Providence City Council Special Meeting - July 30, 2026
Providence City Council Special Meeting - July 30, 2026
The Providence City Council convened a special meeting on Thursday, July 30, 2026, with 10 members present and 5 absent, constituting a quorum. The council handled routine approvals, received a City Solicitor's explanation, and took roll-call votes on two items.
Consent Calendar
- Items 1 and 2: Council voted unanimously to waive reading and receive the items. Councilman Oscar Vargas expressed concern that new appointees no longer give courtesy phone calls to council members, citing an appointee he did not know, and asked that appointees notify them; the Council President noted this as a point of personal expression.
- Item 3: Council voted to waive reading and receive and approve the item; the motion passed.
Public Comments & Testimony
- None.
Discussion Items
- Item 4: The City Solicitor explained that a proposed ordinance from petitioners was received but not enacted by the council, and that the City Clerk had received a notarized referendum petition. The Board of Canvassers certified that signatures from an additional 5% of qualified electors were obtained within the required time. The Solicitor stated that the council's vote was ministerial under the City Charter and did not express support or opposition to the ordinance.
Key Outcomes
- Items 1 and 2 were received.
- Item 3 was received and approved.
- Item 4 was approved by voice vote, submitting the proposed ordinance to the voters.
- Item 5 was approved on a roll-call vote: 10 ayes, 0 noes, 5 absent.
- Item 6 was approved on a roll-call vote: 9 ayes, 1 no (Councilwoman Peterson), 5 absent.
- The council adjourned in memory of Fernando D. Valiente Valiente and Judy Crank; Councilman Oscar Vargas added condolences for Isidore Ramos, former mayor of East Providence.
- Members were invited to remain for a Peruvian Independence Day celebration.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, counselors, and welcome to this special council meeting on Thursday, July 30th. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Council President Miller, present. Deputy Majority Whip Anderbois, Councillor Davidson, Majority Leader Espinall. Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonzalez. Present. Councilwoman Graves is absent. Deputy Majority Leader Harris. Councilwoman Peterson. Council President Pro Tempore Pichardo. Present. Council Arroyas is absent. Councilwoman Ryan is absent. Majority Whip Sanchez. Present. Councilman Taylor is absent. Councilwoman Ana Vargas is absent. Councilman Oscar Vargas. Present. You have ten present and five absent. You have a quorum. Thank you, Madam Clerk. This evening, the invocation will be led by Councilman Oscar Vargas. Thank you, Madam President. The name of the Father, so in the Holy Spirit. Car please give you a vision. And passion to get these zones in our city. And to think and good resolutions and ordinance for our people. And please give you a clarifying decisions how we can do better and work with our departments. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Councilor. And the Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Councilman Peterson. One nation under God, individual relievity, and just as for all. Madam Clerk, item one, please. Madam President. Majority Leader. What should the way the reading of item one and two? Second, Madam President. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on items one or two? Hearing none. All in favor? Aye. Any okay. We'll finish the vote and then I'll call on you. Is that right? I'm sorry. Any opposed? Any abstentions is on item one and two?
openpublica.com