City of Central Falls

City Council Meeting

Monday April 21, 2025

Second Floor Council Chambers

580 Broad Street,

Central Falls, RI 02863

6:00 p.m.

 

Date Posted: April 16, 2024

Time Poste: 4:15 pm

Minutes

 

 

I.      Roll Call

Council President Ferri opened the meeting at 6pm.  City Clerk Alberto de Burgo conducted the roll call.  Present were Councilperson Tatiana Baena, Councilperson Kevin Kazarian, Councilperson Peguero, Councilperson Rivas-Lugo, Councilperson Rosado-Martinez and Council President Ferri.  The meeting had a quorum.

 

II.    Pledge of Allegiance

Council President Ferri led the Pledge of Allegiance

 

III.   Public Comment

Maria Helen Lopes of Central Falls addressed the City Council to speak about her upcoming fundraiser in support of CDLS (Cornelia de Lange Syndrome). She answered questions from Council members and extended an invitation, encouraging their attendance at the event.

 

IV.   Approval of Records

 

a.       Meeting minutes from March 10, 2025, Council Meeting

The Council may vote on this item

Councilperson Kazarian made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Councilperson Rivas-Lugo.  The Motion passed 6 to 0.

 

V.     Executive Communications

 

b.      Consideration of appointment, by Mayor Maria Rivera of  Matthew D. Mulligan, of 535 Roosevelt Ave, Central Falls, RI to the Wyatt Detention Center Board with a term to expire January 1, 2030.

The Council may vote on this item

Chief of Staff Robert "RJ" Kermes addressed the Council to provide background information on Mr. Mulligan and highlight his qualifications for appointment to the Wyatt Detention Center Board. Mr. Mulligan then addressed the Council and responded to questions regarding his appointment.

 

c.       Consideration of reappointment, by Mayor Maria Rivera of Miguel Garcia, of 501 Roosevelt Ave. Central Falls, to Chair the Housing Authority Board with a term to expire January 1, 2030.

The Council may vote on this item

 

Chief of Staff Robert "RJ" Kermes addressed the Council, providing insight into Miguel Garcia’s experience and qualifications. A motion to approve the appointment was made by Councilperson Kazarian and seconded by Councilperson Baena.

Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote:

Councilperson Baena – Yes

Councilperson Kazarian – Yes

Councilperson Peguero – Yes

Councilperson Rivas-Lugo – Recused

Councilperson Rosado-Martinez – Yes

Council President Ferri – Yes

The motion passed unanimously, 5–0.

 

d.      Consideration of reappointment, by Mayor Maria Rivera of Jacqueline Parra, of 72 Notre Dame St. Central Falls, to the Housing Authority Board with a term to expire January 1, 2030.

The Council may vote on this item

Chief of Staff Robert "RJ" Kermes addressed the Council and shared details about Jacqueline Parra’s background and professional experience. A motion to approve her appointment was made by Councilperson Kazarian, seconded by Councilperson Baena.

 

Council President Ferri requested a roll call vote:

Councilperson Baena – Yes

Councilperson Kazarian – Yes

Councilperson Peguero – Yes

Councilperson Rivas-Lugo – Recused

Councilperson Rosado-Martinez – Yes

Council President Ferri – Yes

The motion passed unanimously, 6–0.

 

e.       Department Financial Reports- January 2025

                                                        i.      City Clerk’s Office

                                                      ii.      Department of Public Works & Code Enforcement.

                                                    iii.      Fire Department

                                                     iv.      Police Department

A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Rivas-Lugo and seconded by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez.

 

Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote:

Councilperson Baena – Yes

Councilperson Kazarian – Yes

Councilperson Peguero – Yes

Councilperson Rivas-Lugo – yes

Councilperson Rosado-Martinez – Yes

Council President Ferri – Yes

The motion passed unanimously, 6–0.

