Providence City Council Meeting | January 22nd, 2026

January 22, 2026

Call to Order and Roll Call

27:33 - 28:32

The meeting is called to order and the clerk conducts the roll call. A quorum is established with 13 members present and two absent.

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

28:32 - 29:41

Chairwoman Ryan delivers the invocation, asking for wisdom and compassion to address the city's challenges. Councilman Davidson then leads the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Item 3: Approval of Minutes

29:41 - 30:25

A motion is made to waive the reading of Item 3 and approve the minutes. The motion is approved by a voice vote of the council.

Procedural Motion: Items 9 through 17 Out of Order

30:25 - 30:43

The majority leader moves to take Items 9 through 17 out of order. The motion is seconded and approved by the council.

Item 9: Resolution Passage

30:43 - 31:21

A motion is made to waive the reading of Item 9 and pass it on a voice vote. The motion carries and the item is approved.

Items 10 and 11: Committee Referrals

31:21 - 31:45

The council votes to waive the reading of Items 10 and 11. Item 10 is referred to the Committee on Finance, and Item 11 is referred to the Committee on Ordinance.

Items 12 and 13: Voice Vote Passage

31:45 - 32:27

A motion is made to waive the reading of Items 12 and 13 and pass them on a voice vote. The motion is approved by the council.

Item 14: Committee Referral

32:27 - 33:21

A motion to pass Item 14 is withdrawn and replaced with a motion to refer it to the Committee on State Legislative Affairs. The motion to refer passes.

Item 15: Resolution Honoring Providence Police and Brown University Public Safety

33:21 - 47:03

Councilman Gonsalves introduces a resolution honoring the Providence Police Department and Brown University Department of Public Safety for their response to a tragic shooting. The resolution is read by the clerk and passed unanimously, followed by a brief recess for photographs.

Item 16: Special Commission on the History of the Providence City Council

47:03 - 51:22

Councilwoman Ryan introduces a resolution to establish a special commission to document and preserve the history of the City Council. Several council members speak in support of the initiative, and the motion passes.

Item 17: Committee Referral

51:22 - 51:45

A motion is made to waive the reading of Item 17 and refer it to the Committee on Finance. The motion is approved by the council.

Items 4, 5, and 6: Receipt and Committee Referrals

51:45 - 52:12

The council votes to waive the reading of Items 4 through 6. Item 4 is received, and Items 5 and 6 are referred to the Committee on Finance.

Item 7: Second Passage Roll Call Vote

52:12 - 53:27

A motion is made to waive the reading of Item 7 and pass it for the second time. The motion is approved following a roll call vote.

Item 8: Providence Rent Stabilization Act Referral and Discussion

53:27 - 01:35:36

A motion is made to waive the reading of Item 8 and refer the rent stabilization ordinance to the Special Committee on Hope. Council members engage in an extensive debate regarding the potential impacts of rent stabilization on tenants and landlords before the referral is approved.

Item 18: Voice Vote Passage

01:35:36 - 01:36:57

A motion is made to waive the reading of Item 18 and pass it on a voice vote. The motion is approved by the council.

Items 19 through 34: Receipt and Committee Referrals

01:36:57 - 01:37:35

The council votes to waive the reading of Items 19 through 34. Item 19 is received, Item 20 is referred to the Committee on Claims and Pending Suits, and Items 21 through 34 are received.

Personal Expressions and Memorial Remarks

01:37:35 - 01:45:20

Council members share personal expressions, including condolences for the passing of Guido Nofi and Angelina Pescianelli. Remarks are also made celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and local commemorative events.

Item 35: Voice Vote Passage

01:45:20 - 01:45:40

A motion is made to waive the reading of Item 35 and pass it on a voice vote. The motion is approved by the council.

Item 36: Unanimous Rising Vote

01:45:40 - 01:46:02

A motion is made to waive the reading of Item 36 and pass it on a unanimous rising vote. The motion is approved by the council.

Adjournment

01:46:02 - 01:46:24

The majority leader moves to adjourn the meeting in memory of Angelina Pescianelli. The motion is seconded and approved, officially adjourning the meeting.

Speaker 0

27:33 - 27:37

And welcome to the Providence City Council meeting on this Thursday, January 22.

Speaker 1

27:40 - 27:52

Welcome. Thank you for the, little intermission here to send our champs from Mount Hope off well. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Council President Miller. Present.

Speaker 1

27:52 - 27:59

Deputy majority whip Anderbois is absent. Councilor Davidson. Present. Majority leader Espinal.

Speaker 2

27:59 - 28:00

Present.

Speaker 1

28:00 - 28:03

Senior deputy majority leader Gonsalves.

