Providence City Council Meeting | May 2, 2024

May 02, 2024

Call to Order and Roll Call

07:54 - 08:46

Council President Miller calls the Providence City Council meeting to order on May 2, 2024. The clerk conducts roll call, determining that all 15 members are present to establish a quorum.

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

08:46 - 11:22

Council President Pro Tempore Pichardo delivers the invocation reflecting on labor and peace. Councilor Rojas leads the council in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Recognition of the Parent Leadership Training Academy

11:22 - 18:15

Council President Pro Tempore Pichardo recognizes graduating residents from the Parent Leadership Training Academy of the Providence Public School System. The council pauses for a brief recess and takes a commemorative photo with participants and leaders.

Item 3: Approval of Prior Minutes

18:15 - 18:40

Majority Leader Taylor moves to waive the reading of Item 3 and approve it. The council votes in favor and the motion passes unanimously.

Item 4: Tabling of the 8% Law Affordable Housing Ordinance

18:40 - 47:42

The council reviews a motion to table the vetoed 8% law affordable housing ordinance and hears a letter from SWAP read into the record. Following extensive debate on housing urgency, process, and developer input, the motion to table passes 14 to 1.

Items 5 and 6: Second Reading Approvals

47:42 - 48:51

A motion is made to waive the reading and pass Items 5 and 6 for the second time on a roll call vote. The motion carries with 13 ayes and 2 nays.

Item 7: Referral to Committee on Ordinances

48:51 - 49:14

Majority Leader Taylor moves to waive the reading of Item 7. The council votes in favor and refers the item to the Committee on Ordinances.

Item 8: School Board Regions Establishment (First Reading)

49:14 - 52:48

The council considers an ordinance establishing five hybrid school board regions following committee hearings across the community. The measure passes on its first reading via a unanimous 15-0 roll call vote.

Items 9 through 12: Referrals to Finance Committee

52:48 - 53:06

Majority Leader Taylor moves to waive the reading of Items 9 through 12. The council approves the motion without discussion, referring each item to the Committee on Finance.

Items 13 through 19: Resolutions on Environmental Enforcement and Facility Closure

53:06 - 59:22

The council hears and discusses a resolution urging state and local enforcement, including full closure, of Rhode Island Recycled Metals in South Providence. Items 13 through 19 are then approved on a voice vote.

Items 20 and 21: Referrals to Subcommittee on City Property

59:22 - 59:46

Majority Leader Taylor moves to waive the reading of Items 20 and 21. The motion passes unanimously, referring both items to the Subcommittee on City Property.

Item 22: Passage on Voice Vote

59:46 - 01:00:07

Majority Leader Taylor moves to waive the reading and pass Item 22. The council votes unanimously in favor by voice vote.

Items 23 through 34: First Reading Ordinances and 50/50 Sidewalk Repair Program Vote

01:00:07 - 01:32:32

The council debates multiple ordinances, focusing heavily on a proposed 50/50 matching sidewalk repair pilot program under Item 23. On a roll call vote, Items 24 through 34 pass unanimously, while Item 23 fails on a 5-8 vote with 2 abstentions.

Point of Privilege: Adelaide Avenue TSA Remarks

01:32:32 - 01:34:27

Council President Pro Tempore Pichardo rises on personal privilege to thank colleagues for passing the TSA project at 126 Adelaide Avenue. He highlights the creation of mixed-income housing and preservation of an abandoned church.

Items 35 through 39: Committee Referrals and Communications

01:34:27 - 01:36:11

Majority Leader Taylor moves to waive the reading and refer Items 35 through 39 to their appropriate committees and records. Council members also pause to recognize visiting Boy Scouts attending the meeting.

Item 40: Voice Vote Approval

01:36:11 - 01:37:18

A motion is made and seconded to waive the reading of Item 40 and pass it on a voice vote. Council members thank staff and clerks before approving the motion.

Points of Personal Privilege and Expressions

01:37:18 - 01:38:46

Councilwoman Graves offers words of mutual respect and collegiality to her fellow council members. Councilman Oscar Vargas follows by extending Mother's Day greetings to the community.

Memorial Adjournment

01:38:46 - 01:39:56

Majority Leader Taylor moves to adjourn the meeting in memory of several recently deceased community members. The council votes in favor and adjourns prior to a scheduled meeting of the council as a whole.

Rachel Miller

07:54 - 08:06

Very much. Good evening everyone and welcome to this Providence City Council meeting on this very beautiful 05/02/2024. Madam clerk, will you please call the roll?

Tina L. Mastroianni

08:06 - 08:07

Council president Miller?

Rachel Miller

08:07 - 08:08

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

08:08 - 08:10

Councilor Anderbaugh?

Sue AnderBois

08:10 - 08:10

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

08:10 - 08:12

Councilwoman Anthony?

Helen Anthony

08:12 - 08:12

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

08:13 - 08:14

Councilman Espinal?

Unknown

08:14 - 08:15

Present.

Unknown

08:15 - 08:17

Senior deputy majority leader Gonzales?

Unknown

08:17 - 08:18

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

08:18 - 08:20

Councilwoman Graves?

Althea Graves

08:20 - 08:20

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

08:20 - 08:22

Deputy majority leader Harris?

Unknown

08:22 - 08:23

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

08:23 - 08:25

Councilwoman Peterson?

