Committee of the Whole

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES City Municipal Building | Council Chambers 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340 Monday, July 24, 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 Dani Baycura Mayor Hedrick called meeting to order at 6:04pm. I. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Hedrick, Deputy Mayor Depot, Councilor Norris, Councilor McCabe, Councilor Sheffield, Councilor Piazza, and Finance Director Yuhas. Absent: Councilor Carter and Councilor Norris II. NEW BUSINESS OR REFERRALS A. Public Works Director Bill Robarge submitted resolution to purchase Chicago Pneumatic Air Compressor and Reelcraft Manual Hose Reel. Items were included in FY2024 budget and will be replacing the 1983 equipment currently used by the City. Motion to move to Mayor and Council Meeting August 7, 2023 made by Councilor McCabe, second by Deputy Mayor Depot. All in favor. Motion carried. 4-0-0. B. Registrars of Voters Jeanne Rogers and Kristen Venditti, Voter Registrars of Groton, gave status update in current city election schedule. Major parties must submit endorsement lists by July 26th, registrars have not heard of a primary but will be possibility until August 9th, and confirmation the City will have own/separate ballot. C. Groton Utilities 1. Director Ron Gaudet presented next phase in the Eastern Connecticut Transmission project; optical ground wire for the 1280 transmission line, fiber testing and civil access. Project to begin immediately as Eversource moved up its phase’s timeline. . Motion to move to Mayor and Council meeting August 7, 2023 made by Deputy Mayor Depot, second by Councilor Sheffield. All in favor. Motion carried. 4-0-0. 2. The generator at Fort Hill Water Booster Pump Station is 25 years old and starting to have mechanical issues including replacement of parts that would prove uneconomical, propelling need for overall replacement. Conversion to diesel is happening at all pump stations for mechanical uniformity. Deputy Mayor Depot questioned the accuracy of the Action Form presented with resolution; authorization tracking was unclear. Director Gaudet agreed to review the form and potentially reformat as well as add space for notes to better show process of approval. Motion to move to Mayor and Council meeting August 7, 2023 made by Deputy Mayor Depot, second by Councilor McCabe. All in favor. Motion carried. 4-0-0. 1  COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES City Municipal Building | Council Chambers 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340 3. Granular Activated Carbon beds are used in the filtration plant removing taste, odor, organics, and also act as mechanical filters. With now three years into operation, maintenance plan of routinely replacing one bed per year will now commence. Motion to move to Mayor and Council meeting August 7, 2023 made by Deputy Mayor Depot, second by Councilor Piazza. All in favor. Motion carried. 4-0-0. D. Economic Development & Planning 1. Minor Façade moved to future COW meeting 2. Bridge Street Gateway presentation using the Greater Groton website. Economic Manager, Cierra Patrick demonstrated how the community will be able to engage in the upcoming project. The website contains a forum where members can ask questions, provide comments and let City officials know their thoughts on the street changes. Deputy Mayor Depot wanted to ensure Police and Fire Department have been informed of the implementation commencing mid-September. Councilor Piazza inquired how this engagement tool has been advertised. To which E.M. Patrick stated it has been on social media and newsletter, notifications will be sent to residents and there will be an informative booth on City Day to help get more people signed up. 3. Town of Groton is receiving funding for entry signage including three areas in City of Groton. For continuity with recent rebranding City efforts, it may be decided not to accept the proposed signage and colors from the Town. E. Parks & Recreation Memorial Bench request in memory of Kevin Hesch. Councilor McCabe expressed heavily in favor sentiment, stating Kevin touched the lives of many residents as well as those who worked with him at Electric Boat. Deputy Mayor Depot went to High School with Kevin and stated everyone that knew him only ever had positive things to say about him. Also inquired if family will be given choice of color to paint bench. Mayor Hedrick stated yes. Motion to move to Mayor and Council meeting August 7, 2023 made by Councilor McCabe, second by Deputy Mayor Depot. All in favor. Motion carried. 4-0-0. F. P&Z Commissioner Upgrade Alternate commissioner, Robert Boris will now be seated as a regular member of the Planning and Zoning Commission. An open space is now available as alternate. Motion to move to Mayor and Council meeting August 7, 2023, made by Deputy Mayor Depot, second by Councilor McCabe. All in favor. Motion carried. 4-0-0. G. Mayor Hedrick gave update on multiple ongoing City projects including, Request for Proposals, Docks, Costa House at Thames View Park, Committee for Internal Space Efficiency, Groton Estates Appraisal, Upcoming new Website, Salary Surveys, Union Negotiations, and Beach Asset Management Plan. Please visit Groton Municipal Television Youtube to hear full brief. 2  COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES City Municipal Building | Council Chambers 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340 III. EXECUTIVE SESSION Pursuant to CGS 1-200(6)(A) A. Fire Department Motion to Enter Executive Session made by Deputy Mayor Depot, second by Councilor Piazza. All in favor. Motion carried. 4-0-0. Present: Mayor and Council, Chief Tompkins, and Firefighter Gilmore IN: 7:17 OUT: 7:28 Pursuant to CGS 1-200(6)(B) B. Finance Department Motion to Enter Executive Session made by Deputy Mayor Depot, second by Councilor McCabe. All in favor. Motion carried. 4-0-0. Present: Mayor and Council, Finance Director Yuhas IN: 7:30 OUT: 7:45 IV. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn made by Councilor McCabe, second by Councilor Piazza. All in favor. Motion carried. 4-0-0. Mayor Hedrick adjourned the meeting at 7:46pm. ATTEST: APPROVED: Dani Baycura City Clerk 3