by Council Staff | Sep 18, 2025 | Add Council Logo, Althea Graves, Council News, Housing, Jim Taylor, Jo-Ann Ryan, Mary Kay Harris, Press Release, Rachel Miller, Shelley Peterson
At tonight’s meeting of the Providence City Council, councilors formally received the Housing Crisis Task Force 2025 Report, a deeply-researched legislative blueprint for addressing the city’s housing affordability crisis. Also at tonight’s meeting, councilors granted the first of two required passages to an ordinance which would authorize the financing, purchase, and distribution of new residential trash and recycling bins for the entire city.
The Housing Crisis Task Force (HCTF) has worked for the past two years to develop and recommend a wide range of legislative solutions available to the city council to take on the city’s worsening housing challenges from every possible angle: by expanding housing supply, better regulating an out-of-control rental market, strengthening tenant protections, and expanding emergency shelters and homelessness support services.
“The Housing Crisis Task Force, under the leadership of Chairwoman Mary Kay Harris, has shown real courage where others have been unwilling or unable to commit to action,” said City Council President Rachel Miller. “This council will be prioritizing consideration of the recommendations contained in this report – many of which we have already begun to address, with more to come. Our city’s residents, and our renters in particular, have been demanding relief. Now we have our playbook, and we are ready to act.”
Since the beginning of this city council’s term in January 2023, Council President Miller and members of the city council have repeatedly named housing as their highest priority policy area, with a particular emphasis on increasing protections for the city’s renters.
From banning predatory, price-fixing rental algorithms and limiting the bulk purchase of property throughout the city by out-of-state corporate interests, to expanding support for emergency warming centers and investing millions into the affordable housing trust, this city council has led the way with creative and urgently needed solutions. The HCTF report gives councilors the tools they need to continue that leadership in the months ahead.
In a statement following the panel’s vote to finalize the report earlier this week, Chairwoman Harris expressed gratitude for her fellow Task Force members and urged immediate action:
“This report lays out a bold vision for housing in our city, which is exactly what this moment demands. I could not be prouder of my colleagues on the Task Force and our incredible staff who have spent countless hours listening to residents, researching solutions, and determining the best ways for this council to address the overlapping crises of homelessness and housing affordability that we all see and feel each day. The time to act is right now.”
Also at tonight’s meeting, councilors granted first passage to an ordinance introduced by Councilman James Taylor (Ward 8) that, if granted second and final passage, would approve the financing of $5.5 million to purchase new trash and recycling bins across the city. Replacing bins citywide with new, more modern, and larger receptacles will support public health and safety by reducing overflow and minimizing recycling contamination. The new bins will also save personnel hours and resources currently being spent on repair and replacement of the current, aging bins, saving the city money over the longer term and ensuring smoother curbside pick-up across all 15 wards. The idea for this ordinance was first proposed by the Special Commission on Waste Management chaired by Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5).
Other notable items from tonight’s meeting include:
- Introduction of an ordinance by Councilwoman Althea Graves (Ward 12) which would allow councilmembers to more effectively address hazardous trees across the city.
- Unanimous passage of a resolution introduced by Councilwoman Shelley Peterson (Ward 14) congratulating the faculty, staff, students, and families of E-Cubed Academy for placing in the top five high schools statewide for reductions in chronic absenteeism.
- Unanimous passage of a resolution introduced by Councilwoman Peterson recognizing Ward 14 resident Laura Afonso for her contributions to the Providence small business community.
by Council Staff | Sep 9, 2025 | Add Council Logo, Jim Taylor, Jo-Ann Ryan, Miguel Sanchez, Sue AnderBois
Tonight, the Providence City Council Committee on Finance elected Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) as its next chair.
Councilwoman Ryan, a former chair of the committee, was reappointed to the panel last week by Council President Rachel Miller to fill the vacancy resulting from former councilwoman Helen Anthony’s recent resignation.
With tonight’s vote, Chairwoman Ryan was selected by her colleagues to lead the committee responsible for the city’s annual budget.
