Ways and Means Committee |Regular Meeting |April 30th, 2026

April 30, 2026

Call to Order and Roll Call

09:50 - 10:31

The meeting is called to order by Chair Sanchez, and the clerk conducts the roll call, establishing a quorum with three members present. The Chair also recognizes Joe Davidson from the clerk's office for his hard work.

Motion to Waive Reading of Items 1-6

10:31 - 10:54

A motion is made by Councilman Innerwah and seconded by Councilwoman Graves to waive the reading of items one through six. The motion passes unanimously.

Meeting Agenda Adjustment

10:54 - 12:41

The committee discusses adjusting the meeting order to start with the Fire Department followed by the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to accommodate Superintendent Nelson's schedule. The committee also swears in potential testifiers and notes the arrival of Vice Chair Taylor.

Fire Department Budget Discussion

12:41 - 01:14:34

The committee reviews the Fire Department's proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, which features an $850,000 increase supported by federal SAFR grants. Chief Silva and the committee discuss various topics, including fuel costs, PFAS-free uniforms, recruitment of Providence residents, PTSD claims, and the bike patrol program.

Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Overview

01:14:34 - 01:18:09

Budget Officer Crystal provides an overview of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) structure, explaining how projects are categorized by funding source and department. She highlights the limited flexibility in repurposing previously committed bond funds and introduces the new spotlight projects feature.

Parks Department CIP Discussion

01:18:09 - 01:44:57

Superintendent Nelson and the committee discuss the Parks Department's capital improvement projects, focusing on priorities like India Point Park, Fagnoli Park, and Iola French. The discussion covers park accessibility, water splash pad issues, and community excitement for the North Burial Ground.

Planning Department CIP Discussion

01:44:57 - 02:14:59

Director Martin presents the Planning Department's CIP budget, highlighting federal grant matches for Safe Streets and Roads for All and the South Water Street project. The committee also addresses long-standing utility delays at Trinity Square and discusses implementing a participatory budgeting process for the remaining funds.

Public Property Department CIP Discussion

02:14:59 - 02:25:57

The committee reviews the Public Property Department's capital projects, including the City Hall roof restoration and elevator repairs. Updates are also provided on the public safety garage utilization and phase one of the new DPW complex construction.

Green Revolving Fund Discussion

02:25:57 - 02:39:43

The committee discusses the establishment of a new $3,000,000 Green Revolving Fund aimed at making municipal buildings energy-efficient and carbon-neutral by 2040. The Director of Energy explains how the fund will leverage federal IRA tax credits for solar, electrification, and energy efficiency projects.

Department of Public Works (DPW) CIP Discussion

02:39:43 - 03:19:37

The committee reviews the Department of Public Works' CIP budget, focusing on road repaving, sidewalk repairs, and utility coordination challenges. Engineers Craig Hodgman and Brian Anderson address specific neighborhood concerns, including Bath Street utility work and city-owned retaining walls.

Department of Art, Culture + Tourism CIP and Ordinance Discussion

03:19:37 - 03:38:29

The Director of Art, Culture + Tourism proposes amending the landmark public art ordinance to allow CIP funds to be used for cultural infrastructure grants. The committee discusses the potential of this change to support local nonprofits, establish cultural districts, and promote economic mobility.

Closing Remarks and Adjournment

03:38:29 - 03:39:59

Chair Sanchez expresses gratitude to Budget Officer Crystal and the clerk's office for their hard work and efficiency during the budget process. Crystal shares her excitement for the upcoming budget season before the meeting moves toward adjournment.

Speaker 0

09:50 - 10:02

Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Miguel. I'm calling to order this committee, a special committee on ways and means. At this time, I'll ask our lovely clerk to do roll call.

Speaker 1

10:03 - 10:07

Chair Sanchez. Present. Vice Chairman Taylor. Ms. Ashton.

Speaker 1

10:07 - 10:12

Councillor Andy Bloss. Present. Councillor Graves. Present. Councillor Peterson is absent.

Speaker 1

10:12 - 10:15

We have three present and two absent. We have a foreign.

Speaker 0

10:15 - 10:31

Awesome. Thank you. I'd like to recognize our colleague, Joe Davidson here, the clerk's office, student solicitor. There he is. Thank you again for your labor intensive work.

Speaker 0

10:31 - 10:40

We really appreciate you. At this time, I'll entertain a motion to waive the reading of item one through

Speaker 2

10:41 - 10:42

six. Second.

Speaker 0

10:43 - 10:53

Motion made by Councilman Innerwah, seconded by Councilwoman Graves. All those in favor? Aye. Any nays? The ayes have it.

