by Billy Kepner | May 15, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-13, Ward-15
The Providence City Council and the Providence City Archives have teamed up to create an online exhibit in celebration of PRIDE Month this June. The exhibit will share the history of LGBTQIA+ rights in Providence as well as highlighting the stories of today’s LGBTQIA+ community and their allies in the City.
From community leaders to local organizations and businesses, to out LGBTQIA+ residents and their allies; the goal of the exhibit is to share the diverse and wide-ranging stories that have enriched our community for so many years.
“Part of what makes Providence such an amazing place to live is that our residents have so many different backgrounds and personal stories that have shaped the fabric of our City. What I have found in my tenure on the Council is that everyone has a story to tell. We can all learn something from one another when we share these stories and listen to other perspectives. PRIDE Month is the perfect time for all of us to share those stories and experiences as allies and as members of the LGBTQIA+ community,” stated Council President Sabina Matos
The online exhibit will be updated throughout the month of June on the Providence City Council web page. Anyone who would like to participate can fill out the online survey created by Shaina Weintraub, the Reference and Multimedia Administrator to the City Archives.
“Working as a historian, I often find that marginalized groups are left out of the narrative. Women, minorities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community; so many people who make up the fabric of the City of Providence, did not get the recognition they deserved in the historic records that are supposed to tell the story of our City and nation. That it is why it is so important for us to start now. We all have a mark to leave and a story to tell. The City Archives is committed to sharing and preserving these stories and will be focusing on the LGBTQIA+ community not just for the month of June but moving forward into the future,” stated Ms. Weintraub.
The City Council and City archives also work together to create a Black History Month exhibit every year. Spearheaded by Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris and CIty Archivist Caleb Horton, this exhibit is on display at City Hall for the month of February and March. This year’s theme was Pillars on Race: The Story of Race in Providence from 1935 to Today. Community members have the opportunity to share their personal stories and experiences in this exhibit as well.
“I am so proud that the City Council and the City Archives have consistently committed to representing all members of our community. From race to gender, to sexual orientation, to religion everyone has a place in the City of Providence and I look forward to celebrating PRIDE Month with them and with everyone who participates in this exciting exhibit,” stated Councilor Rachel Miller.
by Billy Kepner | May 15, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Uncategorized, Ward-4
When you started your college experience, I can’t imagine that you would have thought that it would have drawn to an end like this -classes ending abruptly, you finishing your final semester via Zoom, and having to say goodbye to the memories and friends you made over your college experience in just a few days. This is the reality that will bind each of you for years to come.
I realize that the pomp and circumstance that you have come to associate as the reward for working hard to earn your degree won’t happen this year, but that doesn’t make your accomplishments any less meaningful.
To all our residents who are graduating from college this month, I wish you well in your future endeavors. I would also remind you to look back on this time for what it was and realize that you were taught a very valuable life lesson – that sometimes life doesn’t go as planned, and we need to adjust to change quickly and adapt, and I know you did so very well!
Nicholas J. Narducci Jr., Senior Deputy Majority Leader
Providence City Council
Councilman – Ward 4
by Billy Kepner | May 13, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4
I want to echo my colleague’s concerns about tomorrow’s City scheduled property tax sale. As we have navigated through this global pandemic, City Hall has been shuttered to visitors since Friday, March 13 at 4:30 PM. Making it impossible for residents to come into the tax office to meet with the Tax Accessor to discuss any kind of mitigation or repayment plans that they may have needed.
I applaud the Administration for listening to the concerns shared by the City Council, and their willingness to postpone the sale giving residents time to make in-person visits to the Tax Collector or Accessors Office after City buildings reopen to the public in June. This will give residents time to catch-up on their payments before their next tax bills come due.
In light of the current circumstances, I think this is a sensible approach and one that puts our residents first.
Nicholas J. Narducci Jr., Senior Deputy Majority Leader
Providence City Council
Councilman – Ward 4
by Billy Kepner | May 13, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-6
After hearing from several constituents with concerns regarding their inability to pay their property taxes due to the closure of City Hall, my staff reached out to the Administration to pause Thursday’s previously scheduled tax sale.
