OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

2026-01-08 City Council Meeting: CIP Workshop and Parking Reform

Meeting Portal — Thursday, January 8, 2026
BodyNewport, Rhode Island
SessionMeeting Portal
DateThursday, January 8, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:00:08

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Thank you for being here tonight for our introduction to the uh 2627 CIP uh program.

0:08

So without further ado, I'll turn it over to our city manager Colin Kennedy.

0:12

Good evening.

0:13

Thank you.

0:13

Uh uh thank you, Mr.

0:15

Chair, and thank you, counselors, and thank you, members of the public who have come tonight.

0:18

Uh we're excited to do something in January this year that we did not do until late January.

0:23

Maybe it was early February.

0:24

No, it was February last year.

0:26

Um, and that's introduced the the capital improvement program uh for the next fiscal year.

0:31

Uh the part of the reason we're going early is because of a concerted effort by the city staff to identify issues well in advance of the budget season to allow counselors and policymakers and other community stakeholders to make more informed decisions about the magnitude of of what goes into an annual operating budget.

0:46

Um the CIP is the first and most important, or I shouldn't say the most important part, but the first significant part of that effort uh and talks about the infrastructure and and policy related needs of the community uh that uh for uh for items that are not annual expenses but are incurred over lengthy periods of time.

1:04

So things like infrastructure and bridges and roads, transportation improvements, public services, parks, all of those things that you buy that you retrieve and obtain value from for a prolonged period of time.

1:15

Uh we're excited to produce tonight uh what we think is a very, very comprehensive list of items.

1:20

Um ultimately the the price on the numbers of some of these items may seem very, very large.

1:26

That is by design.

1:27

We took the guidance from the city council last year to be as truthful in our reporting as we possibly can be, um, both to articulate what those needs are but also to articulate what those potential expenses are.

1:37

Some of the biggest cost deltas in terms of unknowns lie in uh uh in some of our enterprise funds, but we also have about 13 plus million dollars in needs that we've identified in our jet from our general fund.

1:49

Um we likely won't be able to fund all of those, but what it does is it it sets an accurate barometer in terms of what the city administration truly feels is needed to meet both the council's policy goals, uh its plans and policies, as well as emerging and current infrastructure needs.

2:05

Um so thank you for the opportunity to present this to you today to give us plenty of time to chew on it over the coming weeks.

2:10

And without further ado, I'd like to uh pass the microphone over to uh uh uh Mr.

2:14

Jim Nolan, our director of finance, we'll get the presentation started, which will then be followed by a series of senior department heads who will be introducing their various areas.

2:22

Uh one before we get going, quick question.

2:24

So when we're putting something like this together from from your point of view, city manager, are we looking at are you putting this together as far as importance down to the least important amount, or are you just putting in by by department?

2:38

Yes, but that could so the first part of your question, yes, but that comes later.

2:42

So this is just a planning document.

2:43

Think of this as a wish list.

2:45

Uh uh later on, once more fidelity uh comes into view about what types of revenues uh we'll have available balanced again, what's balanced against what uh what expenditures we will need to make, we will have to make those more difficult decisions.

3:00

But that is not for today.

3:02

Uh treat today as as strictly a a uh a wish list of needs to meet policy goals and to meet uh infrastructure needs.

3:09

Thank you.

3:09

A five-year for five years, correct.

3:12

We put the most focus on the first two years, especially the first year, because that's what will impact the imminent budget, but we forecast out um five years, correct.

3:22

Good evening, counselors.

3:24

Uh thank you, Colin.

3:25

Um I'm gonna just really kick this off and really just kind of set the stage as to uh why we're here, what we're trying to accomplish.

3:32

Um, and just want to uh give a big thank you to our department directors for all their support and getting through this uh document as well as Elizabeth Skeppa, who's who spent a many, many hours putting it together.

3:42

Um so the CIP document, the objective.

3:46

Uh the CIP document is a standalone planning document.

