Council Review
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, June 13, 2011

Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

There were 79 items on the original agenda. One additional item was submitted during the meeting. The next regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, June 27, 2011 at 7 P.M. in the Council Chambers in Hartford City Hall. The next public hearing will be Monday, June 20, 2011 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

HUD Annual Action Plan – The Council referred to its Operations, Management & Budget Committee, a resolution authorizing the submission and adoption of the City of Hartford Annual Action Plan for Fiscal Year 2011-12. The Plan describes the City’s intended use of approximately $7.5 million in Federal entitlement grant funds which the City expects to receive from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development through four programs: the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnership (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA). (Item #3)

Neighborhood Standards – The Council approved a resolution that endorses and supports the Hartford Neighborhood Standards. The Standards were developed by Hartford 2000 as a tool to improve the quality of life in Hartford. The types of behaviors contained in the Standards are all found in State or Municipal Law. The first page of the Standards is designed to be used by residents, landlords, condominium owners, and others to encourage neighborly behavior. The second page, which lists penalties for violation of the law, may be used by police and others for enforcement purposes. (Item #11)

Hartford Magnet Middle School Expansion – The Council approved a resolution authorizing the City to apply for and accept a School Construction Grant from the State Department of Education to be used for the expansion of the Hartford Magnet Middle School, located on the Learning Corridor Campus, to accommodate high school students. The total cost of the project is estimated at $30.4 million. The state will reimburse the City for 95% of eligible costs. The final cost to the City will be approximately $3 million, which has been included in the proposed 2011-12 Capital Improvement Program. (Segarra) (Item #22)

Event Permitting – The Council withdrew from consideration the first version and replaced it with a second version of a proposed ordinance to amend the permitting process for festivals, parades, races, bicycle tours, carnivals, and other special events, which are held on streets, parks, or other City property. The revised ordinance was referred to the Council’s Planning & Economic Development and Operations, Management & Budget Committees and Public Hearing. The proposed ordinance defines the types of events for which permits are required, prescribes the permitting process, and defines the circumstances under which permits may be granted. It establishes fees for each type of event and defines services that the City will provide for free. The ordinance prohibits waivers of such fees with one exception, i.e. it allows Friends of Parks groups to hold one fundraising event per year in the park and pay one half of the City fee. The ordinance does not cover public speeches, political rallies, marches, protests, or demonstrations. (Segarra) (Item #58 and 80)

Residency Requirements – The Council withdrew from consideration the first version and replaced it with a second version of amendments to an existing ordinance requiring appointees of the Mayor and City Council to be residents of Hartford. The revised version was referred to the Labor & Workforce Development Committee and to Public Hearing. Among the proposed amendments are a definition of the term “bona fide resident,” a change in the length of time within which an appointee must become a resident from six months to two months, and a stipulation that the appointment or employment can be terminated if these requirements are not met. A previous version of this ordinance was withdrawn in favor of the revised ordinance. (Winch) Items #66 (withdrawn) & 71 (referred)

Municipal Towing – The Council referred to its Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee, a resolution requesting the Chief Operating Officer or his designee to perform a feasibility study on municipal towing to be presented to the City Council within 180 days. The idea of a City-run towing entity has come up at budget hearings. It could provide better customer service and provide a revenue stream for the City. (Item #75)

