Providence Board of Contract and Supply approves bulk contract actions, debates MBE participation and Barr Foundation match

The Providence Board of Contract and Supply voted 9-1 with two members absent on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, to approve items 1–31 in Section A and to refer opened bids to the relevant city departments, while members pressed staff on minority-business-enterprise participation and the city match for a Barr Foundation grant.

The meeting opened with the clerk calling roll and moved into Section B for opening of bids. City staff read multiple bids into the record, including appraisal services for the Providence Omni Hotel (Stanzewski Associates: $90,000; Peter M. Scotti & Associates: $25,000) and several proposals for emerald ash borer treatment for city trees (Northeastern Tree Service Inc.: $38,880; Greenview Tree Service LLC: $25,650; Bridal Tree and Shrub Experts LLC: $31,995). The board was also presented with a rebid for site improvements at Gaynor Street Park (item extended to March 10, 2025), multiple street-and-tree block maintenance bids from several contractors, and a set of proposed service agreements and small contracts for youth and community programs and for real-estate consulting for the Providence Redevelopment Agency. Staff noted storage locations for winter road salt (a primary storage area on Terminal Road and satellite piles around the city) while discussing increased salt purchases after an icy season.

After the bid openings, Director Joseph DePina moved and Director Kyle Delgado seconded a motion to refer all bids to the city parks office; the motion carried. Director Elaine Richards moved and Director John Arzemanian seconded an amendment removing the Department of Public Properties advertisement for "Camp Charming" from Section C; the amendment passed and Section C was approved as amended.

On the approval of Section A items, Director Kyle Delgado moved and Director John Arzemanian seconded a roll-call vote to approve items 1–31. The clerk recorded the following votes: Courtney Hawkins, aye; Kyle Delgado, aye; Councilwoman Anthony, aye; Sarah Silveria, aye; Elaine Richards, aye; Joseph DePina, aye; Patricia Coinfay, aye; Shamari Husband, nay; John Arzemanian, aye; Dante Bellini, aye. The chair announced the result as 9 ayes, 1 nay, 2 absent; the motion carried and the matters were approved.

Director Shamari Husband said he was voting "no on everything" on principle, expressing concern about "the lack of MBE participation and also lack of processes that make sure that we're spending money with our residents," and asked for follow-up, including a report on United Way spending of equity funds that had been previously discussed. The clerk and staff indicated follow-up reporting could be provided.

Members also questioned some procurement processes on single-bid and sole-source awards. Staff explained instances where requests for proposals (RFPs) had been reissued after no responsive bids or disqualified paperwork (an example discussed involved a medical-services RFP where a New York company bid substantially higher than a local provider and was not selected). For several contract changes and small purchases, staff said vendors already in place were used for continuity or because bids returned no other responsive vendors.

Sustainability staff explained the department had received a grant from the Barr Foundation to support implementation of the city's climate-justice plan and that a portion of the department's budget was being used to meet a required match. Staff said reporting for the Barr Foundation project will be handled as a single, consolidated project report that includes the city-funded match. (The numeric grant amount referenced in the transcript was unclear and not confirmed during the meeting.)

The meeting concluded with approval of minutes and routine procedural items and an adjournment.

Votes at a glance - Motion: Refer all opened bids to the City Parks Office. Mover: Director Joseph DePina; Second: Director Kyle Delgado. Outcome: approved (voice vote recorded as carried). - Motion: Amend Section C to remove Department of Public Properties advertisement for "Camp Charming." Mover: Director Elaine Richards; Second: Director John Arzemanian. Outcome: approved. - Motion: Approve items 1–31 in Section A (roll call). Mover: Director Kyle Delgado; Second: Director John Arzemanian. Outcome: approved by roll call (9 ayes, 1 nay, 2 absent).