Providence City Council Meeting | June 20th 2024
Call to Order and Roll Call
Council President Miller called the meeting to order on the first day of summer. Madam Clerk conducted roll call and confirmed a quorum with 15 members present.
Invocation
Councilman James E. Taylor delivered the invocation for the evening. He led the council in a prayer for open minds, truth, and fruitful collaboration.
Pledge of Allegiance
Councilwoman Anna Vargas led the council and guests in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The chamber joined together in the salute to the flag.
Item 3: Approval of Prior Minutes
Majority Leader Taylor moved to waive the reading and approve Item 3. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously by voice vote.
Items 4 and 5: Referrals and Receipts
The council moved to waive the reading of items 4 and 5. Item 4 was referred to the Committee on Finance, and item 5 was marked as received.
Items 6 through 12: Second Passage Measures
The council voted on the second passage of items 6 through 12 via roll call. All items passed, with item 7 receiving 13 ayes and two dissenting votes.
Items 13 and 14: Committee Referrals
Majority Leader Taylor moved to waive the reading of items 13 and 14. Item 13 was referred to the Committee on Finance, and item 14 was referred to the Committee on Ordinances.
Items 15 and 16: Withdrawal of Items
A motion was made to waive the reading and withdraw items 15 and 16. The council unanimously approved the motion to withdraw both matters.
Items 17 through 22: Finance Committee Referrals
Majority Leader Taylor moved to waive the reading of items 17 through 22. The motion passed unanimously, and all items were referred to the Committee on Finance.
Items 23 and 24: Passage by Voice Vote
The council considered items 23 and 24 under a motion to waive reading. Both items were approved without objection on a voice vote.
Item 25: Honorary Designation of Carl G. Lauro Way
The clerk read a resolution honoring the life and contributions of educator Carl G. Lauro by naming a section of Kenyon Street in his honor. The resolution was adopted and referred to the appropriate committee.
Items 26 and 27: Donation of Fire Apparatus and Resolutions
The council approved items 26 and 27 on a voice vote. Councilman Espinal expressed gratitude on behalf of Cayetano Germosén in the Dominican Republic for the donation of a city fire apparatus.
Item 28: Committee Referral
A motion was made to waive the reading of item 28. The motion passed and the matter was referred to committee.
Items 29 through 31: Recognition of Juneteenth
The city clerk read item 30 into the record, recognizing Juneteenth and honoring the end of slavery in the United States. Councilors reflected on the historical significance of the holiday before the measures were passed by voice vote.
Items 32 through 35: Fiscal Year Budget First Passage
Council members discussed the city budget, highlighting an additional $2.5 million allocation for Providence Public Schools and debated public safety spending. The budget measures passed on first reading following a unanimous 15-0 roll call vote.
Items 36 through 48: School Construction and Contracts
The council deliberated on nearly $400 million in school construction contracts contingent upon a future bond referendum and state reimbursement timelines. Councilors debated equity and transparency concerns across school facilities before the contracts were approved.
Item 49: Rejection of Carl G. Lauro School Lease
The council engaged in an extensive debate on a proposed long-term charter school lease for the Carl G. Lauro Elementary School building. Following instructions from the city solicitor, the council voted 10-4 with one abstention to reject the lease agreement.
Item 50: Denial Without Prejudice
Majority Leader Taylor moved to waive the reading of item 50 and deny the matter without prejudice. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.
Item 51: First Passage Roll Call Vote
The council moved to waive the reading of item 51 and pass the matter for the first time. The motion was approved unanimously following a roll call vote.
Items 52 through 56: Committee Referrals and Receipts
The council waived reading for items 52 through 56. Item 52 was referred to Ordinances, item 53 to Claims, and items 54 through 56 were noted as received.
Points of Personal Expression and Announcements
Council members commended the passage of the budget, acknowledged honors, and shared upcoming community events and public school board candidate filing deadlines. Celebrations included anniversaries and a birthday tribute for Chief of Staff June Rose.
Item 57: Voice Vote Passage
Majority Leader Taylor moved to waive the reading of item 57 and pass it on a voice vote. The council approved the motion without opposition.
Item 58: Memorial Resolutions
The council waived reading and approved item 58 while honoring departed community members. Council members offered personal condolences to the De La Cruz and Sandoval families and remembered former Councilman John Murphy.
Suspension of Rule 16(b) and Item 59
The council voted to suspend Rule 16(b) to take up an item not on the printed docket. Item 59 was subsequently introduced, waived of reading, and noted as received.
Motion to Adjourn
Majority Leader Taylor made a motion to adjourn, during which council members serenaded the chief of staff for her birthday. The motion was unanimously approved and the meeting adjourned.