CITY OF NEWPORT
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL
MEETING
FEBRUARY 26, 2025
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 February 26, 2025 at 6:30 p.m., City Hall, Council Chambers, 43 Broadway, Newport, RI 02840
DAVID CARLIN, III
CHARLIE HOLDER
XAY KHAMSYVORAVONG
JEANNE-MARIE NAPOLITANO
ELLEN PINNOCK
STEPHANIE SMYTH
LYNN UNDERWOOD CEGLIE
Citizens’ Forum:
Michael Goldstein, Department of Defense cuts
1. Class F Daily Liquor License, Rhode Island Brewers Guild, d/b/a Newport Beer Festival, Fort Adams State Park; April 19, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
2. Communication from Chad Hoffer and Tyler Burnley, re: Notification of change of d/b/a for Pickled and Cured, Inc. holder of a Class BV alcoholic beverage license, 505-509 Thames St., from Chanterelle Restaurant and Thames Street Kitchen to Audette and Thames Street Kitchen (Receive and make part of licensee’s file)
COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to approve the Consent Calendar in its entirety. Seconded by COMMISSIONER CARLIN and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Action Item #6374/25 – RE: Show Cause Hearing: Pyramid Club, d/b/a Pyramid Club - Operating Without a Valid Class D Alcoholic Beverage License (Continued from January 22, 2025)
CHAIR HOLDER opened the public hearing. Representatives from the Pyramid Club addressed the Board and requested a two week continuance. COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to close the public hearing and continue for two weeks. Seconded by COMMISSIONER NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to adjourn as Council and convene as Board of License Commissioners. Seconded by COMMISSIONER NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
a. Minutes of the Council Workshops held January 29, 2025 and February 6, 2025 (Approve)
b. Special Events:
REMOVED 1. Puddingstone Events, d/b/a Tres Doux, Belmont Chapel; March 9, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. CITY MANAGER KENNEDY addressed the Council to advise of the load limit set by the Fire Marshal. COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve subject to the capacity limit set by the Fire Marshal. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Rhode Island Brewers Guild, d/b/a Newport Beer Festival, Fort Adams State Park; April 19, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
3. Newport/Fall River Star Kids Scholarship Program, d/b/a Star Kids Annual Fundraiser, Ochre Court; May 10, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
4. Matthew Gray, Gray Matter Marketing, d/b/a Amica Newport Marathon and Half-Marathon, Easton’s Beach (route attached); October 12, 2025 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
5. Matthew Gray, Gray Matter Marketing, d/b/a Newport Beer Run, Fort Adams State Park; July 19, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
c. Banner License, Elise Felker, d/b/a Newport Classical (Rhode Island Arts Foundation at Newport), to hang a banner between the Red Parrot Restaurant and Midtown Oyster Bar from July 1, 2025 through July 22, 2025 advertising Newport Classical
d. Communication from Federico Santi, Chair, re: Withdrawal of Vanderbilt Memorial statue resolution (Receive)
e. FY2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program (Receive and order advertised for public hearing March 12, 2025) https://www.cityofnewport.com/FinanceReports
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the Consent Calendar in its entirety with the exception of item b (1) . Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Victualing License, New, Get the Scoop, LLC, d/b/a Get the Scoop, 489 Thames St.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Mobile Food License Cart, Renewals:
a. Newport Lobster Shack Group Cooperative, d/b/a The Newport Lobster Shack, 150 Long Wharf
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. COUNCILOR CARLIN mentioned the concerns about the location and confirmed the owners are aware. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
b. WW Newport, LLC, d/b/a Wally’s Hot Dog Cart, 252 Oliphant Lane, Middletown, RI
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Mobile Food License Truck, Renewals:
a. Cluck Truck, LLC, d/b/a Cluck Truck, 256 Maple Ave., Newport, RI
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
b. 1899, LLC, d/b/a La Costa Lobster & Tacos, 186 Bellevue Ave.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
c. Wiener Wagon, LLC, d/b/a Wiener Wagon, 250 West Main Rd., Middletown, RI
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
d. Amano, LLC, d/b/a A Mano Pizza & Gelato, 181 Bellevue Ave., #315
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Appointments:
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission- Council Liaison- Ellen Pinnock
