CITY OF NEWPORT
DOCKET FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL
MEETING
FEBRUARY 12, 2025
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 February 12, 2025 at 6:30 p.m., City Hall, Council Chambers, 43 Broadway, Newport, RI 02840
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.
1. Class F Daily Liquor License, Clagett Sailing, d/b/a Clagett Sailing- Sailing Regatta, Fort Adams State Park; 6/18/25 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., 6/19/25 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., 6/20/25 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., 6/21/25 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and 6/22/25 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
2. Class F-1 Daily Liquor License, R.I. Arts Foundation at Newport Inc., d/b/a Newport Classical, The Breakers; July 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 22, 2025 from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
3. Communication from David Fox, Esq., re: Vickers Liquors- Notice of Change of name of Kat & Tuch, LLC to Kat & Trav, LLC and the transfer of 49% membership interest in the LLC from Andrew Tuchler to Travis Hampton (Receive and make part of licensees file)
4. Action Item #6373/25 – RE: Show Cause Hearing: Bloody Bull, LLC, d/b/a Gardiner House - Operating Without a Valid Class BT Alcoholic Beverage License- Continued from January 22, 2025
5. Application of Vanderbilt Hotel, LLC, d/b/a The Vanderbilt, 41 Mary Street, holder of a Class BT alcoholic beverage license to transfer ownership to Vanderbilt Opco, LLC (1899, LLC- 100% (Thames Capital Ventures 51% (Nicholas Schorsch (100%) and Aquidneck Holdings, LLC- 49% (Nicholas Schorsch (100%)), at the same premises (Hearing)
Adjourn as Board of License Commissioners and convene as Council
a. Minutes of the Council Workshop held January 11, 2025 and Council Meetings held on January 8 and January 22, 2025 (Approve)
b. Special Events:
1. Katelyn McSherry, d/b/a Newport Wedding Show VIP Reception, Newport Craft Brewery; February 22, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
2. Newport String Project, d/b/a Open Rehearsals, Newport City Hall Council Chambers; 2/26/25, 3/26/25, 4/30/25 and 5/28/25 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
3. St. Joseph’s Parish, d/b/a St. Joseph’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade Food Sale Fundraiser, church basement; March 15, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
4. Newport Art Museum, d/b/a Nancy Grinnell Talk, Newport Art Museum; April 10, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
5. Fireworks Display- Silvio Morales/Eric Stone, to have a 12- minute fireworks display off of a barge from Rosecliff Mansion, May 3, 2025 beginning at 8:45 p.m.
6. Clagett Sailing, d/b/a Clagett Sailing, Fort Adams State Park; June 17-22, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
7. Carol Swift, d/b/a Newport Design Week Gala, Bois Dore, 115 Narragansett Ave.; June 21, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
8. Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard, d/b/a Newport Charter Yacht Show, 1 Washington St.; June 23-26, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
9. RI Arts Foundation at Newport Inc., d/b/a Newport Classical, d/b/a Newport Classical Music Festival:
a. King Park Gazebo; July 4, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
b. The Breakers; July 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 22, 2025 from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
c. Castle Hill Mansion and Inn; July 7, 2025 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
d. Newport Art Museum; July 7 & 15, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
e. The Elms; July 9, 10, 16 & 17, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
f. Rosecliff Mansion; July 11 & 18, 2025 from 5:15 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.
g. Redwood Library and Athenaeum; July 13, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
h. The Colony House; July 20, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
10. Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard, d/b/a Safe Harbor Race Weekend, Newport Shipyard, 1 Washington St.; August 8-10, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily and until 10:00 p.m. on August 9
11. Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard, d/b/a Newport Brokerage Boat Show, Newport Shipyard, 1 Washington St.; September 11-14, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
c. 2024 Annual Reports (Receive)
1. Public Sculpture Commission
3. Trust and Investment Commission
d. Communication from the Cliff Walk Commission, re: Requesting the city to improve the existing and to add additional bathrooms on the Cliff Walk (Receive)
e. Communication from the Cliff Walk Commission, re: Requesting the City to add an additional staff member to the Public Services Department (Receive)
f. Communication from Meg Dodge, Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc., re: Requesting to light up City Hall to raise awareness for Rare Disease Day (Approve subject to details being worked out with city administration)
g. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, re: Year ending June 30, 2024 (Receive)
h. Communication from Nicholas Armour, Zoning Officer, re: Proposed amendments to the Zoning Code (Receive and refer to the Planning Board and order advertised for public hearing on March 12, 2025)
i. Communication from Carol Turner, re: Resignation from the Sister City Commission (Receive with regret)
j. Communication from Jon Dember, re: Resignation from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (Receive with regret)
k. Communication from Lauren Parmelee, re: Resignation from the Tree and Open Space Commission
2. Special Event License, Broadway Street Fair, d/b/a Broadway Street Fair; 1-200 Broadway and Washington Square; October 11, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Request to close Broadway and Washington Square
- Request to place food trucks within 250 feet of existing restaurants
3. Special Event License, Audrain Automobile Museum, Inc., d/b/a Audrain Automobile Museum Cars & Coffee, various locations (list attached); May 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., May 25 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., June 15 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., July 6 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., July 13 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., August 10 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., August 17 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., September 7 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., September 28 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and November 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
4. Mobile Food Cart License, Renewal, Royal Sweets and Treats, LLC, d/b/a Royal Sweets and Treats, 1 Dudley Ave. North, Middletown, RI
