by Billy Kepner | Mar 6, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4
Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. (Ward 4) today was on site where work is continuing on the Hawkins Street Bridge Restoration Project. The demolition phase has been completed, and now they are removing the concrete pylons.
“The contractor has completed the demolition phase of the Hawkins Street Bridge restoration project,” stated Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. “This process is going to take time, but because of this mild winter, we are further along than we thought we would be. It’s great to see momentum. I want to thank the City and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation for keeping this project moving.”
Hawkins Street Bridge was closed to traffic in October of 2017 after the Rhode Island Department of Transportation found significant deterioration on several of the support beams. Narducci continued, “Today marks another step closer to restoring this bridge so that the community is no longer divided.”
As work progresses Senior Deputy Majority Leader Narducci will provide updates on the status of the project.
by Billy Kepner | Mar 5, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-10, Ward-15, Ward-6, Ward-8
At tonight’s City Council meeting Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15), President Pro Tempore Michael Correia (Ward 6), Councilors Pedro Espinal (Ward 10), and James E. Taylor (Ward 8) introduced an ordinance that would restrict commercial vehicles from parking long-term on streets or in front yards.
“I constantly hear from frustrated residents that there are large commercial trucks parked on their streets,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “I have seen it myself, and this issue is about safety. It becomes difficult for neighbors to leave their driveways because these trucks are hanging into their pathway, or they can’t see around the truck to safely back-out. This ordinance will work to address this quality of life issue, and to ensure that our neighborhood streets remain that and not parking lots for commercial vehicles.”
The ordinance defines commercial vehicles as any vehicle over 20-feet in length and over 6,500 pounds. Further, no commercial vehicle will be able to park or stand, unless engaged in the loading or off-loading of materials, for more than one hour between the hours of 9 PM and 8 AM, or at any time on Sunday on any part of the street under the jurisdiction of the City of Providence.
Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia stated, “This is just common courtesy. I understand that some folks have to take home their work vehicles, but we have to balance that with the quality of life for all of our neighbors. By and large, those individuals are parking in their driveways and are being respectful of their neighbors. The issues that I see in my neighborhood are businesses parking their trucks on the street and not moving them for days at a time. We all want to live in nice neighborhoods, and these trucks detract from that, and become obstacles to the residents who are trying to commute through their streets.”
In addition to the time restrictions, there is also a penalty levied to violators. For any person found in violation of parking on the street, blocking a sidewalk or portion of the roadway will be subject to a fine no less than $50.00. If a commercial vehicle is found to be anyway limiting, restricting, or blocking the access of public safety vehicles or remains in place with their engine idling in the course of operation shall be deemed to be a hazard to public safety and quality of life. If a vehicle is found in violation, they will be towed and subject to a fine of no less than $100.00.
“Ward 8 has a lot of commercial zones mixed with residential zones, and this is a perennial problem,” stated Councilman James E. Taylor. I am proud that we are acting to put the interest of our community before that of industry. I don’t want any businesses to suffer, but I want them to be good neighbors. It is common courtesy and an obstacle that could delay safety vehicles from reaching someone in need of serious attention. We all have a role to play in making our neighborhoods great, and that includes not just residents but our businesses as well.”
This ordinance will be referred to the committee for review and vetting before it is sent to the full Council for votes and passage.
by Billy Kepner | Mar 5, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-10, Ward-14, Ward-2
Councilman David A. Salvatore (Ward 14), Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), and Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10) will introduce an ordinance at tonight’s City Council meeting that calls for a dedicated revenue stream to fund housing opportunities. The proposal would allocate 50 percent of the revenue realized through the real estate conveyance tax for the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
“The City retains nearly $2 million in revenue from the state’s real estate conveyance tax every year and has not used any of those funds to help solve our housing crisis,” stated Councilman David A. Salvatore. “Last month, I introduced a resolution calling for the Mayor to create a dedicated funding stream in this coming year’s budget for affordable housing, but after consideration, I believe it falls upon this body to ensure that the most vulnerable amongst us are protected. Households making less than $100 thousand a year are unable to buy a home on the East Side, while they can only buy in other neighborhoods; however, only if their annual household income is just north of $60K can they afford to live in other areas our City. These numbers are even more frightening considering the median household income in Providence is estimated to be $40 thousand a per year. It’s time that we put our money where our mouth is, and that’s what this ordinance will accomplish.”
For every $500 of a real estate sold within the State of Rhode Island a $2.30 conveyance tax is imposed, which $1.10 of that is retained by the municipality where the property was sold. For example, if a home is sold for $100 thousand, the state receives $460 in conveyance tax, and the municipality would receive $220. Councilman Salvatore is proposing that Mayor Elorza allocate 50 percent of the City’s portion of the conveyance tax be transferred to the Providence Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
Councilwoman Helen Anthony stated, “Providence needs to significantly increase its inventory of affordable housing and we can’t do it without dedicated funding streams from the City and the State. The funding created by this ordinance, in conjunction with the funding generated by the City’s Tax Stabilization Agreements, will give the Providence Redevelopment Agency some resources to address this critical shortfall.”
The Trust Fund provides funding for the construction, development or financing mechanisms of affordable housing for families earning less than 120% of the median income. The City’s Internal Auditor has found that during the fiscal years 2010-2019 the City has retained just over $16 million through the collection of the state’s real estate conveyance tax.
