by Billy Kepner | May 2, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15, Ward-6
City Council to Recognize May 5 – May 11 as Providence Small Business Week
City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) and City Council President Pro Tempore Michael J. Correia (Ward 6) co-sponsored a
resolution recognizing May 5, 2019 through May 11, 2019 as Providence Small Business Week.
“Small local businesses like Olneyville New York System, Adler’s Design Center and Hardware, and all of the other bookstores, bodegas, and coffee shops that pepper our 15 wards are collectively our city’s economic engine,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “Small businesses are the fastest growing sector in our economy. And when you support a local business, you are supporting that neighborhood, that businesses’ employees, and their families. I encourage everyone to shop local as often as they can, but especially during this week.”
The United States sets aside a week to honor small business owners, advocates, and workers for their important role in ensuring that the U.S. remains the economic leader of the world. The City Council formally recognizes the week of May 5-11, 2019 as Providence Small Business Week.
by Billy Kepner | May 2, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15, Ward-6
Council President Matos and Council President Pro-Tempore Correia Introduce Resolution Requiring Sexual Harassment-Prevention Training for Providence Employees and Officials
City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) and City Council President Pro Tempore Michael J. Correia (Ward 6) co-sponsored a
resolution that requires all city employees and Providence elected officials to participate in Sexual Harassment-Prevention Training.
“Thanks to many brave women, like Tarana Burke who started the #MeToo movement, many workplaces have begun to examine their policies around sexual harassment prevention. As one of the larger employers in our State, I believe we should be doing the same,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “The national dialogue that the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements have created is not only overdue but important for us to address here locally. Times are changing, and things that were once the status quo are no more, and we need to train our workforce to recognize what constitutes sexual harassment and the impacts that it has on victims, so we can all work together to create a safe and healthy working environment.”
Sexual harassment is widespread and impacts our community as reflected in the national estimates that show that:
· 77% of women had experienced verbal sexual harassment.
· 51% had been sexually touched without their consent.
· 41% said they had been sexually harassed online.
· 27% said they had survived a sexual assault.
· 38% of women said they had experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.
The resolution requests that the city’s human resources department offer sexual-harassment-prevention training to all employees and Providence elected officials.
by Billy Kepner | Apr 11, 2019 | Community Engagement, 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
What You Need to Know
The City of Providence announced on March 29, 2019 that the state-mandated full real estate property revaluation is complete and real estate property value assessment notices will be mailed on April 15, 2019. At this time, the following 2018 real estate revaluation procedures have been executed: Data Collection of Building Data, Building Permit Inspections, Review Analysis of Sales, Cost and Land Analysis, Income & Expense Review, Commercial Market Rate Analysis, and Table Calculations.
Providence property owners will soon receive a notice (after April 15) advising them of the new appraised value of their real estate property prior to when the new value will officially be added to the tax roll.
What You Will Receive
How To Request A Review
The notice that contains the new appraised value will also explain how to arrange for a personal informal hearing to review the proposed assessment if they so choose. Recipients are asked to follow the instructions on your notice to book an appointment with Vision Government Solutions, Inc. for a hearing on any parcel. Please bring any information to support your request for a change; hearings are by appointment only. You can make an appointment online at www.vgsi.com/schedules or by phone by calling Vision Government Solutions at 1-888-844-4300.
Hearings will begin on April 23, 2019 and end on May 17, 2019 and will be held at either the Fox Point Boys and Girls Club located at 90 Ives Street or the Neutaconkanut Recreation Center located at 675 Plainfield Street.
The Hearing Schedule is as follows:
- Monday-Thursday from 10 AM to 6 PM
- Friday from 10 AM to 4:30 PM
- Saturday, April 27 and May 11 from 10 AM to 4 PM
The notices providing the results of the informal hearing will be mailed no later than May 31, 2019 with final values delivered on June 3, 2019.
Per RI General Law 44-5-11.6, cities and towns are required to perform a statistical update every third and sixth year and a full property revaluation every nine years. Vision Government Solutions uses recent sales and market data to inform their findings.
Property owners should not use the current tax rates when estimating their 2019 tax bill. Once the notices have been mailed, property owners may view their 2018 Data on the Vision Government Solutions website.
Learn more by visiting the City of Providence Tax Assessors website.
by Billy Kepner | Mar 22, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-6
The Providence City Council passed a resolution at last night’s Council Meeting requesting the Director of Public Works to immediately stop the issuance of road opening permits to National Grid and to any affiliated vendors until all city streets and sidewalks are repaired back to their original condition. This resolution is sponsored by Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia and was passed on a unanimous voice vote.
