City Council - Regular Meeting

Mic check, test one, two. Testing 1-2, this is the gooseneck. Testing 1-2.

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the Providence City Council. This Thursday, July 16th, Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Council President Miller?

Present. Deputy Majority Whip Anderbois is absent. Councilor Davidson? MAJORITY LEADER ESPINAL.

PRESENT.

SENIOR DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER GONZALVES. COUNCILWOMAN GRAVES. DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER HARRIS IS ABSENT. COUNCILWOMAN PETERSON. COUNCIL PRESIDENT PROTEMPOR PICHARDO IS ABSENT. COUNCILOR ROYAS IS ABSENT. COUNCILWOMAN RYAN.

PRESENT.

MAJORITY WHIP SANCHEZ.

PRESENT.

Councilman Taylor?

Present.

Councilwoman Ana Vargas? Present. Councilman Oscar Vargas?

Present.

You have 11 present and four absent. You have a quorum.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. This evening, the invocation will be led by Councilman Oscar Vargas. Will everyone please rise?

Thank you, Madam President. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, God, please help us to make great decisions to drive our city and to help our constituents. And bless everyone who's working hard to continue doing their best. Amen.

Thank you, Counselor. And I will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Madam Clerk, item three, please.

Madam President.

Majority Leader.

Motion to weigh the reader of item three and move approval. Second, Madam President.

Any discussion? Is my microphone working, friends? A little bit? Yeah, it sounds a little weird to me. All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? Any abstain? The motion passes. Item four.

Madam President. Majority Leader. Watch it the way the reader of item four. Second, Madam President.

Any discussion on item four? Hearing none, all in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? The motion passes. Item five. Madam President. Madam President, can you receive? Madam Clerk, please note four as received. So noted. Item five.

Madam President, motion to weigh the reader of item five and six. Second, Madam President.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on items five or six? Hearing none, all in favor? Aye. Any opposed, any abstentions? The motion passes. Madam Clerk, please refer item five and six to the Committee on City Property. So noted. And please note that Pro Tem Pichardo is present. So noted. Item seven.

Madam President.

Majority Leader.

Motion to waive the reading of item seven through 15 and pass for the second time on a roll call vote. Second, Madam President.

Any discussion on items seven through 15? Oh, Councilwoman Davidson.

Yes, thank you, Madam President. So on item 15, I appreciate the collaboration that everybody has given to make this substantial change to improve procurement processes at the Providence Public Schools. We've had collaboration with the Providence Public Schools, with the school board, and with the administration. And with the passage of this ordinance, we will be on track to create substantial financial oversight while also speeding up the process of getting what students and teachers need to improve teaching and learning in our schools. It's been a great experience. I truly also appreciate all of you as colleagues for working with the PPSD City Council Working Group to implement its recommendations quickly and meaningfully because the Providence Public Schools, as we all know, are back in local control. So this is a real assist. This is meaningful and I'm truly grateful that we're gonna be able to get this over the finish line. While I'm on the subject of schools, I just wanna remind everybody that before we know it, we're gonna blink our eyes and it's gonna be back to school. I know it's crazy, but it's true. So I just really wanna, I think all of you already do this, but I'm just grateful that all of us are gonna show up to our neighborhood schools on the first day of school, that we're gonna celebrate that, that we're gonna work with our local schools because This is a momentous back to school. The first time in six years that our schools have had true control over their destiny, and I'm very excited about what's gonna happen, so little advance plug for that. Thank you.

Thank you, counselor. Further discussion on items seven through 15?

Madam President.

Councilman Sanchez.

Thank you, Madam President. I just want to rise quickly and give our colleague, Councillor Davidson, a lot of credit for getting us to this point. While there is more work to do, this is an excellent position to be in going into a very important time. Like Councillor mentioned, the return of local control. The fact that the mayor's office, this body, and the Providence School Board is in agreement with this ordinance I think speaks high volume of the collaborative process that you led. I know Councilor Royas and folks from our staff were also part of the process. Like you said, this is excellent work, but there's more that we need to do. And then there's stuff outside of the official business here that we all need to be doing. We definitely need to take this as an opportunity to be more engaged, be more involved, be more supportive of all the different school activities and events that are happening in our respective neighborhoods so i just wanted to give counselor davidson some gratitude and urge my colleagues to take those steps or continue taking those steps because i know a lot of us are already involved in our schools thank you council president

Thank you, Madam President.

