City Council Begins 2023 Legislative Session
City Treasurer and Internal Auditor elected, Committee Appointments approved, and Mayoral School Board appointees received
Providence, RI – Tonight, the Providence City Council began its 2023 legislative session with newly elected President Rachel Miller (Ward 13) presiding. “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.”
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.
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Committee on Finance Councilwoman Helen D. Anthony Councilman James E. Taylor Councilor Juan M. Pichardo Councilor Sue R. Anderbois Councilor Miguel A. Sanchez |
Committee on City Public Works Councilman Oscar O. Vargas Councilor Miguel A. Sanchez Councilor Justin M. Roias Councilman Pedro J. Espinal Councilwoman Ana S. Vargas
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Committee on Ordinances Councilman Pedro J. Espinal Councilman Oscar O. Vargas Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris Councilor Justin M. Roias Councilwoman Shelley T. Peterson
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Committee on Rules Councilman James E. Taylor Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris Councilwoman Helen D. Anthony Councilor Juan M. Pichardo Councilor Miguel A. Sanchez
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Committee on City Property Councilman John Goncalves Councilor Susan R. Anderbois Councilman Pedro J. Espinal Councilwoman Althea A. Graves Councilwoman Shelley T. Peterson
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Committee on State Legislative Affairs Councilman John Goncalves Councilor Justin M. Roias Councilwoman Shelley T. Peterson Councilwoman Ana S. Vargas Councilwoman Althea A. Graves
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Committee on Urban Redevelopment Renewal and Planning Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris Councilor Juan M. Pichardo Councilman John Goncalves Councilwoman Ana S. Vargas Councilwoman Althea Graves
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Committee on Claims and Pending Suits Councilman John Goncalves Councilor Juan M. Pichardo Councilman Pedro J. Espinal Councilwoman Shelley T. Peterson Councilwoman Helen D. Anthony
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Elections of Councilmembers to Boards and Agencies for 2023-2027
Providence Housing Authority – Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11) and Councilman Justin Roias (Ward 4)
Providence Redevelopment Agency – Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10) and Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11)
Water Supply Board – Councilman Oscar Vargas (Ward 15) and Pro Tempore Juan Pichardo (Ward 9)
Board of Parks Commissioners – Pro Tempore Juan Pichardo (Ward 9) and Councilwoman Sue Anderbois (Ward 3)
Recreational Advisory Board – Majority Whip Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6) and Councilwoman 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
The full agenda can be viewed here.
