Council Review
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, January 13, 2003

Prepared by: Citizens’ Research Education Network, Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

There were 76 items on the agenda.The next Council meeting will be Monday, January 27^th at 8 P.M. at Hartford City Hall in Council Chambers. The next public hearing will be Tuesday, January 21^stat 8 P.M., in Council Chambers.

Take Your Money Hartford! – The Council passed a resolution affirming its support for “Take Your Money Hartford!”. Take Your Money Hartford! is a community-based partnership, which promotes the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC is a refundable tax credit for low and moderate-income working families.According to the resolution, 70% of Hartford taxpayers were eligible for the credit in 1999, but only 43% claimed it. It is estimated that if all of the residents eligible for the credit applied, they would receive a total of$6 million.For more information call 211.

Changes to City Pensions Plan -- The Council passed a resolution calling for ordinances that would codify the Municipal Employees Retirement Fund (MERF).According to the resolution, the Citizens’ Committee for Effective Government conducted a review of Hartford’s pension plans and made several recommendations for changes.In addition, the resolution calls for changes to make the benefits commensurate with those offered by private industry and other public entities in our region.The resolution sets April 30^th as the deadline for the proposed ordinances to be drafted.

Funds for Mothballing, Demolition, and Redevelopment of Vacant Buildings -- The council referred to the Operations, Management, and Budget Committee a resolution authorizing City Manager Lee Erdmann to file an application to the Department of Community and Economic Development for $13 million to be used for mothballing, demolition, and redevelopment of vacant buildings.These funds represent the second and final installment of a $25 million appropriation authorized by the State Bond Commission in July 1999.

Parkville Street Improvements – The Council passed a resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for federal Surface Transportation Program Enhancement Funds for streetscape improvements on Park Street from the I-84 overpass to Prospect Avenue.The street improvements are designed to make the Parkville neighborhood more pedestrian and bicycle friendly and are found in the Parkville Urban Design and Transportation Plan.The estimated cost of the improvements is $3,000,000.The resolution calls for a city commitment of $300,000 for construction drawings for the project and $600,000 as the city’s 20% match of the total cost of the project.

Batterson Park -- The Council referred to the Public Works and Parks Committee a resolution which would authorize selling the Burnt Hill portion of Batterson Park to the town of Farmington.

Tax Abatement and Fee Waiver Requests - The Council referred to the Operations, Management, and Budget Committee a resolution that would require an independent opinion be obtained whenever the Council is asked to approve requests for tax abatements or fee waivers.The resolution requires that the opinion be returned to the Council at least seven (7) days prior to any action on the request and allows for the opinion to be rendered by the Hartford Economic Redevelopment Commission or a qualified firm in the private sector as designated by the City of Hartford’s chief executive officer.The resolution argues independent opinions are needed because the Council is often asked to pass a variety of complex tax abatement and fee waiver proposals without enough information as to the appropriateness and fiscal soundness of the request.

If you have any questions about the agenda call Greg Vickers at CREN, 249-1416. The Citizens' Research Education Network is a non-profit research and education center for Hartford community-based organizations and residents.