CITY OF NEWPORT
MINUTES FOR A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 22, 2021
(Approved 10/27/2021)
The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the Council, will come before the Council at a meeting to be held on September 22, 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 |
ABSENT
KATHRYN E. LEONARD
CITIZENS’ FORUM:
Chris Semonelli, Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd., addressed the Council.
a. Minutes of the Council meetings held August 11, 2021 (Approve)
b. Special Events :
1) Newport Rec Reunion Association, d/b/a Newport Rec Reunion Association Yard/Bake Sale, Newport Quaker Meeting House; September 25, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
2) Newport Art Museum, d/b/a Opening Reception Annu Palakunnathu Matthew, Newport Art Museum; September 30, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
3) Newport Art Museum, d/b/a Opening Reception Shaday School Mural, Newport Art Museum School, 26 Liberty St.; October 1, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
c. Communication from Howard Elliott, re: Resignation from the Historic District Commission (Receive with regret)
d. Communication from Mary Jo Valdes, re: Resignation from the Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission (Receive with regret)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the Consent Calendar in its entirety. Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY (6-0).
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 moves from Alternate to Full member (3-year term expires 10/12/2024)
MAYOR NAPOLITANO moved to appoint James Madson from alternate to full member of the Historic District Commission. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY (6-0)
Newport Beach Commission – Scott Skuncik (3-year term expires 9/22/2024)
MAYOR NAPOLITANO moved to appoint Scott Skuncik to the Newport Beach Commission. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Henderson Home Commission – Mary Currier (1-year term expires 9/22/2022)
MAYOR NAPOLITANO moved to appoint Mary Currier to the Henderson Home Commission. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission – Deborah Peart (3-year term beginning 10/26/2021 expires 10/26/2024)
MAYOR NAPOLITANO moved to appoint Deborah Peart to the Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY (6-0).
Reappointments:
Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission – Jean Quinn (3-year term expires 10/26/2024)
MAYOR NAPOLITANO moved to reappoint Jean Quinn to the Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOULSY (6-0)
Waterfront Commission - Robert Anton (3-year term expires 1/11/2024), Henry DiPietro (3-year term expires 1/11/2023)
MAYOR NAPOLITANO moved to reappoint Robert Anton to the Waterfront Commission. Seconded by COUNCILOR CEGLIE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY (6-0)
3. Requesting to designate the use of the Theodore Michaud t-ball field at the Abruzzi Sports Complex to build basketball courts and modern skatepark and to relocate t-ball to another location in the city- L. Ceglie, J. Bova
COUNCILOR CEGLIE introduced the resolution and moved for its passage. Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA. COUNCILOR BOVA moved to amend the resolution by adding an additional Resolve: Construction on the skatepark will not begin until the new t-ball field is ready and the City Manager will report the plan to the Council within three months. Seconded by COUNCILOR MCCALLA. Scott Wheeler, Superintendent of Parks, Grounds and Forestry, addressed the Council regarding the history of the discussions regarding the skatepark. Chris Rosa, 1 Armstrong Place, President, Newport Little League, addressed the Council regarding the discussions which occurred. The motion to amend the resolution was voted (5-1), with COUNCILOR FUERTE opposed. The following members from the public addressed the Council:
Timothy Boucher, 29 Kingston Ave.
Sid Abruzzi, 6 Thurston Ave.
Mitchell Jackson, 38 Dudley Ave.
Jennifer Jackson, 38 Dudley Ave.
Kevin DeMello, 14 Garfield St.
G. Holden, 62 Tuckerman Ave.
Timothy Harrington, 4 Lakeview Ave.
Melissa Caito, 29 Dean Ave.
Christine Sullivan, Admiral Kalbfus Rd.
Michelle Leys, Barbara Ave.
Discussion continued among the Council. MAYOR NAPOLITANO moved to approve the resolution as amended. Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA and voted (4-2) with MAYOR NAPOLITANO and COUNCILOR FUERTE opposed.
4. Amending Chapter 15.16 entitled “Rental Dwellings” to amend Sections, 15.16.010, entitled, “Findings”, 15.16.040, entitled, “Registration Required”, 15.16.080, entitled, “Fee” and 15.16.090 entitled, “Posting of notice by owner” (First Reading)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to adopt the ordinance on first reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Action Item #6005/21 – RE: Award of Bid # 22-006 – Sidewalk Improvement Program 2021 (w/accompanying resolution)
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA. William Riccio, Director of Public Services addressed the Council to answer questions. The motion to approve was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Action Item #6006/21 – RE: CRMC File No. 2021-06-081 - Application of Howard Wharf LP - 24 Lee’s Wharf – Hotel and Restaurant
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY (6-0).
7. Action Item #6007/21 – RE: CRMC File No. 2021-05-075 - Application of Susan LaChapelle Ropolo - 80 Washington Street – Residential Boating Facility
COUNCILOR CEGLIE moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY (6-0).
Councilor Ceglie moved to adjourn as Council and convene as Board of License Commissioners. Seconded by COUNCILOR BOVA and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. Class F Daily Liquor Licenses:
a) Newport Art Museum, d/b/a Opening Reception Annu Palakunnathu Matthew, Newport Art Museum, 76 Bellevue Ave; September 30, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
b) Newport Art Museum, d/b/a Opening Reception Shaday School Mural, Newport Art Museum School, 26 Liberty St.; October 1, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
COMMISSIONER CEGLIE moved to adopt the Consent Calendar in its entirety. Seconded by COMMISSIONER FUERTE and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY (6-0)
Laura C. Swistak
City Clerk
ADJOURN- 8:02 p.m.