by Billy Kepner | May 15, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-13, Ward-15
The Providence City Council and the Providence City Archives have teamed up to create an online exhibit in celebration of PRIDE Month this June. The exhibit will share the history of LGBTQIA+ rights in Providence as well as highlighting the stories of today’s LGBTQIA+ community and their allies in the City.
From community leaders to local organizations and businesses, to out LGBTQIA+ residents and their allies; the goal of the exhibit is to share the diverse and wide-ranging stories that have enriched our community for so many years.
“Part of what makes Providence such an amazing place to live is that our residents have so many different backgrounds and personal stories that have shaped the fabric of our City. What I have found in my tenure on the Council is that everyone has a story to tell. We can all learn something from one another when we share these stories and listen to other perspectives. PRIDE Month is the perfect time for all of us to share those stories and experiences as allies and as members of the LGBTQIA+ community,” stated Council President Sabina Matos
The online exhibit will be updated throughout the month of June on the Providence City Council web page. Anyone who would like to participate can fill out the online survey created by Shaina Weintraub, the Reference and Multimedia Administrator to the City Archives.
“Working as a historian, I often find that marginalized groups are left out of the narrative. Women, minorities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community; so many people who make up the fabric of the City of Providence, did not get the recognition they deserved in the historic records that are supposed to tell the story of our City and nation. That it is why it is so important for us to start now. We all have a mark to leave and a story to tell. The City Archives is committed to sharing and preserving these stories and will be focusing on the LGBTQIA+ community not just for the month of June but moving forward into the future,” stated Ms. Weintraub.
The City Council and City archives also work together to create a Black History Month exhibit every year. Spearheaded by Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris and CIty Archivist Caleb Horton, this exhibit is on display at City Hall for the month of February and March. This year’s theme was Pillars on Race: The Story of Race in Providence from 1935 to Today. Community members have the opportunity to share their personal stories and experiences in this exhibit as well.
“I am so proud that the City Council and the City Archives have consistently committed to representing all members of our community. From race to gender, to sexual orientation, to religion everyone has a place in the City of Providence and I look forward to celebrating PRIDE Month with them and with everyone who participates in this exciting exhibit,” stated Councilor Rachel Miller.
by Billy Kepner | Apr 29, 2020 | Council News, COVID-19, Press Release, Ward-15, Ward-6, Ward-7
Providence City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) announced today that the City Council would be granting
Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic a $100 Thousand grant to expand COVID-19 testing at their health clinic. Data made public by the Rhode Island Department of Health last week showed that the City of Providence is being disproportionately affected by COVID-19 cases. More specifically, the hardest-hit zip code in the entire state encompasses the neighborhoods of Olneyville, Silver Lake, and Manton – communities that Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic serves.
“These neighborhoods are home to some of the hardest working and most marginalized populations in the state,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “These truths are also why they are more likely to be exposed to the dangers of this virus. These communities are the ones risking their lives manufacturing essential goods, ringing out and delivering food to everyone’s homes, and are more likely to access mass public transit. These critical funds will allow Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic to expand their testing operations from three days a week to six days a week and will provide the 02909 community a testing site that’s more easily accessible.”
Clínica Esperanza was founded in 2007 as a place for patients, volunteers, community partners and donors to be healthy. Their community health care model ensures that quality care comes from caregivers who are fully integrated in the community. They offer primary medical care to uninsured Rhode Islanders, with an emphasis on culturally accustomed and linguistically appropriate care.
Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia (Ward 6) stated, “By providing expanded testing hours for our community we are sending a message to our residents that their wellbeing is our number one priority, and that we are doing whatever we can to make testing accessible and equitable. I commend the Council President for her leadership and guidance on this initiative.”
“The health of the community we serve is our highest priority,” stated Councilman John J. Igliozzi, Esq. “These funds will go a long way in ensuring that our most vulnerable residents can access COVID-19 testing safely and with the help and guidance of a culturally competent staff.”
Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic is located at 60 Valley Street in the City of Providence. With this grant, they will be increasing their COVID-19 testing to six days a week from 4 PM – 9 PM daily. Their staff is multi-lingual, and you will need to make an appointment by email at
coronavirus@aplacetobehealthy.org, or by calling 401-408-0238, or by sending them a
Facebook message.
by Billy Kepner | Apr 28, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15
The City Council was scheduled to meet tonight to accept the Mayor’s Budget and to refer to Committee. Unfortunately, the budget articles were not made available to the public prior to our meeting. During these restrictive times, it’s paramount that the public be given every opportunity to scrutinize and engage with its government. To that end, I have decided to cancel the meeting and will reschedule once the budget ordinances are made available for public vetting.
