by Michael Florio | Jul 23, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14, Ward-4, Ward-6, Ward-8
Tonight Council President David A. Salvatore, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci, Jr., Deputy Majority Leader Wilbur W. Jennings Jr., and Councilman Michael Correia introduced a resolution creating a task force to study the impact of public utility work on Providence’s roads and sidewalks.
“It is the responsibility of the City to ensure the maintenance of safe and aesthetically pleasing roadways and sidewalks,” stated City Council President David A. Salvatore. “Occasionally we hear from constituents that the sidewalks and roadways around their homes have not been properly restored after work done by a public utility. This task force will come together to study, review, and make recommendations for improving the laws, policies, and procedures affecting the impact of public utility work on our roads and sidewalks to ensure that public utilities leave these areas in good order.”
According to the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2017 Infrastructure Report Card, 54% of Rhode Island’s public roads were rated as in “poor condition,” and Rhode Island’s drivers face costs of more than $800 per year from driving on roads in need of repair. Improved notification, coordination, and oversight procedures for street and sidewalk excavation by public utilities would lead to significant cost savings for taxpayers and utility companies, as well as greater convenience for residents.
“As a long-serving member of the Council I have always been committed to quality of life issues,” stated Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci. “The state of our roadways and walkways can affect our property values and cause harm to both property and pedestrians alike. I’m very proud to support this effort to ensure these issues do not occur or are mitigated quickly.”
The issues surrounding the opening and excavation of streets and sidewalks are governed by both City ordinances and State statutes; are affected by the decisions of both public and private entities; and impact all who live, work, and visit Providence. Because the issue of street and sidewalk safety is of such great importance, the City Council will engage a broad group of stakeholders to adequately address these problems. And, as public servants and elected representatives of the people of Providence, the City Council has an obligation to ensure that roads and sidewalks are maintained in appropriate condition.
Deputy Majority Leader Wilbur J. Jennings shared, “Bringing together the key players will go a long way in achieving the goal set by the Council to ensure that all infrastructure work is completed timely and safely, and that any potential issues are dealt with quickly.”
The Task Force on the Impact of Public Utility Work on Providence’s Roads and Sidewalks will be comprised of:
Michael Borg, Director of the Department of Public Works (or designee)
Kevin Kugel, Director of the Providence Emergency Management Agency (or designee)
Cliff Wood, Executive Director of the Providence Foundation (or designee)
Scott Wolf, Executive Director of Grow Smart RI (or designee)
Two individuals appointed by Providence City Council President David A. Salvatore
Two individuals appointed by the Honorable Jorge Elorza, Mayor of Providence
A representative from National Grid
“The members of this task force will play an important role in helping create future protocols to protect the City and property owners,” stated Councilman Michael Correia. “Working with our utility partners to help form these protocols will ensure that all interests can be addressed. I look forward to seeing the good work this task force will accomplish.”
by Michael Florio | Jul 16, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5
For over a year I have worked with constituents, various community groups, and our partners in city government here in Providence to bring about an ordinance that will reduce the dependence of single-use plastic bags in our state’s capital. I’m thrilled that Governor Raimondo is taking this bold action to move our state forward and exploring ways we can all lessen our reliance on single-use plastics. It’s imperative to our state’s economy and to future generations that we protect our oceans and waterways from the scourge of plastic pollution, and Governor Raimondo’s Executive Order will help achieve that end. I thank the Governor for her leadership on this important issue.
Jo-Ann Ryan, City Council Majority Whip, Councilwoman-Ward Five
by Michael Florio | Jul 12, 2018 | Community Engagement, Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Providence City Council President David A. Salvatore is partnering with the Providence College men’s and women’s basketball teams and the Providence Recreation Department to host a free youth basketball clinic at Corliss Park on Thursday, July 12, 2018 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
“As a former basketball player and a die-hard Friars fan, this is my favorite event of the year,” stated David A. Salvatore, Providence City Council President. “For the past six years, we have offered this free clinic to provide our youth with a chance to learn from competitive collegiate athletes. I believe this helps college players make deeper connections in our community; they quickly become role models to these young athletes, inspiring them to excel in school and sports. I can’t wait to get on the court next Thursday!”
