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.

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?

No, we're moving it up the agenda.

I beg your pardon.

We're just moving it all right.

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.

Right, that's fine.

The normal consent calendar.

That's fine.

Yes, that's fine.

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

All those in favor say aye.

Aye, any opposed motion to approve the consent calendar in its entirety with the exception of B six and H.

Second.

Motion second, any discussion.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed um motion to approve emmanual church doing business as swing into spring, emmanual church, May 15th, 2026 from 7:30 p.m.

to 10 o'clock p.m.

Uh motion and second and discussion.

Uh councilor uh comms of Oravong had to recuse himself from this item.

All right, any other discussion?

All right, all those in favor say aye.

Uh next is a communication from Peter Jenneros.

Cliff Walk Commission, Cliff Walk Restrooms, refer um receive and refer to city administration.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion.

Mr.

Chairman.

Council Carlin.

Thank you.

The reason I pulled this, I have two questions for the city administration for the manager.

First, I've seen in the past past council meetings when we receive and refer to the city administration that sometimes, and probably on menial items.

This is not menial, but probably on menial items in the past.

When we've referred to the city administration, we don't hear back uh for a council recommendation on such.

That's just a comment.

So the question is regarding the Cliff Walk Commission's request uh that we remain, so to speak, with the status quo uh of what for the public and and others who might be watching, uh what is being recommended by the Cliff Walk Commission, the restroom facilities at the cliff walk.

The commission is recommending uh that we upgrade the facilities at the location where they currently are, as opposed to uh doing two other possible things or as opposed to two other alternatives.

So my question for the administration is how soon as we enter the summer season, pretty quickly, how soon will you come back to the council with the recommendation that you're asking, or that is on the agenda here under item H within within approximately two months.

Okay, thanks.

I want to thank uh Mr.

Chairman and my colleagues.

Uh I want to thank the members of the Cliff Walk Commission and the public.

The public is including Mr.

Rice and others who have uh commented on the restroom facilities along the cliffwalk uh in both councillor Segley's ward and in my ward.

Uh a lot of work's gone into this, and I think what you will see as a result of the eventual recommendation from the city administration is an upgraded and uh wonderful facility, restroom facility, along with the to come updates or upgrades to Cliff Walk.

We're gonna have a fantastic facility there, uh, probably within the next 15 to 24 months, which includes all of the federal state money, etc.

put into uh repairs for the cliff.

So um apologize for my long questions and statements here, but this really is a great project.

Thank you to my colleagues for all of your support, uh, and thank you to everybody who I mentioned earlier.

All right, all those in favor say aye.

Next uh appointments to boards and commissions.

All right, so we have a few things going on with boards and commissions.

Uh we're gonna start off with uh appointing uh council liaison's uh the there's three commissions that we are appointing liaison to.

Uh the first is the standing charter review commission, which is a new commission that would be voted on tonight.

Uh the liaison uh will be uh Charles Holder, uh the waterfront commission.

Um also Charles Holder, and in addition, I like to amend to add in uh Stephanie Smythe.

And then my Antonomia Memorial Park Advisory Commission is Alan Pinnock and Stephanie Smythe.

I have a second.

All right, motion and second, any discussion.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

All right.

Um so now we're adding the My Antonio Memorial Park Advisory Commission, the community organization appointments.

Um from Trin Open Space Commission is Maureen Cronin.

VFW post 406, Paul Radion, a three-year term expiring 4-8, 2029.

Newport Historical Society, Rebecca Bertran, a three-year term expiring 4-8, 2029.

Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Lauren Parmalee, a three-year term expiring 4-8, 2029, and from the Newport Tree Conservancy, Natasha Harrison, uh also a three-year term expiring 4-8 2029.

May I have a second second?

Motion and second, any discussion.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Uh the standing charter review commission.

We have uh seven members.

Um Martin Cohen, Jane Lebeau, Robert Dufoult, uh Charles Padovina, Megan Rigo, and Ann Elise McCaffrey.

Um, do I have a second?

Second.

Motion and second, all those in favor say aye.

Uh Mr.

Cairman.

Hold on.

Pardon me.

Uh forgive me if I overlooked it or if there is a change, but uh I didn't hear uh our friend Jerry DeCotis' name on it.

Correct, because we're gonna have Council Smythe recuse yourself.

Jerry's my cousin.

So it'd be clear.

Thank you.

Sorry about that.

All right.

Um also to add to the standing charter review commission is Gerald.

I'm sorry, Jerry uh Gerard DeCodis.

May I have a second?

Second.

Uh motion and second, any discussion.

All say aye.

Aye.

Thank you.

And next is the comprehensive plan advisory commission.

All terms will expire for 8 2027.

Um this is uh commission that's gonna help the planning board with our comp plan uh for next year.

Um so I'm just gonna list these names.

Uh these are in alphabetical order, so there's no I don't want anyone to get any uh ideas that it's anything different.

It's not by height or anything like that.

So uh Sean Alexander, Karen Banks, Tyler Bernadin, Mark Fitzgerald, Carl Bjork, Chris Birch, Mary Joe Carr, Sarah Cassis, Joan Galvin, Carmela Gear, Frederick Huntsbury, Hank Niskern, Sandy Christensen, Jeffrey Latimer, Stephen Marley, Taryn Mazza, Herb McCormick, John Michael, Rupert Nesbitt, Sandy Neville, Charles Padovina, Emma Polinski, Nicole Shebury, Heather Strout, Stephanie Zaneki, and Shannon Walker.

