by Abigail Appel | Sep 8, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15, Ward-6
City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) will introduce a resolution at tonight’s City Council meeting calling on the City Solicitor’s office to reconvene the Providence Nuisance Task Force. The Task Force was initially established to identify and address nuisance properties in the City systematically and collaboratively and has been dormant due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
“We must address quality of life issues in our City, even as we are dealing with the continued economic crisis due to the ongoing pandemic,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “We have to address the issues that our residents are bringing to our attention every day. The Council Office has received hundreds of calls from residents expressing their concerns about the increase in nuisance properties, illegal dumping, overgrown vacant parcels, rat infestations, all of which has been exasperated by the furloughs in our Department of Public works.”
The Nuisance Task Force is comprised of representatives from the City Solicitor’s office, the Police Department, the Fire Department, the Department of Inspection and Standards, and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office. They are tasked with resolving current and long-standing nuisance properties throughout the City to protect the health and well-being of residents.
Council President Matos continued, “We have an obligation to our residents to ensure their health, well-being, and that we are addressing these neighborhood issues and concerns head-on. Reconvening the task force will go a long way to addressing some of these more pressing issues.”
In addition to this resolution, Council President Matos and President Pro Tempore Michael Correia (Ward 6) will be introducing a resolution requesting the Department of Public Works to increase street-sweeping efforts across the City.
“Our streets are a mess, and we have the ability to do more street sweeping than we currently are,” stated City Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia. “Due to the reduced workforce in the Department of Public Works, we have falling behind on our efforts to maintain our streets.”
There has been a noticeable increase in trash and rodent activity on City streets due to the lack of more frequent sweeping. Failure to sweep the City’s streets also poses a significant threat to the environment as the accumulated dirt and debris, and other contaminants can be washed from the streets directly into neighborhood waterways creating water pollution not just for the City but the State.
The resolution requests that the Department of Public Works immediately begin street-sweeping efforts throughout the City and, if necessary, hire a third-party contractor to help expedite the process of sweeping every City street.
by Abigail Appel | Sep 8, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15, Ward-4
At tonight’s City Council meeting, Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) and Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. (Ward 4) will introduce a resolution recognizing Officer Jose Deschamps of the Providence Police Department.
On August 13, Officer Jose Deschamps was responding to a motor vehicle incident at the intersection of Narragansett Avenue and New York Avenue. After arriving on the scene, Officer Deschamps was approached by a man seeking assistance with an unresponsive child and provided lifesaving CPR, which helped stabilize the 8-month-old boy.
“As a parent, I can only imagine the distress that family was feeling at that moment,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “Officer Deschamps acted swiftly and bravely and gave this 8-month old child a second chance at life.”
In addition to the resolution honoring Officer Deschamps, the City Council will be awarding him the Council’s Municipal Medal for Deeds of Bravery for his exemplary conduct in the line of duty. The ceremony will take place before the next City Council meeting.
Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. shared, “Our City has one of the best Police Departments in the nation, and this is just another example of the exemplary work that our officers do every day. What Officer Deschamps did for that family is beyond words. He saved their child’s life. As a father and grandfather, I know how grateful the family must be, and we are also grateful. I hope that this recognition will serve as a reminder of how important and vital our men and women of the Providence Police Department are to the fabric of our City.”
by Billy Kepner | Sep 4, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-10
In February of this year, there was a proposal for a waste facility on Allens Avenue that would have been able to accept, process, and haul 2,500 tons of construction and commercial waste per day. This would have caused an increase in industrial traffic and would have undoubtedly caused more pollution along Allens and Thurbers Avenues. This is in an area that is already considered a “frontline community” by the City of Providence’s recently published Climate Justice Plan and also has some of the highest rates of childhood asthma in the nation.
I, along with invested community partners and neighbors, testified before the City’s Planning Commission against the requested zoning variance for the site. After hearing from concerned residents, the petitioner decided to pull their zoning request for this property. To ensure that no other waste facility would be considered for this site or any site in Providence, I introduced an amendment to the City’s Zoning Ordinance in May that would eliminate any new incinerators or waste facilities from being able to open in the City of Providence.
