by Billy Kepner | Jun 11, 2019 | Ward-15, Ward-7
Statement from Council President Sabina Matos and Councilman and Chairman of the Council’s Committee on Finance John J. Igliozzi, Esq.:
The City Council received the Mayor’s budget at the end of April, and are working through the budgeting process. This includes vetting various portions of the budget and working collaboratively with the administration to create a budget that serves all residents. Both the Council and the administration are doing modeling to find the most equitable way to address the revaluations, that in some cases were disproportionately higher in certain neighborhoods. City Council members were briefed on a proposal for tax relief to garner their feedback, and at this time any information that has been relayed does not reflect that proposal. The Committee on Finance meets often during the budgeting season and is open to the public, and we encourage residents to come and take part. We believe in transparency and being open in our discussions. Our goal as the City Council is to ensure that all neighborhoods have an equitable seat at the table, and during this process, we will continue to explore all options to keep taxes down, while our obligations as a city continue to rise.
Follow the below link to find out when the next Committee on Finance will take place: http://providenceri.iqm2.com/Citizens/Default.aspx
Declaración de la Presidenta del Consejo Sabina Matos y el Concejal y Presidente del Comité de Concejo de Finanza John J. Igliozzi, Esq.
El Consejo Municipal ha recibido el presupuesto del alcalde al final de abril, y están trabajando a través de un proceso de presupuestación. Esto incluye la investigación de varias porciones del presupuesto y trabajando colaborativamente con la admiración para crear un presupuesto que les sirve a todos los residentes. Ambos el consejo y la administración están haciendo planes para encontrar la manera mas equitativa para abordar las reevaluaciones, en algunos casos están desproporcionadamente mas alta en ciertos vecindarios. Los miembros del consejo fueron informados de una propuesta para la reducción de impuestos para reunir sus opiniones y comentarios, y en estos momentos cualquier información que ha sido transmitida no refleja la propuesta del presupuesto. El comité de finanza se reúne a menudo y está abierto al público. Nosotros recomendamos que los residentes vengan a las y tomen parte. Nuestra meta en el Concejo Municipal es asegurarnos que todas las comunidades tengan un clamo equitativo en la mesa y que durante este proceso continuaremos a explorar opciones para mantener los impuestos bajos mientras cumplimos con nuestras obligaciones como ciudad que continúa mejorándose.
Siga el enlace a continuación para saber cuándo tendrá lugar el Comité de Finanzas: http://providenceri.iqm2.com/Citizens/Default.aspx
by Billy Kepner | Jun 7, 2019 | 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
City Council Passes Resolution Welcoming June as Pride Month
At the June 6, 2019 City Council meeting Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) and Councilwoman Rachel M. Miller (Ward 13) introduced a resolution welcoming the month of June as PRIDE month in Providence. The resolution was unanimously passed by the full council.
“Providence is a city that welcomes everyone, regardless of their gender, race, orientation, religion or how they identify,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “As a Catholic, I was deeply hurt by the remarks of Bishop Tobin regarding the LGBTQIA+ community, and believe that God welcomes all and stand by Mark 12:31, ‘The second {commandment} is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.’”
This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which many consider being the catalyst that moved the gay liberation movement forward. In the early hours of June 28, 1969 Trans-women and men, gays, lesbians, and their ally’s took to the streets after continued abuse at the hands of the New York City Police in a series of riots that would propel the movement forward to where we are today.
“We can’t forget that Pride’s origin was a broad social movement for equity and inclusion. That’s especially true in today’s political climate while the LGBTQIA community is organizing to stop a national rollback on some hard-won victories,” Councilwoman Rachel M. Miller stated. “As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I was angered by Bishop Tobin’s recent comments but I’m proud to create an opportunity for elected officials to be on the side of love and on the side of affirming and supporting our LGBTQIA+ community.”
