Yeah, it's a pretty good space here.

President Councilman Espadon.

Present.

Councilwoman Reeves.

Present.

Councilman Peterson.

Present.

We have a form.

Great.

So uh clerk if you'd be still fine to item number one record.

And I just want to acknowledge our data classes here.

Thank you for taking care.

City clerks thank you for all these.

And uh item number one, an ordinance commander chapter two of the code of ordinances of the city of Province by adding section two-one one ten entitled Sale or Transfer of City Owned Property.

So uh on this particular item ultimately had someone who'd like to speak on the council meeting itself.

Council can take it so I I would agree with that or there were committee members and we have our director here staffing or I need to also we'll start with you and then uh deputy director you need to try.

I'll do it when I left.

Great awesome.

So council chairman, can we just have a uh motion to substitute item number?

Oh yes, we need to do that as well.

Thank you.

So motion I didn't know a second.

Second possible.

But um all those in favor.

All those post the I snap it's uh please.

So um I brought forward this ordinance um so that we could um be clear with communities when the city is selling property.

Um we learned, and I think it was just sort of a fluke of the process when the Humboldt Street Fire Station was sold by the city.

That was done when there was no sitting councillor in that seat.

Um and had had there been, we might have been able to have a smoother communication process than ultimately.

So that's basically what why I wanted to move this idea forward.

So you know what um what this is suggesting is that when the city sells real property, we literally the city councillor of that board is notified.

I think that the current language is at least 30 days in advance.

Um if there is if there's an unusual circumstance such as which happened or two that there is no city council present, then the city council president would be notified.

And um the department selling the property would host a community meeting so that folks in the community could hear a little bit more about it and weigh in about their desires for purpose.

So that's really what this covers.

Great.

Thank you so much for that, uh Councillor Davidson.

And I know that we have um amendments here, which you'd like to maybe speak to.

If I may, I would like to defer um to Aaron Gardner to elaborate on the amendments.

Sure.

Oh, right there.

Very straightforward.

Um again, Aaron, used to go on deputy keeper set with the council.

Um so councillor Davidson, she spoke um eloquently on the purpose of the ordinance and what it does.

Um the amendment um just touches on literally just two things.

Um first of you know, when it comes to restating, you know, language that is in the charter.

Um we often within the code, like we restate that language and it's sprinkled around.

Um, however, we have run into problems where the charter is changed, then we have to go from the code and fix everything.

So rather than restate the charter, we refer to section 416.

That's one piece.

And then secondly, I think the purpose of this ordinance is just to kind of codify a process to make sure everyone is aware and community members are possible.

They are waivable um by the council if a resolution does move forward.

And this is the part of the second piece of it.

We don't really want to add title defects.

And if anything were to happen in a resolution was passed without a meeting or without notification, there could be a title to fit.

So we just wanted to make it clear that if a resolution is passed, we want to keep the power of a resolution and then clears everything and makes it clear.

That was a recommendation from the solicitor's office that we agreed.

So that's the shape.

Great.

Thank you.

Um questions for meeting members.

Yes, yeah, not a question but a comment.

So thank you, uh Council.

For bringing this up.

Um, I co-sponsor this.

Um property so infrequently in the city, but it does come up, and when it comes up, it's a little bit of a surprise.

So the Humboldt was a good example, but we're back to selling bow fire station.

And so we were talking about states prior to that happening.

And really appreciate the great work that the team, the city already does to make sure there's engagement, but it seemed like there is the potential for things falling through the cracks.

And there were uh community had a lot of feedback on this process, and we just want to make sure that we get ahead of it.

So thank you for bringing this up.

And I'm glad we can put on it together.

And I hope the rest of the committee supports it.

Thank you.

Yeah, I can chime in here too and say that I really appreciate you bringing this forward.

Um, throughout my time on the body, have been about transparency on things like demolitions, and uh there's uh developments that are being proposed butters to ensure that they had um access to knowledge and these projects are coming about.

So I think this is a step in that direction where uh butters would be notified and people know these if they're coming out.

