I.       Roll Call

Council President Pro Tempore Alberto Rivas-Lugo requested that Deputy City Clerk Candida Silva conduct the roll call.

Present at the meeting were Councilpersons Tatiana Baena, Kevin Kazarian, Rafel Peguero, Laurilim Rosado Martinez, Council President Pro Tempore Alberto Rivas-Lugo and Anthony Solano came late at 6:06 pm.

Council President Robert Ferri was absent from the meeting.

II.     Pledge of Allegiance

Council President Pro Tempore Alberto Rivas-Lugo led the pledge of Allegiance.

III.    Public Comment

Alicia Pratt from the Coalition for Multi- Lingual RI, addressed the Council to voice the introduction of the bi-lingual resolution.

Jonathan DeJesus, Community Policy Advocate for Progresso Latino addressed the Council

to “Support and Access to Bilingual Education (SABE) Act”

Senator, Jonathan Acosta of 100 Illinois St. addressed the Council in support of the School Funding Forum Resolution Bill he proposed.

IV.    Approval of Records

a.   Meeting minutes of February 9, 2026, 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 from February 9th 2026 and Councilperson Baena asked City Solicitor Matthew Jerzyk, if its ok to accept the corrections made by the City Clerk’s Office. The changes were accepted and Rivas-Lugo made a motion to approve the minutes.

A motion to approve the changes was made by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez and seconded by Councilperson Peguero. A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Solano and seconded by Councilperson Rosado- Martinez the motion passed 6-0.

V.      Executive Communications

a.   Department Financial Reports- February 2026

i.    City Clerk’s Office

ii.   Department of Public Works & Code Enforcement.

iii.  Fire Department

iv.  Police Department

Councilperson Peguero questioned the fee’s from the Fire Department’s financial report. A follow-up for clarification will be on the next month’s agenda. A motion was made to approve by Councilperson Kazarian and seconded by Councilperson Rosado Martinez.

VI.    New Business

a.   City Council sitting as Board of License Commissioners

i.    Hearing and/or consideration and possible action regarding the following license and license holders Antonio Reverdes representing Paradise Lounge, LLC, D/B/A Paradise Lounge, 200 Cross Street, Central Falls, RI 02863 holding a Class BV License.

The Council may vote on this item

Owner of Paradise Lounge, Antonio Reverdes was present and stated that he is aware of the issues at his business and fixing the situation. He also apologized about the incidents and presented all the receipts showing the time he closed the cash draws. Councilperson Rivas-Lugo asked him if he had security in which Mr. Reverdes stated that his security man was sick a few times and he had to secure the door and make sure people leave on time. He also stated that he would work on getting back-up security. Major Carrol described all the time that Officer’s went to this establishment after 1 am and constituents were still in there drinking. He also reminded Mr. Reverdes that 12:45 am is last call. Councilperson Rivas-Lugo told Mr. Reverdes he needs to follow protocol. City Solitcitor Matthew Jerzyk advised the Council that it’s his first offense and punishment to fit his offense should be 90 days probation and if he violates then he would have to close for one day. Councilperson Baena clarified and made sure Mr. Reverdes understood that he has 90 days’ probation and if it’s violated then he will have to close for one day.

A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez and   seconded by Councilperson Peguero the motion passed 6-0.

b.   Hearing and/or Consideration of Tax Abatement Submitted by the Tax Assessor

The Council may vote on this item

Chief of Staff, Lorraine Quintero stated that the Tax Assessor was not present due to a personal conflict and was not available to answer any questions about the two abatements. City Solicitor, Matthew Jersek let the Council know that the items for abatements were decisions rendered by the Board of Appeals and are not capable of being changed. All that’s needed is the stamp of approval from the Council.

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

VII.   Schedule of Bills-Hearing and/or Consideration

a.   A Resolution Supporting the Support and Access to Bilingual Education (SABE) Act H7389 and S25559 (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 Solano.

