CITY OF NEWPORT

MINUTES FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING

FEBRUARY 26, 2020

(Approved 7/22/20)

 

The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the Council, came before the Council at its regular meeting held on February 26, 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- (left the meeting at 6:40 p.m.)

 

~Proclamation honoring Kathleen M. Silvia~

 

MAYOR BOVA read the proclamation into the record.

 

CITIZENS’ FORUM:

Colleen Jermain, 70 Brenton Rd., Public Schools Week

Tim Harrington, 4 Lakeview Ave., Middletown Plan

Edward McPherson, 127 Johnnycake Hill, Municipal Support

 

COUNCIL LIAISON UPDATES

 

1.   PUBLIC HEARING:  Capital Improvement Program FY 2021-FY2025 – A copy is available in the City Clerk’s Office and on the website  (with accompanying resolution)

 

MAYOR BOVA opened the public hearing.

 

MAYOR BOVA moved to close the public hearing and adopt the accompanying resolution.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO.  COUNCILOR MCCALLA moved to amend the CIP by removing the funds to relocate the city yard.  Seconded by COUNCILOR TAYLOR.  The motion failed 2-4 with COUNCILOR TAYLOR, COUNCILOR MCLAUGHLIN, COUNCILOR CEGLIE and COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO opposed.

 

COUNCILOR TAYLOR had questions regarding  the Transportation Master Plan.  CITY MANAGER NICHOLSON addressed the Council to answer questions.  COUNCILOR TAYLOR made a motion to move the funds for the Transportation Master Plan from the FY21-22 budget into the FY20-21 budget.  Seconded by COUNCILOR MCLAUGHLIN.  The following members of the public addressed the Council.

 

Mark Gonsalves

Lily Dick, 662 Bellevue Ave.

 

The vote on the motion to amend the CIP was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.  MAYOR BOVA moved to adopt the CIP as amended and adopt the accompanying resolution.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLTIANO and voted 5-1 with COUNCILOR MCCALLA opposed.

 

2.   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 meeting held January 22, 2020 (Approve)

 

b.   Special Events:

1)   Rhode Island Center for the Book, d/b/a/ Elizabeth Rush presents “Rising”; Ochre Court; April 2, 2020 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

2)   Historic Wharves Associates, Inc., d/b/a Newport International Boat Show, Market Square/Bowen’s Wharf; September 17-20, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday- Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday

 

c.   Holiday Selling License, Renewal, International Tennis Hall of Fame, Inc., d/b/a International Tennis Hall of Fame, Inc., 194 Bellevue Ave.

 

d.   Holiday Selling License, New, East Coast Cashmere, Inc., d/b/a Cashmere Beach, 115 Bellevue Ave.

 

e.   Holiday Selling License, New, Cutie Curls, LLC, d/b/a A Christmas to Remember, 130 Thames St.

 

f.    Private Detective License, Renewal, Brian Cartwright, d/b/a Coastal Investigation Group, LLC, 9 Waites Wharf, Unit 2

 

g.   Communication from the R.I.  Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC), re:  Proposed Amendment to the Red Book (Receive)

 

h.   Communication from Dennis P. Sullivan, Newport St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, re:  Request to place signs warning of underage drinking along the parade route and on Memorial Boulevard and Admiral Kalbfus Rd. (Approve subject to details being worked out with City Administration)

 

COUNCILOR TAYLOR moved to receive the request and approve.  Seconded by COUNCILOR MCLAUGHLIN and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

i.    Communication from Lt. Corey A. Huck, Newport Police Department, and Chair of the Aquidneck Island National Police Parade, requesting permission for the parade route in Newport from the One Mile Corner to Washington Square, on Sunday, May 3, 2020 (stepping off at 11:50 AM in front of the Hampton Inn and Suites at 317 West Main Road, Middletown), and to be the parade’s sole vendor (Approve subject to details being worked out with City Administration)

 

COUNCILOR TAYLOR moved to approve the Consent Calendar in its entirety with the exception of item h.  Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

LICENSES & PERMITS

 

3.   Mobile Food Establishment (MFEC), Renewal, Wally’s Hot Dog Cart, LLC, d/b/a Wally’s Hot Dog Cart, 252 Oliphant Lane, Middletown, RI

 

COUNCILOR TAYLOR moved to approve the license.  Seconded by COUNCILOR MCLAUGHLIN and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

4.   Mobile Food Establishment (MFET), Renewals:

a)   1899, LLC, d/b/a La Forge Restaurant Casino, 186 Bellevue Ave.

 

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

 

b)   Amano, LLC, d/b/a A Mano Pizza & Gelato, 181 Bellevue Ave., #315

 

COUNCILOR TAYLOR moved to approve the license.  Seconded by COUNCILOR MCLAUGHLIN and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

c)   Macray’s Seafood II, d/b/a Macray’s Seafood, 115 Stafford Rd., Tiverton, RI

 

COUNCILOR TAYLOR moved to approve the license.  Seconded by COUNCILOR MCLAUGHLIN and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

5.   Mobile Food Establishment (MFET), New, 1 available- (3 applicants):

 

ASSISTANT CITY SOLICITOR GIRARD GALVIN, addressed the Council to review the MFET ordinance and regulations.

