Council Previews & Reviews >> Previews > June 23, 2008

Council Preview
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, June 23, 2008

Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

The Council meeting will begin at 7 P.M. at Hartford City Hall in Council Chambers. The next Council Meeting will be Monday July 13, 2008 at 7 PM and the next public hearing will be Monday, July 20, 2008 at 7 PM.

There are 54 items on the agenda.  Below is detailed information about items of special interest to neighborhoods. Following those details is a listing of all agenda items, in layperson’s language. The complete official agenda for the Council meeting available online by clicking on "Council Agendas" at the following web site: http://www.hartford.gov/government/Town&CityClerk/Minutes/council_meeting_minutes.htm.

ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

Previously Submitted Items:  The following items were previously on the Council Agenda and were included in the Council Preview/Review.   They were referred to committees and/or public hearing or action was postponed by the Council.  They are now on the agenda again for action.

International Baccalaureate School – The Council will consider a resolution authorizing the renovation of Thomas Quirk Middle School for an International Baccalaureate School serving 1,266 students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12. The school will offer a comprehensive liberal arts program. The cost of renovation is estimated at $55 million and the State of Connecticut will pay 80% of the cost. The Council's Operations, Management and Budget Committee recommends approval. (Item #15)

Journalism and New Media High School – The Council will consider a resolution authorizing the renovation of Clarence A. Barbour Elementary School for a Journalism and New Media High School to serve 400 students in grades 9 through 12. The cost is estimated at $37.4 million, 80% of which will be paid for by the State of Connecticut . The Council's Operations, Management and Budget Committee recommends approval. (Item #16)

Bond Issuance – The Council will act on an ordinance authorizing the issuance of $9.0 million in General Obligation Bonds for six capital improvement projects: Parking Authority garage improvements ($2.0 million), improvements to Fire Houses citywide ($1.0 million), playground and pool improvements ($1.0 million), streetscape projects north and south ($2.0 million), acquisition of property for Development Services ($1.0 million), and window replacement at Fox School and roofing projects citywide ($2.0 million). A public hearing was held on this item on June 16, 2008. The Council's Operations, Management and Budget Committee recommends approval. (Items #17 and 39)

Improvements to Lozada Park – The Council will consider a resolution authorizing the Mayor to receive funding from the Department of Environmental Protection in the amount of $350,000 for the renovation of Lozada Park , including installation of a Boundless Playground. The Council previously referred this matter to its Public Works, Parks, & Environment Committee. (Item #23)

Lawyer for City Council – The Council will receive a letter from its Legislative Affairs Committee recommending that action be postponed on a proposed ordinance that, if approved, would result in the appropriation of no less than $75,000 to hire an attorney to advise the City Council on City matters when any two members of the Council request such assistance. A public hearing on the ordinance was held on May 19 th at 7 PM. (Item #26 and 36)

Hartford Residency – The Council will consider action on a resolution to continue development of a $100,000 residency incentive fund pool for the 2008-09 fiscal year. The resolution notes that a survey has determined that, currently, Hartford residents make up only 30% of the government and nonprofit workforce in the city. The Council previously tabled and postponed action on this matter. (Item #40)

New Agenda Items

Use of City Services By Immigrants – The Council will consider a proposed ordinance the purpose of which is to codify the policies of the City of Hartford regarding residents and usage of City services as it relates to their immigration status. The proposed ordinance states, among other things, that City services shall be made available to residents regardless of immigration status, and that Hartford police officers shall not inquire about a person's immigration status unless doing so is necessary to a criminal investigation. (Item #41)

Hartford Cares Day – The Council will vote on a resolution declaring June 30 th as Hartford Cares Day in support of short and long-term strategies to further enhance Hartford 's collective community effort to improve public safety. This action is in response to recent incidents of crime and the need to assure enhanced City and community response to such incidents. (Item #42)

Front Street Project – The Council will consider a resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into and execute loan and other agreements for the purpose of providing a $5 million HUD Section 108 loan and a $2 million BEDI grant to the developer of the Front Street Entertainment and Retail Project. (Item #45)

