by Council Staff | Mar 10, 2023 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Press Release, Ward-1
March 10, 2023
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Parker Gavigan, Director of Communications
pgavigan@providenceri.gov
Providence, RI – “I’m aware of the Fane Tower news today. We all know this process took time, energy, and resources, and we want to thank the parties involved for their due diligence. Now we move in another direction. As the city councilor representing the Jewelry District and Downtown neighborhood, I look forward to working with our constituents, Marc Crisafulli, Caroline Skuncik, and the 195 Commission to find an alternative investment and feasible economic project for this integral parcel in the great city of Providence.”
by Council Staff | Mar 2, 2023 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Press Release
Contact:
Parker Gavigan, Director of Communications
Providence, RI – At tonight’s City Council meeting, councilors urged state lawmakers to pass a Rhode Island percentage income payment plan (PIPP) for electric and natural gas utility customers who may be struggling to pay their bills. The resolution points to rate hikes in electricity and natural gas for many Rhode Islanders who are still recovering from losses and deep debts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
PIPPs:
- allow consumers living near or under the Federal Poverty line to pay a percentage of their income (in the 3-6% range) for gas and electricity
- are working to positive effect in 12 states nationwide, where elderly customers’ heating bills were lowered by 90% on the program
- over 20,000 RI households have their electricity or gas shut-off for non-payment annually
“A PIPP is about making sure that people have what they need to take care of their families during the costly winter season,” said Council President Rachel Miller (Ward 13). “These plans are beneficial investments for residents throughout Providence and across our state.”
“I urge our state legislators to listen to this appeal from our city council at a time when utility costs have risen has high as 47%. Many of our residents simply cannot afford to pay their utility bills,” added Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10).
Appointments
The following appointments were made by City Clerk Tina Mastrioanni:
Caleb T. Horton was appointed City Archivist for a four year term
Sheri A. Petronio was appointed First Deputy City Clerk
Angela J. Harris was appointed First Deputy City Clerk
Donna M. Peligian was appointed First Deputy City Clerk
Claire E. Girard was appointed Clerk Liaison of the Department of City Clerk by City Clerk Mastroianni.
2 de marzo de 2023
COMUNICADO DE PRENSA
Contacto:
Parker Gavigan, Director de Comunicaciones
El Concejo Municipal Apoya los Planes de Pago de Ingresos Porcentuales para Clientes con Problemas de Gas y Electricidad
Providence, RI – En la reunión del Concejo Municipal de esta noche, los concejales instaron a los legisladores estatales a aprobar un plan de pago de ingresos porcentuales (PIPP) de Rhode Island para los clientes de servicios públicos de electricidad y gas natural que pueden tener dificultades para pagar sus facturas. La resolucion apunta a aumentos en las tarifas de electricidad y gas natural para muchos habitantes de Rhode Island que aún se están recuperando de pérdidas y deudas profundas causadas por la pandemia de COVID-19.
PIPP:
- permitir que los consumidores que viven cerca o por debajo de la línea federal de pobreza paguen un porcentaje de sus ingresos (en el rango de 3 a 6 %) por gas y electricidad
- están trabajando con un efecto positivo en 12 estados de todo el país, donde las facturas de calefacción de los clientes mayores se redujeron en un 90 % gracias al programa
- más de 20,000 hogares de RI tienen su corte de electricidad o gas por falta de pago anualmente
“Un PIPP se trata de asegurarse de que las personas tengan lo que necesitan para cuidar de sus familias durante la costosa temporada de invierno”, dijo la presidenta del consejo Rachel Miller (Distrito 13). “Estos planes son inversiones beneficiosas para los residentes de Providence y de todo nuestro estado”.
“Insto a nuestros legisladores estatales a que escuchen este llamamiento de nuestro concejo municipal en un momento en que los costos de los servicios públicos han aumentado hasta en un 47 %. Muchos de nuestros residentes simplemente no pueden pagar sus facturas de servicios públicos”, agregó el concejal Pedro Espinal (Distrito 10).
