City of Central Falls

City Council Meeting

Monday February 9, 2026

Second Floor Council Chambers

580 Broad Street,

Central Falls, RI 02863

6:00 p.m.

 

Agenda

 

       I.            Roll Call
Council President Pro Tempore Alberto Rivas-Lugo called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Present were Councilpersons Tatiana Baena, Kevin Kazarian, Rafael Peguero, Anthony Solano, and Laurilim Rosado-Martinez arrived at 6:33pm. Council President Ferri was absent.

 

     II.            Pledge of Allegiance
Council President Pro Tempore Rivas Lugo led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance

 

  III.            Public Comment
None

 

   IV.            Approval of Records

a.       Meeting minutes of January 29, 2026, Special City Council Meeting

The Council may vote on this item

 

Council President Pro Tempore Rivas-Lugo asked the Council if there were any changes or amendments to the minutes. Seeing none and hearing none, he requested a motion to approve the minutes.

 

A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Solano and seconded by Councilperson Baena. The motion passed 5 to 0.

 

     V.            Executive Communications

 

a.       Consideration of appointment by Mayor Maria Rivera of Leonardo Maldonado of Central Falls, to the Central Falls Arts, Culture and Tourism Commission with a term set to expire February 9, 2029.

The Council may vote on this item

 

Council President Pro Tempore Rivas-Lugo acknowledged the arrival of Mr. Maldonado at 6:05 p.m. Chief of Staff Lorraine Quintero provided the Council with background information regarding Mr. Maldonado.

 

A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Solano and seconded by Councilperson Peguero. The motion passed 5-0.

 

b.      Consideration of appointment by Mayor Maria Rivera of Jerson Vargas of Central Falls, to the Central Falls Arts, Culture and Tourism Commission with a term set to expire February 9, 2029.

The Council may vote on this item

 

Chief of Staff Lorraine Quintero provided the Council with background information regarding Mr. Vargas. Mr. Vargas then addressed the Council and offered additional details concerning his background and expertise.

 

A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Peguero and seconded by Councilperson Solano. The motion passed 5-0.

 

c.       Consideration of appointment by Mayor Maria Rivera of Kelvin Ramirez of Central Falls, to the Central Falls Arts, Culture and Tourism Commission with a term set to expire February 9, 2029.

The Council may vote on this item

 

Chief of Staff Lorraine Quintero presented background information to the Council regarding Mr. Ramirez. Mr. Ramirez then responded to questions from the Council and provided additional details about his background and qualifications.

 

A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Peguero and seconded by Councilperson Kazarian. The motion passed 5-0.

 

d.      Consideration of appointment by Mayor Maria Rivera of Shirly Castellanos of Central Falls, to the Central Falls Arts, Culture and Tourism Commission with a term set to expire February 9, 2029.

The Council may vote on this item

 

Chief of Staff Lorraine Quintero presented background information to the Council regarding Ms. Castellanos. Ms. Castellanos then responded to questions from Councilperson Baena. Councilpersons Rivas-Lugo and Peguero each expressed their support for the candidate.

 

A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Baena and seconded by Councilperson Peguero. The motion passed 5-0.

 

e.       Consideration of appointment by Mayor Maria Rivera of Daniel Klotz of Central Falls, to the Central Falls Arts, Culture and Tourism Commission with a term set to expire February 9, 2029.

The Council may vote on this item

 

Chief of Staff Lorraine Quintero presented background information to the Council regarding Mr. Klotz. Mr. Klots was unable to attend the meeting. Council president Pro Tempore Rivas-Lugo stated his support of Mr. Klotz and asked for a motion to approve.

 

A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Kazarian and seconded by Councilperson Peguero. The motion passed 5-0.

 

f.        Consideration of reappointment by Mayor Maria Rivera of Annette Martinez of Central Falls, to the Central Falls Juvenile Hearing Board Commission with a term set to expire February 9, 2029.

The Council may vote on this item.

 

Chief of Staff Lorraine Quintero provided the Council with background information regarding Ms. Martinez. Ms. Martinez responded to questions from Councilperson Baena, and Councilpersons Rivas-Lugo and Peguero both expressed their support for the candidate.

 

A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Baena and seconded by Councilperson Peguero. The motion passed 5-0.

 

g.       A proclamation of the Mayor of the City of Central Falls Proclaiming the Month of February 2025 as Black History Month in the City of Central Falls.

Received by the Council

 

h.      Department Financial Reports- January 2026

                                            i.            City Clerk’s Office

                                          ii.            Department of Public Works & Code Enforcement.

                                        iii.            Fire Department

                                         iv.            Police Department

                                           v.            Finance Department
Received by the Council

 

   VI.            New Business

a.       Presentation by Erica Olobri, CBIZ CPAs, regarding audit results for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025

Ms. Erica Olbri delivered a presentation to the Council outlining the audit results for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. She reviewed the auditor’s opinion, summarized key financial highlights, and addressed notable findings and recommendations.

 

Councilperson Baena posed several questions regarding specific aspects of the audit. Ms. Olbri provided detailed responses and clarification, offering additional context to ensure the Council’s understanding of the report and its implications.

