Sep. 29, 2025 - Regular Session

DOCKET FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL

MEETING

SEPTEMBER 29, 2025*

*(RESCHEDULED FROM SEPTEMBER 24, 2025)

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:

XAY KHAMSYVORAVONG

LYNN UNDERWOOD CEGLIE

DAVID R. CARLIN, III

STEPHANIE SMYTH

JEANNE-MARIE NAPOLITANO

ABSENT

ELLEN PINNOCK

CHARLIE HOLDER

Citizens’ Forum

Chris Bwich, 74 Old Beach Rd.

Peter Garcia, 14 Shields St.

John Fulweiler, Esq., 40 Mary St.

Peter Kent, 3552 Moir Rd., Tiverton, RI

Charlotte Johnson, 15 Park St.

a. Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held August 27, 2025.

*b. Special Events:

1. The Preservation Society of Newport County, d/b/a State of the Collections Lecture, Rosecliff; September 30, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

2. The Preservation Society of Newport County, d/b/a Mid-Autumn Festival, Marble House; October 6, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

3. Rev Meaghan Kelly Brower, Trinity Church, d/b/a Trinity Church Pumpkin Patch, 1 Queen Anne Square; October 8-31, 2025, Monday – Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

4. Narragansett Council, d/b/a Adventure at the Fort, Fort Adams; October 10 through October 12, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m.

5. Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center, d/b/a Water Bro Screening, MLK Basketball Courts; October 15, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (Rain date – October 16, 2025)

6. The Preservation Society of Newport County, d/b/a Fall Lecture & Dinner, Rosecliff; October 16, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

7. Newport Live, d/b/a Newport Live Presents Steve Dyer Quartet, Jazz from South Africa: Freedom Suite, Channing Memorial Church; October 18, 2025 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

8. The Preservation Society of Newport County, d/b/a Trick or Treat Tours, The Breakers; October 24 & 25, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

9. Armstead-Barnhill Foundation, d/b/a 3rd Annual Sickle Cell Friend-Raiser, Edward King House; October 24, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

10. Cheyene Cousens, d/b/a Omen Halloween Skateboarding Contest, Newport Skatepark; October 25, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

REMOVED   11.       Robin Dahlin, d/b/a Japan-America Friendship Festival, Touro Park; October 25, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO.  Robin Dahlin, addressed the Council regarding the event.  The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

12. Newport Art Museum, d/b/a Sean Landers & Philip Eliasoph Talk, 76 Bellevue Ave.; November 3, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

13. Newport Contemporary Ballet, d/b/a Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff; November 26, 28-30, 2025 and December 1 & 3-5, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

14. Newport Art Museum, d/b/a Winter Speaker Series/Back Page, 76 Bellevue Ave.; 1/24/26, 1/31/26, 2/7/26, 2/14/26, 2/21/26, 2/28/26 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

c. Letter from the Waterfront Commission, re: Requesting the City to conduct an economic impact study of recreational boating in Newport Harbor (Receive and refer to the City Administration for a recommendation)

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the Consent Calendar in its entirety with the exception of b (11). Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

2. Victualing License, New, Principal Nutrition, LLC, d/b/a Sip to Shine, 260 Bellevue Ave.

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

3.         Entertainment License, Expansion, Vanderbilt Opco, LLC, d/b/a The Vanderbilt, 41 Mary St., to expand the entertainment by adding the roof deck daily from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. from June 1 through September 30 and the Garden Terrace daily from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (Current entertainment: indoors from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and the Garden Terrace from Thursday through Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.) (Hearing)

The public hearing was declared open.  No members from the public addressed the Council.

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

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

1. Class F Daily Liquor License, Newport Live, d/b/a Newport Live Presents Steve Dyer Quartet, Jazz from South Africa: Freedom Suite, Channing Memorial Church; October 18, 2025 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

2. Class F Daily Liquor License, Newport Art Museum, d/b/a Sean Landers & Philip Eliasoph Talk, 76 Bellevue Ave.; November 3, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to approve the Consent Calendar in its entirety.  Seconded by COMMISSIONER NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

3.         Action Item #6374/25 – RE:  Show Cause Hearing:  Pyramid Club, d/b/a Pyramid Club - Operating Without a Valid Class D Alcoholic Beverage License (Continued from July 23, 2025)

COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to dismiss the Show Cause.  Seconded by COMMISSIONER NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

