Providence Committee on Finance-Thursday, May 9, 2024-5:30 PM

May 09, 2024

Call to Order and Roll Call

20:58 - 22:05

Chairwoman Helen Anthony called the Committee on Finance meeting to order and confirmed the presence of a quorum through roll call. Distinguished guests, city staff, and committee members were welcomed before proceeding to the agenda.

Agenda Item 1: Human Relations Commission Appointment (Denied without Prejudice)

22:05 - 23:02

The committee considered an appointment to the Human Relations Commission, but the candidate was not present to be interviewed. The committee voted to deny the appointment without prejudice so the mayor's office can resubmit it at a later date.

Agenda Item 2: Appointment of Stephanie Haigh to Human Relations Commission

23:02 - 26:14

Stephanie Haigh appeared before the committee, presented her background working within the Jewish community, and discussed her interest in serving on the commission. The committee voted to recommend approval of her appointment to the full council.

Agenda Item 3: Appointment of LeBron Wyrick to Human Relations Commission

26:14 - 26:58

The committee considered the appointment of LeBron Wyrick to the Human Relations Commission, but the nominee was not in attendance. A motion was made and approved to deny the appointment without prejudice.

Agenda Item 4: Appointment of Melissa Quarum to Human Relations Commission

26:58 - 31:13

Melissa Quarum shared her qualifications, professional history at the Department of Labor and Training, and her motivation to serve on the Human Relations Commission. After brief questions and commendations from councilors, the committee recommended approval of her appointment.

Agenda Item 5: Appointment of Konica Cook to Human Relations Commission

31:13 - 36:08

Konica Cook outlined her extensive work with the Center for Southeast Asians and her desire to represent her community on the commission. The committee expressed strong support for her nomination and voted to recommend her approval.

Budget Review: Department of Recreation

36:08 - 01:12:55

The committee reviewed the proposed FY25 budget for the Department of Recreation and seasonal programming with the finance team and the department director. Discussion focused on department staffing, summer camp expansion, attendance tracking, youth employment numbers, and community soccer and intergenerational programs.

Budget Review: Department of Public Works

01:12:55 - 02:46:28

The finance staff and the Director of Public Works presented the FY25 budget requests across several divisions including highway, engineering, sewer, parking, and traffic. Committee members questioned staff regarding parking permit enforcement, additional engineering personnel, sewer maintenance, capital equipment leasing, and contractor accountability for trash and yard waste collection.

Helen Anthony

20:58 - 21:11

My name is Helen Anthony. I'm the chairwoman of Minion Finance. I'm the line of order, a regular meeting, Thursday, May 9 at 05:39PM. Madam clerk, would you please call the roll?

Unknown

21:11 - 21:12

Chair Mookie Anthony?

Helen Anthony

21:12 - 21:13

Present.

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21:13 - 21:15

Vice Chairman Taylor?

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21:15 - 21:16

Here.

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21:16 - 21:23

Counselor Anero, active. Counselor Graves? Here. Counselor Sanchez?

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21:23 - 21:23

Here.

Unknown

21:23 - 21:39

Four steps in one action. You have a problem. Thank you so much, and I'd like to welcome tonight that we've had. He's here in front of the city solicitor's office. Have joining us this evening.

Unknown

21:39 - 21:52

We have here in the evening. Thank you very much. We have here. We have our madam auditor, Gina Costa, is here. Thank you so much.

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21:53 - 22:04

And we have many distinguished guests who are here to address the committee tonight. Thank you all for coming. And, of course, we have wonderful clerks, Donna Galatian and Lauren Gutierrez. Sound good. Thank you.

Unknown

22:05 - 22:20

And, madam, would you please read item number... Actually, I'm going to ask for a motion to waive the right reading of item number one. I'm gonna Aye. A motion made by counselor Gray, seconded by counselor Taylor. All in favor.

Unknown

22:20 - 22:35

Aye. All closed. Unfortunately, it's tentative for the human relations commission is not here with us this evening. So we are right up against our deadline. So we are going to deny without...

Unknown

22:35 - 22:53

I'm gonna ask for a motion to deny without a prejudice. And what will happen is once this candidate is ready to come before us, the mayor's office can submit it to council, and we'll be happy to hear it in finance. So I'm gonna ask for a motion to deny the president.