The first Pride march in Providence took place in 1976 when over 70 brave men and women, marched in Kennedy Plaza, after winning the right to do so after a court battle handled by the ACLU. They were taunted by police and residents alike, yet they were not deterred. Today, known as the “76’ers,” Belle Pelegrino one of the original marchers, told The Providence Journal that, “We totally expected that when we stepped into the plaza, gunfire was going to come. We thought we were going to die.”
As noted by The Washington Post, The New York Times, Time, Rolling Stone, CNN, and countless other news outlets the Trump administration has continually rolled back almost every single LGBTQIA+ protection that were put in place by previous administrations. This is why the City Council believes it is more important than ever to memorialize and codify their support for all members of our community.
Pride is celebrated around the world during the month of June, in recognition of the Stonewall Riots that took place on the morning of June 28, 1969. This year marks the 43rd Anniversary of Providence Pride which has grown from a march of 70 men and women to a weekend celebration that brings 1000’s of people to our city in celebration of equality and love.
In 2018, the City Council officially recognized the month of June as Pride Month in perpetuity and was passed by the full Council. The Providence City Council celebrates and recognizes the contributions, struggles, risks, and many identities of Providence’s LGBQIA+ community and their families and proudly affirms that love is love.
The City Council recognizes and thanks Rhode Island Pride for all they do to for the community not just on Pride weekend, but throughout the year. Pride takes place on Saturday, June 15 with Pridefest taking place along South Main Street (North from Memorial Boulevard and South Water Street to the South ending at Wickenden Street) from 12 pm – 7 pm. It will culminate in New England’s only illuminated night Pride Parade that begins at 8 pm and will travel down Dorrance Street, to Washington Street, to Empire Street and ends on Weybosset Street. This year’s theme is #LiveYourTruth.
For more information on Rhode Island Pride, please visit prideri.org.
by Billy Kepner | May 28, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15
Statement from Councilman David A. Salvatore:
This morning at 2:00 AM a car crashed into a restaurant located on the corner of Eaton Street and Douglas Avenue. The crash caused a great deal of damage to the building, and the driver left the scene of the crime. The Providence Police Department (PPD) is actively looking for the perpetrator, and I have been in contact with Chief Hugh Clements and am being updated. If you have information regarding this incident please call the police at 401-272-1111.
Speeding in this corridor has been of great concern to my neighbors, and I have been working with the city’s traffic engineer and the Department of Public Works (DPW) to implement traffic calming measures in this area. To date, at my request, the DPW has installed new lighting and crosswalks are slated to be installed later this year.
Quality of life is one of my greatest concerns as a City Councilor, and I continue to advocate and allocate funding for these much-needed traffic calming measures. In the coming weeks, I will be working with the team at the DPW and the PPD to implant these measures and to have more speed patrols in the neighborhood. I will also be meeting with area businesses to address their concerns around speeding, and the effect it has on their business.
—David A. Salvatore, Councilman
Providence City Council – Ward 14
by Billy Kepner | May 16, 2019 | Ward-11, Ward-12, Ward-15, Ward-4, Ward-6, Ward-8
The Providence City Council passed a resolution sponsored by Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia (Ward 6), recognizing the week of May 19 through May 25, 2019 as National Public Works Week.
National Public Works Week is observed as a way to pay tribute to the public works professionals, engineers, managers and employees who make substantial contributions to protect our national health, safety, and quality of life.
“Every day as I travel my ward, and across the city, I see the men and women of the Department of Public Works laboring away,” stated City Council Pro Tempore Michael Correia, Ward 6. “As the Chairman of the Committee on Public Works, I know first-hand the professionalism, the dedication, and the motivation that every employee at the DPW has for their work. It’s because of the ingenuity of a crew member of the DPW that the fountain in DePasquale Square was fixed before the start of the summer season. It’s because of the men and women of the DPW that Councilors like myself can hold community clean-ups and mattress pick-ups. Their work matters and they don’t always get the appreciation they deserve. It’s my privilege and honor to acknowledge our Public Works employees not just this week, but every week.”
