City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening everyone and welcome to the Providence City Council on this uh May 7th. Madam Clerk, please call the role. Council President Miller here. Deputy Majority Whip Anderwis here. Councelor Davidson here. Majority Leader Espanol, present. Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonzalez, present. Councilwoman Graves, present. Deputy Majority Leader Harris, present. Councilwoman Peterson, Council President Prompor Pardo, present. Council Royas is absent. Councilwoman Ryan, present. Majority Whip Sanchez, present. Councilman Taylor,

here. Councilwoman Anna Vargas, present. Councilman Oscar Vargas present. You have 14 present and one absent. You have a quorum. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Will everyone please rise for the invitation to be given tonight by prom.

Thank you, Madam President. Uh if you indulge me, I also going to be saying it in Spanish too. Dear God, divine architect of all creation, we gather today as the humble stewards of this city, acknowledging that you have entrusted us with the people of providence. We recognize that our authority within these wards and our city is but a temporary guardianship, a sacred season in which our choices ripple through the livelihoods of those we serve. Grant us the grace to meet our neighbors exactly where they are. Whether they find themselves rest resting in a house they call home, an apartment, a shelter, or on the very streets of our city. Let us see their inherent dignity. May I may our advocacy be as boundless as your compassion, ensuring no voices too quiet to be heard in these halls. As environmental burdens that take their toll on Mother Earth, the divine gift over which you have granted us temporary custody, remind us of our duty to cherish and protect this land. Teach us to govern with the future in mind, preserving the beauty and the health of the world you have loaned to us. Almighty God, touch our minds and the souls today. We ask for the wisdom to make decisions that humble us in the face of our responsibilities. Protect us from the shadows of devastating war and internal conflict. defend the civil rights and the pursuit

of freedom for every soul in our charge. Remind our hearts that you placed us upon this earth to thrive, to protect, and to love one another. Help us to rationalize our priorities through the lens of your command. that the greatest investments we can make is in the safety of a home for every child and every family. As it is written in your holy world word, to feed the hungry and provide shelter to the wanderer. Let that mandate be the blueprint for our legislation. May we lead with courage, decide with mercy, and act with love of our people and our city. Amen. Amen. Providence. Fore inheritor. Ambient

custod. Governor Magnitude. libertares. Forech. Forech. Amen.

Thank you, Prom. This evening, the pledge of allegiance will be led by Councilman Reyes. I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Madame Clerk, item three. Madame President, Majority Leader, motion to weigh the reading of item three and move approval. Second, Madam President.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Hearing none, Madame Clerk, please open the vote. The vote is open. Councelor Pardo, the vote is closed. You have 15 eyes. The motion carries. The minutes are approved. Clerk. Uh, I'm sorry. Leave. Uh, did we miss Councilman Royas at uh the roll call? Please note Councilman Royas is in attendance. So noted. Item four.

Madam President, Majority Leader, watch it way the reader of 4 through 11. Second, Madam President. Any discussion on item 4 through 11? Hearing none. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? The motion passes. Please note 4 through 8 as received. Uh 9 through 11 to the special committee on ways and means. So noted. Item 12. Madam President, majority leader. Motion to weigh the reader item 12 through 17. Second. Madam President,

we have a motion in a second. Any discussion on items 12 through 17? Hearing none. Madame clerk, please note uh 12 as received 13 through 17 to the special committee on ways and means. So noted. Item 18. Madam President, majority leader motion to weigh the reading of item 18 and pass a voice vote. Second, Madam President, a motion and a discussion uh and a second. Any discussion on item 18? Point of order, Madam President. Councilwoman,

item 18 um involves u money. Uh it should be a roll call role. Uh any discussion on item 18? You didn't hear it. Uh Councilwoman, there's a lot of echo today. Councilwoman Ryan was sharing that um it should be a roll call vote. Um any discussion on item 18? I really don't think we really need any discussion. It's been brought up. I'm worse than her. It's been brought up time and time again. So, I don't think we need it. Maybe you can explain the majority leader.

It's just going for a roll call vote, which I have no objection to it. Any further discussion? Hearing none, madam clerk, please call the role. The vote will be open and I will also call the role. Thank you. Council President Miller. I. Deputy Majority Whip Anderis. I. Councelor Davidson. I. Majority leader Espanol. I. Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonzalz. I. Councilwoman Graves. Hi. Deputy Majority Leader Harris. I. Councilwoman Peterson. I. Council President Prompor Picardo. Hi.

Councelor Royes. Hi. Councilwoman Ryan. Majority Whip Sanchez. Hi. Councilman Taylor. Hi. Councilwoman Anna Vargas. Hi. Councilman Oscar Vargas. I. Uh, Councilman V. Thank you. The vote is closed. You have 14 eyes, one nay. The motion carries and the matter is approved on a roll call vote. Thank you. Item 19, Madam President, majority leader motion to weigh the reader right 19 through 25. Second, Madam President.

Any discussion on items 19 through 25? Hearing none. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? The motion passes. Uh please refer items 19 through 24 to uh ways and means 25 to the committee on ordinances. So noted item 29. Madam President, majority leader motion to weigh the reader item 26 through 29 and pass for the second time on a roll call vote. Second. Any discussion on items 26 through 29? Madam clerk, please call the role.

The vote is open. Council president Miller I. Deputy Majority Whip Anderwis. I councelor Davidson I majority leader Espanol I senior deputy majority leader Gonzalez I councilwoman Graves Deputy Majority Leader Harris I Councilwoman Peterson Council President Prompor Pardo I Council Royas I Councilwoman Ryan Majority Web Sanchez I Councilman Taylor. Councilwoman Anna Vargas. Hi. Councilman Oscar Vargas. I.

Councilwoman Vargas, can you do your electronic vote? Thank you. The vote is closed. And you have 15 eyes. The motion carries. The matters are approved for the second time on a roll call vote. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Item 30. Madam President. Majority there. Was it the weigh around 30 and 31? Second, Madam President. Discussion on item 30. Councilwoman Davidson. Yeah.

Thank you, Madam President. Um I rise to briefly speak um in support of item 30. Um this is a small amendment to our existing um ordinances that requires that additional flood and sewer protection measures be installed in floodprone areas. Um it's a fairly simple ordinance. As I said, it sort of builds on what we already do, but it protects our houses from the potential for sewer backflows into the actual structures. I mean, that's the the function of what we're adding here. It's particularly important in many parts of the city where we have rising water tables, where we have um storm water impacts. And as we work as a city together to improve our aging infrastructure, we're still playing beat the clock. So this is a common measure that exists in most cities with similar geological and meteorological conditions as Providence. And so I put it forward so that we can protect our um residents from that unfortunate incurrence which does happen to plenty of people every year. Thank you.

Further discussion item 30 or 31. Majority leader.

Thank you Madame President. Um I rise to speak on behalf of item 31 which is the local vendor uh preference. Uh this one is a good one. This is great uh piece of legislation. So I want to thank the uh policy team and everyone that played a role in crafting this. Uh we all know the value a small business offer in our community and those that are local especially. So we want to recognize them and we want to thank them for the uh what they offer. We know that this uh contributes directly to our tax uh uh to our tax base and they hire uh local uh our neighbors and our friends and our families. Uh this will establish a certified uh local vendor program to support uh Providence uh business. Uh it gives local business a leg up in the uh bidding process. and it attracts uh new business and it sustain those already uh established. See we uh promote to buy local to shop local. Uh but I think that uh hiring local is also just as important. So this here highlights that and it works with the small business and and it puts something in process where they can actually uh bid for this local contracts and uh be part of the uh competition. Thank you so much.

Further discussion, Council Pearson.

