City of Central Falls

City Council Meeting

Monday February 10, 2025

Second Floor Council Chambers

580 Broad Street,

Central Falls, RI 02863

6:00 p.m.

 

Minutes

Amended 02/07/2024

 

Council President Ferri called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM

 

I.      Roll Call

City Clerk Alberto M. de Burgo conducted the roll call. Present at the meeting were Councilpersons Tatiana Baena, Kevin Kazarian, Councilperson Rafael Peguero, Alberto Rivas-Lugo, Laurilim Rosado-Martinez, and Council President Robert Ferri. Councilperson Luz Velez-Garcia was absent.

 

A motion to accept the amended agenda was made by Councilperson Kazarian and Seconded by Councilperson Baena. The motion passed unanimously.

 

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 January 13, 2025, Council Meeting

b.   Meeting minutes from January 27, 2025, Special Council Meeting

 

A motion to approve the Minutes from January 13th and January 27th collectively was made by Councilperson Baena and Seconded by Councilperson Rosado Martinez.  The motion passed unanimously by a vote of 6 to 0.

 

V.     Executive Communications

a.   Department Financial Reports- January 2025

i.    City Clerk’s Office

ii.   Department of Public Works & Code Enforcement.

iii.  Fire Department

iv.  Police Department

v.   Finance

 

Councilwoman Baena inquired about the report from Code Enforcement, which was addressed by Robert "RJ" Kermes, Chief of Staff to Mayor Maria Rivera. She also raised questions regarding ARPA funds, which were answered by Derek Collamati. Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships.  Councilperson Baena then motioned to approve the Department Financial Report, with Councilperson Rivas-Lugo seconding. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.

 

VI.   New Business

Council President Ferri requested that the Council skip the presentation and proceed to the Board of Licensing. Councilperson Baena made the motion, seconded by Councilperson Kazarian. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.

 

a.   Presentation by Erica Olobri, CBIZ CPAs, regarding audit results for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024

Erica Olobri from CBIZ CPAs delivered a comprehensive presentation to the Council, providing an in-depth analysis of the audit results for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. During her presentation, she thoroughly reviewed key financial statements, highlighted significant findings, and addressed any areas of concern or improvement. Additionally, she engaged with the Council by answering their questions, offering clarifications, and ensuring a clear understanding of the audit outcomes and their implications for the municipality’s financial health.

 

b.   City Council sitting as Board of License Commissioners

i.    Hearing and Consideration of Petition of License

Licenses Type	Business Name
Entertainment
Per Diem	Awareness Walk Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CDLS)
	69 Henry Street
	Central Falls, RI 02863
	Contact: Maria Helena Lopes

Council President Ferri provided a brief overview of the walk and highlighted past successes. Councilperson Rosado Martinez shared feedback on last year’s walks. Councilperson Baena made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Councilpersons Rosado Martinez and Rivas-Lugo. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.

 

c.   Petition to the Central Falls City Council

i.    Log In Entertainment, 499 High St. Central Falls, RI 02863

D/B/A Limas Place, 499 High Street.

Owner: Jose Lima

Request: requesting extension on picking up license

Jack Da Rosa, representing Mr. Jose Lima, addressed the Council and responded to questions. He explained the reasons for the delays and requested an extension of the licenses. Councilperson Rivas-Lugo made a motion to approve the extension, which was seconded by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.

 

d.   Election of Probate Judge Pursuant to Division 1, Article II of Chapter 14 “Courts” of the Central Falls Code of Ordinances

i.    Re-appointment of Bruce Sawyer

Mr. Bruce Sawyer addressed the Council and responded to questions. Councilperson Rivas-Lugo moved to approve the reappointment of Mr. Bruce Sawyer to Probate Judge, with Councilperson Kazarian seconding the motion. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.

 

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

i.    Re-appointment of Robert J. McConnell Municipal (Housing) Court Judge

Mr. Robert J. McConnell addressed the Council and responded to questions. Councilperson Baena moved to approve his reappointment as Housing Court Judge, with Councilperson Rivas-Lugo seconding the motion. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.

 

VII.  Schedule of Bills-Hearing and/or Consideration

a.   Resolution in Support of Pawtucket Central Falls Development (PCF Development) on their development plans for 532 Roosevelt Avenue, Central Falls, other properties and their submission to Rhode Island Housing for Low Income Housing-Tax Credits (Ferri by request)

City Solicitor Mathew Jerzyk presented essential information to the Council about the property in question, providing background details and key insights. Councilperson Baena proposed a motion to approve, which was seconded by Councilperson Rosado Martinez. Council President Ferri then called for a roll call vote. Councilperson Baena voted in favor, Councilperson Kazarian recused himself due to his role on the PCFD board, Councilperson Peguero voted yes, Councilperson Rivas-Lugo voted yes, Councilperson Rosado Martinez voted yes, and Council President Ferri voted yes. The motion passed with 5 votes in favor, 1 recusal, and 0 votes against.

