What happened at Wednesday's Newport City Council meeting? Catch up in 3 minutes

Savana Dunning, Newport Daily News
Updated ·4 min read

The Newport City Council held its first February meeting this year on Valentine’s Day, and while the council was in agreement for most of the docket, several members were split on certain items.

Here’s what you missed at this week’s meeting.

Council recognizes 12 Black Newporters in honor of Black History Month

Ahead of the regular agenda, Councilor Angela McCalla recognized 12 Black Newporters with varied accomplishments and backgrounds in honor of February being National Black History Month. The honorees were Andre Williams, Nycole “Marvelous” Matthews, Olivia Jones, Veronica “Conaky” Mays, Ellen Pinnock, Jodi Pacheco, Khadija Lewis Khan, Victoria Johnson, and Reverends Glen Leverette, Alvin T. Riley Jr. and Lauri Smalls. McCalla read their biographies and presented each with a certificate of recognition.

12 Newporters were recognized at last nights City Council meeting in honor of Black History Month.
12 Newporters were recognized at last nights City Council meeting in honor of Black History Month.

Resolutions to establish revenue committee, request permission to regulate houseboats receive unanimous approval

The City Council had several resolutions on this week’s docket, all of which received unanimous support from the council. They passed:

  • A resolution to support the R.I. League of Cities and Towns’ 2024 legislative priorities

  • A resolution establishing a Finance Review Committee, which would recommend new ways the city can increase the amount of money coming into the city’s general fund.

  • A resolution to support Jamestown’s efforts to revitalize Gould Island.

  • A resolution requesting legislation that would allow the city to regulate houseboats.

Two of Councilor David Carlin’s resolutions were withdrawn from the agenda. One would have authorized the city to spend $7,500 to offset the costs for the Ancient Order of Hibernians Pipe and Drum Band to accompany councilors to Newport’s sister city Kinsale, Ireland. The other would have authorized the city to spend $2,500 to support the RI City and Town Clerks Association’s participation in the New England Association of City and Town Clerk’s conference in November. Carlin said the organizations suggested they did not need the money.

Council split on decision to hire lobbyist, easement for RI Energy at Rogers High School

While the council decided on several action items at the Feb. 14 meeting, the council decided to delay the decision to hire Providence-based Capital Communications Group for state government relations and advocacy services. The $5,000 per month contract includes services from Nichole O’Louglin, a local consultant who bid on the request for proposals separately, but who Capital Communications Group agreed to work alongside following a request from the city. Councilor Lynn Underwood Ceglie motioned for the item to be continued, as only four councilors interviewed the three total applicants and she believed there was a lack of consensus. Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong cautioned against this, as he believed it would delay the advocacy work the city needs at the state house during the legislative session.

The council ultimately decided to continue the decision to the next meeting in a 4-3 vote, with Khamsyvoravong, Councilor Mark Aramli and Councilor Charlie Holder against.

The council also decided to continue an item that would have granted an easement for RI Energy to install utilities infrastructure for the new Rogers High School building. Carlin wanted a layman's explanation of RI Energy’s plan for the high school and Ceglie had questions she needed answered about the project.

One item, which adopted new hours for the running tracks, tennis and pickleball courts at Hunter Park and Vernon Park, was approved with a 6-1 vote, Carlin against.

The rest of the action items on the docket were approved unanimously. They include:

  • The first reading of a change to the city’s Non-Union Personnel Ordinance which adds the new position Director of Resilience and Sustainability, a position which has oversight over the city’s Utilities, Public Services, Planning and Zoning and Inspections Departments.

  • A recommendation from the city manager’s office to request the General Assembly raise cruise ship landing fees from $6 per passenger to up to $10 per passenger.

  • A $414,580 contract with GZA Geoenvironmental Inc. for engineering, design and construction services to repair the Cliff Walk, pending funding.

  • Changing the length of Merton Road subject to parking restrictions.

  • An HVAC upgrade and building assessment for the Newport History Museum building at Brick Market.

Although the council withdrew most of the show cause hearings on the docket, Bossy Monkey LLC’s show cause hearing was continued, as no one was present to represent the business.

This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Newport City Council splits on decision to hire lobbyist