Members of Newport City Council are gearing up for their first meeting of the 2024- 2026 term.
Originally scheduled to take place at Pell Elementary School, starting at 6:30 p.m. The meeting has been moved to the Council Chambers at Newport City Hall, meaning. the elevator at City Hall is back in service.
The agenda covers a mix of important local matters, from renewing liquor licenses to appointing new members to city boards.
On the liquor license front, the council will review renewals for Norey’s and Thai Cuisine for the 2024-2025 period. They’re also set to approve special event permits, including the NAACP Newport County’s MLK Day Celebration in January 2025 and the Newport Night Run in April 2025.
Nicole Shevory is up for a full member spot on the Zoning Board of Review, while Melissa Pattavina is in line for an alternate position. Both appointments would run until December 2029.
Council members will be assigned as liaisons to various committees, such as the Affirmative Action Committee and the Newport Public Education Foundation.
The Red Parrot on Thames Street is hoping to get the green light for daily entertainment from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Other items on the table include discussions about possibly buying Coggeshall School and awarding contracts for city projects.
To wrap things up, the council plans to adopt its own rules and reaffirm a part of the City Charter that keeps the council from meddling in administrative matters.
For Newport residents wanting to speak up, there’s a Citizens’ Forum during the meeting. Just sign in with the City Clerk, and you’ll get three minutes to talk about one city-related topic.
Full Docket
CITY OF NEWPORT
DOCKET FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL
MEETING
DECEMBER 11, 2024
The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the Council, will come before the Council at a meeting to be held on December 11, 2024 at 6:30 p.m., City Hall, Council Chambers*, 43 Broadway, Newport, RI 02840
Citizens’ Forum: (Speakers must sign in with the City Clerk) The Citizens’ Forum period shall be no longer than fifteen minutes, and citizens may address the Council on one subject only and for no longer than three minutes. Issues to be discussed shall not include matters to be considered or discussed as part of the regular Council agenda and must be related to substantive city business. No comments regarding personnel or job performance are allowed.
BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS
LICENSES AND PERMITS
1. 2024-2025 LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWALS (by class):
LIQUOR CLASS BL
d/b/a Norey’s
156-158 Broadway
d/b/a Thai Cuisine
517 Thames St.
Adjourn as Board of License Commissioners and convene as Council
1. CONSENT CALENDAR (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. Minutes of the Council meetings held November 13, 2024 (Approve)
b. Special Events:
1. Island Cemetery, Belmont Chapel, d/b/a Victorian Singers at Belmont Chapel; December 13, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
2. St. Joseph’s Church, d/b/a Virgin Guadalupe Procession, Eisenhower Park to St. Joseph’s Church (request road closure-Washington Sq. and Broadway to Mann Avenue, northbound); December 15, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
3. NAACP Newport County, d/b/a NAACP MLK Day Celebration, Thompson Middle School; January 20, 2025 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
4. Shauna Maguire, d/b/a Newport String Project presents Concert at Ochre Court, Ochre Court; March 23, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
5. Gray Matter Marketing, d/b/a Newport Night Run, Rogers High School (route attached); April 5, 2025 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
6. Michelle Leys, d/b/a My Best Friends Consignment Sale, Elks Lodge; 4/24/25 & 11/6/25 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., 4/25/25 & 11/7/25 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., 4/26/25 & 11/8/25 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 4/27/25 & 11/9/25 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
c. Tattoo License, Renewal, Owner/Operator, David Bennett, d/b/a Sitting Bull Tattoo, LLC, 136 Thames St.
d. Pool Table License, Renewal, Atlas Vending Inc., 1106 North Main St., Providence, RI (1 table)
e. Mechanical Amusement License, Renewal, Newport Music Co., Inc., 899 Union St., Portsmouth, RI (12 locations/22 machines)
f. Communication from Evan Smith, President & CEO, Discover Newport, re: Board of Director Terms (Receive)
g. Communication from Evan Smith, President & CEO, Discover Newport, re: Changes to the proposed Newport Tourism Marketing District (Receive and refer to the City Administration for a recommendation)
h. Communication from the Canvassing Authority, re: Certification of the 2024 General Election results (Receive)
i. Resignations from Boards and Commissions (Receive with regret):
1. Susan Perkins – Zoning Board of Review
2. Stephanie Smyth – Tree and Open Space Commission
3. Stephanie Smyth – Affirmative Action Commission
4. Richard Klaffky – Beach Commission
5. Anand Toprani– Planning Board
LICENSES AND PERMITS
2. Pedicab Business License, Renewal, 4 pedicabs, James R. Brown, III, d/b/a New England Pedicab, 43 Forest Drive, Salem, CT
3. Pedicab Business License, Renewal, 4 pedicabs, Remy Kritter, d/b/a Pioneer Pedicab, 53 Birchwood Lane, West Warwick, RI
4. Victualing License, New, Monarca, LLC, d/b/a Monarca Authentic Mexican Cuisine, 104 Broadway
5. 2024-2025 Annual Victualing License Renewals:
a. Victualing Licenses (Liquor)
d/b/a Norey’s
156-158 Broadway
d/b/a Thai Cuisine
517 Thames St.
b. Victualing Licenses (Non-liquor)
