Council Preview
Hartford City Council Meeting

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

The Council meeting will begin at 7 P.M. at Hartford City Hall in Council Chambers. The meeting will be preceded, at 6:30 PM, by an open agenda public hearing. The next public hearing will be Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 7 PM.

There are 40 items on the agenda.  Below is detailed information about items of special interest to neighborhoods. Following those details is a listing of all agenda items, in layperson’s language. The complete official agenda for the Council meeting available online by clicking on "Council Agendas" at the following web site: http://www.hartford.gov/government/Town&CityClerk/Minutes/council_meeting_minutes.htm.

ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

Previously Submitted Items:  The following items were previously on the Council Agenda and were included in the Council Preview/Review.   They were referred to committees and/or public hearing or action was postponed by the Council.  They are now on the agenda again for action.

2008-2009 City Budget – The Council will take action on the 2008-2009 City Budget. The Mayor submitted a $552 million proposed budget to Council on April 28 and the Council held a public hearing on April 29 th , followed by a series of public budget working sessions with City departments. The Council subsequently amended the budget by making a number of reductions from the Mayor's recommendations resulting in a budget of $547,589,282, which was sent back to the Mayor. The Mayor did not make any changes to the budget and has sent it to the Council to take final action on it at their meeting. (Item #1)

Council Funding Application Process – The Council will consider a resolution that establishes a process to consider funding requests. The Council is often sought out by organizations and entities to assist with funding activities and programs. Approval of this resolution will establish a funding application process including devising an application, review and determination procedure to be coordinated with other program funding sources to ensure non-duplication. The Council's Operations, Management & Budget Committee recommends approval. (Item #17)

Anti-Blight Program – The Council will vote on amendment to the Anti-blight Ordinance that includes a determination that citations for violations are “in the best interests of the City”, a change in the calculation of fines, additional requirements for securing vacant buildings, additional reporting requirements by the Director of Licenses & Inspections, and authorization for City acquisition of certain vacant properties. The ordinance had a public hearing on April 21 st and the Housing Committee recommends approval subject to additional information to be provided at a Planning & Economic Development Committee meeting to be held on May 27 th . (Item #14 and 21)

Hartford Residency – The Council will consider a resolution to continue development of a $100,000 residency incentive fund pool for the 2008-09 fiscal year. The resolution notes that a survey has determined that, currently, Hartford residents make up only 30% of the government and nonprofit workforce in the city. The Council's Operations, Management and Budget Committee postponed action on this matter. (Item #31)

New Agenda Items

Quality of Life Quarterly Report – The Council will receive the Quality of Life Third Quarter Report for the period January 1 through March 31, 2008. The report is prepared by the Department of Management & Budget, and contains statistics on the City's 311 service and the Hartford Business Improvement District (BID), and crime statistics from the Hartford Police Department. (A copy of the report may be viewed in the Town Clerk's office. It will also be available at www.hartfordinfo.org at a later date.) (Item #2 ).

Parent Aide Program – The Council will vote on a resolution authorizing the Department of Health and Human Services to contract with the State Department of Children and Families and receive $80,718 to continue the Parent Aide Program. The Program has been effective in addressing abuse and neglect behaviors among at risk families and has had an impact in reducing the incidence of child abuse and neglect and in enhancing the relationship between parents and their children. (Item #3)

Asian Studies Academy – The Council will consider a resolution approving renovation of the John Bellizzi School into an Asian Studies Academy to serve 702 students in grades pre-kindergarten through 8. The cost of renovations, furnishings, and equipment is estimated to be $8.0 million. The State of Connecticut will pay 80% of the costs. (Item #9)

International Baccalaureate School – A resolution will be considered authorizing the renovation of Thomas Quirk Middle School for an International Baccalaureate School serving 1,266 students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12. The school will offer a comprehensive liberal arts program. The cost of renovation is estimated at $55 million and the State of Connecticut will pay 80% of the cost. (Item #10)

Journalism and New Media High School – The Council will consider a resolution authorizing the renovation of Clarence A. Barbour Elementary School for a Journalism and New Media High School to serve 400 students in grades 9 through 12. The cost is estimated at $37.4 million, 80% of which will be paid for by the State of Connecticut . (Item #11)

Hartford Building Bridges Project – The Council will vote on a resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept $75,000 in additional funding from the State Judicial Branch to accommodate additional clients in the Hartford Building Bridges Project, bringing the total contract for the current fiscal year to $583,900. The Building Bridges Project is designed to aid men and women leaving the criminal justice system and to help them continue their adjustment process as they re-enter society. (Item #12)

Bond Issuance – An ordinance has been submitted authorizing the issuance of $9.0 million in General Obligation Bonds for four capital improvement projects: Parking Authority garage improvements ($2.0 million), improvements to Fire Houses citywide ($1.0 million), playground and pool improvements ($1.0 million), and streetscape projects north and south ($2.0 million). (Item #30)

Caribbean American Heritage Month – The Council will consider a resolution declaring June as Caribbean American Heritage Month in Hartford . (Item #34)

