by Billy Kepner | Apr 16, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5, Ward-7, Ward-8
Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5), Majority Whip John J. Igliozzi Esq. (Ward 7), and Councilman James E. Taylor (Ward 8) call on Mayor Elorza to reopen public parks, green spaces, and trails for respite and educational purposes.
Mayor Elorza issued an executive order to close all parks, green spaces, and trails to the public until May 8, 2020. While Governor Raimondo has allowed state parks and beaches to remain open while only closing parking lots to limit the number of individuals that can visit at one time. The Councilors believe that the Mayor’s executive orders should mirror the Governor’s orders to lessen confusion and the spread of misinformation.
Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan stated, “We are asking residents of Providence to stay in their homes as much as possible, which is needed to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus and flatten the curve. Yet, we also have an obligation to balance the need for the public’s physical health with their mental health. Time outdoors is critical to ensuring that our residents – of all ages – have opportunities to get fresh air and spend time in nature. We know that spending time outdoors helps lessen anxiety, depression, and feelings of loneliness. Over the years, my colleagues and I have invested much of our precious Neighborhood Infrastructure Funding and Capital Improvement Plan funding into our neighborhood parks for this very reason. I think we can all agree that many of us are experiencing a high rate of anxiety due to the current health crisis. I believe that by following the Governor’s lead of keeping parks open, wearing cloth masks, and by practicing social distancing measures, we can allow for residents to visit their neighborhood parks, trails, and green spaces.”
Public health is paramount to the City Council and its members, but that must include ways to address mental health as well. This also presents an opportunity to work with the Governor to use these spaces as a way to inform individuals of the current crisis.
“There are several positive public health factors to reopening our parks, green spaces, and trails in a controlled and responsible manner,” stated Majority Whip John J. Igliozzi, Esq. “By reopening our natural areas, we can provide our neighbors with the much-needed ability to get fresh air and exercise. By deploying members of our police department to monitor our natural areas, and to ensure that safety protocols like social distancing and number of individuals congregating together are being adhered to, I believe we can do this in a measured and safe way. By reopening the parks in a controlled manner, it provides us the opportunity to enhance our community’s well-being both physically and mentally. It will allow residents to get to know the men and women of the Providence Police Department that serve in their neighborhoods; provides an extra level of public safety; and more importantly, we have an opportunity to share information about the virus, testing, and mitigation efforts with individuals that might not otherwise have access to that important information. It is naïve to think that every resident is watching the Governor’s daily press conference or receiving City emails regarding the current crisis. I strongly encourage the Mayor to reopen our parks, trails, and green spaces and use this opportunity to get information out to those that might not otherwise have access to it.”
The Councilors understand that the virus can stick to metal playground equipment, and are supportive of cordoning off that equipment to keep residents and children safe. Yet, they also know that being able to spend time in nature has many positive impacts on productivity and mental health. There are 1000’s of scholarly studies that show that spending time in nature – even if it is just walking through a park – can relieve stress and anxiety for individuals. Now, more than ever, eliminating that option for residents could potentially do more harm than good.
Councilman James E. Taylor stated, “For many in my neighborhood Roger Williams Park is used daily for walkers, runners, and people who just need to get outside. I believe that if the Mayor would rethink his Executive Order and close our parks to traffic and parking, neighbors could safely use their neighborhood parks, all while practicing safety measures as recommended by the Governor and Dr. Alexander-Scott of the RI Department of Health. By closing the traffic to Roger Williams Park, it would create wider areas for individuals to run and walk, making it easier to maintain social distancing. I hope that for consistency sake, the Mayor will change his order to mirror that of the Governor’s so we can all take it outside and relieve the stress that so many of us are feeling.”
The Councilors are hopeful that by working together with the Mayor and his Administration that we can reopen our beautiful parks safely and provide the much-needed benefit – of Vitamin-N (for Nature).
by Billy Kepner | Apr 16, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-3
Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune (Ward 3) will introduce an ordinance that calls for more transparency and better business practices by third-party food delivery services in the City of Providence at tonight’s City Council meeting. Additionally, she will introduce a series of resolutions asking the Governor and State officials to ensure the protection of Rhode Islanders during the current COVID-19 crisis.
The resolutions she is introducing request that State agencies ensure that Rhode Islanders, regardless of immigration status, have equitable access to relief funds; requests that the state provides adequate sanitary housing options for the homeless and those that are housing insecure; and requests that the Governor provides the residents of Rhode Island with an update on the state’s fiscal health and the recovery measures planned to address the looming financial Crisis this pandemic has caused.
“This Crisis has imposed significant challenges on our community, which will take time to recover,” stated Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune. “The impact is even more profound on residents, families, business owners with limited resources or safety nets, the homeless, immigrant residents, including those who are undocumented and other marginalized communities.”
