CITY OF NEWPORT

MINUTES FOR THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING

MAY 13, 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 meeting held in accordance with Governor Raimondo’s Executive Order 20-25 on May 13, 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

 

1.   Proposed Budget FY 2021 (A copy is available on the city’s website) (Receive)

http://cityofnewport.com/departments/finance/budgets-cafrs-cips

 

COUNCILOR TAYLOR moved to receive the Proposed FY 2021 budget.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

2.   PUBLIC HEARING:  Proposed Budget FY 2021 (A copy is available on the city’s website) http://cityofnewport.com/departments/finance/budgets-cafrs-cips

a.   Memorandum from the City Manager (Receive)

 

COUNCILOR TAYLOR moved to receive the memorandum.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO.  CITY MANAGER JOSEPH J. NICHOLSON, JR addressed the Council regarding the memorandum.   Discussion occurred among the Council and City Manager Nicholson.  Laura Sitrin, Director of Finance, addressed the Council.  COUNCILOR MCLAUGHLIN requested a list of all capital projects that have been removed or unfunded.  The motion to receive was voted 6-0.  COUNCILOR TAYLOR was present but could not be heard or reached during the vote.

 

MAYOR BOVA opened the public hearing.  The following members from the public addressed the Council:

 

Louisa Boatwright, 46 Second St. addressed the Council regarding the school budget.

Marco Camacho, 55 Evarts St. addressed the Council and requested the City to re-instate $18,000 to the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission.

 

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to reinstate $18,000 to the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO.  CITY MANAGER NICHOLSON addressed the Council regarding funding the AIPC.  The motion to reinstate was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Mike and Beth Cullen, 18 Bayview Ave. addressed the Council regarding the budget.

 

MAYOR BOVA moved to close the public hearing.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

b.   Ordinance Appropriating Revenues (First Reading)

 

COUNCILOR TAYLOR moved to approve the ordinance on first reading.  Laura Sitrin, Finance Director, addressed the Council regarding the budget.  COUNCILOR MCLAUGHLIN moved to continue the ordinance to May 27, 2020.  Seconded by COUNCILOR MCCALLA.  Discussion occurred among the Council.  COUNCILOR MCLAUGHLIN moved to amend the motion to include continuing both items b. and c. to May 27, 2020.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and voted 6-1 with COUNCILOR LEONARD opposed.

 

c.   Ordinance Amending Title 3, Personnel (First Reading)

 

3.   Memorandum from the City Manager, re:  Direction with regard to School Bond Workshop scheduling

 

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the memorandum.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO.   CITY MANAGER NICHOLSON addressed the Council and indicated a date has been set for the workshop and he would confirm the following day.  The motion to receive was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

4.   Memorandum from the City Manager, re:  Direction with Regard to 4th of July Fireworks

 

COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the memorandum.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLTIANO.  Discussion occurred among the Council and City Manager Nicholson.  COUNCILOR TAYLOR moved to cancel the Fourth of July fireworks.  Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.  The motion to receive was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Laura C. Swistak

City Clerk

 

ADJOURN – 8:04 p.m.