Good evening.

It is two Tuesday, April 7, 2026, and it's five thirty three PM.

Chairman Ray.

Present.

Thanks, Chairman Taylor.

Councillor Angela.

Present.

So do we want do we have um I should have checked?

Um do we have someone from His we do?

Okay.

Why don't we have everybody who's going to present, stand up and we'll swear everybody in all at once?

How's that sound?

Anyone who's presenting, please make stand up and listen to the clerk.

She's gonna tell you everything you need to know.

Please raise your right hands.

Do you swear into penalty of perjury that that's the lawyer about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

So we can John and Bastion.

Sebastian Ruth for you.

Okay, on Madam Clerk.

Um please read item one to an ordinance relating to I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

You're supposed to read my back.

I would like to take a uh into take a motion to take a matter out of order.

May I uh ask a motion to take item seven first?

Motion take number seven first.

Motion A question, second as well.

Sure.

Councilwoman Antoine, all in favor, aye, and opposed, eyes half some carries.

We're gonna take item seven first.

So finally read the seven.

Communication from his honor the mayor, dated March 23rd, 2026, informing the honorable members of the city council that pursuance to section 302B and 606 of the Providence Home Rule Charter of 1980 as amended and public law, chapter 45 through 50, sections one through 30, 31 passed in 1987.

He is this day appointing Tim Hamlin at 49 Trinity Park by Providence, Rhode Island 02908 as the city register and respectfully submits the same fear approval.

Okay, Mr.

Ham, please join us.

Hello everybody, thank you for having me.

So Ms.

Van Hamlin, um we have your resume.

It's in your packet, folks.

It's the last item, even when we were taking it first.

Um could you kindly explain uh a little bit of your resume or take me through your resume and your qualifications, and uh tell us why you feel you're a good uh fit for the position that you have been appointed to most of my life I've been in management positions.

Um we see the the biggest one of the note is the Providence Downtown Improvement District, the Yellow Jackets.

So I was uh for 19 years I was with the um and eight of those I was operations manager.

I was in charge of uh 1.1 million dollar budget, uh in charge of all the training, hiring, and planning all the projects and getting everything done.

Um previously to that, um I helped Jamie Di Olivera with Red Stripe over Wayland Square, did all the hiring, uh managed that for a few months.

Uh after that, I did the same thing at Club Tantric on North Main Street, just setting up a restaurant, hiring the staff.

So management and customer service is a big part of my life.

As far as vitals, uh right now I'm the deputy director for MCCS, and vitals now falls under that.

So just be taking on the management role of vitals.

Uh I understand the process, I understand the keeping of records as far as money, keep things safe.

Um, yeah.

Committee members, any questions, concerns, thoughts?

I don't know.

Um certainly councilwoman and thank you.

And 10 retinity.

That's it.

Um keep for being willing to um to serve.

Um apologies for the hearing spawns asked.

Um, so are you leaving the deputy director of NCCS role to be the city registrar, or is this like an additional role on top of that?

It's an additional role on top of it.

Okay.

Um what percentage of your time do you think that will be?

Uh with vitals, all the time the needs in MCCS.

I mean, the vitals there's certain times when it's busy, and there's certain times when it's slow.

My office is right next door to the office.

It's literally you know, they sit not 15 feet from it.

And MCCS is just around the corner there.

We now share the same space of 104.

So it works very well.

And are we last question?

Are we worried at all?

Will you be backfilled at all for your time and capacity to MCCS?

This is part of the reorg we did where we separated licensing.

Yeah.

So the registrar's role was always like an additional duty.

Yeah.

At that point, it was in licensing.

So now that licensing has been moved out, we've reallocated this deputy position to MCCS, and Tim will be able to cover both.

Okay.

So it was always kind of intended as part of reorganization.

And we I guess this is more question for you, Chief Hawkins is like given the volume of things that come before 311 MCCS.

I know we're still working towards the case with the new system.

It feels like Do we need extra capacity there?

If Tim is getting more time as registered.

So there wasn't a deputy.

This provides a capacity change.

Oh complete that we've got?

Yeah.

Thank you, Chief, for providing that explanation.

Okay.

Motion made to approve item seven by Councilman Taos, setting them by.

Councilman Andebo.

All in favor, aye.

Thank you very much.

Congratulations.

You now move on to the full council for a full council vote.

This should be on on the 16th, right, Madam Clark?

Yes.

Okay.

For full vote.

So you should introduce yourself to other council people if they have already met you and are impressed with your capabilities.

You should introduce yourself to that.

All right, I appreciate it.

Good.

Thank you for hearing the forums.

Appreciate it.

Okay.

Um Madam Clerk, read the item point we go to the record.

An ordinance relating to the Article 4, Chapter 17, Section 17 through 189 of the Code of Ordinances, disability waiver class 14.

Who do we have?

Who's presenting on this?

Jonathan Baxter.

Jonathan.

Please join us to tell us what we need to know about this one.

Um so um, and I was just informing the um city auditor.