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

ADJOURN AS BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS

AND RECONVENE AS COUNCIL

4. Action Item #6505/25 – RE: Ordinance Amendment – Title II, Chapter 2.112.010, 2.112.020 & 2.112.030 and Revised/New Administrative Purchasing Policy (w/accompanying resolution and ordinance)

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

5. Action Item #6506/25 – RE: CRMC File No.: 2025-08-028 & RIDEM IA Number: IA-0000010396 - Application of 128 Long Wharf LLC, 55 Ruggles Avenue - Perform Dredging of Material at 128 Long Wharf Marina

COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO moved to receive the communication and approve. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE. Discussion occurred among the Council. Gus Kreuzkamp, Engineer, VHB, addressed the Council to answer questions about the application and project. The motion to approve was voted 4-1 with COUNCILOR CARLIN opposed.

6. Action Item #6507/25 – RE: Harbor Ordinance Revision (w/accompanying ordinances)

COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying ordinance. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE. Stephan Land, Harbormaster, addressed the Council to answer questions. Discussion occurred among the Council. The following members from the public addressed the Council:

Peter Garcia, 14 Shields St.

Jack Grant, 26 Vaughn Ave.

John Fulweiler, Esq., 40 Marty St.

Henry Spengler, 213 Coggeshall Ave.

COUNCILOR SMYTH moved to continue the item and schedule a workshop on the insurance requirements. Seconded by COUNCILOR CARLIN. The motion failed, 2-3 with COUNCILOR SMYTH and COUNCILOR CARLIN in favor and COUNCILOR KHAMSYVORAVONG, COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and COUNCILOR CEGLIE opposed.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the item. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and voted 3-2 with COUNCILOR CEGLIE, COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and COUNCILOR KHAMSYVORAVONG in favor. Opposed- COUNCILOR CARLIN and COUNCILOR SMYTH

7. Action Item #6508/25 – RE: Award of Contract - RFP #2026-PS-004 - HVAC System for the Martin Recreation Center (w/accompanying resolution)

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

8. Action Item #6509/25 – RE: Award of Contract - RFP #2026-PS-003 City Hall Retaining Wall (w/accompanying resolution)

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

9. Action Item #6510/25 – RE: Award of Contract - Bid #2026-PS-002 - LED Sports Lighting John Chafee Recreation Area (w/accompanying resolution)

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

10. Action Item #6511/25 – RE: Award of Contract - RFP 2026-PS-001 - Traffic Study Thames-Spring Streets Professional Services (w/accompanying resolution)

COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE. Discussion occurred among the Council. Pete Rice, 1 Harrison Lane, addressed the Council. COUNCILOR SMYTH moved to continue the item to October 22, 2025. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

11. Action Item #6512/25 – RE: Award of Contract - RFP 2025-MAR-003 - Perrotti Park Harbor Shuttle Landing Seawall & Floating Dock Reconstruction (w/accompanying resolution)

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

12. Action Item #6513/25 – RE: Award of Contract -RIMPA- APX Consolettes - Fire Department Dispatch Center (w/accompanying resolution)

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

13. Action Item #6514/25 – RE: Authorization to Approve a Special Projects Grant Award to the Newport Prevention Coalition (w/accompanying resolution)

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

14. Action Item #6515/25 – RE: Authorization to Approve a Grant Request to the RI Department of Health & Human Services (w/accompanying resolution)

COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE. Michael Ferreira, Deputy Fire Chief, Carmela Geer, Edward King House Senior Center and Peter Bramante, Grants Officer, addressed the Council to answer questions. The motion to approve was voted 4-1 with COUNCILOR CARLIN opposed.

15.       Amending Section Chapter 3.12.020, of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, “City Manager to maintain specifications – Enumeration of classes,- Annual review of specifications—Enumeration of classes” (Second Reading)

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on second reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. The motion was voted 4-1 with COUNCILOR CARLIN opposed.

16. Supporting a moratorium on new natural gas hookups on Aquidneck Island- S. Smyth, E. Pinnock

COUNCILOR SMYTH moved to continue the item until a workshop is held with the Energy and Environment Commission.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO.  Discussion occurred among the Council.  COUNCILOR SMYTH moved to withdraw the resolution contingent upon a joint workshop with the Energy and Environment Commission being held.  Seconded by COUNCILOR CARLIN and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Laura C. Swistak, CMC

City Clerk

Adjourn- 9:00 p.m.