Newport City Council Meeting – June 10, 2026: Student Presentations, Solar School Proposal, Hotel Moratorium Defeated
Newport City Council Meeting – June 10, 2026
The Newport City Council held a lengthy meeting on June 10, 2026, addressing a wide range of topics including student civics projects, a solar energy proposal for city schools, multiple land-use and transportation resolutions, and a controversial resolution to limit new hotel development. The meeting featured public testimony on tourism balance and housing affordability. Key votes included the defeat of a hotel moratorium resolution (5-2), approval of a housing commission, and a traffic calming measure for Maple Avenue.
Recognition & Presentations
- Certificate of Recognition presented to the Quinnick Island Adult Learning Center for being ranked fourth among Rhode Island Adult Education Programs.
- Thompson Middle School Student Presentations: Two student groups from Tara Mello's eighth-grade civics class presented their Generation Citizen projects. One group proposed creating an eighth-grade student council; the other proposed a family activity center at the former Newport Grand site. The second group won top middle school project at Rhode Island Civics Day. Council members praised the students and pledged to consider their voices in city decisions.
Consent Calendar
- Approved with exceptions of items B7, 9, 11, and C as noted.
- Individual license approvals: New Kicks on the Block kickball tournament (July 5, 2026); La Broa event at Friends Meeting House (July 28, 2026); Katie Brown Educational Program at Newport Harbor Island Resort (August 20, 2026).
- Received and referred a request from Newport in Bloom to replant 90,000 Dutch Master Daffodil bulbs at Pell Bridge off-ramps, with discussion about coordination with RIDOT landscaping plans and the need for timely ordering.
Licenses & Permits
- Special event license for Redwood Library Summer Party (July 17, 2026) – approved.
- Valet parking license for same event – approved.
- Horse and carriage license for New Deal Horse and Carriage at Belcourt Castle (June 27, 2026) – defeated 4-3 after discussion about traffic on Bellevue Avenue and concerns about Belcourt Castle's zoning compliance.
- Special event license for Newport Pride Festival and Parade (June 27, 2026) – approved.
- Special event license for Newport Air Show at Goat Island Pavilion (September 2, 2026, rain date September 3) – approved.
- Entertainment licenses for Marina Cafe (multiple dates) and Poor Richards Benjamin's – approved.
Discussion Items
- Solar Development at School Facilities: Jeff Steele of Solect Energy presented options for rooftop solar at Rogers High School and Pell Elementary School. Three models were discussed: lease, power purchase agreement (PPA), and direct purchase. A 30% federal investment tax credit deadline of July 4, 2026, creates urgency for purchase option. City Manager Colin noted that Rogers pays approximately $60,000-$70,000 monthly in electricity (at 16.2 cents/kWh) and is negotiating fixed rates. Council expressed concerns about data accuracy, rushed timeline, and the city's capacity to evaluate. No action was taken; council favored referring the issue to the Energy and Environment Commission for further vetting. A letter of intent (non-binding) was discussed but not approved.
- Personnel Audit Resolution (Continued): Councilor Smythe proposed a resolution to suspend a department realignment pending an independent personnel audit. After debate, the resolution was continued to July 8, 2026, to allow further refinement.
- Downtown Parking Signage: Resolution authorizing the Strategic Planning Transportation Group to install 4ft x 4ft parking signage at the Gateway Center on a trial basis, with future evaluation – approved.
- Limit Hotel Development Resolution: Councilor Smythe's resolution to direct administration to draft ordinances limiting new hotel development was defeated 5-2. Supporters argued for balance and resident quality of life; opponents noted the ongoing Comprehensive Plan update, legal risks, and the economic contribution of tourism. Public testimony was divided, with some residents urging a moratorium and hospitality representatives warning of fiscal harm.
- Tree Preservation and Landscaping Ordinance: Resolution directing administration to draft a tree preservation and landscaping ordinance – approved after discussion about protecting green infrastructure and addressing stormwater.
