by Billy Kepner | Jun 1, 2017 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-10, Ward-15, Ward-9
Following public concerns raised among hundreds of constituents in Providence and Cranston, three members of the Providence City Council tonight introduced a measure to halt Mayor Elorza’s controversial traffic pattern plan for Roger Williams Park. The resolution, introduced by Councilors Carmen Castillo (Ward 9), Sabina Matos (Ward 15) and Luis Aponte (Ward 10), calls for the administration to cease work on the project until traffic impact studies are conducted in both Providence and Cranston. The Elorza administration has suggested a traffic study was conducted inside the park, but has not yet released its findings to the public or to the City Council.
The administration’s plans to change F.C. Memorial Boulevard to a one-way greenway has drawn criticism from residents in Cranston and Providence neighborhoods that border the park. Concerns about the plan’s impact on city streets surrounding the park have not been addressed, and residents are especially concerned about the traffic impact around neighboring schools.
Cranston Mayor Allan Fung has publicly stated that the City of Providence did not engage his administration in any discussion about the plans. Fung also called on the administration to halt implementation until further information becomes available. Much of Roger Williams Park abuts Cranston neighborhoods.
In a letter sent to Mayor Elorza and the Providence City Council today, Rhode Island Foundation Executive Director Neil Steinberg stated concerns and frustrations with the administration’s execution of its plan: “[W]e are disappointed by what we believe are avoidable, public scuffles about the efficacy of the directional change on Greene Boulevard and an inability to transparently gather and consider input from the community regarding this change.” The Rhode Island Foundation is a key partner and steward for the park; the organization has led a $10M fundraising campaign for the park and manages its permanent endowment.
The resolution was sent to the Committee on Public Works for further deliberation.
by Billy Kepner | May 30, 2017 | Press Release, Ward-11, Ward-12, Ward-13, Ward-5
The City Council Committee on Ordinances will tonight receive a final report from the Community Safety Act Working Group, a panel established by the Council in April tasked with resolving outstanding concerns about the proposed landmark ordinance that seeks to improve police and community relations by adopting best practices from around the country. The working group was comprised of community members, police administration and union representatives, and City solicitor, administration, and City Council representatives.
The working group’s recommendations include greater clarification of definitions used in the ordinance, improved language that eliminates confusion about intent, and language changes that ensure consistency between the ordinance and State law. The working group has also proposed changing the ordinance’s title to the Providence Community-Police Relations Act (PCPRA) to better demonstrate its intent.
“The working group’s final recommendations reflect an open, collaborative process that successfully resolved all stakeholders’ stated concerns,” said Majority Leader Bryan Principe (Ward 13), who served as the group’s chair. “Our diverse panel of stakeholders engaged in thoughtful deliberation to make friendly amendments that strengthen and clarify this important piece of legislation.”
“The working group was constructive in making necessary changes and modifications with the original version. It also presented an opportunity to make clarifications on some of the language to resolve issues,” said Providence Police Chief Col. Hugh Clements. “I stand in support of this current version.”
The group met regularly throughout the month to reach consensus on each of the ordinance’s proposed amendments. Working group members were careful not to alter the intent of the ordinance, and instead focused on improving and clarifying the language in the legislation. Each recommended amendment of the ordinance was approved unanimously by the panel.
“The working group has done an outstanding job in working through some of the former concerns about the ordinance and coming up with alternatives that we can feel confident about,” said Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11), who served as a member of the working group.
“This process brought everyone together to participate in the discussion, which was beneficial for the act itself and to achieve its objective,” said Councilman Terrence Hassett (Ward 12), who chairs the Council’s Ordinance Committee and served as a member of the working group.
“This is an important piece of legislation, and the additional deliberation was time well spent,” said Majority Whip Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5). “I commend the working group for their diligence and working together to address unresolved issues.”
In its final form, the bill is the product of nearly three years of stakeholder engagement. Among its many provisions, the ordinance effectively prohibits racial and other forms of discriminatory profiling, mandates policies for the use of body cameras, brings much-needed reforms to the Providence Police Department’s “gang database,” and codifies policies regarding non-criminal immigration concerns.
CSA HIGHLIGHTS
- Prohibits racial and other forms of discriminatory profiling
Prevents police officers from racially profiling or otherwise discriminating against individuals based on their race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, and other factors
- Establishes how police officers will document and collect data from traffic and pedestrian stops
Allows individuals stopped by the police to request and receive a report on their stop
Mandates policies for the use of body-worn cameras
Protects individuals’ rights to photograph and film the police
- Mandates greater transparency and accountability in police-community interactions
Requires officers to inform drivers of why their vehicle was stopped, sets standards for requiring information from passengers, and codifies policy on individuals driving without a license
Requires that officers inform individuals of their constitutional right to refuse before asking for consent to a search
Requires officers in uniform to wear name tags and to show their federal ID numbers
Requires officers to provide their name and federal ID number when conducting stops and searches.
