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The Docket
A Newsletter from the
Providence City Council |
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 Council Approves New City Law to Prevent Theft of Manhole Covers, Other Property
The City Council adopted an ordinance on January 17th to prevent the theft of public and private property containing metals (press release). The legislation, sponsored by Council President Michael A. Solomon and Councilors David A. Salvatore and Michael Correia, is in response to the recent uptick in the theft of items made of aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, iron, and steel and other types of metal, the most notable being manhole and utility covers removed from streets and sidewalks.
The new law (ordinance) prohibits metals recyclers from accepting public property without an official certificate of release from the government entity responsible. The ordinance also creates new requirements for metals recyclers regarding the handling of certain types of private property which contain metals.
Members of the General Assembly have expressed interest in passing statewide legislation modeled on the Providence ordinance.
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Council Introduces Legislation Addressing Nightclub Safety Concerns
The City Council introduced proposals to improve safety in and around nightclubs at its January 17th meeting ( press release). The legislation will be reviewed by the ordinances committee along with a second round of legislation that will be introduced in February, according to Majority Leader Seth Yurdin. The three ordinances and four resolutions introduced to date reflect recommendations made in a report on entertainment licensing and nightclub safety, which was received by the Council earlier in January. |
Salvatore Calls for Carbon Monoxide Detectors in Schools
The Providence City Council is currently considering legislation that would require carbon monoxide detectors in all Providence schools. The ordinance was proposed by Councilman David A. Salvatore to in response to an incident in an Atlanta school where 49 students were hospitalized after being exposed to the dangerous toxin.
For more information on the ordinance, click here.
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Council Considering Agreement with PC
In December, the Mayor proposed a new agreement with Providence College that would bring nearly $4 million in new revenue to the City in return for abandoning portions of three streets in the area around the PC campus. Since that announcement, the City Council has been hard at work reviewing and evaluating the proposal. Councilman David A. Salvatore (Ward 14), who represents the Elmhurst and Mt. Pleasant neighborhoods, oversaw a Ways and Means Committee meeting about the agreement on January 14th. A public hearing will be held regarding the street abandonments at 5:30 pm on February 6th in the City Council Chamber.
If you would like to review the proposed Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Providence and Providence College, you may access it here.
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Tax Reform Legislation Introduced
At the January 3rd meeting, Councilman John J. Igliozzi (Ward Seven) and 10 other council members proposed changes to the tax structure. The changes would go into effect for the 2014 fiscal year. The amendments to the tax levy ordinance address two tax policies which Igliozzi stated were "antiquated and unfair." The first would prevent bank-owned foreclosed property from receiving the non-owner-occupied homestead exemption of 15 percent. The second would reform the collection process for quarterly tax payments, and ease interest penalties (press release). The ordinance was referred to the Special Committee on Ways and Means for review.
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Presentations to Council on Housing and School Safety
The Commission on Housing and Community Development held its first meeting on January 24, 2013. Councilman Luis Aponte was elected chairperson and Councilwoman Sabina Matos was elected vice-chairperson. Commission members received a presentation by the City's Department of Planning and Development, available here.
In the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, the Special Committee on Education received a presentation by the Providence School Department relative to school safety. The report is available here.
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Upcoming Neighborhood Events
Monday, February 11, 2013
Ward 2 - Community Meeting, 6-8:30pm Nathan Bishop MS, 101 Sessions Street
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Ward 6 - Free E-waste and Mattress Drop Off, 8am-12pm
George J. West School lot, 145 Beaufort Street
Tuesday, February 19, 2013 Ward 15 - Community Meeting, 6-7:30pm
William D'Abate School, 60 Kossuth Street
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Ward 14 - Community Meeting, 6-7:30pm
Robert F. Kennedy School, 195 Nelson Street
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Ward 15 - Community Meeting, 6-7:30pm
Webster Ave. School, 191 Webster Avenue Thursday, February 28, 2013
Ward 14 - Community Meeting, 6-7:30pm
Wanskuck Library, 233 Veazie Street |
To find out about upcoming Providence City Council meetings, meeting dockets and committee meetings, please visit the link below.
Click here |
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