City Council Committee Leaders Elected Council Committees on Public Works, Ordinances, Claims & Pending Suits, State Legislative Affairs and City Property convened tonight to elect committee chairmen
Members of the Providence City Council held five committee meetings tonight to elect the chairmen of the Committees on Public Works, Ordinances, Claims & Pending Suits, State Legislative Affairs and City Property.
Public Works
Councilman Oscar Vargas (Ward 15) was elected to serve as the Chairman of the Committee on Public Works, which oversees abandonments and easements filed with the city as well as general operations of the city such as snow removal and street sweeping.
“I look forward to working with my council colleagues to ensure that essential city functions are delivered at the highest quality to all neighborhoods across the city. From snow removal to street cleaning and street sweeping, city residents are relying on us to get the job done quickly and efficiently, and that is exactly what I plan to do as the Chairman of the Committee on Public Works,” stated Councilman Vargas.
Ordinances
Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10) was elected to serve as the Chairman of the Committee on Ordinances, which handles zoning changes, and the general laws of the city.
“I would like to thank my Council colleagues for electing me to serve as the Chairman of the Committee on Ordinances. I am committed to serving with integrity and attention to detail as we oversee the legislative process for the City Council,” stated Councilman Espinal.
Claims and Pending Suits, City Property, and State Legislative Affairs
Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1) was elected to serve as the Chairman of three committees. The Committee on Claims & Pending Suits handles all claims filed against the city such as potholes or trip and fall law suits. The Committee on City Property oversees the sale, leasing and transfer of any City owned property. The Committee on State Legislative Affairs supervises Council support and/or opposition to legislative initiatives at the state level.
“I am honored to have been selected by my Council colleagues to serve as the Chairman of these three committees. The committees of the City Council oversee a broad and diverse pool of issues from local quality of life concerns to statewide initiatives with far reaching effects. I am ready to hit the ground running and tackle a robust agenda in this legislative session,” said Goncalves.
“The Ordinance Amending Chapter 13, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Providence, Entitled: “Housing” to add article VII- “Security In Housing Development for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities” will provide necessary security measures all residents deserve. Although the Council decided to table the legislation, I will continue my commitment to ensure all residents of marginalized communities are safe and protected in their homes. I am disappointed in the Providence Housing Authority’s unwillingness to implement basic security measures that keep elderly and persons with disabilities safe. I look forward to working with the City Solicitor and City Council staff to continue this fight to hold landlords and developers accountable for the safety and wellbeing of their residents,” said Councilor David Salvatore (Ward 14).
Council Finance Committee Approves City Investments in Clean Water Projects
PROVIDENCE, RI – On Tuesday, City Council Finance Committee members approved measures that allow the city to invest up to $1 million in clean water, stormwater, and sewer infrastructure. The ordinance would authorize the development of Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation Plans (TMDLIP). A total maximum daily load is the maximum number of pollutants allowed to enter a body of water. The plans layout actions and timelines to reach specific water quality goals and standards.
Clean water projects targeted for Providence include Mashapaug Pond, Roger Williams Park Pond, the Woonasquatucket River, and the West River. Providence has received confirmation from the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, qualifying the city for $400,000 in loan forgiveness on a loan of $1 million. The proposal calls for the balance of the loan to be paid by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated for sewer and stormwater projects. The ordinance now moves to the full council and requires two passages.
City Leaders Present $1.5 Million to Roger Williams Park Zoo to Help Bring Penguins Back to PVD
Today, City Council President John Igliozzi and Mayor Jorge Elorza presented a check for $1.5 million to the executive director of the Roger Williams Park Zoo. The money is part of the larger $124 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) budget passed by the council and signed into law by the mayor earlier this year that funds significant long-term investments across the city following the COVID-19 pandemic. After a long absence, zoo officials say the funding will help bring a penguin exhibit back to the zoo.
“We want to express our gratitude to the Providence City Council and Council President Igliozzi, Mayor Elorza, and the city administration for their tireless support of the Roger Williams Park Zoo, “said Stacey Johnson, executive director of RWP Zoo. “The entire Rhode Island community will be as excited as we are when the new penguin exhibit opens because of these efforts. The penguins left the zoo a decade ago, and we look forward to them returning and making a huge splash in Providence!”
“Roger Williams Park Zoo is a Providence institution that attracts visitors far beyond our city and state limits,” added Council President John J. Igliozzi (Ward 7). “The pandemic financially crushed many businesses and forced others to make difficult decisions to keep the lights on. These funds will go toward what the Zoo does best – educating and inspiring our children and all of us.”
“Our tourism destinations were severely impacted by the pandemic, and often, that lost revenue means that needed improvements and exciting projects have been put on hold,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “The Roger Williams Park Zoo is one of our city’s most beloved destinations, and the City is proud to have helped to allocate funds to support these projects that will help the Zoo to not only recover from the pandemic, but leap forward into future successes.”
Roger Williams Park Zoo was founded in 1872 and is the third oldest zoo in the United States.
City Council Passes $10 Million COVID-19 Equities Program and Receives New Tax Agreement for ProvPort
COVID-19 Equites Program
Tonight, at a special meeting of the Providence City Council, members approved the final passage of the $10 million COVID-19 Equities Program budget on a vote of 10 to 1, with 4 Council members absent. The $10 million budget is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and is a collaborative effort between the City Council and Mayor Jorge Elorza’s administration for January 6, 2022, to December 31, 2024. The budget comes after months of work by the city’s 13-member Municipal Reparations Commission. A portion of the funding, $1.75 million, will be under the guidance and oversight of the United Way, with the creation of the United Way COVID-19 Equity Fund. The goal of the fund is to attract new investments and create a generational impact.
“The road to tonight’s passage was not simple or easy. But I am proud of the work and compromise that helped achieve opportunities for generations to come,” said Councilwoman and Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11). “I feel these funds will truly help narrow the racial equity gaps when it comes to education and home ownership here in Providence.”
ProvPort Tax Agreement/Lease extension
Also tonight, the city council received a proposal for a tax exemption agreement ordinance for ProvPort, Inc. and a resolution authorizing a 30 year lease extension for ProvPort. Both the ordinance and resolution were received by the Council and sent to the finance committee for further review.