Council Review
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, January 12, 2009

Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

There were 75 items on the original agenda. No additional items were submitted during the meeting. The next regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, January 26, 2009 at 7 P.M. in the Council Chambers in Hartford City Hall. The next public hearing will be Tuesday, January 20, 2008 at 7 PM.

This Review consists of two sections: Items of Special Interest and Action on All Agenda Items. The City's official listing of actions taken on all items on this agenda can be found online at http://www.hartford.gov/government/Town&CityClerk/Minutes/council_meeting_minutes.htm  

ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

South End Wellness Senior Center – The Council approved a resolution that would authorize the City Department of Health and Human Services to receive approximately $682,500 from the Connecticut Department of Social Services for improvements and renovations to the second floor of the South End Wellness Senior Center located at 830 Maple Avenue. (Item #6)

Pope Park West – The Council referred, to its Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee, a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign the Urban Green Grant Agreement for Pope Park West, a portion of Pope Park, located in Parkville, that was cut off from the body of the park during the 1960s for the development of I-84 and is currently neglected and used for sand storage. Hartford will receive a grant of $90,512 and will contribute an additional $48,738 for a total project cost of $139,250. The funds will be used to reclaim Pope Park West. The Urban Green Grant is a program of the State of Connecticut. (Item #8)

Downtown West Section II Redevelopment Plan – The Council postponed action on a resolution approving a Redevelopment Plan for Downtown West Section II (Union Station – Walnut Street Project). The project includes 13 properties on Walnut, Edwards, Spring and Myrtle Streets and Huntley Place and includes the vacant Capitol West office building. The plan calls for transit-oriented mixed use development that is supportive of the new commuter bus and rail service to be centered at Union Station and serves nearby insurance companies and neighborhood residents. The Planning & Economic Development Committee recommended approval. (Item #11)

Downtown North Redevelopment Plan – The Council postponed action on a resolution approving a Redevelopment Plan for the Downtown North Project which consists of 81 properties north of downtown, north of I-84 and east of Main Street and west of the River. There are five sub-areas in the plan, each with its own vision, including historic preservation, mixed use development, commercial and research facilities, and the Capitol Preparatory Magnet School. The Planning & Economic Development Committee recommended approval pending comment from the Clay Arsenal NRZ. (Item #12)

Constitution Plaza East Redevelopment Plan – The Council postponed action on a resolution approving a Redevelopment Plan for Constitution Plaza East which includes the vacant hotel building and former Channel 3 building. The plan calls for demolition of the two existing buildings and construction of a mixed use development with office space, residential units and retail all located within high rise buildings. The Planning & Economic Development Committee recommends approval. (Item #13)

Two Year Limit on City Council Funds for Community Based Organizations – A resolution that states that funds from the City Contributions account cannot be made to the same community based organization or sports league for more than two consecutive fiscal years was withdrawn. Funds available to the City Council for donations to such organizations have already been exhausted for this fiscal year due to pressures resulting from the current nationwide financial crisis. The Operations, Management, & Budget Committee made no recommendation. (Item #16)

Reduction in Salary for Highly Paid Managers – The Council postponed action on a resolution that City managers and executives with salaries above $80,000 accept progressively scaled salary reductions. The resolution states that City workers have been suffering losses of jobs and benefits and that, under these conditions, pay raises for government officials and highly-paid managers are not appropriate. The Operations, Management & Budget Committee recommends that this item be postponed. (Item #17)

Barriers to City Employment – The Council passed a resolution directing the City's Human Resources Department to review the City's civil services processes to determine what barriers to City employment may exist for individuals with criminal records and to eliminate such barriers in the interview process. The Council's Labor & Workforce Development Committee recommended approval. (Item #21)

Green Belt Task Force - The Council adopted a resolution establishing a Green Belt Task Force with the charge of developing a plan for a future greenway connecting Hartford's parks and open space. The greenway will consist of a network of roads and trails that will connect all of the City's parks so that they will be seen and used by the public as an integrated system. The Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee increased the size of the task force from seven to fifteen and recommends approval. (Item # 26)

Code of Ethics – The Council postponed action on amendments to the existing Code of Ethics ordinance. The amendments have to do with certain definitions, and with pension revocation in the event of convictions or pleas to criminal conduct, pension distribution pursuant to convictions or pleas to criminal conduct, and disclosure of financial records upon indictment or probable cause finding, arrest, or conviction of criminal conduct. A public hearing on this matter was held on Monday, November 17, 2008. The Council's Legislative Affairs Committee discussed the item but did not make a recommendation. The Council previously postponed action on this item in order to consider certain legal issues. (Item #31)

