by Abigail Appel | Apr 22, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5
While we would all like to be celebrating Earth Day today, I am concerned with our City’s poor trash collection and the performance of our vendor Waste Management Company.
As many residents are aware, there has been an ongoing issue with trash collection in all neighborhoods of our City for months. Entire streets are not being serviced, and most recently, yard waste has been sitting curbside for weeks.
I would like to reassure my constituents that I share your concerns and frustration. I am working with senior executives at the company and have asked for a comprehensive plan to address their staffing challenges and to return their performance to an acceptable standard.
I remain committed to working with the City administration, DPW Director and my Council colleagues to hold our vendor accountable. I would like to thank all of our residents who have reported missed streets and neglected pickups through the City’s 311 system and by reaching out to me personally. For example, from April 8, 2021 to April 22, 2021 for the 311 system alone, 148 of the total of 514 complaints received were for missed trash pickups. These records are important and will be tabulated for use by the Council during its ongoing contract review.
Trash pickup and waste management is a basic City service that must be completed efficiently and reliably. Please continue with your calls so we may address this genuine public health and safety issue head on so as to avert a growing rodent and infestation crisis if left unchecked. As we observe Earth Day today, let us remember the importance of being good stewards of our environment and good neighbors in this beautiful City we call home.
Jo-Ann Ryan
Majority Leader, Providence City Council
Councilwoman, Ward 5
by Abigail Appel | Apr 20, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1
Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic, workers from all different trades, fields, and backgrounds have faced unprecedented challenges. Continuing to work and keep the organizations that they work for running smoothly has come at the risk of their health and financial stability. Unfortunately, it is often the workers who are paid the least that are taking these risks to keep their workplace afloat.
That is exactly why the members of the Graduate Labor Organization at Brown University deserve the raises, rights, and respect that they are asking for. For the duration of the pandemic, Graduate students employed by Brown University have incurred extra expenses and put their health at risk in order to sustain the labor they provide for the University. From purchasing in-home office equipment to maintaining in-person labs by purchasing their own protective equipment; members of the GLO have done the work, paid the price, and deserve to be paid fairly and treated with respect by Brown University.
Brown University leads Ivy League schools across the country, with a twelve percent growth in their endowment in 2020 despite the global pandemic. With a growing $4.7 billion endowment and prosperity that is at odds with the current financial circumstances of most institutions and individuals in today’s economy, Brown University must lead by example, both in its contributions to its workers and its contributions to the City of Providence.
Employees of any organization should never have to pay to work. Especially when that institution has the financial resources that Brown University has. And especially when those employees have done so much to keep classes, research projects, and other commitments going throughout a global pandemic.
As a two-time Brown alumnus, there isn’t an institution more near and dear to my heart. However, for the aforementioned reasons, I am calling on Brown University to listen to the Graduate Labor Organization and heed their requests for a fair raise, a COVID-19 safe workplace, and appreciation for the work they have already done to keep the University prosperous and growing.
John Goncalves
Councilman, Ward 1
Providence City Council
by Abigail Appel | Apr 16, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5, Ward-7
The first budget to be passed under the leadership of Council President John J. Igliozzi Esq.
The Providence City Council passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Budget of $510 million at the April 15 City Council meeting. This is the first City budget to be passed under the leadership of Council President John J. Igliozzi Esq. (Ward 7). The budget will be signed into effect by Mayor Jorge O. Elorza.
“After serving as the Chairman of the Committee on Finance for fourteen years, I am proud to be joining my Council colleagues in passing the first budget in my tenure as City Council President, which reflects the current and future financial needs and goals of the City of Providence. We have listened to residents and stakeholders, and we have built a budget which makes room for modern initiatives such as the ‘Go Team’ Diversionary Program, while also responsibly addressing long term issues such as the pension crisis,” stated Council President John J. Igliozzi Esq. (Ward 7).
The Fiscal Year 2021 Budget includes $130 million in funding for the Providence Public School Department, as proposed by Mayor Elorza. Additionally, the budget creates a grant funded department to support the American Recovery Act COVID-19 Stimulus package of $130 million and allocates funding to Family Services of Rhode Island for a new “Go Team” Diversionary Program. There will be no City tax increases and commercial tax rates will remain the same.
“Now more than ever, it is crucial that our tax payer dollars be spent wisely. This has been a difficult year, which has exposed many new challenges for Providence residents and our City as a whole. I would like to thank Council President Igliozzi, my colleagues, the City Council finance team and the administration’s finance team who have all worked together to create a fiscal strategy that will keep our City moving forward and will keep money in the pockets of the hard-working men and women who call Providence home,” added Finance Committee Vice-Chairwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5).
In accordance with the requests of Mayor Jorge Elorza, the FY 2021 budget also funds the contractual increase of $2.78 million to Providence Police Department including a 4.5% wage increase. The budget also provides a 2% wage increase for all City union and non-union employees and a 2.75% wage increase for the Providence Fire Department. The budget also ensures that the City will make 100% of its obligated pension payment and increase the City’s rainy day fund by $100,000 to $15 million.
