Providence City Council Meeting | December 5th, 2024

Council President Miller called the final meeting of 2024 to order. The clerk conducted the roll call and established a quorum with ten members present.

Councilman Oscar Vargas delivered the evening invocation. He offered blessings for city workers and the newly elected school board members.

Madam Clerk Tina Mastroianni led the chamber in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Members and guests stood to participate.

The Majority Leader welcomed the newly elected school board members representing regions one through five. Council members congratulated them on their victories and thanked them for their service.

The Majority Leader moved to waive the reading and approve Item 3. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

Councilor Sanchez discussed the appointments and reappointments completing the full Juvenile Hearing Board. The council voted in favor and marked the item as received.

The Majority Leader moved to waive the readings and pass Items 5 through 11 for the second time. The motion carried on a roll call vote with ten affirmative votes.

Councilor Sanchez spoke in support of resolutions backing the Rhode Island Worker Cooperative Alliance and unionizing Brown resident doctors. Both items were approved by a voice vote.

The council considered Items 14 and 15 following one member's recusal on Item 14. Item 14 was referred to Environment and Resiliency, and Item 15 was referred to Public Works.

A motion was made to waive the reading of Item 16 and pass it on a voice vote. The council voted in favor without discussion.

The council voted to waive the readings for Items 17 through 22. The matters were passed on a voice vote and referred back to the Board of Contract and Supply.

A motion was made to waive the readings of Items 23 and 24 and pass them via roll call vote. The clerk called the roll, and both items passed with ten affirmative votes.

The council approved a motion waiving the readings for Items 25 through 28. Items were referred to Claims and Pending Suits and Public Works, while the remaining items were noted as received.

The council considered Item 29 and moved to waive the reading. The item was adopted on a voice vote with no opposition.

The Majority Leader moved to waive the reading of Item 30 and adopt it by a unanimous rising vote. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

The council considered a motion to suspend Rule 2(a) to set all regular 2025 city council meetings at 6:00 PM. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

A motion was introduced to reschedule the first meeting of 2025 from January 2 to January 9. The council voted in favor and approved the schedule change.

The council moved to reschedule the June 19, 2025 meeting to June 26 in observance of the Juneteenth state holiday. The motion passed unanimously without opposition.

Council members discussed moving the first September meeting following summer recess to September 18, 2025. After copies of the schedule were distributed and reviewed, the council approved the motion.

The Majority Leader moved to suspend Rule 16(b) to take up a matter not printed on the original docket. The council approved the rule suspension on a voice vote.

Councilor AnderBois introduced a resolution supporting the work of Senator Zurier's special senate commission. The council passed the resolution and referred it to the HOPE Committee.

The council moved to adjourn the meeting in memory of Alexandra Sanchez and Yvonne Cassiano. Council President Miller closed the meeting and wished everyone a joyous holiday season.