September 2023

City Council Creates Special Tax Commission to Probe Providence Taxes and Revenue

September brought the return of normal business and legislative action to the Council chamber. During the Council's meeting on September 7, members passed a resolution creating a nine-member special commission for taxation and revenue. Dramatic shifts over recent years in the real estate market have caused wide fluctuations in property values across the city and have burdened residential homeowners and commercial businesses inequitably. The commission is charged with the following:

• Conduct a review of state tax enabling law, the city’s revenue streams from all sources, the city's taxing and levying structure, study and analysis of the overall revaluation process, commercial and residential tax rates, and exemptions.

• Consider alternative revenue streams that diversify city revenue to reduce the burden on property owners.

• Issue a report with recommendations to the City Council within 120 days from the date of appointments with the intent of finishing its work by December 31, 2023.

Council President Rachel Miller appointed the following commission members:

Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan

Councilor Sue AnderBois

Councilman Pedro Espinal

Michael DiBiase

Lawrence J. Mancini, Chief Financial Officer

Tom Sgouros

Sharon Conard-Wells

Jane Driver

Robert I. Stolzman

Commission members met for the first time on 9/20 and named Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan Chair of the committee.

Payment in Lieu of Taxes or PILOT Agreements

Councilors received proposed PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreements from Mayor Brett Smiley between the city and four higher learning institutions (Brown University, Providence College, Johnson and Wales University, and Rhode Island School of Design).

The memorandum of agreement (MOA) is between the city and Brown University. A separate memorandum of understanding (MOU) is between the city, Brown University, Providence College, Johnson and Wales University, and Rhode School of Design. The voluntary payments total $223.4 million.

MOA – 10 year agreement

MOU – 20 year agreement



To see both agreements (including a substitution) click HERE

The council's finance committee held a public hearing on 9/26 and, on 9/28, moved the agreements out of committee without a recommendation. The full council will now deliberate the proposals in October.

City Council President Rachel Miller (Ward 13) and councilors attended the public announcement of the agreements in early September.

Council Introduces a City-Wide Rental Registry for Landlords 

Councilors received a proposed ordinance that would create a first-of-its-kind registration for all occupied and vacant rental units throughout the city of Providence. The aim of a rental registry is to help address longstanding health and safety issues, identify units that are not up to code, educate tenants and landlords on building code compliance, and connect homeowners with lead remediation services for any properties built before 1978, the year lead paint was banned. 

The proposed registry includes single and multi-family homes, condos, townhouses, and leasehold cooperative units. The ordinance creates a proactive inspection program, calls for the creation of a transparent online database by January 2025, and requires annual reporting to the City Council. The initial registration opens on September 2, 2024, and ends on October 31, 2024.

"A rental registry is a tool for transparency, accountability, and safety throughout the city’s aging housing stock,” said Council President Rachel Miller. “A registry empowers tenants with information and ensures landlords do their due diligence to keep residents safe.”  

Registration Checklist

·    landlord must register units with the Department of Inspection and Standards

·    name of landlord or any business entity leasing units must be registered

·    landlord or business entity must register an active home address, business address, or PO Box, active email address & phone number

·    name, address, and contact information for any property manager must be registered

·    Tax Assessor’s plat and lot number must be registered

·    number of dwelling units must be registered

·    number of bedrooms in each unit

·    number of occupants in each unit

·     period of occupancy or period of lease agreement for each unit

·    all landlords must affirm they are familiar with the following:

Minimal Housing Standards (PVD Code of Ordinances)

Unlawful Housing Practices (PVD Code of Ordinances)

Noise Control (PVD Code of Ordinances)

Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RI General Law)

Rhode Island Fair Housing (RI General Law)

·    all landlords leasing a property built before 1978 shall provide DIS with a valid certificate of conformance, a lead-safe certificate, and a lead-free certificate

Registration Timeline

·    initial registration opens on September 2, 2024

·    deadline of October 31, 2024 to register units

·     registration is valid for one year

Registration Fees

·    no fees for initial registration

·     $30 per property for owner-occupied multi-family rental properties, with an additional fee of $15 per unit for properties of four or more units

·     $50 per property for non-owner-occupied single family, multi-family, condos, and townhouse rental properties up to three units, with an additional fee of $25 per unit for properties with four or more units (cap of $500 per property)

·    $100 for any owner of a short-term rental unit

The rental registry ordinance was referred to the Committee on Ordinances for further review.