Last night, the City Council unanimously voted and passed for the second and final time this significant environmental change to our City’s Zoning Ordinance. As a Councilor, it has never been my intention to stand in the way of bringing new businesses to our City. However, I believe that these types of industries would only serve to harm our residents and create more air and water pollution in Providence.
There is no viable place for such facilities in a city as densely populated as ours, and by removing this from our Zoning Code, we have ensured the health and safety of our residents.
I want to extend my thanks to my community members, the City Plan Commission, my fellow Council colleagues and fellow elected officials, and community groups who helped make this change a reality. As we face a changing climate, we have to do everything we can to protect our environment.
Pedro Espinal
Providence City Council
Councilman – Ward 10
by Billy Kepner | Sep 3, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-12, Ward-13, Ward-2, Ward-3
At tonight’s City Council meeting, Councilwomen Helen Anthony and Nirva LaFortune (Ward 3), and John Goncalves (Ward 1) put forth a resolution in opposition to the proposed multi-hub bus system Downtown Providence. This resolution is also co-sponsored by Councilor Katherine Kerwin (Ward 12) and Councilor Rachel Miller (Ward 13). It will be referred to the City Council’s Committee on Urban Redevelopment, Renewal, and Planning (URRP) for further discussion.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has proposed a substantial redesign of the Kennedy Plaza bus hub in downtown Providence. This redesign decentralizes bus activity in Providence which adversely impacts the transit riders. Significant opposition has been voiced by many community members and groups, including Rhode Island Transit Riders, Providence Streets Coalition, Grow Smart Rhode Island, Jewelry District Association, and the Providence Foundation.
“RIDOT presented a final plan without involving the stakeholders it most affects. Specifically, the plan causes longer commutes and increases the required number of transfers per trip for individuals who use this essential service. The process is so flawed, we shouldn’t even be looking at the merits of the plan.” RIDOT should stop, engage in a robust public process and make sure that new plan does no harm to the diverse group of Rhode Islanders who rely on transit service that passes through Downtown Providence,” stated Councilwoman Anthony.
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority serves up to 45,000 commuters a day, with many Rhode Islanders relying on the bus system to get to and from work. RIPTA provides an essential service to some of the most economically vulnerable individuals in the state.
Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune stated, “The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority bus service is the primary mode of public transportation in our state. Access to public transit amplifies our residents’ freedom and mobility to go anywhere. Any changes to a public service in which people rely on require a public process. Unfortunately, this plan was not designed with the community’s input or from an equity framework that prioritizes accessibility, cost, safety, or environmental implications. The community is open to working with RIDOT to designing a plan that improves public transit in or city and state. I urge residents to reach out to the Governor and the Department of Transportation to express their continued opposition.”
The current plan was proposed with little public input and data to support the siting of new hub locations. Several community members from around the state have expressed opposition to the proposed redesign of routes and bus stops from Kennedy Plaza to near the Providence Train Station.
“I have serious concerns about the proposed RIDOT Multi Hub Bus plan, and strongly urge RIDOT to change their current proposal,” stated Councilman John Goncalves. “I have had several constituents from Ward 1 express significant concerns about the proposed Dyer Street/Innovation District Hub, and the plan as it stands will disproportionately inconvenience low-income communities, seniors, and persons with disabilities. I fully understand and support the need to beautify Kennedy Plaza for our downtown residents and visitors alike, but not at the expense of the most vulnerable amongst us.”
Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris shared, “This is not just a transit issue, but an equity issue. Transit riders come from predominantly low-income communities, are people of color, have disabilities, or are seniors. If RIDOT continues with these plans, they will only be making it more difficult for these marginalized groups to have a reliable way to get to work on time or get home safely. Any plans to drastically change public transportation should prioritize the input of the people who rely on RIPTA every day. This is why I am planning to hold an URPP meeting next week so that the Council may engage in discussion with the community regarding this proposal.”
The resolution was referred to the URRP [spelled out] Committee which will convene Wed. September 9th at 5:00 to hear from the stakeholders regarding the proposed resolution.
