Council Previews & Reviews >> Previews > August 9, 2004

Council Preview
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, August 9, 2004

Prepared by: Citizens’ Research Education Network, Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000

There are 76 items on the agenda. The Council meeting will begin at 7 P.M. at Hartford City Hall in Council Chambers. It will be preceded by an open agenda public hearing that will begin at 6:30 P.M. The next Council meeting will be Monday, September 13, 2004 at 7 P.M.

Amendment of Council Rules: The Council will vote on a resolution that would amend the current ‘Rules of the Council.’ The first proposed change would require all department head candidates nominated by the Mayor to appear before the Committee of the Whole to give the Council members an opportunity to ask questions on the qualifications of the candidate. The second proposed change would require board or commission candidates nominated by the Mayor to have their name presented to the Council, after which the Council would refer the name to the appropriate committee for consideration; the committee will then interview the candidate. Action was postponed on this item at the last Council meeting. (Item #34)

Hartford Parks Trust Funds for Carousel: The Council will vote on a resolution which would authorize $26,172 be made available from the Hartford Parks Trust Fund for the New England Carousel Museum. New England Carousel Museum has begun a restoration project Bushnell Park Carousel for which it has been raising funds. The funds authorized in this resolution were left over after the completion of a carousel renovation project completed in November of 2001. (Item #1)

Property Taxes from Semi-Annual to Quarterly: On the recommendation of Councilmember Kenneth Kennedy and Assistant Majority Leader rJo Winch, the Council will vote on a resolution that would change the collection of property taxes from twice yearly to four times each year effective January 1, 2005. This resolution would reverse a recent Council decision which has established twice yearly collection. (Item #60)

Walmart Weapons Agreement: On the recommendation of Councilwoman Elizabeth Horton Sheff the Council will vote on a resolution requesting that Mayor Eddie Perez negotiate with the Walmart Corporation an agreement that Wal-Mart will not sell guns and ammunition at their Hartford location. According to the resolution New Haven and Saint Paul, Minnesota have both negotiated agreements with Wal-Mart to not sell guns in their towns. The Hartford Police Department reports 462 shooting incidents between January 1 and July 17, 2004. (Item #55)

Mini bikes: On the recommendation of Councilmember Calixto Torres, the Council will vote on a resolution directing the City’s lawyer to research laws related to the regulation of mini bikes. The resolution request that a report of these laws be presented to the Council in September along with a proposed ordinance to regulate or ban the use of mini bikes in Hartford. According to the resolution, children under 16 often ride these bikes which are very small and are often difficult for vehicle drivers to see. (Item #75)

Fire Explorer Program: The Council will vote on a resolution authorizing the Hartford Fire Department to create a Fire Explorer program to students in Hartford schools.   The program would target students between 14 and 20 who were interested in a career with the Hartford Fire Department. In addition to training in fire science, fire prevention, fire fighter safety, and first aid, the program would also focus on community service, life skills, conflict resolution skills, and academic success. The program would not cost the city any additional funds. (Item #14)

Park “Friends” Financial Reporting: The Council will vote on a resolution which would establish uniform financial reporting requirements for all of the “Friends of ” groups which receive payments or donations for their work. The Friends groups support Hartford’s parks and are sometimes recipients of funds from special events. (Item #73)

Bonds for Hartford School: The Council will vote on seven ordinances authorizing the issuance of bond funds for Hartford schools. All of these ordinances are being recommended by the Finance and Revenue Committee for passage and have been to public hearing. They are on the agenda for action. The projects, to be funded in part from funds received from the state include:

University of Hartford Magnet School, estimated total cost $34,000,000, City’s portion, $1,700,000;
Capital College Preparatory Magnet School, estimated total cost $45,650,000, City’s portion, $2,282,500;
Sarah J. Rawson Elementary School, estimated total cost $33,000,000, City’s portion, $6,600,000;
Simpson Waverly, estimated total cost $20,000,000, City’s portion, $1,000,000;
Noah Webster Elementary, estimated total cost, $31,730,000, City’s portion, $6,274,000;
James H. Naylor Elementary School, estimated total cost $30,160,000, City’s portion, $6,032,000; and
Alfred E. Burr Elementary School, estimated total cost, $28,000,000, City’s portion, $5,600,000.

If you have any questions about the agenda call Greg Vickers at CREN, 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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