“The obstacles that our City and our nation have faced in the past year have left many families, businesses and municipalities in a place of financial uncertainty. We have worked hard to create a budget that will ensure sustainable economic growth in our City for residents, business owners and City operations. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in government to keep propelling our City forward,” added Council President Igliozzi.
To view all budget documents, click here: https://bit.ly/PVD2021-Budget.
Council President Igliozzi signs Fiscal Year 2021 Budget
by Abigail Appel | Apr 16, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-10, Ward-11, Ward-12, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-2, Ward-3, Ward-5, Ward-7, Ward-8
At last night’s City Council meeting, Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1) proposed a change to the Providence Code of Ordinances which would require a building official to provide written notice to their City Council representative upon the issuance of a demolition permit. This ordinance was co-sponsored by Council President John J. Igliozzi Esq. (Ward 7), Council President Pro Tempore Pedro Espinal (Ward 10), Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5), Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11), Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune (Ward 3), Councilman James Taylor (Ward 8), Councilwoman Kat Kerwin (Ward 12), Councilor Rachel Miller (Ward 13), and Councilor David Salvatore (Ward 14).
“Recently, a beloved building in the Fox Point neighborhood was demolished, to the surprise of myself and the local community. Not only was this demolition project an inconvenience to residents of the area, it also was at the location of the former Duck & Bunny; a landmark of the Fox Point neighborhood,” stated Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1).
Under current City law, building officials are not required to notify the City Council or the local neighborhood when a demolition permit has been issued. The proposal would require that written notice be given to the Council representative. This will allow for proper communication to be made between various City Departments, and ensure that residents and businesses surrounding the demolition site are made aware of the upcoming operations in their neighborhood.
“As a City, we work best when communication is open and reliable. As a City Councilman, I know I can better serve my constituents when I am aware of all developments in our Ward. Residents of any neighborhood deserve to know about major plans for construction or demolition which could affect their property, quality of life, safety or the integrity of our neighborhood. Moving forward, I hope this ordinance will encourage an open line of communication between building officials, City operations and residents,” added Councilman Goncalves.
The ordinance has been referred to the Committee on Ordinances for further review.
by Abigail Appel | Apr 14, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-10, Ward-7
At a special meeting of the Providence City Council, Councilman John J. Igliozzi, Esq. (Ward 7), was elected by the majority of his peers to serve as the body’s President. In addition, the Council also elected Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10) as Council President Pro Tempore. Each will hold this position for the remainder of this current term which will conclude in January of 2023.
“I want to thank my colleagues for putting their support in me during this time of transition. As the longest-serving member of the Council, I want to ensure that when many of us step down in 2023 that there is not only a transfer of power but a transfer of institutional knowledge. In my capacity as Council President, I plan to work every day to ensure that the City Council continues the important work of creating a stronger and fiscally stable Providence. We are committed to advocating for new jobs, new development, affordable housing, and ensuring that the essential quality of life services that our taxpayers expect is further enhanced. I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to congratulate our outgoing Council President Sabina Matos, who today was approved by the Rhode Island Senate to serve as our State’s next Lieutenant Governor. We wish her well and are grateful for her service to the Council,” stated Council President Igliozzi.
During his time on the Council, President Igliozzi has been laser-focused on the myriad of fiscal issues that Providence has faced and has worked to improve his residents’ everyday quality of life. He has served as the Chairman of the Council’s Committee on Finance since 2007 and has been a staunch advocate for tax and pension reform – both before and during his time as Chairman. He has also served as a member of several committees and commissions during his more than two decades-long tenure.
Council President Igliozzi has represented the Hartford and Silver Lake neighborhoods of Providence since 1997. He is a lifelong resident of Silver Lake and is deeply entrenched in his community. During his time in public service, he has spearheaded and allocated funding for several major community infrastructure and quality of life enhancements for the residents of Ward 7. These projects include thousands of initiatives from roads, sidewalks, pedestrian lighting, and two new schools. He was instrumental in bringing Achievement First Providence Mayoral Academy Elementary School, a highly ranked charter school, to the Silver Lake neighborhood. President Igliozzi has also made significant investments in community resources such as the Reading Express Library at the Silver Lake Community Center, neighborhood water parks, playgrounds, the first skateboard park in Providence, and the soccer field’s modernization at Merino Park – now home to the Capitol Youth Soccer League.
In his professional life, Council President Igliozzi is an attorney. His family has a long history of public service, beginning with his late father Vincent, who served as Chairman of the 7th Ward Committee, his late mother Dolores, who served on the Rhode Island State Democratic Committee, his sister Angelica, and his brother and former Councilman, Judge David Igliozzi. He is the proud father of two sons, both of whom still live in the same Silver Lake neighborhood where President Igliozzi grew up.
