CITY OF NEWPORT

MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL

MEETING

MARCH 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:

~Proclamation Celebrating Irish Heritage Month~

CHAIR HOLDER read the proclamation into the record.

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 February 11, 2026

b. Special Events:

1. Kate Grotteberg, d/b/a Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce Women in Business After Hours, Rosecliff; March 12, 2026 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

2. The Preservation Society of Newport County, d/b/a MA: Winter Lecture (4), Rosecliff; March 19, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

3. REMOVED Cheyne Cousens, d/b/a Easter Extravaganza, Newport Skatepark; April 4, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to continue the application to March 25, 2026. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

c. Tattoo License, Renewal, Owner/Operator, Bret Lohnes, d/b/a Captain Bret’s Tattoo Shop, Inc., 4 Collins St. Unit 4A

d. Communication from John Griechen, re: Resignation from the Waterfront Commission (Receive with regret)

e. Communication from the Long Covid Foundation & ILCA, re: Request to light up City Hall on March 15, 2026 to recognize International Long Covid Awareness Day (Approve subject to details being worked out with city administration)

f. REMOVED Communication from the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission, re: Review of Bicycle-Related Codes in the City of Newport’s Ordinances (Receive and refer to the City Administration for a recommendation)

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and refer to the City Administration for a recommendation. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Bari Freeman, Bike Newport, addressed the Council regarding the ordinances. The motion was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the Consent Calendar in its entirety with the exception of item b(3) and f. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

LICENSES AND PERMITS

2. Mobile Food Cart, Renewal, Newport Lobster Shack Group Cooperative, 150 Long Wharf, Newport, RI

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

3. Mobile Food Truck, New, SW Food, LLC, d/b/a Newport Sushi Co., 8 Garfield St., Newport, RI

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

4. Victualing License, New Owner, Root Newport RI, LLC, d/b/a Root, 6 Broadway

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER

5. Action Item #6567/26 – RE: Ordinance Revision-10.24.050- Two, Three and Four-Hour Parking Limits – Library and Recreation Parking Lot in Aquidneck Park (w/accompanying ordinance)

COUNCILOR CELIGE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying ordinance. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

6. Action Item #6568/26 – RE: Ordinance Revision- 10.20.170- Towing by Police Division – Narragansett Avenue at 40 Steps (w/accompanying ordinance)

COUNCILOR CELIGE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying ordinance. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

7. Action Item #6569/26 – RE: Ordinance Revision - 10.44.010- Multi-Way Stop Signs-Designated -Bedlow Avenue and Hillside Avenue (w/accompanying ordinance)

COUNCILOR CELIGE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying ordinance. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Lola Herreira, 59 Below Ave., addressed the Council. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

8. Action Item #6570/26 – RE: Funding for Primary Clarifiers (w/accompanying resolution)

COUNCILOR KHAMSYVORAVONG recused.

COUNCILOR CELIGE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Jim Nolan, Finance Director, addressed the Council to answer questions. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

9. Action Item #6571/26 – RE: Award of Contract – Massachusetts MPA – Purchase of Fire Hose and Firefighting Water Supply Appliances (w/accompanying resolution)

COUNCILOR CELIGE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

ORDINANCES

10. Amending Section 5.04.070, entitled, “Holiday selling” (Second Reading)

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on second reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

11. Amending Section 10.32.020, entitled, “Definitions” (First Reading)

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on first reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Jim Nolan, Finance Director and Nick Craig, Director of Information Technology, addressed the Council to answer questions. Discussion occurred among the Council. The motion to approve was voted 5-2 with COUNCILOR CARLIN and COUNCILOR KHAMSYVORAVONG opposed. In favor- CHAIR HOLDER, COUNCILOR CEGLIE, COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO, COUNCILOR SMYTH and COUNCILOR PINNOCK.

12. Amending Section 10.32.070, entitled, “Residential Parking Permits-Visitor Passes-Temporary Permits” (First Reading)

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on first reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and vote 5-2 with COUNCILOR CARLIN and COUNCILOR KHAMSYVORAVONG opposed. In favor- CHAIR HOLDER, COUNCILOR CEGLIE, COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO, COUNCILOR SMYTH and COUNCILOR PINNOCK.

13. Amending Section 10.32.140, entitled, “Revocation of Permits” (First Reading)

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on first reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and voted 4-3 with COUNCILOR CARLIN, COUNCILOR KHAMSYVORAVONG and COUNCILOR PINNOCK opposed. In favor- CHAIR HOLDER, COUNCILOR CEGLIE, COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and COUNCILOR SMYTH.

14. Amending Section 17.04.050, entitled, “General Provisions” (Second Reading)

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to continue items 14-19 for a workshop to be held. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

15. Amending Section 17.104.020, entitled, “Parking space standards.” (Second Reading)

16. Amending Section 17.08.010, entitled, “Definitions” (Second Reading)

17. Amending Section 17.14.020, entitled, “Permitted Uses” (Second Reading)

18. Amending Section 17.56.020, entitled, “Use regulations” (Second Reading)

19. Amending Section 17.60.020, entitled, “Use regulations” (Second Reading)

RESOLUTIONS

20. Authorizing the General Obligation Bond

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Discussion occurred among the Council and City Manager Kennedy. The motion to approve was voted 6-1 with COUNCILOR CARLIN opposed.

21. Creating an Ad Hoc Resilience and Sustainability Fund Steering Committee – S. Smyth, C. Holder, E. Pinnock

COUNCILOR SMYTH introduced the resolution and moved for its passage. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and voted 6-1 with COUNCILOR CARLIN opposed.

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adjourn as Council and convene as Board of License Commissioners. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS

LICENSES AND PERMITS

1. Sunday Selling Licenses - Class A Liquor Stores

a. Bellevue Wine & Spirits, LLC, d/b/a Bellevue Wine & Spirits, 181 Bellevue Ave.

COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to approve Bellevue Wine & Spirits. Seconded by COMMISSIONER NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

b. Shiva Corporation, d/b/a Downtown Liquors, 202 Thames St.

COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to approve Downtown Liquors. Seconded by COMMISSIONER NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

c. Harry S. Karanikolas, Inc., d/b/a Harry’s Liquor Store, 199 Connell Highway

COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to approve Harry’s Liquor Store. Seconded by COMMISSIONER NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

d. Shiv Wine Corp, d/b/a Thames Wine & Spirits, 433 Thames St. Unit 2

COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to approve Thames Wine & Spirits. Seconded by COMMISSIONER NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

e. Kat & Trav, LLC, d/b/a Vicker’s Liquors, 274 Bellevue Ave.

COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to approve Vicker’s Liquors. Seconded by COMMISSIONER NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Laura C. Swistak, CMC

City Clerk

Adjourn- 8:30 p.m.