by Billy Kepner | May 16, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5
Tonight, the Committee on Ordinances recommended for first passage a change to the zoning ordinance that will work to preserve the quality of life in our residential neighborhoods and will help protect the much-needed housing stock in the city of Providence. The minor change to the zoning ordinance will put limitations on short-term housing rentals in residential zoned neighborhoods.
With the growth of company’s like Airbnb, we have found ourselves, as many other cities have, at a crossroads. How do we protect our neighborhoods, our shortage of housing stock, and also embrace investment opportunities for our residents?
We believe that by making these slight changes to the zoning codes in residential neighborhoods we will achieve that end. After the second and final passage of this ordinance in June, short-term rental properties in residentially zoned neighborhoods will need to be permitted and will also need to be owner-occupied.
This decision came after much discussion and deliberation with community members and city planning officials. We believe that this change will preserve housing stock, quality of life for our neighbors, and will continue to allow investment opportunities for residents.
–Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan, Chairwoman, Committee on Ordinances
by Billy Kepner | May 16, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Councilman David A. Salvatore Reintroduces Fair Housing Ordinance for Older Adults and Disabled Persons
City Councilman David A. Salvatore (Ward 14) reintroduced an
ordinance at tonight’s Council Meeting that ensures security measures are being implemented in housing developments where older adults and disabled persons reside.
“We cannot neglect our senior citizens who deserve to live in a safe environment, with dignity and respect,” stated Councilman David Salvatore. “Late in 2018, I visited a housing development for low-income persons with disabilities along with Police Chief Hugh Clements. We were both puzzled and deeply concerned by the lack of security on the premises. After our meeting with the residents and after hearing of several incidents of elderly abuse, I researched best practices and came across Boston’s 1989 Senior Security Ordinance that has proved effective at keeping vulnerable residents safe. What I am proposing ensures our seniors and people with disabilities are provided with the protections they deserve.”
“As public safety officials, it is our job to make certain that the citizens of Providence maintain the best possible quality of life,” said Colonel Clements. “This ordinance will assist police in their ongoing efforts to protect these vulnerable members of our community, who do not deserve to live in fear. The Providence Police Department is in full support of this ordinance to ensure the safety and security of our disabled and elderly residents.”
According to the proposed ordinance, every landlord that holds title to any elderly/disabled multi-family housing development will be required to provide a safety officer or submit for approval a security plan that meets the security needs of residents. All tenants will be notified and allowed input during the approval process of the plan. Seniors who reside in multi-family housing developments will also be protected from rent increases as a result of landlords complying with the new security requirements outlined in the ordinance. To obtain a copy of the proposed ordinance, please visit the
Open Meetings Portal.
by Billy Kepner | May 16, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-10, Ward-15
City Council Introduces Ordinance Allocating More than $5M
In Community Development Block Grant Funding for Providence
Tonight the City Council introduced an ordinance allocating more than $5M in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for the city of Providence. Tonight was the first passage of the ordinance by the City Council, and it is expected to be passed for a second and final time at the Thursday, June 6 City Council meeting.
Councilman Luis A. Aponte, Ward 10, stated, “I would like to thank my colleagues for all their hard work. I’m proud that we can continue to make strategic investments in our city. Investments that will ensure organizations that provide critical services to some of our most at risk and vulnerable residents continue to receive the funding they need to continue their work. Investments in helping to support job creation and economic development by targeting economic sectors with high growth potential. And investments in our infrastructure by rehabbing and rebuilding public spaces and parks where residents and visitors can gather and enjoy themselves in neighborhoods throughout our city.”
City Council President Sabina Matos said, “Deciding where to allocate funding for our cities organizations that seek support from these CDBG funds is a daunting task. I commend Chairman Aponte and the Committee for their hard work in making these tough decisions. These federal funds can change the trajectory of an organization and expand the level of work that they can do in our community.”
The CDBG Program is a federal program that provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs. Beginning in 1974, the CDBG Program is one of the longest continuously run programs run by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The 2019-2020 CDBG Budget Highlights Includes:
- $480,000.00 in Community Center Grants
- $445,509.00 in Public Service Grants
- $514,230.00 in Economic Development Grants
- $658,000.00 in Housing Grants
- $1,251,310.00 in Facility Improvement Grants
- $750,000.00 in Neighborhood Investment Strategies Grants
- $1,605,948.00 in HOME Investment Partnerships Program
- $1,180,379.00 in Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program
- $427,181.00 in Emergency Solutions Grants (Programs helping the homeless)
For a complete list of recipients, please visit the Opens Meeting Portal.
by Billy Kepner | May 14, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5
Today, Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) announced that the construction phase of the Pleasant Valley Stream – Stormwater Management Project will begin as early as this week.
