City of Central Falls

City Council Meeting

Wednesday October 16, 2024

Second Floor Council Chambers

580 Broad Street,

Central Falls, RI 02863

6:00 p.m.

 

Minutes

Amended 11/13/2024

 

I.       Roll Call

Council President Ferri called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  City Clerk Alberto de Burgo conducted the roll call.  Present were Councilpersons Baena, Kazarian, Levasseur, Peguero, Rosado Martinez, Solano and Council President Ferri. A quorum was established.

 

II.     Pledge of Allegiance

Council President Ferri led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance

                                                                                    

III.    Public Comment

None

 

IV.    Approval of Records

a.       Meeting minutes from September 9, 2024, Council Meeting

A motion to approve the minutes from September 9th was made by Councilperson Solano and seconded by Councilperson Rosado Martinez. Councilpersons Levasseur and Baena recused themselves from voting. The motion passed 5-0.

 

V.      Executive Communications

2. Department Financial Reports- September 2024

                                                        i.      City Clerk’s Office

                                                      ii.      Central Falls Police Department

                                                    iii.      Central Falls Fire Department

                                                     iv.      Department of Public Works & Code Enforcement.

City Clerk Alberto de Burgo addressed the Council to amend the agenda, correcting the report dates from July-August to September 2024. A motion to approve the September 2024 department financials was made by Councilperson Baena and seconded by Councilperson Solano. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.

 

3. Executive Order 2024-0003: Appointment of Joshua Hernandez as Acting Human Resource Director for the City of Central Falls

Chief of Staff Robert "RJ" Kermes addressed the Council to provide detailed information regarding the recent Executive Order. He responded to various questions from council members, offering clarification on its purpose.  

 

4. Consideration of appointment, by Mayor Maria Rivera of Joshua Hernandez, 109 Olive Street, Woonsocket, RI as the Human Resource Director

Chief of Staff Robert Kermes introduced Mr. Joshua Hernandez to the Council as the new Human Resources Director for the City of Central Falls. Following the introduction, Mr. Hernandez addressed the Council and responded to their questions regarding his qualifications and plans for the role.

 

Councilperson Baena made a motion to approve the hiring of Joshua Hernandez as the new Human Resources Director, which was seconded by Councilperson Solano. Council President Ferri then called for a roll call vote: Councilpersons Baena, Kazarian, Levasseur, Peguero, Rosado Martinez, Solano, and Council President Ferri all voted in favor. The motion was approved unanimously, passing 7-0.

 

VI.    New Business

e.       City Council sitting as Board of License Commissioners

                                                        i.      Consideration of petition of License

License Type		Business Name
Class A-Restaurant new		Latinos Fried Chicken. LLC D/B/A Latinos Fried Chicken 830 Broad Street   Owner: Alvaro Cajigas
A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Levasseur and seconded by Councilperson Solano. Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote, with Councilpersons Baena, Kazarian, Levasseur, Peguero, Rosado Martinez, Solano, and Ferri all voting in favor. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.		Owner Alvaro Cajigas spoke before the Council, offering insights into his business operations and engaging with council members' inquiries. He thoroughly addressed their questions, clarifying any concerns.

6. Petition to the Central Falls City Council

                                                        i.      Giovanni Carmona, 63 Pemberton St, Providence RI

YPR Properties LLC d/b/a Guaro & TQLA 63 Hadwin St.

Mr. Giovanni Carmona addressed the Council, formally requesting a four-month extension. In response, City Solicitor Matthew Jerzyk raised questions regarding the Department of Health's involvement in the matter. Mr. Carmona provided detailed clarification and addressed the solicitor's concerns.

 

Following this discussion, Councilperson Solano made a motion to approve the extension, which was seconded by Councilperson Baena. Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote, and all Councilmembers—Baena, Kazarian, Levasseur, Peguero, Rosado Martinez, Solano, and Ferri—voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.

 

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

1.       Pacific Street: Install New SO P5-1 and associated anchor, install anchor at P5 to feed new property

A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Solano and seconded by Councilperson Rosado Martinez. Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote, and all Councilmembers—Baena, Kazarian, Levasseur, Peguero, Rosado Martinez, Solano, and Ferri—voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously, with a 7-0 vote.

 

8. Public Hearing pertaining to Central Falls Police Department 2024 application for JAG/Byrne Grant funds

Council President Ferri officially opened the public hearing at 6:20 p.m. During the session, he took the opportunity to address the Council, providing comprehensive details about the JAG/Byrne Grant Funds and their potential impact on the city.