May I have a second?

Second.

We have a motion and second, any discussion.

Those in favor say aye.

Aye.

And then for this uh commission, we also have five alternates.

Uh Robert Bistozo, Carla McCone, Rebecca Noon, Nicole Ray, and Jeff Weldon.

May have a second.

Motion and second, any discussion.

Um, I would just like to say that I appreciate everyone that had applied for this uh these positions for this plan advisory commission.

Uh the comprehensive plan advisory commission, excuse me.

Um we had we did something a little bit different with this uh this interview process.

We did it in groups, and um I thought it was one of the one of the better interview processes that we've done.

Um the people that that joined in the discussions we had were fantastic, and uh so I just want to thank uh the council members who are part of that, and also everyone who who is on that um uh on that list of applicants.

So um thank you so much.

And I I know I look forward to seeing what the what comes out of the comp plan uh committee.

So thank you.

Uh next up we have reappointments to the Henderson Home Commission.

Uh we have Joanne Richie for a one-year term expiring 1211, 2026.

Mary Courier, one year term expiring 12-11, 2026.

Don Leduca, a one-year term expiring 12-11, 2026, and William Surth, a one-year term expiring February 26, 2027.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Next motion to adjourn is council and um convene as board of licensed commissioners.

Second.

Motion second, any discussion.

All the favorites say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Um motion uh to approve the class F Daily Liquor License, St.

Augustine's Church, doing businesses, Blarney, Bologna, and beyond.

Comedy night, St.

Augustine Church Hall, April 17th, 2026, from 5 30 p.m.

to 9 30 p.m.

So I have a second.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Councilor Comsevora Bong will recuse.

A motion to approve a class F daily liquor license, Emmanuel Church Newport, doing business as swing into spring, Emmanuel Church, May 15th, 2026 from 7:30 to 10 o'clock p.m.

Do you have a second?

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion.

All those in favor, say aye.

Aye.

Uh next on to licenses and permits.

Motion to approve a send Sunday selling license renewal, KRG Enterprises, Inc.

doing business as bridge liquors, 23 Connell Highway.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Motion to approve an application of HTL V1.

Newport TRS LLC doing business as Hotel Viking, one Bellevue Avenue, holder of a class BT alcoholic beverage license to expand the license premises by adding a portable bar measuring 15 feet by six inches and six feet by nine inches and nine feet by two inches to the patio area and the addition of expanded service into spa fire.

This is a hearing, Mr.

Chair.

Do we have a second?

Second.

Second.

All right, motion second.

Uh, do we have anyone from the public that would like to comment?

Mr.

Chairman.

Council Carlin.

Might I offer comments ahead of time, please.

Absolutely.

Thank you.

Uh, and I will yield uh to uh the proponents and those are those who are representing them and uh certainly to to the residents who might be here to speak about it.

But I have a number of concerns about this request.

I think all of my colleagues.

In fact, I know all of my colleagues on the council have received uh a number of communications from the neighborhood, all of which uh happens to be located in the third ward, but we're not manhattan uh or not Los Angeles.

It's a small city.

We all have concerns about this as counselors, uh particularly my colleagues at the at-large level.

Uh but uh having said that and repeating uh that I do have concerns and would like to address them after the public speaks.

I yield, Mr.

Chairman.

Thank you.

Okay.

All right.

Anyone from uh from the public that would like to make a comment.

Thank you.

Uh Mr.

Chairman, members of the council.

Um my name is Rob Stolzman, Madadler Polak and Sheehan.

We have offices at 49 Bellevue Avenue, a couple of doors down from the Hotel Viking.

You may recall I was with you uh several months ago last fall, late summer, when um our client KHB, uh the applicant now um utilizing um HTL6 Newport TRS, uh purchased the property, and at that time we were excited and still are excited to have purchased the historic property, and then we came before your historic district commission and um received approval to do the full restoration.

And this winter the property was closed uh for the full uh restoration that's uh in the process of being completed now.

Before I get into the liquor license, let me just say, like with all major construction projects, there have been uh disruption to the neighborhood.

Uh we know that the lighting has not been correct in the parking areas.

It is now um uh when we're currently working on that last night.

Uh um uh uh Rhode Island Energy, Narragansett Electric, the old Narragans Electric Company technically was adjusting the lights.

We're still doing that.

We'll be meeting with the assistant town manager out there uh later tonight to continue to work on the lighting.

Um we're hopeful the construction will be done in the weeks ahead, not months but weeks uh uh before the season.

Uh and so we uh we do apologize for the disruption to the neighborhood and all those matters uh should be addressed.

Uh with me tonight is Jay Sheldon, the new general manager of the hotel.

He has extensive uh neighborhood hotel experience in New England, he's a native New Englander, and he's been uh doing this work for a long time.

With respect to the liquor license application before you, um the thought was to try to um uh simply um uh improve the uh permitting sequence, frankly, for the lower level.

When you go down through the drive area, there's a courtyard there, stone and brick courtyard.

Um the plan is to uh uh bring in a um a mobile um uh a portable uh bar, uh kind of a um a trailer, a um uh a mobile trailer type situation that will be permanent there.

It won't be moved around the site, um, but it's technically portable because it's on wheels, and utilize the driving ambiance of that uh for that.

It's adjacent to the ballroom.

So the notion was to continue to activate the ballroom.

It's a small, uh small bar, about half the size of your dais, uh 12 feet, 15 feet, 12 to 15 feet uh long.

Um, and again, that's in an area that's already travel traffic.

