*https://www.clerkshq.com/newport-ri- link to supporting documents on the agenda.
CITY OF NEWPORT
MEETING
MAY 27, 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.
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.
a. Ordinance Appropriating Revenues (Second Reading);
b. Personnel Ordinance (Second Reading);
c. Resolution, re: Omnibus Property Tax Relief and Replacement Act;
d. Resolution, re: Authorizing the Tax Levy
a. Minutes of the Council meetings held April 22, 2026 and May 6, 2026 (Approve)
b. Special Events:
1. Newport Art Museum, d/b/a Art Cup Opening, 76 Bellevue Ave.; June 4, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
2. Studio Boum, d/b/a Rhode Summer Kiosk, Bowen’s Wharf; June 11-14, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
3. Veronica Brown, d/b/a Newport to Bermuda Race Crew Party, Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard, 1 Washington St.; June 17, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
4. Brown University Health Bradley Hospital, d/b/a Bravo Bradley, Ochre Court; June 18, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
5. Charles Roberts, R.I. Slave History Medallions, d/b/a 250th Juneteenth Celebration at Fort Adams, Fort Adams State Park; June 20, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
6. Newport Art Museum, d/b/a Summer Art Party, 76 Bellevue Ave.; July 10, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
7. David Bettencourt, d/b/a The Fever Candelight Concert, Belcourt, 657 Bellevue Ave.; July 17, 2026 and September 18, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
8. The Sallie A Hunt Foundation, d/b/a Serial Killers Speakeasy, Newport Art Museum; July 17 & 18, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
9. Newport Festivals Foundation, d/b/a Newport Festivals Foundation Summer Gala, Ochre Court; August 1, 2026 from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
10. Neville Watson, d/b/a Newport Jamaica Jerk Fest, King Park; August 22, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
11. Gray Matter Marketing, d/b/a Newport Winter 10k, Brenton Point and surrounding area (map attached); December 6, 2026 from 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., race start 10:00 a.m.
12. newportFILM, d/b/a Outdoors 2026 Film Screenings - 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.:
a. Great Friends Meeting House Lawn; 6/25/26
b. Rosecliff; 07/02/26 – 8/20/26
c. Marble House; 07/09/26
d. Aquidneck Park; 07/16/26
e. O’Hare Academic Center, Salve Regina University; 07/23/26
f. Rough Point; 07/30/26
g. Chateau Sur Mer; 08/06/26
h. Miantonomi Park; 08/13/26
i. Rosecliff; 08/20/26
j. Fort Adams; 08/27/26
c. Communication from Colleen Burns Jermain, Superintendent, Newport Public Schools, re: Notice of projected School Budget deficit pursuant to R.I.G.L. §16-2-9(f) (Receive)- continued from April 22, 2026
d. Communication from the Newport Beach Commission, re: Recommendations regarding the future viability and resilience of Easton’s Beach (Receive and refer to City Administration for a recommendation)
e. Communication from Bill Willis, re: Resignation from the Tree and Open Space Commission (Receive with regret)
f. Communication from Colleen Burns Jermain, Superintendent of Newport Public Schools in collaboration with Executive Finance Director Ronald Gonsalves and consultation with City officials and Gemini AI software, re: Strategic Fiscal Recovery and Structural Realignment Plan (Receive)
3. Entertainment License, New, SWM Hospitality NPT, LLC, d/b/a Chomp Kitchen & Drinks, 111 Broadway (Second Hearing)
4. Special Event License, Bike Newport, d/b/a Elliot’s Ride for Everyone, Rogers High School, Hazard Road and Ocean Ave.; June 6, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Road Closure Request- Hazard Road from Wickham Road to Ocean Avenue and Ocean Avenue from Harrison Ave. to Carroll Ave.