Thank you. I just want to echo um majority leaders uh comments on this particular uh ordinance uh proposal. We um I think this is a really great way to not only bring some of our local vendors into the process of being able to do business with the city, but also um appreciate and value in a way when we have so many of our businesses that are currently um not doing as great. We like to try and uh and support in whatever possible way. And this is just one of, as we often talk about, tools in the toolbox. So, thank you very much for the opportunity and I look forward to continuing to talk about this. Thank you. Further discussion, Councilman Reyes,

I just want to add to the choir of voices. Uh, this is a um a really great ordinance. I support it and if I may, I would like to co-sponsor as well. Um, I just I will I shared all the sentiments my colleagues have already said and I just want to state that I'm surprised that we uh didn't have something like this that already existed. So, uh, shout out to the sponsor. Thank you. Thank you. Further discussion, Councilwoman Ander.

Um, I just wanted to, uh, rise on item number 30 and commend our colleague, uh, Councilwoman Davidson and putting this forward as we're seeing more and more intense storms and also, as she already mentioned, rising water tables across the city. We're seeing flooding across all of our neighborhoods. And I really just want to commend Councilwoman Davidson. she took this on immediately upon coming into office and really dug into like a pretty technical fix to the ordinance um to make this work better. So, I just wanted to give my strong support and I'm excited for us to evaluate it in committee. Further discussion hearing none. All in favor? I.

Any opposed? Any abstensions? The motion passes. Uh madam clerk, please refer 30 to uh the special committee on environment and resiliency and 31 to the committee on ordinances. So noted. Item 32. Madame President, motion to wave the reading of item 32 and pass in a voice vote. Second.

We have a motion and a second. And before I open the floor for discussion, um, please allow me the great pleasure of reading this resolution. Whereas the office of the professional municipal clerk, a timehonored and vital part of local government, exists throughout the world. And whereas the office of the professional municipal clerk is the oldest among public servants. And whereas the office of the professional municipal clerk provides the professional link between the citizens, the local governing bodies and agencies of government at other levels. And whereas professional municipal clerks have pledged to be ever mindful of their neutrality and impartiality, rendering equal service to all. And whereas the professional municipal clerk serves as the information center on functions of local government and community. And whereas professional municipal clerks continually strive to improve the administration of the affairs of the office of the professional municipal clerk through participation in education programs, seminars, workshops, and the annual meetings of their state, provincial, county, and international professional organizations. Now therefore, be it resolved in honor of professional municipal clerks week stretching from May 3rd through May 9th, 2026, that the city council of the city of Providence hereby recognizes the accomplishments and the importance of the office of the professional municipal clerk. Thank you,

councilors. Discussion on item 32. Councilman Rise.

Thank you, Madam President. Just want to just of course shout out our amazing clerks, the best clerks in any municipal government around, should I add. Um, there's so many things I could say. Hey, I mean like Tina, I just call you randomly. You pick up uh you are you you center me. You're also sort of my therapist. Um it's not in the job description. Uh but but when when city government is moving faster than I can manage it, you keep me sane and all of you really. um whenever I need a citation and it's like literally last minute, you never I don't know if you hang up the phone and say, "Oh, this coun council roy," but I don't hear it. But I I appreciate uh you all doing that for me and you just always come through no matter what. And um so I I just I I appreciate you and I just couldn't operate as a counselor without you. So thank you,

Councilman Ander. can't really top that. But I just wanted to say thank you. You guys, the whole building would fall apart without you. City functions would cease to operate. And we appreciate the heck out of you. I appreciate the heck out of you. Thank you for all that you guys do. I didn't know you were offering therapy services, so I'm going to have to Yeah. A little bit of a call. But no, for real though, thank you so much. You guys are such superheroes and everything would fall apart without you. And I hope you you guys uh you deserve all the recognition. And I wish every day, every week should be city clerk's week because you guys do so much. Councelor Gonovs.

Thank you, Madam President. I'm just here to reiterate what was already said. You guys are the lifeline of this city. Truly like nothing functions in this city without you and you're just so instrumental to everything that happens in our communities every single day. Gosh, we love you dearly. So, thank you. Thank you. Thank you for all the ways that you serve the people of Providence. And I know we're just going to hear from so many people. But look, there's one thing that we can all agree on, and it's that we have the best city clerks, not only in the city of Providence or the state, but in the whole country. So, thank you for all that you do. We love you dearly. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Further discussion. Councilwoman Harris. After almost 12 years, I have to say ditto.

It's a woman Davidson. Yeah. I just want to um say all of you were so instrumental in helping me settle down, get oriented, just sort of be able to function quickly in this job. So, thank you so much. I wasn't aware of the therapy services, so not thank you so much. Councilwoman Graves,

I have to stand for this one. I want to say thank you to all of you and thank you for the candy. Thank you for I like going into the office. They always have a stash in there when you're feeling down. I agree with you. They bring you right back up and they always come through at the last minute. I'm another one that go in at the last minute. I actually need 15, 20, maybe 50 of these things. And they always come through and sometimes I don't have anything written out. This is what I want. And can you just do it? And they do it. And they do it professionally without complaining and they always smiling. They are the best. You are all the best. And you put up with with us throughout the day. And then you come back in the evening and you put up with us some more. It's like you guys are glutton for punishment and but we appreciate it. Keep on doing what you're doing. Thank you so much.

Mr. Le here. I I actually think this should have been the last item on the agenda. I do too. And we really would have had some fun. But I'll keep it uh short and simple. Uh you make our jobs a lot easier and uh we could not function without you. Thank you. Thank you. Further discussion. Councilman Vargas,

I extend that. Well, thank you is not enough for you guys because if we have emergency for any citation or anything also calling, hey, you have to be here at this time. You guys doing the great great job. Thank you again. And I very appreciate it. Any salation can you do for my people? Once say I never receive any saltation for my work could do it for many years and I said you know but you deserve that people can make it for you happen is declares in my city town. Thank you so much

counciloman Peterson. I won't bel labor the point, but um with everything that everybody said, I think one of the things that I want to make sure that I um put across is that when our neighbors also come, they very much share how wonderful every single one of you are and so willing to support and so willing to assist and um you truly are the unsung heroes of everything that we do. So, thank you very much. Further discussion. Councilman Vargas. Uh oh.

Hey, you deserve everything. Eh, don't ask for a raise. We don't have no money. Thank you very much for all your work you do though. You work for 15 people plus a staff. God bless you then. I appreciate what you do though. Thank you. Any further discussion hearing? None. All in favor? Oh, and Madam Clerk, please open the vote.

The vote is open. The vote is closed. That is 15 eyes. The motion carries. The matter is approved. done a voice vote. Thank you all so much. Thank you.

Thank you. And allow me to add my shout out as a point of personal expression. Truly uh madam clerk, you and every single person in your office always find a way for all of us in this room for every um resident that comes seeking information. You there is no no in the vocabulary and it is so much appreciated. Thank you. Item 33. Madam President, Majority Leader, motion to weigh the reader of item 33. Second, Madame President, we have a motion and a second. Any discussion on item 33? Pro tempardo.

Madam President, thank you very much. Uh uh colleagues, this uh resolution urges passage by the Rhode Island General Assembly of House Bill H474 and it Senate Companion Senate Bill S3174, which would rename the state bridge crossing Smith Street over the northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 95 in honor of George Knee. Uh George Knee is a person that I've gotten to know for the past couple of decades now. Uh and with your indulgence and and uh your recommendation, I'm going to do justice by reading his resolution if you don't mind. Whereas George Knee began his decades of labor organizing and leadership in the 1969 United Farm Workers of America great boycott in Dorchester, Massachusetts, demonstrating his resolve and his solidarity with working people. And whereas that solidarity deepened with his in within his assignment to Rhode Island in support of the 1971 lettuce boycott, where his experience with farm workers deeply influenced his belief that labor organizing and collective action would allow working people to control their lives and economic futures. And whereas in part due to his efforts in organizing jewelry, clerical, health care workers upon his return to Rhode Island in the years following the 1971 lettuce boycott. N served as the founding president of the service employees international union local 76 between 1976 and 1983. And whereas NI was hired by the Rhode Island AF AFL CIO in 1983, serving as staff representative, executive

