Providence City Council calls for applications for the Providence External Review Authority (PERA) Board. To be considered, please apply with a cover letter and resume by January 20, 2018.
“We are dedicated to an open and transparent process for seating the PERA board,” stated Council President David Salvatore, Ward 14. “We want anyone who is interested in being part of this board to have an opportunity to be considered. If you or someone you know is interested, I encourage you to submit your materials as soon as possible.”
PERA board members will:
Create and implement community outreach programs
Review police department policies and training procedures and make recommendations for change
Receive complaints that allege misconduct by a police officer or officers, including, but not limited to the use of excessive force, inappropriate language or conduct, harassment, theft, and discrimination
Perform other functions as authorized by the Providence Community-Police Relations Act
“As we begin the interview process I’m humbled by those who want to serve on this very important board,” stated Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris, Ward 11. “As an original member of the PERA Board, I know and understand how important this is for the community. I look forward to meeting applicants and getting the board seated as soon as we can.”
To apply to sit on the PERA Board, we ask that you submit a cover letter and resume to Nick Freeman at Nfreeman@providenceri.gov no later than January 20, 2018, by 11:59 pm.
Please be advised that the seating of the PERA board does not delay the Providence Community-Police Relations Act which becomes law on January 1, 2018.
For more information, please contact the City Council office at 401-521-7477.
Providence City Council President David Salvatore announced the appointment of Emily Martineau as Chief of Staff to the Providence City Council.
“I am proud to have an incredibly capable team that is dedicated to this city,” Salvatore stated. “With a background in public affairs at both the state and municipal level, Emily knows this city and I have the utmost confidence that she will hit the ground running.”
Martineau most recently served as External Communications Director for RIHousing, and previously was Assistant Public Information Officer for the Rhode Island Office of Attorney General.
“I am excited and honored by this opportunity to serve the City of Providence,” said Martineau. “As a Providence resident, I know how meaningful the Council’s work is to all those who live, work and visit here. I look forward to helping the Council advance its ambitious agenda for improving our neighborhoods and moving our city forward.”
Martineau is a graduate of Mount Saint Charles Academy in Woonsocket and Stonehill College in Easton, MA, and owns a home near the Valley section of Providence.
“I would like to thank the current Chief of Staff, Cyd Mckenna, for her hard work and dedication to the post. We wish her well on all future endeavors,” said Salvatore.
Providence City Councilman David A. Salvatore, Ward 14, was elected City Council President at a special meeting tonight in the City Council Chambers. Salvatore began his first term as the councilman for the fourteenth ward in January 2011.
“I am honored and humbled to have the support of my colleagues on the council to support me to serve as President of the Providence City Council. I am grateful to Council President Pro Tempore Matos for her service as acting Council President. I look forward to working with every member of the council on behalf of all Providence’s residents.” said Salvatore upon his election.
Council President Salvatore’s election comes after the majority of the Democratic members of the City Council held a caucus on Monday, December 18, 2017, to seat new leadership. The positions are as follows:
John J. Igliozzi – Ward 7, Majority Leader
Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. – Ward 4, Senior Deputy Majority Leader
Wilbur Jennings Jr. – Ward 8, Deputy Majority Leader
Jo-Ann Ryan – Ward 5, Majority Whip
“As Chair of Finance and now in my additional new role as Majority Leader I look forward to working with David as President of the City Council,” stated John. J. Igliozzi – Ward 7. “My colleagues and I will continue to work for the betterment of the people of Providence, and the continued positive forward movement of our city.”
Since taking office in 2011, Salvatore has focused on community building efforts, advocating for fiscal and pension reforms, and growing Providence’s local economy. He was Chairman of the Subcommittee on Pension Sustainability, which issued a report and made recommendations—many of which were adopted—to stabilize the pension system and address the system’s unfunded liability. Salvatore was also Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means (2012-2014) and Vice Chairman of the Committee on Ordinances (2011-2014).
Salvatore is a lifelong resident of the Elmhurst neighborhood in Providence. Growing up, he and his family were active constituents in Elmhurst, and continue to make contributions to the prosperity of the community. An alumnus of Providence public schools, Salvatore attended Robert F. Kennedy Elementary and Nathanael Greene Middle School and graduated from La Salle Academy High School in 1993. He subsequently attended Rhode Island College and graduated with a degree in Business Management, and recently completed the Masters in Public Administration from Roger Williams University School for Justice Studies.
Salvatore has a diverse background in both the public and private sectors, holding key roles in management, oversight, and policy development. Since 2015, he has served as Director of Government Affairs for the Rhode Island Association of REALTORS®. See his full biography here: http://council.providenceri.com/ward14/david-salvatore
He is married to Angie Sarhan Salvatore, and they reside in the Elmhurst neighborhood in Providence.
City Internal Auditor Matthew Clarkin Jr. has worked with the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC) to create an RFP for an independent financial consultant. The consultant would review the city’s current and proposed tax policy and tax stabilization agreements (TSAs), and their long-term financial impacts on tax revenues.
“Whenever the city wants to make changes to the tax policy we must look to experts to help guide us in best practices,” stated Councilman and Finance Committee Chairman, John Igliozzi, Ward 7. “This will ensure that we are making the best fiscal decisions for the city and our residents. With our tax base shrinking we need to be clear about the true cost of any permanent TSAs, and make sure that we aren’t putting any of that lost tax revenue burden on homeowners.”
Over the past month, the Internal Auditors office has been reviewing current TSAs and will be issuing a report by the end of the year. The report does not review what kind of impacts the newly proposed Providence Tax Stabilization Investment Act would have on the city’s tax base. This ordinance, which was introduced at the November 16, 2017 City Council meeting and was referred to committee, calls for broad changes to the TSA program, including making all areas of the city open to TSAs and not just under-utilized neighborhoods in need of revitalization.
The financial consultant will review the impacts these proposed changes would have on the city and its tax revenues. The Internal Auditor went before the Board of Contractors and Supply on December 11, 2017, and RFPs will be accepted until January 22, 2018.
