Providence Police Fireworks Task Force to Begin Operations on June 18th, 2021
In May of this year, Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan introduced a resolution to reinstate the City’s Fireworks Task Force. After the successful roll out of a fireworks task force in 2020, Councilwoman Ryan has coordinated with the Providence Police Department and Fire Department for another year of fireworks safety and enforcement.
“After the success of the fireworks task force I organized in 2020, I felt it was appropriate to reconvene our City’s law enforcement, public safety and administrative officials to coordinate enforcement and community education regarding the use of illegal fireworks. With summer approaching, so too is the major threat to public safety presented by the rampant illegal use of fireworks in our neighborhoods. I look forward to continuing last year’s progress and I thank our local law enforcement and fire officials for the work they do every day to maintain the quality of life and public safety of our community,” stated Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5).
Starting on June 18th, the task force will dedicate over a dozen law enforcement officers to respond to calls involving fireworks, and provide community education on how to report violations of the law and how to assist in the identification of locations where fireworks were being discharged.
To report the use of illegal fireworks in Providence or file a complaint, call the police department’s non-emergency line (401) 272-3121 or use visit the 311 webpage and select “Quality of life” and then “Excesscive Noise-Fireworks”.
To learn more about what you can do to stop the use of illegal fireworks, and what is legal or not legal in Providence, watch this video: https://vimeo.com/432876565
On Thursday, May 20th, the City Council voted to give final passage of the Tax Stabilization Investment Act. The ordinance now goes to the Mayor to be signed into law.
The Tax Stabilization Investment Act reforms the City’s Tax Stabilization Agreement (TSA) process by standardizing the tax stabilization benefit for all businesses who wish to take advantage of the development incentive. Key points of the legislation include:
Establishing standard tax stabilization periods based on the size and scope of the project, ranging from five-year stabilizations for $3million and under projects to twenty-year stabilizations for projects over $50million.
Streamlining and clarifying the citywide review and vetting process through applicable City departments including Inspections and Standards, Public Works, Planning and Development, the Tax Collector, Licensing, and the City Solicitor prior to review by the City Council.
Specifying area standard wages for construction workers on projects over $10 million.
Creating a commitment to ensure that post-construction jobs earn a wage twice the United States Department of Health and Human Services Federal Poverty Guideline for a family of three divided into an hourly wage at forty hours/week, fifty-two weeks/year on projects over $10 million.
Ensuring that the full taxes on the property become due should the property be transferred to a tax-exempt entity.
Specifying a “clawback” procedure that allows for the Council and the City to reconsider an existing agreement in cases of non-compliance.
Additionally, the ordinance maintains current TSA standards on minority- and women-owned business enterprises, First Source hiring, obligations to the Affordable Housing Trust, payments to the City of Providence Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, and apprenticeship utilization.
“With the passage of this Act, the City is making an investment in neighborhood residents when we support development via tax stabilizations. For too long, high-level publicly subsidized development, while increasing the tax base, has not resulted in opportunities for city residents to gain meaningful employment that has the capacity to break cycles of intergenerational poverty. This Act ensures everyone can share in the opportunities in our city,” said Councilor Rachel Miller (Ward 13), a co-sponsor of the legislation who led the reforms effort.
“The TSA program has resulted in millions of dollars of investment in downtown Providence. A recent report to the Finance Committee projected that the city’s current tax stabilized properties will generate an additional $454 million in revenue over the next two decades. The TSA Investment Act is an evolution of this economic development tool that continues to incentivize major projects downtown and throughout the city, creating jobs, and ultimately increasing our tax base. I’m grateful to my colleagues on the City Council who have the foresight to adapt our approach to supporting growth in Providence,” stated Council President John J. Igliozzi.
“The Act levels the playing field for businesses who follow the law, treat their employees fairly, and want to invest in the future in partnership with the City. Additionally, the ordinance creates crystal clear procedures for developers of any size to know exactly what to expect when they seek support from the City for their projects. This level of clarity around expectations and timeline will support further development, while also standardizing the community benefits provided through the tax stabilization process,” said Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11).
“The ordinance is a critical first step in updating the laws related to contracting with the City of Providence. TSAs are just one piece of the puzzle in how the City supports and promotes small businesses. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues to review and update as necessary other key related ordinances, including the First Source Hiring Ordinance and the MBE/WBE ordinances,” said Finance Committee Chairwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5).
The final passage of this ordinance is the culmination of several years of effort by the Council working in collaboration with stakeholders to revamp the tax stabilization process. The resulting Tax Stabilization Investment Act supports and incentivizes development, while also providing consistent and tangible benefits for local residents every time a stabilization agreement is approved by the City Council.
I am pleased to share that the Providence Police Department has announced the 70th annual Police Training Academy will commence on Monday, May 24th. The academy will be located in Ward 5, at the former Providence Water Supply Building at 552 Academy Avenue and will run Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
With fifty new recruits, part of the most diverse class in history, this is a great opportunity for our Police Department to grow and improve based upon the unique needs of our city. These men and women will be trained in classroom and role play scenarios on how to best serve and protect all Providence residents and visitors.
