by Billy Kepner | Nov 7, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-15, Ward-6
At tonight’s City Council meeting council leaders introduced a series of amendments to Chapters 14 and 21 of the Code of Ordinances. Together, these changes will create baseline standards for quality, safety, and workforce development in the construction industry.
Amendments to Chapter 14, introduced by Council President Matos, Councilor Pro Temp Correia, and Councilors Miller and Salvatore create a citywide construction contractor registration process that includes measures to prevent the misclassification of workers as temporary employees.
“Regulating contractors with a registration process protects the physical and economic health of our city residents,” stated Councilor Rachel M. Miller. “By and large, I believe contractors follow the law, but, in an industry that is notoriously hard to regulate, any company that is cutting corners affects the industry and affects the health and well-being of our community. As a community organizer in Providence, I saw three big problems in the industry: workers who had to fight for for their claim to unpaid wages, also known as wage theft; workers who were injured on the job only to find that their employer was illegally classifying their employment as 1099 (or contract work) leaving them with no recourse for workers’ compensation; and workers who worked for a contractor who disregarded health and safety training, not even requiring workers complete the most basic ten hour safety class, OSHA 10.”
The amendments to Chapter 14 require that a contractor who does over $100,000 in construction business per year register with the City’s Board of Licenses every two years. In order to successfully register, an applicant must not have recent wage and hour or health and safety violations. It also must be up to date on its taxes. The $100 fee collected every two years will support enforcement and monitoring of this new statute.
Amendments to Chapter 21, introduced by Council President Matos and Council Pro Tempore Correia strengthen provisions for workforce development through apprenticeship and set a wage standard for work completed with the support of Tax Stabilization Agreements.
“When we put public dollars to work in the form of tax stabilization agreements, we make a commitment to both the private developer and to the residents of the city,” said Council President Sabina Matos. “This is an opportunity to continue to strengthen our TSA policy to ensure that we are getting a return on that investment – in the form of new development and revitalized buildings and also an investment in our workforce. For many years, development tax treaties have required 100% apprenticeship utilization. Apprenticeship is the pathway that turns a one time job into a lifetime career. But, although the ordinance required it, there were still loopholes that allowed that provision to be disregarded. Tonight we’re introducing changes that strengthen apprenticeship requirements. Additionally, we’re setting a standard for competitive wages that will lift up the working women and men in the industry. The City Council believes that there’s always a possibility for a positive ripple effect in our neighborhoods when we pass a TSA, but with these changes, that possibility becomes a promise.”
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.
by Billy Kepner | Oct 17, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Tonight Councilman David A. Salvatore (Ward 14) introduced an amendment to the Code of Ordinances that would help homeowners and tenants be better informed about their responsibilities when it comes to waste and recycle barrel offenses.
The amendment to the Code of Ordinances proposed by Councilman Salvatore would change the fine structure as it relates to trash and recycle barrels being left out past the designated curfew. The first offense will be a warning, and all subsequent offenses will be tiered beginning with $25 for the second offense (first after warning), $50 for the third, and $100 for all subsequent fines – not to exceed $1500.00 per calendar year. If a homeowner or tenant is fined four times or more they will be considered a chronic violator and will be subject to appear before the Providence Municipal Court.
“For too long residents have not had a clear understanding of their responsibilities when it comes to the storage of their trash and recycle barrels,” Stated Councilman David A. Salvatore. “The fines – to date – have not been consistent with the ordinance and the amendment to the code will address that issue. The amendment will also educate residents who might not know the statute.”
The amendment to the Code of Ordinances will be sent to the Committee on Ordinances before the Council will vote on the matter.
Councilman Salvatore continued, “It is important that each and every resident have clear and predictable knowledge of the workings of our City. Implementing a warning phase will help residents better understand their responsibilities for the storage of their trash and recycle bins.
by Billy Kepner | Oct 10, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
I am disappointed, but not surprised to hear that the developer of the proposed Hope Point Tower, Jason Fane, has asked for an extension on his deadline to file his Tax Stabilization Agreement (TSA). More concerning is that Mr. Fane is also requesting a payment agreement for the estimated $300,000 fee required for his TSA.
