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Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
There were 27 items on the original agenda. Six more items were submitted during the meeting. The next regular Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 13, 2008. The next public hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at 7 PM. (Both dates have been affected by holidays.)
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
Funds for Purchase of Pay and Display Parking Meters – The Council referred, to its Finance and Management Committee (meeting to be held at 5:30 on Thursday, February 14th in Council Chambers), a resolution approving the transfer of $3.3 million in surplus Church Street Garage capital funds for the purchase of 250 state-of-the-art Pay and Display multi-space parking meters. The new parking meters will accept credit cards as well as coins, and will replace existing aged and obsolete parking meters. (Item #2)
Implementation of Downtown North Marketing Project – The Council passed a resolution authorizing the Mayor to apply for and accept $75,000 in U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration Economic Adjustment Assistance grant funds to implement the Downtown North Marketing Project. Downtown North was identified in last year’s Hartford 2010 project as a key area to market nationally for development. In September 2007, the Urban Land Institute (ULI) was retained to study and make development recommendations for Downtown North. The Downtown North Marketing Project is a result of the Hartford 2010 and the ULI efforts. (Item #3)
Tax Fixing Agreement: The Council referred, to both its Finance & Management and Planning & Economic Development Committee (P&ED committee meets at 5:30 PM on Tuesday, February 5th; F&M meets at 5:30 on Thursday, February 14th - both in Council Chambers), a resolution authorizing a tax assessment fixing agreement with The Hartford Fire Insurance Company and International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). The Hartford plans to construct a 31,725 square foot addition to its headquarters on Farmington Avenue and renovate 106,500 square feet of existing space to house a new data center within which will be equipment owned by both The Hartford and IBM. The Hartford has requested a tax assessment fixing agreement on the property improvements and the information technology equipment. State Law allows the assessment to be increased gradually over 8 years, from 10% in 2008 to 100% in 2015. (Item #5)
Proposed Lease: The Council referred, to both its Finance & Management and Health & Human Services Committees (F&M meets at 5:30 on Thursday, February 14th; H&HS meets at 5:30 PM on Monday, February 4th – both in Council Chambers) a resolution authorizing the City to lease space at 2 Holcomb Street to the NAACP for three years beginning April 1, 2008 at a charge of $1.00 per month. A public hearing on this matter will be held on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at 7 PM. (Item #8)
Eminent Domain – The Council approved 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 Planning & Economic Development Committee recommended approval. Committee minutes indicate that the purchase agreement executed by the City and the owner in February of 2007 has expired. The matter was also referred to the Planning & Zoning Commission. A public hearing was held on this matter on January 22, 2008. 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 #10)
Valet Parking – The Council passed an ordinance that limits valet parking to the hours from 6 PM to 2 AM, requires permits for valet parking, requires off-street locations for the cars that are valet-parked, and imposes certain insurance and indemnification requirements. A public hearing on this ordinance was held on Monday, November 19, 2007. (Items #11 and 14)
Youth Advisory Council – The Council considered both a resolution and an ordinance to establish a Youth Advisory Council. The resolution was withdrawn and action on the ordinance was postponed. The ordinance proposes that the Council be composed of nine (9) residents who are full-time students at any school in Hartford and who are elected by their peers. The Council will advise and assist the Mayor and Council in programs that benefit youth and may undertake activities to encourage youth to be involved in the community. The Council will also keep track of conditions and needs of young people in the areas of employment, health, recreation, safety, and general welfare. A public hearing on the ordinance will be held on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at 7 PM. (Items #15 and 17)
Registration of Vacant Buildings – The Council referred, to its Planning & Economic Development Committee (meets at 5:30 PM Tuesday, February 5th in Council Chambers), a proposed ordinance amending the Municipal Code regarding the registration of vacant buildings and lots, registration standards, and reporting requirements. If approved, the proposed amendment would require that owners of vacant buildings or lots register their properties at the department of economic development and that, in the case of buildings or lots that are to remain vacant, the owner submit a plan for securing the building or lot. Owners of the properties would pay an annual fee of $99.00, and would incur a fine of $99.00 per day in the event of non-compliance. There will be a public hearing on this ordinance on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at 7 PM. (Item #16)
Old State House: The Council referred, to its Finance & Management Committee (F&M meets at 5:30 on Thursday, February 14th in Council Chambers) resolution that authorizes the City to terminate the lease with the Old State House Association for the Old State House (which is owned by the City) and enter into a lease with the State of Connecticut’s Joint Committee on Legislative Management. The lease will be for 99 years at a rent of $1.00 per year and JCLM will be responsible for all operations, maintenance and repairs, and capital improvements. A public hearing on this matter will be held on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at 7 PM. (Item #22)
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. |
