Providence City Council Meeting | October 3rd 2024

October 03, 2024

Call to Order and Roll Call

04:38 - 05:35

The Council President called the meeting of the Providence City Council to order. Madam Clerk conducted roll call and confirmed a quorum with 14 members present.

Invocation

05:35 - 08:00

Deacon Almos Rivera offered the evening invocation before the City Council. The prayer asked for divine wisdom, kindness, and justice to guide the city's leaders.

Pledge of Allegiance

08:00 - 08:27

Councilwoman Anthony led the council and attendees in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Members and attendees joined in honoring the American flag.

Recognition of Deacon Almos Rivera

08:27 - 10:24

Council President Pro Tempore Pichardo rose to recognize and welcome Deacon Almos Rivera to the council chambers. He highlighted Rivera's recent ordination, community background, and the importance of religious freedom.

Item 3: Election of Member to Historic District Commission

10:24 - 11:10

Nominations were opened for one member to serve on the Historic District Commission. Councilman John Goncalves was nominated and unanimously elected to the position.

Item 4: Motion to Waive Reading and Approve

11:10 - 11:31

Majority Leader Espinal moved to waive the reading of Item 4 and move its approval. The motion received a second and was passed by voice vote.

Item 5: Motion to Waive Reading and Receive

11:31 - 11:45

Majority Leader Espinal made a motion to waive the reading of Item 5 and receive the item. The motion was seconded and approved without opposition.

Items 6 through 8: Second Reading Roll Call Vote

11:45 - 14:42

The council considered Items 6 through 8 for passage on a second reading via roll call. Items 6 and 8 passed unanimously, while Item 7 passed with 11 ayes, two nays, and one recusal.

Items 9 through 15: Committee Referrals

14:42 - 15:24

The council voted to waive the reading for Items 9 through 15. The matters were subsequently referred to the Committee on Finance, the Committee on Ordinances, and the Special Committee on Environment and Resiliency.

Items 16 through 18: Resolutions on Affordable Housing, Haitian Support, and Hispanic Heritage

15:24 - 29:29

The clerk read resolutions condemning xenophobia against the Haitian American community and celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Council members discussed the resolutions along with promoting Question 3 on the ballot for affordable housing, after which all items were approved.

Items 19 through 32: First Reading Roll Call Vote

29:29 - 30:38

Majority Leader Espinal moved to waive the reading and pass Items 19 through 32 for the first time. The clerk conducted a roll call vote, and the items passed with 14 affirmative votes.

Items 33 and 34: Referral to Board of Contract and Supply

30:38 - 31:05

A motion was made to waive the reading of Items 33 and 34 and refer them back to the Board of Contract and Supply. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Item 35: Waste Management Commission Report Presentation

31:05 - 38:31

Chairwoman Ryan delivered the final report and recommendations from the Commission for the Study of Providence Waste Management Services. The council praised the commission's comprehensive findings and voted to approve the report.

Items 36 through 42: Democratic Caucus Leadership Discussion and Action

38:31 - 58:35

Council members engaged in extensive debate regarding changes to caucus leadership and procedural rules under Item 39. Items 36 through 38 and 40 through 42 were referred or received, and Item 39 was approved on a roll call vote.

Item 43: Resolution Approval

58:35 - 58:52

Majority Leader Espinal moved to waive the reading and pass Item 43 on a voice vote. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.

Item 44: Resolution Approval on Rising Vote

58:52 - 59:16

The council took up Item 44 under a motion to waive reading and pass on a unanimous rising vote. The motion was seconded and unanimously adopted by the council.

Adjournment

59:16 - 59:42

Majority Leader Espinal moved to adjourn the meeting in memory of Yinka A. Huatabilla. The council voted in favor, and the meeting was adjourned.

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04:38 - 04:46

Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the Providence City Council on this October third, Thursday. Madam clerk, please call the roll.

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04:47 - 04:55

Council president Miller? Present. Deputy majority whip Anderbois? Councilwoman Anthony. Present.

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04:56 - 04:58

Majority leader Espinal.

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04:58 - 04:58

Present.

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04:59 - 05:01

Senior deputy majority leader Gonsalves.

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05:01 - 05:02

Present.

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05:02 - 05:11

Councilwoman Graves is absent. Deputy Majority Leader Harris? Present. Councilwoman Peterson? Present.

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05:12 - 05:16

Council president Pro Tempur Pichardo? Present. Councilor Royas?

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05:16 - 05:18

Present. Caffeineas.

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05:18 - 05:26

Councilwoman Ryan? Present. Majority Whip Sanchez? Present. Councilman Taylor?

