CITY OF NEWPORT
DOCKET FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL
MEETING
JULY 23, 2025*
The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the Council came before the Council at a meeting to be held at 6:30 pm in the City Council Chambers, 43 Broadway, Newport, RI 02840
The CITY CLERK called the roll and the following members were present:
XAY KHAMSYVORAVONG
LYNN UNDERWOOD CEGLIE
CHARLIE HOLDER
DAVID R. CARLIN, III
STEPHANIE SMYTH
ELLEN PINNOCK
ABSENT
JEANNE-MARIE NAPOLITANO
Citizens’ Forum
a. Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held on June 25, 2025
b. Special Events:
1. Newport Polo Inc., d/b/a International Polo Charity Ball- Singaport Swing, Rosecliff; August 1, 2025 from 7:00 p.m. to midnight
2. Puddingstone Events, Inc., d/b/a Phoenix Rising: The Artistry of Calum Graham, Rough Point; August 9, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
3. The Redwood Library & Athenaeum, d/b/a Redwood Concert Series, Redwood Lawn, 50 Bellevue Ave.; August 19 & 26, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
4. Newport Community School, d/b/a Back to School Bash, Elks Lodge; September 2, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
c. Holiday Selling License, New, Blu Cove, LLC, d/b/a Blu Cove Newport, 106 William St.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the Consent Calendar in its entirety. Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adjourn as Council and convene as Board of License Commissioners. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
ADJOURN AS COUNCIL AND CONVENE AS BOARD
OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS
1. Class F Daily Liquor License, Newport Rhode Races, d/b/a Newport Rhode Races, Easton’s Beach; April 18, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to approve the Consent Calendar in its entirety. Seconded by COMMISSIONER PINNOCK and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. 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 June 11, 2025)
COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to continue the hearing to September 24, 2025. Seconded by COMMISSIONER PINNOCK and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to adjourn as Council and convene as Board of License Commissioners. Seconded by COMMISSIONER PINNOCK and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
CHAIR HOLDER moved to hear the appointment after the resolutions. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
REAPPOINTMENTS
Sister City Commission
Brenda Bachman –Reappoint as Chair – Three-year term expires, 4/24/2028
Brooke Eaton- Three-year term expires, 4/24/2028
3. Action Item #6459/25 – RE: Award of Contract-RIMPA - John Chafee Recreation Area Fencing (w/accompanying resolution)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Action Item #6460/25 – RE: Agreement - Public Information Request Software Solution (w/accompanying resolution)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Action Item #6461/25 – RE: Award of Consulting Contract – Comprehensive Plan Update (w/accompanying resolution)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK. Patricia Reynolds, Director of Planning, addressed the Council to answer questions. Pete Rice, 1 Harrison Lane, addressed the Council. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Action Item #6462/25 – RE: Award of Bid #2025 – AQUABLOK (w/accompanying resolution)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Action Item #6463/25 – RE: Application for Water Quality Protection Charge Funds (w/accompanying resolution)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR Pinnock. Lois Vaughn, Fowler Ave., addressed the Council regarding the application. The motion to approve failed. In favor- CHAIR HOLDER, COUNCILOR PINNOCK and COUNCILOR CEGLIE. Opposed- COUNCILOR SMYTH, COUNCILOR CARLIN and COUNCILOR KHAMSYVORAVONG.
8. Action Item #6464/25 – RE: Implementation of New Utility Billing System (w/accompanying resolution)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK. Robert Schultz, Director of Utilities, addressed the Council to answer questions. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
9. Action Item #6465/25 – RE: Modification 4 - Contract 22-012-4 – Professional Engineering Services for the Lead Service Line Program (w/accompanying resolution)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK. Robert Schultz, Director of Utilities, addressed the Council to answer questions. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
10. Action Item #6466/25 – RE: Grant Agreement, 11th Hour Racing, Residential Curbside Composting (w/accompanying resolution)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
11. Action Item #6467/25 – RE: RIDOT – Construction & Maintenance Agreement – America’s Cup Avenue Traffic Delineator Improvements (w/accompanying resolution)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK. CITY MANAGER KENNEDY addressed the Council to answer questions. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
12. Action Item #6468/25 – RE: Award of Contract - Noise Trailer Program Completion (w/accompanying resolution)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
13. Amending Chapter 2.120, entitled, “General Fee Schedule” (Second Reading)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the ordinance on second reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK and VOTED UNANINMOUSLY.
14. Amending Section 10.52.010, entitled, “No through-streets listed - Signs required” - Hammond Street (Second Reading)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the ordinance on second reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK and VOTED UNANINMOUSLY.
15. Amending Section 12.28.200, entitled, “Fees and fines” (Second Reading)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the ordinance on second reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK and VOTED UNANINMOUSLY.
16. Amending Section 15.16.060, entitled, “Rental registration form” & Section 15.16.080, entitled, “Fee” (Second Reading)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the ordinance on second reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK and VOTED UNANINMOUSLY.
17. Requesting new signage at Ledge Road- D. Carlin
COUNCILOR CARLIN moved to withdraw the resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
18. Approving placement of the Elephant Display in Aquidneck Park- S. Smyth, L. Ceglie, E. Pinnock
COUNCILOR SMYTH introduced the resolution and moved for its passage. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
19. Establishing definite terms for members of the Sister City Commission- C. Holder
CHAIR HOLDER introduced the resolution and moved for its passage. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
*20. Memorandum from Jim Nolan, Director of Finance, re: Adjustments to Fiscal Year 2026 Tax Rates with accompanying resolution affirming compliance with the Omnibus Property Tax Relief and Replacement Act
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the memorandum and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
CHAIR HOLDER moved to hear the appointment after the resolutions. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
REAPPOINTMENTS
Sister City Commission
Brenda Bachman –Reappoint as Chair – Three-year term expires, 4/24/2028
CHAIR HOLDER moved to reappoint Brenda Bachman as Chair. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Brooke Eaton- Three-year term expires, 4/24/2028
CHAIR HOLDER moved to reappoint Brooke Eaton to the Sister City Commission. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Laura C. Swistak, CMC
City Clerk
Adjourn- 8:42 pm.