Providence City Council Meeting | April 2nd, 2026

April 02, 2026

Official record

From the minutes filed with the RI Secretary of State on April 17, 2026.

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Attendance

15 present · 0 absent

Present

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

Absent

No absences recorded.

Also present: Tina L. Mastroianni (City Clerk), Yuly Polanco (Second Deputy City Clerk), Tyla Crowder (Assistant City Clerk), Napoleon Askie (City Sergeant), Jeffrey Dana (City Solicitor)

Recorded votes (19)

Journal of Proceedings No. 6 of the Regular Meeting of the City Council held March 19, 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 appointing Tim Hamlin as Acting City Registrar

RECEIVED

Communication from the Mayor appointing Tim Hamlin as City Registrar

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Finance

Communication from the Mayor appointing Eric Sung to the Art in City Life Commission

RECEIVED

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2 of The Code of Ordinances of The City of Providence by Adding Section 2-110

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on City Property

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 21 "Revenue and Finance", of The Code of Ordinances of The City of Providence

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Finance

An Ordinance in Amendment of Chapter 2 of The Code of Ordinances of the City of Providence Entitled "Administration"

REFERRED

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

Resolution Creating "Esscence Tyler Christal Memorial Square"

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Urban Redevelopment, Renewal and Planning

Resolutions regarding a legal memorandum, vote delay, independent study, and fiscal analysis on rent stabilization

REFERRED

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

Resolution Endorsing and Urging Passage by the General Assembly of House Bill 2026 H-7775 and Senate Bill 2026 S-2897

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Finance

Resolutions recognizing Taino Descendants in Providence and Karla Monge

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (15)

Resolution Requesting the Department of Public Works to Explore Overnight Parking Permitting Without Geographic Limits

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Public Works

Resolution Requesting Consideration by The General Assembly of Amendments to the Residential Tax Exemption

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Finance

Resolution Urging the Providence Place Mall Receivership to Select a Bid that Includes Residential Conversions

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (15)

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 13 "Housing", of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Providence, to add the next Appropriate Article, "The Providence Rent Stabilization Act"

READ/PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME [9 TO 6]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (9)

Council President Miller , Councilor AnderBois , Councilor Davidson , Councilwoman Graves , Councilwoman Harris , Councilwoman Peterson , Councilor Pichardo , Councilor Roias , Councilor Sanchez

Nay (6)

Councilman Espinal , Councilman Goncalves , Councilwoman Ryan , Councilman Taylor , Councilwoman Vargas , Councilman Vargas

Petitions from Dylan Conley, Esquire and Jeffrey Mark Audet requesting amendments to the Official Zoning Ordinance and Map

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Ordinances

Petitions for Compensation for Injuries and Damages

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Claims and Pending Suits

Communication from His Honor the Mayor submitting the Community Development Block Grant Budget for Program Year 2026-2027

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Urban Redevelopment, Renewal and Planning

Resolution Extending Congratulations

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (15)

Speaker 0

00:12 - 00:34

Good evening. Well, everyone please, quiet down so we can begin our meeting. Good evening and welcome to the Providence City Council. On this Thursday, April 2, madam clerk, please call the roll. Present.

Speaker 1

00:38 - 00:40

Present. Present.

Speaker 2

00:43 - 00:44

Present.

Speaker 3

00:47 - 00:47

Present.

Speaker 4

00:49 - 00:51

Present. Present.

Speaker 5

00:55 - 00:55

Present.

Speaker 6

00:59 - 01:06

Councilor Royas? Present. Councilwoman Ryan? Present. Majority Whip Sanchez?

Speaker 6

01:06 - 01:09

Present. Councilman Taylor?

Speaker 7

01:09 - 01:09

Present.

Speaker 6

01:10 - 01:17

Councilwoman Anna Vargas? Present. Councilman Oscar Vargas? Present. You have 15 present.

Speaker 0

01:17 - 01:24

You have a quorum. Thank you, madam clerk. This evening, the invocation will be given by councilman Mary k Harris. Will everyone, including our guests, please rise.

Speaker 8

01:30 - 02:09

Father God, as we enter this week and continue this week a holy week, I wanna offer a prayer of hope and encouragement. I want to offer a prayer of us really realizing that everything that we are going through is already being considered. Being considered by a man that took the day took a cross one day, went to the cross, died on the cross, and then rose again. We understand there is a lot of hurt and uncertainty in this world today. We understand that we may be facing a war.

Speaker 8

02:09 - 02:40

We understand that we may not even have the necessary means, the things that the basic needs. We understand that. But you have to know that there is a man that loved you so much that he gave his own life and then he rose again, and he will return again. So as we remember on this Easter that we celebrate, that is the purpose of the celebration. And that's my prayer for tonight, a prayer of hope and a prayer of encouragement.

Speaker 8

02:40 - 02:41

Amen.

Speaker 2

02:41 - 02:43

Amen. Thank

Speaker 0

02:43 - 02:46

you, counselor. And the pledge of allegiance will be led by councilwoman Shelly Peterson.

