Good evening.

We'll bring the meeting to order.

Madam Clerk, take a roll call, please.

David Carlin.

Lynn Underwood Segley.

Here.

Charlie Holder.

Here.

Side Cam Savorvon.

Here.

Gene Marie Napolitano.

Here.

Ellen Pinock.

Yeah.

Stephanie Smythe.

Here.

There's a quorum present, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

We're going to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance, and I'm going to ask everyone to keep remain standing after we're done, please.

I'm gonna indispellable.

Yes, for all.

A couple moments of silence.

Council Sa.

We lost two great Rhode Islanders this past week that have had an outsized impacts on public service in this community and state.

The first is Arthur Paiva, who is a legendary New Porter.

But among the many notable accomplishments he has is having an absolutely phenomenal daughter, Newport Senator Teresa Piperweed, who would rise to become the state's Senate president.

Second, we lost a good friend in Judge Frank Caprio.

And while his court was defined in the northern part of the state, he set the tenor for forgiveness and mercy and also the goodness that Rhode Island reflects uh across the entire nation and world thanks to the work that he's done in his public service.

Thank you for this moment, silence.

Uh signed up for the citizens form.

Yes.

Uh Whitney, Whitney.

Um, you'll come up when the item comes up.

Okay, thanks.

So we're all set.

Um Mr.

Chair, I'd like to make a motion that we move um the ordinance portion of the docket from uh number 14 through 21 to just after the consent calendar.

Right, we have a motion and second, any discussion.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Um before we get started, uh Council Carlin, do you want to report in for duty?

You see, I'm here.

I know, but you I know you like to uh let the clerk know that you're present.

Okay, Madam.

Thanks for pointing that out.

Um do you have anything to pull from the consent?

Motion to approve the consent calendar in its entirety with the exceptions of number of number one do the ordinances first.

Oh, I thought we were doing it right after the I made a motion after the consent calendar.

Okay, sorry.

Um motion to approve the consent calendar consent calendar with the exception of B1 and E.

Yeah.

Motion and second, any discussion?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Uh Councilwoman uh Pinnock will recuse.

Um motion to approve Fab Newport doing business as 2025 fall secret garden tour, Bellevue Avenue and surrounding area, September 5th through the 7th, 2025, from 10 a.m.

to 4 p.m.

Do I have a second?

Second.

Uh motion and second, any discussion?

Mr.

Chair, Council Smythe.

Uh I believe Fab Newport Steve Heath is here in case anybody has any questions.

Um no questions, any comment you want to make.

It's a great opportunity to show off the gardens and rekindle something that has been around for a long time.

So thank you.

Great.

Steve, thanks so much.

All right, all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Motion uh to approve subject to details being worked out by the administration.

Communication from Bradley Hawkworth uh requesting permission to host a block party on Blackwell Place from Bedloe Avenue to two Blackwell Place on August 31st, 2025, from 9 a.m.

to 9 p.m.

Do I have a second?

Second.

Uh we have a motion and a second.

Is uh is Bradley here?

Please come up to the podium.

Uh Council Smythe, you have a question.

Yeah.

Hi, thank you.

Um, I just have a couple of questions for you.

So you're you're at 38 bedlow.

Are you blocking off that section um from your property to two blackwell, or is it gonna go further into black to the edge of two, the northern edge of two black also our 38 bed low and then two blackwell as well.

Okay, and have you talked to the the neighbors to make sure they're they're good with it?

Yes, ma'am.

Okay.

Um do you see any any kind of impact to traffic or no?

It it's a horseshoe street, so everyone can still continue to traverse.

Okay, excellent.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mr.

Chairman, Donald Strong.

My friend.

No questions.

Uh don't tell anybody this, please.

But I spent 24 good years on Bedloe Avenue.

Great spot.

Fine, fine area.

I know it very well.

Uh let's pretend that uh you didn't hear that.

That's on the third ward council, but I I wish you the greatest luck with this.

What a great idea.

We never did this when I was a kid ever.

Uh on uh the Bedloe Blackwell, uh Blackwell Place, Bedlow Place, Bedloe, Thurston, Harvard, the entire neighborhood that you know well.

Wish you all the best.

I would like to attend.

Thank you.

Please do.

Oh, no, no, I I will appreciate you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

He invited himself to a party.

No.

Okay.

So we're uh going on to ordinances.

Uh we got to oh, sorry.

Do we have a second?

And this is uh just uh reminds this is gonna be uh subject to details uh worked out with the security administration.

All right, uh all is in favor, say aye.

Okay, moving on to ordinances number 14 concerning an impact fee.

Um Mr.

Chair, I am not going to make the motion for this uh as I feel that many of the people who would be the organizations that would be impacted um would be affected by this.

So I if someone else would like to make the motion, fine, but I am going to um defer.

Mr.

Chair, Council Pennett.

Um I do agree with Councillor Segley, but I'm also aware that we have a lot of people here from nonprofits who came to speak.

So can we offer that opportunity anyway?

Uh well somebody else will make a motion first.

Okay.

Then we need a second.

Mr.

Chairman, Council Carlin.

Counselor Pannock is correct.

We need to offer our friends the opportunity since they have taken their time to come here tonight to speak on this matter.

I will for the purposes of that, I will make the motion to bring it before us with the intent of voting against this.

I would ask a second.

Thank you.

Second.

Okay.

Uh we do have a motion and a second.

Um the the reason we that we did push this up is because there is a um a nice crowd here for this uh exactly.

So we didn't want you to have to sit through the rest of our which is usually an exciting council meeting.

So um on that note, uh is there anyone that uh from any organization that wants to come up and speak?

Please just state your name and address when you come up, please.

Deb Lengel, 390 West Main Road, Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

I'm here for Trinity Church.

We run a pumpkin patch that's totally nonprofit.

All monies go out to a lot of it goes into the community that we live in on the island.

Some of it goes to an orphanage in Honduras, but we do really take care of the island.

We've done it for 16 years.

And last year we paid an extra $10 a day.