The Council also elected Councilman Pedro Espinal as Council President Pro Tempore. The President Pro Tempore serves as acting President in the absence of the Council President.
“I am honored that my colleagues have entrusted me to carry out this new role. The Council is at an inflection point, and there is much to be done. I look forward to continuing to work on behalf of not only my community but for all the residents of Providence. We have endured so much in the past year, and we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am committed to working together with my Council colleagues to address the many issues our City is facing – from getting our residents vaccinated, making affordable housing a priority, and working to end food insecurity in our City. As Councilors, we are often the ones that our residents reach out to when they need help, and many of those requests are quality of life of issues. Together this body will address the most pressing needs of our residents, and I look forward to the work ahead,” stated Council President Pro Tempore Pedro Espinal.
President Pro Tempore Pedro Espinal was elected in 2019 to serve the South Providence and Washington Park neighborhoods of Providence. Pro Tem Espinal has been an advocate for his residents. In his tenure on the Council, he has spearheaded several important pieces of legislation to ensure green and vital initiatives in the Port of Providence, amongst other quality of life issues. He has been a resident of Providence since 1978 and lives in the Washington Park neighborhood with his family.
Also, Council President Igliozzi has named City Treasurer James Lombardi III, Esq., CPA, to serve as the Acting Chief of Staff of the Providence City Council. In addition to his role as City Treasurer, Mr. Lombardi will manage the City Council staff and departments’ day-to-day operations. In addition to the Council’s administrative office, the City Council oversees the Treasury Department, Office of the Internal Auditor, Probate Court, Municipal Court, Providence City Archives, and the City Clerks Department.
by Billy Kepner | Apr 12, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-11, Ward-13, Ward-4, Ward-5, Ward-8
The facility will be a new state-of-the-art school for the City of Providence,
and will be a significant investment in the Broad Street corridor.
Tonight, the Council’s Committee on Ordinances chaired by Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) approved a zoning change to the former St. Joseph’s Hospital. The property is currently owned by Paolino Properties, and it will be donated to the City of Providence. The building will be transformed into a state-of-the-art school as part of the City’s $300 million rehabilitation and reconstruction of the City’s school infrastructure. The new school will span across seven acres at 21 Peace Street, and the development is expected to become an economic catalyst for the South Providence neighborhood.
“First and foremost, I want to express my thanks to former Mayor Paolino for his generous donation to the City of Providence. This project will be a significant economic stimulus for the Broad Street corridor, and this is a great collaboration between the community and the petitioner. I want to also commend my colleague, Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris, for her dedication and advocacy in making sure that this project was done right and has the best interest of the neighborhood and our students in mind. As we work to turn our 20th-century schools into 21st-century places of learning, we must ensure that our students are top of mind. We can use this property as a template for what a 21st-century school can become. With this kind of neighborhood activation – the possibilities are endless for new development,” stated Chairwoman of the Committee on Ordinances and Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan.
After a public meeting in January of this year, and after several committee meetings where neighbors raised concerns regarding how the building will be used, the City and the petitioner worked to create changes to the original plan. The changes address those concerns and codify uses for the property. The property will be zoned to accommodate housing, educational facilities, office spaces, or recreational facilities. Former Mayor Paolino is donating the East Building, the chapel, and parking lot to the City of Providence, and the value of his generous donation is estimated to be approximately $7 million.
Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11) and a member of the Committee on Ordinances shared, “I am thankful to former Mayor Paolino and Paolino Properties for listening to the concerns of my community. For too long, South Providence residents have not had a seat at the table when it came to redevelopment and other important building initiatives in our neighborhood. With the support of Majority Leader Ryan and my colleagues on the Committee on Ordinances, we made sure that we addressed the residents’ concerns, and I thank all those who participated in this process. There is no doubt that we need this space to provide an amazing new school for South Providence residents. I am pleased that the commitment to the building’s uses alleviates much of my neighbors’ concerns expressed over the past several months. I look forward to seeing the building in use and to what the future holds for our neighborhood.”
The 8-story building is located in South Providence and will become a state-of-the-art dual-language school for students in pre-K through 8th grade. The property reconstruction is scheduled for completion in time for the start of the 2024-2025 school year. The zoning change will be sent to the full City Council for vote and passage.
“Every Providence student deserves a high-quality education in a modern, safe school building, and today’s vote brings us one step closer to making that goal a reality,” said Harrison Peters, superintendent of Providence Public Schools. “I appreciate the City Council’s commitment to working in partnership with the community as we move forward with this exciting project and want to again thank former Mayor Joseph Paolino for his generous donation.”
The estimated cost for the transformation of St. Joseph’s Hospital is estimated at around $75 million and will be funded through bonding initiatives previously approved by the Providence City Council. The first being a $160 million bond approved in 2018 and the second approved in 2020. Both bonds were voted and approved by the residents of Providence.
To learn more about the school rehabilitation and reconstruction plans, visit: School Capital Plan Projects
