by Billy Kepner | Oct 3, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-13
This morning we find ourselves deeply saddened about a violent act on Federal Hill resulting in the loss of a life. It is incomprehensible how anyone could act against another in this manner.
We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the victim.
Over the last several months we, in our capacities as State Representative and Providence City Councilor, Ward 13, we have been working diligently with the Providence Police Department on issues that impact life, health, and safety on Federal Hill.
We know the determination the police, city leaders and businesses have to keep Federal Hill and all areas of the city safe. We thank members of the Federal Hill Commerce, residents, city leaders, and the Providence Police for working with us and working together over the last five months.
This appears to be an isolated incident at a long standing establishment, where a violent act took place between two patrons as part of interpersonal dispute.
We will be in contact with Chief Clements to offer any assistance he may require, and to learn more details about what took place during this altercation.
We want to assure residents and visitors alike that the beautiful historic Federal Hill is a safe place to visit with your friends and family. Please join us during the upcoming Columbus Day festivities and what will be the start of fall and the holiday season.
Rachel M. Miller – Providence City Council – Councilwoman, Ward 13
Representative John J. Lombardi – Rhode Island General Assembly – District 8, Providence
by Billy Kepner | Oct 2, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15
Recently, we’ve learned more information about the deep systemic issues in our school department and how they are harming our ever-growing multilingual student population. Much like the John Hopkins report, this recently publicized ELL Report produced by the Council of the Great City Schools sheds a more intimate light on how our broken school system is not prioritizing students and families. This same disservice was dire enough to warrant the attention of the U.S. Justice Department last year that found that for years we’ve been failing our ELL students.
In addition to failing to provide the necessary supports and resources our ELL students require, a Boston Globe article this week reported that the Classical High School admissions test is only offered in English and that only 8 out of 1000 students at Classical, the City’s most prestigious high school, are in fact ELL.
These longstanding issues point to a more critical problem: this notion or narrative that multilingual learners are the ‘other’ and that they aren’t as capable or as knowledgeable as their English-speaking peers. When children, no matter what language they speak, aren’t treated as the centerpiece of a school culture it manifests itself in the subpar services they are provided and in the problematic behaviors undervalued students often portray.
In order to fix this disservice, we must first confront the biases embedded in our systems, structures, and in ourselves. We have to start treating multilingualism as an asset and not a deficiency and we have to build an educational system that accounts for the needs and supports of our ELL students from inception.
I am hopeful that the state’s intervention will provide us the opportunity to do just that.
Sabina Matos, President – Providence City Council – Councilwoman for Ward 15
by Billy Kepner | Oct 1, 2019 | Ward-15, Ward-5, Ward-7
Tonight the City Council’s Committee on Finance, Chaired by Majority Whip John J. Igliozzi, Esq. (Ward 7), invited Xaykham Kamsyvoravong, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Providence Water Board to discuss municipal Asset Transfers as a potential tool to help address the City’s underfunded pension fund.
“Providence is not the only city in the State that is facing serious pension liabilities,” stated Finance Chairman John J. Igliozzi, Esq. “There are 17 other municipalities that have critically underfunded pension plans, and Providence is one of them. It is not only necessary but prudent that we explore all options on the table to mitigate our liabilities and obligations.”
Asset Transfers are a common practice by corporations to help support their unfunded pension liabilities. This practice moves the ownership of a non-cash asset from an entity to its pension fund, allowing the asset’s appraised value to offset unfunded pension liabilities.
Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan and Vice-Chairwoman of the Committee on Finance (Ward 5) said, “The City of Providence is facing serious long-term financial challenges, and we need to explore all avenues to address our unfunded pension fund. I want to thank Xaykham Kamsyvoravong for his scholarly paper from his time at Roger Williams Law School, his service to the City of Providence, and for joining us to begin an important discussion.”
Leader Ryan continued, “Clearly, asset transfers are not a silver bullet for state and local governments or pension funds, and there are many challenges that need to be addressed. It is hard to identify assets suitable for this funding mechanism and even more difficult to price and structure them fairly. More importantly, an asset transfer should only be one piece of a well thought out, efficient long-term plan that includes pension reforms. We will be looking for help from our State colleagues to determine if it should be part of our long-term plan. Bottom line – it is an accepted accounting treatment that can positively benefit our balance sheet. It doesn’t solve for the cash flow that is needed to address our financial challenges, but it may be part of the broader solution.”
“This is not a new concept, corporations have used Asset Transfers for decades to leverage the value of their assets,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “The Council is looking broadly at our pension obligations, and felt this idea is worthy of further discussion.”
In 2017 the state of New Jersey transferred the New Jersey Lottery to its pensions for a 30-year term, and it offset nearly $13.5 billion of unfunded pension liability. Other states like Connecticut and Illinois are currently exploring this process to mitigate their pension liability as well.
Council President Matos continued, “We have serious financial obligations facing this City – from our schools to infrastructure, to a ballooning pension. Nothing should be off the table, and every idea must be explored and vetted. Asset Transfers are just one area that my leadership team is exploring. This Council is not willing to shirk its duty, and we must be proactive. I applaud the Committee on Finance, and it’s Chairman John Igliozzi and Vice Chairwoman Jo-Ann Ryan for being so willing to explore these difficult scenarios.”
by Billy Kepner | Oct 1, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4
Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. (Ward 4) today was on site where work is continuing on the Hawkins Street Bridge Restoration Project.
“Today, National Grid was on-site to begin the removal of power lines along the Hawkins Street Bridge,” stated Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. “This process is going to take time, but it’s great to see momentum. I want to thank the City and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation for keeping this project moving.”
Hawkins Street Bridge was closed to traffic in October of 2017 after the Rhode Island Department of Transportation found significant deterioration on several of the support beams. Narducci continued, “Today marks another step closer to restoring this bridge so that the community is no longer divided.”
As work progresses Senior Deputy Majority Leader Narducci will provide updates on the status of the project.
by Billy Kepner | Oct 1, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Yesterday, I was interviewed by NBC 10 regarding the $50 fine assessed to homeowners who left trash bins at the curb after midnight of their assigned trash day. The fine struck me as high, so after the interview, I reviewed the Code of Ordinances as it pertains to trash fines. In 2011, the City Council amended the Code to set a more equitable fine structure: the fines were set at $25 for a first offense and $50 for a second offense. All subsequent fines were to be levied at $100, not to exceed $1,500 per calendar year.
While it is possible that this is an honest mistake, these fines are very real for the homeowners being assessed, and this is a serious oversight that could put the City on the hook for restitution to homeowners who were overcharged. I have asked the Internal Auditor to immediately review this situation.
In addition to calling for a complete audit of trash fines levied since passage of the 2011 amendment, I will also introduce an amendment to the ordinance that would call for a warning for first offenses, followed by a sliding fine scale for subsequent offenses. While it is important to enforce rules about trash and ensure that our streets and sidewalks are clear, we must also ensure that regulations are applied fairly and evenly. Overcharging our hardworking residents is unacceptable.
Link to NBC 10’s story: Providence Trash Barrel Tickets Pile Up
