CITY OF NEWPORT
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL
MEETING
AUGUST 28, 2024
(Approved 9/25/2024)
The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the Council, came before the Council at a meeting held at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 43 Broadway, Newport, RI 02840.
The CITY CLERK called the Roll and the following members were present:
LYNN UNDERWOOD CEGLIE
JEANNE MARIE NAPOLITANO
ANGELA LIMA
CHARLIE HOLDER
DAVID CARLIN
MARK ARAMLI
ABSENT:
XAY KHAMSYVORAVONG
Citizens’ Forum:
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to hear item No. 13 after item No. 1. Seconded by COUNCILOR CARLIN and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. PUBLIC HEARING
Proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan-Housing Chapter:
Patricia Reynolds, Planning Director, addressed the Council to provide a presentation regarding the new housing chapter. Peter Friedrichs, Libra Partners, addressed the Council to answer questions. Richard Cromwell, Planning Board member, addressed the Council.
COUNCILOR ARAMLI moved to continue the item and schedule a workshop. Seconded by COUNCILOR CARLIN.
The motion failed 2-4 with COUNCILOR ARAMLI and COUNCILOR CARLIN in favor COUNCILOR CEGLIE, COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO, COUNCILOR LIMA and COUNCILOR HOLDER opposed.
COUNCILOR CARLIN moved to pause the item. Seconded by COUNCILOR ARAMLI. The motion was voted 2-4 with COUNCILOR ARAMLI and COUNCILOR CARLIN in favor and COUNCILOR CEGLIE, COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO, COUNCILOR LIMA and COUNCILOR HOLDER opposed.
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a. Recommendation from the Planning Board;
COUNCILOR CEGLIE Moved to receive the communication from the Planning Board. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
b. Proposed Housing Chapter amendments;
c. Ordinance Amending Chapter 14.04.010, entitled, “Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Act” (First Reading)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the ordinance. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and voted 4-1 with COUNCILOR CARLIN opposed. COUNCILOR ARAMLI abstained from the vote.
d. Naming the Stone Pier Dinghy Dock- D. Carlin, III
COUNCILOR CARLIN introduced the resolution and moved for its passage. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE. Paul Harden, addressed the Council on behalf of the Waterfront Commission. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. 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. Special Events:
1. The Preservation Society of Newport County, d/b/a Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival, Rosecliff; 9/19/24-9/22/24 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
2. Carl Sylvester, d/b/a Bike to the Beach- New England, streets of Newport (route attached); September 28, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
3. India Kenyon, d/b/a Shops @ Long Wharf Car Show for Broadway Street Fair, 49 Long Wharf; October 12, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
4. Newport Public Education Foundation, Inc., d/b/a An Evening for Education, Innovate Newport; October 17, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
5. Daniel Cano Restrepo, d/b/a Newport Pride Velvet Ball, Ochre Court; November 9, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
b. Communication from Joseph P. Pratt, Executive Director and CEO, Boys & Girls Club of Newport County, re: Correcting the date for the previously approved special event license, Growing Together, to be held on September 20, 2024 (Approve)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the Consent Calendar it its entirety. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Entertainment License, New, Class A (indoor) and Class B (outdoor) 49 Newport Beverage, LLC, d/b/a Saltwater, 49 America’s Cup Ave. to have entertainment daily from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (Second Hearing)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to close the public hearing and approve. Seconded by COUNCILOR HOLDER and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Entertainment License, New, Class A (indoor) and Class B (outdoor), 1899, LLC, d/b/a The Reef, 10 West Howard Wharf, to have entertainment daily from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.- Existing conditions: No amplification after 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; No amplification after 11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Sundays preceding a Monday holiday; no speakers on the North Patio; max decibel level 65 (Second Hearing)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the ordinance on first reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR HOLDER and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
8. Victualing License, New, Cinnamon, LLC, d/b/a to be determined, 140 Broadway
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. . Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
9. Victualing License, Expansion, Carpe Noctem Restaurant, LLC, d/b/a Fifth Element, 107-111 Broadway, expanding the license to 105 Broadway on October 12, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR HOLDER and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER
10. Action Item #6314/24 – RE: CRMC File No. 2024-05-037 - Application of Bowens Wharf Company, Inc. - Repairs and Alterations to Commercial Boating Facility
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and approve. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
11. Action Item #6315/24 – RE: Award of Bid # 623-024 -Fuel System Upgrade (w/accompanying resolution)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
12. Action Item #6316/24 – RE: Settlement of Litigation Involving RIDOT (w/accompanying resolution)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Girard Galvin, Assistant City Solicitor, addressed the Council to provide information regarding the settlement. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
13. Action Item #6307/24 – RE: $98.5 Million Bond Resolution (w/accompanying resolution)- continued from August 14, 2024
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. COUNCILOR CARLIN moved to continue the item until the Mayor can be present. There was no second to the motion.
CITY MANANGER KENNEDY addressed the Council to provide an update and information regarding the bond request.
