Providence City Council Meeting | November 7th 2024

November 07, 2024

Call to Order and Roll Call

06:45 - 07:40

Council President Miller called the Providence City Council meeting to order. The city clerk conducted the roll call, noting 13 members present and 2 absent to establish a quorum.

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

07:40 - 08:27

Majority Leader Espinal offered the opening invocation for the council meeting. Councilman Gonsalves then led the council and attendees in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Item 3

08:27 - 09:08

The council moved to waive the reading of Item 3 and approve the measure. The motion was put to a voice vote and passed without opposition.

Items 4 through 18

09:08 - 10:48

Majority Whip Sanchez highlighted Item 18 regarding appointments to the Juvenile Hearing Board. The council voted to waive the reading and receive Items 4 through 18.

Items 19 through 22

10:48 - 11:57

The council moved to waive the reading of Items 19 through 22 and pass them for the second time. The matters passed unanimously on a roll call vote with 14 ayes.

Items 23 through 25

11:57 - 12:25

The council voted to waive the reading of Items 23 through 25. The items were approved to be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Items 26 and 27 - Historic District Commission Window Guidelines

12:25 - 20:27

Council members discussed a resolution regarding Historic District Commission window replacement regulations. The previous motion was withdrawn, Item 26 was referred to the Committee on Ordinance, and Item 27 was passed on a voice vote.

Item 28

20:27 - 20:45

The council moved to waive the reading of Item 28. The motion carried, and the item was referred to the Committee on Finance.

Items 29 and 30 - Veterans Day and Native American Heritage Month Resolutions

20:45 - 31:33

The clerk read resolutions recognizing Veterans Day and proclaiming November as National Native American Heritage Month into the record. Following discussion, both commemorative resolutions were unanimously approved.

Item 31

31:33 - 31:51

The council voted to waive the reading of Item 31. The item was referred to the Committee on City Property.

Item 32

31:51 - 32:51

The council considered Item 32 and voted to waive the reading. The measure passed for the first time on a roll call vote of 14 ayes.

Items 33 and 34 - Lifespan Memorandum of Agreement (PILOT)

32:51 - 42:12

Council members debated Item 34 concerning a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) memorandum of agreement with Lifespan. Following discussion on nonprofit contributions and city finances, the items were approved on a voice vote with noted dissents.

Items 35 through 39

42:12 - 42:46

The council moved to waive the reading of Items 35 through 39. The motion carried to refer all items back to the Board of Contract and Supply.

Item 40 - Comprehensive Plan

42:46 - 01:28:56

The council engaged in an extensive debate on the city's updated 10-year Comprehensive Plan, addressing topics such as housing density, parking minimums, and gas stations. Item 40 passed for the first time on a roll call vote of 11 ayes to 2 nays.

Items 41 through 47

01:28:56 - 01:29:29

The council voted to waive the reading of Items 41 through 47. Item 41 was referred to Claims and Pending Suits, while Items 42 through 47 were noted as received.

Item 48

01:29:29 - 01:29:45

The council moved to waive the reading of Item 48. The motion was approved by a voice vote.

Item 49

01:29:45 - 01:30:06

The council moved to waive the reading of Item 49 and pass it on a unanimous rising vote. The motion carried without opposition.

Adjournment and Memorial Recognition

01:30:06 - 01:40:07

Majority Leader Espinal moved to adjourn the formal council meeting in memory of San Van Santana. The motion was approved, and the council entered a brief recess before the special Veterans Day program.

Veterans Day Celebration and Recognition of Barnaby Evans

01:40:07 - 02:18:25

The Special Commission on Veterans Affairs hosted a ceremony featuring remarks from Congressman Gabe Amo, Director Kasim Yarn, City Archivist Caleb Horton, and Council President Pro Tem Pichardo. The council presented a citation honoring Barnaby Evans and WaterFire for their annual Salute to Veterans event.

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06:45 - 06:53

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the Preventon City Council on Thursday, November 7. Madam clerk, please call the roll.

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06:54 - 07:01

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

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07:02 - 07:11

Majority leader Espinal? Present. Senior deputy majority leader Gonzales? Present. Councilwoman Graves is absent.

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07:11 - 07:19

Deputy majority leader Harris? Present. Councilwoman Peterson? Present. Council president Pro Tempur Pichardo?

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07:21 - 07:30

Councilor Royas is absent. Councilwoman Ryan. Present. Majority Whip Sanchez. Councilman Taylor.

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07:30 - 07:31

Present.

