CITY OF NEWPORT

MINUTES FOR THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING

MAY 8, 2024

(Approved 6/26/24)

 

 

The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the Council, came before the Council at a meeting held immediately following the regularly scheduled City Council meeting on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 43 Broadway, Newport, RI  02840:

 

1.   Disclosure of votes taken in closed session held on April 24, 2024, during   discussions on the remaining candidates for City Manager and the selection of one for the City Manager position:

 

(a)  Motion made by Councilor Carlin seconded by Councilor Ceglie to select Laura Sitrin as City Manager, which motion failed with Councilors Carlin, Ceglie and Napolitano voting in favor and Councilors Khamsyvoravong, Aramli, Lima and Holder voting in opposition.

 

(b)  Motion made by Councilor Aramli seconded by Councilor Lima to select Colin Kennedy as City Manager which motion passed with Councilors Khamsyvoravong, Aramli, Lima and Holder voting in favor and Councilors Carlin, Ceglie and Napolitano voting in opposition;

 

MAYOR KHAMSYVORAVONG moved to receive the item.  Seconded by COUNCILOR HOLDER and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

2.   Consideration and approval of the Employment Agreement for the appointment and engagement of Colin Kennedy as City Manager for the City of Newport, RI., with accompanying resolution.

 

MAYOR KHAMSYVORAVONG moved to approve the employment agreement and appoint Mr. Kennedy.  Seconded by COUNCILOR LIMA.  COUNCILOR CARLIN asked if the item could be amended by voting on the items separately and made a motion to do so.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO.  CITY SOLICITOR BEHAN addressed the Council.  Discussion occurred among the Council.  COUNCILOR CARLIN withdrew his motion.

 

Discussion occurred among the Council.  COUNCILOR CARLIN moved to amend the contract by reducing the salary to $189,000.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO.   The motion failed 4-3 with MAYOR KHAMSYVORAVONG, COUNCILOR HOLDER, COUNCILOR LIMA and COUNCILOR ARAMLI opposed.  COUNCILOR CARLIN, COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO, and COUNCILOR CEGLIE voted in favor.

 

The motion to approve the employment agreement and appoint Colin Kennedy as City Manager was voted 5-2 with COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and COUNCILOR CEGLIE opposed.

 

 

ADJOURN- 8:37 p.m.

 

Laura C. Swistak, CMC

City Clerk