COUNCILOR CARLIN moved to amend the resolution by removing the Maher Center and add $5,000,000 allocation to the city’s Utilities Department to assist in the cleaning of Almy Pond. Seconded by COUNCILOR HOLDER.
Discussion occurred among the Council and Assistant Solicitor Girard Galvin. Robert Schultz, Utilities Director, addressed the Council regarding Almy Pond.
The motion to remove the Maher Center and add Almy Pond failed 5-1 with COUNCILOR CEGLIE, COUNCILOR ARAMLI, COUNCILOR LIMA, COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and COUNCILOR HOLDER opposed. COUNCILOR CARLIN voted in favor.
The following members from the public addressed the Council:
Peter Rice, 1 Harrison Lane
Amy Machado, 12 Burdick Ave.
Lousia Boatwright, 46 Second St.
The motion to adopt the resolution was voted 5-1 with COUNCILOR CEGLIE, COUNCILOR ARAMLI, COUNCILOR LIMA, COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and COUNCILOR HOLDER in favor and COUNCILOR CARLIN opposed.
Appointments
Council Liaison Updates
Energy and Environment Commission- D. Carlin, III
COUNCILOR CARLIN introduced the resolution and moved for its passage. Seconded by COUNCILOR ARAMLI. COUNCILOR CARLIN moved to amend the resolution by striking the third Whereas, the first Resolve and add additional language to the last Resolve. Seconded by COUNCILOR ARAMLI. Discussion occurred among the Council.
The following members from the public addressed the Council:
Benjamin Riggs, 15 Harrington St.
Emily Conklin, 3 Bull St.
Katrina Hamilton Gerwitz, Middletown, RI
Avery Robertson, 261 Gibbs Ave.
Lisa Knight, Little Compton
Amy Machado, 12 Burdick Ave.
Thomas Palmer, 20 Warner St.
Nick Horten, Providence, RI
Elise McCaffrey, 34 Webster St.
Beth Milham, 108 Champlin Place North
David Donatelli, 33 Commonwealth Ave.
Lee Riggs, 15 Harrington St.
Patricia Bilden, 155 Ocean Ave.
George Brainerd 15 Dresser St.
Lola Herrera, 59 Bedlow Ave.
Caroline Richards, 6 Binney St.
Olivia Nagle, 553 Bellevue Ave.
The motion to amend failed 2-4 with COUNCILOR ARAMLI and COUNCILOR CARLIN in favor.
COUNCILOR CARLIN moved to adopt the resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR ARAMLI and voted 1-5 with COUNCILOR CARLIN in favor.
16. Naming the Stone Pier Dinghy Dock- D. Carlin, III
Moved to after item No. 1.
17. Requesting the City reverse the direction of Dixon St.- D. Carlin, III
COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO moved to continue the resolution to September 11, 2024, and requested a report from the administration at the next meeting. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
COUNCILOR CARLIN left the dais.
18. Amending Chapter 17.08, entitled, “Definitions” (Second Reading)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on second reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOULSY (5-0).
19. Amending Chapter 17.100, entitled, “Development Standards” (Second Reading)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on second reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOULSY (5-0).
20. Amending Chapter 17.110, entitled, “Unified Development Review” (Second Reading)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on second reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOULSY (5-0).
21. Add New Chapter, 17.79, entitled, “Accessory Dwelling Unit” (Second Reading)
COUNCILOR CARLIN returned to the dais.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on second reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Discussion occurred among the Council and Nicholas Armour, Zoning Officer.
COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO moved to amend the ordinance by requiring 1 parking space per unit. Seconded by COUNCILOR HOLDER and VOTED UNANIMOULSY (6-0).
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the ordinance as amended. Seconded by COUNCILOR HOLDER and voted 5-1 with COUNCILOR CARLIN opposed.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adjourn as Council and convene as Board of License Commissioners. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
22. Class F-1 Daily Liquor License, The Preservation Society of Newport County, d/b/a Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival, Rosecliff; 9/19/24-9/22/24 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
23. Class F Daily Liquor License, Newport Public Education Foundation, Inc., d/b/a An Evening for Education, Innovate Newport; October 17, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to approve the Consent Calendar in its entirety. Seconded by COMMISSIONER NAPOLTIANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
24. Application of Carpe Noctem Restaurant, LLC, d/b/a Fifth Element, 107-111 Broadway, for a temporary expansion of their Class BV alcoholic beverage license to expand into 105 Broadway on October 12, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COMMISSIONER NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
25. Application of Bull Shot, LLC, d/b/a Cabana, 140 Broadway, holder of Class C alcoholic beverage license to transfer ownership to Cinnamon, LLC (Lion Capital, LLC- 66.7% & Aryn Hawks, LLC- 33.3 %), at the same premises (Hearing)
COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to close the public hearing and approve the license. Seconded by COMMISSIONER NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Adjourn- 10:21 p.m.
Laura C. Swistak, CMC
City Clerk
Minutes of the City Council Meeting
August 28, 2024