So it cost me another 20 250 dollars to do the program because that's that's what they started last year.

$2,000 on any of our programs would be detrimental, you know, that price.

So I would hope that you can see that it doesn't help the community and the people at large.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is there anyone else from the public that would like to speak?

Please come on.

Hi, my name is Whitney Clark.

I'm here on behalf of Newport Classical.

I actually live um at 21 Continental Avenue in Middletown that work here at Newport Classical at 42 Dearborn.

Thank you for this opportunity to address this uh hose special event impact fee.

Um I am the director of development and communications for Newport Classical.

And as a nonprofits arts organization, we are already facing significant challenges under the current administration, including reductions in funding from the National Endowment of Arts and in addition to cuts of congressionally appropriated funds to the state granting organizations like Risca and Rhode Island Humanities.

Our budgets for the new fiscal year have already been approved and start September 1st.

Um and they do not account for these fees, which would be an increase at about $4,000 just for the month of July.

Um and absorbing them would be extremely difficult.

Um as we commence our 57th season without support and clarification, we oppose these additional costs as they would directly and negatively impact our ability to continue providing the robust year-round cultural programming the community has come to enjoy and rely upon for years.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I'm the chief operating officer at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Uh we host many events.

I think this proposed fee is short-sighted in the fact that uh we support the city.

Uh we support the services.

We have a wonderful partnership.

We, as the tennis hall of fame, spend over 350,000 in property taxes.

I think it would be silly to go to the hall of fame and to our events that we host that bring in tens of millions of dollars to the city and to the region uh for a small event for you when we pay for for the events that we host.

So I think I appreciate the time and hopefully the proper decision is made.

Mr.

Chairman, excuse me, Council Carlin.

I have questions.

Thank you.

I appreciate your attendance and I appreciate your input.

Uh let us not be confused between organizations like the International Tennis Hall of Fame and for example, St.

Sparedon's Church.

Sure.

Who offers the Greek festival each year?

The Newport St.

Patrick's Day Parade Committee, the Martin Luther King Center.

You're a multimillion dollar organization.

I do not like how our friends in the nonprofit community, not for profit community, who I support, hijacked or were, in my opinion.

Anybody can come back at me or whatever reasons.

How you and your organization, which is a fine organization, which we appreciate, was used in the same category as the aforementioned different categories, completely different categories.

We are a 501 institution.

Completely different categories.

Well, I have you.

Who gave you permission to do that during the last induction ceremony?

The city.

The city gave you permission.

Is that true city manager?

Did you give the International Tennis Hall of Fame permission to block off resident parking spaces or parking spaces, which are for residents and four visitors during a four-day period on Freebody and starting at the corner of uh Bellevue?

If you don't like the questions, I don't particularly care.

I am here for the residents.

Uh you all know that.

Starting at the corner of Bellevue Avenue and Memorial, heading down north or south, depending on how you want to view it, getting to Freebody, and then all the way down Freebody.

Were those signs that I saw, for example, on FreeBuddy at the gates that uh are essentially owned by, if not completely owned by the IT, uh the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Were those signs put up by the city or by the Hall of Fame, which said essentially do not park here or we will tow you?

Who gave permission for that?

When was it approved by the council?

Are you referring to the signs that were up from August 1st through the third?

No.

Okay, because that was for the Jazfest uh exit.

And I know there was some some chat around next door about that.

I don't know the answer to your question that this topic is not on the agenda tonight.

I wasn't I did not come prepared.

Why can't you why don't you know the are you the city manager?

Uh Council Carlin.

Not appropriate.

Are you gonna shut me off?

No, I'm just gonna ask you to just ask you.

So just choose to not talk anymore and to not ask difficult questions.

No, just Council Smythe brought up a uh change to the council rules because of this very reason.

I'll shut up.

You people know what I'm talking about.

You're not in the same category as MLK.

You're not in the same category as the aforementioned.

It's a bit offensive for the council uh to be approached with the same approach.

Uh approached with the same path.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Council Walder?

Council's uh Council Warbone.

This is the uh second hearing on this specific item.

The council has debated this extensively previously to avoid this conversation devolving into a complete fiasco.

Um I'd like to ask we move the question.

Second.

All right, we have a motion second move the question.

Right.

Um so we'll just go all those in favor of the uh passing impact fee.

Mr.

Chairman, point of order.

Council Carlin.

Question before us is to move the question, not the question itself.

Sorry.

To move the question.

Aye.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Post.

Thank you.

On the question itself.

Yeah.

No, motion to approve the you have the motion.

Um I would motion just for the sake of voting that we approve this item.

We have a motion.

Do we have a second?

No second.

So motion dies.

Mr.

Chairman, just another point of order, please.

Yes, Council.

There was already there was no need for Councilor Coms of Orban to do what he just did.

There was already a motion uh on the table by me and a second, I believe by Councillor Pinnock, uh, to bring the question before us.

So we repeated ourselves, Councilor Karms of Arvan.

Thank you.

Okay.

Uh moving on with ordinances.

Um motion to amend section 3.16.060 of the codified ordinances entitled Executive Administrative and Professional Employees, Supervisory Employees, NEA, Council 94 Employees, Police Division and Fire Division for Turnal Order of Police Contract July 1 through June 30, 20.

I'm sorry, July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, and July 1225 to June 30, 2028.

This is a second reading.

Um I move approval.

Second.

All right, motion and second, any discussion.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Motion to amend section 10.20.120 of the codified ordinances entitled parking prohibited in specified areas, unauthorized moving in prohibited areas.

This is a second reading.

Do I have do I have a second?

Second.

We have a motion and second.

Any discussion?

Um just I just want to um okay.

So this is um parking prohibited on uh uh Thame Street, east side beginning 12 feet south of uh South Baptist Street, proceeding a distance 42 uh feet.

Do I there's I had a second okay?

All right, is there any discussion on the council?

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

Council Carlin.

I'll vote for this because it's this it's a necessity and it's uh it comes with the endorsement of the uh fire chief, who I respect.