The resolution, proposed by Council President Pro Tempore Correia and co-sponsored by Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15), Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. (Ward 4), Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11), Councilwoman Katherine Kerwin (Ward 12), and Councilman James E. Taylor (Ward 8), motivates the residents of Providence to become interested and engaged in the importance of publicly funded construction in their respective communities throughout the City.
National Public Works Week will consist of a series of events and ceremonies that pay tribute to the significant work done by public works professionals, and all citizens are encouraged to participate. 2019 is the 59th year that National Public Works Week has been recognized under the sponsorship of the American Public Works Association.
by Billy Kepner | May 16, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-10, Ward-15
City Council Introduces Ordinance Allocating More than $5M
In Community Development Block Grant Funding for Providence
Tonight the City Council introduced an ordinance allocating more than $5M in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for the city of Providence. Tonight was the first passage of the ordinance by the City Council, and it is expected to be passed for a second and final time at the Thursday, June 6 City Council meeting.
Councilman Luis A. Aponte, Ward 10, stated, “I would like to thank my colleagues for all their hard work. I’m proud that we can continue to make strategic investments in our city. Investments that will ensure organizations that provide critical services to some of our most at risk and vulnerable residents continue to receive the funding they need to continue their work. Investments in helping to support job creation and economic development by targeting economic sectors with high growth potential. And investments in our infrastructure by rehabbing and rebuilding public spaces and parks where residents and visitors can gather and enjoy themselves in neighborhoods throughout our city.”
City Council President Sabina Matos said, “Deciding where to allocate funding for our cities organizations that seek support from these CDBG funds is a daunting task. I commend Chairman Aponte and the Committee for their hard work in making these tough decisions. These federal funds can change the trajectory of an organization and expand the level of work that they can do in our community.”
The CDBG Program is a federal program that provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs. Beginning in 1974, the CDBG Program is one of the longest continuously run programs run by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The 2019-2020 CDBG Budget Highlights Includes:
- $480,000.00 in Community Center Grants
- $445,509.00 in Public Service Grants
- $514,230.00 in Economic Development Grants
- $658,000.00 in Housing Grants
- $1,251,310.00 in Facility Improvement Grants
- $750,000.00 in Neighborhood Investment Strategies Grants
- $1,605,948.00 in HOME Investment Partnerships Program
- $1,180,379.00 in Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program
- $427,181.00 in Emergency Solutions Grants (Programs helping the homeless)
For a complete list of recipients, please visit the Opens Meeting Portal.
by Billy Kepner | May 2, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15, Ward-6
City Council Shows Support For the Green New Deal
City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) and City Council President Pro Tempore Michael J. Correia (Ward 6) co-sponsored a
resolution endorsing and urging passage by the General Assembly of House Resolution 2019 H-5665 and Senate Resolution 2019 S-0659. These resolutions request an assessment of the benefits to Rhode Island of enactment of the Green New Deal that was proposed at the Federal level and supported by the Rhode Island delegation.
“For too long, too many people have thought of Climate Change as something that doesn’t affect them, and has no bearing on their daily life or routine,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “The Green New Deal does not only have the potential to stimulate the economy but will also help mitigate issues that stem from a changing climate. Including dealing with our rising sea level, which has major ramifications for the city of Providence and the state of Rhode Island. The time is now for us to work to plan for a brighter future for Providence, Rhode Island, and our nation. I believe that the Green New Deal can play a major role in creating jobs, and creating a greener and more resilient planet.”
The Green New Deal (GND) is a proposed federal stimulus program that aims to address climate change and economic inequality. The name refers to the New Deal, a set of social and economic reforms and public work projects undertaken in response to the Great Depression. The GND combines the economic approach instituted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt with 21st-century ideas such as renewable energy and resource efficiency.
