by Council Staff | Apr 17, 2025 | Add Council Logo, Uncategorized, Ward-10, Ward-13
Tonight, the Providence City Council unanimously passed a resolution honoring the victims of the Jet Set nightclub disaster. Councilors also passed several other measures prioritizing the wellbeing of our neighbors.
As home to one of the largest Dominican communities in the United States, the entire City of Providence mourned the loss of more than 230 lives in the recent disaster at Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo. Last week, Council President Rachel Miller shared in a statement that Fray Luis Rosario, Ward 13 business owner, was among those who died. Majority Leader Pedro J. Espinal, one of three Dominican councilors, introduced a resolution honoring those who lost their lives and their loved ones. The resolution was co-sponsored by all 15 councilors and passed on the floor.
Councilors also passed several resolutions in support of legislation currently pending before the General Assembly, including a unanimous vote in support of a resolution urging passage of the 2025 Rhode Island Assault Weapons Ban. This common-sense gun control measure will help keep our communities safe, provide peace of mind to our neighbors, and save lives.
“We live in the only country on Earth that suffers from the epidemic of mass shootings and gun violence on the scale that we do. It’s no secret and no surprise that we are also the country with the most guns,” said Council President Rachel Miller. “This is an area where the federal government will not act. But here in Rhode Island, we are fortunate to have leaders that have narrowed the path to accessing firearms, and banning assault rifles is an urgently needed next step. There is simply no reason that these weapons of war should be permitted in our communities.”
Councilors also voted into law an ordinance introduced by Councilor Justin Roias (Ward 4) that provides residents free access to parking during city-wide parking bans due to inclement weather. The ordinance requires the city to establish at least ten such temporary parking areas. This ensures that residents do not face the burden of having their cars towed in order to facilitate city services like street plowing. This follows a pilot program in Wards 8, 10, and 13.
“Our residents are team players—they want to comply when the city institutes parking bans so we can keep our streets safe and clear,” said Councilor Roias. “But the reality is that in a majority-renter city, many don’t have access to off-street parking and are forced to rely on expensive private garages, if they can find one at all. When the city responds by towing their cars, that’s not a success—it’s a failure of planning. Making city-owned lots available for resident parking during snow bans is a practical, immediate step to alleviate that burden and support compliance without punishment.”
Other meeting highlights include:
- Final passage of an ordinance regulating tax sales. As part of an ongoing effort to address displacement of our neighbors, especially by large corporations, councilors voted into law an ordinance that will limit registered buyers to 10 titles per tax sale.
- Final passage of an ordinance sponsored by Council President Rachel Miller which would allow the Providence Municipal Court to directly manage appeals of fines and fees relating to building and home alarms, which prior to passage were under the jurisdiction of the Rhode Island District Court.
- Final passage of an ordinance introduced by Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) which would prevent trucks weighing more than 25 tons (50,000 pounds) from traveling on Pleasant Valley Parkway. Like a similar measure implemented on streets surrounding Washington Bridge detours, the ordinance makes key exceptions including trash trucks, vehicles operated by the city workers pr contractors, and road machinery. Vehicles in violation of this measure will be issued a $200 fee.
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El Concejo Municipal Honra a las Víctimas del Desastre en Jet Set, Ofrece Estacionamiento Alternativo Durante Prohibiciones en Toda la Ciudad
Esta noche, el Concejo Municipal de Providence aprobó por unanimidad una resolución honrando a las víctimas del desastre en el club nocturno Jet Set. Los concejales también aprobaron varias otras medidas que priorizan el bienestar de nuestros vecinos.
Como hogar de una de las comunidades dominicanas más grandes de los Estados Unidos, la ciudad de Providence lamentó la pérdida de más de 230 vidas en el reciente desastre del club nocturno Jet Set en Santo Domingo. La semana pasada, la presidenta del Concejo Rachel Miller dijo en un comunicado que Fray Luis Rosario, dueño de un negocio en el Distrito 13, fue una de las victimas que perdió la vida. El líder de la mayoría Pedro Espinal, uno de tres concejales dominicanos, presentó una resolución en honor a quienes perdieron la vida y a sus seres queridos. La resolución fue copatrocinada por los 15 concejales y aprobado en el pleno.
