All right.

Good evening, everyone.

Gonna bring this meeting to order.

Uh, Madam Clerk, will you please take a roll?

David Carlin.

Lynn Underwood Segley?

Here.

Charlie Holder.

Here.

Cycam Savoravan.

Here.

Jean Marina Napolitano.

Here.

Ellen Pinnack?

Here.

Stephanie Smite.

There is a quorum present, Mr.

Chairman.

Please stand for the pledge pleadings.

Right.

Do I do the citizens for him first?

Yeah, I didn't do that.

And then but I'll move the thing.

Um, Mr.

Chair, I'd like to uh make a motion to move number 22.

Uh it's a resolution concerning the Rose Island Lighthouse to after the proclamation and before the public hearing.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion?

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

All right.

We'll move that up.

Uh Madam Clerk, anyone from the Citizens Forum.

Yes.

Uh Kyle Hence is here.

State your name and address, please.

Uh 73 Washington Street.

Uh, thank you for this opportunity.

Uh I'm grateful that I live in a country where I can speak freely uh to my elected representatives.

I'm here to talk about fluoridation.

It's something I've done before the city council uh in years past.

Uh the reason being last year in September, uh a federal judge who was appointed by Obama uh ruled that fluoridation posed an unreasonable risk, particularly to infants and children.

Um this uh report I got coming in.

This is about water quality in Newport, and it states that fluoride is a glasses water additive which promotes strong teeth.

In fact, it's a neurotoxin.

And so after a lawsuit brought by women, mothers, and and others, uh several organizations filed a lawsuit against the EPA.

Um he determined that there was unreasonable risk posed to all Americans, excepting the point seven millimiligrams per per liter is the standard, this recommendation coming down from the EPA, which is what they put in our water every day on this island.

They have for many years.

Now uh several states have since banned fluoridation, Utah and Florida since this ruling.

Again, this is before the election of Trump by an Obama-appointed judge.

He looked at mountains of evidence, including the government's own toxic ecology reports on fluoride, and after months of deliberation, this was his finding.

And he directed the EPA to review this evidence and revise their recommendations.

I don't think the city council uh or any municipality or any state in this country should wait any longer.

This was a lawsuit filed in the in the in a federal court, a judge who deliberated for months and found that there was a preponderance of evidence saying and he said there's unreasonable risk.

Therefore, he's directed the EPA to change the rec the recommendations.

So I'm urging the city council to review the matter and follow the states of Utah, state of Florida, many other municipalities that are acting to cease fluoridation.

I will say that many countries, including China, Israel, Germany, France, Finland, most all of Europe have ceased the practice.

They are not breaking out with cavities.

It is the people, including the mothers and children, who are taking the water because they get it at the restaurant.

It's not their choice, they're served the water, it's fluoridated.

They are getting medicated, medicated without informed consent.

That is one of the arguments many make to say that this shouldn't shouldn't happen any further.

But the judge found that the evidence was this is a neurotoxin and should not be taken.

Should not be introduced into our water supply.

So I urge you to follow all those countries in Europe where there's not breakouts of cavities decades after they've ceased the practice and protect innocent children and infants in the womb, especially, who are especially vulnerable, smaller body mass, and yet everyone's getting medicated at the same level.

And it's not right.

Thank you very much.

All right.

Um next up we have a uh a proclamation we like to um to read tonight, uh honoring Joe Logue for his longtime work as retired director of the Newport Public Library.

Uh so I also read the proclamation and then uh I'll bring Mr.

Logue up for uh introduction.

All right.

So we're as uh Thursday, August 14th, 2025 has been set aside in the city of Newport to honor and pay tribute to Joseph Log upon recognition of his dedication, commitment, and service to the city of Newport while working as director of the Newport Public Library.

And whereas Joe has served as the director of the Newport Public Library with unwavering dedication and vision for the past eight years, leading the institution through a time of great transformation and growth.

And whereas after three decades of perseverance and work in various fields, Mr.

Lowe fulfilled his longstanding dream of becoming a librarian, earning his degree in library studies and serving the Cambridge, Massachusetts library system for 12 years before bringing his talents and leadership to Newport.

And under Mr.

Logue's stewardship, the Newport Public Library evolved into a dynamic and inclusive community hub, functioning not only as a center for reading and research, but also as a computer lab, mobile outreach vehicle, social service support point, leading center for everything from cookware to sporting goods.

Can read that ongoing in an ongoing place uh for all ages.

Whereas during his tenure, Joe Logue guided the library through unprecedented unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring Newport was among the first in the state to offer curbside services and safely resume operations while also serving as president of the executive board of the Ocean State Libraries.

And whereas, thanks to Mr.

Logue's collaboration with the Board of Trustees and the Tireless Friends of the Library, the Newport Library has completed essential capital projects, including a new roof and HVAC system while also being nominated for the national medal by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

And whereas Mr.

Logue has been a passionate defender of the ethics of librarianship, advocating for equal access to information, freedom of choice, and the vital role of libraries in a democratic society.

Now, therefore be it that I, Charles Holder, mayor of the city of Newport in the state of Rhode Island, do hereby proclaim Thursday, August 14th, 2025, as Joe Log Day in the city of Newport, and call upon all the citizens to join me in recognizing and celebrating the life, work, and contributions of Joe Logue, a true public servant, an advocate for knowledge, and a champion of this community.

Congratulations.

I want to thank all of you.

It's been lovely working with you as uh uh the city council liaisons, and it's just it's been a wonderful experience.

Obviously, we all know the staff has so much to do with anyone's success, so I want to say there are a few staff members here.

Um, Sean and uh Alexandra, Christy is representing the Board of Trustees uh who have always had my back and uh have always given me great support.

Um I just love all these whereas as it works.

So um I'll call uh August 14th, my second favorite day of the year after my birthday.

But uh thank you very, very much.

This is deeply, deeply meaningful.

Thank you.

Thank you, Joe.

Okay, the uh resolution on the Rose Island uh Lighthouse.

I guess I guess I will read the resolves that uh the city of Newport congratulates the Rose Island Lighthouse and Ford Hamilton Trust on its national recognition and the 2024 best plate of the year award honoring its charitable license plate, and be it further resolved that the city council reaffirms the intent and spirit of resolution number 17-86 and express uh and expresses its continued support for the trust preservation and stewardship mission, and be it further resolved that August 7th, 2025, also known as National Lighthouse Day, be recognized and celebrated in the city of Newport as Rhode Island Rose Island Lighthouse and Ford Fort Hamilton Trust Day.

A copy of this resolution shall be presented to the trust and entered into the records by the city clerk.

This is put forward by David Carlin, Ellen Pinnock, and Stephanie Smythe.

I'm um make a motion to approve.

Uh motion and second, any discussion.

No.

Uh anyone here from Rhode Island that would like to come up and say any few words.

Yeah.

Yeah, she does.

Um, first of all, thank you for moving me up in the agenda.

I do have visiting grandchildren, so I do need to get back to them.

But I wanted to just thank on behalf of myself, Lisa Morrison, who is uh what am I what's my title now?

Uh President Americans and uh um I'm just past president who can't let go.

But anyway, I thank you so much for the relationship, the board of directors, Rhode Island Lighthouse Fort Hamilton Trust.

Um we've had a four-year relationship and uh partnership with the city of Newport, and we are so thrilled for this award.

I want to also thank you, Jan for pushing forward to getting this started.

And as we approach our 40th anniversary of our nonprofit, we look forward to expanding our programs and creating new opportunities to ensure Rose Island remains a place for learning wildlife and the community for the next 40 years and beyond.

Thank you so much for your continued trust and support and some behind.

We haven't been in the motion.

Thank you.

Thank you, Lisa.

Thank you.

All right, without any further discussion.

Uh all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

All right, aye second.

Uh public hearing, uh, make a motion for uh the removal of Michael Falcone from membership of the sister city commission.

Do I have a second?

Second.

All right.

Well, we have a motion and a second.

Um this is a public hearing, uh, but just uh a little bit of background.

Uh Mr.

Falcon was uh named as on the sister city commission.

Um since that uh appointment, he has taken a job overseas and has not been able to uh be at all the meetings, uh, as you can imagine.

Um, and there is a bylaw that states if you can't make 75% of the meetings for a board of commission, um, that you will be either um asked to resign or removed by the council.

So this is uh an ordinance that's but that's on the books, is why we're doing this.

Uh this is by no means uh anything that was done on Mr.

Falcon co uh Falcon's part against the commission.

He's been uh a great advocate for the our community.

Uh a lot of work uh for a lot of years with the Newport Gulls.

And uh when he does uh return to the United States, which uh hopefully will be soon, he'd be more than welcome back at any time if he so chooses.

Um that we have a motion of seconds to any further discussion.

Anyone from the public has any comments?

No.

Uh all those in favor of the removal of Michael Falcon from the Cisister City Commission say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion to approve the consent calendar in its entirety with the exception of letter HE.

Motion and second, any discussion.

All right, all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Um motion uh to approve a communicate to receive well, approve a communication from the Franklin City business owners uh regarding a signage request approval subject to details being worked out by city administration.

Uh I pulled this um because I'm in greatly in favor, of course, of the businesses on Franklin Street.

Uh they do want to put up a um sandwich board to uh uh highlight this the shops that are on Franklin Street, but we do have an ordinance that uh prohibits sandwich boards in certain areas.

And I just want to make it clear that because the sandwich board is being allowed here that sandwich boards are not allowed in places that obstruct the rights of way.

So, Mr.

City Manager, could you just expound on that a bit?

Yes, madam vice chair, absolutely.

Uh the city ordinance regarding sandwich boards, also known as A-Frame Signs, uh, restricts uh their use in sidewalk right-of-ways if they are within three feet of a property line for many of our downtown businesses in the historic district.

The property line is the edge of the building at the sidewalk, and there is not a three-foot uh space uh that can be cleared to support it unless the doorway to the facility happens to be indented enough to allow it, but even then it's not typically where the sandwich board would, the business owner would want to place it.

Uh so this particular location uh at the corner by the post office on Thames and Franklin is well outside of that three-foot margin and would therefore be permissible.

Uh but to your point, the zoning ordinance requires three feet of unexpected unobstructed space, which most downtown businesses cannot attain.

Thank you.

So motion to approve, subject to details being worked out by city administration.

Second.

Motion and second, any further discussion.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Mr.

Chairman, Mr.

Carlin.

Thank you.

Uh Madam Clerk, will you please record me as in attendance?

Mr.

Chairman, I had a civic event that ran a little over.

All right, detention it is.

See you after school.

Uh motion to approve uh Newport Festa Italiana doing business as Italian Heritage Parade, streets of Newport, uh route attached, October 13th, 2025 from 11:15 to 12 noon.

Do I have a second?

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion.

All those in favor, say aye.

Aye.

Motion to approve Bowen's Wharf Company doing businesses, Bowern's Wharf Seafood Festival, Bowens Wharf and Market Square with food truck October 18th and 19th, 2025 from 11 a.m.

to 6 p.m.

Request to close market square for October 18th and 19th, 2025.

Do I have a second?

Second.

All right, motion and second, any discussion.

All in favor, say aye.

Aye.

Motion to adjourn as council and convene as board of licensed commissioners.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion.

All those in favor say aye.

Motion.

Motion to approve the consent calendar in its entirety.

Second.

Motion and second.

Any discussion?

All those in favor, say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Motion to adjourn as board of licensed commissioners and convene as council.

Second.

Motion and second.

Any discussion?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Oh we need that.

Oh it's okay.

Yeah, that was undue that consent.

Um no.

Okay.

Thank you.

Um the next one.

Okay.

Uh Council Comce Borwang is going to recuse on the next action item.

6470 amendment to the Newport Yacht Club lease.

Uh, I just want to read a little bit.

Um the administration recommends approval of the first amendment to lease agreement with the Newport Yacht Club.

The lease term is for the period of 30 years.

Uh, the first amendment to the lease agreement between the city of Newport and Newport Yacht Club provides an additional 30-year term from November 1, 2033 through October 31, 2063 with annual payments in the current annual amount of 64,108 dollars, which shall be adjusted and increased starting July 21, 2025 and continuing on July 1st of each year thereafter by a percentage change in the CPI for Boston, Massachusetts applied to the annual payment.

Uh in addition to the CPI adjustments commencing on the first anniversary of the second extended term and continuing on each subsequent annual anniversary date until the fifth anniversary of the second extended term.

The annual payments shall be increased by the amount total of 2% of the in prior annual payment.

In addition, beginning on the first anniversary, we have the second extended term and continuing on each subsequent anniversary date, the club shall also pay 15% of revenue received from non-member transient dockage fees.

Uh I move approval.

Second.

Okay, we have a motion and second.

Any discussion?

Mr.

Chairman.

Council Carlin.

I'm very disappointed to see this uh item on the agenda this evening, in that the Newport City Council many months ago, when this was first brought to us, requested a public hearing, a workshop, so that the public and the members of the council could get very detailed answers on the proposed contract extension.

This is a lucrative contract.

This involves millions of dollars of city money.

Mr.

Chairman, I would ask that we continue this.

I will make that in the form of a motion, and I ask for a second.

