Newport City Council’s upcoming meeting on Jan. 8, 2025, is packed with a diverse range of topics. From harbor management to beach parking fees and infrastructure improvements, the council has a full plate.
One of the main items up for discussion is an amendment to the 2010 Newport Harbor Management Plan. The Harbor Department and Waterfront Commission are pushing for approval to update how Newport manages its state tidal waters.
The council will also look at two contract addendums with FR Engineering Group Inc. One is for the Elm Street Pier repair and replacement project, adding $55,000 for construction oversight and admin services. The other is for the Ann Street Pier extension, with $50,000 earmarked for geotechnical investigation and final design work.
Beach parking is on the agenda too. The council will review agreements for using Easton’s Beach parking lot during two major events: the Newport International Boat Show in September and Audrain’s Newport Concours Motor Week in October.
Other items include awarding contracts for construction equipment, portable toilets at various city spots, and a fleet management and maintenance services contract.
The council will also consider tweaking some ordinances, including changes to parking rules and multi-way stop sign placements at various intersections around the city.
Two resolutions are up for vote: naming the new skatepark after Seamus Kirby and tasking the Energy and Environment Commission with developing a 10-year plan for Newport.
The meeting kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 8 at Newport City Hall. It’s shaping up to be a busy session with decisions that could impact various aspects of life in Newport.
Full Docket
CITY OF NEWPORT
DOCKET FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL
MEETING
JANUARY 8, 2025
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 January 8, 2025 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
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Class F Daily Liquor Licenses, Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc., d/b/a:
a. Newport Folk Festival, Fort Adams State Park; July 24-27, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
b. Newport Jazz Festival, Fort Adams State Park; July 31, August 1-3, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
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 December 1 and December 11, 2024 and workshop held December 18, 2024 (Approve)
b. Special Events:
1. Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc., d/b/a Newport Folk Festival, Fort Adams State Park; July 25-27, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
2. Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc., d/b/a Newport Jazz Festival, Fort Adams State Park; August 1-3, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
c. Arcade License, Renewal, Ryan Family Amusements, Inc., 268 Thames St. (47 machines)
d. Pool Table License, Renewal, Finbarr Murray, d/b/a Fastnet Pub, 3 Broadway (1 table)
e. Tattoo License, Renewal, Owner/Operator, Jennifer Clinch Guertin, d/b/a Anchor Steam Tattoo Gallery, 44 Broadway
f. Private Detective License, Renewal, Ryan P. McCormack, d/b/a Coastal Investigation Group, LLC, 9 Waites Wharf, Unit 2
g. Communication from the R.I. Department of Environmental Management, re: Official Tree Warden Appointment for 2025 (Approve)
h. Communication from Dennis P. Sullivan, re: Request permission to hold the 69th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and to be the sole vendor (Approve subject to details being worked out with city administration)
i. Communication from Charles L. Roberts, Founder & Executive Director, Rhode Island Slave History Medallions, re: Requesting a resolution granting permission to place the George T. Downing statue in Touro Park (Receive)
j. 2024 Annual Reports (Receive)
1. Affirmative Action Commission
2. Canvassing Authority
3. Cliff Walk Commission
4. Energy & Environment Commission
5. Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission
6. Historic District Commission
7. Planning Board
8. Sister City Commission
9. Tree & Open Space Commission
10. Zoning Board of Review
k. Communication from Friends of the Waterfront, re: Adopt-an-Access Memorandums of Understanding (Receive)
l. Communication from Ellen Pinnock, re: Resignation from the Ad Hoc Bridge Realignment Committee (Receive with regret)
m. Communication from Peter Baum, re: Resignation from the Waterfront Commission (Receive with regret)
n. Communication from Fred Roy, re: Resignation from the Waterfront Commission (Receive with regret)
LICENSES AND PERMITS
2. Pedicab Business License, Renewal, Timothy Burke, d/b/a Grace Pedicab (1 pedicab valid 5/1/2025 – 4/30/2027)
3. Victualing License, New, G & P Enterprises, Inc., d/b/a Tropical Smoothie Café, 199 J.T. Connell Highway, Unit 12
4. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Appointments:
Energy and Environment Commission
Kenneth Smith – three year term, ending 1/8/2028
Newport Beach Commission
Brendan Dyer – three year term, ending 1/8/2028
Elizabeth Ponte – three year term, ending 1/8/2028
Reappointments:
Waterfront Commission
David Kane – three year term, ending 1/11/2028
Gary Lash – three year term, ending 10/28/2026
John Kokulis – three year term, ending 1/11/2028
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER
5. Action Item #6356/25 – RE: Harbor Management Plan Amendment (w/accompanying resolution)
6. Action Item #6357/25 – RE: Contract Addendum – RIMPA Engineering Contract – Elm Street Pier Repair/Replacement Project (w/accompanying resolution)
7. Action Item #6358/25 – RE: Contract Addendum – RIMPA Engineering Contract Ann Street Pier Extension Project (w/accompanying resolution)
8. Action Item #6359/25 – RE: Agreement for Use of Easton’s Beach Parking Lot/Newport International Boat Show (w/accompanying resolution)
9. Action Item #6360/25 – RE: Agreement for Use of Easton’s Beach Parking Lot/Annual Audrain’s Newport Concours Motor Week (w/accompanying resolution)
10. Action Item #6361/25 – RE: Award of Bid #2025-REC-002: Construction Equipment & Operator at Easton’s Beach (w/accompanying resolution)
11. Action Item #6362/25 – RE: Award of Bid #2025-REC-001: Rental, Installation and Cleaning, and Upkeep of Portable Toilets at Various Locations (w/accompanying resolution)
12. Action Item #6363/25 – RE: Award of Bid # 2025-PS-24-007(2) – Pine Street Driftway Shoreline Adaptation Project (w/accompanying resolution)
13. Action Item #6364/25 – RE: Award of Bid 2025-PS-007 – Fleet Management and Maintenance Services (w/accompanying resolution)
14. Action Item #6365/25 – RE: Award of Contract – RIMPA Engineering Services-Upgrade Martin Recreation Center HVAC System (w/accompanying resolution)
15. Action Item #6366/25 – RE: Ordinance Amendment Chapter 2.120.010 – Fees for permits and licenses, Ordinance Amendment Chapter 10.28.080– Easton’s Beach parking lot (w/accompanying ordinances)
16. Action Item #6367/25 – RE: Ordinance Revision – 10.44.010. – Multi-Way Stop Signs—Designated – Third Street & Sycamore Street (w/accompanying ordinance)
17. Action Item #6368/25 – RE: Ordinance Revision – 10.24.010. Parking Prohibited at all times in Designated Places – Brewer Street (w/accompanying ordinance)
18. Action Item #6369/25 – RE: Ordinance Revision – 10.44.010. – Multi-Way Stop Signs—Designated – Morton Avenue, Spring Street, Coggeshall Avenue (w/accompanying ordinance)
19. Action Item #6370/25 – RE: Ordinance Revision – 10.24. Parking Restrictions on Specific Streets – Motorcycle Parking – Broadway at Collins Street (w/accompanying ordinance)
20. Action Item #6371/25 – RE Award of Contract-RIMPA-Office Furniture (w/accompanying resolution)
RESOLUTIONS
21. Skatepark Dedication– C. Holder, L. Ceglie, X. Khamsyvoravong, J. Napolitano, E. Pinnock, S. Smyth, D. Carlin
~ Communication from Friends of Newport Skatepark
22. Energy and Environment Commission 10 year plan- S. Smyth, C. Holder, E. Pinnock, X. Khamsyvoravong
Laura C. Swistak, CMC
City Clerk
ADJOURN – January 2, 2025