“The Chair of Finance is a critical position,” said Council President Rachel Miller after the vote. “As seen over the last three years, under Helen Anthony’s outstanding leadership, the process of vetting and balancing a budget for the city requires patience, flexibility, some very long hours and the ability to make difficult decisions. I applaud the committee’s decision to entrust Councilwoman Ryan with this crucial role and am looking forward to working with her and each member of the Finance Committee as we work on behalf of residents of the city over the upcoming year.”
Councilwoman Ryan was first elected in 2014 to represent Ward 5, which includes the neighborhoods of Elmhurst, Mount Pleasant, and the western edge of Manton. Ryan was reelected in 2018 and 2022 and previously served on Finance from 2016 to 2023, including as committee chair from 2021 to 2023. During her first stint as chair, Ryan oversaw passage of several annual city budgets and the allocation of more than $100 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding.
“I’m grateful for the confidence of my fellow committee members and Council leadership as I take on this role,” said Ryan of her return to the chair. “City Council has no greater responsibility than to be effective stewards of taxpayer dollars. I intend to lead this committee with transparency and diligence as we work together to build a city that serves the best interests of all of its residents.”
The Committee on Finance is responsible for overseeing all matters relating to city finances, including appropriations for city boards and commissions, major contracts for necessary supplies and services, as well as the city’s annual budget which is presented each spring by the mayor and must be carefully vetted, amended, and advanced to the full council.
Also serving on Finance this term are Vice-Chairman James Taylor (Ward 8), Councilor Sue AnderBois (Ward 3), Councilwoman Althea Graves (Ward 12), and Councilor Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6).
Following the chair election, the committee moved on to a full meeting agenda with Chairwoman Ryan presiding.
by Council Staff | Jul 24, 2025 | Add Council Logo, Jim Taylor, Jo-Ann Ryan, John Goncalves, Mary Kay Harris, Rachel Miller, Sue AnderBois
Tonight, the Providence City Council convened for the final regularly scheduled meeting before the August recess and advanced several major wins for city residents.
For the second time in two years, councilors defeated a lease proposed by the mayor which would have seen the historic, city-owned Carl G. Lauro building handed over to Excel Academy, a North Providence charter school recently granted an expansion of charter seats by the Rhode Island Department of Education. Yesterday, Council President Rachel Miller, who represents the area surrounding the property, shared a statement explaining her opposition to the proposed lease.
“Mayor Smiley’s lease proposal attempted to solve two challenges at once – ensuring Providence students with already assigned charter seats have a suitable place to learn and finding a path forward for a vacant historic building,” Council President Miller explained in the statement. “After careful consideration, I’ve determined that such an arrangement would not be in the best interest of the neighborhood or city. The city council will not hand the keys of a shuttered public school building to a charter school.”
Council President Miller concluded her statement with both a commitment to stewarding this building and to Providence students, saying, “We need to ensure that our public spaces are utilized in ways that reflect the needs of surrounding communities. I will work closely with my neighborhood and our partners to find a solution for this building that is beneficial to Federal Hill. Every Providence student deserves equal access to quality education, and this council remains committed to ensuring our city’s public schools are capable of delivering that education. We will continue to work with the mayor, the school board, and the Department of Education to build a public school system that is worthy of our students and families.”
Councilors also unanimously passed a resolution authorizing the expenditure of more than $5 million in recently awarded state and federal funds for urgently needed repairs and updates along the North Main Street corridor. With the authorization of these funds, the city council’s North Main Street Task Force, under the leadership of Chairwoman Sue AnderBois (Ward 3), has achieved a major milestone along the path to a safer, more equitable, and prosperous future for one of our city’s busiest streets.
This new investment, driven by the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), follows nearly two years of dedicated work by the Task Force to address longstanding pedestrian and traffic safety concerns along a corridor that has experienced multiple fatalities in recent years. A 2023 Road Safety Assessment conducted by the Task Force identified several critical recommendations to address deficiencies along the corridor, ranging from immediate fixes to long-term infrastructure solutions. Last year, the Task Force secured $500,000 in federal funds to implement early-stage improvements such as new lighting installations. Tonight’s resolution—requiring only a single passage—officially authorizes the city to execute funding agreements and advance the next phase of this transformative project.