It's not the intent of this expansion to uh uh create new space.

It's completely enclosed, other than the entrance down onto Bellevue Avenue, and then the courtyard out into the back, which is also fully enclosed.

So normally I'm like I totally understand the argument of expansion of the liquor license would increase noise, light, even foot traffic, etc.

This is not that type of expansion.

It's within the four corners of the hotel, it's within the courtyard.

The second component is the spa.

The spa is also on that lower level in the back, has been there for years.

We're not changing the spa.

And frankly, we're just trying to come into compliance.

For years, people have gotten a glass of wine and gone to the spa.

We'd like to offer a small spa menu that has wine and and light light food.

That's all.

And and your your clerk's office appropriately picked up when we were we went through it.

The records for the hotel are hand-drawn.

Here's the bar, here's the storage area, and then they kept layering on with renewals over the years with the professional new professional management, had CAD drawings drawn and really put the bar, the storage you see in your packet.

This is this is a real upgrade, and your your staff has been terrific saying let's really master what's going on there.

And we said, oh, the spas actually kind of used this way anyway.

So let's go ahead and and make this correct.

So we have every square inch identified where liquor will be served with grown food.

Um and um and we really uh uh as I testified or worked with my client on testifying before your historic district commission and before you when we did the transfer.

Uh and Jay can talk to this directly if you'd like.

Uh Hotel Viking build itself as Newport's living room uh for many years and and historically has done that, and that's the ambiance we want, should be friendly.

It's not a nightclub.

Uh it's not intended to be a nightclub.

Um we uh I know we're coming in here at a bad time at the end of a construction project.

It's just the nature of the timing of the construction project and and now trying to fit it out.

Um the last thing I'd say is um uh to support the notion of what we want to do is really high-end, nice, quiet, comfortable, is uh utilizing all the local chefs and and trying to make this into a continuing Rhode Island Newport thing.

So the third ward is our home, our councilman has expressed concerns.

We totally get it.

Totally get it.

And it's Jay's job and me to tell him we got to get it.

And we do.

And um, we we would appreciate the opportunity to finish the restoration as planned uh with this additional uh limited service.

Thank you.

And we're here to answer any questions, Ms.

Mr.

Sheldon's here as well.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mr.

Chairman, Council Grollen.

Thank you.

Uh first of all, to the Viking ownership.

Uh you have an extraordinary attorney uh representing you tonight.

I've known Ms.

Stallzman for 20 plus years.

Uh and and uh I can't can't say enough about him.

Um Rob, do you mind attorney Stolzman?

Do you mind for anyone speaking on behalf of the hotel, answering a couple of questions?

No, not at all.

Great.

Uh first of all, is is the hotel controlled now by uh a private equity or a hedge fund.

Uh this is no longer the hotel that we we knew years ago uh when the cohen's owned it, and it's had transfers since then, but uh essentially in English, who owns the hotel.

Well, it is a fund.

It's it's it's uh it's a group of investors in a fund.

Their main office is in San Francisco.

Um there uh but they they very much focus on locally managed and locally uh sensitive uh hotels, historic particularly historic buildings, but it isn't the Cohen's years gone by.

I appreciate that.

And I appreciate every investor's ability to uh earn money.

Uh but as I have said countless times before, uh, though I appreciate everybody who invests in uh puts their passion into visits and whatever else you want to describe the city of Newport, uh I'm here to put the residents first, and the residents have a number of concerns.

I'll yield back.

Mr.

Chair.

Council Smythe.

Um, you know, I can appreciate the the hotel Viking for pursuing this.

Um, but I agree with Councillor Carlin.

You know, at some point yes, we have to appreciate what the businesses in our city bring to the table and to our economy, but we do have to listen to our residents' concerns, and when it is greatly impactful to their quality of life, their health and well-being, then we need to strongly consider that.

And and as such, I'm I'm sorry, but I wouldn't be able to vote to approve this.

Yeah.

I I might note there are two applications, uh, only one of them was docketed for tonight due to uh miscommunication with the clerk's office.

And we as you may know that there's a concomitant or a an uh uh coinciding food license with your beverage license.

And you'll note that the food license isn't on tonight.

That's probably not as controversial as the beverage license, but they do go together.

And I think we're docated for two weeks uh from tonight in your next meeting for that.

And that was just a posting uh error.

Um we're amenable to making sure we understand fully your concerns and the um neighborhoods concerns and and and getting it right.

This this isn't we're not trying to force anything through.

We we really do believe this is an opportunity for good investment economically, but more importantly for the restoration of the and the quality of the of the hotel.

This isn't uh uh this isn't an attempt to squeeze every square inch of uh liquor sales out of the out of the site.

Uh, the thoughtful, and you may have seen some of the press on this in the book, the Boston Globe brand article just on the food and beverage idea here.

And and that we we're really proud of that.

So um uh but I get it.

We're with the K Street, Church Street totally understand our proximity neighborhood.

We spend so much time on the chapel uh and making sure that that's restored and used properly.

So so we're here to do the right thing.

I really do believe that.

Um, and if we don't understand uh the councilman and this our our third ward uh host uh concerns, then that's our job to understand them.

And we need to respond to you.

But we're we're happy whether it's tonight.

We're here we're we thought we're at the end of the agenda.

We appreciate being moved up on the agenda, but we'll stay as long and as late or or uh work with you uh over the time period uh that we would like to have this resolved before the season, you know, before May one, take advantage of this April month to to be ready to go.

But that's you know, but we're at your discretion.

