by Council Staff | Jul 2, 2026 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Housing, Jill Davidson, Miguel Sanchez, Press Release, Shelley Peterson
Providence, RI – At tonight’s city council meeting, councilors unanimously passed juvenile hearing board reforms that will fundamentally transform how the justice system treats young people by creating a clearer, fairer path to diversion for Providence youth.
The Juvenile Hearing Board (JHB), Providence’s community-based alternative to Family Court for eligible young people, connects youth with accountability, support services, and non-carceral responses to non-violent crimes. Instead of pushing children unnecessarily into the traditional court system, the JHB provides real opportunities to make amends, learn from mistakes, and move forward.
“Tonight’s vote answered a fundamental question for city government: what do we owe our children?” said Councilor Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6). “We owe them fairness, opportunity, consistency, forgiveness, and help. Every young person deserves a real chance to get on the right path—not to be pushed unnecessarily into the endless cycle known as the school-to-prison pipeline. The Juvenile Hearing Board can change a kid’s life, and under this ordinance, so many more Providence youth will have access to that chance, regardless of timing, luck, or which officer happens to be on duty.”
Under the current system, when an eligible young person is arrested, referral to the Juvenile Hearing Board is entirely at the discretion of the detective on duty. Over the course of three years, officers only referred 108 of the 508 young people eligible for the JHB to the Board. Additionally, not a single referral occurred during the evening shift, suggesting a child’s access to diversion was based not on the nature of their actions, but on circumstantial factors outside the child’s control. The new reforms will ensure fuller and more appropriate use of the JHB by making referrals automatic for eligible youth arrested for most first or second nonviolent offenses.
“Investment in schools, renovation of our parks, and reform of the Juvenile Hearing Board are all a part of the same system that wants to give our kids happy, healthy, safe childhoods while also setting them up for successful adulthoods,” said Luisa Sarante, the Juvenile Hearing Board Coordinator. “The JHB is there to make sure that setbacks don’t result in ruined childhoods or adulthoods that fail before they’ve even begun. These reforms mean more second chances, more opportunities to grow and learn from mistakes, and a more compassionate and socially responsible Providence.”
The ordinance will now be transmitted to Mayor Brett Smiley for his signature and will go into effect in 90 days.
Councilors also considered for the first time both an ordinance that would reduce exploitation of 8 Law in Providence and an ordinance that would remove a cost barrier to affordable housing development and construction in Providence.
The first ordinance, the Providence 8 Law Qualifications, establishes local rules for how Providence grants the 8% tax treatment within the city. According to sponsors, the 8 Law ordinance would end misuse of a low-income tax treatment by wealthy developers, who often use it for market rate or luxury properties.
In April 2024, the City Council passed by a 13-2 vote an 8 Law ordinance that would have applied the low-income tax treatment only to the restricted units themselves. The ordinance was then vetoed by Mayor Brett Smiley. Rather than just applying to individual units, the new version considered tonight sets affordability thresholds that work with other low-income housing programs. Working closely with affordable housing developers, the sponsors put forth an ordinance that aligns eligibility with the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and other affordability programs, while ensuring that tax treatment is only used for properties with meaningful low-income housing.
Councilors also considered the BUILD Act, which would eliminate taxation during the construction period of affordable housing development, in a move that sponsors say will reduce a barrier to increasing the supply of affordable housing in Providence.
Currently, 8 Law only goes into effect upon the occupancy of rental units since the tax treatment is determined by rental income. In between the start of construction and occupancy, properties are taxed at the regular rate.
The BUILD Act will change that by providing a two-year tax stabilization period for eligible affordable development projects before tenants move in and are taxed at 8% of scheduled rental income. By removing the tax burden from the start, the BUILD Act would clear a difficult barrier to the construction of more affordable housing, especially the deeply affordable housing needed by the lowest income households.
Both the 8 Law ordinance and the BUILD Act require a second passage before becoming law.
Last week, the Working Group on Providence City Council’s Role in PPSD Governance concluded its work with an agreement among city leaders to advance an ordinance modernizing procurement procedures for the Providence Public School District (PPSD).
The ordinance, which Councilor Jill S. Davidson (Ward 2) introduced at tonight’s meeting, would establish a tiered procurement framework for PPSD following the district’s return to local control. Currently, purchases above $10,000 for supplies and $20,000 for construction are required to go before the Board of Contract and Supply (BOCS). Under the new system, routine purchases, which constitute the vast majority of procurement activity, would be handled by the schools themselves, and only multi-year, sole-source, or $500K+ contracts would be subject to City review.
Councilors voted in favor of the ordinance for the first time this evening. Per Sec. 1007 (c) of the Providence Home Rule Charter, this ordinance requires a two-thirds vote to become law. A public hearing will be held on the proposal on July 13th at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber before it returns to the full City Council for a final vote.
