by Billy Kepner | Mar 17, 2020 | Council News, COVID-19, Press Release, Ward-15
In light of the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak which recently reared its head here in Rhode Island, the Governor issued an executive order today lifting OMA restrictions for public meetings.
The order allows for adequate alternative means of public access such as over the phone, internet, and audio or videoconferencing when it comes to public body meetings.
In light of this executive order, in addition to the prior executive order limiting gatherings of more than 25 people, and to protect the health of our Councilors and staff we decided to seek alternative public access mediums for our Thursday Council meeting. Between Councilors and essential staff, the number of individuals in the chamber totals 24.
This tough decision is premised on an urgency to preserve public health while also maintaining the spirit of an open and transparent governmental process.
After careful consideration of what options the Providence City Council had available to deliver it’s Thursday meeting in the most accessible, equitable, and transparent manner, we made the decision to livestream our meeting over our social media platforms and our YouTube channel.
This past winter we equipped our City Council Chamber with livestreaming capabilities that put us technologically ahead of almost all of our municipal legislative peers and perfectly equipped to adhere to the mandate issued today by the Governor.
Providence City Solicitor, Jeff Dana, stated, “Municipalities were directed today to observe to the spirit of OMA to the best of their abilities in light of the public health crisis. The livestreaming capability inside of the Council Chamber would appear to be exactly the type of measure the Governor envisioned municipalities would administer when she signed the executive order.”
This is an unprecedented moment in the history of our State and City. With that in mind and our commitment to transparency, the Council will work with local media outlets to designate a pool reporter, whom will be stationed in the balcony of the Chambers, to limit the number of individuals at our meeting, and to ensure that the Council is being held to the highest standard.
by Billy Kepner | Mar 16, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15
Statement Regarding Recent Updates around the State and City’s Response to COVID-19
This morning, Governor Gina Raimondo issued an executive order to close all bars and restaurants in the State of Rhode Island. The executive order only allows for carry-out and delivery service at these businesses. In addition to this, the Governor has instructed that no gatherings of 25 or more people will be allowed in the State until at least March 30, 2020.
The City Council understands the need for this broad action and is in support of this decision. In addition to the Governor’s announcements, Mayor Jorge Elorza, has issued an executive order to close the Providence Place Mall. We are acutely aware of the impact this has on so many of our hard-working residents who depend on reliable income to pay rent, childcare, and other necessities. We want to reassure our neighbors that we are working with our Federal, State, and Local officials to find ways to ensure the economic welfare of all our residents.
The Council has launched a COVID-19 Information Resource Page that provides links for residents with information regarding Workplace Aid, information regarding the State’s Paid Sick Leave legislation, and where to apply for Temporary Disability Insurance if you have or are caring for someone with COVID-19, as well as how to apply for Unemployment Benefits.
The City Council, which oversees the Municipal Courts, has stopped all Collection Services relating to unpaid parking, environmental, or speed camera violations. We have also suspended scofflaw “booting” of vehicles in the City of Providence, and as of Friday, March 13, 2020 the Courts have suspended the doubling, and tripling of fines until further notice.
We are doing everything within our powers to ensure that no added economic hardship is added to our residents. Your safety, well-being both physically and financially, and quality of life are our top concerns. Where we can, we will work to help our neighbors during these trying times.
If you need assistance please visit our COVID-19 Information Resource Page, call our office at 401-521-7477, or email us at council@providenceri.gov.
Sabina Matos, President
Providence City Council
Councilwoman – Ward 15
by Billy Kepner | Mar 14, 2020 | Community Engagement, 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
Dear Neighbors,
The Members of the City Council have been in constant communication with the Administration, the Providence Emergency Management Agency, the Providence School Department, and Public Safety officials to assess and ensure the safety of our residents during these trying times.
As you are aware, yesterday Governor Raimondo moved the spring vacation of all public schools in the State of Rhode Island to begin on Monday, March 16, 2020. Since that announcement, the Providence School Department has worked to put mechanisms in place to ensure that no student goes hungry.
Beginning on Tuesday, March 17, there will be eight sites across the City where Providence Public School children can access “Grab & Go” lunches for that day and breakfast for the following day. The locations will be open from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm Monday – Friday during the duration of the break, and will continue if the State decides to keep schools closed for a longer period to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Service lines will be located at the front entrance of each school. No families will be allowed in the buildings. Sodexo staff will hand each student pre-packaged meals. To qualify for meals, students must attend a Providence Public School and be personally present at the distribution site.
