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Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
There were 25 items on the original agenda. Four more items were submitted during the meeting. The next regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, June 25, 2007 at 7 P.M. in the Council Chambers in Hartford City Hall. The next public hearing will be Monday, June 18, 2007.
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
Public Art Ordinance – The Council passed 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. (Item #8)
Monument to Honor Hartford’s War Veterans – The Council adopted 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. (Item #9)
Hearing Procedure for Parking Violations – The Council adopted an ordinance updating the Municipal Code to reflect a new hearing process for parking violations. The Mayor will appoint up to five persons as hearing officers; Hartford Parking Authority employees are prohibited from serving as hearing officers. (Item #14)
Delinquent Tax Liens – The Council tabled 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 postponed action on 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 referred, to its Planning & Economic Development Committee, 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. A public hearing on the item will be held on Monday, June 18, 2007. (Item #16)
Quarterly Tax Payments – A proposed ordinance to amend the 2007-2008 Tax Levy Ordinance adopted by the City Council on May 29, 2007, to reflect quarterly tax payments was withdrawn from consideration by the Council. Note: Also see new Agenda Item #29 described below. (Item #17)
Convenience Stores – The Council referred, to its Quality of Life & Public Safety Committee, 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. A public hearing on the item will be held on June 18th. (Item #18)
Reduction in Parking Rates – The Council approved two resolutions approving parking rate reductions proposed by the Hartford Parking Authority. The reductions were 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. 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 will be reduced within thirty days thereafter from $1.50 to $1.00 per hour. 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 & 29)
Tax Payments – The Council passed a resolution requiring the Administration to develop and/or update a process for allowing taxpayers, who are experiencing financial hardship and/or their taxes have increased by more than 25% over the previous year, to pay their taxes on an individualized schedule, e.g. quarterly. Further, the resolution requires that taxpayers be notified of this process with their tax bills and that City staff be trained in this process. (Item #28)
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. |
