Providence City Council Meeting | February 19th, 2026

February 19, 2026

Official record

From the minutes filed with the RI Secretary of State on March 06, 2026.

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Attendance

14 present · 0 absent

Present

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

Absent

No absences recorded.

Also present: Tina L. Mastroianni (City Clerk), Sheri A. Petronio (First Deputy City Clerk), Yuly Polanco (Second Deputy City Clerk), Napoleon Askie (City Sergeant), Jeffrey Dana (City Solicitor)

Recorded votes (26)

Journal of Proceedings No. 3 of the Regular Meeting of the City Council held February 5, 2026

APPROVED (WITH VOTE) [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (15)

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

Communication from the Mayor re-appointing Tony Aguilar to the Art in City Life Commission

RECEIVED

Communication from the Mayor re-appointing Renay Brooks-Omisore to the Board of Canvassers

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Finance

Communication from Council President Miller appointing Felix Berrios to the Providence Ethics Commission

RECEIVED

An Ordinance Establishing a Tax Stabilization Agreement for 20 America Street

READ/PASSED SECOND TIME [14 TO 1]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

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

Nay (1)

Councilor Roias

An Ordinance Establishing a Tax Stabilization Agreement for 386 Atwells Avenue

READ/PASSED SECOND TIME [13 TO 1]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

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

Nay (1)

Councilor Roias

Abstain (1)

Councilwoman Peterson

An Ordinance Establishing a Tax Stabilization Agreement for 157 Gano Street

READ/PASSED SECOND TIME [12 TO 3]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (12)

Council President Miller , Councilor AnderBois , Councilor Davidson , Councilman Espinal , Councilman Goncalves , Councilwoman Graves , Councilwoman Harris , Councilor Pichardo , Councilwoman Ryan , Councilman Taylor , Councilwoman Vargas , Councilman Vargas

Nay (3)

Councilwoman Peterson , Councilor Roias , Councilor Sanchez

An Ordinance Establishing a Tax Stabilization Agreement for 70-72 Royal Little Drive

READ/PASSED SECOND TIME [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (15)

An Ordinance Relating to Article IV, Chapter 17, Section 17-189(f) of the Code of Ordinances

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Finance

Resolutions endorsing House Bill 2026 H-7414, supporting licensing at 186 Wayland Avenue, and celebrating International Women's Day

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (15)

Resolution Compelling RIPTA to Clear Bus Stops of Snow and Ice

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Public Works

Resolution Endorsing and Urging Passage by the General Assembly of House Bill 2026 H-7389

REFERRED

Referred to Special Committee on State Legislative Affairs

Ordinance amending Chapter 23 of the Code of Ordinances relating to utility permits

READ/PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (15)

Ordinance amending Chapter 27 of the Code of Ordinances to change the Zoning District for AP 104, Lots 653 and 654

READ/PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (15)

Resolution supporting and urging passage of legislation creating a Crook Point Bridge Authority

PASSED [14 TO 1]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

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

Nay (1)

Councilor Pichardo

Ordinance Relating to Article IV, Chapter 17, Section 17-189(f) of the Code of Ordinances (Steven Skitek)

READ/PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (15)

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

PASSED [14 TO 0]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (14)

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

Abstain (1)

Councilwoman Ryan

Resolution Authorizing Approval of a Contract Award by the Board of Contract and Supply

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (15)

Appointment of Ryan Holt as Chair of the Zoning Board of Review

RECEIVED AND APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (15)

Resolution Requesting the City Council to accept land designated to the part of a cul-de-sac on Walsh Street

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (15)

Petition from Nicholas J. Hemond on behalf of Brown University Health requesting to Amend Use Table 1-1

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Ordinances

Petitions for Compensation for Injuries and Damages

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Claims and Pending Suits

Communications submitting resignations from King'Jarvis Nathan Camilo, April Brown, and Julissa Arce

RECEIVED

Resolution Extending Congratulations

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (15)

Resolution Extending Sympathy

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (15)

Communication from Council President Miller appointing Archana Ramanujan to the North Main Street Task Force

RECEIVED

Rachel Miller

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.

Tina L. Mastroianni

06:55 - 06:57

Council President Miller?

Rachel Miller

06:57 - 06:57

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

06:57 - 06:59

Deputy Majority Whip Vanderblois?

Sue AnderBois

06:59 - 07:00

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

07:00 - 07:01

Councilor Davidson?

Jill S. Davidson

07:01 - 07:02

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

07:02 - 07:04

Majority Leader Espinal?

Speaker 2

07:04 - 07:04

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

07:05 - 07:07

Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonsalves?

John Goncalves

07:07 - 07:08

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

07:08 - 07:10

Councilwoman Graves?

Althea Graves

07:10 - 07:10

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

07:10 - 07:12

Deputy Majority Leader Harris?

Mary Kay Harris

07:12 - 07:13

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

07:13 - 07:15

Councilwoman Peterson?

Tina L. Mastroianni

07:16 - 07:18

Council President Pro Tempur Pichardo?

Juan M. Pichardo

07:18 - 07:19

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

07:19 - 07:23

Councilor Royas is absent. Councilwoman Ryan?

Jo-Ann Ryan

07:23 - 07:24

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

07:24 - 07:26

Majority Whip Sanchez?

Miguel Sanchez

07:26 - 07:26

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

07:26 - 07:27

Councilman Taylor?

James Taylor

07:27 - 07:28

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

07:28 - 07:30

Councilwoman Anna Vargas?

Tina L. Mastroianni

07:30 - 07:32

Councilman Oscar Vargas.

Oscar Vargas

07:32 - 07:32

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

07:32 - 07:35

You have 14 present and one absent. You have

Rachel Miller

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.

Rachel Miller

08:02 - 08:03

Thank you. And the pledge of allegiance will

Tina L. Mastroianni

08:03 - 08:05

be led by councilman John Gonkoff.

John Goncalves

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.

Rachel Miller

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.

08:30 - 08:32

Second, madam president.

Rachel Miller

08:32 - 08:32

We have a

Rachel Miller

08:32 - 08:37

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

Tina L. Mastroianni

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.

Tina L. Mastroianni

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.

09:22 - 09:23

Second, madam president.

Rachel Miller

09:23 - 09:24

We have a

Rachel Miller

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.

Rachel Miller

10:14 - 10:18

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

John Goncalves

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.

John Goncalves

11:01 - 11:02

We can't thank you enough.

Rachel Miller

11:03 - 11:10

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