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Prepared by: Citizens’ Research Education Network,
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
There are 26 items on the agenda. The Council meeting
will begin at 7 P.M. at Hartford City Hall in Council Chambers. The
next Council meeting will be Monday, April 11, 2005 at 7 P.M.
Housing Development Bond Fund: The
Council will vote on a resolution that would request that Mayor Eddie Perez
create a capital bond fund of $5 to $10 million to support homeownership initiatives,
affordable housing initiatives, and Rising Star/Pride Blocks. The resolution
points out that there is a possibility that federal housing support like that
received from HUD Section 8 and Community Development Block Grants are expected
to decrease in the coming years. The fund would be financed through the
continuance of the state conveyance tax. (Item #23)
Housing Trust Fund: The
Council will vote on a resolution expressing its support for House Bill 6785
which will, if passed, establish a $100 million Housing Trust Fund for Economic
Growth and Opportunity. The legislation is being proposed by State Treasurer
Denise Nappier. The monies would be used to encourage development of
affordable housing. The program would be funded in part by bonds capitalized
by a portion of the state’s future abandoned property revenue. (Item
#22)
Access to City Information: The Council
will vote on a resolution affirming that the City will make available as quickly
as possible to all interested parties any information prepared or assembled
by City personnel. The resolution states that the credibility which government
enjoys is directly related to the degree of accessibility which the community
enjoys regarding items of public business. (Item #25)
Contract With Federal Lobbying Firm: The
Council will vote on a resolution authorizing the Mayor to contract with Quinn
Gillespie and Associates, a Washington DC lobbying firm, to advocate for the
City of Hartford in Washington for a fee not to exceed $15,000 per month and
a time period not to exceed one year. Hartford may lose several million
dollars in federal aid, and the City needs a full time advocate in Washington. Funding
for a Washington advocate has been identified in the City’s budget. (Item
#10)
Urban Networks to Increase Thriving Youth
Through Violence Prevention: The Council will vote on a resolution
authorizing the Mayor to apply for and receive $300,000 that will be available
in September 2005 from the Centers for Disease Control through the Urban Networks
to Increase Thriving Youth Through Violence Prevention. The funds will
be used to replicate a nationally recognized strategy used in Boston that utilizes
law enforcement agencies and service providers to address youth violence. (Item
#4)
Neighborhood Marketing: The
Council will vote on a resolution authorizing the Mayor to identify $5,000
in unspent administrative CDBG funds or other sources of funding to be reprogrammed
for a neighborhood marketing effort being developed by Hartford 2000, Neighborhood
Revitalization zones, other neighborhood groups, the Hartford Public Library,
and the City Council. (Item #26)
311 Call Center: The Council
will vote on a resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with
EMA, Inc., to provide services required for the implementation of a 311 call
center and integrated work management system and to create a Technology Master
Plan for the City of Hartford. The cost is not to exceed $2,200,000. The
goal of the 311 call center and the integrated work management system is to
improve the quality of service delivery, increase efficiency in City government,
hold departments accountable, and increase citizen access to government. (Item
#14)
Telecommunications Funding: The
Council will vote on an ordinance that would appropriate $1,000,000 from the
Capital Projects Fund for the down payment of telecommunications equipment
and software. The funds would be used for a new Tax Collection system, a City
Hall communication system, radios for the Police and Fire Departments, and
the initiation of a 311 phone line. The total cost of the equipment will
be $5,000,000. The balance will be funded through a lease finance program. The
Management and Budget Committee is recommending passage. (Item #15)
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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