Providence City Council Meeting | February 19th, 2026

February 19, 2026

Call to Order, Roll Call, Invocation, and Pledge of Allegiance

06:47 - 08:24

The meeting was called to order, followed by roll call confirming a quorum of 14 members present. Majority Leader Pedro Espinal led the invocation, and Councilman John Gonsalves led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Item 3: Approval of Minutes

08:24 - 09:13

The council voted to waive the reading of Item 3 and approved the minutes of the previous meeting. Councilman Rojas was noted as having joined the meeting during this item.

Items 4 through 20: Committee Referrals and Appointments

09:13 - 11:27

The council approved a motion to waive the reading of items 4 through 20 and substitute item 12. Members congratulated Felix Berrios on his appointment to the ethics commission and thanked other citizens appointed to various municipal boards.

Item 21: Ordinance Second Passage

11:27 - 12:47

The council voted on the second passage of the ordinance under Item 21. The motion carried with 14 ayes and 1 nay.

Item 22: Ordinance Second Passage

12:47 - 14:07

The council considered the second passage of the ordinance under Item 22. The motion passed with 13 ayes, 1 nay, and 1 abstention.

Item 23: Ordinance Second Passage

14:07 - 15:20

The council voted on the second passage of the ordinance under Item 23. The motion carried with 12 ayes and 3 nays.

Item 24: Ordinance Second Passage

15:20 - 16:30

The council voted on the second passage of the ordinance under Item 24. The motion passed unanimously with 15 ayes.

Item 25: Referral to Committee on Finance

16:30 - 16:49

The council voted to waive the reading of Item 25. The item was subsequently referred to the Committee on Finance.

Items 26 through 28: Resolutions and International Women's Day

16:49 - 24:57

The council read and discussed a resolution recognizing International Women's Day and announcing an upcoming celebration. The motion to pass items 26 through 28 on a voice vote carried unanimously.

Items 29 and 30: Resolutions regarding RIPTA and State Legislative Affairs

24:57 - 26:29

The council discussed a resolution urging RIPTA to improve snow removal at bus stops and requesting state funding. Item 29 was referred to the Committee on Public Works, and Item 30 was referred to the Special Committee on State Legislative Affairs.

Item 31: Ordinance on First Passage (Lead Service Line Replacement Amendment)

26:29 - 32:19

Councilwoman Anderbois introduced a friendly amendment to exempt certain lead service line replacement programs from permit fees. The ordinance passed on first passage as amended.

Items 32 through 34: Ordinances on First Passage (Zoning and Design Review Standards)

32:19 - 40:32

The council discussed and voted on ordinances aligning zoning with state laws and establishing design review standards. The items passed on first passage with 15 ayes.

Item 35: Resolution Supporting State Legislation for Crook Point Bridge Authority

40:32 - 01:11:00

The council extensively debated a resolution supporting state legislation to establish a Crook Point Bridge Authority. Proponents highlighted the preservation of a historic landmark and state funding, while opponents raised concerns about potential liability and costs.

Item 36: Ordinance on First Passage

01:11:00 - 01:12:04

The council voted to waive the reading of Item 36 and pass it for the first time. The motion carried on a roll call vote with 15 ayes.

Item 37: Resolution Honoring Lisa Ranglin and REBA

01:12:04 - 01:19:33

Council members praised Lisa Ranglin and the Rhode Island Black Business Association (REBA) for their work supporting minority-owned small businesses. The resolution passed with 14 ayes and 1 abstention.

Item 38: Referral back to Board of Contract and Supply

01:19:33 - 01:20:20

The council voted to waive the reading of Item 38 and refer the matter back to the Board of Contract and Supply. The motion passed on a voice vote.

Item 39: Appointment of Ryan Holt as Chair of Zoning Board of Review

01:20:20 - 01:22:41

The council approved the nomination of Ryan Holt to serve as the chair of the Zoning Board of Review. Council members praised his qualifications and thanked outgoing chair Mr. Greenfield.

