Jul. 09, 2025 - Regular Session

CITY OF NEWPORT

MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL

MEETING

JULY 9, 2025

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 pm in the City Council Chambers, 43 Broadway, Newport, RI 02840

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

XAY KHAMSYVORAVONG

LYNN UNDERWOOD CEGLIE

CHARLIE HOLDER

DAVID R. CARLIN, III

STEPHANIE SMYTH

JEANNE-MARIE NAPOLITANO

ELLEN PINNOCK

Citizens’ Forum

Maureen Cronin, 10 Harvard St.

Lilly Dick, 5 Touro Park West

Grant Dulgarian, Providence, RI

a.   Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held on June 11, 2025

b.   Special Events:

REMOVED  1.   Ron Kitt, d/b/a The Newport Kite Festival, Brenton Point State Park; July 12  & 13, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license.  Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK.  COUNCILOR CARLIN had questions for the applicant.  Ron Kitt addressed the Council.  The motion to approve was voted 5-2 with COUNCILOR CARLIN and COUNCILOR PINNOCK opposed.

2.   Alliance Francaise de Newport, d/b/a Rochambeau Commemoration, Rochambeau Statue, King Park; July 12, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

3.   Father Kevin Beesley, d/b/a Music on the Lawn, Saint John’s Church, 61 Washington St.; July 15, 22, 29, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

4.   Robert Vitello, d/b/a John Lewis Good Trouble Lives On Rally, Eisenhower Park; July 17, 2025 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

5.   newportFILM, d/b/a newportFILM Summer Benefit at IYRS, 449 Thames St.; July 19, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

6.   Mark Stickney, d/b/a Touro Park Summer Concert Series – The American Band, Touro Park; July 20, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

REMOVE  7.   Conexion Latina, d/b/a Teatro En El Verano Presents ¡Que Diablos! Fausto, Aquidneck Park; July 27, 2025 from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

COUNCILOR KHAMSYVORAVONG recused.

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

8.   Newport Art Museum, d/b/a Sound bath with Eluvium, Newport Art Museum/Griswold House; August 1, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

9.   Sail Newport, d/b/a Sail Newport’s Summer Fundraiser, 72 Fort Adams Drive; August 14, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

10. Newport Art Museum, d/b/a Suchi Reddy on Neuroaesthetics, Newport Art Museum/Griswold House; August 22, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

11. Japan-America Society and Black Ships Festival of Rhode Island, Inc., d/b/a Japan-America Society and Black Ships Festival of Rhode Island Gala, Ochre Court; August 23, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

12. IYRS, d/b/a 46th Annual IYRS Newport Classic Yacht Regatta Awards Party, 449 Thames St.; August 31, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

13. Newport Art Museum, d/b/a Dr. Stephanie Hartselle Talk on Psychedelics, Griswold House/Newport Art Museum; September 10, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

14. Newport Art Museum, d/b/a Charterbook Event, Griswold House/Newport Art Museum; October 8, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

15. Naval War College, d/b/a Cardines Classic, Cardines Field; October 3, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (rain date – October 10, 2025)

c.   Waste Hauler License, New, Shouliu Li, d/b/a Whale Dumpster Rental, 1528 Mineral Spring Ave. Unit D, North Providence, RI

d.   Holiday Selling License, Renewal, Amanda Gallagher, d/b/a Closet Revival, 26 & 30 Broadway

e.   Communication from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, re:  Statement of Support for Funding the Transportation Master Plan Implementation (Receive)

f.    Communication from Lylee Usrey, re:  Request to light up City Hall in teal blue on July 22, 2025 in honor of World Fragile X Day (Approve subject to details being worked out with city administration)

g.   Communication from Delaney Daly, re:  Resignation from the Sister City Commission (Receive with regret)

h.   Communication from George Antone, re:  Resignation from the Sister City Commission (Receive with regret)

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the Consent Calendar in its entirety with the exception of items b(1) and b(7).  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

2.   Entertainment License, Expansion, MBK, LLC, d/b/a Pour Judgement Bar & Grill, 32 Broadway, to have entertainment indoors Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. (Hearing)

The public hearing was declared open.

