Um as well as uh councilwoman Anthony joined us was another council representative.

Yeah, we identified um through that task force um actions that we need to take as a city and options that we have to move forward.

Some of those options will involve potentially creating new fees um and uh revenue streams to deal with the stormwater issue, and um uh we will work together in partnership with the administration to explore what those uh what those options are and and come together as a council to work on those together.

Um, and that's what is um shared in this resolution.

Um, I hope you all can read the stormwater report that the stormwater task force put out.

It was a really complete report.

There's also like a one-page summary if you don't want to read a whole report, you guys.

And um, Priscilla De la Cruz is happy to come to any of our ward meetings and describe what was in there, describe the process and um some of the recommendations um and really is looking forward to working with all of us in our communities.

This is a huge problem, and the this council and this city have a real opportunity to be a leader in identifying solutions and helping to prevent this going forward.

Our residents are already paying for this.

We have residents across the city who are paying uh and businesses who are paying to have their basements pumped out, who are dealing with the loss of of revenue of products of I my own basement's been flooded, um, I've lost substantial amounts of things and had to pay for repairs.

Um this is happening across the city um in every single one of our wards.

Um really really looking for some proactive solutions and ways that we can prevent this and adapt to it as opposed to just dealing with it as during the onslaught.

So I'll look forward to working with all of you over the next couple months um on a more permanent resolution uh ordinance to deal with this, but um hope to engage with you on this resolution and the process going forward.

So thank you.

And thank you to councilwoman Davidson for co-sponsoring and being such a strong advocate on this as well.

Thank you, counselor.

Uh further discussion on item 11.

Councilwoman Davidson.

Yes, I just rise to um echo what Councillor Anderbois said to thank everybody who has put this into place.

Um, as Councillor Anderbrock outlined, we're all facing the impacts of stormwater and we don't even know what's coming.

So the opportunity that Providence has to be proactive to create a revenue stream and to solve a problem, what an amazing opportunity.

So I also look forward to working with all of you.

Um very passionate about this issue.

And if you ever want to talk about stormwater, better have I'll get I'll buy you a cup of coffee and we'll talk for a long time.

So I'm very honored and very pleased to be involved with this.

Um, it's an exciting moment for Providence.

It's gonna be a lot of work.

Um, it's gonna be a lot of work on all our behalves to communicate this clearly to the people of Providence, but I'm excited for the opportunity and grateful for the stormwater task force and everybody who has set this into motion.

Thank you, counselor.

Further discussion.

Item 11, Councilwoman Peterson.

Hello, hi.

Thank you.

Um, I just wanted to thank you um councilwoman Andrebois for spearheading this here on our agenda, but also um to Director de la Cruz, who is a ward 14 resident.

I just wanna um and the task force that put all of this together.

Um in ward 14, we see these effects on a larger scale.

If anybody knows where ward 14 is, that branch avenue plaza where you saw people kind of rowing in their canoes.

That was that was us.

And so this is extremely important in our neighborhood, and my whole goal is to really educate my neighbors about how important this is and how we're gonna be able to help.

So I really appreciate and applaud the efforts to do this.

And um, I look forward to doing all of those discussions in my neighborhood.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Counselors for the discussion.

Hearing none.

Um, all in favor.

Aye.

Any opposed, any abstentions?

The motion passes.

Madam Clerk, please refer item 11 to the special committee on environment and resiliency.

So noted.

Item 12.

Madam President.

Majority leader.

What should the way the reading of item 12 and pass and our voice vote?

Second, madam president.

We have a motion and a second.

Any discussion on item 12?

Hearing none.

Um, Madam Clerk, please open the vote.

The vote is open.

The vote is now closed.

We have a 13 eyes and two absent the motion carries.

The matter is approved.

Item 13.

Madam President.

Majority leader.

Well, should the way the reader of item 13 through 15?

Second, madam president.

We have a motion and a second.

Any discussion on items 13 and or 50 through 15.

Councilwoman Peterson.

Thank you.

Um Clerk, if I could ask you to please read into plead please read number 15 for us.

We don't have it.

I think I have the right one.

Whereas the snowstorm occurring on January 25th and 26th of 2026 deposited 17 inches and more of snow in Providence and in the surrounding area, marking the greatest accumulation of snow in a single two-day period since 2022, as determined by the National Weather Service.

And whereas such heavy snowfall obstructed roads, driveways, and sidewalks across the length and breadth of the city, compounding perilous cold and hindering travel by vehicle and by foot.

And whereas the Department of Public Works, asserting that Providence is snow ready, has nevertheless been characterized by residents as having a delayed and ineffective response to the storm, notably in the clearance of snow from sidewalks and from roads.

And whereas such abundant and abiding concern amid constituents with the response to the city with the response of the city to the storm prompts frank and unwavering inquiry into what occurred during the storm and into what may be garnered for improved preparedness, especially as the city operates under a presumably shared understanding of climate change and its uncertainties as articulated in the current and acted and acted comprehensive plan, as well as in city ordinances and policies.

And whereas the Department of Public Works, formed under Section 1002 of the Home World Charter of 1980, is required to perform snow removal among the functions and responsibilities as may be assigned to the department from time to time.

And whereas, amid the concerns shown by the residents of Providence toward the preparedness of the city for adverse weather events, the Providence City Council wishes to develop.

Am I doing good?

Okay.

Wishes um where was I?

Sorry.

That's okay.

Um to develop a comprehensive understanding of the efforts made by the Department of Public Works to contend with the storm of January 25th and 26th and its attendant effects.

Now therefore, be it resolved that the Providence City Council insists that the Department of Public Works diligently and rapidly prepare a report detailing the parameters developed for the management of the storm occurring on January 25th and 26th of 2026, including the timing and contract length for associated vendors and subsequent actions taken in the storm preparation and management.

And be it further resolved that the report must also clearly state the number of personnel that were activated and during the storm and on each and every subsequent day engaged in storm control.

And be it further resolved that in the interest of clarity and accountability, the report must also contain the department storm preparedness plan in place before the storm of January 25th and 26th of 2026 occurred, and be it further resolved that upon passage copies of this resolution be transmitted to the office of mayor Brett P.

Smiley to the director of public works, Patricia A.

Coinfake, and to the Department of Public Works.

