City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening everyone, colleagues for the regular meeting of the province city council for Thursday, March 5th, 2026. is absent. Acting Council President Petardo, present. Deputy Majority Whip Anderwis. Councelor Davidson, present. Majority Leader Espanol, present. Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonzalez, present. Councilwoman Graves, present. Deputy Majority Leader Harris,

present. Councilwoman Peterson is absent. Councelor Royas is absent. Councilwoman Ryan present. Majority Whip Sanchez present. Councilman Taylor present. Councilwoman Anna Vargas present. Councilman Oscar Vargas present. You have 12 present and three absent. You have a quorum.

Thank you, Madame Clerk. uh for today the invocation will be given by Councilman John Gon cause thank you prom as we begin tonight's meeting let us take a moment to reflect on the immense responsibility we all carry as public servants and neighbors particularly times of hardship. During these cold winter months, we're reminded that many in our community, especially those who are unhoused, face challenges that most of us can never fully understand. But may we approach our work tonight with empathy and humility and a commitment to seeing the humanity in every person who calls this city home. And may we continue striving to build a providence where dignity, safety, and opportunity are extended to all. Thank you. Thank you. The pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America will be led by Councilwoman Althia Graves. To the flag, United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty, justice for all.

Next item on the agenda is item number three. Mr. President Majority Leader motion to weigh the read of item three and move approval. Second, Mr. President. The motion has been made and second. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor? I Oh, I'm sorry. Vote is open. My voting screen is not working.

Tap the screen. Okay, thank you. Has anybody voted? No, I'm still waiting for Councilwoman Graves and is now closed and that is 13 eyes. The motion carries. The minutes are approved through eight and pass for the second time on a roll code vote. Second, Mr. President.

The motion has been made and second. Any discussion, Mr. Mr. President, Councilwoman Joanne Ryan. Thank you, sir. I rise on on item seven, which everyone here knows is near and dear to my heart. You may proceed.

Thank you. Um, Providence wants and needs new development, especially new housing to meet the needs of its current and future residents. As the city continues to grow its housing stock, it is essential and reasonable and responsible to ensure that new development fits within our existing neighborhoods and complements the built environment that residents care deeply about scale massing architectural details matter. They shape how buildings and to the overall character of our neighborhood. These design standards directly implement a clear directive in the city's comprehensive plan and community stakeholders to help guide this important work. The committee was established and its input meaningfully shaped the standards that we're voting on this evening. The planning department fulfilled the goals set out in the comprehensive plan and produced practical, predictable rules that address common design concerns while still supporting housing production. The standards focus on fundamentals such as building entries, facades, proportions, and materials for both small and large projects with an the intent of discouraging lowquality design choices that do not serve our neighborhoods. These standards were discussed extensively during the comp plan process and were identified by residents as a priority as Providence grows. The ordinance has been reviewed by city plan

commission and received positive feedback as a balanced approach that supports development while ensuring uh we improve design outcomes. Most importantly, the standards are structured to maintain affordability, provide clarity for applicants, and avoid unnecessary delays in the review process. This proposal is a result of the city's inclusive stakeholder engagement and responds directly to our residents concern about design quality by while while remaining aligned with the city's housing and growth goals. I urge my council colleagues to look favorably on this uh ordinance before you and pass it. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilwoman. Any further discussion on items 4 through eight? Councilman Gonhouse. Thank you, President. Uh, I would like to share that I want to thank Councilwoman Ryan deeply for her commitment to this work. This is something that is extraordinarily extraordinarily important to the people of the east side and I've heard directly from many of my constituents that this kind of measure is going to improve again the outcomes of design standards in the city. We are seeing lots and lots of ubiquitous boxes everywhere we go. And I think these kinds of standards really set the stage for where Providence is going and also ensures that we can be sensitive to our beautiful historic housing stock and preservation that's occurring in in this city. I want to thank Councilwoman Anthony who's also part of this effort and everyone who helped bring this to uh to the floor uh tonight for its second vote and hopefully passage. And again, I just want to thank Councilwoman Ryan for her leadership and being such a strong steward for design standards across the city of Providence. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman. Any further discussion on items four through eight? Seeing none. Madame clerk, open the vote and call the role. The vote is open. Council President Miller is absent. Acting Council President Petardo. Yes. A Deputy Majority Whip Anderis. Councelor Davidson. Majority Leader Espanol. I. Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonzalz. Hi. Councilwoman Graves,

Majority Whip Sanchez, Councilman Taylor. Hi, Councilwoman Anna Vargas. Councilman Oscar Vargas. I You have 13 eyes, two absent. The motion carries. The matters are approved for the second time on a roll call vote and the vote is closed. The motion carries. Item number nine. Mr. President, majority leader, motion to w the reading of it 9 through 13. Second, Mr. President, the motion has been made and second. Any discussion? See none. Uh um Mr. President, Councilman Sanchez,

sorry it took discussion. Councilman Sanchez. Thank you. Uh item number nine.