I respect the police chief as well, of course.

Uh but I I do not think that the underlying, as I mentioned at the last council meeting, uh was done appropriately.

We need to make access, obviously.

Uh in circumstances like this.

And I yield to the professionals.

I just went wish that it was uh the the entire discussion, if you will, including the context of what we are permitting as a planning board and ultimately as a city.

I wish the entire discussion, the entire context was handled differently.

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

Thank you, Councillor.

Uh any other discussion.

All right.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Uh motion to amend section 10.24.010 of codified ordinances, parking prohibited at all times in designated places.

And I've just lost my um my place here.

Sorry.

Uh this would be um add union street, east side.

Do I have a second?

Second.

All right, motion and second, any discussion.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Motion to amend section 24 10.24 point uh zero two zero codified ordinances entitled parking prohibited in certain places during certain hours.

This is a second reading to add Collins Street North Side and be designated police employee parking only 24 hours a day.

And Oak Street South Side be designated police employee parking only for 24 hours a day.

Do I have a second?

Second.

Okay, motion and second.

Any discussion?

Those in favor say aye.

Motion to amend section 10.24.030 of the codified ordinances entitled special parking limits during certain hours on certain streets.

This concerns uh adding Broadway West Side, beginning 16 feet south of Oak Street and proceeding 42 feet south to designated police visitor parking only Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.

to 6 p.m.

Do I have a second?

Second.

All right, motion and second, any discussion.

All those in favor, say aye.

Aye.

I motion to amend section 10.32.110 of the codified ordinances entitled Designated Residential Parking Streets.

This is to add Bush Street.

Um do I have a second?

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Um motion amending 10.44.010 of the codified ordinances entitled multi-way stop sign designated this concerns uh adding Spring Street, Bowery Street, and Young Street.

I move approval.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion?

Mr.

Chairman, Council Carlin.

I will repeat what I said at the last meeting since it's a second reading.

I do wish that the entire neighborhood uh 50% or so by my reading, are concerned about this.

We're allowed to have a some type of a community meeting.

Uh nonetheless, it's before us, and I'll vote for it.

Uh quick question for the administration.

What's the time frame?

Should this pass tonight of getting this installed?

I would have to get back to you, unless uh is Mr.

Riccio here.

I'll get back to you.

It it won't be long.

There's uh uh typically takes two to three weeks to do the engineering, get the line painting set up and and get the advisement out from the traffic unit of the police department to put some signs up to make people aware of any other discussion?

No, I'm sorry, uh before that I forgot.

Sergeant Head is here, you can speak to that as the uh chairman of the ITC.

All right, thank you.

Uh Sergeant Head, uh ITC chair, traffic supervisor.

I um we just went out there to survey today and talked with um uh Tim Sullivan for the public works.

He said as soon as he gets the signed form uh for the ordinance change, he already has dig safe there.

Uh he's just gotta get his equipment there.

So by the beginning of next week, uh the stop sign will be in.

He can put the stop bar in the white line and uh it's gonna be two stop signs on each side, so it's well posted, along with do not enter.

Um all right.

Um one thing I I was uh kind of thinking about because I do traverse that intersection all the time.

We should or can we put some sort of electronic signage down the road just to get everyone aware of that?

Hey, there's a stop sign coming up now.

As yes, mayor, as part of the uh advert uh broadcast of it.

I have planned a VMS trailer to notify that stop sign uh along with uh social media.

Uh we'll put out uh to uh video of this uh to the uh public to notify them as well.

All right, great.

Thank you so much.

Any other questions?

All right, uh all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Moving on to licenses and permits motion to approve a petty cab business license renewal.

Andrew Crone doing business as petty power petty cabs LLC, six petty cabs valid, May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2028.

Do we have a second?

Second.

Okay, motion and second, any discussion?

All those 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.

Aye.

Motion to approve the consent calendar in its entirety.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion?

All in favor, say aye.

Aye.

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

Okay, motion second.

Any discussion?

All those in favor, say aye.

Aye.

Okay, communications from the city manager.

Action item 6486.

Uh, the Department of Resilience and Sustainability recommends approval of a service agreement between the city of Newport and Black Earth Compost in an amount not to exceed 499,220 to support a two-year residential curbside composting program for up to 1,500 households.

This service contract will be supported through a 475,000 dollar grant award from 11th hour racing and a 30,000 match from the city's approved uh capital improvement plan of fiscal year 2026.

Uh, I move approval.

Okay.

We have motion and second, any discussion.

Chairman, Council Carlin.

Thank you.

Uh for the manager, please.

Uh, will current users of uh uh Black Earth's services, those who participate already?

I have a number of constituents who do participate, including one great constituent who brought this to my attention, and I thank her.

Uh will they be included or recruited, if you will, uh to I see director creen is here, so uh perhaps I should address my question to uh the director.

Thank you for being here.

Will the current users uh of the services, uh Black Earth's specifically services be included in the target of the 1500 residents citywide uh who we recruit or who Black Earth and the City in participation together, uh recruit to be a part of this.

1500 is a is a lofty goal.

I uh admire what Black Earth and the City are using as its goal, that 1500.

But um, as I said, also a bit concerned not to leave uh those who are already participating out of the process, very specifically as well, because those individuals can help to meet that number.

Absolutely thank you.

Theresa Kreen, director of resilient and sustainability.

Thank you so much for the question.

Um, all 350-ish current subscribers to Black Earth Compost in the city of Newport are going to be included in that 1500 as early adopters.

They will be given the option of gifting their subscription if they choose to continue paying for the service that they've already subscribed to as early adopters.

They can choose to gift their subscription to someone else if they want to stay a pay as a paying customer, but they will be offered the free service out of the gate.

Thank you, Director.

You're welcome.

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

Thank you.

That's great to hear.

Any other questions?

Okay.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Okay.

I'll ask you later.

Sorry.

Thank you.

It's too slow.

Okay.

Uh, motion.

