Council Preview
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, March 9, 2009

Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

The Council meeting will begin at 7 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, March 16, 2009 at 7 PM.

There are 43 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.

Hartford Jobs for Hartford Residents – The Council will vote on a resolution calling upon the City administration to work with State legislators representing Hartford to create and improve legislation that will eliminate barriers which preventing the maximum utilization of Hartford residents on Hartford projects. The resolution also states that it is imperative that Federal stimulus money coming to Hartford result in jobs for residents. (Item #34)

Moratorium on Mortgage Foreclosures – The Council will vote on a resolution calling for City support for proposed State Bill No. 6144, introduced by State Representative Kenneth Green, requesting that the State establish a moratorium on mortgage foreclosures in the City of Hartford. (Item #35)

Process for Appointment to Boards and Commissions – The Council will vote on a resolution that proposes an amendment to Paragraph four, Section XI of the Council Rules, regarding the process for appointments to Boards and Commissions. The amendment states, in part, that “…when a nominee has been chosen by the Mayor…and…has been presented to the Council for its consideration, the nominee’s name will be presented to the Court of Common Council, which shall refer the nominee to the appropriate Council committee for consideration. The nominee will be interviewed according to the rules of that committee and a vote taken by the committee either recommending or not recommending the nominee. The nominee shall then be presented for confirmation or non-confirmation at the next meeting of the Court of Common Council.” (Item #43)

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.

Golf Courses in Goodwin Park and Keney Park – The Council will consider a resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into and execute a lease with MDM Golf, LLC, to manage Goodwin Park and Keney Park Golf Courses for five years with two renewal options of five years each at the mutual consent of the City and MDM. The rent to be paid by MDM to the City for the first five year term will be $100,000, rising to $125,000 for the second term and $150,000 for the third term if the lease is renewed. A public hearing on this matter will be held on March 16. (Item #1)

Equestrian and Exhibition Center in Keney Park – The Council will consider a resolution that would name Ebony Horsewomen Inc. as the tentative developer for the purpose of identifying funding for the Connecticut Equestrian and Exhibition Center in Keney Park. A 200-acre section of the park has been identified for lease and an updated feasibility study has been completed that supports the need and economic opportunity for such a facility. The item has been considered by two Council Committees. The Public Works, parks & Environment Committee voted to recommend disapproval and the Planning & Economic Development Committee postponed action. (Item #3 & 9)

Code of Ethics – The Council will consider 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 has postponed action on this item several times. (Item #12)

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 City 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 several times. (Item #13)

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 postponed action on this item several times. (Item #14)

Attorney for City Council – The Council will consider 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 was held on February 17, 2009. (Item #22)

Campaign Finance Reform – The Council will consider 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 was held on February 17, 2009. (Item #24)

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. A public hearing on this matter was held on February 17, 2009. (Item #27)

Approval of Nominations for Boards, Committees, and Commissions – The Council will consider a proposed amendment to an ordinance in the Municipal Code that, if approved, will require that all nominations made by the Mayor to various boards, committees, and commissions shall be referred to a relevant committee of the City Council before the City Council may vote in favor of or against a nomination. The boards, committees, and commissions to be included are: Board of Assessment Appeals, Board of Education, Committee on Abatement of Taxes and Assessments, Economic Development Commission, Ethics Commission, Hartford Housing Authority, Hartford Public Library, Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, Pension Commission, and the Zoning Board of Appeals. A public hearing will be held on March 16. (Item #31)

