Council Approves Management Reforms to Board of Licenses

PROVIDENCE, R.I.-The City Council tonight passed an ordinance amendment that
establishes new mandatory operational and management reforms to the city’s Board of
Licenses. Spearheaded by the Council’s Majority Whip Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5), this
legislative
package
brings to fruition many of the recommendations outlined in the Jeffrey Pine
report, which was
commissioned by the Council last year.

«Recognizing the integral role that the Board of Licensing plays both in the
economic development of the city and as a regulatory authority for neighborhood
quality of life issues, the Council initiated a comprehensive reform effort to
improve the city’s licensing operations,» said Ryan, who also chairs the Council’s
Committee on Municipal Operations and Oversight, an entity that delves into the
details of local government to improve city services.

In 2016, the Council hired former Attorney General Jeffrey
Pine to conduct a
review of the Board’s operations. The Council has also worked with the
administration
and state legislators to implement the report’s recommendations.

Changes to state
legislation
were adopted last year by the General Assembly in support of the Council’s licensing
initiative. This legislation modernizes and better defines liquor license
classifications, which in turn provides businesses with a more predictable business
framework.

Ryan noted that the City of Providence has already implemented one of the report’s
recommendations; a comprehensive audit of all licensing records is now underway.
Pine deemed this measure essential for accountability, especially regarding records
management and payment collection.

«We’re pleased that our colleagues in government are working with us to improve
licensing operations,» said Ryan. «Together we will continue to bolster and grow the
city’s economy while protecting the quality of life in our neighborhoods.»