The Eight Sites Are:
Asa Messer Elementary School located at 1655 Westminster Street.
Gilbert Stuart Middle School located at 188 Princeton Street.
Providence Career and Technical Academy located at 41 Fricker Street.
Mt. Pleasant High School located at 434 Mt. Pleasant Avenue.
Alvarez High School located at 375 Adelaide Avenue.
E-Cubed Academy located at 812 Branch Avenue.
Juanita Sanchez High School located at 182 Thurbers Avenue.
Hope High School located at 324 Hope Street.
During this time we ask that everyone continue to practice safe hygiene by washing their hands, coughing and sneezing into their elbows, using hand sanitizer, and staying indoors and at home if feeling sick.
Every student present in Providence schools on Friday – in grades 3-12 – was sent home with a Chrome Book so that they can access online learning and other tools. Here is a great selection of sites that have waived subscription fees during this period: Online Learning
The City has implemented a 100 person rule for restaurants and bars and has closed all City buildings and many of our cultural sites to protect against the spread of the virus. Today, the City launched a website with information for residents on COVID-19 and our response: Providence COVID-19.
The City is also working with utility companies to ensure that if someone is unable to pay their bill due to lack of income, that their services will not be interrupted. As we know more about these programs we will share them in later updates.
As of now, we are awaiting direction from the Attorney General’s Office regarding public attendance at the City Council meeting on Thursday, March 19 at 7:00 pm. Due to the advice of the Rhode Island Department of Health and the City to implement “social-distancing” we encourage you to watch the meeting on our YouTube Channel or Facebook Page where it will be livestreamed.
For more information on what you should do if you feel that you may have contracted COVID-19, or come into contact with someone that could potentially have COVID-19 please visit the Rhode Island Health Department’s website or by calling the COVID-19 hotline at 401-222-8022.
Sincerely,
City Council President Sabina Matos and the Members of the Providence City Council
by Billy Kepner | Mar 12, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-10
I have just received notice that the owner of 481 Allens Avenue has withdrawn their application from the City Plan Commission for a proposed transfer station that they were hoping to put in place there.
This was due in large part to the advocacy from our neighbors in Lower-South Providence and Washington Park, our partners in local and state government, and the many community groups that have spoken out against this facility that was intended for our backyards.
I want to personally thank all of our partners who were steadfast in voicing their concerns for the safety of our Port and for the residents that live in and around the area.
No longer will Lower-South Providence and Washington Park be a dumping ground. We deserve better, and I will work every day to make sure that happens.
Pedro Espinal
Providence City Council
Councilman – Ward 10
by Billy Kepner | Mar 11, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-8
I was impressed by the courage and integrity of the members of the Providence Ethics Commission who voted that there was sufficient information to move forward with an ethics investigation into Steven Paré, Commissioner of Public Safety.
They met this evening and refused to allow a whitewash predetermined investigation, and were outraged by the same. I will continue to monitor this matter closely and express my opinions.
James E. Taylor
Providence City Council
Councilman – Ward 8
by Billy Kepner | Mar 10, 2020 | 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
The Providence City Council unveils updated website honoring our long and storied history
centered on our neighborhoods and community engagement
Today, the City Council unveils an updated user-centric website and a rebrand of its communications that pays homage to the City’s storied and diverse neighborhoods.
Council President Matos stated, “Providence residents love and are proud to represent the neighborhoods they come from. The rich history of our city could not exist without the great contributions made by generations of families who hail from every corner of this city. Wards and ward boundaries change over time. What anchors people to Providence are the memories made in settings like Federal Hill, Mt. Hope, and Washington Park. The story of our city is a story of neighborhoods.”
Providence is made up of 25 neighborhoods represented by 15 City Councilors. Those neighborhoods are Blackstone, Charles, College Hill, Downtown (Jewelry District), Elmhurst, Elmwood, Federal Hill, Fox Point, Hartford, Hope ( Summit), Lower South Providence, Manton, Mount Hope, Mount Pleasant, Olneyville, Reservoir, Silver Lake, Smith Hill, South Elmwood, Upper South Providence, Valley, Wanskuck, Washington Park, Wayland, and the West End.
President Matos continued, “We are extremely excited to have our neighbors interact with our new website. This new site is easier to use, navigate, and find relevant information about Councilors and meetings. Most importantly, from the landing page the site establishes a reverence for neighborhoods.”
In addition to the website, the Council will also begin livestreaming Council Meetings beginning in April on both Facebook and the Council’s YouTube Channel.
