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Prepared by: Citizens’ Research Education Network,
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
There were 49 items on the agenda. Over forty community members were present to witness Eugenio Caro
being sworn in as a Council member. He
is taking the seat of Luis Ayala who resigned last year. After being sworn in Councilman Caro spoke
briefly. He emphasized the importance
of working together and compared the city government to a slow moving elephant
that needed to be more responsive to the community. The next Council meeting is February 8.
Economic Development
Commission -- The Council passed two ordinances creating an Economic
Development Commission. Council member
O’Connell, the only dissenting vote, argued that the ordinances were
well-intentioned but were likely to simply be a cost to the city without
providing any real benefit.
Section 108 Loan to
Adrien’s Landing -- After a long discussion, the Council authorized City
Manager Kee Borges to submit a Section 108 loan application for $13 million for
site preparation of the Adrien’s Landing Site.
Councilman O’Connell expressed concern that the recipient of the loan,
Adrien’s Landing Holding Company, does not yet exist and amended the resolution
to ensure that the final agreement come back to Council for approval. Section 108 loans are loans which are secured
by future CDBG monies.
Hartford Parks Trust
Fund -- The Council voted on two ordinances which would appropriate funds
from the Parks Trust fund.
Action was postponed on appropriation of $825,000 for the
restoration of park ponds at Keney Park, Pope Park, Goodwin Park, and Elizabeth
Park. The funds will be used for
planning and to install filtering devices to improve water quality.
An appropriation of $300,000 for improvements to Batterson
Park was withdrawn. The money would
have been used to construct a new ticket booth, renovate the bath houses,
install a new play apparatus and grills, and purchase new sand for the beach.
Batterson Park --
The Council passed on consent, Councilman McGarry’s resolution to create a
committee to investigate improved uses and/or possible disposition of parcels
of Batterson Park. The committee will
include two council members, one assistant city manager, one representative
from the Department of Public Works, two members of the Park Commission, and
one city planner.
City Auction --
The Council passed a resolution to study the feasibility of holding an auction
of city properties. The resolution
argued that as many properties as possible should be returned to the grand-list
before the October 1 revaluation.
UDAG Funds for
Starrtel -- On the recommendation of Councilman Watkins, the Council passed
a resolution granting the Starrtel Cellular Group $500,000 in Urban Development
Action Grant Funds (UDAG). Starrtel is
a minority-owned company which is going to be an anchor tenant in the
Veeder-Root building.
Funds for SAMA --
The Council also passed a resolution authorizing the transfer of $40,000 to the
Spanish American Merchant Association.
The funds will be used for marketing training of merchants, developing a
strategic plan for street image of Park Street, and developing an advertising
campaign.
CDBG Funds -- On the recommendation of Councilwoman Airey-Wilson, the Council voted
to allocate $25,000 Community Development Block Grant Funds to Hartford
Blooms. The resolution argued that the
program creates nursery and landscaping jobs.
The present funds will be used in conjunction with the Wadsworth
Atheneum’s future exhibit of Monet paintings.
Safe Neighborhoods
Program -- The Council passed a resolution authorizing City Manager Kee
Borges to accept $443,000 from the state Safe Neighborhoods Program. Part of the money would be used to pay the
salary of 20 Hartford Police officers ($400,000); the remainder will fund crime
prevention activities carried out by Hartford Areas Rally Together. This is the sixth and final year of the
program.
New Sister City --
The Council passed a resolution naming the city of Cape Coast, Ghana as a
sister city to Hartford. Hartford has
eight other sister cities.
If you have any questions about the agenda, call the Council at 522‑4888 or Greg Vickers at CREN, 249‑1416. The Citizens' Research Education Network is a non‑profit information center for Hartford community‑based organizations.
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