So it's expanding that transparency sometimes can see you kind of scratch your head when you say, like, how's it this architect on the books?

I think it was really bad because you know we realized that maybe the circuit has never had a risk before once it did, it felt important to uh additional questions for the community.

Uh yeah, so thank you.

Uh Aaron already touched upon that, but just to expand a little bit.

Uh you have a full vetting of this with the law department, understanding how complex the real estate and triumph is gonna be to make sure that it's all covered legally.

Yes, absolutely.

So this was vetted by the solicitor's office.

They had no issues with the you know the intent and whatnot, but the main thing was really just the title defects.

It's like you know, the banks they do their investigations, they could look at the code of ordinances, and if they don't find communication or something like that, there could be issues there.

And that's not the intent here.

We just want to make sure that it's if a resolution passes that is transferred in you know the department or the PRA or what have you, they have all rights to the title.

That was the purpose for that, and that would the law department recommended.

We and it doesn't impact any property being sold by PRA.

It does not uh the the one thing I do want to bring up that I think is relevant here is the fact that when there is a bidding process, counselors are actually precluded from getting involved in that bidding process.

So I think we can maybe have the city solicitor applying them a little bit, but it it's actually illegal for us to be involved in that bidding process.

So the process does need to play itself out.

I think that there should be transparency that that's good, like neighbors should know uh what's going on.

I think counselor too, you were put in a very precarious situation in the sense that for the last um the Humble Fire Station where you have the Montessori school, the other bidder, and again we're gonna see.

And so had there been more transparency that process uh may have gone a little differently, but again, as council people we have to be removed from from that process, but the community should certainly know what's what's going on.

So I appreciate your bringing this forward.

Uh I don't know if the city solicitor wants to opine on this, or maybe Nick Chicatel, if you want to um to go pine on this, uh, but just like the overall bidding process that's process.

Uh Nick Chicatelli.

Uh yeah, so it's somewhat rare, it's been mentioned earlier uh that a city property, especially a historical uh architectural gem, such as the Humboldt Fire Station gets sold by the city.

Uh most city property gets sold through the PRA.

Most of that has to do with the mission for PRA.

Uh in this case, we were waiting.

This was outside of redevelopment area, most of War 2 is, and we were waiting on the fire um fire station, fire department's air supply unit to be moved to North Main Street, uh fire station because we'll make under the capital to the project.

And so that's the timing of it.

I realize it's it was unfortunate based on the vacancy that former councilwoman and three on the boarding new one.

Uh, but that's what that had to do.

I've reviewed what you're looking to do.

I understand where it comes from, what's in what's in store next.

And so I don't see a hazard there.

I'll just say that this um in many ways this does go through a public bidding process, um, has controlled by the charter section 416, sealed bids, highest qualified bidder, all that was followed to a T advertised in the province journal.

Uh, it was advertised in the province journal.

It's actually a feature on the front page of the Providence Journal.

Um, and also there's other other manners we use to get the word out.

We have two open houses on site.

Uh those could be if if I suppose if I read this correctly, the councils agree that constitutes a public meeting.

I'm more than happy to recommend um piggybacking existing public meetings, so as to you know maximum transparency.

I don't see an issue with that.

Um but it is rare that something like this happens.

Most city property uh might go unnoticed.

Our architectural gems may be a different story.

I'm happy to answer questions.

Yeah, I I think um I don't know if anyone else wants to jump in jump in here, but I I'd be curious to hear what's the timeline on the next fire station sale.

It should this be implemented or passed before before that.

How do you see this process?

I don't have any conflict with what is intended in this, including it in the process anyway.

We are now that the uh well the season is ripe, the real estate industry is back in action, so to speak, but typically happens early April.

Uh we are looking to get that out.

That is also clear of their own uh fire station communications unit.

Um so that is um appeared to be advertised uh the next box meeting.

I intended having open it for seven days gone.

I think it's for you uh there could be a similar process that Humboldt Section 416 said.

Counselor Peterson.

Um just thank you.

Um Nick, right?

Um I just wanted to qu I have a question with regards to something that you had said.

