OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Newport City Council Meeting - April 8, 2026

Meeting Portal — Wednesday, April 8, 2026
BodyNewport, Rhode Island
SessionMeeting Portal
DateWednesday, April 8, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:07:08

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Meeting started.

0:03

Madam Clerk.

0:05

David Carlin.

0:08

Lynn Underwood Sagley.

0:10

Here.

0:10

Carly Holder.

0:11

Here.

0:12

Sai Cam Savorong.

0:14

Here.

0:14

Jean Marina Politano.

0:16

Here.

0:16

Alan Pinnock.

0:18

Stephanie Smythe.

0:19

Here.

0:20

There's a quorum present, Mr.

0:21

Chair.

0:22

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:26

Pledge of allegiance to the black.

0:31

And to the Republic of Hands.

0:34

One nation under God.

0:36

Individual.

0:46

Madam Clerk, anyone signed up for the citizens form?

0:50

Yes.

0:50

Pete Rice.

0:55

Rice, uh, formerly the fifth ward, now on the third ward, one Harrison Lane.

1:02

And a neighbor of the pile.

1:04

Now known as Mount Rogers.

1:08

I I come tonight to uh lend some visibility to uh uh uh an entry in the budget hearing last night, which I found remark uh it seems we're gonna collect nine hundred thousand dollars from one red light camera on uh I think out in uh um near Middletown someplace, but we're gonna it seems just a uh exorbitant amount of money.

1:39

And I think I remember from uh previous uh resolution that was pulled that uh uh the backup material said uh there had not been a decrease in speed even after the in the average speed, even after the uh uh construction of the camera.

2:10

So it seems to me there's something wrong there.

2:15

There's something wrong that we're getting 900,000 per camera.

2:20

Uh kind of milking people.

2:23

I think that should go away.

2:25

It seems obscene.

2:29

I know we need money.

2:32

Uh renew my uh request or suggestion that we toll the roads.

2:41

They're falling apart.

2:43

Uh why can't we do that?

2:46

Or at least try.

2:48

There are people around, there's an outfit around that does that call turnpike and bridge authority.

2:55

They've been doing it for 20 years at least.

2:58

Uh we could chat with them a bit, maybe have a cup of coffee and figure out how we might do that.

3:10

That's it.

3:15

Um Mr.

3:16

Chair, I'd like to uh make a motion to move a couple of things on the docket.

3:20

Uh number one, uh the appointments of board to boards and commissions, and the entire board of license commission uh the um docket to right after the consent calendar.

3:34

Second.

3:35

Motion and second and discussion.

3:36

Yes, Mr.

3:36

Chairman, uh please add item H uh from the normal consent calendar, and then a question for the vice chair, please.

3:44

Yes, can you explain uh to the public and to me um what it is you did regarding the board of commissioners removal on the consent calendar?

3:55

No, we're moving it up the agenda.

3:58

I beg your pardon.

3:58

We're just moving it all right.

3:59

So my after the consent my request then would be you want to pull separate requests, please remove your item H from the consent calendar.

4:07

Right, that's fine.

4:07

The normal consent calendar.

4:09

That's fine.

4:09

Yes, that's fine.

4:11

Okay, motion to approve the we gotta vote on the so we have the motion to to move those items.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████████████28%
Cannabis Regulation███████████████████████23%
Community Engagement█████████9%
Parking and Traffic███████7%
Personnel Matters███████7%
Special Events██████6%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%
Zoning and Land Use█████5%
Historic Preservation█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Newport City Council Meeting - April 8, 2026

The Newport City Council met on April 8, 2026, to address a range of items including citizen comments, appointments to boards and commissions, liquor license applications, and multiple city contracts. Key discussions included a proposed expansion of the Hotel Viking's liquor license, which was continued to the next meeting, and approval of the comprehensive plan advisory commission appointments.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Pete Rice, a former Fifth Ward resident now in the Third Ward, expressed concern about an estimated $900,000 annual revenue from a single red light camera near Middletown, noting that backup materials indicated no decrease in average speed after installation. He called the amount "obscene" and suggested exploring tolling roads as an alternative revenue source.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the consent calendar in its entirety with the exception of items B6 and H (the latter was pulled for discussion).
  • Approved a motion to move appointments to boards and commissions and the entire Board of License Commission docket to after the consent calendar.
  • Approved a Class F Daily Liquor License for Emmanuel Church doing business as Swing into Spring on May 15, 2026, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Councilor Comsevong recused himself).

