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Record of Proceedings

Newport City Council Regular Meeting - September 16, 2026

Meeting Portal — Wednesday, September 16, 2026
BodyNewport, Rhode Island
SessionMeeting Portal
DateWednesday, September 16, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 51:01

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:17

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

0:18

We're gonna get started.

0:26

Madam Clerk, will you take the roll call, please?

0:29

David Carlin.

0:30

Lynn Underwood Segley.

0:32

Here.

0:32

Carly Holder.

0:33

Here.

0:34

Slackham Savorva.

0:35

Here.

0:35

Jean Marie Napolitano.

0:37

Ellen Pinnock.

0:38

Here.

0:38

Stephanie Smythe.

0:40

Here.

0:40

There is a quorum present, Mr.

0:42

Chair.

0:43

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

0:44

Please rise for the pleasure of allegiance.

0:56

Thanks.

1:03

Please remain standing for a quick moment of silence.

1:12

For those of you who don't know, uh Bill was a longtime New Porter, born and raised in the fifth ward.

1:18

I was a member of the Newport Police Department for over 20 years, where he retired as a sergeant and then continued working as an IT manager for the for the department as well.

1:28

Bill and his family, his wife Sophia are known for their um their work in uh school bus safety for students in Rhode Island.

1:36

Uh they lost their daughter at a young age uh to a school bus accident, and uh since then since 1986, they started uh families insisting on safe school transportation.

1:49

Uh and since they started that in Rhode Island, not one child has been killed by a school bus.

1:54

So just want to say a quick moment for uh Bill and remember him.

1:57

Thank you.

2:06

Thank you very much.

2:14

Uh Madam Clerk, is there anyone for uh public forum?

2:18

Uh no.

2:20

All right.

2:22

And then before we get on with the uh consent calendar and our agenda tonight, we do have a proclamation um to honor Liz Davis.

2:32

Uh and then I'm like to ask uh Mr.

2:34

Hakeem.

2:36

Hakeem wanna come up and introduce Ls Davis.

2:46

Good evening, everyone.

2:48

When I say this is on, you say Liz.

2:51

This is on, Liz, this is on, Liz, this is on, I saw him talking about my name is Hakeem Coggins, executive director of Newport Bridge.

3:03

A few years ago, while conversating with Chief Chief Hopp, he told me he was talking with Miss Pauline Moise Perkins, and she says sometimes she feels invisible.

3:14

Those words suck.

3:17

Service work shouldn't be undervalued and underlooked, overlooked.

3:21

Entitlement and lack of appreciation spoils the passion to serve.

3:25

Newport bridge launch and broken cycle, January 6th in 2024.

3:30

The concept was to fill weakened service gaps.

3:33

We host activities, breakfasts, and provide basic needs.

3:37

At first it was just me and Alan.

3:40

Then came my friends.

3:49

Liz Liz is what she calls herself, my right hand.

3:56

We're like Jordan and Pippen, but I'm Jordan.

4:01

After her came Miss Fauline, Paula from Turnaround Ministries, and so many others.

4:06

Thank you all for your service.

4:07

Liz, I appreciate what you do, and I also appreciate you as a person.

4:13

Someone the community can count on.

4:15

That's without a doubt.

4:17

You would always say, I got your back.

4:20

True.

4:21

Those words kept me kept me going when I felt tired and alone.

4:24

I've learned a lot from just being around you.

4:28

You're the real deal.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Transportation Safety██████████████████████████████████████38%
Procedural█████████████████17%
Public Safety███████████████15%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Community Engagement███████7%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Legislation████4%
Homelessness███3%
Liquor Licensing██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Newport City Council Regular Meeting - September 16, 2026

The Newport City Council met on September 16, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at 43 Broadway. The meeting featured a proclamation honoring volunteer Liz Davis, approval of a consent calendar with numerous special event licenses and routine communications, reappointments to two city commissions, and action on several items from the City Manager, including a collective bargaining agreement withdrawal, a license agreement, a fencing contract, a dog park and landscaping MOU, two grant acceptances, and a comprehensive update to bicycle ordinances. The council also convened as the Board of License Commissioners to approve liquor licenses for upcoming special events. All votes were unanimous unless otherwise noted.

Proclamation

  • The council recognized Liz Davis for her extensive volunteer work with unhoused residents and multiple nonprofit organizations. Hakeem Coggins (Executive Director, Newport Bridge) introduced her, and Councilor Jean Marie Napolitano read a proclamation. Liz Davis spoke about her commitment to service.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously: Minutes from August 12 and August 26, 2026.
  • 14 special event licenses (from Newport Live, US Naval War College, Sail Newport, East Bay Recovery Center, Pell Center, Trinity Church, Elmwall Associates, Newport Contemporary Ballet, The Landing) approved.
  • Banner license for Audrain Concours Foundation approved.
  • Communication from CRMC regarding a public notice (received).
  • Communication from Waterfront Commission supporting the Perrotti Park Bulkhead Project (received and referred to administration).
  • Resignation from Energy and Environment Commission (received with regret).
  • Communication from Bob Meikle regarding a street name change (received and referred to administration).

Entertainment Licenses (Public Hearing)

  • Daily Entertainment License for Broadway Partners, LLC d/b/a Tavern on Broadway (September 26, 2026, 1–11 p.m.) approved.
  • Annual Entertainment License (Class A indoor, noon–1 a.m. daily) for Tavern on Broadway approved after public hearing with no comments.

Appointments

  • David Galvin reappointed to the Trust and Investment Commission for a five-year term expiring October 31, 2029. Councilor Carlin praised his service.
  • Alexander Donlan reappointed to the Waterfront Commission for a three-year term expiring October 28, 2029.

