Providence City Council Meeting |May 7th, 2026

May 07, 2026

Official record

From the minutes filed with the RI Secretary of State on May 22, 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 (33)

Approval of Journal of Proceedings No. 8, No. 9, and No. 10

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 Kimberli Meyer to the Art in City Life Commission

RECEIVED

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 21, "Revenue and Finance", and Resolution Requesting Impact Reporting

REFERRED

Referred to Special Committee on Ways and Means

Communication from Council President Miller and other Council members discharging a matter

RECEIVED

Ordinances repealing a Tax Stabilization Plan, amending Chapter 21, amending Article 15, and amending Chapter 23

REFERRED

Referred to Special Committee on Ways and Means

Resolution Abating Taxes for Shiloh Gospel Temple

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

Resolutions authorizing property sale, encouraging tax exemption legislation, and approving a contract

REFERRED

Referred to Special Committee on Ways and Means

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 21 "Revenue and Finance" to add Section 21-76 "Port Community Scholarship Fund"

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Ordinances

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

READ/PASSED SECOND TIME [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (15)

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 5, "Building and Structural Appurtenances", Amending Section 5-121

REFERRED

Referred to Special Committee on Environment and Resiliency

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 21, "Revenue and Finance", to Add Section 21-27.1, "Local Vendor Evaluative Preference"

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Ordinances

Resolution Honoring the 57th Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (15)

Resolution Endorsing and Urging Passage by the General Assembly of House Bill 2026 H-8474 and Senate Bill 2026 S-3170

REFERRED

Referred to Special Committee on State Legislative Affairs

Resolution Honoring Better Hearing and Speech Month 2026

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (15)

Resolution Opposing the Proposed Demolition of Residential Properties on Brook Street by Brown University

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Public Works

Resolutions Honoring Mental Health Awareness Month, Joseph M. Lima, and Jewish American Heritage Month

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (15)

Resolution Officially Renaming the Street Known as Corliss Park to Jeanie Lippitt Circle

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Urban Redevelopment, Renewal and Planning

Resolution to transmit copies to the Superintendent of Providence Public Schools and the Commissioner of RIDE

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (15)

An Ordinance in Amendment of Chapter 5 "Buildings And Structural Appurtenances" to Add Article XIII, "Green Revolving Fund"

READ/PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME [UNANIMOUS]

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 , Councilwoman Peterson , Councilor Pichardo , Councilor Roias , Councilor Sanchez , Councilwoman Vargas , Councilman Vargas

Resolutions on Stormwater and Sewer Management Funding, and the Building Benchmarking and Reporting Act of 2026

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

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 , Councilwoman Peterson , Councilor Pichardo , Councilor Roias , Councilor Sanchez , Councilwoman Vargas , Councilman Vargas

Ordinances amending Chapter 27 of the Code of Ordinances (Zoning Ordinance) regarding Historic Overlay and zoning map

READ/PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME [UNANIMOUS]

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 , Councilwoman Peterson , Councilor Pichardo , Councilor Roias , Councilor Sanchez , Councilwoman Vargas , Councilman Vargas

Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of 700 Allens Avenue to the Providence Redevelopment Agency

PASSED [12 TO 1]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (12)

Nay (1)

Councilman Vargas

Resolutions on a property swap with Beneficent House, the Bilingual Education Act, and the 2026 Save RI

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

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 , Councilwoman Peterson , Councilor Pichardo , Councilor Roias , Councilor Sanchez , Councilwoman Vargas , Councilman Vargas

An Ordinance Adopting the Community Development Block Grant Budget for Program Year 2026-2027

READ/PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME [12 TO 0]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (12)

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

Recused (1)

Councilor Davidson

Appointment of Felisa Alonzo to the Providence Human Relations Commission

RECEIVED AND APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

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 , Councilwoman Peterson , Councilor Pichardo , Councilor Roias , Councilor Sanchez , Councilwoman Vargas , Councilman Vargas

Ordinance in Amendment of Chapter 8, "Courts," Article I "In General" Section 8-2 "Disposition of Fines, Costs, Fees, In Municipal Court"

