Providence City Council Meeting | March 20, 2025

March 20, 2025

Official record

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

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Attendance

14 present · 1 absent

Present

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

Absent

Councilman Goncalves

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 (22)

Journal of Proceedings No. 6 of the Regular Meeting of the City Council held March 6, 2025

APPROVED (WITH VOTE) [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

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

Appointment of Rachael Dotson to the City Plan Commission

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Finance

Appointment of Toni Akin to the Providence Housing Authority Board of Directors

RECEIVED

Ordinances amending Chapter 12, Chapter 17, and relating to Section 17-189(f) of the Code of Ordinances

READ/PASSED SECOND TIME [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 13, “Housing” of the Providence Code of Ordinances to add Article X

REFERRED

Referred to Special Committee on Health, Opportunity, Prosperity and Education

Ordinances amending Chapter 2 and Chapter 21 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Providence

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Ordinances

Resolutions Authorizing Approval of Change Order #1 and Contract Awards by the Board of Contract and Supply

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Finance

Resolutions Authorizing Approval of Contract Awards by the Board of Contract and Supply

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

Resolution Endorsing and Urging Passage by the General Assembly of House Bill 2025 H-5741

REFERRED

Referred to Special Committee on State Legislative Affairs

Resolutions supporting unionization, endorsing the PVD Tree Plan, and urging passage of House Bills

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

Resolutions Commending Housing Supply Legislation and Supporting Transit Legislation in the General Assembly

REFERRED

Referred to Special Committee on State Legislative Affairs

Resolution Requesting the Administration explore a Circuit Breaker Property Tax Exemption

REFERRED

Referred to Special Committee on Health, Opportunity, Prosperity and Education

Resolutions recognizing MS Awareness Month, honoring Lisa Guillette, celebrating School Social Worker Week, condemning the "Network State", and supporting due process, free speech, and fair treatment of immigrants and student activists

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

Resolution Honoring the Legacy of Community Leaders through the naming of Baseball Fields at Mount Pleasant Little League

LAID ON TABLE [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

Resolution Requesting the Traffic Engineer to cause Ponagansett Avenue to be established as a "One-Way" Street

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

Resolution Supporting General Assembly legislation allowing the City of Providence a One-Year Levy Cap Exemption for Fiscal Year 2026

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

Resolutions endorsing House Bill 2025 H-5512 and Senate Bill 2025 S-0191, and requesting to keep Hasbro, Inc. Headquarters in Rhode Island

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 23, "Streets, Sidewalks, and Public Places", Article I, "In General" of the Providence Code of Ordinances to add Section 23-38 "Camping On Public Property"

READ/PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME [10 TO 2]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (10)

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

Nay (2)

Councilwoman Graves , Councilman Taylor

Abstain (2)

Councilwoman Ryan , Councilman Vargas

Petitions for Compensation for Injuries and Damages

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Claims and Pending Suits

Communications submitting the Providence Annual Actuarial Report as of July 1, 2024 and the Annual Tax Stabilization Report FY2024

RECEIVED

Resolution Extending Congratulations

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

Resolution Extending Sympathy

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

Unknown

03:32 - 03:47

We're ready? Okay. Good evening, and welcome to the Thursday, 03/20/2025 council meeting. Happy vernal equinox to all. Madam clerk, please call the roll.

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03:48 - 03:55

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

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03:55 - 04:04

Majority leader Espinal? Present. Senior deputy majority leader Gonsalves is absent. Councilwoman Graves? Yeah.

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04:04 - 04:06

Deputy majority leader Harris?

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04:06 - 04:07

Present.

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04:07 - 04:15

Councilwoman Peterson? Council president Pro Tempur Pichardo? Present. Councilor Royas? Present.

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04:15 - 04:21

Councilwoman Ryan? Present. Majority Whip Sanchez? Present. Councilman Taylor?

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04:21 - 04:22

Present.

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04:22 - 04:30

Councilwoman Anna Vargas? Present. Councilman Oscar Vargas? Present. We have 14 present and one absent.

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04:30 - 04:31

We have a quorum.