The three claims that we have for Article 1, 2, and 4 are Providence Fire.

Okay, so we only okay.

Hold on.

So are you prepared to speak on um one, two, three, and four today?

I'm to give an update, yes.

One, two, three, and four.

Yes.

Is that correct?

Okay, so may I have a motion to take on items one, two, three, and four together, uh, and waive the reading.

I have that motion made by councilman tailor, second by councilwoman Antebar.

All in favor, aye, any opposed, ayes have it, motion carry it.

So now we can talk about one, two, three, and four at will.

Okay, perfect.

We'll start with Article 2, because that's the simplest to um present.

Derek, um, excuse me, article three, Victor Foyer.

Okay, you're moving around quick now.

Apologies, councilman.

No worries.

I'm free, Victor Friday.

Victor Fryer.

So he is um City of Providence.

Um, this is an employee who was injured while on duty.

He had surgery in um in June of 2023.

He has applied for disability.

This would be one of the cases where the 18-month waiver would be appropriate.

Employee was working as a zookeeper for the parks department.

Um, he is applying for total disability because he has been found being unable to be turned back to his full duty capacity, and it would be appropriate to approve that waiver request.

Just for clarity of the record, so if if I may.

Yes, so let's a city employee, public safety, sworn, non-sworn, city employee, non-sworn, gets injured at work.

They have 18 months from the date of the injury to apply for an accidental disability.

Accidental disability is a job-related disability.

So for whatever the reason is they didn't know the timeline, they had surgery in this case, rehabilitation takes longer than anticipated, it goes past the 18 months.

The only avenue the individual would have for recourse would be to petition the city council to waive the 18-month requirement.

And this committee is the committee that hears these, goes before the full council.

Full council will make a determination if passed, the mayor then has to sign it just like any other document.

Um if in fact we don't grant the waiver, then there's no ability for the individual to apply for the disability, and then they could be stuck on re till their age limit hits.

But all you this committee would be doing in the full council would be allowing them to submit the application.

The merits of the application would go through the same process.

Three doctors, a review by the retirement board members with a medical advisor, it would be scrutinized, and then the board would make a determination up or down on the merits of the application.

Okay, Madam Warner.

I disagree.

If they do not approve it, they could file for a regular disability thing qualified.

On ordinary disability, could they leave on a service pension?

I was just strictly talking about the accent.

They'd be out of law.

There was another option, they you know they could take they could take the service pension.

Yes, if they they were if the three doctors approve for them, then yes.

Um can I continue for one more thing?

Um yes.

Jonathan, this one is beyond two years at a previous finance meeting we were discussing, um, maybe extending the ordinance to go to two years, 24 months.

Yes.

Would it be possible to look at the last few disability waiver approvals to see what length of time they actually were?

It's no use if it's been three years and it was actually to approve it for two years is like then an average of 30.

We don't want to I know that that's been brought before the um board before.

The standard time frame is 18 months.

That's because in general that time frame works.

Um that is the guideline, not just here in Rhode Island, but across other municipalities as well.

The reason that we had that 18-month period is for these exigent cases where employees are outside of the period and we want to review it to see if it's merited.

We can definitely consider the possibility of 24 months.

I'll be honest with you.

A case that's going to take 18 months.

I don't think that additional time frame is going to be the guideline for us.

Um I there's no harm in it, to be fair.

We can definitely consider elongating that period, but I think that the same employees that we have for the for this, for example, this employee, it's outside of that time frame as well.

We would have had the same.

So let's hold that discussion for another day.

I appreciate where you've been going with that because we've talked a lot at this table about will expanding the 18 months to 24 months help um hearing you're not so much in favor of that.

So let's exercise the discussion outside of this uh table uh with everybody who has input and interest in the topic, and then we'll come back with um you know uh uh an ordinance or whatever to to try to figure out what makes the most sense.

All right, so let's just focus on uh Mr.

Freyo Councilman's.

So just quickly uh before I retire to the final part.

This is what I did was the uh do all the injuries during 18 months.

You seem to be a long time by the time the person goes off into about the time to get them into a doctor.

And by the time they hit the doctor, they might have to go to another doctor specialist.

By the time we go to the specialist, then they have to do PT to see possibly they'll come back to do the PT.

That doesn't work if I go from the surgery.

18 months is really not that long.

So this is not like the solicitor said it's not saying that we're giving them a disability because it's about to give it to the board, yeah, and then the board will make that deterrence.

Okay, any other questions, thoughts, comments?

Chair if I may, please go.

Ronald Moyer from Woman 1033 on behalf of Mr.

Froyo.

I just want to move it for the record that we were getting to now in support of the application to um to read.

I appreciate the administration's accommodation, but I just want to do it for the record that I'm here in support of the uh we've requests.

Thank you very much.

Appreciate that.

Anyone else on this matter?

May I have a motion?

That we approve one, two, three, and four.

Oh, we heard we got the other rest of them, sorry, go back.

We'll make uh make a motion to approve number three.

