Newport City Council Meeting Summary - December 10, 2025

The Newport City Council convened to address a wide range of municipal issues, including festival permits, traffic safety initiatives, and licensing requests. Significant deliberation occurred regarding the Newport Folk and Jazz Festival permits, where Council Carlin expressed strong concerns about past traffic disruptions in the Third Ward. The council also received a presentation on a proposed harm reduction vending machine project and debated the inclusion of voter registration as proof of residency for the two-tier residential tax program. The meeting concluded with a transition to the Board of Licensed Commissioners to review liquor license applications.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar was approved in its entirety, with specific exceptions for items 3B, 3C, and 3I, which were pulled by Council members for further discussion or deferral.
• Motion to move Item 32 to the consent calendar was approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Newport Folk & Jazz Festival: Council Carlin expressed concern over traffic issues in the Third Ward, stating that last year's events were an "abomination" and demanding explanations and solutions regarding resident access before approving future permits. He received support from colleagues for a continuation to discuss traffic management strategies.
• Harm Reduction Vending Machine: Melanie Saunders of the Newport Prevention Coalition and Ray from ACOS presented the project, noting a 44% survey response rate of local residents indicating weekly usage. Council Segley supported the project as a logical fit for a fire station, while Council Penny expressed extreme skepticism. Council Carlin questioned the equity of placing the machine in Newport while neighboring communities (Jamestown, Middletown, Portsmouth, etc.) were not asked, stating he would "almost certainly" vote against it due to concerns it might encourage drug use.
• Protective Club Entertainment License: Public speakers Linda Stevenson and Chuck Bolduck expressed strong opposition, requesting restrictions on hours (e.g., 10 p.m. cutoff) and amplification to protect nearby residents, citing past noise issues. They argued the business prioritizes profit over neighborhood quality of life. Solicitor Bean cautioned the council against prior restraint on First Amendment rights regarding indoor entertainment.
• Scales & Shells Entertainment License: Pat Shea expressed opposition. Council Carlin voiced concern that he was unaware of the application until it hit the agenda.
• Traffic Safety/Automated Cameras: Jay Martin and Jason McGuire voiced strong opposition to the red light/speed camera on Admiral Calhoun Road. Martin called it a "money grab" and noted the school zone signage is not clearly visible to drivers. McGuire presented documentation arguing the camera installation violated statutory signage requirements (requiring four signs per approach).

Discussion Items

• Newport Folk Festival (2026): Council Carlin moved for a continuation of the permit approval to require a detailed traffic mitigation plan, specifically addressing access for residents in the southern end of the city (Third Ward). The motion passed 6-1. Council Carlin emphasized the need to avoid the "abomination" of the previous year's traffic flow.
• Newport Jazz Festival (2026): Following the Folk Festival discussion, Council Carlin requested a similar continuation for the Jazz Festival permit to address traffic concerns. The motion passed 5-2.
• Castle Hill Inc. Aquaculture Application: Council Carlin moved to refer a CRMC application to the waterfront commission with a directive to vote against it, citing Castle Hill Inc.'s failure to attend hearings. Council Crowling supported the motion as a policy statement on respecting the council's role. The motion to express non-favorable opposition to CRMC passed 4-3.
• MLK Center Food Pantry: Council Smyth proposed and moved to amend a resolution to establish a food pantry at the Maha Center. The amendment specified the location as the land between the traffic garden and the building. The resolution passed unanimously.
• Traffic Safety Data: Chief Ryan Duffy presented data from speed monitoring trailers and automated cameras on Admiral Calhoun Road. The data showed a significant reduction in violations (from 3,900 in September to 1,400 in November) following the start of citations. Chief Duffy confirmed the automated camera system is operating within permit guidelines but acknowledged pending legal challenges regarding signage interpretation.
• South End Speed Camera: Chief Duffy recommended placing a speed camera in the South End based on community polling (72% in favor) and data collections. However, Council Carlin stated he would not support a camera in the Third Ward (specifically near Rogers High School) without overwhelming constituent support, noting he receives feedback opposed to cameras from that specific ward.
• Two-Tier Tax Program: A debate ensued regarding the removal of voter registration as a qualifying document for the residential tax rate. Council Carlin argued that voter registration is a powerful legal deterrent against fraud (felony registration). Council Napolitano and others argued it was administratively inefficient as people often register to vote in multiple locations without committing fraud. Council Segley trusted the administration's assessment of fraud risks.
• Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee: Council members Smyth, Carlin, and Carlin expressed concern over the exclusion of a public interview/appointment process and the lack of diversity (specifically noting no people of color) on the proposed committee of 26 names. Council Napolitano suggested adding members rather than starting over. The council moved to continue the appointment to solicit a more open application and interview process.
• Lease Amendments (Bank of America and T-Mobile):
  • The council approved a 10-year lease amendment with Bank of America for the South End Community Police Station, securing a $1,000/month rent and in-house repairs for sewer and heating issues, saving an estimated $100,000 in potential costs.
  • The council approved a 5-year lease extension with T-Mobile for Topa Field, increasing monthly rent from $2,500 to $3,500, totaling approximately $1.4 million over 25 years.

Key Outcomes

• Festivals: Both the Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival permits for 2026 were continued pending further traffic mitigation plans.
• Aquaculture: The council voted to oppose the Castle Hill Inc. aquaculture application to CRMC (4-3).
• Food Pantry: Resolution to collaborate with the MLK Center on a North End food pantry passed unanimously.
• Harm Reduction: The council received the presentation on the harm reduction vending machine but did not vote on a resolution; the next step is a formal resolution submission.
• Traffic Safety: Council directed the administration to consider speed camera placement in the South End but highlighted the political challenge in the Third Ward. The automated camera data was noted as effective.
• Tax Program: The motion to continue the discussion on removing voter registration as a residency requirement passed (4-3), preventing immediate action on that specific clause. The motion to shorten the application period from March 15 to February 28 was passed (5-2).
• Leases: Leases for the South End Police Station (Bank of America) and Topa Field (T-Mobile) were approved.
• Wastewater: The motion to borrow $20 million from the infrastructure bank for clarifier repairs passed (5-1), though Council Carlin opposed the method, preferring general obligation bonds.
• Board of Licensed Commissioners: The council convened as the Board of Licensed Commissioners and approved consent calendar items, liquor license expansions (Queen Anne's Loft), ownership transfers (Scales & Shells, Joe's American Bistro), and renewals without further discussion.