I.            Roll Call

Council President Pro Tempore Alberto Rivas Lugo called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. and directed City Clerk Alberto de Burgo to conduct the roll call. Present at roll call were Councilpersons Peguero, Rosado-Martinez, and Solano, along with Council President Pro Tempore Rivas Lugo. Councilpersons Baena and Kazarian arrived at 5:36 p.m. Council President Ferri was absent.

     II.            Pledge of Allegiance

Council President Pro-Temp Alberto Rivas led the Council in reciting the pledge of allegiance.

   III.            Public Comment

None

   IV.            New Business

a.        City Council sitting as Board of License Commissioners

Hearing and Consideration of Petition of License

The representative of the organization was not present at the meeting. Major Carroll addressed the Council and provided an overview of the proposed security plan, responding to questions from Council members regarding public safety measures and event security. Following discussion, a motion to approve was made by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez and seconded by Councilperson Solano. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.

b.       Discussion with Department Directors Regarding FY 27 Proposed Budget

                                                               i.      Legal Department

City Solicitor Matthew Jerzyk addressed the Council and provided an overview of the Legal Department's proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. He outlined the department's responsibilities, highlighted key accomplishments achieved during the current fiscal year, and discussed ongoing initiatives and future projects planned to support the City's legal and operational needs.

Upon concluding his presentation, Solicitor Jerzyk responded to questions from members of the City Council regarding departmental operations, budgetary considerations, and upcoming priorities.

      V.            Schedule of Bills-Hearing and/or consideration

a.        FY 2027 Annual Operating Budget Ordinance-General Fund (Ferri, by request)-First Reading

Council President Pro Tempore Rivas Lugo opened the public hearing. Seeing that no members of the public had signed up to speak, he closed the public hearing and opened the matter for Council discussion.

During discussion, Councilperson Baena raised several questions regarding items contained within the proposed budget. Finance Director Baena provided responses and additional clarification to the Council's inquiries.

Following discussion, a motion to approve was made by Councilperson Solano and seconded by Councilperson Peguero. Council President Pro Tempore Rivas Lugo called for a roll call vote.

Councilperson Baena voted in the affirmative. Councilperson Kazarian voted in the affirmative. Councilperson Peguero voted in the affirmative. Councilperson Rosado-Martinez voted in the affirmative. Councilperson Solano voted in the affirmative. Council President Pro Tempore Rivas Lugo voted in the affirmative.

The motion passed by a vote of 6-0. 

b.       Ordinance Pertaining to the Salaries of Department Heads and Others in Unclassified Service-SUBA (Ferri by request)-First Reading

Council President Pro Tempore Rivas Lugo opened the public hearing. Seeing that no members of the public had signed up to speak, he closed the public hearing and opened the matter for discussion. No questions or comments were raised by members of the Council.

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.

Councilperson Baena voted in the affirmative. Councilperson Kazarian voted in the affirmative. Councilperson Peguero voted in the affirmative. Councilperson Rosado-Martinez voted in the affirmative. Councilperson Solano voted in the affirmative. Council President Pro Tempore Rivas Lugo voted in the affirmative.

The motion passed by a vote of 6-0.

c.        Ordinance Amending the Wage Schedule Generally (Ferri, by request)-First Reading

Council President Pro Tempore Rivas Lugo opened the public hearing. Seeing that no members of the public had signed up to speak, he closed the public hearing and opened the matter for discussion.

During discussion, Finance Director Mary Signer responded to questions from Councilperson Baena regarding the contract.

A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Kazarian and seconded by Councilperson Peguero. Council President Pro Tempore Rivas Lugo called for a roll call vote.

Councilperson Baena voted in the affirmative. Councilperson Kazarian voted in the affirmative. Councilperson Peguero voted in the affirmative. Councilperson Rosado-Martinez voted in the affirmative. Councilperson Solano voted in the affirmative. Council President Pro Tempore Rivas Lugo voted in the affirmative.

The motion passed by a vote of 6-0.

d.       Annual Capital Program and Capital Budget Ordinance (Ferri, by request, by request)-First Reading

Council President Pro Tempore Rivas Lugo opened the public hearing. Seeing that no members of the public had signed up to speak, he closed the public hearing and opened the matter for discussion. No questions or comments were raised by members of the Council.

Council President Pro Tempore Rivas Lugo then requested a motion. A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Kazarian and seconded by Councilperson Solano.

Council President Pro Tempore Rivas Lugo called for a roll call vote.

Councilperson Baena voted in the affirmative. Councilperson Kazarian voted in the affirmative. Councilperson Peguero voted in the affirmative. Councilperson Rosado-Martinez voted in the affirmative. Councilperson Solano voted in the affirmative. Council President Pro Tempore Rivas Lugo voted in the affirmative.

The motion passed by a vote of 6-0.

   VI.            Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilperson Peguero and seconded by Councilperson Baena. The meeting was adjourned at 6:07 p.m.

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)