Providence City Council Meeting | November 7th 2024

November 07, 2024

Official record

From the minutes filed with the RI Secretary of State on December 06, 2024.

Download PDF

Attendance

13 present · 1 absent

Present

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

Absent

Councilor Roias

Also present: Tina L. Mastroianni (City Clerk), Angela J. Harris (First Deputy City Clerk), Donna M. Peligian (First Deputy City Clerk), Napoleon Askie (City Sergeant), Jeffrey Dana (City Solicitor)

Recorded votes (18)

Journal of Proceedings No. 21 of the Regular Meeting of the City Council held October 17, 2024

APPROVED (WITH VOTE) [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

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

Communication from His Honor the Mayor, dated October 8, 2024

RECEIVED

An Ordinance Relating to Article IV, Chapter 17, Section 17-189(f) of the Code of Ordinances

READ/PASSED SECOND TIME [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

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

An Ordinance Establishing a Tax Stabilization Agreement for 161 Gano Street

REFERRED

Resolution Endorsing the Relaxation of Guidelines for Window Replacements in the Historic District Overlay

REFERRED

Resolution Proclaiming November 14, 2024 to be Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day in Providence, Rhode Island

READ AND PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

Resolution Granting a Tax Abatement for Joseph Caffey Apartments, 16 Somerset Street

REFERRED

Resolution Celebrating Veteran's Day and Recognizing and Honoring each and every Veteran

READ AND PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

Resolution Authorizing the City of Providence to Enter into a Lease Agreement with South Side Community Land Trust

REFERRED

An Ordinance of the City of Providence approving improvements to the Providence Water Supply Board Distribution System

READ/PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Rhode Island School of Design

READ AND PASSED [13 TO 1]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

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

Nay (1)

Councilor Sanchez

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

READ AND PASSED [12 TO 2]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (12)

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

Nay (2)

Councilwoman Graves , Councilor Sanchez

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

READ AND PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

An Ordinance Adopting the City of Providence's Official Comprehensive Plan

READ/PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME [11 TO 2]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (11)

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

Nay (2)

Councilwoman Graves , Councilman Taylor

Petitions for Compensation for Injuries and Damages

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Claims and Pending Suits

Communications regarding a removal from the Juvenile Hearing Board and a re-appointment to the Capital Center Commission

RECEIVED ITEMS 42 THROUGH 47

Resolution Extending Congratulations

READ AND PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

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

Resolution Extending Sympathy

READ AND PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

Rachel Miller

06:45 - 06:53

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

Tina L. Mastroianni

06:54 - 06:55

Council president Miller?

Rachel Miller

06:55 - 06:56

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

06:56 - 07:01

Deputy majority Whip Anderbois? Councilwoman Anthony?

Helen Anthony

07:01 - 07:01

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

07:02 - 07:04

Majority leader Espinal?

Pedro Espinal

07:04 - 07:04

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

07:05 - 07:07

Senior deputy majority leader Gonzales?

John Goncalves

07:07 - 07:08

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

07:08 - 07:13

Councilwoman Graves is absent.

Deputy majority leader Harris?

Mary Kay Harris

07:13 - 07:14

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

07:14 - 07:16

Councilwoman Peterson?

Shelley Peterson

07:16 - 07:17

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

07:17 - 07:25

Council president Pro Tempur Pichardo?

Councilor Royas is absent. Councilwoman Ryan.

Jo-Ann Ryan

07:25 - 07:26

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

07:26 - 07:30

Majority Whip Sanchez. Councilman Taylor.

Unknown

07:30 - 07:31

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

07:31 - 07:33

Councilwoman Anna Vargas.

Ana Vargas

07:33 - 07:34

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

07:34 - 07:36

Councilman Oscar Vargas?

Oscar Vargas

07:36 - 07:37

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

07:37 - 07:39

You have 13 present and two absent.

Unknown

07:39 - 07:40

You have a quorum.

Rachel Miller

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.

Pedro Espinal

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.

Rachel Miller

08:05 - 08:11

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

Unknown

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.

Rachel Miller

08:27 - 08:33

Thank you, counselor. Item three, majority leader.

Pedro Espinal

08:37 - 08:40

Motion to waive the reading on item three and move approval.

Unknown

08:40 - 08:41

Second, madam president.

Unknown

08:41 - 08:44

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

Miguel Sanchez

08:45 - 08:52

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

Rachel Miller

08:52 - 08:54

We're not there yet, sir.

Unknown

08:54 - 08:54

Okay.

Rachel Miller

08:54 - 08:56

We have a motion and a second on

Unknown

08:56 - 08:56

I'm ready today.

Rachel Miller

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?

Unknown

09:08 - 09:11

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

Unknown

09:12 - 09:13

Madam president

Unknown

09:13 - 09:13

Majority leader.

Unknown

09:13 - 09:16

Motion to waive the reading of item four through 18.

Unknown

09:17 - 09:18

Second, madam president.

Unknown

09:18 - 09:19

We have a motion and

Unknown

09:19 - 09:21

a second. Any discussion? Majority Whip Sanchez.

Miguel Sanchez

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.

Unknown

09:59 - 10:20

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

Rachel Miller

10:27 - 10:48

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?

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