January - February 2019| Issue 1
Upcoming Community Meetings & Events

Ward 3 - Tonight at 6:00pm
Ward 5 - 3/4 at 6:30pm
International Women's Day
Friday, March 8 at 6:00pm
Ward 9 - 3/11 at 6:00pm
Ward 15 - 3/12 at 6:30pm
Ward 12 - 3/18 at 5:30pm
Ward 13 - 3/18 at 6:30pm
Celebrating 32 Years of DARE
Council President Matos, Deputy Majority Leader Harris, Council President Pro Tempore Correia and Councilwoman LaFortune joined community members to celebrate 32 years of DARE on January 26 th .
City Council Approves $30M Bond for School & Neighborhood Projects
$20M of the bond will be for upgrades to schools, and $10M will be to improve neighborhood community centers as well as monies for City Hall roof and interior renovations.
Sabina Matos Elected
City Council Presiden t
City Councilwoman Sabina Matos was chosen to be the President of the Council, leading the first ever Providence City Council with a female majority. Councilwoman Matos hopes to encourage a unified and holistic approach to city politics.

'Councilwoman' the Movie
On Saturday, February 16 th   , community members and elected officials gathered for a screening of ‘Councilwoman’ the Movie. The film highlighted Providence Councilwoman Carmen Castillo’s journey from an immigrant, to a hotel worker, to a political activist and then a councilwoman. The film has been, and will continue to be featured in festivals across the country. 

City Council Opens Black History Month Exhibit
In honor of Black History Month, the Providence City Council and Providence City Archives partnered to create the exhibit “South Side: Where Providence Begins,” which will be showcased throughout the month of February until April 12, 2019. The opening of the exhibit was hosted by City Council Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris and Councilman Luis Aponte.

International Women's Day Celebration Set for March 8, 2019
Please Join Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris and her colleagues Council President Sabina Matos, Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan, Councilwoman Carmen Castillo, Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune, Councilwoman Helen Anthony, Councilwoman Kat Kerwin, Councilwoman Rachel Miller, and members of the community group SISTA FIRE RI for a celebration of women and men in our community.

Downtown Parks Conservancy Receives $50K from City Council
The Providence City Council recently awarded $50,000 to the Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy for the Soldiers and Sailors Monument Restoration Project. These Funds will go towards the continued conservation and restoration of the City's Civil War monument .
Jo-Ann Ryan Elected Council Majority Leader
Leader Jo-Ann Ryan of Ward 5 was elected by her colleagues in government as Majority Leader for the 2019-2023 term. Majority Leader Ryan was first elected to represent the fifth ward in 2014.
Shawn Selleck Elected City Clerk
Shawn Selleck of Providence was elected to serve as Providence’s City Clerk for the 2019-2022 term. Selleck previously worked for the Clerk’s Department, where he served as the open government and civic innovation consultant from 2013 until 2014.
City Council Awards $70K in Support of City Year Providence
Providence City Council President Sabina Matos, Ward 15, on February 15 th   awarded City Year Providence $70K to support its partnership with Providence Schools .

PVD Great Streets Initiative
Throughout the month of March, the Great Streets Initiative will be hosting community meetings across Providence. The meetings will discuss traffic calming, safety improvements and other community issues.
Providence Water Community Conversations
Many on the City Council have shared their opposition regarding the idea to lease or monetize the Providence water supply, but here is your chance to share your thoughts and concerns with your fellow residents from across Rhode Island.

Mayor Elorza's Office will be hosting three community meetings on:
March 4 at 6 PM - Nathan Bishop Middle School, 101 Sessions Street, Providence
March 11 at 6PM - Jorge Alvarez High School, 375 Adelaide Avenue, Providence
March 21 at 6 PM - Nathanael Greene Middle School, 721 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence
In the News
Councilman Correia advocates for the shutting down of VIN Station
Providence City Council unanimously supports a resolution in support of codifying Roe v. Wade
Open Meetings Portal
If you want to find information about past, present and future meetings than the open meetings portal is a must. Using the below link you can access meeting minutes, agendas, documents, videos and other useful information at the click of a button.

Providence City Council
council.providenceri.gov
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