director, secretary treasurer, and finally president over his tenure and remaining in a steadfast champion of Rhode Islanders and their right to organize. hand. Whereas after 15 years as president of the Rhode Island AFL CIO and having held a vocation as a labor organizer and leader of 54 years, N retired from the presidency of the Rhode Island AFL CIO in 2024, having left an unparalleled legacy and abiding influence for the labor movement in Rhode Island. And whereas the the Providence City Council wishes to convey its gratitude for the diligence, fortitude, and commitment of George Knee and all of the leaders of the labor movement in Rhode Island following his dead his dead. Now therefore be resolved that the province city council supports and urges passage by the Rhode Island General Assembly of the House Bill H8474 and his Senate companion Senate Bill S3170 which would rename the state bridge acrossing Smith Street over the northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 95 in honor of George Knee. Be it further resolve that upon passage, copies of this resolution be transmitted to lead sponsors, Representative Christopher Blasooki, Senator Jacob Basilian, Speaker of Rhode Island House of Representative K. Joseph Sakashian, President of Rhode Island Senate, Valerie Lawson, the renaming members of the Providence delegation to the General Assembly, and to the Rhode Island AFO CIO to express the strong support of the Providence City Council for House Bill H8474 and Senate Bill S3170. Thank you, Madam President. I have

passage. Thank you. Further discussion. I Oh, please. if it's appropriate. I also wanted to recognize that within us uh in our chamber is also now the current president uh a strong leader that have come up the rank and that is our own Patrick Crowley, executive director of AFL CIO. Thank you very much. Thank you Patrick. Thank you Prom. Further discussion on item 33 hearing none. All in favor? I.

Any opposed? Any abstensions? The motion passes. Please refer 33 to the special committee on state legislative affairs. So noted. Item 34. Madam President. Majority leader. Motion to wave the reading item 34 and pass on a voice vote. Second. Madam President. We have a motion. May I May I ask for a reading of the resolution? I'm not sure when to do that.

Absolutely. Whereas though hearing and speech disabilities are rarely discussed, these are serious and often treatable conditions that affect an estimated 48 million Americans. And whereas there are many ways that individuals in our community have acquired these conditions. Some are born with them, others develop them after an injury or illness, and many others develop hearing issues as a result of occupational noise exposure. And whereas untreated hearing loss is a major public health priority that affects many people in our community and in other communities, individuals who may not know that they should be screened and treated. And whereas when someone shows signs of hearing loss, they may be adver averse to screening due to social stigmas around hearing loss and aging. And whereas even when an individual is diagnosed with hearing loss, the high cost of hearing aids and the inadequacy of insurance coverage for them can prevent members of our community from realizing the immense benefits of quality hearing. And whereas early identification and treatment for hearing loss can significantly improve the ability of city residents to succeed at school and in the workplace and to enjoy a rich quality of life. And whereas screening and treating hearing loss is also a critical way for adults to preserve their health as untreated hearing loss is linked to cognitive decline in older adults. And whereas the Rhode Island Commission on the Deaf and Heart of Hearing promotes resources for individuals experiencing hearing loss and their families, provides interpretation and captioning referral s services, and operates a lending library of information and assistive technology. And whereas better hearing and speech month raises

awareness about the importance of hearing and speech health and it is an annual reminder for adults to pursue hearing loss screening and intervention. Now therefore, be it resolved that the city council of the city of Providence hereby acknowledges and honors May as better hearing and speech month and that this council encourages adults in our community to be screened and treated for hearing loss. And be it further resolved that the city council of the city of Providence hereby transmits this resolution to Mayor Brett Smiley, the Rhode Island School for the Deaf, and to Michelle Klein, executive director of the Rhode Island Commission on the Deaf and Heart of Hearing.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Councilwoman Davidson.

Thank you, Madam President. Um yeah, I just I wanted to bring this forth because um as we know hearing loss affects one in seven Americans and I am one of them. I live with three adult onset conditions that impact my hearing. Odtosclerosis, titus and many disease. I am also very lucky because surgery and hearing aids provide help with the first two conditions and da d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d and stress management have prevented the latter from worsening. I know stress management, what am I doing here? working on it. Uh, nevertheless, while I live with a significant degree of hearing loss, I'm well aware that many others do not have my good fortune. I've been able to afford hearing aids and to have access to medical care that has made a huge difference. For many, hearing loss causes social isolation that has real consequences. When it's hard to hear, it can be easy to give up. There's only so many times that you can ask your friends, family, and co-workers to speak up. You decide that going to the fun dinner at the loud restaurant just isn't worth it. We lose work opportunities and our relationships could suffer. The mental health toll of hearing loss is real for so many of our friends, family members, and neighbors. And as the resolution states, anyone hearing me or reading these words, get a baseline hearing test. By the time we get to be older adults, 50% of us will have significant hearing loss. And if you don't already, you probably know somebody who does. So, but there's a lot of interventions. So, please, please, please get your hearing checked if you can. Um, as many residents who come to this chamber know well, participating in meetings here can be incredibly difficult. My friends with excellent hearing tell me that even for them, it used to be hard to understand what is said both by members of this council and members of the public. So, I want to thank the many people who have

made this space more accessible. special project manager Darius Henderson. Um the city council comm staff, Department of Public Property have all worked under the determined leadership of city council chief staff June Rose to do a huge amount of work in this echoey 19th century space. The improvements that they have made include microphone upgrades, speakers installed all over the place, um, new carpeting that absorbs and transmits sounds better, and especially the monitors that we have here. Um, they display the live stream video with live captioned transcriptions. This in particular makes a giant difference. I love to hear your words, but I am usually reading your words when you speak. Um because I really need that extra accommodation and support and sort of many many other people who visit us here. Um the electronic voting system helps a lot too. You can sort of see as well as hear what is happening. So, you know, for me and many others, these changes really provide vital access. this building belongs to the people of Providence and for so for so many more people. You can now participate in our democracy in this space in the ways that we should. So I just want to say kudos to all of you who made this difference. It is really making me poss making it possible for me to do this job. It makes it possible for members of the public to access our work. So way to go. It's great. Thank you very much. Thank you, councelor. Further discussion,

madam president,

I just want to rise and uh commend uh councilwoman Jill Davidson for this resolution and also bringing attention to the hearing impairer and also the improvement that we've made here. Um, I know that we all have our own uh uh probably at times health issues as we get older. uh as a veteran many of us uh who serve um have uh hearing loss uh as we grow a little older uh including myself uh we have those disability and I'll tell you uh those improvement has really helped a lot and uh through our leadership and our staff has been uh very uh positive but also for for our audience. So, thank you for bringing this to to our attention and uh congratulations and thank you uh to the staff for making this in June, hearing us out from the beginning when you got here. Thank you.

Discussion on item 34 hearing. None. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Um so, oh no, we're good. Uh we were opening the vote. Yep. The vote is open. Thank you, Madam Clerk. And the vote is closed. You have 15 eyes. The motion carries. The matter is passed on a voice vote. Item 35. Madame President, majority leader, motion to weigh the reader of item 35. Second, Madam President. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on item 35? Councilman Gunk.

Thank you, Madam President. So tonight I rise in support of this resolution opposing the demolition of four historic homes on Brook Street in the heart of Ward One in Fox Point. These homes are really a part of our history in the city of Providence and uh PPS actually did some really great research on this and found that two of these homes were owned by black families. In fact, they were homes connected to Alexander Gorum, a black real estate developer and philanthropist in the 1800s, as well as the Fuller family. And it has an important history related to uh Fox Point, all of these structures. And as we know, once these structures are demolished, they're gone forever. So, I've been working with many of the neighborhood of Butters to oppose the demolition of these historic homes. And Brown is currently proposing an economics building in uh this area. And more than 700 residents across our ward and across the city, in fact, have signed a petition that we've circulated in collaboration with the Providence Preservation Society and other stakeholders. And so we understand that Brown has to grow. We understand that preservation and progress do not have to be mutually exclusive. And Brown has successfully in the past incorporated historic structures and development before. And so we're hoping that they can do so again. And this resolution isn't anti- Brown's new economic building. It's really about our history. It's pro- community and um that's why we want to make sure that the folks who are opposed to this their their their voices are heard loud and clear. And we're

asking that Brown simply pause, engage with the public meaningfully and evaluate alternatives and including adaptive reuse before uh the irreversible outcome of demolishing these homes. So, I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution and to stand with my neighbors in calling for a more thoughtful path forward. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, councelor. Further discussion on item 35. Hearing none. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? The motion passes. Please refer 35 to the committee on public works. So noted.