Speaker 5

02:47 - 03:00

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, liberty and justice for all.

Speaker 0

03:02 - 03:08

Thank you. Madam clerk, item three. Madam president. Majority leader.

Speaker 2

03:08 - 03:11

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

Speaker 8

03:11 - 03:12

Second, madam president.

Speaker 0

03:12 - 03:19

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

Speaker 6

03:19 - 03:21

The vote is open.

Speaker 8

03:26 - 03:28

Madam clerk, I'm having problems.

Speaker 2

03:28 - 03:29

It's not working.

Speaker 9

03:34 - 03:35

Okay. Thank you.

Speaker 6

03:39 - 03:41

Councilwoman Bargas?

Speaker 0

03:43 - 03:45

We need you, Darius.

Speaker 6

03:50 - 03:56

And the vote is now closed. That is 15 ayes. The motion carries. The minutes are approved.

Speaker 0

03:57 - 04:01

Thank you, madam clerk. Item four. Madam president. Majority leader.

Speaker 2

04:01 - 04:03

Motion to weigh the reader of item four through 10.

Speaker 8

04:03 - 04:05

Second, madam president. We have

Speaker 0

04:05 - 04:15

a motion and a second. Any discussion on items four through 10? Hearing none. All in favor? Aye.

Speaker 0

04:15 - 04:24

Any opposed? Any abstentions? The motion passes. Madam clerk, please note four as received. Five, refer to the committee on finance.

Speaker 0

04:24 - 04:34

Six through 10 as received. So noted. And thank you as always for all of the residents who are stepping up to serve. Item 11. Madam president.

Speaker 0

04:34 - 04:44

Oh, I'm so sorry. Before we take over item 11, I'm gonna ask, pro tem Picciardo to take the chair. Thank you.

Speaker 9

05:05 - 05:09

Good afternoon. Item 11.

Speaker 10

05:09 - 05:11

Mister president,

Speaker 9

05:11 - 05:11

motion Sanchez.

Speaker 10

05:12 - 05:15

Waive the reading of items 11 through 17.

Speaker 9

05:15 - 05:16

Is there a second?

Speaker 8

05:16 - 05:17

Second.

Speaker 9

05:17 - 05:29

There is a second. Any discussion? Discussion? Councilwoman Sue Ann Duarte.

Speaker 11

05:30 - 05:31

I'm looking at you.

Speaker 1

05:31 - 05:37

Thank you so much, chairman. Clerk, I'm wondering if we could please read item 14 into the record.

Speaker 9

05:38 - 05:41

Madam clerk, please read.

Speaker 6

05:42 - 06:36

Whereas Essence Tyler Crystal was born on 04/02/1990 and is remembered as a beloved daughter of Diana Garlington and the late Randolph Cooper, and a devoted sister to Kiana, Lamar, and Siobhan. And whereas, Essence was known for her vibrant personality and confidence which brought warmth to all those around her. And whereas, in her community, she was known as a talented hairstylist, sharing her skills with others and working toward a future in which she would own her own salon. And whereas, she carried that goal with determination, seeking to build a stable and hopeful future for herself and her family. And whereas, above all, Essence was a loving and devoted mother to her son, Duane, who was the center of her life and a constant source of pride and joy.

Speaker 6

06:36 - 07:46

And whereas, Essence Tyler Crystal was tragically taken by gun violence on 11/26/2011 at the age of 21, leaving behind a family and community who continue to carry her memory. And whereas her life, though brief, was filled with love and connection, and her memory lives on through her son and all those who knew her. And whereas it is fitting that the city of Providence honor her life in a lasting way, ensuring that her name remains present in the community she called home and that her story is remembered with dignity. Now therefore be it resolved that the Providence City Council hereby honors the life and memory of Essence Tyler Crystal, and be it further resolved that the city council authorizes the installation of a commemorative plaque that shall read Essence Tyler Crystal Memorial Square at the intersection of Houston Street and Broad Street along the east side of Broad Street and marks its introduction on April 2 in recognition of her birthday and her place in the life of this community.

Speaker 9

07:48 - 07:49

Thank you. Councilwoman Nandavar.

Speaker 1

07:50 - 08:39

Thank you so much. I rise also to recognize Essence's mother, Diana, who has joined us today, who not only, is Essence's mother, but has been a has become a tireless advocate, not just for Essence, but for to work to prevent all families from having to suffer the same fate, that that Essence and her family have. She has become such a light in our community, and she already was, but has worked so tirelessly on behalf of so many folks. And it is so fitting that we honor Essence's birthday today with finally recognizing her with this memorial square. I also want to acknowledge Gloria, my constituent, who raised this with me that the city had gone for far too long without acknowledging in a formal way Essence's passing and the work that Diana has done to keep her memory alive and her case open and fight so tirelessly on behalf of of all others who've been who've experienced gun violence.

Speaker 1

08:39 - 08:51

So, you for joining us, Diana, and I'm not glad we're doing this because it's awful, but I'm glad we're finally able to memorialize your daughter in a permanent way. So thank you so much.