Providence Council Meeting | July 24th 2025

July 24, 2025

Official record

From the minutes filed with the RI Secretary of State on September 08, 2025.

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Attendance

14 present · 1 absent

Present

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

Absent

Councilor Pichardo

Also present: Tina L. Mastroianni (City Clerk), Sheri A. Petronio (First Deputy City Clerk), Lauren Gutierrez (Second Deputy City Clerk), Napoleon Askie (City Sergeant), Jeffrey Dana (City Solicitor)

Recorded votes (17)

Journal of Proceedings No. 14, No. 15, and No. 16 of the City Council

APPROVED (WITH VOTE) [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilor Sanchez

Aye (14)

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

Communications from the Mayor and Council President regarding appointments

RECEIVED

An Ordinance Approving the Financing of the "Mile of History Project"

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Finance

An Ordinance Repealing Ordinance Chapter No. 2019-55 Establishing a Tax Stabilization Agreement for E2000 Realty, LLC

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Finance

Ordinances Amending Chapter 18½, "Police," of the Providence Code of Ordinances

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Ordinances

Ordinances Amending Article 15, "Motor Vehicles and Traffic" and Approving Financing for Municipal Carts

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Finance

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 12, "Health and Sanitation" Article III, "Garbage, Trash, and Refuse"

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Public Works

Resolutions Authorizing Ratification of agreements with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilor Sanchez

Aye (14)

An Ordinance Approving the Capital Improvement Plan for the Fiscal Years 2025 through 2029

READ/PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilor Sanchez

Aye (14)

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

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilor Sanchez

Aye (14)

Communication from the Mayor re-appointing Cheryl Galloway to the Providence Human Relations Commission

RECEIVED AND APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilor Sanchez

Aye (14)

Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Lease Agreement with Excel Academy Rhode Island

READ AND PASSED (FAILED) [4 TO 8]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilor Sanchez

Aye (4)

Councilman Espinal , Councilman Taylor , Councilwoman Vargas , Councilman Vargas

Nay (8)

Council President Miller , Councilor AnderBois , Councilwoman Anthony , Councilwoman Graves , Councilwoman Peterson , Councilor Roias , Councilwoman Ryan , Councilor Sanchez

Abstain (2)

Councilman Goncalves , Councilwoman Harris

Petition of Jeffrey Padwa, Esq. on behalf of 1 Charles, LLC to amend the Providence Zoning Ordinance for 1 Charles Street

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Ordinances

Claims of Freska Foods, LLC, Xavier Ruiz, Michel Culla, Shea Turner, Irene Twomey, and Juan Madera

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Claims and Pending Suits

Communications submitting Raze Building Permits for 5 Moy Street and 164 Summit Avenue, and City Clerk quarterly report

RECEIVED

Resolution Extending Congratulations

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilor Sanchez

Aye (14)

Resolution Extending Sympathy

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilor Sanchez

Aye (14)

Unknown

00:00 - 00:08

The woman, Anna Vargas? Present. Councilman Oscar Vargas? Present. You have 14 present and one absent.

Unknown

00:08 - 00:09

You have a quorum.

Unknown

00:09 - 00:19

Thank you, madam clerk. This evening, the invocation will be given by councilman Oscar Vargas. Will everyone please rise, including our guests for the invocation?

Unknown

00:19 - 00:43

Thank you very much, madam chair. These prayers will be everyone who can pray can pray at the same time to for every single council to make a decision tonight. Hopefully, it will be the best decision for our future. In the name of the father, the holy, and the holy spirit. Amen.

Unknown

00:43 - 01:26

Gar, please help everyone here to make the right decision tonight and bless everyone here who's who came and have the time to come to the city hall as your city hall to enjoy and see the the best way that we make decisions. Father, please open our minds, give you also a a great vision how we can continue working with this great city to have a bright and great future for everyone. God bless everyone here present, and god bless every single councilman, and god bless the community. Amen.

Unknown

01:27 - 01:51

Amen. Thank you, counselor. Tonight, the pledge of allegiance will be led by me. I pledge allegiance to the flag, The United States Of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Madam Clerk, item three, please.

Unknown

01:53 - 01:54

Madam President.

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01:54 - 01:55

Majority Leader.

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01:55 - 01:57

Watch to weigh the reno of item three and move approval.

Unknown

01:58 - 01:59

Second, madam president. We have

Unknown

01:59 - 02:05

a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed?

Unknown

02:05 - 02:08

Any abstentions? The motion passes. Item four.

