Council Review
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, January 22, 2001

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

There were 48 items on the regular agenda.The next Council meeting will be 8 P.M., Tuesday, February 13, rather than Monday the 12^th because of Lincoln’s Birthday.The next public hearing will be Tuesday, February, 20.

Industrial Re-Use Overlay District-- The Council passed a set of ordinances which establish an industrial reuse overlay district (IROD) on several parcels bounded by Huyshope, Nepaquash, Sequassen, and Van Dyke Streets.The IROD, requested by the Coltsville Heritage Park, allows increased uses on the property. The Planning, Economic Development, and Zoning Committee recommended passage

Former Bond Hotel -- The Council consented a resolution to give preliminary site approval for development of the former Bond Hotel.The developer, Bond Development, LLC, is proposing to use the site for retail space, a restaurant, and 108 apartment units.The parcel under discussion is in the downtown block bounded by Asylum, High, Ann, and Allyn Streets.The Planning, Economic Development, and Zoning Committee recommended passage.

Buying Time – The Council voted to refer to the Operations, Management, Budget, Education, and Laborcommittee a resolution which would direct City Manager Kee Borges to study the fiscal impact of allowing certain city and board of education employees to purchase years of service related to prior part-time employment.The effected persons will be individuals who have worked either part-time for the city or who have been employed by non-profits organizations which were in contract with the city to provide services to city residents.

Funds for Capewell -- The Council referred to the Housing Committee a resolution which would provide additional funding to the development of the former Capewell manufacturing site.The developer, Hartford Capewell Housing Limited Partnership, is requesting $400,000 in HOME Program loan funds and $689,000 in Capital City Economic Development Authority loan funds.The renovation of the site will include the creation of 106 apartment units, a two-story parking garage, and commercial office space.

Hartford Downtown Circulation Project -- The Council received a communication from the Planning, Economic Development, and Zoning Committee recommending it to support the Hartford Downtown Circulation Project.The plan for the Circulation Project was presented to the committee by the Greater Hartford Transit District.The route is intended to make the downtown more

pedestrian friendly and decrease the number of cars entering the central business district.The current proposal would cost $600,000 per year.One short-term funding proposal has the city paying $200,000 a year and the state paying $400,000 a year.No action was taken by the Council either for or against the plan.

Elderly Tax Relief Program -- The Council postponed until January 25^th,an ordinance which will adjust the income eligibility levels of the Elderly Tax Relief Program.The ordinance would raise the level of qualifying income from $31,000 to $31,700 for married taxpayers, and from $26,800 to $27,500 for unmarried taxpayers. The Elderly Tax Relief Program was established to mitigate the tax burden of elderly, low-income persons.In 1999 the program aided 895 persons with an average benefit of $448.95.

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.