by Billy Kepner | Nov 7, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-15, Ward-6
At tonight’s City Council meeting council leaders introduced a series of amendments to Chapters 14 and 21 of the Code of Ordinances. Together, these changes will create baseline standards for quality, safety, and workforce development in the construction industry.
Amendments to Chapter 14, introduced by Council President Matos, Councilor Pro Temp Correia, and Councilors Miller and Salvatore create a citywide construction contractor registration process that includes measures to prevent the misclassification of workers as temporary employees.
“Regulating contractors with a registration process protects the physical and economic health of our city residents,” stated Councilor Rachel M. Miller. “By and large, I believe contractors follow the law, but, in an industry that is notoriously hard to regulate, any company that is cutting corners affects the industry and affects the health and well-being of our community. As a community organizer in Providence, I saw three big problems in the industry: workers who had to fight for for their claim to unpaid wages, also known as wage theft; workers who were injured on the job only to find that their employer was illegally classifying their employment as 1099 (or contract work) leaving them with no recourse for workers’ compensation; and workers who worked for a contractor who disregarded health and safety training, not even requiring workers complete the most basic ten hour safety class, OSHA 10.”
The amendments to Chapter 14 require that a contractor who does over $100,000 in construction business per year register with the City’s Board of Licenses every two years. In order to successfully register, an applicant must not have recent wage and hour or health and safety violations. It also must be up to date on its taxes. The $100 fee collected every two years will support enforcement and monitoring of this new statute.
Amendments to Chapter 21, introduced by Council President Matos and Council Pro Tempore Correia strengthen provisions for workforce development through apprenticeship and set a wage standard for work completed with the support of Tax Stabilization Agreements.
“When we put public dollars to work in the form of tax stabilization agreements, we make a commitment to both the private developer and to the residents of the city,” said Council President Sabina Matos. “This is an opportunity to continue to strengthen our TSA policy to ensure that we are getting a return on that investment – in the form of new development and revitalized buildings and also an investment in our workforce. For many years, development tax treaties have required 100% apprenticeship utilization. Apprenticeship is the pathway that turns a one time job into a lifetime career. But, although the ordinance required it, there were still loopholes that allowed that provision to be disregarded. Tonight we’re introducing changes that strengthen apprenticeship requirements. Additionally, we’re setting a standard for competitive wages that will lift up the working women and men in the industry. The City Council believes that there’s always a possibility for a positive ripple effect in our neighborhoods when we pass a TSA, but with these changes, that possibility becomes a promise.”
by Billy Kepner | Nov 7, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15, Ward-6
Tonight Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) will be introducing an amendment to the Code of Ordinances that would set-up a fund specifically for the support of Providence non-profit youth sports programs. The amendment is being co-sponsored by Council President Pro-Tempore Michael Correia.
The fund is being set-up as a way to deter panhandling or soliciting by these organizations. The fund will require that any youth sports group which receives funding from the program will be prohibited from panhandling or soliciting on or around any roadway or where traffic is present.
“As I travel around the City I often see young athletes ‘canning’ at some of our City’s busiest intersections,” stated Council President Sabina Matos. “As a mother that gives me great concern that these young people are risking their personal safety to get the funds they need to support their programs, and I asked my team to look at how we can mitigate ‘canning’ and help provide the support that these groups might need.”
The Youth Sports Fund & Grant Program will be held in a separate permanent fund of the city and will be held in trust by the City Treasurer. The fund will be administered by the City’s Recreational Advisory Board who will grant funding to Providence-based local non-profit youth sports organizations. The fund will be seeded with $40K annually through an appropriation from the City’s budget. The fund will support funding for equipment, costs associated with travel to compete, and to participate in sports-related activities.
City Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia added, “I am thrilled that we have found a way to support our local non-profit youth sports programs that do so much for our community and our young people. This fund will provide access to those groups that need it, and is set-up to ensure that we are supporting as many of our youth sports organizations as we possibly can.
Once the amendment is passed and the fund is created the City Treasurer will work with the Recreational Advisory Board to help implement a grant submission application.
by Billy Kepner | Nov 6, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15
Dear Neighbors,
RIDE has announced that they are seeking nominations for their Community Design Teams to help create a brighter vision and future for the students of Providence. If you would like to nominate yourself or have someone you would like to nominate you can do so below.
Sincerely,
Sabina Matos, President
Providence City Council
Councilwoman – Ward 15
The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) is Looking for Nominations for Their Community Design Team
From RIDE:
Thank you for contributing to our work in Providence by nominating someone to serve on a Community Design Team. Please fill out the information below so that our review team can fully evaluate all nominees.
As a reminder, the Community Design Teams (CDTs) will focus their work on the three priorities Commissioner Infante-Green identified in her Vision for Education in Rhode Island, “Reimagining Education: From Hope to Results.” These priorities are World-Class Talent, Excellence in Learning, and Engaged Communities. Once selected, the three CDTs will work intensively over 100 days to develop initiatives that will be integrated into the State Turnaround Plan for the Providence Public School District (PPSD).
Any inquiries about the Community Design Teams should be directed to designteam@ride.ri.gov.
To make a nomination you can do so by visiting their online nomination portal: NOMINATE
Queridos Vecinos,
RIDE ha anunciado que están buscando nominaciones para sus Equipos de Diseño Comunitario para ayudar a crear una visión más brillante y futuro para los estudiantes de Providence. Si desea nominarse a sí mismo, o tener a alguien que le gustaría nominar puede hacerlo a continuación.
