Providence City Council Meeting | November 6th, 2025

November 06, 2025

Roll Call

01:08 - 01:55

The meeting is called to order, and the clerk conducts a roll call of the council members. A quorum of 13 present members is established.

Invocation

01:55 - 06:32

Councilwoman Althea Graves delivers the invocation, reflecting on community service, leadership, and the need to support the vulnerable.

Pledge of Allegiance

06:32 - 06:57

Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris leads the council and attendees in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Item 3: Election of Retirement Board Member

06:57 - 07:43

The council opens nominations for a member of the retirement board of the employees' retirement system. James J. Lombardi III is nominated and elected to the board.

Item 4: Waiver and Approval

07:43 - 07:57

The council votes to waive the reading of Item 4 and approves the item.

Items 5 and 6: Referral and Receipt

07:57 - 08:18

The council waives the reading of Items 5 and 6, referring Item 5 to the Committee on Finance and noting Item 6 as received.

Item 7: Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ordinance Amendment

08:18 - 15:35

The council discusses and votes on an amended ordinance regarding the phase-out of gas-powered leaf blowers. The motion passes on a roll call vote of 9 ayes, 3 nays, and 1 abstention.

Item 8: Public Servants Trust and Accountability Amendment

15:35 - 17:44

The council discusses and approves an amendment aimed at building trust and accountability regarding immigration enforcement. The item passes on a roll call vote of 13 ayes.

Item 9: Ordinance Discussion

17:44 - 19:29

The council discusses an ordinance with concerns raised about potential rat problems and the impact on renters versus landlords. The item passes on a roll call vote of 10 ayes and 3 nays.

Items 10 and 11: Referrals

19:29 - 19:51

The council waives the reading of Items 10 and 11, referring Item 10 to the Committee on Hope and Item 11 to the Committee on Ordinances.

Item 12: Resolution Recognizing Patricia Raub

19:51 - 34:53

The council reads and passes a resolution honoring the life and advocacy of the late Patricia Raub, a dedicated library and transit advocate. Council members share personal reflections on her contributions to the community.

Item 13: Referral to Committee on City Property

34:53 - 35:15

The council waives the reading of Item 13 and refers it to the Committee on City Property.

Item 14: Referral to Committee on Finance

35:15 - 35:57

The council initially moves to pass Item 14 but withdraws the motion to refer it to the Committee on Finance instead.

Item 15: Resolution Congratulating Dr. Eugenio Fernandez, Jr.

35:57 - 43:35

The council reads and passes a resolution honoring Dr. Eugenio Fernandez, Jr. for his public health contributions and community service. His family members are recognized in attendance.

Items 16 and 17: Referrals

43:35 - 46:26

The council discusses and refers Item 16, a resolution regarding handicap accessibility research, to the Committee on Public Works, and Item 17 to the Committee on Finance.

Item 18: Withdrawal

46:26 - 46:40

The council waives the reading of Item 18 and withdraws it at the request of the sponsor.

Item 19: Referral to Committee on Public Works

46:40 - 47:02

The council waives the reading of Item 19 and refers it to the Committee on Public Works.

Items 20 through 22: First Passage

47:02 - 48:15

The council waives the reading of Items 20 through 22 and approves them for the first time on a roll call vote.

Item 23: Referral Back to Committee on Ordinances

48:15 - 48:38

The council waives the reading of Item 23 and votes to send it back to the Committee on Ordinances.

Items 24 and 25: First Passage

48:38 - 49:38

The council waives the reading of Items 24 and 25 and approves them for the first time on a roll call vote.

Item 26: Roll Call Vote Approval

49:38 - 50:31

The council waives the reading of Item 26 and passes it on a roll call vote.

Item 27: First Passage

50:31 - 51:28

The council waives the reading of Item 27 and passes it for the first time on a roll call vote.

Item 28: Denial Without Prejudice

51:28 - 52:15

The council denies Item 28 without prejudice due to scheduling issues, keeping the appointment active for future consideration.

Items 29 through 35: Referrals and Receipts

52:15 - 52:47

The council waives the reading of Items 29 through 35, referring them to various committees or noting them as received.

Points of Personal Expression

52:47 - 01:17:40

Council members share personal expressions regarding SNAP benefit pauses, traffic violence, veterans' events, and community food pantries.

Item 36: Voice Vote Approval

01:17:40 - 01:18:02

The council waives the reading of Item 36 and passes it on a voice vote.

Item 37: Unanimous Rising Vote

01:18:02 - 01:18:20

The council waives the reading of Item 37 and passes it on a unanimous rising vote.

Adjournment

01:18:20 - 01:19:07

The council votes to adjourn the meeting in memory of several deceased community members and invites attendees to a veterans' celebration.

Speaker 0

01:08 - 01:13

Good evening, and welcome to the Providence City Council on this Thursday, November 6. Madam clerk, please

Speaker 1

01:13 - 01:19

call the roll. Council president Miller? Present. Deputy majority WIPA Anderbois? Present.

Speaker 1

01:20 - 01:21

Majority leader Espinal?

Speaker 2

01:21 - 01:22

Present.

Speaker 1

01:22 - 01:32

Senior deputy majority leader Gonsalves? Councilwoman Graves? Deputy Majority Leader Harris? Present. Councilwoman Peterson?

Speaker 1

01:32 - 01:39

Present. Council President Pro Tempur Pichardo? Present. Councilor Royas? Present.

