by Michael Florio | Jul 23, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14, Ward-4, Ward-6, Ward-8
Tonight Council President David A. Salvatore, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci, Jr., Deputy Majority Leader Wilbur W. Jennings Jr., and Councilman Michael Correia introduced a resolution creating a task force to study the impact of public utility work on Providence’s roads and sidewalks.
“It is the responsibility of the City to ensure the maintenance of safe and aesthetically pleasing roadways and sidewalks,” stated City Council President David A. Salvatore. “Occasionally we hear from constituents that the sidewalks and roadways around their homes have not been properly restored after work done by a public utility. This task force will come together to study, review, and make recommendations for improving the laws, policies, and procedures affecting the impact of public utility work on our roads and sidewalks to ensure that public utilities leave these areas in good order.”
According to the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2017 Infrastructure Report Card, 54% of Rhode Island’s public roads were rated as in “poor condition,” and Rhode Island’s drivers face costs of more than $800 per year from driving on roads in need of repair. Improved notification, coordination, and oversight procedures for street and sidewalk excavation by public utilities would lead to significant cost savings for taxpayers and utility companies, as well as greater convenience for residents.
“As a long-serving member of the Council I have always been committed to quality of life issues,” stated Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci. “The state of our roadways and walkways can affect our property values and cause harm to both property and pedestrians alike. I’m very proud to support this effort to ensure these issues do not occur or are mitigated quickly.”
The issues surrounding the opening and excavation of streets and sidewalks are governed by both City ordinances and State statutes; are affected by the decisions of both public and private entities; and impact all who live, work, and visit Providence. Because the issue of street and sidewalk safety is of such great importance, the City Council will engage a broad group of stakeholders to adequately address these problems. And, as public servants and elected representatives of the people of Providence, the City Council has an obligation to ensure that roads and sidewalks are maintained in appropriate condition.
Deputy Majority Leader Wilbur J. Jennings shared, “Bringing together the key players will go a long way in achieving the goal set by the Council to ensure that all infrastructure work is completed timely and safely, and that any potential issues are dealt with quickly.”
The Task Force on the Impact of Public Utility Work on Providence’s Roads and Sidewalks will be comprised of:
Michael Borg, Director of the Department of Public Works (or designee)
Kevin Kugel, Director of the Providence Emergency Management Agency (or designee)
Cliff Wood, Executive Director of the Providence Foundation (or designee)
Scott Wolf, Executive Director of Grow Smart RI (or designee)
Two individuals appointed by Providence City Council President David A. Salvatore
Two individuals appointed by the Honorable Jorge Elorza, Mayor of Providence
A representative from National Grid
“The members of this task force will play an important role in helping create future protocols to protect the City and property owners,” stated Councilman Michael Correia. “Working with our utility partners to help form these protocols will ensure that all interests can be addressed. I look forward to seeing the good work this task force will accomplish.”
by Michael Florio | Jul 12, 2018 | Community Engagement, Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Providence City Council President David A. Salvatore is partnering with the Providence College men’s and women’s basketball teams and the Providence Recreation Department to host a free youth basketball clinic at Corliss Park on Thursday, July 12, 2018 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
“As a former basketball player and a die-hard Friars fan, this is my favorite event of the year,” stated David A. Salvatore, Providence City Council President. “For the past six years, we have offered this free clinic to provide our youth with a chance to learn from competitive collegiate athletes. I believe this helps college players make deeper connections in our community; they quickly become role models to these young athletes, inspiring them to excel in school and sports. I can’t wait to get on the court next Thursday!”
The youth basketball clinic is open to all residents of Providence, and due to NCAA rules and regulations, collegiate players and coaches can only work with girls entering the ninth grade and younger and boys entering the seventh grade and younger.
by Michael Florio | Jul 12, 2018 | Community Engagement, Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Providence City Council President David A. Salvatore participated in National Summer Learning Day today at Young Woods Elementary Schools’ Bell Summer Learning Program.
“The summer is a great time for Providence youth to enjoy our parks and recreation centers, but it is also a time to remind students to keep learning,” stated Council President David A. Salvatore. “Learning does not just happen in our schools but can happen all the time. By reading for 20 minutes a day, students can avoid the “summer slide” and be prepared for the next school year. Learning opportunities for our students are very important to me, which is why last month I helped kick off the Providence Schools “Passport to Summer Learning” program, and now am taking part in National Summer Learning Day by reading to students.”
Council President Salvatore read “Diary of a Spider” by Doreen Cronin with illustrations by Harry Bliss to rising first graders.
National Summer Learning Day is a national advocacy day aimed at elevating the importance of keeping kids learning, safe and healthy every summer, and ensuring they return to school in the fall ready to succeed in the year. Participations sends a powerful message across the nation that summers matter and offers an opportunity to showcase how summers can make a life-changing difference in the lives of young people. Council President Salvatore encourages families to make every day a learning day and to read every day.
by Michael Florio | Jul 11, 2018 | Community Engagement, Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Today City Council President David Salvatore launched the Council’s Be Heard PVD campaign. The campaign is designed to expand community access to and participation in Council-led public hearings by broadening outreach and notification to constituents.