Shelley Peterson

08:25 - 08:25

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

08:26 - 08:29

Council president Pro Tempur Pichardo?

Unknown

08:29 - 08:29

Present.

Unknown

08:30 - 08:31

Councilor Royas?

Unknown

08:31 - 08:32

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

08:32 - 08:34

Councilwoman Ryan?

Jo-Ann Ryan

08:34 - 08:34

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

08:34 - 08:36

Majority Whip Sanchez?

Miguel Sanchez

08:36 - 08:37

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

08:37 - 08:38

Majority Leader Taylor?

Unknown

08:38 - 08:39

Present.

Unknown

08:39 - 08:41

Councilwoman Anna Vargas?

Unknown

08:41 - 08:42

Present.

Unknown

08:42 - 08:43

Councilman Oscar Vargas?

Unknown

08:43 - 08:44

Present.

Unknown

08:44 - 08:46

You have 15 present, you have a quorum.

Rachel Miller

08:46 - 08:54

Thank you, madam clerk. Tonight, the invocation will be given by pro tem Juan Picciardo. Will everyone please rise, including our guests, for the invocation?

Juan M. Pichardo

08:59 - 10:53

Thank you. Oh, Lord, in your heavenly home, we come before you today seeking wisdom and courage. We acknowledge our imperfections as humans and ask for your forgiveness for the actions we have taken. As we reflect on International Labor Day, we are reminded of the struggles faced by working families and the vulnerable among us. In a world where the wealthy amass fortunes, as the rich get richer, and the use of the law and money like a game of monopoly, their gains and profits should not enslave people with debt and lack of equitable resources.

Grant us the grace to empathize with their plight and to work towards creating a world where all can thrive. Guide our hearts and minds as we conduct the affairs of our community, keeping us rooted in the service of our constituents. May our city, Providence, be a beacon of hope and prosperity for all its residents, especially our children who represent the future. In this confusing world, fraught with conflict and uncertainty, we implore you for peace. Touch the hearts of those in positions of power, influence, instilling in them the wisdom to seek peaceful resolutions to conflicts.

Only through your divine guidance can true peace be achieved. Lord, we entrust our hopes and aspirations to you knowing that you alone can illuminate our path forward. Amen.

Unknown

10:56 - 11:00

This evening, the pledge of allegiance will be led by councilor Royas.

Unknown

11:01 - 11:03

The flag.

Rachel Miller

11:14 - 11:20

Thank you both. Pro Tem Pichardo.

Unknown

11:22 - 11:26

Madam president, point of per... Personal privilege.

Unknown

11:26 - 11:26

Please.

Juan M. Pichardo

11:27 - 16:01

Thank you, madam president. Today, I rise, to welcome, our Providence residents, from the Parent Leadership Training Academy from the Providence Public School System. As you recall last year, we had another cohort of leaders in the community being trained by the FACE office, which is the family engagement and community engagement for the Providence Public School System. They are joined here by their... The executive director of FACE, which is Carina Pinto.

Miss Carina Pinto, can you please rise? And we'll hold our applause. And at the end, we can recognize all our members. The other person that's coordinating this effort is Delia Rodriguez Maswan. Delia, can you please rise?

Thank you for your service. Also, lovely... There we go. My my lovely wife, Janet Pichardo, who is the executive director. Hey.

Applause. You know? Who... No one tells this council what to do. And we have approximately 26 parents who went through this Leadership Academy.

Some of us at City Council went to speak to them about our experience and how did we get involved in community, in volunteering, but most importantly, also our life as a, elected official. I know that, councilwoman Shelly Peterson, went there and also councilman Oscar Vargas. And I would tell you that they probably learned that between Oscar, councilman Oscar Vargas and Shelley Peterson, and also I believe councilman Sanchez, the majority of the parent leaders are from your district. And so I would like to call their name. And if you could please stand up as I call your name.

The first one is Alba Urbaez Gomez Bienvenida, Aurelis Beyo, Delma Martinez, Francisco Reyes, Ingris Ceballo, Ingris Marines, Jessica Figueroa, Ginaldi Marmol, Joanna Rodriguez, Karina Cardenas Blanco, Liliana Jimenez, Luis Nunez, Luz Morfe, Maggie Rosa, Marilyn Lisardo, Marianne Rodriguez, Neris Encanacion, Rosa de Gonzalez de Frias, Sandy Berowa, Sofia Pena Abreu, Stephanie Solaire Miranda, Tatiana Pena, Jamira Marrero, Janina So to, Jaritza Alvarado Miranda, Welcome everyone and thank you for participating in your... In the leadership and being empowered and having the resources in the city of Providence. And I congratulate all of you. At this time, madam president, I turn the mic to you and give us... Give them an applause.

They they have the sessions on Saturdays as we... As I read the the prayers today, it reminded how when we were out there in the picket line or at least yesterday about international labor, these parents take... After they work, they go to the sessions and then on Saturday. So they work very hard to ensure that their kids get a good education and also participate in their leadership program. Thank you.

Rachel Miller

16:01 - 16:09

That's awesome. Proton, would you like to take a picture, take a brief recess and a picture with everyone right now? Sure. Okay. Thank you so much for coming tonight.

Unknown

16:09 - 16:11

Please come on in