Providence City Council Meeting | May 1st, 2025

May 01, 2025

Call to Order and Roll Call

02:42 - 03:36

The council president called the meeting to order on May 1, 2025. The city clerk conducted the roll call and established that a quorum was present with 13 members in attendance.

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

03:36 - 05:01

Pro Tempore Juan Pichardo delivered the opening invocation for the council and attendees. Councilor Justin Roias then led the council in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Item 3

05:01 - 05:21

The council considered Item 3 on the agenda. A motion to waive the reading and approve the item passed unanimously on a voice vote.

Items 4 through 9: Committee Referrals

05:21 - 05:52

The council voted to waive the reading of Items 4 through 9 and approve their referrals. Items 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9 were referred to the Committee on Finance, while Item 8 was referred to the Committee on Ordinances.

Items 10 through 12: Recognition of Classical High School Girls Swimming Team

05:52 - 18:22

The council read a resolution celebrating the Classical High School girls swimming team for winning the Division One State Championship and the Paul L. Rossi Memorial Sportsmanship Award. Following remarks from coaches, the athletic director, and council members, the resolution and companion items were approved.

Items 13 and 14: Referrals to Committee on HOPE

18:22 - 19:02

A motion was made and approved to waive the reading of Items 13 and 14. The council president directed both items to be referred to the Committee on HOPE.

Item 15: Resolution Honoring Pope Francis

19:02 - 23:56

The council clerk read a resolution honoring the life, legacy, and leadership of Pope Francis following his passing. Council members shared personal reflections on his moral clarity and compassion before approving the resolution.

Item 16: Resolution Regarding House Bill 5688 and Senate Bill 0963

23:56 - 57:57

The council debated a resolution expressing opposition to sections of proposed state legislation regarding eight-law tax breaks and commercial property conversions. After extensive discussion regarding process, local authority, and developer incentives, the resolution was adopted.

Item 17: Memorial Resolution for Dorothy Jean 'Dottie' McCaffrey

57:57 - 01:03:08

The council clerk read a memorial resolution honoring the life, public service, and neighborhood contributions of Dorothy Jean 'Dottie' McCaffrey. Council members paid tribute to her dedication to the Mount Pleasant community, and the resolution was unanimously approved.

Item 18: Referral to Committee on City Property

01:03:08 - 01:03:35

A motion was passed to waive the reading of Item 18. The council president instructed the clerk to refer the matter to the Committee on City Property.

Item 19: Memorial Resolution for Senate President Dominic J. Ruggerio

01:03:35 - 01:10:05

The council heard and approved a resolution honoring the life and enduring state service of Rhode Island Senate President Dominic J. Ruggerio. Council members reflected on his mentorship, union advocacy, and commitment to working families across Providence and Rhode Island.

Item 20: Referral to Board of Contract and Supply

01:10:05 - 01:10:26

The council approved a motion to waive the reading of Item 20 on a voice vote. The matter was formally referred back to the Board of Contract and Supply.

Item 21: Receive and Approve

01:10:26 - 01:10:46

A motion was made to waive the reading of Item 21 and receive and approve the matter. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

Item 22: Passage on Roll Call Vote

01:10:46 - 01:11:41

The council moved to waive the reading of Item 22 and consider it by roll call vote. The clerk called the roll, and the item passed with 13 affirmative votes.

Item 23: Ordinance Banning Algorithmic Rent-Setting Software

01:11:41 - 01:19:41

The council debated an ordinance to prohibit landlords from using algorithmic software tools, such as RealPage, to artificially inflate rental prices. Following council debate on housing affordability and price-fixing concerns, the ordinance passed for the first time on a 13-0 roll call vote.

Items 24 through 26: Committee Referrals

01:19:41 - 01:20:05

The council voted to waive the reading of Items 24 through 26. Items 24 and 25 were referred to the Committee on Ordinances, and Item 26 was referred to the Committee on Claims and Pending Suits.

