As the days grow shorter and the weather colder, please be mindful of the continuing coronavirus pandemic and continue to wear a mask and practice social distancing. We all have a part to play in fighting the spread of the virus as we head into the holiday season.
Tuesday is Election Day – polls are open from 7 AM to 8 PM. Make sure to double check your polling location at vote.sos.ri.gov. You can also still vote early on Monday at City Hall from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. If you have a mail ballot that you have not returned, make sure to drop it in the Drop Box at City Hall so it makes it to the Board of Elections in time.
The Board of Elections has released a timeline of what to expect on Election Day and when we can expect to begin seeing results. Here in Newport we have already surpassed 30% voter turnout from both early voting and mail ballots, so it is important to keep in mind that we may not have a clear sense of the final results on Election Night.
We should have a good idea of what the next City Council will look like by the end of next week, and I am hoping to be reelected to another term of working for our Newport community. The field of candidates for City Council reflects the rich diversity of Newport and I look forward to hearing all the differing views discussed and debated at council meetings. What is important is that the new Council commits to respect one another and recognize that each member of the Council has been elected to represent the people of Newport. There is a lot of work to be done, and I am looking forward to the next two years.
Mayor's Update for October 25
This Tuesday, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation is holding a virtual workshop to inform the public about the latest developments of the Pell Bridge Ramp Realignment project. The workshop is at 6 pm on Tuesday. The Ramp Realignment will reshape the entrance to Newport and impact our entire City. I strongly encourage you to attend to learn about the project.
During this week’s Council meeting on Wednesday, we will be voting on an application from Aquidneck Community Table to use the vacant Gateway Center as a winter home for the Aquidneck Growers’ Market. I think that the Market will be a great temporary use for the Gateway Center as the City works to develop a strong long-term plan for the space.
I signed on to co-sponsor a resolution introduced by Councilor Taylor which calls on Governor Raimondo to begin distributing the funds Rhode Island received from the CARES Act. So far the State has not distributed any of the funding to municipalities, and Newport is not alone in facing significant fiscal challenges due to lost revenue from the pandemic. On top of that the State also has withheld State Aid payments to municipalities. The combined loss in revenue with the lack of State Aid payments puts Newport and all Rhode Island municipalities in a tight spot. We are joining with multiple communities from across the State to ask the Governor to take action.
In July and September the Council approved two separate resolutions instructing the City staff to improve the safety of Hillside Avenue, Ruggles Avenue, and Harrison Avenue. We approved those resolutions because the entire Council saw a need for near term solutions for immediate traffic and pedestrian safety issues on these streets – specifically because they are direct routes to some of our schools. During Wednesday’s meeting we will be considering an action item from the Department of Public Services to approve a contract for plans for a sidewalk on Hillside between Bedlow and Adm. Kalbfus, and to develop traffic calming measures on all three streets. In parallel, the City is working to develop a Transportation Master Plan that will take help us form a broader picture of traffic and mobility issues here in Newport along with ways to improve them for the long term.
Election Day is just 9 days away. City hall will continue to be open this week, as well as next Monday, for early in-person voting. If you requested a mail ballot, you can drop it off in the drop box by the front steps of City Hall (or any official drop box in RI) before 8pm on Tuesday, November 3. If you are voting at the polls next Tuesday, please confirm your polling location - Newport has moved one polling location from Donovan Manor to the Edward King House.
Mayor's Update for October 18
Early voting started this week! If you did not request a mail ballot, you can vote early at City Hall Monday through Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm all the way until Election Day. If you’re planning to vote in person on November 3, make sure to double check your polling place at vote.sos.ri.gov.
This Wednesday the City Council is hosting a remote public workshop on the proposed skate park project at the Abruzzi Sports Complex. There have been many questions from the Council, various local sports leagues, and members of the public about this project. The workshop is an opportunity for the Council to sit down with the Friends of Newport Skate Park for the first time to talk through their proposal and for members of the public to ask questions and give input. I called for the workshop on the skate park because it is important for project discussions to take place publicly with ample public input to ensure no party is adversely affected.
This Thursday the Planning Board is holding the first of two dedicated workshops focused on the North End Urban Plan and its incorporation into Newport’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The North End Urban Plan will influence the shape of future and existing neighborhoods for generations to come. It is critical that North End residents continue to have robust participation in the process to ensure the Plan represents their interests and achieves their vision for the future. I strongly encourage you to review the Plan and take part in these workshops. If you have any questions about the Plan or the process, please reach out to me or the Planning Department.
