Newport public meetings in 2020

Workshop

The Newport City Council is meeting remotely for a workshop session. The only listed agenda item is a COVID-19 crisis update. The meeting is held in compliance with Governor Raimondo's executive order allowing remote public access.

• COVID-19 crisis update

Applicant Interviews

The Newport City Council is holding a remote meeting to interview six applicants for the Planning Board. After the interviews, the Council may discuss how they will vote on the appointments at a future regular meeting.

• Interviews scheduled for Theresa Stokes, Christopher Daly, Kevin Michaud, Amanda Ward, Kett Murphy, and Derek Grinkin
• Meeting held remotely per Governor Raimondo's Executive Order 20-25-1(b)
• Council may discuss voting on appointments at a later regular meeting

Workshop

The Newport City Council is holding a remote workshop meeting on December 10, 2020, at 4:30 p.m. The sole agenda item is a COVID-19 crisis update. The meeting will be conducted remotely via Zoom and telephone in compliance with Governor Raimondo's executive order.

• COVID-19 crisis update
• Remote meeting via Zoom and telephone

Workshop

The Newport City Council is holding a workshop meeting remotely due to the COVID-19 crisis. The agenda contains only a notice of a COVID-19 crisis update.

• COVID-19 crisis update

Regular Session

The Newport City Council held its organizational meeting, administered the oath of office by Rep. Marvin Abney, and elected a chairman/mayor and vice chairman. The council also appointed a city solicitor and ratified appointments for assistant solicitors and municipal and probate court judges. The meeting was adjourned after remarks.

• Elected Chairman/Mayor
• Elected Vice Chairman
• Appointed City Solicitor
• Ratified appointment of Assistant City Solicitor for Civil Litigation
• Ratified appointment of Assistant City Solicitor of Law Enforcement
• Ratified appointment of Municipal Court Judge
• Ratified appointment of Probate Court Judge

Workshop

The Newport City Council is holding a workshop meeting remotely, with the sole agenda item being a COVID-19 crisis update. The meeting is conducted via Zoom in compliance with Governor Raimondo's executive order allowing remote public access. No other business is listed.

• COVID-19 crisis update
• Remote meeting via Zoom (Meeting ID: 922 6938 0490)
• Toll-free phone access available

Workshop

The Newport City Council is holding a remote workshop with National Grid, continuing a session interrupted on November 12, 2020. The agenda covers winter operations at the natural gas storage facility on Old Mill Lane in Portsmouth, RI, and long-term energy solutions, including a question-and-answer session. The meeting is procedural in nature, focused on discussion rather than formal decisions.

• Winter operations at Old Mill Lane natural gas storage, Portsmouth, RI
• Long-term energy solutions discussion
• Continuation of workshop from November 12, 2020
• Remote meeting via Zoom with public telephone access

Workshop

The Newport City Council is holding a remote workshop with National Grid to discuss winter operations at the Old Mill Lane natural gas storage facility in Portsmouth, RI, and long-term energy solutions. This is a discussion session, not a voting meeting, and no formal decisions are expected.

• Discussion of winter operations at Old Mill Lane, Portsmouth, RI
• Discussion of long-term energy solutions
• Remote meeting via Zoom with public telephone access

Council-Elect Caucus

The Newport Council-Elect will meet remotely on November 12, 2020, to informally elect a mayor and vice chairman for the 2020-2022 term. The agenda contains only this single procedural item, with no other business listed.

• Informal election of mayor for 2020-2022 term
• Informal election of vice chairman for 2020-2022 term
• Meeting held remotely via Zoom (Meeting ID: 922 6938 0490)

CANCELLED - Nov. 4, 2020 - Workshop

The Newport City Council workshop originally scheduled for November 4, 2020, was cancelled. No items were discussed or decided due to the cancellation.

CANCELLED - Oct. 21, 2020 - Workshop

This City Council workshop, originally scheduled for October 21, 2020, to discuss the Abruzzi Sports Complex Skate Park, has been cancelled. The agenda contains no substantive items for discussion.

