Apr. 23, 2025 - Regular Session

CITY OF NEWPORT

MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL

MEETING

APRIL 23, 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

Citizens’ Forum*: *

CONSENT CALENDAR

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

LICENSES AND PERMITS

Jonathan Hurt, member, addressed the Board regarding the insurance.  Discussion occurred among the Board members.  COMMISSIONER CARLIN moved to continue the hearing to May 28, 2025.  Discussion continued among the Board members.  Seconded by COMMISSIONER CEGLIE.  COMMISSIONER CARLIN withdrew his motion to continue to May 28, 2025 and moved to continue the hearing to May 14, 2025.  Seconded by COMMISSIONER PINNOCK and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

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

a.     Minutes of the Regular Council Meetings held on March 26, 2025

b.     Special Events:

1.      Shauna Maguire, d/b/a Newport String Project presents Concert at Rough Point; May 3, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

2.      Mark Stickney, d/b/a Touro Park Summer Concert Series- The Rhode Island Wind Ensemble; Touro Park; June 8, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

3.      Lucy’s Hearth, d/b/a Lucy’s Hearth Pickleball Fundraiser, Tennis Courts @ Rogers High School; June 14, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. to noon

4.      Trinity Episcopal Church, d/b/a Strawberry Festival, lawn in front of the church; June 21, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

5.      REMOVED -  Marcin G. Rembisz, d/b/a An Evening for Education, Innovate Newport; October 23, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

COUNCILOR KHAMSYOVAVONG recused.

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

c.      Holiday Selling License, New,  BWG, LLC, d/b/a Big Weather Gear, 154 Thames St.

d.       Holiday Selling License, New, Helly Hansen (US) Inc., d/b/a Helly Hansen- Newport #787, 124 Thames St.

e.        Holiday Selling License, Renewals (list attached)

f.        Food Concession Licenses, Jesus Saviour Church, d/b/a

1.         Holy Ghost Feast; June 8, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

2.         Summer Bazaar; July 24-26, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. (rain date- July 27, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.-food only)

g.      Bingo License, Jesus Saviour Church, 1 Vernon Ave., July 24-26, 2025

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

i.       Communication from CRMC, re:  Application of the City of Newport for a State of Rhode Assent, Plat 24 Lot 348- Newport Harbor (Receive)

j.         Learn 365RI in Newport Case Study (Receive)

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the Consent Calendar in its entirety with the exception of item b (5).  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

LICENSES AND PERMITS

COUNCILOR CARLIN recused.

Jeremiah Lynch, Esq. addressed the Council on behalf of the applicant.   COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO.  Andrew Snook, addressed the Council on behalf of the applicant.  Jason Head, Traffic Sergeant, addressed the Council.  The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Road Closure Requests

Washington Square

Duke Street

Charles Street

Park Place

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO.   Charles Roberts addressed the Council regarding the application.   Discussion occurred among the Council.  Jason Head, Traffic Sergeant, addressed the Council regarding the road closure requests.    COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license only with the exception of the road closures.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the road closure for Washington Sq. between 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. only.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Discussion continued among the Council.  COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to continue the additional road closure requests until after the details are worked out with the Police Department.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

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

a.      Pickled and Cured, Inc., d/b/a Audette & Thames Street Kitchen, 505- 509 Thames St.

b.      22 Washington Sq., Inc., d/b/a Bar Cino, 22 Washington Sq.

c.      Newport Bubble Tea, LLC, d/b/a Empire Tea & Coffee, 22 Broadway

d.      ETC Group, LLC, d/b/a Empire Tea & Coffee, 112 William St.

e.      Fastnet Inc., d/b/a Fastnet, The, 1-3 Broadway

f.       Mel’s Lunch, Inc., d/b/a Mel’s Lunch, 25 Broadway

g.      Parlor, LLC, d/b/a Parlor, 200 Broadway

h.      Picnic, Ltd., d/b/a Picnic, 28-32 Bellevue Ave.

i.       P2 Investments, LLC, d/b/a Root, 6 Broadway

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve items 6 (a) through (i).  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

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

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

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license subject to Zoning Board approval.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Appointments

Tree and Open Space Commission

Maria “Lola” Herrera–– three-year term – expires 4/23/2028

CHAIR HOLDER moved to appoint Maria Lola Herrera to the Tree and Open Space Commission.  Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Reappointments

Newport Housing Authority

Vanessa Soares, Resident Commissioner – Four-year term, expires 4/23/2029

CHAIR HOLDER moved to reappoint Vanessa Soares as Resident Commissioner.  Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Tom Sheehan, Resident Commissioner – Four-year term, expires 4/23/2029

CHAIR HOLDER moved to reappoint Tom Sheehan as Resident Commissioner.  Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

*RESOLUTIONS

*COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to hear the resolutions before the Communications.  Seconded by  COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

COUNCILOR KHAMSYVORAVONG introduced the resolution and moved for its passage.  Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

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

COMMUNICATIONS

Andy Bjork, addressed the Council and provided a presentation regarding the framework plan.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the memorandum and approve the accompanying ordinance.  Seconded by COUNCILOR CARLIN.  The motion was voted 4-3 with CHAIR HOLDER, COUNCILOR CEGLIE

continued from April 9, 2025

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

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

COUNCILOR CARLIN recused.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the request.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO.  The following members from the public addressed the Council:

Peter Denton, 94 Washington St.

Robert Harris, 19 Chestnut St.

Discussion occurred among the Council.  Jeremiah C. Lynch, Esq., addressed the Council on behalf of the applicant.  CHAIR HOLDER moved to make no recommendation to C.R.M.C.  Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE.  The motion failed 1-5 with Chair Holder in favor.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to give a positive recommendation to CRMC.  Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK.  The motion failed 0-6 with no Council members in favor.

COUNCILOR KHAMSYVORAVONG moved to send a recommendation opposing the project.  Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE.  The motion was voted 4-1 with CHAIR HOLDER opposed.  COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO did not vote.

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

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to continue the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution.  Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

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 continue the communication and allow the administration to report back if the resident is living full time in Newport.  Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK.  The motion was voted 6-1 with COUNCILOR CEGLIE opposed.

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

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

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

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

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

ORDINANCES

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

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

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the ordinance on second reading.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO.  COUNCILOR PINNOCK moved to amend the ordinance to change the fine for handicap parking violation to $150.00.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve as amended.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

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

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

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

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

*RESOLUTIONS

*COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to hear the resolutions before the Communications.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Adjourn- 8:50 p.m.

Laura C. Swistak, CMC

City Clerk

Holiday Selling License Renewals

D/B/A                              Owner                                               Street Address

Lotus                      Sonam LLC                                         411                   Thames St. Unit # 4

Narragansett Ltd., The                                                        Seawater Enterprises, Inc.        15        Bowen's Wharf

THRYN Boutique  Kathryn Linekin*                                 433                   Thames St. Unit 4

*change of ownership

Tibet in-port           Sonam LLC                                         411                   Thames St. Unit #1