Newport City Council held their Regular Council Meeting this evening at Newport City Hall.
The meeting lasted for approximately 2 hour and 45 minutes.
Here’s a link to the full agenda, and below you will find out what happened and how things were voted on.
Video via The City of Newport
City Council Meeting – May 22, 2019
Present: Jamie Bova, Kate Leonard, Jeanne Marie Napolitano, Justin McLaughlin, Angela McCalla,
Absent: Lynn Ceglie, Susan Taylor
Public Hearing: Proposed Biennial Budget FY 2020- FY 2021
During the public hearing, Hank Kniskern, Louisa Boatwright, Ken Nomani, Aida Neary, Alice Williams,Caitlin Worth were among the nine who spoke in support of the full funding of 4% to be allocated to the school budget.
Holly Patterson asked council for an update on the sports field option, was told there would be an update later in the evening by the Mayor.
Action: Newport City Council voted 5-0 in this first reading to adopt the proposed budget with an amendment to provide Newport Schools with the 4% increase.
- a. Budget Change Sheet General and Parking Funds
Action:Newport City Council voted 5-0 in this to approve the budget change sheet as amended.
FYI – It was mentioned during discussion that tax rates will increase to $10.28 for residential and to $15.42 for commercial.
- b. Ordinance Appropriating Revenues (First Reading)
Action: McLaughlin amended this to add $2,000 to Newport In Bloom’s budget (at request of Newport In Bloom). Council voted 5-0 to approve.
FYI – Napolitano mentioned that there will be a meeting on June 3rd in Middletown regarding unification of schools. More details to come.
Action: McLaughlin amended this to add $25,000 to address the conditions of Rogers High School fields.
Action: McLaughlin amended to provide funding to conduct a citizen satisfaction survey (cost $25,000). Council voted 4-1 to approve (Leonard opposed).
McLaughlin brought up sidewalks in the City and if funding should be in the budget. Says he will bring something in front of Council at next meeting with ideas on how to address and plan on where sidewalks are needed in the City.
Action: Council voted 5-0 to adopt the ordinance appropriating revenues as amended 5-0.
- c. Ordinance Amending Title 3, Personnel (First Reading)
Action: Council voted 5-0 to approve first reading.
- d. Ordinance Amending Chapter 1.14 entitled, “Specific Penalties for Certain Violations” (First Reading)
Action: Council voted 5-0 to approve first reading
Consent Calendar
Action: Council voted 5-0 to approve all of the following;
a. Minutes of the meetings held March 27, 2019 (continued from May 8, 2019) and April 10, 2019 (Approve)
b. Special Events:
- 1) Fatface Corporation, d/b/a Fatface’s 3 Years in Newport Community, 172 Thames St.; May 25, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- 2) Bowen’s Wharf Co., Inc., d/b/a Tall Ship Providence Port Visit, Bowen’s Wharf; May 31, 2019 through June 3, 2019 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- 3) Corinthian Events, d/b/a P&MD Dinner, Marble House, 596 Bellevue Ave.; June 10, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- 4) Ernest E. Simmons, d/b/a Music Basketball, MLK Courts, The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park; June 15, 2019 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- 6) The Rev’d Cannon Anne Marie Richards, d/b/a Trinity Church Strawberry Patch 2019, One Queen Anne Sq.; June 15, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- 7) Fort Adams Trust, Inc., d/b/a Music at the Fort, Fort Adams State Park; June 20, July 18, August 15 and September 19, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- 8) The Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation, Inc., d/b/a Light Up Your Summer, Newport Shipyard; June 22, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- 9) Rhode Island Society Sons of the Revolution, d/b/a Newport Independence Day Celebration, in and around Washington Sq. July 4, 2019 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- – Communication from Roy D. Lauth, 1st Vice-President, re: request to waive license fee and for the City to provide police detail
- 10) Sail Newport, d/b/a Newport Regatta, Sail Newport, 72 Fort Adams Drive; July 5 through July 7, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- c. 2019 Holiday Selling License Renewals (List Attached)
- d. 2019 Waste Hauler License Renewals (List Attached)
- e. Holiday Selling License, New, Meeka, LLC, d/b/a Meeka, 31 Franklin St.
- f. Holiday Selling License, New, Kevin Sullivan, d/b/a Newport Originals, 424 Thames St.
- g. Holiday Selling License, New, Luxotica of America, Inc., d/b/a Sunglass Hut, 204 Thames St.
- h. Holiday Selling License, New, Nutrition House, Inc., d/b/a A Market Newport, 181 Bellevue Ave. corner unit
- i. Fortune Teller License, Renewal, New Location, Marie Miller, d/b/a Pauline’s Palm & Tarot Card Readings, 5 Fair St.
Action: Council voted 5-0 to approve all of the above items.
