Newport City Council met for nearly 3 hours and 45 minutes on Wednesday night in front of a jam-packed house at Newport City Hall. Here’s a quick look at how votes landed and how matters were heard;
A few notes before you scroll through the agenda;
- Our additions and notes from the meeting are italicized.
- Third Ward Councilor Kathryn Leonard was not in attendance for this meeting. Unless otherwise indicated, “approved” or “passed” means the item moved forward unanimously (6-0, instead of 7-0).
- If you want to see any documents that go along with an item on this agenda, you can find them here.
- The entire video of the meeting can be seen below.
City of Newport | Docket Of The Council Meeting | September 11, 2019
At the start of the meeting;
- The meeting started with a moment of silence for the 9/11 attacks.
- Mayor Bova read a proclamation regarding the Moving Wall.
- Newport Fire Chief Dugan introduced the Rave Alert System.
CITIZENS FORUM
- Mike Cullen addressed the Council regarding economic development.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR.
Councilor Taylor made a motion to move the discussion on the Stage 1 Application from Item 12 to Item 2. Approved.
Councilor Taylor made a motion to approve the consent calendar in its entirety with the exception of A1, A2, A3, and Item D. Approved.
(THE CONSENT CALENDAR IS APPROVED IN ITS ENTIRETY UNLESS THE COUNCIL REMOVES AN ITEM FOR DISCUSSION. ALL LICENSES ARE GRANTED SUBJECT TO COMPLIANCE WITH ORDINANCES #31-80 AND #98-40.)
a. Special Events:
1) Fireworks Display, State Legislative Leaders Foundation, d/b/a National Speakers Conference, barge off of Rosecliff; September 19, 2019 for a 20-25-minute display beginning at 9:30 p.m. After some brief discussion. Approved
2) Fireworks Display, Ben Howarth, d/b/a Howarth Wedding, barge off of Belle Mer; September 21, 2019 for a six-minute display beginning at 8:15 p.m. Approved
3) Fireworks Display, Shawn Lyons, d/b/a Lyons Wedding, barge off of Belle Mer; October 12, 2019 for a six-minute display beginning at 8:45 p.m. Approved
4) Newport Elks Lodge, d/b/a Outdoor Movie, Elk’s Lodge, 141 Pelham St., September 28, 2019 from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Approved
5) The Landing Restaurant, d/b/a Landing Seafood Fest, 30 Bowen’s Wharf; October 19-20, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Approved
6) A Wish Come True, d/b/a 2020 New Years Day Plunge, Easton’s Beach; January 1, 2019 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Approved
b. Holiday Selling License, New, Becca Rose Natural Body Care, LLC, d/b/a Becca Rose, 491 Thames St. Approved
c. Banner License Application, Audrain Auto Museum to hang a banner September 16, 2019 through October 2, 2019 between The Red Parrot and Midtown Oyster Bar advertising Concours and Motor Week Approved
d. Communication from Stoel Rives, LLP on behalf of Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. and Holland America Line N.V., re: Requesting permission to serve alcoholic beverages aboard the Regal Princess, Sapphire Princess, Caribbean Princess and ms Zuiderdam while anchored in Newport Harbor in conjunction with their State Class G Marine Vessel Beverage Licenses for the 2019 season (Approve) After some brief discussion and clarification, Recieved and Approved.