Discussion Items

  • Cliff Walk Restrooms (Item H): A communication from the Cliff Walk Commission recommending upgrading existing restroom facilities rather than pursuing two alternatives. Councilor Carlin requested that city administration report back within approximately two months. The item was received and referred to city administration. Councilor Carlin praised the commission and public for their work, noting an upgraded facility is expected within 15 to 24 months.
  • Appointments to Boards and Commissions:
    • Council liaisons appointed: Charles Holder to Standing Charter Review Commission and Waterfront Commission; Stephanie Smythe added to Waterfront Commission; Alan Pinnock and Stephanie Smythe to My Antonio Memorial Park Advisory Commission.
    • Community organization appointments to My Antonio Memorial Park Advisory Commission: Maureen Cronin (Open Space Commission), Paul Radion (VFW), Rebecca Bertran (Newport Historical Society), Lauren Parmalee (Audubon Society), Natasha Harrison (Newport Tree Conservancy) – all three-year terms expiring 4-8-2029.
    • Standing Charter Review Commission: Appointed Martin Cohen, Jane Lebeau, Robert Dufoult, Charles Padovina, Megan Rigo, Ann Elise McCaffrey, and later added Gerard DeCotis (after Councilor Smythe recused due to being his cousin).
    • Comprehensive Plan Advisory Commission: Appointed 26 members (alphabetical list) with terms expiring 8-2027, plus five alternates. Councilor Holder noted the improved group interview process and thanked participants.
    • Henderson Home Commission reappointments: Joanne Richie, Mary Courier, Don Leduca (one-year terms expiring 12-11-2026), and William Surth (one-year term expiring 2-26-2027).
  • Board of License Commissioners:
    • Approved Class F Daily Liquor Licenses for St. Augustine’s Church (Blarney, Bologna, and Beyond, April 17, 2026) and Emmanuel Church (Swing into Spring, May 15, 2026).
    • Approved Sunday Selling License renewal for Bridge Liquors, 23 Connell Highway.
    • Hotel Viking Liquor License Expansion: Public hearing on an application to expand the premises by adding a portable bar and service to the spa. Attorney Rob Stolzman and General Manager Jay Sheldon presented the proposal, emphasizing it was within existing confines and not a nightclub. Councilors Carlin, Smythe, and others expressed concerns about neighborhood impacts (lighting, parking, noise). Councilor Kamzavarova moved to continue the item to the next meeting to allow time for resident engagement; the motion was seconded and approved. Councilor Carlin conditioned his support on the hotel meeting with concerned residents. The public hearing was closed after a resident (Stephen Bowen) spoke briefly.
  • Licenses and Permits (Regular Meeting):
    • Approved vitality licenses for The Pantry Cafe and Provisions (change of DBA) and Playa Bowls (new owner).
    • Approved special event licenses for Food Truck Friday (with waiver of 250-foot restriction), Newport Daffodil Parade (April 12, 2026), and Audrain Concours and Motor Week (October 1–4, 2026).
    • Supercar Parade (Item 6B): Councilor Carlin moved to reconsider the vote on 6B, which was approved 4-2. After discussion, the council approved the supercar parade conditionally, requiring the organizers to pay for police details at Fort Adams and Rough Point events. Representative Mike Weill confirmed no objection.
  • Sidewalk and Street Cafe Renovals: Approved renewals for multiple establishments (list provided) with no public opposition.
  • Communications from City Manager (Action Items 6575–6585):
    • 6575: Approved amending the business registration fee from $35 to $120.
    • 6576: Approved parking prohibition on a 23-foot section of William Street (north side, 156 feet west of Thomas Street).
    • 6577: Approved contract with Reagan Marine Construction for Ann Street Pier expansion, not to exceed $2,349,000.
    • 6578: Approved contract with FR Engineering Group for construction oversight of Ann Street Pier, not to exceed $50,000.
    • 6579: Accepted $25,000 award from RIHPHC for building assessment of four historic buildings at Naval Newport Hospital site.
    • 6580: Approved contract with Foth Infrastructure for seawall reconstruction along Ocean Avenue, not to exceed $238,960.
    • 6581: Approved contract with PJ Keating Company for Roadway Improvement Program 2026, not to exceed $1,913,396.69.
    • 6582: Approved exercising option year one with East Coast Landscaping for Easton’s Beach sand maintenance.
    • 6583: Approved one-year agreement with Roadie Surf for water sports concessions at Easton’s Beach (with three optional one-year renewals).
    • 6584: Approved one-year agreement with Roadie Surf for umbrella and chair concessions at Easton’s Beach (with three optional one-year renewals).
    • 6585: Approved exercising option year two with 1899 LC LLC for mobile food and beverage concessions at Easton’s Beach.
  • Resolution on Jonathan Easton Cemetery: Approved a resolution directing the city administration to advise on steps to legally maintain the burial ground, ensure public access, and install historical signage. Councilors praised the Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission’s work.

