Providence City Council Meeting | October 16th, 2025

October 16, 2025

Call to Order and Roll Call

01:13 - 02:17

The meeting was called to order, and the clerk conducted the roll call of council members. A quorum was established with eleven members present and three absent.

Invocation

02:17 - 04:23

Councilman John Gonsalves delivered the invocation, expressing gratitude for the city of Providence and praying for guidance, unity, and compassion. He highlighted the importance of supporting vulnerable populations, including the unhoused and sick.

Pledge of Allegiance

04:23 - 04:56

Councilwoman Althea Graves led the council and guests in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The clerk also noted the presence of additional council members who arrived after the initial roll call.

Item 3

04:56 - 05:11

The council considered Item 3, which was moved and seconded by the majority leader. The motion passed unanimously without any discussion.

Items 4 and 5

05:11 - 05:31

The majority leader moved to waive the reading of Items 4 and 5 and receive them. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously by the council.

Item 6

05:31 - 06:57

The council discussed a motion to waive the reading of Item 6, substitute it, and lay it on the table. Councilman Vargas thanked his colleagues for tabling the item to allow more time to develop technology for battery-powered landscaping equipment.

Item 7

06:57 - 07:18

The majority leader moved to waive the reading of Item 7, which was seconded and approved. The item was subsequently referred to the Committee on Finance.

Items 8 through 11

07:18 - 19:37

The council approved a motion to waive the reading of Items 8 through 11 and pass them via voice vote. The items included resolutions on safe court proceedings, indigenous land acknowledgment, and congratulating Dr. Eric J. Ritchie.

Item 12: Community Relations Act Amendments

19:37 - 01:08:34

The council held an extensive discussion on amendments to the Community Relations Act (CPRA) regarding police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. After passionate remarks from multiple councilors about protecting immigrant families, the motion passed as amended on a roll call vote.

Items 13 and 14

01:08:34 - 01:09:02

The council voted to waive the reading of Items 13 and 14 and refer them back to the Board of Contract and Supply. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

Item 15: Trash Barrels Ordinance

01:09:02 - 01:33:15

The council debated an ordinance regarding the removal of trash barrels left on sidewalks past collection times. While some councilors raised concerns about the impact on renters, the ordinance passed on first passage with a 10-3 vote.

Item 16

01:33:15 - 01:33:32

The majority leader moved to waive the reading of Item 16 and pass it on a voice vote. The motion was seconded and approved without any discussion.

Items 17 through 20

01:33:32 - 01:34:01

The council approved a motion to waive the reading of Items 17 through 20. The items were referred to their respective committees or noted as received.

Item 21

01:34:01 - 01:34:15

The majority leader moved to waive the reading of Item 21 and pass it on a voice vote. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Adjournment

01:34:15 - 01:34:50

The majority leader moved to adjourn the meeting in memory of Sandro Mastanza, who recently passed away. The motion was seconded and approved, officially adjourning the meeting.

Speaker 0

01:13 - 01:15

Microphone check 1 two.

Speaker 1

01:21 - 01:33

Good evening, and welcome to this council meeting on Thursday, October 16. Madam clerk, please call the

Speaker 2

01:33 - 01:41

roll. Council president Miller. Present. Deputy majority whip Anderbois is absent. Majority leader Espinal.

Speaker 2

01:42 - 01:44

Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonsalves.

Speaker 3

01:44 - 01:45

Present.

Speaker 2

01:45 - 01:49

Councilwoman Graves. Present. Deputy Majority Leader Harris.

Speaker 4

01:49 - 01:50

Present.

Speaker 2

01:50 - 02:03

Councilwoman Peterson. Council President Pro Tempur Pichardo is absent. Councilor Royas? Present. Councilwoman Ryan?

Speaker 2

02:03 - 02:05

Present. Majority Whip Sanchez?

Speaker 5

02:05 - 02:06

Present.

Speaker 2

02:06 - 02:16

Councilman Taylor is absent. Councilwoman Anna Vargas? Councilman Oscar Vargas? Present. You have 11 present and three absent.

Speaker 2

02:16 - 02:17

You have a quorum.

Speaker 1

02:17 - 02:26

Thank you, madam clerk. This evening, the invocation will be given by councilman John Gonsalves. Will everyone please rise, including our guests?