I also just want to commend a colleague and lead sponsor on this particular piece of legislation, Councillor Davidson, for her leadership. We are so grateful that you took the bull by the horns. This is exactly what we needed as we get back to local control and the fact that we're going to have this ordinance in place before students start. is really a game changer for the city. So I want to thank you for your leadership. This is so critically important to the students, to the faculty, to the staff, to everyone who serves our Providence Public Schools. And again, we're so grateful for your leadership, Councilor Davidson, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this this evening. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you. Councilwoman Ryan. Thank you, Council President. I rise on item 12 and 13. Starting with 12, I'm fully supportive of ensuring that eight-law tax treatment is appropriately targeted and predictable. However, I have concerns that the thresholds indicated in the local ordinance may be a missed opportunity to incentivize property owners to create or preserve units as affordable This represents a missed opportunity to use this tool to meaningfully expand affordability and mixed income housing. I'm also concerned that the implementation timeline did not provide the additional time requested by the administration to conduct outreach, prepare stakeholders, and ensure a smooth rollout. Without the additional preparation period, there is a risk that some properties that do not qualify under the new ordinance may have tenants in workforce units who are now vulnerable to displacement. I believe we need to be mindful of the legal risks associated with creating local requirements that differ from or go beyond state law. We should carefully consider the potential for future legal challenges and unknown liability to the city. We should not adopt legislation that is legally vulnerable when those flaws could have been avoided through more thoughtful drafting. Most importantly, Providence needs more affordable housing. Every policy we adopt should make it easier, not harder, to attract qualified, responsible developers who can build the homes our residents need. This ordinance moves us in the opposite direction by creating new barriers that have little to do with producing affordable housing. I cannot support legislation that is legally questionable, inconsistent with affordable housing's best practices, and likely to reduce, not increase, the production of affordable homes. For these reasons, I respectfully urge my colleagues to send this back to committee or vote no. It's important that we get this right. We can and should hold developers accountable, but we must do so in a way that is legally sound, advances affordable housing, and serves the best interest of the people of Providence. And now on item 13. I support the intent behind the build ordinance and the goal of reducing unpredictable housing costs that can make affordable housing development difficult and expensive. It's noble. Greatest certainty for affordable housing developers is important, and I appreciate the effort to remove barriers to producing more affordable homes in Providence. At the same time, I want to acknowledge on the record a significant concern. This ordinance establishes a new precedent by providing tax stabilization and a zero dollar tax obligation, which creates an uncertain fiscal impact for the city. The concept of creating certainty and removing barriers for affordable housing developers is not new. The city has done it for years using federal funding sources like home funds to provide holding costs. We, as we consider new incentives such as this, we should be ensuring that we are balancing the need to support affordable housing production with the city's responsibilities to maintain a sustainable revenue base and fund essential services. I will be voting no on this. It is not fiscally sound. There are other mechanisms already in place to fill the gap here. Thank you, Council President.

Thank you, Councillor. Further discussion? Councilwoman Vargas, and then we'll come back.

Good evening, everyone. It's the Ordinance 15 for Education. I know people say, can the school or the system go back to our city? But my hope, my hope, can the kindergarten to 12 be successful for the whole entire United States? Because go back and doing the same thing, so we drop. So for me, when I'm working for the school department, always support the kindergarten to the 12, be successful. And we need to push that because that's the kids can open the door. Because when the kids drop, and say, oh, you have to do the GED, or you have to do this, it never do that. And right now, any job, you know, it say, you need the high school diploma. We need to for that, the kindergarten to 12, to have it successful. And Rhode Island say, well, this go back, we see the changes, and that changes open any door for the better education. That's my word. Thank you.

Thank you, Counselor. Further discussion, items seven through 15. Madam President. Pro Tempiterto.

Thank you, Madam President. I rise on item number 15, and then some comments on number 12 and 13. The first one is item 15. As the chairman of the HOPE Committee, which is Health, Opportunity, Prosperity, and Education, I wanted to first thank the committee for doing their work and hearing and staying on the course on the issue of education. Working throughout the years to ensure that our voice was heard in the city council, the voice of the people, but also working also along with the administration to advocate strongly that by this year that we will receive the education and the school, our schools back. So I wanted to commend them. I also wanted to commend Councilwoman Davidson for, as it was stated before, right away, Being a parent, being an educator herself, but being a parent of public schools, she stepped in the role and identified and worked with our leadership to ensure that she established a working group that focused on the transition, but also highlighting the number one issue that was highlighted as we received our schools back to the city of Providence. And that was the procurement, going from 97 days To about 50 50 days and making sure that that process continues to be transparent to work with the administration and work with the Providence public schools, and it is for me a special day and a special night tonight now organically seeing this here in this chamber to feel proud that we've gotten our schools back and that we have your leadership on board as a parent myself and as a parent yourself and many of us that went to school. But most importantly is that today I know we're going to be honoring a historic moment, a person that has been a mentor for us and his family is here. But most importantly is that we've been struggling with the education for decades. And we finally got them back. And to see Roberto Gonzalez, Dr. Jose Gonzalez, and our mayor here really brings this home for our Providence residents. as far as education and that we all could be and we're going to be on board to ensure that our kids receive a first rate education in the city of Providence. So I commend all of you and I urge my colleagues to support it and pass it for the second time to ensure that this ordinance gets passed, but also that we all stay on board to ensure that our education of our kids is the number one priority. On number 12 and 13, just in general, you know, oftentimes I ask myself, do we wait for a perfect piece of legislation to impact the lives of our residents? I've had that experience when I was a legislator, a state senator, and sometimes the perfection of a piece of legislation and trying to get it 100%, which is really, in my lifetime, have not seen any perfect legislation at the state level, at the local level, even at the federal level. I think that we've debated many years already when it comes to affordable housing, when it comes to housing, when it comes to the economic engine of our city, which is also the commercial end and also supporting homeowners and landlords. But one of the things that I say is that I will conclude it is our family continues to struggle and we cannot just wait for perfection of a piece of legislation. And that's why these two pieces of legislation that's before you, I urge my colleagues to support it because we will continue to fight for our families, we will continue to fight for almost 70% of our population which are renters and we need that affordable housing because the city of Providence is a gem and they don't make any more land in the city of Providence. or even the state of Rhode Island. And we're making it more harder and more difficult for working families to stay in our city based on the fact that we are not producing enough and faster housing units to keep our families together. We're all struggling. Our kids are coming back home with our grandchildren. They're doubling up. And we have done everything possible so far, even with accepting the master plan to ensure that even if we have a garage, that we convert that into an additional housing unit. And so I urge my colleagues to pass this legislation and to continue working forward to the solution of housing, but it's gonna take some time. So thank you, Madam President.