Also at tonight’s meeting, Council President Miller introduced two ordinances which would amend the chapter of the city’s Code of Ordinances governing the Providence Police Department (PPD). These proposals follow two recent high-profile violations of PPD policy by police officers.
The first of these proposed ordinances would make several reforms to the Providence External Review Authority (PERA), a body tasked with oversight of PPD including review of potential violations by PPD personal of department policy. Among other reforms, the changes would expand PERA’s purview to include the police academy, establish an early warning system to detect officers in need of counseling or retraining, and empower PERA to audit internal affairs investigations.
A second proposed ordinance introduced by Council President Miller require timely notification of individuals entered by PPD personnel into the so-called “gang database” maintained by the department. This would be significant for the constitutional rights of Providence residents, who deserve to know when they have been specifically identified as gang-affiliated by police. Both proposed police-related ordinances were referred to the Committee on Ordinances.
Councilors also granted first passage to a $279 million bond package that will fund the first two years of the city’s newly adopted five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which totals $557.7 million through FY2030. This plan delivers transformative investments across all neighborhoods—resurfacing roads and sidewalks, modernizing recreation centers, strengthening stormwater and climate resilience systems, and upgrading vital public facilities like City Hall and the Public Safety Complex. It also funds safer streets, new playgrounds, and public art through strategic cultural investments. The CIP reflects the council’s commitment to long-term, equitable improvements that enhance quality of life citywide.
Finally, Councilman James Taylor (Ward 8) introduced an ordinance which would approve the purchase and distribution of new solid waste and recycling bins for the city residents. The idea for this ordinance was proposed by the Special Commission on Waste Management chaired by Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5). The item was referred to the Committee on Finance.
Additional items from tonight’s meeting:
- Unanimous passage of a resolution introduced by Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11) recognizing July 26, 2025 as Liberian Independence Day.
- Unanimous passage of a resolution introduced by Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1) supporting the potential relocation of the WNBA Connecticut Sun franchise to Providence.
- Unanimous passage of a resolution introduced by Council President Miller that would permit the city to connect Providence with the state’s longest bike path.
El Concejo Municipal de Providence Rechaza el Contrato de Arrendamiento De Lauro, Propone Reformas en la Supervisión Policial e Invierte en Calles más Seguras y Limpias
Esta noche, el Concejo Municipal de Providence se reunió por última vez antes del receso de agosto y logró varias victorias importantes para los residentes de la ciudad.
Por segunda vez en dos años, los concejales rechazaron un contrato de arrendamiento propuesto por el alcalde, que habría pasado el histórico edificio Carl G. Lauro, propiedad de la ciudad, a Excel Academy, una escuela chárter de North Providence a la que el Departamento de Educación de Rhode Island recientemente le otorgó una ampliación de plazas. Ayer, la presidenta del Concejo Rachel Miller, quien representa el área que rodea la propiedad, publicó un comunicado explicando su oposición al contrato de arrendamiento propuesto.
«La propuesta de arrendamiento del alcalde Smiley buscaba resolver dos desafíos a la vez – garantizar que los estudiantes de Providence con plazas ya asignadas en escuelas chárter tuvieran un lugar adecuado para aprender y encontrar una solución para un edificio histórico desocupado,» explicó la presidenta del Concejo Miller en el comunicado. «Tras una cuidadosa reflexión, he determinado que tal acuerdo no sería lo mejor para el vecindario ni para la ciudad. El Concejo no entregará las llaves de un edificio escolar público clausurado a una escuela chárter.»
