Committee on Finance | Regular Meeting | February 3rd, 2026
Appointment of Zoning Board Chair
The committee interviewed a candidate nominated by the mayor to serve as the new chair of the zoning board. After discussing the candidate's qualifications and addressing recording issues for board meetings, the committee voted to approve the appointment.
Resolution for Tax Abatement: Rhode Island Business Development Institute
Lisa Ranglin presented a request for a retroactive property tax abatement for the Rhode Island Business Development Institute's property on Smith Street. After a lengthy debate regarding the city's budget process, equity, and the precedent of retroactive tax forgiveness, the committee voted 2-1 to approve the resolution.
Adjournment
With no further business on the agenda, a motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Anzibwa and seconded by Joanne Ryan. The motion passed unanimously, and the meeting was adjourned.
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To us. We listen. We allow testimony on Zoom. We allow people to to come in and speak their mind. We we allow written testimony.
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So we weigh that, obviously, as we're, you know, weighing all of the evidence in front of us and and
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apply it accordingly. Do you find that you'd, like, ever turn down a special use permit or any of these based on the testimony you receive, or do you generally approve those things? Either is the right answer. Just wanna know.
Unknown
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Yeah. No. I mean, I I don't know if one that I have personally voted against based on based on an item of testimony that might sway me. I mean, it's usually usually, it's a it's a combination of what what folks say in front of us or right to us as well as what's what's in the application and then some of the questions that we're able to ask the their representatives, whatever. So we'll wipe away all of that.
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But I can't think of one specific where where there was something particular that that that turned me on. And
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with the new sorry, guys. Please, please. And
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I know that mister Azar from planning is presenting to the ordinance committee tomorrow night about the new design standards. Will that be how will you guys be using that?
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That's that's really not as I mean, it is gonna impact us because it's going to because of the way certain designs are, it's gonna impact how large some of these buildings will be. So I do anticipate there'll be some impact going forward when we work with staff to figure out how that's how it's gonna play out. I think we we might not know until actually what's in there by it. But I'm glad you mentioned director Azar, who is someone I have tremendous respect for. I've been to see for a very, very long time.
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He and I are have opened up a a line of communication
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with my
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vision, discuss applications and and their their thoughts, his department's thoughts on applications pretty pretty much every every month going forward. So we can have that learning dialogue and, you know, adjust accordingly. Yeah.
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Also work through these finals. We'll figure it out. There you go. And then I guess, like, the last question I have is why do you wanna be chair?
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Yeah. Well, yeah, I enjoy public service, but I also I enjoy administrative meeting. I've stepped in for chair at Greenfield when he is absent, so I feel like my my grasp of how a lot of inefficient meetings is there. I've counseled boards before, zoning boards and even in Central Falls in particular. I've been a chief of staff and so I've dealt with boards there.
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So I feel that is just a good use of of my talents, my service, and I also just kinda like to talk. So that helps as well. But I I feel like I'm I'm somebody that, as chair can be a, you know, common presence. I learned a lot from from chairman Greenville to, you know, this being Providence. His his kids went to high school with me at Classico, so I've known him a very, very long time as well.
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But I've learned a lot from him. He's a great attorney. He's a very, thoughtful person, and I'd like to continue that way of administering things. So why do I wanna do care? I think it's just a it's a it's a great way to to add to my service and to, you know, ensure that, again, people dreams barely, that we're moving efficiently, and that we're as, an affordable and pro business, pro resident place to be, we're building better province.
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Good. Yeah. Thank you for questions. Wonderful. Councilwoman Peterson, do you have any questions that you have?
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None yet. No. He was just listening. Thank you.
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Okay. So first of all, you got big shoes to fill because Mark was there for how long?
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I believe fourteen years.
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That's a long time.
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Long time. Yeah. It's very well done, You've got a solid resume, and we certainly wish you well. Good appointment from the mayor, and you've already served on awards, it's a natural transition. My only question is on oftentimes, council people are pulled in a gazillion different directions, and we rely on tapes and audios of meetings.
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There's been instances when I've tried to build upon to pick up an audio, and I haven't been able to do that. Oh, just Mhmm. So I do know that from being on the council for so long that your meetings were recorded, and you had clerk
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Clerk absolutely.
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Staff them. Yeah. I just don't know why there's not an audio of them. So I think it's important work. I think the work that you do needs to be more visible on not because you're doing anything wrong.
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You're certainly helping move the city of province forward in a very positive way. But I think if you could if you are sworn in as the new chair, if you could please look into that. I'm gonna raise it to the clerks as well and the chief of staff because I do think that and know that it stopped after when 2020 COVID got it off.
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I'd be happy to raise that, should should I be
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I think it's important. So if we're not staffed by clerks
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We are.
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Then we should have audio. Can I ask you guys? Do you know anything about it? My famous clerk's here. Do you know anything as to why that stopped?
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Not that I know. Okay. Is there anything about the location? Maybe where do you guys meet?
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444.
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You're in 444.
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There's I mean, there's too much weight there. It's on the street. It's definitely Okay. And they I hear that they're recording because I always I always hear the recording and progress. Mhmm.
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Yes. Yes. So I hope there could be a technician.
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Let's that be something that
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you and I Happy with to you on.
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That sounds great. Yeah. I don't have any questions. I think you've been tremendously talented individual. Proud that you grew up in the mighty fifth war, I might have said.
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We raised good people. But, anyway, I know your family well, and your commitment to public service is admirable. So I thank you for that.
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Thank you, chair.
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Committee member oh, councilwoman.
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Approve.
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Approve. Approve. Okay.
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So you're making a motion to approve. Yes. Prove made by councilwoman Graves. Seconded by councilwoman Angela. All in favor, aye.
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Any opposed? Aye. Aye. Motion carries. You move on.
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Your appointment comes on to the full council for a
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full vote. Thank you very much. We wish
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you well.
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Thank you. Appreciate your time and always a little bit more.
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Thank you. Okay, ma'am. Item on the agenda, please. Item two. Regulate that resolution requesting that abatement
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of Rhode Island business development constitutes property taxes Okay.