CITY OF NEWPORT
*SEPTEMBER 16, 2020
(*Rescheduled from September 9, 2020)
(Approved 10/14/20)
The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the Council, came before the Council at a meeting held in accordance with Governor Raimondo’s Executive Order 20-25 on September 16, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.
The CITY CLERK called the roll, and the following members were present:
| JAMIE BOVA | LYNN UNDERWOOD CEGLIE |
| ANGELA MCCALLA | JUSTIN S. MCLAUGHLIN |
| SUSAN TAYLOR | JEANNE-MARIE NAPOLITANO |
| KATHRYN E. LEONARD | |
CITIZENS’ FORUM:
(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 July 22, 2020 (Approve)
b. Special Events:
1) Mend, LLC, d/b/a Yoga Class with Mend, Morton Park; Saturdays and Sundays from September 12-September 27, 2020 from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
2) Elks Lodge, d/b/a Movie Outdoors, 141 Pelham St.; September 17, 2020 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Rain date- October 1, 2020)
3) Newport Spring Leadership Committee, d/b/a “We Need a Parade”/photography exhibit of 60th Anniversary of St. Patrick’s Day Parade, 48 Touro St.; Thursday through Sunday, September 18, 2020 through October 12, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
4) Newport Boxfit, LLC, d/b/a Boxfit Class, Freebody Park; 9/25/20, 10/02/20, 10/09/20, 10/16/20, 10/23/20, 10/30/20 from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
c. Food Concession License, Fr. Francis O’Loughlin, Jesus Savior Church, 1 Vernon Avenue; September 18 & 19, 2020 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
d. Holiday Selling License, New, Martha Smith, d/b/a Sail Away Studio, 468 Thames St.
e. Holiday Selling License, New, Anastasia Livingstone, d/b/a Gone Coastal, 452 Thames St.
f. Communication from Paul C. Harden, Chair, Newport Waterfront Commission, re: Resignation of Alana Markowitz from the Waterfront Commission (Receive with regret)
REMOVED: g. Communication from Hilary Block., re: Requesting permission to create a Say Their Names Memorial at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center (Approve subject to details being worked out with city administration)- Continued from August 26, 2020
MAYOR BOVA moved to table the communication. Seconded by COUNCILOR TAYLOR and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
h. Communication from Bruce T. Bartlett, MUP, re: Transportation and Visitor Center/Discover Newport
REMOVED: i. Communication from the Planning Board, re: City Council Resolution 2020-56: Short Term Rentals (Receive)
MAYOR BOVA moved to receive the communication and refer to staff and request they come back to the Council with a recommendation. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. CITY SOLICITOR BEHAN addressed the Council regarding the recommendations. Jeff Brooks, Planning Board members, addressed the Council. The motion to receive and refer was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
COUNCILOR TAYLOR moved to adopt the Consent Calendar with the exception of items g and i. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. 2020 Annual Entertainment License, Renewal, Class A (Indoors), Celtica LLC, d/b/a Celtica, 95 Long Wharf
MAYOR BOVA moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Zoning Board of Review
Charles Allott, Appointment as Chair
MAYOR BOVA moved to appoint Charles Allott as Chair of the Zoning Board. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Alternate Members to Full Members
Bart Grimes
Russell Johnson
MAYOR BOVA moved to appoint Bart Grimes and Russell Johnson from alternate members to full members. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Traffic Calming Solutions- K. Leonard, L. Ceglie, J. Napolitano
COUNCILOR LEONARD introduced the resolution and moved for its passage. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Discussion occurred among the Council. William Riccio, Director of Public Services, addressed the Council to answer questions. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Annandale Road-24- hour sticker parking- L. Ceglie, J. Bova, K. Leonard, J. Napolitano
COUNCILOR CEGLIE introduced the resolution and moved for its passage. Seconded by COUNCILOR LEONARD and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Communication from Turner C. Scott, re: Denial of Alteration (excavation) Permit Application, Newport Country Club, 264 and 280 Harrison Ave.- continued from August 26, 2020
CITY MANAGER NICHOLSON addressed the Council and recommended a continuance so he and the City Solicitor can work with the parties to resolve the matter. MAYOR BOVA moved to continue the matter to October 14, 2020. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Action Item #5944/20 – RE: RIDEM Agreement for Abruzzi Sports Complex Recreation Grant (w/accompanying resolution)
COUNCILOR TAYLOR moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR MCLAUGHLIN. Discussion occurred among the Council regarding the grant agreement. The following members from the public addressed the Council:
Doug Sabetti, Middletown, RI
Jennifer Jackson, 38 Dudley Ave., Newport, RI
Rex LeBeau, 118 Ruggles Ave., Newport, RI
Lexy Yarrow, Portsmouth, RI
Maxwell Reis, 2 Potter St., Newport, RI
John Oliveira, 2 Lee Ave., Newport, RI
Christine Porter, 26 Carroll Ave., Newport, RI
MAYOR BOVA requested a workshop be scheduled by the end of October 2020 to discuss the skate park. The motion to receive and approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
COUNCILOR TAYLOR moved to adjourn as Council and convene as the Board of License Commissioners. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. Communication from Jeffrey S. Michaelson, Esq., on behalf of 99 West, LLC, re: Notification of change in officers for 99 West, LLC, d/b/a 99 Restaurant, 199 J.T. Connell Highway, holder of Class BV alcoholic beverage license (Receive and make part of licensee’s file)
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR moved to approve the Consent Calendar in its entirety. Seconded by COMMISSIONER LEONARD and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
COMMISSIONER TAYLOR moved to adjourn as the Board of License Commissioners and reconvene as Council. Seconded by COMMISSIONER LEONARD and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
COVID 19 Status Update
CITY MANAGER NICHOLSON provided an update to the Council.
Laura C. Swistak
City Clerk
ADJOURN- 8:08 p.m.