by Council Staff | Nov 6, 2025 | Add Council Logo
Today, November 6 at 6PM, Providence City Council will convene for a full meeting in the Council Chamber on the third floor of City Hall. Press and the public are invited to attend.
Councilors will consider second and final passage of amendments to the immigration section of the Community Police Relations Act (CPRA), which prioritize the safety of Providence residents and further prohibit voluntary collaboration between Providence Police and federal immigration authorities. Read the full draft of the proposed changes here.
After being voted out of the Committee on Ordinances with a recommendation to pass on Monday, councilors will vote for the first time on proposed updates to the city’s entertainment regulations to expand opportunities for local artists, businesses, and neighborhoods. The updates ensure the law fairly reflects the current needs and realities of Providence’s vibrant entertainment landscape for the shared benefit of businesses, residents, and the city. The amendments were described in a press release on Monday, which can be found here.
In response to environmental and noise concerns, councilors will also consider second passage of an ordinance, introduced by Councilor Sue AnderBois (Ward 3), banning the use of gas-powered leaf blowers in Providence. City departments would eliminate their usage by 2028, with a total ban within city limits by 2033.
Immediately after the council meeting, President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo will host a Veterans’ Day event featuring a speaking program and local resources available to veterans.
Other notable items being introduced on Thursday include:
- An ordinance introduced by President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo (Ward 9) mandating that property owners be alerted when deeds are altered in light of scams seen nationally.
- An ordinance amendment, introduced by Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5), that updates design standards for new developments guided by the Comprehensive Plan and input from an ad hoc design review committee.
- A resolution introduced by Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11) honoring community leader Eugenio Fernandez for his service to healthcare in Providence.
- A resolution introduced by Councilman Oscar Vargas (Ward 15) requesting improved access to overnight parking passes.
- A resolution introduced by Councilwoman Shelley Peterson (Ward 14) requesting a review of curb cuts for city-created accessible street parking.
by Council Staff | Nov 5, 2025 | Add Council Logo
Last night, the Providence City Council Committee on Finance voted to advance the City’s lease of the WaterFire Arts Center back to WaterFire Providence. This follows council approval of the $3.75 million purchase of the building. The conditional deal requires WaterFire to produce eight full lightings and five partial lightings annually (a three-lighting increase over this year’s schedule), with the Arts Center maintained at WaterFire’s expense and the City retaining the right to reclaim the property if necessary. The purchase is intended to provide an immediate infusion of capital to stabilize the organization (which, by design, remains free to the public and cannot rely on admissions revenue), while protecting a cultural asset from the market pressures of a changing landscape for nonprofit and arts organizations.
“This vote is about protecting the heartbeat of Providence, a cultural event that has become synonymous with the city itself,” said Chairwoman Jo-Ann Ryan. “WaterFire is more than a world-renowned art installation, it’s an engine of economic activity, drawing in about $162 million of economic stimulus to Rhode Island annually. This agreement is a smart, forward-looking decision that will pay dividends for Providence residents, businesses, and visitors for years to come.”
WaterFire draws roughly a million visitors a year, generating significant downtown foot traffic that supports restaurants, hotels, and small businesses. Beyond the lightings themselves, the organization hosts workforce and artist programs such as ArtLab@WaterFire, houses local groups like the Wilbury Theatre Group, and provides a marketplace for countless local vendors. Under the new leadership of Mark Allan and a reconstructed board, the organization is in a strong position to chart a sustainable path forward with the right support from the City of Providence.
The Committee also voted to advance an ordinance supporting the Mile of History project by authorizing financing to restore sidewalks along and adjacent to Benefit Street, known as one of Providence’s most historic corridors. Studies have found that nearly 40% of the street is considered difficult to traverse, with over 300 feet of sidewalks impassable.
“This project preserves Benefit Street’s historic character while making it safe, inviting, and accessible to everyone,” said Chairwoman Jo-Ann Ryan. “It will repair cracked sidewalks and missing bricks, restore historic tree wells, and add ADA accommodations on a stretch of road that attracts 300,000 tourists every year. It’s an important, underinvested-in part of our economy, supporting our museums, shops, restaurants, and more. The committee’s vote shows our commitment to fiscal responsibility, preservation, and accessibility, and I hope the full council will follow suit.”
The project would be financed through a loan from the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank’s municipal road and bridge revolving fund, which was first pursued by a local community group, the Mile of History Association. The program provides a discount on loan interest equivalent to 1/3 of the municipal borrowing rate, allowing the City to finance the repairs on more favorable terms than comparable sidewalk projects. This would save the City an estimated $1.94 million in debt service over the twenty-year term of the obligation compared to financing the project through the Capital Improvement Plan, which preserves assets for other essential community projects.
