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February 2025 Council Newsletter | |
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Providence City Council has been hard at work throughout the month of February on behalf of the city’s working families.
This month, following an announcement by Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Education that they would consider a faster timeline for returning Providence Public Schools to local control, Council President Rachel Miller introduced a resolution affirming their position that the schools must be returned as soon as possible. As the city prepares for this transition, Council also confirmed the five mayor-appointed members of the newly reconstituted Providence School Board, and swore in the five elected members. Council, Mayor Smiley, and the new school board are united in their shared goal of building a better educational system for the city’s students.
Also this month, Council passed multiple resolutions supporting legislation currently pending in the Rhode Island General Assembly, including RI House Bill H-5307, which would allow Council to adjust veterans property tax exemptions; H-5314, which would allow municipalities to impose a sales tax on parking lots and structures that charge for parking; and H-5389, which would keep the Commissioner of Education from withholding money from the city.
Finally, Council passed a resolution that will allow the City of Providence to enter a twinning partnership agreement with the Town of Athlone, Ireland.
Read more about our February highlights below and make sure you don’t miss anything by following us at @pvdcitycouncil on Instagram, BlueSky, X, Facebook and YouTube.
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City Council Video Series | | |
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As the legislative body for Providence, City Council works hard to pass laws that prioritize our neighbors. Listen to Deputy Director of Policy Miguel Martínez Youngs talk about the process that Council members follow to shape an idea into an ordinance.
Watch the Video
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Supporting organizations like the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council (WRWC) is just one way Providence City Council invests in efforts to build climate resilience and make our communities more sustainable. Read our latest blog post, “Council Funds Support Woonasquatucket Sustainability Efforts,” to learn how our partnership with WRWC helps protect Providence residents and the environment where they live, work, and play.
Read the Blog
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Policies that Prioritize Providence Residents | |
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Urging Immediate Return of PPSD
Council has once again repeated its call to immediately end the state takeover of the Providence Public School District. A resolution in support of H5335, a bill pending before the Rhode Island House of Representatives which would return schools to local control in July of this year, was introduced and referred to the Special Committee on Health, Opportunity, Prosperity, and Education.
Hybrid School Board Confirmed, Sworn In
Council approved Mayor Brett Smiley’s five school board appointments: Melissa Hughes (Region 1), Anjel Newmann (Region 2), Jenny Mercado (Region 3), Night Jean Muhingabo (Region 4), and Steven Williamson (Region 5). Following an extensive vetting process, the five appointees joined the five elected members – Corey Jones (Region 1), Michelle Lee Fontes (Region 2), Heidi Silverio (Region 3), Mireya Mendoza (Region 4), and Ty’Relle Stephens (Region 5) – to complete the ten-member, hybrid board. The members were sworn in by Mayor Brett Smiley and Probate Court Judge John E. Martinelli. City Council congratulates and wishes the best of luck to the new members!
Tax Relief for Providence Veterans
This month, Council passed a resolution in support of H3507, a bill currently pending in the Rhode Island House of Representatives that would allow the City of Providence to set and adjust its own property tax exemptions for the city’s veterans. Currently, these exemptions are capped at the state level. The Special Commission on Veterans Affairs, chaired by Council President Pro Tempore Juan Pichardo, has urged the passage of this bill, which was introduced by Representative Anthony DeSimone (D-Dist. 5, Providence), praising the positive impact it would have for veterans and their families who own property in the City of Providence.
Speaker Shekarchi’s SAVE Units Legislation
Council passed a resolution, introduced by Majority Leader Pedro Espinal, urging the passage of H5100, House Speaker Joe Shekarchi’s Supportive and Versatile Emergency (SAVE) Units legislation. The legislation would remove bureaucratic barriers and expedite the process for municipalities to build emergency shelter units for unhoused residents.
Partnership Between Providence and Athlone, Ireland
Council passed a resolution introduced by Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan that will allow the City of Providence to enter a twinning partnership agreement with the Town of Athlone, Ireland. A formal agreement will be signed with Athlone Mayor Franke Keena alongside Councilwoman Ryan and Providence Mayor Brett Smiley.