Item 36. Madam President, Majority Leader, motion to wave the read of R 36 through 38 and pass in a voice vote. Second, Madam President. We have a motion and a second. Discussion. Councilman Gonovs.

Thank you, Madam President. In a similar vein to the other resolutions that we've heard tonight, I want to make sure that we elevate mental health. Uh mental health impacts nearly every family in every community. Uh yet so many people suffer in silence. And so this resolution is to recognize mental health awareness month and calls attention to the importance of reducing stigma and expanding access to care particularly for those in high stress uh professions or just those who are dealing with mental health or substance abuse issues anywhere in our city. And I want to recognize a PC student in fact uh Lauren Buckton for helping bring attention to this issue and for her advocacy around mental health awareness and that's why we introduced this. So, uh, seeking help for anyone in our city should never be seen as a weakness. And by taking openly, uh, um, or or talking openly about this issue, uh, particularly mental health, we can certainly save lives. So, I respectfully ask for your support on this resolution.

Thank you. Further discussion, Councilman Royes.

Thank you, Madam President. And I want to thank the sponsor of this uh, resolution. This is uh very near and dear to me. Um as some of you know, I I'm a clinician and I serve as a uh school social worker and we're actually celebrating mental health awareness month at my school. I have a few thoughts about this that I will probably share every time there's uh uh mental health awareness month, but we are seeing uh a dismantling of uh support uh services for mental health. Um when we had the COVID pandemic, we s for the first time in my lifetime, you know, I we we saw this surge in support and now because the uh COVID pandemic has seemingly gone away um uh we are governments have now um uh sort of um cut funding um to to support um folks struggling with their mental health. you know, I I want to just ask you all to think about uh the upcoming budget uh PPSD in particular and look at and all all across Rhode Island, we're seeing school districts cut uh mental health staff. And so I ask that you think about um the consequences if PPSD proposes a budget that cuts social workers from our district to think about what that will do uh to students. Um, I also just want to use this platform to echo a few more things. This the resources that we have. I want to remind folks uh to use the 988 suicide hotline if you are in crisis. I also want to call attention to BH link which is the adult crisis hotline for adults in crisis and then there's kids link for a child in crisis. Um, I will

just admit and be vulnerable or share share uh uh some of my vulnerability tonight is I've used um BHLink in particular when I felt like I was experiencing a crisis and I was uh fielded to someone a Rhode Island based clinician who was compassionate uh just simply listened and then uh uh rerouted me to the um to a to a a service that was appropriate for where I was in life. And so I I would just echo those supports. And on a personal note, um we all join this space because we want to do right for people. And uh that sometimes comes out comes with sort of secondary trauma. And a famous uh uh psychotherapist named Carl Young uh once termed uh a a concept for this. He he called it the wounded healer. And so much of we take on even from our residents though their stories can impact us. and just to be mindful of your own mental health. And you know, we we as we as elected officials sometimes believe we have to have it so put together. And um I think that is uh I I think that's a mistake. I think um residents love authenticity and your families deserve you to be at your best self. And so, um, I would encourage my colleagues here that if you you're feeling like you need support to use the resources. We are not, uh, superheroes. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, counselor. Further discussion 36 through 38. Hearing none. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? The motions pass. Still an electronic vote. I'm so sorry. electronic vote. The vote is open. Thank you. And the vote is closed. You have 15 eyes. The motion carries. The matters are approved on a voice vote. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Item 39. Madam President, Majority Leader. Motion to wait the reading of item 39.

Second. We have a motion and a second. Discussion. Item 39. Councilman Peterson. If I could please ask the city clerk to read this resolution um into the record. Thank you. Whereas Jeannie Lipet having been deafened from scarlet fever fever at the age of four lacked an equal and accessible opportunity for a comprehensive education. And whereas Rhode Island had no school for the deaf prior to and following initial demographic and educational reporting on the deaf community in Rhode Island in 1836 with the state instead subsidizing education for deaf students at the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut and at the Horus Man School in Boston, Massachusetts. And whereas determined that Jeanie learned to speak, Maryanne Lipet developed a method of teaching both lip reading and speech for Jeanie with later teachers including Harriet B. Rogers, Mary C. Wheeler, Henry Wodssworth Longfellow, and Alexander Graanbell furthering the education of her daughter. And whereas in recognition of the unmet needs of deaf and heart of hearing children in Rhode Island, Maryanne Lipet founded the Rhode Island School for the Deaf in 1876. And whereas through the diligence and commitment of Lipet and that of her husband, Governor Henry Lipet, the Rhode Island School for the Deaf became a state public school the following year. And whereas the Rhode Island School for the Deaf is a public school providing an expansive bilingual and bicultural education to students from Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts and fostering academic and personal growth from preschool preschool through high school. And whereas in the 150 years

since its founding, the Rhode Island School for the Deaf has incorporated the linguistic, pedagogical and social emotional advancements made by and in support of deaf and heart of hearing people and in furtherance of the empowerment and inclusion of its students. And whereas the life of Jeannie Lipet and the ensuing work of her mother Maryanne influenced innovative and progressive education for both deaf and hearing students generally with Mary C. Wheeler going on to found the Wheeler School and Harriet B. Rogers going on to found what later became the Clark's schools for hearing and speech. And whereas the Providence City Council wishes to convey its gratitude for and support of an abiding institution that has educated and empowered deaf and heart of hearing children for over 150 years. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Providence City Council hereby honors the life and legacy of Jeannie Lipett whose life inspired tireless advocacy for the education of deaf and heart of hearing people. And be it further resolved that the Providence City Council hereby officially renames the street known as Corus Park to Jeanie Lipet Circle, ensuring the abiding presence of the name and legacy of Jeannie Lipet and the continued inspiration toward advocacy for the empowerment and inclusion of all people. And be it further resolved that upon passage copies of this resolution be transmitted to the family of Jeannie Lipett, the Lipet House Museum, the Rhode Island School of the Deaf, the United States Postal Service Postmaster for Providence, the office of the city of Providence Director of Public Works, Patricia A. Coinf, and the Office of the Mayor of Providence, Brett P. Smiley.

Thank you very much. I know we're only referring this to committee right now, but I did promise that I would um convey a quick message on behalf of this. It's um I've been honored to do a tour and I really welcome everybody that possibly can. They're doing another one on Monday at 2:45 if anybody can go to the School of the Deaf. Um and really I just wanted to highlight these really wonderful students that um brought me in and made me understand their need. And I um I'm thoroughly appreciative of that moment. But um the other part to this is um how how wonderful it is to see that they're so civically engaged. They've done their research about what they wanted and I've been able to not only learn quite a bit, but also see them um walk this path of learning and being very civically engaged. So I look forward to being able to do this with them um at each step. and I welcome you all to be able to do that as well. Um, they're going to be watching this, I think, tomorrow. So, um, I just wanted to make sure that I gave a quick, um, shout out about that. And it's also pretty appropriate being that we've just, um, submitted a resolution for the better hearing and speech month um, as as counselors. So, thank you very much and I look forward to presenting this in committee.

