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City Council Members Hold Neighborhood Meetings This fall, members of the Providence City Council hosted a number of neighborhood meetings addressing various issues affecting their constituents.
On October 7th, Ward 5 Councilman Michael Solomon hosted a meeting regarding concerns over college parties happening off-campus in the Elmhurst area. Administrators and campus safety officials from Johnson and Wales, Providence College, and Rhode Island College were in attendance, as were Providence Police officers, including Lieutenant Daniel Gannon. Community members discussed solutions to the alcohol, litter, and noise issues associated with the unusually large number of parties happening off-campus so far this semester.
In Ward 8, Councilman Leon Tejada hosted two separate meetings, one at the West End Community Center and one at the Reservoir Avenue School. Representatives from the Department of Inspection and Standards were in attendance to discuss code enforcement issues, and the Department of Public Works helped distribute recycling bins to constituents.
 Councilwoman Balbina Young held a meeting to discuss safety and cleanliness issues at the Jacqueline Clement Park on August 22nd. Neighborhood volunteers agreed to help clean up the park and to lock the park at dusk. Community members also organized a planting to help beautify the park.
Ward 9 Councilman Miguel Luna held a neighborhood meeting in his area that focused on police issues including a recent spike in car thefts and concerns over speeding in the area. The councilman also worked with constituents to resolve a number of outstanding sidewalk repairs.
 Councilwoman Josephine DiRuzzo also held a meeting in her neighborhood that was largely dominated by a discussion of the new "Green Up Providence" initiative and its implementation in Ward 15. Residents shared their concerns over how new recycling policies may affect their weekly garbage pick up with both Councilwoman DiRuzzo and Department of Public Works staff members.
For information on upcoming neighborhood meetings in your area, please see the neighborhood calendar (below) or call the City Council office at 521-7477.
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Commission to Study Tax-Exempt Institutions Launches Review With forty percent of the assessed property value in Providence tax exempt, and several major tax-exempt institutions planning significant expansions in the coming years, the City Council established a blue ribbon commission to review the impact of tax exempt institutions on the city's tax base, and to establish consistent and standard levels of support from these major institutions.
Council President Peter S.Mancini appointed eight members to the panel, with Mayor David N. Cicilline appointing the remaining member. In addition, Council President Mancini named Michael Van Leesten, President of the Van Leesten Group LLC as commission chair. Mr. Van Leesten has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in government, business and community activities. He previously served as chair of the Special Commission to Study Failures and Lapses during the Snowstorm of December 13, 2007.
The group is comprised of a diverse and well respected cross section of individuals representing business, community and labor organizations, colleges and hospitals and the City Council.
At its organizational meeting, Camille F. Vella - Wilkinson was elected vice-chair. Ms. Vella - Wilkinson, a business community representative, has extensive experience as a civil rights advocate and with Equal Employment Opportunity compliance. Also serving are Francis Smith, executive director of Smith Hill Community Development Corporation; Daniel Egan, president, Association of Independent Colleges & Universities; Steven Smith, president, Providence Teachers Union; John M. "Jack" Sutherland, senior vice president, Care New England; State Representative John M. Carnevale; Councilman Luis A. Aponte; and Matthew Stark, City of Providence director of policy and governmental relations.
Discussion at the first meeting focused on the commission's duties and responsibilities as stipulated in the council resolution. Additional matters discussed included researching best practices adopted by other cities, defining "major" tax exempt institutions, and prospective presentations from independent organizations such as the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council and other stakeholders.
At its next meeting, the commission agreed to request a presentation from Richard Kerbel, director of administration, regarding the city's tax base as well as any existing agreements and programs related to revenue from tax-exempt institutions. The panel is interested in obtaining information pertaining to total assessed property, potential revenue from tax exempt properties if classified as taxable, a breakdown of the 10 largest tax exempt institutions in terms of assessed value, and other related topics. They also requested an explanation of the current Memorandum of Understanding between the City and private colleges and universities.
Chairman Van Leesten praised the members for adopting a clear process and timeline to accomplish the commission's goals, "It is evident that this group of individuals has a well-defined understanding of the importance of our work and the need to proceed with focus and deliberation."