The City of Newport has received $75,000 from the State’s Take It Outside grant program and we are currently accepting applications from retail or restaurant businesses in Newport with fewer than 50 employees to help fund equipment that will allow them to expand their business area outside. This will aid our small, local businesses in sustaining through the cooler months and is part of the City’s larger efforts to support our businesses community during this difficult time. Although business has improved in Newport over the past few months, overall revenues and sales are still much lower than they would be in a normal year. Please help us spread the word on this program. The City is always looking for more ways to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic on the community. If you have ideas on other ways we can be working with our community, please let me know!
Mayor's Update for October 11
On October 7, the Board of Canvassers made the decision to close the Park Holm Senior Center polling location. This decision has been met with backlash in the community, and residents have said that they believe the Board is not listening to what they need. The Board is meeting this Tuesday, October 13 at 11:30 am and will hear comment from residents on the decision to close the Park Holm polling location and may reconsider the closure. The Council passed a resolution on September 23 explicitly voicing our support in opening polling places wherever safely possible – voting must be accessible to everyone. I strongly believe that Park Holm needs to be open to voters on November 3rd and that keeping it closed would be a mistake. If you share that belief, please take the time to join the meeting on Tuesday.
The Council is meeting Wednesday for a regular meeting. One of the items on the docket is an application for an entertainment license expansion from the Newport Blues Café, requesting the establishment be allowed to have their doors and windows open during entertainment. This was continued last week as the Council had significant questions on the precedent that could be set by granting the expansion. Since the last meeting, I have heard from quite a few area residents who are concerned at the prospect of the expansion. I encourage you to give the Council feedback if you have any questions or concerns.
Also on the docket is a resolution honoring the teachers and parents who helped celebrate the 2020 graduates of Rogers High School. This graduating class was not able celebrate normally due to the pandemic, so the local community worked together to display photos of the entire class on Broadway. It was a beautiful sight to see and a wonderful way to honor the Class of 2020.
The Council will be voting on an item that would continue to fund a Student Assistance Counselor in Newport Public Schools. The Student Assistance Counselor works in our schools to provide Newport students with mental health counseling and helps them find a path to success. This position is filled by the Newport Prevention Coalition and is a much-needed resource for our students.
The City Council is hosting a remote workshop on October 21st on the proposed skate park project at the Abruzzi Sports Complex. There have been many questions from the Council, various local sports leagues, and members of the public about this project. The workshop is an opportunity for the Council to sit down with the Friends of Newport Skate Park for the first time to talk through their proposal and for members of the public to ask questions and give input. I am looking forward to the workshop – I think it will be a productive discussion.
The Planning Board has officially received the final draft of the North End Urban Plan and will be hosting two online public workshops, October 22nd and 29th, both at 6:30. The North End Urban Plan will guide and shape the future of Newport, so resident input continues to be essential – please reach out to me or the Planning Board if you have any questions on participation ahead of those workshops.
There are three ways to vote in the general election: by mail, early voting, or in person at the polls on Election Day. The deadline to send in your mail ballot application is October 13; early voting at City Hall begins October 14. Make sure you, your family, and your friends have a plan to vote this election.
Mayor's Update - North End Urban Plan Review
The final draft of the North End Urban Plan will be formally delivered to the Planning Board at their meeting on Monday. The purpose and goal of the North End Urban Plan has been to build a community vision for future development of the North End community, with design guidelines and zoning regulations to ensure that development will have a characteristic Newport feel and will be a place that our community is comfortable and happy living in. The adoption of the Plan and new zoning regulations by the City Council will be critical to give the Planning and Zoning Boards the tools to enforce the community's vision for development. Community participation and input has been essential in the creation of the Plan, and the City Council and the Planning Board are working to ensure that there are multiple opportunities for the public to comment, ask questions, and evaluate the final draft document. The Planning Board will be scheduling future meetings and workshops to perform an in-depth review of the draft plan with ample public participation.
This week the City of Newport was awarded a $75,000 grant from the State to help businesses “Take It Outside” as we continue to protect public health into the coolers months. The City applied for this grant and will be working with our local businesses to provide tents, heaters, and other equipment that will help them keep their outdoor spaces available and comfortable for patrons as the temperatures drop. It is important that we as a City Council and Administration continue to find every possible way to be a solid partner with our local business community as we continue to fight COVID-19.
There are 30 days until Election Day. There are three ways to vote in the general election: by mail, early voting, or in person at the polls on Election Day. If you are planning to vote by mail, the deadline to send in your mail ballot application is October 13. The Secretary of State will begin sending ballots this week to those who've requested them, so keep an eye out. Early voting at City Hall begins October 14. If you plan to vote on November 3, make sure to check your voting location before you head to the polls.
Mayor's Update For September 20
The deadline to complete the 2020 Census is coming up soon. The City of Newport depends on everyone being counted to get the right representation, to receive our share of funding, and accurately plan for the future. If you have not yet completed the census, please take action to do so. You can fill out the census online at 2020census.gov until September 30.
