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Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
There were 44 items on the original agenda. Two more items were submitted during the meeting. The next regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, March 26, 2007 at 7 P.M. in the Council Chambers in Hartford City Hall. The next public hearing will be Monday, March 19, 2007.
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
State of the City Address – The Mayor delivered his State of the City report as required by the City Charter. (Item #1)
Eminent Domain for Public Safety Complex: The Council considered five items concerning the acquisition of three parcels of land, in the vicinity of the old Hartford Board of Education building, for the purpose of developing a new Public Safety Complex. The Council adopted three proposed ordinances authorizing the City to exercise its eminent domain powers to acquire the properties located at 26 and 31 Atlantic Avenue and 223 High Street, if the owners and the City are not able to agree on a purchase price. The Council referred, to its Planning & Economic Development Committee and the Planning & Zoning Commission, a proposed ordinance and a resolution authorizing the purchase of 223 High Street. The agenda item indicates that the owner and the City have reached agreement on a purchase price of $400,000. That ordinance will be set for a public hearing on March 19, 2007. (Items #8, 9, 10, 30, and 31)
Parking Lot at 1214 Main Street – The Council tabled action on a resolution authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hartford Parking Authority (HPA) for operation of the parking lot at 1214 Main Street. HPA proposed that the City invest $350,000 in improvements to the 225-space lot. HPA estimates that the lot will generate $150,000 per year in revenue and that the expenses of operating the lot will be approximately $115,000 annually. The net profit of $35,000 would be used to offset the City’s capital investment. The Council’s Planning and Economic Development Committee submitted a report indicating that the Committee was concerned about making substantial improvements to a parcel that is being actively marketed for development. They asked the Parking Authority to provide revenue and expense estimates for investments of $150,000 and $250,000 respectively. The Committee tabled the matter pending receipt of that information. (Item #11)
Caribbean Trade Council – The Council approved a resolution allocating $35,000 to the Caribbean Trade Council to be used for staff and operating costs. The Trade Council works to establish Hartford as a major center for distribution of Caribbean products and services in the Northeast. The Council’s Planning and Economic Development Committee recommended approval. (Item #12)
Kelvin D. Anderson Center – The Council adopted two resolutions relating to the reconstruction of Kelvin D. Anderson (KDA) Recreation Center located at 2621 Main Street. The Council’s Finance & Revenue and Public Works, Parks & Environment Committees recommended approval of both resolutions. The first resolution endorses the reconstruction project and authorizes the City to enter into a contract with Dubose Associates for architectural design services. The second resolution authorizes the reallocation of funds within the Capital Improvement Program in order to allocate $1.0 million (in addition to the $500,000 already available) for the design of the reconstruction. KDA has many physical problems, such as lack of handicapped access, undersized gym, failing mechanical systems, leaking swimming pool and failing windows and roof. The Mayor convened a task force composed of City departments, Friends of KDA, and the Northeast NRZ which worked with an architectural firm to complete a review of the existing building and to propose alternative approaches. The recommendation of the task force was to construct a new building containing a 25 meter pool, weight room, basketball court, 2000 foot community center, and a 2100 square foot branch library. The cost is estimated at $17 million. The new building will be built in two phases so that the recreation center can remain open during construction. (Items #14, 15, 22, and 23)
Diesel Emissions: The Council approved a resolution encouraging the City to enforce the ordinance which limits idling time of school buses and other vehicles with diesel engines and to require an annual tune-up of all City-owned vehicles. The resolution notes that an annual tune-up is the least expensive and most effective way to reduce diesel emissions. The Council’s Public Works, Parks and Environment Committee recommended approval. (Item #19)
Alcohol in the Parks: The Council postponed action, to its March 26th meeting, on an ordinance concerning the sale of alcoholic beverages in City parks. The Council’s Public Works, Parks and Environment Committee submitted a report but did not make a recommendation on the ordinance. The Committee was advised by Corporation Counsel that the ordinance needs additional amendments which were to be presented at the March 12th Council meeting, but were not. The matter was also referred to the Planning and Economic Development Committee. A public hearing was held on February 20, 2007. The ordinance formerly on the books primarily governed beer and wine; the new ordinance governs all alcoholic beverages. (Items #21 and 29
East Coast Greenway – The Council adopted a resolution that 1) supports the City of Hartford taking the lead in exploring opportunities to connect the city to the East Coast Greenway, 2) encourages the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) to integrate the city’s bicycle path network and open space and conservation plan into the MDC’s Clean Water Project and drainage improvements, and 3) asks the Mayor to appoint an ad hoc task force to develop a plan for bicycle improvements in the city, including a link to the Greenway. The East Coast Greenway is a multi-use trail, currently under development, that will extend from Maine to Florida. (Item #44)
Father Jose da Silva Way – The Council received a recommendation from the Public Building Dedication Committee recommending approval of a resolution to add Father Jose da Silva’s name to Madison Avenue street signs. The Council adopted the resolution. Father da Silva was the pastor and leader of the Catholic-Portuguese community in Hartford for many years until his recent death. (Item #46)
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, 509-3710. The Council Preview/Review is a joint project of the Hartford 2000, and the Hartford Public Library. |