Thank you very much, Madam Clerk, and thank you for the opportunity to speak, Madam President.

Um these remarks are not about blaming the men and women of DPW.

They showed up, they followed direction and they worked with the within the parameters set for them.

This is actually about the leadership, the planning, and the decision making at the administrative level.

But as of Tuesday, there were 366 no-related service requests logged through 311, along with 128 additional complaints received through calls, emails, and the council's contact us page.

That clear that this was not an isolated frustration, it was a systemic failure.

The real world consequences of that failure were serious.

Students were forced to walk to school in the street because sidewalks weren't clear.

The aftermath of plowing made conditions worse for many residents, particularly our elderly neighbors and those who are incapacitated, who were left blocked in by snowbanks and ice.

Those were predictable outcomes of poor coordination, not unavoidable consequences of a storm.

Most troubling, we learned most troubling, excuse me, we learned that an ambulance was unable to access the door of the door of two young women who had been shot in Smith Hill.

That is not political.

That is not rhetorical.

That is a failure to deliver basic emergency services to constituents in the city.

When emergency responders cannot reach residents in crisis because of snow response decisions, the system has failed.

The committee meeting on Tuesday revealed another critical truth.

Many of the decisions that shape this response weren't really made by the people on the front lines.

Those doing the physical work were not determining priorities, routes, or deployment, and the inspection of work was actually quite subpar.

Based on that meeting, those choices were made higher up, and that accountability that accountability must live there.

As a sponsor of this resolution to require a formal report, I want to be clear about the intent.

This report is being requested now so that the DPW committee can review it carefully and make informed recommendations as we approach budget season.

If resources, staffing, contracts, or operational authority are misaligned, we need that documented and addressed before the next snowstorm, not after it.

At this point, it is clear that we need to take the bull by the horns, and this council must remind this administration that we will execute our oversight responsibilities accordingly.

We have been far too lenient in the face of consistent rhetoric from the top layer that does not match the residents' lived experience.

The first failure was the failure to communicate once problems became evident.

Silence and delay compounded an already poor response.

What followed was a cascading breakdown that affected every single ward.

And while accountability must be placed where decisions were made, the reality is that the quest the consequences are shared by all of us.

Every single constituent in this city can point to a concern, an issue, or a complaint that resulted from this response.

Residents do not expect perfection.

What they do expect is competence, transparency, and urgency when things go wrong.

This response did not meet any of those standards.

It is our responsibility to make sure that they get it.

Thank you.

Thank you, counselor.

Further discussion on item 15.

Hearing none.

All in favor.

Council President.

Oh, yes, Councilman Ryan.

I I have to rise.

Um councilwoman Harris and I, when we were elected back in 2014, sworn in in 2015, we saw more snow in the city of Providence than I hope we ever see again.

It was a deluge, uh storm after storm on hitting our city on basically shutting it down.

It was bad.

We had a snowstorm the other day.

Was it bad?

Sure it was.

It was a lot of snow.

It's funny because I was talking to a person that worked back on the 2015 storms, and they said that they had peace, they felt that they had uh PTSD on the drama of it.

Um what I saw in my ward were neighbors helping neighbors, um, shoveling out businesses, helping our seniors uh to shovel the front sidewalks on.

I didn't have a complete and total breakdown that's being reported on.

And I have to say that beating up DPW, I don't think is a positive way to approach a snowstorm.

Times have changed since 2015.

We had a big snowstorm, we had a lot of snow, snow melts.

Um I think it's incumbent upon us, yes, to study what happened, to study the storm.

Can we do better?

Um, I think that's a good effort.

However, we also have to recognize that I think this storm was challenged by a number of of things.

And I know that it was in my ward, uh, wherein our residents, our neighbors didn't move their cars.

Um my colleagues um enacted legislation, this body enacted legislation creating um places for people to park.

Permitted cars, um, were provided parking locations, and a lot of my neighbors um offered their driveways and extra and businesses offered their lots to help our neighbors on get the cars off the road.

Quite honestly, the number of permitted cars that we have slowed down, permitted overnight parking, slowed down the plowing.

From what I understand, we had 300 cars towed.

We had probably the same ticketed.

That took time, and the the nature of the storm was such that it was so fast and so furious that time was really important.

So the time that was lost and trying to get those cars off the road, the overnight parkers or the people that refused to move their cars, many of them are out there right now, still covered in snow.

Um slowed down and hampered the plows.

Um neighbors were complaining about a single pass.

Well, when time is of the essence and they're slowed down, they do the best they can to get to every street.

So, yes, we should study it.

But as my colleague entered this uh session with a lovely prayer about being kind and respectful, um, I think that's a good message that we need to um understand that it was a brutal storm, it came very, very fast.

And the DPW was out for hours and hours and hours on we can study it, we can probably try to figure out what went wrong and maybe build a better mousetra.

But let's work together and solve the problem together instead of beating each other up.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh Councilor Gonkaus.

Thank you, Madam President.

I just want to echo those remarks.

Look, I think we all experienced a lot of snow.

And I myself um spent a lot of time talking to constituents that called people who sent emails.

I I mean, I kid you not, I spent a lot of time, uh, hundreds of emails and calls.

Uh, and what I was urging my neighbors to do was to stay patient, but also to assure them that this was a challenge.

Uh, as my colleague just alluded to, when I was seeking information from the administration, they were very forthcoming about what the challenges were.

In the first 24 hours, we, to your point, issued over 300 plus tickets.

There were 400 plus cars that were towed, but the fact of the matter is the lots were full.

And I know in my neighborhood that has a lot of transient residents, uh, including Brown University students or RISD students that didn't necessarily get the memo, there were cars everywhere.

So they couldn't plow curb to curb.

I've been very critical on this issue dating back to the last administration uh during you know my first term on this body.

And I lived in Minneapolis as I alluded to earlier in the in the meeting, and I remember I actually called up Tina today and said, Hey, uh, do you remember that resolution that I introduced a couple years ago?

And it was about researching and studying the implications of alternate street parking during the snow ban.

Minneapolis is a city that does it relatively well.

I think that Providence should consider doing something differently, but I'm not here to bash anybody because frankly, it was a lot of snow.

I had constituents who were very frustrated, and I want to say for the record, I feel your pain.

And that's exactly what I told every one of my constituents, and I listened to them and heard their perspectives.

