by Abigail Appel | Nov 20, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-10, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-15, Ward-2, Ward-3, Ward-7, Ward-9
Providence, RI (November 19, 2020)…At tonight’s City Council meeting, Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10) introduced a resolution encouraging the Providence Police Department to commit to working towards a more diverse department at all levels. This resolution has been co-sponsored by Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15), Council Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5), Finance Chairman John J. Igliozzi Esq. (Ward 7), Councilor David Salvatore (Ward 14), Councilwoman Carmen Castillo (Ward 9), Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune (Ward 3), Councilor Rachel Miller (Ward 13), Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), and Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1).
“Our City is incredibly diverse. Over 60% of our population is made up of minority residents, yet our police force is 67% white. These numbers just don’t match up. Aligning the demographics of the police department with the communities they help serve will help to build trust between officers and local residents,” stated Councilman Espinal.
While fully diversifying the Police Department will take time, the last graduating cohort of the Police Academy was the most diverse in the history of Providence. This resolution encourages the department to continue to ensure that the next graduating class of the Police Academy is even more diverse than the last and more reflective of the demographic landscape of the City in 2020.
“The Police Department has the opportunity to take immediate action to address the demographic disparities within their ranks by focusing on diversity as they grow their force through the Police Academy. There are so many young men and women of color in our City who are willing to protect and serve their communities,” added Councilman Espinal.
This resolution will be sent to Mayor Jorge Elorza, Steven Pare, Commissioner of Public Safety, and to Col. Hugh Clements, Chief of the Providence Police Department; asking for a commitment to the task of complete diversification, starting with the upcoming Police Academy.
by Abigail Appel | Nov 19, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-10, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-2, Ward-3, Ward-9
At tonight’s City Council meeting Councilor David Salvatore (Ward 14) proposed an ordinance amending the Licenses Chapter of the Code of Ordinances in an effort to curb the illegal dumping of used tires throughout the City. The proposal would amend the Providence Code of Ordinances to include a requirement that any motor repair business engaging in the repair, replacement or disposal of tires must be licensed by the Providence Board of Licenses. The proposal would also require that motor repair businesses legally dispose of old tires and provide a receipt proving lawful disposal. This ordinance was co-sponsored by Councilwoman Carmen Castillo (Ward 9), Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune (Ward 3) Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), Councilwoman Rachel Miller (Ward 13), Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10), and Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1).
“In recent months, the Department of Public Works and the City Council have been working to mitigate the excessive, unlawful dumping of waste throughout the City. One major issue has been unlicensed, improper tire disposal. With old tires being dumped on local roads, in wooded areas and in vacant lots, our local environment and overall quality of life in Providence remain at risk,” stated Councilor Salvatore.
Councilor Salvatore’s proposal includes a provision that creates a lawful disposal and delivery of used/waste tires to the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation or to a privately-operated tire storage, recycling or recovery facility licensed by the director of environmental management. Tire haulers would be permitted to transport tires to an out-of-state recycling facility in accordance with Rhode Island General Law.
“This change to the Code of Ordinances will have a minimal effect on law-abiding, legitimate auto-repair businesses. These operations are already licensed and are aware of proper tire disposal procedures. My proposal is intended to stop the individuals who are collecting used tires for cash and disposing of them illegally,” added Councilor Salvatore.
This ordinance has been referred to the Committee on Ordinances. To read the full ordinance, click here:
https://bit.ly/3kMxe3l
by Abigail Appel | Nov 6, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-10, Ward-14, Ward-15, Ward-3, Ward-5, Ward-6, Ward-8, Ward-9
This evening, the Providence City Council passed a resolution requesting that the State of Rhode Island take an active role in easing the liquor license renewal process for Rhode Island restaurants. This is another step the Providence City Council is taking to simplify this process for local businesses. The resolution was introduced by Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10) and co-sponsored by Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15), Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia (Ward 6), Council Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5), Councilor David Salvatore (Ward 14), Councilwoman Carmen Castillo (Ward 9), Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune (Ward 3), Councilman James Taylor (Ward 8), Councilwoman Katherine Kerwin (Ward 12), Councilor Rachel Miller (Ward 13) and Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1).