We understand that.

Thank you.

Mr.

Chair.

Um, I just have a couple of questions.

Um what would there be music out where this new bar is?

Or is it no that you know we have uh we put in with our transfers our our um um uh our entertainment, we were uh we're not anticipating increasing any of the entertainment.

This isn't to create a uh a new a new entertainment venue down there.

And you said this is within the confines of the hotel as it stands now.

Yeah, yeah.

It if it's really indoor, it's not it's it's in the courtyard that when you on Bellevue Avenue, you may remember there's the drive down it goes down a level, and and that's fully enclosed, except for the uh an equal on the back side, there's an equivalent to an outdoor courtyard.

The intent is not to take any noise out to the backyard or certainly not on onto Bellevue Avenue.

It's fully contained within the in the courtyard.

Okay.

Um could I just ask the solicitor a question?

Um, do we have to worry about prior restraint on this type of situation?

Well, that's a consideration.

Um it's not a free speech issue.

It's not a First Amendment issue, but um you have to look at their proposal and you have to determine whether it's uh fit and proper use there.

Um it's a fit uh license holder and it's a fit premises for the liquor service.

Um that review, of course, should be reasonable and based on objective criteria and not something that would be um something that could happen in the in the future.

Uh it's like any license they need to when you when it's first asked for you can't rely overly on the idea that there could be problems in the future and which uh which the conditions now do not support that.

So um, yes, prior restraint uh uh along those uh lines is is a consideration.

Okay.

Uh if this is going to be reviewed on if it's denied and it's reviewed on a deal.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you.

Any other questions?

Mr.

Chairman.

Hold on, hold on, Council Carlson.

Um Rob, so general manager, you might you mind coming up?

Um so um I'm gonna assume that since you're the chairman of the whole property, correct?

That's correct, yes.

So you're you're gonna be the point person basically of any complaints or issues that we have.

Okay.

Um do you live nearby?

Actually, currently right now I'm down at uh one Washington Street.

I live at the Newport shipyard on my boat, actually.

Okay.

Um I know there's gonna probably be times where they're probably gonna be called in the middle of the night to come and deal with something.

So personal experience lots of personal experience with that as well, too.

Yeah.

So my my qu it's not really too much of a question, but my concern right now and anyone knows me, obviously, I've I've been in this business for a long time, and I'm very hesitant to make an assumption that some that a uh a business is gonna do something wrong that's gonna cause issues.

Um I like to wait until that happens um just to be fair.

However, um there is one issue I have, and it doesn't have to do technically with this liquor license expansion.

It's more the the parking on church street that I know a lot of the residents have an issue with um with uh buses, um usually from wedding parties and things of that nature.

So has that been addressed at all?

Um as far as how are we going to handle large crowds and things of that nature?

It actually is.

We we had a meeting with the uh with the city manager in the in several departments talking about the renovation and the completion date of of May 1st.

And at the end of that meeting, we did stay and talk with the with the traffic control officer about the traffic specifically on church street, the permitting process and how we can make sure that that's a smooth process moving forward.

Okay.

Um and then um that was mentioned about uh the other concern to get is is noise.

When I I know people think oh, there's gonna be a bar opened up, so there's gonna be a lot of music and people are gonna be drunk and causing a scene.

What is the intent of this of this portal bar to be?

Is it for is there a time limit that you're gonna have on it as far as how long it's gonna be open for?

Is it just during dinner service or what like what's the it'll it'll be open in the the afternoon into the evening, probably mirror the mirror the hours of what used to be top of Newport, which is now going to be the cap club for us.

So close at 10 p.m.

It's also in that courtyard.

One of the things it's worth mentioning as well, too.

For anybody who isn't familiar with the property, there are three floors of guest rooms that are probably going to be 25 from here to the wall away from this location and where everybody's where the seating would be.

So not only if if it was noisy and disruptive, certainly it would impact the neighbors as well, but we'd also have potentially 50 guest rooms that would be impacted by that as well, too.

And those would also be the complaints in the calls that I would get at night too.

So we're we're definitely not looking to turn this into a very loud activated area into more of a casual setting, place for people to gather and kind of be outside during the season, and it would not be open during the off season.

Okay, great.

Um any other questions, Councilman Balitov.

Yeah, um, in all my years on council, I can only recall one complaint from the hotel Viking, and that was the bar on the roof.

Will that still be there?

Yes, the cap that's that's transitioning into the cap club, yes.

Okay, but the downstairs has always or even the courtyard courtyard area has always been used and serviced, you know, for groups and things like that.

I really don't see a problem with it.

I don't see um people going in there just to go in and drink and carry on.

It's not that type of place.

And I'm sure um whatever renovations you're doing will accommodate your guest and perhaps some people that may walk in and want to see the hotel.

Okay, yeah, thank you.

So I don't have a problem with it at all.

Council Carlton.

I yield to Councillor Kamzavarova.

I um counselor.

Uh council, I'm listening to your earlier remarks very closely and hearing you're gonna be back to see us in two weeks for the food license.

Um, and there's I think a sincere commitment from management and from you to ensure that the relationship with both the council but also the surrounding community gets off on the best foot possible.

And and I know there are come some minor tweaks to unrelated issues that need to get sorted out that are probably in part fairly or not being considered as part of this conversation.

Um would you be amenable to a continuance um just to the next meeting?

So when you come back in for the food, we're also addressing beverage at the same time, or do you really prefer this gets addressed this evening?

Yeah.

Yeah, that's fine.

