Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Council Business Votes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Newport council approves Safe Haven baby box, reappoints two planning commissioners; June minutes not approved
Summary
At its July 1 meeting the Newport City Council authorized a resolution to install a Safe Haven Baby Box at the fire department, reappointed Kenny Thaxton III and Penn Stafford to the Planning Commission, declared a council seat vacant and deferred approval of June 3 minutes after two abstentions.
Newport — The Newport City Council on July 1 approved a resolution to allow placement of a Safe Haven Baby Box at the city’s fire department, reappointed two members to the Newport Planning Commission and declared one council seat vacant while failing to approve the minutes from its June 3 meeting.
Lieutenant Jason Tarwater of the Newport Fire Department provided an overview of how a Safe Haven Baby Box operates and options for financial support and operation. City Attorney John Pettie read the resolution authorizing the city to enter into an agreement with Safe Haven Baby Boxes, Inc. A motion by Council Member Michael Allen, seconded by Julie Moss, to approve the resolution carried 5–0; Falwell, May, Lake, Allen and Moss voted yes.
The council also moved to reappoint Kenny Thaxton III and Penn Stafford to the Newport Planning Commission for terms expiring July 2027. Regina Lake moved to reappoint Thaxton, with Julie Moss seconding; that motion carried 5–0 (Moss, May, Falwell, Allen and Lake voted yes). Lake also moved to reappoint Penn Stafford, seconded by Falwell; that motion carried 5–0 (May, Moss, Allen, Falwell and Lake voted yes).
A procedural motion to approve the June 3, 2024 minutes, moved by Lake and seconded by Allen, did not pass. Allen, Lake, May and Mayor Ratliffe voted yes while Falwell and Moss abstained; the minutes will be presented again for approval at the August meeting.
The council declared the seat of Council Member Kathy Green vacant after she moved out of her ward. A motion by Allen, seconded by Moss, to declare the position vacant carried 5–0 (Lake, Moss, May, Falwell and Allen voted yes).
No fiscal amounts associated with the Safe Haven agreement were specified in the meeting minutes and no formal amendments or contingencies were recorded. The resolutions and appointments above were recorded in the meeting minutes as approved or carried on the votes noted.