3:49

Um, as a planning document, the CIP reflects information at the time it is prepared.

3:54

So this is this is at the time.

3:56

So really when we put this together, there may be some things that happen subsequent to us putting this document together that we can discuss, and that will be talked about during the budget process.

4:05

The projects listed within are presented because department directors believe they are needed to protect public health and safety or maintain current facilities and infrastructure.

4:14

The CIP is not a financial or funding recommendation.

4:18

The CIP is not intended to become a budget document.

4:22

However, we may be we may use it to assist us in determining what our annual budget will be.

4:28

All projects contemplated by the city, regardless of whether they are listed in the CIP, must be formally authorized and funded before they can proceed.

4:38

So the why are we here?

4:39

The purpose of the workshop.

4:41

Uh, we're here to present a comprehensive list of identified needs and projects from department directors, have a discussion with council in workshop format to get council thoughts and ideas.

4:52

And really what we're doing, um, we're gonna we're gonna discuss the enterprise funds at the end of this presentation, but the beginning of this presentation is we're gonna really focus on the general funding uh request, which is uh supported by taxpayers.

5:08

So unlike last year, we're moving into the CIP with in a in a strong financial position, and that's really due to the recently approved fund balance policy.

5:19

So we just recently um our audited financial statements were we're we finished those up on December 30th, and we ended up with 4.2 million that is going to that committed fund balance.

5:31

All right, so that's we're in a better place from where we started last year.

5:35

So we're well positioned.

5:36

Um, and really what that does is it preserves long long-term fiscal stability while addressing the immediate needs.

5:46

All right, uh general fund information.

5:48

So this is really just a comparative slide as to where we've been, how we've developed our CIP planning document.

5:54

If you go back to fiscal year 2022, that bottom left number, that 3.58 million, that's what was in our CIP planning document.

6:05

That number would where we at we were where we are right now in fiscal year 27.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parking and Traffic██████████████████████22%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████████████19%
Public Safety██████████████14%
Harbor Management█████████9%
Technology and Innovation████████8%
Water And Wastewater Management████████8%
Capital Improvement Planning████4%
Public Engagement████4%
Environmental Protection██2%
Summary of Proceedings

2026-01-08 City Council Meeting: CIP Workshop and Parking Reform

On January 8, 2026, the Newport City Council convened for an early Capital Improvement Program (CIP) workshop to review a comprehensive five-year "wish list" of infrastructure needs across all city departments. The administration presented detailed proposals totaling over $100 million in identified needs, emphasizing a shift towards proactive risk-based planning for utilities, public safety, and maritime assets. A significant portion of the discussion centered on the critical funding gap in utility infrastructure, with officials noting that the city is currently capable of funding less than 20% of its critical drinking water, sewer, and stormwater needs. Additionally, the department of finance presented a proposed reform to the residential parking program to address the overissuance of permits and enhance enforcement for full-time residents.

Consent Calendar

  • No consent calendar items were listed or approved during this workshop session, as the meeting was dedicated to public hearings and presentations of new proposals.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Councilor on Guest House Parking: A council member expressed concern regarding short-term rental properties, stating that guest houses with parking variances should not be entitled to guest passes, arguing that the variance is a concession for insufficient private parking and should not burden the public streets. They suggested that properties used for commercial enterprises should not receive passes for their guests.
  • Councilor on Harrison Avenue Site Remediation: A council member expressed the position that the $5 million allocation for the Harrison Avenue site remediation, which is half the originally anticipated $10 million cost, is premature. They urged the administration to maintain the $10 million allocation until verifiable savings are confirmed by the Department of Environmental Management.
  • Councilor on Utility Funding Eligibility: A council member expressed frustration and a position of perceived unfairness regarding the city's exclusion from lower-interest state revolving loan funds available to other Rhode Island cities, advocating for a review of the criteria based on Newport's economic contribution.

