Providence City Council Meeting | March 6th, 2025

March 06, 2025

Call to Order and Roll Call

04:40 - 05:29

Council President Miller called the March 6, 2025 city council meeting to order and requested the roll call. The clerk established a quorum with 13 members present and two absent.

Invocation

05:29 - 06:44

Councilman John Gonsalves led the council in the opening invocation. He offered a prayer asking for wisdom, compassion, and strength in serving the community and supporting the vulnerable.

Pledge of Allegiance

06:44 - 07:08

Councilman Althea Graves led the council and attendees in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The clerk also noted the arrival of Councilman Taylor.

Item 3

07:08 - 07:27

The council considered a motion to waive the reading and approve agenda Item 3. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote without discussion.

Items 4 and 5: International Women's Day and Highlander Charter School Support

07:27 - 11:18

Council members discussed celebrating International Women's Day and a resolution supporting teacher unionization at Highlander Charter Elementary School. Both items were approved together on a voice vote following remarks.

Items 6 and 7: Committee Referrals

11:18 - 11:40

The council moved to waive the reading of Items 6 and 7. The motion passed, and both items were referred to the Special Committee on State Legislative Affairs.

Item 8: Finance Committee Referral

11:40 - 12:01

A motion was made to waive the reading of Item 8 and refer it to committee. The motion was approved by voice vote, sending the item to the Committee on Finance.

Items 9 through 21: Committee Referrals

12:01 - 12:24

The council entertained a motion to waive the reading of Items 9 through 21. Following a voice vote, all items were referred to the Special Committee on State Legislative Affairs.

Items 22 through 24: Resolutions on Electric Rates, NIH Funding, and Bilingual Education

12:24 - 19:54

Council members debated resolutions addressing electric delivery fees, opposing federal NIH funding cuts, and supporting state bilingual teacher certification programs. After extensive council remarks, the items were approved on a voice vote.

Items 25 through 28: First Passage Ordinances

19:54 - 20:59

The majority leader moved to waive the reading of Items 25 through 28 and approve them for the first time via roll call. The roll call vote passed unanimously with 14 council members voting in favor.

Item 29: Board of Contract and Supply Referral

20:59 - 21:24

The council approved a motion to waive the reading of Item 29 on a voice vote. The matter was subsequently referred back to the Board of Contract and Supply.

Items 30 and 31: Reception and Approval

21:24 - 21:44

A motion was presented to waive the reading of Items 30 and 31 and receive and approve both items. The council approved the motion via voice vote without opposition.

Item 32: Comprehensive Plan Realignment and Rezoning Ordinance

21:44 - 23:17

The council reviewed an ordinance for the comprehensive plan realignment and rezoning following a public hearing. The item passed for the first time on a 14-to-0 roll call vote.

Item 33: Street Abandonment Ordinance as Amended

23:17 - 23:59

The majority leader proposed two clarifying amendments to lines 4 and 9 of Item 33. The motion to adopt the amendments and pass the measure was approved on a voice vote.

Items 34 through 40: Committee Referrals and Communications

23:59 - 24:26

The council moved to waive the reading of Items 34 through 40 and assign them to respective committees. The motion passed, referring Item 34 to Public Works, Item 35 to Claims and Pending Suits, and receiving Items 36 through 40.

Item 41

24:26 - 24:43

A motion was made to waive the reading of agenda Item 41 and pass it on a voice vote. The council voted in favor with no objections.

Item 42: Resolution Passed on Rising Vote

24:43 - 25:04

The majority leader moved to waive the reading of Item 42 and pass the item by a unanimous rising vote. The council stood in favor and the motion passed unanimously.

Adjournment

25:04 - 25:23

With no further business remaining on the calendar, a motion to adjourn was made and seconded. The council voted in favor, and the meeting adjourned.

Unknown

04:40 - 04:48

Good evening, everyone. Welcome to this 03/06/2025 city council meeting. Madam clerk, please call the roll.

Unknown

04:48 - 04:54

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

Unknown

04:54 - 05:00

Present. Majority leader Espinal? Present. Senior deputy majority leader Gonzales?

Unknown

05:00 - 05:01

Present.

Unknown

05:01 - 05:11

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

Unknown

05:11 - 05:21

Present. Councilor Royas is absent. Councilwoman Ryan? Majority Whip Sanchez? Present.

Unknown

05:22 - 05:29

Councilman Taylor is absent. Councilwoman Anna Vargas? Present. Councilman Oscar Vargas? Present.

Unknown

05:29 - 05:38

You have 13 present and two absent. You have a quorum. Thank you, madam clerk. This evening, the invocation will be given by councilman John Gonsalves. Will everyone please rise?

Unknown

05:42 - 06:28

Thank you, madam president. Heavenly father, we come before you with humble hearts, seeking your wisdom and your guidance as we carry out the responsibilities entrusted to us. Grant us the strength to lead with compassion and empathy and justice. We lift up all those in our city who are struggling, the unhoused, the hungry, the vulnerable, and those facing hardship. May we never turn away from their needs, but instead work tirelessly as a body to build a community where all are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive.