Thank you. Uh item uh nine very quickly. Um this item is going to get referred to committee. So I just uh inviting all my colleagues to participate um if they wish. Uh this item is in response to uh some of the tragedies that have occurred uh this winter regarding our unhoused neighbors. This ordinance um is similar to a state bill. Uh you look a little further in the agenda, we have a a state bill resolution resolution endorsing a state bill that is also going to be discussed in committee because this is a a very big issue uh complex limited resources. Um so if you guys care um or or want to participate in uh the comprehensive systems uh responses uh different warming and cooling shelters uh for our most vulnerable folks. Um this will be uh heard uh in committee. Thank you Mr. President.

Thank you Councilman Sanchez.

Councilwoman Anda. Thank you, sir. Um, just two quick notes. One on um item 10. I just want to um make note for folks. They can watch this through. I think many of us have had questions and concerns about the speed cameras and the red light cameras in the city. And this is a new a potential new vendor for that contract. I've been watching it move through the board of contract and supply. And I'm personally just really excited about this and excited to talk about it. And it looks like it could have some better um ability for us not just to find people, but to help better monitor and fix some of our traffic safety issues. So, you all know that's like one of my top priorities. Um, and hopefully one of yours. And I also just want to acknowledge we're going to talk about this in committee, but number 13, the general assembly is once again reviewing a building benchmarking and reporting or uh act. Um, and this is based on um a lot of it is based on an ordinance that we passed unanimously in 2023. So, I'm excited for us to support this and I'm grateful to my representatives um Rebecca Kizlac and Senator um Coleman for putting this bill forward and hope that we can support it when the time comes and we'll be hearing in committee so we can also hear an update about how great the city is doing and implementing what we've already passed and leading the state in doing so. So, just wanted to to mention that as well. Thank you, sir.

Thank you. Any further discussion on the items? Councilwoman of the graves.

Um I want to raise rise I'm not rising my legs hurting. [laughter] Um I think it's a really good thing. I do in some regards but I'm getting a lot of um concerns about this traffic thing. But my biggest concern tonight is the price tag. Um After we've just had that big STO song, we know that we're going to have to come up with some more funds. I think $19 million is a lot of money for us to be asking for anything at this moment. So, I just wanted to just highlight that I think that I know it's going to come to finance if if it does pass, but I just think that's a awful large budgetary amount for us to be contemplating at this time.

Thank you, Councilwoman Graves. Any further discussion? Items have been received on uh item number nine will be referred to special committee on hope. So the motion has been made and seconded. All those in favor I. Any abstension? Any nays? The a have it.

Madame clerk, uh can the record reflect that uh Councilwoman Athia Graves is a negative on item number 11? So noted. Thank you. So on item number nine will be referred to the special committee on hope. On item number 10 uh it will be referred to committee on finance. Item number 11 referred to committee on finance. Item number 12 referred to committee on finance. Item 13 uh referred to the special committee on environmental and resiliency. So noted.

Thank you. Item number 14 madam chair. Councilman Gonov, I just wanted to have the record reflect that I think the item that Councilwoman Graves was concerned about was item number 13, item number 11. No, no, it was 11. It was 11. Sorry. Uh, Councilwoman Graves, was it item 11? Thank you very much. Thank you councilman for uh trying to clarify that. Appreciate that. Thank you. Item number 14, Mr. President, majority leader, motion to w the reader item 14 and pass on a voice vote.

