Providence City Council Meeting | September 17th 2026

Held Thursday, September 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM · City Council Chamber, Third Floor City Hall, 25 Dorrance Street, Providence, RI, 02903 · Official notice

Call to Order and Roll Call

01:30 - 09:16

The Council President called the meeting to order and requested the clerk to establish a quorum. The clerk conducted the roll call, recording 14 members present and one absent.

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

09:16 - 10:57

The Council President led the invocation encouraging gratitude, resilience, and dedicated service across city neighborhoods. Council members and guests then rose to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Item 3

10:57 - 11:16

The Majority Leader moved to waive the reading and approve Item 3. The motion received a second and passed unanimously by voice vote.

Items 4 and 5

11:16 - 11:42

The council considered a motion to waive the reading of Items 4 and 5. With no opposition, the motion carried and the items were marked as received.

Items 6 through 8

11:42 - 12:10

The Majority Leader introduced a motion to waive the reading of Items 6 through 8. Following approval, the council president directed the clerk to refer these items to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Items 9 through 11 (Elmhurst Youth Baseball Recognition)

12:10 - 18:57

Councilwoman Peterson presented a congratulatory resolution honoring the Elmhurst Youth Baseball U-12 team for winning the Mayor's Cup. Following individual recognition of players and coaches and a brief photo recess, Items 9 through 11 were adopted.

Item 12

18:57 - 20:11

Council members discussed a resolution regarding street direction and parking concerns in the neighborhood. The motion was passed and Item 12 was referred to the Committee on Public Works.

Item 13 (Union Avenue Safety Improvements)

20:11 - 21:59

Councilman Vargas presented a resolution securing $500,000 in state DOT funding for traffic safety improvements at Union Avenue. After discussion highlighting neighborhood safety, the resolution passed by voice vote.

Item 14

21:59 - 22:59

The council took up Item 14 under a motion to waive the reading and vote by roll call. The clerk conducted the roll call, and the item passed unanimously with 14 votes.

Items 15 through 30

22:59 - 23:28

A motion was passed to waive the reading of Items 15 through 30 collectively. Items 15 through 17 were referred to Claims and Pending Suits, while Items 18 through 30 were noted as received.

Item 31 and Personal Expressions

23:28 - 25:38

Item 31 was adopted on a voice vote after a motion to waive the reading. President Pro Tempore Pichardo then shared remarks celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, 9/11 remembrance, and the upcoming PVD Fest.

Item 32

25:38 - 26:01

The Majority Leader moved to waive the reading of Item 32 and approve it on a unanimous rising vote. The motion was seconded and approved without opposition.

Suspension of Rule 16(b)

26:01 - 26:21

The Majority Leader moved to suspend Rule 16(b) in order to introduce business not on the printed docket. The council voted in favor of the rule suspension.

Items 33 and 34

26:21 - 26:46

The council voted to waive the reading of emergency docket Items 33 and 34. Item 33 was referred to the Committee on IRF, and Item 34 was referred to the Special Committee on Ways and Means.

Memorial Recognitions and Adjournment

26:46 - 27:42

Memorial tributes and condolences were offered for Lorenzo Nunez, Frankie Branch, and Luis Manuel Sarante. Following the memorial dedications, a motion to adjourn was approved.

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01:30 - 01:31

Check one two.

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08:24 - 08:33

Good evening, and welcome to the city council meeting on Thursday, 09/17/2026. Madam clerk, please call the roll.

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08:33 - 08:39

Council president Miller? Present. Deputy majority Wip Vanderblois? Present. Councilor Davidson?

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08:39 - 08:42

Present. Majority Leader Espinal?

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08:42 - 08:43

Present.

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08:43 - 08:45

Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonsalves?

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08:45 - 08:46

Present.

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08:46 - 08:50

Councilwoman Graves? Present. Deputy Majority Leader Harris?

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08:50 - 08:51

Present.

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08:52 - 08:58

Councilwoman Peterson? Present. President Pro Tempur Pichardo?

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08:58 - 08:59

Present.

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08:59 - 09:06

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

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09:07 - 09:13

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

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09:13 - 09:14

Present.

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09:14 - 09:16

You have 14 present, one absent. You have

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09:16 - 10:01

a quorum. Thank you, madam clerk. And will everyone please rise for the invocation tonight, even our guests. Counselors, as we reconvene this fall, let's ask for the strength and the resilience to find the absolute joy in the daily work that we do. The joy that allows us to be present with the people that we work with and for when we're working on behalf of large issues, when we're working on behalf of issues here in the council with special guests, and when we're working on neighborhood issues.

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10:02 - 10:37

The ability to recognize that we have people across the city who dedicate so much heart to so many good things that we care about, and the power to recognize that together we can accomplish so much good for the people of Providence, for our families, for ourselves, and that we have so much to offer when we are able to recognize with gratitude our power in this moment. Thank you. And tonight, pledge of allegiance will be led by councilor Sue Andewat.

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10:38 - 10:40

I pledge allegiance to the flag.

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10:40 - 10:51

United States Of America and to the republic for which you stand. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

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10:57 - 10:59

Madam Clerk, item three, please.

