by Billy Kepner | May 21, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-15, Ward-2, Ward-6
Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) will introduce a resolution at tonight’s City Council meeting endorsing and urging the United States Senate to pass H.R. 6800, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act also known as the HEROES Act. The resolution is co-sponsored by Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia (Ward 6), Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), Councilor Rachel Miller (Ward 13), and Councilman David Salvatore (Ward 14).
“It is vital that the HEROES Act passes the Senate. Rhode Island’s federal delegation has worked extremely hard to bring economic relief to our state. Yet, not everyone who pays their fair share in taxes is receiving the help they need under the CARES Act.”
The proposed bill, known as the HEROES Act, would protect undocumented workers employed in essential fields from deportation for up to 90 days after the duration of the crisis and extends eligibility for federal stimulus dollars to taxpayers who have an IRS Tax Identification Number but not a social security number.
Council President Matos continued, “There are numerous families in Providence who are working day and night in response to the COVID-19 pandemic but are still struggling to make ends meet. Even more, are dealing with the economic distress of being out of work or taking on unexpected expenses. Everybody, regardless of immigration status, needs help right now, and I urge the Senate to pass the HEROES Act so that the hard-working men and women in our City and around the Country can get the relief that they need and earned.”
Upon passage, copies of the resolution will be sent to Rhode Island’s federal delegation.
by Billy Kepner | May 20, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Councilman David Salvatore (Ward 14) will introduce a resolution at tomorrow’s City Council meeting urging the United States Senate to pass Senate Bill 2020 S.3620. This bill, sponsored and introduced by Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed, would establish a $75 Billion Housing Assistance Fund with the Department of the Treasury.
“As a country, we need to be prepared to mitigate financial distress in all areas of the economy, especially housing,” stated Councilman David Salvatore. “When unexpected disasters like the COVID-19 pandemic hit our Country, it is the job of elected officials to ensure that Americans stay safe and healthy, but also to ensure that Americans are still having their basic needs met; such as reliable housing.”
Senator Reed’s Housing Fund would provide assistance to communities across the Country. It also includes a small state minimum, ensuring that every state would receive at least $250 Million for the purpose of preventing homeowner mortgage defaults, foreclosures or displacement of individuals and families who have faced financial hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Providence has struggled with a housing crisis since long before the COVID-19 pandemic, and Rhode Island has faced one of the highest increases in unemployment in the country due to COVID-19. These factors have caused concern that Rhode Island may see widespread evictions and foreclosures which would be detrimental to the State’s economy.
Councilman Salvatore continued, “Senator Reed’s proposed bill is exactly the type of leadership that we need to see in Washington as we try to get our country back on its feet. Protecting the housing market is crucial for the financial health of the City of Providence and the State of Rhode Island.”
The fund will also provide assistance with paying for utilities, internet services, and property taxes. Funds will be allocated to each state based on the proportion of unemployment as compared to the rest of the country.
“Protecting homeowners and renters who have faced financial hardship because of COVID-19 must be a priority for Congress. That is why I urge our United States Representatives and Senators to support Senator Reed’s bill S. 3620. I would personally like to thank Senator Reed for his continued leadership on behalf of the people of Rhode Island,” stated Councilman Salvatore.
Upon passage, copies of the resolution will be sent to each member of Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation.
by Billy Kepner | May 16, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Over the past few days I have seen a number of my neighbors posting images on Facebook and other platforms of large gatherings of young people, likely college students, who were not wearing face masks, not socially distancing, and gathering in groups far larger than they should.
As we see cases of the coronavirus decreasing across the State, our City is still seeing high infection rates. We have to be prepared for when this virus returns again in the fall, and that is why I am going to be holding a meeting in the coming weeks with stakeholders across the City to ensure that we keep our college population safe and that of our residents.
As the Councilor for much of the Elmhurst neighborhood, I was shocked to see photos of our local college students – who were still in their rental units – disregarding the orders put forth by Governor Raimondo. Moreover, I was disappointed while driving down Eaton Street recently and seeing it covered in trash from what looked like a party environment. I am concerned that these gatherings are not just happening in Elmhurst, but could be happening across the City where our several universities reside. That is why as a City we need to have a proactive approach to dealing with our college population when they return, as some off-campus students will be returning as early as June 1.
We have empathy for all of our college students whose lives were transformed in a day – the rites of passage of graduating, spending that last night with their friends at their favorite college bar, the chance to have those last moments of freedom before they end this chapter of their lives were taken away. Yet, we were all young and many of us thought we were invincible. What we know of this virus is that no one is invincible – not even young healthy college kids.
Like them, our lives have been turned upside down. Those lucky enough to have a job and work from home are doing so, those of us with school-aged children are now working as teachers aids, all while balancing the stress that this pandemic has caused for each of us.
Our colleges are vital parts of our economy, but we have to be vigilant for them and for our residents. We have to listen to scientists that believe the virus will return again and we are still months and months away from a cure or a vaccine.
As our younger residents wind down their time here in Providence, I ask them to think about their neighbors, the families they are returning home to, their futures, and their health. We are not out of the woods yet, and as Robert Frost once wrote – We have miles to go before we sleep.
Let’s take care of each other and ourselves. We all play a part – young and old alike.
David A. Salvatore
Providence City Council
Councilman – Ward 14
by Billy Kepner | May 7, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-10, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-2, Ward-6
At tonight’s City Council meeting, Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) put forth two resolutions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; one regarding an expansion of SNAP benefits and the other regarding anti-Asian sentiment in the City of Providence.
