At last week’s City Council Meeting, the Providence City Council passed a resolution requesting the Office of Sustainability collaborate with the Purchasing Department, the Healthy Communities Office, the Providence Public School Department, and the school district’s food service and facilities management companies to create an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy (EPP Policy) for the City of Providence. The resolution was introduced by Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1) and co-sponsored by Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15), Council Majority Leader JoAnn Ryan (Ward 5), Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. (Ward 4), Deputy Majority leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11), Majority Whip John J. Igliozzi, Esq. (Ward 7), Councilors Helen Anthony, Esq. (Ward 2), Pedro Espinal (Ward 10), Kat Kerwin (Ward 12), Rachel Miller (Ward 13), David A. Salvatore (Ward 14) Carmen Castillo (Ward 9), Michael Correia (Ward 6), and James E. Taylor (Ward 8).
In November of last year, Councilman Goncalves drafted a resolution calling for the City of Providence to share an inventory of single-use plastics used at City-owned properties. Based on discussions with Providence’s Office of Sustainability, the Environmental Sustainability Task Force and Clean Water Action Rhode Island, the resolution was later broadened to include environmentally preferable practices in all City purchasing, not just single-use plastics.
“What we learned when researching our City’s purchasing practices is that there is room for an environmentally friendly approach in many areas, not just single-use plastics. This new resolution encourages an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy that holistically addresses environmental and health concerns such as reducing the use of products containing neurotoxic chemicals along with purchasing products that contribute to a local, regenerative, and circular economy in Providence,” stated Councilman John Goncalves.
An EPP Policy will guide City staff and contractors in making purchasing choices that minimize negative impacts on human health and the environment while supporting the goals outlined in the City’s Climate Justice Plan. Making the switch to EPP does not have to be a costly endeavor as more and more cities and nations are going “green.” Items that would replace single-use plastics and other supplies have sharply decreased in price to be equivalent or even less costly than their traditional alternatives, particularly when lifecycle costs are taken into account. Coupled with third-party certification programs to guide staff, this can be a win-win for the city’s fiscal health and our goal of being carbon neutral by 2050.
Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan expressed, “I was very happy to join Councilor Goncalves as a co-sponsor on this important initiative. When we are looking at how we are spending our precious tax dollars I believe that putting an eye on greener and more efficient purchasing will benefit our City’s fiscal health in the long term. This is another great step in making Providence a greener city.”
Additionally, Councilor Helen Anthony, one of the co-sponsors of the resolution stated, “I’m proud to support the adoption of the Environmental Preferable Purchasing Policy by the City of Providence. We need to lead by example. Green purchasing will minimize the negative environmental impacts of the products and services used by the City and generate a healthier environment for our residents.”
“With an EPP Policy, the City can leverage its purchasing power to lead by example in city-owned schools and facilities, create a healthy workplace, schools, and community spaces, and help build a sustainable, zero-waste economy right here in Providence,” said Leah Bamberger, Director of Sustainability. “The Office of Sustainability looks forward to working with colleagues and contractors across the City to explore purchasing options that prioritize the health of our people and planet.”
Some of the goals of an EPP policy as outlined in the resolution are to encourage City staff to purchase products and institute practices that reduce waste and materials that are landfilled, especially single-use plastics; conserve energy and water; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and minimize the use of products containing neurotoxic chemicals. An EPP policy would create incentives for healthy, low-impact purchasing in City-owned facilities and encourage other consumers to adopt similar policies.
“We are grateful to Councilman Goncalves not only for the content of this Resolution – which will help put the City on a path to achieving goals set forth in the Climate Justice Plan – but also for actively engaging with the community and incorporating feedback from the Environmental Sustainability Task Force’s meeting. The Task Force unanimously voted to support the Resolution in December and we want to express thanks to the Councilman for demonstrating collaborative governance,” said Sue AnderBois, Chair of the Environmental Sustainability Task Force.
“I am grateful to the many community partners who have worked to create this plan to institute an EPP Policy including the City of Providence Office of Sustainability and Purchasing Department, my Council colleagues, Mayor Elorza, the Environmental Sustainability Task Force, Clean Water Action Rhode Island, as well as national partner Healthy Babies Bright Futures. I look forward to seeing this initiative come to fruition in the City of Providence as we lead by example and work together to find new ways to ensure that the City of Providence is a green, clean and healthy place for all who reside here,” added Councilman Goncalves.
I was saddened to learn of the passing of my friend, mentor, and former United States Congressman Edward P. Beard, or as those of us who knew him, Eddie. When I was considering running for the City Council, one of the first people I spoke to was Congressman Beard. He was a good friend and became a passionate supporter of my candidacy. At my first official campaign event, he introduced me, where I announced my candidacy for the Ward 14 Council seat.
Congressman Beard began his political career in the Rhode Island General Assembly, where he served from 1972 until 1974. He then served the great State of Rhode Island in the United States House of Representatives, representing District 2, from 1975 until 1981.
