Council Preview
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, May 10, 2010

Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

The Council meeting will begin at 7 P.M. at Hartford City Hall in Council Chambers. The meeting will be preceded, at 6:00 PM, by an open agenda public hearing. The next public hearing will be Monday, May 17, 2010 at 7 PM.

There are 56 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/Minutes/council_meeting_minutes.htm

ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

New Agenda Items: The following items appear for the first time on the Council's Agenda.

Solid Waste Authority – The Council will consider an ordinance concerning the establishment of the Central Connecticut Solid Waste Authority (CCSWA). State law allows a group of municipalities to create such an authority to jointly manage their trash disposal and recycling. The ordinance signals Hartford’s intent to be part of the CCSWA which is being created with the assistance of the Capital Region Council of Governments. Management of trash and recycling would begin after the City’s contract with CRRA expires in 2012. (Perez) (Item #34)

Council’s Ability to Eliminate Positions – The Council will vote on a resolution requesting that Day Pitney LLP provide a legal opinion as to the Council’s ability to eliminate positions from the City of Hartford Proposed 2010-2011 Budget. (Segarra, Ritter, Kennedy) (Item #39)

Furlough Plan for City Employees – The Council will vote on a resolution stating that a progressive income-related proportionately scaled furlough plan should be considered for all City employees as a means of budget reduction. (Deutsch, Ritter, Winch) (Item #53)

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.

Allocation of HUD Funds – The Council will take action on a resolution allocating $8.4 million in Federal grant funds which will be received by the City from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development for the fiscal year 2010-11. The allocations include $4.6 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to be used for a variety of community and social services, economic development, rehabilitation, repair, demolition, park improvements, and administrative costs. $161,000 in Emergency Shelter Grant funds are to be allocated to nine emergency shelters and approximately $1.0 million in HOPWA funds (Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS) are allocated to ten programs in the region serving individuals and families living with AIDS/HIV. $2.3 million in HOME funds (HOME Investment Partnerships) is set aside for housing assistance programs, including home-buyer assistance and financing of rehabilitation or new construction. A public hearing was held on this issue on April 19, 2010. The Council’s Operations, Management & Budget Committee recommends some changes to the proposed resolution. (Perez) (Item #2)

Brackett Park – The Council will receive a report, from its Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee, regarding a resolution that requests the Mayor to submit, to the Planning & Zoning Commission, an Application for Zoning Map Change for 44 Westland Street. The land is currently zoned R3 (residential/medium density) but has been used for some time as a neighborhood recreation site known as Brackett Park. The proposal would request rezoning to P (public property/cemetery). The report states that the maker of the resolution intends to withdraw it from consideration. (Cotto) (Item #6)

Free Public Access to City Parks – The Council will receive a report, from its Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee, indicating that a resolution supporting continued free public access to City parks died in committee after being tabled several times. (Ritter) (Item #14)

5-Year Community Development Plan – The Council will consider a resolution authorizing the City to submit a 5 year Consolidated Community Development Plan for the use of Federal grant funds which the City will receive from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (Community Development Block Grant, HOME, Housing for People with AIDS, and Emergency Shelter Grant). The plan is available for review on the City’s web site at www.hartford.gov/development/grants-mgt . A public hearing was held on this matter on April 19, 2010. (Perez) (Item #26)

Graffiti – The Council will consider a proposed ordinance addressing the issue of graffiti. The proposed ordinance acknowledges that graffiti removal is the responsibility of each individual property owner and that local government cannot afford to clean up every instance of graffiti. The ordinance defines graffiti and prohibits the application of graffiti and the possession of graffiti implements in public parks and facilities and within 50 feet of public infrastructure, such as bridge abutments or underpasses, holds both graffiti artists (and their parents if they are children) and property owners responsible for graffiti removal, and imposes penalties, including a fine of $100 per day, for failure to remove the graffiti. A public hearing was held on this item on March 15, 2010. (Perez) (Item #29)