Key Outcomes

  • Citizen’s comment recorded; no formal action taken on red light camera or tolling.
  • Cliff Walk restrooms referral to administration; report expected within two months.
  • All appointments to boards and commissions approved unanimously.
  • Hotel Viking liquor license expansion continued to the next meeting (date not specified in transcript).
  • Supercar parade (6B) approved with condition that organizers pay for police details at Fort Adams and Rough Point; vote was 4-2 to reconsider the original approval.
  • All action items (6575–6585) approved unanimously.
  • Resolution on Jonathan Easton Cemetery approved unanimously.
  • Meeting adjourned after the resolution.

Meeting Transcript

Meeting started. Madam Clerk. David Carlin. Lynn Underwood Sagley. Here. Carly Holder. Here. Sai Cam Savorong. Here. Jean Marina Politano. Here. Alan Pinnock. Stephanie Smythe. Here. There's a quorum present, Mr. Chair. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge of allegiance to the black. And to the Republic of Hands. One nation under God. Individual. Madam Clerk, anyone signed up for the citizens form? Yes. Pete Rice. Rice, uh, formerly the fifth ward, now on the third ward, one Harrison Lane. And a neighbor of the pile. Now known as Mount Rogers. I I come tonight to uh lend some visibility to uh uh uh an entry in the budget hearing last night, which I found remark uh it seems we're gonna collect nine hundred thousand dollars from one red light camera on uh I think out in uh um near Middletown someplace, but we're gonna it seems just a uh exorbitant amount of money. And I think I remember from uh previous uh resolution that was pulled that uh uh the backup material said uh there had not been a decrease in speed even after the in the average speed, even after the uh uh construction of the camera. So it seems to me there's something wrong there. There's something wrong that we're getting 900,000 per camera. Uh kind of milking people. I think that should go away. It seems obscene. I know we need money. Uh renew my uh request or suggestion that we toll the roads. They're falling apart. Uh why can't we do that? Or at least try. There are people around, there's an outfit around that does that call turnpike and bridge authority. They've been doing it for 20 years at least. Uh we could chat with them a bit, maybe have a cup of coffee and figure out how we might do that. That's it. Um Mr. Chair, I'd like to uh make a motion to move a couple of things on the docket. Uh number one, uh the appointments of board to boards and commissions, and the entire board of license commission uh the um docket to right after the consent calendar. Second. Motion and second and discussion. Yes, Mr. Chairman, uh please add item H uh from the normal consent calendar, and then a question for the vice chair, please.

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