Prior to entering public service, Congressman Beard was a proud house painter. He was known to carry a paintbrush in his pocket as a reminder that his role was to serve and represent working-class Rhode Islanders and Americans. He loved sharing stories about his time in Congress, and I loved hearing them. Over the years, he was a great source of inspiration to me, and his knowledge of government was unmatched.
My family extends our deepest sympathies to Congressman Beard’s family, friends, and all who knew and loved him. His loss will leave a hole in many of our lives.
We are all the better for having known him.
David A. Salvatore
Providence City Council Councilor – Ward 14
Providence City Council Hires Paul J. Fox III as Chief of Staff
Fox brings more than a decade of experience working with city leaders
Providence City Council President Sabina Matos today announced a new chief of staff to support the work of the 15-member Council. Paul J. Fox, III (P.J.) will begin on Monday, December 21, 2020.
“We are excited to welcome P.J. to our team,” stated Council President Sabina Matos. “His career has been dedicated to serving the residents of Providence and helping make our city a safe and welcoming place for everyone to live and work. I look forward to working together to move the work of the Council and the City of Providence forward. As we begin this new chapter, I would be remiss if I did not thank Doris De Los Santos for serving as the interim chief of staff during this period. This is not an easy role to fill, and she stepped in and handled it with grace, and I am indebted to her for all she has done to keep our office running.”
The Chief of Staff to the Providence City Council is entrusted with the management of the Council Staff, City Clerk’s Office, City Treasurer’s Office, City Archives, and Municipal and Probate Courts. Additionally, their role supports the 15 elected City Councilors and their work. They engage with stakeholders across all sectors and will work to strengthen the City’s COVID-19 response and recovery.
Paul J. Fox III shared, “I am grateful for the opportunity to join the City Council team. I look forward to helping Council members serve the residents of Providence, especially as we continue to navigate these challenging times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Most recently, Fox served as the executive director of the Nonviolence Institute. He also sits on the Board of Directors of Providence Sports and Leadership, a youth leadership development organization. Fox is also the Vice- President of the Providence St. Patrick’s Day Parade and is a member of the Providence Rotary Club. He is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Political Science.
Tonight, the City Council voted to approve the refunding of the City’s bond portfolio. The refunding of bonds is much like the refinancing of homes, providing efficiency and better interest rates, which yield savings.
“I want to thank the Committee on Finance, our Council finance team, and the City’s finance team for their dedication to ensuring that we are doing what we can, when we can, to help address our pension liability. It is not always easy but finding savings to help address our fiscal obligations is paramount,” stated Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15).
The 2010 bond’s refunding will realize more than $1.3 million in net savings for the City of Providence and will not extend the life of the bond, nor will it cause the City to incur an increase in its financial obligations.
“Refunding bonds at this time is an important cash management tool,” stated Chairman of the Committee on Finance and Majority Whip John J. Igliozzi, Esq. (Ward 7). “It is what you do with the savings that are realized from refunding that is important. The Committee has wisely and clearly stated that the funds should go toward the City’s pension fund. This will provide some relief to our more than billion-dollar unfunded pension liability. The Committee on Finance are stewards of the City’s finances, and it is mission-critical that we remain laser-focused on these long-term obligations.”
The City Council has directed the City’s Finance Director to ensure that any net savings from the refunding of the bonds will be used to pay a pension payment above one hundred percent of the Annual Required Contribution and cannot supplant any pension payment. Guaranteeing the additional $1.3 million in savings from the bond refunding go towards the City’s outstanding pension liability.
Vice-Chair of the Committee on Finance and City Council Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) shared, “With the current low interest rate environment, the City is wise to be proactive in its bond management strategy. Directing the realized savings towards our pressing long-term fiscal obligations makes good sense. The Committee on Finance has an obligation to our taxpayers to be fiscally responsible and prudent with these funds. Ensuring that savings are put towards the City’s pension is an important step in that direction.”
The resolution was passed tonight by the City Council and will allow for the City to refund the bonds before the end of the calendar year.
Today, City Council President Sabina Matos, Chief Judge Frank Caprio of the Providence Municipal Court, and Mayor Jorge O. Elorza announced an amnesty program of all non-moving and environmental violations in the City of Providence until January 31, 2021.
“Due to the ongoing health crisis, we must act to help our residents in whatever ways we can,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “The Municipal Courts fall under the jurisdiction of the Council, and by waving the penalties on fees that have accrued for residents, we are providing them with a little extra financial help during this difficult time.”
The amnesty program only applies to violations that double and triple due to non-payment, such as environmental, parking, and other non-moving violations. Individuals or entities with a fine must pay in-person at the Providence Safety Complex, located at 325 Washington Street, on the first floor. No online or phone payments will be accepted for this program.
