Council Preview
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, July 14, 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 meeting will be preceded, at 6:30 PM, by an open agenda public hearing. The next public hearing will be Monday, July 21, 2008 at 7 PM.

There are 57 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.

Lawyer for City Council – The Council will consider an 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. The Council has previously tabled this matter. (Item #10)

Sale of 95-101 Pearl Street – The Council will vote on a resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement for the sale of 95-101 Pearl Street to 95-101 Pearl Street LLC, a partnership led by Carlos Mouta of Westside Property Management. The proposed sales price is $2 million, less $1.6 million credit towards environmental and material cleanup costs. The developer was chosen as the result of a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process, and intends to redevelop the property into 36 residential apartments, office, and retail space. The Council’s Planning & Economic Development Committee recommends approval. (Item #13)

New Agenda Items

Services for Senior Centers – The Council will vote on a resolution authorizing the Health and Human Services Department to continue contractual agreements with agencies to provide services to senior centers from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009 as follows: Catholic Charities (services to South End Wellness Senior Center and Hispanic Senior Center), SAND Corporation (services to North End Super Senior Center), the Salvation Army, Inc. (services to Salvation Army Senior Center), and Parkville Senior Center. These services provide seniors with valuable recreation and nutrition programs that promote social interaction, good health, safety, education, and leisure activities. (Item #2)

New Day Program – The Council will consider a resolution to accept $527,800 from the State of Connecticut and provide the funds to the New Day Program operated by the Puerto Rican Forum. This program assists men and women leaving prison to re-enter society successfully. (Item #5)

Kelvin Anderson/Parker Memorial Center – The Council will vote on a proposed ordinance that, if approved, will result in a supplemental appropriation in the Capital Improvement Fund for $861,423 to finance costs associated with the Kelvin Anderson/Parker Memorial Center project, including conceptual design, environmental review, schematic design, construction documents, costing, bidding, contract administration, and furniture design. This supplemental appropriation will bring the total amount appropriated for the project to $17,061,423. (Item #22)

All Terrain Vehicles – The Council will consider an ordinance that would restrict the use of all terrain vehicles. Such vehicles would not be allowed on streets, sidewalks, or any public property, including playgrounds, parks, and school grounds, and would only be allowed on private property with the permission of the owner. Violation of the law would result in seizure of the vehicle and summons to Community Court, where the sentence may include community service, a fine of up to $99, and/or a jail sentence of up to 25 days. (Item #25)

Residency Incentives – The Council will vote on a resolution supporting the earmarking of $100,000 in the 2008-09 budget for residency incentives for City and other employees. Incentives may include home buying assistance and tax incentives. The resolution also calls on the Labor & Workforce Development Committee to prepare the 3rd Annual Hartford Residency Report and on the City of Hartford to conduct the 5th Annual Hartford Residency Survey to encourage and monitor organizations and departments to meet the 50% hiring goal. (Item #40)

Retiree Health Insurance Premiums – The Council will vote on a resolution postponing changes to City retirees’ health insurance premiums. The resolution indicates that hundreds of retirees were recently notified of steep and sudden increases in their premiums and many of them have not received accurate and timely information. (Item #54)

