[Summit] Gov. Raimondo's message (Let's Take This Outside) + Councillor Anthony's 2nd Ward Newsletter

Fri Sep 18 05:50:43 UTC 2020

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| Hi David,
Yesterday, we announced a new partnership with Jobcase and provided an update on extended unemployment benefits. Today, I want to talk about two programs to help businesses in Rhode Island: Restore RI and Take It Outside. |

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| Click the graph to see check the Department of Health's COVID-19 data dashboard. |

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| We’re expanding eligibility for the Restore RI small business support program to make sole proprietors and other businesses with no employees eligible for funding. We’re also lowering the revenue loss requirement from 50% to 30% for non-severely impacted businesses and allowing any business with fewer than 50 employees to apply, up from the previous cap of 20.  
To date, we've provided more than $7 million to more than 800 small businesses across Rhode Island, and we’re continuing to accept and process applications. And we’ve dedicated more than $100 million to supporting our small businesses, half of which is available in this first round of grants, and we’re committed to making more money available as needed. |

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| When we said "Take It Outside," Dr. Lagina Bickham, Loretta Bickham Talbot and Pamela Gordon went above and beyond. They’re bringing joy to Rhode Islanders with their colorful, socially distanced setup. |

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| Making sure that our local companies have the opportunity to conduct their business safely is a top priority. Through the Take It Outside campaign, we’ve made nearly two dozen state properties available for use, and cities and towns across Rhode Island have launched their own initiatives to increase use of public space. 
We’re also making an additional $1 million of our stimulus money available to municipalities and community organizations to fund initiatives that make it easier to do business outside. This could be anything from heat lamps, tents, and outdoor WiFi systems to bike racks, tables, chairs, outdoor lighting and more.
We need to give our local businesses every tool possible to keep the lights on while we combat this pandemic. If you or someone you know needs help with their small business, please reach out to us at (401) 521-HELP or e-mail info at commerceri.com.
We're all in this together,
-Gina RaimondoGovernor
P.S.: Information is our greatest weapon in the fight against COVID-19. If you or someone you know wants to sign up to receive these emails, you can use this link. |

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 Governor's Office | 82 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02903 
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   ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Helen Anthony <helen at helenanthony.com>To:Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2020, 7:44:41 AM EDTSubject: Providence Ward 2 Letter, September 16, 2020
   An update from City Councilor Helen Anthony  
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Dear Neighbors, 

I hope that you and your family are well. Fall is my favorite season. Leaves are changing, the air has a nip and children are going back to school. Many of us are returning to "regular" schedules, even in these irregular times.

Despite our anxiety about COVID, I’m hopeful that we continue to take steps to support safety for individuals and our community. We must continue to look out for one another and consider how this crisis can challenge us to build a more equitable future. 

Please call me at 401-489-2470, visit helenanthony.com or email me at helen at helenanthony.com with questions or comments. Stay safe.

Helen
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COVID

The city and state continue to monitor COVID-19 and adjust their response. Get updates from:

   - RI Department of Health
   - City of Providence
   - RI Governor's Office
   - RI State Police tip line to report violations: 401-764-5554
   - The Providence Business Loan Fund announced additional funding to help local small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Also see Commerce RI's Restore Rhode Island program

Please contact me if you have concerns about our community’s safety.
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Providence City Council Meetings

Next City Council Meeting: Thursday, September 17 at 5:30pm. Our next meeting will be October 1 at 7pm. Please join us on Zoom. 

Stay up to date on meetings of the Council and its committees through the City of Providence Open Meetings Portal, where meetings, agendas, and minutes are posted. You can register for an account and receive notifications about the work of dozens of municipal groups (click here and see “register” in the upper right corner).
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School is Open

For the latest information about reopening plans on area schools:

   - Reopening of Providence Public Schools: https://reopenpvdschools.org
   - Other RI K-12 schools: RI Department of Education
   - RI School of Design: https://covid.risd.edu
   - Brown University: https://www.brown.edu/news/2020-08-11/healthy-phases.
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Update: Smart Hotel

In June Ed Small, the developer of the Smart Hotel proposed for the corner of Angell and Brook, submitted a revised plan to the City Planning Commission (CPC) which was, despite vocal opposition, approved. Two parties appealed the CPC decision. 

