[Summit] Fw: PVD Newsletter from City Planning & Development Dept -- Police Contract, M.L. KIng awards, Plans for Downtown,

Sat Jan 23 06:37:18 UTC 2021

   ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Kievning, Alexis <akievning at providenceri.gov>To: Kievning, Alexis <akievning at providenceri.gov>Cc: '...Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2021, 3:44:49 PM ESTSubject: PVD Newsletter 1/21/2021

Good afternoon everyone!! 😊 Here are some quick updates happening in the City of Providence.

Update from the Mayor's Office

Mayor Elorza to Induct Three Community Leaders into City’s MLK Hall of Fame

City to Host Virtual Celebration to Honor Three Community Leaders on January 28th

Mayor Jorge O. Elorza and the Providence Human Relations Commission have selected three honorees for the18th Annual Providence Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Hall of Fame Virtual Induction Ceremony.

The 2021 honorees are as follows: Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health Nicole Alexander- Scott, MD, MPH; Nonviolence Philosophy Instructor Sal Monteiro, Jr., MA; the late Jorge Cardenas, Community Relations Manager for Sodexo School Services.

“On the 18th anniversary of the Providence MLK Jr. Hall of Fame Awards, I take pause to reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at this tumultuous moment in our nation’s history,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “The last 10 months have exacerbated the systemic inequities that disproportionately impact our communities of color. At the same time, the leadership demonstrated by our community leaders, coupled with institutions centering community voice through reform, have made me hopeful for the future of our City and State. I am humbled to know this year’s recipients and am inspired to see the qualities Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., stood for- empathy, courage, justice- embodied in each of them.”

Awards will be presented during a virtual induction ceremony hosted by Mayor Elorza, Council President Sabina Matos and the Providence Human Relations Commission. The event will be streamed through theProvidence Human Relations Commission Facebook page on January 28th at 5:30PM and made available in both English and Spanish.

 “One of my favorite quotes from Dr. King Jr. is this – In some not so distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “As we gather to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the coming days, this quote rings true now more than ever. After what our Country has endured over the past year and in recent days, love and brother and sisterhood are what we need to move forward. This year’s recipients of the City’s MLK Award, Dr. Nicole Alexandra-Scott, Sal Monteiro Jr., and the late Jorge Cardenas, each embodies this very notion. Let us all do our best to come together to heal and continue the work and vision that Dr. King asked of us so many years ago.”

The honorees were nominated by members of the public and submitted for consideration to the Providence Human Relations Commission. For eighteen years, the City has hosted this event to celebrate Dr. King’s powerful legacy by highlighting the work of local leaders who embody Dr. King’s commitment to equity, justice and an endless pursuit to make our City and State better.

Free Two-Hour Parking During Providence Restaurant Weeks 

The City will offer free, two-hour parking in designated commercial districts in alignment with Providence Restaurant Weeks through February 6, 2021.

Free two-hour parking will be offered in designated commercial districts throughout our Ward: 

   - Downtown Providence – bounded by Fountain Street, Memorial Boulevard, Weybosset Street, Empire Street and Friendship Street (from Dyer Street to Dorrance Street)
   - South Main Street – James Street to Packet Street
   - Thayer Street – Bowen Street to Waterman Street
   - Wayland Square – East Angell Street/Angell Street to Gano Street and Wayland Avenue from Angell Street to Pitman Street
   - Wickenden/Ives – Wickenden Street at Benefit Street to Ives Street at Preston Street
   - While parking meter violations will not be issued during free two-hour parking in the specified districts, parking time limits will be enforced.

City of Providence and Providence FOP Lodge #3 to Sign Tentative Four-Year Agreement to Advance Pension Reform

Mayor Jorge O. Elorza today will join President of Providence FOP Lodge #3 Michael Imondi to sign a tentative agreement spanning a four-year term from July 1st, 2019 to June 30th, 2023.

“This agreement achieves historic pension reform as a means for longer term financial stability for the City while making meaningful investments in the future of our Police Department.” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “I am committed to ensuring our approach to public safety is driven by long-term thinking and approaches to public safety. This contract serves as one part of that overall commitment and I thank Providence FOP President Michael Imondi and the entire FOP leadership team for their good-faith efforts to reach an agreement.”

The agreement requires officers to contribute an additional 5.5% of their salaries toward the City’s pension fund, totaling a 13.5% annual contribution, reducing the long-term pension liability by $25-30 million.

Additional changes include the creation of an Other Postemployment Benefits (OPEB) Trust to address long-term healthcare liabilities, a shift to a 4-tier healthcare plan that includes healthcare co-share increases for active members and retirees, and competitive co-shares for dental coverage.

“This agreement provides our members with the competitive wage increases and wage rates which they deserve as police officers in our Capital City, and brings our base pay rate up into the top 25% in the State while maintaining other benefits in line with other municipal police departments,” said Michael Imondi, President of the Providence Police Union. “The agreement also partners the FOP with the City in increasing funding to the Pension Fund through our members’ commitment to increase pension contributions, which along with the City’s continued funding, will reduce the unfunded liability and preserve our pension benefits over the long term .”

The first three years of the contract provide 4.5% wage increases and the final year provides a 3.75% wage increase for all officers. The current base pay of Providence Police Officers is in the bottom 25% compared to other Rhode Island municipalities.

The tentative agreement will be considered for ratification by the membership of Providence FOP Lodge #3. Upon passage, the contract would then be sent to the City Council for ratification.

Update from the Department of Planning & Development

Re-imagine Downtown Public Spaces Survey

We’re reimagining downtown public spaces, together! Continue to engage with us by completing an online survey. The survey closessoon so be sure to share your ideas and visions ASAP!

