by Michael Florio | Oct 2, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
I respectfully disagree with Senate President Ruggerio that the City is standing in the way of any developer trying to build on the former I-195 land, which runs along the downtown corridor of Providence.
The City Council is pro-economic development and pro-growth, and I think the development happening downtown speaks to that very notion. It’s important to grow our local tax base without having to raise taxes, and that’s what we are doing here in Providence.
We spent a great deal of effort and taxpayer dollars in working with the City Plan Commission to create a master plan for our City that moves Providence forward while respecting our storied history. Since my first term in office, I have been a strong advocate for a more transparent and predictable climate for developers. This City Plan Commissions’ master plan achieves those goals of transparent and predictable development.
This process around Hope Point Tower has been both public and transparent. For every city of our size that is growing, these are the same qualities that have led to success and improved quality of life for residents.
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President David A. Salvatore, Providence City Council
by Billy Kepner | Aug 6, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
by Billy Kepner | Aug 6, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
I want Jason Fane to do business in Providence. I appreciate his commitment to our city – particularly, his pledge to hire union labor for his proposed development. And, I believe that Providence needs to expand its tax base to be successful – and that means increasing development. The Hope Point Tower would represent a $300 million investment in our city, and that is much-needed.
I am also a great proponent of job creation and an ardent supporter of our trade unions.
However, I do not believe that the Hope Point Tower is a good fit for the proposed location on the I-195 parcel. Just a few years ago, the City of Providence spent a great deal of time and resources in the creation of a comprehensive plan, which took into consideration input from developers, community members, and a host of other organizations. Approving a spot zoning change for this development would basically throw all of that process and input out the window.
As City Council President, I have made it a priority to engage our citizens; it is important to me that residents of Providence know their voices are heard.
We on the City Council often hear feedback from developers that there needs to be predictability in our zoning, and we need to play by the rules. And, we have worked incredibly hard to bring our city out of the dark days of backroom deals and the attitude of you had to “know a guy” to get things done. The city’s comprehensive plan laid out a series of clear guidelines for development and design. We cannot just disregard those guidelines.
I want to be very clear on two points: first, while I do not believe that the I-195 land is a feasible location for the Hope Point Tower, I do believe that another location in our city could be suitable. I am committed to working with the developer and city officials to find an option that works for the size and scope of the development while staying within the guidelines of our city’s comprehensive plan.
Secondly, if this project is not approved for the I-195 location, that is not the only option for that land. That parcel will be developed, and it is incumbent upon us as city officials to ensure the development is appropriate.
by Michael Florio | Jul 30, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14, Ward-7
Tonight the Providence City Council approved a $160 million bond referendum that will realize improvements in school infrastructure. The bond is a joint effort between the Providence City Council and Mayor Jorge O. Elorza.
City Council President David A. Salvatore stated, “As elected officials, we speak a lot about the importance of education in our community, but one of the most important factors of education is place. Our schools, most built in the last century, are in need of basic upgrades and some need even more complicated fixes. This bond will help to make Providence Schools into cutting-edge facilities that will serve a new generation of students.”
After tonight’s passage the bond will be sent to the Board of Canvassers to be placed on the November 6, 2018 ballot for consideration by the people of Providence.
Mayor Jorge O. Elorza stated, “In Providence, we’re prioritizing our school buildings, many that need critical improvements. This bond will allow us to make this investments so that our school facilities support our students learning for generations to come. A long-term investment of this magnitude is necessary and shows that both my administration and the Providence City Council are ‘All In’ for education here in the capital city.”
“I’m proud to support this initiative to help rehabilitate our schools to create a better environment for our students, teachers, and staff,” stated Majority Leader and Chairman of the Committee on Finance John J. Igliozzi. “I also want to ensure our constituents that we are being mindful of how taxpayer dollars are being spent; with that in mind, the Council will require a spending plan to be submitted for review and approval.”
by Michael Florio | Jul 24, 2018 | Ward-14
Council President’s audit of past contract uncovers shady deal, entered into by Luis Aponte and improperly circumventing the competitive bidding process
Even though the City of Providence launched an online Providence City Open Meetings Portal in 2013 to provide easy access to the City’s public meetings, a former City Council President ordered the City Clerk in January of 2016 to execute a contract giving GoLocalProv $3,000 a month to publish city meeting notices.
