City of Central Falls

Special City Council Meeting

Monday January 27, 2025

Second Floor Council Chambers

580 Broad Street,

Central Falls, RI 02863

6:00 p.m.

 

Minutes

 

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 arrived at 6:02 PM, and Council President Robert Ferri. Councilperson Luz Velez-Garcia was absent.

 

 

II.        Pledge of Allegiance

Council President Ferri Led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance

                                                                                    

III.       Public Comment

None

 

 

IV.       Executive Communications

 

a.       A Proclamation of the Mayor of the City of Central Falls, Declaring January 20, 2025, a day celebrating and honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Received

 

b.      Executive Order 2025-0002: Appointment of Tony Lucio Vieira, as Acting Director of Department of Public Works and Code Enforcement for the City of Central Falls

Received

 

c.       Consideration of appointment, by Mayor Maria Rivera of Tony Lucio Vieira,187 Grassmere Ave. East Providence as Director of Public Works and Code Enforcement for the City of Central Falls

Robert “RJ” Kermes, Chief of Staff to Mayor Maria Rivera, introduced Mr. Tony Vieira as the newly appointed Director of Public Works and Code Enforcement to the City Council. Mr. Kermes provided the Council with a brief overview of Mr. Vieira's professional background, after which he answered questions from the Council members. Mr. Vieira then addressed the Council, responding to inquiries about his experience and his familiarity with Central Falls. A motion to approve Mr. Vieira's appointment was made by Councilperson Baena and seconded by Councilperson Peguero. Council President Ferri called for a roll-call vote, with the following results: Councilperson Baena voted yes; Councilperson Kazarian voted yes; Councilperson Peguero voted yes; Councilperson Rivas-Lugo voted yes; Councilperson Rosado-Martinez voted yes; and Council President Ferri voted yes. The motion passed unanimously with a 6-0 vote.

 

 

V.         New Business

a.       City Council sitting as Board of License Commissioners

                                                        i.      Hearing and Consideration of Petition of License

Licenses Type

Business Name

            Constable                                                       Venuz Zayas

            Renewal                                                          66 Carpenter Street

                                                                                    Cumberland, RI 02864

A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Baena and seconded by Councilperson Rivas-Lugo. Council President Ferri called for a roll-call vote, with the following results: Councilperson Baena voted yes; Councilperson Kazarian voted yes; Councilperson Peguero voted yes; Councilperson Rivas-Lugo voted yes; Councilperson Rosado-Martinez voted yes; and Council President Ferri voted yes. The motion was approved unanimously, 6-0.

 

            Private Detective                                            Douglas E. Belkamp

            Renewal                                                          19 Division Street

                                                                                    N. Attleboro, Ma 02760

 

Councilperson Rivas-Lugo made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez. Council President Ferri called for a roll-call vote, with the following results: Councilperson Baena voted yes; Councilperson Kazarian voted yes; Councilperson Peguero voted yes; Councilperson Rivas-Lugo voted yes; Councilperson Rosado-Martinez voted yes; and Council President Ferri voted yes. The motion was approved unanimously, 6-0.

 

            Entertainment                                                Mi Pequeno Salvadoreno inc.

            New                                                                D/B/A Mi Pequeño Salvadoreno

                                                                                    791 Lonsdale Ave

                                                                                    Central Falls, RI 02863

Owner Pedro Acevedo was not present at the meeting to address questions from the Council. A motion to table the matter until the February 10th Council meeting was made by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez and seconded by Councilperson Rivas-Lugo. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.                                                    

           

VI.       Schedule of Bills-Hearing and/or Consideration

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

Kelly Morris-Salvatore, Esq., serving as the City of Central Falls Zoning Consultant, presented an in-depth overview of the proposed amendments to Appendix A, Zoning Ordinance. She outlined the key changes and their potential effects on the city's zoning regulations. Attorney Morris-Salvatore explained how these adjustments would address current zoning challenges, and potentially streamline the development process within the city

 

Attorney Morris-Salvatore fielded questions and addressed concerns from the Council regarding the proposed changes to the Zoning Ordinance. Councilperson Baena suggested tabling the vote until the February 10th meeting, expressing a desire to allow the Council to thoroughly review the amendments and ensure that all members were fully informed before making a decision. However, the motion to table did not receive a second, and as a result, it did not pass.

 

Jim Vandermillen, Director of Planning and Economic Development, also spoke to the Council, offering clarification and responding to questions about the proposed changes. Following his remarks, a motion to approve the amended Appendix A, Zoning Ordinance as presented to the Council was made by Councilperson Kazarian and seconded by Councilperson Rivas-Lugo.

 

Council President Ferri called for a roll-call vote, with the following results: Councilperson Baena voted no; Councilperson Kazarian voted yes; Councilperson Peguero voted yes; Councilperson Rivas-Lugo voted yes; Councilperson Rosado-Martinez voted yes; and Council President Ferri voted yes. The motion was approved, 5-1.

 

 

VII.      Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilperson Baena and seconded by Councilperson Rosado Martinez.  The meeting adjourned at 7:05 pm

 

Approved by Central Falls City Council: February 10, 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