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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 Monday, May 21, 2007.
There are 25 items on the agenda. The complete agenda for the Council meeting is available online by clicking on “Council Agendas” at the following web site:
http://www.hartford.gov/government/Town&CityClerk/Minutes/council_meeting_minutes.htm.
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.
Public Art Ordinance – The Council will vote on a resolution calling for the adoption of a Public Art Ordinance within three months. The resolution also calls for the formation of a Public Art Advisory Committee and a professional artist selection committee to guide and implement a program to be administered by the Greater Hartford Arts Council, funding for which will be no less than $50,000 per year. Subsequent to the passage of the ordinance, a master plan for implementation will be fashioned by the Arts Council and presented for City approval. The resolution recognizes Hartford’s proud heritage of 19th century monument building, with more than 50 major works in public places, and also recognizes the value of public art in building neighborhood culture and identity, promoting tourism and retail activity, enhancing government buildings, libraries, parks, and other public places, and providing employment for artists. The Council’s Public Works, Parks, and Environment Committee recommends approval. (Item #8)
Monument to Honor Hartford’s War Veterans – The Council will consider a resolution granting permission for a site near the corner of Broad Street and Farmington Avenue to be used for a monument to honor Hartford’s war veterans. The monument has been proposed by a group of citizens working through the Greater Hartford Arts Council and would consist of a granite pillar which could be easily relocated if the site is needed for another use in the future. Funds for the monument will be privately raised and controlled by the Arts Council. The Council’s Public Works, Parks, and Environment Committee recommends approval. (Item #9)
Hearing Procedure for Parking Violations – The Council has on its agenda an ordinance that will update the Municipal Code to reflect a new hearing process for parking violations. The ordinance was originally submitted on February 26, 2007. It was referred to the Management and Budget Committee and a public hearing was held on March 19, 2007. In the original proposal, the “Chief Executive Officer” appointed “as many persons as deemed necessary” as parking violations hearing officers. An amended proposed ordinance was subsequently submitted that calls for “the Mayor” to appoint “up to five persons” as hearing officers and prohibits Hartford Parking Authority employees from serving as hearing officers. Because this is a substantive change, the ordinance must go to public hearing again on May 21st. The original ordinance was withdrawn and the new ordinance was also referred to the Council’s Management and Budget Committee. The Council will not vote on this ordinance until after the Public Hearing (Item #14)
Delinquent Tax Liens – The Council will consider a resolution to “sell” $5 million in delinquent tax liens to American Tax Funding, LLC for a payment of $7 million. (Item 4)
Amendment to Law Governing Food Establishments – The Council will receive a proposed ordinance extensively amending the portion of the Municipal Code which regulates the sanitation of restaurants, food operations and other places that prepare and serve food and beverages. Note: The full ordinance may be reviewed in the Town Clerk’s Office. (Item #12)
Reconstruction of Asylum Street – The Council will vote on a proposed appropriations ordinance in the Capital Improvement Fund that, if approved, will provide $1,266,300 to finance the reconstruction of Asylum Street from Main Street to Trumbull Street. The improvements include street pavement reconstruction, new decorative sidewalks and lighting, improved turning radii, and other amenities. 80% of the funding will come from the Federal Surface Transportation Program, and 20% from the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation. (Item #16)
Quarterly Tax Payments – The Council will vote on a proposed ordinance amendment that, if approved, will amend the 2007-2008 Tax Levy Ordinance adopted by the City Council on May 29, 2007, to reflect quarterly tax payments. If the amended ordinance is approved, property tax payments will be due on July first, 2007, October first, 2007, January first, 2008, and April first, 2008. The quarterly tax payment schedule does not apply to taxes not in excess of $100, nor to motor vehicle taxes. (Item #17)
Convenience Stores – The Council will consider an ordinance which amends, slightly, the ordinance regulating extended hours convenience stores which was approved by Council at a previous meeting. The amendment is to the section of the Code which requires a store at which serious criminal activity occurs to take certain actions. The original ordinance required the store to take two actions: 1) have at least two employees on the premises between 10 PM and 5 AM and 2) install a secured safety enclosure for employees. The amendment would require the store to take one of these actions, but not both. The item is expected to be sent to Public Hearing on May 21st. (Item #18)
Reduction in Parking Rates – The Council will vote on a resolution to approve the parking rate reduction proposed by the Hartford Parking Authority. The reduction is proposed because Hartford is reportedly the 10th costliest city in which to park in the country. The Parking Authority has received numerous complaints and believes that reducing parking rates is in the best interest of the City’s economic development and tourism plans. If the proposal is approved, effective July 1, 2007, rates would be reduced at the MAT and Church Street Garages from the current $7.00 for the first two hours to $3.00. In addition, daily rates at the MAT garage may adjust downward from $19.25 to $16.25. On-street meter rates would be reduced within thirty days thereafter. At the same time, overtime fines will be increased from $15.00 to $25.00, but would be reduced to $20.00 if paid within 72 hours. (Item #21)
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 Hartford 2000, and the Hartford Public Library. |
