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Prepared by: Citizens’ Research Education Network,
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
There were 51 items on the agenda: three more were walked in during the meeting. The next Council meeting will be Monday, June 28 at 7 P.M. in Hartford City Hall in Council Chambers. The next public hearing will be Monday, June 21.
Confirmation of new Chief of Police: The Council voted to confirm Chief Patrick J. Hartnett as the next Chief of Police for the City of Hartford for a term starting June 21, 2004 and ending January 7, 2008.
The Council voted down an amendment which would have postponed the vote on confirmation until after a public meeting with the new chief by the Committee of the Whole. Those in favor of holding a public interview argued that the Council should have a process for vetting appointments. Those opposed to holding a public interview with the candidate argued that they already knew they wanted to vote for Chief Hartnett through private conversations.
Nine residents addressed the Council at the public hearing prior to the meeting opposing either the confirmation or the lack of a confirmation process.
American Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI): The Council passed on consent a resolution authorizing Mayor Eddie Perez to negotiate and execute agreements for the allocation of $203,709 for a new HUD program, the American Dream Downpayment Initiative for Fiscal Year 2004-05. These funds will act as down payments for first-time homebuyers in conjunction with the existing program that assists first-time homebuyers.
Shelter for Gardeners: The Council referred to the Management and Budget Committee a resolution authorizing Chief Operating Officer Lee Erdman to program $5,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds by July 15, 2005. If passed, the Mayor would be authorized to allocate these funds to the Knox Park Foundation to build a shelter for the gardeners of the Watkinson Community Garden. The shelter would provide protection for the gardeners from inclement weather.
Upper Albany Main Street (UAMS) Program: The Council referred to the Management and Budget Committee a resolution authorizing the Mayor to program $15,000 in available CDBG funds for fiscal year 2004-05 to the Upper Albany Main Street Program for an additional staff person. The Main Street Program focuses on revitalization of the Upper Albany area in terms of design, economic restructuring, organization, and promotion.
Reconfiguration of Simpson-Waverly School: The Council referred to the Education Committee a resolution that approves the reconfiguration and renovation of the Simpson-Waverly School to a Classical Magnet School at an estimated cost of $22,550,000. The classical curriculum aims to encourage the classical sources of expression that are rooted in foreign language, philosophy, history, social studies, mathematics, sciences, and arts.
Construction of College Preparatory Interdistrict Magnet School: The Council passed a resolution that approves the construction of a new Capital College Preparatory Interdistrict Magnet High School at an estimated cost of $45,650,000. The school has an innovative program that motivates high school students towards the pursuit of a four-year college education and makes students feel like a part of the large college community.
City Slickers Program: The Council referred to the Health and Human Services Committee a resolution that would authorize the Mayor to allocate $10,000 to the City Slickers Program from the Health and Human Services Department-Recreation Services Contractual Account. The City Slickers Program brings together students from Hartford with students from surrounding neighborhoods and provides them with new experiences, academic support, and encouragement to define their career goals.
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. |
