City Council Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan Statement Regarding E-Scooters in Providence

by Michael Giles | Oct 31, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Uncategorized, Ward-5

Statement from City Council Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan:

Providence, RI (October 31, 2019)… Earlier this week, electric rental scooters reappeared overnight on our streets. This past summer e-transportation devices made headlines for all of the wrong reasons: they were left littered on public and private property, they were hacked and used for criminal activity, and in some cases reckless operation led to collisions with pedestrians and drivers creating serious public safety concerns.

In July, I sponsored, and the Council passed, a resolution asking that the administration provide the Council an Audit of e-bike and e-scooter pilot programs in the City to ensure that informed decisions could guide our agreements moving forward. The resolution asked that the report be provided 30 days after passage and as of today, we still have not been provided with this report. The City Council, or members of our Council staff, were not briefed prior to the arrival of e-scooters on Sunday.

I am troubled that after our bad experience with e-devices this past Summer that a roll-out happened without warning and without going through a full review requested by the Council.

I support alternate modes of transportation. These companies provide our residents an environmentally-friendlier transportation option, something I believe is important. However, we should not move forward without taking the time to review and vet our programs publicly and ensure that implementation is executed in a way that supports public safety, holds businesses accountable, and makes sense for our city.

For more information, visit us on the web at council.providenceri.gov.

Councilman Salvatore Updates Residents on Trash Fine Audit

by Michael Giles | Oct 30, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Uncategorized, Ward-14

Hundreds of homeowners overcharged

PROVIDENCE, RI — Following an investigation by a local media outlet early this month, Councilman David A. Salvatore has uncovered discrepancies related to fines issued to homeowners for trash violations.

Media outlet NBC10 alerted Salvatore to a $50 fine being assessed to homeowners leaving trash bins curbside after midnight of their assigned trash day.

“During my conversation with the reporter, I recalled an amendment that was approved by the City Council which reduced first time trash violation fines,” said Councilman Salvatore. “After some research of Providence’s Code of Ordinances, it was confirmed that the City Council had amended the Code to set a more equitable fine structure in 2011.”

Those amended fines were set at $25 for a first offense and $50 for a second offense, with all subsequent fines to be levied at $100 and not to exceed $1,500 per calendar year. Despite the 2011 ordinance change, Salvatore’s research concludes that residents have been receiving first-time violation citations at the $50 fine level – with no $25 fine listed on the citations.

Councilman Salvatore immediately asked for a comprehensive audit of trash fines, and the city put all fines on hold while working to determine whether any improper fines had been assessed. The city’s Internal Auditor is still reviewing more than 1,000 citations related to early storage and/or late removal of trash containers. From the information analyzed thus far, it is estimated that 60 percent of the citations reflect an overcharge.

“Many of our constituents are working two or even three jobs just to put food on their table. Any overcharge is unacceptable, but especially when so many of our residents are already struggling to get by,” said Salvatore. “While I believe that this was an honest mistake, this is an example of extreme carelessness and lack of clear policy and protocol. In addition to ensuring that technology reflects correct information, we need to ensure that our inspectors are trained properly on changes to municipal ordinances they are tasked with enforcing.”

Salvatore noted that the audit of trash fines is still underway; however, as with any thorough review, this audit is a long and cumbersome process that involves culling through physical tickets and other related documentation. He pledged to provide full details of the audit when it is completed and to ensure that any overcharged homeowners receive restitution.

“As elected officials, we have a duty to keep our streets clean and safe. However, we also have a duty to protect our residents, and we owe it to them to follow the rules that we ourselves have set forth,” said Salvatore.

City Council Awards a $2K Grant to the Providence Police Explorers

by Billy Kepner | Oct 24, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Uncategorized, Ward-15, Ward-6

Council President Sabina Matos and Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia Presented a $2K Grant to the Providence Police Explorers Program

Providence City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) and City Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia (Ward 6) awarded a $2K City Council grant to the Providence Police Explorers Program yesterday at the Providence Public Safety Complex.

“The Providence Police Explorers Program is an amazing program that teaches our young people about public safety careers and helps build self-confidence,” stated Council President Sabina Matos. “I would like to thank Tina Shepard for her hard work and dedication to making this program so meaningful to the young men and women that make up this amazing cohort.”

The Providence Police Explorers program introduces young men and women interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement or other areas of the criminal justice field to public safety. The program provides career orientation experiences, leadership opportunities, and community service activities. The primary goals of the program are to help young adults choose a career path within law enforcement and to challenge them to become responsible citizens of their communities.

“I have been supportive of this program since its inception,” stated Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia. “The program is helping us grow a new generation of public safety officers. It is providing them with important hands-on training that they would not be able to get elsewhere. Every time you ask them to take part in any community project or program, there is never a no, there is only where and when. I am in awe of the work they do, and all that Tina Shepard does to ensure that this program thrives.”

The Providence Police Explorers Unit educates young adults (ages 14-20) on the purpose, mission, and objectives of law enforcement agencies. Police Explorers have the opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experiences while also serving the community. The goal of the Explorers program is to teach young adults the values and skills needed to succeed in a law enforcement career and life.

• Self-Discipline
• Self-Confidence
• Self-Respect
• Teamwork and the desire to help others

To learn more about the program, visit them on the web: Providence Police Explorers

Councilman John J. Igliozzi, Esq. Helped Dedicate the New Woonasquatucket Adventure Park Today

by Billy Kepner | Oct 23, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Uncategorized, Ward-7

This afternoon Councilman John J. Igliozzi, Esq. (Ward 7) joined Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, Council President Sabina Matos, Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia, Superintendent of Parks Wendy Nilsson, Janet Coit from RIDEM, Ed Raff from the Met School, the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Kevin Essington from The Trust for Public Land, and Sheila Dormody from The Nature Conservancy to officially open the new Woonasquatucket Adventure Park located at 117 Glenbridge Avenue in Providence.

The new Woonasquatucket Adventure Park extends to Merino Park, encompassing nearly 28 acres of green space, play space, fields, and multi-purpose trails. The project has transformed a once vacant and underutilized piece of land along the Woonasquatucket River into a new beautiful, and active recreational space, complete with amenities that will attract residents from across Providence’s dense and diverse neighborhoods.

“This new Adventure Park is a great addition to the neighborhood,” stated Councilman John J. Igliozzi, Esq. “It will provide residents with access to amenities like picnic areas, a parkour course, a bicycle pump track, and a multi-use trail system which connects to Merino Park. I am grateful for the community support we have received to make this investment for not just our young people, but for residents of all ages.”

Over his tenure, Councilman Igliozzi has invested nearly $1M in Merino Park and the new Adventure Park. At Marino Park, he funded the rehabilitation of the basketball court, created a soccer field, a playground, added new parking lights, a new parking lot, security cameras, and brought water to the park for the first time.

Councilman Igliozzi continued, “I strongly believe in investing in our City parks, and in my years in office, I have made that a priority. Everyone deserves access to nature and places for exploration and space.” In FY 2020 Councilman Iglozzi has earmarked another $80K in funding for neighborhood park projects.

The Woonasquatucket Adventure Park was made possible through funding from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, the City of Providence, City Council of Providence, Rhode Island Department of Transportation, Pisces Foundation, Hydro Flask, McKee Foods, and The Nature Conservancy.

For more information on the Woonasquatucket Adventure Park or Woonsquatucket River Watershed Council, visit them on the web: WRWC.