Finally, councilors passed a resolution to change the name of the street that is home to Rhode Island’s School for the Deaf from Corliss Park to Jeanie Lippitt Circle. The request for the name change, which honors Lippitt’s role in inspiring advocacy for Deaf and hard-of-hearing education, came from students at the school, whose thorough research and presentation to Councilwoman Shelley Peterson (Ward 14) and other local leaders led to the name change.
“I’m so proud of these students,” said Councilwoman Peterson. “They recognized a problem – that their school’s address was too often confused with nearby Corliss Park – and came up with a solution that was both practical and meaningful.”
The next regular City Council meeting will convene on July 16, 2026.
by Council Staff | Jun 18, 2026 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Miguel Sanchez, Press Release
Providence, RI – At tonight’s city council meeting, councilors passed the City’s $636 million budget for fiscal year 2027.
Under the leadership of Chair Miguel Sanchez, the Special Committee on Ways and Means hosted two public hearings and met with every city department to review the proposed budget. After thoughtful vetting, councilors negotiated essential new positions to expand capacity for sustainability and clean energy work across city programs, restore critical staffing at PEMA to improve emergency preparedness, expand PERA’s civilian police oversight capacity, and create a new position to support the city’s veterans. The Council also meaningfully increased funding for sports programming for city youth, community libraries that will allow for expanded hours, and support for our unhoused neighbors via Mathewson Street Church. Together, these changes reflect the Council’s broader priorities by strengthening core city services, investing in neighborhood quality of life, and making city government more transparent and accountable to the people it serves.
“I want to thank my fellow councilors, as well as the Finance Department, for making a difficult job as straightforward as possible,” said Ways and Means Chair Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6). “We spent the last several months meeting with all the department directors to make sure that every taxpayer dollar is being spent responsibly. The resulting amendments to the 2027 Providence City budget ensure that the city has the staffing and resources necessary to function at its very best.”
Councilors also voted for the first time in favor of ordinance amendments that would reform how the justice system treats young people, intending to create a clearer, fairer path to diversion for Providence youth.
The Juvenile Hearing Board is Providence’s community-based alternative to Family Court for eligible young people, helping connect youth with accountability, support services, and non-carceral responses to non-violent crimes. Instead of pushing children unnecessarily into the traditional court system, the JHB gives young people the opportunity to repair harm, learn from mistakes, and move forward.
Under the current system, when an eligible young person is arrested, referral to the Juvenile Hearing Board is entirely discretionary—determined by the detective on duty. Over the last three years, 508 young people were eligible for the JHB, but only 108 were actually referred. Referrals essentially never happen at night, meaning a child’s access to diversion can depend on timing, luck, or which officer is at work.
The amendments would make JHB referral automatic for eligible youth arrested for first or second nonviolent offenses, with exceptions. The goal, according to sponsors, is to ensure that access to diversion is guided by clear, consistent rules, rather than individual discretion, and that more Providence youth have access to community-based accountability, support, and repair before being pushed into the criminal legal system.
The ordinance will require a second passage by the Council before becoming law.
The next regular city council meeting will convene on July 2, 2026.
by Council Staff | Apr 2, 2026 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Housing, Miguel Sanchez, Press Release, Rachel Miller
Citywide results align with previous statewide polling and reinforce demand for action on rental costs.
Providence, RI – A new poll reported in the Boston Globe shows strong support for rent stabilization in Providence, with 74% of likely Democratic voters saying they support limiting annual rent increases to 4 percent.
“This poll confirms what we have heard consistently throughout this entire process,” said Council President Rachel Miller. “After years of being squeezed for every dollar possible, Providence renters are demanding stability, predictability, and fairness in the rental market. At every listening session, in hundreds of emails, and through countless hours of public testimony, people have made their voices loud and clear: rent stabilization is needed.”
“This polling shows a broad, citywide consensus, following another poll that shows a broad, statewide consensus,” Miller continued. “We’ve responded to that community pressure by developing a rent stabilization policy unique to Providence—one that targets large, corporate landlords while supporting local, mom-and-pop property owners. We’ve taken the time to engage the community, incorporate feedback, and build a balanced ordinance that protects tenants from unexpected rent increases they simply cannot afford.”
The results are consistent with a 2025 poll conducted by the University of Rhode Island, which found that 72% of Rhode Islanders support limits on rent increases.
“For months, we’ve heard from well-funded special interests telling us rent stabilization would be a disaster,” said Councilor Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6). “The opposition to stabilizing rents is loud, but it’s small. It’s being driven by corporate landlords and ultra-wealthy developers who profit from keeping rents high. This poll cuts through the noise. It shows that the rest of us who are actually living through the housing crisis, whose rents are rising much faster than our paychecks, overwhelmingly support rent stabilization.”
