Providence City Council

Official X account of the Providence City Council.
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[Providence City Council @pvdcitycouncil]

This afternoon, City Councilor Miguel Sanchez joined Mayor Brett Smiley and members of the Parks Department for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating updates to George J. West Park off Chalkstone Avenue.

Councilor Sanchez noted that the park is one of the few green spaces where residents can gather in Ward 6. He is excited for these renovations to encourage community, play, and friendships for residents.

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Current Chair of the Juvenile Hearing Board (JHB) Willis Dunbar shares why he supports the proposed JHB reform.

The JHB is a unique opportunity that the City of Providence offers to eligible youth who have been arrested. Instead of being sent to court that can permanently alter their lives, young people may be referred to the JHB, a community-based alternative to Family Court that offers non-carceral responses to non-violent crimes. The program keeps youth out of the justice system when their offense meets certain criteria. It focuses on accountability, restitution, and community service while working with families to address issues holistically, giving young people a real opportunity to learn from their mistakes.

Currently, youth who are arrested must be referred to the JHB by the police detective on duty. Over the last three years, 508 juveniles were eligible for the Juvenile Hearing Board (JHB), but only 108 were referred. The proposed amendments would make JHB referral automatic for eligible youth arrested for first or second nonviolent offenses, with certain exceptions.

The amendments have already been passed for the first time by the City Council and will require a second passage before becoming law.

[Providence City Council @pvdcitycouncil]

The rain arrived just in time for the ribbon cutting of the new SPLASH 💦 Pad at Father Lennon Park!

Councilwoman Althea Graves joined Mayor Brett Smiley, the Parks Department, and community members yesterday to celebrate the reopening of this newly renovated Providence park in the Smith Hill neighborhood. The park now features updated playground equipment and a brand-new splash pad for kids, with improvements shaped by community input.

Thanks to the Parks department for investing in our cities green spaces. 🌳🛝

[Providence City Council @pvdcitycouncil]

This afternoon, Council President Rachel Miller, along with other city councilors, joined Mayor Brett Smiley at the Mount Hope Community Center for the official signing of the FY2027 Budget into law.

Under the leadership of Chair Miguel Sanchez, the Special Committee on Ways and Means hosted two public hearings and met with every city department to review the proposed budget.

After months of thoughtful vetting, councilors negotiated essential new positions and increased funding for essential city services. Together, these changes reflect the Council’s broader priorities by strengthening core city services, investing in neighborhood quality of life, and making city government more transparent and accountable to the people it serves.

“I want to thank my fellow councilors, as well as the Finance Department, for making a difficult job as straightforward as possible,” said Ways and Means Chair Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6). “We spent the last several months meeting with all the department directors to make sure that every taxpayer dollar is being spent responsibly. The resulting amendments to the FY2027 Providence City Budget ensure that the city has the staffing and resources necessary to function at its very best.”

Councilman Oscar Vargas (Ward 15) attended the budget signing and stated that he is glad this year's budget avoided any tax increases for residents while investing in senior services.

Thank you to the Mayor’s Office and the many city departments that thoughtfully engaged in the budget review process. FY2027—we’re ready for you!

[Providence City Council @pvdcitycouncil]

Former Chair of the Juvenile Hearing Board (JHB) Inés Merchán shares her experience as former JHB chair—why she initially got involved, concerns with the current referral system, and why the proposed amendments are critical for our city.

The JHB is a unique opportunity that the City of Providence offers to eligible youth who have been arrested. Instead of being sent to court that can permanently alter their lives, young people may be referred to the JHB, a community-based alternative to Family Court that offers non-carceral responses to non-violent crimes. The program keeps youth out of the justice system when their offense meets certain criteria. It focuses on accountability, restitution, and community service while working with families to address issues holistically, giving young people a real opportunity to learn from their mistakes.

Currently, youth who are arrested must be referred to the JHB by the police detective on duty. Over the last three years, 508 juveniles were eligible for the Juvenile Hearing Board (JHB), but only 108 were referred. The proposed amendments would make JHB referral automatic for eligible youth arrested for first or second nonviolent offenses, with certain exceptions.

Tonight, the City Council will vote on the first passage of the amendments. The ordinance will require a second passage by the Council before becoming law.

[Providence City Council @pvdcitycouncil]

A big milestone for the Woonasquatucket River and everyone who enjoys it 🐛🚣‍♂️🌱🚲💧🤝

After years of support from federal, state, city, and local partners, the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council (WRWC) officially cut the ribbon on the Woonasquatucket River Greenway Project. This new riverfront greenway creates more opportunities for safe walking, paddling, and recreation along the river, featuring a one-mile trail, parks, kayak launches, updated signage, landscaping, and green infrastructure.

Council President Rachel Miller joined state and city officials in celebrating the project and recognizing the outstanding work of the WRWC. Also in attendance were Councilman Oscar Vargas (Ward 15), Councilwoman Ana Vargas (Ward 7), Councilor Sue AnderBois, and Councilor Jill Davidson, who also serves the WRWC in her professional capacity.

[Providence City Council @pvdcitycouncil]

For several weeks the Special Committee on Ways and Means has been carefully vetting the 2026-2027 city budget, holding meetings with every department as well as two public hearings.

Tonight, councilors recommended the budget with amendments that add much-needed new positions to PEMA, PERA, the Department of Sustainability, and Veterans Support, along with a grant to Mathewson Street Church to provide support for our unhoused neighbors and extra funding for community libraries and recreation programming.

The first full vote on the budget will be held at a special City Council meeting on June 15th. The budget requires two votes to pass.