Thank you, councelor. Councilman Gonov,

thank you, Madam President. Councelor Peterson, I just want to thank you for putting this forward. As you all know, the Lipid House is in Ward One and anything that we can do to recognize the Lipid family and their contributions and their impact on students all across our our city is something that we certainly ought to do. As you know, she was a a mentor and and in many cases inspired folks like Mary C. Wheeler. And these are both very powerful women who advanced education not only in our city but in our entire state. And you know I have had the honor of going to Wheeler as a student but also having had the honor of teaching there for for uh many years. And I mean their inspiration whether it's Mary C. Wheeler or uh Miss Lipet, they've done so much for all of our communities and that legacy uh certainly lives on. And then uh Madame President, I want to just make sure I am uh rising in support of the resolution that we introduced. I apologize on uh Jewish American Heritage Month. Um, and I want to acknowledge the many organizations and faith communities that continue strengthening Jewish life here in Rhode Island. Whether that's the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, uh, Temple Bethel, Temple Emanuel, uh, Congregation Beth Shalom, Habad, the Sandra Bournestein Holocaust Education Center, and so many others. And I know we have many or two members I should say of our body that um identify as uh Jewish and so I really appreciate your partnership uh particularly councelor Davidson. Thank you so much for co-sponsoring this resolution uh with me and I also just want to thank Stephanie Hake who's here. Thank you so much

Stephanie. Let's give her a round of applause. And I know Emily Gudro was supposed to potentially be here, but uh we are grateful for their work and their advocacy and helping bring attention to this important uh recognition as we acknowledge Jewish Heritage Month um this this month, not only in our city, but all across uh our our country and our globe. So, it's really important that we're recognizing and celebrating our neighbors. and I respectfully ask you for your support on this resolution. Thank you, Madam President. Further discussion on item 39. Uh, council,

I have discussion on item 38. Uh, 38 is we've passed item 38. Sorry. Point of personal expression. Uh, after we uh move through. Thank you. I appreciate it. Sorry, council. After Let's move through. Oh, after. Okay. Yep. Further discussion on 39. Uh hearing none. All in favor? I. Any oppose? Any abstension? Uh Madame Clerk, please refer 39 to the committee on herb. So noted. Councilman Davidson. Point of personal expression.

I was I off mic. I said maybe I'm being extra deaf tonight. So my apologies. Um so I just wanted to briefly say um in support of item 38. Um, I come from a proud Jewish American family. Um, I had two grandfathers with very different backgrounds. One came here, one family came here in the 1830s, one whose family came much later. They didn't agree on very much, but one thing they both did agree on, both World War II vets were, "Kid, you're an American." That's what they would both say to me separately and often. You know, sometimes as a Jewish kid, you don't know where how to say where you're from. Where's your family from? I got they're from everywhere. It's hard to explain. So I take I always took such pride in being a citizen of the United States in my American heritage and in my Jewish faith, but you know just sort of like the specific wording of this Jewish American heritage had means so much to me personally. I think I speak for a lot of people in that. And so I just want to thank you all for your support in this um really speaks to us especially these days in the age of rising anti-semitism to know we are here. We belong here. This is our country and I'm super proud of it. So, thank you all for your support.

Thank you, counselor. Item 40. Madame President, majority leader motion to weigh the read of item 40 and pass on a voice vote. Second, Madam President. Any discussion on item 40? Hearing none, Madame Cler. Oh, I'm sorry. Uh, prompt.

Uh, yes, just briefly. Uh this resolution uh calls for um the Providence public school system as we continue the debate on the on the budget to speak to us and figure out a plan for the over 250 or 300 students that are uh homeless uh quote unquote. And I think that uh it's uh not only a message for us to deal with as we continue to highlight the need for housing and those who are renting uh and so forth that it's an immediate address that we need to make sure that families are housed, children are have some consistency and predictability in their own life. And so this resolution calls on PPSD to come before the uh ways and means committee committee, right? Uh to come and and present uh what is the plan going forward with that with our youth. Thank you.

Discussion. Councilman Ryas.

Thank you. And I know I'm uh talking a lot tonight. I just uh want to uh thank the sponsors of this resolution. It's um I I've often sort of preached that uh PPSD kind of keeps a steady uh record unfortunately has been steady around 400 students from PPSD that have are experiencing homelessness in different uh different levels. Um and we have the line share unfortunately of um uh students in a public school district compared to other school districts. And so it's a it's a serious issue and probably one that's not getting enough attention. Um I I because mental health awareness month is in the back of my mind. You know, I I think this um we often when we talk about young people experiencing homelessness, they often are accompanied with depression, anxiety, and um and the solution often is, you know, some good-natured folks might say, "Well, well, well, I'm going to I'm going to, you know, refer your family uh to um maybe some out outpatient um uh services." and what they really need is a roof over their head or or a landlord that's not going to raise their rents. And so you can't derupi durapize uh uh a student out of homelessness or a family out of homelessness. Um, and so, um, you know, when I when I think about when I was a homebased clinician, um, I would meet with clients and I would see all their diagnosis on paper and I'm like, well, I think some of this would go away if they had heat, if they had food, if they had a roof over their head. Um and so we kind of treat mental health and uh these systemic issues as if it's there's something innate or innately wrong about a person rather

than sort of their their bas basic needs. And it go sort of goes back to the Maslo's hierarchy of needs. Not to sound sort of like a like a geek uh but um this reminded me of that. So I thank the sponsors uh for starting that conversation.

Thank you counselor. Further discussion hearing? None. Madam clerk, please open the vote. The vote is open. The vote is open. And the vote is closed. You have 15 eyes. The motion carries. The matters approved on a voice vote. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Item 41. Madam President, majority leader.

Motion to w the reading item 41 and pass for the first time and a roll call vote. Second. Uh, we have a motion and a second. Councilman Ander for discussion.

Thank you so much, Madam President. I rise in strong support of this ordinance um and I hope that you will um all join me in voting yes on this and I just wanted to share a little additional information. The special committee on um the environment resilience heard a really stunning presentation from director de la Cruz from the office of or d department of sustainability and our um energy administrator David Roerio. And this body passed two enabling pieces of uh uh two enabling pieces of legislation over the past couple years. the building reportings ordinance and the um carbon neutral buildings ordinance requiring all municipal buildings to be carbon neutral by 2040. And the city under the direction of uh director de la Cruz, sorry, my brain is in like a thousand places today. Um uh is doing just a frankly stunning job in implementation of that ordinance. Um uh David Rogerio, the director of energy, um has released a decarbonization pathway plan for the city. If you haven't seen it yet or received a copy, I'm happy to get you one. It is, I keep using the word stunning, but it is like when you have such professional people working for this city and they're enabled to do their jobs well, what you get is excellence. And it's just like I like I cried on the way home, which I admitted to the the committee the other day, just being so proud of the work that's happening and the example that Providence is setting for the rest of the country in doing this work and for the residents of this city. And so this ordinance here creates a green revolving fund. As the um as the team has been implementing the decarbonization plan, we are seeing real savings from these projects. In the last two years, we are now saving about 7% on our energy bills. Um which is a very large quantity of um uh of funds. And you might notice that your energy bills have been going up quite a bit over the last few uh few years. They are certainly not going down 7%. So the work that we are doing to decarbonize, to invest in energy efficiency, it is working not just to help the environment, but to save our

residents and our taxpayers real money. Um and so we'll be reinvesting those savings into this green revolving fund. We'll also be investing um uh any sort of incentives that we get from the federal government or from um the utility or from the state back into this so that we can continue to fund future projects and especially in the face of increasing hostility to clean energy from our federal administration and frankly also from our current state government. Um Providence leading the way and showing hey we're seeing savings and we're going to create our own incentives to keep doing this is um we are showing real leadership um in doing so. And I also just want to point out um the um the support we've received not just from the environmental community, but the public testimony we received on this was all from the the building trades. We saw the IBW, the steel workers, the AFL CIO, Climate Jobs Rhode Island, um folks coming out to say that this is going to help preserve real jobs in this state um as we move forward with decarbonizing our building. So, it's a really great ordinance. Um, I was really proud to sponsor it and work in partnership with Priscilla and David to move this forward. And I just want the record really want to commend them. They are doing just a stunning job, not just on this, but on so much else and really leading the way, not just in our state, but in our nation and creating um uh a really vital program. So, I hope you'll join me in voting yes on this. And we are moving it quickly, though we've reviewed it thoroughly because there are federal incentives that are disappearing quickly. and David uh Rogerio raised for us that um we could lose out on some federal money if we don't move this quickly. And so we heard that call. We met on a Friday at 5:00 PM. Thank you to my committee members that we could vote this out of committee last week in time for this meeting so that we grab every little bit of federal incentive that we can before those disappear and invest them here in our city. So that was longer than I meant it to be, but I'm really excited about this. I hope you all every single one of you join me in voting yes on this. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Sanchez.

