Town Council Meeting Wednesday, May 13, 2026 06:30 PM Town Hall - 10 Court Street, Bristol Rhode Island 6:30 pm - Interviews 7:00 PM Town Council Meeting *AMENDED

Note: If communications assistance is needed or any other accommodations to ensure equal participation, please contact the Town Clerk’s office at 253-7000. Anyone requesting interpretive services for the deaf or hard of hearing must notify the Town Clerk’s office at 253-7000, 72 hours in advance of the meeting date and anyone requesting assistive listening devices or wishing to speak on a matter designated “CA” (consent agenda) or citizens public forum on the council docket must notify the Council Clerk prior to the commencement of the meeting.

In-Person Participation Only

The public may VIEW the meeting live by using the following link https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87970711706, or by visiting zoom.com meeting code 879-7071-1706. Please be advised, this link will NOT allow for public participation and access or live stream is not guaranteed.

Please be advised that the council intends to discuss and/or act upon each and every item appearing on this agenda

Present:

Meeting Dates:

June 3, 2026 - Town Council Meeting
June 24, 2026 - Town Council Meeting
July 29, 2026 - Town Council Meeting
August 19, 2026 - Town Council Meeting
September 16, 2026 - Town Council Meeting

The Pledge of Allegiance 

6:30 PM      Public Service Interviews and Appointments

Motion RE: Consent Agenda -  To Approve the Consent Agenda

A.Submission of Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)

  1. A1.Town Council Meeting Minutes (Draft) - April 22, 2026

  2. A2.Town Council Executive Session Meeting Minutes (sealed, council only) - April 22, 2026

  3. A3.Town Council Special Meeting Minutes (Draft)- April 27, 2026

  4. A4.Town Council Special Meeting Minutes (Draft) - April 29, 2026

B.Public Hearings

  1. B1.Public Hearing - Cancellation

    To receive notice that the public hearing scheduled for the reconsideration of Alicia V. Saldana, Qhali Corporation d/b/a Qhali Kitchen, regarding the transfer of a Class BV Liquor License to Toufic Walid Assi, Qhali Bar & Grill, LLC d/b/a Qhali Bar & Grill, 34 Gooding Avenue has been canceled at the request of both the transferor and transferee, who have submitted formal withdrawn of their petition for transfer.

    a . Correspondence from transferor and transferee Qhali

  2. B2.Public Hearing - Cancellation

    To receive notice that the public hearing scheduled for David Fierabend, The Franklin, LLC, 195 Franklin Street, request for Modification of BV Intoxicating Beverage License (to expand alcohol service area to include outdoor seating) has been canceled, as the applicant did not obtain the required prerequisite approval(s) necessary to proceed with the hearing

C.Ordinances

  1. C1.Ordinance Amendment to Chapter 16 - Motor vehicles and traffic, Article V - Stopping, standing, and parking, Section 16-143 - Parking prohibited at all times, Section 16-152 Curb loading zones, Article IX - Residential Parking, Section 16-345 Designated residential parking streets (parking regulations for Burnside Street)  (1st reading)

  2. C2.Ordinance Amendment, Chapter 11 -Fees and Charges, Section 11-1  - Comprehensive schedule of fee (Zoning and Planning Related Fee Changes) (1st reading)

  3. C3.Ordinance Amendment to Chapter 16 - Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Article IX Residential Parking, Sec. 16-345 Designated residential parking streets (to amend the parking on Bradford Street between Hope and Central) (1st Reading)

D.Licensing Board - New Petitions

  1. D1.WITHDRAWAL OF PETITION TO TRANSFER LICEESE

    Withdrawal of request for transfer of license for Class BV Liquor License for Toufic Walid Assi, Qhali Bar & Grill, LLC, d/b/a Qhali Bar & Grill, 34 Gooding Avenue

    a. Correspondence from transferor and transferee

E.Licensing Board - Renewals

  1. E1.Sidewalk Use License Renewals 2026-2027

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Chief of Police

    b. recommendation - Town Administrator and Fire Chief

    c. recommendation - Town Administrator and Code Compliance Officer

  2. E2.Sidewalk and Alcohol Use License Renewals 2026-2027

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Chief of Police

    b. recommendation - Town Administrator and Fire Chief

    c. recommendation - Town Administrator and Director of Public Works

F.Petitions - Other

  1. F1.Ana Isabel dos Reis Couto - RI Day of Portugal Committee request to fly Portuguese Flag with a flag-raising ceremony on Monday, June 1, 2026, 11:00 AM at the Bristol Town Hall

    a. memo from Clerk of Canvassers re qualifying signatures received

  2. F2.Kristina Rubin, 32 Pearse Avenue requesting removal of accessible parking space located in front of residence (2nd Reading)

    a. recommendation - Town Administrator and Chief of Police

    b. recommendation - Town Administrator and Director of Public Works

    c. Resolution 2026-5-13-F2 (Draft)

