by Billy Kepner | Jul 16, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-11, Ward-14, Ward-15, Ward-5, Ward-7
Providence City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15), and co-sponsors Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5), Majority Whip John J. Igliozzi, Esq. (Ward 7), Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11), Councilor David A. Salvatore (Ward 14), and Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1) introduced a resolution tonight calling on the Department of Planning and Development to promulgate strict rules around employment and contracts relating to the I-195 Tax Stabilization Agreement (TSA).
“The requirements outlined in our TSAs impose specific employment criteria that developers must adhere to in exchange for being provided an incentivized tax structure,” stated City Council President Matos. “Providence needs to ensure that we are putting our residents to work and that we are developing our own local economy. When developers ask to be exempt from these requirements, they are seeking to receive special tax benefits without having to make a meaningful contribution to the residents of this City.”
Section 21-266 of the Code of Ordinances defines strict employment standards that all developers must abide by should they wish to obtain a TSA within the City. These employment standards include dedicating at least 10% of the construction costs for Minority (MBEs) and Women-owned Businesses (WBEs), as well as ensuring that 100% of the construction hours worked on the project are done by contractors who have or are affiliated with an apprenticeship program. The Code of Ordinances currently provides the Director of Planning with authority to reduce these employment requirements should a Developer petition the Director to do so. President Matos’ resolution is aimed directly at these petitions for relief by asking the Director of Planning to promulgate strict and specific rules regarding how petitions will be evaluated moving forward.
President Matos continued, “All too often we hear stories of our local MBEs and WBEs being overlooked by contractors and developers. We are a city on the proverbial financial cliff, our residents need to work, and making it harder for developers and owners to no longer be able to get around these requirements will go a long way to keeping our residents working, and ensuring that our city continues to grow forward.”
The resolution will require the Director of the Department of Planning and Development to create strict rules and regulations governing the procedure by which petitioners for relief of Section 21-261 are vetted and approved.
by Billy Kepner | Jul 16, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5
Tonight, Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) will introduce a resolution calling on the City to address specific rodent issues in the City.
“I have heard from numerous residents about colonies of rodents that have popped up in parts of the City,” stated Majority Leader Ryan. “Rodents create a serious quality of life issues, and when not addressed quickly, can cause health concerns for residents. I have asked that the Director of Public Works immediately address the issue either with City staff or with an outside vendor to address this quality of life issue.”
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the rodent population around the country has grown due to the decrease in residents being outdoors and creating more waste due to being home. It’s recommended that residents ensure that any garbage that is left outside be put in sealed trash barrels. If you have a barrel that is broken or has even a slight hole or cracks in it, you should call the Department of Public Works to request a replacement barrel at 401-680-7500 or visit them online at providenceri.gov/public-works. Replacing your broken barrels will help cut off the food source for these nuisance pests.
Majority Leader Ryan continued, “For these reasons, we must address the issue head-on before it escalates. Quality of life is paramount, and in this current climate where we are living with the COVID-19 pandemic, our residents deserve to have this issue addressed and swiftly.”
Upon passage, the resolution will be sent directly to Mayor Jorge Elorza and Director Leo Perrotta of the Department of Public Works.
by Abigail Appel | Jul 6, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5
Conley Stadium is returning to its glory days thanks to Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) who secured precious CDBG and CIP Dollars for this project.
“Conley Stadium is a gem in the Mount Pleasant Neighborhood,” stated Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan. “We worked very hard to ensure that we could create a premier athletics facility in our City. I am thrilled that this project is almost complete and will be online in the very near future.”
The stadium will once again become an iconic state-wide multi-use athletic location. Because of the number of state-of-the-art fields, Conley Stadium will be able to hold several events happening simultaneously. It is unprecedented in the City of Providence, and the new score board will only enhance the experience for athletes and spectators alike.
They will now be able to host invitational track and field contests, and the facility is second to none. The stadium is right in line with other major athletic centers around the country. They will have the best throwing stadium, a state-of-the-art javelin throw, and with the fields being close yet spread out will make it easier for athletes that compete in multiple events.
Further planned facilities enhancements include a soccer field and tennis courts which will complement the already completed regulation baseball field, walking path and improvements to Mt Pleasant Park.
The Athletics Department is working with the historical society to create a museum underneath the stadium. Highlighting its historical significance and where we can celebrate the Providence Steam Rollers who won the NFL Championship in 1928. The franchise originally started at the Cycledome Stadium, where they played from 1925-1931. They moved to Conley Stadium in 1962 and plaid there until 1964 as part of the Atlantic Coast Football League.
In 1964 Jackie Robinson brought the franchise and renamed themselves the Rhode Island Indians where they played at Conley Stadium for one year until the team was disbanded.
by Abigail Appel | Jul 3, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5
City Council Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) tonight introduced a resolution requesting continuing education requirements for Providence police officers.
“After a nine-hour public hearing where the Committee on Finance heard from nearly 250 individuals expressing their concerns around police training, tactics, and funding, I felt that one of the actionable items we can implement immediately is continuing education programs for our police officers,” stated Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan. “Countless professional fields require annual continuing education, and I don’t think a police department should be any different. Currently, there are no continuing education mandates in the City of Providence for our police officers. Training around cultural competency, mental health, and other technical skill programs would help to keep our officers abreast of the latest industry developments and to higher professional standards.”
