by Council Staff | Jun 2, 2022 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Press Release
June 2, 2022
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Parker Gavigan, Director of Communications
pgavigan@providenceri.gov
Reparations Commission
Providence, RI – At tonight’s City Council meeting, councilors appointed five new members to the Providence Municipal Reparations Commission. In 2022, Mayor Jorge Elorza formed the commission by executive order to provide recommendations on policies, programs, and projects to help heal the harm caused to Black, Indigenous people, and people of Color in Providence. $10 million in American Rescue Plan funds have been allocated to this work. The commission comprises 13 members, with seven members appointed by the mayor and six by the city council. New appointees include Kyle Bennet, Dewayne Hackney, Cristian Potter, Michael Costa, and Phyllis Evans. The city council previously appointed Dwayne Keys. “These individuals, who are all deeply committed to our community, will bring their life experiences to the commission and help shape thoughtful ideas the city can then implement,” said Councilwoman and Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11). “The council took a thorough approach in selecting these commission members, and I thank them for serving the city,’ said Council President John Igliozzi. “It is vitally important, and I look forward to the commission establishing a generational trust so present, and future Providence residents can access and utilize these funds.” To learn more about the commission, click here.
Illegal Sale of Fireworks
At tonight’s City Council meeting, Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) proposed a resolution calling on the State of Rhode Island’s Department of Business Regulation to begin enforcement actions against any businesses selling illegal aerial fireworks. “Providence neighborhoods have been terrorized by the illegal use of fireworks for several summers now. That is why in the early summer of 2020, I convened a group of city stakeholders to discuss this quality of life nuisance and identified three main areas that needed to be addressed: public education on what is and isn’t legal; licensing enforcement for businesses that are illegally selling fireworks; and a coordinated effort by public safety officials to focus on hot spots or problematic areas. As a result of the diligent efforts of the Fireworks Task Force, over the past few years, the city was able to make a significant reduction in the use of illegal fireworks that had been disrupting and endangering our neighborhoods,” Ryan said. “I look forward to building on this progress as we head into another summer, and I thank our local law enforcement and fire officials for their work every day to maintain the quality of life and public safety of our community. I am now calling on DBR to follow our lead and do what they can to mitigate another component of this issue; the illegal sale of fireworks,” said Ryan. In Rhode Island, ground-based fireworks and sparklers are legal, but aerial fireworks and anything that explodes are not allowed without a permit. There are businesses throughout the state and within the City of Providence that is currently offering illegal fireworks for sale to the public. The Department of Business Regulation has the authority to take enforcement action against any business entity selling illegal fireworks. To report the use of illegal fireworks in Providence or file a complaint, call the police department’s non-emergency line (401) 272-3121 or use its online reporting system.
Community Development Block Grants
Councilors passed for a second and final time $5.5 million in community development block grant funding (CDBG), federal money that will immediately impact Providence neighborhoods. CDBG funding includes substantial support to community centers like Federal Hill House and provides grants for economic development and public service programs across the city. Many public service grants help with unemployment, homelessness, public health, clothing insecurity, music education, and domestic violence resources/emergency housing. Some beneficiaries include established providers like Amos House, Clinica Esperanza/Hope Clinic, and the Rhode Island Free Clinic. A breakdown of CDBG funds can be found here.
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by Council Staff | Jun 1, 2022 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Ward-7
“I would like to thank Speaker Shekarchi and Representatives in the House who supported this legislation with their votes today. We are one step closer, and now I respectfully ask members of the Senate and the public to keep an open mind toward this legislation. A pension obligation bond does not solve the city’s pension problems but will help mitigate a broken system. A special election is set for next Tuesday, June 7. Residents can cast an early ballot at city hall during the day. I would encourage all to come out and vote Yes on 1.”
For more information on the referendum – https://www.providenceri.gov/yeson1/
To learn more about where to vote – https://www.providenceri.gov/board-of-canvassers/
by Council Staff | May 27, 2022 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Press Release
May 27, 2022
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Parker Gavigan, Director of Communications
pgavigan@providenceri.gov
Vandalized Monument Rededicated to Providence WWI Soldier Killed in Action
Providence, RI – On Friday, the Providence City Council and City Archives dedicated a new monument to U.S. Army Infantry soldier, Private 1st Class Carlo Lafazia, killed in action during World War I. Lafazia was born in 1897 to Italian immigrants who settled on Admiral Street in Providence’s Elmhurst/Wanskuck neighborhood. Lafazia enlisted in the U.S. Army’s 16th Infantry Regiment in 1917. The regiment was one of the first American battalions to land on French soil. Private Lafazia was killed on October 11, 1918, in France, fighting in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, a final Allied assault against the Germans that eventually ended the Great War one month later. Lafazia was 20 years old, and his remains were never found.
Private Lafazia was called an “emblem of Italian loyalty to the Stars and Stripes,” and in 1933, the Providence Board of Aldermen honored Lafazia by naming memorial square after him. The original monument was vandalized and, more recently, in 2021. A new stone was procured by Councilor David Salvatore (Ward 14), with the help of donations and City Archivist Caleb Horton managing the project. “When this monument went missing and later vandalized, it became a priority for me to create a new memorial for Private Lafazia and his Providence descendants, the O’Connor family,” said Councilor Salvatore. “Like all our fallen heroes, Private Lafazia’s service to our country and his ultimate sacrifice should be honored, respected, and remembered forever in our neighborhood and state.”
