by Abigail Appel | Oct 7, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-12, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-15, Ward-2, Ward-6
At tonight’s City Council meeting, Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1) proposed a resolution requesting Governor Dan McKee and Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Greene impose a state-wide policy mandating all K-12 teachers and school employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or comply with weekly testing.
“The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective. It is the best way for school employees to protect themselves as well as the students they serve. With many Providence students still too young for vaccination, it is important to ensure that teachers who care for these children all day, five days a week, do not go unvaccinated and untested,” stated Councilman John Goncalves.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Providence County has been classified as an area of substantial COVID-19 transmission. Nearly 800,000 Rhode Islanders have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, however school children under 12 years of age are not yet eligible, leaving them at a high risk for contracting and spreading the virus.
“It is critically important for the safety of our school community that we vaccinate as many people as possible for COVID-19 who interact with our students, staff, and teachers. We now have a safe and effective FDA-approved vaccine that will provide a path back to a more normal school experience for our kids. I appreciate Councilman John Goncalves’ and the city council’s work on this resolution to increase vaccine update,” says Dr. Liz Goldberg, MD, ScM, Emergency Physician and Providence School Board Member.
Surrounding states including New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Delaware have required their K-12 teachers to get vaccinated or go through weekly testing. Tonight’s resolution indicates that exemptions could be made for those with legitimate medical or religious restrictions.
“The School Board is working directly with the Superintendent and senior leadership at PPSD to support the District’s ongoing vaccination efforts. Increasing vaccination uptake is an important way to improve safety in our schools and we look forward to working collaboratively with our school partners to enhance uptake,” added Kinzel Thomas, President of the Providence School Board.
This resolution was co-sponsored by Councilwoman Kat Kerwin (Ward 12), Councilman Oscar Vargas (Ward 15), Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), Councilor Rachel Miller (Ward 13), Councilor David Salvatore (Ward 14) Councilman Nicholas Narducci (Ward 4), Councilwoman Carmen Castillo (Ward 9) and Councilman Michael Correia (Ward 6) and was referred to the Committee on Ordinances.
by Abigail Appel | Oct 7, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5, Ward-7
Tonight, the Providence City Council voted to approve a new position in the police department to help strengthen community relations and public safety in Providence neighborhoods. The budget ordinance which creates the new position also maintains the funding for the position of an additional Police Major which the Council approved in the original FY 2022 budget ordinances adopted in July.
“We are excited to create this new position. The duties and responsibilities will be to coordinate the efforts of the community relations unit and infuse a culture of equity in the department as it shifts back to community policing and diversion services,” stated Council President John J. Igliozzi. “We heard loud and clear from residents and community organizations that the City needs a return to the approach to policing that includes community building and empathy.”
Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5), Chair of the Finance Committee stated, “The Chief of Police provided the Finance Committee with a job description for the new role and a clearly defined scope and charge, which is in line with a civilian (non-sworn police officer) position in the department. We strongly urge the Mayor to publicly post this high profile position, in order to attract the best candidates in an open and fair process.”
The Administrator of Community Relations and Diversion Services salary is $99,517- $125,905 plus health care and benefits.
“We chose to set the Administrator of Community Relations and Diversion Services salary at a substantial level because this is an important job that requires someone with broad and varied experience, with a track record of effective community building and understanding of diversion services,” stated Ryan.
Second passage of the ordinance is scheduled for October 21st.
by Abigail Appel | Oct 7, 2021 | Ward-5
At tonight’s City Council meeting, Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) introduced a resolution recognizing the 50-year anniversary of Providence College admitting women to their student body and faculty.
“It is hard to believe that just 50 years ago, women remained limited in their choices for their education, careers and lifestyles. Yet, as the world has modernized, the contributions women have made to their schools, workplaces, families and communities have been innumerable. Both my daughter and I received our Bachelor’s Degrees in Business Administration and MBA Degrees from Providence College, and my family has been so grateful for the opportunities afforded to us thanks to the institution,” stated Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5).
In 1971, Providence College broke the decades long precedent of male exclusivity to modernize their campus and make room for the dynamic and diverse contributions that women would bring to their staff and student body. Since Providence College was founded in 1917, many graduates have gone on to serve their communities as Providence City Councilors. Councilwoman Ryan is the first female graduate of Providence College to serve on the City Council.
