[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6554438,"mediaKeyId","5023911-f52290a4489067a89e46f616bc609e08","parentId",5023911,"title","Committee endorses resolution supporting state liquor-license bills for local restaurant","audioSeconds",109,"startMs",3900000,"endMs",4009000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5023911-f52290a4489067a89e46f616bc609e08&start=3900&end=4009","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5023911-f52290a4489067a89e46f616bc609e08/thumbnail_3900000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6554438/Providence-City/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Committee-endorses-resolution-supporting-state-liquor-license-bills-for-local-restaurant","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554438-85f4a70308ed345f77fee487891dafbb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153103&Signature=WDbYX36U5xKBYBR6-eDiXWhvyVuC76vjA3zVusvlFbKvGJ5Ih4uI5RcafSmvaM3z1XT36RPbTzTZTxkzDtVTB~y-ifzOyVbp51rwt5DBDa6uGfiDhnyTcbMWfr5VlqIJMVKdYx2ZDz-SUorF170aFuCiU8er2j~J9qvNKd0a~hwaPD9xM7rgKV7Rh2QXUVmM4664cWYXXyzF9Ofgfk22Heq4z4v1clnns57jC-Efu1XfwwmMt0Deo-wkzklHHFCa3ZPgAQCAEbjLhaLGuDRocjDanWMylg3x5TU5tuNUvV4~F3dNnpCHlOEwhfqy5jqNma2r9qAXCp99yLUqL2CkbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Providence City Council","date","2025-06-18T12:43:09Z","article","The Providence Finance Committee voted to endorse a resolution urging the Rhode Island General Assembly to pass House Bill 2025 H-6135 and Senate Bill S-1018, related to alcohol-license transfers or classifications that affect a local Mexican restaurant (identified in committee discussion as the Tulum restaurant located at a ward boundary).

Councilor Peterson, who introduced the item, said the new owners want to continue an existing pattern of on-premises alcohol service at a site that sits partly in Ward 14 and partly in Ward 4. Supporters in the meeting said neighbors welcomed the business and that the request preserves a long-standing activity at the location. Committee members asked staff to track the bills’ committee status and to send letters to the sponsor and to the appropriate state officials if the bills advance.

The committee voted in favor of the resolution and instructed staff to send a copy to the legislator sponsoring the change and to notify state offices if the bill passes the committee stage.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Providence Committee on Finance-Tuesday, June 17, 2025-5:30 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The Finance Committee voted to endorse a resolution urging passage of state bills that would allow a Mexican restaurant to obtain a liquor license covering a site that straddles two ward lines.","taxTitle","Providence City, Providence County, Rhode Island","taxId",3637,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6554443,"Finance committee recommends David H. Leach for Board of Canvassers appointment",711,1950000,2661000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5023911-f52290a4489067a89e46f616bc609e08&start=1950&end=2661","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5023911-f52290a4489067a89e46f616bc609e08/thumbnail_1950000.jpg","/articles/6554443/Providence-City/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Finance-committee-recommends-David-H-Leach-for-Board-of-Canvassers-appointment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554443-89c11cc462f4fadf31cff40d297b341a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153103&Signature=Hz76E-DywwZhkvn8NY24~QaiEPtbNk8G4wJ8SKKZDPgLicFzTHhnwranoJ3lwNMBalGAwOSVX0CCOzKduRXaEnhCuooZ7B0TvgAQQpcxbliZLWEcP3YE5fpRM5FxK4u9orcHULAfzRmd-BYVwDcVKfvCP1YemlykYDQ96405TSqHgfZbHn3cO8w5c7pG4t14LMCIMP-iVvrDiSPCPsvuGkiGALzSx9F5~aIE893UmNHhu4hKa2hOFhF321ryVbftvN-56IApim-UmsTk7uD~PkNgl6j-rID4i~T6J5u237cFYbdnb1rFcswiPcsmpmU0RKTM5cfwH55nJyahKVkC1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Providence Finance Committee voted to recommend that the full City Council approve the mayor’s appointment of David H. Leach to the Board of Canvassers.

A mayoral communication in the meeting packet said the appointment was made pursuant to the city charter and named the appointee; David H. Leach was sworn in before the committee, described his long ties to Providence and his community and nonprofit involvement, and said he wanted to use the position to help increase voter participation. Several councilors offered support; one councilor noted strong personal endorsement from another member of the council. After brief comments the committee moved and voted to recommend approval of the appointment to the full council.