Second.

All right, we have motion motion and a second to continue this.

Do any discussion?

All right.

Uh all in favor, uh, raise your right hand.

Any opposed?

All right.

Uh matter will be continued.

Okay.

Uh action item 6471.

Uh this is a recommendation from the deputy city manager to amend city ordinance 2.1 to 0.010 to reflect the addition of special event impact fees, schedule of fees.

Um, I make I'm um motion to approve.

Second.

Uh motion and second.

Any discussion?

All those in favor say aye.

I uh make the usage and recommendation, the usage of a public safety grant administration Jag variable pass through grants funds for the specified items to fill a public safety communications need in relation to police response for special events, large community gatherings, and possible safety scenarios.

Uh I move approval.

This is currently budgeted.

Second.

Uh motion and second.

Any discussion?

Uh I was wondering if we could just get a little bit of an explanation on this from the chief.

Chief Duffy.

Would you mind coming up?

Good evening, Rindup H police.

Uh so these uh this is um through a grant purchase of these uh their ear uh ear protection and communication headsets.

So the officers, when they are in loud areas or they need protection from uh loud noise, um, can't communicate with each other and dispatch.

Uh so that that's what these are.

They're not this are the radios, they're they're parts of the radio.

So this is a grant that the city received for 33,273.

Yes, it's a pass through grant, yes.

So thank you, Chief.

All right, any further discussion?

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Uh Mr.

Chair.

If I could just be recording the affirmative on item seven, I wasn't aware that we'd wrap up the items.

Thanks.

Okay.

Um this is a motion.

This is to approve the collective bargaining agreement between the city of Newport and Lodge No.

8 forternal order of police FOP for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, the bridge year, and July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028.

Attached are the contract agreement resolution and the pay schedule ordinance for the current fiscal year.

Important elements of the agreement are as follows.

Salaries for the period of 7.1 2024 to 630 22 2025 are increased 2.9 percent.

Overtime is addressed and clarified with new language being added to article number four duties, and Juneteenth is added as a holiday, and language has been added for clarification of stress abatement days.

Um I move approval.

Second.

This is currently budgeted.

Uh motion is second.

Any discussion from the council?

Mr.

Chairman.

Council Carl.

Thank you.

At the appropriate time, I would like to offer an amendment.

Uh and I will say to my colleagues at this point, regardless of whether you support my amendment uh when it is time for us to vote.

I would ask that you give me the courtesy of a second so that we can discuss it at the appropriate time, Mr.

Chairman.

I will offer set amendment.

Uh any discussion from any other counselors.

All right, Council Carlin.

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

Uh we have approved a number of contracts uh since I was a member of the became a member of the Newport City Council.

Uh most recently we approved the uh contract for 1080, uh local 1080, which is the fire department contract, uh, which retroactively paid the members a three percent salary for the year of not the fiscal year, but the year of 2024, 2025, and subsequently assigned increases in the 2000 uh 2526, 2627, 2728 years.

Similar contract is before us, but with different pay scales.

Uh first the suggested retroactive increase is 2.9 percent.

Uh my suggestion, my amendment will include a retroactive pay increase of four percent.

Uh and most of you, all of you on the council and members of the public and others are familiar with uh my tendency to be fiscally conservative.

Being a fiscal conservative means that you watch out for the best interests of those who pay the bills, the taxpayers.

It doesn't mean that you go with the cheapest deal available.

I would suggest to you that uh we gave to the members of 1080, the fire department union, uh, what they most desired, I would say, in the last uh two plus years, which is essentially a 24-hour contract of less concern to them was the pay increase, but nonetheless, they received 3%.

We are retroactively and going forward, it was increased.

We are proposing a less than 3% increase for our public servants within the FOP.

First of all, I don't think that's fair.

Uh secondly, it is my belief that, and it's unfortunate, but it is my belief that the members of the FOP simply threw their hands up and said, we're done negotiating.

Uh we we will settle for the 2.9 percent.

One tenth of one percent, members of the council and members of the public.

Uh I do not see the reasoning, and I will give you the fiscal impact uh as I continue, but I do not see the reasoning for that argument over one-tenth of one percent of an increase, especially when we gave the members of 1080 a 3% increase retroactively for the year where we failed to negotiate a contract with both 1080 and the FOP.

Secondly, as I mentioned earlier, we gave essentially because they deserve it, in part and because it was something that they requested that they were passionate about and that meant a lot to the members.

We gave the F uh we gave the uh local 1080, our firefighters union, one of their most important contract desires, which is the 24-hour shift.

Neither I nor my colleagues on the city council were participants in the contract negotiations with 1080, the firefighters union, or with the local FOP.

By the way, I think that the city's legal team has done a wonderful job representing us.

I do not disparage their efforts in any way.

When I was a member of the school committee, there were three members of the Newport School Committee assigned to contract negotiations.

The reason there were three of us assigned to contract negotiations was so that we could understand the intimate details of the contract, so that we could become very familiar with what the contract each and every month or quarter when the negotiators meant or met, so we could become intimately familiar with what the contract proposals back and forth were.

You deserve the three percent, if not more.

I think I'll uh do two things.

First, I'll give you the fiscal note.

I'll do three things.

First, I'll give you the fiscal consequences for the city regarding what I'm about to propose.

Second, I will make my proposal formally, and third, I'll shut up.

How's that sound?

Start with number three, if that's okay.

So uh the amendment that I will offer retroactively provides a four percent increase as opposed to a 2.9 percent increase to the FOP for service they have already provided.

They provided this service in the last year.

Said service having ended on June 30th of 2025.

I propose a 4% increase as opposed to a 2.9% increase, and the 4% increase as opposed to the 2.9% increase will cost the city taxpayers 72,356.

And the 4% increase as opposed to the 2.9% increase will cost the city taxpayers 72,356.

I can find that money.

The cost of them an additional 190,756 to the city versus what I propose, a 4% increase at a cost of 263,112.

Again, a difference of 72,356 is too much to ask of this council or of our taxpayers.

So Mr.

Chairman, with your permission, I would like to take my amendment proposal in two parts.

Much as we are doing with the contract overall, with the contract overall, we are addressing the retroactive year, and then we are addressing a subsequent three-year contract.

So I would like to first move an amendment increasing the adjustment from 2.9% to 4%.

And I would respectfully ask for a second, Mr.

Chairman.

Second.

Yes, Mr.

Chairman.

I would ask that uh my colleagues support.

It was a rather long uh explanation on my part, but I hope detailed.

I don't think it's too much to ask, as I said, and I would ask that my colleagues would support me on this amendment.

We have the second, so now we're into into the discussion part of this.

Um I believe Mr.

Bean has something he'd like to say.

Yes, thank you.

Yeah, I just want to point out that the police negotiations started over a year and a half ago.

Um we've had several executive sessions on this.

We've uh attempted to keep the council up to date on all the proposals, including the bifurcation, the one uh bridge year, and then the three years, the reasons for that.

We gave the council the numbers, and they've been out there for some time now.

So this is all news.

I mean, why it's brought up on the floor at this time, uh, I don't know.

But in terms of the doing this, these are negotiations that there's three other unions, too.

And there's the fire union.

I can assure you, the police had the most lucrative contract here.

Um there are a lot of uh provisions that were made that were bargained in good faith and over a period of time, and the in the police negotiated during that time, just like the city did.

This wasn't something where they were left out for the year that nothing happened during that year.

So the the police union made proposals that were expensive, and we went over that, and I believe a lot of you counselors and a couple in particular were questioning the cost of all of that.

Um in questioning whether we could do that.

Now, the only issue with this is that when you start doing something like this, then it has a kind of a an effect on the other unions.

They all look at what each other is getting.

And this was a hard negotiated agreement.

I would not do this, it's bad precedent.

And I'll tell you what, it will politicize these negotiations.

The council wants to take over the negotiations, fine.

If counselors want to be part of the negotiations, I can assure you that most of the focus is going to be on the counselors and the in the politics of it, in the contact with the with the counselors rather than with the negotiating team, the staff, the administration.

So uh listen, I don't I don't uh I don't think uh Mr.

Collins' figure of 73,000 is wrong, but still it's not a good thing to do, in my opinion.

They have over this period of time done well where the Newport Police Department is one of the I would say the better paid departments in this state by far.

Mr.

Chair.

Council Smith.

Um I as somebody with a union background, I I can appreciate what solicitor bean said that I do caution council as to wanting to be involved with those negotiations.

They are very sensitive.

It is a union and and city negotiation piece that the more people that you have involved, the more difficult it is to be able to properly negotiate, especially from a union perspective, what your members truly want and need.

So I I can appreciate what uh solicitor bean has said.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman.

Any other discussion?

All right, well, we'll make a vote on the amendment uh with a show of hands, raise your right hand.

All those in favor.

All those opposed, raise your right hand.

Amendment fails.

Uh council Carl, do you have a second part of that?

Everything I just said except for 2.9 to 4.

This would be the 2526 contract.

I propose 4% from the proposed 3%, a 1% increase over what is proposed versus a 1.1% increase, which is what I proposed in the last failed motion.

I think it's self-explanatory, or I'd be happy to I think it's understood by my colleagues what I mean by that.

If you would need a further explanation, I'm happy to do it.

Uh, but for the purposes of putting my proposed amendment on the floor, I ask for a second based on what I just said.

Oh, we have a motion on the floor.

Do we have a second?

No second.

Thank Mr.

Chairman.

All right, any other further discussion on the contract as it stands?

All right, uh show of hands as well.

Uh raise your right hand.

All those in favor of the contract, uh raise your hand.

Any opposed?

No, I have it.

Yeah.

Action item 6474, the Department of Public Services recommends approval of the attached resolution to clarify that the funding source for the Easton's Beach Resiliency Plan contract and the 2025 road improvement contract are the approved are the approved municipal bond for capital project.

So I'm going to read the resolve that this resolution serves to clarify that the Easton Speech Resiliency Planning Project and the 2025 Roadway Improvement Project are hereby approved to be funded using proceeds from the general obligation funds in the total amount of $4,147,365.

This is currently budgeted.

Um Mr.

Chair, I believe that the director of public services just wanted to make a clarification on this, and there's not a change.

Is that correct, Mr.

City Manager?

I apologize.

We were still catching up from the last measure.

Uh could you repeat the question, please?

Well no.

Um Mr.

Riccio, uh, just wanted to clarify that the money for the Easton's Beach and the Road Improvement Cract would be coming from the the obligation bond.

That's correct, because uh during the uh during the discussions last year about bond allocations, it was made clear that individual items would have to be approved by council.

And so we felt and he felt that it would be in the best interest of the public record to ensure that uh some of the actions that have already been taken that were in line with that discussion, those bond allocations are in fact funded by the infrastructure bond.

So yes.

Um we have a motion and a second and discussion.

All those in favor say aye.

Any opposed action item 6475, the Department of Public Services recommends awarding the contract associated with the roadway crack sealing project to SEAL coding inc, doing business as Indus Inc.

of Braintree, Massachusetts, based on the town of South Kingstown requested sealed bids for crack ceiling.

The cost of this work will not exceed the total amount of 125,000.

This total price includes 100,000 for anticipated contract construction work, 10,000 for police traffic control, and 15,000 in project contingencies.

This is currently budgeted.

I move approval.

Second.

Yes, um, Mr.

Chair.

I I have a question uh for Mr.

Rickyo.

I'm just curious at this um type of procedure, this um roadway crack ceiling project.

I I understand that this does extend the life of a roadway.

But um when we're talking about K Street or is that the proper way of going about maintaining those road that roadway?

Is there aren't there some negatives in doing it that way?

Uh I'm just the the crack sealing operation is to it's it's done in the early end of the life cycle.

Stop um to basically fill in the cracks that are in the pavement.

When water is able to penetrate into the base, that's where you get issues with uh freeze thaws, which would then create potholes which then need to be filled.

But step one of a maintenance.

If you remember when back in 2007, when I got here, the only option we had was reconstruction.

So we've developed um a comprehensive um pavement management program with the the next item is for another form, which usually follows um these kinds of things, which is a uh a form of a chip seal, which preserves it even more.

But this buys you more time to stop the infiltration of the water um to increase the overall life cycle as a step one.

It's like routine maintenance.

I under I I I understand that.

Yeah, you know, I um there was an issue on Wellington where that didn't happen though, right?

Wasn't didn't something else happen on Wellington Avenue where we didn't do the crack sealing.

That was that was chip sealed.

The chip seal.

That was the chip sealing.

Yeah.

Now what did we do instead?

Is there was there something done instead on that roadway?

That was chip sealed rather than crack sealed.

Okay.

Wellington, you're still talking wellington.

Okay.

All right, thanks.

Mr.

Chair.

Yes.

Um, how many streets are are gonna be impacted by this process?

There's a list that we're using to go, it's really it's really hard to take and go try to measure all the cracks.

Yeah.

So we we work hand in here with the contractor, and if we they get measured as they they go, and then you sort of take that quantity off until you use all of the funds.

So I did provide the deputy manager with a list that I thought got into your packet.

If it's not, we can get that.

Yeah, but it's probably 30, 40, you know, 50 streets on it.