That's why I mentioned it earlier.

I did that before, actually.

So I took some risk, but but I we have to come back in two weeks anyway.

And and um, and while they're not related to the food and beverage issue, uh, we don't want we understand what you have to do, and we've been not and I don't mean that in the positive sense.

It's your job to make sure that we're communicating and protecting the neighborhood.

We think you're inheriting stewardship of uh a quintessential part of our community and icon.

We're delighted to have uh this taken on that stewardship, made the investment that it has.

I think it'd be a beautiful thing if we could make sure that the corresponding licensure uh enjoys uh a reasonable level of community support if possible and and strong council support.

Like to motion and continue this item.

And it is worth I did, I mean, obviously we've seen the in the filings it did see the the one letter of of somebody who had some some concerns.

I did reach out to them yesterday just to try to touch base, um try to alleviate any of those concerns, and I'll do so again before the next time just starting to even go over and talk to the door and introduce myself and have done that throughout some of the other issues that I know that some of the lighting I spent some times with the residents on on K Street after hours and even spend time in their living rooms and kitchen to see light flip through before we adjusted the lights.

possible and and strong council support like to motion and continue this item and it is worth i i did i mean obviously we've seen the in the filings it did see the the one letter of of somebody who had some some concerns i did reach out to them yesterday just to try to touch base um try to alleviate any of those concerns and i'll do so again before the next time just starting even go over and count on the door and introduce myself and have done that throughout some of the other issues that I know that some of the lighting I spent some times with the residents on on K Street after hours and even spend time in their living rooms and kitchen to see light flu before we adjusted the lights so definitely want to be a good part of the community and and and happy to come back a couple of things uh uh first of all has uh councillor comes of our have you made that in the uh form of a a motion to amend yes if someone on the body is wanting to second that second motion and second for continuance any discussion yes on the continuance please um thank you again um to address a couple of your your comments uh first of all uh lighting affecting K Street is not a major concern lighting affecting high and affecting the surrounding neighborhood uh in depending on how you look at it you can define it geographically however you'd like but uh let's start with high street sure uh and uh it's a major concern let let's get that done uh I certainly will not vote for uh any approval um asked of the council be it this type of approval or any other approval until the neighbors my constituents my at-large constituents uh my at-large colleagues constituents concerns are taken care of uh lighting to start with parking there's very little you can do as an entity about parking that's up to the council to address uh from a permitting standpoint resident parking only etc what you can do is as my uh colleague the mayor mentioned earlier ensure usure uh that uh the use of the chapel which you own and the use of any of your other uh any other part of the physical plant uh does not include the blocking of uh neighborhood streets although they may not be vehicles buses etc that that you own uh it is certainly a part of uh a event or events that the hotel is hosting so that's another concern uh certainly and then we have uh uh the neighborhood concerns about noise and nuisance uh much of those concerns have been touched on addressed to a certain degree uh I assure you my friend that it is not just one complaint and you might have received one uh letter and responded to that which I appreciate which we all appreciate uh but there are dozens of of concerned residents I will support counselor Karmsvaravan's request to continue but I will do so uh with the knowledge if you can give it to me uh that you will meet with the concerned residents and at least address some of their uh issues we may not come to a total agreement uh governance is the art of compromise as we all know uh but um uh the city of Newport in the last 40 years via the council councils has done we we cannot be accused put it this way of not welcoming the corporate community in fact some might say we have done too much not to welcome the corporate community but we have done too much to put the corporate community in front of the needs of residents I think what I'm asking for is not overly burdensome and I would ask my colleagues to agree with me on that condition for the continuance.

Thank you Mr.

Chairman and like we expressed before I mean we had Rhode Island Energy out last night angling the lights down in the parking lot which we feel will alleviate a majority of those impacts but Mr Kruel and I have been in great contact we were out there a few weeks ago to observe the lights we've dimmed the new LED lights on the side of the building um and then are we looking at ways if if tonight's inspection doesn't fully correct it to tinting the lenses on those that face high street so um the Rhode Island energy of angling the lights down and certainly the the the complaints from high street are and and church street without a doubt 100% the the lights on K Street and our associate parking lots very valid as well too so it's just uh we we want to make sure that we're taking care of everybody making sure that everyone's in good place because it in all reality they're all of our neighbors so we're gonna make sure we're we're in good standing with everybody.

Uh, but I look forward to by supporting this continuance hearing in two weeks that you have met with the neighbors and again address the concerns as best we can.

You can if I may, we endorse and support the way you characterize our use of time in the next two.

We understand it.

We agree with it and appreciate the motion.

Thank you.

Mr.

Chair, I'd like to counselor Segui.

Just make a motion to close the public hearing, please.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion.

Those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Uh Mr.

Chairman.

Uh I'm sorry, I was uh I was not quick enough on the draw.

I do believe we have a resident uh who would like to speak about whether it be the amendment, the continuance motion offered, or whether it be original.

I I did see a hand up in the front from this gentleman, and I don't want to close anything without the residents.

Absolutely.

Come on up.

Come up to the podium.

Just state your name and address, please.

I'm a neighboring situation.

My name is Stephen Bowen, and I live on Whitfield Place, which is one block street debate house.

When I first heard about this, I had a phrase came to my brain.

And that's nobody shouted stop.

We spent two hours, two years, excuse me, two years.

Uh, with uh Hill Pop.

Took us two years to prevent it from being an event thing and not not appropriately zone.

I would like to ask a question of the of the panel of the counselors.

