April 2025 Council Newsletter
 

Budget Season Begins


On April 16th, Providence City Council entered "Budget Season", with the mayor’s proposal of his Fiscal Year 2026 annual budget. For the next several weeks, councilors will vet and, if necessary, amend the proposed budget to ensure a fair and balanced solution to the city’s financial challenges, while protecting essential services and standing up for our city’s working families. 


There’s a lot of information and misinformation out there about what exactly is in the mayor’s budget, what happens next, and what that means for you. But the most important thing to know is that this process is a collaborative one that relies on hearing from neighbors like you. Please consider joining one of the two scheduled public hearings on May 6th and June 9th – both at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chamber -- or submitting written testimony by emailing cityclerk@providenceri.gov. And as always, follow us on social media to ensure you get the latest updates about how Providence City Council is working every day to make our city a place where families like yours can afford to live and work. 


Read on for more updates about Council’s work in the month of April. Happy Spring!  

City Council Blog

On May 1st, workers in Providence and around the world celebrate International Workers Day. But Providence City Council stands with workers throughout the year. In this month's blog, read about how Council has supported organized labor under the leadership of Council President Rachel Miller, and Councilor Justin Roias's (Ward 4) recent visit to Paul Cuffee School in support of unionizing educators.


Read the blog here.

Council in the News

Providence will ban fines for homeless encampments on public property – Boston Globe 


  • As some communities take advantage of a US Supreme Court decision last year that allowed municipalities to crack down on homeless encampments, Providence is moving in the other direction.


  • [The ordinance] blocks the city from issuing fines and penalties, which only became legal last June.


  • "That’s not the solution to the homeless crisis,” Councilor Miguel Sanchez said in a phone interview with the Globe. “Housing is the only solution.”


Cities lead bans on algorithmic rent hikes as states lag behind – Stateline 


  • While momentum builds at the city level – with Portland, Oregon; Providence, Rhode Island; and San Diego exploring similar laws – statewide bans have been slower to emerge. 


Providence mayor plans to hike property taxes, fees and fines. Here are the rates. – Boston Globe 


  • “I think the biggest thing that I and other councilors are going to be looking at is the impact directly on middle- and working-class families,” [Council President] Miller said. “We’re talking about people who live in triple-deckers, which is so much of my neighborhood, and many neighborhoods around the city.” 

 

Providence City Council passes ordinance to limit bulk purchases of property tax liens – Providence Business News


  • The City Council...unanimously approved a new ordinance limited registered buyers to 10 property titles per tax sale. 


Respect is a one-way street as unionized Paul Cuffee teachers struggle to reach a contract – Steve Ahlquist


  • The board’s lack of respect, perhaps even disdain, for its teachers is perhaps best demonstrated by its reaction to a unanimously approved resolution from the Providence City Council, introduced by Council President Rachel Miller, supporting the teachers and their unionization efforts. Councilmember Justin Roias (Ward 4) was allowed to address the board and give them the resolution. 


Councilors in the Community

Council President Rachel Miller looks on as students cut the ribbon on a new floor at Zuccolo Recreation Center, funded by City Council.

Councilman John Goncalves visits Vartan Gregorian Elementary School to surprise their principal with an award and citation.

Councilman James Taylor celebrates a championship win with the 2025 West End Recreation 11-12 year old boys team.

Councilor Sue AnderBois hosts a joint town hall on housing with RI House Speaker Joe Shekarchi.

Majority Leader Pedro J. Espinal, President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo, and Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris celebrate the kick-off of a new three-ward beautification project along Broad Street.

Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan helps plan new elms on Elmhurst with Sam the City Forester.

President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo celebrates Earth Day with students at Lillian Feinstein Elementary.

Neighborhood Improvements

Investing in Safe Sidewalks


This month, almost $1.5M in federal funds went towards city-wide sidewalk upgrades with a focus on ADA compliance, pedestrian safety, and overall walkability. Keep an eye out for the improvements in Wards 1, 6, 10, 12, 14, and 15! 


Beautification & Environmental Resilience 



• Broad Street Beautification (Wards 9 & 11 - $424K): Tree installations, trash receptacles, banners, and planters.


• Stormwater & Flood Study (Ward 2 - $151K): Seekonk River and Blackstone Blvd. watershed analysis for future flood mitigation.


• Riverside Park Canoe Launch (Wards 6 & 15 - $16K): Safety and accessibility improvements at the launch site.


• Heath Street ADA Entrance (Ward 6 - $50K): Easement transfer in progress to develop ADA-compliant park access.


• Elmwood Beautification (Ward 9 - $50K): Tree installations, hanging plants, and new trash receptacles. 

May Events Calendar

May

3
 

Student Housing Task Force

10 AM at Kennedy Rec. Center

May

3
 

Latino Community Forum

1:30 PM at PCTA

May

5
 

Ward 13 Community Meeting

6PM at Asa Messer Elementary School

May

5
 

Ward 5 Community Meeting

6:30PM at Mount Pleasant Library

May

5
 

Ward 15 Community Meeting

6PM at Webster Avenue Elementary School

May

5
 

Ward 3 Community Meeting

6PM via Zoom

May

6
 

Public Hearing on the Budget

5:30PM in the Council Chamber, 3rd floor of City Hall

May

12
 

Ward 4 Community Meeting

6PM at the DaVinci Center

May

15
 

City Council Meeting

6PM in the Council Chamber, 3rd floor of City Hall

May

19
 

Ward 6 Community Meeting

6PM at George J. West Elementary School

May

25
 

Community Court Basketball Game

7PM at Joslin Recreation Center

May

26
 

Ward 1 Community Meeting

6PM via Zoom

May

28
 

Ward 12 Community Meeting

6PM at Smith Hill Library

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.

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.


Already know your Council member? Learn more about their work here.
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