During this Wednesday’s City Council meeting, we will consider a resolution to maintain public access to a portion of Newport’s waterfront. Access to the waterfront is at risk on Walnut Street and Chestnut Street in the Point neighborhood due to increased parking at key access points to the water. Public rights of way are being blocked by vehicles and leading to the appearance that the areas are private property. The Council will be voting on a resolution directing City staff to develop ordinances to prohibit parking in the public rights of way on Walnut Street and Chestnut Street.
The City’s Affirmative Action Plan has not been updated since 2006, and the position of Affirmative Action Officer has been vacant for over a year. I worked with Councilor McCalla to put forward a resolution for the City to develop an update to that plan and to fill the position of Affirmative Action Officer with a full-time employee. Doing this will aid the City in focusing on the diversity of our workforce and evaluating compliance with diversity laws and policies within schools and businesses in Newport. We are a diverse community here in Newport, and our City staff should reflect that reality.
A workshop on a proposed two-tiered residential tax program will be held on October 25th at 5:30 in City Hall. This proposal from staff comes out of the work of the Taxation Relief Ad-Hoc Committee that City Council formed in September of last year. The Council received the Committee report in April of this year and directed City staff to develop ordinance language to enact the recommendations.
After receiving a memo from the City Solicitor informing the Council that a proposed ordinance was ready for consideration, I requested a workshop to allow for discussion and public deliberation. The proposed two-tiered residential tax structure would establish one rate for year-round residents, including properties with year-round tenants, and another higher rate for properties with non-year-round occupants, such as properties used as second homes or short-term rentals. I feel strongly that the City must do more to make Newport more affordable for our year-round residents and that any potential changes to our tax code must include language to include our year-round renters. I look forward to the discussion and hope that we are able to enact changes that benefit all Newporters.
The Council is holding a workshop on October 19th at 5:30 to discuss the conceptual plan for the Easton’s Beach reconstruction and renovation. The Beach Commission, City staff, and consultants have been working on this plan. The presentation has not yet been posted on the City website, but I will update you all when it is made public.
With the November 8th election fast approaching, I want to remind you of a few key dates relating to voting. If you plan to vote by mail, the deadline to submit your application is Tuesday, October 18th. Early voting will be available from October 19th through November 7th. To ensure that you are amply informed to make your voting choices about municipal candidates, you can watch interviews with What’s Up Newp and view the recent forums for School Committee and City Council At-Large.