Rules for Considering Vetoes From the Mayor – The Council will vote on a resolution that clarifies the process for receiving vetoes from the Mayor. The resolution states that City Council Rules will be updated to indicate that any vetoed resolution or ordinance shall be automatically placed by the Town Clerk on the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting agenda. (Item #47)

LIST OF ALL AGENDA ITEMS
Item #

  1. Disaster Plan: Approval of a plan prepared by the Capitol Region Council of Governments for Hartford and the other 28 towns in the region to respond to natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, winter storms, drought, etc. and to reduce the loss of life, property and economic disruptions.
  2. Access to Food: Approval to extend contracts with two churches and two nonprofits through June 2009 to provide food, referrals, and follow-up services to Hartford residents.
  3. Tax Fixing Agreement: Final approval to enter into an agreement with The Hartford and IBM to phase in the increase in property tax assessment over seven years resulting from construction of a new data center on The Hartford's campus.
  4. Sale of Land: Authorization to sell 175 Mather Street , for $40,000, to the Temple of Prayer and Worship for parking.
  5. Zezzo House: Approval to grant $74,200 to Zezzo House, housing for people living with HIV/AIDS, to install a parking lot security gate.
  6. Donation of Fire Truck: Authorization to donate a 1984 fire truck, used fire hoses, and power tools to Hartford's sister city, Morant Bay, Jamaica.
  7. Donations to City: Acceptance of donations to the City's Aquatics Program in memory of Denis Hurley, former Aquatics Supervisor.
  8. Lease at 521 Main Street : Approval to lease 350 square feet of space at 521 Main Street to the Municipal Employees Credit Union at $4,200 per year for 5 years.
  9. Transfer of Funds: Authority to transfer funds to the Register of Voters from other unused balances.
  10. Use of Batterson Pond: Approval to allow Team Training New England to use Batterson Pond to train women to swim in triathlons.
  11. Financial Report: Submission by the Mayor to Council of the 3 rd Quarter Financial Report.
  12. Executive Session: Request for Council to discuss lawsuit in Executive Session.
  13. Non-union Health Benefits: Report by Labor & Workforce Development Committee on resolution to increase co-payments of non-union employees for health insurance.
  14. MDC Discussion: Report by the Public Works, Parks and Environment Committee on contracting with minority and women owned businesses and green infrastructure in connection with the Clean Water Project and waste water disposal.
  15. Baccalaureate School : Report from Operations, Management & Budget Committee recommending approval of renovating Quirk Middle School for the International Baccalaureate School.
  16. Journalism High School: Report from the Operations, Management, & Budget Committee recommending approval of the renovation of Barbour Elementary School for the Journalism and New Media High School.
  17. Bond Sale: Report from the Operations, Management, & Budget Committee recommending approval of the sale of $9.0 million in bonds for capital improvements to parking garages, fire houses, playgrounds, streetscapes, and schools, and acquisition of property by Development Services. (Also see #39)
  18. Uncollectible Debt: Report from the Operations, Management, & Budget Committee recommending approval of the write-off $58,232 of uncollectible debts.
  19. Carpe Diem: Report from the Operations, Management, & Budget Committee recommending tabling of request for funding of improvements at Carpe Diem Fraternity.
  20. Fee Waiver: Letter from Public Works, Parks, & Environment Committee indicating plans to submit report on waiver of fees for Community Promise Day at South Green Park on June 26th.
  21. Fee Waiver: Letter from Public Works, Parks, & Environment Committee indicating plans to submit report on request for fee waiver for City Day 08 held at Bulkeley High School on June 14th.
  22. Fee Waiver: Letter from Public Works, Parks, & Environment Committee indicating plans to submit report on request for fee waiver for Our Lady of Fatima event on June 8th.
  23. Lozada Park: Letter from Public Works, Parks, & Environment Committee indicating plans to submit a report on renovation of Lozada Park and installation of Boundless Playground.
  24. Fee Waiver: Letter from Public Works, Parks, & Environment Committee indicating plans to submit report on request for fee waiver for Monday Night Jazz in Bushnell Park.
