by Billy Kepner | Feb 6, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5
At tonight’s City Council meeting Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) will be introducing an amendment to the Code of Ordinances that puts in place a series of actions to fully engage affected residents in areas where significant infrastructure projects may take place.
This amendment to the Code of Ordinances would not impact any road repairs such as potholes or general maintenance including paving, and restriping of roadway lines. What it does do is call for community engagement around proposals and plans that have a significant impact to the design of any city roadway.
“I often hear from my constituents that they were not notified about significant work being done on their streets which causes them delays that they did not plan for and concerns about not being included in the decision making process,” stated Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan. “Putting in place a process of notification and engagement will go a long way to help our neighbors better understand what is happening in their community, and allows them to have a say in how their street is designed.”
The proposed amendment calls for the following actions to be taken by the Administration’s Department of Public Works any time a new project is to be considered:
- Notice of Public Meeting: Whenever the Director of Public Works receives a request or is considering a project that would require the alteration of a street, including but not limited to, removal or expansion of on-street parking, installation of bicycle lanes, installation of traffic calming measures, or any change to the existing traffic patterns they must hold a public meeting/hearing.
- Written notice would be required to be sent to all property owners or tenants of the adjacent properties where the proposed project would take place.
- Notice must be sent to the Fire Chief, Chief of Police, Commissioner of Public Safety, the City Councilor in who’s Ward the project is to take place and all public utility companies with interests along the project corridor.
- A detailed notice of the project and public meeting/hearing will be published in the newspaper at least ten days before the proposed public meeting/hearing.
- Required Documentation: Before any project can move forward, the Director of Public Works must receive the following documentation:
- A detailed analysis of infrastructure challenges and how the project would impact those challenges.
- A maintenance plan which includes snow and trash removal.
- Written approval from a majority of the property owners along the proposed project corridor.
- If the project is receiving city infrastructure funding, they must provide a fiscal note outlining expenditures related to the proposed project.
- A comprehensive feasibility and public safety impact report for the proposed project.
Failure to comply with any of these requirements will result in an automatic denial, and no permits will be issued by the City in connection with the application.
Majority Leader Ryan continued, “When the City wants to change the direction of a street from two-way to a one-way configuration, they must obtain approval from at least half of the residents on that street to move forward with that plan. If residents wish to opt-out of on-street overnight parking it too requires majority rule. It only makes sense that if you are going to make broad changes to any street that you should require the same. Doing so creates consistency and ensures engagement with the neighbors that are impacted. As a Councilor, it is my responsibility to do not what is only in the best interest of the City, but what is also in the best interest of our residents. Changing streets whole cloth can have serious impacts on property owners from lowering property values to quality of life. This ordinance will ensure that our residents have a say in how their streets and neighborhoods are designed. Having proper planning protocol will ensure transparency and ensure that we are good stewards of precious tax dollars.”
Majority Leader Ryan further stated, “When the city adds bike lanes in a commercial corridor, they take away valuable parking for the small businesses in the neighborhood. It not only hurts the businesses bottom line, but in some cases may cause businesses to close. Going further to harm the quality of life for residents and those who’s livelihoods were dependent on that now closed business.”
Exemptions to this ordinance include:
- Alterations to sidewalks or curb cuts required for development on private property.
- Installation or maintenance of any public utility.
- Any projects implemented by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.
The Ordinance will be sent to committee for vetting and public discourse.
by Billy Kepner | Feb 4, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Councilman David A. Salvatore (Ward 14) will introduce a resolution at the City Council’s upcoming meeting on Thursday, February 6, 2020 that would allocate 50 percent of all retained real estate conveyance taxes to the Providence Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
“The City realizes 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. “Providence is on the edge of falling deeper into a housing crisis which we may never be able recover from – unless we act now.
The 2019 Housing Fact Book, produced by HousingWorksRI, shares startling statistics on what it truly costs to live in the City of Providence. Salvatore noted that households making less than $100,000 a year cannot afford to buy a home in Providence’s East Side neighborhoods, limiting which communities families can reside in. The Fact Book also provides detailed information about housing affordability in other neighborhoods of Providence, revealing that households need more than $60,000 annually to afford a home in the capital city.
“These numbers are even more frightening when you realize that the median household income in Providence is around $40,000 a year. It’s time that we put our money where our mouth is,” said Councilman Salvatore.
For every $500 of value on real estate sold within the state of Rhode Island, a $2.30 conveyance tax is imposed upon the seller, of which $1.10 is retained by the municipality in which the property was sold. For example, if a home is valued at $100,000, the municipality collects $460 in conveyance tax, and would retain $220. Councilman Salvatore is proposing that Mayor Elorza allocate 50 percent of the City’s portion of the conveyance tax to the Providence Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
The Providence Affordable Housing Trust Fund provides funding for the construction, development or financing of affordable housing for families earning less than 120% of the area median income. At the request of Councilman Salvatore, the City’s Internal Auditor communicated to the City Council that during the fiscal years 2010-2019 Providence has retained over $16 Million through the state’s real estate conveyance tax.
Councilman Salvatore continued, “This is not rocket science – we have an affordable housing crisis in the City of Providence – but those of us in power just talk about it. We need to actually do something about it. My proposal is an actionable item that we can take as a City to help our neighbors and prospective residents. Affordable housing is a human right and it’s an integral part in ensuring safe, resilient, healthy, and dynamic neighborhoods.”
