Isaac and Rob.

Isaac and Rob.

Rob.

Rob.

Isaac.

Okay.

Counselors, let's get going here.

We are missing a couple of people I know are here.

All right.

Are you ready, everybody?

Okay.

Good evening and welcome to the Providence City Council on this Thursday, June 4th, 2026.

Uh, before we get started, I just want to uh let folks know we have while we still have our beautiful videos.

We're having a pause on electronic voting.

Um we lost some expertise in the in the office, and we will get it back.

Um in the meantime, we'll have to go old school on our voting by voice.

All right, Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Council President Miller, presence.

Deputy Majority Whip Anderbois, Councillor Davidson, Majority Leader Espina.

Present.

Present.

Councilwoman Graves.

Present.

Deputy Majority Leader Harris.

President.

Councilwoman Peterson.

Council President Pro Tempore Pichardo.

Present.

Councilor Royus is absent.

Councilwoman Ryan.

Majority Whip Sanchez.

Councilman Taylor is absent.

Councilwoman Ana Vargas.

Present.

Councilman Oscar Vargas.

Present.

You have 13 present and two absent.

You have a quorum.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

This evening the invitation will be given by Councilman Joanne Ryan.

Will everyone please rise, including our guests.

Thank you, Madam Cher.

Heavenly Father, tonight I ask you for blessings on my colleagues elected to serve the people of the great city of Providence.

Remind us, because we all forget from time to time, especially in the noisiness of what passes for political debate, that we are not only leaders, but also servants, and that our it is our responsibility to humbly serve the common good of all people of Providence.

Remind us that no matter where we live, everyone is our neighbor, our siblings, and that throughout the ages, prophets have called the leaders of the people to respect and protect the least um of those among us, our children, the elderly, the poor, those who are hungry, those who have no homes, those who are ill in body, mind, or spirit, the strangers and immigrants in our midst, those who live on the margins, those who are alone, those who are forgotten.

Grant us the wisdom and courage to know and to do what is right and good and true to our charge.

May we always be guided by the spirit of community, by the spirit of justice, and by the spirit of love.

And may we give thanks to all the women and men who came before us who fought so hard for passage of the 19th Amendment, vesting the franchise in women.

As we celebrate today, June 4th, it's 117th anniversary.

Dear Lord, may your light unfold us.

May your spirit guide us, and may your grace abound in us.

Amen.

Thank you, Councillor.

And this evening the Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Councillor Miguel Campbell.

Um making June Pride month uh in perpetuity for the city of Providence.

And so I want to wish everyone a very happy and safe pride.

Uh and remember that pride was always about uh standing up for the rights in in good climates and in bad uh and invite the whole city to join us on June 15th for the pride flag raising at 5 30 and on June 18th at 4 30 for a special pride exhibit here on the third floor.

Madam Clerk.

Item three, please.

Madam President.

Majority leader.

Well, should the way the reader of item three and move approval?

Second, Madam President.

We have a motion and a second.

Any discussion?

All in favor.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Any abstentions?

The motion passes.

Item four.

Madam President, majority leader.

Well, should the way the reading of item four substitute and patch for a second time on a roll call vote as a mandate.

Second Madam President.

We have a motion and a second.

Um counselors, I'm gonna take a very brief moment and just explain the uh amendments that are in front of you.

Uh these were amendments that were agreed upon uh at a very late hour ahead of this meeting uh with myself, uh other counselors, mayor smiley, um, and in his conversation with police.

So the first thing that is different is on page two, and then new new is in green.

Um that just sets term limits for uh para board members, no more than three consecutive terms, same as other elected officials in the city of Providence.

The next amendment is section T.

It's the second to last page.

Um it outlines it's called the section is called cooperation.

It outlines access to information that the para, executive director, and investigative staff have access to.

Uh they shall be given read-only user access to the records management system used by police, including but not limited to police incident reports, arrest reports, stop survey reports, accident reports, report supplements, and body warn cameras.

And then uh an additional new thing is just defining what they do not have unlimited real-time access to.

Access cannot be used to conduct parallel investigations with uh the office of professional responsibility.

Such access shall not include detective or investigative modules within the records management system, criminal intelligent databases, confidential informant records, or other databases maintained primarily for ongoing criminal investigations prior to accessing any report or file under the subsection, the executive director para and then staff shall notify the commanding officer of OPR and the chief of police.