The first resolution, sponsored by Council President Matos, Council President Pro-Tempore Michael Correia (Ward 6), Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10) and Councilor Rachel Miller (Ward 13), urges the Federal government to expand SNAP benefit services in Rhode Island to include online and delivery services.
“The Council is confronting this crisis head on and is working with our partners in government to help the most vulnerable amongst us,” stated Council President Sabina Matos.
Currently, SNAP recipients must physically travel to the grocery stores to purchase food items. This has been identified as a possible reason for racial disparities in the COVID-19 pandemic, as these SNAP recipients are forced to leave their homes, possibly exposing themselves to the COVID-19 virus at a greater level than those who are able to have food delivered to them.
Council President Matos continued, “It is vital that as Councilors we advocate for all residents, not just in our respective Wards but across the City. Increasing ability for SNAP recipients to use third-party grocery services, and providing access to other ways in which to use them is important to creating healthy communities.”
The Council urges the Federal Government to expand SNAP benefits to include delivery and online services in Rhode Island and throughout the country. Currently, the only states with these types of services are New York, Nebraska, Oregon, Iowa, Alabama and Washington. Upon passage, this resolution will be sent to Governor Gina Raimondo and members of Rhode Island’s Federal delegation.
The second resolution, sponsored by the same five Councilors, denounces xenophobia against the Asian community in Providence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The United States has sadly seen an increase in racial profiling, hate crimes and violence against Asian Americans since the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The World Health Organization has made clear that the COVID-19 virus is not affected by ethnicities or borders. The use of geographic descriptors is reductive and has led to unfounded profiling of the Asian-American community.
Any person who has witnessed or experienced racial profiling or bigotry due to the COVID-19 pandemic is urged to contact authorities for a proper investigation.
“Our Asian community is an integral part of our City. They contributions they have made culturally and economically are numerous and priceless. This resolution should put everyone on notice that hatred or discrimination has no place in our City,” continued Council President Matos.
In Providence, 6.1% of the population is of Asian heritage. The Providence City Council reaffirms its commitment to the well-being and safety of Asian-Americans in our community, denounces any case of anti-Asian sentiment in the City of Providence, and is willing to take steps to combat any crimes targeting the Asian community.
Council President Matos added, “This is the time to lift our neighbors up, and not tear them down. This disease has touched the lives of over 10,000 Rhode Islanders and knows no race.”
by Billy Kepner | May 7, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-10, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-2
At tonight’s City Council meeting Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10) along with his colleagues, Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), and Councilwoman Rachel Miller (Ward 13) introduced an amendment to the City’s Zoning Ordinance that would eliminate incinerator or waste facilities from being able to open in the City of Providence.
“As a City Councilor it is not my intention to stand in the way of bringing new businesses to our City,” stated Councilman Pedro Espinal. “That said, earlier this year a developer wanted to open a solid waste facility in the area around the Port of Providence that would have potentially caused serious consequences for the environment and the well-being of my constituents. I believe that this type of industry would only serve to harm our residents, and create more air and water pollution. There is no viable place for such facilities in a City as densely populated as Providence, and by removing this from our Zoning Code we can ensure the health and safety of our residents.”
In addition to the Ordinance, Councilors Espinal, Anthony, Miller and Councilman David A. Salvatore (Ward 14) introduced a resolution calling on the Providence Planning Department and the City Plan Commission to expand their distribution of written notices to abutting property owners and residents from 200 feet to at least 1,000 feet for any major land development projects.
Councilman Espinal continued, “We know that any major land development can have far reaching effects on residents further than the current 200 feet rule. By expanding this to at least 1,000 feet, more residents will be able to be notified and take part in the robust discussion that happens around these developments.”
Major land developments in the City of Providence undergo an extensive review process, which includes multiple public hearings prior to any approval by the City Plan Commission. Extending the distance for property owner notification for such projects would help to create more community engagement and ensure that more residents are notified about projects being planned in their neighborhoods.
by Billy Kepner | Mar 19, 2020 | Council News, COVID-19, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-10, Ward-11, Ward-12, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-15, Ward-2, Ward-3, Ward-4, Ward-5, Ward-6, Ward-7, Ward-8, Ward-9
Participants Can Call Into the Meeting With Their Phones
Providence will be the first Council Body to use this Teleconferencing Technology
In light of the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak which has affected many of us here in Rhode Island, the Governor issued an executive order earlier this week lifting the Open Meetings Act (OMA) restrictions for public meetings.
The order allows for adequate alternative means of public access such as over phone, internet, and audio or videoconferencing when it comes to public body meetings.
“Our goal as a City Council is to be as transparent as possible,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15). “We have decided to move from livestreaming to teleconferencing due to the rapid spread of the virus here in Rhode Island. In the last 48 hours, we have seen an increase of 21 positive infections, totaling 44 positive infections here in Rhode Island as of 1:30 PM today. It’s with that in mind that we have made the difficult decision to host our meeting using a teleconference line, a widely used and implemented practice. This will allow for residents to hear the discussions as it happens by our body in real-time.”
In light of this executive order, in addition to the prior executive order limiting gatherings of more than 25 people, and to protect the health of our Councilors, staff, and our residents Council President Sabina Matos has decided to seek alternative public access mediums for tonight’s Council meeting. The City Council will be using a teleconferencing platform for tonight’s meeting.
Call-In Information is Below:
Please dial: 1-646-558-8656
Pin: 692739810#
Press # again to enter the conference waiting room.
This tough decision is premised on an urgency to preserve public health while also maintaining the spirit of an open and transparent governmental process.