Thank you, Madam President. I was really trying to go all medium without saying anything, but I would uh be regret to not uh give um the the flowers that councilwoman Andrew deserves um on this and everything environmental related that we have done as a a whole city council. Um I'm not going to lie, you guys probably know already environmental policy is definitely not my cup of tea. Uh but entering or or closing out year four as a city councelor, I have learned so so much um in in this committee of sustainability and resiliency. uh having the opportunity and and uh to interact and and learn from council Interb and all the amazing people at sustainability. Uh this department does wonders uh punches so so above their weight uh when it comes to uh resources and bringing in dollars and savings. Uh so I I'm committed to continuing this work uh to keep moving our city in in the right direction. Uh, but I just want to make sure that Councilwoman Interall gets uh her very uh deserving flowers on this work um because it's so so important. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councelor. Further discussion on 41. Counciloman Peterson.

Thank you very much. I just wanted to make sure that I um reiterated exactly what uh Councelor Sanchez has just said. Um, you know, I had the pleasure of attending a League of Cities and Towns conference uh a few weeks back and one thing that I noticed was I went into an environmental resiliency um uh seminar and it happened to be our own city of Providence that was actually leading and teaching the rest of the cities and towns what we were doing um as as innovative and and it was all led obviously by director Cruz as well as um uh David and um it was interesting to be able to learn it as a person that also doesn't know and understand as much um as my counterpart over here, but I'm very thankful that I was able to and also to see um see the the feedback that we got from other cities and towns about how we are very much leading the way and that made me feel really good because we um oftent times we don't ever get to give our departments flowers. Um, and this is one of those times where we absolutely should. We are very much um allowing for an opportunity to create some savings and and hopefully we'll be able to do so many other wonderful things with this. So, if I'm allowed to, I would love to be a sponsor on this as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Reyes. Madam President, I uh I uh I said I was going to this I said previously it was going to be my last time speaking, but I do have to give council and barer flowers as well. Just an amazing uh leader on of this committee. I've learned so much as as so much as well. Um and um if decarbonization doesn't move you then let cost savings move you for those who might be fiscally uh grounded in terms of how they view policy. Um the one the one thing I will add is uh my daughter also had was invited to this committee two times and she she shared some great reviews and that may be related to chair and giving her cookies. Uh but uh but it was it was great and and so I also encourage you all to to support this ordinance. It's really really great work and I'm a cynical of of government often. Uh but this committee has been doing really great work um because of uh council and thank you

Councilman Gonhouse.

Thank you. I would be remiss also if I didn't give my flowers to Councilwoman Andrew Bra. She's done a great job on all of these issues related to the environment. It's going to be a huge huge void on this body without having your knowledge and your expertise on all issues related to the environment. And so I want to thank you for your leadership for the last several years to advance these issues and to ensure that we're a green city that's leading on decarbonization. Uh and as I've been very open about on a pretty rapid timeline. I mean we should be moving faster. Um, I would love for us to be doing this by 2030, but I know 2040 and sometimes 2050 gets thrown out there because, um, climate change is real and what we're seeing up at the federal level and the roll backs that we're seeing all across this country means that it's going to have catastrophic catastrophic effects on on all of us. And I just want to say that you've been a great leader in this arena and we're so so grateful for everything that you've done to decarbonize our city to make sure we're leading the way on uh solving this climate crisis. And Providence is going to have to lead the charge on this when other people unfortunately don't. And so I just want to thank you again for all that you're doing along these lines. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you. Further discussion. Hearing none. Madam clerk, could you please uh call the role and open the vote? The vote is open. Council President Miller, I. Deputy Majority Whip Andera, yes. Councelor Davidson, yes. Majority Leader Espanol, yes. Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonzalez, yes. Councilwoman Graves, Deputy Majority Leader Harris, yes. Councilwoman Peterson, yes. Council President Prompor Picardo, C. Yes.

Councelor Royas, I'm going to bring the quorum back. Yes. Councilwoman Ryan is absent. Majority Whip Sanchez, yes. Councilman Taylor is absent. Councilwoman Anna Vargas. Councilman Oscar Vargas. Yes.

Councelor Petardo. Thank you. The vote is now closed. You have 13 eyes, two absent. The motion carries. The matter is approved for the first time on a roll call vote. Yes. Thank you, Madame Clerk and Councilwoman Anderw. Item 42. Madame President, Majority Leader, motion to weigh the reader on 42 and 43 and pass in a voice vote. Second, Madam President, any discussion on items 42 and 43? Councilman Davidson.

Uh, so sort of saving my thunder for this one. Um just want to say that as a member of this committee I'm extraordinarily proud to be associated with the work that's referenced here. Um the ways in which we are envisioning taking care of our city, the proactive thinking that is represented here um is critical to our safety and our security. It's critical to our financial security. It's critical to the ways in which we going to be able to um move forward as a city. We will be leading the way in Rhode Island and nationally to demonstrate that infrastructure gets old, but our thinking doesn't have to. So, I'm delighted to be able to support this work. Way to go.

Thank you, councelor. Uh, further discussion on 42 or 43? Counciloman Ander.

Uh, really briefly, well, first, that was super fire. Councilwoman Davidson, we're over here just fangirling you for that phrase. I just want to put that on the record that we're all enamored with you. Um and um I rise to speak on um number 42 and um we have been for a moment talking about our environment committee as if it's in the past tense, but it is not because this is a resolution on storm water and equitable funding for sew storm water and sewer management. um committing us uh to continued partnership with the administration and director de la Cruz and her team to investigate ways that we can be sustainably funding um infrastructure, green and a little bit of gray, but mostly green infrastructure to deal with our storm water issues. And I like how this meeting keeps having things at the beginning and the end that reference each other like we had the hearing and now we have Councilwoman Davidson's earlier ordinance around um backflows and storm water. And this is also looking to find systemic ways for us to address funding disparities and um lack of funding for storm water infrastructure. So that work continues. And I'm excited because we're also now talking with professionals from the city of Newport who are looking to do similar work and instead of being in competition, we're in collaboration and trying to do this um together and more cost-effectively and uh bring in a bigger brain trust. So, I'm excited for what's to come and keep your eyes peeled for um some more work coming this way uh in the next few weeks on storm water.

Thank you, counselor. Further discussion 42 or 43? Hearing none, madam clerk, please open the vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. You have 13 eyes, two absent. The motion carries. The matters are approved on a voice vote. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Item 44. Madam President, majority leader,

motion to wave the reading of item 44 through 47 and pass for the first time on a roll call vote. Second. Any discussion? 44 through 47 hearing? None. Madame clerk, please open the vote and call the role. The vote is open. Council President Miller, I. Deputy Majority Whip Anderwis, I. Councelor Davidson, I. Majority Leader Espanol, I. Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonzalez, I. Councilwoman Graves, I. Deputy Majority Leader Harris, I. Councilwoman Peterson I. Council President Prompor Pardo I.

Councelor Royas. I sorry I was your name. Councilwoman Ryan is absent. Majority Whip Sanchez. I. Councilman Taylor is absent. Councilwoman Anna Vargas. Hi. Councilman Oscar Vargas. Hi. Councilwoman Vargas, can you put in your electronic vote? Thank you. The vote is closed. You have 13 eyes, two absent. The motion carries. The matters are approved for the first time on a roll call vote. Thank you. Item uh 48. Madam President, Majority Leader, motion to weigh the reading of item 48 through 58 and passing a voice vote.