You had mentioned something about um in the in the most recent sale, um, you had had open houses um available or for potential buyers, and um I want to make sure that that is not what or it is if that's something that you're considering, would that be considered a community meeting to inform the the community about this these particular property sales?

Because I don't necessarily think that that would be that would behoove us as to consider to constitute that as a community meeting.

I think if we're going to inform community about things, I would want them to actually be someone to be available to discuss what this would be.

And I think that given what I believe your position is, Nick, um if you're if it if an open house is to be considered something that would be considered a community meeting, I just don't necessarily think that that would be um the essence of what you're trying to do here.

So I just want to make sure that there is a very clear indicator of what that is because um to me they're two very separate things.

Oh, that will be uh yeah.

So when I read the the ordinance um and I I follow what was happening previously, I think what I can happen is you add a little bit of program when you talk about process and make a little more availability.

If that works for counselors, I think that that's that shouldn't be a problem.

A typical open house is very transparent, anyone can go, it's announced publicly.

Um but I do hear you that uh if you if you add some, if I were to add the team would add some programming so that people find out what the options are, maybe talk about zoning and things like that.

So it's people that don't perhaps interact with the the uh the industry all that often can be just have a follow-up question.

So if I could just ask one more thing, I just want to understand.

Um I want to make sure that I understand the purpose of what we were we're trying to accomplish here.

If it's to make neighbors aware of what's happening, um and how we move forward with the potential opportunity for the purchase of a sale, I mean the purchase of a property.

Are we intending to ensure that the community is aware, or are we attend intending to make sure that there's buyers that are coming in to make sure that they're aware?

Because I just think that's two very different conversations, and I think um the other question, the actual question that I really have is who is going to be left to the discretion of making the decision as to how this community input is or preparation for a meeting would be held.

Like just I is it to the discretion of the counselor, is it to the discretion of the department?

Um that's my only other question.

That's a good question.

The planning department has embarked on cost community outreach programming and is quite used to mechanics of that, how how to do it, some feedback of making things better, referring to the comprehensive plan, um, which had 70 plus meetings.

Um my only hesitation is since you're going to be on site anyway with eyes on the property, so long as it's accessible and safe to do so, which is not always the case.

Um that that could be a venue that should be should be uh suitable.

Um I hear you that maybe you should put some more programming in so people can know how they can give feedback and what's going to happen to it as opposed to uh submit your questions sort of thing.

This past uh humbled sale.

Uh there were two open houses.

There's so much interest in it.

More than 70 guests ended up attending, often with uh industry professionals.

Um they had a chance as outlined in the RFP and work by the uh the charter to submit questions.

Many did, and then a follow-up uh addendum to the RFP was issued publicly for the benefit of anyone interested.

Uh so curious.

So uh I think if it's suitable, that would be ideal, otherwise we wanted to make this happening there.

Do it uh to the council or needing to find a venue and then if it's already gonna happen anyway, it's good practice.

Maybe we can both at the same time.

Yes, at first that's right.

Oh, thank you.

And just to um add to what um Mr.

Gicatelli is saying, I think like there could be when I was thinking of this, like a way to do like piggyback, so that like I'm thinking of like the Rochelle station, like maybe there's gonna be an open house or two who is likely to come normally to an open house or probably developers, folks who want to buy it, but the neighborhood really cares what happens at that fire station, and so it would be like a partnership of like us working together to plan that community meeting, and so part of it would be open house for developers, part of it could be like for the neighbors to come and learn what's happening.

You know, I can put it in my newsletter.

I'm sure councilman Davidson would put it in her newsletter because it's like just on the it's so close to the border, just like Humboldt was.

Um, and so that kind of like making sure the neighbors have that information so they can also come ask questions.

It's not just for folks wanting to buy it, but folks who are just invested in it from being there for so long.

Yeah, if I may add there's a okay, there is public commentistic in this, and I think that's important.

It's not you know, it's not just for people to see it, but it's a actually picking you know share feedback that we have to hand over spots.

Yeah, and I think this provision is actually pretty at least one community meeting within the leader, most of the properties located, so that could also constitute a community meeting that is how we got the council first.

