Committee of the Whole

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - Minutes City Municipal Building | Council Chambers 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340 Monday, September 23, 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 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 Piazza (6:04pm), Councilor Artale, Councilor Sheffield and Councilor Norris. Absent: Councilor Patterson II. NEW BUSINESS OR REFERRALS A. Financial Review Finance Director Yuhas provided a high-level year-end review for the utility company. Electric Division – 1 million below budget due to PPA adjustment that took place in May. Operating expenses were lower as purchase power was below the budget. Net income before bond was 2.5 million favorable. Water Division – Revenue came in $500,000 below budget due to less water consumption throughout the year. Total operating expenses were $200,000 below budget. Net income was 1.1 million, or 300,000 over budget. Sewer Division – Total revenue came in a little lower than budgeted due to less water usage as well as a large customer with a deduct meter. Operating expenses came in 100,000 below budget. Net Income came in $100,000 unfavorable to budget. B. Groton Utilities 1. Purchasing Policy Director Yuhas suggested revising the current GUC purchasing policy that would increase the dollar amount for budgeted expenses the GUC is allowed to approve before requiring Council approval. It is suggested increasing limit from $50k to $75k. A roll call vote was taken with all in favor with exception to Councilor Sheffield who opposed. Mayor Hedrick stated a new purchasing policy would be presented to Council in the upcoming weeks. 2. Trident Park Water Tower General Manager Robarge detailed the need for potential removal of the Trident Park Water Tower owned by the Navy. Requested a purchase order for $311,000 to Wright-Pierce to conduct preliminary evaluation, tank inspection and engineering design options for tank removal. The Navy does not have the ability to generate the PO with Wright-Pierce thus requesting assistance from Groton Utilities who supplies the water. 1  COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - Minutes City Municipal Building | Council Chambers 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340 Motion to move to Mayor and Council meeting 10-7-24: Deputy Mayor Depot. Second: Councilor Piazza. Motion carried, 5-0-0. 3. NAA Tax Credit Program Manager of Communications Bouges presented a resolution authorizing Groton Utilities Management to contribute $130,000 to the Neighborhood Assistance Act Program in return for matching tax credits. GU is recommending equal commitments of $65k to Riverfront Children’s Center and Thames Valley Council for Community Action. The Groton Utilities Commission approved the contribution at its meeting held on September 18, 2024. Motion to move to Mayor and Council meeting 10-7-24: Councilor Sheffield. Second: Councilor Piazza. Motion carried, 4-0-1, Deputy Mayor Depot abstained. C. Brew Run Review Manager Bouges gave overview of Brew Run event held on September 7th. He stated it was very successful with 565 total participants, 100 more than in previous years. The event continues to grow in popularity each year. D. Fire Department – Vehicle Purchase Chief Tompkins requested funds to replace an emergency vehicle pick up truck. The currently owned Ford 350 has a blown engine that was deemed not cost efficient to repair; it is 20 years old and has already received a body replacement. The desired Chevy truck was found via state bid and would be available right away. The truck would require additional funds for the standard lighting package. Total amount requested is $56,491 to be paid from approved ARPA funds. Motion to move to Mayor and Council meeting 10-7-24: Deputy Mayor Depot. Second: Councilor Piazza. Motion carried, 5-0-0. E. Police Department – Marine Boat Engines Chief Burton presented request to purchase two new marine vehicle engines. $31,000 of total cost is to be funded from the already approved Justice Assistance Formula Grant monies with the remaining $4,835 to be paid from current department operating budget. Motion to move to Mayor and Council meeting 10-7-24: Deputy Mayor Depot. Second: Councilor Piazza. Motion carried, 5-0-0. Motion to add Basketball Court reconstruction to the agenda: Deputy Mayor Depot. Second: Councilor Sheffield. Motion carried, 5-0-0. F. Park & Recreation – Washington Park Basketball Court Director Yuhas presented a bid that closed the previous Thursday. By the time final vetting was completed the agendas for this COW meeting had already been distributed. The low bid vendor was chosen for the project coming in at $115,000. Director Hill informed Council the basketball courts have needed replacing and the 2  COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - Minutes City Municipal Building | Council Chambers 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340 goal is to have the project completed before the upcoming winter season. Donation of $60k has not yet been received by the CT Sun as of this meeting. This project is to be paid from approved ARPA funds. Motion to move to Special Mayor and Council meeting 9-30-24: Deputy Mayor Depot. Second: Councilor Sheffield. Motion carried, 5-0-0. III. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn: Councilor Piazza. Second: Deputy Mayor Depot. Moton carried, 5-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:53pm. ATTEST: APPROVED: Dani Baycura City Clerk 3