Item 40: Resolution Approval

01:22:41 - 01:23:31

The council voted to waive the reading of Item 40 and pass it on a voice vote. The motion carried unanimously with 15 ayes.

Staff Recognition and Items 41 through 49

01:23:31 - 01:27:16

Council members recognized and thanked departing staff member Isabella for her policy work. The council then voted to refer Item 41 to the Committee on Ordinances, Item 42 to Claims and Pending Suits, and received items 43 through 49.

Item 50: Resolution and Personal Expressions

01:27:16 - 01:33:38

Councilwoman Vargas presented a citation to College Vision, and Councilwoman Graves announced the upcoming Black History Month celebration. The council approved Item 50 and heard additional expressions of support for local education and business initiatives.

Item 51: Resolution on Unanimous Rising Vote

01:33:38 - 01:35:54

The council passed Item 51 on a unanimous rising vote. Councilman Reyes expressed condolences regarding a recent mass shooting in Pawtucket and offered prayers for victim Tom Jeruso.

Suspension of Rules and Item 52

01:35:54 - 01:37:33

The council suspended rules to receive Item 52 and recognized Renee Omizori's reappointment to the Board of Canvassers. Councilwoman Anderbois also expressed condolences for two individuals who froze to death near Miriam Hospital.

Adjournment

01:37:33 - 01:38:25

Majority Leader Espinal offered final condolences to the victims of recent tragedies and moved to adjourn the meeting in memory of Reverend Jesse Jackson. The motion passed unanimously, and the meeting was adjourned.

Speaker 0

06:47 - 06:55

Good evening everyone, and welcome to the Providence City Council on this Thursday, February 19. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Speaker 1

06:55 - 07:01

Council President Miller? Present. Deputy Majority Whip Vanderblois? Present. Councilor Davidson?

Speaker 1

07:01 - 07:04

Present. Majority Leader Espinal?

Speaker 2

07:04 - 07:04

Present.

Speaker 1

07:05 - 07:07

Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonsalves?

Speaker 3

07:07 - 07:08

Present.

Speaker 1

07:08 - 07:15

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

Speaker 1

07:16 - 07:24

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

Speaker 1

07:24 - 07:30

Majority Whip Sanchez? Present. Councilman Taylor? Present. Councilwoman Anna Vargas?

Speaker 1

07:30 - 07:35

Councilman Oscar Vargas. Present. You have 14 present and one absent. You have

Speaker 0

07:35 - 07:42

a quorum. Thank you, madam clerk. This evening, the invocation will be led by a majority leader Pedro Espinel. Will everyone please rise, including our guests?

Speaker 2

07:43 - 07:59

Thank you, madam president. Dear lord, we come to you tonight together to ask for your blessings, to ask that you guide us as we prepare to do the people's business. In you, trust. Amen.

Speaker 0

08:02 - 08:03

Thank you. And the pledge of allegiance will

Speaker 1

08:03 - 08:05

be led by councilman John Gonkoff.

Speaker 3

08:06 - 08:19

I pledge allegiance to the flag of The United States Of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Speaker 0

08:24 - 08:26

Madam clerk, item three, please.

Speaker 2

08:26 - 08:30

Madam president. Majority leader. Motion to weigh the reader of item three and move approval.

Speaker 4

08:30 - 08:32

Second, madam president. We have a

Speaker 0

08:32 - 08:37

motion and a second. Any discussion? Madam clerk, please open the vote.

Speaker 1

08:53 - 09:13

Councilwoman Graves and Councilwoman Peterson, can you please vote? And the vote is now closed. You have 15 ayes. The minutes are approved. Madam clerk, please note that councilman Royce has joined us.

Speaker 1

09:13 - 09:15

So noted. Item four.

Speaker 2

09:16 - 09:22

Madam president. Majority leader. Motion to waive the reading of item four through 20 and substitute item number 12.

Speaker 4

09:22 - 09:24

Second, madam president. We have a

Speaker 0

09:24 - 09:29

motion and a second. Any discussion on items four through 20? Councilwoman Peterson.