Both matters now move to the full council, where they will be heard with the committee’s recommendation to approve at the regular council meeting on November 20.
by Council Staff | Nov 4, 2025 | Add Council Logo
Tonight, the Providence City Council Committee on Ordinances approved proposed updates to the city’s entertainment regulations to expand opportunities for local businesses, artists, and neighborhoods to thrive. The updates ensure the law reflects the current needs and realities of Providence’s vibrant entertainment landscape so that businesses, residents, and the city have transparent and fair rules to follow. The amendments were advanced to the full city council with a recommendation to pass.
Informed by extensive engagement with stakeholders over a year and a half, the amendments clarify and expand the definition of incidental entertainment, improve regulation of entertainment activities and events, and continue to require compliance with the city’s noise ordinance.
“Providence’s food, beverage, music, and hospitality landscapes have evolved, but the rules have not kept pace, creating confusion for business owners and frustrations for residents,” said Council President Rachel Miller, “Taken together, these changes add structure and predictability for everyone and provide a balanced solution that supports local artists and establishments while maintaining calm and quiet at a reasonable hour for our neighborhoods. We are the Creative Capital – our nightlife should have a chance to flourish, to support musicians, create more access to live music, and opportunities to connect with one another in our neighborhoods throughout the city, while respecting residents living alongside commercial corridors.”
The amendments expand what’s allowed under the category of “incidental entertainment,” which is meant to account for entertainment that isn’t the main event (e.g. no tickets are sold). This could be a jazz brunch, or a small band playing mood-setting music meant to accompany dinner or a glass of wine. The amendments lift the restrictions on dancing or having multiple band members and allow for instruments to be plugged into speakers. Through these updates, establishments that incorporate music as part of the ambiance will be brought into compliance.
The amendments also introduce more straightforward regulations and management mechanisms. Indoor music has a firm end time of 9 PM on weeknights and 11 PM on weekends while outdoor music must cease by 9 PM on any night. Another proposed amendment addresses temporary entertainment events. Events like these will now require a temporary entertainment license from the Board of Licenses, rather than a temporary use permit from the Department of Inspections and Standards. Temporary entertainment licenses will be issued a maximum of nine times per year per license holder.
The city’s noise ordinance will be in full effect for these and all occasions. Music heard beyond the walls of the establishment or at excessive levels (10 decibels above ambient noise and/or outside of 200 feet from the source) is out of compliance with the noise ordinance and should face enforcement action.
by Council Staff | Oct 28, 2025 | Add Council Logo
As the demolition of Gilbert Stuart Middle School continues, Council President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo issued the following statement:
In recent months, I have maintained active oversight of the Gilbert Stuart School demolition and reconstruction project, focusing on environmental safety, air quality, and public transparency. I’ve been particularly concerned about dust exposure and limited communication of environmental testing data, which is why I formally requested that Mayor Smiley’s Administration provide detailed documentation of environmental controls, soil testing, and compliance with state environmental standards on August 20. On September 4, I introduced a City Council resolution calling for a temporary pause in demolition until full environmental documentation and monitoring data were made available to the community. I then convened a HOPE Committee meeting on September 17, bringing in Mayor Smiley’s Administration and PPSD officials, to discuss the project’s environmental protocols and documentation. The Administration has since provided formal documentation related to demolition and abatement, including the asbestos plan, demolition schedule, and haul route communications. However there has been limited documentation of air quality and soil testing, despite repeated requests for many weeks.
While environmental teams have implemented dust suppression measures, the recent breakdown of the pump feeding the primary misting nozzles—a key dust-control device—exposes an unacceptable risk to public health. I visited the site this week and saw firsthand inadequate usage of water hoses. I learned that the work was continuing despite the breakdown of the water misting pump. The reliance on a single vulnerable system is insufficient. I remain concerned about the inadequacy of real-time communication and accountability mechanisms. I am calling on the Administration to immediately share air- and soil-quality data publicly, enact stronger verification of environmental monitoring, and establish clear notification protocols if dust or particulate levels exceed safe thresholds. I want to be clear that only official environmental reports and not informal verbal or email updates should serve as the basis for assuring the public that conditions are safe. We need to go above and beyond basic safety protocols to protect our community, ensuring that the operational convenience of the contractor does not supersede the health and safety of the neighborhood.
The community expects and deserves constant vigilance, which is why my focus remains on ensuring consistent environmental oversight as demolition proceeds. Before continuing any further with the demolition, the Administration needs to give the community meaningful assurances that their environmental concerns are being taken seriously and addressed. Through continued City Council and School Building Committee review, as well as interagency coordination, I’m seeking to guarantee that the City’s construction and environmental management practices protect residents, schoolchildren, and workers—establishing a clear precedent for environmental diligence across all future school projects.