I have long advocated for a standardized TSA for the I-195 land and throughout Providence, which should avoid a situation exactly like this. Mr. Fane’s latest requests underscore my argument that Providence needs a fair, predictable process for development and TSAs – not just for the benefit of the development community, but also our taxpayers.
We should not be able to cherry-pick projects or developers who circumvent the rules set forth by the City and State. It is not fair to our taxpayers, who subsidize these projects, and it lacks transparency and honesty.
If Mr. Fane needs a payment plan for his filing fee, which is just a fraction of the cost of this proposed building, then how will he be able to finance the $300 million needed to actually build the Hope Point Tower? Our taxpayers cannot afford to foot the bill if this development fails.
David A. Salvatore, Councilman – Ward 14
by Billy Kepner | Oct 1, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Yesterday, I was interviewed by NBC 10 regarding the $50 fine assessed to homeowners who left trash bins at the curb after midnight of their assigned trash day. The fine struck me as high, so after the interview, I reviewed the Code of Ordinances as it pertains to trash fines. In 2011, the City Council amended the Code to set a more equitable fine structure: the fines were set at $25 for a first offense and $50 for a second offense. All subsequent fines were to be levied at $100, not to exceed $1,500 per calendar year.
While it is possible that this is an honest mistake, these fines are very real for the homeowners being assessed, and this is a serious oversight that could put the City on the hook for restitution to homeowners who were overcharged. I have asked the Internal Auditor to immediately review this situation.
In addition to calling for a complete audit of trash fines levied since passage of the 2011 amendment, I will also introduce an amendment to the ordinance that would call for a warning for first offenses, followed by a sliding fine scale for subsequent offenses. While it is important to enforce rules about trash and ensure that our streets and sidewalks are clear, we must also ensure that regulations are applied fairly and evenly. Overcharging our hardworking residents is unacceptable.
Link to NBC 10’s story: Providence Trash Barrel Tickets Pile Up
by Billy Kepner | Sep 20, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-11, Ward-14, Ward-5
Council Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5), Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11), and Councilman David A. Salvatore (Ward 14) introduced two resolutions requesting that the City of Providence provide status reports and updates on street and sidewalk projects and their expenditures associated with the $45M Bond that was approved by the City Council in 2017.
“To date the Council has had not been updated regarding what Bond proceeds have been expended,” stated Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan. “I have been advocating for accountability for the work that was authorized under this bond for months. When constituents question why certain streets are being paved or not, and why the City is installing ill-conceived street redesign plans they deserve to know how the City is spending their tax dollars. I also want to know how much of these funds were used to develop the Mayor’s ‘Great Streets’ initiative. I am not an opponent of bicycle lanes, in fact, I support creating an urban environment conducive to multimodal transportation. However, that was not what the City Council had in mind when we authorized the City to secure this bond funding. Our goal was to make sure that we spend precious taxpayer dollars to pave and fix as many streets and sidewalks as possible, and to ensure accountability in the process.”
The resolution introduced by Majority Leader Ryan and Deputy Majority Leader Harris focusses on the portion of the funding that was allocated for street repairs, paving, and improvements. “In my Ward there has been little improvement to our streets and that concerns me. My constituents continually ask when their streets are being paved or repaired and I just don’t have the answers. They deserve better,” stated Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris.
In 2017 the City Council approved the Elorza Administration to take out a $45M Bond to implement a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to fund critical improvements to streets, sidewalks, and other infrastructure projects. To date the City Council has not received a public report regarding the status of these funds.
Councilman David A. Salvatore stated, “Holding the Administration accountable for how they spend our resident’s hard-earned tax dollars is not only our duty, but it is unfortunate that we have to do so by passing legislation to get a breakdown of what work has been done. I hear from constituents every day about the state of our sidewalks. I realize that this was a large scale project, but their needs to be transparency for our residents.”
The City Council is requesting the Administration and the Director of Public Works to submit a project progress report and fiduciary updates to the City’s Internal Auditor for review within 30 days of passage.
