CITY OF NEWPORT
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL
MEETING
SEPTEMBER 11, 2024
(Approved 10/9/24)
The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the Council, came before the Council at a meeting held on September 11, 2024 at 6:30 p.m., City Hall, Council Chambers, 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
XAY KHAMSYVORAVONG
Citizens’ Forum:
Wags Berl, 12 Tyler St.
Charles Conserva, 30 Golden Hill St.
Darla Finchman, 30 Golden Hill St.
T.J. Perrotti, 107 Coggeshall
a. Minutes of the Council meeting August 14, 2024 (Approve)
b. Special Events:
1. Jason Tranchida & Matthew Lawrence, d/b/a Scandalous Conduct, d/b/a Art Exhibition Opening! Scandalous Conduct, Great Friends Meeting House; September 14, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
2. Jason Tranchida & Matthew Lawrence d/b/a Scandalous Conduct, d/b/a Artist Talk, Great Friends Meeting House; September 21, 2024 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
3. Elmwal, d/b/a Long Wharf Concert Series, Long Wharf North/South, 49 Long Wharf; October 12, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
c. Communication from Fred Bevans, Project Manager, VHB, re: The Former Harrison Avenue Dump and Rogers High School and Technical Center, 15 Wickham Road, 0 Harrison Avenue, and 109 Old Fort Road
d. Communication from Lynda Stevenson, President, Friends of the Waterfront, re: Adopt-an-Access Memorandum of Understanding for Cliff Walk Rights-of-Way (Receive and refer to City Administration for recommendation)
e. Communication from Coastal Resources Management Council, re: Meeting Notice- Receive public comments regarding the operation and implementation of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (Receive)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the Consent Calendar in its entirety. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Entertainment License, New, Class A (indoor), Pickled and Cured, Inc., d/b/a Thames Street Kitchen and Chanterelle Restaurant, 505 & 509 Thames St. to have entertainment Sunday through Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. (Hearing)
Edward Lupo, 18 Holland St., addressed the Council to request the time be amended to end at 10:00 p.m. Mr. Lupo presented the Council with a photograph. MAYOR KHAMSYVORAVONG moved to receive the photograph. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
The applicant, Anna Jenkins, addressed the Council regarding the entertainment. Discussion occurred among the Council and Ms. Jenkins. COUNCILOR CARLIN moved to amend the application requiring the entertainment to end at 10:00 p.m. There was no second. MAYOR KHAMSYVORAVONG moved to close the public hearing and approve. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and voted 6-1 with COUNCILOR CARLIN opposed.
4. Action Item #6306/24 – RE: Amendment to Newport Yacht Club Lease Agreement (w/accompanying resolution)- continued from August 14, 2024
MAYOR KHAMSYVORAVONG recused.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to postpone the item indefinitely. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Action Item #6317/24 – RE: Ordinance Revision – 10.52.010. Weight- Restricted Streets (w/accompanying ordinance)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
13. Amending Chapter 14.04.010, entitled “Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Act” (Second Reading)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on second reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR HOLDER. Patricia Reynolds, Director of Planning, addressed the Council to answer questions. The motion to approve was voted 6-1 with COUNCILOR CARLIN opposed.
6. PUBLIC HEARING: Zoning Ordinance Amendments
Nicholas Armour, Zoning Officer, addressed the Council and provided information regarding the Zoning Ordinance amendments.
Jeff Brooks and Adam Moore, members of the Planning Board members, addressed the Council to answer questions regarding the recommendations.
a. Recommendation from the Planning Board
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the recommendation from the Planning Board. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and voted 6-1 with COUNCILOR CARLIN opposed.
b. Chapter 17.04, entitled “General Requirements” (First Reading);
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on first reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and voted 6-1 with COUNCILOR CARLIN opposed.
c. Chapter 17.14, entitled “Permitted Uses” (First Reading);
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on first reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and voted 6-1 with COUNCILOR CARLIN opposed.
d. Chapter 17.52, entitled “Limited Business District” (First Reading);
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on first reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and voted 6-1 with COUNCILOR CARLIN opposed.
e. Chapter 17.56, entitled “Waterfront Business District” (First Reading);
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on first reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and voted 6-1 with COUNCILOR CARLIN opposed.
f. Chapter 17.60, entitled “General Business District” (First Reading);
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on first reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and voted 6-1 with COUNCILOR CARLIN opposed.
g. Chapter 17.78, entitled “Accessory Uses, Buildings and Structures” (First Reading);
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on first reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and voted 6-1 with COUNCILOR CARLIN opposed.
h. Chapter 17.100, entitled “Development Standards” (First Reading);
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on first reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
i. Chapter 17.104, entitled “Parking and Loading Standards” (First Reading)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on first reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
j. Amending Section 17.08.010, entitled “Definitions” (Second Reading)- continued from August 14, 2024
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on first reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and voted 6-1 with COUNCILOR CARLIN opposed.
7. Requesting the City reverse the direction of Dixon St. - D. Carlin, III- continued from August 28, 2024
COUNCILOR CARLIN introduced the resolution and moved for its passage. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Discussion occurred among the Council. The following members from the public addressed the Council:
Linda Stevenson, Dixon St.
Bari Freeman, Friendship St.
Nino Giammarco, Dixon St.
CITY MANAGER KENNEDY addressed the Council along with William Boardman, City Engineer. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
8. Traffic calming on Admiral Kalbfus Road - A. Lima, J. Napolitano, L. Ceglie, C. Holder
COUNCILOR LIMA introduced the resolution and moved for its passage. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Discussion occurred among the Council. The following members from the public addressed the Council:
Bari Freeman
Paul Donovan, 530 Broadway
Michael Wall
The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
9. Seasonal Rentals - A. Lima, J. Napolitano, L. Ceglie, C. Holder
COUNCILOR LIMA introduced the resolution and moved for its passage. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
10. Project 150 - A. Lima, J. Napolitano, L. Ceglie, C. Holder
COUNCILOR LIMA introduced the resolution and moved for its passage. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. CITY MANAGER KENNEDY addressed the Council regarding the report. The motion to approve was voted 5-2 with MAYOR KHAMSYVORAVONG and COUNCILOR ARAMLI opposed.
11. Requesting the City Manager to arrange a public meeting regarding Offshore Wind Development - D. Carlin
COUNCILOR CARLIN introduced the resolution and moved to replace it with a new copy he provided. Seconded by COUNCILOR ARAMLI. CITY MANAGER KENNEDY addressed the Council regarding the resolution and stated he was uncomfortable arranging a meeting. Katie Hamilton, Middletown, addressed the Council regarding wind farms. The motion to approve failed 4-3. Opposed: COUNCILOR HOLDER, COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO, COUNCILOR CEGLIE and COUNCILOR LIMA opposed. In favor: COUNCILOR CARLIN, COUNCILOR ARAMLI and MAYOR KHAMSYVORAVONG.
12. Deputy City Manager position - J. Napolitano, L. Ceglie
COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO moved to withdraw the resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR HOLDER and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Moved to after item No. 5
13. Amending Chapter 14.04.010, entitled “Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Act” (Second Reading)
MAYOR KHAMSYVORAVONG moved to hear item 13. after item No. 5. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOULSY.
Laura C. Swistak, CMC
City Clerk
ADJOURN – 11:26 p.m.