Unknown

22:53 - 22:54

So moved.

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22:54 - 22:55

Second.

Helen Anthony

22:55 - 23:00

A motion made by councilor Taylor, seconded by councilor Graves. All in favor?

Unknown

23:00 - 23:00

Aye.

Helen Anthony

23:00 - 23:01

All opposed?

Unknown

23:02 - 23:11

I'm also... I'm going to now move to agenda item number two, and I'm gonna ask for a motion to agree.

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23:12 - 23:12

So moved.

Unknown

23:14 - 23:32

Motionage by councilor Sanchez, seconded by councilor Taylor, all of them. Five aye. Charter code. We have miss Stephanie Haigh, who is a candidate for the human relations. Haigh, if you're here, if you would just come to the end of the table, and we will swear you in.

Unknown

23:33 - 23:43

Please write the writing. Please swear on the pen and please take your name to the records. That may need.

Unknown

23:44 - 23:52

Okay. And before we start with you, we are going to... We have your resume Okay. First, and I appreciate you providing that. And I'm

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23:52 - 23:53

going to ask them, is

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23:53 - 23:55

this the March exhibit number

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23:56 - 23:56

Resume.

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23:57 - 24:03

Seven. Okay. Motion to approve this. Thank you.

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24:03 - 24:03

So moved.

Helen Anthony

24:03 - 24:08

Motion made by the councilor McHale and seconded by the councilor Sanchez. All in favor?

Unknown

24:08 - 24:09

Aye.

Helen Anthony

24:09 - 24:13

All opposed? So, miss Haig, I thank you for coming.

Unknown

24:13 - 24:24

We have just received your resume. And if you could give us just a little bit of brief history on your background and also why you would like to

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24:24 - 24:32

serve on human related peace commission. Sure. Thank you, chairwoman. Thank you, council members and committee members. My name is Stephanie Haig.

Unknown

24:32 - 24:55

I've been in Providence for about eight years. I've been working professionally in the Jewish community since I graduated college. I worked in the Jewish community in Kyiv, Ukraine and Baltimore, Maryland, and most recently here at the Jewish Alliance for Rhode Island, which is the largest Jewish organization in the state of Rhode Island. At the Jewish Alliance, we aim to support the 20,000 Jewish community members here in

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24:55 - 24:58

the state through social, cultural, and other

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24:58 - 25:27

programming, and we also serve members of the entire community at the Gwaires JCC on the East Side Of Providence. And in my role at the Jewish Alliance, I I aim to be out in the community, engaging with non Jewish community members, educating people about what's happening in the Jewish community. And, unfortunately, we are experiencing the highest rates of antisemitism that I've certainly ever experienced in my lifetime, but since record, basically, into The United States. So now is

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25:27 - 25:28

a very important time for

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25:28 - 25:35

us, the Jewish community, to be out and educating people about the Jewish community about antisemitism and engaging with partners on the issues.

Unknown

25:37 - 25:55

Wonderful. Well, it's a very impressive resume, and I really do appreciate your willingness to serve on this on this. Committee members, any questions or comments? K. Well, may I have a motion?

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25:55 - 25:55

So moved.

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25:56 - 25:56

Second.

Unknown

25:56 - 26:06

That's a motion to recommend approval. Okay. Motion to recommend approval made by Doctor. Taylor, seconded by counselor. All in favor?

Unknown

26:06 - 26:14

Aye. All opposed? Thank you so much. We are going to refer this back to counsel with the recommended recommendation of approval.

Unknown

26:14 - 26:14

Thank you

Unknown

26:14 - 26:27

so much for your willingness to serve. Okay. With that, I am moving to agenda item number three. And, again, I am going to ask for an update of the reading. So moved.

Unknown

26:27 - 26:28

Second.

Helen Anthony

26:28 - 26:33

Motion made by counselor Taylor, seconded by counselor Graves. All in favor?

Unknown

26:33 - 26:33

Aye.

Helen Anthony

26:33 - 26:34

All opposed?

Unknown

26:35 - 26:46

My understanding is that LeBron Wyrick is not here. I am just asking. Okay? So, again, I am going to ask for a motion to deny without prejudice.