At this Wednesday’s City Council meeting there are two items on the docket concerning the future of the Pell Bridge project and the North End. We are receiving a communication from VHB construction regarding RIDOT’s plan to address soil pollutants and the remediation strategy. RIDOT has worked with RIDEM to determine the strategy and will be communicating progress with the public as construction happens.
The Council is also receiving a communication from Patricia Reynolds, the Director of Planning and Economic Development, with the final draft of the North End Urban Plan. We will receive the draft and refer it to the Planning Board for their review and recommendation. The Planning Board will hold one or more meetings to review the draft and gather public input. Once the Planning Board has completed its review, they will send the document back to the City Council with their assessment and any recommended adjustments. The Council will then publicly consider the document again and this will another opportunity for public input before the Council votes on the approval and adoption of the North End Urban Plan. Please take this opportunity to begin reviewing the plan and bring your feedback to the Planning Board and Council in the coming weeks.
During last week’s Council meeting there was a lot of discussion on a possible skate park. This project has been organized by Friends of Newport Skate Park, and they have been fundraising for eventual construction. We acted during the last meeting to formally request Friends of Newport Skate Park to hold a public workshop with both the City Council and the general public. This workshop is being scheduled and I will make sure it is properly publicized so that there is opportunity for maximum public input.
The RI Secretary of State has sent mail ballot applications for the general election to every registered voter in the entire state. The deadline to return the application for a mail ballot is October 13, 2020 at 4 pm; if you find yourself running up against this deadline, it can returned in the dropbox at City Hall.
Mayor's Update for September 13
Last week’s City Council meeting was postponed to this Wednesday due to phone line technical issues with Zoom. The docket is the same, so you can see last week's newsletter for my discussion on the short term rental and sports complex funding items. We will also be having our regular COVID-19 update during the 6:30 meeting. I encourage you to join us and comment or ask questions when the Council is considering the various docket items. Your input is crucial to the process.
Thank you to everyone who voted in the primary this past Tuesday, whether it was by mail, early voting at City Hall, or at the polls. I am encouraged that I have given so many residents confidence in my leadership on the Council, and I am committed to continuing to face the issues in our City head on and in the open. I am also encouraged by the number of strong new voices in this election - our City's future is bright when we are open to hearing all voices in our community.
The general election is on November 3, and the Secretary of State has announced that all registered voters in the state will receive an application for a mail ballot. Voters must be registered by October 4 to be able to vote in the election. The deadline to submit a mail ballot application is Tuesday, October 13, and early in-person voting will be available at City Hall beginning October 14. More information on elections and voting can be found at vote.sos.ri.gov.
Mayor's Update for September 7
I hope you were able to take advantage of the Labor Day holiday and enjoyed your weekend. Labor Day is a creation of the Labor movement in the US and celebrates the importance of workers and labor unions. Labor Unions were instrumental in the creation of the 40-hour work week and continue to fight for workers’ rights. You can learn more about the history of Labor Day in the US here.
The City Council has our regular Council meeting this Wednesday at 6:30 via Zoom. To participate in the meeting, you must join either through the Zoom application or by calling in to the phone number on the docket. I encourage everyone to join the meeting and comment or ask questions when the Council is considering the various docket items. Your input is crucial to the process.
The Council will be receiving a communication from the Planning Board regarding short-term rentals during Wednesday night’s meeting. During the July 8 City Council meeting, we asked the Planning Board to further investigate short-term rentals, focusing on special use permits for guest houses, residential parking passes for guest houses, and transient guest facilities in the limited business zone. The new communication from the Board addresses all of these issues and gives preliminary recommendations to the Council. It is recommended that the Council take action to authorize the introduction of a renewal process for special use permits for guest houses in residential zones every two years and that we limit guest houses in residential zones to one parking pass per dwelling unit. The Planning Board also asked for more time for City staff to study the potential effects of allowing transient guest facilities by special use permit in limited business zones. With all of the recommendations from the Planning Board, the Council must now take action to begin the process of implementing them.
The Council will also be considering an action related to the Abruzzi Sports Complex and the ongoing work to transition it to a basketball court and skate park. Volunteers and City Staff have been working on this effort for some time and the action we are considering is related to funding from RIDEM to construct a basketball court where there is currently a T-ball field. While I support the desire for a skate park and a basketball court, I have questions on what the long-term plan is for relocating the T-ball league and how the City will accommodate all the sports leagues that currently play at the Abruzzi Sports Complex. I look forward to the discussion on Wednesday night and hearing from both staff and public on the project.