Such notice shall not require approval prior to access and shall not restrict Paris access under the subsection.

Uh on the following page, it outlines access to information held by the Office of Professional Responsibility.

The executive director of Para uh and staff may request any information, including files or records from the system utilized by OPR for an official para investigative audit review or oversight function authorized under this chapter.

Such requests shall be fulfilled no later than 96 hours, that's four days after the request is made.

The next section provides some guardrails on uh access.

I don't, I'm not gonna read the whole paragraph, but uh folks did get it.

Uh it's it uh lays out authorized users, ensures that you can't share login, right?

All of the things that you would need in a functioning IT system, the same as uh the world over.

And then the last one um creates a wish for uh the city that should we have the tech that we need to grant you know real-time access to para to the information that it needs, right?

Without this request of OPR, uh should that future exist that uh the chief of police and the executive director of para can make a written agreement um implementing that system.

And that is uh the primary changes, most of them are clarifications um of the ordinance.

So, with that explanation underway.

Any discussion on this item?

Councilman Sanchez.

Thank you, my president.

Uh, I just want to commend you in uh the policy staff, uh, the mayor's office uh for coming to the table since a guide to a place uh that it seems like works for for most people, if not everyone around this chamber.

Uh this process has been very lengthy, as folks have mentioned in previous committees, uh Councillor Harris, uh Councillor Picardo, or excuse me, uh Councillor Espinados.

Uh thank you guys.

Um without your guys' leadership, uh we would not be where we are today.

Um obviously wanna uh thank uh the paras staff and uh members uh here in attendance.

Um at the other day, um all we want is accountability, transparency, uh like any other department.

Um parts department, uh council staff, clerk's office.

We all have uh mechanisms in place uh for checks and balances um as public servants.

We we always strive uh to do the best.

Uh but like any other human being, sometimes we we we fall short of what uh the residents of Providence uh expect from us.

And at the end of the day, uh we just want us to keep moving in a better direction, and I think uh this ordinance here uh definitely does that.

Um and I definitely appreciate the the adding the amendment of uh possible uh changes, such um technology be technology be available to us.

Um so like I said, uh Council President, I just wanted to uh thank you uh for your leadership on this.

This has not been uh easy lift uh but a very important one.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilor.

I give uh me and the clerk just one minute.

There's just uh one error in the amendment that was posted just ahead of this meeting.

It was uh very last minute.

Thank you always in church office.

Um we will fix that.

The thing that the amendment in front of us, the amendment on all of your desks specifies uh such requests shall be fulfilled no later than 96 hours.

Um that's the request from Paris to LPL.

And that is what we are voting on tonight.

And we'll fix it immediately after the meeting.

Thank you, and I'm sorry, Madam Clerk.

Any other discussion on item four?

Thank you, Madam President.

Um welcome back.

And uh I know it's been a very difficult last couple of weeks for you and your efforts to be here today.

Uh I really commendable.

Thank you so much.

Uh and thank you for uh your hard work and uh addressing some of the issues that we had.

Two weeks ago, I I got up and I spoke against it and uh abstained from voting.

Uh but some of my concerns have been addressed and had an answer.

So I want to be grateful to uh some of the institutions and groups that have written to us and they had concerns uh that was similar to what I had, and I feel that this here is a step forward and it begins to address that.

So I am happy tonight.

I'll be voting for it.

Um glad that we came to this agreement uh with the other uh uh pertinent body in this.

So uh I'm I'm just glad and glad to be helping support this for that.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor.

Further discussion?

President Picard.

Thank you, Madam President.

Uh I rise also to commend uh uh the staff and also uh and the board and and uh community for really pushing the community for more transparency.

Uh these amendments uh brought people together, the administration, Mayor Smiley, and also the private police.

Uh so that way we strengthen our community participation and oversight, uh, so that way we don't erode our confidence and trust that we have among our communities.

And I'm glad that we were able to all come together to be able to say, you know, uh we can live with this.

And the most important thing is that we conduct ourselves in a more professional manner, but also know that everyone is going to be held accountable.