I think the general thing about the general notation about we when we think about the um uh when we think about councils is to do something good, or that's when you're probably here to do something good for the city.

This is the bar.

I want you to tell me why we we need another bar.

And we we also already for the pre in the previous owners had a lot of um summer band and music from the roof right down into the backyard, right in backyard from which uh place.

So uh I would I would like to hear maybe there's someone new uh from somebody on the thing or or joint uh thing.

Tell me how this makes Newport better.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mr.

Chair, the issue is a continuance on the on the table, please.

All right, so let's uh make a vote for the continuance.

All those in favor of continuing this to uh oh we need to vote on closing the public hearing too.

Second we did.

Uh right.

So uh all in favor of a continuance say aye.

Aye, any opposed?

All right, just continue to the next meeting.

Okay, motion to adjourn as board of licensed commissioners and um convene and it's a regular meeting.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

We're under licenses and permits.

Um motion to approve a vitaling license and new renewal, BRACs on Bellevue Bellevue Inc.

doing business as the pantry cafe and provisions.

Uh change of uh DBA from BRACS Cafe 11 Bellevue Avenue.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Motion to approve a vitaling license, new owner Playa, Playa Newport, LLC doing business as Playa Bowls 201 Goddard.

Do I have a second?

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion.

Those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Motion to approve a special event license.

Newport craft, Wally Wieners doing business um as food truck Friday, Newport 293, JT Connell Highway.

Um 522, 529, 65, 612, 619, 626, 710, 717, 724, 731, 87, 814, 821.

Um, in uh the year 2000 2026 from 5 p.m.

to 9 p.m.

Do we have a second?

Motion and second.

Uh this also comes with a request to waive section 5.57.040 uh about restrictions on permits, which in this case is having a food truck within 250 feet of a restaurant.

Um so that's part of the vote.

So do we have any uh we have a motion and second?

Um any discussion from the council.

I have talked to councillor uh pinnock, who is the ward one uh counselor, and she is fully behind this.

All right.

So all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion to approve a special event license, Audrain Auto Museum doing business as Newport Daffodil Parade Streets of Newport beginning at Easton's Beach, April 12th, 2026 from 7 a.m.

to 9 p.m.

9 a.m.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion?

All is in favor say aye.

I motion to approve a special event license, Audrain Automotive Automotive.

Can't speak tonight.

Automobile Museum Incorporated and Audreen Concourse Foundation LLC doing business as 2026 Audreyne, Newport Concourse and Motor Week, various locations, the details attached.

October 1 through 4, 2026.

The request is to close Bellevue Avenue between Memorial Boulevard and East Bowery Street from 11 a.m.

to 2 p.m.

And the addition of a supercar parade streets of Newport October 1, 2026 from 2 p.m.

to 4 p.m.

Second.

Oh, we have a motion and a second.

Any discussion?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

I seven.

Next the sidewalk cafe license renewals.

Madam Chair.

Uh Madam Vice Chair.

Mr.

Chairman.

Uh we approved 6A.

Uh, I don't believe we addressed 6B.

I do have concerns about 6B.

We did both.

Uh well then having voted in the affirmative on six.

I would like to reconsider uh the motion in part or reconsider the vote in part, please.

Uh I did not realize we were voting on 6A and B.

Uh I have concerns about 6B, and I would like a I would like to make a motion to reconsider uh item 6B, having been again on the winning uh or on the majority side.

We have a motion to bring back 6B.

Is there a second?

Second.

Motion and second.

Any discussion?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Nay.

I seven.

Oh four to two.

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

Thank you, colleagues.

Uh regarding six B.

The addition of a supercar parade uh on the streets of Newport from October 1st uh 2026 to or from 4 p.m.

Uh this is a this is a very detailed application which was sent to the council and available to the public, though I'm not sure the the public uh was able to lack of a better phrase dive into to everything.

Uh so I'll be as as brief as I possibly can uh while I support the the underlying request.

Let me first say that I had a a great conversation with uh uh the management of uh the well there there are various uh management officials, but let's just say I had a very great conversation with uh uh a management official from Audrain.

Uh and as my colleagues will remember, two weeks ago, quite separate from 6B uh on tonight's agenda.

Two weeks ago, uh brought before the city council a request uh for a permit at Fort Adams for a number of cars and coffee events, uh, which the council continued because we wanted as a council to see the organizers' work with uh the neighbors who expressed uh a lot of concern, many concerns uh about many issues regarding coffee and cars, specifically noise nuisance revving of engines, speeding, etc.

Uh so in my conversations uh with the with the management, uh they have agreed uh to provide uh or to pay for, if you will, a police detail uh at a minimum at the corner of Haladin and Harrison Avenue uh to reduce the possibility of what I just described happening.

All of this uh became all of this came as a result of uh my colleagues continuing that request.

But again, uh tonight's 6B request has a multitude of uh of asks uh within it, included in those asks, and again, quite distinct from uh what the council dealt with two weeks ago regarding coffee uh cars and coffee, our additional cars and coffee uh permit requests for Fort Adams and for uh Oaker.

Uh I'm sorry, four Fort Adams and for Rough Point among other places throughout Newport.

So having taken up far too much of everybody's time in that explanation, uh Mr.

Chairman, I would like to make a motion uh to approve the six the request found under 6B with the condition that the organizers will will pay for a police detail at the Fort Adams locations that they are requesting to use and at the rough point location, they are requesting to use, subject to uh working out set agreement with the Newport Police Department and the City Administration.