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10:59 - 11:05

Madam President. Majority Leader. Motion to weigh the reader of item three and move approval. Second, madam president.

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11:05 - 11:11

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on item three? Hearing none. All in favor? Aye.

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11:12 - 11:17

Any opposed? Any abstentions? The motion passes. Item four. Madam President.

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11:17 - 11:18

Majority Leader.

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11:18 - 11:22

Motion to weigh the reader of item four and five. Second, madam president.

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11:22 - 11:32

Any discussions on items four or five? Hearing none, all in favor. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions?

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11:33 - 11:42

The motion passes. Madam Clerk, please note item four and five as received. So noted. Item six.

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11:42 - 11:42

Madam President.

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11:42 - 11:43

Majority Leader.

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11:43 - 11:47

Motion to waive the reader, item six through eight. Second, madam president.

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11:47 - 11:53

Any discussion on item six through eight? All in favor?

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11:53 - 11:54

Aye. Any

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11:54 - 12:10

opposed? Any abstentions? The motion passes. Madam Clerk, please refer items six through eight to the committee on ways and means. So noted.

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12:10 - 12:10

Item nine.

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12:11 - 12:12

Madam President.

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12:12 - 12:12

Majority review.

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12:12 - 12:16

Motion to waive the written of item nine through 11 and pass on a voice vote.

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12:16 - 12:17

Second Madam President.

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12:17 - 12:22

We have a motion and a second. Discussion on items nine through 11. Councilwoman Peterson.

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12:22 - 12:27

Okay. My turn. Thank you. So sorry. It's I'm not used to being back.

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12:28 - 12:50

Just kidding. Thank you, madam president. Good evening, everybody. I am here speaking on behalf of item number nine, which is a resolution celebrating the Elmhurst Youth Baseball twelve u championship or them winning the Mayor's Cup. I would love if the city clerk could read the resolution into the record, please.

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12:52 - 14:16

Whereas the Elmhurst youth u twelve baseball team is part of Elmhurst youth baseball established in 1966 as the center of youth baseball in the neighborhood of Elmhurst, and whereas Elmhurst youth baseball is a proud tradition throughout the neighborhoods of Providence and emblematic of the storied history of the national pastime in the city. And whereas the Mayor's Cup is an annual championship tournament including teams across the city. And whereas on September 6, and having been undefeated throughout the tournament, Elmhurst defeated Washington Park to win the Mayors Cup final, securing the championship after a successful season. And whereas, the Providence City Council wishes to congratulate the players, coaches, and parents on the occasion of said championship, and to commend the skill, dedication, discipline, and teamwork of the youth of the city. Now therefore be it resolved that the Providence City Council offers its congratulations to Tegan Robinson, Leo Uchi, Raylan Parra, Grayson Romano, Dominic Bianco, Amasia Evans, Jordan Vieira, Asher Duncan, John Ramirez, Luca Polo, and Armani Jimenez on their victory in the Mayor's Cup.

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14:17 - 14:44

Be it further resolved that the Providence City Council offers its congratulations to Matt Duncan, Kelly Robinson, Kyle Robinson, and James Musgrave on their coaching of the Elmhurst Youth Baseball U-twelve team to that victory. Be it further resolved that upon passage, copies of this resolution be transmitted to the above named players and coaches and to the Elmhurst Youth Baseball in recognition of the achievements of the team.

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14:46 - 15:10

Thank you very, very much. So thank you. It's an honor to recognize the Elmhurst Youth Youth Youth Youth Champions of the Mayor's Cup. As someone who has been a part of the Elmhurst Youth Baseball family, Both of my children participated and my husband coached for many years. I don't know if he's still coaching, keep going if you did.

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15:10 - 15:55

I know firsthand that youth baseball is about so much more than what happens on the field. It's about teamwork and discipline and the friendships that they're making and the confidence in the community of the families coming together to support all these kids. So tonight I do wanna recognize each of them. I am going to repeat their names but what I would like is for everybody to please stand up so that we can, when we're done we can give you a round of applause. Let's see, Tegan Robinson, Leo Uchi, Raylan Parra, Grayson Romano, Dominic Bianco, Amasia Evans, Jordan Viera, Asher Duncan, John Ramirez, Luca Polo, and Armani Jimenez.

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15:56 - 16:18

Also, I'd also like to ask the coaches to please stand up as well because I know how much time and dedication you give to this. I've watched you on those fields many a year. So Matt Duncan, Kelly, Robinson, and Kyle, and of course, the Elmhurst youth baseball president and coach James Musgraves, please stand up. Thank you for all of your service. Thank you for all your hard work, kids.

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16:18 - 16:47

We're all really, really proud of you and we're gonna share with this this round of applause with you. Thank you. We have these beautiful citations here that I'm going to give to your coaches to give to you, but if we could just take may I ask for just a quick recess so we could take a picture? Would that be okay? Sure.

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16:47 - 16:53

Yes. So if everybody could just come and take a picture real real real real fast. I appreciate it.

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16:58 - 16:59

Energy for the kids.

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18:34 - 18:50

Congratulations again. Thank you, Councilwoman Peterson. Further discussion on items nine through eleven? Wait till everyone gets back to their seats, actually. Okay.