And the fact is that many of these things are uh uh violated, that everyone is held to the highest standard of uh of uh accountability from the police from the community, but also within us.

communities and I'm glad that we were able to all come together to be able to say you know uh we can live with this and the most important thing is that we conduct ourselves in a more professional manner but also know that everyone is going to be held accountable and the fact is that if any of these things are uh uh violated that everyone is held to the highest standard of uh of uh accountability from the police from the community but also within us right commend all the uh people that uh worked on this and also the organizations for over all these years uh staying uh making sure we're staying uh uh strong on the fact that we need more oversight and more uh trust within our own uh bodies that uh respond to our neighborhood uh request so congratulations and I hope that uh we all can vote for it uh in unanimously passed this thank you for the discussion council president thank you um and I too want to uh um note that uh you've had some challenging uh a challenging period for you so uh my condolences to you and the loss of your dead um I can't help myself but I voted no on this I didn't abstain the last time it came before us I voted no because it the language in the uh the ordinance um compromise sensitive information for our most vulnerable population I couldn't vote yes I couldn't abstain I had to make my voice heard I am so happy and so happy that staff and you and the mayor uh worked together and made revisions to this document and got it into a form and fashion that addressed some of the challenges that were presented very articulately to us uh by a number of organizations in in writing on while on I just saw this last version literally 20 minutes ago um I would love to have had um an opportunity to digest this information with your order the specifics of it because I think we all are better prepared to vote on something when we understand it completely while I haven't had the chance to delve into this I've had uh discussions in a very uh uh very quickly uh before this meeting on so that I am at a comfort level where I can vote yes on it but I just would like to say to staff and my other colleagues we need to push back these matters that we deal with are very very sensitive they impact people's lives and most often are the most vulnerable among us so um I think if anything this should be a lesson that we should take the time I know that this has been something we've been working on but the ordinance that was before us we needed to spend more time on it and so many people came forward and identified issues that were of grave concern we all think that this is an important piece of legislation on when we voted on it two a few weeks ago and again I voted no I just basically said let's get a version before us that we can all feel good about and I think that you've done that council question so thank you.

Thank you for the discussion on item four hearing none Madam Clerk please call the roll council president Miller aye deputy majority with Andrew Bois aye councillor Davidson aye majority leader Espinal aye senior deputy majority leader Gonzalez aye councilwoman Graves aye deputy majority leader Harris aye councilwoman Peterson aye council president pro tempor Picardo aye councilor Royus is absent councilwoman Ryan Majority Whip Sanchez aye councilman Taylor is absent councilwoman on a Vargas aye councilman Oscar Vargas aye you have 13 ayes two absent the motion carries the matter is approved for the second time on a roll call vote as amended thank you madam clerk item five madam president majority leader was it the way the reader of item five and pass for the second time on a roll call vote second madam president we have a motion and a second any discussion on item five hearing none madam clerk please call the roll council president miller aye deputy majority with Android aye councillor Davidson aye majority leader Espinal aye senior deputy majority leader Gonzals Councilwoman Graves Deputy Majority Leader Harris Councilwoman Peterson aye council president pro temporar Picciardo Councilor Royus is absent councilwoman Ryan Majority with Sanchez aye councilman Taylor is absent councilwoman on a Vargas aye councilman oscar vargas aye you have 13 ayes two absent the motion passes the matter is passed for the second time on a roll call vote thank you item six madam president majority leader questions the way the reader of item six has passed passed for the second time on a row call vote second any discussion on item six hearing none madam clerk we call the roll council president miller aye deputy majority with Andrew aye councillor Davidson hi

Aye.

Councilman Oscar Vargas.

Aye.

You have 13 ayes, two absent.

The motion passes the matters passed for the second time on a roll call vote.

Thank you.

Item six.

Madam President.

Majority leader.

What's it the way the reader of item six has passed passed for the second time on a roll call vote?

Second.

Any discussion on item six?

Hearing nine.

Council President Miller.

Aye.

Aye.

Councillor Davidson.

Hi.

Majority Leader Espinal.

Aye.

Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonçalves.

Aye.

Councilwoman Graves.

Aye.

Deputy Majority Leader Harris.

Aye.

Councilwoman Peterson.

Aye.

Council President Pro Tempore Pichardo.

Aye.

Council Arroyas is absent.

Councilwoman Ryan.

Aye.

Majority with Sanchez.

Councilman Taylor is absent.

Councilwoman Ana Vargas.

Aye.

Councilman Oscar Vargas.

Aye.

