Jan. 28, 2026 - Regular Session

Newport

Minutes · January 28, 2026

CITY OF NEWPORT

MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL

MEETING

JANUARY 28, 2026

The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the Council came 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*: *

There was no public comment.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to hear item No. 16 following the Consent Calendar. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

a. Minutes of the Regular Council Workshop held December 8, 2025

b. Special Events:

1. Preservation Society of Newport County, @ Rosecliff, d/b/a:

a. Chief Curator’s Choice Lecture; January 29, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

b. MA: Winter Lecture 2, February 12, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

c. MA: Tango Dance Evening, February 13, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

d. MA: Gilded Age Orchestra, February 26, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

e. MA: Winter Panel, March 15, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

f. Newport Flower Show, June 19-21, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

g. MA: Exhibition Opening; June 25, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

2. Cumulus Media Lite 105, d/b/a Lite 105’s Masquerade Ball, Ochre Court; February 14, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

3. Katelyn McSherry, d/b/a 2026 Newport Wedding Show, Rosecliff & The Reef; March 1, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

4. Kelley Coen, d/b/a Newport Yacht Rendezvous, Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard; June 26, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

c. Communication from Meg Dodge, SVP, Head of External Affairs, Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc., re: Request to light up the top of city hall on the last day of February 2026 to recognize Rare Disease Day (Approve subject to details being worked out with city administration)

REMOVED

d. Communication from the Energy and Environment Commission, re: Recommending the City Council support a moratorium on new natural gas connections (Receive)

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication. Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK. Discussion occurred among the Council. CHAIR HOLDER moved to deny receipt of the communication. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE. The motion failed. Discussion continued among the Council.

COUNCILOR KHAMSYVORAVONG moved to call the question. Seconded by COUNCILOR CARLIN. The motion to received was voted 6-1 with CHAIR HOLDER opposed.

e. Communication from Rosemary O’Brien, re: Resignation from the Historic District Commission (Receive with regret)

f. FY 2027-2031 Recommended Capital Improvement Plan (Receive and order advertised for public hearing on February 11, 2026)

REMOVED

g. Communication from Nicholas Armour, Zoning Officer, re: Proposed Zoning Amendments pursuant to Resolution No. 2025-88 (Receive and refer to the Planning Board for a recommendation and order advertised for public hearing February 25, 2026)

** **COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved receive the communication, refer to the Planning Board for a recommendation and order advertised for public hearing. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Discussion occurred among the Council and City Solicitor Christopher J. Behan. The motion was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE move to approve the Consent Calendar in its entirety with the exception of items d and g. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

16. Supporting the creation of a funded Resiliency and Sustainability Program and requesting enabling legislation for a local conveyance fee- C. Holder, J. Napolitano

CHAIR HOLDER moved to continue the resolution in order to hold a workshop to get more information about the proposal. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

2. Broadway Street Fair, d/b/a Broadway Street Fair, 1-200 Broadway & Washington Sq.; October 10, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

__Street Closure Request: __Broadway and Washington Sq.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license and street closure request. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Jason Head, Traffic Sergeant, addressed the Council to answer questions regarding emergency access. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

3. Annual Entertainment License, New, Class A (Indoor), Newport Protective Club, d/b/a The Protective Club, 596 Thames St., to have entertainment Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. (Second Hearing) - Continued from January 14, 2026

The public hearing was declared open.

Scott Kelleher, applicant, addressed the Council to answer questions. He stated live entertainment would end at 10:00 p.m. and then music would be provided to patrons through indoor speakers only. Chuck Boluc, Dixon St., addressed the Council regarding noise.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to close the public hearing and approve. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

4. Annual Entertainment License, Expansion, Class B (outdoor), Fastnet Inc., d/b/a Fastnet Pub, 1-3 Broadway to have outdoor entertainment daily from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on the rear patio (First Hearing) - continued from January 14, 2026

The public hearing was declared open. Finnbar Murray, applicant, addressed the Council regarding the type of entertainment he is proposing. He stated that he has met with the neighbors and they have come to an agreement. There will be no outdoor speakers, only tv speakers only.

Jim Simmons, 26 Spring St. addressed the Council. COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to close the public hearing and approve. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

5. Annual Entertainment License, New, Class A (indoor) & Class B (outdoor) Quench Opco, LLC, d/b/a The Quencher Newport, 95 Long Wharf, to have entertainment indoors daily from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. and outdoors Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Second Hearing)

The public hearing was opened. There was no public comment.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to close the public hearing and approve the license. Seconded by COUNCLIOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Appointments

Historic District Commission

Brooke Richter –– move from Alternate member to Full member - three-year term expiring 3/12/2028

CHAIR HOLDER moved to appoint Brooke Richter as a full member. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE. Discussion occurred among the Council. COUNCILOR SMYTH raised concerns about alternate members for Boards and Commissions not being codified. The motion to appoint was voted 4-3 with COUNCILOR SMYTH, COUNCILOR PINNOCK and COUNCILOR CARLIN opposed.