The youth basketball clinic is open to all residents of Providence, and due to NCAA rules and regulations, collegiate players and coaches can only work with girls entering the ninth grade and younger and boys entering the seventh grade and younger.
by Michael Florio | Jul 12, 2018 | Community Engagement, Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Providence City Council President David A. Salvatore participated in National Summer Learning Day today at Young Woods Elementary Schools’ Bell Summer Learning Program.
“The summer is a great time for Providence youth to enjoy our parks and recreation centers, but it is also a time to remind students to keep learning,” stated Council President David A. Salvatore. “Learning does not just happen in our schools but can happen all the time. By reading for 20 minutes a day, students can avoid the “summer slide” and be prepared for the next school year. Learning opportunities for our students are very important to me, which is why last month I helped kick off the Providence Schools “Passport to Summer Learning” program, and now am taking part in National Summer Learning Day by reading to students.”
Council President Salvatore read “Diary of a Spider” by Doreen Cronin with illustrations by Harry Bliss to rising first graders.
National Summer Learning Day is a national advocacy day aimed at elevating the importance of keeping kids learning, safe and healthy every summer, and ensuring they return to school in the fall ready to succeed in the year. Participations sends a powerful message across the nation that summers matter and offers an opportunity to showcase how summers can make a life-changing difference in the lives of young people. Council President Salvatore encourages families to make every day a learning day and to read every day.
by Michael Florio | Jul 11, 2018 | Community Engagement, Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Today City Council President David Salvatore launched the Council’s Be Heard PVD campaign. The campaign is designed to expand community access to and participation in Council-led public hearings by broadening outreach and notification to constituents.
“The City Council holds several public hearings each year, but often I only hear from residents after the fact,” stated City Council President David A. Salvatore. “They frequently tell me they were not notified or didn’t know it was happening. Although the City follows all state and city statutes to notify the public about hearings, we can do better, and that is what Be Heard PVD is about. I hope that our colleagues throughout the City will follow suit and also examine how they are notifying residents of important community conversations and public hearings.”
The Be Heard PVD campaign is a multi-platform approach to notifying residents about Council-led public hearings. It includes the use of social media, the City Council website, print advertising, media advisories, and other technologies.
Council President Salvatore continued, “We live in the 21st century, yet we are using 20th-century communication outlets to notify residents about these hearings. Our constituents deserve to be heard, and they cannot do that if they aren’t aware they have the chance.”
Community members may be notified about public hearings by following the campaign on Twitter at @BeHeardPVD and Facebook at @BeHeardPVD for notices of public hearings and other information relating to City Council-led meetings. These channels will only have information regarding public hearings or Council-led meetings. For information about City Council events, please follow along on Twitter @ProvCityCouncil and Facebook at @ProvCityCouncil.
Constituents who are unable to attend a public hearing can provide written testimony by mail or email to Lori L. Hagen, City Clerk: lhagen@providenceri.gov or City Clerk, 25 Dorrance Street, Room 311, Providence, RI 02903. (Please note, if you submit written testimony you are not required to appear or read your testimony at the public hearing.)
In 2013, the City Council launched the Providence City Open Meetings Portal to make access to meeting notices, searching agenda items, and viewing attendance and voting records for the City Council and its boards and commissions much easier for constituents. It is a single public access point and can be found online at providenceri.iqm2.com. Community members can also choose to be notified about public meetings and hearings by registering on the Open Meetings Portal and choosing “Public City Council (All Associated Meetings)” on the distribution list.
If anyone has other suggestions as to how the Council can share this information we encourage you to call the City Council office at 401-521-7477 or email us at council@providenceri.gov.
