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Prepared by: Citizens’ Research Education Network,
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
There were 87 items on the
regular agenda. The Council met on Tuesday rather than Monday
because of the Memorial Day holiday. The next Council meeting will be Monday, June 10 at 8 P. M. at Hartford
City Hall in Council Chambers.
Community Development Block
Grant Restrictions – The Council referred back to the Operations, Management, and Budget Committee
a resolution which would limit agencies receiving Community Development Block
Grant Funds in the Public Services category to only three consecutive years of
funding. According to the resolution,
the city receives many more requests for funds in this category than it can
support and some programs have received funds for five years and more.
Benefit Options for Employees
Retiring Early or Laid-off -- The Council passed on consent two ordinances
regarding benefits for employees who retire early or who are laid off as a
result of 2002-2003 budget cuts. The
first ordinance allows an employee who retires voluntarily before June 30, 2002
to choose between a six-month subsidy of health insurance or a pay bonus of one
week’s pay for every year of service up to ten weeks. The second ordinance allows any employee laid-off because of
budget cuts to choose between 6 months medical coverage or one week’s pay for
every year of service up to six weeks.
Video Representation – The
Council passed a resolution to allow a council member to participate in a
Council meeting via video, telephone, or other electronic means if the Council
member is unable to attend a meeting due to serious illness or is outside the
state.
Quality of Life Crimes – On the recommendation of
Council member Calixto Torres, the Council passed a resolution directing City
Manager Albert Ilg and Chief of Police Bruce Marquis to create a plan for
identifying funds dedicated to quality of life enforcement teams. According to the resolution, enforcement of
quality of life crimes (e.g. non-violent offenses and traffic violations) is a
tool for deterring more serious crimes. The resolution directs the City Manager and the Police of Chief to have
the plan ready for implementation By June 30th.
Blue
Hills Neighborhood Revitalization Zone Strategic Plan – The Council passed
an ordinance which officially approves the Strategic Plan of the Blue Hills
Neighborhood Revitalization Zone. The
Commission on the City Plan and the Planning, Economic Development, and Zoning
Committee had recommended passage.
South
Downtown Neighborhood Revitalization Zone Strategic Plan – The Council
voted to send to public hearing June 17 and to the Planning, Economic Development,
and Zoning Committee, an ordinance which would officially approve the Strategic
Plan of South Downtown Neighborhood Revitalization Zone.
Park Closing Times – The Council voted to withdraw
a resolution which would have changed the official closing time of city parks
from 10 P.M. to dusk. According to the
resolution the change would have allowed police to control illicit after dark
activities more easily.
Middle Class Express – On the recommendation of
Council member Robert Painter, the Council passed a resolution directing the
Hartford Human Services Department to earmark $5,000 to be used to implement
the Middle Class Express Program. According to the resolution the Middle Class Express would encourage the
return of the middle class to Hartford.
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. |