Speaker 1

01:40 - 01:41

Councilwoman Ryan?

Speaker 0

01:41 - 01:41

Present.

Speaker 1

01:42 - 01:43

Majority Whip Sanchez?

Speaker 3

01:43 - 01:44

Present.

Speaker 1

01:44 - 01:48

Councilman Taylor is absent. Councilwoman Anna Vargas?

Speaker 4

01:48 - 01:49

Present.

Speaker 1

01:49 - 01:54

Councilman Oscar Vargas? Present. You have 13 present and one absent. You have a quorum.

Speaker 0

01:55 - 02:00

Thank you, madam clerk. This evening, the invocation will be given by councilwoman Althea Graves. Will everyone please rise?

Speaker 5

02:09 - 03:06

Satan, we're gonna tear your kingdom down. Satan, we're gonna tear your kingdom down. You've been building your kingdoms all over this land. But, Seeden, we're gonna tear your kingdoms down. Give an honor to God and everyone that's here in this house that is here to fight for the people of this city.

Speaker 5

03:08 - 03:44

We are here because we were selected by the members of each of our communities. We were selected to do the best that we possibly can for this community. With the Lord's help, I hope that each and every last one of us will continue to do that. I hope we will look into our hearts and see what is best for the city. I hope that we will stand up for those people that put us in this office.

Speaker 5

03:44 - 04:03

I hope that we will follow our hearts, our souls, and our minds. We cannot be following false prophets. We have a false prophet in the state house. Not the state house. I'm sorry.

Speaker 5

04:03 - 04:22

The White House. We have to. We have to stop all of this madness that is going on. We have to fight as long and as high as we possibly can. We need to be the Lord's warriors.

Speaker 5

04:24 - 04:53

We need to be the people's warriors. We need to fight with every bit of strength and breath and everything inside of us. Because now we're looking around, we have people that don't know when their next meal is going to come from. We have people that's worried about having healthcare. We have people that are losing their jobs.

Speaker 5

04:53 - 05:26

And we have people that we raise taxes on that don't know if they're gonna be able to keep their homes. So we need to keep on praying. We need to keep on searching, and we need to search every corner of our hearts. And with all of our strength, We need to look to the Lord for guidance, and then we need to go out and work to make sure that these people do not be hungry. Go out there and be hungry.

Speaker 5

05:26 - 06:16

We need to make sure that our children are fed, we need to make sure that they have a roof over their heads, we need to fight, we need to fight, we need to fight. And when the Lord and our corner, we'll make it through this. He will not let us fail because if we fail, the city fails. So I am praying and hoping and looking to all of my colleagues to help give me strength and I will try to give you some too. We need to stand tall together, and we need to have faith in each other, and we need to have faith in this city.

Speaker 5

06:18 - 06:29

I will fight for you. I hope you fight for me, and we all fight for the people. In the Lord's name, I pray. Amen. Amen.

Speaker 5

06:29 - 06:30

And amen.

Speaker 0

06:32 - 06:38

Amen. Thank you, councilwoman. Tonight, the pledge of allegiance will be led by councilwoman Mary Kay Harris.

Speaker 6

06:38 - 06:39

I pledge allegiance

Speaker 5

06:39 - 06:41

to the flag

Speaker 7

06:41 - 06:41

of The

Speaker 5

06:41 - 06:51

United States Of America, to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Speaker 1

06:57 - 07:05

Madam clerk, item three. Item three is election of one member of the retirement board of the employees retirement system.

Speaker 2

07:06 - 07:07

Madam president?

Speaker 0

07:07 - 07:14

Majority leader. Elections are now open for a member of the retirement board of the employees retirement system. Majority leader.

Speaker 2

07:16 - 07:20

Madam president, I nominate Jane Stonebarty the third.

Speaker 0

07:21 - 07:32

Second. There's been a nomination and a second. Are there any further nominations? Are there any further nominations? Are there any further nominations?

Speaker 0

07:32 - 07:43

Hearing none, madam clerk, please cast one ballot for, James J. Lombardi the third to serve on the retirement board of the employees retirement system. So noted. Item four.

Speaker 2

07:43 - 07:44

Madam president.

Speaker 0

07:44 - 07:45

Majority leader.

Speaker 2

07:45 - 07:47

Motion to waive the reader of item four and move approval.

Speaker 6

07:47 - 07:53

Second, madam president. Any discussion on item four? All in favor? Aye.

Speaker 0

07:53 - 07:57

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

Speaker 2

07:57 - 07:58

Madam president.

Speaker 6

07:58 - 07:58

Majority leader.

Speaker 2

07:58 - 08:01

Motion to waive the reader item five and six.

Speaker 6

08:01 - 08:05

Second, madam president. Any discussion on items five or six?

Speaker 0

08:06 - 08:10

Hearing none. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions?

Speaker 0

08:10 - 08:18

The motion passes. Madam clerk, please refer item five to the committee on finance and sixth note as received. So noted. Item seven.

Speaker 2

08:18 - 08:19

Madam president.

Speaker 1

08:19 - 08:20

Majority of year.

Speaker 2

08:20 - 08:25

To weigh the reader, item seven substitute and pass for the second time on a roll call vote as amended.

Speaker 6

08:26 - 08:27

Second, madam president. We have a

Speaker 0

08:27 - 08:30

motion and a second. Any discussion? Councilwoman Andrew Watt.