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El Presidente Pro Tempore del Concejo Muncipal Juan M. Pichardo Publica una Declaración Sobre Gilbert Stuart
Mientras continúa la demolición de la escuela secundaria Gilbert Stuart, el Presidente Pro Tempore del Concejo Municipal Juan M. Pichardo publicó la siguiente declaración:
En los últimos meses, he supervisado cercanamente el proyecto de demolición y reconstrucción de la Escuela Gilbert Stuart, enfocado en la seguridad ambiental, la calidad del aire y la transparencia pública. Me ha preocupado especialmente la exposición al polvo y la limitada comunicación de los datos de las pruebas ambientales, por lo que el 20 de agosto solicité formalmente a la Administración del Alcalde Smiley que proporcionara documentación detallada sobre los controles ambientales, las pruebas de suelo y el cumplimiento de las normas ambientales estatales. El 4 de septiembre, presenté una resolución del Concejo Municipal solicitando una pausa temporal en la demolición hasta que la documentación ambiental completa y los datos de monitoreo estuvieran disponibles para la comunidad. Después alojé una reunión del Comité HOPE el 17 de septiembre, con la participación de la Administración del Alcalde Smiley y funcionarios del PPSD, para discutir los protocolos y la documentación ambiental del proyecto. Desde entonces, la Administración ha proporcionado documentación formal relacionada con la demolición y la eliminación de asbesto, incluyendo el plan de demolición, el cronograma de demolición y las comunicaciones sobre las rutas de transporte. Sin embargo, la documentación sobre la calidad del aire y las pruebas de suelo ha sido limitada, a pesar de las reiteradas solicitudes durante varias semanas.
Mientras los equipos ambientales han implementado medidas de supresión de polvo, la reciente avería de la bomba que alimenta las boquillas de nebulización primarias (un dispositivo clave para el control del polvo) expone un riesgo inaceptable para la salud pública. Visité el sitio esta semana y presencié de primera mano el uso inadecuado de las mangueras de agua. Me enteré de que el trabajo continuaba a pesar de la avería de la bomba de nebulización. Depender de un solo sistema vulnerable es insuficiente. Sigo preocupado por la insuficiencia de los mecanismos de comunicación y rendición de cuentas en tiempo real. Exhorto a la Administración a compartir de inmediato los datos sobre la calidad del aire y el suelo, a implementar una verificación más rigurosa del monitoreo ambiental y a establecer protocolos de notificación claros si los niveles de polvo o partículas superan los límites de seguridad. Quiero dejar claro que solo los informes ambientales oficiales, y no las actualizaciones informales verbales o por correo electrónico, deben servir como base para garantizar al público que las condiciones son seguras. Necesitamos ir más allá de los protocolos básicos de seguridad para proteger a nuestra comunidad, garantizando que la conveniencia operativa del contratista no prevalezca sobre la salud y la seguridad del vecindario.
La comunidad espera y merece una vigilancia constante, por lo que mi enfoque sigue siendo asegurar una supervisión ambiental constante durante la demolición. Antes de continuar con la demolición, la Administración debe brindar a la comunidad garantías significativas de que sus preocupaciones ambientales se toman en serio y se atienden. Mediante la revisión continua del Concejo Municipal y el Comité de Construcción Escolar, así como la coordinación interinstitucional, busco garantizar que las prácticas de construcción y gestión ambiental de la Ciudad protejan a los residentes, los estudiantes y los trabajadores, sentando un precedente claro de diligencia ambiental en todos los proyectos escolares futuros.
by Council Staff | Oct 16, 2025 | Add Council Logo
At tonight’s meeting of the Providence City Council, councilors granted first passage unanimously with a vote of 13-0-0 to proposed changes to the immigration sections of the Community-Police Relations Act. The changes aim to better protect Providence residents by allowing the law to function as intended and strengthening accountability measures. The amendments now require one more passage through the full council, with a vote scheduled for November 6. The council also passed a resolution and made a significant announcement relative to virtual court hearings.
“In Providence, we take pride in being a welcoming city where every neighbor deserves to feel safe,” said Councilor Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6), the prime sponsor of the amendments. “Across the country, we’ve seen federal immigration agents bring chaos and trauma into local communities. These amendments make clear that here in Providence, our police will not be part of that harm. Our immigrant neighbors are the backbone of this city, and they deserve safety, dignity, and accountability.”