Well, we bundled.

So we gotta wait.

I gotta wait.

I'm sorry, I apologize for the question.

Oh this bundle.

They bundled them all once in and out.

Okay, let's hear the next one.

Um maybe we talk about item one.

Yes, so the bundling was my fault.

Because I no, I've been on fraternity leave, and when I came to the case.

Thank you very much.

So item um one, two, and four of Providence Fire.

Okay.

And the reason why um said we should bundle them.

Providence fire is administered by um Kathy Rodriguez, the Chief Human Resource Umel for the department.

I don't have access to those medicals on the bridge for Providence Fire, so that when these issues come up, I coordinate so that I can present to the council.

She's so there's no one here to testify on these three.

I reached out to Chief Silva and he said he wasn't available for today's meeting, but he had no additional information of what was already submitted.

And I know we need my representatives, so you can say something.

Do you have any information on this?

Yes.

Okay.

Let's get them some more in.

Jeff and the director of local 799.

Okay.

So uh all three of those members are going to be coming up on every team.

Um, one of the members is waiting on the surgery, and the other two members are waiting on a second opinion.

So they've already went to one doctor that goes for the second doctor.

I do apologize if it's typically handed by our secretary.

It's okay.

We have to be able to day, so I kind of got briefed on it quickly.

I just wanted to come down and speak on that.

Um, I don't have all of the details, but I know one of them is waiting on Treasury.

Uh, and then the other two gentlemen are waiting on second for that for the okay.

I'm a little disappointed in um, but I'm not gonna um a little disappointed we didn't have uh better um more structured testimony on these three items, however, uh I don't want to hurt these folks.

So these items have been bundled.

May I have a motion?

I think the motion approved one, two, three of the okay.

Motion made by Vice Chair Taylor, second of councilman and law, one favor aye.

Any opposed, eyes have it, carries.

All four uh are approved by finance committee.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

All right, now may I have a motion to take item six out of the water approved?

Motion made by council uh vice chair Taylor, seconded by Councilman Andebar, all in favor aye.

Any opposed ayes have a motion carry six is the item that we are going to read into the right about resolution granting taxes and status to the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center.

Okay, so we have a couple of things going on.

Please join us at the table, Blackstone Valley.

Um we have a substitution, so I'd like a motion to enter substitution for item six.

May I have that motion?

You have the copy of the document before you motion named by uh voice to second by uh councilwoman and call all in favor, aye, opposed, eyes have okay.

So we have a substitute, and we also have a sponsor.

Uh council woman Harris is the sponsor of this item.

Um I don't know if you want to introduce it or or speak about it organize before we get testimony, or if you'd like to let them speak, and I would love to hear this.

Perfect.

Okay, thank you very much for being here, Councilwoman Harris.

And we have you've already been sworn in, and this is uh Tony Marie Roderick.

Yes, correct.

Okay, please uh tell us why uh you're asking for this.

Uh the big work that we do in the city of all um the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center.

Uh it provides services, comprehensive services to victims of domestic and sexual violence.

We started working and focusing on the province area about five years ago when so Journey House left our state coalition and we took over their uh catchment area, and during that time we purchased the properties at 728 Broad Street, and then is it 522 Potter Public Street, which is a parking lot, um, abutting Froad Street, and currently those it's a three-chairment building, two of the units are providing transitional housing to two families, uh, which is the two-year-long program, and they will be engaged with our staff to continue to hopefully succeed in their journey to self-sufficiency.

The first the plan for the first floor is to host our walk-in center, which is available uh Monday through Saturday from 10 to 6 p.m.

And it is for men, women, anyone who needs assistance, and is in a situation where they they need to walk in to gain that assistance.

Um I did bring some information with me, but we provide a bevy of services.

Uh can you have a handout, so that you said correct?

Please, madam for please pass that out.

Uh we should probably add that as an exhibit.

Yes.

Let's wait for everybody gets a copy.

Um so let's um add this um folder that has a number of free documents and brochure um a mission uh statement for the organization and what appears to be a solicitation.

Um may I add that as uh uh six uh exhibit a second move by uh voice chair tailor uh second advice favor aye and closed eyes have it with Paris we have an exhibit um okay all right um okay should we add this at this time too?

Does this cover both Janet?

Yes, okay.

Uh we have a financial presentation also on this matter on have we distributed it?

Yeah, okay.

Let's distribute it.

This um item um here by the auditor.

Um let's make this exhibit um goes to both though, right?

Yes, it's ethical.

Um okay.

Test exemption requests okay, and nothing.

All right, so let's just call this exhibit uh okay.

Uh may I have a motion to accept that as exhibit B.

Um motion made by uh Taylor second by Councilman Ann Law all favor aye.

Any closed eyes have a motion carrot?

We have an exhibit B.

Really that belongs to five and six, but okay.

So please continue.

We have your exhibit A for uh would like you to continue your presentation.

Thank you.

Um I want to talk a little bit about some of our uh programs that work directly with the City of Providence and have for several years, uh, one of which is our law enforcement advocacy program.

