Newport City Council Regular Meeting - October 8, 2025

The Newport City Council met on October 8, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including consent calendar items, license approvals, the creation of a new Miantonomi Memorial Park Advisory Commission, a presentation on the 2027 Comprehensive Plan update, fund balance policy revisions, a rescue vehicle purchase, extension of the community electricity program, Rogers High School funding, and an update on the utilities rate study.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the September 15, 2025 regular council meeting.
• Approved seven special event applications including a music series, fundraiser, Glitter Ball, classical concert, craft fair, wreath sale, and Preservation Society events (Newport Symposium, Fall Music Program, Member Holiday Open House, Skylark’s Christmas Carol Concert).
• Approved a request from Ferass Sammoura to add vendors to the previously approved Cardines Classic Grass Tournament special event license (October 12, 2025).
• Approved renewal of a private detective license for David Bruce d/b/a TBK Investigations.
• Received a communication from Federico Santi, Chair of the Newport Sculpture Commission, regarding funding for a publicly owned sculpture evaluation.
• Received with regret the resignation of Jeff Brooks from the Planning Board; Council thanked Brooks for his service, noting particularly his tenure as chair.
• Received with regret the resignation of Carmela Geer from the Sister City Commission; Council commended her contributions and noted she will continue to be engaged as executive director of the Edward King Senior Center during the Japanese delegation visit on October 23, 2025.
• Approved a request to light the City Hall dome in purple during October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month and issued a proclamation.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Joe Hearn, a Newport resident and parent of children at Pell Elementary School, addressed the council on the issue of regionalization of schools and the upcoming special election. He asked whether any conversations had taken place with Middletown regarding a partnership, whether cost estimates for the special election had been made, and whether the city would spend money advocating on the topic. He urged a transparent and public process with ongoing community engagement. The council did not answer his questions as the citizens forum is for items not on the docket and no interaction is expected.