Evaluating how our police department can best serve our community is not only being reviewed at the city level, but also at the state level. The Rhode Island General Assembly has tasked Senator Harold Metts of Providence with leading the review of a wide array of policing issues including: relations with racial and ethnic minority communities; police management, discipline procedures; enhanced police training around cultural competency, and diversity of personnel across all law enforcement agencies state-wide. The task force will author a report that can help guide the General Assembly’s policy making in these and other areas.
Majority Leader Ryan continued, “I know Providence has an excellent police department, but our officers’ training shouldn’t end with the Academy graduation. It is important as city leaders that we provide our employees with the tools they need to succeed. Creating continuing education guidelines, programs and standards will help our police officers be better prepared for many of the challenges that they face while at work.”
“I look forward to working with the Committee on Finance to find the resources in our FY ’21 Budget to implement education and training programs so we can better provide our public servants with the skills necessary to be their best.” stated Majority Leader Ryan.
Upon passage of the resolution, it will be sent to Mayor Elorza, Commissioner of Public Safety Paré, and asks them to work with the Fraternal Order of Police to implement an annual continuing education and training certification requirement for all members of the Providence Police Department.
by Abigail Appel | Jul 2, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5
At tonight’s City Council meeting Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) will introduce two resolutions calling for the City Council to endorse the Rhode Island Foundation’s Chart a Course Stay the Course Report, and the second calls for the Rhode Island General Assembly to pass both House Bill H-7575 and Senate Bill S-2711. These complimentary bills calls for a state referendum, allowing voters to vote to change the state constitution in order to enshrine public education as a fundamental right.
“I want to thank President and CEO Neil Steinberg of the Rhode Island Foundation for his efforts on rethinking education in the State of Rhode Island,” stated Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan. “Bringing together educators, policymakers, leaders from both the non-profit and private sectors, the Rhode Island Foundation has done a great service for our city and state. They have laid out a plan and path for our state’s students to achieve the public education they need and deserve.”
The Chart a Course Stay the Course report was created by the Rhode Island Foundation’s Long Term Education Planning Committee. In December of 2019, they held a public brainstorming session, and their final report was released in February 2020 and included input from more than 300 parents, students, educators, policymakers, and community leaders.
Majority Leader Ryan continued, “The report sets out a clear plan for how our state can fundamentally change the public education system. It is incumbent on all elected officials within our state to review and commit to the roadmap laid out in the Rhode Island Foundation’s comprehensive report. Our children deserve nothing less.”
The Chart A Course Stay the Course report provides a 10-year plan to increase education outcomes in public schools in Rhode Island.
In addition, Majority Leader Ryan will be introducing a resolution supporting and urging passage of House Bill H-7575 and Senate Bill S-2711. These bills would create a referendum to allow Rhode Islanders to vote on amending the state constitution to establish a fundamental right to adequate and meaningful education for all Rhode Islanders.
“In every city and town across the State of Rhode Island, elected officials are tasked with ensuring that precious tax dollars are being spent in ways that are meaningful and have the most impact on our residents. Quality education is not only promised, but it is the very foundation for each of us to reach our full potentials. I urge the members of the General Assembly to take this bold step to make education a fundamental right for all of us.”
by Billy Kepner | Jul 1, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5
Tomorrow, Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) will be introducing two resolutions to rename Obadiah Brown Road and Obadiah Brown Field after former Mayor Patrick J. McCarthy.
“We are living in extraordinary times, young people are calling for change and asking elected leaders to help amplify their voices,” stated Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan. “Obadiah Brown was the owner of the first known Providence-based slave ship, and that is not a legacy that I want to see honored in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood. Obadiah Brown Road is home to Pleasant View Elementary School, the Armand E. Batastini Jr. Recreation Center, and Obadiah Brown Field. Our City’s children should not have to go to a school or play on a road or field named after a slave trader. They deserve better. I believe that naming both the road and field after Patrick J. McCarthy, who was the first foreign-born Mayor of Providence, is a better example of who we should honor in our city.”
Patrick J. McCarthy was born in Greevagh Parish, County Sligo, Ireland, on September 12, 1848. His family immigrated to the United States in 1850 to avoid the potato famine. They were quarantined on Deer Island in Boston Harbor, where his parents died, and he and his five brothers were separated after their quarantine. He lived with various family members and in poor houses growing up in Boston. At the age of 20, he moved to Providence in 1868 and graduated from Harvard School of Law in 1876.
McCarthy became a prominent attorney in Providence, he served on the City Council and was a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives. In 1906 he was elected as the 24th Mayor of the City of Providence. He was a staunch advocate of progressive “good government,” which included supporting an eight-hour workday for the city’s laborers.
Majority Leader Ryan continued, “I believe that changing the name will help to replace a legacy of slave trading with an important historical figure who represents the ideals that make our country great. The idea he was held by authorities on Deer Island as a child and then separated from his family is all too eerily similar to the horror stories we hear happening today at our border with Mexico. Providence needs to celebrate its rich heritage.”
After passage, the resolution renaming of the field will be transmitted to the Board of Park Commissioners. The resolution to rename the road will be transmitted to the United States Postmaster in Providence, the Office of the Secretary of State, the 911 Emergency System, National Grid, Verizon, Providence Water Supply Board, and to all City Departments.