• Meeting cancelled

Regular Session

The Newport City Council met on October 14, 2020, and approved the consent calendar in its entirety, except for the minutes of prior meetings which were removed. The council unanimously approved a 2020 annual entertainment license renewal for Brick Alley Pub, reappointed Ingrid Peters to the Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission, and appointed Elliott Caldwell to the same commission. The council also unanimously passed resolutions honoring Rogers High School's Class of 2020 and requesting a weight restriction on Prospect Hill Street, and continued several items, including an entertainment license expansion for Newport Blues Café and a communication regarding Newport Country Club.

• Approved consent calendar except item a (minutes) (unanimous)
• Approved 2020 Annual Entertainment License renewal for Brick Alley Pub (unanimous)
• Continued Newport Blues Café entertainment license expansion indefinitely (unanimous)
• Reappointed Ingrid Peters to Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission (unanimous)
• Rescinded Waterfront Commission appointment (unanimous)
• Appointed Elliott Caldwell to Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission (unanimous)
• Passed resolution honoring Rogers High School Class of 2020 (unanimous)
• Passed resolution requesting weight restriction on Prospect Hill Street (unanimous)

Workshop

The Newport City Council is holding a remote workshop meeting on September 30, 2020, at 4:30 p.m., solely to receive a COVID-19 crisis update. The meeting is conducted remotely per Governor Raimondo's Executive Order 20-25-1, with public access via telephone or Zoom. No other business items are listed on the agenda.

• COVID-19 crisis update
• Remote meeting per Governor Raimondo's Executive Order 20-25-1
• Public access via toll-free phone numbers 1-877-853-5247 or 1-888-788-0099
• Zoom meeting ID: 922 6938 0490

Executive Session

The Newport City Council will meet in open session to vote on convening a closed executive session. The closed session will discuss matters related to the lease, acquisition, or disposition of publicly held property involving the Pell Bridge realignment, as well as possible litigation arising from it. The meeting is authorized under Rhode Island law for collective bargaining, litigation, and real property discussions where public disclosure could be detrimental.

• Executive session on Pell Bridge realignment property matters
• Discussion of possible litigation arising from Pell Bridge realignment
• Remote meeting via Zoom per Governor Raimondo's Executive Order 20-63
• Open session vote to convene closed session at 5:00 p.m. on September 21, 2020

Regular Session

The Newport City Council approved a resolution accepting a RIDEM recreation grant for the Abruzzi Sports Complex, with a workshop on the skate park to be scheduled by end of October. The council also unanimously approved traffic calming solutions, 24-hour sticker parking on Annandale Road, and several appointments and licenses. A communication about a 'Say Their Names Memorial' was tabled, and a short-term rental communication was referred to staff for a recommendation.

• Approved RIDEM grant agreement for Abruzzi Sports Complex recreation grant (unanimous)
• Approved traffic calming solutions resolution (unanimous)
• Approved 24-hour sticker parking on Annandale Road (unanimous)
• Appointed Charles Allott as Chair of Zoning Board (unanimous)
• Appointed Bart Grimes and Russell Johnson as full Zoning Board members (unanimous)
• Approved renewal of entertainment license for Celtica (unanimous)
• Tabled communication re: Say Their Names Memorial (unanimous)
• Referred short-term rental communication to staff for recommendation (unanimous)

Interview Session

The Newport City Council is holding a remote interview session on September 10, 2020, to interview four applicants for the Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission, Zoning Board, and Aquidneck Island Planning Commission. The council may also discuss how they might vote on appointments at a future regular meeting. No decisions or votes are scheduled during this session.

• Interviews for Elliott Caldwell, David Riley, Christian Belden, and Lynn Sanzo
• Applicants considered for Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission, Zoning Board, and Aquidneck Island Planning Commission
• Meeting held remotely per Governor Raimondo's Executive Order 20-25

POSTPONED - Sep. 9, 2020 - Regular Session

This meeting was postponed to September 16, 2020, due to technology issues. The agenda includes routine items such as consent calendar approvals, special event permits, and license renewals, as well as resolutions on traffic calming and parking, and a communication about a denied alteration permit.