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Final Neighborhood Charrette Completed City Plan Commission Adopts Neighborhood Plans  Residents from Hartford, Manton, and Silver Lake gathered during the week of September 14th to discuss the future of their community during four days of intensive planning sessions with the Department of Planning and Development. The event, known as a charrette, covered topics such as parks and open space, land use, neighborhood character, and commercial corridors.
Councilman Joseph DeLuca, Councilwoman Josephine DiRuzzo, and Councilman John Igliozzi joined in the planning sessions, working on large maps with residents to identify areas to enhance green space, improve road and sidewalk conditions, encourage development, and address problems such as litter.
The Hartford, Manton, and Silver Lake charrette was the final of 10 such planning weeks that have occurred in neighborhoods throughout the city since March 2007. The Planning Department uses the input from the charrettes to develop neighborhood plans; the City Plan Commission references these plans when reviewing developer's projects. Since August, the City Plan Commission has adopted five neighborhood plans.
Zoning amendments based on neighborhood plans will be reviewed by the City Council in 2010.
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Councilman Lombardi Advocates for Animal Welfare in Providence  Councilman John Lombardi, a longtime champion of animal rights, is continuing his efforts to protect the well-being of animals in the capital city through several initiatives. From fundraisers to legislation, the councilman's efforts have made him a central figure among animal welfare advocates in Providence.
Recently, he presented the Providence Animal Rescue League and the Providence Animal Control Center with a total of $14,400-money raised during a fundraising event held over the summer. The event, dubbed, "A Night to Howl," brought hundreds of animal lovers to downtown Providence, and raised thousands for the two shelters. On hand to receive the checks were Virginia Hanbridge, Executive Director of Providence Animal Rescue League, and Richard Sousa, Senior Animal Control Officer of the Providence Animal Control Center. Councilman Lombardi noted that, "Many shelters throughout the state are at or near capacity. As a result of the recession many people have lost their jobs and their homes, and are unable to care for their family pets. It is heartening to see that even during these difficult times, so many Rhode Islanders are willing to donate their money to improve the care of shelter animals."
Amid complaints and several news reports regarding administrative and operational issues at the Providence Animal Control Center (PACC), Councilman Lombardi sponsored a resolution, which was adopted by the Council in July, creating a special commission to investigate and make recommendations regarding PACC. The Commission, whose members included experts in animal welfare, recently released its final report. Councilman Lombardi, who is chairman of the commission, said that, "The commission reviewed best practices for the humane treatment of animals, effective and efficient operation of animal shelters, and personnel management and resources."
PACC is in the midst of several changes: a new shelter director was recently hired, and the shelter itself is relocating. Along with the forthcoming recommendations of the special commission, these changes will be watched closely by animal advocates. Lombard observed, "We have to be ever vigilant when it comes to animal protection. Mahatma Gandhi said, 'The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.' Through our efforts on behalf of animals, I hope that Providence can demonstrate itself as a great city."
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A Conversation With Council President Peter Mancini  In each issue, The Docket poses the same ten questions to one of the fifteen members of the City Council and presents these conversations as a way to provide insights into the respective backgrounds, thinking, and values of each Council member.
In this newsletter, we feature Council President Peter S. Mancini. First elected in 1990 to represent the fourteenth ward of the city, Mancini became President of the Council in 1997. Mancini is a lifelong resident of the North End of Providence, and represents the Elmhurst and Wanskuck neighborhoods.