Thank you. Further discussion, items seven through 15. Councilor Sanchez, did you wanna speak again? Okay. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Council President Miller? Aye. Deputy Majority Whip Anderbois is absent. Councilor Davidson? Aye. Majority Leader Espanol?

Aye.

Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonsalves?

Aye.

Councilwoman Graves?

Aye.

Deputy Majority Leader Harris is absent. Councilwoman Peterson? Aye. Council President Pro Tempore Pichardo?

Aye.

Councillor Roy is is absent councilwoman Ryan So noted majority whip Sanchez Councilman Taylor no on 12 and 13 I on the rest So noted councilwoman Ana Vargas I Councilman Oscar Vargas.

Aye.

So you have 12 ayes and three absent for items seven through 11, and 14, and 15. And you have 10 ayes, two nos, and three absent for items 12 and 13. The motion carries. The matters are approved for the second time on a roll call vote. Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Item 16.

Madam President.

Majority Leader.

Motion to weigh the reader of item 16 through 21. Second, Madam President.

We have a motion and a second. Discussion on items 16 through 21. Majority Leader.

Thank you, Madam President. It is such an honor today as I stand before you, Madam President, and to my dear colleagues, as we have someone here who is such a trailblazer with a focus on education and growth and development for the people of Rhode Island. and especially the Latino community. Madam Clerk, I will ask that you please read the resolution on item 21.

Whereas, Roberto Gonzalez has been a trailblazer for Providence and Rhode Island's Latino community for more than five decades. And whereas, born in New York City to Puerto Rican parents, Roberto Gonzalez made Providence his home from 1968 to 2001. And whereas, Roberto Gonzalez worked tirelessly to ensure that Providence's Latino community was uplifted and empowered through education, public service, community development, and the legal profession. and whereas he helped build and strengthen pathways to educational achievement, scholarship opportunities, counseling, academic support services, political participation, and community empowerment for minorities, low-income, and first-generation college students, families, professionals, and community leaders throughout Rhode Island. and whereas Roberto Gonzalez led by example through his service on the Providence School Committee, his work as an attorney representing working class and immigrant families, and by becoming one of the first Hispanic individuals elected to statewide office as a delegate to the Rhode Island Constitutional Convention. And whereas he has been recognized for his commitment, dedication, and lasting impact through numerous honors, including the National Trio Achiever Award and the Golden Eagle Award. And whereas his commitment to ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to justice, meaningful representation, resources, and support continues through the work of his wife, Deborah S. Gonzalez, and his son, Roberto Robb Gonzalez. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Providence City Council hereby honors Roberto Gonzalez and respectfully request the ceremonial renaming of Fisk Street in his honor. And to be it further resolved that this resolution be transmitted to Roberto Gonzalez, Rhode Island College, and the Department of Public Works so that one or more honorary street signs bearing the Roberto Gonzalez designation may be manufactured, installed, and maintained at prominent and appropriate locations along Fisk Street.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Madam President, I am extremely proud. tonight to welcome to our chamber Dr. Roberto Gonzalez and his lovely wife, and also Mayor Tavares, former Mayor Tavares is also here, along with Mr. Roberto Gonzalez's family. It is such an honor that I have the opportunity to introduce this resolution that will make this possible. But I'm also very lucky that it will be in my ward, something that I will cherish. Mr. Gonzales, we have prepared a citation for you which I will read immediately. And it says like this, State of Rhode Island, City of Providence official citation, be here known to all that the Providence City Council hereby offers its sincerest congratulations to Roberto Gonzales in recognition of your decades of leadership, advocacy, and dedicated service to expanding education opportunity, advancing civil rights, and strengthening the Latino community in Providence, Rhode Island. enduring legacy and public service and community empowerment continue to inspire generation signed today uh this day of the 16th of july by our council president rachel miller and every single member of our council uh it is again uh we're proud we stand tall and we stand on your shoulder of everything that you have done for our community we're extremely grateful we thank you thank you mr gonzalez I love my colleagues. Thank you.

Thank you, Majority Leader. Further discussion, items 16 through 21. President Pichardo.

Madam President, I rise to join my colleague, Councilman Pedro Espinal, Majority Leader, in welcoming first our distinguished honoree, Dr. Roberto Gonzalez, Esquire, his family, Deborah Esquire Gonzalez, and of course, our first Latino mayor, Angel Taveras. Welcome. No stranger to here. And his entire family, Roberto Junior, I see Lou. But I also rise because We often hear the story of how Broad Street, La Broa, is known for its vibrant cultural experience, especially when it came to hearing Fefa's name, and the Puerto Rican name, and Dominican, and African-American, and Cape Verdean. But for me, growing up in the city of Providence, in South Providence, Washington Park, these gentlemen, Roberto Gonzalez, Jose Gonzalez, were a mentor to me and to many in the Latino community fighting for the injustices that have taken place in the city of Providence. And today, that's a small token that we are going to be highlighting and naming a street in Washington Park to honor you while you're still living. Because you've got many years to live, and the whole entire family will be very proud of you. And to your mother, And to your family, muchas gracias. Because . All of us who are Dominican minority, Puerto Rican, we are inspired and continue to be inspired for your deeds and your mother staying the course and making sure that if you got into trouble . We're very proud of you. And thank you, my colleague, Pedro Espinal and the mayor, for making this happen. And Madam President, today truly is a blessing day in this chamber because it takes us all back to what that foundation is. Because oftentimes you hear the story about how Roberto and Jose, two kids, poor from Puerto Rico came with a dream, and their life was never perfect. And many of you may be watching this or hearing this, but they became lawyers. They became doctors in education and inspired many of us, including mayors and many future mayors in the city of Providence. So thank you and congratulations, and I look forward to celebrating allá in Washington Park. Thank you.

