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November
2025 Council Newsletter
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Policies that Prioritize Providence Residents
Through the cold weather and winds of November, Providence City Councilors were hard at work on behalf of our neighbors across the city. Keep reading for more details about recent wins for Providence residents and, as always, follow us on social media to ensure you get the latest updates and information!
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This month, Councilors voted unanimously to pass into law a series of amendments to the immigration section of the Community Police Relations Act (CPRA) that were introduced by Councilor Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6). After extensive research and support from local and national experts, the amendments focus on five key areas: further limiting PPD officers from voluntarily helping federal immigration enforcement; clarifying prohibited collaboration without a signed judicial warrant; establishing protected spaces; limiting collection and disclosure of sensitive personal data; and giving the community the tools they need to hold the city accountable.
With these protections now in place, councilors sent a clear message that the safety of our neighbors is the highest priority. Read more about the immigration and policing reforms or view the amendments in full.
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In response to environmental and noise concerns, councilors passed into law an ordinance introduced by Councilor Sue AnderBois (Ward 3) that bans the use of gas-powered leaf blowers in Providence completely by 2033. Crafted with extensive vetting and stakeholder feedback, this policy reflects a commitment to addressing the polluting emissions from gas-powered leaf blowers, improving the safety of residents and landscapers from dangerously loud sound levels, and the needs of small businesses.
A seasonal ban will limit use of this equipment by city departments and members of the public between October 1 and December 15, from 2030 through 2032. As of January 1, 2033, all use within the city limits would be permanently prohibited.
| | | | Councilors approved a resolution, introduced by Council President Rachel Miller, establishing a working group to review how ordinances related to nightlife are enforced. The working group’s members will be Council President Miller, Councilor Justin Roias, representatives from city departments, and appointees from the council and the mayor’s administration. Together, the working group will review the city’s current enforcement practices of nightlife regulations, specifically the noise ordinance, and share their findings and recommendations in a written report by April 1, 2026. | | | | |
This month, City Council members unveiled a series of technologies to improve accessibility in the chamber. Six monitors have been installed throughout the room: two on the walls flanking the Council President’s dais, two on rolling carts just inside the banisters, and two mounted in the gallery. The monitors display live-streamed video of the councilor speaking, along with live-captioned transcription. An electronic voting system now records votes, which are then displayed on the monitors in real time.
This modernization is part of a larger effort to respond to community concerns about sound and acoustics in the chamber. There have been considerable improvements in the past year, in addition to the new visuals. Two large rugs have been added for sound dampening, longer microphones now better capture councilors’ remarks when they stand, improved audio connections are available for TV reporters, and a contracted sound evaluation led to new speakers being installed and existing speakers being repositioned.
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Providence City Council passes restrictions on police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement – The Brown Daily Herald
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“Providence thrives when every resident can live without fear,” Council President Rachel Miller wrote in an email to The Herald. “With Donald Trump’s cruel targeting of immigrant communities, that sense of safety feels out of reach for too many of our undocumented neighbors.”
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“What we can control, as a city, is how our police interact with federal agents operating outside of the bounds of due process — and with these amendments, we make clear: they will not,” Miller wrote.
Purchase of WaterFire Arts Center is a vital investment for Providence | Opinion – Providence Journal, Guest Writer Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan
- In the foreseeable future, WaterFire could hit a financial point where continued lightings are no longer feasible. What a devastating moment for our city and state that would be, both culturally and economically, to lose an event that attracts around a million visitors annually.
- As stewards of taxpayer dollars and representatives of our city’s neighborhoods, the Providence City Council cannot let that happen.
- The infusion of capital would meet an urgent need. In return, Providence would gain an asset in the form of a beautiful building, and help stabilize a cultural mainstay for our city for years to come.
Should Providence allow live music at restaurants, bars? Ordinance would bring big changes. – Providence Journal
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Providence restaurants and bars could soon begin welcoming live bands into their spaces after an overhaul of the city's entertainment ordinance received its first passage by the City Council.
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"As a musician myself, somebody who knows the arts, music [is] the backbone of [a] thriving city, its economy, its cultural vibrancy, I'm excited to have more musicians earn some money and have more people being able to enjoy live music," [Council President Rachel] Miller said. She plays the cello.
Rhode Island courts to explore remote hearings after ‘egregious’ ICE incident – Ocean State Media
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“ICE is coming to court houses to pick people up because they know they have to come to court, right?” Providence City Council President Rachel Miller, who spoke at the rally, said in an interview. “And so by letting people engage the legal system in a virtual way, it eliminates that danger.”
| | Councilors in the Community | | |
Welcome to your new home, Department of Public Works! Council President Rachel Miller and President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo (Ward 9) joined local leaders and DPW staff to celebrate the new and improved facilities for this essential city department.