“We know many of our residents have been making tough decisions in order to survive the impacts of COVID-19 ,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza “While we continue to find innovative ways to adjust our way of life, keep our businesses open, and work towards recovery, I am proud to work with the Providence City Council to offer another form of relief for our residents.”
Those who have existing fines will only be required to pay the base fine. Individuals or entities with four or more fines must also pay a $35 court processing fee. This program does not apply to any resident or entity with an environmental fine in collections or any previous municipal court judgments.
Chief Judge Frank Caprio stated, “Our residents are enduring so much right now, and we have the ability to provide direct relief to them through this program. We have thousands of residents out of work, and their ability to pay escalating fines directly impedes their ability to put food on their table and pay other important life-sustaining bills.”
Individuals or entities that do not take advantage of this program before February 1, 2021, will lose the ability to renew their license or vehicle registration, as it will be blocked by the RI Department of Motor Vehicle (RIDMV).
Again, all payments must be made in-person as no online or telephone payments will be accepted.
At this evening’s City Council meeting, the Council passed a resolution establishing this amnesty program. The resolution was proposed by Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) and co-sponsored by Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia (Ward 6), Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5), Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11), Councilor David A. Salvatore (Ward 14), Councilwoman Carmen Castillo (Ward 9), Councilwoman Nirva R. LaFortune (Ward 3), Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), Councilman James Taylor (Ward 8), Councilwoman Katherine Kerwin (Ward 12), Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10) and Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1).
At tonight’s City Council meeting, Councilor David A. Salvatore proposed a “Green and Complete Streets” ordinance which would pave the way for safer streets in Providence, while codifying the City’s commitment to developing infrastructure that is safe, reliable, sustainable, and accommodating to all residents. This ordinance was co-sponsored by Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10), Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1), Councilwoman Nirva R. LaFortune (Ward 3) and Councilwoman Katherine Kerwin (Ward 12).
The “Green and Complete Streets” ordinance aims to provide all Providence neighborhoods with fair access to local roads and sidewalk infrastructure,” stated Councilor Salvatore. “In the last ten months, the pandemic has shined a light on the transportation shortfalls that have existed in Providence for decades. Through this ordinance, we have an opportunity to improve health outcomes and advance equity, while meeting the demands for slower streets that our constituents have called for. This ordinance would incorporate the needs of motorists and all who use city streets, including pedestrians, residents with disabilities, bicyclists, and transit users alike.”
Green and Complete streets mean streets that are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users. It ensures that pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transportation users of all ages and abilities can safely move along and across a street.
Councilor Salvatore consulted with community advocates while drafting this ordinance to ensure that local needs are met as the City continues to move forward with street development.
“Complete Streets are streets that safely, comfortably, and conveniently accommodate all who use them, regardless of who they are or how they travel. A Complete Street means getting to work, school, the store, or your aunt’s house safely doesn’t require a private automobile — it’s low-stress whether you’re walking, bicycling, taking the bus, or using a wheelchair. Passing a Complete Streets Ordinance in Providence instills this philosophy and creates a reliable system that ensures our future street projects aim for an end result that is community-oriented, equitable, accommodating, and — in a word – Complete,” said C.J. Opperthauser, founder of WalkPVD and Director of Training & Placemaking at Grow Smart RI.
The ordinance also aims to provide visual pleasure, including exposure to natural elements, and improves environmental quality by providing for reduction and on-site pretreatment of stormwater. Currently, most of the City’s stormwater runoff flows into our waterways, carrying pollutants and other hazards into the State’s most precious natural resource – the Narragansett Bay.
“As Providence is finally beginning to transform its streetscapes to address the interconnected crises of public safety and health, affordability, air pollution and stormwater runoff, we applaud this legislation that will ensure the work moves forward so we can provide a safer, healthier, and cleaner city for our children and grandchildren,” said Liza Burkin, Organizer of the Providence Streets Coalition.
Emphasizing the importance of street trees, the Green and Complete Streets proposal will play a role in improving air quality by removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from our City’s neighborhoods. According to the Urban Forestry Network, ‘trees also reduce the greenhouse effect by shading houses and office buildings. This reduces the need for air conditioning by up to 30 percent which in turn reduces the amount of fossil fuels burned to produce electricity. The combination of CO2 removal from the atmosphere, carbon storage in wood and the cooling effect makes trees extremely efficient tools in fighting the greenhouse effect.
Councilor Salvatore continued, “Green and complete streets are intended not just to improve how residents and visitors move through our City, but will also add important quality of life enhancements by increasing the number trees in majority-minority neighborhoods, increasing access to wellness pathways, and promoting environmental justice.”
The Green and Complete Streets ordinance requires the City of Providence to track the development of street performance measures, including, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)compliant sidewalks, traffic complaints, total miles of bike lanes and an inventory of street trees. This aggregated information will be publicly updated on the City of Providence website.
This ordinance has been referred to the committee on ordinances. Read the full amendment to the Code of Ordinances here: https://bit.ly/3qpNICm
