City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening and welcome to the City Council meeting on Thursday, September 17th, 2026.

Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Council President Miller? Present. Deputy Majority Whip Anderbois? Present. Councillor Davidson? Present. Majority Leader Espinel.

Present.

Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonsalves.

Present.

Councilwoman Graves. Present. Deputy Majority Leader Harris. Present. Councilwoman Peterson. Present. Council President Pro Tempore Pichardo.

Present.

Councilor Royas.

Present.

Councilwoman Ryan is absent. Majority Whip Sanchez.

Present.

Councilman Taylor. Councilwoman Ana Vargas? Present. Councilman Oscar Vargas?

Present.

You have 14 present, one absent. You have a quorum.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. And will everyone please rise for the invocation tonight, even our guests? Councilors, as we reconvene this fall, let's ask for the strength and the resilience to find the absolute joy in the daily work that we do. The joy that allows us to be present with the people that we work with and for when we're working on behalf of large issues, when we're working on behalf of issues here in the council with special guests. And when we're working on neighborhood issues, the ability to recognize that we have people across the city who dedicate so much heart to so many good things that we care about, and the power to recognize that together we can accomplish so much good for the people of Providence, for our families, for ourselves, and that we have so much to offer when we are able to recognize with gratitude our power in this moment. Thank you. And tonight the Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Councilor Sue Andewa.

I pledge allegiance to the flag

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.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on item three? Hearing none, all in favor? Any opposed? Any abstentions? The motion passes. Item four.

Madam President.

Majority Leader.

Motion to weigh the reader of item four and five. Second, Madam President.

Any discussions on items four or five? Hearing none, all in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? The motion passes. Madam Clerk, please note item four and five as received.

So noted.

Item six.

Madam President.

Majority Leader.

Motion to weigh the reader, items six through eight. Second, Madam President.

Any discussion on items six through eight? All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? Any abstentions? The motion passes. madam clerk please refer items six through eight to the committee on ways and means so noted item nine madam president majority we have a motion and a second discussion on items nine through eleven councilwoman Peterson so sorry I'm not used to being back

Thank you, Madam President. Good evening, everybody. I am here speaking on behalf of item number nine, which is a resolution celebrating the Elmhurst Youth Baseball 12U Championship, or them winning the Mayor's Cup. I would love if the city clerk could read the resolution into the record, please.

Whereas the Elmhurst Youth U-12 baseball team is part of Elmhurst Youth Baseball, established in 1966 as the center of youth baseball in the neighborhood of Elmhurst. And whereas Elmhurst Youth Baseball is a proud tradition throughout the neighborhoods of Providence and emblematic of the storied history of the national pastime in the city. And whereas, the Mayor's Cup is an annual championship tournament, including teams across the city. And whereas, on September 6th, and having been undefeated throughout the tournament, Elmhurst defeated Washington Park to win the Mayor's Cup Final, securing the championship after a successful season. And whereas, the Providence City Council wishes to congratulate the players, coaches, and parents on the occasion of said championship, and to commend the skill, dedication, discipline, and teamwork of the youth of the city. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Providence City Council offers its congratulations to Tegan Robinson, Leo Ucci, Raylan Parra, Grayson Romano, Dominic Bianco, Amasia Evans, Jordan Vieira, Asher Duncan, John Ramirez, Luca Polo, and Armani Jimenez on their victory in the Mayor's Cup. Be it further resolved that the Providence City Council offers its congratulations to Matt Duncan, Kelly Robinson, Kyle Robinson, and James Musgrave on their coaching of the Elmhurst Youth Baseball U-12 team to that victory. Be it further resolved that upon passage, copies of this resolution be transmitted to the above named players and coaches and to the Elmhurst Youth Baseball in recognition of the achievements of the team.

Thank you very, very much. So thank you. It's an honor to recognize the Elmhurst Youth Baseball 12 U Champions of the Mayor's Cup. As someone who has been a part of the Elmhurst Youth Baseball family, both of my children participated and my husband coached for many years. I don't know if he's still coaching, but... Keep going if you did. I know firsthand that youth baseball is about so much more than what happens on the field. It's about teamwork and discipline and the friendships that they're making and the confidence and the community of the families coming together to support all these kids. So tonight, I do want to recognize each of them. I am going to repeat their names, but what I would like is for everybody to please stand up so that we can, when we're done, we can give you a round of applause. Let's see, Tegan Robinson. Leo Uchi. Raylan Parra, Grayson Romano, Dominic Bianco, Amasia Evans, Jordan Vieira, Asher Duncan, John Ramirez, Luca Polo, and Armani Jimenez. Also, I'd also like to ask the coaches to please stand up as well, because I know how much time and dedication you give to this. I've watched you on those fields many a year, so Matt Duncan, Kelly, Robinson, and Kyle, and of course, the Elmhurst Youth Baseball president and coach, James Musgraves, please stand up. Thank you for all of your service, thank you for all your hard work, kids. We're all really, really proud of you, and we're gonna share this round of applause with you, thank you. We have these beautiful citations here that I'm going to give to your coaches to give to you, but if we could just take, may I ask for just a quick recess so we could take a picture? Would that be okay? Sure, yes. So if everybody could just come and take a picture real, real, real, real fast. I appreciate it.

Gotta do it for the kids.

Okay.

Congratulations again. Thank you, Councilwoman Peterson. Further discussion on items nine through 11? Wait till everyone gets back to their seats, actually. Okay, hearing none, all in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? The motion passes. Item 12.

Madam President. Majority Leader. Motion to weigh the reader of item 12. Second, Madam President.

