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Prepared by: Citizens’ Research Education Network,
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
There are 42 items on the agenda. The Council meeting will begin at 7 PM at Hartford City Hall in Council Chambers. It will be preceded by an open agenda public that will begin at 6:30 PM The next Council meeting will be Monday, March 22, 2004 at 7 PM
Proposed Changes to Property Tax Structure: The Council will vote on a resolution pertaining to the recommendations made by the Mayor and the Property Tax Task Force. The resolution calls for City Council to endorse a homestead exemption for Hartford taxpayers. This change, and others suggested in the Tax Task Force report, would require legislative changes at the state level.
According to the report of the Property Tax Task Force, if there are no changes made in Hartford's method of taxing, taxes could go up by 70% this summer for homeowners. The Finance and Revenue Committee discussed the proposal and is not making a recommendation at this time. (Item #33)
CDBG Funds for 2003-2004: The City Council will vote on a resolution authorizing the programming of $9,483,282 funds from various programs. The money represents the City's annual allotment of federal funds for local programs. The funds include:
Program Year 30 Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), $6,172,000,
Home Investment Partnership (HOME) $2,111,859,
Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) $1,023,000, and
Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) $176,423.
“Friends of” Parks Contract Monitoring: The Council will vote on a resolution that calls for the Public Works, Parks, and Environment Committee to hold hearings on how to best monitor and audit contractual relationships between Friends of the Various parks and vendors who sell food in the parks. The previous Council had assigned this task to the Health and Human Services Committee. Under the resolution the committee would have 60 days to report back to the Council. (Item #37)
Coltsville Heritage Park: The Council will vote on a resolution authorizing the Mayor to submit a proposal and grant application to the federal Economic Development Administration to fund renovation and related infrastructure costs and enter into agreement to administer funds associated with Coltsville Heritage Park. Up to $2 million will be requested. The grant requires a 20-25% local match, which will be covered by private and other sources. (Item #4)
Human Capitol Development Agenda: The Council will receive a report from the Health and Human Services Committee detailing discussions on the establishment of a human capitol development agenda. The purpose of the agenda is to identify gaps in services and to identify resources available from local, state, and federal sources. Among the areas of need identified were reintroduction of those formerly incarcerated, employment barriers, resources for grandparents, and a variety of health issues. The discussion will be continued by subgroups focusing on specific issues. (Item #6)
Improvements to School Buildings: The Council will vote on an ordinance concerning an appropriation of $2,111,739 in the Capital Improvement Fund for general improvements to the following school buildings: Hartford Transitional Learning Academy, Bulkeley High School, and Martin Luther King School. The funds are from the State of Connecticut Department of Education and the work must be completed and paid for by October 31, 2005. Local matching funds are not required. (Items #10 & 21)
Coordination of Park Street Streetscape Project: The Council will vote on a resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Spanish American Merchants Association (SAMA) to provide coordination of construction activities and associated interruption of business activities during the Park Street Streetscape Project for a fixed fee of $150,000. The total cost of the project will be $5,900,400. (Item #32)
If you have any questions about the agenda call Greg Vickers at CREN, 509-3701 or Richard Frieder at the Hartford Public Library, 695-6365. The Council Preview is a joint project of the Citizens' Research Education Network and the Hartford Public Library.
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