CITY OF NEWPORT
MINUTES FOR A SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
(Approved 10/13/2021)
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 on September 1, 2021 at 6:30 p.m., City Hall, Council Chambers, 43 Broadway, Newport, RI
The CITY CLERK called the roll, and the following members were present:
| LYNN UNDERWOOD CEGLIE | JAMIE BOVA |
| CHARLIE HOLDER | ANGELA MCCALLA |
| JEANNE-MARIE NAPOLITANO | ELIZABETH FUERTE |
| KATHRYN E. LEONARD | |
CITIZENS’ FORUM
Bonnie Watson, 44 Catherine St., Translation of documents
Tim Harrington, 4 Lakeview Drive, Almy Pond
Patricia Reynolds, Director of Planning and Economic Development, provided a Power Point presentation regarding the history of the North End Urban Plan. Discussion occurred among the Council and Director Reynolds.
COUNCILOR CELIGE moved to opened the public hearing. Seconded by COUNCILOR FUERTE and VOTED UNANIMOULSY.
The following members from the public addressed the Council:
Julie Maraziti, 66 Girard Ave.
Thomas Dupre, 120 Malbone Rd.
Maggie Martin, 48 Admiral Kalbfus Rd.
Tim Harrington, 4 Lakeview Court
Jennifer Jackson, 38 Dudley Ave.
Phyllis Mulligan, Park Holm
Jeremiah C. Lynch, III, Esq., 97 John Clarke Rd.
Danielle Dufault, Esq., 49 Bellevue Ave.
Charles Gonsalves, Festival Field
Mark Rotella, 33 Garfield St.
Alex Chuman, Stewardship Director, Aquidneck Island Land Trust
Jonathan Perry, Owner, Newport Playhouse
Kitter Gowen, 27 Garfield St.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to close the public hearing. Seconded by COUNCILOR FUERTE. Discussion occurred among the Council. CITY SOLICITOR BEHAN addressed the Council.
COUNCILOR MCCALLA moved to receive the proposed amendments from the community groups, add to the public records and refer to the Planning Board for review. Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
a. Recommendation from the Planning Board;
Director Reynolds addressed the Council and read each recommendation from the Planning Board.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to close the public hearing. Seconded by COUNCILOR FUERTE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
b. Amending Section 17.08.010 entitled, “Definitions” (First Reading)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the recommendation from the Planning Board to amend the ordinance by adding the definition of multimodal. Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the ordinance as amended. Seconded by COUNCILOR FUERTE and VOTED UNANIMOULSY.
c. Amending Section 17.12.010 entitled, “Establishment of districts” (First Reading)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the ordinance on first reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR FUERTE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
d. Add New Section- Chapter 17.65 entitled, “Innovation Hub” (First Reading)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on first reading Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA. COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to amend the ordinance by adding mandating parking for electric vehicles. Seconded by COUNCILOR FUERTE. Discussion occurred among the Council regarding the proposed amendments. The motion failed (2-5) with COUNCILOR FUERTE, COUNCILOR HOLDER, COUNCILOR CEGLIE, COUNCILOR LEONARD and MAYOR NAPOLITANO opposed.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to amend the ordinance by adopting the Planning Board recommendations for Community Benefit Agreements to section 17.65.100 (j). Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA.
COUNCILOR LEONARD moved to amend the ordinance regarding impact fees. Seconded by COUNCILOR HOLDER. Discussion occurred among the Council, Director Reynolds and CITY SOLICITOR BEHAN. COUNCILOR BOVA moved to refer COUNCILOR LEONARD’s amendment to Planning Board. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Director Reynolds, restated the amendments from the Planning Board for Section 17.65.100 (j). The motion to amend the ordinance and adopt the Planning Board recommendations for Section 17.65.100 (j) failed (2-5) with COUNCILOR FUERTE, COUNCILOR HOLDER, COUNCILOR CEGLIE, COUNCILOR LEONARD and MAYOR NAPOLITANO opposed.
Director Reynolds, restated amendments Planning Board recommendations regarding sustainability. COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the recommendations from the Planning Board. Seconded by COUNCILOR HOLDER and VOTED UNANIMOULSY.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the ordinance as amended. Seconded by COUNCILOR FUERTE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
e. Add New Section- Chapter 17.66 entitled, “Innovation Hub Floating Overlay Zone (IHF)” (First Reading)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on first reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA. Director Reynolds provided the amendments by the Planning Board.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to amend the ordinance to mandate electric vehicle charging. Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA. The motion failed (2-5) with COUNCILOR FUERTE, COUNCILOR HOLDER, COUNCILOR CEGLIE, COUNCILOR LEONARD and MAYOR NAPOLITANO OPPOSED.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to amend the ordinance to accept the Planning Board recommendations from the Planning Board regarding Community Benefit Agreements. Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA.
COUNCILOR LEOANRD moved to refer the amendment on impact fees to the Planning Board. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to amend the ordinance to accept the Planning Board recommendations from the Planning Board regarding Community Benefit Agreements. Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA. COUNCILOR MCCALLA addressed the Council regarding the amendments.
