Committee of the Whole

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES City Municipal Building | Council Chambers 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340 Monday, June 26, 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, Councilor Stephen Sheffield and City Clerk Danielle Baycura Mayor Hedrick called meeting to order at 6:02pm. I. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Hedrick, Deputy Mayor Depot, Councilor Norris, Councilor McCabe, Councilor Sheffield, Councilor Piazza, and Finance Director Yuhas. Delayed Arrival: Councilor Carter at 6:07pm II. NEW BUSINESS OR REFERRALS A. Cityworks System by Trimble IT General Manager, Sue Blanchette, requested initiating Phase 2 of the multi-year plan with Cityworks asset management system. Phase 2 will include Fleet Management which would be utilized city wide. Project was broken into 3 multi-year phases due to funding and resources. Motion to move to Mayor and Council Meeting July 3, 2023 made by Deputy Mayor Depot, second by Councilor Piazza. All in favor. Motion carried. 5-0-0. B. Parks & Rec. 1. Auditorium Rentals Intention to become governing department of municipal building auditorium use, was brought by Director Mary Hill. Motion to move to Mayor and Council Meeting July 3, 2023 made by Deputy Mayor Depot, second by Councilor Sheffield. All in favor. Motion carried. 6-0-0. 2. Disc Golf Donation Director Hill explained location of game basket makes it easy to create course in future if desired. Discs will be available at the Parks and Rec office and may be signed out by an adult. Motion to move to Mayor and Council Meeting July 3, 2023 made by Deputy Mayor Depot, second by Councilor Sheffield. All in favor. Motion carried. 6-0-0. 3. Farm Viability Grant Award Project “Growing the City of Groton Farmers Market” was awarded $5,000 from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture Viability Grant program. Funds will be used for a permanent farmers market sign, further marketing materials, but largely to the SNAP one- to-one match program offered. Motion to move to Mayor and Council Meeting July 3, 2023 made by Councilor Sheffield, second by Deputy Mayor Depot. All in favor. Motion carried. 6-0-0. 1  COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES City Municipal Building | Council Chambers 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340 C. Public Works Director Bill Robarge shared comparative costs on the Shore Avenue Seawall Reconstruction project. Initial bids are for preliminary project work including but not limited to engineering, inspections and administrative services. Finance Director Yuhas agreed to provide Council with the bid summary sheets for next meeting. Motion to move to Mayor and Council Meeting July 3, 2023 made by Deputy Mayor Depot, second by Councilor Piazza. All in favor. Motion carried. 6-0-0. D. Economic Development Economic Development Manager Cierra Patrick and City Planner Leslie Creane, gave an update on the Bridge Street Gateway project. Among items cited were:  Dedicated Crosswalk on Bridge Street  Bike Lane Additions  Physical Island Barriers  Curb Extensions A two month demonstration/trial period with mock changes is planned for 2023 and will lend team more insight on feasibility, sustainability, and adequate traffic flow. E. Water Taxi Mayor Hedrick requested continuation of the Thames River Heritage Park Foundation support received annually from the City of Groton. Deputy Mayor Depot inquired if program has reviewed other sources of backing. Mayor Hedrick replied that the foundation has indeed also been awarded funding from the state and will continue to receive $100,000 per year for the next two years. Motion to move to Mayor and Council Meeting July 3, 2023 made by Deputy Mayor Depot, second by Councilor Sheffield. All in favor. Motion carried. 6-0-0. F. ARPA Mayor Hedrick supplied Council with a full list of ARPA fund projects and tasked Councilors to review and bring all questions to the Special Committee of the Whole meeting on July 10th with the purpose of finalizing where/who funding goes to. III. Motion to add Executive Session to the agenda made by Deputy Mayor Depot, second by Councilor Sheffield. All in favor. Motion carried. 6-0-0. IV. EXECUTIVE SESSION Pursuant to CGS 1-200(6)(E), 1-210(9) A. Police Department Motion to Enter Executive Session made by Deputy Mayor Depot, second by Councilor Sheffield. All in favor. Motion carried. 6-0-0. Present: Mayor and Council and Captain Lieteau IN: 7:21 OUT: 7:41 2  COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES City Municipal Building | Council Chambers 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340 V. 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 7:42pm. 3