Providence City Council Meeting | January 9th, 2025 | Committee on Finance

January 09, 2025

Official record

From the minutes filed with the RI Secretary of State on February 07, 2025.

Download PDF

Attendance

12 present · 1 absent

Present

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

Absent

Councilwoman Anthony

Also present: Tina L. Mastroianni (City Clerk), Sheri A. Petronio (First Deputy City Clerk), Lauren Gutierrez (Assistant Clerk), Napoleon Askie (City Sergeant), Kenneth Chiavarini (Deputy City Solicitor)

Recorded votes (19)

Journal of Proceedings No. 24 of the Special Meeting on December 2, 2024 and No. 25 of the Regular Meeting on December 5, 2024

APPROVED (WITH VOTE) [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

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

Communication from the Mayor re-appointing Dr. Alma Guerrero Bready, MD as a member of the Providence Water Supply Board

RECEIVED

Communication from the Mayor re-appointing Bruce Bartel as a civil engineer member of the Building Board of Review

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Finance

An Ordinance in Amendment of Chapter 27 of the Ordinances of the City of Providence Entitled "The City of Providence Zoning Ordinance"

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Ordinances

An Ordinance Approving Improvements to the Providence Water Supply Board Distribution System and Approving the Financing thereof

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Finance

Resolution in Memory of Ruth "Diamond" Madsen

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

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

Resolution Supporting Amazon Workers In Their Unionization Efforts

PASSED

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (12)

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

Abstain (1)

Councilwoman Ryan

Resolution Demanding Governor McKee Declare Homelessness a State of Emergency for Public Health

PASSED

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (12)

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

Abstain (1)

Councilwoman Ryan

Recused (1)

Councilwoman Peterson

Resolution Authorizing Approval of the Agreement relative to the Tax Agreement for the Town of Foster

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Finance

Resolution Congratulating Atlantic Mills Commercial Tenants Union

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

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

An Ordinance in Amendment of Chapter 21, "Revenue and Finance", Article II, "Division of Purchase Orders" Section 21-27

READ/PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

An Ordinance Establishing a Tax Stabilization Agreement for 381 Wickenden Street

READ/PASSED (AS AMENDED) 1X [12 TO 1]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (12)

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

Nay (1)

Councilor Sanchez

Ordinance Establishing a Tax Stabilization Agreement for 241 Pocasset Avenue

READ/PASSED (AS AMENDED) 1X [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

Ordinance Establishing a Tax Stabilization Agreement for 161 Gano Street

READ/PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

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

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

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

Petitions for Compensation for Injuries and Damages

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Claims and Pending Suits

Communications from Neal Kaplan, Elizabeth Ochs, Fidelino Vargas, and Kevin Foley

RECEIVED

Resolution Extending Congratulations

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

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

Resolution Extending Sympathy

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

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

Rachel Miller

02:49 - 02:55

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to this very first council meeting of 2025. Madam, clerk, please call the roll.

Tina L. Mastroianni

02:56 - 02:57

Council president Miller?

Rachel Miller

02:57 - 02:58

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

02:58 - 03:00

Deputy majority whip, Anderbois?

Sue AnderBois

03:00 - 03:01

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

03:01 - 03:05

Councilwoman Anthony is absent.

Majority leader, Espinal?

Pedro Espinal

03:06 - 03:06

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

03:06 - 03:09

Senior deputy majority leader, Gonsalves?

Unknown

03:09 - 03:10

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

03:10 - 03:14

Councilwoman Graves is absent. Deputy majority leader, Harris?

Mary Kay Harris

03:14 - 03:15

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

03:15 - 03:17

Councilwoman Peterson?

Shelley Peterson

03:17 - 03:18

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

03:18 - 03:24

Council president Pro Tempur Pichardo is absent. Councilor Royas?

Justin Roias

03:24 - 03:25

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

03:25 - 03:27

Councilwoman Ryan?

Jo-Ann Ryan

03:27 - 03:27

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

03:28 - 03:29

Majority Whip Sanchez?

Miguel Sanchez

03:29 - 03:30

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

03:30 - 03:32

Councilman Taylor?

James Taylor

03:32 - 03:33

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

03:33 - 03:34

Councilwoman Anna Vargas?

Ana Vargas

03:34 - 03:35

Yes.

Tina L. Mastroianni

03:35 - 03:37

Councilman Oscar Vargas?

Oscar Vargas

03:38 - 03:38

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

03:38 - 03:41

You have 12 present and three absent. You have a quorum.

Rachel Miller

03:42 - 04:49

Thank you, madam clerk. Will everyone please rise, including our guests, for tonight's invocation? At this first meeting of the New Year, let's give thanks for all we hold dear, our health, our family, our friends, the city that we love. Let's use this year to release grudges, anger, complaints, and pain because they are nothing but binding chains. Let's use this new year to renew our commitment to service to one another, to our constituents, and to hold clear in our mind our commitment to people who anyone who's struggling in this great city of ours, whether that be because they do not have a house, whether they're cold tonight, people who have concerns about their future, and we know the long list of what those might be.

Let's renew our commitment to everyone in our city, including anyone who's in struggle, and thank you all. Please stay standing for the pledge of allegiance led by councilor Sue Anderwa.

Unknown

04:51 - 05:03

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

Rachel Miller

05:07 - 05:14

Madam clerk, item three, please. Madam president. Majority leader Espinal.

Unknown

05:14 - 05:16

I want you to waive the reading of item three and move approval.

Unknown

05:16 - 05:18

Second, madam president.

Rachel Miller

05:18 - 05:21

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor?

Unknown

05:21 - 05:22

Aye.

Rachel Miller

05:22 - 05:29

Any opposed?

Any abstentions? The motion passes. Please note that councilman Graves has joined us. So noted. Item four.

Pedro Espinal

05:30 - 05:31

Madam president.

Rachel Miller

05:31 - 05:32

Majority leader Espinal.

Pedro Espinal

05:32 - 05:35

Motion to waive the review of item four and five and receive.

Unknown

05:35 - 05:36

Second, madam president.

Rachel Miller

05:36 - 05:42

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Any opposed? Any abstentions?

Unknown

05:42 - 05:44

The motion passes. Item six.

Pedro Espinal

05:44 - 05:45

Madam president.

Rachel Miller

05:45 - 05:45

Majority leader.

Pedro Espinal

05:45 - 05:48

Motion to waive the reading of items six through 11.

Unknown

05:49 - 05:51

Second. You have a motion and

Rachel Miller

05:51 - 05:57

a second. Any discussion on items six through 11? Hearing none. All in favor? Aye.