Okay, that'd be great.

Thank you.

Yeah, uh, Mr.

Ricky oh, if you wouldn't mind just for uh for the public's awareness, uh explain why we're um working with the town of South Kingstown on this project.

Um it's by state law we're allowed to um piggyback on other municipality bids, very similar to a state master price agreement.

Um so it allows us to leverage pricing to keep it you know as as cheap as possible.

Right.

Yeah, I just want to make sure there's anyone in the public will have any clarification, you know.

They see the hey, we're why is the town of South Kingston on here?

That's why.

Well, thank you.

Mr.

Chair, I just wanted to ask when this would start.

Mr.

Rickey.

Usually within so after approval, then we start the signature process where we um the solicitor looks at it, then we um sorry.

First step is we send it to the contractor for signature.

You'll come back, and then Chris just takes a final look at it before they signed off by the chair.

Um, and then we send a notice to proceed to the contractor.

Um, so depending on the length of time, all the signatures and the f what we call the final execution of the contract.

Um, usually it will be anywhere from depending on uh the resources of the contractor, it could be anywhere from two weeks to three, four weeks.

But it'll be the all right, thank you.

Could I ask you one, Mr.

Chair?

That's one question.

Um it these two projects, do they go hand in hand?

The rubberized and the and uh the roadway crack ceiling.

Are those do they happen at sort of simultaneously?

Yeah, different.

No, they're different processes.

Okay.

So when the one the process where you see the stripes in the middle of the road.

That's crack seal.

That's crack ceiling.

Okay.

Gypsyal is a full coverage of the the entire road.

Okay.

That has an asphaltic material, which is um with a stone element.

Okay.

You know, I'm just, I mean, I think about K Street as being a main roadway, and we're gonna have the all those little ugly lines all over it.

I mean, is there isn't there another way to do this that we can preserve the road without it looking that way?

There's a crack seal process.

There are other forms of pavement preservation.

For example, think of a driveway sealer you where you roll out the liquid onto this.

There are other pieces that can also be done with that.

Um depending on the app different application.

Sometimes you would want to uh crack seal before you apply an overall surface.

Um but there's lots of different um forms of maintenance that we have done a lot of research on, and the ones the rubber chip that is next down the docket, we find to be the most effective, and that the crack seal just again helps stop the water from getting in to deteriorate what's underneath.

I understand.

Okay, thank you.

Mr.

Chair, uh Council Brennan.

So uh Mr.

Rickyo, there's a difference between crack ceiling and asphalt chip sealing.

Yes, I know.

I just like to hear you talk.

Okay.

It's got a soothing voice.

Um I've never heard that before.

Any further discussion before this gets out of hand?

All right, all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

I seven.

Action item six four-seven six, the department of public services recommends awarding a contract associated with rubberized asphalt chip sealing to all state asphalt of Sunderland, Massachusetts, based on the approved unit pricing items included in the Rhode Island Department of Transportation's contract for rubberized asphalt chip sealing.

The cost of this work will not exceed a total amount of 411,000.

This is currently budgeted.

I move approval.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion.

All right.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Nice seven.

Action item six four seven seven.

Uh, the department of public services recommends approval of the attached Rhode Island Department of Transportation local public agency agreement for the purpose of securing state roadway improvement funding to support roadway repairs in the city.

Uh, a little bit of background here.

All municipalities within the state of Rhode Island are being provided funds from the state of Rhode Island to advance road repairs.

The allocation for the city of Newport is in the amount of 111,944.

To secure the funds, each municipality is required to enter into a local public agency agreement with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.

Uh I move approval.

Motion and second, any discussion.

Mr.

Chair.

Council Smite.

Um, I just have a clarification question for the city manager.

Um, so does the city front the cost and then it gets reimbursed by the state?

It's it's it's the governor's.

Well, it used to be the governor's two to one program when we had ARPA funding, it has now been come become part of the state budget.

Uh so yes, we spend two dollars and report that the state reimburses us the third dollar, so it's two to make one.

Um, do I have that about right?

Yes, we we uh we have to upfront it.

Okay, and and where is where's the funding coming from?

It's budgeted.

So this is part of the the normal annual, not not to be confused with the ongoing bond-related uh uh road work, but this is part of our annual road improvement program.

And so we would have spent it anyway.

And and so this gives us an opportunity to get achieved some reimbursement from the state.

Okay, thank you.

Any further discussion?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Action item 6478.

Um Ryan Duffy, Chief of Police Um recommends the approval by the city of the 222 Ford Explorer XLT for the police department.

The vehicle will be utilized by the detectives in the criminal investigative division while conducting investigations.

The cost is $34,672 with a total trade-in credit of $20,850 and a balance due of 14,221 to be paid from the balance of insurance payment.

This is currently budgeted.

I move approval.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion.

All those in favor, say aye.

Aye.

Action item 6479, the ITC or the uh interdepartmental traffic commission recommends adding to chapter 10.44 of the city of Newport's codified ordinance as follows.

Um multi-way stop signs designated after signs have been properly posted all vehicles approaching the following intersections shall come to a complete stop before proceeding.

Add Spring Street, Bowery Street, and Young Street and move approval.

Second.

Any discussion from the council?

Mr.

Chairman.

Council Carlin.

Thank you very much.

Uh and to my colleagues, I have received both positive and negative impact regarding or input.

Uh regarding 79 and 80.

So I would ask uh my colleagues uh to please, and I'll make the motion to please continue this until the next council meeting to allow me to gather both sides of the discussion.

Passionate on both sides.

Uh perhaps we can come to some type of agreement.

Many constituents believe as the ITC, the interdepartment interdepartmental traffic committee does, uh, that this would be a positive safety measure.

Many constituents believe that this would lead to further congestion on an already congestion congested area in an already congested area.

So, Mr.

Chairman, uh move to continue 6479, and I ask for a second.

Second.

Uh we have a motion and second.

Is there any discussion?

Yes, please.

Your name and address, please.

Thank you, Council.

David Geisinger, uh, owner with my wife, Amy Cardwell of both 21 Young and 25 Young.

Uh respectfully understand the potential of disruption on Spring Street.

However, I can tell you as a resident of Young Street, we take our lives into our hands every single day as we come around that corner, uh, both from uh Young Street taking a left on to spring.

I have to have my car uh at least five feet over the stop sign line, uh which I apologize, officer.

Following uh uh my my rule up, but that is just to prevent uh any immediate incident, and I'm forced to look in the the reflection of the cars on Spring Street to see if there's cars coming from that direction.

Similarly, coming down Bowery, I am forced to uh to pull out as well to be see it to be able to see beyond the cars parked all the way up almost to the curb line on Bowery.

So as much as I appreciate the potential additional traffic that that occurs, which by the way, it occurs even without the stop sign.

So I'm not sure how the stop sign actually changes that.

In fact, what it does is it prevents cars from parking in the middle while uh while residents like myself are trying to cross and are unable to.

Uh the fact of the matter is it's safety concern, and it's something that we feel strongly about as the residents of Young Street.

Appreciate your consideration in this matter.

Thank you.

Does anyone uh else from the public like to speak on this?

Um anyone uh any other discussion on the council.

Um Mr.

Chair Segley.

Was uh did the city um notify the neighbors on this?

Yes, um Sergeant Head alluded to that the other day.

He promised that he would, and I have evidence that he did.

I uh he's here if you would like him to speak to that.

But the uh I don't know how far down each 3D went, but uh he'll answer that question with very precise detail.

Thank you.

Good evening, uh Jason Head Sergeant of the uh traffic unit and ITC chair.

Uh yes, I compiled a uh a uh notification of this uh meeting tonight, and we went per the parameters we were given uh 200 feet in all directions of that uh intersection.

So pretty much at the block, either way on spring, halfway down, if not more.

We went more uh down uh young street and then uh up Bowery Street to the next uh street up.

So what did you get any reactions or was there I received one email reaction from three Bowery Street who was in support of it and had the same concerns of safety concerns.

Thank you.

Uh any other uh discussion.

All right.

I I will say that I am I am for this.

I think uh we went about this with the correct process.

ITC did their their research, their work um as someone who literally traverses this intersection multiple times a day every day of the week.

Um I understand uh because at first I was like, what do we need a stop sign?

It's a natural stop sign because there's so much traffic you can't move anyway.

Uh but however not just the you know the cars alone, but the the amount of bicycles and e-bikes and skateboards and scooters and every other type of uh transportative vehicle, it's it's chaos.

And it's just we have what what is there, 34 accidents in 10 years we have in that intersection?

The numbers are correct.

That's correct.

Um I think that's that shows more than enough that we need something to be done at that intersection, but you know, before we get anything even more tragic happen.

Um and having the stop sign, I think will make for more of a better flow of traffic up and down, um, especially the Bowery Young East-West uh direction.

So um I am in favor of this uh proposal.

I don't think that there's a continuance is needed for any further research or any further study.

Um the city did their due diligence.

I know I personally asked them to make sure the residents were notified ahead of time of this.

Um I've received nothing but uh positive reviews of having the stop sign put in place.

And to I think to delay us any work any further is is something that doesn't necessarily need to be done.

All right, so without any further discussion, uh to vote on the amendment of continuing this.

Uh late raise your right hand if you are in favor of continuance.

All those opposed, raise your hand.

All right.

That motion fails.

Uh now we'll vote on the request that hand.

Uh all is in favor of the addition of the stop sign, uh three-way stop sign here.

Uh raise your right hand.

All those opposed.

All right.

Action item 6480.

The ITC recommends adding to chapter 10.20 of the cities of Newport's codified ordinances follows.

Parking prohibited in specified places, unauthorized moving in prohibited areas.

Add uh E.

No person shall park in the following designated areas only for ride share vehicles or vehicles who are picking up and dropping off passengers, the rideshare vehicle operators or vehicle operators picking up dropping off passengers shall remain in the vehicle at all time.

Signs must be erected to designate the zone.

And I thame street east side beginning 12 feet south of South Baptist Street, proceeding a distance south of 42 feet.

Um Mr.

Chair, I I make a motion to approve.

Jack Deck.

We have a motion and second, any discussion.

All right.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Action item 6481.

The ITC recommends adding to chapter 10.24 of the city's codified ordinance as follows.

Parking prohibited at all times and designated places.

No person shall park a vehicle anytime upon the following streets.

Add Thame Street East Side, beginning 54 feet south of South Baptist Street, preceding proceeding a distance of 46 feet south.

I move approval.

Second.

Motion second, any discussion?

Chairman.

Thank you very much.

Uh rather than ask for a continuance on this.

Uh, would like to ask a couple of questions.

The proposal is to eliminate parking spaces on them's uh essentially across from O'Brien's.

Uh this is due to as I understand the reading, due to safety concerns uh regarding uh fire apparatus in particular that would be turning onto them from Waits Wharf.

Is that correct?

Whoever can answer it, I'd appreciate it.

That's correct.

And fire marshal DeWolf and Sergeant Header also here if you'd uh uh like to have them speak to the matter.

Okay, thank you.

Uh following on that, I have heard from a couple of members of the planning board and from many members of the public who point out that uh during the hearings held by the planning board and previously by the zoning board, uh, and certainly by the uh city's technical review committee.

Uh that there were no issues.

And and this, by the way, is in the context of looking at the development or the potential development of Waits Wharf.

Uh, we all I think are um somewhat familiar with the development of Waits Wharf.

It's had different life cycles, but uh the most recent, which I will refer to uh includes a multifaceted approach to development.

And the members of the planning board uh and by apparently, or the members of the planning board were told, uh, and uh apparently the city's uh technical review committee agreed uh that there was no issue with fire apparatus traversing that particular corner.

Uh but now after the planning board has approved said proposal, which in the middle of my in the middle of the third ward.

It's not my ward, it's all of ours in the middle of the third ward, which I represent.

Now, after all of that uh was approved, uh we are told that there is now an issue.

What what changed?

I'd like to know uh between what I just mentioned and and what uh is being proposed to us now.

Um I would suggest to you that this could possibly have changed some votes on the proposal by members of the planning board.

Uh but uh there were several, and I paid very very close attention, as did my colleagues, as did men members of many members of this audience, uh as did the city, of course, and as did uh folks that are not here but watching or not watching, but know about it.

Uh we were told overall by traffic engineers and others uh by representatives of the city for that matter that uh uh uh there was no issue.

I'll stop talking after this last comment.

I repeat myself, apparently there is now an issue.

What gifts we um I mean I I was not at that planning board meeting, I was not at that technical review committee discussion.

I'm just not in a qualified position to answer that question.

I think many of those decisions were made prior to my to my time uh uh as city manager.

So to the extent that uh fire marshal de Wolf might have some insight, I would refer to him.

Uh otherwise I'm I'm just simply not in a position to be able to chairman.

If I might just correct the manager, please yes, go ahead.

Uh none of what I just referenced was or were decisions made prior to your uh appointment as city manager.

Thank you.

All right, can we have uh spokesman from the fire department come up?

Good evening, council.

Uh my name's Justin Duell, Fire Marshal.

Evening everybody here.

Um I sit on the TRC meeting too, and we can go through the tapes and recording.