• Special events: Yoga Class with Mend (Morton Park), Movie Outdoors (141 Pelham St.), 'We Need a Parade' photography exhibit (48 Touro St.), Boxfit Class (Freebody Park)
• Food concession license for Fr. Francis O'Loughlin, Jesus Savior Church, 1 Vernon Avenue
• New holiday selling licenses for Sail Away Studio (468 Thames St.) and Gone Coastal (452 Thames St.)
• Resolution on traffic calming solutions
• Resolution on 24-hour sticker parking on Annandale Road

Interview Session

The Newport City Council is holding a remote meeting to interview four applicants for positions on the Waterfront Commission, Zoning Board of Review, and Historic District Commission. The interviews are scheduled at 20-minute intervals starting at 5:00 p.m. After the interviews, the Council may discuss how they might vote on the appointments at a future regular meeting.

• Jason Kelly and John Greichen interviewed for Waterfront Commission
• Samuel Goldblatt interviewed for Zoning Board of Review
• Mackenzie Hoglund interviewed for Historic District Commission
• Meeting held remotely per Governor Raimondo's Executive Order 20-25

Workshop

The Newport City Council is holding a remote meeting on September 2, 2020, at 4:30 p.m. The sole agenda item is a COVID-19 crisis update. The meeting will be conducted via Zoom and telephone due to the Governor's executive order, with public access details provided.

• COVID-19 crisis update is the only agenda item
• Meeting held remotely per Governor Raimondo's Executive Order 20-25
• Public access via Zoom (Meeting ID: 922 6938 0490) and toll-free phone numbers

Interview Session

The Newport City Council is holding a remote meeting to interview four applicants for the Waterfront Commission: Joshua Parks, Michael Ryan, Greg James, and Alexander Donlan. After the interviews, the Council may discuss how they might vote on the appointments at a future regular meeting.

• Interviews for Waterfront Commission applicants at 5:00, 5:20, 5:40, and 6:00 p.m.
• Applicants: Joshua Parks, Michael Ryan, Greg James, Alexander Donlan
• Meeting held remotely per Governor Raimondo's Executive Order 20-25
• Public access via phone (1-888-788-0099 or 1-833-548-0282) or Zoom (ID: 997 0681 7945)

Regular Session

The Newport City Council approved the consent calendar unanimously, which included special event permits, holiday selling licenses, and license renewals, except for item h regarding a Say Their Names Memorial at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, which was continued to September 9, 2020. The council also approved a license for the Aquidneck Growers Market, an entertainment license for Stoneacre, and adopted an ordinance amending special parking limits. A communication regarding a denied alteration permit for Newport Country Club was continued to September 9, 2020.

• Approved consent calendar except item h (unanimous)
• Continued Say Their Names Memorial request to Sept 9 (unanimous)
• Approved Aquidneck Growers Market license (unanimous)
• Approved Stoneacre entertainment license (unanimous)
• Adopted ordinance amending special parking limits (unanimous)
• Continued Newport Country Club permit denial communication to Sept 9 (unanimous)
• Received short-term traffic solutions memo (unanimous)
• Adopted resolution for Newport Public Schools boiler control systems bid (unanimous)

Workshop

The Newport City Council is holding a remote meeting on August 18, 2020, at 4:30 p.m. The sole agenda item is a COVID-19 crisis update. The meeting will be conducted via Zoom and telephone in compliance with Governor Raimondo's executive order, with public access details provided.

• COVID-19 crisis update is the only agenda item
• Meeting held remotely per Governor Raimondo's Executive Order 20-25
• Public access via toll-free phone numbers and Zoom (Meeting ID: 922 6938 0490)

Executive Session

The Newport City Council will meet in open session at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2020, to vote on convening a closed executive session. The closed session will discuss matters related to the lease, acquisition, or disposition of publicly held property involving the Gateway Center, citing state law for collective bargaining, litigation, and real property discussions.

• Executive session on Gateway Center property
• Remote meeting via Zoom
• Open session vote to close meeting
• Meeting ID: 949 0189 2881

Regular Session

The Newport City Council approved the transfer of a liquor license for Radish Patch, LLC to 580 Thames St. Units B102-B104, with the removal of Unit B101 and a service end time of 11:00 p.m., by a 6-1 vote. The council also approved a new entertainment license for Stoneacre on first reading, denied an outdoor entertainment expansion for The Wayfinder, and continued a request for a Say Their Names Memorial to August 26, 2020.