Unknown

02:08 - 02:12

Madam president. Majority leader. I you to weigh the reading of item four and five.

Unknown

02:13 - 02:14

Second, madam president.

Unknown

02:14 - 02:20

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on items four or five? Councilman.

Unknown

02:20 - 02:35

Thank you, madam president. I don't know if, Jose is here, but he is. If you could please stand up. I want to give a big shout out to Jose, for officially becoming the licensed administrator for the city of Providence. Jose is someone I've known for years.

Unknown

02:35 - 02:48

He's been with the city, always has demonstrated, what a true public servant does. He goes above and beyond, for every constituent here in the city of Providence when it comes to, licensing and permitting.

Unknown

02:49 - 02:52

It it's someone that, you know, will answer phone calls

Unknown

02:52 - 03:06

on weekends when when there's questions to to be answered. So I know he's been in this acting role for quite some time, but I definitely wanted just to, get up here and give him the the recognition he he does and and our full support as a body. Thank you, madam president.

Unknown

03:06 - 03:10

Thank you, counselor. Further discussion on items four or five? Madam president? Counselor.

Unknown

03:10 - 03:27

Thank you. I raised to to support, Jose. Jose is like, I echo my colleague. He's a person who speak the two languages, so nobody can say, I didn't understand my inspector. So but he's been a big help in the community.

Unknown

03:28 - 03:44

Like, he he tries to help and and teach and and educate. Basically, we sometimes we don't have the knowledge how to do things with small business. It's not yes to open a door and we have a business. It's a process. And Jose is one of those person.

Unknown

03:44 - 03:53

He he teach the business owner which way they have to go and get the process done without a huge headache. Thank you.

Unknown

03:54 - 03:57

Thank you. Further discussion? Councilman Ryan.

Unknown

03:57 - 04:15

Thank you, council president. I rise to add my voice to my, colleagues. I've had the pleasure of working with Jose on a number of matters. He is absolutely a pleasure to work with. He's so professional, just tremendous customer service skills.

Unknown

04:15 - 04:28

And all of the feedback that I've received from my constituency is that they're absolutely pleased, with his, service to the city. So add my voice to, support that. Thank you.

Unknown

04:28 - 04:29

Councilor Goncalves.

Unknown

04:29 - 04:44

Thank you, madam president. I'm also here to add my voice to the praise. I just wanna say, Jose, thank you for your leadership. Let's give him a round of applause, everybody. A wonderful public servant and looking forward to supporting your appointment.

Unknown

04:44 - 04:45

Thank you for all that

Unknown

04:45 - 04:45

you do.

Unknown

04:47 - 04:51

Counselors, further discussion items four or five? Yes. Vargas?

Unknown

04:51 - 05:01

Hi. Good afternoon, everyone. I'm back. Jose for me is like open a door when you know something

Unknown

05:01 - 05:01

that

Unknown

05:01 - 05:16

you needed. Right now, we're working for the Marino Park, and he tried to help the best the best. So, Jose, whatever you do, thank you. Thank you so much. I very appreciate it.

Unknown

05:18 - 05:24

Further discussion? Items four or five. Hearing none, all in favor. Aye. Any opposed?

Unknown

05:24 - 05:34

Any abstentions? The motion passes. Madam clerk, please note four and five as received. So noted. Jose, you have my congratulations as well.

Unknown

05:34 - 05:35

Item six.

Unknown

05:36 - 05:37

Madam President.

Unknown

05:37 - 05:37

Majority Leader.

Unknown

05:37 - 05:39

Motion to waive the reading of item

Unknown

05:39 - 05:41

six. Second, madam president.

Unknown

05:41 - 05:44

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on item six?

Unknown

05:46 - 05:52

Councilwoman Graves? I I have a question. Are we laying this back on the table? What what is going on with it?

Unknown

05:52 - 06:08

Councilwoman, the the, we're the motion in front of us is to waive the reading, and the action will be to refer it back to the Committee on Finance. Okay. Further discussion on item six? All in favor? Aye.

Unknown

06:08 - 06:15

Opposed? Any abstentions? The motion passes. Madam Clerk, please refer item six back to the Committee on Finance. So noted.

Unknown

06:15 - 06:16

Item seven.

Unknown

06:16 - 06:18

Madam President. Majority Leader.

Unknown

06:18 - 06:20

I motion to waive the reader of items seven through 12.

Unknown

06:20 - 06:28

Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on items seven through 12? Hearing none, all in favor?

Unknown

06:28 - 06:29

Aye. Any