Tax Relief for the Elderly – The Council referred, to its Operations, Management & Budget Committee, a proposed ordinance amendment that, if approved, would increase income limits to qualify for tax relief for the elderly (65 or older). Person's qualifying income individually, if unmarried, during the calendar year preceding the claim for tax relief, shall not exceed $34,200 or jointly, if married, not to exceed $39,300. Applicants must also be an owner/occupant of a 1, 2, or 3 family residence. A public hearing will be held on this item on January 20, 2009. (Item #43)

Mayor Michael P. Peters Memorial Firehouse – The Council referred, to its Public Buildings Dedication Committee, a resolution stating that the Hartford firehouse at 8 Fairfield Avenue be named the "Mayor Michael P. Peters Memorial Firehouse." Former Mayor Mike Peters passed away on January 4, 2009, after a courageous battle with illness. Mayor Mike served as Mayor from 1993 to 2001, and previously served for twenty-two years as a firefighter, many of them at the firehouse at 8 Fairfield Avenue. A public hearing will be held on this item on January 20, 2009. (Item #49)

Percent for the Arts – The Council referred, to its Operations, Management & Budget Committee, a resolution that would establish a "Percent for the Arts" policy in the City of Hartford. The main feature of the policy would be that 1% of the cost of all above-ground capital improvement projects which exceed $1 million would be set aside to fund the creation and placement of public art. (Item #65)