On Monday, October 6, the City Council’s Committee on Ordinances recommended the CPRA amendments. Following that meeting, the Council office communicated the changes as follows, in five major categories:
Expanding types of prohibited contact between PPD and federal immigration authorities, including ICE
By broadening the legal definition of federal immigration enforcement agencies to include any federal entity tasked with carrying out such activities, the prohibition on cooperation by PPD will include agencies not normally tasked with immigration who have recently been deputized by the Trump administration in order to expand capacity and meet their stated goal of 3,000 arrests per day. The list of prohibited activities will be expanded to include identification verification and translation services, further limiting interactions between municipal and federal law enforcement that could be exploited to harm Providence residents.
The changes would prohibit the Police Department from exercising authority under 287(g) or 103(a)(10) of the Immigration and National Act, which allows municipal law enforcement agencies to be formally deputized and authorized to conduct federal immigration enforcement.
Clarifying prohibited collaboration with federal authorities without a signed judicial warrant
Under the proposed changes, Providence Police will continue to comply with all federally required and lawfully directed actions, as they always have – as long as those directives are accompanied by a valid, signed, criminal judicial warrant. The proposed CPRA changes prohibit police involvement based on civil immigration warrants, an intimidation tool used by federal immigration authorities that carries no legal requirement for compliance by local law enforcement. The amended ordinance clearly lists what exactly is prohibited, including but not limited to:
- Providing information to ICE about arrestees that is not available to the public
- Using any city money, personnel, or resources to assist in the investigation, interrogation, detention, detection, or arrest of anyone for immigration enforcement
- Establishing traffic perimeters or otherwise controlling public areas to assist immigration enforcement
The amendments also allow for student IDs or any other valid photo IDs to be used as acceptable forms of identification.
Establishing protected spaces within the city
The changes expand the CPRA’s definition of “schools” to include charter schools, city-run preschool and early-learning programs, and daycare and after-school facilities. The ordinance then requires those schools, as well as the courts and non-public parts of the public department, to deny access to their premises if immigration enforcement requests entry without presenting a valid judicial warrant. Defining these protected spaces allows families, and especially youth, to have more confidence about their safety while at school or accessing city services. Providence Police, courthouses, prisons, and jails would also be required to designate a person who can independently verify judicial warrants that are presented by federal authorities.
Limiting collection and disclosure of sensitive personal data
To meet their presidentially directed quotas of resident arrests, federal immigration authorities have been demanding more frequent and more specific private personal data from municipal law enforcement. To limit the harm disclosing this data would cause to Providence communities, the proposed changes would prohibit Providence police from collecting demographic data, such as race or ethnicity, via city-operated surveillance technologies such as Flock cameras and services such as the Real Time Crime Center. They would then require that all current and future partner agencies accessing city-owned data agree via formal written agreement to all of the restrictions set forth in the ordinance, including not sharing any data with federal immigration enforcement absent a judicial warrant.
Allowing organizations to hold the city accountable by suing after alleged violations
The proposed changes establish organizational standing in the private right of action. This would allow certain types of non-government organizations, such as civil rights, human rights, and youth organizations, to file civil action against the city, the department, or an officer if they allege CPRA violations by Providence Police. By intentionally broadening the city’s accountability in cases of alleged violation, councilors are sending a clear message that every Providence resident deserves to have their rights protected – and that violations must be accompanied by consequences.
Read the full draft of the proposed changes here.
At the October 6 committee meeting, community members repeatedly requested accommodations for remote court hearings, reflecting concerns in a widely circulated change.org petition. Responding to these concerns, councilors unanimously approved a resolution introduced by Council President Rachel Miller calling on state courts to provide these accommodations. This follows reports of increased ICE presence and detentions in and around state and federal courthouses. Along with the non-binding resolution, the Council President announced that the Providence Municipal Court and Probate Court, which fall under the oversight of the city council, will offer the same accommodation for virtual hearings by request beginning November 1.
“Residents must be able to attend court appointments without fear,” said Council President Rachel Miller. “Providence will lead by example—offering accommodations for remote hearings beginning November 1st at municipal court and probate court so that court remains accessible and safe. I urge our state partners to do the same, especially at the Garrahy Judicial Complex.”
Other notable items from tonight’s agenda include:
- Introduction of a resolution authorizing Mayor Smiley to enter into a lease with WaterFire Providence for the WaterFire Arts Center at 475 Valley Street. The resolution was referred to the Finance Committee.
- Unanimous passage of a resolution introduced by Council President Rachel Miller celebrating Italian Heritage Month.
- Unanimous passage of a resolution introduced by President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo (Ward 9) honoring the Indigenous peoples of Providence and Rhode Island.