  25. Fee Waiver: Letter from Public Works, Parks, & Environment Committee indicating plans to submit report on request for fee waiver and use of stage for Family Night on Park Street on June 25th.
  26. Council Lawyer: Report from the Legislative Affairs Committee postponing action on the hiring of a lawyer to represent the Court of Common Council. (also see #36)
  27. Fee Waiver: Letter from Public Works, Parks, & Environment Committee postponing action on request for fee waiver for Run for Kevin event on May 31st.
  28. Youth Soccer: Report from the Public Works, Parks, & Environment Committee discharging the committee from consideration of a proposed grant of $7,500 to the Hartford Youth Soccer Organization.
  29. Accounting: Approval of a system of accounting for and reporting on non-pension benefits to City retirees.
  30. Monument in Bushnell Park: Approval to construct a monument in Bushnell Park to workers killed on the job.
  31. Fee Waiver: Report from Public Works, Parks, & Environment Committee postponing action on fee waiver for March for Babies fundraising walk on April 27th.
  32. North End Little League: Report from Health & Human Services Committee recommending that request for $7,500 for North End Little League be evaluated through a request for proposals process.
  33. Friendship Kid's Camp: Report from Health & Human Services Committee recommending that request for $7,500 for Friendship Kids Camp be evaluated through a request for proposals process.
  34. Hartford Knights: Report from Health & Human Services Committee recommending that request for $7,500 for Hartford Knights youth program be evaluated through a request for proposals process.
  35. Basketball Tournament: Report from Health & Human Services Committee recommending that request for $7,500 for the Gussie Wortham Basketball Tournament be evaluated through a request for proposals process.
  36. Council Lawyer: Authorization to appropriate $75,000 to hire an attorney to represent the Court of Common Council. (also see #26)
  37. HOT: Report from the Operations, Management & Budget Committee on request for $15,000 to assist Hartford Organizing for Tomorrow, a coalition of 30 health and human services agencies.
  38. Residency Incentive: Report from Operations, Management & Budget Committee on development of $100,000 residency incentive pool.
  39. Bond Sale: Approval of the sale of $9.0 million in bonds for capital improvements to parking garages, fire houses, playgrounds, streetscapes, and schools, and acquisition of property by Development Services. (Also see #17)
  40. Property Registration: Approval to transfer responsibility, from the City Clerk to the Division of Licenses & Inspections, for accepting registration of properties in Hartford by owners not living in the properties.
  41. Immigration Status: Establishment of a City policy that immigration status is no barrier to usage of City services.
  42. Hartford Cares Day: Proclamation of June 30 th as Hartford Cares Day.
  43. Commission Appointment: Appointment of Kathy Marseglia to the Commission on Disability Issues.
  44. HYAC Appointment: Appointment of Rhyshia Manga to the Hartford Youth Advisory Council.
  45. Front Street: Authorization to provide a $5 million loan and $2 million grant (both from HUD funds) for the Front Street Entertainment and Retail Project.
  46. CLARO: Request by the Connecticut Latinos/as Achieving Rights and Opportunities (CLARO) for a grant of $10,000.
  47. Council Action on Vetoes: Approval of a change in Council Rules to require that any resolution or ordinance vetoed by the Mayor shall be automatically placed on the next Council Agenda by the Town Clerk.
  48. Pay Increase: Authorization to increase the pay of Confidential Secretary in the Council Office from $865 to $915 per week to reflect cost of living increases.
  49. Fee Waiver: Request for fee waivers for Clay Hill Recognition Day to be held on June 28 th at Delucco Park.
  50. CT Pride: Request for $1,500 to help cover expenses of the CT Pride Hartford Rally and Festival.
  51. Hartford Stage: Request for $10,000 to help cover expenses of The Hartford Stage in 2008-09.
  52. Guakia: Request for $25,000 to help cover expenses of Guakia in 2008-09.
  53. African American Parade: Request to grant a fee waiver and $5,000 to the annual African American Parade to be held on September 27th.
  54. Pro-Am: Request for $5,000 for the Greater Hartford Pro-Am Basketball Tournament to be held July 9 th to August 17th.

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, 509-3710.  The Council Preview/Review is a joint project of Hartford 2000 and the Hartford Public Library.

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