Los concejales también aprobaron varias resoluciones apoyando legislación pendiente en la Asamblea General, incluyendo aprobación por unanimidad a una resolución instando la aprobación de la Prohibición de Armas de Asalto en Rhode Island de 2025. Esta medida de control de armas de sentido común ayudará a mantener nuestras comunidades seguras, brindará tranquilidad a nuestros vecinos, y salvará vidas.
“Vivimos en el único país del mundo que sufre la epidemia de tiroteos masivos y violencia armada a la escala que padecemos. No es ningún secreto ni sorpresa que también somos el país con más armas”, dijo la presidenta del Concejo Rachel Miller. “Este es un área en la que el gobierno federal no actuará. Pero aquí en Rhode Island, tenemos la suerte de contar con líderes que han facilitado el acceso a las armas de fuego, y prohibir los rifles de asalto es un paso urgente. Simplemente no hay razón para que estas armas de guerra se permitan en nuestras comunidades.”
Los concejales también aprobaron una ordenanza presentada por el concejal Justin Roias (Distrito 4) que ofrece a los residentes acceso gratuito a estacionamiento durante las prohibiciones de estacionamiento en toda la ciudad debido al mal tiempo. La ordenanza exige que la ciudad establezca al menos diez áreas de estacionamiento temporal. Esto garantiza que los residentes no tengan la carga de tener sus vehículos remolcados para facilitar servicios municipales como la limpieza de calles. Esto se produce tras un programa piloto en los Distritos 8, 10 y 13.
“Nuestros residentes son colaborativos: quieren cumplir cuando la ciudad impone prohibiciones de estacionamiento para que podamos mantener nuestras calles seguras y accesibles,” dijo el concejal Roias. “Pero la realidad es que, en una ciudad con mayoría de inquilinos, muchos no tienen acceso a estacionamiento fuera de la calle y se ven obligados a depender de costosos garajes privados, si es que encuentran uno. Cuando la ciudad responde remolcando sus autos, no es un éxito—es un fracaso de planificación. Poner a disposición de los residentes lotes de propiedad de la ciudad durante las prohibiciones de nieve es una medida practica e inmediata para aliviar esa carga y apoyar el cumplimiento sin castigo.”
Aspectos destacados adicionales:
- Aprobación final de una ordenanza que regula las ventas de impuestos. Como parte de un esfuerzo continuo para abordar el desplazamiento de nuestros vecinos, especialmente por parte de grandes corporaciones, los concejales aprobaron una ordenanza que limitará a los compradores registrados a 10 títulos por venta de impuestos.
- Aprobación final de una ordenanza patrocinada por la presidenta del Concejo Rachel Miller que permitiría al Tribunal Municipal de Providence gestionar directamente las apelaciones de multas y tarifas relacionadas con alarmas de edificios y viviendas, que previamente estaban bajo la jurisdicción del Tribunal de Distrito de Rhode Island.
- Aprobación final de una ordenanza presentada por la concejala Jo-Ann Ryan (Distrito 5), que impediría que los camiones que pesen más de 25 toneladas (50,000 libras) viajen por Pleasant Valley Parkway. Al igual que una medida similar implementada en las calles que rodean los desvíos del Puente Washington, la ordenanza establece excepciones clave, como camiones de basura, vehículos operados por trabajadores o contratistas municipales y maquinaria vial. Los vehículos que no cumplan con esta medida recibirán una multa de $200.
by Council Staff | Apr 9, 2025 | Add Council Logo, Uncategorized, Ward-10, Ward-13
In response to the disaster at Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, where at least 124 people were killed and hundreds more injured, Providence City Council released the following statements from Council President Rachel Miller and Majority Leader Pedro Espinal.
From Council President Miller:
“Today, Providence City Council joins the people of the Dominican Republic and Dominican Americans throughout our city, state, and country, in mourning the loss of more than one hundred and twenty lives following the roof collapse at the iconic Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo early yesterday morning.
While details are still emerging, it is clear this event will touch the lives of thousands throughout the Dominican community, and all those who stand in solidarity with them.
