Providence City Council Meeting |May 21st, 2026

May 21, 2026

Official record

From the minutes filed with the RI Secretary of State on June 05, 2026.

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Attendance

12 present · 3 absent

Present

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

Absent

Council President Miller
Councilor AnderBois
Councilman Goncalves

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

Recorded votes (25)

Journal of Proceedings No. 11 of the Regular Meeting of the City Council held May 7, 2026

APPROVED (WITH VOTE) [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (12)

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

Communications from Council President Rachel M. Miller appointing Jill S. Davidson and Marta V. Martinez

RECEIVED

Ordinances amending Chapter 5 "Buildings and Structural Appurtenances" and Chapter 27 "Zoning Ordinance"

READ/PASSED SECOND TIME [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (12)

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

READ/PASSED SECOND TIME [11 TO 0]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (11)

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

Recused (1)

Councilor Davidson

An Ordinance in Amendment of Chapter 8, "Courts," Article I "In General" Section 8-2

READ/PASSED SECOND TIME [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (12)

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 14 of The Providence Code of Ordinances

READ/PASSED1X/REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 16 "Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions" of The Code of Ordinances

REFERRED

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

Resolutions honoring Janice O'Donnell and endorsing House Bills 2026 H-7122 and 2026 H-8484

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (12)

Resolution Supporting the Development of a Citywide Racial Equity Plan, Housing Equity Framework and Anti-Displacement Strategy

REFERRED

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

Resolution Transferring 64 Garfield Avenue to The Providence Redevelopment Agency

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on City Property

Resolution authorizing an easement in, under, through, over, across, and upon City-owned land at 60 Camden Avenue

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (12)

Resolution Transferring 127 Sunbury Street to The Providence Redevelopment Agency

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on City Property

Resolution Endorsing and Urging Passage by the General Assembly of House Bill 2026 H-7997 and Senate Bill 2026 S-2507

REFERRED

Referred to Special Committee on State Legislative Affairs

Resolution Honoring and Recognizing the Heritage and Persistence of the Seaconke Wampanoag

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (12)

Resolution Honoring William Rose and Ceremonially Renaming Burnett Street to William Rose Way

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Urban Redevelopment, Renewal and Planning (URRP)

Resolution Honoring National Military Appreciation Month 2026

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (12)

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

REFERRED

Referred to Special Committee on Ways and Means

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 18½, "Police," Section 2, "Providence External Review Authority (PERA)"

READ/PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME [6 TO 1]

Moved by Councilor Roias · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (6)

Acting Council President Pichardo , Councilor Davidson , Councilwoman Harris , Councilwoman Peterson , Councilor Roias , Councilor Sanchez

Nay (1)

Councilwoman Ryan

Abstain (4)

Councilman Espinal , Councilwoman Graves , Councilwoman Vargas , Councilman Vargas

An Ordinance in Amendment of Chapter 27 of the Code of Ordinances, "The City of Providence Zoning Ordinance"

READ/PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME [9 TO 1]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (9)

Acting Council President Pichardo , Councilor Davidson , Councilman Espinal , Councilwoman Graves , Councilwoman Harris , Councilwoman Peterson , Councilor Sanchez , Councilwoman Vargas , Councilman Vargas

Nay (1)

Councilor Roias

Resolutions Requesting Improved Access to Overnight Parking Passes and Authorizing Construction Agreements with RIDOT

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (10)

Acting Council President Pichardo , Councilor Davidson , Councilman Espinal , Councilwoman Graves , Councilwoman Harris , Councilwoman Peterson , Councilor Roias , Councilor Sanchez , Councilwoman Vargas , Councilman Vargas

Communication from Gringle LLC submitting Raze Building Permit RAZE-26-25 for 77 Ford Street

RECEIVED

Petitions from 888 Eddy, LLC and 908 Eddy, LLC, and Destiny Partners, LLC, requesting to abandon portions of streets

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Public Works

Petitions for Compensation for Injuries and Damages

REFERRED

Referred to Committee on Claims and Pending Suits

Communications from Councilor Sue R. AnderBois and Shannah Mary Kurland submitting resignations

RECEIVED

Resolution Extending Congratulations

PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

Moved by Councilman Espinal · Seconded by Councilwoman Harris

Aye (10)

Juan M. Pichardo

18:53 - 19:00

Welcome, everyone. Madam Clerk, please call the roll call.

Tina L. Mastroianni

19:00 - 19:11

Council President Miller is absent. Acting council president Pichardo? Present. Deputy majority with Anderwa is absent. Councilor Davidson?

Tina L. Mastroianni

19:13 - 19:14

Majority leader Espinal?

Pedro Espinal

19:14 - 19:15

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

19:15 - 19:25

Senior deputy majority leader themselves is absent. Councilwoman Graves? Deputy majority leader Harris? Present. Councilwoman Peterson?

Tina L. Mastroianni

19:25 - 19:31

Present. Councilor Royas? Present. Councilwoman Ryan? Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

19:31 - 19:32

Majority Webb Sanchez?

Juan M. Pichardo

19:32 - 19:33

Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

19:33 - 19:41

Councilman Taylor? Councilwoman Anna Vargas? Present. Councilman Oscar Vargas? Present.

Tina L. Mastroianni

19:41 - 19:45

You have 12 present and three absent. You have a quorum.

Juan M. Pichardo

19:45 - 19:51

Thank you, madam clerk. This evening, the invocation will be given by counselor Justin Royals.