Thank you.

Madam President.

Majority Leader.

So I'll just ask Mr. Gonzalo and the family to please stay to the end of the meeting so that we can hand you the citation, and we'll also take pictures and celebrate with you. Thank you.

Thank you, Majority Leader. Councilwoman? I need to stand up because it's unsure, but I'll be, you know. I would like to say the 21 congratulations to the family, and I'm so glad that Latinos like like that family, you know, be recognized. So many people doing a lot of thing can never recognize it, but this family is recognized now. I feel we doing great here in Providence. Because so many people come from different country, from different, you know, area, but here in Providence, we only one family. Councilwoman, further discussion 16 through 21. Hearing none, all in favor.

aye any opposed any abstentions the motion passes madam clerk please refer 16 through 19 to the special committee on ways and means 22 and 21 to the committee on erp so noted uh thank you dr gonzalez and welcome and i echo uh majority leaders request to stay for a few more moments item 22

Madam President. Majority Leader. I'll shift away the reader, Madam, 22 and 23, and pass in a voice vote.

Second, Madam President. We have a motion and a second. Discussion? Councilman Goncalves.

Madam President, thank you so much for the opportunity to speak. I just want to say that what makes Providence so beautiful is our diversity. And of course, we're celebrating Roberto Gonzalez. Thank you for being here. And I'm looking forward to the Puerto Rican Festival this upcoming weekend. And thank you to Mayor Tavares for also being here, your old stomping grounds. And I introduced this resolution congratulating the Cabo Verde Blue Sharks on their historic 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. And so I want the Madam Clerk, if you could be so kind to read the resolution into the record. You can skip the first line because that might be a little tricky to, or parts of the first line, it might be tricky to say. But I just want to say Cabo Verde, of course, is where my family's from. We have a great Fox Point community of Cape Verdeans who helped build that community. Cape Verde may be a very small country, but this World Cup showed the world the size of our heart. Our team competed with courage and pride and discipline. We reached the knockout stage and pushed one of the best teams in the world, Argentina and Messi. to the limit, essentially, and inspired Cape Verdeans everywhere. So this was much bigger than soccer. It was about identity and unity and showing what's possible when a people believe in themselves. And Cabo Verde certainly made history, and we couldn't be prouder. So Madam Clerk, if you wouldn't mind reading that into the record, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

Whereas the Cabo Verde National Soccer Team, known as Os Tubaros Azus, or the Blue Sharks. Yay, all right. Qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in the nation's history this year. And whereas they advanced past the group stages undefeated, drawing against three countries, including the previous world champions, Spain and Uruguay, and became the smallest nation to ever reach the knockout stage. And whereas, though they have been eliminated from the tournament, the Blue Sharks played spectacularly against Argentina in their final game, scoring 2-3 against the reigning world champions. And whereas, the Blue Sharks were welcomed home by tens of thousands of Cape Verdeans on July 5th. Cabo Verde's 51st Independence Day, marking the anniversary of the end of Portuguese colonial rule, a symbolic coincidence that speaks volumes to the strength and resilience of the Cape Verdean people. And whereas, the presence and achievements of the Blue Sharks in the United States have likewise brought pride and joy to the Cape Verdean diaspora living across New England, uniting the community that has long been an integral part of our cities from Providence to Brockton to Boston. And whereas Cabo Verde's historic 2026 World Cup run has shown the world the might of the small island nation, now therefore be it resolved that the Providence City Council congratulates the Blue Sharks on their outstanding on-field performance and celebrates their achievements alongside the thousands of Cape Verdeans that have made this city their home. And be it further resolved that the Providence City Council hereby recognizes July 5th as Cabo Verde's Independence Day in honor of our Cape Verdean community members and the great cultural, social, and economic contributions that they have made to the city of Providence. And be it further resolved that upon passage, a copy of this resolution be sent to the Cabo Verde National Soccer Team, the Fox Point Cape Verdean Heritage Place, and the Cape Verdean Museum.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. And to switch gears on item number 23, on a less festive note, we have thousands of patients each year that go to Rhode Island Hospital and they need the critical healthcare services to thrive. And resident physicians and fellows are an indispensable part of the healthcare workforce. Nearly 700 resident physicians and fellows employed by Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University Health voted to unionize. And those resident physicians have been fighting for a fair contract and fair wages. And what we know in our city is that Brown continues to expand. My proud alma mater, Brown University, continues to expand. They continue to take properties off of our tax rolls. and they have a responsibility to pay these workers a fair wage. What we're seeing right now is workers who are working up to 80 hours a week, they're doing 24-hour shifts, they deserve a fair contract, they deserve fair wages, and they deserve the respect that matches the vital care that they provide. What's ironic is that, again, Brown owns over $4 billion in assessment. If they were to pay commercial taxes like every other property owner in the city, it'd be over $50 million to our city coffers a year. Brown University's president, Christina Paxton, makes over $3 million a year, while workers are struggling to make ends meet all across our city. So the right thing to do is for Brown University to step up to make sure that they're providing these workers with a fair working wage. And I'm here to say that the Providence City Council supports the resident physicians in their efforts to secure fair wages and meaningful cost of living expenses and increases in safe working conditions and workplace protections that recognize the extraordinary demands of medical residency and all the work that they do to provide care for the people of our city. So I hope that Brown University will hear this message loud and clear. Brown University Health, we need you to step up. We need you to provide these workers with a fair living wage. And we stand in solidarity with these workers as they do everything in their power to fight for a fair contract. They deserve it. The people of Rhode Island deserve it, and it's the right thing to do. So Brown University, we're asking you to step up. We're asking that you provide these people with a living wage, and we're asking that you do that on behalf of not only the city of Providence, but the important people in our city that help make it run and thrive and provide the critical care that people deserve. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Counselor. Further discussion on items 22 or 23? Hearing none, all in favor? Aye. Any opposed, any abstentions? The motion passes. Item 24.