Um we have advocates in the provenance and the safety complex working with um the victims uh that are referred uh through the police department.

We also have our court advocacy program, and they are the victim service offices and the in the Garrathee judicial complex.

Um they've been there for over 12 years.

Uh they process, I think over 75% of the state's temporary restraining orders and attend free trials with victims, and then we do have residential services as I stated earlier.

The property at 728 broad is a part of that.

Um we have emergency shelter programs in a few locations in Rhode Island over that serve Providence residents.

Um and we also have the 24-7 book uh outline.

We provided facilitated that program for over 20 years, and it's a 24-7 call center for victims of crime.

What is Robert Spanish?

The victims of crime app.

Thank you.

All right, um, is that a new presentation?

I what are you asking for this committee to do today?

We are asking for the committee to consider tax exemption for the property's names.

Um because we are a nonprofit uh that provide services to the community, and um there's no income uh for any of these programs or any of the services.

We don't charge for any services, and it is completely grant-funded.

Okay.

All right.

Um, and this resolution, if approved, goes up to the State House because you're filing legislation.

You haven't filed that yet.

Is that true?

We have.

You have uh I'm sorry.

Yes, we yes, you have.

Sorry.

So that uh there is a house bill and Senate bill.

So this is basically the city council supporting your House and Senate bill requests.

Yes.

Councilwoman Harris, do you have any uh thoughts on this that you'd like to share with the committee?

Yeah, um, before that, I would like to ask thank you manager.

Uh I would like to ask uh what was in that building before?

Was it just commercial space or was there any?

I think it was a barber shop prior.

Um, and I'm not sure who lived upstairs.

Um it was housing out already.

I think so.

The two units were housing, and then there was a barber shop on the first floor.

Okay, thank you.

So it'd be basically the same um layout, like they have the commercial space, and you have a commercial place.

I um here to support this resolution.

Um committee.

Some of the costs um in that area.

We do know that there is a um avoid.

I know a lot of people say, Why you got too many social services and I get it every day.

But some of these things, um, especially when it comes to women, are very important.

My high has always been to I have three daughters is why I'm very old with tech in women, and I've always made that very clear.

So because sometimes women and men go through situations.

Um, I'm very much supported other even when former council uh brought this to my attention.

The first thing came out of my um my thoughts was somebody that's dying also went through, you know, as a single mom and had to you know try to navigate some of that stuff without harm.

Um I believe this is a good uh this organization is great, and I think they are able to do what is necessary to protect and be able to provide space for women.

I know that there is areas that's there that does that, but I don't think it's about when it comes to women and children, and let's get serious about it.

Men are on the violence sometimes, so just having that stuff like in a place where you can be able to uh serve the city special province practice is pretty big part of places, right?

And be able to serve the people in a way that they are able to get the professionalism that Blackstone is bringing to the neighborhood.

Um I very much support this project, and I've asked the committee to please consider um passing this on your part.

Appreciate it.

Thank you.

Thank you very much, Castle Martha.

And so you what is this gonna cost the city?

Have we done that analysis?

Uh I do have the analysis for night.

Okay.

Um the value of this exemption is 18,969 for the property of the building and 1775 for the vacant rock.

So roughly 21,000.

Okay.

Um council.

Do you have a question?

Oh, I did, yeah.

Councilwoman answer once, please.

Um, I said two words.

I was gonna ask that, so thank you for asking about the uh cost.

Um, what I mean this is a question for you, Chairwoman Harris.

Um, what changed in the different versions of the resolution and what what's the updates?

I think it's very clear.

I mean, is this referencing uh new numbers and stuff?

And not only reference, but making it clear that on the stand.

Yeah, yeah, okay.

That's we understand it was more much more clear for the around stage.

Okay, and so that's basically what it was.

Thank you.

Um Taylor, do you have any questions?

Yeah, the committee approved on the stairs.

Motion made by Vice Chair Taylor, second advice, Councilman More.

Um six all in favor, any opposed, eyes have it.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you.

Not a we're not on the item of already approved.

So I just wanted to ask about this.

Well, we've got another item, so we have okay.

Um, let's go with um what's next folks?

Item five, and of course, resolution endorsing and urging passage by the general assembly of House Bill 2026, H7122, an act relating to taxation, property subject to taxation.

Okay, who do we have for uh music works?

Sebastian Ruth.

The only one is presenting on topic.

I'll come up to Madame Chair Eric Hassel.

Thank you.

And how Kelly is she in the room?

She is six, she's not here.

Okay.

We're glad she didn't come then.

Um we've read the item into the record.

We've got a copy of the uh matter before us.

Um please uh tell us what we're here to ask us for.

And may I say council president um was intended to be here?

I just want you guys to know she was pulled away.

She said she was going to try to come.

I was trying to hold you to the end to give her some uh time to make it because uh she uh is the sponsor of this ordinance, and I'd like to give the sponsor an optimal opportunity to speak before the committee.