READ/PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME [UNANIMOUS]

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 , Councilwoman Peterson , Councilor Pichardo , Councilor Roias , Councilor Sanchez , Councilwoman Vargas , Councilman Vargas

Petition from Mark Van Noppen, RCG Armory Column, LLC, requesting to abandon a portion of Penelope Place

CONTINUED INDEFINITELY [UNANIMOUS]

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 , Councilwoman Peterson , Councilor Pichardo , Councilor Roias , Councilor Sanchez , Councilwoman Vargas , Councilman Vargas

Petitions from Mark Rapoza, Providence College, requesting to abandon portions of Dante Street and Cumberland Street

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Public Works

Petition from John J. Garrahy requesting to rezone the property located at 163 North Main Street from R-P to C-2

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Ordinances

Petitions for Compensation for Injuries and Damages

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Claims and Pending Suits

Communications submitting Raze Building Permits and the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report

RECEIVED

Resolution Extending Congratulations

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

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 , Councilwoman Peterson , Councilor Pichardo , Councilor Roias , Councilor Sanchez , Councilwoman Vargas , Councilman Vargas

Resolution Extending Sympathy

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

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 , Councilwoman Peterson , Councilor Pichardo , Councilor Roias , Councilor Sanchez , Councilwoman Vargas , Councilman Vargas

Speaker 0

07:27 - 07:34

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the Providence City Council on this, May 7. Madam clerk, please

Speaker 1

07:34 - 07:39

call the roll. Council president Miller? Here. Deputy majority whip Vanderbois? Here.

Speaker 1

07:39 - 07:43

Councilor Davidson? Here. Majority leader Espinal?

Speaker 2

07:43 - 07:44

Present.

Speaker 1

07:44 - 07:47

Senior deputy majority leader Gonzales?

Speaker 3

07:47 - 07:47

Present.

Speaker 1

07:48 - 07:54

Councilwoman Graves? Present. Deputy majority leader Harris? Present. Councilwoman Peterson?

Speaker 1

07:58 - 08:07

Council president Pro Tempur Pichardo? Present. Councilor Royce is absent. Councilwoman Ryan? Present.

Speaker 1

08:07 - 08:14

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

Speaker 1

08:14 - 08:17

Present. Councilman Oscar Vargas?

Speaker 4

08:17 - 08:17

Present.

Speaker 1

08:17 - 08:21

You have 14 present and one absent. You have a quorum.

Speaker 0

08:21 - 08:26

Thank you, madam clerk. Everyone please rise for the invocation to be given tonight by pro tem Picardo.

Speaker 5

08:27 - 09:07

Thank you, madam president. If you indulge me, I will go also gonna be saying it in Spanish too. Dear God, divine architect of all creation, we gather today as the humble stewards of this city acknowledging that you have entrusted us with the people of providence. We recognize that our authority within these wards in our city is but a temporary guardianship, a sacred season in which our choices ripple through the livelihoods of those we serve. Grant us the grace to meet our neighbors exactly where they are.

Speaker 5

09:08 - 10:07

Whether they find themselves rest resting in a house they call home, an apartment, a shelter, or on the very streets of our city, let us see their inherent dignity. May our may our advocacy be as boundless as your compassion, ensuring no voice is too quiet to be heard in these halls. As environmental burdens that take their toll on mother earth, the divine gift over which you have granted us temporary custody, Remind us of our duty to cherish and protect this land. Teach us to govern with the future in mind, preserving the beauty and the health of the world you have loaned to us. Almighty God, touch our minds and the souls today.

Speaker 5

10:07 - 10:49

We ask for the wisdom to make decisions that humble us in the face of our responsibilities. Protect us from the shadows of devastating war and internal conflict. Defend the civil rights and the pursuit of freedom for every soul in our charge. Remind our hearts that you placed us upon this earth to thrive, to protect, and to love one another. Help us to rationalize our priorities through the lens of your command, that the greatest investments we can make is in the safety of a home for every child and every family.

