Providence City Council Meeting | November 6th, 2025

November 06, 2025

Official record

From the minutes filed with the RI Secretary of State on November 21, 2025.

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Attendance

13 present · 1 absent

Present

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

Absent

Councilman Taylor

Also present: Tina L. Mastroianni (City Clerk), Sheri A. Petronio (First Deputy City Clerk), Lauren Gutierrez (Second Deputy City Clerk), Allen Spiver (Police Officer), Jeffrey Dana (City Solicitor)

Recorded votes (29)

Journal of Proceedings No. 22 of the Regular Meeting of the City Council held October 16, 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

Appointment of Eugene McGrane to the Providence Public Building Authority

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Finance

Appointment of Jessica Cigna to the Providence Ethics Commission

RECEIVED

Ordinance amending Chapter 12 of the Code of Ordinances to add Article VII, "Gas-Powered Lawn Equipment"

READ/PASSED (AS AMENDED) 2X [9 TO 3]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (9)

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

Nay (3)

Councilwoman Graves , Councilor Pichardo , Councilman Vargas

Abstain (1)

Councilwoman Vargas

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

READ/PASSED SECOND TIME [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

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

READ/PASSED SECOND 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

Ordinance Amending Chapter 2, "Administration", of the Code of Ordinances

REFERRED

Referred to Special Committee on Health, Opportunity, Prosperity and Education

Ordinance amending Chapter 27 of the Code of Ordinances regarding Building Design Standards

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Ordinances

Resolution Memorializing Patricia Raub

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

Resolution Approving the transfer of 200 Chad Brown Street to the City of Providence

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on City Property

Resolution Requesting the Abatement of Rhode Island Business Development Institute's Property Taxes for Tax Year 2025

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Finance

Resolution Congratulating Eugenio Fernandez on his Success and Honoring his Service to Healthcare in Providence

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

Resolution Requesting Review of Curb Cuts for City-Created Accessible Street Parking

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Public Works

Resolution Requesting to abate, in Part, the Tangible Taxes Assessed Upon Corner Mattress & Appliances

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Finance

Resolution Encouraging the Department of Planning and Development to apply for the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Natural Resources Bureau 2026 Outdoor Recreation Grant

WITHDRAWN

Resolution Requesting Improved Access to Overnight Parking Passes

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Public Works

An Ordinance in Amendment of Chapter 27 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Providence, Entitled: "The City of Providence Zoning Ordinance," Approved November 24, 2014, As Amended, to change the Zoning District on the Official Zoning Map for the Property located on Assessor's Plat 33, Lot 343 (22 DeSoto Street), Assessor's Plat 33, Lot 341 (24 Desoto Street), and Assessor's Plat 33, Lot 340 (26-28 Desoto Street) From R-3 To M-MU-75

READ/PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

An Ordinance in Amendment of Chapter 27 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Providence, Entitled: "The City of Providence Zoning Ordinance", approved November 24, 2014, as amended, to change Articles 2 and 12 relating to entertainment

REFERRED BACK (WITH VOTE) [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

An Ordinance in Amendment of Chapter 27 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Providence, Entitled: "The City of Providence Zoning Ordinance," Approved November 24, 2014, As Amended, requesting to amend the Providence Zoning Ordinance to change the zoning district for the parcel located at 1 Charles Street (A.P. Plat 3, Lot 616) from R-4 to D-1-45, to allow the continued use of the property as "short-term rental" without an owner-occupancy requirement

READ/PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

Certificates from City Assessor (No. 75Y), recommending the same be cancelled pursuant to the provisions of Sections 14 and 15 of Title 44, Chapter 7 of the General Laws of the State of Rhode Island, 1956, As Amended

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

An Ordinance Relating to Article IV, Chapter 17, Section 17-189(f) of the Code of Ordinances. (Disability Waiver Request) (Lisa Scott)

READ/PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

Appointment of Mr. McGrane to the Providence Public Building Authority for a term to expire on January 31, 2030

DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE (FINAL) [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

Petition from John J. Garrahy, Esquire, John J. Garrahy Law, LLC, on behalf of Baker Street Realty Associates, LLC, requesting to amend the Providence Zoning Ordinance to change the properties located at 703 Allens Avenue, 35 Baker Street and 25 Baker Street from an M-1 zoning district to M-MU75 zoning district

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Ordinances

Petitions for appointment or consideration of Kenton Warner, Benjamin Israelite, Tyler Laranjo, Yordy Abreu, Anaroly Hernandez, and Allyson Tariela

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Claims and Pending Suits

Communications from Norma Gonzalez and Brigida Capicotto submitting resignations from PERA and DDRC

RECEIVED

Communication from PERA recommending the re-appointment of Mr. Ferenc Karoly, Esquire, as Executive Director

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Finance

Annual Progress Report from High Rock Westminster Street, LLC in accordance with Chapter 2022-59, No 372

RECEIVED

Resolution Extending Congratulations

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

Resolution Extending Sympathy

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

Unknown

01:08 - 01:13

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

Rachel Miller

01:13 - 01:14

call the roll.

Tina L. Mastroianni

01:14 - 01:15

Council president Miller?

Rachel Miller

01:15 - 01:16

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

01:16 - 01:18

Deputy majority WIPA Anderbois?

Sue AnderBois

01:18 - 01:19

Present.

Unknown

01:20 - 01:21

Majority leader Espinal?

Unknown

01:21 - 01:22

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

01:22 - 01:30

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

Mary Kay Harris

01:30 - 01:30

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

01:31 - 01:32

Councilwoman Peterson?

Shelley Peterson

01:32 - 01:33

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

01:33 - 01:35

Council President Pro Tempur Pichardo?

Juan M. Pichardo

01:36 - 01:37

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

01:37 - 01:38

Councilor Royas?

Justin Roias

01:39 - 01:39

Present.

Unknown

01:40 - 01:41

Councilwoman Ryan?

Unknown

01:41 - 01:41

Present.

Unknown

01:42 - 01:43

Majority Whip Sanchez?

Unknown

01:43 - 01:44

Present.

Unknown

01:44 - 01:48

Councilman Taylor is absent. Councilwoman Anna Vargas?

Unknown

01:48 - 01:49

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

01:49 - 01:50

Councilman Oscar Vargas?

Oscar Vargas

01:50 - 01:51

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

01:51 - 01:54

You have 13 present and one absent. You have a quorum.

Unknown

01:55 - 02:00

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

Althea Graves

02:09 - 06:29

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Unknown

06:29 - 06:30

And amen.

Unknown

06:32 - 06:38

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

Unknown

06:38 - 06:39

I pledge allegiance

Unknown

06:39 - 06:41

to the flag

Unknown

06:41 - 06:41

of The

Althea Graves

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.

Unknown

06:57 - 07:05

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

Unknown

07:06 - 07:07

Madam president?

Unknown

07:07 - 07:14

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

Unknown

07:16 - 07:20

Madam president, I nominate Jane Stonebarty the third.

Unknown

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?

Unknown

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.

Unknown

07:43 - 07:44

Madam president.

Unknown

07:44 - 07:45

Majority leader.

Unknown

07:45 - 07:47

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

Unknown

07:47 - 07:49

Second, madam president.