You have 13 ayes, two absent.

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

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Item seven.

Madam President.

Majority leaders.

Seven and eight.

Second, Madam President.

We have a motion and a second any discussion on seven and eight.

Councilman Anderbaugh.

Thank you so much, Madam President.

Just a quick note on seven for folks who might read this and be like, huh, what are we talking about?

This is the easiest thing we're going to look at all night.

Basically, there's currently a state law that you can't park within a certain distance from a stop sign or a corner.

It's called daylighting.

It makes it safer.

It's a state law, so our local parking enforcement are not allowed to enforce it.

And so we don't have any local enforcement of that law, so this just puts it in our own code so that our local parking enforcement can actually enforce state law and make our streets safer.

So it should be easy peasy lemon squeezy, but let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you, everybody.

Thank you, Councillor.

Further discussion?

Councilman Sanchez.

Thank you, Madam President.

Another easy peasy uh item in front of us.

Um this is uh this is the beginning of a very important conversation uh that's happening across this country and across the world to be honest.

Um and this is around data centers.

Uh we're seeing uh the impact uh mostly, if not all negative, uh to local communities.

Um so we need to start the the conversation on how we're gonna legislate uh use uh not so eco-friendly uh facilities uh when it comes to the city of Providence.

Uh so this is just the beginning.

Uh this is gonna get referred to uh chairman Espinaz Committee uh ordinances uh we definitely will work together to to get a a public hearing uh to get engagement uh on this.

I hope to see all of you um participating in this important conversation uh because this is impacting all of us.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Counselor.

Uh further discussion on seven or eight hearing none, all in favor.

Aye, any opposed, any extensions, the motion passes.

Madam Cher, clear first seven to the uh special committee on environment and resiliency and age to the committee on ordinances.

No noted.

Item nine.

Madam President, majority leaders the way the winner of item nine through eleven is passing a voice vote.

Second.

Any discussion on nine through eleven?

Uh may I have the um the resolution of number 11 read out ofas every day nearly 130 people in the United States are killed by gun violence and more than 200 are shot and wounded, with an average of more than 19,000 gun homicides every year.

And whereas people in the United States are 26 times more likely to die by gun homicide than people in other high-income countries, and whereas Rhode Island has 54 gun deaths every year, of which 63% of gun deaths are suicides, with a rate of 4.6 deaths per 100,000 people, a crisis that costs the state 752.1 million each year, of which 15.8 million is paid by taxpayers, and whereas gun homicides and assaults are concentrated in cities with more than half of all gun homicides in the nation occurring in 42 cities, and whereas cities across the nation, including Providence, are working to end the senseless violence with evidence-based solutions, and whereas protecting public safety in the communities they serve is the highest responsibility of elected officials, and whereas support for the second amendment rights of law abiding citizens goes hand in hand with keeping guns away from those who are a danger to themselves or others, and whereas mayors, council members, and law enforcement officers in partnership with local violence intervention activists and resources know their communities best, are the most familiar with local criminal activity and how to address it, and are best positioned to understand how to.

And whereas support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens goes hand in hand with keeping guns away from those who are a danger to themselves or others.

And whereas mayors, council members, and law enforcement officers in partnership with local violence intervention activists and resources know their communities best, are the most familiar with local criminal activity and how to address it, and are best positioned to understand how to keep their citizens safe.

And whereas gun violence prevention is more important than ever as gun violence continues to impact communities across the country.

And whereas in January 2013, Hadiah Pendleton was tragically shot and killed at the age of 15.

And whereas on June 5th, 2026, to recognize the 29th birthday of Hadia Pendleton, born June 2nd, 1997, people across the United States will recognize National Gun Violence Awareness Day, and wear orange in tribute to Hedea Pendleton and other victims of gun violence and the loved ones of those victims.

And whereas the wearing of orange is inspired by a group of Hadia's friends who asked their classmate to commemorate her life by wearing orange, a color worn by hunters to announce themselves to other hunters when out in the woods, and thus one that symbolizes the value of human life.

And whereas anyone can join this campaign by pledging to wear orange on June 5th, the first Friday in June 2026 to help raise awareness about gun violence.

And whereas by wearing orange on June 5th, 2026, people across the United States will raise awareness about gun violence and honor the lives of gun violence victims and survivors.

Thank you, madam church.