Speaker 0

10:54 - 10:59

How are we gonna start this? Hopefully not too long. Oh, an eye crystal.

Speaker 1

10:59 - 11:01

Chairman, if you don't mind,

Speaker 3

11:01 - 11:02

if you could get my preference to

Speaker 1

11:02 - 11:12

start with the fire department and then move on to CIP. Superintendent Nelson does have a commitment tonight, so she's requested if she goes first in the CIP order. That would be a memo to you.

Speaker 0

11:12 - 11:17

Yeah. Whatever works for the directors and and you guys, we're happy to adjust.

Speaker 1

11:17 - 11:22

Perfect. Okay. Thanks for my everyone in and sustain operating then move over to CIDP. That's alright?

Speaker 0

11:22 - 12:25

Yeah. At this time, we'll just swear anyone in Okay. Might testify. Yeah. I think you can come up, chief.

Speaker 0

12:25 - 12:31

Let the record record reflect that council Ombudsman vice chair Taylor is here.

Speaker 3

12:31 - 12:32

So noted.

Speaker 1

12:41 - 12:46

Fire department's budget can be found on page two ninety in the budget book.

Speaker 0

12:51 - 12:54

At this time, I'll entertain a motion to enter. Thank you.

Speaker 1

12:55 - 12:56

Is six. Six to

Speaker 0

12:56 - 12:57

the record.

Speaker 1

12:57 - 12:58

So moved. Second.

Speaker 0

12:58 - 13:05

So moved by Council Member Koretz, second by Council Member Koretz. All those in favor? Aye. Any nays? Aye, you have it.

Speaker 1

13:07 - 13:35

Excellent. Great. The fiscal, the fire department is a revenue generating department. They earn revenue from fire department inspections, claim review re review fees, rescue gun I'm sorry, rescue billings revenue, and fire details, which are firefighters performing details for various city events, and rescue rooms. This year's budget is an $850,000 increase over the fiscal year twenty twenty six budget.

Speaker 1

13:36 - 14:38

The primary revenue that is driving that increase is the rescue run revenue, and it is supported by historical trends. Total expenditures in fiscal year twenty twenty seven The budget for salaries does not include any new FTE or time needs. The fiscal twenty twenty six salary budget was $37,201,360. When we add in cost of living increases in steps, brings it proposed fiscal year twenty twenty seven dollars to $38,315,273 It's important to note that this budget is being supported in large part by SAFR federal grant the city of Providence has received. There are two safer grants running concurrently in fiscal year twenty twenty seven with combined total award amounts in excess of $20,000,000.

Speaker 1

14:38 - 14:53

These have enabled the city of Providence to hire oh, we've got a typo here. I'm very sorry. Sixy new firefighters over the past course of the couple of years, and they are providing a considerable amount of reductions in salary and fringe in this upcoming budget.

Speaker 0

14:53 - 14:55

So 16 should be

Speaker 1

14:55 - 15:06

It should be 60. Yeah. Double formatting problem. Apologies. Their budget can be broken into fixed and discretionary costs.

Speaker 1

15:07 - 15:42

First under discretionary line items, if fees not classified, this is their locksmith services and opus recertification. If have any questions on that process, I'm sure the chief would love to elaborate. There's also a nominal increase for postage, which is supported by the historical spending trend. Dues and subscriptions are level funded as our professional development and I'm sorry, as our professional development and commercial exams. Tuition is increasing by $13,000 This is EMT training for our new academies and required to maintain their credentials.

Speaker 1

15:42 - 16:22

And legal expenses are level funded and required for the CBA. Under the supply line items, the vast majority of these supplies are considered discretionary because we can order more or less of them, but they are very critical. For example, medical, chemical, and lab supplies are very critical EMS supplies, which we certainly would not run out of. There is a small increase to office supplies, which has been supported by historical trend, as is the case for the increase in lubricants. Auto parts are projected to decrease next year, which is offsetting some of the increases we are seeing in this budget.

Speaker 1

16:23 - 16:48

Tires do have an increase, and that is a trend we'll see throughout the city budget. We renegotiated our tire contracts a couple of years ago, and we are seeing that they are increasing in cost. And as our uniforms and wear and apparel are also going up in relation to the new academies and replacements of necessary equipment. There is an increase in miscellaneous materials and supplies. These represent AFG grant matches.