*********1. How do you define public service? Public service means being responsive to the needs of your constituents and trying to ensure that their quality of life is maintained. 2. Who are the public servants who have had the most profound positive influence on your choice to join their ranks? The first campaign I ever worked on was for Governor Joseph Garrahy. As he moved through different elected offices-from state senator, to lieutenant governor, to governor-he never lost his humility. He remained an extremely conscientious person who worked hard to serve the people of Rhode Island to the best of his ability. Another public servant who inspired me was Council President Ralph Fargnoli. As a council person, he was always accessible in the neighborhood, and made it his mission to help constituents through the bureaucracy that often characterized government departments. And of course, Rocco Quattrocchi, former RI Senate Majority Leader and former chairman of the Democratic State Committee, had a big influence on me. 3. What are your top three priorities for City Council initiatives during the next year?Job creation and economic development; maintaining and assisting the businesses that are here; and expanding the city's tax base. One of the biggest initiatives we are undertaking right now is the Commission to Study Tax Exempts. I'm hopeful that the City and tax exempt institutions will negotiate a more equitable agreement so that the City does not have to keep going back to individual property owners with tax increases. 4. How do you communicate directly with your constituents? How does this interaction inform your work as a Council member?I have regular neighborhood meetings to discuss community concerns, and I also spend a lot of time on the phone talking to residents. However, I must say, many of my constituents are very familiar with my routine-Admiral Spa in the morning and LaSalle Bakery in the afternoon-and they stop by to talk about whatever is on their minds. 5. What are some of your favorite films, books, and/or plays? What kinds of music do you most enjoy? Pretty much all instructional films and books on raising racing pigeons are of interest to me. I don't see many movies, but I enjoy several television programs including Animal Planet, and often watch the History Channel, as well as several sitcoms. I find it a great way to unwind at the end of a busy day. 6. In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge or opportunity facing Providence today?Keeping the city affordable, so that people of all incomes can live here, is a major challenge for Providence. One of the biggest opportunities I see is the almost-completed relocation of I-195 and the opening up of multiple parcels of developable land. 7. How would you describe the unique responsibilities of the legislative and executive branches of our city's government? What is the ideal working relationship between the two?The executive and legislative branches work towards the same goal, but sometimes have different approaches to getting there. Of course, in the end, it is most efficient if we work together in the interest of the people of Providence. 8. Imagine that, for one day only, you were given the power to make this world a better place; what would you do? I would give everybody the ability to do the one thing they wanted to do the most. 9. On what criteria would you ask the people of Providence to judge your performance as a City Council member? I would want the people I represent to feel that I made our community a better place to live, work and play. Most of all, I want to know that I helped them feel good about their neighborhood. 10. Finally, the quintessential Rhode Island question: Red Sox or Yankees?I have one thing to say: New stadium, new dynasty!
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Fall Fun in Providence  This autumn, members of the Providence City Council hosted a number of fun neighborhood events for the children and families of our capital city. Councilwoman Josephine DiRuzzo and Councilman Nicholas Narducci, Jr. held Septemberfest events in their respective wards, and Councilman Kevin Jackson held his annual Halloween party.
Councilman Narducci's Ward 4 Septemberfest event took place on September 19th. Children and families in the North End were treated to a day of fun including raffles, rides, and music. Narducci and other community members also took turns in a dunk tank to help raise funds for his upcoming Christmas Toy Drive.
 On September 26th, dozens of neighbors joined Councilwoman DiRuzzo at the Webster Avenue School for the annual Ward 15 Septemberfest celebration. This year's event featured activities such as pony rides, face painting, clowns, and arts and crafts, as well as musical performances, a magic show, and a special performance of traditional Peruvian dance.
The fifth annual Ward 3 Halloween Party was hosted by Councilman Jackson at the Vincent Brown Recreation Center. As in years past, the councilman treated the children of the Mt. Hope neighborhood to a night full of ghost stories, spooky contests, and, of course, candy.
To find out about upcoming neighborhood celebrations, check out the neighborhood calendar (below).
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Neighborhood Calendar November 21st
Ward 9: Councilman Miguel Luna hosts E-waste Recycling Drop-Off, Elmwood Community Center, 155 Niagara Street, 10 a.m. -1 p.m. Recycle your old computers, TVs, and other electronic equipment.
November 28th
Ward 10: Councilman Luis Aponte hosts E-waste Recycling Drop-Off, Washington Park Community Center, 42 Jillson Sreet, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Recycle your old computers, TVs, and other electronic equipment.
December 8th
Ward 5: Councilman Michael Solomon will hold a follow-up meeting regarding unruly college parties, Capitol Ridge, 700 Smith Street, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
December 12
Ward 15: Councilwoman Josephine DiRuzzo hosts her Annual Children's Christmas Party, at Webster and Magnolia Streets, 1-4 p.m.
December 19th
Ward 5: Christmas on the Parkway with Councilman Michael Solomon and Representative Joanne Giannini, corner of Pleasant Valley Parkway and Berlin Street, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
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"The Docket" is all about making city government accessible to everyone. The Providence City Council provides this newsletter as an information resource for residents, business owners and everyone interested in making Providence a great place to live, work and visit. Please join us in our work to make Providence the best city it can be -- subscribe to "The Docket" today!
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