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05:26 - 05:26

Present.

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05:27 - 05:31

Councilwoman Anna Vargas? Present. Councilman Oscar Vargas?

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05:31 - 05:31

Present.

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05:32 - 05:35

You have 14 present and one absent. You have a quorum.

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05:35 - 05:43

Thank you, madam clerk. This evening, the invocation will be given by deacon Almos Rivera. If everyone will please rise, for the invocation.

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05:49 - 05:51

Thank you. Thank you.

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05:55 - 06:39

In the name of the father, of the son, of the holy spirit, amen. We invoke the presence of the almighty God, father of love and mercy. We thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for the beautiful for this beautiful day and for the vocational work and dedication of our public officials in our wonderful city of Providence, a testament to the love and dedication to this city. Almighty God, bless those who hold office in the government of this city town of Providence. We pray that they may do their work in a spirit of wisdom, kindness, and justice, guided by your divine wisdom in every decision they make.

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06:40 - 07:56

Help them to use their authority to serve faithfully and promote the general welfare. Amen. God bless you, and God bless our city of Providence. Providence. In the name of the father, of the son, and of the holy spirit.

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07:56 - 07:57

Amen.

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07:58 - 07:59

Thank you. Thank you.

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08:00 - 08:10

Thank you, reverend. This evening, the pledge of allegiance will be led by councilwoman Anthony. I pledge allegiance to the flag of The United States Of America,

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08:11 - 08:19

to the republic for which it stands. Nation, honor god, indivisible, at liberty and justice for all.

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08:27 - 08:28

Pro pro tem Pichardo.

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08:34 - 09:05

Right again. Okay. Thank you, madam president. I just wanted to rise and welcome and present to all of us, which you already have have met, pastor Olmos Rivera, who is the son of Juan Ramon in Santa Gracia born in Vallaguana, Dominican Republic. The presence of Padre Rivera being here, Olmos, is is significant to many of us in the Dominican community, his Spanish community.

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09:05 - 09:54

One, because he was just ordained as a father at the young age of 31. So congratulations to him. And, also has has been part of, the Providence community for many, many years and, is here to be as a deacon, who serves the people of God in the ministries of liturgy, the word, and the charity. And he does his functions as baptized and married people and also as a bridge, as a connector, in in our communities. We know the rich culture that we have here in the state of Rhode Island being a state that embraces all religion, and, today is very special.

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09:54 - 10:17

And I know that, today, we also celebrate Rosh Hashanah, Jewish New Year. So we as Rhode Islanders understand that religious freedom is is is so important for democracy to function. So welcome, and thank you for accepting our invitation, and. Gracias.

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10:24 - 10:29

Thank you so much, pro tem. Madam clerk, item three, please.

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10:29 - 10:37

Item three is election of one member to the historic district commission. We are now

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10:37 - 10:42

the election's now open for one member to the historic district commission. Are there any nominations?

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10:42 - 10:43

Madam president?

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10:43 - 10:44

Majority leader Espinal.

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10:44 - 10:47

I like to nominate councilman John Gonkovs.

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10:53 - 11:10

We have a nomination in a second. Are there any further nominations? Are there any further nominations? Are there any further nominations? Hearing none, madam clerk, please cast one ballot for councilman Gonsalves as a member of the historic district commission.

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11:10 - 11:16

So noted. Item four, please.

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11:19 - 11:20

Madam president.

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11:20 - 11:21

Majority leader Espinal.

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11:21 - 11:25

Watching to weigh the reading of item four and move approval. Second.

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11:25 - 11:31

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on that motion? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed?

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11:31 - 11:34

Any abstentions? The motion passes. Item five.

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11:35 - 11:40

Madam president. Majority leader. Motion to waive the reading on item five and receive. Second.

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11:41 - 11:45

A motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed?

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11:45 - 11:49

Any abstentions? Hearing none, the motion passes. Item six.

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11:49 - 11:50

Madam president.

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11:50 - 11:51

Majority leader Espinel.

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11:51 - 11:57

Motion to waive the reading on item six through eight and pass for the second time at a roll call vote.

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11:57 - 11:58

Second madam president.

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11:58 - 12:08

We have a motion and a second on item six through eight. Any discussion? Hearing none, madam clerk, please call the roll. Council president Miller, aye.

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12:09 - 12:23

Deputy majority Whip Vanderbaugh. Councilwoman Anthony. Majority Leader Espinal.

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12:23 - 12:23

Aye.

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12:25 - 12:37

Senior deputy majority leader Gonsalves. Councilwoman Graves is absent. Deputy majority leader Harris. Aye. Councilwoman Peterson.