Providence City Council Meeting | June 6th 2024
Call to Order and Roll Call
Council President Miller calls the meeting to order and the city clerk conducts the roll call. With thirteen members present and two absent, a quorum is established.
Invocation
Councilwoman Joanne Ryan delivers the evening invocation, asking for guidance and unity among city representatives. She also commemorates the 80th anniversary of D-Day and honors the sacrifices of service members.
Pledge of Allegiance
Majority Whip Sanchez leads the council and attendees in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The Council President then directs the clerk to call the next agenda item.
Item 3
Majority Leader Taylor moves to waive the reading of Item 3 and approve the measure. The motion is seconded and passes by voice vote without discussion.
Items 4 through 8
A motion is made and approved to waive the reading of Items 4 through 8. The clerk is instructed to formally record all items as received.
Item 9: Community Development Block Grant Budget
Council President Miller recuses herself, and Council President Pro Tempore Pichardo chairs the consideration of the CDBG budget. After remarks thanking the committee and administration for their work, the measure passes for the second time on a roll call vote.
Item 10: Referral to Committee on Finance
The council considers a motion to refer Item 10 to the Committee on Finance. Following a roll call vote, the motion to refer passes with eight ayes, four nays, and one abstention.
Points of Personal Expression: Foreign Investments Ordinance
Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonsalves and Councilor Royas offer extended remarks regarding proposed legislation concerning municipal investments related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Members present contrasting views regarding local government involvement, community unity, and human rights obligations.
Items 11 and 12
A motion is brought to waive the reading of Items 11 and 12 and refer them back to the Board of Contract and Supply. The council approves the motion by voice vote without opposition.
Item 13
The council votes to waive the reading of Item 13. The item is referred to the Committee on Finance.
Item 14
Following a request from Councilor Anderbois regarding street light contracts, the original motion to refer to the Board of Contract and Supply is withdrawn. The council subsequently votes to refer Item 14 to the Committee on Finance.
Item 15
Majority Leader Taylor moves to waive the reading of Item 15 and refer it back to the Board of Contract and Supply. The motion is seconded and passes by voice vote.
Item 16
The council approves a motion waiving the reading of Item 16. The matter is referred to the Committee on Finance.
Items 17 through 20
A motion is made to waive the reading of Items 17 through 20 and refer them back to the Board of Contract and Supply. The motion passes unanimously on a voice vote.
Items 21 through 29
The council considers a motion waiving the reading of Items 21 through 29. The council passes the motion and refers all items to the Committee on Finance.
Item 30
A motion is introduced to waive the reading of Item 30 and refer it back to the Board of Contract and Supply. The council votes in favor of the motion without dissent.
Items 31 through 35
Majority Leader Taylor moves to waive the reading of Items 31 through 35. The council approves the motion, sending each item to the Committee on Finance.
Item 36
The council takes up a motion to waive the reading of Item 36 and refer it back to the Board of Contract and Supply. The motion is seconded and adopted by voice vote.
Items 37 through 39
The council votes to waive the reading of Items 37 through 39. All three matters are referred to the Committee on Finance.
Item 40
A motion is introduced to waive the reading of Item 40 and pass the measure on a voice vote. The council approves the motion without opposition.
Item 41: Tax Abatement for Restoration Deliverance Temple
The clerk reads a resolution granting property tax abatement for Restoration Deliverance Temple, and Councilwoman Graves advocates passionately for supporting historic Black churches. Following co-sponsorship additions from several council members, the resolution passes unanimously.
Items 42 through 44: Ceremonial Resolutions and Education Ballot Question
The council considers resolutions honoring youth baseball coach James Wilson with a street designation and urging state passage of an education equity ballot question. Following remarks by Councilwoman Peterson and Pro Tempore Pichardo, the measures pass on a voice vote.
Items 45 through 48
The council takes up Items 45 through 48 for passage for the first time by roll call vote. Items 45, 47, and 48 pass unanimously among present members, while Item 46 passes with two dissenting votes.
Item 49
Majority Leader Taylor moves to waive the reading of Item 49 and refer it back to the Board of Contract and Supply. The motion is seconded and passes by voice vote.
Item 50
A motion is introduced to waive the reading of Item 50 and approve the item on a roll call vote. The clerk conducts the vote, and the measure passes unanimously with fourteen affirmative votes.
Items 51 through 60
The council votes to waive the reading of Items 51 through 60. The package of items is referred back to the Board of Contract and Supply.
Item 61
Majority Leader Taylor moves to waive the reading of Item 61 and receive and approve the matter. The motion is seconded and adopted by voice vote.
Items 62 through 64
A motion is made to waive the reading of Items 62 through 64 and pass them for the first time on a roll call vote. The motion passes unanimously with fourteen votes in favor.
Items 65 through 69 and Staff Recognitions
The council refers Items 65 through 67 to the Committee on Ordinances, Item 68 to Claims and Pending Suits, and notes Item 69. Council President Miller also thanks the clerk's office staff and welcomes the acting city solicitor.
Item 70
The council considers a motion to waive the reading of Item 70 and adopt it on a voice vote. The motion is approved without discussion or opposition.
Item 71: Memorial Resolutions
The council considers Item 71 on a rising vote, during which Councilor Sanchez offers condolences to families affected by recent gun violence. The motion passes unanimously.
Adjournment in Memoriam
Majority Leader Taylor extends Father's Day wishes and moves to adjourn the meeting in memory of several community members. The motion is approved and the meeting is adjourned.