On a final note, tomorrow, September 8 is Primary Day for Newport – there are 12 candidate running for 4 At-Large Council seats and 3 candidates running for the 1 Third Ward seat. The results from tomorrow’s Primary will winnow the field down to 8 candidates for At-Large and 2 candidates for the Third Ward. I know that many of you will have already voted, either by mail or in person at City Hall, but if you have not yet cast a ballot, please check where your polling location is and make sure to vote on Tuesday.
Mayor's Update - Newporters need to fill out the Census
At last Wednesday’s Council meeting, a resident who has worked for the US Census Bureau spoke to the Council about Newport’s Census response rate. Only 54% of Newport residents have filled out the Census. The Census helps determine how much funding our City receives, and will determine whether or not we keep a US House Seat. If you have not yet completed the Census, please visit 2020census.gov and urge your family and friends to do the same.
The Council is meeting on Tuesday to interview applicants for the Waterfront Commission. The Waterfront Commission is an important body that advises the Council on matters concerning Newport’s Waterfront and is overseen by our Harbormaster. The Commission was instrumental in the recent revision of our mooring ordinances and continues to be proactive in working on the long-term viability of the waterfront.
The City’s Boards and Commissions are an important component of our local government. Their work is not always recognized, but it is vital to keeping Newport running. We are also looking for new members on our Zoning Board and Historic District Commission (HDC) and working to schedule interviews with those applicants soon. The Zoning Board and the HDC are legal bodies that oversee and administer our ordinances. The volunteers that sit on Newport's Boards and Commissions are instrumental in shaping the present and future of our city. If you are interested in volunteering to serve on any of the many bodies doing important work for the City, please apply.
The Council is also meeting on Wednesday for our regular COVID-19 update from the City Manager. We had previously been meeting for these updates on Tuesdays of the weeks that we did have regular Council meetings. We have changed the updates to Wednesday to better align with updates on municipal numbers from the Department of Health.
Mayor's Update for August 23
The Council is meeting again this Wednesday, via Zoom, at 6:30 pm. Continued from the August 12 meeting is a memo from the City Manager regarding traffic controls in the North End Neighborhood. Councilor McCalla introduced a resolution at the July 8 meeting requesting that the City Manager work with staff to develop potential short-term solutions to improve pedestrian safety in the area of Malbone Rd, Girard Ave, Hillside Ave, and Leal Terrace. With school starting up again soon, there will be an increase in pedestrian traffic there. The Council voted to continue the memo because Governor Raimondo delayed the start of school by two weeks, so we were able to give the staff more time to work on solutions. We will receive an update during the meeting this week.
This past week, I took part in a forum organized by Alliance for a Livable Newport and the League of Women Voters. Five other At-Large candidates participated, with the other six taking part the following night. Our answers were limited to 60 seconds, so I was only able to scratch the surface of the issues. On Thursday, I was interviewed live on What’s Up Newp as part of their Video Voter Guide. We spoke for over an hour and I took the time to delve into solutions I see for Newport and how to implement them. I talked about our need for smart development that supports residents and local businesses, my work to make Newport an affordable place to live year-round, the importance of funding our schools, and more.
In my interview with What’s Up Newp I also highlighted my ideas to revamp the City’s budget process. Right now, there is not enough time built into the review cycle to allow for substantive change to be driven by either the Council or the public. This year that was really brought to the forefront because our timeline was shortened even more by the outbreak of the coronavirus. Our goals as a city are accomplished through funding, so we need to ensure that the budget we pass reflects our vision for Newport. I have been researching different budgeting methods that can applied to municipal budgets like zero-based budgeting and participatory budgeting. We can use these tools to both gain a deeper understanding of how and where we are spending our money in Newport – and engage residents on plans and changes that would make sense for our community.
Although the deadline has passed to request a mail ballot, there is still the option of early voting. You can vote at City Hall all the way up to Primary Day on September 8. Newport is in a critical time to determine the direction our city will go for decades, and your vote will set the course the city will take. Please take the time to research the candidates and cast your vote in the Primary in the next two weeks, and in the General Election in November.
Learn about your choices for the next City Council
With the primary for the At-Large City Council seats coming up quickly on September 8, there is a lot of information coming out from both the media and candidates. I know that if you subscribe to my newsletter you likely know much of what I believe in and work for, but you may not be as familiar with all the candidates. Every election comes with the chance to work towards building the government we want to see. The people we elect to the City Council are responsible for shaping the future of Newport. Media organizations and community groups are putting out surveys, holding forums, and conducting interviews to help give voters an opportunity to hear how candidates will deal with important issues facing the city.
The Alliance for a Livable Newport sent a survey to all candidates, and have published our responses online. What's Up Newp has created a voter's guide to the City Council races, including links to candidate statements, survey responses, and recordings of live interviews. I will be talking with the What's Up Newp crew this Thursday at 11am live on Facebook and YouTube. I will also be participating in the candidate forum organized by ALN and Newport This Week, which is being recorded this week and scheduled for release next week. I look forward to participating in the forum and hearing from the other candidates.