Current City Council President David A. Salvatore uncovered the strange arrangement as part of an audit of past city contracts. Salvatore is now calling on GoLocalProv to return approximately $67,500 in payments made to the digital news website, as the contract was apparently structured to circumvent the City’s competitive bidding process. Salvatore also pointed to an unusual provision of the deal that seems to suggest GoLocalProv would provide Aponte with “relevant information” and “consult” with him regularly.
“On its face, this contract seems deliberately crafted to avoid the City’s competitive bidding process. The contract goes beyond any traditional media buy, requiring the media outlet to keep the City in the loop about relevant information,” said Salvatore. “When you have the City paying for a service it doesn’t need, the deal appears to be set up to skirt city purchasing requirements, and the owner of the company is a former City Councilman who should know the rules, it raises serious questions as to whether this was a blatant attempt to defraud the City.”
Salvatore added, “For that reason, I am calling on GoLocalProv to return the funds it received from the City and make a full accounting of what kind of ‘relevant information’ it was providing to former Council President Aponte. Was he getting tipped off to stories related to Providence City Hall? Was there an understanding he would receive positive coverage in exchange for this contract? GoLocalProv needs to explain why it agreed to some sort of consultation deal as a part of what should have been a simple advertising contract.”
Under the City’s Code of Ordinances, “all contracts for purchase of materials, supplies, services, equipment and property on behalf of the city, the price of consideration of which shall exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) but amount to less than five thousand ($5,000.00) shall be made by the director of public property on the basis of three (3) or more informal competitive bids.” (Sec. 21-27) Salvatore noted that same section goes on to say any contracts “exceeding more than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) shall be made by the boards of contract and supply on the basis of sealed bids.”
Salvatore said the contract contained traditional “Scope of Service” language but also included this unusual language:
“In order to effectively advocate the COMPANY’S interests, you have an affirmative obligation to cooperate with GoLocalProv during the course of this engagement.”
“In return, GoLocalProv agrees to keep COMPANY (the city) informed of relevant information and to consult with COMPANY regularly. Copies of significant correspondence, media coverage and relevant documents will be sent to COMPANY.”
by Michael Florio | Jul 23, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14, Ward-3
Tonight City Council President David A. Salvatore and Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune introduced an amendment in support of Providence’s policy to ensure in the fullest possible participation of firms owned and controlled by minorities (MBEs) or women (WBEs) in City-funded and -directed public construction programs, as well as in municipal purchases of goods and services.
“Providence is a rich and diverse city, and more than half of our population is made up of women, so we should not be struggling to meet the 10% standard of doing business with MBEs and WBEs,” stated Council President David A. Salvatore. “We have committed to ensuring that we hire local, diverse, and skilled companies to serve the needs of our city and these amendments help to make it easier to do so.”
The amendment reforms the long-dormant Commission on Minority and Women Business Development, codifying its powers and duties and properly establishing staggered terms for its members. It also strengthens the role of the MBE/WBE Outreach Director,empowering that person to set internal Women and Minority Business Enterprise (WMBE) goals, track and report on MBE/WBE purchasing, conduct trainings for City staff, conduct outreach to MBEs/WBEs, establish and finally, adopt rules and regulations ensuring compliance and enforcement of the ordinance.
Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune stated, “As an immigrant, woman of color, and a mom to a daughter, it is imperative that we as elected officials work to lift up these local businesses that are run by minorities and women. Helping them find a path to success shows our children that we are committed to making our city a place where everyone can succeed despite the color of their skin, their sex, or their nation of origin.”
The amendment also updates its “summary of factual findings” section, which listed information from 1987-1990, and now includes data from the 2012 MWBE Procurement Task Force report. It also requires mandatory Council reviews of the MWBE ordinance and program beginning in 2020 and every 10 years thereafter.