Discussion Items

  • Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Overview: City Manager Colin Kennedy and Finance Director Jim Nolan presented the CIP as a forward-looking planning document rather than a definitive budget, aiming to provide transparency on infrastructure needs. Staff confirmed the city is in a strong financial position with a $4.2 million committed fund balance.
  • Information Technology Needs: Director of Finance presented I.T. projects including core switching upgrades, data center cooling, and a smart parking management app. Councilors expressed interest in the app's ability to provide real-time availability data to prevent traffic congestion.
  • Public Safety Complex and Equipment:
    • Police Chief Duffy and Fire Chief Donnelly advocated for a unified public safety complex to replace aging, flood-prone facilities and share redundant dispatch systems.
    • Both chiefs expressed strong support for acquiring municipal drones for disaster documentation and emergency response, citing practical applications for safety and funding recovery.
    • Council member questioned the feasibility of adding flashing speed monitoring signals to specific neighborhoods.
  • Transportation and Planning:
    • Director Trish Reynolds proposed pilot programs for temporary traffic measures and a sign audit to standardize signage. She advocated for testing the Navy Hospital site for condition and contamination as a prerequisite for future development discussions.
    • Council member recommended that land acquisition for the Navy Hospital and bridge realignment parcels be explicitly included in the CIP strategy despite being current wish-list items.
  • Stormwater and Water Utilities:
    • Director Schultz (presented via understudy Teresa Crean) highlighted a critical $250 million infrastructure gap for water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. He expressed a position of urgency regarding the need for a stormwater utility to generate revenue, noting that relying on federal grants is increasingly risky.
    • The administration detailed specific needs for clarifiers, main rehabilitation, and lead service line replacement, emphasizing a risk-based prioritization framework.
  • Maritime and Harbor Projects:
    • Harbor Master Steve Land presented the Pratt Park Bulkhead project, estimated at $14 million, funded entirely by harbor enterprise revenue. He expressed support for the project's timeline and the addition of new moorings to support the industry.
    • Councilors inquired about staffing requirements for the new dock facilities and the potential impact of the World Cup on super yacht activity.
  • Parking Reform: Director Nolan proposed restructuring the residential parking program into two categories (R1 for primary residents, R2 for short-term tenants) with a cap on permits. The proposal included a $100 fee for non-primary residents and a fee-free pass for primary residents, aiming to reduce the current issuance of 16,647 permits against only 3,816 spaces.
  • Parking Enforcement and Technology: Director Nolan described the implementation of License Plate Reader (LPR) technology and an AI tool to streamline application processing. Councilors emphasized the need for clear signage on the bridge to direct drivers to available parking before entering the city.

Key Outcomes

  • CIP Adoption as a Workshop: The Council accepted the comprehensive CIP list of 15.4 million in general fund needs as a planning exercise, agreeing to revisit the prioritization during the budget process. The 98.5 million infrastructure bond remains the primary funding mechanism for larger projects.
  • Utility Infrastructure Gap Acknowledged: The Council formally noted the significant funding disparity in water and wastewater systems, with the administration pledging to aggressively pursue state and federal grants while prioritizing the development of a stormwater utility.
  • Parking Reform Initiation: The Council voted to proceed with the proposed residential parking reform, scheduling the first public hearing for January 28, 2026. The administration confirmed the intention to implement the new online portal and updated ordinance for the May 1, 2026 parking season.
  • Public Safety Complex Path: The Council authorized the administration to continue pursuing real estate acquisition and design work for the public safety complex to maintain "shovel-ready" status for future grant opportunities.
  • Harrison Avenue Allocation: The Council noted the discrepancy between the $5 million and $10 million estimates for site remediation, directing staff to monitor the DEP report closely before adjusting the bond allocation further.
  • Drone Program Support: Multiple council members expressed support for the municipal drone initiative proposed by the Police and Fire Departments, citing its dual utility for public safety and disaster documentation.

