CITY OF GROTON MAYOR AND COUNCIL MINUTES MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2015

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1 CITY OF GROTON MONDAY, MUNICIPAL BUILDING COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:30 PM Mayor Galbraith called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. I. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Marian Galbraith, Deputy Mayor Keith Hedrick, Councilors Andrew Ilvento, Conrad Heede, Stephen Sheffield, Finance Director Ron Yuhas and City Clerk Debra Patrick. Excused: Councilor Lawrence Gerrish. II. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Led by Mayor Galbraith. Councilor Ilvento moved Deputy Mayor Hedrick seconded a motion to amend the agenda to add resolutions R and R and to move new business item resolution R up on the agenda. R RESOLUTION THAT THE APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF JILL RUSK, 85 BAKER AVENUE, GROTON, CONNECTICUT AS A CITY COUNCILOR WHEREAS, a vacancy exists on the Mayor and Council for a City Councilor; and WHEREAS, the City of Groton Charter, Article V, Section 4 states:..should a vacancy occur in the office of Councilor or City Clerk, an elector of the city shall be chosen by a majority vote of the Council to serve in such office until the next regular election. ; and WHEREAS, Jill Rusk, 85 Baker Avenue, Groton, Connecticut, desires to serve as a City Councilor; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council approve the appointment of Jill Rusk, 85 Baker Avenue, Groton, Connecticut as a City Councilor. Councilor Ilvento moved Deputy Mayor Hedrick seconded a motion to approve R City Clerk Patrick administered the oath of office to Ms. Rusk. Councilor Rusk took her seat on the dais. III. IV. RECOGNITION, AWARDS AND MEMORIALS None. RECEIPT OF CITIZEN S PETITIONS/COMMENTS None.

2 V. RESPOND TO CITIZEN S PETITIONS/COMMENTS None. VI. APPROVAL OF Councilor Ilvento moved Deputy Mayor Hedrick seconded a motion to approve the August 3, 2015 Mayor and Council meeting. Motion carried with Councilor Rusk abstaining. Councilor Ilvento moved Deputy Mayor Hedrick seconded a motion to approve the August 24, 2015 Committee of the Whole meeting. Motion failed with Councilors Sheffield and Rusk abstaining. Councilor Ilvento moved Deputy Mayor Hedrick seconded a motion to approve the September 8, 2015 Mayor and Council meeting. Motion carried with Councilor Rusk abstaining. VII. COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS Councilor Ilvento attended the Beach & Parks Committee meeting September 9 th where they discussed the summer season. He said Director Hill reported the beach season and summer playground session went well and she is available if there are any questions. They discussed the still incomplete work on the Zbierski House and will be looking elsewhere to have the work completed. On September 12 th he attended the 60 th anniversary get together for WSMS and said it was a great success. Councilor Rusk had no report. Councilor Sheffield attended the retirement party for LT Bruce Lowe. He wished him well and congratulated him. Councilor Heede had no report. Deputy Mayor Hedrick attended the FOIA hearing in Hartford on September 14 th and the memorial service for Matthew Shafner the afternoon of September 20 th and a fundraiser for the Avery Copp house later that day. Finance Director Yuhas had no report. City Clerk Patrick had no report. Mayor Galbraith reported they are interviewing law firms to represent the City. She said they have interim counsel with Berchem & Moses. She and P&R Director Mary Hill met with Josh Dull and members of Bar Stars to discuss the possibility of creating a workout area in the City. She said she is discussing any possible liability with the City s insurance carrier while they consider if it can be done. She attended the WSMS 60 th anniversary get together on September 12 th and the Thames Street Block Party September 13 th. On September 14 th she attended the FOIA hearing in Hartford and said no decision has been made at this time. She said the FOI complaint was made by 2 Town Councilors. There was discussion on the timeline for a decision from the FIO Commission. She, Mary Hill and Ron Yuhas met with the City s insurance provider and CIRMA to discuss safety and the ways in which the Health & Safety Committee could assist with safety initiatives. There were continued meetings regarding the USS Groton and she met with Jim Streeter and teleconferenced with Attorney Eric Janney. Attorney Janney has agreed to provide pro bono legal services to establish a 501 3C for the project. On September 20 th she attended the memorial service for Matthew Shafner and later that day the fundraiser for the Avery Copp House. Today she attended the ribbon cutting at the Undersea War Center. She reported meeting with Ron Yuhas, Ron Gaudet and Keith Hedrick today to discuss the referral in the Finance Committee regarding sewer use fees for tax exempt entities.