e. Communication from Edward D. Pare, Jr., Esq., Brown Rudnick LLP, re: Small Cell Facilities, Newport, Rhode Island- New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC, d/b/a AT & T (“AT&T”) (Shepard Avenue) (Receive and refer to city administration for a recommendation) Received
f. Communication from Edward D. Pare, Jr., Esq., Brown Rudnick LLP, re: Small Cell Facilities, Newport, Rhode Island- New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC, d/b/a AT & T (“AT&T”) (JT Connell Highway and Admiral Kalbfus Rd.) (Receive and refer to city administration for a recommendation) Received
LICENSES & PERMITS
2. Application for Mobile Food Establishment Trucks (MFET) (6 available):
a. 1899, LLC, d/b/a La Forge Casino Restaurant, 186 Bellevue Ave. Approved
3. Application for Mobile Food Establishment Carts (MFEC) (6 available):
a. Viking Hot Dog, LLC, d/b/a Viking Hot Dog, One Courthouse Sq. Approved
b. Wally’s Hot Dog Cart, LLC, d/b/a Wally’s Hot Dog Cart, 252 Oliphant Lane, Middletown, RI Approved
4. Application of NPG Hospitality, LLC, d/b/a Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina, 1 Goat Island, to expand its Class B outdoor entertainment license to include the South Lawn adjacent to the pavillion from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday preceding a Monday holiday and 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday (Hearing) Moved to September 25th meeting
5. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
Note: Vacancies currently or soon will exist on the following Boards and Commissions:
Affirmative Action Commission, Beach Commission, and Hospitality CommissionRESOLUTIONS
6. Requesting the City Council to implement discussions with the Portsmouth Town Council and School Superintendents regarding school unification – K. Leonard, J. Napolitano, L. Ceglie, S. Taylor
Councilor Napolitano made a motion to amend the language to include “School Committees” and that the meeting be scheduled “on or before October 15th, 2019”. Approved.
Resolution as amended approved.
7. Innovation District – J. McLaughlin, S. Taylor
Introduced at 7:26 pm, voted on at 9:18 pm.
Councilor McLaughlin proposed the following amendments – change January to February in first paragraph, and where the word “Innovation District” appears is now “Mixed-Used Innovation District”. Moved 5th whereas entirely that mentions Carpionato property, and added that the City Manager provide guidance to the Council at their September 25th council meeting. Proposed amendments approved 4 – 2 (Ceglie, Napolitano vote against).
After nearly two hours of discussion, the resolution as amended passed 4 -2 (Napolitano, Ceglie against). The resolution asks the City Manager to draft an ordinance for Council to review and vote on a future meeting.
8. Transportation Master Plan- S. Taylor
Susan Taylor proposed an amendment that would require a public forum be held, hosted by Planning Board, before any RFP’s issued. Also,a proposed Master Transportation Plan was swapped out for text. The resolution as amended was approved.
ORDINANCES
9. Amending Section 5.12.040 of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, “Number of License Permitted” to increase the number of Class BT licenses (First Reading) – Continued from August 14, 2019
– Communication from Turner C. Scott, Esq., re: Retail Beverage Licenses Class B-Tavern
Motion to continue (with plan to have a workshop sometime in September) failed (tie vote)
Motion to amend to delete “Class BT 11” and ad in lieu therof “Class BT 12” licenses (to update the city ordinance as it exists today/should be. Does not issue any new licenses) passed 4 – 2 (McLaughlin, McCalla against).
The resolution, as amended, to update the actual number of Class BT liquor licenses out there (issues no new liquor license) passed 4 – 2.City Council stated hopes to host a workshop on liquor licenses in near future.
10. Amending Chapter 5.70 of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, “Special Events”, to add a new Section 5.70.080 entitled, “Restrictions on fireworks displays” (First Reading)
Passed with small amendment. Approved.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
11. Communication from Audrain Automobile Museum, re: Request to use twenty (20) golf carts on public rights-of-way during the Concours and Motor Week during the first week of October 2019
Received and referred to City management
12. Communication from Colleen Burns Jermain, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools, re: Newport Public Schools RIDE Stage 1 Application- (w/ accompanying resolution) A copy is available on file in the City Clerk’s Office
Item introduced at 6:48 pm, ended at 7:07 pm . Colleen Burns Jermain, Co-chair of Newport Concerned Citizens, Becky Bolan, Louisa Boatwright, and Sandra Flowers from Newport School Committee were among the speakers. Approved
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER
13. Action Item #5878/19 – RE: Supplemental Agreement ––City Hall Condition Assessment (w/accompanying resolution)
Approved
14. Action Item #5879/19 – RE: Pavement Management System Professional Services Contract #17-075 – Supplemental Agreement #1 (w/accompanying resolution)
Approved
ADJOURN AS COUNCIL AND CONVENE AS BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS
BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS
LICENSES AND PERMITS
1. Class F-1 Daily Liquor Licenses:
a. Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island, d/b/a Newport Brokerage Boat Show; September 12-14, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and September 15, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Approved
b. Seamen’s Church Institute, d/b/a Landing Seafood Fest, 30 Bowen’s Wharf; October 19-20, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Approved
Video of the meeting via City of Newport;