Recap: Providence Council Passes Lead Pipe Bond, Opposes Census Changes

Final passage of up to $26,200,000 in water revenue bonds and notes for distribution improvements, including lead service replacement; a resolution opposing 2030 census changes; and a Ward 14 councilor's demand for accountability after about 30 Halloween weekend arrests near Providence College.

Providence, R.I. — The Providence City Council on Thursday night gave final passage to four ordinances, including one approving water revenue bonds and notes of up to $26,200,000 for Providence Water Supply Board distribution improvements that include replacing public and private side lead services, according to the Providence City Council's published meeting recording.

The council also approved resolutions honoring the late Dolores Huerta, opposing proposed changes to the 2030 census and establishing a friendship partnership with Ayr Scotland. The clerk reported 12 members present and three absent, a quorum.

Lead service bond and other ordinances pass second reading Items four through seven passed on second reading on a roll call vote of 12 ayes with three absent. A second reading is the final council vote on an ordinance.

According to the agenda, the four items were an amendment to the city's building code administrative provisions, an amendment to the motor vehicles and traffic chapter, the water bond ordinance and a disability waiver request. As reported from the council's Oct. 15 meeting, the bond ordinance and the waiver passed first reading then.

Census resolution By voice vote, the council passed a resolution urging the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Census Bureau to withdraw proposed changes to the 2030 decennial census residence criteria and demographic questions, and to extend the public comment period to 90 days. A Veterans Day resolution passed with it.

Council President Pro Tempore Juan Pichardo said the agencies are "trying to change the rules to exclude people, especially immigrant populations." He said the census counts every person, and that when cities lose population they also lose federal funds and the services they can provide to residents. Pichardo said he had submitted a letter seeking a longer comment period.

Dolores Huerta honored The council passed by voice vote a resolution honoring farmworker organizer and civil-rights advocate Dolores Huerta, who, according to the resolution, died Oct. 28 at age 96. The resolution traced her work co-founding the National Farm Workers Association and leading boycotts in the 1970s.

Councilor Miguel Sanchez said Huerta is someone he looks to for inspiration and that she "lived her whole life serving others." Pichardo, a co-sponsor, said he had met her several times, and noted the council was just coming off Hispanic Heritage Month.

Friendship city with Ayr A resolution establishing a friendship partnership with Ayr Scotland passed by voice vote. City Councilor Jo-Ann Ryan said the city's World Cup fan zone drew more than 150,000 visitors over 39 days this summer, among them thousands of Scottish fans. She said those fans encouraged their local government to pursue the partnership and that committees have formed to explore tourism, educational, cultural and business exchanges.

State agreements and zoning Items 20 through 25, including agreements with the state transportation department on stormwater treatment units and bridge work, passed by voice vote. A council member addressed as Chairman Vargas said the state would do the work, maintain it and pay for it, calling it "a win-win for the taxpayers."

Two zoning map amendments, items 18 and 19, passed first reading 12-0 with three absent. Two street abandonment requests were laid on the table, meaning set aside, after a council member said a misunderstanding needed to be worked out first.

New items were referred to committee, including a noise-control ordinance and another offenses ordinance to the Committee on Ordinances, and a $20,000,000 water contract and a $1,890,000 police traffic contract extension to the Special Committee on Ways and Means. Two rezoning petitions, including one for a transitional shelter, went to the Committee on Ordinances.

Councilor criticizes Providence College over Halloween weekend City Councilor Shelley Peterson of Ward 14 said that over Halloween weekend about 30 people, including six juveniles, were arrested near Providence College after parties in the student housing area escalated. She said those arrested were local individuals and, as the college said, none were students.

"I am angry," Peterson said, adding that the social hosts who started the parties "weren't held responsible, and they never are." She cited a pop-up party last year and seven students who she said overdosed on Lee Street last December.

She said she sent the police chief a letter seeking consistent enforcement and action on properties repeatedly tied to nuisance activity. Peterson said the college has a responsibility beyond its property lines: "We want Providence College to be a good neighbor, and they need to start acting like one."

Committee referrals, including the water contract and noise ordinance, return to the council after committee review. Agendas are posted at council.providenceri.gov.

Recap: Providence Council Passes Lead Pipe Bond, Opposes Census Changes

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