed addition of new housing units in the city. She raised several potential concerns associated with this development, focusing on its impact on city infrastructure, community resources, and the necessity of conducting a comprehensive study to evaluate these effects thoroughly. Furthermore, Ms. Ristano-Siegal addressed the recent decision to hire a Deputy Chief of Staff, a new position for the city, and expressed her views on the necessity and implications of this role.

 

In response to Ms. Ristano-Siegal's remarks, Robert “RJ” Kermes, Chief of Staff for Mayor Rivera answered questions from the Council and provided his insights and counterpoints to Ms. Ristano-Siegal’s inquiries. He emphasized the strategic importance of the new housing initiative, highlighting the potential economic and social benefits for the community. Mr. Kermes also discussed the anticipated advantages of appointing a Deputy Chief of Staff, arguing that this position is essential for enhancing the city's administrative efficiency and supporting its growth.

 

Additionally, Jim Vandermillen addressed Ms. Ristano-Siegal's concerns and answered questions from the Council. He informed the Council about the extensive steps involved in planning the housing initiatives, assuring that thorough studies had been conducted to assess the impact of the proposed growth on the city's infrastructure and resources. Vandermillen emphasized that these studies were designed to ensure the sustainable and beneficial development of the community.

 

                           IV.            Approval of Records

a.       Meeting minutes from May 29, 2024.

Council President Ferri requested a motion to approve the minutes from the May 29, 2024, meeting. Councilperson Baena made the motion to approve, which was seconded by Councilperson Solano. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 6 to 0.

 

                             V.            Executive Communications

a.       A Mayoral Proclamation Proclaiming June 19th to be recognized as Juneteenth National Independence Day in the City of Central Falls

Council President Ferri accepted the proclamations from the Mayor’s Office.

 

b.      A Mayoral Proclamation Declaring June 7^th, 2024, be recognized as National Gun Violence Awareness Day

Council President Ferri accepted the proclamations from the Mayor's Office.

 

                           VI.            New Business

                                                              i.      Consideration of the Tentative Agreement between AFSCME, Council 94, Local 1627 and the City of Central Falls.

Mr. Charles Ruggerio addressed the council, providing detailed explanations and answering questions about the tentative agreement between AFSCME, Council 94, Local 1627, and the City of Central Falls. He elaborated on various aspects of the agreement, including the key terms and the potential impact on both the employees and the city. Additionally, City Solicitor Matthew Jerzyk was present to address the council’s questions concerning the contract.

 

                        VII.            Advertised Public Hearing regarding Central Falls FY25 Proposed Budget Ordinances

                                                              i.      FY 2025 Annual Operating Budget Ordinance-General Fund- (Ferri, by request)

None

 

                                                            ii.      Ordinance Pertaining to the Salaries of Department Heads and Others in Unclassified Service- (Ferri by request)

None

                                                          iii.      Ordinance Amending the Wage Schedule Generally- (Ferri, by request)

 

None

                                                           iv.      Annual Capital Program and Capital Budget Ordinance- (Ferri, by request)

None

 

Councilwoman Baena addressed the Council regarding this year's budget approval process, commending the Mayor's staff for their efforts in making the process more comprehensible and facilitating easier questioning by the Council.

 

                     VIII.            Schedule of Bills-Hearing and/or consideration

 

a)                  FY 2025 Annual Operating Budget Ordinance-General Fund-First Reading (Ferri, by request)

Chief of Staff Robert “RJ” Kermes responded to Councilperson Baena's questions. Councilperson Solano proposed a motion to approve, which was seconded by Councilperson Peguero. Council President Ferri then called for a roll call vote: Councilperson Baena voted yes, Councilperson Kazarian voted yes, Councilperson Peguero voted yes, Councilperson Rosado-Martinez voted yes, and Council President Ferri voted yes. The motion passed 6 to 0.

 

b)                 Ordinance Pertaining to the Salaries of Department Heads and Others in Unclassified Service-First Reading (Ferri by request)

 

Councilperson Kazarian proposed a motion to approve, seconded by Councilperson Peguero. Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote: Councilperson Baena voted yes, Councilperson Kazarian voted yes, Councilperson Peguero voted yes, Councilperson Rosado-Martinez voted yes, and Council President Ferri voted yes. The motion passed unanimously, 6 to 0.

 

c)                  Ordinance Amending the Wage Schedule Generally-First Reading (Ferri, by request)

 

A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez and Seconded by Councilperson Solano. Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote: Councilperson Baena voted yes, Councilperson Kazarian voted yes, Councilperson Peguero voted yes, Councilperson Rosado-Martinez voted yes, and Council President Ferri voted yes. The motion passed unanimously, 6 to 0.

 

d)                 Annual Capital Program and Capital Budget Ordinance-First Reading (Ferri, by request, by request)

 

Councilperson Solano moved to approve the motion, and Councilperson Kazarian seconded. Council President Ferrin then called for a roll call vote: Councilperson Baena voted yes, Councilperson Kazarian voted yes, Councilperson Peguero voted yes, Councilperson Rosado-Martinez voted yes, and Council President Ferri voted yes. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.

 

e)                  Amendment to the Central Falls Zoning Ordinance creating the New OSRAM Mixed Use Special Overlay District-Second Reading (Ferri by Request)

Director of Planning and Economic Development, James Vandermillen, addressed the council, providing detailed answers to their questions regarding the ordinance. He discussed the modifications that had been made and formally submitted the proposed amended ordinance into the record. Director Vandermillen focused particularly on three sections that would be affected by the proposed changes, elaborating on the specifics and implications of each modification.

 

Following Director Vandermillen’ s presentation, Solicitor Jerzyk reminded Council President Ferri that the public hearing needed to be opened and closed before any vote could occur. Council President Ferri then proceeded to open the public hearing. During this session, Director Vandermillen reiterated his recommendations, ensuring they were entered into the public record.

 

Mr. Paul Escobar, a representative for Hasbro posed several questions to Director Vandermillen regarding the ordinance. Both Vandermillen and Solicitor Jerzyk addressed these inquiries comprehensively, leading Mr. Escobar to withdraw his questions from the council. Councilperson Baena moved to adopt the proposed changes, and Councilperson Rosado-Martinez seconded. Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote: Councilperson Baena voted yes, Councilperson Kazarian voted yes, Councilperson Peguero voted yes, Councilperson Rosado-Martinez voted yes, and Council President Ferri voted yes. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.  Council president Ferri then closed the public the meeting. 

 

Councilperson Kazarian made a motion to approve the amended ordinance, which was seconded by Councilpersons Solano, Baena, and Rosado Martinez. Council President Ferri then called for a roll call vote: Councilperson Baena, Councilperson Kazarian, Councilperson Peguero, Councilperson Rosado-Martinez, and Council President Ferri all voted yes. The motion passed unanimously, with a vote of 6-0.

 

                          IX.            Adjournment

 

Councilperson Solano motioned to adjourn, with Councilperson Peguero seconding the motion. The meeting concluded at 6:58 pm.

 

Approved by City Council on July 8^th 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