Providence City Council Meeting | May 1st, 2025

May 01, 2025

Official record

From the minutes filed with the RI Secretary of State on May 16, 2025.

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Attendance

13 present · 2 absent

Present

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

Absent

Councilwoman Graves
Councilman Taylor

Also present: Tina L. Mastroianni (City Clerk), Claire E. Girard (Clerk Liaison), Lauren Gutierrez (Assistant Clerk), Napoleon Askie (City Sergeant), Kenneth Chiavarini (Deputy City Solicitor)

Recorded votes (20)

Approval of Journal of Proceedings No. 9 of the Special Meeting and No. 10 of the Regular Meeting

APPROVED (WITH VOTE) [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

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

Ordinances amending Chapters 23, 25, 10, 14, 15, and 4 of the Code of Ordinances regarding various permit fees and penalties

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Finance

Ordinance amending Chapter 27, "The City of Providence Zoning Ordinance," to change the zoning district for 22-24 De Soto Street

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Ordinances

Resolution Authorizing Approval of Change Order #2 Contract Award by the Board of Contract and Supply

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Finance

Resolutions endorsing House Bills 2025 H-6206, H-6207, H-5195, Senate Bill S-0104, and congratulating Classical High School

PASSED [12 TO 0]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (12)

Abstain (1)

Councilman Vargas

Resolution of the Providence City Council Recognizing and Congratulating the Classical High School Girls’ Swimming Team

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

Resolutions in Opposition to the Dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education and Cuts at the Department of Veterans Affairs

REFERRED

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

Resolution of the Providence City Council Recognizing the Passing of His Holiness Pope Francis

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

Resolution of the Providence City Council Regarding House Bill 5688 and Senate Bill 963’s Impact on Low-Income Housing

PASSED AS AMENDED [9 TO 3]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (9)

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

Nay (3)

Councilor Pichardo , Councilwoman Ryan , Councilwoman Vargas

Recused (1)

Councilwoman Anthony

Resolution Honoring the Life and Legacy of Dorothy Jean “Dottie” McCaffrey

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

Resolution Authorizing the conveyance of the Parcel located on Assessor's Plat 043, Lot 744 (18 Calhoun Street) to the PRA

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on City Property

Resolution of the Providence City Council Recognizing the Passing of Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

Resolution Authorizing Approval of Change Order #1 Contract Award by the Board of Contract and Supply

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

Appointment of Justin DeShaw as a member of the Providence Public Building Authority

RECEIVED AND APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

Certificates from City Assessor (No. 73W) recommending cancellations

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

Ordinance Amending Chapter 13, "Housing" to add Article X - "Prohibition of Algorithmic Rent Setting Devices"

READ/PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

Petitions from Americo M. Scungio, Esquire, requesting Zone Changes for 268 Carpenter Street and 1155 Westminster Street

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Ordinances

Claims of Michelle Harkness, Edward Joy, Thomas George Associates, and Progressive Casualty Insurance Company

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Claims and Pending Suits

Resolution Extending Congratulations

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

Resolution Extending Sympathy

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

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?

Unknown

02:56 - 03:00

Councilwoman Anthony? Majority leader Espinal?

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03:00 - 03:01

Present.

Unknown

03:01 - 03:10

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

Unknown

03:10 - 03:19

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

Unknown

03:19 - 03:19

Present.

Unknown

03:20 - 03:28

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

Unknown

03:28 - 03:32

Councilwoman Anna Vargas? Present. Councilman Oscar Vargas?

Unknown

03:32 - 03:32

Present.

Unknown

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.

Unknown

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.

Unknown

05:01 - 05:03

Madam clerk, item three, please.

Unknown

05:06 - 05:08

Madam president. Majority leader.

Unknown

05:08 - 05:09

Motion to waive the reading of

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05:09 - 05:11

item three and move approval.

Unknown

05:11 - 05:13

Second, madam president. We have a motion and

Unknown

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.

Unknown

05:21 - 05:22

Madam president.

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05:22 - 05:23

Majority Leader.

Unknown

05:23 - 05:25

Motion to weigh the reading of item four through nine.

Unknown

05:26 - 05:27

Second, madam president.

Unknown

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.

Unknown

05:52 - 05:53

Item 10.

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05:53 - 05:55

Madam president. Majority leader.

Unknown

05:55 - 05:57

Motion to waive the reading of item 10 through 12.

Unknown

05:57 - 06:00

Second, madam president. We have

Unknown

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?

Unknown

06:08 - 06:11

Councilwoman Peterson. I'm so sorry.

Unknown

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.