Meeting Transcript

Thank you for being here tonight for our introduction to the uh 2627 CIP uh program. So without further ado, I'll turn it over to our city manager Colin Kennedy. Good evening. Thank you. Uh uh thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, counselors, and thank you, members of the public who have come tonight. Uh we're excited to do something in January this year that we did not do until late January. Maybe it was early February. No, it was February last year. Um, and that's introduced the the capital improvement program uh for the next fiscal year. Uh the part of the reason we're going early is because of a concerted effort by the city staff to identify issues well in advance of the budget season to allow counselors and policymakers and other community stakeholders to make more informed decisions about the magnitude of of what goes into an annual operating budget. Um the CIP is the first and most important, or I shouldn't say the most important part, but the first significant part of that effort uh and talks about the infrastructure and and policy related needs of the community uh that uh for uh for items that are not annual expenses but are incurred over lengthy periods of time. So things like infrastructure and bridges and roads, transportation improvements, public services, parks, all of those things that you buy that you retrieve and obtain value from for a prolonged period of time. Uh we're excited to produce tonight uh what we think is a very, very comprehensive list of items. Um ultimately the the price on the numbers of some of these items may seem very, very large. That is by design. We took the guidance from the city council last year to be as truthful in our reporting as we possibly can be, um, both to articulate what those needs are but also to articulate what those potential expenses are. Some of the biggest cost deltas in terms of unknowns lie in uh uh in some of our enterprise funds, but we also have about 13 plus million dollars in needs that we've identified in our jet from our general fund. Um we likely won't be able to fund all of those, but what it does is it it sets an accurate barometer in terms of what the city administration truly feels is needed to meet both the council's policy goals, uh its plans and policies, as well as emerging and current infrastructure needs. Um so thank you for the opportunity to present this to you today to give us plenty of time to chew on it over the coming weeks. And without further ado, I'd like to uh pass the microphone over to uh uh uh Mr. Jim Nolan, our director of finance, we'll get the presentation started, which will then be followed by a series of senior department heads who will be introducing their various areas. Uh one before we get going, quick question. So when we're putting something like this together from from your point of view, city manager, are we looking at are you putting this together as far as importance down to the least important amount, or are you just putting in by by department? Yes, but that could so the first part of your question, yes, but that comes later. So this is just a planning document. Think of this as a wish list. Uh uh later on, once more fidelity uh comes into view about what types of revenues uh we'll have available balanced again, what's balanced against what uh what expenditures we will need to make, we will have to make those more difficult decisions. But that is not for today. Uh treat today as as strictly a a uh a wish list of needs to meet policy goals and to meet uh infrastructure needs. Thank you. A five-year for five years, correct. We put the most focus on the first two years, especially the first year, because that's what will impact the imminent budget, but we forecast out um five years, correct. Good evening, counselors. Uh thank you, Colin. Um I'm gonna just really kick this off and really just kind of set the stage as to uh why we're here, what we're trying to accomplish. Um, and just want to uh give a big thank you to our department directors for all their support and getting through this uh document as well as Elizabeth Skeppa, who's who spent a many, many hours putting it together. Um so the CIP document, the objective. Uh the CIP document is a standalone planning document. Um, as a planning document, the CIP reflects information at the time it is prepared. So this is this is at the time. So really when we put this together, there may be some things that happen subsequent to us putting this document together that we can discuss, and that will be talked about during the budget process. The projects listed within are presented because department directors believe they are needed to protect public health and safety or maintain current facilities and infrastructure. The CIP is not a financial or funding recommendation. The CIP is not intended to become a budget document. However, we may be we may use it to assist us in determining what our annual budget will be. All projects contemplated by the city, regardless of whether they are listed in the CIP, must be formally authorized and funded before they can proceed. So the why are we here? The purpose of the workshop. Uh, we're here to present a comprehensive list of identified needs and projects from department directors, have a discussion with council in workshop format to get council thoughts and ideas.

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