by Michael Florio | Jun 13, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1
Councilman Seth Yurdin will introduce a resolution opposing House Bill 8123 and Senate Bill 2838 at the June 21, 2018, City Council meeting. These companion bills would “authorize any municipal water supply system and any regional water quality management district commission to enter into an agreement called a ‘transaction’ enabling certain water supply systems to merge and be deemed a public utility.”
“If this proposal is approved, it will allow for the “monetization” of the Providence Water Supply Board (PWSB) at the expense of the residents by permitting the City to transfer control of the PWSB to an improperly regulated third-party operator,” stated Councilman Seth Yurdin. “This water-sale-scheme does not safeguard residents from unfair rate increases, fails to protect our environment, and does not ensure that city residents have safe, high-quality drinking water.”
Yurdin is not the only person to oppose these bills. Several environmental advocates, government watchdog groups, and public policy experts, including the Conservation Law Foundation, the Burrillville Land Trust, The Rhode Island Association of Conservation Commissions, and the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council each have expressed deep opposition.
Under H8123 and S2838, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) would have no power to review transactions and would be prohibited from affecting rate increases “in any way” for five years. Removing the PUC’s authority to review transactions and reject rate increases leaves the residents and ratepayers exposed to potentially significant and unaffordable rate increases. These bills also contain no environmental protections for the Scituate Reservoir watershed, nor do they have any provisions for ensuring the water quality of the reservoir.
In reports from The New York Times and Heavy.com and from environmental groups like Food & Water Watch, we have seen over and over that privately owned water utility services cost the public significantly more than publicly owned and operated water utilities.
by Billy Kepner | Apr 19, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-14
Councilman Seth Yurdin’s resolution to establish the Special Commission to Study Affordable Housing in Providence was passed by the full council at tonight’s City Council meeting.
“Adequate housing is a human right. And key to that is affordable housing. Affordable housing is critical for the well-being of adults, families and children, and it helps make our neighborhoods better places to live,” stated Councilman Seth Yurdin, Ward One. “Bringing together a commission of experts and stakeholders to advise our community on how to tackle this crisis will hopefully help address this serious issue.”
Yurdin was joined by the full council in co-sponsoring the resolution.
City Council President David Salvatore stated, “Just this week I met two amazing women; both were once homeless, but through different pathways they found a place to call home. Although they are no longer homeless, each shared their concerns about the rising cost of housing and their fears of returning to the streets.”
Salvatore added, “We are reaching a critical point in the struggle for adequate and affordable housing in Providence. I feel strongly that by bringing together this group of housing experts we will be able to find solutions to some of the most pressing housing challenges that we are facing today.”
Affordability, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is when housing costs for a family do not exceed 30 percent of their household income. In 2014 the National Housing Conference reported that nearly one-quarter of renters in the Providence metro area spent at least half of their income on housing – which makes them severely “housing cost burdened,” and means they have less disposable income to spend on basic needs. Additionally, the need for affordable housing continues to grow, while stock is diminishing. It’s projected that Rhode Island will need between 34,000 to 40,000 NEW housing units over the next 10 years to keep pace with the demand. Yet, despite this growing need for housing, Rhode Island had the lowest per capita spending on housing in New England in both 2015 and 2016.
Affordable housing can allow households more resources to pay for healthcare and healthy food, and high-quality housing limits exposure to environmental toxins such as lead.
The Special Commission to Study Affordable Housing will be composed of:
- Brenda Clement, Director, Housing WorksRI
- Barbara Fields, Executive Director, Rhode Island Housing
- Sally Hersey, President, Greater Providence Board of Realtors
- Melina Lodge, Executive Director, Housing Network of Rhode Island
- John Marcantonio, Executive Director, Rhode Island Builders Association
- Melissa Sanzaro, Executive Director, Providence Housing Authority
- Michael Tondra, Executive Director, Rhode Island Office of Housing & Community Development
The special commission will issue a report with findings and recommendations to the full City Council by November 1, 2018.
by Billy Kepner | Feb 15, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1
In the six years since Councilman Seth Yurdin first introduced legislation to the City Council to create the Harbor Management Commission they have developed a harbor management plan and designated eight seasonal mooring spaces, of which seven are available for the 2018 season. Transient mooring sites are also designated in the plan, contingent on DEM funding and landside services, including dinghy storage.
“The Harbor Management Commission was created to protect our waterfront’s natural beauty while expanding opportunities for boating and other activities,” said Councilman Seth Yurdin, Ward 1. “During the past six years, access to the water has been increased, and now with the ability for residents to apply for mooring space, there are even more opportunities to enjoy our unique waterfront. These opportunities not only improve our quality of life, but they make our city a great place to live.”
The Providence Harbor Management Plan and the City of Providence Code of Ordinances Section 11-1.1 established the seasonal mooring field, located on the Seekonk River to the north of the Gano Park Boat Launch and south of the Crook Point Bascule Bridge west of the rowing lanes.
To acquire one of these spaces, you must first apply by visiting the Providence Harbor Management website: http://bit.ly/pvdmoorings. There is an application fee of $25 and, if approved, the applicant will be required to present proof of vessel ownership (State Registration and Title) at the time the mooring space is allocated. Recipients of such mooring spaces are required to supply their own moorings/mooring tackle, and these spaces are for vessels up to 25 feet in length. The applicant must pay the annual mooring fee of $350.00 on or before issuance of a mooring permit, which will be valid for three years. Deadline to apply is March 15, 2018, but it is recommended to do so sooner as spaces are on a first-come first-served basis.
