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Prepared by: Citizens’ Research Education Network,
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
There were 59 items on the regular agenda. The next Council meeting will be 8 P.M.,
Monday, May 14 and will be televised live on Hartford Public Access, Channel
21.
Billboard Ordinance – The Council began with a
public hearing on an ordinance to change the charter with reference to
signs. If the ordinance were adopted,
sign permits would be issued to the owners of the property where the sign is
located, rather than the owner of the sign. Advocates for the proposal argued that the ordinance would give control
of signs to Hartford property owners and would eventually reduce the number of
signs in the city. Opponents argued
that the ordinance was unconstitutional because it constituted a “taking”
without due processor compensation and that there was no structure in place to
reduce the number of signs. One
opponent argued that a new ordinance should be drafted by representatives from
the planning department, the signs companies, and property owners.
Recommended Budget
for the City of Hartford, fiscal year 2001-2002 – The Council
will referred City Manager Saundra Kee Borges’ recommended budget for 2001-2002,
to a Public Hearing on Thursday, April
26, 2000 at 6:00 P.M. at the Weaver
High School Auditorium. The recommended budget is $432,000,000
(approximately $9 million more than the 2000-01 adopted budget level). The
increase is primarily attributed to increase in employee health insurance. The
proposed budget maintains the current tax levy of 47 mils.
Ordinance on Park Alcohol Waiver – The Council
passed an ordinance changing the municipal code to allow the sale and
consumption of alcoholic beverages at the Pond House at Elizabeth Park and the
Pump House Gallery at Bushnell Park. Under the present code, alcoholic beverages are not allowed in
Hartford’s parks except for occasions specifically allowed by Council. The Parks and Recreation Committee recommended
passage.
HUD Entitlement Funds – The Council passed the
City Manager’s recommendations for dispersing over $8 million in United States
Department of Housing and Urban Development Funds. The funds include Community Development Block Grants (CDBG),
Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG), Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS
(HOPWA), and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME). The Operations, Management, Budget, Education, and Labor Committee
recommended passage.
Safe Neighborhoods Program Grant – On the
recommendation of City Manager Kee Borges, the Council passed a resolution to
accept funds for State of Connecticut Safe Neighborhoods Program. The funds will be utilized to pay a portion
of twenty police officers’ salary for 2000-2001. These officers will be assigned to the Frog Hollow area and
neighborhoods contiguous with the South Police District. The City of Hartford is entitled to receive
a total of $240,000.
COPS in Schools – The Council passed a resolution to
authorize City Manager Kee Borges to apply for funding from the U.S. Department
of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS). The Department of Justice has announced that
funding is available for School Resource Officers through this program. Under the program three new officers would
be assigned to Fox, Quirk, and South Middle Schools. This is a three year program, October 1, 2001– September 30,
2004.
Hiring Freeze for City Employees – The Council referred
to the Operations, Management, Budget, Education, and Labor committee a
resolution authorizing City Manager Kee Borges to fill certain vacant positions
in the city administration. The Council
voted at its January 8, 2001 meeting to enact a hiring freeze on city
employees. The freeze is intended to
avoid a budget deficit at the end of the year and allows exceptions for
extraordinary situations or where public safety is concerned. The present resolution lists the positions
the City Manager believes are necessary for maintaining current service
levels. There are eighty-four positions
listed.
If you have any questions about the agenda call Greg Vickers at CREN, 249-1416. The Citizens' Research Education Network is a non-profit research and education center for Hartford community-based organizations. |
