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Prepared by: Citizens’ Research Education Network,
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
There were 99 items on the agenda; two more were added at
the meeting. The Council met on Tuesday
rather than Monday because of the Memorial Day holiday. The next Council
meeting will be Monday, June 9, at 8 P.M. It will be preceded by an open agenda public hearing that will begin at 7:30.
Adoption of the City Budget – The
Council passed a resolution to adopting the City budget for the fiscal year
commencing July 1, 2003. The proposed
budget is $417 million, down from last years adopted budget of $422 million. The proposed budget includes, among other
things, $187 million for Hartford Public Schools, $24 million for the Fire
Department, and $28 million for the Police Department. The budget includes a new mil rate of 59.92.
Commission on the Environment - The Council passed an ordinance
creating a Commission on the Environment. The Commission will, among other
activities, ensure the monitoring of the landfill, advocate for the full
enforcement of environmental laws and regulations, and monitor practices that
are potentially hazardous to the health of Hartford residents. The 11 member
commission will be composed of individuals engaged in programs or activities
related to improving environmental health, from businesses regulated by the
Department of Environmental Protection and engaged in activities that produce
or affect pollution, from Hartford community organizations, and the Office of
the City Manager.
Design Center – The Council passed a resolution instructing City
Manager Lee Erdmann to develop a plan for the implementation of the recommendations
contained in the report entitled “Proposal for Implementation of the Hartford
Design Center” and submit that plan to the City Council for review and
approval. The mission of the Design Center will be to promote quality urban
design, especially in Rising Star Neighborhoods and Pride Blocks. The Center
will be established as an independent nonprofit organization with the City of
Hartford and the University of Hartford as major partners. The resolution was
accompanied by an attachment from Mayor Eddie Perez that proposed that the
Design Center begin as the Implementation Advisory Group which will plan a
phased implementation of the Center.
Collective Bargaining Agreement with Hartford Firefighters – The
Council also passed a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute the
collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the City and the Hartford
Firefighters Association. The CBA will
cover the period beginning July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004. The terms of the contract provide $2,336,143
in savings to the City and include a more flexible work schedule for the
majority of Union members. The contract
also provides for future pension modifications and pay increases. The Union
agreed to waive the 2% general pay increase scheduled for July 1, 2003.
UDAG Funds for Coltsville – The
Council passed a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a
contract with Colt Gateway LLC. This
resolution releases the remaining $900,000 in UDAG funds for the purpose of
reimbursing Colt Gateway LLC for hard construction costs associated with the
development of residential housing units on the site. The Housing Committee voted to send this resolution for favorable
consideration to the City Council.
Funds for Mi Casa Family
Center – The Council authorized the City Manager to allocate $20,000 to Mi
Casa Family Center to help Mi Casa defray the costs of their Comprehensive
Youth and Family Development Program.
Connecticut Parking Services,
Inc. Lawsuit – The Council convened an executive session to address the
status of the lawsuit between Connecticut Parking Services, Inc. (CPS) and the
City of Hartford. Connecticut Parking
Services, Inc. is currently a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the City of
Hartford regarding a management contract that was recently extended by the
Hartford Parking Authority. Media
accounts have attributed the contract extension as part of an effort to settle
that lawsuit, without the consideration or approval of the City Council.
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. |