Second, Mr. President,

the motion has been seconded has been made and second. Any discussion? Madame clerk, uh can you please read the resolution? Whereas Arena Kav, age 75, and her son Stannis Law Koav, age 49, tragically lost their lives during a period of extreme cold in Providence, having reportedly been living in their vehicle at the time of their passing. And whereas Ryan Bover, a 48, was found deceased in downtown Providence during the same severe winter cold, and his passing has drawn attention to the complex challenges of homelessness and mental health in our community. And whereas these tragic deaths occurred amid dangerously low temperatures that posed life-threatening conditions for individuals without stable housing or adequate including shelter, warmth, health care, and support services. And whereas the loss of these three lives reminds us that homelessness is not an abstraction or a statistic, but a deeply human cris human human crisis affecting neighbors, families, and loved ones. And whereas the city of Providence recognizes the urgent need to expand access to shelter and supportive housing and improve coordination of mental health services. And whereas we acknowledge the grief of their family members, friends, and all who were touched by their lives. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Providence City Council hereby honors the lives of Arena Kosab, Stannis L Kosab, and Ryan Bover, recognizing their

humanity, their dignity, and the immeasurable value of their lives, and sees this resolution as an expression of the city's deepest condolences. Thank you, Madam Cler. Councilman Gonov. Any discussion? Seeing none,

madame clerk Councilwoman Graves, the vote is now closed. We have 13 eyes. The motion carries. The matter is approved on a voice vote. Item number 15. Mr. President, majority leader. Motion to the reading of item 15 and 16. Second. Madam, I'm Mr. President.

The motion has been made and second. Any discussion? Councilman Gonov.

Thank you, Madam President. Uh, so during the major snowstorm that we recently had, residents across the city understandably wanted to know when their streets would have been plowed or if their streets had been plowed. And we heard that loud and clear from our constituents. And uh, we heard it from the mayor. There were so many private snow plow plow vendors that added complexity to the operations. I know a lot of us um had a lot of um just challenges trying to address the blizzard and the snowstorm. And I just want to thank everyone who worked on that effort. Uh DPW uh all of our neighbors that chipped in. It was a very very challenging time for the city of Providence. And um I want to thank the the administration too. I think they worked incredibly incredibly hard around the clock to address uh again the challenges that we were facing. But ultimately this um resolution is an idea to explore the implementation of a public snow removal vehicle tracking system. And this is based on the work of other municipalities and states that have similar systems in place. And it's it's a way for us to know where snow plows are, what streets they've addressed, what streets they haven't addressed, and it's also a way for the public to also see that. Uh we've seen public dashboards on uh some state websites or municipal sites and it just provides that transparency and that clarity as to when people's uh snow will be plowed on their uh street. And so this is asking uh for us to work collaboratively with the administration to explore the feasibility simply just the feasibility of whether or not developing a public

snow plow tracking system is something that we'd be able to implement before uh our next storm. And um it would provide again residents with greater transparency and a clearer sense of when their street has been serviced or is likely to be addressed. So, I look forward to discussing this in the committee on public works and I appreciate everyone's consideration on this innovative proposal before the council. Thank you. Any further uh discussion on items 15 and 16? Councilman Oscar Vargas.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise to to work on this idea that my colleagueuh council McDonald's has and hopefully DPW will have a better plan to open the streets because the whole city is in one way style right now. You have to drive down the street, you meet the other car, somebody has to move around or hide anywhere. this it's a good idea to have this tracking device and them so to make our constitions more hopefully or give them hope that truck is coming hopefully that truck can make it where it's going and we will have the the the power to track this truck because they will be so busy doing plans or answer the phone calls from their bosses. They don't want to pick up the phone for our consulars and we can have that track device in our phone and see what's going on with the with the plow.

Thank you. Thank you. Any further discussion on item 15 to 16? Councilwoman Shel Peterson. Thank you. I just have a point of clarification um to the sponsor. He said I I just want to make sure that I understand. Yes. Um the ask is not for right after or for the next snowstorm. This is something that is going to be ongoing because we don't know when the next snowstorm is going to be and I feel like it's a lot to ask of DPW to make some sort of an analysis pretty quickly. Correct. So I can respond. Councilman Gonov second time.

Yes. So the the ordinance uh respectfully asks that the administration look into the feasibility of this. Um so there's a six-month time window that is in the uh the resolution, excuse me. Um which would allow the administration to decide whether or not this is feasible or not. Uh there could be some costs associated with it. Um but it's simply requesting that the administration explore uh the potential implementation of this kind of system. So they would have six months to decide whether it's feasible, whether it's not. It's not a mandate. There's no funding attached to this, but it's just an opportunity to explore.

Thank you very much. No further discussion. Item has been received. No further seeing no further discussion. All those in favor? I. Any abstension? Any nays? The motion carries. And uh the items of 15 will be referred to committee on public works. Item number 16 will be referred to special committee on hope. So noted. Thank you, Madam Chair. Item number 17. Mr. President, majority leader. Motion to the read of item 17 and pass in a roll call vote. Second, Mr. President. The motion has been made and second. Any uh discussion? Councilwoman R.

