Today, Councilman Correia announced that he would be resigning from the leadership of the City Council. The Clerk’s Office is in receipt of his resignation letter, and I will accept it. I am glad that the Councilman realized that apologies are only as good as the actions that follow them and decided to follow my advice to step down from his leadership position. Now, he needs to begin the difficult work of rebuilding trust with the community.
As I have stated before, my focus and commitment remain dedicated to ensuring that our City Council staff feel supported and valued and that the Council office provides a harassment-free workplace. I believe this is a step in that direction.
I am proud to serve all of my neighbors in Ward 1 on the Providence City Council. As a neighbor, friend, and ally to the LGBTQIA+ community, I want to be absolutely clear that I will not accept any hateful language or behavior in any setting, and especially not in City Hall. As elected officials, our job is to represent, respect and empower all of our constituents. I stand firm in this commitment and I expect the same from my colleagues on the City Council.
Justice Gaines, a constituent whom I represent, has contributed greatly to our community by working as an advocate for transgender people. Justice deserves respect and acceptance as much as any other person; and this is something that should go without saying. I am deeply hurt and saddened that Justice has had to endure such hateful, repulsive and offensive remarks.
Recently, I introduced and was the lead sponsor on a resolution in observance of Transgender Day of Remembrance (November, 20), honoring the transgender people who have been lost to violence and bigotry around the world. The discrimination that so many transgender and non-binary people still face today is extremely unacceptable and disheartening. But it is moments like this, when we are forced to face bigotry head-on, that we have a duty to stand up for what is right and make clear that this behavior has absolutely no place in our community.
Members of the LGBTQIA+ community are neighbors, leaders, business owners, professionals, children, friends, and family members in our City. They are a part of the mosaic that makes Providence an inclusive, opportunity-filled place to live. Justice Gaines is living proof of this fact. I stand by my LGBTQIA+ constituents and will continue to advocate for their best interests not only in my role as a City Councilor, but in my role as a neighbor.
John Goncalves
Councilman-Ward 1
Providence City Council
See International Transgender Day of Remembrance Resolution here: https://bit.ly/3nwaWVB
It is so upsetting that there was yet another deadly shooting in my neighborhood today. It is even more upsetting that it occurred at a time when students were getting out of school.
My heart is broken for the young man who lost his life, and my thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family at this time.
This matter is still under investigation, but if you know any details about this horrible crime please call the Providence Police department at 401-272-1111 or use their online citizens complaint form on the Providence Police Department’s Website: https://bit.ly/2X9J12N
If you see something, say something. We all have a role to play in stopping crime in our City.
Carmen Castillo
Providence City Council
Councilwoman – Ward 9
Today, City Council President Pro Tempore and Ward 6 Councilman Michael Correia announced plans for safety improvements at Atwells Avenue and Manton Avenue’s intersection to be implemented in spring of 2021.
“The intersection at Atwells and Manton Avenues has seen several accidents over the years,” stated Pro Tempore Michael Correia. “After meeting with local business owners and community members and hearing their concerns, it became clear that we needed to take action to protect pedestrians and properties at this particular intersection.”
The new intersection improvements will include:
• Concrete round bollards at the plaza.
• Several cylindrical bollards in front of Sanchez Liquors – which has had multiple vehicle accidents that damaged their property.
Pro Tempore Correia continued, “I am thankful to the Department of Public Works for helping ensure that these important measures will be put in place this coming spring, and I look forward to safer travel through this corridor.”
As always, work being done on our city streets in the outdoors is weather permitting. Please be patient, and during the installation phase, you may consider taking other routes. When a date is set for the installation of the bollards, the City Council office will notify the community accordingly.
Funding for these projects comes from the Capital Improvement Plan and the Pro Tempore’s Neighborhood Infrastructure Funds.
Tonight, the City Council voted to approve the refunding of the City’s bond portfolio. The refunding of bonds is much like the refinancing of homes, providing efficiency and better interest rates, which yield savings.
“I want to thank the Committee on Finance, our Council finance team, and the City’s finance team for their dedication to ensuring that we are doing what we can, when we can, to help address our pension liability. It is not always easy but finding savings to help address our fiscal obligations is paramount,” stated Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15).
The 2010 bond’s refunding will realize more than $1.3 million in net savings for the City of Providence and will not extend the life of the bond, nor will it cause the City to incur an increase in its financial obligations.
“Refunding bonds at this time is an important cash management tool,” stated Chairman of the Committee on Finance and Majority Whip John J. Igliozzi, Esq. (Ward 7). “It is what you do with the savings that are realized from refunding that is important. The Committee has wisely and clearly stated that the funds should go toward the City’s pension fund. This will provide some relief to our more than billion-dollar unfunded pension liability. The Committee on Finance are stewards of the City’s finances, and it is mission-critical that we remain laser-focused on these long-term obligations.”
The City Council has directed the City’s Finance Director to ensure that any net savings from the refunding of the bonds will be used to pay a pension payment above one hundred percent of the Annual Required Contribution and cannot supplant any pension payment. Guaranteeing the additional $1.3 million in savings from the bond refunding go towards the City’s outstanding pension liability.
Vice-Chair of the Committee on Finance and City Council Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) shared, “With the current low interest rate environment, the City is wise to be proactive in its bond management strategy. Directing the realized savings towards our pressing long-term fiscal obligations makes good sense. The Committee on Finance has an obligation to our taxpayers to be fiscally responsible and prudent with these funds. Ensuring that savings are put towards the City’s pension is an important step in that direction.”
The resolution was passed tonight by the City Council and will allow for the City to refund the bonds before the end of the calendar year.
