Council Review
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, July 14, 2008

Prepared by:
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

There were 57 items on the original agenda. Two more items were submitted during the meeting. The next regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, August 11, 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

Services for Senior Centers – The Council approved 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 passed 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)

Lawyer for City Council – The Council referred, to its Legislative Affairs Committee, 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. The Council has previously tabled this matter. (Item #10)

Sale of 95-101 Pearl Street – The Council approved 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 recommended approval. (Item #13)

Kelvin Anderson/Parker Memorial Center – The Council referred, to its Operations, Management and Budget Committee, 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 referred, to its Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee, 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. A public hearing will be held on this item on Monday, July 21, 2008. (Item #25)

Residency Incentives – The Council approved 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 amended and passed a resolution postponing changes to City retirees’ health insurance premiums until September 1, 2008. (Item #54)

Front Street – The Council approved a resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept a $5 million Section 108 loan guarantee and a $2 million Brownfield Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) grant from the US Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). The resolution further authorizes the Mayor to enter into agreements to provide the funding to HBN Front Street, Inc., the developer of the Front Street Entertainment and Retail phase of the Adriaen’s Landing Project. (Item #59)

ACTION ON 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. Passed
2. Senior Centers: Approval to enter into $607,000 in contracts for operation of five senior centers. Passed
3. Traffic Enforcement: Authorization to accept $32,000 from the CT Dept. of Transportation for traffic safety enforcement. Passed
4. Homeland Security: Authorization to enter into agreement with the CT Dept. of Emergency Management and Homeland Security for regional homeland security projects. Passed
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. Passed
6. Uncollectible Taxes: Authority to write-off $1.6 million in motor vehicle taxes as uncollectible. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
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. Passed
8. Executive Session: Approval to go into Executive Session to discuss resolution of a law suit. Went into Executive Session
9. School Construction: Report by the Education Committee on the status of nine school building projects. Received
10. Council Attorney: Ordinance allowing expenditure of $75,000 by Council to hire its own lawyer. Referred to Legislative Affairs Committee
11. Carpe Diem Fraternity: Report by the Operations, Management & Budget Committee tabling resolution to allocate $25,000 for improvements to the Fraternity’s facility. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
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. Passed
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. Passed
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. Passed
15. Greater Hartford Pro-Am: Allocation of $5,000 for a basketball tournament from July 9th to August 17th at Lewis Fox School. Passed
16. School-Community Partnerships: Recommendation by the Education Committee to postpone action on authorization to apply for and accept funding for Community Schools. Postponed

17. Monument in Bushnell Park: Authorization to install monument to workers killed on the job. Postponed
18. Fee Waiver: Recommendation by the Public Works, Parks and Environment Committee to NOT waive fees for event sponsored by the US Army. Postponed
19. New Pay Scales: Adoption of new pay scales for certain City executives. Passed
20. Appointment: Appointment of Kathy Marseglia to the Commission on Disability Issues. Passed
21. Bonds: Authorization to modify variable investment rates on bonds issued by the City in 2006 and 2007. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee. Public Hearing July 21, 2008
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. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee. Public Hearing July 21, 2008
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. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee. Public Hearing July 21, 2008
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. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee. Public Hearing July 21, 2008
25. All-Terrain Vehicles: Prohibition of use of all-terrain vehicles on public streets or sidewalks or on private property without permission of owner. Referred to Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee. Public Hearing July 21, 2008
26. Appointment: Appointment of Sara C. Bronin to the Historic Properties Commission. Postponed
27. Appointment: Appointment of Constance Belton Green to the Hartford Public Library Board of Directors. Postponed
28. Osten Boulevard: Approval to superimpose “Osten Boulevard” at the corner of Wyllys and Stonington Streets. Withdrawn
29. Patsie Williams Way: Approval to superimpose “Patsie Williams Way” between Norwich Street and Osten Boulevard. Withdrawn
30. Luis Ayala Lane: Approval to superimpose “Luis Ayala Lane” between Osten Boulevard and Van Block Avenue. Withdrawn
31. Grant: Allocation of $75,000 to the Park Street Special Services District. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
32. Living Wage: Approval to extend the term of the Living Wage Task Force for 90 days. Passed
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. Referred to Operations, Management & Budget Committee
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. Passed
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. Referred to Health & Human Services Committee
36. Library Events: Authorization for the Hartford Public Library to serve food, beverages, and alcohol at four events. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
37. Anti-Blight Update: Resolution that the Housing Committee will review anti-blight issues as requested by four community groups. Withdrawn
38. Sheff Movement: Allocation of $15,000 to support full implementation of the Sheff v. O’Neill decision through the Sheff Movement organization. Postponed
39. HartBeat: Approval of a grant of $7,500 to the HartBeat Ensemble. Referred to Health & Human Services Committee
40. Residency Incentives: Approval to earmark $100,000 in City’s 2008-09 budget for incentives to City employees to move into Hartford. Passed
41. Jazz: Allocation of $10,000 to the Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz to be held on July 18, 19, and 20. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
42. Fee Waiver: Authorization to waive fees for the Hispanic Health Council’s 17th Annual Health Fair in Barnard Park on August 14th. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
43. Fee Waiver: Authorization to waive fees for the Independence Day of Columbia at Colt Park on July 20th. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
44. Fee Waiver: Authorization to waive fees for the Gospel Explosion to be sponsored by First Cathedral in Sigourney Park on July 19th. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
45. Fee Waiver: Authorization to waive fees for the HartBeat Ensemble’s Plays in the Parks in July. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
46. Fee Waiver: Authorization to waive fees for Lift Every Voice and Sing in Bushnell Park on September 13th. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
47. Fee Waiver: Authorization to waive fees for the Heart Walk in Bushnell Park on September 28th. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
48. Fee Waiver: Authorization to waive fees for the ING Hartford Marathon on October 11th. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
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. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
50. Fee Waiver: Authorization to waive fees for Hope Out Loud in Bushnell Park on September 13th. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
51. Fee Waiver: Authorization to waive fees for the Discover Hartford Bicycling and Walking Tour on September 13th. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
52. Fee Waiver: Authorization to waive fees for the Connecticut Ballet’s performance at Riverfront Plaza on August 23th. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
53. Grant: Authority to grant $5,000 to Debbie Goffe and her dance company, Scapegoat Garden. Referred to Health & Human Services Committee
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. Amended and Passed
55. Fee Waiver:Authorization to waive fees and extend the loud speaker permit until midnight on August 5 and 1:30 AM on August 8 and 9 during West Indian Celebration Week at the West Indian Club. Amended and Passed
56. First Night: Approval of a $6,000 grant to First Night Hartford to purchase a tent. Referred to Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee
57. Opus: Approval of a $5,000 grant to Opus, Inc. for its summer and after-school programs for youth. Referred to Health & Human Services Committee
58. Donation: Approval to donate a 1984 Sutphen Tower Ladder fire truck and other used equipment to Hartford’s sister city, Morant Bay, Jamaica. Passed
59. Front Street: Authorization to accept a $5 million loan and $2 million grant from HUD and provide the loan and grant to HBN Front Street, Inc., developer of for the Front Street Entertainment and Retail phase of Adriaen’s Landing. Passed

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.