Very long detail, but I'd invite with the chairman's permission, uh the uh the representatives from Modrain uh to confirm or deny anything that I just said.

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

Good evening, uh Mike Weill representing Bellevue, Audrain, and all related entities.

Um is overall a part of the motor week in Concord, and with that, we do have the police details.

We work very closely with the Newport Police Department, who for the last six years have been amazing and and we we do a lot of planning in advance and um 6B.

Although the name supercar may get people's attention, it's a very special event.

It will be probably um the first supercar event in the country like this.

These are um cars that really gather a lot of attention and appreciation from the public, cars that they don't typically get to see otherwise.

Um it is not a race.

Um the tour will be led by multiple police departments as we go through different um jurisdictions.

Um it will not be a for lack of a better term, a cannonball run type event.

It will just be to let the the Aquidneck Island and and broader area see the cars.

Um we have already in the plan and over the past six years, used details from the police department.

We've already had conversations with them about continuing that.

So um I think that this is um a uh a new event, but very much in line with what we've done in the past at Motorweek and with the gathering, the cars are parked.

Um it's a uh a show for people to come and walk the grounds and enjoy the the beauty of of Newport and and the oceans, etc.

while they look at cars and and spend time in the community.

So you have our assurance.

I think that we have documented that in the proposals, the the work that we'll do with both the police and fire department um to make sure that this event continues to be safe, enjoyable, um, and beneficial for Newport and the island as a whole.

Mike, uh uh Mr.

Chairman, may I go ahead?

Uh and I appreciate everything you just described, and certainly the police detail involving uh many of the events not held at Fort Adams and not held at Rough Point has been your standard for years.

Uh the police department has worked very well with you, uh, I know, but in tonight's application, there is not specifically uh a requirement for a police detail regarding the events, two of them to be held at Fort Adams and the event, one of which is held at Rough Point.

Do you have any objection to paying for uh the police detail at the corner of Harrison Avenue and Halliden for the Fort Adams event?

Absolutely zero.

Do you have any objection to paying for the police detail uh at Rough Points event?

No, we don't.

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

I fully support this.

Thank you.

Could I just ask um could you provide us with the designated route for the parade?

Uh yes, we can if we haven't already.

I think if we haven't, we'll make sure you get one.

But you can that's fine.

Must happen in the document.

Thank you.

Any further discussion?

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Ayes have it.

Moving on to sidewalk cafe license renewals.

I'm going to name them.

And if anyone in the audience has an issue, please uh let us know.

Uh motion to approve audet and thames street kitchen, 509 Thame Street, Barcino 22 Washington Square, Caleb and Broad 162 Broadway, Claw and Hammer, 527 to 537 Thame Street, Fastnet, uh 1 through 3 Broadway, the Scoop for Broadway, Hungry Monkey, 124 Broadway, Mel's Lunch 25 Broadway, Nicholas Pizza 38 Memorial Boulevard West, Parlor Bar and Kitchen 200 Broadway.

Um 28 to 32 Bellevue Avenue Picnic, uh Route Newport 6 Broadway, Scratch Kitchen and Catering 88 Broadway, and Stone Acre 28 to 30 Washington Square.

Second.

Motion and second.

Uh anyone in the public have any issues with any of these sidewalk cafe license renewals.

All right.

Any discussion of the council?

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Uh next are the street cafe license renewals, uh, Corner Cafe 110 Broadway, Malt 150 to 154 Broadway, and poor judgment 32 Broadway.

Second.

Motion and second.

Anyone from the public uh have any comment on the street cafe?

So these are in the parking lot, the parking spaces on Broadway.

Any c any discussion from the council?

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Communications from the city manager.

Action item 6575.

The administration recommends amending section 5.04.030 of the codified ordinances entitled Registration Fee to Increase the Annual Business Registration Fee from $35 to 120.

Second.

All right, motion and second, any discussion.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Um action item 6576.

It is recommended.

The ITC recommends adding chapter 10.24 of the city of Newport's codified ordinance as follows.

Uh parking prohibited at all times in designated places.

No person shall park a vehicle at any time upon any time upon the following streets.

William Street add William Street, North Side, beginning 156 feet west of Thomas Street and proceeding a distance to west 23 feet.

Second.

Second.

We have a motion and second.

Any discussion?

Um just for clarity, uh city manager or deputy city manager.

Just so we're clear, because I got phone calls asking if this was all of the west side of uh I mean the north side of William Street.

So this is just basically one parking space.

Correct, only 23 feet uh in front of that residence.

Uh I I think there was some uh some unintentional uh media contribution to the notion that it's the whole street, but it is not.

It's just this one 23 foot section.

Yep.

All right.

All right.

Any uh any discussion, council?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Action item six five seven seven.

The Harbor Department recommends awarding the contract associated with the expansion of Ann Street Pier Project to the contractor with a sole responsive proposal.

Reagan Marine Construction of Newport, Rhode Island based on the submitted proposal for the associated work under the request for proposals.

The cost of the work will not exceed the total amount of $2,349,000 and will be funded by the approved municipal bond for capital projects and the boating infrastructure grant program administered by the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service as well as CIP funds for dock improvements.

This is currently budgeted.

I move approval.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion?

All in favor say aye.

Action item 6578.

The Harbor Department recommends awarding a contract to FR Engineering Group Incorporated of Warwick, Rhode Island using the state of Rhode Island Master Price Agreement number 584 for the purpose of providing construction oversight and administrative services for the extension of Anne Street Pier in a not-to-exceed amount of $50,000.