Personal Expressions: Budget Town Hall Announcements

01:20:05 - 01:22:28

Council members announced upcoming public events regarding the mayor's proposed municipal budget, including a Spanish-language town hall and the first official council public hearing. Remarks were shared in both English and Spanish to encourage community participation.

Item 27

01:22:28 - 01:22:43

A motion was made to waive the reading of Item 27 and approve the item on a voice vote. The motion was seconded and passed with all members in favor.

Item 28

01:22:43 - 01:23:03

The council considered Item 28 with a motion to waive the reading and pass it on a unanimous rising vote. The motion was seconded and approved without opposition.

Adjournment

01:23:03 - 01:23:29

The majority leader moved to adjourn the meeting in memory of Nicanor Espinal and Stephen Williams. The motion passed unanimously, and the council concluded the session.

Unknown

02:42 - 02:56

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to this council meeting on, this beautiful May Day of twenty twenty five. Madam clerk, please call the roll. Council president Miller? Present. Deputy majority Whip Vanderbaugh?

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02:56 - 03:00

Councilwoman Anthony? Majority leader Espinal?

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03:00 - 03:01

Present.

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03:01 - 03:10

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

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03:10 - 03:19

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

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03:19 - 03:19

Present.

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03:20 - 03:28

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

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03:28 - 03:32

Councilwoman Anna Vargas? Present. Councilman Oscar Vargas?

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03:32 - 03:32

Present.

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03:32 - 03:36

You have 13 present and two absent. You have a quorum.

Unknown

03:36 - 03:43

Thank you, madam clerk. This evening, the invocation will be given by pro tem Juan Picciardo. Will everyone please rise, including our guests?

Unknown

03:45 - 04:37

Thank you. Dear Lord, as we rise to honor you on this special day, please touch our heart, our mind, and soul to keep our thoughts and the people in your prayers. Touch our hearts so that we can legislate compassionately. Touch our mind to keep our words to mean something to the people that we represent, but also that as we disagree, that we are respectful, and that we honor you each and every day. Let us be your voice and your action to do good in the city of Providence.

Unknown

04:37 - 04:38

Thank you.

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04:38 - 04:44

Thank you, pro tem, and please remain standing for the pledge of allegiance, which will be led by councilor Justin Royce.

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04:44 - 04:46

A pledge of allegiance to To the flag

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04:46 - 04:56

of The United States Of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

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05:01 - 05:03

Madam clerk, item three, please.

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05:06 - 05:08

Madam president. Majority leader.

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05:08 - 05:09

Motion to waive the reading of

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05:09 - 05:11

item three and move approval.

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05:11 - 05:13

Second, madam president. We have a motion and

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05:13 - 05:18

a second. Any discussion on item three? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed?

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05:18 - 05:21

Any abstentions? The motion passes. Item four.

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05:21 - 05:22

Madam president.

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05:22 - 05:23

Majority Leader.

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05:23 - 05:25

Motion to weigh the reading of item four through nine.

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05:26 - 05:27

Second, madam president.

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05:27 - 05:35

We have a motion on items four through nine. Any discussion on those items? Hearing none. All in favor? Aye.

Unknown

05:35 - 05:51

Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? The motion passes. Madam clerk, please refer item four to the committee on finance, items five through seven to the committee on finance, and eight to the committee on ordinances, and item nine to the committee on finance.

Unknown

05:51 - 05:52

So noted.

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05:52 - 05:53

Item 10.

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05:53 - 05:55

Madam president. Majority leader.

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05:55 - 05:57

Motion to waive the reading of item 10 through 12.

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05:57 - 06:00

Second, madam president. We have

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06:00 - 06:08

a motion to waive the reading of item 10 through 12 and pass on a voice vote. Are there any discussion on those three items?

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06:08 - 06:11

Councilwoman Peterson. I'm so sorry.

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06:11 - 06:14

Did you say 12? I did. Yes. 10 through 12.

Unknown

06:15 - 06:19

Madam clerk, could I ask you to please read the resolution for number 12?

