Committee of the Whole

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE City Municipal Building | Council Chambers 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340 Monday, August 12, 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 and Councilor Stephen Sheffield and City Clerk Dani Baycura The following minutes meet all requirements under CT FOIA for public meetings and is not a transcript of the meeting. Please visit Groton Municipal Television on YouTube to view the meeting in further detail. Mayor Hedrick called the meeting to order at 6:01pm. I. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Hedrick, Deputy Mayor Depot, Councilor Artale, Councilor Piazza (via Zoom), Councilor Patterson (via Zoom). Delayed: Councilor Sheffield at 6:03 and Councilor Norris (via Zoom) at 6:04pm. II. NEW BUSINESS OR REFERRALS A. Fire Department - Donation Acceptance Chief Tompkins presented request to accept a $500 donation for the purchase of a new camera for the fire marshal’s office. Motion to move to 8/19 meeting: Deputy Mayor Depot. Second: Councilor Artale. Motion carried. 4-0-0. B. Parks & Recreation - Tree Maintenance in Washington Park Director Hill presented resolution for 7 tree removals as well as 17 tree trimmings within Washington Park. RFP’s came back from the four companies present during the walk through. After inquiry from Deputy Mayor Depot, Director Hill confirmed the same information/scope was given to each company despite the large variance in quotes received. Councilor Sheffield inquired about the $440 for four hours of trimming. Director Hill clarified that would be the charge in the event one, during pruning, one of the 17 trees ends up needing to be removed or requires additional attention for safety reasons. The rate reflects a possible add-on. Councilor Piazza asked if any of the scope is potentially covered by insurance, as Motion to move to 8/19: Deputy Mayor Depot. Second: Councilor Sheffield. Motion carried. 6-0-0. C. Boards/Commissions - Youth Advisory Application Application to serve on the City’s Youth Advisory Committee was received from resident M. Bishop. Ms. Bishop introduced herself via Zoom and answered positively to questions regarding length of City residency from Councilor Sheffield. Councilor Piazza informed she is familiar with the applicant and expressed Ms. Bishop would be a great addition to the committee. Motion to move to 8/19: Deputy Mayor Depot. Second: Councilor Sheffield. Motion carried. 6-0-0. D. Economic Development – Minor Façade Grant – Riverfront Children’s Center 1  COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE City Municipal Building | Council Chambers 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340 Manager Patrick presented application for front signage reimbursement approved by the Economic Development Committee for Riverfront Children’s Center. Sign design was included in eligible reimbursement funds. Deputy Mayor Depot disclosed she is employed by the applicant and recused herself from the discussion. Motion to move to 8/19: Councilor Sheffield. Second by Councilor Artale. Motion carried. 5-0-1; Deputy Mayor Depot abstained. E. Police Department 1. Purchase of 9MM weapons Chief Burton informed Council the department’s firearms purchased five years ago, are now outdated. After receiving 3 quotes, Chief is requesting approval to purchase 36 new 9mm weapons from Asset Forfeiture funds. Total estimated cost is $9k. Motion to move to 8/19: Councilor Sheffield. Second by Deputy Mayor Depot. Motion carried. 6-0-0. 2. Purchase of sights for 9MM weapons Following purchase of new firearms, Chief Burton described how the requested 9mm’s allow for lighting and holographic sight attachments, ultimately freeing up police officer’s hands making the most extreme use of force, essentially more accurate. Cost to also be paid from Asset Forfeiture funds. Motion to move to 8/19: Deputy Mayor Depot. Second by Councilor Sheffield. Motion carried. 6-0-0. 3. Accept NSEP FY25 Budget The State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, requires municipalities to submit their Nuclear Safety Emergency Planning budget request each year to apply for the grant funding for local emergency operation centers. The budget presented to Council totals $37,590 for equipment and resource allocation reimbursements. Motion to move to Special M&C 8/12: Deputy Mayor Depot. Second: Councilor Sheffield. Motion carried. 6-0-0. 4. NSEP FU25 Grant for purchase of interior cameras Chief Burton requested the Nuclear Safety Emergency Planning grant funding of $35,090, be used to purchase new interior security cameras, in addition to failing server replacement which footage is currently stored on. Motion to move to Special M&C 8/12: Deputy Mayor Depot. Second: Councilor Sheffield. Motion carried. 6-0-0. III. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion to enter executive session Enter into Executive Session pursuant CGS 1-200 6(A) Personnel – Police Department: Deputy Mayor Depot. Second: Councilor Sheffield. Motion carried. 6-0-0. Present: Mayor and Council, Chief Burton, Captain Lieteau, Corporal Chin, Officer Precourt. IN: 6:25pm OUT: 6:40pm 2  COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE City Municipal Building | Council Chambers 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340 IV. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn: Deputy Mayor Depot. Second: Councilor Sheffield. Motion carried. 6-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:40pm. ATTEST: APPROVED: Dani Baycura City Clerk 3