I.            Roll Call

Council President Ferri called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and directed City Clerk Alberto de Burgo to conduct the roll call. Present were Councilpersons Baena, Kazarian, Peguero, Rivas-Lugo, Rosado Martinez, and Solano.

     II.            Pledge of Allegiance

Council President Ferri led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

   III.            Public Comment

None

   IV.            Approval of Records

a.       Meeting minutes of April 13, 2026, City Council Meeting

The Council may vote on this item

A motion to approve the minutes was made by Councilperson Rivas-Lugo and seconded by Councilperson Solano. The motion passed by a vote of 7-0.

      V.            Executive Communications

a.        Consideration of appointment by Mayor Maria Rivera of Genesis Moreno of Central Falls, to the Central Falls the Youth Opportunity Council with a term set to expire April 1, 2027.

The Council may vote on this item

Chief of Staff to Mayor Maria Rivera, Lorraine Quintero, addressed the Council and provided background information regarding the appointment of Genesis Moreno to the Youth Opportunity Council. Ms. Moreno then addressed the Council, introducing herself and responding to questions from Council members regarding her prospective role as a member of the Youth Opportunity Council.

b.       Department Financial Reports- March 2026

                                 i.            City Clerk’s Office

                               ii.            Fire Department

                              iii.            Police Department

Received

   VI.            New Business

a.        Proposal to the City Council Street Paving Program — Fiscal Year 2026/2027 presented by DPW Director Tony Vieira.

Director of the Department of Public Works and Code Enforcement, Tony Vieira, addressed the Council and presented the proposed Street Paving Program for Fiscal Year 2026–2027. Director Vieira provided an overview of the streets recommended for paving, the criteria used in developing the program, and the anticipated scope of work. He also responded to questions from Council members regarding project priorities, funding, and the proposed paving schedule.

A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Solano and  seconded Councilperson Rivas-Lugo. The motion passed by a vote of 7-0.

b.       City Council sitting as Board of License Commissioners

                                                i.      Hearing and Consideration of Petition of License

The Council may vote on these items

b.      Petition to the Central Falls City Council

                                                i.      Maria Elizabeth Esquiaqui

D/B/A:  American Colombian Liquors

               738 Broad St.

               Central Falls, RI 02863

               Requesting a six-month extension on liquor license

                                          The Council may vote on this item

Ms. Esquiaqui petitioned the Council for an extension, explaining that repairs to her building were taking longer than anticipated. She answered questions from the Council regarding the status of the repairs and requested a six-month extension.

A motion to approve the six-month extension was made by Councilperson Baena and seconded by Councilperson Peguero. The motion passed by a vote of 7-0.

VII.            Hearing and/or Consideration of Zoning Map Changes

a.       Findings and Recommendations Regarding Proposed Zoning Map Change from R-2 to C-1 at 162 Washington Street, Central Falls RI (AP 4, Lot 136).

The Council may vote on this item

City Solicitor Matthew Jerzyk requested that the matter be tabled. A motion to table the item was made by Councilperson Baena and seconded by Councilperson Peguero. The motion passed by a vote of 7-0.

b.      Findings and Recommendations Regarding Proposed Zoning Map Change from R-3 to C-2 at 306 Cowden Street, Central Falls RI (AP 6, Lot 227).

The Council may vote on this item

City Solicitor Matthew Jerzyk requested that the matter be tabled. A motion to table the item was made by Councilperson Baena and seconded by Councilperson Peguero. The motion passed by a vote of 7-0.

VIII.            Schedule of Bills-Hearing and/or Consideration

a.       A Resolution Supporting House Bill 2025-H 5223 and Senate Bill 2025—S0535: Rhode Island Civil Rights Enforcement Act. (Councilperson Rivas)

The Council may vote on this item

Councilperson Rivas Lugo addressed the Council and provided context regarding the resolution and its intended purpose. A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Solano and seconded by Councilperson Peguero.

Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote. All members present voted in the affirmative. The motion passed unanimously, 7–0.

b.      An Ordinance Amending Chapter 32, Street, Sidewalks and Other Public Places, Article 1, In General, Section 32-12, Tree Ordinance-SUB A. Introduction (Councilperson Rivas by request)

The Council may vote on this item

Introduced

c.       An Ordinance Regarding Apprenticeship Utilization on Public Construction Projects. -First Reading (Councilperson Rivas-Lugo by request)

The Council may vote on this item

Council President Ferri opened and closed the public hearing, noting that no members of the public had signed up to speak.

City Solicitor Jerzyk provided context on the matter and responded to questions from the Council.