So please uh tell us what this is about, why you're asking for this relief, what you do for the city of Providence.

Um thank you, Madam Chairwoman.

Um this is uh community music works um organization that's been in the West End of the province since 1997.

Um I've brought some of our 29 season 29 program books for you to peruse if you like.

And um the organization is set up to provide free music instruction to young people living in the south side and west end neighborhoods into Silver Lake onlyville, Mount Pleasant.

And just gonna interrupt you.

Let's add this as an exhibit 5A named by P2 by Pastor Nandeborough Favorite and Rose Ice Happened Motion Paris.

So this is exhibit A.

Thank you.

Continue, please.

So um throughout much of our history, the programming, the youth programming happened in school buildings and community centers.

And in 2017, um we bought the land at 1326 Westminster with the intention to build uh dedicated center for music education and performance.

Uh and that building was completed in 2024, and we started using it.

The programs remain free for young people and for most of young people.

Um this is the only opportunities they have to study an instrument.

Um we provide the instrument and the instruction uh for free.

And but it's it's more than just uh a simple music education program.

It's really about um having a range of services for young people that allow them to build strong cohorts of peers and friends and uh and also across the generations.

Um our faculty is made up of a group of 14 or so what we call resident musicians who are dedicating their careers to this.

Um, and those musicians perform um as an ensemble as mentors and um hopefully an inspiration for the young people and um the teams come together in programs, some of which meet every day of the week to play an ensembles together and perform around the community.

Um you may have seen some of those teen ensembles at farmers markets, community events, um be playing an Dexter Farmers Market soon.

Um and uh and our phase two students who are the oldest students come together every Friday night for a discussion and a meal and a rehearsal, and they're kind of at the end of their time at CMW, they're thinking about how as young artists they contribute to the neighborhood as well.

Um so it's uh it's a full experience.

Um so having having built this building, uh we are uh seeking tax exemption for the property.

Um there is a House and Senate bill at the state house.

And there's one specific technicality we are understanding having um having initiated that legislation, which is the legislation asks for um retroactive exemption to January 1st of this year.

Um but we've learned that it would need to be December 31st, 2025 uh to be um to the exemption to apply to 2026.

So um if that's something that you are able to do to amend the council resolution here that would make it very clear to our um senator and rep.

Um, but they will also be uh amending their bills to reflect the 1231 uh 25.

All right, do you have the ordinance in front of you?

I won't understand what you're asking us to run on that.

So you have a um draft of the council resolution, and there is no date there's no date on the on council resolution.

Um if it is um possible to amend that resolution to reflect the 1231 25 again.

That would just make the so the resolution before us is not asked and council resolution isn't asking for uh um yeah, it's where is it saying retroactive that's the legislation on the hill, right?

Right, right.

So the legislation is there's with the January 1 date, and that will be amended at the state house.

And the question here is whether the council resolution could also be amended to reflect that retroactivity.

Madam Chair, it was our confused.

It was our understanding when we went before the Senate Finance Committee that their staff uh through the chairman informed us and a couple of other organizations that were looking to do the same thing on a go forward basis for the tax year of 26 that the implementation date needed to be 1231 of 25, but the legislation says January 1st of 26, and he said that these bills needed to be held because they needed a resolution from the council supporting both the legislation and the change of the date.

And so this resolution was was put before this body before we had that hearing and learned that information, and so we're lucky that we have that information now, but that is where that comes from.

All right, um, Chief Walkins, do you have any input um on this to offer clarification to give the body comfort so that we understand what we're voting on well?

I'm just a little confused because I thought we were executing a grant agreement for this year.

That's true.

So are you looking for exemption for this year?

So just for the committee's um awareness, we had uh close to $600,000 in nonprofit exemption asks for the current budget year after the levy was already set, which is not something that is typically done because it is our budget, and so we worked with the council president and the finance chair to come up with an arrangement where the administration cut a third out of our budget to pay for it, the council found a third in their budget, and then we asked each entity to find a third.

So it provided two-thirds tax release for this current year based on real budget cuts that we all made in our budgets.

Um we would grant cash to these organizations so they could pay their tax bills, and that way we're you know, we're trying to not provide a paths for current years taxes because that's how yeah, it's not how our budget works.

Right.

Um so my understanding was that tonight this resolution was related to the next year tax exemption.

That was my understanding as well.

And that this we were gonna execute this, which for which I think you all have already paid more than a third, so that functionally mean the city is going to pay you back for taxes that you paid over that amount.

Um, but that was my understanding.

Just one second.

So is that are you done?

Change is that um uh just the total value of this exemption is 229,000, 800 229 to 874,000 dollars.

874.

Okay.

Um, do you have questions?

Just clarification.

Uh we talking FY 27.

FY26.

Okay, FY27, they they are on the tax rule.

And that is when they're going to get the grant.

Because yes, the current budget here.

Current budget, yeah, FY26.

FY27, though.

They will be on the tax rule of the FY27.

That's right.

So this will have to be a consideration in our budget deliberations.

