Council Preview
Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, September 8, 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, September 15, 2008 at 7 PM.

There are 62 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 is 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.

All Terrain Vehicles – The Council will vote on a proposed amendment to an existing City ordinance in Chapter 22 of the Hartford Municipal Code. If approved, all terrain vehicles will be added to the list of regulated vehicles (including pocket bikes, mini bikes, mini cycles, mini sport bikes, and others). The amendment has been proposed because use of all terrain vehicles in Hartford is destroying parks and causing noise, traffic, and public safety concerns. 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. The passage of this amendment will allow law enforcement to seize all terrain vehicles and issue a 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 was held on this item on Monday, July 21, 2008 and the Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee recommends approval. (Items #19 & 27)

Rules for Considering Vetoes From the Mayor – The Council will take action on a resolution that clarifies the process after a veto 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. The Legislative Affairs Committee recommends approval.(Item #20)

New Agenda Items

Shot-Spotter – The Council will consider a resolution requesting that the Mayor acquire a Shot-Spotter which is new technology that can identify the location of a gunshot within five seconds of firing, which would assist in apprehending individuals firing guns in Hartford. The resolution also asks that state, federal, and other funding options be explored in order to acquire the Shot-Spotter as soon as possible. (Item #38)

Greenway/Bikeway – The Council will vote on a resolution that asks for the City to apply to the State Department of Environmental Protection for funds to plan and construct a greenway/bikeway and to explore the possibility of collaborating with the towns of Simsbury and Bloomfield to construct and connect greenways in the three towns. (Item #39)

Medical Premiums for Retirees – The Council will vote on a resolution reaffirming its intention that the Mayor submit to the City Council, for final approval before implementation, any plan which might impact medical premiums for retirees. (Item #59)

Charter Revision Commission – The Council will vote on a resolution stating that an 11-member Charter Revision Commission be appointed within thirty days. Its purpose will be to review the current Charter and all aspects of the structure of the City Government including, but not limited to, the appointment of certain boards and commissions by the City Council, the appointment of the Corporation Counsel by the City Council, the authority of the Treasurer in financial matters governing the City, special elections for the Mayor, and the composition of the City Council. (Item #62)

Library Branches – The Council will consider a resolution that would allocate up to $75,000 from already authorized funds to the Hartford Public Library in order to reopen the Blue Hills and Mark Twain Branch Libraries. (Item #61)

