by Billy Kepner | Mar 2, 2017 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Councilman David Salvatore (Ward 14) will tonight introduce an ordinance amendment that, if approved, will establish a new Equal Pay Task Force for the City of Providence. The task force would study best practices from other municipalities, collect and analyze data from City departments and contractors, and advise the City Council and Mayor with policy recommendations that promote equal pay for equal work.
“It’s unacceptable that working women in America are not compensated for equal work,” said Salvatore. “Our government has a moral and ethical obligation to ensure all Americans are treated equally in the workplace.”
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 hopes to position Providence as a leader in closing that gap: “The City of Providence should model the highest standards of wage equality. The Equal Pay Task Force would take a comprehensive look at what’s working in other cities across the country and help us find practical solutions to implement best practices.”
The seven-member panel would monitor employment data from the City’s vendors and develop new data collection procedures for companies seeking City subsidies. A streamlined process, said Salvatore, would minimize the burden on companies gathering and submitting the data. The panel would also be required to report its findings to the Human Relations Commission, City Council, and Mayor each year, and determine if legislation is needed to implement any recommendations.
by Billy Kepner | Feb 16, 2017 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-10, Ward-11
Fifteen students from Central High School surprised City Hall visitors and staff on Thursday with a flash mob performance during the Providence City Council’s Black History Month celebration. The students interrupted the speaking agenda to perform “We Shall Overcome,” which was followed by a spoken word performance and African dance. The flash mob was followed by storytelling performances from Valerie Tutson and Joe Wilson, Jr.
Behind-the-scenes plans for the flash mob began when Council President Luis Aponte first met the high school students during a holiday performance at Latino Public Radio in December. Impressed with the students’ talent, Aponte asked Central High School music teacher Joyce Bernau-Enriquez to help the students arrange a flash mob performance at City Hall. According to Bernau-Enriquez, the students spent upwards of 20 hours after school in preparation for the event. The students choreographed their own African dance routine and adopted a poem written by a fellow student for the spoken word performance.
The stunning performance kicked off the Council’s second annual Black History Month celebration, which features an archives exhibit that chronicles the black suffrage movement in Providence from 1785-1885. At the students’ request, dozens of elected officials, staff members, nd visitors joined them in singing a resounding chorus of “We Shall Overcome” in unison.
Storyteller Valerie Tutson also performed as Elleanor Eldridge (1785-1865), who left home at age ten for employment and later became a successful entrepreneur and Providence landlord. Joe Wilson Jr. of Trinity Repertory Company was the final act, performing as Alexander Crummell (1819-1898), an influential scholar, college professor, preacher, and education advocate for people of color.
“We are quite honored to have so much history in our archives department, right here in City Hall,” said Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris, who urged attendees to return to the exhibit with friends and family. She is also working with the Providence City Archives Department to develop a program for groups to come to City Hall and learn about the black suffrage movement in Providence. “Education is empowerment,” said Harris. “I want to bring my constituents to City Hall and share this history with them.”
The archives exhibit will be displayed on the third floor of City Hall through the end of March. To schedule a group tour, interested parties should contact Deputy Archivist Caleb Horton at (401) 680-5315.
by Billy Kepner | Feb 8, 2017 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5
The City Council tonight passed an ordinance amendment that establishes new mandatory operational and management reforms to the city’s Board of Licenses. Spearheaded by the Council’s Majority Whip Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5), this legislative package brings to fruition many of the recommendations outlined in the Jeffrey Pine report, which was commissioned by the Council last year.
“Recognizing the integral role that the Board of Licensing plays both in the economic development of the city and as a regulatory authority for neighborhood quality of life issues, the Council initiated a comprehensive reform effort to improve the city’s licensing operations,” said Ryan, who also chairs the Council’s Committee on Municipal Operations and Oversight, an entity that delves into the details of local government to improve city services.
In 2016, the Council hired former Attorney General Jeffrey Pine to conduct a review of the Board’s operations. The Council has also worked with the administration and state legislators to implement the report’s recommendations.
Changes to state legislation were adopted last year by the General Assembly in support of the Council’s licensing initiative. This legislation modernizes and better defines liquor license classifications, which in turn provides businesses with a more predictable business framework.
Ryan noted that the City of Providence has already implemented one of the report’s recommendations; a comprehensive audit of all licensing records is now underway. Pine deemed this measure essential for accountability, especially regarding records management and payment collection.
“We’re pleased that our colleagues in government are working with us to improve licensing operations,” said Ryan. “Together we will continue to bolster and grow the city’s economy while protecting the quality of life in our neighborhoods.”
by Billy Kepner | Feb 8, 2017 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1
Introducing Ordinance Prohibiting City from Banking With Lenders to Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL)
Councilman Seth Yurdin (Ward One) has called for the City of Providence to terminate its relationship with Citizens Bank for as long as it continues to provide support and financing to the Dakota Access Pipeline.