• Approved liquor license transfer for Vieste & Vino Wine Bar, Yagi Noodle and The Café to 580 Thames St. Units B102-B104, with no access to Unit B101 and service ending at 11:00 p.m. (6-1)
• Approved entertainment license for Stoneacre, 151 Swinburne Row, on first reading (unanimous)
• Denied outdoor entertainment license expansion for The Wayfinder, 151 Admiral Kalbfus Rd. (0-7)
• Continued Say Their Names Memorial request to August 26, 2020 (unanimous)
• Approved consent calendar items including special events for newportFILM, Newport Elks #104, and Bike Newport (unanimous)
• Approved resolution naming Pell School Gymnasium the 'Paul L Gaines Gymnasium' (unanimous)
• Approved resolution endorsing the Newport Tartan (unanimous)
• Approved bid awards for historic gravestone restoration and NACTC automotive shop concrete repairs (unanimous)

Workshop

The Newport City Council is holding a remote workshop meeting on August 4, 2020, to discuss and vote on two resolutions: resuming council meetings via Zoom only and extending the COVID-19 state of emergency time period. The meeting is conducted remotely per Governor Raimondo's executive order, with public access by phone or Zoom.

• Resolution to resume City Council meetings via Zoom only (vote expected)
• Resolution to extend the State of Emergency time period (vote expected)
• Remote meeting with toll-free phone access and Zoom Meeting ID 922 6938 0490

Workshop

The Newport City Council is holding a workshop to receive a COVID-19 crisis update. The meeting will be held remotely via Zoom and telephone due to Governor Raimondo's executive order. No other items are on the agenda.

• COVID-19 crisis update

Regular Session

The Newport City Council is meeting remotely to consider routine approvals, several contracts and bids for water infrastructure and building repairs, and a resolution to limit Reject Beach access to residents. The agenda also includes appointments, license renewals, and a resolution opposing state transfer of RITBA revenue.

• Award of Bid #20-044 for Water Distribution System Rehabilitation
• Amendment No. 2 to Contract #16-030 for Design of Water Distribution System Improvements
• Change Order #1 for City Hall Roof Replacement and Cupola Restoration
• Supplemental Agreement #1 for Bellevue Avenue Joint Repairs
• Resolution to limit Reject Beach access to Newport residents

Special Session

The Newport City Council held a special session on June 16, 2020, and approved the FY2021 budget on second reading, along with resolutions authorizing the tax levy and supporting the Omnibus Property Tax Relief & Replacement Act. The council also amended the personnel ordinance to eliminate the Controller position, approved a supplemental janitorial services contract, and unanimously adopted a resolution to resume in-person meetings starting July 8, 2020. All votes were recorded with specific tallies.

• Adopted FY2021 budget ordinance on second reading (5-2, McCalla and Bova opposed)
• Amended personnel ordinance to strike Controller position (unanimous)
• Approved personnel ordinance as amended (5-2, McCalla and McLaughlin opposed)
• Adopted resolution authorizing tax levy (5-2, Bova and McCalla opposed)
• Adopted resolution re: Omnibus Property Tax Relief & Replacement Act (5-2, Bova and McCalla opposed)
• Approved Supplemental Agreement #1 for janitorial services (unanimous)
• Adopted resolution to resume in-person meetings, amended to July 8, 2020 (unanimous)

Special Session

The Council voted 6-1 to memorialize the General Assembly to authorize up to $106.5 million in general obligation bonds for the Claiborne Pell Elementary School addition and a new Rogers High School. The FY2021 budget ordinances were continued to no later than June 3, 2020. Three mobile food licenses were approved unanimously, while a Del's Lemonade license failed 0-7 due to no available licenses. Other resolutions on road closures and summer guiding principles passed unanimously; re-valuation postponement, homestead exemption, and mask-wearing were tabled or continued.

• Approved resolution for $106.5M school construction bonds (6-1)
• Continued FY2021 budget appropriation and personnel ordinances to June 3, 2020
• Approved Viking Hot Dog mobile food license renewal (unanimous)
• Approved Mooseman's Kettle Corn mobile food license (unanimous)
• Approved The Coffee Guy mobile food license (unanimous)
• Denied Del's Lemonade mobile food license (0-7)
• Approved road closures resolution (unanimous)
• Approved guiding principles for Summer 2020 resolution (unanimous)

Workshop

The Newport City Council is holding a remote workshop to receive a COVID-19 crisis update. The meeting will be conducted via teleconference in compliance with Governor Raimondo's executive order, with public access provided by phone or Zoom. No other agenda items are listed.