Features of the new space include:
💡 LEED certification, carbon-neutral building, and fully electric utilities, thanks to solar panels and EV chargers
🤝 Centralized Maintenance, Highway, and Sewer divisions and relocated offices for DPW and Inspections to nearby buildings will simplify administrative operations
🛌 Suitable rest and break areas for crews working overnight in harsh conditions
| | Councilor Sue AnderBois (Ward 3) and City Archivist Caleb Horton joined Secretary of State Gregg Amore, community leaders, and elected officials for a tree planting ceremony along the Providence River. The native red maple tree will serve as a living monument to Rhode Island‘s long-standing commitment to freedom and equality for all of our neighbors. 🌳 | | For the third year in a row, Chairman of the Special Committee on Veterans Affairs Juan M. Pichardo (Ward 9) organized a tribute to the veterans who selflessly served our country. Councilors and honorary guests joined for a heartfelt collection of remarks, awarding of citations, and a show of support. Following the ceremony, guests were encouraged to peruse historical artifacts about Providence's veteran history—an exhibit created by City Archivist Caleb Horton. | | Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1) went on a site visit to check out newly installed "See Me" flags at the intersection of Wayland Ave and Pitman Street. Available at two other locations, these flags are installed on either side of the crosswalk for pedestrians to grab, wave, and return after crossing the street. 🚸 | | Councilor Sue AnderBois (Ward 3) and Councilwoman Ana Vargas (Ward 7) joined the Trinity Rep community, members of the public, and elected officials to celebrate the start of the historic building’s renovation and addition that prioritizes educational programming, ADA accessibility, and a reduced carbon footprint. With these renovations, Trinity Rep will soon be an even better steward of the arts and resource for the public! ✨🎭 | | The Juvenile Hearing Board (JBH), overseen by City Council, hosted an event for council members to meet board members, representatives from Rhode Island for Community and Justice, and other community advocates. After hearing a presentation by JHB Coordinator Luisa Sarante and enjoying a delicious meal, attendees left with a deeper appreciation of this restorative justice work. | | Council members joined Providence Public School District representatives, Mayor Smiley, and Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green to break ground on Asa Messer Elementary on Westminster Street. Council President Rachel Miller (Ward 13), Councilor Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo (Ward 9), and Councilman Oscar Vargas (Ward 15) commemorated this exciting milestone. Council is proud to be part of the significant strides being made to improve Providence's schools! | | Council President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo (Ward 9) participated in the 7th Annual Eagle Staff Day, a celebration held every November for Native American Heritage Month. He read from a resolution unanimously passed by the council honoring the Indigenous Peoples of Providence and Rhode Island. | | Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11) joined Mayor Smiley and WinnDevelopment for a tour of the newly renovated Lockwood Plaza Apartments. This $29.3 million project preserved and updated 17 townhouse-style buildings as part of a deal that also extended affordability guarantees for 40 years. | | |
Council President Rachel Miller joined activists calling on Rhode Island Superior courts to make virtual court hearings accessible.
The Providence City Council has fought for the safety of Providence residents by:
📪 sending Know-Your-Rights mailers on how to deal with law enforcement.
🚨 passing an ordinance further prohibiting voluntary collaboration between Providence Police and federal immigration authorities.
💻 offering accommodations for remote hearings at municipal court and probate court and calling on state courts to do the same.
“We are in this fight, and we’ll continue to be,” Council President Miller said.
| | Neighborhood Improvements | | |
To preserve and renovate 108 affordable units at Lockwood Plaza, Providence City Council members invested $1.25 million from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and $250,000 in Community Development Block Grants. These investments help ensure that residents live in safe, dignified homes and that these units remain affordable for decades.
In Ward 14, Councilwoman Shelley Peterson ensured that her neighbors had an opportunity to share their concerns about the construction process at RFK Elementary School. In every neighborhood, City Council members will continue to advocate for you as school construction projects unfold.
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Ward 5 Community Meeting with Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan
6:30PM at Mt. Pleasant Library
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Ward 14 Community Meeting with Councilwoman Shelley Peterson
6PM at Veazie Elementary School
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City Council Meeting
6PM in the City Council Chamber, 3rd floor of City Hall
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City Hall Tree Lighting
5:15PM at City Hall
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Ward 5 Christmas at the Parkway with Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan
12PM at 590 Pleasant Valley Parkway
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Ward 15 Christmas Tree Lighting with Councilman Oscar Vargas
5:30PM at 246 Magnolia Street
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Ward 4 Community Meeting with Councilor Justin Roias
6PM at the DaVinci Center
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Ward 12 Christmas Tree Lighting with Councilwoman Althea Graves
7:30PM at Rogers Recreation Center
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Ward 10 Christmas Tree Lighting with Councilman Pedro J. Espinal
5PM at 1450 Broad Street
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Ward 6 Christmas Tree Lighting with Councilman Miguel Sanchez
5:30PM at 136 Mt. Pleasant Avenue
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Ward 3 Community Meeting with Councilor Sue AnderBois
6PM at Mount Hope Community Center
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Ward 14 Christmas Tree Lighting with Councilwoman Shelley Peterson
7:30PM at Fargnoli Park
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Ward 9 Christmas Tree Lighting with Council President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo
5PM at Roger Williams Park Gateway Center
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Ward 3 Holiday Celebration with Councilor Sue AnderBois
7PM at Lippitt Park
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Ward 6 Community Meeting with Councilor Miguel Sanchez
6PM at George J. West Elementary School
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Ward 8 Christmas Tree Lighting with Councilman James Taylor
5PM at 24 Reservoir Avenue
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Ward 7 Christmas Tree Lighting with Councilwoman Ana Vargas
5PM at 24 Reservoir Avenue
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Ward 1 Christmas Tree Lighting with Councilman John Goncalves
5PM at Cabral Park
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Christmas Eve is a Half Day
City buildings will be closed at 12pm.
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Christmas Day is a Holiday
City buildings will be closed.
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New Years' Eve is a Half Day
City buildings will be closed at 12pm.
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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 online at providenceri.gov/pvd311.
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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.
Already know your Council member? Learn more about their work here.
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