3 There was discussion that they could explore a PAF rate based study to determine whether the fees should continue to be part of the mill rate or a separate fee. She said they met with a consultant who has done rate studies for GU and asked if the Councilors would agree to having them come to the COW to discuss the possibility of initiating a rate based study. She said having a firm they have worked with in the past is an advantage and is allowed under professional services with a waiver to bid. Councilor Heede asked what the advantage of going to bid would be. Mayor Galbraith said the advantage is multiple bids. She said however it would then take longer to move it forward. She said waiving the bid process would mean they could be ready by budget season with a decision on the direction they would like to go in. Councilor Ilvento agreed using this same firm would shorten the timeline. Councilor Sheffield asked what the approximate costs would be and where the funding would come from. Mayor Galbraith said about $25, and the funding would be discussed and determined for a vote October 5 th. They were all in favor to discuss this further at the September 28 th COW. VIII. COMMITTEE REFERRALS Mayor Galbraith asked the Councilors to review all their active group committee referrals and provide a status update at the Committee of the Whole meeting. She said they would also review the referrals currently on the COW list and delete as necessary. IX. NEW BUSINESS R RESOLUTION THAT THE PROVISIONALLY AUTHORIZE AND APPROVE THE CITY OF GROTON TO CONTRACT WITH IMPERIAL COMPANY, RESTORATION CONTRACTOR, INCORPORATED, 261 MAIN STREET, CROMWELL, CONNECTICUT, FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE CITY MUNICIPAL BUILIDNG ROOF, FOR A TOTAL BID PRICE OF $273, (TWO HUNDRED SEVENTY-THREE THOUSAND, FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-FIVE DOLLARS AND NO CENTS) AND A CONTINGENCY NOT TO EXCEED $27, (TWENTY SEVEN THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED FORTY- EIGHT DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS) FOR A TOTAL AUTHORIZATION NOT TO EXCEED $300, (THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED THIRTY-THREE DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS), $154, TO BE PAID FROM STATE OF CONNECTICUT, OFFICE OF POLICY AND MANAGEMENT, MUNICIPAL GRANTS-IN- AID AND THE REMAINING $145, FROM CAPITAL FUNDS WHEREAS, the restoration of the City of Groton Municipal Building roof has been planned for some time; and WHEREAS, the City purchasing agent advertised the package and received five bids; and WHEREAS, the City Purchasing Agent and Public Works Director met with all potential bidders to go over the details of the project; and WHEREAS, the City Purchasing Agent and Public Works Director recommend the contract award to the lowest responsible bidder, Imperial Company, Restoration Contractor, Incorporated; and

4 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council provisionally authorize and approve the City of Groton to contract with Imperial Company, Restoration Contractor, Incorporated, 261 Main Street, Cromwell, Connecticut, for the restoration of the City Municipal Building roof, for a total bid price of $273, (Two Hundred Seventy-Three Thousand, Four Hundred Eighty-Five Dollars and No Cents) and a Contingency not to exceed $27, (Twenty- Seven Thousand Three Hundred Forty-Eight Dollars and Fifty Cents) for a total authorization not to exceed $300, (Three Hundred Thousand Eight Hundred Thirty-Three Dollars and Fifty Cents), $154, to be paid from State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management, Municipal Grants-in-Aid and the remaining $145, from Capital Funds. Councilor Rusk moved Councilor Ilvento seconded a motion to approve R Mayor Galbraith said this was being discussed during the budget sessions and asked Public Works Director Tim Umrysz to go over the details. Director Umrysz said they brought in a representative of the Garland Company who manufacture most of the roofing products here in the US to inspect the roof and determined the scope of the project. He helped them draw up the contract for the bid. There is a 15 year warranty if the work is done by someone approved of by the manufacturer. They put it out to bid and all the contractors who responded were known to the inspector and were deemed capable of doing the project. Councilor Sheffield asked if any of the bidders were local. Director Umrysz said they were not. R RESOLUTION THAT THE PROVISIONALLY AUTHORIZE AND APPROVE A CONTRACT WITH HARVEST DEVELOPMENT GROUP, LLC, 100 RIVERVIEW CENTER, SUITE 306, MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT FOR THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE USS GROTON COMMUNITY PARK AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $22, (TWENTY-TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS AND NO CENTS) TO BE PAID FOR BY UNDESIGNATED FUNDS AVAILABLE FROM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND BEAUTIFICATION FUND WHEREAS, Groton has the opportunity to bring the decommissioned remains of the USS GROTON back to Groton, Connecticut and the City and Town of Groton have formed joint task force for this purpose; and WHEREAS, the first phase, the campaign feasibility study, which was conducted by the Harvest Development Group, LLC, was initially anticipated to cost $20,000 while only $10,000 was expended on the study; and WHEREAS, the task force has determined that a Capital Campaign is necessary to raise the funds needed to bring the USS GROTON home; and WHEREAS, Harvest Development Group, LLC, upon approval, will plan, manage and execute the overall strategy, secure funding and initiate the USS Groton Capital Campaign framework; and WHEREAS, both City and Town Councils will be asked to share the cost of the first nine (9) months of the Capital Campaign;

