Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. attended the Police and Firefighter’s Retirement Association’s Third Annual ZeroK Race on Saturday, May 18, 2019. He was joined by friends, neighbors, and members of his family. It was a great event
Tonight, the Committee on Ordinances recommended for first passage a change to the zoning ordinance that will work to preserve the quality of life in our residential neighborhoods and will help protect the much-needed housing stock in the city of Providence. The minor change to the zoning ordinance will put limitations on short-term housing rentals in residential zoned neighborhoods.
With the growth of company’s like Airbnb, we have found ourselves, as many other cities have, at a crossroads. How do we protect our neighborhoods, our shortage of housing stock, and also embrace investment opportunities for our residents?
We believe that by making these slight changes to the zoning codes in residential neighborhoods we will achieve that end. After the second and final passage of this ordinance in June, short-term rental properties in residentially zoned neighborhoods will need to be permitted and will also need to be owner-occupied.
This decision came after much discussion and deliberation with community members and city planning officials. We believe that this change will preserve housing stock, quality of life for our neighbors, and will continue to allow investment opportunities for residents.
–Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan, Chairwoman, Committee on Ordinances
The Providence City Council passed a resolution sponsored by Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia (Ward 6), recognizing the week of May 19 through May 25, 2019 as National Public Works Week.
National Public Works Week is observed as a way to pay tribute to the public works professionals, engineers, managers and employees who make substantial contributions to protect our national health, safety, and quality of life.
“Every day as I travel my ward, and across the city, I see the men and women of the Department of Public Works laboring away,” stated City Council Pro Tempore Michael Correia, Ward 6. “As the Chairman of the Committee on Public Works, I know first-hand the professionalism, the dedication, and the motivation that every employee at the DPW has for their work. It’s because of the ingenuity of a crew member of the DPW that the fountain in DePasquale Square was fixed before the start of the summer season. It’s because of the men and women of the DPW that Councilors like myself can hold community clean-ups and mattress pick-ups. Their work matters and they don’t always get the appreciation they deserve. It’s my privilege and honor to acknowledge our Public Works employees not just this week, but every week.”
The resolution, proposed by Council President Pro Tempore Correia and co-sponsored by Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15), Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. (Ward 4), Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11), Councilwoman Katherine Kerwin (Ward 12), and Councilman James E. Taylor (Ward 8), motivates the residents of Providence to become interested and engaged in the importance of publicly funded construction in their respective communities throughout the City.
National Public Works Week will consist of a series of events and ceremonies that pay tribute to the significant work done by public works professionals, and all citizens are encouraged to participate. 2019 is the 59th year that National Public Works Week has been recognized under the sponsorship of the American Public Works Association.
Tonight the City Council introduced an ordinance allocating more than $5M in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for the city of Providence. Tonight was the first passage of the ordinance by the City Council, and it is expected to be passed for a second and final time at the Thursday, June 6 City Council meeting.
Councilman Luis A. Aponte, Ward 10, stated, “I would like to thank my colleagues for all their hard work. I’m proud that we can continue to make strategic investments in our city. Investments that will ensure organizations that provide critical services to some of our most at risk and vulnerable residents continue to receive the funding they need to continue their work. Investments in helping to support job creation and economic development by targeting economic sectors with high growth potential. And investments in our infrastructure by rehabbing and rebuilding public spaces and parks where residents and visitors can gather and enjoy themselves in neighborhoods throughout our city.”
City Council President Sabina Matos said, “Deciding where to allocate funding for our cities organizations that seek support from these CDBG funds is a daunting task. I commend Chairman Aponte and the Committee for their hard work in making these tough decisions. These federal funds can change the trajectory of an organization and expand the level of work that they can do in our community.”
The CDBG Program is a federal program that provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs. Beginning in 1974, the CDBG Program is one of the longest continuously run programs run by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The 2019-2020 CDBG Budget Highlights Includes:
For a complete list of recipients, please visit the Opens Meeting Portal.