LIST OF ALL AGENDA ITEMS

Item #

1. Finance Director. Confirmation of appointment of Christopher J. Wolf, CPA as Finance Director. Postponed
2. Health Grant. Approval to apply for and accept $147,720 in grant funds from the State Department of Public Health for City health services. Referred to Health & Human Services Committee
3. Elementary Basketball. Approval to grant $13,000 to the Hartford Elementary Basketball League for basketball and cheerleading after-school programs for elementary school children. Referred to Health & Human Services Committee
4. Fee Waivers. Approval to waive all building and trade permit fees for the construction of the Public Safety Complex. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
5. Flood Control. Approval to execute a grant agreement with the State of Connecticut for $5.0 million for flood control improvements to the levees along the Connecticut River. Passed
6. Wellness Center. Authorization to accept $682,500 from the CT Department of Social Services for improvements to the second floor of the South End Wellness Senior Center on Maple Avenue. Passed
7. Youth Services. Approval to accept $10,000 from the CT Department of Education for the City's Office of Youth Services. Passed
8. Pope Park West. Authorization to execute a grant agreement with the State of Connecticut for $90,512 for reclamation of Pope Park West, located in Parkville. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
9. Financial Report. Submission of the City's Revenue and Expenditure Report for December 2008. Received
10. Executive Session. Request for Council to go into Executive Session to discuss a lawsuit. Received
11. Downtown West Redevelopment Plan. Recommendation by Planning & Economic Development Committee recommending approval of a Redevelopment Plan for Downtown West Section II (Union Station-Walnut Street Project), including Capitol West. Postponed
12. Downtown North Redevelopment Plan. Recommendation by Planning & Economic Development Committee recommending approval of a Redevelopment Plan for the Downtown North Project pending information from the Clay Arsenal NRZ. Postponed
13. Constitution Plaza East Redevelopment Plan. Recommendation by Planning & Economic Development Committee recommending approval of a Redevelopment Plan for land including the vacant hotel and former Channel 3 building on Constitution Plaza. Postponed
14. Library Audit Report. Acceptance of report of audit of Hartford Public Library operations. Passed
15. MD Fox Elementary School. Recommendation by Operations, Management & Budget Committee to postpone action on authorization to allocate $54.4 million and to issue $13.4 million in bonds for the renovation and improvement of MD Fox Elementary School, pending receipt by Council of analysis of all capital projects and updated plan for school construction and renovation. (also see #32) Received
16. Restriction on Contributions. Report from the Operations, Management & Budget Committee making no recommendation on a resolution establishing a restriction on the use of Council's Civic and Cultural Account such that contributions to community based organizations and sports leagues can be made only for a maximum of two consecutive years. Withdrawn
17. Reduction in Salary. Report from the Operations, Management & Budget Committee recommending postponement of action on a resolution calling for City managers and executives with salaries above $80,000 to accept reductions in their pay. Postponed
18. Ad-Hoc Committee. Report from the Operations, Management & Budget Committee recommending postponement of action on appointment of a 3-person committee of council members to work with the Mayor and City unions to seek ways to reduce the City's deficit and stabilize its finances. Postponed
19. Moratorium. Resolution declaring a moratorium on fee waivers for special events for the remainder of fiscal year 2008-09 amended to call for clarification of Council policy on fee waivers. Passed
20. Procurement. Report from Labor and Workforce Development Committee postponing action on proposed changes to the City's procurement system, including affirmative action. (also see #30 and 44) Postponed
21. Barriers to Hiring. Report from the Labor & Workforce Development Committee recommending approval of a proposal to review the City's current civil service processes and eliminate barriers during the interview process that may prevent applicants with criminal records from securing employment with the City of Hartford. Passed
22. Fee Waiver. Request for a fee waiver for St. Francis Hospital Foundation's "Walk in Memory of Kate Kuhn Woodbury MD" on May 6, 2008 in Elizabeth Park. Passed
23. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for First Night Hartford's New Year's Eve event. Passed
24. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for a religious procession held on December 14, 2008 by St. Peter's Church. Postponed
25. Keney Park Equestrian Center. Report from the Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee regarding designation of the Ebony Horsewomen, Inc. as tentative developer of the CT Equestrian and Exhibit in Center in Keney Park. Postponed
26. Green Belt Task Force. Establishment of a Green Belt Task Force of fifteen members for the purpose of developing a plan for a greenway connecting Hartford's parks and open space. Passed
27. Technology Equipment Donation. Approval to accept, from Sonitrol, the donation of equipment to implement the Mutualink Interoperable System. Passed
28. MLK Monument. Approval to erect monument and street signs honoring Dr. Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King at the corner of Greenfield and Ridgefield Streets. Passed
29. Monument in Bushnell Park. Authorization to install monument to workers killed on the job. Passed
30. Procurement. Proposed changes to the City's procurement system, including affirmative action. (also see #20 and 44) Postponed
31. Code of Ethics. Amendments to the City's Code of Ethics that expand definitions and provide for revocation of pensions of City officials or employees and reimbursement of monies spent by the City to pursue legal cases leading to convictions. Postponed
32. MD Fox Elementary School. Appropriation of $54.4 million and issuance of $13.4 million in bonds for the renovation and improvement of MD Fox Elementary School, pending receipt by Council of analysis of all capital projects and updated plan for school construction and renovation. (also see #15) Passed
33. Capital Projects. Resolution requiring a hold on all Capital Improvement Projects that would increase the City's debt. Postponed
34. Subpoena Power. Resolution granting subpoena power to the Chair of the Council's Operations, Management & Budget Committee to request any and all financial information and to have access to other documents. Postponed
35. Hartford Knights. Report from the Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee making no recommendation on an allocation of $25,000 to the Hartford Knights after-school program at Simpson Waverly School. (also see #60) Resolution amended to grant $15,000 and Passed
36. Appointment. Appointment to the Metropolitan District Commission of Anwar Al-Ghani. Referred to Legislative Affairs Committee
37. Appointments. Appointment of Inez Pegeas, Ronald Armstrong, and J. Stan McCauley to the Metropolitan District Commission for six-year terms. Referred to Legislative Affairs Committee