Speaker 5

09:29 - 10:08

Thank you. I just wanted to take a quick minute to congratulate award 14 member. Mister Felix Berrios is gonna be a part of the once he's sworn in, be a part of the ethics commission, and I'm really proud to be able to garner that to provide that support for him. He is a born and raised Providence constituent and a member of the Mount Pleasant High School Kilties, and he is one of those people that you know that wants to contribute back because he received so much and he wants to pay it forward. And I'm just really happy to be able to support the community members that really wanna come back and do more for for our community again.

Speaker 5

10:08 - 10:14

So congratulations, Felix. We're gonna take a quick picture at the end, so I hope that everybody stays and does it.

Speaker 0

10:14 - 10:18

Thanks. Thank you, councilwoman. Further discussion on items four through 20? Councilman Gonkow.

Speaker 3

10:18 - 11:01

Thank you, madam president. I just I wasn't prepared to speak, but I I do wanna just thank everybody who is here, and who is going to be serving the city of Providence. I know we have many people that are going to be appointed to the Art and City Life Commission, as well as the Downtown Design Review Committee, as well as, some of the other, positions that we have available with the Historic District Commission. I just wanna thank each and every person who is here, who's willing to serve in this capacity in the city, and we just wanna thank you for all that you'll continue to do. So, if we could just give them a round of applause for their service in advance, and, thank you for serving.

Speaker 3

11:01 - 11:02

We can't thank you enough.

Speaker 0

11:03 - 11:10

Thank you, councilman. Further discussion items four through 20? Hearing none. All in favor? Aye.

Speaker 0

11:10 - 11:25

Any opposed? Any abstentions? The ayes have it. Madam Clerk, please note four through 16 as received. Item 17, please refer to the committee on finance as well as eighteen and nineteen to the committee on finance.

Speaker 0

11:25 - 11:27

And item 20, note as received.

Speaker 1

11:27 - 11:29

So noted. Item 21.

Speaker 2

11:29 - 11:34

Madam president. Majority leader. Motion to weigh their reading, right? 21 and pass for the second time in a roll call vote.

Speaker 4

11:34 - 11:36

Second, madam president. We have a motion and

Speaker 1

11:36 - 11:46

a second. Any discussion on item 21? Hearing none, madam clerk, please open the vote and call the roll. The vote is open. Council president Miller.

Speaker 1

11:46 - 11:52

Aye. Deputy majority whip Anderbois. Aye. Councilor Davidson. Aye.

Speaker 1

11:52 - 11:59

Majority Leader Espinal. Aye. Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonsal. Aye. Councilwoman Graves.

Speaker 1

12:00 - 12:06

Aye. Deputy Majority Leader Harris. Aye. Councilwoman Peterson. Aye.

Speaker 1

12:07 - 12:12

Council president Pro Tempur Pichardo? Aye. Councilor Royas?

Speaker 6

12:13 - 12:16

Sorry. Just a clarification. This is a motion.

Speaker 1

12:16 - 12:25

This is a motion to Nay. Approve the first Nay. Councilwoman Ryan? Aye. Majority Whip Sanchez?

Speaker 1

12:25 - 12:31

Aye. Councilman Taylor? Aye. Councilwoman Anna Vargas? Aye.

Speaker 1

12:31 - 12:47

Councilman Oscar Vargas? You have 14 ayes and one nay. The motion carries. The matter is approved for the second time on a roll call vote, and the vote is closed. Thank you.

Speaker 1

12:47 - 12:48

Item 22.

Speaker 2

12:48 - 12:49

Madam president.

Speaker 0

12:49 - 12:49

Maternity leader.

Speaker 2

12:49 - 12:54

Motion to waive the reader, item 22, and pass for the second time in a roll call vote.

Speaker 0

12:54 - 13:00

Second, madam president. Any discussion on item 22? Hearing none, madam clerk, please open the vote and call the roll.

Speaker 1

13:03 - 13:09

The vote is open. Council President Miller. Aye. Deputy Majority Webb Vanderblois. Aye.

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