Providence City Council Meeting | September 4th 2025

September 04, 2025

Roll Call

05:29 - 06:25

The meeting was called to order, and the clerk conducted a roll call of the council members. A quorum was established with ten members present and four absent.

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

06:25 - 08:34

The Council President delivered an invocation focusing on the start of the new school year and a quote from Saint Peter Faber. This was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Majority Leader Espinal.

Item 3: Approval of Minutes

08:34 - 08:51

The council voted to waive the reading of Item 3 and approved the minutes of the previous meeting. Pro Tem Pichardo requested to be recorded as abstaining from the vote.

Items 4-13: Referrals and Board Appointments

08:51 - 12:50

The council approved several board appointments and referred other items to the Committee on Finance. Council members highlighted and praised the appointments of Patricia Robb and Aaron Easter Gardner to the community library board.

Items 14-25: Committee Referrals

12:50 - 13:19

The council voted to waive the reading of Items 14 through 25. These items were subsequently referred to the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Ordinances.

Items 26-27: Resolution Honoring Judge Frank Caprio

13:19 - 26:15

The clerk read a resolution honoring the life, legacy, and public service of the late municipal court judge Frank Caprio. Council members shared personal stories and expressed their deep condolences to the Caprio family.

Item 28: Committee Referral

26:15 - 26:34

The council voted to waive the reading of Item 28. The item was then referred to the Committee on Ordinances.

Item 29: Resolution Honoring Melvin F. Brundage

26:34 - 31:56

The council read and approved a resolution celebrating the life and legacy of former city employee Melvin F. Brundage. Councilwoman Graves spoke about his dedication to the community and his long service to the city.

Item 30: Resolution Regarding Gilbert Stuart School Demolition

31:56 - 36:41

Pro Tem Pichardo introduced a resolution seeking transparency and a temporary halt to the demolition of the Gilbert Stuart School. The resolution was referred to the Special Committee on Hope for further review.

Personal Privilege: Recognition of Melvin F. Brundage's Family

36:41 - 39:29

Councilwoman Graves welcomed members of Melvin F. Brundage's family who arrived at the meeting. The clerk re-read the resolution honoring him, and the council expressed their condolences.

Items 31-33: Resolutions on Park Renaming and Hispanic Heritage Month

39:29 - 54:00

The council approved resolutions requesting the renaming of Obadiah Brownfield in honor of Armond E. Battistini Jr. and celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Council members spoke about Battistini's legacy and invited the public to upcoming Hispanic heritage events.

Items 34-35: Resolutions Passed on Voice Vote

54:00 - 54:16

The council voted to waive the reading of Items 34 and 35. Both resolutions were subsequently passed by a voice vote.

Items 36-48: Referrals and Retirement Recognitions

54:16 - 01:06:41

The council processed several committee referrals and recognized the departures of Councilwoman Helen Anthony, Dylan Connolly, and clerk Angela Harris. Council members expressed gratitude for their years of service and dedication to the city.

Point of Personal Privilege: Overdose Awareness Day Moment of Silence

01:06:41 - 01:07:40

Majority Whip Sanchez requested a moment of silence in solidarity with community groups holding a vigil in Burnside Park. The council stood in silence to honor those lost to overdoses.

Item 49: Resolution Passed on Voice Vote

01:07:40 - 01:07:59

The council voted to waive the reading of Item 49. The resolution was then passed by a voice vote.

Item 50: Resolution Passed on Unanimous Rising Vote

01:07:59 - 01:08:29

The council voted to waive the reading of Item 50. The resolution was passed by a unanimous rising vote of the council members.

Rule Suspension and Item 51

01:08:29 - 01:09:09

The council voted to suspend Rule 16b to address a matter not on the printed docket. Item 51 was subsequently received by the council.

Adjournment

01:09:09 - 01:09:31

The council voted to adjourn the meeting in honor of the late Judge Frank Caprio. The motion passed unanimously, concluding the session.

Speaker 0

05:29 - 05:38

Thumbs up all around? Good evening everyone and welcome to this, Providence City Council meeting on September 4. Madam Clerk, please call

Speaker 1

05:38 - 05:46

the roll. Council President Miller. Present. Deputy Majority Whip Anderbois is absent. Majority Leader Espinal.

Speaker 1

05:46 - 05:57

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

Speaker 1

05:57 - 06:06

Councilwoman Peterson? Hi. I'm here. Council president Pro Tempur Pichardo? Present.

Speaker 1

06:06 - 06:12

Councilor Arroyas? Present. Councilwoman Ryan? Present. Majority Whip Sanchez?

Speaker 1

06:13 - 06:23

Councilman Taylor? Councilwoman Anna Vargas is absent. Councilman Oscar Vargas? Here. You have 10 present and four absent.

Speaker 1

06:23 - 06:24

You have a quorum.

Speaker 0

06:25 - 06:46

Thank you, madam clerk. Will everyone please rise for the invocation tonight? Counselors, as we are gathered here tonight, we know that the students are back to school. We know the teachers are back to school. And in many ways, we ourselves feel like a back to school moment.