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Providence City Council president defends nonbinary teachers given nonrenewal notices — WJAR
- "I think we need more information," said [Council President] Miller.
- "In a climate where, frankly, trans rights are viciously under attack, in a climate where union activism from all fronts is being pushed down, from a climate where we know that these teachers have gotten positive reviews, have positive student performance outcomes, are integral in their school communities," Miller said. "We need more answers."
The Providence School Board is ready to start meeting. Here's what comes next. — Providence Journal
- “Congratulations all, congratulations for the School Department and congratulations [for] all my people,” said council member Ana Vargas.
- “This new board has a deeply important job ahead: ushering in a successful return to local control and meaningfully improving student outcomes,” Council President Rachel Miller said in a statement. “Now, the work begins – building a school system that truly serves every Providence student.”
Long-awaited ECHO Village shelter set to open this week in Providence — The Public's Radio
- Providence City Council President Rachel Miller celebrated the “house warming” for ECHO Village, while calling attention to other measures she said would help to curb the housing crisis and help people avoid falling into homelessness.
- “We need to keep pushing for policies that prevent homelessness before it starts,” Miller said. “Policies like rent stabilization, tenant protections, just-cause eviction, social housing.”
Black History Exhibit at City Hall — Providence Daily Dose
- Caleb Horton has been the city archivist for 11 years. He graduated from URI with a degree in United States history with a concentration in African-American studies as well as a Masters in Library Science. One of his dissertations was on the Black suffrage movement and the Black community in Providence in the 1840s. He started doing these exhibits ten years ago with Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris.
New bill could expand tax exemptions for Providence veterans — Brown Daily Herald
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The Special Commission on Veterans Affairs — which is chaired by Councilor Juan Pichardo (Ward 9) and includes several other government officials — hopes the bill will “lessen the tax burden for those who have honorably served their country in the armed forces,” according to a press release about the measure.
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“This is a simple change that will provide real relief to our city’s veterans,” Pichardo said in a statement sent to The Herald. There are approximately 3,300 veterans residing in Providence.
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Councilors in the Community | |
Councilman John Goncalves (left) and Councilwoman Althea Graves (right) helped usher in Black History Month with the annual MLK Awards and Hall of Fame Induction followed by a Black History Month Celebration. | |
Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (left) gathered with neighbors to discuss news and updates at her monthly community meeting. | |
Councilor Miguel Sanchez (top left) gathered with Ward 6 neighbors and representatives from the Parks Department to discuss upgrades to George J West Park. | |
City Council unanimously approved five appointees to the Providence School Board. Following the meeting, Council hosted a swearing in ceremony for the appointed and elected members who together make up the new hybrid board. Congratulations to the new members! | |
Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (right) was joined by stakeholders to evaluate the area between Academy Avenue and River Avenue to determine how parking in the area can be improved. | |
At the ECHO Village ribbon cutting, Council President Council President Rachel Miller (center) spoke about Providence City Council's commitment to our unhoused neighbors. Thanks to the staff of House of Hope and city and state partners, ECHO Village will offer a supportive community in a time of critical need. | |
Council members joined recent renovations of Classical High School at a ribbon cutting ceremony. | |
Councilwoman Shelley Peterson (top left) gathered with Ward 14 neighbors, local developers, and representatives from Providence College for a Student Housing Task Force meeting. | |
Council President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo (left) recognized Coach Ka Men (right), and the Central High School volleyball team, for winning the state championship. | |
Council members joined Quisqueya in Action for an event in the Council Chamber celebrating the 181st anniversary of Dominican Independence. | |
Ward 1 neighbors gathered at the Fox Point Boys and Girls Club for a monthly community meeting with Councilman John Goncalves (right). | |
Councilman Pedro Espinal (left) invited representatives from Global Partners, the Port of Providence, and the Fire Department to his Ward 10 community meeting to discuss policy and safety initiatives. | |
Councilwoman Althea Graves (left) was joined by Senator Jake Bissaillon (right) and Ward 12 neighbors for her monthly community meeting. | |
Neighborhood Improvements | |
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Upgrades to our Parks and Recreation Centers
Construction efforts in our city’s playgrounds and splash pads started this month and will continue through the spring. Keep an eye out for a new and improved Richardson Park (Ward 10), Davis Park (Ward 12), and Merino Park (Ward 7)!
