Committee of the Whole

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES City Municipal Building | Council Chambers 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340 Monday, March 27, 2023 | 6:00 PM Committee of the Whole Minutes Mayor Keith Hedrick, Deputy Mayor Gweneviere Depot, Councilor Rashaad Carter, Councilor Lisa McCabe, Councilor Paul Norris, Councilor Christine Piazza and Councilor Stephen Sheffield Mayor Keith Hedrick called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. I. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Keith Hedrick, Deputy Mayor Gweneviere Depot, Councilor Rashaad Carter, Councilor Paul Norris, Councilor Stephen Sheffield and Finance Director Ron Yuhas Excused: Councilor Lisa McCabe and Councilor Christine Piazza II. NEW BUSINESS OR REFERRALS: A. Department Presentations: 1. Economic Development: Branding Update - Professional & Tagline Memos Economic Development Specialist Cierra Patrick gave the council an update on the 2023 launch of the professional and marketing brands and soft launch of tagline brands. The soft launch of tagline brands will be leading up to City Day. There was brief discussion from the council on how and when this will be implemented. Mayor Hedrick stated this was informing only. B. Appointments: 1. Camron James (Economic Development Commission) Economic Development Specialist Cierra Patrick stated that Camron James had submitted an application for the Economic Development Commission (EDC). She stated he had previously interned with the Planning and Economic Development Department and was favorably recommended by the EDC Chair. Motion to move to Mayor and Council Meeting April 3, 2023 made by Deputy Mayor Depot, second by Councilor Norris. All in favor. Motion carried. 4-0-0 2. Walter Woycik (Building and Zoning Official) Mayor Hedrick stated Walter Woycik will be interim Building and Zoning Official until a candidate fills the position. Mayor Hedrick stated there is currently a job opening posted and that he had reached out to the state and different agencies to get it filled. There was brief discussion from the council on job postings and mutual agreement for interim position. 1  COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES City Municipal Building | Council Chambers 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340 Motion to move to Mayor and Council Meeting April 3, 2023 made by Deputy Mayor Depot, second by Councilor Norris. All in favor. Motion carried. 4-0-0 C. Police: Resignation – Police Chief Jenkins Chief of Police Eric Jenkins thanked the City Council and City of Groton for the opportunity to serve 34 years in law enforcement. He stated while the decision did not come easily he is looking forward to retirement and spending time with his family. The council thanked him for his many years of service and wished him well in retirement. Motion to move to Mayor and Council Meeting April 3, 2023 made by Councilor Norris, second by Deputy Mayor Depot. All in favor. Motion carried. 4-0-0 D. Groton Utilities: Mayor Hedrick stated the below items have been passed on by the Groton Utilities Commission. 1. HVAC equipment at the wastewater treatment facility Director of Utilities Ron Gaudet stated the need to install a carbon odor control system and HVAC equipment at the Wastewater Treatment Facility. He stated out of the three bidders the lowest bidder was Tucker Mechanical with the price not to exceed $3,584,584.30 including a ten percent contingency. Motion to move to Mayor and Council Meeting April 3, 2023 made by Deputy Mayor Depot, second by Councilor Sheffield. All in favor. Motion carried. 4-0-0 2. LIG Consultants for engineering services Director of Utilities Ron Gaudet stated this item is to issue a purchase order with LIG for the upgrades to the breaker at the Buddington Substation. The upgrades include a “ring bus” which would avoid single line contingencies. The price is not to exceed $131,100.00 with the included ten percent contingency. Deputy Mayor Depot inquired if Wright Pierce is able to do this work under the current contract. Director Gaudet stated they would not be able to. Motion to move to Mayor and Council Meeting April 3, 2023 made by Deputy Mayor Depot, second by Councilor Sheffield. All in favor. Motion carried. 4-0-0 2  COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES City Municipal Building | Council Chambers 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340 3. Synagro Technologies, Inc. removal of wet tons aluminum based drinking water residuals. Director of Utilities Ron Gaudet stated this is a purchase order for the removal of one thousand wet tons Aluminum Based Drinking residual not to exceed $97,347.50 and with a fifteen percent contingency. Motion to move to Mayor and Council Meeting April 3, 2023 made by Councilor Sheffield, second by Deputy Mayor Depot. All in favor. Motion carried. 4-0-0 Mayor Hedrick entertained a motion to add a resolution to the agenda to discuss retiree’s cost of living adjustment (COLA). Motion made by Councilor Norris, second by Deputy Mayor Depot. All in favor. Motion carried. 4-0-0 Finance Director Ronald Yuhas stated this is something that is brought to the council every year. He stated based on an ordinance there is COLA formula, which determines adjustments as needed. Motion to move to Mayor and Council Meeting April 3, 2023 made by Deputy Mayor Depot, second by Councilor Norris. All in favor. Motion carried. 4-0-0 E. Groton City and Groton Utilities Financials Finance Director Ronald Yuhas gave the council an update on both City of Groton and Groton Utilities financials. III. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn made by Deputy Mayor Depot, second by Councilor Norris. All in favor. Motion carried. 4-0-0 Mayor Hedrick adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Recorded by, Suzanne Theroux Executive Administrator to the Mayor 3