Committee of the Whole

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - Minutes City Municipal Building | Council Chambers 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340 Monday, February 26, 2024 | 6:00 PM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – Action Minutes Mayor Keith Hedrick, Deputy Mayor Gweneviere Depot, Councilor Erin Artale, Councilor Paul Norris, Councilor Tony Patterson, Councilor Christine Piazza, Councilor Stephen Sheffield and City Clerk Dani Baycura To view the meeting in full, visit Groton Municipal Television on YouTube. Mayor Hedrick called meeting to order at 6:10pm due to technology complications. I. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Hedrick, Deputy Mayor Depot, Councilor Patterson, Councilor Piazza, Councilor Artale, Councilor Norris and Councilor Sheffield (via Zoom). II. NEW BUSINESS: A. Parks & Recreation Field Netting Replacement Director Hill stated the netting for field #1 at Washington Park has been permanently destroyed due to age and recent storm damage. It was planned on being budgeted for next fiscal year however with spring ball approaching, the netting will need to be replaced sooner. Motion to move to the Mayor and Council meeting of March 4th, 2024, made by Deputy Mayor Depot; second by Councilor Piazza. Motion carried. 6-0-0. B. Public Works PW Coordinator Comeau presented contractor choices for the demolition and reconstruction of 350 feet of seawall along Shore Avenue. The two lowest bidders were interviewed, however further review is needed before a choice vendor selection can be recommended to Council. Mayor Hedrick stated ideal project start date would be April or May at the latest. It was asked if Council would like to reconvene with a Special COW to further discuss each bid, or if a recommendation could be brought directly to a Mayor and Council meeting. Motion to move to the Mayor and Council meeting of March 4th, 2024, made by Deputy Mayor Depot; second by Councilor Norris. Motion carried. 4-2-0; Councilor Sheffield and Councilor Piazza opposed the motion. C. Groton Utilities Electric Rates Director Gaudet as well as M. Beauchamp from Utility Financial Services presented recommendations for new Electric Rates. Revisions to current rate schedules were found necessary by both Groton Utilities Commission and Bozrah Utilities Commission. Rate changes if approved will be effective May 1, 2024. 1  COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - Minutes City Municipal Building | Council Chambers 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340 Motion to move Groton Utilities to Mayor and Council meeting of March 4th, 2024, made by Councilor Norris; second by Deputy Mayor Depot. Motion carried. 6-0-0. Motion to move Bozrah Utilities to Mayor and Council meeting of March 4th, 2024, made by Deputy Mayor Depot; second by Councilor Artale. Motion carried. 6-0-0. SCE Environmental – Waste Disposal Two large storage tanks holding old chemicals previously used during the water purification process, need removal. The chemicals are now defunct and no longer needed. Additionally, the removal of the tanks will support growing storage space needs in the Water Treatment Plant Garage. Motion to move to the Mayor and Council meeting of March 4th, 2024, made by Deputy Mayor Depot; second by Councilor Piazza. Motion carried. 6-0-0. Wright-Pierce Engineering – Jupiter Point Pump Station In effort to support resiliency planning and needed capital improvements of the substation, Wright-Pierce has been commissioned to fully design and engineer all upgrades and improvements to Jupiter Point Pump Station. Although assistance from grants is the goal once design has been completed, GU is prepared to fund the project from available Sewer cash. Motion to move to Mayor and Council meeting of March 4th, 2024, made by Deputy Mayor Depot; second by Councilor Norris. Motion carried. 6-0-0. LIG Consultants – Subase Metering Station Upgrades This is the final proposal for Electric. The design and engineer will perform a coordination review of the Subase relay setting, review of the existing design and proposal of a new protection package, and station service scheme. Motion to move to the Mayor and Council meeting of March 4th, 2024, made by Deputy Mayor Depot; second by Councilor Piazza. Motion carried. 6-0-0. C. Economic Development Minor Façade Improvement Application – Angelique Aesthetics Application for reimbursement was recommended for approval from the Economic Development Commission. Funding was used on exterior window signage and landscaping. Motion to move to the Mayor and Council meeting of March 4th, 2024, made by Deputy Mayor Depot; second by Councilor Piazza. Motion carried. 6-0-0. Strategic Communication Update Manager Patrick supplied Council with an update to the new branding roll out. D. Council Rules and Regulations Revisions to the rules and regulations of the City Council were reviewed and discussed. Motion to move to the Mayor and Council meeting of March 4th, 2024, made by Councilor Piazza; second by Deputy Mayor Depot. Motion carried. 6-0-0. 2  COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - Minutes City Municipal Building | Council Chambers 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340 IV. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn made by Councilor Piazza; second by Deputy Mayor Depot. Motion carried. 6-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:04pm. ATTEST: APPROVED: Dani Baycura City Clerk 3