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to appoint Ellen Pinnock as Council Liaison. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Tree and Open Space Commission – Tanya Kelly– three year term, expires 2-26-2028
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to appoint Tanya Kelly to the Tree and Open Space Commission. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Reappointments:
Tree and Open Space Commission- Stephanie Szneke three-year term, expires 3/27/2027
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to reappoint Stephanie Szneke to the Tree and Open Space Commission. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Henderson Home for Aged Men Commission – William Serth- one year term, expires 2/26/2026
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to reappoint William Serth to the Henderson Home Commission. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Action Item #6386/25 – RE Show Cause Hearing – Harvest Inc., d/b/a Harvest, Inc., 7 Carroll Avenue – Violation of the General Laws of Rhode Island and Codified Ordinances of the City of Newport - Failure to Meet the Conditions of the City Council in Granting of Victualing License (Continued to February 26, 2025)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE opened the public hearing. The applicant was not present. Discussion occurred among the Council and City Solicitor Behan. COUNCILOR CARLIN moved to continue the hearing to March 12, 2025. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Action Item #6387/25 – RE: Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Newport and the International Association of Firefighters, Local 1080, for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027 (w/accompanying resolution)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying ordinance and resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
8. Action Item #6388/25 – RE: Ordinance Amendment - Short Term Rentals a/k/a Transient Guest Facilities (w/accompanying ordinance)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
9. Amending Chapter 2.120 of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, “General Fee Schedule” (Second Reading)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on second reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
10. Amending Chapter 10.32.110 of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, “Designated residential parking streets” (Second Reading)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on second reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
11. Requesting to extend the Ad Hoc Property Bridge Realignment Commissions work from June 30, 2025 to September 30, 2025 - C. Holder, X. Khamsyvoravong, E. Pinnock, J. Napolitano
CHAIR HOLDER moved to withdraw the resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
12. Requesting to reconsider the speed camera on Ruggles Avenue- C. Holder, L. Ceglie, J. Napolitano
CHAIR HOLDER introduced the resolution and moved for its passage. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Discussion occurred among the Council. COUNCILOR PINNOCK moved to amend the resolution by requesting the speed camera be moved to Admiral Kalbfus Rd. Seconded by COUNCILOR CARLIN. Discussion continued among the Council and CITY MANAGER KENNEDY. Ryan Duffy, Police Chief, addressed the Council to answer questions. The motion to amend was voted 4-3 with CHAIR HOLDER, COUNCILOR CEGLIE and COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO opposed. In favor, COUNCILOR KHAMVSYORAVONG, COUNCILOR CARLIN, COUNCILOR SMYTH and COUNCILOR PINNOCK.
Olivia Nagle, 553 Bellevue Ave., addressed the Council.
COUNCILOR CARLIN moved to approve the resolution as amended. Seconded by COUNCILOR SMYTH and VOTED 5-2. In favor - COUNCILOR CEGLIE, COUNCILOR CARLIN, COUNCILOR KHAMSYVORAVONG, COUNCILOR SMYTH and COUNCILOR PINNOCK in favor. Opposed- CHAIR HOLDER and COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO.
13. Supporting the R. I. League of Cities and Towns 2025 Legislative Priorities- X. Khamsyvoravong, C. Holder, L. Ceglie, J. Napolitano, S. Smyth
COUNCILOR KHAMSYVORAVONG recused.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE introduced the resolution and moved for its passage. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
14. Easton’s Pond - Station 1 - X. Khamsyvoravong, D. Carlin, J. Napolitano, L. Ceglie, E. Pinnock
COUNCILOR CEGLIE introduced the resolution and moved for its passage. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. COUNCILOR KHAMSYVORAVONG moved to amend the resolution by adding “Sediment Basin at Station One” and clarified station one is not closed. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCILOR KHAMSYVORAVONG moved to approve the resolution as amended. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Laura C. Swistak, CMC
City Clerk
ADJOURN – 7:38 p.m.