LIST OF ALL AGENDA ITEMS

Item #

1. Parks & Recreation Commission Appointment. Confirmation of the Mayor’s appointment of Donna Swarr to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission. (Segarra) Postponed
2. Grandparents Commission Appointment. Confirmation of the Mayor’s appointment of Graciela Davila to the Commission on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. (Segarra) Postponed
3. HUD Annual Action Plan. Adoption of the 2011-12 Annual Plan for the use of $7.5 million in HUD entitlement grant funds, including Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Solutions Grant, Home Investment Partnership, and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS. (Segarra) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
4. Billboard. Approval for the City to enter into an agreement with Independent Outdoor III for construction of a 2-sided billboard on City-owned property west of I-91 at the Windsor town line. (Segarra) Referred to Planning & Economic Development and Operations, Management & Budget Committees
5. 45 Evergreen Avenue. Authorization for the City to accept $259,000 and the deed to the property at 45 Evergreen Avenue in payment of a lien of $329,561 resulting from the City’s demolition of the building after a fire. (Segarra) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
6. Food Pantries. Approval for the City to provide $13,500 to each of four providers for operation of food pantries and information and referral services to residents in need. (Segarra) Passed
7. Donations to Police Department. Acceptance of the donations of two bicycles for use by bike patrol officers and a check for $1,500 to be used to purchase equipment for the motorcycle unit. (Segarra) Passed
8. Youth Services Enhancement Grant. Authorization to apply for and accept $10,000 from the CT Department of Education to be distributed as small grants to local organizations to provide services, activities and events for youth. (Segarra) Passed
9. Workers Compensation Claim. Proposed settlement of a workers compensation claim by Gary Woods for an amount up to $230,000. (Segarra) Postponed
10. Finance Director. Confirmation of the Mayor’s appointment of Julio C. Molleda as Director of Finance. (Segarra) Postponed
11. Neighborhood Standards. Resolution endorsing and supporting the use of Neighborhood Standards to improve Hartford’s quality of life. (Segarra) Passed
12. Youth Services Basic Grant. Authorization to apply for and accept $160,804 from the CT Department of Education to be used to fund two full-time staff people to provide services to youth. (Segarra) Passed
13. Morgan Street Garage. Authorization for the City to refinance, with taxable bonds, up to $25 million in debt on the Morgan Street Garage. (Segarra) ) Referred to Planning & Economic Development and Operations, Management & Budget Committees
14. Surplus Vehicles. Authorization to sell 23 surplus City-owned vehicles for a total of $32,133. (Segarra) Passed
15. Director Appointment. Confirmation of the Mayor’s appointment of Jose Colon-Rivas as the Director of Families, Children, Youth, and Recreation. (Segarra) Passed
16. Early Childhood Funds. Approval for the City to accept school readiness funds from the CT Department of Social Services for the operation of eight pre-school education centers. (Segarra) Passed
17. Accessibility Code. Report by the Planning & Economic Development Committee on discussions of proposed ordinance deleting the section of the City’s building code related to accessibility in new construction and rehabilitation because the State Building Code supercedes the City’s code. (Segarra) (also see #65) Received
18. Zoning Enforcement. Report by the Planning & Economic Development Committee on discussions of proposed ordinance clarifying that the Division of Licenses & Inspections is responsible for zoning enforcement. (Segarra) (also see #61) Received
19. Fences. Report by the Planning & Economic Development Committee on discussions of proposed ordinance deleting regulations dealing with fences which were superceded by the 2005 zoning regulations. (Segarra) (also see #59) Received
20. Zoning Regulations. Report by the Planning & Economic Development Committee on discussions of proposed ordinance deleting the section of the Municipal Code dealing with zoning regulations which was superceded by regulations adopted by the Planning & Zoning Commission in 2005. (Segarra) (also see #60) Received
21. Event Permitting. Report by the Planning & Economic Development Committee on discussions of proposed ordinance establishing a new permitting process and new fees for festivals, parades, races, bicycle tours, carnivals and other special events. (Segarra, Kennedy, Cotto) (also see #31, 58 and 80) Received
22. Hartford Magnet Middle School. Approval for the City to apply for a State school construction grant for the expansion of the Hartford Magnet Middle School to accommodate high school students. (Segarra) Passed
23. Milner School. Authorization for the City to apply for a State school construction grant to replace the roof on Milner Elementary School. (Segarra) Passed
24. License Agreement. Authorization for the City to enter into a license agreement with Knox Parks Foundation for the use of 154 Affleck Street and 650 Broad Street as community gardens. (Segarra) Passed
25. Batchelder School. Approval for the City to apply for a State school construction grant to replace the roof on Batchelder Elementary School. (Segarra) Passed
26. Trash Containers. Report by Operations, Management & Budget Committee on discussions of proposed ordinance establishing the price of a residential trash container at $35. (Kennedy, Segarra) (also see #36 and 64) Received