Speaker 3

02:34 - 03:37

Today, we gather in gratitude for the city we call home, Providence, a place of resilience and diversity and hope. And in these challenging times, when uncertainty tests our patience and hardship ways heavy on so many of our hearts, We ask for your strength and guidance. Bless the people of Providence from Fox Point to Federal Hill to Valley, from Mount Hope, the South Side Of Providence, our entire city, every family, every worker, every elder, every child who makes the city the vibrant city we all love. And grant wisdom to our leaders tonight and compassion to our neighbors. It reminds us that progress is not built by one voice alone, but by the chorus of many working together in faith, humility, and courage.

Speaker 3

03:38 - 04:22

Help us meet division with dialogue, struggle with solidarity, and fear with love. May we care for our most vulnerable neighbors, our most marginalized neighbors amongst us, the unhoused, the sick, the unemployed, and the unheard, and the unseen, and build a community where every person is valued and uplifted. Let Providence live up to its name, a city guided by divine care, by the strength of its people, and by the belief that better days are not behind us, but ahead. Amen.

Speaker 1

04:23 - 04:32

Thank you, councilman Gonsalves. Madam clerk, please note that president Pro Tem Pichardo is present. So noted. And this evening, the pledge of allegiance will be led by councilwoman Althea Graves.

Speaker 6

04:33 - 04:35

Pledge allegiance to the flag

Speaker 0

04:35 - 04:45

of The States Of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God indivisible, liberty and justice for all.

Speaker 1

04:50 - 04:57

Madam Clerk, please note Councilwoman Anderbois is present. So noted. Thank you. Item three.

Speaker 0

04:57 - 04:58

Madam President.

Speaker 1

04:58 - 04:58

Majority Leader.

Speaker 4

05:01 - 05:03

Second, madam president.

Speaker 1

05:03 - 05:08

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on item three? All in favor?

Speaker 0

05:08 - 05:09

Aye. Any

Speaker 1

05:10 - 05:12

opposed? Any abstentions? The motion passes. Item four.

Speaker 0

05:13 - 05:14

Madam president.

Speaker 1

05:14 - 05:14

Majority leader.

Speaker 0

05:14 - 05:17

Motion to waive the arena, item four and five.

Speaker 4

05:17 - 05:18

Second, madam president.

Speaker 1

05:18 - 05:25

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on items four or five? Hearing none. All in favor? Aye.

Speaker 1

05:25 - 05:33

Any opposed? Any abstentions? The motion passes. Madam clerk, please note item four as received, item five as received. Item six.

Speaker 1

05:33 - 05:36

Madam president. Majority leader.

Speaker 0

05:36 - 05:41

I want you to weigh the original item six, substitute and pass for the second time on a roll call.

Speaker 1

05:41 - 05:43

No. I'm sorry. I'm a tell Majority leader.

Speaker 0

05:43 - 05:45

And lay it on the table. Yes. Pardon me.

Speaker 4

05:45 - 05:46

Second, madam president.

Speaker 1

05:46 - 05:54

So that was a motion to waive the reading of item six and lay it on the table and seconded. Any discussion?

Speaker 7

05:56 - 06:09

Madam madam president? Councilman Vargas. Thank you very much. I wanna say thank you to the everybody who's working this ordinance to lay in the table in the table. I'm sorry.

Speaker 7

06:10 - 06:48

Because we don't have technology yet. It's a good time to to lay it down and start working how we can make it better and work for the constituent that are asking for these type of machines. That's those are batteries. But we don't have the technology yet, and we're not ready yet. My I'm sure my constituents and my landscaping people is gonna be very happy today because we've taken another step how to help everybody, and that's the reason I wanna say thank you to to the colleague to lay in the eat in the table.

Speaker 1

06:49 - 06:56

Thank you. Further discussion on item six? Hearing none, all in favor? Aye. Any opposed?

Speaker 1

06:56 - 07:00

Any abstentions? The motion passes. Item seven.

Speaker 0

07:00 - 07:01

Madam president.

Speaker 1

07:01 - 07:02

Majority leader.

Speaker 0

07:02 - 07:04

Motion to waive the reading of item seven.

Speaker 4

07:04 - 07:06

Second, madam president.

Speaker 1

07:06 - 07:12

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on item seven? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed?

Speaker 1

07:12 - 07:19

Any abstentions? The motion passes. Madam clerk, please refer item seven to the committee on finance. So noted. Thank you.

Speaker 1

07:19 - 07:19

Item eight.

Speaker 0

07:21 - 07:22

Madam president.

Speaker 1

07:22 - 07:22

Majority leader.