Apr. 8, 2026 - Regular Session

Newport

Minutes · April 8, 2026

CITY OF NEWPORT

MEETING

APRIL 8, 2026

The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the Council came before the Council at a meeting held at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, Council Chambers, 43 Broadway, Newport, RI 02840

The CITY CLERK called the roll and the following members were present:

LYNN UNDERWOOD CEGLIE

DAVID R. CARLIN, III

STEPHANIE SMYTH

CHARLIE HOLDER

JEANNE-MARIE NAPOLITANO

XAY KHAMSYVORAVONG

ABSENT

ELLEN PINNOCK

Citizens’ Forum

Pete Rice, 1 Harrison Lane

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to hear item No. 9 following the Consent Calendar. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

a. Minutes of the Regular Council meeting held March 11, 2026

b. Special Events:

1. Puddingstone Events, d/b/a This Love Between Us, Rough Point, 680 Bellevue Ave.; April 15, 2026 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

2. Cathleen Carr, d/b/a newportFILM Indoor Screening, Rogers High School Auditorium; April 16, 2026 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

3. Rev. Mark A. Sauriol, d/b/a Blarney, Balogna and Beyond- Comedy Night, St. Augustin Church Hall; April 17, 2026 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

4. Newport In Bloom, d/b/a Daffy Trolley Rides, streets of Newport; April 18 & 26, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

5. Newport String Project, d/b/a Newport County Concert Series #4- Rough Point, Rough Point Mansion; May 2, 2026 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

REMOVED 6. Emmanuel Church, d/b/a Swing Into Spring, Emmanuel Church; May 15, 2026 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

COUNCILOR KHAMSYORVORAVONG recused.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

7. Puddingstone Events, d/b/a Jazz at the Redwood: The Paul Cornish Trio, 50 Bellevue Ave.; May 27, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

8. Trinity Episcopal Church, d/b/a Annual Strawberry Festival, Trinity Church lawn; June 13, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

9. Newport Historical Society, d/b/a Opening Weekend for the Center for Black History, lawns of Great Friends Meeting House & Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House; June 19, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., June 20, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and June 21, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

10. Lucy’s Hearth, d/b/a Lucy’s Hearth Pickleball Fundraiser, Rogers High School Tennis Courts; June 20, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to noon

11. Brian Votolato, d/b/a Irreverent Warriors Silkies Hike, streets of Newport (route attached); November 7, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

c. Communication from Charles Roberts, re: Requesting permission to change the date of the R.I. Slave History Medallion at the Newport Art Museum to April 11, 2026 which was previously approved but canceled due to the Blizzard of 2026

d. Food Concession Licenses, Jesus Saviour Church, d/b/a

1. Holy Ghost Feast; May 24, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

2. Summer Bazaar; July 23-25, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

(Rain date- July 26, 2026 from 12:00 p.m.)

e. Bingo License, Jesus Saviour Church, d/b/a Summer Bazaar, 1 Vernon Ave.; July 23-25 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

f. Pawn Broker License, Renewal, Fall River Financial RI, LLC, d/b/a Fall River Pawn Brokers, 128 Broadway

g. Communication from Maureen Cronin, Chair, Tree and Open Space Commission, re: Expressing support for the plaque in Liberty Square commemorating the grant of land in 1748 (Receive)

REMOVED h. Communication from Peter Janaros, Cliff Walk Commission, re: Cliff Walk Restrooms (Receive and refer to city administration)

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive and refer the communication to the city administration. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. COUNCILOR CARLIN had questions regarding the process. The motion was approved unanimously.

i. Communication from Jacob Wojciechowski, re: Resignation from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (Receive with regret)

j. Proposed FY 2027 Operating Budget (Receive and order advertised for public hearing on May 6, 2026 at a Special Council meeting) Link to City Budget Page

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the Consent Calendar in its entirety with the exception of items b(6) and h. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

*Moved following the Consent Calendar

Appointments

Council Liaisons

Standing Charter Review Commission– Charles Holder

CHAIR HOLDER moved to appoint Charles Holder as liaison to the Standing Charter Review Commission. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Waterfront Commission Council – Charles Holder

CHAIR HOLDER moved to appoint Charles Holder and Stephanie Smyth as liaisons to the Waterfront Commission.

Miantonomi Memorial Park Advisory Commission- Ellen Pinnock

CHAIR HOLDER moved to appoint Ellen Pinnock and Stephanie Smyth as liaisons to the Miantonomi Memorial Park Advisory Commission.

