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Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
There were 35 items on the original agenda. Ten more items were submitted during the meeting. The next regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, February 12, 2007 at 7 P.M. in the Council Chambers in Hartford City Hall. The next public hearing will be Tuesday, February 20, 2007.
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
Feasibility Study for New Civic Center and Arena – The Council referred, to its Planning and Economic Development Committee, a resolution authorizing the Mayor to hire HOK Sustainability Design, at a cost of $100,000, to conduct a feasibility study to determine how a new civic center and arena could be constructed in the downtown area. HOK was selected through a Request for Proposal process. (Item #1)
Southend Senior Center – The Council referred, to its Health and Human Services Committee, a resolution authorizing the Department of Health and Human Services to submit an application to the Connecticut Department of Social Services for a $682,500 grant for the renovation of the building at 830 Maple Avenue into a senior center for the south end of Hartford. The center will replace two senior centers currently operating. (Item #3)
Construction Trades Hiring Practices – The Council tabled the communication from Councilman Kenneth Kennedy asking the Council to review a New Haven ordinance and consider creating a similar ordinance in Hartford that would use a municipality’s contracting activity to encourage/require improved hiring practices to increase the numbers of minorities and women in the construction trades. It was noted at the meeting that the Council had previously tabled this item and, according to the Council Rules, a twice-tabled item must be reintroduced. However, Councilmembers agreed that work would be done in committee on this topic and a proposal brought before the Council. (Item #15)
Capital Projects – The Council passed an ordinance appropriating $1,975,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund to undertake five projects. The Council also agreed on a “sense of the meeting” statement that all traffic calming improvements must be thoroughly discussed with and approved by the neighborhood in which they will be located. The projects are: 1) replacement of the roofs on seven City buildings, 2) replacement of the heating systems in six City buildings, 3) ongoing repairs and resurfacing of city streets, 4) continued implementation of traffic calming improvements throughout city neighborhoods, and 5) replacement of damaged or downed decorative streetlight fixtures. All funds for these improvements will be provided by the State of Connecticut through its Local Capital Improvement Program (LoCIP). A hearing on this matter was held on Monday, December 18, 2006 and the Council’s Finance and Revenue Committee recommends approval. (Items #16 and 19)
Elderly Tax Relief Program – The Council referred, to its Finance and Revenue Committee, an ordinance increasing the income limits for eligibility for the Elderly Tax Relief Program. Hartford residents who are 65 years of age or older who own and occupy a 1, 2, or 3 family residence and who meet certain income requirements are eligible to have their property taxes reduced by $500 per year. Currently, the income limits are $31,100 for an individual and $35,700 for a married couple. The ordinance would raise the income limits to $32,300 and $37,200 respectively. A public hearing on this item will be held on February 20, 2007. (Item #21)
Appointments to Boards and Commissions – The Mayor submitted thirteen replacement resolutions making appointments and reappointments to thirteen boards and commissions. The names of the individuals to be appointed are not included in the resolutions. Action on the resolutions was postponed. (Items #22 through 34)
Agenda Items Submitted at the Council Meeting
Appointment: The Council confirmed the Mayor’s appointment of Clarence Corbin as Director of Public Works. (Item #39)
Hartford Landfill: The Council went into Executive Session to discuss a proposed agreement between the City of Hartford and the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (CRRA) regarding the closure of the Hartford Landfill. (Item #40)
Bicycle Parking – The Council passed a resolution committing the City of Hartford to provide 12% of the costs ($38,500) of a pilot project to promote bicycle use in the Capital Region through the provision of bicycle racks and lockers in Hartford. The remainder of the costs will be paid by the Federal government, the Central Connecticut Bicycle Alliance, and the Greater Hartford Transit District. The item had been referred to the Public Works, Parks, and Environment Committee. The Committee recommended approval. (Item #41)
Eminent Domain: The Council received three proposed ordinances authorizing the City to exercise its eminent domain powers and acquire three parcels of land, in the vicinity of the Old Hartford Board of Education Building, for the purpose of developing and constructing a new Public Safety Complex. The properties are located at 26 and 31 Atlantic Avenue and 223 High Street. The owners and the City have not been able to agree on a purchase price. The items were referred to the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Council’s Planning and Economic Development Committee and a public hearing will be held on February 20, 2007. (Items #42, 43, and 44)
Alcohol in the Parks: An ordinance concerning the sale of alcoholic beverages in City parks was submitted and referred to the Council’s Public Works, Parks, and the Environment Committee and the Planning and Economic Development Committee. A public hearing was scheduled for February 20, 2007. The ordinance formerly on the books primarily governed beer and wine; the new ordinance governs all alcoholic beverages. (Item #45)
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. |