Uh, but I just want to remind folks.

Um, I had a constituent, for example, who reached out and said, you know, I was just in Brooklyn this weekend, and they they did a wonderful job.

And I had to remind that person that look, Providence is a dense city.

We have 1600 roads.

We have a lot of cars, more cars than other small cities and towns.

So it's it's kind of comparing apples and oranges.

And what I will share, even though I was equally as frustrated, I'm sure as all of us was a DPW that was trying to be as responsive as possible.

A DPW and plow truck driver and people in the department who were trying to go back when things weren't done well.

And I think in these times where let's call it a crisis because it was.

I think people were genuinely trying to do their best.

It was just a very challenging set of circumstances.

And that's that's just my piece.

Thank you, madam president.

Thank you, Councilman Sanchez.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um, I wasn't gonna speak on this item because I mean, I think we've all uh have watched or participated in the hearing that we had with DPW on Tuesday.

I think it was a very productive conversation.

Um, but there's characterization of this resolution that I disagree with by some of my colleagues.

Uh multiple things can be true.

This isn't anyone uh singling out individuals uh characterizing uh people's qualifications.

Uh none of that is in this resolution.

Multiple things can be true.

But as city counselors, we have the direct by charter responsibility to uh oversee city operations and departments when uh they're not meeting uh the standards that our residents um demand, expect uh the taxpayers that that fund all of our positions here on the city council.

Um the mayor said it last week or early this week, um, losing track of time that he was not satisfied uh with the city's uh response because his constituents weren't satisfied.

And I think I don't know if I can speak for all of you, but I'm gonna speak for myself at least.

Um we got a lot of concerns, uh a lot of valid specific issues on the parking ban being lifted on curb to curb on school resuming uh when there's still snow on all the sidewalks, kids walking on the streets, kids sitting on the streets waiting for for buses.

Uh but uh they don't want to hear excuses, they don't want to hear valid excuses.

Some of the the capacity people are voicing their concerns or issues or challenges, and it's our responsibility to work collaboratively with these departments with the mayor's administration to find solutions.

And I think that's the intent and that's uh the spirit uh in this resolution.

I I don't think anyone here is directly attacking uh the workers of DPW.

Uh, those are Providence residents.

They they worked uh many hours in a road doing their best job, but for whatever reason, uh there's challenges that were uh presented, and I think it's on our responsibility to find solutions to those uh challenges to make the city uh the best city, uh the best ran city in America, like the mayor likes to say thank you, Madam President.

Thank you uh for the discussion, counselors, councilman Andrew.

Um, just briefly, um I also wasn't planning to speak, but just a quick note.

I want to agree with what my colleague, Councilman Sanchez was just saying, um, and highlight um a few things.

One is just agree.

I saw with councilwoman Ryan, I saw people across my ward helping each other dig out.

It was we have such a strong and vibrant community here, and that's something I'm very proud of.

And I know many of us are, you know, immediately helping each other.

And also at the same time, many things can be true.

And, you know, I had businesses calling, say, hey, we've been here for years.

We know snow happens, we've seen worse snow, but wow, this is like not this response is not working for me.

I had a service worker call who was trying to get to folks in their homes.

She couldn't even on like Wednesday and was just so upset that she couldn't get to her clients.

She's been so doing this work for 20 years.

She's experienced other storms, but this response was tough.

And I think as leaders, you know, it's our responsibility to say we take responsibility.

Um, I had a professor in grad school who'd say what went well, what could go even better next time?

And I think that's the spirit in which I know I've sponsored this, and and my colleagues have sponsored this of saying, you know, our residents deserve as councilwoman Peter said competence and transparency, and we'll just we're just trying to make sure we're ready next time and we do better.

It's not about finger pointing, it's not about you know, there were things that happened that were acts of God, and there are things that happen that are our own failings, and um leaders need to recognize that and say what went well, what can go even better next time.

And so we just want to know what happened so we can plan and do better next time.

I appreciate my colleagues uh who um co-sponsored this.

Thank you.

Further discussion on item 15, madam, pro temperature.

I too wasn't gonna speak on this, but uh you know it it is about the latest uh storm and and and weather, and uh I first I want to say that uh this resolution is right on.

We know that for a fact, the mayor already said, hey, we came up short, and we have to improve it, and this is a way to get to the bottom and improve those processes.

I want to commend uh chairman uh Oscar Vargas for bringing them in uh and having them explain just what went wrong and the frustration that was illustrated during that hearing, and it was it was incredible, and I know that in the south side and the west end, I got the brunt uh while going out and even the some of the calls, and even to to the to today, you go down Broad Street, and people mention you know the the bike lanes, bike lanes are wonderful, great, but there's fire trucks that can even go through Broad Street and in some other streets that I've been to in different neighborhoods, so we need to address those things, and I think this resolution, and even for us to really hone in, not just only uh with the the few uh city council, but all of us lessons learned because even the parking van, how that was issued and and how long did it take, even to today, we have businesses that haven't even cleared their front stores, and then you you you ask who actually puts these tickets, who's enforcing this?

Well, according to the ordinance, police just gotta drive up and give them a ticket.

Now we all know that this is uh an election year, and perhaps we don't want to ruffle the feathers, but this is real, it's impacting the families.

And by the way, it hasn't even rained.

All those men covers, all those side streets, all the snow is is covered.

If it rains, we're gonna have flooding all over the place.

And I know in my neighborhood, to rent or rain or anything that comes down, we're all gonna be swimming again, and it's gonna be brutally cold.

Again, the same thing within the schools.

We have to question within this resolution how fast and how would they how prepared were they actually to clear around the schools?

You drove around schools and the sidewalks were at times when they've been cleared, even to this today, just the corner where kids were actually could walk.

I have photos of people in their in their strollers in the middle of the street, and I'm sure we all have those uh pictures, and we should all collect all that and learn from it because whether we're here uh for the next storm or not, but we're gonna get more storms and we're gonna go in more rain.

And I think this resolution is right on because we have to really uh put all hands on deck to ensure that BPW is uh responding in the appropriate way, and this is also not a knock on the employees or uh the director, whether she's qualified or not.

I think she she's well qualified because we all agree that she's well qualified, but the problem is that we have a problem, and and it was right in our face, and we need to make sure that we take the lessons learned and improve it and improve it fast.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Further discussion items, uh councilwoman, and uh just to remind everyone, sorry, it's 13 through 15 that we're discussing.