I'm thinking like in Helen Anthony's case or um selected, uh she didn't close one World War II community meetings every month, but I know that that's something that that Jill is doing.

So I know that's this is not explicitly said any organs, or perhaps um if you're pro-active, you reach out and say, Hey, um see if I can get onto a community meeting agenda.

That's that's I think whatever the agreement that that's very important in its in this case.

I'm happy to do it.

And actually, it helps get the word out.

Uh we did time, but we appreciate that conversation.

So I also know the all you're trying to do here is I appreciate the fact that well counselor gets asked questions and then you know one might be learning about some of the time, which is not ideal.

So I'm happy to uh be able to use your networks to and I think that language if it's at least one community meeting, obviously that would be mandated, but the more the merrier.

Um so I think that's not yeah, it means pretty explicit that at least one thing to happen, but if there's like that you know it's gonna happen on example is a good opportunity feedback on that first or other opportunities outside just that people don't force I would imagine the council person and anybody interested or community groups, they could basically have as many meetings as they want.

But what this is required is at least one by the department that's responsible for after enduring.

So additional questions from the committee members, yeah.

Motion to approve second.

As amended motion to that so motion to approve.

Second by six, all those in favor, all those opposed.

Congratulations, council.

Yeah, okay.

And I would stick around that I have to require thank you.

Yes, of course.

And uh we want to make sure that we have this meeting, but quick.

Yeah, yeah, thank you for doing this up here.

approve as a mandate by a bunch of people second by all those in favor all those opposed have a congratulations council yeah okay and I will right all right and I have to wrap thank you yes of course and uh we want to make sure that we have this meeting but quick yeah yeah thank you for doing this up here on this uh item number two go get a item number two resolution authorizing the conveyance parcel located on Sors 98 by 269 14 Alaska Street to the PRA for the purpose of predevelopment there of development and increase tax revenue so we'll call up the director of real estate to talk about this item oh I want to acknowledge pro temp Picardo I'm sorry I didn't see um well thank you all for being here as well so uh real estate taking away number two so 14 Alaska Street uh it's about 1400 square feet in the park district voice is board uh it's been on the city rules for some time so the city has been looking at city property um around the city rules for what might be able to broad for housing construction and service was in five flatlands buildable uh in our three district and it's uh currently not doing anything for us so uh let's bring it to the PRA with then we'll uh we'll advertise for the sale will be highest and best use uh of housing questions from the committee members this isn't raised for do you know um from Aaron or someone I'll counselor what if it's not right about for some time I mean yeah I I did speak to a councilman Royus a couple of hours ago and he asked if the items that are in his board be continued in different work on a different approach with the I'm glad you have that conversation with him I have not had a conversation with him either so uh I think that's probably the best for Sebastian.

So shame if I may this has been continued for many meetings we'll be trying to get councilman's input and to give these properties a movement.

There's a there is a property in the market developers that want to build housing we're holding on to some for no particular reason.

So I have a question about this so you don't have to elaborate too much on the internal conversations that you had with councillor voyage for what AC things there.

Um I I don't know I've I've have not had a chance to talk to the councilman on this I do offer my my services in time for whenever that would work for him um if for instance there's there's a particular use um the type of housing that the councilman would like we can make a combinations for that uh the flexibility of the PRA it's it doesn't have to sell to the highest bidder so if there is a community development partner that would like it that can work too just doing nothing about yeah well I I'm happy to commit to getting this onto the next agenda uh date sir but I I think that um I believe in deference so I think this is in the councilperson's board um he he's not here to to speak about this so I I wouldn't feel comfortable fancy this I I appreciate it was my interpretation that uh this was already clear with council can I be director um yeah well I mean yes so without no further speaking too much in my conversation with him I will say that um he just wants to approach it in a different way so that's we can say this to potentially make things more binding is what he wants to say to counselor I think we should continue this until we can get him here to talk about this or whatever yeah so I I agree I'm hearing that other people agree but yeah I don't have a problem with that I but I'm I just wanted to add that transfer to PRA from the from the uh tax role city roles is just it doesn't strip the consularment from any future project that if I want to be involved in it's just a transfer to your agency where things would be uh more perhaps ready uh for the councilman to work with BRA and then develop whatever he wants to do still within the city is PRA province for the vote about an agency yeah so so I I don't know counselor I I I and I respect position and yeah I will not go over that yeah I I agree with that I think like the reasonable compromise however here is to hopefully these intended counselor voice to find this more expeditiously but I I think we should still continue this maybe you guys can figure out a date certain I will commit as the the the chairperson this committee to hold a meeting when council is ready

And I respect your position and I will not go over that.

