Council Preview
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, April 27, 2009

Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

There will be a public hearing on the proposed City budget for 2009-2010 at 6 PM at Bulkeley High School on Tuesday, April 28, 2009. The next Council meeting will be Monday, May 11, 2009 and the next public hearing will be Monday, May 25, 2009 at 7 PM.

There are 47 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.

Recommended 2009-2010 City Budget – The Mayor's Recommended Budget for fiscal year 2009-2010 is available for review in the Town Clerk's Office. The recommended general fund budget totals $547,589,282, which is the same amount as the 2008-2009 budget adopted by Council. The mill rate proposed is 77.23, which is an increase of 8.89 mills over the current mill rate. There will be a public hearing on the proposed City budget for 2009-2010 at 6 PM at Bulkeley High School on Tuesday, April 28, 2009. (Item #1)

Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program – The Council will vote on a resolution authorizing the Mayor to submit a Substantial Amendment to the Consolidated Plan 2008 Action Plan for the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The City is eligible to receive $1,572,727 in HPRP funds. The purpose of the HPRP is to provide homelessness prevention assistance to those who would otherwise become homeless and to provide assistance to rapidly re-house the homeless. (Item #4)

Dial-A-Ride Program – The Council will vote on a resolution authorizing the Department of Health and Human Services to apply for and accept $73,406 in grant funds from the Connecticut Department of Transportation to support the City's Dial-A-Ride program, which provides transportation services for the elderly and disabled. The required 50% local match will come from the General Fund. In a separate but related agenda item, the Council will consider a resolution to accept funding from the North Central Area Agency on Aging for Dial-a-Ride ($65,000), as well as home help for the elderly ($85,000) and health programs ($10,000). (Items #5 and 3)

Tax Fixing Agreements for Companies Receiving TARP Funds – The Council will vote on a resolution stating that any companies with which the City has entered into Tax Fixing Agreements or Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Agreements and have also received federal funds through the Treasury Department's Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) be required, as a condition of receiving such funds, to re-negotiate the terms of the Tax Fixing Agreements or TIF Agreements. (Item #46)

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.

Refugee Resettlement in Hartford – The Council will consider a resolution accepting the report and recommendations of the Task Force on Refugee Resettlement in Hartford. The recommendations include: empower the State Refugee Coordinator's office, utilize an existing forum to coordinate services to refugees, formalize case management between providers, evaluate, expand, and diversify programs and funding sources for refugee services, require resettlement agencies to report to the City at least biannually, and continue the Hartford Refugee Resettlement Joint Committee (HRRJC). (Item #8)

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 #10)

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 #11)

Day Off Without Pay – The Council will consider 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 #13)

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 pending receipt of a legal opinion on use of park land. The Council has previously postponed action on this item. (Item #14 and 19)

Keith L. Carr, Sr., Corner – The Council will consider a resolution that will result in the naming of the corner of Main Street and Albany Avenue "Keith L. Carr, Sr., Corner." Keith Carr, who passed away on January 7, 2008, is remembered as a community legend whose advocacy and commitment had a great impact on the West Indian/American community. He worked with youth through the design of an after school tutorial program at the Martin Luther King School in Hartford, a citywide fine arts summer program and a youth cricket program. He was also one of the first to organize merchants along Albany Avenue. His vision for Albany Avenue and Main Street served as a catalyst for many of the development plans currently being pursued for the area. A public hearing was held on March 16. (Item #22)

Mayor Michael P. Peters Memorial Firehouse – The Council will take action on a resolution stating that the Hartford firehouse at 8 Fairfield Avenue be named the "Mayor Michael P. Peters Memorial Firehouse." Former Mayor Mike Peters passed away on January 4, 2009, after a courageous battle with illness. Mayor Mike served as Mayor from 1993 to 2001, and previously served for twenty-two years as a firefighter, many of them at the firehouse at 8 Fairfield Avenue. A public hearing was held on this item on January 20, 2009 and the Public Buildings Dedication Committee recommends approval. (Item #23)

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 #25)

