by Council Staff | Jan 12, 2022 | Add Council Logo, Ward-7
Providence, RI – City Council President John Igliozzi (Ward 7) announced an emergency meeting of the Providence City Council for Friday, January 14, at 5:30 p.m. to vote on an ordinance he sponsored, with a majority of the Council, that will lay out new procedures for mass terminations in the city.
It’s clear from health professionals that vaccines, mask-wearing, social distancing, and testing are all collectively effective against the COVID-19 virus. However, a vaccine mandate cannot come at the expense of public safety. The city administration has required all employees to show proof they have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by January 14 and a second by February 28 or face “separation” from city employment. As of today, nearly 80 Providence Police officers are not vaccinated.
“If a significant number of police officers are fired, lawlessness would take hold, disrupt City business, and put every resident of Providence at risk,” said President Igliozzi.
The City Council is prepared to vote on an ordinance requiring the Commissioner of Public Safety, the Director of Human Resources, or any other City official to provide a clear explanation for mass terminations and an appropriate staffing plan for the impacted department. The new law would detail the following:
• No more than 2% of Public Safety employees could be terminated without first submitting a staffing plan to the City Council for approval
• No more than 20% of employees of any City department with more than 30 full-time employees could be terminated without first submitting a staffing plan to the City Council for approval
• City Council would hold a public hearing within two weeks of receiving a written plan and be required to pass a resolution authorizing the proposed terminations
Continued Igliozzi: “Police officers and all City employees should get vaccinated to protect the health of their co-workers, the public, and themselves. Vaccines are proven to be safe and effective. The reality is, however, that we must strike a balance. Put simply, Providence cannot afford to lose nearly 80 police officers especially at a time when gun violence and other violent crime is on the rise in Providence. To ensure that we can maintain public safety in our city, the Council must and will take action to prevent any mass terminations.”
by Council Staff | Jan 6, 2022 | Add Council Logo, Press Release, Ward-10, Ward-14, Ward-5, Ward-7
City Council Holds First 2022 Meeting
• Council President John Igliozzi issues unprecedented address and calls for an independent audit to oversee the disbursement of $124 million in federal relief funds
• Council calls on RI DOT to reduce the speed limit on Allens Ave to 25 mph
• Council calls on Providence Housing to stimulate more affordable housing
• A final ordinance passed prohibiting the storage of liquid propane gas (LPG) in the city
• Councilors call on the administration to hire a consultant to understand the true status of all city-owned real estate for the possibility of developing affordable housing or other public services
Providence, RI – At tonight’s Providence City Council meeting, President John Igliozzi (Ward 7) set a serious and circumspect agenda for 2022, which includes holding the line on taxes, supporting police and public safety, as well as the importance of the once in a decade legislative process involving the Charter Review Commission and Ward Boundaries Committee. COVID-19 has decimated Providence’s restaurants, hotels, and small locally owned businesses. Many folks have lost jobs and cannot find housing. The city has an enormous responsibility of dispersing $124 million in American Rescue Plant Act recovery funds. “That is why, as part of the ARPA budget, I will be recommending the Council retain the services of an independent auditor to track, monitor, and prepare bi-weekly reports on ARPA expenditures. This will allow the Council and the public to monitor the progress of every ARPA dollar,” said Igliozzi.
Liquid Propane Gas
The City Council passed President Pro Tempore Pedro Espinal’s (Ward 10) ordinance prohibiting the storage of Liquid Propane Gas (LPG) in Providence. This legislation comes after Pro Tempore Espinal and community activists continued to advocate to stop outside corporations from increasing the storage of highly combustible LPG in the Port of Providence. While Liquid Natural Gas has long been prohibited in Providence due to its high risk of combusting, Espinal has led the effort to broaden this prohibition to Liquid Propane Gas. “Tonight’s ordinance is a big win for protecting the environment and neighborhoods in the Port of Providence. The families of South Providence have too often gotten the short end of the stick as an environmentally harmful industry is allowed to freely expand in their back yards. This ordinance puts Providence residents first and takes a stand against environmentally harmful business practices. I am grateful to my council colleagues and the many tireless community advocates who have joined me in the continued fight for public health, and environmental protection in our city,” said Espinal.
