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City of Central Falls
City Council Meeting
Monday June 10, 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, which included, Councilperson Tatiana Baena, Councilperson Kevin Kazarian, Councilperson Meaghan Levasseur, Councilperson Rafael Peguero, Council President Pro Temp Franklin Solano, and Council President Robert Ferri. Councilperson Laurilim Rosado-Martinez arrived at 6:09 pm. 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
No one signed up for public comment
IV. Executive Communications
- Department Financial Reports- May 2024, City Clerk’s Office, Central Falls Police Department, Central Falls Fire Department, Department of Public Works & Code Enforcement.
Council President Ferri inquired if there were any questions regarding the department reports. With no objections raised, he requested a motion to approve. Councilperson Levasseur made the motion, which was seconded by Councilperson Peguero. The motion was approved unanimously, 6-0.
V. New Business
a. City Council sitting as Board of License Commissioners
i. Consideration of petition of License
| | License Type | | Business Name |
| | Amusement & Entertainment Permit | | Madeira Club 46 Madeira Ave Applicant: Al Cardoza |
| | Councilperson Solano made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Councilpersons Levasseur and Baena. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0. | | During the discussion, the Council President spoke on behalf of the Madeira Club and expressed support for the event. |
| | Amusement & Entertainment F & F1 Permit Pending Proof of Insurance | | Mundialito 127 Perry Street Applicant: Tatiana Baena |
| | Councilperson Solano proposed a motion to approve, which was seconded by Councilperson Levasseur. Councilperson Baena recused herself from voting. The motion passed with a vote of 5-0. | | Councilperson Baena addressed the Council, providing detailed information about the event. She thoroughly answered questions from other council members, offering clarity and additional insights to ensure everyone had a comprehensive understanding of the event's particulars. |
| | Amusement & Entertainment F & F1 Permit | | St. Josephs Parish 391 High Street Applicant: Jaroslaw Barzykowski |
| | Councilperson Solano proposed a motion to approve, seconded by Councilperson Baena. The motion passed 7 for and 0 against. | | Under discussion Mr. Jaroslaw Barzykowski addressed the Council and answered questions about the event. |
| | Amusement & Entertainment F & F1 Permit | | Central Falls Youth Baseball 50 Ayr Street Director: Dioscaris Garcia |
| | Councilperson Solano proposed a motion to approve, which was seconded by Councilperson Levasseur and Councilperson Baena. The motion passed with a vote of 7-0. | | Julian Segura and Juan Restrepo addressed the Council and answered questions about their Colombian Festival. |
| | Amusement & Entertainment Jenks Park Permit | | South New England Conference D/B/A Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church 163 Liberty Street Applicant: Eneida Morillo |
| | Councilperson Rosado-Martinez made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Councilperson Peguero. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. | | Ms. Eneida Morillo addressed the City Council regarding her upcoming event in Jenks Park. During the session, she answered questions from the Council, providing details and clarifications about the event. |
| | Mobile Food Establishment New | | Sazón y Sabor Marina, LLC D/B/A Sazón y Sabo Marina 11 Elm Street Applicant; Luz Acosta |
| | Councilperson Baena made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Councilpersons Solano and Rosado-Martinez. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. | | Ms. Luz Acosta addressed the Council and answered their questions. She requested clarification on the hours of operation. The Council responded that they would investigate the matter further. |
| | Private Detective License Renewal | | Augusto Mantilla-Serrano 19 Stop River Rd. Norfolk, Ma 02056 |
| | Councilperson Solano made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Councilpersons Rosado-Martinez and Baena. The motion passed by a vote of 7 to 0. | | Under discussion: Mr. Mantilla answered questions from the Council |
| | Class B Liquor Entertainment Victualing 6 Month License Review | | Restaurant Montecristo, LLC D/B/A Restaurant Montecristo 804 Broad Street Business Owner: Samuel Lones Martinez |
| | Councilperson Solano made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Councilperson Baena. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. | | During the discussion, business owner Mr. Lones Martinez addressed the Council and answered their questions. City Solicitor Matthew Jerzyk also spoke to the Council regarding an incident that occurred in February 2024. Solicitor Jerzyk noted that no other incidents had occurred since the issue in February. |
| | Class B Liquor Entertainment Victualing Pool 6 Month License Review | | Tio Pepe Inc. D/B/A Tio Pepe Cantina 508 Dexter Street Business Owner: Alicia Lopez |
| | Councilperson Rosado-Martinez made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Councilperson Baena. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. | | During the discussion, Owner Alicia Lopez and Business Manager Mr. Abraham Gonzalez addressed the Council's questions regarding their business. |
| | C-Variety Transfer Pending: -Certificate of Occupancy -Food Business License (Health Dept.) | | DiPesh, LLC D/B/A Pihu Inc. Central Mart 957 Broad Street Business Owner: Paresh Kumar Patel |
| | Councilperson Baena made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Councilpersons Rosado Martinez and Solano. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. | | uring the discussion, the council posed questions to owner Paresh Kumar Patel regarding various aspects of his business operations. They sought clarification on his business. |
| | Sidewalk Café Licenses New | | Cosmopolitan, Inc. D/B/A Cosmopolitan Restaurant and Lounge 494 Dexter St Business Owner: Juan C. Rodriguez |
| | Councilperson Baena motioned for approval, seconded by Councilpersons Solano and Rosado-Martinez. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. | | During the discussion, Mr. Juan Rodriguez presented an overview of his plans for the sidewalk café and fielded questions from the Council. |
VI. Advertised Public Hearing regarding Central Falls FY25 Proposed Budget Ordinances
Council President Ferri commenced the public hearing, where Finance Director Mary Signer provided a detailed presentation to the Council regarding amendments made to the annual budget. Ms. Signer referenced specific pages and outlined changes implemented based on Council suggestions, as well as corrections to editing errors identified by both the Council and her team.
