Providence City Council Meeting | October 3rd 2024

October 03, 2024

Official record

From the minutes filed with the RI Secretary of State on October 18, 2024.

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Attendance

14 present · 1 absent

Present

Council President Miller
Councilor AnderBois
Councilwoman Anthony
Councilman Espinal
Councilman Goncalves
Councilwoman Harris
Councilwoman Peterson
Councilor Pichardo
Councilor Roias
Councilwoman Ryan
Councilor Sanchez
Councilman Taylor
Councilwoman Vargas
Councilman Vargas

Absent

Councilwoman Graves

Also present: Tina L. Mastroianni (City Clerk), Sheri A. Petronio (First Deputy City Clerk), Angela J. Harris (First Deputy City Clerk), Napoleon Askie (City Sergeant), Kenneth Chiavarini (Deputy City Solicitor)

Recorded votes (21)

Journal of Proceedings No. 19 of the Regular Meeting of the City Council held September 19, 2024

APPROVED (WITH VOTE) [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

Council President Miller , Councilor AnderBois , Councilwoman Anthony , Councilman Espinal , Councilman Goncalves , Councilwoman Harris , Councilwoman Peterson , Councilor Pichardo , Councilor Roias , Councilwoman Ryan , Councilor Sanchez , Councilman Taylor , Councilwoman Vargas , Councilman Vargas

Communication from the Mayor re-appointing Jenna Lafayette to the Recreational Advisory Board

RECEIVED

An Ordinance Repealing Ordinance Chapter 2015-20, No. 356, establishing a tax stabilization plan for 32 Custom House Street

READ/PASSED SECOND TIME [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

An Ordinance in Amendment of Chapter 27 of the Code of Ordinances changing Articles 12 and 14 relating to compassion centers

READ/PASSED SECOND TIME [11 TO 2]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (11)

Council President Miller , Councilor AnderBois , Councilman Espinal , Councilman Goncalves , Councilwoman Harris , Councilwoman Peterson , Councilor Pichardo , Councilor Roias , Councilor Sanchez , Councilwoman Vargas , Councilman Vargas

Nay (2)

Councilwoman Anthony , Councilwoman Ryan

Recused (1)

Councilman Taylor

Ordinances amending the American Rescue Plan Act Grant Budget and the COVID-19 Equities Program Budget

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Finance

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 23 of the Code of Ordinances to add Article IX "Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure"

REFERRED

Referred to Special Committee on Environment and Resiliency

An Ordinance in Amendment of Chapter 21, Article II, Section 21-27, "Competitive Bidding" of the Code of Ordinances

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Finance

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 16, Sections 16-21 and 16-22 of the Code of Ordinances regarding nuisance properties

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Finance

Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with Lifespan Corporation

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Finance

Referral of items 9 through 15 to various committees

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

Resolutions supporting Question #3, denouncing hate against Haitian-Americans, and recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

Ordinances making appropriations for the Providence Water Supply Board and Water Quality Protection Fund for FY 2025

READ/PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

Resolution Authorizing Approval of a Change Order Contract Award by the Board of Contract and Supply

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

Final Report of Special Commission for the Study of Providence's Waste Management Services

APPROVED (WITH VOTE) [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

Petition from Andre P. Elie, Jr. requesting an easement onto a portion of the paper street for 17 Dorothy Avenue

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Public Works

Petition from Julissa Arce, Esquire requesting a Zone Change for 173 Ives Street from R-2 to C-1

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Ordinances

Petitions for Compensation for Injuries and Damages

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Claims and Pending Suits

Communication electing Councilman Pedro J. Espinal as Majority Leader and Councilor Sue R. AnderBois as Deputy Majority Whip

APPROVED (WITH VOTE) [8 TO 6]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (8)

Council President Miller , Councilor AnderBois , Councilwoman Anthony , Councilman Espinal , Councilman Goncalves , Councilwoman Harris , Councilor Roias , Councilor Sanchez

Nay (6)

Councilwoman Peterson , Councilor Pichardo , Councilwoman Ryan , Councilman Taylor , Councilwoman Vargas , Councilman Vargas

Communications regarding Councilman Taylor's committee resignations and a Raze Building Permit for 45 America Street

RECEIVED

Resolution Extending Congratulations

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

Resolution Extending Sympathy

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

Rachel Miller

04:38 - 04:46

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

Tina L. Mastroianni

04:47 - 04:48

Council president Miller?

Rachel Miller

04:48 - 04:49

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

04:49 - 04:54

Deputy majority whip Anderbois? Councilwoman Anthony.

Helen Anthony

04:54 - 04:55

Present.

Unknown

04:56 - 04:58

Majority leader Espinal.

Unknown

04:58 - 04:58

Present.

Unknown

04:59 - 05:01

Senior deputy majority leader Gonsalves.

Unknown

05:01 - 05:02

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

05:02 - 05:07

Councilwoman Graves is absent. Deputy Majority Leader Harris?

Mary Kay Harris

05:07 - 05:08

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

05:08 - 05:10

Councilwoman Peterson?

Shelley Peterson

05:11 - 05:11

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

05:12 - 05:14

Council president Pro Tempur Pichardo?

Juan M. Pichardo

05:14 - 05:15

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

05:15 - 05:16

Councilor Royas?

Justin Roias

05:16 - 05:17

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

05:17 - 05:20

Caffeineas.

Councilwoman Ryan?

Jo-Ann Ryan

05:21 - 05:21

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

05:22 - 05:23

Majority Whip Sanchez?

Miguel Sanchez

05:23 - 05:24

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

05:24 - 05:26

Councilman Taylor?

Unknown

05:26 - 05:26

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

05:27 - 05:28

Councilwoman Anna Vargas?

Ana Vargas

05:28 - 05:29

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

05:29 - 05:31

Councilman Oscar Vargas?

Unknown

05:31 - 05:31

Present.

Unknown

05:32 - 05:35

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

Rachel Miller

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.

Unknown

05:49 - 05:51

Thank you. Thank you.

Unknown

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.

Unknown

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.

Unknown

07:56 - 07:57

Amen.

Unknown

07:58 - 07:59

Thank you. Thank you.

Rachel Miller

08:00 - 08:05

Thank you, reverend. This evening, the pledge of allegiance will be led by councilwoman Anthony.

Helen Anthony

08:06 - 08:10

I pledge allegiance to the flag of The United States Of America,

Pedro Espinal

08:11 - 08:19

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

Unknown

08:27 - 08:28

Pro pro tem Pichardo.

Juan M. Pichardo

08:34 - 10:17

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.

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.

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.

Unknown

10:24 - 10:29

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

Tina L. Mastroianni

10:29 - 10:37

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

Unknown

10:37 - 10:42

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

Unknown

10:42 - 10:43

Madam president?

Unknown

10:43 - 10:44

Majority leader Espinal.

Unknown

10:44 - 10:47

I like to nominate councilman John Gonkovs.

Rachel Miller

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.

Tina L. Mastroianni

11:10 - 11:11

So noted.