Before the budget's passed, because that budget hasn't been passed yet.

Okay.

So we would have to make a modification to the collection rate or do something else because you are right, it's already certified in the line.

Okay, so we are talking about 26.

Yes, that's everyone.

It's just it's hard after the fact because like we've already, you know, no, we've already budgeted for the year, and we don't have at this point, we can't it's you know, both the council and the administration, it was hard to find the money for the the two-thirds we had to cover.

Okay, that's what um so I guess the question I have with that clarification for uh and this is this is also part, so I want to say that first of all, music education is important.

That was part of my efforting of this, yay.

Okay, just um the question I have though is so if the resolution and the legislation seems like there's two buckets as well clarified.

The first bucket is there's this hope for retroactive tax abatement and something that is being covered by the grants.

That was that's the proposal.

Does this also include then the forward quote that or request for 200 roughly 230,000 of tax abatement in all the good voting forward tax years?

The granting agreement does not the legislation legislation it's and please correct me if I'm wrong.

It is my understanding, it's our understanding that the taxes that we're talking about right now that we're entering into an agreement with with the city was were assessed on 1231 of 2024, and that the year and that's what we are talking about right now as far not with legislation but with the agreement with the city in order to not have taxes on a gold following basis.

The implementation date of the bill would need to be 1231 of 25 because that's the date that the balance are assessed.

That's that's how we have understood it.

We also get an email from the city letting the letting us know that they shared with the um with the sponsors of the legislation that that the change needed to happen.

Okay, council president no we uh we're so glad that you're here.

Let the record reflect that the sponsor of this is um has joined us.

Thank you to I explained that you had another obligation, and then I held this to the end with hopes that you would be able to join us as the sponsor.

Um we're um basically have present and there's a question of the dates if they make sense in our document, and I basically have a question within the state house document because our resolution references the state house document.

I can't change the state house document.

So uh I think we should continue this, but before we do that, I would like to hear the council president speak um in support of why you sponsored this.

So tell us why you feel this is an important exemption for us to provide.

Sure.

So community music works.

I'm gonna get the origin wrong, and I'm sure you already presented this.

Um has provided uh incredible service to the students of Providence has created a space in the neighborhood that is uh open space, uh community space that's it's like creating a piece of infrastructure that the neighborhood has never had that is open to the city that is creating a space for youth to participate freely in the making of music, which um I think is core and fundamental to education.

I think it's currently fundamental to many of the other goals that this council has moved forward around uh youth participation and engagement and violence work um that has been doing it free of charge for the students of prevalence for many many years.

Um without a doubt, uh it's it's relevant.

Uh in regards to the date, so there's two things.

One, I know that the um legislation at the state house refers to January of this year.

Um I don't know why we couldn't propose a resolution that says for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

We support this effort.

Would that create issues?

Um what you just shared was the only issue is about the um the taxes are assessed, so the 1231 25 has some advantage.

So that this um uh would be covered for FY27.

Yeah, I think I think your suggestion to the auditor's point, like it's already been assessed, it already exists in the levy, so we will have to be accounted for in the budget through a collection rate or something else if it's passed.

So I think um if the resolution makes it clear and the then so that the legislation can be linked to the resolution, you don't have a problem.

The only thing is, like if they change the resolution inconsistent with the council's desires, like you want to make sure that that's I think I like the idea of specific specifically stating what our resolution is granting date.

I also this is a question maybe for some of the solicitor uh the date of January 1, 2026 is referenced in the explanation of the act.

That's not the actual legislation itself.

It's the last it's the last two line.

Okay, it's is that okay.

So we have a date issue on if we want to move forward with amending it.

I guess I would ask the sponsor for a recommendation for amending the resolution if we want to do so at the table on so that when the state gets the resolution, our ask will be incorporated into their legislation.

Is that what you're asking for?

Yes, and then uh we can work with the sponsors.

Okay, so let's uh let's get something in front of us before we decide which way we're going on this.

Um who wants to make our recommendation for editing this resolution?

I hope you make a suggestion.

Go on all for it.

Thank you, Chairwoman.

Uh that the Providence City Council, this is the last now, therefore, or the now, therefore, be it resolved the first of the first year end here.

But the Providence City Council offers a strong support for age seven one two and it says companion, provided uh that the benefits begins on July 1st 2026.

July 1st, 22.

I don't know if we can say that.

I I think you gotta preference the fiscal year.

That's right, fiscal year 2027.

I think you have to actually say you're abating or think you actually have to say you're abating the FY27 taxes.

Provided that it abates the fiscal year 2027 taxes, tax bill.

And forward one, I think that makes sense.

That's next year's tax.

Yeah, so provided that it uh abates fiscal year 2027, um, and moving forward and thereafter or something.

And thereafter.

And provides exemption thereafter.

We're trying to get out of abatement.

Okay, it's not a bate.

Well, so it will be one year of abatement.

And so it's advisory.

Yes, provides the exemption, tax exemption for fiscal year 2027.

