by Billy Kepner | May 9, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5, Ward-7, Ward-8
Last night the City Council convened to vote on the extension of Mayor Jorge O. Elorza’s Executive Order. The matter did not pass as it required a mega-majority vote (11 out of 14 affirmative votes) which it did not receive.
Pursuant to section 302-i of the City Home Rule Charter Mayor Elorza would need three-fourths of the Council to vote in the affirmative or 11 out of the current 14 voting members. Last night the vote was 7 ayes, 5 nays, 1 abstention, and 1 Councilor absent.
“The City Council has a sworn oath to uphold the City’s Home Rule Charter,” stated City Council Majority Whip John J. Igliozzi Esq. (Ward 7). “As a Council, we are the checks and balances of the Executive Branch and the Mayor’s order did not meet the requirements put forth by our founding mothers and fathers to extend, and our duty is to the will of the many not the will of one.”
What this means for the residents of Providence, is that all regulations put forth by Governor Gina Raimondo should be followed in its totality. With that, all parks and golf courses within the City limits will be open under the strict guidelines set forth by the Governor. No groups of five or more individuals shall gather together in the first phase of her plan to reopen the economy, cloth face masks must be worn at all times, and social distancing guidelines must be followed.
Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) stated, “The Mayor’s Executive Order did not meet the required vote to pass the City Council. It is our obligation to follow the Home Rule Charter to the letter, and that is what we did. These are difficult times, but we must follow the law.”
“Last night’s vote only proves that the Mayor is not following the guidelines set forth by Governor Raimondo,” stated Councilman James Taylor (Ward 8). “I have consistently voted against the Mayor’s Executives Orders as each one of them has not been consistent with the Governor’s.”
by Billy Kepner | May 7, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-10, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-2, Ward-6
At tonight’s City Council meeting, Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) put forth two resolutions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; one regarding an expansion of SNAP benefits and the other regarding anti-Asian sentiment in the City of Providence.
The first resolution, sponsored by Council President Matos, Council President Pro-Tempore Michael Correia (Ward 6), Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10) and Councilor Rachel Miller (Ward 13), urges the Federal government to expand SNAP benefit services in Rhode Island to include online and delivery services.
“The Council is confronting this crisis head on and is working with our partners in government to help the most vulnerable amongst us,” stated Council President Sabina Matos.
Currently, SNAP recipients must physically travel to the grocery stores to purchase food items. This has been identified as a possible reason for racial disparities in the COVID-19 pandemic, as these SNAP recipients are forced to leave their homes, possibly exposing themselves to the COVID-19 virus at a greater level than those who are able to have food delivered to them.
Council President Matos continued, “It is vital that as Councilors we advocate for all residents, not just in our respective Wards but across the City. Increasing ability for SNAP recipients to use third-party grocery services, and providing access to other ways in which to use them is important to creating healthy communities.”
The Council urges the Federal Government to expand SNAP benefits to include delivery and online services in Rhode Island and throughout the country. Currently, the only states with these types of services are New York, Nebraska, Oregon, Iowa, Alabama and Washington. Upon passage, this resolution will be sent to Governor Gina Raimondo and members of Rhode Island’s Federal delegation.
The second resolution, sponsored by the same five Councilors, denounces xenophobia against the Asian community in Providence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The United States has sadly seen an increase in racial profiling, hate crimes and violence against Asian Americans since the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The World Health Organization has made clear that the COVID-19 virus is not affected by ethnicities or borders. The use of geographic descriptors is reductive and has led to unfounded profiling of the Asian-American community.
Any person who has witnessed or experienced racial profiling or bigotry due to the COVID-19 pandemic is urged to contact authorities for a proper investigation.
“Our Asian community is an integral part of our City. They contributions they have made culturally and economically are numerous and priceless. This resolution should put everyone on notice that hatred or discrimination has no place in our City,” continued Council President Matos.
In Providence, 6.1% of the population is of Asian heritage. The Providence City Council reaffirms its commitment to the well-being and safety of Asian-Americans in our community, denounces any case of anti-Asian sentiment in the City of Providence, and is willing to take steps to combat any crimes targeting the Asian community.
Council President Matos added, “This is the time to lift our neighbors up, and not tear them down. This disease has touched the lives of over 10,000 Rhode Islanders and knows no race.”
by Billy Kepner | May 7, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-10, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-2
At tonight’s City Council meeting Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10) along with his colleagues, Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), and Councilwoman Rachel Miller (Ward 13) introduced an amendment to the City’s Zoning Ordinance that would eliminate incinerator or waste facilities from being able to open in the City of Providence.