 

b.      City Council sitting as Board of License Commissioners

                                            i.            Hearing and Consideration of Petition of License

 

License Type		Business Name
Class B Liquor Licenses Entertainment Renewal		La 70 Bar and Grill LLC D/B/A Zonaviva Bar & Grill 855 Broad Street Central Falls, RI 02863   **DBA’s name changed: formerly known as La 70 Bar and Grill
Class C-Variety Transfer Tabled from January 12, 2026		Edwin Jimenez D/B/A El Señor Minimarket, Inc. 791 Broad Street Central Falls, RI 02863   **Transferred from: Esperanza Convenience Store, LLC
Class A Restaurant License New		Tacos El Paraiso RI, Inc. D/B/A Tacos El Paraiso 428 Dexter Street Central Falls, RI 02863   **Owner Yovanny Padilla
Class A Restaurant License New		LRA Restaurant Inc. D/B/A Stanley’s Famous Hamburgers 535 Dexter Street Central Falls, RI 02863   ** Applicant: Louis Augusta

 

 

VII.            Petition to the Central Falls City Council

a.       American Colombian Liquors
738 Broad Street
Central Falls, RI 02863
Reason: Requesting another three-month extension on licenses renewal due to repairs to the building.

The Council may vote on these items

 

Business Owner Elizabeth Esquiaqui appeared before the Council to request an additional extension to complete work on her business. Ms. Esquiaqui responded to questions from Councilpersons Rivas-Lugo and Baena regarding the status of the project and the need for the extension.

 

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

 

VIII.            Schedule of Bills-Hearing and/or Consideration

 

a.       A Resolution Supporting HB-7199 and SB 2291, The Rhode Island Survivor Early Lease Termination Act (Councilperson Baena)

The Council may vote on this item

 

Councilperson Baena provided the Council with context regarding the resolution and explained its purpose and significance.

 

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

 

Council President Pro Tempore Rivas-Lugo called for a roll call vote. The vote was as follows :

Councilperson Baena — yes; Councilperson Kazarian — yes; Councilperson Peguero — yes; Councilperson Rosado-Martinez — yes; and Council President Pro Tempore Rivas-Lugo — yes.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

b.      A Resolution Designating the week of February 7 through February 14, 2026, as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week in Central Falls (Councilperson Baena)

The Council may vote on this item

 

Councilperson Baena provided background information to the Council regarding the resolution and outlined its purpose and intent.

 

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

 

Council President Pro Tempore Rivas-Lugo requested a roll call vote. The vote was recorded as follows: Councilperson Baena — yes; Councilperson Kazarian — yes; Councilperson Peguero —yes; Councilperson Rosado-Martinez — yes; and Council President Pro Tempore Rivas-Lugo —yes.

 

The motion carried unanimously.

 

c.       A Resolution Recognizing February 2026 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. (Councilperson Baena)

 

Councilperson Baena presented the resolution to the Council and provided an overview of its purpose and intent.

 

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

 

Council President Pro Tempore Rivas-Lugo called for a roll call vote. The vote was as follows: Councilperson Baena — yes; Councilperson Kazarian — yes; Councilperson Peguero — yes; Councilperson Rosado-Martinez — yes; and Council President Pro Tempore Rivas-Lugo — yes.

The motion passed unanimously.

 

d.      A Resolution Expressing Solidarity with the People of Minnesota Following the Deaths of Alex Pretti and Renée Good in Minneapolis. (Councilperson Rivas Lugo by request)

The Council may vote on this item

 

Council President Pro Tempore Rivas-Lugo introduced the resolution and provided the Council with an overview of its purpose and intent. Councilperson Baena expressed her support for the resolution.

 

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

 

Council President Pro Tempore Rivas-Lugo called for a roll call vote. The vote was recorded as follows: Councilperson Baena — yes; Councilperson Kazarian — yes; Councilperson Peguero —yes; Councilperson Rosado-Martinez — yes; and Council President Pro Tempore Rivas-Lugo —yes.

 

The motion carried unanimously.

 

e.       An Ordinance Regarding Appeals of the Municipal Housing Court-Introduction (Councilperson Rivas Lugo by request)

The Council may vote on this item

 

Introduced

 

f.        An Ordinance Regarding Business Hours and Locations for retail Cannabis Establishments-Second Reading (Councilperson Rivas- Lugo by Request)

The Council may vote on this item

 

Council President Pro Tempore Rivas-Lugo opened the public hearing. City Solicitor Jerzyk requested that the Council table the ordinance.

 

A motion to table the ordinance was made by Councilperson Baena and seconded by Councilperson Solano.

 

Council President Pro Tempore Rivas-Lugo called for a roll call vote. The vote was recorded as follows: Councilperson Baena — yes; Councilperson Kazarian — yes; Councilperson Peguero —yes; Councilperson Rosado-Martinez — yes; and Council President Pro Tempore Rivas-Lugo —yes.

 

The motion carried unanimously.

 

  IX.            Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilperson Baena and seconded by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez. The meeting was adjourned at 7:09 p.m.

 

Council Approved: March 9, 2026, City 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://clerkshg.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