We formally called still technical date funded because they're in the left.

It's an exemption in harassment.

We have to understand.

Okay, what is that?

All right, I'm there.

Hold on one second.

I just the following property is exempt from taxation.

That's what the state house ordinance is requesting.

What we need to do is unify our resolution with the state house.

So for them to make change, we have to be specific in our resolution.

So the council president who is sponsoring this is suggesting that at the now therefore be it resolved.

Um we tag on request and it is exemption for fiscal year 2027 and forward.

Is that what you hold on?

No, hold on.

That's what you're asking for and forward.

Okay.

All right, now we can debate it.

What are your what are your thoughts?

It's not an exemption, it's an abatement because it's in the levy.

You are abating existing taxes.

You're not 27 isn't a pain, and then we don't have the levy.

We just go to that.

Yeah, go ahead.

As a 1231-25, we already have the levy created for fiscal year 2027.

That's what all of the taxes are based on.

That's why that January one date is such a problem.

Okay.

Who's got a recommendation?

Or create another resolution?

We have a dating.

I think you can I can I think you can say that provides for a fiscal year 26 abatement and exemption beginning in fiscal year 27th.

Sure again, fiscal year 2027 abatement.

And 2022, that's right.

And an exemption thereafter.

Are you okay with that?

Okay.

All right.

So we're gonna say that forining.

Let's find where we put that in.

Office strong strong support and send it in the general fast this bridge and legislation.

Um providing, can we put it in there, Madam Clerk?

After legislation, providing the FY 2027 maintenance and exemption thereafter.

So vital that continues on to writing to the continued success.

So is that what's before us that everybody's happy with?

We just did this.

Okay.

Um question.

Question four.

Councilman.

Um I think this is Richy August.

Apologies if it's re-ware.

Sorry.

Um that's the question.

We'll figure out so the amount that we're exempting or beating, whatever word we want to use going forward their tax amount of being born away.

It's 200, definitely 23,000 on one million.

Because it was just really constructive.

What was the value of the renovation?

It's like seven.

It was a new construction, and I think that it was assessed at seven million.

It's very nice.

In a neighbor, it's beautiful.

The operating budget of the organization is about 2.3 million.

So the tax bill 10% of our budget.

It's all contributed revenue.

We don't have any fee, so it's that's that's how we're asking for leaking.

Can I ask how many people can't be in touch on an angle basis?

Sure, it's in that book somewhere, but um, it's hundreds of kids.

So we kind of have um spheres.

So there's 150 who are coming every week.

Um, and that ranges from at a minimum of three hours a week to a maximum of about eight or ten hours a week.

And then we run programs with school kids, so with several hundred school kids were there for concerts over the course of this year.

Um, and then our performing ensemble is out in schools.

So if you look at all of the kids we're working with over the course of a year, it's close to a thousand.

Um, but the 150 are the ones who are most um intensively searched.

Thank you.

All right, counsel and please.

I'm just wondering if you've ever thought of um like around Philomena was every year to the park.

I know it's another but it's very well attended.

Have you ever thought of his rolling concept through pots and culture and through through their kind of money back?

So people, I mean other people go there, they it's quite crowded about it.

Yeah, so I didn't know if they've ever thought of going out into your performing ensemble.

It's a great idea.

Go to the park and perform and you know, because it's and then we also have both you know, two choices that people would have through the summer, one around the monitor, one for yours, you can showcase what you're doing, and also be good for the people.

And I don't know, just yeah, just to throw that out there.

We do it's a nice idea.

We have um we have a pretty active performing season throughout the year, and that's not probably those numbers.

So part of our um part of our program and part of the use of this building is the performance hall.

So there's probably about 30 concerts there uh throughout the course of the year, and that's each one has a hundred years.

So it's a pretty robust um service in that way.

Um I'm talking about Bach and everything a lot easier.

Have no problem coming for the farm, but we've done not my words.

I'm not four times, but I don't want to be.

I think would be a good idea to and we have actually done those those performances um for what fits our season is September, so we've done performances at like the temple of music in September.

Yeah.

And also Dexter Park right there where we are.

We've had a traditional performance right there in that park as well.

Yeah.

Okay.

Sure.

So we're going to end the both for the eating.

And again, pull up for this program.

I grew up with the museum.

I still keep in touch with my parents teacher, Sir Vante, email the week.

Full of um second.

Um all the things.

Uh this might be more of a question for the audio.

Have we ever done a partial tax abate in?

I think the thing that's I'm just getting this is a lot of money, is my concern, $230,000.

Yeah, I have a lot of questions.

And so I just have we ever done a partial, or is this would that be who can answer that question at the table?

I don't know if it's complimentary.

We don't do I don't you don't have a process for uh partially um exemptioning it properly.

Um like the two exemptions.

We are we are convening a the mayor signed an executive order today to actually pull together a group that I'm gonna chair um that chairwoman Ryan has agreed to participate in to take on this issue of like what is another strategy that we could bring to our nonprofit community because the number of exemptions that are being sought is so significant, you know, $600,000 in one year.