38. Appointment. Appointment to the Metropolitan District Commission of Anwar Al-Ghani, William DiBella, and Gertrude Mero to six-year terms. Dibella and Mero appointed
39. Hartford Public High School. Authorization to appropriate $106.5 million and issue $105 million in bonds for renovation of Hartford Public High School. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee. Public Hearing January 20, 2009
40. Annie Fisher School. Authorization to appropriate bond funds for Annie Fisher School (No dollar amount specified). Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee. Public Hearing January 20, 2009
41. Breakthrough Magnet School. Ordinance changing the appropriation and bonding of funds for Breakthrough Magnet School. (New dollar amounts not specified). Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee. Public Hearing January 20, 2009
42. Classical Magnet School. Ordinance changing the appropriation and bonding of funds for Classical Magnet School. (New dollar amounts not specified). Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee. Public Hearing January 20, 2009
43. Elderly Tax Relief. Authorization to increase the eligibility income limits from $38,500 to $39,300 for a married couple and from $33,400 to $34,200 for an unmarried person. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee. Public Hearing January 20, 2009
44. Procurement. Proposed changes to the City's procurement system, including affirmative action. (also see #20 and 30) Withdrawn
45. Noise. Proposed change to the Noise Ordinance to allow construction noise at any time, rather than only between 6 AM and 7 PM. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee. Public Hearing January 20, 2009
46. Food Establishments. Proposed changes to the regulation and inspection of food establishments and increase in licensing fees. Referred to Health & Human Services Committee. Public Hearing January 20, 2009
47. Atlantic Street. Discontinuance of Atlantic Street and inclusion in the site of the Public Safety Complex. Referred to Planning & Economic Development Committee. Public Hearing January 20, 2009
48. Freedom of Information Advisory Board. Request that the ordinance establishing the Advisory Board be reconsidered to allow for an amendment. Passed. Action on amendment postponed pending public hearing on Jan. 20th . Public Hearing January 20, 2009
49. Firehouse Naming. Proposal that the firehouse at 8 Fairfield Avenue be named the "Mayor Michael P. Peters Memorial Firehouse". Referred to Public Building Dedication Committee. Public Hearing January 20, 2009
50. Appointments. Appointment of Maria M. Martinez and Lucie Rivera to the Human Resources Appeals Board. Postponed
51. Appointments. Appointment of Robert Luckritz and Meghan E. Freed to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Postponed
52. Appointments. Appointment of Rhonda Woods, Carol L. Smith-Jestin, and Talia R. Orr to the Fair Rent Commission. Postponed
53. Reappointment. Reappointment of Thomas E. Swarr to the Advisory Commission on the Environment. Postponed
54. Appointment. Appointment of Jeanne C. Webb to the Metropolitan District Commission for a six-year term. Referred to Legislative Affairs Committee
55. Appointment. Appointment of (no name) to the Metropolitan District Commission for a six-year term. Withdrawn
56. Bond Funds. Approval to transfer $15.3 million in funds generated through the sale of bonds from the Public Safety Complex to other capital projects (not specified). Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
57. Lobbying Services. Approval to hire Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz to provide federal lobbying services to the City for up to 12 months at a cost of $13,000 per month. Passed
58. Health Care Campaign. Support for the healthcare4every1 Campaign coordinated by the Universal Health Care Foundation of CT. Passed
59. Registrars of Voters. Authorization to set the salaries of Registrars and Deputy Registrars of Voters at a combined maximum of $110,000. (also see #71 and 72) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
60. Hartford Knights. Approval to provide funding (amount unspecified) to the Hartford Knights. (also see #35) Withdrawn
61. Basic Human Services. Support for efforts to address growing demand for basic human services in a time of economic downtown and a community forum to be held on January 31st. Passed
62. Transit Projects. Support for the Hartford-New Britain Busway and the New Haven/Hartford/Springfield commuter rail line. Passed
63. Culture and Tourism. Request to State leadership to preserve tourism marketing on a state and regional level. Passed
64. PW,P&E Meeting Time. Approval to change the meeting time of the Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee to the 4th Thursday of each month at 5:30 PM in the Council Chambers. Referred to Legislative Affairs Committee
65. Percent for Art. Establishment of a policy to generate funding for placement of art in the city. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
66. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for the American Cancer Society's "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" to be held in Bushnell Park on October 4, 2009. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
67. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver by the Central Connecticut Celtic Cultural Committee for the 38th Annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Hartford on March 14, 2009. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
68. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for the "Candlelight Vigil for Domestic Violence Awareness" sponsored by the Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority on March 14, 2009 in Bushnell Park. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
69. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver and street closures by the Hartford Marathon Foundation for the "O'Hartford 5K" to be held on March 15, 2009 in downtown Hartford. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
70. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver and street closures for the "Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Connecticut" to be held on June 5 and 6, 2009 in Bushnell Park. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
71. Deputy Registrars of Voters. Approval to establish the salary of the Deputy Registrars of Voters at $769.23 per week. (also see #59) Withdrawn
72. Registrars of Voters. Approval to establish the salary of Registrars of Voters at $1,025.64 per week. (also see #59) Withdrawn
73. Homeless Shelter. Contribution of $1,000 and commitment to raise $31,500 for overflow shelter at Marshall House. Postponed
74. Tax Credit. Request to State delegation for legislation that would allow the City to provide a property tax credit to spouses of Public Works and Health & Human Services employees who were killed in the course of their duties. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
75. Elected Officials' Disclosures. Proposal to require all elected City officials to advise the Ethics Commission if, during their term in City elected office, they have been sued by the State for recovery of public funds and what the resolution of the suit was. Tabled

If you have any questions about the agenda, please call Richard Frieder at the Hartford Public Library, 695-6365, or Linda Bayer at Hartford 2000, 547-1663 X21. The Council Preview/Review is a joint project of Hartford 2000 and the Hartford Public Library.