by Council Staff | Apr 15, 2022 | Add Council Logo, Press Release, Ward-14
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Councilor David Salvatore (Ward 14) is asking residents with security systems to closely monitor the mail, after a staffing shortage and technical issue halted the release of February’s annual registration forms. After hearing from constituents, Councilor Salvatore learned that the issues generated $100 late fees for some residents.
Each year, residents with security alarms are asked to pay $10 to have their systems registered with the Providence Police Department. Failure to do so results in a $100 fine.
If you received a fine from the City of Providence, but not a renewal request, you can file an appeal here. When prompted for a reason, enter “renewal notice received at the same time as the late fine.”
All fees related to late renewal notices will be waived immediately. For additional resources or help, call 401-680-5582.
“It’s vital for residents to check in with the elderly or vulnerable to make sure they can resolve this issue in a timely manner. We also want to make sure no one is being asked to pay a fine for something out of their control,” said Councilor Salvatore, “I will also be reviewing the Ordinance regarding alarm registration and enforcement to see if these seemingly excessive fees are truly the best way to ensure alarms are being used responsibly.”
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by Council Staff | Apr 14, 2022 | Add Council Logo, Press Release
April 14, 2022
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Parker Gavigan, Director of Communications
pgavigan@providenceri.gov
City Council Approves Final Ward Boundary Map
Redistricting has concluded
Providence, RI – At tonight’s special City Council meeting, councilors, by a vote of 12 to 2, approved a final map of the city’s 15 wards, which will now be sent to the Board of Canvassers for the 2022 election cycle. The vote concludes a lengthy three-and half-month redistricting process in the city that included five (5) public meetings in different neighborhoods, significant written testimony, and a public meeting in the council chamber.
“This was a community-driven effort. Thank you to my council colleagues, staff, and the Ward Boundaries Committee for your tireless work on this once-in-a-decade responsibility,” said Council President John Igliozzi.
Every 10 years, Providence’s 15 wards are redistricted using criteria outlined in the Home Rule Charter and based on the latest U.S. Census data, which showed the city’s population grew by 12,892 people to 190,934. A five-member committee of Providence residents, appointed by the City Council and chaired by resident Jessica Cigna, began meeting in early January to hear directly from city residents. The committee produced a detailed report and referred those recommendations to the council for final approval. The committee and council were guided by Election Data Services, Inc., a hired consultant for redistricting purposes.
A copy of the Council’s report and map can be found here https://council.providenceri.gov/ward-boundaries/.
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by Abigail Appel | Apr 12, 2022 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1
“I would like to thank Governor McKee, Commerce Secretary Pryor, Mayor Elorza, and the team at High Rock Development for their leadership in revitalizing the iconic Superman building in the heart of Downtown Providence.
I look forward to engaging with stakeholders and community members as we move forward with this process to bring this hallmark of the Providence skyline back to life. This moment is a unique and exciting opportunity to boost our local economy and reinvigorate Downtown and the City of Providence,” Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1).
by Council Staff | Apr 11, 2022 | Add Council Logo, Press Release
April 11, 2022
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Parker Gavigan, Director of Communications
pgavigan@providenceri.gov
City Council Votes to Approve Ward Boundary Map
A second and final vote is expected later this week
Providence, RI – At tonight’s special City Council meeting, councilors, by a vote of 11 to 1, approved a map of the city’s 15 wards. This action moves the three-and half-month redistricting process toward a second and final vote later in the week. The completed map represents a community-driven effort, including five (5) public meetings in various neighborhoods, significant written testimony, and a public meeting in the council chamber at city hall.
Every 10 years, Providence’s 15 wards are redistricted using criteria outlined in the Home Rule Charter and based on the latest U.S. Census data. For example, 2020 Census data showed the city’s population grew by 12,892 people to 190,934. A five-member committee of Providence residents, appointed by the City Council and chaired by Jessica Cigna, began meeting in early January to hear directly from city residents. The committee produced a detailed report and referred those recommendations to the council for final approval. The committee and council were guided by Election Data Services, Inc., a hired consultant for redistricting purposes.
“This is a historical process in Providence city government, a once in a decade task that falls directly on all our shoulders,” said Council President John Igliozzi (Ward 7). “I want to take this opportunity to thank my council colleagues and staff, commend the ward boundaries committee for their incredibly hard work, and let city residents know just how important their input was over these many months. Your voices mattered. The map you see tonight is the result of true collaboration, everyone coming together for the common good of our unique neighborhoods.”
