by Billy Kepner | May 21, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5
At tonight’s City Council meeting Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) introduced legislation that calls on the administration to establish a COVID-19 Working Group regarding local college and university reentry plans. The group will consist of local college and university representatives, community representatives, public safety officials, public health officials, and others to work together on the creation of reentry plans for students, staff, and faculty. Creating and sharing these plans will provide confidence for neighbors that live and work around these institutions in Providence.
“Providence is a world-class city with world-class institutions of higher education, which makes our city an incredible place to live and learn,” stated Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan. “The goal is to protect our residents and the thousands of students, faculty, and staff of our eight local college and university campuses as they return for in-person learning from the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Many epidemiologists believe that colleges and their congregate settings put students, faculty, and staff at risk if the virus were to return in the fall and winter, which many believe it will. Making it critical for the City and our local colleges and universities to work together to ensure that we can reopen campuses safely.”
The creation of reopening plans that set forth clear and actionable steps for how these institutions plan on maintaining public safety when they do reopen campuses will signal to both students and the residents of Providence that there is a way to co-exist safely and productively, even in the era of COVID-19.
Majority Leader Ryan continued, “The faculty and students of our local institutions play an integral role in the social and economic fabric of our City, and it will require all of us working together to enable their safe return to Providence. We all need to be moving in the same direction so that we can begin to build a new normal without risking another wave of the virus.”
by Billy Kepner | May 21, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Refunds for erroneously charged fines relating
to the late removal of trash bins to be issued within in 45 Days
CouncilmanDavid A. Salvatore (Ward 14) discovered in October of 2019 that a change to the Code of Ordinances from 2011 was never implemented by the Department of Public Works (DPW) regarding the fine amounts for late removal of garbage receptacles. This lapse resulted in residents being incorrectly fined for nearly a decade.
After conducting an audit of fines imposed on homeowners, repeated attempts by the City’s Internal Auditor requesting updates on the reimbursement plan from the City’s Administration for these charges were never answered. As a result, Councilman Salvatore and his Co-sponsors, Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10), and Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune (Ward 3), introduced legislation forcing the City to refund residents who were unfairly fined.
“The City Council approved a change to the Code of Ordinances for these fines in 2011, and it was obviously never instituted by the Department of Public Works,” stated Councilman Salvatore. “The Internal Auditor found that nearly 1,000 residents were erroneously fined and in some cases the amounts of the citations were doubled or tripled. During these difficult times, homeowners impacted by the COVID-19 crisis could use these refunds to buy groceries, purchase medicine, and other critical expenditures. I want to thank the Internal Auditor for her diligence and research to ensure homeowners that they receive these refunds.”
According to the audit, 940 violations are eligible for a refund totaling $30,625.00. The report outlines the background and recommendations to the Department of Public Works, as well as their responses.
“It is my hope that our DPW will employ new methods of communication and outreach so that residents have clear and predictable knowledge of their responsibilities,” continued Councilman Salvatore.
Upon passage of the ordinance, the Director of Public Works shall furnish a report to the City Council and Internal Auditor within ten days that identifies all Providence residents who were improperly charged for violations of Section 12-63 of the Code of Ordinances.
Within 45 days from the passage of this ordinance, the City’s Finance Director must begin reimbursing Providence residents identified by the DPW’s report. Further, within 90 days from the date of passage of this ordinance, the Director of Public Works and Finance Director will provide a report to the City Council outlining their progress in reimbursing the residents who were overcharged, and further identify the required steps needed to complete the reimbursement process.
by Billy Kepner | May 21, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-15, Ward-2, Ward-6
Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) will introduce a resolution at tonight’s City Council meeting endorsing and urging the United States Senate to pass H.R. 6800, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act also known as the HEROES Act. The resolution is co-sponsored by Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia (Ward 6), Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), Councilor Rachel Miller (Ward 13), and Councilman David Salvatore (Ward 14).
“It is vital that the HEROES Act passes the Senate. Rhode Island’s federal delegation has worked extremely hard to bring economic relief to our state. Yet, not everyone who pays their fair share in taxes is receiving the help they need under the CARES Act.”
