by Billy Kepner | Jan 2, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15, Ward-5
Sabina Matos, Ward 15, the putative incoming City Council President has requested that the January 3, 2019 meeting, which would be the last meeting for the current term be canceled. The new council will be sworn-in on Monday, January 7, 2019 at noon.
It is somewhat unprecedented to hold a January meeting on the eve of ushering in a new class of City Councilors. Matos stated, “Out of deference to the four new members being sworn-in on January 7, 2019, precedent compels the Council to defer taking up new business just days before they are to be sworn-in. The January 3, 2019 agenda includes ratification of long-term multi-year contracts affecting thousands of city employees, and appointments that should be fully vetted. To convene beforehand, would be uncharacteristic, given past practice, to have an outgoing Council deliberate on such important matters.”
The full Providence City Council regularly meets the first and third Thursdays of the month.
Jo-Ann Ryan, Majority Whip, Ward 5 said, “With the swearing-in of the new Council scheduled for Monday, January 7, 2019, a majority of the Council thought it best to wait these few short days, to allow the new members to be seated, before voting on these important matters.”
Ryan continued, “Since the current charter was adopted in 1980, early January meetings being held within a week of a new Council being sworn-in are a rarity. The last time a first Thursday arrived before the first Monday swearing-in was 16 years ago in 2003 and the Council did not meet. Prior to that, it was 1991 and the Council did meet, but it was for a special occasion. Former Mayor Joseph R. Paolino, Jr., who had also served as Council President lost in the Democratic primary for governor the previous September and delivered a farewell address to the body.”
by Billy Kepner | Dec 23, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4
Councilman Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. is excited to announce that the upgrades to the Prete-Metcalf Field Playground are complete.
He extends his thanks to the dedicated employees of the Providence Parks Department, volunteers, and community members who helped to make this project a reality.
An official ribbon cutting will be scheduled in early spring.
by Billy Kepner | Dec 21, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-3
Over the past year there have been several incidents of racist and white nationalist propaganda being shared in our community, and today I have learned of another incident in my neighborhood.
These messages are sometimes opaque and not easily recognizable. They may otherwise seem harmless, but they will not go unnoticed by my neighbors, who I was elected to represent, or by me. Our community is diverse, open, and welcoming, and this rhetoric is not and will not be tolerated. Simply put: there is no place for hate here in Providence.
I won’t share the image and I won’t say where it was, but I will say as soon as it was brought to my attention, my colleagues in government reacted swiftly to remove this vile message from our community. I will never stand in the way of free speech, but I will gladly stand up and speak out against hate speech, even when it’s not always recognizable.
To those who would share this vitriolic message in our community, I pray for you. I pray that during this special holiday season, which is meant to be filled with family, love, and brotherhood, that your hatred melts away, and that acceptance and love for your neighbors fill that part of your hearts.
— Nirva R. LaFortune, Councilwoman – Ward Three
by Billy Kepner | Dec 18, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-11, Ward-5
Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris was joined by Councilwoman-Elect Rachel Miller at the Building Futures – Rhode Island graduation.
Building Futures – Rhode Island helps prepare low-income urban Rhode Islanders for successful careers in the building trades.
They assess the work readiness of their applicants, provide training and other forms of services and supports to help address barriers to employment, and assist successful graduates in gaining a career through employment as registered apprentices.
Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan, who was unable to be there, made sure that she and Councilwoman Harris gave each of the graduates an official citation from the City Council commemorating this occasion.
For more information, visit them on the web: Building Futures RI
For more information on the upcoming Building Futures Orientation check out their Facebook event: BFRI Orientation
by Billy Kepner | Dec 17, 2018 | Council News, Press Release
CITY OF PROVIDENCE
RHODE ISLAND
PUBLIC HEARING
BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing is scheduled to be held, Thursday, December
27, 2018 at 5:00 o’clock P.M. in the Chamber of the City Council, City Hall, Providence,
Rhode Island.
The Public Hearing will be concerned with the following proposed Ordinances before the
City Council and the which are on file in the Department of the City Clerk, City Hall and
available for inspection:
An Ordinance Establishing a Tax Stabilization Agreement for 44 Hospital Street.
An Ordinance Establishing a Tax Stabilization Agreement for 1290 Westminster
Street, LLC located at 1292 Westminster Street.
This Public Hearing is being held in accordance with Section 17-27 of the Code of
Ordinances of the City of Providence relative to the ratification of Collective Bargaining
Agreements by the City Council. These agreements are on file in the Department of City
Clerk, City Hall and are available for inspection:
Communication from His Honor the Mayor, dated December 3, 2018, submitting
the tentative agreement by and between the City of Providence and the Rhode
Island Laborers’ District Council on behalf of Public Service Employees’ Local
Union 1033 of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, AFL-CIO for
the period of July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 and July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022.
(City 1033 Agreement)
Communication from His Honor the Mayor, dated December 3, 2018, submitting
the tentative agreement by and between the City of Providence and the Rhode
Island Laborers’ District Council on behalf of Public Service Employees’ Local
Union 1033 of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, AFL-CIO for
the period of July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 and July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022.
(1033 Teacher Assistants Agreement)
Communication from His Honor the Mayor, dated December 3, 2018, submitting
the tentative agreement by and between the City of Providence and the Rhode
Island Laborers’ District Council on behalf of Public Service Employees’ Local
Union 1033 of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, AFL-CIO for
the period of July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 and July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022.
(1033 Business, Educational, Specialist, Technical Staff. (B.E.S.T.) Agreement)
Communication from His Honor the Mayor, dated December 3, 2018, submitting
the tentative agreement by and between the City of Providence and the Rhode
Island Laborers’ District Council on behalf of Public Service Employees’ Local
Union 1033 of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, AFL-CIO for
the period of July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 and July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022.
(1033 Public School Safety Services Officers. (P.S.S.S.O.) Agreement)
Offices and City Council Chambers are accessible to individuals with disabilities. If you
are in need of interpreter services for the hearing impaired, please contact the Office of
Neighborhood Services at 421-7768 not less than 48 hours in advance of the hearing date.
All persons or agencies interested in the above Ordinances and Collective Bargaining
Agreements will have an opportunity to be heard and/or to submit communication in
writing. Copies of the proposed ordinances and Collective Bargaining Agreements and
information thereon may be obtained prior to the Hearing at the City Clerk’s Office,
Providence City Hall, 25 Dorrance Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 02903 between the
hours of 8:30 o’clock A.M. and 4:00 o’clock P.M. on regular business days.
PER ORDER THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Councilman John J. Igliozzi, Chairman
Councilman Terrence M. Hassett, Vice-Chairman
Councilwoman Sabina Matos
Councilwoman Carmen Castillo
Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan
Lori L. Hagen
City Clerk
