Council Review
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, March 23, 2009

Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

There were 42 items on the original agenda. No additional items were submitted during the meeting. The next regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, April 13, 2009 at 7 P.M. in the Council Chambers in Hartford City Hall, preceded at 6:00 by a public comment period. The next public hearing will be Monday, April 20, 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

ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

Pope Park West – The Council referred, to its Operations, Management & Budget Committee, a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign the Urban Green Grant Agreement for Pope Park West, a portion of Pope Park, located in Parkville, that was cut off from the body of the park during the 1960s for the development of I-84 and is currently neglected and used for sand storage. Hartford will receive a grant of $90,512 and will contribute an additional $48,738 for a total project cost of $139,250. The funds will be used to reclaim Pope Park West. The Urban Green Grant is a program of the State of Connecticut. The Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee discharged this matter from consideration. (Item #4)

Golf Courses in Goodwin Park and Keney Park – The Council passed 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 was held on March 16 and the Operations, Management & Budget Committee recommended approval. (Item #11)

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

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 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 #15)

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 postponed action on this item several times. (Item #16)

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. The Council has previously postponed action on this matter. (Item #20)

Campaign Finance Reform – The Council postponed action on 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 #21)

Refuse Collector Permitting – The Council adopted 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 #23)

Equestrian and Exhibition Center in Keney Park – The Council postponed action on 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. The Council has previously postponed action on this item. (Item #26)

Living Wage – The Mayor withdrew a proposed ordinance amending Article XII of the Municipal Code with the purpose of updating the Living Wage. The original ordinance, passed in 1999, establishes a living wage for workers employed for work on contracts and development projects with the City. The proposed ordinance includes amendments in many sections of the original ordinance such as Sec. 2-763 Living wage required; Sec. 2-766 No strike agreement required; Sec. 2-767 Worker retention, local hiring, and training, and Sec. 2-77[1]2 Appeal process, among others. (Item #27)

Better Choices for Connecticut Revenue Proposal – The Council referred, to its Legislative Affairs Committee, a proposed resolution calling for the City to support such initiatives as the Better Choices for Connecticut revenue proposal. This proposal was motivated by concern over the Governor's proposed budget which would result in devastating cuts in funding for human services. The Better Choices proposal suggests alternatives such as raising state income taxes on the wealthy, closing corporate tax loopholes, and increasing the state sales tax, among others. (Item #32)

Election Day Registration – The Council passed a resolution stating that the Council supports Election Day voter registration and that it supports raised bill HB 6435 An Act Concerning Election Day Registration, raised by the Government Administration and Elections Committee, presently under discussion in the Connecticut General Assembly. A recent study has shown that states with Election Day registration have a 17% higher voter turnout than states without. (Item #39)

Attorney for City Council – The Council withdrew a resolution to hire a specific legal firm to act as its legal counsel. (Item #41)