LIST OF ALL AGENDA ITEMS

Item #

1. Golf Course Management. Authority to enter into a five-year lease with MDM Gold, LLC for management of Keney and Goodwin Golf Courses. Hearing on March 16.
2. Education Committee. Report from the Council’s Education Committee on a March 18th meeting to discuss State funding and advocacy and legislative priorities.
3. Equestrian Center. Report from PED Committee postponing action on lease of a portion of Keney Park to the Ebony Horsewomen for construction of an equestrian and exhibition center. (also see #9)
4. Place of Assembly License. Committee report supporting authorization to raise the cost of a license to operate a place of assembly from $50 per year to $100 per year. (also see #25)
5. Lozada Park Playground. Committee report supporting appropriation of $40,000 from Boundless Playgrounds, Inc. for construction of barrier-free playground in Lozada Park. (also see #21)
6. Lozada Park. Committee report supporting appropriation of $350,000 in State funds for improvements to Lozada Park. (also see #20)
7. Certificate of Occupancy. Committee report supporting approval of an increase from $10 to $25 fee for a Certificate of Apartment Occupancy for apartments in buildings of three or more units. (also see #29)
8. Friends of Parks Groups. Committee report supporting standardized license agreements with Friends of Parks groups that maintain or otherwise take responsibility for certain parks and/or parks programs, subject to approval of such agreements by Council.
9. Equestrian Center. Report from PW, P&E Committee recommending disapproval of a proposal to lease of a portion of Keney Park to the Ebony Horsewomen for construction of an equestrian and exhibition center. (also see #3)
10. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver by the Central Connecticut Celtic Cultural Committee for the 38th Annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Hartford on March 14, 2009.
11. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver and street closures for the “Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Connecticut” to be held on June 5 and 6, 2009 in Bushnell Park.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. Reduction in Salary. Resolution calling for City managers and executives with salaries above $80,000 to accept reductions in their pay.
15. Hartford Public High School. Authorization to appropriate $106.5 million and issue $105 million in bonds for renovation of Hartford Public High School.
16. Breakthrough Magnet School. Ordinance increasing the appropriation and bonding of funds for Breakthrough Magnet School by $1 million.
17. Classical Magnet School. Ordinance increasing the appropriation and bonding of funds for Classical Magnet School by $1.5 million.
18. Procurement. Proposed changes to the City’s procurement system, including affirmative action.
19. Day Without Pay. Resolution asking the Mayor and his appointees to volunteer to take a day off without pay.
20. Lozada Park. Appropriation of $350,000 in State funds for improvements to Lozada Park. (also see #6)
21. Lozada Park Playground. Appropriation of $40,000 from Boundless Playgrounds, Inc. for construction of barrier-free playground in Lozada Park. (also see #5)
22. Council Attorney. Authorization to hire a lawyer to advise the Court of common Council on City matters.
23. Certificate of Approval. Establishment of a fee of $25 for a certificate of approval. Section 9-15(d) of Municipal Code.
24. Campaign Finance Reform. Prohibition of contributions by contractors to candidates for City elected offices.
25. 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. (also see #4)
26. Food Service Licenses. Changes to requirements and fees for food vendors, caterers, establishments, and other food operations.
27. Refuse Collector License. Establishment of a registration and permitting process and a fee schedule for refuse collectors operating within the city of Hartford.
28. Pool and Tattoo Licenses. Changes in the licensing fees for public swimming pools, whirlpools, tattoos, and body piercing.
29. Certificate of Occupancy. Committee report supporting approval of an increase from $10 to $25 fee for a Certificate of Apartment Occupancy for apartments in buildings of three or more units. (also see #7)
30. 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.
31. Appointments. Ordinance requiring that all nominations made by the Mayor for seats on ten listed boards, commissions, and committees be referred to Council Committee before the Council votes on the nominations.
32. Percent for Art. Ordinance requiring that 1% of the cost of above-ground capital improvements which cost more than $1.0 million be set aside for public art that enhances the project.
33. Appointments. Appointment of two John Does to the Freedom of Information Advisory Board. (Author’s note: I don’t know what this means.)
34. American Stimulus Package. Resolution requiring that the Council work with the City’s state delegation on legislation that will eliminate barriers to Hartford residents getting jobs on projects that are funded with Stimulus funds.
35. Foreclosures. Resolution in support of House Bill 6144 that would require the State to establish a moratorium on mortgage foreclosures in Hartford.
36. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver and street closures for the March of Dimes “March for Babies” on April 26, 2009 in downtown Hartford and Bushnell Park.
37. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver and lane closures for Our Lady of Sorrows Procession on April 10, 2009 in Parkville.
38. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver and street closures for a motorcycle ride through Hartford on April 26, 2009 for the benefit of the CT Childrens Medical Center.
39. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for the Interfaith Fellowship for Universal Health Care Voices of Healing March on March 5, 2009 in Frog Hollow.
40. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver and street closures for the Brazilian Day Parade and Festival, sponsored by the Brazilian Cultural Center on September 12, 2009 in Parkville.
41. Fee Waiver. Request for fee waiver for outdoor services to be held by the Greater Hartford Church of Christ on June 14, July 12, and August 9, 2009 in Elizabeth Park.
42. Pharmacy Benefits. Resolution that the City will update management of its prescription drug program for employees and retirees to reduce costs and increase employee satisfaction.
43. Appointments. Resolution to amend Council rules to require that Mayoral appointments to boards and commissions be referred to Committee for interview and recommendation before being presented to Council for confirmation.

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.