Mr. President, thank you. Um, this uh matter came out of finance with a recommendation to approve. I just want to share some of the details about this uh this plan is to rehabilitate um well first of all what's before us is a resolution authorizing the sale of um city-owned parcels uh commonly known as Acer Messer Street School and some adjoining properties u lots um the plan is to rehab the historic Messer Street School into a mixed income residential building that honors the building's historic legacy. while addressing modern housing and neighborhood needs. Redeveloping the 30,000 plus square foot school will yield approximately 35 to 40 residential apartments consisting of studios, one and twobedroom units designed within the existing floor plate to preserve historic corers, stairwells and windows. Additionally, uh the adjacent non-historic lots uh that is uh incorporated in this plan are envisioned for new infill town houses or off- streetet parking designed with sensitivity to the historic district scale and landscape rhythm. U it's a great project. I know it's in Councilman Taylor's ward and across the street from the council president's uh ward as well. So, a great project. Uh the benefits obviously the preservation of a landmark, neighborhood revitalization, job creation, affordable housing components, uh local hiring and apprenticeships, and what I like most, tax revenue increase. It's converting a non-performing public asset into a private revenue generating property contributing to the city's long-term fiscal health. I move passage.

Thank you, Madam Councilwoman Ryan. Any further discussion? Uh, Councilman Oscar Vargas.

Thank you, Mr. President. I don't like to talk much, but I like this one. This is house and we need housing especially small apartments for single single people couples and for families and that's where we going to the crisis and we I said we the council and administration we working very hard to look for buildings that we don't not want to be using no more and converted those into into apartments. This is a great location. I say why? Because I grew up there. I didn't grow up much, but I grew up in the across the street from from this school. You got route 10 next to it. It's going to be a hot market for this location because everything's closed. You jump a route 10, you downtown, you can jump a route 10, go south or north. It's a great great It's a win-win for everyone. Please support us to pass this out. Thank you. Thank you. Any further discussion? Seeing none, madame clerk, open the vote and call the role.

The vote is open. Council president Miller is absent. Acting council president Petardo. Yay. [clears throat] Deputy Majority Whip Anderis. Councelor Davidson. Hi. Majority leader Espanol. I. Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonzalez. Hi. Councilwoman Graves, Deputy Majority Leader Harris, hi. Councilwoman Peterson, Council Royas is absent. Councilwoman Ryan, Majority Whip Sanchez, Councilman Taylor, Councilwoman Anna Vargas,

hi. Councilman Oscar Vargas, I You have 13 eyes, two absent. The motion passes on a roll call vote. Motion carries. Item number 18. Mr. President, majority leader the reader of item 18 and passing a voice for refer back to the board of contract and supply. Second, Mr. President. The motion has been made and seconded. Any discussion? Councilwoman Ryan.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of item 18. The board of contract in the supply approved the uh recommended disposition of Humboldt Avenue Firehouse following a competitive and transparent request for proposal process. That process was designed to ensure fairness, maximize value for taxpayers, and comply most importantly with the city's comprehensive plan. The RFP was open to any interested party and evaluated based on clarity established, excuse me, clearly established criteria. Proposals were reviewed through the city's standard procurement process to determine which submission best met the stated goals for redevelopment of the site. The recommended sale to the highest qualified bidder reflects the outcome of that process. Deviating from the results after proposals have been evaluated would undermine the integrity of the city's procurement system. Importantly, the selected proposal will convert an underutilized municipal property into new housing. At a time when Providence, like communities across Rhode Island, is facing a significant housing shortage, adding new homes in every neighborhood is essential to meeting demand and supporting our residents. The proposal also adds the property to the city's tax roles. Once redeveloped, the site will uh generate new property tax revenues that help feed city services, excuse me, fund city services and supports the long-term fiscal health of Providence. This decision is not about favoring or opposing any particular organization. Many community groups and institutions do valuable work in the city of Providence. However, once the city establishes a formal RFP procet has a responsibility to follow that

process through to its conclusion. Overriding the results of a duly issued RFP based on political pressure creates significant risk for our city. Doing so could expose providence to legal challenges from bidders who participated in good faith and relied on the city to honor its procurement rules. The finance committee testimony affirms that the uh disposition process was consistent with the comp plan and followed the Establish procedures for surplus property. Maintaining a fair and predictable process is essential if we want reputable organizations and developers to continue participate participating in city solicitations. The city's uh the council's role in this instance is to respect the integrity of that process that was already completed and approved by the board of contract and supply. Upholding the results of the RFP protects taxpayers, protects the city from litigation risk, and reinforces that Providence conducts its business through transparent and consistent procedures. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Any further discussion? Item 18, Councilwoman Jill Davidson.

