CT Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative CMEEC

SUBJECT TO BOARD APPROVAL MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CONNECTICUT MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC ENERGY COOPERATIVE June 16, 2020 The Special Meeting of the Board of Directors of Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative (“CMEEC”) was held on Tuesday, June 16, 2020 telephonically and via Zoom. The meeting was legally noticed in compliance with Connecticut State Statutes and all proceedings and actions hereafter recorded occurred during the publicly open portions of the meeting. The following Member Representatives / Alternate Member Representatives / Municipal Representatives participated telephonically or via Zoom Groton Utilities: Ronald Gaudet, Keith Hedrick Groton Municipal Representative: Mark Oefinger Norwich Public Utilities: Christopher LaRose, Robert Staley Bozrah Light & Power: Richard Tanger Bozrah Light & Power Municipal Representative: Joseph Cirrito South Norwalk Electric and Water: Eric Strom, David Westmoreland South Norwalk Electric and Water Municipal Representative: Dawn DelGreco Third Taxing District: Kevin Barber Third Taxing District Municipal Representative: Pete Johnson Jewett City Department of Public Utilities: Louis Demicco, Kenneth Sullivan, Richard Throwe The following CMEEC Staff participated via Zoom Dave Meisinger, CMEEC CEO Robin Kipnis, Esquire, CMEEC General Counsel Margaret Job, CMEEC Executive Assistant / Paralegal Justin Connell, CMEEC Director of Sustainability and Services The following individuals participated via Zoom Timothy Blodgett, President and CEO, Hometown Connections, Inc. David Silverstone, Esquire, Municipal Electric Consumer Advocate Ms. Job recorded. Chair Kevin Barber called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m. He stated for the record that the meeting is being held via Zoom and telephonically. Chair Barber walked the Board through the conduct of today’s meeting stating that all participants’ audio should remain on mute unless speaking to eliminate confusion and background noise. He asked everyone to be considerate and patient as we work through the rhythms of conducting a remote meeting with so many participants. He asked that each person state their name prior to speaking for clarity of the record. He added that everyone’s active participation at today’s meeting is encouraged so the end result is indicative of that input. He confirmed that all participants were able to hear and be heard. Standard Agenda Items A Public Comment Period No public comment was made. B Conduct Voting Roster / Roll Call Ms. Job conducted roll call with each member responding individually as their names were called. Following roll call, Ms. Job identified the voting persons at today’s meeting. Chair Barber confirmed a quorum was present. C Approve Minutes of the CMEEC Regular May 28, 2020 Board of Directors’ Meeting A motion was made by Member Representative Ronald Gaudet, seconded by Municipal Representative Mark Oefinger to approve the Minutes of the CMEEC Regular May 28, 2020 Board of Directors’ Meeting. Motion passed unanimously. 20-06-01 D Strategic Planning for CMEEC: Board Workshop Dave Meisinger, CMEEC CEO, provided a brief explanation and introduction of Tim Blodgett of Hometown Connections, Inc., and the strategic planning process. He explained that the Board appointed a Strategic Planning Committee in January 2020 and had planned to begin the strategic planning process shortly thereafter, however the Coronavirus Pandemic delayed the implementation of the process in the hope that in- person sessions could be scheduled. He stated that the goal is to have a Strategic Plan approved by the Board in September that will articulate who CMEEC is by re-defining its Mission, Vision and Values for its customers, staff and stakeholders. He added that the Strategic Plan will be a ‘living’ document and that this is the start of a continuing process. Mr. Meisinger introduced Mr. Blodgett stating that he will facilitate and challenge the Board as it relates to approaching the Strategic Plan. He added that Mr. Blodgett has worked with other Joint Action Agencies and utilities and can guide this Board as it makes it way through the Strategic Plan process. Mr. Blodgett discussed the schedule for today’s meeting. He thanked everyone for taking the time to go through the interview and survey process. He stated that this first meeting will be a discovery process adding that there will be no in-depth strategic plan discussion or brainstorming session today, but rather a focus on issues and priorities. Mr. Blodgett then presented his slide deck covering national industry trends and issues facing public power utilities including issues with rate structure related to load loss and future growth in the EV sector. He explained each slide in detail, asking if any members of the Board had any questions along the way. Mr. Meisinger and Mr. Connell (who joined the meeting at 11:00 a.m. solely for this presentation) then walked the Board through the slide deck addressing current state and regional issues potentially impacting CMEEC. At this time, Chair Barber entertained a motion to recess for a 30-minute meal break. A motion was made by Member Representative Chris LaRose, seconded by Municipal Representative Oefinger to recess for a 30-minute meal break. Motion passed unanimously. 20-06-02 The meeting recessed at 12:05 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 12:35 p.m. Mr. Blodgett continued with his presentation and walked the Board through his slide- deck on the elements of a strategic planning process and the role of a Board in that process, emphasizing that the role of the Board is to set overall direction, leaving implementation to staff. At this time, Mr. Silverstone excused himself from the meeting. Mr. Blodgett continued with his presentation, walking the Board through survey results and ending on a discussion of establishing a Vision, Mission and/or Value Statement for CMEEC. Mr. Silverstone returned to the meeting at this time. There was lengthy discussion with Board participation resulting in a list of items that could become part of CMEEC’s Vision, Mission and/or Value Statement. It was determined that this list would be shared with CMEEC staff for their input, with further review by the Board. Mr. Meisinger added that a meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee, an ad hoc committee created by the Board, is scheduled for July 14, 2020. He encouraged the full Board to participate at that meeting to continue the discussion. There being no further business to come before this Board, Chair Barber entertained a motion to adjourn. A motion was made by Municipal Representative Pete Johnson, seconded by Member Representative Ronald Gaudet to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously. 20-06-03 The meeting was adjourned at 2:35 p.m.