I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Brandon Ebert and the whole Johnson and Wales Community. Brandon’s life was tragically cut short in a hit-and-run accident early this morning.

This intersection at Narragansett Boulevard and Washington Avenue has long been an issue in our community, and after this tragic event we can no longer ignore the need for safety enhancements.

I will immediately be requesting the Department of Public Works to install a crosswalk with a pedestrian crossing light, and am demanding that the speed limit be lowered from 35 to 25 MPH at this problematic intersection.

None of these actions will bring back the life of Brandon Ebert, but it is my sincere hope that we can avoid another senseless tragedy in the future.

If you have any information regarding this incident, please call the non-emergency police line at 401-272-1111.

Pedro Espinal

Providence City Council

Councilman – Ward 10

At the September 3 City Council Meeting, Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1) introduced several resolutions with City Council colleagues regarding the start of the new school year, school improvements and COVID-19 preparedness within Providence schools.

“As we approach the 2020-2021 school year, it is crucial that we take all considerations to build a safe and productive school year. I commend and applaud the hard work of the Department of Education, Commissioner Infante-Green, Superintendent Peters and the Department of Health, and offer these resolutions as simply suggestions to further ensure these goals are met,” stated Councilman Goncalves.

The first resolution encourages Providence residents to vote “Yes” on the November ballot referendum to approve a $40 million bond for school improvements in Providence. These improvements would include construction, renovation, landscaping, furnishing and equipping Providence schools and school facilities throughout the City.

This resolution is co-sponsored by Council President Matos (Ward 15), Council President Pro Tempore Correia (Ward 6), Councilwoman Anthony (Ward 2), Councilwoman Castillo (Ward 9), Councilman Espinal (Ward 10), Finance Chairman Igliozzi (Ward 7), Councilwoman Kerwin (Ward 12), Councilor Miller (Ward 13), Councilor Salvatore (Ward 14) and Councilman Narducci (Ward 4).

Council President Matos stated, “While we should prioritize the warmth, safety, and security of our learning spaces for our youth, we should also invest into projects that inspire learning and instill a sense of pride in students about the spaces they spend most of their days in. Voting yes on this ballot referendum would help provide us the flexibility we need to work towards transforming our schools both academically and structurally into investments we can be proud of.”

As plans are made to begin the new school year, the possibility remains that students will be returning to in person learning for at least some of the school year. This means that the physical state of Providence school buildings remain a timely and important concern.

The second resolution proposed by Councilman Goncalves requests that the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) ensure that every Providence Public School has a trained nurse available on site during the day.

“As in-person learning resumes, at a time when public health is so important, it is imperative that a trained nurse or substitute nurse in every building be made available to all Providence students. This will further protect the health of Providence children, their families and surrounding communities,” added Councilman Goncalves.

The next resolution suggests that the RIDE and Providence Public Schools provide a remote learning best practices workshop for parents, through whichever means they see fit. This resolution has been co-sponsored by Council President Matos, Council President Pro Tempore Corriea, Councilor Anthony, Councilor Castillo, Councilor Miller, Councilor Narducci, Councilor Kerwin and Councilor Salvatore.

“So many parents have suddenly had to become teachers as they help their children navigate distance learning. Feedback has indicated that many parents would like to learn more about what they can do at home to provide the best possible learning environment for their children,” continued Councilman Goncalves.

“With the possibility that schools may be relying on distance learning for part of the school year, this type of training would help to mitigate absenteeism and provide parents with some assurance as families adjust to this change,” stated Councilor Anthony.

The final resolution recommends that RIDE utilize disaggregate data in their school operations decision making. While the current guidelines call for broad municipal data in which any city or town with more than 100 positive cases per 100,000 residents cannot move to a full in-person reopening, disaggregate data captures community spread of COVID-19 more closely by pinpointing data within certain subsets of the populations such as race, ethnicity and zip code.

“We have all learned that data and science is crucial when it comes to combating COVID-19. I have 100% confidence in our Governor, Department of Health and Department of Education and the five metric methodology for a safe reopening in person, and this is simply a recommendation to look at our municipal readiness in a more granular way. Since COVID zip code data is readily available, looking at zip codes, race and ethnicity to guide school operation decisions could ensure a safe and equitable return to school, specifically among communities of color and zip codes that have been disproportionately impacted,” stated Councilman Goncalves.