LIST OF ALL AGENDA ITEMS
Item #

1. HIV/AIDS Services: Approval to apply for $3.7 million in Ryan White grant funds for medical and support services to people living with AIDS/HIV in Hartford, Middlesex, and Tolland Counties.
2. Senior Centers: Approval to enter into $607,000 in contracts for operation of five senior centers.
3. Traffic Enforcement: Authorization to accept $32,000 from the CT Dept. of Transportation for traffic safety enforcement.
4. Homeland Security: Authorization to enter into agreement with the CT Dept. of Emergency Management and Homeland Security for regional homeland security projects.
5. New Day: Approval to accept $527,800 from the State and grant it to the Puerto Rican Forum for operation of the New Day Program, which helps men and women leaving the prison system to re-enter and be successful in society.
6. Uncollectible Taxes: Authority to write-off $1.6 million in motor vehicle taxes as uncollectible.
7. CDBG Funds: Allocation of $150,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds to the Hartford Redevelopment Agency for use in managing and remediating property owned by the Agency.
8. Executive Session: Approval to go into Executive Session to discuss resolution of a law suit.
9. School Construction: Report by the Education Committee on the status of nine school building projects.
10. Council Attorney: Ordinance allowing expenditure of $75,000 by Council to hire its own lawyer.
11. Carpe Diem Fraternity: Report by the Operations, Management & Budget Committee tabling resolution to allocate $25,000 for improvements to the Fraternity’s facility.
12. Acquisition of Land: Recommendation by the Planning & Economic Development Committee to acquire vacant lots at 1409 and 1411-1417 Main Street from owner for $1.00. Lots are adjacent to new public safety complex.
13. Sale of Land: Recommendation by the Planning & Economic Development Committee to sell property at 95-101 Pearl Street to Carlos Mouta for development of 36 units of housing.
14. CDBG Funds: Recommendation by the Planning & Economic Development Committee to allocate $74,200 in Community Development Block Grant funds for installation of a security gate at the parking lot of Zezzo House at 180-190 Homestead Avenue.
15. Greater Hartford Pro-Am: Allocation of $5,000 for a basketball tournament from July 9th to August 17th at Lewis Fox School.
16. School-Community Partnerships: Recommendation by the Education Committee to postpone action on authorization to apply for and accept funding for Community Schools.
17. Monument in Bushnell Park: Authorization to install monument to workers killed on the job.
18. Fee Waiver: Recommendation by the Public Works, Parks and Environment Committee to NOT waive fees for event sponsored by the US Army.
19. New Pay Scales: Adoption of new pay scales for certain City executives.
20. Appointment: Appointment of Kathy Marseglia to the Commission on Disability Issues.
21. Bonds: Authorization to modify variable investment rates on bonds issued by the City in 2006 and 2007.
22. Kelvin Anderson Center: Allocation of an additional $861,423 in federal grant funds for reconstruction of Anderson/Parker Center, bringing total funds to $17,061,423.
23. Information Services Employees: Ordinance defining group of employees affected by consolidation of information services units of Board of Education and City of Hartford and covered by amended pension benefits.
24. Information Services Pensions: Ordinance defining recalculation of pension benefits for employees affected by consolidation of information services of Board of Education and City of Hartford.
25. All-Terrain Vehicles: Prohibition of use of all-terrain vehicles on public streets or sidewalks or on private property without permission of owner.
26. Appointment: Appointment of Sara C. Bronin to the Historic Properties Commission.
27. Appointment: Appointment of Constance Belton Green to the Hartford Public Library Board of Directors.
28. Osten Boulevard: Approval to superimpose “Osten Boulevard” at the corner of Wyllys and Stonington Streets.
29. Patsie Williams Way: Approval to superimpose “Patsie Williams Way” between Norwich Street and Osten Boulevard.
30. Luis Ayala Lane: Approval to superimpose “Luis Ayala Lane” between Osten Boulevard and Van Block Avenue.
31. Grant: Allocation of $75,000 to the Park Street Special Services District.
32. Living Wage: Approval to extend the term of the Living Wage Task Force for 90 days.
33. Rehousing Assistance: Authorization to increase the amount of allowance, provided to tenants who must relocate due to circumstances beyond their control, from $2,500 to $3,000.
34. West Indian Parade: Authorization of a fee waiver and a grant of $10,000 for the West Indian Parade to be held on August 9, 2008.
35. HARC: Approval to provide a grant of $7,500 to the Greater Hartford Association for Retarded Citizens for a winter recreation program for youth.
36. Library Events: Authorization for the Hartford Public Library to serve food, beverages, and alcohol at four events.
37. Anti-Blight Update: Resolution that the Housing Committee will review anti-blight issues as requested by four community groups.
38. Sheff Movement: Allocation of $15,000 to support full implementation of the Sheff v. O’Neill decision through the Sheff Movement organization.
39. HartBeat: Approval of a grant of $7,500 to the HartBeat Ensemble.
40. Residency Incentives: Approval to earmark $100,000 in City’s 2008-09 budget for incentives to City employees to move into Hartford.
41. Jazz: Allocation of $10,000 to the Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz to be held on July 18, 19, and 20.
42. Fee Waiver: Authorization to waive fees for the Hispanic Health Council’s 17th Annual Health Fair in Barnard Park on August 14th.
43. Fee Waiver: Authorization to waive fees for the Independence Day of Columbia at Colt Park on July 20th.
44. Fee Waiver: Authorization to waive fees for the Gospel Explosion to be sponsored by First Cathedral in Sigourney Park on July 19th.
45. Fee Waiver: Authorization to waive fees for the HartBeat Ensemble’s Plays in the Parks in July.
46. Fee Waiver: Authorization to waive fees for Lift Every Voice and Sing in Bushnell Park on September 13th.
47. Fee Waiver: Authorization to waive fees for the Heart Walk in Bushnell Park on September 28th.
48. Fee Waiver: Authorization to waive fees for the ING Hartford Marathon on October 11th.
49. Fee Waiver: Authorization to waive fees for the Women’s 5 Mile Run and Red Dress 5 Miler in Elizabeth Park on July 12th.
50. Fee Waiver: Authorization to waive fees for Hope Out Loud in Bushnell Park on September 13th.
51. Fee Waiver: Authorization to waive fees for the Discover Hartford Bicycling and Walking Tour on September 13th.
52. Fee Waiver: Authorization to waive fees for the Connecticut Ballet’s performance at Riverfront Plaza on August 23th.
53. Grant: Authority to grant $5,000 to Debbie Goffe and her dance company, Scapegoat Garden.
54. Retiree Health Insurance: Postponement of changes to retirees health benefits for 90 days and direction to Administration to seek options to assist retirees with increased premiums.
55. Fee Waiver: Authorization to waive fees and extend the loud speaker permit until 1 AM on August 5, 8, and 9 during West Indian Celebration Week at the West Indian Club
56. First Night: Approval of a $6,000 grant to First Night Hartford to purchase a tent.
57. Opus: Approval of a $5,000 grant to Opus, Inc. for its summer and after-school programs for youth.

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.