Votes at a glance: New London council adopts ordinance revisions, approves community center change orders and settlements, and backs Alewife Cove restoration

The New London City Council took several formal actions at its Dec. 2, 2024 meeting, voting by roll call or voice on ordinances, contract change orders and settlement agreements. Key decisions included adoption of changes to the city code of ordinances, approvals of community center construction change orders funded from contingency lines, authorization of a settlement over delay damages related to the community center, approval of a grant-supported Alewife Cove restoration project, and authorization of a sewer-treatment agreement with multiple beach associations and a neighboring town.

Ordinance revision to city code, Section 21 (Third reading) The council completed a three-reading process and adopted ordinance changes to Section 21 of the city code of ordinances on third reading. A roll-call vote was recorded and the clerk announced six affirmative votes. Councilors recorded as voting yes during the roll call included Reona Dice, Efrain Dominguez, Jeff Hart, Jocelyn Rosario, Councilor Saadi and President Pro Tem Akhil Peck.

Community center change orders (two items) - Change order A: The council approved change orders related to the community center construction in the aggregate amount of $476,195. City staff reported the funds will come from contingency line items already in the project budget and will not increase the project GMP of $40,000,000. Director of Development Felix Reyes told the council, "No. That's the simple answer," when asked whether the GMP would rise.

- Change order B (GZA Environmental): The council approved Change Order No. 5 with GZA Environmental Inc. in the amount of $21,165.35. Staff explained the work covers additional soil testing at the Brownfield site to characterize excavated material so it can be managed or reused properly; the cost is covered by contingency funds.

Settlement over delay damages (community center) The council approved a settlement and release to resolve claims for delay damages tied to the community center project. The settlement amount related to late damages and work not performed by subcontractors was recorded in the meeting at $585,000. The council authorized the mayor to sign documents necessary to effectuate the settlement.

Alewife Cove restoration and matching funds (Long Island Sound Futures Fund) The council approved an agreement to accept and implement a restoration project for Alewife Cove (also referenced in materials as Hawkeye/Alewife Cove) funded principally by a Long Island Sound Futures Fund grant. The total project budget discussed was $530,000: $400,000 from the Long Island Sound Futures Fund grant, $50,000 from the city as a matching contribution (drawn from a $75,000 match allocation in the FY25 budget), $50,000 from the town of Waterford, $5,000 from the Alewife Cove Conservancy and approximately $25,000 in in-kind contributions. Council approved the agreement by roll-call vote (six yes recorded).

Water Pollution Control Authority (WWPCA) sewer-treatment agreement The council approved an agreement to provide sewer-treatment services with several beach associations and the town of Old Lyme and authorized the mayor to sign the agreement.

Executive session Councilors met in executive session earlier in the evening to discuss the community center permit delays and related strategy and negotiations; no motions were made and no votes were taken during the executive session. After returning to open session, the council approved the settlement and the other items described above.

Votes and procedure Several items were adopted by voice vote and declared carried; three items (the Section 21 ordinance, the Alewife Cove agreement and several consent/roll-call votes) were recorded with a roll-call tally of six yes votes. Where staff identified project costs as contingency-funded, staff said the approvals do not increase the community center's GMP of $40,000,000.

Council documents and staff backup contain the full motion language, budget codes and supporting materials for each item; the meeting minutes and staff reports should be consulted for formal motion text, line-item budget codes and complete roll-call records.