• COVID-19 crisis update
• Remote meeting via Zoom and toll-free phone lines
• Meeting ID: 922 6938 0490

Workshop

The Newport City Council is holding a remote workshop jointly with the School Committee to discuss a school bond. The meeting is being held remotely due to Governor Raimondo's executive order, with public access via telephone or Zoom. The agenda contains only this single item for discussion.

• Joint session with School Committee
• Discussion of school bond
• Remote meeting per Governor Raimondo's Executive Order 20-25-1(a)
• Public access via toll-free phone numbers and Zoom

Workshop

The Newport City Council is holding a remote workshop on May 19, 2020, to receive a COVID-19 crisis update. The meeting is conducted remotely per Governor Raimondo's Executive Order 20-25-1, with public access via telephone or Zoom. The agenda contains only this single item.

• COVID-19 crisis update
• Remote meeting per Governor Raimondo's Executive Order 20-25-1
• Public access via toll-free phone numbers and Zoom (Meeting ID: 922 6938 0490)

Workshop

The Newport City Council is holding a remote workshop meeting to receive a COVID-19 crisis update. The meeting will be conducted via telephone or Zoom in compliance with Governor Raimondo's executive order. No other items are listed on the agenda.

• COVID-19 crisis update
• Remote meeting via Zoom and telephone

Workshop

The Newport City Council is holding a remote workshop meeting on May 7, 2020, to receive a COVID-19 crisis update. The meeting will be conducted via teleconference in compliance with Governor Raimondo's Executive Order 20-25, with public access provided by phone or Zoom.

• COVID-19 crisis update
• Remote meeting per Governor Raimondo's Executive Order 20-25
• Public access via toll-free phone numbers and Zoom

Special Session

The Newport City Council will hold a special remote meeting on April 30, 2020, at 4:30 p.m. The agenda consists entirely of a motion to adjourn into executive session to discuss the lease, acquisition, or disposition of publicly held property involving the Pell Bridge realignment and possible litigation arising from it. The public will not be able to follow the proceedings during the executive session. The council will reconvene in public session solely to take any votes from the executive session and adjourn.

• Motion to adjourn to executive session regarding Pell Bridge realignment property and litigation
• Remote meeting held in compliance with Governor Raimondo’s Executive Order 20-25-1

Special Session

The Newport City Council unanimously approved resolutions supporting COVID-19 business support systems and extending the state of emergency. It also passed an ordinance amending the moratorium chapter (14.04.020) on a 4-3 vote, with Councilors Ceglie, Leonard, and Napolitano opposed. The council discussed scheduling workshops and FY2020 planning but took no formal action on those items.

• Approved COVID-19 business support system resolution (unanimous)
• Approved state of emergency extension resolution (unanimous)
• Passed moratorium amendment to Chapter 14.04.020 (4-3)

Workshop

The Newport City Council scheduled a remote workshop for April 21, 2020. The single agenda item listed is an update on the COVID-19 crisis.

• COVID-19 crisis update

Workshop

The Newport City Council is holding a remote workshop on April 15, 2020, to provide a crisis update regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting is conducted remotely in compliance with Governor Raimondo’s Executive Order 20-05-1. No other agenda items, decisions, or public hearings are listed in the notice.

• Remote meeting format per Executive Order 20-05-1
• Topic: COVID-19 Crisis Update

Workshop

The Newport City Council is holding a remote workshop to receive an update on the COVID-19 crisis. The meeting will be conducted via telephone or internet conferencing in accordance with the governor's executive order, with public access provided through the listed phone numbers and meeting ID.

• COVID-19 crisis update
• Remote meeting per Governor Raimondo's Executive Order 20-05-1(b)
• Public access via toll-free phone numbers and Meeting ID 360-610-170

Special Session

The Newport City Council held a remote workshop on March 31, 2020, to discuss two items: a COVID-19 crisis update and the North End Urban Plan. The meeting was conducted remotely per Governor Raimondo's Executive Order 20-05-1(b), with public access by phone.