 

b.   Resolution Supporting House Bill 5042 (Alzate) prohibiting Payday Lending in Rhode Island (Baena)

Councilperson Baena introduced the Resolution, emphasizing its importance. She then invited Representative Karen Alzate (District 60) to provide further details on the Resolution's significance, particularly in relation to House Bill 5042, which aims to prohibit payday lending in Rhode Island. Representative Alzate explained the detrimental effects of payday lending, highlighting how it often traps individuals in a cycle of debt. A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Rivas-Lugo and Seconded by Councilperson Kazarian. Council President Ferri then called for a roll call vote. Councilperson Baena, Councilperson Kazarian, Councilperson Peguero, Councilperson Rivas-Lugo, Councilperson Rosado-Martinez, and Council President Ferri all voted in favor. The Motion passed unanimously with a vote of 6 to 0.

 

c.   Resolution Supporting House Bill 5225 (Alzate) creating the Protecting Spaces Act (Baena)

Councilperson Baena introduced the resolution, providing a clear summary of its importance. She highlighted that the resolution would strongly support House Bill 5225, the Protecting Spaces Act, a crucial piece of legislation.

 

Councilperson Baena then invited Representative Alzate to offer a more detailed explanation of the resolution. Representative Alzate thoroughly discussed the main provisions of the Protecting Spaces Act, emphasizing how the bill would safeguard vital community spaces from harm and exploitation. After her presentation, Representative Alzate answered questions from the Council, offering additional insight into the bill’s details and its potential benefits for the community.

 

Following the discussion, Councilperson Rosado-Martinez moved to approve the resolution, seconded by Councilperson Rivas-Lugo. Council President Ferri then called for a roll call vote. Councilperson Baena, Councilperson Kazarian, Councilperson Peguero, Councilperson Rivas-Lugo, Councilperson Rosado-Martinez, and Council President Ferri all voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 6 to 0.

 

d.   A Resolution Designating the week of February 7 through February 14, 2025 as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week in Central Falls. (Baena)

Councilperson Baena spoke to the Council, providing a brief explanation of the Resolution's importance and significance. A motion to approve the Resolution was made by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez and seconded by Councilperson Rivas-Lugo. The motion was approved with a unanimous vote of 6 to 0.

 

e.   Resolution supporting the litigation brought by Attorney General Neronha challenging President Donald Trump’s unconstitutional executive order purporting to end birthright citizenship (Rivas-Lugo by request)

Councilperson Rivas-Lugo introduced the resolution and provided a brief explanation of its significance and importance. A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Kazarian and seconded by Councilperson Peguero. The motion passed with a unanimous vote of 6 to 0.

 

f.    Appendix A, Zoning Ordinance, for the City of Central Falls, as updated and amended from time to time. -Second Reading (Ferri by request)

Jim Vandermillen, the Planning and Economic Development Director, addressed the Council and responded to questions regarding the Ordinance. A motion to pass the Ordinance was made by Councilperson Rivas-Lugo and seconded by Councilperson Peguero. The motion passed with a unanimous vote of 6 to 0.

 

g.   An Ordinance Regarding Court Sessions of Municipal Court-Second Reading (Ferri by request)

Councilperson Kazarian made a motion to approve Seconded by Councilperson Kazarian. Council President Ferri then called for a roll call vote. Councilperson Baena, Councilperson Kazarian, Councilperson Peguero, Councilperson Rivas-Lugo, Councilperson Rosado-Martinez, and Council President Ferri all voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 6 to 0.

 

h.   An Ordinance Requiring the Timeliness of Claims against the City-Second Reading (Ferri by request)

Councilperson Baena made a motion to approve Seconded by Councilpersons Rivas-Lugo and Peguero. Council President Ferri then called for a roll call vote. Councilperson Baena, Councilperson Kazarian, Councilperson Peguero, Councilperson Rivas-Lugo, Councilperson Rosado-Martinez, and Council President Ferri all voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 6 to 0.

 

i.    An Ordinance prohibiting Rodeos in the City of Central Falls – Introduction (Ferri)

Introduced

 

VIII. Hearing and/or Consideration of Claims

Name:	Address:
Cynthia Gillooley	10 Wake Robin Road
Pothole: estimated damage $720.04	Lincoln, RI 02865

Ms. Cynthia Gillooley presented her claim to the Council and responded to questions. A motion to approve her claim and pay the maximum amount of $300.00 for pothole charges was made by Councilperson Baena and seconded by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez. The motion passed with a 6-0

 

IX.   Adjournment

 

Councilperson Baena made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilperson Rosado Martinez.  Motion passed 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:18 PM

 

Approved by Central Falls City Council: March 10, 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/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