I hope that you are able to use these resources and more to learn about the people running for office. Public office is not an easy job, and I applaud everyone who is volunteering to take on the responsibility of working for Newport's future. I encourage you to reach out to me and all the other candidates about your concerns in Newport so you can have confidence that your choices on September 8 are knowledgeable, trustworthy, and willing to put in the work for the next two years.
Mayor's Update for August 9
The City Council will be meeting this Wednesday at 6:30, and we are once again meeting entirely through Zoom. It is still a goal of mine to have us back in the Council Chambers, but there remain some significant technical hurdles to overcome before we can meet there in a way that will easily allow the public to follow along and participate. The nature of public meetings means that we cannot limit the people who are attending, unlike the closed groups that have been used in summer camps and are being looked at for school re-openings. All members of the public must be able to attend a meeting when they desire. This means that until we have the technology in place to allow the public both at home and in the Chambers to safely attend and participate in meetings, we are continuing with everyone on Zoom.
This week’s docket features a resolution to name the Pell School gymnasium in honor of the late Mayor Paul Gaines. We want to honor him in this way, so that all Newport elementary students will know of Mayor Gaines’ extraordinary life and his contributions to the City of Newport and the Newport Public Schools.
Also on this week’s docket are two updates from the City Manager and staff regarding traffic in Newport. The first is an update on the Transportation Master Plan and Green & Complete Streets. City Staff worked with the Transportation Subcommittee of the Planning Board, the Newport Transportation Planning Committee, and Statewide Planning to create a Request for Proposals for the creation of a Master Transportation Plan for Newport. This is the most comprehensive traffic study and plan done in Newport in years. A draft of the Green & Complete Streets ordinance has been completed and is currently under review in the City Solicitor’s Office. Once that review is complete, it will go to the Planning Board and then to the City Council.
The second update from the City Manager is regarding recommendations on short-term traffic solutions, a response to a resolution from the Council that seeks to improve the safety of the streets near Pell Elementary School. The update details a number of short-term improvements that can be made in the area and also addresses potential long-term solutions as well.
Finally, with the local primary coming up on September 8, I want to remind you that voting by mail is a safe and easy way to participate in the election. The deadline to request your mail ballot for the primary is August 18.
Mayor's Update for August 3
Tomorrow, August 4th, the Council will be meeting virtually for a COVID-19 update and to vote on an extension of the state of emergency and the City Manager’s executive powers. This allows the City Manager to continue to be able to react quickly and implement short term changes to improve and maintain safety for our residents.
We will also discuss and vote on a resolution regarding whether future Council meetings should continue to be held with the Council in the Chambers with no members of the public or everyone separately on Zoom. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no option yet that allows for the public and the Council to be in the same space. Last week, I asked for your feedback on which method is preferred and the responses I received back were split, although most were generally comfortable with remote public participation. After the technical difficulties that we faced at the July 22 meeting and the ongoing threat of COVID-19, I think it may be the right call to move back to meeting fully on Zoom. Regardless of what we decide, I remain committed to making our meetings accessible for all residents. I want us to be able to conduct in-person meetings with the public safely in the future, and we are working on that goal. Please let me know if you see any ways that I can improve the virtual meeting experience.
Last Thursday, the City’s consultant on the North End Urban Plan, NBBJ, presented details of the draft plan to the public. The consultants and the Director of Planning and Economic Development answered questions throughout the presentation, and it was great to see. The presentation and the recording of the meeting are both on the project website and I encourage you to take a look.
Finally, I want to remind you that we are about 1 month away from the primary on September 8, which includes non-partisan elections for the At-Large City Council and 3rd Ward. The voter registration deadline for the primary is August 9, so double check to make sure you are registered. If you’re planning to vote by mail, the deadline to apply for a mail ballot is August 18. If you’re planning to vote in person, double check your polling location because COVID-19 has prompted some changes, and make a plan to ensure you can get there.
Mayor's Update for July 26 - Remote Meeting Survey
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for the 2nd Wednesday in August (August 12), so in this extra week before the next docket is published I'd like to get your feedback on how the remote meetings have been going for you.
For the past two City Council meetings, the Council and City Administration have been together in the Council Chambers with members of the public joining and participating in the meeting remotely. The question has come up whether it is easier for the public to have the Council together or have everyone meet separately via Zoom. The most important thing, to me, is that the public is able to hear and understand what we are talking about on the Council and that they feel able to engage easily. I want to know which you prefer and which meetings you were able to better follow: please follow the link to the survey to submit your feedback.
Members of the City Council and volunteers were out across Newport again this weekend handing out face masks and reminding people of when and where they are required. Mask wearing, social distancing, and hand washing are the three most important actions we can all take to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. We are still in the midst of a pandemic and we must remember to take precautions.
