CITY OF NEWPORT
MEETING
OCTOBER 8, 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 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, Council Chambers, 43 Broadway, Newport, RI 02840
The CITY CLERK called the roll and the following members were present:
XAY KHAMSYVORAVONG
LYNN UNDERWOOD CEGLIE
DAVID R. CARLIN, III
STEPHANIE SMYTH
CHARLIE HOLDER
JEANNE-MARIE NAPOLITANO
ABSENT
ELLEN PINNOCK
Citizens’ Forum
Joe Hearn, 96 Mary St.
*COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved items 14-17 be heard after the Consent Calendar. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the Council will come before the Council at a meeting to be held at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, Council Chambers, 43 Broadway, Newport, RI 02840
a. Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held September 15, 2025.
b. Special Events:
1. Belmont Chapel, d/b/a Friend of Belmont Chapel Music Series, Belmont Chapel; October 10, 2025 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
2. Newport Elks, d/b/a Special Needs Fundraiser, 141 Pelham St.; October 11, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
3. Casey Stamouli, d/b/a Glitter Ball, Provence Sur Mer; October 23, 2025 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
4. Puddingstone Events, d/b/a Romantic Entwined: Brahms, Schubert and Schumann, Rough Point; November 1, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
5. Newport Elks, d/b/a Christmas Craft Fair, 141 Pelham St.; December 6, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
6. Lucy’s Hearth, d/b/a Lucy’s Hearth Wreath Sale, Easton’s Beach Rotunda; December 6, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. to noon
7. The Preservation Society of Newport County, d/b/a:
a. Newport Symposium, Rosecliff & Marble House; November 6 & 7, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
b. Fall Music Program, Rosecliff; November 13, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
c. Member Holiday Open House, The Elms; December 16, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
d. Skylark’s Christmas Carol Concert, The Breakers; December 19, 2025 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
c. Communication from Ferass Sammoura, re: Request to add vendors to the previously approved special event license for Cardines Classic Grass Tournament on October 12, 2025 (Approve subject to details being worked out with city administration)
d. Private Detective License, Renewal, David Bruce, d/b/a TBK Investigations, 181 Bellevue Ave., #203, Newport, RI
e. Communication from Federico Santi, Chair, Newport Sculpture Commission, re: Funding for Publicly Owned Sculpture Evaluation (Receive)
REMOVED f. Communication from Jeff Brooks, re: Resignation from the Planning Board (Receive with regret)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive with regret and thanked Jeff Brooks for his service to the City. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
REMOVED g. Communication from Carmela Geer, re: Resignation from the Sister City Commission (Receive with regret)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive with regret and thanked Carmela Geer for her service to the City. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
h. Communication from Maureen Cronin, re: Request to light the dome of City Hall in purple during the month of October to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month and for a proclamation (Approve subject to details being worked out with city administration)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the Consent Calendar in its entirety with the exception of f and g. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
*14. Amending Section 12.28.020 of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, “Definitions” (Second Reading)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to continue items 14-17 to the December 10, 2025 Council meeting. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Discussion occurred among the Council regarding public comment. CITY SOLICITOR BEHAN addressed the Council regarding the ordinances which are pending C.R.M.C. review.
COUNCILOR CARLIN moved to amend the motion to continue requiring a public workshop prior to voting. Seconded by COUNCILOR SMYTH and voted 5-1. CHAIR HOLDER was opposed.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to amend the motion by adding the ordinances to the scheduled workshop on October 15, 2025. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
15. Amending Sections of the Codified Ordinances, 12.28.071, entitled, “Mooring permit classification and quotas” & Section 12.28.072, entitled “Requests for mooring permit and permit changes” (Second Reading)
16. Amending Section 12.28.200 of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, “Fees and fines” (Second Reading)
2. Special Event License, Fireworks, Anne Donohue, Castle Hill Inn, October 12, 2025 at 4:49 p.m. (less than one minute)
~ Request to waive the filing requirement of 90 days prior to the event
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license and waive the 90 day filing requirement. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. COUNCILOR CARLIN had questions for the applicant. Sarah Heeney was present to answer questions. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Daily Entertainment License, Class B (outdoor), Caleb Opco, LLC, d/b/a Caleb & Broad, 162 Broadway, rooftop; October 11, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to withdraw the application at the applicants request. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Victualing License, New Owner, Market Newport, LLC, d/b/a Market on Broadway, 95 Broadway
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR CARLIN and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Entertainment License, Expansion, Vanderbilt Opco, LLC, d/b/a The Vanderbilt, 41 Mary St., to expand the entertainment by adding the roof deck daily from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. from June 1 through September 30 and the Garden Terrace daily from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (Current entertainment: indoors from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and the Garden Terrace from Thursday through Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.) (Second Hearing)
The public hearing was declared open. Matthew Lyons, Esq., addressed the Council on behalf of the applicant.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to close the public hearing and approve. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO 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. Application of Shiv Wine Corp., d/b/a Thames Wine & Spirits, 433 Thames St., holder of a Class A alcoholic beverage license, to transfer 20 shares of stock from Shiv Patel and 20 shares from Prutha Patel to Jayesh D. Patel, assuming 40 shares as the sole stock holder (Hearing)
The public hearing was declared open.
COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to close the public hearing and approve. Seconded by COMMISSIONER NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to adjourn as Board of License Commissioners and reconvene as Council. Seconded by COMMISSIONER NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Sister City Commission
Amy Ironmonger –two-year unexpired term, expires 4/24/2026
CHAIR HOLDER moved to appoint Amy Ironmonger to the Sister City Commission. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission
Gail Ruscetta –four-year unexpired term, expires 5/10/2027
CHAIR HOLDER moved to appoint Gail Ruscetta to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Memorandum from Patricia Reynolds, Director, Planning and Development, re: 2027 Comprehensive Plan Update Consultant (Interface) Introduction
Patricia Reynolds, Director, Planning and Economic Development, introduced Interface to the Council. Mindy Watts, Interface, provided a presentation to the Council regarding the Comprehensive Plan Update.
8. Action Item #6516/25 – RE: Update to the City’s Fund Balance Policy (w/accompanying resolution)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Colin Kennedy, City Manager, and Jim Nolan, Finance Director, addressed the Council to answer questions about the policy. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
9. Action Item #6517/25 – RE: Award of Contract – Cooperative Purchasing Agreement- Wheeled Coach 2026 Ford F550 Gas 4X4 Type 1 Rescue (w/accompanying resolution)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Harp Donnelly, Fire Chief, addressed the Council to answer questions. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
10. Action Item #6518/25 – RE: Authorizing the Extension of the Contract for the Electricity Supplier for the Community Electricity Program (w/accompanying resolution)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and voted 5-1 with COUNCILOR CARLIN opposed.
11. Action Item #6519/25 – RE: Funding Source for Commitment to Rogers High School Construction Project (w/accompanying resolution)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Jim Nolan, Finance Director, addressed the Council to answer questions. Pete Rice, 1 Harrison Lane, addressed the Council. The motion to approve was voted 5-1 with COUNCILOR CARLIN opposed.
12. Memorandum from the City Manager RE: Update on the Ongoing Utilities Rate Study
Rob Schultz, Director of Utilities, addressed the Council to provide an update. Discussion occurred among Director Schultz and the Council.
13. Amending 2.112.010, 2.112.020 & 2.112.030 (Second Reading)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on second reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
*14. Amending Section 12.28.020 of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, “Definitions” (Second Reading)
Heard following the Consent Calendar
*15. Amending Sections of the Codified Ordinances, 12.28.071, entitled, “Mooring permit classification and quotas” & Section 12.28.072, entitled “Requests for mooring permit and permit changes” (Second Reading)
Heard following the Consent Calendar
*16. Amending Section 12.28.200 of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, “Fees and fines” (Second Reading)
Heard following the Consent Calendar
17. Miantonomi Memorial Park Advisory Commission – C. Holder, J. Napolitano, E. Pinnock, L. Ceglie
COUNCILOR CEGLIE introduced the resolution and moved for its passage. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Chuck Allott, Newport Open Space Partnership, addressed the Council to provide information regarding the commission. Discussion occurred among the Council. James Dring, 26 Dudley Ave., addressed the Council regarding the commission. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
18. Signage- D. Carlin
COUNCILOR CARLIN introduced the resolution and moved for its passage. Seconded by COUNCILOR SMYTH. Discussion occurred among the Council. The motion to approve failed. In favor- COUNCILOR CARLIN and COUNCILOR KHAMSYVORAVONG. Opposed- CHAIR HOLDER, COUNCILOR CEGLIE, COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and COUNCILOR SMYTH.
Laura C. Swistak, CMC
City Clerk
Adjourn- 9:23 p.m.