Discussion Items

• Miantonomi Memorial Park Advisory Commission (Resolution 17): Council approved the creation of a new advisory commission for Miantonomi Memorial Park. The commission will consist of 11 voting members: 7 residents (appointed from the previous commission members) and 4 representatives from community organizations—Newport Tree Conservancy, Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Newport Historical Society, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 406. Non-voting liaisons will include a member of the Newport Tree and Open Space Commission and a council member. The new commission replaces a state-created commission that had existed for decades. Council noted the park has seen improvements, including removal of debris, repainting of gates, and new stonework on the tower floor. The resolution was adopted 6-0.
• 2027 Comprehensive Plan Update Consultant Interface Studio (Item 7): Planning Director Patricia Reynolds introduced Mindy Watts, project manager from Interface Studio. Watts presented the team's approach, timeline, and engagement strategy. The plan, due by November 2026, will involve six visits, including tours, interviews, and public events. The first big public event is planned for early December 2025. Council discussed efforts to reach residents year-round (including those who may not be physically present during off-season), the advisory committee structure, and the need to balance residents' visions with fiscal and environmental realities. A survey and interactive map will be available online.
• Fund Balance Policy (Action Item #6516/25): The finance department recommended adopting a revised fund balance policy to allocate surplus funds. Starting in fiscal year 2025, any surplus after achieving a 30% unassigned fund balance target (currently estimated at about $36 million, based on FY26 projections) would be placed in a committed fund balance for one-time capital projects or other uses approved by the council. Council discussed the impact on bond ratings, the distinction from the general fund balance, and the fiscal responsibility to taxpayers. The policy is not an ordinance but an internal policy. Approved with a 5-1 vote.
• Award of Contract for Rescue Vehicle (Action Item #6517/25): The fire chief recommended awarding a contract to Greenwood Emergency Vehicles LLC for a 2026 Ford F550 4x4 Type 1 rescue unit at a cost of $383,971. This unit, an off-the-shelf model, will replace an aging 2015 Chevy Express rescue. Council discussed why the cost appears higher than market research suggests; the chief explained that the price reflects safety regulations and that the city got a bargain compared to custom-made units (previous custom one cost $418,000). The new unit is expected to be delivered in August 2026, much sooner than the custom unit ordered two years ago (now delayed to January 2027). Approved.
• Extension of Community Electricity Program (Action Item #6518/25): Council approved a five-year extension of the electricity supply agreement with NextEra Energy through 2032 for the Newport Community Electricity Program. The program has no direct fiscal impact on the city. Enrollment is opt-out; residents are automatically enrolled in the Newport Standard rate (currently 14.69 cents/kWh), which is lower than the opt-out rate (14.77 cents/kWh). Council debated the opt-out mechanism versus opt-in. Staff and Good Energy explained that an opt-out approach is necessary to achieve the buying power that provides savings to residents, and it is authorized by state law. The program includes options to opt down to a Basic rate or opt up to higher renewable content. Approved 5-1.
• Rogers High School Construction Project Funding (Action Item #6519/25): Council considered a resolution to allocate $2,918,809 from FY2025 investment earnings that exceeded budgeted projections (actual investment income was $4.6 million versus budgeted $1.2 million) to the school construction capital fund to address funding shortfalls in the Rogers High School project. Council debated the accuracy of budget projections, the appropriateness of increasing rates (water/sewer and property taxes) while having surplus investment income, and the school department's reserve and contingency funds. Staff noted that the resolution reaffirms a prior commitment made in 2024. Public comment by Mr. Rice pointed out that the resolution implies the funds will complete the school, but significant work remains (e.g., soil remediation, demolition of the old building). The resolution, as noted in the agenda, was passed (vote count not specified, but it appears to have passed).
• Utilities Rate Study Update (Item 12): The director of utilities provided an update on the ongoing rate study. Key points: The study recommends creating a stormwater utility to separate stormwater costs from wastewater/water charges, as 37-40% of the water pollution control fee currently goes to stormwater, which is not tied to water usage. This would make rates fairer, particularly for low-volume water users and dark homes. The change is expected to result in a minor reduction for typical residential wastewater bills, but large impervious properties may see significant increases. The council and public will need to decide on a stormwater utility—no other municipality in RI has one. A public listening session is planned for November 2025. Council discussed the need for transparent communication and education about the complexity of the city's water system and the reasons for previous rate increases (due to deferred maintenance and rising risks).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved in its entirety with exceptions for items F and G (which were approved separately as noted above).
• New Miantonomi Memorial Park Advisory Commission created and seven initial members appointed (Beverly A. Sanchez, Robert Cornett, James Dring, Roy Loth, Richard Haggis, Ann Marie Johnson, Robert Walker). The four organization representatives will be appointed by their respective organizations; any failure to nominate will result in appointment by the council.
• Revised Fund Balance Policy adopted (5-1).
• Contract awarded for purchase of a new rescue vehicle ($383,971).
• Five-year extension of the community electricity program approved (5-1).
• $2,918,809 allocated to Rogers High School construction project (vote passed).
• Signage resolution (Item 18) failed (3-3 tie vote). The resolution would have prohibited pole-mounted speed display data capture warning machines within 15 feet of a residential property without property owner permission, and required removal of those without such permission.
• Council continued Ordinance 13 (amending purchasing policy) to second reading (passed).
• Items 14, 15, and 16 (ordinances regarding mooring permit classifications, quotas, and fees) continued to the December 10, 2025 meeting, with a workshop added to the October 15, 2025 workshop.
• Appointments: Amy Ironmonger appointed to the Sister City Commission (two-year unexpired term expiring 4/24/2026); Gail Ruscetta appointed to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (four-year unexpired term expiring 5/10/2027).
• Adjourned as Council and convened as Board of License Commissioners; approved transfer of stock for Thames Wine & Spirits license.
• Special event license for fireworks at Castle Hill Inn (October 12, 2025 at 4:49 PM, under one minute) approved, including waiver of the 90-day filing requirement. The fireworks are smoke mines (noiseless, no debris) lasting six seconds.
• Daily entertainment license for Caleb & Broad (October 11, 2025) withdrawn by applicant.
• Victualing license for Market on Broadway (new owner) approved.
• Entertainment license expansion for The Vanderbilt (second hearing) approved (adding roof deck and expanded garden terrace hours, with ambient piano music only).