This year we have two important elections in Newport. There are non-partisan primaries for at-large and third ward councilors on September 8, and the general election is November 3. As candidate I ask that you consider voting for me in both elections, but I also ask you to consider being a poll worker. The City of Newport (and cities and towns across the country) will need poll workers to make these elections successful. It is a paid job and vital to make sure that citizens have the opportunity to choose their representation at all levels of government. If you or someone you know are interested in working, please contact the City of Newport Canvassing Office to apply.
Mayor's Update for July 19
The Council will be meeting in person this week in the Council Chambers. It has been interesting to be meeting in person again, but it is not the same without members of the public in the audience. The public will continue to participate remotely by phone or by Zoom. I hope that we are able to have meetings soon with members of the public with us.
At the meeting this Wednesday, the Council will be honoring the late former Mayor Paul Gaines for his many years of service to our community. Mayor Gaines was a great man and his contributions to Newport will be felt for years.
In Providence, discussions are ongoing that would propose merging the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation. RITBA is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the four bridges connecting Aquidneck Island and Jamestown to the mainland, including the Newport Pell Bridge. The tolls from the Newport Bridge are collected by RITBA and used to keep this critical infrastructure safe and functional. I am concerned that a merger with RIDOT would allow the department to increase tolls and divert resources away from maintaining our bridges to fill gaps in funding for projects up state, making Newport residents, businesses, and visitors alike shoulder a disproportionate burden in maintaining the State’s road infrastructure. This is unacceptable, which is why I am introducing a resolution at this week’s meeting to oppose this proposed merger.
The Council will be considering a resolution to voice support of the inclusion of African American history education in all Rhode Island K-12 schools. It is an important step to take and I am glad that the Council will have the opportunity to discuss it. It is important to provide our children a full view of history in their education, and this call for an expanded curriculum is one example of why I did not support the cuts to the school department’s proposed funding in this year’s budget. I will work to provide the resources needed to back up this Councils wishes. In Newport, we are fortunate to have had individuals and organizations working in our schools for years to educate students on African American history, both our nation’s history and our local history right here in Newport. Keith and Theresa Stokes and Sankofa Community Connection have been integral in the community effort to bring these parts of history to our students, and I want to thank them for all the work they have put in over the years.
Mayor's Update for July 12
Newporters have put in a lot of work over the past year to create a vision for our city’s development in the North End, and the vision is coming together. A draft of the North End Urban Plan has been completed by the consultant NBBJ and delivered to the City Planning Department. The Plan, along with a set of zoning recommendations for the North End that would enforce our residents’ vision, are both being reviewed by our staff and will then be received and reviewed by the Planning Board. I have worked hard to make sure that resident participation has been an important and integral component of the development of these products, and the City will continue to engage our residents for the next steps. I am asking for continued participation and feedback from our community both at the Planning Board and Council meetings where the North End Urban Plan is discussed. It is exciting to see the future of our City being shaped by the people who live here.
During the City Council meeting this past Wednesday, we passed a resolution instructing the Planning Board to investigate certain issues with short term rentals and to come back to the Council with recommendations on potential solutions. The items being studied come from a Planning Board memo regarding recent short term rental ordinance changes and they concern sticker parking visitor passes issued to guesthouses, transient guest facilities being allowed in the Limited Business District by special use permit and a renewal process for special use permits issued for guest houses. This Council has taken strong steps to manage short term rentals in our residential districts and this is another step on the path of preserving our local neighborhoods.
The Newport Collegiate Baseball League began its debut season this past Friday at Cardine’s Field. Mike Falcone, the director of baseball operations for the Newport Gulls, formed the league after COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. I’m excited to see that baseball has found a way to continue, albeit a little differently than we expected! During the games, Cardines is closed to fans so that the players can social-distance in the stands rather than in the dugouts. That doesn’t mean that fans can’t watch. All the games are streamed live on YouTube, so we can still root on our local teams!
Newport Collegiate Baseball League Opening Day - Photo courtesy of Andrew Falce (IG:@andrewfalce)
I spent part of today with my Vice Chair, Susan Taylor, handing out masks on Bellevue Avenue. Councilor Taylor has worked hard to organize volunteers to hand out masks across Newport on the past few busy weekends and I was pleased to participate today. Having an active presence helps with compliance a lot. I was encouraged to see a good majority of people wearing a mask. If you’re interested in volunteering, please let Councilor Taylor or me know! Wearing a mask, social distancing, and washing your hands continue to be the three most important things we can all do to help fight the spread of COVID-19.
