Prepared by: Citizens’ Research Education Network,
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
There were 53 items on the agenda. The next Council meeting will be Monday,
June 27th in Council Chambers. It the next public hearing will be Monday, June
20th.
Over 20 people spoke during the public hearing that preceded the Council meeting.
They addressed the Council on a several issues including support for school
funding, concern for safety, and in support of several resolutions directed
at the Hartford Police Department. (See below.)
Learning Corridor: The Council passed a resolution to authorizing 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 recommended passage.
Coltsville Streetscape Project: The Council referred to the Management and
Budget Committee a resolution that would 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.
Neighborhood Convenience Stores: The Council received 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 committee had voted to table the item until
further information has been received.
The resolution also calls for a report on the location and operating hours
of convenience stores in residential areas 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.
Police Department: The Council referred to the Quality of Life and Public
Safety Committee 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.
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.
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.
Housing Development Fund Bond: The Council received a report from the Finance
and Revenue Committee recommending tabling 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 be financed
through the continuance of the state conveyance tax.
Issuance and Sale of Bonds: The Council referred to the Finance and Revenue
and to public hearing, June 20th, 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.
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.
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.
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. |