Requires the Chief of Police to submit quarterly reports to Providence External Review Authority (PERA) on the data collected
- Establishes new protections for juveniles, immigrants, and transgender individuals
Establishes right of transgender individuals to be searched by an officer of their gender identity and requires Police Department to develop policies for handling those searches
Prohibits officers from inquiring about an individual’s immigration status, and requires officers to accept valid identification from foreign governments
Sets standards for dealing with individuals lacking proof of identification
Prohibits officers from photographing juveniles under most circumstances
- Improves and codifies policies for use of Gang Database
Requires the Police Department to establish policies for determining if an individual should be added to the gang database
Prohibits certain factors, such as race, from being included in the criteria for adding someone to the gang database
Requires parental notification when anyone under 18 is added to the gang database
Allows anyone over 18 to ask if they are on the gang database
Creates both an administrative removal process and a formal appeal process for people who feel they were added to the database in error.
Requires an annual audit of the gang database to identify any errors and make recommendations for improving its use
- Improves language access for Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals
Requires the Police Department maintain its language access hotline to connect officers with qualified translators
Requires the use of qualified translators if the officer isn’t fluent in the language spoken (except in emergencies)
Mandates policies on officer fluency and defining emergencies
Requires custodial interrogations of LEP individuals be recorded
Requires vital materials be available in the five most commonly spoken languages in Providence
Councilors are expected to take a final vote on the proposed legislation at the City Council meeting on Thursday, June 1st at 7:00 pm.
by Billy Kepner | May 19, 2017 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-10
Councilman Luis Aponte (Ward 10) today resigned as President of the Providence City Council and issued the following statement:
“After much deliberation, I have determined that it is in the best interest of my constituents, colleagues, and city to formally submit my resignation as Providence City Council President.
Serving the people of Providence is one of the greatest honors of my lifetime, and I remain committed to representing my constituents in my capacity as Councilman. While it has been a privilege to serve my colleagues as Council President, I believe this is the appropriate time to step down from my leadership position and focus on the best opportunities to serve the needs of my community.
I understand that some of my Council colleagues wish to amend the Council Rules to allow for the removal of a Council President at any time. I urge my colleagues to take a more measured approach, and refrain from rushing into a reactive rules change that undermines our democratic principles.
In recent weeks, I have been fortunate to receive an outpouring of support from my constituents. At this time, I’d like to offer my deepest gratitude for all their well-wishes and support throughout this process.”
by Billy Kepner | May 18, 2017 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
The Providence City Council will tonight consider first passage of an ordinance that establishes a permanent Equal Pay Task Force to promote equal pay for equal work in the City of Providence. The seven-member panel would study best practices from other municipalities, collect and analyze data from City departments and contractors, and advise the City Council and Mayor on policy and legislation recommendations that address wage disparities.
“As elected officials, we must ensure that the City of Providence and its vendors are treating employees equally and compensating them fairly,” said Councilman David Salvatore (Ward 14), who introduced and sponsored the ordinance. “The wage gap in America is unacceptable, and government at every level must be proactive and intentional in promoting equal pay for equal work.”
According to the Economic Policy Institute’s State of Working America Data Library, women who worked full-time and year-round in 2016 earned 20% less than their male counterparts. Salvatore is hopeful that Providence will become a leader in closing that gap: “The City of Providence should model the highest standards of wage equality. The Equal Pay Task Force will study what’s working in other cities across the country and guide us toward best practices.”
The ordinance requires a seven-member task force comprised of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Providence Human Relations Commission, an attorney from the City Solicitor’s office, two members appointed by the City Council, and two members appointed by the Mayor. The panel would be required to annually submit a report of its activities, findings, and recommendations to the Providence Human Relations Commission, City Council, and Mayor. The first report would be due by December 31, 2017.
The ordinance has been vetted by the Council’s Ordinance Committee and will appear before the full City Council at tonight’s meeting. All city ordinances require two passages from the City Council prior to becoming law.
by Billy Kepner | May 15, 2017 | Council News, Press Release
12 City Councilors tonight approved a vote of no confidence in the Providence City Council President Luis Aponte and requested his resignation as City Council President. Tonight’s special meeting was called by Councilors Matos, Principe, Correia, Ryan, Hassett, Harris, and Igliozzi. They were joined by Councilors Narducci, Jennings, Yurdin, Zurier and Salvatore in voting to approve the measure. Council President Aponte and Councilwoman Castillo were also present; they voted against and abstained, respectively.
by Billy Kepner | May 11, 2017 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-7
The Providence City Council Committee on Finance tonight approved a tax stabilization agreement with Vision Development Inc. that brings a $56 million new construction project to downtown Providence. The Canal Street Project marks the city’s first concrete and steel commercial development in years and is expected to generate at least 100 construction jobs and 30 permanent jobs. The site is located at 169 Canal Street, which is currently a surface parking lot that generates minimal tax revenue.
Once completed, the Canal Street property will include 180-190 units, with a mix of residential and commercial spaces. The project is expected to be shovel-ready with cranes in the sky this summer.
According to a representative for the developer, the developer intends to use a tower crane for construction, noting that “Providence deserves to see a tower crane project” in the sky. He described the project as a “true urban living experience” that will attract millennials and professionals to Providence’s downtown core.
“This is an exciting time to be working and living in Providence,” said Finance Committee Chairman John Igliozzi. “The Canal Street Project is another positive sign that the City of Providence is moving in the right direction, and this is exactly the kind of project the City is craving. We’ve attracted an out-of-state developer to invest in our city, which tells us that the business and banking industries have faith and trust in the City of Providence.”
As part of the tax stabilization agreement, the developer will be required to pursue contracts with women and minority-owned businesses and hire apprentices for construction, and purchase construction materials from Providence vendors.