5 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council provisionally authorize and approve a contract with Harvest Development Group, LLC, 100 Riverview Center, Suite 306, Middletown, Connecticut for the Capital Campaign for the USS Groton Community Park at cost not to exceed $22, (Twenty-Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars and No Cents) to be paid for by Undesignated Funds available from the Community Development and Beautification fund. Deputy Mayor Hedrick moved Councilor Ilvento seconded a motion to approve R Mayor Galbraith said the amount initially discussed was $17, The additional $5, is for the feasibility study that was agreed to. She said this will be seed money to fund the capital campaign to raise the funds over 2 years. The Town and the City have been asked to pay the first 9 months of development at $45, with the City s share to be $22, She said the money is available and will not have to come from contingency. Councilor Heede asked if they had a location yet. Mayor Galbraith said they are down to 2 locations. R RESOLUTION THAT THE APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF PORTIA WASHINGTON, GROTON, CONNECTICUT AS A REGULAR MEMBER, BEACH AND PARKS COMMITTEE, TERM TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 2015 WHEREAS, a vacancy exists on the Beach and Parks Committee; and WHEREAS, Portia Washington, Groton, Connecticut has been recommended for appointment and desires to serve as a regular member of the Beach and Parks Committee; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council approve the appointment of Portia Washington, Groton, Connecticut, as a regular member, Beach and Parks Committee, term to expire on December 31, Councilor Sheffield moved Councilor Heede seconded a motion to approve R Mayor Galbraith said Ms. Washington is a lifelong resident of the City and a parent of a young family. She said there were 4 applicants and all were reviewed and Ms. Washington is her recommendation to fill the current vacancy. X. EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilor Ilvento moved Councilor Sheffield seconded a motion to enter into Executive Session pursuant to General Statutes sections 1-200(6)(B), (6) (E) and (b) (9), 1. To discuss negotiations to include HR Director Scheetz and City Labor Attorney Duggan. Executive Session commenced in C8 at 7: 57 p.m. Executive Session ended at 8:18 p.m. and they returned to Council Chambers.

6 XI. COMMENTS FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION Deputy Mayor Hedrick moved Councilor Heede seconded a motion to amend the agenda to add resolution R R RESOLUTION THAT THE ACCEPT THE TENTATIVE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF GROTON ( CITY ) AND THE CITY OF GROTON UTILITIES EMPLOYEES LOCAL 818 OF COUNCIL #4, AFSCME, AFL- CIO ( UNION ) FOR THE PERIOD JULY 1, 2013 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2016 AND THAT THE MAYOR BE AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE SAID AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF GROTON WHEREAS, through the process of negotiations the City of Groton ( City ) and the City of Groton Utilities Employees Local 818 of Council #4, AFSCME, AFL-CIO ( Union ) have reached a tentative agreement ( Agreement ) on a collective bargaining agreement covering the period July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2016; and WHEREAS, Connecticut General Statutes Section 7-474(b) provides that the legislative body of a municipality may approve or reject the Agreement as a whole; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that in accordance with the provisions of Connecticut General Statutes, Section 7-474(b), the Mayor and Council accept the Tentative Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Groton ( City ) and the City of Groton Utilities Employees Local 818 of Council #4, AFSCME, AFL-CIO ( Union ) for the period July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2016 and that the Mayor be authorized to execute said Agreement on behalf of the City of Groton. Councilor Heede moved Councilor Ilvento seconded a motion to approve R XII. ADJOURNMENT Councilor Ilvento moved Councilor Heede seconded a motion to adjourn. Mayor Galbraith adjourned the meeting at 8:21 p.m. ATTEST: APPROVED: Debra Patrick City Clerk