  3. F3.Bristol Police Department request for financial support ($1,500) for the Bristol Police Youth Leadership Academy

  4. F4.Director Zipf, Bristol Historical and Preservation Society request for financial support ($1,000) to cover the cost for a travel cover for the Nathaniel Byfield Flag

G.Appointments

  1. G1.Rogers Free Library Board of Trustees - 1 unexpired 3 -year term set to expire January 2029

    a. Kaitlyn Carmody, 12 Ellen Street - interest/appointment 

    b. Christina Palmer, 7 Church Cove - interest/appointment

    c. Anne Silvia, Chair Board of Trustees - recommendation for Kaitlyn Carmody

H.Old Business

I.Other New Business Requiring Town Council Action

  1. I1.Library Director Dyer - requests council consideration to adopt the (draft) Resolution in support of fully funding state aid to libraries to the full Twenty-five (25) percent

  2. I2.Discussion and possible action regarding the distribution of income funds held in the Public Schools Retirement Fund of Bristol, subsequently designated to the Friends of Rogers Free Library for the benefit of children’s library programs, and including new funds expected to be added from the trust established under the Will of Isabella M. Wardwell dated March 29, 1938, as amended by a codicil dated May 16,1939 (“Isabella Wardwell Trust”) including consideration of redirecting such funds directly to the Rogers Free Library

  3. I3.Discussion and possible action regarding the distribution of funds expected to be added from the trust established under the Will of Isabella M. Wardwell dated March 29, 1938, as amended by a codicil dated May 16, (“Isabella Wardwell Trust”), to be spent in accordance with the purposes of the Henry Wardwell Fund, for the benefit of the Rogers Free Library, including consideration of directing such funds.

  4. I4.Bristol Town Council- Proclamation Recognizing Small Business Month

  5. I5.Discussion and possible action regarding House Bill 7676 concerning proposed changes to Open Meetings requirements, and potential Council correspondence or legislative advocacy related thereto

CF.Citizens Public Forum
PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK DURING THE CITIZENS PUBLIC FORUM MUST NOTIFY THE COUNCIL CLERK PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE MEETING

J.Bills & Expenditures

K.Special Reports

  1. K1.Bristol County Water Authority - Tri-Town Monthly Report - April 2026

L.Town Solicitor

M.Executive Sessions

  1. M1.* (AMENDED) RIGL § 42-46-5, (a)(2) - pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation, or work sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation- Potential Litigation 

Consent Agenda Items:

(CA) AA.Submission of Minutes - Boards and Commissions

Approval of consent agenda = “motion to receive and place these items on file”

  1. (CA) AA1.Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes - March 3, 2026

  2. (CA) AA2.Planning Board Meeting Minutes - March 5, 2026

  3. (CA) AA3.Bristol County Water Authority Board Meeting Minutes - March 26, 2026

  4. (CA) AA4.Bristol Fire Department Meeting Minutes - May 4, 2026

  5. (CA) AA5.Zoning Board of Review Meeting Minutes- April 6, 2026

(CA) BB.Budget Adjustments

Approval of consent agenda = “motion to approve these adjustments”

(CA) CC.Financial Reports

Approval of consent agenda = “motion to receive and place these items on file”

  1. (CA) CC1.Town Treasurer Carulli - YTD - Budget Actuals for May 2026 

(CA) DD.Proclamations, Resolutions & Citations

Approval of consent agenda = “motion to adopt these Proclamations, Resolutions and Citations as prepared and presented”

  1. (CA) DD1.Proclamation - Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month (signed)

(CA) EE.Utility Petitions

Approval of consent agenda = “motion to approve these petitions”

(CA) FF.City & Town Resolutions Not Previously Considered

Approval of consent agenda = “motion to receive and place these items on file”

  1. (CA) FF1.Town of Charlestown - Joint Municipal Statement - RI Municipalities on the 2025 State Affordable Housing Laws

  2. (CA) FF2.Town of Charlestown - Resolution Concerning Senate Bill S2275 Relating to Comprehensive Permit Review and Affordable Housing Unit Accounting

  3. (CA) FF3.Town of Charlestown - Resolution Identifying Shortcoming in the Housing 2030 Element of The RI State Guide Plan

  4. (CA) FF4.Town of Charlestown - Resolution Concerning Municipal Authority Over Land Use and Housing Decisions

  5. (CA) FF5.Town of Exeter Resolution 2026-14 - Requesting Parity in Ambulance Service Reimbursements for Services Provided on State-Owned Property