“The City Council holds several public hearings each year, but often I only hear from residents after the fact,” stated City Council President David A. Salvatore. “They frequently tell me they were not notified or didn’t know it was happening. Although the City follows all state and city statutes to notify the public about hearings, we can do better, and that is what Be Heard PVD is about. I hope that our colleagues throughout the City will follow suit and also examine how they are notifying residents of important community conversations and public hearings.”
The Be Heard PVD campaign is a multi-platform approach to notifying residents about Council-led public hearings. It includes the use of social media, the City Council website, print advertising, media advisories, and other technologies.
Council President Salvatore continued, “We live in the 21st century, yet we are using 20th-century communication outlets to notify residents about these hearings. Our constituents deserve to be heard, and they cannot do that if they aren’t aware they have the chance.”
Community members may be notified about public hearings by following the campaign on Twitter at @BeHeardPVD and Facebook at @BeHeardPVD for notices of public hearings and other information relating to City Council-led meetings. These channels will only have information regarding public hearings or Council-led meetings. For information about City Council events, please follow along on Twitter @ProvCityCouncil and Facebook at @ProvCityCouncil.
Constituents who are unable to attend a public hearing can provide written testimony by mail or email to Lori L. Hagen, City Clerk: lhagen@providenceri.gov or City Clerk, 25 Dorrance Street, Room 311, Providence, RI 02903. (Please note, if you submit written testimony you are not required to appear or read your testimony at the public hearing.)
In 2013, the City Council launched the Providence City Open Meetings Portal to make access to meeting notices, searching agenda items, and viewing attendance and voting records for the City Council and its boards and commissions much easier for constituents. It is a single public access point and can be found online at providenceri.iqm2.com. Community members can also choose to be notified about public meetings and hearings by registering on the Open Meetings Portal and choosing “Public City Council (All Associated Meetings)” on the distribution list.
If anyone has other suggestions as to how the Council can share this information we encourage you to call the City Council office at 401-521-7477 or email us at council@providenceri.gov.
by Billy Kepner | Jun 22, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
After more than three years on the job, one would think the mayor and his administration would have a more comprehensive understanding of how the budget works. If this year’s budget isn’t approved, then the previous year’s budget goes into effect.
It is my hope that the administration will engage in a constructive dialogue with the Council to responsibly manage the budget. Fortunately, there are checks and balances in place so that both branches of government uphold their fiduciary responsibility to taxpayers.
by Michael Florio | Jun 18, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-12, Ward-14, Ward-15, Ward-5, Ward-9
Fiscally responsible budget holds the line on taxes, implements public safety enhancement programs, preserves historical assets, improves quality of life in every Providence neighborhood
The Providence City Council Committee on Finance tonight voted approve the recommendation of the FY2019 $748 Million city budget, which is now forwarded to the City Council for passage.
The budget is the result of collaboration between the City Council and City Administration with the ultimate goal of producing a fiscally responsible budget that includes no tax increases; invests in schools, safety and neighborhoods; enhances public safety; preserves significant historical assets; and improves the quality of life in every Providence neighborhood.
“I am pleased to announce that we are holding the line on tax increases, ensuring that our yearly fiduciary responsibility to the pension fund is met in full, and investing in quality of life initiatives to benefit all Providence neighborhoods – like the Council’s initiative to save the Federal Hill fountain located in DePasquale Plaza,” said Committee on Finance Chairman and Council Majority Leader John Igliozzi. “I am grateful for the hard work of the Finance Committee and for the cooperation of every City department that sat before us. The budget process is not easy, sometimes even contentious; but in the end we all want the same thing – a budget that efficiently and effectively utilizes taxpayer dollars and serves the people of Providence – and we believe we have achieved that end.”
“The review and passage of the budget is one of the most important duties of the City Council, and this budget prioritizes spending to support our public schools and enhance safety and quality of life in all city neighborhoods,” stated Council President David A. Salvatore. “Every year the Committee on Finance is tasked with reviewing the budget and ensuring that it serves the constituents of our city. The process is inclusive and I am proud of the way this body has worked to ensure those principles.”
Council-led budget initiatives include:
Holding the line on all tax rates, providing residents and business owners with the certainty they need to prosper.
No less than 35% of the revenue garnered from portable speed camera violations will be used on school safety and other traffic calming measures. The goal of the speed cameras was always to make Providence streets and schools safer, and the City Council has made this a priority.
Restored Neighborhood Infrastructure Fund (NIF) to help ensure that any unexpected brick and mortar projects that arise in FY 2019 can be addressed. This fund has a positive impact on our neighborhoods and helps to improve the quality of life for all residents of Providence.
Enhancing the quality of life in Providence neighborhoods and improving city services through infrastructure improvements, public safety initiatives, and school and parks improvements.
Saving, preserving and maintaining Providence’s beloved historical landmarks, including the fountain in Federal Hill’s DePasquale Plaza, as well as other significant monuments throughout the City.
Bringing the City’s original charter back to City Hall for display to the public, as well as ensuring the preservation of important historical City artifacts.
The City Council will hold special meetings on Wednesday, June 20, 2018, where the budget will receive its first vote from the Council. Once passed, the second and final vote will take place on Friday, June 22, 2018.
The Council’s Committee on Finance is comprised of:
Majority Leader John J. Igliozzi, Chair
Senior Deputy Majority Leader Terrence M. Hassett, Vice Chair
Council President Pro Tempore Sabina Matos
Majority Whip Jo-Ann Ryan
Councilwoman Carmen Castillo
