CITY OF NEWPORT
DOCKET FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL
MEETING
JANUARY 14, 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.
~Proclamation in memory of Senator David R. Carlin Jr.~
Citizens’ Forum: (Speakers must sign in with the City Clerk) The Citizens’ Forum period shall be no longer than fifteen minutes, and citizens may address the Council on one subject only and for no longer than three minutes. Issues to be discussed shall not include matters to be considered or discussed as part of the regular Council agenda and must be related to substantive city business. No comments regarding personnel or job performance are allowed.
BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS
1. Class F Daily Liquor Licenses, Gray Matter Marketing, d/b/a:
a. Newport 10 Miler, Fort Adams State Park; May 31, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
b. Newport Beer Run, Fort Adams State Park; July 18, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
c. Amica Newport Marathon and Half-Marathon, Easton’s Beach; October 11, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
2. Class F-1 Daily Liquor License, Rhode Island Brewers Guild, d/b/a Newport Beer Festival, Fort Adams State Park – Parade Field; May 2, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
3. Application of Boru Noodles, LLC, d/b/a Boru Noodle Bar, 36 Broadway, holder of a Class BL alcoholic beverage license, to transfer ownership and location to 181 Bellevue Beverage Manager, LLC (Elizabeth Procaccianti- 100%), d/b/a tbd at 181 Bellevue Ave. (Hearing)
~ Communication from Peter Regan, Esq., requesting to convert the Class BL license to a Class BT license and accept the surrender of the Class BL license from Boru Noodles, LLC.
4. Application of The Quencher Newport, LLC, d/b/a The Quencher Newport, 95 Long Wharf, holder of a Class BV alcoholic beverage license, to transfer ownership to Quench Opco, LLC (Heritage Restaurant Holdings, LLC, wholly owned by Bellevue Capital Partners, LLC – Nicholas Schorsch – 90% & Edward Weil – 10%), d/b/a The Quencher Newport, at the same premises (Hearing)
ADJOURN AS BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS AND CONVENE AS COUNCIL
1. CONSENT CALENDAR (THE CONSENT CALENDAR IS APPROVED IN ITS ENTIRETY UNLESS THE COUNCIL REMOVES AN ITEM FOR DISCUSSION. ALL LICENSES ARE GRANTED SUBJECT TO COMPLIANCE WITH ORDINANCES (#31-80 AND #98-40)).
a. Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held December 10, 2025 and workshop held November 10, 2025.
b. Special Events:
1. NAACP Newport County, d/b/a MLK Day Program, Thompson Middle School; January 19, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
2. Puddingstone Music, d/b/a Romanticism and Musical Poetry, Rough Point; January 27, 2026 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
3. Aquidneck Community Table, d/b/a Share the Love Market, 151 Swinburne Row; February 21, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
4. Michelle Leys, d/b/a My Best Friends Closet Consignment Sale, The Elks Lodge, 141 Pelham St.:
a. 4/23/26 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., 4/24/26 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., 4/25/26 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 4/26/26 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
b. 11/5/26 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., 11/6/26 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., 11/7/26 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 11/8/26 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
5. Rhode Island Brewers Guild, d/b/a Newport Beer Festival, Fort Adams State Park; May 2, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
6. Gray Matter Marketing, d/b/a:
a. Newport Night Run, Rogers High School (route attached); April 4, 2026 from 7:30 p.m. race start to 9:00 p.m.
b. Newport 10 Miler, Fort Adams State Park and surrounding area; May 31, 2026 from 7:30 a.m. race start to 11:00 a.m.
c. Newport Beer Run, Fort Adams State Park; July 18, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
d. Amica Newport Marathon and Half-Marathon, Easton’s Beach and surrounding area; October 11, 2026 from 7:30 a.m. race start to 3:00 p.m.