LIST OF ALL AGENDA ITEMS

Item #

1. City Budget. Mayor's recommended City budget for fiscal year 2009-2010. Hearing on April 28th at 6 PM at Bulkeley High School.
2. Morgan Street Garage. Authorization to adjust the method by which Capital Community College is charged for student and visitor parking under the agreement between the City and the State.
3. Senior Programs. Approval for the City to apply for and accept grants totaling $160,000 from the North Central Areas Agency on Aging for Dial-a-Ride, HomeHelp, and Disease Prevention and Health programs.
4. Homelessness Prevention. Authorization for the City to accept $1,572,727 in HUD funds for homelessness prevention and re-housing of the homeless through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the "Stimulus Act").
5. Dial-a-Ride. Acceptance of $73,406 from the CT Department of Transportation for the Dial-a-Ride program that serves the elderly and disabled.
6. Collection Contracts. Request for a report on fees paid to and profits made by agencies under contract with the City to collect overdue taxes. Report from OMB Committee indicating receipt of additional information from Administration and recommending postponement to allow time for review of information and further discussion, (also see #16)
7. Percent for Art. Recommendation by OMB Committee to approve 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. (also see #15)
8. Refugee Resettlement. Acceptance of a report of a Task Force on Refugee Resettlement in Hartford.
9. Low-Power FM Radio. Resolution urging Congress and the Federal Communications Commission to restore the mandate to encourage and allow low-power FM radio channels to be licensed so that local citizens have increased access to the public airwaves.
10. 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.
11. Reduction in Salary. Resolution calling for City managers and executives with salaries above $80,000 to accept reductions in their pay.
12. Hartford Public High School. Authorization to increase appropriation for renovation of Hartford Public High School by $8.0 million to a total of $114.5 million.
13. Day Without Pay. Resolution asking the Mayor and his appointees to volunteer to take a day off without pay.
14. Equestrian Center. March 9th report by PEDC on resolution authorizing the leasing of a portion of Keney Park to the Ebony Horsewomen for construction of an equestrian and exhibition center. (also see #19)
15. 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. (also see #7)
16. Collection Contracts. March report by OMB Committee on request for a report on fees paid to and profits made by agencies under contract with the City to collect overdue taxes. (also see #6)
17. Appointment. Resolution appointing Jack Hale to the Advisory Commission on the Environment.
18. Appointment. Resolution appointing Michael Downs to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
19. Equestrian Center. April 13th report by PEDC on resolution authorizing the leasing of a portion of Keney Park to the Ebony Horsewomen for construction of an equestrian and exhibition center. (also see #14)
20. 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. Postponed by Health & Human Service Committee.
21. Tobacco. Resolution prohibiting the use of tobacco products on the campus of the Hartford Municipal Building. Discharged by Health & Human Services Committee.
22. Keith Carr Corner. Resolution naming the corner of Main Street and Albany Avenue Keith L. Carr, Sr. Corner.
23. Firehouse Naming. Proposal that the firehouse at 8 Fairfield Avenue be named the "Mayor Michael P. Peters Memorial Firehouse".
24. Readiness Initiative. Approval to accept $40,000 in Federal funds to be used to arrange for antibiotic dispensing sites in response to a bio-terrorist event.
25. Campaign Finance Reform. Ordinance prohibiting contributions by contractors to candidates for City elected offices.
26. Asian Studies Academy. Ordinance appropriating and issuing bonds in the amount of $13 million for improvements to Belizzi Middle School for a new Asian Studies Academy. (also see #32)
27. Living Wage. Amendments to the City's Living Wage ordinance.
28. Board of Education Pensions. Ordinance decreasing pension vesting requirement from 10 to 5 years and increasing employee contributions to pension fund.
29. Parking Fines. Ordinance raising parking fines and decreasing the discount for paying within 72 hours.
30. Historic Preservation Commission. Ordinance deleting language terminating the Commission in three years from May 23, 2005.
31. Appointment. Appointment of Ramon Espinoza to the Civilian Police Review Board.
32. Asian Studies Academy. Resolution to accept funding for the Asian Studies Academy. Note: No specific information provided. (also see #26)
33. Donation of Fire Equipment. Authorization to donate a 1980 Mack pumper truck, a 1983 Grumman pumper truck, and suppression gear, that are no longer in use by the Hartford Fire Department, to the City of Mao Provincia Valverdo, Dominican Republic, one of Hartford's sister cities.
34. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for Plays in the Parks to be presented by HartBeat Ensemble in Elizabeth, Keney, Pope, and Sigourney Parks on July 11, 12, 18, and 25.
35. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees and street closures for the Annual Walk Against Hunger to be sponsored by Foodshare on May 3, 2009.
36. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for 17 religious services to be held in Keney Park by the Pentecostal Tabernacle Apostolic Church from May through September.
37. Permission. Permission to serve food and beverages at the Liberty Church Center International Summerfest in Elizabeth Park on July 19, 2009.
38. Permissions. Permission for the IAC Honoring Columbus Committee to sell food and beverages and set up rides in Columbus Park on April 23, 2009.
39. Permission. Permission for New Horizon Baptist Church to serve food and beverages at a back-to-school event on August 29, 2009 in Keney Park.
40. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for Riverfront Family Church to sponsor Familytime, children's church services, in Elizabeth Park every Sunday from June 21 to August 30, 2009.
41. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees and street closures for Summer Solstice Event to be held by the Bushnell Park Foundation on June 17, 2009 in Bushnell Park and Trinity Street.
42. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees and street closures for the CRT Head Start Parade to be held near the Bushnell Park Carousel by CRT and the Ringling Brothers Circus on May 6, 2009.
43. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees and street closures for Kings Chapel Day to be held by the Kings Chapel Church of God on Woodland street on June 20, 2009.
44. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for the Hope Out Loud Peace and Music Festival to be held by the CT Coalition for Peace & Justice in Bushnell Park on September 20, 2009.
45. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for the parade for the UConn Women's basketball team, sponsored by the Hartford Business Improvement District and held on April 18, 2009.
46. Tax Fixing Agreements. Resolution calling for the Federal Government to require that companies receiving funds through the Troubled Assets Relief Program be required to renegotiate any tax-fixing or tax increment financing (TIF) agreements with the City of Hartford.
47. Homeless Respite Care. Allocation of $86,200 for shelter for aged and chronically ill homeless men during the summer.

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.