Madam President.

Majority Leader.

Motion to waive the reading of item 24. Second, Madam President.

We have a motion and a second. Discussion? Councilman Vargas.

Thank you, Madam President. A raise to support this number 24 is going to be going to Ways and Means Committee. It's a resolution about trying to make some interest on the city's money. At the same time, it has a program that you can do a CD at the same bank but you have to be a province resident, so this interest is going to be paying back into the community. If you got $2,000 minimum, you can do that, or $10,000 a month. That's the result. I don't want to ask to read the resolution because it's going to go to committee, and that's what we're going to be talking about. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilor. Further discussion on 24? Hearing none, all in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? The motion passes. Madam Clerk, please refer item 24 to the Special Committee on Ways and Means. So noted. Item 25.

Madam President. Majority Leader. Motion to waive the reading of item 25 and pass an opposed vote.

Second, Madam President.

Any discussion on item 25? Hearing none, all in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Any abstention? The motion passes. Item 26.

Madam President. Majority Leader. Washington Way, the reader of item 26 through 28, pass on a voice vote and refer back to the Board of Contract and Supply.

Second, Madam President.

Any discussion on item 26 through 28? Hearing none, all in favor? Any opposed? Any abstentions? The motion passes. Madam Clerk, please refer 26 through 28 to the Board of Contract and Supply.

So noted.

Item 29.

Madam President.

Majority Leader.

Motion to waive the reading of item 29 and pass on a roll call vote.

We have a motion and a second. Sorry.

Second, Madam President.

Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Discussion? Councilwoman Ryan.

Thank you, Madam President. I rise on this matter. It is my understanding that there's state legislation that created a tax exemption for AS220, known and loved by all of us, but not its affiliates. who happen to be for-profit LLCs. What is before us tonight is a tax abatement for these for-profit LLCs. I don't think we can do it. It's going to cost us $165,000. For the record, the for-profit LLCs that we're abating taxes for include Viva Mexico on Washington Street, as well as the George on Washington Street. Those are restaurants. They are for-profit LLCs. They have entertainment. They earn money. I don't understand why we're abating. This is an abatement, not an exemption, which is what the state legislation provided to AS220, not its affiliates. I don't think we can vote on this. I think it needs to go back to committee because I think we would be taking an inappropriate action on and in doing so we would essentially be shifting commercial taxes yet again on from the commercial base to homeowners. And we continue, this body continues to do that. I think we're up to the tune of $1.5 million. This is going to impact this budget year. So those funds have to be found. I'm sure city services will have to be cut at some point. I oppose this. I will not vote for it. And I urge my colleagues to send this back to committee for more work. Councillor Taylor.

i'm going to echo that but i'm also going to add oh actually i got to ask the city solicitor a couple questions so can an elected official vote on this if it's a relative owns one of the businesses in that building i i would need more information um this is

sorry I heard you this is not a matter that our department has reviewed so if you want more detailed guidance on this I'm not gonna provide it on the spot in a public meeting but I hear your question and I'm happy to respond after having a chance to you know, get relevant facts and research and provide a response.

Okay, thank you. And also, I agree with Councilwoman Ryan that we should continue this for that reason. Plus, she mentioned there's also a lock place and a bar in there, as well as two restaurants. And it is $165,000 that we're abating. The problem I have with it was the same problem years ago I had when we abated taxes in Brown University and they had a bookstore in the area. the bottom of there because it is a for profit. And my question is that if we abate these taxes and I decide to go to the George and have a dinner with my wife, are they gonna charge me taxes for the food? because they're going to charge me the taxes, but they're getting the abatement for free. So I don't understand why we're doing this for that reason. And $165,000, like I said, I think we should continue and go back and look because there is approximately four businesses on the bottom that is a for-profit that are going to... make out on this issue and also this the eight law i believe there's only a couple uh um apartments that are going to benefit from it the rest of them won't so i think you know we got to get out of the business of giving money away because eventually it's going to catch up with us like it did in brown university and i think we went back correct me if i'm wrong i think we looked at that and said that they can't Be a for-profit Library and making money So I think that we should I'm gonna pose it but I would recommend that we actually Go back to the drawing board and try to get some answers because I'm not sure the state knows exactly Like when we put stuff in the state votes on it And I think they think that we are okay with it, but on this issue, I think it's very cloudy plus It's not owned by a s2 20. It's owned by an LLC companies so it's like somebody's making out but it's not the city of Providence and it's not gonna be me if I go to the George I still got to pay the taxes so I will be opposing this thank you thank you okay further discussion on 29

Yes. Thank you, Madam President. So I hear many concerns about this, and so therefore I'll be voting no in hopes that it goes back and that we can actually vet this better and look at all the moving parts in this. Thank you.

