OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Newport City Council Meeting - September 16, 2025

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, September 16, 2025
BodyNewport, Rhode Island
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, September 16, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:37:06

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Welcome to the North End, Ellen.

0:04

Thanks for hospitality.

0:10

Madam Clerk, want to do the roll call, please?

0:13

David Carlin.

0:15

Lynn Underwood Sagley.

0:17

Charlie Holder.

0:18

Here.

0:18

Side Camps of Oravong.

0:20

Jean Marie Napolitano.

0:22

Ellen Pinnock.

0:23

Stephanie Smythe.

0:24

Here.

0:25

There is a quorum present, Mr.

0:26

Chair.

0:27

Thank you.

0:27

We stand for Pledge of Allegiance.

0:52

Madam Clerk, anyone here for the Citizens Forum?

0:55

Yes, Paul Donovan.

1:04

Good evening.

1:05

I'll just say your name and address for us, please.

1:08

I'm here tonight to address the 525 Broadway LLC Planning Board decision.

1:14

Just do me a favor to state your name and address for the record.

1:17

Paul Donovan, 530 Broadway, Newport.

1:23

Good.

1:23

Okay.

1:24

And if I might, I would like to present my written statement.

1:28

Sure.

1:28

I would make a motion to receive.

1:31

Motion and second.

1:32

Any discussion?

1:33

All those in favor say aye.

1:35

Aye.

1:53

Thank you.

1:58

Would you like to read it?

2:01

I can I can read it or I can just respond to it if you want to review it, whatever you prefer.

2:08

Do you want to just highlight any notes that you have that you wanted to discuss?

2:13

All of my thoughts on the situation taking place with the planning board procedures.

2:20

Well, I since this is public comment, I think you should read at least some of the paragraphs that members of the council.

2:32

I would like to formally request that the Newport City Council review the decisions made by the Planning Board on September 8, 2025 regarding variances in special use permits for the 525 Broadway LLC project.

2:48

Most Newport residents have stated they do not oppose the workforce housing at this location, but we were mostly ignored when objecting to this unsafe conditions this commercial complex will create as presented.

3:02

The architect testified that tenants would mainly walk, take buses, or ride bikes and scooters, while at the same time the traffic engineer stated he determined this complex will create an additional 1,800 vehicle trips per week entering and exiting this very busy section of Broadway.

3:22

The planning board instructed the developer to make a reasonable effort to provide additional parking.

3:29

This was a mere suggestion and not a firm requirement for receiving any variance.

3:35

If any of the 38 units have more than one vehicle or have guests, the allotted 41 parking spaces of the 76 that should be required will fall short and send vehicles across Broadway to take the already scarce parking spaces in the neighborhood.

3:54

If this happens, the risk of someone getting hit by a vehicle while walking back across this busy section of Broadway, especially after dusk, should be extremely concerning to everyone.

4:07

Before any variances or special use permits are granted, it should be mandatory that the developer provides at least 48 guaranteed on-site permanent parking spaces.

4:19

The developer suggested that he will provide five spaces at his Calvert property located a mile away, which the chair of the board described as laughable, and I agree.

4:40

Current zoning laws only allowed 13 units on this property if a uh variance is granted to allow medium density multifamily housing in this R10 area as suggested by the comprehensive land use plan.

4:58

That's the main subject.

5:00

And just I'm going to just throw the secondary subject in, was how we were treated by the planning board, which I consider and myself all this very disrespectful.

5:10

The planning board did not provide Newport residents with adequate time to comment on either of the two applications submitted by the 525 Broadway project.

5:20

It seemed intentional.

5:22

The application information was not posted on the city website until the Thursday prior to both of the meetings that were held.

5:30

If residents wanted their comments into entered into the record and read at the meeting, they were required to be submitted no later than 4 p.m.

5:38

on the Wednesday before the information was even posted.