The COVID-19 Pandemic has caused a massive disruption to our state and local economy, unlike anything since the Great Depression. The ordinance that Councilwoman LaFortune will introduce calls on third-party delivery services to be more transparent in their fees and billing structures for consumers, as well as for the restaurants and bars they service. This ordinance intends to protect the City of Providence’s local hospitality industry by providing a level of oversight in how third-party delivery services operate within the city.
Third-party delivery services will be required to:
- Disclose any commission, fee, or other monetary payment imposed by the third-party delivery service on local restaurants or bars before any final transaction occurs. If a local food establishment chooses, they may decline to disclose to customers the commission charged by a third-party delivery service.
- It shall be unlawful for third-party food delivery services to charge local restaurants or bars a fee per online order for the use of their services that totals more than 10% of the purchase price of the online order.
- Third-party delivery services are prohibited from charging a commission that originates from a telephone order that does not result in an actual transaction between the local restaurant or bar and a customer during the call, or that exceeds the established commission rate between the third-party delivery service and the local restaurant and bar.
- If a third-party delivery service violates the above, they can be punished by a fine of not less than one dollar ($1.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment of not less than one day nor more than thirty (30) days.
The ordinance requires two passages by the Council; it then would be sent to the Mayor for his signature or veto before it can take effect.
As a state and city with a large population of immigrants who are in various stages of the process to become naturalized United States citizens, Councilwoman LaFortune wants to ensure that vulnerable members of our community are not forgotten during this critical time.
Councilwoman LaFortune continued, “It is our responsibility to provide protections for all Rhode Islanders. It is also crucial that we understand, prepare for, and respond to the impact this pandemic will have on our economy moving forward.”
Individuals who are homeless or housing insecure are at higher risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus. Councilwoman LaFortune is working to ensure that every Rhode Islander, regardless of their housing status, has access to protection and care if they need it.
Councilwoman LaFortune also seeks to ensure that the public has an understanding of the potential impacts the COVID-19 pandemic will have on our state’s economic outlook.
Upon passage, the resolutions will be submitted to the Governor’s Office.
by Billy Kepner | Apr 16, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-10
Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10) will introduce a resolution at tonight’s City Council meeting requesting that Governor Gina Raimondo pass an executive order to suspend immigration enforcement at COVID-19 testing and treatment sites.
“There are many residents in Providence and around the State that are afraid to go get tested for COVID-19 due to their immigration status,” stated Councilman Pedro Espinal. “In the face of a global pandemic, we should ensure that every person, regardless of their immigration status, be able to access testing and treatment without fear of being arrested by a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. Through the Governor’s power of an executive order, she can help ensure the safety of our immigrant population, and give those residents the confidence and security they need to seek testing or treatment. This community is at greater risk of communal spread because of fear and lack of understanding. We must do all we can to protect every resident of our great State regardless of their nation of origin or their immigration status.”
Testing for COVID-19 is critical in stopping the spread of the virus as it assists healthcare professionals in quarantining positive cases and contact tracing to identify other individuals who may have been exposed. The fear of immigration enforcement has a chilling effect on the immigrant community coming forward to be tested, thereby increasing the likelihood of positive cases remaining undetected and spreading the virus further than it otherwise would.
Councilman Espinal and the members of the Providence City Council is urging Governor Raimondo to pass an executive order preventing any immigration enforcement activities in and around COVID-19 testing sites, hospitals, or other healthcare facilities. By doing so will give residents that knowledge that they are safe in coming forward for the testing that is foundational to protecting the public health of all Rhode Islanders.
by Billy Kepner | Apr 16, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5
Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) will introduce a resolution to honor the life and legacy of Armand E. Batastini, Jr. at tonight’s City Council meeting.
Mr. Batastini was a lifelong resident of Providence, he was a baseball and basketball coach, and an active community member of Ward Five, and he sadly passed away on April 11, 2020 at the age of 89.
“The passing of Armand Batastini is heartbreaking to all who knew him,” stated Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan. “He was a mentor and friend who shared freely with me his breadth of experience. I will miss him dearly.”
Mr. Batastini is a true son of Providence. He attended La Salle Academy, Brown University, and later graduated from Providence College as a member of the class of 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. After he graduated college, he dutifully served his Country as a member of the United States Navy. Following his tour, he earned his Masters of Education in Physical Education, Health, and Recreation from Boston University, but he returned home to his beloved Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood.
He served as the Rhode Island State Representative for District 8, which includes the Elmhurst and Mt. Pleasant neighborhoods of Providence, from 1977 to 1992. During his tenure, he served as the Chairperson of the Joint Committee on Accounts and Claims and the Vice-Chairperson on the Health, Education, and Welfare Committee.
His love of politics and public service did not end nor begin at the State House. Throughout his life, he was very involved in all aspects of his community. Mainly through sports, where he was the founder and later acted as a board member for the Elmhurst Little League for 41 years, and he was a coach of the St. Pius CYO basketball team for 61 years. He touched the lives of thousands of young people who looked up to him not only as their Coach but as a mentor through his dedication to sports and the community that he built.