LIST OF ALL AGENDA ITEMS

Item #

1. Lawsuit. Request for Council to go into Executive Session to discuss Amber Colbert et al v. City of Hartford et al (Perez)
2. Allocation of HUD Funds. Approval of allocations totaling $8.4 million that the City receives through four Federal grant programs: Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Shelter Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships, and Housing for People with AIDS. The Council’s Operations, Management & Budget Committee recommends approval with some changes to the allocations recommended by the Mayor. (Perez) (also see #27)
3. Community Development Plan. Report by the Operations, Management & Budget Committee on authorization for the City to submit, to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, a 5-year Consolidated Community Development Plan. (Perez) (also see #26)
4. Board of Education Budget. Request to the Board of Education to provide the Council with adopted line-item budgets for the past two fiscal years and year-to-date figures for the current fiscal year. (Deutsch, Segarra) OMB Committee recommends postponement.
5. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees and street closure at 285 Church Street for an Easter Vigil sponsored by St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church on April 3, 2010. (Cotto)
6. Brackett Park. Request to the Mayor to submit an application for zoning change for 44 Westland Street (Brackett Park) from R3 (Residence District) to P (Public Property and Cemetery District). (Cotto)
7. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees and street closures for Our Lady of Sorrows’ Procession on April 2, 2010 in Parkville. (Cotto)
8. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees and approval of street closures for the 27th Walk Against Hunger sponsored by Foodshare in the West End and Asylum Hill on May 2, 2010. (Cotto)
9. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for the IAC Columbus Fundraiser to be held in Columbus Park April 15-18, 2010. (Cotto)
10. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees and approval of street closures for a Good Friday Procession held by St. Augustine and St. Lawrence O’Toole Churches on April 2, 2010. (Cotto)
11. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for an Easter Egg Hunt held by the Friends of Goodwin Park on Sunday, April 3, 2010 in Goodwin Park. (Cotto)
12. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for the Coleman Brothers Carnival held in Colt Park May 4–7, 2010. (Cotto)
13. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for the Coleman Brothers Carnival to be held in Pope Park June 1-6, 2010. (Cotto)
14. Parks. Support for continued free public access to all City parks. Item died in Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee (Ritter)
15. Fee Waiver. Request for waiver of fees and closure of Clark Street between Nelson and Capen Streets for Earth and Global Youth Day sponsored by the Community Renewal Team on Saturday April 24, 2010. (Winch)
16. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees and closures of streets for a Good Friday Procession held by St. Michael’s Church on April 2, 2010. (Cotto)
17. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees and closures of streets for a Good Friday Procession held by St. Anne Immaculate Conception Church on April 2, 2010. (Cotto)
18. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees and closures of streets for “Imperio” to be sponsored by Our Lady of Fatima Church on May 30, 2010. (Cotto)
19. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees and closures of streets for a Good Friday Procession held by St. Peter’s Church on April 2, 2010. (Cotto)
20. Art Walk Reception. Approval for the Hartford Public Library to serve alcohol at the ArtWalk Reception on June 4, 2010. (Cotto)
21. Party. Approval to serve alcohol at a party to be hosted by Bayyinah Lyons at the Keney Park Pond House on June 5, 2010. (Cotto)
22. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees associated with a tulip and daffodil planting sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association and held in Bushnell Park on April 24, 2010. (Cotto)
23. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for church services to be sponsored by the Greater Hartford Church of Christ in Elizabeth Park on May 30, June 13, July 18, and August 22, 2010. (Cotto)
24. Youth Football Task Force. Creation of a Youth Football Task Force to expand and improve Hartford’s midget football program which serves youth from 7 to 14 years old. (Winch, Cotto, Airey-Wilson, Kennedy, Ritter, Segara)
25. Farmers Markets. Establishment of regulations and licenses for vendors at farmers markets. (Cotto)
26. Community Development Plan. Authorization for the City to submit, to the U.S.Department of Housing & Urban Development, a 5-year Consolidated Community Development Plan. (Perez) (also see #3)
27. Allocation of HUD Funds. Approval of allocations totaling $8.4 million that the City receives through four Federal grant programs: Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Shelter Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships, and Housing for People with AIDS. In agenda item #2, the Council’s Operations, Management & Budget Committee recommends approval with some changes to the allocations recommended by the Mayor. (Perez) (also see #2)