La presidenta del Concejo Miller concluyó su declaración con la promesa de proteger este edificio y a los estudiantes de Providence: «Debemos asegurar que nuestros espacios públicos se utilicen de manera que reflejen las necesidades de las comunidades a su alrededor. Trabajaré en colaboración con mi vecindario y nuestros socios para encontrar una solución para este edificio que beneficie a Federal Hill. Todos los estudiantes de Providence merecen igualdad de acceso a una educación de calidad, y este concejo mantiene su compromiso de garantizar que las escuelas públicas de nuestra ciudad sean capaces de impartir esa educación. Seguiremos trabajando con el alcalde, la junta escolar y el Departamento de Educación para construir un sistema escolar público digno de nuestros estudiantes y familias.»
Los concejales también aprobaron por unanimidad una resolución que autoriza la inversión de más de $5 millones de fondos estatales y federales recientemente otorgados para reparaciones y mejoras urgentes a lo largo de North Main Street. Con la autorización de estos fondos, el Grupo de Trabajo de North Main Street del concejo municipal, bajo el liderazgo de la presidenta Sue AnderBois (Distrito 3), ha logrado un hito importante en el camino hacia un futuro más seguro, justo y próspero para una de las calles más transitadas de nuestra ciudad.
Esta nueva inversión, compuesta en gran parte por fondos del Plan Estatal de Mejora del Transporte, se produce tras casi dos años de trabajo del Grupo de Trabajo de North Main Street para mejorar la seguridad de peatones y conductores en una calle que ha registrado varias muertes por accidentes de tráfico en los últimos años. El año pasado, el Grupo de Trabajo obtuvo $500,000 en fondos federales para un nuevo y mejor alumbrado público, una evaluación de seguridad vial realizada por el Departamento de Educación de Rhode Island y la implementación de varias otras recomendaciones del Grupo de Trabajo. La resolución de esta noche solo requirió una aprobación del pleno del concejo.
También en la reunión de esta noche, los concejales presentaron dos ordenanzas que modificarían el capítulo del Código de Ordenanzas de la ciudad que gobierna al Departamento de Policía de Providence (PPD por sus siglas en ingles). Estas propuestas surgen tras dos recientes y notorias violaciones de la política del PPD por parte de oficiales de policía.
La primera de estas ordenanzas propuestas introduciría varias reformas en la Autoridad de Revisión Externa de Providence (PERA por sus siglas en ingles), agencia encargada de supervisar al PPD, incluyendo la revisión de posibles infracciones de las políticas del departamento por parte del personal del PPD. Entre otras reformas, los cambios ampliarían el alcance de PERA para incluir a la academia de policía, establecerían un sistema de alerta temprana para detectar a los agentes que necesitan consejo o reentrenamiento, y facultarían a PERA para auditar las investigaciones de asuntos internos.
Una segunda ordenanza propuesta, presentada por la presidenta del Concejo Miller, exige la notificación oportuna de las personas registradas por el personal del PPD en la denominada “base de datos de pandillas” que mantiene el departamento. Esto sería crucial para los derechos constitucionales de los residentes de Providence, quienes merecen saber cuándo la policía los ha identificado específicamente como miembros de una pandilla. Ambas propuestas de ordenanzas relacionadas con la policía fueron remitidas al Comité de Ordenanzas.
Los concejales también aprobaron un paquete de bonos de $279 millones que financiará los dos primeros años del recién adoptado Plan de Mejoras de Capital (CIP), con un total de $557,7 millones para los próximos 5 años, hasta el año fiscal 2030. Este plan ofrece inversiones transformadoras en todos los vecindarios—repavimentación de calles y aceras, modernización de centros recreativos, fortalecimiento de los sistemas de aguas pluviales y resiliencia climática, y modernización de instalaciones públicas esenciales como el Ayuntamiento y el Complejo de Seguridad Pública. También financia calles más seguras, nuevas áreas de juego y arte público mediante inversiones culturales estratégicas. El CIP refleja el compromiso del concejo con mejoras equitativas a largo plazo que mejoren la calidad de vida en toda la ciudad.