During these difficult times, it seems prudent that we allow our constituents extra time to make payments that they may have otherwise made had City Hall been open. This does not mean that residents should not be paying their property taxes in a timely fashion, but in the absence of being able to make payments in person, I felt that we should delay Thursday’s proceedings.
I am glad to share that the Administration agreed and has postponed the tax sale for three additional months – allowing property owners extra time to pay their back taxes and to keep their homes.
I want to thank the Administration for hearing my concerns and acting so quickly to protect the residents of our great city.
Michael Correia, President Pro Tempore
Providence City Council
Councilman – Ward 6
by Billy Kepner | May 13, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-10, Ward-11, Ward-4, Ward-6
Tonight, the City Council’s Committee on Urban Redevelopment, Renewal, and Planning (URRP) passed a second round of Community Block Development Grant (CDBG) Funding to help local agencies in the fight against COVID-19.
“This evening the URRP Committee ensured that 33 Providence-based social service agencies shared in the allocation of over nearly $3 Million in funding to assist in the fight against COVID-19,” stated Chairwoman of the Council’s Committee on Urban Redevelopment, Renewal, and Planning Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11). “The CARES Act which was passed by both the United States House of Representatives and the Senate, and championed by our own federal delegation, allocated nearly $3 Billion in funds for local municipalities across the Country in the fight against the COVID-19 crisis. I am so grateful that we could help use these funds to support organizations like Meals on Wheels, DORCAS International, and Federal Hill House to name just a few. Each of these 33 organizations are doing critical work in every one of our City’s neighborhoods, and I am so proud of the work my Committee has done.”
In addition to the $3 Million in additional CDBG funding, the Committee had recently approved the allocation of more than $5 Million in CDBG funding for organizations that provide essential services in our community.
Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Redevelopment, Renewal, and Planning Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. stated, “It has been a difficult process to allocate this important funding to our neighborhood agencies. Each and every applicant was deserving, but with only limited resources, I believe we were able to make the most impact in our City. I thank each and every organization for their dedicated work to the residents of our City.”
Chairwoman Harris continued, “I want to thank the work of the Committee, City Council Chief of Staff Erlin Rogel, and Director of Community Development Emily Freedman of the Department of Planning and Development for their dedication and hard work in ensuring that we were able to maximize the allocation of funding for the residents of our City.”
The two CDBG budget allocations will go to the full Council for vote and passage.
For a complete list of awardees please visit the Open Meetings Portal at: https://bit.ly/URRPCommittee
by Billy Kepner | May 9, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5, Ward-7, Ward-8
Last night the City Council convened to vote on the extension of Mayor Jorge O. Elorza’s Executive Order. The matter did not pass as it required a mega-majority vote (11 out of 14 affirmative votes) which it did not receive.
Pursuant to section 302-i of the City Home Rule Charter Mayor Elorza would need three-fourths of the Council to vote in the affirmative or 11 out of the current 14 voting members. Last night the vote was 7 ayes, 5 nays, 1 abstention, and 1 Councilor absent.
“The City Council has a sworn oath to uphold the City’s Home Rule Charter,” stated City Council Majority Whip John J. Igliozzi Esq. (Ward 7). “As a Council, we are the checks and balances of the Executive Branch and the Mayor’s order did not meet the requirements put forth by our founding mothers and fathers to extend, and our duty is to the will of the many not the will of one.”
What this means for the residents of Providence, is that all regulations put forth by Governor Gina Raimondo should be followed in its totality. With that, all parks and golf courses within the City limits will be open under the strict guidelines set forth by the Governor. No groups of five or more individuals shall gather together in the first phase of her plan to reopen the economy, cloth face masks must be worn at all times, and social distancing guidelines must be followed.
Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) stated, “The Mayor’s Executive Order did not meet the required vote to pass the City Council. It is our obligation to follow the Home Rule Charter to the letter, and that is what we did. These are difficult times, but we must follow the law.”
“Last night’s vote only proves that the Mayor is not following the guidelines set forth by Governor Raimondo,” stated Councilman James Taylor (Ward 8). “I have consistently voted against the Mayor’s Executives Orders as each one of them has not been consistent with the Governor’s.”