Uh, the Harbor Department recommends awarding a contract to NW Bend Boats LLC doing business as North River Boats of Roseburg, Oregon, for the purpose of the design and build of a new Harbor Master Patrol vessel uh in the not to exceed amount of 400 453,646 and 11 cents.

Um, I just want to also mention that the Harbor Department uh currently allocated um $300,000 in CP CIP funds for this project and will budget accordingly in the next fiscal year for the remainder of the necessary funds.

The lead time associated with building a vessel for this caliber is expected to be about 18 months.

Uh, do I have a second?

Second.

We have a motion and a second, and then uh before we get into discussion, I'll call up Harbor Master Land since Stephen Land, Newport Harbormaster.

Um, so we are very excited about uh building and receiving this new vessel.

I've been talking about this for a few years, saving the CIP.

Um, this is basically what we're looking at right here.

Um what we're gonna be replacing is a 2006 23 foot safe boat.

Uh the major differences is this has a small cabin, it is run with a diesel instead of outboards, and the propulsion is jet instead of outboards.

And what is superior about this boat is first the power plant, the diesel, it is meant to run 24 hours a day without any hiccups.

It loves that.

That's what it's designed to do.

The outboards that we're using to do in rescues, it is not designed to.

They are just regular uh non-professional outboards that we have.

We had one explode this summer.

Uh, it was hard to replace the powerhead.

Um, this is designed for the use that we're doing.

The jet propulsion is really neat.

Um, it actually sucks water in and shoots it out high velocity.

There is no gear in the water.

So if we pull up to someone, there is no chance of us chopping them up or chopping the boat up or getting ropes cotton in the props or any of that.

The maneuverability of this is unbelievable.

Uh we can turn within its own radius.

We can tow up to 120 foot boats.

I am very familiar with this vessel.

I drove one for 12 years out on Block Island.

Um, we are going to be replacing the oldest of the uh safe boats, the 2006.

We have been replacing the engines as they as they go.

It's about every three and a half to four years.

We have to replace the Yamaha 200s.

What I'd like to do is donate that vessel to the police department.

I've been working with Chief Duffy, and we can start developing a police program on the water.

Um it'll stay in my fleet.

We're very good at maintaining boats.

We're very good at storing boats.

So it'll stay maintained and stored by us, but that is what I'd like to do is work on that and start developing that uh police marine program.

Um, I think it's a really good idea.

We could definitely use the presence.

Uh any questions?

Yes, Council Carlin.

Aaron, thank you.

Appreciate you being here, Harbor Master.

Sure.

Uh, you use a lot of fancy words, really neat.

Really neat.

Unbelievable.

Fantastic.

But what I want the council members, my colleagues to understand, and the voters of the city of Newport, the taxpayers of the city of Newport to understand is uh this is essentially a Christmas wish list item from my point of view.

Uh you're asking for a half a million dollar boat, half a million dollar boat.

And many may say, well, don't worry, Dave.

This money comes from a reserve fund.

It comes from uh a separate fund from the city's budget from the taxpayers and their obligations.

That's not entirely true.

Uh an enterprise fund is such an enterprise fund with an enterprise with a goal.

However, uh, the more you spend via an enterprise fund, the less you can spend via other city needs.

The less you spend via an enterprise fund, albeit enterprise fund spending is necessary, but a half a million dollar boat.

Harbormaster land, half a million dollar boat seems to me uh as if we are asking the city residents, or we're not even asking them, we're telling them.

Look, this is gonna be really neat, as you said, for us.

This is gonna be unbelievable for us.

We have raised taxes via both enterprise funds and the budget, which was passed by the council to almost the maximum degree possible.

We have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional newly created for additional newly created positions.

I'm not sure when we're gonna stop this type of what I would call uh I'm not gonna call it irresponsible funding, but I'm gonna call it not the best funding decisions.

Surely there are boats that can achieve what we would like to accomplish here for less than a half million dollars.

I'm aware of several boats provided by private enterprise on Newport Harbor that are perhaps decades old, who provide services similar to what you are telling the council is necessary.

I'm also quite aware, of course, of the fact that uh one of my constituents, some years ago, provided a very generous hundreds of thousands of dollar dollars donation uh to the city for a fire rescue boat, which I believe is still in use, which I know is still in use, uh, and which I am I hope uh confident running very finely.

We also have the Coast Guard hundreds of yards away from uh where your current and future Harbormaster headquarters is.

We can do better.

And that's it for me.

Thank you.

I'm going to vote no against this irresponsible spending.

And I just used the word that I said I wouldn't, but this is the taxpayers' money.

Let's do better.

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

Thank you.

Mr.

Chair.

Uh Council Smith.

Um, Harbor Master, can you tell us over the long haul, 10, 20 years from now, how how much money this would save us to get a more want to say advanced type of model versus what we've been using if we're constantly having to replace the motors?

Sure.

That's a that's a great question.

It's uh it's it's twofold.

With the engines that we have now, we're replacing them every three to four years.

You're looking at a hundred thousand dollars every time we do it.

We have two boats that are running.

Um the Coast Guard is not running.

They actually Castle Hill shut down this summer.

I'm sure you're all aware of that.

They did open up for the month of August.

They are not sure about the month of September.

This is not just a neat boat.

This provides a it's a tool that I use to make the Newport waters safe for all of our visitors and our taxpayers.

Um, it is an absolute vital piece of equipment that I need to run the harbor.

Um, and so it's is a 450,000 boat expensive?

Absolutely not.

Uh the safe boats that we are running now were almost the same price, and we have to constantly maintain these.

And we need to provide the safety services.

Mr.

Chair.

It does, yes.

Thank you.

Councilor Segley, I think you said earlier there was already 300,000 allocated from the CIP.

That yes, and that's from the maritime fund, right?

The maritime fund is a separate fund.

We are self-supporting.

We get all of our funding from the um our permit fees and our cruise ship fees.

Um and we're doing well.

We are going to be using the self-funding to not only buy equipment like this, but our next uh I know uh item on the agenda, the Pratty Park build.