27. Lease. Authorization for the City to enter into a lease agreement with Segundo Roche for the use of 539 Park Street for parking for the City’s WIC office next door. (Segarra) Passed
28. Hilton Hotel Parking Lease. Five-year extension of an existing 15-year lease with the Hilton Hotel for use of 100 parking spaces in the Church Street Garage. (Segarra) Passed
29. West Middle School. Approval for the City to apply for a State school construction grant for alterations, renovations, and expansion at West Middle Elementary School. (Segarra) Passed
30. Building Permit Fee Waivers. Report by Operations, Management & Budget Committee on discussions of proposed ordinance exempting the City of Hartford, the Board of Education, and the School Building Committee from the payment of building permit fees. (Segarra) (also see #63) Received
31. Event Permitting. Report by the Operations, Management & Budget Committee postponing action on proposed ordinance establishing a new permitting process and new fees for festivals, parades, races, bicycle tours, carnivals and other special events. (Segarra, Kennedy, Cotto) (also see #21, 58 and 80) Received
32. Heating of Occupied Building. Report by the Health & Human Services Committee postponing action on proposed ordinance decreasing the minimum temperature (from 68 degrees to 65 degrees) to which property owners must heat the interiors of occupied buildings and requiring that such temperatures must be maintained at all times of day. (Segarra) (also see #62) Received
33. Parks & Recreation. Report from Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee on discussions of a proposed ordinance creating a Department of Parks & Recreation to include the divisions of Parks Maintenance and Recreation & Youth Services. Ordinance to be withdrawn. (Cotto) Received
34. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for St. Lawrence O’Toole Church’s Good Friday procession on April 22, 2011. (Cotto) Passed
35. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for Our Lady of Sorrow’s Good Friday procession on April 22, 2011. (Cotto) Passed
36. Trash Containers. Report by Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee on discussions of proposed ordinance establishing the price of a residential trash container at $35. (Kennedy, Segarra) (also see #26 and 64) Received
37. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees associated with the Discover Hartford Bicycling and Walking Tour held on September 11, 2010. (Cotto) Passed
38. Permission. Resolution granting permission to Carlene Walker to serve alcohol at a baby shower in the Keney Park Pond House on May 13, 2011. (Cotto) Passed
39. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for the Pour House Summer Block Party Series to be held on Allyn Street, between Ann and High Streets, on May 6, June 10, August 12, and September 16, 2011. (Cotto) Passed
40. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for the Black Bear Saloon’s block party series to be held on Allyn Street and Union Place on May 20, June 24, August 26, September 23, and October 28, 2011. (Cotto) Passed
41. Fee Waiver. Request for a waiver of fees associated with the elephant lunch held by the Community Renewal Team on May 4th at Bushnell Park and the Old State House. (Cotto) Passed
42. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for a field day in Bushnell Park to be hosted by HYPE and the MetroHartford Alliance on April 30, 2011. (Cotto) Passed
43. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for SS. Patrick and Anthony Church’s Easter Vigil on April 23, 2011. (Cotto) Passed
44. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for a Day of Portugal procession on June 5, 2011 and St. Anthony Festival on June 19, 2011 to be sponsored by Our Lady of Fatima Church. (Cotto) Passed
45. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for the Coleman Brothers carnival to be held in Pope Park from May 31 through June 5, 2011. (Cotto) Passed
46. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for an event in the City Hall Atrium to be held on May 14, 2011 by Gardner’s House and the Caribbean Multicultural Arts and Heritage Center. (Cotto) Passed
47. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for NAMI Walks – Changing Minds, One Step at a Time 2011 on May 21, 2011. (Cotto) Passed
48. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for the Rehoboth Church of God’s community outreach event to be held in Keney Park on July 23, 2011. (Cotto) Passed
49. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for St. Anne-Immaculate Conception Church’s Good Friday procession on April 22, 2011. (Cotto) Passed
50. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for Mt. Olive Child Development Center’s Annual Walk-a-thon on June 25, 2011 in Bushnell Park. (Cotto) Passed
51. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for Kevin’s Run 5K sponsored by Community Services, Inc. to be held in Elizabeth Park on May 23, 2011. (Cotto) Passed
52. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for the Fundraiser for the IAC Columbus to be held in Columbus Park on April 14-17, 2011. (Cotto) Passed
53. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for Nellie Hunt’s Waverly Egg Hunt to be held April 22, 2011 in Keney Park’s Waverly Field. (Cotto) Passed
54. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees and street closures for Connecticut Children’s Medical Center’s 16th Annual Miracle Ride to be held on May 1, 2011. (Cotto) Passed
