CITY OF NEWPORT
MEETING
JANUARY 11, 2023
(Approved 2/8/23)
The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the Council, came before the Council at a meeting held on January 11, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 43 Broadway, Newport, RI 02840.
The DEPUTY CITY CLERK called the roll and the following members were present:
MARK ARAMLI DAVID CARLIN
CHARLIE HOLDER XAY KHAMSYVORAVONG
ANGELA MCCALLA JEANNE-MARIE NAPOLITANO
ABSENT
LYNN UNDERWOOD CEGLIE
Citizens’ Forum: Stuart Sreuli, 11 Ellery Rd., Brenton Park Access
COUNCILOR MCCALLA moved to receive the submitted documents. Seconded by COUNCILOR HOLDER and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
a. Minutes of the meetings held December 14, 2022 (Approve)
b. Communication from the R.I. Department of Environmental Management, re: Official Tree Warden Appointment, Scott Wheeler
c. Billiard Table, Renewal, Finnbar Murray, Fastnet Pub, 1-3 Broadway (1 table)
d. Mechanical Amusement Device, Renewal, Newport Music Co., 849 Union St., Portsmouth, RI (14 locations, 22 machines)
e. Pool Table, Renewal, Atlas Vending, Inc., d/b/a 1106 North Main St., Providence, R.I. (1 table)
f. Tattoo License, Renewal, Owner/Operator, Jennifer Clinch Guertin, d/b/a Anchor Steam Tattoo Gallery, 44 Broadway
REMOVED g. 2023 Boards and Commissions Annual Reports:
1. Newport Canvassing Authority
2. Newport Juvenile Hearing Board
3. Historic District Commission
4. Cliff Walk Commission
5. Planning Board
6. Newport Beach Commission
7. Energy & Environment Commission
8. Tree and Open Space Commission
9. Cemetery Advisory Commission
COUNCILOR CARLIN moved to receive the annual reports. Seconded by COUNCILOR HOLDER. MAYOR KHAMSYVORAVONG outlined that the boards and commissions will be scheduled to provide in-person updates at future City Council meetings. The motion to receive was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
REMOVED h. Communication from the Town of Jamestown, re: Future of Gould Island (Receive)
COUNCILOR MCCALLA moved to receive the communication. Seconded by COUNCILOR HOLDER. Discussion occurred among the Council members. CITY MANAGER NICHOLSON addressed Council questions. The motion to receive was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
COUNCILOR MCCALLA moved to approve the Consent Calendar in its entirety with the exception of item g and h. Seconded by COUNCILOR CARLIN and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Pedicab Business License, Renewal, John J. Litherland, d/b/a Cap’n John Pedicabs, 1589 Narragansett Ave., Apt. O, Newport, RI- (1 pedicab valid May 1, 2023 through April 30, 2025)
COUNCILOR CARLIN moved to approve the license. Seconded by COUNCILOR MCCALLA and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission – One vacancy (3 applicants) – Robert Conway; Penny Fitch; Stephen Marino; (3-year term expires 10/14/2023)
COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO moved to appoint Robert Conway to the commission. Seconded by COUNCILOR MCCALLA. COUNCILOR CARLIN recommended exploring to increase the number of slots on the commission and recognized Stephen Marino. COUNCILOR ARAMLI recognized Penny Fitch. The motion to appoint Robert Conway was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Rules of the Council
COUNCILOR CARLIN introduced the resolution. COUNCILOR CARLIN moved to adopt the resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR MCCALLA. COUNCILOR CARLIN moved to strike section G. Seconded by COUNCILOR MCCALLA and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Bari Freeman, 34 Friendship St., recommended updating the rules with gender neutral language.
Discussion about updating the rules with gender neutral language occurred among the Council members.
The motion to adopt the Rules of the Council as amended was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Requesting a policy to prevent excessively loud noise from motorcycles and other motor vehicles- M. Aramli, D. Carlin, C. Holder
COUNCILOR ARAMLI introduced the resolution. COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO moved to adopt the resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR HOLDER. Linda Stevenson, Dixon St., addressed the City Council. Discussion occurred among the Council members. The motion to adopt the resolution was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Amending Section 10.24.010, “Parking prohibited at all times in designated places” (First Reading)
CITY MANAGER NICHOLSON introduced the ordinance. COUNCILOR CARLIN moved to adopt the ordinance on first reading. Seconded by COUNCILOR MCCALLA and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Action Item #6117/23 – RE: City of Newport/Town of Middletown Tax Treaty Agreement (w/accompanying resolution)
CITY SOLICITOR BEHAN introduced the action item. COUNCILOR CARLIN moved to receive the communication and adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
8. Action Item #6118/23 – re: Reconsideration of Ordinance 10.32.110(c) – George Street - 24 Hour Residential Parking Designation
COUNCILOR CARLIN moved to receive and enter into record communication from Francie Black, 77 Coggeshall Ave. Seconded by COUNCILOR MCCALLA and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
COUNCILOR CARLIN made a motion to approve the action item. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Discussion occurred among the Council members.
Tanner Jackson, Esq., on behalf of the owner of 63 Coggeshall Ave., addressed the action item. Attorney Jackson addressed Council members’ questions.
COUNCILOR MCCALLA recommended referring the matter to the Interdepartmental Traffic Committee. CITY MANAGER NICHOLSON addressed the action item.
CITY SOLICTOR BEHAN advised on the wording of the motion. The motion to withdraw approval of the designation of sticker parking failed 0-6.
9. Action Item #6119/23 – re: Contract 22-012-3 - Modification 1- Drainage System Investigation & Flooding Analysis - Prescott Hall Watershed (w/accompanying resolution)
COUNCILOR MCCALLA made a motion to receive the communication and to adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO. Robert Schultz, Director of Utilities, addressed the action item and answered Council members’ questions. The motion to adopt was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
10. Action Item #6120/23 – re: Cliff Walk Repair Professional Services, Supplemental Agreement (w/accompanying resolution)
CITY MANAGER NICHOSLON introduced the action item. COUNCILOR CARLIN moved to receive the communication and to adopt the accompanying resolution. Seconded by COUNCILOR MCCALLA.
Discussion occurred among the Council members. CITY MANAGER NICHOLSON responded to Council members’ questions. Douglas Powers, 270 Gibbs Ave., addressed the Council.
The motion to adopt was VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
11. Action Item #6121/23- re: Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Contract July 1, 2021-June 30, 2024 (w accompanying ordinance)
COUNCILOR CARLIN made a motion to continue the action item to the January 25, 2023 meeting. Seconded by COUNCILOR NAPOLITANO and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Sulpicio Carlos Alaan III
Deputy City Clerk
Adjourn- 8:04 p.m.