Um, using this, we will actually provide a safer harbor.

We'll have more boats coming.

We can we can this is a good tool to use to move forward.

So it's the 150,000.

You said it was 450,000.

Yeah, it's uh total of 453,000.

Yeah.

And it's why we're doing this now.

We're at a minimum 18 months to build.

We're not in the queue until I sign this contract.

So we need to get the contract signed and the first payment to the North River Company, so we can start the design of this boat.

Um, it's gonna look very similar to this.

The only thing we have not chose yet is the color scheme and the name.

Um, so we're we're excited about this.

I've gone over all the details with the companies.

I like pink.

Um Mr.

Chairman.

So the other 153,646 will also come from the maritime fund for the following.

For next year's fund.

Right.

Yeah, we've been averaging between four and five hundred thousand dollars a year in CIP projects funded by the maritime fund.

So we are doing very well.

This year, we have uh a pretty good boost in that maritime fund with the cruise ship fees going up January 1st.

So um we are I expecting this to be not a problem whatsoever.

Um the sum of the specs on this boat, which is you know, so you guys know what you're talking about.

Boat averages about 36 knots at full speed, is not a high-speed vessel.

36 knots is not fast, but I can stop it on a dime, literally.

Um we can maneuver in both deep and shallow water.

Um the renewability of of getting on a big boat and towing it out of harm's way is absolutely essential.

With one line, I can move 120-footer with this, and it happens all the time.

We had one, we've all the time, and that's pretty much my bread and butters is towing boats around the harbor.

Um, this will also support when we do have other agencies on my boat, which I do have.

It's got a great working platform.

So there's there's a lot of it's not just a neat toy, but this is a huge upgrade in what we have running the harbor.

Mr.

Chair, Segly.

This um conversation reminds me of the controversy we had over the fire boat some years ago.

And uh that did come from a grant, I understand, and then there was um some donation as well.

But our harbor is very busy, it's like a whole other world out there, and we need to have the best equipment that we can have in order to keep it safe.

Uh I'm not a boater.

Uh I don't know how much boat to cost.

I feel I have to rely on you as a subject matter expert on this.

And if you're telling me that this is what you need, then this is what I'm going to vote for.

Um I don't think anyone now is complaining about the fire boat.

No.

And um that has actually rescued um many people and actually was instrumental in the fire and on Black Island and putting out the fire on Black Island.

So, you know, we also have issues with the bridge.

I don't really want to say, and so we, you know, we're we're I think we're in need of this.

So thank you.

Mr.

Chairman, Council Grollman.

Thank you, Councilor Segley.

Uh certainly nobody is complaining about the fireboat.

Uh and the fireboat, as I mentioned earlier, was paid for substantially uh by a uh private donor who happens to live in the third ward.

Uh and has for many many years.

Uh secondly, just a clarification.

You had mentioned earlier that uh whatever it might be, the boat, the boats are gonna go back in your fleet.

It's not your fleet, it's the city, cities fleet, correct.

It's the taxpayers fleet.

Um last.

If the council tomorrow, next week, next month, decided that uh certain funds that are designated for uh the maritime fund uh would be shifted instead.

For example, our very successful legislative push enacted to require additional payments from cruise ships for coming into and leaving Newport.

If the council decided that those funds would be more appropriate in the general fund of the city of Newport, we could do so in a moment.

Uh or we could do so on behalf of the residents of the city of Newport in a moment.

There is no restriction that we are kind of alluding here, alluding to here with respect to uh maritime funding or the maritime fund.

It's a decision of policymakers as to what the money will ultimately be used for.

So when we send revenue to the maritime fund, we are potentially taking it away from uh lowering the cost of doing business elsewhere in the city of Newport.

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

Council's Council Council Volume.

Mr.

Chairman Clari on this.

Uh my colleague is absolutely right that the city council is the governing body has the authority to change a fund from being an enterprise fund to being part of the general funds.

The unique thing that should not be lost here from a policymaker's perspective is that the maritime fund is funded by fees, not by taxes.

And the ability to segregate fees into a separate standalone fund helps strengthen the argument that the monies collected are to directly offset the expense of operating that enterprise, in this instance, helping to run our harbor.

If you unrestrict those funds and you put them back into the general funds, which is wholly within our legal right to do administratively, what we're doing is weakening the case that we make if a fee is ever challenged because somebody says this isn't a fee designed to help offset the expenses of the types of assets we need to manage the harbor.

This is a secret tax.

And when you look at the fees being charged in Newport, when you look at the expense of operating that harbor, and you look at the fact that our finance office and prior administrations have very intelligently designated this as an enterprise fund.

While we may be within our legislative authority, it would be very poor policy making to make that shift because it would expose the city to a risk in the future of the ability to continue charging these fees that help fund these initiatives.

So I do want to clarify acknowledge my colleague is correct in his authority interpretation, but to lay out a warning out there, should this be considered in the future, that this type of fund design helps strengthen the policy argument we need from a legal perspective to be able to charge the fees we do to make sure that taxpayers aren't carrying the burden of these expenses, but those who are actually coming in and using these services.

Since I was referenced, your colleague did not suggest turning the enterprise fund into uh a general revenue or if you will, non-enterprise fund revenue source.

In other words, your colleague did not suggest your colleague being me shifting the money that is appropriated, or shifting the actual existence, I should say, of the enterprise fund in this case, the maritime fund to the general budget, to the general fund.

Your colleague suggested, I suggested that the council has the authority to dictate certain revenue will be placed in certain buckets.

One such bucket is the maritime fund, another such bucket is uh the budget that we operate under, currently fiscal year 26.

So I want that clarification to be as clear as possible.

I did not suggest eliminating the maritime fund as Councillor Kamzavarovank suggested, I suggested.

I suggested that, and it's not a suggestion, it's a fact that we have the right as a council to dictate where funds go.

Also, uh, in terms of secret taxes, no such thing.

Uh the council does everything from an open as open and as transparent uh a perspective as possible.

