I. Roll Call

City Clerk Alberto de Burgo oversaw the roll call, with Councilperson Tatiana Baena, Councilperson Kevin Kazarian, Councilperson Meaghan Levasseur, Councilperson Raphael Peguero, Council President Pro Temp Franklin Solano, Councilperson Laurilim Rosado-Martinez (arriving at 6:05 pm), and Council President Robert Ferri all present. The meeting met the required quorum.

II. Pledge of Allegiance

Council President Ferri guided the City Council in reciting the pledge of allegiance.

III. Public Comment

Lauren Fogarty, Program Coordinator for the RI 250 Program within the Office of the Secretary of State, addressed the City Council regarding the nation's 250th Anniversary and Rhode Island's 250th Commission's committed endeavors to honor the state's pivotal role in the establishment of the United States.

IV. Approval of Records

a. Meeting minutes from February 12, 2024, Council Meeting

Councilperson Tatiana Baena proposed the motion for approval, which was seconded by Councilperson Franklin Solano. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 6 to 0.

V. Executive Communications

Department Financial Reports- February 2024, City Clerk’s Office, Central Falls Police Department, Central Falls Police Department (January 2024), Central Falls Fire Department, Department of Public Works & Code Enforcement.

Councilperson Tatiana Baena proposed the motion for approval, which was then seconded by Franklin Solano. The motion passed with a unanimous vote of 6 to 0.

VI. New Business

a. City Council sitting as Board of License Commissioners

i. Consideration of petition of License

	License Type		Business Name
	Class BV License new		Cosmopolitan Inc. D/B/A Cosmopolitan 494 Dexter Street Central Falls, RI 02863 Applicant: Juan Camilo Rodriguez
	Councilperson Baena moved to table the motion, with Councilperson Peguero seconding the motion. The motion was unanimously passed with a vote of 6 to 0.		City Clerk Alberto de Burgo introduced Cosmopolitan Inc. to present before the Council. However, applicant Juan Camilo Rodriguez was not in attendance. In response, the council president requested to postpone the approval to the next meeting.
	Councilperson Solano motioned to remove Cosmopolitan Inc. from the table; this motion was seconded by Councilperson Baena. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.		Mr. Camilo Rodriguez arrived tardily and requested permission to address the Council. He explained that traffic delays had caused his lateness.
	Councilperson Solano proposed the motion for approval, which was seconded by Councilperson Baena. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.		During the discussion, Mr. Camilo Rodriguez responded to questions from Councilpersons Solano, Baena, and Peguero regarding his business.
	Class A-Restaurant Transfer		Anaseb, LLC D/B/A Mimi & Pop’s Ice Cream Shop 1306 Broad St. Central Falls, RI 02863 Applicant: Yonny Alvarez
	Councilperson Baena moved to approve, with Councilperson Solano seconding the motion. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.		Council President Ferri invited Anaseb, LLC to present their request for a class A license transfer. Mr. Yonny Alvarez, the owner, addressed questions from Councilpersons Solano, Peguero, and Baena.

	Auto Repair New		Lito Auto Repair, LLC D/B/A Lito Auto Repair 503 Dexter Street Central Falls, RI 02863 Applicant: Pedro Gonzalez Ortiz
	Councilperson Solano motioned for approval, seconded by Councilperson Peguero. The motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.		Council President Ferri introduced Lito Auto Repair, LLC to present their request for a new auto repair license before the Council. Owner Pedro Gonzalez Ortiz requested a translator. Councilperson Baena volunteered to translate for Mr. Gonzalez Ortiz. Subsequently, Mr. Ortiz Gonzalez responded to inquiries from Councilpersons Solano, Ferri, and Peguero. City Solicitor Jerzyk directed a message to the business owner and council, urging adherence to the City’s parking laws and discouraging the use of public street parking for storing cars undergoing repair at the business. Mr. Gonzalez Ortiz affirmed his commitment to comply with the City’s regulations and laws.

	Auto Repair New		Alaska Auto Repair 19 Cross Street Central Falls, RI 02863 Applicant: Berardo Bautista
	Councilperson Solano proposed the motion for approval, which was seconded by Councilperson Peguero. The motion was unanimously passed with a vote of 7 to 0.		During the discussion, owner Berardo Batista addressed questions from Council President Ferri, Councilperson Solano, and Councilperson Peguero.

	Private Detective License New		William B. Connors Jr. 800 Hingham Street, Suite 100 South Rockland, Ma 02370
	Councilperson Solano proposed the motion for approval, which was seconded by Councilperson Baena. The motion was approved unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.		During the discussion, Mr. Connors, Jr. addressed the Council and responded to questions regarding his private Detective License.

	Lima’s Place Petition		Lima’s Place 499 High Street Central Falls, RI 02863 Applicant: Jose Lima
	Councilperson Solano motioned for approval, which was seconded by Councilperson Peguero.		During the discussion, Mr. Jose Lima addressed the Council, explaining the reasons for not meeting the deadline set in the December Council meeting. He then proceeded to answer questions from Councilperson Baena, who inquired further.

Roll Call vote: Council President Ferri conducted a Roll Call Vote. The results were as follows: Councilperson Tatiana Baena: yes; Councilperson Kevin Kazarian: yes; Councilperson Meaghan Levasseur: yes; Councilperson Raphael Peguero: yes; Council President Pro Temp Franklin Solano: yes; Councilperson Laurilim Rosado-Martinez: yes; and Council President Robert Ferri: yes. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 7-0.

b. Review and Consideration of City of Central Falls Purchase of Parcel 1A, Condemnation Plat 2072, in the City of Central Falls, approximately 4,623 square feet, for the price of $40,000 from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation."(Ferri by request)

Councilperson Solano motioned for approval, which was seconded by Councilperson Peguero. During the discussion, Solicitor Matthew Jerzyk provided the Council with an explanation of the property parameters and addressed questions from the council. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.

VII. Schedule of Bills-Hearing and/or consideration

a. Resolution urging the General Assembly to not Cap the Education Funding Formula's Core Instruction Amount and to Equitably Fund the Student Success Factor and Funding for Multilingual Learners (Ferri by request)

Councilperson Kazarian motioned for approval, which was seconded by Councilperson Solano. During the discussion, City Solicitor Jerzyk provided the council with an overview of the resolution. Roll Call vote: Council President Ferri conducted a Roll Call Vote. The results were as follows: Councilperson Tatiana Baena: recused; Councilperson Kevin Kazarian: yes; Councilperson Meaghan Levasseur: yes; Councilperson Raphael Peguero: yes; Council President Pro Temp Franklin Solano: yes; Councilperson Laurilim Rosado-Martinez: yes; and Council President Robert Ferri: yes. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 6-0.

VIII. Adjournment

Motion to adjourn was made by Councilperson Solano and Seconded by Councilperson Baena. Meeting adjourned at 6:47 pm

Approved by: Central Falls City Council April 8, 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