Housing Need
Councilwoman and Finance Committee Chair Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) introduced and passed a resolution, that calls on the Providence Housing Authority to act with urgency and maximize its allocation of Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) to promote the development of affordable housing in the capital city. The 2001 federal housing law allows public housing agencies like the PHA to convert up to 20% of their Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) portfolios to Project-Based Vouchers. What’s the difference? HCVs travel with the family, commonly in one-off privately owned units. PBVs stay rooted in Providence and when coupled with other housing assistance resources, provide critical gap financing to otherwise unsustainable affordable housing developments. “The PHA is underutilizing this critical tool which creates affordable housing for disabled, elderly, and low-income households. Only 100 Project-Based Vouchers exist under the PHA. That’s about 4% of its portfolio and far too low. The PHA has a long way to go to stimulate construction and service the needs of residents looking for a place to call home,” said Ryan.
Vacant property
Tonight, Councilor David Salvatore (Ward 14) and the City Council passed resolution 35044, calling for the detailed analysis of all city-owned real estate, to identify possible areas to develop affordable housing. In September of 2020, the Council requested a list of all real estate owned by the city and the Providence Redevelopment Agency (PRA). Initial estimates show more than 150 city-owned vacant lots. “Right now, our city is seeing an unprecedented need for affordable housing. Through this resolution, and the assessments of our real estate, we can begin to utilize untapped resources to bring housing to the people of Providence,” said Councilman Salvatore. “I am excited to begin exploring potential avenues for dynamic and much-needed development of these otherwise unutilized parcels and buildings.” The Council is now calling for immediate site assessments of all real estate owned by the PRA and the city.
Full Council Docket
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by Council Staff | Jun 7, 2021 | Press Release, Ward-7
Providence, RI (June 7, 2021) – At the June 3rd City Council meeting, Council President John J. Igliozzi (Ward 7) introduced an amendment to the Juvenile Hearing Board (JHB) ordinance. Originally adopted in 1992, the ordinance was updated in 2016 to include the role of a volunteer hearing board coordinator.
The JHB was established to conduct hearings for residents under 18 years of age who have been charged with misdemeanor offenses, as a means of intervention before a juvenile’s case is funneled into the criminal justice system. Juvenile hearing boards across Rhode Island prioritize restorative justice and determine appropriate consequences, such as community service or other means of restitution.
The proposed amendments restructure the roles of board members and the coordinator, so that the JHB is able to operate consistently and effectively to support its goal of successfully resolving juvenile cases outside of the criminal courts.
“The Juvenile Hearing Board is an essential body which does the important work of overseeing juvenile proceedings. The primary goal is to improve outcomes for the young people of our city. To do this, we must ensure that cases are heard in a fair and timely manner, and that the board functions efficiently and judiciously for the benefit of the juveniles and families involved,” stated Council President John J. Igliozzi.
Among the changes in the ordinance are time limits for hearings; reduced hearing panel sizes; and annual reports designed to encourage continuous reviews and improvement of processes. Additionally, board members will be required to obtain a national background check prior to appointment, will participate in expanded pre- and in-service training, and will work collaboratively with community-based partners who have expertise in youth services to ensure that juveniles are connected with necessary supports and resources.
“The changes we’re proposing will modernize and adapt board operations to ensure alignment with best practices that provide the greatest opportunity for young people to be accountable and repair any harm done. I am optimistic that the revised ordinance will give the Juvenile Hearing Board better tools and knowledge to help Providence youth learn from their mistakes, take responsibility for their actions, and have a fresh start,” added Council President Igliozzi.
This ordinance has been referred to the Council Committee on Ordinances.
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