Council Preview
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, January 26, 2009

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 next meeting will be Monday, February 9, 2009 at 7 PM and the next public hearing will be Monday, February 16, 2008 at 7 PM.

There are 33 items on the agenda. Below is detailed information about items of special interest to neighborhoods. Following those details is a listing of all agenda items, in layperson’s language. The complete official 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/Agendas/archive.htm

ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

New Agenda Items

The following items appear for the first time on the Council’s Agenda.

New Finance Director – The Council will vote on a resolution authorizing the appointment of Christopher J. Wolf as the Director of Finance for the City of Hartford with a four year term. Mr. Wolf is the co-founding partner of the former accounting firm of Scully & Wolf LLP. The firm served as the outside auditors for more than forty Connecticut municipalities including Hartford. Mr. Wolf has come out of retirement to accept the position. (Item #23)

Historic Preservation Commission – The Council will consider an amendment to the Historic Preservation Ordinance that will delete the requirement that the ordinance terminate three years after it takes effect. (Item #31)

Day Off Without Pay – The Council will vote on a resolution asking that the Mayor and his appointees volunteer to take a day off without pay in consideration of the difficult economic times and following the example of Governor Jodi Rell. (Item #33)

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.

Percent for the Arts – The Council will vote on a resolution that would establish a “Percent for the Arts” policy in the City of Hartford. The main feature of the policy would be that 1% of the cost of all above-ground capital improvement projects which exceed $1 million would be set aside to fund the creation and placement of public art. The Council’s Operations, Management & Budget Committee recommends approval. (Item #6)

Code of Ethics – The Council will consider amendments to the existing Code of Ethics ordinance. The amendments have to do with certain definitions, and with pension revocation in the event of convictions or pleas to criminal conduct, pension distribution pursuant to convictions or pleas to criminal conduct, and disclosure of financial records upon indictment or probable cause finding, arrest, or conviction of criminal conduct. A public hearing on this matter was held on Monday, November 17, 2008. The Council’s Legislative Affairs Committee discussed the item but did not make a recommendation. The Council previously postponed action on this item in order to consider certain legal issues. (Item #10)

Public Comment – The Council will consider a resolution amending the Council Rules to extend the period of public comment held prior to the first Council meeting of the month from a half hour to one hour (6:30 – 7:30 PM) and, if one hour is insufficient to accommodate all those who wish to speak, that additional public comment be heard following the conclusion of the Council meeting. (Item #12)

Hold on CIP Projects – The Council will consider a resolution that directs the Mayor to implement an immediate hold on all Capital Improvement Projects that may result in an increase in the City’s debt. This resolution was part of a series of ten resolutions addressing budget matters submitted in November 2008. Council has postponed action on this resolution previously. (Item #13)

Subpoena Power– Council will consider a resolution that grants subpoena power to the Chair of the Operations, Management & Budget Committee to request financial information and to have access to all documents acquired from the City from external agencies and/or governmental branches by way of subpoena. This resolution was part of a series of ten resolutions addressing budget matters submitted in November 2008. Council has postponed action on this resolution previously. (Item #14)

Ad Hoc Committee – The Council will consider a resolution stating that the City Council will appoint a three person ad-hoc committee composed of members of Council to work with the Mayor and the Unions to look for ways that Unions can assist the City in resolving the deficit and stabilizing its finances. This resolution was part of a series of ten resolutions addressing budget matters submitted in November 2008. Council has postponed action on this resolution previously. (Item #15)

Reduction in Salary for Highly Paid Managers – The Council will consider a resolution that City managers and executives with salaries above $80,000 accept progressively scaled salary reductions. The resolution states that City workers have been suffering losses of jobs and benefits and that, under these conditions, pay raises for government officials and highly-paid managers are not appropriate. The Operations, Management & Budget Committee recommended that this item be postponed. (Item #17)

Downtown West Section II Redevelopment Plan – The Council will vote on a resolution approving a Redevelopment Plan for Downtown West Section II (Union Station – Walnut Street Project). The project includes 13 properties on Walnut, Edwards, Spring and Myrtle Streets and Huntley Place and includes the vacant Capitol West office building. The plan calls for transit-oriented mixed use development that is supportive of the new commuter bus and rail service to be centered at Union Station and serves nearby insurance companies and neighborhood residents. The Planning & Economic Development Committee recommended approval. The Council previously postponed action. (Item #18)

Downtown North Redevelopment Plan – The Council will vote on a resolution approving a Redevelopment Plan for the Downtown North Project which consists of 81 properties north of downtown, north of I-84 and east of Main Street and west of the River. There are five sub-areas in the plan, each with its own vision, including historic preservation, mixed use development, commercial and research facilities, and the Capitol Preparatory Magnet School. The Planning & Economic Development Committee recommended approval pending comment from the Clay Arsenal NRZ and the Council previously postponed action. (Item #19)

Constitution Plaza East Redevelopment Plan – The Council will act on a resolution approving a Redevelopment Plan for Constitution Plaza East which includes the vacant hotel building and former Channel 3 building. The plan calls for demolition of the two existing buildings and construction of a mixed use development with office space, residential units and retail all located within high rise buildings. The Planning & Economic Development Committee recommended approval. The Council previously postponed action. (Item #20)