Um and we all love the service and we want our residents to have it.

So this like one third, one third, one third thing was you know not rocket science, but kind of helped us through this year.

I think maybe we'll contemplate some other options, but we don't have other tools at this moment.

Um that's what the document is during the other we can talk about that, yes.

We've talked about that, but are you comfortable with that question?

Yeah, I appreciate that.

Okay, so um, if I may, uh Gina, um that's what our auditor has put together.

Um if you would rather take care of me because I don't want it to be based on any specific um it really is now.

So you want to finish with that we don't mind, I don't at all.

I don't know if we can still continue the conversation now.

We can because we gotta tie it, tie it to, however, Gina, I think it's entirely appropriate for the discussion on in the uh commission and the mayor's call for uh and a lot of the ideas that you've been talking about.

I think we should serve this because they do make sense.

But it would pay for that is really present on that.

Oh yeah, uh we can call that, yes, absolutely.

We can talk about it.

Um I just uh just make one yes.

I I just as you know, I I any exemption, whether it's an abatement or exemption, I have a post publicly every single time.

I know that they do great work.

It's not about that, it's about sustaining the city and the finances and just trying to be fair against the board as you pull from one money increase somewhere else.

Um so I just if you don't mind reviewing what we have to show you and look at the numbers.

Um you can see that our tax exemption is very large amount of our access properties.

It's almost one third.

So if you just do in all of this information before you make the decisions of your tax exemption institutions across the board.

So Gina, if it's okay, I think we hear you on this.

We understand what you're trying to say and the spirit that you're bringing that forth with.

I think I'd like to stick with the um resolution before us, make sure we're comfortable with this language, um, and then deal with uh the impact on the total budget and what we're talking about when we talk about tax uh exemptions within the mayor's um executive board creating um a nonprofit property tax exemption task force, which I think is willing uh very much supportive of that because these one-offs are very very challenging for us.

Um and depending on where we're at and the budget, it becomes stressful, and it's a rush up on the hill as well as uh pain in the valley.

So let's just agree that the uh the sponsor has put forth an amendment to this resolution to marry, if you will, uh the resolution um in the language that we're gonna ask for up on the hill.

And she stated uh test she provided testimony that she feels that she can give that pass.

I personally uh am a big fan of music uh as well.

I played the accordion.

There are two uh trained accordion players at this table.

Starting council first, which was the second training stretch.

Council President Miller and myself both share a passion for the the squeeze box on but in my house in my family, it's fashionable.

Um music was a very important part.

It's an old language, yeah.

I think it's wonderful to expose our children to it.

Every child should have the opportunity to play an instrument on we're in the language of music.

It uh is a wholesome thing.

You guys do such wonderful work, and we touch so many of our children while they're learning their instrument and through their life on carrying that love and passion for an instrument, um making music and selling themselves such funny.

I had Bumped into somebody that I used to play in a um I was a band leader too.

I had uh guitarists and pianists play with me, and I bumped into a guitar, one of the guitar players, and I he said are you playing?

And I said, I haven't touched that in years.

And he says I play, he's an attorney, and he says he keeps my keeps everything under control.

And I get stressed, I just take out the guitar and play.

So you're touching these kids, and they're gonna carry that with them for their life.

So I think this is a really wholesome um uh organization and certainly merits on um the resolution before us.

That being said, does anybody else have any other changes, edits, concerns, comments they would like to make on this matter?

Oh no.

Now is the time you don't say, which is why I'm not gonna hesitate because I don't want to have any after not.

I'm teasing you, please.

Madam Chair, can you read that language again?

Because I had written down something as a suggestion, but I just want to hear you.

Sure.

So the language reads the edited uh paragraph is the second to the bottom.

It begins with now, therefore, the uh it be resolved now.

Now, therefore, it be resolved that the province city council offers its strong support for H7122 and its Senate companion and urges the General Assembly to pass this legislation, and we shall insert providing a FY 2027 abatement and ex and an exemption thereafter, and an arrest continuous.

Is that what we are agreeing with?

Sponsor, that's what's your intention?

Yes, please.

Madam Auditor, is the math is the date correct and the language correct?

Solicitor is the date in the language correct.

Chief Walkins, would you like to apply?

I would do you play any instrument.

Never applying after the auditor in the answer.

Okay.

May I have a motion, folks?

Anyone want to make a motion?

Motion to make it a joke.

Do you play an instrument?

I do not.

Okay.

The motion has to be amended.

Um as amended based on the language read out loud by the chair uh and approved by the sponsor.

I don't have to say it again, right?

He's making a motion to approve.

Do I have a second for that?

Second and by councilwoman Antebal, all in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Eyes have it.

Motion carried.

Matter passes.

Did we we didn't miss putting the amendment?

And yes, that's my thing.

Motion to return, second made by Taylor second of my councilman and debar all in favor, aye, opposed, eyes have a motion captain adjourned.

I'm just praying.