Prepared by: Citizens’ Research Education Network,
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
There were 67 items on the agenda. The next Council meeting
will be Monday, July 11th in Council Chambers. It will
be preceded by a public hearing that will begin at 6:30 P.M.
Coltsville Streetscape Project: The
Council passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Eddie Perez to enter into agreements
with the State of Connecticut for construction, inspection, and maintenance
of streetscape improvements on Huyshope Avenue and with Colt Gateway, LLC for
the longer term maintenance, repair, and operation of non standard elements,
including decorative street lights, sidewalks, and other features. The State
Department of Transportation will administer approximately $4.0 million in
grants that were secured by Colt Gateway, LLC from Federal Funds. The City
of Hartford will be responsible for the administration, construction, inspection,
and coordination of grant reimbursement. The City will be reimbursed
for personnel costs associated with the aforementioned activities.
“Safe Streets” Traffic Safety Enforcement: The
Council passed a resolution to accept a grant from the State Department of
Transportation for $86,956 for the enforcement of traffic safety laws in Hartford.
The grant will go to the Hartford Police Department, in support of its efforts
to reduce hazardous racing and “cruising” on the streets of Hartford,
especially in the Southside of Hartford, where a recent surge in these practices
has been increasingly problematic. This would be the fourth year that the Hartford
Police Department would be a recipient of this grant.
Neighborhood Marketing Funding: The
Council passed a resolution authorizing the Mayor to reallocate $5,000 for
the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to the Urban Development Action
Grant (UDAG). Specifically, these funds will go towards the Neighborhood Marketing
program, to support efforts by a committee made up of members of Hartford 2000,
the Hartford Public Library, and the City Council to create a strategy and
budget for marketing neighborhood assets.
Board of Education Budget: The Council
passed a resolution adding $1,200,000 to the Board of Education budget for
the 2005-2006 fiscal year. The additional funds have been made available through
the state’s Education Cost Sharing Grant.
“Map for Success Program”: The
Council passed a resolution calling upon the Mayor to allocate up to $7,500 from
the Youth Initiative fund for the support of the West End Community Center’s “Map
for Success” Summer Program. This program is in its second year and provides
youth ages 6-17 with various cultural, recreational, and creative activities
including a job shadowing and career exploration component, and college tours.
ParkvilleImprovement Projects: The Council
passed a resolution authorizing the Mayor to file an application to contract
with the State for the purpose of securing funds for the Parkville MDP Planning
Project. Up to $180,000 will be provided for economic development and manufacturing
assistance.
ParkvilleNeighborhood Loan Guarantee: The
Council referred to the Planning, Economic Development and Zoning Committee
a resolution that would authorize the reprogramming and use of $250,000 from
the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)-Economic Development Loans to
establish the Parkville Neighborhood Loan Guarantee Program with the Community
Economic Development Fund (CEDF). The City of Hartford and People’s Bank
established a similar program in 1997, but it expired in 2001. The CEDF has
expressed its commitment to ensure its continuation. Under the new program,
loans between $5,000 and $150,000 will be made to neighborhood businesses.
Park StreetStreetscape Project: The Council
passed a resolution authorizing an agreement with the State that will reflect
a reduction in the ceiling limitation on reimbursable expenses for the Park
Street Streetscape Project. The City entered into the Park Street Reimbursement
Agreement with the State in October of 2002 for the construction, inspection,
and maintenance of the Park Street/Trinity College area. The original agreement
made the commitment to reimburse the City for expenditures of up to $4,881,100.
This ceiling limitation is subject to a federal limitation that is adjustable
each year. This year Congress reduced the ceiling limitation to $4,565,300.
The First Supplemental Agreement to the Park Street Agreement notes this change.
The Mayor projects that sufficient funds will be available to complete the
current, base project plans, but any extra costs or significant changes may
present budgetary problems.
If you have any questions about the agenda call Brenda Schack at CREN, 509-3702, Liz Dupont-Diehl 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.
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