5. Mobile Food Cart License, Renewal, GMP Hospitality, LLC, d/b/a Drift Café, 190A Thames St., Newport, RI
6. Mobile Food Truck License, Renewal, Newport Chowder Company, LLC, d/b/a Newport Chowder Company, 10 Pell St.
7. Victualing License, Renewal, Sailor’s Sweet Tooth, Inc., The, d/b/a Kilwin’s Chocolates & Ice Cream, 262 Thames St.
8. Victualing License, Renewal, Lukes Lobster Holding, LLC, d/b/a Lukes Lobster, 36 Bowens Wharf
9. Victualing License, New, Vanderbilt Opco, LLC, d/b/a The Vanderbilt, 41 Mary St.
10. Entertainment License, New, Vanderbilt Opco, LLC, d/b/a The Vanderbilt, 41 Mary St., indoors daily from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and outdoors limited to the terrace Thursday through Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (Hearing)
11. Entertainment License, New, Class A Indoors, Caleb Opco, LLC, d/b/a Caleb & Broad, 162 Broadway, daily from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. (Hearing)
Appointments:
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission
Tara Zambrotta –– Five-year term, expires 2/12/2030
Rachel Schmitt - Five-year term, expires 6/8/2027
James Fry - Five-year term, expires 2/12/2030
Sister City Commission
Mary Jameson ––Three-year term – expires 4/24/2026
Reappointments:
Energy and Environment Commission
Emily Conklin –– Three-year term, expires 2/9/2028
Newport Beach Commission
Demetri Damaskos –– Three-year term, expires 4/11/2026
Newport Housing Authority
Cheryl Abney –– Five-year term, expires 6/3/2027
Newport Tree and Open Space Commission
Kara DiCamillo –– three-year term, expires 3/10/2027
13. Memorandum from the City Solicitor RE: Newport Tourism Market District (with accompanying resolution)- continued from January 22, 2025
14. Action Item #6377/25 – RE Ordinance Revision – 10.32.110. - Designated residential parking streets – Spring Street from Pelham Street to Mill Street (w/accompanying ordinance)
15. Action Item #6378/25 – RE Lease Agreement - Newport Historical Society – Brick Market Building (w/accompanying resolution)
16. Action Item #6379/25 – RE Award of Contract - RFP # 2025-PS-012 - Brick Market Building HVAC (w/accompanying resolution)
17. Action Item #6380/25 – RE Ordinance Amendment Chapter 2.120.010 – Fees for Permits and Licenses - Easton’s Beach - Motorcycle/Moped Parking (w/accompanying ordinance)
18. Action Item #6381/25 – RE Supplemental Agreement - Cliff Walk Repair Professional Engineering Services (w/accompanying resolution)
19. Action Item #6382/25 – RE Adoption of the Vision Zero: Safe Streets for All Plan and Continuous Evaluation Plan (w/accompanying resolution)
20. Action Item #6383/25 – RE Newport Heights, Phase 1 Renovations - Amendment to Existing Cooperation Agreement (w/accompanying resolution)
21. Action Item #6384/25 – RE Award of Contract - .gov Domain Migration (w/accompanying resolution)
22. Action Item #6385/25 – RE Exercise of Option Year - Mobile Food and Beverage Service Provider at Easton’s Beach (w/accompanying resolution)
23. Action Item #6386/25 – RE Show Cause Hearing – Harvest Inc., d/b/a Harvest, Inc., 7 Carroll Avenue – Violation of the General Laws of Rhode Island and Codified Ordinances of the City of Newport - Failure to Meet the Conditions of the City Council in Granting of Victualing License
24. American Rescue Plan Act - C. Holder, X. Khamsyvoravong
25. George T. Downing Statue - X. Khamsyvoravong, E. Pinnock, S. Smyth
26. Ethics Training - S. Smyth, X. Khamsyvoravong, C. Holder
27. Tax Exempt Municipal Bonds - X. Khamsyvoravong
28. Ruggles Avenue speed camera - D. Carlin
29. Easton’s Beach Food Concession Contract - D. Carlin
30. Requesting the City Administration to schedule an Executive Session - D. Carlin
Laura C. Swistak, CMC
City Clerk
ADJOURN – February 5, 2025