by Abigail Appel | Nov 1, 2021 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Press Release
The Providence City Solicitor’s Office has hired Lauren V. Iannelli, Esq. to serve as prosecutor in the upcoming Providence Home Rule Charter Section 403 hearing to remove City Clerk Shawn Selleck from office for creating a toxic work environment and multiple violations of the City’s Code of Conduct.
Lauren Iannelli served for six years as a Special Assistant Attorney General in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office where she handled hundreds of cases in District Court, Family Court, Superior Court and the Traffic Tribunal. She is currently an attorney in private practice with the firm of Inman & Tourgee.
On October 7th, the Providence City Council voted unanimously to approve a Section 403 resolution to bring charges against City Clerk Shawn Selleck, and to seek his suspension or removal from office. The resolution charges Mr. Selleck with the following:
• Violations of the City Code of Conduct
• Violations of the City Anti-bullying Policy
• Violations of the City Anti-harassment Policy
• Violations of the City Workplace Violence Policy
• Creation of a Toxic Work Environment
• Inappropriate Management
The charges contained in the resolution are based on an independent investigation conducted by respected employment and labor attorney Carly Iafrate, which determined Mr. Selleck violated the City’s Code of Conduct, Anti-Bullying, Anti-Harassment, and Workforce Violence policies through a pattern of bullying, confrontational, and intimidating behavior that created a toxic work environment within the City Clerk’s office.
Pursuant to Section 403, the City Council will call a public hearing in November to weigh the charges and vote on the suspension or removal of the City Clerk (two-thirds vote of the Council required).
by Abigail Appel | Oct 28, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Providence City Councilor David Salvatore and the Providence City Council are seeking applicants for the new Green and Complete Streets Advisory Council. The deadline to apply is Monday November 8th, 2021. Interested individuals may click here to apply: https://bit.ly/3nvMPHK.
The Green and Complete Streets ordinance was passed by the City Council in July 2021. Community advocates including AARP Rhode Island, the American Heart Association, Grow Smart Rhode Island, the Providence Streets Coalition, and WalkPVD, were consulted in the drafting of the ordinance to highlight significant concerns in Providence’s street infrastructure. The ordinance calls for the creation of an advisory council that will be responsible for making recommendations regarding roadway improvement projects that fall under the Green and Complete Street initiative.
“Green and complete streets will not only improve how residents and visitors move through our city, but will also add important quality of life enhancements. We are calling on our Providence residents to join the conversation and share their valuable input as Advisory Council members as we move forward with the implementation of this initiative,” stated Councilor Salvatore.
Green and Complete streets mean streets that are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users. The design guidelines ensure that pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transportation users of all ages and abilities can safely move along and across a street.
“The quality of roads in our neighborhoods are a key factor in the quality of life for pedestrians, drivers and bikers alike. Anyone who uses our city streets must feel safe doing so. Safety, accessibility and resiliency are what will push our city forward as we work towards a livable and sustainable future,” added the councilor.
Residents with expertise in civil engineering, architecture, city planning and environmental sustainability are especially needed on the advisory council. Older individuals and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Council advisors will serve in two-year terms.
by Abigail Appel | Oct 21, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-12, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-15, Ward-2, Ward-6
I would like to extend my appreciation to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) for their efforts to consult with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) regarding South Water Street. Additionally, I want to sincerely thank the FHWA for their review and for not implementing any penalties against the City of Providence.
Though the FHWA will not be involved in any further discussion or proceedings regarding South Water Street, I commend RIDOT for their diligence as we work collaboratively towards solutions on this issue.
Moving forward, I remain committed to collaborating with businesses, developers or any other parties who are concerned about South Water Street. Most importantly, however, I will continue to advocate for the residents and constituents of our neighborhood and city who have supported these critical multimodal infrastructure plans as a way to calm traffic along the waterfront and ultimately improve quality of life in our ward.
To read our initial statement click here: https://bit.ly/3DzHpBZ
by Abigail Appel | Oct 21, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Councilor David Salvatore (Ward 14) announced that plans are underway to relocate and rededicate the Lafazia Square Monument on Admiral Street after the original monument was destroyed in June of this year. A new monument is being commissioned and will be placed at a new site at 389 Admiral Street. Additionally, to honor the life and service of Carlo Lafazia, Salvatore proposed a resolution , approved by the City Council on October 7th, to designate a portion of Admiral Street as ‘LaFazia Way.’
“I was shocked and saddened when I learned that the Lafazia Square Monument was damaged beyond repair this past summer. Carlo Lafazia made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and he and his family deserve the utmost respect and honor, as do all of our veterans, even 100 years later. Lafazia represents the history of Italian immigrants in our city and their indelible contribution to our city, state and nation,” stated Councilor David Salvatore.
Carlo Lafazia was a Providence-born veteran of World War I who was killed in action. Born in 1897 to Italian immigrants Domenico and Filomena Lafazia, Carlo Lafazia served as a Private 1st Class in the 16th Infantry Regiment.
The 16th was one of the first American battalions to land on French soil in June 1917. For more than a year, Private Lafazia and his fellow infantrymen fought the Germans who were holding the Argonne Forest along the Western Front. On October 11th, 1918, just one month before the November 11th Armistice, Private Lafazia was killed fighting in the Meuse Argonne Offensive.
