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Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
The Council meeting will begin at 7 P.M. at Hartford City Hall in Council Chambers. The meeting will be preceded, at 6:30 PM, by an open agenda public hearing. The next public hearing will be Monday, January 21, 2008 at 7 PM.
There are 42 items on the agenda. The complete agenda for the Council meeting is available online by clicking on “Council Agendas” at the following web site:
http://www.hartford.gov/government/Town&CityClerk/Minutes/council_meeting_minutes.htm.
Previously Submitted Items: The following items were previously on the Council Agenda and were included in the Council Preview/Review. They were referred to committees and/or public hearing or action was postponed by the Council. They are now on the agenda again for action.
Tax Relief for the Elderly – The Council will vote on a proposed ordinance amending the Municipal Code pertaining to tax relief for the elderly. The proposed amendment raises the qualifying income limits for residents aged 65 or older to $33,400 for individuals and $38,500 for married couples. Qualifying income is defined as adjusted gross income (Internal Revenue Code guidelines) plus tax-exempt interest, dividend exclusions, gifts, bequests, social security benefits, railroad retirement benefits, and income from all other tax-exempt sources, but not including any credits received under this program. Qualifying individuals or couples receive a tax credit of $500 per property per year. A public hearing was held on December 17, 2007 and the Council’s Finance and Revenue Committee recommends adoption. (Items #14 and 22)
Valet Parking – The Council will consider a proposed ordinance that would limit valet parking to the hours from 6 PM to 2 AM, require permits for valet parking, require off-street locations for the cars that are valet-parked, and impose certain insurance and indemnification requirements. A public hearing on this ordinance was held on Monday, November 19, 2007 and the item was referred to the Council’s Public Works, Parks, and Environment Committee. (Item #21)
Noise Ordinance – The Council will consider a proposed ordinance which will amend the Municipal Code with regard to noise. In addition to some technical amendments, the ordinance adds a provision that, in the absence of a sound level meter, any noise plainly audible at a distance of one hundred (100) feet from its source, to a person of normal hearing, constitutes prima facie evidence of a violation. A public hearing on this matter was held on November 27, 2007 and the Council’s Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee recommended approval. The wording has been amended slightly since that time as result of suggestions made by the Connecticut State Department of Environmental Protection. (Items #24 and 30)
Youth Advisory Council – The Council will consider a resolution establishing a Youth Advisory Council in 2008. The resolution is an outgrowth of a desire to provide youth with an opportunity to get involved in the governmental process as part of their educational learning experience and recognition that the governance of the city can be greatly enhanced by receiving input from youth and young adults. The Council previously postponed action on this item. (Item #27)
Annual Census of Hartford’s Homeless Population – The Council will vote on a resolution authorizing the allocation of $10,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) administrative funds to Community Renewal Team, Inc. (CRT) for costs associated with the annual census of Hartford’s homeless population scheduled for January 2008. (Item #5)
Hartford Healthy Start: Eliminating Disparities Grant - The Council will consider a resolution authorizing the Department of Health and Human Services to apply for an Eliminating Disparities grant available from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Healthy Resources Services Administration (HRSA) in the amount of $650,000 each year for four years (June 1, 2008 – May 31, 2012). The grant will support the Hartford Healthy Start program, which focuses on improvement of maternal health and birth outcomes primarily among African American women and their children. (Item #6)
Eminent Domain – The Council will consider a resolution authorizing the City to acquire 31-37 Atlantic Avenue through eminent domain for the purpose of constructing the City’s new public safety complex. The Council has previously passed several resolutions regarding this property. The first authorized use of eminent domain. The Council subsequently authorized the purchase of the property when the owner and the City reached agreement on a price. Now, there is not agreement on the price. (Item #37)
Property Tax Reform Task Force Recommendations – The Council will consider two resolutions regarding the first set of recommendations from the Hartford Property Tax Reform Task Force. Item #39 resolves to “accept” the recommendations. Item #42 resolves to “receive” the recommendations and have them reviewed by both the City Council’s Finance Committee and Legislative Committee. This first set of recommendations addresses property tax issues that may require action by the State General Assembly. A second set of recommendations, to be completed by January 31, 2008, will address issues requiring action by the City. (Note: the Task Force’s report was not included in the agenda package.) (Items # 39 and 42)
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, 509-3710. The Council Preview/Review is a joint project of the Hartford 2000, and the Hartford Public Library.
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