Oh, we're not going to run.

And whereas the Providence City Council wishes to renew its commitment to reducing gun violence and to pledge to do all it can to keep firearms out of the hands of people who should not have access to them and to encourage responsible gun ownership to help keep our families and communities safe.

Now therefore be it resolved that the Providence City Council recognizes and declares the first Friday in June, June 5th, 2026 to be National Gun Violence Awareness Day in the City of Providence.

Be it further resolved that the Providence City Council encourages all residents of Providence to support neighborhood and citywide efforts to prevent the tragic impact impacts of gun violence and to save lives.

Thank you, Madam President.

I just wanted to add a few words.

I think we all know what orange looks like, but here you are.

Um and I will wear it tomorrow to show sorrow for the victims of gun violence and sympathy for their loved ones.

Um I just want to know that nationally thus far in 2026, our nation has experienced 9,649 injuries, 167 mass shootings, and 446 deaths of children aged zero to 17.

That's this year.

In Providence, as of May 24th, there have been 23 aggravated assaults with a firearm and two homicides, one of which was a shooting, and we remember Joseph Ramos, who was the victim of that shooting.

We also think of the families who are living with vast loss, and the way our collective light is dimmer because of so many who are gone.

I want to thank our leaders, both those in this body, the pathway to end gun violence advisory council, chaired by my colleague uh chairman uh Councilman Sanchez, um, which is a collaborative effort that involves the mayor's office, the Providence Police Department, the Rhode Island Attorney General's office, and community members.

I also want to thank uh Rhode Island Moms Demand Action and all of the other groups represented by the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence, the Nonviolence Institute, and everybody who works for peace in our city.

Thank you.

Thank you, Counselor.

Further discussion on 9 through 11.

Hearing none all in favor.

Any opposed, any abstentions, the motion passes.

Item 12.

Madam President, the way the reader was.

Second Madam Curse.

Any discussion on item 12?

All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed, abstentions, the motion passes.

Item 13.

Madam President.

Madam President.

I'm sorry, please refer item 12, the committee on public works.

I know that.

Item 13.

Madam President.

The majority leaders.

What's just the way the reader items 13 through 16 and pass number four?

Second, Madam President.

Any discussion on 13 through 16.

Councilman here.

Let me back up.

I first want to thank the policy person.

I want to definitely thank uh Aaron and Miguel for the work that they did around uh number 13, which is a Hispanic chambers, commerce.

It was a tough one.

So it was so tough that I had to I call it calling in the big dogs because council president, pro temp, majority leader, and the mayor.

That's how tough this one was because it was really um it was really devastating for the organization who has been helping so many um business, small business succeed.

Um Hispanic chambers moved in my neighborhood maybe about a year or so ago and which found themselves in a bad place like taxes at.

But you notice that a lot of times I stand up and asking my colleagues to help with some of this stuff simply because of um the fact that a lot of people in my neighborhood as greater work they're doing does suffer with uh basically with taxes.

You guys noticed that within the last four years coming and asking for help in the area.

So I just standing today just the faith, the work that was put in here.

Aaron, I know you went 11 and then back around because no was not the answer for our our office to hear.

So I want to thank you and I want to thank uh my colleagues for also hopefully with this initiative as well.

I know it's something else I had to say, but I always forget.

So thank you for listening.

Thank you, Council, and further discussion 13 through 16.

Madam President.

Council hurried.

Thank you.

I raised uh a number 16.

I want to say thank you to my colleagues.

This is crucial because an empty piece of land is valued today over a hundred and sixty thousand dollars.

But some people they want to sell the land because is it's it is it is next to the property where they leave on it.

Maybe they use it for garden to produce tomatoes, hot papers, or sometimes they use it for produce chickens and or sometimes for parking for the property.

It's not fair with with the city's charging a lot of property taxes and empty pieces of land when they don't want to sell.

The re the reason is I need a permission a special permission from the the legislation from the state house and it's getting late and short.

Hopefully we can make it up to here.

And anyway, we'll come back to us and we can discuss more how we can help the tax fail is to for them to pay homestead tax.

If they use the land with the leave on next to it, they deserve to pay um homestead tax.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilman Ryan.

Thank you, Council President.

I just want to speak a bit on item sixteen.

I appreciate what you're trying to accomplish.