“Several years after the war ended, the United States disinterred the bodies of 14,000 American soldiers from French cemeteries so that they could be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Sadly, Carlo Lafazia was not among them, and could not be laid to rest at home because his remains were never found. While his memory was not afforded that honor, thanks to the Providence City Council and the City of Providence Special Committee for the Review of Commemorative Works, Carlo Lafazia’s sacrifice will not be forgotten,” stated Jeremiah C. O’Connor Sr., nephew of Carlo Lafazia.
Private Lafazia was called an “Emblem of Italian loyalty to the Stars and Stripes,” and was honored by the Providence Board of Aldermen on August 3rd, 1933, when they dedicated the original memorial square in his honor. Lafazia Square was re-dedicated by the Providence City Council on November 11th, 2017 after it was restored from an earlier defacement.
The new memorial and commemorative street designation are set to be dedicated in Spring 2022.
by Abigail Appel | Oct 19, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-10
I am praying for the victims of the shooting incident at a nightclub early Sunday morning in my ward. I am appalled by the flagrant violence which has traumatized my community in recent weeks.
Violence has no place in our city, and businesses that have the privilege of serving the public have an added responsibility of ensuring the safety of their patrons. Establishments that operate in a way that allows disorder and criminal activity to run rampant must be held accountable. We have a collective responsibility as well—community members, elected and appointed officials, and business owners—to take immediate action to identify the individuals and businesses connected to violent incidents and ensure that these events do not go unchecked. And, we also need to invest the time and resources necessary to uncover and address the root causes of crime and violence.
While my ward has been hard hit by devastating incidents recently, including shootings and homicides, this is a citywide problem, and we need citywide solutions. I will continue advocating for public safety and nonviolence initiatives on the City Council, with a focus on making meaningful investments through the American Rescue Plan Act budget which the City Council will be working to adopt over the next several months. The federal recovery funds will give us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to allocate significant resources towards neighborhood safety, diversion services and wraparound support programs to ensure our residents and businesses have the support they need.
My thoughts are with all the victims of crime throughout Providence. They deserve our commitment to ending violence in our community.
by Abigail Appel | Oct 15, 2021 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Press Release, Ward-5, Ward-7
City of Providence allocates $7 million of Rescue Plan funding for small business microgrants
Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, Providence City Council President John Igliozzi (ward 7), Council Finance Chair Jo-Ann Ryan (ward 5), and the Providence City Council today launched the City of Providence’s online COVID-19 Small Business Grant Application, designed to provide microgrants to businesses throughout the City of Providence and support economic recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program will offer grants of $2,500 to over 2,700 qualified businesses using nearly $7 million of federal American Rescue Plan relief dollars.
“Small businesses are the heart of our city here in Providence,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “We know that our small businesses have been hit hard by COVID-19, and that is why we have offered creative solutions to support our business community such as waiving outdoor expansion fees, offering zero interest loans through the Providence Business Loan Fund and providing free parking in business corridors. Today, I am excited to announce a new program using the City’s Rescue Plan dollars to help businesses navigate financial hardship brought on by the pandemic.”
To be eligible for the grant program, businesses must meet the following requirements:
• Have been established and recognized by the City of Providence by December 31, 2019
• Be in good standing with the City of Providence
o Businesses must be up to date on City taxes and all Department of Licensing requirements
• Have received a City tangible tax bill in the range of $558.00-$55,800.00
o This is determined by tangible assets valued between $5,000 and $1 million, not including real estate.
• Not receive funds and any other financial benefits from the City of $5,000 or more to be eligible
o This includes, but is not limited to, Tax Stabilization Agreements or Community Development Block Grants.
• Intend to stay in business for the following 12 months
• Have less than 240 employees
The City of Providence allocated a portion of American Rescue Plan funding in July, prioritizing anti violence investments and the creation of a COVID-19 Small Business Grant program. Funding was finalized by a City Council ordinance and signed into law by Mayor Elorza.
“One of the top priorities of this City Council has been helping our city’s small businesses weather the incredibly challenging impacts of COVID-19,” said City Council President John Igliozzi. “That is why we approved the use of American Rescue Plan Act funds to create a $7 million Small Business Grant Program to give direct grants of up to $2,500 to Providence small businesses still struggling from the negative economic effects of this ongoing pandemic. I am very pleased that the program is now ready to accept applications from our small business community. My colleagues and I on the Council will be working hard to ensure that all of our city’s small businesses are aware of the program and can apply for the grant dollars they need to get through this difficult stretch and emerge even stronger on the other side.”
“Neighborhood coffee shops, restaurants, tailors, bodegas, hardware stores, pet groomers, and barber shops are the cornerstones of our neighborhoods, and many are still feeling the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Councilwoman and Finance Committee Chair Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5). “That is why the City Council has made providing assistance to Providence’s small businesses a priority and why we are pleased to be launching the Providence Small Business Covid Recovery Grant Program here today. This $7 million program, funded through American Rescue Plan resources, will provide eligible Providence small businesses with grants of up to $2,500 to help them through this challenging time. This is a smart investment in our small businesses which are so critical to our neighborhoods and Providence’s economy.”
Business owners who do not have access to a computer or the technological ability to apply on their own are encouraged to reach out to the City’s Office of Economic Opportunity Small Business Coordinator Victor Regino who will be hosting office hours to support business owners with applications. Individuals can call 3-1-1 or email VRegino@providenceri.gov.
Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, with a priority review deadline of November 12, 2021. This program will remain open until all funds have been allocated or until July 1, 2022.
For more information about the Providence Rescue Plan or the COVID-19 Small Business Grant application, visit https://pvdrescueplan.com/apply/.
