Newport City Council Meeting, October 22, 2025
Newport City Council Meeting, October 22, 2025
The Newport City Council convened for its regular meeting on October 22, 2025, beginning with a moment of silence for the late Tom and Aggie Perkins and a proclamation recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Week and the 67th anniversary of the sister city affiliation with Shimoda, Japan. The council addressed multiple agenda items including public safety concerns, traffic studies, utility infrastructure maintenance, and the establishment of new commissions, while also reviewing licensing applications and administrative resolutions.
Consent Calendar
- Approvals were granted for the Visting license expansions (Crew Cafe, The Elms Carriage House) and extended hours for most establishments.
- Liquor license renewals for 2025-2026 were approved with the exception of specific "Floating" licenses (e.g., 131 Bellevue) to ensure they are in operation, and the Council later separated the vote to allow the Mayor to recuse himself from approving Bloody Bull LLC (Gardner House) before voting to approve it in a subsequent move.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Christine Weglawski (122 Bliss Road) expressed strong concern regarding speeding on Bliss Road near Eustace, noting the lack of stop signs, narrow sidewalks, and danger to pedestrians and children. She advocated for the installation of vehicle speed feedback signs (y-seed mechanisms) at the Newport line.
- Councilwoman Segley acknowledged the specific location known by constituents but noted that placement decisions are based on studies and solar power requirements, though she affirmed the Council would continue to look into the concern.
- Traffic Study Concerns (Public): Residents from the Hammond Street and Dixon Avenue area, including Kendra Munter, Mark Del Giurus, Helen Dell, and Linda Stevenson, testified that the recent change to the one-way direction of Dixon Street has caused a "domino effect" of increased traffic volume and dangerous conditions on Hammond Street and surrounding neighborhoods. They requested a comprehensive traffic study covering Memorial Boulevard, Thame Street, Morton Avenue, and Spring Street.
- Transportation Master Plan Inquiry: Angela Lima questioned if the current traffic study should be integrated with the ongoing comprehensive land use plan to address broader transportation issues.
- Engineering/Queue Theory Input: Sperous Iliopolis suggested that traffic modeling often assumes independent arrival rates and cautioned that event-induced traffic (like school dismissals at Rogers High School) might invalidate standard models.
- Board & Commission Feedback: Emily Conklin (Energy Environment Commission) supported the proposed handbook committee, arguing for standard operating procedures to aid volunteers, while Jim Madsen (Historic District Commission) cautioned that some commissions are regulated by state/federal law and cannot be simply streamlined by a city committee. Pender Munter advocated for a standalone Accessibility Advisory Commission, citing current playgrounds as non-compliant with ADA standards for neurodivergent and handicapped children.
Discussion Items
- Shimoda Days: The Council unanimously passed a proclamation designating October 23-26, 2025, as Shimoda Days, honoring the 67th anniversary of the sister city partnership and the legacy of Commodore Matthew Perry. Councilman Brendan Breen outlined the weekend's events, including a welcome reception, cultural festival at Toreau Park, and a ceremony at Commodore Perry's gravesite.
- Aquaculture Application (Castle Hill Inc.): The Council讨论了 a proposal for a small aquaculture project in Grace Kelly Cove. Harbor Master Steve Land confirmed the area is under city management and noted the unique "single-use" nature of oyster farms which could impact public trust waters. While Councilwoman Segley supported the environmental benefits of aquaculture, Councilman Carlin and Councilman Smythe expressed concern over the lack of a precedent-setting plan for the city. Due to the absence of Castle Hill representatives, the Council voted to continue the matter to allow public hearings at the Waterfront Commission and time for the applicant to answer questions about storm safety and future impact.
- Traffic Study Contract (Bowman Consulting): The Council debated a $199,600 contract for a traffic study. Councilman Carlin expressed concern that the cost was too high for a limited scope (11-13 streets) and that the study should be conducted during the summer peak season. He requested a lower price and a commitment to study the Hammond Street area specifically during high-volume periods. Council Segley warned of the "domino effect" of traffic changes. Public testimony emphasized the urgency due to the Dixon Street reversal. Ultimately, due to concerns about the scope, timing (March vs. Summer), and procurement process (lack of competitive pricing on the proposal), the Council voted to continue the item to gather more information on the scope and pricing.
- Grant Applications: The Council approved two grant applications with RIDEM for recreation: a $125,000 small grant for Murphy Field and a $500,000 large grant for a splash park at the John Chafee Boulevard Recreation Center.
- Water Pollution Control Plant (Reallocations): Director Schultz and Councilman Carlin discussed a request to reallocate approximately $10.75 million in general obligation bond funds from the Easton's Pond Hardening and Elizabeth Brook Stormwater projects to the Primary Clarifier Rehabilitation project. The City Manager explained that inspections revealed the clarifiers had reached the end of their useful service life faster than anticipated, posing a critical public health risk and potential for untreated sewage discharge. Councilwoman Pinnock raised concerns about disregarding voter intent and delaying projects critical to the North End. Despite the urgency of the clarifier failure, concerns regarding the impact on the North End and voter intent led the Council to continue the item to the November meeting for a more robust discussion on funding alternatives and voter impact.
