Council Preview
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, February 9, 2009

Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

The Council meeting will begin at 7:30 P.M. at Hartford City Hall in Council Chambers. The meeting will be preceded, at 6:00 PM, by an open agenda public hearing. The next public hearing will be Monday, February 16, 2009 at 7 PM.

There are 50 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.

Attorney for City Council – The Council will vote on a proposed ordinance that, if approved, will result in the appropriation of $75,000 to hire an attorney to advise members of the City Council on City matters when requested. The ordinance stipulates that a request for outside counsel can only be made after a request has been made to the Corporation Counsel that the Corporation Counsel has refused to answer, failed to answer, or the answer is unsatisfactory in the opinion of any member of Council. (Item #37)

Campaign Finance Reform – The Council will vote on a proposed ordinance that, if approved, will prohibit political contributions to candidates for Hartford municipal office from contractors, prospective contractors, or principals of contractors. (Item #39)

Refuse Collector Permitting – The Council will consider an ordinance establishing a registration and permitting process for any company or individual that collects, transports, or disposes of waste of any kind within the city of Hartford. Permits will be required for each vehicle and each permanent container. The proposed ordinance also regulates the type of vehicles and containers that will be allowed in the city. The ordinance also establishes fees for city residents and businesses to use the new Transfer Center. (Item #42)

Refugee Resettlement in Hartford – The Council will vote on a resolution accepting the report and recommendations of the Task Force on Refugee Resettlement in Hartford. The recommendations include: Empower the State Refugee Coordinator's office; utilize an existing forum to coordinate services to refugees; formalize case management between providers; evaluate, expand, and diversify programs and funding sources for refugee services; require resettlement agencies to report to the City at least biannually; continue the Hartford Refugee Resettlement Joint Committee (HRRJC). (Item #48)

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.

Tax Relief for the Elderly – The Council will consider a proposed ordinance amendment that, if approved, would increase income limits to qualify for tax relief for the elderly (65 or older). Person's qualifying income individually, if unmarried, during the calendar year preceding the claim for tax relief, shall not exceed $34,200 or jointly, if married, not to exceed $39,300. Applicants must also be an owner/occupant of a 1, 2, or 3 family residence. A public hearing was held on this item on January 20, 2009. (Item # 11 and #43)

Day Off Without Pay – The Council will consider 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 #13)

Code of Ethics – The Council will take action on 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 #18)

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 #21)

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 #22)

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 #23)

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 Council has previously postponed action on this item. (Item #24)