Miantonomi Memorial Park Advisory Commission- Community Organization Appointments

Tree and Open Space Commission - Maureen Cronin (non-voting liaison)

VFW Post 406 - Paul Radion - three-year term, expires 4/8/2029

Newport Historical Society - Rebecca Bertrand - three-year term, expires 4/8/2029

Audubon Society of R.I. - Lauren Parmelee - three-year term, expires 4/8/2029

Newport Tree Conservancy - Natasha Harrison – three-year term expires 4/8/2029

CHAIR HOLDER moved to appoint Maureen Cronin, Paul Radion, Rebecca Bertrand, Lauren Parmelee and Natasha Harrison to the Miantonomi Park Advisory Commission. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Standing Charter Review Commission– (terms are not defined)

COUNCILOR SMYTH recused.

Gerard "Gerry" DeCotis

CHAIR HOLDER moved to appoint Gerard “Gerry” DeCotis to the Standing Charter Review Commission. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY (6-0)

CHAIR HOLDER moved to appoint Martin L. Cohen, Jane LeBoeuf, Robert Dufault, Charles Pattavina, Meghan Rego and Ann Elise McCaffrey to the Commission. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Martin L. Cohen

Jane LeBoeuf

Robert Dufault

Charles F. Pattavina

Meghan Rego

Ann Elise McCaffrey

Comprehensive Plan Advisory Commission (all terms expire 4/8/2027)

CHAIR HOLDER moved to appoint all nominees below to the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Commission. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Reappointments

Henderson Home Commission

CHAIR HOLDER moved to reappoint JoAnne Ritchie, Mary Currier, Donald DeLuca and William Serth to the Henderson Home Commission. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

JoAnne Ritchie – One-year term, expires 12/11/2026

Mary Currier – One-year term expires, 12/11/2026

Donald DeLuca – One-year term expires, 12/11/2026

William Serth – One-year term expires, 2/26/2027

2. Victualing License, Renewal, Brack’s on Bellevue, Inc., d/b/a The Pantry Café & Provisions (change of d/b/a from Brack’s Café), 111 Bellevue Ave.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

3. Victualing License, New Owner, Playa Newport, LLC, d/b/a Playa Bowls, 201 Goddard Row

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

4. Special Event License, Newport Craft/Wally’s Weiners, d/b/a Food Truck Friday Newport, 293 J.T. Connell Highway, 5/22/26, 5/29/26, 6/5/26, 6/12/26, 6/19/26, 6/26/26, 7/10/26, 7/17/26, 7/24/26, 7/31/26, 8/7/26, 8/14/226, 8/21/26 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

~Request to waive Section 5.57.040 (c), entitled, “Restrictions on permit”, of the Codified Ordinances, which prohibits a food truck within 250 feet of an existing restaurant.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

5. Special Event License, Audrain Auto Museum, d/b/a Newport Daffodil Parade, streets of Newport, beginning at Easton’s Beach; April 12, 2026 from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

6. Special Event License, Audrain Automobile Museum, Inc. and Audrain Concours Foundation, LLC, d/b/a 2026 Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week, various locations (details attached); October 1-4, 2026

a. Request to close Bellevue Avenue between Memorial Blvd. and East Bowery St. from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

b. Addition of a Super Car Parade, streets of Newport, October 1, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

7. Sidewalk Café License, Renewals

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the sidewalk café license renewals. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

a. Pickled and Cured, Inc., d/b/a Audette & Thames Street Kitchen, 505-509 Thames St.

b. 22 Washington Sq., Inc., d/b/a Bar Cino, 22 Washington Sq.

c. Caleb Opco, LLC, d/b/a Caleb and Broad, 162 Broadway

d. 527 Thames Opco, LLC, d/b/a Claw and Hammer, 527-537 Thames St.

e. Fastnet, Inc., d/b/a Fastnet, The, 1-3 Broadway

f. Get The Scoop, LLC, d/b/a Get The Scoop, 4 Broadway

g. Monkey Business, LLC, d/b/a Hungry Monkey, 124 Broadway

h. Mel’s Lunch, Inc., d/b/a Mel’s Lunch, 25 Broadway

i. Nick’s Fine Foods, Inc., d/b/a Nikolas Pizza, 38 Memorial Blvd. West

j. Parlor, LLC, d/b/a Parlor Bar & Kitchen, 200 Broadway

k. Picnic Ltd., d/b/a Picnic, 28-32 Bellevue Ave.

l. Root Newport RI, LLC, d/b/a root newport, 6 Broadway

m. Scratch, LLC, d/b/a Scratch Kitchen and Catering, 88 Broadway

n. Kale Stems, LLC, d/b/a Stoneacre, 28-30 Washington Sq.

8. Street Café License, Renewals:

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the street café license renewals. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

a. Fitzsimoes, LLC, d/b/a Corner Café, 110 Broadway

b. Leinster, Inc., d/b/a Malt, 150-154 Broadway

c. MBK, LLC, d/b/a Pour Judgement, 32 Broadway