Speaker 5

10:50 - 11:09

As it is written in your holy world word, to feed the hungry and provide shelter to the wanderer. Let that mandate be the blueprint for our legislation. May we lead with courage, decide with mercy, and act with love of our people and our city. Amen.

Speaker 0

14:12 - 14:17

Thank you, Proton. This evening, the pledge of allegiance will be led by councilman Reyes.

Speaker 6

14:18 - 14:28

I pledge of allegiance to a flag of The United States Of America, to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible,

Speaker 0

14:28 - 14:36

with liberty and just for all. Madam clerk, item three.

Speaker 2

14:36 - 14:40

Madam president. Majority leader. Wants you to weigh the reading of item three and move approval.

Speaker 7

14:40 - 14:41

Second, madam president.

Speaker 0

14:41 - 14:47

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

Speaker 1

14:47 - 15:32

The vote is open. Councilor Picciardo, the vote is closed. You have 15 ayes. The motion carries. The minutes are

Speaker 0

15:32 - 15:43

approved. Clerk, I'm sorry. Leave, did we miss councilman Reyes at, the roll call? Please note councilman Reyes is in attendance. So noted.

Speaker 0

15:43 - 15:44

Item four.

Speaker 2

15:44 - 15:49

Madam president. Majority leader. Watch it to weigh the reader. I have four through 11.

Speaker 0

15:49 - 15:57

Second, madam president. Any discussion on item four through 11? Hearing none. All in favor? Aye.

Speaker 0

15:57 - 16:09

Any opposed? Any abstentions? The motion passes. Please note four through eight as received at nine through eleven to the special committee on ways and means. So noted.

Speaker 0

16:09 - 16:09

Item 12.

Speaker 2

16:10 - 16:15

Madam president. Majority leader. Motion to weigh the reader item 12 through 17.

Speaker 0

16:15 - 16:32

Second, madam president. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on items 12 through 17? Hearing none, madam clerk, please note 12 as received. 13 through 17 to the special committee on ways and means.

Speaker 0

16:32 - 16:34

So noted. Item 18.

Speaker 2

16:34 - 16:35

Madam president.

Speaker 0

16:35 - 16:36

Majority leader.

Speaker 2

16:36 - 16:40

Watch it to waive the reading of item 18 and pass on a voice vote.

Speaker 0

16:40 - 16:50

Second, madam president. We have a motion on a discussion and a second. Any discussion on item 18? Point of order, madam president. Councilwoman.

Speaker 0

16:50 - 17:09

Item 18 involves money. It should be a roll call vote. Any discussion on item 18? You didn't hear it? Councilwoman there's a lot of echo today.

Speaker 0

17:09 - 17:18

Councilwoman Ryan was sharing that it should be a roll call vote. Any discussion on item 18? I really don't think we

Speaker 8

17:18 - 17:25

really need any discussion before brought up with that. I'm worse than her. It's been brought up time and time again, so I don't think we need it.

Speaker 7

17:27 - 17:30

Maybe you can explain the majority leader.

Speaker 2

17:30 - 17:34

It's just going for a roll call vote, which I have no objection to it.

Speaker 0

17:34 - 17:41

Alright. Any further discussion? Hearing none, madam clerk, please call the roll.

Speaker 1

17:44 - 17:54

The vote will be open, and I will also call the roll. Thank you. Council president Miller. Aye. Deputy majority Whip Anderbois.

Speaker 1

17:54 - 18:00

Aye. Councilor Davidson. Aye. Majority leader Espinal. Aye.

Speaker 1

18:00 - 18:08

Senior deputy majority leader Gonsalves. Aye. Councilwoman Graves. Deputy Majority Leader Harris? Aye.

Speaker 1

18:08 - 18:16

Councilwoman Peterson? Aye. Council president Pro Tempur Pichardo? Aye. Councilor Royas?

Speaker 1

18:16 - 18:24

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

Speaker 1

18:24 - 18:30

Aye. Councilwoman Anna Vargas? Aye. Councilman Oscar Vargas? Aye.

Speaker 1

18:33 - 18:42

Councilman Bart thank you. The vote is closed. You have 14 ayes, one nay. The motion carries, and the