To the point of about seven feet of water in a David Lopes basement.
It went it submerged the panels, electrical panels.
No from last session. No minutes?
Good afternoon, everyone. I'd like to call the Special Commission on Veterans Affairs for to 02/11/2025. It's approximately about four 04:30. Madam Clerk, please call the roll call.
Deputy director Anthony Alves? Present.
Officer Joseph Ioannucci? Present. Hassim Yann?
And vacant slots. We got four present and none absent. We have a quorum.
We do have a quorum. Welcome, everyone. Everyone had the opportunity to visit the agenda for today as we have at least five items to discuss, and some of it already we've we've this will be, like, part two of the discussion as we discussed it in January. Another couple of members were not here. So with that said, the first item on the agenda is to elect the vice chair.
And this time, I'd like to entertain a motion to select a motion to a nomination for vice chair Joseph Aiannucci.
There's a motion and a second. Any any discussion? Are there any other nominations? Any other nominations? Any other nominations?
And you're voting for yourself?
Go. So the motion is added. Now and congratulations Thank you. Being the vice chair. It's great to have you as a vice chair, and look forward to continue working with all of you.
The second item on the agenda is the update and discussion relative to the veteran benefits in the city of Providence, in particular when it comes down to the house bill that now has a a number, and it was introduced. It was we have Aaron to speak about it. And, if you if you may.
Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. Thank you, chairman. Thank you, members of the commission.
So as we discussed previously, we had worked with the administration on, you know, a draft bill that would allow for the city to move the resolution or ordinance on setting their own, you know, exemption level. So we did get the bill in, and I'm happy to report that even from the last meeting where I was not here, Trisha was here, and you guys spoke on an amendment that she wanted to make to that draft, and we did get that in there. And and I think the legislation was shared as an exhibit. I believe you all may have a copy of it, but I'll just read this. So, yeah, the amendment that was introduced is the same as what was reviewed in this last meeting, but it has that addition
Is this the one you're talking about?
Yes. Yes. Yes. That is the yep. That's the bill as it appears currently.
So we're entering in as an exhibit?
You need to make a motion to enter this as an exhibit?
I'll take I'll entertain a motion to enter Oh, I already know.
handout, which is reference to the state house state of Rhode Island in the general assembly, bill number h five three zero seven. Yes. There's a motion by commissioner Ailes. Is there a second? There is a second.
Motion. All those in favor?
The motion carries. Exhibit is be before you. Unless we can.
Yeah. Absolutely. Thank you. But as I understand it, director Yar, there was a comment that she made on the language to be added, and I want to let you know that we did get it in. And the language that was added was persons receiving federal disability retirement, and that was added to section a subsection four in that list.
So we got it in to all of your specifications. I So think the next steps will be we are in like, what we do on the council staff, we do track the legislation as it moves. We are working with the mayor's office on this. So when it is scheduled for a hearing, we'll be in touch with the committee to let you all know. We can draft, like, you know, testimony that you all can agree to, and we can facilitate you all going up to the state health.
But as I understand it now, the mayor does plan to testify on this, and anybody would like to join the mayor, we'd like to set that up to, you know, give it a lot of energy. And then secondly, as we all know, the the senate is sometimes a little slower than the house in getting some things in, but they do have the legislation. And I'm told by the mayor's office that they have partnered with senator Chacon, and that will be introduced, and he will be the sponsor. And I understand that he's very supportive of it. So, yeah, at this point, we're gonna track the bills, we're gonna make sure nothing sneaks up on you all, and, you all have the opportunity to advocate.
And I feel, very confident that this will pass. And I will also say that, you know, obviously, the general assembly session ends, you know, usually around the end of, like, June. They certainly love to finish before the July 4. And what I can say is that given that, you know, this is moving and it's likely to pass, I'll work with the law department, and we can actually have the ordinance ready so that as soon as it does pass, we can get that ball rolling there as well.
So that's where we are now, and happy to keep you all abreast as
Thank you for that update, Emma.
course. Any questions, comments regarding a presentation? I do also want to add to that is that we're going to create a resolution Yes. To support. I know you mentioned it.
Yes. Yep. Yep. Exactly. I apologize.
Yeah. For all of the for the most part, when it comes to legislation that the mayor's office supports and the council does as well, it makes it a lot easier for us to have a resolution that we send up there to show that the council supports it as well. So on this upcoming council agenda, we will have a resolution to, you know, show the council's support of the bill, and I can share that resolution with you all as well.
And that and that would be in addition to the conversation having with the mayor once it gets passed. But prior to that, we'll be speaking with the mayor in reference to veterans issues. I know that the director has has mentioned it, but also it is also the mayor's priority and and to try to see how we can continue to support the veterans affairs and veterans in the city of Providence. So we'll continue to have that conversation. Alright?
And what was the dollar amount associated with this change?
Well, the thing is it it just it just says blanket, and it allows us to decide what that dollar amount would be. So what I'll do is when we do have the draft ordinance, we'll have it so that we just plug in the number of that, like, you know, the councilman and the administration agree with. Because you it it comes down to what they could ultimately afford or what they feel as if, you know, we would be losing the revenue, but I'm sure it can come up with a number that'll make everybody happy.
Right. This is just, to enable us to come up with that number. Mhmm. Before we we agree, obviously, we're gonna have a conversation with the mayor, and, also, he's going to be putting his his budget forward. Right now, he's tentative for April 15.