LIST OF ALL AGENDA ITEMS

Item #

1. Veto. Mayor's veto of appointment of Patricia Conran to the Freedom of Information Advisory Board. Postponed
2. Auditor. Letter from the Mayor proposing a process for hiring an auditor. Withdrawn
3. Financial Report. Monthly revenue and expenditure report for February 2009. Received
4. Pope Park West. Authorization to execute a grant agreement with the State of Connecticut for $90,512 for reclamation of Pope Park West, located in Parkville. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
5. Collection Contracts. Request for a report on fees paid to and profits made by agencies under contract with the City to collect overdue taxes. OMB Committee received information from Administration and recommends postponement to allow time for review of information by Council members. Postponed
6. 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. OMB Committee report recommends action be postponed for further discussion. Postponed
7. Classical Magnet School. Ordinance increasing the appropriation and bonding of funds for Classical Magnet School by $1.5 million. OMB report outlines issues and information and recommends approval. (Also see #19) Received
8. Hartford Public High School. Authorization to appropriate $106.5 million and issue $105 million in bonds for renovation of Hartford Public High School. OMB report outlines issues and information and recommends approval. (Also see #17) Received
9. Breakthrough Magnet School. Ordinance increasing the appropriation and bonding of funds for Breakthrough Magnet School by $1 million. OMB report outlines issues and information and recommends approval. (Also see 18) Received
10. Independent Auditor. OMB report recommending resolution to designate an independent auditor for the City after a Request for Proposal is issued by Procurement Office. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
11. Golf Course Management. Authority to enter into a five-year lease with MDM Gold, LLC for management of Keney and Goodwin Golf Courses. Passed
12. Certificate of Approval. Establishment of a fee of $25 for a certificate of approval for building improvements not needing Certificates of Occupancy. Received
13. Financial Statements. Audited financial statements for fiscal year July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. Received
14. 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
15. 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
16. Reduction in Salary. Resolution calling for City managers and executives with salaries above $80,000 to accept reductions in their pay. Postponed
17. 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 #8) Passed
18. Breakthrough Magnet School. Ordinance increasing the appropriation and bonding of funds for Breakthrough Magnet School by $1 million. (Also see #9) Passed
19. Classical Magnet School. Ordinance increasing the appropriation and bonding of funds for Classical Magnet School by $1.5 million. (also see #7) Passed
20. Day Without Pay. Resolution asking the Mayor and his appointees to volunteer to take a day off without pay. Postponed
21. Campaign Finance Reform. Ordinance prohibiting contributions by contractors to candidates for City elected offices. Postponed
22. Food Service Licenses. Ordinance changing requirements and fees for food vendors, caterers, establishments, and other food operations. Passed
23. Refuse Collector License. Ordinance establishing a registration and permitting process and a fee schedule for refuse collectors operating within the city of Hartford. Passed
24. Pool and Tattoo Licenses. Ordinance making changes in the licensing fees for public swimming pools, whirlpools, tattoos, and body piercing. Passed
25. 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. Postponed
26. Equestrian Center. Resolution authorizing the leasing of a portion of Keney Park to the Ebony Horsewomen for construction of an equestrian and exhibition center. Postponed
27. Living Wage. Updates of Hartford's Living Wage Ordinance. Withdrawn
28. Appointment. Resolution appointing Jack Hale to the Advisory Commission on the Environment. Postponed
29. Appointment. Resolution appointing Michael Downs to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Postponed
30. Tobacco. Resolution prohibiting the use of tobacco products on the campus of the Hartford Municipal Building. Referred to Health & Human Services Committee
31. Emergency Management/Homeland Security. Resolution accepting $193,030 from the State of Connecticut for equipment and improvements by the Police Department to make it more difficult for terrorists to take action. Passed
32. State Budget. Resolution supporting the Better Choices for Connecticut proposals for raising State revenues to avoid cuts in human services. Referred to Legislative Affairs
33. Fee Waiver. Request to waive fees for the Outreaching the Vision of Christ 2009 – Evangelistical Campaign to be held by the Ebenezer Pentecostal Church A/D on July 25 and 26, 2009 in Barnard Park. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment
34. Fee Waiver. Request to waive fees for the Connecticut Pride Hartford Rally and Festival to be held in Bushnell Park on June 6, 2009. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment
35. Fee Waiver. Request to waive fees and close streets for Our Lady of Fatima Candle Procession to be held on May 13, 2009. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment
36. Fee Waiver. Request to waive fees for the Coleman Brothers Carnival to be held in Pope Park from June 10 through June 14, 2009. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment
37. Fee Waiver. Request to waive fees for the Coleman Brothers Carnival to be held in Colt Park from May 6 through May 10, 2009. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment
38. HazWaste Facility. Resolution opposing the location of a new hazardous waste transfer facility at 94 Murphy Road. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment
39. Voter Registration. Resolution in support of Election Day voter registration. Passed
40. Pause for a Cause. Resolution to allow the serving of alcohol at an event on April 2, 2009 in the City Hall Atrium, sponsored by Office of Councilperson Cotto. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment
41. Hiring. Placeholder for a resolution to authorize the Council to hire a legal advisor. Withdrawn
42. Non-Discrimination. Resolution supporting passage of HB6452 which adds "gender identity or expression" to Connecticut's non-discrimination laws. Passed

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.