[Providence City Council @pvdcitycouncil]

REMINDER: Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 9th, at 5:30 p.m., the Special Committee on Health, Opportunity, Prosperity, and Education will be holding a meeting with public comment on reform for the Juvenile Hearing Board.

The Juvenile Hearing Board is an alternative to Family Court that provides eligible young people with the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and give back to their community. Right now, referral to the JHB is entirely discretionary, meaning a young person's future may depend on what officer is on duty. These amendments make referral to the Juvenile Hearing Board automatic for first and second-time offenders, in most cases. According to sponsors, this would create a clearer, fairer path for more young people to experience community-based accountability.

Share your perspective on June 9th or by submitting testimony to [email protected].

[Providence City Council @pvdcitycouncil]

Reminder! Join the City Council on Monday, June 8th, at 5:30 p.m. for the second public hearing on Providence's city budget for the 2027 fiscal year.

[Providence Police @ProvidenceRIPD]

Providence Police personnel are currently on the scene on North Main Street at the corner of Cypress Street.

Please avoid this area until further notice to allow first responders to work safely. Traffic delays are expected.

[Providence City Council @pvdcitycouncil]

Tonight, councilors unanimously passed a historic expansion of police oversight in Providence by strengthening the Providence External Review Authority's (PERA's) oversight powers.

The updated ordinance gives PERA direct access to many internal police systems and records with strong confidentiality protections.

"For too long, PERA has not had the tools, access, or authority needed to carry out full and transparent investigations on behalf of city residents. This ordinance will ultimately strengthen the trust between residents and the city institutions meant to serve them.” said Council President Rachel Miller.

Councilors also finalized passage of zoning and licensing regulations for entertainment in Providence.

Read the full press release here: https://t.co/0UPHoKbwlW

[Providence City Council @pvdcitycouncil]

Councilor Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6) was interviewed for the Providence Eye about an ordinance he introduced in April that would automatically refer eligible youth to the Juvenile Hearing Board.

“Over the last three years, 508 young people were eligible for the Juvenile Hearing Board, but only 108 were actually referred,” said Sanchez. “An individual officer should not have the power to decide whether a young person gets a chance at diversion or is sent into the traditional court system.”

Read the article at https://t.co/ApmrswxtlE.

[Providence City Council @pvdcitycouncil]

Join the City Council on June 8th at 5:30 p.m. for the second public hearing on Providence's city budget for the 2027 fiscal year.

[Providence City Council @pvdcitycouncil]

Some of Providence’s best and brightest gathered this evening to celebrate four years of hard work at the annual PPSD Valedictorian and Salutatorian Celebration!

President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo (Ward 11) shared a few remarks with the young scholars, congratulating them on their excellence and encouraging them to apply for the many scholarship opportunities available to students in Providence. Councilors John Goncalves (Ward 1) and Jill S. Davidson (Ward 2) also stopped by to celebrate these hardworking high school students.

[Providence City Council @pvdcitycouncil]

On Tuesday, June 9th, at 5:30 p.m., the Special Committee on Health, Opportunity, Prosperity, and Education will be holding a meeting with public comment on reform for the Juvenile Hearing Board.

The Juvenile Hearing Board is an alternative to Family Court that provides eligible young people with the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and give back to their community. Right now, referral to the JHB is entirely discretionary, meaning a young person's future may depend on what officer is on duty. These amendments make referral to the Juvenile Hearing Board automatic for first and second-time offenders, in most cases. According to sponsors, this would create a clearer, fairer path for more young people to experience community-based accountability.

Share your perspective on June 9th or by submitting testimony to [email protected].

[Providence City Council @pvdcitycouncil]

May 31: 🏢🏙️🥱 June 1: 💅🌈✨

Happy Pride Month! Join us this month as we celebrate Pride at City Hall and across Providence.

•Pride Flag Raising 🏳️‍🌈— June 15th, 5:30 p.m. at City Hall
•Pride Month Exhibit Opening 🌈🏛️— June 18th, 4:30 p.m. at City Hall (honoring the 50th anniversary of Rhode Island's first Pride Parade in 1976)
•RI Pride Parade 🕺🎶💃🎷🚶‍♀️🥁🚶🏻🎺 — June 20th, 8 p.m. in Downtown Providence

[Providence City Council @pvdcitycouncil]

Council President Rachel Miller is the ARISE 2026 Intersectionality Awardee! Last night ARISE brought together 200 community members, leaders, and allies to honor the powerful voices and contributions of BIPOC youth. The highlight of the event was the Justice, Solidarity, and Intersectionality Award ceremony, which honored community advocates like President Miller who epitomize ARISE’s core values.

ARISE combines leadership training with community organizing to mobilize Southeast Asian and other Rhode Island youth of color for education justice. Congratulations to President Miller on her award!

[Providence City Council @pvdcitycouncil]

Beaming with pride at @rhodeislandschoolforthedeaf 🏆🏫👏

This morning, Councilwoman Shelley Peterson (Ward 14) congratulated students and program facilitators involved in the Get Food Smart Program — an initiative through the RI School Recycling Project — during an award assembly at the Rhode Island School for the Deaf.

Since launching seven months ago, the program has diverted 1.7 tons of food waste from the Johnston landfill to compost, reducing the school’s food waste sent to the landfill by an impressive 94%.

After seeing the program’s incredible results, Councilwoman Peterson thanked the many students, educators, and staff members involved, and encouraged others to get on board. Congratulations to the Rhode Island School for the Deaf on this outstanding accomplishment — and thank you for taking food waste seriously! 🌱👏