CITY OF NEWPORT
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL
MEETING
FEBRUARY 11, 2026
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.
The CITY CLERK called the roll and the following members were present:
ELLEN PINNOCK
LYNN UNDERWOOD CEGLIE
DAVID R. CARLIN, III
STEPHANIE SMYTH
CHARLIE HOLDER
JEANNE-MARIE NAPOLITANO
XAY KHAMSYVORAVONG
Citizens’ Forum:
a. Memorandum from Jim Nolan, Director of Finance, re: Follow up to the January 7, 2026 CIP Workshop with revised CIP Schedule
The public hearing was declared open.
Discussion occurred among the Council regarding the proposed projects. Jim Nolan, Director of Finance addressed the Council to answer questions.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to close the public hearing. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
a. Minutes of the Workshop held on January 7, 2026 and Regular Council meeting held January 14, 2026
b. Special Events:
1. Katelyn McSherry, d/b/a 2026 Newport Winter Festival, various locations; February 13-22, 2026
2. Newport Art Museum, d/b/a Author Event, 76 Bellevue Ave.; May 7, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
3. Mark Stickney, d/b/a Touro Park Summer Concert Series - The Rhode Island Wind Ensemble, Touro Park; June 7, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
4. Clagett Sailing, d/b/a Clagett Sailing, Fort Adams South Alofsin Pier; June 23-28, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
5. Mark Stickney, d/b/a Touro Park Summer Concert Series - The Lafayette Band; July 12, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
6. Mark Stickney, d/b/a Touro Park Summer Concert Series - The American Band, Touro Park; July 19, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
REMOVED 7. Preston Young, d/b/a Young/Myjak Wedding Fireworks, barge off of Belle Mer; June 5, 2026, 5 minute display beginning at 9:00 p.m. (2 of 8 permitted per calendar year)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the application. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. COUNCILOR CARLIN had questions for the applicant. Preston Young addressed the Council. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
REMOVED c. Communication from the Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission, re: Jonathan Easton Burial Ground (Rhode Island Historic Cemetery #NT015)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Discussion occurred among the Council. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
REMOVED d. Communication from Maureen Cronin, Chair, Tree and Open Space Commission, re: Tree, Park and Open Space Master Plan 2026 Update (Receive)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the update. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Maureen Cronin addressed the Council to answer questions. The motion to receive was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
e. Communication from Sean O’Connor, re: Resignation from the Discover Newport Board of Directors (Receive with regret)
f. Communication from Hugo J. DeAscentis Jr., re: Resignation from the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission (Receive with regret)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the Consent Calendar in its entirety with the exception of items b(7), c and d. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Mobile Food Truck, Renewal, Newport Chowder Company, LLC, d/b/a Newport Chowder Company, 10 Pell St., Newport, R.I.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Annual Entertainment License, Expansion, Class B (outdoor), Fastnet Inc., d/b/a Fastnet Pub, 1-3 Broadway to have outdoor entertainment daily from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on the rear patio (Second Hearing)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Appointments
Academic Integration Advisory Commission
Christopher Bowley -– two-year term, expiring 2/11/2028
Michael Niedzwiecki -– two-year term, expiring 2/11/2028
Penelope Hunt -– two-year term, expiring 2/11/2028
Rosemarie Kraeger -– two-year term, expiring 2/11/2028
Whitney Slade -– two-year term, expiring 2/11/2028
Brian Rochelle -– two-year term, expiring 2/11/2028
CHAIR HOLDER moved to appoint all candidates to the Academic Integration Advisory Commission. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Beach Commission
Isabella Silverman -– three-year term, expiring 1/28/2029
CHAIR HOLDER moved to appoint Isabella Silverman to the Beach Commission. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UANIMOUSLY.
Reappointments
Canvassing Authority
Clement “Bud” Cicilline, six-year term, expires 3/1/2032
CHAIR HOLDER moved to reappoint Clement “Bud” Cicilline to the Canvassing Authority. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UANIMOUSLY.
6. Action Item #6551/26 – RE: Cliff Walk Restroom Expansion Engineering Services (w/accompanying resolution) - continued from January 28, 2026
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to continue the communication to March 25, 2026. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Action Item #6556/26 – RE: Award of RFP #2026-PS-005 Roof and Soffit Replacement Touro Fire Station (w/accompanying resolution) - continued from January 28, 2026
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to continue the communication to March 25, 2026. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
8. Action Item #6558/26 – RE: Award of Contract-RFP # 2026-PS-007 - Gateway Parking Garage Concrete Repair (w/accompanying resolution)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to withdraw the communication. Seconded by COUNCILOR PINNOCK and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
9. Action Item #6559/26 – RE: 2025 Aquidneck Island Regional Hazard Mitigation & Flood Management Plan (w/accompanying resolution)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Teresa Crean, Director of Resiliency & Sustainability, address the Council to answer questions. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
10. Action Item #6560/26 – RE: Reallocation of General Obligation Bond Funding to Advance the Primary Clarifier Rehabilitation Project (w/accompanying resolution)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Robert Schultz, Director of Utilities, addressed the Council to answer questions. Discussion occurred among the Council, City Manager Kennedy and Director Schultz. The motion to approve failed. In favor- COUNCILOR CEGLIE Opposed- CHAIR HOLDER, COUNCILOR KHAMSYVORAVONG, COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO, COUNCILOR CARLIN, COUNCILOR SMYTH and COUNCILOR PINNOCK
11. Amending Section 10.24.010 of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, “Parking prohibited at all times in designated places” (Second Reading)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the ordinance. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
12. Memorandum from Christopher J. Behan, Esq., City Solicitor, re: Amending Section 12.28.071 of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, “Mooring permit classification and quotas.” (First Reading)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the ordinance. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
13. Speed Camera Revenue/School Restricted Fund - L. Ceglie
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to continue the resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
14. Snow Removal - C. Holder, E. Pinnock, S. Smyth
CHAIR HOLDER introduced the resolution and moved for its passage. Seconded by COUNCILOR SMYTH and VOTED UANIMOUSLY.
15. Black History Month - E. Pinnock, S. Smyth, D. Carlin
COUNCILOR PINNOCK introduced the resolution and moved for its passage. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE. CHAIR HOLDER moved to amend the second Resolve by changing the word “or” to “and” regarding hanging a flag. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
CHAIR HOLDER moved to approve the resolution as amended. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
16. Birthing Center - X. Khamsyvoravong, S. Smyth, D. Carlin, L. Ceglie, E. Pinnock
COUNCILOR KHAMSYVORAVONG introduced the resolution and moved for its passage. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adjourn as Council and convene as Board of License Commissioners. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED
ADJOURN AS COUNCIL AND CONVENE AS BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS
BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS
1. Class F Daily Liquor License, St. Augustin Church, d/b/a Fish and Chip Dinners, St. Augustin Church Hall; 2/20/26, 2/27/26, 3/6/26, 3/13/26, 3/20/2026 & 3/27/2026 from 4:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
2. Class F Daily Liquor License, Newport Art Museum, d/b/a Author Event, 76 Bellevue Ave.; May 7, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
3. Class F Daily Liquor License, Clagett Sailing, C. Thomas Clagett Memorial Clinic and Regatta, d/b/a Clagett Sailing, Fort Adams State Park, Alofsin Piers; June 24-28, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to approve the Consent Calendar in its entirety. Seconded by COMMISSIONER NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Laura C. Swistak, CMC
City Clerk
Adjourn- 8:17 p.m.