 

VI.   New Business

 

f.        City Council sitting as Board of License Commissioners

                                                        i.      Hearing and Consideration of Petition of License

Licenses Type		Business Name
Class C-Variety New		Happy Cookie and Cream, LLC D/B/A Happy Cookie and Cream, LLC 870 Dexter Street Central Falls, Ri 02863 Owner: Janneth Catalina Munoz

The Council May vote on this item

Business owner Janneth Catalina Munoz addressed the Council through an interpreter to explain the nature of her business and responded to questions related to it. City Solicitor Matthew Jerzyk noted a clerical error on the agenda, which incorrectly listed the license as a Class C–Variety. He clarified that the appropriate license for the business is a Class A–Restaurant and requested that the Council amend the agenda to reflect this correction.

 

Councilperson Rivas-Lugo made a motion to amend the agenda, accordingly, seconded by Councilperson Rosado Martinez. The motion passed unanimously, 6–0.

 

Councilperson Baena then made a motion to approve the business license as amended. Councilperson Rosado Martinez seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, 6–0, approving the license.    

 

g.       Appointment to the Municipal Court Pursuant to Division 1, Article II of Chapter 14 “Courts” of the Central Falls Code of Ordinances

Deborah S. Gonzalez,  Municipal Court Judge

The Council may vote on this item

Mr. Alberto Cardona appeared before the Council to express his strong support for the appointment of Ms. Deborah Gonzalez as Municipal Court Judge for the City of Central Falls. He provided an overview of her professional background and qualifications, emphasizing her capability and readiness to serve the city in this role. Ms. Gonzalez also addressed the Council, offering a summary of her experience and credentials. She responded to questions posed by Council members. A motion to approve the appointment was made by Councilperson Rivas-Lugo and seconded by Councilperson Baena. The motion was approved unanimously, with a vote of 6 to 0.

 

VII.  Executive Session pursuant to R.I.G.L §42-46-5 (a)(2)(Sessions pertaining to litigation):

                                                         i.      UMB Bank, NA as Trustee v. Central Falls Detention Facility Corporation et al. 19-182 (USDC-RI)

Councilperson Kazarian made a motion to enter into Executive Session, which was seconded by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez. The motion passed unanimously, 6 to 0.

 

 

A motion to seal the minutes of the Executive Session was made by Councilperson Kazarian and seconded by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez. The motion passed unanimously, 6 to 0.

 

Councilperson Rosado-Martinez then made a motion to exit Executive Session, which was seconded by Councilperson Rivas-Lugo. The motion passed 6 to 0.

 

A motion to approve the proposed terms sheet in UMB Bank, NA as Trustee v. Central Falls Detention Facility Corporation et al. 19-182 (USDC-RI) subject to two terms (1) there are no material changes to the term sheet (2) that the full $250,000 payment occur in FY 2026 was made by Councilperson Kazarian and seconded by Councilpersons Rivas-Lugo and Peguero. The motion passed with a vote of 6 to 0.

 

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

h.      Lonsdale Ave: Petition to relocate P142 and P144 due to sidewalk relocation by city

The Council may vote on this item

A motion to approve the petition for the relocation of P142 and P144 due to the city's sidewalk relocation on Lonsdale Ave was made by Councilpersons Rivas-Lugo and Rosado-Martinez and seconded by Councilperson Peguero. The motion passed unanimously, 6 to 0.

 

IX,   Schedule of Bills-Hearing and/or Consideration

 

i.        Resolution in honor of Earth Day, and in acknowledgment of the connection between food production and environmental impacts, on Earth Day 2025. (Ferri by request)

The Council may vote on this item

A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Baena and seconded by Councilperson Rivas. The motion passed 6 to 0.

 

j.        Resolution in Support of Legislation authorizing the City Council to exempt the Property located at 913-915 Dexter Street on Plat 7, Lot 156 from the requirements of R.I.G.L. 3-7-19. (Rosado-Martinez)

The Council may vote on this item

City Solicitor Jerzyk provided the Council with background information regarding the resolution. A motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilperson Rivas and seconded by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez. The motion passed unanimously, 6 to 0.