America’s First Climate Jobs City

Councilors approved a resolution during the September 21 meeting that would establish Providence as America’s First Climate Jobs City. What is a Climate Jobs City? The council now commits to enacting bold climate policy goals and aggressive programs that ensure:

Just Transition – inclusion of stakeholders from labor, environmental, and racial justice movements, residents, and private industry in the decision-making process

Workforce Development – investing in carbon-neutral and climate-friendly infrastructure; integrating prevailing wage, project labor, labor peace, pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship utilization

Resilience, Adaptation, and Emergency Preparedness – removing unnecessary administrative and legislative barriers obstructing the creation of resilient PVD neighborhoods; maintaining language-appropriate preparedness education programs and emergency alert systems in the face of flooding and extreme heat events

Building Decarbonization – decarbonizing and retrofitting buildings to eliminate emissions and create healthy environments by 2050, with measurable progress by 2030

Renewable Energy – facilitating the switch to a 100% clean energy supply by 2033

Mobility – encouraging transit-oriented development

Climate Literacy and Environmental Education – infusing clean, renewable energy and environmental awareness education programs in all PVD public schools, charter schools, and mayoral academies

Green Infrastructure – increase equitable neighborhood access to green infrastructure and spaces

Healthy Neighborhoods – ensuring equal access to open and recreational spaces that are free from air, water, and soil pollution; increasing availability of qualified cooling centers and increasing access to public pools and urban forests

Implementation – working with Climate Jobs RI and other stakeholders to identify federal funding programs; establish a regular reporting system on progress

"I am proud to sponsor this Resolution with my colleagues to commit Providence to being America's first Climate Jobs City,” said Councilor Sue AnderBois (Ward 3). “Climate change is an existential crisis -- and as we work toward a more resilient future for our residents, that has to include ensuring that the green economy is powered by good jobs with family-sustaining wages."

“I am excited to stand here with so many leaders that are committed to making Providence a national leader in addressing the climate change crisis,” said Director of Sustainability Priscilla De La Cruz. “It is possible to move our city towards clean energy and climate resiliency while preparing our workforce of today and tomorrow to be active participants in a new, green economy. The Smiley Administration looks forward to working with this broad coalition of frontline workers, Providence residents and business owners, and the many advocates dedicated to this work.”

Climate Jobs Rhode Island Policy Director Michael Roles further added, "Providence is setting the example for the rest of the country as it maps out a true Just Transition that honors the rights of working class people and frontline communities. We look forward to collaborating with the City to implement a transition that centers the expertise and lived experiences of workers and people living on the frontlines.”

“As the first Climate Jobs City in America, Providence will show the rest of the country what it looks like to enact climate policies that are built in strong collaboration with labor, community, industry, and government," said Patrick Crowley, Secretary-Treasurer of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO. “A truly Just Transition ensures that robust climate action, includes the voices of working people and expands access to the good-paying green jobs for all."

“The RI Building and Construction Trades Council is in full support of Climate Jobs RI and creating a Just Transition to a green economy. From our point of view, a Just Transition means there cannot be a gap in employment for our hard-working men and women employed in both the construction trades and the legacy fuel industry. We look forward to working with the city of Providence to make sure that our members are front and center as this transition takes place and there are no gaps in employment for anyone,” added LIUNA General Secretary-Treasurer and RI Building and Construction Trades Council President Michael F. Sabitoni.

Providence's Comprehensive Plan

September was another busy month for "Comp Plan" education and feedback in different neighborhoods. The city's Planning Department has performed an extraordinary job of informing residents and gathering direct input. Meetings rolled out in Ward 5 with Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan, Ward 8 with Majority Leader James Taylor, Ward 11 with Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris, Ward 7 with Councilwoman Ana Vargas, Ward 9 with President Pro-Tempore Juan Pichardo, and Ward 15 with Councilman Oscar Vargas. Did you miss yours? Other meetings are scheduled for October.

What is the Comp Plan? Once every 10 years, the City updates its Comprehensive Plan, the urban planning policy document that guides growth and development in the city. The Comp Plan is directly connected to street improvements, safety, housing development, growth, preservation, parks, neighborhood amenities, climate change – like excessive heat and flooding, and everything related to the environment and zoning.

Please visit plan.providenceri.gov for more information. For October dates coming to your neighborhood (see the calendar below for October opportunities). Follow the City Council on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to stay in the know!

Ward 7 Comp Plan meeting with Councilwoman Ana Vargas at the Igliozzi Rec Center

Ward 9 residents gathered at the Roger Williams Park Gateway with Pro Tempore Juan Pichardo to learn more about the Comp Plan

Councilman Oscar Vargas helps residents answer survey questions during a Comp Plan meeting at William D'Abate Elementary

Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11) upped the Comp Plan meeting game by providing a nice buffet of food for participants. It was well received!

Out and About in Our Neighborhoods

The newly refurbished Narducci Learning Center opened up before the start of the school year in the city's north end. NLC will serve as a district-wide swing space and is an example of a 21st-century education space that is set to transform the teaching and learning experience for students and staff for the 2023-24 school year and beyond. The former Councilman and the Narducci family were on hand for the ribbon cutting.