Sabina Matos, President
Providence City Council
Councilwoman – Ward 15
by Billy Kepner | Mar 19, 2020 | Council News, COVID-19, 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
Participants Can Call Into the Meeting With Their Phones
Providence will be the first Council Body to use this Teleconferencing Technology
In light of the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak which has affected many of us here in Rhode Island, the Governor issued an executive order earlier this week lifting the Open Meetings Act (OMA) restrictions for public meetings.
The order allows for adequate alternative means of public access such as over phone, internet, and audio or videoconferencing when it comes to public body meetings.
“Our goal as a City Council is to be as transparent as possible,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15). “We have decided to move from livestreaming to teleconferencing due to the rapid spread of the virus here in Rhode Island. In the last 48 hours, we have seen an increase of 21 positive infections, totaling 44 positive infections here in Rhode Island as of 1:30 PM today. It’s with that in mind that we have made the difficult decision to host our meeting using a teleconference line, a widely used and implemented practice. This will allow for residents to hear the discussions as it happens by our body in real-time.”
In light of this executive order, in addition to the prior executive order limiting gatherings of more than 25 people, and to protect the health of our Councilors, staff, and our residents Council President Sabina Matos has decided to seek alternative public access mediums for tonight’s Council meeting. The City Council will be using a teleconferencing platform for tonight’s meeting.
Call-In Information is Below:
Please dial: 1-646-558-8656
Pin: 692739810#
Press # again to enter the conference waiting room.
This tough decision is premised on an urgency to preserve public health while also maintaining the spirit of an open and transparent governmental process.
by Billy Kepner | Mar 17, 2020 | Council News, COVID-19, Press Release, Ward-15
In light of the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak which recently reared its head here in Rhode Island, the Governor issued an executive order today lifting OMA restrictions for public meetings.
The order allows for adequate alternative means of public access such as over the phone, internet, and audio or videoconferencing when it comes to public body meetings.
In light of this executive order, in addition to the prior executive order limiting gatherings of more than 25 people, and to protect the health of our Councilors and staff we decided to seek alternative public access mediums for our Thursday Council meeting. Between Councilors and essential staff, the number of individuals in the chamber totals 24.
This tough decision is premised on an urgency to preserve public health while also maintaining the spirit of an open and transparent governmental process.
After careful consideration of what options the Providence City Council had available to deliver it’s Thursday meeting in the most accessible, equitable, and transparent manner, we made the decision to livestream our meeting over our social media platforms and our YouTube channel.
This past winter we equipped our City Council Chamber with livestreaming capabilities that put us technologically ahead of almost all of our municipal legislative peers and perfectly equipped to adhere to the mandate issued today by the Governor.
Providence City Solicitor, Jeff Dana, stated, “Municipalities were directed today to observe to the spirit of OMA to the best of their abilities in light of the public health crisis. The livestreaming capability inside of the Council Chamber would appear to be exactly the type of measure the Governor envisioned municipalities would administer when she signed the executive order.”
This is an unprecedented moment in the history of our State and City. With that in mind and our commitment to transparency, the Council will work with local media outlets to designate a pool reporter, whom will be stationed in the balcony of the Chambers, to limit the number of individuals at our meeting, and to ensure that the Council is being held to the highest standard.
by Billy Kepner | Mar 16, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15
Statement Regarding Recent Updates around the State and City’s Response to COVID-19
This morning, Governor Gina Raimondo issued an executive order to close all bars and restaurants in the State of Rhode Island. The executive order only allows for carry-out and delivery service at these businesses. In addition to this, the Governor has instructed that no gatherings of 25 or more people will be allowed in the State until at least March 30, 2020.
The City Council understands the need for this broad action and is in support of this decision. In addition to the Governor’s announcements, Mayor Jorge Elorza, has issued an executive order to close the Providence Place Mall. We are acutely aware of the impact this has on so many of our hard-working residents who depend on reliable income to pay rent, childcare, and other necessities. We want to reassure our neighbors that we are working with our Federal, State, and Local officials to find ways to ensure the economic welfare of all our residents.
The Council has launched a COVID-19 Information Resource Page that provides links for residents with information regarding Workplace Aid, information regarding the State’s Paid Sick Leave legislation, and where to apply for Temporary Disability Insurance if you have or are caring for someone with COVID-19, as well as how to apply for Unemployment Benefits.
The City Council, which oversees the Municipal Courts, has stopped all Collection Services relating to unpaid parking, environmental, or speed camera violations. We have also suspended scofflaw “booting” of vehicles in the City of Providence, and as of Friday, March 13, 2020 the Courts have suspended the doubling, and tripling of fines until further notice.
We are doing everything within our powers to ensure that no added economic hardship is added to our residents. Your safety, well-being both physically and financially, and quality of life are our top concerns. Where we can, we will work to help our neighbors during these trying times.
If you need assistance please visit our COVID-19 Information Resource Page, call our office at 401-521-7477, or email us at council@providenceri.gov.
Sabina Matos, President
Providence City Council
Councilwoman – Ward 15