28. St. Martin’s Outreach. Allocation of $10,000 to St. Martin’s Outreach Certified Nursing Assistant Program. (Airey-Wilson) (also see #43 and 46)
29. Graffiti. Proposed ordinance to require removal of graffiti by the person who applies it or the owner of the property on which graffiti has been applied and imposition of $100 per day fines for failure to remove the graffiti. (Perez)
30. Appointment. Appointment of Doris Johnson to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission. (Perez)
31. Reappointment. Reappointment of Khadija Abdul-Salaam to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission. (Perez)
32. Appointment. Appointment of Carol Dixon to the Human Relations Commission. (Perez)
33. Appointment. Appointment of Michael Jones to the Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues. (Perez)
34. Solid Waste Authority. Approval of the creation of a regional solid waste authority to be known as the Central Connecticut Solid Waste Authority (CCSWA) and designation of CCSWA to manage Hartford’s trash disposal and recycling after the current contract with CRRA expires. (Perez)
35. Repeal. Repeal of a City ordinance that prohibits using a skateboard on any public street or sidewalk in Hartford. (Cotto)
36. Appointments. Appointment of Lawrence Davis and Charles Harvell to the City’s Internal Audit Commission. (Segarra)
37. Parker Memorial. Approval to apply for and accept a $450,000 grant from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving for establishment of a Family Resource Center at Parker Memorial Recreation Center. (Perez)
38. Breaks in Service. Approval for breaks in employment to be reclassified as leaves of absence for two City employees for purposes of calculating pensions. (Perez)
39. Legal Opinion. Approval to request a legal opinion from the Council’s outside attorney concerning the Council’s ability to eliminate positions from the 2010-11 budget. (Segarra, Ritter, Kennedy)
40. Legal Counsel. Approval to hire Day Pitney, LLP to serve as legal advisor to the Council for any legal questions or issues that arise during the 2010 budget season. (Segarra, Ritter, Kennedy)
41. Uniting Families Act. Expression of strong support for the Uniting Families Act which would eliminate discrimination by allowing partners in permanent same-sex relationships to obtain permanent resident status in the same manner as opposite sex partners. (Segarra)
42. Civic and Cultural Grants. Reduction of a funding allocation made to the West End Community Center from $7,000 to $2,000 and allocations of $2,500 each to the West End Civic Association and the Court of Common Council for an intern. (Segarra)
43. Civic and Cultural Grant. Reduction of a funding allocation made to the North Hartford Strategic Alliance from $56,000 to $53,500 and allocation of $2,500 to St. Martin’s Outreach Certified Nursing Assistant Program. (Segarra)
44. Civic and Cultural Grant. Allocation of $1,500 to Hartford Communities That Care.(Winch)
45. Civic and Cultural Grant. Allocation of $600 to Judah House. (Winch)
46. Civic and Cultural Grants. Allocation of $3,750 to St. Martin’s Outreach Certified Nursing Assistant Program and $1,400 to the Hartford Food System for farmers markets. (Boucher)
47. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for a Walk-a-thon sponsored by the Hartford Parent Organization Council on May 8, 2010 in Colt Park. (Cotto)
48. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for a “Prayer Day for the City of Hartford” to be held in Bushnell Park on May 15, 2010. (Cotto)
49. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for the elephant walk held by Feld Entertainment and CRT on May 5, 2010 from the XL Center to Pope Park. (Cotto)
50. Arizona. Resolution denouncing Arizona’s passage of the “Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act” and establishing a policy that the City of Hartford will take no discretionary travel to Arizona and will make no purchases of goods or services from any Arizona-based company until the law is repealed. (Cotto)
51. Delinquent Taxes. Resolution directing the City to notify delinquent taxpayers by certified mail that their tax lien will be given to a collection agency. (Cotto)
52. Fee Waivers. Approval to forgive 100% of the special event fees owed by four parades (African American, West Indian, Puerto Rican Day, and St. Patrick’s Day) and the Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz. (Cotto, Airey-Wilson)
53. Furloughs. Proposal to consider a income-proportional furlough plan for all City employees. (Deutsch, Ritter, Winch)
54. Civic and Cultural Grant. Allocation of $600 to Black History Bee at A.I. Prince School. (Kennedy)
55. Parking Ban. Resolution to lift the parking ban on certain downtown streets at a time to be determined. (Kennedy)
56. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for use of Dillon Stadium on May 5 and June 5, 2010 by Jaycee Soccer for the first round of the State Cup for CT Junior Soccer. (Ritter)

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.