PROVIDENCE, RI – At tonight’s finance committee meeting, a $10 million Covid-19 Equities Program Budget for the City of Providence was approved. “I would like to thank the Providence Municipal Reparations Commission members for their hard work over many months and Mayor Elorza’s administration for presenting in front of the finance committee tonight. I also commend community members who took the time to provide compelling testimony, which helped inform the committee’s decision,” said Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5), chairwoman of the finance committee. The approved budget will now go before the full council. Passage requires two votes.
Providence, RI – City Councilors received a proposed 30-year tax stabilization agreement (TSA) ordinance between the city and High Rock Westminster Street LLC, the owner of 111 Westminster Street, the iconic Superman Building in downtown Providence. The TSA is one component of the $223 million public-private partnership project, which includes the City of Providence, the Providence City Council, the State of Rhode Island, Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, Rhode Island Foundation, and Rhode Island Housing.
“The TSA is the next step in a potential redevelopment of the Superman Building. This project will inject more life and activity downtown by transforming a vacant deteriorating building into a notable Providence property,” said Council President John Igliozzi. “The Council must ensure the agreement benefits city taxpayers, the building owner, and creates affordable housing in the city.”
The proposed project is expected to create 1,600 construction jobs. Plans call for 285 residential apartments, with 20% of the units deed restricted as affordable. The building owner has committed to a mix of retail and community space in the Grand Banking Hall, opening the building’s doors to all. A “Buy Providence” initiative is also included in the TSA, where the owner will use good faith efforts to buy construction materials and use equipment and services from city vendors. The ordinance was referred to the Finance Committee for review. A full copy of the agreement is posted here.
Council Receives Municipal Reparations Commission Report
At tonight’s meeting, the City Council received the official report titled “A Matter of Truth” from the city’s Municipal Reparations Commission. The 194-page document is the product of a four-month process by the thirteen-member commission and was completed in August.
Additionally, the Council received the associated budget, titled “COVID-19 Equities Budget.” The proposal seeks to allocate $10 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding towards “advancing reparations and closing the present-day racial and wealth equity gap.”
The proposed budget was referred to the Committee on Finance for further review. Click the links to view the full report and proposed budget.
City Council Calls for Progress Report on State Takeover of Providence Schools
The Providence City Council tonight passed a resolution calling on Rhode Island Governor, the Honorable Daniel J. McKee, and the Rhode Island Department of Education to conduct an independent study to provide a progress report on the State’s takeover of the Providence Public Schools.
The State of Rhode Island took control of Providence Public Schools in 2019 after a report by Johns Hopkins highlighted systemic failures within the school department leading to poor educational outcomes for Providence students. A new progress report would identify the school system’s improvements or lack thereof in the three years since the takeover.
“The state takeover of Providence schools was a significant moment in the effort to turn around learning outcomes for Providence students. The 2019 John Hopkins report made no secret that drastic changes needed to be made. Three years later, Providence educators, students, and families deserve to know how the takeover has reformed failing systems and whether our City’s youth are being provided a more quality education,” stated Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1). To read the full resolution, click here.
Council Gives First Passage on Proposed Changes to City’s Public Nuisance Policy
Tonight, the City Council gave first passage to a proposed ordinance amending the city’s current legislation surrounding “loud or unruly gatherings.” Currently, any building where police have documented a disturbance or “public nuisance” must display an orange sticker detailing the violation. The proposed ordinance seeks to make both property owners and residents responsible if stickers are removed or defaced. Under current law, only the resident is subject to fines.
“The orange sticker policy has been tremendously effective in my community, giving police an additional tool in identifying and addressing problem homes and businesses,” said Councilman Michael Correia (Ward 6). “By holding both the resident and property owners accountable, we’re eliminating any potential loopholes for violators.”
The proposed ordinance needs to pass a second time before going into effect. To read it in full, click here.
Ban on Marijuana in Parks
Councilors gave first passage tonight to an ordinance amending the city’s current ban on tobacco use in city parks, playgrounds, and recreational centers to include marijuana, after state law recently made recreational cannabis legal. Council President John Igliozzi (Ward 7) sponsored the amendment. A violation of the law would be punishable by a civil fine of $50. A second passage is necessary.
Colombian Folk-Dance Group Performance
The Council kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with a lively RAÍCES Dance Group performance at the start of tonight’s meeting. RAÍCES performed a series of traditional Colombian Folk-Dances in celebration of Hispanic Heritage month, observed from September 15th through October 15th.
Providence, RI – Today, during a special meeting, the Providence City Council voted 11 to 3 override Mayor Jorge Elorza’s veto of 10 ballot questions, including creating a hybrid school board of elected and appointed members. The Council has a total of 15 members. A supermajority of 11 councilors voted in favor of the override. 3 members voted against the override, and 1 councilor was absent.
“The City Council has given the people of Providence the right to vote on these important questions during the upcoming November 8th election. Democracy has prevailed,” said Council President John Igliozzi.
