Ordinance to Stop Illegal Dumping of Tires in the City of Providence Receives First Passage

by Abigail Appel | Feb 18, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-10, Ward-11, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-2, Ward-3

At tonight’s City Council meeting, Councilor David Salvatore’s (Ward 14) ordinance that would curb the illegal disposal of used tires received first passage. The ordinance was co-sponsored by Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11), Councilwoman Carmen Castillo (Ward 9), Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune (Ward 3), Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), Councilor Rachel Miller (Ward 13), Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10), and Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1).

The proposal would amend the “Licenses” Chapter of the Providence Code of Ordinances to include a requirement that any motor repair business engaging in the repair, replacement, or disposal of tires must be licensed by the Providence Board of Licenses. The proposal would also require that motor repair businesses legally dispose of old tires and provide a receipt proving lawful disposal.

“Quality of life is something that we discuss as elected leaders daily. One of the complaints we most often receive is regarding abandoned tires in our parks, streets, vacant lots, rivers and woodland areas causing damage to our local environment and overall quality of life. Requiring these businesses to keep receipts as proof for the lawful and proper disposal of old tires will go a long way in keeping this litter from harming our neighborhoods,” stated Councilor David Salvatore.

Additionally, the proposal includes a provision that creates a lawful system for disposal and delivery of used/waste tires to the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation or privately-operated tire storage, recycling, or recovery facilities licensed by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Tire haulers would be permitted to transport tires to an out-of-state recycling facility in accordance with Rhode Island General Law § 23-63-2.

“By putting these legal standards in place for the proper disposal of tires, we are working towards building a system that encourages sustainability and ethical business practices in our City. Changes like this will improve the health and quality of life for Providence residents in a thoughtful and impactful way,” added Councilor Salvatore.

This ordinance will have minimal effect on law-abiding auto repair businesses. Any business that is legitimately licensed already embraces ethical and proper tire disposal procedures. Instead the ordinance is intended to stop individuals who may be collecting used tires for cash and disposing of them illegally throughout the City.

To read the full ordinance, click here: https://bit.ly/2M8bhk4

City Council Passes Tax Stabilization Agreement for New Development in the City’s West End

by Abigail Appel | Feb 18, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-7

“Providence is Open for Business”

Tonight, the City Council approved a Tax Stabilization Agreement (TSA) for a new development to be located along Parade Street across from Dexter Park. This is significant for the City, and it signals to developers and other businesses that even though the COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe financial hardships, growth and new building continues to happen.

“When you look at how much the City has suffered financially from the ongoing pandemic, it is rewarding to see developers that believe in our future,” stated Councilman John J. Igliozzi, Esq. and Chairman of the Council’s Committee on Finance. “TSAs are an important tool to help developers create new developments and spur growth in the City. As we know, the City is facing a serious housing shortage, and I believe that the developer is committed to ensuring equity and affordability along with much-needed new units.”

This project will repurpose and rehabilitate an existing abandoned historic structure and add a new building to the neighborhood. They are creating jobs during the building phase and new residential units. The developers have stated that they intend to keep them affordable and in line with current rents in the community.

Currently, the City realizes around $32-Thousand in taxes annually from this property. At the end of the agreement, taxes realized by this property will be over $400-Thousand. The TSA the developers have applied and were approved for is a 15-year TSA and they have committed to reaching specific benchmarks:

• 10 percent of the dollar value of the construction will be used to hire women and minority-owned businesses;
• The developers with the Director of First Source Providence to hire local trades people for the construction;
• The developers have agreed to make a reasonable faith effort to buy all construction materials locally from vendors within the City of Providence;
• The developers have agreed to ensure that 100 percent of the hours worked on the project will be performed by trade construction subcontractors who have or are affiliated with an apprenticeship program;
• The property owner will also make annual payments of five percent of the abated tax for each year during the agreement to the City Council Parks and Recreation Fund.

Additionally, 10 percent of all tax revenue realized from the project will be earmarked for the Providence Affordable Housing Trust Fund. In October of 2020, the Council approved the Providence Redevelopment Agency to capitalize the Fund through a $20-Million bond, which is anticipated to make up to 1,500 affordable homes possible in the next three years.

To read the full ordinance, click here: https://bit.ly/37stlN1

Statement from Council President Sabina Matos on the Passing of the Honorable State Superior Court Judge Alton Wiley

by Abigail Appel | Feb 18, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15

I am saddened to learn of the passing of the Honorable Superior Court Judge Alton Wiley, an accomplished jurist and a man who broke down barriers.

Judge Wiley’s role as the first black judge to sit on the Rhode Island District and Superior Courts was proof that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. Not only did he break barriers, but he served the State of Rhode Island for decades with integrity, intellect, and allegiance to the law.

It is public servants like him who value virtue, equality, and opportunity that make the State of Rhode Island such a wonderful place to be. He will be sorely missed by all those who knew him.

