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Prepared by: Citizens’ Research Education Network,
Hartford Public Library, and Hartford 2000
There were 81 items on the regular agenda. The Council meeting began at 8 P. M. at
Hartford City Hall in Council Chambers. The next Council meeting will be at 8
P. M., September 24, at Hartford City Hall in Council Chambers. The next Public
Hearing will be September 17, at Hartford City Hall in Council Chambers.
University of Hartford/Thomas Cadillac Site - The
Council tabled a proposal to grant the University of Hartford (UHart) tax
increment financing (TIF) assistance for development of property located at the
intersection of Albany Avenue and Westbourne Parkway, the old Thomas Cadillac
site. UHart is proposing to remediate
environmental problems on the property and construct the Hartt Gateway Center
for Performing Arts. The resolution has
been to the Operations, Management, Budget, Education, and Labor Committee
which had recommended passage.
Billboard Ordinance – The Council withdrew an
ordinance which would have changed the charter with reference to
billboards. If the ordinance had been
adopted, sign permits would have been issued to the owners of the property
where the sign is located, rather than the owner of the sign.
Urban Rehabilitation Homeownership Program - The
Council referred to the Housing Committee an ordinance allowing the city to
reduce its assessment of homes improved through funding by the Urban
Rehabilitation Homeownership Program. The program, recently initiated by the state, allows home improvement
loans of up to $35,000 and allows
municipalities the ability to forgive the assessment associated with the home
improvements. The loans are forgiven
after 5 years.
Maple Avenue
Revitalization Group NRZ Strategic Plan - The Council passed an ordinance
officially adopting the strategic plan
of the Maple Avenue Revitalization Group (MARG). The strategic plan and
ordinance were reviewed by the Planning, Economic Development, and Zoning Committee
which recommended passage.
Northeast and
Southend Zone Strategic Plans
– The Council sent to Public Hearing September 17 and to the Planning, Economic
Development, and Zoning Committee two ordinances which would officially adopt
the Strategic Plans of the Northeast and the Southend Neighborhood
Revitalization Zones.
Bushnell Park Outdoor Skating - The Council passed a
resolution to enter into partnership with Leadership Greater Hartford to raise
funds to develop a seasonal skating rink in Bushnell Park. The ice-skating rink will be in operation
from the day before Thanksgiving to January 2, 2002. Volunteers from Leadership Greater Hartford will raise the
$50,000 necessary to rent the outdoor skating rink. The Parks and Recreation Committee has reviewed the resolution
and is recommending passage.
Façade Program Policy - The Council referred to the
Operations, Management, Budget, Education, and Labor Committee a resolution which
would commit the Council to a “first come, first serve” policy with reference
to façade improvement programs. According to the resolution the Council and Neighborhood Revitalization
Zones have created exceptions to the “first come, first serve” policy.
If you have any questions about the agenda call Greg Vickers at CREN, 249‑1416. The Citizens' Research Education Network is a non‑profit research and education center for Hartford community‑based organizations. |