  6. (CA) FF6.Town of Exeter Resolution 2026-12 - In Support of House Bill H-7446 and Senate Bill S-2691

  7. (CA) FF7.Town of Exeter Resolution 2026-13 - In Support of Interstate Enforcement of Boating Laws on Beah Pond and Improved Public Safety

  8. (CA) FF8.Town of Exeter Resolution 2026-11 - In Support of House Bill 2025 - H5202

  9. (CA) FF9.Town of Exeter Resolution 2026-16 - In Support of House Bill H-8029

  10. (CA) FF10.Town of Exeter Resolution 2026-15 - In Support of Senate Bill S-2917 and House Bill H-8015

(CA) GG.Distributions/Communications

Approval of consent agenda = “motion to receive and place these items on file”

  1. (CA) GG1.Rhode Island Energy Presentation to RILCT- April 14, 2026

  2. (CA) GG2.Use & Access Agreement - Town of Bristol and Bristol Theatre Company (Guiteras School) (signed)

  3. (CA) GG3.Bid 1024 - Emergency Medical Services - Thomas Carroll, Paramedic Systems, Inc. - Paramedic Renewal

  4. (CA) GG4.Town Administrator Contente - Letter of Recognition and Appreciation, Bristol Sewer Department

  5. (CA) GG5.Portsmouth Town Council to Bristol Town Council - RI Turnpike and Bridge Authority

  6. (CA) GG6.Town Administrator Contente - Arbor Day 2026 - Letter of recognition to The Bristol Conservation Commission and Our Lady of Mount Carmel School

  7. (CA) GG7.AZJ - John St. LLC, Jeffrey Quinlan, Zack King, Andrew Tuchler d/b/a Aidan's Pub 5 John Street - Consent Order (signed)

  8. (CA) GG8.Town Clerk Cordeiro to Representatives Donovan and Speakman regarding concerns regarding Open Meetings Legislation (2026- H7676)

  9. (CA) GG9.Town Administrator Contente to True North Civil, LLC - Bid Award No. 1086 - Bristol End of Roadway Improvements

(CA) HH.Distributions/Notice of Meetings
(Office copy only)

Approval of consent agenda = “motion to receive and place these items on file”

  1. (CA) HH1.Bristol Planning Board Technical Review Committee Agenda- April 22, 2026 (10:00)

  2. (CA) HH2.Bristol Planning Board Technical Review Committee Agenda- April 22, 2026 (10:30)

  3. (CA) HH3.Planning Board Comprehensive Plan Meeting Agenda - April 23, 2026

  4. (CA) HH4.Bristol Fourth of July Committee Old Fashion Days Sub-Committee Meeting - April 30, 2026

  5. (CA) HH5.Bristol Fourth of July Committee Souvenir Sub-Committee Meeting - April 30, 2026

  6. (CA) HH6.Recreation Board Meeting - April 29, 2026

  7. (CA) HH7.Fourth of July Committee Macaroni Supper Sub-Committee Meeting - May 5, 2026

  8. (CA) HH8.Bristol 250th Commission Meeting - May 7, 2026

  9. (CA) HH9.Bristol Planning Board Technical Review Committee Meeting - April 30, 2026

  10. (CA) HH10.Planning Board Meeting - May 14, 2026

  11. (CA) HH11.Historic District Commission Meeting - May 7, 2026

  12. (CA) HH12.Historic District Commission Meeting - May 1, 2026

  13. (CA) HH13.Harbor Commission Meeting - May 4, 2026

  14. (CA) HH14.Planning Board Meeting - May 14, 2026 Amended

  15. (CA) HH15.Fourth of July Committee Promotions Subcommittee Meeting - May 7, 2026

  16. (CA) HH16.Conservation Commission Meeting - May 5, 2026

  17. (CA) HH17.Bristol Christmas Festival General Committee Meeting - May 11, 2026

  18. (CA) HH18.Fourth of July Committee General Committee Meeting - May 12, 2026

(CA) II.Claims (Referrals)

Approval of consent agenda = “motion to refer these items to the Insurance Committee and at its discretion to the Interlocal Trust”

  1. (CA) II1.Monica Bailey, 7 Harrison Street - Claim

  2. (CA) II2.John Patton, 36 Acacia Road - claim for damages

(CA) JJ.Miscellaneous Items Requiring Council Approval

Approval of consent agenda = “motion to approve these items”

(CA) KK.Curb cut petitions as approved by the director of public works

Approval of consent agenda = “motion to grant these curb cuts per the recommendation of, and conditions specified by, the Director of Public Works”

Adjourned: ______________________

/mc

Posted: May 8, 2026