Unfortunately, this tragedy has already struck directly at the heart of the Ward 13 and Federal Hill communities. I am very sorry to share that Fray Luis Rosario, owner of Terra Luna Café in DePasquale Square, was among those killed Tuesday morning.
Like countless others in our neighborhood, I knew Mr. Rosario as an active member of Federal Hill’s small business community. This is a devastating loss for our neighborhood and for our city, and I offer my very deepest sympathies and condolences to the Rosario Family, and the families of all those who were lost on Tuesday.”
From Majority Leader Espinal:
“We do not yet know the extent of this disaster or of the loss of life it has caused. But we do know Providence residents, and our large and passionate Dominican community in particular, have already felt this loss as though it happened in our own backyard. As one of three Dominican councilors, alongside Councilwoman Ana Vargas and President Pro Tempore Juan Pichardo, I share in this deep pain.
The City of Providence is proud that its fundamental strength as one of the most diverse cities in America is built in large part upon a deep and enduring connection to the Dominican Republic. Dominican immigrants and children of immigrants serve at the highest levels of our city and state government. The pain felt today in Santo Domingo is shared by our entire city.
Providence City Council stands with all those affected by this disaster and is here to support the Dominican community in the days and weeks ahead.”
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Liderazgo del Concejo Municipal sobre la tragedia en Jet Set por la caída del techo
En respuesta al terrible desastre ocurrido en el club Jet Set en Santo Domingo, donde al menos 124 personas perdieron la vida y muchas más resultaron heridas, El Concejo Municipal de Providence compartió las siguientes palabras de la presidenta del Concejo, Rachel Miller, y el Líder de la Mayoría, Pedro Espinal.
De parte de la presidenta del Concejo, Rachel Miller:
“Hoy, el Concejo Municipal de Providence se une al pueblo de la República Dominicana y a la comunidad dominicana en todo Estados Unidos, especialmente aquí en Rhode Island, para lamentar la pérdida de más de ciento veinte vidas en el desastre ocurrido ayer por la mañana en el famoso club Jet Set en Santo Domingo.
Aunque seguimos esperando más detalles, ya está claro que este doloroso evento dejará una huella profunda en las vidas de miles de personas dentro de nuestra comunidad dominicana y en todos aquellos que se solidarizan con ellos.
Lamentablemente, esta tragedia ya ha tocado directamente el corazón de las comunidades de Ward 13 y Federal Hill. Me duele mucho compartir que Fray Luis Rosario, dueño del Terra Luna Café en DePasquale Square, fue una de las víctimas que perdió la vida el martes por la mañana.
Al igual que muchísimos en nuestro vecindario, yo conocía al señor Rosario como un miembro activo de la comunidad de pequeños negocios de Federal Hill. Esta es una pérdida devastadora para nuestro vecindario y para nuestra ciudad. Le mando mis más profundas condolencias a la familia Rosario y a las familias de todos los que perdieron la vida el martes.”
De parte del Líder de la Mayoría, Pedro Espinal:
“Aún no sabemos el alcance total de esta tragedia ni la magnitud de la pérdida de vidas que ha causado. Pero lo que sí sabemos es que los residentes de Providence, y en especial nuestra gran y apasionada comunidad dominicana, ya sienten este dolor como si hubiera pasado en nuestro propio barrio. Como uno de los tres concejales dominicanos, junto a la Concejala Ana Vargas y el Presidente Pro Tempore Juan Pichardo, comparto este profundo dolor.
Providence se siente muy orgullosa de ser una de las ciudades más diversas de los Estados Unidos, y de que nuestra fortaleza se base en una conexión profunda y firme con la República Dominicana. Los dominicanos que llegaron a esta ciudad, y sus hijos, hoy sirven en los más altos niveles de nuestro gobierno local y estatal. El dolor que sienten hoy en Santo Domingo, lo sentimos todos aquí en Providence.
