by Billy Kepner | Oct 16, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-6
Ward Six Councilman, Michael Correia, announces that Cracksealing will begin Sunday night, October 21, 2018 on Chalkstone Avenue and ending at River Avenue. Please expect delays.
“I meet with constituents every day, and the one thing that I hear over and over is about the state of our roads in Providence,” stated Councilman Michael Correia. “I’m very happy to have earmarked some of my Neighborhood Infrastructure Funds to care for Ward Six roadways.”
by Billy Kepner | Oct 4, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-7
Majority Leader John J. Igliozzi tonight put forth a solution to the school bus driver strike that would eliminate the disruption to our residents and students.
“The current labor dispute between First Student and Teamsters is not about wages, it is not about medical benefits, it is about funding a bus driver’s pension, which amounts to a little over $150,000 per year,” stated Majority Leader John J. Igliozzi. “In speaking to stakeholders, there are 200 bus drivers, a majority of whom are minority females who reside in the City of Providence. The Teamsters are asking that First Student contribute to the Teamster’s pension at $1.00 per hour per employee. On average, bus drivers work 6 hours per day. This amounts to $6.00 per day per bus driver or $1,200.00.”
Leader Igliozzi continues, “First Student currently pays $65,000.00 per year to cover 401K expenses for the bus drivers. The difference of what First Student contributes and what the Teamsters have proposed is $152,200.00, or 1.2% of the $12,500,000 contract between First Student and the City of Providence.”
To keep Providences’ children safe and get them back to school Leader Igliozzi is proposing that First Student and the City each pay 50% of the pension cost increase to provide the hardworking men and women with a pension that they have earned and deserved. The City is projecting an $8,000,000 surplus for FY2018 and is in good financial condition to eliminate the disruption brought to residents and students. This cost to the City and First Student would be approximately $76,100 each (a 0.06% increase to the City’s contract with First Student), an important investment in our children and residents.
Leader Iglozzi finished, “At the end of the day what’s more important, paying a little more for this contract or getting our children to school safely? We need to step up and show leadership.”
by Billy Kepner | Sep 12, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-7
Providence City Council Majority Leader John J. Igliozzi, with the help of third graders from Anthony Carnevale Elementary School, will “officially” cut the ribbon on the school’s new playground structure on Friday, September 14 at noon.
“I am thrilled to help bring this playground structure to the community,” stated City Council Majority Leader John J. Igliozzi. “This is a perfect example of the synergies that can happen when the legislative body of city government partners with city departments to maximize community investments. The playground improves the student experience, and provides the whole community with a place to gather and enjoy being outside and most importantly have fun.”
“I am very grateful to Councilman Igliozzi for partnering with us on this improvement to our outdoor play space,” said Christopher Maher, superintendent of Providence Public Schools. “We know that kids perform better in school when they have the opportunity to exercise and play outside, and this creates the ideal environment for both those activities.”
The financing for the playground was a joint investment between the City Council and the School Department with Leader Igliozzi using his Neighborhood Improvement Funds for the project.
by Billy Kepner | Aug 6, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
I want Jason Fane to do business in Providence. I appreciate his commitment to our city – particularly, his pledge to hire union labor for his proposed development. And, I believe that Providence needs to expand its tax base to be successful – and that means increasing development. The Hope Point Tower would represent a $300 million investment in our city, and that is much-needed.
I am also a great proponent of job creation and an ardent supporter of our trade unions.
However, I do not believe that the Hope Point Tower is a good fit for the proposed location on the I-195 parcel. Just a few years ago, the City of Providence spent a great deal of time and resources in the creation of a comprehensive plan, which took into consideration input from developers, community members, and a host of other organizations. Approving a spot zoning change for this development would basically throw all of that process and input out the window.
As City Council President, I have made it a priority to engage our citizens; it is important to me that residents of Providence know their voices are heard.
We on the City Council often hear feedback from developers that there needs to be predictability in our zoning, and we need to play by the rules. And, we have worked incredibly hard to bring our city out of the dark days of backroom deals and the attitude of you had to “know a guy” to get things done. The city’s comprehensive plan laid out a series of clear guidelines for development and design. We cannot just disregard those guidelines.
I want to be very clear on two points: first, while I do not believe that the I-195 land is a feasible location for the Hope Point Tower, I do believe that another location in our city could be suitable. I am committed to working with the developer and city officials to find an option that works for the size and scope of the development while staying within the guidelines of our city’s comprehensive plan.
Secondly, if this project is not approved for the I-195 location, that is not the only option for that land. That parcel will be developed, and it is incumbent upon us as city officials to ensure the development is appropriate.