Planning Board

John Greichen - three-year term expiring 1/28/2029

CHAIR HOLDER moved to appoint John Greichen to the Planning Board. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Reappointments

Planning Board

Margaret Polski - three-year term expiring 10/31/2028

CHAIR HOLDER moved to reappoint Margaret Polski to the Planning Board. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE. Discussion occurred among the Council. The motion to reappoint was voted 4-3 with COUNCILOR CARLIN, COUNCILOR SMYTH and COUNCILOR PINNOCK opposed.

Theresa (Soni) Stokes - three-year term expiring 10/31/2028

CHAIR HOLDER moved to reappoint Theresa Stokes to the Planning Board. Seconded by COUNICLOR CEGLIE. Discussion occurred among the Council. The motion to reappoint was voted 4-3 with COUNCILOR CARLIN, COUNCILOR SMYTH and COUNCILOR PINNOCK opposed.

6. Action Item #6551/26 – RE: Cliff Walk Restroom Expansion Engineering Services (w/accompanying resolution)

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Teresa Crean, Director of Resiliency and Sustainability, addressed the Council to answer questions. Discussion occurred among the Council.

Pete Rice, 1 Harrison Lane, addressed the Council.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to continue the communication to receive more information. Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

7. Action Item #6552/26 – RE: Ordinance Revision – 10.24.010 Parking Prohibited (w/accompanying ordinance)

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

8. Action Item #6553/26 – RE: Award of Bid #2026-POL-002, One 2025 Harley Davidson FLHTP Electra Glide Solo Law Enforcement Motorcycle (w/accompanying resolution)

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

9. Action Item #6554/26 – RE: 2025 Aquidneck Island Regional Hazard Mitigation & Flood Management Plan (w/accompanying resolution)11. Action Item #6555/26 – RE: Amendment of Contract to KCM Group, Owner Project Manager Services for Renovations to the Florence Gray Community Center – Pandemic Recovery Office Capital Projects Fund (PRO-CPF) (w/ accompanying resolution)

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to withdraw the communication. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

10. Action Item #6555/26 – RE: Amendment of Contract to KCM Group, Owner Project Manager Services for Renovations to the Florence Gray Community Center – Pandemic Recovery Office Capital Projects Fund (PRO-CPF) (w/ accompanying resolution)

11. Action Item #6556/26 – RE: Award of RFP #2026-PS-005 Roof and Soffit Replacement Touro Fire Station (w/accompanying resolution)

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Discussion occurred among the Council regarding the use of composite slate vs. real slate. COUNCILOR KHAMSYVORAVONG stated the city needs to be consistent and have the same standards as residents. COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to continue the item. Seconded by COUNCILOR SMYTH. The motion was voted 6-1 with CHAIR HOLDER opposed.

12. Action Item #6557/26 – RE: Award of Bid/ Proposal – RFP #2026-MAR-002 – Regatta Economic Impact Study (w/accompanying resolution)

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Discussion occurred among the Council. Stephan Land, Harbormaster, addressed the Council to answer questions. The motion to approve was voted 5-2 with COUNCILOR CARLIN and COUNCILOR SMYTH opposed.

ORDINANCES

13. Amending Section 4.08.120 A(c)(1), of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, “Property Tax Classification” (Second Reading)

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

14. Amending Section 5.12.040 of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, “Number of Licenses Permitted” to increase the number of BT licenses by one and reduce the number of BL licenses by one (Second Reading)

~Communication from Peter Regan, Esq. requesting to convert the Class BL alcoholic beverage license to a Class BT alcoholic beverage license

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

RESOLUTIONS

15. Supporting the creation of a funded Resiliency and Sustainability Program and requesting enabling legislation for a local conveyance fee- C. Holder, J. Napolitano

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

1. Communication from 527 Thames Opco, LLC, d/b/a Scales & Shells, 527-537 Thames St., holder of a Class BV alcoholic beverage license, to change the d/b/a to Claw & Hammer, at the same premises (Receive and make part of licensee’s file)

COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to approve the communication. Seconded by COMMISSIONER NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

** ** Laura C. Swistak, CMC City Clerk

Adjourn- 8:37 p.m.