c. Arcade License, Renewal, Ryan Family Amusements, LLC, d/b/a Ryan Family Amusements, 268 Thames St., 46 machines
d. Mechanical Amusement License, Renewal, Newport Music Co., Inc., 849 Union St., Portsmouth, RI (12 locations/25 machines)
e. Tattoo License, Renewal, Owner/Operator, Jennifer Guertin, Anchor Steam Inc., d/b/a Anchor Steam Tattoo Gallery, 44 Broadway
f. Private Detective License, Renewal, Ryan P. McCormack, d/b/a Coastal Investigation Group, LLC, 9 Waites Wharf, Unit 2
g. Communication from R.I. Department of Environmental Management, re: 2026 Tree Warden Appointment (Approve)
h. 2025 Annual Reports, Boards and Commissions (Receive):
2. Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission
5. Energy & Environment Commission
7. Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission
8. Historic District Commission
10. Planning Board
11. Public Sculpture Commission
14. Tree and Open Space Commission
i. 2025 Annual Report- Green & Complete Streets Policy (Receive)
j. Communication from Dennis P. Sullivan, re: Request to be the sole vendor for the 70th annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade on March 14, 2026 (Approve subject to details being worked out with city administration)
k. Communication from Meg E. Dodge, re: Resignation from the Trust and Investment Commission (Receive with regret)
l. Communication from Kenny Benell, re: Resignation from the Newport Historic District Commission (Receive with regret)
2. Blue Horizon Racing LLC, d/b/a Newport Sprint Triathlon, Fort Adams State Park & city streets; June 14, 2026 from 7:00 am to 11:00 am
- Partial road closure requested for bike course
3. Bailey’s Beach Club, d/b/a Bailey’s Beach Club Fireworks, barge off of Bailey’s Beach; July 3, 2026, 10 minute display beginning at 9:00 p.m. (Eight fireworks displays permitted per calendar year – 1 of 8)
4. Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc., d/b/a Newport Folk Festival, Fort Adams State Park; July 24, 25 & 26, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.- continued from December 10, 2025
5. Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc., d/b/a Newport Jazz Festival, Fort Adams State Park; July 31, August 1 & August 2, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.- continued from December 10, 2025
6. Victualing License, New, Quench Opco, LLC, d/b/a The Quencher Newport, 95 Long Wharf (In conjunction with liquor license transfer)
7. Victualing License, New Owner, Extended Hours, Lola Donuts, LLC, d/b/a Dunkin Donuts, 194 Connell Highway, to have extended hours between 4:30 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. (Hearing)
8. Victualing License, New Owner, Extended Hours, Bowtie Donuts, LLC, d/b/a Dunkin Donuts, 7 Memorial Blvd., to have extended hours between 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. (Hearing)
9. Annual Entertainment License, New, Class A (Indoor), Newport Protective Club, d/b/a The Protective Club, 596 Thames St., to have entertainment Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. (Second Hearing)
10. Annual Entertainment License, New, Class A (Indoor), 527 Thames Opco, LLC, d/b/a Scales & Shells Restaurant, 527-537 Thames St. to have entertainment daily from noon to 11:00 p.m. (Second Hearing)
11. Annual Entertainment License, New, Class A (Indoor), 24 Memorial Opco, LLC, d/b/a Jo’s American Bistro, 24 Memorial Blvd. West, to have entertainment daily from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Second Hearing)
12. 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 (Hearing)
13. Annual Entertainment License, New, Class A (indoor) & Class B (outdoor) Quench Opco, LLC, d/b/a The Quencher Newport, 95 Long Wharf, to have entertainment indoors daily from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. and outdoors Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Hearing)
14. 2025-2026 Victualing License Renewals (lists attached)*
15. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
16. Action Item #6542/26 – RE: Utility Pole Petition – Rhode Island Energy/Verizon – 2 New Poles – Lawrence Avenue
17. Action Item #6543/26 – RE: Award of Contract – 2026 Statistical Revaluation Update (w/accompanying resolution)
18. Action Item #6544/26 – RE: Award of Contract – RFP # 2026-PS-006 - Police Sub Station HVAC (w/accompanying resolution)
19. Action Item #6545/26 – RE: Award of Contract – RFP #2026-MAR-001 – City Mooring Maintenance Repair/Replacement Project (w/accompanying resolution)
20. Action Item #6546/26 – RE: Authorization - Accept $150K Grant Award from the van Beuren Charitable Fund (w/accompanying resolution)
21. Action Item #6547/26 – RE: Authorization to Accept a Grant Award of $50K from the RI Infrastructure Bank-CPAF Program for
22. Action Item #6548/26 – RE: Authorization to Accept a Grant Award of $100K from the RI Health & Human Services-Opioid Municipal Incentives Fund (w/accompanying resolution)
23. Action Item #6549/26 – RE: Authorization to Adopt New Grants Approval & Financial Thresholds Policy (w/accompanying resolution)
24. Action Item #6550/26 – RE: Amendment to Contract No. 15-023-Veolia – Primary Clarifier Improvements (w/accompanying resolution)
25. Amending Section 4.08.120 of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, “Property Tax Classification”: Section 4.08.120 A.(2)(c)(1) (first reading continued from December 10, 2025), 4.08.120 A.(2)(a) & A. 4. (Second Reading)
26. Amending Section 5.12.040 of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, “Number of Licenses Permitted” to increase the number of BT licenses by one and reduce the number of BL licenses by one (First Reading) (in conjunction with liquor license transfer of Boru Noodles, LLC)
~Communication from Peter Regan, Esq. requesting to convert the Class BL alcoholic beverage license to a Class BT alcoholic beverage license
27. Relocation of the Carousel – S. Smyth, C. Holder, E. Pinnock
28. Regional Academic Integration Advisory Committee – E. Pinnock, X. Khamsyvoravong, C. Holder
29. North End Appraisal – X. Khamsyvoravong, S. Smyth, C. Holder, D. Carlin, E. Pinnock, J. Napolitano
30. Public Health Vending Machine Program – S. Smyth, E. Pinnock
Laura C. Swistak, CMC City Clerk
Adjourn- January 7, 2026
*VICTUALING LICENSE RENEWALS
DBA Ownership Address
A-1 Pizza of Newport MMKJR, Inc., 306 Broadway
Kilwin’s Chocolates & Ice Cream Sailor’s Sweet Tooth, Inc. ` 262 Thames St. including outdoor patio