“Italian Americans served our country and city honorably. As we head into the Memorial Day weekend, let us never forget the sacrifice of young soldiers for our freedoms today. This stone monument is an incredible tribute to Private Lafazia, a son of Providence. I thank Councilor Salvatore for taking the initiative and Archivist Caleb Horton for executing such a thoughtful plan,” said Council President John Igliozzi (Ward 7).
Donations for the Lafazia monument located at Eagle Square (intersection of Douglas Avenue and Admiral Street) were generously provided by Richard Baccari and the Rhode Island Heritage Foundation. A donation account is now established for future city monument preservation. For details, please reach out to the City Archives division at 401.680.5314 or https://www.providenceri.gov/cityarchives/
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by Abigail Appel | May 23, 2022 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-3
“These past few weeks, there have been two shooting incidents, one at Billy Taylor Park, the latest this Saturday afternoon in the heart of our Summit neighborhood. Both struck a personal chord for me,” said Councilwoman for Ward 3, Nirva LaFortune. “My children have played at Billy Taylor Park, and my daughter’s young friend, who has been part of our family with sleepovers and bike rides, reached out to me concerned about the shooting near Camp Street and Dexterdale Road. She lives three houses away, where multiple shell casings were discovered on the ground. This must end. How are these young people getting such easy access to guns? We must step up our efforts to prevent these crimes from happening. We need to pass stronger sense laws, invest in our neighborhoods, implement and execute a public safety plan, and get back to the basics of community policing. I ask anyone with ideas to please come to our community meeting on May 31, 5:30 P.M, at Billy Taylor Park.”
by Council Staff | May 19, 2022 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Press Release
May 19, 2022
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Parker Gavigan, Director of Communications
pgavigan@providenceri.gov
City Council Approves $124 million in Federal Stimulus Funds
and Separately Passes $5.5 million in Neighborhood Grants
ARPA Ordinance
Providence, RI – At tonight’s Providence City Council meeting, councilors overwhelmingly approved $124 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that will directly impact city residents and build long-term investments in Providence’s neighborhoods. The allocated funding includes substantial investments in housing, parks and recreation centers, tourism, travel, hospitality, water/sewer infrastructure improvements, and economic relief for small businesses and many organizations negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Taxpayers should know these dollars will be tracked and accounted for by an independent auditor. This was a necessary checks and balances mechanism. My colleagues and I demanded accountability,” said Council President John Igliozzi. The accounting firm of Clifton Larsen Allen LLP will serve as the independent auditor. “I am proud of the hard work and collaborative efforts of the City Council and administration,” said Finance Chairwoman Jo-Ann Ryan. “In the wake of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, this is the long-awaited relief and investment in our recovery that the people of Providence need and deserve.”
ARPA Ordinance Summary
Investment in Housing
$30.7 million
Investment in Water, Sewer, Broadband and Infrastructure
$20 million
Investments in Community and Social Disparities
$24.3 million
Speeding the Recover of the Tourism, Travel & Hospitality Sectors
$6.2 million
Economic Stabilization-Business
$2.7 million
Revenue Recovery
$36.7 million
Administration expenditures/audit ($300,000)
$3 million
Total = $123,769,438
The ARPA ordinance covers a period of January 6, 2022, through December 31, 2024. A detailed copy of the ordinance can be found here.
Community Development Block Grant Funding (CDBG)
For the first time, Councilors passed the $5.5 million community development block grant budget (CDBG), federal funding that will immediately help make improvements and additions to city neighborhoods. CDBG funding includes financial support to community centers and provides grants for economic development and public service programs across the city. Many public service grants help with unemployment, homelessness, public health, clothing insecurity, music education, and domestic violence resources/emergency housing. Some beneficiaries include established providers like Amos House, Clinica Esperanza/Hope Clinic, and the Rhode Island Free Clinic. The CDBG budget was vetted by the Committee on Urban Redevelopment, Renewal, and Planning and chaired by Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11). The budget will require a second vote for passage. A breakdown of the CDBG funds can be found here: CDGB 2022-2023
Right to an Adequate Education
Councilors also passed a resolution requesting the House Committee on State Government and Elections and the Rhode Island House of Representatives pass Senate Bill S-2095 and its House companion. The legislation would place a referendum before voters to make education a fundamental right in the State of Rhode Island. Councilwoman and Finance Chair Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) sponsored the resolution, co-sponsored by the Council.
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by Council Staff | May 10, 2022 | Council News
On Monday, the City Council’s Committee on Urban Redevelopment, Renewal, and Planning (URRP) passed the $5.4 million community development block grant budget (CDBG), federal funds that will immediately impact Providence neighborhoods. CDBG funding includes substantial support to community centers like Federal Hill House and provides grants for economic development and public service programs across the city. Many public service grants help with unemployment, homelessness, public health, clothing insecurity, music education, and domestic violence resources/emergency housing. Some beneficiaries include established providers like Amos House, Clinica Esperanza/Hope Clinic, and the Rhode Island Free Clinic.
Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11) chairs the committee (URRP). The budget ordinance will now go to the full council on May 19 for a first passage. A full breakdown of CDBG funds can be found here: CDGB 2022-2023