And I specifically actually said during this part of that project going on that we're that seriously isn't an issue with this new project coming in.

It's actually an issue now.

It was discovered.

We had some, you know, our trucks are old.

Uh there were some adjustments made to our tiller steering where it became even tighter to turn down there.

So um subsequently, once some other components came in that were on order, they made the truck again better, still not what it was back 30 years ago.

So the change, I'm not too sure.

Cars are wider, apparatus is older.

Uh I've been on 25 years, and that was probably of all the wars to go down.

That was always the one to you were optimistic nobody was gonna be parking opposite over Brian's, so you could get out.

There were times we could not get out.

There are times we left the apparatus there trying to find out who is the octant of that vehicle that's not in there.

So um we can get in, but we also need to get out expeditiously.

So um here to answer any other questions too.

So that it's a current issue.

It's a current issue.

I actually have video uh if you want to play showing we recorded it several times to uh if do we have it ready to rule that this is actually coming down, which I believe was already approved.

So from you know um this part goes on for about two minutes.

We eventually get down there.

This is typical of what always happens to try to get down there.

Um it's usually a little more interesting at one in the morning if we have to get down there with a lot more flight traffic.

Most other places in the city, so we tactically when we're driving, the ladder truck is a large piece of apparatus.

So we have other avenues where strategically we're gonna come down from Bellby.

We might come down Dean to Wellington, it's a straight shot.

We go down Young to Lee.

This is one of the only warfs where we have to take a right turn, and we have to take a right turn leaving to get out too.

So um this was particularly the day we used our staff cars to show I guess it's like chairman.

But I know we're in the middle of watching Council.

Yeah, how many people do you have directing the trying to negotiate that term?

Nobody, normally.

It's just you know, it's usually just us.

You mean on an emergency you have nobody but here?

Right.

We don't have oh here.

Yeah, yeah, there I see I see what you're saying.

Yeah, we used our own staff.

That was like 6 30 in the morning, whatever, to we didn't disrupt traffic.

Right.

Um, the the video in question.

This is the this is to prove that to make that turn with that car there, which is one of our staff cars.

Uh Council Carlin, you have a question.

Question and a comment comment first.

Uh I wish that all 24,000 roughly residents of the city could see that video.

This is what you have coming for you, folks down on Waits Wharf.

Get ready, Councillor Pennock.

This is what you have coming on Broadway, potentially.

Uh I think the public will believe that the wool was pulled over their eyes.

I might believe that myself regarding this proposal.

Specifically, what has changed again?

Forgive my a dummy like me not knowing, even though you explained it.

What has changed since we had all sorts of t testimony from uh experts at the planning board and other public hearings?

How it's changed between that testimony and now I deal with what is, which I said earlier.

I don't know if it's with the chassis, our apparatus old doesn't turn.

It's always been an issue.

That has always been in my 25 years to get down there, and like I said, getting out, it's always been an issue if there's a car there.

So nothing has changed.

Nothing has changed.

We've always been an issue.

Okay, did the did the city make that clear to the members of the planning board who voted on the requested so-called wait swarf development?

Did they make it clear that this type of nonsense?

I'm gonna stop you right here.

I think we're getting uh I'm asking too many sensitive questions, yeah.

No, I just think we're getting off track of what we're dealing with.

Well, we're not the planning board, we're not dealing with any projects that are going on down there.

We're dealing with the current situation, which is parking on uh Thame Street, South of South Baptist Street.

That's what we're doing.

I appeal the ruling of the chair.

I'm just saying we're going, you're getting it.

You shut me off.

I appealed the ruling of the chair.

I would like to continue talking in the line that I was talking in.

I appeal the ruling of the chair.

If you're if you're gonna keep talking about the planning board decision, then yeah, I'm I'm gonna stop you.

Which is why I appeal to the ruling of the chair.

Well, I rule that we're not talking about that anymore.

We're gonna deal with the I'd like a vote of the council on my appeal of the ruling.

Uh Council Carlin's questioning on the planning board decision.

Raise your right hand if you're in favor.

And imposed.

Thank you very much.

Continue.

You got it.

We'll continue and finish.

I think based on what you just said that the wool was pulled over the eyes of the planning board.

Uh, this is outrageous.

Uh what happened with regard to the development proposal and the change in supposed facts between then and now.

What happened with regard to the development proposal and the change in supposed facts between then and now.

That's it, Mr.

Chairman.

Thank you.

If you if you want, Mr.

Schultz was a member of the TRC.

That's technical review commission that reviewed this.

So I guess he can give you more accurate information.

I didn't ask for that.

Did anybody else ask for that?

Well, I think that I think the people who voted for the continuance of your discussion would uh would agree that they won't probably want to hear from them.

They appealed, they voted with me in favor of the request to appeal the ruling of the chair.

Director Schultz, you want to show any more light on this topic since you're here.

Uh it was clearly brought up that it was a pre-existing issue at the TRC.

Um, it was discussed, and a lot of the times with the traffic engineering and that you take a model and run it through computer simulation.

Uh fire department wanted to ensure because they knew that it was an existing problem at that corner, that we actually ran the videos that you have.

And so it was brought up numerous times to have a pre-existing issue.

Uh, and they actually took the opportunity to come up with the measure before you to improve it.

Um so just as far as the record at the TRC, it was brought up as a pre issue, uh, and it was clear in all the documentations and uh the dialogue that was at the TRC.

Mr.

Chair.

Yes.

Um thank you.

I I wasn't here then, but it is very clear from that video.

I think that that's an issue.

And if your house is on fire and you're on that street, um, you're not going to really want to wait for people to come out and move their cars so the fire truck can get down the street.

So I appreciate you bringing in that video.

Thank you very much.

You're welcome.

Mr.

Chair, any further discussion, Council Commissoron?

Yeah, just a point of clarification on this.

So when this issue itself was being considered as part of the considerations by the planning board on their ruling relative to that development.

And you had a large turnout of residents who said we have concerns about safety and accessibility here, specifically for large vehicles.

Um they were told, I just want to clarify, they were told that the technical review committee said yes, this will be an issue.

There is an accessibility issue, there is a safety issue with access to that.

Is that correct for the record?

So the planning board knew when they made that decision, um, the types of challenges that would be faced.

There's an absolute need, by the way.

That video is incredibly compelling.

Um, and I think the frustration that we have up here is not with you.

You're you've done a great job.

Um it's it's really with you know, when the public raises this issue, something as compelling as that, I don't think would be overlooked in the types of decisions uh that they're making.

And so why are our planning entities when they're considering large-scale developments not being afforded the same level of consideration that that we are seeing here right now?

And that's not for you.

Um that's more of just a statement for the record.

I think that's where the frustration is coming from on council.

But thank you for your time.

Mr.

Chair, Council Seglow.

But whether or whether or not this um development were to occur, you would we would still need to remove that parking.

So I uh I think that this is just is one of those must-haves.

Mr.

Chairman discussion, Council Curlin.

I agree with Vice Chair Segley.

We have no choice.

We've been hoodwinked.

Well, the planning board was hoodwinked.

The people of the city of Newport were hoodwinked, but we have no choice.

Mr.

Chairman, can I just say thank you for uh the video?

And it just goes to prove pictures say a thousand words.

All right, uh any further discussion.

All right, all those in favor of removing the parking, raise your right hand.

Any opposed?

I silent.

Action item 6482.

The A um the ITC recommends that chapter 10.32 of the city's codified ordinances be amended as followed.

Designated residential parking streets.

The following streets are designated as residential parking streets daily during the hours of 6 p.m.

to 6 a.m.

Remove Bush Street and the following street shall be designated for residential parking 24 hours a day.

Add Bush Street.

I move approval.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion.

All those in favor say aye.

The ITC recommends adding to chapter 10.24 of the city's codified ordinance as follows.

Parking prohibited at all times in designated places.

No person shall park a vehicle at any time upon the following streets.

Add Union Street East Side.

I move approval.

Motion and second, any discussion.

All those in favor say aye.

The ITC recommends adding to chapter 10.24 of the city of Newport's codified ordinance as follows.

Parking prohibited in certain places during certain hours.

Remove Oak Street South Side, 6 a.m.

to 6 p.m.

daily, except for vehicles bearing an official police department parking pass.

Add Oak Street South Side, be designated police employee parking only 24 hours a day.

Add Collins Street North Side, be designated police employee parking only 24 hours a day.

I move approval.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion.

All those in favor say aye.

Action item 6485.

The ITC recommends adding to chapter 10.24 special parking limits to certain hours on certain streets.

Broadway west side, beginning 16 feet south of Oak Street and proceeding 42 feet south to be designated police visitor parking only Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.

to 6 p.m.

I move approval.

Second.

I motion and second.

Any discussion?

All those in favor say aye.

I okay.

We're on to resolutions.

Uh the first resolution.

Uh well, is actually number 23 Newport Hospital Count the liaisons.

Councilor Smythe.

Sure.

I'll just read the resolves.

Um resolved that the chair of the Newport City Council appoints councillor Stephanie Smythe and Zy Comsiborg to be the council liaisons to the Newport Hospital upon passage of this resolution.

And be it further resolved that the liaisons will work with Brown University Health, Newport Hospital, President, Administrators, Board Members, and then Newport Hospital Foundation Board members, state representatives, and community stakeholders to support efforts to ensure the continued availability of hospital services to the community and to work towards exploring sustainable solutions.

Motion and I'm asking for a second.

Second.

Motion and second.

Any discussion?

Mr.

Chairman.

Council Carlin.

Mr.

Chairman, did you ask uh that this resolution be written?

I did.

You did.

Yes, sir.

So it is your intent essentially by passage of this that councillors Smith and Kam Zarovang be appointed as liaisons to as the resolution describes.

Uh correct.

I suppose lifespan.

Or I'm sorry, Brown University.

Thank you.

Mr.

Chair.

Council Segley.

Has anyone spoken to the hospital as to whether or not this is an appropriate thing to do?

Um do they are they looking for liaisons?

Uh I mean, I have not I have not spoken to the hospital.

I I use my belief at the uh speaking with um I spoke with Council Smythe or originally.

Um that after the conversations we had with the birthing center, thought it was you know appropriate to have representation from the council does not mean that they are the only people from the council that will be able to indulge in conversations, but it gives us uh like every other liaison we have with the board or commission or other identity that we have somebody that's that can be turned to and can ask questions or be called upon.

But they don't make any they don't have any, they're not making any votes or decisions for the city on on their behalf.

It's just it's just a communication.

I I'm I obviously I'm in favor of um all of the services that are uh offered at uh Newport Hospital, and this is very important to the community, but I think that we need to speak with the hospital first to make sure that this is something that they will agree to.

Well, if they don't, I mean they're liaisons.

If the hospital doesn't want to deal with them, then they they won't deal with them.

But we're just making a motion from the council that says here are two representatives if there was any other conversations.

Obviously, if they came to any of us, we would make sure we're part of that uh conversation.

Go ahead, council.

No, I just felt that um I appreciated the fact that they contacted us, they respected the um uh way that we would have to meet.

It was two counselors at a time.

Uh, we could ask any of the questions we wanted to ask.

I really think that there is so much involved in this that there could be conversations, the hospital itself would not want to have certain people there, particularly from the city, because they know we want the birthing center.

They're aware of that.

I'm not sure.

I think I think if they're going to do anything, and what was said to me and what was said to counselor Pennock is any kind of change, any kind of conversation, they will be in touch with us individually.

I think we should all receive that information if in fact there's you know, some sort of change.

But I think the conversation as to how the hospital is going to proceed overall, because we're also talking some hospitals up in Providence.

I'm not sure they would want, you know, uh council members to be sitting in on it.

I I just I feel a little uncomfortable with it, but I do believe that um they will be contacting us.

There wasn't any question that we asked that they didn't give us at least some information and told us that they would continue to have conversations with the city of Newport.

Certainly they can send any kind of information directly to uh City Hall to um the manager's office that would be relayed to the council in general.

Mr.

Chair, Council Smith.

Um so when I met with uh the um hospital leadership with counselor Segley, that was one of the statements that I made when we were walking out of the room to um the Brown Health um CEO, that if they would like to have council liaisons, not in a matter of of blocking the entirety of council from receiving information, but just having a couple of points of contact.

Um, given the items that they discussed during the meeting and and how sensitive the situation with the birthing center was, along with other issues that they foresee coming down the pike, that along with a lot of our boards and commissions and other organizations throughout Newport, we have council liaisons for.

So it felt appropriate to offer that to the hospital.

And then when they called, I believe they called each and every counselor when they made a decision to find the funding to um at least fund the birthing center for an additional year.

And in that conversation that I had, they did specify that it would be great to have that additional support, that additional point of contact.

And that was when I had the discussion with uh chairholder, and that was how this resolution came to be.

Um, I will say that that I volunteered um to be one of the liaisons for the chair to consider.

Thank you.

Mr.

Chairs Segley.

I would ask that we continue this for two weeks just to hear from Newport Hospital to see how they feel about this.

I I'm just not I'm not comfortable just imposing ourselves and frankly, I don't think that this council really had much to do with them changing their mind anyway.

So um I I mean they were very courteous and they gave us a lot of information.