15.

Um the incident that you were referring to was in my one, and that street is still um the where the shooting was.

And I still can't get down that street.

If something happens now, they will still have to run the um stretcher down the street to get that person out.

So Smith Hill still has not been done.

Most of those streets have not been done.

My street is finally getting down because I don't call and say, I am the council person.

Come get do my street.

And yes, we did help each other.

But we could not do all that snow by ourselves.

So I will be voting yes for this bill.

I'm not pointing my fingers at them.

I think Sal and them did a very good job.

I do.

I just think it was a lot of snow.

I don't think we had the I don't think we had enough people.

I don't think we had enough trucks.

We have gotten so little snow that we may have gotten a little lax.

So those all have something to do with the way that we uh approach it.

So not we're not pointing our fingers at anybody.

I'm not pointing my fingers at anybody, but I think this needs to be done.

And I think we need to go about it yet, saying yes.

This could have been done a lot better because, like I said, this no is not going away any anytime soon because we're gonna be in a deep freeze for a while, and it's probably gonna snow some more.

So I'm not pointing my finger at the mayor.

I'm not pointing my finger at the DPW.

I'm pointing my finger in the fact that people are still concerned, people are still snowed in.

I still see garbage cans where you can just see the lids of them that are still covered in snow.

So there's that means people, what are those people doing?

Their garbage has not been emptied.

And how long now?

14 days, 15 days.

So we need to pass this bill.

We need to get something done so it doesn't happen again, and that's all we ask.

So we I will be voting yes.

Thank you, counselor.

Further discussion 13 through 15.

Hearing none.

Uh, all in favor.

Any opposed, any abstentions?

The motion passes.

Madam Clerk, please refer 13 to the committee on finance, 14 to the special committee on state legislative affairs and 15 to public works.

So noted.

Uh, madam clerk, item 16, please.

Madam President, majority leader.

What's it the way they're reader?

Item 16, Ambassador Boyce vote.

Second, madam president.

We have a motion and a second, and a discussion on item 16.

Councilman Vargas.

Thank you very much, Madam President.

Uh I would say thank you to everyone who came to the meeting.

And this is something that we can give back to the community.

Now we're getting these freeze temperatures.

Every store rent out of salt, they don't have more salt.

So we came up with this idea to have DPW to give uh salt for free to the constituents to Province residents.

We asking for two locations, they got one on Jackson Avenue.

I went to the took pictures, they cannot fool me.

And uh, and also they got another one on by 700 Islands Avenue.

I don't know the name of the little street there.

The reason I put it in because I ask, I want to be clear I am clear.

I asked the director, and she said, nope, you're not giving you not getting nothing.

So this is it.

We got different ways to get it, and I wish and I would ask every single one to support me in this one because the custodians they really need salt because now they decide to open the streets, they go in back at midnight, waking up everybody.

They good thing they're not even too much out of the bank, they eat in like 16 inches, but by the time the truck goes down, like uh like a half a block, the plow is almost full, so it's going back into the sidewalks, driveways, and everybody.

And I ask the constraints to be patient.

I'm sorry that's going back to your sidewalk, but we need to open the streets because they look like a one-way streets.

We've been having a lot of uh school buses, accidents.

So far, they haven't reported any uh injuries, but we need to avoid that.

So far, we've been having a lot of trash left behind because the trucks are too big, and they get uh face to face to another car, and then the little car doesn't want to back up.

The huge truck is not going to back up and now and they create a nightmare.

That's why we need to open the streets, and they and DPD always start to do that yesterday again.

This resolution is to provide salt, like icebreaker, the one we use, the one that trucks use, so that the constituent can bring two buckets and and pick up a little bit for the sidewalks, and after this, we will find and then we can update the city.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, counselor.

Further discussion on item 16.

Hearing none, madam clerk, please open the vote.

Vote is open.

Vote is now closed.

You have 13 eyes, two absent.

The motion carries the matter is approved on a voice vote.

Thank you.

Item 17.

Madam President, majority leader.

Why should the way the reading of item 17?

Second, madam president.

Any discussion on item 17?

Councilman Vargas.

Thank you very much.

I became famous again.

This is I'm getting tired to see mattress everywhere.

I want to everywhere.

So I create, I asked to help me out with this resolution too.

It's something that we need to start working, like the resolution that we put to about the DPD report.

In this case, I asked the police department to help us.

And then we want to be talking with them how we can improve improved or have new ideas to go after the people who's been dropping mattresses.

Why they don't buy a good mattress that costs $1,500.

They buy the one that costs $70 and two weeks later, they toss in the sidewalk or anywhere.

It's something that we have to do to control this.

Anywhere when we provide a free mattress depot at 700 Allen's Avenue.

If you don't have a pickup truck to deliver any salary, you can call any friend and your warrior, you can call your own console person, and he will say, Look, I I will see what can I do for you.

I'm not a mattress holder, but we can give them ideas how they can bring it down.

And you see people the little Toyota or little car there with a mattress on the top, flip on, flip on flop, like that, but they bring it.

So why don't they do this idea?

Look, can we bring it down there to 700 Islands Avenue?

And that's why this resolution is to look for new ideas.

How we can go against these people who's doing this, and off is enough, and this we're going to be working very hard to not look the city that looks like a mattress city, you know, like enough is enough.

I just ask for anybody to support me.

Thank you.

Thank you, councilman.

Uh further discussion on item 17.

Councilman Vargas.

Thank you.

Yes, I support that because in my world, I received so many call to pick it up.

Uh the first year I start to do it, you know, the recruit all the matter and taking the lease, and you know, and doing and then pick up and go away.

But the whole years to receive that, and also say you're not doing nothing.

I say for what for the matrix.

That's the whole city.

That's what we have.

That he calling me, I call it, hey, we're going to do, and then we have to go to the city to pick up.

You know what?

Because that cost $60 to call and put in the plastic, and people don't want to do it.

It's very lazy for that.

So people have to buy the plastic, call the um the PW and also pay $60.

People don't want to pay the $60.

So we have to do it, the less money.

Maybe the people can pay and then can go away because the cities look very ugly when you see all the matter.

No, also the mattress.