Take the survey here: http://bit.ly/2XdhI7n #ImagineDowntownPVD

Update from the Department of Art, Culture, + Tourism

Cultural Plan Survey

The City of Providence Department of Art, Culture + Tourism (ACT) invites you to join us in building the future of the creative sector.

>From now through mid-January, we ask that you (safely and virtually) get together with your family, friends, artistic collaborators, and organizations to think about arts, culture and creativity in Providence:

What makes you feel like you belong?

What works well?

What's missing?

What has been a challenge?

What change do you want to see moving forward?

They want to hear about your direct experiences with arts and culture in the city, and we also ask that you think beyond your individual experience, organization, neighborhood or discipline.

When you are finished, tell them about your conversation using this google form.

Your answers will help the City of Providence Department of Art, Culture + Tourism write the 2021 Creative Providence Cultural Plan.

https://artculturetourism.com/creative-providence-2020/

All comments will remain anonymous, but any names you provide will be listed in the plan to recognize your participation.They have EXTENDED the deadline for the close the focus group link on January 31, 2021.

Have any questions? Contact Gina Rodriguez-Drix, Cultural Affairs Manager at grodriguez at providenceri.gov.

Gallery at Providence City Hall

Natural Wonders: Works by Deborah Spears Moorehead and Matt Tracy

January 21, 2021 – March 17, 2021

Opening Reception Cancelled due to COVID-19 Emergency

EXHIBITION STATEMENT:

Humans and animals, humans and rocks, humans and city streets – they all have the potential to be in more right relation to each other. Human actors might learn to get in these right relationships by practicing care in new ways. Deborah Spears Moorehead and Matt Tracy practice just such care. Their care is evident in the landscapes they depict—in the places where the impressions made by humans are illuminated and analyzed—but also in the places where non-humans leave their marks. The idea of the natural in the title “Natural Wonders” challenges audiences to think about blurring the boundary between the “natural world” and everything else. The exhibition celebrates the wonderment of an expanded nature that harmonizes the built environment, and all products of human ingenuity, without sacrificing animals, plants, waterways, mountains, and other non-human actors.

For more about The Gallery visit our website here: https://artculturetourism.com/category/galleries/

Update from RIDOT

Route 6/10 Interchange Reconstruction, Providence

This week, daytime operations include demolition of the ramp from Route 6 East to Route 10 North and continued steel installation at the flyover bridge from Route 10 North to Route 6 West.

They also are scheduled to install earth supports at the Westminster Street Bridge and do wall work at the Tobey Street and Harris Avenue bridges.

Lane closure information is available here as is additional information about the project.

Events in PVD

18th Annual Providence Dr. MLK Jr. Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 5:30 PM EST – 7 PM EST via Zoom

Join Mayor Elorza, Council President Matos, and the Providence Human Relations Commission for the 18th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony.

This event celebrates Dr. King's powerful legacy by highlighting the work of three Providence civic leaders who embody Dr. King's commitment to equity, civil rights, and justice.

Join us as we recognize Providence community leaders!

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/210985060628983

PVD Winter Restaurant Weeks 2021 - STAY LOCAL. EAT WELL.

January 10–February 6, 2021

Warm up your winter with four weeks of delicious dining specials brought to you by Providence Restaurant Weeks Presents: Stay Local. Eat Well. Participating area restaurants will feature deals and specials for breakfast, lunch or dinner (or even all three). You'll also find other special offers, like signature cocktails, family-sized entrees, specialty products, and more. 

Whether you choose to dine inside, outside or take it to go, enjoy a well-deserved break from the kitchen, while showing your support for Rhode Island's amazing restaurants.  

Join the conversation: Tweet #PRW or Tweet #PVDEats

Saturdays at the Farm Fresh Winter Market in Providence

The farmers market is open every Saturday 9am–1pm at Farm Fresh RI, 10 Sims Ave in Providence! With over 50 great local vendors to choose from, you'll find what you need (and then some) — fresh produce, meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, cheese, doughnuts, baked goods, pickles, coffee, treats, and more! In addition to farmers markets, our facility is located along the Woonasquatucket River, where you can enjoy other local businesses and artists nearby like The Steel Yard, ISCO: The Industrious Spirits Co., Revival Brewing Co., The Floral Reserve, Nicholson File Art Studios, and Waterfire Arts Center! Learn more: farmfreshri.org/winter

COVID-19: We're happy to be able to offer the Winter Market during this pandemic. Thank you for supporting local farmers and food makers with your essential shopping, and for doing your part to keep the community healthy and thriving. Consider sending one person inside for your household. Then take it outside! Food trucks, some vendors, and distanced seating are available outside. Sorry, dogs are not allowed inside per Health Department regulations.

Read more about our COVID-19 safety protocols: farmfreshri.org/winter

Are you looking for something to do this weekend?

Check out the www.ArtsNowRI.com calendar for a bunch of events happening in the Providence area or virtually!

For any city hosted, sponsored, or partnered events, visit this website for more info: https://www.providenceri.gov/event/

Check out Go Providence's calendar of events as well: https://www.goprovidence.com/events/

Have a great rest of your week!

Best,

| 

  |  |
| 
Alexis E Kievning
Neighborhood Liaison and Digital

Communications Specialist

Preferred Pronoun: she/her/hers

Department of Planning and Development
Joseph A. Doorley Municipal Building
444 Westminster Street 
Providence, RI 02903
Akievning at providenceri.gov
(401) 680-8400 | Ext: 5408
Call to Connect | PVD311
  |

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://sna.providence.ri.us/pipermail/summit_sna.providence.ri.us/attachments/20210123/450b281c/attachment.htm>