5:42

On the first application, which also involved Middletown, I found out that the materials were sitting in the planning department office the week before the meeting.

5:51

I went to the office, obtained the application information, opened an account on the next door app and notified area residents.

5:58

Many of whom told me if I hadn't done that, they would never have known the planning board meeting with even held.

6:07

While there in that office, the Director of Planning told me that the planning board staff and council were in full support of the project because there was nowhere else to build them.

6:17

And I'm just going to close with a quote from one of the next door contributors.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Community Engagement████████████████████20%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████13%
Budget Equity Analysis██████████10%
Public Engagement████████8%
Technology and Innovation████████8%
Personnel Matters████████8%
Procurement███████7%
Procedural██████6%
Organizational Structure█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Newport City Council Meeting - September 16, 2025

The Newport City Council met on September 16, 2025, at 5:00 PM to address a citizens' forum, routine licenses, appointments, communications, and several action items. Key discussions focused on the process for forming a Comprehensive Plan Update Advisory Committee, approval of a $5.5 million guaranteed maximum price for renovations to the Florence Gray Center, and a controversial utilities GIS position that had previously been rejected by the Council. Several IT contracts and police vehicle purchases were also approved.

Consent Calendar

  • Annual Entertainment License Renewal (Class A, Indoor) : Approved for Wharf Southern Kitchen (37 Bannisters Wharf).
  • Bittling License (New Owner) : Approved for Kelly's Cafe and Pantry (27 Connell Highway). Councilor Pinnock welcomed them to the neighborhood.
  • Consent Calendar as a Whole: Approved unanimously by the Council and later as the Board of Licensed Commissioners.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Paul Donovan (530 Broadway, Newport) : Spoke critically about the Planning Board's September 8, 2025 decision regarding the 525 Broadway LLC project. He stated most residents do not oppose workforce housing but object to unsafe conditions created by the commercial complex. He argued the architect claimed tenants would walk/bike, yet a traffic engineer estimated 1,800 additional vehicle trips per week. He noted only 41 parking spaces were proposed for 38 units, falling short of the required 76, and described the board's suggestion for additional parking as a "mere suggestion." He also criticized the Planning Board for inadequate public notice and disrespectful treatment of residents. He requested the Council review the variances and special use permits granted.

Discussion Items

  • Comprehensive Plan Update Advisory Committee (2027) : The City Manager presented a memo requesting each Councilor nominate one person to serve on a 20-25 member advisory committee for the upcoming comprehensive plan update, with a target launch of October 6, 2025. A debate arose between Councilors who preferred an open application process (Smythe, Segly) versus those supporting Council nominations (Mayor, Rollins). Director Crean noted that the $300,000 contract with Interface Studio includes data collection and drafting, while the committee would provide community input. The Council voted to receive the memo (5-2) but did not approve the nomination process, signaling a desire for further discussion on selection methods.
  • Florence Gray Center Renovation (Action Item 6503) : The Council considered approval of a $5.5 million guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for construction manager at risk services with Albor Construction. Total grant funding is $7.5 million from the Rhode Island Pandemic Recovery Office, with no municipal funds required. Councilor Carlin questioned the lack of detailed information on the five bidders and the selection process. Owner's project manager Manny Ferrera explained that Albor was selected in April 2025 after a competitive RFP, and the GMP amendment is a standard step. The vote was 6-1 in favor.
  • Utilities GIS & Field Specialist Position (Action Item 6504) : The Department of Utilities requested an ordinance amendment to create a new classification at grade 5. This position had been rejected by the Council during FY26 budget discussions (4-3 vote) but was brought back with a five-year cost-benefit projection showing over $500,000 in savings. Director Schultz argued the position is needed to avoid single-point-of-failure and reduce consultant costs. Councilor Carlin opposed, stating the Council had rejected both the funding and the position. After debate, the Council approved the position 6-1.
  • Resolution for Naming of Public Spaces : Councilor Holder sponsored a resolution to direct the City Administration, with the Tree and Open Space Commission, to draft a policy for naming public spaces (including plaque size, liability, etc.). The resolution stemmed from a request to name an area at Thames, Green, and Pelham Streets as "J.K. Sullivan Square" in honor of a historic figure who laid cobblestones in 1908. The resolution was approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously.
  • Appointments to Boards: All appointments (Sister City Commission, Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission, Public Sculpture Commission, Trust and Investment Commission) approved unanimously.
  • Comprehensive Plan Memo: Received by a 5-2 vote (Councilors Smythe and Segly opposed). No action taken on nomination process.
  • Police Vehicle Purchase: Approved (Action Item 6498, $299,292.80).
  • Copier Lease Agreement: Approved (Action Item 6499, $30,354.88).
  • Custom Computer Services Contracts: Approved: G365 tenant setup ($127,362.10), VDI infrastructure upgrade ($310,676), and managed services ($508,176). All were on budget.
  • Florence Gray Center GMP: Approved 6-1.
  • Utilities GIS Position: Approved 6-1.
  • Parking Ordinance Amendment (Second Reading) : Approved to add no-parking restrictions on Thames Street.
  • Naming Policy Resolution: Approved unanimously.