Uh Councilman Gogus, but I do want you and my other colleagues to be aware that the administration is keenly aware of the fact that there are a lot of properties in the city of province that have uh two lots that they've been utilizing.

Spoot tomatoes and zucchini and chickens and whatever.

Um time, extra party.

Um and when we changed the tax code, this matter arose.

Um the administration, I would like to commend, came up with an administrative resolve for this.

So if you have any constituents that are struggling with a vacant lot that is next to their property, um, and they're not getting the homestead exemption, therefore they're taxed on that lot.

In other words, they have two lots.

Um if your constituents have that problem, the administration has created a program where they can administratively merge the lots.

Um and that is happening.

It's happened in my ward.

But this is happening.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Further discussion, 13 through 16.

Madam President.

Thank you.

I guess I'll tie these three together.

First, I'll say that the last piece is if uh we could have uh number 15 read after I have my intervention.

Uh, but I uh so thank you with that.

Uh first I would like to also just uh address number 13, which is the resolution supporting uh the passage of the general uh legislation something that we're running Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and I wanted to thank uh the chairwoman Mary Kay Harris.

Uh I know it's our district.

Uh I know that we all put all our hands on that because one of the things that we recognize, and I also want to recognize the fact that she stepped on it right away and just like she's done with REBA and others, because truly Hispanic Chamber of Commerce uh is that engine that I supporting the immigrant, the Latino community, and much more.

Uh by now they're about uh close to 2,000 members, and those represent small micro businesses in the state of Rhode Island, for the particular in the city of Providence, and it's a privilege uh uh uh to have uh the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in the heart of uh what we call the Trinity Square, which is represented by now by uh councilwoman Harrison.

Thank you for uh for your leadership in bringing us together to do that.

Um the second one was uh in reference to uh men's health.

Uh I know that uh we men at times and historically we keep hearing it.

I was uh raised by a single mom, but I had a strong grandfather that became really a my grandfather.

But he was very stern, very very tough.

And in between there, uh, with my mom being lovely and my grandmother.

Uh but we all know that men uh at times are very saying espanol.

We we we we uh don't listen uh at times to even our own bodies, and so this brings uh awareness to uh the ment's health during the month of June.

Recognizing the fact that uh we are dying by cardiac uh heart attack is the number one uh disease in the country, and men uh they think that they're a superman and they just get up and and go, and by the time they get to work within those eight seconds, they're having a heart attack.

So get yourself uh checked, uh young man, and and uh those who are married and those who have uh grandparents uh make sure that they get their uh appointments uh to check the cholesterol and uh get to exercise.

And then the last one is uh uh tied into that is the uh in June we celebrate immigrants month.

We are here in this chamber uh five about I think five or six of us that are uh immigrants that were born in other countries, and that we have kids uh that uh uh uh uh that were born here in the United States, but but we also know how significant it is that uh the tradition of the United States and in the city of Providence have been that immigrants have paved the way in making sure that we are reminded every day the struggles that all immigrants when they have gotten to this country or into our city have struggled and it continuously struggle in the city of Providence, and this calls on the fact that we all are celebrating in the month of uh June immigrants uh month and that we should have a party every time because when we see the Caribbean celebrating, or the Irish or the Lebanese or the K Bird, right done, or the Mexicans, or everyone, we all reminded that we all had those grandparents, and that our kids need to be reminded that uh they struggled and they they accomplished so much, and that they need to be reminded to be gentle and compassionate towards others who just recently arrived.

Thank you, Madam President, and I uh ask for that resolution to be read.

Whereas National Immigrant Heritage Month is an opportunity to honor the immigrants who make our city great, and whereas more than half of Providence residents speak a language other than English at home, including Spanish, Portuguese, Creole, Korean, and dozens more.

And whereas from the Cape Verdeans who settled in Fox Point to Liberians in the North End to Dominicans in Elmwood and across the city, Providence is a constellation of different peoples and cultures.

And whereas generations of immigrants have made Providence their home.

They have built great businesses, sent their children to Providence public schools, shared their cultures and cuisines with open arms, and become the teachers, engineers, nurses, and civic leaders who make our city run.

And whereas during this national crackdown on immigration and the criminalization of immigrants in our community, it is more important than ever for neighbors to look out for one another by supporting deportation defense efforts and aiding families who have experienced their loved ones abducted.