Upon passage, this resolution will be sent to Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo, The Director of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, the Chief Executive Officer of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, and Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza.
by Abigail Appel | Aug 26, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-10, Ward-11, Ward-12, Ward-14, Ward-15, Ward-2, Ward-3, Ward-4, Ward-5, Ward-6, Ward-7, Ward-8, Ward-9
The Department of Public Works is classified as an essential city department and for good reason. The hard work this department performs everyday to keep our streets and sidewalks in good shape, keep trash off of our streets, and our environment safe is vital to the operation of a healthy and prosperous city.
However, this summer we’ve experienced a rampant decline in the quality and frequency of these services due to DPW workers being put on furlough one and two days a week. This decline is of no fault of our hardworking men and women in the DPW, but of the circumstances we are facing due to the above mentioned furloughs.
While we understand that the city must find cost-saving measures to preserve the short-term financial stability of the city, we do not think those savings should come at the price of allowing our city to decline into a hazardous eyesore. Graffiti, illegal dumping, rat infestations have become a serious threat this summer to our residents’ quality of life.
Not only are these issues dangerous to our individual and collective health, but they also affect the community’s self-esteem and pride in their neighborhoods and invite further vandalism and destruction.
This is why we, the undersigned, are requesting that the administration end furlough days for workers in the City’s Department of Public Workers and that we wrap our arms around these exponentially growing issues before they get too out of control. We ask that you join us in asking the administration to bring back our essential workers in the DPW by signing the below petition so that we can restore these necessary services in our community.
Sabina Matos, City Council President, Ward 15
Michael Correia, City Council President Pro Tempore, Ward 6
Jo-Ann Ryan, Majority Leader, Ward 5
John J. Igliozzi, Esq., Majority Whip, Ward 7
Nicholas J. Narducci Jr., Senior Deputy Majority Leader, Ward 4
Mary Kay Harris, Deputy Majority Leader, Ward 11
Carmen Castillo, Councilwoman, Ward 9
David Salvatore, Councilor, Ward 14
Nirva Lafortune, Councilwoman, Ward 3
Helen Anthony, Esq., Councilwoman, Ward 2
Kat Kerwin, Councilor, Ward 12
James Taylor, Councilman, Ward 8
Pedro Espinal, Councilman, Ward 10
John Goncalves, Councilman, Ward 1
by Billy Kepner | Aug 26, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5
Late yesterday afternoon and then again later last night, two separate shooting incidents took place on Smith Street. The first took place at the intersection of Smith and River, where it is believed that two cars were chasing each other, and shots were fired. Neither of the vehicles in question was hit. Unfortunately, an uninvolved vehicle was hit by a stray bullet, and thankfully there were no injuries. Thanks to the fine men and women of the Providence Police Department, one of the alleged suspects were apprehended shortly after the incident in the near vicinity.
Then at approximately 11:30 PM last night, two males ages 16 and 20 were shot near the 400 block of Smith Street, and they sustained non-life-threatening injuries. No arrests have been made at this time, and the Police are still investigating.
Our City is facing what seems to be an unprecedented amount of violent crime in the past few weeks. We must work together with our community partners, public safety officials, and elected officials to restore order and peace on our streets.
I am once again committing to advocate for sensible, enforceable, and meaningful gun legislation with our state and federal representatives that would remove guns from those that would use them to do harm, rather than for sport or self-protection.
When these incidents happen in our neighborhoods, witnesses and other concerned neighbors are often not updated on outcomes, and it perpetuates a feeling of considerable uncertainty and fear for those who live in the affected areas.
I plan to introduce a resolution calling on the City’s Public Safety Department to institute a City-wide gun-buy-back program in the hopes of getting some of these weapons off of our streets in the upcoming City Council legislative session beginning in September.
I have been in contact with our police department leadership, and the incidents yesterday are active investigations. As I learn more, I will share with the community as soon as allowed.
Quality of life for our City’s residents is paramount, and something that I fight for every day as a City Councilor.
If you have any information regarding these incidents, please call the Providence Police Department’s non-emergency number at 401-272-1111 or filing a report online at https://bit.ly/PVDPoliceReport
Jo-Ann Ryan, Majority Leader
Providence City Council
Councilwoman – Ward 5