1. Mozz, LLC, d/b/a Mozz, 181 Bellevue Ave.;
2. Newport Roast Beef Co, LLC, d/b/a Newport Sandwich Co., 469 Thames St.
6. Entertainment License, New, Class A (indoors), 348 Thames Opco, LLC, d/b/a The Red Parrot, 344-348 Thames St. to have entertainment daily from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (Hearing)
7. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Appointments:
Zoning Board of Review
Nicole Shevory – Alternate to full member – five-year term ending 12/11/2029
Melissa Pattavina – Alternate member – five-year term ending 12/11/2029
Council Liaison Appointments:
Affirmative Action Committee – Ellen Pinnock
Aquidneck Island Planning Commission – Xay Khamsyvoravong
Brenton Point Commission – David Carlin
City Council/School Liaison Committee – Lynn Ceglie, Ellen Pinnock
Cliff Walk Commission – Lynn Ceglie, David Carlin
East Bay Community Action Program – Jeanne-Marie Napolitano, David Carlin
Edward King House Senior Citizens Center – Lynn Ceglie
Energy & Environment Commission – Stephanie Smyth
Fort Adams Foundation – David Carlin
Sister City Commission – Charlie Holder
Legislative/State Liaison – David Carlin, Xay Khamsyvoravong
Miantonomi Park Commission – Stephanie Smyth, Ellen Pinnock
Military Affairs Liaison – Jeanne-Marie Napolitano, Charlie Holder
Newport Beach Commission – Charlie Holder, Lynn Ceglie
Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce – Stephanie Smyth, Ellen Pinnock
Newport Housing Authority – Jeanne-Marie Napolitano
Newport Partnership for Families – Lynn Ceglie
Newport Prevention Coalition – Stephanie Smyth
Newport Public Education Foundation – Ellen Pinnock, Xay Khamsyvoravong
Newport Public Library – David Carlin
Newport Spring Project Committee – Lynn Ceglie
Tree & Open Space Commission – Stephanie Smyth
Newport Learn 365 RI Initiative – Xay Khamsyvoravong
RI League of Cities and Towns – Xay Khamsyvoravong
Reappointments:
Planning Board
Patricia Antonelli – Planning Board – three year term, ending 10/31/2027
Cliff Walk Commission
Donna Lennox –five year term, ending 11/1/2029
Historic District Commission
James (Jim) Madson –three year term, ending 10/21/2027
Trust and Investment Commission
Harry Elkin ––five year term, ending 10/31/2029
Beach Commission
Aly Oakley– three year term, ending 3/10/2027
Scott Skuncik –– three year term, ending 9/22/2027
Waterfront Commission
John Greichen –three Year term, ending 10/28/2026
Henderson Home Commission
JoAnne Ritchie –one year term, ending 12/11/2025
Don DeLuca – one year term, ending 12/11/2025
Mary Currier – one year term, ending 12/11/2025
COMMUNICATIONS
8. Communication from the Newport Sculpture Commission, re: The Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt Memorial Fountain
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER
9. Action Item #6344/24 – re: Coggeshall School Purchase and Sale Agreement (w/accompanying resolution)
10. Action Item #6345/24 – re: Award of Contract – Fire Headquarters Exterior Monitoring (w/accompanying resolution)
11. Action Item #6346/24 – re: Award of Contract – Police EOC Door Access & Security Cameras (w/accompanying resolution)
12. Action Item #6347/24 – re: Award of Contract – Penetration Testing (w/accompanying resolution)
13. Action Item #6348/24 – re: Award of Contract – Polymorphic AI (w/accompanying resolution)
14. Action Item #6349/24 – re: Award of Bid – Elm Street Pier Rebuild (w/accompanying resolution)
15. Action Item #6350/24 – re: Award of Contract – RFP #2025-PS-009 – Excavation and Waterproofing Martin Recreation Center (w/accompanying resolution)
16. Action Item #6351/24 – re: Award of Contract – RFP #2025-PS-011 – Edward King House Generator (w/accompanying resolution)
17. Action Item #6352/24 – re: Award of Contract – Ductless Heat Pump Systems – Fire Department Headquarters Dispatch Center (w/accompanying resolution)
18. Action Item #6353/24 – re: Award of Contract for Training and Data Collection Tool “The Situation Table” for Sustainable Emergency and Social Services (w/accompanying resolution)
19. Action Item #6354/24 – re: Award of Contract to KCM Group, Owner Project Manager Services for Renovations to the Florence Gray Center – Pandemic Recovery Office CPF-CLC (w/accompanying resolution)
20. Action Item #6355/24 – re: Award of Contract to Brewster Thornton Group Architects, LLP for Architecture and Engineering Services for Renovations to the Florence Gray Center – Pandemic Recovery Office CPF-CLC (w/accompanying resolution)
RESOLUTIONS
21. Adopting the Rules of the City Council
22. Reaffirming Section 4-11 of the City Charter, entitled, “Council not to interfere with administration”- J. Napolitano, L. Ceglie, S. Smyth, E. Pinnock
Laura C. Swistak, CMC
City Clerk
ADJOURN – December 4, 2024