From to my house, I remember they have the mattress and the furniture for the bed.

And I said, okay, and I get a pictures later around.

I see the mattress and all the stuck, and maybe he pay or something, and the marino park.

I say, come on, why you not tell me any we can get them all the solution?

So that's my only concern.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, Counselor.

Further discussion on 17.

Hearing none, all in favor.

Hi.

Any opposed, any abstentions?

The motion passes.

Madam Clerk, please refer item 17 to the committee on public works.

So noted.

Councilman Sanchez.

Yes.

Thank you.

Um, you know, we we've been discussing very important issues, the ones that matter to a lot of our residents.

Uh, but I just want to bring uh attention to something else that that came uh to our desk.

Um, I'm sure everyone has the letter.

I think it was submitted to the city uh clerk.

Uh there by uh very uh concerned uh constituent Providence resident.

Um if you guys haven't read it, uh I invite you all to follow along while I speak.

Um this is a huge issue.

Um I'm not gonna read it completely.

The letter, uh, you guys can do that.

Um, but essentially what happened was that this resident uh last Tuesday while while it was in the single digits, the the felt like temperature was below freezing.

Uh walked by uh unhoused individual here downtown Providence.

Um that resident has lived in other cities.

Um, so what she did was called 911 uh to report this situation.

The individual was sleeping outside, had one blanket, uh, very uh freezing temperatures.

Um and the response that that she got, unfortunately, was that Providence police can do a wellness check, but they can't transport this individual to a warming uh shelter.

Um, because there's just no uh program uh that exists like that here in the city of Providence.

Talking from personal experience, I I know that there is some police officers um in some cases that that do this.

Um as you all aware, we we did uh a lot of good work around this issue last year, and and I'll get to to this point uh a little later on.

And when we were at the Vinci Center, there was Province Police officers that that were bringing individuals uh in the streets, but whatever the issue is that this is something that we all uh need to you know be spending more attention, more resources.

Um this person uh froze to death.

This person died uh last week.

Uh a huge tragedy here in the city of Providence.

Uh, one of our uh community members um just didn't make it through the cold, didn't have uh a place to go rest to go warm up.

Um and that tragedy is on all of us as a city leaders that we uh have this type of tragedy, uh be a possibility in the city of Providence, and obviously this is happening all around the world, but we have control of resources, we all have platforms here in Providence.

Um, and we have used that to push this uh concern uh forward, investing more resources um on a more positive note.

You you could say, even though it's not positive because one life is is too much.

Um there is uh a lot more going on in the city this winter.

Um there is uh an operation uh that is being ran uh through the state council of churches uh here in Providence that's activating churches.

Uh there's three right now uh across the city, one on the east side, uh open table of Christ on the south side and Matthews and Street Church, uh a couple blocks away that does so much work uh around this uh for unhoused neighbors.

Um they're activating on uh nightly basis uh once temperatures uh reach uh a certain temperature.

Um and I've I've worked some of these shifts.

I've I've been to a couple of the ones on the open table crisis, and the level of humanity and compassion uh that these spaces have for unhoused neighbors, very low barriers because that's usually a huge concern with uh your stereotypical shelters.

It has a lot of barriers.

Um, some you know, for security and valid reasons, and others uh just because there's just not enough resources uh for uh the level of support to to run these types of shelters, but we do have a good model and in place uh right now in Providence.

So my ask right now is just to be aware uh to be more active.

Um Harrison Tuttle and Eric uh Hirsch and Kevin Simon.

If you see any of them on social media or go visit Matthew Street Church, they always have asked out for uh supplies and resources.

Um talk to our state friends uh to get more because this is state money that is uh funding uh these pop-up uh emergency warming shelters uh because unfortunately this issue isn't going anywhere.

Um it's directly tied uh to the housing crisis uh that we're all living in.

Uh so we can do anything.

Um, here unfortunately, the only thing I'm doing is is bringing uh light to this tragic situation.

Um, but I think that's the first step to moving in uh in a better direction.

Um so I I unfortunately uh don't know the the name of this individual, uh, but I I do an of gratitude to to Julianne uh who wrote this very uh thought-out um letter to us uh for us to do uh more in in this space.

Um and I would just like to take a moment of silence uh to to memorize uh this person that we lost uh here in the city of Providence, Madam President.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilor, Madam Clerk, item 18, Madam President, majority leader questions to weigh the reading of item 18 and pass for the first time on a roll code vote.

Second, madam president.

We have a motion and a second any discussion on item 18.

Chairwoman, President, thank you very much.

Um just to give um I worked with uh councilwoman miller.

This is in her ward, she supports this.

It is a TSA for the construction of 23 residential new residential units or homes.

Um there are 10 studio 13 uh single bedroom properties on again tenure tsa, it's 3.5 million dollars, uh 28,300 and change to the parks and rec on.

It's a good TSA.

Um, and I recommend passage.

Thank you.

Uh further discussion on item 18.

Hearing none, madam clerk, please call the roll and open the vote.

The vote is open, council president Miller, aye.

Deputy Majority Whip Anderbois, aye, councillor Davidson, majority leader Espinall.

Aye, senior deputy majority leader Gonzales, aye, councilwoman Graves Deputy Majority Leader Harris, aye, Councilwoman Peterson, aye, council president pro tempor Pichardo.

Aye, council arroyas is absent.

Councilwoman Ryan.

Majority Whip Sanchez.

Aye.

Councilman Taylor is absent.

Councilwoman Ana Vargas.

Councilman Oscar Vargas.

Aye.

You have 13 ayes, two absent.

The motion carries the matter is passed for the first time on a roll call vote.

Councilwoman Graves, can you do your electronic vote?

Thank you.

And that vote is also closed.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Item 19.

Madam President.

Majority leader.

And pass for the first time in a roll code vote.

Second, Madam President.

We have a motion and a second.

Uh discussion, Councilman Ryan.

Thank you.

Um Madam President, this is another one that uh I worked with you on 20 America Street.

It is a new construction of 23 residential units.

Um at 386.

Yes, I worked with you on it.

It's uh construction of four-story, first floor is commercial, 21 resident residential units on the upper three floors.

Five million dollar um project.

Um bringing Parson Rec uh uh contribution of 36 almost 37,000 dollars.

It's a good TSA supported by the finance committee.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Further discussion, item 19.