Um, but a lot of it boils down to funding.

And um I I would like to hear from the hospital first, and then I would wholeheartedly support this resolution.

Chair Holder, if I could.

Uh Council Council World.

I've heard a lot of really ignorance things set up here over the course of my time, but saying that the city council had no role in the hospital's ultimate decision, I think has to be one of the dumbest things that I've heard said from this dais.

That issue was not on the radar of this community until this city council brought that forth in a special meeting that turned out a historic, historic response from this community.

And what we engaged in after that point were a series of conversations where every member of this council did their jobs of reaching out to our fellow elected officials to members of the community and members of the hospital and its board asking for them to work with this community and to meet with us.

In those meetings that happened happened as a result of those inbounds from us asking them for a meeting.

And so we have a lot of work to do.

And this is going to be a very hard uh process to undertake with not only the birthing center, but the overall health care challenges that we have here, we have to be active participants in that process.

And I think when we consider the importance of community institutions that go beyond just a normal private enterprise, but businesses that rely on this community, whether it's our fire department to ensure that uh people who need to get to the hospital are getting there on a timely basis, whether it's how they work with our in-house community, whether it's how we look at the impact they have on our tax base as a large nonprofit institution or one of our largest employers, it is only reasonable that we take an active approach and managing that.

I wholeheartedly agree that every member of the council should be receiving uh uh information on a timely basis, but to expect an entity of that scale to individually be dealing with eight different parties and trying to or seven different parties and navigating that also is not reasonable.

That's the entire reason why we have liaisons for other community organizations like the library, like boards and commissions, and I think it's a whole uh wholeheartedly responsible thing that councillor Smythe has introduced and the counselor holder's supporting.

Mr.

Chair, Council Bennett.

Thank you.

Um I held the when I had my conversation with uh exec in the morning.

Um the first thing that he said to me was that the conversations that he had with council definitely held the most water when it came to the decision um that went in our favor for a year reprieve with the birthing center.

Um and I do thank you.

Um chairholder, counselor Smythe, for having the conversation um that birthed this council liaisons for Newport Hospital, because I do think that it is necessary.

If we want to be engaged and we want our community engaged, I don't think that we should just sit and wait um for them to give us information.

I do think sometimes we need to ask for it.

So I do appreciate this resolution, and I also thank Councilor Smythe and Councillor Kim Suborabon for offering your service um to be those liaisons.

Thank you, Councillor.

Mr.

Chairman, uh Councillor Cromlin.

Uh may I first uh interrupt the conversation on well, we are talking about the resolution, but I believe there was a suggestion not made in the form of a motion, uh, by my colleague, our colleague uh vice chair Segley.

Did the vice chair want to put that in the form of an official motion to continue the matter?

Yes, for two weeks.

Till the next council.

For lack of another second, I'll second it, but I opened up the floor, Mr.

Chairman, for a second.

We have a second.

Second.

We have a motion and second to continue this for two weeks.

Uh we have discussion.

Yes, Mr.

Chairman.

Council.

Thank you.

Uh I have been a member of the council where discussions on council liaisons have taken place for three years now.

I've been a participant in these discussions three separate times, as have uh at least three of my colleagues, counselors, holder, Napolitano, and Segley, uh, once for Councilor Smythe and Councilor Pinnock.

And in all three of the discussions regarding liaisons, the only sponsor of the resolution to appoint liaisons was the chairman of the council.

The chairman came to the members and said, these are my suggestions for council liaisons.

There were no co-sponsors, if you will, to those resolutions that I recall.

And I find that entirely appropriate.

I'm a tiny bit uncomfortable.

I would not, for example, uh bring to the council or co-sponsor a resolution appointing me uh as a liaison to anything.

Um I also happen to believe that councillor Segley's concern is valid.

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

Thank you.

Any other discussion on uh a possible continuation?

Um my only point I'm gonna bring up is that we received this resolution how long ago?

A week ago.

Well, you received it before that because we have it was circulated and we have counselor Segley and Councilor Carlin both signed off on it.

I didn't sponsor the I didn't sign off on it.

No, nor did I, Mayor.

No, I did.

Am I looking at the wrong one?

point I want to bring up is that we received this resolution how long ago a week ago well you received it before that because we have it was circulated and we have counselor segly and counselor carlin both signed off on it I didn't sign off on it no did I mayor no I did the wrong one myself and oh it is um my my apologies looking at the I'll get the wrong one my apologies um but again so I will go back and say this you signed you you saw it over a week ago and you're bringing questions up you know the day of if you had if there's an issue if you want to know about the hospital then why why not make that call or make the bring that I have I have made some calls but I haven't researched calls back so I mean this is I know but that this is you know just an another issue where we come as as a council as a whole we we come to a meeting and at the last second we're throwing we're throwing changes in the air no I'm not throwing changes I'm just asking for a continuation to talk to the hospital to see if this is something that is appropriate that's all I mean I'm I'm not trying to change anything.

That could have been done beforehand.

Mr.

Chairman uh councilor Carlin yes it is you're right you know I'm sorry Mr.

Carlin but yes you're right it should have been done beforehand the the hospital should have been contacted you're correct Council Carl shall we do our business behind closed doors uh instead of in front of the public I would suggest to US has been brought up and we had in fact the attorney general's office right here in this chamber talking about the open meetings act what is appropriate and what is not appropriate shall we do our business behind closed doors or shall we do it as counselor segley is suggesting in the open thank you I'm not suggesting we do it behind closed doors but as a counselor you're it would be remiss if as a counselor I'm not doing research before I come up to this meeting and and and have information ahead of myself and not ask questions at the last second where we have to continue things and continue things and continue things things that we've information that we have received with plenty of time to ask questions we can take we get we continue we continue resolutions all the time Mr Chair all the time no you know I know I am also you haven't been I haven't uh motioned to speak so this is no different than anything else well then take it we had it we had it on here we had it counselor segly please this is no different than any other thing that we get in front of us from uh whether it's uh action item or cunt um something the content calendar you know but just because we might not like the wording or the people that are being appointed doesn't make make it wrong it doesn't make we don't make sure that we don't do our work ahead of time well so that's that's why I'm gonna vote against the continuation of this uh Mr.

Chair Council Segley we have the right to ask for continuances on very on and any item on the docket absolutely and um and it so therefore I believe that just because we have the information ahead of time does not mean that we are trying to weigh it and trying to understand it and trying and I did make phone calls to people and I have not been able to make contact with them on top of that um I I'm just you know I'm gonna put it out there a motion to continue and if it gets uh turned down fine I don't care and oh and one other thing I want to say except for being called dumb and being shut off here okay um this has nothing to do with who is being appointed to this zero so let's not make that intimation please all right so we have a uh motion for a continuance uh all those in favor raise your right hand no those opposed raise your right hand all right with any other discussion on the resolution as it stands yes mr chairman council carlin I will vote no on the resolution as to the continuance we're finished with that but uh I lost my opportunity to explain why I would not vote for the continuance I think we have councilor segly's point is well taken with regard to the hospital and to Brown University Health in general uh but I think we vote now vote on the resolution on which I will be voting no okay so all those in favor of the rev resolution appointing uh counselor smythe and counselor uh comment as liaisons uh to uh newport hospital raise your right hand all those opposed raise your right hand resolution passes next uh resolution in opposition to proposed rip to service cuts affecting uh counselor comsibor on advice chair i will just read the resolves that the newport city council strongly opposes the rip to proposed service cuts affecting equitnack island and newport and respectfully request that rip to reconsider the proposed service cuts be a further resolve the city of Newport stands ready to collaborate with Ripta neighboring municipalities state officials and transit

All those opposed, raise right hand resolution passes.

Next uh resolution in opposition to proposed rip to service cuts affecting Aquidneck Island.

Councilor Comse Boravan.

Thank you now, Vice Chair.

I will just read the resolves.

The Newport City Council strongly opposes the RIP to proposed service cuts affecting Aquitnik Island in Newport, and respectfully request that Rip to reconsider the proposed service cuts be a further resolve that the city of Newport stands ready to collaborate with Ripta, neighboring municipalities, state officials, and transit advocates to identify equitable community informed solutions to support public transit on Aquidneck Island, Rhode Island as a whole.

I move passage.

Yes.

We have a motion and a second, we have discussion.

If I may, Mr.

Chair.

Council Comoran.

Um I was concerned initially when this is submitted that Ripta would have already made this decision uh with the proposed service cuts, which include uh cutting the trolley service that uh runs to the uh northern part of the city down past uh through downtown past the beaches and out to uh Middletown, as well as a number of other flex services and services that connect uh uh Newport to the URI campus uh to the train station.

Uh luckily they have delayed that decision um in part and uh due to the request of the governor.

Uh so I am hopeful the council will consider supporting this resolution um given that uh that public transit service is very important to how folks get around this committee.

I know that my colleagues here, Councilor McCalltown, Councillor Segley, have advocated in the past for Ripta very successfully, and I'm hoping we can preserve some of that good work and the routes that we have here.

Yes, Councilor Paul Tonga.

I just have a question with the RIPTA route that goes down to the beach.

Whoop, sorry.

With the RIFTA route that goes down to the beach, isn't that paid for by the Episcopalian church?

That's what I thought.

Okay, so they're gonna keep that.

Nope.

They're gonna cut it, completely eliminate.

Even if they had someone to pay for.

I I think they're looking at aggregate at a bunch of different challenges beyond just payment, includes staffing shortages and operational challenges.

Yeah.

So good question.

Thank you.

Any other discussion?

Um, the only thing I'm gonna say about this, you know, this, you know, when I when I first saw this and looked at it, and I'm like, you know, this I'm not trying to make it seem like it's the same emergency as the birthing at Newport Hospital.

But yet this is still very important for the citizens, you know, and the residents of Newport.

And it seems like every time we turn around, we have another entity from the state that's coming down to try to take something away.

And as much as us as a council disagree on so many things, it's very important that we are we act together on on these things like this and and fight for our our residents when it comes to things that are that are a lot of times out of our control and out of our hand.

And just to you know, to show that we are unified in and trying to keep what what we have and making our residents' lives easier to live.

So uh no other discussion.

We'll take a vote.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Aye silent.

Resolution on invasive plants.

Uh yeah, I put this resolution in on uh behalf of some residents who um who brought this up, brought this to my attention.

It's and uh and apparently it's been something that has been in in the uh crosshairs of uh zoning and planning as well.

Um there are on the resolve this says that the uh Newport City Council requests that the Department of Resiliency Sustainability, City Tree Warden, and members of the planning department draft an ordinance to regulate intrusive plant growth in residential zones.

I make a motion to motion and second.

Any discussion?

Mr.

Chairman, Council Paul Tano.

Um when I saw this at first, it reminded me of years ago, uh, people complaining over in the first ward, uh in particular down near City Yard.

There were bamboo plants.

Anyone that has dealt with bamboo, it just crosses over and over and over.

So I totally support this resolution.

There are certain plants that could invade neighboring yards, and and I think we need to um at least help these people out.

And it took a while for the city to go down and pull up all these bamboo plants by the routes.

So I totally support this.

Thank you.

Any other discussion?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

I say resolution to remove speed limits to uh reduce speed limits to 20 miles per hour in all school zones in the city of Newport.

Councilor canon.

Thank you.

I am just going to read through the whole thing because I do think that this is important.

But I do want to preface this by saying that since I spent a lot of time driving around school buses and vans with my day job, I have noticed that around our public schools, um, there isn't a lot of marking for reduced speed um when traveling those areas.

I did happen to see one sign um on Rhode Island Avenue.

Um so I did reach out to city management um who informed me that they were also looking into this and that and when I spoke with my colleague um Zai, he also informed me that this was something that was at the top of his list.

So I do appreciate um the work that's gone into this because I do think it's very important.

So thank you.

Umas the safety and well-being of Newport's children, families, and school staff is top priority for the city of Newport, and whereas school zones are high traffic areas during morning drop-offs and afternoon pickups with children walking, biking, and crossing streets, often during peak traffic times, and whereas, according to the Newport Transportation Master Plan, roadways in Newport, including around school buildings, experienced a notably high concentration of crashes during peak hours with the geocoded crash data highlighting school zones as key hotspots.

And whereas the city's recent safe streets and roads for all action plan further confirms these areas are as persistent cluster zones for occlusions involving pedestrians and children, and whereas Ride Out reports statewide that speed is a contributing factor in over 43%.

I'm sorry, 45% of all traffic fatalities with over 16 pedestrian deaths in Rhode Island in the most recent year.

And whereas national traffic safety research shows that pedestrians struck at 20 miles per hour may have nearly twice the survival chance compared to those struck at speeds of 30 miles per hour or higher.

And whereas many cities across the country, including Providence, have already implemented 20 miles per hour school zone speed limits as part of division zero and safe routes to school initiatives with enforced and speed management cameras reducing average speeds by up to eight miles per hour during school commute, excuse me, school commute hours, and whereas Rhode Island state law allows municipalities to set lower speed limits in designated school zones for the protection of public health and safety now fit, therefore be it further resolved, be it resolved that the city council of the city of Newport hereby directs the city administration to establish a uniform 20 mile per hour limit within 300 feet of all design designated school zones in Newport that includes public charter and private K through 12, and be it further resolved that the city clerk shall forward this resolution to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation for any necessary coordination on state maintained school zone roadways.