So, thank you, Mr. President. So, I rise to concur with Councilwoman Ryan. However, um I want to make a note about the process itself. The RFP process began and ended when there was no council representation for W 2. So, the process began after Councilwoman Anthony stepped down. The RFPs were due on December 1st, which is more than two weeks before I or whatever candidate would have won this position was sworn in. Prior to Councilwoman Anony's departure from this body, she specifically requested participation in the RFP development process. She was not available for that. Obviously, I was not available for that. So, that piece of the process did not happen. I'm rising today to insist that this not happen again in this city that when we have a decision that affects the n the the nature of a community and that clearly as represented by the many many letters of support that came in from Monasuri Children's House to occupy this space is not is this decision however fairly arrived at is not in the best of the community and the way to address that would have been to allow the council person to have input into the RFP process to begin with to make sure it was representing community interests. So while I am not opposing this, I do want to note that the process itself had some real problems. Um it has created a real hardship for a wonderful neighborhood institution that has very few options to expand. It creates a situation where we have fewer early childhood education seats in our city,

where we have fewer opportunities as a community to convene and where the wishes of the constituents of war 2 were comprehensively ignored. I could not have stopped that. I had no opportunity. So, I'm going to rise now to make that note. I again I'm not I am not opposing this because I do have respect for the process but the process itself in this case needs to be different moving forward. Thank you. Thank you m Councilwoman Councilman uh John Gonox.

Thank you Mr. President. I want to say I really appreciate all of the remarks that have been made by some of my colleagues um on this particular proposal. We know that there's a a a process and that process is uh an RFP process and uh administratively there are many people who work on that process devoid of uh you know political or uh council influence. If you ask me for my personal uh position or preference, I would have loved to have a monastery school here. But again, that is my personal preference. It's not something that I can weigh in on as it as it relates to a competitive RFP bidding process. Um, but I just want to say I I understand the sentiments from members in the community who would have perhaps wanted an alternative um to what was selected here. But there is a process and that process is followed. It is something that has been complied with. Uh we heard that uh many times from our city solicitor's office and again while I may have a personal preference uh we have to respect the the wishes of the uh the the process and that process is a very rigorous process. Um there are a lot of checks and balances throughout that process and um again I want to appreciate everyone's advocacy. We understand your advocacy. We have heard it loud and clear. I think uh Councilwoman Davidson has been a staunch advocate for her constituents along uh these lines. And I understand why she's voting in the way that she's

voting. Um, as a fellow east side council member, I'm going to defer to my fellow council member. Um, and again, I want to say that this is the process. It's it it's unfortunate that um we cannot control that process. It it's a competitive process, but I just want to say um everyone's just doing their best. And again, want to thank um the council woman for for her leadership. Thank you. Any further discussion? Seeing none, Madame Clerk, open the vote.

The vote is now open. Has everybody voted? No. Councilman Taylor. Councilman Taylor. Has everyone voted?

The vote is now closed. We have 11 eyes, two nos. The motion carries. The matters passed on a voice vote and will be referred back to the board of contract and supply. Motion carries. Item 19, Mr. President, majority leader, motion to wave the reader of it 19 through 22. Second, Mr. President. The motion has been made and second. Any discussion? Seeing no discussion, all those in favor?

I. Any oppose? Motion carries. The following item uh item 20 will be referred to committee on ordinance actually and also uh item 19 refer to committee on ordinance. Item 21 referred to committee on public works. Item number 22 Mr. President Majority Leader um item 22 is going to claims and pending suits. Um my apologies. Yes. Uh item 22 is 22 22 is being and 23.

No no no no no no and 22 is being referred to referred to committee on claims and uh pending suits. So noted. Thank you madame clerk for that clarification. Item 23. Mr. Mr. President, Majority Leader, motion to wave the reading of it 23 and pass in a voice vote. Second, Mr. President, the motion has been made and second. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor? I. All those opposed? The ace have it. Mr. Leader,

being that there is no further business, we'll motion to adjourn. And tonight would like to adjourn in the name of Laura Crumb, Maria Garcia, and my friend and constituent Cesar Austoto Mattel. May they all rest in peace. Motion to adjourn. Motion has been made and second. No further discussion. Meeting adjourned. Thank you.