Justin Roias

19:51 - 20:24

Thank you, mister president. Tonight, before we begin the people's business, I invite my colleagues here in the community according to your own tradition, spirit, or way of making meaning in this world to join in prayer, meditation, reflection, simply a moment of silence. I offer I offer this prayer in the name of Jesus who taught us that whatever we do for the least among us, we do for him. Jesus proclaimed good news to the poor. And so in that spirit, let us, be guided in this chamber tonight.

Justin Roias

20:24 - 21:07

So let us pray. God of the weary tenant, god of the bus stop and the night shift, god of the triple deckers, the bodegas, and candles burning in kitchen windows, god who walks Broad Street and Charles Street alike, be with us tonight because the rent keeps rising like a tide that never retreats, and too many people in this city are standing ankle deep in uncertainty, wondering how much longer they can hold on to home. And last week, when many prayed for relief relief, that prayer met a VO. But, god, you have never confused legality with justice. There was a law for pharaoh too, and there was a law for the money changers too.

Justin Roias

21:07 - 21:50

There were officials and signatures and procedures when they nailed Jesus to the cross. So save us tonight from the temptation to mistake power for righteousness and disturb every politic that protects property more fiercely than people. Disturb every comfortable lie that tells working families displacement is just the price of progress. In the name of Jesus, homeless messiah, table turner, enemy of indifference, Give us the courage to build a province where the lights stay on, where the doors stay open, and where the people who carry the city on their backs are not sacrificed to the altar of prophet. In Jesus' name, amen.

Juan M. Pichardo

21:55 - 22:00

The pledge of allegiance to the flag of The United States Of America will be led by councilwoman Joanne Ryan.

Jo-Ann Ryan

22:02 - 22:15

I pledge allegiance 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

Oscar Vargas

22:15 - 22:15

for all.

Juan M. Pichardo

22:17 - 22:21

Thank you. Item number three.

Tina L. Mastroianni

22:21 - 22:27

Item number three is election of one member to the Providence External Review Authority.

Juan M. Pichardo

22:27 - 22:30

Are there any nominations? Mister president,

Pedro Espinal

22:31 - 22:37

I nominate Rebecca Buchi for as member of Providence's Internal Review Authority.

Althea Graves

22:37 - 22:38

Second, mister president.

Juan M. Pichardo

22:39 - 22:49

There is a second. Any discussion? Are there any numb any further nominations? Are there any further nominations? Are there any further nominations?

Juan M. Pichardo

22:51 - 22:54

There being none, madam clerk, open the vote

Tina L. Mastroianni

22:54 - 23:03

and call the roll. The vote is open. Council President Miller is absent. Acting Council President Picciardo.

Juan M. Pichardo

23:04 - 23:06

Present. Yes.

Tina L. Mastroianni

23:07 - 23:19

Deputy Majority Whip Anderbois is absent. Councilor Davidson. Majority Leader Espinal. Aye. Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonsalves is absent.

Tina L. Mastroianni

23:19 - 23:31

Councilwoman Graves. Deputy Majority Leader Harris. Councilwoman Peterson. Aye. Councilor Royas.

Pedro Espinal

23:31 - 23:33

Proud aye.

Tina L. Mastroianni

23:33 - 23:44

Councilwoman Ryan. Majority with Sanchez. Aye. Councilman Taylor. Councilwoman Anna Vargas.

Tina L. Mastroianni

23:44 - 23:56

Aye. Councilman Oscar Vargas. Aye. Councilman Vargas, can you put your electronic vote in? Aye.

Tina L. Mastroianni

23:56 - 24:10

Your electronic vote. Thank you. That is 12 eyes and three absent.

Juan M. Pichardo

24:16 - 24:24

Thank you, madam clerk. Madam clerk, please cast one ballot for Rebecca Bucci as a member of the Providence External Review Authority.

Tina L. Mastroianni

24:24 - 24:25

So noted. Thank you.

Juan M. Pichardo

24:29 - 24:30

Item number four.

Pedro Espinal

24:30 - 24:34

Mister president, I want you to waive the of item four and move approval.

Althea Graves

24:34 - 24:36

Second, mister president.

Juan M. Pichardo

24:36 - 24:42

There is a second. Madam clerk, open the vote.

Tina L. Mastroianni

24:45 - 24:46

The boat is open.

Tina L. Mastroianni

24:59 - 25:00

Councilwoman Ryan.

Juan M. Pichardo

25:03 - 25:04

And the

Tina L. Mastroianni

25:04 - 25:09

vote is closed. That is 12 ayes and three absent. The motion carries, and the minutes are approved.

Pedro Espinal

25:10 - 25:17

Thank you. Item number five. Mister president, motion to waive the reader of item five and six.

Althea Graves

25:18 - 25:19

Second, mister president.

Juan M. Pichardo

25:20 - 25:34

Thank you. Any, discussion? Seeing none. The motion carries. Please note the items, are received, item five and six.

Juan M. Pichardo

25:34 - 25:37

Item number seven. Mister president,

Pedro Espinal

25:37 - 25:43

motioned waive the reading of item seven through 11 and pass for the second time on a roll call vote.

Althea Graves

25:43 - 25:44

Second.

Juan M. Pichardo

25:44 - 25:52

There is a second. Any discussion? Seeing none, madam clerk, open the vote and call the roll.

Tina L. Mastroianni

25:53 - 26:00

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