 

Following this, Major Carrol presented to the Council, offering further insights into the JAG Grant. He explained how the funds would be utilized to support law enforcement initiatives and enhance public safety efforts throughout the community. Major Carrol addressed various questions from the Council, providing clarification on key aspects of the grant. His thorough responses helped to further clarify the purpose of the grant and its potential benefits, ensuring that the Council had a complete understanding of the proposal before moving forward. Council President Ferri closed the public hearing at 6:28 p.m.

 

VII.   Schedule of Bills-Hearing and/or Consideration

 

9. A Resolution Authorizing a Loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund for the Development of a Central Falls Sewer Facility Plan-(Ferri)

A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Kazarian and seconded by Councilperson Peguero. City Solicitor Jerzyk then addressed the Council, providing details on the resolution authorizing a loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund for the development of a Central Falls Sewer Facility Plan.

 

Following this discussion, Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote. All Councilmembers—Baena, Kazarian, Levasseur, Peguero, Rosado Martinez, Solano, and Ferri—voted in favor, and the motion passed unanimously with a 7-0 vote.

 

j.        An Ordinance Regarding Court Sessions of Municipal Court-Introduced (Ferri by request)

Introduced

 

k.      An Ordinance Regarding Taxation of Properties Owned by the Central Falls Redevelopment Agency-Second Reading (Ferri by request)

A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Kazarian and seconded by Councilperson Peguero. City Solicitor Matthew Jerzyk then addressed the Council, responding to a series of questions regarding the Ordinance on the Taxation of Properties Owned by the Central Falls Redevelopment Agency. Solicitor Jerzyk provided thorough explanations, ensuring the Council had a clear understanding of the ordinance’s purpose and implications.

 

After the discussion, Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote. All Councilmembers—Baena, Kazarian, Levasseur, Peguero, Rosado Martinez, Solano, and Ferri—voted in favor of the ordinance. The motion passed unanimously with a 7-0 vote.

 

VIII. Hearing and or Consideration of Claims

Name		Address
Pedro Pérez		198 Cross Street Central Falls, RI 02863 Claim amount: $300.00   Tabled: 09/09/2024
Motion to table was made by Councilperson Baena and Seconded by Councilpersons Rosado Martinez and Solano.   Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote. All Councilmembers—Baena, Kazarian, Levasseur, Peguero, Rosado Martinez, Solano, and Ferri—voted in favor of the ordinance. The motion passed unanimously with a 7-0 vote.		Claimant Pedro Perez did not attend the meeting
United Services Automobile Association (a reciprocal Inter-insurance exchange) a/s/o Edward Marshall		CSM, LLP 2929 N Central Expwy Ste. 320 Richardson, TX   Claim amount: $1,718.18
A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Solano and seconded by Councilperson Levasseur.   Council President Ferri then called for a roll call vote. All Councilmembers—Baena, Kazarian, Levasseur, Peguero, Rosado Martinez, Solano, and Ferri—voted in favor of the ordinance. The motion passed unanimously, with a 7-0 vote.		City Solicitor Jerzyk addressed the Council, providing insight into the nature of the claim and offering legal guidance regarding its approval. He advised the Council on the appropriate steps to take, ensuring they understood the implications of moving forward with the approval.
Ana O. Gomez		589 Hunt Street Central Falls, RI 02863   Claim amount: $ 373.43
A motion to table the matter pending further investigation was made by Councilperson Baena and seconded by Councilperson Peguero.   Council President Ferri then called for a roll call vote. All Councilmembers—Baena, Kazarian, Levasseur, Peguero, Rosado Martinez, Solano, and Ferri—voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously, with a 7-0 vote.		Claimant Ana Gomez addressed the Council, providing a detailed account of the incident in question. She took the opportunity to recount the sequence of events, offering her perspective on the circumstances surrounding the issue. After sharing her account, Ms. Gomez responded to questions from the Council, specifically addressing discrepancies in her application. The Council inquired about the gap between the date of the incident and the date the claim was filed with the City. Ms. Gomez clarified these details, offering explanations for the timing and any potential delays in submitting the claim. Her responses helped the Council gain a clearer understanding of the situation and the context surrounding the filing of her claim.

 

IX.    Adjournment

Motion to adjourn was made by Councilperson Solano and Seconded by Councilperson(s) Rosado Martinez and Baena.

 

Council approved with amendments on November 13, 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