Equipo
La Secretaria Municipal Tina Mastrioanni hizo los siguientes nombramientos:
Caleb T. Horton fue nombrado archivista de la ciudad por un período de cuatro años
Sheri A. Petronio fue nombrada Primera Secretaria Municipal Adjunta
Angela J. Harris fue nombrada Primera Secretaria Municipal Adjunta
Donna M. Peligian fue nombrada Primera Secretaria Municipal Adjunta
Claire E. Girard fue nombrada Secretaria de Enlace del Departamento de Secretaria Municipal por la Secretaria Municipal Mastroianni.
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by Council Staff | Mar 2, 2023 | Council News
Dear Neighbors,
It is with a heavy heart that I write to pay tribute to the memory of John Deluca, a true visionary and leader who left an indelible mark on the North End neighborhood and the city as a whole. John was the Executive Director of the DaVinci Center, a multi-purpose center based on the settlement house and social welfare agency concept, operating in a non-partisan environment. The DaVinci Center is one of the 11 multi-purpose centers in Providence, RI.
John’s journey with the DaVinci Center began in 1972 when he was a school counselor and Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) advisor at St. Ann’s Church, the Catholic church that anchored the neighborhood. Together with four others, who were equally concerned about the social fabric of the Charles Street/Wanskuck area of Providence, John formed a corporation to address the needs of the community. Businesses were closing, families were struggling, and the number of teenage dropouts was alarmingly high.
Through his determination, vision, social skills, expertise, and connections, John transformed the DaVinci Center from a rent-free storefront drop-in center to a comprehensive service provider for the community. He worked with his staff and Board of Directors to design the current building, where the center has been located since 1978. John became Executive Director of the DaVinci Center in 1976, a position he held until his passing.
Just two weeks ago, I had the privilege of meeting with John at the DaVinci Center, or “The Center” as he would call it. We spoke at length about the ways in which I could support the DaVinci Center as a City Councilor, its impact over the years, and how it has always risen to meet the needs of the North End. John spoke with great passion about the challenges our neighborhood faces and was excited for the next chapter of impact for the DaVinci Center and our community.
John’s legacy will endure through the DaVinci Center, which he named after Leonardo da Vinci, a Renaissance Man and a positive role model in Italian history and culture. Despite having a small full-time staff, along with occasional interns from Rhode Island College and Community College of Rhode Island, the DaVinci Center continues to provide substantial services to the community, which has become more racially and ethnically diverse over time. John Deluca’s passing is a great loss to our community, but his legacy will live on through the DaVinci Center and the countless lives it has touched. We extend our deepest sympathies to John’s family and friends during this difficult time.
by Council Staff | Feb 24, 2023 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Press Release
February 24, 2023
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Parker Gavigan, Director of Communications
401.486.5646
City Council President Rachel Miller, Senator Sam Bell, Representative Enrique Sanchez, and Rebecca Atwood, President of the West Broadway Neighborhood Association, met with Housing Secretary Pryor
Providence, RI – On Thursday night, we had a conversation with state Housing Secretary Stefan Pryor. We were joined by Eileen Hayes from Amos House, a current resident of the warming center, leadership from the National Guard as well as a representative from the Rhode Island Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM), the state entity in charge of the Armory. Secretary Pryor committed to joining us at a public community meeting about both the warming shelter and the future vision for the armory within three weeks. We will keep the community posted as soon as we have a date. We encourage neighborhood residents and guests at the Armory to attend to share their views. We also agreed that all parties will be making their best efforts to fully phase out the warming shelter at the Armory in April. Secretary Pryor confirmed that there would be no permanent shelter at the Armory, and he and others present reflected the state’s enthusiasm for the Scout development of the Armory, which has been in discussion with the state for several years (for more information about the Scout development plans, see the community meeting in December). CEO of Amos House, Eileen Hayes, also shared that Amos House will not run this facility as a permanent or semi-permanent shelter, as it is not the right solution for the homelessness crisis.
The Providence City Council is committed to working with our state partners, the Secretary of Housing and the Department of Administration to find the most humane solution to care for the guests at the Armory while the facility remains open.
