Press Release

Providence City Council Begins 2023 Legislative Session

In a meeting that lasted under 20 minutes, the City Council elected a City Treasurer and internal auditor, approved council committee appointments, and received a list of Mayor Brett Smiley’s School Board appointees for review. The Council also referred the ProvPort deal back to committee for review ahead of a potential second passage….

Rhode Island News: Providence City Council Begins 2023 Legislative Session

January 5, 2023, 9:10 pm

By Uprise RI Staff

The Providence City Council began its 2023 legislative session on Thursday evening with newly elected President Rachel Miller (Ward 13) presiding. In a meeting that lasted under 20 minutes, the City Council elected a City Treasurer and internal auditor, approved council committee appointments, and received a list of Mayor Brett Smiley‘s School Board appointees for review. The Council also referred the ProvPort deal back to committee for review ahead of a potential second passage.

“As we begin the new year with our first meeting, the Providence City Council and its selected committees now get to work in earnest for all our neighbors,” said Council President Miller. “Our council team, in coordination with experienced staff, is energized for the year ahead. I look forward to helping lead a broad and diverse coalition of public servants focused on schools, fixing our housing crisis, and ensuring that government is transparent and accessible for our residents.”

You can watch the meeting here:

City Treasurer

Councilors unanimously elected James Lombardi III as Providence City Treasurer for a four-year term. Lombardi is an attorney and certified public accountant. Lombardi was most recently the city’s treasurer for the past 12 years. Prior to that, he was the city’s internal auditor for 12 years. Lombardi has a vast amount of experience in both financial and governmental operations. During his tenure, he has also served as a senior advisor and chief of staff to the city council.

Internal Auditor

Councilors also unanimously elected Gina Costa for a four-year term as the city’s Internal Auditor. Costa has 22 years of service to Providence, most recently serving as internal auditor. She also served 10 years in the administrative branch focusing on public safety finance, and 12 years in the internal auditor’s office. Costa was born and raised in the city and is an alum of Classical High School. The City Charter provides that the city’s internal auditor shall have access to the books and records of all offices, departments, and other agencies of the city.

Committee Appointments

Councilors approved President Miller’s appointments for Standing committees, Rules Committee, and the Special Committee on State Legislative Affairs. Chairpersons will be elected by committee members when those committees convene, though the person at the top of each list is the “endorsed” candidate. Note that Councilor Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) has no committee assignments.

  • Committee on Finance
    • Helen Anthony (Ward 2)
    • James Taylor (Ward 8)
    • Juan Pichardo (Ward 9)
    • Sue Anderbois (Ward 3)
    • Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6)
  • Committee on City Public Works
    • Oscar Vargas (Ward 15)
    • Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6)
    • Justin Roias (Ward 4)
    • Pedro Espinal (Ward 10)
    • Ana Vargas (Ward 7)
  • Committee on Ordinances
    • Pedro Espinal (Ward 10)
    • Oscar Vargas (Ward 15)
    • Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11)
    • Justin Roias (Ward 4)
    • Shelley Peterson (Ward 14)
  • Committee on Rules
    • James Taylor (Ward 8)
    • Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11)
    • Helen Anthony (Ward 2)
    • Juan Pichardo (Ward 9)
    • Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6)
  • Committee on City Property
    • John Goncalves (Ward 1)
    • Susan Anderbois (Ward 3)
    • Pedro Espinal (Ward 10)
    • Althea Graves (Ward 12)
    • Shelley Peterson (Ward 14
  • Committee on State Legislative Affairs
    • John Goncalves (Ward 1)
    • Justin Roias (Ward 4)
    • Shelley Peterson (Ward 14)
    • Ana Vargas (Ward 7)
    • Althea Graves (Ward 12)
  • Committee on Urban Redevelopment Renewal and Planning
    • Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11)
    • Juan Pichardo (Ward 9)
    • John Goncalves (Ward 1)
    • Ana Vargas (Ward 7)
    • Althea Graves (Ward 12)
  • Committee on Claims and Pending Suits
    • John Goncalves (Ward 1)
    • Juan Pichardo (Ward 9)
    • Pedro Espinal (Ward 10)
    • Shelley Peterson (Ward 14)
    • Helen Anthony (Ward 2)

Elections of Councilmembers to Boards and Agencies for 2023-2027

  • Providence Housing Authority – Councilmembers Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11) and Justin Roias (Ward 4)
  • Providence Redevelopment Agency – Councilmembers Pedro Espinal (Ward 10) and Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11)
  • Water Supply Board – Councilmembers Oscar Vargas (Ward 15) and Juan Pichardo (Ward 9)
  • Board of Parks Commissioners – Councilmembers Juan Pichardo (Ward 9) and Sue Anderbois (Ward 3)
  • Recreational Advisory Board – Councilmembers Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6) and Ana Vargas (Ward 7)

Appointments of Providence School Board Members

Councilors referred Mayor Brett Smiley’s Providence School Board appointees to the committee on finance.

  • Toni Akin
  • George Matouk
  • Carolina Roberts-Santana
  • Erlin Rogel

Councilmember Sue Anderbois was absent due to Covid.

The full agenda can be viewed here.

See also: January 3, 2023 Rachel Miller elected as Providence City Council President in historic first