5) St. John’s Church, d/b/a Secret Garden Lunch @ St. John’s the Point; June 15, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Action: Amended to correct dates of June 15, 16, 17. Council voted 5-0 to approve.
j. Communication from P3GM, re: Bike Share Program for the City of Newport (Receive)
Action: After discussion, Council voted 5-0 to receive and referred it to City Administration for addition revue. Council to host workshop on bike share programs.
Licenses & Permits
Action: Council voted 5-0 to approve the following;
3. Victualing License, Renewal, Lindsey Kusic, d/b/a Gooseberry Concession and Grill, Gooseberry Beach, Ocean Ave.
4. Victualing License, New, The Nitro Cart, LLC, d/b/a The Nitro Bar, 2 Pond Ave.
5. Victualing License, New, Nutrition House Inc., d/b/a A Market Newport, 181 Bellevue Ave., corner unit
6. Victualing License, New, Tunyamai Pichetshote, d/b/a Tin Can Crab Shake, 472 Thames St.
7. Victualing License, New, LRH, LLC, d/b/a Lobster Roll Heaven/Il Forno Italiano, 372 Thames St.
Action: Council voted 5-0 to approve the above.
8. Entertainment License, Expansion, Class A Indoors, @ The Deck, LLC, d/b/a @ The Deck, 1 Waites Wharf, to expand indoor entertainment from 12:00 midnight to 1:00 a.m. (Hearing)
Action: After discussion, Council voted 4 -0 continue this item to June 12th. (Leonard recused). First hearing will now be on June 12th.
9. 2019 Entertainment License Renewals
Action: Council voted 5-0 to approve
Appointments To Boards & Commissions
Action: Council voted 5-0 to approve the following appointments;
- Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission– Katherine Brandeis (5-year term ending 5/22/2024)
- Historic District Commission– Jeffrey Moniz (alternate member, no expiration date)
- Waterfront Commission – Robert Anton (3-year term ending 1/11/21)
Resolutions
Action: Bova moved to approve in Ceglie’s absence. Council voted 5-0 to approve, with amendment that this resolution should be sent to all members of the General Assembly.
- 11. Plastic Waste Reduction Act- L. Ceglie, J. Bova
Ordinances
Action: McLaughlin made a motion to table for another meeting. Council voted 5-0 to table. This item was later continued to June 26th.
- 12. Amending Section 5.12.040 of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, “Number of License Permitted” (First Reading)
Communications And Petitions
- 13. Communication from Colleen Burns Jermain, Superintendent of Schools, re: Update on the Rhode Island Department of Education Letter of Intent and RHS Kickoff event
Communications From The City Manager
Action: City council 5-0 to receive and adopt the following;
- 14. Action Item #5850/19 – RE: Innovate Newport Business Incubator Project (w/accompanying resolution) – continued from May 8, 2019
Action: City council 5-0 to receive and adopt the following;
- 15. Action Item #5851/19 – RE: Proposal Award # 19-037- Engineering Services for Newport Water Infrastructure Replacement Plan Update (w/accompanying resolution)
Action: City council 5-0 to receive and adopt the resolution; amended to July 2nd. No rain date. McLaughlin voted opposed to amendment from July 13 to July 2.
- 16. Action Item #5852/19 – RE: Award of Bid # 19-040 – July 04th Fireworks Display to be held on July 13th (w/accompanying resolution)
Action: City council 5-0 to receive and adopt the following;
- 17. Action Item #5853/19 – RE: Award of Contract – RFP 19-042 – Easton’s Beach – Parking Pay Stations (w/accompanying resolution)
Action: City council 5-0 to receive and adopt the following;
FYI – If you’ve already bought a pass or something from this list, you won’t be rebilled the new price. The new price will be for new purchases, effective July 1st.
- 18. Action Item #5854/19 – RE: Ordinance Amendment Chapter 2.120.010 – General Fee Schedule-Easton’s Beach (w/accompanying ordinance)
Action: The City Council voted to adjourn as council and convene as Board of License Commissioners.
Board of License Commissioners
Consent Calendar
Action: Voted 5-0 to approve in its entirety.
- 1. Class F Daily Liquor License: Clean Ocean Access, d/b/a World Oceans Day/Fundraiser, Easton’s Beach Rotunda; June 6, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- 2. Class F-1 Daily Liquor Licenses:
- a. The Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation, Inc., d/b/a Light Up Your Summer, Newport Shipyard; June 22, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- b. Fort Adams Trust, Inc., d/b/a Music at the Fort, Fort Adams State Park; June 20, July 18, August 15 and September 19, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- c. Sail Newport Inc., d/b/a Newport Regatta, Sail Newport, 72 Fort Adams Drive; July 5, 2019 through July 7, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
License & Permits
Action: After discussion, council voted 5-0 to continue until June 26th meeting.
- Action Item #5855/19 – RE: Show Cause Hearing: Unity 3, LLC, d/b/a Area – Violations of the Conditions of the Class BL Alcoholic Beverage License – Abandonment of License
Action: The City Council vote 5-0 to adjourn.