24 de febrero de 2023
COMUNICADO DE PRENSA
Contacto:
Parker Gavigan, Director de Comunicaciones
401.486.5646
Declaración Conjunta De Líderes Electos Y Socios Comunitarios Sobre El Futuro De Cranston Street Armory
La presidenta del Concejo Municipal, Rachel Miller, el senador Sam Bell, el representante Enrique Sánchez y Rebecca Atwood, presidenta de la Asociación de Vecinos de West Broadway, se reunieron con el secretario de Vivienda, Pryor
Providence, RI – El jueves por la noche, tuvimos una conversación con el secretario de Vivienda del estado, Stefan Pryor. Nos acompañaron Eileen Hayes de Amos House, un residente actual del centro de calentamiento, y líderes de la Guardia Nacional, así como un representante de la División de Administración y Mantenimiento de Activos de Capital de Rhode Island (DCAMM), la entidad estatal a cargo de la Armería. El secretario Pryor se comprometió a unirse a nosotros en una reunión comunitaria pública sobre el refugio de calentamiento y la visión futura de la armería dentro de tres semanas. Mantendremos informada a la comunidad tan pronto como tengamos una fecha. Recomendamos a los residentes del vecindario y a los invitados de la Armería a que asistan para compartir sus puntos de vista. También acordamos que todas las partes harán sus mejores esfuerzos para eliminar por completo el refugio de calentamiento en la Armería en abril. El secretario Pryor confirmó que no habría un refugio permanente en la Armería, y él y otros presentes reflejaron el entusiasmo del estado por el desarrollo Scout de la Armería, que ha estado en discusión con el estado durante varios años (para obtener más información sobre los planes del desarrollo Scout, ver la reunión de la comunidad en diciembre). La directora ejecutiva de Amos House, Eileen Hayes, también compartió que Amos House no administrará esta instalación como un refugio permanente o semipermanente, ya que no es la solución adecuada para la crisis de personas sin hogar.
El Concejo Municipal de Providence se compromete a trabajar con nuestros socios estatales, el secretario de Vivienda y el Departamento de Administración para encontrar la solución más humana para cuidar a los invitados en la Armería mientras las instalaciones permanecen abiertas.
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by Council Staff | Feb 16, 2023 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Press Release
February 16, 2023
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Parker Gavigan, Director of Communications
pgavigan@providenceri.gov
Special Committee on Environment and Resiliency
PROVIDENCE, RI – At tonight’s City Council meeting, President Rachel Miller appointed five members to the city’s Special Committee on Environment and Resiliency, a group that will provide legislative recommendations to the Council in all matters related to the city’s environment and sustainability goals. Members of the committee include Councilor Sue AnderBois, Councilwoman Helen Anthony, Councilman Pedro Espinal, Councilor Justin Roias, and Councilor Miguel Sanchez.
In total, the group will consist of six members. Five are appointed by the Council, with one seat occupied by the Director of the Department of Sustainability or a designee, who will serve as a non-voting ex-officio member.
16 de febrero de 2023
Comunicado de Prensa
Contacto:
Parker Gavigan, Director de Comunicaciones
pgavigan@providenceri.gov
Comité Especial de Medio Ambiente y Resiliencia
PROVIDENCE, RI – En la reunión del Concejo Municipal de esta noche, la presidenta Rachel Miller nombró a cinco miembros del Comité Especial de Medio Ambiente y Resiliencia de la ciudad, un grupo que brindará recomendaciones legislativas al Concejo en todos los asuntos relacionados con el medio ambiente y los objetivos de sostenibilidad de la ciudad. Los miembros del comité incluyen a la concejala Sue AnderBois, la concejala Helen Anthony, el concejal Pedro Espinal, el concejal Justin Roias y el concejal Miguel Sánchez.
En total, el grupo estará compuesto por seis miembros. Cinco son designados por el Consejo, con un asiento ocupado por el Director del Departamento de Sostenibilidad o una persona designada, que actuará como miembro ex oficio sin derecho a voto.
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