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04:31 - 04:38

Thank you, madam clerk. This evening, the invocation will be given by councilwoman Althea Graves. Will everyone please rise for invocation?

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04:48 - 05:29

Acting that you guide us, that you show us the way, that you help us to understand what is needed in our city, and how to achieve what is better for each and every person, not just one subsection, but for the city as a whole. We are asking that you look down on us, know our hearts, know our minds, know that we really are here to do the best that we can. And if there's a way that we're not going, please show it to us. Please lead us. Please guide us.

Unknown

05:31 - 06:13

Times are gonna be hard. We have a new president that sees things differently than the majority of us. We have to pray for him, but we have to also stand up and do that what's right to the best of our abilities. Things may be taken away but we need to find another way to make sure that our children are safe, that our families have a place to live, and that our elders are taken care of. We need to make sure that our schools are strong.

Unknown

06:14 - 06:36

We need to make sure that the people that are here in this safe city are not harassed or taken unjustly. We need to stand strong. We need to be here for each other. Teach us. Show us.

Unknown

06:37 - 07:07

Guide us. And always, I know that you see that we have nothing but the best in our hearts for this city. All I can say is teach me, teach me, show me, show me. I will follow you wherever you lead me in all things. I give honor to you.

Unknown

07:08 - 07:11

Please show us. Amen.

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07:13 - 07:20

Thank you, councilwoman. Tonight, the pledge of allegiance will be led by, deputy majority leader Mary Kay Harris.

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07:20 - 07:22

I pledge allegiance to the flag

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07:22 - 07:23

of The

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07:23 - 07:32

United States Of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god in the business world. Thank

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07:36 - 07:46

you. Thank you. We're we're all gonna go downstairs if we keep hearing the beautiful music. Thanks very much for getting the door. Item four.

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07:48 - 07:49

Three. Item three. Thank you very much.

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07:49 - 07:50

Madam president.

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07:50 - 07:51

Majority leader.

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07:51 - 07:53

Motion to waive the renewal item three and move approval.

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07:53 - 07:55

Second, madam president. We have

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07:55 - 08:00

a motion and a second. Any discussion on item three? All in favor? Aye. Opposed?

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08:00 - 08:03

Abstentions? Hearing none, the motion passes. Item four.

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08:04 - 08:08

Madam president Majority leader. To waive the reading of item four through six.

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08:08 - 08:10

Second, madam president. We have

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08:10 - 08:16

a motion and a second. Any discussion on items four through six? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed?

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08:16 - 08:23

Any abstentions? The, motion passes. Please refer item four to the committee on finance five and six. Note as received. So noted.

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08:23 - 08:24

Item seven.

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08:24 - 08:25

Madam president.

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08:25 - 08:26

Majority leader.

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08:26 - 08:31

Motion to waive the read of that is seven through 11 and passed for the second time on a roll call vote.

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08:31 - 08:33

Second, madam president. We have a motion and

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08:33 - 08:38

a second. Any discussion on items seven through 11? Hearing none, madam clerk,

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08:38 - 08:44

please call the roll. Council president Miller? Aye. Deputy majority Whip Anderbois? Aye.

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08:44 - 08:48

Councilwoman Anthony? Aye. Majority leader Espinal?

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08:48 - 08:49

Aye.

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08:49 - 08:59

Senior deputy majority leader Gonsalves is absent. Councilwoman Graves? Deputy majority leader Harris? Aye. Councilwoman Peterson?

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08:59 - 09:05

Aye. Council president Pro Tempur Pichardo? Aye. Councilor Royas? Aye.

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09:05 - 09:10

Councilwoman Ryan? Aye. Majority Whip Sanchez? Aye. Councilman Taylor?

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09:10 - 09:18

Aye. Councilwoman Anna Vargas? Councilman Oscar Vargas? Aye. You have 14 ayes, one absent.

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09:18 - 09:24

The motion carries. The matters are passed for the second time on a roll call vote. Thank you. Item 12.

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09:24 - 09:25

Madam president.

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09:25 - 09:25

Majority leader.

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09:25 - 09:28

Motion to waive the reading of item 12 through 14.

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09:28 - 09:34

Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on items 12 through 14? All in favor.