A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Rosado Martinez and seconded by Councilperson Solano. Councilperson Rivas Lugo also addressed the Council, offering context regarding the resolution and its intended purpose.

Council President Ferri then called for a roll call vote. All members present voted in the affirmative. The motion passed unanimously, 7–0.

d.      An Ordinance Regarding Business Hours and Locations for Retail Cannabis Establishments. -Second Reading (Councilperson Rivas-Lugo)

The Council may vote on this item

Council President Ferri opened and closed the public hearing, noting that no members of the public had signed up to speak. City Solicitor Jerzyk provided context regarding the proposed ordinance and responded to questions from the Council.

A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Kazarian and seconded by Councilperson Solano. Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote. Councilperson Baena voted no, Councilperson Kazarian voted yes, Councilperson Peguero voted no, Councilperson Rivas Lugo voted yes, Councilperson Rosado-Martinez voted yes, and Councilperson Solano voted yes, Council President Ferri, yes. The motion passed 5–2.

e.       An Ordinance Amending Chapter 10, Building and Building Regulations, article III, Flood Prevention, Section 10-243, Applicability. First Reading (Councilperson Kazarian by request)

The Council may vote on this item

Council President Ferri opened and closed the public hearing, noting that no members of the public had signed up to speak. Planning Director Jim Vandermillen addressed the Council, providing context on the ordinance and responding to questions from Council members.

A motion to approve was made by Councilperson Solano and seconded by Councilperson Peguero. Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote. Councilperson Baena voted yes, Councilperson Kazarian voted yes, Councilperson Peguero voted yes, Councilperson Rivas Lugo voted yes, Councilperson Rosado-Martinez voted yes, Councilperson Solano voted yes, and Council President Ferri voted yes. The motion passed 7–0.

   IX.            Hearing and/or Consideration of Claims:

a.       Ian Rourke

Cumberland, RI 02864

Reason; Pothole Damage

Amount: $189.72

The Council may vote on this item

City Solicitor Jerzyk requested that the Council table the matter and asked the City Clerk to issue certified letters to the claimant to ensure their attendance at the June 8 meeting.

A motion to continue the matter to June 8 was made by Councilperson Rivas Lugo and seconded by Councilperson Solano. Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote. Councilperson Baena voted yes, Councilperson Kazarian voted yes, Councilperson Peguero voted yes, Councilperson Rivas Lugo voted yes, Councilperson Rosado-Martinez voted yes, Councilperson Solano voted yes, and Council President Ferri voted yes. The motion passed 7–0.

b.      Keith Keenan

Pawtucket, RI 02860

Reason: Pothole Damage

Amount: $173.51

The Council may vote on this item

City Solicitor Jerzyk requested that the Council table the matter and asked the City Clerk to issue certified letters to the claimant to ensure their attendance at the June 8 meeting.

A motion to continue the matter to June 8 was made by Councilperson Rivas Lugo and seconded by Councilperson Solano. Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote. Councilperson Baena voted yes, Councilperson Kazarian voted yes, Councilperson Peguero voted yes, Councilperson Rivas Lugo voted yes, Councilperson Rosado-Martinez voted yes, Councilperson Solano voted yes, and Council President Ferri voted yes. The motion passed 7–0.

c.       Ligia Rodrigues Silva

North Providence, RI 02904

Reason: City plow hit parked car

Amount: Unknown

The Council may vote on this item

City Solicitor Jerzyk requested that the Council table the matter and asked the City Clerk to issue certified letters to the claimant to ensure their attendance at the June 8 meeting.

A motion to continue the matter to June 8 was made by Councilperson Rivas Lugo and seconded by Councilperson Solano. Council President Ferri called for a roll call vote. Councilperson Baena voted yes, Councilperson Kazarian voted yes, Councilperson Peguero voted yes, Councilperson Rivas Lugo voted yes, Councilperson Rosado-Martinez voted yes, Councilperson Solano voted yes, and Council President Ferri voted yes. The motion passed 7–0.

d.      John Montegio

Central Falls, RI 02863

Reason; Vehicle struck by Fire Truck

Amount $5,594.11

The Council may vote on this item

City Solicitor Jerzyk addressed the Council and advised that the matter be referred to the trust.

A motion to refer the matter to the trust was made by Councilperson Rivas Lugo and seconded by Councilperson Rosado Martinez. The motion passed 7–0.

      X.            Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilperson Rosado Martinez and seconded by Councilperson Rivas Lugo. The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

Approved by City Council: June 8, 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)