Hearing none, madam clerk, please open the vote and call the roll.

The vote is open.

Council President Miller, aye.

Deputy Majority Whip Anderbois, Councilor Davidson, aye.

Majority Leader Espinal.

Aye.

Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonzals.

Aye.

Councilwoman Graves.

Deputy Majority Leader Harris.

Aye.

Councilwoman Peterson.

Council President Pro Tempore Picharda.

Aye.

Council Arroyas is absent.

Councilwoman Ryan.

Aye.

Majority Whip Sanchez.

Councilman Taylor is absent.

Councilwoman Ana Vargas.

Councilman Oscar Vargas.

Aye.

You have 13 eyes to absent.

The motion carries the matters passed for the first time on a roll call vote.

Councilman Espinal, can you put in your electronic vote?

Thank you.

And that vote is closed.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Item 20.

Madam President.

Majority Leader.

Motion to weigh the reading of item 20 and pass for the first time and a roll code vote.

Second, Madam President.

We have a motion and a second.

Any discussion on item 20.

Counselor Ryan.

Thank you, Madam President.

157 Gano Street.

I had the pleasure of working with Councilman Gonkaus.

City.

It is a 10-year TSA.

It's got uh MBE WE apprenticeship programs uh involvement.

Thank you.

Move past it.

Thank you.

Further discussion on item 20.

Please.

Um and I know there's uh several here, and I are there any of these uh uh TSA with any affordable units uh staggered with uh um what's the market rate the market are these all market rate?

Are they 80 percent uh affordable I'm sorry?

It is a mix, sir, market rate on all of them.

Did they have each one or or just on this statistics?

I know that we're on that's usually what happens, yes.

So can you can you let me know on these uh I just asking if it if there's a staggered what what are they two units that at least are 80 percent uh affordable or anything like that?

We can answer that question in a moment.

Um but uh councilman Sanchez.

Thank you.

Um Madam President, um, none of these uh TSAs have any affordability component to it.

Um I know that because I wasn't in the finance meetings.

Um, you know, not to take uh away from any of these developments.

Uh I don't want to go back and speak on previous items, but just for full transparency, like what how I'm looking at it is uh 18, 19 or 20 units or so.

Um their new developments, uh, you know, decent sized projects, but it's still in good parts of you know, uh development and in the certain neighborhoods on 20 though.

Um, I don't want to jump the gun a little bit, but I think we're speaking on 20, so I can speak on 20.

Um, I'm not gonna support it.

Uh this is uh one of four buildings, uh 35 units each, um, and there's absolutely no affordability component to it.

Um, and that's just where I have a slightly uh difficult time uh supporting a development of that magnitude uh that doesn't have any affordable components to it.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councilor Ryan.

It is market rate item 20.

Um it is a big um TSA, it's 3.7, it's a 10-year TSA, but the benefit is the construction jobs, the MBE WBE and apprentices uh programs that come along with it.

Thank you, Council Pro Temput.

Thank you uh for answering that question.

Uh and and that's why when we talk about TSA, I'm just curious.

Uh it was just curious to see.

I know we're talking on item 2020, but just moving uh forward, wanted to know that question if there were market rate, and I and lastly is that as we continue to do this TSA and throughout the years since we've been here, we're talking about how do we spread out these uh TSA, but also the affordable units and the mixed use, uh, not just only uh market rate, and that's where why I was asking the question.

Thank you.

Appreciate that.

Further discussion on item 20.

Councilman Sanchez.

Thank you, my president.

Um, I think it's important just to stay it full transparency.

There might be people watching.

Um currently, as is um our TSA uh process doesn't have uh any language uh around affordability.

So I know that's something that we've talked about in the past.

Um, obviously there's other ways to incentivize affordable development, uh, but that's something we really need to uh lock down.

I think the next couple uh months is when we are giving certain tax incentives for uh housing development uh to implement in our own city ordinance uh some type of uh affordability component, whatever that might look like.

But just I think to uh be uh full transparency to these developers, I think it's important to state that that as is when they apply for these TSAs, uh there isn't uh a requirement of affordability.

Obviously, we have seen it in the past where counselors uh work directly with developers uh to implement some affordability uh in those CSAs, uh, but just a full transparency, like I've mentioned, uh it's not uh requirement by city ordinance.

Thank you, Madam.

Thank you.

Counselor counseling.

Just a point of clarification on tax stabilization agreements are investments in the city of Providence.

They're intended to broaden our tax base.

Um over the years, they've been critical on to basically on keeping the city of Providence on uh alive on you.

We can't prescribe affordable housing in every unit.

We have to take what we get on.

We can choose to vote it up or down.

That's something that you can um decide upon as a council person.

Um the reality is that we need affordable housing housing at all price points, and you know, everyone wants on uh rents to go down, they want prices of housing to go down.

We just need housing.

These items, these um TSAs were sitting on the shelf when I uh took over as uh finance chair when I was seated.

I looked at these things, I dusted them off.

I worked with the solicitor, I worked with the council people.

They worked with the developers on the community wants these developments, they're good for our tax base.

Um they are creating uh the three of them are creating 79 new homes and almost 15 million dollars investment into the city of Providence that broadens our tax base and gives us more money on that we wouldn't have if these things were not developed um to pay for roads for snow removal for schools and all other uh components that are important and essential to our budget.

So the TSAs are important instruments on these particular items were vetted at a public hearing.

They went through the finance committee, they received approval, and I recommend uh passage on item two as well.

Thank you.

Further discussion on item 20.

Uh majority leader.

Thank you, uh, Madam President.

Um we uh currently in the process of uh vetting uh landmark legislation, which is the uh uh stabilization to uh rent rent uh stabilization legislation, and that is a response or to the housing crisis that we have.

So there are two common tools that we use in order to alleviate that crisis, which is the uh TSAs and also the housing trust fund.

Tonight we passed a resolution that calls for uh replenishing the housing trust fund, supporting legislation to put that on the ballot.

Uh and this TSA, along with the other ones that we have already discussed, as chairwoman of finance says it's 79 additional units of housing, and it's close to 15 million dollars of investment in our city.

Uh, these are our tools.

What about tools going to work to produce close to 80 units of housing?

I cannot even believe that we're having discussions or doubts about this.

This is what we put in place.