Yeah, I I agree with that.

I think like the reasonable compromise however here is to hopefully we can get it might be for council voice to move on this more expeditiously, but I I think we should still continue this.

Maybe you guys can figure out a date certain I will commit as the the chairperson this committee to hold a meeting when council is ready.

I think that's a fair that's a that's a fair compromise.

Uh but I do think that we should have the council being feel comfortable moving forward with how the council maybe on this uh council.

I just want to ensure that I received the information properly.

Councilman Ray has requested for it to be continued indefinitely, did he not?

That is what he said.

Is there a way to well he's not here?

So I think that I mean continuing indefinitely sounds like yeah, so I I think we could I think he's not here, so I think it's fair to just continue this matter.

I don't know about indefinitely, because I mean nothing's gonna happen, but I think maybe the best step is for him to convene perhaps with with you and in your office.

I guess we're happy to make myself available political for the circumstances.

Does that sound like we're good?

Yeah, it sounds like that's a conversation.

I missed it with the comments.

You can always edit the resolution if you don't like what's written.

Exactly.

There's a lot of data.

Yeah, uh counselor's yeah, uh so I'm sorry, but I you know, I think uh it's important that the council person is money on that.

So uh what we'll do is just continue this item as opposed to continuing it indefinitely, and then hopefully we can have a third meeting about this particular moment that you guys can convene separately to think about next steps.

Yeah, second motion to continue by counselor, second by the chairman spinal, all those in favor, all those post you guys have it.

Okay, item number three.

Item number three resolution authorizing the conveyance of the parcel located on accessors 70 lot 579 for 107 Suffolk Street to the PRE for the purpose of redevelopment thereof and for economic development and increase tax revenue.

So is this also in councillor voice's board by voted for the yes?

So the same thing.

So motion to continue to council boss or asked at all is in favor.

I all those opposed the eyes have it.

I think item number four resolution authorizing the transfer of 700 Allen's Avenue to the Providence Redevelopment Agency.

Hopefully, we'll get some development there.

What's there now, Councilman?

What is that now?

Yeah, it's absolutely nothing.

No nothing there now.

Uh minor knowledge is an empty building.

Uh operation I've begun to transfer over to Chapman Street.

Oh, it's a former DPW.

Oh, I'm sorry, it's a former DPW.

Oh, oh, okay.

I thought okay.

Yeah.

So we bought uh the entire strip, I think they go up Chapman Street.

Yeah.

Across the street from Brass Monk is uh case you know it over there.

So that's the new uh DIS and Department of Public Works of this building that's absolutely nothing there.

Um pass the question.

I I understand that we want to pass it over to PRA, but um in doing so, are there any potential needs on purchases?

Um there is no difference of player between that.

It's in a waterfront uh enterprise district, so it'll be commerce related to uh to report to aquatic uses.

Um we're gonna put it out for a uh for a bid uh potentially and to see if if we can either support a development partner or an enterprise partner that's currently there in our point.

Yeah, uh so I can chair I I mean I would certainly defer to the council person is important, but um I'm curious to hear like how will that RFP be crafted?

I mean, there's so many potential uses here.

I think one of the things that this council has focused on is trying to hear obviously the subsidy problem is that uh very significant asthma rates and disproportionately is disproportionately affected by uh asthma more than anywhere else in the in the city.

So when that RFP's crafting is that use that is looking for ideal.

So I'll have to keep it in the confines of that zone.

But I think you're saying ideally it's blue and green technology jobs.

I hear you loud and clear.