“National Grid needs to be held accountable for their actions; our roadways are getting torn up, the fines are going unpaid and this neglect must stop,” stated Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia. “It is simply unacceptable that one of the largest energy companies in the world is burdening our residents with higher costs from work that is being half done. As elected officials, it is our duty to ensure that the City’s infrastructure is maintained in appropriate condition for all those who live, work and visit Providence.”
In order to properly install, repair, and maintain equipment public utilities must occasionally open or excavate roads and sidewalks. When the work is not completed appropriately by public utilities it leaves City streets and sidewalks in poor condition, harming public safety, inconveniencing residents, and lowering the quality of life in the community. This resolution requests the City Solicitors Office file an official complaint with the Public Utilities Commission regarding National Grid’s work and that any outstanding fines owed to the City be paid in full.
In 2016, the National Resources Network (NRN) Strategic Fiscal & Management Plan for the City of Providence found a large backlog of sidewalk repair applications and estimated it would cost $90 million to repair the City’s sidewalks. The report also stated that strengthening the City’s capital infrastructure, such as roads and sidewalks, would “provide the foundation for stronger neighborhoods, improved quality of life of residents, and increased economic attractiveness and competitiveness for employers.” The American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2017 Infrastructure Report Card states that 54% of Rhode Island’s public roads were rated as in “poor condition” and Rhode Island’s drivers face costs of more than $800 per year from driving on roads in need of repair.
Copies of this resolution were sent to the Director of Public Works, the City Solicitor, National Grid, and the Public Utilities Commission. It can also be found no the Open Meetings Portal here: National Grid.
by Billy Kepner | Mar 22, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15, Ward-6
Providence City Council President Sabina Matos has appointed Erlin Rogel, J.D. as the Council’s Chief of Staff effective Monday, March 25, 2019.
“Since my election as Council President in January I have worked to build-out the Council office so that we can offer our constituents the highest level of service and Erlin is the capstone,” stated Council President Sabina Matos. “I have known Erlin for many years through his different community roles, and believe that his experience and skill set make him an excellent choice to fill this very important role. I look forward to working with him.”
Rogel was born and raised in Providence’s South Side. He is a graduate of Classical High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Roger Williams University and a Juris Doctor from Roger Williams University School of Law. During Law School, Rogel interned for the City’s Solicitor’s Office for two years where he researched and drafted the City’s Body Works Ordinance which regulated illegal brothels operating as massage parlors in the City, and which was later signed into State law by Governor Gina Raimondo. For the past four years he has worked as an English teacher in the Providence Public Schools.
“I’m thrilled to be joining a dynamic team, and to serve the members of the City Council as their Chief of Staff,” stated Erlin Rogel. “I look forward to working with old and new colleagues bringing stability and strategic leadership to help propel the City forward.”
Rogel has worked as a political campaign consultant for numerous campaigns. He is also a co-founder of Millennial RI and a founding member of the Rhode Island Hispanic Bar Association. He is also Board Chair of the Gentlemen’s Academy; a mentorship program for young men of color across Rhode Island.
Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia said, “First, on behalf of the Council President and the members of the Council, I want to thank James Lombardi III for his leadership and help during this transitional period. Jim not only continued his work as the City Treasurer and as the Special Adviser to the City Council, but he also stepped in to lead our office and made significant changes in very little time to shore-up efficiencies and to make our team work better and faster as the Interim Chief of Staff. Second, I want to welcome Erlin and I look forward to working with him.”
Rogel is a Providence native living in the Elmhurst neighborhood and has extensive experience in public policy and local politics.
by Billy Kepner | Mar 8, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-6, Ward-8
City Council President Pro Tempore Correia and Councilman Taylor
Introduce Ordinance Calling for Emergency Snow Parking Ban Guidelines
City Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia, Ward Six introduced an ordinance at tonight’s Council Meeting that calls for implementing an emergency parking ban if the expected snowfall is four inches or more.
“The current system is not efficient and is failing to ensure the safety of our constituents during and after snowstorms,” stated Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia. “These bans are not being properly enforced resulting in hundreds of vehicles interrupting the plow trucks from clearing the streets. The Director of Public Works should call parking bans based on the severe weather report and not at the discretion of the Mayor’s Office. It is time to step up and deal with these issues that have been putting our constituents at risk.”
This ordinance would allow the City to determine a course of action based on the predictions from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Director of Public Works would act in accordance with the severe weather report to implement a parking ban that would begin two hours before expected snowfall and end four hours after the snowfall has ceased.
“Currently, we have no set guidelines for when a parking ban is to be implemented,” stated City Councilman James Taylor, Ward 8. “Residents should not be left wondering if their street will be plowed curb to curb. When snow accumulation is expected to be heavy, cars need to be off the streets so that the Department of Public Works can properly carry out their duty.”
The ordinance has been sent to the Committee on Ordinances for further review and comment.