In my role on the City Council, I have been an advocate for the expansion, development, and enhanced training of our police force. With a large swath of our existing police officers approaching retirement eligibility, it is crucial that a new generation of officers is recruited and trained. I extend my appreciation to the Providence Police Department for working to get this year’s academy up and running despite the complications presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
I welcome this year’s recruits to our neighborhood and wish them the best of luck as they begin their training. I look forward to seeing the value that they bring to our community as future members of the Providence Police Department.
At the May 6 City Council Meeting, Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) introduced and the Council passed a resolution to relaunch the City’s successful Fireworks Task Force.
“With summer approaching, so too is the threat to public safety presented by the rampant illegal use of fireworks in our neighborhoods. Based on last year’s success, the Council resolution requests public safety and administrative officials, once again, to coordinate enforcement and community education regarding the use of illegal fireworks. City departments must work proactively to mitigate this issue,” stated Ryan.
In the late spring and early summer of 2020, the City of Providence experienced an overwhelming increase in illegal fireworks activity. In 2019, the police department reported less than 20 calls related to fireworks complaints, but in June of 2020 that number skyrocketed nearly 500. In response, Councilwoman Ryan convened a group of City stakeholders to discuss this quality of life nuisance, and identified three main areas that needed to be addressed: public education on what is and isn’t legal; licensing enforcement for businesses that are illegally selling fireworks; and a coordinated effort by public safety officials to focus on hot spots or problematic areas. This effort lead to the creation of the City’s Fireworks Task Force which resulted in multiple arrests and the confiscation of illegal fireworks.
In Rhode Island, ground-based fireworks and sparklers are legal, but aerial fireworks and anything that explodes are not allowed without a permit.
“Last year, as a result of the diligent efforts of the Fireworks Task Force, the City was able to make a significant reduction in the use of illegal fireworks that had been disrupting and endangering our neighborhoods,” Ryan said. “I look forward to building on this progress as we head into another summer, and I thank our local law enforcement and fire officials for the work they do every day to maintain the quality of life and public safety of our community.”
Ryan is encouraging individuals to report the use of illegal fireworks in Providence or file a complaint, call the police department’s non-emergency line (401) 272-3121. Complaints can also be filed by calling 311 or visiting the PVD 311 Website and selecting the ‘Quality of Life’ complaint option.
This resolution was co-sponsored by Council President Pro Tempore Pedro Espinal (Ward 10), Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. (Ward 4), Councilman Michael Correia (Ward 6), Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune (Ward 3), Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), Councilwoman Kat Kerwin (Ward 12) and Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1).
At tonight’s meeting of City Council Committee on Finance, committee members elected Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) to the position of Chairperson. Council President John J. Igliozzi resigned from the chairmanship at a special Council meeting last night after 14 years in the role. Ryan last night also resigned from her post as Majority Leader of the Council, and now takes the top leadership position on one of the busiest Council committees.
“I have great confidence in Chairwoman Ryan’s expertise to successfully lead the Finance Committee at this critical time, as Providence determines how to invest an unprecedented $160 million in American Rescue Plan funds, and simultaneously works to stabilize its pension system,” President Igliozzi stated. “It’s an immense responsibility, and Chairwoman Ryan has the professional background in financial management, and a fine-tuned knowledge of the City’s budget process, finances, and operational systems and structures.”
Ryan has served on the Council since 2015, and in addition to serving as Majority Leader (2019-2021), previously served as Vice-Chair of Finance (2019-2021) and Majority Whip (2016-2019), and also served as chairperson of the Committee on Ordinances for six years.
“The Finance Committee has an extremely full agenda for the remainder of this term, and I am excited to lead us through the crucial, time sensitive decisions the City faces,” Ryan said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to bring my skills, understanding and interest to detailed analysis and deliberation of the City’s fiscal policies.”
The next Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, May 13 at 5:30 p.m. See meeting agenda and videoconference information here: https://bit.ly/2RPAlPj
At tonight’s special City Council meeting, as part of Council President John J. Igliozzi Esq.’s (Ward 7) ongoing commitment to restructuring the leadership of the Providence City Council, Council President Igliozzi and Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) resigned their positions as Majority Whip and Majority Leader.
In addition to his resignation as Majority Whip, Council President Igliozzi also submitted his resignation as Finance Committee Chairman. Council President Igliozzi was elected to serve as Majority Whip in 2018 and served as the Finance Committee Chairman for fourteen years.
“In my capacity as Council President, I remain committed to creating new leadership opportunities for all Council members. Throughout my tenure on the City Council, I have served in various leadership roles, which have all taught me valuable lessons about our City’s operations and engagements. My goal is to provide new and future Council members with the same opportunities to learn the institutional knowledge that is necessary to best serve our Constituency,” stated Council President John Igliozzi.
Councilwoman Ryan submitted her resignation as Council Majority Leader and as Vice Chair of the Committee on Finance. Councilwoman Ryan was previously elected to serve as Council Majority Whip in 2016 and was elected to serve as Majority Leader in 2018.
“I join Council President Igliozzi in an effort to create learning opportunities for all council members. I look forward to working with the Council President and all members of the City Council in order to continue to serve our residents and bettering the City as a whole,” added Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan.
These resignations come after last month’s election of Councilman Igliozzi as Council President, and his commitment to reorganizing the City Council’s leadership and office structures to optimize efficiency and service capability.
