CITY OF NEWPORT
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 23, 2021
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 McKee’s Executive Order 21-59 on June 23, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.
The CITY CLERK called the roll, and the following members were present:
JAMIE BOVA LYNN UNDERWOOD CEGLIE
ANGELA MCCALLA CHARLIE HOLDER
JEANNE-MARIE NAPOLITANO ELIZABETH FUERTE
KATHRYN E. LEONARD
~Proclamation Honoring Mary Anita Dewitt~
MAYOR NAPOLITANO read the proclamation into the record.
CITIZENS’ FORUM
MAYOR NAPOLITANO opened the public hearing. Evan Smith, Discover Newport, CEO, addressed the Council regarding the petition. Discussion occurred among the Council and Mr. Smith. The following members from the public addressed the Council:
Bonnie Watson, 44 Catherine St.
Beth Cullen, 19 Bayside Ave.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to close the public hearing and approve the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR LEONARD and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
a) Recommendation from the Planning Board;
b) Ordinance amending Chapter 17.12 entitled, Districts Generally, to amend Section 17.12.020 entitled “Zoning Map” (First Reading)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to continue the hearing to July 14, 2021. Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
a. Minutes of the meetings held May 12, 2021 (Approve)
b. Special Events:
1. Newport Art Museum, d/b/a Hope Tree Art Exhibition Opening Reception, Miantonomi Park; July 9, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
2. Amanda Rubin, d/b/a She & Me Collective Market, Wayfinder Hotel, 151 Admiral Kalbfus Rd.; July 10, 2021 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Rain date- July 11, 2021)
3. The Potter League for Animals, d/b/a Yappy Hour- Fundraiser, Rough Point; July 18, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
4. Island Moving Company, d/b/a Newport Dance Festival, Great Friends Meeting House; July 20-25, 2021 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
5. Clean Ocean Access, d/b/a Paddle for Access, Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard; August 21, 2021 from, 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
6. The C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic & Regatta, d/ba/a The C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta, The Alofsin Piers at Fort Adams State Park; 8/24/21 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., 8/25/21 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., 8/26/21 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., 8/27/21 from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., 8/28/2021 from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and 8/29/21 from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
7. Newport This Week, d/b/a Broadway Street Fair, Equality Park to Washington Square; October 9, 2021 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
8. Mary Ann Martin, d/b/a Unique Boutique Artisan Craft Fair, Easton’s Beach Rotunda; November 13 & 14, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
REMOVED c. Bicycle Rental Agency, New, Bike Newport, d/b/a Bike Newport, 62 Broadway
COUNCILOR MCCALLA recused.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA. COUNCILOR LEONARD had a question regarding storage. Bari Freeman, Bike Newport, addressed the Council. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY (6-0).
d. Holiday Selling License, New, Cynthia Lee, d/b/a The Leeside Antiques, 106 Broadway 2A
e. Holiday Selling License, Renewal, The Isherwood Company, d/b/a Club Calais*, 198 Bellevue Ave. (*Change of d/b/a)
f. Waste Hauler License, Renewals:
1. Jon Vander Ark, d/b/a Republic Services, 1080 Airport Rd., Fall River, MA
2. Waste Connections of R.I. Inc., d/b/a MTG (Mega) Disposal, 19 Industrial Way, Seekonk, MA
REMOVED g. Communication from Newport Gulls, Ltd, re: Request permission to place temporary signs at the rotary on Connell Highway, the Memorial Blvd. median and America’s Cup Avenue on game days (Approve)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the request. Seconded by COUNCILOR LEONARD. COUNCILOR LEONARD had questions regarding when the signs will be placed and removed. COUNCILOR LEONARD moved to approve the request. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
REMOVED h. Communication from Pirate Pedicab, LLC, re: Request to amend section 5.97.210 (B) of the codified ordinances to remove Memorial Blvd. West and reconsider 5.97.210 (C)(Receive and refer to city administration for a recommendation)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive and refer the recommendation to city administration. Seconded by COUNCILOR HOLDER. COUNCILOR LEONARD and COUNCILOR HOLDER had questions. David Cass addressed the Council regarding the request. COUNCILOR LEONARD moved to receive and refer to the City Administration for a recommendation. Seconded by COUNCILOR HOLDER and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
i. Communication from the R.I. Division of Statewide Planning State Planning Council, re: Transportation Advisory Committee Public Notice Draft State Transportation Improvement Program FFY 2022-2031 (Receive)
j. Communication from Christopher J. Behan, Esq., re: Zoning Amendments “Base” and “Float” for North End (Receive and refer to the Planning Board for a recommendation and order advertised)
k. Communication from Tom Hockaday, President, The Point Association, re: Request to hold neighborhood block party on July 10, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and to close a portion of Willow St. between Third Street and Chase Street (Approve subject to details being worked out with city administration)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the Consent Calendar in its entirety with the exception of items c, g and h. Seconded by COUNCILOR LEONARD and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Special Event License, Rhode Races & Events, Inc., d/b/a Newport Rhode Races, Easton’s Beach (route attached); April 16, 2022 from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR HOLDER and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. PR Ventures, LLC, d/b/a Newport Lax Fest, Toppa Field; July 17-18, 2021 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