Equestrian and Exhibition Center in Keney Park - The Council will consider a resolution that would approve the selection of Ebony Horsewomen Inc. as the tentative developer for the purpose of identifying funding for the Connecticut Equestrian and Exhibition Center in Keney Park. A 200-acre section of the park has been identified for lease and an updated feasibility study has been completed that supports the need and economic opportunity for such a facility. The Council referred the item to its Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee and agreed that, following review by the PW,P&E Committee, the matter would be discussed by the Planning & Economic Development Committee. (Item # 21)

LIST OF ALL AGENDA ITEMS

Item #

1. Contract. Authorization to renew the City’s contract with Nancy Mulroy for media and communications services for the Police Department at a 16% reduction in fee.
2. Tax Credit. Report from OMB recommending approval of ordinance establishing a $500 property tax credit for the surviving spouses of police officers and firefighters who die in the line of duty. (also see #22)
3. Fee Waivers. Approval to waive all building and trade permit fees for the construction of the Public Safety Complex.
4. Bond Funds. Approval to transfer $15.3 million in funds generated through the sale of bonds from the Public Safety Complex to other capital projects (not specified).
5. Registrars of Voters. Authorization to set the salaries of Registrars and Deputy Registrars of Voters at $80,000 and $40,000 respectively.
6. Percent for Art. Establishment of a policy to generate funding for placement of art in the city.
7. Tax Credit. Request to State delegation for legislation that would allow the City to provide a property tax credit to spouses of Public Works and Health & Human Services employees who were killed in the course of their duties.
8. Procurement. Report from Labor and Workforce Development Committee postponing action on proposed changes to the City’s procurement system, including affirmative action. (also see #9 and 29)
9. Procurement. Ordinance amending the City’s procurement regulations, including affirmative action. (also see #8 and 29)
10. Code of Ethics. Amendments to the City’s Code of Ethics that expand definitions and provide for revocation of pensions of City officials or employees and reimbursement of monies spent by the City to pursue legal cases leading to convictions.
11. Council Rules. Proposed changes to the Council Rules that 1) would allow suspension of Council rules by a majority vote rather than unanimous consent, 2) would forbid the use of “placeholders” on the agenda, 3) add a requirement that the Council President must approve the placement of any item on the agenda that was submitted after the Agenda Deadline, and 4) require ordinances to be reviewed by Corporation Counsel prior to submission to Council.
12. Public Comment at Council Meeting. Change to the Council Rules to schedule a public comment period from 6:30 to 7:30 PM before the first Council meeting of each month and additional time at the end of the Council meeting as needed to hear all public comment.
13. Capital Projects. Resolution requiring a hold on all Capital Improvement Projects that would increase the City’s debt.
14. Subpoena Power. Resolution granting subpoena power to the Chair of the Council’s Operations, Management & Budget Committee to request any and all financial information and to have access to other documents.
15. Ad-Hoc Committee. Appointment of a 3-person committee of councilmembers to work with the Mayor and City unions to seek ways to reduce the City’s deficit and stabilize its finances.
16. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for a religious procession held on December 14, 2008 by St. Peter’s Church.
17. Reduction in Salary. Resolution calling for City managers and executives with salaries above $80,000 to accept reductions in their pay.
18. Downtown West Redevelopment Plan. Establishment of a Redevelopment Plan for Downtown West Section II (Union Station-Walnut Street Project), including the Capitol West building.
19. Downtown North Redevelopment Plan. Establishment of a Redevelopment Plan for the Downtown North Project.
20. Constitution Plaza East Redevelopment Plan. Establishment of a Redevelopment Plan for land including the vacant hotel and former Channel 3 building on Constitution Plaza.
21. Keney Park Equestrian Center. Designation of the Ebony Horsewomen, Inc. as tentative developer of the CT Equestrian and Exhibit in Center in Keney Park.
22. Tax Credit. Ordinance establishing a $500 property tax credit for the surviving spouses of police officers and firefighters who die in the line of duty. (also see #2)
23. Finance Director. Confirmation of appointment of Christopher J. Wolf, CPA as Finance Director.
24. Appointments. Appointment of Maria M. Martinez and Lucie Rivera to the Human Resources Appeals Board.
25. Appointments. Appointment of Robert Luckritz and Meghan E. Freed to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
26. Appointments. Appointment of Rhonda Woods, Carol L. Smith-Jestin, and Talia R. Orr to the Fair Rent Commission.
27. Reappointment. Reappointment of Thomas E. Swarr to the Advisory Commission on the Environment.
28. Homeless Shelter. Contribution of $1,000 and commitment to raise $31,500 for overflow shelter at Marshall House.
29. Procurement. Proposed changes to the City’s procurement system, including affirmative action. (also see 8 and 9)
30. Parking Violations. Ordinance changing the penalties for parking violations and adding violations.
31. Historic Preservation Commission. Deletion of a requirement that the historic preservation ordinance terminate three years after it takes effect.
32. Fees. Ordinance increasing fees for City services. (no details given)
33. Day Without Pay. Resolution asking the Mayor and his appointees to volunteer to take a day off without pay.

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, 547-1663 X21. The Council Preview/Review is a joint project of Hartford 2000 and the Hartford Public Library.