The matter will appear on the full City Council agenda for formal confirmation.","The committee voted to recommend City Council approval of Mayor’s appointment of David H. Leach to the board of canvassers after the nominee described community work and his interest in increasing civic participation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6554447,"Finance committee declines to recommend $6.2 million Benefit Street sidewalk borrowing; members cite timing and equity concerns",4193,7706000,11899000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5023911-f52290a4489067a89e46f616bc609e08&start=7706&end=11899","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5023911-f52290a4489067a89e46f616bc609e08/thumbnail_7706000.jpg","/articles/6554447/Providence-City/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Finance-committee-declines-to-recommend-62-million-Benefit-Street-sidewalk-borrowing-members-cite-timing-and-equity-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554447-f160cf97f502d0190820f362cec80a59/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153103&Signature=hr8QUJRp-4w-8hsgxDukiyjStDaaa7RXK1fEQdlAdywjqIXGAWfoRW8E-PXcg-1ll-oiOsFrONNfFrNXPpbgy1DzVFkrdvWDeUJnkyHqhWZWgXUoyKPIiSzV1huQ5c71upDo3FoIapUmHOmXsjsRdvBO29MZOkZf8CVPU9P731Xotl5ebPw7jQ9EmzhT-HF22V00MMpevtOR5kgS-A6zs9lzfFOPgihqK4upXNKNkSBn7eF1Eeb0Ee-m3FAfo5E9ssSYK9ak7naplzqbqFb6q1sYS-wmKz5aThf8hGIAiEDMPSbt15WC9h1v19NtbxajzaOhimfyZ~B2GoLag8bITQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Providence Finance Committee voted to recommend against approval of an ordinance that would authorize up to $6,200,000 in city borrowing to finance sidewalk, tree-well and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements on Benefit Street.

The proposal, offered in collaboration with the Mile History Association and city engineering staff, would have used a subsidized loan product available through the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank or a similar vehicle. Presenters described a detailed streetscape study identifying cracked sidewalks, tree-root damage, drainage problems and accessibility gaps along the historic corridor. Association members emphasized tourism, pedestrian safety and the street’s historic value; the group said it had raised funds for prior lighting and paving improvements and had prepared plans and petitions in support of the project.

City finance and public-works staff described two borrowing options: a conventional Infrastructure Bank loan (with a required debt-service reserve that raised the borrowing amount by about $700,000) and an alternative that would treat the borrowing more like a general obligation loan, which staff said could lower lifetime costs. Staff said the project was on the state's project-priority list—a prerequisite for the Infrastructure Bank option—and that the mayor’s proposed budget had included the resulting debt-service amount.

Committee discussion ran more than an hour. Several councilors praised the Mile History Association’s organizing but said the timing was wrong given the city’s tight fiscal position. Members raised concerns about equity and optics—asking why a high-profile, East Side corridor would receive a multimillion-dollar project while other wards wait years for sidewalk repairs—and urged a broader, citywide sidewalk strategy before committing to a large, targeted borrowing.

After debate, a motion to recommend denial of the ordinance passed. The committee recorded a roll-call during which several members voted in favor of denying the borrowing; the committee chair indicated the matter would be referred to the council with a recommendation to deny.","After extended testimony from Mile History Association and city staff, the Finance Committee voted to recommend denial of an ordinance that would authorize up to $6.2 million in borrowing for Benefit Street sidewalks and streetscape improvements, citing timing, budget strain and distributional concerns.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6554451,"Finance committee approves contract changes for school construction work with Downs Construction",1583,4149000,5732000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5023911-f52290a4489067a89e46f616bc609e08&start=4149&end=5732","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5023911-f52290a4489067a89e46f616bc609e08/thumbnail_4149000.jpg","/articles/6554451/Providence-City/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Finance-committee-approves-contract-changes-for-school-construction-work-with-Downs-Construction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554451-feb92dd0715379f8e8e165ede8b34ab5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153103&Signature=TiIoJc4t~qihbJaEv9XFt9XguaIyUzoBrVtRLtlx8U5SRZCeWvu-MiVeynBeEH6l2tK9tHHyCA6KsoOzfILhkzPpk9XGfXL~-c5C1K5mzKQUWPU-KwFKNTXdHs07qLchsx2w-YI8Xa85R1FowP5~CMV8RJgW-lXJ~F1l6i37Q-g13ZJoWbL9XRzDznPfB-Us2b-nakrUIBv9PTUc1j5fDs3A~k9R76SYw81oq2LgYvcIy4UAI~bR6OpCD7b2c5RXCymlzaS7qu~STpI9jL4Y21dHlJboDjRSP2UZ-5RnvKoLUjLo9gSnq58MyqMoG7v5ANw~EGb4hlFQOaI-yKXe5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Providence Finance Committee approved two related actions to reconcile and extend work with Downs Construction on Providence school capital projects.

City staff asked the committee to amend an existing contract to add $904,295 to cover reimbursable soft costs that Downs Construction procured and for which the city had already reimbursed the company. Staff said these costs were incurred between 2020 and 2023 at the direction of the prior public property administration; in some cases the purchases drew down purchase order balances and were not processed through the city’s then-standard procurement and purchase-order channels. City staff told the committee those reimbursables are eligible for reimbursement from state sources (housing aid) when RIDE pays debt service to the city.