Sinceramente,
Sabina Matos, Presidenta
Consejo Municipal de Providence
Concejal -Distrito 15
El Departamento de Educación de Rhode Island (RIDE) esta Buscando Nominaciones para su Equipo de Diseño Comunitario
De parte de RIDE:
Gracias por contribuir a nuestro trabajo en Providence al nombrar a alguien para servir en un equipo de diseño comunitario. Por favor llene la información abajo para que nuestro equipo de revisión pueda evaluar completamente a todos los nominados.
Como recordatorio, los Equipos de Diseño Comunitario (CDT) centrarán su trabajo en las tres prioridades identificadas por la Comisaria Infante-Green en su Visión para la Educación en Rhode Island, “Reinventando la Educación: De Esperanza a Resultados.” Estas prioridades son Talento de Clase Mundial, Excelencia en el Aprendizaje y Comunidades Comprometidas. Una vez seleccionados, los tres CDT trabajarán intensamente durante 100 días para desarrollar iniciativas que se integrarán en el Plan Estatal de Respuesta para el Distrito Escolar Público de Providence (PPSD).
Cualquier consulta sobre los Equipos de Diseño Comunitario debe dirigirse a designteam@ride.ri.gov.
Para hacer una nominación puede hacerlo visitando su portal de nominaciones en línea: NOMINATE
by Billy Kepner | Oct 24, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Uncategorized, Ward-15, Ward-6
Council President Sabina Matos and Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia Presented a $2K Grant to the Providence Police Explorers Program
Providence City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) and City Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia (Ward 6) awarded a $2K City Council grant to the Providence Police Explorers Program yesterday at the Providence Public Safety Complex.
“The Providence Police Explorers Program is an amazing program that teaches our young people about public safety careers and helps build self-confidence,” stated Council President Sabina Matos. “I would like to thank Tina Shepard for her hard work and dedication to making this program so meaningful to the young men and women that make up this amazing cohort.”
The Providence Police Explorers program introduces young men and women interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement or other areas of the criminal justice field to public safety. The program provides career orientation experiences, leadership opportunities, and community service activities. The primary goals of the program are to help young adults choose a career path within law enforcement and to challenge them to become responsible citizens of their communities.
“I have been supportive of this program since its inception,” stated Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia. “The program is helping us grow a new generation of public safety officers. It is providing them with important hands-on training that they would not be able to get elsewhere. Every time you ask them to take part in any community project or program, there is never a no, there is only where and when. I am in awe of the work they do, and all that Tina Shepard does to ensure that this program thrives.”
The Providence Police Explorers Unit educates young adults (ages 14-20) on the purpose, mission, and objectives of law enforcement agencies. Police Explorers have the opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experiences while also serving the community. The goal of the Explorers program is to teach young adults the values and skills needed to succeed in a law enforcement career and life.
- Self-Discipline
- Self-Confidence
- Self-Respect
- Teamwork and the desire to help others
To learn more about the program, visit them on the web: Providence Police Explorers
by Billy Kepner | Oct 21, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15, Ward-6
On Friday, October 18,2019 City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) and Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia (Ward 6) joined Mayor Jorge Elorza, Commissioner of Public Safety Steven Paré, Chief of Police Hugh Clements Jr., and several community leaders to announce the recruitment phase for the 70th Providence Police Department Training Academy.
“Public safety is one of the top concerns for the City Council,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “Our police department is understaffed, overworked, and we have more than 100 officers eligible for retirement in the coming year. While it is true that violent crimes are going down, the crimes of opportunity that affect quality of life in our city seem to be on the rise and the perception is that crimes are up. My office is looking into the feasibility of rolling academies, or allocating more funds for overtime from the City’s budget.”
City Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia stated, “I have always been a big supporter of our public safety officers. As an elected official I believe that public safety is paramount, and I am in full support of expanding our Training Academy schedule to accommodate more cadets. Having more boots on the ground will help curb the uptick we have seen in crimes around our nightlife establishments.”
The application process for the 70th Providence Police Training Academy will be open through December 31, 2019. The extensive selection process includes seven phases: Physical Fitness Assessment, Written Examination, Oral Interview, Background Investigation, Psychological Evaluation and a Physical Fitness pre-test prior to entering into the police academy. The academy is approximately 24-weeks long and includes over 812 hours of training including daily physical fitness training, defense tactics, firearms training, criminal law procedures, community policing, investigation, emergency vehicle operation and much more.
Applications must be completed online only and the application fee must be paid at the time of submission to ensure the applicant will be notified of the next steps related to the recruitment process. For more information please visit: 70th Training Academy
by Billy Kepner | Oct 15, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15
Today Commissioner Infante-Green issued her final reconstitution order of the Providence Public Schools.
I believe that we all must take part in this transformational change. We live in the 21st Century, and our students are being left behind. No one person or entity can do this alone, and we are in this together.
This process is not going to be easy, but I hope this will be an opportunity for true transformation for our school system, and that it serves all of our students. It is essential that all stakeholders, including the City Council, have a seat at the table as we navigate these changes.
The Commissioner has proposed a bold plan, and I look forward to working with her to make sure that Providence City Schools are no longer at the bottom, but that we fix the systemic issues that have plagued our schools for generations, and rise to the top. It’s what our children deserve.