El Concejo Municipal de Providence está aquí para apoyar a todas las personas afectadas por esta tragedia, y haremos todo lo que esté a nuestro alcance para estar al lado de nuestra comunidad dominicana en los días y semanas por venir.”
by Council Staff | Feb 10, 2025 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Ward-13
Monday, February 10, 2025
This afternoon, state officials invited the media—but not elected city leaders—to an impromptu announcement of what they call a “Path to Local Control” framework. In response, Providence City Council President Rachel Miller released the following statement:
“Today, RIDE and the Governor unveiled a series of conditions the city must meet before regaining control of our schools, without engaging city leaders or addressing us directly. City Council wasn’t briefed on this framework, nor was the mayor’s administration. Instead, we learned about it from the press.
The city has repeatedly extended our hand to RIDE—ready, eager, and committed to work in partnership to ensure the best path for Providence students. They have repeatedly refused to take it. This blatant lack of transparency and collaboration only deepens distrust—a clear disservice to our shared work to improve student outcomes.
While we welcome the prospect of an earlier return to local control, this process cannot exclude the municipal decision-makers who will implement the transition. The state’s failure to engage directly with city leaders further affirms the Council’s position that Providence Public Schools must return to local control in July 2025.”
by Council Staff | Dec 29, 2024 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Ward-10, Ward-13
On Friday, a tank with 3,000 gallons of corn oil caught fire at the Port of Providence. In response, Council President Rachel Miller and Majority Leader Pedro Espinal released the following statement:
“We’re grateful to the firefighters from Providence, East Providence, Cranston, Johnston, Cumberland, and North Smithfield whose heroic efforts contained yet another massive blaze at the Port of Providence. Without their swift action, this fire could have had catastrophic consequences for the health and safety of South Providence residents. This latest incident underscores the ongoing environmental and public health risks posed by activity at the port. We cannot afford to grow numb to these repeated disasters. We need companies operating at the port to take immediate action to reduce hazardous and polluting operations. And we need government partners to work with us to ban dirty and reckless uses at the port.
Last week, the city scored a significant legal victory against Sea 3, a fossil fuel company seeking to irresponsibly expand their liquid petroleum gas delivery and storage. In coming months, Providence City Council and the City Plan Commission will align the city’s zoning ordinance with the recently adopted Comprehensive Plan—which put the Port of Providence on a new path away from heavy polluters and toward environmental justice. We don’t need more studies or delays; we need action. 2024 was a year of environmental disasters at the port. Let’s make 2025 the year we put an end to them.”
by Council Staff | Nov 8, 2024 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-13
Providence, RI – Today, R.I. Superior Court issued a decision in favor of Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) to withhold $8.5 million in state funds to the city. In response, City Council President Rachel Miller released the following statement:
“This is a striking decision from the court that puts city finances at serious risk. The City Council is dedicated to righting historic wrongs and funding our schools – as demonstrated by this year’s historic single-year increase to school funding. The Council has opened the door and invited a true partnership – we’ve asked to get the full understanding we need of PPSD’s budget and spending in order to responsibly continue a conversation about allocating further funding. Rather than embracing this demonstrated commitment, the state has repeatedly chosen an adversarial route, including taking drastic court action that threatens the financial stability of our city.
While RIDE does not have to consider the impacts of cuts to critical city services or tax increases on a struggling community, we do, and the families of PPSD students do as well. It is shortsighted to ignore devastating cuts – whether they be in our school communities or in our neighborhoods – affecting our kids, public safety, and basic programs. The City Council has offered a hand to move us forward together, instead we’re facing what comes next with deep disappointment, knowing there were better collaborative ways.
Meanwhile, PPSD continues to budget public money in secret, and now threatens to cut sports and bus passes and deprioritize special education and multilingual learners despite Department of Justice mandates. Last year, PPSD irresponsibly ended the year with a $20 million deficit, recklessly threatening current and future city funding for PPSD and for city services. Now, the state is reaching into the city’s pockets to finance their missteps, not based on a mutual understanding of what PPSD needs for students to succeed but on a zero sum aim to win a political fight. We have an obligation to safeguard taxpayer dollars with transparency. We have a goal to fund our schools and city services, to move us forward on a path to prosperity for all students and families. The actions taken by RIDE move us further away from those aims. Why should Providence taxpayers be forced to bankroll an opaque and irresponsible budgeting process that treats students and families as collateral damage?”