 

k.      Resolution Supporting the establishment of a dual language and bilingual education program fund at RIDE and a scholarship program to expand the issuance of bilingual dual language and world language teaching certificates to teachers in urban and urban ring public schools. (Rosado-Martinez)

The Council may vote on this item

Councilperson Rosado-Martinez presented background information on the resolution. A motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilperson Baena and seconded by Councilperson Rivas. The motion passed unanimously, 6 to 0.

 

l.        Resolution in Support of H5390 and S258, The Victims of Crime Trauma-Informed Mobilization (VICTIM) Act. (Baena)

The Council may vote on this item

Councilperson Baena provided background on the resolution and explained its intended impact. Councilperson Rosado-Martinez moved to approve the resolution, with Councilpersons Rivas-Lugo and Peguero seconding the motion. The resolution was approved by a vote of 6 to 0.

 

m.    Resolution Honoring Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week (April 21–25, 2025). (Baena)

The Council may vote on this item

Councilperson Baena introduced the resolution and provided context regarding its purpose. Councilperson Rosado-Martinez made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Councilperson Peguero. The motion passed with a vote of 6 to 0.

 

n.      Resolution in Support of H5976 and S0870 – Building Opportunities in Out-of-School Time. (Baena)

The Council may vote on this item

Councilperson Baena addressed the Council and shared background information related to the resolution. A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez and seconded by Councilperson Rivas-Lugo. The motion passed with a vote of 6 to 0.

 

o.      Resolution in Support of Legislation to Empower the City Council to Update the Central Falls Tax Classification System (H6123 and S675). (Ferri by request)

The Council may vote on this item

Dr. Daniel Ducharme, Ph.D., RICA, the City Tax Assessor, addressed the Council to explain the resolution and responded to questions from Council members. A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Ferri and seconded by Councilperson Peguero. The motion passed with a vote of 6 to 0.

 

p.      Resolution in Support of the 2025 Rhode Island Assault Weapons Ban (H-5436 and S-359). (Rivas-Lugo)

The Council may vote on this item

 

Councilperson Rivas-Lugo addressed the Council and provided an explanation of the resolution he was sponsoring. A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez and seconded by Councilperson Peguero. The motion passed with a vote of 6 to 0.

 

q.      Resolution Proclaiming April as Fair Housing Month in the City of Central Falls. (Rivas-Lugo)

The Council may vote on this item

Councilperson Rivas-Lugo offered background information on the resolution for the Council’s consideration. Councilperson Rosado-Martinez moved to approve the resolution, with a second from Councilperson Peguero. The motion was approved unanimously, 6 to 0.

 

r.       An Ordinance Creating Greater Enforcement for Parking Ticket Violations- Introduction (Ferri by request)

Introduced

 

s.       An Ordinance Creating the Central Falls Arts, Culture and Tourism Commission-Introduction (Rivas-Lugo)

Introduced

 

t.        An Ordinance Prohibiting Rodeos in the City of Central Falls – Second Reading (Ferri)

The Council may vote on this item

Councilperson Ferri addressed the Council, providing context on the resolution and its intended goals. A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez and seconded by Councilperson Rivas-Lugo.

 

Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote:

Councilperson Baena – Yes

Councilperson Kazarian – Yes

Councilperson Peguero – Yes

Councilperson Rivas-Lugo – Yes

Councilperson Rosado-Martinez – Yes

Council President Ferri – Yes

The motion passed unanimously, 6–0.

 

X.     Hearing and/or Consideration of Claims

Joel Nunez

Central Falls, RI 02863

Seeking reimbursement for cost of removing Vehicle from impound that was inadvertently towed by police.

The Council may vote on this item

Major Carroll addressed the Council and requested approval of the claim, stating that the department was at fault. Councilperson Baena asked for additional clarification, which Major Carroll provided. A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez and Seconded by Councilperson Peguero.  The Motion passed 6 to 0.

 

XI.   Adjournment

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Councilperson Baena and Seconded by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez.  Meeting adjourned at 7:36pm

 

Council Approved: with Amendment May 12, 2025

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