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07:31 - 07:39

Councilwoman Anna Vargas. Present. Councilman Oscar Vargas? Present. You have 13 present and two absent.

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07:39 - 07:40

You have a quorum.

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07:40 - 07:47

Thank you, madam clerk. This evening, the invocation will be given by majority leader Espinal. Will everyone please rise for the invocation? Thank you.

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07:49 - 08:05

Thank you, madam president. Heavenly father, thank you for this opportunity to stand before you. I ask that you bless us and guide us as we prepare to do the people's business. In you, trust. Amen.

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08:05 - 08:11

Thank you, counselor. The pledge of allegiance will be led by councilman John Gonsalves.

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08:12 - 08:25

I pledge of allegiance to the flag of The United States Of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

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08:27 - 08:33

Thank you, counselor. Item three, majority leader.

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08:37 - 08:41

Motion to waive the reading on item three and move approval. Second, madam president.

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08:41 - 08:44

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Councilman Sanchez.

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08:45 - 08:52

Thank you, madam president. Today, just wanna rise and, speak quickly on item number 18. Are we not on

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08:52 - 08:56

We're not there yet, sir. Okay. We have a motion and a second on

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08:56 - 08:56

I'm ready today.

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08:56 - 09:08

You are ready. We have a motion and a second on item three, to waive the reading of item three and move approval. Any other discussion? All in favor? Any opposed?

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09:08 - 09:11

Any abstentions? Hearing none, the items pass. Item four.

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09:12 - 09:13

Madam president

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09:13 - 09:13

Majority leader.

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09:13 - 09:16

Motion to waive the reading of item four through 18.

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09:17 - 09:18

Second, madam president.

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09:18 - 09:19

We have a motion and

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09:19 - 09:21

a second. Any discussion? Majority Whip Sanchez.

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09:21 - 09:58

Thank you, madam president. Today, I would like to rise and speak quickly on item number 18. This is really exciting to to have six appointments to the Juvenile Hearing Board. Juvenile Hearing Board is a critical piece of the justice system here in the city of Providence. It deters sending the youth of our city who who sometimes make, wrong choices, to give them another second chance and to not get caught up in our unjust at times, legal system here in Rhode Island.

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09:59 - 10:20

So Oh, and we're here to support your guys' work. Thank you.

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10:27 - 10:39

Thank you, counselor Sanchez, and thank you so much for stepping up to serve. Any further discussion on items four through 18? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed?

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10:39 - 10:48

Any abstentions? The motion passes. Please note item four through 18 is received. Noted. Note that councilwoman Althea Graves has joined us.

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10:48 - 10:51

Note her as present. So noted. Item 19.

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10:51 - 10:53

Madam president. Majority leader.

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10:53 - 11:00

Worship to waive the reading of item 19 through 22 and pass for the second time on a roll call vote.

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11:00 - 11:02

Seconded motion, madam president. We have

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11:02 - 11:07

a motion and a second. Any discussion? Madam clerk, please call the roll.

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11:07 - 11:14

Council president Miller? Aye. Deputy majority Webb Vanderblois? Aye. Councilwoman Anthony?

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11:14 - 11:17

Aye. Majority leader Espinal?

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11:17 - 11:18

Aye.

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11:18 - 11:27

Senior deputy majority leader Gonsalves? Aye. Councilwoman Graves? Aye. Deputy majority leader Harris?

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11:27 - 11:34

Aye. Councilwoman Peterson? Aye. Council president Pro Tempur Pichardo? Aye.

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11:34 - 11:42

Councilor Royce is absent. Councilwoman Ryan? Aye. Majority Whip Sanchez? Aye.

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11:43 - 11:50

Councilman Taylor? Aye. Councilwoman Anna Vargas? Aye. Councilman Oscar Vargas?

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11:50 - 11:57

Aye. You have 14 ayes, one absent. The motion carries. The matters are passed for the second time on a roll call vote.

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11:57 - 11:59

Thank you, madam clerk. Item 23.

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11:59 - 12:00

Madam president.

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12:00 - 12:01

Majority leader.

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12:01 - 12:05

Motion to waive the reading of item 23 through 25.

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12:06 - 12:08

Second, madam president. We have a motion and

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12:08 - 12:16

a second. Any discussion on items 23 through 25? Hearing none, all in favor? Aye. Any opposed?

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12:16 - 12:25

Any abstentions? The motion passes. Please refer items 23 through 25 to the committee on finance. So noted. Item 26.