It's being fruitful, it's it's it's producing housing.

So I'll be supporting it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Further discussion on item 20.

For the uh president.

For the record, I just wanted to uh I asked a question again, and I reiterate, and we all can agree that affordable housing is what we need, and housing is what we need in the city of Providence and more of it.

Um, and I'm glad that we're taking those steps.

But I also again reiterate that as we're doing these developments, that we also as a city council as a body that we want the spread of affordable housing throughout our city.

And that's why I asked the question.

And as we continue to debate the issues on housing, uh whether rental civilization and so forth, uh we just can't uh continue to wish and hope that in another 10 years we're gonna get to the right number um of housing units uh throughout the city of Providence.

We want to make sure that at least the Providence that we are continuously utilizing the tools that we have uh to incentivize uh development, it is that we all share some of that cost and some of that um wealth around our own neighborhoods so that way all neighborhoods somehow have some this equilibrium of income and and families growing together in a sense and not this disparity in income that we have that we know in the city of Providence that we know in the state of Rhode Island.

And I just posed that question because I want us to bring us home as we continue to debate the issues of housing and making sure that uh we we move forward with creating more housing in the state of Rhode Island and the city of Province.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh further discussion on item 20.

Madam Clerk, please open the roll and uh nope, open the vote and call the roll.

The vote is open.

Council President Miller.

Aye, deputy majority with Banderbois, Councillor Davidson, aye, majority leader Espinal.

Aye, senior deputy majority leader Gonzalez.

Aye, councilwoman Graves, Deputy Majority Leader Harris, aye, councilwoman Peterson, nay, council president Pro Tempore Pichardo.

Yes, Councilor Royus is absent.

Councilwoman Ryan.

Aye, Majority Whip Sanchez.

No.

Councilman Taylor is absent.

Councilwoman Ana Vargas.

Councilman Oscar Vargas.

Aye.

We have 10 ayes, three nays, two absent.

The motion carries the matters passed for the first time on a roll call vote, and the vote is closed.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Oh we've missed someone.

I did miss someone.

Councilwoman Peterson, can you put in your electronic vote, please?

Ah can everyone do an electronic vote again, please?

On item 20.

Councilwoman Vargas, can you vote one more time, please?

Electronically.

Great.

Thank you.

The vote is closed.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

I will take a very brief um point of personal expression on my part and just say uh, of course, the conversation around affordability is near and dear to my heart.

Um, and I think there's actually a few like options available to the council to further incentivize uh on affordability, and I'd be super excited to work with all of you on that.

Uh item 21, please.

Madam President.

Majority leader.

Well, should the way the reading of item 21 and pass for the first time in a roll code folks.

Second, Madam President.

We have a motion and a second.

Any discussion on item 21.

Councilman.

Madam President, thank you.

Uh, this is 7072 Royal Drive.

Um, this was I worked with uh Councilman Royus on on this.

Um developers went out to his community meeting.

He supports it on his community supports it.

It is a state-of-the-art auto-body repair shop.

Um, but great accolades.

Uh, we had a public hearing on this one as well on basically um converting an existing structure into the state, a state of the art auto body repair shop with a training center.

So they are going to have the ability to certify on auto mechanics on, and there's a couple of levels, but they're excellent paying jobs.

I'm hearing that on I had the number.

Uh 10 to 15 uh new careers will be built in this institution, as well as they've established a um relationship with the area community colleges to take in students for special training.

So it really is an exciting project.

Um it's only a five-year TSA on it's a 2.2 uh million dollar TSA, again, 2.2 million dollar investment into the city of Providence, uh almost 11,000 uh contribution to parks and rec.

Um, it's a good program.

It's actually a very exciting one.

Uh it was interesting to hear about and well received.

Thank you.

Thank you, Counselor.

For the discussion on item 21.

Councilman Vargas.

Thank you very much.

President.

This is uh this one is uh is a unique one.

It's not about housing.

The the one that I like is because this one will produce jobs.

15 positions.

Out of those 15 positions, will be 15 people will be certified.

How to fit you, Mercedesman, the one who makes money here.

Oh Honda.

But this is a unique TSA.

I'm very happy to support because jobs.

Out of these 15 people that will get it at certified, they can open their own business or they can go work somewhere for another institution.

The great idea is that they will bring the dealership will bring their own trained people to certify the body body works personal to get a better job.

Will be position that will make over a hundred thousand dollars a year.

Plus, these institutions, these building is going to pay over $80,000 in because if you so this is less than 50, you don't pay taxes, but over 50, you pay tax.

That's a plus.

So this is a win-win.

I want to say thank you to Consulman Royus for supporting this one.

He's very happy.

I told him we might got might have to apply one day and go work there.

But please support this one.

Thank you.

Thank you, Counselor.

Further discussion on 21.

Hearing none.

Madam Clerk, please call the roll and open the vote.

The vote is open.

Council President Miller.

Aye.

Deputy Majority Whip Anderbois.

Aye.

Councilor Davidson.

Aye.

Majority Leader Espinal.

Aye.

Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonçalves.

Aye.

Councilwoman Graves.

Deputy Majority Leader Harris.

Aye.

Councilwoman Peterson.

Council President Pro Tempore Pichardo.

Aye.

Council Arroyas is absent.

Councilwoman Ryan.

Majority Whip Sanchez.

Councilman Taylor is absent.

Councilwoman Anna Vargas.

Hi.

Councilman Oscar Vargas.

Aye.

You have 13 ayes, two absent.

The motion carries the matters passed for the first time on a roll call vote.

Councilwoman Harris, can you put in your electronic vote?

And that vote is closed.

Thank you, Madam Clerk and Counselors.

Forgive me, I cannot stay out of the phrase tonight.

But I totally this uh item 21 is a really cool model.

I very much appreciate it.

I will remind us that um part of what TSAs do is create jobs at every level.

And um, for folks who were with me last term, um, many of you supported the efforts to make sure that those were even better jobs.

So my two cents once again, but thank you.

Item 22, Madam President, majority leader.

What's it the way the reader item 22 and receive and approve?

Second, madam president.

We have a motion and a second, any discussion on item 22, Councilman Anderbaugh.

Oh, sorry.

Thank you, um, Council President Miller.

Um, I just wanted to rise and acknowledge uh Ward 3 resident Andrew Bramson, um, who is here tonight, um, and thank him for his service.

