The Newport City Council will take up a lengthy agenda on Wednesday evening that includes setting dates for the 2026 Newport Folk and Jazz festivals, hearing a police presentation on traffic safety, and considering revisions to the city’s two-tiered resident tax program.
The council meets at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10 in Council Chambers at City Hall, 43 Broadway.
Among the items on the consent calendar is approval of special event permits for the Newport Festivals Foundation’s 2026 summer lineup. The Newport Folk Festival is scheduled for July 24-26 at Fort Adams State Park, with the Newport Jazz Festival set for July 31 through Aug. 2 at the same venue. Both festivals would run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. A Newport All-Star Softball Game at Cardines Field on July 23 would kick off the festival season.
The council will also receive a communication from Charles Roberts requesting that the city sponsor a 250th Juneteenth Celebration event at Fort Adams in 2026.
The city manager is bringing several action items before the council, including a police department presentation on traffic safety initiatives and a request to appropriate committed fund balance for an area traffic study.
The council will consider revisions to the two-tiered resident tax program and vote on authorizing funds for a Brick Market HVAC project as part of the fiscal year 2027 capital improvement program.
Other action items include awarding a bid for new lifeguard chairs at Easton’s Beach, approving a revised advisory committee proposal for the 2027 Comprehensive Plan update, and authorizing the purchase of a fire department vehicle.
Two well-known restaurants are seeking liquor license transfers as part of their acquisition by Heritage Restaurant Group. Scales & Shells at 527-537 Thames St. and Jo’s American Bistro at 24 Memorial Blvd. West are both transferring to entities associated with the growing restaurant group. Both establishments are also seeking new entertainment licenses and victualing licenses.
Heritage Restaurant Group announced in November that it had entered into agreements to acquire both restaurants. The group’s Rhode Island portfolio also includes La Forge Casino Restaurant, Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant, Red Parrot, The Reef, Caleb & Broad, and Flo’s Clam Shack, among others.
Queen Anne’s Loft at 212 Thames St. is requesting to expand its service area by adding a 134-square-foot outdoor deck.
The consent calendar includes a holiday toy and food drive at Newport Skatepark on Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as a Guadalupe Celebration that same day featuring a procession on Broadway between Jesus Savior Church and St. Joseph’s Church. A street closure is requested for the procession at 3 p.m.
The council will vote on a resolution supporting the Martin Luther King Jr. Center’s North End food pantry, sponsored by council members Stephanie Smyth, Charles Holder, Ellen Pinnock, Xay Khamsyvoravong, and Lynn Underwood Ceglie.
Several ordinances are up for second reading, including amendments to parking regulations, no-through-street designations and mooring permit classifications. The council will also consider authorizing the issuance of additional wastewater system revenue bonds.
Appointments on the agenda include Susan Marks for a three-year term on the Newport Beach Commission and Casey Lindie to fill a vacant seat on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission.
The meeting will be followed by a session of the Board of License Commissioners to address the liquor license matters.