City Council - Special Meeting

Greetings. Calling us to order uh for this special city council meeting on Monday, April 20th. Madam clerk, please call the role. Council President Miller, present. Deputy Majority Whip Anderwis, present. Councelor Davidson, present. Majority Leader Espanol, present. Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonzalez is absent. Councilwoman Graves. Deputy Majority Leader Harris is absent. Councilwoman Peterson. Council President Prompor Bachardo present. Council Royas present. Councilwoman Ryan present. Majority Whip Sanchez present.

Councilman Taylor Councilwoman Anna Vargas is absent. Councilman Oscar Vargas present. You have 12 present and three absent. You have a quorum. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Majority Leader. Madam President, motion to w the read of item one. Can you do a motion to wave the invocation? Oh, I'm sorry. That's okay. Motion to wave the uh invocation and pledge of allegiance. Second, Madam President. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? The motion passes. Item one, Madam President. Majority leader. Motion to w the reading of item one and two. Second, Madam President.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on items one or two? Hearing none. All in favor? Any opposed? Any abstensions. The motion passes. Please note one and two as received. So noted. Item three. Madam President, majority leader. Motion to wave the reader item three and pass in a voice vote. Second. Madam President,

any discussion on item three hearing? None. Madame clerk, please open the vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. You have 11 eyes, one no, three absent. The motion passes. The matter is approved on a voice vote. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Madame President, Councelor Ryan, point of personal privilege.

Thank you. Uh my entire time on this council, all three terms, I've been the fiscally prudent voice of the council. It's my background. That's who I am. Currently, the city has two critical Currently, the council has two critical items before it. Council recently passed rent stabilization ordinance. Um, we're well aware the mayor's promised a veto. Um, he's already vetoed it. I will support the mayor's veto. Why? Because we don't have a fiscal note for rent stabilization. What was put before us is inefficient. It's it's uh doesn't present the two cross two cost of that ordinance to the people of the city of Providence. I can't vote for it. Um and I won't vote for um vote for it, which is why I'm supporting the mayor's veto. Um, it's unfortunate that the council has taken the move that it has tonight to move the uh budget, a $635 million city budget to a new committee without any experience. Um, again, I think it's a mistake. It's a bad move. It's a political move and it's inappropriate. Um, I can assure you that I know you have the votes tonight to do what you're doing to take this action. Again, it's inappropriate. Um, I will continue to be the fiscal watchdog for this city that I have been since I was elected. That's what my constituents elected me to do. Um, and uh, this action will not stop my voice from being heard. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Item four. Madam President, point of personal expression. Okay. Go ahead, councelor.

Thank you. The city council has a responsibility to deliver a fair budget for the people of Providence. That responsibility is bigger than any one individual. A majority of the committee on finance shared that we had reached an impass with the current chair. Additional members of the council shared that they did not have the confidence that their voices would be heard in the upcoming budget process. Despite efforts over the past weeks to reach a mutual resolution resolution, it became clear that a new path was required to move beyond this stalemate. Our focus remains on ensuring the council performs its fiscal oversight role effectively and delivers a budget that reflects the needs of residents in every ward. While internal conflict is regrettable, it is critical that every member of the council has a voice in vetting and shaping that city budget, the city budget. This new process will allow that. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, councelor. Item four. Madam President, majority leader, motion to weigh the reader of item four. Second, Madam President. We have a motion and a second. Discussion on item four. Hearing none. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? The motion passes. Please note four as received. So noted. Item five. Madam President, majority leader motion to wear the ree 5 through 11. Second, Madam President. We have a motion and a second discussion on items 5 through 11. Councilman Dargas.

Thank you, Madam President. I just want to raise my voice on the on this budget. Remember this is a tax money that we're dealing with and I wish the best to the new uh committee and I want to be part of that committee. I'll be there asking questions and I need support to make the right decisions for the taxpayers in the future for this city. Thank you. Further discussion 5 through 11 hearing none. All in favor? I.

Any opposed? Any abstensions? The motion passes. Uh, madame clerk, please refer items 5 through 11 to the special committee on ways and means. So noted. Madam President, majority leader. Me and there's no further business. Motion to adjourn. Second, Madam President. We have a motion to adjurnn. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? The motion passes. Thank you all so much for coming in today. You want to talk in the mic? There.