by Billy Kepner | Feb 26, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
The Providence City Council will consider candidates to serve on the Providence External Review Authority (PERA) Board.
PERA was established in 2002 by Providence City Ordinance No. 614 (Chapter 2002-39) to provide for a system of Civilian Oversight over the Providence Police Department. The purpose of PERA is to investigate allegations of misconduct on the part of officers of the Providence Police Department, to make findings of fact and to make recommendations of potential disciplinary action to the Chief of Police.
“I was incredibly impressed with the caliber of applicants who responded to the City Council’s open call for PERA Board candidates,” said City Council President David A. Salvatore. “Internally, there has been an extensive, thoughtful and deliberate process in crafting the process by which the Board was determined. It was foremost in our minds that this must be an open, inclusive and transparent process, and the candidates must be representative of the communities we serve. I am very confident that the slate of candidates selected embodies those qualities.”
The PERA Board nominees for consideration are:
- Jorge C. Armesto, Ph.D., Ed.M., a clinical and forensic psychologist and founder of the Latino Psychological Institute, Inc., as well as a Providence resident;
- Phanida Phivilay Bessette, former president of the Socio-Economic Development Center for Southeast Asians Board of Directors, former Providence School Board member and current program manager for the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health & Human Services;
- Kenneth Cohen, a retired Providence Police Department Lieutenant and former FOP president with more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement;
- Susan DeRita, a Providence native and member of the original PERA Board, where she served as Chair of the Policy Committee; member of the Providence Police Advisory Committee; and Elmhurst Neighborhood Crime Watch coordinator;
- Alison Eichler, president of Sophia Academy’s Board of Directors, vice-chair of the Board of the Providence After School Alliance, member of the Rhode Island Personnel Appeal Board, co-principal in Eichler Realty Company, and a Providence native;
- Nick Figueroa, Executive Director of College Visions, graduate of Providence Public Schools, as well as Rhode Island College, Roger Williams University, and the University of Rhode Island;
- Machiste Rankin, a retired Rhode Island Department of Corrections officer and Providence resident;
- Deborah Wray, a longtime Hartford Park Tenants Association member and former board member; a member of Direct Action for Rights and Equality (DARE) for over 30 years; and a community activist.
“As an original member of the PERA Board, it is very gratifying to see this process through,” said Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris. “I am appreciative of all of the hard work that went into ensuring the PERA Board is set up for success. This Board is extremely important to the community, and I am excited for it to begin its meaningful work.”
The slate of nominees will be voted on before the City Council at its next meeting on Thursday, March 1, 2018.
by Michael Florio | Jan 18, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Council President David A. Salvatore’s Equal Pay ordinance passed its first reading tonight. The Ordinance prohibits employers from asking potential candidates for their past pay history, aiming to end the systematic discrimination of women being paid less than their male counterparts in Providence.
“If two equally capable people are doing the same job, it is reasonable to expect that they should earn the same salary. However, according to data from the U.S. Census, sadly that is not the case: women in the United States earn about 84 cents for every dollar their male counterparts are paid,” said Providence City Council President David A. Salvatore. “This ordinance sends a strong message that in Providence, we are all equal.”
Council President Salvatore’s ordinance makes it unlawful for any employer to inquire about a prospective employee’s compensation history, require disclosures of compensation history, condition employment or consent of interview for employment on disclosure of compensation history, or retaliate against a prospective employee for failing to comply with any compensation history inquiry.
Any employer or employment agency that violates this ordinance will be liable to the individual affected for damages incurred, as well as punitive damages. Those affected can seek damages in court, and the City Solicitor may also bring suit against violators to collect damages on behalf of the affected individuals.
In June of 2017, Council President Salvatore introduced a resolution to establish the Providence Equal Pay Task Force within the Providence Human Relations Commission. This seven-member panel is charged to promote equal pay for equal work through studying best practices from other municipalities, collecting data from City contractors and departments, and making policy recommendations to the Mayor and the City Council. In early January, the Task Force shared an interim annual report with the City Council and plan to have their full report with recommendations completed by the end of 2018.
The ordinance was passed on its first reading and will require a second reading and passage to become law.
by Michael Florio | Jan 18, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Council President David A. Salvatore is pleased to announce that Gina Costa has been elected as the City’s new Internal Auditor. This marks the first time that a woman has been appointed to this position in the history of Providence. Ms. Costa takes over the role from Matthew Clarkin Jr., who retired earlier this month.
“Gina is the perfect choice for this position,” stated Council President David A. Salvatore. “She has worked in the Internal Auditor’s office since 2015 and understands the important and complex role this position plays in support of our city. And, on the same evening my equal pay ordinance passed its first reading by the Council, it is gratifying to know that the Providence City Council isn’t just talking the talk – we are actively trying to engage a diverse, well-rounded staff.”