Speaker 1

16:48 - 17:12

So the city is contributing our share towards additional grant programs. Maintenance and service also has an increase. This includes two things, 40,000 of the $84,000 has come from the commissioner of public safety's budget. So that was a transfer from one budget to another. There was also an initiative done in fiscal year twenty twenty six to consolidate for billing cycles, which resulted in a savings in fiscal year twenty twenty six.

Speaker 1

17:12 - 17:18

We'll be paying the full cost of all of those in 2027. So one of the it can save them all.

Speaker 4

17:49 - 18:39

Good walk evening chair, members of the committee. As Crystal mentioned, there's no significant changes, I would say increases in this budget. This budget is about sustainment of the pockets we've already made over the last two fiscal years. I don't want to sound like too overly I forget what the word is but anyway thanking all of you because you know three years ago in the first fiscal year I was asking for a significant increases in some resources and some staffing I know you had some healthy skepticism about that those increases are really going to add become more efficient later on in future fiscal years. I hope that now you see that through that healthy skepticism which was completely appropriate that now we've seen that that investment early on has led to I'll say reductions in the financial cost of our services but not a reduction in services.

Speaker 4

18:39 - 19:28

In this fiscal year and continue to the next fiscal year We added two in fact rescues, meaning two additional rescues are there during the day Monday through Friday which has decreased usually reliance by 50% which is a big deal for us which means rescues, province rescues are picking up province residents 50% of the time more. Also our EMS bicycle unit has now been expanded to your coverage by making truly data driven decisions on terms of which trucks get dispatched and kind of really pointing in on better response times and more appropriate resources. So while this budget doesn't ask for anything overly expensive and just sustains where we're at currently, I just want to make sure that everyone realizes that we still have increased services quite dramatically, even with this more efficient budgeting.

Speaker 0

19:29 - 19:35

Thank you, Chief. Madam Clerk, we let the record reflect that Councilwoman Peterson has joined.

Speaker 1

19:35 - 19:36

So noted.

Speaker 0

19:36 - 19:49

And then if someone could get another chair. Thank you. Committee members, questions?

Speaker 5

19:53 - 20:15

My question is, now that we're going through this mess, how do you think that cost of gas is going to affect this budget and stuff now? I mean, when we were planning this, none of us knew this was going to happen. So how is it going to affect you and how, because you got extra vehicles and

Speaker 4

20:15 - 20:59

Yeah. I'll say in the £5 budgets, there will be some increases and you'll see that reflected in tires and lubricants because even before I'll say the global issue with Iran we're already seeing increases in those costs but our fuel consumption is in public property which not to say that it's not a problem but it's John's budget. You're exactly right I mean that's we are seeing even in this so the only really fuel that we purchase is for like our ventilation saws that a true fuel if you see little cans and like Home Depot those costs have rose dramatically in the last few months. So, can only imagine what the fuel costs are citywide but that's all held as one.

Speaker 5

21:01 - 21:02

And you have, I

Speaker 1

21:02 - 21:10

can tell you we did increase the cost of fuel this year. So you did. Believe it was at least a $400,000 increase. We'll review it in more detail with public property's

Speaker 5

21:10 - 21:13

operating budget. Okay. And did you add any increases for the other things that

Speaker 0

21:13 - 21:14

he's talking about?

Speaker 4

21:14 - 21:21

In our budget, the two items that were driven by that same issue are reflected in there too.

Speaker 5

21:21 - 21:35

Okay. My other thing is the uniforms. I understand you're getting these uniforms. They gotta be swapped out after ten years or they have a tear. How are we doing with uniforms?

Speaker 4

21:35 - 22:10

Yeah so our fire protection here our particular ensemble the bright yellow and triple chin that you see Quite recently in the last few years they've made kind of ten year expiration date for that gear. Thankfully we've gotten to a point now where we are on a good replacement cycle. In fact last year about January '25 we transitioned away from PFAS continuing fire gear too. Now do we still have PFAS gear? Certainly the older stuff as it's recycled out will be replaced with PFAS gear but now most E2 will probably transitioned away from that.

Speaker 4

22:10 - 22:42

And that uniform line item you see and the increase that you see in that budget is also by contract a requirement that each firefighter is paid an $800 stipend to maintain their actual station uniforms. Yeah. And because there's about 54 firefighters I want to say that now have gotten a year on the fire department that's when the $800 starts to kick in and that's the increase because otherwise that uniform budget item would be flat from current year to next year. So we've done a good job maintaining that supply chain.

Speaker 5

22:42 - 22:43

Okay, thank you.

Speaker 0

22:43 - 22:45

You're welcome. Councilor Vanderwalt.

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