OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Newport City Council Regular Meeting - September 29, 2025

Meeting Portal — Monday, September 29, 2025
BodyNewport, Rhode Island
SessionMeeting Portal
DateMonday, September 29, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:28:22

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

David Carlin.

0:01

Lynn Underwood Sagley.

0:03

Here.

0:04

Charlie Holder.

0:05

Sai Kim Zavorba.

0:07

Here.

0:07

Jean Marina Politano.

0:09

Here.

0:09

Ellen Pinock.

0:10

Stephanie Smythe.

0:12

Here.

0:12

There is a quorum present, Madam.

0:14

Thank you.

0:14

We will stand for the pledge.

0:18

Pledge the means to the flight of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

0:32

If we could just remain standing for a moment, we'd like to have a moment of silence for a dear New Porter, Ernest Gibbons, who passed away.

0:42

Counselor Thompson Orban, would you like to say a few words?

0:46

Thank you very much, uh, Chair Segley.

0:48

Um Ernest Gibbons was 97 years old, and he reflected Newport's character in that he was everywhere.

0:54

If there was ever a study that we were doing, whether it was on housing or traffic, he would show up.

1:00

Uh, if there was uh a situation where there was somebody in need, he would show up and gave an incredible amount of his life to helping many of us across the city, including many of us on this dias and throughout this room.

1:12

And so I think it only fitting that we observe uh his wonderful life with a moment of silence to start tonight's meeting.

1:24

Thank you.

1:30

Okay, we have a much smaller council today.

1:34

Um counselor holder chairholder is taking a well-earned vacation.

1:41

And um Councillor Pinnock uh could not be here today tonight.

1:46

So um, but Mr.

1:47

Carlin's here.

1:48

Would you like to come over here with us or stay over there?

1:52

You're good.

1:53

All right.

1:54

Okay.

1:55

All right, that's fine.

1:58

Um Madam Clerk, has anyone signed up for the Citizens Forum?

2:03

Uh yes, they have.

2:05

Uh first we have Chris Beewich.

2:09

Birch.

2:09

Okay, sorry.

2:12

Um Yeah, hi, uh Chris Birch, um, 24 Old Beach Road.

2:16

Um I'm also speaking uh today on behalf of Bike Newport as their advocacy associate.

2:20

Um I just wanted to speak before you to provide an update um on the bicycle-friendly community application that was uh submitted by the city of Newport and Bike Newport on June 25th of this year.

2:30

Um again, since 2013, Newport has been recognized um as a bronze-rated bicycle-friendly community.

2:36

Um today the city is well positioned um to advance to the silver level based on progress that has been made over the past decade.

2:42

Um first, I would like to thank this council um for allocating the staff time to complete this application.

2:48

Um I would like to thank Newport's resiliency and sustainability director Teresa Crean um for convening all the stakeholders um and ensuring a smooth application process.

2:56

I would also like to commend the engineering, planning, public works, and the newport police department um for providing the infrastructure policy and program inventory, um, which led to a robust application.

3:08

Um furthermore, I would like to thank the communications department um for circulating the community survey.

3:13

Um this survey is like an integral part um of evaluating Newport's bike friendliness, um, and thanks to their outreach.

3:20

Uh, we have over 200 responses.

3:22

Um this community survey helps the bicycle bicycle-friendly uh America review committee.

3:27

Um, get a better understanding of local experiences uh related to biking in Newport um and these local perspectives are um also helped to inform the feedback report, um, which is one of the most valuable outcomes of taking on this application process.

3:41

Um so if you have not already done so, uh I would like to personally invite each of you, counselors, um, including any city staff and members of the attendance uh to complete the survey.

3:52

Uh it takes about 10 minutes to complete.

3:54

Um each question is optional.

3:55

Um, and the survey closes this weekend, October 5th.

3:58

Um, whether you get on your bike daily or just go for a couple rides in the summer, um, your feedback and perspectives are needed for a comprehensive application.

4:06

Um, and with that, the survey can be found on Bike Newport's um homepage on our website, bike newport ri.org.

4:12

Um, and looking ahead, we will have another update um in December when the new rankings are released.

4:17

Um thank you so much for your time.

