2025-17 Newport Tourism Market District

WHEREAS, In 2017, Discover Newport did assist, pursuant to the District Management Authority's Act, Chapter 45-59, General Laws of Rhode Island, in the creation of the Newport Tourism Marketing Management District (NTMMD) and the Newport Tourism Marketing Management Authority (NTMMA) which at the time consisted of all lodging properties with twenty (20) rooms or more in Newport; AND

WHEREAS, in 2021, this district was renewed and was amended to include all lodging properties with eighteen (18) rooms or more in the City of Newport with the district now up for renewal in 2024; AND

WHEREAS, the General Assembly has enacted the Tourism Improvement Districts Act, Chapter 45-59.1 of the General Laws of Rhode Island; AND

WHEREAS, Discover Newport and the NTMMA have determined that it would be more favorable to create a tourism improvement district pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 45-59.1 and have decided to not renew the term of the NTMMD; AND

WHEREAS, the Tourism Improvement Districts Act allows municipalities to create tourism improvement districts that assess any business located within the boundaries of the district; AND

WHEREAS, Discover Newport did submit and the Council did receive on May 22, 2024 a petition from Discover Newport for lodging establishments to establish a Newport Tourism Marketing District (NTMD) pursuant to the Tourism Improvement District Act (the Act); AND

WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 2024-57 adopted by the Council on June 12, 2024 the Council did express its intent to form the NTMD and scheduled a public hearing on the petition on July 24, 2024 to establish the NTMD in accordance with the Act; AND

WHEREAS, at the Council meeting held on July 24, 2024, after a public hearing, the Council voted against adopting a Resolution establishing the NTMD in accordance with the petition submitted; AND

WHEREAS, some of the issues Councilors addressed among others in voting against the resolution included lack of monies being paid to the City for its services and costs associated with the impact of tourism; AND

WHEREAS, the Council did receive at the Council meeting held in December 11, 2024 from Discover Newport a new petition to form the NTMD which contained material changes to the petition previously denied by the Council on July 24, 2024; AND

WHEREAS, the changes included increased administrative fees payable to the City, Community Grants, reimbursement of collection costs and changes to the District Management Committee; AND

WHEREAS, said petition appears to be in compliance with the requirements of Section 45-59.1-5 and 45-59.1-6 of the Act and appears to be signed by the required number of business owners within the proposed District; AND

WHEREAS, upon the submission to the Clerk of such petition, a municipality may initiate proceedings to form a tourism improvement district by adopting a resolution expressing its intention to form the district; AND

WHEREAS, upon the submission of a successful petition, the municipality is required to hold a public hearing on the establishment of the tourism improvement district prior to the adoption of an authorizing resolution by providing thirty (30) days written notice of the public hearing to owners of businesses proposed to be subject to assessment as part of the district; NOW THEREFORE BE IT:

RESOLVED: that the City of Newport hereby expresses its intent to form the NTMD based on the new written petition submitted by Discover Newport; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED: that a public hearing be held at the Newport City Council meeting on March 12, 2025 on the petition to form the District and that owners of businesses proposed to be subject to the assessment be provided thirty (30) days written notice of the public hearing; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED: that an authorizing resolution in accordance with Section 45-59.1-9 G.L.R.I. be placed

IN COUNCIL
READ AND PASSED
FEBRUARY 12, 2025

LAURA C. SWISTAK, CMC
CITY CLERK