Council Review
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, May 10, 2010

Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

There were 56 items on the original agenda. No additional items were submitted during the meeting. The next regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, May 24, 2010 at 7 P.M. in the Council Chambers in Hartford City Hall. The next public hearing will be Monday, May 17, 2010 at 7 PM. The meeting was recessed to May 19th at noon for the Council to begin adoption of the FY10-11 Budget.

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

Allocation of HUD Funds – The Council approved 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 recommended some changes to the proposed resolution which were incorporated. (Perez) (Items #2 and 27)

5-Year Community Development Plan – The Council passed 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) (Items #3 and 26)

Brackett Park – The Council received a report, from its Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee and withdrew from consideration a resolution that requested 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 have requested rezoning to P (public property/cemetery). The committee report stated that the maker of the resolution intended to withdraw it from consideration. (Cotto) (Item #6)

Free Public Access to City Parks – The Council received 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)

Graffiti – The Council postponed action on 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)

Solid Waste Authority – The Council referred, to its Operations, Management & Budget Committee, 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. A public hearing will be held on this matter on May 17, 2010. (Perez) (Item #34)

Council's Ability to Eliminate Positions – The Council passed a resolution requesting that the law firm of 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. The Corporation Counsel is also preparing an opinion on the question. (Segarra, Ritter, Kennedy) (Item #39)

Furlough Plan for City Employees – The Council referred, to its Operations, Management & Budget Committee, 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)

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) Executive Session
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) Passed
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) Passed
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. Received
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) Passed
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) Report received and resolution withdrawn
7. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees and street closures for Our Lady of Sorrows' Procession on April 2, 2010 in Parkville. (Cotto) Passed
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) Passed
9. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for the IAC Columbus Fundraiser to be held in Columbus Park April 15-18, 2010. (Cotto) Passed
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) Passed
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) Passed
12. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for the Coleman Brothers Carnival held in Colt Park May 4–7, 2010. (Cotto) Passed
13. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for the Coleman Brothers Carnival to be held in Pope Park June 1-6, 2010. (Cotto) Passed
14. Parks. Support for continued free public access to all City parks. Item died in Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee (Ritter) Report received and resolution died
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) Passed
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) Passed
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) Passed
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) Passed
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) Passed
20. Art Walk Reception. Approval for the Hartford Public Library to serve alcohol at the ArtWalk Reception on June 4, 2010. (Cotto) Passed
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) Passed
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) Passed
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) Passed
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) Passed
25. Farmers Markets. Establishment of regulations and licenses for vendors at farmers markets. (Cotto) Passed
26. Community Development Plan. Committee report on resolution authorizing the City to submit, to the U.S.Department of Housing & Urban Development, a 5-year Consolidated Community Development Plan. (Perez) (also see #3) Received
27. Allocation of HUD Funds. Committee report on 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) Received
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) Report received and resolution withdrawn
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) Postponed
30. Appointment. Appointment of Doris Johnson to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission. (Perez) Passed
31. Reappointment. Reappointment of Khadija Abdul-Salaam to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission. (Perez) Passed
32. Appointment. Appointment of Carol Dixon to the Human Relations Commission. (Perez) Passed
33. Appointment. Appointment of Michael Jones to the Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues. (Perez) Passed
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) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee and Public Hearing
35. Repeal. Repeal of a City ordinance that prohibits using a skateboard on any public street or sidewalk in Hartford. (Cotto) Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee and Public Hearing
36. Appointments. Appointment of one of two candidates (Lawrence Davis and Charles Harvell) to the City's Internal Audit Commission. (Segarra) Postponed
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) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
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) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
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) Passed
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) Referred to Legislative Affairs Committee
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) Passed
42. Civic and Cultural Grants. Reduction of a funding allocation made to the West End Community Center from $7,000 to zero and allocations of $2,500 each to the West End Civic Association and the Court of Common Council for an intern. (Segarra) Passed
43. Civic and Cultural Grant. Reduction of a funding allocation made to the North Hartford Strategic Alliance from $56,000 to zero and allocation of $10,000 to St. Martin's Outreach Certified Nursing Assistant Program. (Segarra) Passed
44. Civic and Cultural Grant. Allocation of $1,500 to Hartford Communities That Care.(Winch) Passed
45. Civic and Cultural Grant. Allocation of $600 to Judah House. (Winch) Passed
46. Civic and Cultural Grants. Allocation of $1,400 to the Hartford Food System for farmers markets. (Boucher) Passed
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) Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
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) Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
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) Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
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, Torres) Passed
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) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
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) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
53. Furloughs. Proposal to consider a income-proportional furlough plan for all City employees. (Deutsch, Ritter, Winch) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
54. Civic and Cultural Grant. Allocation of $1,200 to Black History Bee at A.I. Prince School, $2,500 to St. Martin's Church, $5,000 to the Hartford Knights, $7,500 to the Phillips CME Jobs Program, $7,500 to Shiloh Baptist Church youth program, and $7,500 to the East Coast Renegades. (Kennedy) Passed
55. Parking Ban. Resolution to lift the parking ban on certain downtown streets at a time to be determined. (Kennedy) Referred to Quality of Life & Public Safety Committee
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) Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee

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.