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The Docket
A Newsletter from the
Providence City Council |
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Council Review of Nightlife Safety Results in New Laws and Regulations
A year ago, in the aftermath of several violent incidents at nightclubs, the Council began a review of nightclub licensing and safety. After holding hearings last May and June, and after examining licensing policies and procedures and laws in other municipalities, the Committee on Ordinances submitted a report of recommendations.
Nearly all the recommendations have been adopted by the Council through several new ordinances introduced by Councilman Seth Yurdin and Councilman Nicholas J. Narducci. The ordinances include: Entertainment Licensing; Floor Hosts; Commercial Parking Lots; Event Promoter Licensing.
The Council also approved five resolutions to address various licensing issues including improved recordkeeping, policies and procedures, and requesting State law changes to increase penalties for liquor license violations, strengthen rules against "bottle service," and prohibit under-21 patrons at nightclubs.
See full press release for information on the Council's nightlife safety initiative.
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 Council stands united on pension reform Earlier this month, the Council gave unanimous approval of amendments to the City's retirement ordinance. The vote by the full Council is the final legislative step in ratifying the negotiated settlement reached by Mayor Angel Taveras and police and fire employees and retirees last year. The Council also ratified the collective bargaining agreements for police and fire members, which reflect the content of consent judgments from Rhode Island Superior Court. Click here to read the full press release. |
Council Approves "Lots of Hope" Program
On April 4th, Providence City Council approved the second of two lease agreements with the Southside Community Land Trust (SCLT) for the new "Lots of Hope" urban farming initiative. "This new program, which will transform vacant city-owned properties into community gardens, will add new green spaces, create new local food sources, and help revitalize neighborhoods," explained Council President Michael A. Solomon (Ward Five).
Lots of Hope is being run in coordination with the SCLT and is funded by twin $50,000 grants from the Rhode Island Foundation and the Florida-based Local Sustainability Matching Fund. The City has entered into long-term, low-cost leases with the Southside Community Land Trust, which in turn will sublease the plots to residents and community organizations for farming. The lease for a parcel on Manton Avenue follows a lease for 66 Tanner Street, which was approved by the Council in December 2012.
"Urban farming has many benefits, including reduced storm-water pollution, improved air quality, and higher property values," said Councilman Michael Correia (Ward Six), who sponsored the resolution authorizing the new lease. "This program will provide residents with healthy food and breathe new life into depressed communities."
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Correia Pushes for Stronger Graffiti Laws
Councilman Michael Correia (Ward Six) is leading the charge to stiffen penalties for graffiti and other forms of vandalism. The councilman has worked closely with state legislators to pass Senate Bill 0699, which would make acts of vandalism resulting in property damage of $1,500 or more felonies under state law.
"These new stronger penalties will create a powerful deterrent, giving troublemakers a reason to think twice before defacing other people's property," explained Correia. "Tagging, graffiti, and other forms of vandalism have a corrosive effect on our communities. Moreover, cleaning and removing vandalism is a financial burden on the City, wasting valuable taxpayer dollars."
The bill is modeled after successful measures passed in other states, such as California, Nevada, and Texas. At the April 4th meeting of the Providence City Council, Correia introduced a resolution in support of Senate Bill 0699, co-sponsored by Councilmen Aponte, Igliozzi, Jennings, Principe, Narducci, and Sanchez, which was passed unanimously.
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Council Supports State Law to Reduce Discarded Mattresses
Mattress disposal is a costly problem in Providence; the estimated cost for the current fiscal year is $250,000. The City has made significant changes to its mattress disposal policies, including charging residents $20 for curbside mattress removal, as well as sponsoring mattress drop-off days in the community, at which residents may dispose of used mattresses at no cost. Due to the changes, the City's costs have decreased by approximately 50 percent since 2010.
Proposed state legislation--H5799 and S0261--would further reduce costs to municipal taxpayers, while preventing excess waste and encouraging environmentally friendly mattress production. The new law would establish a process for the collection, recycling and reuse of discarded mattresses, which would be funded by the mattress manufacturers. If passed, this law would save taxpayers thousands of dollars annually.
The Council approved a resolution unanimously supported that state legislation, and sent a letter to the House Committee on Health & Environment, which considered the bill last month. Both the House and Senate versions are pending in committee.
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Fighting for better child care
On Thursday, April 4th, Council members unanimously supported a resolution calling on the General Assembly to pass House Bill 5946 and Senate Bill 0794. The bills, respectively introduced by Representative Scott Slater and Senator Maryellen Goodwin, would amend the Child Care Assistance Program to provide better day care services to Rhode Island children and families. CCAP is an important resource, providing working families in Rhode Island with access to affordable, convenient, quality child care. The legislation takes the program to the next level by creating better trained family child care providers and more-informed parents.
Click here to read the full press release.
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Upcoming Neighborhood Events
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Providence Earth Day Spring Cleaning
Click here for details
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Ward 7 - Park Clean Up and Skateboard Contest, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Neutaconkanut Park, 675 Plainfield Street
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Ward 6 - Neighborhood Meeting, 6 p.m.
George J. West School, 145 Beaufort Street |
To find out about upcoming Providence City Council meetings, meeting dockets and committee meetings, please visit the link below.
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