On August 20, the Providence Zoning Board of Review heard the appeals, and upheld a portion of the appeal challenging the CPC’s decision to reduce the amount of required on-site parking. The developer must now rethink the plan for parking and go back to the CPC for Master Plan Approval. 

Meanwhile, the Petition to Rezone was pending in the City Council Ordinance Committee and was scheduled for a public hearing on Wednesday, September 9th. The public hearing was cancelled. At the Ordinance Committee Meeting on September 15th, the Committee approved a request by the developer to continue the Petition to Rezone indefinitely, effectively terminating the Petition. If the developer wishes to move forward with rezoning, he will have to initiate a new petition or pursue a path that does not involve the City Council.

I know many Ward 2 residents have been following this issue closely, and I appreciate your engagement on this matter. 
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Update: Kennedy Plaza Bus Hub Plan

In July the RI Department of Transportation (RIDOT) presented its plan for the Providence Multi-Hub Bus System to the City Council. I share the concern voiced by many that the plan does not adequately serve riders. 

At our City Council Meeting on September 3rd, I introduced a resolution opposing RIDOT's Multi-Hub Bus System plan with my fellow Councilmembers LaFortune, Goncalves, Miller and Kerwin. The plan does not require City Council approval. The matter was referred to the Urban Redevelopment, Renewal & Planning Committee (URRP) chaired by Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris. 

URRP convened a meeting on September 9th inviting the public to speak and allowing stakeholders, including bus riders themselves, who have not been included in the development of the plan, an opportunity to be heard. Forty-five speakers signed up to speak, including members of the RI Transit Riders. The Committee allowed RIDOT to present but did not allow any members of the public to speak. Instead, the committee continued the matter, insisting that the committee had to convene an official public hearing. As this is a resolution and not an ordinance, no public hearing is required.

The public hearing about the Multi-Hub Bus System is now scheduled for Wednesday, September 30 at 5:00 p.m. Notice of this meeting should be posted soon on the city's Open Meetings portal. RIDOT did say they were ready to issue an RFP for the plan this fall, so this matter is urgent.
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School Construction Bond

As you know, there is a great deal of uncertainty as the RI General Assembly has yet to approve a budget for this year. This delay is impacting a number of matters, including financing of school construction. 

On July 31st, the City Council approved a Resolution Memorializing the General Assembly to enact legislation authorizing the City of Providence to issue $140 million General Obligation Bonds to finance construction and renovation of schools. The General Assembly did not act on this bond resolution or any bond resolution in time for the matters to be placed on the November ballot. It is my understanding that there may be a special election scheduled after the first of the year for the bonds. 
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Give Input on Providence's Cultural Plan

The City of Providence Office of Arts, Culture and Tourism is updating its cultural plan and is holding a series of public conversations this fall about the future of the arts in our economy, health, public spaces and other areas. On September 15th they will host a conversation on Art in Public Places, and other sessions will be held through November. Offer your input to the future of the Creative Capital and learn more here:
https://artculturetourism.com/creative-providence-2020/
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RI General Election Calendar

   - October 4: Deadline to register to vote 
   - To vote by mail download a mail ballot application today. Even if you voted by mail before, you must request one again for the General Election
   - October 13 by 4pm: Deadline to submit application for a mail ballot 
   - October 14 - November 2: In-person voting available at Providence City Hall
   - Tuesday, November 3: Election Day
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|   More information available from RI Secretary of State and Providence Board of Canvassers.    |

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Census 2020

If you have not filled out a Census form, you can do so here. Census data influences federal funding to our state and our representation in Congress. Deadline: September 30. 
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A Bright Light
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|  Lovely Gladys Potter Park on Humbolt Avenue was dedicated exactly 100 years ago. The park is named in memory of Gladys Arnold Potter, the only child of Isaac Mathewson Potter and Josephine Elizabeth Arnold Potter. Gladys enjoyed walking with her father in the area where today’s park now exists. The 1.2 acre park is welcoming to all and is especially delightful for very young children, with many features meant for toddlers. Learn more about Providence landmarks and their history through the Providence Preservation Society’s Guide to Providence Architecture.    |

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Our mailing address is:
Providence City Council Ward 2654 Angell StProvidence, RI 02906-5552

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