The proposed bill, known as the HEROES Act, would protect undocumented workers employed in essential fields from deportation for up to 90 days after the duration of the crisis and extends eligibility for federal stimulus dollars to taxpayers who have an IRS Tax Identification Number but not a social security number.
Council President Matos continued, “There are numerous families in Providence who are working day and night in response to the COVID-19 pandemic but are still struggling to make ends meet. Even more, are dealing with the economic distress of being out of work or taking on unexpected expenses. Everybody, regardless of immigration status, needs help right now, and I urge the Senate to pass the HEROES Act so that the hard-working men and women in our City and around the Country can get the relief that they need and earned.”
Upon passage, copies of the resolution will be sent to Rhode Island’s federal delegation.
by Billy Kepner | May 21, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5
The story in yesterday’s Providence Journal regarding the history of JUMP Bikes in Providence was alarming.
In July of 2019, after the e-bike and e-scooter programs littered our sidewalks and waterways and were used in the commission of crime in our neighborhoods, I introduced a resolution to fully evaluate the program’s operation. The resolution, which was passed by the Council, required that the administration provide a comprehensive findings report of the e-bike and e-scooter pilot programs in the City within 30 days of passage. We have still not received the report.
While I support environmentally-friendly and equitably-accessible modes of transportation, I did not support the administration’s insistence on expanding the program without a thorough analysis of the program and absent any effort to mitigate the nuisances these bikes presented to our neighbors.
We have a duty to our residents to ensure that implementation of any third-party partnership is executed in a way that supports public safety, holds businesses accountable, and makes sense for our City and our taxpayers.
This program did not meet those very basic criteria.
Jo-Ann Ryan, Majority Leader
Providence City Council
Councilwoman – Ward 5
by Billy Kepner | May 20, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4
It has been brought to my attention that the Omni Providence hotel has decided to drop its health insurance for its employees. It is appalling that a major hotel chain would make this decision during the time of a global pandemic and cause further burden to its employees. In addition, it violates their own contract with the UniteHere Local 26 Union. I would urge the Omni Providence to change this course of action, and not cancel their employee’s much-needed health insurance.
Nicholas J. Narducci Jr., Senior Deputy Majority Leader
Providence City Council
Councilman – Ward 4
by Billy Kepner | May 20, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Councilman David Salvatore (Ward 14) will introduce a resolution at tomorrow’s City Council meeting urging the United States Senate to pass Senate Bill 2020 S.3620. This bill, sponsored and introduced by Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed, would establish a $75 Billion Housing Assistance Fund with the Department of the Treasury.
“As a country, we need to be prepared to mitigate financial distress in all areas of the economy, especially housing,” stated Councilman David Salvatore. “When unexpected disasters like the COVID-19 pandemic hit our Country, it is the job of elected officials to ensure that Americans stay safe and healthy, but also to ensure that Americans are still having their basic needs met; such as reliable housing.”
Senator Reed’s Housing Fund would provide assistance to communities across the Country. It also includes a small state minimum, ensuring that every state would receive at least $250 Million for the purpose of preventing homeowner mortgage defaults, foreclosures or displacement of individuals and families who have faced financial hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Providence has struggled with a housing crisis since long before the COVID-19 pandemic, and Rhode Island has faced one of the highest increases in unemployment in the country due to COVID-19. These factors have caused concern that Rhode Island may see widespread evictions and foreclosures which would be detrimental to the State’s economy.
Councilman Salvatore continued, “Senator Reed’s proposed bill is exactly the type of leadership that we need to see in Washington as we try to get our country back on its feet. Protecting the housing market is crucial for the financial health of the City of Providence and the State of Rhode Island.”
The fund will also provide assistance with paying for utilities, internet services, and property taxes. Funds will be allocated to each state based on the proportion of unemployment as compared to the rest of the country.
“Protecting homeowners and renters who have faced financial hardship because of COVID-19 must be a priority for Congress. That is why I urge our United States Representatives and Senators to support Senator Reed’s bill S. 3620. I would personally like to thank Senator Reed for his continued leadership on behalf of the people of Rhode Island,” stated Councilman Salvatore.
Upon passage, copies of the resolution will be sent to each member of Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation.