Further discussion on item 29?

Madam President?

Pro tempi chart.

Yeah, we as a body have been generous with a lot of non-profits and also businesses, especially when it comes to the arts and that contribute to our economy. I just have a question. In essence, what is the total amount of money that's being serviced with this? Abating? Yeah, abating. 165. 165,000 a year. So the state passed the law allowing them to get the exemption. So going forward, we're just recognizing that law so that way they don't pay any taxes. And according to what I understand, these institutions, just like Bryan University or Johnson and Wales, if they have businesses within their buildings, those businesses are still taxed at the commercial rate and also paying sales tax to the state and also the one, the taxes that at least we get back to when they provide a service as a commercial entity. So my question is, is that something that, am I correct on these issues in terms of that we are just abating the 165,000 and going forward based on the state law that was just passed that we're agreeing with them? Can someone just clarify that?

That is the case where the request is an abatement on this year based on the date parameters of what passed at the state level.

And for a total of $165,000, correct? All right, thank you very much.

Any further discussion? Can I ask for the, can I just take a moment to be at ease and ask for the sponsors to gather?

Councilman Gagauz in front.

Can I see you both over here? Just want to have a quick discussion before we move forward. Councilman Goncalves, yes, and Pro Tempe Charter, who are named sponsors here. Yes, please. Thank you. Very short recess. Yes, please. Stand at ease. Reconvene my friends. Thank you very much.

Okay.

Back to discussion on 29, Councilman Goncalves.

Thank you, Madam President. I just want to thank my colleagues for their deliberation on this. I think what is important to clarify here is that this could potentially, and what we're looking for is an abatement for AS220 specifically. So AS220 is an organization, as we all know, that provides critical affordable housing, it provides art services to people in our community, and they've done great work within our community. I think we all agree to that. But I think to just further clarify this particular piece of legislation, at the behest of some of our colleagues who have concerns, I think it would behoove us to send it back to committee so we can just clarify some of the questions that folks have. And so I would like to make a motion to withdraw this item and to send it back to committee.

Okay, thank you, and thank you, counselor. So the request to the motion maker is that you withdraw. Are you willing to do so?

so madam president would we draw the original motion on item 21 which was motion to weigh the written right at 21 and passing a voice vote we uh motioning to withdraw that motion no it's 29. number 29 29. can i get a second second you withdraw your second uh councilman sanchez I withdraw my second, Madam President.

Thank you very much. Okay, may we have a motion to refer item 29 back to the Special Committee on Ways and Means.

Exactly. So that will be the motion to refer item 29 back to committee.

Thank you. And a second.

I get a second, sir.

Councilman, thank you. Second, Madam President. Made by Majority Leader Espinel and seconded by Councilman Vargas. Thank you so much. All right, discussion on that motion.

hearing none all in favor aye any opposed any abstentions the motion passes please refer item 29 to the special committee on ways and means councilwoman ryan so no thank you i was a little quick on on that one i would uh like to rise for a point of personal expression if i may thank you council president first i'd like to recognize our uh famous City Clerk Tina Mastriani, who is always asked at the last minute to read these things, our resolutions out loud. I would like to just recognize her abilities for articulating them so wonderfully and perfectly and honoring the work that we're doing. And I would like to say that I think that you are by far the finest reader that the council has ever had. So that's my first point. So thank you. Thank you, Tina. But also, I rise on another matter regarding the rent fund. Before we adjourn for summer, I want to express my disappointment that this council is leaving without taking the final action necessary to launch the rent fund by approving both the contract and the funding transfer that is required to make this program operational. Every member of this council sponsored or co-sponsored the rent fund legislation because we recognize that too many Providence families are struggling to remain in their homes. We made a promise to our constituents that help was on the way. Since then, the administration has completed the public procurement process, selected an experienced nonprofit partner with a proven record of administering emergency housing assistance, and submitted everything necessary to begin providing relief. The only remaining step is council approval. This process has been underway for months. There's a YouTube video dated May where it was discussed. Meaningful concerns were not raised until this week. just before recess, despite ample opportunity for councillors to ask questions, request information, or work collaboratively to strengthen the program. Instead of resolving those concerns and moving the program forward, we are choosing to leave families waiting. The selected administrator has made clear that the issues raised are already addressed through comprehensive case management, landlord tenant mediation, housing stabilization planning, financial counseling, outcome monitoring, and coordination with legal services. If additional refinements were warranted, we had every opportunity to make them without delaying assistance to residents who need help now. What is particularly disappointing is the inconsistency in how this Council chooses to act. We have seen Council leadership move legislation that it considers its priority with remarkable speed, without regard for unintended consequences. including adopting significant floor amendments to the Eight Law Ordinance with limited public review or committee consideration. We heard tonight on items 12 and 13 a council colleague say we can't wait for perfection. Well, I say we can't wait for this. Yet a program that has received unanimous support, completed a competitive public procurement process, and is ready to provide direct assistance to struggling residents has been left unfinished as we head into recess. The consequences are not theoretical. Financial hardship does not pause because the council is on recess. Eviction notices do not wait for our return, will not wait for our return. Every week of delay increases the likelihood that another family will lose the stability of their home while assistance sits ready but unavailable. And quite frankly, that's just shameful. Our constituents elected us to solve problems, not postpone them. Today, I believe we have fallen short of our responsibility. I respectfully call upon my colleagues to reconvene for a special meeting before recess, set politics aside, complete the work we were elected to do, and make the rent fund available to the Providence families who are in distress now and counting on us. Thank you.

