Newport City Council members Stephanie Smyth and Ellen Pinnock are set to introduce a comprehensive revision to the council’s operating rules at Wednesday’s (July 9) meeting, marking the first substantial update to the governing procedures in over a decade.
The proposed changes follow a June 25 council meeting that was disrupted when some council conduct prompted City Solicitor Christopher Behan to call a recess, ultimately leading to an executive session to discuss compliance with decorum rules.
Key Changes in the Proposed Rules
The new resolution, which spans 10 pages compared to the current 8-page version, introduces several significant modifications:
Enhanced Behavioral Standards: The proposed rules expand the definition of uncivil behavior to include “limiting another person’s ability to speak, such as interrupting or over-speaking” and “public humiliation in any form.” These additions appear directly responsive to the June 25 incident.
Stricter Meeting Procedures: The revised rules establish more detailed protocols for citizen participation, including requiring written requests to speak and limiting the Citizens’ Forum to 15 minutes total, with individual speakers restricted to three minutes on substantive city business only.
Expanded Chair Authority: The new rules grant the Chair enhanced powers to maintain order, including the ability to decide questions of parliamentary procedure and enforce disciplinary measures under Robert’s Rules of Order.
Technology Guidelines: For the first time, the rules explicitly address electronic device usage, prohibiting texting during meetings while allowing laptops and tablets for following agendas.
Current Rules
Proposed Rules
Background Context
The rule revision follows what multiple residents described as concerning behavior during the June 25 meeting, when Councilor Carlin’s demeanor prompted City Solicitor Christopher Behan to call for a recess to speak with him privately.
Councilor Smyth, who publicly apologized for the incident, stated that the community witnessed “behavior that was uncivil and disrespectful” that did not meet the standards Newport deserves.
The council subsequently held an executive session on July 1 to discuss compliance with decorum rules, though Smyth had advocated for that discussion to be held in public.
Newport City Council schedules Executive Session following disrupted meeting
What’s Different
The proposed rules maintain the existing framework while adding layers of specificity around acceptable conduct. Notable additions include:
- Detailed procedures for newly elected councilors, including mandatory orientation sessions
- Expanded conflict of interest guidelines referencing Rhode Island ethics codes
- More structured meeting formats with specific time limits for public participation
- Enhanced documentation requirements for meeting minutes and voting records
Implementation Timeline
If adopted Wednesday, the new rules would take effect immediately. The resolution requires a simple majority vote to pass.
The changes represent what the resolution calls an effort to enable the council to “conduct themselves not only with decorum, civility, and professionalism, but also to a higher level of excellence.”
Wednesday’s meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers on the second floor of Newport City Hall, with a pre-meeting session at 6:20 p.m.
