Providence City Council Meeting | October 16th, 2025

October 16, 2025

Official record

From the minutes filed with the RI Secretary of State on November 07, 2025.

Download PDF

Attendance

11 present · 1 absent

Present

Council President Miller
Councilman Espinal
Councilman Goncalves
Councilwoman Graves
Councilwoman Harris
Councilwoman Peterson
Councilor Roias
Councilwoman Ryan
Councilor Sanchez
Councilwoman Vargas
Councilman Vargas
Councilor AnderBois joined late
Councilor Pichardo joined late

Absent

Councilman Taylor

Also present: Tina L. Mastroianni (City Clerk), Sheri A. Petronio (First Deputy City Clerk), Lauren Gutierrez (Second Deputy City Clerk), Napoleon Askie (City Sergeant), Kenneth Chiavarini Deputy City Solicitor.

Recorded votes (14)

Journal of Proceedings No. 21 of the Regular Meeting of the City Council held October 2, 2025

APPROVED (WITH VOTE) [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

Council President Miller , Councilor AnderBois , Councilman Espinal , Councilman Goncalves , Councilwoman Graves , Councilwoman Harris , Councilwoman Peterson , Councilor Pichardo , Councilor Roias , Councilwoman Ryan , Councilor Sanchez , Councilwoman Vargas , Councilman Vargas

Communication from His Honor the Mayor appointing Martha Werenfels to the Downcity Design Review Committee

RECEIVED

An Ordinance in Amendment of Chapter 12 of the Code of Ordinances Entitled "Health and Sanitation" to add Article VII, "Gas- Powered Lawn Equipment"

LAID ON TABLE [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

Resolution Requesting the Mayor to authorize and execute a lease with WaterFire Providence for 475 Valley Street

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Finance

Resolutions Celebrating Italian Heritage Month, Ensuring Safe and Accessible Court Proceedings, Honoring Indigenous Peoples, and Honoring Eric J. Ricci

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 18 ½ "Police", Section 18½ - 4 "Providence Community - Police Relations Act"

READ/PASSED (AS AMENDED) 1X [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

Resolutions Authorizing Approval of an Encumbrance Contract Award and a Contract Award by the Board of Contract and Supply

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 12, "Health and Sanitation" Article III, "Garbage, Trash, and Refuse"

READ/PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME [10 TO 3]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (10)

Council President Miller , Councilman Espinal , Councilman Goncalves , Councilwoman Graves , Councilwoman Harris , Councilwoman Peterson , Councilor Pichardo , Councilwoman Ryan , Councilwoman Vargas , Councilman Vargas

Nay (3)

Councilor AnderBois , Councilor Roias , Councilor Sanchez

Resolution Requesting an easement on behalf of The Narragansett Electric Company over city-owned land at 675 Plainfield Street

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

Petition from Dylan Conley on behalf of Ana Talo Construction & Investment, LLC, requesting acceptance of land for a cul-de-sac on Walsh Street

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Public Works

Communication from Tina L. Mastroianni, City Clerk, of all monies received, transmitted to and credited by the City Collector

RECEIVED

Petitions for Compensation for Injuries and Damages

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Claims and Pending Suits

Communication from the Providence Board of Canvassers submitting the official result of the September 29, 2025 Retirement Board Election

RECEIVED

Resolution Extending Congratulations

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

Unknown

01:13 - 01:15

Microphone check 1 two.

Unknown

01:21 - 01:33

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

Unknown

01:33 - 01:41

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

Unknown

01:42 - 01:44

Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonsalves.

Unknown

01:44 - 01:45

Present.

Unknown

01:45 - 01:49

Councilwoman Graves. Present. Deputy Majority Leader Harris.

Unknown

01:49 - 01:50

Present.

Unknown

01:50 - 02:03

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

Unknown

02:03 - 02:05

Present. Majority Whip Sanchez?

Unknown

02:05 - 02:06

Present.

Unknown

02:06 - 02:16

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

Unknown

02:16 - 02:17

You have a quorum.

Unknown

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?

Unknown

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.

Unknown

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.

Unknown

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.

Unknown

04:33 - 04:35

Pledge allegiance to the flag

Unknown

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.

Unknown

04:50 - 04:57

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

Unknown

04:57 - 04:58

Madam President.

Unknown

04:58 - 04:58

Majority Leader.

Unknown

05:01 - 05:03

Second, madam president.

Unknown

05:03 - 05:08

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

Unknown

05:08 - 05:09

Aye. Any

Unknown

05:10 - 05:12

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

Unknown

05:13 - 05:14

Madam president.

Unknown

05:14 - 05:14

Majority leader.

Unknown

05:14 - 05:17

Motion to waive the arena, item four and five.

Unknown

05:17 - 05:18

Second, madam president.

Unknown

05:18 - 05:25

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

Unknown

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.

Unknown

05:33 - 05:36

Madam president. Majority leader.

Unknown

05:36 - 05:41

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

Unknown

05:41 - 05:43

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

Unknown

05:43 - 05:45

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

Unknown

05:45 - 05:46

Second, madam president.

Unknown

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?

Unknown

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.

Unknown

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.

Unknown

06:49 - 06:56

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

Unknown

06:56 - 07:00

Any abstentions? The motion passes. Item seven.

Unknown

07:00 - 07:01

Madam president.

Unknown

07:01 - 07:02

Majority leader.

Unknown

07:02 - 07:04

Motion to waive the reading of item seven.

Unknown

07:04 - 07:06

Second, madam president.

Unknown

07:06 - 07:12

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

Unknown

07:12 - 07:19

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

Unknown

07:19 - 07:19

Item eight.

Unknown

07:21 - 07:22

Madam president.

Unknown

07:22 - 07:22

Majority leader.