Communications from the City Manager

  • Action Item 6672 (Collective Bargaining Agreement with AFSCME): Motion to withdraw approved, per suggestion of the union vice president.
  • Action Item 6673 (Scott’s Wharf License Agreement): 20-year license for a small city-owned parcel adjacent to the Smokehouse restaurant approved.
  • Action Item 6674 (Cliff Walk Replacement Fencing): Contract awarded to AEP Fence Services Inc. of Johnston, RI at a total cost of $22,800, budgeted.
  • Action Item 6675 (MOU for Dog Park and Pell Bridge Ramp Landscaping): Approved. Councilor Underwood-Segley suggested involving NACTAC students for benches; Maureen Cronin (Open Space Commission chair) noted plans for enhanced dog park amenities, tree replacement, and landscaping (shovels in ground within 30–45 days). Councilor Pinnock asked about dead trees; Cronin confirmed discussions with planning and Public Services.
  • Action Item 6676 (SS4A Grant Funds): Authorized acceptance of up to $6,015,225 in additional federal funds plus approximately $1.5 million in local match for a regional safe streets program (originally on consent calendar; approved).
  • Action Item 6677 (Explosive Detection Canine Grant): Accepted $137,000 federal grant (no match) for police canine program.
  • Action Item 6678 (Bicycle-Related Ordinances): Comprehensive update to bicycle ordinances approved after extensive discussion and public comment.

Public Comments & Testimony (on bicycle ordinances)

  • Jim Fry (BPAC member) thanked the council and noted the ordinance update is a model for other communities; urged future e-bike work.
  • Betty Burray (Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition) praised the update as a model ordinance and expressed hope other municipalities would follow.
  • Bari Freeman (Executive Director, Bike Newport) emphasized the collaborative process with police and BPAC, and noted the ordinance is a comprehensive code update; she stated that e-bike regulation is a separate state-level effort.
  • Pete Rice (Third Ward resident) criticized the ordinance for not requiring daytime lights on bicycles, arguing visibility is the primary safety issue.
  • Emily and Ren Cairns (Ward 2 residents) voiced support for safer biking infrastructure for families.
  • Tara Zambratta (Chair, BPAC) arrived late and urged approval, noting the multi-year stakeholder effort.

Discussion Items (on bicycle ordinances)

  • Councilor Carlin raised concerns that the prohibitions did not explicitly include Spring Street up to 40 Broadway in the General Business District, creating a potential enforcement gap. Deputy Chief Duffy and Chief agreed the intent was citywide and would ensure the final version includes all necessary areas. Councilor Carlin also highlighted the lack of local authority to fine e-bike riders due to state law, noting Representative Carson’s pending legislation to address e-bike regulation. Councilor Underwood-Segley echoed safety concerns, particularly regarding children on e-bikes without helmets. Councilor Smythe questioned enforcement methods; Chief Duffy described ongoing educational and enforcement efforts, including school programs. Councilors Pinnock and Smythe thanked BPAC and Bike Newport for their work.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent calendar, entertainment licenses, and reappointments approved unanimously.
  • Action Item 6672 withdrawn unanimously.
  • Action Items 6673–6675, 6677–6678 approved unanimously (Action Item 6676 previously covered under consent calendar).
  • Council directed administration to ensure Spring Street is included in the bicycle ordinance’s prohibited areas in the final draft.
  • Meeting adjourned; council convened as Board of License Commissioners and approved consent calendar (Class F and F-1 liquor licenses for events) unanimously, then adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. We're gonna get started. Madam Clerk, will you take the roll call, please? David Carlin. Lynn Underwood Segley. Here. Carly Holder. Here. Slackham Savorva. Here. Jean Marie Napolitano. Ellen Pinnock. Here. Stephanie Smythe. Here. There is a quorum present, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Please rise for the pleasure of allegiance. Thanks. Please remain standing for a quick moment of silence. For those of you who don't know, uh Bill was a longtime New Porter, born and raised in the fifth ward. I was a member of the Newport Police Department for over 20 years, where he retired as a sergeant and then continued working as an IT manager for the for the department as well. Bill and his family, his wife Sophia are known for their um their work in uh school bus safety for students in Rhode Island. Uh they lost their daughter at a young age uh to a school bus accident, and uh since then since 1986, they started uh families insisting on safe school transportation. Uh and since they started that in Rhode Island, not one child has been killed by a school bus. So just want to say a quick moment for uh Bill and remember him. Thank you. Thank you very much. Uh Madam Clerk, is there anyone for uh public forum? Uh no. All right. And then before we get on with the uh consent calendar and our agenda tonight, we do have a proclamation um to honor Liz Davis. Uh and then I'm like to ask uh Mr. Hakeem. Hakeem wanna come up and introduce Ls Davis. Good evening, everyone. When I say this is on, you say Liz. This is on, Liz, this is on, Liz, this is on, I saw him talking about my name is Hakeem Coggins, executive director of Newport Bridge. A few years ago, while conversating with Chief Chief Hopp, he told me he was talking with Miss Pauline Moise Perkins, and she says sometimes she feels invisible. Those words suck. Service work shouldn't be undervalued and underlooked, overlooked. Entitlement and lack of appreciation spoils the passion to serve. Newport bridge launch and broken cycle, January 6th in 2024. The concept was to fill weakened service gaps. We host activities, breakfasts, and provide basic needs. At first it was just me and Alan. Then came my friends. Liz Liz is what she calls herself, my right hand. We're like Jordan and Pippen, but I'm Jordan.

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