“Right now, we need to be doing everything we can to help local businesses stay open. Too many restaurants have been forced to close down, or are barely getting by. That is why myself and my Council colleagues have proposed this resolution to provide some relief to restaurant owners,” stated Councilman Pedro Espinal.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, restaurants in the City of Providence and throughout the State of Rhode Island have been operating under significant duress. Further adding to this hardship is the upcoming deadline for liquor license renewals which takes place on December 1 every year. This process requires not only the payment of a fee, but also a letter of good standing from the Rhode Island Division of Taxation. This resolution requests that Governor Raimondo waive the requirement for a letter of good standing from the Division of Taxation.
“This resolution is an effort to remove another roadblock for restaurant owners trying to renew their liquor licenses. It is imperative that we protect the sale of alcoholic beverages at license-holding establishments as they have become integral to the business models of so many restaurants operating under pandemic restrictions,” added Councilman John Goncalves.
In September, the City Council passed a resolution requesting that the Providence Board of Licenses work with local businesses to create sustainable payment plans for liquor license renewal fees.
“With these two initiatives, it is our hope that Rhode Island restaurant owners will find some relief as their liquor licenses come up for renewal next month. I hope that leaders at the State and local levels will continue to collaborate to further support business owners in the City of Providence and the State of Rhode Island through the COVID-19 Pandemic,” stated Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia.
by Abigail Appel | Nov 5, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-10, Ward-11, Ward-12, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-15, Ward-3, Ward-4, Ward-5, Ward-6, Ward-7, Ward-8
The Hospitality Worker Comeback Legislation Ensures that Hospitality Workers Laid Off Due to the Pandemic Can Return to Their Jobs and Their Livelihoods
Tonight the City Council passed the “Hospitality Worker Comeback” legislation which was introduced by City Council Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) at the October 15, 2020 City Council Meeting. The legislation received its first passage at that meeting, before it was sent to the Council’s Committee on Ordinances. This legislation ensures that any hotel worker who was laid off or furloughed due to the COVID-19 pandemic would be rehired before other candidates, as City hotels come back online. The Ordinance is co-sponsored by Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15), Council President Pro Tempore Michael J. Correia (Ward 6), Majority Whip John J. Igliozzi, Esq. (Ward 7), Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. (Ward 4), Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11), and Councilors David A. Salvatore (Ward 14), Nirva LaFortune (Ward 3), Kat Kerwin (Ward 12), Rachel Miller (Ward 13), James E. Taylor (Ward 8), Pedro J. Espinal (Ward 10), and John Goncalves (Ward 1).
“I am very proud to stand up in support of the over 700 Providence hotel employees that are currently laid off due to the COVID-19 Pandemic,” stated Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan. “We don’t yet know how long this current pandemic will impact our hospitality industry, but this important piece of legislation ensures that our hospitality industry employees will have jobs to come back to when their hotel reopens. It also gives our hardworking hospitality professionals peace of mind that they will get their jobs back and reclaim their livelihoods as we return to normal business operations. Further, this legislation ensures that these dedicated workers will have the option to return to their job by classification and seniority. It’s about fairness, and I want to thank all my Council colleagues who joined me in co-sponsoring this important legislation.”
City Council President Sabina Matos stated, “As the creative capital, and home to James Beard award winning restaurants, and several hotels, hospitality is in our City’s DNA. As elected leaders we have an obligation to our hospitality workers to make sure that they have jobs as we come back from this ongoing crisis. One thing I know for sure, is the Providence is all about resilience, and we will get through this and become a go-to destination once more.”
Over the past several decades, the City of Providence has invested heavily in tourism. The Council has approved several tax stabilization agreements that gave investors the help, they needed to bring their hotels to Providence. These agreements are also an investment in the City’s workforce. With 700 jobs on the line, this legislation makes it clear that the City Council is in full support of our hospitality employees. Because of this legislation, hotels located in Providence will not be able to permanently fire their employees and ask them to reapply as if they were just starting out with the company.
Majority Leader Ryan continued, “Since I first introduced this legislation, I have heard from other cities that are interested in what we are doing here in Providence. Hotels as close as Boston, have fired their employees and told them they could reapply when the hotel reopens. Yet, if hired they would not come back at the same level or paygrade. This is simply not a good business practice, and frankly I find it very unsettling that during a time when so many are out of work and are not making ends meet with unemployment, that this is occurring. Not just in New England, but in cities around the Country.”