This is currently budgeted.

I move approval.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion?

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Uh next the action action item 6579, the preservation planner within the Department of Planning and Economic Development in collaboration with the Historic District Commission recommends acceptance of $25,000 award from RIHPHC for a building assessment of the four historic buildings at the Naval Newport Hospital site and approval of the associated sub-receat sub-recipient agreement.

These funds will lay the groundwork for necessary documentation required by the National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 associated with the potential sale outside of federal ownership.

The certified local government grant set forth provides 25,000 in funds to evaluate four historic structures associated with the Navy hospital in the goal of understanding the scope of rehabilitation necessary, assessing the economic feasibility of restoration and retention efforts, mitigating the adverse effects of the sale outside of the federal ownership by developing a pathway for adaptive reuse that supports Newport's economy and long-term goals.

This is currently budgeted.

I move approval.

Second.

Motion and second.

Any discussion?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Action item 6580.

The Department of Public Services recommends approval of a contract with Foth Infrastructure and Environment LLC of Newport, Rhode Island to provide consultant engineering services to provide design and construction administration services based on their submitted proposal for the purpose of reconstructing seawall structures along Ocean Avenue for a not-to-exceed amount of 238,960.

This is currently budgeted.

I move approval.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Action item 6581.

The Department of Public Services recommends awarding the contract associated with the Roadway Improvement Program 2026 to the lowest most responsive bidder, PJ Keating Company of Lunenburg, Massachusetts, based on the submitted bid proposal.

The cost of this work will not exceed the total amount of 1,913,396 and 69 cents.

This total price includes 1,659,964.19 cents for anticipated contract construction work, 83,432,432 and 50 cents for police traffic control that will be paid for by the city and 170,000 in project contingencies.

This is currently budgeted.

I move approval.

Second.

Our motion and second, any discussion.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Action item 6582.

The Department of Public Services recommends exercising option year one contained in bid number 2025 REC-002 with East Coast landscaping and construction of Portsmouth, Rhode Island to provide construction equipment and operators to assist with readying and maintaining accumulated sand at Easton's Beach during the peak summer season.

This is currently budgeted.

I move approval.

Second.

Motion and second.

We have any discussion.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Action item 6583.

The Department of Public Services recommends approval of a one-year agreement with the option of three additional one-year option periods for water sports concessions at Easton's Beech with Roadie Surf of Newport, Rhode Island.

This is currently budgeted.

I move approval.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Action item 6584.

The Department of Public Services recommends approval of a one-year agreement with the option for three additional one-year periods with Roadie Surf Inc.

of Newport, Rhode Island for umbrella and chair concessions at Easton's Beech.

This is currently budgeted.

I move approval.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Action item 6585, the Department of Public Services recommends exercising option year two contained in RFP number 24-049 with 1899 LC LLC of Newport, Rhode Island to provide mobile food and beverage concessions at Easton's Beach.

This is currently budgeted.

I move approval.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion.

All is in favor say aye.

Aye.

Motion to adjourn.

Second.

Oh, my resolution.

I almost forgot my own resolution.

I'll second the motion to adjourn.

Oh my goodness.

I'm going to vote against that.

So I'm not overing sides where to pull it back.

All right.

No, I'm sorry.

I almost forgot.

Okay, here we go.

Okay.

I'm bringing forward this uh resolution uh concerning the uh Jonathan Easton Cemetery in Newport, Rhode Island is a small historic family plot located near Easton's Road and Faxen Green, serving as a resting place for members of the early settler Easton family.

And whereas the lot contains graves of the Easton family who were pivotal in Newport's founding, with family members including Nicholas Easton buried in the area, and the site serves as a testament to the early colonial history of the Easton family who arrived in Newport from Portsmouth on May 1st, 9 1639.

And whereas in recent years, the Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission has been concerned about the condition of the site, which has occasionally been maintained by neighbors and volunteers.

And whereas the commission believes the site has been abandoned and the city is the only reasonable entity to preserve the burial ground for future generations.

Now therefore, be it resolved that the city administration advise the council on the steps to legally maintain the burial grounds, ensuring legal public access and the rights to installing historical signage.

I move approval.

Second.

Motion and second, any discussion?

Yes, Mr.

Oh, so close.

No, I just thought you were gonna get it.

Um I just want to say um I had listened to a uh I don't know whether it was a seminar, something similar, on historic uh cemeteries, and Newport really has a lot of them, and I think it's really important that uh we maintain these gravesites.

It's maintaining the history of Newport, the history of the United States and the revolution.

So I gladly support this.

Um Mr.

Chair, just one comment.

Um our cemetery commission has been doing amazing work, and if you remember our cemeteries going back before um 2014 when they were established, our cemeteries were not in good condition.

The stones were uh badly broken, many have been fixed, many have been found out of state and actually replaced back into our cemeteries.

And uh they go around and clean them and uh they take care of the grounds, and I think it's really important to give them a lot of credit for what they've done.

And they are concerned about this little cemetery, which is very sweet um and it really needs some work.

So thank you very much.

Council Sign.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Um, I do want to echo Councilor Segley's remarks.

The cemetery commission has been absolutely killing it.

They have done an incredible job bringing activity.

Somebody got it, all right.

Activity in, but also on my councilor Segley, you have very consistently been a champion for the work that commission does.

I just want to make sure we recognize and thank you for all your work on that.

Thank you.

All right.

So all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Ayes have it.

Motion to adjourn.

Second.

Motion of second, any discussion.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.