Speaker 0

06:47 - 07:25

And I I know that we wish strength and blessings for everyone who's undertaking a new school year, a new project, and also for us as we recommit to our work to the city, to one another. As always, as we humble humbly ask for guidance so that the decisions we make here today support all of the residents of our great city, and that we work with each other with integrity. We honor one another's opinions and personhood and decision making. I'd

Speaker 2

07:25 - 07:25

like to

Speaker 0

07:25 - 08:11

share a quote that was from the fifteen hundreds and is equally important today. As we contemplate the vast amount of work to be done for justice and peace in this world, we trust that we will find the grace to accomplish, to believe in, and to hope for the greatest things. As we gather here, we look for grace in the smallest things and are sustained by our confidence in God's presence in our work and in our gatherings from Saint Peter Faber in the fifteen hundreds. And we express gratitude for each other, for the work that we do, and for the ability to be able to make the decisions and do the work ahead of us. Thank you.

Speaker 0

08:12 - 08:16

Please remain standing for the pledge of allegiance led by majority leader Espinal.

Speaker 3

08:16 - 08:30

I pledge allegiance To The United States. The flag 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.

Speaker 0

08:34 - 08:37

Madam clerk, item three. Madam president. Majority leader.

Speaker 3

08:37 - 08:40

Motion to waive the reading right on three and move approval.

Speaker 4

08:41 - 08:42

Second, madam president.

Speaker 0

08:42 - 08:45

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor?

Speaker 3

08:45 - 08:46

Aye.

Speaker 0

08:46 - 08:51

Any opposed? Any abstentions? Hearing none, the motion passes. Item four.

Speaker 3

08:51 - 08:52

Madam president.

Speaker 0

08:52 - 08:52

Majority leader.

Speaker 3

08:52 - 08:55

Motion to weigh the reading of item four through 13.

Speaker 4

08:55 - 08:57

Second, madam president.

Speaker 0

08:57 - 09:00

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on items four through 13?

Speaker 5

09:00 - 09:01

Madam president.

Speaker 0

09:01 - 09:03

Pro Tem Pajardo.

Speaker 5

09:03 - 09:12

Not on item four, but item number three, since it doesn't change the vote, I would like to be recorded as abstained on the approval of the minutes.

Speaker 0

09:15 - 09:15

So noted.

Speaker 5

09:15 - 09:16

At the appropriate time.

Speaker 0

09:18 - 09:24

Any discussion on items four through 13? Councilwoman Graves.

Speaker 6

09:27 - 09:59

On twelve, I just would like to make a statement, and it's awful loud. How pleased I am of the appointment of Patricia Robb. Patricia Robb was one of the cofounders along with myself, Rochelle and quite a few others for the community libraries, and she served for many years. I'm glad she's going back on that board because they need that. So thank you so much for appointing her to that position.

Speaker 0

10:00 - 10:02

Thank you, Councilwoman Peterson.

Speaker 2

10:02 - 10:30

Thank you. I just wanted to echo what my fellow councilor said. Patricia Robb is a pillar in the Ward 14 community and she stands out for not just her work and her achievements in the libraries but also just being an all around supporter for transit and just everything and I am very thankful that you have considered her as well as our very own Erin Easter Gardner who is also very amazing and hardworking in his own right. Thanks.

Speaker 6

10:31 - 10:33

And I'm sorry that goes without saying.

Speaker 0

10:35 - 10:38

But always nice to say. Thank you Councilor Sanchez.

Speaker 4

10:38 - 11:15

Thank you, madam president. I'm just standing up real quickly and just giving a huge shout out and much gratitude to all of these individuals who are stepping up or continuing to step up and serve the city of Providence. These folks on these boards are are really the the bread and butter and backbone of making our city the city that we all desire it to be. I just wanna quickly give a shout out to Phoenix who who is here. I I know Phoenix has contributed a lot to the city in in many ways, so much gratitude for the continuance of that service.

Speaker 4

11:15 - 11:38

And then also just a huge shout out to Anthony Simon who's the chair of the rec board that I also serve on. We have been meeting monthly at a different rec center every month. Big shout out to the clerk's office for making that happen. And we are doing a lot of work to support the rec department. Thank you, madam president.

Speaker 0

11:38 - 11:42

Thank you. Further discussion items for you? Madam president. Majority leader.

Speaker 3

11:42 - 12:04

Thank you, president. I just wanna echo the expression of those that came before me in regards to those that have taken on the challenge to serve our city. But I also wanna point out to our very own Aaron Easter Gunner, who is quite a champion. And, I think his expertise will be a great asset to the community library. Thank you.

Speaker 0

12:05 - 12:12

Thank you. Further discussion? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed?

Speaker 0

12:12 - 12:24

Any abstentions? The motion passes. Madam Clerk, please note four through five I'm sorry. Four through 10 as received. Refer item 11 to the committee on finance.

Speaker 0

12:24 - 12:39

Note twelve and thirteen as received. So noted. And counselors, will you please join me in giving Phoenix, who's here tonight, a round of applause. Thank you, Phoenix. And I'm so sorry.

Speaker 0

12:39 - 12:49

All other appointments who I may not recognize, I apologize if I don't if you are here and I don't recognize you by sight. Thank you for being here, and congratulations. Item 14.

Speaker 3

12:50 - 12:50

Madam president.

Speaker 0

12:50 - 12:51

Majority leader.

Speaker 3

12:51 - 12:56

Question to weigh the reading of item 14 through 25. Second, madam president.

Speaker 0

12:56 - 13:08

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on items 14 through 25? Hearing none, all in favor? Any opposed, any abstentions? The motion passes.

Speaker 0

13:08 - 13:19

Madam clerk, please refer items 14 through 20 to the committee on finance, 21 to the committee on ordinances, 22 through 25 to the committee on finance.

Speaker 1

13:19 - 13:20

So noted.

Speaker 0

13:20 - 13:21

Item 26.