Providence City Council Meeting |March 5th, 2026

March 05, 2026

Official record

From the minutes filed with the RI Secretary of State on March 20, 2026.

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Attendance

12 present · 2 absent

Present

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

Absent

Council President Miller
Councilor Roias

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 (14)

Journal of Proceedings No. 4 of the Regular Meeting of the City Council held February 19, 2026

APPROVED (WITH VOTE) [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

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

Ordinances amending Chapter 23 relating to utility permits and Chapter 27 changing the Zoning District for Plat 104, Lots 653 and 654

READ/PASSED SECOND TIME [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 7, "Emergency Management", of The Code of Ordinances of The City of Providence

REFERRED

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

Resolutions Authorizing Approval of Contract Awards by the Board of Contract and Supply

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Finance

Resolution Endorsing and Urging Passage by the General Assembly of House Bill 2026 H-7183 and Senate Bill 2026 S-2260

REFERRED

Referred to Special Committee on Environment and Resiliency

Resolution Honoring the Lives of Irina Kozav, Stanislaw Kozav and Ryan Boisvert

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

Resolution Supporting the Exploration and Implementation of a Public Snow Removal Vehicle Tracking System

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Public Works

Resolution Endorsing and Urging Passage by the General Assembly of Senate Bill 2026 S-2264

REFERRED

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

Resolution Authorizing the Sale of City Owned Parcels (Asa Messer)

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

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

PASSED [11 TO 2]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (11)

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

Nay (2)

Councilwoman Graves , Councilor Sanchez

Petitions from John J. Garrahy, Esquire and Kelley Morris Salvatore, Esquire requesting Zone Changes

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Ordinances

Petition from Dylan Conley, Esquire on behalf of Destiny Partner, LLC requesting to abandon a portion of Nancy Street

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Public Works

Petitions for Compensation for Injuries and Damages

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Claims and Pending Suits

Resolution Extending Congratulations

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (13)

Speaker 0

04:16 - 04:24

Good evening, everyone, colleagues, for the regular meeting of the province city council for Thursday, 03/05/2026.

Speaker 1

04:34 - 04:37

Is absent acting council president Picciardo?

Speaker 0

04:38 - 04:38

Present.

Speaker 1

04:38 - 04:46

Deputy majority Whip Vanderbois? Present. Councilor Davidson? Present. Majority leader Espinal?

Speaker 2

04:46 - 04:46

Present.

Speaker 1

04:47 - 04:49

Senior deputy majority leader Gonsalves?

Speaker 3

04:49 - 04:50

Present.

Speaker 1

04:50 - 04:51

Councilwoman Graves?

Speaker 4

04:51 - 04:51

Present.

Speaker 1

04:52 - 05:00

Deputy majority leader Harris? Present. Councilwoman Peterson? Is absent. Councilor Arroyas?

Speaker 1

05:01 - 05:06

Is absent. Councilwoman Ryan? Present. Majority Whip Sanchez? Present.

Speaker 1

05:07 - 05:08

Councilman Taylor.

Speaker 0

05:08 - 05:08

Present.

Speaker 1

05:09 - 05:10

Councilwoman Anna Vargas.

Speaker 5

05:10 - 05:11

Present.

Speaker 1

05:11 - 05:17

Councilman Oscar Vargas. Present. You have 12 present and three absent. You have a quorum.

Speaker 0

05:18 - 05:26

Thank you, madam clerk. For today, the invocation will be given by councilman John Gung Carls.

Speaker 3

05:32 - 06:24

Thank you, pro temp. As we begin tonight's meeting, let us take a moment to reflect on the immense responsibility we all carry as public servants and neighbors, particularly in times of hardship hardship during these cold winter months, we're reminded that many in our community, especially those who are unhoused, face challenges that most of us can never fully understand. But may we approach our work tonight with empathy and humility and a commitment to seeing the humanity in every person who calls this city home. And may we continue striving to build a providence where dignity, safety and opportunity are extended to all. Thank you.

Speaker 0

06:29 - 06:36

Thank you. The pledge of allegiance to the flag of The United States Of America will be led by councilwoman Althea Graves.

Speaker 2

06:37 - 06:49

My allegiance to the flag of The United States Of America and to the republic for which you stand, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Speaker 0

06:58 - 07:05

Next item on the agenda is item number three. Mister president. Majority Leader.