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.

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

1.   Class F-1 Daily Liquor License, Sail Newport, d/b/a Sail Newport’s Summer Fundraiser, 72 Fort Adams Drive; August 14, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

2.   Class F Daily Liquor License,   Newport Art Museum, d/b/a Charterbook Event, Griswold House/Newport Art Museum; October 8, 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.

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

3.   Communication from Maureen Cronin, Chair, Tree and Open Space Commission, re:  Advisory Letter on Placement of Elephant Sculptures

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

4.   Memorandum from the City Solicitor, re:  First Amendment to City Manager Employment Agreement

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the memorandum.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

COUNCILOR CARLIN moved to adopt the accompanying resolution.  Seconded by CHAIR HOLDER and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

5.   Action Item #6453/25 – RE:  Continued Subscription for Document and Compliance Management Platform through PowerDMS (w/accompanying resolution)

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

6.   Action Item #6454/25 – RE:   Ordinance Revision - 10.44.010 - Multi-way Stop Signs-Designated  Spring Street, Bowery Street and Young Street (w/accompanying ordinance)

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying ordinance.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO.  Discussion occurred among the Council.  COUNCILOR CARLIN moved to send the recommendation back to the Interdepartmental Traffic Committee for additional recommendations.  Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

7.   Action Item #6455/25 – RE:   Ordinance Revision - 10.52.010 - Weight Restricted Streets - No Through-Streets Listed -  Signs Required - Hammond Street (w/accompanying ordinance)

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

Mark Delgiudice, 40 Hammond St.  Mr. Delgudice had documents to submit to the Council.  COUNCILOR CARLIN moved to receive the documents.  Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Deb Roberts, 39 Hammond St.

Nino Giammarco, 37 Dixon St.

The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

8.   Action Item #6456/25 – RE:   Harbor Ordinance Revision-Renewal Fee Increase  (w/accompanying ordinance)

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying ordinance.  Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK.  Stephen Land, Harbormaster, addressed the Council to answer questions.

The motion to approve was voted 6-1 with COUNCILOR CARLIN opposed.

9.   Action Item #6457/25 – RE:   Ordinance Revision 15.16.060 -  Rental Registration Form to Require a Copy of the Lease and 15.16.080 - Fee to Increase Registration and Inspection Fees (w/accompanying ordinance)

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

10. Action Item #6458/25 – RE:   Ordinance Amendment – Title II, Chapter 2.120, “General Fee Schedule” (w/accompanying ordinance)

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

11. Amending Section 10.24.010, entitled, “Parking Prohibited at all Times in Designated Places – Poplar Street, South Side, from America’s Cup Avenue to a point Seventy-Five (75) Feet East of America’s Cup Avenue” (Second Reading)

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

12. Amending Section 10.24.010, entitled, “Parking Prohibited at all Times in Designated Places – Spring Street, East Side from Bull Street to a point Fifty (50) Feet South” (Second Reading)

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

13. Revised Rules of Council – S. Smyth, E. Pinnock

COUNCILOR SMYTH moved to withdraw the resolution and schedule a workshop.  Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

14. Boards and Commissions Oversight Committee – S. Smyth, E. Pinnock

COUNCILOR SMYTH moved to withdraw the resolution.  Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

15. Sister Cities Commission Program – S. Smyth, E. Pinnock

COUNCILOR SMYTH introduced the resolution and moved for its passage.  Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK.  Discussion occurred among the Council.  Brenda Bachman, Sister City Commission addressed the Council.  COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to continue the resolution and schedule a workshop with the Sister City Commission.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

16. Bannister’s Wharf Safety – L. Ceglie

COUNCILOR CEGLIE introduced the resolution and moved for its passage.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

17. MFEs – JT Connell – L. Ceglie

COUNCILOR CEGLIE introduced the resolution and moved for its passage.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO.  Discussion occurred among the Council.   CITY MANAGER KENNEDY addressed the Council.  The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Adjourn- 8:36 p.m.

Laura C. Swistak, CMC

City Clerk