i. FY 2025 Annual Operating Budget Ordinance-General Fund- (Ferri, by request)
No one signed up for public comment
ii. Ordinance Pertaining to the Salaries of Department Heads and Others in Unclassified Service- (Ferri by request)
No one signed up for public comment
iii. Ordinance Amending the Wage Schedule Generally- (Ferri, by request)
No one signed up for public comment
iv. Annual Capital Program and Capital Budget Ordinance- (Ferri, by request)
No one signed up for public comment
Council President Ferri Closed the Public Hearing
VII. Schedule of Bills-Hearing and/or consideration
Councilperson(s) Rosado-Martinez and Peguero asked that their vote from the June 5th Council meeting be changed to recusals.
a) FY 2025 Annual Operating Budget Ordinance-General Fund-Second Reading (Ferri, by request)
Councilperson Baena motioned to amend the FY 2025 Annual Operating Budget Ordinance-General Fund, seconded by Councilperson Solano. During the discussion, Chief of Staff Robert "RJ" Kermes addressed the Council, providing insights and answering questions regarding the tax rates. Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote to approve the amendments: Councilperson Baena, Councilperson Kazarian, Councilperson Levasseur, Councilperson Peguero, Councilperson Rosado-Martinez, Councilperson Solano, and Council President Ferri all voted yes. The motion to amend the FY 2025 Annual Operating Budget Ordinance-General Fund passed unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.
Councilperson Solano motioned to approve the amended FY 2025 Annual Operating Budget Ordinance-General Fund, seconded by Councilpersons Kazarian and Peguero. Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote: Councilperson Baena, Councilperson Kazarian, Councilperson Levasseur, Councilperson Peguero, Councilperson Rosado-Martinez, Councilperson Solano, and Council President Ferri all voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.
b) Ordinance Pertaining to the Salaries of Department Heads and Others in Unclassified Service-Second Reading (Ferri by request)
Councilperson Baena motioned to amend the Ordinance Pertaining to the Salaries of Department Heads and Others in Unclassified Service, seconded by Councilperson Solano. Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote to approve the amendments. Councilperson Baena, Councilperson Kazarian, Councilperson Levasseur, Councilperson Solano, and Council President Ferri all voted in favor. Councilperson Peguero and Councilperson Rosado-Martinez recused from voting. The motion passed with a vote of 5 to 0.
Councilperson Kazarian motioned to approve the amended Ordinance Pertaining to the Salaries of Department Heads and Others in Unclassified Service, seconded by Councilpersons Kazarian. Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote: Councilperson Baena, Councilperson Kazarian, Councilperson Levasseur, Councilperson Solano, and Council President Ferri all voted in favor. Councilperson Peguero and Councilperson Rosado-Martinez recused from voting. The motion passed with a vote of 5 to 0.
c) Ordinance Amending the Wage Schedule Generally-Second Reading (Ferri, by request)
Councilperson Baena proposed amending the Ordinance on the Wage Schedule Generally, seconded by Councilperson Solano. Council President Ferri then conducted a roll call vote to approve these amendments. Councilpersons Baena, Kazarian, Levasseur, Solano, and Ferri all voted in favor. Councilpersons Peguero and Rosado-Martinez abstained from voting. The motion was carried with a vote of 5 to 0.
Councilperson Baena moved to approve the amended Ordinance Amending the Wage Schedule Generally, seconded by Councilperson Solano. Council President Ferri conducted a roll call vote: Councilpersons Baena, Kazarian, Levasseur, Solano, and Ferri all voted in favor. Councilpersons Peguero and Rosado-Martinez abstained from voting. The motion was approved with a unanimous vote of 5 to 0.
d) Annual Capital Program and Capital Budget Ordinance-Second Reading (Ferri, by request, by request)
Councilperson Baena motioned to amend the Annual Capital Program and Capital Budget Ordinance, seconded by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez. Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote to approve the amendments: Councilperson Baena, Councilperson Kazarian, Councilperson Levasseur, Councilperson Peguero, Councilperson Rosado-Martinez, Councilperson Solano, and Council President Ferri all voted yes. The motion to amend the Annual Capital Program and Capital Budget Ordinance passed unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.
VIII. Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was made by Councilperson Baena and Seconded by Councilperson Solano. The meeting adjourned at 6:56 pm
Approved by Council at the July 8th, 2024, Council Meeting
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