Now therefore be it resolved that the City Council of the City of Providence hereby honors National Immigrant Heritage Month 2026 as a demonstration of our love for the immigrants of our city and our continued vigilance against those who seek to tear our community apart and to be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the immigrant coalition of Rhode Island, AMOR, Dorcas International, and the Coalition for a Multilingual Rhode Island.

Thank you, Mr.

Councilman Vargas.

Yes.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Councilman.

Uh thank you, Madam President.

Also want to voice my support for items 13 or 16.

Thank you, Councilwoman Ryan, for mentioning on item 16.

I think that's an important uh information that our neighbors uh need to be aware of, especially with evaluations uh going extremely high.

Uh but I just want to take a quick moment and commend our pro temp Picardo for putting it in item 14.

Uh growing up in a in a Latino household, uh to be honest, I I didn't think I was ever gonna get to a point where where we're at today so so quickly.

Uh there's a lot of um you know, old uh my cheese mole uh you know be tough uh mentality in a lot of our uh cultures and communities uh but but to serve alongside uh someone uh that recognizes the importance and this is something I think everyone here uh has supported over the years.

We we put in some similar resolutions.

Uh counselor Roy is uh was vulnerable of us a couple weeks ago.

Um I you know have shared in in the past um mental health challenges um still you know to to this day uh I I go to therapy uh on a bi-weekly basis.

Um it's important as uh men, but but as human beings, we you know we we interact uh with a lot of uh secondhand trauma in this work uh you know in our communities, counselor uh you mentioned uh the the ice uh actions that are causing a lot of stress, anxiety.

Um but it's important that that we recognize not only you know that it's okay to to uh get help or or to talk to people to communicate with with loved ones, uh but to encourage it.

Um anytime I I I get the chance to speak to to young people, um that's one of my main messages.

It's okay to to not be okay.

Uh but what's important is to not stay in in that state of mind to to reach out to to loved ones to talk to to your family.

Um luckily we we have uh a pretty good uh ratio right now uh in when it comes to school counselors, so I think that's something that we need to keep increasing investing in uh to make sure that we're uh not only telling young people that that it's okay to talk to them, but to actually provide those services and support systems.

Um we have to be super super intentional when it comes to uh to these types of investments, uh creating these spaces uh for our young people, for for middle-aged people, even for older people.

Um between my dad, my uncles, you know, if if you would have asked them or I would have spoken to them about this topic 10 years ago, it would be uh a very much different conversation than it is today.

Um so I just want to take the time to to publicly thank you, uh Pro Temp, Picardo, for putting this forward, uh, but also having the the courage uh the the wisdom uh to speak about it and to keep uh supporting um our society.

Uh this is what will makes us a more loving, caring, compassionate uh world.

Um so thank you.

And also, of course, uh item 15, man.

I I love my my heritage.

Uh I'll leave it at that.

Thank you, Counselor.

Other discussion 13 through 16.

Councilman Peterson.

Thank you very much.

Um I just wanted to echo some of the sentiments that are here.

Um thank you very much, Councilwoman Harris for putting number 13 forward.

It's very important that we highlight this.

Um with regards to number 16.

Um, I I also want to thank the councilwoman for pointing that particular piece out.

It's something that um this particular issue was something that caused me not to support our budget last year.

And when we saw that and recognized that a lot of our neighbors, especially in the ward, um, had increases of 200 to 300 percent on their small lot, it was something that many couldn't bear.

And I just want to acknowledge the administration for doing a good job in rectifying, but we also need to make sure that uh we put on record that we should probably highlight this to our neighbors.

Um so I do appreciate you, Councilman Vargas for putting that forward, um, and hopefully being able to do it just a little bit more to support our neighbors.

Um, and then lastly, number 15, um councilman Protem.

I appreciate you putting something forward.

I um had seen in my scrolling that it was in fact um National Immigrant Heritage Month and Um the moment of reflection only came earlier this afternoon when it was like, oh wow, that's actually talking about us, so many of us in this particular chamber.

Um so I just want to highlight, I just want to say thank you for putting it forward, but also um acknowledging the the importance of the sacrifices that have all of us have made um in our efforts to be here and do something better for our own prosperity and the those of our families.