Speaker 3

28:03 - 28:03

Present.

Speaker 1

28:04 - 28:10

Councilwoman Graves. Present. Deputy Majority Leader Harris? Present. Councilwoman Peterson?

Speaker 1

28:10 - 28:14

Present. Council President Pro Tempur Pichardo?

Speaker 4

28:14 - 28:14

Present.

Speaker 1

28:14 - 28:16

Councilor Royas?

Speaker 5

28:16 - 28:17

Present.

Speaker 1

28:17 - 28:23

Councilwoman Ryan? Present. Majority Whip Sanchez? Present. Councilman Taylor?

Speaker 6

28:23 - 28:23

Present.

Speaker 1

28:23 - 28:32

Councilwoman Anna Vargas? Present. Councilman Oscar Vargas is absent. You have 13 present and two absent. You have a quorum.

Speaker 0

28:32 - 28:41

Thank you, madam clerk. This evening, the invocation will be given by chairwoman Ryan. Will everyone please rise, as you're able? Chairwoman Ryan.

Speaker 7

28:41 - 29:09

Thank you, council president. Heavenly father, we thank you for your many blessings. We ask that you grant us wisdom and compassion to address the challenges which confront our city and our citizens. We ask you to bestow upon us the strength to do what is best for our city through respectful and thoughtful discourse through our committee process. May your light unfold us.

Speaker 7

29:09 - 29:16

May your spirit guide us. I offer this prayer along with the special intentions of my colleagues through Christ our lord. Amen.

Speaker 0

29:18 - 29:22

Thank you, counselor. And tonight, the pledge of allegiance will be led by councilman at Davidson.

Speaker 2

29:24 - 29:32

I. To the republic, we just stand.

Speaker 0

29:41 - 29:45

Thank you. Madam Clerk, item three. Madam President. Majority leader.

Speaker 2

29:46 - 29:48

Watch it to weigh the reader of item three and move approval.

Speaker 8

29:48 - 29:50

Second, madam president.

Speaker 0

29:50 - 29:55

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Hearing none, madam clerk, open the vote.

Speaker 9

29:58 - 29:59

The vote is now open.

Speaker 1

30:11 - 30:24

Councilwoman Bargas? The vote is now closed. You have 13 ayes, two absent. The motion carries. The minutes are approved.

Speaker 2

30:25 - 30:26

Madam president.

Speaker 0

30:26 - 30:27

Majority leader.

Speaker 2

30:27 - 30:30

Motion to take item nine through 17 out of order.

Speaker 8

30:31 - 30:32

Second, madam president. We have

Speaker 0

30:32 - 30:38

a motion and a second. Any discussion on that motion? Hearing none, all in favor? Aye. Any opposed?

Speaker 0

30:38 - 30:42

Any abstentions? The motion passes. Madam clerk, item nine, please.

Speaker 2

30:43 - 30:44

Madam president.

Speaker 0

30:44 - 30:45

Majority leader.

Speaker 2

30:45 - 30:48

Motion to waive the reader of item nine and pass on a voice vote.

Speaker 8

30:48 - 30:49

Second, madam president.

Speaker 0

30:50 - 30:56

So motion and a second. Any discussion on item nine? Hearing none, all, I'm sorry. Madam clerk, open the vote.

Speaker 9

30:57 - 30:59

The vote is now open.

Speaker 1

31:09 - 31:21

The vote is now closed. That is 13 ayes, two absent. The motion carries. The matter is approved on a voice vote. Thank you.

Speaker 1

31:21 - 31:22

Item 10.

Speaker 2

31:22 - 31:23

Madam president.

Speaker 0

31:23 - 31:24

Majority leader.

Speaker 2

31:24 - 31:26

Motion to weigh the reader of item ten and eleven.

Speaker 8

31:26 - 31:28

Second, madam president. A motion and

Speaker 0

31:28 - 31:34

a second. Any discussion on items ten and eleven? Hearing none, all in favor. Aye. Any opposed?

Speaker 0

31:34 - 31:45

Any abstention? The motion passes. Madam clerk, please refer item 10 to the committee on finance and item 11 to the committee on ordinance. So noted. Item 12.

Speaker 2

31:45 - 31:46

Madam president.

Speaker 0

31:46 - 31:47

Majority leader.

Speaker 2

31:47 - 31:50

Motion to waive the reader item twelve and thirteen and pass pass on a voice vote.

Speaker 8

31:50 - 31:52

Second, madam president. We have a motion

Speaker 0

31:52 - 31:59

and a second. Any discussion on items twelve and thirteen? Alright. Hearing none, madam clerk, open the vote.

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