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Prepared by:
Citizens’ Research Education Network, Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
There were 25 items on the original agenda. Two more items, dealing with specific events, were submitted during the meeting. The next regular Council meeting will be Monday, June 12, 2006 at 7 P.M. The next public hearing will be Monday, June 19, 2006.
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
2006-2007 Budget – The Council passed the Mayor’s proposed City Budget for the fiscal year 2006-2007, as amended at the May 17th meeting. (Item #1)
Upper Albany and Clay Arsenal Weed and Seed Program – With a positive recommendation by the Council’s Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee, the Council passed a resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept funding in the amount of $175,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice for the operation of the Upper Albany and Clay Arsenal Weed and Seed Program for fiscal year 2006-2007. The program is a collaborative effort by the City of Hartford Police Department, U.S. Attorney, residents, and other community organizations to "weed" out drugs and violent crime and "seed" a broad array of human service and revitalization programs. (Item #15)
West Middle School 2 – The Council postponed action on an ordinance authorizing the issuance of $600,000 in municipal bonds and the appropriation of those funds to provide additional classroom space in the building at 875 Asylum Avenue, which is leased by the City for West Middle School. A public hearing on this matter was held on Monday, May 15, 2006 and some opposition was expressed. The Council’s Management & Budget and Planning & Economic Development Committees recommended that the ordinance be tabled by the Council and sent to the Board of Education for approval prior to action by the Committees and Council. (Items #11 & 17)
Appropriations for Capital Projects - The Council passed an ordinance appropriating a total of $400,000 as follows: Veterans Center ($50,000), Neighborhoods of Hartford, Inc. ($50,000), Center for Hispanic Families ($60,000), Soldiers and Sailors Arch ($50,000), HEDCO ($100,000), Riverfront Recapture ($70,000), and Keep Hartford Clean ($20,000). Funds were made available from the proceeds of the sale of the Civic Center Garage. (Items #10 & 16)
Fire Cadets – On the recommendation of the Council’s Labor and Workforce Development Committee, the Council passed an ordinance establishing a Fire Cadet job classification. The position is designed to develop future firefighter candidates and will be open to Hartford residents between the ages of 16 and 21 who are enrolled in school. Cadets will work up to 20 hours per week. (Items #13 & 19)
Albany/Woodland Redevelopment – On the recommendation of the Council’s Planning and Economic Development Committee, the Council passed a resolution allocating $400,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to be used for the acquisition of several properties in the Albany/Woodland Redevelopment Plan area and for predevelopment costs that are part of the project, such as environmental assessment, relocation costs, project management, and demolition. The Plan is designed to improve the area and create neighborhood business opportunities. The CDBG funds were generated through the sale of Upper Albany Plaza in June of 2005. (Item #8)
Gitano Food Warehouse – The Council referred, to its Planning and Economic Development Committee, a resolution to provide $100,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and UDAG repayment funds to the Gitano Food Warehouse, a new supermarket which will open on Park Street at the corner of Lafayette Blvd. Funds will be used by Gitano for working capital. (Item #2)
Major Cities Traffic Enforcement Grant – The Council passed, on consent, a resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept the Major Cities Traffic Enforcement Grant from the State Department of Transportation in the amount of $20,000. The funding will be used by the Police Department to pay for officer overtime and related fringe benefits and will allow the department flexibility in assigning additional manpower to the streets of Hartford. (Item #5)
Mary M. Hooker Environmental Studies Magnet School -- The Council passed a resolution authorizing the renovation and construction of the Mary M. Hooker Environmental Studies Magnet School at an estimated cost of $41,775,200. The resolution also assigns the project to the Hartford School Building Committee and authorizes the Hartford Public Schools to file a school construction grant application with the State Department of Education. The new magnet school will prepare students for careers in emerging environmental fields and provide them with the skills necessary to become stewards in the preservation and protection of the environment. (Item #6)
New City Council Member Appointed -- The Council voted to appoint Pedro. E. Segarra to the Hartford Court of Common Council (the City Council) commencing May 22, 2006 to January 1, 2008, to fill the unexpired term of Councilperson Hernan LaFontaine, who recently resigned. (Item #20)
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, 509-3710. The Council Preview/Review is a joint project of the Citizens' Research Education Network, Hartford 2000, and the Hartford Public Library.
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