by Abigail Appel | May 24, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-11, Ward-13, Ward-5, Ward-7
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.
by Abigail Appel | May 14, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-7
Last night’s violence between rival groups in Providence was devastating. When a shooting takes place, our community goes through the range of emotions, from fear and shock to sadness and anger. All of our neighborhoods need to be safe for our residents, and their families and friends.
I want to thank the Providence Police for their excellent response and ongoing thorough investigation of last night’s events. Their leadership in working with community advocates and social service organizations is often overlooked, but makes a huge difference in restoring peace and stability to volatile situations in our city.
by Abigail Appel | May 12, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5, Ward-7
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
by Abigail Appel | May 11, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5, Ward-7
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.
by Abigail Appel | Apr 23, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-7
Council President John J. Igliozzi Esq. (Ward 7) today announced several changes to the Providence City Council’s administrative office structure as his transition into the office of Council President continues.
“The City Council’s administrative office provides essential City services to our constituents, to all fifteen Council members, and local media outlets. To best serve the City of Providence, the Council Office must operate in a way that is efficient, sustainable, and productive. In my role as Council President, I am prioritizing creating a constructive and dynamic workplace for the many staff members who work hard every day to serve the City Council and our constituents,” stated Council President John J. Igliozzi Esq.
James J. Lombardi III will be acting in the role of Chief of Staff to the Council office. He also serves as the City Treasurer to the City of Providence and is closely acquainted with Council staff and operations. He will be leading the Council staff through the restructuring process and the eventual return to a full-time in-office work schedule.
“During this period of transition, I am committed to ensuring that all Council staff members have access to the resources and assistance that they need to best serve the City Council and Providence residents. City service can often be strenuous work, but I am confident that with the leadership of Council President Igliozzi and myself, our office will evolve to better serve our constituency,” added James J. Lombardi III.
Yvonne Graf will be brought on as the Senior Deputy Chief of Staff. Ms. Graf has an impressive knowledge and understanding of city government as well as all aspects of the roles and responsibilities of the legislative branch and will bring additional resources in legislative affairs, policy, and communications. She has previously served the Providence City Council as and acting Chief of Staff and as the Director of Legislative Affairs and Communications. Most recently Ms. Graf worked for the Providence Public School District as the School Board Policy Advisor and Director of Policy and Planning.
Additionally, Mary Lee Dixon will serve as the Deputy Chief of Staff leading the constituent services team, Sean Bouchard Esq. will be promoted to the Deputy Chief of Staff leading the Policy Department. Both Ms. Dixon and Mr. Bouchard have extensive experience in City services with the City Council and these new roles will create a more structured and productive office atmosphere.
The Council office is actively working to expand its capacity for constituent services and City communications as more in-person interaction becomes a possibility in the coming months. As this restructuring moves forward, the City Council remains committed providing the highest quality of service and representation to all residents in all neighborhoods of the City of Providence.
by Abigail Appel | Apr 16, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5, Ward-7
The first budget to be passed under the leadership of Council President John J. Igliozzi Esq.
The Providence City Council passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Budget of $510 million at the April 15 City Council meeting. This is the first City budget to be passed under the leadership of Council President John J. Igliozzi Esq. (Ward 7). The budget will be signed into effect by Mayor Jorge O. Elorza.
“After serving as the Chairman of the Committee on Finance for fourteen years, I am proud to be joining my Council colleagues in passing the first budget in my tenure as City Council President, which reflects the current and future financial needs and goals of the City of Providence. We have listened to residents and stakeholders, and we have built a budget which makes room for modern initiatives such as the ‘Go Team’ Diversionary Program, while also responsibly addressing long term issues such as the pension crisis,” stated Council President John J. Igliozzi Esq. (Ward 7).
The Fiscal Year 2021 Budget includes $130 million in funding for the Providence Public School Department, as proposed by Mayor Elorza. Additionally, the budget creates a grant funded department to support the American Recovery Act COVID-19 Stimulus package of $130 million and allocates funding to Family Services of Rhode Island for a new “Go Team” Diversionary Program. There will be no City tax increases and commercial tax rates will remain the same.
“Now more than ever, it is crucial that our tax payer dollars be spent wisely. This has been a difficult year, which has exposed many new challenges for Providence residents and our City as a whole. I would like to thank Council President Igliozzi, my colleagues, the City Council finance team and the administration’s finance team who have all worked together to create a fiscal strategy that will keep our City moving forward and will keep money in the pockets of the hard-working men and women who call Providence home,” added Finance Committee Vice-Chairwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5).
In accordance with the requests of Mayor Jorge Elorza, the FY 2021 budget also funds the contractual increase of $2.78 million to Providence Police Department including a 4.5% wage increase. The budget also provides a 2% wage increase for all City union and non-union employees and a 2.75% wage increase for the Providence Fire Department. The budget also ensures that the City will make 100% of its obligated pension payment and increase the City’s rainy day fund by $100,000 to $15 million.
“The obstacles that our City and our nation have faced in the past year have left many families, businesses and municipalities in a place of financial uncertainty. We have worked hard to create a budget that will ensure sustainable economic growth in our City for residents, business owners and City operations. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in government to keep propelling our City forward,” added Council President Igliozzi.
To view all budget documents, click here: https://bit.ly/PVD2021-Budget.
Council President Igliozzi signs Fiscal Year 2021 Budget
