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City of Central Falls
City Council Meeting
Monday May 12, 2025
Second Floor Council Chambers
580 Broad Street,
Central Falls, RI 02863
6:15 p.m.
Date Posted: 05/08/2025
Time Poste:
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 Council in the Pledge of Allegiance
III. Public Comment
none
IV. Approval of Records
a. Meeting minutes from April 21, 2025, Council Meeting
The Council may vote on this item
Councilperson Baena requested an amendment to the agenda under Executive Communication to reflect that Councilperson Rivas-Lugo recused herself from voting on item b., as the record incorrectly indicated a 6–0 vote instead of 5 in favor with one recusal.
A motion to amend the minutes accordingly was made by Councilperson Baena and seconded by Councilperson Rivas-Lugo. The motion passed unanimously, 6–0.
A motion to approve the minutes as amended was then made by Councilperson Rivas-Lugo and seconded by Councilperson Rosado Martinez. The motion also passed unanimously, 6–0.
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 Department
Council President Ferri asked the Council if anyone had questions regarding the Financial reports. Hearing none , he asked for a motion to approve. Councilperson Kazarian made a motin to approve, 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.New Business
b. City Council sitting as Board of License Commissioners
vi. Hearing and Consideration of Petition of License
| Licenses Type | | Business Name |
| Jenks Park Per Diem Entertainment | | Iglesia Cristiana de Dios El Verbo, Inc. D/B/A Iglesia Cristiana De Dios El Verbo 678 George Washington HWY. Lincoln, RI 02865 Contact: Glenn Velázquez |
| A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Rivas-Lugo and Seconded by Councilperson Kazarian. The motion passed 6 to 0. | | Discussion: Mr. Velazquez, addressed to the Council and answered their question concerning the event. |
| C-Variety New | | Smokers Inn, LLC D/B/A U Daddy Smoke Shop & Food Mart 485 Dexter Street Contact: Salina Usman Property Owner: Rafel Ruano |
| A motion to approve contingent upon the owner signing a binding agreement with the city not to sell vapes to underage residents, providing a certificate of good standing from the States division of Taxation, placing a no loitering sign on the store windows, provide training to staff and agree to a four month probation was made by Councilperson Baena and Seconded by Councilperson Rivas-Lugo. The Motion passed 6 to 0. | | Discussion: Mr. Usman Usman answered questions from the Council concerning the nature of his business. He addressed their concerns and agreed to the terms set by the Council for grant his license. |
| C-Variety New | | Migz Wireless Inc. D/B/A MIGZMART & Smoke Shop 747 Broad St. Contact Miguel Gonzalez Property Owner Frank Borges |
| A motion to approve contingent upon the owner signing a binding agreement with the city not to sell vapes to underage residents, providing a certificate of good standing from the States division of Taxation, placing a no loitering sign on the store windows, provide training to staff and agree to a four month probation was made by Councilperson Baena and Seconded by Councilperson Rivas-Lugo. The Motion passed 6 to 0. | | Discussion: Mr. Gonzalez addressed the Council and answered questions regarding the nature of his business. |
The Council May vote on this item
VI. Schedule of Bills-Hearing and/or Consideration
a. Resolution Authorizing the Following Amendments to the Home Rule Charter to Appear on the July 2025 Ballot- (Ferri, Rivas-Lugo, Baena, Kazarian, Peguero, Rosado-Martinez)
The Council May vote on this item
Council President Ferri opened the Public Hearing. City Solicitor Matthew Jerzyk provided the Council with context regarding the intent and goals of the Resolution. Representative Joshua Giraldo of District 56 spoke in support of the Resolution and responded to questions from Council members.
Sara Friedman, Chief Education Strategy Director, also addressed the Council and expressed her support for the Resolution. Mr. James Perisi of 356 Smith Street, Providence, shared his support as well. Maria Duque of 55 Orchard Street, Central Falls, voiced her endorsement of the Resolution, followed by Mari Pedraza of 809 York Avenue, Pawtucket, who emphasized the positive impact it would have on the community.
Mr. Thomas Evans, an alumnus of the Central Falls school system, expressed his support, along with Ms. Aly Chatham of 100 Illinois Street, who highlighted the potential benefits for the Central Falls School System. Finally, Ms. Cindy Montoya of 100 Foundry Street also spoke in favor of the Resolution.
Councilperson Baena made a motion to approve the Resolution, which was seconded by Councilperson Rosado Martinez. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 6 to 0.
b. Resolution in support of local Community Development Block Grant Program (HUD PY2023-2-24)-(Ferri by request)
The Council May vote on this item
Jim Vandermillen, Director of Planning and Economic Development, addressed the Council and responded to questions regarding the CDBG Resolution. A motion to approve the resolution was made by Councilperson Rivas-Lugo and seconded by Councilperson Rosado Martinez. The motion passed unanimously, with a vote of 6 to 0.
c. Ordinance Creating a Youth Opportunities Council-Introduction (Baena)
Introduced
d. Ordinance Creating the Central Falls Combined Planning and Zoning Board-Introduction (Ferri by Request)
Introduced
e. An Ordinance amending Appendix A of the Code of Ordinances Titled “Zoning” adopted February 10, 2025, to comply with State Legislation and to Include Updates Throughout as Needed from Time to Time (SUB-A)- Introduction (Ferri by Request)
Introduced
f. An Ordinance Creating Greater Enforcement for Parking Ticket Violations (SUB-A)- First Reading (Ferri)
The Council May vote on this item
Council President Ferri opened the Public Hearing. City Solicitor Matthew Jerzyk addressed the Council, provided an explanation of the Ordinance, and responded to questions regarding Councilmembers’ concerns. Major Christopher Reed of the Central Falls Police Department also answered questions from the Council. A motion to approve the Ordinance was made by Councilperson Rivas-Lugo and seconded by Councilperson Rosado Martinez. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 6 to 0.
g. An Ordinance Creating the Central Falls Arts, Culture and Tourism Commission-First Reading (Rivas-Lugo)
The Council May vote on this item
Councilperson Rivas addressed the City Council and provided an explanation of the Ordinance. A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Kazarian and seconded by Councilmembers Baena and Rosado Martinez. The motion passed unanimously, 6–0.
VII. Central Police Department Presentation:
a. Central Falls Police and Flock Safety Partnership for Safer Community
Major Christopher Reed of the Central Falls Police Department presented to the Council on the Flock Safety System and the benefits it offers to the CFPD. Major Reed, after his presentation, addressed questions from the council pertaining to the system and any costs associated with the implementation.
VIII. Adjournment
A motion adjourn was made by Councilperson Baena and seconded by Councilperson Rosado Martines. Meeting adjourned at 8:02 pm
Approved By Central Falls City Council: June 2, 2025
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