2024-57 Tourism and Marketing District

RESOLUTION

OF THE
COUNCIL

No. 2024-57

WHEREAS, In 2017, Discover Newport did assist, pursuant to the District Management Authority's Act, Chapter 45-59, General Laws of Rhode Island, in the creation of the Newport Tourism Marketing Management District (NTMMD) and the Newport Tourism Marketing Management Authority (NTMMA) which at the time consisted of all lodging properties with twenty (20) rooms or more in Newport; and

WHEREAS, in 2021, this district was renewed and was amended to include all lodging properties with eighteen (18) rooms or more in the City of Newport with the district now up for renewal in 2024; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly has enacted the Tourism Improvement Districts Act, Chapter 45-59.1 of the General Laws of Rhode Island; and

WHEREAS, Discover Newport and the NTMMA have determined that it would be more favorable to create a tourism improvement district pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 45-59.1 and have decided to not renew the term of the NTMMD; and

WHEREAS, the Tourism Improvement Districts Act allows municipalities to create tourism improvement districts that assess any business located within the boundaries of the district; and

WHEREAS, Discover Newport has submitted to the City Clerk's Office for the City of Newport a written petition to form the Newport Tourism Marketing District (District) pursuant to the Tourism Improvement District Act (the Act) which petition was received by the City Council at its Council meeting held on May 22, 2024; and

WHEREAS, said petition appears to be in compliance with the requirements of Section 45-59.1-5 and 45-59.1-6 of the Act and which appears to be signed by the required number of business owners within the proposed District; and

WHEREAS, upon the submission to the Clerk of such petition, a municipality may initiate proceedings to form a tourism

improvement district by adopting a resolution expressing its intention to form the district; and

WHEREAS, upon the submission of a successful petition, the municipality is required to hold a public hearing on the establishment of the tourism improvement district prior to the adoption of an authorizing resolution by providing thirty (30) days written notice of the public hearing to owners of businesses proposed to be subject to assessment as part of the district.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT:

RESOLVED: that the City of Newport hereby expresses its intent to form the District based on the written petition submitted by Discover Newport; and

RESOLVED: that a public hearing be held at the Newport City Council meeting on July 24, 2024 on the petition to form the District and that owners of businesses proposed to be subject to the assessment be provided thirty (30) days written notice of the public hearing; and

RESOLVED: that an authorizing resolution in accordance with Section 45-59.1-9 G.L.R.I. be placed on the docket for consideration by the Council at its July 24, 2024 Council meeting.

LYNN UNDERWOOD CEGLIE
JEANNE-MARIE NAPOLITANO
CHARLES M. HOLDER, JR.

IN COUNCIL
READ AND PASSED
JUNE 12, 2024

LAURA C. SWISTAK, CMC
CITY CLERK