55. Organizational Changes. Report from Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee on a proposed ordinance removing the division of Parks Maintenance from the Public Works Department and removing the division of Recreation & Youth Services from the Department of Health & Human Services. Ordinance will be withdrawn. (Cotto) (also see #67) Received
56. Conflicts of Interest. Requirement that the Corporation Counsel’s Office conduct conflict of interest checks for City officials and employees. (Kennedy) Postponed
57. Civilian Police Review Board Appointment. Confirmation of the Mayor’s appointment of Rita Ricciardi to the Civilian Police Review Board. (Segarra) Passed
58. Event Permitting. Proposed ordinance establishing a new permitting process and new fees for festivals, parades, races, bicycle tours, carnivals and other special events. (Segarra, Kennedy, Cotto) (also see #21, 31, and 80) Withdrawn
59. Fences. Proposed ordinance deleting regulations dealing with fences which were superceded by the 2005 zoning regulations. (Segarra) (also see #19) Passed
60. Zoning Regulations. Proposed ordinance deleting the section of the Municipal Code dealing with zoning regulations which was superceded by regulations adopted by the Planning & Zoning Commission in 2005. (Segarra) (also see #20) Passed
61. Zoning Enforcement. Proposed ordinance clarifying that the Division of Licenses & Inspections is responsible for zoning enforcement. (Segarra) (also see #18) Passed
62. Heating of Occupied Building. Proposed ordinance decreasing the minimum temperature (from 68 degrees to 65 degrees) to which property owners must heat the interiors of occupied buildings and requiring that such temperatures must be maintained at all times of day. (Segarra) (also see #32) Postponed
63. Building Permit Fee Waivers. Proposed ordinance exempting the City of Hartford, the Board of Education, and the School Building Committee from the payment of building permit fees. (Segarra) (also see #30) Passed
64. Trash Containers. Proposed ordinance establishing the price of a residential trash container at $35. (Kennedy, Segarra) (also see #26 and 36) Passed
65. Accessibility Code. Proposed ordinance deleting the section of the City’s building code related to accessibility in new construction and rehabilitation because the State Building Code supercedes the City’s code. (Segarra) (also see #17) Passed
66. Residency. Ordinance proposing changes to residency requirements for City employees to require new employees to become Hartford residents within 60 days of hire and allow the Council to terminate employment of employees who fail to do so. (Winch) (Also see #71) Withdrawn
67. Organizational Changes. Ordinance removing the division of Parks Maintenance from the Public Works Department and removing the division of Recreation & Youth Services from the Department of Health & Human Services. (Cotto) (also see #55) Withdrawn
68. Parks & Recreation. Ordinance creating a Department of Parks & Recreation to include the divisions of Parks Maintenance and Recreation & Youth Services. (Cotto) (also see #55) Withdrawn
69. Parking Authority Charges. Ordinance deleting existing language requiring Council approval of parking facility rates. (Segarra) (also see #70) ) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee and Public Hearing
70. Parking Authority Charges. Ordinance granting authority to the Hartford Parking Authority to set rates in parking facilities. (Segarra) (also see #69) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee and Public Hearing
71. Residency. Ordinance proposing changes to residency requirements for City employees to require new unclassified employees and those appointed by the Mayor and Council to become Hartford residents within 60 days of hire (Winch) (Also see #66) Referred to Labor & Workforce Development Committee and Public Hearing
72. Workforce Task Force. Appointment of five individuals to the Workforce Task Force which is to examine employment opportunities in the city of Hartford. (Winch) Postponed
73. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees and closure of streets for King’s Chapel Community Day to be held on June 18, 2011 on Woodland Street between Albany Avenue and Harrison Place. (Cotto) Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
74. Fee Waiver. Waiver of fees for the Bushnell Park Foundation’s Summer Solstice event to be held on June 15, 2011 on Trinity Street. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
75. Towing. Request that a study be prepared within 180 days on the feasibility of creating a City-run towing entity. (Cotto) Referred to Quality of Life & Public Safety Committee
76. Council’s Housing Committee. Change in the schedule of Housing Committee meetings to the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 5:30 PM beginning July 2011. (Brinson) Passed
77. Grant. Allocation of $3,000 to Boy Scout Troop #1443 for the purchase of camping equipment. (Torres) Passed
78. Grant. Allocation of $1,400 to St. Vincent DePaul Society and Sacred Heart Church to purchase a conveyor system for their food pantry. (Torres) Passed
79. Grant. Allocation of $15000 to the Spanish American Merchants Association for energy maintenance and repairs. (Aponte, Torres) Passed
80. Event Permitting. Proposed ordinance (replacing #58) establishing a new permitting process and new fees for festivals, parades, races, bicycle tours, carnivals and other special events. (Segarra, Kennedy, Cotto) (also see #21, 31, and 58) Referred to Operations, Management & Budget and Planning & Economic Development Committees and Public Hearing

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, 547-1663 X21. The Council Preview/Review is a joint project of Hartford 2000 and the Hartford Public Library.