Second, Madam President. We have a motion and a second on items 48 through 58. Uh discussion. Councilman Vargas.

Thank you very much. My uh Madame President, I rise to ask a question to the sponsor number 48. Where we going to be putting the mattress depot or the transfer station? If we transfer 700 Allens Avenue to the Pro Redevelopment Agency, they will sell it if they do that. Do we have any other location where we going to be putting this um all these department that was going on down there every Saturday? Uh councilman. So I'll answer that at throughout discussion and vetting in committee. Uh that part of 700 Adams Avenue is not uh what we are looking to transfer over to P. It's just the building that is there. So that the mattress stipple will still be there.

So it's only the green building. That's it. And the garages underneath. Exactly. Not not the rest of the land. Not the mattress depot. No. Because you know that we have Can I Sorry. Sure.

Sorry. As we know that we as we know that the city does not a good property management. They will sell this and then later on we will look for something to rent like what happened with the salt. Remember we sold the the the building and then we rent the space for to deposit the salt for winter that we still paying rent. So we as a console people we have to watch and manage how the administration works and we have to be careful when we give the power to them to do things that we going to regret later. Thank you.

Thank you. Further discussion 48 through 58. Uh, Madame President, how can I vote no and 48 and yes and the rest? Madame Clerk, take it away. We will have to take back the motion. Cancel the vote and restart. Um, withdraw your motion to pass 48 through 58. Majority leader. Okay. withdraw the motion. I'll take the motion back. And then

I'll take my second and then uh just put forward a motion to wave the reading of item 48 alone. All right. So uh motion to with the reading of item 48 and pass on a roll call vote. Second. We have a motion and a second. discussion on item 48 hearing. None. Uh electronic vote is going to be ready or should we just do a voice? It is open.

Okay. Electronic vote open. The vote is closed. We have 10 eyes. One abstension, two nos. The motion carries. The matter is approved on a voice vote. Thank you, uh, Madame Clerk. All right, majority leader, may I have a motion for 49 through 58?

Uh, yes, Madam President. Motion to wear the reading on item 49 through 58 and pass on a voice vote.

Second. Any discussion on 49 through 58? Hearing? None. Madam clerk, please open the vote. The vote is open. Councilwoman Vargas and the vote is closed. We have 13 eyes, two absent. The motion carries. The matters are approved on a voice vote. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Item 59. Madame President, majority leader.

Motion to w the reading item 59 and pass for the first time and a roll call vote. Second. Uh we have a motion and a second. Discussion. Chairwoman Harris. Absolutely.

Um tonight I'm rise to support the community development block grant budget for the program 2026 and 27. I just want you to know what's in this budget. This year allocation represents a total investment of approximately 5.4 million in CBDG funding supporting critical programs and projects across the city of Providence when paired with the addition federal resources through home ESG and Hawwa. We are collectively advancing a comprehensive strategy to support housing stability, economic opportunities, and community well-being. At a high level, this budget reflects a balanced and intentional approach. Over 1.38 million invested in housing, including rehabitation, home repairs, and affordable housing initiative directly supporting residents ability to remain safely in their house. More than 750,000 in facility improvements, strengthening community-based infrastructure such as libraries, shelters, and neighborhood centers. Over 600,000 in public service supporting frontline organiz organizations developing food as access, health care, youth programming, and service for vulnerable population. 750,000 in neighborhood investments across all 15 wards, ensuring that every community in Providence see direct tangible benefits from these funds and target economic development investments supporting small business, workforce and development and local economic growth. The impact of this funding is real and immediate. It means safer homes, stronger communities, institutions,

expand access to essential um service, continue investment in neighborhoods we represent. I also want to acknowledge this budget is the result of a thoughtful and collaborate process through the committee of urban redevelopment renewal and planning. I want to give credit to also Councilwoman Vargas, Councilwoman Graves, Councilwoman Duncows, and of course our magnificent vice uh chairman Pachado. Um and these are all my colleagues that have engaged in the commitment of this process. I also want to give credit also and recognition to the Department of Housing and Human Service, particularly Emily Freeman and Alicia Dermmont of their part partnership and techno guidance. As you guys uh go around in the neighborhood and cut many of these ribbons for houses that's been built, you often see um Emily and Alicia at those things. That's because you have made it possible for us to continue um supporting in this area. And from the council office, of course, we have Carol Delgada and Robert Bautista for their work in supporting the review coordination and development of this budget, which means that they work directly with each and every one of you council people. in in in my case it keeps me from having a rolling qu or something like you know accidentally doing something that will disturb this. So they have been magnificent in making sure that they reach out to each and every one of us and keep us connected. Professional municipal clerk clerks Clara u clerks Lauren and Cararissa. Thank you so much. without your support

and without your help in making sure that we stayed on point, used the right attachments under the guidance and leadership of our Tina, you have done an amazing job for the HR committee. This is a strong community center budget and reflect both our federal obligations and our local priorities. So, I really would love to have each and every one of you support this budget tonight. Thank you so much. Thank you, Chairwoman. Further discussion. Item 59. Councilman Gonovs.

I'm here to just say thank you to the chairwoman of this committee. I think this is, at least in my opinion, one of my favorite committees to to sit on. And um this is sad because it's going to be your last time chairing this committee. I think we should give Councilwoman Mary Kay. Paris a really big round of applause for doing this for so many years. Um, and you know, she she runs a tight ship. Um, but the amount of resources that are going to organizations all across 15 wards, you're talking community centers, affordable housing initiatives, homelessness services, youth programs, and the organizations like, you know, Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. We're in this round. Amos House and Crossroads and Meals on Wheels and uh Reeba and um I'm grateful to allocate my some of my funding to uh the Matthew Street Church and I know many of you do through your own ward uh uh uh funding will uh continue that incredible work. But I just want to thank all the committee members who work so hard uh to advance uh these dollars and especially want to thank Chairwoman Mary Kay Harris for her leadership for so many years throughout uh this entire process. So thank you. Thank you. Thank you uh Mary Kay Harris. Your legacy will live on for ever and um you will not be able to be replaced on uh the herb committee. So thank you for all that you do.

Thank you. Further discussion on item 59. Councilwoman Graves.

Um, I just want to say is a great committee to be on, but it's also one of those heartbreaking committees to be on. Everyone that comes before us deserves something. All of those groups that come, they come in because they are supporting the people that need the most. They come in with stories that can break your heart. And you want to give to each and every last one of them, but we don't have the money to give to each and every last one of them. So, you have to figure out who can I give to, how much can I give to them, you know? Um, so it's a great committee to be on, like I said, but it it's really probably the the worst committee to be on, too. And I I applaud Mary Kay. um because she's been doing it for a while and I know that it it pulls your heartstrings each and every time you do it because sometimes I go home and say, "Well, I really like this one, but I don't know if this one can do it." So, it's it's but it's a wonderful thing that we can give to some, you know, we can't give to all, but we can give to some. and we try to give to the ones that we we feel needed the most, but there's no such thing as needed the most because there's always going to be a sad story in each thing. So, we have to keep on fighting and hopefully we can get more monies in our coffers and give more, you know. So, Mary Kay, yes, is leaving and we're going to cry because I don't know who's going to take her place, but we're going to whoever it is is going to have a a

she was so big. I they're going to be clanking because I don't know if anybody's going to fail. But, um, we need someone that has hot and soul in that position. We need someone that's doing it because they care, not because it's another little notch in their belt. And we definitely need them badly. We need them badly. And we need them to know what's out there. So, we don't need anybody filling a seat. We need somebody to go out there in them streets to know those organizations and to understand what they're all about. That's all I have to say.

Thank you. Further discussion. Protoardo.