And I think um I would be remiss if I didn't point out um just how vital and instrumental those have all been um for every one of our nationalities are um and the different cultures that are brought forward here, not just in Rhode Island but in the United States.

So thank you very much for putting that forward.

And um, yeah, there's there's a lot more to be done here, so thanks.

Further discussion, 13 through 16.

Hearing none, all in favor.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed, any abstentions?

Then motion pass.

Thank you.

Item 17.

Madam President, majority leader.

What's just the way that we don't item 17 and C then approve?

Second.

Any discussion on 17?

All in favor?

All right.

Any opposed, any abstentions?

The motion passes.

Item 18.

Madam President.

Majority leader.

What's just the way that we do item 18 and pass an approach vote?

Second.

Discussion on item 18.

Councilman.

Uh thank you, Madam President.

This is an item that was introduced um uh quite a little while ago, actually, about a year ago.

Uh we we heard it in committee.

Um we this isn't my neighborhood for for transparency.

Um this is uh very exciting potential project that uh I've been in a communication with uh a local developer that lives right there in the neighborhood.

Um so what this resolution is, um you guys should all have copies of it on your desk.

So what this resolution is is continue the collaborative conversation with the developer.

Um in uh so what this resolution does is um allows the conversation to to continue.

Uh but what is proposed, what uh the idea is is to weigh uh the purchase fees of an abandonment uh road.

It's not really a road, it's uh what let me call them?

Uh paper road.

Thank you, colleagues.

Um in exchange for affordability components into the development.

Um like I said, this doesn't guarantee anything.

This is uh to continue uh those conversations with uh set developer.

Thank you, uh Madam President.

Thank you.

Further discussion on 18.

All in favor?

Any opposed, any extensions?

The motion passes.

Item 19.

Madam President.

Majority leader.

Well, it's the way that we do it in nineteen through twenty-three.

Second madam question.

Any discussion on nineteen to twenty-free.

All in favor.

Aye.

Any opposed, any abstentions?

The motion passes.

Uh please refer 19 to the committee on public works, 20 to claims of handing suits, 21 and 22, please note as received.

So number.

Uh and before we close, counselors, I'd just like to take a point of personal discretion.

Um and thank you all for um the expressions of sympathy and condolences I received over the last week.

Uh I also I watched or listened to between here in Massachusetts on my drive, uh, the meeting, the last meeting.

And there was a few things to say about it, but I gotta say, something that I will just never forget.

Uh that like here in this chamber, on the public record, forever, as long as Providence exists.

Uh some of our colleagues questions my absence as I was literally watching my father breathe his last breath.

Uh Majority Leader very often says, uh, you never know what somebody else is going through.

So we could talk about my record, like I show up here.

I show up all the time.

Right?

I'm very I that's not what this is about.

This is about like basic respect.

I do my best to like stop public comments uh against one another.

I am doubling down on that.

Like I uh before he left, our man showed me how to turn off people's mics.

I will start doing that, right?

Like we have got to do better uh in terms of how we treat one another and just how we respect this body and how do we respect the fact that we each hold elected office.

I s I will very unfortunately never forget that as well as hold like great thanks for the love and sympathy uh I got from you to you.

But like I said, I know that we can do better.

Um I'm certainly gonna hold us to it, and I would like us each to to make that pledge in time.

Thank you all.

Item 23 Madam President.

Majority leader.

Why don't you wait the re uh reading of item 23 and pass on a board's vote?

Second, madam president.

We have a motion and a second.

Any discussion on item twenty-three?

All in favor.

All right.

Any opposed, any abstentions?

The motion passes.

Madam President, so we rise to before we adjourn.

Tonight we like to do that in the name of the dad, Mr.

Harvey Miller.

Uh there's so much each one of us can say.

Uh you know, but um we extremely uh deeply sorry for your loss.

Uh obviously condolences to you and your family.

Uh we also want to buy you each day that you were there.

Uh and we fell so telling that everything that was going on, we just didn't have either with you.

Uh so please upset us in particular.

Condolences.

Uh we also want to adjourn to mine the name of uh Enrique Gonzalez, uh my next door neighbor for many many years and reports a lot of memories uh passed away a couple of days ago.

So it'll be there with him sad here.

Uh with that said, uh motion to adjourn.

Second member president.

All in favor?

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed, any abstentions, the other journal?

Thank you.

And councilman, sorry for your loss.