Speaker 2

07:05 - 07:08

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

Speaker 5

07:08 - 07:09

Second, mister president.

Speaker 0

07:09 - 07:14

The motion has been made and second. Any discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor? Aye.

Speaker 5

07:14 - 07:15

Oh,

Speaker 0

07:15 - 07:16

I'm sorry.

Speaker 4

07:20 - 07:20

Vote is open.

Speaker 6

07:36 - 07:38

My voting screen is not working.

Speaker 5

07:42 - 07:45

Tap the screen. Okay. Thank you.

Speaker 0

07:47 - 07:48

Has everybody voted?

Speaker 1

07:49 - 07:52

No. I'm still waiting for councilwoman Graves.

Speaker 4

07:55 - 07:58

And the vote is now closed. And

Speaker 1

08:01 - 08:05

that is 13 ayes. The motion carries. The minutes are approved.

Speaker 2

08:16 - 08:20

Through eight and passed for the second time on a roll call vote.

Speaker 5

08:20 - 08:21

Second, mister president.

Speaker 0

08:21 - 08:25

The motion has been made and second. Any discussion?

Speaker 5

08:25 - 08:27

Mister president.

Speaker 0

08:27 - 08:29

Councilwoman Joanne Ryan.

Speaker 5

08:29 - 08:36

Thank you, sir. I rise on on item seven, which everyone here knows is near and dear to my heart.

Speaker 0

08:36 - 08:37

You may proceed. Thank

Speaker 4

08:38 - 08:38

you.

Speaker 5

08:41 - 09:45

Providence wants and needs new development, especially new housing, to meet the needs of its current and future residents. As the city continues to grow its housing stock, it is essential and reasonable and responsible to ensure that new development fits within our existing neighborhoods and complements the built environment that residents care deeply about. Scale massing architectural details matter. They shape how buildings relate and to the overall character of our neighborhood. These design standards directly implement a clear directive in the city's comprehensive plan and community stakeholders to help guide this important work.

Speaker 5

09:45 - 10:43

The committee was established and its input meaningfully shaped the standards that we're voting on this evening. The planning department fulfilled the goals set out in the comprehensive plan, and produced practical, predictable rules that address common design concerns while still supporting housing production. The standards focus on fundamentals such as building entries, facades, proportions, and materials for both small and large projects with the intent of discouraging low quality design choices that do not serve our neighborhoods. These standards were discussed extensively during the comp plan process and were identified by residents as a priority as Providence grows. The ordinance has been reviewed by City Plan Commission and received positive feedback as a balanced approach that supports development while ensuring, we improve design outcomes.

Speaker 5

10:44 - 11:17

Most importantly, the standards are structured to maintain affordability, provide clarity for applicants and avoid unnecessary delays in the review process. This proposal is a result of the city's inclusive stakeholder engagement and responds directly to our residents' concern about design quality while while remaining aligned with the city's housing and growth goals. I urge my council colleagues to look favorably on this, ordinance before you and pass it. Thank you.

Speaker 0

11:17 - 11:23

Thank you, councilwoman. Any further discussion on items four through eight? Councilman Goncalves.

Speaker 3

11:23 - 12:18

Thank you, president. I would like to share that I wanna thank councilwoman Ryan deeply for her commitment to this work. This is something that is extraordinarily extraordinarily important to the people of the East Side, and I've heard directly from many of my constituents that this kind of measure is going to improve, again, the outcomes of design standards in the city. We are seeing lots and lots of ubiquitous boxes everywhere we go, And I think these kinds of standards really set the stage for where Providence is going and also ensures that we can be sensitive to our beautiful historic housing stock and preservation that's occurring in in the city. I wanna thank councilwoman Anthony, who's also part of this effort, and everyone who helped bring this to to the floor tonight for its second vote and hopefully passage.

Speaker 3

12:19 - 12:29

And again, I just wanna thank councilwoman Ryan for her leadership and being such a strong steward for design standards across the city of Providence. Thank you.

Speaker 0

12:29 - 12:37

Thank you, councilman. Any further discussion on items four through eight? Seeing none, madam clerk, open the vote and call the roll.

Speaker 1

12:40 - 12:47

The vote is open. Council president Miller is absent. Acting council president Picciardo.

Speaker 7

12:48 - 12:50

Yes. A.