- Board & Commission Handbooks: The Council considered establishing an ad hoc committee to draft a standard operating procedure handbook for boards and commissions. While some members felt it redundant, others supported it for consistency and volunteer empowerment. An amendment was moved to include existing commission members, and the resolution to establish the committee was defeated.
- Accessibility Advisory Commission: Following public testimony highlighting the lack of inclusive playgrounds and the need for dedicated focus on the ADA, the Council voted to approve the establishment of a new Accessibility Advisory Commission comprised of seven residents with relevant experience and lived experience.
- Liquor Licenses: The Board of Licensed Commissioners session followed, approving various class licenses (A, B, H, L, T, V, D, C, J, K) with specific exceptions for Bloody Bull LLC (Gardner House) handled separately to allow the Mayor to vote.
Key Outcomes
- Shimoda Days Proclamation: Officially signed and enacted.
- Castle Hill Aquaculture: Continued pending further investigation by the Waterfront Commission and Applicant presence.
- Traffic Study Contract: Continued to allow for scope clarification, pricing verification, and scheduling adjustments (summer timing).
- Utility Bond Reallocation: Continued to November to address concerns regarding voter intent and North End flood mitigation funding.
- Handbook Committee: Failed (Motion defeated).
- Accessibility Advisory Commission: Approved and established.
- Liquor Licenses: Various classes approved; specific license for Gardner House approved after Mayoral recusal.
- Open Containers Resolution: Failed due to lack of a second.
Meeting Transcript
All right, good evening, everybody. Uh Madam Clerk, you take the roll call, please. David Carlin. Here. Lynn Underwood Segley. Here. Harley Holder. Here. Sycam Savoravan. Jean Marie Napolitano. Here. Ellen Pinoch. Here. Stephanie Smythe. Here. There is a quorum present, Mr. Chair. Thank you. We please stand for the pleasure of the allegiance and remain standing, please. I pledge the flood of the United States. If we can just please remain standing for a moment of silence. This is before uh Tom and Aggie Perkins, who uh tragically passed away last week and were put to rest today. Uh they will be remembered as very generous and philothrampic people, very thoughtful people to our community, and uh they will be missed, and our thoughts go out to their family and friends, and uh eternal may be their memory. Thank you. And uh before we get going today. Um first off, you will notice that there are some of us in the room wearing pink. Uh today was our pink out here at City Hall and recognition of uh breast cancer awareness week. Uh we had a little ceremony on the uh front uh front steps of City Hall this afternoon. We read a proclamation for the Susan G. Coman Foundation. So in case you're wondering why Mr. Carl looks so snazzy in this pink tie looking sharp. Uh next up, uh we do have uh our friends from our sister city of Shimoda, Japan coming in uh beginning tomorrow. Uh so I have a proclamation that I'm gonna read here uh in honor of our Shimoda days. So whereas on May 17th, 1958, the town of Shimoda in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan in the city of Newport in the state of Rhode Island, United States, were formally joined in a sister city affiliation by their then mayors, the honorable Sedeo Suzuki and the Honorable Henry C. Wilkinson. And whereas the year, our two communities will celebrate the 67th anniversary of the affiliation that has been carried on by succeeding mayors because of the close ties that bind us in an everlasting goodwill and fellowship. And whereas one of the principal reasons for the formation of our sister city affiliation with Shimoda was due to our illustr illustrious native son, United States Navy Commodore Matthew C. Perry, having been born in Newport on April 10th, 1794, a sailor statesman who was instrumental in opening the way for Japan's entry into the society of nations of the world. And whereas Commodore Perry's two visits to Japan were to leave indelible marks upon the history of our two great countries. First, because of his landing in Kurahama on July 14, 1853, which resulted in the opening of Japan to the outer world, and secondly, his negotiations with the Emperor and the Japanese commissioners, which resulted in the Treaty of Kanaga and the opening of the ports of Shimoda and Hakadode to American ships, and whereas authorized by this treaty was the first American consular representation in Japan to which Townsend Harris was appointed in 1856, with offices located in Gaya Kunsenji Temple in Shimoda and through uh through patient deliberations concluded in the commercial treaty of 1858. And whereas in celebration of enduring friendships between our communities, the town of Shimoda visits the city of Newport biannually to honor the unique and lasting bond shared by our two sister cities. Now, therefore be it that I, Charles Holder, mayor of the city of Newport and the state of Rhode Island, to hereby proclaim October 23 through 26, 2025 as Shimoda Days, in honor of this occasion, call upon all of our citizens to join me in conveying to our friends across the seas our abiding friendship and warmest good wishes on the celebration of the 67th anniversary of the formation of our sister city affiliation. The city shall display the Japanese flag from the mayor's balcony at City Hall for the duration of our visitors' stay from October 23rd to the 26th, 2025. If everybody set my hand on the cause of seal of the city of Newport to be to be a fixed on the 22nd day of October in the year 2024. Thank you very much. And uh at this time I'm gonna at the last second call up this Bachmann, Brendan. If you want to come up for a I know, I know you don't like to speak in front of crowds, so just take a minute and uh give us a little rundown of what we can expect this weekend. Thank you. Gotta make sure they don't fall too.
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