I extend my most sincere condolences to Judge Wiley’s family and friends and pray that his memory is a blessing to all who knew him.

Sabina Matos, President
Providence City Council
Councilwoman – Ward 15

City Council’s Tax Stabilization Program Projected to Add More Than $454-Million of Additional Revenue by 2040

by Billy Kepner | Feb 17, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-7

At the Council’s Committee on Finance meeting held last night, Dante Bellini, City Controller, shared with the Committee the current Tax Stabilization Agreement (TSA) Portfolio. The presentation projected year-over-year cumulative added revenue for the City of Providence. Indicating that as these TSAs mature and become fully taxable, they will add more than $454-Milliion cumulatively to the city’s tax roll by 2040.

“TSAs are a tool that municipalities use to help build its tax base, and they work,” stated Councilman and Chairman of the Committee on Finance John J. Igliozzi, Esq., (Ward 7). “TSAs are important economic generators for cities like Providence. A robust TSA program will spur growth and development and increase our tax base so that we can take the burden of higher property taxes off our residents. If these properties were not developed and were not given a TSA, we would only see tax revenues of just over $6-Millon a year instead of the cumulative growth in tax revenue as each TSA matures.”

The City currently has around 70 TSAs in place, inclusive of the five commercial and residential properties under the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission’s authority. These TSAs run from housing, commercial, and mixed-use properties throughout the City.

“Providence is competing with our growing tax exemption base, which makes up for approximately 40% of the City’s taxable property. Coupled with the economic competition we face from our neighboring cities and towns becoming more economically attractive – whether it’s their taxes or economic development packages, we must remain competitive. Further, we are also competing with our neighboring states. We need to be more macro in our thinking, and that’s what the TSA program is about. We are looking at how we can keep our City moving forward. We need to let developers know that we are open for business, and we have to create economic development packages to spur new growth to continue increasing our tax base,” continued Chairman John J. Igliozzi, Esq.

In the last year, the City has collected $128-Thousand from TSAs for the City Council Parks and Recreational Trust Fund Account and will collect an additional $134-Thousand in the coming fiscal year. This account will continue to grow as the TSA program moves forward; to date, there has been $313-Thousand collected in totality for this account. The Trust Account is overseen by the City’s Superintendent of Parks and can only be utilized for brick and mortar projects like building or rehabbing parks or recreation centers.

Individuals can view the Tax Stabilization Agreement Portfolio here: http://bit.ly/PVDTSAPF.

City Councilors Call on Residents to Vote “Yes” on Questions Two, Three, and Five in Upcoming Special Election

by Abigail Appel | Feb 8, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-10, Ward-11, Ward-12, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-15, Ward-2, Ward-3, Ward-4, Ward-5, Ward-6, Ward-7, Ward-8, Ward-9

At last week’s City Council meeting, Councilors put forth several resolutions urging Providence voters to vote “Yes” on ballot referendum questions two, three, and five in the special election taking place on March 2, 2021. In December 2020, Governor Raimondo signed a state budget for the 2021 fiscal year that restored funding to cities and towns, used federal coronavirus relief funds to aid struggling Rhode Islanders, and did not raise taxes. In addition to the FY21 budget, there were also seven bond referendums regarding $400 million in bonds for education, affordable housing, green infrastructure, transportation, and other initiatives. All three resolutions were sponsored by the full Council.

The first resolution, proposed by Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1), asks that voters vote “Yes” on ballot question two to support a $74 million bond for environmental and recreational projects.

“This bond would create funding for a proposed park on the former I-95 land along with local recreational projects, the dredging of the Providence River, the restoration of local wetlands, much needed municipal resiliency projects, and more. We are encouraging Providence voters to vote ‘Yes’ on question two in order to create meaningful and lasting environmental improvements not only in the City of Providence but across the State of Rhode Island,” stated Councilman John Goncalves.

The second resolution, also proposed by Councilman John Goncalves, advocates that voters vote “Yes” on ballot question five, which includes a $15 million bond for early childhood care and the Educational Capital fund.

“I call on all Providence residents to vote ‘Yes’ on ballot question five. This funding will be key to ensuring our students have a strong start, as early childhood care and education is what supplies children with a solid and broad foundation for success both in and out of school,” stated Council President Sabina Matos.

The third resolution, proposed by Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15), Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11), and Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1), urges residents to vote “Yes” on ballot question three, in support of a $65 million bond for affordable housing projects throughout the state.

“This bond will allocate millions of dollars towards the building and maintaining of affordable housing in Rhode Island. In addition, millions more will go directly towards community revitalization projects. I encourage residents to support this initiative, as affordable housing and community development will be central in the recovery of our economy and public health moving forward,” added Council President Matos.

The special election will occur on Tuesday, March 2, with polls open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The deadline to submit mail ballot applications is Tuesday, February 9 and early in-person voting begins on Wednesday, February 10.

To request a mail ballot, click here: https://bit.ly/36He8r5
To find your polling location, click here: http://bit.ly/2MowkPz