A copy of the Council’s report and map can be found here https://council.providenceri.gov/ward-boundaries/
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by Council Staff | Apr 7, 2022 | Add Council Logo, Press Release
April 7, 2022
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Parker Gavigan, Director of Communications
pgavigan@providenceri.gov
City Council Addresses Graffiti, Street Sweeping, Catalytic Converter Thefts, and Creates a Special School Repair Fund
• Councilors approved the creation of a special revolving fund for the maintenance and repairs of Providence Public School buildings
• Councilors call on the DPW to begin alternate side parking during city street sweeping
• Councilors call on the city’s Director of Public Property to remove graffiti from city neighborhoods and replace broken furniture in the public safety complex
• Council takes steps to curb catalytic converter thefts and calls on state lawmakers for further action
School Repair Fund
The city council passed a final ordinance, creating the Providence Public School Department Capital Improvement Revolving Fund, a move that will immediately help fix aging buildings. According to Providence Public Schools, the fund will “transform $8 million in already dedicated local sources into $54 million in school capital projects over the next 10 years, without any additional Providence taxpayer dollars”. The fund allows PPSD to perform capital improvement projects eligible for housing aid reimbursement. The state reimburses projects up to 91%, and reimbursed funds are then reinvested into other projects, which will spur additional reimbursement. A 2017 review of the city’s school buildings showed that 27 out of 38 school facilities were in poor or worse condition. Some examples of projects for 2022 include $1.5 million for upgrades to water bottle fillers/bubblers at 23 schools and replacing boilers in six schools. “Many of our city schools have suffered from deferred maintenance. We need to do better for our students and teachers,” said Council President John Igliozzi (Ward 7). “This first of its’ kind revolving fund uses seed money to leverage state reimbursement, allowing the city to make these much-needed repairs quickly,” added Igliozzi.
Street/Sidewalk Sweeping Parking
Councilor David Salvatore (Ward 14) has proposed that the city offer alternate side parking while crews sweep streets, a practice commonly used in other cities. The amended ordinance allows the Department of Public Works to issue a full or partial parking ban to help any street sweeping efforts. “At certain hours of the day, streets are not swept because cars are parked on both sides. It’s time we provide our DPW and street sweeping operation with another tool to ensure this quality-of-life issue is being delivered in a timely and efficient manner,” said Salvatore. DPW will launch a pilot program on three Ward 14 streets in the coming weeks, including resident outreach. Last year, Councilor Salvatore introduced, and the council passed a law requiring DPW to sweep every city street six times each year and certain sidewalks a minimum of three times each year. Part of that new law also requires DPW to maintain a publicly available street and sidewalk sweeping calendar and give the public 48 hours’ notice in advance of sweeping.
Graffiti, litter, and Broken Furniture
Councilman Michael Correia (Ward 6) introduced three resolutions aimed at improving the quality of life throughout the City of Providence. Two of these resolutions call on the city’s Department of Public Property to ramp up efforts to remove graffiti in all fifteen city wards and upgrade office tools and furniture at the Public Safety Complex, where many city employees work in dilapidated office conditions. The third resolution calls on the Department of Public Works to clean up glass, sand, and litter from the sidewalks along Academy Avenue, Chalkstone Avenue, and Atwells Avenue. “I have introduced these to address the bread-and-butter issues that affect the everyday quality of life and administration of our city. Providence residents deserve to have clean sidewalks, visually appealing buildings, and comfortable working conditions. I hope to continue partnering with various city departments to make Providence work for our residents and employees,” stated Councilman Correia.
Curbing Catalytic Converter Thefts
Councilor David Salvatore (Ward 14) is targeting catalytic converter thefts with two pieces of legislation approved by the City Council tonight. With the theft of these valuable motor vehicle parts on the rise, the City Council approved Councilor Salvatore’s ordinance that would impose stricter sales regulations and record-keeping to be shared with local police. The ordinance provides law enforcement with tools to closely monitor sales and investigate trends while strengthening penalties for repeat offenders. Councilor Salvatore also calls on the state legislature to work with the city to protect individuals and organizations from unknowingly acquiring and selling stolen catalytic converters. “It’s vital to address this continuing trend and codify this ordinance into state law. I look forward to working with the General Assembly to create hurdles for criminals here in Providence and across Rhode Island,” said Councilor Salvatore. The resolution proposes banning cash purchases of converters. The resolution also calls on the General Assembly to add a provision that requires catalytic converters to be marked with the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and cross-checked by law enforcement statewide.
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by Abigail Appel | Mar 31, 2022 | Press Release, Ward-5
Statement from Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan Regarding Illegal ATVs in Providence
“I was pleased to learn that the Department of Public Safety and the Mayor’s administration today announced plans to proactively enforce the ATV laws that the City Council has enacted. As we approach the warmer months, the threat of these dangerous and illegal ATVs looms over our neighborhoods.
As a freshman Councilor, I got to work drafting and enacting legislation that would keep dangerous ATVs off our City streets. In doing so, my Council colleagues and I created a clear, legal framework that prohibited the operation of illegal ATVs and gave the Providence Police Department the power to seize and destroy any ATVs operating illegally.
Since my legislation was enacted and the City Council created the ATV taskforce, law enforcement officials and local leaders came together to create strategies which resulted in 250 illegal ATVs being removed from our streets.
Despite our advocacy, these laws do not work unless they are enforced. I look forward to the Police Department’s continued commitment to these laws, which will serve to protect Providence drivers, pedestrians and bikers.
I encourage all residents to alert law enforcement and to report the location and operation of illegal ATVs and dirt bikes in Providence by calling 401-680-8288. Let us all do our part to keep our city safe,” stated Finance Chairwoman Jo-Ann Ryan.