Pierre is not looking to do dirt industries.

There's enough of that, I agree.

Um you're in the W3 zone, so it's going to be uh appropriate for that zone.

And it's many, many uses in and around the port area that are not the uh more famously dirty ones.

And then I'll add to that uh chairman that is also would have to be in line with the comprehensive plan, which is about to be finished, and the purpose of that is to make sure that we have a reduction of pollution, and then we'll bring that type of business up to contribute to the health issues that we have down there.

Yeah, council and you've been a big leader on that issue, so I want to convince you for your ship.

Thank you one more thing.

I just like to remind the committee that uh any future disposition transfer to PRA would be half to approved by the PR.

Um I think when this was introduced, but please correct me if I have that memory.

Um that councilman Borgas had questions about I think he brought these up before the dumping of mattresses, and then there's a new location for that because I think 700 is where we used to dump mattresses.

Is that now part of the new chap insight?

Like is there gonna be causing an issue with that?

I just want to make sure he's correcting it.

I believe that the this is just the parcel 700 ounce that behind it is where the mattresses went.

That's exactly but then you have shed, yeah.

Okay, so that's all in the subject.

So the transfer station is what they call it for the mattresses, which is at the Golden Royal Service Road and Allen's Avenue.

Oh, okay.

Oh, okay.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Yeah, and we understand just one that we understand how support the mattress uh that's gonna be.

Thank you.

Yes, that's what keeps us in.

There's so many mattresses, so many.

Yeah, it's for real questions.

All right, uh someone make motion to approve.

I think motion to approve second, approved by counselor espinal third and as well, seconded by councillor handerwall.

All those in favor, opposed the code.

Item number five, petition from John Pcoy, Esquire.

Just things LLP point Westminster Street, Providence, Rhode Island 03903 on behalf of Beneficent House, the Rhode Island Nonprofit Corporation.

Requesting for a proposed minor portions of property owned by beneficent house and located at Western Street, 524, log 607.

The proposal is to convey parcel B along Chestnut Street from the city and it would convey Brussels A and C to the city as highlighted on exhibit one.

Thank you.

John, before you get started, I just want to make sure that we kind of square you in.

Uh if that's okay.

Um Kevin Nelson here also can thank you so much.

Um, so that would just like just for his testimony.

I know that in inter-departmental folks, we trust their their work, but I mean it it's essentially do you swear that your testimony is the truth, but nothing but the truth.

Sure.

Thank you.

And uh I'm here to really to answer any questions that you might have.

Can you just state your name?

Yes, the records have been nelson.

Um yes, can you do that?

Do you swear that your testimony is true?

Yes.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you again.

So is you saw the petition?

So as you saw in the petition, this issue came up from Beneficent House did a survey of the property uh some time ago, and it found out, I'm sure you're familiar with the benefits house up just at the street, that right iron fence has been there for decades, I believe.

My board.

Encroached a couple of feet over the to the city line for the street line.

So you saw that I approached the solicitor's department at first, Mr.

Pulse, and um the engineers department.

The engineers department came back and two lights.

It's a record there on each corner shows in the map.

Hey, approach and definitely house pro.

So that's where this came from.

So I've done the two pictures and solutions for it.

That's name to slow to get a players talk.

Thank you so much for being here.

And uh Kevin, yes.

Is there something that you want to add there?

Or uh I will just add that uh this is something that the benefits is really anxious to have corrected.

Um we have for the last couple of years been working on and really look forward to having sorry that it's taken this long, by the way.

Um really appreciate your leadership on this uh questions from the committee members.

I don't know.

Thank you for your patience.

Uh and um to think this is easy, easy lucky squeezing.

So uh is anybody motion to approve second counselor and secondary.

Yes, it was second.

All those in favor.

All those opposed.

Yeah, it's happened.

Thank you, everybody.

Thank you.

Motion returned.

Uh yes, motion to accept.

Second.

I keep selling your book.

There you go.

We should sit next to each other on the final so you can see all those things.

Oh, yeah.

I don't like it.

I mean, it's like right here.

You can't hide now.