The moorings are the latest in a series of improvements to activate the water around Providence, starting with the Gano Park Boat Launch, which opened in 2014, and including an effort to develop a kayak launch further to the north on the Seekonk River. There are also ongoing efforts to provide additional moorings and services for boaters at 25 India Street (The “Shooters” parcel).
For more information and the mooring space application, please visit http://bit.ly/pvdmoorings.
by Billy Kepner | Feb 8, 2017 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1
Introducing Ordinance Prohibiting City from Banking With Lenders to Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL)
Councilman Seth Yurdin (Ward One) has called for the City of Providence to terminate its relationship with Citizens Bank for as long as it continues to provide support and financing to the Dakota Access Pipeline.
“Providence should not support financial institutions like Citizens Bank as long as they choose to fund the Dakota Access Pipeline,” said Yurdin.
Yurdin is introducing an ordinance that will prohibit Providence from doing business with banks that provide financing to DAPL. According to Food and Water Watch, Citizens Bank is providing $72,500,000 in financing to Sunoco Logistics Partners, one of the principal pipeline partners.
DAPL is a $3.7billion 1,200 mile pipeline designed to transport fracked oil from the Bakken Oil Field in North Dakota to Patoka Illinois near Chicago. DAPL has been opposed by certain Native Americans due to concerns about local environmental and cultural impacts on their lands. DAPL is also opposed by climate change advocates. In 2016 President Obama blocked DAPL from proceeding. Upon taking office, President Trump revived the fracked oil pipeline project.
“The Dakota Access Pipeline threatens local communities and our climate,” said Yurdin. “The new federal administration is pushing DAPL ahead, ignoring both the concerns of Native Americans and the pipeline’s serious impact on climate change. Now more than ever, local governments need to support important issues like the opposition to DAPL.”
The ordinance will be presented at the City Council Meeting scheduled for February 16th.
by Billy Kepner | Jan 19, 2017 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1
Councilman Seth Yurdin (Ward One) will tonight introduce a resolution opposing Invenergy’s proposed fossil fuel power plant in Burrillville and the use of Providence water for the project. A copy of the full resolution can be found here.
Invenergy’s plan to build a power plant in Burrillville has been met with widespread resistance throughout the state in the past year, with 16 cities and towns passing resolutions in opposition.
Invernergy has also had serious difficulties obtaining a source of cooling water – estimated at up to 1 million gallons per day – with the Pascoag Utility District, the Harrisville Fire District, and the City of Woonsocket rejecting the utility’s offers. Yurdin’s resolution follows a recent decision by the Town of Johnston to enter into an agreement with Invenergy to resell water supplied to the town by Providence.
“Given the local, statewide and national concern about the impact of fossil fuels on our climate, it is simply wrong for Providence to support the Invenergy plant,” said Yurdin. “Providence’s resources, including its water, should not be used to support the project.”
The resolution also calls for the City Solicitor and manager of the Providence Water Supply Board to assist in advising on the legality of resale and markup of Providence water as well as the impact on the proposed use on ratepayers of the system.
Yurdin added, “With an incoming federal administration set to frustrate efforts to address climate change, state and local efforts are more important than ever. Cities and towns across Rhode Island and the United States need to work together to oppose projects like Invenergy’s Clear Water Energy Center in Burrillville.”
The City Council will consider Yurdin’s resolution on Thursday, January 19th at 7:00 pm. The Council meeting will be held in the City Council Chambers on the third floor of City Hall.
by Billy Kepner | Jan 19, 2017 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1
City Councilman Seth Yurdin (Ward One) is calling on city and state leaders to align funding priorities and allocate more resources for public school buildings across Providence and throughout Rhode Island. At tonight’s City Council meeting, Yurdin will introduce a call to action to Governor Gina Raimondo, members of the General Assembly, Mayor Jorge Elorza, the Providence School Board, and the Rhode Island Department of Education to collaborate and develop a plan that addresses critical issues directly affecting students’ learning environments.
“Providing a proper public education and adequate facilities in which to learn should be a priority this year,” Yurdin said. Securing funding for such infrastructure repairs is already under consideration as part of the “Fair Shot Agenda” proposed by a number of State Representatives and Senators. Yurdin’s resolution further urges other State and local leaders to support funding necessary to provide Rhode Island’s youth with the facilities that a quality education requires.
Yurdin notes a number of research findings, including the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s 2013 School House Assessment, which states that approximately 20% of Rhode Island public school buildings are in need of “moderate to major renovations” or “replacement.”
“The long-term impact of school infrastructure investment will improve the well-being and education outcomes for our young people. By improving the quality of students’ learning environments and addressing the health and safety concerns within our school buildings, we’ll be in a better position to provide the fundamental tools students need to thrive.”
The resolution calls for the development of a comprehensive plan address infrastructure issues within Providence Public School buildings. If adopted, the City of Providence would hold public forums in multiple neighborhood locations and engage stakeholders to address concerns.
The resolution will be introduced at the City Council meeting on Thursday, January 19th at 7 PM in the Council Chambers located on the Third Floor of City Hall.