“Providence College is among the top employers in the city of Providence. As we look to our past, we can appreciate the progress we have made through the decades. And as we move into the future, I look forward to continuing to work with our valued local institutions to ensure inclusivity and equal opportunities for all,” added Councilwoman Ryan.
Councilwoman Ryan (Ward 5) was elected in 2014. She currently serves as Chair of the City Council Finance Committee, City Board of Investment Commissioner and Member of the City Retirement Board and Water Supply Board. During her tenure she has served in a number of leadership roles including Council Majority Leader, Majority Whip and Chair of the Council Ordinance Committee.
by Abigail Appel | Sep 21, 2021 | Council News, Ward-5, Ward-7
Providence Finance Committee Approves Creation of New Administrator of Community Relations & Diversion Position Within Police Department
Ordinances clarify that new position is civilian with no law enforcement powers, while retaining new Major position within the Providence Police Department for a qualified law enforcement professional.
This evening, the Providence City Council’s Committee on Finance voted to approve two ordinances creating and funding a new civilian “Administrator of Community Relations and Diversion” position within the Providence Police Department. The ordinance creating the position clearly details the duties of the new administrator position as a civilian within the police department with no law enforcement powers.
“When my colleagues on the City Council learned that a newly created Major position within the Providence Police Department was being filled with a civilian with no previous policing experience, we heard loud and clear from police and community organizations that this would create confusion about roles, while also passing over highly qualified officers within the police department,” said Councilwoman and Finance Chair Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5). “This was not what the Council intended when we included this position in our original FY 2022 budget, and why we have passed this new amended ordinance, sponsored by Council President Igliozzi, which very clearly details that the Administrator of Community Relations & Diversion is a civilian, administrative position within the police department with no law enforcement powers.”
Continued Ryan, “The Council supports the need for this position to better build trust between our police and the diverse communities across our city. By passing these ordinances we will create this new Administrator of Community Relations & Diversion position while also preserving the Major position within the Providence Police Department for a highly qualified law enforcement professional.”
“We all agree on the importance of maintaining the integrity of the Providence Police Department, while also improving community-police relations. This ordinance will do just that by creating a new Administrator of Community Relations & Diversion position within the police department, and explicitly defining this as a civilian role,” said Council President John Igliozzi (Ward 7). “I commend Chairwoman Ryan and my colleagues on the Finance Committee for their work on this ordinance and look forward to its passage by the full City Council in the coming weeks.”
A job description for the new Administrator of Community Relations & Diversion position has been created and can be found here.
The ordinances approved by the Finance Committee will now go to the full City Council for final approval, expected in October.
by Abigail Appel | Sep 16, 2021 | Council News, Ward-5
Providence City Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) has announced a major road safety project on Mount Pleasant Avenue which will begin next year. The safety improvements come after a multi-year planning effort by Ryan, along with neighbors, local businesses, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, and the City of Providence.
“After the tragic death in 2017 of a high school teacher walking across Mount Pleasant Avenue as she left work, I brought my neighbors and other stakeholders together with traffic experts to develop a plan to prevent this kind of horrible accident from happening again. On any given day, Mount Pleasant Avenue is bustling with vehicle and pedestrian traffic from the schools, residences, and small businesses that make their home there. We must ensure that this important neighborhood thoroughfare is safe for everyone,” stated Councilwoman Ryan.
The road safety improvement project will invest approximately $2 million into the installation of numerous features along Mount Pleasant Avenue between Smith Street and Beaufort Street. Some of these improvements include new concrete sidewalks, raised crosswalks, new pavement and striping, traffic signal improvements, school zone flashing beacons, and ADA compliant curb ramps. Based on input from residents and local businesses, the plan does not include a bike lane. The City Council tonight approved the resolution authorizing the City to enter into a construction and maintenance agreement with RIDOT for this project.
“Providence residents should feel safe on the streets where they drive to work and patronize local businesses, and where their children catch the bus or walk to school. I am proud to have facilitated the important conversations between neighbors and the state Department of Transportation that have led to a plan to make Mount Pleasant Avenue a safer and more functional street in our city,” added Councilwoman Ryan.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation will be releasing the plan and providing details at an upcoming public briefing. Visit their project page at https://bit.ly/3luVN7k to learn more and to sign-up for updates.