Thank you.

Oh yeah, sorry.

Sorry, I motion for this to go into effect.

Second.

All right, motion and second any discussion.

Yes, Mr.

Chairman.

Uh Council Moralong first.

I just want to commend my colleague for putting this resolution.

Um two months ago, I asked city administration for an update on school zones.

Um we haven't heard back yet, but I do know they've been working on this.

So our hope is that this can be deployed um with rapidity.

Uh, we are headed into the school year.

We have seen a community that um I know Council Carlin has been the leading voice of in terms of speed being out of control in the city.

Um, and uh this is if there's an issue we hear about with a high level of consistency from constituents, it is speed.

One of the challenges we have as a city is that many of our roads are under state control, and so there's a lot of red tape to go through.

I want to commend Councilor Pennock on identifying something that is well within the city's powers to do, and I would urge the administration to move quickly.

Uh and if we don't quickly see quick action, I think you'll see us keep coming back on this.

But I know it's on the top of your radar.

I know you're focused on it.

You understand the safety, and very hopeful that we can get this done quickly.

Thank you.

Councillor Carlin.

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

Councilor Pennick, thank you very much for this.

It's a great resolution.

I commend you for doing this, and I support it naturally, wholeheartedly.

Uh folks, first I want to I want to say that uh And your resolution spells it out uh quite accurately.

Well, your resolution captures anything that exists now or might exist specifically.

There are not just three school zones in the city, one for Pell, one for Thompson, and one for Rogers High School.

We also have private schools, parochial, if you will, and charter a charter school in the city.

So we have a number of school zones that are located here in the city of Newport.

And this in fact uh will cover it all and will cover what could come to the city of Newport in the future.

This will encompass whatever type of school might come in the years uh following now.

Too many folks, far too many folks, Councillor Pennock, think that uh the existing speed limits, not only around schools, but in our city overall, are suggestions.

They're not suggestions, they're ordinances, they're the law.

Again, congratulations.

I'm very proud to have co-sponsored this and to vote for it.

Thank you.

Could I Mr.

Chair?

Could I just ask a question, please?

Um what is the speed limit in school zones?

Do they vary?

It's the same as the prima fascia limit that exists at that location.

So we don't have, with the exception of that small area by St.

Michael on Rhode Island Avenue.

I think one other small area uh near here where the king centers, pardon I you'll have to I beg your pardon, I don't want to call the street name.

Other than that, there is no school zone speed limits.

But this resolution is calling for us to go beyond that.

Simply install 20 mile an hour limits within essentially 1620 feet uh radius of a school.

Uh and we can do that simply the flick of a pen and an ordinance with the exception of Memorial Boulevard and Admiral Calpus Boulevard, that would require state traffic commission approval.

But uh this resolution also calls for us to work with them, which we will happily do.

They've been very supportive lately.

Uh Dr.

Floyd.

Hi.

Sandra Flowers, 16 Care Avenue, Newport.

And I'm also a member of the school committee, and I taught for 30 years in the Newport schools.

And I've been retired for 30 years, so you can figure out how long I've been in this business.

The one um idea here about limiting this the speed limit to 20 miles an hour.

I mean, I've seen these signs around, but as like a lot of the other traffic signs, people disfigure it's just a suggestion.

That's about all.

Um many years ago, we had to really do a great deal of work to get the flashing signs down on Harrison Avenue where the former Underwood School was, because that street was really known as the Indianapolis Speedway.

People were just flying back and forth to get around the drive.

That did help considerably because people will see the light, no pun intended.

Uh rather, in addition to the speed limit sign, that was a big help.

Uh we have those uh flashing signs on Dexter Street at Pell School.

It would help a great deal if it was right out here with Thompson, because you they have a sign saying, you know, that you're entering the school zone and then you're leaving the school zone, but I don't know how many people even read those because there's too occupied with avoiding other cars, probably, and keeping out for pedestrians who quite often don't uh oh, they have a lot of confidence that drivers can stop in time for them to cross.

So this whole uh effort to slow down the traffic near the schools is commendable, and as I already said, I think there has to be a couple of other things.

The flashing lights, which can be put on timers, I believe.

Uh, that's something we had heard years ago, so that when a school is not in session, people can you know move along at 25 or whatever the speed limit is supposed to be in town.

Uh they there was uh lights are on Valley Road, I believe, near a school out there.

As Mr.

Collins said, there's more than just or solely the public schools, but we have St.

Michael's school, and you have uh maybe some of the early childhood centers that that really that's especially uh necessary to watch the traffic.

So I think that this is a uh a good effort, and I would imagine that working with the police department that that would be a key uh issue to be involved in.

And thank you for doing this.

Thank you.

Uh any other discussion.

Okay.

All those in favor uh say aye.

Aye.

I said uh idle uh resolution uh recognizing Ida Lewis and the Ida Lewis Light Cup lightkeepers, Council Carlin.

Thank you, Madam Vice Chair, thank you.

Uh members of the uh council.

Uh let me be a bit uh out of sorts here and and ask if there's uh member in the in the audience.

Okay, beautiful.

Far more knowledgeable than I am, but uh I put this resolution forth uh to recognize three things.

Uh first of all, uh a national lighthouse organization's recognition of Ida Lewis posthumously.

Secondly, the Ida Lewis Yacht Club itself as host of the former, and third, uh Mr.

Jan Slay's uh willingness to travel to New York and to accept on behalf of the Ida Lewis Yacht Club the recognition that I just mentioned from the National Lighthouse Organization and Mr.

Chairman.

I will not read uh the resolution or the resolve.

Rather, I will say uh I would hope that my colleagues will support this.

It's totally non-controversial.

We are very fortunate here in Newport uh to be the home of Ida Lewis.

And uh with respect, I would ask for a second.

First of all, let me formally move it and ask for a second.

Second, Mr.

Chairman, with your indulgence and the members' indulgence.

I believe Mr.

Slee would like to uh have at least a couple of minutes to explain his recognition of said award uh on behalf of the club in Ida Lewis posthumously.

I'd love to have you for sure.

Come on up.

My wife and I.

My wife and I were chosen by the Commodore Idler's Yacht Company to present I Lewis for this award.

That was the fun part.

Problem is the National Lighthouse Museums in Staten Island.

The Claymore knows how to drive around New York.

That's not how to do it.

This is the award.

The cameraman get close.

Zoom in on that and pick that up.

No, and now thank you for this uh recognition, Councilman.

A few people accept this.

Yes, Ida Lewis.

Uh was quite an exceptional woman.

Uh the burger for Iowa shows 18 lives say all saved.

The actual unofficial account is 35.

And to have a young lady at the uh age of uh whatever of so she's five foot two and 104 pounds, rode this 22-foot boat around Newport is insane.

Thank you for that.

I'd like to do a follow-up if I may on your earlier resolution.

Uh that the councilman gave on Rose Island Lighthouse license plates.

We weren't just the first in I spent you seven years working in it, by the way.

The first in Rhode Island, we're first in New England.

And um the organization was called the American Lighthouse License Place Association, calls himself the Americans, actually worldwide.

So here you have the state, and we received the awards at the governance major.

So there's seven of us who received the award.

Everybody was involved in doing the plate.

So you'll stay informed.

How many of you have rose eye and license plates?

I have a commercial place, so I can do it.

I invite you all to hear Roseye license plate.

I thank you.

Thank you.

Yeah, and thank you so much.

Appreciate your work.

Mr.

Chairman.

Council Carl.

In closing, Jan, thank you.

Anything you want to know about uh lighthouses, not only that have their homes here in Newport, uh, but probably on all of Aquidick, if not all of the state.

Uh, talk to Jan.

And if you'd like to know anything about the old stone mill, talk to Jan and John Bagwell.

I appreciate you having patience with me in putting together these various resolutions.

I thank you for your work here and then the aforementioned with regard to the Rose Island Lighthouse license plate drive, and I thank my colleagues.

Council Napoleon.

Council Paul Tunnel.

Yes, I'd just like to say that there was another.

Thank you.

Another plaque that was put on her grave site down at the common burial ground.

Um it was so interesting.

The people that came and described her.

She was probably one of the most celebrated women in the 1800s.

She had all sorts of people not only come into her home, but she was also celebrated down in Washington, DC.

And uh, I think there were over a hundred people in the graveyard, probably even more than that.

It was just so interesting.

You say she was five, two, they said she was five feet, a tiny little woman who saved all these people, and she would jump in fully clothed, petticoats and all.

I just can't imagine the strength that she had to save the number of people she saved.

So thank you, uh, Councilor Carlin for uh putting this in, and I'm very happy to acknowledge her from Newport.

I think she's done a tremendous did a tremendous tremendous service for the country.

Mr.

Chairman, I promised in closing, but might I in closing in closing, uh to Jean's point, to counselor Napolitano's point.

Uh not only has she been recognized in DC, we have had 14 presidents of the United States while in office visiting Newport, Rhode Island.

Uh, but as the resolution states, and you can read this online, uh in one of her last heroic saves, Ida Lewis made a dangerous voyage onto Newport Harbor to save the lives of two Army enlistees who had gone out into what we now call downtown, and on their voyage back to Fort Adams, their home base, got into a lot of trouble on the seas on the harbor.

Ida Lewis saved both of them, and President Ulysses Grant.

Upon hearing about that, he came to the then lighthouse prior to uh being named Lime Rock Lighthouse prior to being named the Ida Lewis uh Lighthouse.

And not only did he visit her at the lighthouse and give uh credit to her and thanks to her, but he also uh traversed Newport, traveled throughout Newport during his one-day stay.

So thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

Thank you.

And uh without any further discussion, all those in favor, say aye.

Aye.

Uh resolution uh for um to engage in discussions with Middletown about regionalization.

Counselor Napolitano.

Yes, um, I'm just going to paraphrase uh a few of the highlights in this resolution.

Whereas the Newport City Council is once again requesting Newport voters to reconsider a ballot question for the voters in April of 2026 regarding a new option presented by the Rhode Island Department of Education, combining administration only for the purpose of a regionalized school district for Newport Middletown.

Both communities will share one superintendent, one finance office, teachers and students will remain in the respective communities for the foreseeable future.

All other personnel will be under the direction of the superintendent and newly elected school committee, consisting of membership from both communities.

And there are some other incentives, including uh a two-year bonuses and a 50% reimbursement for in-district busing.

Currently, we pay all the busing costs, um, which would go directly to the regional system.

Whereas the current funding for both municipalities will be combined to become the baseline uh moving forward, and policy decisions will move both communities to create a robust educational system that's vital to the stabilization of financing public education.

And there should be discussions among combined communities of educators, parents, and students, and take outlying ways communities could work together to use some of the reimbursement funding to improve programming and student outcomes in a regionalized district.

Resolve that both Middletown and Newport provide an equal number of important appointments to the academic advisory commission to discuss potential future educational improvements and make a res recommendation moving forward.

And final resolve that the city of Newport will engage with discussions with the Middletown Town Council to prioritize and commit a use of reimbursement funds to create an endowment fund to improve educational opportunities for all students to the regionalized district.

I move past it.

Second.

All right, we have a motion and a second.

Mr.

Chair.

Council Smite.

So after reading this, you know, I as an elected official, I I look at things as we have a moral obligation to our residents to give them make decisions on giving them the best quality of life that we can today and moving forward.

I also feel as though we have a professional obligation to do our due diligence and to do our research and to connect with the stakeholders involved in any situation.

But we also have a financial obligation to be be mindful of the taxpayers' dollars that we are utilizing and find ways to help sustain our community going forward.

And lastly, I I feel as though we have an ethical obligation to provide the public with transparency and with enough information so that they can make educated decisions at the ballot.

And so, with the exception of the first whereas of this resolution, everything else is exactly the same carbon copy of the 2022 resolution.

And what I remember from that is a lot of community members stating that there wasn't enough information for them to make an educated decision at the ballot.

And as we saw that failed the first time around.

So that we can get everybody on the same page as to what our options are, what kind of savings that we're going to have, and potentially not only how is this going to benefit the two communities financially, but how is it going to benefit our students?

And I'm asking for a second to my motion.

Second.

We have a motion and a second to continue.

Do we have any discussion?

How long have they had this resolution, Mr.

Chair?

Would you like to give that same speech?

You can rerun the tape.

But I don't think we need to continue this.

I really don't.

I think it's something that we've been it's been talked about and talked about and talked about.

And I think this, along with getting the academic advisory commission together, is how we start start those talks and start start the process of making something happen.

I don't like seeing this, it has to be this way and no other way, or it has to be my way andor can't be your way.

I really do.

I think this is this is going to focus more on the financial aspect of it.

The academic advisory commission focuses more on the educational aspect of it.

And I think we need somehow we need to combine these two and work as one unit.

Um, I 100% agree on we need to have public talks with Middletown absolutely agree, and I know that was something that we had in the works.

Uh I believe is through uh Newport this week and um for one reason or another, maybe it's just because those that's the summer hit and things got out of you know, things got too busy and we haven't done those yet.