Madam Clerk, item 30.

Madam President. Majority Leader. Motion to weigh the reading of item 30 through 36.

May I have a second on that motion? Councilman Sanchez. Councilman Sanchez.

Second, Madam President.

Thank you. We have a motion to weigh the readings of 30 through 36. Any discussion on those items? Hearing none, all in favor.

Aye.

Any opposed, any abstentions? The motion passes.

Mine in presence.

Councilman Bergus.

Person of expression, please.

Let's vote on this, and then yes, sir. Thank you. Madam Clerk, please refer 32 claims and pending suits, 31, 32 to the Committee on Public Works, 33 to claims and pending suits, 34 through 36, note as received. So noted. Councilman Vargas.

Thank you very much, Madam President. I want to say thank you to everyone for the hard work that we've been doing together. And let's keep working together and wish everyone a great summer. Be safe and good luck to everyone. And we will be here next, after August, to keep working for this city. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councilor. Further, I'm sorry, item 37.

Madam President.

Councilwoman Peterson.

If you'll allow me a moment of point of personal expression, thank you. As we're coming to a close on our meeting, I wanted to take a minute to wish condolences to a family from my ward and family of mine. Hope I can get through this. Brian Reddy was a steward of the community and the Reddy family is no stranger to Providence. I want to wish Lieutenant Reddy and Firefighter Fire Chief Sean Reddy some warm condolences on our behalf. Brian was my uncle, and he was instrumental in making sure that I realized how important my voice was when I decided to run for office. And it has been an extremely hard few weeks for my family, but I wanted to take a minute to just express how important he was to the community, because Ward 14 and Providence itself really got to know Brian in a very different light. He was the biggest Providence Friar fan, and I will debate that and argue that with many people. He was by far the happiest Friar fan, no matter whether or not they were doing well or not doing well. He was also so instrumental in uplifting young voices, young up-and-coming sports players in our community. Most people don't really know, but we have a lot of really great up-and-coming athletes in my ward specifically, and he you would see him at rec games when they were just coming up through our rec leagues and you would see him uplifting them at their schools whether they were close whether they were here or they were somewhere else in the state and it just is a testament of who he was as a person And I just want to take a minute to recognize some of his wonderful accolades. He also ran for office. I think he ran against Patrick Kennedy a long time ago. But nevertheless, Uncle Brian, as I affectionately know him, is... a person that was a standout for me personally, and I just wanted to take a minute to recognize his passing and offer my condolences to all of his family, including my Aunt Patricia and my cousin Kristen. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilwoman, and know that the sympathy of the entire Council is with you and your family. We're so sorry. Madam Clerk, Item 37.

Madam President.

Majority Leader.

Motion to weigh the read around at 37, pass on a voice vote. Second, Madam President.

Any discussion on 37? All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed, any abstentions? The motion passes.

Madam President, at the appropriate time.

Sure.

