Providence City Council Meeting – April 16, 2026

The Providence City Council held a regular meeting on April 16, 2026, beginning at approximately 9:53 PM. The meeting included a discussion of a rent stabilization measure, several environmental and transportation ordinances, resolutions honoring local figures and supporting labor and education, and numerous routine approvals. Several items passed on roll call votes, with the rent stabilization measure passing 9-6 on its second passage.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of the previous meeting were approved unanimously (15 ayes).
• Items 4 through 6 were received and noted without objection.
• Items 7 and 8 were referred to the Committee on Earth.
• Items 34 and 35 were received; Item 36 referred to the Committee on Ordinances; Item 37 referred to the Committee on Claims and Pending Suits; Items 38 through 41 were received as noted.
• Items 28 through 30 (contracts) were passed on a voice vote and referred back to the Board of Contract and Supply.
• Items 31 and 32 (appointments: Tim Hanlin as City Register, Maria Deaton reappointed) were received and approved unanimously.
• Item 33 passed on a voice vote.

Discussion Items

• Item 9 – Rent Stabilization (Second Passage): Councilwoman Graves clarified that the measure before the council is a limited “band-aid” and not the full rent stabilization she supports. She urged colleagues to vote for it to help renters in the predominantly renter city. The item passed on a roll call vote of 9 ayes to 6 nays (Council President Miller, Deputy Majority Whip Andrew Bois, Councillor Davidson, Councilwoman Graves, Councillor Royus, Councilwoman Ryan, Council President Pro Tempore Pichardo, Councilwoman Peterson, Councilman Taylor voted aye; Majority Leader Espinal, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonzales, Councilwoman Harris, Majority Whip Sanchez, Councilwoman Ana Vargas, Councilman Oscar Vargas voted nay).
• Item 10 – Building Energy Reporting and Carbon Neutral Buildings: Councilman Anderbaugh reported that previously passed ordinances (Building Energy Reporting Ordinance and Carbon Neutral Buildings Act) have already saved the city 7% on energy bills. He introduced a measure to reinvest those savings into a revolving fund to continue implementation of the carbon neutral buildings ordinance, praising the Sustainability Director and Energy Administrator. Referred to the Special Committee on Environment and Resiliency.
• Item 11 – Right Turn on Red Ordinance: Councilman Gunkoff introduced an ordinance, supported by the Providence Streets Coalition, requiring drivers in downtown Providence to come to a full stop before turning right on red at all intersections, effective 2027. He framed it as a safety measure consistent with Vision Zero. Referred to the Committee on Public Works.
• Item 12 – Senior Volunteer Property Tax Reduction: Councilman Royus and Councilwoman Peterson sponsored an ordinance allowing seniors who volunteer in the city to receive a reduction on their property tax bill, modeled after a successful program in Newport, Rhode Island. The item was laid on the table.
• Item 13 – (No discussion) Laid on the table, later referred to the Special Committee on State Legislative Affairs.
• Items 14-16 – Resolutions:
  • Item 14 – Honoring Davy Lopes: Councilwoman Harris and Councilman Gunkoff co-sponsored a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Major League Baseball star and Providence native Davy Lopes, who passed away at age 80. Councilwoman Harris noted the $2.8 million renovation of the Davy Lopes Recreation Center in her ward. Councilwoman Graves highlighted the center’s role serving families and re-entry programs. All three resolutions passed unanimously on a voice vote (15 ayes).
  • Item 15 – Permanent Hope Scholarship: Councilman Gunkoff presented a resolution urging the state to make the Hope Scholarship at Rhode Island College permanent, eliminating a sunset provision.
  • Item 16 – Support for Brown University Graduate Fellows Unionization: Councilman Gunkoff introduced a resolution urging Brown University to voluntarily recognize the unionization efforts of graduate fellows, citing the university’s $4 billion endowment and the need for a living wage.
• Item 19 – Request for Report on Funded Organizations: Councilwoman Peterson introduced a resolution requesting a report from the administration on organizations receiving city funds, detailing how funds are used and residents served, to improve transparency and accountability. The item was laid on the table.
• Item 20 – Student Housing Regulation: Councilwoman Peterson presented a resolution supporting a state bill (sponsored by Senator Basillion and Representative DeSimone) that would allow the city to license exclusive student housing. Passed on a voice vote and referred to the Committee on State Legislative Affairs.
• Item 21 – Lead Poisoning Prevention Act: Councilwoman Ryan introduced a resolution supporting state legislation that would reimburse water suppliers, including the Providence Water Supply Board, for costs incurred in replacing private-side lead service lines. She noted the mayor’s support and the Water Board’s efforts to provide free replacements. Passed unanimously on a voice vote (15 ayes).
• Items 22-25 – First Passage on Roll Call: Passed unanimously on a roll call vote (15 ayes) for the first time.
• Items 26-27 – Support for Domestic Violence Organization: Councilwoman Harris spoke in support of an organization providing a safe place for victims of domestic violence and sex trafficking, urging colleagues to support it. Passed on a voice vote (15 ayes).

Key Outcomes

• Item 9 – The rent stabilization measure passed on its second reading by a vote of 9 ayes to 6 nays.
• Items 10 and 11 – Advanced to committees (Environment and Resiliency; Public Works).
• Items 14-16, 21, 26-27, 31-32, 33 – Passed unanimously.
• Items 22-25 – Passed first time on roll call (15-0).
• Appointments – Tim Hanlin confirmed as City Register; Maria Deaton reappointed.
• Condolences and Adjournment – The meeting adjourned in memory of Davy Lopes, Joao Pereira, Vicky Jones, Orlando Pazarelli, Morocco, Dequiline Mary, and Inez Navar (aunt of Councilwoman Ana Vargas). A moment of silence was observed.