Providence City Council Meeting | May 16th 2024
Call to Order and Roll Call
Council President Miller called the meeting to order and gave housekeeping announcements regarding sponsorship forms. The city clerk conducted the roll call, confirming thirteen members present and establishing a quorum.
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Councilman Gonsalves delivered the invocation offering prayers for empathy and guidance across the city. Councilwoman Joanne Ryan then led the council and attendees in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Special Recognition: Beat the Streets Girls Wrestling Program
Councilwoman Peterson took a point of personal privilege to celebrate the achievements of the Beat the Streets Girls Wrestling Program. She individually recognized state and regional champion student athletes from various Providence schools.
Item 3: Approval of Minutes
Majority Leader Taylor moved to waive the reading of Item 3 and approve it. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously by voice vote.
Items 4 and 5: Referral to Finance Committee
The council moved to waive the reading of Items 4 and 5. The matters were officially referred to the Committee on Finance.
Items 6 through 17: Second Passage of Ordinances and Zoning Changes
Councilors debated ordinances covering school board ward redistricting, payday loan regulations, a tax stabilization agreement, and an affordable housing trust fund amendment lowering the income threshold to 80% AMI. Items 6 through 17 were approved on second passage via roll call vote, with one dissent recorded on Item 7.
Items 18 through 29: Referral to Committee on Finance
The council approved a motion waiving the reading of Items 18 through 29. All items were referred to the Committee on Finance for review.
Items 30 and 31: Resolutions on Municipal Clerks Week and Kennedy Plaza Bus Hub
The council read and approved resolutions celebrating the 55th annual Professional Municipal Clerk's Week and advocating for preserving Kennedy Plaza as RIPTA's central bus hub. Several councilors spoke to express gratitude to the clerk's office and champion bus riders' perspectives.
Items 32 and 33: Referral to Special Committee on State Legislative Affairs
A motion was made to waive the reading of Items 32 and 33. The motion carried and both items were referred to the Special Committee on State Legislative Affairs.
Items 34 through 36: Resolutions Honoring Memorial Day and Knight Memorial Library
The clerk read resolutions recognizing Memorial Day 2024 and celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Knight Memorial Library. Following commemorative remarks by President Pro Tem Pichardo, Items 34 through 36 were passed by voice vote.
Item 37: Referral of School Building Lease Ordinance to Finance Committee
Councilors debated an ordinance proposing a long-term lease of a closed public school building to an outside agency, with multiple members raising concerns about charter schools and impacts on Providence Public Schools. The motion to waive the reading passed and the matter was referred to the Committee on Finance.
Items 38 through 40: Receipt and Approval
Majority Leader Taylor moved to waive the reading of Items 38 through 40 and adopt them. The council approved the motion without discussion.
Items 41 and 42: Denial of Appointments Without Prejudice
The council considered Items 41 and 42 with a motion to deny the appointments without prejudice due to timing constraints. Councilor Sanchez clarified that the appointees will be reheard by the Finance Committee in the near future, and the motion passed.
Item 43: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Budget First Passage
President Pro Tem Pichardo presided while President Miller recused herself for the vote adopting the Community Development Block Grant budget. Committee leadership and staff were thanked for their efforts on housing preservation, and the ordinance passed first passage on a roll call vote.
Item 44: Approval of Item 44
Majority Leader Taylor moved to waive the reading of Item 44 and pass it on a voice vote. The council voted in favor and the motion carried without opposition.
Items 45 through 48: Referral of Communications and Claims
A motion was passed to waive the reading of Items 45 through 48. Items 45 and 46 were referred to the Committee on Public Works, while Items 47 and 48 were referred to the Committee on Claims and Pending Suits.
Item 49: Approval of Item 49
The council moved to waive the reading of Item 49 and adopt it by voice vote. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.
Item 50: Passage of Item 50 by Rising Vote
Majority Leader Taylor moved to waive the reading of Item 50 and adopt it on a unanimous rising vote. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Rule 16B Suspension and Item 51 Referral
The council voted to suspend Rule 16B to take up an unprinted docket item. Item 51 was subsequently read by title and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Memorial Adjournment
Majority Leader Taylor moved to adjourn the meeting in memory of Providence firefighter Cipriano Massimiliano. Following brief closing administrative announcements by the council president, the meeting was adjourned.