Council Review
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, June 23, 2008

Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

There were 54 items on the original agenda. No new items were submitted during the meeting. The next regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, July 14, 2008 at 7 P.M. in the Council Chambers in Hartford City Hall , preceded at 6:30 by a public comment period. The next public hearing will be Monday, July 21, 2008 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

International Baccalaureate School – The Council adopted 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 recommended approval. (Item #15)

Journalism and New Media High School – The Council passed 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 recommended approval. (Item #16)

Bond Issuance – The Council adopted 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 recommended approval. (Items #17 and 39)

Improvements to Lozada Park – The Council passed 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’s Public Works, Parks, & Environment Committee recommended approval. (Item #23)

Lawyer for City Council – The Council tabled 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 19th at 7 PM and the Legislative Affairs Committee recommended that action be postponed. (Item #26 and 36)

Hartford Residency – The Council adopted 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 #38)

Use of City Services By Immigrants – The Council referred, to its Health & Human Services Committee, and to Public Hearing on July 23, 2008, 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 approved a resolution declaring June 30th 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 withdrew 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 referred, to its Legislative Affairs Committee, 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)

ACTION ON 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. Passed
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. Passed
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. Passed
4. Sale of Land: Authorization to sell 175 Mather Street, for $40,000, to the Temple of Prayer and Worship for parking. Referred to Planning & Economic Development Committee and Public Hearing
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. Referred to Planning & Economic Development Committee
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. Referred to Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee
7. Donations to City: Acceptance of donations to the City’s Aquatics Program in memory of Denis Hurley, former Aquatics Supervisor. Passed
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. Referred to Planning & Economic Development Committee and Planning & Zoning Committee and Public Hearing on July 21.
9. Transfer of Funds: Authority to transfer funds to the Register of Voters from other unused balances. Passed
10. Use of Batterson Pond: Approval to allow Team Training New England to use Batterson Pond to train women to swim in triathlons. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
11. Financial Report: Submission by the Mayor to Council of the 3rd Quarter Financial Report. Received
12. Executive Session: Request for Council to discuss lawsuit in Executive Session. Went into 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. Passed
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. Received
15. Baccalaureate School :Report from Operations, Management & Budget Committee recommending approval of renovating Quirk Middle School for the International Baccalaureate School. Passed
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. Passed
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) Received
18. Uncollectible Debt: Approval of the write-off $58,232 of uncollectible debts. Passed
19. Carpe Diem: Report from the Operations, Management, & Budget Committee recommending tabling of request for funding of improvements at Carpe Diem Fraternity. Tabled
20. Fee Waiver: Waiver of fees for Community Promise Day at South Green Park on June 26th. Passed
21. Fee Waiver: Waiver of fees for City Day 08 held at Bulkeley High School on June 14th. Postponed
22. Fee Waiver: Fee waiver for Our Lady of Fatima event on June 8th. Passed
23. Lozada Park: Authorization to accept $350,000 from DEP for renovation of Lozada Park and installation of Boundless Playground. Passed
24. Fee Waiver: Fee waiver for Monday Night Jazz in Bushnell Park. Passed
25. Fee Waiver: Fee waiver and use of stage for Family Night on Park Street on June 25th. Passed
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) Received
27. Fee Waiver: Fee waiver for Run for Kevin event on May 31st. Passed
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. Withdrawn
29. Accounting: Approval of a system of accounting for and reporting on non-pension benefits to City retirees. Passed
30. Monument in Bushnell Park: Approval to construct a monument in Bushnell Park to workers killed on the job. Postponed
31. Fee Waiver: Fee waiver for March for Babies fundraising walk on April 27th. Passed
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. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
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. Passed
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. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
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. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
36. Council Lawyer: Authorization to appropriate $75,000 to hire an attorney to represent the Court of Common Council. (also see #26) Tabled
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. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
38. Residency Incentive: Report from Operations, Management & Budget Committee on development of $100,000 residency incentive pool. Passed
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) Passed
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. Referred to Planning & Economic Development Committee and Public Hearing on July 21.
41. Immigration Status: Establishment of a City policy that immigration status is no barrier to usage of City services. Referred to Health & Human Services Committee and Public Hearing on July 23.
42. Hartford Cares Day: Proclamation of June 30th as Hartford Cares Day. Passed
43. Commission Appointment: Appointment of Kathy Marseglia to the Commission on Disability Issues. Postponed
44. HYAC Appointment: Appointment of Rhyshia Manga to the Hartford Youth Advisory Council. Passed
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. Withdrawn
46. CLARO: Request by the Connecticut Latinos/as Achieving Rights and Opportunities (CLARO) for a grant of $10,000. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
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. Referred to Legislative Affairs Committee
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. Withdrawn
49. Fee Waiver: Request for fee waivers for Clay Hill Recognition Day to be held on June 28th at Delucco Park. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
50. CT Pride: Request for $1,500 to help cover expenses of the CT Pride Hartford Rally and Festival. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
51. Hartford Stage: Request for $10,000 to help cover expenses of The Hartford Stage in 2008-09. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
52. Guakia: Request for $25,000 to help cover expenses of Guakia in 2008-09. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
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. Passed
54. Pro-Am: Request for $5,000 for the Greater Hartford Pro-Am Basketball Tournament to be held July 9th to August 17th. Referred to Health & Human Services Committee

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.