Finalmente, el concejal James Taylor (Distrito 8) presentó una ordenanza que aprobaría la compra y distribución de nuevos contenedores para el reciclaje y residuos sólidos para los residentes de la ciudad. La idea de esta ordenanza fue propuesta por la Comisión Especial de Gestión de Residuos, presidida por la concejala Jo-Ann Ryan (Distrito 5). La ordenanza fue remitida al Comité de Finanzas.
Puntos adicionales de la reunión de esta noche:
- Aprobación unánime de una resolución presentada por la concejala Mary Kay Harris (Distrito 11) que reconoce el 26 de julio de 2025 como el Día de la Independencia de Liberia.
- Aprobación unánime de una resolución presentada por el concejal John Goncalves (Distrito 1) que apoya la posible reubicación de la franquicia Connecticut Sun de la WNBA a Providence.
- Aprobación unánime de una resolución presentada por la presidenta del Concejo Miller, que permitiría a la ciudad conectar Providence con la ciclovía más larga del estado.
by Council Staff | Feb 6, 2025 | Add Council Logo, Althea Graves, Council News, Jim Taylor, Justin Roias, Mary Kay Harris, Pedro Espinal, Rachel Miller, Shelley Peterson
Providence, RI – At tonight’s meeting, Providence City Council approved Mayor Brett Smiley’s five school board appointments: Melissa Hughes (Region 1), Anjel Newmann (Region 2), Jenny Mercado (Region 3), Night Jean Muhingabo (Region 4), and Steven Williamson (Region 5). Following an extensive vetting process, the five appointees will join the five elected members – Corey Jones (Region 1), Michelle Lee Fontes (Region 2), Heidi Silverio (Region 3), Mireya Mendoza (Region 4), and Ty’Relle Stephens (Region 5) – to complete the ten-member, hybrid board. Immediately following the meeting, nine of the members were sworn in by Mayor Brett Smiley and Probate Court Judge John E. Martinelli. One elected member was not able to attend and will be sworn in separately in the near future.
“The new school board is made up of passionate members,” said Council President Rachel Miller. “Their swearing in is a renewed opportunity to bring forth the transformative change that our students are calling for. This new board has a deeply important job ahead: ushering in a successful return to local control and meaningfully improving student outcomes. Now, the work begins – building a school system that truly serves every Providence student. City Council is here as a partner.”
Council Passes Resolution in Support of RI House Speaker Shekarchi’s SAVE Units Legislation
Council passed a resolution, introduced by Majority Leader Pedro Espinal, urging the passage of RI House Speaker Joe Shekarchi’s Supportive and Versatile Emergency (SAVE) Units legislation (H5100). The legislation would remove bureaucratic barriers and expedite the process for municipalities to build emergency shelter units for unhoused residents.
“As we work toward long-term affordable housing solutions, we cannot let unnecessary red tape delay lifesaving emergency projects,” said Majority Leader Pedro Espinal. “Every winter, we’ve been in the same situation: endless shelter waitlists and limited options for our unhoused constituents. We are proud to support Speaker Shekarchi’s efforts to make necessary change in state requirements. This legislation would allow our city to move with the urgency the housing and homelessness crises demand.”
Council Passes Resolution Thanking Better Lives RI and the DaVinci Center Staff for Emergency Shelter Efforts
Council passed a resolution, introduced by Council President Rachel Miller, thanking outreach organization Better Lives RI and the DaVinci Center staff for their invaluable support in operating an emergency warming shelter during some of the coldest weeks this winter. The emergency shelter at the DaVinci Center provided overnight refuge to up to 50 unhoused residents in freezing temperatures during its nights in operation.
“Our city’s unhoused residents deserve more than temporary fixes – but when government officials drag their feet, it’s the community that steps up,” said Councilor Justin Roias. “The DaVinci Center and Better Lives RI staff didn’t hesitate, opening their doors and saving lives during freezing temperatures. Without their leadership, and support from countless volunteers and organizations across the city, it wouldn’t have been possible. We refuse to accept a system that leaves people out in the cold, and we will continue our fight for comprehensive solutions, not just emergency measures.”