The city’s Charter Review Commission made the ballot recommendations after seven months of meeting each week, public outreach, public hearings, Zoom meetings, and receiving testimony from stakeholders, citizens, and department heads.
Separately, all 14 Councilors present voted in favor of supporting a $125 million bond referendum to fund infrastructure improvements for Providence Public School buildings.
“Providence students deserve to learn in clean and safe school buildings. That’s why I fully support making this investment in our school infrastructure, but ultimately, we’re investing in our children,” added Council President Igliozzi.
The ballot questions will be presented to the Secretary of State’s Office later today to be placed on the November ballot.
“Today, the mayor has indicated he will veto the Council’s approved resolution, which would place 10 ballot questions in front of Providence voters this November – including the decision to create a hybrid school board of elected and appointed members.
The mayor’s reckless actions are precisely why the city needs a hybrid school board. City residents should not be beholden to one person making unilateral decisions. A hybrid school board promotes more community involvement and more representation from all our neighborhoods.
While the mayor focuses on a single ballot question, his veto collectively will destroy seven months of hard work and late nights put in by the Charter Review Commission, including four of his appointees. The Commission meets every 10 years. Why not let the people of Providence decide? The mayor is denying residents the right to vote by circumventing democracy.
The City Council will consider an override of the veto during a special meeting next week.”
Providence, RI – Tonight, the Providence City Council substituted a resolution for an ordinance authorizing the city, with voter approval in November, to issue a $125 million bond for Providence Public School improvements. The city charter requires an ordinance receive two passages. The bond referendum did receive its first passage tonight on a vote of thirteen (13) to zero (0). A second vote will be scheduled for a later date.
Councilors Propose a Law to Ban Smoking Marijuana in Public Parks, Establish an African American War Memorial Commission, and Call for a Review of License Plate Reader Cameras
Marijuana in Parks
Providence, RI – Councilors tonight introduced an ordinance to ban the sale and use of marijuana in all city parks after state law recently made recreational cannabis legal. “Providence is a smoke-free city. Children, their families, and anyone immunocompromised should not have to breathe in smoke while enjoying our beautiful parks. This is a public health concern,” said Council President John Igliozzi (Ward 7), who sponsored the amendment, which would expand on current city law. Presently, an ordinance exists prohibiting tobacco products in city parks, playgrounds, and recreational centers. A violation of the law would be punishable by a civil fine of $50. The legislation was referred to the committee on ordinances.
Establishment of Providence African American Revolutionary War Memorial Commission
At tonight’s City Council meeting, Councilors established the Providence African American Revolutionary War Memorial Commission, as proposed by Councilor David Salvatore (Ward 14). The five-member commission will work to create a monument honoring the African American soldiers who served in the Revolutionary War. “The history of the Revolutionary War is one that is felt deeply here in Rhode Island, as is the history of slavery. It is moving to hear the stories of enslaved men who fought for their own individual freedom and the freedom of our nation by enlisting in the Rhode Island 1st Regiment. This commission will come together to create a monument that will honor the bravery and sacrifices of the black men who endured slavery and war in pursuit of the freedom that we hold so dear today,” said Councilor Salvatore. In Rhode Island, 140 black men served in the 1st Rhode Island Regiment under the leadership of Colonel Christopher Greene. The first two black men from Providence to enlist in March of 1778 were Africa Burke and Sigby Talbot. The Rhode Island 1st Regiment carries the distinction of being one of the few units to serve the entirety of the war. “African Americans were surprisingly invited to lay down their lives for the founding of this nation. As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, Stages of Freedom joins Councilor Salvatore in his effort to erect a major monument to the brave Black men of Providence who fought for independence. We believe that such a memorial will serve both as a public educational lesson and a spiritual uplift. Providence, the state, and the nation are in the midst of a deep political dialogue about the role African Americans played in the formation of this country. It is clear the Providence City Council is acknowledging their importance in this pivotal historic event,” added Ray Rickman, Executive Director, Stages of Freedom. To learn more about the African American Revolutionary War Memorial commission, click here.
License Plate Cameras
A resolution sponsored by Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1), Councilor Rachel Miller (Ward 13), Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), and Councilor Kat Kerwin (Ward 12), requested the Providence Police Department refrain from implementing automated license plate reader technology until the Council has had an opportunity to review the Department’s plans, its proposed policy, and the opportunity to solicit public input. “The proposed cameras represent far-reaching technology that poses significant civil liberties concerns. We have an obligation to residents to have a transparent public process that includes guidelines on how data is used, collected, stored, and destructed by a city agency or external contractors before steps are taken towards implementation,” said Councilor Rachel Miller. “I agree that criminals and violent offenders need to be held fully accountable and that technology can be a useful tool for enhancing public safety and security for Providence residents. However, law-abiding citizens should not be subject to a continuous surveillance system without public oversight on how their data and privacy are collected and used by a third party. If any technology of this scale is to be implemented, it must also be subject to restrictions and statutory safeguards codified via ordinance to govern this technology and protect the First Amendment rights and the civil liberties of our residents,” added Councilman Goncalves. The resolution was referred to the finance committee.
