General Counsel Commission

MINUTES GENERAL COUNSEL COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING OF APRIL 23, 2024 Present: Council Member Blackwell, Council Member Nocera, and Council Member Salafia, Council Member Sweeney, and Council Member Pulino. Staff: General Counsel Brig Smith, and HR Director Justin Richardson Public: Chris Cambareri 1. Call to Order: Meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. Public Comment: Chris Cambareri, Director of Economic Development for Middlesex Chamber of Commerce, is a Cromwell resident. He read a letter written by Johanna Bond, President of Middlesex Chamber of Commerce. The letter stated that the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce has been meeting with city leaders, community leaders and the downtown business leaders to discuss health and safety concerns on Main Street. The letter also expressed strong support of the Public Spaces ordinance and will assist the restaurants and businesses and grown and maintain an amazing environment. Mr. Cambareri submitted the letter for the records. 3. Approval of Minutes Council Member Sweeney made a motion to approve the meeting minutes and Council Member Nocera seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (Council Member Pulino was not in attendance to vote). 4. New Business A. Ordinance – Public Spaces (192-1 to 192-3) Attorney Smith introduced the ordinance. He explained that his office has spent several years trying to draft an ordinance that is consistent with the 1st amendment. The ordinance that was drafted focuses on interactions where money is involved and prohibits soliciting when money’s involved. It also treats outdoor patio areas as if they’re not legally different than if they were inside. Attorney Smith explained that the goal of the ordinance is not to punish but to give the police force and mental health professionals a better tool to get individuals that help they need. Council Member Blackwell asked about the $250 fine and Attorney Smith let her know that it is something we have no control over, it’s a statute. More discussion ensued regarding the potential arrest and jail time, to which Attorney Smith explained that it would be a civil infraction unless it is something like a breach of peace, disturbance or an assault. Council Member Nocera made a motion to approve the ordinance and Council Member Sweeney seconded the motion. The motion passed with 4 ayes (Blackwell, Nocera, Sweeney and Salafia). Council Member Pulino was online but did not indicate his vote. 5. Other A. Recruitment Efforts Director Richardson explained that the night of the last GCC meeting, Maria attended the annual Hispanic Federation Awareness meeting at the State Capitol. He also explained that Maria, Kori and himself attended the Wesleyan Career Fair, which brought a lot of students to their booth. Maria also attended a CHRO Community Access & Equity Fair at the State Armory. Maria has been busy and attended a number of panels including a DEI panel. B. Baker Tilly Update Director Richardson gave an update. He explained that he is about two thirds of the way through the review of job descriptions. He has 7 out of 22 departments left to review and 2 of the biggest departments, Public Works and Water & Sewer, out of the 7 left. Once done, he will present the job descriptions to the managers which will happen in the next week or two. Council Member Sweeney asked Director Richardson that when he is going through the JDs, is he redlining or making edits. Director Richardson explained that he is comparing the draft JDs and comparing them with the current specs, the employee PAQs and the supervisor’s PAQ comments. Council Member Sweeney also questioned if the Council would see the marked up job descriptions and Director Richardson explained they would once the meetings with the managers is had. Council Member Blackwell questioned Director Richardson’s timeline to complete the manager’s portion. Director Richardson explained that it may take a month or so as there are 22 departments and approximately 44 managers. 6. Adjournment: Council Member Sweeney made a MOTION to adjourn and Council Member Nocera seconded the motion. The motion passed with 4 ayes (Blackwell, Nocera, Sweeney and Salafia) and the meeting adjourned. Council Member Pulino was online but did not indicate his vote. 2