Sincerely,
Jamie Bova
Newport Mayor and Council Chair
Mayor's Update for July 5
I hope that you were able to safely enjoy this holiday weekend. We are still in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and it’s imperative to wear a mask and practice social distancing. I have heard from residents and local businesses who are concerned about how many people do not seem to be following public health guidance and I am continually sharing these concerns with City Administration as we work to improve compliance. The City has also worked with the State to step up enforcement of the public health guidelines in place.
The Council is meeting this Wednesday in person for the first time since March. In preparation for this meeting, City staff have erected plexiglass dividers between each seat on the Council dais. The meeting will still be streamed on Zoom and the public can join via Zoom or the telephone to comment or ask questions during the meeting the same as has been done over the past few months. Public participation is a hugely important component of our local government. I look forward to seeing how we transition to meeting in person again, and I ask that you please share your thoughts and observations about the meeting.
There is a resolution on this week’s docket that seeks to build on the Planning Board’s work on short-term rentals and how we can better regulate their presence in Newport. Short term rentals can drastically change the makeup of our neighborhoods if we do not take the initiative to properly regulate them. The availability of housing for full-time residents can be negatively affected if short-term rentals are not thoughtfully addressed. The resolution asks the Planning Board to study issues concerning sticker parking visitor passes issued to guesthouses, transient guest facilities being allowed in the Limited Business District by special use permit, and a renewal process for special use permits issued for guest houses. All of these items were flagged by the Planning Board as needing further review so that recommendations can be made to the Council.
Another resolution concerns the traffic on Malbone Road, Girard Avenue, and Hillside Avenue. These roads are all heavily used by pedestrians as well as cars. Both the Master Transportation Plan and the realignment of the Pell Bridge ramps aim to improve safety in this area, but in the interim a short term solution is needed to decrease the speed of traffic and make it safer for pedestrians, especially our youth, to use these roads.
The proposal to prohibit food trucks from operating on Bellevue Ave is on this week’s docket again. This item has been continued multiple times; first to ask for recommendations from the City Solicitor and then because an attorney representing a local food truck requested a continuance. We spent months working last year to determine the right locations and regulations for mobile food establishments in Newport and the ordinances were drafted and voted on with ample participation both from the public and the full Council. The current regulations are clear and fair to business; food trucks may operate in all zoning districts where restaurants are allowed by right, so long as they are not closer than 250 feet to a restaurant. Zoning ordinances are the tools that we use to regulate the types of business than can operate throughout the city in a fair and consistent manner. I believe that if we want to prohibit a certain type of business in a specific area of the city, it should be addressed through our zoning ordinances.
Mayor's Update for June 28
I was very saddened to learn of the passing of Mayor Paul Gaines, the first and only Black Mayor in Rhode Island. Mayor Gaines was a legend in Newport, known for his love and commitment to our community. Newport has a lost a truly great man.
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As we continue to have beautiful weather this summer, I want to remind everyone that we are still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic – when you are out in town, please remember to wear your mask! I have been hearing from local residents and shop owners who are very concerned about how many people do not seem to be following the rules and guidance regarding masks. I have been continually sharing these concerns with City Administration as we work to improve compliance, especially as it seems that many of those not wearing masks are visitors. Let’s all do our part too; wearing a mask is a sign of community and that we are all in this together.
At last week’s City Council meeting, I introduced a resolution that directed the City Administration to prepare various options on how the council might implement a Homestead Exemption in Newport. The impact of the property tax levy on Newport’s full-time, local residents needs to be addressed and controlled. A Homestead Exemption would grant a property tax discount for certain residential properties based on the value of the home, while still allowing the City of Newport to provide the services our community relies on. I want to make sure that any version of the Homestead Exemption that we adopt benefits all our year-round residents – renters and homeowners are equally important and valued members of our community in Newport. This is one of the reasons that I specifically asked for multiple options for implementation – so that the Council has the information to make the right decision.
The City’s budget serves as the primary tool to turn the Council’s policy into action. We need to have ample time to develop the budget and to allow for substantial public comment to ensure that it aligns with the priorities and values of our community. I believe that the Council needs to begin engaging with City staff earlier than we have in the past; our fiscal year runs July 1 to June 30, so we should begin laying out the budget priorities no later than January. My Homestead Exemption resolution has the City Administration coming to the Council in December with options. I want us to hold a workshop to educate the Council and the public on the Homestead Exemption options and to serve as the first budget workshop for the coming fiscal year. Both the Council and the public need multiple opportunities to discuss the budget before it is voted on.
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There are 12 candidates running for At-Large City Council and 7 running for the Ward seats in this coming election. I am very excited to see so many new candidates, from all walks of life – people are in our community are engaged, with a desire to take action and make change. Throughout my time on the Council I have been dedicated to making lasting, structural changes in our government culture. I see the announcement of so many new candidates as a win and a big step in the right direction.
