Council Review
Hartford City Council Meeting

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

There were 40 items on the original agenda. One additional item was submitted during the meeting. The next regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, June 9, 2008 at 7 P.M. in the Council Chambers in Hartford City Hall , preceded at 6:30 by a public comment period. The next public hearing will be Monday, June 16, 2008 at 7 PM.

This Review consists of two sections: Items of Special Interest and Action on All Agenda Items. The City's official listing of 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.

ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

2008-2009 City Budget – The Council adopted 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 sent it back to the Council for final action. (Item #1)

Quality of Life Quarterly Report – The Council received 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 approved 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 withdrew from consideration 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 – The Council referred , to its Operations, Management and Budget Committee, a resolution 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 referred , to its Operations, Management, and Budget Committee, 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 approved 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)

Council Funding Application Process – The Council withdrew from consideration a resolution that would have established a process to consider funding requests. The Council is often sought out by organizations and entities to assist with funding activities and programs. The resolution asked for an application to be created as well as a review and determination procedure to be coordinated with other program funding sources to ensure non-duplication. The Council's Operations, Management & Budget Committee recommended approval. (Item #17)

Anti-Blight Program – The Council postponed action on an 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 recommended 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)

Bond Issuance – The Council referred , to its Operations, Management, and Budget Committee, an ordinance authorizing the issuance of $9.0 million in General Obligation Bonds for six 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), streetscape projects north and south ($2.0 million), acquisition of property for Development Services ($1.0 million), and window replacement at Fox School and roofing projects citywide ($2.0 million). A public hearing will be held on this item on June 16, 2008). (Item #30)

Hartford Residency – The Council tabled 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)

Caribbean American Heritage Month – The Council approved 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. Approved
2. Quality of Life Report : Receipt of quarterly statistical report (January – March) on 311 calls, crime, and Business Improvement District activity. Received
3. Parent Aides: Approval to accept $80,718 from the Sate of Connecticut to address child abuse, neglect and violence. Approved
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. Approved
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. Approved
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 . Approved
7. School Community Partnerships: Authorization to provide funding for the School Community Partnership through the Office of Youth Services. (no amount cited). Referred to Education Committee
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. Referred to Planning & Economic Development Committee and Public Hearing on June 16 th.
9. New School: Authorization to spend $8 million for renovations to Bellizzi School for the new Asian Studies Academy (grades PK-8). Withdrawn
10. New School : Approval to spend $55 million for renovations to Quirk School for the new International Baccalaureate School (grades PK-12). Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
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). ). Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
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. Approved
13. Memorial to Workers: The Council voted 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 will be held on this matter on June 16 th.
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). Postponed
15. Respite Care: Approval of a $15,327 grant to Immaculate Conception Shelter and Housing Corporation to provide daytime care for fragile homeless individuals. Rejected
16. City Independent Audit: Approval to hire Blum Shapiro & Co. to conduct the City's annual audit. Approved
17. Council Funding Process: Approval to develop a Council Funding Application Process to deal with requests for funding from outside organizations. Withdrawn
18. Delinquent Tax Collection : Authorization to extend and amend a contract with TaxServ Capital Services to collect delinquent payments to the City. Approved
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. Postponed
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. Postponed
21. Anti-Blight Ordinance: Positive recommendation by the Housing Committee on ordinance amending the Anti-Blight Program (ordinance is item #14 and action was postponed). Received
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. Withdrawn
23. Hartford Youth Soccer: Grant to the youth soccer organization (replacement resolution to be submitted by Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee). Postponed
24. One Kids Bike-a-thon: Authorization to sponsor the bike-a-thon. (replacement resolution to be submitted by Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee) Approved
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) Postponed
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) Withdrawn
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) Approved
28. Run for Kevin: Authorization for fee waivers for run in Elizabeth Park. Postponed
29. Keney-Waverly Field: Approval to re-name baseball diamond for Elliot Bert and Lou Kelly. Withdrawn
30. Bond Issuance: Authorization to issue $9.0 million in bonds for four capital improvement projects. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee and Public Hearing on June 16 th.
31. Appointment: Approval to appoint Lynn Bryant to Commission on HIV/AIDS. Tabled
32. Appointment: Approval to re-appoint Sandra Bobowski and John Lupo, Jr. to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Tabled
33. Appointment: Approval to appoint Albert Barrueco to the Hartford Parking Authority. Tabled
34. Caribbean American Heritage Month: Designation of June as Caribbean American Heritage Month in Hartford . Approved
35. 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 26 th . Passed
36. 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. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
37. 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. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
38. Forster Heights Park: Authorization to name the renovated playground at Forster Heights Park for Victor Jarm, former Director of Hartford's Parks & Recreation Department. Referred to Public Building Dedication Committee
39. Festival del Coqui: Approval of fee waivers for the festival to be held in Bushnell Park on June 1, following the Puerto Rican Parade. Passed
40. Puerto Rican State Parade: Approval for a grant of $10,000 and fee waivers in connection with the parade to be held on June 1 beginning at Pope Park and ending at Bushnell Park. Approved
41. Executive Session: To discuss Salvatore Sena v. Michael Velazquez, Hartford Police Department. Received/went into Executive Session

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.