LIST OF ALL AGENDA ITEMS
Item #

1. City Budget: Adoption of the 2008-09 City Budget in the amount of $547.5 million.
2. Quality of Life Report: Receipt of quarterly statistical report (January – March) on 311 calls, crime, and Business Improvement District activity.
3. Parent Aides: Approval to accept $80,718 from the Sate of Connecticut to address child abuse, neglect and violence.
4. Nutrition: Approval to accept $3,328 from the State of Connecticut to provide subsidies to low income people to purchase fresh food from farmers markets.
5. Loan Refinancing: Authorization to refinance a HUD loan, used to construct the new Burgdorf Health Center in 1995, to obtain a lower interest rate.
6. Arts: Approval to accept a $1,000 grant from the Greater Hartford Arts Council to support the Intergenerational Quilting Project at Pope Park Recreation Center.
7. School Community Partnerships: Authorization to provide funding for the School Community Partnership through the Office of Youth Services. (no amount cited)
8. Land Donation: Approval to accept two parcels of land to be used for the new public safety complex. The property, located at 1409 and 1411-1417 Main Street , will be donated to the City by the owner, for $1.00.
9. New School: Authorization to spend $8 million for renovations to Bellizzi School for the new Asian Studies Academy (grades PK-8).
10. New School : Approval to spend $55 million for renovations to Quirk School for the new International Baccalaureate School (grades PK-12).
11. New School: Authorization to spend $37.4 million to renovate Barbour School for the new Journalism and New Media High School (grades 9-12).
12. New Day Program: Approval to accept $75,000 from the State of Connecticut for the New Day Program, operated by SAND and the Puerto Rican Forum, which assists men and women coming out of prison to re-enter society.
13. Memorial to Workers: Request to reconsider a resolution previously passed that authorized a memorial, to be placed in Bushnell Park , commemorating workers killed on the job. A public hearing must be held on this matter.
14. Anti-Blight Ordinance: Ordinance changing certain aspects of the City's program for addressing blighted buildings and lots (see Committee report in item #21).
15. Respite Care: Approval of a $15,327 grant to Immaculate Conception Shelter and Housing Corporation to provide daytime care for fragile homeless individuals.
16. City Independent Audit: Approval to hire Blum Shapiro & Co. to conduct the City's annual audit.
17. Council Funding Process: Approval to develop a Council Funding Application Process to deal with requests for funding from outside organizations.
18. Delinquent Tax Collection : Authorization to extend and amend a contract with TaxServ Capital Services to collect delinquent payments to the City.
19. HOT: Approval to provide $15,000 to Hartford Organizing for Tomorrow (HOT) to continue developing a pool of funding for community and human service agencies.
20. Residency Incentive: Approval to continue development of a $100,000 incentive fund to increase the number of Hartford residents employed in Hartford-based governmental and nonprofit agencies.
21. Anti-Blight Ordinance: Positive recommendation by the Housing Committee on ordinance amending the Anti-Blight Program (ordinance is item #14).
22. Subordination of Loan: Authorization for the City to subordinate a mortgage on 18-20 Auburn Street to allow the owner to refinance first and second mortgages on the property for a lower interest rate.
23. Hartford Youth Soccer: Grant to the youth soccer organization. (replacement resolution to be submitted by Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee)
24. One Kids Bike-a-thon: Authorization to sponsor the bike-a-thon. (replacement resolution to be submitted by Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee)
25. March for Babies Fundraising Walk: Authorization for street closures and fee waivers for event on April 27th. (replacement resolution to be submitted by Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee)
26. Boriquas Softball Tournament: Authorization for fee waivers for tournament in Colt Park on April 26 th . (replacement resolution to be submitted by Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee)
27. CT Miracle Ride: Authorization for street closures and fee waivers for motorcycle ride to benefit CT Children's Medical Center . (replacement resolution to be submitted by Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee)
28. Run for Kevin: Authorization for fee waivers for run in Elizabeth Park.
29. Keney-Waverly Field: Approval to re-name baseball diamond for Elliot Bert and Lou Kelly.
30. Bond Issuance: Authorization to issue $9.0 million in bonds for four capital improvement projects.
31. Appointment: Approval to appoint Lynn Bryant to Commission on HIV/AIDS.
32. Appointment: Approval to re-appoint Sandra Bobowski and John Lupo, Jr. to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
33. Appointment: Approval to appoint Albert Barrueco to the Hartford Parking Authority.
34. Community Promise Day: Approval of fee waivers for wellness and prevention fair to be sponsored by Community Renewal Team and held at South Green Park on June 26th.
35. City Day '08: Approval of fee waivers for outdoor event at Bulkeley High School parking lot on June 14 th , sponsored by the US Army and Renaissance II.
36. Dia de Portugal and St. Anthony Festival : Approval of fee waivers for two events to be sponsored by Our Lady of Fatima Church on June 8 and June 15.
37. Forster Heights Park: Authorization to name the renovated playground at Forster Heights Park for Victor Jarm, former Director of Hartford's Parks & Recreation Department.
38. Festival del Coqui: Approval of fee waivers for the festival to be held in Bushnell Park on June 1, following the Puerto Rican Parade.
39. Caribbean American Heritage Month: Designation of June as Caribbean American Heritage Month in Hartford.
40. Puerto Rican State Parade: Approval for fee waivers in connection with the parade to be held on June 1 beginning at Pope Park and ending at Bushnell Park.

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 Hartford 2000 and the Hartford Public Library.