Mayor's Update for June 21 - An Announcement
I would like to begin this week’s newsletter to announce that I will be seeking re-election to the Newport City Council this November. During my time on the Council I’ve had the opportunity to meet and work with members of the community from across Newport. The passion and energy in our neighborhoods continues to inspire me every day, and it makes me proud to represent the people of Newport in their City Government.
I will continue to strive to give you and all Newporters a government that shares your values. Our government must be focused on serving all the people who choose to live and work in Newport. I will continue to push to engage neighborhoods and communities who have historically been overlooked and under-served. There is a lot of work ahead of us, and I believe we are up to it. My campaign platform lays out what needs to be done:
Education and Housing – Education and housing are the two most important needs for a community to be strong and successful, and I will continue to fight for the people who live and work here to have access to both. I believe it is our duty as a community to provide our children with the best opportunities for the future, and to build a community that they will want to raise their children in.
An Economy for Newporters – Our economy should provide opportunities to the people who live here. I want to see the City and local businesses work as partners in strengthening our community. As we continue to expand and diversify our economy, development must provide opportunities for all our residents.
Responsibly Building Newport’s Future – We need to understand how development affects our city and create actionable plans for the city government to undertake. We need to be considering impacts to our environment and making long term plans and changes that account for climate change and sea level rise. We need to be proactive to ensure the long-term viability and reliability of Newport’s utility infrastructure. We need to understand the impacts of potential development on our systems before approving projects.
Government for the People – I believe it is our duty as public officials to build and maintain our residents’ trust. The City’s actions must be guided by resident participation and reflect the values of our community. I want to continue the habit of public discussion and open debate that we have started in this term, and reach out into the community to have more voices heard.
I began writing these newsletters to help show you how the Council is taking action on these issues, and to call your attention to important conversations that we are having in council meetings and the community. I share with you my thoughts and research on issues that will have an impact on you and the city so you can understand my positions and engage in a conversation. I believe that if I am representing you, you should know where I stand.
This week’s Council docket contains multiple items that intersect with the issues and values that I’ve chosen to focus on in my campaign.
At the top of the meeting, there will be a public hearing on the City’s application for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The receipt of this grant would fund multiple projects, including community center improvements, the Housing Hotline, and others.
Also on this week’s docket is a resolution I submitted concerning the implementation of a homestead exemption in Newport. The City is able to implement this a homestead exemption based on state law, all that is needed is for the Council to work with staff to determine the best model. This resolution would ask that staff present options to the Council this November for the FY22 budget. A homestead exemption can be used as a tool to aid home ownership and help families in Newport.
At the May 27th Council meeting, I submitted a resolution instructing City staff to study the benefits and impacts of road closures to allow for additional space for social distancing and to help local businesses adapt to changes caused by the coronavirus. The staff prepared a report that is included in this week’s docket; at this time staff does not recommend road closures, based on input from local businesses. The Planning Board is looking at other options, and the City will continue working with individual businesses to offer support and be flexible.
The Council will be receiving an update on the North End Urban Plan. The Steering Committee met virtually on June 16 and determined a plan forward for the completion of the plan. The plan will be submitted to the Planning Board for review and recommendation on July 8, so the Council can expect to officially receive and vote on the plan in August or September. The North End Urban Plan has been a months long effort and is part of the City’s larger process of meeting the goals in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. It will guide the policies, zoning, and development in the North End and has been developed with maximum resident engagement and participation so that it reflects our community’s values.
Mayor's Update for June 14
Yesterday I witnessed again the frustration, outrage, and determination of Newport’s Black community in response to the continuing racism they face. At the peaceful protest organized by youth in our community, the young voices of Newport spoke out against systemic injustice and called for action to move our community forward. I was proud to stand with them as one of their elected representatives in City Government, and I am proud of the positive energy and drive that was on display in everyone in attendance. There is without question a lot of work to be done, and I am glad that the younger generations are joining the effort.
This Tuesday the Council will be taking a final vote on the upcoming year’s budget. With the change introduced at the council meeting last week, the budget cuts facing the city have increased by $1.5 million to a total of $3.5 million in cuts. I fear that such a severe cut will not allow the City to provide services that align with the values our community expects. With this reduced budget, the School Department will not be receiving $500,000 it has identified as being required for the upcoming year, and the costs associated with deferring maintenance and upkeep on public infrastructure will only grow. The City budget should reflect the values and priorities of the community, and I do not think the budget before us does that.
Finally, this Monday, Rhode Island Pride is celebrating Pride Flags Across Rhode Island, an online event showcasing the Pride Flags being flown in Providence, Cranston, Warwick, Pawtucket, East Providence, Woonsocket, Newport, Central Falls, and Barrington. I am proud that our City is able to join in this celebration!
