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Prepared by: Citizens’ Research Education Network,
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
There are 53 items on the agenda. The next Council meeting will be Monday,
June 27th in Council Chambers. It will be preceded by a public hearing that
will begin at 6:30 P.M.
Learning Corridor: The Council will vote on a resolution to authorize the
Mayor to enter into a three-year contract with the Capitol Region Education
Council for the management of the Learning Corridor facilities effective on
or about July 1, 2005. The Education Committee is recommending passage. (Item
#15)
Coltsville Streetscape Project: The Council will vote on a resolution to authorize
the Mayor to enter into agreements with the State of Connecticut for construction,
inspection, and maintenance of streetscape improvements on Huyshope Avenue
and with Colt Gateway, LLC for the longer term maintenance, repair, and operation
of non standard elements, including decorative street lights, sidewalks, and
other features. The State Department of Transportation will administer approximately
$4.0 million in grants that were secured by Colt Gateway, LLC from Federal
Funds. The City of Hartford will be responsible for the administration, construction,
inspection, and coordination of grant reimbursement. The City will be reimbursed
for personnel costs associated with the aforementioned activities. (Item #9)
Neighborhood Convenience Stores: The Council will receive a report from the
Planning and Economic Development Committee on a resolution requesting the
Mayor to direct the Director of Development Services to explore restricting
any additional convenience stores citywide and to draft an ordinance restricting
the operating hours of convenience stores. The resolution also calls for a
report on the location and operating hours of convenience stores in residential
within thirty days. The resolution was introduced in response to complaints
from neighborhood residents about excessive noise, loitering, and illegal trafficking
around convenience stores, many of which are open twenty-four hours a day.
The committee voted to table the item until further information has been received.
(Item #12)
Police Department: The Council will vote on three resolutions pertaining to
the Hartford Police Department. The first resolution calls for the Council
to review of the HPD policies and procedures regarding its firearm guidelines.
The resolution is in response to community concerns about discharge of firearms
by officers of the HPD recently and in past years. (Item # 41)
The second resolution calls for the Council to conduct a review of the recruitment
and hiring procedures of the Hartford Police Department, including, but not
limited to psychological testing, past arrest records, and credit history.
The resolution is in part a response to community concerns that some officers
may have been hired despite some incidents in their past that disqualified
others. (Item # 42)
The third resolution would have the Mayor direct the Chief of Police to issue
a monthly report regarding all internal investigations of complaints, including
internal investigation matters filed by members of the HPD as well as those
filed by citizens. The resolution is in response to the backlog of citizen
complaints against the HPD. (Item # 43)
Housing Development Fund Bond: The Council will vote on a resolution that
would request that Mayor Eddie Perez create a capital bond fund of $5 to $10
million to support homeownership initiatives, affordable housing initiatives,
and Rising Star/Pride Blocks. The resolution points out the possibility that
federal housing support like that received from HUD Section 8 and Community
Development Block Grants is expected to decrease in the coming years. The fund
could also financed through the continuance of the state conveyance tax. The
item was referred to the Finance and Revenue Committee in March. The committee
is recommending tabling the resolution. (Item #13)
Issuance and Sale of Bonds: The Council will vote on three ordinances for
the issuance and sale of bonds. The first ordinance would appropriate $38,438,000
for the construction of an addition to and renovation of Annie Fisher Magnet
School. The State will reimburse the City approximately 95% of the cost. The
City will issue $3,850,000 in bonds. (Item #30)
The second ordinance would appropriate $4,800,000 for the City’s share
of the cost of design, renovation, and improvements to the Tower Brook Conduit
to alleviate sewage overflows in the Tower Avenue area. The City will issue
$2,500,000 in bonds. (Item #31)
The third ordinance would appropriate $36,815,000 for the construction of
an addition and renovation of Richard J. Kinsella School for use as a magnet
school of the Arts. The State will reimburse the City approximately 95% of
the cost. The City will issue $3,700,000 in bonds. (Item #30)
These ordinances will be sent to public hearing on June 20, 2005. This is
the first time the ordinances are being heard.
If you have any questions about the agenda call Greg Vickers at CREN, 509-3701 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. |