Madame President, I rise uh in support of uh Councilwoman and Chairwoman uh Mary Kay Harris for the community development block grant budget for program 2627. Uh I think we're all in agreement with that. Uh but I have to say uh a very special thank you. Thank you to the leadership of Mary Kay Harris, a chairwoman because I've learned and I think we all have learned uh she runs a tight ship, but most importantly the inclusivity that she actually uh employs when it's uh engaging the conversation within our own city council members, but also in the community. I know through Councilwoman Anna Vargas and and and uh many of us who sit in the co in the committee, it's making sure that our points of view and that we're connecting to the community that we're serving within our ward and making sure that more people participate in this program. And like uh it was said before, we wish we had more, but I know that in the past four years since I've been uh serving in this committee, in the herb committee, uh we've allocated over $20 million here in the city council. We should all be proud of that. and the leadership of Mary Kay Harris uh has shown me uh that if uh we're all graced or some of us that are going to be up there for grace to return uh to this body that we can uh continue to uh resemble that leadership of inclusivity but also making sure that uh the points of view and that people are really heard uh in our awards in our city. Thank you Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris and to all the staff members who really put up with us. Thank you. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Further discussion hearing? None. Madame Clerk, please open the vote and call the role. The vote is open. Council President Miller, I. Deputy Majority Web Vanderbis, I. Councelor Davidson, recuse. Majority leader Espanol. I. Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonzalez. I. Councilwoman Graves, I. Deputy Majority Leader Harris, I. Councilwoman Peterson, I. Council President Prompor Pardo, I. Council Roy, I. Councilwoman Ryan is absent. Majority Whip Sanchez.

I, Councilman Taylor is absent. Councilwoman Anna Vargas, yes. Hi, Councilman Oscar Vargas. I

the vote is now closed. So we have 12 eyes, one recused, two absent. The motion carries. The matters passed for the first time on a roll call vote. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Herb Committee. Item 60, please. Madam President, majority leader, motion to weigh the reading of items 60 and 61 and receive and approve. Second. Madam President, any discussion on 60 or 61? Hearing none. Madam clerk, please open the vote.

The vote is open. The vote is closed. You have 13 eyes, two absent. The motion carries. The matters are received and approved. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Item 62. Madam President, Majority Leader, motion to w the reader item 62 and pass for the first time in a row call vote. Second. Any discussion on item 62? Hearing none. Madam clerk, please uh open the vote and call the role. The vote is open. Council President Miller,

I. Deputy Majority Whip Anderba, I. Councelor Davidson, I. Majority Leader Espanol. I, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonzalez. Hi. Councilwoman Graves. Hi. Deputy Majority Leader Harris. I, Councilwoman Peterson, hi. Council President Prompor Picardo. I, Council Royas. I, Councilwoman Ryan is absent. Majority Web Sanchez. Hi. Councilman Taylor is absent. Councilwoman Anna Vargas. Hi. Councilman Oscar Vargas. I

the vote is still open and the vote is closed. You have 13 eyes, two absent. The motion carries. The matter is approved for the first time on a roll call vote. Thank you. Item 63. Madam President, Majority Leader, Washington the reading of item 63 and continue indefinitely. Second. Any discussion on 63? Hearing none. All in favor? I I.

Any opposed? Any abstensions? The motion passes. Um, I'm going to ask council to stand at ease for a moment. Just want to clear something up. We get a two minute break,

which is always deeply appreciated.

I would have never noticed Madame clerk, item 64. Madam President, majority leader, motion to weigh the reading of items 64 through 71. Second. Any discussion on 64 through 71? Councilwoman Anderwis,

just super briefly, friends, because I know it's going to committee, but I rise in strong support of item 67. Um, this is to take what is now just a empty parking lot on North Main Street and turn it into a mixeduse building. And the person who's doing this development, um, grew up in Providence. His parents are immigrants. He grew up in my neighborhood and, um, it's always been his dream to own a piece of the own a piece of property and contribute to the city. And, uh, it was just stunning. I spent a morning with him talking about the property. He had done all this like research with archives of what used to be there and how we can make it fit in with the city. And as soon as he said vacant lot, North Main mixed juice building, my little heart just like exploded. So, as I'm sure you can all imagine, but I just am strongly in support of this and I'm really excited to see what is now just an empty parking lot serving no one um turn into a mixed juice building on my one true love, North Main Street. Um and we just need a minor zoning change to enable that.

Thank you, councelor. Further discussion 64 through 71 hearing none. Uh all in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Uh the motion passes. Madam clerk. 64. Point of personal expression really quickly. Uh let let me send these away and then you got it. Just kidding. Just kidding. Uh no no. We're nearly there. Uh 64. Please refer to the committee on public works. Uh 64 and 65 to public works. 66 through 67 to ordinances. 68 to pending suits. 69 through 71. Note as received. So noted. Councilwoman Peterson.

Thank you. Very quickly because I know we've been here for a little while, but I did want to recognize or at least highlight an issue. Yesterday um 11 families were displaced in a fire in my neighborhood and that equals about 20 adults and eight children. And um while the situation is still being investigated and um there's a lot of moving parts to all of this, I just wanted to highlight and thank some really key agencies and some I'm sorry, some really key departments that just um came and did the work as we all expect and it but to see it um firsthand, it I was moved and also very thankful. So I just wanted to um quickly shout out our fire department. Um, I think that for me as I I was driving home and um picking up my daughter and getting call after call after call about the fire that's very close to my house. And um when I got there, the sense of order and the sense of calm between all the fire department working in in unison, it was I've never been that close to a fire before and it was really um it was just it was impressive. Um, I really want to commend our fire department. Um, almost always they come out and support in so many different ways, but today we were able to see it really in action and I was really impressed and and um really appreciated that. Um, obviously the Red Cross came in. Um, these families are you learn quickly how much or how how how little we do with um how much we do with so little. um these families are being given um opportunity and of support for two evenings and their property manager is supposed to now help them kind of facilitate what's going to happen going forward. Um but I want to thank my community who immediately Ward 14 stepped up as quickly as all of this was

happening to ask um what can we do, how can we help, where can we go, and how many people do we need to navigate for. So I just want to thank the Ward 14 community for really stepping up and doing that. And lastly, um the area that it was in was on East Drive. And for those that don't know, our recck department, our main offices for the recck department are actually right over over there. They're right across the street. And um director Sean Holly was one of the people to call me to say, "What do you need?" And um in a moment of extreme uh you know, you have to think very quickly um not only Puma but American Red Cross, they all went and were able to be to support the families that were displaced right from the recck department. And he opened his doors. He's also opening his doors to be um a little bit of a um a collection site for families who are going to be donating for the families that are um currently at total loss. So, I just wanted to really highlight um our community and our services and our departments. It's just um in a moment of need, in a moment of an emergency, it's beautiful to see how all of this works in such a cohesive way. And I know I'm thankful for it. I know my neighbors are thankful for it. Um, and I just wanted to make sure that I address that today because there's 20 adults and eight children that right now don't have a place to go and we're trying to figure all of that out. But without the support of these particular departments in the moment, I don't know I don't know what we would have been able to do. So, just a a big shout out to our fire department and our recck department and also Puma for for being there and being able to assist.

Thank you, counselor. Madam President, point of personal expression. Uh, thank you. I just want to take a quick moment to wish all the moms and mom figures uh that I have the privilege to serve with a very happy uh hopefully you guys are resting as much as possible on Sunday uh Mother's Day. I love you all very much and I appreciate you all uh so much and thank you for all uh your contributions and wisdom that you give uh me on a on a weekly basis. Thank you. Thank you. It goes for uh for moms as well.

Thank you. Excellent. Uh item 72. Madame President, majority leader motion to w the freedom of item 72 and passing a voice vote. Second, Madam President. Any discussion? All in favor? I. I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? The motion passes. Item 73. Madam President, majority lead to weigh the to the freedom at 73 and passing a unanimous rising vote. Second discussion on 73. All in favor? I opposed. Any abstensions? The motion passes. Madam President,

Majority Leader, being that there is no further business, would tonight we motion to adjourn and we do that in the name of Manuel Fernando Gonzalez and all of those who have passed away. May they rest in peace. Second discussion. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? The motion passes. We are endured. Thank you all. Thank you.