But I think you know those are the those are the conversations we need to have, absolutely.

So um, I'm willing to vote on this tonight, but if obviously the council votes to continue, we'll continue.

Mr.

Chairman, can I just point out that um I never stopped working on this?

I was disappointed when we didn't approve it the last time.

Um, and I would agree, everything was rushed.

However, I have agreements with people that would moderate.

Um there are people in Newport that would lead the discussions.

I don't believe it should be the council.

I believe this is for the parents of the children and for the residents that want to know what's going on.

The difference this time is the new offer.

The first offer was 50 per 50.5 would be received back as a reimbursement for the total cost of the building.

So in our case, it was 98 million, and we would get back half of that.

They have increased that offer to 80 percent.

I have been on the council for 30 years.

We didn't get more than 25% reimbursement for any improvements we made on any of our schools in Newport before this time, before the last thing with Rogers.

And I watched as communities upstate got 70 and 80 percent to build new schools.

What can we do with that money?

I believe that we should be implementing programs to improve outcomes, and certainly it's about the money.

Education costs a lot of money.

It doesn't go down.

We do have students or less students than we had 10 years ago, and it has to continue to decline.

I don't know what's gonna happen in the future, but I know for the uh people of Newport, the residents of Newport that are paying the bill for the school building, the new Rogers building, that this is the best offer we're gonna get.

And I think it's worth investigating and talking about it, and hopefully, um uh one of the agreements, because Middletown was upset that they'd have to see approval from Newport first, Newport Council.

So we're under the gun, and that offer is not gonna be on the table much longer.

There's a lot of other things that have to be arranged before we can get to next April, and primarily meetings that are available to people not only in Newport, but also in Middletown.

So I really hope that the council considers this um uh resolution because I think it will improve a lot of things.

We can't continue to do what the way we've been operating.

It's not been helpful to us.

Um kids deserve better, all kids.

So, you know, at this point, I do believe there's somebody from the audience that may want to speak, Mr.

Chairman.

Yeah, Ms.

Cole.

Beth Cullen.

19 Bayside Avenue.

Um I'm here tonight as a member of the Newport School Committee.

Last evening at our monthly meeting, we voted five to two on the same resolution to move it forward.

The reason we did that was, as you've all said, um, time is of the essence.

We can't keep kicking the can because there are deadlines, but um there's an urgency here that I just have to I just have to explain to people.

We are losing students, and when we lose students, we lose money.

The state formula is all about enrollment.

So, Mr.

Chairman, just a point of order, please.

Uh, there is a motion on the floor which has been seconded to continue.

I would prefer discussing that motion rather than the larger issue for the time being.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Um I was gonna allow uh her to speak in case that motion does pass and does come so um so I'm here to urge you to vote for this first step.

Yes, we have a lot of work ahead of us, as um councillor Smythe said, we need to get the bodies together.

But I've had conversations recently with the chair of the Middletown Council, with the chair of the Middletown School Committee, with the uh chief operating officer at Ride, Mario Corino.

All three of those men told me that if we if the two bodies of the Newport School Committee and the Newport City Council do not vote on a resolution to move forward, it dies.

And when it dies, that's four million approximately four million.

I think it's more, but I'm gonna go low.

Four million dollars annually that we will be leaving on the table.

One of the things that wasn't included in the 2022 um ballot question, which I personally know was full of misinformation and a lot of scare tactics, was the 50% bus reimbursement.

50% is for Newport, one and a half million annually.

Same for Middletown.

So that's that's money that's just gonna um I don't know if you've noticed, but each bus is half empty and it costs a hundred thousand dollars per bus.

So if we can somehow figure out a way to be big boys and girls and merge our busing, that's three million dollars for our communities.

Um leaving that money on the table.

How can we look at as elected officials?

How can we look at taxpayers and say, oh well, say lobby?

It's only money.

But I'll tell you, in the short time that I've been on the Newport School Committee, I've spent a lot of time with teachers and kids in the classrooms.

I spent a lot of time with department heads, I've spent a lot of time with business owners and the chamber of commerce and junior achievement and all kinds of great people that want our kids to succeed, but we're a million dollars out.

Last night I found out the school committee is out a million bucks.

Since we came to you and asked for the four percent, those numbers have changed.

So we're in a hole.

We've lost children, we've lost money, we've lost programs, and we've lost teachers.

We're peeling an onion, and what's going to be left is a very mediocre education system.

If you don't vote on this tonight, we can't move forward.

Please, I urge you.

If you want an equitable education for your kids, you want to meet the kids where they are and make sure they have the programs to get to their full potential, that costs money.

Please vote for this.

Thank you.

Um Mr.

Chair, could I just say that that the busing um was included in the last it was included in the last proposal?

The the it was, yeah.

Well, I discussed it a lot.

50% would have been reimbursed.

Uh, yes, come on, we'll uh until counselor or council warwong gets back.

It decides on whether I vote yes or no, it decided on whether I voted yes.

Can you just say your name and Melody O'Brien 2-3, Sergeant Greenway?

It also answer to me tonight depends on my whole family.

I have family who pay taxes in Middletown and Newport.

I represent the most vulnerable of our children in the school department.

And the one thing through all of the regionalization conversations from the beginning years, years of going to workshops, years of coming to the council meetings, school committee meetings, meetings in Middletown.

The one thing that is never brought up is special education.

If it's going to be joint administration, how does this affect our special education department?

Because my son went 13 years of special education in Newport, and we got part of my language, but we got screwed.

I had to pull my kid out because there's no money for funding, there's no money for any kind of programs that would have been beneficial.

None because the special education department in Newport is understocked.

There's no funding.

The IEPs are a joke.

I went and had to go through um mediation over federally mandated IEPs that your department blew off.

So how is this going to work if both Middletown and Newport are combined and only have a certain amount of budget and more children?

I don't think you understand.

They they um the children, okay, will remain in their own communities, their own school, right, as will the teachers.

Right.

But having this combined effort, the saving, the savings portion could be utilized to help our schools right now.

Where they may not have the special ed would have money.

Uh I I am I'm very sorry.

It it's you know who I am, you know what I do with respect to the rules of the council and proper procedure.

This is not proper.

Uh we should not be voting while there is an amendment before us and a second, we should not be voting on the underlying issue.

We should address the amendment first.

The amendment is to continue.

And we will I apologize.

I this no, no, no, no.

Melody, uh, by the way, Devin, great to see you, my friend, my old friend.

Uh it is it is not your issue.

It is a council issue.

We are we are inappropriately uh allowing discussion on the underlying act on the underlying resolution rather than appropriately addressing uh the amendment.

And like I said, I apologize.

I just have never been given a clear answer, and without being given a clear answer, it deters me from voting yes.

I had to vote no last time because I asked and I asked, and the only answer I've ever received was we will deal with that later.

We want this to pass, vote yes, and we'll deal with that later.

Out of the 80 percent and the millions of dollars we're gonna spend on we're gonna save on busting.

How much is that gonna be allocated towards special education?

Because there's a lot of parents who are not getting the right amount of help for their children.

Our children bust their butts to get make it to the school department and all in your schools.

The parents bust our butts.

We have IP meetings.

I brought people from the council to my IEP meetings, and we were still blown off.

So this uh this affects the most vulnerable of our children.

And if you cannot say how much is going to be allocated for our most vulnerable because it's it's gonna help our students.

Well, how is this going to help our special needs children when we are so far behind that?

Thank you, Melody.

I gotta thank thank you for your words.

I appreciate it.

I appreciate it.

Can I just add?

I don't know.

Go ahead.

Um, you know, I uh and I can appreciate you know everybody saying that there's been a lot of conversations that have been happening, but but once again, these conversations have not been with all of our elected officials being able to obtain the same information.

And I'd like to thank those who uh just spoke to prove my point that there isn't enough information out there for us to come up with a decent plan as to how to even move forward with putting this on the ballot.

And this resolution doesn't doesn't specify how we're gonna do that, it just specifies that we're looking towards an April 26th uh ballot.

It doesn't call for the actual um when we will be appointing the academic advisory commission.

I don't even know if that's the same as the academic integration advisory that commission the commission.

You had 90 days.

I don't know where it's at.

But I'm just saying that there's still uh a lot of issues and unknowns here.

So my preference is that we can at least get all of our elected officials into one place with Ride to find out exactly what we're doing so that we can adequately relay that to the community.

So that's that's I'm just asking for council to consider just a little bit more time to pull that meeting together.

All right, thank you.

Any other discussion before we vote on the continuation?

I'm gonna say I think we can do both is what I'm that's what I'm saying.

I think we can pass this or not, but we can have those those meetings and get those answers and get this thing going as opposed to just keep holding off, holding off, holding off.

But I I agree we need the those answers.

And to Ms.

O'Brien's point.

We can't put this, I will not vote to put this to ballot unless I know we have those numbers, so we can actually so people, the residents that vote, and whether it's just Newport or eventually in both communities, have that information, which they have not had the last two times we've had a regionalization vote.

Um okay, so uh we're gonna vote for the continuation of this uh resolution.

Uh all is in favor to continue, raise your right hand.

All those opposed.

All right.

Continuation fails.

Um any further discussion on the resolution as it stands.

Council Commissar Bourbon.

Mr.

Chair, a uh an amendment that I think will hopefully clarify this resolution a bit.

I I think is in line with the intent of the sponsor.

Uh making to your point the fact we can move forward uh in tandem on this.

Um in the first resolve it mentions the academic advisory commission.

Um last night the school committee um approved uh an initial request for language change there just to clarify points of the academic integration advisory commission by September 30th.

Um just we have I think 20 some od applicants that have applied, and the intent here is I think to allay some of the concerns that have been brought up, which is if we're gonna go down this path on regionalization, we have to make sure that we are addressing the most important part of the equation, which is our students going to be better off, our kids going to be better off, in addition to are we gonna have the resources to make them better off?

So I think that work can go hand in hand in what that does also is it actually jump starts us uh back on track with the original resolution enacted by this council previously, where the two hopefully are able to work together.

So you'll you make a motion for that amendment?

Uh I'd like to request that we amends the first resolve uh that both Middletown and Newport provide an equal number of appointments to the Academic Integration Advisory Commission by September 30th to discuss potential educational benefits and improvements and to make recommendations going forward.

Second.

Our motion and second on the amendment.

Any discussion?

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

I have the amendment.

All right.

Um without any further discussion.

There is further discussion, please, Mr.

Chairman.

I yield to Councillor Pinnock.

I think she wants to discuss sorry, I was just gonna say we had some more people in the audience.

I didn't know if you wanted to give them opportunity.

May I first uh Mr.

Chairman, please?

I thought it was Councilor Pennick herself that wanted to discuss things.

Uh I won't hold things up for the audience, but uh I I want to make sure I clarify something because it's it's egging at me.

Um it is incorrect to say that if we do not do anything this evening, uh that we will have no other no other chance.

It's incorrect to and I may be paraphrasing what was said, but it's incorrect to make that statement.

Uh it is also incorrect to assume uh or to say that there is uh a current live piece of legislation before us.

This piece of legislation, or the prior prior resolution, which led to a piece of legislation, which led to a vote, died on November the 8th, 2022 at about 9.45 p.m.

Legislature rights bills in a way that dictates once something happens, it happens.

Whether that's pro or con.

In the case of the question to regionalize.

It was defeated on November 8th of 2022.

Middletown voted overwhelmingly to approve Newport voted by a small margin to reject.

But that's that's it.

That was the end of the legislation.

What we will be doing should the council approve this looking for a highway to ultimately get that question back into consideration first by the general assembly and ultimately by the voters.

But there is no live piece of legislation before us.

The general assembly does not let you come back for two, three, five, ten, twenty-five bites of the apple.

It's over.

Our apple biting days are over.

As far as Newport and Middletown are concerned.

So again, Mr.

Chairman, to imply that either one of either one or both of the two uh our facts is is unfortunately incorrect.

Number one, to repeat uh we we have no timetable by which we must do this.

The General Assembly makes its own rules.

They can tell us, sure, we'll let you do it five minutes from now, five months from now, five years from now.

And number two, there is no live piece of legislation before us.

Uh so I would suggest that we and I know everybody has done uh quite a bit of research on this, and I respect everybody's diligence opinions and more.

Uh, but as they used to say, and they still do.

Everybody's entitled to their own opinions, but facts are universal.

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

Thank you, Counselor.

Mr.

Chair.

Uh yep.

Um I I'd like to make a motion for to add uh to amend the resolution for an additional resolve.

And that is to that the Newport City Council directs the Newport City Manager to reach out to Middletown's town manager to set up a special meeting with the councils, school committees, and superintendents for both communities with the Rhode Island Department of Education to discuss the uh above options and get both communities on the same page as to what this form of regionalization would look like for the communities.

I request a second second.

Motion and second, any discussion.

All right.

All those in favor, raise your right hand.

Any opposed?

No.

We have that.

Uh Madam Clerk, we have that resolved.

Yes.

I will get that exact language tomorrow when I go back to the video.

Thank you.

Um I'll take a moment if uh anyone from the public wants to make any comment.