Um, the city council by a five to two vote recently voted to increase, including councillor Kamzavarovan, uh to increase our taxes uh to almost the full degree possible.

So secret taxes do not exist.

Everything is transparent.

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

Thank you.

Can I can I just jump on something that Dave said, and I I think I was getting your point.

The maritime fund is unique fund.

My next item on the agenda is to rebuild build karate park.

And those funds are going to be for the maritime fund, used for the entire city.

It's not just for the boaters.

I mean, this this is yes, granted, it's going to be basically for people on the water and shoreline and public access.

But parody park, that is at use by everybody and reusing the maritime fund to fund this massive rebuild.

One of the biggest since I've been here.

I've only been here five years that I've seen being done.

Um, so I do appreciate what Dave was saying.

And I do understand, I think the point that he was trying to make is that working together using you know our our collective moving forward, we can accomplish amazing rebuilds like we're about to do.

And you know, the maritime fund is a unique fund.

I I completely understand.

Um, but I want to make sure that he his point is a good one.

And I don't want it to get lost because the next thing on the agenda is a big one, and we're using the maritime fund to fund it.

And uh it's not coming out of the tax bears.

Councilman Paul Tano.

Um I'd like to thank you, uh Councillor Carlin for pointing it out.

Whoops.

I never think um, I also believe that the maritime we call it the maritime fund, but we're having problems with water and resiliency, and I do see some of these uh funding of this particular entity to go toward making sure that neighborhoods are safe from from the water, and uh it's not only about the harbor, it's about the entire all the beaches that we control.

Um, there's a lot of different places where that money can be utilized, and uh, you know, and um I think uh I'm very glad that we got the increase in the um uh fees from the cruise ship uh because we were among the lowest in the United States, and yet we have a demand for people to come here and to experience Newport.

So I think that's a good um way of utilizing this money to make sure that our harbor and our boats and the people that are here on their boats are safe and we have people to utilize um the different uh areas and be able to feel that they're protected in Newport.

So you know, I I think it's a good use.

Mr.

Chair, uh Council.

I might just want to mention that the Maritime Fund also takes care of the restoration of Bellevue Avenue.

Yep.

I forget about that fee.

Yeah, that's right.

100,000.

Here's its ugly head.

Um Harbor Messland, a couple questions.

Um, first at 453,000 is probably still one of the cheapest boats in the harbor.

Yes, I can spend 10 times that in our I mean, not even thinking I can spend 10 times that.

So quick question for you though.

What what's the what's the expected lifespan of this boat?

I would say at least 25 years.

We maintain our equipment meticulously.

Um the one that I was using out on Block Island is probably going on in close to 30.

Um they with main with maintenance, these boats last forever.

They're metal, it's aluminum.

Um the engines will have to be replaced, all engines wear out like everything.

The diesel, you can easily get 15,000 hours with an outboard, you're looking at five.

Um, so it's just a much longer lifespan.

Um, the changing of oil is much longer.

Um, all the filters are much longer.

It's it's it's just it's meant to do what we do.

This boat is designed to do it.

And is there any other special training that uh uh anyone in the uh Harbor Master's office would have to do to drive one of these?

Absolutely.

Uh jet boats are very different than a regular center console boat, and um they have to be trained on that.

And does that train come from myself?

Uh I've been driven driving jet boats for uh a long time.

My personal boat's a jet boat.

It's uh once you know how to do it, it's it's really quite unique.

Um you can do things with this boat you can't do with any other type of boat.

Uh they don't move move like uh you know, regular conventional boats to the water.

Any other questions?

All right.

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

All is opposed.

Six one.

Thank you.

Thank you.

You might as well stay there.

Action item 6488.

Uh the Harbor Master recommends approval of a supplemental agreement with GZA, Geoenvironmental Incorporated of Providence, Rhode Island to provide construction management professional services for the Parate Park Bulkhead Seawall Project uh in a not to exceed amount of $644,215.

In accordance with the contract term of agreement in Section X supplemental agreements, the term of agreement in section three of the contract will be extended to June 30, 2028.

The anticipated completion of the new Harbor Master Building construction project.

This is currently budgeted.

I move approval.

Motion of second any discussion.

Mr.

Chairman.

Council Crawlin.

Once again, my concerns are budgetary.

We have not uh question for the city manager, please, Mr.

Chairman.

Uh have we gone to bond?

Have we gone to the market with regard to the approved bond from 2024?

We are anticipating our first uh sale of bonds in January of 2026.

Okay.

Did you tell that to the council already?

Yes, it's been mentioned that.

Okay, so this before us uh requires uh some almost 800,000.

Uh so are we proposing to spend this money prior to going to the market with the bond?

That's that yes.

Where are we getting this money from?

This is if there is sufficient cash flow to cover and the bond uh so why did we raise taxes on the people if we have sufficient cash flow to cover $800,000 uh before we go to the market with the bond?

I mean, it I hope my my colleagues in the city residents see what we are doing here.

I mean, you would never handle your personal pocketbooks this way.

Mr.

Chairman, I'm voting no on this.

This is absurd.

Any other questions?

All right.

Uh so take us to vote.

So all those in favor uh of this contract or amended contract, uh raise your right hand.

Those opposed.

Six one.

Thank you.

Action item 6489.

The council's consideration of the attached petition is requested.

Staff has reviewed the petition uh and have not identified any issues with a new poll position.

The attaches a position petition from Rhode Island Energy to install a new pole and anchor required for an electric service upgrade requested by the owners of 519 Bellevue Avenue in order to provide a three-phase power for underground service.

The existing service location is not adequate for the power requirements.

Um I move approval.

Second.

Motion and second.

Any discussion?

Mr.

Chairman.

Council Rowland.

Manager, is this a private uh entity request, a resident request, a business or a resident who's requesting police beside Rhode Island Energy?

This is a this is a private residence.

Okay.

Uh the individual lives at 519 Bellevue Avenue.

Uh it's in Wendy.