Separately, the committee approved a contract extension that increases Downs’ total authorized contract value to cover additional work on phase 2 and phase 3 school projects. Staff said additional schools were added to the scope after the 2019 memorandum of agreement and that changing the owner’s project manager (OPM) at this late stage would be costly and disruptive to projects already underway. The extension request adds roughly $11,048,000 to bring the amended total contract value to about $18,914,190, according to staff figures presented at the meeting.

Committee members questioned why the city did not amend the contract earlier and asked for the underlying documentation. City staff said they had obtained a legal opinion at the time that said the work could be reimbursed to the contractor, but that purchase orders were depleted and normal procurement channels were not followed during the pandemic and early project rush. Staff said the finance department has since tightened controls and reissued proper purchase orders in the city’s ERP system for ongoing capital projects.

After discussion the committee voted to approve both the amendment to reimburse Downs’ previously invoiced costs and the extension to allow work to continue on phases 2 and 3.","The committee approved an amendment and contract extension for Downs Construction to cover reimbursable soft costs and to extend the company's role in phases 2 and 3 of Providence school capital projects, resolving reimbursements the city had already paid.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6554456,"Finance committee backs $26.2 million Providence Water financing for lead service replacements",1182,2682000,3864000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5023911-f52290a4489067a89e46f616bc609e08&start=2682&end=3864","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5023911-f52290a4489067a89e46f616bc609e08/thumbnail_2682000.jpg","/articles/6554456/Providence-City/Providence-County/Rhode-Island/Finance-committee-backs-262-million-Providence-Water-financing-for-lead-service-replacements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554456-fc0c15bf479cd0b77caea568a7cb20cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153103&Signature=Pua8PiMYDWwN6iP3c5KFjgCgkoX0CSv9hX1c3nB75SG5GYW94zKXUkoiUkF23I~wzPxsY3R~obpl0zAqqvf-gey0NAh3wTSwFVec59bdnCrWq~4km0Vw7opOOzD4RdD8eVREZi4eHUl5t01nMyV42HkgAS0uD-HvnmvJU47k5btsJi7ZFxIPjW72VOHFiyjbbi8j-EEQBRRsU0HsVc6rLw1J8-h3psP05FJAO~g1PHT2oLLnu5VjN-9JWPsQLICX2EwPLaWserbBxvjDfBbTrk6UUNGijf-Xse0431~hx9uxh~YalrbxAZU5a7RltgurHWecgraQn1jRQ7Oo-RC~XA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Providence Finance Committee voted to recommend that the full City Council approve an ordinance authorizing up to $26,200,000 in financing to support Providence Water's accelerated replacement of lead service lines.

The ordinance, read into the record by the clerk, would allow the utility to issue water revenue bonds to cover public and private side lead service line replacement and related project costs. Providence Water representatives told the committee they are seeking authorization for a third tranche of funding and said the likely funding package includes 20-year financing with a 0% interest component and roughly 49% principal forgiveness under the federal infrastructure program used for lead service replacement.

Committee members asked where the third tranche would be spent and how residents are being notified. Providence Water said the tranche has not been designed yet but that the program has prioritized areas with high concentrations of lead services; the utility listed work already completed in parts of Ward 13, Ward 9 and sections of Wards 10 and 11 and said outreach has included mailings, phone calls and community meetings. Councilors pressed staff on outreach gaps after residents reported not receiving follow-up after community meetings; staff asked constituents who believe they were missed to contact the program manager, identified in the meeting as Chris Hunter.

Officials said the federal money flows through the state infrastructure bank and that availability of future tranches is not guaranteed; committee members and Providence Water staff urged residents to sign releases of entry (ROEs) promptly so properties can be scheduled when funds are available. The utility also told the committee that the financing will be incorporated into the utility’s capital plan and rates and that the current financing request will not, as submitted, increase customer rates beyond amounts already assumed in the utility’s rate filings.

Committee members representing neighborhoods with low uptake asked about landlord participation; Providence Water staff said owner-occupied homes have higher participation rates while landlord engagement remains a challenge and noted prior community outreach and mailings increased participation to roughly the high 60s–70s percent among homeowners in some project areas.

After discussion, Councilor Taylor moved and the committee voted in favor of recommending approval to the full council.

The ordinance will go to the full City Council for final action.","The Providence Finance Committee voted to recommend city council approval of an ordinance authorizing up to $26.2 million in financing to support an accelerated program to replace lead water service lines, using a federal/state funding tranche that includes favorable loan terms and principal forgiveness.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee endorses resolution supporting state liquor-license bills for local restaurant

Finance committee recommends David H. Leach for Board of Canvassers appointment

Finance committee declines to recommend $6.2 million Benefit Street sidewalk borrowing; members cite timing and equity concerns

Finance committee approves contract changes for school construction work with Downs Construction

Finance committee backs $26.2 million Providence Water financing for lead service replacements