Providence City Council Meeting - May 7, 2026

The Providence City Council held its regular meeting on May 7, 2026, with 15 members present. The council considered a wide range of legislation, including a flood and sewer protection ordinance amendment, a local vendor preference ordinance, a green revolving fund ordinance, and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) budget for 2026-2027. Several resolutions were adopted recognizing Municipal Clerks Week, Better Hearing and Speech Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, and supporting the renaming of a bridge after labor leader George Knee. The council also passed a resolution opposing the demolition of historic homes on Brooke Street and urged the Providence Public School District to address student homelessness.

Consent Calendar

• Items 4-11: Approved without discussion; items 4-8 received, items 9-11 referred to the Special Committee on Ways and Means.
• Items 12-17: Approved without discussion; item 12 received, items 13-17 referred to Ways and Means.
• Items 19-25: Approved without discussion en bloc.
• Items 26-29: Approved for the second time on a roll call vote (15 ayes) without discussion.
• Items 44-47: Approved for the first time on a roll call vote (13 ayes, 2 absent) without discussion.
• Items 49-58: Approved on a voice vote without discussion.
• Items 60-61: Received and approved on a voice vote without discussion.
• Item 62: Approved for the first time on a roll call vote (13 ayes, 2 absent) without discussion.
• Item 63: Continued indefinitely without discussion.
• Items 64-71: Approved without discussion; items 64-65 referred to Public Works, 66-67 to Ordinances, 68 to Pending Suits, 69-71 noted as received.
• Items 72-73: Approved on a voice vote (72) and a unanimous rising vote (73) without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• None recorded.

Discussion Items

• Item 18 – Roll Call Vote: A point of order was raised by Councilwoman Ryan that the item involved money and required a roll call. The motion carried with 14 ayes and 1 nay.
• Item 30 – Flood and Sewer Protection Ordinance Amendment: Councilwoman Davidson sponsored a small amendment requiring additional flood and sewer backflow protection in flood-prone areas, citing rising water tables and stormwater impacts. Councilwoman Anderbois commended the technical fix. The item was passed and referred to the Special Committee on Environment and Resiliency.
• Item 31 – Local Vendor Preference Ordinance: Majority Leader spoke in support, describing it as establishing a certified local vendor program to give Providence businesses a leg up in bidding. Councilwoman Peterson and Councilman Royas echoed support. Passed and referred to the Committee on Ordinances.
• Item 32 – Municipal Clerks Week Resolution: Multiple councilors (Royas, Anderbois, Goncalves, Harris, Davidson, Graves, Majority Leader, Vargas, Peterson) praised the city clerk staff for their professionalism, patience, and behind-the-scenes support. The resolution recognizing May 3-9 as Municipal Clerks Week was approved unanimously on a voice vote (15 ayes).
• Item 33 – George Knee Bridge Naming Resolution: Pro Tem Pichardo read the resolution urging the General Assembly to rename the Smith Street bridge over I-95 after the late labor leader George Knee. He noted Knee’s 54-year career with the RI AFL-CIO. Current AFL-CIO President Patrick Crowley was recognized in the chamber. Passed and referred to State Legislative Affairs.
• Item 34 – Better Hearing and Speech Month Resolution: Councilwoman Davidson, who lives with hearing loss, shared personal experience and highlighted accessibility improvements in the chamber (microphones, monitors, live captioning). She urged residents to get hearing tests. Passed on a voice vote (15 ayes).
• Item 35 – Resolution Opposing Demolition of Historic Homes on Brooke Street: Councilman Goncalves stated that Brown University proposes an economics building on the site, but the four homes have historic ties to Black families and a 19th-century developer. Over 700 residents signed a petition opposing demolition. He called for Brown to pause and explore adaptive reuse. Passed and referred to the Committee on Public Works.
• Item 36 – Mental Health Awareness Month Resolution: Councilman Goncalves introduced the resolution, noting the importance of reducing stigma and expanding access. Councilman Royas, a school social worker, spoke at length about funding cuts to mental health services in schools, shared his own use of BH Link crisis hotline, and encouraged colleagues to prioritize their well-being. The item was bundled with items 37-38 and approved on a voice vote (15 ayes).
• Item 38 – Jewish American Heritage Month Resolution: Councilman Goncalves acknowledged the Jewish community and thanked Councilwoman Davidson for co-sponsoring. Councilwoman Davidson spoke about her Jewish American identity and pride in belonging. Passed as part of the bundle.
• Item 39 – Jeannie Lippett Street Renaming Resolution: Councilwoman Peterson described naming a street (Corless Park) “Jeannie Lippett Circle” to honor a deaf student whose mother founded the Rhode Island School for the Deaf 150 years ago. She noted the civically engaged students who advocated for this. Councilman Goncalves added that Lippett’s story also influenced the founding of the Wheeler School. Passed and referred to the ERP Committee.
• Item 40 – Resolution on PPSD Homeless Students: The resolution calls on Providence Public Schools to present a plan for the over 250-300 homeless students. Councilman Royas stressed that housing, not just therapy, is needed to address trauma. Passed on a voice vote (15 ayes).
• Item 41 – Green Revolving Fund Ordinance (First Passage): Councilwoman Anderbois, sponsor, detailed that the city has saved 7% on energy bills thanks to decarbonization work. The fund will reinvest savings into future projects, leveraging federal incentives that may disappear. She praised the Office of Sustainability and Energy Administrator David Ruggiero. Councilman Sanchez, Councilwoman Peterson, Councilman Royas, and Councilman Goncalves all commended her leadership. The ordinance was approved on a roll call vote (13 ayes, 2 absent).
• Item 42 – Stormwater and Equitable Funding Resolution: Councilwoman Anderbois spoke on a resolution committing the council to partner with the administration to find sustainable funding for stormwater infrastructure, including green infrastructure. She noted collaboration with Newport. Passed on a voice vote (13 ayes, 2 absent).
• Item 48 – Transfer of 700 Islands Avenue to Providence Redevelopment Agency: Councilman Oscar Vargas expressed concern that the city mismanages property and may later need to rent space, citing a past salt-storage building sale. The sponsor clarified that only the building and garages are being transferred, not the land used by the Mattress Depot. After separate motion, the item passed on a roll call vote (10 ayes, 2 noes, 1 abstention).
• Item 59 – CDBG Budget for 2026-2027 (First Passage): Chairwoman Harris presented the $5.4 million Community Development Block Grant budget, including $1.38M for housing, $750K for facilities, $600K for public services, $750K for ward investments, and targeted economic development. Council members Goncalves, Graves, and Pichardo praised Chairwoman Harris’s leadership and the inclusive process. The budget was approved on a roll call vote (12 ayes, 1 recusal, 2 absent).

Key Outcomes

• Item 18: Approved on a roll call vote, 14 ayes, 1 nay.
• Item 41 (Green Revolving Fund): Approved for first passage on roll call, 13 ayes, 0 noes, 2 absent.
• Item 48 (700 Islands Avenue transfer): Approved on roll call, 10 ayes, 2 noes, 1 abstention.
• Item 59 (CDBG Budget): Approved for first passage on roll call, 12 ayes, 1 recusal, 2 absent.
• All other agenda items: Approved either by voice vote or unanimous roll call as recorded in the consent calendar and discussion items.
• Referred matters: Items related to ordinances, resolutions, and reports were assigned to the appropriate committees for further review.
• Adjournment: The council adjourned in memory of Manuel Fernando Gonzalez Penant and others who have passed away.