Unknown

06:22 - 07:27

Whereas under the leadership of head coach Joe Murray, assistant coach Peter Bullock, and athletic trainer Matt Delia, the classical high school girls swimming team won the Rhode Island Interscholastic Division one State Championship as a capstone to a regular season of seven to one. And whereas the classical high school girls swimming team showed great poise, character, and teamwork throughout the season, leading the team to being awarded the 2025 Paul L. Rossi Memorial Sportsmanship Award. And whereas the success of the classical high school girls swimming team helps to foster a sense of pride in our Providence community and is a shining example of what can be achieved through hard work and collaboration. Now therefore be it resolved that the City Council of the City of Providence does hereby recognize and celebrate the coaches and the classical high school girls swimming team on their many achievements this season.

Unknown

07:27 - 08:16

Be it further resolved that the City Council of the City of Providence wishes to individually congratulate the following student athletes for their hard work and dedication in representing the Classical Purple. Amaya Brooks, Sadie Enwright, Katie Howlett, Fiona Hughes, Stella Locks, Madeleine McGrane, Anna Nicholas Marquez, Alexandra O'Sullivan, Abigail Reimer, Azuri Tabares, Nico Weinert, Vivian Weinert. Be it finally resolved that copies of this resolution be sent to the classical high school girls swimming team, the head and assistant coaches, classical high school athletic director Robert Palazzo, and classical high school principal Scott Barr.

Unknown

08:16 - 08:51

Thank you very, very much. Yeah. We can give him a round of applause. I appreciate the moment to just give some kudos and some major recognition to this wonderful girls swim team. As with everything, I think bringing these young voices and especially these young female voices to come and take a look at what we do here at City Hall Chambers, but also be recognized for their wonderful achievements at such an early age, I find it's probably the best part of our jobs, right?

Unknown

08:52 - 09:38

So I am going to repeat these names, but ladies, if you could please do me the favor of standing up when I call your names. I wanna give you one more shout out and I could if I could ask all of the counselors to take a picture with us very quickly after we're done with all of this, I'd appreciate it. To the coaches for this swim team and at the athletic director, thank you so much for all of this hard work. I know that these girls are an example just of the commitment that you have in making sure that they excel and and do all these great things, but it's a true testament of the of the value of of the work that you do every day for for the city of Providence. So with that being said, Anna Nicolas Marquez.

Unknown

09:39 - 09:39

Is she here?

Unknown

09:39 - 09:53

No, it's okay. Alexandra O'Sullivan. Abigail Reimer. Azure Tabares. Vivian Weinert.

Unknown

09:56 - 10:10

Nico Weinert. Amaya Brooks. Sadie Enright. Kate Howlett. Fiona Hughes.

Unknown

10:12 - 10:39

Stella Loops. Madeline McGrane, head coach Joe Murray, assistant coach Peter Bullock, athletic trainer Madiella, principal Scott Barr, which I'm sure is not here, and of course athletic director, Bob Palazzo. Thank you very much for all your hard work for this year.

Unknown

10:50 - 10:54

Thank you, madam president. Thank you, councilwoman Ryan.

Unknown

10:54 - 11:13

Thank you very much, madam president. Thank you, councilwoman Peterson, for putting this forward. I would just like to say congratulations to my dear friends, the classical swim team. It all started at Baddistini Rec Pool. That is the home pool for the classical swim team.

Unknown

11:13 - 11:44

And I received a lot of assistance from Bob Palazzo, the current athletic director, and Joe Murray when I opened up Baddisfini Rec. So this win is near and dear to me on so many levels. As a woman athlete in high school, Bob Palazzo knows I was a basketball player way way back before Title IX. So you ladies have a wonderful opportunity. I know that you're not going to lose any students next year.

Unknown

11:45 - 12:16

You've already, you know, you're outstanding your performance this year as Division I champions. So I'm sure you're going to do even better next year if that's possible. And you have a wonderful future ahead of you. I would like to ask council president if it's okay to ask Bob Palazzo, the athletic director for the city of Providence, to come behind the rail and just talk very, very briefly about the accolades, these ladies have accomplished. It's truly, truly amazing.