Point of personal expression, when appropriate. All right, thank you very much. I rise as we conclude our session for the summer and our break. I want to just take a few minutes to highlight a couple of things that, and a couple of people that have made a difference in our community, those who are present. Many of us have had many activities throughout the year And whether it's a mattress drive, or being the mattress guy in the neighborhood in Ward 8, or Oscar Vargas every weekend also. But also, we also try to keep our neighborhoods clean. and we do our damn best to do that. This year, I had the opportunity to host one of those in my ward, and we tripled the amount of people that came out. from the previous years. One young man stood out, and I asked him to come today, organically, as we say, or just spontaneously, because I knew how special today was going to be. So that way, a young man could actually hear these words. And that young man is sitting there with his father. And that is Janelle Velasquez. Janelle, if you don't mind. Welcome, Janelle. He's here with his dad, Waldemar Velazquez. And during that time, yes, please. And during that time, the purpose of that was also to bring community together. And there were many young men and women that came out to help us clean the neighborhood. And this young man, through the help of our great coordinator, Luisa, working with the youth, This young man stepped up and not only he showed up, but also showed initiative to ensure that he made some connection with different people and hear them out. And by the end of the day, he left At least that's how I got from him. And that continues to inspire me and I hope that when he leaves here, when he hears the name Roberto Gonzalez, Esquire, when he hears Deborah Gonzalez, when he hears Roberto Junior, when he hears Mayor Angel Taveras, when he hears Councilman Miguel Sanchez and many of us here, that he too can get on that path to greatness in our city of Providence. Today is a day for you because you will go further than you can ever imagine. And you touch my heart, you touch Louisa's, and you touch all of us here. And I hope that today you leave these chambers with a charge that you're going to be the greatest. In addition to that, during that day, he was able to connect with different people. And yes, I'm going to say this, different people that actually did time, that were out of prison from one year to 15 years to 20 years. And he heard stories of how challenging it was inside prison, or how challenging it is returning back to our community. And in that time, he was surrounded by a community and he met, among other people, a young man that we all know in this chamber as Victor Reynoso. I call him, we call him the PVD champ. Undefeated boxer in our city, a capital city that also grew up in the city of Providence, and he's right back there. Victor Reynoso. In addition to that, and I'll get to it, in addition to that, not only do we see young people rising up and who grew up in the city of Providence and moved throughout the state, and today we're also joined by Luis Sander, Luis Sander Caraballo, Luis, his wife, Amanda Feliciano, who are entrepreneurs. in our state capital, but also from Providence. We have Enrique Garcia, who, where's Enrique? Enrique Garcia, who, where is he? I know he's tall. Enrique Garcia. Welcoming him, chasing his dream in baseball, and making sure that not only is he chasing a dream, but also inspiring others. And as we conclude, at least my part for this piece, We are a super diverse community. And when we were growing up, we would just see just different community in the south side. And to be here at this time, be inspired by Roberto, the mayor, and many others. We also know that throughout the summer, the city of Providence is hot, caliente. We have Christine Page from the Liberian community who is celebrating their independence and we passed that resolution. They're gonna be celebrating their independence. We have the Puerto Rican community who's gonna have their festivals. We're gonna have the Dominican community and the Peruvian and Bolivian. And I know Councilwoman Graves is gonna speak on that. But I continuously be inspired by this chamber making tough decisions. making sure that our families continue to stay in our community, that our kids can thrive, and I want to make sure that I express those sentiments. But I also want to make sure that our young people, Janelle Velasquez, and the young people that will hear this, And I see also Luis Del Rio, retired Providence police, one of the first Latinos, the only, the first Latino who became Providence police here present with us. Mike Reyes. And they continue to be of service by being Providence Lions. Providence Lions who serve, raise money to help others. And so Janelle, I end it with you again. And Mr. Velazquez, I end it with you. Because as I was inspired by when I came here as a young boy of 13 years old, by people that are a little bit older, and now that we sit in these chambers, that I hope that This message hits your heart and your mind to help us continue to grow as a city of Providence as it was meant to be, this great experience called Providence. Gracias.

Councilwoman Goncalves and then Councilwoman Graves, sorry I didn't see you.

Madam President, personal expression here. I don't see our lovely deputy majority leader, Mary Kay Harris, so I wanted to make sure I also made a plug and I know Pro Tempichardo also made a plug to the Library and Independence Festival weekend, which is very exciting. We have two people that I want to honor in particular that have been on the forefront of this initiative. Of course, Miss Bliss Gibbs. Let's give her a round of applause. And also our wonderful city sergeant, who's also of Nigerian descent. He's always cool, calm, and collected. He doesn't like to be in the spotlight. But Mr. Napoleon, raise your hand here. Thank you so much for all that you do. obviously you know Liberia and Rhode Island share a special connection through the many librarian families that live in our community and again I just want to make a special plug for their event so their celebration begins with the Liberian flag raising ceremony and that's going to be a Providence City Hall on Friday July 24th and followed by an incredible Independence Weekend Festival on Saturday, July 25th, and also Sunday, July 26th at PCTA Field. Is that right? Did I get that right? All right. There's going to be food, live music, cultural performances, soccer, I think kickball activities. and something for everyone to enjoy. And whether you're a librarian or you have some kind of connection to the librarian community, this is what Providence is all about. We have such a vibrant, vibrant community, and I hope that we all show up, we all celebrate, And I'm looking at the flyer here, because I want to make sure I get the ticket link, but it's librarianweekendri.eventbrite.com. I hope you'll all sign up, and I hope that we'll all show out. And yeah, I just want to say thank you, thank you so much to Bliss for her leadership. Thank you to her collective here. celebrating the community and I just want to say I'll see you all there and thank you thank you thank you to our wonderful wonderful librarian community and I just want to say happy librarian Independence Day in advance thank you everybody Thank You counselor councilman Graves I don't think I have to say anything else they both talked about

It starts on the 18th with the flag raising at 11 o'clock. So it's gonna be from the 18th all the way through to the end of this month. So we gotta make sure that the party is gonna go on for the entire month. So we're gonna get our groove on with every day, from the 18th until the end, right? Right? Right? Yes. Thank you, Councilwoman. So please come out to both events, all the events. Thank you, Christina, for coming out. And thank you to our sergeant of arms. We appreciate both of you and all of you.

Madam President. Majority Leader. Motion to suspend rule 2A of the rules of the city council to not hold the first regular scheduled meeting on Thursday, September 3rd, 2026, and resume the regular meeting schedule beginning on Thursday, September 17th, 2026. Second, Madam President.

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

Aye.

Any opposed? Any abstentions? The motion passes.

Madam President, I ask that we all rise as we prepare to adjourn. And tonight we'll do that in the name of Brian Reddy, our dear colleague's uncle. We extend our deepest condolences to her and the family. And also in the memory of Gerald Blair, the gentleman that lost his life on the pedestrian bridge. And for all those that have passed away recently, we motion to adjourn.

Second, Madam President.

Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? The motion passes. We are adjourned. Thank you all so much. Please, Councilors, linger for a moment, and let's celebrate some of our leaders here with us tonight.

And I ask that the Councilor remain so that we can take some photos with Mr. Gonzalez. We are honored to have him here tonight with us.