CT Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative CMEEC

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE JOINT STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE OF THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS OF CONNECTICUT MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC ENERGY COOPERATIVE AND CONNECTICUT TRANSMISSION MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC ENERGY COOPERATIVE July 14, 2020 A Special Meeting of the Joint Strategic Planning Committee of the Boards of Directors of Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative (“CMEEC”) and Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative (“CTMEEC” and “Transco”) was held via Zoom, telephonically and at 1240 Poquonnock Road, Groton, CT on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. The meeting was legally noticed in compliance with Connecticut General Statutes and all proceedings and all actions hereafter recorded occurred during the publicly open portions of the meeting. The following Committee Members participated via Zoom or telephonically: Jewett City Department of Public Utilities: Louis Demicco, Kenneth Sullivan Norwich Public Utilities: Christopher LaRose, Robert Staley South Norwalk Electric & Water: David Westmoreland Third Taxing District: Kevin Barber The following Committee Members participated in person: Groton Utilities: Ronald Gaudet Groton Municipal Representative: Mark Oefinger The following Non-Voting Board Members participated via Zoom or telephonically: Bozrah Light & Power Municipal Representative: Joseph Cirrito Jewett City Department of Public Utilities: Richard Throwe South Norwalk Electric & Water: Alan Huth The following CMEEC Staff participated in Person: Dave Meisinger, CMEEC CEO Margaret Job, CMEEC Executive Assistant / Paralegal The following CMEEC Staff participated via Zoom or telephonically: Robin Kipnis, Esquire, CMEEC General Counsel The following invited guest participated in person: Timothy Blodgett, Hometown Connections Others participating telephonically: David Silverstone, Esquire, Municipal Electric Consumer Advocate Ms. Job recorded. Committee Chair Mark Oefinger called the meeting to order at 1:07 p.m. He explained that today’s meeting is being held via Zoom, telephonically and in person. He provided instructions for the conduct of today’s meeting asking that participants keep their devices on mute and to announce their name when speaking. Specific Action Item: A Public Comment No comment was made. B Roll Call Ms. Job conducted roll call of all in attendance at today’s meeting. Upon completion, Chair Oefinger confirmed a quorum was present. C Approve Minutes of the February 21, 2020 Special Meeting of the Joint Strategic Planning Committee A motion was made by Committee Member Kevin Barber, seconded by Committee Member Ronald Gaudet to approve the minutes of the February 21, 2020 Special Meeting of the Joint Strategic Planning Committee. Motion approved unanimously. D Continue Discussion of Strategic Planning for CMEEC Dave Meisinger, CMEEC CEO, provided a brief overview of the process for the development of a CMEEC strategic plan stating that the Board held a Special Meeting on June 16, 2020 to begin the process. He added that another meeting of this Committee will take place in August and the process will culminate with the Board approval of the CMEEC Strategic Plan at its meeting on September 24, 2020. He stated that the Strategic Plan is an important exercise for CMEEC’s future and that the Strategic Plan will continue to evolve. Tim Blodgett, of Hometown Connections, walked the Committee through today’s schedule and provided a brief refresher of the strategic planning process. He added that Mr. Meisinger will take the Committee through the work that CMEEC staff completed recently on the slide deck before this Committee. Lengthy discussion followed as the Committee and Messrs. Blodgett and Meisinger stepped through the Vision, Values and Mission slides CMEEC staff worked on for the Committee’s discussion and comment. Mr. Blodgett explained that staff was challenged to ensure the Vision, Values and Mission statements are visible and memorable. Questions arose directed to the risk appetite of the members to pursue topics suggested by both the Board and staff in the draft Vision statement slides. Mr. Meisinger walked the Committee through the Needs slides explaining the rationale behind the four areas of Member Needs identified by staff. He explained the creation of a survey or a ‘sit-down’ meeting be scheduled with each Member to delve deeper into what needs are. He added that staff also suggested that CMEEC create a list of exactly what CMEEC does beyond Members’ understanding which would create a conversation of what needs CMEEC might not be adequately addressing. Discussion followed in connection with the creation and implantation of a survey to garner Member responses related to needs CMEEC could address. The Committee agreed that timing was not conducive to the completion of a survey prior to the Strategic Plan being completed and rolled out in September. They did agree that CMEEC staff would continue to work offline and look at a survey as part of the goals and action plans for the Strategic Plan, with the understanding that it would be completed after the Strategic Plan is approved. Mr. Blodgett then reviewed the Board Strategic Priorities slides stating these prioritize the core areas that the Strategic Plan is focused on. He added that CMEEC staff worked on these slides using the results from the Board survey. He explained that CMEEC staff will be working on goal development using the six Strategic Priorities identified on this slide. Discussion ensued in connection with the Strategic Priorities. Mr. Blodgett explained next steps noting that CMEEC staff will be developing End Statements and Goals that coincide with the six Strategic Priorities discussed above. He added that these will be developed next followed by the development of an Action Plan. He provided an overview of what to expect at the next Strategic Planning Committee meeting. E Other Business Committee Chair Oefinger reminded the Committee that the next meeting of this Committee is scheduled for August 18, 2020 from 1pm – 5pm. He encouraged the Committee and all members of the Board to participate. There being no further business to come before this Committee, Committee Chair Oefinger entertained a motion to adjourn. A motion was made by Committee Member Barber, seconded by Committee Member Gaudet to adjourn Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 4:10 p.m.