providence city council

Councilors Support Free Parking Around the State House and Extending Working Days for Retired Police Officers

Councilors Support Free Parking Around the State House and Extending Working Days for Retired Police Officers

Parking Meters at the State House

Providence, RI – On Thursday, Councilors passed a resolution requesting the Traffic Engineer and city Parking Enforcement either disable the parking meters or abstain from collecting payment in the spaces surrounding the Rhode Island State House while the General Assembly is in session. “Allowing the public to park for free around the State House while the General Assembly is in session would greatly improve access to the government and its representatives,” said Majority Whip Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6). “Residents shouldn’t be penalized with parking tickets for participating in the democratic process, testifying, and attending public hearings.”

Retired Police Officers and Pensions

Councilors supported the passage of an ordinance amendment that would allow eligible retired police officers to be re-employed by the city to work construction details and special events for up to 150 working days or 300 half days within a calendar year without forfeiting any retirement benefits. Currently, other city retirees may be re-employed by the city for 75 working days or 150 half days without any change to their retirement benefits. Pension payments are suspended if those periods are exceeded.

Parking Time Limit on Commercial Vehicles

A proposed ordinance amendment would limit the time a commercial vehicle can park or stand on a city street, way, highway, road, or parkway to one (1) hour unless it is engaged in loading or off-loading materials. The present ordinance limits parking from 9 pm to 8 am or anytime on Sunday. A commercial vehicle is any vehicle more than 20 feet. The amendment was referred to the ordinance committee.

Appointments by Council President Rachel Miller

Lance Cardillo – Acting City Treasurer

Noel Sanchez – designee to the City Plan Commission

 

Appointments by Mayor Brett Smiley

James Moore III – Acting Director of the Department of Inspection and Standards

Sara Silveria – Finance Director

Stephany Lopes – License Administrator/Registrar of Vital Statistics

 

*Appointments were referred to the finance committee*

Recognitions

A resolution recognizes the 54th Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week from April 30 to May 6, 2023.

A resolution recognizes the month of May as Mental Health Awareness Month.

 

A resolution recognizes Mark Jeffery, a district manager at SODEXO, for his team’s extraordinary efforts in feeding Providence school children during the COVID-19 pandemic. SODEXO distributed 1,713,600 bagged lunches to 856,800 classrooms and erected eight outdoor meal distribution sites for remote learners, ultimately serving 3.2 million meals.

Sojourner House Expansion

A resolution was passed supporting the expansion of Sojourner House and the effort to exempt real and tangible personal property taxes. Sojourner House has grown from a part-time volunteer hotline in 1976 to a 24/7 provider of vital services for victims of domestic violence. The organization has served more than 60,000 individuals. In 2022, Sojourner House expanded its services in Providence by purchasing 1570 Westminster Street.

 

Councilors Support General Assembly Legislation

Councilors passed 19 resolutions supporting various legislation before the General Assembly, including the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act and the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. To read the legislation – click here for the full council docket.

Annual Reports

The Council received the following communication reports from various city departments:

Providence Fire Department – click here

Parks Department – click here

City Solicitor report of civil suits and legal proceedings – click here