CITY OF NEWPORT
APRIL 8, 2020
(Approved 7/22/2020)
The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the Council, came before the Council at a special meeting held in accordance with Governor Raimondo’s Executive Order 20-05- 1.(b) on April 8, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.
The CITY CLERK called the roll, and the following members were present:
| JAMIE BOVA | LYNN UNDERWOOD CEGLIE |
| ANGELA MCCALLA | JUSTIN S. MCLAUGHLIN |
| SUSAN TAYLOR | JEANNE-MARIE NAPOLITANO |
| KATHRYN E. LEONARD | |
*MAYOR BOVA, relying on guidance from the City Solicitor and the Attorney General’s Office, moved to table items 2, 4 and 5. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED 6-1 with COUNCILOR LEONARD opposed.
1. Estimated FY2021 Budget Revenues
MAYOR BOVA moved to receive the budget revenues. Seconded by COUNCILOR TAYLOR. Discussion occurred among the Council, City Manager Nicholson and Finance Director, Laura Sitrin. The vote on the motion to receive was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. School Bond Presentation
TABLED
3. Communication from City Solicitor, re: Proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance-Float/Base/Map (Receive and refer to the Planning Board for a recommendation)
MAYOR BOVA moved to receive the communication and refer to the Planning Board for a recommendation. Seconded by COUNCILOR TAYLOR. Discussion occurred among the Council, City Solicitor Behan and City Manager Nicholson regarding the proposed amendments and the process going forward before the Planning Board and the City Council. The motion to receive and refer was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Memorializing the General Assembly to Enact Legislation Authorizing the City of Newport to Issue not to exceed $114,500,000 General Obligation bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness to finance all costs relating to the construction, renovation, improvement, alteration, repair, landscaping, furnishing and equipping of : (I) an addition to the Claiborne Pell Elementary School, including but not limited to, classrooms and associated support space, site improvements and parking and (II) a new school facility for the William S. Rogers High School, provided that the authorization shall be reduced by the amount of certain grants received from State bond proceeds, from the Rhode Island Department of Education or from the Rhode Island School Building Authority
TABLED
5. Covid-19 – Business Support System – K. Leonard
TABLED
6. Moratorium Extension – J. Bova
MAYOR BOVA introduced the resolution and moved for its passage. Seconded by COUNCILOR TAYLOR. Discussion occurred among the Council and City Solicitor Behan. MAYOR BOVA moved to table the resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR MCLAUGHLIN. CITY SOLICITOR BEHAN addressed the Council regarding the resolution. COUNCILOR MCLAUGHLIN moved to amend the resolution to delete the word “approve” and insert “requests the City Solicitor to develop” in the Resolve. Seconded by COUNCILOR TAYLOR and voted 5-2 with COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and COUNCILOR CEGLIE opposed.
MAYOR BOVA moved to adopt the resolution as amended. Seconded by COUNCILOR TAYLOR and voted 5-2 with COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and COUNCILOR CEGLIE opposed.
7. Amending Chapter 14.04.020 of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, “Moratorium” (First Reading)
MAYOR BOVA introduced the ordinance and moved for its passage. Seconded by COUNCILOR TAYLOR and voted 4-3 with COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO, COUNCILOR CEGLIE and COUNCILOR LEONARD opposed.
8. Action Item #5925/20 – RE: FY2020 -Current Year Budget Reductions
MAYOR BOVA moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR TAYLOR. CITY MANAGER NICHOLSON and Finance Director Laura Sitrin, addressed the Council regarding the budget reductions. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
9. Action Item #5926/20 – RE: North End Urban Plan – Consultant Services -Contract with NBBJ
MAYOR BOVA moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR TAYLOR. Discussion occurred among the Council, City Solicitor Behan, City Manager Nicholson and Patricia Reynolds, Director of Planning and Development regarding additional work the consultants may perform. COUNCILOR MCLAUGHLIN moved to amend the resolution to state the work will not to exceed $30,000. Seconded by MAYOR BOVA. CITY MANAGER NICHOLSON addressed the Council regarding the contract extension. COUNCILOR LEONARD moved to amend the resolution to state the work will not exceed $20,000. Seconded by COUNCILOR MCLAUGHLIN and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
MAYOR BOVA moved to adopt the resolution as amended. Seconded by COUNCILOR TAYLOR and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Laura C. Swistak
City Clerk
ADJOURN – 8:28 p.m.