The Narducci project is part of a $600+ million long-term facilities plan to upgrade Providence Public Schools and raise the percentage of students learning in high-quality learning spaces from just 5% to 50%. The funding for the $600 million plan to rebuild Providence Public Schools comes in part from local and state school construction bonds passed by voters. Funding for Narducci was made available by a 2018 bond and was approved by RIDE in 2019.

Community meetings continue to be the best way for councilors to connect one-on-one with neighbors. Councilwoman Althea Graves (Ward 12) invited Providence Public School officials, including the superintendent, to share important updates on the future of Harry Kizirian Elementary.

To learn more click - here

Councilors Harris and Pichardo cut the ribbon on the newly renovated Jacqueline Clements Park on Dudley Street.

PVD Fest kicked off in early September, and Council President Rachel Miller was on hand to welcome residents and visitors to the arts festival. Here is the President with Grand Marshal honorees Gonzalo Cuervo and Helen Baskerville-Dukes.

Councilors Pichardo and Espinal invited the Washington Park Little Leaguers, their coaches, and parents to the chamber to celebrate the 10U All-Star team's victory in the New England Cal Ripken Regional Championship. The team advanced to the 2023 World Series in Indiana.

Councilman James Taylor (Ward 8) brought the food and fun to Huntington Towers. This special cookout is always well attended!

Councilwoman Ana Vargas (Ward 7) delivered Hispanic Heritage Month pride to Pocasset Ave with a joyous celebration.

Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11) and Council President Rachel Miller (Ward 13) celebrated the 15th anniversary of Higher Ground International. The Prairie Ave non-profit is dedicated to advocating for, empowering, and providing life-changing services to Liberians and West African immigrants, refugees, and other marginalized communities.

Senior Deputy Majority Leader John Goncalves (Ward 1) rolled up his sleeves and brushed some finishing touches to this beautiful new mural at Vartan Gregorian Elementary.

Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10) celebrated the dedication of Elder Nathaniel Witcher Way and remembered the former Pastor of the Pentecostal Church of God. A City Council resolution was the catalyst for the street naming.

Espinal also got to welcome players from the New England Patriots, including Matthew Slater and his wife, Dr. Shahzrad Slater, to Young Woods Elementary. The players stressed the importance of school attendance and challenged the kids to show up for class!

Councilman Oscar Vargas (Ward 15) and Senator Frank Ciccone supported the Scalabrini Dukcevich Center's new ambitious food pantry program. While this is a new program, donations like the one from the councilman directly fund packaged meals for nearly 200 families each week.

Council President Miller (Ward 13) shared her non-linear political journey from NY to MA to RI, organizing & and fighting for workers' rights before deciding to run for office herself to guests of Time to Advocate/Time to Run's gala at Farm Fresh. The new group offers civic education through animated explainer videos

October Events Calendar

October 2 - Ward 13 Comp Plan community meeting with President Miller at the Zuccolo Rec Center,18 Gesler Street at 6 PM

October 2 - Ward 5 community meeting with Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan at the Mt. Pleasant Library, 315 Academy Ave at 6:30 PM

October 5 - Council meeting in the chamber at city hall at 6 PM

October 7 - Ward 9 mattress drive/electronics drop off and neighborhood cleanup with Pro-Tempore Pichardo at the Elmwood Community Center, 155 Niagara Street, from 9 AM to 2 PM

October 10 - Ward 10 Comp Plan community meeting with Councilman Pedro Espinal at the John Rollins Rec Center, 325 Ocean Street at 6 PM

October 11 - Hispanic Heritage Month celebration in the council chamber, 6 PM

October 11 - Ward 2 Comp Plan community meeting via zoom with Councilwoman Helen Anthony at 6 PM

October 11 - Ward 3 community meeting with Councilor Sue AnderBois at the Vincent Brown Rec Center, 438 Hope Street at 7 PM

October 14 - Ward 6 Walk, Talk, and Chalk tour with Councilor Miguel Sanchez and the Providence Streets Coalition, from 11 AM-12:30 PM, 64 Leander Street

October 14 - Ward 5 Octoberfest celebration at Mt.Pleasant Park from 12-5 PM

October 16 - Ward 6 community meeting with Councilor Sanchez at George J. West Elementary, 145 Beaufort Street at 6 PM

October 19 - Council meeting in the chamber at city hall at 6 PM

October 27 - Ward 12 Spooky movie night at Rogers Rec, 60 Camden Ave at 5:30 PM

October 28 - Ward 12 Spooky movie night at Regent Ave playground at 5:30 PM

The Providence City Council is the legislative body that serves the many diverse communities of the City of Providence. Each council member serves as an advocate for their neighborhood and as a liaison between residents and the various departments and services our city has to offer.

To find your Councilor, click here. Already know your Councilor? Learn more about their work here.