LIST OF ALL AGENDA ITEMS
Item #

1. HIV/AIDS: Authorization to accept $3.7 million grant for medical and support services to people with HIV/AIDS in Hartford, Middlesex, and Tolland counties.
2. Substance Abuse: Approval to accept $7,130 for substance abuse prevention.
3. 18 Chapin Place: Approval to sell City-owned property at 18 Chapin Place to Mahadeo Ajodhi for construction of a house.
4. Emergency Preparedness: Approval to enter into agreement with the State for services and funding for emergency preparedness in the region.
5. Executive Session: Request that Council go into Executive Session to discuss the case of Janice Mendez v. City of Hartford.
6. Executive Session: Request that Council go into Executive Session to discuss the case of Cornell Sweet v. Zachary Freeto, et al.
7. Violence: Report from the Health & Human Services Committee on discussions about facilities, services and programs available to youth, the issues around youth violence, and ways the City can be helpful.
8. Contract Compliance: Report from the Labor & Workforce Development Committee on review of changes to the City’s process of assuring that construction contractors comply with affirmative action and other equal opportunity requirements.
9. Tenant/Landlord Relations: Report from Housing Committee that discussion of tenant/landlord issues was tabled.
10. Bonds:Recommendation from the Operations, Management & Budget Committee that the Council should approve an ordinance (item #23) allowing the City to modify interest rates or other terms on bonds issued by the City in order to reduce financial risk.
11. Anderson Center: Recommendation from the Operations, Management & Budget Committee that the Council should approve $861,423 in CDBG funds for improvements to Kelvin Anderson Center. (also see item #24)
12. Information Services Pensions: Recommendation by the Operations, Management & Budget Committee supporting an ordinance (item #26) defining recalculation of pension benefits for employees affected by consolidation of the information services groups of the Board of Education and City of Hartford.
13. Information Services Employees: Recommendation by the Operations, Management & Budget Committee supporting an ordinance (item #25) defining a group of employees affected by consolidation of information services units of Board of Education and City of Hartford and covered by amended pension benefits.
14. Equipment Purchases: Recommendation by the Operations, Management & Budget Committee to enter into a financing agreement with GE Capital for the purchase of $1,700,000 in technology hardware and software.
15. Morgan Street Garage: Recommendation by the Operations, Management & Budget Committee to change agreement between the City and the State for operation of the Morgan Street Garage to improve efficiencies in parking by students at Capital Community College.
16. Amistad Center Gala: Recommendation by the Operations, Management & Budget Committee to waive fees for valet parking permit for Amistad Center event on November 1, 2008.
17. Wadsworth Atheneum Gala. Recommendation by the Operations, Management & Budget Committee to waive fees for valet parking permit for event on October 4, 2008.
18. Carnival: Committee report to be submitted at Council meeting on requested waiver of fees for Coleman Brothers carnival held in Pope Park from June 16 to 22 of 2008.
19. All-Terrain Vehicles: Recommendation by the Quality of Life and Public Safety Committee to adopt an ordinance (item #27) prohibiting use of all-terrain vehicles on public streets or sidewalks or on private property without permission of owner.
20. Mayoral Vetoes: Recommendation by the Legislative Affairs Committee to change the Council Rules to state that any item passed by Council and vetoed by the Mayor must be placed on the next Council agenda.
21. Monument in Bushnell Park: Authorization to install monument to workers killed on the job.
22. School-Community Partnerships: Report by Council's Education Committee postponing action on funding for the Partnership.
23. Bonds: An ordinance allowing the City to modify interest rates or other terms on bonds issued by the City in order to reduce financial risk. (also see item #10)
24. Anderson Center: Ordinance appropriating $861,423 in CDBG funds for improvements to Kelvin Anderson Center bringing total funds to $17,061,423. (also see item #11)
25. Information Services Employees: Ordinance defining a group of employees affected by consolidation of information services units of Board of Education and City of Hartford and covered by amended pension benefits. (also item #13)
26. Information Services Pensions: Ordinance defining recalculation of pension benefits for employees affected by consolidation of information services units of Board of Education and City of Hartford. (also see item #12)
27. All-Terrain Vehicles. Ordinance prohibiting use of all-terrain vehicles on public streets or sidewalks or on private property without permission of owner. (also see item #10)
28. Fee Waiver: Recommendation by Public Works, Parks & Environment Committee (PWPEC) to waive fees for the Independence Day of Columbia held at Colt Park on July 20th.
29. Fee Waiver: Recommendation by PWPEC to waive fees for Lift Every Voice and Sing to be held in Bushnell Park on September 13th.
30. Grant: Authority to grant $5,000 to Debbie Goffe and her dance company, Scapegoat Garden.
31. Appointments: Approval to appoint Robin Kimberly Hussain and Linda R. Nelson to the Hartford Commission on Grandparents Raising Grandparents.
32. Appointment: Approval to appoint Sean P. Arena to the Hartford Redevelopment Agency.
33. Appointment: Approval to appoint Imani Zito to the Advisory Commission on the Environment.
34. Reappointment: Approval to reappoint Melvin L. Crockett to the Civilian Police Review Board.
35. Reappointment: Approval to reappoint Melvin D. Pettigrew to the Greater Hartford Transit District.
36. Pratt Street: Approval to enter into an agreement with Aetna regarding ownership of Pratt Street. (no further information available at this time).
37. Grant: Approval to grant $3,500 to the Juan Castillo Latin-American Basketball League.
38. ShotSpotter: Request to Mayor to acquire technology that identifies the location of a gunshot within five seconds of the shot.
39. Greenway: Request to the Mayor to apply for State funds to construct a bikeway/greenway and to explore the possibility of partnering with Bloomfield and Simsbury to connect such trails in the three towns.
40. Fee Waiver: Request for fee waiver and street closings for CT Special Olympics Corporate 5K held on August 14, 2008.
41. Fee Waiver: Request for fee waiver and street closings for Marshall House Block Party to be held on September 5, 2008.
42. Fee Waiver: Request for fee waiver for 'Walk in Our Footsteps" sponsored by CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence to be held on October 3, 2008.
43. Fee Waiver: Request for fee waiver and street closings for "Christian Parade" sponsored by the Church of God Pentecost held on August 30, 2008.
44. Fee Waiver: Request for fee waiver for "Memory Walk" sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association on October 5, 2008.
45. Fee Waiver: Request for fee waiver for Latino Fest sponsored by Hacemos Scholarship Foundation being held on September 6, 2008 in Bushnell Park.
46. Fee Waiver: Request for fee waiver for "Take Back the Park" held by Hartford City Mission in Keney Park on July 31 and August 1, 2008.
47. Fee Waiver: Request for fee waiver for "Community Garden Picnic" held by Broad Park Development and Hartford Public Library on August 22, 2008.
48. Fee Waiver: Request for fee waiver for a summer outing held by Liberty Christian Center on August 17, 2008.
49. Fee Waiver: Request for fee waiver for the "Evangelical Campaign Outreaching for the Vision of Christ 2008" at South Green Park by Ebenezer Pentecostal Church on August 30, 31, 2008.
50. Monument: Approval to erect a monument to Marcus Garvey at the intersection of Granby and Cornwall Streets (Marcus Garvey Triangle).
51. Fee Waiver: Request for fee waiver for "Community Street Fest" held by Liberty Christian Center on August 30, 31, 2008.
52. Fee Waiver: Request for fee waiver for a fundraiser held by The Barrio Riders and the Pit Stop held on August 30, 2008.
53. Fee Waiver: Request for fee waiver for "Grilling for Green" to be held by Knox Parks Foundation on October 2, 2008 at Elizabeth Park.
54. Cultural Affairs: Approval to release $10,000 of previously authorized $50,000 to be used by the Office of Cultural Affairs for upcoming programming.
55. Fee Waiver: Request for fee waiver for Sigourney Square Family Festival held by LifeTime Solutions on August 30, 31, 2008.
56. Fee Waiver: Request for fee waiver for a series of summer religious services held by Bibleway Temple Nation.
57. Fee Waiver: Request for fee waiver for a series of religious services held by La Iglesia de Dios in August and September 2008.
58. Audit: Request to the Internal Audit Commission to perform audit of contractual processes and arrangements relating to health premiums paid by retirees.
59. Premiums: Request to the Mayor that he submit to Council any plans that might impact medical premiums for retirees.
60. FOI. Request to Council to review the question of further appeals versus settlement of Freedom of Information Commission decision.
61. Library Branches. Approval to allocate $75,000 to re-open Blue Hills and Mark Twain Library Branches.
62. Charter Revision. Approval to establish an 11-person Charter Revision Commission within 30 days.

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.