The project is the first to use tree filtration systems to clean stormwater and groundwater runoff in the City of Providence. Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan joins with partners including the Providence Parks Department, Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), GROUNDWORK Rhode Island, and the Friends of the Pleasant Valley Parkway in bringing this project to fruition. The project first began in 2016 through community discussions and with neighborhood surveys.
“Stormwater mitigation is important to the ecosystem of the Pleasant Valley Parkway and stream,” stated Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan, Ward 5 Councilwoman. “As a resident of the Parkway, I know first-hand the challenges that flooding has caused residents living in this corridor. And because the Pleasant Valley Parkway is the largest section of the Woonasquatucket River that makes ground in a residential neighborhood, we must ensure that the area’s stormwater runoff is cleared of contaminants and pollutants. This is not only good for the environment but also benefits the Narragansett Bay cleaning effort. This is yet another step towards making Providence a greener and more sustainable City.”
Since 2016 there has been robust community outreach and engagement to the residents along this corridor. Partners have conducted programming, and have helped neighbors by retrofitting their homes with rain barrels, permeable pavers, and rain gardens. This project does not only include the installation of tree filters, but it also includes other plantings that are both aesthetically pleasing but help to clean and slow the runoff that is caused by heavy rains. These systems that are being installed are designed to purify stormwater runoff, and will work towards keeping one of Rhode Island’s most precious resources clean of pollution and contaminants. In addition to this structural project educational signage, and pet waste collection stations will be installed throughout the Pleasant Valley Parkway.
The city received grant funding from RIDOT and the DEM for this project back in 2016 and has recently received final design approval moving the project forward. The project is estimated to be completed by the end of August of this year.
About Tree Filtration Systems:
Tree filter systems integrate common street trees with stormwater collection to achieve a viable and sustainable alternative to a traditional “end of pipe” system, while still meeting stormwater management and remediation goals. Tree filter systems utilize the principal of “bioretention” – the natural process by which chemicals and sediments are removed from stormwater runoff prior to subsurface infiltration.
by Billy Kepner | May 2, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15, Ward-6
City Council Shows Support For the Green New Deal
City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) and City Council President Pro Tempore Michael J. Correia (Ward 6) co-sponsored a
resolution endorsing and urging passage by the General Assembly of House Resolution 2019 H-5665 and Senate Resolution 2019 S-0659. These resolutions request an assessment of the benefits to Rhode Island of enactment of the Green New Deal that was proposed at the Federal level and supported by the Rhode Island delegation.
“For too long, too many people have thought of Climate Change as something that doesn’t affect them, and has no bearing on their daily life or routine,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “The Green New Deal does not only have the potential to stimulate the economy but will also help mitigate issues that stem from a changing climate. Including dealing with our rising sea level, which has major ramifications for the city of Providence and the state of Rhode Island. The time is now for us to work to plan for a brighter future for Providence, Rhode Island, and our nation. I believe that the Green New Deal can play a major role in creating jobs, and creating a greener and more resilient planet.”
The Green New Deal (GND) is a proposed federal stimulus program that aims to address climate change and economic inequality. The name refers to the New Deal, a set of social and economic reforms and public work projects undertaken in response to the Great Depression. The GND combines the economic approach instituted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt with 21st-century ideas such as renewable energy and resource efficiency.
by Billy Kepner | May 2, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15, Ward-6
Providence City Council to Recognize the Week of April 17 as
Cambodian Genocide Remembrance Week
City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) and City Council President Pro Tempore Michael J. Correia (Ward 6) co-sponsored a
resolution which will recognize the week of April 17 as “Cambodian Genocide Remembrance Week” to commemorate the genocide of over two million Cambodians from 1975 to 1979 during the Khmer Rouge Regime.
“Rhode Island is home to nearly 13 thousand Cambodians, and as we just celebrated the Cambodian New Year, it seems fitting that we formally recognize and remember all those who were lost during the Khmer Rouge Regime,” stated Council President Sabina Matos. “As an immigrant, I know how difficult it can be to move to a new country where you don’t speak the language and likely don’t know many people. I can’t imagine what it must have been like for those 140,000 Cambodian refugees that came to the United States in 1979 after losing so many loved ones and leaving everything behind. Recognizing this week every year will be a reminder to take stock of all the sacrifices that were made by so many, and celebrating the contributions that the Cambodian community has made and continues to make to our city and state.”
The resolution calls for the week of April 17 to be recognized as “Cambodian Genocide Remembrance Week” in perpetuity to commemorate the Cambodian genocide that took place between 1975 and 1979, and in honor of this week the Cambodian flag will be flown over Providence City Hall.
