CITY OF NEWPORT
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 14, 2020
(Approved 11/10/2020)
The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the Council, came before the Council at a meeting to be held in accordance with Governor Raimondo’s Executive Order 20-25 on October 14, 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 | |
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.
(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.)
REMOVED a. Minutes of the Council Meetings held August 26, 2020 and September 16, 2020 (Approve)
b. Special Events:
1) Old Battle Axe, Inc., d/b/a The Reef, “Drive In Movie Night”, Howard Wharf parking lot; October 23, 2020 and October 30, 2020 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
c. Holiday Selling License, Renewal, Cottage & Garden, Inc., d/b/a Cottage & Garden, Inc., 9 Bridge St. Units B & C
d. Second-hand License, Renewal, Cottage & Garden, Inc., d/b/a Cottage & Garden, Inc., 9 Bridge St. Units B & C
e. Tattoo License, Renewal, Bret Lohnes, d/b/a Captain Bret’s Tattoo Shop, Inc., 4 Collins St. Unit 4A
f. Communication from Adrienne Haylor, re: Resignation from the Tree and Open Space Commission (Receive with regret)
g. Communication from Karl Bjork, re: Resignation from the Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission (Receive with regret)
h. Communication from Charles Donahue, re: Waites Wharf (Receive)
i. Communication from Nate Levin-Aspenson, Lead Grants Manager, Newport Mental Health, re: Thanking the City Council and City of Newport for their continued support for mental health care in the community (Receive)
COUNCILOR TAYLOR moved to approve the Consent Calendar in its entirety with the exception of item a. Seconded by COUNCILOR MCLAUGHLIN and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. 2020 Annual Entertainment License, Renewal, Class A (Indoors), Plumb Inc., d/b/a Brick Alley Pub, 140-142 Thames St.
COUNCILOR TAYLOR moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Entertainment License, Expansion, Class A (Indoors), Kinsley’s LTD, d/b/a Newport Blue’s Café, d/b/a Newport Blues Café, 286 Thames St., holder of a Class A indoor license- Requesting removal of the condition requiring doors and windows to remain closed during entertainment (Hearing)- Continued from September 23, 2020
COUNCILOR CEGLIE recused.
COUNCILOR TAYLOR moved to receive the communication from Attorney Matthew Leys on behalf of the applicant. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
MAYOR BOVA moved to continue the application indefinitely. Seconded by COUNCILOR MCLAUGHLIN and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission
Ingrid Peters (3-year term expiring 10/26/2023)
MAYOR BOVA moved to reappoint Ingrid Peters to the Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission. Seconded by COUNCILOR TAYLOR and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Appointments
Waterfront Commission (3- year term)- Continued from September 23, 2020
John Greichen
Gregory James
MAYOR BOVA moved to rescind the appointment to the Waterfront Commission. Seconded by COUNCILOR TAYLOR and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission - Continued from September 23, 2020
Elliott Caldwell (3-year term expiring 10/14/2023)
MAYOR BOVA moved to appoint Elliott Caldwell to the Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Honoring those who helped celebrate the Rogers High School Senior Class of 2020 who were impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic- J. Napolitano, L. Ceglie, K. Leonard, S. Taylor, J. Bova
COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO introduced the resolution and moved for its passage. Seconded by COUNCILOR LEONARD and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Requesting to designate Prospect Hill Street a Weight Restricted Street from Spring Street to Bellevue Avenue– S. Taylor, J. Napolitano, L. Ceglie, K. Leonard
COUNCILOR TAYLOR introduced the resolution and moved for its passage. Seconded by COUNCILOR LEONARD. Discussion occurred among the Council. CITY MANAGER NICHOLSON addressed the Council regarding the process. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Communication from Turner C. Scott, re: Denial of Alteration (excavation) Permit Application, Newport Country Club, 264 and 280 Harrison Ave.- continued from September 16, 2020
CITY MANAGER NICHOLSON recommended to the Council the matter be continued indefinitely without prejudice to the Appellant. MAYOR BOVA moved to continue the matter indefinitely without prejudice to the Appellant. Seconded by COUNCILOR TAYLOR and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
8. Action Item #5945/20 – RE: Transfer for Student Assistance Counselor-Newport Prevention Coalition (w/accompanying resolution)
COUNCILOR TAYLOR moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
9. COVID 19 Status update
CITY MANAGER NICHOLSON provided an update to the Council.
Laura C. Swistak
City Clerk
ADJOURN- 7:30 p.m.