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Prepared by: Citizens’ Research Education Network,
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
There were 50 items on the regular agenda. The next Council meeting will be March
13. The next public hearing will be
Monday, March 20. Council member Marotta
was absent from the meeting.
Firearms Board of
Inquiry – The Council passed a
resolution directing City Manager Kee Borges in the creation of the new
Firearms Board of Inquiry. (The Board
determines whether a police officer’s discharge of a firearm conforms to the
Police Manual.)
The resolution outlines the duties of the “Special Master” and names the community representatives
to the Board members. The new Special
Master, Attorney Richard Beider, was given the power to issue subpoenas, rule
on the admissibility of evidence, and put witnesses under oath. The Special Master will have the
responsibility to oversee all aspects of the 1973 Consent Decree which resulted
from a civil action and sets standards for a range of police actions including
the use of firearms.
Well over a hundred community members attended the meeting
to show support for the resolution. Council members
Watkins, Caro, and Sanchez expressed support for the reforms involved but
questioned some the language of the resolution. The resolution garnered six votes for passage; Council members
Caro and Sanchez abstained.
Adriaen’s Landing – The Council passed a resolution outlining the city’s potential contribution
to Adriaen’s Landing. The resolution
authorizes City Manger Kee Borges to negotiate an agreement which would include
- The
donation of 6 parcels of land (96 and 102 Potter Street, 70 Commerce Street, 2A
Prospect Street, 41-65 Arch Street, and 69 Columbus Boulevard)
- An
$8 million loan to the project’s hotel through HUD’s section 108 loan program
- A
$2 million BEDI grant and $5 million loan through HUD’s Section 108 loan
program
- Delegation
of the city’s permitting and zoning authority to the state (to the extent
allowed by law)
- Discontinuance
and donation of Mechanic, Potter, and Commerce Streets.
Several Council members expressed concern that there were
not enough details known about the proposed project - but voted in favor to
express their support for the development. On the recommendation of Council member O’Connell, the Council removed
two planks which would have allowed the City Manger to negotiate tax breaks for
the developers of the project.
Banning of Firearm
Facsimiles -- On the recommendation of Council member Steve Harris, the
Council sent to public hearing on March 20 and to the Quality of Life Committee
an ordinance which would ban the sale of any replica or facsimile of a firearm
which could “reasonably be perceived to be a real firearm.”
Capewell Redevelopment – The Council passed a resolution authorizing the Hartford Redevelopment Agency
(HRA) to help finance the redevelopment of the old Capewell Manufacturing
site. The Hennessey Company has
requested the city authorize the sale of $15 million in bonds to help pay for
its renovations at the Capewell site. The renovations will include the
creation of 105 apartment units, an outdoor pool, a cabana, and a parking
garage. The city will not be responsible for the repayment of the bonds. The HRA is expected to vote on the bond
issuance at its March 9
Coltsville
Development – The Council passed a resolution approving a tax-abatement
agreement with Coltsville Heritage Park, Inc. The agreement forgives 70% of the real property taxes now due (upon
payment of the remaining 30%) and abates taxes on the property through
2004. The first two years of the
abatement is at 90% and thereafter drops 10% a year for the next three
years. Coltsville Heritage Park is
planning to implement environmental remediation and development of the
property.
Traffic Calming -- On the recommendation of Council member Veronica Airey-Wilson, the Council
consented a resolution which would explore reducing speeds in residential
neighborhoods. The resolution points
out that many community residents complain about the unsafe speeds at which
vehicles travel through their neighborhoods.
Suspending the
Suspense Calendar -- The Council voted to postpone action on a resolution
which would change the Council Rules which allow items to be added to the
Council’s agenda the day of the meeting. At present, the Council may “suspend” its rules and allow agenda items
to be added which were not submitted by the normal deadline for agenda items -
noon on the Wednesday prior to the Council meeting. The resolution under review would allow only items which need
immediate attention for preservation of the public peace, resident safety, or
fiscal stability of the city to be allowed to be added to the agenda on the day
of the meeting.
If you have any questions about the agenda Greg Vickers at CREN, 249‑1416. The Citizens' Research Education Network is a non‑profit information center for Hartford community‑based organizations. |