I also just found out, so he's getting sworn in tomorrow, and I think his first meeting is on Monday.

So thank you for getting to work so quickly on behalf of the uh the children uh the school children of the city of Providence um and all of us, and I'm grateful for you uh and your service and proud that you are a ward three resident.

So thank you, Andrew.

Thank you for being here.

Thank you for the discussion, Councilman Kankals.

Thank you, madam president.

Thank you for those remarks, Councilwoman Andrew Bra.

I'm bummed that you're not award one resident, but uh we're super excited about your dedicated uh service to the city of Providence.

Um, I think what's really interesting about Andrew for those of you who don't know him is he was uh I don't know if you're currently the president CEO of Onward We Learn, um, which um has helped countless young people all across um our our state access college and career pathways and the support that they need to succeed.

So really excited to have him representing District One or Region One in the City of Providence, which encompasses Ward 1, Ward 2, and Ward 3 is gonna be working alongside uh Corey Jones and the other members of the school board, and just want to thank you in advance for your service.

So let's give him a round of applause.

Sometimes a very thankless job, but it's all for the kiddo.

So thank you very much, Andrew, for serving.

Thank you.

Further discussion on 22.

Councilman, thank you, madam president.

I just want to join my uh ward one school board colleagues to um say that this is um we're thrilled that uh Mr.

Brampson's gonna be representing this part of Providence on the school board.

I truly look forward to working with you and other school board members as we think about ways to bring the Providence public schools into a bright future.

And um, I also want to acknowledge the work of Ward 1 resident Melissa Hughes, who served um on the school board and did a fabulous job.

Um, so thank you very much for joining in this effort.

Thank you.

Further discussion, hearing none, uh Madam Clerk, open the vote, please.

The vote is open.

The vote is now closed.

That is 13 ayes, two absent.

The motion carries the matter is received and approved.

Thank you, Madam Clerk, Mr.

Brampson.

Congratulations.

Thank you so much for stepping up to serve and and for being here tonight.

Item 23.

Madam President, majority leader, what should say the reader item 23 and 24?

Second, madam president.

We have a motion and a second.

Any discussion on 23 or 24?

Seeing none.

Uh madam uh nope.

All in favor.

Aye.

Any opposed, any abstentions?

Uh the motion passes.

Madam Clerk, please refer item 23 to claims and pending suits.

Note 24 as received.

So noted.

And I would like to take a moment to congratulate our one of our own round of applause.

Thank you very much.

Item two Madam President.

Councilwoman Harris.

May I have a moment of question?

Please.

But the closest.

Of course.

Thank you.

I'll rise tonight just to um help us get ready for Black History Month, all of us to celebrate the history of this country.

Uh, I started out in the council in 2014 along with Councilwoman Ryan.

We have to keep reminding you of that because you guys won't see us next term.

But we want to remind you that we were here.

Um I was so surprised all those years that the city of Providence was not celebrating Black history.

I um in partnership with Caleb Wharton, found out that there's a lot of history, starting out with the east side and the displacement.

We're talking about housing tonight.

All right, then um that all started.

Um, I don't remember the year because uh Caitlin keeps up with all of that.

Uh however, it has been a beautiful opportunity to work with so many people here, so many of you who showed up uh for the celebration.

And I also want to say that I am very happy that the mayor's office have been able to take that up and continue it.

I mean, so we don't have to be double celebrating.

However, all the celebrations does start in the city of Providence, which represents all of us.

So I want to invite you to enjoy Black History Month, find something to do, whether you're into culture or dancing or singing, whatever, find uh Black History Month, especially studying the history of this country and a Black America would be very, very good for each and every one of us.

So I want to thank you and enjoy Black History Month.

Thank you, Councilwoman.

Councilman Grace.

And I'm taking the rancher now.

So we will be celebrating Black History Month in these chambers at the end of the month of March.

Thank you, Councilwoman.

Item 25.

Madam President, Councilwoman Ryan.

Sorry, I just wanted to take a moment to thank my colleague, Councilwoman Harris, for shepherding, shepherding through Black History Month for all these years for the council.

And Caleb.

Your leadership is remarkable.

Thank you.

And I want to echo just also the tradition of um both Black History Month and Women's History.

Uh International Women's Day.

We of course are gonna do it, but you're like unique leadership on that in making sure that every single council person had a leadership role in it, uh participated in it, that we brought history to it, that we brought the community to it.

Uh you've done a really remarkable job of bringing the community to the city and vice versa.

So thank you.

Item 25.

Madam President, majority leader.

Second, Madam President.

Any discussion on 25?

Hearing none.

Uh all in favor.

Any opposed, any abstentions?

The motion passes.

Madam President, majority leader.

Being a little further business, we shall proceed to adjourn.

I ask that we all rise for those that have passed away.

And tonight, I like to adjourn in the name of Viola Buchanan, James Mitchell, a friend of mine, Louis Mata from that I know from my hometown of Dominican Republic and passed away in New York.

Victor Ramon Sandoval, who is my cousin, uh also passed away in New York.

I will be attending uh these two weeks and service tomorrow.

And also my Belle Sanchez, whose service I attend last night and today.

Uh, who is the wife of a dear friend of mine uh who passed away and uh these are very special people to me, uh that very well center around community service, and they serve on different boards and have done great contribution to our country and to our people.

So those that passed away, may they rest in peace and motion to adjourn.

Second madam president, any discussion?

All in favor.

Aye, we are adjourned, majority leader.

Deep uh sympathy for your loss.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Oh, please, counselors uh stick around for one moment.

We're gonna swear in Julie Polanco.

Did I know too many people?

I'm just gonna have a big family.

It's a lie.

Yeah, slow.

Get your family in here.

Someone all right, you ready, Julie?

Yes, I'm ready.

I state your knee.

I Julie Polanco solemnly swear, do some less that I will support the constitution that I will support the constitution of the United States, of the United States, and of the state of Rhode Island, and the state of Rhode Island, and the Providence Home Rule Charter, and the Providence Home Rule Charter, and that I will faithfully discharge, and I will do faithfully discharge the duties of the office, the duties of the office of second deputy city clerk, of second deputy city clerk to the best of my ability to the best of my ability.

Congratulations.

Thank you.