5. 2026 Annual Entertainment License, Renewals (list attached)
Appointments
Waterfront Commission
Zane Randall -– expires 1/22/2028
Alexander Donlan – expires 10/28/2026
7. Action Item #6616/26 – RE: Polymorphic AI – Contract Renewal (w/accompanying resolution )
8. Action Item #6617/26 – RE: Amendment to Lease Agreement-T-Mobile Cellular Site, Lawton Valley Facility (w/accompanying resolution)
9. Action Item #6618/26 – RE: Award of Contract-Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Contract-Renovations to the Florence Gray Center - Pandemic Recovery Office CPF-CLC (w/accompanying resolution)
10. Amending Ordinance No. 2025-77 to authorize conduit loan financing through the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank for the Primary Clarifier Project (Second Reading)
11. Amending Section 10.24.010, of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, “Parking prohibited at all times in designated places.” (Second Reading)
12. Supporting the C.R.M.C. application of Castle Hill Inn requesting an Aquaculture Farm - D. Carlin, C. Holder- continued from May 13, 2026
13. Amending the Rules of the Council- S. Smyth, E. Pinnock
14. Requesting RIDOT to expedite Bannister’s Wharf improvements- L. Ceglie, J. Napolitano
15. Establishing membership terms for the Standing Charter Review Commission- C. Holder, J. Napolitano
ADJOURN AS COUNCIL AND CONVENE AS BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS
1. Class F Daily Liquor License, Newport Art Museum, d/b/a Art Cup Opening, 76 Bellevue Ave.; June 4, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
2. Class F-1 Daily Liquor License, The Sallie A Hunt Foundation, d/b/a Serial Killers Speakeasy, Newport Art Museum; July 17 & 18, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
3. Communication from Turner C. Scott, Esq., re: BV 2026-528 Ownership Name Change from Rhumbline, LLC to Midtown Race Club, LLC (Receive and make part of licensee’s file)
4. Application of HTLVI Newport TRS, LLC, d/b/a Hotel Viking, One Bellevue Ave., holder of a Class BT alcoholic beverage license to expand the licensed premises by adding a portable bar measuring 15’6” x 6’9” x 9’2” to the patio area and the addition of expanded service into Spa Fjor (Hearing)- continued from April 8, 2026
Laura C. Swistak, CMC
City Clerk
Adjourn- May 20, 2026
Entertainment Licenses by Class (restrictions noted)
Caleb & Broad Caleb Opco, LLC located at 162 Broadway and 2 NO OUTSIDE ENTERTAINMENT OR
Caleb Earl AMPLIFICATION
Claw and Hammer 527 Thames Opco, located at 527-537 Thames Street NO OUTSIDE ENTERTAINMENT OR
LLC AMPLIFICATION.
Gas Lamp Grille, BMT, LLC located at 206-208 Thames Street FIRST FLOOR NO RESTRICTIONS. SECOND
The First and Second Floor FLOOR. ALL DOORS AND WINDOWS TO
REMAIN CLOSED DURING
ENTERTAINMENT. NO OUTSIDE
ENTERTAINMENT OR AMPLIFICATION.
Heritage 1899, LLC located at 140-142 Thames Street NO OUTSIDE ENTERTAINMENT OR
Restaurant Group, Second Floor AMPLIFICATION.
The
Irish American Irish American west corner of bar on Thames ENTERTAINMENT MUST END AT 9:00 P.M.;
Athletic Club Athletic Club NO MORE THAN 3 PERFORMERS AT ANY
TIME
Jane Pickens Fine Arts Newport, located at 49 Touro Street Capacity of 499 people including (4) staff-Per
Theater & Event Inc. order of the NFD
Center
Jo's American 24 Memorial Opco, located at 24 Memorial Boulevard
Bistro LLC W
La Forge Casino 1899 LLC located at 186 Bellevue Ave. NO OUTSIDE ENTERTAINMENT OR
Restaurant piano & band area located in AMPLIFICATION.
front pub, dance floor in back left
Newport Blues Kinsley's LTD located at 286 Thames Street BANDS LIMITED TO FOUR (4) MEMBERS.
Cafe First and Second Floors DOORS AND WINDOWS TO REMAIN
CLOSED, PER RESTRICTIONS ON FILE IN
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE. NO OUTSIDE
ENTERTAINMENT OR AMPLIFICATION.
Pour Judgement MBK LLC located at 32 Broadway
Red Parrot 348 Thames Opco, located at 344-348 Thames Street NO OUTSIDE ENTERTAINMENT OR
Restaurant, The LLC First & Second Floors AMPLIFICATION.
Thames Street Thames Street located at 536 Thames Street NO OUTSIDE ENTERTAINMENT OR
International International Yacht & AMPLIFICATION.
Yacht & Athletic Athletic Club
Club
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 Page 1 of 2
Wally's Wieners 1899 LLC located on the second floor of NO OUTSIDE ENTERTAINMENT OR
464 Thames Street AMPLIFICATION.
Class A and B
DBA Owner Licensed Premises Restrictions
Belle Mer Belle Mer, Inc. located at 2 Goat Island Outdoor entertainment allowed with amplification
until 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and to
midnight Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays preceding
a Monday holiday.
Newport Craft Coastal Extreme located at 293 JT Connell Hwy,
Brewing & Brewing Company expanded area includes 2nd floor
Distilling LLC event space and 2nd floor outdoor
deck
Quencher Newport, Quench Opco, LLC located at 95 Long Wharf
The
Reef, The 1899, LLC located at 10 West Howard Wharf NO AMPLIFICATION AFTER 10 PM SUNDAY-
- indoor per floor plans, north THURSDAY; MAX DB LEVEL 65; NO
patio, west patio AMPLIFICATION AFTER 11 PM FRIDAY,
SATURDAY, AND SUNDAYS PRECEDING A
MONDAY HOLIDAY; NO SPEAKERS ON
NORTH PATIO.
Class THTR
DBA Owner Licensed Premises Restrictions
Firehouse Theater Firehouse Theater, Inc. located at 4 Equality Park Place Capacity for theater to be maximum of 80
persons