Any discussion on item 12? Yes. Councilwoman.

Thank you so much for everybody come back to do our job. So for me that resolution is make it special. Especially when people driving for two week and the parking lots is one way, another way, you can go back and forth because you have another car in the back. So for me that resolution make it special. the naval better way to, for example, when you drive over there, when you have a and a , so this way, two way is too tight. People have to go other side or go to inside to the parking lot to there's some people because you now can go back and forth. Thank you so much and I hope you can consider it. Thank you, Councilor. Further discussion on item 12?

All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? Any abstentions? The motion passes. Madam Clerk, please refer 12 to the Committee on Public Works. So noted. Item 13.

Madam President. Majority Leader. Motion to weigh the reader on 13 and pass on a voice vote.

We have a motion and a second. Discussion on 13. Councilman Vargas.

Thank you, Madam President. Second, Madam President. I'm sorry about that. Councilman Vargas. Thank you very much. This resolution, can I talk? I'm breaking the rules now. Breaking no rules, sir. So if you remember what happens in Union Avenue and the ramp when the Guatemalan gentleman was killed by the bus, the school bus that was like a year ago so we start the process how we can make this intersection safer and we have some funds from uh from riot i see from d.o.t so these three corners belongs one is to modern president richard miller and the other corner belongs to taylor and the rest is mine And I'll be glad to talk to you later to see how we can implement a safer location now and about. We need to pass it today for the state to release the funds. If we not, we lose the funds. It's a good amount of money. It's half a million dollars, and it's going good for the whole three neighborhoods. Thank you very much, and I hope you can support me. Thank you.

Thank you, counselor. Further discussion on item 13? Hearing none, all in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? Any abstentions? The motion passes. Item 14.

Madam President. Majority Leader. Motion to weigh the reader of item 14 and pass in a voice vote. Second, Madam President.

In a roll call vote.

Any discussion on item 14?

Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Council President Miller?

Aye.

Deputy Majority Whip Anderbaugh? Aye. Councilor Davidson? Majority Leader Espinel.

Aye.

Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonsalves.

Aye.

Councilwoman Graves. Aye. Deputy Majority Leader Harris. Aye. Councilwoman Peterson.

Aye.

Council President Pro Tempore Pichardo.

Aye.

Councilor Royas.

Aye.

Councilwoman Ryan is absent. Majority Whip Sanchez. Aye. Councilman Taylor. Councilwoman Ana Vargas? Aye. Councilman Oscar Vargas?

Aye.

You have 14 ayes, 1 absent. The motion carries. The matter is passed on a roll call vote. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Item 15.

Madam President.

Majority Leader.

Motion to weigh the winner, item 15 through 30.

Any discussion on 15 through 30? Hearing none, all in favor? Any opposed? Any abstentions? The motion passes. Madam Clerk, please refer 15 through 17 to Claims and Pending Suits and note 18 through 30 as received.

So noted.

Item 31.

Madam President. Majority Leader. Question to weigh the reader. Item 31, a pass and a voice vote.

Any discussion on 31? All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? Any abstentions? The motion passes.

Madam President, at the appropriate time.

Pro Tempi Charter.

Personal expression? Thank you, Madam President. I just briefly wanted to rise. I know that we just passed a couple of resolutions. The first one was on the Hispanic Heritage Month. As we begin another new year, that there's going to be not just only celebratory events in the city, but also throughout the state, but also reminding us of our cultures in the Hispanic community. And I just wanted to express my appreciation my joy, and also invite everyone to enjoy the festivities as we continue to enjoy the Hispanic Heritage Month, which usually starts on September 15th to October 15th. The last one is the resolution on the September 11th, 2001. I know it passed already, but it's significant for many of us that went through it as a member at that time of the armed forces. It was a very difficult time, and this year we weren't For those of us that paid attention to news and I know we all marked it, 25 years of remembrance of the terrible terrorist attack in New York and wanted to express our sympathy from the Providence and also from our Providence City Council. And then lastly, this weekend, PVD Fest. It's gonna be a big party in downtown Providence. Let's enjoy it. We invite all of our residents from different wards to come downtown and enjoy the party, which just happens to be during the month of Hispanic Heritage Month. Thank you. Thank you for your time. Item 32.

Madam President, motion to waive the read around 32 and pass it on unanimous rights in vote. Second, Madam President.

Any discussion? All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? Any abstentions? The motion passes.

Madam President. Majority Leader. Motion to suspend Rule 16B of the Rules of the City Council in order to take a matter not appearance in a printed document. Second, Madam President.

Any discussion? All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? Any abstentions? The motion passes. Item 33.

Madam President.

Majority Leader.

Motion to waive the reader right in 33 and 34. Second, Madam President.

Any discussion? All in favor?

Aye. Aye.

Any opposed? Any abstentions? The motion passes. Madam Clerk, please refer item 33 to the committee on IRP and 34 to the special committee on ways and means. So noted.

Madam President. Before we adjourn, we tonight like to adjourn in the memory of Lorenzo Nunez, a well-known sports youth athlete coach who passed away recently. We'll send our condolences to his family. And also our sister and colleague, Athea Grace's brother, Frank Frankie Branch. Our condolences to you, dear colleague. as well as one of our staff's father, Luis Manuel Serrante, Luis Serrante's father, who recently also passed away. We extend our condolences, and with that said, being that there is no further business on the calendar, motion to adjourn. Second, Madam President.

All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed, any abstentions? We are adjourned, and our deepest sympathy and love to everyone. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Okay.