4:19

Thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Yacht Club Mooring███████████████████████████████████35%
Transportation Safety████████████12%
Procedural███████████11%
Fiscal Sustainability██████████10%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████8%
Water And Wastewater Management████4%
Public Engagement███3%
Public Health███3%
Homelessness███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Newport City Council Regular Meeting - September 29, 2025

The Newport City Council met on September 29, 2025, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers at 43 Broadway. The meeting included a moment of silence for Ernest Gibbons, a citizens forum, approval of a consent calendar, several license approvals, and consideration of numerous action items including harbor ordinance revisions, construction contracts, and grants. The council also sat as the Board of License Commissioners.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held August 27, 2025, were approved as part of the consent calendar.
  • Special Events: 14 special event requests were approved, including events by the Preservation Society, Trinity Church Pumpkin Patch, Japan-America Friendship Festival, and others. Item 11 (Japan-America Friendship Festival in Touro Park on October 25, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM) was removed from the consent calendar for discussion and subsequently approved after Robin Dahlin, President of the Japan America Society of Southern New England, described the festival including Taiko drums, kimono experience, calligraphy, origami, and Japanese food.
  • Waterfront Commission Letter: A letter requesting an economic impact study of recreational boating in Newport Harbor was received and referred to the City Administration.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Chris Birch (Bike Newport advocacy associate) provided an update on the bicycle-friendly community application submitted June 25, 2025. He noted Newport has been bronze-rated since 2013 and is positioned to advance to silver. A community survey with over 200 responses is open until October 5, 2025 (survey on bikenewportri.org).
  • Peter Garsha (14 Shield Street) requested revisiting the mandatory insurance requirement for commercial moorings, calling it redundant as his mooring is managed by Oldport Marine which has insurance, and his boat owner has insurance.
  • John Fulweiler (attorney, 40 Mary Street, representing residents and commercial permit holders) raised procedural concerns about the insurance requirement ordinance, stating it was passed without proper stakeholder input or CRMC review. He noted the requirement appears in East Greenwich's harbor management plan but not in Newport's, and suggested the city consider obtaining insurance itself and allocating premiums.
  • Peter Kent (former executive director of Newport Restoration Foundation) reported difficulty obtaining individual insurance for his mooring of 50 years, suggesting a group scheme.
  • Charlotte Johnson (15 Park Street, rental mooring owner since 1976) requested rescinding or delaying the insurance ordinance, noting her mooring is already insured through Oldport Marine, and the 108-page harbor management plan updated October 18, 2024 makes no mention of rental mooring insurance.
  • Henry Spingler (213 Coxhall Avenue, 80-year resident) expressed stress among mooring holders over proposed changes and requested more time for public discussion.
  • Jack Brant (264 Avenue) asked for a public hearing on all harbor changes, noting past transparency.
  • Pete Rice (1 Harrison Lane) commented on the proposed traffic study, suggesting it should be expanded to include Ruggles Avenue and other areas.
  • John Ferrara (Deputy Chief) and Carmela Geer (Edward King House Senior Center) explained the Newport-Middletown Situation Table, a weekly collaborative meeting that has served 51 situations/families/individuals since January 2025.