“As the Councilman for Lower-South Providence and Washington Park, I know first-hand how hard it is to find affordable housing,” stated Councilman Pedro Espinal. “Affordable housing is not a luxury, it is a basic human right, and by creating this dedicated funding stream, we can begin to chip away at this long systemic problem here in Providence.”
Councilman Salvatore continued, “This is not rocket science – we have an affordable housing crisis in the City of Providence and the State of Rhode Island – but those of us in power just talk about it when we need to do something about it. This proposal is an actionable item that we can take as a City to help our neighbors who need it. Affordable housing is a human right, and it’s an integral part of ensuring safe, resilient, healthy, and dynamic neighborhoods.”
by Billy Kepner | Mar 3, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5, Ward-9
City Council Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) and Councilman James E. Taylor (Ward 8) will introduce a resolution at Thursday’s Council meeting calling for the City to create a 5-year plan for the City’s aging fleet of public safety vehicles after a series of incidents with our fire trucks breaking-down.
“I was astounded to learn that we did not have a ‘plan’ for the maintenance and upkeep of our fire trucks and other safety vehicles,” stated Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan. “It is unacceptable that the largest Fire Department in New England has an aging fleet, has no 5-year plan for replacement and maintenance – as is the national standard, and the maintenance records are being kept manually with scant internal controls or management oversight. Due to the high cost of these vehicles, it is critical that the City’s Public Safety and Public Property departments work together to create a 5-year plan that is annually vetted by the Council. This will help ensure proper budget appropriations for the safety of the men and women of the Fire Department and that of our resident’s life and property.”
The resolution calls for the Commissioner of Public Safety and the Department of Public Property to provide a five-year safety and maintenance plan for all city-owned public safety vehicles. The plan will include condition assessments, maintenance records, replacement schedules, and a completed inventory of all public safety vehicles and must conform to minimum national industry standards. Due to the high cost for these vehicles it is critical for the City’s public safety officials make proper long-range plans. Because this hasn’t been done, the Council is planning to bring back the City’s Master Lease for review.
Councilman James E. Taylor stated, “As a former Fire Battalion Chief, I understand how critical it is to have safe fire apparatus’ for not only the men and women who serve in the Fire Department but for the residents of our City. I commend Derek Silva, President of Providence Fire Fighters IAFF Local 799, for bringing the state of our fleet to the attention of the City Council. Minimum industry standard calls to move any front-line vehicles over 15-years old to serve as a back-up for a maximum of five years and a third of our fleet is over 20-years old. It’s my sincere hope that the Mayor will allocate adequate public safety funding in his budget, including funding for a full-time Fire Chief.”
Established national standards put forth by the National Fare Protection Association calls for the maintenance and replacement of fire engines and ladder trucks no more than 15-years as a front line vehicle, with an additional five years as a reserve, prior to replacement. With a third of the City’s fleet being 20-years or older the City is creating an unnecessary safety risk for the public as well as for the personnel that have to operate those vehicles.
by Billy Kepner | Mar 3, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-10
First and foremost, I want to thank my neighbors – the residents of Lower South Providence and Washington Park – as well as the local community organizations and businesses for joining me in expressing our shared concerns that this project is not only bad for our neighborhood but could potentially have long-lasting environmental effects on our Port and quality of life for our residents.
Also, I wish to extend my gratitude to the staff of the City Planning Commission (CPC) who have found that the Commission as a whole should deny this project because it does not adhere to the City’s Master Plan and because of the potential adverse effects to our environment. These findings reflect what we, as a community, have been saying all along.
Thank you to Mayor Elorza, who earlier today came out against this proposed facility, my colleagues on the City Council, and my colleagues in the General Assembly who have been supportive and have spoken out against this facility as well.
The fight does not end today; we still have work to do.
I encourage my colleagues and my neighbors that are opposed to this project to join me at the March 17, 2020 CPC meeting, which will take place at 4:30 PM at 444 Westminster Street to speak up and out against this proposed facility. If you are unable to attend, you can still share your concerns by sending a letter to the CPC at the address listed above to the attention of Deputy Director Robert Azar, AICP of the Department of Planning and Development, or via email at razar@providenceri.gov.
Again, thank you to my neighbors and all those who have joined me in advocating to keep our Port clean, and who have the shared goal of making our Port area something to be proud of.
Pedro Espinal
Providence City Council
Councilman – Ward 9
by Billy Kepner | Mar 3, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15, Ward-6
In light of the two recent presumptive cases of Coronavirus in Rhode Island, our offices have been in communication with our state and city colleagues to ensure a coordinated response.
We want to commend our first responders and our State Department of Health for their swift action and for their levelheadedness.
We want to take this opportunity to reiterate that risk of transmission of the virus is low for Rhode Islander’s, but we should take basic steps to stay safe from all viruses – like the flu – by following these helpful tips:
- Wash your hands, and do so often. In the absence of access to soap and warm water, use a hand sanitizer.
- Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- If you are going to cough or sneeze, do so into your elbow or by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue.
- If you are feeling ill or someone you care for is ill – stay at home. If your/their condition gets worse, you should call your/their primary care physician and ask if you/them should be seen.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces regularly, especially those that are frequently touched like light switches and doorknobs.
- Remind those in your care of the above tips to keep them safe as well, especially children and seniors.
As of now, our public events and meetings will proceed as scheduled until advised to do otherwise by state health officials. As always, the Council will communicate with our constituents should anything change.
For more information regarding the Coronavirus we encourage you to visit the CDC’s webpage: CDC-Coronavirus
