Committee of the Whole

SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES City Municipal Building | Council Chambers 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340 Monday, June 12, 2023 | 6:00 PM Special Committee of the Whole Minutes Mayor Keith Hedrick, Deputy Mayor Gweneviere Depot, Councilor Rashaad Carter, Councilor Lisa McCabe, Councilor Paul Norris, Councilor Christine Piazza, Councilor Stephen Sheffield and City Clerk Danielle Baycura Mayor Keith Hedrick called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm. I. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Hedrick, Deputy Mayor Depot, Councilor Norris Councilor McCabe, Councilor Sheffield and Councilor Piazza. Delayed Arrival: Councilor Carter at 6:06pm. II. NEW BUSINESS OR REFERRALS: A. PUBLIC WORKS 1. Vehicle Purchases a. Public Works Director Robarge presented plan to purchase two vehicles that have been approved in FY2024 budget. Inquiry was made as to what happens with current vehicles, to which he replied they are to be traded in and applied toward purchase price. Before trade in, cost of 2023 F550 is $76,257.80. Motion to Move to Mayor and Council Meeting June 20, 2023 made by Councilor Sheffield; second by Councilor McCabe. All in favor. Motion carried. 5-0-0. b. Before trade in, cost of 2021 International HV507 Dump truck with body, hitch, plow and hydraulics, is not to exceed $165,199. Motion to Move to Mayor and Council Meeting June 20, 2023 made by Deputy Mayor Depot; second by Councilor Piazza. All in favor. Motion carried. 6-0-0. 2. Pavement and Milling Beach Pond Road and South Prospect Street are due for street repairs. Director Robarge submitted proposal from Charles Pasteryak Jr. Inc. to complete repairs. Councilor Norris asked if other vendors were contacted to compare pricing. Director Robarge answered no because this particular company has been used by the City in past and always did good work. Motion to Move to Mayor and Council Meeting June 20, 2023 made by Councilor Sheffield; second by Deputy Mayor Depot. Motion carried. 5-1-0. Councilor Norris opposed. B. POLICE 1. Camera Purchase SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2023 Chief Jenkins presented resolution to purchase a second set of traffic cameras from the Nuclear Safety Emergency Planning Grant funds. Cameras are to assist rerouting traffic quickly in any disaster. Motion to Move to Mayor and Council Meeting June 20, 2023 made by Councilor Piazza; second by Deputy Mayor Depot. All in favor. Motion carried. 6-0-0. 2. Radar Speed Signs Purchase Chief Jenkins and Captain Lieteau stated that radar speed signs are needed to reduce the effect of speeding vehicles within the City of Groton. Signs will also provide useful data that will help determine best times for officers to issue tickets. The purchase of four fully mobile signs is requested. Total cost, not to exceed $25,000, will be reflected in FY2024. Discussion ensued about different add on options available, such as current speed limit signs and license plate readers. Councilor Carter inquired if tickets could be issued from license plate reader information. Chief Jenkins stated he would look into those features further and will present findings to council. Motion to Move to Mayor and Council Meeting June 20, 2023 made by Councilor McCabe; second by Deputy Mayor Depot. All in favor. Motion carried. 6-0-0. C. GROTON UTILITIES: Water Rate Ordinance – Resolution to Finally Approve Mayer Hedrick informed this was a reminder item and is already on agenda to approve at Mayor and Council Meeting June 20, 2023. D. PARKS & RECREATION: New Appointment Youth Advisory Board – Christin Menno Motion to Move to Mayor and Council Meeting June 20, 2023 made by Deputy Mayor Depot; second by Councilor McCabe. All in favor. Motion carried. 6-0-0. E. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 1. Climate Resilience Planning Services Update Economic Development Manager Cierra Patrick updated that the proposal to work with SLR for climate resilience capacity building, has increased from $18,485 to $25,995. New cost is to replace virtual workshops with preferred in-person ones. Deputy Mayor Depot brought up there is fiduciary benefit to bringing on a consultant for this type of work contrasted with what it would cost to hire a full time employee. Motion to Move to Mayor and Council Meeting June 20, 2023 made by Deputy Mayor Depot; second by Councilor Sheffield. All in favor. Motion carried. 6-0-0. 2. Appointment: Fallyn Fonville-Smith, Economic Development Commission SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2023 Motion to Move to Mayor and Council Meeting June 20, 2023 made by Deputy Mayor Depot; second by Councilor Sheffield. All in favor. Motion carried. 6-0-0. F. JUNETEENTH PROCLAMATION Mayor Hedrick read proclamation commemorating the end of slavery in the United States and observing the historical significance of June 19th. All are invited and encouraged to attend the Juneteenth celebration event held on Saturday June 17th, at 11am in the municipal building auditorium. III. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn made by Councilor McCabe second by Deputy Mayor Depot. All in favor. Motion carried. 6-0-0 Mayor Hedrick adjourned the meeting at 6:57 pm. ATTEST: APPROVED: Danielle Baycura City Clerk