 

a)   Sportgraphics, Inc., d/b/a Shishkaberrys of New England, 87 Spring St., Shrewsbury, MA

 

COUNCILOR TAYLOR moved to approve the license.  Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE.  The applicant presented the Council with pictures of the food truck.  MAYOR BOVA moved to receive the documents.  Seconded by COUNCILOR TAYLOR and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.  The vote on the motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

b)   Jordan Durand, d/b/a Simple Merchant, 1 Arcadia Ave., Dartmouth, MA

 

Withdrawn

 

c)   Emmanuel Maldonado, d/b/a Stank Dog’s, 32 Nathaniel Ave., Pawtucket, RI

 

Withdrawn

 

6.   APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS

 

Appointments

Newport Hospitality Commission – Carmela Geer (5-year term, expiring 2/26/2025)

 

COUNCILOR TAYLOR moved to appoint Carmela Geer to the Newport Hospitality Commission.  Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Reappointments

Historic District Commission – Rosemary O’Brien (3-year term, expiring 2/3/2023)

 

MAYOR BOVA moved to reappoint Rosemary O’Brien to the Historic District Commission.  Seconded by COUNCILOR TAYLOR and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Zoning Board of Review - Robert Buzard (5-year term, expiring 1/1/2025)

 

MAYOR BOVA moved to continue the reappointment to March 11, 2020.  Seconded by COUNCILOR TAYLOR and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

RESOLUTIONS

 

7.   Fair Chance Licensing- A. McCalla, L. Ceglie, J. Napolitano

 

COUNCILOR MCCALLA introduced the resolution and moved for its passage.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO.    The following members from the public addressed the Council in support of the resolution:

 

Anusha Alles, Staff Organizer, DARE

Alan Costa, Portsmouth, RI

Lakinda Reed, Providence, RI

Joyce Lassiter Perry, Newport RI

Mark Gonsalves, Newport, RI

 

Discussion occurred among the Council.  The motion to adopt the resolution was VOTED UNANMIOUSLY.

 

8.   Tax Classification- J. Bova

 

MAYOR BOVA moved to table the resolution and schedule a workshop.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

9.   Public Schools Week- J. Napolitano

 

COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO introduced the resolution and moved for its passage.  Seconded by COUNCILOR TAYLOR and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

ORDINANCES

 

10. Amending Title 17 of the Codified Ordinances, entitled, Zoning, to amend sections 17.08.010, 17.40.020A, 17.44.020A, 17.48.020A, 17.70.020A, 17.76.110 and 17.100 to allow for a Major Recreational Event (Second Reading)

 

COUNCILOR TAYLOR moved to adopt the ordinance on second reading.  Seconded by COUNCILOR MCLAUGHLIN and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS

 

11. Communication from Clean Ocean Access, re:  Marina Trash Skimmer Update

 

Max Kramer, Clean Ocean Access, addressed the Council to provide an update on the Marina Trash Skimmer.  MAYOR BOVA moved to receive the communication.  Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER

 

12. Memo from the City Manager, re: Status Report #8 on Zoning Code Update

 

Patricia Reynolds, Director of Planning and Economic Development, addressed the Council to provide an update.  COUNCILOR TAYLOR moved to receive the report.  Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

13. Memo from the City Manager, re: Status Report - Transportation Master Plan

 

COUNCILOR TAYLOR moved to receive the report.  Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

14. Action Item #5916/20 – re:  Award of Contract-Proposal # 20-009 Engineering Services for West Marlborough Street Storm Drain  (w/accompanying resolution)

 

COUNCILOR TAYLOR moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution.  Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

15. Action Item #5917/20 – re:  Award of Bid #20-030 - Vernon Park Tennis Courts Fence Restoration (w/accompanying resolution)

 

COUNCILOR TAYLOR moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution.  Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

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

 

BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS

 

LICENSES AND PERMITS

 

1.   Action Item #5904/20 – RE:  Show Cause Hearing:  Mermaids Newport, LLC, d/b/a Poor Richard’s-Benjamin’s-Operating Without a Valid Class BV Alcoholic Beverage License – Continued from January 22, 2020

 

COMMISSIONER TAYLOR moved to continue the hearing to March 11, 2020.  Seconded by COMMISSIONER MCLAUGHLIN and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

2.   Communication from Historic Wharves Associates, holder of a Class J alcoholic beverage license, re:  Notification of reduction in licensed premises (Receive and make part of licensee’s file)

 

COMMISSIONER TAYLOR moved to receive the communication and make it part of the licensee’s file.  Seconded by COMMISSIONER MCLAUGHLIN and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Laura C. Swistak

City Clerk

 

 

ADJOURN (2/19/20)

 

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