“Communities of color and lower income communities have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 within the City of Providence. This disaggregate data would provide a deeper understanding of the risks involved with returning to school within these specific communities and zip codes’ ‘ stated Finance Chariman Igliozzi.

Council President Matos added, “It’s extremely important that we as the City Council continue to advocate for reform and transformation in our schools: whether it be for better family engagement or basic personnel such as a school nurse. I’m proud to have partnered with Councilman Goncalves and my Council Colleagues in bringing forth these resolutions to keep our kids and families safe.”

Upon passage, these resolutions will be transmitted to the Honorable Governor of the State of Rhode Island, the Mayor of Providence, the Superintendent of the Providence Public School District, and the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education for the State of Rhode Island.

 Tonight, Councilman James E. Taylor (Ward 8), along with Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. (Ward 4), and Councilor Rachel Miller will introduce a resolution requesting the valuation of all city-owned properties.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created significant fiscal challenges for municipalities throughout Rhode Island,” stated Councilman James E. Taylor. “It is critical for the City to have a complete and detailed assessment of all of its current assets and liabilities to help guide the coming financial decision making that will take place in the Committee on Finance, where I serve as a member.”

Under Section 2-101 of the Providence Code of Ordinances, the Department of Public Property has jurisdiction over all public lands, buildings, or other structures owned by and under control of the City of Providence.

Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. stated, “An inventory of all City-owned real estate, including valuations and a brief description on the current and proposed future use for each parcel, will significantly assist the Finance Committee and the City Council as a whole in their decision making surrounding this year’s budget which has yet to be passed.”

“I look forward to further understanding the City’s assets as the Council is tasked with making decisions that will have fiscal impacts for years to come. These lists of properties and their valuations will help us to make sound and impactful decisions for our residents,” stated Councilor Rachel Miller.

Upon passage of the resolution the Department of Public Property shall furnish said inventory, including valuations, to the Office of the Internal Auditor within two weeks.

City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) will introduce a resolution at tonight’s City Council meeting calling on the City Solicitor’s office to reconvene the Providence Nuisance Task Force. The Task Force was initially established to identify and address nuisance properties in the City systematically and collaboratively and has been dormant due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“We must address quality of life issues in our City, even as we are dealing with the continued economic crisis due to the ongoing pandemic,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “We have to address the issues that our residents are bringing to our attention every day. The Council Office has received hundreds of calls from residents expressing their concerns about the increase in nuisance properties, illegal dumping, overgrown vacant parcels, rat infestations, all of which has been exasperated by the furloughs in our Department of Public works.”

The Nuisance Task Force is comprised of representatives from the City Solicitor’s office, the Police Department, the Fire Department, the Department of Inspection and Standards, and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office. They are tasked with resolving current and long-standing nuisance properties throughout the City to protect the health and well-being of residents.

Council President Matos continued, “We have an obligation to our residents to ensure their health, well-being, and that we are addressing these neighborhood issues and concerns head-on. Reconvening the task force will go a long way to addressing some of these more pressing issues.”

In addition to this resolution, Council President Matos and President Pro Tempore Michael Correia (Ward 6) will be introducing a resolution requesting the Department of Public Works to increase street-sweeping efforts across the City.

“Our streets are a mess, and we have the ability to do more street sweeping than we currently are,” stated City Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia. “Due to the reduced workforce in the Department of Public Works, we have falling behind on our efforts to maintain our streets.”

There has been a noticeable increase in trash and rodent activity on City streets due to the lack of more frequent sweeping. Failure to sweep the City’s streets also poses a significant threat to the environment as the accumulated dirt and debris, and other contaminants can be washed from the streets directly into neighborhood waterways creating water pollution not just for the City but the State.

The resolution requests that the Department of Public Works immediately begin street-sweeping efforts throughout the City and, if necessary, hire a third-party contractor to help expedite the process of sweeping every City street.