LIST OF ALL AGENDA ITEMS

Item #

1. Health Grant. Approval to apply for and accept $147,720 in grant funds from the State Department of Public Health for City health services.
2. Elementary Basketball. Approval to grant $13,000 to the Hartford Elementary Basketball League for basketball and cheerleading after-school programs for elementary school children.
3. Food Establishments. Proposed changes to the regulation and inspection of food establishments and increase in licensing fees.
4. ZBA Appointment. Reconsideration of appointment of Robert Luckritz to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
5. 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.
6. Fee Waivers. Approval to waive all building and trade permit fees for the construction of the Public Safety Complex. (also see #25)
7. Hartford Public High School. Authorization to appropriate $106.5 million and issue $105 million in bonds for renovation of Hartford Public High School. Report by OMB Committee. (also see #26)
8. Annie Fisher School. Authorization to increase appropriation of bond funds for Annie Fisher School by $7 million. Report by OMB Committee. (also see #27)
9. Breakthrough Magnet School. Ordinance increasing the appropriation and bonding of funds for Breakthrough Magnet School by $1 million. Report by OMB Committee. (also see #28)
10. Classical Magnet School. Ordinance increasing the appropriation and bonding of funds for Classical Magnet School by $1.5 million. Report by OMB Committee. (also see #29).
11. Elderly Tax Relief. Committee report on proposed ordinance increasing the eligibility income limits from $38,500 to $39,300 for a married couple and from $33,400 to $34,200 for an unmarried person. (also see #30)
12. Noise. Committee report on proposed change to the Noise Ordinance to allow construction noise at any time, rather than only between 6 AM and 7 PM. (also see #31)
13. Day Without Pay. Resolution asking the Mayor and his appointees to volunteer to take a day off without pay.
14. Appointment. Appointment to the Metropolitan District Commission of Anwar Al-Ghani. Legislative Affairs Committee recommends Al-Ghani as one of three candidates for one open seat.
15. Appointments. Appointment of Inez Pegeas, Ronald Armstrong, and J. Stan McCauley to the Metropolitan District Commission for six-year terms. Legislative Affairs Committee recommends Armstrong as one of three candidates for one open seat.
16. Appointment. Appointment of Jeanne C. Webb to the Metropolitan District Commission for a six-year term. Legislative Affairs Committee recommends Webb as one of three candidates for one open seat.
17. City Audit. Submission of City's audited financial statements for year ending June 30, 2008 (on file in Town Clerk's Office).
18. 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.
19. Freedom of Information Advisory Board. Amendment of recently passed ordinance establishing the Advisory Board.
20. 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, and 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.
21. Capital Projects. Resolution requiring a hold on all Capital Improvement Projects that would increase the City's debt.
22. 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.
23. Ad-Hoc Committee. Appointment of a 3-person committee of council members to work with the Mayor and City unions to seek ways to reduce the City's deficit and stabilize its finances.
24. Reduction in Salary. Resolution calling for City managers and executives with salaries above $80,000 to accept reductions in their pay.
25. Fee Waivers. Preliminary OMB report on proposal to waive all building and trade permit fees for the construction of the Public Safety Complex. (also see #6)
26. Hartford Public High School. Authorization to appropriate $106.5 million and issue $105 million in bonds for renovation of Hartford Public High School. (also see #7)
27. Annie Fisher School. Authorization to increase the appropriation of bond funds by $ 7 million for Annie Fisher School. (also see #8)
28. Breakthrough Magnet School. Ordinance increasing the appropriation and bonding of funds for Breakthrough Magnet School by $1 million. (also see #9)
29. Classical Magnet School. Ordinance increasing the appropriation and bonding of funds for Classical Magnet School by $1.5 million. (also see #10).
30. Elderly Tax Relief. Authorization to increase the eligibility income limits from $38,500 to $39,300 for a married couple and from $33,400 to $34,200 for an unmarried person. (also see #11)
31. Noise. Proposed change to the Noise Ordinance to allow construction noise at any time, rather than only between 6 AM and 7 PM. (also see #12)
32. Food Establishments. Proposed changes to the regulation and inspection of food establishments and increase in licensing fees. (also see #41)
33. Atlantic Street. Discontinuance of Atlantic Street and inclusion in the site of the Public Safety Complex.
34. Homeless Shelter. Contribution of $1,000 and commitment to raise $31,500 for overflow shelter at Marshall House.
35. Lozada Park. Appropriation of $350,000 in State funds for improvements to Lozada Park.
36. Lozada Park Playground. Appropriation of $40,000 from Boundless Playgrounds, Inc. for construction of barrier-free playground in Lozada Park.
37. Council Attorney. Authorization to hire a lawyer to advise the Court of common Council on City matters.
38. Certificate of Approval. Establishment of a fee of $25 for a certificate of approval. Section 9-15(d) of Municipal Code. (Author's note: Unable to determine what is being approved.)
39. Campaign Finance Reform. Prohibition of contributions by contractors to candidates for City elected offices.
40. Place of Assembly License. Authorization to raise the cost of a license to operate a place of assembly from $50 per year to $100 per year.
41. Food Service Licenses. Changes to requirements and fees for food vendors, caterers, establishments, and other food operations. (also see #32)
42. Refuse Collector License. Establishment of a registration and permitting process and a fee schedule for refuse collectors operating within the city of Hartford.
43. Pool and Tattoo Licenses. Changes in the licensing fees for public swimming pools, whirlpools, tattoos, and body piercing.
44. Certificate of Occupancy. Approval of a $25 fee for a Certificate of Occupancy for apartments in buildings of three or more units.
45. Parks & Recreation Fees. Authorization to raise fees for lawn bowling in Elizabeth Park from $40 to $100 per season and to increase the amounts of various fees for the use of Dillon Stadium.
46. Campaign Finance Reform. Prohibition of contributions by contractors to candidates for City elected offices. (same as #39)
47. Appointment. Appointment of Robert Painter as an ad hoc member of the board of Connecticut Resource Recovery Authority.
48. Refugee Resettlement. Acceptance of a report of a Task Force on Refugee Resettlement in Hartford.
49. Collection Contracts. Request for a report on fees paid to and profits made by agencies under contract with the City to collect overdue taxes.
50. Censure. "That Court of Common Council re-assert government of laws and censure officials' stated refusal to accept rulings according to City Charter."

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.