Council Review
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, May 12, 2003

Prepared by: Citizens’ Research Education Network, Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

There were 70 items on the agenda: two items were added during the meeting. The next Council meeting will be Tuesday, May 27^th at 8 P.M. at Hartford City Hall in Council Chambers. The next public hearing will be May 19^th at 8 P.M. in Council Chambers.

USA Patriot Act – The Council passed a resolution that affirmed its support for “fundamental constitutional rights and opposition to federal measures that infringe on civil liberties.” The resolution argued that the USA Patriot Act (Public Law 107-56), passed after September 11, 2001 has the potential to infringe on civil liberties. The resolution expressed support for the rights of immigrants and opposed measures that single out individuals for legal scrutiny based on their country of origin.

Rally at the Capital -- The Council passed a resolution giving its support to a rally at the State Capital on May 21^st supporting funding for education. The rally will begin at 3:30 at Burns School (corner of Rusk and Putnam Streets) and will reach the north lawn of the State Capital by 4:30. The rally includes meetings with state legislators.

Frog Hollow South NRZ – The Council passed an ordinance approving the Frog Hollow South Neighborhood Revitalization Association’s Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (NRZ) Strategic Plan.

SINA Streetscape Improvements – The Council referred a resolution authorizing City Manager Lee Erdmann to enter into an agreement with the Southside Neighborhood Institutes Alliance (SINA) for the completion of streetscape improvements in the general vicinity of Hartford Hospital to the Operations, Budget, and Management Committee. The agreement authorizes the City to continue streetscape improvements from the Central Business District to the area of Park Street, Hartford Hospital, Trinity College, and the Learning Corridor.

Health Department Funds – The Council passed a resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for, receive, and execute contracts and contract amendments with the Connecticut Department of Public Health. The Connecticut Department of Public Health has made $72,452.25 available to the City of Hartford Health Department for fiscal year 2003-2004. These funds will be applied for the addition of new programs or the extension of existing programs.

Citywide Cleanup and Beautification Month – The Council passed a resolution declaring May as Citywide Cleanup and Beautification Month and May 17, 2003 as Keep America Beautiful Great American Cleanup day. The City, in collaboration with Hartford Proud and Beautiful, the local Keep America Beautiful affiliate, will be conducting citywide cleanup and beautification activities throughout the month of May.

Funds for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) – The Council passed a resolution that will make additional funds available to the City of Hartford to operate a supplemental Food Program for low income Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in fiscal years 2003 and 2004. These funds provide for food supplements and nutrition education designed to improve the health status of program participants.

Mixmaster Demolition and Reopening of Temple Street – The Council passed an ordinance appropriating $917,000 to finance the demolition of the “Mixmaster”, a three-story glass enclosed structure on Temple Street. The improvements will lead to the reopening of Temple Street, which will link Main Street with Market Street. The funds for the project come from a federal transportation program.

Nursing Student Placements – The Council passed a resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign a non-financial agreement with Yale University School of Nursing for the placement of nursing students in the Hartford Health Department for the period of July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2006. The agreement does not obligate the City of Hartford to pay either direct or indirect costs of the clinical training and supervision.

Administrative Service Fees – The Council voted on a set of resolutions which will assign fees for several services provided by City staff and that will allow the City to recover the administrative costs of performing and providing those services. The fees include a $25 per alarm fee for false security alarms, which is expected to raise $62,000. Also approved was a $25 application fee for those applying for employment at the Fire or Police Department, which is expected to raise $35,000. A resolution that would have set fees for appealing traffic citations was referred to the Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee for further consideration.

If you have any questions about the agenda call Greg Vickers at CREN, 249-1416 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.