Starting on March 10, Igliozzi Recreation Center (Ward 7) will be closed for exciting renovations. Flooring will be replaced, the bathrooms will be updated, and the gym walls will be repaired. Stay tuned for the new and improved space!
Making our Streets Safer
Council members are working closely with the Department of Public Works to install speed lumps across the city to make our streets safer. We welcome input from neighbors and encourage you to attend community meetings in your neighborhood to get more information and weigh in on these traffic safety measures.
Investments in Community Non-Profit Projects
A total of nine projects across our city’s distinct neighborhoods will receive $1.5 million in federal funds to improve our communities this spring! From facility improvements to the Non-Violence Institute and John Hope Settlement House, to Broad Street beautification efforts and Riverside Park canoe launch site, Council is committed to supporting projects that make Providence more sustainable and accessible.
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Ward 14 Community Meeting with Councilwoman Shelley Peterson
6PM at Veazie Elementary School, 211 Veazie Street
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Ward 15 Community Meeting with Councilman Oscar Vargas
6PM at Webster Elementary School, 191 Webster Avenue
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Ward 5 Community Meeting with Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan
6:30PM at Mount Pleasant Library, 315 Academy Avenue
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City Council Meeting
6PM in the Council Chamber, 3rd floor of City Hall
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International Women's Day Event
5:30PM in the Council Chamber, 3rd floor of City Hall
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St. Patrick's Day Parade
11AM at the Corner of Hilltop Avenue and Smith Street
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Ward 4 Community Meeting with Councilor Justin Roias
6PM at DaVinci Center, 470 Charles Street
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Ward 11 Community Meeting with Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris
5:30PM at The Met High School, 325 Public Street
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Ward 7 and 15 Community Meeting with Councilors Ana Vargas and Oscar Vargas
6PM at Silver Lake Community Center, 529 Plainfield Street
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St. Patrick's Day Celebration
12PM in Council Chamber, 3rd floor of City Hall
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Ward 6 Community Meeting with Councilor Miguel Sanchez
6PM at West Elementary School, 145 Beaufort Street
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City Council Meeting
6PM in the Council Chamber, 3rd floor of City Hall
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Student Housing Working Group Meeting with Councilwoman Shelley Peterson
10AM at Kennedy Elementary School, 195 Nelson Street
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Ward 1 Community Meeting with Councilman John Goncalves
6PM via Zoom (register here)
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Environmental Sustainability Task Force Meeting
4PM on the 3rd floor of City Hall
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Ward 12 Community Meeting with Councilwoman Althea Graves
6PM at Smith Hill Library, 31 Candace Street
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Community Court All-stars basketball game
7PM at Rollins Rec. Center, 674 Prairie Avenue
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Do you need help in the neighborhood? Use the city's PVD 311 system as a link to city departments and services. Report issues with:
- animals
- business concerns
- garbage
- health and safety
- housing and building
- lights, signage and traffic signals
- parks
- quality of life
- streets and sidewalks
- tax services
- trees and overgrowth
- vehicles and parking
Log on HERE to report.
You can also call to connect by dialing 3-1-1 or 401-421-2489, M-F from 8:30AM to 4:30PM, or download “PVD311” on your smartphone for 24/7 access.
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Providence City Council is the legislative body for Rhode Island's creative capital, serving each of the city's distinct and vibrant neighborhoods. Each Council member advocates for their neighborhood and acts as a liaison between residents and the various departments and services our city offers.
To find your Council member, click here.
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