Nope.

Uh you please don't release any names unless it's public.

Does the individual live at live at 519 Bellevue Avenue?

Who is making the request of the city to make the request of Rhode Island Energy?

The property owner, I don't know.

Do they live here seven months and one day of the year or are they I don't know the answer?

Did uh Mr.

Chair, did you mention uh in the pre-meeting that this was for a um charging station for a that's correct?

The installation of a charting station for an electric vehicle.

I just I just don't know if the property owner is uh is a permanent resident at that at that address.

This is a Rhode Island energy request uh uh to the city.

And and I I would note that in when these requests come through.

Uh they are vetted by engineering the police department of the fire department prior to uh prior to bringing before uh board council.

Thank you, Deputy Manager uh Carulo.

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

Uh I'm sure they are well vetted.

Uh question for the city clerk through the uh to the chairman, please.

Is there any responsibility on the city's part to notify a butters regarding what is before us tonight?

I say so with the context that the manager is very well aware of and that the uh deputy manager is very well aware of, and that the city solicitor is very well aware of on Cornet Street.

We had a very serious problem with respect to uh oh, well, we had a concern, very serious concern uh uh from residents of Corney Street who found uh a similar situation arise on Cornet Street, proposed by Rhode Island Energy with Verizon and from the point of view of the residents of Cornet Street and others.

uh uh uh from residents of cornet street who found uh a similar situation arise on cornea street proposed by rhode island energy with verizon and from the point of view of the residents of cornet stream others it was uh a it was not number one visually attractive to a neighborhood which is visually attractive uh and which neighbors and others have put countless amounts of money into making sure it remains visually attractive but also was done without any notification uh to the neighbors i'm not going to vote for something that we have not effectively notified the surrounding the abutters of uh especially as it relates to uh what i just described in the track record that the city knows well of with regard to rhode island energy thank you mr chairman i wish i had more detail uh for you uh because it's in part not fair to me or not fair of me to bring up the cornet street issue but i did the best i could considering open meetings act and what i'm limited in sharing with you all but the city is very well aware of concerns of neighbors regarding activities by rhode island energy and i have the same concerns before us this evening for this item thank you mr chairman mr chair i'm just curious mr carlin was that a resident request on cornet street do you know no i perhaps i did not uh uh make myself clear enough the residents were not informed at all so there wasn't a resident this is a resident request so no no no what let me back up and okay and answer your question yeah perhaps I was not clear enough residents of Cornet Street who have lived there for years suddenly found a Rhode Island energy slash verizon placed instrument in the middle of a historic district which they had no notice of they did not ask on Cornet Street to have despite of course being residents or I shouldn't say despite being resident their residents they did not ask for that to appear on Cornet Street uh but yet it did uh so my concern is are the abutters of 519 Bellevue being given proper notice to what we are about to vote on uh notwithstanding whether my my question earlier to the deputy or to the city is whether this is a full-time resident but that really doesn't make too much of a difference my main concern is are the abutters to 519 Bellevue uh aware of what's happening did we give them appropriate notice like was not given to the residents of Cornet.

Nobody asked for it on Cornet apparently one resident is asking for it on Bellevue where the abutters again given notice thank you Mr.

Chairman thank you.

Uh or manage one of the city managers is this is just a utility poll right is there anything different besides a utility poll and then the power lines running from the poll to the residents there's nothing different uh it's it's a I look at the diagram it's a midpoint poll I believe well it's a it's yeah it's a private pole that's about a hundred and eight feet to the east of an existing pole uh to service 519 belt the standard poll so I asked that because as counselor Carlin pointed out the the situation on Cornet Street it was not just a poll but a a large box attached to a pole that correct that was a five very much see where if I was a resident I'd I would be a little dismayed as well but this is just your a normal utility poll like that's already on the street okay one last question if I might Mr.

Chairman thank you uh city manager Kennedy you are very specifically for the record this evening recommending this this be approved correct yes the soon to recommend approval thank you very much any other questions discussion you know I'm not gonna have to agree you know are there neighbors that have been contacted it you know it's been a while since they have requested to put a poll someplace and even every neighborhood the neighbors are contacted um I'm I'm not sure can we um we hold this till the next meeting and and ask I mean go ahead you can ask Rhode Island energy to come in um it's their petition before the council so the the authority here is that they're they're going to the city first seeking permission because it's right right away in the end they can always if you denied it they can always go to the PUC which has superior jurisdiction can override um what the city council does here and just to go back I think uh council collin is correct uh

So the authority here is that they're they're going to the city first, seeking permission because it's right away.

In the end, they can always, if you denied it, they can always go to the PUC, which has superior jurisdiction can override um what the city council does here.

And just to go back, I think uh council collin is correct.

Uh on a poll that an existing poll, there was a certain telecommunications uh device that was put up there not by Rhode Island Energy.

They Rhode Island Energy had to allow it uh under existing federal law.

So there is that, but what I read the petition.

It doesn't seem uh for that purpose at all.

It's the uh need for the the residents to have a certain amount of power or uh thought to their um the to the premises.

But if you don't feel comfortable, just ask Rhode Island Energy to come in and explain um what's going on.

Mr.

Chair, yeah, Council Company.

Motion to continue so we can get additional information and so neighbors can be afforded adequate notice as suggested by Councillor Carlin.

Second.

All right, motion and second to continue.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Ayes have it.

Action item 6490.

Uh the council's consideration of the attached petitions is requested.

Staff have reviewed the petitions and have not identified any issues with new poll locations attached to three petitions from Rhode Island Energy Verizon for installation of new polls on old beach road, new mid-span poll, hillside avenue, new pole, and anchor to replace existing tree guy wire support due to plan tree removal and Lawrence Avenue new poll to install pole mounted switch required to shift load to accommodate new load of salve dormitory building being constructed at 51 Shepherd Avenue.

I move approval.

Second.

We have a motion and second.

Any discussion?

Mr.

Chairman.

Council Crown.

The first uh two old beach and Hillside Avenue.