“The free market works very well for a few, and very poorly for everyone else who can’t afford to stay in their home,” Sanchez continued. “This poll makes it clear: the people of Providence are ready for change, and we have a responsibility to deliver it.”
City Council sponsors say the polling underscores the urgency of addressing rising housing costs and reinforces the need for a balanced, Providence-specific approach to rent stabilization. The full City Council is expected to vote for the first time on the rent stabilization ordinance at tonight’s meeting.
by Council Staff | Mar 5, 2026 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Jo-Ann Ryan, John Goncalves, Miguel Sanchez, Press Release, Sue AnderBois
Tonight, Providence City Council held a full meeting in the Council Chamber on the third floor of City Hall.
At the meeting, councilors unanimously finalized passage of an ordinance amendment regulating building design standards and updates to the utility permits ordinance.
In 2024, then-Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2) introduced an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan encouraging new housing to reflect the character and aesthetic of Providence’s neighborhoods. The ordinance passed tonight, introduced by Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5), codifies that vision into law by establishing design standards for new residential construction.
The new exterior standards include requirements for primary entrances that are visible from the public right-of-way, limits on the elevation of front entrances, pressure-treated wood to be finished rather than left exposed, screening beneath porches, stairs, and landings, and architectural features such as windows, porches, and entrances to prevent blank building facades. These provisions are intended to ensure new development enhances—rather than disrupts—the communities it joins, without increasing construction costs or delaying project timelines. Through these standards, the Council intends for new housing developments to help positively shape the landscape of Providence’s neighborhoods for years to come.
“I am pleased to have sponsored this important legislation that establishes practical and predictable development rules. Providence wants and needs new development, especially new housing, to meet the needs of current and future residents. It is essential, reasonable, and responsible to ensure that new development fits within our existing neighborhoods and complements the built environment that residents care deeply about. Scale, massing, and architectural details matter—they shape how buildings relate to the street, to nearby homes and businesses, and the overall character of our neighborhood,” said Councilwoman Ryan. “These new design standards will improve design quality without increasing construction costs or extending review timelines while supporting housing production that maintains the character of our neighborhoods.”
The updates to the utility permits ordinance address common complaints from residents about the serious obstacles presented by unexpected utility work in their neighborhoods. The ordinance now requires that any utility company receiving a permit to alter, install, or upgrade equipment on public or private property notify nearby property owners with a detailed schedule of when the work will be happening, a plan for how the utility company will coordinate to avoid unnecessary disturbances to Providence residences, and plans for daily clean-up, equipment storage, and full restoration of sidewalks and streets. In order to ensure compliance with the ordinance, failure to submit plans before non-emergency work starts—or deviation from the plans—may result in fines of up to $500 per day.
“Too often, neighbors report no notice before their streets are opened – blocking them in their driveways making them late for work, leaving tools on their yards, leaving the roads in disrepair for sometimes months at a time,” said Councilor Sue AnderBois (Ward 3), who introduced the ordinance. “Taxpayers of the city own these streets. And while utilities provide services, many are large, out-of-state corporations that make big profits off of expanding their infrastructure. Our neighbors and their property deserve respect.”
In light of the historic snowfall in recent weeks, councilors took multiple actions to support the Providence community.
Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1) introduced a resolution requesting the mayor research the use of a publicly accessible tracking system for snow removal vehicles. This measure aims to increase the transparency of clean-up operations during and after snowfall. Councilors referred the resolution to the Committee on Public Works.
Councilor Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6) introduced a resolution in support of Rhode Island Senate Bill 2264, which would fund and equip warming and cooling centers during extreme heat and cold spells, along with an accompanying ordinance that matches the state bill at the city level. Both the resolution and the ordinance were referred to the Special Committee on Health, Opportunity, Prosperity, and Education.
Through an invocation and a resolution, councilors honored the lives of Irina Kozav, Stanislaw Kozav, and Ryan Boisvert, whose deaths were all attributed to the freezing cold temperatures that hit the city in late January.
Scientists agree that extreme weather like Rhode Island has seen this winter is a hallmark of climate change, which poses an ongoing and serious threat to human health and the environment. In response, Rhode Island legislators have introduced House Bill 7183 and Senate Bill 2260 to establish a statewide energy efficiency benchmarking program. Councilor AnderBois introduced a resolution in support of the bills, which was referred to the Special Committee on Environment and Resiliency.
The next regular city council meeting will take place on March 19, 2026.
by Council Staff | Oct 16, 2025 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Miguel Sanchez, Press Release, Rachel Miller
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.
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.