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Providencia, RI – Hoy, el Tribunal Superior de Rhode Island emitió una decisión a favor del Departamento de Educación de Rhode Island (RIDE) para retener $8,5 millones en fondos estatales destinados a la ciudad. En respuesta, la presidenta del Concejo Municipal Rachel Miller, emitió la siguiente declaración:
“Esta es una decisión sorprendente del tribunal que pone en grave riesgo las finanzas de la ciudad. El Concejo Municipal está comprometido en corregir los errores históricos y financiar nuestras escuelas, como lo demuestra el aumento histórico de este año en los fondos destinados a las escuelas. El Concejo ha abierto la puerta y ha invitado a una verdadera colaboración: hemos solicitado obtener una comprensión completa del presupuesto y los gastos del PPSD para continuar responsablemente una conversación sobre la asignación de fondos adicionales. En lugar de aprovechar este compromiso demostrado, el estado ha optado por un enfoque confrontativo, incluso tomando medidas judiciales drásticas que amenazan la estabilidad financiera de nuestra ciudad.
Mientras que RIDE no tiene que considerar los impactos de los recortes en servicios críticos para la ciudad o los aumentos de impuestos en una comunidad que ya está luchando, nosotros sí, y también las familias de los estudiantes del PPSD. Es una visión a corto plazo ignorar los devastadores recortes, ya sea en nuestras comunidades escolares o en nuestros vecindarios, que afectan a nuestros niños, la seguridad pública y los programas básicos. El Concejo Municipal ha tendido la mano para avanzar juntos, pero ahora nos enfrentamos a lo que viene con una profunda decepción, sabiendo que existían mejores formas de colaborar.
Mientras tanto, PPSD sigue presupuestando el dinero público en secreto y ahora amenaza con recortar deportes y pases de autobús, además de dar menos prioridad a la educación especial y a los estudiantes multilingües, a pesar de los mandatos del Departamento de Justicia. El año pasado, PPSD irresponsablemente terminó el año con un déficit de $20 millones, poniendo en peligro de manera imprudente los fondos actuales y futuros de la ciudad para PPSD y los servicios municipales. Ahora, el estado está sacando dinero de los bolsillos de la ciudad para financiar sus errores, no basándose en una comprensión mutua de lo que el PPSD necesita para que los estudiantes tengan éxito, sino en un enfoque de suma cero con el objetivo de ganar una pelea política. Tenemos la obligación de proteger los fondos públicos con transparencia. Nuestro objetivo es financiar nuestras escuelas y servicios municipales, avanzar en un camino hacia la prosperidad para todos los estudiantes y las familias. Las acciones tomadas por RIDE nos alejan de esos objetivos. ¿Por qué los contribuyentes de Providence deberían financiar un proceso presupuestario opaco e irresponsable que trata a los estudiantes y a las familias como daño colateral?”
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by Council Staff | Oct 17, 2024 | Uncategorized, Ward-13
Providence, RI – Last night, Mayor Brett Smiley threatened to veto the entire Comprehensive Plan if it includes the committee-approved amendment to prohibit new gas station development.
In response, Council President Rachel Miller released the following statement:
“The Comprehensive Plan guides our vision for growth over the next decade. The City and City Councilors have engaged hundreds of residents in thorough conversations, including countless community meetings, four public hearings, and hundreds of letters of testimony. Clear themes emerged around a vision of growth for Providence’s working families: housing development, affordability, health and safety, maintaining the character of our neighborhoods, and resiliency in the face of a changing climate. The amended Comp Plan does exactly that. To threaten a two year process—potentially relinquishing our ability to govern our land use to the state—over this issue is irresponsible. There are over 40 gas stations in the city, land which can be used as gas stations in perpetuity. There is no known demand for more. Rhode Island has the highest asthma rates in the country. Last year, Providence rents increased at a higher rate than any other city nationwide. The amended Comp Plan simply says: available land will be prioritized for uses that meet our urgent needs. Every square foot should be prioritized for new homes and clean, family-sustaining jobs. That the Mayor would risk the entire plan for the potential of building more gas stations is reckless.”
Committee on Ordinances voted to continue the public hearing regarding the Comprehensive Plan to Monday, October 21, 5:30pm in the Council Chamber on the third floor of City Hall.
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