- Housing Commission: Resolution establishing a Newport Housing Commission to advise on middle-income housing, short-term rentals, and homeownership – approved with council liaisons from planning and zoning departments.
- Traffic Calming on Maple Avenue: Resolution requesting traffic calming measures (speed humps, raised crosswalks, etc.) and evaluation of automated speed enforcement – approved.
- Stop Sign at Sergeant Wheederman Drive and Hillside Avenue: Amended to request additional warning signage instead of relocation, after a study found the current sign correctly placed – approved as amended.
- Newport Tree Conservancy Funding: Resolution appropriating $30,000 from a $100,000 donation by the Preservation Society of Newport County (with $30,000 already designated for beech tree treatment) for the Tree Conservancy, plus $30,000 match from the donation's general landscaping portion – approved after clarification that all funds are from the donation, not city taxpayer money.
- Public Sculpture Commission: Resolution authorizing a $2,500 contribution to help fund a professional condition survey of city sculptures – approved.
- Federal Opportunity Zone 2.0 Nomination: Resolution supporting nomination of two census tracts (Naval Hospital property and former Newport Grand site) for the federal Opportunity Zone program – approved.
- Memorial Boulevard Veterans Tribute Project: Resolution supporting installation of interpretive signs along Memorial Boulevard to honor World War I and World War II veterans – approved.
- Condemning Tree Removal on Jones Street: Resolution to condemn city administration's approval of tree removal on city property. Defeated after debate that the tree warden followed existing ordinances and replacement trees were planned.
- Resolution opposing flavored nicotine legislation: Withdrawn by sponsor.
Key Outcomes
- Defeat of hotel development limitation resolution (5-2).
- Approval of housing commission, tree preservation ordinance, traffic calming study, and multiple license approvals.
- Continuation of personnel audit resolution to July 8.
- No immediate decision on solar school project; referral to Energy and Environment Commission.
- Rejection of horse and carriage license (4-3).
- Approval of Memorial Boulevard veterans signage project.
Meeting Transcript
All right. Clerk, take the roll call, please. Lynn Underwood Segley. Here. Charlie Holder. Here. Ellen Pinnock. Yeah. Jean Marina Politano. Here. David Carlin. Side camps of Oravon. Here. Stephanie Smythe. Here. There is a quorum present, Mr. Chair. All right. Please stand for the Pledge of Bleaches. Madam Clark, anyone sign up for the Citizens Forum? No, they have not. Number nine, sorry. That we move communications under number number number nine under communications to before the consent calendar. Second. Motion, second, any discussion. Those in favor say aye. Hi. Before we get into the agenda tonight, we have a certificate of recognition that I want to present to the Quinnick Island Adult Learning Center. So in recognition, the Quinnock Island Adult Learning Center for its outstanding achievement in being ranked fourth among Rhode Island Adult Education Programs. There's a testament to his exceptional impact, reach, and commitment to empowering learners throughout our community. So I'd like to bring up Tracy Shea, the executive director, Bonnie Moran, program coordinator, and Cheyenne Arroyo operations specialist. You please come up to the podium. Thank you, please. Thank you for recognizing the transformative power of education in our community and making our our citizens better. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You want to call up the number nine? Yes. Next, we have a presentation from Tara Mellow's grade eight class from Thompson Middle School concerning Family Activity Center at the former Newport Grand Site and establishing an eighth grade student council. So Tara's class at Thompson eighth grade won the top middle school project at the uh Rhode Island Civics Day at the State House. And they reached out to uh to us to to invite myself, I believe uh Councillor Smythe, Councillor Pinnick uh to come and speak to their class. Uh it was basically an interview session. Uh I figured I walk in there and you know I you know sit down and you know kind of answer a few questions, talk with them, have a good time. They were so impressive and so thorough in their questions and their uh and then the whole setup for it. I I see uh we have Mr. Winthrop sitting over there on the on the side. There's a couple uh new hires for you if you need for some uh interview people. They were they were fantastic. It was uh one of the most I did it twice actually, and it was one of the most uh great experiences I've had in my time as a council, so thank you and congratulations.
openpublica.com