Additional Highlights
El Concejo Confirma los Nombramientos de la Junta Escolar, Se Juramentó a la Junta Híbrida
Providence, RI – En la reunión de esta noche, el Concejo Municipal de Providence aprobó los cinco nombramientos de la junta escolar del alcalde Brett Smiley: Melissa Hughes (Región 1), Anjel Newmann (Región 2), Jenny Mercado (Región 3), Night Jean Muhingabo (Región 4) y Steven Williamson (Región 5). Después de un extenso proceso de investigación, los cinco designados se unirán a los cinco miembros electos – Corey Jones (Región 1), Michelle Lee Fontes (Región 2), Heidi Silverio (Región 3), Mireya Mendoza (Región 4) y Ty’Relle Stephens (Región 5) – para completar la junta híbrida de diez miembros. Inmediatamente después de la reunión, nueve de los miembros fueron juramentados por el alcalde Brett Smiley y el juez del Tribunal de Sucesiones John E. Martinelli. Un miembro electo no pudo asistir será juramentado separadamente en un futuro cercano.
“La nueva junta escolar está formada por miembros apasionados,” dijo la presidenta del Concejo Rachel Miller. “Su juramentación es una nueva oportunidad para generar el cambio transformativo que nuestros estudiantes están pidiendo. Esta nueva junta tiene una tarea sumamente importante por delante: marcar el comienzo de un regreso exitoso al control local y mejorar significativamente los resultados de los estudiantes. Ahora, el trabajo comienza—construyendo un sistema escolar que verdaderamente sirva todos los estudiantes de Providence. El Concejo está aquí como socio.”
El Concejo Aprueba Resolución Apoyando a la Legislación sobre Unidades SAVE del presidente de la Cámara de Representantes de RI Shekarchi
El Concejo aprobó una resolución, introducida por el líder de la mayoría Pedro Espinal, instando la aprobación de la legislación (H5100) sobre unidades de emergencia versátiles y de apoyo (SAVE, por sus siglas en inglcs). La legislación eliminaría las barreras y aceleraría el proceso para que los municipios construyan unidades de refugio de emergencia para los residentes sin hogar.
“Mientras trabajamos para lograr soluciones de viviendas de bajo costo a largo plazo, no podemos permitir que obstáculos burocráticos innecesarios retrasen proyectos de emergencia que salvan vidas,” dijo el líder de la mayoría Pedro Espinal. “Cada invierno, hemos estado en la misma situación: listas de espera interminables para refugios y opciones limitadas para nuestros constituyentes sin hogar. Estamos orgullosos de apoyar los esfuerzos del presidente de la Cámara de Representantes Shekarchi. Esta legislación permitiría a nuestra ciudad avanzar con la urgencia que exigen las crisis de vivienda y de personas sin hogar.”
El Concejo Aprueba una Resolución que Agradece al Personal de Better Lives RI y el DaVinci Center por sus Esfuerzos de Refugio de Emergencia
El Concejo aprobó una resolución, introducida por la presidenta del Concejo Rachel Miller, que agradece al personal de la organización comunitaria Better Lives RI y del DaVinci Center por su apoyo invaluable en la operación de un refugio de calentamiento de emergencia durante algunas de las semanas más frías de este invierno. El refugio de emergencia del DaVinci Center brindó refugio nocturno a hasta 50 residentes sin hogar en temperaturas gélidas durante sus noches de funcionamiento.
“Los residentes sin hogar de nuestra ciudad merecen más que soluciones temporales – pero cuando los funcionarios del gobierno se demoran, es la comunidad que da un paso al frente,” dijo el concejal Justin Roias. “El personal del DaVinci Center y de Better Lives RI no dudó, abrieron sus puertas y salvaron vidas durante temperaturas gélidas. Sin su liderazgo, y el apoyo de innumerables voluntarios y organizaciones de toda la ciudad, no habría sido posible. Nos negamos a aceptar un sistema que deja a la gente en la calle, y continuaremos nuestra lucha por soluciones integrales, no solo medidas de emergencia.”
Aspectos Destacados Adicionales de la Reunión