“As a City Councilor it is not my intention to stand in the way of bringing new businesses to our City,” stated Councilman Pedro Espinal. “That said, earlier this year a developer wanted to open a solid waste facility in the area around the Port of Providence that would have potentially caused serious consequences for the environment and the well-being of my constituents. I believe that this type of industry would only serve to harm our residents, and create more air and water pollution. There is no viable place for such facilities in a City as densely populated as Providence, and by removing this from our Zoning Code we can ensure the health and safety of our residents.”
In addition to the Ordinance, Councilors Espinal, Anthony, Miller and Councilman David A. Salvatore (Ward 14) introduced a resolution calling on the Providence Planning Department and the City Plan Commission to expand their distribution of written notices to abutting property owners and residents from 200 feet to at least 1,000 feet for any major land development projects.
Councilman Espinal continued, “We know that any major land development can have far reaching effects on residents further than the current 200 feet rule. By expanding this to at least 1,000 feet, more residents will be able to be notified and take part in the robust discussion that happens around these developments.”
Major land developments in the City of Providence undergo an extensive review process, which includes multiple public hearings prior to any approval by the City Plan Commission. Extending the distance for property owner notification for such projects would help to create more community engagement and ensure that more residents are notified about projects being planned in their neighborhoods.
by Billy Kepner | May 7, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4
Earlier today I had a productive conversation with Mayor Jorge O. Elorza about the reopening of our City’s golf courses. As the Governor has indicated that she is lifting her “Stay at Home Order,” I believe that with proper safety protocols we can begin the reopening of our City’s golf courses.
Golf courses will be allowed to reopen by providing the City with a detailed safety protocol plan to keep employees and patrons alike safe from the spread of COVID-19.
Many in our community depend on these golf courses for fitness and stress relief, and I believe that we could all use both. It is my hope, that in partnership with Mayor Elorza, that we can get these open safely and sooner rather than later. I encourage these courses to submit their plans to the City as soon as possible and let’s work together to keep everyone safe and healthy.
I thank Mayor Elorza for his willingness to work with myself and my colleagues to do what we can to provide the residents of Providence with access to the “greens” safely and while practicing social distancing. That said, we must be mindful to adhere to any rules and regulations around access to these courses or we will be forced to close them once more.
Nicholas J. Narducci, Senior Deputy Majority Leader
Providence City Council
Councilman – Ward 4
by Billy Kepner | Apr 29, 2020 | Council News, COVID-19, Press Release, Ward-15, Ward-6, Ward-7
Providence City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) announced today that the City Council would be granting
Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic a $100 Thousand grant to expand COVID-19 testing at their health clinic. Data made public by the Rhode Island Department of Health last week showed that the City of Providence is being disproportionately affected by COVID-19 cases. More specifically, the hardest-hit zip code in the entire state encompasses the neighborhoods of Olneyville, Silver Lake, and Manton – communities that Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic serves.
“These neighborhoods are home to some of the hardest working and most marginalized populations in the state,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “These truths are also why they are more likely to be exposed to the dangers of this virus. These communities are the ones risking their lives manufacturing essential goods, ringing out and delivering food to everyone’s homes, and are more likely to access mass public transit. These critical funds will allow Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic to expand their testing operations from three days a week to six days a week and will provide the 02909 community a testing site that’s more easily accessible.”
Clínica Esperanza was founded in 2007 as a place for patients, volunteers, community partners and donors to be healthy. Their community health care model ensures that quality care comes from caregivers who are fully integrated in the community. They offer primary medical care to uninsured Rhode Islanders, with an emphasis on culturally accustomed and linguistically appropriate care.
Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia (Ward 6) stated, “By providing expanded testing hours for our community we are sending a message to our residents that their wellbeing is our number one priority, and that we are doing whatever we can to make testing accessible and equitable. I commend the Council President for her leadership and guidance on this initiative.”
“The health of the community we serve is our highest priority,” stated Councilman John J. Igliozzi, Esq. “These funds will go a long way in ensuring that our most vulnerable residents can access COVID-19 testing safely and with the help and guidance of a culturally competent staff.”
Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic is located at 60 Valley Street in the City of Providence. With this grant, they will be increasing their COVID-19 testing to six days a week from 4 PM – 9 PM daily. Their staff is multi-lingual, and you will need to make an appointment by email at
coronavirus@aplacetobehealthy.org, or by calling 401-408-0238, or by sending them a
Facebook message.