“Providence should not support financial institutions like Citizens Bank as long as they choose to fund the Dakota Access Pipeline,” said Yurdin.
Yurdin is introducing an ordinance that will prohibit Providence from doing business with banks that provide financing to DAPL. According to Food and Water Watch, Citizens Bank is providing $72,500,000 in financing to Sunoco Logistics Partners, one of the principal pipeline partners.
DAPL is a $3.7billion 1,200 mile pipeline designed to transport fracked oil from the Bakken Oil Field in North Dakota to Patoka Illinois near Chicago. DAPL has been opposed by certain Native Americans due to concerns about local environmental and cultural impacts on their lands. DAPL is also opposed by climate change advocates. In 2016 President Obama blocked DAPL from proceeding. Upon taking office, President Trump revived the fracked oil pipeline project.
“The Dakota Access Pipeline threatens local communities and our climate,” said Yurdin. “The new federal administration is pushing DAPL ahead, ignoring both the concerns of Native Americans and the pipeline’s serious impact on climate change. Now more than ever, local governments need to support important issues like the opposition to DAPL.”
The ordinance will be presented at the City Council Meeting scheduled for February 16th.
by Billy Kepner | Jan 24, 2017 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-11
Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11) today issued the following statement regarding developer Joseph Paolino’s plans to convert the former St. Joseph’s Hospital into a housing complex for the homeless:
“Although I want the St. Joseph’s campus to become more fully utilized, I am not in agreement with or in support of the proposal that has been presented today because it lacks input from the residents of this community.
Large-scale redevelopment demands a process that is inclusive of the community in which it will have the biggest impact. A project of this scale should happen with the host community rather than to the host community.
The Southside and Elmwood neighborhoods have shouldered more than their fair share of support to vulnerable populations. We aren’t being asked to take on more of it; we’re being told that we don’t have a choice.
Years ago, Travelers’ Aid, which is now known as Crossroads, was located downtown before it was relocated to the southern side of the highway. If it’s a hindrance to downtown development, it gets moved south.
Today, I stand in solidarity with my neighbors and constituents in opposition to the plan laid out by Mr. Paolino, who has stated that he wants to ‘target the people I see downtown sleeping in vestibules.’ This does not reflect a democratic process, and I cannot support this proposal until it is inclusive of the community that lives here, raises their children here, and pays taxes here. We are not going to accept any plan or process that is forced upon us by a developer.
A few weeks ago, a community meeting was held to discuss the proposed construction of Hotel Express, which will be located on Pine Street, adjacent to Crossroads. The hotel’s New York investors expressed to me that they have no need to meet with the community because they are not receiving any tax breaks. I wonder, is this type of treatment consistent across all of the City’s wards?
I will work with my colleagues within city government and community members to create a process that involves real community input. Then, and only then, will I be in support of a new use for St. Joseph’s Hospital.”
by Billy Kepner | Jan 19, 2017 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1
Councilman Seth Yurdin (Ward One) will tonight introduce a resolution opposing Invenergy’s proposed fossil fuel power plant in Burrillville and the use of Providence water for the project. A copy of the full resolution can be found here.
Invenergy’s plan to build a power plant in Burrillville has been met with widespread resistance throughout the state in the past year, with 16 cities and towns passing resolutions in opposition.
Invernergy has also had serious difficulties obtaining a source of cooling water – estimated at up to 1 million gallons per day – with the Pascoag Utility District, the Harrisville Fire District, and the City of Woonsocket rejecting the utility’s offers. Yurdin’s resolution follows a recent decision by the Town of Johnston to enter into an agreement with Invenergy to resell water supplied to the town by Providence.
“Given the local, statewide and national concern about the impact of fossil fuels on our climate, it is simply wrong for Providence to support the Invenergy plant,” said Yurdin. “Providence’s resources, including its water, should not be used to support the project.”
The resolution also calls for the City Solicitor and manager of the Providence Water Supply Board to assist in advising on the legality of resale and markup of Providence water as well as the impact on the proposed use on ratepayers of the system.
Yurdin added, “With an incoming federal administration set to frustrate efforts to address climate change, state and local efforts are more important than ever. Cities and towns across Rhode Island and the United States need to work together to oppose projects like Invenergy’s Clear Water Energy Center in Burrillville.”
The City Council will consider Yurdin’s resolution on Thursday, January 19th at 7:00 pm. The Council meeting will be held in the City Council Chambers on the third floor of City Hall.