Unknown

06:29 - 06:42

Bless our efforts, unite our hearts, and let our decisions reflect the love and mercy you call us to show one another. In your holy name, we pray. Amen.

Unknown

06:44 - 06:52

Thank you, counselor. Madam clerk, please note that councilman Taylor is here. And the pledge of allegiance will be led tonight by councilman Althea Graves.

Unknown

06:54 - 06:56

I pledge allegiance to the flag

Unknown

06:56 - 06:56

of The

Unknown

06:56 - 07:00

United States Of America and to the republic

Unknown

07:00 - 07:00

for which it

Unknown

07:00 - 07:07

stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Unknown

07:08 - 07:12

Thank you. Item three.

Unknown

07:13 - 07:14

Madam president.

Unknown

07:14 - 07:15

Majority leader.

Unknown

07:15 - 07:18

Motion to waive the Reno item three and move approval.

Unknown

07:18 - 07:24

Second, madam president. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on item three? All in favor? Aye.

Unknown

07:24 - 07:26

Any opposed? Any abstentions? The motion passes.

Unknown

07:27 - 07:32

Item four Madam president. Majority. To waive the renewal item four and five and pass on a voice vote.

Unknown

07:32 - 07:33

Second, madam president.

Unknown

07:33 - 07:38

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on items four or five? Madam president, miss.

Unknown

07:41 - 08:04

Well, here it is, March again. International Women Month. Wow. Let's give ourselves a hand, women. We have here at the city council celebrated International Women's Day for a decade.

Unknown

08:04 - 08:46

I can say it's been a decade. Each year, councilwomen take a role in bringing in some of the most wonderful, beautiful women from around the city of Providence. And sometimes it's in into Woonsocket to represent what we call a Nyjah Shero Within award. Now, Nyjah was only twelve years old, but she had such potential to be one of the most beautiful, educated, connected to think all kind of things that she was so interested in. I got a chance to meet Anaysha.

Unknown

08:46 - 09:20

I was here when she was named a shero within within. And then after she passed, we thought it was appropriate to continue her work. So each year, we decide on beautiful women around the city. So what we're doing this year, instead of March 8 celebrating International Women's Day, we'll be celebrating it on March 7 and at 05:30 right here in the chambers. Let me not leave out our mails that shows up.

Unknown

09:20 - 09:30

It's you know? And they support us to the utmost. So every year, we have our councilmen join us. Most of y'all have been to many of them. So we invite you to be there as well.

Unknown

09:31 - 09:42

And many of you that's in the audience, please come by on Friday. You'll have a great experience. Meet so many great people. Thank you, madam president, for allowing me to speak. And may I say one more thing?

Unknown

09:42 - 09:52

This year, we it's gonna be led by our councilwoman, Sue Andrews. So we should have a good time. So come out. Thank you.

Unknown

09:52 - 09:57

Thank you very much, councilwoman. Any further discussion on councilwoman Sanchez?

Unknown

09:57 - 10:18

Thank you, madam president. I'll be there tomorrow, councilwoman. Today, I would like to, stand up in support of, item number five. Thank you, madam president, for introducing this, very important resolution. This resolution is in support of teachers unionizing at Highlander Charter Elementary School.

Unknown

10:18 - 10:32

They might be the first charter, if not one of the first charters for for the teacher workforce to unionize. That's extremely exciting here in Providence. Definitely, it looks like we we might have some teachers from here, so thank you. Yeah. No.

Unknown

10:32 - 10:58

Obviously, this council has been very consistent in supporting and uplifting worker protections, especially with with what's going on with our climate. It's more important than ever to do continue these efforts. And and, yeah, not not only are are there teachers that, you know, serve the the youth, but hopefully, here shortly, they'll have a stronger worker protections. Thank you, madam president.

Unknown

10:58 - 11:06

Thank you, counselor. Any further discussion on items four or five? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed?

Unknown

11:06 - 11:18

Any abstentions? Hearing none, the motions pass. Thank you and congratulations to the charter school highland Highlander folks. Please keep in touch with us as your efforts continue. Item six.

Unknown

11:18 - 11:19

Madam president.

Unknown

11:19 - 11:19

Majority

Unknown

11:19 - 11:22

leader. Motion to waive the written of items six and seven.

Unknown

11:22 - 11:24

Second, madam president.

Unknown

11:24 - 11:32

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on items six and seven? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed?

Unknown

11:32 - 11:40

Any abstentions? The motion passes. Please refer six and seven to the special committee on state legislative affairs. So noted. Item eight.

Unknown

11:40 - 11:44

Madam president, motion to waive the reading of item eight.

Unknown

11:44 - 11:45

Second, madam president.

Unknown

11:45 - 11:53

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on item eight? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed?

Unknown

11:53 - 12:01

Any abstentions? Hearing none, the motion passes. Madam clerk, please refer item eight to the committee on finance. So noted. Item nine.

Unknown

12:01 - 12:02

Madam president.

Unknown

12:02 - 12:03

Majority leader.

Unknown

12:03 - 12:05

I you to weigh the written of item nine through 21.