Council Review
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, February 9, 2009

Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

There were 50 items on the original agenda. One additional item was submitted during the meeting. The next regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, February 23, 2009 at 7 P.M. in the Council Chambers in Hartford City Hall. The next public hearing will be Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 7 PM.

This Review consists of two sections: Items of Special Interest and Action on All Agenda Items. The City's official listing of 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

ACTION ON ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

Tax Relief for the Elderly – The Council approved an ordinance amendment that increases 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 #30)

Day Off Without Pay – The Council postponed action 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 #13)

Code of Ethics – The Council postponed 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 passed a resolution that directs the Mayor to implement an immediate hold on all Capital Improvement Projects. (Item #21)

Subpoena Power – Council passed a resolution that grants subpoena power to the Council's Committee of the Whole and/or its special legal counsel 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. (Item #22)

Ad Hoc Committee – The Council postponed action on 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 postponed action on 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)

Attorney for City Council – The Council referred, to its Legislative Affairs Committee, 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. A public hearing on this matter will be held on February 17, 2009. (Item #37)

Campaign Finance Reform – The Council referred, to its Legislative Affairs Committee, a proposed ordinance that, if approved, will prohibit political contributions to candidates for Hartford municipal office from contractors, prospective contractors, or principals of contractors. A public hearing on this matter will be held on February 17, 2009. (Item #39)

Refuse Collector Permitting – The Council referred, to its Health & Human Services Committee, 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. A public hearing on this matter will be held on February 17, 2009. (Item #42)

Refugee Resettlement in Hartford – The Council referred, to its Health & Human Services Committee, 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)

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. Passed
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. Passed
3. Food Establishments. Proposed changes to the regulation and inspection of food establishments and increase in licensing fees. Received
4. ZBA Appointment. Reconsideration of appointment of Robert Luckritz to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Withdrawn
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. Received
6. Fee Waivers. Approval to waive all building and trade permit fees for the construction of the Public Safety Complex. (also see #25) Received
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) Received
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) Received
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) Received
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) Received
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) Received
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) Received
13. Day Without Pay. Resolution asking the Mayor and his appointees to volunteer to take a day off without pay. Postponed
14. Appointment. Appointment to the Metropolitan District Commission of Anwar Al-Ghani. Legislative Affairs Committee recommended Al-Ghani as one of three candidates for one open seat. Failed
15. Appointments. Appointment of Inez Pegeas, Ronald Armstrong, and J. Stan McCauley to the Metropolitan District Commission for six-year terms. Legislative Affairs Committee recommended Armstrong as one of three candidates for one open seat. Resolution amended to appoint Armstrong. Failed
16. Appointment. Appointment of Jeanne C. Webb to the Metropolitan District Commission for a six-year term. Legislative Affairs Committee recommended Webb as one of three candidates for one open seat. Failed
17. City Audit. Submission of City's audited financial statements for year ending June 30, 2008 (on file in Town Clerk's Office). Received
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. Postponed
19. Freedom of Information Advisory Board. Amendment of recently passed ordinance establishing the Advisory Board. Passed
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. Resolution amended to delete all proposed changes except for one that states that ordinances should be submitted for form and legality review and approval to Corporation Counsel prior to submission to Council. Amended resolution passed.
21. Capital Projects. Resolution requiring a hold on all Capital Improvement Projects that would increase the City's debt. Passed
22. Subpoena Power. Resolution granting subpoena power to the Council's Committee of the Whole and/or their special legal counsel to request any and all financial information and to have access to other documents. Passed
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. Postponed
24. Reduction in Salary. Resolution calling for City managers and executives with salaries above $80,000 to accept reductions in their pay. Postponed
25. Fee Waivers. Resolution to waive all building and trade permit fees for the construction of the Public Safety Complex. (also see #6) Passed
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) Postponed
27. Annie Fisher School. Authorization to increase the appropriation of bond funds by $ 7 million for Annie Fisher School. (also see #8) Passed
28. Breakthrough Magnet School. Ordinance increasing the appropriation and bonding of funds for Breakthrough Magnet School by $1 million. (also see #9) Postponed
29. Classical Magnet School. Ordinance increasing the appropriation and bonding of funds for Classical Magnet School by $1.5 million. (also see #10) Postponed
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) Passed
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) Passed
32. Food Establishments. Proposed changes to the regulation and inspection of food establishments and increase in licensing fees. (also see #41) Passed
33. Atlantic Street. Discontinuance of Atlantic Street and inclusion in the site of the Public Safety Complex. Passed
34. Homeless Shelter. Contribution of an additional $30,500 for overflow shelter at Marshall House. Passed
35. Lozada Park. Appropriation of $350,000 in State funds for improvements to Lozada Park. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee and Public Hearing
36. Lozada Park Playground. Appropriation of $40,000 from Boundless Playgrounds, Inc. for construction of barrier-free playground in Lozada Park. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee and Public Hearing
37. Council Attorney. Authorization to hire a lawyer to advise the Court of common Council on City matters. Referred to Legislative Affairs Committee and Public Hearing
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.) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee and Public Hearing
39. Campaign Finance Reform. Prohibition of contributions by contractors to candidates for City elected offices. Referred to Legislative Affairs Committee and Public Hearing
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. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee and Public Hearing
41. Food Service Licenses. Changes to requirements and fees for food vendors, caterers, establishments, and other food operations. (also see #32) Referred to Health & Human Services Committee and Public Hearing
42. Refuse Collector License. Establishment of a registration and permitting process and a fee schedule for refuse collectors operating within the city of Hartford. Referred to Health & Human Services Committee and Public Hearing
43. Pool and Tattoo Licenses. Changes in the licensing fees for public swimming pools, whirlpools, tattoos, and body piercing. Referred to Health & Human Services Committee and Public Hearing
44. Certificate of Occupancy. Approval of a $25 fee for a Certificate of Occupancy for apartments in buildings of three or more units. Referred to Housing Committee and Public Hearing
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. Referred to Health & Human Services Committee and Public Hearing
46. Campaign Finance Reform. Prohibition of contributions by contractors to candidates for City elected offices. (same as #39) Withdrawn
47. Appointment. Appointment of Robert Painter as an ad hoc member of the board of Connecticut Resource Recovery Authority. Postponed
48. Refugee Resettlement. Acceptance of a report of a Task Force on Refugee Resettlement in Hartford. Referred to Health & Human Services Committee
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. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
50. Censure. "That Court of Common Council re-assert government of laws and censure officials' stated refusal to accept rulings according to City Charter." Referred to Legislative Affairs Committee
51. Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Authorization to accept $2.7 million in HUD funds from the State of Connecticut to address abandoned and foreclosed properties. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee

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.