Salvatore will continue fighting for ways to invest in affordable housing and is preparing legislation that will codify this resolution into law, ensuring that there is another guaranteed dedicated funding source for the Providence Affordable Housing Trust.
To learn more about the HousingWorksRI Fact Book: READ MORE
by Billy Kepner | Jan 29, 2020 | Council News, Press Release
The City Council’s Special Committee on Public Safety tonight introduced amendments to a series of nightlife ordinances after a public hearing on the matters.
“Our policy team in conjunction with the Board of Licenses staff and board have met with stakeholders that include the Hospitality Association, restaurant, bar and nightclub owners to hear their concerns over a series of ordinances and resolutions introduced by Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) late last year,” stated Councilman and Chairman of the City Councils’s Special Committee on Public Safety James Taylor (Ward 8). “My committee heard from several nightlife owners and operators tonight, and I feel that these amendments will address many of their shared concerns.”
The proposed ordinance around video surveillance will be amended to now require only BX-Licensees to have video surveillance, as opposed to all B Licensees as initially introduced. The areas that require surveillance will be limited to entrances, exits, and at points of sale. People behave differently when they are being monitored. Often times, cameras preempt most incidents of violence before they begin. This measure will also help public safety officials in their investigations of crimes. This was true this past summer when video surveillance led to the arrest of a shooting suspect at a West End nightclub. Further, the Urban Institute, a non-profit think-tank that researches societal issues, has noted that research has shown that surveillance cameras were linked to reduced crime rates in both Chicago and Baltimore. Video surveillance is an important missing piece in our nightlife public safety approach.
Another change introduced tonight is an amendment to the definition of a “nightclub” in the Zoning Ordinance. This amendment introduces more narrowly tailored factors for a Zoning Officer to consider- such as strobe and laser lighting, stages or platforms for DJs, use of promoters- when designating an establishment a nightclub. Having a codified mechanism, that provides Zoning officers reasonable discretion to classify an establishment a nightclub will help curb the problem of unlawful nightclubs disguised as bars or restaurants operating in areas not zoned for nightclubs such as on Federal Hill.
Furthermore, in zones where nightclubs are permitted, these establishments will be made to get a nightclub license (N-License). This N-License comes with more restrictions and more accountability, such as rules around readmittance, a limit on the number of alcoholic drinks one person can purchase in a single transaction, a requirement of certified security personnel, among other responsibilities as required by N-License holders.
Other changes introduced tonight include a more graduated scale of penalties for license violations.
City Council President Sabina Matos stated, “These amendments were brought forward after a thorough dialogue with nightlife business owners and public safety stakeholders. Our intention was always to prioritize public safety while celebrating and promoting our nightlife establishments that play by the rules. For far too long, our city has enabled a nightlife culture where some owners find it profitable to operate a business model that skirts local and state laws. These sweeping measures help shift this paradigm. When initially proposed, our nightlife legislation was scrutinized by some bar and restaurant owners as too broad. So we carefully listened to their concerns, heeded their suggestions and insight, and reflected those changes in the amendments introduced today. I want to thank the food and beverage community for their time, passion, and input.”
“Public safety has always been my number one concern for visitors and residents alike,” stated Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia (Ward 6). “I believe that our nighttime economy is vital to the City, but I also want to ensure public safety whenever we can, and these amendments do that.”
by Billy Kepner | Jan 21, 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 begun.
“The contractor has begun 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 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 | Jan 19, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4
Over the past several weeks there have been several vehicular break-ins in and around the North End. Over the past week I have reached out to constituents via social media and email with helpful tips, and asking them to share any video surveillance they may have captured.
I am happy to report that last night the Providence Police Department apprehended two suspects on Edgeworth Avenue. They were caught with the help of a homeowner’s surveillance camera, and their awareness and willingness to call the Police. The Providence Police Department acted swiftly and was able to apprehend the suspects after a short foot pursuit.
These individuals also had warrants out for their arrest for allegedly committing similar crimes in Pawtucket. I want to thank the Providence Police Department for the dedication to keeping our neighborhoods safe, and for their efforts in capturing these suspects.
We still need to be vigilant and remember to lock our car doors, park in a well-lit area, keep our windows closed, and make sure that any valuables left in the car are hidden out of sight.
Nicholas J. Narducci Jr., Senior Deputy Majority Leader
Providence City Council
Councilman – Ward 4
by Billy Kepner | Jan 6, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-6
Today the Board of Contract and Supply approved a contract to demolish the property located at 60 Ernest Street. The building was home to the City’s old VIN Station and housed several other departments within the Department of Public Works. After several complaints from employees, and after seeing the state of the building for myself, I along with the Chairman of the Council’s Special Committee on Public Safety, Councilman James E. Taylor, called for the City to remove all employees from that building and to relocate the VIN station to the Public Safety Complex. We also called for the building to be demolished, and that the City invest in a new building for the Department of Public Works. Demolition will begin once all necessary permits are in place in the next several weeks. Although a new building is a ways off – I am proud of the work my colleagues and I did to ensure the safety for some of our City’s employees who worked out of this building which had asbestos and a serious rodent issue, all employees were relocated to safer and cleaner working conditions. Michael Correia, President Pro Tempore Providence City Council Councilman – Ward 6
