Prepared by: Citizens’ Research Education Network,
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
There were 78 items on the agenda: five more were walked in during the
meeting. The next Council meeting will
be July 14th and will begin at 8 PM, preceded by an open agenda
public hearing at 7:30 PM.
Prior to the opening of the Council meeting there was an impromptu
public hearing concerned with funding for community organizers. Federal funding for some community
organizers will end on June 30th and about 70 residents came to the
Council meeting to advocate for funding to continue the positions. The Mayor and Council reassured them that
the funding will be available for the organizers from several sources after
June 30th, but the amount of funding that will be available is not
yet certain.
Civic Pride Initiative – The Council passed a resolution recognizing the efforts of Hartford’s City
departments to lead by example in encouraging public participation in the Civic
Pride initiative. The Mayor and the
Hartford Court of Common Council expressed their appreciation of all City
departments for their demonstration of the City’s collective commitment to the
campaign on Civic Pride. City
departments have planned and/or implemented numerous events and projects for
those who live, worship, and play in Hartford, such as Clean Sweep, Voter
Registration and Education, Youth Entrepreneurship, Neighborhood Team Day, and
Cultural Awareness Day.
City of Hartford Performance Measures – The Council passed a resolution
authorizing the Purchasing Agent to contract with The Abrahams Group to
implement a performance management system within city departments for the
period of July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004. The City has been working with the Connecticut Policy and Economic
Council (CPEC) in an effort to develop performance measures, gather performance
data regarding service issues that matter to citizens, and publicize the
information in an easily understood format.
Affirmative Action Plan – The Council passed on consent an ordinance
approving the City’s FY2003-04 Affirmative Action Plan. The plan recommends, among other things, recruitment
of more African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, and Native Americans for
various job positions throughout the City. Additionally, females would be
encouraged to apply for nontraditional jobs in fields such as technical and
protective services. According to the
plan, the City’s workforce on March 24, 2003 was composed of 62 percent
minority and 27.5 percent female.
Dr. Joseph J. Bellizzi Middle School – The Council passed a resolution honoring the
distinguished Hartford citizen, Dr. Joseph J. Bellizzi, by renaming the South
Middle School as the Dr. Joseph J. Bellizzi Middle School. Dr. Joseph J. Bellizzi served as a School
Physician/Medical Director for the Hartford School System for thirty-three years,
and initiated programs for school based immunizations, system-wide screening
for sickle cell anemia and tuberculosis, school based physical examinations and
medical coverage for various athletic events, and he was a leading figure in
the establishment of school based clinics providing diagnostic and treatment
services, making Hartford one of the first school systems in the country to
provide such services.
Stowe Village Revitalization Project – The Council passed a resolution authorizing
the City Manager, Lee Erdmann, to program $800,000 in Urban Development Action
Grant (UDAG) repayment funds to the Hartford Housing Authority (HHA) for the
construction of a new street in the final phase of Stowe Village. The Hartford Housing Authority is
constructing approximately 30 single-family homes on sites that would be served
by the new proposed street. The City’s
contribution to the project will help complete the revitalization of Stowe
Village, which will trigger additional development in the area, along with
increased private investment and new job opportunities.
Magnet School Projects – The Council passed three resolutions that will authorize the City
Manager to designate the Hartford School Building Committee to oversee the
projects, preparation of schematic drawings, and outline specifications for the
creation and construction of the Pathways to Technology Interdistrict Magnet
School and the University of Hartford High School of Science and Engineering
Magnet School. The Council will also
vote on a resolution that will authorize the City Manager to designate the
Hartford School Building Committee, the Board of Education, and the
Superintendent of Schools to construct and complete project and grant
applications for the Greater Hartford Classical Magnet School. (Items #19, 20 & 21 respectively)
Hartford Municipal Employees Association Agreement – The Council passed three resolutions
authorizing the City Manager to execute a collective bargaining agreement (CBA)
between the Hartford Municipal Employees Association (Union) and the City of
Hartford. The three resolutions will
provide significant saving to the City of approximately $1,180,900 total for
the fiscal year 2003-04. New contract
terms include an established 40 hour work week for Union employees, a modified
health insurance plan that provides significant cost reductions, elimination of
compensatory time for one additional vacation week, and a requirement for new
employees to have age 55 retirement and 25 years for full benefit.
Community Policing Grant – The Council passed a resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit
an application and to sign contracts with the U.S. Department of Justice Office
of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) for an Enhancement of Community
Policing grant for the period of October 1, 2003 through September 30,
2006. The Police Department has
developed an innovative plan to use Capital Community College to offer criminal
justice courses for Hartford residents interested in law enforcement careers.
Medical Reserve Corps – The Council referred to the Health and Human Services and Recreation
Committee a resolution that will authorize the City Manager to make, execute,
and approve all contracts or amendments with the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services to develop a Medical Reserve Corps in the period of October 1,
2003 to September 30, 2004. The average
grant is expected to be $50,000 with no local matching funds required. This grant can also provide, at no local
expense, the staffing to set up community-based citizen volunteer Medical
Reserve Corps (MRC) units.
If you have any questions about the agenda call Greg Vickers at CREN, 249-1416 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. |