· Request to reduce park use fees
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license and refer the request to reduce park use fees to City Administration. Seconded by MAYOR NAPOLITANO. Discussion occurred among the Council regarding the request to reduce the park use fees. COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license but not the request to reduce the park use fees. Seconded by COUNCILOR LEONARD and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Second-hand License, New, Cynthia Lee, The Leeside Antiques, 106 Broadway 2A
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to close the public hearing and approve. Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. 2021-2022 Annual Entertainment License Renewals
a) Fine Arts Newport, Inc., d/b/a Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center, 49 Touro St.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
b) Marriott Hotel Services, Inc., d/b/a Newport Marriott Hotel, 25 America’s Cup Ave.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA. COUNCILOR LEONARD had questions regarding outdoor entertainment. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
NOTE: Vacancies currently or soon will exist on the following Boards and Commissions: Beach Commission, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, Henderson Home, Historic DistrictCommission, Energy and Environment Commission
Historic District Commission – James Madson, Christopher Daly, Alternate members (- 3-year term expiring 6/23/2024)
MAYOR NAPOLITANO moved to continue the appointment. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Beach Commission – Margaret Caswell (3-year term expiring 6/23/2024)
MAYOR NAPOLITANO moved to appoint Margaret Caswell to the Beach Commission. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
9. Supporting S-582 and H-6424 Relating to Education-Foundation Level School Support- A. McCalla, J. Napolitano, J. Bova, E. Fuerte, K. Leonard, L. Ceglie
COUNCILOR MCCALLA introduced the resolution and moved for its passage. Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
10. Amending Chapter 5.40 entitled, “Transient Guest Facilities” to amend Section 5.40.010, entitled, “Definitions” (First Reading)- Continued from June 9, 2021
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to continue the ordinance to July 14, 2021. Seconded by COUNCILOR HOLDER and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
11. Amending Chapter 12.28 entitled, “City Harbor”, to amend Section 12.28.055 entitled, “Use of vessels as abodes or floating businesses” (First Reading)- Continued from June 9, 2021
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to continue the ordinance to July 14, 2021. Seconded by COUNCILOR HOLDER and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
12. Memorandum from the City Manager, re: Extension of Employment Contract (w/accompanying resolution)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the contract and accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR HOLDER. COUNCILOR MCCALLA moved to amend the resolution by reducing the term to one year expiring June 30, 2022. Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA. Discussion occurred among the Council. The motion to amend the contract failed with MAYOR NAPOLITANO, COUNCILOR CEGLIE, COUNCILOR LEONARD and COUNCILOR HOLDER opposed.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the contract and adopt the resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR HOLDER and VOTED 6-1 with COUNCILOR MCCALLA opposed.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adjourn as Council and convene as Board of License Commissioners. Seconded by COUNCILOR LEONARD and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
ADJOURN AS COUNCIL AND CONVENE AS BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS
1. Class F Daily Liquor License:
· Clean Ocean Access, d/b/a Paddle for Access, Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard; August 21, 2021 from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
2. Class F-1 Daily Liquor License:
· Island Moving Company, d/b/a Newport Dance Festival, Great Friends Meeting House; July 23 & 24, 2021 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
· The C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic & Regatta, d/b/a The C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta, The Alofsin Piers at Fort Adams State Park; 8/25/21 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., 8/26/21 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., 8/27/21 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., 8/28/2021 from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and 8/29/21 from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to approve the Consent Calendar in its entirety. Seconded by COMMISSIONER LEONARD and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Application of Ida Lewis Yacht Club, d/b/a Ida Lewis Yacht Club, 170 Wellington Ave., holder of a Class D alcoholic beverage license to expand their licensed premises by increasing the deck to 15’6” x 69’ 6” (Hearing)
COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to open the public hearing. Turner Scott, Esq., addressed the Board on behalf of the applicant. COMMISSIONER CEGOLIE moved to close the public hearing and approve. Seconded by COMMISSIONER BOVA and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Action Item #5960/21 – RE: Show Cause Hearing: The Protective Club, d/b/a Protective Club – Operating Without a Valid Class D Alcoholic Beverage License (continued from May 12, 2021)
CITY SOLICITOR BEHAN addressed the Board and recommended the matter be continued to August 11, 2021. COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to continue the hearing to August 11, 2021. Seconded by COMMISSIONER BOVA and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Laura C. Swistak
City Clerk
ADJOURN- 7:58 p.m.