The Newport City Council will meet Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. to consider harbor ordinance revisions and approve several major infrastructure contracts in what could be one of the year’s most significant meetings.
Harbor regulations take center stage as the council reviews proposed ordinance changes while also considering a Waterfront Commission request for an economic impact study of recreational boating in Newport Harbor.
The city is poised to award contracts for several major projects, including HVAC system upgrades for the Martin Recreation Center, City Hall retaining wall repairs, LED sports lighting for the John Chafee Recreation Area and reconstruction of the Perrotti Park harbor shuttle landing.
The council’s consent calendar also includes approval for numerous fall events expected to draw visitors to the city. This weekend alone features three major events: The Preservation Society of Newport County will host a Richard Morris Hunt Lecture at Rosecliff on Thursday from 6-8 p.m., Sail Newport’s Sail for Hope Regatta runs Friday from 4-8 p.m. at Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard, and Puddingstone Events presents “Jazz and Shakespeare I” at Provence Sur Mer on Saturday from 3-5:30 p.m.
October highlights include the Mid-Autumn Festival at Marble House on Oct. 6 from 4-7 p.m. and Trinity Church’s Pumpkin Patch, which opens Oct. 8 and runs through Halloween. The popular Halloween-themed Trick or Treat Tours at The Breakers are scheduled Oct. 24-25 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Looking ahead to winter, Newport Contemporary Ballet’s “Newport Nutcracker” performances at Rosecliff begin Nov. 26.
Two licensing items require council attention: a new victualing license for Principal Nutrition LLC, doing business as Sip to Shine at 260 Bellevue Ave., and an entertainment license expansion for The Vanderbilt at 41 Mary St. to add roof deck entertainment during summer months.
City Councilors S. Smyth and E. Pinnock have introduced a resolution supporting a moratorium on new natural gas hookups on Aquidneck Island, reflecting growing environmental concerns in the region.
The Board of License Commissioners will also reconvene a show cause hearing for the Pyramid Club, which has been operating without a valid Class D alcoholic beverage license. The hearing was continued from July 23.
The meeting begins with a 15-minute Citizens’ Forum where residents can address the council on city business for up to three minutes each. The meeting will be held in Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall, 43 Broadway.
More information and supporting documents are available in the full agenda.