The motion to accept the Planning Board recommendations failed 2-5 with COUNCILOR FUERTE, COUNCILOR HOLDER, COUNCILOR CEGLIE, COUNCILOR LEONARD and MAYOR NAPOLITANO opposed.
Director Reynolds addressed the Council regarding building height recommendations from the Planning Board. Discussion occurred among the Council regarding the proposed amendment.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the Planning Board recommendations regarding building height. Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA. Discussion occurred among the Council regarding the height difference. The motion to adopt the recommendation failed (3-4) with MAYOR NAPOLITANO, COUNCILOR CEGLIE, COUNCILOR LEONARD and COUNCILOR HOLDER opposed.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance as amended. Seconded by COUNCILOR FUERTE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
f. Add New Section- Chapter 17.108.040, entitled, “ Unified Development Review” (First Reading)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance. Seconded by COUNCILOR FUERTE. COUNCILOR LEONARD had questions regarding the amendments. Director Reynolds address COUNCILOR LEONARD to clarify the amendment. CITY SOLICITOR BEHAN addressed the Council regarding the amendment. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOULSY.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to open the public hearing. Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to close the public hearing. SECONDED by COUNCILOR BOVA and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
a. Amending Section 17.12.020, entitled, “Zoning Map” to add New Zoning District, “Innovation Hub (IH), Subdistricts-Urban Village, Maker Tech and Maker” (First Reading)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the ordinance on first reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR FUERTE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
a. Special Events :
1) Redwood Library & Athenaeum, d/b/a Sounds from the Big Chair, Redwood Library & Athenaeum; 8/26/2021 & 9/02/2021 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
REMOVED 2) The Preservation Society of Newport County, d/b/a Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival, Rosecliff & The Breakers Stable; September 17-19, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
COUNCILOR HOLDER commented on several events being on the same weekends. COUNCILOR H OLDER moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA and VOTED UNANIMOULSY.
3) Interweave Channing Church, d/b/a Born This Way Prom, Easton’s Beach Rotunda; September 24, 2021 from 6:30 p.m. 10:30 p.m.
REMOVED 4) Food Truck Festivals of America, d/b/a Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival, Fort Adams State Park; October 16& 17, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
COUNCILOR LEONARD raised concerns about the pandemic and the potential for the COVID-19 numbers rise. COUNCILOR LEONARD also raised concerns regarding the parking and traffic concerns. MAYOR NAPOLITANO moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR FUERTE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
b. Second-hand License, New, Tresor Curated, LLC, d/b/a Tresor Curated, LLC, 22 Franklin St.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the Consent Calendar with the exception of items a (2) and a (4). Seconded by COUNCILOR FUERTE and VOTED UNANIMOULSY.
4. Victualing License, New, Umi Asian Cuisine Inc., d/b/a Umi Asian Cuisine, 82 Broadway
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR FUERTE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Annual Entertainment License, Renewal, Class A & B, Shaner Rhode Island, LLC, d/b/a Saltwater, In the Newport Harbor Hotel
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by OCUNCILOR LEONARD and 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
Appointments:
Beach Commission – Elaine Trainor (3 - year term expires 8/25/2024)
Reappointments:
Waterfront Commission- Peter Baum (3-year term expires 1/11/2023)
Mary Ann Marin (3 - year term expires 1/11/2023)
MAYOR NAPOLITANO moved to re-appoint Peter Baum to the Waterfront Commission. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Housing Authority of Newport – Nikki Vazquez (5 - year term expires 6/3/2025)
MAYOR NAPOLITANO moved to re-appoint Vikki Vazquez to the Newport Housing Authority. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Amending Chapter 12.28 entitled, “City Harbor”, to amend Section 12.28.055 entitled, “Use of vessels as abodes or floating businesses” (Second Reading)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on second reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR FUERTE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
8. Amending Chapter 5.40 entitled, “Hotels”, to amend Section 5.40.020 entitled, “Registration of hotels and guesthouses” (First Reading)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on first reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
9. Action Item No. 6000/21, re: Lease Agreement- Save the Bay- Gateway Center (w/accompanying resolution)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR LEONARD and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adjourn as Council and convene as Board of License Commissioners. Seconded by COUNCILOR FUERTE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. Class F-1 Daily Liquor Licenses:
a) The Preservation Society of Newport County, d/b/a Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival, Rosecliff & The Breakers Stable; September 17-19, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
b) Oliver Hazard Perry, d/b/a Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival, Bowen’s Wharf; October 16-17, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
c) Food Truck Festivals of America, d/b/a Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival, Fort Adams State Park; October 16& 17, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
2. Communication from Radish Patch, LLC, d/b/a Vieste Vino Yagi, 580 Thames St., re: Change in hours of operation (Receive and make part of licensee’s file)
COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to approve the Consent Calendar in its entirety. Seconded by COMMISSIONER FUERTE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Class A Liquor Store, Sunday Selling License, New, AMAR7377 LLC, d/b/a Bliss Road Wine & Spirits, 25 Bliss Rd.
COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to approve the license. Seconded by COMMISSIONER HOLDER and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Laura C. Swistak
City Clerk
ADJOURN- 8:59 p.m.