Uh I yield to my colleagues who represent those uh those areas.

And to the at-large colleagues.

Essentially everybody but me.

But I do represent Lawrence, and for the reasons mentioned above, I would ask for a continuance and I seek a second.

Second.

We have a motion and second for continuance.

Any discussion?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

I have it.

Uh the next uh action item 6491.

I make a motion to withdraw.

Second.

Motion and second to withdraw.

Any discussion?

Um city manager, any other details you want to give while this is being withdrawn?

Yes, uh, thank you.

I appreciate the council's consideration.

Uh the request to withdraw is uh so that there are there are some language inconsistencies that were noticed uh prior post publication, but prior to this meeting.

They're very minor in nature, but we would like to get those cleared up and have an accurate um ordinance uh revision in front of you.

So for that reason, we respectfully request a withdrawal and we will repost that for the next meeting.

Thank you.

Uh any discussion on the panel.

All right.

All those in favor say aye.

Action item 6492.

Uh, the police department requests approval of the renewal of software licensure for gray key extraction software, gray keys license and magnet axian essentials for the police department.

This proprietary software allows the police department to extract information from portable communication devices.

Licensure will be renewed using the magnet uh forensics quote Q369413-1 with a price not to exceed 18,104.

This is currently budgeted.

I move approval.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion.

All those in favor say aye.

Action item 6494.

The staff recommends that the city council authorize the city manager to accept grant funding from the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, Ocean State Climate Adaptation and Resilience Fund, and to award a new contract to Fuss and O'Neill for the installation of a developed design for the marsh restoring marsh habitat and public green spaces at Southeastern Pond Project and to execute any supporting documents.

I move approval.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion.

All in favor say aye.

No.

I'm sorry.

Uh Madam Vice Chair, before we continue, I believe uh item number 10 was inadvertently skip.

I'm sorry.

Item number 10.

Action item 6493 was inadvertently.

Oh, 6493.

Move passage.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I got it.

Okay.

Uh the police department recommends renewal of no.

Oh, there's another one.

I'm sorry.

The police department recommends renewal of a one-year software license extension with System Works LLC doing business as police DDTs, a um mobile application and web portal that allows for the automated scheduling of police department staffing, attendance vendor detail requests, which integrates the city's electronic payroll system for the term of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.

This is currently budgeted.

Move passage.

Thank you.

Motion of second all those in favor say aye.

Okay.

Uh action item 6494.

The staff recommends the city council authorizes city manager to accept grant funding from the Rhode Island Infrastructure.

Madam Vice Chair, point of order.

We just voted on that.

It was approved six to one.

Did we vote on it?

Oh, we did.

Oh, okay.

Now I'm confused.

All right.

Thank you.

Are we on 6495 now?

Yep.

Yeah.

Thank you.

The Department of Utilities recommends approval of amendment number five to contract number 19-010 with Kleinfelder Northeast incorporated to increase the construction administration tasks nine through 11 allowance by 100,000.

This increase is required to provide continued consultant oversight through the extended construction period for the Long Wharf Pump Station Improvements Project.

The revised not to exceed contract will be 2,462,107 and 67 cents.

Funding will be provided from the water pollution control capital improvement program.

This is currently budgeted.

I move approval.

Second.

Motion and second.

Any discussion.

All is in favor say aye.

The City of Newport, you Department of Utilities recommends approval of amendment number 11 with Jacobs Engineering Group for phase nine of the project in the amount of $1,200,000 to continue CSO plan work, meet um consent decree requirements and advance an integrated wastewater and stormwater approach that a lot I'm sorry that follows EPA and Rhode Island guidelines, improves water quality, and supports long-term community resilience.

I move approval.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion.

All in favor say aye.

Next we're on resolutions.

Councillor Smythe.

Thank you.

Whereas the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, RIDOT submitted the first preliminary landscape plan for the Pell Bridge realignment in November 2021 to the City of Newport.

And whereas phases one and two along with the rotary plans have not been executed since the submittal of the plan in 2021.

And a requested memo of understanding MOU has not been received by the City of Newport.

Now therefore, be it resolved that the Newport City Council hereby directs the city manager to formally request a meeting with RIDOT to discuss the status of phases one and two along with the rotary plans and the requested MOU.

And be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be sent to the members of the state legislator.

I move approval.

Second.

Second.

Motion and second.

Any discussion?

Mr.

Chair.

Council Smith.

Hi, good evening.

More in Cronin 10 Harvard Street.

On behalf of the Treaty and Open Space Commission, I really do want to thank Councilor Smythe, Councillor Camp Swarovar, and Pinnock for getting together and talking to us and deciding to take this action.

We really don't see another way.

And as we all know, because we drive in and out of town over the bridge, all we've got now is what we've got now.

So unless we get an explanation as to why the plans that were presented by them promised to be delivered by them with a budget that they had come to fruition.

We need an explanation as to what's going to happen.

So thank you.

Mr.

Chair.

Council Seglum.

I know that have you spoken to Lauren Carson about this.

Yes, I have.

I've spoken with I spoken with Lauren, and she has assured me that if this resolution passed this evening, she will take it in hand and she will walk it around to all of our state legislature.

And she will also make inquiries as to where the funding is right now because it was a granted project.

And um what the next steps would be.

Yes.

Thank you.

Mr.

Chair.

Council Councilor O'Penick.

I just wanted to say thank you, Maureen, and to the tree and open space commission for um bringing these concerns forward because um, you know, lots of promises, but we really do need to make sure that what we're told is going to happen in our community, regardless of where it is, is happening.

So I think that's a good question.

It is absolutely our privilege to be able to ask as an advisor and follow up on that.

We've had the last couple of years to do it, so thank you for taking it forward.

As I told the councillor this night the other night, I said we got you the ball and run it down the court.

Thank you for your advocacy.

Thank you.

Any uh further questions?

All right, all those in favor, say aye.

Aye.

Motion to adjourn.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion.

All those in favor, say aye.

Aye.