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 6/0.

b.   A Resolution in Supporting An act Relating to Education-“The Equity and Property Tax Relief  Act” S2226 & H7454(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. And City Solicitor, Matt Jersek added additional information for this resolution.

A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Kazarian 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 6/0

c.   A Resolution in Supporting the “Rhode Island Community Protection Act” S2608 and H7211(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. And City Solicitor, Matt Jersek added additional information for this resolution.

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

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 6/0.

d.   An Ordinance Regarding Appeals of the Municipal Housing Court-First Reading (Councilperson Rivas Lugo by request)

The Council may vote on this item

Councilperson Baena provided background information and asked City Solicitor, Mathew Jersyk to explain more about this ordinance to the Council in which he outlined its purpose and intent, he also added additional information for this ordinance.

A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Solano and seconded by Councilperson Kazarian.

VIII. Hearing and/or Consideration of Claims

a.   Alissa Charles

Central Falls, RI 02863

Claim: Seeking payment for damage to door caused by Officers answering a call on the property

Claim Amount: $500.00

The Council may vote on this item

Ms. Charles from 551 High St.  addressed the Council and provided her opinion about this claim. She stated that she’s the homeowner and was looking for compensation for the damage to her door by the C.F. Police. She stated that the officers used excessive force that was unnecessary She also stated that she had not seen the police report yet and was going by what she was told by the tenants and had videos and pictures of the broken door.  Central Falls Police Major John Carroll responded to what happened that day according to the police officers report. City Solicitor Matthew Jerzyk provided his legal opinion regarding the law governing domestic related procedures. Councilperson Baena asked Major John Carroll about the protocol about knocking on door first before breaking the door. She also suggested that this claim be placed on hold for a little while to give Alicia Charles to have time to read and clarify the police report. Councilperson Rivas and Councilperson Peguero also asked Alicia a few more questions about the incident. Councilperson Rosado-Martinez also asked her if she had a conversation with her tenant about what happened and Alicia stated that she did. Councilperson Baena made a motion to hold off for a few minutes and return after next item(b). Councilperson Rivas reopened this claim and clarified all the information that was made, suggested that the Council approve a claim payment of $250.00 rather than $500.00 because it was her first time with any issues. A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Baena and seconded by Councilperson Peguero.

b.   Hether Brunelli

Central Falls, RI 02863

Claim: Allegedly fell as a result of ice on sidewalk

Claim amount: Unknown

The Council may vote on this item

Ms. Brunelli was not present at the meeting. Councilperson Rivas addressed the Council and  stated he reviewed this claim and the location according to the pictures should go to her homeowner Insurance not the city. Councilperson Baena had a question if any citations were given to this property in the past pertaining to the sidewalk. Lorraine stated that she would look into finding out if there were any given in the past. Councilperson Baena asked to table until the April Meeting. Councilperson Rosado-Martinez made a motion and seconded by Councilperson  Baena.  Council President Pro Tempore Rivas-Lugo called for a roll call vote.  follows: Councilperson Baena – yes; Councilperson Kazarian – yes; Councilperson Peguero – yes; The motion passed 6/0.Councilperson Rosado-Martinez – yes; and Council President Pro Tempore Rivas-Lugo – yes.

The motion passed 6/0.

 City Solicitor, Matthew Jersyk returned to the meeting and  Councilperson Baena let him know that this matter was tabled to the April, 13, 2026 meeting  and City Solicitor,  Mathew Jeryk replied by telling the Council to  reconsider that motion, and go back because this claim was referred to the Trust as a slip and fall and the person was not present.

Councilperson Rosado-Martinez made a motion to reconsider and Councilperson Baena seconded it. 

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 6/0.

Another Motion to refer to trust was made by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez and seconded by Councilperson Baena.

X.     Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made at 7:09pm by Councilperson Solano and seconded by Councilperson Rosado-Martinez.

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)