Committee of the Whole

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - Minutes City Municipal Building | Council Chambers 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340 Monday, March 11, 2024 | 6:00 PM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - 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 Mayor Hedrick called meeting to order at 6:02pm. I. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Hedrick, Deputy Mayor Depot, Councilor Patterson, Councilor Artale and Councilor Sheffield. Councilor Piazza at 6:04pm. Excused: Councilor Norris II. NEW BUSINESS OR REFERRALS: A. Groton Utilities Regarding the electric rate ordinances and their prospective commencement dates, Director Yuhas explained that April 1st was preferrable for accounting purposes; stating it’s cleaner for auditors as gross earnings tax is calculated quarterly. Motion to move GU Electric Rate to the Mayor and Council meeting of March 18th, 2024, made by Deputy Mayor Depot; second by Councilor Sheffield. Motion carried. 5-0-0. Motion to move Bozrah Electric Rate to the Mayor and Council meeting of March 18th, made by Deputy Mayor Depot; second by Councilor Sheffield. Motion carried. 5-0-0. B. COLA Retirees Pension Director Yuhas presented a recommended change from the City’s Retirement Board. Most significant being a 1.27% COLA increase for retirees pre-2021. When asked how others calculate their retiree benefits, Director Yuhas replied he could look into how other actuaries formulate their cost but that there are also so many variables, like how many people are included and how well the plan is funded. Motion to move to Mayor and Council meeting of March 18th, made by Deputy Mayor Depot; second by Councilor Piazza. Motion carried. 5-0-0. C. Economic Development City Planner Creane provided council with copies of an 8-24 referral to the Planning and Zoning Commission, to further progress the City’s Resilience Plan. The Economic Development Department would like to pursue installation of rain gardens on City owned properties to reduce stormwater flooding from impervious surfaces. The cost of the project is unknown at this phase, however, upon approval, Manager Patrick assured multiple avenues for grant funding will be explored. The initial approval is needed in order to jumpstart this project. Motion to move to Mayor and Council meeting of March 18th, made by Councilor Piazza; second by Deputy Mayor Depot. Motion carried. 5-0-0. 1  COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - Minutes City Municipal Building | Council Chambers 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340 D. Boards and Commissions Appointments T. Tsang has applied to be an alternate member of the Harbor Management Commission. Deputy Mayor Depot stated he would be a good addition to the committee. Not only does he live on Jupiter Point providing special insight, he also has been an advocate for safer waterways within the City. Motion to move to Mayor and Council meeting of March 18th, made by Deputy Mayor Depot; second by Councilor Piazza. Motion carried. 5-0-0. P. Meyer has applied to be a regular member on the Board of Ethics. Ms. Meyer hails from Groton and after a recommendation by Jim Streeter, decided to serve and called it her civic duty. Motion to move to the Mayor and Council meeting of March 18th, made by Deputy Mayor Depot; second by Councilor Piazza. Motion carried. 5-0-0. M. Baycura has applied to be a regular member on the Board of Ethics. Question was posed whether Mr. Baycura was aware and prepared to recuse himself from a vote in the event there was anything brought before the Board involving the City Clerk. Mayor responded yes; Mr. Baycura knows he would not be voting on such matter. Motion to move to the Mayor and Council meeting of March 18th, made by Deputy Mayor Depot; second by Councilor Piazza. Motion carried. 5-0-0. III. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn made by Councilor Piazza; second by Deputy Mayor Depot. Motion carried. 5-0-0. Meeting adjourned the meeting at 6:37pm. ATTEST: APPROVED: Dani Baycura City Clerk 2