• COVID-19 crisis update
• North End Urban Plan
• Remote meeting per Executive Order 20-05-1(b)
• Phone access: 1-888-788-0099 or 1-877-853-5247, Meeting ID 601-915-337

Special Session

The Newport City Council held a remote special session on March 23, 2020, to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The council unanimously voted to receive the City Manager's communication and adopt a resolution extending the state of emergency time period. Councilor McLaughlin requested that the City Manager provide written orders going forward.

• Adopted resolution extending COVID-19 state of emergency (unanimous)
• Received City Manager's communication on COVID-19 (unanimous)

Emergency Session

The Newport City Council held an emergency session on March 10, 2020, to consider revoking the St. Patrick's Day parade permit due to COVID-19 concerns. A motion to revoke the license failed 3-4, with Mayor Bova, Councilors Napolitano, Leonard, and Ceglie opposed. The meeting was held after an executive session and included public comment from several residents.

• Motion to hold emergency meeting approved unanimously
• Motion to revoke parade license failed 3-4 (Bova, Napolitano, Leonard, Ceglie opposed)

Executive Session

The Newport City Council will meet in open session to vote on convening an executive session at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, in the Second Floor Conference Room at Newport City Hall, 43 Broadway. The closed session is authorized under Rhode Island General Laws for personnel issues and will be used to discuss candidates for the School Committee vacancy. No other business is listed on the agenda.

• Executive session to discuss School Committee vacancy candidates
• Open session vote to close meeting per R.I. General Laws 42-46-5(a)(1)
• Meeting at Newport City Hall, 43 Broadway, 5:00 p.m. March 10, 2020

Special Session

The Newport City Council is holding a special session to interview four applicants for a vacancy on the School Committee. After the interviews, the Council may discuss how they will vote on the applicants at a future regular meeting. No appointment will be made at this session.

• Interviews of applicants Robert Power, Ed.D., Michael Cullen, Elizabeth Murphy, and Stephanie Winslow
• Discussion of voting process for appointment at a future regular Council meeting

Special Session

The Newport City Council is holding a special session to interview four applicants for a vacancy on the School Committee. After the interviews, the Council may discuss how they will vote on the appointment at a future regular meeting. No appointment vote will occur at this session.

• Interviews of School Committee applicants James Dring, David Sklarz, David Vieira, and Jennifer Jackson
• Discussion of voting process for appointment at a future regular Council meeting

Special Session

The Newport City Council is holding a special session to interview Lynn Sanzo and David Riley, applicants for the Zoning Board of Review. The council may also discuss how they will vote on the appointments at a future regular meeting. No other business is on the agenda.

• Interview of applicant Lynn Sanzo
• Interview of applicant David Riley
• Possible discussion of appointment vote

Regular Session

The Newport City Council adopted the FY2021-FY2025 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) as amended, after a motion to remove city yard relocation funds failed 2-4. The council also approved a motion to move Transportation Master Plan funds into the FY20-21 budget, and then adopted the CIP 5-1. Several licenses, appointments, and resolutions were approved unanimously.

• Adopted FY2021-FY2025 Capital Improvement Program as amended (5-1)
• Failed to remove city yard relocation funds from CIP (2-4)
• Moved Transportation Master Plan funds to FY20-21 budget (unanimous)
• Approved consent calendar, including special events and licenses (unanimous)
• Approved mobile food establishment licenses, including new Shishkaberrys (unanimous)
• Appointed Carmela Geer to Hospitality Commission (unanimous)
• Adopted Fair Chance Licensing resolution (unanimous)
• Adopted zoning amendment for Major Recreational Event on second reading (unanimous)

Joint Workshop Session

The Newport City Council is holding a workshop to discuss the city's legislative priorities for 2020, first in a council-only session at 9:00 a.m., then jointly with the state legislative delegation at 10:00 a.m. The agenda contains only this single discussion item, with no other business listed.

• Discussion of city's legislative priorities for 2020
• Joint workshop with state legislative delegation

Workshop

The Newport City Council is holding a workshop on January 15, 2020, to discuss communication, best practices, and planning for the year. The agenda contains no specific decisions, contracts, or ordinances, only the general topic of the session. This is a procedural workshop rather than a decision-making meeting.

• Workshop topic: Communication, Best Practices and Planning for 2020