Meeting Transcript

Welcome to the North End, Ellen. Thanks for hospitality. Madam Clerk, want to do the roll call, please? David Carlin. Lynn Underwood Sagley. Charlie Holder. Here. Side Camps of Oravong. Jean Marie Napolitano. Ellen Pinnock. Stephanie Smythe. Here. There is a quorum present, Mr. Chair. Thank you. We stand for Pledge of Allegiance. Madam Clerk, anyone here for the Citizens Forum? Yes, Paul Donovan. Good evening. I'll just say your name and address for us, please. I'm here tonight to address the 525 Broadway LLC Planning Board decision. Just do me a favor to state your name and address for the record. Paul Donovan, 530 Broadway, Newport. Good. Okay. And if I might, I would like to present my written statement. Sure. I would make a motion to receive. Motion and second. Any discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Thank you. Would you like to read it? I can I can read it or I can just respond to it if you want to review it, whatever you prefer. Do you want to just highlight any notes that you have that you wanted to discuss? All of my thoughts on the situation taking place with the planning board procedures. Well, I since this is public comment, I think you should read at least some of the paragraphs that members of the council. I would like to formally request that the Newport City Council review the decisions made by the Planning Board on September 8, 2025 regarding variances in special use permits for the 525 Broadway LLC project. Most Newport residents have stated they do not oppose the workforce housing at this location, but we were mostly ignored when objecting to this unsafe conditions this commercial complex will create as presented. The architect testified that tenants would mainly walk, take buses, or ride bikes and scooters, while at the same time the traffic engineer stated he determined this complex will create an additional 1,800 vehicle trips per week entering and exiting this very busy section of Broadway. The planning board instructed the developer to make a reasonable effort to provide additional parking. This was a mere suggestion and not a firm requirement for receiving any variance. If any of the 38 units have more than one vehicle or have guests, the allotted 41 parking spaces of the 76 that should be required will fall short and send vehicles across Broadway to take the already scarce parking spaces in the neighborhood. If this happens, the risk of someone getting hit by a vehicle while walking back across this busy section of Broadway, especially after dusk, should be extremely concerning to everyone. Before any variances or special use permits are granted, it should be mandatory that the developer provides at least 48 guaranteed on-site permanent parking spaces. The developer suggested that he will provide five spaces at his Calvert property located a mile away, which the chair of the board described as laughable, and I agree. Current zoning laws only allowed 13 units on this property if a uh variance is granted to allow medium density multifamily housing in this R10 area as suggested by the comprehensive land use plan. That's the main subject. And just I'm going to just throw the secondary subject in, was how we were treated by the planning board, which I consider and myself all this very disrespectful.

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