Hello.

Uh my name is Amy Yosura, and I reside at 102 Warner Street in Newport.

Um, I have two kids in the Newport Pell school system, first grade and third grade this year.

Uh, and I I appreciate the council addressing the academic advisory committee.

Um, that was actually a lot of what I wanted to talk about today.

I was under the impression that once that had passed five or so months ago that that was going to get the ball rolling with moving forward, investigating more into the potential regionalization.

Um, so I appreciate you acknowledging that and putting a date actually set forward.

Um, I was one of the people who applied for it.

Would love to get um you know more involved in the process and help push that forward.

Um a lot of the feedback that I recall hearing from the public back in 2022 when we initially came up with you know the regionalization was that parents really wanted to make sure that the project was planned out um ahead of time before having something to vote on.

Um, very specifically to other parents' points here, how much money is going to be um allocated to different parts of the educational program is is you know pretty important.

Um, for example, one of the issues that I found with the regionalization proposal over the past resolution, as you were talking, Jean-Marie, um, the reimbursement rate of incentives, including the new bonus, the 50% uh reimbursement for the district busing, going back to regional education schools is great.

Um, however, the savings from the base rate of reimbursement level going from 52 and a half percent to 80 and a half percent from the state.

There's nothing really allocated there to say how much of that is gonna go directly back into education.

Um is that gonna be part of it?

Is it going to be go back to the city as a whole and then decide where those funds need to be allocated?

Um, I think it's important for the voters to know how much of that is going to go back into education.

Um, so I think that is one area that you could provide some more clarity um to the voters before they have to make a decision on moving forward regionalization or not.

Um, this is just one of the details that needs to be figured out and included in the plan.

I know there are other concerns for other parents out there, specifically um the bonds that we have and how the mortgage obligations would be affected for the town.

I don't know if it would be.

I don't know if anyone's looked into that yet.

Um, are there technical questions?

There are technical questions that people have around how do we do this without changing the structure to avoid um having to refinance.

I know finance rates are much higher now, you know, all those different technical questions.

Um so basically, I I just want to say that um it doesn't seem responsible to say, you know, we're gonna move forward with this now and figure out the details later.

Um, there's just too much on the line.

I think we need to have a specific plan in place, and if we're gonna move forward with it, we need to put dates um put dates to all of the information, you know, to collect it and have it put that together.

So it's my opinion.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Yes, counselor.

Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know if you were gonna call anyone else up first.

Okay, thank you.

Um thank you.

Um to the parent who just spoke.

Um, so I do want to say, regardless of unpopular opinion, I'm not opposed to collaboration um between Newport and Middletown, but I do think that this is a top-down approach.

Um for me, this moves us forward without truly bringing community with us.

Um, for me, this moves us forward without truly bringing community with us, something that I attempted to do with the regional with the resolution for the academic integration advisory commission.

I feel like this resolution assumes that robust discussions among educators, parents, and students will happen after we decide to change our governance structure.

Real community engagement is not asking people to react to a plan.

They had no role in creating.

I'm the director of community engagement.

I've been engaging residents in this community in a multitude of ways in conversations and in planning sessions and in storytelling events.

Um, and one thing that I will say that I've learned over all these years is that when decisions of this magnitude are made without full and early inclusive participation, trust erodes, and you won't get that back.

We also cannot ignore the equity risks.

Yes, I'm gonna talk about equity because I'm also an expert in that.

A shared superintendent and finance office will hold enormous influence over how resources are allocated and priorities are set.

We are not the same in demographic histories or needs, and without intentional safeguards, communities with greater economic or political leverage could have more sway.

That is not equitable, and for me, that is not acceptable.

Financial incentives are tempting, and we have heard how it is needed, but money does not guarantee better outcomes unless it is tied to clear and measurable commitment to close opportunity gaps, close opportunity gaps, strengthen culturally responsive teaching, and meet the needs of our most underserved kids.

I won't see those commitments yet.

This is not about being against Middletown.

I'm against rushing into structural change driven by state reimbursement percentages instead of a vision for better for all of our kids built from the ground up.

We were elected.

Our positions up here are not because we decided to put ourselves here, our residents put us here.

Our residents believe that we have their best interests at heart.

We owe it to them to keep we owe it to keep them and their children at the center of all conversations.

Kids are not an afterthought.

Thank you, Councilman.

Mr.

Chairman, Council Collin.

Thank you.

Council Pinnock, thank you very much.

Uh three quick points.

One is an answer to uh our great resident, our friend, uh, who asked many relevant questions.

I don't profess to have the answers to many of these things, but if I am going to vote on something, uh I I do my research, or at least I try to.

Uh first I I want to let folks know, and if anybody can prove me wrong, now is the time.

There is nothing in existing state law.

Nothing.

Which ride uses, Rhode Island Department of Education uses to define what parameters reimbursement will be based on.

There is nothing in existing state law which defines something called administrative regionalization.

Right.

There is only a definition of regionalization.

That's it.

If you can prove me wrong, do so.

And if you do, I'll buy you a dinner.

Second, as I said earlier, the dictate of an 80% reimbursement is dead.

It is whatever should come on that highway in the future when the General Assembly tells us what the reimbursement rate will be in 2022.

The proposed regionalization would have yielded for Newport at least an 80% reimbursement rate.

Would have done the same for Middletown as well, because Senator De Palmer, who was the primary sponsor of the legislation in the Senate.

It was an identical bill in the House.

Senator De Palma wrote the legislation with the 80% figure within the legislation.

Nothing Rhode Island Department of Education or any anybody else could do if the bill passed, which it did.

Nothing anybody else could do would bring less than an 80% reimbursement to Middletown and to Newport.

Should we regionalize regionalize?

Newport had the opportunity to exceed the 80% reimbursement to a potential of 83% reimbursement.

Because the combined natural reimbursement rate for a regionalized district as set in state law is 63%.

63%.

There are also four other factors which Newport was actively seeking reimbursement for at a rate of 5% for each distinct factor.

Combined, that's 20% more, which could lead to an 83% reimbursement rate.

More than what Middletown would receive, which would be 80%.

So I want to make sure that folks know again that there is nothing set in stone, but that should we travel down that highway again, I would suggest we not reinvent the wheel.

We're not tinker with the engine.

We look at the legislation that was in place, guaranteeing both Newport and Middletown 80% with the possibility of an 83% reimbursement rate for Newport.

And then the third thing that I will say, and I'll close, is that the Rhode Island Department of Education, the General Assembly, and indeed the leaders of the education community and the elected officials from Middletown and Newport, I think have nothing but the interests transparency wise of our voter, our residents.

I don't think anybody wants to hide anything.

Earlier tonight, you heard me say we got hoodwinked, the planning board at least by a proposal.

I don't think there's any hoodwinking going on here.

I think everyone is being front and center on what we present on what is being presented.

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

Council Paul.

Mr.

Chair.

Yes, Mr.

Chairman.

Um I do have a letter here or an email here that um quotes the uh department ride and um Mario Carino with the information.

I don't want to get into the figures.

I just know, and I have them here for anybody to peruse 80%, and it could be higher because of other incentives they're looking at.

We are having difficulty, as is the school department having difficulty with the finances right now.

We need additional funding to be able to give our kids the type of education they need.

I've been told that there are some AP classes that they actually can't schedule because they don't have enough kids in a particular class to schedule it.

That's a shame.

There are plenty of kids out there that want to get into automotive in a number of other areas.

Not recently, unfortunately.

And I think that we can do that, but we need the funding to do that.

We need the funding to do that, and this is how we can help provide it.

The total amount that uh I I remember this day because I was shocked.

I think it's a hundred and fifty-four million in principle and interest over 25 years.

What Newport would have to pay out is 79 million of it.

The rest would be paid for by the state.

I have been on the council for 30 years.

We never got more than 25 percent for any improvements we did in any of our schools until Pell.

And it was Joe Eva Gaines who had the uh school committee, and she finally got them to increase it to 35 percent.

They are offering us over 79% now.

You know, we really need to take a good hard look at what is being offered and what we can do for our kids and our residents.

Mr.

Chair, I just have one quick thing to add that I failed to say before.

Beth Cullen, 19 Bayside Avenue School Committee.

Thank you, Sai, for bringing up our recommendation last evening to get that going by September.

Yeah, we also had another recommendation.

But we talked about things that we would like to add.

And one of those things that um Dr.

Power brought up was putting in that at least 51% of the reimbursements would go towards that academic fund that you mentioned in your resolution.

At least 51%.

So that's some place to start talking about how the money will flow back into the schools.

In January, when the session starts, I'm pretty sure with your power and everybody else who has connections with the General Assembly, they will put that bill in.

They will put that the resolution in to re resurrect this.

That's not an issue.

It is said now.

But it won't be hard because we will all ask them to please do that in January.

There is a possibility they will be called into session to clean up some business that they had sometime in September.

Even better.

Yeah.

So I I thought it was important that I get this information out to the public now.

Council Smythe.

Thank you, Chair.

Um there's a section in the current rules of council.

It's item number 21, and it states a resolution to be introduced by a member of the council that might potentially impact city resources and staffing shall be submitted to the city manager for evaluation and a report at the time the resolution is before the council for consideration.

So I'd like to ask the city manager if you have ever received such a report of how staffing and our resources would be impacted by this.

When when resolutions that impact on city staff resources come through the circulation process, the city clerk notifies me.

Uh and at that time um I am always prepared to provide a report.

It's usually a verbal report.

Uh in fact, I had it in my notes here today for invasive plant growth and speed limits in school zones.

If if if I was asked, I was prepared to prepare to provide that report and and indicate the staff's uh support for those measures and ability to support them.

Um I did not uh have that highlighted for regionalization because the resolution has drafted did not call for directly called for staff support.

The amendment now does.

Um and and this is this is a very uh this is a very simple lift for me to contact and communicate with the other governing body um uh with their respective chief administration uh pre chief administrative officers to get the ball rolling on this.

So in that sense, my report is this is easy to support, and we are happy to do so.

Um Mr.

Chair, I I'd like to make a motion once again.

I'll try to continue this until we can get that report to find out what we're dealing with.

Do I have a second?

Second.

And we at the same motion that you voted on just a logistical question, thank you, Chair.

Um if the council is looking at an action that would potentially be in violation of its rules, what is the procedure for bypassing our rules?

Or do we just do it?

Yeah, sorry.

I mean forgive me, but I mean, there's a lot of meetings where you guys do not follow your rules.

I mean, I'm not trying to be flip more like suggestions.

Absolutely.

So procedure would be if someone calls someone calls it out, and you know, at this stage, you guys have been on this for about 45 minutes.

Yeah, yeah.

Um to now have the vote on the uh ruling on the rules whether the council is going to proceed further based on that.

That'll be up to I guess you to decide, but it seemed to be a waste of energy.

Hold on, hold on.

All right, so I'd be a waste of time.

Okay.

Uh uh Council Council Morning, anything else?

All right, I I think everyone has plenty of opportunity to speak.

Um so I'd like to just go ahead and uh call this resolution to vote.

Um so we're gonna go all those in favor for this resolution.

Uh please raise your right hand.

Uh Mr.

Chairman, point of order, please.

Yes.

I I believe that councillor Smythe.

Proposed an amendment.

It was seconded by Councillor Pinnock.

There according to procedure.

There is a proposed amendment before us, which takes precedent over uh the prior underlying resolution.

Uh I was much.

If we uh if we are to vote on the resolution right now, I'll vote it down in order to make a point.

And that point is we vote on the resolution, uh, we vote on the amendment which was properly forwarded and uh properly put forward.

So lictor, if we already we had that motion brought in front of us okay already, and we voted it down.

Can that same for a motion to continue to continue?

Was already voted on correct would have to be a reconsideration.

Excuse me, Mr.

Chairman.

Uh another point of order, please.

The body can make as many motions to amend as the body desires.

The the motion to amend via a continuance for the first time had a distinct explanation.

The second time, as offered by councillor Smythe five minutes ago, has another distinct explanation.

The body can offer as many motions to continue or amendments as it wishes until the body is voted down by a majority.

If you insist on voting for the resolution before voting on councillor smythe's amendment, I will vote no on the resolution.

Let me make that very clear.

So if you would like to kill the underlying resolution, go ahead and take the vote right now.

Thank you for your threat.

Appreciate it.

All right.

Um let's I'll we'll take you, we'll go as it is.

All right.

So we'll vote on the amendment for and please uh councillor Smythe, please reinstate restate your amendment to continue.

Uh the amendment to continue so that the city manager can provide us with the report as to the impact to city resources and staffing.

Mr.

Chair, don't we already have 250,000 dollars allocated for this?

So we're gonna vote on this because this is we're getting way out of control here.

All right, so uh all those in favor of continuing the resolution uh until we get the report uh on impact uh from the manager, raise your right hand.

All those in favor, all those not in favor of continuing, raise your right hand.

Motion fails.

Now I'd like to make a motion to vote for this resolution.

Okay, all right.

All in favor of this resolution, please raise your right hand.

Any opposed, raise your right hand.

Resolution passes by two.

I make a motion to adjourn.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion.

Those in favor say aye.

Aye.