Mar. 11, 2026 - Regular Session

Newport

Minutes · March 11, 2026

CITY OF NEWPORT

MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL

MEETING

MARCH 11, 2026

The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the Council will come before the Council at a meeting to be 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:

ELLEN PINNOCK

LYNN UNDERWOOD CEGLIE

DAVID R. CARLIN, III

STEPHANIE SMYTH

CHARLIE HOLDER

JEANNE-MARIE NAPOLITANO

XAY KHAMSYVORAVONG

Citizens’ Forum*: *

~Proclamation Celebrating Irish Heritage Month~

CHAIR HOLDER read the proclamation into the record.

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

b. Special Events:

1. Kate Grotteberg, d/b/a Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce Women in Business After Hours, Rosecliff; March 12, 2026 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

2. The Preservation Society of Newport County, d/b/a MA: Winter Lecture (4), Rosecliff; March 19, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

3. REMOVED Cheyne Cousens, d/b/a Easter Extravaganza, Newport Skatepark; April 4, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to continue the application to March 25, 2026. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

c. Tattoo License, Renewal, Owner/Operator, Bret Lohnes, d/b/a Captain Bret’s Tattoo Shop, Inc., 4 Collins St. Unit 4A

d. Communication from John Griechen, re: Resignation from the Waterfront Commission (Receive with regret)

e. Communication from the Long Covid Foundation & ILCA, re: Request to light up City Hall on March 15, 2026 to recognize International Long Covid Awareness Day (Approve subject to details being worked out with city administration)

f. REMOVED Communication from the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission, re: Review of Bicycle-Related Codes in the City of Newport’s Ordinances (Receive and refer to the City Administration for a recommendation)

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and refer to the City Administration for a recommendation. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Bari Freeman, Bike Newport, addressed the Council regarding the ordinances. The motion was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the Consent Calendar in its entirety with the exception of item b(3) and f. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

LICENSES AND PERMITS

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

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER

COUNCILOR CELIGE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying ordinance. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

COUNCILOR CELIGE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying ordinance. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Lola Herreira, 59 Below Ave., addressed the Council. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

COUNCILOR KHAMSYVORAVONG recused.

COUNCILOR CELIGE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Jim Nolan, Finance Director, addressed the Council to answer questions. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

** **COUNCILOR CELIGE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

ORDINANCES

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on second reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on first reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Jim Nolan, Finance Director and Nick Craig, Director of Information Technology, addressed the Council to answer questions. Discussion occurred among the Council. The motion to approve was voted 5-2 with COUNCILOR CARLIN and COUNCILOR KHAMSYVORAVONG opposed. In favor- CHAIR HOLDER, COUNCILOR CEGLIE, COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO, COUNCILOR SMYTH and COUNCILOR PINNOCK.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on first reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and vote 5-2 with COUNCILOR CARLIN and COUNCILOR KHAMSYVORAVONG opposed. In favor- CHAIR HOLDER, COUNCILOR CEGLIE, COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO, COUNCILOR SMYTH and COUNCILOR PINNOCK.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on first reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and voted 4-3 with COUNCILOR CARLIN, COUNCILOR KHAMSYVORAVONG and COUNCILOR PINNOCK opposed. In favor- CHAIR HOLDER, COUNCILOR CEGLIE, COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and COUNCILOR SMYTH.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to continue items 14-19 for a workshop to be held. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

RESOLUTIONS

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Discussion occurred among the Council and City Manager Kennedy. The motion to approve was voted 6-1 with COUNCILOR CARLIN opposed.

COUNCILOR SMYTH introduced the resolution and moved for its passage. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and voted 6-1 with COUNCILOR CARLIN opposed.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adjourn as Council and convene as Board of License Commissioners. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS

LICENSES AND PERMITS

1. Sunday Selling Licenses - Class A Liquor Stores

a. Bellevue Wine & Spirits, LLC, d/b/a Bellevue Wine & Spirits, 181 Bellevue Ave.

COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to approve Bellevue Wine & Spirits. Seconded by COMMISSIONER NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

b. Shiva Corporation, d/b/a Downtown Liquors, 202 Thames St.

COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to approve Downtown Liquors. Seconded by COMMISSIONER NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

c. Harry S. Karanikolas, Inc., d/b/a Harry’s Liquor Store, 199 Connell Highway

COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to approve Harry’s Liquor Store. Seconded by COMMISSIONER NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

d. Shiv Wine Corp, d/b/a Thames Wine & Spirits, 433 Thames St. Unit 2

COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to approve Thames Wine & Spirits. Seconded by COMMISSIONER NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

e. Kat & Trav, LLC, d/b/a Vicker’s Liquors, 274 Bellevue Ave.

COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to approve Vicker’s Liquors. Seconded by COMMISSIONER NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Laura C. Swistak, CMC

City Clerk

Adjourn- 8:30 p.m.