Providence City Council Urban Committee Meeting - April 22, 2026

On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, the Providence City Council Urban Committee convened under Chairwoman Harris. The committee considered communications from the mayor regarding two commission appointments and heard presentations on the proposed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) budget for program year 2026-2027, including four funding requests from community organizations.

Consent Calendar

• No items were included on a consent calendar; all actions were discussed individually.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were recorded during the meeting.

Discussion Items

1. Appointment of Ansa Lumsa to the Providence Chief Nations Commission: Ansa Lumsa, a junior at Roger Williams University double-majoring in community studies and graphic design, introduced herself as a K'iche' speaker and expressed interest in increasing student and community engagement with the commission. Committee members praised her language skills and social justice background. A motion to recommend the appointment was seconded and approved unanimously.

2. Appointment of Larone Hyrek to the Providence Human Relations Commission: Larone Hyrek, executive director of a juvenile justice division at DCYF, previously served on the commission from 2021 until his term expired. He highlighted his work to keep young people out of the justice system and emphasized the importance of a deliberate approach to restorative justice. Council members strongly supported his reappointment. A motion to recommend to the full council passed unanimously.

3. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Budget for 2026-2027: Emily Freedman, Director of Housing and Community Development, presented the proposed budget as the second year of the 2025-2029 consolidated plan. The city received nearly 100 funding proposals totaling $17.5 million in requests (including $12.5 million for CDBG and HOME). HUD announced federal fiscal year 2026 allocations, allowing a budget based on actual numbers. The committee heard from four organizations seeking funding:

   • POLARIS: Ryan Canfield, Executive Director, described the organization's youth development program serving approximately 98 young people. He noted challenges including rising costs and the need for scholarships. Committee members thanked him for his long-standing community leadership.
   • Mathewson Street Church: Kevin Sand, Director of Outreach, reported that in the past year the church served over 45,000 meals, provided 30,000 restroom uses, 12,000 clothing room visits, distributed 80 bus passes, offered 230 emergency housing cases, and helped 20 individuals obtain stable housing. The church seeks funding to expand a culinary training program for unhoused individuals, aiming to train cohorts of 6 participants in an 8-week course with food safety certification. Committee members discussed the program's cost (over $100,000 annually) and the impact of a new food service director.
   • Woonasquatucket River Greenway: Mark Burner, Civil Engineer, requested $475,000 to construct a 1,200-foot multi-use path from P Street into Roosevelt Park, along with crosswalks and stormwater measures. The project totals $3.5 million, with a $75,000 funding gap. The path would address safety issues where pedestrians currently walk in a 21-foot road without sidewalks. Council members discussed coordination with DPW and RIDOT for crosswalk striping and noted the project's importance for accessing the park, especially for residents of nearby public housing.
   • Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: Oscar Mejias, Founder and CEO, described the chamber's growth to over 1,200 members, making it the second-largest chamber in Rhode Island. He reported that 10-15% of small business owners are considering closure, and membership dues have declined due to economic pressures and fear related to immigration enforcement. The chamber requested CDBG funding to expand services. Council members expressed strong support and offered to introduce a resolution for state funding.

Key Outcomes

• Appointments Recommended: The committee voted unanimously to recommend both Ansa Lumsa and Larone Hyrek for appointment by the full city council.
• CDBG Budget Continued: The committee continued agenda item three (CDBG budget) without a final vote, allowing further refinement of work projects and finalization of the ordinance. The budget will undergo a 30-day public comment period before submission to HUD.
• Follow-up Actions: Council members suggested exploring discretionary funds and a letter to RIDOT for crosswalk improvements near Roosevelt Park, and committed to supporting the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce through a state funding resolution.