He worked as the Supervisor of the Johnson & Wales University Recreation Center. He spent the majority of his career as a student support specialist for the Providence School Department for 36 years. Also, he worked as a Supervisor and Director for the Kennedy Recreation Center at the Providence Recreation Department for 25 years.
Majority Leader Ryan continued, “As the Councilwoman for Ward 5, I was lucky enough to work hand in glove with him on behalf of our residents. Not only was he the Chairperson for the Fifth Ward Democratic Committee, but he was also the Vice-Chairperson for the Providence Democratic City Committee and a State Democratic Committee Member for the Fifth Representative District. He lived his life in service to others, and that is why one of the greatest honors of my life was being able to rename the Pleasant View Recreational Center to the ‘Armand E. Batastini, Jr. Recreational Center’ in recognition of his many years of dedicated public service.”
Above all else, Coach Batastini was a devout family man, and he is survived by his loving wife, Mary E. Batastini, their four children, Armando, Maria, Laurie, and Christina, and his five grandchildren, Olivia, Paul, Emilia, Ryanne, and Lucien. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be made to the Providence Recreation Support Fund. Checks should be made out to Providence Recreation Support Fund – Armand E. Batastini Jr. Recreation Center and mailed to 11 West Drive, Providence, RI 02904.
At the request of Majority Leader Ryan, the City’s Flag above City Hall will be flown at half-staff on Saturday, April 18, in honor of Mr. Batastini’s service to the City he so dearly loved.
by Billy Kepner | Apr 16, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4, Ward-6
City Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia (Ward 6) and Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. (Ward 4) will be introducing a resolution calling on the City’s Department of Public Works to prepare and issue an operations plan to ensure essential city services are carried out in a safe and timely manner at tomorrow’s City Council meeting.
“I have heard from residents daily regarding deplorable conditions of our City’s neighborhoods,” stated City Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia. “My colleagues and I understand the unique circumstances we are in, but by being creative with how we schedule our DPW crews, we should not be having these issues. We are in a unique opportunity to use our existing workforce to do much-needed maintenance across the City, and by creating an operations plan, I believe we can achieve that end.”
Since the declaration of the state of emergency within the City, there has been a significant reduction in the services provided by the Department of Public Works especially surrounding the operation of the department’s highway division and the ability to respond to calls in a timely manner.
Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. stated, “Our residents deserve better. They work very hard to pay their taxes, and they expect that we will honor our obligations to them as residents. When we let trash pile-up and allow the illegal dumping of mattresses and bulky items across the City, we are just creating more problems that we will need to deal with at a later date. The City can safely deploy teams of five or less to accomplish many of the services that are needed to keep our City clean and safe, all while protecting the hardworking men and women of the DPW.”
As a result of the reduced services from the Department of Public Works, there has been an unacceptable increase in the amount of trash and bulk items strewn around the City’s streets and open spaces with no timetable for their removal. If not dealt with promptly, the rapid accumulation of trash across the City will result in a growing public health issue and interfere with the rendering of other essential city services needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Providence City Council requests that the Director of the Department of Public Works submit an operations plan to the City Council that sets forth in detail how the department will meet its obligations to the residents of the City during the COVID-19 pandemic.
by Billy Kepner | Apr 10, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5, Ward-7, Ward-8
Last night, the City Council’s Committee on Finance approved an additional $5 Million for new fire apparatus through the City’s Master Lease Agreement.
“I would like to thank Chairman John J. Igliozzi (Ward 7) for his leadership of the Council’s Committee on Finance, and my fellow members of the Committee for acting swiftly after we heard from Derek Silva, President of the Providence Firefighters Union for the need to replace much of their aging fleet,” stated Councilman James E. Taylor (Ward 8). ” The Committee quickly brought back the City’s Master Lease Agreement and tonight approved the necessary funds for these vital pieces of equipment.”
The additional funds will go towards the purchase of potentially four ladder trucks, two fire engines, and one rescue apparatus.
Chairman on the Committee of Finance, John J. Igliozzi, Esq. stated, “This is an important investment in our City’s Fire Department. Our current fleet is aging-out and it was imperative that the Council ensure that the men and women of our Fire Department have the equipment they need to do their job safely, and with the knowledge that the equipment is in working order.”
Derek Silva, the President of the Local Fire Fighters Union, shared his concern regarding the aging fleet with the Council earlier this year. It was at his urging that the Committee revisited the needs of the Fire Department’s fleet.
“The Council’s top priority is the safety of our residents,” stated Majority Leader and Vice-Chairwoman of the Committee on Finance Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5). “We are in the midst of a world-wide pandemic and our Fire Department is often the first on the scene at any emergency. They are charged with ensuring the safety of our resident and their property, and without adequate equipment, it puts all of us in jeopardy. Our City’s economic outlook is precarious due to COVID-19, but the use of our precious tax dollars on this investment is not only prudent but necessary.”
The amendment to the Master Lease Agreement will go to the full Council for vote and passage at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