“I wholeheartedly agree that Gina Costa is uniquely qualified for the position of Internal Auditor for the City of Providence,” said Council Majority Leader John J. Igliozzi. “Gina has a proven track record of effective financial management at the city level, and I know that she will lead the office with integrity.”
Ms. Costa comes to the position with 17 years of experience with the City of Providence, having served as an auditor/budget analyst in the Internal Auditor’s office since 2015. Previously, she spent over a decade managing the fiscal operations for the Department of Public Safety in Providence.
“The Internal Auditor plays an important role in the city’s fiscal well-being, and I’m truly grateful and honored to be appointed to this position,” stated Gina Costa, the newly-appointed Internal Auditor. “I appreciate the support and confidence this Council has in me by providing me with this opportunity.”
The Office of the Internal Auditor independently promotes ethical, efficient and effective governance for the citizens of Providence. The Internal Auditor provides the City Council with objective analyses, appraisals, and recommendations for improvements to the city’s budgets, systems, and activities.
by Michael Florio | Jan 18, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-11, Ward-14, Ward-2, Ward-3, Ward-4, Ward-9
Council President David A. Salvatore and Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris introduced a resolution to establish the Special Committee to Study Homelessness in Providence at tonight’s City Council meeting.
“As elected representatives of the people of Providence, as well as members of this community, we have a moral obligation to help the homeless,” stated City Council President David A. Salvatore. “In order for Providence to be a truly strong city, we must ensure the protections of all people. We must enact policies that will reduce the level of homelessness in our capital City, and I am confident that this committee will work to find solutions that will end homelessness in Providence one day
According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2017 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR), 39% of people experiencing homelessness nationwide are female, 21% are children, and another 10% are between the ages of 18 and 24. While African-Americans are just 13% of the U.S. population, more than 40% of homeless people in the U.S. are African-American. In 2017 the number of unsheltered homeless in America increased 9.4% from 2016 to 2017.
“As an African American woman it is not lost on me that people of color and women experience homelessness at far greater levels than others in our society,” stated Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris, Ward 11. “I’ve worked my whole career helping people rise out of homelessness, and this opportunity to lead a committee to study and to enact change makes me very proud.”
The Special Committee to Study Homelessness will be composed of:
- Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris, Chair
- Councilman Nicholas Narducci Jr., Vice-Chair
- Councilwoman Carmen Castillo
- Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune
- Councilman Samuel Zurier
by Billy Kepner | Dec 26, 2017 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-11, Ward-14
Providence City Council calls for applications for the Providence External Review Authority (PERA) Board. To be considered, please apply with a cover letter and resume by January 20, 2018.
“We are dedicated to an open and transparent process for seating the PERA board,” stated Council President David Salvatore, Ward 14. “We want anyone who is interested in being part of this board to have an opportunity to be considered. If you or someone you know is interested, I encourage you to submit your materials as soon as possible.”
PERA board members will:
- Create and implement community outreach programs
- Review police department policies and training procedures and make recommendations for change
- Receive complaints that allege misconduct by a police officer or officers, including, but not limited to the use of excessive force, inappropriate language or conduct, harassment, theft, and discrimination
- Perform other functions as authorized by the Providence Community-Police Relations Act
“As we begin the interview process I’m humbled by those who want to serve on this very important board,” stated Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris, Ward 11. “As an original member of the PERA Board, I know and understand how important this is for the community. I look forward to meeting applicants and getting the board seated as soon as we can.”
To apply to sit on the PERA Board, we ask that you submit a cover letter and resume to Nick Freeman at Nfreeman@providenceri.gov no later than January 20, 2018, by 11:59 pm.
Please be advised that the seating of the PERA board does not delay the Providence Community-Police Relations Act which becomes law on January 1, 2018.
For more information, please contact the City Council office at 401-521-7477.
by Billy Kepner | Dec 22, 2017 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
Providence City Council President David Salvatore announced the appointment of Emily Martineau as Chief of Staff to the Providence City Council.
“I am proud to have an incredibly capable team that is dedicated to this city,” Salvatore stated. “With a background in public affairs at both the state and municipal level, Emily knows this city and I have the utmost confidence that she will hit the ground running.”
Martineau most recently served as External Communications Director for RIHousing, and previously was Assistant Public Information Officer for the Rhode Island Office of Attorney General.
“I am excited and honored by this opportunity to serve the City of Providence,” said Martineau. “As a Providence resident, I know how meaningful the Council’s work is to all those who live, work and visit here. I look forward to helping the Council advance its ambitious agenda for improving our neighborhoods and moving our city forward.”
Martineau is a graduate of Mount Saint Charles Academy in Woonsocket and Stonehill College in Easton, MA, and owns a home near the Valley section of Providence.
“I would like to thank the current Chief of Staff, Cyd Mckenna, for her hard work and dedication to the post. We wish her well on all future endeavors,” said Salvatore.
