Committee of the Whole

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES City Municipal Building | Council Chambers 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340 Tuesday, November 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 6:02pm. I. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Hedrick, Deputy Mayor Depot, Councilor Piazza, Councilor Artale Councilor Sheffield and Councilor Norris (via Zoom at 6:45pm). Excused: Councilor Patterson II. NEW BUSINESS OR REFERRALS A. Human Resources – Climate Survey Mayor Hedrick informed Council the climate survey request has been pushed to the November 25th Committee of the Whole Meeting. B. Donation – R. Martinez Basketball Coach Dixon with Premium Ballers Inc. presented information on his non-profit youth basketball program. Coach also requested from Council a donation of $800 to be awarded as two scholarships for city children that would otherwise not be able to participate in the upcoming basketball season. The program currently has approximately 30 kids with ages ranging from 8 – 14 years old. The $400 cost per student covers registration fees, gym fees as well as tournament fees. The coach was encouraged to also connect with other local not for profit teams to inquire about their funding methods and grants they apply for. All Council thanked the Coach for speaking today and all his Motion to move to Mayor and Council meeting November 18 th: Deputy Mayor Depot. Second: Councilor Sheffield. Motion carried, 4-0-0. C. Police Department 1. Traffic Camera Ordinance Chief Burton proposed to Council a new ordinance that would allow the use of traffic cameras within the City. Cameras would add another level of traffic enforcement ultimately reducing police officers’ interaction with traffic. Mayor Hedrick stated it would help as a force equalizer. Chief Burton continued that although the City would have an ordinance in place, the State Department of Transportation gets final say on how many (if any) and where cameras will be placed. A thorough traffic study entailing traffic volume, accident rates, incidents, and enforcement rates will have to be conducted and submitted to DOT with the request. However, an ordinance must be in place first. 1  COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES City Municipal Building | Council Chambers 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340 Councilor Sheffield inquired about the appeals. Chief Burton responded the appeal process would be handled internally similarly to the Parking Hearing process with someone being appointed by the local traffic authority (the Mayor) to conduct hearing. Deputy Mayor Depot asked what the expected outcome is. Chief said based on the volume of complaints it is understood there is a need for additional traffic control; however ultimately driver behavioral changes are what he would be looking for. Motion to move to Mayor and Council meeting November 18 th: Deputy Mayor Depot. Second: Councilor Piazza. Motion carried, 4-0-0. 2. Traffic Calming Request Form A new request form has been created by Chief Burton so residents will have opportunity to formally request traffic monitoring on a particular street where they notice a traffic controlling tool (i.e. Speedbumps, stop sign, etc.) may be needed. The form will be available to complete online and once submitted, reviewed by the Mayor’s office as acting local traffic authority. No action taken, informing only. D. ARPA 1. Rescind Small Business Grants Mayor Hedrick stated the resolution approving ARPA funds to the Small Business Grant effort, will need to be rescinded as an agreement could not be reached with the third party partner that would be managing the project. This was also discussed at a previous Committee of the Whole meeting. Deputy Mayor Depot asked if another company was approached when discussions broke down with initial third party. Finance Director Yuhas said he did not know. Councilor Sheffield stated he was certainly in favor of the small business grants. Councilor Norris requested a contingency procedure be put in place so to avoid like situations in future. He also inquired if certain departments now receiving ARPA funds, could re-allocate funds from the general account to support an in-house small business grant program. Director Yuhas said yes and that a plan will be presented at next Committee of the Whole meeting. 2. Amend ARPA List Motion to move Rescind Small Business and Amend ARPA List to the Committee of the Whole meeting November 25th: Deputy Mayor Depot. Second: Councilor Piazza. Motion carried, 5-0-0. E. Meeting Rules Discussion ensued concerning meeting decorum requested by Mayor Hedrick at previous Mayor and Council meeting. Consensus determined no referral to Rules Committee was necessary, a roll call vote may be taken if zoom videos are off, and cell phone usage has not been overmuch as to causing distractions at meetings. 2  COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES City Municipal Building | Council Chambers 295 Meridian Street, Groton, CT 06340 III. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn: Councilor Piazza. Second: Deputy Mayor Depot. Motion carried, 5-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:14pm. ATTEST: APPROVED: Dani Baycura City Clerk 3