The legislation also includes protections and enforcement for employees that are not brought back to work, including the right to bring legal action and penalties. The legislation does include a sunset clause and will remain in effect until November 1, 2022, unless it is repealed or the City Council approves an extension or re-authorization.
The Hospitality Worker Comeback legislation can be found here: https://bit.ly/3451
by Abigail Appel | Nov 2, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
I want to thank the Providence Police Department for removing another AR-15 assault rifle off our city’s streets. On Friday evening, Providence officers confiscated the rifle, a fully loaded magazine, and drugs from a group of individuals in Corliss Park. Just a few weeks ago, a homicide took place in broad daylight there. This recent example of excellent police work averted another senseless tragedy in our community.
My concern has been and continues to be for the residents in our neighborhoods who are living in fear due to the uptick in violent crime. I recently joined local and state leaders to meet with North End and Elmhurst residents. The refrain has been the same – when and how will the violence end?
The answer to those questions is not simple, and there is no blanket answer. It is nuanced and takes leadership at all levels to make a difference. While it is difficult to completely stop violent crimes from occurring, there is work we can do to mitigate it. I once again call on our federal and state leaders to put advocacy and the safety of our families above the powerful gun lobby.
We are lucky in Rhode Island to have a dedicated federal delegation who is in support of sensible gun safety legislation, but they are only four votes. The members of our General Assembly have advocated for stronger ,clear and better gun legislation, but there is still work left to do.
I want to remind our leaders that Corliss Park is not a desolate or isolated space. The area includes the Rhode Island School for the Deaf, and is near to Independence House—a home for the disabled, and countless residential properties filled with families of all ages. I will be calling for a meeting with leaders from the School for the Deaf, the Providence Parks Department, and the Providence Police Department to discuss and implement tangible changes so that our residents can live in their neighborhood without fear.
David A. Salvatore
Providence City Council
Councilor – Ward 14
by Abigail Appel | Oct 20, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-10, Ward-11, Ward-12, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-15, Ward-2, Ward-3, Ward-4, Ward-5, Ward-6, Ward-7, Ward-8, Ward-9
At last week’s City Council meeting, the Council approved a resolution proposed by the Committee on Finance to extend the City’s contract with Waste Management of Rhode Island by three years. Led by Chairman John J. Igliozzi, Esq. (Ward 7), the Finance Committee has deliberated over necessary improvements in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and environmental concerns.
“The contract with Waste Management was very one-sided and didn’t benefit the needs of our residents. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City has seen a larger amount of waste due to many people and families working from home, and some people are illegally dumping bulky items on the side of the road. This can lead to unsafe and unsanitary conditions in our neighborhoods. I am confident that this contract will make Waste Management more efficient and reliable while also helping residents save some money,” stated Chairman John J. Igliozzi, Esq.
This contract includes a commitment to embracing green initiatives, such as better access to recycling for residents and the use of waste collection vehicles powered by natural gas. Additionally, the contract has been amended to eliminate fees for mattress and box spring collection to residents beginning in January of 2022. Currently, the cost for mattress collection is $26, which has proven to be too expensive for many residents.
“This plan will not only promote public health by keeping our City clean and green, but it will also promote the financial health of Providence residents by making important waste management services such as mattress collection free as of January 1, 2022. I spend almost every Saturday driving through Ward 8 and picking up discarded mattresses. With so many in our communities on fixed incomes or not working due to the current pandemic, we need to provide relief when and where we can. I firmly believe that removing the cost barrier for residents to dispose of mattresses and box springs properly will exponentially cut down on the mattresses that are dumped on the side of the road all around the City,” added Councilman James E. Taylor (Ward 8).
In addition to eliminating mattress collection fees in 2022, the contract includes a plan to create a “mattress fund,” which will be utilized by the City of Providence when a mattress cannot be collected by Waste Management and must be disposed of by the City. “This is another step in saving our resident’s money, and I would like to thank Chairman Igliozzi and my fellow Committee on Finance members for taking these steps for our residents,” continued Councilman James E. Taylor.
As approved by the City Council, the contract will continue until July of 2023, when the Finance committee will again reassess Waste Management procedures in the City of Providence.
Read the full resolution here.
To learn more, visit us on the web at council.providenceri.gov
