by Council Staff | Feb 10, 2022 | Add Council Logo, Press Release
February 10, 2022
PRESS RELEASE
Finance Committee Passes Pension Obligation Bond Resolution
PROVIDENCE – At tonight’s Providence City Council Finance Committee meeting, a resolution was passed bringing the city one step closer to reducing its massive unfunded pension liability. The resolution requests that the General Assembly enact legislation authorizing the city to issue general obligations bonds to finance a contribution toward the $1.2 billion unfunded pension liability of the Employee Retirement System (ERS). According to the Providence Pension Working Group, the city’s pension system is among the lowest-funded pension plans in the country. The Council supports a pension obligation bond of not more than $515 million, contingent on several financial guardrails, including:
• Total pension obligation bond payments and the city’s actuarial determined contribution (ADC) shall not be less than $93.1 million for the first 10 years
• City shall not close any pension bonds without receiving the City Council approval and bonds shall not exceed an interest rate of more than 5%
• Expected annual rate of return shall not exceed 7%
• Salary scale shall not exceed 3% per the current actuarial experience study
• City shall make 100% of its annual ADC payments
“The Providence City Council understands that inaction is not an option here, but we needed to make sure certain financial guardrails were set in place for such a large transaction. Tonight, we are one step closer to helping firm up the city’s unfunded pension system and we’re taking a monumental step to put the city’s finances in a better position. I am fully committed to pursuing all available pension reforms to address the city’s unfunded liability. I want to thank my council colleagues and the city’s pension working group for their efforts,” said Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5), Chairwoman of the Finance Committee. The resolution will now move to the full council for a vote on February 17. Copies of the resolution will be sent to the Senate President, the Speaker of the House, and members of the Providence delegation.
by Council Staff | Feb 4, 2022 | Add Council Logo
February 4, 2022
Media Advisory
Contact:
Parker Gavigan, Director of Communications
401.486.5646
pgavigan@providenceri.gov
City Council Announces Public Meetings For Re-Districting
PROVIDENCE, RI – City Council President John Igliozzi announced the schedule for five (5) public hearings across the city, where residents can learn more and become active in the Ward Boundaries process. Why does the city need new Ward Boundaries in 2022? Every 10 years, Providence’s 15 Wards are redistricted using criteria outlined in the Home Rule Charter and based on the latest U.S. Census data. 2020 Census data shows the city’s population grew by 12,892 people to 190,934. And it’s where Providence’s population changed that will determine the redrawing of Ward boundaries. The effort to redraw the Ward maps is led by a 5-member committee of Providence residents appointed by the City Council. The committee must hold at least four (4) public meetings to explain the process and get feedback before submitting the maps to the City Council. Once the Committee settles on boundaries, the boundaries are forwarded to the full City Council, which must hold a public meeting and vote twice on the boundaries before becoming final.
“This is an open and accessible process that city residents should take part in. I encourage everyone to come out, participate, and support the important work of the Ward Boundaries Committee,” said Igliozzi. “Over the next several weeks, Providence residents have a once-in-a-decade opportunity to roll up their sleeves, get involved, and help shape their neighborhoods,” added Chairwoman Jessica Cigna.
To learn more about the process and committee members click here.
Monday, February 7, 2022
6:00 p.m.
Providence Career & Technical Academy (PCTA) Auditorium.
41 Fricker Street, Providence, RI 02903
Remote access to the meeting is available here
Monday, February 14, 2022
6:00 p.m.
Silver Lake Community Center.
529 Plainfield Street, Providence, RI 02909
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
6:00 p.m.
Nathan Bishop Middle School Auditorium.
101 Sessions Street, Providence, RI 02906
Monday, February 28, 2022
6:00 p.m.
DaVinci Center Community Room
470 Charles Street Providence, RI 02904
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
6:00 p.m.
Remote Conference Meeting Via Zoom (Only)
Zoom Information will be on the printed agenda along with sign up information
Meetings are also streamed live on the Providence City Council YouTube Channel https://bit.ly/pvdmeetings
All hearing locations are accessible to persons with disabilities. Individuals requesting interpreter services for the hearing impaired, please contact the Mayor’s Center for City Services at (401) 680-5221 not less than 48 hours in advance of the hearing date. Please follow all COVID-19 protocols.
by Council Staff | Feb 3, 2022 | Add Council Logo, Ward-1
February 2, 2022
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Parker Gavigan, Director of Communications
401.486.5646
pgavigan@providenceri.gov
Statement from Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1)
On The I-195 Redevelopment District Commission’s Selection of Urbanica For Parcel 2
“I would like to congratulate Urbanica as the preferred developer of Parcel 2 as selected by the I-195 Redevelopment Commission. I want to thank Chairman Robert Davis, the members of the Commission, and Executive Director Caroline Skuncik for the conditions laid out in tonight’s meeting which responded directly to the many recommendations that we made to the Commission. We look forward to working collaboratively with the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission and the selected developer, Urbanica, to ensure design excellence and sensitivity to our wonderful neighborhood(s). We wish the developers the best of luck and look forward to the housing and economic opportunities that this will provide to Ward 1 and the City of Providence,” said Councilman Goncalves.
by Council Staff | Jan 20, 2022 | Council News, Ward-4
After sitting abandoned for more than a decade, the former Windmill Street School on Paul Street is getting a new look and name. Tonight, the Providence City Council passed a resolution renaming the school, “The Narducci Learning Center.” Refurbishing the 80-year-old school has been a passion project for Councilman Nicholas J. Narducci throughout his 16 years on the City Council. Now, thanks to his tireless work and the efforts of the City Council’s Finance Committee, the school is undergoing a $30.5 million renovation, with plans to re-open in the fall of 2023.
The Narducci family has deep ties to the building and a life-long commitment to the north end and the city of Providence. In fact, the Councilman’s father attended the school in the 1940’s, and his mother and wife, both worked as lunch aides for decades. Councilman Narducci himself was heavily involved with little league, football, and other extracurricular activities for the students and families of the school.
“It means so much to my family, to create a lasting legacy in the neighborhood we love and have belonged to for generations,” said Councilman Narducci. “This beautiful building stands in the middle of Ward 4 and serves as a symbol of the resiliency and spirit of the people here. I would like to thank President John Igliozzi for sponsoring this for my family, and all the co-sponsors. It means a lot to my family, past, and present.”
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.”