Discussion Items

  • Action Item #6506: Dredging at 128 Long Wharf Marina (application from CRMC/RIDEM). The council noted the comment deadline of September 26, 2025 had passed. Councilor Carlin expressed embarrassment over missing the deadline. Despite this, the council voted 4-1 to approve, directing the administration to inform CRMC of no objection. Councilor Carlin opposed, citing process concerns.
  • Action Item #6507: Harbor ordinance revision (yacht club mooring reclassification, rental-to-private conversion, fees). Harbor Master Steven Land explained the goal is to address mooring classification imbalances: currently 918 total moorings (54% private = 546, 38% rental = 354) versus the 25% rental target. The ordinance adds yacht club mooring classification and permits voluntary conversion of rental to private. After extensive debate, Councilor Smythe moved to continue for a workshop, which failed (2-3?). The original motion passed 3-2. Councilor Carlin and another opposed. Land noted the insurance issue will have a separate workshop.
  • Action Item #6511: Traffic study for Thames-Spring streets area (contract with Bowman Consulting, $199,600). Councilor Carlin questioned the high cost and funding sources. City Manager Kennedy outlined funding options including CIP reserves, council contingency, and reassigning dynamic parking signage funds. Councilor Smythe moved to continue to the second meeting in October to allow a discussion on funding policy (unassigned fund balance over 30%). The continuance passed 5-0. The scope was debated; some wanted to include Ruggles Avenue, but Director Riccio noted it aligns with the transportation master plan.
  • Action Item #6512: Perrotti Park harbor shuttle landing seawall & floating dock reconstruction ($7,949,000, awarded to Reagan Marine Construction of Newport). Councilor Carlin questioned funding from the voter-approved 2024 bond not yet issued. City Manager Kennedy and Finance Director Nolan explained cash flow through the maritime fund and bond sale in January 2026. Harbor Master Land noted the docks take 1.5 years to manufacture in Europe; construction starts November 1, 2025. Approved 4-1 (Carlin opposed).
  • Ordinance (Second Reading): Amending Chapter 3.12.020 to add a GIS position for the Utilities Department, projected to save $500,000 over five years. Debate included Councilor Carlin's opposition (adding a $100K+ position after rate increases), while Councilors Napolitano, Combs-Varone, and others supported in-house savings. Approved 5-1.
  • Resolution #16: Moratorium on new natural gas hookups on Aquidneck Island – Councilor Smythe withdrew the resolution in favor of a joint workshop with the Energy and Environment Commission. Withdrawn with unanimous consent.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar and special events approved (including Japan-America Friendship Festival).
  • Victualing license (Sip to Shine) and entertainment license expansion (The Vanderbilt) approved.
  • Pyramid Club show cause hearing withdrawn.
  • Action Item #6505 (Purchasing policy ordinance) approved.
  • Action Item #6506 (128 Long Wharf dredging) approved 4-1.
  • Action Item #6507 (Harbor ordinance revision) approved 3-2; a separate workshop on insurance will be scheduled.
  • Action Items #6508 (HVAC), #6509 (retaining wall), #6510 (LED lighting), #6513 (fire dispatch consolettes), #6514 (Newport Prevention Coalition grant), #6515 (Situation Table grant) all approved.
  • Action Item #6511 (traffic study) continued to the second meeting in October.
  • Action Item #6512 (Perrotti Park project) approved 4-1.
  • Ordinance amendment (GIS position) approved 5-1.
  • Resolution on gas moratorium withdrawn in favor of joint workshop with Energy and Environment Commission.
  • Next meeting: The council will next meet in October 2025 (date not specified in transcript).

Meeting Transcript

David Carlin. Lynn Underwood Sagley. Here. Charlie Holder. Sai Kim Zavorba. Here. Jean Marina Politano. Here. Ellen Pinock. Stephanie Smythe. Here. There is a quorum present, Madam. Thank you. We will stand for the pledge. Pledge the means to the flight of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. If we could just remain standing for a moment, we'd like to have a moment of silence for a dear New Porter, Ernest Gibbons, who passed away. Counselor Thompson Orban, would you like to say a few words? Thank you very much, uh, Chair Segley. Um Ernest Gibbons was 97 years old, and he reflected Newport's character in that he was everywhere. If there was ever a study that we were doing, whether it was on housing or traffic, he would show up. Uh, if there was uh a situation where there was somebody in need, he would show up and gave an incredible amount of his life to helping many of us across the city, including many of us on this dias and throughout this room. And so I think it only fitting that we observe uh his wonderful life with a moment of silence to start tonight's meeting. Thank you. Okay, we have a much smaller council today. Um counselor holder chairholder is taking a well-earned vacation. And um Councillor Pinnock uh could not be here today tonight. So um, but Mr. Carlin's here. Would you like to come over here with us or stay over there? You're good. All right. Okay. All right, that's fine. Um Madam Clerk, has anyone signed up for the Citizens Forum? Uh yes, they have. Uh first we have Chris Beewich. Birch. Okay, sorry. Um Yeah, hi, uh Chris Birch, um, 24 Old Beach Road. Um I'm also speaking uh today on behalf of Bike Newport as their advocacy associate. Um I just wanted to speak before you to provide an update um on the bicycle-friendly community application that was uh submitted by the city of Newport and Bike Newport on June 25th of this year. Um again, since 2013, Newport has been recognized um as a bronze-rated bicycle-friendly community. Um today the city is well positioned um to advance to the silver level based on progress that has been made over the past decade. Um first, I would like to thank this council um for allocating the staff time to complete this application. Um I would like to thank Newport's resiliency and sustainability director Teresa Crean um for convening all the stakeholders um and ensuring a smooth application process. I would also like to commend the engineering, planning, public works, and the newport police department um for providing the infrastructure policy and program inventory, um, which led to a robust application. Um furthermore, I would like to thank the communications department um for circulating the community survey. Um this survey is like an integral part um of evaluating Newport's bike friendliness, um, and thanks to their outreach. Uh, we have over 200 responses. Um this community survey helps the bicycle bicycle-friendly uh America review committee.

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